Hong Kong: Cashing in on loose change Is your coin jar overflowing? Turn your coins into banknotes at the Monetary Authoritys coin carts and see how much money you can save by collecting loose change. Mr Po and his son went to the coin cart with their toy safe. They saved $1,300 in six months. My kid puts the coins in the piggy bank for me. Many a little makes a mickle, he said. Mrs Tai brought a little bucket full of coins worth $3,080. We drop off a handful of coins when we get home every day, but we do not use them the next day. Collected coins are separated daily according to their denominations. Once the coins are transported to the bank, good quality ones go to retailers to be circulated in the market again. Worn out, or damaged coins are returned to the authority which will send them to a mint in the UK or Canada to be melted and recycled. Funny money The Monetary Authority started the Coin Collection Programme in 2014. Since then, it has collected about 400 million coins. But not all items received by the coin carts are legal tender, such as citizens false teeth and rings. Some of the coins come from the most unexpected places. Monetary Authority Head of Currency & Settlement Division Lydia Yip said they once received about 100,000 $1 coins from a charity. The charity explained the coins were donated by people attending funerals, Ms Yip said. It is a local tradition that mourners will receive an envelope which contains a $1 coin which has to be used after a funeral service. Innovative idea The concept of using coin carts to collect spare change was awarded the Best New Coin Innovation by the International Association of Currency Affairs. Other central banks have expressed an interest in introducing similar services in their own countries. The coin carts bring convenience to the public. They also help save on minting costs due to the hoarding of coins, said Ms Yip. The authority monitors money flow monthly. If there are not enough coins in the market, they need to place an order with the mint up to nine months in advance. In 2017, 100 million 10-cent coins were minted. The demand for 10-cent coins is large because supermarkets and retailers price the commodities at prices like $49.9. That is why they need the 10-cent coins for change, Ms Yip explained. The authority will launch a new service schedule for its two coin carts from May 20 to July 28. Citizens can convert their coins into banknotes free of charge, or top up their Octopus cards or e-wallet accounts at the coin carts which will travel to different districts. This story has been published on: 2019-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Ready-to-eat food stores, supermarkets, restaurants, and households are called upon to revise their lifestyle, consumption habits, sale practices and preparation methods. Households throw away 2.91 million tonnes of food each year. Tokyo (AsiaNews/Agencies) At least 6 million tonnes of food are discarded every year from ready-to-eat food stores, supermarkets, restaurants and households. For this reason, the Japanese government wants to raise awareness among the Japanese people to encourage them to reduce food waste. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), roughly 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted globally every year, whilst one person in nine in the world or 815 million are underfed. In January, Japans Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Ministry turned to industry groups representing convenience stores and supermarkets, urging them not to overproduce seasonal sushi rolls. The government also asked shops, supermarkets, and restaurants to sell or serve smaller portions of food. Government data show that from 2016 to 2017, food-related manufacturing and restaurants sectors threw away 1.37 million tonnes and 1.33 million tonnes, respectively, whilst the retail sector discarded around 10 per cent out of a total 6.43 million tonnes. For their part, at 2.91 million tonnes households alone represented over 40 per cent of the total. In light of the situation, the government wants to reduce household food waste by 50% by 2030. This is why it is launching a campaign that shows how overproduction of food and its waste are responsible for huge energy consumption and contributes to global warming. Welcome to followthemedia.com The article or material you have chosen... Michael Hedges May 20, 2019 - Good investigative reporters have sources in high places and low places. And they are not waiting for a phone call. Nor do they wait to spring into action. Decisions must be made. Details must be collected. Great investigative reporters have the trust of the best sources and never forget. Interesting Tips Arrive At Interesting TimesMichael Hedges May 20, 2019 - Follow on Twitter Good investigative reporters have sources in high places and low places. And they are not waiting for a phone call. Nor do they wait to spring into action. Decisions must be made. Details must be collected. Great investigative reporters have the trust of the best sources and never forget. ...is available for restricted access. You may access this specific article or material for 4 If you are an ftm Member, please go to the home page HERE and log in ftm Members can access all site material at no additional charge. You can JOIN ftm here The ftm newsletter available at no charge to all with registration To register click here. Aaron Steel has a good reason for skipping his high school graduation. West County's graduation is set for this coming Friday night and the West County senior was scheduled to leave this weekend for Marine Corp basic training. He thought he was going to miss out on wearing the cap and gown to receive his high school diploma but his fellow students came together a week early to make sure he had the experience he deserved. A special graduation was held Friday specifically for Steel and his family with all the students present. Steel, who has attended West County schools his entire life, said he was not expecting to have the traditional graduation. I didn't expect everyone to come together, said Steel. I figured (Superintendent Stacy) Stevens would hand me my diploma and congratulate me. I thought some of the students would be here to celebrate this moment with me. But to see all of the students here was really nice. Steel is the son of George and Sherry Bradley. I think it's wonderful and did not expect it, Sherry said. I'm just thankful that we have a really good school district here. The seniors even had a cake after the special graduation. The official graduation will take place this coming Friday at 7 p.m. in the West County High School gym with 74 students graduating. The seniors will enter the gymnasium in pairs to the traditional Pomp and Circumstance performed by the high school band under the direction of Darren Cordray. A welcome speech will then be delivered by High School Principal Eric Moyers followed by high school band performing, The Ayres of Agincourt by Richard Meyer. Next, a PowerPoint presentation will be shown with pictures of all the graduates. The audience will be led in the singing of the West County School Song and the high school choir will perform a musical selection, This is Me, under the direction of Ryan Hassell. The recognition portion of the ceremony will follow. National Honor Society members will be recognized first by math and chemistry teacher, Crystal Cavelli and then Co-Student Body President LillyAnn Swyers will speak. The valedictorian and salutatorian will then give their addresses. This years valedictorian is Jordan Stevens. She is the daughter of Stacy and Melissa Stevens. I'm really glad that my class and I have grown into a big family and I loved getting to know everyone throughout all these years, said Stevens. There were highs and lows, but more highs than lows. Stevens wanted to pay special recognition to an influential school staff member saying, I'd like to give a shout out to Ms. Susan (Masters) for keeping my head on straight. After graduation, Stevens will attend Missouri S&T in Rolla where she plans to major in physics. Following her undergraduate studies, Stevens hopes to attend graduate school and obtain a doctorate in astrophysics. The salutatorian this year is Mikayla Sherrill. After speeches, scholarship recipients will be recognized, as well as students like Steel who will be entering the Armed Forces. Bobby Radford is a reporter for the Daily Journal. He can be reached at 573-518-3628, or at bradford@dailyjournalonline.com. Love 6 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. He has been cited by Rush Limbaugh, quoted in the New York Times, featured at Real Clear Politics and Lucianne.com and interviewed on radio, TV and in social media. For many years he served as a Lecturer in Corporate Communication at Penn State University. A former President of the Philadelphia Public Relations Association (PPRA) he has lectured at Rowan University, Temple University, The College of New Jersey and Arcadia University. He has conducted workshops on public relations for thousands of participants throughout the nation and has taught countless others the art of public speaking. He has also advised numerous lawyers, judges, public officials and political candidates. Cirucci is a prolific writer and his op-ed pieces have appeared in the Philadelphia Daily News, Philadelphia Inquirer, Courier-Post and other publications. A native of Camden NJ, Cirucci is a former President of the Philadelphia chapter of the International Association of Business Communicators. Cirucci served as Associate Executive Director of the Philadelphia Bar Association for nearly 30 years. He served as Chair of Penn State University's Professional Advisory Board for the Corporate Communication major at Penn State Abington and on the Pennsylvania Bar Association's Judicial Selection Commission. He received his MA degree from Rowan University and his BA from Villanova University. He has been named a Distinguished Alumnus of Rowan's public relations program and was inducted into the Philadelphia Public Relations Hall of Fame. He received the E. A. "Wally" Richter Leadership Award from the National Association of Bar Executives' Communications Section. The Award is the Section's highest honor. He has also been honored by numerous other local, state and national groups. Cirucci's passions include politics, the popular culture, books and authors, art, communication, music, theatre, movies, dining and travel. In his hometown of Camden, Cirucci taught fifth grade at the Ulysses Wiggins Elementary School named for the founder of the Camden NAACP. He later served as editor of a local weekly newspaper, as Assistant to the Township Manager of Cherry Hill Township and as Associate Director of Communications at the New Jersey State Bar Association. He's Dan Cirucci, the founder and editor-in chief of the Dan Cirucci Blog, Matt Rooney's sidekick on Save Jersey's weekly videocast and one of the most widely honored public relations professionals in his field. He's also been a public relations consultant to numerous organizations and individuals and hosted The Advocates on RVN-TV. Political prisoner, activist, journalist, hymn-writer, emerging think tanker, aspiring novelist, hanger on of academia, parliamentary candidate for North West Durham, Shadow Leader of the Opposition, Speedboat, proudly banned from Twitter so officially more dangerous than the Taliban, eagerly awaiting the second (or possibly third) attempt to murder me. Good morning. Im Paul Thornton, and it is Saturday, May 18, 2019. I trust that all my fellow Americans of Norwegian descent had a wonderful Syttende Mai (pronounced something like SOOT-in my). Lets take a look back at the week in Opinion. Michael Brandon Samra might have briefly hoped his life would be spared the day before Alabama executed him on Thursday. For it was then, on Wednesday, that the only official with the unilateral authority to grant the convicted murderer a reprieve declared every life really, every life to be a sacred gift from God. But as we can almost always infer from the statements of anti-abortion hardliners, its really the lives of blastocysts, embryos and fetuses that are valued the most or at least used disingenuously to pass laws meant to kick the issue of abortion up to the Supreme Court. In a piece posted after Gov. Kay Ivey signed her states flagrantly unconstitutional criminalization of nearly all abortions, editorial writer Scott Martelle called out Alabamas transparent hypocrisy on the question of protecting all life: Apparently, Iveys not averse to returning some of Gods sacred gifts, since as governor shes overseeing the planned execution ... of Michael Brandon Samra, who was 19 years old when he took part in the quadruple murder of the family of a friend angered by the fathers refusal to let him borrow a pickup truck. The ringleader, who was 15 at the time of the crimes, is serving life in prison. In fact, since Ivey assumed office two years ago last month, Alabama has executed six other men, including convicted serial bomber Walter Moody who, at 83, became the oldest person executed in the nations history when he was strapped onto the gurney last year. Earlier this year, the state executed Domineque Ray after the Supreme Court refused to issue a stay when Iveys government denied the condemned Muslim inmate access to an imam in the death chamber, although it does provide a Christian chaplain. Although California has the nations largest death row with 735 condemned inmates, Alabama has the highest per capita rate of death sentences. And six weeks after she was sworn into office, Ivey signed into law a measure shortening the appeals process for capital offense, a move that makes it more likely the state will execute the innocent. So much for Iveys notion that the new abortion ban stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians deeply held belief that every life is precious & that every life is a sacred gift from God. Or maybe the asterisk after every didnt come through on Twitter. Source: latimes.com , Opinion, May 18, 2019. Paul Thornton is the Los Angeles Times letters editor. He joined the editorial pages in 2005 as a researcher and occasional editorial writer and also served as a Web producer. A UC Berkeley graduate, he lives in Alhambra with his wife, two sons and two cats. | 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! JIHADI John's ISIS 'Beatles' pals should be hanged in Iraq or Syria instead of being allowed back into Britain, a former CIA agent has said. Ex-spy chief Douglas Wise said Alexanda Kotey and El Shafee Elsheikh - captured by Kurdish forces in 2018 - should be executed not extradited. The British pair were high-ranking members of Mohammed Emwazi's 'Beatles' execution squad. He told the Mail on Sunday: "You'd have defence attorneys who would be making this a spectacle, the prosecution making it a media spectable... it would just be horribly bad for Britain and particularly for the family members of the victims. "Kurdish justice is a great judicial system when it comes to Arab extremists. "Or turn them over to the Iraqi government - they'll hang them." Let them hang in Iraq or in Syria Masked executioner Jihadi John - real name Mohammed Emwazi - was responsible for taking part in the executions of seven western hostages and 22 Syrians in sick ISIS propaganda videos - and is believed to have killed many more captives off camera . Emwazi, killed in a drone strike in 2015, became the face of Islamic State's depraved campaign of terror after the beheadings of aid workers David Haines and Alan Henning were broadcast. He also beheaded American journalist James Foley. El Shafee Elsheikh, 29, and Alexanda Kotey, 34, were captured in Syria in January after ISIS fled its former self-styled capital Raqqa. They are being held in the US and are fighting to dodge a potential death penalty by being extradited back to Britain. Along with Emwazi and Anie Davis a Londoner imprisoned in Turkey El Shafee Elsheikh and Kotey were known as The Beatles because of their British accents. Building a case in the UK against the men could prove difficult given that many documents and forensic evidence would have been destroyed in the warzone. | 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 Its been six months since Oregon State University was chosen by the State Land Board to take over management of the controversy-plagued Elliott State Forest, and the message coming out of OSU is this: Not so fast. The Elliott became the latest battlefront in Oregons timber wars in 2012, when Cascadia Wildlands, the Audubon Society of Portland and the Center for Biological Diversity filed suit to halt clear-cut logging on portions of state forests used as nesting sites by the marbled murrelet, a bird thats federally protected under the Endangered Species Act. The state suspended timber sales in those areas shortly after the suit was filed, and the harvest reductions became permanent when the suit was settled in 2014. But that left the state with a problem. By law, state forests in Oregon are supposed to support the Common School Fund, and over the years logging receipts from the Elliott had been a major source of revenue for the fund. In 2016 the State Land Board made up of the governor, state treasurer and secretary of state proposed selling the 91,000-acre forest to a group led by Lone Rock Timber and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Indians for its appraised value of $220.8 million, with the money going to the Common School Fund. But that idea sparked a backlash: Environmental groups argued that private ownership could lead to accelerated logging that would harm the murrelet and other threatened species such as coho salmon and the northern spotted owl, while hunters and fishers balked at losing public access to the forest. The Land Board took the sale off the table, and Gov. Kate Brown proposed selling $100 million in state bonds to protect part of the forest while selling off the rest. Meanwhile, Treasurer Tobias Read approached OSU about coming up with the remaining $120.8 million and taking over management of the entire Elliott State Forest for research purposes. OSU officials produced a memorandum of understanding outlining a possible framework for the deal, and last December the board voted unanimously to endorse the idea of transforming the Elliott into a research forest, directing the Department of State Lands to work with university officials to hash out the details and come back in a year with a finished plan. Halfway through that process, the notion of transferring the Elliott to OSU is anything but a done deal. Unanswered questions At its Dec. 18 meeting, the Land Board laid out a number of conditions that must be met before it would transfer title of the Elliott State Forest, including: Keeping the forest publicly owned and maintaining public access. Decoupling the forest from the Common School Fund, compensating the fund for the value of the forest and releasing the forest from its obligation to generate revenue for schools. Developing a habitat conservation plan that would protect sensitive species while allowing for continued timber harvest. Providing for multiple benefits from the forest including recreation, education and working forest research. The OSU College of Forestry formed a nine-member committee to put the plan together in consultation with the Department of State Lands, but at this stage there appear to be more questions than answers. At the top of the list of unanswered questions is this one: Where would OSU get the $120.8 million to complete a purchase of the Elliott State Forest? Ive tried to be really clear with people: We dont even have the .8 right now, said Anthony Davis, acting dean of the College of Forestry. Its not there at this point. For the moment, he said, the committee is not working on a purchase plan. Instead, its grappling with even more fundamental questions, such as: Should the College of Forestry take on the task of managing the Elliott as a research forest? And, if so, what sorts of research would it do there? OSU already owns eight research forests totaling 15,000 acres, but those holdings would be dwarfed by the Elliott. In fact, it would be the largest academic research forest in the country, outstripping even a 79,000-acre tract owned by North Carolina State University. The Elliotts considerable size along with the requirement that it be managed for multiple uses, including conservation, recreation and timber harvest creates research opportunities on a scale the college has not had access to before. This kind of forest could be a critical place to study how we use forests and how we manage them to allow for other interests we want to protect, Davis said. This is societys opportunity to say we have to answer these big questions lets get in front of them, he added. If we want to define sustainability, we cant do it on a small scale. But given those multiple use constraints, can the college design experiments that would really take advantage of the Elliotts scale? Or would it simply be repeating the work its already doing on its other forests? The question has to be how does this serve our mission, Davis said. How does this fit with what were trying to do now or 25 years from now or 50 years from now? There are other potential downsides as well. The forests relatively remote location, in the Coast Range southeast of Reedsport, makes it hard to get to from Corvallis. It has more than 400 miles of road that require maintenance. It attracts hunters, anglers and other recreational users, creating possible liability issues. And lingering controversy over its use could invite bad publicity for the college and the university. Is the college prepared to manage all those risk factors? Answering those questions is the first step in creating a management plan for an OSU-owned Elliott State Research Forest, Davis said, and that will be a big part of the universitys report to the State Land Board, which is scheduled to be presented at the boards Dec. 10 meeting. If this conversation keeps going (after that meeting), thats when we would bring in some real financial expertise and start examining ways to pay for it, Davis said. A sense of potential Ali Ryan Hansen, a spokeswoman for the Department of State Lands, also acknowledged that a lot of things still need to be worked out before the state would transfer the Elliott to OSU control including a viable plan for paying off the remaining $120.8 million obligation to the Common School Fund. Theres many important conversations that are still ahead, she said. Knowing that December is the next big deadline for the project, it may not be that everything is wrapped in a bow at that point. Nevertheless, Hansen added, OSU remains the State Land Boards leading candidate to take on the responsibility of managing the forest. Theres a real sense of potential, she said. The board keeps narrowing the focus of what the future of the Elliott State Forest is going to look like, and right now were all focused on this Oregon State University opportunity. Its a shell game Not everyone, of course, is excited about the prospect of an OSU-managed Elliott State Research Forest. Rex Storm, forest policy manager for Associated Oregon Loggers, a timber industry trade association, thinks the state should keep the forest rather than issuing bonds and soliciting payment from OSU to decouple the Elliott from the Common School Fund. Why would one Oregon public entity pay for something taxpayers already own? he asked. Its a shell game at the expense of Oregon schoolchildren and taxpayers. Roughly 90 percent of the Elliott 82,500 acres is an asset of the Common School Fund. In the 10 years before the lawsuit halted old-growth logging on the Elliott, the forest was generating about $6 million annually for Oregon schools. Since that time, however, timber harvests have fallen off sharply, resulting in a net loss of more than $4 million to the fund. The Common School Fund is currently valued at about $1.6 billion, and adding $220.8 million to the funds corpus would no doubt allow for increased investment returns. But would the additional return on investment exceed what the Elliott could produce if the state retained ownership and pursued a more aggressive harvest policy? Storm thinks the state should do just that, despite the terms of the settlement in the marbled murrelet lawsuit. The State Land Board should be finding ways to make (the Elliott) more valuable instead of kicking the can down the road, he said. I dont think its fair to the taxpayers or the children of Oregon. High-quality habitat But the way environmental groups see it, the Elliott is far more valuable as a safe haven for threatened wildlife and a recreation area for residents of Southwest Oregon than it is as a cash cow for the Common School Fund. According to Josh Laughlin, executive director of Cascadia Wildlands, roughly half of the Elliott has never been logged, making it a rare bastion of old-growth forest in Oregons coastal mountains. It also magnifies the conservation impact of the recently designated Devils Staircase Wilderness Area, 30,000 acres of protected land just a few miles to the north in the Siuslaw National Forest. Its an incredibly valuable public asset (and) its incredibly important that we get this right, he said. The Elliott State Forest stands out like a sore thumb for its high-quality habitat in a largely cut-over landscape. Laughlin thinks selling the Elliott to OSU offers the state an attractive solution to a difficult problem: how to make money for the Common School Fund without violating the Endangered Species Act. But hes also concerned that the university might be tempted to ramp up logging on the Elliott to the point that it damages habitat for sensitive fish and wildlife, either in the name of research or to help cover its share of the purchase price. He wants solid assurances that wont happen. We want to see a durable and lasting solution for the Elliott, which may consist of Oregon State University being the owner, but we want to make sure the conservation sideboards are durable, lasting and enforceable, Laughlin said. We dont want to just change the archaic model of logging to fund schoolchildren to logging to fund OSUs debt. Were not going to go down that rabbit hole. Finding a balance Which brings the whole debate back to the financial question: How is Oregon State University going to come up with $120.8 million to complete the decoupling of the Elliott State Forest from the Common School fund? Davis insists the school wont do anything rash just for the sake of acquiring the Elliott. Were not going to do anything that puts the college or the university at risk financially, he said. We cant advance our research mission at the expense of our teaching and outreach mission. And while hes not ready to discuss the details of a possible financing package, there may be some clues to the College of Forestrys thinking on the matter in a recently issued request for proposals. The college is asking for bids from consulting firms to prepare a feasibility analysis of the Elliotts capacity for carbon sequestration and the potential value of that capacity in the emerging market for carbon credits. The request for proposals also calls for modeling a defined number of harvest scenarios and associated revenue streams based on management objectives that would balance research and education with conservation and other public values. In other words, the college is considering selling carbon credits to industrial polluters, which would generate revenue from growing trees rather than cutting them. And its also contemplating some limited logging activities possibly thinning of second-growth stands that would make money and create timber jobs while preserving habitat for threatened species. Is it possible that Oregon State University can come up with a way to take over management of the Elliott State Forest and pay for it that makes all sides of the debate happy? Davis certainly hopes so. Everybody needs to move on from being anchored in conflict around this forest, he said. If were going to be stuck in the past, if were going to be focused on finger-pointing, then were never going to be able to move forward. Reporter Bennett Hall can be reached at 541-758-9529 or bennett.hall@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter at @bennetthallgt. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 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. Arizona is starting to slip out of the grasp of the GOP. The state party elected a neo-fascist chair and fundraising evaporated . 2020 could be a good year for Arizona Democrats. One Republican state Senator saw what was coming and abandoned ship, first to become an independent and finally joining the almost-as-conservative Blue Dogs, Tom O'Halleran. There's nothing about him that says "Democrat: except the "D"" next to his name-- which is better than the ProgressivePunch "F" next to his crucial vote score. all progressive initiatives. O'Halleran is one of the 12. Look at the 5 most important bills pending before Congress, Medicare-For-All H.R.1384 , The Raise the Wage Act ( H.R.582 ), the Green New Deal Resolution ( H.Res109 ), the Social Security 2100 Act ( H.R.860 ) and the bill to lower the price of prescription drugs ( H.R.1046 ). O'Halleran opposes them all! There are a dozen Democrats who regularly vote against virtuallyprogressive initiatives. O'Halleran is one of the 12. Tom O'Halleran has also been an obedient lapdog for the special interests and corporate PACs that finance his career and his campaigns. The DCCC and Cheri Bustos are doing all they can to prevent O'Halleran from being primaried. actual Democrat primarying O'Halleran this cycle is Flagstaff former city councilwoman and progressive activist, Eva Putzova Eva is literally as good as O'Halleran is bad. Just look at the TheDemocrat primarying O'Halleran this cycle is Flagstaff former city councilwoman and progressive activist, Eva Putzova Eva isas good as O'Halleran is bad. Just look at the issues page on her official campaign website . Short version: she supports Medicare-For-All; she supports tuition-free public colleges; she's fighting for the rights of Arizona's indigenous people; she's campaigning for a complete immigration overhaul; she supports the Green New Deal; she is 100% pro-Choice; she opposes invasions and occupations of other countries and will be a strong voice for peace; she is strongly behind raising the minimum wage to a livable wage; and she backs LGBTQ equality. What a breath of fresh air compared to O'Halleran. Below she wrote a guest post explaining the foundations of the immigration plank she's running on. If you think she would make a better representative, please consider contributing to her campaign by clicking on the thermometer on the right. On A Slippery Path To A Police State By Eva Putzova We have all seen the photos and videos of families being separated at the border. We have seen the crying children, sobbing parents, border patrol and ICE agents with guns, barbed wire detention centers. Our immigration system is cruel, chaotic, irrational and unjust. Although many are deeply impacted by these images, we forget what caused them in the first place. Most people dont leave their homes voluntarily to travel hundreds or thousands of miles in harsh and dangerous conditions to another country unless they are desperate and have no choice. Most of the immigrants coming to the U.S. nowadays are fleeing extreme poverty, violence, domestic abuse, and political tyranny in Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras or elsewhere. Their living conditions are so marginal and desperate that they are willing to take the enormous risks of making the dangerous journey north to get across the border to the U.S. any way they can. We need to remember that it was American military interventions in these nations in the 1970s, '80s and '90s that helped generate this flow of refugees. We helped fuel civil wars in these nations by aiding brutal, authoritarian regimes and armed groups that committed atrocities against civilians and flooded the region with weapons. Is it any wonder that this resulted in domestic instability and insecurity that, in the ensuing years, led to hundreds of thousands of people wanting to leave? Then came the 9/11 attacks and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and a brand-new immigration enforcement agency called the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, or ICE. Its mission is to "enforce the immigration laws of the United States and to investigate criminal and terrorist activity of transnational organizations and aliens within the United States." Regardless of its original intent, ICE has become an instrument of government terror in communities across our land. Undocumented, even long-time members of our communities, regardless of age, are the targets of ICE raids. These people are not engaged in "criminal and terrorist activity of transnational organizations" They are our neighbors, colleagues, friends, and family members. And for those who assume that because they are citizens or legal residents of the U.S and have nothing to worry about-- guess again. ICE agents bully, intimidate, and even detain citizens and legal residents when they are looking for someone who is undocumented. I have seen this firsthand in Arizona. Several years ago, Frankie Madrid, a young undocumented community activist who had been brought to the U.S. as a baby by his mother who was fleeing domestic abuse in Mexico, was arrested, charged with drug possession, served time, and then deported by ICE. Our system had forced him to live in the shadows where he suffered from depression and drug addiction. Frankie could have had protected DACA status but was the victim of an unscrupulous attorney who never filed the papers. After being deported to Mexico, a country he had never even visited, he committed suicide in despair. Just like any other American citizen or legal resident, Frankie should have been released to his family after serving his time and paying his debt to society. Instead, ICE sent him into a never-to-return-exile to a foreign land where he took his own life. Another ICE victim in Flagstaff is an undocumented man named Jose. Jose came to the U.S. when he was nine years old. He is a father himself now. He was picked up by the local sheriff on a warrant for an unpaid fine on a previous DUI. While in custody, Jose filed a lawsuit against the sheriff for his policy of honoring ICEs 48-hour administrative detainers, which keeps people in jail after completing their sentence or posting bail. To prevent Jose from moving forward with the lawsuit and avoiding an unfavorable court ruling, ICE lifted their detainer, effectively removing Joses standing in the lawsuit. Jose was able to post bail and, for a while, avoid ICE with community support. But ICE was not going to allow Jose to escape and the community to keep protecting him. They spent months keeping him, his friends and family under surveillance. In April, ICE conducted raids in Sedona and Flagstaff with heavily armed agents and detained him-- without a warrant signed by a judge. In the process they threatened his family members with taking away their children if they didnt cooperate. They also detained a documented resident for a period of time during this raid. While driving Jose to the ICE detention center the ICE agents celebrated their success in capturing him and told him it was his fault because he had filed the lawsuit against the Coconino County Sheriffs Department for their unjust 48-hour detainer policy. They acted in a cruel and sadistic manner towards him. I grew up in Slovakia, which in 1989 overthrew its totalitarian regime as did other countries in Eastern Europe. We all knew about and were familiar with state police agencies like my home countrys STB, East Germanys STASI and the Soviet Unions KGB. They intimidated, manipulated, and blackmailed people, spied on their own citizens, and turned neighbor against neighbor. The reports about how ICE operates are too familiar to me. We are on a path to slowly turning the U.S. into a police state. In addition to the documented stories of abusive ICE raids, the ACLU has reported that more than 80 local law enforcement agencies are now sharing license plate information collected by a private company with ICE. In emails obtained by the ACLU, ICE was told that law enforcement could expect access to billions of license plate scans, with hundreds of millions more added each month. More than 9,200 ICE employees have access now to this information with few privacy safeguards in place. Lets be clear. We are all now under surveillance-- citizens, legal residents, and undocumented persons alike. There is no "immigration crisis" or "national security threat" that justifies law enforcement agencies collecting everyones license plate and personal location data and turning them over to ICE who will use them to bully, intimidate, and threaten families. There is no threat that justifies the brutal display of force terrorizing our communities. When I am elected to Congress, I will work with my progressive colleagues to overhaul the immigration system. Just like STB in my home country, ICE has lost its moral authority and must be abolished. We need a humane, lawful, immigration policy that provides legal status and protection to the vast majority of people who enter the U.S. seeking protection and a better life. Immigration oversight should be under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Justice as it was prior 2003, and not under the Department of Homeland Security. Both Frankie and Jose should have been citizens a long time ago. Frankie would have lived. One reason that our Congress has failed to enact the reform we need is that less than three percent of its members are immigrants themselves. If the Congress reflected the population, we would now have 56 immigrants in the House and Senate. I will be the first immigrant elected to Congress from Arizona. The militarized response by agencies like ICE to people from Latin American nations seeking asylum and protection here is the result of our past militarized interventions in those same nations. We must recognize that many of our trade agreements, drug policies, and inaction on climate change are also contributing factors to migration. We now must acknowledge our past mistakes, address the current problems humanely and create a new and different future where peace, justice, and diplomacy are paramount. Graduation Day (May 20) 1968: Donald J Trump poses with his father shortly before or after receiving his undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School of Fiannce and Commerce. He has said that day was "the beginning" of his transformation from just another rich kid to the bold-faced real estate mogul and Lothario he would become: a.k.a. The Donald J Trump -by Charles Krause HIS TWEETS TELL THE TALE The University's silence is "a disgrace" As my 50th college reunion approaches, this weekend, I will return to Philadelphia ashamed, saddened and angry that my Alma mater has chosen to remain silent in the face of what's become painfully obvious: the University of Pennsylvania failed to educate its most famous alumnus, Donald J Trump, Wharton '68. Simply put, what the world has seen since the day he became President is a Penn grad with a 6th grade vocabulary; less than a passing acquaintance with proper English grammar and spelling; no apparent interest in, or knowledge of, history, literature, the arts, science or, most dangerously, Constitutional law. (Had he taken Dr. Henry Abraham's Constitutional Law course, things might have been different. But he probably wouldn't have passed.) Without any doubt, Donald Trump's degree from the Wharton School is a disgrace to the University; an insult to Penn alumni, especially those of us who graduated in the 60's and early 70s; and one of the alternative facts Candidate Trump used, shamelessly, to persuade those who voted for him that he was qualified to be President. One explanation for Our Leader's having both the educational level of a high school drop-out and an undergraduate degree from what is supposed to be one of the world's great universities, is that, 50 years ago, the University of Pennsylvania was a diploma mill, willing to admit, and grant degrees to, anyone who could pay tuition. It just so happens I was the editor-in-chief of the Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn's student newspaper, in 1968, the year young Donnie Trump, as he was known then, received his under-graduate degree from Penn's Wharton School of Finance and Commerce. Believe me when I tell you, the explanation that Penn was a diploma mill with the standards of a second-rate community college, is simply not true. There is another explanation, however, that I asked the University's current president, Amy Gutmann, to investigate in a letter I sent her this past January. That she never acknowledged receipt of my letter, much less ordered the investigation I suggested, coupled with Michael Cohen's testimony about the threatening letters he was ordered to send to Fordham and Penn, strongly suggests to me that what I asked Gutmann to investigate, is true. And if it is true, then the University's official silence about The Donald's relationship to the University-- a policy Gutmann adopted soon after he announced he was running for President in 2015-- suggests she is engaged in covering up a scandal that Trump himself was worried might derail his candidacy had it become known during the primaries, when he used his Wharton degree as a prop to prove he was the brilliant genius he claimed to be. by Nancy Ohanian His fixer, Michael Cohen, knew better. He thought the way he used his "academic credentials" proved something else. "When I say con man, Im talking about a man who declares himself brilliant but directed me to threaten his high school, his colleges, and the College Board to never release his grades or SAT scores," Cohen said when he testified before Congress. Fordham, where The Donald spent his freshman and sophomore years, before transferring to Wharton in 1966 for his junior and senior years, at least confirmed receipt of Cohen's letter. Penn would not. "Sorry, but we do not comment on students' records," the University's spokesman told The Daily Pennsylvanian, when its editor tried to confirm that Penn had also received Cohen's threatening letter. What the DP got, instead, was a near-perfect nonresponse response (used most often in Washington when an agency spokesperson is forced to respond to questions about a front page story in The Timesor The Post that he/she knows is so explosive that even a "no comment" could resultin getting his or her principal not only fired, but indicted). Cohen obviously thought-- or knew-- his bosses' grades and test scores would not support Candidate Trump's claim that he is brilliant and a genius-- the reason Cohen seemed to think he had been ordered to write the letters. But what if it was something much worse, something that would reveal the way Donald Trump had used money all his life to buy what he wanted-- or, to get rid of what stood in his way? What if his grades at Fordham were so bad-- and his test scores so low-- that if they, like his tax returns, were made public, eyebrows would be raised and questions would be asked: "How did The Donald ever get accepted to Wharton with grades and board scores like that?" And what if, omg, what if it turned out that somebody had to bribe somebody to get him in? Even Jeb Bush might have roused himself long enough to make something out of that, especially if the University correctly decided it would have to withdraw his precious degree because it wouldn't be fair to Penn's thousands of other undergrad alums if bribing admis-sions officers were recognized as one perfectly acceptable and customary way students were admitted to Penn during the years Donnie Trump was there. THE BAD: Pillage Practice by Jim Boden What I asked Gutmann to do was quite simple: compare Trump's grades from his freshman and sophomore years at Fordham, and his board scores, with those of the other applicants who wished to transfer to Wharton as juniors in 1966. If his measured up, case closed. If they didn't, then what I had been told 40 years ago, would bear further investigation. And what that was, was this: that Donald Trump's older brother, Freddy, who graduated from Lehigh, paid someone he knew in the admissions office at Penn to admit his young Donnie Trump into Wharton, despite his failing grades at Fordham and low board scores-- the very same grades ands board scores he was worried about 50 years later. The other half of the rumor has been, for years, that The Donald spent very little time in class and paid other students to take his exams, which would account for the degree he received in 1968 without his having learned much of anything during his two years at Penn. After the tough guy role he played firing people week after week on NBC, which we now know was a con job because he apparently hates to fire the crooks he's hired to run the government, it should come as no surprise that he managed to con the University into giving him a degree he didn't earn honestly. It should also come as no surprise he's not very good in his current role as President, playing on the world stage to sophisticated audiences who can tell the difference between a pro and an amateur. What is surprising, and deeply troubling, is President Gutmann's disinterest in defending the rest of the University's alumni, whose degrees are degraded as long as the world assumes that the educational achievement of hte University's most famous alumnus is no different than ours. Or, put another way, that ours is as poor as his. The letter I wrote to her is below. I'll leave it to those who care to read it to decide if Penn's dirty little secret should be exposed. by Tim Atseff from the series, Seven Deadly Sins: Trump's Dystopian Hepatology Dear President Gutmann, I write to you now as a member of the Class of 1969, former University Trustee, former editor-in-chief of the Daily Pennsylvanian and former member of the Benjamin Franklin Society. Over the past two years, I have waited in vain for the University to defend the integrity of the degree which I, and my classmates, earned just a year after Donald Trump (W 68) graduated from Wharton without the basic language skills and knowledge of science, history, literature and the arts one would expect of a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Sadly, the degree my classmates and I were once so proud of, and that we are being urged to return to campus to celebrate in May, 50 years after receiving it, has, for me, at least, become an embarrassment. Every day, it is further degraded by the Presidents tweets and interviews; poor grammar; inability to spell; sixth grade vocabulary; lack of intellectual curiosity; disrespect for fact-based research and information; and policy choices which reflect obvious ignorance of our Constitution and American history. While it would be unfair to hold the current academic leaders and Trustees of the University responsible for the failures of past administrations, the Universitys silence, in response to the Presidents repeated use of his Wharton degree as proof of his intelligence and educational achievement, has done nothing to dispel the impression that, in the 1960s, the Universitys standards were so low it was possible to graduate from the Wharton School with no apparent knowledge of business law or ethics and from the University of Pennsylvania having learned nothing at all. I believe it was my dear friend, the late Claudia Cohen, who first told me the rumors about Mr. Trumps older brother having arranged Donald Trumps transfer into the Wharton Schools undergraduate program---after flunking out of Fordham. Our conversation would have taken place in the spring of 1979, when Claudias training at the Daily Pennsylvanian had taken her to Page Six at the New York Post and mine had brought me to New York to collect an Overseas Press Club award for my reporting from Jonestown, where I was shot and wounded the previous November while on assignment for the Washington Post. Donald Trump graduated the year I was editor-in-chief of the DP. Yet, I never knew, or knew of, him. Nor did many other undergraduates Ive talked to since, apparently because he didnt spend much time in Philadelphia. By 1979, however, he was a bold-faced name in New York, someone Claudia would have known. I remember, we laughed; it seemed so inconsequential. I mean, who could have imagined Donald Trump would become President of the United States? If the rumors are true, however, theyre no longer inconsequential or a laughing matter. His admission to an Ivy League school, one he may have been unqualified to attend, might well have contributed to his apparent belief that the norms and laws of the country dont apply to him. The circumstances of his admission might also help explain how he managed to get into and out of Penn without anything to show for it except his degree and perhaps some of the finance and accounting tricks he would later use to make money when his companies went bankrupt. I believe it is incumbent upon the University to undertake a thorough forensic investigation of Donald Trumps admission to the University, with special reference to the transcript of his two years at Fordham and his SAT scores, to determine whether he was academically qualified to transfer into the Wharton undergraduate program; and his undergraduate record to determine whether any evidence exists of another rumor, that he paid other students to write his papers and take his exams. Even if the latter cannot be conclusively proven half a century later, his Fordham transcript and SAT scores should be enough to determine if he was eligible for admission to the University in the first place-- and whether his degree should be invalidated, if he was not. When the University revoked Steve Wynns honorary degree, you issued a statement which said, in part, As a university, we have always been, and will always continue to be, looked to by our alumni and neighbors, our faculty, and most of all by our students, for moral leadership. We must not-- we cannot-- fail to provide it, you said. by Jim Boden I think many alumni applauded your no-nonsense approach to the allegations made against Mr. Wynn, then a University Trustee, but wonder why similar behavior by Mr. Trump hasnt resulted in a similar response by the University. Yes, we know Mr. Trump is President of the United States. And would argue, all the more reason for the University to demonstrate its moral leadership. And finally, I wish to register my disappointment at the 50th Reunion program recently sent to members of the Class of 69. It is devoid of relevant intellectual content. Quite frankly, if the University does nothing else, I believe it should offer the Class of 69 morally and intellectually defensible and relevant seminars that would include Constitutional scholars, historians and others from the University capable of continuing our education about the rights and duties of U.S. citizenship and the crisis of governance we face as a result of our fellow alums presidency. If the University is unable to provide a Reunion program relevant to our lives today, it would be unfortunate-- but I think entirely appropriate-- if some of us were to organize a parallel set of Reunion seminars and social activities-- or boycott the Reunion altogether. If nothing else, our response would demonstrate that at least some of us learned something as a result of the excellent education most of us received while we were at Penn. I look forward to your response. I should add that I shall consider this letter a private correspondence for a month. At that time, absent a substantive reply, I shall feel free to release the letter publicly, hoping to initiate a discussion I feel is necessary and long overdue. Most sincerely, Charles A Krause Founder and board chair The Center For Contemporary Political Art, Washington DC Silence is not the answer for the Trustees and President of the University of Pennsylvania or for its alumni. The Trustees and President can't pretend Donald Trump doesn't exist, airbrushing him out of the University's history the way Walter Annenberg at one time airbrushed Gaylord Harnwell out of the Philadelphia Inquirer. There may have been reasons to remain silent and neutral during the primaries and general election campaign in 2016. But our whole system of government is now at risk and the University cannot, and should not, forsake its lineage by remaining silent as his prejudice, narcicism and ignorance (for which the University is at least partly responsible) destroy the fabric that made this country vibrant and strong. I actually thought the letter I sent Amy Gutmann offered an honorable way out for the University. If Donald Trump should never have been admitted, then the University can legitimately take back is degree and cut its ties to him, and his ties to the University. Not even those of us who were at Penn when Donald Trump was a student, can be held accountable for the mistakes that were made 50 years ago. But we can and will be held accountable for what we do now. If the University that begat Donald Trump doesn't disassociate itself from Donald Trump, then we, the alumni, need to register our disapproval and take action. For the Class of '69, our 50th reunion may be a good time and place to start. In 2018, VAMC had bought 761 bad debts from 13 credit institutions with special bonds for VND29.81 trillion ($1.28 billion). Photo by VnExpress The Vietnam Asset Management Company, set up to buy bad debts from commercial banks, plans to recover VND50 trillion ($2.14 billion) this year. The company will also buy up an additional VND4.5 trillion ($192.61 million) worth of bad debt with cash this year, and issue VND20 trillion ($856 million) worth of special bonds, according to its 2019 business plan published this week. VAMC has asked the government to inject an additional VND3 trillion ($128.4 million) in the company so that it has enough capital to buy up the planned amount of debt in the banking sector at market prices. The company, run by the central bank, had been buying up bad debt since 2013 to rescue banks from either bankruptcy or net losses in return for five-year bonds. Once these bonds mature, the banks will have to buy back any bad debt VAMC has failed to recover. The company said it will continue working with related ministries, localities and credit institutions to improve the banking sectors legal framework and coordinate with relevant agencies in buying bad debts. In 2018, VAMC had bought 761 bad debts from 13 credit institutions with special bonds for VND29.81 trillion ($1.28 billion). The original value of these debts was VND30.91 trillion ($1.32 billion). It also bought another VND2.8 trillion of bad debts with cash. At the end of 2018, the company possessed VND339 trillion ($14.5 billion) worth of outstanding bad debt that it had bought for a total of VND307 trillion ($13.14 billion). It has recovered a total of VND119 trillion ($5.09 billion) since 2013. More than 5,000 paper lanterns carrying wishes were released into a major canal in Saigon to mark the Buddhist Vesak festival. On Saturday night, long lines of devout Buddhists could be seen around Phap Hoa Pagoda in District 3 for the lantern releasing ceremony to pray for peace on the occasion of the most important festival in the Buddhist calendar, which marks the Buddhas birth. It falls on the 15th day of the fourth lunar month, or May 19 this year. Phap Hoas chief monk, Thich Quang Minh, said this year 6,000 people came to the pagoda for the ritual. Fishermen hop on coracles to head for their fishing vessels off the south central coast in Vietnam in June 2018. Photo by VnExpress/Le Dang Malaysian authorities have detained 25 Vietnamese vessels and 123 crew members for allegedly fishing illegally in their countrys waters in a major crackdown. "Op Naga", carried out from May 2-16, was led by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency and involved joint enforcement and patrolling efforts in the waters off and airspace over Pahang, Terengganu and Kelantan, The Star Online reported. This is the toughest move yet by the Malaysia to curb encroachment by foreign fishing vessels, especially Vietnamese, into its waters. Authorities checked 266 foreign fishing vessels in all and 25 of them have been seized. The Malaysian Home Ministry said on Saturday that the detained Vietnamese fishermen were being investigated under the Fisheries Act for fishing without the permission of the Fisheries director general and violating the Immigration Act for entering Malaysia without proper documentation. "Op Naga will be continued to ensure that there is no trespassing in Malaysian waters and that local fishermen can carry out their activities without disturbance and competition from foreign fishermen." Vietnamese fishermen are often charged with violations in neighboring countries. Since the beginning of 2018 there have been 101 cases of Vietnamese boats intruding into the waters of other countries. A total of 163 vessels and 1,258 fishermen were detained, Nguyen Quang Hung, deputy head of the Directorate of Fisheries, said last month. Despite its 3,260 km (2,025 miles) coastline, Vietnam is running out of near-shore seafood resources, and some fishermen who have sailed into other countries waters also said they face threats from Chinese vessels that are illegally anchored in Vietnamese waters for trawling and are chased away by them. An aerial view of an island of the Spratly Islands in the South China Sea. Photo by Reuters/Erik De Castro Vietnam has urged ASEAN and China to avoid complicating issues and work together on the South China Sea Code of Conduct (COC). Vietnam's Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung has called on all parties to join hands and fully implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC) in the South China Sea, known in Vietnam as the East Sea, refrain from militarization and not complicate the situation in the disputed waters. Dung was speaking at the 17th ASEAN-China Senior Officials Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC, attended by representatives of all 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members and hosts China. The meeting was held May 17-18 in China's Hangzhou Province. Representatives of 10 ASEAN countries and China pose for photos at the 18th ASEAN-China Senior Officials Meeting on the Implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea in China's Hangzhou Province. Photo courtesy of the Vietnamese Embassy in China Dung expressed concern over the complications in the South China Sea caused by strategic competitions among powerful countries, unilateral actions that went against international law, especially the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea - UNCLOS 1982, as well as militarization. These actions hinder the maintenance of peace and stability in the region and impact on the COC negotiations, he said. South China Sea faces many challenges now, including illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, pollution and plastic waste, Dung said. Officials attending the meeting highlighted the importance of fully and effectively adhering to the DOC in ensuring security, safety, freedom of navigation and aviation in the waters. The meeting approved Vietnams proposal on organizing a seminar on fair and humane treatment of fishermen. Regarding the COC, the Vietnamese deputy foreign minister urged the ASEAN and China to do their best to achieve an effective code of conduct that is in line with international law, including the internationally recognized UNCLOS. Vietnam will host the 18th ASEAN-China Senior Officials Meeting on the implementation of the DOC later this year, Dung said. Vietnam could become the first country to designate laughing gas as an illegal narcotic. The Ministry of Public Security has said the sale and use of laughing gas balloons for recreational purpose in Vietnam are dangerous and potentially deadly, and there needs to be tougher punishment for them. In response to a resident's question regarding the control of laughing gas, the ministry said on its website earlier this month that it would closely monitor the import, management and sales of nitrous oxide (N2O), and demand guarantees from distributors that the chemical would not be used on humans. After identifying the extent to which laughing gas is used recreationally and considering existing international regulations, it would seek to add nitrous oxide to the list of known narcotics and precursors to suitably punish the illegal sale, transport and production of the substance, it said. Nitrous oxide is capable of inducing feelings of euphoria due to its impact on the neurological system, and so can be used as a recreational stimulant. But overuse may lead to memory or sleep disorders and a tingly sensation at the extremities, among other effects. The substance has been involved in numerous drug incidents in Vietnam, some deadly. Last year seven people died of an overdose at a Hanoi electronic music festival, prompting authorities to suspend all music festivals in the capital until further notice. The police confirmed that balloons containing nitrous oxide were present at the scene. Nitrous oxide is however listed as a chemical regulated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and has practical applications as an anesthesia in medicine among other uses. Violating regulations relating to its production or sale could result in a fine of VND12-25 million ($515-1,070). No country in the world has listed nitrous oxide as a narcotic. The sale of nitrous oxide for recreational use is prohibited in Australia and the U.K. and many U.S. states have laws regulating its possession, sale, and distribution. But the substance is legal and wildly available in many countries. Vietnam has sentenced 10 people to death for smuggling meth, ketamine and ecstasy across the country by train, as the country deepens its crackdown on drugs. The gang shifted 300 kilograms (660 pounds) of drugs from northern Vietnam to the southern economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City between 2015 and 2016. Five men and five women were given the death penalty after the trial this week in Hanoi, while two others got life in prison. "The two ringleaders were paid hundreds thousands of dollars," for trafficking the drugs, local media reported. Court officials could not be reached for comment on Friday. The repeated haul of huge amounts of drugs is happening despite Vietnam having some of the worlds toughest drug laws. Those convicted of possessing or smuggling more than 600 grams of heroin or cocaine or more than 2.5 kg of methamphetamine could face the death penalty. The production or sale of 100 grams of heroin or 300 grams of other illegal narcotics is also punishable by death. Last week police seized half a tonne of ketamine in Ho Chi Minh City and arrested three Taiwanese and one Chinese citizen in the bust. That bust came just weeks after a similar haul of one tonne of crystal meth and around one tonne of ketamine in the city. Many reports have noted that while heroin has long been common among drug users in Vietnam, the use of synthetic drugs like meth or ecstasy has been rising of late, especially among the partying youth. Last September, seven people died of suspected overdose at a music concert in Hanoi. Accompanying Chairman Tashi Dorji in the high-level delegation of the National Council of Bhutan are Secretary General of the National Council Chencho Tshering, National Council member Karma Tshering, Secretary of the National Council Committee Namgay Pelzang, and clerical officer Chang Dawa Tshering from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Chairman of the National Council of Bhutan, T. Dorji, was born on October 3, 1981, in Wangdue Prodrang, Bhutan. He graduated from the University of North Bengal, India, and also has a master's degree in International Affairs from Columbia University in the US. From 2006 to 2007, he was an official at the Foreign Ministry of Bhutan. During the 2010-2012 period, he served as CEO of Bhutan tourism company Nyinzer Expeditions. He was a member of the National Council of Bhutan, member of the Social and Cultural Affairs Committee of the National Council of Bhutan and member of the Foreign Relations Committee of the National Council of Bhutan from 2013 to 2018. He has been Chairman of the National Council of Bhutan since May 2018. NDO/VNA Chairman of the National Council (Upper House) of Bhutan Tashi Dorji will pay an official visit to Vietnam from May 11-14, the Vietnamese National Assemblys Committee for External Affairs has announced. The launching ceremony, which was held on Koh Pich island, was presided over by Senate President and CPP Vice Chairman Samdech Say Chhum with the participation of more than 3,500 people. Seven political parties have registered to contest the sub-national election in May. There are 559 seats up for grabs in Phnom Penh and 24 provinces, while there are 3,555 seats up for grabs in all cities and districts across the country. Libya: Finding solutions to the crisis Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar, held surprise talks with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte in Rome on May 16. Conte said he urged Haftar halt his attack on the government of Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, who also travelled to Rome and Paris for talks last week. The Libyan military chief will travel next week to Paris for talks with President Emmanuel Macron, his office said. France and Italy are the two lead European powers seeking to promote reconciliation efforts in Libya. The US: Continuing to aid three Central American countries US President Donald Trump will not cut aid to police forces in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, his attorney general said on Thursday, softening a previous order to cut foreign assistance to the three nations. William Barr made the announcement during a meeting in El Salvador with his counterparts in the region, during which the four countries signed an agreement aimed at tackling drug trafficking and gangs. A court in Tehran on Sunday sentenced Yasin Ramin a well-connected businessman and an importer of medicine and medical equipment to seven years in jail, Fars news agency reported. Yassin Ramin is the son of former culture minister Mohammad Ali Ramin, an ultraconservative who banned several publications in Iran under President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and held an international conference attended by holocaust deniers in Iran in 2006. Yasin Ramin is married to Iranian superstar Mahnaz Afshar who came under attack by hardliners over implicating a cleric for alleged involvement in encouraging Iranian women to enter into temporary marriage with visiting Iraqi militia. Ramin's lawyer told reporters that his conviction is related to his financial dispute with the Iranian Red Crescent Society. However, he declined further information on the case, saying "Details of the case may do harm to his client's interests." Fars reported that Ramin has been sentenced to 17 years in jail, but he has to spent only seven years based on Iran's Islamic laws. He also has to return up to two million Euros to the Iranian government. Ramin is entitled to appealing against the verdict, the report said. Fars later pulled the report, but other agencies continue carrying the news citing Fars as their source. Ramin was jailed in 2016 based on a complaint made by the Red Crescent Society and spent about six months in jail before being released on bail. A Red Crescent official told the press that the case was about funds Yasin had received from the Society to import medical equipment, but he did not pay the seller. Some Iranian media have also implicated Ramin in a case about importing contaminated powdered milk for babies, but the Red Crescent Society says such a case does not exist. In a series of harsh anti-U.S. comments Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has tried to explain the "Death to America" slogan as a way of wishing death for Donald Trump, John Bolton and Mike Pompeo. Speaking to a group of Iranian air force officers on Friday, February 8, Khamenei said: "I have nothing against the American people. Death to America means death to America's leaders, who happen to be these individuals at this time," Mehr news agency reported. The aggressive language may mark Khamenei's frustration in his self-declared struggle against the United states and his inability to confront America and the impacts of U.S. sanctions on his regime's existence. At the same time, Khamenei appears to be unaware that reducing his political campaign to a personal level, will perhaps not help boost his image or strengthen his position. Although he tried to keep ordinary Americans out of his grudge against America, yet he ranted against what he called America's "vileness and viciousness." He said: "The U.S. is the embodiment of evil and violence. It creates crises and wages wars to serve its interests, yet the Americans complain about us chanting Death to America." Elsewhere in his speech, Khamenei advised Iranian officials "Not to trust the Europeans either," adding that "they are like Americans." "We cannot trust and respect Europeans. We have tried them many times, the French, the British, the others. Every one of them in their own way" said Khamenei angrily. Irans Supreme Leader made these remarks about Europeans less than a week after France, Germany and the UK introduced a new financial mechanism to help Iran circumvent US sanctions and continue purchasing food, medicine and medical supplies. "During the nuclear talks I kept telling Iranian officials not to trust the Americans' promises, smiles and signatures as they are not trustworthy Now, I am not saying we should not have relations with Europeans. But trust is still an issue. They attack the people and blind them in the streets of Paris and then outrageously demand [respect for] human rights from us," Khamenei said, asking the French, "Do you know human rights at all?" adding that "They did not understand human rights, not today, not in the past, throughout their history." The reference to blinding people in the streets is most likely meant to criticize the use of tear gas in recent yellow vests protests in France. Khamenei's angry comments about the French and other Europeans, are indicative of his belief that others are responsible for economic hardships and political deadlocks largely created by the domestic and foreign policies of the Islamic Republic. "Of course, we have relations with all of the world, excluding the exceptions. But we must know what agreements we make and with whom," Khamenei added, reminding once again, "we should not forget the measures taken by the French, the British, and the others at various times," Mehr news agency quoted him as saying. Iranian leaders appear to be desperate in the face of US sanctions that have paralyzed the economy while the fate of the country's next year budget is still not determined as Khamenei has given another four months to parliament and the Rouhani administration to resolve bottlenecks caused by the sanctions. On the other hand, they have taken such strict positions vis-a-vis the United States, that they see no way out of the long-standing diplomatic deadlock that has isolated Iran. In a comment mindless of the proportions of the country's problems, President Hassan Rouhani suggested in early February that "Iran might forgive the United States if America repents." The meeting with air force personnel, is an annual event during the anniversary of Islamic revolution, reminiscent of a similar meeting, during which officers from the Shah's air force defiantly went to meet with Ayatollah Khomeini, shortly before the 1979 revolution in contravention of the oath they had taken to remain loyal to monarchy. Irans Supreme Court has upheld the death sentence for an Iranian man accused of murdering an American woman during a robbery in 2012. The official Iran Daily identified the accused May 18 by his first name, Siamak. According to Iran, Siamak, twenty-year-old at the time, plotted along with his 21-year-old accomplice, Akbar, to steal a car belonging to an American citizen, Teresa Virginia, in February 2012. Mother of three, Teresa Virginia, had traveled to Iran to visit her Iranian husband's relatives. Immediately after strangling the American citizen, Siamak and Akbar took Teresa's body to the deserts outside the capital city, Tehran, and left it there. Teresa's Iranian husband filed a lawsuit that triggered an investigation, followed by a search for the culprits. With the help of CCTV recordings that showed Siamak and Akbar at a petrol station with Teresa's car, police were able to arrest the two suspects. As it was proven during court proceedings that Teresa had converted to Islam, the suspects were sentenced to death. Based on the Article 310 of the Islamic Penal Code, if a Muslim kills a non-Muslim, the death penalty does not apply. The court of Appeals upheld the sentences, but the Islamic Republic's Supreme Court only upheld the verdict against Siamak, and sentenced his accomplice, Akbar, to life. Siamak's death penalty has been delivered to the Implementation of Sentences Branch of Tehran's Criminal Court. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 19 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 on May 19, 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, May 18 By Matanat Nasibova Trend: Azerbaijan's Astarachay company has recently exported 10 tons of tea to the Russian market, Nurlana Ibadullayeva, head of the marketing department of the company, told Trend. According to her, Russia is the main buyer of tea from Astara, and the demand for Azerbaijani products in this market is always high. "The last deliveries of our tea products were sent to Ryazan. Both premium and standard products were exported. The minimum price of Astara tea per kilogram starts from 30 manats, while its maximum cost is 300 manats," Ibadullayeva said. According to her, the company currently plans to set up exports to CIS countries, and to enter the European market in the future. "We produce 2 tea brands premium-quality Aztea and standard-quality Astarachay, and, as a matter of fact, there are no additives used in tea cultivation and processing. The total area of the company's tea plantations for the current period is 450 hectares. Raw materials used for tea production come from the tea plantations of the Astara and Lankaran districts of Azerbaijan," she said. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 19 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Some 520 oil and gas tankers were loaded daily through the Shahid Anjafi oil warehouse in the Iranian Markazi province last Iranian year (started on March 21, 2018), Director of the National Iranian Oil Products Distribution Company of Markazi province Abdulla Gitimenesh said. On average, 14.23 million liters of oil were loaded daily last Iranian year, which is 10 percent more compared to the previous year, Gitimenesh added, Trend reports referring to company's website. He added that 1,800 tons of liquefied gas, produced by the Shazand Oil Refinery, were loaded daily, which is 16 percent more than the previous year. The Shazand Oil Refinery produced 320 tons of sulfur last Iranian year and supplied to the countrys different districts through the private vehicles, which is 13 percent more compared to the previous year, Gitimenesh said. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 19 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: A total of 262,000 tons of lussatite are extracted annually in Irans northern Semnan province, Chairman of the Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of Semnan province Behruz Asvadi said. The quality of the extracted lussatite is more than 90 percent, Asvadi added, Trend reports referring to the Industry, Mine and Trade Organizations website. He added that there are mines in Sorhe, Semnan, Damgan, Shahrud and Meyami districts. There are about 600 mines in Semnan province, Asvadi said. About 23 million tons of mining materials are extracted from these mines annually, he said. Asvadi said that Iran ranks first thanks to gypsum, salt, lussatite, celestine, zeolite and sodium sulfate extracted in Semnan province. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 19 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: The goods worth over $580 million have been exported to Pakistan through the customs service of Irans south-western Sistan and Baluchestan province last Iranian year (started March 21, 2018), chairman of the Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of Sistan and Baluchestan province Nadir Mirshikar said. The export value of the goods increased by 150 percent last Iranian year compared to the previous year, Mirshikar added, Trend reports referring to the Industry, Mine and Trade Organizations website. He added that the goods worth $147 million were exported to Pakistan through the customs service of the province, while the goods worth $432 million - through the border markets. The building materials (cement), dates, sulfur, tile and ceramics, gas, fuel, apples and vegetables were exported to Pakistan last year, Mirshikar said. There is a border stretching 1,000 kilometers between Irans south-western Sistan and Baluchestan province and Pakistan. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 19 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: More than 290,000 square meters of carpets are woven annually by hands in Irans West Azerbaijan province and are sold to the local and foreign markets, Head of the Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of the West Azerbaijan province Mohammad Dehqan said. Some 224 carpet weaving workshops are operating in the West Azerbaijan province, Dehqan added, Trend reports referring to the Industry, Mine and Trade Organizations website. He added that 72,000 people were employed in these workshops. Dehqan stressed that many foreign tourists visiting Iran are greatly interested in buying these carpets. He said that the Industry, Mine and Trade Organization intends to organize special carpet exhibitions, participate in local and foreign exhibitions, as well as sell handmade carpets on credit this Iranian year (started March 21, 2019). Baku, Azerbaijan, May 19 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: The Khur Potash Plant increased potassium production in Iran last year (started March 21, 2018) compared to the previous year, director of the plant Ali Alavi Naini said. The plant produced 19,600 tons of potassium last Iranian year, which is around 31 percent (15,000 tons) more compared to the previous year, Naini added, Trend reports referring to the Iranian Mines & Mining Industries Development & Renovation Organization (IMIDRO). He added that the potassium extraction increased by 65 percent. More than 13.04 million tons of mining materials were extracted last Iranian year compared to 7.87 million tons in the previous year. Last year, 1.36 million tons of salt and over 167,000 tons of carnallite were produced, which is 250 percent (47,700 tons) more compared to the previous year, he said. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 19 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Some $1.7 billion obtained as a result of export was returned to Irans economy during the second month of this Iranian year (started on March 21, 2019), Iranian Minister of Economic Affairs and Finance Farhad Dejpasand said. To date, this figure has already exceeded $10 billion, Dejpasand added, Trend reports referring to the Iranian parliaments website. He added that if efforts are made, it would be possible to find the ways to return the currency to Iran. It is not easy to return the currency in the current situation. There are some problems and obstacles, Dejpasand said. The Iranian minister said that the Iranian Customs Service and Central Bank have the list in which the names of those exporting goods and not returning the currency to the country have been indicated. The Central Bank will send this list to the Ministry of Justice. In Iran, the official exchange rate is used for the import of some essential products. The SANA system is a system announced by the Central Bank of Iran to the currency exchange offices, where the price of 1 euro is 166,396 rials, and the price of $1 is 147,078 rials. NIMA is a system intended for the sale of a certain percentage of the foreign currency gained from the sale non-essential goods and export. The price of 1 euro in this system is 102,578 rials, and the price of $1 is 101,918 rials. In the black market, $1 is worth about 143,000-146,000 rials, while 1 euro is worth about 164,000-166,000 rials. Baku, Azerbaijan, May 19 By Elnur Baghishov Trend: Presently, 320 mining facilities operate in Irans Zanjan province, Nasir Fagfuri, chairman of the Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of Zanjan province, said. The investments worth 1.98 trillion rials ($47.1 million according to the official exchange rate and $13.6 million according to the exchange rate in the black market) were made in these mining facilities, Fagfuri added, Trend reports referring to the Industry, Mine and Trade Organizations website. He said that 2,671 people have been employed there. The industrial and mining facilities of Zanjan province exported the goods worth $550 million last Iranian year (started on March 21, 2018), Fagfuri said. The number of foreign investors, especially from Turkey, China, Japan and Germany, has increased in Zanjan province since 2014, he said. The investments worth 72 trillion rials ($1.71 billion according to the official exchange rate and $496 million according to the exchange rate in the black market) have been made in the province, Fagfuri stressed. He said that about 30 trillion rials ($714 billion according to the official exchange rate and $206 million according to the exchange rate in the black market) account for foreign investments. Saudi Arabias crown prince discussed regional developments, including efforts to strengthen security and stability, in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Saudi Media Ministry tweeted on Sunday, Trend reported citing Reuters. The announcement came hours after the Saudi king invited Gulf and Arab leaders to convene emergency summits to discuss the implications of this weeks attacks against oil installations in the kingdom and commercial ships off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Chinas senior diplomat Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that recent U.S. words and actions had harmed the interests of China and its enterprises, and that Washington should show restraint, Chinas foreign ministry said, Trend reported citing Reuters. Speaking to Pompeo by telephone, Wang said the United States should not go too far in the current trade dispute between the two sides, adding that China was still willing to resolve differences through negotiations, but they should be on an equal footing. On Iran, Wang said China hoped all parties will exercise restraint and act with caution to avoid escalating tensions. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement that Pompeo spoke with Wang and discussed bilateral issues and U.S. concerns about Iran, but gave no other details. At least 34 people were injured when a "runaway" train rammed into another train late on Saturday night in Metro Manila of the Philippines, a spokesperson for the train authority said on Sunday, Trend reported citing Xinhua. Manila Light Rail Transit Authority spokesperson Hernando Cabrera told a news conference early Sunday that the accident occurred 9:51 p.m. local time between the Anonas and Araneta Center Cubao Stations in Metro Manila. The accident forced the train authority to suspend operation between the two stations on Sunday morning as the damaged trains were removed and the track cleared of any debris. According to Cabrera, the runaway train that slammed into another train malfunctioned on Saturday afternoon, prompting train operators to park it on a pocket track between the two stations for towing. But for a still unknown reason, he said, the non-functioning train moved, rolled onto the eastbound tracks and started moving towards Cubao station, into the path of an oncoming train in the opposite direction. The driver of the train in the opposite direction was ordered to stop, and the passengers were told to brace for impact, Cabrera said. Light Rail Transit Authority has already launched an investigation to determine why the parked train rolled out of the pocket track despite all its system was off. Already, he said a fact-finding team was formed to determine the cause of the mishap. "We expect a report in two to three days," Cabrera said. At the same news conference, Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Reynaldo Berroya said passengers sustained minor injuries. He added the train company will pay for the medical expenses of the injured. According to Light Rail Transit Authority on Sunday morning that only five of the 34 injured people remained at hospitals and most of the injured were released early on Sunday morning. The Light Rail Transit System Line 2, which started operations in 2003, is a rapid transit line in Metro Manila of the Philippines, and it serves 11 stations on a 13.8-km line. Former CIA director John Brennan is due to brief House Democrats on the situation in Iran next Tuesday, the Associated Press quoted unnamed sources as saying, Trend reports citing Reuters. The private caucus meeting will also be attended by Wendy Sherman, a former State Department official who was the top negotiator of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The sources said that the gathering offers counter-programming to the Trump administration's closed-door Capitol Hill briefing for lawmakers, which is also slated for Tuesday. Brennans briefing comes amid mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran which deteriorated in early May following the Islamic Republics suspension of its participation in the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. The US, in turn, imposed more anti-Iranian sanctions and sent the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier's strike group, a squadron of B-52 bombers and a battery of Patriot missiles to the Middle East. Have a story idea or tip about something happening in the East Village? Or maybe a photo? Or several photos? Or video! We'd love to hear about it. Or see it. Or something. Please go here to submit a tip. Video Produced by Gaby Levesque and Kayla Jardine The near-total abortion ban passed by the Alabama Legislature and signed into law this week was a major topic of conversation among students at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. A nonscientific sampling of students found that not only had all of them heard about the ban, but most worried about the new law fearing its effects on classmates, women statewide and their school. The ban is the strictest one passed anywhere in the 46 years since the Supreme Court ruled in Roe v. Wade that there is a constitutional right to abortion. Even though we knew that this was coming, its shocking to me just how restrictive and inhumane it is, Abba Mellon, the student president of Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity at the school, told Yahoo News Kayla Jardine. This bill is very extreme, and it affects my viewpoint of living in the state itself, said senior Melanie Parker. Im not planning on living here after I graduate. The Alabama Human Life Protection Act makes abortion illegal at every stage of pregnancy, even in cases of incest or rape, unless the mothers life is in danger. It also makes the penalty for providing an abortion up to 99 years in prison. Many said that while they consider themselves pro-life, this law goes too far. I wouldnt personally have an abortion myself. However, I am not here to judge other people, Im just here to support people in what they do, said Ashlynne Rivers, a senior. Noting that the vote in the Alabama Senate was 25 to 6, with the majority being all white, Republican and male, Rivers added, As a man, they dont understand what a woman goes through. She predicted that the law is just going to cause unsafe abortions, because youre not going to stop it. Others speculated that the law would cause prospective students to think twice before matriculating at U of A, where more than half the students are from out of state. A lot of people who might have come here might not now, said Claire Martin, a junior. Mellon agreed: In the past few years weve been in the spotlight for things that are not good. First with Jeff Sessions, then with Roy Moore, now with this. And its really frustrating for me because theres so much good stuff thats happening in Alabama. Skift Analysis: Amazons Travel Strategy Comes Into Focus So why would Amazon choose to reenter the travel industry through a seemingly loss-generating proposition, hawking already low-margin airline tickets via a Cleartrip partnership in the domestic Indian market? It sounds crazy, but Skift Research believes that airline tickets are a sensible entry point for a new Amazon foray into travel. Flights is a fairly commoditized product with far fewer suppliers to tangle with hundreds of airlines worldwide versus hundreds of thousands of hotels, for example. But the challenge of selling airfares is that it is a low-margin offering, typically the least profitable product for online travel agencies. In its most recent fiscal year, MakeMyTrip, Indias largest booking site, earned an aggregate commission of 7.3 percent on the airline tickets it sold. That is before up-front cash discounts, a common travel marketing tactic in India. Given that margin, there is already little room to maneuver, and this conundrum is compounded by the fact that India has some of the lowest domestic airfares in the world, meaning that fixed rupee discounts can quickly translate into high discounts as a percent of the total booking value. MakeMyTrip in aggregate provides a promotional up-front discount of 6 percent on the value of travel products it sells. Hotels are more heavily discounted and that airfares tend to be discounted by smaller amounts or less frequently, amounting to about 2 percent in aggregate. We should note, though, that the aggregate cash discount figure is skewed downward by customers who purchase full-fare products. With that baseline in mind, Amazons initial promotional discounts on flights in India range from 4 percent to 10 percent for non-Prime members. That leaves us with some tricky margin math for Amazon: a mid-to-high single-digit commission, presumably a revenue share agreement with partner Cleartrip, and cash back discounts to boot. To that end, it should be noted that all three major Indian online booking sites, namely MakeMyTrip, Yatra, and Cleartrip, produced a loss in their latest fiscal years. Story continues Amazon Cash Back on India Flights Source: Amazon Amazons international retail operations (though not India-specific) are also in the red, but we would argue that Amazon has advantages over its Indian travel rivals, namely its Prime membership program and broad product offering. Amazon Prime members stand to gain an additional 400 rupees in cash back on flights, or in percentage terms an additional 2 percent to 5 percent, bringing the total discount to 6 percent to 15 percent of booking values. However, Amazon Prime in India costs 999 rupees (about $15) annually, meaning the extra Prime customer discount is being more than fully subsidized by membership dues. An Advantageous Product Offering Amazons second advantage is that it has a broad product offering, much of which are low-value, high-frequency purchases. That stands in sharp contrast with travel purchases, which are typically expensive and bought only once or twice a year. Further, Prime customers tend to stay within the Amazon ecosystem and are estimated to spend twice as much as non-Prime customers. This means that Amazon can offer potentially loss-making discounts on airfares to Prime customers but earn it back when those same customers return the next week to purchase clothes, electronics, or books; as well as recouping the discounts from those customers Prime fees. On the other hand, MakeMyTrip or Yatra might have to wait months for a customer to return, and in fact may never reacquire that customer. Instant Gratification In our Skift Research report Amazon: Lessons, Threats, and Opportunities for Travel, we noted as a lesson for the travel industry that loyalty programs should strive to create true value for the customer and then be unafraid to ask them for something in return. Amazon Prime offers instant gratification by unlocking a range of discounts and services immediately and, in return, Amazon can ask for a membership fee that it then reinvests in product pricing. In contrast, many travel loyalty programs are built around delayed rewards from accumulated points or miles. All too often, these programs can be overly transactional, and rather than engendering loyalty, they instead devolve into an end unto themselves to be gamed by customers. Third-Party Sellers Source: Amazon Automotive Metasearch An Amazon metasearch offering, opposed to a full-fledged booking site, could make sense. Speaking of the Cleartrip partnership, Dan Wasiolek, senior equity analyst at Morningstar, said: To me this shows that Amazons potential reentry into travel will be more of the partner/metasearch route versus the build-your-own online travel agency that they trialed and moved away from previously. In this way, Wasiolek said, Amazon would not be in direct competition with Booking Holdings and Expedia Group. In the end, Amazon would be another indirect marketing channel for Booking and Expedia, like Google and TripAdvisor, mitigated by their own direct-booking efforts, which could lead to higher marketing spend for the online travel agencies, all else being equal, Wasiolek said. Skift Research also noted in its report, Amazon: Lessons, Threats, and Opportunities for Travel, that there is an interesting parallel between travel and the approach that Amazon has taken to selling vehicles. Like travel, purchasing a new car is a low-frequency, expensive, and research-intensive process. We note that, while Amazon wants a piece of that market, it has so far not entered the space directly by offering inventory. Instead it launched Amazon Vehicles as a research destination. The site features research tools, such as prices, specifications, and images for thousands of new and classic car models. It also offers the ability for car owners to leave reviews and for prospective buyers to ask questions. It is, effectively, a metasearch site. We believe that this could be another way for Amazon to further develop its travel platform, working with online travel agencies or others in a metasearch-like fashion rather than developing its own in-house offerings. Some form of travel metasearch would also open up the chance for greater travel advertising partnerships with Amazon. Amazon has steadily grown into a large digital advertiser, one which Skift Research believes could generate in excess of $3.5 billion annually, though no precise figures are disclosed. That would mean Amazons digital ad revenues already surpass those of Twitter. Amazon Ad Revenues Surpass Criteo, Twitter, and Snap Amazons advertising bread-and-butter is selling sponsored product listings on its site, but it is increasingly promoting display banner ads and video ads for Kindle and Prime Video, as well as other formats. Amazon is also building third-party display advertising inventory, such as on IMDb, as part of what it calls its Amazon Advertising Platform. It is also trying to add what it calls non-endemic advertisers, which are interested in reaching Amazons large audience. This is welcome news for the travel industry, which has long been beholden to Google and Facebook. There are clear positive implications if Amazon can crack open that online advertising duopoly. Initial Steps Amazons decision to mount a travel industry comeback though a domestic flights partnership with online travel agency Cleartrip in India is revealing, but it is merely a tentative first step and doesnt preclude a variety of other options, including investments and acquisitions, at a later stage. The move to tap flight inventory via an online travel agency partnership stands in stark contrast to Amazons ill-fated effort in 2014 to build a hotel-booking business from the ground up. Amazon abandoned that go-it-alone approach about a year later and hadnt been heard from in the travel business, apart from nascent moves in travel advertising, as well as more-full-blown initiatives in the form of Amazon Web services, until this week. Although flight bookings are getting more complex because of the mashup of fees, fare types, and ancillary services, they have tended to be a commodity booking, which is harmonious with the Amazon marketplace approach and its ever-expansive roster of products. The fact that Amazon is testing flight booking in India via a Cleartrip partnership doesnt mean that Amazon wouldnt acquire a metasearch player such as TripAdvisor or an online travel agency such as Expedia Group to grab travel market share and attain a full-fledged travel offering in an expedited manner. Either TripAdvisor or Expedia would clearly be affordable for Amazon, with its $932 billion market cap. Amazon could also toy with acquiring a global distribution system, such as Amadeus or Sabre, to spearhead flight connectivity, although Amadeus has nearly twice the market cap of Expedia, $34.2 billion for Amadeus versus $17.3 billion for Expedia. But buying a global distribution system such as Amadeus or Sabre would be a less-than-stellar solution in terms of hotel relationships, where they fall short. There would also be too much legacy technology and extraneous business lines, such as their airline IT divisions, to make an Amazon purchase of a global distribution system desirable. Cleartrip Partnership It perhaps should be no surprise that Amazon is offering flights in partnership with Cleartrip rather than developing its own in-house capabilities and distribution relationships. Not only did Amazon struggle with building out its own hotel offering in 2014, but in the time since, it has found great success in opening up its marketplace to third-party sellers. Third-party sellers now exceed 50 percent of all units shipped by Amazon and more sellers bring further selection, improving the overall shopping experience for customers. It makes sense that Amazon would want to expand this third-party seller model beyond physical goods and into services such as travel. Synergies With Expedia But consider some of the synergies that Amazon could leverage with a purchase of its Seattle, Washington, neighbor Expedia. The online travel agency has been carrying out a massive migration to cloud computing through Amazon Web Services, a task Expedia began in 2016. Tech development in such an environment would fit right into Amazons playbook. Instead of Amazon undertaking the gargantuan task of signing up hotels on its own, Expedia counted 1.1 million properties on the websites of its various brands through March 31, and that included 460,000 listings of apartments and vacation rentals. With hundreds of millions of visitors perusing Expedia websites, it has built-in travel demand. One could argue that Amazon wouldnt need it if it struck a flight or hotel tab on the Amazon homepage. At the same time, consumers arent used to looking to Amazon for flights or hotels so it could take some time for consumers to get used to the idea and have trust in Amazon as a travel-booking site. But if Amazon were to buy Expedia and could attract travel demand on its own, then Amazon might be able to greatly reduce the $5.7 billion in selling and marketing expense that Expedia shelled out in 2018, for example. Still, dont count Booking Holdings and its brands as eventual Amazon partners or bedfellows. There are signs that relations are warming between the worlds largest accommodations seller and Amazon. Booking.com and Amazon have been cooperating in an Amazon Prime promotion in Germany and Austria. Amazon Prime members who sign up in these countries enroll in the Booking.com Genius loyalty program, receive an exclusive 10 percent travel credit on every booking made during the promotional period, redeemable for future bookings on Booking.com within two years of the original booking, Booking.com said. Whats clear is that an initial test of domestic flight bookings in India through a Cleartrip partnership doesnt portend the shape of the travel offering that Amazon might have five or 10 years from now. Game on. Subscribe to Skift newsletters covering the business of travel, restaurants, and wellness. By Eliana Raszewski May 17 (Reuters) - Argentina has requested that the United States accelerate its review of anti-dumping duties it currently slaps on biodiesel imports from the South American nation, one of the world's top exporters of the fuel. Argentina's Minister of Production and Labor Dante Sica, during a trip to Washington, told reporters on Friday he had asked for the "greatest speed" from U.S. counterparts to find a "quick solution towards being able to enter the market." Argentina, South America's second largest economy, had requested a review last November of U.S. tariffs imposed at the end of 2017 due to allegations of subsidies and dumping, which in effect shut off access for Argentine exporters to the U.S. market. Sica, who met with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross on Thursday, told reporters in a live press conference and by phone that the American official had "showed the greatest understanding of the importance of this issue for Argentina." He added, however, that Ross was nonetheless constrained by U.S. legal and technical processes. Argentine exports of biodiesel to the United States before anti-dumping measures came into effect totaled some $1.5 billion per year, which in 2016 was a quarter of the total value of Argentine exports to the United States, official data show. Argentina's biodiesel sector in recent years has been hit by trade sanctions for allegations of unfair competition. In February, the European Union, which had also imposed tariffs on the country's biodiesel, authorized eight Argentine-based producers to export the fuel to the bloc without paying duties as long as they agreed to a minimum set price. (Reporting by Eliana Raszewski in Buenos Aires Writing by Adam Jourdan Editing by Phil Berlowitz) VIENNA, May 18 (Reuters) - Austria is heading for snap elections after Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resigned on Saturday over video that showed him discussing state contracts with a potential Russian backer in return for political support, news agency APA said, citing sources in Strache's Freedom Party. The release of the video by two German media outlets threw the Austrian government into a deep crisis with many questioning whether conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz can still govern in coalition with the far-right Freedom Party. (Reporting by Kirsti Knolle) If you are interested in cashing in on Bank of China Limited's (HKG:3988) upcoming dividend of CN0.18 per share, you only have 3 days left to buy the shares before its ex-dividend date, 23 May 2019, in time for dividends payable on the 18 June 2019. What does this mean for current shareholders and potential investors? Below, I will explain how holding Bank of China can impact your portfolio income stream, by analysing the stock's most recent financial data and dividend attributes. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! See our latest analysis for Bank of China 5 questions to ask before buying a dividend stock If you are a dividend investor, you should always assess these five key metrics: Is its annual yield among the top 25% of dividend-paying companies? 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? Is its earnings sufficient to payout dividend at the current rate? Based on future earnings growth, will it be able to continue to payout dividend at the current rate? SEHK:3988 Historical Dividend Yield, May 19th 2019 How does Bank of China fare? The current trailing twelve-month payout ratio for the stock is 31%, meaning the dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Going forward, analysts expect 3988's payout to remain around the same level at 31% of its earnings. Assuming a constant share price, this equates to a dividend yield of 6.6%. In addition to this, EPS should increase to CN0.63. When considering the sustainability of dividends, it is also worth checking the cash flow of a company. A company with strong cash flow, relative to earnings, can sometimes sustain a high pay out ratio. If there's one type of stock you want to be reliable, it's dividend stocks and their stable income-generating ability. The reality is that it is too early to consider Bank of China 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 Compared to its peers, Bank of China has a yield of 6.0%, which is high for Banks stocks. Next Steps: With these dividend metrics in mind, I definitely rank Bank of China as a strong income stock, and is worth further research for anyone who considers dividends an important part of their portfolio strategy. Given that this is purely a dividend analysis, I recommend taking sufficient time to understand its core business and determine whether the company and its investment properties suit your overall goals. Below, I've compiled three essential factors you should further examine: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for 3988s future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for 3988s outlook. Valuation: What is 3988 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 3988 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. MILAN (Reuters) - The Benetton family wants Generali to remain in Italian hands and is ready to tighten its grip on Europe's third-biggest insurer along with other Italian investors, Luciano Benetton said in a newspaper interview. Luciano is one of the four siblings who founded the Benetton industrial empire, which ranges from the eponymous clothing company to infrastructure group Atlantia and travel caterer Autogrill. Edizione, the Benetton family holding company, emerged as an Italian buttress against a potential foreign takeover of Generali, after increasing its stake in the insurer along with Italian entrepreneurs Francesco Gaetano Caltagirone and Leonardo Del Vecchio. "With Caltagirone, Del Vecchio together we make a good Italian front. We have a sizeable Italian stake that, all three together, we want to increase", Luciano Benetton told La Repubblica. French insurer Axa and Switzerland's Zurich Insurance have been viewed as potential buyers of Generali. "We think that Generali must remain an Italian company." Luciano Benetton also said Atlantia had not received a request to invest in Italian carrier Alitalia, adding Atlantia's managers retained the trust of the family after the deadly collapse of a bridge operated by the firm's motorway unit. After the disaster that killed 43 people, Italy's government said the Benettons were greedy speculators and threatened to revoke Atlantia's concession, citing poor maintenance of the motorway network. The Benettons and the company have always denied any wrongdoing and the entrepreneur reiterated the group had done the proper maintenance for the infrastructures it managed. Sources have told Reuters the government would be prepared to mend relations with the Benettons and Atlantia in exchange for the company's help in rescuing loss-making airline Alitalia. "There has been no meeting, no proposal, nothing at all," Luciano Benetton said, adding, however, that it was important the Alitalia brand remained in Italian hands. Story continues The entrepreneur also said former Telecom Italia boss Marco Patuano would not be offered a second term as the CEO of Edizione, the company which manages the Benettons stakes in Atlantia, Autogrill, Generali and other companies. Patuano's mandate ends on May 24. His successor will be an Edizione's insider, but not a family member, Luciano Benetton said. The Benetton clothing company will swing back to profit in 2020 and will open a hundred new stores, he also said. (Reporting by Gianluca Semeraro and Francesca Landini, Editing by Louise Heavens and Mark Potter) Im interested in blockchain, not bitcoin. Admit it, youve heard this hundreds, if not thousands, of times. (You might have even said it yourself.) And sure, people know what youre saying, youre talking about the technology underlying bitcoin and you sound smart enough. Once it became known or at least presumed that you could apply cryptography in finance, in ways similar to how its used in bitcoin, everyone started making sure that statement fell from their lips. And that refrain kicked off by bitcoin itself remains powerful today. My Bank Account Was Frozen for Bitcoin And It Only Made Me Love Crypto More Sounds plausible? Sure. But, interestingly, the word blockchain doesnt actually appear in the original bitcoin white paper, released back in 2008. Rather, the white paper uses the words block and chain separately many times. It describes the word block as the vehicle for a bundle bitcoin transactions. Then, these blocks of are linked together, forming a chain of blocks. bitcoin, paper Snapshot from the bitcoin whitepaper (highlighting added) So, who created this ultimate industry buzzword? That damn blockchain About That Orange B The History of Bitcoins Logos Turns out, the origins of the word are not quite so revolutionary. The word blockchain was never used in the early days, former bitcoin developer Mike Hearn told CoinDesk. Although, Hearn did acknowledge that Satoshi often referred to bitcoins proof-of-work chain in discussions on forums. It seems the first references to the word came about on Bitcoin Talk, a bitcoin-specific forum created by Satoshi, in July 2010 more than a year after bitcoins release. And at that time, these remarks werent about how innovative the technology was, but instead were complaints about how long it took to download the bitcoin blockchain (the entire history of bitcoin transactions). While compared to today, the download would have far faster, according to one Bitcoin Talk user: The initial blockchain download is quite slow. Story continues In other words, initially, blockchain was far from the sexy word it is today. Blockchain mania Its hard to pinpoint exactly when the word really took hold. But interest in the term seems to have sprung out of professional organizations and individuals hesitance to align themselves with bitcoin itself because of its bad reputation as the currency for drugs and gray economies. I think it [became popular] around the time people started going to Washington [D.C.] and trying to make bitcoin respectable by divorcing the currency from the underlying algorithms, Hearn said. To many, bitcoin the currency could be decoupled from bitcoin the blockchain protocol, and so a whole new industry of so-called private blockchains, devoid of a cryptocurrency, emerged. Sure enough, around that time in 2015, Google Trends data show the term surged. Graph from Google Trends. Initially people said block chain, and then, thanks to a great PR campaign, we were blessed with the much improved blockchain, single-word, probably thanks to a community-wide effort near and around the Bitcoin Talk forums, long-time cryptocurrency developer Greg Slepak said. Not only did it become one word, but it also came in vogue to describe any blockchain that wasnt bitcoins blockchain as a blockchain. Bitcoin got to keep the terminology the blockchain, giving credence to the fact that it was the first. Yet blockchain has become so divorced from bitcoin that both words typically see a similar spike when cryptocurrency prices start mooning. For instance, the word blockchain saw a huge uptick in Google searches in late 2017. blockchain, google trends Graph from Google Trends. Worlds first blockchain? Still, its unclear exactly where the idea itself begins. To some, blockchains existed even before bitcoin, although that term wasnt applied to them back then. For instance, cryptographer Stuart Haber, whose whitepapers on timestamping were cited in the bitcoin white paper, claims to have created the first blockchain called Surety. According to Haber, that has to be the reason why Satoshi cited his work three times out of just nine total citations. Surety was launched in 1995 for timestamping records, and its still running today. Yet, Haber admits that his version doesnt have all the same benefits of bitcoin since its centralized managed by one company. And that highlights where things get tricky when youre talking about a blockchain. See, there isnt necessarily agreement on a single definition of a the technology. The Merriam Webster dictionary actually presents a much older word for blockchain a chain in which the alternate links are broad blocks connected by thin side links pivoted to the ends of the blocks, used with sprocket wheels to transmit power, as in a bicycle. While Google defines blockchain as: Google, blockchain But, for those seasoned veterans of the space, even this definition is problematic. Many of these new-age private blockchains dont record their transactions publicly. The term has become so widespread that its quickly losing meaning, as The Verge put it earlier this year. Blind men Haber pointed to an Indian parable to help explain the incompatible descriptions. In the parable, a group of blind men come upon an elephant and start touching the animal to try and figure it out what it was in front of them. Depending on what part of the elephant each man is touching, their answer changes. For instance, one of the blind men, touching the elephants trunk, thinks its a snake, while the other, touching the elephants leg, exclaims its a tree trunk. Its similar when people define blockchain, Haber said. He told CoinDesk: Some definitions will be completely silly, showing that people dont understand what theyre doing, but there will also be a bunch of accurate descriptions of various parts of the vast body of work. As such, he argues there isnt just one meaning. Even though, bitcoiners believe a blockchain can only be the one and only bitcoin blockchain, like words, definitions are always evolving and changing. Blockchain shirt image via CoinDesk archives Related Stories Some notable gas businesses could have a role in Californias high fuel costs through possible market manipulation, a state agency said in their report on the matter. The California Energy Commission, in a memo to Gov. Gavin Newsom, detailed a striking, record figure they uncovered when looking at prices in the state versus the national average, according to The Associated Press on Thursday. Gas prices in California were reportedly found to be more than a dollar higher than the national average by the end of last month. That disparity is the highest increase ever seen, according to the agency. As of Friday, the average price for regular gas in the state was about $4.05, whereas the national average was about $2.86, according to AAA. As for what lies behind the price increase, the commission pointed to one possible explanation that some retailers are charging higher prices than others "for essentially the same product." The commission noted Chevron, Shell, Exxon, Mobil and 76 have doubled their prices compared to ARCO, unbranded retailers and hypermart locations, which include stations associated with supermarkets or big-box retail stores. "While this practice is not necessarily illegal, it may be an effort of a segment of the market to artificially inflate prices to the detriment of California consumers," the commission noted in its report. As a result of a price boost of this nature, customers would typically flock to retailers that offered gas for a lower cost, officials said. From 2010 to 2017, the commission said the percentage of gasoline sold by Chevron, Shell and 76 retail stores dropped by about 3 percentage points combined. The agency suggested taking a deeper look at the problem over the upcoming months, recognizing its initial estimates as being imprecise. Western States Petroleum Association President Catherine Reheis-Boyd said many factors can explain why California's gas prices are higher than the national average, such as the state's mandated fuel blend requirements, increasingly high state taxes and regulations that include the Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program. Story continues CLICK HERE FOR THE FOX BUSINESS APP "This report provides further evidence of what market experts and government agencies have maintained for years: there are many factors that influence movement in the price of gasoline and diesel, but the primary driver is the dynamics of supply and demand of crude oil," Reheis-Boyd said. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Related Articles By Allison Martell and Anna Mehler Paperny TORONTO (Reuters) - A tiny, little-known government agency is ramping up regulation of Canada's pharmaceutical industry, seeking to rein in prices for patented drugs that are among the highest in the world, according to industry sources and a Reuters analysis of government data. The federal Patented Medicine Prices Review Board (PMPRB) is targeting an increasing number of expensive drugs, including a rare-disease medication made by Horizon Pharma that can cost C$325,000 ($253,409) a year, documents reviewed by Reuters shows. The agency can challenge the list price of any patented drug in Canada and order companies to repay some revenue. Data show the number of open PMPRB investigations into potentially overpriced drugs has more than doubled since 2013, reaching 122 as of March 2018. (See graphic on escalating enforcement actions here https://tmsnrt.rs/2LuY5og) New proposed regulations could enhance the PMPRB's powers and help set a broader agenda for taming prices in Canada. This shift toward greater regulation - years in the making but not always so visible - could hurt pharmaceutical revenues in Canada and has alarmed drugmakers. But it could benefit private drug plans and provincial governments and help patients with out-of-pocket costs. In addition, although Canada is a relatively small market for major drugmakers, lower prices in Canada could spread into the U.S. market, experts say. Washington is considering a proposal to base some drug prices on the cost of medicines in other developed nations. Cross-border sales could also put pressure on U.S. prices for patented drugs, which lead the world and well exceed even Canada's. Some American patients already buy prescription drugs illicitly from Canada, and last year the U.S. Food and Drug Administration created a working group to study legalizing some wholesale imports. The pharmaceutical industry's main lobby group in Canada, Innovative Medicines Canada, has argued that the changes, if approved by the cabinet of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, could delay or limit Canadians' access to new patented medicines. Reuters reported in February that drug companies offered to give up C$8.6 billion($6.4 billion) in revenue over 10 years to head off the PMPRB reforms. Last month, the U.S. Trade Representative said in a report that it was closely monitoring the reform effort, noting it "would significantly undermine the marketplace for innovative pharmaceutical products." Story continues Drugmakers around the world are under pressure as governments and insurers grapple with skyrocketing drug prices, especially the United States. Stephen Frank, president of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, said changes at the PMPRB reflect a broader willingness to tackle drug prices. "There's a momentum and an energy around becoming more engaged on pricing issues," he said. "There's many layers to this, that have sort of aligned to give them the space they need to try and be more active." UNUSUAL AGENCY From its founding in 1987, the PMPRB was an unusual agency. With a budget of C$15.4 million and approved staff of 83, it is one of the smallest federal departments in Canada. By comparison, the National Film Board employs about 400. Healthcare is generally a provincial responsibility in Canada, but the PMPRB draws its power from federal patent law. Instead of bargaining drug prices down, it can declare some to be an illegal abuse of patent rights. It caps prices paid by private as well as public plans. The agency's cases are most often settled out of court. Its size belies its importance. Canada's universal healthcare system does not cover most patented - or generic - prescription drugs, which are paid for by more than 1,000 public and 100,000 private, employer-sponsored drug plans as well as patients themselves. Executive Director Douglas Clark, who took over in 2013, said he believes the rise in investigations has been driven more by the escalating prices set by pharmaceutical companies than by his agency's toughened stance. But the agency could soon gain more muscle. The reform proposal, shepherded by federal regulator Health Canada, would allow PMPRB to figure in the effectiveness of drugs and what Canadian governments can afford when determining whether costs are excessive. Announced in 2017, the rules were scheduled to take effect in January but have been delayed as the government reviews feedback. There is no guarantee the reforms will proceed, especially given the uncertainty of federal election results in the fall. But even if they are shelved, Clark said, his agency has some ability to change pricing guidelines on its own. "We don't have the same maneuverability if we don't have regulatory change, but we'll make the best of what scope we have," he said. PUNCHING ABOVE ITS WEIGHT? The PMPRB is already taking on some of the drug industry's big players. The agency recently targeted Horizon Pharma, for instance, deeming its drug Procysbi, tagged at C$325,000, excessively priced. Health Canada approved the drug in 2017 to treat a genetic disorder known as cystinosis, which afflicts about 100 Canadians. Without treatment, the condition causes irreversible kidney damage. The federal approval essentially elbowed out a far cheaper alternative drug, making it difficult for patients to get. Horizon argued that its medication was superior, that the$180 million it spent on research and development justified the price and that patients unable to afford Procysbi were able to get it on discount or for free. Sales in the United States and Canada were $154.9 million in 2018. In January, PMPRB sought to force the company to reduce Procysbi's list price by at least 71 percent. The agency argued that the current price was so much higher than the similar alternative drug - listed at around C$25,000 - that PMPRB should set aside its usual guidelines, based largely on what is charged internationally. Horizon is fighting back, saying in a recent statement that PMPRB wants the drug to sell at "a small fraction of the lowest price in the world." The matter is set for hearings and could be decided in federal court. But in the end, said Joel Lexchin, a University of Toronto professor and pharmaceutical policy expert, the problem of escalating drug prices won't be settled by individual showdowns with drug makers over specific drugs. A broader approach - like the new proposed regulations - is needed, he said. "We can't really keep going with these one-offs," he said. "We need a general policy." (Editing by Denny Thomas and Julie Marquis) By Rania El Gamal and Vladimir Soldatkin JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Saturday that he saw no oil supply shortage as global oil inventories are still rising, particularly from the United States, but OPEC will be responsive to the oil market's needs. Speaking in Jeddah ahead of a ministerial panel gathering on Sunday of top OPEC and non-OPEC producers, including Saudi Arabia and Russia, Falih told Reuters OPEC will not decide on output until late June when the group is due to meet next. "I am not sure there is a supply shortage, but we will look at the (market) analysis. We will definitely be responsive and the market will be supplied," Falih said, when asked whether an increase in output was on the table due to oil shortage concerns. "But all indications are that inventories are still rising. We saw the data from the U.S. week after week, and they are massive increases, so there is obviously supply abundance." The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Russia and other non-OPEC producers, known as OPEC+, agreed to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from Jan. 1 for six months, a deal designed to stop inventories building up and weakening prices. "We will be flexible. We are going to do the right thing as we always do," Falih said of any decision at the meeting in June on continuing the reductions. Falih said OPEC was guided by two main principles: "One to keep the market in its direction towards balancing, and inventories (are) back to normal level. And two to be responsive to market needs. We will strike the right balance I am sure." Saudi Arabia does not see a need to quickly boost production now with oil prices around the $70 a barrel level, as it fears a crash in prices and a build-up in inventories, OPEC sources said. But Russia wants to increase supply after June when the current OPEC+ pact is due to expire, the sources said. The United States on the other hand, which is not a member of the OPEC+ but is a close ally of Saudi Arabia, wants the group to boost output to bring oil prices down. Falih has to find a delicate balance between keeping the oil market well supplied and prices high enough for Riyadh's budget needs, while pleasing Moscow to ensure Russia remains in the OPEC+ pact, and being responsive to the concerns of the United States and the rest of the OPEC+, the sources said. Story continues OPEC's agreed share of the cuts is 800,000 bpd, but its actual reduction is far larger due to the production losses in Iran and Venezuela. Both are under U.S. sanctions and exempt from the voluntary reductions under the OPEC-led deal. U.S. President Donald Trump has called on OPEC and the group's de facto leader Saudi Arabia to lower oil prices. Sunday's ministerial panel meeting, known as the JMMC, comes amid concerns of a tight market as Iran's oil exports are likely to drop further in May, and shipments from Venezuela could fall more in coming weeks due to the sanctions by Washington. Oil contamination also forced Russia to halt flows along the Druzhba pipeline - a key conduit for crude into Eastern Europe and Germany - in April. The suspension, as yet of unclear duration, left refiners scrambling to find supplies. But U.S. crude inventories rose unexpectedly last week to their highest since September 2017, while gasoline stockpiles decreased more than forecast, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Wednesday. Tensions between Saudi Arabia and fellow OPEC member Iran are also running high, after last week's attacks on two Saudi oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and another on Saudi oil facilities inside the kingdom. Saudi Arabia accused Iran of ordering the attack on state oil giant Saudi Aramco's oil pumping stations that Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi militia has claimed responsibility for. An OPEC and non-OPEC technical committee found that oil producers' compliance with the supply-reduction agreement reached 168 percent in April, three sources told Reuters on Saturday. That shows that OPEC+ producers are cutting output by more than their share. Saudi Arabia has been pumping below its production target since January to keep oil inventories and prices in check. (Reporting by Rania El Gamal and Vladimir Soldatkin; Editing by Tom Hogue and Ros Russell) By Karen Freifeld (Reuters) - The U.S. Commerce Department may soon scale back restrictions on Huawei Technologies after this week's blacklisting made it nearly impossible for the Chinese company to purchase goods made in the United States, a department spokeswoman said on Friday. The Commerce Department may issue a temporary general license to allow time for companies and people who have Huawei equipment to maintain reliability of their communications networks and equipment, the spokeswoman said. The possible general license would not apply to new transactions, according to the spokeswoman, and would last for 90 days. A spokesman for Huawei did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Commerce Department on Thursday added Huawei to a list of entities that are banned from doing business with U.S. companies without licenses. The entities list identifies companies believed to be involved in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. Potential beneficiaries of the temporary license could include internet access and mobile phone service providers in thinly populated places such as Wyoming and eastern Oregon that purchased network equipment from Huawei in recent years. (Reporting by Karen Freifeld; Editing by Leslie Adler and Grant McCool) Iran is not seeking war, the leader of the country's elite Revolutionary Guards said Sunday. A ramp-up in military posturing from both sides has regional watchers and America's Western allies worried that a miscalculation could spark a full-blown conflict. The weeks prior saw the White House broadcast news of U.S. bombers and warships deployed to the Persian Gulf. DUBAI Iran is not seeking war, the leader of the country's elite Revolutionary Guards said Sunday. "The difference between us and them is that they are afraid of war and don't have the will for it," Major General Hossein Salami said, as quoted by local news agency Fars. On Saturday the Revolutionary Guard general, known for his inflammatory rhetoric, mocked the U.S. political system and made a jab related to the 9/11 attacks. "The U.S. political system is full of cracks," Salami said. "Though impressive-looking, it has osteoporosis. In fact, America's story is like the World Trade Center towers that collapse with a sudden blow." The Donald Trump administration labeled Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization in April, making it the first military institution of a foreign government to receive that designation. The comments come amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington and just days after drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure carried out by Iranian-supported Houthi rebels from Yemen. The U.S. later withdrew much of its diplomatic staff from Iraq, citing intelligence reports alleging threats and evidence of heightened activity from Iranian-backed proxies in the country. But Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has been meeting with foreign leaders and dismissing the potential for war. "There will be no war because neither do we want a war, nor has anyone the idea or illusion it can confront Iran in the region," Zarif told local media Sunday. Weeks of escalation A ramp-up in military posturing from both sides has regional watchers and America's Western allies worried that a miscalculation could spark a full-blown conflict. Story continues The weeks prior saw the White House broadcast news of U.S. bombers and warships deployed to the Persian Gulf, citing "troubling and escalatory" threats coming from Iran. Earlier this month, Iran announced it would end some of its key obligations to the 2015 nuclear deal returning to higher levels of uranium enrichment and stockpiling if the deal's European signatories didn't rescue the country's ailing oil and banking sectors hit hard by sanctions. The Trump administration has tightened its chokehold on Iranian oil exports and its metals industry as part of its "maximum pressure" campaign, leading the Islamic Republic's leaders to describe the country's economic hardships as harder than those during its brutal Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s. While some say this pressure may force Iran to the negotiating table, most analysts agree the country will not capitulate anytime soon, despite President Donald Trump's open invitation to its leaders to "call me." Reports have emerged of internal division in the White House, describing national security advisor John Bolton as gunning for war while Trump remains reluctant. The leaders have outwardly said they do not want war and prefer a diplomatic solution, but some experts worry that the maximalist demands from the administration provide no off-ramp for either party to back down. More From CNBC BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Exxon Mobil's decision to evacuate its foreign staff from the West Qurna 1 oilfield in southern Iraq on Saturday was "unacceptable and unjustified", Iraq's Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban said on Sunday. "The withdrawal of multiple employees - despite their small number - temporarily has nothing to do with the security situation or threats in the oilfields in of southern Iraq, but it's for political reasons," Ghadhban said in a statement. Exxon Mobil, which has a long term contract to improve the oilfield on behalf of Iraq's state South Oil Company, withdrew all foreign staff, around 60 people, Iraqi officials have said. The evacuation came just days after the United States withdrew non-essential staff from its embassy in Baghdad, out of apparent concern about perceived threats from Iran, which has close ties to Iraqi Shi'ite militia. Ghadhban said he sent a letter to Exxon Mobil asking for the company to immediately return to work at the southern oilfield, ahead of a meeting with company executives later this week. Production at the oilfield was not affected by the evacuation and work was continuing normally, overseen by Iraqi engineers, the chief of Iraq's state-owned South Oil Company which owns the oil field, Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said on Saturday. He added that production remains at 440,000 barrels per day (bpd). (Reporting by Ahmed Rasheed; Writing by Raya Jalabi; Editing by Peter Graff and Louise Heavens) Christian Navarro can barely stride 10 paces down the big, breezy corridors of the Four Seasons Resort in Maui without stopping to clap a shoulder or kiss a cheek. Though this Hawaiian luxury hub plays host to many traditional celebritiesthe Oscar-winning actor Mahershala Ali hangs out by the lobby, awaiting a caron this weekend, the first in March, 52-year-old Navarro, the president of Los Angeles preeminent wine seller, Wallys Wine & Spirits, is top dog. Hes organized the resorts first annual wine and food classic, convening high-end producers from France, Italy, California, and 200 wine connoisseurs for four days that might best be described as oenophiles gone wild. By the adults-only pool, theres a glassology class taught by a Riedel representative who decries the ubiquitous balloon-shaped glass as the enemy of all red wine. (He instructs note-taking attendees to pour a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc from a narrow glass into a paper cup, asks his co-instructor what it smells like in that lesser vessel, and nods gravely at her response: tragedy.) On a lawn overlooking the ocean, the Discovery of Pinot Noir seminar devolves into a debate about the merits of making Pinot in California vs. France. (They can have hail in July, says a Napa loyalist. We have an embarrassment of sunshine.) On the balcony of a penthouse suite, its time to saber a magnum of vintage Billecart-Salmon Champagne, but the sharpest tool in the room is a butter knife. No matter! An assistant rushes down to the lawn to shoo passersby away from potential flying cork and glass, but a suave Frenchman does the job quickly, cleanly, and seemingly effortlessly as Navarro whoops and shoots a video on his phone. As the host, isnt he a bit anxious? Look, were in Hawaii, he says. I think I see his eyes roll behind his shades; a diamond-encrusted cross glints below his neck. For me, its easy. People showed up; these guys are professionals. I just have to go around, shake hands, and remember everybodys name. If I can do that, its all good. Story continues Navarros swagger and carefree attitude belie his unlikely ascent to the top of the high-end wine world. His mother brought him to the U.S. when he was a toddler, fleeing violence in their native Mexico City. They settled in Palm Springs, but Navarro never went to school, he says, and at 18 he hitchhiked to Los Angeles with dreams of making it as an artist and friends who let him crash with them, to a point. I was homeless, he says. I lived on the street and needed to get a job. He applied for one at a frozen yogurt chain called Penguins and another at Wallys, a wine shop in the Westwood neighborhood of L.A. Penguins didnt hire me because I didnt have a high school diploma, he says, but the wine store needed a floor sweeper. He struck up a friendship with the founder of Wallys, Steve Wallace, who got curious about his floor sweepers palate after he wafted a Pinot Noir under Navarros nose and Navarro correctly identified its aroma as strawberry. I sat down and started tasting wine, and I found, even though I couldnt read very well, I cant do math very well, Im probably a little dyslexic, that I could remember everything I smelled and tasted, and then was able to articulate it back, he says. During the 1980s he was Wallaces right-hand man, nurturing relationships with famous clients who came in to build their cellars, like Tom Cruise, Jack Nicholson, financier Michael Milken, and Michael Ovitz, cofounder of Creative Artists Agency. Those two guys [Milken and Ovitz] took me under their wing and introduced me to everybody, Navarro recalls. They kept saying Im the best. Even if Im not the best, if they say Im the best, now Im the best. undefined Because of his deep virtual Rolodex of wine buyers and sellers, if Navarro gets, say, an allocation of a particularly coveted Bordeaux, he very likely knows collectors who have been waiting to pounce on it. These days he texts with clients like Drake, who rap-bragged about booking a private room at Wallys in his 2018 song Diplomatic Immunity: Booked a private room at Wallys/Waiter twistin the cork. Drake was referring to the Beverly Hills location of Wallys, a hybrid bar, restaurant, and wine shop; a similar outpost opened in Santa Monica last year. In 2013, when Wallace retired, Navarro bought Wallys with Paul and Maurice Marciano, the brothers behind the Guess clothing line who have long trusted him to steer them in the right direction when it comes to wine. He has a passion for wine, a knowledge for wine, that I havent seen in many people, says Maurice. He also has great, great contacts. He develops relationships. There is no price for that. Either you have it or you dont. In 2016, the Maui Four Seasons entrusted Navarro with the task of elevating its wine lists. (Guests in elite suites can choose from a rarefied menu that includes a 2012 Chateau Petrus and a 2009 Cristal.) He also said, It cant be me picking the wines, and you leave it at that, says Mark Simon, the resorts director of marketing. You need to invest in your people. At Navarros suggestion, the resort established a program that pays for sommelier training for any employee whos interested. It now has 20 people in the sommelier program and one master sommelier. Three years ago, we only had two somms on property, total, Simon notes. Somms greet Navarro with bear hugs. Throughout the weekend, well-wishers buzz around him. But he continues to insist hes nothing special. When asked if there was a moment when he realized that hes pretty good at this wine thing, he says, I still dont think that. Because of my youth and my past, Ive never really looked in the rearview mirror. If I stop to think about it, it kind of scares me. Plus, he says, gesturing at the bubbling Billecart-Salmon, there are more pressing matters at hand. You can come here and have a world-class gastronomic experience. In the Pacific, theres nothing like this. Navarros Guide to Building a Cellar Q: Say Im a casual wine drinker, and I want to invest in a cellar. Where should I start? A: Buy wines that have ageability: good quality Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir. Something with stamina. You dont want to take a Chenin Blanc from Santa Barbara, put it in a wine cellar, and three years later think its going to be better. That generally doesnt happen. Are there particular vintages that are a good value right now? Get in on inexpensive Bordeaux and really nice California Cabs. Id recommend the 2015 Chateau Giscours (about $65), the 2014 Jonata Todos ($50), and 2014 Daou Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($60). Is there a wine region that hasnt quite peaked yet, where it would be good to start buying from? The central coast of California is probably the most under-the-radar area in the world right now, from Santa Barbara to San Luis Obispo and Paso Robles. Those wines have very good quality, very high value, and theyre waiting to be discovered. From left: 2014 Daou Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon ($60), 2014 Jonata Todos ($50), 2015 Chateau Giscours (about $65). | Courtesy of Daou, Jonata and Chateau Giscours Do you recommend any apps for managing a wine collection? CellarTracker is great. You can see what your peers are thinking about a product and get a communal rating, instead of some dusty old guy south of London determining when you open something. Is it true that if youre planning to cellar a particular wine, you should buy multiple bottles of it? Absolutely. Heres what happens: You buy wine, you put it in your cellar, you take it out, you discover, This is amazing. It just needs two more years. Two years later, you have another bottle set aside. Its the journey you take with the wines, thats the fun. Where should I get the wine thats going in my cellar? A vineyard, an auction, a website, my local wine store? First, discover what you like, and then you should probably have a relationship with all of the above. Its crucial to develop a relationship with a merchant to find out what the best varietals are for you, how long you want to age them, and what youre looking for as far as taste profile. A good merchant will have a lot of selection. Wallys has 8,000 unique bottles. I guarantee we have 500 items in your price range. A version of this article appears in the June 2019 issue of Fortune with the headline Hollywoods Wine Seller. More must-read stories from Fortune: A tequila sommelier on how to drink Mexicos favorite spirit Meet the data-obsessed collector tracking million-dollar whiskies A guide to the food and wine capital of South Africa Craft cocktails on Vancouver Island, Canada go beyond drink local Low ABV, fruit-flavored beers are having a moment Follow Fortune on Flipboard to stay up-to-date on the latest news and analysis. London-based TransferWise handles $5 billion a month in money remittances across 71 countries. The flow of money between individuals across national boundaries totaled $689 billion last year and has benefited companies like Western Union and Moneygram. TransferWise targets the cost of remittances, on average 7%, but as high as 10% to certain African countries. In the last quarter, the money arrived in 19% of recipients' bank accounts in less than 20 seconds. Like a lot of start-ups, TransferWise started with a simple idea, inspired by the frustrating personal experience of one of its founders. Kristo Kaarmann landed a job with Skype in London a decade ago but still had a savings account in his native Estonia. When he wired money home through his bank, he was surprised at the transfer cost. It was not just the bank fee that penalized him but the exchange rate the bank used to convert his pounds into euros. Kaarmann's fellow Estonian in London Taavet Hinrikus was paid in euros and needed to convert his pay into pounds, so they worked out a deal using mid-market foreign exchange rates. They soon had a network of friends exchanging money informally. "We realized it was a problem not just for Estonians in London but for everyone who's moving money internationally," said Kaarmann, now TransferWise CEO. Match up two people who need each other's currency and you avoid the bank charges and the excessive costs of foreign currency conversions. The idea spread to their circle of friends and that led Kaarmann and Hinrikus to create the company in 2011. Eight years later, TransferWise ranked No. 23 on CNBC's 2019 Disruptor 50 list and has done so by revising its business model, something many start-ups fail at. "Our peer-to-peer model was an innovative solution at the time, but as we scaled, the original model wasn't scaling with us," said Kaarmann. "It took us five, six years to get to break-even," Kaarmann said. Story continues The company has grown to 1,500 employees and handles $5 billion a month in transactions across 71 countries through a smartphone app, TransferWise had reason to ditch the original system and refocus on costs. "Our mission is money without borders instant, convenient, transparent, and low-cost," Kaarmann said. Unlike many start-ups, TransferWise is profitable. In the year ending March 2018, the company, headquartered in London, reported a net profit of $8 million on revenue of roughly $151 million (at current exchange rates). A critical global flow of money TransferWise's rapid growth has been fueled by one of the world's most important, and most unglamorous, money markets. The term "remittances" doesn't sound very sexy, yet last year the flow of money between individuals across national boundaries totaled $689 billion, up 8.8% from 2017, according to the World Bank. Remittances mostly from immigrants working in wealthy nations to relatives back home pay for schooling, weddings and funerals, put food on the table, and buy the cement blocks for the additional room. Remittances are increasingly critical to economic activity in much of the world. Excluding China, remittances to low and middle-income countries ($462 billion) were significantly larger than foreign direct investment in 2018 ($344 billion), according to the World Bank. And the cost of remittances is high, on average 7%, but as high as 10% to certain African countries. Western Union, which does business in 200 countries and moved $300 billion ($88 billion internationally) last year, is hardly complacent about the competition. "It's a race and we are running very fast," said Odilon Almeida, president of Western Union Global Money Transfer. He noted that his company's business, once practically all cash, is now 12 percent digital, paid to smartphones, mobile wallets or bank accounts. "We think mobile first," said Almeida. "You can choose the way you pay." The company offers a mobile app in 35 countries and also handles transactions through its web site. More from CNBC Disruptor 50 The next breakthrough in agriculture may come from outer space The future of the $1.2 trucking market may create a better Uber Chinese facial recognition can identify you in one second Unlike long established rivals Western Union and Moneygram, TransferWise's business is all-digital. It doesn't bear the costs of thousands of outlets that its competitors use to pay out cash. That approach also provides Western Union with a business that remains differentiated, serving different customer needs than TransferWise, and across a larger network. TransferWise requires customers to have bank accounts on both sides of the transaction, which eliminates a large portion of individuals looking to send or receive cash. Western Union's walk-in retail network in urban, rural and remote areas covers more than 200 countries and territories. It is a point that TransferWise concedes, for now. "I really admire Western Union for their ability to deliver money to a blue hut in an African country," Kaarmann said. "But the last mile in the next ten years will be very different from what it was in the 1990s." His company's transfer fees are a fraction of what banks and payment agencies like Moneygram and Western Union charge. The company says the average fee a TransferWise user paid in Q1 was 0.63% of the money transferred. In the eurozone specifically, TransferWise started out charging 0.5% of the amount of a transaction; it has since lowered the charge to 0.35%. Western Union says that the global average cost of transferring money through Western Union (including fee and FX) is approximately 5 percent of the amount being sent. The average person-to-person principal send value via Western Union in 2018 was about $300. Western Union WU shares show the industry-wide pressures created by innovation: They are lower today than they were a decade ago, during what has been a period of economic expansion and broad stock market growth. Moneygram MGI , meanwhile, as a smaller player in the industry with less money to spend on keeping up with the competition, has performed even worse. Moody's recently downgraded its credit profile and cited the difficult operating environment. Western Union's large territory allows them to continue to charge more in many markets, while digitally they have become more competitive on pricing. "The reality is that on the online side of the business, Western Union is more competitive, but not as competitive, as TransferWise in some corridors," said Darrin Peller, managing director at Wolfe Research and payments sector analyst. But the digital growth comes at a cost to Western Union's profit margins. "When it comes down to it, they have not been able to grow EPS as well as others, and the question isn't just why, but why given the backdrop of a world where remittance flows grow in mid- to high single digits?" Peller said. Part of the answer is the incremental competition causing pricing pressure. Western Union has done well in building its digital business and bringing customers to WU.com for digital transfers, but they make a lot less money on that business than the traditional cash transfers. The competition is forcing Western Union to cannibalize its own highest margin transactions. And the competition is at the same time forcing Western Union to spend more. "Whether it is digital wallets like Venmo and Square or TransferWise or Remitly, the innovation around technology means they have to spend a lot more money than some thought they would have to spend." TransferWise is focused on speed in addition to low costs. Lightning-speed transactions "In the last quarter the money arrived in 19% of recipients' bank accounts in less than 20 seconds," Kaarmann said. TransferWise achieves speedy results by embracing some of the tools of mainstream financial institutions. The company was the first nonbank to get its own settlement account at the Bank of England. In anticipation of Brexit, TransferWise has applied for an office in Brussels. The original peer-to-peer model has also become less important as TransferWise has developed relationships with banks around the world to manage payouts. It has introduced a "borderless" account allowing customers to move money between 40 different currencies. Traditional banks, like France's Groupe BPCE, and digital banks, like Britain's Monzo, are incorporating the TransferWise money-transfer function into their own applications. "A few big banks that have come to the conclusion that their wire-transfer service was never a good experience for the customers," Kaarmann said. Alex Rampell, a general partner at venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and an investor in TransferWise, said Kaarmann's determination to keep costs down for customers has been key to the success of the company. "There are companies that try to figure out how to make the most money from you, like Apple, and those trying to charge as little as possible, like Costco." "We have proven the fees, which are often 10 times cheaper than the bank charges, actually work," Kaarmann said, citing two straight years of profit. Recent news reports indicated that TransferWise is lining up another round of investment that would set its valuation at $3.75 billion. The company would not comment on fundraising. It has raised $397 million in funding from investors, including Index Ventures, Andreessen Horowitz, Richard Branson and Paypal co-founder Max Levchin. Rampell believes that TransferWise's focus on costs is a winning strategy. "Every month, users get a newsletter telling them the costs have been lowered in this currency or that. Who else does that?" More From CNBC President Trump's allies praise him for his willingness to take on issues long neglected by U.S. policy makers: confronting China's unfair trade practices, taking on Iran's malign regional behavior, working to replace Venezuela's dictator with democracy, and deploying carrots and sticks to denuclearize North Korea. Succeeding at any one of those challenges would be a major win. Score them all and President Trump's name would be written large in history books. By the same token, dropping any of those balls and any juggler knows that likelihood grows with the volume of what must be managed would have long-lasting consequences, for the regions involved and for U.S. credibility globally. The Trump administration is engaged in a global juggling act involving so many strategically significant balls that it would confound the capabilities of the most skilled circus performer. President Trump's allies praise him for his willingness to take on issues long neglected by U.S. policy makers: confronting China's unfair trade practices, taking on Iran's malign regional behavior, working to replace Venezuela's dictator with democracy, and deploying carrots and sticks to denuclearize North Korea, to name just a few. Succeeding at any one of those challenges would be a major win. Score them all and President Trump's name would be written large in history books. By the same token, dropping any of those balls and any juggler knows that likelihood grows with the volume of what must be managed would have long-lasting consequences, for the regions involved and for U.S. credibility globally. Even so, Juggler-in-Chief Trump keeps adding complexity to this high-risk, uncertain-return show. Whether by increasing tariffs further on China and further restricting Huawei's access to U.S. markets, or by sending a carrier strike group to the Middle East, President Trump ratchets up pressures in the hope of leveraging that into success. Story continues What unifies the four issues listed above are both their significance and the fact that President Trump has personally identified them as defining issues. Yet a great many other issues complicate the picture further, ranging from escalating violence in Afghanistan alongside Taliban negotiations and managing relations with an increasingly empowered and assertive Russia. Mercifully, what the Trump administration hasn't yet suffered is the unanticipated crises or shocks of the sort faced by previous presidents such as the 9-11 attacks for President George W. Bush or the global financial crisis for President Barack Obama. Should such a surprise occur, the already limited national security bandwidth of the administration particularly with so many key jobs open or filled by "acting" officials will be further strained. What's unsettling financial markets, allies and adversaries most is an inability to properly calculate and thus "bake in" this degree of geopolitical risk from a U.S. president who prides himself on his disruptive tactics. No one quite knows what unifying strategy binds these situations nor what President Trump's end game might be on each. Still, there seem to be three options for how this plays out. First, Trump doesn't get what he wants on all these key issues (no deal with China; Iran remains unchanged; Maduro remains in power and North Korea keeps its nukes) and America's interests suffer across the board. Second, he moves off the maximalist positions he's taken and settles for compromise and there are some signs of that regarding Venezuela with talks in Norway and with his recent remark that he was open to a phone call from Tehran. On trade, U.S. stock markets closed somewhat lower for the week with concerns growing about hardening U.S. and Chinese positions (see last week's column on the end of illusions regarding U.S.-China trade). At the same time, however, market concerns were softened Friday by the Trump administration's decision to delay a decision on car tariffs by six months and through President Trump's announcement that he had reached an agreement to lift steel and aluminum tariffs on Mexico and Canada. Third, President Trump escalates even further through an even tougher trade war with China or military action against Iran's mullahs or Venezuela's dictator. Yet that would require him to abandon his reluctance to start new wars, one of the most striking consistencies of the Trump presidency and embrace the more hawkish approach of John Bolton. That's unlikely. What doesn't seem to be guiding Trump's thinking and actions is a clearly articulated strategy of the sort that has driven previous administrations. Instead, he seems guided by "America First" instincts and hunches that put the interests of the nation-state first, to be advanced globally through the leverage of maximum demands and pressures short of military action. President Trump's national security strategy, produced by General H.R. McMaster, his former national security advisor, provided a coherent and prioritized view of the global challenges the United States faces. However, the president hasn't ever spoken about it as his own. McMaster's successor John Bolton told Graeme Wood of The Atlantic that it had been filed away and was consulted by no one. The three national security advisors and two secretaries of state who have served President Trump thus far have spent a fair amount of time trying to wrap President Trump's actions and tweets into a more discernible and sustainable doctrine. Secretary Pompeo probably came closest to hitting the mark in a significant but underreported speech last Saturday at the Claremont Institute in Southern California, describing what analysts have come to call "conservative internationalism." The Wall Street Journal columnist Walter Russell Mead described it this way: "Where liberal internationalists believe the goal of American global engagement should be to promote the emergence of a world order in which international institutions increasingly supplant nation-states as the chief actors in global politics, conservative internationals believe American engagement should be guided by a narrower focus on specific U.S. interests." Secretary Pompeo said , "This new pride in taking America's interests seriously is not just an American phenomenon." "Countries all over the world are rediscovering their national identities, and we are supporting them The wave of electoral surprises has swept from Britain to the United States and all the way to Brazil Our focus is that, 'What's good for the United States a foreign policy animated by the love of our unique way of life is good for the world." Whatever intellectual context one wraps around President Trump's global juggling act, one thing is clear. All presidents have learned that if they don't match their goals with the means to achieve them, the result is failure. And more than a few dropped balls. Frederick Kempe is a best-selling author, prize-winning journalist and president & CEO of the Atlantic Council, one of the United States' most influential think tanks on global affairs. He worked at The Wall Street Journal for more than 25 years as a foreign correspondent, assistant managing editor and as the longest-serving editor of the paper's European edition. His latest book "Berlin 1961: Kennedy, Khrushchev, and the Most Dangerous Place on Earth" was a New York Times best-seller and has been published in more than a dozen languages. Follow him on Twitter @FredKempe and subscribe here to Inflection Points, his look each Saturday at the past week's top stories and trends. For more insight from CNBC contributors, follow @CNBCopinion on Twitter. More From CNBC Leading Radiopharmaceutical Company ROTOP to Develop and Commercialize Progenics PSMA-Targeted SPECT/CT Imaging Agent in Europe NEW YORK & DRESDEN, Germany, May 14, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Progenics Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (PGNX), an oncology company developing innovative targeted medicines and artificial intelligence to find, fight and follow cancer, and ROTOP Pharmaka GmbH, a leading radiopharmaceuticals company focused on diagnostics and therapeutics, today announced an exclusive agreement under which ROTOP agreed to develop and commercialize 1404 in Europe. 1404 is Progenics prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-targeted small molecule SPECT/CT imaging agent labeled with technetium-99m that is designed to visualize prostate cancer. This European partnership with ROTOP further expands the global reach of our PSMA-targeted prostate cancer portfolio and establishes a development path forward for 1404 in this important market, where SPECT/CT is the standard nuclear imaging modality, said Mark Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Progenics. ROTOP has deep experience developing, producing and distributing radiopharmaceutical products, which makes them well suited to advance the development of 1404 in Europe, and ultimately improve physician treatment decisions of prostate cancer. Under the terms of the agreement, ROTOP will receive an exclusive license to and will be responsible for the development, regulatory approvals and commercialization of 1404 in the covered European territory. In exchange, Progenics is eligible for double-digit, tiered royalties based on future sales of 1404 in Europe. In the coming months, ROTOP will hold an expert panel meeting with KOLs in the PSMA imaging field as well as regulatory experts to review existing data on 1404 and obtain guidance on the clinical development. Upon agreement on a path forward, ROTOP will request a meeting with European regulators and start a clinical trial in early 2020. Story continues With the number of installed PET cameras in Europe being less than a third of the installed SPECT cameras and prostate cancer being the most frequent cancer in men, a capacity shortage is already being seen for PSMA PET imaging in Europe and this is expected to worsen once PSMA PET tracers are approved in Europe. 1404 will address this problem as the first-in-class PSMA tracer using SPECT scanners. A 1404-SPECT scan could be the key to change the management of a large number of patients who have limited access to PET. 1404 is a complimentary fit to ROTOPs growing product line of radiopharmaceuticals, particularly technetium-99m based imaging agents, for the diagnosis of a range of diseases, including cancers, said Jens Junker, Chief Executive Officer of ROTOP. Our collaboration with Progenics underscores our commitment to developing new nuclear medicine and molecular imaging products in parallel to our commercial operations, which distributes radiopharmaceutical products to more than 30 countries. About 1404, an Imaging Agent Targeting Prostate Specific Membrane Antigen Progenics' molecular imaging radiopharmaceutical product candidate 1404 targets the extracellular domain of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), a protein amplified on the surface of > 95% of prostate cancer cells and a validated target for the detection of primary and metastatic prostate cancer. 1404 is labeled with Technetium-99m, a gamma-emitting isotope that is widely available, is easy to prepare, and is attractive for nuclear medicine imaging applications. The image created provides the opportunity to visualize cancer, potentially allowing for improved detection and staging, more precise biopsies, and a targeted treatment plan including active surveillance as a disease management tool. About PROGENICS Progenics is an oncology company focused on the development and commercialization of innovative targeted medicines and artificial intelligence to find, fight and follow cancer, including: therapeutic agents designed to treat cancer (AZEDRA, 1095, and PSMA TTC); prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) targeted imaging agent for prostate cancer (PyL); and imaging analysis technology (aBSI and PSMA AI). Progenics has two commercial products, AZEDRA, for the treatment of patients with unresectable, locally advanced or metastatic pheochromocytoma or paraganglioma (rare neuroendocrine tumors of neural crest origin) who require systemic anticancer therapy; and RELISTOR (methylnaltrexone bromide) for the treatment of opioid-induced constipation, which is partnered with Bausch Health Companies Inc. About ROTOP Pharmaka GmbH ROTOP Pharmaka is a leading pharmaceutical company that develops, produces and distributes cGMP compliant radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostics and therapy in Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging and distributes them in more than 30 countries worldwide. With almost 20 years of experience in the development, production, authorization and distribution of sterile kits for radiolabeled pharmaceuticals ROTOP continuously expands its product portfolio by developing new products and entering new strategic partnerships. This press release contains projections and other "forward-looking statements" regarding future events. Statements contained in this communication that refer to Progenics' estimated or anticipated future results or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Progenics' current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this communication. Forward looking statements generally will be accompanied by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "could," "should," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "outlook," "guidance," "intend," "may," "might," "will," "possible," "potential," "predict," "project," or other similar words, phrases or expressions. Such statements are predictions only, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, market acceptance for approved products; the risk that the commercial launch of AZEDRA may not meet revenue and income expectations; the cost, timing and unpredictability of results of clinical trials and other development activities and collaborations; the unpredictability of the duration and results of regulatory review of New Drug Applications (NDA) and Investigational NDAs; the inherent uncertainty of outcomes in the intellectual property disputes such as the dispute with the University of Heidelberg regarding PSMA-617; our ability to successfully develop and commercialize products that incorporate licensed intellectual property; the effectiveness of the efforts of our partners to market and sell products on which we collaborate and the royalty revenue generated thereby; generic and other competition; the possible impairment of, inability to obtain and costs of obtaining intellectual property rights; possible product safety or efficacy concerns, general business, financial, regulatory and accounting matters, litigation and other risks. More information concerning Progenics and such risks and uncertainties is available on its website, and in its press releases and reports it files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including those risk factors included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, as updated in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Progenics is providing the information in this press release as of its date and, except as expressly required by law, Progenics disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. Additional information concerning Progenics and its business may be available in press releases or other public announcements and public filings made after this release. For more information, please visit www.progenics.com. Information on or accessed through our website or social media sites is not included in the company's SEC filings. (PGNX-F) Hospitality Workers Unite! NIAGARA FALLS, Ontario, May 18, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Restaurant workers at the Rainforest Cafe are on strike. They are fighting against greed. They are fighting for their right to organize. They are fighting for fairness, for respect and for a safe workplace where sexual assault will not be tolerated. Workers bravely came forward to share their experiences of sexual assault at work. Workers believe that recent incidents of sexual assault were grossly mishandled by their employer Canadian Niagara Hotels. The company needs to take responsibility for their mistakes and make sure there is no further sexual harassment or assaults! Managers cannot be allowed to sweep issues like sexual violence under the rug. We are disturbed that the worker who committed these acts was only let go after the issue became public. The company has doubled-down on a damage control narrative. Rainforest workers want a union contract so they can return to a workplace where they feel safe and have real protections. To that end we are having a Womens March up and down Clifton Hill to let the employer and all employers know that sexual harassment and assault has no place in Niagara Falls. Rally: Saturday, May 18 - 3:00pm, 4915 Clifton Hill, Niagara Falls Solidarity Pickets: Every day from 12:00pm-7:00pm Email Mike Ward mward@workersunitedunion.ca to RSVP Send a Message: Tell the owners they wont get your business until they treat their workers with respect and stop their anti-union activities www.workersunitedunion.ca/rainforest_strike FB: @WorkersUnitedCanada /// Twitter: @WorkersUnitedCA /// #RainforestUnion /// #HospitalityWorkersUnit OPEC and its allies held their ministerial monitoring committee meeting, known as the JMMC, on Sunday in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters at the event that he was recommending "gently" driving oil inventories down. But he added that OPEC would not make hasty decisions about output ahead of a June meeting. Russia has been vocal about raising production while OPEC's de-facto leader, Saudi Arabia, has been wary of a possible price crash that an output increase could cause. Russia Energy Minister Alexander Novak said there were different options available for OPEC and its oil-producing allies in the second half of 2019, including a possible raising of output. The OPEC+ alliance held a ministerial monitoring committee meeting, known as the JMMC, on Sunday in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. The producers agreed to continue monitoring the oil market and are set to meet again in late June to review their oil supply cut agreement. "As far as our joint plan of action for the second half of the year. We are supportive of continuing our cooperation with our colleagues from other countries," Novak told CNBC's Dan Murphy in Jeddah, according to a translation. "But this continuation could depend to various extents on how the situation unfolds by this time and what the forecasts for supply and demand will be on the market. If it turns out that there will be a shortfall in the market then we will be prepared to examine options linked with a possible increase in production," he said Sunday. His comments come five months into a fresh round of production cuts from OPEC+. The deal is designed to stop inventories building up and weakening prices. Russia has been vocal about raising production while OPEC's de-facto leader, Saudi Arabia, has been wary of a possible price crash that an output increase could cause. The output cuts have helped oil prices to rise more than 30% so far this year. Story continues Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters at the event that he was recommending "gently" driving oil inventories down. But he added that OPEC would not make hasty decisions about output ahead of the June meeting. The Middle East-dominated group, alongside non-OPEC allies such as Russia, agreed to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day (b/d) for six months. OPEC's share was set at 800,000 b/d, to be delivered by 11 members with Iran, Venezuela and Libya exempt from cuts. The 2019 pact was a dramatic turnabout for OPEC and its allies, after the producer group had agreed to boost supplies in mid-2018. OPEC+ changed course after Brent crude futures tumbled from $86 a barrel in October, making them wary of a supply glut. Contaminated oil Experts have signaled the oil market is currently tightening, with sanctions on Iran and Venezuela. In April, there was also a suspension along the major Druzhba pipeline with several European nations halting imports from Russia after contaminated supplies were found. Novak has reportedly said the total damage from the contaminated oil would be less than $100 million. On Sunday, he told reporters that supplies to Poland via the pipeline would start again on Monday. "We are carrying out full-scale work on the restoration of the operation of the oil pipeline system and the provision for our consumers of oil of a quality that meets the required content standards," he told CNBC. "This work is underway with our partners and I think that in the near future we will have a result in terms of a normally functioning system." More From CNBC Singapore. 16th May 2019 LongHash, a global blockchain incubator supported by the Singapore government, will be hosting the inaugural DLT Compass Conference in the Westin Hotel, Singapore this 6th-7th June. Expected to welcome over 300 attendees, the conference aims to facilitate further collaboration between corporate enterprises and blockchain projects through driving discussion on enterprise blockchain applications. DLT Compass speakers and panelists range from regulators and financial institutions to multi-national corporations and high-potential startups, including the Taiwan Government, DBS, SGX, Standard Chartered Bank, KPMG, IBM, and Huawei. Founding partner and CEO of LongHash Singapore, Emma Cui says: At LongHash, our overall objective is to accelerate the development, understanding, and adoption of blockchain technology among the masses. DLT Compass will not only be a forum Singapore. 16th May 2019 LongHash, a global blockchain incubator supported by the Singapore government, will be hosting the inaugural DLT Compass Conference in the Westin Hotel, Singapore this 6th-7th June. Expected to welcome over 300 attendees, the conference aims to facilitate further collaboration between corporate enterprises and blockchain projects through driving discussion on enterprise blockchain applications. DLT Compass speakers and panelists range from regulators and financial institutions to multi-national corporations and high-potential startups, including the Taiwan Government, DBS, SGX, Standard Chartered Bank, KPMG, IBM, and Huawei. Founding partner and CEO of LongHash Singapore, Emma Cui says: At LongHash, our overall objective is to accelerate the development, understanding, and adoption of blockchain technology among the masses. DLT Compass will not only be a forum for discussion, debate, and forward-planning but will provide attendees with practical insights and actions on how best to implement blockchain solutions to be future-ready proof. C-Level executives, government representatives, and innovators across insurance, finance, energy, and ICT, will gather under one roof to discuss the journey to mainstream blockchain adoption and the potential roadblocks along the way. Over the course of the two days, attendees will be given the chance to glean insights from one another on how emerging technologies can overhaul internal operations, remodel business interactions, and even transform entire business models while also discussing what is needed from an innovation and investment standpoint to further drive enterprise adoption. Peter Shen, Head of Technology Strategy and Innovation at Singapore Exchange (SGX), says: Singapore is at the forefront of FinTech and quickly becoming an innovation hub for emerging technologies. While it is encouraging to see so many milestones passed for blockchain, many challenges still remain before DLT can achieve mainstream adoption. Events such as DLT Compass play an important role in education, raising awareness, and facilitating actionable conversations as we approach the tipping point of mass adoption for blockchain. Story continues Speakers at the event include Peter DeMeo, IBM; Deepthi Prasad, Microsoft; Zhang Yu, Huawei Cloud; Jason Hsu, Taiwan Government; John Ho, Standard Chartered Bank; Amit Agarwal, DBS; Tomasz Kurczyk, AXA; Mike Kayamori, Liquid Group Inc.; Professor David Lee, Block Asset; Neil Thomas, SIX; and Amit Ghosh, R3. Additional speakers will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information on DLT Compass, visit: https://events.longhash.com/ The post Singapores DLT Compass Conference to welcome 300 delegates appeared first on Coin Rivet. Twenty years after Skechers went public, the company has appointed its first female director to its now-10-member board. Katherine Blair, a corporate attorney, leads the capital markets practice at the Los Angeles firm Manatt, Phelps & Phillips and will join the board as one of six independent board members. Related stories Skechers Hit With Lawsuit That Claims Light-Up Kids' Shoes Cause Skin Burns Skechers' Stock Is Tumbling After Its Q1 Profits Miss the Mark Asics Doubles Down on Performance Run With LA Marathon Sponsorship Her appointment comes in the wake of California Senate Bill 826, which passed in October and which requires all publicly traded companies headquartered in the state to have at least one woman on their boards of directors by the end of 2019. Skechers and others will then have to go further: By the end of 2021, companies with boards of five will be required to have at least two female directors, and companies with boards of six or more will be required to have a minimum of three. Failure to comply will result in a fine of $100,000 for the first violation and $300,000 for each subsequent violation. California became the first state to enact such a law after a 2018 study by Board Governance Research found that only 15.5% of the states director seats were held by women and 29% of companies had all-male boards. By contrast, women held 23.4% of director seats among U.S. companies on the MSCI ACWI Index a benchmark of the global market that tracks tracks 47 countries and more than 2,700 stocks and only 1.9% had no female board members (98.1% had at least one, and 45.1% had three or more). Skechers, too, still falls behind its peers in the industry, though a few would fail to meet Californias quota were they headquartered in the state: Nike: three female board members out of 14 total Under Armour: two female board members out of 10 total Steve Madden: two female board members out of nine total Foot Locker: four female board members out of 10 total Caleres: seven female board members out of 12 total VF Corporation: four female board members out of 12 total Deckers: three female board members out of 10 total Genesco: three female board members out of 11 total Designer Brands: five female board members out of 11 total Shoe Carnival: one female board member out of eight total Crocs: one female board member out of eight total Story continues Numerous studies by McKinsey, UC Berkeley, Credit Suisse, MSCI and others have found that companies with female directors tend to have better financial performance overall. In 2014, CtW Investment Group, an activist Skechers shareholder, called for a complete and immediate overhaul of the companys board due to lengthy tenures and a lack of gender diversity. In a press release announcing Blairs appointment, Skechers CEO Robert Greenberg said: Katherine brings a welcome perspective on business, driven by her extensive experience in corporate law and governance. Complementing our current directors, her background expands the diverse viewpoints of our board, which will continue executing our strategic plans and driving Skechers success moving forward. Want more? Meet 5 of the Women Who Are Part of Caleres Majority-Female Board A Sign of Progress? 11 Fashion Companies With New Female Leaders Sign up for FN's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. It's horse racing season, which always reminds me of racetrack guru Andrew Beyer's concept of the "sucker horse." A sucker horse, according to Beyer, is a horse whose stats indicate it should win handily, but it never does. It might come in second or third, but it never actually comes in first, and it costs bettors a lot of money in the process. I sometimes think there are sucker horses in the stock market, too: stocks that consistently seem poised to outperform and then never do. Lately, one such stock is oil and gas driller Apache Corporation (NYSE: APA), which after a recent one-two punch of bad news, is trading at about $31 per share, down 41% over the past three years. The stock's price this year is lower than it's been since 2003. So, at this price, is Apache an incredible bargain, or a sucker stock that's never going to recover? Lots of pipelines of various sizes Insufficient pipeline capacity is hurting oil and gas industry players in the Permian Basin. Image source: Getty Images. Why the market hates Apache Apache was clobbered by the same market forces that hit rivals like Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE: APC) in 2014: The price of oil had collapsed, and independent oil and gas exploration and production companies (E&Ps) like Apache and Anadarko were hit hardest. Unlike most of its peers (including Anadarko), Apache managed to survive without cutting its dividend, but that still didn't keep the stock market from knocking the company's price down by about 65% from its 2014 highs to its 2016 lows. In late 2016, though, Apache made a big announcement that actually caused its shares to pop: A Permian Basin play that Apache had been quietly picking up on the cheap turned out to have unexpectedly massive oil and gas reserves underneath it. Dubbed "Alpine High," its low price and big potential caused the stock to pop. But investors soured on Apache as it became clear that it was going to take quite some time to build out the nonexistent infrastructure to get Alpine High oil and gas to market. Meanwhile, production was declining as Apache sold off noncore assets to focus resources on Alpine High, which wasn't yet ramped up. Story continues When the Alpine High buildout was delayed by Hurricane Harvey in 2017, the market fretted that the company would miss out on high energy prices and punished the stock. When oil and gas prices took a hit in December 2018, the market punished the stock. Now, with production rising and Alpine High starting to produce oil and gas in earnest, there's another problem: a big Permian bottleneck. All dressed up with nowhere to go The Permian Basin has seen an explosion in activity lately, as drillers have rushed to cash in on the dream combination of cheap shale production and high oil and gas prices. But all that oil and gas needs somewhere to go, and unfortunately, the infrastructure to transport large quantities of oil and gas out of the Permian to refineries and export terminals on the Gulf Coast doesn't yet exist. Midstream pipeline companies like Kinder Morgan and Enterprise Products Partners are busy working on large-scale pipelines out of the Permian, but many of them won't come online until next year, or later. In the meantime, the oil and natural gas -- especially the natural gas -- has been piling up in the Permian with nowhere to go. In fact, so much natural gas has been headed to the Waha Hub in the Permian, with so little capacity to move it, that Waha Hub gas prices actually turned negative in April -- meaning that "sellers" have literally been paying "buyers" to take their excess gas away. One of those sellers? Apache. In late April, Apache announced that it was temporarily deferring some natural gas production at Alpine High to avoid having to pay others to get rid of it. The market didn't like that, and clobbered the stock again. What's next for Apache? Apache's biggest asset may be its Alpine High play, but it's been beset by one obstacle after another. However, this time the company may actually have an advantage over other Permian producers like Anadarko. Apache has created a joint venture called Altus Midstream to construct and operate pipelines and other midstream assets. Altus is partnering with Kinder Morgan on the Gulf Coast Express pipeline, which is expected to be completed in October 2019 -- ahead of most other major Permian pipelines. The Gulf Coast Express will not only provide Apache with an outlet for 550 million cubic feet per day of its Permian natural gas, but also will allow it to profit off of the gas that other producers ship through the pipeline. Of course, that's assuming everything goes according to plan, which it definitely hasn't thus far for Apache. However, the company's non-Permian assets in the North Sea and Egypt are continuing to to perform well, and Alpine High production is exceeding expectations. If Apache can get its shipping woes straightened out, it may be ripe to (finally) outperform. For investors or for suckers There's a compelling case to be made that Apache is a sucker stock. Every time its share price starts to recover, some new hiccup sends it plummeting again. Even once the bottleneck problems in the Permian get resolved, Apache may fall victim to lower prices resulting from more Permian oil and gas hitting the market. On the other hand, a share price of $31 is quite low, even for Apache. It gives the stock a bargain-basement price-to-book ratio of just 1.6 (Anadarko's, by comparison, is 4.1). And once October hits and the Gulf Coast Express starts flowing, Apache's performance should improve. At this price, the stock looks like a buy given those prospects. But investors should be aware that it's not without risks. More From The Motley Fool John Bromels owns shares of Apache and Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Kinder Morgan. The Motley Fool recommends Enterprise Products Partners. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. FILE PHOTO: Swedbank signs are seen on the bank's Latvian head office in Riga, Latvia, April 9, 2019. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Sweden has rejected an appeal from campaigning investor Bill Browder which had urged authorities to pursue a complaint alleging accounts at Swedbank were used to launder money, the Economic Crime Authority (EBM) said on Wednesday. Browder's complaint was originally filed in March and was dismissed a month later as the transfers involving Swedish accounts had occurred before tighter anti-money laundering legislation was introduced in 2014 and as the statute of limitations had expired in the case. Browder appealed, but the EBM said it had rejected his appeal. "It is correct that the EBM has decided not to change that decision," a spokesman for the EBM said. The CEO and chairman of Sweden's oldest bank have both left as money laundering allegations have come under scrutiny from Baltic and U.S. authorities. Browder, an investor who campaigns to expose corruption, has taken criminal complaints against Swedbank to Swedish, Estonian and Latvian authorities, alleging that accounts at the bank were used to launder $176 million (136.4 million pounds) between 2006 to 2012. Allegations against Swedbank, mostly reported by Swedish TV, have linked it to a scandal at Danske Bank, which faces potential lawsuits, fines and sanctions after admitting last year that 200 billion euros ($225 billion) of suspicious payments had flowed through its Estonian branch between 2007 and 2015. (Reporting by Helena Soderpalm; editing by Simon Johnson and Jason Neely) LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2019 / Cheapquotesautoinsurance.com (http://cheapquotesautoinsurance.com ) is a top auto insurance brokerage website, providing carinsurance quotes online from trustworthy agencies all over the United States. This website offers car insurance info about different coverage types and money saving tips. Insurance companies are well known for granting their clients a vast number of discounts. A person can be eligible for discounts for all sorts of reasons, from the obvious ones, like being a safe driver, up to being member of certain clubs or working for a certain company. 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On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc. For more information, please visit http://cheapquotesautoinsurance.com Contact: cgurgu@internetmarketingcompany.biz SOURCE: Internet Marketing Company View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/545901/Top-Discounts-That-Will-Save-Drivers-a-Lot-of-Money-on-Car-Insurance View source version on accesswire.com: https://www.accesswire.com/545901/Top-Discounts-That-Will-Save-Drivers-a-Lot-of-Money-on-Car-Insurance WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States will hold an international economic "workshop" in Bahrain in late June to encourage investment in the Palestinian areas as the first part of President Donald Trump's coming Middle East peace plan, the White House said on Sunday. The conference will bring together government and business leaders to help jump-start the economic portion of the U.S. peace initiative, the White House said in a statement. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick; Editing by Sandra Maler) Saudi Arabia has called for two urgent meetings of its Arab allies later this month to discuss recent attacks on shipping and oil-production sites amid rising tensions with bitter regional rival Iran. Saudi King Salman on May 18 called for leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to meet for the emergency summits in Mecca on May 30. Saudi and other officials said the discussions would focus on an attack on four commercial vessels off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and a series of armed drone attacks on oil-production sites near Riyadh. Iran has denied it was involved in the attack on the vessels. Yemen-based Huthi rebels, who are supported by Tehran, have claimed responsibility for the drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. Leaders at the summits will "discuss these aggressions and their repercussions on the region," the official Saudi news agency SPA quoted a Foreign Ministry official as saying. The United Arab Emirates, a close Saudi ally, welcomed King Salmans call to convene the Mecca summits and said the "critical circumstances" in the Middle East called for a united stand by Arab nations in the Persian Gulf and elsewhere. Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are strong allies of the United States in the geopolitical battle against Shi'ite-led Iran. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on May 19 accused Iran of seeking to destabilize the region and urged the international community to take responsibility to stop Tehran from doing so. The flurry of activity comes amid increasing tensions between the United States and Iran. Washington has beefed up its military presence in the Middle East after what it said were intelligence reports suggesting Iran was planning an attack. Despite the moves, U.S. President Donald Trump has said he was not looking to start a war with Tehran and has urged Iranian leaders to sit down for talks. Iranian leaders have also dismissed the possibility of war. "There will be no war because neither do we want a war, nor has anyone the idea or illusion it can confront Iran in the region," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said during a visit to Beijing, Iran's IRNA state news agency reported. Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister, also said his country "does not want a war in the region nor does it seek that." "It will do what it can to prevent this war and, at the same time, it reaffirms that in the event the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with all force and determination, and it will defend itself and its interests," he said. Meanwhile, the small Persian Gulf nation of Bahrain said it was ordering all of its citizens to immediately leave Iraq and Iran amid the rising tensions in the region. Bahrain's Foreign Ministry cited the "unstable situation in the region and the grave developments and threats that threaten security and stability." Sunni-led Bahrain regularly accuses Iran of stirring up dissent among its Shi'ite-majority population. With reporting by dpa, Reuters, and AFP A heated debate takes place every year around Christmas time. Its not about which relatives house you should visit for the holidays, its a topic with greater importance. Its a question everyone wants to know the answer to but cant seem to agree on. Is the 1988 film Die Hard, starring Bruce Willis, a Christmas movie? You voted: Ten years in Albany, N.Y., in a four-story, 2,000-square-foot space with a dog who occasionally ate underthings, I had maybe five socks go missing. Six years in Colorado Springs, in a one-bedroom bungalow with a dog whos given up textiles, Ive got enough motley singles to cast a sock puppet version of Ben-Hur. Either Ive developed some kind of early-onset sock dementia, or a pocket dimension in my laundry room is sucking them up when Im not looking. (Perhaps its related to whatever power vortex is responsible for leaching driving skills as soon as one crosses the border into Colorado.) Whatever the cause, something is afoot, and its wearing me down. I may not know what the day will bring, but knowing I will face it wearing a pair of matching socks makes the chaos easier to bear. At least, it once did. Im what you might call a subsistence launderer. I live alone and am usually running late, so my washer is my dirty clothes hamper (if you dont count the floor) and I tend to dress straight from the dryer. Assembling a matching pair of socks used to be a fun game, a sartorial version of Concentration, until it became the most stressful and dissatisfying part of the morning. See, we take sole-mates seriously in my family. When I was 15 and dyed my hair blue-black and spiked it Robert Smith-style, I presented the new look to my father, who gave me a thoughtful once-over and said: Are those my socks? (Yes they were. Or, one of them was.) I tend to own the kinds of socks that mate for life art socks, statement socks, socks with stories. Dad, however, bulk-purchases a single style and brand in black or white, so essentially has a drawer of universal donors. I should have followed his example. To date, I have 33 singles lacking mates, which feels like more socks than I owned when I moved in, and have purchased since. Adds a whole new angle to the concept of string theory, no? Perhaps its just the universe nudging me to get more organized, get better at cleaning, stop being nostalgic about lost clothes. Or maybe what its saying is: Time to visit Dad. EDITOR'S NOTE: This editorial has been updated from the original version, removing a statement that reported the secretary of state's employee A former mental health director at the El Paso County jail quit in late 2017 after the facility's for-profit health care provider demanded that she slash her already thin counseling staff, she told The Gazette. Stephanie Gangemi said she feared that cutting her team of six full-time counselors would place the most critically mentally ill inmates at even further risk. In ending her career with Armor Correctional Health Services and other correctional health care giants, she concluded the companies are part of a broken system in which patient care will always come second to profit. Private, for-profit health care companies get away with so much because they gradually erode the quality of services provided for inmates in the name of cost-savings, while simultaneously decreasing support, supervision and leadership for line level staff, she said in an email to The Gazette. The company responded with a statement of its own, saying Armor "disputes Ms. Gangemi's contentions" and "does not comment on employment disputes with past employees." But Gangemi's charges shed new light on Armors turbulent first few months as the jails medical provider, and highlight already known questions about whether the facilitys mentally ill inmates are getting the care that they need. The Sheriff's Office acknowledged that it's "concerned" with Armor's performance when asked about Gangemi's revelations. The agency has notified Armor of its complaints and is working with a Michigan-based consulting firm, Health Management Associates, to explore "options with community partners to see how we can improve the overall medical and mental health care" for the jail's inmates, sheriff's spokeswoman Jacqueline Kirby said. Gangemi previously worked for Correct Care Solutions, the jail's past health care provider, and was hired by Armor in mid-2017 when the company took over the facility's medical contract. While employed by Correct Care Solutions, Gangemi said she was successful in convincing the company that she needed another counselor. Her team grew from five to six full-time staff, plus additional part-time employees, she said. Their caseloads were already dangerously high, she said in an email. But Armor pressured her to make cuts once its tenure began, she said. I advocated, explained, showed statistical evidence and provided clinical explanations for why this would be unsafe for the inmates, the jail and the company, but Armor was adamant about their demands, she said. The company "retained staff above the contracted level at the company's expense for more than a year" after it took over for Correct Care Solutions, spokeswoman Yeleny Brody said in a statement. The jail is currently staffed by six full-time behavioral health professionals, according to another statement from the jails current mental health director, Tanya Belknap. Armor also addressed a backlog of inmates in need of behavioral health services and made other improvements after taking over for the past contractor, Brody said. "Under Armors supervision, the behavioral health team is providing more patient care and advocacy to the greatly underserved population," Brody said. The switch in contractors increased the cost of inmate medical services by nearly 40 percent. Last year, the county paid Armor about $7.5 million for inmate medical services. The county might still be billed for costs of pharmaceuticals and inmate hospital visits in 2018, county procurement specialist Ron Neely said in a recent interview. Like many of its correctional health care counterparts, Armor has been scrutinized for claims of substandard care at correctional facilities across the country and faces dozens of lawsuits alleging its staff members neglected inmates' health care needs. In Wisconsin, the company is facing criminal charges over accusations that it falsified inmate medical records, including those of a man who died of dehydration at the Milwaukee County Jail, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Armor is just one of a handful of companies that dominate the for-profit jail health care industry. Gangemi worked for Correctional Healthcare Companies, which Correct Care Solutions acquired in 2014. Last fall, Correct Care Solutions merged with another company to form Wellpath. She was also employed by Prison Health Services, now Corizon Health, when she was a social worker at Rikers Island jail in New York. Clinicians working for these companies often have good intentions, she said. But the daily trauma and hardships of working in a correctional setting are exhausting and employees are often put in a position where they must make compromises to adapt to the dysfunctions of the system to keep their jobs. Every time there's a contract renewal, everybody has this fantasy that the new one's going to come in and cure everything, and I've been through enough of those changes to know that that's not it, she told The Gazette in an interview. If the goal is to make money and not to keep inmates healthy, then there's just going to be this constant battle about how money is getting spent." There were other signs of dysfunction early in Armors tenure in the jail, after what Gangemi described as a "tumultuous" transition from one health care provider to another. The county threatened Armor with a $100,000 fee for early stumbles on the job, which Armor attributed to lapses leftover from the past health care provider. A national accrediting agency initially put the jail on probation after an audit discovered a backlog of requests that had left more than 300 inmates without access to prompt medical care and a laundry list of other issues. But the National Commission on Correctional Health Care chose to renew the jails accreditation last spring, after medical staff reported they had fixed the problems. After leaving Armor, Gangemi briefly served as the manager of the Sheriffs Office behavioral health programs. Ask Geotripper Is there something about geology that you are curious about? Do you have questions about the scientific aspects of political controversies? 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The couple will celebrate their 79th wedding anniversary with a card shower. Cards and well wishes may be sent to them at Hillcrest Home, 14688 Route 82, Geneseo, IL 61254. The city of Kanawha is continuing its efforts to clean up the community one dilapidated property at a time. On Tuesday, Kanawha city attorney Earl Hill spoke to the City Council about two shuttered properties it expressed interest in getting rid of. The first, owned by Crystal Cook, is at 226 E. Second Street, and the second, owned by Antoine Smith, is at 118 N. Main St. in Kanawha. Its pretty awful looking, said Mayor Nancy Litch about the house on East Second Street where there was a fire. The City Council has been working with Hill and Police Chief Anthony Rasmussen for more than a year to reduce and even eliminate nuisance properties in Kanawha, some of which havent been occupied or had utilities for nearly a decade. Kanawha, like other small Iowa communities, has made headway within the past year in addressing unoccupied, dilapidated and rundown properties within its city limits. Last fall, the city took ownership of two properties, one at 216 W. Third St. and the other at 222 W. Third St. after petitioning for their titles. The properties were owned by Tiffany Bernard and Joshua Roelofsen, respectively. Hill said the city wouldnt have to follow that procedure for Cooks property because its received written permission from her to clean up the property. Thats the first step, he said. So at any point in time the city wants to go in and clean it up, weve got a pretty thorough consent. Shell hold harmless any damage thats done. The second step is to purchase the tax-sale certificate against the property, Hill said, stating the person who has it is willing to sell it to the city for $800 to $1,000, which he recommended moving forward with. For the second property on North Main Street, Hill recommended a procedure similar to the one he executed on behalf of the city last fall on the West Third Street. The process involves issuing a municipal infraction, which then gives property owners a time frame to correct the nuisance violation. If not corrected, the city brings the matter to court. Hill recommended the city obtain an administrative search warrant that allows it to enter the property and take photos of the interior and exterior to present with its case in court. It takes a little bit longer, but we all sleep at night knowing we dont have to look over our shoulder, he said. The warrant adds about two weeks onto a process that takes between 60 to 90 days, Hill said. During the process, the city will have the opportunity to decide if it wants to petition for the propertys title. The City Council was unable to act on Hills recommendations Tuesday because there wasnt a quorum, so it met Thursday, where it decided to move forward with all of them. The council members also voted to hire Russ Peters to demolish the two buildings on West Third Street and the one on East Second Street. Peters has 45 days to start demolition and 60 days to complete it. Photos: The empty buildings of Mason City Reach Reporter Ashley Stewart at 641-421-0533. Follow her on Twitter at GGastewart. 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. DES MOINES -- Competitive Congressional races will be as common as Caseys pizza in Iowa in 2020. All four of the states U.S. House races figure to be competitive, politically intriguing and draw significant national interest throughout this election cycle. Thats not normal: two of the states four districts are regularly competitive, but the other two have been much less so over the past decade. But this time around, its a 4-for-4 free-for-all. The 1st and 3rd districts will be competitive as ever thanks to the politically balanced makeup of the voters in those districts and the fact both are being represented by first-term congresswomen, Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne. That these races will be competitive comes as no surprise. What makes 2020 unique is the addition of the 2nd and 4th districts as potentially competitive races. The 2nd District has been relatively safe for Democrats with Congressman Dave Loebsack. But he is retiring from Congress and not seeking re-election. Literally within minutes of Loebsacks announcement, an editor for a national political forecasting publication moved the race from likely Democratic to a toss-up. And the 4th District historically has been very safe for Republicans. But oft-embattled Republican Congressman Steve King won in 2018 by 3 percentage points after a series of statements and national media coverage preceded a significant drop in support on Election Day. Both races promise to be competitive this cycle, giving Iowa intriguing campaigns from river to river and border to border. The national forecasters see the same thing coming. The Cook Political Report has Iowas 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts rated toss-ups, and the 4th District likely Republican. Larry Sabatos Crystal Ball has the 1st and 2nd as toss-ups, the 3rd as leans Democratic and the 4th as likely Republican. This is going to be one of the most active election cycles, said Troy Price, chairman of the state Democratic Party. So many races, so many different opportunities here on the ballot. I think its going to be a really exciting time. Exciting but daunting. Much work lies ahead for the parties as they must go all-in on all four races. Yes, its exciting. But at the same time, as chair of the party, Im just going, OK, lets take a look at these resources and sharpen the pencils, said Jeff Kaufmann, chairman of the state Republican Party. The logistical challenges seem likely to increase for the state parties. With four races that could go either way, no stone can go unturned, no voter can go left uncontacted in any of the states 99 counties. Price and Kaufmann said that planning has already started. Kaufmann said he expects help --- in terms of resources --- from the Trump campaign and coordination with GOP U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, who also will be on the ballot. Kaufmann said wants to help build one of the most efficient Republican campaign operations in the country. He said the state party is at full capacity with its field staff and is already training workers. Its changed a lot of planning. Its changed a lot of strategic initiatives in terms of where were going to place offices, Kaufmann said. Price said Democrats have hired organizers in each Congressional district, which is earlier than most campaign cycles. And he said Democrats will be able to build off the endless string of visits by Democratic presidential candidates by tapping into voter enthusiasm and engagement. Theres a lot of energy within our party, a lot of excitement within our party at all these levels, Price said. These caucuses are going to allow us to build more infrastructure, get more people activated, get more people identified that we can reach out to. The opportunities and challenges vary for the two major political parties. Democrats were on the offense in 2018, when they flipped two seats to gain control of three of Iowas four U.S. House seats. This year, they will be largely on the defensive: they will have to defend two first-term representatives and win an open-seat race --- in a district won in 2016 by Republican President Donald Trump --- in order to keep it in Democratic hands. Iowa gives us three strong opportunities to pick up Democratic-held seats. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd districts all present very solid chances for Republican pickup, said Bob Salera, with the Republican Partys organization that works to elect GOP U.S. House candidates. Were confident with the way the socialist Democrats have overstepped since taking over the House, Iowans will be ready for new Republican leadership in all three districts, and we look forward to having a strong candidate to provide a clear contrast to the socialist Democratic agenda. Republicans must attempt to bounce back from their losses in the 1st and 3rd districts in 2018 despite many of the same issues --- health care chief among them --- driving the national conversation. And they must do so in a presidential election year, during which voter turnout historically improves in Democrats favor. Republicans clearly havent learned the lesson of 2018 because they are continuing to put forth candidates in Iowa who support ending protections for people with pre-existing conditions and who have chosen to stand with big pharmaceutical companies instead of lowering health care costs for families, said Brooke Goren, with the Democrats national U.S. House campaign organization. With health care on the ballot yet again in 2020, Iowa voters are energized and deeply motivated to re-elect Reps. Abby Finkenauer and Cindy Axne, who have been listening to their concerns and fighting to get real results for working families in Congress. 1ST DISTRICT Incumbent: Abby Finkenauer, Democrat (one term) Possible challengers: Republicans Ashley Hinson and Rod Blum Forecast: Finkenauer in 2018 defeated Blum, who had served for two terms. Hinson, a state legislator and former local TV news anchor, has declared her candidacy. Blum has not yet ruled it out. Finkenauer will have to again win in a district that in 2018 was carried by Trump. 2ND DISTRICT Incumbent: None. Possible challengers: Democrat Rita Hart and Republicans Bobby Schilling, Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Bobby Kaufmann Forecast: Hart is a former state senator who was the running mate of Democratic gubernatorial candidate Fred Hubbell in 2018. Schilling is a former Congressman from just east of the Mississippi River in northwest Illinois. He has moved to Iowa and is making moves that suggest he is likely to run. Miller-Meeks unsuccessfully challenged Loebsack in the past. Kaufmann is a state legislator and the son of Jeff Kaufmann. 3RD DISTRICT Incumbent: Cindy Axne, Democrat (one term) Possible challengers: Republicans David Young and Zach Nunn Forecast: Young has officially declared, while Nunn is holding a town hall tour while he considers a run. Axne defeated Young in 2018 by a close margin, and Republicans feel in 2020 they can boost turnout in areas where Young did well in 2018, perhaps closing that gap. 4TH DISTRICT Incumbent: Steve King, Republican (nine terms) Possible challengers: Democrat J.D. Scholten, Republicans Randy Feenstra, Jeremy Taylor and Bret Richards Forecast: Scholten nearly accomplished the unthinkable in 2018, coming within 3 percentage points of King. He has not yet decided whether he will run in this race or perhaps challenge Ernst in Iowas U.S. Senate race. King isnt even guaranteed to be his partys nominee: he faces a primary challenge from three Republicans. Feenstra got off to a strong start with a big fundraising haul. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 On Monday the Mason City School Board is expected to chose an architectural firm to design a proposed auxiliary gym and swimming pool. Representatives from four firms gave 15-minute presentations to the board during a special session on May 6. Those firms were Design Alliance Inc., Waukee; CRW Architecture + Design Group, Rochester, Minnesota; Atura Architecture, Clear Lake; and Bergland and Cram Architects, Inc., Mason City. All four firms proposed putting the auxiliary gym next to the existing gym at the high school. Design Alliance and CRW presented scenarios where the swimming pool also would be located on the high school campus, while Atura and Bergland and Cram both suggested the possibility of putting it next to the existing pool at the Mason City Family YMCA so it could be used as a warm-up pool for swim meets. In past discussions about the project, which does not yet have a timeline or budget, board members have said the auxiliary gym and pool could be used by the community as well as the school district. They have also discussed several ways the project could generate revenue for the district, including serving as a site for swimming competitions, wrestling meets and high school robotics tournaments. Other possibilities mentioned by board members in the past have included partnering with North Iowa Area Community College, which doesn't have its own pool, and opening the pool to the public during the summer. On Monday, after board member Scott Warren made a motion to select Atura, which died for lack of a second, Lorrie Lala put forth a motion to select Bergland and Cram. Lala noted it was a member of that firm that helped the district apply for funding for the project and that she felt Bergland and Cram were invested in the community and its schools. "I would throw out Bergland and Cram first and go with the other three to start considering," board Vice President Doug Campbell said, after pointing out what he saw as design considerations that were not functional. Jacob Schweitzer seconded Lala's motion, but acknowledged he did so to get the discussion rolling. He defended all the presentations, noting that the board had given the firms limited information to work with. There were also several process-related questions posed to Superintendent Dave Versteeg that showed some of the members weren't entirely sure what voting for a design firm for the project meant. Brent Seaton said he just needed more time. "I'm a little overwhelmed with all the information," he said. "I'm feeling impressed with multiple aspects of each group. But I need to put it all down in front of me and look at it." The board members voted unanimously to table the matter until Monday's board meeting, to be held at 5:30 p.m. in the school administration building. 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. A group of students has been brightening the days of substitute teachers at Roosevelt Elementary School in Mason City for the past three months. And Friday was no exception. Thanks for making us feel so welcome, said Katie Koehler, who was substituting for a second-grade class Friday. We love this. Koehler was among four substitute teachers who received a handwritten thank-you card and a brown paper bag filled with goodies, like coffee, mints, chocolates and a bag of cookies, made, packaged and delivered by Brooke Onders class. Onder, a special education teacher at Roosevelt, received funding from DonorsChoose.org, a nonprofit that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom projects, in February. As a school, we cant function without substitutes, so we just want to let them know how important they are to us, she said. Before delivering the bags to each of the substitutes Friday morning, six students from kindergarten to third grade took turns filling the bags. Zane Riser added the cups and coffee pods. Sisters Nora and Autumn Cooper counted the candy. Axel Bennett placed a set of three colored rings in the bags for teachers to give to students who are doing the right thing, acting kindly and being safe. Anthony Chavez wrote the name of the teachers on each of the thank-you cards, and Mikiah Berneman stapled the cards to the bags. Onders students make, package and deliver thank-you bags to substitute teachers at Roosevelt every day schools in session. Some days theres been as many as seven substitutes, including paraprofessionals, in the school, and other days, there havent been any, but regardless of how many times an individual has subbed at the school, they receive a thank-you bag. We really are thankful that people choose us here at Roosevelt, Onder said. We think its a pretty good place to be. In addition to making teachers and paraprofessionals feel welcome and appreciated at the school, Onder said the project helps her students improve their fine motor, numeracy and social skills. She said the students will continue making the thank-you bags until the end of the school year, but shes unsure what will happen when the projects funds are depleted. When we have highly qualified people in here even when the teacher cant be, it means our kids are going to have a good day, theyre going to get good instruction, Onder said. Were just thankful people come. Photos: Brooke Onder's class at Roosevelt Elementary Reach Reporter Ashley Stewart at 641-421-0533. Follow her on Twitter at GGastewart. 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. by Wang Zhicheng On a visit to Beijing, Javad Zarif hopes China will side-step the total oil sale embargo. Experts doubt Beijing will take a greater stance against the US. Zarif asks the international community for concrete actions to keep the nuclear agreement alive. Beijing (AsiaNews) "Iran and China need to think together and work together about preserving a multilateral global order and avoiding a unilateral global order," said Mohammad Javad Zarif, Iran's foreign minister Zarif, during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing on Friday. The visit by Irans top diplomat is taking place amid growing tensions in the Persian Gulf, with the US and its allies (Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates) threatening war against Iran at a time when the latter is increasingly feeling the full weight of the US embargo on oil exports, following Donald Trumps decision to pull out of the nuclear agreement. China, the largest importer of crude oil in the world, is also one of Iran's largest oil customers. Iran hopes to continue selling oil to China skirting the US embargo. In such a situation, Beijing could expose itself to possible US sanctions, at a time when the two superpowers are already engaged in a trade war. For his part, Wang said that China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions and the so-called 'long-arm jurisdiction' imposed by the United States on Iran," promising instead to uphold the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, also known as the Iran nuclear deal, and safeguard the authority of the United Nations and basic norms governing international relations. Wang also invited Iran to take part in the Belt and Road project, and engage in a cooperation to benefit both countries. However, for a number of analysts, it will be quite difficult for China to take a decisive stand against the US, which is already putting pressure on its economy, especially in the area of advanced technologies. "The reality is that relations with the United States are more important for China than those with Iran, said Jean-Francois Dufour, expert with the DCA Chine Analyse think tank, in an interview with Lebanese French-language daily LOrient-Le Jour. From Iraq to Brazil, not to mention Russia, China now has several alternatives to Iranian oil. Instead, the alternatives are more limited with regard to US technologies, essential for the new goals of Chinas development." Although China, along with Russia, Great Britain, France and Germany still want to keep the nuclear deal alive, Zarif wants concrete actions. So far the international community has mostly released statements rather than taking action, Zarif said. However, "If the international community and other JCPOA member countries, and our friends in the JCPOA like China and Russia, want to keep this achievement, it is required that they make sure the Iranian people enjoy the benefits of the JCPOA with concrete actions," he added. A new regional team to combat opioid addiction is coming together in Cerro Gordo County, thanks to a federal grant. The Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health, MercyOne North Iowa, Prairie Ridge Integrated Behavioral Healthcare, and the Mason City Youth Task Force, have been awarded a $200,000 Rural Communities Opioid Response Program planning grant, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The team will work together to create a plan to bring more substance abuse counselors, mental health and medical providers to North Iowa. The projects focus areas are prevention and treatment with an overall goal of preventing opioid and substance abuse disorder whenever possible, while providing more access to treatment services in North Iowa. Rural communities continue to face several challenges in accessing ... prevention, treatment and recovery services, said Tom Morris, associate administrator for the federal Office of Rural Health Policy. Over half of rural counties nationwide lack a provider who is waivered to prescribe buprenorphine (a medication used in combination with therapy to help people reduce or quit their use of opiates)." Cerro Gordo County serves as the hub for medical, mental health, sexual health, social service, and substance use disorder treatment providers for the North Iowa area. The county has been identified as a mental health shortage area; it does not have enough mental health providers to meet the needs of the population. Mental health and substance abuse are often connected. Our main goal is to find what our communitys current situation is, what our needs are, and how we can improve, said Alyse DeVries, public health strategist for the Cerro Gordo County Department of Public Health. This grant will allow us to come together as a community to address opioid and substance abuse as a North Iowa team vs. individual agencies. This will make for a much stronger approach to this issue. There are only six medical providers offering medication-assisted therapy in a 50-mile radius of Mason City, DeVries said. Medication-assisted therapy helps persons with substance use disorder safely discontinue use of their substance," DeVries said. "We are hopeful this will give more patients access to treatment and a return to a healthy life. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Sanford Bishop and Sonny Perdue go way back. So far back that Bishop, now a 14-term, Democratic congressman from south Georgia, remembers when Perdue, now the Secretary of Agriculture under President Donald J. Trump, was a Democrat. Their friendship was tested on April 9 when Perdue appeared before the House Appropriations ag subcommittee to defend the Presidents 2020 budget request for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Bishop, as chairman of the subcommittee, oversees every taxpayer nickel USDA receives. During his question time, Bishop roasted the Secretarys plan to move two USDA agencies, the Economic Research Service and the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, out of Washington, D.C. No one, he said, favors the move except Perdue. Not only that, Bishop went on, Perdue was moving ahead with his plan despite the subcommittee not receiving a cost-benefit analysis on it that the Secretary had promised. In fact, he continued, Perdues rush to shuffle ERS and NIFA out of town just seems to be a solution in search of a problem. When asked to comment on those factsespecially that no one with any working knowledge of his plan endorsed itPerdue went full farm folksy: Mr. Chairman, he said, Im just amazed that all those people you mentioned could all be wrong. He then grinned weakly. Bishop is just the latest public official to question Perdue on his ERS/NIFA plan. Alllike Perdue himselfhave seen no evidence to support it because, in fact, there is no evidence to support it. Moreover, Perdue cant explain it in any terms other than nonsense like getting ERS closer to its customers. On May 7, however, Politico, a Washington-based news service, reported that the plan was the Trump Administration retaliating against the ERS for publishing reports that shed negative light on White House policies Specifically, ERS has run afoul of Perdue with its finding on how farmers have been financially harmed by President Donald Trumps trade feuds, the Republican tax code rewrite and other sensitive issues Politico then quoted a current ERS employee who said Perdues push to send the ERS and NIFA packing was retaliation to harm the agency and send a message (from) the administration. Additionally, the piece continued, the retaliation was spurring an exodus of talent from ERS that included six (economists) quitting the department on a single day in late April. None of this matters to Perdue. On May 3despite Bishops April 9 warning that the Ag Appropriation subcommittee needed more information before the Secretary proceededUSDA announced it had three finalists for the potential new locations of the ERS and NIFA. If Perdue heeds the White Houses worst instincts and continues to retaliate against bearers of bad ag news, the Secretary wont have much time left to address the torrent of bad news headed his way. For example: Trade wars that the White continues to ratchet up as commodity prices continue to ratchet down; U.S. ag export markets being overtaken by competitors even as White House trade talks stumble toward breakdown; Net farm income, despite rising 10 percent in 2019, remains 40 percent below its 2013 high; Perdues inability to help broker a compromise between Congress and the White House on the long overdue disaster relief package and Saving any legislative goodwill to help secure a likely, even bigger ag bailout this fall. Each one of those reasons is reason enough for the Secretary to simply let go of a departmental reshuffle he cant explain and, legally, cant do without Congressional consent. Emerging evidence, however, points to why hes wasting our time and his credibility in doing it: the White House doesnt like ERS telling the truth about the effects of Trumps trade and tax policies. Looking at todays farm prices and the bleak future they promise, farmers and ranchersjust like Perdue and the White Houseknow ERS got it right. As such, Perdue needs to step away from all the White House claptrap and stand up for rural America. If he cant, he, like dozens of other Trump appointees, needs to step aside. The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the U.S. and Canada. Source material, past columns and contact information are posted at farmandfoodfile.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Grand Old Partisan salutes Robert Van Horn, born near Pittsburgh this day of 1824. After apprenticeship to a printer, the ambitious young man worked on steamboats in various states. He settled at Kansas City, Missouri in 1855 and published a newspaper. President James Buchanan named him postmaster. Though nominally a Democrat, he was elected mayor early in 1861 by a coalition of Republicans and other patriots. When secessionists gained control of the local police, the new mayor fled to St. Louis for assistance. Several hundred U.S. troops soon defeated these rebels, while he organized and commanded a militia battalion. This unit helped secure the state for the Union. Gallantry at the Battle of Shiloh merited him promotion to Colonel. That year, grateful citizens elected him state senator. Having left the Party of Slavery, Van Horn was delegate to six Republican National Conventions. The year of President Abraham Lincoln's renomination he won the first of three terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. His greatest achievement in Congress was the first railroad bridge across the Mississippi. This made Kansas City, not Leavenworth, the area's main metropolis. Van Horn later chaired the Missouri GOP. President Ulysses Grant appointed him a collector of internal revenue. He would be elected a U.S. Representative twice more. All the while, his newspaper remained a Republican powerhouse. Here is a Video Version of this article on YouTube: https://youtu.be/DtyGMH272Dg Michael Zak is author of Back to Basics for the Republican Party, a history of GOP civil rights achievement. Each day, Michael Zak's grandoldpartisan YouTube channel and Grand Old Partisan blog celebrate more than sixteen decades of Republican heritage. And, see Speech Raves for audience feedback from his presentations in thirty-one states so far. He also wrote the 2005 Republican Freedom Calendar. Clarence Thomas cited Back to Basics for the Republican Party in a Supreme Court decision. Buy the book at Amazon See www.youtube.com/q?v=IzxKCiXc5Qc for a brief video of a Texas Republican praising Back to Basics for the Republican Party. "This is the most amazing book about politics that I have ever read. The Overview should be required reading for anyone with even a minor interest in government. The remainder is an enthralling history lesson that I will never forget. For years, we have all been misled about the true nature of the GOP. This is the real deal! Read it and be proud!" "Michael Zak wrote the definitive history of the GOP." "Back to Basics for the Republican Party is the most significant contribution to the Republican Party in the last twenty years apart from Ronald Reagan." "Back to Basics for the Republican Party is more important to our party now than ever before." and "one of the best books I ever read" 1. Fill in your name or an alias. Do not leave blank or use the name 'guest' or 'anonymous'. 2. No Nivul Peh. Profanity will be deleted. Mergenthaler Transfer and Storage, headquartered in Helena, has been acquired by Mesa Moving and Storage, a privately-held, U.S.-based provider of moving, transportation, and logistics services. The announcement was made by Mesa. Under the terms of the agreement, Mesa will acquire the Mergenthaler household goods hauling business and their moving business, including location-based assets in Bozeman, Helena and Whitefish, as well as Salt Lake City, Utah, according to a press release. "Partnering with Mergenthaler offers an outstanding opportunity for Mesa to add great people, increase our scale and capacity to better serve our customers across the Mountain States Region," Kevin Head, CEO at Mesa, said in the statement. Mesa said the Mergenthaler offices in Montana will continue providing premier quality moving services staffed by the same local management and teams who live in the area. The Helena headquarters did not respond to requests for information in time for this story. "Mesa's acquisition of Mergenthaler allows us to expand our offices from four to seven and extends our coverage across the western states from Colorado, Utah, Idaho, to now include Montana," said Steven Elliott, CFO at Mesa. "The addition of Mergenthaler's hauling fleet will double Mesa's current fleet of long-distance owner-operator drivers and strengthen our operating position." Mesa is the largest United Van Lines agent in the western United States. Mergenthaler was founded in 1933 by brothers Arthur and Nick Mergenthaler when they began Mergenthaler Transfer & Storage, a 5-cent-per-stop grocery delivery service, with a single 1933 Dodge pickup truck. The business went in a new direction in the early 1950s when it acquired a U.S. Postal contract and a permit to conduct local cartage work for the Canyon Ferry Dam. While the dam was under construction, Mergenthaler hauled everything from steel rebar to laundry to mail for the bunk houses. During the late 1960s, the company began offering intrastate and interstate moves. Mergenthaler built a new 8,000-square-foot warehouse, and began working as an agent for United Van Lines. When Arthur Mergenthaler died in 1972, his four sons took charge of his business, and the company continued to expand. In 1981, Mergenthaler acquired contracts with Mountain Bell to transport telephone installation equipment. The company transported the equipment from Utah to various points in Montana. Today, Mergenthaler continues to serve the telecommunication industry in its Special Contracts division, which serves Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana and Utah. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 2 Angry 6 Normally, Kellie McBride would be leery of dedicating one particular month to mental health. Because this isnt something that were just doing this month, said McBride, director of criminal justice services for Lewis and Clark County. This is something Lewis and Clark County is committed to, and its something that we do every day. County commissioners proclaimed May the Stepping Up Month of Action to commemorate the countys 2015 entry into the Stepping Up Initiative, a campaign founded by the National Alliance on Mental Illness to divert people with mental illness away from incarceration and into treatment. Lewis and Clark County stands with 489 other American counties participating, but only Missoula joins them among Montanas 56. As much as we have to do in Lewis and Clark County, as many goals as we have set for ourselves surrounding behavioral health, the reality is we are so much further ahead than most counties, and we have so much to be proud of, McBride said. The initiative holds special importance in Lewis and Clark County, where county staff estimates 60% to 80% of the inmate population could have co-occurring disorders, which involve substance abuse coupled with mental health issues such as depression, and 17% to 19% could have a disabling" form of mental illness. But both of those estimates are about on par with national averages. We know that if those people can be connected with mental health services or some level of treatment, stay on their medication, those kinds of things, their (chance) of re-engaging the criminal justice system is much less, said Lewis and Clark County Commissioner Andy Hunthausen. "So its to the benefit of all of us, including that person. To that end, the county has a therapist and case manager on-site and administers a mental health questionnaire at booking time to gauge an inmates risk of suicide. Hunthausen also expects that the expanded county detention center will help improve those services through expanded meeting spaces and a dedicated booking area. As you go down the line, we know that this remodel of the jail is really a short-term fix, Hunthausen said, referencing ongoing expansion of the county detention center. We know that if you look at the projections of growth in our community and the percentage of people that are incarcerated that our jail, at current rates, prior to this intervention, this reform that were doing, we would outgrow our jail (almost) before we pay it off. In 2016, county voters approved a $6.5 million bond sale that funds most of the $8.3 million detention center renovation that will bring the capacity from 80 to 156 beds. The detention center often holds 100 or more inmates on a given day. (If) Capt. (Alan) Hughes team identifies someone whos got some suicidality, right now theyre meeting in a hallway or a closet or they may not even be able to meet with them because theres nowhere to meet with them, because its so full of people, Hunthausen said. So we have some designated space for programming, for meeting space, and we can have people sit down and be evaluated more fully. Though there is confidence among county staff that the reforms are working, McBride admits the data isnt yet there, and might not be for some time, though the county has begun identifying data systems that would allow them to point to a number. For now, there are anecdotal successes and, most recently, the countys partnership with Western Montana Mental Health Center for direct admissions to their local mental health center, Journey Home. It used to be that someone would have to have a crisis response team assess them and then they would have to be in St. Peters Hospital, and then they could be transported to Journey Home, McBride said. And all of that trauma for somebody who is working through a mental health disorder just compounds the situation. Our providers in this community have recognized the need. The countys crisis response team also responds to the detention center somewhat frequently 185 times in 2018, according to Brandy Vail, Helena clinical program manager for Western Montana Mental Health Center. Vail believes there is work to be done, as at present there is only one therapist and one case worker on staff at the detention center. However, she appreciates the countys emphasis on mental health services, which could help relieve inmates of perceived stigma surrounding mental illness. Theyve definitely made that a priority, which has made our jobs extremely easier, Vail said. All of the detention officers really do take part in being able to observe or monitor inmates, so even if theyre not requesting services on their own, those concerns are brought to the jail diversion team and addressed. I think thats why the program is so important. Because we are able to show them what mental health services can do for them, Vail said. If they are able to work with our jail diversion team, we see a lot better outcomes for them. Love 5 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 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. Today we invite you to join us in celebrating the life of Annabelle Faye Richards. Annabelle died on Friday, May 10, 2019. She was 85 years young. Annabelle enjoyed many accomplishments and successes through the years and was fortunate to have lived a very full and satisfying life First and foremost, Annabelle would want you to remember her as a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She and her late husband, Ron, were high school sweethearts and enjoyed nearly 35 years of marriage before his untimely death in 1990. Together they raised three children -- Kent, Brent and Lisa. Among the many lessons she taught her children, Annabelle emphasized the importance of knowing right from wrong, respect for others, and the strength of a smile. While petite in stature, Annabelle was fiercely protective of her children as any good mother bear would be. Annabelle was also very proud of her four grandchildren -- Brandey, Griffin, Rachael and Jillian. She will forever be remembered by Griff and Rachael as Pooka. Annabelle was born and raised in Missoula where she attended Missoula County High School. In 1964, the family planted their roots in Helena. Annabelle loved Helena and enjoyed everything it offers from the history of downtown to sporting events at Carroll College, the hustle and bustle of the Capitol during legislative sessions to the charm of its small-town atmosphere and everything in-between. She was particularly proud of the home she and Ron built on Highland which provided them with many opportunities through the years to host parties and other social gatherings. It would be remiss of us not to mention that, while Annabelle was a good Catholic and fan of the Fighting Saints, her loyalty to the Griz remained strong throughout her life. Go Griz!! Together with Ron, Annabelle was quite involved in politics. She believed deeply in social justice, honesty, equal rights, equal opportunity, fiscal responsibility and the power of grassroots activism. She was a proud Democrat and believed that listening more than talking and considering all sides of an issue before taking a stand would yield the greatest results. Annabelles only venture into public office was a brief term as a Helena City Commissioner, a position she was very proud to have held. For many years, Annabelle was a member of the Helena Kiwanis Club. She would often talk about how much she enjoyed the weekly meetings and the wonderful friendships that grew out of her involvement in Kiwanis. Annabelle graduated from St. Patricks School of Nursing in Missoula and was a registered nurse. Throughout her life, she applied her training and the many lessons she learned as a nurse to careers in other health-related fields. During her time at the Montana Foundation for Medical Care, Annabelle managed the peer review program. She also wrote weekly newspaper columns that addressed health issues and, for a number of years, hosted the television show, Vital Signs which was televised state-wide. When she and Ron temporarily moved to Washington D.C. in the late 1980s, Annabelle served on the Senate Select Committee on Aging, a committee chaired by the late Senator John Melcher. From a very young age, Annabelle honed her artistic talent and, to this day, many friends and family members proudly display her charcoal portraits in their homes. She had a gift for finding that special little something in every portrait she sketched a sparkle in the eye or a slight grin that would bring to life the personality of the individual in the picture. Later in life, Annabelle cherished most her deep and loving friendships with so many wonderful people you know who you are. These friends offered Annabelle unique life experiences, companionship, joy, and purpose. It goes without saying that her life would not have been nearly as rich without you. So today, while we mourn the loss of one of Helenas finest residents, we hope you will take a moment to remember Annabelle in your own, unique way. Annabelle is preceded in death by her husband, Ron, her sister and brother-in-law, Patricia and Edward (Kuke) Kukay of Butte and niece Kathy (Kukay) McCarthy. She is survived by her sons, Kent Richards (Linda Lee), Brent Richards, daughter Lisa Wallace (Ron Wallace), grandchildren Brandey Davenport (Ken Davenport), Griffin Rusk (Krista Rusk), Rachael Rusk (fiance Andrew Moore), Jillian Richards, nephews Paul Kukay of Libby, Mike Kukay of Butte and niece Patty (Kukay) Kluksdahl of Woodland Park, CO. The family extends a special thanks to Sidney Armstrong whose friendship and support have remained steadfast for many, many years. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 12:10 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at Saint Mary Catholic Community, 1700 Missoula Avenue, Helena with a funeral reception following in the lower level of the church. Following the reception, Rite of Committal will be held at Resurrection Cemetery, 3750 N. Montana Ave. in Helena. In lieu of flowers, memorials in honor of Annabelle are suggested to Lewis & Clark Humane Society, P.O. Box 4455, Helena, MT 59604 or to Hospice of St. Peters Health, c/o St. Peters Health, 2475 Broadway, Helena, MT 59601. Please visit www.aswfuneralhome.com to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Annabelle. As Montanas two-term Gov. Steve Bullock launches his campaign for the highest office in the land, we hope he will not lose sight of what got him here in the first place. In a video announcing his presidential campaign and multiple interviews with Montana and national media, Bullock has hammered on the point that he was the only Democratic governor to be re-elected in a state Republican President Donald Trump won in 2016. Bullock is emphasizing his strong record of working with both Democrats and Republicans and says his ability to reach across the aisle is what sets him apart in a crowded field of about two dozen notable candidates hoping to win the Democratic nomination. Meanwhile, Democrats are shifting farther to the left nationwide. A Pew Research poll found that the share of Democratic voters who describe themselves as liberal has been steadily increasing over the years, from only 28% in 2000 to 46% in 2018. For Bullock to qualify for the first Democratic debates, he must have at least 1% support in three separate polls approved by the Democratic National Committee, or garner 65,000 unique campaign donors with at least 200 donors in 20 different states. That means he will have to find ways to appeal to an increasingly liberal party base -- and we hope he doesnt ostracize Montana in the process. Weve already seen some evidence of Bullocks views shifting more to the left since he started exploring a run for president, specifically on the issue of guns. While he opposed universal background checks for firearms during his 2016 campaign for governor, he has since come to support them and has also called for a ban on assault rifles. We arent necessarily labeling his change of heart as bad or good, because it is important for our leaders to be able to adapt to our changing world. But we hope this is not a sign that he will become someone Montanans no longer recognize as he works to win over a different political base. As Bullock has wisely said, we must behave like our children are watching -- because they are. So is the rest of Montana. And we believe our governor has much to offer our fractured country, as long as he sticks to his Montana values of cooperation and bipartisanship. This is the opinion of the Independent Record editorial board. Love 3 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 BLOOMINGTON Central Illinois farmers have had fewer than 24 hours in May suitable for fieldwork, putting them behind schedule in getting crops in the ground but more time to think about the failure of trade negotiations with China. As farmers, we are used to working with several moving targets, but with the whole uncertainty about the trade deals, it seems like it adds another one, said Gene Whitaker, who farms near Decatur. Between the tariffs and the rain, it just feels like a bad start to the planting season, added Tom English, a Logan County farmer near Emden. As of last Monday, only 11 percent of the corn in Illinois was in the ground, compared to 88 percent last year and 82 percent over the past five years. Wet ground due to heavy rain in the first two weeks of the month has stalled planters. Some farmers, like Ric Strum of rural DeWitt County near Clinton, got back into the field Thursday. Once we get started, assuming it stays dry, you may not see me again for six weeks, he said. It is still pretty muddy, and some fields still have standing water. While that is a short-term problem, farmers also are concerned about the ongoing trade war with China and worry that the damage inflicted on the soybean market will continue to grow. Earlier this month, President Donald Trump announced raising tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods and taking steps to tax nearly all of Chinas imports as punishment for what he said was Chinas attempt to renegotiate a trade deal. Soybean farmers are among the hardest hit and most vulnerable to the continued tensions, said Lynn Rohrschieb, president of the Bloomington-based Illinois Soybean Growers Association. Despite assurances from Washington, D.C., the trade war between the U.S. and China lingers, she said. "We continue to see missed deadlines and unbrokered deals. As this persists, we face more pain and uncertainty at the time when we must take the risk of planting another years crop. Rohrscheib noted this is the second year in a row that soybean farmers have been affected. "When Chinas reciprocal tariffs hit our soybeans last summer, we lost nearly one-third of our market overnight, she said. "It was a predictable and preventable blow that no other major U.S. company or industry has had to endure. It seems like when it rains, it pours. Illinois soybean producers face greater challenges each day without a deal. We see no end in sight. There must be a better long-term strategy to remain viable and win the trade war. The only soybean farmers not scared are our competitors. Soybean futures dropped to their lowest prices in 10 years on Monday and are down about 20 percent compared to a year ago. July and August futures closed at $8.35 and $8.42, respectively. Farmers are concerned, agreed Todd Sage, general manager at Bloomingtons Ag Rail, a high-speed rail-loading facility built in 1999 by a joint venture of eight Central Illinois grain elevators. The facility originates grain by truck and then ships shuttle trains to domestic destinations and Mexico. At Ag Rail, we have not seen much of a change because our shipments are all domestic and so everything has remained pretty stable," he said. "But it is on the minds of our farmers, I know. Bloomington-based Illinois Farm Bureau President Richard Guebert Jr. is frustrated that farmers continue to bear the brunt of the trade war. We are deeply concerned about the imposition of the retaliatory tariffs that could further impact agriculture, he said. Tariffs historically have not been good for the farm economy. Farmers are on the front lines of this trade war and are sacrificing their livelihoods and it hasnt gotten better. We are sitting on a huge inventory of grain while our export markets are diminishing. And, it is starting to hit farmers in the pocketbook, he added. Corn and soybean prices are depressed, combined with a delayed 2019 planting season due to heavy rains, and farmers are facing their sixth straight year of declining net farm income. Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SPRINGFIELD An 87-year-old man crashed his car into the outer brick wall surrounding the Illinois Governor's Mansion on Friday night. The man, Nils R. Thunman of Springfield, was exiting the mansion near the Fourth Street gate when he accidentally pressed the accelerator of his 2010 Mercedes Benz Utility, crashing it into the brick, which scattered on the sidewalk and left a gaping hole in the exterior wall surrounding the grounds. There were no injuries and no citations were issued, according to the Illinois State Police. Thunman, who was profiled in The State Journal-Register in 2009, is a retired vice admiral in the U.S. Navy and a former three-sport athlete at Springfield High School. An aide to Gov. J.B. Pritzker was on scene but declined to say whether the governor was home when the incident occurred, referring a State Journal-Register reporter to the governor's press secretary. A request for comment there went unanswered. While Pritzker held no public events on Friday, he has three Springfield events he's slated to attend on Saturday, including marching in the Springfield Pride Parade. GALLERY: The Illinois governor's mansion in Springfield Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHICAGO The mother of a Chicago teenager who was fatally shot by police in 2010 says she's working with police regulators to reopen his case. In the spring of 2010, two Chicago police officers fired three shots into Izael Jackson's back, killing him. Police said the 18-year-old senior opened fire on the officers as he fled a traffic stop. The department deemed the officers' version of events trustworthy and declared Jackson's death justifiable. However, police noted they didn't find any fingerprints and didn't test DNA evidence from the firearm. "How do you finish a puzzle and all the pieces aren't there?" Jackson's mother, Octavia Mitchell, asked. "How did my son's case get closed and why?" The Civilian Office of Police Accountability, which investigates accusations of police misconduct, said it would reopen the probe into Mitchell's son's death and review the evidence taken from the firearm if allowed, the Chicago Tribune reported. Though COPA is an independent civilian agency, it requires the endorsement of Chicago police Superintendent Eddie Johnson to investigate. That police union contract bans cases from being reopened if they are older than five years unless the city's chief officer grants an approval. "It's a toss-up," said Mitchell, who has boxes of legal documents stacked throughout her South Side apartment. "I just don't trust the police department." The department will first "seek court guidance" on whether the samples can be given to COPA for testing, said Chicago police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi. The department declined to comment on Mitchell's allegations and gave no sign as to whether Johnson would grant his authorization. Phillip Aaron, Octavia Mitchell's attorney, said no matter the outcome, he feels that Mitchell is an example for others in comparable situations. "I believe Ms. Mitchell has done a great service to our community," Aaron said. "Because in doing this, what she has done is open up the road for other mothers and parents who've lost their children through police violence and in circumstances that are questionable." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON Activists in the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have been pushing for statehood for decades. But they aren't the only ones who aspire to create a 51st state. Some rural and conservative residents of large Democratic-controlled states are tired of being overshadowed politically, culturally and economically by big cities. They've tried legislation, elections and even redistricting. The problems can't be solved by traditional means, they say. So why not use a tool built into the U.S. Constitution: create a new state out of an existing state through approval of both the state legislature and Congress? It happened when Maine split from Massachusetts in 1820, and again when West Virginia split from Virginia in 1863 during the Civil War. Could Chicago split from Illinois now? To be sure, creating a new state is a significant undertaking and unlikely to succeed, political scientists say. But long odds haven't extinguished momentum for these quixotic movements. Another try In Illinois, a resolution calling on Congress to declare Chicago the 51st state has eight Republican co-sponsors in the state House (there are 44 Republicans in the lower chamber) and support among many of the state's conservative activists. It's the second such bill in as many years. State Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville, the bill's author, cites the many issues tearing the state apart. He listed Democrats' "overreaching" stances on abortion, guns, immigration, debt, pensions, Medicaid spending, property taxes, green energy and workers' compensation as just some of the reasons Chicago and Illinois should go their separate ways. Recent polling from the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute at Southern Illinois University Carbondale shows two-thirds of Illinois voters think the state is moving in the wrong direction. That same March poll from the Simon Institute shows "significant regional differences" in responses. The state division hit a breaking point several years ago, when Illinois was mired in the longest fiscal stalemate in the United States since the Great Depression. The budget battle between Democratic lawmakers and then-Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner lasted more than two years, threatening public university accreditation, statewide road construction and "junk" credit ratings. Halbrook blamed the impasse on Chicago-area Democrats. "Everywhere I go, people say we just need to get rid of Chicago," he said. "It gets rid of all of our problems. My constituency is serious about it. I'm trying to save the state." Halbrook has a small family farm in Shelbyville. 40% in Cook County Forty percent of the Prairie State's 12.7 million residents live in Cook County. The broader Chicago metropolitan area consists of 9.5 million people. Without the Chicagoland area, Illinois would have fewer people than Connecticut. Democrats control both chambers of the General Assembly and the governor's office, and most of them are from Chicagoland including 62 of the 74 Democrats in the House. The rest of Illinois is largely agricultural and conservative. A July 2018 paper from the Simon Institute found that Illinois' politics "are marked and marred by regionalism." The idea of dividing Illinois has been around throughout Illinois' history, the paper says, despite "how impractical it is." While these regional divides are prevalent in other states across the country, it's exaggerated in Illinois because of "the extent to which many Illinois leaders emphasize, exploit and exacerbate these regional differences for their own advantage," the paper claims. The Windy City has all the political power, the money and the economic growth, said G.H. Merritt, who runs New Illinois, a separation group that has begun starting chapters in counties throughout the state to build grassroots support. Merritt, a former nonprofit administrator, lives in Lake County, north of Chicago. So far, she has 26 county chapters that want to split the rest of Illinois from Chicago. When forming her organization, Merritt sought advice from other state separation organizations, like New California. The group, which is run by a conservative radio talk show host, advocates for the creation of a new state split from the Los Angeles and San Francisco areas "to throw off the bonds of tyranny." Activists such as Merritt blame state Democratic leaders from Chicago for creating a "systemically corrupt climate" and many of the problems Illinois currently faces, like the $134 billion in unfunded pensions and other fiscal problems despite the fact that these problems grew through both Democratic and Republican governorships. "It's not that we have anything against Chicago," she said. "My gosh, my daughter lives there. But if you're going to have a situation where a corner of the state is dominating everything, you're going to have a case where the rest of the state is disenfranchised." State funding But downstate Illinois gets disproportionately more state funding than Chicago and its surrounding suburbs, according to an April study from the Simon Institute. Based on 2013 data, researchers found that Southern Illinois receives $2.81 in state funds for every dollar its residents pay in taxes, while Cook County receives 90 cents for every dollar paid in taxes. Merritt, though, rejects the study, saying funding to the many downstate public universities were unfairly included in the analysis. Plus, she said, the findings may be biased since the authors of the study have spoken out against state separation. John Jackson, one of the study's authors and a visiting professor at the Simon Institute, does believe that state separation is unrealistic. But, he said, that doesn't mean he thinks the movement is just a fool's errand. It's about broader resentment. "This represents a long-standing rural and urban divide that is serious in this state and prevents things from getting done," Jackson said. "It's the same phenomenon all over the county and drove the Trump vote in 2016 and will again in 2020." There have been efforts to mend that divide. Halbrook said he was encouraged when Chicago's incoming Democratic mayor, Lori Lightfoot, visited the General Assembly in April and declared in a speech to the Illinois House, "Working together, regardless of party or geography, I see new opportunities for all of us." A visit to the statehouse from a Chicago mayor is rare, he said. As a resolution, Halbrook's measure is merely a statement supporting the state separation and not a bill that would actually create a new state. Steve Brown, a spokesman for Democratic Speaker Michael Madigan, said the effort is being led by "only a handful of backwards-thinking legislators." Brown said he hasn't seen broad support for the bill, and he doubts it will go anywhere in the General Assembly. Halbrook doesn't expect his bill to even get a committee hearing either, but he still wants to continue speaking out and gaining supporters among his colleagues. Business-friendly Not every co-sponsor of the separation legislation really wants to leave Illinois, though. Republican state Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer said his primary interest is talking about the economic diversity of the state, as opposed to splitting it. Left-leaning policies crafted so Chicago can be competitive with other major metropolises such as Los Angeles and New York City get in the way of rural Illinois competing with rural Indiana and rural Missouri, because they are not "business-friendly," he said. "At the end of the day, I don't think that the state of Illinois should be separate," he said. "There's a general frustration everywhere, especially in our liberal states dominated by the socialist, Democrat movements, where people are seeing the government take more." Not willing to wait on the state legislation, some activists, such as Athens resident Collin Cliburn, are turning to Illinois' 102 counties to pass referendums that call for Chicago's separation. "There's a huge awakening going around now in rural Illinois," he said. Cliburn goes from county to county, speaking at Libertarian Party and conservative group events, spreading the word and getting residents to sign petitions that call for county referenda. Illinois Separation, Cliburn's group, has more than 20,000 supporters on Facebook. He's already seeing success. The Effingham County Board, representing a Southern Illinois county of 34,000 residents, voted in April to allow a referendum on the March 2020 ballot that would ask voters whether the county should coordinate with others about forming a new state. Effingham County has been on the forefront of resisting the state legislature. Last year, it became the first county in the United States to use the "sanctuary" label to signal its determination to resist new state gun laws. Cliburn said he's gathered enough signatures in two other counties, Cumberland and Edwards, to qualify for a similar referendum. County officials still have to confirm the signatures, though. Separation movements aren't just gaining steam in Illinois. There are at least three bills before the New York legislature that deal with splitting up the state. Several Republican lawmakers, upset with years of progressive immigration and gun control legislation, are advancing a bill that calls for a non-binding referendum on the matter. Other Republican lawmakers want to pass legislation that calls for a 17-member working group within the Office of the State Comptroller to study the short-term and long-term economic ramifications of a split. The author of that bill, Republican state Sen. Daphne Jordan, said she wonders whether upstate and downstate would be better off divided. "New York has become a tale of two states," she said. Her proposed study would examine where the border would be. In Washington state, Republican Rep. Matt Shea introduced legislation earlier this year to divide the state at the Cascade crest, creating the state of Liberty to the east. Seattle and coastal areas of Washington are more politically progressive than inland regions. In California, the state Supreme Court last year removed a referendum from the ballot that would have allowed residents to vote on whether to split California into three states: California, Northern California and Southern California, separating the Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco metropolitan areas. The court cited "significant questions regarding the proposition's validity" and ongoing constitutional challenges. The rural-urban divide that fuels these movements isn't just a problem for Republicans in Democratic-dominated states such as California, Illinois, New York and Washington. Gerrymandering efforts in states such as Ohio and Wisconsin have prevented urban Democrats from wielding power in those legislatures. In early May, a three-judge federal panel tossed out Ohio's congressional map for being unconstitutionally gerrymandered to dilute Democratic votes. In many red states, there have been clashes between conservative state governments and liberal cities on issues including guns, minimum wage, paid family leave, plastic bag bans and tree ordinances, among others. Most recently, the Republican legislature in Florida moved this month to prohibit cities from declaring themselves to be "sanctuaries" where local officials would refuse to assist federal immigration enforcement. Jurisdictions in both red and blue states are "chafing under the dominance of state governments," said Ilya Somin, a professor of law at George Mason University. There might be benefits to breaking up big states, he said, including more interstate competition and giving more people political leadership that aligns with their own views. But getting through state legislatures and Congress remains a long shot. It could make secession slightly easier, Somin said, if one of the new states had the current capital and the other had the largest city. Will Democratic members of Congress approve a new state that guarantees two new Republican seats? Republicans already oppose D.C. statehood because the two new senators who would join the chamber would almost certainly be Democrats. The only way to get a new Republican-leaning state out of Illinois would be to pair it with a new Democratic state out of, for example, Texas, Somin said. While it's "highly unlikely" to succeed, Somin said, it's still a debate worth having and a movement not to be dismissed. "It's not just a few disgruntled people," he said. "It's not isolated. It's reflecting a broader issue of polarization within the states, and this might be one solution." Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Remarks: This was the number one song on the US R&B chart this year, 2021. It went to #1 in the US on both the R&B and pop charts and made the top 20 on po... 1 day ago As of August 26th, 2021 Yahoo India will no longer be publishing content. Your Yahoo Account Mail and Search experiences will not be affected in any way and will operate as usual. We thank you for your support and readership. For more information on Yahoo India, please visit the FAQ Although neither a preemptive strike, nor a full-scale war against Iran has been discussed by Trump, Pence, Pompeo, Shanahan, or Bolton, and Trumps reluctance for overseas intervention is well known, the antiwar cries go on. They are not about context nor deterring Iran. Their goal is to save the nuclear deal by manipulating Trump into firing Bolton. It began last April, when Mohammad Javad Zarif was in New York. He granted an interview to Reuters where he said, I dont think [Trump] wants war, but that doesnt exclude him basically being lured into one by Bolton. A Rouhani adviser tweeted at Trump on May 14th, You wanted a better deal with Iran. Looks like you are going to get a war instead. Thats what happens when you listen to the mustache (meaning John Bolton). Good luck in 2020! Now the regimes talking point is everywhere. For instance, two former White House officials wrote in the Los Angeles Times, Its John Boltons world. Trump is just living in it Peter Bergen on CNN.com wrote, John Bolton is Trumps war whisperer, on May 14. Trumps potential war with Iran is all John Boltons doing. But it might also be his undoing, says Trita Parsi on NBCNews.com. Robin Wright of The New Yorker, asks, Is Trump Yet Another U.S. President Provoking a War? In the New York Times, Wendy Sherman writes, We cannot repeat the days before the Iraq war when even many of our most reliable news outlets repeated and amplified what was, in fact, a flimsy case for war. Her thought provoking piece for one of our most reliable news outlet repeated and amplified anti-Bolton talking points. Former Deputy National Security Adviser Ben Rhodess admitted to the New York Times Magazine in 2016, that, We created an echo chamber to attack the Iran deals opponents through leaks and tips to the D.C. press. They were saying things that validated what we had given them to say. He said that these tactics worked because the average reporter we talk to is 27 years old, and their only reporting experience consists of being around political campaigns. Thats a sea change. They literally know nothing. Members of the echo chamber arent attacking Iran, instead they slander American opponents Bolton is just the latest target. He is a Hawkish national security adviser for President Trump. Trump announced on April 8th, that he was designating the IRGC a terrorist organization, which heightened the threat to the countrys financial base. Pompeo announced on April 22nd, that the United States would end waivers for sanctions on Iranian oil. Iran threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz that very day. One year to the day, after the United States withdrew from the nuclear deal, Iran threatened to follow suit. CNBC.com, reported that, Rouhani did not signal the end of the deal entirely, but gave Europe an ultimatum: It will have 60 days to either follow the Trump administration or resume oil trade with Iran to save the agreement, violating U.S. sanctions. A failure to do the latter would prompt Tehran to return to high level uranium enrichment, the Iranian leader said. The Iranians are feeling the burn of the US sanctions; their economy is being crushed. If they leave the agreement with Europe, they will be back to square one. Now, Iran has assumed a threatening posture: provoking an American attack could divide the Western alliance. America is already facing a challenging international environment, with trouble spots in Venezuela, North Korea, China, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, as well as Iran. And meanwhile, Irans behavior in the Middle East continues to grow worse. The EternalBlue exploit for Windows, crafted by the NSA and leaked online by a group known as the Shadow Brokers, is being increasingly used in exploits two years after it was used to create the WannaCry ransomware, malware that took the world literally by storm. Slovakian security firm ESET said in a blog post that the use of EternalBlue, as measured by attacks on its clients, was at the peak of its popularity, with hundreds of thousands of attacks daily. EternalBlue was one of a number of exploits dumped by the Brokers on Good Friday in 2017, making it doubly difficult for systems administrators as all the exploits could be used against Windows systems apart from Windows 10. The exploit targets a flaw in Microsoft's implementation of the server message block protocol through port 445. Though the flaw was patched by Microsoft well before WannaCry hit in May 2017, there are plenty of vulnerable systems exposed to the Internet today. ESET researcher Ondrej Kubovic said according to the date from the Shodan search engine, there were about a million Windows machines using the obsolete SMB v1 protocol, with most being in the US, followed by Japan and Russia. "Poor security practices and lack of patching are likely reasons why malicious use of the EternalBlue exploit has been growing continuously since the beginning of 2017, when it was leaked online," he wrote. "Based on ESET telemetry, attack attempts involving EternalBlue are reaching historical peaks, with hundreds of thousands of instances being blocked every day." But, he pointed out that EternalBlue use might also be growing due to security professionals using it within corporate networks while hunting for vulnerabilities. Kubovic said apart from WannaCry, EternalBlue had also powered the destructive Diskcoder.C (aka Petya, NotPetya and ExPetya) campaign and the BadRabbit ransomware campaign in 2017. "Well-known cyber-espionage actors such as Sednit (aka APT28, Fancy Bear and Sofacy) were also caught using it against hotel Wi-Fi networks," he added. This exploit and all the cyber attacks it enabled so far highlighted the importance of timely patching, Kubovic said. "Moreover, it emphasises the need for a reliable and multi-layered security solution that can do more than just stop the malicious payload, such as protect against the underlying mechanism." he added. About Me William Kelly I am a freelance writer, journalist and historian whose major interests are music and history, with a special emphasis on the assassination of President Kennedy. View my complete profile Blog Archive Girl Scouts Spirit of Nebraska, the largest girl-serving organization in the state, is proud to announce the election of two new members to its board of directors. Emily Maxwell, Lincoln; Maxwell serves as compliance manager at Ameritas, where she is primarily responsible for HIPAA privacy compliance and the new law implementation process for dental, vision and hearing products. Maxwell attended University of Nebraska Omaha, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and University of Nebraska College of Law. She was admitted to the Nebraska Bar in September 2016. Maxwell grew up in North Platte and was a Girl Scout in her youth. Colleen Maciejewski, Elkhorn; Brandon Rigoni, Ph.D., vice president of business development at Lincoln Industries, has been selected to Forbes Business Development Council, an invitation-only community for senior-level sales and business development executives. Rigoni was vetted and selected by a review committee based on the depth and diversity of his experience. Criteria for acceptance include a track record of successfully impacting business growth metrics, as well as personal and professional achievements and honors. We are honored to welcome Brandon Rigoni into the community, said Scott Gerber, founder of Forbes Councils, the collective that includes Forbes Business Development Council. Our mission with Forbes Councils is to bring together proven leaders from every industry, creating a curated, social capital-driven network that helps every member grow professionally and make an even greater impact on the business world. Darlene A. Starman, GRI, realtor with Woods Bros Realty in Lincoln, was honored as the 2019 Nebraska Realtor of the Year during the Nebraska Realtors Association Convention and Exhibition, April 15-17. The Nebraska Realtor of the Year is the highest honor awarded by the Nebraska Realtors Association and is given to a member who exemplifies service not only to the association, but to the community and the real estate industry at large. Starman currently serves on several committees for the Nebraska Realtors Association including serving as a rrustee on the Realtors Political Action Committee and member of the Governmental Affair and License Law Committees. For the National Association of Realtors, Starman serves as the political coordinator for Senator Deb Fisher and is a member of the Realtor Party Member Involvement Committee. Starman is a past president of the Realtors Association of Lincoln. She is serving a six-year term as commissioner for the first district on the Nebraska Real Estate Commission and serves as a public member on the Nebraska Judicial Resources Commission. Agency recognized as a Best Place to Work in Lincoln. Lincoln, May 10, 2019, Highlights from Swanson Russells annual meeting in April point to continued business growth as well as a milestone in high employee satisfaction and culture. In 2018, Swanson Russell had one of its best years financially and as a result, staff has increased to a record high of 168 full-time employees in the Lincoln, Omaha and remote offices. Recently, the agency was recognized by Quantum Workplace as one of Lincolns Best Places to Work in the medium-size business category. The Quantum Workplace competition annually surveys and recognizes employee engagement. Swanson Russell Partner/Chief Creative Officer Brian Boesche commented, We are very pleased with the survey results and honored to be named one of the areas Best Places to Work. We know there is always room for improvement and will continue to work toward making Swanson Russell even better in the future, a place where employees can trust that there will be ample opportunities for professional development and career advancement, along with a good work/life balance. New Braunfels, TX (78130) Today Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy this afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 78F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mainly clear. Low around 65F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. Cargill Inc., one of the worlds largest beef producers, has invested in another company raising meat in a lab. The Minnetonka, Minn.-based agribusiness joined others in nearly $12 million funding round for Israeli startup Aleph Farms, which was the first in the world to grow a beef steak from cattle cells this past December. Cargills precise investment wasnt disclosed. The firm is positioning itself through investments to capitalize on innovations in meat alternatives and rising consumer interest in them. VisVires New Protein of Singapore led the funding round for Aleph. This is Cargills second investment in a so-called cultured meat company. In 2017, it joined the likes of Bill Gates, Richard Branson and Tyson Foods in backing Memphis Meats, which claims to have produced the worlds first chicken strips from animal cells. Advocates say cultured meat, also called cell-based or lab-raised meat, is better for the environment and is more humane. The product comes from animals but doesnt require the same resources to raise and slaughter as traditional meat. No one I know has ever witnessed a train wreck as it happened. As such, when a friend or colleague says or writes that an event was like watching a train wreck happen, Im pretty sure it wasnt like watching a train wreck happen. Until Sunday, May 5, that is, when President Donald J. Twitter used his thumbs to announce he would boost the current 10 percent American tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent because, he explained, the Chinese had backpedaled on an almost completed trade deal. That unilateral action kicked off a week of rising political tension and falling commodity prices. China quickly answered with tariff hikes of its own. It said it would increase current tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. goods and, on June 1, hit 5,000 more U.S. products with 25 percent tariffs. The White House responded by saying it would place tariffs on $300 billion more Chinese goods imported into the U.S. Markets cracked on the news. Nearly $2 trillion drained from New York equity markets in a week. Commodity prices followed; both new and old crop corn and soybean futures sagged to life-of-contract lows May 13. (All rebounded May 14, however, on news of crop planting delays and a possible federal bailout.) Flight to the Top of the World: The Adventures of Walter Wellman by David L. Bristow, University of Nebraska Press, 368 pages, $29.95. Walter Wellman is a name virtually unknown to most readers. Yet, he was one of our countrys most famous individuals during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, recognized as both a journalist and an adventurer. A combination of P.T.Barnum, Henry Morton Stanley and Jules Verne, Wellman was comfortable dining with either former president Theodore Roosevelt on the Nile River or presidential nominee William Jennings Bryan at his Fairview estate, now part of the Bryan hospital campus in Lincoln. The widely read newspaper columnist was also a bona fide candidate in the race to become the first person to reach the North Pole. Later, he championed the use of hydrogen-filled airships and attempted to be the first to fly across the Atlantic in one of them. Sadly, by the time of his demise in 1934, his reputation was tarnished and the world had already forgotten his exploits. In 2017, 1,958 abortions were recorded in Nebraska. That number had been decreasing most years since 2000, when there were 4,178. Still, it's shocking to Albrecht, she said, that there were so many in 2017. Hansen, a chiropractor, confirmed he is looking into introducing a heartbeat bill, depending on the timing and being able to craft good legislation. The key is looking at laws in other states that fall into Nebraska's 8th Circuit Court district, he said. "Right now, it's just a thought," he said. Hansen said he will study the possibility over the interim. He has talked to Arch about it, he said, and it could be a matter of multiple senators getting together, making sure they are listening to the people and representing their districts and the state accordingly. Arch, however, clarified a heartbeat bill is not a priority for him and he has no plans to study such a bill over the interim. Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said he isn't interested in passing any bill that he recognizes as being unconstitutional, if such a bill would come through the committee he oversees, or if one would be debated. January 26, 1933 - May 10, 2019 John C. Boesche left this world on May 10, 2019. Born January 26, 1933 in Beloit, Kansas he spent his youth in Kansas City, Kansas until graduating from Shawnee Mission High School in 1951. John entered the U.S. Navy in 1951 and served aboard the U.S.S. Cocopa and the U.S.S. Uvalde in the Korean War. He took part in the Naval Blockade of Wonson Harbor in North Korea, as well as the humanitarian Passage to Freedom relief effort during the waning days of the French-Indo China conflict. He was honorably discharged in 1955 as Damage Control Petty Officer Second Class. He entered the University of Kansas in 1955 and graduated in 1960 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Management. In 1957, he married Marilyn Ann Johnson of Merriam, Kansas. John spent his career in engineering and manufacturing management in Kansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma serving a variety of industries, including steel product, oilfield equipment, plastics, and center pivot irrigation. He retired in 2000 from his position of Director of Operations for Snyder Industries in Lincoln, Nebraska. A 4-month-old girl was killed in a two-vehicle crash on Interstate 80 near the Nebraska Crossing Outlets on Saturday. The crash, which occurred at about 4:45 p.m., led the Nebraska State Patrol to shut down the westbound lanes of the interstate for about three hours. The victim has been identified as Amilia Johnson of Scottsbluff, according to a news release from the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office. According to the sheriff's office, Johnson was secured in a child safety seat located in the back seat of a Chevy Cruz driven by 19-year-old Adriana Rodriguez, also of Scottsbluff. The sheriff's office said the Chevy Cruze was eastbound on I-80 when the vehicle crossed the center median and entered the westbound lanes, where it collided with a Chrysler minivan driven by 73-year-old Mary Lynch of Omaha. Rodriguez and two passengers, along with Lynch and one other passenger, were all taken to local hospitals. The crash remains under investigation by the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office and the South Metro Crash Response Team. Love 2 Funny 4 Wow 2 Sad 13 Angry 5 There is no indication that the trooper feared for his life, as he contended. There's no reason to think that Bland posed a threat to him. The cellphone was already in her hand when he swung opened the car door, contradicting his claim that she was reaching for something. If anything, the new footage raises more questions about why Bland was hauled off to jail to begin with. It shows that the only person who was a threat that day was Encinia. The one who should have been afraid for her life was Bland. Three days later, she was found hanged in a jail cell. Authorities ruled it a suicide. I am thrilled that Bland won't shut up and go away. I am Sandra Bland. Every African American woman is. Black women, in particular, cannot allow her story to be silenced. We cannot allow this tragedy that exemplifies the bottom-tier justice black women often receive go unchallenged. We cannot do what everyone seems to want us to do -- forget about it and move on. It is easy to imagine how terrified she must have been that day. Sure, she was talking tough, but as an advocate against police brutality, she was well aware that such confrontations with law enforcement officials often don't end well for black people. Let's break down how much that statement itself increases the likelihood of war. First, it's problematic to suggest that "any attack" on the interests of America's Middle Eastern allies could trigger U.S. military action in the same way that an attack on American interests would. There are U.S. interests and there are foreign interests, which include allied interests. Those two things aren't the same, and Bolton attempting to equate them doesn't make it so. Bolton also tries to redefine Iranian forces by including the word "proxy." The reason for using proxies in warfare is plausible deniability. Countries have long used them to reduce their footprint in conflicts. By design, there is often a lack of evidence to connect proxies or their actions to a sponsor country. This also makes it far too easy to attribute the actions of non-state actors to a rival nation. Pompeo used this ploy during a trip to Paraguay a couple of weeks before the latest U.S.-backed coup attempt in Venezuela, telling Voice of America (without citing any actual evidence) that Iran was fomenting terrorism in Latin America. With Bolton and Pompeo redefining so many critical terms and parameters in order to lower the bar for war with Iran, the world is a much more dangerous place. Editor's note: Though the Journal Star has a policy prohibiting letters to the editor by the same author within 45 days of publication, it is making an exception in this case to allow the writer to clarify a point that was obscured by the headline an editor wrote for his letter. Robert Underwood (Death penalty words far out of context, May 16) missed the point of my May 12 letter, on which the Journal Star wrote a headline of "Jesus favors the death penalty." My own missive was in response to a letter that based opposition to the death penalty on the New Testaments evangelical counsel of turn the other cheek. If that dictum of Jesus were a commandment, then the United States would not have an army or Lincoln a police department, where deadly force is sometimes required. The adage, I would rather have a free press and no government, than a government and no free press is historically attributed to Thomas Jefferson. This quote comes to mind in response to two items in the May 11 Journal Star. The first, a column by Dana Milbank ("WH ramps up press crackdown," May 11), a frequent critic of President Trump, describes the revoking of his White House press credentials as part of an effort to diminish access to the White House. The second describes Gov. Pete Ricketts and Secretary of State Bob Evnen meeting with a delegation of journalists as part of the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists outside the U.S. studying U.S. foreign policy ("Lincoln welcomes Murrow journalists from 10 countries," May 11). The two items stand in stark contrast to each other, and it is clear that Nebraska, through the Secretary of States Office, welcomed the visiting journalists to our state. Dear Amy: Two years ago, a very close friend of 20 years ghosted me. I called, texted and emailed her and didn't get a reply. When I ran into her weeks later and asked for an explanation, she said, "You have nothing to apologize for" -- yet she couldn't compose an explanation because "it was too horrendous and hurtful." To me her statement contradicted my not having anything to apologize for. There was no incident before the ghosting, so I truly did not know why she has behaved this way. She concluded by saying, "I think we should go our separate ways." I stopped going to a performance series that she, a mutual friend and I attended together because it's a small audience and seeing her would bring up my hurt. She continued to go, so it seemed that she felt this issue was resolved. I've run into her a couple of times since then. She didn't seem embarrassed. I feel terrible. Now she's joining my church, so I'll be running into her now and then. If she'd join the church she knows I attend, she apparently feels no awkwardness. BURLINGTON A Burlington native now brewing beer in Portland, Ore., is laying plans to return home to build his own Downtown craft brewery and taproom. Bob and Patricia Sullivan have bought the former Burlington Standard Press building at 700 N. Pine St., opening the door for their son Tim Sullivan to start his own brewery and taproom inside the first floor there. According to the Burlington Historical Society, Burlington has not had commercial beer brewing in 64 years, since Wisconsin Brewing Co. moved out in 1955. Sullivan attended the University of California-San Diego brewing program starting in 2015, while simultaneously working as a brewer at Karl Strauss Brewing Co., the 40th-largest craft brewer in the United States and winner of the 2016 Great American Beer Festivals Mid-Size Brewery of the Year. Sullivan, 32, is the longest-tenured of five brewers at Ecliptic Brewing in Portland, which he said has been growing at breakneck speed his entire time there. Ive had the absolute privilege of learning from some of the best in the business, and I cannot wait to bring that experience to Burlington, Sullivan said in a news release. You couldnt ask for a better building for this type of project. Its going to be a lot of fun. The 1925-26 building his parents bought once housed the former Wisconsin Gas & Electric Co. and Milwaukee Electric Railway & Light Co. terminal. Later it became home for the citys weekly newspaper, the Standard Press. The future beer production area consists of about 1,500 square feet and what will be the taproom is more than 2,000 square feet, Sullivan said. Lots of potential there, he said. Sullivans goal is to return to Burlington in September to start building the brewery he hopes to open about next spring. He said the total investment for the brewery and taproom will be more than $700,000. Six beers each month Sullivan said he will build a seven-barrel-capacity brewing system with three or four brewing tanks initially. That will allow him to offer about six beers per month, with the beer selection constantly changing, he said. Small-batch beer of all styles and flavor profiles will be in constant rotation through the taproom, he said, and a sour program is planned as well. Sullivan explained that a sour program uses a foeder (pronounced food-er), or large wooden barrel, where various beers are aged along with a bacteria culture. The results are beers that are slightly acidic, tart and/or funky. The plan is not to have a core set of beers that are always available; Im going to just keep churning out different styles and different beers nonstop, Sullivan said. Thats partly because its more interesting to him to do it that way. But it also works for the consumer as well, he said, because the modern craft beer drinker, they are always seeking out new styles and new beers. Making Burlingtons beer Renovations to the building will include redoing the floor in the production area so it has a draining system. Sullivan said his vision for the taproom is to create a lounge-like space that feels comfortable and relaxed. At some point in time, he said, hed love to see the building returned to its historical appearance. Sullivan said he has no desire to get into wholesaling his beer and would like to sell everything he makes in his own taproom. I really do just want to make Burlingtons beer, he said. Having lived in San Diego and now Portland, Sullivan said, Ive seen what a thriving craft beer scene can do to the areas they reside in I really want to build a space that is conducive to community building and just try to nudge that into the direction of community involvement and improvement, and really see how big of a positive impact we can have. The plan is not to have a core set of beers that are always available; Im going to just keep churning out different styles and different beers nonstop. Tim Sullivan Love 5 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 3 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. RACINE Racine Circuit Court Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz has struck down motions brought by a man serving a life sentence for hacking his wife to death with a hatchet who had several criticism with his prior court proceedings. On Nov. 19, 2014, Mount Pleasant police found Romanian-born Cristian Loga-Negru in the parking lot of the Super 8 Motel at 1150 Oakes Road, standing over the bleeding, mutilated body of his estranged wife, Roxana Abrudan, who was lying in the backseat of a rental car. In October 2016, Gasiorkiewicz sentenced Loga-Negru to life in prison, with the possibility of parole in 30 years. Abrudan homicide Mount Pleasant Police and South Shore fire personnel responded to the Super 8 Hotel, 1150 Oakes Road, on Nov. 19, 2014, where Roxana E. Abruda In court on Thursday, Loga-Negru readdressed issues that he was temporarily insane at the time of the murder, claiming his upbringing in communist Romania during the 1980s, made him distrustful of the government and caused him to handle Abrudan independently. Gasiorkiewicz agreed that although Loga-Negru faced hardships growing up in a communist country, he said it had no bearings on his actions or the cases outcome. That doesnt mean you get to take the law into your own hands, Gasiorkiewicz said. We are a nation of laws. When you come to our nation, you must abide by our laws. Several issues addressed Forty-two-year-old Loga-Negru, a highly educated businessman with two law degrees, acted as his own attorney during his hearing, which was primarily held to address a claim that 911 tapes from the incident were not provided to Loga-Negrus defense team. Cristian Loga-Negru sentencing Cristian Loga-Negru listens to Racine County Circuit Judge Eugene Gasiorkiewicz as he sentences Loga-Negru to life in prison for the murder of Loga-Negru took the hearing as an opportunity to air a litany of issues he had with his case, including a claim that many involved in the case, including the media, the District Attorneys Office, and others, wanted Loga-Negru convicted, regardless of evidence or anything else. Gasiorkiewicz took issue with the claim, stating that he has been criticized in the past by media outlets, including The Journal Times, but said it does not impact his decisions in the slightest. Mindset questioned Loga-Negru interrogated his father at the Thursday hearing, asking him questions about his state of mind before Abrudans murder. Loga-Negrus father claimed that in the days leading up to the murder, Loga-Negru was uncoordinated and acting like a lion trapped in a cage. He said his sons thoughts were incoherent and he was agitated and had hallucinations. Dr. Deborah Collins, the psychologist who testified during Loga-Negrus insanity hearing in July 2016, was also problematic to Loga-Negru. He said that Collins did not factor into her testimony that Loga-Negru and Abrudan both grew up in a different county, something that he said created a shared experience between the two. Gasiorkiewicz pointed out that Loga-Negrus defense team had also hired an expert psychologist to refute Collins testimony, who testified on his behalf during that portion of the case. On July 13, 2016, Gasiorkiewicz decided to reject the insanity claim. He was then sentenced in October 2016. A concern about a lack of representation at the beginning of the case was also expressed by Loga-Negru; however, online court records show that Loga-Negru was represented by attorney Patrick Cafferty at his initial appearance in court on Nov. 21, 2014, and Cafferty requested a competency hearing for his client. Loga-Negru later retained Cafferty and then-attorney Mark Nielsen, who currently serves as a Racine County Circuit Court judge, during his insanity plea, something Gasiorkiewicz also mentioned when denying Loga-Negrus motion. DA, judge responds After addressing the court for well over an hour, Loga-Negru turned over his complaints to District Attorney Tricia Hanson. Hanson said she was unsure of how exactly to respond to all of the items Loga-Negru brought up during his arguments, but said that the 911 tapes were turned over to Loga-Negrus attorneys in March of 2015. Loga-Negru was unable to refute whether or not that information was received,which was his burden to prove. Life in prison for hatchet slaying RACINE A Chicago-area man, convicted of first-degree intentional homicide for hacking his wife to death with a hatchet outside a Mount Pleas Gasiorkiewicz told Loga-Negru that he must go through the proper channels if he wishes to make further claims regarding his plans. You want to re-litigate it here today, but you must take it through the Court of Appeals, Gasiorkiewicz said. 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. RACINE The city is moving toward razing an apartment building that went up in flames in January 2018, as well as the former Racine Steel Castings building. Shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2018, fire crews were called to the three-story apartment building at 1045 Grand Ave. Three out of the six apartments were vacant and the residents who were home were alerted by working smoke alarms. No injuries were reported. The estimated damage was $440,000, though Fire Department Lt. John Magnus told The Journal Times at the time that he did not consider it a total loss because the brick exterior was intact. But city Building Inspector Ken Plaski ended up condemning the building because of the severe fire damage. In an email, Plaski said the city was unable to locate the property owner so the city would pay for the demolition and invoice the owner at their last known address. City Purchasing Agent Kathy Kasper told the Finance and Personnel Committee on Monday that the lowest responsible bidder was Racine-based Azarian Wrecking Company, which came in with a bid of $34,995 for the project. The committee voted to send the bid to the City Council with a recommendation to approve. The next council meeting is 7 p.m. on Tuesday at City Hall, 730 Washington Ave., Room 205. Steel Castings site Currently out for bid is a the demolition of the former Racine Steel Castings building at 1425 N. Memorial Drive. After operating for 110 years, the foundry closed its doors in 2002 and went into receivership. The foundry had once employed 1,500 workers but was down to 35 during the last week of business and those workers had lost their health insurance months earlier. The Redevelopment Authority of Racine acquired the building in January 2013 and has received grants from the Environmental Protection Agency to remediate the sites contamination. According to a resolution going before the RDA on Monday, city staff recommends demolishing the main building and garage to facilitate a full cleanup of the site from all contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, hydrocarbons, lead and arsenic as well as asbestos in the buildings. Demolition for the site was not included in the citys 2019 budget but the resolution estimated the city will spend approximately $225,000 in 2020 for the demolition, which could be offset by grants. The RDA is is scheduled to meet at 4:30 p.m. Monday at City Hall, 730 Washington Ave., Room 205. 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. In every community there is that one big event everyone goes wild about. In Racine County, that one event is prom. There was a documentary mad Monday, May 13-Friday, May 17 This list is not comprehensive. Municipalities are listed as they appear on the criminal complaint. Suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To see mugshots of the accused, visit www.journaltimes.com/gallery. Additional information about the complaints can be found at: journaltimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts. Linda L. Amy, Waterford, possession of cocaine, misdemeanor bail jumping, possession of drug paraphernalia. Keondra M. Baskin, 600 block of N. Memorial Drive, Racine, physical abuse of child, obstructing an officer. Ariania A. Boutwell, Mount Pleasant, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct. Jacquelyn L. Brewer, 1000 Main St., Racine, uttering a forgery, concealing stolen property (between $5,000 and $10,000), misdemeanor theft, felony bail jumping. Brittaney L. Brown, Milwaukee, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of THC. Samantha J. Cihler, 1600 block of Illinois St., Racine, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor bail jumping. Richard Edgar Conley, 500 block of 6th St., Racine, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct, criminal trespass. Kristina R. Corrie, 1700 block of Grange Ave., Racine, criminal trespass. Anthony Emile Cota, 2200 block of Mount Pleasant St., Racine, disorderly conduct, misdemeanor battery. Nia L. Coward, 300 block of Main St., Racine, operating a motor vehicle while revoked. Shanita P. Craig, 900 block of Hamilton St., Racine, obstructing an officer. Arden Norman Davidson, Burlington, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Heather L. Deltoro, 6700 block of Novak Road, Racine, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated, disorderly conduct. Tiquan C. Dunlap, 1400 block of Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Racine, maintaining a drug trafficking place, possession of a firearm by a felon. Wayne S. Dykas, 6900 block of Butternut Road, Racine, first degree recklessly endangering safety, attempting to flee or elude an officer. Michael H. Eberhardt, Waukegan, Ill., obstructing an officer, resisting an officer, disorderly conduct. Lisa A. Fahrenkrug, Waterford, physical abuse of child, misdemeanor battery, disorderly conduct. Keisha Marie Farrington, 1400 block of 12th St., Racine, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct. Cassandra Christine Fischer, Burlington, possession of narcotic drugs, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possess/illegally obtained prescription. Ivonne Fuentes, 1600 block of Grand Ave., Racine, operating without a license. Esmeralda E. Gonzalez, 3300 block of Daisy Lane, Racine, uttering a forgery, fraud against a financial institution (between $500 and $10,000). Samantha Ann Grow, 500 block of High St., Racine, hit and run. Nathaniel Hausmann, 200 block of Ohio St., Racine, misdemeanor theft, obstructing an officer. Anais U. Hernandez, Mount Pleasant, resisting an officer. Julio C. Herrera, 3000 block of Gates St., Racine, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia, possess/illegally obtained prescription, misdemeanor bail jumping. Tommy R. Hines, Milwaukee, first degree recklessly endangering safety, attempting to flee or elude an officer, hit and run, operate motor vehicle while revoked, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor bail jumping. Willie James Hubbard, 800 block of Park Ave., Racine, misdemeanor bail jumping, disorderly conduct. William D. Hunter, 800 block of 6th St., Racine, receiving stolen property (greater than $2,500), fraudulent use of a credit card, felony personal identity theft, resisting an officer, felony bail jumping. Salley Jean Jordan, Waukesha, operating without a license. Cercie L. Juniel, 5100 block of Taylor Ave., Racine, misdemeanor battery, negligent handling of a weapon, disorderly conduct. William Alexander Kirksey (a.k.a. Pistol Pete), 4100 block of Marquette Drive, Racine, possession of cocaine, possession of THC, maintaining a drug trafficking place, misdemeanor bail jumping. Jesse Michael Koller, Waterford, child enticement, exposing intimate parts, fourth-degree sexual assault, sexual intercourse with a child. Jeffrey R. Kotke, Waterford, possession of cocaine, felony bail jumping, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct. Kevin M. La Gosh, Milwaukee, misdemeanor retail theft (intentionally take greater than or equal to $500), misdemeanor bail jumping. Jovahnte M. Lewis, 1300 block of West Blvd., Racine, possession with intent to deliver or manufacture THC (between 200 and 1,000 grams), possession of cocaine, carrying a concealed weapon. Kent Lyons, 1200 block of Albert St., Racine, stalking, disorderly conduct, misdemeanor bail jumping. Robert A. Mackey, Wind Lake, disorderly conduct. Eliza Mandujano, 5100 block of Biscayne Ave., Racine, misdemeanor retail theft (intentionally take greater than or equal to $500), possession of narcotic drugs, misdemeanor bail jumping. Donta J. Martin, 1900 block of Deane Blvd., Racine, attempting to flee or elude an officer, second degree recklessly endangering safety, possession of a firearm by a felon, possession of THC, obstructing an officer, felony bail jumping, misdemeanor theft, disorderly conduct. Robert M. McClain, 1100 block of S. Memorial Drive, Racine, possession of drug paraphernalia. Michael Lee McCutcheon, 2000 block of Carmel Ave., Racine, disorderly conduct. Cashmier C. McDuffie, 4100 block of Marquette Drive, Racine, disorderly conduct, misdemeanor bail jumping. Quevon J. McKinnie, Milwaukee, possession of THC. Jasmine B. Mitchell, Milwaukee, misdemeanor retail theft (intentionally take greater than or equal to $500), obstructing an officer. Babi R. Thomas-Moore, 900 block of 18th St., Racine, misdemeanor battery, disorderly conduct, possession of drug paraphernalia. Joshua Isiah Morris, 4500 block of Taylor Ave., Racine, first degree intentional homicide, possession of a firearm. Timothy D. Moseley, Sturtevant, stalking. Kywhane M. Nash, Milwaukee, second-degree reckless injury. Cyrus D. Noyes, Franksville, misdemeanor battery, disorderly conduct, misdemeanor bail jumping. Bennie R. Nunn, 900 block of Park Ave., Racine, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Kayla R. Olson, 2600 block of 21st St., Racine, fail to cause child to attend school, neglecting a child. Chaunte D. Ott, 3600 Spring St., Racine, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Eric D. Pittman Jr., 1800 block of Chatham St., Racine, disorderly conduct, misdemeanor bail jumping. Nathan J. Pollard, Waterford, possession of THC, possession of drug paraphernalia, disorderly conduct. Johnny Joe Reynolds, Mount Pleasant, misdemeanor theft, operate motor vehicle while revoked. Fred Rhines, Chicago, Ill., attempting to flee or elude an officer, operating a motor vehicle while intoxicated. Adam W. Ricchio, Mount Pleasant, attempting to flee or elude an officer. Audra P. Rintamaki, 300 block of 15th St., Racine, misdemeanor battery, disorderly conduct. John C. Runke, Burlington, second degree recklessly endangering safety, negligent operation of a vehicle, hit and run. Natalie L. Sabala, 1600 block of St. Clair St., Racine, uttering a forgery, fraud against financial (between $500 and $10,000). Crystal A. Santos, 2600 block of Charles St., Racine, physical abuse of child. Orlando A. Santos, 2600 block of Charles St., Racine, physical abuse of child. Alejandro S. Sarazua, Burlington, disorderly conduct. Phillip A. Scales, 1600 block of Holmes Ave., Racine, felony bail jumping, misdemeanor bail jumping. Nathanial John Schreier, Milwaukee, operate motor vehicle while revoked. Destiny K. Sparks, 900 block of Marquette St., Racine, possession of THC, obstructing an officer. Nicholas T. Stadler, 4300 block of Quiet Valley Ct., Racine, criminal damage to property, disorderly conduct. Reginald G. Turner, 1800 block of Saint Clair St., Racine, misdemeanor battery, misdemeanor theft, criminal damage to property, criminal trespass, resisting an officer. Brandon Michael Vankoningsveld, Mount Pleasant, possession of cocaine, possession of drug paraphernalia. William Latarus Vinson, Racine, attempt burglary of a building or dwelling, burglary of a building or dwelling, misdemeanor bail jumping. Anthony A. Woods, 3700 block of Northwestern Ave., Racine, possession with intent to deliver cocaine (between five and 15 grams), possession of THC. Jose V. Zavala, 2600 block of 63rd St., Kenosha, battery, disorderly conduct. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 - Alexa Ilacad has recently visited South Korea - The young actress posted pictures of her during her escapade - Netizens were happy that she got to fulfill her K-pop dream, but a netizen had the guts to ruin it by calling her 'GGSS' PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed Alexa Ilacad can be considered one of the pretty faces of her generation alongside other young rising stars. The 19-year old actress recently went to South Korea and indulged her fangirl heart. On her official Instagram account, she posted some pictures of her during her fun-filled escapade. Most of her followers and fans were happy that she got to see the land of her Korean idols, but a netizen had the guts to ruin it. On one of her posted photos, the netizen commented and said that the actress was flooding her posts with her face and even called her GGSS, also known as 'gandang ganda sa sarili.' "Puro mukha mo post mo noh ggss lang. Wala bang bago kasawa na din eh," the basher wrote. No bars held by the young actress and responded to the unwanted comment of this netizen. Alexa said that it is her Instagram account and she will post her face whenever she wants. She also advised the netizen to unfollow her on IG. "Siyempre mukha ko ipopost ko, ig ko 'to eh. Gusto mo ata mukha mo eh. Unfollow mo na lang po ako para masaya ang buhay," Alexa wrote www.instagram.com/alexailacad Source: Instagram PAY ATTENTION: Using free basics app to access internet for free? Now you can read KAMI news there too. Use the search option to find us. Read KAMI news while saving your data! In a previous report by KAMI, Alexa Ilacad finally broke her silence on relationship of Nash Aguas & Mika Dela Cruz. Alexandra Madarang Ilacad more popularly known as Alexa Ilacad is also a dean's lister on her school. She became known when she joined the kiddie gag show 'Goin' Bulilit' READ ALSO: Elections 2019 live updates: Partial and unofficial results of Senatorial race Enjoyed reading our story? 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, our team chooses which among the famous fast food chains serves the best Halo-Halo! Check out more of our videos - on KAMI HumanMeter Youtube channel! Source: KAMI.com.gh - Aiai Delas Alas recently announced her resignation as the manager of Ex Battalion - She emotionally revealed her reasons for giving up on the group who came to her for help - The group received intense bashing after posting seemingly sarcastic posts PAY ATTENTION: Click "See First" under the "Following" tab to see KAMI news on your News Feed! The members of all-male group Ex Battalion posted some social media statuses which elicited intense online reactions. Their posts following Aiai Delas Alas's announcement regarding her resignation as their manager drew flak. In earlier reports, Aiai emotionally revealed how she felt as their manager in from of the press people she invited. According to her, the group had been disrespectful and unprofessional. She just had to wait until their movie was shown but she revealed that she already planned on resigning. The comedienne said she got stressed out because of them. Aiai's husband, Gerald Sibayan also pushed her to quit as he witnessed his wife got traumatized. Here are some of the posts of the ex battalion members. Ex Battalion members' posts after Aiai Delas Alas's resignation elicit raised eyebrows Source: Facebook 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! Ex Battalion members' posts after Aiai Delas Alas's resignation elicit raised eyebrows Source: Facebook Ex Battalion members' posts after Aiai Delas Alas's resignation elicit raised eyebrows Source: Facebook Ex Battalion, normally shortened to Ex B, is a Filipino hip hop collective formed in Manila, Philippines known for the hit singles "Hayaan Mo Sila" and "No Games". Ai-Ai delas Alas-Sibayan, is a Filipino film and television actress managed by the King of Talk Boy Abunda. Delas Alas first gained nationwide recognition for her film Ang Tanging Ina, which became a blockbuster hit. Enjoyed reading our story? Download KAMI's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major Filipino news! Exclusive Interview: Madam Kiley's New Afam | HumanMeter How Madam Kilay and Afam T met. Have they already talked about getting married? What is Madam Kilay's favorite gift from Afam T? Find all this in our new exclusive interview. Source: KAMI.com.gh FORT McCOY U.S. Army Command Sgt. Major Ronnie Farmer vows to bring energy to his new job. Im big on motivation, he said. If you can wake up in the morning and put on the Army uniform, life is good. Farmer is now the highest ranking non-commissioned officer for the U.S. Army Reserves 88th Readiness Division after a Change of Responsibility ceremony Sunday at Fort McCoy. After a solemn ceremony that marked the change, Farmer delivered brief but lively remarks to begin his new responsibilities. Were going to have fun, were going to get back to basics and were going to take this team to the next level, Farmer said. Farmer replaces Command Sgt. Major Jeffrey McGlin, who took the assignment on a temporary basis after his predecessor, Command Sgt. Major Earl G. Rocca, had to step aside due to health issues. McGlin, who will retire in August, has worked with Farmer and said he deserved the promotion. Hes a great non-commissioned officer, and hes going to do great things here, McGlin said. Im comfortable and happy he was selected for this position. Farmer, a Georgia native, began his military career with the Army Reserve in 1988 and earned numerous awards, including a Bronze Star, as he rose through the ranks. He holds a masters degree from Webster University. He was introduced during the ceremony by Major Gen. Jody J. Daniels. He brings a wealth of operational and institutional training and administrative expertise that we couldnt have found elsewhere, she said. Hes also fit, energetic and a terrific mentor to all. The 88th Readiness Division is based at Fort McCoy and trains 52,000 Army Reserve soldiers annually. It operates 700 facilities in 19 states stretching from Ohio to Oregon. In a separate interview, Farmer said its the divisions responsibility to maintain training facilities and make sure all our resources get out to the field and get taken out to our soldiers. He looks forward to starting his new duties. Its an amazing opportunity, he said. Any time you can impact soldiers lives and their families, its a great day for us. Tomah Journal editor Steve Rundio can be reached at steve.rundio@lee.net. Love 2 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. The Tomah City Council voted Tuesday to postpone a decision on whether to approve an ATV route for July 4 parade participants. Two ATV clubs, Bear Bluff ATV Club of Mather and the Road Runners ATV/UTV Club of Monroe County, requested a three-hour window for a designated route to allow members of the organizations to drive into town to participate in the annual Independence Day parade July 4. They would arrive and leave as a group. The groups have previously participated in the parade, said Gary Everts, president of the Bear Bluff club. They trailered the ATVs into the city across from Kelseys Class Act and then proceeded to the designated parade staging site. Everts said members of the club want to avoid the inconvenience of hauling the machines to Kelseys, unloading them, reloading them and driving back. Council member Mary Ann Komiskey doesnt believe the temporary route should be allowed and that the ban of ATVs and UTVs on city streets should be maintained. I do not think we should be setting a precedent of bending the law for any group, she said. Its for them to have a unit in the parade if they follow the policy of the parade committee. Council member Sue Holme shared Komiskeys sentiment. I think its setting a precedent, allowing these vehicles into town when theyre not legal in town, she said. I know theyve been participating in years past, I understand that, but ... its going to be rush day, its going to be a lot of activity in town, a lot of visitors to town, a lot of excess traffic, and if theyre running on the streets, I think its going to cause even more problems not only for traffic control but to safety. Council member Richard Yarrington said his concern for the proposed temporary route is whether Hwy. ET is an ATV route. I took it upon myself to check with the Sheriffs Department, and as of today, according to their records, ET is not an ATV route, so technically they would have to trailer their vehicles to Industrial Avenue, he said. So why wouldnt you just trailer them all the way into the staging site? Tomah mayor Mike Murray suggested to postpone the decision for a month so council members could speak to their constituents about whether or not they support a temporary three-hour route. During that time, Yarrington suggested the city investigate the status of Hwy. ET. He said new county ATV routes were added at the Monroe County Board of Supervisors April meeting, and those at the Sheriffs Department were unsure which routes were added. The council voted 5-2 to postpone the decision for a month, with council members Komiskey and Holme dissenting. Meghan Flynn can be reached at meghan.flynn@lee.net. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 MADISON Consumers from around the world enjoy agriculture products that come from our states farm fields and agriculture processing firms. Wisconsin is consistently one of the top exporters of dairy-related products in the nation. As milk production in the United States continues to increase, it is more and more important to create value-added products and identify new markets for those products, here at home or around the world. The 31 members of Dairy Task Force 2.0 recognize the importance of trade and international markets to our states dairy community. To help our cheesemakers research and develop new products targeted for export markets, the Task Force called for a study on the possible development of a Wisconsin Cheese Brand and Export Board. Another recommendation emphasizes the importance of value-added and specialty cheese in our state. Today, nearly half the nations specialty cheese is made in Wisconsin by a diverse array of cheese businesses. To better understand changing consumer tastes and demands, Task Force members recommended conducting an in-depth consumer study to gain additional market understanding. They also recognized the significant upfront costs of starting a dairy processing business, and sought ways to establish incubator facilities for start-up dairy processors. Much of Wisconsins specialty cheese is made by artisan cheesemakers who may produce smaller amounts of product. To help reach consumers across the country, the Dairy Task Force 2.0 recommended an analysis on consolidating multiple companies products for joint distribution. Other recommendations sought to increase demand for fluid milk consumption and advocated for dairy product vending machines to be placed in Wisconsin public schools. Dairy Task Force 2.0 members also passed a recommendation asking for an increase in dairy processor grant funding, an item that was included in Gov. Tony Evers 2019-2021 biennial budget proposal. Increased funding will promote and encourage growth and innovation in Wisconsin dairy plants. To ensure Wisconsins innovative dairy products are positioned for success in the marketplace, the Dairy Task Force 2.0 also approved recommendations for truth-in-food labeling and asking the Food and Drug Administration to make needed regulatory changes to product standards of identity. Wisconsins dairy products are the best in the world. The best products require the best milk. Our states hardworking dairy farmers produce some of the highest quality, most nutritious milk every day. Recognizing this, members of the Dairy Task Force 2.0 passed a recommendation supporting the National Dairy FARM program and equivalent programs that are science-based and cow-centric. Members also recommended changes to the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance to increase our milk quality standards. The team at the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection works to develop our markets locally through Farm to School; Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin; and Something Special from Wisconsin. The Wisconsin International Dairy Export initiative, in collaboration with industry partners, brings in buyers from across the world to learn more about our state and its dairy products. The work of the Dairy Task Force 2.0 will help guide the states marketing efforts for years to come. For more on the Dairy Task Force 2.0, visit dairytaskforce.wi.gov. Brad Pfaff, a La Crosse County resident, is secretary-designee of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Last week was National Police Week. A series of events held in Washington, D.C., included the 38th Annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service, which took place Wednesday morning at the United States Capitol. At the same time, local communities around the nation held their own memorial services. Our regions memorial service was hosted by Bangor Police Chief Scott Alo. About 40 uniformed police officers gathered in the Bangor Village Park to honor and remember their brothers and sisters who died in the line of duty. The service was just what one might expect: police officers, along with some community members, gathered under a park shelter on a warm spring morning, standing at attention for the Honor Guard, the Pledge of Allegiance, a trumpet playing Taps, a prayer, some remarks, another prayer, a 21-gun salute, a bagpipe playing Amazing Grace, ice cream and a Red-wing Blackbird calling from a nearby marsh. So simple, so ordinary, in some ways so utterly inadequate to the occasion of the remembrance. Is any memorial service ever adequate to the lives remembered? This is where rituals come to our aid. They have the power to transcend our words, our thoughts, even our intentions. Considered in this way, the ceremony was beautiful in its simplicity, in the matter-of-factness of every movement, every gesture, in the officers stoic acceptance of the way things are, the way things will be. I thought of Robert Frosts A Prayer in Spring: Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day; And give us not to think so far away As the uncertain harvest. The latest Wisconsin officer killed in the line of duty was Matthew Rittner, 35, a 17-year veteran of the Milwaukee Police Department, with an expectant wife and young son. He was shot in the chest while serving a search warrant. The bullet that killed him was fired from an AK-47 through the door of a house. Rittner was one of three Wisconsin police officers killed in the past year. Across the country, 88 officers were killed in the line of duty in 2018; 128 were killed in 2017 and 135 in 2016. Looking at those statistics, one might think police fatalities are on the decline. But those numbers hide a disturbing trend. More police officers die by their own hands than the hands of others, and the number of police suicides is increasing every year. In 2016, 108 officers took their own lives. In 2017, 140 officers committed suicide. That number increased to 158 in 2018. Nobody is sure why this is happening, and individual police departments seem unprepared to deal with the trend. In part, I suspect that is because the entire orientation of law enforcement is outward. All their training and preparation is designed to deal with external threats, to protect and serve others, not themselves. The other reason police departments have a hard time dealing with this issue is that the root causes increased stress, depression and social isolation are not unique to law enforcement. Every profession dealing with the pain and trauma of others is facing the same problem. Take health care, for example. Doctors have the highest rate of suicide of any profession, more than twice the rate of the general population. Like police officers, doctors are focused on serving others, and the more efficient they become the more time they spend dealing with other peoples suffering the less time they spend interacting with people in the ways required to maintain healthy, normal social relationships. Not long ago, one of our regions leading health-care administrators was asked what major challenges he faced. He replied, How to do more with less. We generally think doing more with less is a good thing. It means we are getting more efficient, more productive, getting a better return on our investment. And our society has been very successful at increasing returns. In just about any category we care to measure, we have seen improvements every decade for the past two centuries. We are healthier, safer, wealthier and better educated than any generation that has ever lived. But we may have reached a tipping point in certain professions. The brain was not designed to handle the amount of stress to which we subject those who deal every day with the darker side of human life. To keep asking those who dedicate themselves to helping us at our most vulnerable to do more and more is morally inexcusable. Every profession has its own vocabulary, indicating the ways it measures and ultimately improves efficiency. In law enforcement, they talk about clearance rates, response times and enforcement productivity. There is no law that says we have to measure those things only and not, for example, officer well-being. It is just what we choose to do. It is a question of budgets. We always measure what we love. Richard Kyte is director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University. He also is a community member of the La Crosse Tribune editorial board. Love 1 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As lawmakers in New York stand in thunderous ovation at the passage of a bill to legalize very late-term abortions, and East Coast governors advocate for legislation to allow doctors to take the life of a newborn baby that survives an abortion attempt, lawmakers in Wisconsin have courageously passed legislation to provide protections to the most vulnerable in our state. Among the legislative proposals passed by the Assembly last week include a bill to protect infants who survive an abortion attempt, and another bill to protect children from being aborted due to race, gender or because they have a disability such as Down syndrome. This is a wonderful development. Unfortunately, our divisive governor, Tony Evers, is siding with nation's largest abortion company, Planned Parenthood, by rejecting these reasonable proposals. His position is understandable considering the significant financial support this highly partisan group gave to him last election...that's what politicians do. But what is most disappointing is that our local representative, Steve Doyle, voted against these compassionate laws. The self-anointed "Mr. Bipartisan" has revealed that the praise this career politician gives himself for being bipartisan is unjustified and completely inaccurate. As an East Coast movement supporting late term-abortions and infanticide threatens the lives of the most vulnerable in America, citizens must rise up and demand that Rep. Doyle has a change of heart when the time comes to overturn the inevitable vetoes of the highly partisan Gov. Evers. Anthony Carver, La Crosse Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 7 Recently a friend shared a response he received from his letter to Sen. Jennifer Shilling. His letter was regarding giving driver licenses to undocumented or illegal individuals plus state-issued l.D. cards. Gov. Tony Evers thinks it's a great idea to shower benefits to all who cross into Wisconsin. His chief lackey, Sen. Shilling, backs him 100%. First of all, what is it about undocumented or illegal that neither of those two understand? If someone from another country wants to come here, they are welcome, as long as they become citizens of this state and country through proper channels. There are those among us who call Madison a sanctuary city. That term should not apply. We have enough people on welfare in this state right now. During a recent visit to our capitol city, I saw firsthand the homeless begging for money all over Madison. The liberals just dont get it. We cannot continue to give entitlement programs to people, whether legal or illegal. Somewhere down the line someone has to pay for all of it. And that someone is the taxpayer. Evers and Shilling have the answer, of course; raise taxes! Lets put new taxes on everything we can think of so we can continue entitlement programs for able-bodied people too lazy to find a job. Something has got to change, folks. Fred Kurtz, Onalaska Love 4 Funny 4 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 6 SYDNEY, Australia - The view over Sydney's harbor is postcard-perfect. Long blue fingers of water reach into the metropolis, creating peaceful mini-harbors cluttered with sailing ships. Yellow ferries and gleaming yachts crisscross the harbor, surrounded by a city of cliffs, palms, evergreens and, beyond, the famous beaches of Bondi and Manly. The Opera House, ceramic sails unfurled, sits at the heart - an architectural marvel and a survivor of cost overruns and political backbiting that now, half a century later, is Sydney's Eiffel Tower. Soaring above it all is a steel arch bridge, the largest and widest of its kind in the world, carrying traffic in eight lanes, trains in two and joggers and cyclists in two others. It also is a span that sets hearts pounding. Two decades ago, a member of the Young Presidents' Organization decided to escort visiting company chiefs on a climb to the top of that bridge to take in the best view in Sydney. He turned it into a business, and more than 3 million people have made the climb, day and night, summer and winter. It is - perversely, some might say - described not only as an adventure for people willing to pay more than $200, but also as a cure for what ails you, if what ails you is a fear of heights. The highest point is 440 feet, or 44 stories, above the water. They haven't lost a single climber, the people of Bridge Climb Sydney like to say. But, as with so many marketing pitches, that isn't the whole story. I admit to some nervousness as two friends and I approached our appointment for a climb earlier this year. We had chosen the "twilight climb," beginning just before 6 p.m. We had spent the previous two days exploring Sydney - taking a ferry to Manly and walking along scenic Bondi Beach and those nearby, beloved by surfers. My traveling companions were friends from my L.A. suburb. We have been taking short vacations together for two decades, stealing time from busy work schedules with short jet-lag-be-damned trips to faraway locales. Machu Picchu in Peru was our first adventure, followed by Iguazu Falls in South America, Petra in Jordan, Delhi and the Taj Mahal in India, Mexico City and, most recently, Tibet. The Bridge Climb was my friend Rich's idea. I don't like heights, but I agreed to go along. As we roamed the city taking photos in the days leading to our climb, the bridge was a constant backdrop, streams of climbers visible from miles away. When the evening of the climb arrived, we checked in at the southern end of the bridge. Each climbing group is limited to 12, with a guide. We began by filling out legal release forms, not exactly confidence-inspiring, but a feature of our modern world. We also blew into a breathalyzer. No one can summit with an alcohol level of .05 percent or more - a little more than half of what it takes to put you on the wrong side of the law when driving in California. Adam, our guide, and his helpers stripped us of all of our earthly possessions - sunglasses, watches, hats, money, billfolds, iPhones. (One climber got to keep his hearing aids.) We changed into blue Star Trek-like jumpsuits and were outfitted with harnesses and a circular plastic device to hook to the guy wires on the bridge. We put on headlamps and tied handkerchiefs around our wrists to ward off flop sweat. We climbed sets of steep steel stairs indoors to get a feel for what we were about to face. Finally, we were each given a wireless headset so we could hear our leader on the bridge. An hour had passed by the time our band emerged onto long, narrow wooden planks - already 30 feet or so above street level - and started our march on the span, beginning with a walk along a catwalk above the passing traffic. Adam, formerly a police officer, told us about the bridge and the landmarks visible across the harbor. "Only" six workers had died falling into the water during construction in the 1920s and early '30s, he said. That didn't provide much comfort. We eventually arrived at the spot over the water where the bridge begins its upward arch. We climbed four steep ladders, about 25 rungs in all, to reach the starting point for the stairway that would take us to the summit. At the top of the stairs, Adam turned to me: "You OK, mate?" As if. I asked: "Does anyone ever turn back?" "All the time," he said. "At this point in the climb, I've had them crying in a puddle on the stairs." That's why, he added, other guides are stationed at the top of the stairs to take the less-than-happy folks back down. But, he added, "You look all right to me, mate." I briefly imagined the scene - an able-bodied adult begging to be taken back to terra firma. Somehow, that didn't seem right. So on I went. As we climbed the arch step by step to the top, I tried to recall the instructions I'd read online: Don't look down (not easy, of course, because you have to look at your feet on the stairs) and breathe. I found myself holding my breath anyway and began thinking, "Is this supposed to be fun?" But I kept climbing, hooked to the steel guy wire by a piece of plastic that I doubted would support my weight if I ended up dangling over the water. My friends Rich and Steve, happily oblivious to the danger, chattered with Adam about how high we were, and the guide kept pointing out sights in the water - way down below. At the summit, underneath giant Australian flags unfurled in a 20 mph wind, the view across the harbor was captivating. A sea plane passed just 50 feet overhead. Birds flew well below us. We could see the beaches beyond the harbor and planes taking off from the airport eight miles away. We turned left to walk across the top of the bridge, pausing to watch the giant orange sun make a stunning 10-minute plunge beneath the water. The twinkle of Sydney's tall buildings grew brighter, the skyline as majestic as Hong Kong's. After reaching the lower level, we again walked along a catwalk with clear views of the passing traffic below on one side and water - lots of water - on the other. My main thought was that this would be much less stressful with about .05 percent alcohol in my body. We were finally back, about three hours after we had arrived at headquarters. The Bridge Climb people like to talk about all the folks who conquer their fear of heights on the journey. I suppose it's true. Fear of heights is a funny thing. Some experience it on a rocky outcropping over the ocean, some in an airplane and some climbing on a steel girder vibrating from rush-hour traffic below. I get it when I'm on my roof at home. Is the Bridge Climb a cure for a lifelong fear of heights? Perhaps. 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Invenergy Renewables LLC, C.A. No. 11830-VCL, is a corporate disagreement that requires the court to interpret the contract and then establish the proper measure of damages. Which is very complicated, with the courts disagreeing on what the benefit of the bargain was, what needs to be considered to put the party in the position they would have been in but for the breach, and how the theory of efficient breach affects all of this. Damages is always a unit that makes my students' heads hurt, and this is a case that reminds me why! h/t to Eric Chiappinelli from Texas Tech! https://lawprofessors.typepad.com/contractsprof_blog/2019/05/contract-damages-measures-can-be-super-complicated.html In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask you enter in the text you see in the image below so we can confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation. Many people cannot live without modern technology products, especially their mobile phones. They use the devices to stay in contact with family and friends. The most common method of communication is by sending written text messages, a custom known as texting. A new study suggests that more than half of U.S. parents believe texting while driving a car or other vehicle is unsafe. Yet most of those questioned say they do it anyway. The finding was reported earlier this month in the scientific publication JAMA Pediatrics. Researchers questioned 435 parents from across the United States. These men and women lived in 45 of the 50 states. Regan Bergmark led the survey. Bergmark is a medical doctor with Brigham and Womens Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. She told the Reuters news agency that many people believe texting while driving is unsafe but have also likely done it. She said that this then creates a false sense of security. It strengthens their beliefs that they personally are in no danger. In fact, the survey found that 52 percent of millennial parents said they thought it was never safe to text and drive. The same goes for 58 percent of older parents. But almost two-thirds of parents reported reading texts while driving, and more than half of them have also written texts, the researchers found. For the survey, millennials were defined as individuals being from 22 to 37 years of age. The millennial generation includes many digital natives, meaning they grew up with smartphones and other mobile devices. The survey also found millennial parents were more likely to have many other dangerous habits while driving than older parents. They were more likely to use email while driving and drive faster than the speed limit. The problem with smartphones is that they have become an unavoidable part of daily life for most people, Bergmark said. Many people are expected to be reachable by phone or email immediately, to be reachable for their children or work, she added. Being a responsible adult therefore often means always being reachable - yet we also know that while driving, being reachable carries with it the risk of a crash. Almost 16 percent of millennial parents and 10 percent of older parents in the survey said they had been in at least one crash over the past year. Compared to people who did not experience a crash, those who did were much more likely to have a number of unsafe driving habits. These include driving over the speed limit, texting, emailing, and doing other things on their phones, the survey found. About three in four parents said they did not remember their childs doctor speaking to them about distracted driving or the dangers of texting while driving. Only about one in four millennials and about one in six older parents had used computer application software or smartphone programs aimed at reducing distracted driving. The study was not a controlled experiment designed to prove whether or how texting or other activities might cause crashes. It was also not designed to prove if any given interventions might help reduce this risk. In general, it is never safe to use a smartphone while driving, said Despina Stavrinos. She is the director of the Translational Research for Injury Prevention Laboratory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was not involved in the study. There are a number of apps that can help to limit distracted driving, by disabling cell phone features when the vehicle is in motion, Stavrinos said. The simplest thing to do is to put the phone out of sight and out of reach to reduce the temptation to drive distracted. "However, they are not the only dangerous source of distraction," she added. Im Dorothy Gundy. Lisa Rapaport reported on this story for the Reuters news service. Pete Musto adapted it for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. We want to hear from you. How might officials reduce cell phone use and other habits that lead to distracted driving? Write to us in the Comments Section. _____________________________________________________________ Words in This Story mobile adj. able to be moved millennial adj. relating to a millennium a period of a thousand years digital adj. using or characterized by computer technology smartphone(s) n. a mobile telephone that can be used to send and receive e-mail, connect to the Internet and take photographs habit(s) n. something that a person does often in a regular and repeated way distracted adj. unable to think about or pay attention to something application n. a formal and usually written request for something (such as a job, admission to a school, a loan feature(s) n. an interesting or important part, quality or ability temptation n. a strong urge or desire to have or do something Lance Horozewski leads Rock County's public agency that connects families and children to the support services they need. One difficult element of his work requires connecting particularly vulnerable kids to residential care centers where they can safely receive treatment for complex mental and emotional health needs. In an ideal world, Horozewski and the county's Division of Children, Youth and Families would find local facilities. In a less ideal but still acceptable scenario, he would look to place children within a short drive from their homes in southern Wisconsin. In reality, though, Horozewski is forced to send many children more than 600 miles south to a facility outside of Memphis, Tennessee. "Definitely, it's a problem," Horozewski said. And it's a problem that extends beyond Rock County. Horozewski's department began having more difficulty placing children with complex mental health needs in facilities in Wisconsin around 2015. It has become especially difficult to secure beds for kids who require the most complex care, he said, including children with aggression and who are at high risk for suicide. Many of the children from Rock County requiring complex care have been sent to Youth Villages near Memphis. While Horozewski is satisfied with the care they've received there, he said the sheer distance children are being sent from their homes in Wisconsin can create a barrier for lasting change. "They're very disconnected," Horozewksi said, whether it be from their families or from local treatment and transition services. "It's hard to transition kids back to the community when they're so far away," he said. Hundreds of children in Wisconsin's child welfare and juvenile justice systems who have complex behavioral health needs are being sent for care to facilities outside of the state as far away as New Hampshire and New Mexico as the number of care options within the state dwindles. Some of those children have received treatments not allowed at comparable facilities in Wisconsin, including forced sedation, according to advocates who say the state is failing to meet the needs of some of its most vulnerable residents. Data from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, which tracks out-of-home placements of children in state systems, show that as recently as 2014, Wisconsin sent only about two dozen children for care outside of the state. But since 2015, that number has steadily risen, with more than 100 placements in out-of-state care facilities in both 2017 and 2018. At the same time, these data show the number of beds at in-state licensed residential care centers, the facilities equipped to care for children with complex needs, fell from 1,291 to 950 between 2012 and 2018, a drop of more than 25%. The dislocation of out-of-state placements Lance Horozewski is not the only professional worried about the effect of such long distances on children who are already emotionally and mentally vulnerable. The growing scarcity of out-of-home care options in Wisconsin for children with complex needs is raising alarms among attorneys and social workers in the state's juvenile justice and child welfare systems. They say sending children with needs that are often linked to traumatic pasts to facilities hundreds of miles away from their homes is undesirable for the children and their families, and burdensome to the service providers who work with them. Eileen Fredericks is an assistant state public defender based in Dane County who represents children charged with crimes, as well as teenagers in the state's child welfare system who are victims of abuse and neglect. Occasionally, the children Fredericks represents require out-of-home care for complex behavioral health needs similar to those described by Horozewksi. She said finding facilities in Wisconsin for these children has become increasingly difficult over the last three years. Fredericks wrote about the problem in a March 2018 newsletter for the State Bar of Wisconsin. "[In] a lot of ways, these children are on their own," she wrote. "Social workers cannot have the same knowledge and experience with placements when the placements are all over the country and many are a lengthy plane ride away." More than a year later, Fredericks said in an interview with WisContext that the situation has not improved. "Most of the kids with high needs are being sent out of state now," Fredericks said. "I do think it's a huge problem." The children's needs are almost always mental-health related, she explained, and include aggression, self-harm, suicidal ideation and a tendency to run away, which can put them at risk for trafficking. A lack of local facilities or even facilities elsewhere in Wisconsin that are capable of serving them means these children are often sent far away from everyone and everything they know. Fredericks and other advocates described the problem in Wisconsin Public Television's May 2019 documentary Not Enough Apologies. The documentary includes the case of a 14-year-old girl from Wisconsin who was placed in a residential facility south of Little Rock, Arkansas. "I want to go home. I really do," the girl said. "[N]one of the other facilities would accept me in Wisconsin." Benjamin Gonring, an assistant state public defender and a colleague of Fredericks', said the girl's situation, and the situations of dozens of children like her, has prompted him to speak out about a system he views as plainly unjust. "Things have gotten to a point where were sending kids hundreds of miles away from whatever supports they have, which are not great, but they're still the most important supports in that kid's life," Gonring said in the documentary. "And the idea that were sending them 500, 900 miles away was just unconscionable to me." Fredericks agreed. "Obviously we don't like for kids to be so far away from families," Fredericks told WisContext. "A lot of the kids who are in treatment centers [in Wisconsin] can visit their families every week. That's not happening in these out-of-state facilities." The long distances are also a problem for the children's Wisconsin-based advocates, Fredericks added. "It's just really hard for us to have oversight in terms of social workers visiting and people kind of knowing what's going on," she said, adding that it can be difficult to adequately vet far flung facilities prior to a placement. As with the children that Rock County serves, several of Fredericks' clients have received care at Youth Villages, which she said has a reputation for providing quality care. In fact, more than a third of children sent for out-of-state care in 2017 and 2018 went to Youth Villages campuses in Tennessee and Georgia, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families data show. However, Fredericks also noted out-of-state facilities where Wisconsin children have been sent whose quality of care she considers subpar or inappropriately severe. In particular, Fredericks described the case of a boy whom she began representing after he had been placed in a different care facility in another state. "[He] really hated it there and had a lot of bad experiences there," she said. "It felt very prison-like to him." The boy has since returned to Wisconsin and transitioned to foster care, Fredericks said, but not before a drawn-out period in which she struggled to find an alternative placement for him. The experience exposed to Fredericks just how risky the state's dependence on relatively unknown out-of-state facilities can be. "It's hard for us to argue against a place that we don't know that much about when it's kind of the only option," she said. "And some of the out-of-state places are really extreme." Again, she singled out the same facility, where Fredericks said a colleague's client was regularly and forcibly sedated, a practice that is prohibited in Wisconsins residential care centers. A broader child welfare crisis The rise in out-of-state placements for children with complex needs has coincided not only with a slide in residential care facility beds in Wisconsin, but with a rise in the total number of children in the state's child welfare system. "When you look across the state, county child welfare systems are literally overwhelmed," said Jason Witt, director of the La Crosse County Human Services Department. "This is really a crisis," he added, explaining what counties are facing in a May 10 interview on Wisconsin Public Television's Here & Now. "In recent years, we've seen just a surge of children entering our foster care system, to such an extent that we are struggling to find enough foster homes to keep children local and even at some times within the state," Witt said, adding that the rise has been fueled by opioid and methamphetamine abuse. The number of children in Wisconsin outside of Milwaukee County who are in foster care and other out-of-home care has risen 40% since 2012, he said. This surge in children entering the foster care system has stretched county budgets and strained service providers. "County social workers who work tirelessly in [out-of-home placements] have experienced a huge increase to their caseloads, Portage County Executive Chris Holman wrote in an April 29 op-ed published in local newspapers. "This causes worker burnout, increased turnover and best-practices for child welfare often go unmet simply because there aren't enough people or hours in the day to do everything that's required." Though children with complex care needs who are being sent to out-of-state care facilities represent just one small part of the overall system, their situations are symptomatic of the wider crisis, advocates say. Searching for solutions Advocates point to specific issues that they say are contributing to the rise in out-of-state care. Most are thought to be contributing to the dwindling number of adequate facilities and total beds in the state. Among these factors are state bans on certain practices considered standard in residential care facilities elsewhere. This does not include forced sedations, which advocates say Wisconsin rightfully bans in residential settings. Instead, Eileen Fredericks, Lance Horozewski and others point to the state's ban on cameras in residential care centers, as well as to a lack of legal clarity about whether such facilities can include locked wings. Addressing these two issues through statutory changes are among several recommendations Horozewski and other stakeholders across the state made in a March 2018 report for the state Department of Children and Families. The report, solicited by the agency, also proposed a new service model for children with complex needs that would allow for easier transitions between levels of care and improve access to "wraparound" services that providers say are often a linchpin for successful transitions out of residential care. One issue not explicitly addressed in the report is the cost of care and its relationship with how much residential care providers are allowed to charge for their services. Linda Hall is the executive director of the Wisconsin Association of Family and Children's Agencies and led the stakeholder group that produced the state's report along with Horozewski. In addition to the recommendations outlined in the report, Hall said she would like to see the state modify how it regulates provider rates. In 2011, state regulations previously signed into law by Gov. Jim Doyle took effect. These rules require operators of group homes and residential care centers to charge rates determined by the Department of Children and Families on an annual basis. Hall blamed rate regulation for a worsening financial position among the states residential care providers, which she said sometimes cannot charge enough to stay afloat. These requirements "led to providers getting rates that were less than adequate for covering costs," Hall said. "That led to agencies not growing their business or cutting back." For his part, Horozewski said the issue of rate regulation falls outside of his scope of work. Still, he said, "the rates we are paying to send kids out of state are substantially higher than local rates," indicating that the set rates for residential care providers in Wisconsin are lower than those in some other states. On top of those costs, counties must send social workers to meet with out-of-state children at least once a month. Travel costs can quickly add up when those children are in Tennessee or Georgia, or any of the dozen or so other states where children have been placed. Both Hall and Horozewski acknowledged that a host of contributing factors can't be solved with statutory or regulatory changes, including local workforce shortages and the wider rise of children in the welfare system. Wendy Henderson took over in March as the administrator for the division of safety and permanence at the Department of Children and Families, with a purview that includes residential care centers. She said the department under the administration of Gov. Tony Evers is looking forward to working with stakeholders to reduce the number of children sent out-of-state for care. "I think that it's everybody's preference throughout the child welfare system that kids first and foremost be served in their home if they can be served safely there, and in the event that they can't that they're served in the closest place to home and in the least restrictive environment," Henderson said. She said her division is beginning a strategic planning process with providers and county partners that could take up recommendations outlined in the agency's 2018 report. She also signaled openness to adjusting how the state sets provider rates. Above all, however, Henderson said Wisconsin is committed to reducing the need for out-of-home care in the first place, a priority of the federal Family First Prevention Services Act of 2017, which was passed in 2018 federal budget. That could help free up beds for those children with the highest needs, Henderson said. "I think we're going to see some pretty significant shifts back toward some more home-based service, and for the kids with the complex needs what we can do in-state to try to meet their needs," she said. "We've got a lot of work to do." Please register or log in to keep reading. No credit card required! Stay logged in to skip the surveys. Hoping to finally realize a transportation initiative that has been in the planning stages for a number of years, city officials are moving toward implementing a bus rapid transit system. But dropping a faster, more efficient people mover into the middle of a densely developed city will be a daunting challenge. With little capacity to expand streets, Madison will have to make hard choices about whether to trade some on-street parking or regular traffic lanes for dedicated bus routes. It will also be costly. An initial route roughly from East Towne to West Towne malls will require a capital outlay of $80 million to $100 million plans call for much of that to come through federal funding and could cost about $3 million annually to run. On the benefit side of the ledger, supporters say, BRT would boost capacity for Metro Transit, cut travel times, serve as a catalyst for economic development, contribute to energy and carbon reductions, and provide a more equitable transit system because low-income people and minorities are most affected by long travel times. Bus rapid transit, or BRT, is a high-frequency, high-capacity, limited-stop service that would run on city streets and dedicated lanes. It would use snazzier, 60-foot-long buses that bend at the center and have low floors, three doors and technology to extend green lights and other traffic signal improvements. Stations would be equipped with concrete platforms, shelters, benches and lighting, ticket vending machines, real-time bus information, bike racks and perhaps heating. We need to find a way to meet everyones transit needs, said Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway, who urged quick action on the project during her campaign. The best way to do that is through BRT. City leaders, who hope to open the initial east-west route by 2024, are preparing to seek federal funding that could cover up to 80% of capital costs while also exploring how to fund operations in a tight city budget thats constrained by state levy limits. In the last five years, Madison has approved 14,000 dwelling units that will create an additional 120,000 daily trips, city transportation director Tom Lynch said. And in the last three years, the city has approved 3.3 million square feet of office space, generating 60,000 more daily trips, he said. The citys population is projected to grow from 255,200 in 2017 to 292,500 in 2050 or up to 355,000 if growth continues at the same rate as from 1990 to 2017, Lynch said. Dane County is projected to grow from 536,000 in 2017 to 638,000 over that period, or more than one million if growth mirrors the last 27 years, he said. But the citys main arteries, such as East Washington and University avenues and Park Street, have scant prospects for expansion, officials said. We are growing. It is our desire to grow, said David Trowbridge, the citys principal transportation planner. (But) we dont have the roadway capacity. Starting in 2011, the Madison Area Transportation Planning Board began shaping a long-term vision for BRT and officials have been methodically pursuing a system ever since. Route choices In East Madison, the route would run from East Towne along East Washington Avenue with a jog to Madison Area Technical College then returning to East Washington Avenue to Downtown. There are two Downtown route options. One would hug Capitol Square, which would be fastest but require moving some local bus routes off State Street and having BRT buses on at least a part of the Square during the Dane County Farmers Market and 70-plus annual events. Wed like BRT on the Square, Lynch said. Its the obvious place where youd like your premium transit service. The second option would run to the south of the Square using streets a block or more away, which would serve stations close to State Street, Monona Terrace and the City-County and Madison Municipal buildings, but require changes to Henry Street and removal of parking on Broom Street. There are two choices for West Madison. The first would go from University Avenue through the Hill Farms area to Whitney Way to Mineral Point Road past West Towne, which would be fastest and use existing dedicated bus lanes but may require relocation of the West Transfer Point. The alternative would also go from University Avenue through Hills Farms to Whitney Way but continue to Odana Road and on to West Towne. It would serve Market Square and Westgate malls, provide better service to UW Research Park and West Towne, and allow expansion of the West Transfer Point at or near its current location, but have no dedicated bus lanes on Odana Road. A delicate balance In some places, such as Mineral Point Road, the city has dedicated bus lanes that would be ideal for BRT. But many other corridors East Washington Avenue, University Avenue and Odana Road dont have those. That could mean eliminating a lane of vehicle traffic or parking, or devising ways to let BRT buses get around traffic at stoplights. For example, the buses could use a short priority lane at stoplights to pass stopped cars and get their own green signals before other vehicles. Accommodating the buses means weighing trade-offs. On East Washington Avenue, for example, converting an existing lane of traffic to a BRT lane would make the bus trip between Blair Street and East Towne 30% faster, but it would cause regular vehicle traffic to run one and a half to two times slower. Removing a parking lane between Blair and First streets for a BRT lane would make the bus trip 20% faster and wouldnt slow regular traffic but would force parking onto side streets. Allowing the buses to jump the queue at stoplights or creating bypass lanes would eliminate some parking while making the bus trip 20% faster with no impact on regular vehicle times. Its kind of a delicate balance, Trowbridge said. Rhodes-Conway said it would be absolutely critical for the city to get the system right. That does mean were going to have to dedicate right of way, she said. What that looks like depends on the corridor. Another reason to get it right: Its harder to reroute BRT than a normal bus line, especially Downtown. Riders would pay fares at the stations, which will be located one-third to a half-mile apart and would be far more substantial and expensive than regular bus shelters. The city doesnt expect to acquire private property for the system and will only have to cut into street terraces for about 5% percent of the route for lanes or stations, Lynch said. BRT will complement, not compete with, Metros regular bus system, but there will be changes to local routes, Lynch said. It does mean well have to change, he said. Well have to make hard choices. Hunt for funding And theres no getting around the cost. The estimated $80 million to $100 million in initial costs would cover the east-west route for the longer electric buses, stations, and modifications to roads, Lynch said. The city will seek grants from the Federal Transit Administration to cover up to 80% of capital costs, he said. The grants are non-competitive, meaning the city will get the money if it meets certain criteria, which include a justification for the project and some local funding. At the same time, the city faces other major capital costs for Metro, including $57 million for repairs at its sprawling bus garage at 1101 E. Washington Ave., and $15 million to $30 million for a satellite bus storage facility, a precursor to BRT. The city is negotiating with owners of the former Oscar Mayer facility on the East Side to buy part of the property for that use. The bigger challenge, however, may be the roughly 5%, or about $3 million, annual increase in Metros operations budget BRT would bring, officials said. The Republican-controlled state Legislature has opposed establishment of Regional Transit Authorities, which would have the capacity to levy taxes. As an alternative, the city is looking at a mix of sources including more transit funding in the state budget, revenues from an expected 10% to 15% increase in ridership, vehicle registration fees, regional partnerships, and a newer concept called Local Transportation Options, which work like an RTA but provide benefits to communities without transit systems. The city has sponsored well-attended public meetings to kick off the east-west BRT planning study and share preliminary alternatives, the latter session attended by more than 100 people Wednesday. A third public meeting will be held in July. To learn more, or to participate in a survey and provide other suggestions, visit go.madison.com/brt. The city will submit its federal grant application in the fall of 2020. If successful, the first phase of could be completed as soon as 2024. We are growing. It is our desire to grow. (But) we dont have the roadway capacity. David Trowbridge, principal transportation planner for city of Madison 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. Q: What is the rule on police going into bars? Can they really go into bars anytime that they want to? What are they looking for when they do go in? -Lisa A: First, lets address the rule about police going into bars. Police have the authority to inspect bars to make sure that all state, city or counties ordinances and rules are being followed. The law says they can inspect at any time but what that usually means is within business hours. Idaho code 23-930 reads: The director or his duly authorized representative, the sheriff of any county, a constable, or other police officer, shall have the right at any time to make an examination of the premises of any licensee as to whether the laws of the state of Idaho, the rules and regulations of the director, and the ordinances of any city are being complied with and shall also have the right to inspect the cars of any railroad system licensed under this act. If an establishment refuses to allow officers in, it constitutes a misdemeanor which as readers should all know by now means that a person could get to go to jail as well. What police are looking for most of the time is after-hours drinking. Remember, after 1:30 a.m. alcohol in our area cannot be consumed. That means you have a half-hour to finish that drink once 1:00 a.m. hits. Also no alcohol can be sold after 1:00 a.m. We also look for people drinking illegally which includes underage drinking and not having a legal identification card with the person drinking. Idaho code 23-943A reads: It shall be a misdemeanor for any person to refuse to present identification indicating age, when requested by a peace officer of the state of Idaho when: (a) he or she shall possess, purchase, attempt to purchase or consume alcoholic liquor, as defined by section 23-105, Idaho Code; or (b) he or she shall possess, purchase, attempt to purchase or consume beer as defined by section 23-1001, Idaho Code; or he or she is on a premises licensed to sell liquor by the drink at retail, or licensed to sell beer for consumption on the premises. I will say that we are not there to pick on people that are having legal fun (add your definition here) but to keep it safe and not have a favorite bar get shut down for doing something illegal. Officer down Please put these officers, killed in the line of duty, and their families in your prayers. They fought the good fight, now may they rest in peace. God bless these heroes. Police Officer Robert McKeithen, Biloxi Police, Mississippi Police Officer Anthony Neri, Sanibel Police, Florida Trooper Matthew Gatti, Tennessee Highway Patrol Sergeant Kelvin Ansari, Savannah Police, Georgia Have a question for Policeman Dan? Email your question(s) to policemandan@cableone.net or look for Ask Policemandan on Facebook and click the like button. Mail to: Box 147, Heyburn, Idaho 83336 Dan Bristol is the City of Heyburn Chief of Police. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 TWIN FALLS The College of Southern Idaho Community Education Center will off Shotokan Karate at two times this summer: 6 to 8 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays and 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. Saturdays June 3 to Aug. 26. Classes will be located in Recreation Center 236. The fee is $80 plus $25 for a gi purchase. The instructor will be Jesse Clark. Beginners are welcome. Youth ages 14 and older and adults are eligible. Exceptions may be made with the instructors approval. After two sign-ups from the same family for either Karate class, each additional member will cost only $20. If your family qualifies and is interested, call 208-732-6442. Karate is an excellent way to help develop coordination, confidence, physical fitness and mental strength while gaining valuable social skills. Shotokan Karate of America has been teaching traditional Karate since 1955. SKA was founded by Tsutomu Ohshima who was one of Master Funakoshis last direct pupils, studying under him while attending Waseda University in Tokyo, Japan. Ohshima granted Clark permission to instruct SKA in Twin Falls in 2011. Clark, 3rd degree black belt, is the head Karate and self-defense instructor for CSI. He fought for the U.S. Team in France in 2014 and in Switzerland in 2017. For more information, go to twinfalls.ska.org. To register, call 208-732-6442 or email dgause@csi.edu or go to quondam.csi.edu/forms/community/registration/index.asp or csi.edu/communityed. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Volunteers Idaho Home Health and Hospice is looking for volunteers who are willing to donate their time, to bring compassion, support and dignity to loving patients and their families. Volunteers can choose to read, sit with patients or write letters and help with a patients legacy. Volunteers can assist with crafts, office tasks and support community events. Volunteers can provide bereavement and help to appreciate and celebrate veterans. Information: Diana Lerh, 208-734-4061 or Diana.Lerh@LHCgroup.com. Volunteers Hospice Visions Inc. is looking for volunteers to spend an hour or two a week visiting and sharing time with patients and their families. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and activities with patients at assisted living centers. Hospice Visions is also looking for men and women to serve as Veteran-to-Veteran volunteers for veteran patients. All ages of veterans from all branches of service are welcome to join the volunteer forces as part of the We Honor Veterans program. Information: Nora Wells, volunteer coordinator at Hospice Visions, 208-735-0121 or nwells@hospicevisions.org. Volunteers Light of Hope, formerly Safe Harbor, is a nonprofit run by volunteers in helping those in need in the Magic Valley. Hot homemade meals are served at 5 p.m. Sundays and at 5:30 p.m. Thursdays. Light of Hope is in need of nonperishable food items. Food boxes are handed out and donations are received from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursdays at the center, 213 Fifth Ave. W., Twin Falls. To volunteer: Zandra, 208-735-8787. Volunteers The donation of your time will have an impact on the life of one of the clients served by Interlink Volunteer Caregivers that live in the area. As a volunteer, you choose how much time to share. The biggest need for volunteers is with Transportation Services for medical appointments, treatments and pharmacy pick up. IVC reimburses mileage monthly. Information: interlinkidaho@gmail.com or 208-733-6333. Volunteers Pomerelle Place Senior Living in Burley is looking for volunteers to play bingo, games and cards with the residents and complete crafts. Information: Carla Thompson, 208-677-8212. Volunteers The Twin Falls County Historical Society is seeking volunteers for various programs and general support. Volunteers are needed to clean or work on docent projects and fundraising. No minimum amount of hours, commitment is flexible. Fill out an application at the Twin Falls County Historical Museum, 21337 U.S 30, open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Information: 208-736-4675. Volunteers The Jerome County Historical Society is looking for volunteers to help at the Depot Museum, 212 E. First St., Jerome, and also to help with clean-up this spring at the Idaho Farm and Ranch Museum before the Live History Day event June 8. IFARM is at 520 S. 450 E., Jerome, near the U.S. 93 and Interstate 84 junction. The Depot Museum is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday (closed on holidays and Live History Day). Information: 208-324-5641. Volunteers St. Lukes Magic Valley Medical Center is in need of volunteers for a variety of positions from shuttle drivers to gift shop volunteers. Volunteers will have opportunities to meet new people and learn new experiences and challenges. The medical center is looking for friendly individuals with an interest in voluntary services offered to patients, visitors, employees and guests. Information: Kim Patterson, 208-814-0861 or kimpa@slhs.org, or visit the Volunteer Services Office on the lower level of St. Lukes Magic Valley, 801 Pole Line Road W., Twin Falls. Applications are available at the Front Information Desk at the hospital. Volunteers The Twin Falls Senior Centers Crazy Quilters ladies group is looking for volunteers to put finishing touches on quilts. The group meets from 9 a.m. to noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. All quilt-project proceeds are donated to the senior center. Information: 208-734-5084. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Lebanese and foreign dignitaries as well as ordinary people paid tribute to the cardinal. The incumbent Patriarch al-Rahi described his predecessor as an "unshakable rock" and a "man of reconciliation". For Card Sandri, he performed his mission in turbulent circumstances". Emile Lahoud, who was president during the Syria era, and Hezbollah were among the few no-shows. Beirut (AsiaNews) Thousands of people, from every walk of life and religious background, travelled to Bkerke to take part yesterday afternoon in the farewell ceremony of former Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Nasrallah Boutros Sfeir, who passed away last Sunday. The funeral of the Patriarch Emeritus, celebrated as the great guardian of national unity, began at 5 pm with the arrival of Lebanese President Michel Aoun, Prime Minister Saad Hariri and Parliamentary Speaker Nabih Berri. In the funeral prayer the incumbent Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi spoke for all Lebanese when he said that Card Sfeirs death is "a national loss". Viewed as "the patriarch of the second independence, he was an iron patriarch and an unshakable rock", the man of "national reconciliation" capable of resisting "without weapons, sword, or missiles". Patriarch Sfeir worked on removing barriers, enhancing national unity and strengthening coexistence, which he considered to be Lebanon's essence," Rahi added. Card Leonardo Sandri, Prefect of the Congregation for Eastern Churches, attended the service. In his address, he said that the Patriarch was a "free and brave man who performed his mission in turbulent circumstances like those of war and Syrias occupation. He always defended "his country's sovereignty and independence" and promoted dialogue in Lebanese society at the ecumenical, interreligious and social level. Lebanese President Michel Aoun awarded Card Sfeir the Lebanese order of merit of the Grand Cordon grade. In addition to Lebanese officials, the funeral was attended by Vatican officials (including the Apostolic Nuncio to Syria Card Mario Zenari), French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian and representatives of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Jordan. "Patriarch Sfeir is the father of peace and coexistence in Lebanon and today we're taking part in the funeral at the Saudi leadership's orders," Saudi Ambassador to Lebanon Walid al-Bukhari said. Amid the many political figures stood out the absence of former Lebanese President Emile Lahoud, a major figure of the "Syrian" era, and pro-Syrian Shia party Hezbollah representatives. By contrast, the Druze delegation was already present at the Patriarchate in the morning. The formal aspects of the ceremony notwithstanding, the liturgical service saw huge crowds with people coming from every part of the country. Since the morning, families, groups and single individuals attended the hourly Masses, praying in the small church of the patriarchate before the body of the late cardinal. "He is the father of all the Maronites, said a man from Tabarja, the father of our Church; a man of rare strength whose contribution is as important as that of Saint Maron, the first Maronite patriarch. Echoing such view, Maha, a woman who came from Ksara along with a religious fraternity, said that "Someone wanted to make him a partisan of this or that faction. In reality, Patriarch Sfeir was simply a nationalist who fought against injustice and defended Lebanon in all its denominational and partisan components. I waited for his homily every Sunday. He embodied our only hope against the [Syrian] occupation." Metropolis to facilitate digital parking in New Road next week Kathmandu Metropolitan City plans to launch digital parking services in five different places in the New Road area from next week. After the system comes in order, the metropolis says that anyone can check parking space availability in the area through their phones. BOISE Four differing Idahoans the longest serving Republican governor, his former Democratic challenger, the last Democrat to represent the Gem State in Congress, and an Olympic athlete are joining forces to tackle the incivility and partisanship plaguing national politics. Former Republican Gov. Butch Otter and former Democratic U.S. Rep. Walt Minnick are co-chairing a statewide board along with Olympic three-time gold medalist Kristin Armstrong and about two dozen other political, business and community leaders in the state. Helming the endeavor is Keith Allred, who challenged Otter in 2010 and is the new director of The National Institute for Civil Discourse, which was formed following the 2011 shooting of then-U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords. The organizations mission addressing the incivility and dysfunction in American life, and repairing American democracy. Allred, Minnick and Otter met with the Statesman on Tuesday to talk about their vision to replace toxic political discourse with one based on respect and productivity. CONGRESSIONAL DYSFUNCTION NEEDS COMMON-SENSE SOLUTION Longstanding and deeply ingrained dysfunction in Congress and Washington, D.C., shows no sign of righting itself. Part of what has gone wrong, as the parties become more polarized, is they are not picking issues in D.C. right now for the sake of solving them, they are trying to find the best club to beat up on each other with, Allred said. If we are holding our breath waiting for the two parties to solve this current civility crisis, we are going to be disappointed, he added. Allred sees the solution: The American people to step up. I really believe the American people will be our saving grace, he said. I dont think we are going to climb out of this ditch we have gotten into without the American people. We cannot just wait for the political parties and elected officials to do it. Minnick agrees that deeply divided partisanship does not mirror the lives of everyday people. If you look at the major issues of the day, whether they be school shootings, climate change, runaway federal deficits or trade, none of those issues are inherently partisan, he said. All three agree on who can fix the problem the average American and how: find the middle ground. The challenge is giving those in the center the ability and confidence to rise above the cacophony and implement meaningful change. To help accomplish this, Allred wants to create civility boards in each state to lead by example and to champion civil discourse in the country to make the point that this republic wont function if just one party gets to impose its will on everybody else. If you do not bring your best game, to really listen to both sides, you are not going to solve problems, he said. THE IDAHO WAY Otter said Idaho has examples of civility in its past. When I was elected lieutenant governor and (Democrat Cecil Andrus) was governor, Cece and I agreed from the get-go that there were more important problems for the state than either one of our political agendas, Otter said. We had our disagreements in the back office, but that is where they stayed. We got along great, to the chagrin of both of our parties. But not only has Idaho worked to maintain civility among its politicians, it has led on civil discourse and public policy, Allred said. Over the years, leaders from various, sometimes warring, groups have come together to address water issues and to get the Owyhee and Boulder White-Clouds wilderness compromises passed through Congress. I have always believed the best public policy is rendered from full knowledge of both sides, and in some case three sides, Otter said. I think Idaho can be the model. We seem to have our problems from time to time, but we always seem to come back together and get the job done. This Idaho way is one of the reasons Allred, a fifth generation Idahoan, chose his home state to launch his national organizations first bipartisan state advisory board. Allred reached out to Otter, his political rival in the 2010 gubernatorial election (spoiler alert: Otter won), and asked him to co-chair the board. We had a spirited campaign, but we did it in a friendly, civil, even a warm way, Allred said. Otter said his first question was, Who is the other co-chair? When Allred told him it was Minnick, Otter responded, Im in. Walts campaigns were very gentlemanly, Otter said. They were on the issues and they were looking for bi-partisan solutions. Allred invited 24 other Idahoans to the board, some are political powerhouses, like Senate Pro-Tem Brent Hill and House Speaker Scott Bedke, both Republicans, and Democrats Sen. Cherie Buckner-Webb and Rep. Melissa Wintrow. Others included, like Armstrong, are instead community or business leaders. Like most Idahoans, I havent been deeply involved in politics, Armstrong said in a news release. But I strongly believe that we as citizens have to do our part to bring common sense to politics. The National Institute for Civil Discourse will host a public event at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17, in the Simplot Ballroom at the Boise State Student Union Building to introduce its Idaho State Advisory Board and discuss how Idahoans can be part of the effort. Love 4 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 TWIN FALLS New facilities for the Twin Falls Fire Department will be decided on in an election Tuesday. Those living in Twin Falls city limits will vote on a $36 million bond for the fire department to pay for a variety of projects intended to improve and expand firefighter facilities. The bond would provide for construction of three new fire stations to replace the existing three stations. The current stations were built in the 1960s and 1970s and contain numerous health hazards, such as a lack of decontamination rooms, the department says. New stations could improve response time for a growing community by allowing for staff increases including facilities for women firefighters for the first time and providing adequate garage space for trucks. Money would also be spent on a firefighter training facility. The department currently runs drills in parking lots and donated buildings. The total cost is estimated to be $35.4 million and the Twin Falls City Council estimated it would cost residents $74.36 per $100,000 of taxable value. Bond issues in Idaho require a super majority, meaning two-thirds of voters must approve the measure for it to pass. Voters in the Hagerman School District boundaries will also be voting on a levy. Its a renewal of an existing supplemental levy, but the school district is asking for more money $200,000 each year, compared with $150,000 thats in place now. If the supplemental levy renewal passes, property owners with a home valued at $250,000 with a homeowner exemption can expect to pay approximately $13.13 per month for the levy. Thats up from $11.88 per month in 2017. In addition to the fire station and school issues, voters in six Magic Valley highway district will elect commissioners. The candidates are: Twin Falls Highway District Commissioner, Sub-district 2 Gene Kafader Art Baily Commissioner, Sub-district 3 Brian Davis Ron Pierce Murtaugh Joint Highway District (Twin Falls and Cassia counties) Commissioner, Sub-district 3 Rocky T. Matthews Clayton Howard Jerome Highway District Commissioner, zone 1 Mike Praegitzer Larry Covey Hillsdale Highway District (Jerome County) Commissioner zone 3 Vance Lehmann Robert Vern Heath Bliss Highway District (Gooding County) Commissioner, Sub-district 3 Jacob Patterson Joe Kelso Richfield Highway District (Lincoln County) Commissioner, Sub-district 3 (write-in ballot) Brandon Hughes Travis Brownlee Polling locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday and can be found on the county website. Voters will be required to provide personal identification, including an Idaho drivers license or identification card issued by the Idaho Transportation Department, a passport or identification card with a photo issued by a U.S. government agency, a current student identification card with photo from an accredited Idaho school, or a license to carry concealed weapons. Voters who are not already registered may do so at their polling place on Election Day. Editor's note: A previous version of this story said the election is Monday. It is Tuesday. The story also said the improvements are estimated to cost $35.4 billion. The cost would be $35.4 million. The Times-News regrets the errors. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 TWIN FALLS These guys and gals have given it all. State Rep. Linda Wright Hartgen summed up the sacrifice of fallen law enforcement officers during her speech at the Law Enforcement Memorial on Saturday at City Park. These people are just like you and me, she added. She also noted how law enforcement officers have families, bills, and, This is not an easy job. Its very stressful. Admitting reluctance, Hartgen nonetheless included some sobering statistics in her speech, including the fact that 153 officers were killed in the line of duty nationwide in 2018, and 38 so far in 2019. The number of suicides in the law enforcement community is even higher, she said, with post-traumatic stress disorder being a major concern. Hartgen found encouragement, though, in a number of biblical quotes, especially Blessed are the peacemakers, from the Gospel of Matthew. For Rev. Jim ODonnell, that sentiment rang true, as well. Servicing as master of ceremonies for the memorial, ODonnell is the volunteer chaplain for both the Twin Falls Sheriffs Department and the Idaho State Police. He has been organizing the annual memorial for many years. I know the impact on families, he said of the fallen officers. Knowing several of the fallen officers himself, he added, These are personal stories. Were here to honor the fallen, and to thank those who are serving, ODonnell said. The job they do is important. The Law Enforcement Memorial takes place each year during Police Week, which started in 1962 under President John F. Kennedy. May 15 is the heart of that week, designated as Police Officers Memorial Day. Among those in attendance at Saturdays memorial were members of the Iron Warriors Motorcycle Club and the Order of the Garter. Many of the members are active or retired law enforcement officers, said Mike Nussgen, who drove from Boise for the memorial. Weve all been touched by the violence, he said. The disrespect and non-support for law enforcement officers is also a reason the organization is active at such events. Dana Gowan of Twin Falls brought her six-week-old mixed breed puppy, Bling, to the memorial. We came out to show our support. Public officials were also in attendance, with Twin Falls County Prosecutor Grant Loebs voicing his support of the approximately 5,000 law enforcement officers in Idaho. In more than two decades of working as prosecutor, he has seen those officers threatened and placed in danger, while they showed incredible dedication and commitment to duty, he said. It takes a special combination of dedication and integrity, Loebs said. We have so many with those qualities. As he introduced Hartgen, Loebs announced her as the first recipient of the Law Enforcement Legislator of the Year Award for her continued support of issues concerning those in the field. Hartgen received a plaque before taking her place at the podium. The names of Idahos 72 fallen officers were read, and when the names of the nine Magic Valley officers were proclaimed, their fellow officers placed red roses on a display near the band shell. The mother of Jerome County Sheriffs fallen deputy James Moulson being present, the rose was presented to her when his name was read. The memorial concluded with an honor guard firing a 21-gun salute, and Rick Speicher of Twin Falls playing Taps on his bugle. Then, Lighthouse Christian Fellowship provided a lunch as their way to support the many law enforcement officers present, and confirm, as many had said throughout the ceremony, Blessed are the peacemakers. Love 6 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 August 4, 1940May 5, 2019 Jack Burke, Magic Valley resident, passed away peacefully on May 5th, from complications related to cancer. Born John Pat Burke on August 4, 1940 to John and Lucille Burke in Seattle, Washington. He was the youngest of two children, his older sister survives him and resides on Vancouver Island in Canada. In 1959, Jack graduated from Edmonds High School, North of Seattle. He met his eventual wife, Cathy, in 1958 and they dated off and on before Cathy moved to California, and Jack volunteered for the Army Draft. In 1960 he was installed and did his basic training at Fort Ord, CA, before being deployed to the Berlin Crisis of 1961 where he was a heavy truck operator hauling live ammunition near the Berlin Wall. Jack and Cathy reunited after his time in the service and they were married on June 5th, 1964. Shortly after marriage, the two purchased a small farm in Bothell, WA and started their life-long love of horsemanship and rodeo. They had one son, Jay, in September of 1967. They would live there until they moved to Idaho in November of 1974. Jack was always dreaming big, and typically found a way to see the best ones to fruition. His biggest dream was to move to Idaho and live the cowboy life, something he would accomplish in spades over the 45 years he lived there. The family spent many years in Wendell after purchasing a deteriorating old farmhouse and then working tirelessly to turn it into a home. During this time, if Jack wasnt team roping, he was sweating over a home improvement projecthe was very proud of the little farm they created there. Years later they built a horse ranch north of Shoshone where they lived for over 15 years before settling at their current property in Filer. Jack enjoyed a long career in the construction industry, a path he began forging with his first job as a window glazer in the greater Seattle area. In 1980 he began working sales in the Sun Valley area specializing in doors and custom windows, which lead to the final years of his career in Ketchum nurturing his share of ownership at GlassMasters. The Burkes spent many winters in Wickenburg, AZ, to Jack this was the ultimate in living life to the fullest. A person would be hard pressed to find a day in Arizona he wasnt on a horse chasing his passion of team roping. His wifes illness, and then his cancer diagnosis, would sadly prohibit them from visiting Arizona for a few years. Jacks determination was relentless though and he mustered the strength to make one last trip to Arizona in February, staying there for six weeks, all on sheer willpower. We hope Jacks never-say-die attitude stands as a lasting example to his friends and loved ones that there is no time like the present. Dream big, work hard, and you too can be a cowboy. Jack was loved by most everyone he crossed paths with and will be dearly missed by his family, friends, and his trusty horse, Mouse. To all of the magnificent people that have watched over and cared for Jack (and Cathy) during the last few years, there are no words to describe how lucky they were to have you, such genuine love was felt by all of us. Friends, family, hospital staff, hospice care, and the team and BridgeviewThank you. There will be a Celebration of Life for Jack and Cathy on June 8 at the Plant Foods Arena off Hwy 30 east of Filer. A fun roping from 2 to 4 p.m., food served from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP at j-c.rsvpify.com, and we look forward to sharing our fond memories and stories for these two beautiful people. PHILADELPHIA When Brian Sims first ran for state representative in 2012, he ran as a new pro-business voice. He was going to be a bridge builder, brimming with common-sense ideas on pocketbook issues. He never met that promise. Instead, he became many other things: an outdoor adventurer who climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro; a partisan attack dog who accused fellow state Rep. Martina White of saying she wanted to deport all immigrants, something his staff had to admit she never said; and a celebrity activist whose lucrative, nationwide speaking circuit earned him an ethics investigation. He also became the guy who tweeted a photo of himself wearing a suit and a smirk and raising his middle finger to Vice President Mike Pence. Sims captioned the photo saying: (L)et me be the first to officially welcome you to the City of Brotherly Love and my District! Were a City of soaring diversity. We believe in the power of all people. Black, Brown, Queer, Trans, Atheist, & Immigrant. So ... get bent, then get out! Last week, Sims decided to film his own harassment of a woman outside an abortion clinic here in Philadelphia, calling her an old white lady and her beliefs grotesque to her face and to the camera. The clear plan was to incite his audience against this peaceful protester, whom he saw as clearly bigoted and evil. For Twitter observers, the whole act opened the window into a dark, dark place in American culture, a gaping divide none of us quite know how to navigate. And while Sims harassment was, on the one hand, shocking, it was expected. A politician abusing his power thusly to crush religious conservatives is exactly what so many of us have been bracing for. This was no outburst in the heat of a debate. He wasnt reacting to a stressful situation. It also wasnt a talk-show appearance that went sour, nor was it a barroom brawl. He wasnt caught off guard at his home or his office or a campaign event. This was an emboldened, out-of-touch, arrogant elected official who woke up one day last week and made a conscious decision to go to Planned Parenthood for the express purpose of fighting and badgering. And he chose a woman standing by herself. And he didnt start a dialogue. He didnt introduce himself. He badgered her. Repeatedly. Relentlessly. Angrily. He badgered an enemy he himself described as an old lady. Then he badgered women younger than he, asking his Twitter following to identify them and expose them for the crime of being anti-abortion. Sims not only chose to do this; he did this with malice aforethought. And how do we know that? Because he himself filmed it. This wasnt caught on film by an anti-abortion activist or passerby. Sims filmed it all on purpose. Then, having done these things, having behaved this way and presumably, viewed this film, he released it with great fanfare, regaled himself for what he had done and asked people to send money to, in essence, support their shared views, values and cause. We must reflect on this. This is the extreme left acting out in public in exactly the manner they ascribe to conservatives: confrontational, intimidating, with police tactics, berating women, threatening the First Amendment. This stunning behavior premeditated, confrontational, abusive of the power of office, targeted toward women, contrived to gain political benefit occurred and has not been criticized by anyone on the left. No elected Democrat has come out and condemned Sims publicly. Think about that. This is not about anti-abortion and pro-abortion. This is about behavior that is so out of step, so out of line, so shocking to most of America but is allowed to occur without a word of disapproval from half the country. Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst, and a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. She reaches the Everyman and Everywoman through shoe-leather journalism, traveling from Main Street to the beltway and all places in between. To find out more about Salena and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com. Salena Zito is a CNN political analyst, and a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Its a testament to the strength and resilience of the national economy that it keeps surging ahead despite the relentless efforts of Republicans and Democrats to derail it. The recent economic numbers are fantastic, and add to two years of strong growth during the tenure of President Donald Trump. In April, the jobless rate hit its lowest level in five decades, dropping to 3.6% on the addition of 263,000 jobs. And workers are bringing home more money, thanks to both the middle-class tax cuts and a 3.2% hike in wages over the past year. That performance reset the Recession Clock for at least another 11 months out, or longer if unemployment falls further. And contrary to the false claim by Democratic presidential candidate and California Sen. Kamala Harris in Detroit over the weekend, the rise in household income is not the result of most Americans working multiple jobs. Just 5 percent of workers hold more than one job. Orders for durable goods rose 2.7% in March, signaling business is bullish on the future. That sentiment is shared by consumers, whose confidence in the economy rose again in April. Equity markets were shaking off their 2019 sluggishness, steadily gaining ground until this week, when Trump mused that he might impose an additional round of tariffs in the ongoing trade war with China. That sent the Dow tumbling 600 points on Tuesday and was a reminder of the biggest dangers to the economy politics and policy. Who knows how high the stock markets might have risen over the past year had Trump not delved into protectionism. Each new round of tariffs, or tariff threats, has sent stocks tumbling and raised doubts about whether the long bull market is waning. Uncertainty about trade has also impacted investment, particularly by the domestic automobile industry, which has been hit hardest by the levies. Some financial experts are warning that if Trump goes ahead with his threatened 25% tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods, it could send the S&P 500 into a 10% plummet. Thats what the president is doing to himself, and the country. Democrats, meanwhile, are all but openly rooting for a recession, recognizing that the strong economy is the best hope Trump has of winning reelection. Not content to simply distort economic reality, theyre stalling on measures that could further boost the economy, most notably passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement to replace the North American Free Trade Agreement. Settling the rules of future trade on this continent would unleash investment dollars. As would some measure of political stability. The report from special prosecutor Robert Mueller clearing Trump of colluding with Russia during the 2016 presidential campaign and failing to build a definitive case for obstruction of justice should have taken impeachment off the table. Instead, Democrats are launching what the Wall Street Journal called a pseudo-impeachment, an investigative flurry aimed at keeping the dark cloud of suspicion over the Trump presidency without taking the political risk of an actual impeachment vote. Times are good, and appear to be getting even better. But youd never know it from whats going on in Washington, where our political leaders are doing their best to derail the gravy train. Lenore Skenazy is president of Let Grow, founder of Free-Range Kids and author of Has the World Gone Skenazy? She may be reached at lskenazy@yahoo.com. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As if to remind us how far U.S. politics has strayed from normalcy, House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff is calling for legislation to prohibit American presidential candidates from seeking political assistance from foreign governments. The need for such a once-unimaginable law is clear, given that President Donald Trumps personal lawyer hinted last week that Trumps 2020 re-election strategy will include once again inviting a foreign government to interfere in Americas election on his behalf. Rudy Giuliani briefly planned to travel to Ukraine to push for an investigation of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden before criticism forced Giuliani to back off. Enough. Congress should immediately do what, in normal times, wouldnt need to be done and specify that any American politician who seeks domestic political help from a foreign government is violating federal law. In July 2016, Trump, then the GOPs new presidential nominee, made his now-infamous public request that Russia hack its way into Americas national election. Referring to deleted emails of Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, Trump said into the cameras: Russia, if youre listening, I hope youll be able to find the 30,000 emails that are missing. Special counsel Robert Muellers investigation would ultimately establish that just hours later, Russian hackers made their first attempt to break into Clinton campaign emails. Contrary to the relentless spin from Trump and his allies, Muellers report didnt exonerate Trumps campaign of collusion with Russia; it merely failed to establish indictment-worthy evidence of it amid what are still suspicious circumstances. What the report does establish is that Russian meddling was real, that its goal was to aid Trump, and that it likely did. Giuliani apparently hoping history would repeat itself made the remarkable announcement last week that he would travel to Kiev, Ukraines capital, to press Ukrainian officials to investigate Biden and his son, Hunter. It involves diplomatic activities of the elder Biden when he was vice president that appeared to aid a Ukrainian energy company with financial ties to the younger Biden. Theyre old questions that, by most accounts, have been asked and answered. But that didnt stop Trumps lawyer from trying to revive the controversy with the help of a foreign government. Sound familiar? Giuliani backed off only after the idea prompted massive outcry. The fact that theres even a question about whether the Trump campaign broke the law by publicly asking for and receiving foreign political help in 2016 is in itself a problem. The House should pass a clear prohibition of such invitations to foreign meddling, and dare the Republican-controlled Senate not to pass it. As Schiff, a California Democrat, put it: We cannot make this the new norm, that if you cant win an election on your own, its fine to seek help from a foreign power. REPRINTED FROM THE COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 5 hours ago 3 Stocks That Are Ready to Rip in 2022 These 3 Stocks Could Outperform in 2022 With the new year right around the corner, investors might want to start thinking about the companies with the strongest prospects for 2022. Theres no better way to start off the year than by adding a few potential winners to your portfolio, but finding those types of stocks is easier said than done. Read Article 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. The Bank of East Asia, Limited, together with its subsidiaries, provides various banking and related financial services. Its personal banking services include corporate, individual, savings, current, time deposit, and supreme accounts; and fixed and call deposits, foreign currency deposits, MAS services, and auto-payroll products, as well as safe deposit boxes and remittance services. The company also provides corporate banking services, such as SME loans and financing guarantee schemes; corporate and commercial financing products, including syndicated and construction loans, acquisition and structured financing, working capital financing, share financing and IPO-related loans, and commercial mortgages; trade finance services and expert trade solutions; factoring services; import trade finance; guarantee services; eTradeConnect that allows buyers and sellers to connect, transact, share information, and submit applications for financing through a single platform; cash management services; corporate wealth management products; foreign exchange and treasury products; trade settlement and financing services; onshore and offshore loans; and marine cargo, property, trade credit, employee compensation, pet, medical, life, savings, and endowment insurance plans. In addition, it provides private banking services comprises investment advisory services; investment solutions, such as unit trusts, linked deposits, currency trading and management, global equities and bonds investments, structured products, and options and derivatives; portfolio management services; securities and futures broking services; cyber banking, credit cards, and ATM; and various international services. The company operates approximately 170 outlets in Hong Kong, Mainland China, other Asian countries and regions, and internationally. The Bank of East Asia, Limited was incorporated in 1918 and is headquartered in Central, Hong Kong. Read More The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, produces, distributes, and markets gas in Hong Kong and Mainland China. It is involved in the provision of liquefied natural gas, methanol, and coal and other chemicals; conversion and utilization of biomass, and industrial and agricultural waste; and operation of natural gas refilling stations, piped city-gas projects, upstream and midstream developments, water and wastewater treatment projects, energy exploration and utilization ventures, and aviation fuel facilities. The company supplies town gas to approximately 1.9 million customers. It also provides network connectivity, and data center and cloud computing services; and engages in the software development, solution implementation, and systems integration activities. In addition, the company offers consultancy and engineering contractor services, including utilities installation, infrastructure construction, and civil and building services engineering for public and private projects; and designs and manufactures gas meters and metering systems. Further, it is involved in water supply and wastewater treatment serving 2.4 million customers. Additionally, the company manufactures polyethylene piping and fittings; and engages in the customers center, cafA, restaurant, retail sale, automatic meter reading system development, laboratory testing, payment gateway and related, project management, landfill gas project, financing, logistics, oil, research and development, property development, and securities investment activities. The Hong Kong and China Gas Company Limited was founded in 1862 and is headquartered in North Point, Hong Kong. Read More The following companies are subsidiares of Newmont: AC40689 Limited, Administradora de Negocios Mineros S.A. de C.V., Australian Capital Territory, Battle Mountain Resources Inc., Cayman Pampas Ltd., Con Exploration Ltd., Datawave Sciences Inc., Dawn Mining Company LLC, ELLC Grazing Membership LLC, EMH (BVI) Inc., Elko Land and Livestock Company, Empresa Minera Maria SRL, Fronteer Development (USA) LLC, Fronteer Development LLC, Fronteer Royalty LLC, GCGC LLC, GMK Investments Pty Ltd, Galore Creek Mining Corporation, Galore Creek Partnership, Glamis Rand Mining Company, Gold S.p.A., Goldcorp (Barbados) Inc., Goldcorp America Holdings Inc., Goldcorp Aureus Inc., Goldcorp Aurum Argentum Inc., Goldcorp Canada Ltd., Goldcorp Capital Corporation, Goldcorp Exeter Ltd., Goldcorp Faja de Plata S.A. de C.V., Goldcorp General Holdings Ltd., Goldcorp Global Services Inc., Goldcorp Holdings Europe B.V., Goldcorp Holdings GmbH, Goldcorp Inc., Goldcorp Insurance Company Inc., Goldcorp Internacional S.A. de C.V., Goldcorp Kaminak Ltd., Goldcorp Latin America Finance Limited, Goldcorp MC Holding S.p.A., Goldcorp Penasquito S.A. de C.V., Goldcorp Porcupine Nominee Ltd., Goldcorp Red Lake Nominee Ltd., Goldcorp Stratum Inc., Goldcorp Tesoro Inc., Goldcorp Trading GmbH, Goldcorp USA Holdings Ltd., Goldcorp USA Inc., Goldcorp USA Services Inc., Goldfields Power Pty Ltd, Hemlo Gold Mines (Ghana) Limited, Holdco S.p.A., Honduras Holdings Ltd., Hospah Holdings Company, Idarado Mining Company, International Mineral Finance S.AR.L., MMC Acquisition Limited, Mexicana Resources Inc., Minera Alumbrera Ltd., Minera BMG, Minera Choluteca S.A. de C.V., Minera Faja de Plata S.A. de C.V., Minera Los Tapados S.A., Minera Newmont (Chile) Limitada, Minera Penasquito S.A. de C.V., Minera Yanacocha S.R.L., Miramar Gold Corporation, Miramar HBG Inc., Miramar Northern Mining Ltd., Montana Exploradora de Guatemala S.A. de C.V., Moydow Limited, Musto Explorations (Bermuda) Ltd., N.I. Limited, NP Kalgoorlie Pty Ltd, NVL (USA) Limited, NVL Haiti Limited S.A., NVL PNG Limited, NVL Solomon Islands Limited, Nevada Eagle Resources LLC, Nevada Gold Mines LLC, New Verde Mines LLC, Newmont (Guyana) Incorporated, Newmont AP Power Pty Ltd, Newmont Australia Investment Limited, Newmont Boddington Pty Ltd, Newmont Bolivia Limited, Newmont CC&V Mining Corporation, Newmont Canada Corporation, Newmont Canada Holdings ULC, Newmont Capital Limited, Newmont Capital Pty Ltd, Newmont Colombia S.A.S., Newmont Euronimba B.V., Newmont FH B.V., Newmont GTR LLC, Newmont Galore Creek Holdings Corporation, Newmont Ghana Gold Limited, Newmont Gold Company, Newmont Gold Pty Ltd, Newmont Goldcorp Australia Pty Ltd, Newmont Goldcorp Boddington Pty Ltd, Newmont Goldcorp Exploration Pty Ltd, Newmont Goldcorp Integrated Services Inc., Newmont Goldcorp Red Lake Holdings Ltd., Newmont Goldcorp Services Pty Ltd, Newmont Goldcorp Tanami Pty Ltd, Newmont Golden Ridge Limited, Newmont Holdings ULC, Newmont Indonesia Investment Limited, Newmont Indonesia LLC, Newmont International Exploration Pty Ltd, Newmont International Group BV, Newmont International Services Limited, Newmont Investment Holdings LLC, Newmont Landco Pty Ltd, Newmont Latin America Limited, Newmont McCoy Cove Limited, Newmont Mineral Holdings B.V., Newmont Mines Limited, Newmont Mining Finance Pty Ltd, Newmont Mining Holdings Pty Ltd, Newmont NGL Holdings Pty Ltd, Newmont Nevada Energy Investment LLC, Newmont North America Exploration Limited, Newmont Nusa Tenggara Holdings B.V., Newmont Overseas Exploration Limited, Newmont Pacific Energy Pty Ltd, Newmont Peru Limited, Newmont Power Pty Ltd, Newmont Realty Company, Newmont Second Capital Corporation, Newmont Suriname LLC, Newmont Technologies Limited, Newmont USA Limited, Newmont Ventures Limited, Newmont Woodcutters Pty Ltd, Newmont Yandal Operations Pty Ltd, Newmont de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Normandy Company (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Normandy Overseas Holding Company Sdn Bhd, Nusa Tenggara Partnership B.V., Orcana Resources Inc., Oroplata S.A., PT Newmont Minahasa Raya, Pequop Exploration LLC, Peridot S.A., Pittston Nevada Gold Company Ltd., Pueblo Viejo Dominicana Corporation, Red Lake Gold Mine Services Ltd., Resurrection Mining Company, Saddleback Investments Pty Ltd, San Juan Basin Holdings Company, Santa Fe Pacific Gold Corporation, Sermineros de Mexico S.A. de C.V., Sermineros de Mexico S.A. de C.V. <0.0010% Sermineros Zacatecas S.A. de C.V., Sociedad Contractual Minera El Morro, Suriname Gold Project CV, Takari Mining SAS, Talapoosa Mining Inc., The LeClair Consolidated Mines Company, The Matoa Gold Mining Company, US Mineral Company Inc., Vol Mines Limited, and West Pequop Project LLC. Mike Hamlin doesn't live at the graveyard any more. He grew up here in the 1960s, son of the widowed sexton, in the house across Turner Street from the front gate of Old St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery. Hamlin was a year out of Missoula Loyola High School when his father, Ed, retired and moved to Helena. Some of the kids would tease me: Oh, youre going to be over there taking care of the graveyard just like your dad, he recalled last week. Id go, Like heck I am. But then as time went on It has been almost 47 years since the fall of 1972 when Hamlin became his dad. Hes 66 now and contemplating an exit strategy of his own, albeit a gradual one that could take him close to the 50-year mark of cemetery supervision. Mike and Mary raised their own family of three in the same house on Turner Street, owned by the Diocese of Helena, until Mary put her foot down. We moved out of here in '92 after my wife finally says you either buy me a house or build me a house, because I aint living here anymore, Hamlin said with a chuckle. Its still his life and daily base of operations. Through the generosity of a donor, the house was remodeled last year into a modern office building. Its a busy time in the cemetery world. Snows gone, finally. Grass and weeds reach for the sky. Memorial Days a week away. Hamlin and his small crew are scrambling to get both the old St. Mary Cemetery and the new" one a few blocks away, vintage 1956, ready. They're setting markers, sodding winter graves, trimming, weed-eating, spraying for dandelions, getting the water system up and running. The big start of it is we get several flower boxes from Caras (Nursery) that we place for all the families, Hamlin said. Mary Hamlin, a retired U.S. Postal Service supervisor, manages the Flower Box Care program. Families purchase the boxes from Caras, then pay a fee to the cemetery to water them three times a week between Memorial and Labor Day. For that reason and others, therell be no slowdown in the weeks and months to come. Its part of a yearly cycle that Hamlin still embraces, even if, as he says, I could push a wheelbarrow of dirt down the road a lot faster when I was 40. Ill be 67 in August, but I enjoy it, you know, he said. The families. The variety. Everything. Theres so much variety here. He calls a tall granite cross near the Sister of Providence graves the hub of the cemetery. On the front are the names of three World War I victims, on the side a list of a handful of families who he assumes were the donors of the cross. But no record can be found of their donation. The old cemetery itself is a neighborhood hub. I cant believe any more, with all the building going on on the Northside, how many people come to the cemetery and just walk, he said. Its a nice place to visit. Of course, St. Mary Cemetery has layers of history. According to early skimpy records, the first burial was in 1874. The location of Susannah Welchs grave has been lost to time, but over the following 155 years she was followed into the ground by Montana governors Frank Cooney and Joseph Dixon. Cornelius Baron OKeefe and his brother David are buried here. So are Peter and Mary Ronan, Peter and David Whaley, poet Richard Hugo, and victims of the Spanish influenza pandemic in 1918 and 1919. Everywhere you look are headstones of Catholic family names like Cyr, Deschamps, Dussault, Flynn, Tabish and Reidy. Hamlin feels a connection to them all, said Elizabeth Tomlinson. Tomlinson teamed with him 14 years ago to start a Stories and Stones history tour and is writing a history of the cemetery. While some of us were enjoying high school, the bodies of some of our now-silent classmates were being flown into Missoula County Airport from Vietnam, Tomlinson said. Most people have lost track of the memories. Mike knows the stories of those in St. Marys and never forgets the boys or their families. Indeed, Hamlins institutional memory of the cemetery is probably unprecedented in Montana. It dates back to 1961, when Ed Hamlin was a smelter worker in Anaconda looking for a new job after his wife passed away. Tom Geraghty was a funeral director in Missoula who told his friend they were looking for a cemetery supervisor at St. Mary. Mike was going into second grade when the family moved to the house on Turner Street. I watered flower boxes when I was a kid, all those kinds of things for Dad, he said. I think the first time I ever dug a grave I dont know if I should say this I was on a backhoe, probably 15 or 16 years old. His dad always had a pot of coffee perking and maple bars on the table when Geraghty would stop to visit after a funeral or the Trempers, the cemeterys gas supplier, showed up. As you'd expect, Hamlin knows these grounds intimately. "After youve mowed around all these people all these years, Ive got a general idea where you go, he said. "I don't have to look it up." But the connection goes deeper. According to Tomlinson, Hamlin feels his lifes work, and who he is, is for the Catholic families. He becomes emotional when he talks about them, she said. The stories layer themselves with the generations, and Mike remembers them all. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. 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. Wearing waders and boots, Doug Pryor looked out over a steady stream of water that flowed over lawns and driveways near Kehrwald Drive and north Tower Street on Saturday. Officials issued a flood warning for Missoula Thursday as rain and snowmelt caused the Clark Fork River to rise. The Orchard Homes areas and north Tower Street were the most affected by the flood, according to Adriane Beck, the director of Missoula Countys Office of Emergency Management. The Clark Fork River reached 9.1 feet around 4 p.m. Saturday, surpassing the minor flood stage of 7.5 feet. Its expected to crest at 9.2 feet Saturday night and then start trending downward throughout the week. Residents of affected areas tried to brace for flooding with sandbags, which are available for free at Fort Missoula through donations to United Way of Missoula County. Pryor was among those who used sandbags to block off his property. However, those sandbags were knocked over by floating debris which Pryor said was leftover from Northwest Energy's installation of several new poles a few months ago. "They cut down the big cottonwood trees and the debris from cutting those down tipped over my sandbags," Pryor said. The nearby Bitterroot River also surpassed its minor flood stage of 11 feet Saturday afternoon when it measured at just over 11 feet late Saturday afternoon. Although water levels are expected to recede this week, Beck said it's important for people to stay alert and pay attention. A flood advisory was first issued for Missoula this year on April 23. Warm temperatures that melted snowpack, in addition to rain, resulted in rising waters that left residents throughout Missoula and surrounding areas concerned. Ken Aukschun and his son, Shane, also filled up sandbags at Fort Missoula to use on their property near Petty Creek. Ken held the burlap sacks while Shane shoveled sand. They two said they were surprised there weren't more people filling bags at Fort Missoula Saturday morning, although they pointed out the dwindling pile of sand that measured a few inches off the ground and stood next to another pile, which was three to four feet and appeared untouched. Ken said they're used to having flooding in the spring and that it was nice to be able to use the bags for free since he had to pay for some the previous year. While the Aukschuns piled the bags in their truck to protect their property, Pryor surveyed his property and contemplated how to fix the sandbags he positioned at the end of his driveway. Pryor said he's lived on his property for 43 years and is frustrated that there have not been repairs to a nearby aging levy, which is on private property. Looking out over what appeared to be a river flowing over his driveway, Pryor said he would like to see even minor repairs to the levy. In the meantime, he's doing what he can. "Im going to try to go back by boat and if its not too deep, get the sandbags," Pryor said. 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. On education, government looks generous with words but stingy with funds In its election manifesto, unveiled in November 2017, the left alliance, now the unified Nepal Communist Party, pledged to allocate 20 percent of the national budget for the education sector. A local tech consulting company has partnered with the University of Montana to train students specifically for jobs within the company, and has hired the entire first cohort. Earlier this month, the Cognizant ATG Missoula Solutions Center held a graduation ceremony for its All-In-Missoula (AIM) technology consultant trainee program. All 26 students who went through the 12-week program at UM were subsequently hired by ATG, which now has 176 total employees in Montana. The public private collaboration on this was fantastic, said Tom Stergios, senior vice president of strategy and corporate development. It exceeded my expectations. We challenged our instructors and trainees and said, Lets get each of you successful, lets get the whole team successful and we did. Im so proud of the instructors. Stergios grew up in Missoula and founded the ATG Missoula Solutions Center and has focused on hiring University of Montana graduates. After Cognizant purchased the company earlier this year, the AIM program started as a way to help the company fulfill its expanding workforce needs and to provide UM students with a relatively quick career training program. The students learn the Java computer programming language, Salesforce software and other technical terms to use on the job. Another cohort of trainees is currently in the program and Stergios said hes crossing his fingers to hire as many of them as possible. Theyll be in a variety of roles, he said of the first class. Some will be more technical-focused, some will be more business-focused. Everything from project management to developers to quality assurance testers. The company offers what Stergios calls very competitive wages. Were certainly exceeding the state and county average, he said. He said it was harder to tell whether the students or their families were happier at the May 1 graduation ceremony. Seth Bodnar, the president of UM, spoke at both the graduation ceremony and the grand opening of Cognizant ATGs new office building in the Old Sawmill District in Missoula in March. The energy at the University of Montana has been on the rise and a big part of that is Tom Stergios has been spending more time at the university, Bodnar told the crowd at the opening. Today is a culmination of recognition of a tremendous partnership that has been going on for nearly a decade now between the university and the city of Missoula and ATG. Bodnar noted that ATG has hired roughly 100 UM graduates. Stergios said the new hires represent a wide demographic range and come from a host of different industries. Most come from Montana and a few come from out-of-state, he said. Many have non-technical degrees. They were doing everything from running an eBay store to managing a health club to being a bartender. If you threw a rope around a group of hard-charging Missoulians, this cohort reflected that. The Montana Department of Commerce recently awarded ATG a $255,000 Big Sky Economic Trust Fund grant to reimburse it for equipment and wages for creating 34 new jobs. To qualify for the funding, companies have to bring in revenue from out of state and pay a high wage. "When our businesses thrive, our communities and the hard-working Montanans who live and work there have new opportunities to grow as well, said Gov. Steve Bullock in a statement. These grants will invest in Montanas economy by growing business and the jobs that support those businesses. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. 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. By his third presidential bid, Merrill K. Riddick of Philipsburg was a household name in Montana. His party, not so much. As Missoulian opinion page editor Sam Reynolds put it following Riddick's death in 1988, "Gone was the founder and probably the only member of the Puritan Ethic and Epic, Magnetohydrodynamics and Prohibition Party." Magnetohydrodynamics were the major selling point of Riddick's first run for the White House in 1976. The previous year Missoulian reporter Steve Shirley wrote, "For the spry 80-year-old politician, MHD, or the conversion of coal to electricity in a superheated chamber through the use of magnets (or something like that), is very important." Last week Gov. Steve Bullock became the first Montanan since Riddick to throw his hat into the presidential ring. His venture promises to be interesting and perhaps more successful than Riddick's were in 1976, 1980 and 1984. But it'll be nowhere near as zany. Let's jump on the missoulian.newspapers.com bus, just as Merrill K. jumped onto Greyhounds with two-month passes to cruise down campaign trails, and track a bit of the quirky retired prospector's political career. Note that Riddick called himself a prospector, not a miner. "I've crawled into more holes and accomplished less than any prospector I know," he said in 1967, when he was running for governor for the second time. In 1960 he had finished sixth out of six contenders in the Democratic primary with 1,344 votes. Winner Lt. Gov. Paul Cannon got 44,000. When Riddick announced his bid for the same post in the 1968 election, against the same number of Democratic opponents, he told the Missoulian State Bureau he was sure he'd do better this time. Alas, he placed sixth again, this time with 1,052 votes. In 1972 Riddick switched to the Republican party and ran for U.S. Senate, saying he favored a navigation canal up the Missouri River to Winifred and Fort Benton, and $500 million in dam construction on the upper Missouri River. He took fourth in that race. Out of four. Montana's resident Don Quixote "parlayed his political interests, optimism and sense of humor into an unbroken string of election defeats," Reynolds wrote after Riddick succumbed to cancer at age 93. Carl Riddick represented eastern Montana in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1919 to 1923. His son Merrill was born in 1895 and became a World War I flying instructor by that time. Later he barnstormed with Charles Lindbergh and was one of the countrys first airmail pilots. He rejoined the Army during World War II as a flight trainer. Such aviation background earned him respect and admiration later in life. Riddick had just turned 81 and was in the late stages of his first campaign for president when the Philipsburg airfield was christened Riddick Field. Granite County commissioners had been urged by Mike Kahoe of the Bicentennial Committee to pursue the name. It remains Riddick Field to this day. Riddick's slogan in that first presidential campaign was "Throw the raskels out!" "He was a campaigner, not a speller," Reynolds noted. A Las Vegas television station saw a magazine article featuring Riddick in 1975 and offered him half an hour of prime time TV space until it found out Riddick had a thing against liquor. "The minute I began talking about prohibition they decided I wasn't going to get prime time," he told Shirley when he stopped by the Missoulian office in 1985. "Riddick never deluded himself," Reynolds wrote. "In 1979, he summed up his chances of winning the 1980 presidential election with uncanny accuracy: 'Theoretically absolutely impossible.'" He threw his name in for '80, by the way, two days after the 1976 election. Riddick made the declaration in an interview with The Missoulian from a pay phone in Philipsburg. It was probably the same phone in the Antler Saloon he'd used two days earlier on election night to talk to reporter Jane Byard. The Antler was next door to his campaign headquarters, which were downstairs from his apartment. Neither had a telephone. Long before the final returns were in, Riddick told Byard he thought the Ford-Carter race would go to the electoral college. If it did, he said, he would ask Congress to appoint him president. For whatever reasons, Riddicks White House campaigns in 1980 and 1984 garnered less attention from the state press. Maybe he stopped calling newsrooms from phone booths. But he still criss-crossed the nation on his two-month Greyhound passes, eschewing contributions of more than $1 and financing his campaign with his Social Security and military pensions. And Riddick still had delighted fans in the media. In Reynolds' Sunday Ticklers on the editorial page of the Missoulian in August, 1981, he hailed Riddicks recent announcement of another run for president in 84. What would summer be like without sunshine? Reynolds wrote. What would a presidential campaign be like without Merrill Riddick? The general assumption is he will face Republican Ronald Reagan and a Democrat, plus assorted others. Good luck to Riddick. He brings some common sense, plus a sense of the Riddick-ulous, to any campaign. 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. Missoula is updating two urban tree ordinances, including adding clarifications to who is responsible for maintenance, protection and replacement of public trees in boulevards. Chris Boza, the city forester, said the ordinance involving boulevards dates to 1980, with only a couple of minor changes since then. The other ordinance, which is the citys comprehensive tree and shrub ordinance, is only 22 years old, Boza said. These ordinances affect everyone, including renters, property owners, developers and home builders. Were seeking to clarify how boulevards should be maintained, what types of vegetation may be planted and where, and how boulevards can best be developed to create safe, welcoming streets and sidewalks. Most importantly, the proposed regulations will set us on a path to renew and revitalize our aging urban forest, Boza said in a press release. He told the Missoulian the two ordinances have some overlap, too. Were bringing them up to date and making things clearer so that the average lay person can read them and understand them, Boza said. Missoulas urban forest is valued at $103 million, according to Boza, and is an integral part of Missoula. The trees absorb carbon dioxide; cast shade to reduce heat islands and air conditioning use; divert precipitation and reduce stormwater flow on city streets; increase property values; provide wildlife habitat; and stabilize the soil with their root systems. Boza noted that the two ordinances being updated arent consistent with whether its the property owners' responsibility in all cases to manage the boulevard trees or whether the city may be involved and that may need to be clarified. But as in the previous ordinances and urban forest management plans, property owners arent allowed to remove boulevard trees just because theyre a nuisance. A person still needs to get approval from the city to remove trees, and the new ordinances will make it clearer but not necessarily easier. That clarity is based in large part on the reorganization and rewriting of the tree and shrub ordinance, which now is written in more of a sequential fashion. You start out now with the basic administrative items, then go to the regulatory portion and finish with the enforcement aspects of it, Boza said. One Missoula homeowner is concerned that the ordinances will put further restrictions on her ability to manage city-owned trees on the city-owned boulevards that affect her adjacent private property and home. She wants to elevate private property owners rights over those of the urban trees. In a letter to the Missoula City Council, Mary Downey wrote that the 80-year-old non-native maple trees in the boulevards in her University neighborhood have large, extensive root systems that are damaging the urban area. As a homeowner in the University area for over 45 years, I have redone my sidewalks twice, repaired the foundation of my home, suffered tree limbs falling on vehicles, tried to mow my lawn over rising roots and presently have new sidewalks invaded by tree roots. In the past, I have begged the city to prune the trees to no avail, Downey wrote. I now have a water line that has been invaded by the roots of a maple tree. I cannot repair that water line because the urban forester prevents my excavator from digging near the old (dying) tree. Downey wasnt able to be reached for comment. But in her letter, Downey added that she was told by Boza that she cant repair the existing water line, and needs to put in a new one from the street to her home at her own expense. She's proposing her own revisions to one of the ordinances, which would give property owners more of a voice in what happens to the boulevard trees and the citys urban forest. In particular, Downey wrote that the emphasis shouldnt be on tree preservation, but on a balance of need. She also wants the city to bear the cost of tree removal in boulevards if its done to protect the public or property owner, rather than the owner of the abutting property having to pay for it. Boza said most of Downeys concerns are addressed in the current ordinances and in the urban forest management plan, but some are clarified in the proposed updates. For example, if a tree is dead, dying or structurally unsound, the city may take care of its removal. Structurally unsound is new. One item identified in the Urban Forest Management Plan of 2015 is the necessity to define the ground or justification to remove a tree, Boza said. But he cautioned against calling trees a hazard, since they are living organisms that contribute to the earth and the citizens well-being. One of the big changes with the existing ordinance written in 1997 and the 2019 one is the industry, risk managers and insurance companies now look at things in terms of risk, Boza said. There is a process you go through to make that determination. Every tree is a living organism, just like every person is a living organism that responds to stress differently. So every tree is a hazard, but every tree isnt a risk. Thats why the draft ordinance is not to look at trees in terms of being a hazard, but as a risk. For people like Downey, who dont agree with Bozas assessment of managing the trees adjacent to property, the ordinance notes that they can appeal to the City Tree Board. The ordinances also clarify the need for arborists or similar professionals, whose credentials must be on file with the Missoula Parks and Recreation Department, to be used anytime work is done on trees in the boulevards. In addition, one ordinance formalizes the steps that must be taken by companies like NorthWestern Energy, who recently removed Norway maples near Caffe Dolce that were interfering with overhead power lines. It was more or less a handshake deal that they would do certain things, and this codifies that, Boza said. Theyve also added language that planting trees by developers needs to be consistent with city zoning ordinances, and clarified that when trees are removed they need to be replaced. We want no net losses of urban trees, Boza said. Most property owners dont even realize they have a responsibility to maintain adjacent boulevards. Were working together with citizens to streamline these regulations and make them clear and consistent across the board. The current regulations and proposed changes can be found online at missoulaparks.org. Boza is taking public comments through May 21 at citytrees@ci.missoula.mt.us. The final ordinances will be presented to the City Council later this year for review and consideration. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 The alleged victim of a domestic violence report was found following search and rescue efforts near mile marker 14 on Highway 93 North on Saturday afternoon. The Missoula County Sheriff's Office detectives, alongside the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Police, were able to locate the alleged victim of a domestic violence report Saturday afternoon. Law enforcement agencies searched the area after reports of a man assaulting a 23-year-old pregnant woman and "dragging" her into the nearby woods. "However, as detectives with the MCSO and CSKT Tribal law enforcement began investigating, conflicting accounts from those involved were made," read an update to a Facebook post by the Sheriff's Office. Law enforcement contacted the pregnant female and offered medical care for her and the baby. She is not requesting any further assistance from law enforcement, according to the post. The Sheriff's Office identified the suspect as 30-year-old Devin Allen Joseph Peasley. He is not being sought at this time on charges related to the incident although he does have outstanding warrants for unrelated incidents, according to the Sheriff's Office Facebook post. The Sheriff's Office said in the post that they dont believe there is any current danger to the public. The call was determined to be under the jurisdiction of Tribal Police, who are continuing to investigate the incident. The Sheriff's Office initially reported at about 1 p.m. Saturday that the Special Response Team was deployed to conduct a search following the domestic violence report to dispatch around noon. Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Police, U.S. Forest Service law enforcement, Montana Highway Patrol and Two Bear Air all assisted the sheriff's office. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 1 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. Seaborn Larson State Reporter Capitol bureau reporter Seaborn Larson covers justice-related areas of state government and organizations that wield power. Follow Seaborn Larson 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 Two Missoula-area U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers have been honored with the Department of Agriculture's Unsung Hero Awards, for their action in the 2018 rescue of a baby in the Lolo National Forest. Officers Nicholas Scholz and Patrick Legg received the recognition in Washington, D.C., according to a USDA blog post published during National Police Week. Both officers were off duty on July 7, 2018, when Francis Crowley wandered into Lolo Hot Springs area and began threatening people with a gun. Legg was visiting the hot springs with family when he heard Crowley howling at onlookers, so he grabbed his badge and firearm and checked out the situation, according to the post. Perhaps unsung in Washington, D.C., the endeavor that day became widely regarded here as a "miracle." Law enforcement discovered Crowley may have abandoned a child somewhere in the 2 million-acre forest and spread out through the woods to track Crowley's vehicle. The baby was found partially buried and face-down, but alive after law enforcement searched for more than six hours. From the hot springs, Legg was able to quickly inform responding law enforcement of the events there preceding the search. Scholz was celebrating his wife's birthday when law enforcement called him in for the search. He and Missoula County Sheriff's Deputy Ross Jessop tracked Crowley's vehicle for miles into the woods before finding the car and, eventually, the child. "When that night was done, everyone was changed," Legg said in the USDA blog post. "No one will ever forget what happened and how things turned out very different than what we feared." Scholz testified about the rescue during Crowley's sentencing hearing in March, and described the moment Jessop cleared the sticks and picked the baby, cold and coughing up woody debris, off the ground. "It was just absolutely incredible to see this little baby just looking back at him," Scholz said. By the next morning, authorities reported the baby boy was in good health. "What happened over the weekend up Highway 12 near Lolo Hot Springs was both horrific and absolutely incredible, a true miracle," Missoula County Sheriff T.J. McDermott said then. "Thanks to the dedication of our deputies, our law enforcement partners form the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the Highway Patrol, as well as volunteers with our Missoula Search and Rescue team, an amazing recovery was made. The life of a child was saved." Crowley was ultimately sentenced to 30 years in state prison, with 10 suspended, after pleading guilty to assault on a minor, criminal endangerment and child criminal endangerment. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. 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. DAVENPORT, IOWA Montana Gov. Steve Bullock said Saturday that he was recently asked why it took him so long to announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for the 2020 presidential election. Truth is, I was governing, he told a crowd of about 50 people that came to hear him speak at Baked Beer & Bread in the Village of East Davenport. I signed my last bill on Monday, announced on Tuesday, and by Thursday I was in Iowa. Bullocks stop in Davenport was the eighth and final city he visited on his first trip to Iowa as a presidential candidate. Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller, who endorsed Bullock this week, was on hand to introduce him at Saturdays meet and greet. Miller said Bullock was not a moderate; rather, he is sort of a mainstream progressive liberal. He described the governor as a man of very high character who connects with people. If hes president, this is exactly the kind of person we want as president, Miller said, to bring our country together in a real way, to work for things that will affect Americans in a positive way, and bring character back to the White House. Bullock, 53, who is serving his second term as governor, said Saturday that far too many of us have seen the impact of a broken economy and that the average American is working harder but making less money. In the 1970s, 90% of people of at least 30 years old were doing better than their parents. Today, only half are, he said. And two-thirds of towns across the country have lost businesses, Bullock said. You look at a broken economy, you look at a broken political system, no wonder folks get frustrated, he said. No wonder folks get cynical and angry about the system. But instead of actually doing something to fix that, Donald Trump has poured gasoline on that fire. He added, Thats why, first things first, we have to win this election. We have to make sure to bridge some of the divide so Washington is working for us. Not the Koch brothers or the Trumps or others. Bullock talked about his efforts in Montana to expand Medicaid and tackle campaign reform to keep dark money from impacting elections. During Saturdays event, he fielded several questions about diversity, gun violence, health care and education from members of the audience. Speaking about gun violence, Bullock said the issue should be looked at as a public health issue rather than a political issue. Forty percent of households in America own a gun, he said. But from a public health approach, gun owners and those that dont both want to keep their families safe, and they dont want guns falling in the wrong hands. Bullock said a majority of Americans think universal background checks would be a dang good idea, as well as red flag laws where guns are removed from a household or area where domestic violence occurs. Bullock said the country has to address the corrupting influence of dollars from organizations like the NRA and find common values to approach it as a public health issue. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 POLSON Montanas general fund will again help pay for the states fight against aquatic invasive species. During this years legislative session, lawmakers faced the challenge of raising $6 million to $7 million to fund boat-inspection stations, water monitoring and public outreach to protect the Columbia Rivers headwaters from a devastating zebra and quagga mussel infestation. After much debate, they settled on a combination of federal funds, state lodging tax funds, and fees on hydropower production, fishing licenses and boat registration, in a funding package sponsored by Rep. Willis Curdy, D-Missoula. But two days after lawmakers passed that bill, they passed Senate Bill 352, which struck the boat registration fees and instead directed general fund money to the aquatic invasive species effort. Speaking at the Upper Columbia Conservation Commission meeting in Polson last week, Curdy explained that the funding measure became linked to a pair of other budget bills signed by the governor earlier this month. One of these was HB 694, sponsored by Rep. Jim Hamilton, D-Bozeman, which revised fees on investment advisers and was expected to raise around $8 million dollars for the general fund each year through 2023. SB 352, a budget companion bill by Sen. Fred Thomas, R-Stevensville, transferred $3.75 million of those funds into an account to improve law enforcement radio networks. It also rescinded the boat registration fee increases expected to raise $153,550 and $207,600 in fiscal years 2020 and 2021, respectively. Instead, it transfers $283,620 in fiscal year 2020 and $398,625 in 2021 to the department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks for aquatic invasive species programming. In general, there was reluctance to create a new tax source, I think, Curdy said. Asked if this might mean lawmakers would have to make another request of the general fund in 2021, he replied, at somewhere down the line something's going to have to be done, but that's for a future legislative session. Despite this last-minute funding change, the commissioners and guests complimented the Legislatures work on this issue this session. Curdy sits on the Environmental Quality Council interim committee, and made it clear that that group would keep an eye on the state's efforts. This whole program is going to be on the EQCs radar, he said. We will hear reports from all parties about how things are working. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. 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. Gov. Steve Bullock announced his campaign for the presidency, arguing that he brings an extra ingredient to the already crowded Democratic field: the ability to win a red state. Yet, elections for governor and president are separate universes in Montana. He will need to confront that realitys root cause, which has befuddled Democrats nationwide since 1964 the tension between Democratic priorities on racial justice and its relationship with white voters. Montana is not a red state. Its not a blue state, either. Its both. The Democratic Party has dominated governor and Senate elections for most of the states history. Its earliest coalition came together around the politics of labor unionism, anti-monopolism and conservation. Such issues provided the backdrop against which political giants like Sens. Burton Wheeler and Mike Mansfield emerged. That past still exerts considerable influence over the currents of Montanas present politics, which remain hostile to right-to-work laws and the privatization of our last best places. Yet, Democrats deep roots in state politics dont offer any certitude of stability for the road ahead. In the 1960s the Democratic Party, and Montana, changed. The partys decision to embrace the cause of Civil Rights helped unleash forces that rent the partys liberal consensus. In 1964, LBJ became the last Democrat to win more than 50% of the states votes for president. The connection here is not obvious. Montana was far from the frontlines of Americas culture wars, lunch counter sit-ins and school busing riots. Yet, Montanans joined the cacophony decrying the Democratic Partys abandonment of middle-class white voters in favor of other priorities. A quick scan of old Montana newspapers reveals that sense of loss and fear among white Montanans. An op-ed from the Dillion Tribune-Examiner in October 1964, for example, likened desegregation to the federal government (entering) your home like Hitlers men walked into the lives and homes of good people only to make slaves of them. In the fallout of the 1960s, Republicans built a power base in Montana organized around a new national conservative identity that bucked government interventionism and racial integration. By the 1990s this bled into former Democratic strongholds in Montana, as conservatives effectively lambasted Democrats alleged coastal orientation. This trend threatened the Democratic Party with irrelevance in Montana. In 1996, Marc Racicot won 67% of the vote in the oldest of blue-dog bastions, Silver Bow County. Democrats might have gone quietly into the dark altogether, if not for the GOP-led fiasco of utility deregulation, which killed the Montana Power Company and deeply wounded old Democratic haunts like Butte. Democrats returned from the brink, but the pull of Goldwaterism and Reaganism still influences the state politics and has split them between local and national electoral identities. The Democratic Party survived in Montana because it thrives in a space separated from broader debates about our national character, and our nations wrestling with race. In a largely white state, a largely white Montana Democratic Party focuses locally, avoiding Americas culture wars that have been Democrats political third rail here since 1964. Bullock will inevitably have to come to terms with this. I applaud Governor Bullocks decision to run for president. However, as he prepares to make his case to voters, he has to muster a better argument for his worthiness than electability and his record in a red state. Bullock must instead build a case for why he should he should lead a national Democratic Party, whos coalition is far more diverse than his natural constituency, by demonstrating that he can convince rural white voters that national Democratic priorities, especially on racial justice, should also be theirs. Aaron Hyams is a native of Billings, and a visiting assistant professor of American history at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, where he specializes in Native American history and the history of the American West. Hes currently working on a book detailing the political history of Montana. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 2 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Committee looking for classmates The Butte High School class of 1969 will have their 50th reunion July 12-13, at the Butte Country Club. If a classmate has not received any reunion details, contact Rosemary Hayes at 406-565-0942, or go to Facebook Butte High Class 69 Reunion. Below is a list of classmates reunion organizers have been unable to locate. If you have any information, call the number listed above. The classmates are Marcia Cleland, Virginia Emmert, Georgia Felde, Patricia Foley, Charlotte Fugate, Roma Hall, George Jozovich, Mark Larsen, Raye Lind, John P. McDonald, John McGee, Dan Miller, Claudia Nelson, Julie (Olson) Patterson, George Poore, Margaret Robbins, Russ Sage, Larry Sharon, Shirley Vigus, Gary White, Ken Webster, and Shirley Vigus. Bow hunting class set in Anaconda ANACONDA A bow hunters education class will be offered Wednesday through Saturday, May 22-25, at Smittys Barn, #50 Theater, West Valley, 1.7 miles west of Thriftway Super Stop gas station (follow signs). Hours are 6 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday. Only one class is offered in Anaconda. Participants must be 11 or older by the first day of class to be certified. Students under 18 must have a parent or guardian authorization. The class and supplies needed are free of charge. By state law, all first time bow hunters must complete a bow hunter education course and if born after Jan. 1, 1985 must also show proof of completing a hunter education program in order to purchase an archery license. Preregister at register-ed.com/events/view/143893. Print and sign parent/student agreement and bring to first night of class. For details, call Jim at 406-559-0413 or Tom at 406-210-8249. 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. The 3.3 million ounces of gold Whitehall-based Golden Sunlight has dug up since 1982 could fit into the back of a standard-size pickup, even though the mine has excavated 1,575 feet into the ground. But, Rick Jordan, mill supervisor, said that imaginary pickup, laden with gold bars, would weigh 15 tons. This week is particularly bittersweet for Jordan. He started working at the mill on May 13, 1989. Jordan, now 62, supervised the final mill run on May 16, 2019 30 years and three days after he started at his nearly life-long place of employment. I never thought we would be here this long, Jordan said. When Golden Sunlight first started mining on a cold November day in 1982, the 120 men who showed up for work before first light couldnt have imagined the mine would live for 37 years until 2019. Placer Dome North America, the original corporate owner, projected a 13-year mine life. But now that life is over. Golden Sunlight silenced the shovels and turned off the drills at the end of April. Third-generation Golden Sunlight miner Brandon Clements said the reality hadnt hit him. He sat inside the mills control room and watched over a television screen as the last haul of small grey rocks shrunk to the final grains of dust left to be picked up by the Montana spring winds. But the 28-year-old, who works alongside his dad, George Clements, says the end of the once-thriving gold mine about five miles northeast of Whitehall is scary. The loss goes deeper than the lost jobs. The Jefferson County mine has paid $16,759,412.44 in Metalliferous Mine License Taxes during the years of 2006-2018. Sanjay Talwani, Department of Revenue public information officer, said that is as far back as the state could dig into its back tax records. Those arent all the companys taxes. Corporate payroll taxes are not public information. But the county has collected $5.6 million in taxes from 2015 to 2018, said Terri Kunz, county treasurer. Since the fall of 2015, when Golden Sunlight stopped mining the open pit called the Mineral Hill Pit the company has operated on a skeleton crew. The mine resurrected itself almost immediately after shuttering the pit by opening up an underground mine tunnel that wound around the pit walls, called 2Bug, in early 2016. But that labor Golden Sunlight largely farmed out to contractors and subcontractors who were experts in underground extraction. Still, those contract and subcontract companies brought workers to the town of Whitehall and surrounding area and, despite being down for the count, Golden Sunlight pursued a long-planned second underground mine called the Apex. Because it was not attached to the Mineral Hill Pit, it had to be permitted separately. Dan Banghart, general manager, asked that this story not be too sad. The mine has come back swinging and Banghart hopes it will once again. The Barrick Gold Corporation, based in Toronto, Canada, is considering two options now that the mine is closed one is to begin again with the Apex Mine, which is now a fully permitted underground mine within view of Golden Sunlights main office, just half a mile northeast of the Mineral Hill Pit. If Barrick does decide to mine the Apex, it's expected to yield roughly 150,000 ounces of gold over three years. Then it, too, would close. The other possibility is reprocessing the tailings, the waste that came from 37 years of mining. If green lighted by corporate officials, the project would provide some jobs and extend the life of the mill. But whether there will be a future for Golden Sunlight beyond reclamation and perpetual water treatment is uncertain. The company has not yet made a decision and Banghart doesnt know when it will. In fact, Banghart himself, who is 57, doesnt know if hell still have a job past Sept. 30. That is the date when Barrick will announce its work force reduction and the 52 Barrick employees so far still hanging on will find out their fate. Those left at the mine to start doing cleanup work next week wait and wonder. Brandon Clements says he may start his own business. But his father, George, who is 55 and started at Golden Sunlight in 1988, had a different answer for what comes next. If were laid off, its a new adventure, he said. Banghart called his final report for the corporate office he had to write this week historic. Its definitely not a normal week, thats for sure, Banghart said. Golden Sunlights nine lives Jordan says the men havent had normal for the last three years. But he remembers a different time when the mine was thriving, the average miners age was 33 and there were times we stopped at the bars. Once he showed up for work and found TV dinners in a work freezer. He thought the mine was providing lunch, so he ate them. Until a colleague told Jordan those were his TV dinners. But despite the joking around, the work was serious and sometimes dangerous. There were a few accidents in the early years. Jordan makes an annual trip to the miner's wall memorial at the World Museum of Mining in Butte. There are three names from Golden Sunlight, he said. Jordan knew two of them personally. There were ups and there were downs. The mine had to shut down in the mid-1990s for a few months because the ground moved beneath the miners feet. Golden Sunlight kept paying their paychecks, but the workers worried about the work stoppage because no one knew at first how long it would last. The voter referendum that passed in November 1998 to ban cyanide to process gold from open pit mining felt like dark times for Mineral Hill Pit workers, Jordan said. Miners believed it would be the end of Golden Sunlight. Some say it was the end of gold mining in Montana, but Golden Sunlight was grandfathered in. The skyrocketing power costs that gripped Montana in the early 2000s didnt shut down Golden Sunlight, as they did Butte-based Montana Resources, for three years. But it created some uncertainty for the Whitehall-based mine, according to news stories from The Montana Standard at the time. Sometimes there were dips in gold price. But overall, the price of gold has slowly, steadily risen over the decades. And so has the cost of mining it. As the miners had to go deeper into the ground to get it, the expense of shoveling it increased. It (the gold) was sitting on the surface at the beginning, Jordan said. As long ago as 2001, the Standard reported that Golden Sunlights resources had played out. Jordan said he thought the mine would be finished by 2003. We wouldnt have lasted this long if the price of gold hadnt gone north of $1,000, Banghart said. The price of gold hit above $1,000 for the first time in 2008, peaking at $1,011. In days of old, miners mined small claims around Whitehall, Banghart said. Gold is heavy, so when panning for gold, as the old-timers did, the shiny yellow nuggets would stay on the bottom of the pan. But Golden Sunlight has been mining microscopic-sized gold. Liberating (our gold) is a challenge, Jordan said. The mesh used to capture the gold specks is thick enough that Jordan compared it to a pantyhose stocking. We dont see gold here, Jordan said. Can Golden Sunlight be resurrected? Dave Williams, Bureau of Land Management geologist, hopes so. He would like to see Golden Sunlight ramp up again for the potential tailings reprocessing. Before that can happen, the mine would have to go through a new permitting process, which could take a year. It would also have to refit its mill for flotation milling, similar to Montana Resources milling process. Its unknown how long that would take. But, Williams says if the company removes the gold out of its old waste, the process would eliminate the sulfides. By removing the sulfides, youre pretty much removing the source of the vast majority of any potential contaminants. What would be left would be the normal constituents of the rock itself, he said by phone last week. Williams thinks its a win-win for the company, because he thinks it will dramatically reduce long-term liability for the company. But for now, the only clear plan is to wait. Love 2 Funny 2 Wow 3 Sad 5 Angry 0 Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Going to college has made an impact on my life. I say this not just as someone about to graduate and transfer from Napa Valley College, but as someone who grew up in the community of Napa. Some of my earliest memories were of my father going to college. I remember staying up way past my bedtime just to wait for him to come home from the night classes he took at Napa Valley College. Even back then I knew what my father was doing meant a lot to him. I didnt have the words for it at the time. I was too young to understand the benefits that come with a college education. I just knew that it meant hope; and that is why I waited for him each night. Unfortunately, my father had to discontinue his enrollment at Napa Valley College. At the time, financial constraints and a lack of support made it so he had to focus his attention on caring for his family. However, he never gave up hope. College still mattered, even if it wasnt he that went. That is why I decided to enroll in our local community college once I had the chance. I did not have the responsibilities that my father had when I first enrolled several years ago. But I did not have much support either. Initially, I found myself completely lost because I did not know how to navigate the process. Neither my mother or father had graduated from college, so I had no idea how to get the credits needed to apply to graduate or transfer to a four-year university. For a period of time, I found my academic progress being stalled, and I doubted my ability to achieve. As a disabled student, I did not see myself as someone with potential. As someone with autism spectrum disorder and chronic depression I found myself being held back by the expectations of others and this hindered my ability to express myself fully, simply because I did not want others to know that I was not a typical student. That, in turn, diminished my ability to access the resources available for me to succeed, because I could not articulate my needs as a first-generation student whose family did not have the social or physical capital to send me on my way. Despite the struggles I never did give up hope. Even when my father passed away, and we were without a permanent home, I knew that college mattered, and that is why I stayed. As difficult as it was, I still managed to accomplish a lot at Napa Valley College. I was able to enhance my knowledge of topics that I never had the opportunity to learn about when I was in special ed. I also made some invaluable connections through students and faculty, many of whom I can now call my dear friends and mentors. Eventually, I did find the resources I needed to help me through the college process. I discovered the Disability Support Programs & Services on campus, which provides students like me with special accommodations (aids and services). I also discovered Student Support Services TRIO, who helped guide me through the application process to transfer to a four-year university. College matters because it has allowed me to overcome the expectations that were holding me back. Now I can state with pride that I have not just one, but three transferable degrees: an AA-T in Sociology, Psychology, and Art History. I will not only be graduating this month from Napa Valley College with all three, but I will also be transferring to the University of California, Berkeley. College matters, and it took a long journey for me to discover why. College matters because I matter, and that is why it took so many long and sleepless nights. College is something to strive for because it opens up a world of opportunity, for yourself and for all the people who you hold dear. Even though it may seem like you are going nowhere, it is worth the wait. However long it may take, as long as you have hope you will realize your dreams some day and the benefit is going to be felt across lifetimes. A Phi Theta Kappa scholar, Esperanza Padilla is graduating from Napa Valley College this month and will be the Class of 2019 valedictorian at Commencement on May 23. She is the guest columnist this week for Dr. Ronald Kraft, the superintendent/president of Napa Valley College. Visit napavalley.edu to learn more. One people-moving proposal for easing highway congestion turns back the clock have passenger trains travel between Suisun City in Solano County and Novato in Marin County, with an American Canyon stop in Napa County. Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) spearheaded the recently released, state-funded Novato-to-Suisun City passenger rail service study. SMART officials presented the results Wednesday to the Napa Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors. Proponents say trains could offer an alternative to driving congested Highway 12 and Highway 37. Local transportation officials pondered whether service with startup costs estimated at $1 billion is a realistic dream or just a dream. I for one thought this was a much longer shot than it looks to be, said Calistoga Mayor Chris Canning, chair of the Napa Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors. So thats encouraging. The local elected officials on the Board of Directors also asked pointed questions. We need to have a full and complete picture of what it means, Board member and Yountville Mayor John Dunbar said. A big question is whether todays commuters can expect to catch a train in American Canyon within their commuting lifetimes. To some degree, it remains to be seen, SMART Chief Engineer Bill Gamlen said before the meeting. A lot of work and study are going into what to do about Highway 37. Highway 37 between Vallejo and Novato is two lanes with rush-hour traffic at a crawl and flooding problems. Creating a wider, flood-proof road is a challenge because of costs estimated at $1 billion to $3.4 billion and the roads passage through environmentally sensitive wetlands. Gamlen said the train option to provide relief for Highway 37 problems is something that could be delivered fairly quickly, within a few years. Tracks already exist along the proposed route and are used for freight service. SMART owns the rail from Novato to Napa Junction near American Canyon, a distance of 24 miles. Union Pacific owns the rail from Napa Junction to Suisun City, a distance of 15 miles. But tracks good enough for slow-moving freight service must be refurbished to handle passenger trains traveling 60 mph or faster. New wooden ties, rails and ballast are needed, the feasibility study said. The 1911 Black Point swing bridge over the Petaluma River in Sonoma County would have to be replaced. Possibly a second-hand bridge can be used to keep down costs. The current version has the center rotate out to make room for boats, the study said. Napa County has its own rail bridge along the route and its a towering landmark amid south county wetlands the 1979 Brazos Bridge over the Napa River. The study found this drawbridge can remain and would need only minor repairs. The 40-mile Novato-to-Suisun City route would link Napa County with other regional rail services. The Capitol Corridor trains running from Sacramento to San Jose stop in Suisun City. The Novato station is part of the new SMART system running from Santa Rosa to San Rafael. One option is to start service with four roundtrips daily and speeds of 60 mph. This could cost $780 million to $898 million and be running four years after funding is available, the study said. Another option is to have 10 roundtrips daily and speeds of 79 mph. This could cost $1.13 billion to $1.3 billion and be running six years after funding is available. Yes, it is a lot of money, but it is a long alignment, Gamlen said. Given the American Canyon area would likely have the only Napa County station, the American Canyon contingent on the Napa Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors has a direct stake in the rail service outcome. Its possible, American Canyon Mayor Leon Garcia said before the meeting. That asset (the tracks) is something Ive always advocated we hang onto. At some point, it might be a viable option. Board member and American Canyon City Councilmember Mark Joseph said Union Pacific might see conflicts between freight traffic and passenger traffic on its stretch of line. Gamlen replied that the issue would have to be worked out with Union Pacific. Elected officials from other parts of the county also have thoughts on the possible passenger rail line. Dunbar asked Gamlen whether anyone has analyzed whether flooding and sea level rise could swamp tracks paralleling Highway 37. The answer was no analysis has been done. So timing and cost wont be going down, it will be going up, Dunbar said. Its hard to say, Gamlen said. I think its a fairly safe guess, Dunbar said. Dunbar also noted the state could target areas around mass transit hubs for denser, multi-story housing. One proposed law would allow by-right high-rise housing within a half-mile of such stations, taking away local control over stopping such projects. Gamlen said the rail study identified logical areas where stations would go, but didnt delve into the housing issues. That could come with future studies. Dunbar said elected officials have to deal with potential land use decisions on housing. It would be misleading not to add that component, to make it sound like, This is great, we can move a lot of passengers, a lot of employees through counties, but theres a lot more to it, Dunbar said. Board member and county Supervisor Alfredo Pedroza expressed enthusiasm at the possibility of a passenger rail line. The vision is about connectivity and mobility and giving residents different ways to move around, he said. If this creates housing opportunities, I think its a good thing for our community, done in a responsible way, Pedroza said. Gamlen said that SMARTs priority is extending its existing line to Cloverdale in Sonoma County. What happens with the Novato-to-Suisun City line idea could in large part be up to the California State Transportation Agency. At this point, this has been the state of California, they have funded this study, they are the ones who are kind of driving this, Gamlen said. So we would look to them for guidance to see if they want to take this to another level. This is the second study in 20 years looking at passenger rail in Napa County. A rail study from 2003 by the Napa Valley Transportation Authority and Solano Transportation Authority looked at establishing train service from Calistoga to Vallejo and from American Canyon to Suisun City. That 2003 study said cost to start the service would be $216 million, with annual operating subsidies of $3.6 million to $5.9 million. Its unclear what the expenses might be today. The idea to date has gone nowhere. Instead, the Napa Valley Transportation Authority started express bus service between the city of Napa and Fairfield-Suisun in 2013. Napa County a century ago had passenger trains running through the valley, but lost them to the success of automobiles. Now the question is whether too much success for autos and the resulting congestion could give passenger trains a rebirth. 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. Saudi Arabia's foreign ministry demanded that the international community should take tough position on Iran and ban the country from spreading chaos. We call on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities by taking a firm stance against the Iranian regime by stopping it, and preventing it from spreading destruction and chaos throughout the world, Saudi Arabia MFA tweeted the words of spokesperson Adel Aljubeir. The Kingdom hopes that wisdom will prevail and that the Iranian regime and its agents will distance themselves from reckless behaviors, and will avert danger in the region, and that the Iranian regime will not lead the region to dangerous consequences. Several hours prior to the statement Saudi King called an emergency summit in the context of tension over Iran. According to earlier reports, the United States deployed at least seven vessels in the Persian Gulf as well as Patriot complex. Pentagon explained the move by increased readiness of Iran to carry out offensive operations against the United States and protection of U.S. interests. President Donald Trump said he hopes to avoid a war with Iran. Iranian spiritual leader Ali Khamenei said his country is not going to be at war with U.S., but will continue opposing Washington. Cavusoglu: Turkish-Armenian Protocols of 2009 have lost their significance Bayramov: Azerbaijan will file two more claims against Armenia in international arbitration Bayramov: There is no alternative to delimitation of Armenia-Azerbaijan border Bayramov says the question of enclaves is a reality that no one can deny Artsakh parliament expresses outrage at distorted formulations of Armenian PM MFA: Possibility of meeting of special representatives of Armenia and Turkey in Moscow is being discussed Baku supports normalization of relations between Ankara and Yerevan Azerbaijani MFA says tension between Baku and Tehran eliminated Check it out: Into infinity and beyond - "Loki" Ex-President Kocharyan on international communitys disproportionate reactions: Does Armenia want that not to happen? Cavusoglu says Armenia-Turkish's representatives 1st meeting to be held in Moscow Armenia 2nd President: These authorities will throw Karabakh issue into Russias 'pockets' Magnitude 5.2 earthquake hits Iran Armenia ex-President Kocharyan on reopening railway link: We will have only 45 km via Meghri for transit Armenia 2nd President: These authorities serve foreign interests on Artsakh issue Ex-President Kocharyan to incumbent Armenia authorities: You have fulfilled all preconditions of Turkey Ibrahim Kalin: Armenia-Turkey process will destroy arguments of Armenian diaspora in US Zas assesses situation on border of Armenia and Azerbaijan Armenia 2nd President on Meghri option: Azerbaijan president refused to sign at last moment in Key West Kocharyan: Armenia has washed its hands of Karabakh Armenia 2nd President: We continue losing propaganda war to country where power is hereditary Copper is getting cheaper UN Secretary General Guterres urges to prepare for a new pandemic Opposition MP: Armenia authorities attempting to create internal political crisis in Artsakh Armenia ex-President Kocharyan: We lost control not only over those 40-45 km but over ten times larger areas 59 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Dallas Buyers Club and Big Little Lies director dies aged 59 At least 13 people killed in Bolivia floods Armenia 2nd President Kocharyans year-end press conference World oil prices fluctuate Armenia premier: Discussions that followed my interview on Karabakh peace process revealed some falsifications Armenia ex-President Kocharyan to hold year-end press conference today starting at 11am Russian peacekeepers ensure entry of about a thousand vehicles into Nagorno-Karabakh WHO: Russias Sputnik V vaccine against Covid may be approved in 2022 Researchers report aurora borealis at equator Armenia PM Pashinyan will rule for another 10 years if opposition does nothing, says political scientist FIDE World Rapid Championship: First day of competition over Peskov labels topic of NATO's security guarantees as 'a matter of life and death' for Russia Armenian political party: Artsakh can never be a part of Azerbaijan, no govt can subordinate will of people Armenia PM responds to criticism from Karabakh officials in regard to his statements Armenia and Karabakh Ombudspersons issue statement on Nikol Pashinyan's statements Manchester City win 6-3, Arsenal 5-0, Tottenham Hotspur 3-0 FIDE World Rapid Championship: Armenia's Samvel Ter-Sahakyan ties match with Magnus Carlsen Karabakh President responds to Armenia PM Nikol Pashinyan Tottenham Hotspur to try to buy Milan's Kessie Did you know? Home Alone 2: Lost in New York: 11 interesting facts about the movie Taliban advise US to not interfere in Afghanistan's domestic affairs Keanu Reeves head-butts reporters camera at premiere of The Matrix Resurrections Karabakh Parliament Speaker: We are in a sad situation, sirs Miss Universe Pageant loses millions of dollars after cancelation Armenia opposition MP: Nikol stole from Karabakh-Armenians their small homeland, did he steal their dignity too? 2 more persons die of coronavirus in Karabakh The Beckhams show how they celebrated Christmas James Franco is new witness in Amber Heard-Johnny Depp court case Armenia opposition MP on Pashinyan's recent statements on Artsakh and Karabakh legislature's upcoming session Turkish drone strikes Kurds' Kobani in Syria - mass media Karabakh Parliament to convene special session for adoption of statement 102 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia Queen Elizabeth II delivers emotional Christmas message Stoltenberg wishes to convene session of NATO-Russia Council on Jan. 12 - mass media 2 earthquakes hit coasts of Kamchatka Peninsula in one hour Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Baker create winter fairy tale in Los Angeles, receive big wave of hate Real Madrid plan to purchase Arsen Zakharyan Steven Gerrard tests positive for COVID-19 Armenian President congratulates Justin Trudeau Macron calls launch of the James Webb telescope a historic event Iran closes land border with neighboring countries due to omicron strain Ariane successfully launches with latest James Webb telescope Turkey and Azerbaijan Foreign Ministers discuss situation in South Caucasus Pashinyan congratulates Trudeau on his anniversary Flight to Yerevan cancelled due to plane engine fire Yerevan ex-mayor Marutyan submits letter of resignation from his city council seat Artsakh Prosecutor's Office: Chartar village resident killed by long-range shot by Azerbaijan 4 dead after Sri Lanka policeman opens fire on fellow officers What 2021 event did The Simpsons predict? Newly appointed Yerevan mayor takes oath of office At least 16 people die after boat full of migrants capsizes off Greece coast of Mourinho gets offer from Nigeria national team Amirabdollahian: Iran Azerbaijan charted roadmap to further enhance ties Christmas Eve does not pass without incident for Biden 118 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia How much Queen Elizabeth spends on Christmas gifts for royal staff? Mkhitaryan, with his wife and son, wishes peace, joy, unconditional love (PHOTO) New mayor of Yerevan to swear in today Dembele gets married, they were surprised at Barca Kim Kardashian introduces beau Pete Davidson to her kids Huge ichthyosaur fossil reveals new theories about evolution speed Rare walking fish spotted off Tasmania coast for first time in 22 years Rice-sized microchip placed under skin can become Covid vaccination passport Thailand authorities seize $30M of crystal methamphetamine hidden in boxing punch bags Newspaper: No contract signed with any lobbying organization since Makunts appointment as ambassador to US Newspaper: Armenia ex-President Kocharyan to also hold press conference Newspaper: Armenia authorities instruct but investigative body can no longer continue Armenia PM: There are no legal grounds for existence of enclaves Armen Ashotyan to Pashinyan: Real catastrophe took place when a nincompoop like you came to power in Armenia Armenia PM: Catastrophe took place in Karabakh negotiations in 2016 Armenia PM on first meeting held in '3+2' regional format Armenia PM on opening of communications Yerevan mayor's oath-taking ceremony to be held on Dec. 25 Putin to not call Biden on the phone to wish him a Merry Christmas Drought parches Sindhuli villages After the water source in Dakaha Bazaar in Dudhauli Municipality-4, Sindhuli, dried up a few months ago, they scoured every possible source of water around their settlement, albeit without any success. The requested page is currently unavailable on this server. Back to [RTHK News Homepage] 1001 Parkview Blvd. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Squirrel Hill South? According to Walk Score, this Pittsburgh neighborhood requires a car for most errands, is somewhat bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in Squirrel Hill South is currently hovering around $936. So, what might you expect to find if you don't want to spend more than $1,100/month on rent? 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. 1001 Parkview Blvd. Listed at $1,100/month, this one-bedroom, one-bathroom is located at 1001 Parkview Blvd. In the unit, you can expect hardwood floors, in-unit laundry and a balcony. The building features a fitness center, garage parking and outdoor space. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are welcome. (Check out the complete listing here.) 5555 Hobart St. Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom over at 5555 Hobart St. It's listed for $1,058/month for its 794 square feet of space. Animals are not permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the complete listing here.) 5837 Darlington Road Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom at 5837 Darlington Road that's going for $1,057/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors, in-unit laundry and a balcony. 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. Tika R Pradhan is a senior political correspondent for the Post, covering politics, parliament, judiciary and social affairs. Pradhan joined the Post in 2016 after working at The Himalayan Times for more than a decade. 3752 33rd St. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in North Park? According to Walk Score, this San Diego neighborhood is quite walkable, has minimal bike infrastructure and has good transit options. Data from rental site Zumper shows that the median rent for a one bedroom in North Park is currently hovering around $1,595. So, what might you expect to find if you've got a budget of $1,700 / month? 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. 3907 Georgia St., #26 Listed at $1,700/month, this 657-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom unit is located at 3907 Georgia St., #26. In the unit, you can expect hardwood floors, a dishwasher and in-unit laundry. When it comes to building amenities, anticipate assigned parking and a swimming pool. Neither cats nor dogs are permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (Check out the complete listing here.) 3953 Florida St. Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom located at 3953 Florida St. It's listed for $1,695/month. When it comes to building amenities, expect garage parking, secured entry and on-site laundry. In the unit, look for hardwood floors and a dishwasher. Dog owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot only allows cats. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Take a gander at the complete listing here.) 3752 33rd St. Here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom at 3752 33rd St. that's also going for $1,695/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors, in-unit laundry and a fireplace. When it comes to building amenities, expect assigned parking and on-site management. Pet lovers are in luck: cats and dogs are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee, but there is a $1,695 security deposit. (See the full listing here.) Story continues 4369 Hamilton St. Last but not least, check out this 582-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom that's located at 4369 Hamilton St. It's listed for $1,625/month. In the unit, you'll get hardwood floors. Building amenities include assigned parking, on-site management and storage space. Animals are not welcome. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. (Check out 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. (Adds Kushner company comment in paragraph 9) WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - Anti-money laundering specialists at Deutsche Bank AG recommended in 2016 and 2017 that multiple transactions involving entities controlled by President Donald Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, be reported to a federal financial-crimes watchdog, the New York Times reported on Sunday. The newspaper, citing five current and former Deutsche Bank employees, said executives at the German-based bank, which has lent billions of dollars to the Trump and Kushner companies, rejected their employees' advice. The reports were never filed with the government. The Times said the transactions, some of which involved Trump's now-defunct foundation, set off alerts in a computer system designed to detect illicit activity, according to the former bank employees. Compliance staff members who then reviewed the transactions prepared so-called suspicious activity reports that they believed should be sent to a unit of the Treasury Department that polices financial crimes, according to the newspaper. The Times reported the bank employees viewed the decision not to report the transactions as a result of a lax approach to money laundering laws. They said there was a pattern of bank executives rejecting reports to protect relationships with lucrative clients, according to the newspaper. One employee who reviewed some of the transactions said she was terminated last year after raising concerns about the bank's practices, the Times reported. The Times quoted a Deutsche Bank spokeswoman as saying investigators were not prevented from escalating activity identified as potentially suspicious. The spokeswoman described as "categorically false" any suggestion that bank staff were reassigned or fired in an effort to quash concerns related to any client. She also said Deutsche Bank has intensified efforts to combat financial crime. A spokeswoman for the Trump Organization, which oversees many of Trump's business interests, said the company was not aware of any flagged transactions and currently has no operating accounts with Deutsche Bank, according to the Times. Story continues "The New York Times tries to create scandalous stories which are totally false when they run out of things to write about," a spokeswoman for Kushner Companies said in a statement to Reuters. Officials at Deutsche Bank and the Trump Organization were not immediately available to Reuters for independent comment. The Times said the nature of the transactions was not clear. At least some of them involved money flowing back and forth with overseas entities or individuals, which bank employees considered suspicious. The report surfaces at a time when congressional and New York state authorities are investigating the relationship between Trump, his family and Deutsche Bank, and demanding documents related to any suspicious activity. Trump has sued in court in an attempt to block U.S. House of Representatives subpoenas for his financial records that were sent to Deutsche Bank, Capital One Financial Corp and the accounting firm Mazars LLP. (Reporting by David Morgan Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Chris Reese) (Removes extra word in headline) * France's Alain Delon receives honorary prize at Cannes * Actor's views on women, politics have sparked backlash * Delon says in JDD interview his career is beyond reproach * Cannes festival organizers defended the award By Johnny Cotton and Sarah White CANNES, France, May 19 (Reuters) - An emotional Alain Delon received a prize for his six decade-long acting career on Sunday as the Cannes Film Festival shrugged off criticism prompted by his views on women and same-sex couples to give him an honorary Palme d'Or. Delon's hearthrob good looks and roles in major movies throughout the 1960s and 1970s made him an icon in France and he was received with a rapturous standing ovation by the crowd at a special ceremony at the festival on the French Riviera. The decision to honor the 83-year-old actor has been controversial particularly outside France, sparking an online petition in the United States which achieved more than 25,500 signatories. "One thing I'm sure about is that if there's something I'm proud of, really, the only thing, it's my career," Delon told the gala. "And this Palme d'Or was given to me for my career, for nothing else and that's why I'm happy, and pleased, and satisfied." Delon, who received the prize from his daughter Anouchka Delon, has starred in films including Luchino Visconti's "The Leopard," which won the top prize at Cannes' cinema showcase in 1963. He has inflamed public opinion over the years, including by declaring his friendship for French far-right politician Jean-Marie Le Pen, and has admitted to slapping women. Earlier on Sunday, Delon stood by some of his views in an interview with France's Journal Du Dimanche (JDD) and said other comments attributed to him had been distorted, as he added that as an actor, he was irreproachable. "I'm not against gay marriage, I don't care: people should do as they please," he was quoted as saying. "But I'm against adoption by two people of the same sex." Story continues "I said I'd slapped a woman? Yes. And I should have added that I've received more slaps than I've ever given. I've never harassed a woman in my life. They, however, harassed me a lot." Delon said he was "right-wing, full stop" and was not a supporter of the far-right. GREAT STRIDES? In the wake of the "Me Too" movement to demand greater respect and representation for women, which erupted following a wave of sexual harassment scandals that rocked the movie industry, the prize for Delon sparked questions over its timing. "The festival has really tried to make great strides with their organization and ... this year they doubled the number of women in competition," said Rhonda Richford, a Hollywood Reporter journalist based in France. "And so I think that doing that on one hand and turning around and giving this just shows an error in judgment." In the run-up to Cannes, Melissa Silverstein, the founder of women's advocate group Women and Hollywood, called out the festival for honoring "these abhorrent values" with Delon's prize. Actress Eva Longoria told reporters at another red carpet party in the southern French city on Sunday that she "understood how it could upset some people." But Cannes' festival organizers defended their choice, saying Delon was "not perfect" but was being recognized for his acting career. Some fellow actors have also come to Delon's defense. "What Alain Delon says is his own business, whether we agree with him or not," said French actress Virginie Ledoyen, who is president of the jury handing out Cannes' "Queer Palm" award for LGBT-relevant films this year. "He's a magnificent actor who really shaped cinema." (Reporting by Sarah White and Johnny Cotton; Editing by Louise Heavens and Sandra Maler) By Aftab Ahmed and Devjyot Ghoshal NEW DELHI, May 19 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling alliance is likely to win a clear majority in parliament after a mammoth general election that ended on Sunday, most exit polls showed, a far better showing than expected in recent weeks. Modi faced criticism early on in the campaign for failing to create jobs for youth and for weak farm prices and the election race was thought to be tightening with the main opposition Congress party gaining ground. But he rallied his Hindu nationalist base and turned the campaign into a fight for national security after tensions rose with Pakistan and attacked his main rival for being soft on the country's arch foe. Modi's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to win 287 seats in the 545-member lower house of parliament followed by 128 for the Congress party-led opposition alliance, CVoter exit poll showed. To rule, a party needs the support of 272 lawmakers. Votes are to be counted on Thursday. Exit polls, though, have a mixed record in a country with an electorate of 900 million people. With the majority of the polls indicating a clear majority for Modi's alliance, Indian equity markets are expected to rally sharply on Monday, while the Indian rupee is also likely to strengthen again the U.S. dollar, according to market insiders. According to another poll released by Times Now television Modi's alliance is likely to get 306 seats, a clear majority. One poll by Neta Newsx, though, forecast Modi's group falling 30 seats short. Critics say Modi has stoked fear among the country's Hindu majority of the potential dangers posed by the countrys Muslims and Pakistan, and promoted a Hindu-first India. But Modis supporters say the prime minister and his allies are simply restoring Hinduism to its rightful place at the core of Indian society. (Additional reporting by Aditi Shah; Writing by Sanjeev Miglani; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) (Adds details, quotes) May 19 (Reuters) - Former Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 when he finished fourth fastest in a six-car last-row shootout on Sunday. The Spaniard needed to be in the top three to make the 33-car field for the May 26 race but missed the coveted spot when Kyle Kaiser averaged 0.019 mph faster than Alonso for four laps. Alonso averaged 227.353 mph in the McLaren-prepared Chevrolet with Kaiser, the last driver to take the track, hitting 227.372. Sage Karam and James Hinchliffe joined Kaiser in qualifying. Alonso was running a completely new set-up after failing to qualify on Saturday and struggling in pre-shootout practice. "I think the car felt better today than what we had yesterday. (So I am) happy with things we tried," he told reporters before learning he had not qualified. "We never surrendered. We kept trying." He had missed out on qualifying in his McLaren-prepared Chevrolet on Saturday. (Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina; Editing by Ken Ferris) * Falih says there is consensus to drive down inventories * Ministerial panel recommends continued monitoring of market * OPEC, allies meet in June to decide production policy * Russia's Novak: option of easing cuts was discussed * Falih says rollover of curbs in H2 main option (Updates with Saudi, Russia comments after panel meeting) By Rania El Gamal and Vladimir Soldatkin JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, May 19 (Reuters) - Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday there was consensus among OPEC and allied oil producers to drive down crude inventories "gently" but his country would remain responsive to the needs of what he called a fragile market. Falih said a possible rollover in the second half of 2019 of output curbs agreed by OPEC and non-members was the main option discussed at a ministerial panel meeting during the day but "things can change by June." "This second half, our preference is to maintain production management to keep inventories on their way declining gradually, softly but certainly declining towards normal levels," he told a news conference after the panel meeting. OPEC, Russia and other non-member producers, an alliance known as OPEC+, agreed to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from Jan. 1 for six months, a deal designed to stop inventories building up and weakening prices. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak earlier said an easing of cuts had been discussed and the supply situation would be clearer in a month, including from countries under sanctions. Two sources said Saudi Arabia, OPEC's de facto leader, and Russia were discussing two main scenarios for June's OPEC+ meeting and that both frameworks proposed higher output from the second half. One scenario was to eliminate over-compliance with agreed cuts, which would increase output by some 0.8 million bpd, while the other option was to ease the agreed cuts to 0.9 million bpd. Falih told reporters the market was "very fragile" with conflicting data due to concerns about supply disruptions while inventories rise, but that a "comfortable supply situation" should be seen in weeks and months to come. Story continues He said high compliance with the agreed cuts was not sustainable and that over-conformity by some countries "can be reversed in June." The minister said that if a decision were taken at that meeting to roll over cuts, then Saudi Arabia would stay within those limits. He said the kingdom's oil output in May and June was planned to be 9.8 million bpd. "It is critical that we dont make hasty decisions given the conflicting data, the complexity involved, and the evolving situation," Falih said, describing the outlook as "quite foggy" due in part to a U.S.-China trade dispute. "But I want to assure you that our group has always done the right thing in the interests of both consumers and producers; and we will continue to do so," he added. Falih said Saudi oil output in July would remain within its OPEC production target. United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei had told reporters that producers were capable of filling any market gap and that relaxing supply cuts was not "the right decision." Mazrouei said the UAE did not want to see a rise in inventories that could lead to a price collapse. He said OPEC's job "is not done yet" and that there was no need to alter the agreement in the meantime. U.S. crude inventories rose unexpectedly last week to their highest since September 2017, Energy Information Administration data showed. DELICATE BALANCE Saudi Arabia sees no need to boost production quickly now, with oil at around $70 a barrel, as it fears a price crash and a build-up in inventories, OPEC sources said. The United States, not a member of OPEC+ but a close ally of Riyadh, wants the group to boost output to lower oil prices. Falih has to find a balance between keeping the oil market well supplied and prices high enough for Riyadh's budget needs, while pleasing Moscow to ensure Russia remains in the OPEC+ pact, and being responsive to the concerns of the United States and the rest of OPEC+, sources said. Iran's oil exports are likely to drop further in May and Venezuelan shipments could fall again in coming weeks due to U.S. sanctions. Falih said oil demand in Asia had picked up, while demand in the United States for Saudi crude had dropped. He said nobody knew what Iran was producing or exporting, adding that he believed "a lot" of Iranian oil was unaccounted for. Oil contamination forced Russia to halt flows along the Druzhba pipeline - a key conduit for crude into Eastern Europe and Germany - in April, leaving refiners scrambling for supplies. Novak said Russia would restore its output in May and that contaminated oil would not affect its annual output forecast. OPEC's agreed share of the cuts is 800,000 bpd, but its actual reduction is far larger due to the production losses in Iran and Venezuela. Both are exempt from the voluntary reductions under the OPEC-led deal. REGIONAL TENSIONS Oil prices edged lower on Friday due to demand fears amid a standoff in Sino-U.S. trade talks, but ended the week higher on concerns over disruptions in Middle East shipments due to U.S.-Iran political tensions. Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are running high after last week's attacks on two Saudi oil tankers off the UAE coast and another on Saudi oil facilities inside the kingdom. Riyadh accused Tehran of ordering the drone strikes on oil pumping stations, for which Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility. The UAE has blamed no one for the tanker sabotage. Iran has distanced itself from both sets of attacks. Although it has not affected our supplies, such acts of terrorism are deplorable," Falih said. "They threaten uninterrupted supplies of energy to the world and put a global economy that is already facing headwinds at further risk." The attacks come as the United States and Iran spar over Washington's tightening of sanctions aimed at cutting Iranian oil exports to zero, and an increased U.S. military presence in the Gulf over perceived Iranian threats to U.S. interests. (Additional reporting by Dahlia Nehme and Stephen Kalin; Writing by Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Dale Hudson) * Reform removes threat to Switzerland as low-tax pariah * Measure passes by 66-34% margin in referendum * Move also boosts contribution to pension system (Adds result) ZURICH, May 19 (Reuters) - Voters in Switzerland approved on Sunday a shake-up of the corporate tax system, heading off what its finance minister had called an existential threat to the country's role as a business hub. Provisional results with all votes counted showed the measure passed in the binding referendum by a 66-34 percent margin. The vote on tax reform and pension finance defuses a long-running row over favorable Swiss tax rates for multinational corporations. Acceptance was vital to prevent the country being branded a low-tax pariah, Finance Minister Ueli Maurer has said. Two years ago, under the Swiss system of direct democracy, voters rejected an attempt to overhaul the tax system, which critics say gives the country an unfair advantage in attracting global companies. Under pressure from the European Union and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the Swiss had promised to meet international standards and eliminate special low tax rates that benefit around 24,000 foreign companies based in Switzerland. The government plans to scrap special tax status for these companies that pay corporate rates in individual cantons as low as 7.8% to 12%, compared with 12% to 24% for "normal" Swiss companies. Cantons in turn will lower their tax rates for normal companies to deter them from leaving. To cover the resulting revenue shortfall of around 2 billion Swiss francs ($1.98 billion), the federal government will increase the share of federal tax that cantons get. To allay fears that corporations would benefit at the expense of citizens, the package increases annual contributions to the state pension system by 2 billion francs by raising contributions from employers and workers and having the federal government chip in more. ($1 = 1.0105 Swiss francs) (Reporting by Michael Shields; Editing by Alison Williams and Mark Potter) (Adds details, quotes and background) By Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - The White House will unveil the first part of President Donald Trump's long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan when it holds an international conference in Bahrain in late June to encourage investment in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, senior U.S. officials said on Sunday. The "economic workshop" will bring together government officials and business leaders in an effort to jump-start the economic portion of the peace initiative, which is also expected to include proposals for resolving thorny political issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the officials said. Trump has touted the coming plan as the "deal of the century," but Palestinian officials have rebuked the U.S. effort, which they believe will be heavily biased in favor of Israel. Trump's Middle East team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and regional envoy Jason Greenblatt, appears intent on focusing initially on potential economic benefits, despite deep skepticism among experts that they can succeed where decades of U.S.-backed efforts have failed. "We think this is an opportunity to take the economic plan that we've worked on for a long time now and present it in the region," a senior Trump administration official said. The participants in the June 25-26 conference in Manama, the first phase of the peace plan's rollout, are expected to include representatives and business executives from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including some finance ministers, the administration official said. A second U.S. official declined to say whether Israeli and Palestinian officials were likely to take part. "Our position is clear: we will neither participate in the economic segment nor in the political segment of this deal," said PLO senior official Wasel Abu Youssef. The Palestinian Authority has boycotted the U.S. peace effort since late 2017 when Trump decided to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing decades of U.S. policy. Story continues But the senior U.S. official said several Palestinian business leaders "have shown a lot of interest" in the conference. A spokesman for Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said: "We have not yet received an invitation." INVESTMENT IN GAZA? U.S. officials had said earlier the peace plan would be rolled out after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in early June. But the announcement of the investors workshop appears to set the stage for a sequenced release of the plan, starting with the economic plan, and later, at some time not yet clear, the political proposals. The senior U.S. official said the conference would show the people of Gaza, which is controlled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, that "there are donor countries around the world willing to come in and make investments." The Trump administration has sought to enlist support from Arab governments. The plan is likely to call for billions of dollars in financial backing for the Palestinians, mostly from oil-rich Gulf states, according to people informed about the discussions. Saudi Arabia has assured Arab allies it would not endorse any U.S. plan that fails to meet key Palestinian concerns. Though the plan's authors insist the exact contents are known only to a handful of insiders, Trump's aides have disclosed it will address the major political issues such as the status of Jerusalem. They have said they expect Israelis and Palestinians will both be critical of some of the proposals. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told a recent meeting at the United Nations attended by Greenblatt that the United States seemed to be crafting a plan for a Palestinian surrender to Israel and insisted "there's no amount of money that can make it acceptable." Chief among the Palestinians' concerns is whether the plan will meet their core demand of calling for them to have an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip -- territory Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Kushner has declined to say whether the plan includes a two-state solution, a central goal of other recent peace efforts that is widely endorsed internationally. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland; additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza and Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Editing by Chris Reese and Sandra Maler) * Modi riding wave of nationalism * Mammoth election ends, votes to be counted Thursday * Exit polls predict big win for Modi's alliance * Indian markets expected to rally on poll projections (Adds details. Voter quote) By Aftab Ahmed and Devjyot Ghoshal NEW DELHI, May 19 (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to return to power with an even bigger majority in parliament after a mammoth general election that ended on Sunday, exit polls showed, a far better showing than expected in recent weeks. Modi faced criticism early on in the campaign for failing to create jobs and for weak farm prices, and analysts as well as politicians said the election race was tightening with the main opposition Congress party gaining ground. But he rallied his Hindu nationalist base and turned the campaign into a fight for national security after tensions rose with Pakistan and attacked his main rival for being soft on the country's arch foe. Modi's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to win anything between 339-365 seats in the 545-member lower house of parliament with the Congress party-led opposition alliance at a distant 77 to 108, India Today Axis exit poll showed. To rule, a party needs to win 272 seats. Modi's alliance won 336 seats in the 2014 election. The exit polls showed that he not only held to this base in the northern Hindi belt but also breached the east where regional groups traditionally held sway. Only the south largely resisted the Hindu nationalist surge, except for Karnataka, home to software capital Bengaluru. Counting of votes recorded in hundreds of thousands of computerized machines will begin early on Thursday and results are expected by noon. According to another poll released by Todays Chanakya, Modi's alliance is likely to get around 350 seats. One poll by Neta Newsx, though, forecast Modi's group falling 30 seats short. Exit polls, though, have a mixed record in a country with an electorate of 900 million people - around two-thirds of whom voted in the seven-phase election. They have often gotten the number of seats wrong, but the broad direction has generally been correct, analysts say. Story continues With three out of four of the polls indicating a clear majority for Modi's alliance, Indian equity markets are expected to rally sharply on Monday, while the Indian rupee is also likely to strengthen versus the U.S. dollar, according to market participants. A clear win would mean Modi can carry out reforms investors expect to make India an easier place for doing business, they said. "I expect a positive reaction from markets on both the rupee and equities," said Sajal Gupta, head of forex and rates at Indian brokerage firm Edelweiss Securities. "Equity indices should have a rally of maybe 250-300 points," said Gupta, adding the Indian rupee may test the 69 level against the U.S. dollar before retreating. HINDU HARDLINE FEARS But a big win for Modi would fan fears that Hindu hardliner groups would be further emboldened to pursue partisan programs such as punishing Muslims for the slaughter of cows, considered sacred by Hindus, rewriting school textbooks to reduce India's Muslim history and attack liberals. Critics say Modi sought to win votes by stoking fear among the Hindu majority of the potential dangers posed by the country's Muslims and Pakistan, and promoted a Hindu-first India. But his supporters say Modi and his allies are simply restoring Hinduism to its rightful place at the core of Indian society. Muslims make up about 14% of India's 1.3 billion population. "The massive crowds and response at every rally of Prime Minister Modi were a clear indicator of their approval for his leadership, the performance of the past five years and the vision for the future," Nalin Kohli, a spokesman of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party said. Dilip Agrawal, 46, who runs a mill in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, said he had voted for Modi, despite the difficulties faced by farmers. "He is doing so much for our country, our national security. Of course farmers want better rates than they are getting, that's only natural. Only a strong leader can meet our aspirations, and Modi is that leader." GANDHI LOSS The Congress pary led by Rahul Gandhi, the fourth generation scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that ruled India for decades following independence, focused on Modi's failure to deliver on the promises he made to transform the economy and turn India into a manufacturing hub. Congress spokesman Sanjay Jha dismissed the poll projections, saying that an alliance led by his party would defeat the BJP when votes are counted on May 23. "Many of the pollsters, if not all of the pollsters, have got it wrong," he said, adding that a polarized atmosphere and fear had kept voters from telling pollsters about their actual allegiance. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal state and a bitter opponent of Modi, said the fight was not over. "I don't trust exit poll gossip," she said on Twitter. "I appeal to all opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together." Voting began on April 11 and ended on Sunday in the world's biggest democratic exercise. Although Modi's party is poised to lose seats in northern Uttar Pradesh, which elects the most lawmakers out of all Indian states, the party's return to power will be on the back of a strong showing in other northern heartland regions and two eastern provinces, CVoter's polling showed. (Additional reporting by Aditi Shah; Writing by Sanjeev Miglani; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Louise Heavens) Reuters Chinese citizens lashed out online against billionaire Tesla founder Elon Musk's space ambitions on Monday after China complained that its space station was forced to take evasive action to avoid collision with satellites launched by Musk's Starlink programme. The satellites from Starlink Internet Services, a division of Musk's SpaceX aerospace company, had two "close encounters" with the Chinese space station on July 1 and Oct. 21, according to a document submitted by China earlier this month to the U.N.'s space agency. ICYMI: Here are our top stories from Sunday, May 19 Here are some of the top stories from The Kathmandu Post (May 19, 2019). VALLETTA, Malta (AP) Two Maltese soldiers have pleaded not guilty to charges they participated in a racially-motivated, fatal drive-by shooting of a migrant from Ivory Coast. The two men, Lorin Scicluna and Francesco Fenech, were also charged Sunday with the April 6 attempted murder of two other men from Guinea and Gambia, who were seriously injured in the attack. The death of Ivorian Lassana Cisse is believed to be Malta's first racially motivated slaying amid Europe's current debate over migration. The charges, which include racial hatred and committing a racially motivated crime, carry a maximum of life in prison. Migration is a key political issue for the Mediterranean island nation, particularly ahead of European Parliament elections this week. Maltese political leaders and Catholic Church officials have been speaking out against growing hate speech against migrants, particularly on social media. * Pagenaud tops Carpenter for pole * Surprising Kaiser bumps Alonso for last spot * Miss ends tough week for Spaniard (Adds pole winner, details) May 19 (Reuters) - Former Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso narrowly failed to qualify for the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday as France's Simon Pagenaud took pole position for the May 26 race. Kyle Kaiser beat out Alonso for the final spot in the 33-car field when he finished third, one spot ahead of the Spaniard, in a six-car shootout that determined the Indy 500's last row. The 23-year-old Kaiser, the last driver to take the track, averaged 227.372 mph for his four laps, a mere 0.019 mph ahead of Alonso's 227.353 mph average in the McLaren-prepared Chevrolet. "We never surrendered. We kept trying," Alonso, 37, told reporters after a tough week at the famed speedway. The Spaniard crashed his Chevrolet in practice on Wednesday and missed nearly two full days of practice while a back-up car was prepared. Then he tried five times on Saturday to qualify, puncturing a tire on the first attempt. Alonso had a completely new set up for Sunday's shootout but could not get the speed he needed to qualify. "I think the car felt better today than what we had yesterday. (So I am) happy with things we tried," he told reporters before learning he had not qualified. Pagenaud had a four-lap average speed of 229.992 mph to become the first Frenchman to take the pole since Rene Thomas in 1919. Its just amazing, Pagenaud, who last week won the IndyCar Grand Prix on the tracks road course, told NBC Sports. Obviously last week was amazing, but this is even more special. He will be joined by Ed Carpenter (229.889) and Spencer Pigot (229.826) on the front row. But the Cinderella story belonged to Kaiser, the 33rd qualifier. I dont think I can wrap my mind around what we just did, he said after bumping Alonso from the field. This is all the credit to the team. Theyve been working non-stop trying to get this car ready for us and they did everything that we needed to get into this field. (Reporting by Gene Cherry in Raleigh, North Carolina; Editing by Ken Ferris) By Amanda Becker WASHINGTON, May 19 (Reuters) - Some Democrats vying for the party's 2020 presidential nomination shifted the focus of the race to foreign policy on Sunday, criticizing Republican President Donald Trump as a weak commander in chief who is escalating tensions with Iran. The relationship between Washington and Tehran has become increasingly strained in recent weeks, raising concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. Trump and hawkish foreign policy advisers like national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo want Tehran to give up its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. Trump has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, aimed at forcing its leaders into negotiations. Pompeo last year outlined a list of demands on Iran that critics said showed he was pushing for regime change. Representative Tulsi Gabbard, one of 24 Democrats vying for the White House nomination, said on ABC's "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" that Trump was "leading us down this dangerous path towards a war with Iran." "He says he doesn't want it, but the actions of him and his administration, people like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, tell us a very different story. They are setting the stage for a war with Iran that would prove to be far more costly, far more devastating and dangerous than anything that we saw in the Iraq war," Gabbard said. Trump has said he is not pushing for war with Iran. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he promised to stay out of overseas conflicts, saying the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were too costly. In May 2018, Trump withdrew the United States from a multinational deal with Iran negotiated by the Obama administration that reduced economic sanctions on Tehran in exchange for scaling back its nuclear program. Trump criticized the deal as weak, saying he would negotiate a stronger one. Gabbard, 38, enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard after the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks and was twice deployed to the Middle East. Gabbard has said she is running for president to end regime-change wars, though she currently trails most of her 2020 opponents in opinion polls. Story continues Another White House hopeful, Representative Seth Moulton, a 40-year-old former U.S. Marine Corps officer who did four tours in Iraq, told "This Week" that if the Trump administration sends additional troops to the Gulf it could "drag us into war." "Make no mistake, this is exactly what John Bolton wants to have happen," said Moulton, who also trails in 2020 opinion polls. "The world is so dangerous when you have a weak commander in chief in the president of the United States." Moulton counts as a mentor former Vice President Joe Biden, who currently leads the 2020 Democratic field in support. When asked why Democratic primary voters should back him over his mentor, Moulton said: "I think it's time for the generation that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan to take over for the generation that sent us there." Gabbard resigned her post at the Democratic National Committee in 2016 when Hillary Clinton was the nominee because she said the former secretary of state's foreign policy positions were too hawkish. Gabbard was asked by ABC if that also applied to Biden, given both he and Clinton served in the Obama administration. "We'll see what Vice President Biden's foreign policy vision is for this country. We may agree on some issues, disagree on others," Gabbard said. (GRAPHIC: Who is running in 2020 - tmsnrt.rs/2Ff62ZC) (Reporting By Amanda Becker in Washington; editing by Bill Berkrot) There are lots of lessons that we end up wishing we'd learned earlier. For example: Taking care of our health is important, saying "yes" more often can lead to good developments, and holding on to grudges isn't worth it. Some life lessons, though, are financial in nature -- and not learning them soon enough can result in missing out on amassing many thousands of dollars and ending up with less financial security later in life. Below are three important lessons I wish I'd learned sooner. Two hands holding up a sign on which is written the question "Did you know?" Image source: Getty Images. No. 1: You can amass a lot of money, even if you don't earn much I suppose I'd always known that one could invest money and increase its value, but for a long time, I just assumed it didn't really apply to me. That's because I was earning relatively little and didn't have thousands of dollars lying around. I wish I'd known back then that even small sums can grow into large ones, given enough time. (And back then, decades ago, time is what I had a lot of.) Check out how a single $500 investment grows over time, at 8%: After these years A single $500 investment grows at 8% to: 1 year $540 5 years $735 10 years $1,079 20 years $2,330 30 years $5,031 40 years $10,862 Source: Calculations by author. See? That's the magic of compounding. Any small investment you might make while you're young and not earning much can grow more than 10-fold over 30 years, and 20-fold over 40 years. Sure, 40 years is quite far away. But if you're 24 years old, you'll be only 64 in 40 years -- prime retirement age. The table below shows how you can amass a lot by regularly investing various modest sums: Growing at 8% for $1,000 invested annually $3,000 invested annually $5,000 invested annually 5 years $6,336 $19,008 $31,680 10 years $15,645 $46,936 $78,227 15 years $29,324 $87,973 $146,621 20 years $49,423 $148,269 $247,115 25 years $78,954 $236,863 $394,772 30 years $122,346 $367,038 $611,729 Source: Calculations by author. Story continues Aim to increase how much you sock away whenever you can, as your income grows over time, and you'll amass even more. No. 2: Learn more, to make fewer mistakes It's not just enough to be socking money away, though. You should be doing so in the most effective ways possible. For many, if not most, people, that's the stock market. Unfortunately, many beginning investors make mistakes -- several of which may never even get corrected, if there isn't continual learning going on. These mistakes can be quite costly. Here are some of my own early mistakes: Being impatient and jumping in and out of stocks too rapidly. That tends to generate a lot of trading commissions, and it doesn't give many great stocks a chance to perform for you, either. Selling too soon. Many times, I sold out of a stock after making some money in it. What's wrong with that? Well, some of these stocks were ones like Amazon.com . Sure, it's nice to double your money, but staying invested for many years in a strong and growing company can get you much more gain than that. Investing in too many companies. If your money is spread out across 50 or 60 (or more) companies, it's going to be hard for you to really follow them well, keeping up with their news and reading through their quarterly and annual reports. Also, if one of them soars, it will probably not make a huge difference to your portfolio. Not really researching companies before investing in them. That's a good way to end up surprised, when a competing company is stealing market share or a low stock price turns out to be because of an accounting scandal. No. 3: Keeping it simple, with index funds, is often best If the mistakes above make you think that investing in individual stocks is a lot of work, you're right. It shouldn't be taken lightly, as you're deploying your precious hard-earned dollars and are building up a needed war chest for a down payment on a home, college costs, or your retirement. Fortunately, there's an easier way: index funds. A low-fee, broad-market index fund, such as one based on the S&P 500, will instantly have you invested in about 500 of America's biggest and best companies, which together make up about 80% of the overall market's value. Index funds tend to outperform other mutual funds, too. According to the folks at Standard & Poor's, for example, as of the end of 2018, 89% of all domestic stock mutual funds underperformed the S&P 1500 Composite Index over the past 15 years. And 92% of large-cap stock funds underperformed the S&P 500. Sticking with index funds for most or all of your stock market dollars isn't any kind of surrender or wimping out. You'll stand a good chance of outperforming those who pick individual stocks -- even professional money managers. None other than super investor Warren Buffett has recommended index funds for most people, too. More From The Motley Fool John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool's board of directors. Selena Maranjian owns shares of Amazon. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Amazon. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Looking to try the best cocktail bars in town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top cocktail bars in Atlanta, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fulfill your urges. 1. A Mano photo: shannon r./yelp Topping the list is A Mano. Located at 587 Ralph McGill Blvd. NE in Old Fourth Ward, the cocktail bar, pop-up restaurant and Italian spot is the highest-rated cocktail bar in Atlanta, boasting 4.5 stars out of 137 reviews on Yelp. 2. The Optimist Photo: melissa w./Yelp Next up is Home Park's The Optimist, situated at 914 Howell Mill Road. With four stars out of 1,424 reviews on Yelp, the cocktail bar and music venue, which offers seafood and more, has proven to be a local favorite. 3. Holeman & Finch Photo: ruby c./Yelp Holeman & Finch, located at 2277 Peachtree Road NE, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the gastropub and cocktail bar four stars out of 1,311 reviews. 4. STK Atlanta Photo: michelle k./Yelp Over in Midtown, check out STK Atlanta, which has earned four stars out of 926 reviews on Yelp. You can find the steakhouse, cocktail bar and New American spot at 1075 Peachtree St. NE. 5. Ecco And then there's Ecco, a Midtown favorite with four stars out of 858 reviews. Stop by 40 Seventh St. NE to hit up the cocktail bar and modern European and Italian spot next time you're in the mood. 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. Hero Coffee Bar. | Photo: Leisha M./Yelp Looking to try the best coffee roasteries in town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top coffee roasteries in Chicago, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fill the bill. 1. Hero Coffee Bar PHOTO: JESSICA M./YELP Topping the list is Hero Coffee Bar. Located at 439 S. Dearborn St. (between Van Buren Street and Congress Parkway) in the Loop, the coffee roastery, which offers coffee, tea and more, is the highest rated spot of its kind in Chicago, boasting 4.5 stars out of 364 reviews on Yelp. 2. Big Shoulders Coffee PHOTO: PRIZZI M./YELP Next up is River West's Big Shoulders Coffee, situated at 1105 W. Chicago Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 262 reviews on Yelp, the coffee roastery has proven to be a local favorite. 3. The Coffee & Tea Exchange PHOTO: THE COFFEE & TEA EXCHANGE/YELP Lake View East's The Coffee & Tea Exchange, located at 3311 N. Broadway (between Aldine Avenue and Buckingham Place), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the coffee roastery, which offers coffee, tea and more, 4.5 stars out of 240 reviews. 4. Julius Meinl PHOTO: SUNSHINE A./YELP Julius Meinl, a coffee roastery that offers coffee and tea and more in Lakeview, is another go-to, with four stars out of 687 Yelp reviews. Head over to 3601 N. Southport Ave. (between Waveland Avenue and Addison Street) to see for yourself. 5. Printer's Row Coffee PHOTO: PRINTERS ROW COFFEE/YELP Over in Wrightwood Neighbors, check out Printer's Row Coffee, which has earned five stars out of 41 reviews on Yelp. You can find the coffee roastery, which offers coffee and tea and more, at 2482 N. Lincoln Ave. (between Montana and Altgeld streets). 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. Lotus Restaurant. | Photo: Brianna K./Yelp Looking for a yummy Southeast Asian meal near you? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top Southeast Asian spots around Minneapolis, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to achieve your dreams. 1. Lotus Restaurant Photo: Brianna K./Yelp Topping the list is Lotus Restaurant. Located at 113 W. Grant St. in Loring Park, the Vietnamese spot is the highest rated Southeast Asian restaurant in Minneapolis, boasting 4.5 stars out of 681 reviews on Yelp. "For me personally, Asian food is really my type of soul food," said Yelper Jeremiah N. "The portions are really generous sizes for the respective prices." 2. My Huong Kitchen Photo: Kara D./Yelp Next up is Whittier's My Huong Kitchen, situated at 2718 Nicollet Ave., Suite 101B With 4.5 stars out of 344 reviews on Yelp, the Vietnamese spot, which offers bubble tea and juice and smoothies, has proven to be a local favorite. "This is now my favorite place to get Vietnamese comfort foods like pho," said Yelper Keno W. "I had the pho special and man was it good." 3. Quang Restaurant Photo: Daniel Y./Yelp Whittier's Quang Restaurant, located at 2719 Nicollet Ave. South, is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the Vietnamese spot, which offers sandwiches and noodles, four stars out of 971 reviews. "My family has been frequenting this place since I was born and I still go here to this day. It is hands down one of the best Vietnamese places in MN," said Yelper Jennifer L. 4. HAI HAI Photo: Kathy M./Yelp HAI HAI, a cocktail bar and Vietnamese and breakfast and brunch spot in Holland, is another go-to, with four stars out of 387 Yelp reviews. Head over to 2121 University Ave. NE to see for yourself. "As an Asian person, I am usually pretty skeptical of Asian fusion restaurants, especially in the Midwest," said Yelper Peter P. "However, I think Hai Hai is pretty delicious." 5. Lu's Sandwiches Photo: Susan Y./Yelp Finally, there's Lu's Sandwiches, a Whittier favorite with four stars out of 328 reviews. Stop by 2624 Nicollet Ave. South to hit up the Vietnamese spot, which offers sandwiches and fast food, next time you're in the mood. "The banh mi is good," said Yelper Jenny L. "Forget Subway. Forget Jimmy John's. Lu's Sandwiches is the only place in the Twin Cities to get a great banh mi." 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. Mac's Local Eats. | Photo: Abby C./Yelp Looking to sample the best burgers around town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top burger spots in St. Louis, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture when cravings strike. 1. Sugarfire Smoke House Photo: Shakaya h./Yelp Topping the list is Sugarfire Smoke House. Located at 605 Washington Ave. downtown, the spot to score barbecue and burgers is the highest rated burger spot in St. Louis, boasting 4.5 stars out of 737 reviews on Yelp. 2. Mac's Local Eats Photo: leslie S./Yelp Next up is Clayton-Tamm's Mac's Local Eats, situated at 1227 Tamm Ave. With 4.5 stars out of 220 reviews on Yelp, the traditional American spot, which offers burgers and more, has proven to be a local favorite. 3. Hi-Pointe Drive-In Photo: gabe s./Yelp Hi-Pointe's Hi-Pointe Drive-In, located at 1033 McCausland Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the spot to score burgers, ice cream and frozen yogurt and sandwiches four stars out of 491 reviews. 4. Layla Photo: jolena s./Yelp Layla, a lounge and vegetarian spot that offers burgers and more in Forest Park Southeast, is another go-to, with four stars out of 366 Yelp reviews. Head over to 4317 Manchester Ave. to see for yourself. 5. F&B's Eatery Photo: michael p./Yelp Over in Lindenwood Park, check out F&B's Eatery, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 69 reviews on Yelp. You can find the spot to score burgers and sandwiches at 3453 Hampton Ave. 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. * Rocket falls in fortified Green Zone, no casualties * No claim of responsibility * U.S. warns of response if Iran to blame * Iran's Iraqi allies rush condemn attack (Recasts, adds context, militia leader quotes) By Ahmed Rasheed and Ahmed Aboulenein BAGHDAD, May 19 (Reuters) - A rocket was fired into the Iraqi capital Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and diplomatic missions, on Sunday night, falling near the U.S. Embassy but causing no casualties, the Iraqi military said. The attack came two weeks after U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned Iraqi leaders during a surprise visit to Baghdad that if they failed to keep in check Iran-backed militias, which are expanding their power in Iraq and now form part of its security apparatus, the United States would respond with force. His visit came after U.S. intelligence showed Iran-backed Shi'ite militias positioning rockets near bases housing U.S. forces, according to two Iraqi security sources. A U.S. State Department official noted that there had so far been no claim of responsibility, and that no U.S.-inhabited facility was impacted. "But, we take this incident very seriously," the official said. "We will hold Iran responsible if any such attacks are conducted by its proxy militia forces or elements of such forces, and will respond to Iran accordingly." The Iraq military said the Katyusha rocket fell in the middle of the Green Zone, near the Monument of the Unknown Soldier. The monument lies in open ground about half a kilometer (a third of a mile) north of the sprawling, riverside U.S. Embassy compound. The blast was heard across central Baghdad, according to Reuters witnesses and residents. The embassy in Baghdad and U.S. consulate in the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital Erbil has already evacuated non-emergency staff, out of apparent concern about perceived threats from Iran. Iran's Iraqi allies rushed to condemn the attack and stressed that a war between Tehran and Washington would be bad for Baghdad and the whole region. Story continues Militia leader and politician Hadi al-Ameri, whose electoral block holds the second largest number of seats in Iraqi's parliament, urged Iraqis in a statement overnight "not to be the fire that fuels this war" that would "burn everyone." His sentiment was echoed by Qais al-Khazali, another prominent Iran-backed militia leader, who tweeted that a war would be neither in Washington's nor in Tehran's interests. IRAN-U.S. TENSION Tensions between Washington and its Gulf Arab allies on one side and Tehran and its proxies in the region on the other, have been flaring for weeks. On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump threatened Iran in a tweet, raising concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" he tweeted. Trump has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, and his administration says it has built up the U.S. military presence in the region. It accuses Iran of threats to U.S. troops and interests. Tehran has described U.S. moves as "psychological warfare" and a "political game." Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility for a drone strike on two oil pumping stations in Saudi Arabia last week. The kingdom accused Tehran of ordering the attack. Two days earlier, four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Both Iran and the United States have said they do not want war. After the blast, Iraqi police special forces found a rocket launcher in eastern Baghdad's al-Sina district, about 7 km (4 miles) away across the Tigris River from the Green Zone, and sealed off the area, a police source told Reuters. Officers were searching for suspects and an ordnance disposal team from the Baghdad Operations Command was inspecting the launcher, the source said. The Green Zone was regularly targeted by mortars during the U.S. occupation of Iraq that ended in 2011. Rockets have occasionally been fired into the Green Zone since then. The latest such incident was in September, when three mortar shells landed inside the Green Zone, causing no casualties. The Katyusha multiple rocket launcher is an inexpensive type of rocket artillery that can deliver explosives to a target quicker than conventional artillery, but is less accurate. (Reporting by John Davison, Ahmed Rasheed, and Ahmed Aboulenein in Baghdad, and Raya Jalabi in Erbil; Additional reporting by David Lawder, Phil Stewart, and Idrees Ali in Washington; Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein and Raya Jalabi; Editing by Alison Williams) Koshi corridor power line project faces new setback, likely to miss deadline by 10 months Just a month after works resumed following a six-month hiatus, the Koshi corridor transmission line project has again faced a setback as the project has been barred from extracting construction materials from local rivers for the construction of substations. Doha (AFP) - Qatari state-funded broadcaster Al Jazeera suspended two journalists on Sunday over a video they produced claiming the extent of the Holocaust was being misrepresented by Jews. The clip, posted by Al Jazeera's online AJ+ Arabic service, claimed "the narrative" that the Nazis killed six million Jews was "adopted by the Zionist movement". Six million Jews were systematically killed by the Nazis during World War II. Images of the persecution of European Jews living under Nazi rule, as well as photographs of those killed, were overlayed with narration asking "why is there a focus only on them?" The video said that "along with others, the Jews faced a policy of systematic persecution which culminated in the Final Solution". But the clip went on to suggest that because of the Jewish community's access to "financial resources (and) media institutions", it was able to "put a special spotlight" on the suffering of the Jews. "The video content and accompanying posts were swiftly deleted by AJ+ senior management from all AJ+ pages and accounts on social media, as it contravened the network's editorial standards," the Al Jazeera Media Network said in a statement. "Al Jazeera completely disowns the offensive content in question and reiterated that Al Jazeera would not tolerate such material," added Yaser Bishr, the executive director of the digital division. Bishr also called for "mandatory bias training", according to the statement. The clip and social media posts, first published on May 18, were "swiftly deleted" by management, it added. Washington (AFP) - Republican lawmaker Justin Amash said Saturday that he believed Donald Trump has engaged in "impeachable conduct," becoming the first politician of his party to call for removing the president from his party. The Michigan representative also accused Attorney General William Barr of "deliberately" misleading the public over the actual content and tenor of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report on Russian interference aimed at tipping the election to Trump. In a series of tweets, Amash -- a member of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus -- said "few members of Congress even read Mueller's report," which identified "multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice." "Undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence," he added. "Contrary to Barr's portrayal, Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment." Amash's comments went even further than those by most Democratic leaders in Congress. Fellow Michigan lawmaker Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat, urged Amash to co-sponsor her impeachment resolution. "@justinamash come find me in 1628 Longworth. I've got an impeachment investigation resolution you're going to want to cosponsor," she wrote in response to Amash's thread. Trump has proclaimed he was fully exonerated by Mueller's report. But some Democrats argue that the document lays out multiple occasions in which the president may have obstructed justice, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, a 2020 presidential candidate who has called for impeachment proceedings. Other senior Democrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have cautioned against such a move, stressing it could deeply divide the nation of about 325 million people. They warn it could backfire politically in the run-up to the 2020 election, especially with the Republican-controlled Senate likely to acquit the president in the event of impeachment by the House of Representatives. WASHINGTON (AP) House Democrats will hear from former CIA Director John Brennan about the situation in Iran, inviting him to speak next week amid heightened concerns over the Trump administration's sudden moves in the region. Brennan, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, is scheduled to talk to House Democrats at a private weekly caucus meeting Tuesday, according to a Democratic aide and another person familiar with the private meeting. Both were granted anonymity to discuss the meeting. The invitation to Brennan and Wendy Sherman, a former State Department official and top negotiator of the Iran nuclear deal, offers counterprogramming to the Trump administration's closed-door briefing for lawmakers also planned for Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Democratic lawmakers are likely to attend both sessions. The Trump administration recently sent an aircraft carrier and other military resources to the Persian Gulf region, and withdrew nonessential personnel from Iraq, raising alarm among Democrats and some Republicans on Capitol Hill over the possibility of a confrontation with Iran. Trump in recent days has downplayed any potential for conflict. But questions remain about what prompted the actions, and many lawmakers have demanded more information. Trump and Brennan have clashed openly, particularly over the issues surrounding the special counsel's probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Brennan stepped down from the CIA in 2017. The president last year said he was revoking the former spy chief's security credentials after Brennan was critical of Trump's interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Helsinki. Top national security officials often retain their clearance after they have left an agency as a way to provide counsel to their successors. It's unclear if Brennan actually lost his clearance. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had been asking the administration for a briefing for all lawmakers on the situation in Iran, but she said the request was initially rebuffed. The administration provided a classified briefing for leaders of both parties last week. Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia has called for urgent meetings of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions in the region, the kingdom's official news agency said on Saturday. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said King Salman had invited Gulf leaders and Arab states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences" in the region. Tensions have soared in the Gulf, with the United States deploying an aircraft carrier and bombers there over alleged threats from Iran. Saudi foreign affairs minister Adel al-Jubeir said his country does not want to go to war with Iran, but was ready to defend its interests. Riyadh "does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it". The United Arab Emirates "welcomed" Saudi Arabia's invitation. Four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, were damaged in mysterious sabotage attacks last Sunday off the UAE's Fujairah, located at the crucial entrance to the Gulf. That incident was followed by drone strikes Tuesday by Yemen's Huthi rebels on a major Saudi oil pipeline, which provided an alternative export route if the Strait of Hormuz closed. Iran has repeatedly threatened to prevent shipping in Hormuz in case of a military confrontation with the United States, which has imposed sanctions on Tehran in recent months. Jubeir said the UAE was leading the probe into the damaged oil tankers, but added that "we have some indications and we will make the announcements once the investigations are completed". Despite international scepticism, the US government has been pointing to increasing threats from Iran, a long-time enemy and also a rival of US allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. SPA on Sunday said the Saudi crown prince spoke on the phone with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about efforts to enhance security in the region. Hell hath no fury greater than left-wingers who lose an election in a surprise upset. Think Brexit in 2016. Think Trumps victory the same year. Now add Australia. Conservative prime minister Scott Morrison shocked pollsters and pundits alike with his victory on Saturday, and the reaction has been brutal from supporters of the opposition Labor party. They cant seem to decide whether Australias electorate is stupid, evil, or both. Cathy Wilcox, a newspaper cartoonist, tweeted: It seems unfair that the morons outnumber the thinking people at election time. Broadcaster Meshel Laurie concluded that Australians are dumb, mean-spirited, and greedy. Accept it. Some were ready to write off the whole country. Brigid Delaney, a columnist for the Guardian, wrote, Its the country thats rotten. She reported from the Labor partys Election Night event. People there had to face the fact that their vision for Australias future was not affirmed, she wrote. That made them feel estranged and alienated from their own country. By contrast, Zareh Ghazarian, a political-science lecturer at Monash University in Melbourne, was snobbishly restrained: We have completely expected an opposite thing for two years, he told the Washington Post. Voters rejected the big picture. By that, he meant that voters have rejected a sweeping Labor-party platform that urged Australia to move in a dramatically leftward direction on everything from higher taxes on retirement income to greater benefits for indigenous people to an ambitious program to reduce carbon emissions by 45 percent from 2005 levels over the next decade. Labor was heavily promoting renewable energy and electric vehicles; many Australians called the plan Labors version of the Green New Deal in the U.S. The sweeping nature of these ideas gave Prime Minister Morrison the opening to paint his Labor challenger, former union head Bill Shorten, as a risky, job-killing opponent of traditional Australian values. Morrison ran a targeted, presidential-style campaign with a tight message focusing on tax increases under Labor, lamented Osmond Chiu, editor of the Australian left-wing magazine Challenge. He often appeared as if he himself was not in government but rather the insurgent. Story continues Polls showed that a majority of Australian voters wanted more action to combat climate change, but the issue wasnt a vote changer in most seats. Climate change did sink the career of former conservative prime minister Tony Abbott, who ended the nations first carbon tax in 2014 during his stint in office. Abbott was running in a wealthy suburban Sydney district that clearly leaned left culturally. He was beaten by an independent candidate who focused solely on Abbotts environmental record and dodged other issues. But for every seat that shifted left over climate change, there were several more where working-class voters broke with the Labor party they had long backed. In mining-oriented Queensland, voters were furious when caravans of environmentalists arrived this spring to protest the proposed Adani coal-mining project. Labors climate policy and the local desire to save jobs were critical to its crushing defeat in Queensland, conservative political consultant David Goodridge told me. The highest swings against Labor were in electorates bordering the Adani mine areas. Prime Minister Morrison is no opponent of renewable energy, but he insists that fossil fuels not be demonized. He once scandalized the Left when he brought a lump of coal into Parliament and said that no one should be scared of a product that had built Australias prosperity. Matthew Lesh, the head of research at Britains Adam Smith Institute, says the Australian election result has broader lessons for American and British conservatives: Create broad differentiation from your opponents, he advised today in the Telegraph. Be the party of lower taxes and aspiration and never give up. Then an unexpected victory could be heading your way. More from National Review By Tom Westbrook, Melanie Burton and Jonathan Barrett SYDNEY/MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Australia's Liberal-led conservative government was headed for a remarkable win at the national election early on Sunday after uncovering a narrow path to victory that twisted through urban fringes and rural townships. The results upended pre-election polls which predicted a Labor victory, though it is unclear whether the Scott Morrison-led coalition can govern with an outright majority or will need to negotiate support from independents. The final result may not be known for some time. "I have always believed in miracles," Morrison told cheering supporters at Sydney's Wentworth Hotel, where the government holds its official election night function. "Tonight is not about me or it's not about even the Liberal party. Tonight is about every single Australian who depends on their government to put them first." The conservative government has won or is leading in 72 seats in its quest for a 76-seat majority, according to the Australian Electoral Commission, with just over two-thirds of votes counted. Several seats are still too close to call and the final result is complicated by a large number of early votes that have delayed counting. Morrison's coalition defied expectations by holding onto a string of outer suburban seats in areas where demographics closest resemble America's Rust Belt, blocking Labor's path to victory. This included a devastating result in the coal-rich state of Queensland, which backed the Pentecostal church-going prime minister by defying expectations and delivering several marginal seats to his government. U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Morrison and congratulated him, the White House said. "The two leaders reaffirmed the critical importance of the long-standing alliance and friendship between the United States and Australia, and they pledged to continue their close cooperation on shared priorities," it said. SOMBER DEFEAT Voters on Saturday cast their ballots for Morrison's message of support to aspirational voters and turned their back on Labor leader Bill Shorten's reforms. "I know that you're all hurting and I am too," Shorten told supporters at the party's Melbourne election night function. "And without wanting to hold out any false hope, while there are still millions of votes to count and important seats yet to be finalised, it is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government." Shorten said he would step down as the party's leader. Labor, a party with deep ties to the union movement, had promised to abolish several property and share investment tax concessions primarily aimed at the wealthy. Both major parties suffered a decline in their primary vote, according to AEC data, which was caused in part by a well-funded campaign by Clive Palmer's populist United Australia Party. The election sparked several high-profile local battles, including attempts to remove Peter Dutton, a senior lawmaker who has championed Australia's controversial policy of detaining asylum seekers in offshore centers. Although Dutton has retained his Queensland seat, former conservative prime minister Tony Abbott lost his Sydney beaches seat of Warringah to high-profile independent Zali Steggall. "So, of course, it's disappointing for us here in Warringah, but what matters is what's best for the country," Abbott told supporters in a concession speech. "And what's best for the country is not so much who wins or loses Warringah, but who forms, or does not form, a government in Canberra." There were also 40 of 76 Senate spots contested in the election, the outcome of which will determine how difficult it will be for the next government to enact policy. (Reporting by Tom Westbrook, Melanie Burton and Jonathan Barrett; additional reporting by Swati Pandey, John Mair, Steve Holland and Timothy Gardner ; writing by Jonathan Barrett; Editing by Ros Russell and Cynthia Osterman) President inaugurates Visit Lumbini Year; campaign targets over 2 million tourists President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Saturday inaugurated the Visit Lumbini Year 2076 BS, a campaign launched by Province 5 with an objective to draw more than 2 million visitors to Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. VIENNA, May 19 (Reuters) - Austria's chancellor and president will discuss a date on Sunday for an early parliamentary election and the makeup of a caretaker government, after a video sting brought down the leader of the far-right junior partners in the ruling coalition. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz pulled the plug on his coalition and called for a snap election after his deputy, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party, quit over a video showing him discussing fixing state contracts in return for favors. Heinz-Christian Strache, who was filmed speaking to a woman who posed as the niece of a Russian oligarch, accepted that the video was "catastrophic" but denied having broken the law and said no money changed hands. The scandal is a blow for one of Europe's most successful nationalist parties just a week before an election to the European parliament in which far-right groups anticipate record success across the continent. Kurz, a conservative who has ruled with far-right junior partners for a year and a half, said the video was the last straw after a number of lesser scandals, and it was time for a new vote rather than an attempt to keep the coalition in office. "Enough is enough," Kurz said in a statement to the media on Saturday. President Alexander Van der Bellen, who has the authority to dismiss the government, also said he favored a snap election and would discuss details on Sunday. Austria could set an election date as soon as the summer, according to national law, "but that could be difficult due to school holidays," said Robert Stein, who heads the election desk at the interior ministry. "The first possible Sunday after the school holidays would be September 15," he said. The makeup of any caretaker government until the snap election was also up for discussion. Strache said on Saturday that Transport Minister Norbert Hofer, a former presidential candidate, would replace him as party leader. Kurz has not yet said whether he would accept Hofer as his deputy in government. The Freedom Party's leadership will meet on Saturday afternoon to discuss next steps and nominate Hofer as party chief, news wire APA said. (Reporting by Kirsti Knolle Editing by Peter Graff) * Allegations are latest problems to beset bank * Shares hit record low * Bank denies it prevented Trump transactions being flagged (Adds Trump comment in paragraph 4, TV) WASHINGTON, May 20 (Reuters) - Anti-money laundering specialists at Deutsche Bank AG recommended in 2016 and 2017 that multiple transactions involving entities controlled by U.S. President Donald Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, be reported to a federal financial-crimes watchdog, the New York Times reported on Sunday. The newspaper, citing five current and former Deutsche Bank employees, said executives at the German bank, which has lent billions of dollars to the Trump and Kushner companies, rejected their employees' advice and the reports were never filed with the government. Deutsche Bank denied the report but shares in Germany's largest bank hit a new low on Monday, below a previous minimum set in December. Shares fell 2.8 percent at 6.65 euros. Trump rejected the report in a blast of early-morning tweets on Monday, saying he had little need for banks because he had so much cash on hand and denying that the money came from Russia. The compliance allegations are the latest in a wave of problems to beset the bank which faces investors at its annual meeting on Thursday. The Times reported that the transactions, some of which involved Trump's now-defunct foundation, set off alerts in a computer system designed to detect illicit activity, according to the former bank employees. Compliance staff members who then reviewed the transactions prepared so-called suspicious activity reports that they believed should be sent to a unit of the Treasury Department that polices financial crimes, according to the newspaper. Deutsche Bank responded with a denial of the report. "At no time was an investigator prevented from escalating activity identified as potentially suspicious," the bank said in a statement. "Furthermore, the suggestion that anyone was reassigned or fired in an effort to quash concerns relating to any client is categorically false." Story continues MOUNTING PROBLEMS Deutsche is facing a series of headaches. Investors are calling on the bank to scale back its investment bank after talks to merge with a rival failed and amid a grim profit outlook. European regulators also fear Deutsche could fail U.S. stress tests. The Times reported the bank employees viewed the decision not to report the transactions as a result of a lax approach to money laundering laws. They said there was a pattern of bank executives rejecting reports to protect relationships with lucrative clients, according to the newspaper. One employee who reviewed some of the transactions said she was terminated last year after raising concerns about the bank's practices, the Times reported. A spokeswoman for the Trump Organization told Reuters "the story is absolute nonsense." "We have no knowledge of any 'flagged' transactions with Deutsche Bank. In fact, we have no operating accounts with Deutsche Bank," she said. The newspaper said a Kushner Cos spokeswoman called any allegations of relationships involving money laundering "made up and totally false." Officials at Kushner Cos were not available to Reuters for independent comment. The Times said the nature of the transactions was not clear. At least some of them involved money flowing back and forth with overseas entities or individuals, which bank employees considered suspicious. The report surfaces at a time when congressional and New York state authorities are investigating the relationship between Trump, his family and Deutsche Bank, and demanding documents related to any suspicious activity. The president has sued in court in an attempt to block U.S. House of Representatives subpoenas for his financial records that were sent to Deutsche Bank, Capital One Financial Corp and the accounting firm Mazars LLP. Trump, a real estate developer and former reality television star, still owns the Trump Organization but has maintained that his sons are running the day-to-day operations while he is president. (Reporting by David Morgan Editing by Daniel Wallis, Clarence Fernandez and Keith Weir) WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Anti-money laundering specialists at Deutsche Bank AG recommended in 2016 and 2017 that multiple transactions involving entities controlled by President Donald Trump and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, be reported to a federal financial-crimes watchdog, the New York Times reported on Sunday. The newspaper, citing five current and former Deutsche Bank employees, said executives at the German-based bank, which has lent billions of dollars to the Trump and Kushner companies, rejected their employees' advice. The reports were never filed with the government. The Times said the transactions, some of which involved Trump's now-defunct foundation, set off alerts in a computer system designed to detect illicit activity, according to the former bank employees. Compliance staff members who then reviewed the transactions prepared so-called suspicious activity reports that they believed should be sent to a unit of the Treasury Department that polices financial crimes, according to the newspaper. The Times reported the bank employees viewed the decision not to report the transactions as a result of a lax approach to money laundering laws. They said there was a pattern of bank executives rejecting reports to protect relationships with lucrative clients, according to the newspaper. One employee who reviewed some of the transactions said she was terminated last year after raising concerns about the bank's practices, the Times reported. The Times quoted a Deutsche Bank spokeswoman as saying investigators were not prevented from escalating activity identified as potentially suspicious. The spokeswoman described as "categorically false" any suggestion that bank staff were reassigned or fired in an effort to quash concerns related to any client. She also said Deutsche Bank has intensified efforts to combat financial crime. A spokeswoman for the Trump Organization, which oversees many of Trump's business interests, said the company was not aware of any flagged transactions and currently has no operating accounts with Deutsche Bank, according to the Times. "The New York Times tries to create scandalous stories which are totally false when they run out of things to write about," a spokeswoman for Kushner Companies said in a statement to Reuters. Officials at Deutsche Bank and the Trump Organization were not immediately available to Reuters for independent comment. The Times said the nature of the transactions was not clear. At least some of them involved money flowing back and forth with overseas entities or individuals, which bank employees considered suspicious. The report surfaces at a time when congressional and New York state authorities are investigating the relationship between Trump, his family and Deutsche Bank, and demanding documents related to any suspicious activity. Trump has sued in court in an attempt to block U.S. House of Representatives subpoenas for his financial records that were sent to Deutsche Bank, Capital One Financial Corp and the accounting firm Mazars LLP. (Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and Chris Reese) LAS CRUCES, N.M. The arrival of about 25 motorcycles announced the donation of 30,000 non-perishable meals for migrants being processed at a facility in New Mexico. Las Cruces Fire Department Battalion Chief Michael Daniels, the emergency operations commander on scene, said the donation was a welcome surprise. The bikers arrived Friday ready to unload five or six pallets' worth of meals from Pack Away Hunger, an Indiana-based nonprofit that distributes meals in pouches that can be prepared with hot water. The organization delivers to countries worldwide. They arrived without announcement, and with the help of migrants, who immediately lined up to assist, the meals were unloaded in minutes. Volunteers unload non-perishable meals donated by Pack Away Hunger at the former U.S. Army Reserve Center in Las Cruces, where migrants released from federal custody are being processed. Friday, May 17, 2019. Their first stop had been the nearby transitional living community, Camp Hope, where they delivered 5,000 meals. City spokesman Udell Vigil told the Sun-News the motorcycle clubs at the scene included the Bandidos, Soldados, Squad, Riga, and Guardians of Children. Victoria Fisk, a former educator who lives in Las Cruces, told the Sun-News the donation came about after she contacted a friend who worked with Pack Away Hunger. As it happened, a large shipment was being organized for sites in Guatemala and Honduras, she said, and the organization arranged to send some meals to Las Cruces. "This went so fast," Fisk said. "We literally put it together a week ago." Daniels said that Border Patrol continued to release the migrants, who are legally present in the United States while applying for political asylum, at the facility Friday, with 216 on the premises at lunchtime. Daily drop-offs of asylum seekers have been ongoing in Las Cruces since April 12. Pack Away Hunder donated 30,000 dehydrated meals consisting of rice, vegetables and texturized vegetable protein for migrants being processed at the former U.S. Army Reserve Center in Las Cruces. Nearby Camp Hope received an additional 5,000 meals. Friday, May 17, 2019. More than 5,000 asylum applicants have been released in Las Cruces since April 12. Fisk said asking her friend if Pack Away Hunger could help seemed natural enough. "I was a single mom that struggled for many many years," she said, "and something I always taught my students is that its so rewarding to give back." Follow Algernon D'Ammassa on Twitter: @AlgernonActor This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Bikers bring 30,000 meals to feed migrants at facility in New Mexico A billionaire investor has pledged to eliminate the student loan debt for everyone graduating this year from a college in the US state of Georgia, at a cost of some $40m (31m). Robert Smith, a billionaire technology investor and philanthropist, announced to 400 graduating seniors at Morehouse College on Sunday morning that he planned on giving back to the historically black college in the form of the grants. On behalf of eight generations of my family that have been in this country, were gonna put a little fuel in your bus, said Mr Smith, the founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm that specialises in technology issues. This is my class, 2019. And my family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans, he continued. Mr Smith said that he hopes the graduates will pay it forward, and that he hopes every class has the same opportunity going forward". Morehouse College president David A Thomas said the gift would have a profound effect on the students futures. Many of my students are interested in going into teaching, for example, but leave with an amount of student debt that makes that untenable, Mr Thomas told the Associated Press. In some ways, it was a liberation gift for these young men that just opened up their choices. The donation comes as the US experiences a student loan debt crisis, with the amount of debt held by former college students reaching record highs. AP contributed to this report Five African-American strippers have been awarded more than $3m by a Mississippi jury after a judge ruled the women were forced to work in worse conditions than their white colleagues. The women were awarded the damages following a year-long case against Danny's Downtown Cabaret, in Jackson, which was sued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The commission, which challenges workplace discrimination, said the club limited when black women could work and fined them $25 (20) when they missed a shift. It alleged the white strippers were not subjected to those fines and were given flexible schedules. The club was also accused of forcing black strippers to work at another Jackson establishment with lower pay and worse security, while Danny's manager allegedly used a racial slur against a black dancer. US district judge Henry Wingate ruled in the discrimination case last year. After a trial that lasted nearly a week on the question of damages, jurors earlier this week decided the women would split $3.3m (2.59m) for back pay and past and future suffering. The lawyer for Danny's, Bill Walter, said on Friday he will ask Judge Wingate to reduce the award. If he disagrees, Mr Walter said he will appeal. "Obviously, the client is disappointed in the verdict," Mr Walter said. Marsha Rucker, the EEOC's regional lawyer in Birmingham, Alabama, said in a statement the commission "will protect employees in any industry who are subjected to such blatant and repeated discrimination". "This case shows the EEOC will sue any employer, operating any type of business, who violates federal anti-discrimination laws, especially those who will not stop discriminating even after being given repeated chances to do so," Ms Rucker said. "The jury ... sent a powerful message to Danny's and any employer who thinks they are above the law." Additional reporting by AP BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A rocket was fired into Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone, which houses government buildings and foreign embassies, but caused no casualties, the Iraqi military said on Sunday. A blast was heard in central Baghdad on Sunday night, Reuters witnesses said and two Baghdad-based diplomatic sources also said they heard the blast. "A Katyusha rocket fell in the middle of the Green Zone without causing any losses, details to come later," the military said in a brief statement. The Katyusha multiple rocket launcher is an inexpensive type of rocket artillery that can deliver explosives to a target quicker than conventional artillery, but is less accurate. The U.S. embassy in Baghdad and its consulate in the Iraqi Kurdish regional capital Erbil evacuated non-emergency staff this week. President Donald Trump's administration has said it sent additional forces to the region to counter what it called credible threats from Iran against U.S. interests, including from militias it supports in Iraq. Iran and the United States have both said they do not want war as tensions between them increase. (Reporting by John Davison and Ahmed Aboulenein; Writing by Ahmed Aboulenein; Editing by Mark Potter and Emelia Sithole-Matarise) New York (AFP) - Boeing acknowledged Saturday it had to correct flaws in its 737 MAX flight simulator software used to train pilots, after two deadly crashes involving the aircraft that killed 346 people. "Boeing has made corrections to the 737 MAX simulator software and has provided additional information to device operators to ensure that the simulator experience is representative across different flight conditions," it said in a statement. The company did not indicate when it first became aware of the problem, and whether it informed regulators. Its statement marked the first time Boeing acknowledged there was a design flaw in software linked to the 737 MAX, whose MCAS anti-stall software has been blamed in large part for the Ethiopian Airlines tragedy. According to Boeing, the flight simulator software was incapable of reproducing certain flight conditions similar to those at the time of the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March or the Lion Air crash in October. The company said the latest "changes will improve the simulation of force loads on the manual trim wheel," a rarely used manual wheel to control the plane's angle. "Boeing is working closely with the device manufacturers and regulators on these changes and improvements, and to ensure that customer training is not disrupted," it added. Southwest Airlines, a major 737 MAX customer with 34 of the aircraft in its fleet, told AFP it expected to receive the first simulator "late this year." The planes have been grounded around the world, awaiting approval from US and international regulators before they can return to service. Spokespersons, please step aside The call of transparent governance is to hold briefings and provide answers with respect and dignity. BAGHDAD (AP) An Iraqi Shiite paramilitary group says a roadside bomb has hit a bus carrying its fighters in eastern Iraq, killing seven people and wounding 26. The Popular Mobilization Forces said in a statement that the bomb hit the bus in the eastern town of Balad Ruz, while traveling from the southern province of Basra. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The Sunni Islamic State group has targeted Shiite groups in the past. IS, which seized Iraqi cities and declared a self-styled Islamic caliphate in territories it controls in Syria and Iraq, was formally declared defeated in Iraq following a three-year bloody battle that left tens of thousands dead and Iraqi cities in ruins. The extremist group sleeper cells continue to launch attacks in different parts of Iraq. Giza (Egypt) (AFP) - A bomb blast hit a tourist bus near Egypt's famed Giza pyramids on Sunday, wounding some of them, including South Africans, in the latest blow to the country's tourism industry. The roadside bomb went off as the bus was being driven in Giza, also causing injuries to Egyptians in a nearby car, medical and security sources said. Security and medical sources in Egypt said 17 people were injured, without giving a breakdown of their nationalities. No deaths were reported. South Africa said in a statement that the "bus explosion" injured three of its 28 citizens who were part of the tourist group. They would remain in hospital while the rest would return home on Monday, said the statement from the department of international relations. "A device exploded and smashed the windows of a bus carrying 25 people from South Africa and a private car carrying four Egyptians," the security source said. Video footage captured by AFP showed the bus and car with broken windows on the side of the road. According to the security source, the wounded were being treated for scratches caused by the broken glass. Sunday's incident comes after three Vietnamese holidaymakers and their Egyptian guide were killed when a roadside bomb hit their bus as it travelled near the Giza pyramids outside Cairo in December. It also comes just little more than a month before the African Cup of Nations hosted by Egypt is to kick off. Egypt has been battling an insurgency that surged especially in the turbulent North Sinai region following the 2013 military ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, who was replaced by former army general Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. In February 2018, the army launched a nationwide operation against militants, focusing mainly on the North Sinai region. - Tourism recovery - Some 650 militants and around 45 soldiers have been killed since the start of the offensive, according to separate statements by the armed forces. Story continues Since first being elected in 2014, Sisi has presented himself as a bulwark against terrorism, promising stability and increased security. Recently, the country's vital tourism industry has started to slowly rebound after suffering strong blows due to deadly attacks targeting tourists following the turmoil of the 2011 uprising that toppled longtime ruler Hosni Mubarak. Figures by the official statistics agency showed that tourist arrivals reached 8.3 million in 2017, compared with 5.3 million the previous year. Authorities have gone at great lengths to lure tourists back, touting a series of archaeological finds and a new museum next to the pyramids, as well as enhanced security at airports and around ancient sites. But that figure was still far short of the record influx of 2010 when more than 14 million visitors flocked to see the country's sites. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) A gang of gunmen reportedly attacked a bar in the capital of Brazil's northern Para state Sunday afternoon, and authorities said 11 people were killed. The state security agency confirmed late Sunday only that six women and five men died in the incident in the Guama neighborhood of the Para state capital, Belem. The G1 news website said police reported that seven gunmen were involved in the attack, which also wounded one person. The news outlet said the attackers arrived at the bar on one motorcycle and in three cars. In late March, the federal government sent National Guard troops to Belem to reinforce security in the city for 90 days. Brazil hit a record high of 64,000 homicides in 2017, 70% of which were due to firearms, according to official statistics. Much of Brazil's violence is gang related. In January, gangs attacked across Fortaleza, bringing that city to a standstill with as commerce, buses and taxis shut down. Rio de Janeiro, the country's second biggest city, experiences daily shootouts between rival gangs and also between police and criminals, battles that often result in the deaths of innocent bystanders. Fogo Cruzado, a group that monitors shootings in the Rio metropolitan area, says there were 2,300 shootings in Rio and its suburbs during the first 100 days of this year. Killings attributed to police gunfire in Rio de Janeiro state have reached a record high, rising 18% in the first three months, in a spike partly attributed to a campaign of a zero tolerance for criminals being pushed by state leaders. One of new President Jair Bolsonaro's main campaign promises was that he would loosen Brazil's strict gun laws, arguing that because criminals are well-armed with illegally obtained guns, "upstanding citizens" should have the right to defend themselves with legally bought guns. Bolsonaro has made good on that campaign promise with two presidential decrees that make buying guns easier, though federal prosecutors are seeking to get the courts to block that move. A pilot escaped with his life after crashing an F-16 fighter jet into a California warehouse on Thursday. He was on a training mission when the impact happened on landing approach at March Air Reserve Base 50 miles East of Los Angeles. The pilot ejected just off the end of the runway before the crash and authorities reported he had no major injuries after going to hospital. Footage shows a large hole the jet tore through the roof of the 500,000-sq-ft building and sprinklers started to go off in the warehouse. The jet's cockpit can be seen was on a runway and a parachute is lying in a nearby field. The F-16 may have had a hydraulic failure which led to the crash according to base officials. The base's fire department responded to the crash along with the Riverside police and Riverside County Sheriff's Department. Fresno (United States) (AFP) - Keith Erwin was about to buy the land that his auto repair shop sits on when he was turned down because California's much awaited high-speed rail line was going to pass through the spot. Five years later, he sees no train coming anytime soon and no longer believes in it. "It's a train that's going to go nowhere," the mechanic said at his garage in Fresno, just steps from where the train is supposed to eventually pass. Even though construction is well underway in Fresno, Erwin insisted: "I think they're out of money. I don't think they're going to build it at all from what we see." In February, newly elected Governor Gavin Newsom announced he was drastically revising downward the high-speed rail project to link Los Angeles to San Francisco in three hours, even though the plan was approved in a 2008 referendum. The federal government indicated Thursday it was scrapping a $900 million subsidy due to "chronic" construction delays. A growing chorus of critics and multiple court challenges set back the project, and construction only began in 2015. Train travel has not been popular in this sprawling state -- the most populous in the country -- where the car is king. While many countries began providing high-speed rail starting in the 1980s, California kept investing in road infrastructure. "The culture of the state itself has really been about our vehicles and our cars... but now that's changing," California High Speed Rail regional director Diana Gomez told AFP. Her group is responsible for creating, building and implementing the project. She noted that younger generations now want to use public transportation and are placing their bets on high-speed rail, which is better for the environment. - Minimalist solution - Traveling the 380 miles (600 kilometers) that separate Los Angeles from San Francisco takes at least six hours by car. It's only an hour by plane but chronic traffic jams to get to the airport followed by security checks make the three-hour train journey an appealing solution for many travelers. Story continues "But let's be real. The project, as currently planned, would cost too much and take too long. There's been too little oversight and not enough transparency," Newsom said in his State of the State address in February. "Right now, there simply isn't a path to get from Sacramento to San Diego, let alone from San Francisco to LA. I wish there were." The project budget has jumped 20 percent over initial estimates, to reach $77 billion. But California is not giving up on what critics call the "train to nowhere." Newsom said focus would now be on a section of the corridor that's only about a third of the total distance, linking Merced and Bakersfield, with Fresno at the halfway point. Industry watchers say the reduced ambitions are a mistake. "It absolutely does not make sense," said Anastasia Loukaitou-Sideris, an urban planning professor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). "Any transit project needs big (urban) centers as origins and destinations, and so to have something like that... all but kills the project." Gomez, however, sees the short link as just the beginning. "Once people see high speed rail running, then you know there will be more support for it to continue," she said. "We have enough funds to build this segment up so let me do that and then continue working on the environmental documents for the rest of the state." There are many obstacles, including procedures for expropriation of land that have proven far more complicated than anticipated. "It was chaos getting moved," said Erwin, the mechanic, noting that staff at the project kept quitting or getting fired. "Unorganized people didn't know what they were doing... It was just a big mess and it still is." Martin Wachs, a UCLA professor emeritus of urban planning, said California should have capitalized on its existing rail network, including that currently dedicated to freight. "What I would have recommended at the time was to improve the service along those routes gradually, building more patronage for rail and making it more politically popular by virtue of having more people and then extending that system until the point where we had genuine high speed rail," he said. Instead, authorities treated the high speed rail as a separate program from the rest of California's rail systems. The first train is not expected to travel through Fresno for another decade at best. And even if that happens, "I won't ride it," snorted Erwin. Photos: Petfinder Interested in adopting a pet or just gazing at some cool kitties near you? There are dozens of deserving cats up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Chicago. Animal shelters work hard to care for unhoused pets and connect them to loving homes. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of cats currently available for adoption. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Scooter, Russian blue and domestic shorthair mix Scooter is an adorable male Russian blue and domestic shorthair mix in the care of Friends of Chicago Animal Care & Control. Scooter is happy to keep company with children, dogs or cats. He is already neutered, and he has all his shots. Fear not: he is already house-trained. From Scooter's current caretaker: Read more about how to adopt Scooter on Petfinder. Scooter is not a purebred cat, but he is a stunning Russian blue looking solid gray male cat. He was found in a feral cat colony during a trapping project on the south side of Chicago and is very happy to be off the streets where he can get even more human attention. Scooter loves everyone. He is a very high energy, super affectionate 6-7 month old kitten. He would do well in an active home where there are other pets, and where he can get a lot of attention. He would make a great companion for another young cat. Choco, Russian blue Choco is a male Russian blue cat currently residing at Famous Fido Rescue and Adoption Alliance. Choco is ready to make friends, and he loves other cats, dogs and kids. Choco is neutered, and he has all his shots. No need to worry: he is already house-trained. Here's what Choco's friends at Famous Fido Rescue and Adoption Alliance think of him: Apply to adopt Choco today at Petfinder. Choco is a sweet, loving, and laid back gentleman! He is a great groomer and has excellent litter box habits. He is a lovebug and a great companion, and to top that all off, Choco is good with other cats and is also dog friendly! Story continues Josie, domestic shorthair Josie is a darling female domestic shorthair cat staying at Chicago Cat Rescue. Josie is gentle, and she plays well with children. Josie is already spayed and vaccinated. She's already house-trained. Here's what Josie's friends at Chicago Cat Rescue think of her: Apply to adopt Josie today at Petfinder. As you can see from her photos, our Josie is a special little girl. Josie was relinquished to a downstate pound in late winter. At the time, her ears looked like cauliflowers, with thickened tissue that hugged her head and enclosed her ear canals. For her health and comfort, we opted to give her a pinnectomy, which surgically removed those deformed ears. Josie is a sweet, easy going cat. Her favorite spot is wherever her foster parents happen to be, and Josie is quite clear that beds are the perfect place to cuddle. Toys are her favorite new pastime too! Quite the talker, Josie will happily share her thoughts with you on this subject and more. Joepye, domestic shorthair Joepye is an adorable female domestic shorthair cat staying at Chicago Cat Rescue. Joepye is a social animal, and she loves other cats. Joepye is already spayed, and she has all her shots. She is already house-trained. Notes from Joepye's caretakers: Read more about how to adopt Joepye on Petfinder. Don't be fooled by Joe Pye's initial shyness. It doesn't last long. With just a pet or two, this charming little girl starts purring. She loves to give soft love bites, to encourage you not to stop! With a multicolored nose and beautifully marked tabby coat, our Joe Pye is an especially elegant looking feline. Jamie, domestic shorthair and tabby mix Jamie is a male domestic shorthair and tabby mix currently housed at Feline Friends Chicago. Jamie gets along well with other cats. He is looking for a dog-free home. Good news: he is already house-trained. He's already vaccinated and neutered. Jamie's current caretakers say: Apply to adopt Jamie today at Petfinder. Jamie loves, loves snuggling. His favorite thing to hug is definitely human arms while he sleeps. Although he flees from loud noises and new people, he will always emerge for a good cuddle session. He likes curling into boxes and into corners where he feels hes safe and lying on his back in the middle of the room when he trusts the people around, waiting for his next chance to sit next to anyone nearby. He will even forget to eat if hes snuggled up to his favorite people. Lily, domestic shorthair mix Lily is a charming female domestic shorthair mix in the care of Friends of Chicago Animal Care & Control. Lily is a social animal she's happy to keep company with kids, dogs or cats. She's mastered her house-training etiquette. Her vaccinations are already up to date, and she is spayed. Lily's current caretakers say: Read more about how to adopt Lily on Petfinder. Lily is curious, playful, and affectionate, all in one neat little package! Lily is very communicative and will readily purr and meow. Her foster caregivers describe Lily as very "cat-like" in all the good ways! When not playing and entertaining you with her antics, you can find Lily curled up in the rays of the sun, or sitting with you getting petted. Lily is a delightful, sweet, playful and loving little cat who will make a welcome addition to almost any household. Prem, Himalayan rabbit Prem is an adorable male Himalayan rabbit cat currently housed at CARF: The Critical Animal Relief Foundation. He is already vaccinated and neutered. He's mastered his house-training etiquette. Prem's current caretakers say: Read more about Prem on Petfinder. Our newest little dude really does have ears, theyre just smooshed down on his head. Prem has bilateral ear hematomas that are old and hardened. Hell need an adopter who doesnt mind keeping his ears clean for him. Hes about four years old and front paw declawed. Hes a sweet soul who found himself living on the streets. Hes living with other animals in his foster home but hasnt met them yet. This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Photo: iStock At the heart of the Great Lakes region, Detroit was one of Conde Nast's must-visit destinations for 2018. Not only is Detroit known as a leader of American industry, the city's diverse communities also boast major contributions to music, art and architecture. Detroit was the first U.S. city to be named a "City of Design" by UNESCO, and is known as the home of Motown Records and the birthplace of techno. The city also offers many historic museums and arts institutions. Whether youre trying to jet set ASAP or youre looking to plan ahead based on the cheapest fares, take a look at these forthcoming flights between Baltimore and Detroit, which we pulled from travel site Skyscanner. We've also included popular hotels, restaurants and attractions in Detroit to get you started on planning your ideal getaway. (Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.) Flight deals to Detroit Currently, the cheapest flights between Baltimore and Detroit are if you leave on May 29 and return from Michigan on May 31. Spirit Airlines currently has roundtrip tickets for $128. Spirit Airlines also has tickets at that price point later in May. If you fly out of Baltimore on May 30 and return from Detroit on June 1, Spirit Airlines can get you there and back for $128 roundtrip. Top Detroit hotels Regarding where to stay, here are two of Detroits top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction. The MotorCity Casino Hotel (2901 Grand River Ave.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner If you're looking to treat yourself, consider The MotorCity Casino Hotel. The hotel has a 4.7-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $178. This Detroit casino hotel is near the Masonic Temple and Fox Theatre. The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit (1114 Washington Blvd.) Story continues Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Another 4.7-star option is The Westin Book Cadillac Detroit, which has rooms for $179/night. This hotel is located close to the airport. Attractions in the neighborhood include Campus Martius Park, Joe Louis Arena and the GM Renaissance Center. Featured Detroit food and drink If you're looking for a popular spot to grab a bite, Detroit has plenty of excellent eateries to choose from. Here are a few from Skyscanner's listings to help you get started. Slows Bar BQ (2138 Michigan Ave.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Let's start with the basics: where to get barbecue. For a popular option, check out Slows Bar BQ, which has an average of 4.8 stars out of 22 reviews on Skyscanner. "If you love baby back ribs, this spot serves them sliding off the bone," wrote visitor Lou. New Parthenon Restaurant (547 Monroe Ave.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner If you're looking for a local favorite restaurant pick, head to the New Parthenon Restaurant, with five stars from five reviews. "As a former Detroiter, this is a place I love to visit when I come back," wrote Richard. Public House (241 W. 9 Mile Road) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Finally, there's the Public House, with five stars from five reviews. "This is a cute little place that serves awesome sliders for a super low price," wrote Megan. Featured local attractions Not sure what to do in Detroit, besides eat and drink? Here are two top recommendations, provided by Skyscanner. The Detroit Institute of Arts (5200 Woodward Ave.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner First up is The Detroit Institute of Arts. It checks in with 4.7 stars from 45 reviews. Visit the Detroit Institute of Arts for a chance to immerse yourself in artwork and robust collections. The museum features over 60,000 pieces including collections from America, Asia, Africa and Europe. Greenfield Village (20900 Oakwood Blvd.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Then, there's the Greenfield Village, located in the nearby suburb of Dearborn, with 4.8 stars from 11 reviews. "This is a great place to spend the day learning about history," wrote visitor Yvonne. This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. 1045 Mission St., #380. | Photos: Zumper According to rental site Zumper, median rents for a one-bedroom pad in SoMa are hovering around $3,900, compared to a far lower $3,326 one-bedroom median for San Francisco as a whole. So how does the low-end pricing on a SoMa rental look these daysand what might you get for the price? We took a look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments to find out what budget-minded apartment seekers can expect to find in the neighborhood, which, according to Walk Score ratings, has excellent walkability, is great for biking and is a haven for transit riders. Read on for the cheapest listings available right now. (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. 570 Jessie St. Check out this 392-square-foot studio at 570 Jessie St., listed at $2,350/month. When it comes to building amenities, expect assigned parking, extra storage space, a roof deck and on-site management. In the unit, look for in-unit laundry, designer appliances, wooden cabinetry and floor-to-ceiling windows. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Here's the listing.) 1045 Mission St., #380 This studio apartment, situated at 1045 Mission St., #380, is listed for $2,436/month for its 290 square feet of space. The building features garage parking, a fitness center and on-site laundry. In the unit, you'll find skylights and large closets. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (See the listing here.) 237 Shipley St., #301 And here's a studio apartment at 237 Shipley St., #301, which, with 331 square feet, is going for $2,499/month. Building amenities include an elevator and on-site laundry. In the unit, you'll find hardwood floors, a balcony and a dishwasher. Pets are not allowed. Look out for a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. Story continues (Check out the listing here.) 1188 Mission St. At 1188 Mission St., you'll find this studio, going for $2,694/month. Building amenities include a fitness center, a residents' lounge, around-the-clock on-site management and secured entry. In the unit, expect to find high ceilings, hardwood flooring and a walk-in closet. Pets are not welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. (Check out the complete listing here.) 1 St. Francis Place Finally, there's this 645-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom at 1 St. Francis Place. It's being listed for $3,430/month. In the unit, expect in-unit laundry, a balcony, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and large windows. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are welcome. There's no leasing fee required for this rental. (Here's the full listing.) 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: R Cubed Lifestyle/Yelp Visiting Upper Land Park, or just looking to better appreciate what it has to offer? Get to know this Sacramento neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a unique home decor shop to a children's book and toy store. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Upper Land Park, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. R Cubed Lifestyle Photo: R Cubed Lifestyle/Yelp Topping the list is furniture store R Cubed Lifestyle, which offers home decor, women's clothing and more. Located at 3214 Riverside Blvd., it's the highest rated business in the neighborhood, boasting five stars out of 10 reviews on Yelp. 2. Mother Goose Store Photo: Serina s./Yelp Next up is a toy store and bookstore Mother Goose Store, situated at 3218 Riverside Blvd. With 4.5 stars out of 20 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. 3. Riverside Coins Gold & Jewelry Photo: Caitlin A./Yelp Check out Riverside Coins Gold & Jewelry, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 80 reviews on Yelp. You can find the pawn shop and gold buyer, which offers jewelry and more, at 3204 Riverside Blvd. 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. Anmol Restaurant. | Photo: Zouyan L./Yelp Spending time in Historic Mitchell Street? Get to know this Milwaukee neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from cocktails to desserts. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Historic Mitchell Street, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Bryant's Cocktail Lounge Photo: Nancy G./Yelp Topping the list is lounge and cocktail bar Bryant's Cocktail Lounge. Located at 1579 S. Ninth St., it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 336 reviews on Yelp. "Stopped in again last night after leaving the Brewer's game," said Yelper Joseph W. "Again, a wonderful experience. Had a couple of great drinks, the atmosphere and music were perfect and my friends who were visiting from Chicago had a wonderful experience as well. I can't recommend Bryant's enough." 2. Koz's Mini Bowl Photo: Scott C./Yelp Next up is dive bar and bowling spot Koz's Mini Bowl, situated at 2078 S. Seventh St. With 4.5 stars out of 82 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. "Awesome place for small-ball bowling and cold beers," said Yelper Matthew C. "Super friendly workers and regulars, and an awesome place for a Packers game." 3. Anmol Restaurant Photo: Vaishnavi S./Yelp Indian, Pakistani and Middle Eastern spot Anmol Restaurant is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 711 W. Historic Mitchell St., four stars out of 184 reviews. "The food was great and the service was really good too," said Yelper Samantha R. "We loved the chicken curry and the mixed grill combo, and everything was so delicious and authentic." 4. El Rey Food Mart photo: chuy f./yelp El Rey Food Mart, a grocery store and Mexican spot, is another much-loved neighborhood go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 12 Yelp reviews. Head over to 1320 W. Burnham St. to see for yourself. "Very clean," said Yelper Sierra E. "The produce was great, and the prices were reasonable. We saved and will be back." 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. Birthday wishes Call 281-422-8302 or email david.bloom@baytownsun.com to wish someone a happy birthday. We will print your birthday wish on Page 2 of The Sun. Happy Birthday Wishes 1. Yes. The economy is strong and unemployment low. Thats a good basis for a solid year. 2. Yes. Health experts are getting a handle on COVID. 2022 should be a better year. 3. No. If any large-scale COV ID-related shutdowns take place, it will hit the nation hard. 4. No. Inflation is still too much of a wild card. It could really cause a drag on the economy. 5. Unsure. There are too many variables at play to predict with any degree of certainty. Vote View Results Sakana Sushi Asian Fusion. | Photo: Kenny D./Yelp Spending time in East Broad? Get to know this Columbus neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a Mediterranean restaurant to a Mexican spot. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in East Broad, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Sababa Mediterranean Grill PHOTO: ANDY B./YELP Topping the list is Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Greek spot Sababa Mediterranean Grill. Located at 6280 E. Broad St., it's the highest-rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 304 reviews on Yelp. Sababa Mediterranean Grill features dishes from places like Greece, Israel and Lebanon. The casual-style restaurant provides a selection of salads, appetizers, gyros, shawarma and falafel paired with sides of hummus and tzatziki. Expect to see chicken shawarma, grape leaves, Greek fries and both beef and lamb gyros with fresh toppings that range from cabbage and cucumbers to banana peppers and garbanzo beans. 2. Sakana Sushi Asian Fusion PHOTO: LUNA E./YELP Next up is sushi bar and Japanese spot Sakana Sushi Asian Fusion, situated at 7952 E. Broad St. With four stars out of 106 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. Sakana Sushi Asian Fusion offers a choice of Japanese, Thai and Chinese dishes. Order from a list of sushi or sashimi, hand rolls, hibachi entrees, teriyaki, noodles and fried rice. Keep an eye out for specialty rolls like the Sakana roll with sweet egg, cream cheese, avocado and white fish, topped with scallions and caviar and served with sweet chili and eel sauces. For a full entree, try the steak and scallops teriyaki with onion, broccoli, sesame and carrots over rice. Or opt for a hot and spicy pad Thai with a choice of all veggies, beef, chicken or shrimp. 3. Fronteras PHOTO: CHRISTOPHER G./YELP Mexican spot and tapas bar Fronteras is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 6608 E. Broad St., four stars out of 96 reviews. Story continues Choose from a selection of Mexican specialties, such as street tacos, fajitas, steak dishes and other main entrees. Enjoy pork barbecue tacos with red onions, queso fresco and cilantro or try the tamales poblanos, which consists of two chicken tamales topped with a red and green sauce, sour cream and pico de gallo. Vegetarian options include fajitas with lightly seasoned and grilled fresh vegetables. A beverage menu features margaritas, tequilas and wines. 4. KISSHO Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar Photo: ISHRA I. /Yelp KISSHO Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar, a sushi bar and Asian fusion and Chinese spot, is another neighborhood go-to, with four stars out of 82 Yelp reviews. Head over to 6823 E. Broad St. to see for yourself. KISSHO Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar specializes in sushi but also serves specialty entrees, hibachi, noodles, rice and more. Sample sushi such as the shrimp tempura roll with avocado and cucumber or a lobster roll. Order the Kung Pao Trio with chicken, beef and shrimp served with Szechuan pepper, celery, water chestnuts and roasted peanuts in a spicy brown sauce or a wok-prepared Mongolian dish with scallions, onions and mushrooms. 5. Tortilla Street Food PHOTO: GWEN W./YELP Finally, check out Tortilla Street Food, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 32 reviews on Yelp. You can find the Mexican food truck at 8134 E. Broad St. The menu consists of taco bowls, salad bowls, tacos, quesadillas, nachos, burritos, burrito bowls and tortas. Look for the tortilla shell taco bowl with ingredients like barbacoa beef, Mexican rice, black beans, shredded cheese, diced onions, corn chips and mango salsa. 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. SHANGHAI (Reuters) - The former head of China's top securities regulator has been put under investigation by the country's anti-corruption watchdog on suspicion of violating laws, the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection said on Sunday. Liu Shiyu had voluntarily surrender and was cooperating with the National Supervisory Commission for the investigation, the corruption watchdog added in the statement on its website, without giving more details. He became the head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission in 2016 before stepping down in January this year to take up the post of deputy party chief at the All China Federation of Supply and Marketing Cooperatives. (Reporting by Brenda Goh in Shanghai and Cheng Leng in Beijing, editing by Louise Heavens) London (AFP) - British holidaymakers on Sunday flooded troubled tour operator Thomas Cook with concerns about their trips, after its share price collapsed. All eyes are on what will happen to the stock value of Britain's oldest and largest independent travel company when the markets reopen on Monday. Shares dived on Friday after Citigroup reportedly warned in a broker note that the stock was worthless. The company's share price fell 27.26 percent to just 14.26 pence in midday deals on the London stock market. The news came one day after Thomas Cook revealed that first-half losses widened on a major writedown, which it blamed in part on Brexit uncertainty that has delayed summer holiday bookings. The firm posted a net loss of 1.47 billion ($1.89 billion, 1.69 billion euros) in the six months to March 31, after customers also put off trips abroad last winter. The loss after tax, after a writedown of 1.1 billion, compared with a net loss of 254 million in the first half of its 2017-2018 financial year. Responding to customer concerns on its social media pages, the company said that all its holidays were financially protected through ATOL, the tour operators' licencing scheme. "This announcement has no impact on future holidays or flight only bookings. All our holidays are fully ATOL-protected, so customers can continue to book with confidence," the firm said on Twitter. - Company sees 'headwinds' - In reaction to the company losses, Thomas Cook chief executive Peter Fankhauser said the first half of the year had been characterised by "an uncertain consumer environment" across all its markets. "Our current trading position reflects a slower pace of bookings, against a strong first half in 2018," he said. "As we look ahead to the remainder of the year, it's clear that, notwithstanding our early decision to mitigate our exposure in the 'lates' market by reducing capacity, the continued competitive pressure resulting from consumer uncertainty is putting further pressure on margins. "This, combined with higher fuel and hotel costs, is creating further headwinds to our progress over the remainder of the year." Associated Press England fast bowler James Anderson is urging officials to continue with the Ashes series against Australia despite a COVID-19 drama which unfolded at the teams hotel on Monday and delayed the start of the second day of the third test. Before play even began on Monday, Cricket Australia called for calm after a COVID-19 scare involving two members of Englands support staff resulted in a 30-minute delay to the start of play. Australia was bowled out for 267 as the home side grabbed a first-innings advantage of 82 runs, before England reached 31-4 in its second innings at stumps on Monday. Energize. | Photo: Dan P./Yelp Looking to sample the best juice and smoothies around town? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top juice and smoothie sources in Boston, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of the best spots to fulfill your urges. 1. Kwench Juice Cafe Photo: Tiffany J./Yelp Topping the list is Kwench Juice Cafe. Located at 230 Congress St. (between High and Purchase streets) downtown, the spot to score juice and smoothies and more is the highest-rated juice and smoothie spot in Boston, boasting 4.5 stars out of 57 reviews on Yelp. A variety of fresh juices and super juices are available, as well as acai bowls and wheat grass, ginger and lemon ginger juice shots. Yelper Nidhi A. wrote, "I'm never disappointed with the new things I try here regularly." 2. Energize Next up is Brighton's Energize, situated at 618 Washington St. (between Brackett and Bigelow streets). With five stars out of 96 reviews on Yelp, the organic store and vegan spot, serving juice and smoothies and more, has proven to be a local favorite. The menu offers eight kinds of smoothie bowls, plus a variety of shakes and juices and eight signature salads, including those with a kale, spinach or mixed greens base. 3. Jugos Photo: jackie L./Yelp Back Bay's Jugos, located at 145 Dartmouth St. (between I-90 and Southwest Corridor Park), is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the spot to score juice and smoothies and more 4.5 stars out of 303 reviews. The menu offers chia puddings, sandwiches, detox beverages and more. Yelper Amy J. wrote, "I ordered an Aston smoothie without the date ingredient, and this was probably one of the best green smoothies I've had. It was so refreshing." 4. Cocobeet Photo: bruce k./Yelp Cocobeet, a vegan spot that offers juice and smoothies, salads and more in Government Center, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 224 Yelp reviews. Head over to 100 City Hall Plaza to see for yourself. The menu features organic cold-pressed juices, superfood smoothies and raw vegan foods, as well as avocado toast, vanilla berry chia pudding, zucchini basil pesto pasta, salads and more. Story continues 5. Coco Leaf Photo: alice s./Yelp Over in Dorchester, check out Coco Leaf, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 188 reviews on Yelp. You can find the spot to score desserts, coffee and tea and juice and smoothies at 1480 Dorchester Ave. (between Lincoln and Faulkner streets). The beverages, made with fresh ingredients, include Che Coco Leaf, with pandan jelly, red and white bean, hot luu, mung bean with coconut milk. coconut meat and chia seeds and Matchalicious Crepe, with Matcha custard cream, strawberry, green tea ice cream and chocolate ganache. 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. IMOTSKI, Croatia, May 19 (Reuters) - A town in southern Croatia whose citizens are obsessed with Mercedes-Benz cars plans to build a monument to the German car that symbolizes success for its rural inhabitants. About half of the 16,000 registered cars in Imotski, which is close to the border with Bosnia, are Mercedes cars, according to Ivan Topic Nota, the main promoter of the plan to build the Mercedes monument. "I can assure you there are also many kept in the garages. I own 13 Mercedes old-timers (vintages) and four of them are registered for driving," he said at a ceremony on Sunday to lay the foundation stone for the monument. He added that the project also aimed to make it into the Guinness World Records by gathering the most Mercedes-Benz cars in one spot in September. In the 1960s and 1970s, many people from the rural Imotski area went to work in West Germany to support their families back home. When they came for a visit or decided to move back, driving a Mercedes-Benz was seen as a sign of success. "Those people earned a special kind of respect in the local community. A love story between the locals and Mercedes emerged, so don't they deserve a monument as well?" Topic said. The monument in Imotski will be made of stone and will represent Mercedes 115, a popular model among locals which was produced between 1968 and 1976. The cost of the monument is estimated at 450,000 kuna ($67,633.58). "We've already collected half of that from donations, even the town authorities and our mayor were generous. In September we plan to set a Guinness world record by organizing a gathering of 2,000 Mercedes cars on one spot. It will also bring some funds," Topic said. ($1 = 6.6535 kuna) (Reporting by Antonio Bronic, writing by Igor Ilic, editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) * France's Alain Delon to receive honorary prize at Cannes * Actor's views on women, politics have sparked backlash * Delon says in JDD interview his career is beyond reproach * Cannes festival organizers have defended the award By Sarah White and Johnny Cotton CANNES, France, May 19 (Reuters) - France's Alain Delon, set on Sunday to receive an honorary prize at Cannes that has sparked scrutiny of his views on women and same-sex couples, said in a newspaper interview that as an actor at least, he was beyond reproach. "People can say what they want, I'm used to it. But there's nothing to be said about my career. It's irreproachable," Delon, 83, was quoted as saying in the Journal Du Dimanche (JDD). One of Europe's most acclaimed actors for more than five decades and particularly admired in his native France, Delon has starred in films including Luchino Visconti's "The Leopard," which won the top prize at Cannes' cinema showcase in 1963. But he has also inflamed public opinion over the years, including by declaring his friendship for far-right politician French Jean-Marie Le Pen and has admitted to slapping women. Delon stood by some of his views in the interview and said other comments attributed to him had been distorted. "I'm not against gay marriage, I don't care: people should do as they please," he told the JDD. "But I'm against adoption by two people of the same sex." "I said I'd slapped a woman? Yes. And I should have added that I've received more slaps than I've ever given. I've never harassed a woman in my life. They, however, harassed me a lot." Delon said was "right-wing, full stop" and was not a supporter of the far-right. GREAT STRIDES? In the wake of "Me Too" movement to demand greater respect and representation for women, which erupted following a wave of sexual harassment scandals that rocked the movie industry, the Cannes prize has prompted criticism. Story continues Melissa Silverstein, the founder of women's advocate group Women and Hollywood, called out the Cannes festival for honoring "these abhorrent values" with Delon's prize. An online petition launched from the United States decrying the award had by Sunday reached just over 25,500 signatories. "The festival has really tried to make great strides with their organization and ... this year they doubled the number of women in competition," said Rhona Richford, a Hollywood Reporter journalist based in France. "And so I think that doing that on one hand and turning around and giving this just shows an error in judgment." Cannes festival organizers defended their choice, saying Delon was "not perfect" but was being recognized for his acting career. The ceremony will take place later on Sunday. "We're not giving him the Nobel Peace Prize," festival director Thierry Fremaux told a news conference earlier in the week. Some fellow actors also came to Delon's defense. "What Alain Delon says is his own business, whether we agree with him or not," said French actress Virginie Ledoyen, who is President of the jury handing out Cannes' "Queer Palm" award for LGBT-relevant films this year. "He's a magnificent actor who really shaped cinema." (Reporting by Sarah White and Johnny Cotton, editing by Louise Heavens) A woman has died after four people, including a little boy, were shot Friday night at a south Sacramento apartment complex, the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office said. A 27-year-old woman died at the hospital, the sheriff's office said. A 30-year-old man remains in the hospital in critical condition. A 26-year-old man and a 4-year-old boy were also shot. Their conditions have been stabilized, officials said. The shooting happened around 10:40 p.m. at the Breckenridge Village complex in the 7300 block of Stockton Boulevard. Several financial moves by legal entities controlled by Donald Trump and Jared Kushner between 2016 and 2017 triggered suspicious activity alerts inside Deutsche Bank, a major lender to the Trump family, according to a report in the New York Times. Related: No holds Barred: Trump and his troops push for imperial presidency The newspaper said it had been in touch with five existing or former Deutsche Bank employees, one of whom spoke on the record. They said they had been alerted to possible illicit activity when they were working in the team responsible for combating money laundering, and had recommended the federal government be notified. Suspicious activity reports were prepared for filing with the US treasury for investigation as possible federal financial crimes. According to the Times, bank executives overruled the employees and did not alert the government. The Times pointed out that the red flags raised by employees do not necessarily mean the transactions were improper. Deutsche Bank has become a lightning rod for concerns about the financial propriety of real-estate deals pursued by Trump and his wider family, including his son-in-law Kushner, a key adviser, before and after the billionaire entered the White House. Trump is thought to have borrowed at least $2bn from the German bank some $300m still outstanding. In the House of Representatives, Democrats have been drilling into the link between the Trump Organization and Deutsche Bank. Last month two committees financial services and intelligence issued subpoenas for documents from the bank. Trump counter-attacked by launching a lawsuit against Deutsche Bank in an attempt to stop it complying with the subpoenas. The lawsuit claimed the demand for documents amounted to harassment of the president and his family. The former Deutsche Bank employee who spoke openly to the Times, Tammy McFadden, said she prepared suspicious activity reports and recommended they be sent to federal watchdogs. Story continues You present them with everything, and you give them a recommendation, and nothing happens, she said. Donald Trump passes his adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner at the White House in 2017. Donald Trump passes his adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner at the White House in 2017.Photograph: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters McFadden told the Times she was fired after raising concerns about transactions, among them contacts between Kushner Companies and Russian individuals in the summer of 2016. Deutsche Bank has been fined for laundering billions of dollars for Russians. Related: Mitt Romney won't back Justin Amash in call for Trump impeachment Deutsche Bank told the Times the suggestion that anyone was reassigned or fired in an effort to quash concerns relating to any client is categorically false. The bank also told the Times it had increased its scrutiny of potential money laundering. The Trump Organization said it had no knowledge of any flagged transactions with Deutsche Bank. Kushner Companies said any allegation involving its links with Deutsche and money laundering were totally false. Among Trump's claims of a fake news conspiracy against him, the Times is a prominent target. In a statement to Reuters about the Deutsche Bank report, a Kushner Companies spokeswoman sounded a familiar note, saying the paper tries to create scandalous stories which are totally false when they run out of things to write about. Photos: Petfinder Interested in adopting a pet or just taking a peek at some cuddly canines? There are dozens of endearing dogs up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Virginia Beach. Animal shelters work hard to care for unhoused pets and connect them to loving homes. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of dogs currently available for adoption. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Grizzly, Akita Grizzly is a sweet male Akita dog staying at Rakki-Inu Akita Rescue. Grizzly is patient, and he plays well with children. No other pets please: He is looking for forever home without other dogs or cats. Grizzly is already neutered and vaccinated. Fear not: he's already house-trained. From Grizzly's current caretaker: Read more about Grizzly on Petfinder. Grizzly grumbles and backtalks a lot but, if you call him on his bluff, he just gives up. This boy is all tough for show and a mushy lap dog on the inside! Orihime, Akita Orihime is a lovable female Akita dog currently housed at Rakki-Inu Akita Rescue. Orihime will get along great with your other dogs. She's mastered her house-training etiquette. She has all of her shots, and she's spayed. Notes from Orihime's caretakers: Apply to adopt Orihime today at Petfinder. Orihime, or Hime, came to us from a family that could no longer care for her. They had reported some aggression with her, but we have not seen any. We did, however, notice that she moved oddly when having fun in the yard. When we took her to the vet, we discovered that her knees and one hip are congenitally bad. On her pain medication, she is a normal, happy puppy. Rayleigh, Akita Rayleigh is a female Akita dog currently residing at Rakki-Inu Akita Rescue. Rayleigh wants to be your one and only: She'll need a home free of other dogs. She is sweet with small children. She is already house-trained. Rayleigh is already spayed, and she has all her shots. Rayleigh's current caretakers say: Read more about Rayleigh on Petfinder. Story continues Rayleigh is super sweet with people but would prefer a home where she can be the only pet. Delilah, Dutch shepherd Delilah is a charming female Dutch shepherd dog in the care of K9 Justice League. Delilah will get along great with your other dogs. K9 Justice League, however, wants to place her in a home without small children. She's already house-trained. Her vaccinations are already up to date, and she's spayed. Delilah's current caretakers say: Apply to adopt Delilah today at Petfinder. Delilah is a young adult Dutch Shepherd in search of a very special home that knows and understands the breed and all that goes along with caring for them. Dee is extremely intelligent, quick and so much fun. Colt, pit bull terrier Colt is a male pit bull terrier dog staying at the K9 Justice League. Colt is friendly as can be he gets along well with other dogs. His vaccinations are already up to date, and he is neutered. He's already house-trained. Notes from Colt's caretakers: Read more about Colt on Petfinder. Handsome puppy alert! Colt is every bit of a spunky one-year-old puppy. He is healthy, happy and social. He has grown up in a loving home and is used to being around his people most of the time. Koala, Akita Koala is a sweet male Akita dog in the care of Rakki-Inu Akita Rescue. Koala is happy to keep company with other dogs. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. He is vaccinated and neutered. From Koala's current caretaker: Read more about how to adopt Koala on Petfinder. Koala is close to seven years old and is a super sweet guy who likes other dogs. He may be able to live with cats but would need to be tested. Meeko, shepherd mix Meeko is a male shepherd mix in the care of K9 Justice League. Meeko will get along great with other dogs. He is vaccinated and neutered. He's already house-trained. Meeko is a special needs pet, so please inquire about his specific care requirements. From Meeko's current caretaker: Read more about Meeko on Petfinder. Meeko has had a rough time, which has led to separation anxiety. In his foster home, hes working on finding a routine, and it will be important for his forever family to stick to that routine once he settles in with them. He has slowly opened up and is super sweet and fun! He loves other dogs and has enjoyed having teenage children in the home. This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Dozens of Taylor University faculty members and graduating students walked out of Mike Pences commencement speech on Saturday morning. The group quietly exited the auditorium in protest of the appropriateness of Pences presence at the graduation ceremony in Upland, Indiana. Shortly before the vice president delivered the nondenominational Christian liberal arts schools commencement speech, many were seen leaving their seats. The protest had been planned beforehand, as controversy surrounded his invitation to speak at the commencement ceremony when it was announced earlier this month, according to the Indianapolis Star. RELATED: Openly Gay Presidential Candidate Pete Buttigieg Challenges Mike Pences Anti-LGBTQ History and Pences Team Responds Pence, 59, has remained a controversial figure in an already controversial Trump administration, with the former Indiana governor having a history of anti-LGBTQ political positions. During his commencement address, he took the opportunity to express his religious beliefs in front of the 494 graduates Throughout most of our American history its been pretty easy to call yourself a Christian, but things are different now, Pence said during his speech, according to the Star. Lately, its become acceptable, even fashionable, to malign traditional Christian beliefs. Not everyone shared the protestors opinion of the Vice President, as Pence received a standing ovation after the walkout. But for the dozens of graduates and faculty members who left in protest of Pences speech, the walkout made the statement that his presence was not entirely welcomed by the Taylor University student body. I thought it was a really inappropriate decision, graduate Laura Rathburn, who joined protestors in walking out on Pences commencement address, told the Star. I think his presence makes it difficult for everyone at Taylor to feel welcomed. Story continues Stickers created by the schools social work department and distributed to the protestors read, We are Taylor too, in protest of the Vice Presidents speech. Evan Vucci/AP/REX/Shutterstock RELATED: Pence Slammed for Comparing Trumps Border Wall Speech to Martin Luther Kings I Have a Dream Pence is the first official from the U.S. executive branch to speak at the Christian university of about 2,500 students. Protesters cited the lack of input from students and faculty regarding the choice of Pence for the ceremonys commencement speech. Pence spoke last Saturday at Liberty Universitys commencement ceremony in Lynchburg, Virginia, and is scheduled to speak to U.S. Army cadet graduates at West Point next Saturday. DUBAI (Reuters) - Dubai has issued a circular requiring food organisations to give details on calories on all menus, the government media office tweeted on Sunday. "The first phase will be introduced in November 2019 for restaurants with more than 5 branches. (The) second phase in 2020 for all restaurants, catering establishments and hotels," it quoted a municipality circular as saying. Dubai, the Gulf's tourism hub known for its glittering skyscrapers and luxury properties, shops and restaurants, attracted 15.92 million overnight tourist visitors in 2018. However, the emirate is suffering a property downturn and a slowdown in the retail sector as it gears up to host the World Expo trade fair in 2020. (Reporting by Tuqa Khalid; Editing by Mark Potter) The Hague (AFP) - Flamboyant Dutch populist Thierry Baudet is set to make major inroads Thursday at European parliamentary elections, in a result that will be closely watched by other eurosceptic parties across the continent. The 36-year-old's Forum for Democracy party has come out of nowhere in the past two years and is now poised to win the same number of seats as Prime Minister Mark Rutte's Liberals. Fond of referencing classical literature, Baudet runs on a nativist manifesto that mass immigration is destroying Western culture, that feminism is causing European birthrates to fall and that climate change is a sham. Rutte and Baudet sharply clashed in a debate hours before polling stations opened -- watched by an estimated 1.5 million viewers on national television. "Leadership means daring to swim against the stream. A moral compass. Exactly the sort of thing I find lacking in you," Baudet fired at Rutte. The Dutch premier in return berated Baudet for advocating a "Nexit" and wanting to leave the eurozone. "If he (Baudet) becomes the largest party, he'll try and rip Europe apart from day one," Rutte said to applause. - 'Napoleon and Hitler' - Russia was also a key issue in a country still reeling from the shooting down of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014 just hours after it left Amsterdam. Baudet likened European Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker to "Napoleon and Hitler" because of the EU's stance on Russia, while Rutte slammed Baudet for wanting to ease relations with Vladimir Putin. The debate veered into personal territory too, with Baudet asking Rutte when he had last cried, in a bid to capitalise on the premier's publicly unemotional image -- only to have to backtrack and offer his condolences when Rutte revealed his sister had died four years ago. Rutte then hit back by asking whether there was "something in your private life" that explained Baudet's controversial comments about women. Story continues Latest opinion polls show the Forum snatching as many as five of the 26 European Parliament seats allotted to the Netherlands, similar to Rutte's ruling VVD. Dutch exit polls are expected late Thursday, although official results will not be out until Sunday. Once best known for naked Instagram selfies, Baudet, who holds a law doctorate, stunned Europe in March when the Forum became the biggest party in the Dutch senate. In the process he stole votes from Geert Wilders, the bleached-blonde anti-Islam leader who has long dented the Netherlands' image abroad as a bastion of tolerant liberalism. "Baudet is the new flavour of the year," Claes de Vreese, politics professor at the University of Amsterdam told AFP. "He does attract a certain audience of voters who may be disgruntled by the fact that Wilders' style is very confrontational and not particularly intellectual." - 'Owl of Minerva' - Baudet faced fresh controversy this week when, in a review of the works of French author Michel Houellebecq, he made comments about abortion and working Western women having fewer children and thus causing the "demographic decline of Europe". He also drew criticism for retweeting a video that accused other Dutch leaders of ignoring crimes against women by immigrants -- but appearing to link it to post-World War II attitudes in Germany towards forgetting Nazi crimes. However Baudet's popularity seems unimpeded, backed by a populist narrative similar to the one that has swept Europe from Italy to Poland to Hungary, that triggered Brexit in Britain, and brought Donald Trump to power in the United States. "What happens in the Netherlands is also happening elsewhere in Europe," said politics professor de Vreese. Baudet's senate election victory speech declaring that the "Owl of Minerva spreads his wings" -- referring to the Roman goddess of wisdom -- was typical of a narrative that sees an ancient European civilisation under threat from immigration. "For a long time, Europe has been a very technical story," said Amy Verdun, European politics professor at Leiden University. "The populists made things simple. You may not agree with them, but they simplify things for the ordinary citizen." In the past few weeks, Republicans in various states have passed some of the most extreme bans on abortion since Roe v. Wade became the law of the land in 1973. In Alabama, Governor Kay Ivey signed a law that would ban abortion from the moment of conception and onward. In Georgia, a woman could be punished for a self-induced abortion with life in prison if that abortion is performed as soon as a fetal heartbeat is detectable, at around six weeks. For now, abortion is still legal (albeit sometimes hard to access) in all 50 states. But women's lives are under threat, and presidential candidates need to have a plan to protect them. On Friday, Senator Elizabeth Warren spoke out about these abortion restrictionsand demanded that Congress pass federal laws to protect women's reproductive rights. In a post published on Medium, the presidential candidate explained the federal laws she would like to see enacted if challenges from states like Alabama, Georgia, or Ohio were to overturn Roe v. Wade in the Supreme Court, so a woman's right to an abortion would still be protected. "Court challenges will continue. And the next President can begin to undo some of the damage by appointing neutral and fair judges who actually respect the law and cases like Roe instead of right-wing ideologues bent on rolling back constitutional rights," Warren wrote. "But separate from these judicial fights, Congress has a role to play as well." Warren went on to outline a plan to create federal laws that parallel the rights enshrined in Roe v. Wade. "These rights would have at least two key components. First, they must prohibit states from interfering in the ability of a health care provider to provide medical care, including abortion services. Second, they must prohibit states from interfering in the ability of a patient to access medical care, including abortion services, from a provider that offers them," Warren wrote. Story continues The senator then detailed proposed laws that would preemptively stop states' efforts to block access to reproductive health care. "States have passed countless Targeted Regulations on Abortion Providers (TRAP) laws, which are designed to functionally limit and eliminate womens access to abortion care while not technically contravening Roe. Geographical, physical, and procedural restrictions and requirements. Restrictions on medication abortion. These kinds of restrictions are medically unnecessary and exist for only one purpose: to functionally eliminate the ability of women to access abortion services. A bill already proposed in Congress, the Womens Health Protection Act, would provide the mechanism to block these kinds of schemes concocted to deny women access to care. Congress should pass it," Warren added. Warren also proposed repealing the Hyde Amendment, which blocks abortion coverage for women under programs like Medicaid and Veterans Affairs. "All womenno matter where they live, where theyre from, how much money they make, or the color of their skinare entitled to access the high-quality, evidence-based reproductive health care that is envisioned by Roe. Making that a reality starts with repealing the Hyde Amendment," Warren wrote. "Congress should also expand culturally and linguistically appropriate services and information, and include immigrant women in conversations about coverage and access. Congress must also pass the EACH Woman Act, which would also prohibit abortion restrictions in private insurance. And we should ensure that all future health coverageincluding Medicare for Allincludes contraception and abortion coverage." Warren made clear this is just the beginning of her plans to help protect women's reproductive rights. "Securing a federal right to Roe and ensuring that reproductive health care is available to every woman in America is just the beginning. We must undo the current Administrations efforts to undermine womens access to reproductive health careincluding ending Trumps gag ruleand fully support Title X family planning funding. We must crack down on violence at abortion clinics and ensure that women are not discriminated against at work or anywhere else for the choices they made about their bodies," she wrote. With this plan, Warren joins Senator Kirsten Gillibrand as one of the few presidential candidates to share a comprehensive strategy for protecting the right to an abortion. Voters, it seems, are on their side. A 2018 Wall Street Journal/NBC poll found that over 70 percent of American voters believe that Roe should not be overturned, and even a majority of Republicans think the law should stand. Originally Appeared on Glamour Photo: iStock Looking for an adventure in one of the worlds great megacities, but without the hassle of flying halfway around the world? Mexico City is North Americas largest, at over 8 million people (and more than twice that number in the greater metro area). It's the oldest capital city in the Americas, rich in history and culture, and a major economic center in the region today. In addition to Aztec ruins, the city has the worlds largest single-metropolitan concentration of museums, plus extensive art galleries, concert halls and theaters. And the citys 16 boroughs and many colorful neighborhoods offer an abundance of shopping, restaurants, bars and nightlife. Whether youre trying to get away ASAP or youre looking to plan ahead based on the cheapest fares, take a look at these forthcoming flights between Virginia Beach and Mexico City, which we pulled from travel site Skyscanner. We've also included top-rated hotels, restaurants and attractions in Mexico City to get you started on planning your ideal getaway. (Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.) Flight deals to Mexico City Currently, the cheapest flights between Virginia Beach and Mexico City are if you leave on June 5 and return from Mexico on June 8. Volaris currently has roundtrip tickets for $383. There are also deals to be had in August. If you fly out of Virginia Beach on Aug. 17 and return from Mexico City on Aug. 24, Aeromexico can get you there and back for $453 roundtrip. Top Mexico City hotels To plan your stay, here are some of Mexico Citys top-rated hotels, according to Skyscanner, that we selected based on price, proximity to things to do and customer satisfaction. The St. Regis Mexico City (Paseo de la Reforma 439) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner If you're looking to splurge on top quality, consider The St. Regis Mexico City. The hotel has a five-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $255. Story continues "Great location to amazing restaurants and street food, excellent staff, champagne to greet you when you walk in, daily free dessert delivery what else can you ask for on a vacation?" wrote visitor Yvette. The Four Seasons Mexico City (Paseo de la Reforma 500 Colonia Juarez) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner There's also the 4.9-star rated The Four Seasons Mexico City. Rooms are currently set at $179/night. Set in the heart of Mexico City on the busy Paseo de la Reforma, this luxury hotel is close to the Monumento a los Ninos Heroes and the Monumento a los Heroes de la Independencia. The Condesa DF (Avenida Veracruz 102 Colonia Condesa) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner If you're looking to splurge on top quality, there's The Condesa DF. The 4.6-star hotel has rooms for $265/night. This 40-room luxury hotel is located in Mexico City's Condesa district, close to many restaurants, bars and cafes. Featured Mexico City restaurants If you're looking to snag a bite at one of Mexico City's many quality eateries, here are a couple of popular culinary destinations from Skyscanner's listings that will help keep you satiated. El Moro (Eje Central Lazaro Cardenas, 42) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Also worth considering is El Moro. "This 1930s-era churreria is a stand-out and must visit," wrote Harold. "The lines can be long but they move quickly." Casa de los Azulejos (Av Francisco I. Madero, 4) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Finally, there's Casa de los Azulejos. "As soon as you walk by you will recognize this place by the nice blue and white tiles from Puebla on the facade ... it's simply unique," wrote Gianfi. "The palace was built during the 18th century by Count Del Valle de Orizaba. Inside there is a nice and cozy restaurant and market where you can sit and enjoy the nice rooms inside or just take a look around." What to see and do in Mexico City To round out your trip, Mexico City offers plenty of popular attractions worth visiting. Here are two top recommendations, based on Skyscanner's descriptions and reviews. The Palacio de Bellas Artes (Av. Juarez) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner First up is The Palacio de Bellas Artes. Inaugurated in 1934, the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City is a major cultural center where you can attend poetry readings, operas, dance recitals, art shows and more. From outside, marvel at the building's white-marble beauty and symbolic sculptures that include an eagle eating a snake. "The place in itself is a beauty," wrote visitor Analu. "The lobby feels like youve stepped back in time. The museum is well worth the visit." Kiosco Morisco de Santa Maria la Ribera (Calle Salvador Diaz Miron S/N) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Finally, spend some time at Kiosco Morisco de Santa Maria la Ribera. "The kiosk of Santa Maria la Ribera is a benchmark of ancient Mexico," wrote visitor Maru. "Few people know, but this was a 100 percent Mexican architectural project that was assembled in the United States. For 1910, Porfirio Diaz ordered to change it to the neighborhood where you can now enjoy its majesty." This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. panoramic photo of a sunset over the ocean, taken from the top of a cliff I tread water in the freezing sea. The sounds of the waves cresting and the wind howling are drowned out by the anguished cries of those around me. My limbs feel heavy. The cold pierces my muscles, chilling me to the bone. I am so tired. Above I see my mother and sister, with their arms outstretched towards me. But they are so far away. The ones in the white lab coats with stethoscopes are closer. I raise my arms to reach them. While they are not close enough to pull me out, they could still hold on to me so I dont drown. But they dont move. Of the hundreds of them out there, only a handful reach out with arms outstretched. There are too many of us in the water and too little of them willing to help. My energy is depleted now. Ive been treading in this sea for too long. I just want to stop. Related: 13 Brands of Swimsuits People With Chronic Pain Recommend This is what it feels like to be living with an undiagnosed medical condition: to be lost in a sea of undiagnosed people in a broken health care system. Your loved ones too far away to help. The doctors, the ones who can help, choose not to or are unable to find the ways to. My life wasnt always this way. Up until seven years ago, I was like the majority of others, enjoying my life on the land of the healthy. I only waded in the waters with my severe seasonal allergies and undiagnosed leg pain, blissfully ignorant of those suffering far from the shore. Naive I was, thinking that all doctors can help you, if not able to cure you then at least treat you. I couldnt fathom the idea of doctors not being willing or able to help their patients. Then I got sick. It started out as a painful headache. During the spring of eighth grade, it attacked unsuspectingly during the second lap of the 1600m. Despite the severe pounding and the sharp stabs of pain that inundated my head, I completed the race. I thought I could sleep off the pain: just take it easy for the rest of the day, get a good nights sleep, and the headache would be gone. Except it never left. Story continues Related: What I'd Do If I Knew I Wouldnt Be Judged for My Illness To this day, it spends every waking moment with me, transforming into migraines at least once daily. In the beginning I tried self-medicating with over-the-counter ibuprofen. But as days turned into weeks, my mothers worry grew with my pain. She decided to take me to the emergency room for the first time and for the last time. The ER doctor blatantly told me that I was lying, that I was faking it, and that I was just another teenager looking for attention. I sat there in shock. Why would I fake being in constant pain? Why would I want to be tortured by my beloved trumpet or running? Reluctantly she inserted the IV into my left arm, delivering fluids and medication, and then scheduled me for a CT scan. After spending an hour in the torture chamber, and another several waiting for her to return, she strolled back into my room with a wide smile on her face. Good news, Michelle. Your CT scan is clean, she beamed. You are completely healthy. The IV drugs sure helped with the pain, didnt they? I stare at her in disbelief, tears threatening to spill. Plastering a smile on my face, I nodded and thanked her. As we walked back to the car in the parking lot, Mom asked me if the drugs really helped with my pain. No, I said quietly, the pain taking my breath away. But do you think she would have believed me, or listened to me? I sighed, and melted into the back seat of the car, resigned. Related: What It's Like to Travel When You Can't Sit If only it stopped there. Almost a year after the headaches started, after myriad blood tests and scans, after countless neurology appointments and a second opinion, and after several trials of medications that only made me sicker, my health took a turn for the worse. Murphys law. My body became wrecked with pain: joint pain, back pain, musculoskeletal pain, chronic nausea, and the list goes on. And with that came the repeated cycle of doctor appointments, medical tests, normal results and either medication trials or, more often than not, blame and skepticism. And during this entire process, during the repeated cycles and the daily chronic pain, I have had to live my life. Or at least attempt to be a normal high schooler and now a college student. Those attempts at normalcy have only negatively affected my relationship with doctors they dont believe that my pain is as severe as I say. I dont know how much longer I can tread in this water. After seven years I am getting tired. But I will tread for as long as I can: for my mother, for my sister, and for the patients who I will help when I become a pediatric physician. Because they arent alone, and they should know that their stories, and their suffering, will not go unheard. Read more stories like this on The Mighty: Chronically Cannabis With Dr. Michele Ross: How Do I Try Cannabis If It's Not Legal? What You Need to Understand About the 'Other Side' of the Opioid Debate Why Chronic Pain Is Like a Toddler KABUL, May 19 (Reuters) - Afghanistan's parliament descended into chaos on Sunday when lawmakers brawled over the appointment of a new speaker, an inauspicious start to the assembly which was sitting for the first time since chaotic elections last year. Results of last October's parliamentary election were only finalized earlier this month after repeated technical and organizational problems and widespread accusations of fraud. Sunday's incident underscored the turmoil in Afghan politics ahead of presidential elections that are taking place in the shadow of talks between U.S. diplomats and the Taliban about a possible settlement of an 18 year conflict. On Saturday, Mir Rahman Rahmani, a top businessman, ran for the speakership of the 247-seat house but fell short of a majority by a single vote, triggering a clash between supporters, who declared him the winner, and opponents, who said he had not secured the necessary 124 votes. "We will never accept the new speaker and there must be a re-election with new candidates," said Mariam Sama, a lawmaker from Kabul. Video footage widely shared on social media showed a brawl among lawmakers, with members of parliament seen blocking the speaker's seat and calling for a re-run of the vote. Rahmani is the father of Ajmal Rahmani, a rich businessman popularly known as "Armoured Ajmal" after his business selling bulletproof vehicles to the Kabul elite. "He has secured a majority of the votes and one vote is not an issues, so he is our new chairman," said Nahid Farid, a lawmaker from Herat who supports Rahmani. The repeatedly delayed parliamentary vote on Oct. 20 was marred by widespread allegations of fraud, vote rigging, inaccurate voter lists and technical problems with biometric verification equipment. (Reporting by Abdul Qadir Sediqi, Editing by Mark Potter) TEGUCIGALPA, May 18 (Reuters) - Five foreign tourists, four of them Canadians, died on Saturday after a private plane they were traveling in crashed into the sea shortly after taking off from the island of Roatan, near the Atlantic coast of Honduras, local authorities said. Local emergency services said they could not immediately confirm the nationality of the other person who died in the accident or the cause of the crash. The plane was headed to the tourist port city of Trujillo, about 80 kilometers (49.71 miles) from Roatan, a picturesque island frequented by tourists from the United States, Canada and Europe, authorities said. The make of the plane was a Piper PA-32-260, local authorities said. (Reporting by Gustavo Palencia; writing by Julia Love; editing by Diane Craft) Photo: Barry Dale Gilfry/Flickr Did you miss the latest news in and around Denver's Five Points neighborhood? Read on for the biggest headlines from the week that was. Homicide suspect apprehended after Friday-night killing In recent crime news, DPD has taken 34-year-old Kalvin Thompson into custody on suspicion of first-degree murder in the killing of Guan-Nyanyak Riek. Riek, a 24-year-old man, was shot shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Friday, May 10 on the 2300 block of Welton Street, and was pronounced dead upon his arrival at Denver Health Medical Center. [via Denver Post] RiNo's tiny home village makes move to Globeville This week, Denver's tiny home village, which provides housing to the homeless population, relocated to Globeville after the city council approved the move. A temporary use permit had allowed the project at 38th Avenue and Blake Street, but a new apartment complex is slated for the plot. The City will lease out the new location, which will provide more services and facilities, to Colorado Village Collaborative for an annual rent of $10. [via 9News] 9-story office development slated for 2021 debut Plans have been unveiled for the big Koelbel and Company office project Watershed, slated to break ground next year. It'll be a nine-story, 180,000-square-foot building that includes 167,000 square feet of office, 13,000 square feet of ground floor retail, 9,000 square feet of dedicated/private outdoor space, three levels of parking and five floors of office. The project is scheduled to break ground in early 2020, with a planned debut in mid-2021. [via Milehighcre.com] Chevy Chase to visit Denver, watch 'Caddyshack' with fans Mark your calendars for August 25, when actor Chevy Chase will be in town to rub shoulders with fans at a screening of '80s classic "Caddyshack" and taping of Chevy Chase Live. The event will take place at Bellco Theatre as part of The Backlot Project, and will include a live Q&A with Chase following the screening. Tickets start at $50 for the event, and they'll probably go quickly. [via Denver Post] Lilongwe (Malawi) (AFP) - Malawi, which holds presidential polls on June 23 after its 2019 vote was cancelled, is a small, poor southern African country where people are largely dependent on agriculture and its enormous lake for their livelihoods. - One-fifth water - The country is landlocked but around a fifth of its surface area is covered by water, mostly the vast Lake Malawi. At roughly 580 kilometres (360 miles) long and 75 km across at its widest point, Lake Malawi is Africa's third-largest freshwater lake. The lake also abuts Tanzania, which claims its top portion in a border dispute blamed on maps drawn up by colonial Britain and Germany. The long-running feud resurfaced after Malawi in 2011 awarded British company Surestream Petroleum a licence to drill for oil and gas in the lake's north. - Agriculture-dependent - Agriculture powers Malawi's economy -- tobacco, tea and sugar are among the top crops -- and contributes over 40 percent to gross national product. About 85 percent of households engage in agricultural activities and most rely on subsistence farming, according to USAID. The country is heavily reliant on foreign aid. Around half Malawi's population of 18 million lives below the poverty line, the World Bank says. Nearly two million face acute food insecurity, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said this year. Economic growth in 2018 was forecast at 3.5 percent, slowed by drought and an armyworm caterpillar infestation, it says. Infrastructure is widely lacking and just 11 percent of the population have electricity. China is Malawi's top trading partner. - Stability and scandal - Malawi gained independence from Britain in 1964 and for much of its history has been stable and peaceful. Its official language is English. Its first president was US-trained doctor Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who held a ruthless grip on power for three decades until he was ousted in the first multi-party elections in 1994. Story continues In 2012 vice president Joyce Banda became the first female leader -- and only the second on the continent at the time -- on the death of then-president Bingu wa Mutharika. Embroiled in a massive graft scandal, she lost power in 2014 elections to Mutharika's brother, a law professor. Peter Mutharika, 79, won the presidential election in 2019 but the opposition cried foul and Malawi's top court quashed his re-election, paving the way for a re-run. Mutharika bemoaned the decision as a "judicial coup d'etat". - Albino attacks - Malawi has since late 2014 seen a surge in attacks on people with albinism, whose body parts are used in witchcraft rituals to bring wealth and luck. Of 163 cases reported since November 2014, 22 have been murders, Amnesty International said in May 2019, criticising impunity. Just 30 percent of those attacks have been properly investigated, according to official statistics, with only one murder and one attempted murder case successfully prosecuted. A widespread belief in black magic has also seen people accused of being "vampires" by trying to obtain human blood for rituals, sometimes triggering vigilante violence in retaliation. Eighty percent of the population is Christian. - Ravaged by AIDS - In 2018 one million people in Malawi were living with HIV, with 9.2 percent of adults aged between 15 and 49 infected with the virus that causes AIDS. Some one million children are orphaned as a result. US pop star Madonna set up the "Raising Malawi" foundation in 2006 for AIDS orphans and has adopted four children from the country. Even though Malawi in 2015 raised the marrying age to 18, nearly half of its girls enter matrimony before this age. Sources: AFP, UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, USAID Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, seen here with her daughter Gabriella, has been held in Tehran since 2016 - AFP Britain has upgraded its travel warning for dual UK-Iranian nationals after a British council worker was jailed on allegations of espionage. The Foreign Office on Friday warned dual nationals against all travel to the Islamic Republic, saying they face an "unacceptably higher" risk of detention and mistreatment. Its previous advice had warned against all but essential travel. In a statement, Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, also urged Iranian nationals living in the UK to exercise "caution" when returning to Iran to visit family or friends. "Despite the UK providing repeated opportunities to resolve this issue, the Iranian regime's conduct has worsened," Mr Hunt said. "Having exhausted all other options, I must now advise all British-Iranian dual nationals against travelling to Iran." He said Iran does not recognise dual nationality, limiting the British government's ability to help dual nationals detained in Iran. The decision comes days after it was revealed a dual national who had been working for the British Council was sentenced to 10 years in prison on allegations of spying. Aras Amiri, an Iranian national, was detained in Iran in March 2018 Aras Amiri, from London, is being held in Evin prison alongside 40-year-old charity worker Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, who was offered official diplomatic protection by the British government in an unprecedented move to secure her release. Richard Ratcliffe, Ms Zaghari-Ratcliffe's husband, said the two women were both chess pieces on the same political board. Reacting to the Friday's news, Mr Ratcliffe told the Telegraph: "I am pleased the government has made such a strong statement. Hopefully the Iranian authorities will realise this practice has to stop. "I asked the Foreign Secretary to make clear hostage diplomacy is not acceptable - through travel advice and other ways. The UK has an obligation to protect, and to make clear it is not acceptable for government disputes to be taken out on ordinary citizens." Story continues Hamid Baeidinejad, Iran's ambassador to the UK, said dual nationals were perfectly safe provided there were not working for foreign intelligence agencies. The past week has seen an escalation in tensions between Iran and the US. Concerns about a possible conflict have flared since the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region to counter an alleged threat from Iran that has seen America order nonessential diplomatic staff out of Iraq. Tensions have also ratcheted up in the region after authorities alleged that a sabotage operation targeted four oil tankers on Sunday off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, and Iran-aligned rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for a drone attack Tuesday on a crucial Saudi oil pipeline. Mr Hunt said this week that the United Kingdom shares the US assessment of increased threat, but that British diplomatic missions in Iraq continued to operate as normal. Seven French navy fighter jets were forced to make an emergency landing in Indonesia's northernmost province due to bad weather, an air force official said Sunday. The Dassault Rafale planes managed to land safely in Aceh province on the tip of the island of Sumatra Saturday after taking part in an exercise. They took off from their aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Indian Ocean, 100 nautical miles west of Sumatra's exclusive economic zone, Aceh air force base chief Hendro Arief said. The planes were diverted to the nearest air base, the Sultan Iskandar Muda air base in Aceh Besar. "We did a security and clearance inspection and coordinated with relevant parties. Everything was clear," Arief said. The crews were all cooperative and none of them carried individual weapons, he added. Five of the jets returned to their carrier Sunday, while two others are still at the Indonesian air base. Photo credit: Matthias Knodler From Car and Driver Genesis showed its startlingly beautiful Essentia coupe concept a year ago, and now Hyundai's luxury brand is stating its intention to put it into production as an electric vehicle. The production Essentia could potentially be powered by hydrogen fuel-cell technology, CEO Manfred Fitzgerald told C/D. Hyundai recently invested in battery-electric supercar specialist Rimac with an eye toward EV and hydrogen cars. The Genesis Essentia concept is still under development for possible series production, Genesis CEO Manfred Fitzgerald told Car and Driver in a recent interview. "There are so many beautiful concept cars that have a very short life span; they are shown and then never seen again. We are trying not to follow that road," Fitzgerald said, adding: "We are still working on it, and it is still alive. It shall be an electric vehicle." Fitzgerald also said that it would not necessarily be a battery-electric vehicle but that it could also be powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. "The Essentia can have different means of electrification, and that is something that we are currently debating," he explained. Fitzgerald is a fan of hydrogen-powered cars: "I believe the battery-electric vehicle is just a transitional technology. I see a lot of potential in telling the hydrogen story in the right way, and as soon as people really see it they will recognize the upsides and all the benefits," he said, adding that hydrogen cars could "kill a lot of pain points of what they are associating right now with electrification." Yet there is a strong hint that the Essentia could actually be a battery-powered car: Hyundai recently invested $90 million in the Croatian carmaker Rimac, which specializes in battery-electric supercars. The Genesis Essentia could be one of the projects Hyundai is planning to assign to Rimac, although a Genesis spokesperson called our question about it "pure speculation at this point." Story continues The Genesis Essentia was launched at the 2018 New York auto show and dominated automotive coverage of the show. The New York launch was followed by appearances at the Concorso d'Eleganza at Villa d'Este on Lake Como and at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in Monterey, California. ('You Might Also Like',) Slab BBQ & Beer. | Photo: Lenny D./Yelp Looking to uncover all that Wooten has to offer? Get to know this Austin neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a beer bar and barbecue joint to a tavern and games cafe. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in Wooten, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Slab BBQ & Beer PHOTO: TED J./YELP Topping the list is beer bar Slab BBQ & Beer, which offers barbecue and more. Located at 9012 Research Blvd., Suite C4, it's the highest rated business in the neighborhood, boasting 4.5 stars out of 708 reviews on Yelp 2. Mi Tradicion PHOTO: ANNE N./YELP Next up is bakery and Mexican spot Mi Tradicion, situated at 8716 Research Blvd., Suite 290. With 4.5 stars out of 317 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. 3. Lebowski's Grill Photo: ROBIN B./Yelp Lebowski's Grill, a spot to score burgers and sandwiches, is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 8909 Burnet Road, 4.5 stars out of 316 reviews. 4. Emerald Tavern Games & Cafe PHOTO: JADE D./YELP And then there's Emerald Tavern Games & Cafe, a local favorite with 4.5 stars out of 124 reviews. Stop by 9012 Research Blvd., Suite C6, to hit up the cafe, which offers coffee and tea, tabletop games 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. Rosario's Mexican Cafe Y Cantina. | Photo: Ryu C./Yelp Looking to uncover all that King William has to offer? Get to know this San Antonio neighborhood by browsing its most popular local businesses, from a Tex-Mex restaurant to a cocktail bar and lounge. Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the top places to visit in King William, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of neighborhood businesses. Read on for the results. 1. Rosario's Mexican Cafe Y Cantina Photo: ryu c./Yelp Topping the list is bar, Mexican and Tex-Mex spot Rosario's Mexican Cafe Y Cantina. Located at 910 S. Alamo St., it's the most popular business in the neighborhood, boasting four stars out of 2,523 reviews on Yelp. On the menu, expect a variety of nacho options, enchiladas, parrillas platters, tacos and special entrees. Diners can choose Camarones al Mojo de Ajo (gulf shrimp in garlic and lime butter, tossed with pico de gallo and served with poblano rice), or the Albondigas con Arroz (Mexican meatballs of ground beef, pork and herbs in a spicy broth and garnished with queso). View the full menu here. 2. The Station Cafe Photo: ryu c./Yelp Next up is The Station Cafe, a spot to score salads, sandwiches and coffee and tea, situated at 108 King William With 4.5 stars out of 536 reviews on Yelp, it's proven to be a local favorite. The Station Cafe features a menu with more than two dozen hot and cold sandwiches, made on house-made bread baked daily. Try the Thai Fighter (roast beef, mozzarella, lettuce, tomato and red curry sauce) and the Habanero Turkey (garlic habanero aioli, turkey, lettuce, tomato and melted mozzarella). Wash it all down with 17 craft beers on tap and local and national brands. 3. 1919 Photo: gregg m./Yelp Lounge and cocktail bar 1919 is another top choice. Yelpers give the business, located at 1420 S. Alamo, 4.5 stars out of 309 reviews. On the menu, look for a wide selection of cocktails, scotch, whiskey, gin, rum, wine and beer. The 1919 also has cigars available for purchase. (Click here to view the menu.) Story continues 4. Guenther House Photo: guenther house/Yelp Guenther House, a breakfast and brunch and party and event planning spot that offers specialty food and more, is another neighborhood go-to, with four stars out of 923 Yelp reviews. Head over to 205 E. Guenther to see for yourself. The former home of the Pioneer Flour Mills, the Guenther House offers a menu of American-style breakfast and lunch items, as well as fresh pastries and Founder's Choice Coffee. For breakfast, try the 1851 Breakfast Platter. For lunch, consider the Spinach Salad with mushrooms, bacon, red onions, croutons and raspberry chipotle vinaigrette. (To view the full menu, click here.) 5. Boozy's Creamery & Craft Photo: cassandra k./Yelp Check out Boozy's Creamery & Craft, which has earned 4.5 stars out of 261 reviews on Yelp. You can find the bar and chocolatier and shop, which offers ice cream and frozen yogurt and more, at 711 S. St. Mary's St. Ice cream flavors are prepared daily and change each day, but expect flavors such as strawberry banana, pumpkin, the Groom's Cake and the Irish Setter. As for drinks, there are signature cocktails and beer. 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. Bunia (DR Congo) (AFP) - At least 19 people were killed when gunmen attacked a fish market in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo near Lake Albert, local officials said on Sunday. No group has claimed responsibility, but the region around Ituri province has been hit in the past by intercommunal violence between militias from the Hema and Lendu communities. "Nineteen corpses were found in the village of Tara on the edge of Lake Albert, and eight others were wounded," said Pilo Mulindo, a local community leader in Djugu territory. "The attack happened on Wednesday when armed bandits attacked a group gathered on the beach to set up a market," the official said. The UN mission to the DRCongo, known by its initials MONUSCO, reported the attack on Friday without giving a precise death toll. It planned to send a team to the area. The victims were fishermen and their customers, Mulindo said. The area is known as a region where Lendu militia are active. Violence shook Ituri province, particularly Djugu, last year when militias from Hema herder communities and Lendu farmers clashed and killed more than 100 people. More than 300,000 were displaced or forced to flee to Uganda, on the other side of Lake Albert. Lakes in the region are also a cause of tension between DRCongo and Uganda, with claims of Congolese militia members crossing to the Ugandan side for illegal fishing, often accompanied by attacks on locals. By Stewart Clarke LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) - Hulu has snagged the U.S. rights to "Untouchable," the feature doc about disgraced media mogul Harvey Weinstein, in a seven-figure deal, Variety has learned. The film, directed by Ursula Macfarlane, had its premiere at Sundance. It offers the inside track on the rise of Weinstein and his subsequent fall, amid allegations in the U.S. and Europe of abuse, harassment, and rape. Weinstein denies the charges that have been brought against him. Embankment Films is handling sales and sealed the Hulu deal. Lightbox, the shingle that made "Whitney" and is behind the upcoming "Tina Turner," produced the film. The title plays on Weinstein's elevated status in the movie business. "In her powerhouse documentary of the same name, director Ursula Macfarlane turns that word against Weinstein, empowering his accusers while also holding those who'd been complicit in his crimes accountable," Variety said in its Sundance review. For Hulu, which is now fully controlled by Disney, it is the third deal for a 2019 Sundance documentary after it picked up Ryan White's "Ask Dr. Ruth," and Liza Mandelup's "Jawline." "We are thrilled that 'Untouchable' has been acquired by Hulu, which is the perfect home in the U.S. for a film that should serve both as a cautionary tale for the younger generation and an enduring example of how seemingly unchecked power can be held to account when courageous people choose to speak out," Simon and Jonathan Chinn, co-founders of Lightbox, told Variety. In Europe, the Weinstein film will have its premiere at the Sheffield International Documentary Festival in June. In the U.K., the doc will play on the BBC after a theatrical release. The U.K. pubcaster is a co-production partner and financed the film with Media Finance Capital. The film is sold out in major territories although the specifics have yet to be announced. It will be launched theatrically in several countries. Embankment launched presales on "Untouchable," which was then called "Citizen Harvey," at Cannes last year. The U.K.-based firm's head of sales Calum Gray negotiated the deal with Hulu's Belisa Balaban. David Gilbery and Charles Dorfman, for MFC, and Simon Young and Tom McDonald for the BBC, are executive producers. Whether it was mentioned in the lyrics of a song on the radio or the reason behind an arrest, C.J. Wallace said that cannabis has always been a part of his life. It wasnt until he reached high school, when his younger brother started using CBD-infused products to help him with his autism, did Wallace start to view cannabis differently. That was the first time I saw cannabis as a tool for healing and wellness, Wallace, the son of the legendary rapper and musician Notorious B.I.G., told Yahoo Finances On The Move. Its why Wallace started Think BIG. The California-based social movement company strives to promote art and creativity through the sale of cannabis and hemp-related products. Launched in March 2019, Think BIG sets out to raise awareness for criminal justice reform, aiming to help the millions of men and women of color who currently and have previously faced incarceration for cannabis possession. We believe that the industry needs to take a look at sort of how do we enact social equity and social justice programs and allow for the broader audience to sort of be able to contribute in it, said Willie Mack, co-founder president of Think BIG. A lot of that money is coming from private funds, family funds and VCs... but as the industry starts to open more opportunities will open. Mack added that as more states look to legalize recreational marijuana use and build in social equity programs, hopefully that shift will start to happen as well as companies like ourselves looking to say, OK, you know what? There are entrepreneurs that are people of color, women, LGBTQ, trying to enter the market. How do we support them? The Frank White Creative Blend is a limited-edition cannabis product sold by Think BIG in partnership with Lowell Herb Co. A portion of the proceeds go to the Prison Arts Project. Think BIG has been pushing for reformation through drug laws, which disproportionately affect black Americans and people of color, by working with other companies. Think BIG currently partners with California cannabis farm Lowell Herb Co. to sell the limited edition Frank White Creative Blend. The pack of pre-rolls pay homage to the Notorious B.IG. and 10% of its proceeds go to the California Prison Arts Project, which brings art and creativity to prisons and helps prisoners explore job opportunities. We want to definitely work with other companies, Wallace said, noting that Think BIG has also teamed up with Code for America, which has been working on making it easier for the automatic expungement of cannabis convictions in states like California. Marabia Smith is a producer for Yahoo Finance On the Move. Chinese telecoms giant Huawei is ready to deal with Washington's crackdown and will reduce its reliance on US components, its founder told Japanese media. President Donald Trump effectively barred Huawei from the US market on Wednesday and added it to a list which would restrict US sales to the firm amid an escalating trade war with Beijing. "We have already been preparing for this," Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei told a group of Japanese journalists Saturday in his first interview since Trump's move. Ren said Huawei would continue to develop its own components to reduce its dependence on outside suppliers. Huawei is a rapidly expanding leader in 5G technology but remains dependent on foreign suppliers. It buys about $67 billion worth of components each year, including about $11 billion from US suppliers, according to The Nikkei business daily. The usually elusive Ren, 74, has come out of the shadows in recent months in the face of increasing pressure on his company. Ren's army background and Huawei's opaque culture have fuelled suspicions in some countries that the firm has links with the Chinese military and intelligence services. Huawei is also the target of an intense campaign by Washington, which has been trying to persuade allies not to allow China a role in building next-generation 5G mobile networks. US government agencies are already banned from buying equipment from Huawei. "We have not done anything which violates the law," Ren said, adding the US measures would have a limited impact. "It is expected that Huawei's growth may slow, but only slightly," he said, according The Nikkei. A former army technician, Ren founded Huawei in 1987 with only $5,000, according to company lore. Huawei now claims to have nearly 190,000 employees, operates in 170 countries, and reported revenue of more than $100 billion in 2018. Ren said his company would not yield to pressure from Washington. Story continues "We will not change our management at the request of the US or accept monitoring, as ZTE has done," he said, as quoted by The Nikkei, referring to fellow Chinese telecoms giant ZTE which was also targeted by Washington. ZTE came close to collapse last year after US firms were banned from selling it vital components over its continued dealings with Iran and North Korea. Trump later reversed the decision and in return ZTE had to pay a $1 billion fine and accept monitoring by the US Commerce Department. Residents on Ghoramara fear that the votes they cast Sunday in India's election may be the last before their island sinks into the Bay of Bengal -- a victim of climate change's growing toll. About 4,000 people, including poor fisherman Goranga Dolui, were on the electoral list for the island in the Sunderban delta. "Those who could, have left already. How will the poor like me leave? We hope the government will help us start a new life," he told AFP. Ghoramara is now about four square kilometres (1.5 square miles) having lost about half its size in the past three decades to rising seas. Ghoramara's voters could still have a role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's bid for a second term. His Bharatiya Janata Party has campaigned aggressively across West Bengal state and the result in the local constituency is on a knife edge. But Dolui is pessimistic about his vote and the results to be announced on May 23 changing the future of the island which is only connected to mainland India by a one-hour ferry ride. "We will keeping living here until we can't anymore," he said. Ghoramara's election officer Swati Bandopadhyay said the island may be lost in two or three years as the rate of erosion accelerates with each monsoon season. - Climate overshadowed - "People know this natural process is unstoppable and are gradually moving to the mainland," she added. Thousands of Ghoramara residents have moved in recent years to Sagar, a bigger island in the delta, or Kakdwip on the mainland. But several islands surrounding islands are threatened. Modi held one of his mega election rallies on the West Bengal mainland last week where he talked about security. The environment, however, has not featured in the election battle between the prime minister and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi. Party manifestos barely mention the melting Himalayan glaciers sending water pouring into the Bay of Bengal, or pollution caused by coal mining, or shrinking forests. Story continues There was little talk of the notoriety of New Delhi and 13 other Indian cities among the world's 15 cities with the most polluted air. "Both major parties have sidelined discussion of the environment during the campaign," Aarti Khosla, director of Climate Trends, a New Delhi-based initiative on climate change and clean energy told AFP. "Whilst the public across the world is generating awareness on environmental issues, it is clearly missing in India." Critics say the lack of debate on the environment has also clouded discussion on the key areas of agriculture, jobs, water supplies and migration. Retired school teacher Satish Chandra Jana, 75, has lived all his life on Ghoramara but is despondent. "We are struggling to live here and have even constructed a home on Kakdwip," he told AFP, sat on the deserted village square. "I just don't feel like leaving this place. My heart and life story is connected to this island," Jana added. The younger generation cannot afford to be as nostalgic as Jana. Ghoramara is not connected to India's electricity grid and relies on unreliable solar energy for power. The disappearing farmland is taking jobs with it. Tapas Kumar Sasmal, 50, a retired soldier who was born on Ghoramara and returned there to vote, said only about 10 percent of the original inhabitants remain. Many who lost their land are now labourers on the mainland. "Life is tough," he told AFP. "Some officials say the island will be gone by the next election. I feel it could happen tomorrow as we are at the mercy of natural disasters," Sasmal said. "Everyone wants a safe life," said Khushbano Bibi, 41, who was busy cleaning poultry feed outside her small cottage. "We worry all the time that the sea may come." "If the government helps, we will move," she said, while adding that she was pessimistic that anyone in power is listening. By Aftab Ahmed and Devjyot Ghoshal NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to return to power with an even bigger majority in parliament after a mammoth general election that ended on Sunday, exit polls showed, a far better showing than expected in recent weeks. Modi faced criticism early on in the campaign for failing to create jobs and for weak farm prices, and analysts as well as politicians said the election race was tightening with the main opposition Congress party gaining ground. But he rallied his Hindu nationalist base and turned the campaign into a fight for national security after tensions rose with Pakistan and attacked his main rival for being soft on the country's arch foe. Modi's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to win anything between 339-365 seats in the 545-member lower house of parliament with the Congress party-led opposition alliance at a distant 77 to 108, India Today Axis exit poll showed. To rule, a party needs to win 272 seats. Modi's alliance won 336 seats in the 2014 election. The exit polls showed that he not only held to this base in the northern Hindi belt but also breached the east where regional groups traditionally held sway. Only the south largely resisted the Hindu nationalist surge, except for Karnataka, home to software capital Bengaluru. Counting of votes recorded in hundreds of thousands of computerized machines will begin early on Thursday and results are expected by noon. According to another poll released by Todays Chanakya, Modi's alliance is likely to get around 350 seats. One poll by Neta Newsx, though, forecast Modi's group falling 30 seats short. Exit polls, though, have a mixed record in a country with an electorate of 900 million people - around two-thirds of whom voted in the seven-phase election. They have often gotten the number of seats wrong, but the broad direction has generally been correct, analysts say. With three out of four of the polls indicating a clear majority for Modi's alliance, Indian equity markets are expected to rally sharply on Monday, while the Indian rupee is also likely to strengthen versus the U.S. dollar, according to market participants. A clear win would mean Modi can carry out reforms investors expect to make India an easier place for doing business, they said. "I expect a positive reaction from markets on both the rupee and equities," said Sajal Gupta, head of forex and rates at Indian brokerage firm Edelweiss Securities. "Equity indices should have a rally of maybe 250-300 points," said Gupta, adding the Indian rupee may test the 69 level against the U.S. dollar before retreating. HINDU HARDLINE FEARS But a big win for Modi would fan fears that Hindu hardliner groups would be further emboldened to pursue partisan programs such as punishing Muslims for the slaughter of cows, considered sacred by Hindus, rewriting school textbooks to reduce India's Muslim history and attack liberals. Critics say Modi sought to win votes by stoking fear among the Hindu majority of the potential dangers posed by the country's Muslims and Pakistan, and promoted a Hindu-first India. But his supporters say Modi and his allies are simply restoring Hinduism to its rightful place at the core of Indian society. Muslims make up about 14% of India's 1.3 billion population. "The massive crowds and response at every rally of Prime Minister Modi were a clear indicator of their approval for his leadership, the performance of the past five years and the vision for the future," Nalin Kohli, a spokesman of the ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party said. Dilip Agrawal, 46, who runs a mill in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, said he had voted for Modi, despite the difficulties faced by farmers. "He is doing so much for our country, our national security. Of course farmers want better rates than they are getting, that's only natural. Only a strong leader can meet our aspirations, and Modi is that leader." GANDHI LOSS The Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi, the fourth generation scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that ruled India for decades following independence, focused on Modi's failure to deliver on the promises he made to transform the economy and turn India into a manufacturing hub. Congress spokesman Sanjay Jha dismissed the poll projections, saying that an alliance led by his party would defeat the BJP when votes are counted on May 23. "Many of the pollsters, if not all of the pollsters, have got it wrong," he said, adding that a polarized atmosphere and fear had kept voters from telling pollsters about their actual allegiance. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal state and a bitter opponent of Modi, said the fight was not over. "I don't trust exit poll gossip," she said on Twitter. "I appeal to all opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together." Voting began on April 11 and ended on Sunday in the world's biggest democratic exercise. Although Modi's party is poised to lose seats in northern Uttar Pradesh, which elects the most lawmakers out of all Indian states, the party's return to power will be on the back of a strong showing in other northern heartland regions and two eastern provinces, CVoter's polling showed. (Additional reporting by Aditi Shah; Writing by Sanjeev Miglani; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Louise Heavens) NEW DELHI (Reuters) - One of the co-founders of India's largest airline IndiGo has no plans of taking control of the carrier, its Chief Executive said on Saturday, two days after parent InterGlobe Aviation Ltd shares fell over a media report about alleged differences between the co-founders. InterGlobe's shares fell 9 percent on Thursday after India's most read business newspaper Economic Times reported that the co-founders and two largest shareholders were at odds over its expansion. The shares were up slightly on Friday. Co-founders Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal, along with their respective families, each control stakes of slightly less than 40 percent in the airline's holding company, giving them both a major say in its strategy and plans. "I am authorized by Mr. Rakesh Gangwal to make the following statement on his behalf - 'I am categorically and clearly stating that there is no interest or desire whatsoever on the part of the RG Group to take control of the company'," Ronojoy Dutta, Chief Executive of IndiGo said in a statement. IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir have been rushing to fill the vacuum left by the collapse of Jet Airways, once India's largest carrier, and gain control of its valuable slots. IndiGo, launched in 2006, has a nearly 47% market share in India. The airline has a fleet of 225 aircraft and flies to more than 70 destinations globally. (Reporting by Sudarshan Varadhan) Craving New American food? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best high-end New American restaurants around Detroit, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to fulfill your urges. 1. The Apparatus Room PHOTO: M P./YELP Topping the list is The Apparatus Room. Located at 250 W. Larned St. downtown Detroit, the bar and New American spot is the highest rated high-end New American restaurant in Detroit, boasting four stars out of 469 reviews on Yelp. Located within The Detroit Foundation Hotel, The Apparatus Room offers seafood, beef, duck, desserts and more. Look for options like the Maine lobster, smoked eel soubise and heritage pork cheek. 2. Parc PHOTO: MICHAEL P./YELP Next up is downtown's Parc, situated at 800 Woodward Ave. With four stars out of 455 reviews on Yelp, the bar, New American and breakfast and brunch spot has proven to be a local favorite for those looking to indulge. Serving up French and Mediterranean cuisine, Parc provides fine dining and menus of lunch, dinner and brunch. From omelettes to tacos, seafood, pasta and more, theres a variety to choose from. Look for the pancetta and egg poutine, featuring Yukon gold wedges, pancetta, fontina, Woodward gravy, charred scallions and sunny side eggs. 3. Republic PHOTO: CHELSEA S./YELP Downtown Detroit's Republic, located at 1942 Grand River Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the fancy New American spot four stars out of 466 reviews. Republic provides a menu of food that is sourced from local farmers and artisans. Expecting a rotating seasonal menu with options that currently include slow roasted pork shank with creamy grits, clams and bacon, braised short rib, roasted carrots and fried fingerling potatoes. For dessert, look for confections such as the coconut cream fruit tart. 4. Besa Photo: BESA/Yelp Besa, a New American spot located downtown, is another pricey go-to, with four stars out of 53 Yelp reviews. Head over to 600 Woodward Ave. to see for yourself. Experience fine dining and choose from a selection of seafood, pasta, salad, lamb, duck, steak, desserts and more at Besa. Start the meal with a Michigan Holstein beef tartare that comes with oyster mayo, dried blueberry, funyuns, lemon and brioche. Go meatless with the caramelized eggplant with braised and crunchy hominy, blistered red pepper, chimichurri, citrus and thyme. Or keep it simple with fish and chips made wild cod. 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. * European broadcaster discusses response to politicized show * Pro-Palestinians had urged countries to shun Tel Aviv venue By Dan Williams JERUSALEM, May 19 (Reuters) - The Israeli broadcaster of the Eurovision Song Contest said on Sunday that an unauthorized display of Palestinian flags by Iceland's band could draw "punishment" from the event's organizers. During the point-tally of Saturday's final, members of the eclectic punk ensemble Hatari held up scarf-sized Palestinian flags. A vocalist, Klemens Nikulasson Hannigan, flashed a V-for-victory sign. Many in the Tel Aviv audience responded with boos. In earlier remarks to Eurovision fan site wiwibloggs, Hannigan had criticized Israel's settlements and what he described as its "apartheid" in occupied Palestinian territory. The flag display, briefly caught on the live TV relay of the 41-country contest, marked the only disruption of a show that had been a focus of anti-Israel boycott calls, and drew a swift rebuke from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). "The Icelanders will apparently be punished by the European Broadcasting Union, which is really not tolerant of those who violate its rules," Eldad Koblenz, CEO of the EBU's Israeli counterpart Kan, told Ynet TV. An EBU spokesman declined direct comment, saying the matter was under discussion. EBU rules allow for disqualifying contestants who do not abide by requirements for a "non-political event." Asked what other penalties might be available, the spokesman said: "In the past there have been financial sanctions for rule breaches." He did not elaborate on these cases or sums. Hatari's song "Hate Will Prevail," during which the leather- and latex-clad performers thrashed around a grenade-shaped globe as flames shot from the stage, came 10th of the 26 finalists. Their flag display did not impress the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel, which had urged countries to shun the Tel Aviv Eurovision. None did. Story continues "Palestinian civil society overwhelmingly rejects fig-leaf gestures of solidarity from international artists crossing our peaceful picket line #Hatari," the campaigners said on Twitter. Koblenz was more upbeat about a political display by Madonna, whose much-anticipated, two-song guest performance in the final featured two back-up dancers, with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs, walking in an embrace. "We are very happy that she came, certainly in a reality where very few artists are prepared to come to Israel," he said, while allowing that "perhaps she's had more successful shows." Madonna, who has previously performed in Israel and is a devotee of Jewish mysticism, said on Twitter on Sunday that she was grateful "for the opportunity to spread the message of peace and unity with the world." Kan had no advance notice of Hatari's or Madonna's flag displays, Koblenz said: "That's the price of a live broadcast." (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Alison Williams) By Dan Williams JERUSALEM (Reuters) - The Israeli broadcaster of the Eurovision Song Contest said on Sunday that an unauthorised display of Palestinian flags by Iceland's band could draw "punishment" from the event's organisers. During the point-tally of Saturday's final, members of the eclectic punk ensemble Hatari held up scarf-sized Palestinian flags. A vocalist, Klemens Nikulasson Hannigan, flashed a V-for-victory sign. Many in the Tel Aviv audience responded with boos. In earlier remarks to Eurovision fan site wiwibloggs, Hannigan had criticised Israel's settlements and what he described as its "apartheid" in occupied Palestinian territory. The flag display, briefly caught on the live TV relay of the 41-country contest, marked the only disruption of a show that had been a focus of anti-Israel boycott calls, and drew a swift rebuke from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). "The Icelanders will apparently be punished by the European Broadcasting Union, which is really not tolerant of those who violate its rules," Eldad Koblenz, CEO of the EBU's Israeli counterpart Kan, told Ynet TV. An EBU spokesman declined direct comment, saying the matter was under discussion. EBU rules allow for disqualifying contestants who do not abide by requirements for a "non-political event". Asked what other penalties might be available, the spokesman said: "In the past there have been financial sanctions for rule breaches." He did not elaborate on these cases or sums. Hatari's song "Hate Will Prevail", during which the leather- and latex-clad performers thrashed around a grenade-shaped globe as flames shot from the stage, came 10th of the 26 finalists. Their flag display did not impress the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel, which had urged countries to shun the Tel Aviv Eurovision. None did. "Palestinian civil society overwhelmingly rejects fig-leaf gestures of solidarity from international artists crossing our peaceful picket line #Hatari," the campaigners said on Twitter. Story continues Koblenz was more upbeat about a political display by Madonna, whose much-anticipated, two-song guest performance in the final featured two back-up dancers, with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs, walking in an embrace. "We are very happy that she came, certainly in a reality where very few artists are prepared to come to Israel," he said, while allowing that "perhaps she's had more successful shows". Madonna, who has previously performed in Israel and is a devotee of Jewish mysticism, said on Twitter on Sunday that she was grateful "for the opportunity to spread the message of peace and unity with the world". Kan had no advance notice of Hatari's or Madonna's flag displays, Koblenz said: "That's the price of a live broadcast." (Writing by Dan Williams; Editing by Alison Williams) Fusion Food Truck. | Photo: Matt C./Yelp Wondering where to find the best food trucks near you? Hoodline crunched the numbers to find the best affordable food trucks in Jacksonville, using both Yelp data and our own secret sauce to produce a ranked list of where to venture next time you're on the hunt. 1. Fusion Food Truck Photo: matt c./Yelp Topping the list is Fusion Food Truck. Located on Southside Boulevard in Windy Hill, the Asian fusion eatery is the highest rated inexpensive food truck in Jacksonville, boasting 4.5 stars out of 86 reviews on Yelp. The food truck offers a menu of Asian-inspired snacks, meals and drinks, such as curries, noodle bowls, wraps and iced Thai tea. 2. Taqueria Hernandez PHOTO: DESTINY D./YELP The Westside's Taqueria Hernandez, located at 8779-8799 103rd St., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the cheap food truck, which serves tacos and Mexican food, 4.5 stars out of 43 reviews. Enchiladas, sopes, huaraches and pambazos are also on the menu. 3. Muzzi's Madhouse Photo: jeanpaul b./Yelp Muzzi's Madhouse in Downtown Jacksonville is another much-loved, low-priced go-to. The food truck, which serves Chicago style sandwiches, wraps and ravioli, has a 4.5-star rating out of 23 Yelp reviews. Head over to 655 W. Adams to see for yourself. 4. The Happy Grilled Cheese Photo: maya c./Yelp And then there's The Happy Grilled Cheese, a Downtown Jacksonville favorite with four stars out of 114 reviews. The food truck specializes in gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and also serves soups, salads, snacks and dessert. Stop by 219 N. Hogan St. the next time you're in the mood for cheap eats. 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 Jeremy Kyle Show has been linked to other suicides, according to The Sun (Picture: PA) The Jeremy Kyle show is facing further scandal after being linked to other suicides of people who had appeared on it. Two other guests took their own lives after appearing on the under-fire show, according to reports Erica Pawson, 33, took an overdose after her husband Paul dumped her on Kyles advice after appearing on the programme while former boxer Paul McCarthy, 31, reportedly also took his own life just three months after appearing on the show in 2014. The long-running talk show was axed on Wednesday over the suspected suicide of Stephen Dymond following his appearance on the show. ITV axed the Jeremy Kyle Show after the suspected suicide of a guest (Picture: PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) Paul Lawson, 54, of Louth, Lincolnshire, told The Sun that he walked out on his wife Erica and their teenage daughter because of advice Kyle repeatedly gave him during a show segment called Britains Worst Husband. He claimed when he and Erica went on the show there were no checks on their mental health beforehand, despite the fact she suffered from depression and had previously taken overdoses. READ MORE Hackers could steal your data through your coffee machine and smart TV He said the pair were separated for hours during filming and producers slagged him off to provoke his fragile wife, while Kyle repeatedly urged him to leave her. After filming, Paul moved out and Erica was found dead after overdosing in October 2005. At an inquest, the coroner said the show had affected their marriage, The Sun reported. Paul said appearing on the show had destroyed the lives of him, his wife and his daughter and Mr Dymonds death could have been avoided if producers had learned lessons from his wifes death. He said: Why didnt they suspend the programme when my wife died? We never got counselling, we didnt get anything. My daughter has had to see a specialist counsellor because of what happened. The Daily Mirror also reported that boxer Paul McCarthy was found dead on July 3, 2014, after appearing on the show in March 2014. His dad Kevin said: "The Jeremy Kyle Show is a disgrace. "The coroner at Pauls inquest used the words bear-baiting in connection with the experience." JetBlue customers, be prepared for a major shake-up when you order a soda on your next flight: The airline is switching from Coca-Cola to Pepsi starting June 3, apparently channeling the "blue" in its name. "We're refreshing our Core complimentary beverage lineup to offer customers excitnig new product options they've asked for, while also bringing sustainability benefits, and controlling growing costs," according to an internal JetBlue communication obtained by USA TODAY. "Most notably, this includes the introduction of Pepsi products to our offering beginning June 3." And those aren't the only changes: The airline will also begin pouring water from larger bottles to lower cost and waste and will also serve snacks and beverages simultaneously on certain short-haul flights. FILE - In this July 9, 2015, file photo, Pepsi bottles The document shows images of several new beverages, including Pepsi and Canada Dry products. A JetBlue spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY that new beverages were coming but withheld further details. "JetBlue is always looking for ways to refresh our onboard experience," Julianna Bryan said. "Starting June 3, we will offer a new selection of complimentary beverages on all JetBlue flights. We will share additional details in the coming weeks." This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: JetBlue switching to Pepsi from Coca-Cola Former Vice President Joe Biden doubled down on his condemnation of President Donald Trumps politics during his official campaign kickoff on Saturday in Philadelphia, branding himself as a candidate who will foster unity. Our politics traffic in division and our president is the divider-in-chief, Biden told a cheering crowd. The 2020 hopeful, who hails from Scranton, chose to hold his first rally in the key battleground state of Pennsylvania, which was integral to Trumps 2016 win and will remain crucial as Biden jockeys for the Oval Office within a crowded field of contenders. Emphasizing the need for unity, the Democrat dismissed the notion that the angrier a candidate can be, the better chance he or she has to win the Democratic nomination. Well, I dont believe it, he said. I believe Democrats want to unify this nation. Thats what our partys always been about. Though he attempted to distance himself from hostile politics in his speech, Biden took a handful of shots at the president as he continued his remarks, rebuking Trumps behavior while in office. If the American people want a president to add to our division, to lead with a clenched fist, a closed hand, a hard heart, to demonize your opponents, to spew hatred they dont need me, Biden declared. Theyve got President Donald Trump. Im running to offer our country Democrats, Republicans and Independents a different path, Biden added. Biden raised similar criticisms of the president in his April campaign launch video, which began with a denunciation of Trumps weak response to deadly violence at a rally of white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017. Throughout his speech, the candidate focused less on specific policy matters than he did on what he felt is a common purpose among the left beating Trump. Biden called it the single most important thing we have to accomplish. Following on the heels of Bidens visit, Trump will head to Lycoming County on Monday, which lies near the center of the state, for a rally of his own. Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today. This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Formally launching his third presidential campaign, Joe Biden appealed for party and national unity while accusing Donald Trump of leading America with a clenched fist, a closed hand and a hard heart. Related: Could climate change submerge Joe Biden's presidential bid? Biden appeared at Eakins Oval in Philadelphia on Saturday afternoon, two days ahead of a Trump rally elsewhere in Pennsylvania, one of the states in which blue-collar swing voters delivered the White House to the Republican in 2016. Introduced by his wife, Jill Biden, the former vice-president called on Democrats to eschew the politics of division and to fight for, defend and earn democracy. I know there are times when only a bare-knuckle fight will do, he said. I know we have to take on Republicans to do whats right without any help from them. But, he said, we are the United States of America and there is not a single thing we cannot do if we are together. I know there are times when only a bare-knuckle fight will do Joe Biden If the American people want a president to add to our division, he said, to lead with a clenched fist, closed hand and a hard heart, to demonise opponents and spew hatred they dont need me. They already have a president who does just that. I am running to offer our country Democrats, Republicans and independents a different path. Biden was a senator from Delaware for 36 years and vice-president to Barack Obama from 2009 to 2017. He was a relatively late entrant to the sprawling field seeking the Democratic nomination in 2020, which has now reached 23 candidates. Biden has been criticised for his behaviour towards women, including his role in hearings into allegations of sexual harassment against the supreme court justice Clarence Thomas; for his congressional record on racial issues; and for a perceived lack of progressive policies and appeal. The 76-year-old nonetheless has a handy lead in most primary polls, clear of prominent opponents including Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren and Pete Buttigieg. Story continues In Philadelphia, Biden repeatedly appealed for party unity. It would, he said, stand counter to the divisive rhetoric of the Trump presidency. Some say Democrats dont want to hear about unity, Biden said. That they are angry and the angrier you are, the better. Thats what they are saying you have to do to win the Democratic nomination. Well, I dont believe it. I believe Democrats want to unify this nation. Thats what weve always been about. Unity. He said he would not speak ill of any other Democratic candidate, although when a repetitive whistling sounded in the background to the rally, Biden joked: That must be Bernie. Biden leads Trump in general election match-ups, among them a headline-grabbing 11-point lead in Pennsylvania in a Quinnipiac poll released this week. In return, Trump has begun to attack Biden regularly, coining the nickname SleepyCreepy Joe. Four years younger than the former VP, at 72, the president has denied multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and assault. Campaign volunteers seek shade before the kickoff rally for Joe Biden in Philadelphia. Campaign volunteers seek shade before the kick-off rally for Joe Biden in Philadelphia.Photograph: Mark Makela/Reuters Bidens conciliatory tone and manner may work as a powerful antidote to Trumps relentlessly caustic rhetoric. Related: Anita Hill: Biden's committee could have kicked off #MeToo decades ago He counters Trump by not being angry or dismissive, Carl Tobias, a law professor at the University of Richmond in Virginia, told the Guardian on Saturday, also noting Biden's appeal to blue collar voters, especially in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Ohio, promising to unite rather than divide Americans, to work with US allies, to honor the rule of law and to behave like a normal president. About 2,000 people were expected to attend Bidens Philadelphia speech, campaign sources told media. Other candidates have claimed bigger crowds for their kick-off rallies, among them the California senator Kamala Harris. About 20,000 attended her speech in Oakland in late January. Like other candidates, however, Harris does not have the kind of national name recognition enjoyed by Biden. In a long political career, Biden has mounted two runs for the Democratic presidential nomination. In 1987 he dropped out of the primary race amid controversy over alleged plagiarism from sources including speeches by the British Labour leader Neil Kinnock. In 2007, he failed to attract support in a race dominated by Obama and Hillary Clinton. Baghdad (AFP) - A Katyusha rocket crashed Sunday into Baghdad's Green Zone which houses government offices and embassies including the US mission, Iraqi security services said in a statement. The rocket -- which came after Washington ordered the evacuation of non-essential diplomatic staff from the Baghdad embassy and the Arbil consulate citing threats from Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups -- caused no casualties, it said. "A Katyusha rocket crashed into the Green Zone without causing casualties," it said in a brief statement without giving further details. A police source told AFP that "initial reports indicate that the rocket was fired from an open field" in southern Baghdad. The Green Zone is one of the world's most high-security institutional quarters. Located in the centre of the Iraqi capital, it houses parliament, the prime minister's office, the presidency, other key institutions, top officials' homes and embassies. The American embassy in Baghdad -- the world's largest -- lies within the fortified neighbourhood, also known as the International Zone, which is surrounded by concrete walls. As tensions soar in the Gulf amid a standoff between Washington and Tehran, the administration of US President Donald Trump has also dispatched to the region an aircraft carrier and heavy B-52 bombers. Baghdad (AFP) - A Katyusha rocket was fired Sunday into Baghdad's Green Zone housing government offices and embassies including the US mission, days after the United States evacuated staff from Iraq citing threats from Iran. "A Katyusha rocket crashed into the Green Zone without causing casualties," the Iraqi security services said in a brief statement without giving further details. Tensions between the US and Iran have been high since Washington withdrew last year from the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and major world powers, and they have soared in the past few weeks. Despite international scepticism, the US government has cited alleged threats from Iran, a long-time enemy of both Washington and its regional allies, including Israel and Saudi Arabia, but a powerbroker in Iraq. Earlier this month, the administration of US President Donald Trump dispatched to the region an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers, as well as an amphibious assault ship and a Patriot missile battery. And on Wednesday it ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel from the US embassy in Baghdad embassy and the Arbil consulate in northern Iraq, citing "imminent" threats from Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups. It was not immediately clear who was behind Sunday's attack. But a police source told AFP that "initial reports indicate that the rocket was fired from an open field" in southern Baghdad. The Green Zone is one of the world's most high-security institutional quarters. Located in the centre of the Iraqi capital, it houses parliament, the prime minister's office, the presidency, other key institutions, top officials' homes and embassies. - World's largest embassy - The US embassy in Baghdad -- its largest in the world -- lies within the fortified neighbourhood, also known as the International Zone, which is surrounded by concrete walls. In April this year, Saudi Arabia opened a new consulate compound in the Gree Zone after decades of no diplomatic ties with Iraq. Story continues In September last year, assailants fired three mortar rounds into the Green Zone, in a rare attack that did not cause casualties or damage. No one claimed responsibility for the attack. That same month the US shut its consulate in Basra and ordered all but emergency staff to leave the southern port city hit by weeks of protests and relocate to Baghdad. At the time, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iranian militants for "indirect fire" -- which usually means rockets or artillery -- against the US consulate. Ruled by Shiite clerics, Iran has a strong influence in Iraq, especially in the country's Shiite-majority south. Baghdad has been under pressure from Washington to limit ties with its neighbour. The Katyusha rocket attack came as Iraq on Sunday slammed as "political" a decision by US energy giant ExxonMobil to evacuate staff from a southern oil field. "The temporary withdrawal of employees has nothing to do with security in southern Iraqi oil fields or any threats," Oil Minister Thamer al-Ghadban said. "The reasons are political and probably linked to tensions in the region," he added in a statement released by the oil ministry. Ghadban called the move to pull out staff from the West Qorna oil field west of Basra "unacceptable and unjustified". Exxon did not confirm the withdrawal. "We are closely monitoring. As a matter of practice, we don't share specifics related to operational staffing at our facilities," a spokeswoman said. ROME (AP) The Latest on migration to Europe (all times local): 5:20 p.m. British and French authorities have stopped 29 migrants who tried to cross the English Channel is three small boats over the weekend. The French maritime authority for the Channel and North Sea said a patrol ship spotted a boat carrying nine migrants, including one minor, off the coast of the Cape of Gris-Nez on Sunday. The nine were suffering light hypothermia and were handed over to border police in Calais. The British Home Office, meanwhile, said 20 migrants on two boats were intercepted Saturday off the Kent Coast. The migrants, including a 12-year-old, were handed to immigration officials in Dover. The group said they were from Iraq and Iran. Illegal migrant crossings across the English Channel are on the rise in recent weeks despite joint British-French efforts to crack down on them. ___ 1 p.m. U.N. human rights investigators have told Italy that a proposed decree formalizing the closure of Italian ports to aid groups that rescue migrants at sea violates international law. In a letter to Italy's government, the investigators said the decree appears to be "yet another political attempt to criminalize search and rescue operations" that "further intensifies the climate of hostility and xenophobia against migrants." Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, a hard-line populist, has proposed the decree ahead of the European Parliament elections this week, where nationalist, anti-migrant parties are hoping to make strong gains. The letter from the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights says the measures would violate migrants' human rights, which are enshrined in U.N. conventions. It said Italy is obliged to rescue migrants in distress and cannot impede others from doing so. FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) A man has been charged in the abduction of an 8-year-old girl who was snatched from a street in Fort Worth, Texas, as she walked with her mother. Fort Worth police say the girl was found safe Sunday, about eight hours later, at a hotel in nearby Forest Hill. Police say 51-year-old Michael Webb was arrested on an aggravated kidnapping charge. He is being held without bond. Officer Buddy Calzada says a man grabbed the girl Saturday evening, and sped away with her in a car. Police released surveillance video of the car . Police found Webb and the girl at the hotel after witnesses reported seeing the car there. She was taken to a hospital. Online records don't an attorney representing Webb who can speak on his behalf. DES MOINES, Iowa When Timothy Maxon saw a car strike a child about 15 yards from where he was parked Wednesday near an elementary school in Marshalltown, Iowa, he tried to help. "Immediately I blared on my horn to get them to stop. I got out of my car, trying to call 911, but I couldnt get my fingers to work fast enough," the 35-year-old said. "I didnt even realize it was my son until I got up to him. Franklin Elementary second-grader Christian Maxon, 8, was taken to a local hospital before being flown by helicopter to Blank Children's Hospital in Des Moines, where he was pronounced dead. Witnesses told police that a vehicle turned right onto West Main Street and struck the child. Police are investigating the accident. No charges have been filed against the driver, Marilyn Diggins, 71. Related Video: Christian's parents are still trying to comprehend the loss of the bright-eyed boy, who loved Cub Scouts, video games, fishing and the Iowa Hawkeyes. 'They didn't say what had happened' Brittany Maxon, 32, was working from home when she got a call that there had been an accident at Franklin Elementary. "I just ran out the door. I didn't take time to find anybody to cover (for) me," she said. "They just said there had been an accident and I needed to get to the school; they didnt say what had happened." When arrived at the scene, people realized who she was and tried to get her on the ambulance with her son. "Theyre trying to stop (the ambulance) and going, This is his mom,'" she said. "At that point, I was close enough that I could see the blood on the ground where it had happened, and there was a lot, and they knew it was bad." There was optimism when the boy arrived at the hospital: Christian was breathing on his own. Christian Maxon and his mother, Brittany, shown in an undated family photo. Then his heart stopped. Doctors were able to revive him, but only for moments, his mother said. Christian's heart would stop several times. Story continues Then when they went to put him on the Life Flight, theyre like, Were moving him, but we are not really hopeful that were gonna be able to keep his heart going,'" said Brittany, who was at her son's side during the flight. Medical professionals administered CPR on the boy while on the helicopter and as he was transported inside the hospital in Des Moines, Brittany said. She was on the ground just a couple of minutes when doctors told her Christian had died. Then they had to call it, because they had been doing CPR so long, she said. At that point, he wasnt coming back." For Brittany, the day was a terrible dream she couldn't end. Timothy learned just after arriving at the hospital in Des Moines that his son had died. Christian's parents know he suffered head trauma, but they don't have specifics about other injuries. They haven't yet learned what police have discovered in their investigation. 'They still took our son's life' Police are still interviewing witnesses and no decision on charges will come until the investigation is complete, Marshalltown Police Lt. Rick Bellile said Saturday. Itd be nice to know whats going to happen, if anything is going to happen, Timothy said. "Regardless of if the (driver) was 17 or 71, they still took our sons life. Both said they have struggled to eat, sleep and work since the deadly collision. Brittany said she hasn't been able to drive. Since Wednesday, she hasn't slept in the home she shared with Christian and her daughter. Brittany and Timothy separated prior to their child's death. Christian Maxon and his father, Timothy, shown in an undated family photo. They haven't told Christian's younger sister she will be 4 years old this month about the tragedy. His 14-year-old sister knows and is grieving deeply. "Its been a very tough and trialsome week," Timothy said. Just devastation. A funeral is planned for Monday. Mitchell Funeral Home officials said they will pay for the boy's service. Christian's parents thanked the funeral home and the Marshalltown community for its support following the loss of their "sweet" and "caring" child. People have reached out to the parents and their extended families to offer help. Timothy said he can't block out the graphic image of his boy being hit. I do still see it from time to time," he said. "Mostly while trying to sleep." But Christian's family, classmates and teachers will remember him as so much more than what happened Wednesday, his mother said. They'll remember his compassion, his friendliness. "There was not one bad thing about that kid, not one bad thing," Timothy said. Had the smile of an angel, his eyes were just unbelievable. The most adorable, loving, caring gentleman Ive ever met in my life." Follow Tyler Davis on Twitter @TDavisDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Man races to help child hit by car in Iowa: 'I didn't even realize it was my son' Having chain-migrated his way into the White House and a little bit of political power, Donald Trumps son-in-law is shopping around an immigration plan. And if you can get past the hilarious juxtaposition of the words merit-based and Jared Kushner, its a pretty good one. As things stand, the majority of immigrants to the United States (the majority of legal immigrants, anyway) qualify for entry on the basis of having a family member legally present in the United States. This is the mechanism behind what is known as chain migration, in which one member of a family provides entry to another, who provides entry to another, who provides entry to another, and so on. In contrast, a small share of immigrants about 12 percent enter the country on the basis of a job offer or the possession of certain skills or education that make them desirable to employers. (Others enter as investors, coming in as potential employers rather than potential employees.) These are everything from doctors to software developers. Kushners agenda is to reverse those proportions, reducing the number of entrants through family-based immigration and loosening up restrictions on highly skilled workers. The plan would also eliminate the lottery, the visa system under which 50,000 applicants are selected randomly (almost randomly, anyway) in the name of diversity, albeit a kind of diversity that excludes Canadians, Englishmen, Indians, Brazilians, Nigerians, and many others. It is difficult to think of a worse criterion for the admission of new Americans than randomness. The Democrats already have declared the proposal dead on arrival, in part because it does not address the status of those illegal immigrants who were brought to the United States as children and because it contains funding for border-wall construction, a formerly unobjectionable policy that has since Donald Trumps election inspired lively opposition among Democrats, who wish to deny the president a symbolic victory. An E-Verify mandate would be a more effective policy, but a border wall makes a better backdrop for a press conference. Story continues Consider this proposal in terms of first principles. There are few genuine advocates of open borders in American politics, but it is not the case, as our talk-radio friends sometimes insist, that no nation has ever thrived without well-policed borders. Victorian England, for example, had practically open borders they did not even require a passport for visitors. But there are good reasons for border controls, ranging from public health to national security. The Democrats may insist that no person is illegal in front of some audiences, but they have not yet adopted open borders per se in their party platform, and many of their blue-collar and union constituents are very hawkish on immigration, especially illegal immigration. If we agree that a polity has the right to decide who joins it and on what terms and genuine self-government is inconceivable without such an assumption then it follows that a polity has the right (and possibly the duty) to look after its own interests in deciding on standards. Because of our lamentable racial history, we Americans tend to be very touchy about anything that looks, sounds, or smells like discrimination, though we accept readily enough that Ireland is not engaging in Jim Crowstyle racism in giving preference to would-be immigrants with an Irish grandparent, that India is not showing invidious bias in giving preference to immigrants of Indian origin, etc. We get all torqued up over the politics of language, but who would think the authorities in Japan or Iceland wicked to privilege fluency in their native languages? Being Americans, we apparently care a great deal less about culture and a great deal more about money. And so many immigration reformers have settled on largely economic metrics for evaluating applicants. There is not anything inherently wrong with that, though the calculations there can be a little tricky. The people who own software companies think we need more immigrant programmers; the people who work as programmers often have other views. Many countries with the kinds of health-care systems Democrats would like to impose on the country have attempted to address their subsequent physician shortages through immigration rather than, say, paying doctors more. As it happens, the buyers and the sellers in any given market often see things very differently from each other. In any case, the considerations touching the $200,000-and-up labor market are different from those of the $35,000-and-under market. Its complicated, but the general idea is a good one: The United States has interests of its own, some of those interests are economic, and immigration should serve American interests first and foremost, with humanitarian concerns and other considerations subordinated. But while we should be skeptical of the federal governments ability to fine-tune the labor supply, we should not shy away from asking it to do one of its fundamental jobs and secure the border and the ports of entry and finally get control of illegal immigration. The debate on reforming legal immigration would proceed with more ease if the government were to address the lawless conditions at the border, which are a problem in and of themselves and which also diminish its credibility in the broader question of immigration management. Unrealistic? Maybe. But no less unrealistic than deputizing Jared Kushner as the ambassador for merit-based living. More from National Review Photo: Paolo Gamba/ Flickr Miami Beach residents will start to see the effects of voter-approved city beautification projects before the end of the year. Last Friday, the city broke ground on street pavement and sidewalk repairs, the first construction project approved as part of the Miami G.O. Bond Program. Im excited to share that only six months after overwhelming voter support for these bonds, shovels will be in the ground in record time, said Mayor Dan Gelber. This project is the beginning of greatly enhancing, beautifying and protecting our city further. After a year of community input, Miami Beach voted in November to support the issuance of $439 million in G.O. bonds to finance 57 city beautification projects, including street pavement and sidewalk improvements. The projects were split across three separate measures on the ballot: a $169 million bond for improving parks, recreation facilities and cultural facilities, a $198 million bond for neighborhood and infrastructure, and a $72 million bond for police, fire and public safety. The three measures each received approximately 70% of the vote. graphic by G.O. Miami Beach General obligation bonds are a way of raising money for city projects by selling debt to investors. The city will pay investors back after the completion of the project through taxation or other means of raising revenue. The first step in tackling these projects post-election was selling the G.O. bonds to investors. City Manager Jimmy Morales and CFO John Woodruff traveled to New York City on April 16 to oversee the first day of the sale process on Wall Street. The City of Miami Beachs G.O. Blog reported that the pricing of the G.O. Bonds generated tremendous investor interest, and less than a month later construction has begun. In this first street pavement and sidewalk improvements project, over 25% of the citys sidewalks will be repaved and all street cracks will be filled and resurfaced. Construction started at Meridian Avenue between 5th and 15th streets, where the city determined roads were in the worst condition. Meridian Avenue improvements are expected to be completed within six weeks. Story continues Graphic by G.O. Miami Beach Residents can view all the streets and sidewalks that will be repaired within the next year here. Other non-construction G.O. bond projects are already underway. The city is already working on installing license plate readers in strategic locations across the city and replacing the outdated public safety radio system that is used by first responders. The suite of all 57 city beautification projects are set to be completed in the next 10 to 12 years. For more information on the G.O. Bond Program, visit gomb2018.com. The salt farmers of Hon Khoi rise before dawn as they have for generations, fanning out across shallow seawater pools in southern Vietnam to harvest the precious mineral, hoping for a better season than the last. The work is punishing and the incomes unstable, subject to seesawing demand swayed by foreign imports, and increasingly unpredictable weather patterns. Many people in the sleepy seaside town in Khanh Hoa province have worked much of their lives in the salt fields -- an Instagram hotspot where workers wearing conical hats ferry mountains of the saline crystals in bamboo baskets along reflective ponds against a setting sun. They shuffle carefully along narrow ledges separating the rectangular plots that are pumped full of salty seawater. But the farmers say life is tough on the fields where they toil during the annual harvesting season from January to June. "This job is no fun at all, we have to work so hard in the sun and then during the cool season we are off," said Nguyen Thanh Lai, his tan skin weathered from nearly four decades working in the fields. He sells his harvest to local traders who pass it up the value chain until it reaches dining tables or factories around Vietnam, where it is used to preserve fish, concoct Southeast Asia's popular, pungent fish sauce, or make soda water. Lai has long struggled to raise his five kids, but he says both demand and market price used to be more reliable. "In the past we didn't make losses in salt production, now there are losses," the 60-year-old told AFP, wearing two hats to shield from the searing morning sun. As technical supervisor, he typically earns around $360 a month during the harvesting season -- more than double what most salt workers take home. But his income zigzags depending on demand, which itself fluctuates based on imports from abroad. - Climate woes - Vietnam produced about one million tonnes of salt in 2015, according to the latest official data, and often clocks surpluses, but it still ships salt in, mostly from China and India. Story continues The country imported 500,000 tonnes of the mineral in 2017 despite a 147,000-tonne surplus of domestic production. The imported product is of a quality required for industrial use, something the local salt is not always suitable for. Officials at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development did not respond to AFP's requests for comment. But unpredictable demand is not all Vietnam's salt farmers are up against. In Hon Khoi -- a popular tourist destination for throngs of visitors who pack its white sandy beaches -- farmers are also contending with climate change. Shifting weather patterns have upended work in an industry that depends on sunny, dry days for maximum production. "If the weather is good, we can work for six months. If it rains, we all go hungry," said Nguyen Quang Anh, who has laboured in the fields for two decades. "Climate change really has had an impact because salt production needs stable weather," the 57-year-old farmer told AFP. The UN says climate change has "undermined" the lives of farmers in Vietnam, where the wet season has come earlier or brought in heavier rains in recent years. "In Vietnam and elsewhere, climate change has put weather in flux. When you can no longer plan for the future, you can only hope," said Dechen Tsering, UN Environment's Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific. Vietnamese authorities vowed to reform the sector in 2014, rolling out a 15-year plan to modernise the industry in a bid to help struggling farmers like Anh. The blueprint called for production to triple by 2030, promised new technology, and called on local officials to support farmers hit by fluctuating weather patterns. Few have felt the impact of the plan -- or ever heard about it -- in Hon Khoi, where the salt industry remains the main employer. That means many are taking a gamble on the sector. "Sometimes I'm nervous, but I'm in the business so I have to accept the risks," said Nguyen Van Vinh, who just started working in the fields this season to supplement his income running a small stationery shop. "If I don't harvest salt, I won't earn enough." Col. Eddie Boxx, USAF (ret) is writer for the Heritage Village Museum in Woodville, and is currently working on a book: Bayou Bombers: The Untold Story of B-17 Aircrews in East Texas. Texas Rangers reliever Shawn Kelley had two lumps surgically removed from his vocal cords this week and is awaiting the results of a biopsy, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported Saturday. The right-hander told the newspaper he had the surgery Thursday and expects to have the biopsy results next week. Kelley, 35, was placed on the injured list on May 9 with what the team called an infection. "I went on the IL originally to get them biopsied, and I guess the biopsy wasn't conclusive enough," he told the Star-Telegram. "So they removed them. I still don't know the results of what's in my throat, but it's out and I'm going to get back to pitching." Kelley is 3-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 14 appearances this season. --The Chicago White Sox said left-hander Carlos Rodon is expected to return in the second half of the 2020 season following Tommy John surgery this week. The 26-year-old starter underwent a successful operation Wednesday, the team said. Rodon was 3-2 with a 5.19 ERA in seven starts. He went on the injured list on May 2, one day after feeling elbow tightness while giving up three runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings against the Baltimore Orioles. He was torched for eight runs and nine hits in three-plus innings in his previous turn against the Detroit Tigers. --Shortstop Didi Gregorius could return to the lineup for the New York Yankees next month, and outfielder Giancarlo Stanton could be back sooner, manager Aaron Boone said. Gregorius had Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow last October after sustaining the injury in Game 2 of the American League Division Series. At the time, general manager Brian Cashman said Gregorius likely could be back as early as June. Gregorius, 29, is scheduled to play Monday in an extended spring training game in Tampa. --Yankees starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka exited his latest start after the sixth inning due to a right shin contusion. On his 88th and final pitch, Tanaka had a ground ball by Yandy Diaz go off his lower leg. The ball was clocked at 111.3 mph by Statcast and it caromed off Tanaka's leg to first baseman Luke Voit for the final out. Story continues The Yankees announced in the seventh that X-rays were negative. Tanaka is 3-3 with a 3.09 ERA in 10 starts this season. --The Atlanta Braves selected the contract of left-hander Jerry Blevins and granted fellow left-hander Jonny Venters his unconditional release. Blevins, 35, signed a major league contract with the Braves less than a week after he was designated for assignment by the team. He is 0-0 with a 10.80 ERA (four earned runs in 3 1/3 innings) this season, which is his 13th in the majors. Venters, 34, struggled badly in his fifth season with the Braves. He was 0-0 with a 17.36 ERA after giving up 13 runs (nine earned) in 4 2/3 innings. --Field Level Media London. 13th May 2019 London-based financial services challenger Mode has announced its first product, a crypto-backed lending solution for businesses, is due to launch later this month. It is offering early access rates for customers who sign up by 15th June 2019. Mode aims to become the first fully-regulated, digital-asset bank in the UK, and is actively working to build an ecosystem of products and services that combines the best of traditional and digital finance Its lending solution is flexible, business-first and is aimed at companies that hold Bitcoin and Ether whether through direct purchase, investment or as payment from clients. It offers loan terms of up to 90 days with further extensions possible and can be repaid at any time without incurring any fees. A subsidiary of FinTech group R8 Limited, Mode is backed by a highly-experienced team of investors and advisors and has developed this product specifically to ensure companies maintain full ownership and 100% of digital asset profits should the assets price increase. All of this, while having access to the traditional currency still needed to run most business operations today. Mode offers an intuitive loan application process, and funds are expected to reach applicants bank accounts within twenty-four hours. Initially, the loans will be offered in Pounds () and Euros () and will be backed by Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), with support for more crypto assets and cryptocurrencies to be rolled out in the coming months. Alex Ryvkin, CEO of Mode, says: Holders of both traditional and digital assets are demanding solutions that mix the best of both old and new finance. This is where Mode enters the equation. We trust that our approach will enable us to create a reliable environment that makes lending, investing and borrowing safer for everyone. He adds: Today, most crypto-backed lending solutions in the market are created with retail customers in mind. This is why we chose to design a product that catered to the needs of companies in the ecosystem, ensuring they have equal access to the capital that will help them successfully grow their business and further advance the tokenised economy. Story continues How Modes crypto-backed loan for businesses works: Loan amount: No maximum, from 1,000 Loan offered in: Pounds () and Euros () Crypto accepted : Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) Support for more digital assets in the coming months APR: 12% compounded daily Loan-To-Value: 60% for BTC and 50% for ETH Loan term: Up to 90 days with possible further extension Origination fee: 0% Early repayment fee: 0% Repayment terms: Repay at any time within a 90-day period from taking out your loan The post Mode to launch its first lending solution for companies holding crypto appeared first on Coin Rivet. By Aftab Ahmed and Devjyot Ghoshal NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to return to power with an even bigger majority in parliament after a mammoth general election that ended on Sunday, exit polls showed, a far better showing than expected in recent weeks. Modi faced criticism early on in the campaign for failing to create jobs and for weak farm prices, and analysts as well as politicians said the election race was tightening with the main opposition Congress party gaining ground. But he rallied his Hindu nationalist base and turned the campaign into a fight for national security after tensions rose with Pakistan and attacked his main rival for being soft on the country's arch foe. Modi's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to win anything between 339-365 seats in the 545-member lower house of parliament with the Congress party-led opposition alliance at a distant 77 to 108, India Today Axis exit poll showed. To rule, a party needs to win 272 seats. Modi's alliance won 336 seats in the 2014 election. The exit polls showed that he not only held to this base in the northern Hindi belt but also breached the east where regional groups traditionally held sway. Only the south largely resisted the Hindu nationalist surge, except for Karnataka, home to software capital Bengaluru. Counting of votes recorded in hundreds of thousands of computerised machines will begin early on Thursday and results are expected by noon. According to another poll released by Today's Chanakya, Modi's alliance is likely to get around 350 seats. One poll by Neta Newsx, though, forecast Modi's group falling 30 seats short. Exit polls, though, have a mixed record in a country with an electorate of 900 million people - around two-thirds of whom voted in the seven-phase election. They have often gotten the number of seats wrong, but the broad direction has generally been correct, analysts say. Story continues With three out of four of the polls indicating a clear majority for Modi's alliance, Indian equity markets are expected to rally sharply on Monday, while the Indian rupee is also likely to strengthen versus the U.S. dollar, according to market participants. A clear win would mean Modi can carry out reforms investors expect to make India an easier place for doing business, they said. "I expect a positive reaction from markets on both the rupee and equities," said Sajal Gupta, head of forex and rates at Indian brokerage firm Edelweiss Securities. "Equity indices should have a rally of maybe 250-300 points," said Gupta, adding the Indian rupee may test the 69 level against the U.S. dollar before retreating. HINDU HARDLINE FEARS But a big win for Modi would fan fears that Hindu hardliner groups would be further emboldened to pursue partisan programmes such as punishing Muslims for the slaughter of cows, considered sacred by Hindus, rewriting school textbooks to reduce India's Muslim history, and attacking liberals. Critics say Modi sought to win votes by stoking fear among the Hindu majority of the potential dangers posed by the country's Muslims and Pakistan, and promoted a Hindu-first India. But his supporters say Modi and his allies are simply restoring Hinduism to its rightful place at the core of Indian society. Muslims make up about 14% of India's 1.3 billion population. "The massive crowds and response at every rally of Prime Minister Modi were a clear indicator of their approval for his leadership, the performance of the past five years and the vision for the future," Nalin Kohli, a spokesman of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party said. Dilip Agrawal, 46, who runs a mill in Madhya Pradesh, said he had voted for Modi, despite the difficulties faced by farmers. "He is doing so much for our country, our national security. Of course farmers want better rates than they are getting, that's only natural. Only a strong leader can meet our aspirations, and Modi is that leader." GANDHI LOSS The Congress party led by Rahul Gandhi, the fourth generation scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that ruled India for decades following independence, focused on Modi's failure to deliver on the promises he made to transform the economy and turn India into a manufacturing hub. Congress spokesman Sanjay Jha dismissed the poll projections, saying that an alliance led by his party would defeat the BJP when votes are counted on May 23. "Many of the pollsters, if not all of the pollsters, have got it wrong," he said, adding that a polarised atmosphere and fear had kept voters from telling pollsters about their actual allegiance. Mamata Banerjee, the chief minister of West Bengal and a bitter opponent of Modi, said the fight was not over. "I don't trust exit poll gossip," she said on Twitter. "I appeal to all opposition parties to be united, strong and bold. We will fight this battle together." Voting began on April 11 and ended on Sunday in the world's biggest democratic exercise. Although Modi's party is poised to lose seats in Uttar Pradesh, which elects the most lawmakers out of all Indian states, the party's return to power will be on the back of a strong showing in other northern heartland regions and two eastern provinces, CVoter's polling showed. (Additional reporting by Aditi Shah; Writing by Sanjeev Miglani; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise and Louise Heavens) The bull market of 2019 is not the same as 2017. Mike Novogratz says By CCN: If youre on the edge of your seat for the crazy altcoin pumps that the market experienced in the 2017 bull run, you might be waiting a long time. Michael Novogratz, who is at the helm of crypto merchant bank Galaxy Digital, suggests that bitcoin will leave its smaller peers in the dust. Ran NeuNer, the host of CNBCs Crypto Trader, got the conversation started on Twitter when he observed: The market is running but we still havent seen the crazy alt pumps, pumps where coins do 40% in a dayis it coming? Thats when Novogratz burst the bubble, so to speak, responding that things have changed since the last bull run. Not this time. Market getting smarter. BTC will outperform. Not this time. Market getting smarter. $btc will outperform. Michael Novogratz (@novogratz) May 19, 2019 Bitcoins dominance is currently hovering at 56.7%. On this date in 2017, bitcoins dominance was nearly 10 percentage points lower at 47%. Read the full story on CCN.com. Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) (AFP) - Oil supplies were sufficient and stockpiles were still rising despite massive output drops from Iran and Venezuela, said OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and key producer UAE on Sunday, as oil exporters met in Jeddah. Producer nations discussed how to stabilise a volatile oil market amid rising US-Iran tensions in the Gulf, which threaten to disrupt global supply. But "we see that (oil) inventories are rising and supplies are plenty," Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters at the start the meeting. "None of us wants to see the (oil) stocks swell again," he added, with reference to a supply surplus that sent prices sharply lower in the second half of last year. "We have to be cautious," Falih said. The UAE's energy minister said there was no need to relax a deal by the OPEC+ group of oil exporting countries to cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day to support prices. "We have seen inventory building. I don't think it makes sense" to alter the existing deal, said Suheil al-Mazrouei. At the end of the meeting, Falih told a news conference the OPEC+ nations were "unanimous in continuing to work to achieve stability between supply and demand". The meeting "affirmed its commitment to achieving a balanced market and working towards oil market stability," said a statement issued at the end of the gathering. The statement said member states' conformity to production cuts hit a record 168 percent in April and an average of 120 percent since the start of the year. The meeting comes days after sabotage attacks against tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and the bombing of a Saudi pipeline -- the latter claimed by Iran-aligned Yemeni rebels. But Falih reiterated Sunday that the kingdom's oil installations were well protected. "We have strong (oil) industry security", he told reporters. "Everybody is vulnerable to extreme acts of sabotage." Story continues The meeting also comes as the full impact of re-instated US sanctions against Iran kick in, slashing the Islamic republic's crude exports. - Iran exports tumble - Falih however cast doubt on reports that oil exports by Iran -- which did not send a representative to the meeting -- dropped sharply. "Nobody knows... it's highly speculative and uncertain what Iran is exporting... there is a lot of oil leaving Iran shores and waters," he said. Massive drops in exports by Iran and Venezuela come alongside output cuts of 1.2 million barrels per day implemented by the OPEC+ group since January. The International Energy Agency said last week Iranian crude production fell in April to 2.6 million bpd, down from 3.9 million bpd before sanctions were re-instated. Iran's output is already at its lowest level in over five years, but could tumble in May to levels not seen since the devastating 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. Venezuela's output -- also subject to US export sanctions -- is also tumbling, down by over half since the third quarter of last year. But exporters fear a rush to raise production to plug the gap left by Iranian exports could backfire, triggering a new supply glut. - Gulf tensions - The meeting was held amid soaring Gulf tensions after the mysterious sabotage of several tankers off the Emirati coast and drone attacks claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned Huthi rebels, which shut a key Saudi crude pipeline. Both attacks targeted routes built as alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for almost all Gulf exports. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait in case of war with the US, which said this month it was sending an aircraft carrier and strike group to the region. Saudi Arabia accused Iran of ordering the pipeline attacks, targeting "the security of oil supplies... and the global economy". Saudi foreign affairs minister Adel al-Jubeir said Sunday his country does not want war with Iran, but was ready to defend its interests. Riyadh "does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it", he told journalists in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia called Saturday for urgent meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions, government news agency SPA said. It also said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had spoken with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about enhancing security in the region. The US Fifth Fleet headquartered in Bahrain said the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council began on Saturday "enhanced security patrols" in international waters in "tight coordination with the US navy". Falih had said last month the kingdom was ready to boost supplies in case of any shortage caused by the Iran embargo. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh has said Washington's stated aim of bringing Iran's oil exports "to zero" amounts to "an illusion". Important news for shareholders and potential investors in SUTL Enterprise Limited (SGX:BHU): The dividend payment of S$0.02 per share will be distributed to shareholders on 07 June 2019, and the stock will begin trading ex-dividend at an earlier date, 23 May 2019. Is this future income a persuasive enough catalyst for investors to think about SUTL Enterprise 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. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! See our latest analysis for SUTL Enterprise 5 questions I ask before picking a dividend stock If you are a dividend investor, you should always assess these five key metrics: Is it the top 25% annual dividend yield payer? Has it consistently paid a stable dividend without missing a payment or drastically cutting payout? Has dividend per share amount increased over the past? Does earnings amply cover its dividend payments? Based on future earnings growth, will it be able to continue to payout dividend at the current rate? SGX:BHU Historical Dividend Yield, May 19th 2019 How does SUTL Enterprise fare? The company currently pays out 30% of its earnings as a dividend, according to its trailing twelve-month data, meaning the dividend is sufficiently 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 considering the sustainability of dividends, it is also worth checking the cash flow of a company. Cash flow is important because companies with strong cash flow can usually sustain higher payout ratios. If there's one type of stock you want to be reliable, it's dividend stocks and their stable income-generating ability. The reality is that it is too early to consider SUTL Enterprise as a dividend investment. It has only been consistently paying dividends for 2 years, however, standard practice for reliable payers is to look for a 10-year minimum track record. Story continues In terms of its peers, SUTL Enterprise generates a yield of 3.5%, which is high for Hospitality stocks but still below the market's top dividend payers. Next Steps: After digging a little deeper into SUTL Enterprise's yield, it's easy to see why you should be cautious investing in the company just 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. Below, I've compiled three important factors you should further research: Future Outlook: What are well-informed industry analysts predicting for BHUs future growth? Take a look at our free research report of analyst consensus for BHUs outlook. Valuation: What is BHU 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 BHU 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. The Philadelphia Phillies reinstated utilityman Scott Kingery from the 10-day injured list ahead of Sunday afternoon's game against the visiting Colorado Rockies. Kingery has not played since April 19 due to a right hamstring strain. He is batting .406 with two homers and six RBIs in 14 games this season. The versatile 25-year-old has already seen action this season at second base, third base, shortstop and in left field. He'll start in center field and bat seventh on Sunday. In a corresponding move, the Phillies optioned outfielder Nick Williams to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He hit .180 with one homer and four RBIs in 38 games this year for Philadelphia. --Field Level Media Wade Modisette is a local husband and father that seeks the best and most appropriate entertainment for his family. A movie connoisseur in his own mind, he seeks to educate his friends and community on quality choices for their family. Find more reviews and information at wadereviewsstuff.wordpress.com. Chakwera (Malawi) (AFP) - The tiny village of Chakwera is typical of thousands of settlements across Malawi -- life is tough, families rely on subsistence farming, and food, education and work are all scarce. But flags featuring the black rooster of the Malawi Congress Party hang in the trees, a clue that this is the former home of a man who could be the next president. Opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera, 64, lived in the village, 40 kilometres (25 miles) outside Lilongwe city, until he left secondary school. Three generations of the family have lived there since the early 1950s, and his relatives still populate the village. Home to only about 50 people, it is situated at the end of a rough path leading through a thick forest, and has no mains electricity, one water pump and virtually no infrastructure. It is the reality of life for many people in Malawi, which is ranked by the World Bank as one of the poorest countries in the world. Over half of Malawi's population live below the poverty line, and just 11 percent have access to electricity. "Malawi lacks many things -- there are no businesses," said Margaret Amos, a thin and glassy-eyed 20-year-old wearing cloth wrapped around her waist, as she walked away from a pump carrying a heavy bucket of water. Amos dropped out of school as her parents could not afford the fees, before marrying early and taking on domestic chores. "If Doctor Chakwera wins, people will be able to start their own business," she said, loyal to the village's prominent son. - Village son - A few brown-brick huts are scattered around a clearing where young men rest under a tree in the midday sun. Pigs lie in the mud near the water pump, and goats roam freely searching for small leaves to eat. Four older women sit under a thatched shelter nearby, removing corn from cobs harvested earlier that week. In Tuesday's election, Chakwera hopes to unseat President Peter Mutharika after being narrowly defeated in the last election in 2014. Story continues The result looks in the balance but Chakwera, a former senior pastor in Malawi, can certainly count on the support of his home village. Relatives see him as the country's salvation from corruption, poverty and lack of development. "I have total confidence in my brother-in-law that he's going to take over the government," Patricia Chakwera, Lazarus's outspoken sister-in-law, told AFP. "He will serve all the people in the whole country, because that's what he was doing when he was a church pastor. He worked for everybody, and I'm sure he will do the same once he is president." His older sister Polina Chakwera says he has not changed from the boy he was growing up. "He was always smart and always number one -- he still is," she said, adding that he would conduct school lessons for fellow pupils. Chakwera has campaigned on an anti-graft platform, and has been credited with reviving the MCP, which ruled Malawi from 1964 to 1994 under Hastings Banda's one-party rule but has since been in opposition. "It has been a great campaign across the country and our message has been well received," he told AFP at his final rally, predicting "nothing less than victory -- we are winning." By Philip Pullella VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis paid tribute on Saturday to journalists killed while doing their jobs, saying media freedom is a key indicator of a country's health. In an address to the Foreign Press Association in Italy, he urged journalists to shun fake news and continue reporting on the plight of people who no longer make headlines but are still suffering, specifically mentioning the Rohingya and Yazidi. "I listened in pain to the statistics about your colleagues killed while carrying out their work with courage and dedication in so many countries to report on what is happening in wars and other dramatic situations in which so many of our brothers and sisters in the world live," he said. Francis had just heard the association's president, Patricia Thomas of Associated Press Television, talk about journalists killed, imprisoned, wounded or threatened in their line of work. She mentioned Lyra Mckee, who was shot dead while covering a riot in Northern Ireland, Maltese journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia, who died in a car bomb in 2017, and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last year. "Freedom of the press and of expression is an important indicator of the state of a country's health," the pope said. "Let's not forget that one of the first things dictatorships do is remove freedom of the press or mask it, not leaving it free." Francis did not mention any countries in his address to about 400 members of the foreign media and their families. "We need journalists who are on the side of victims, on the side of those who are persecuted, on the side of who is excluded, cast aside, discriminated against," he said. In an apparent reference to the media's role in investigating the Roman Catholic Church's sexual abuse crisis, Francis said: "The Church holds you in esteem, also when you put your finger in a wound, even if the wound is in the Church community." Story continues Francis urged the media to not lose interest in tragedies even when they no longer make headlines. "Who is talking about the Rohingya today? Who is talking about the Yazidi today? They have been forgotten and they continue to suffer," he said. Nearly one million Rohingya Muslims from mostly Buddhist Myanmar have fled to Bangladesh, most following a Myanmar military-led crackdown in 2017 that U.N. investigators have said was conducted with "genocidal intent". Myanmar has denied almost all allegations of atrocities. Two Reuters journalists jailed in Myanmar after they were convicted of breaking the Official Secrets Act walked free from prison earlier this month after more than 500 days behind bars. Reuters has said the two men did not commit any crime and had called for their release. They were released under a presidential amnesty for 6,520 prisoners. Islamic State militants in Iraq shot, beheaded, burned alive or kidnapped more than 9,000 members of the minority Yazidi religion, in what the United Nations has called a genocidal campaign against them. (Reporting By Philip Pullella; Editing by Marie-Louise Gumuchian) Prince Harry and Meghan Markle release their wedding photographs on their first wedding anniversary Behind the scenes photographs of Prince Harry and Meghan Markles wedding day have been released to celebrate their first anniversary. A picture compilation of the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs wedding day was posted to their Instagram account on Sunday morning. Harry and Meghan shared a compilation of 14 wedding snaps including some behind the scenes pictures from their big day last year. The series of photographs were accompanied by the song This Little Light Of Mine. The couple welcomed baby Archie earlier this month Alongside the post was the message: Happy one year anniversary to Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex! Today marks the one year anniversary of the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Their Royal Highnesses exchanged vows at St Georges Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 19th, 2018. The couple were wed at St Georges Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 19th, 2018 The selected song This Little Light Of Mine was chosen by the couple for their recessional. We hope you enjoy reliving this moment, and seeing some behind the scenes photos from this special day. The couple who welcomed baby Archie earlier this month have had a momentous 12 months since they wed at St Georges Chapel in a glittering ceremony attended by royalty, celebrities and the public. The pictures feature a series of black and white images by Chris Allerton, including one that appears to be Harry thumbing a lift and another where Meghan is holding hands with her mother Doria Ragland. The couple became parents earlier this month The famous picture of the couple sharing a kiss on the steps, by Press Association photographer Danny Lawson, is also among the snaps shared. The birth of Harry and Meghans son came less than a year after the royal nuptials in the grounds of Windsor Castle, a wedding attended by A-list stars like Oprah Winfrey and George and Amal Clooney and the British monarchy led by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, got engaged following a whirlwind 16-month romance after going on a blind date in London. A first wedding anniversary is traditionally celebrated with paper gifts with couples sometimes exchanging presents featuring a paper ticket. Story continues Meghans mother Ms Ragland now a grandmother for the first time is thought to be staying with the couple and could perform babysitting duties if the duke and duchess choose to have a romantic dinner to mark their anniversary. Archies birth was registered on Friday, revealing the couple had their baby at Londons Portland Hospital, a private hospital favoured by celebrities wanting a money-no-object birthing experience. The baby, who is the seventh in line to the throne and an eighth great-grandchild for the Queen and Philip, arrived at 5.26am on May 6, weighing 7lb 3oz. He is believed to be the first mixed-race child born to a senior member of the Royal family in centuries. Photos: Petfinder Interested in adopting a pet or just looking at some cuddle-hungry puppies? There are heaps of deserving puppies up for adoption at animal shelters in and around Dallas. Animal shelters work hard to care for unhoused pets and connect them to loving homes. Hoodline used data from Petfinder to power this roundup of puppies currently available for adoption. (Details like pet availability, training, vaccinations and other features are based on data provided by Petfinder and may be subject to change; contact the shelter for the latest information.) Blue, pit bull terrier mix Blue is a sweet male pit bull terrier puppy currently housed at Humane Society of Dallas. Blue gets along well with other dogs, cats and children. His vaccinations are already up to date. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. A bit more on Blue: Read more about Blue on Petfinder. My name is Blue. I am a puppy, so I love to play with toys and chew on some things, but I am working on that. If you are looking for a fun friend, come and meet me! Gus, wirehaired terrier mix Meet Gus, a sweet male wirehaired terrier puppy staying at DFW FurGotten Friends. Gus is happy to keep company with kids, dogs or cats. Gus is vaccinated. He is already house-trained. Here's what Gus' friends at DFW FurGotten Friends think of him: Apply to adopt Gus today at Petfinder. Gus is a happy little puppy, around 10 months old. While he is initially wary of some new things, he warms up very quickly and wants nothing more than to be loved on. And toys? He thinks toys are the bees knees, and is very quickly learning fetch! Tessa, Australian shepherd and collie mix Tessa is an adorable female Australian shepherd and collie puppy currently residing at DASH Dog Rescue. Tessa gets along well with cats and dogs. Tessa will do best in a home without children. She has mastered her house-training etiquette and has all her shots. Tessa's current caretakers say: Read more about Tessa on Petfinder. Story continues Tessa is a collie-Aussie mix pup about 12-13 weeks old. She has a soft, furry silky coat with golden, brindle and a bit of black, but her most unique feature is a white heart you can see on her upper back. When you see her in person, she is gorgeous! Izzy, chihuahua mix Izzy is a female chihuahua puppy being kept at Cody's Friends Rescue. Izzy loves other dogs. She has all of her shots. She is already house-trained. Notes from Izzy's caretakers: Read more about Izzy on Petfinder. Izzy is extremely playful with other dogs. She is so cute. She is about 3 months old and weighs about 7 pounds now. Tully, Labrador retriever Tully is a lovable male Labrador retriever puppy staying at Lone Star Labrador Retriever Rescue. Tully gets along well with cats, dogs and kids. He has been vaccinated. He has mastered his house-training etiquette. From Tully's current caretaker: Read more about how to adopt Tully on Petfinder. Tully is just the cutest stinkin' little puppy you ever saw! He has an amazing retrieve for such a young pup. He does still have sharp little puppy teeth and boundless energy. He will need a home with someone who understands how to train a young Labrador and has a fenced backyard. Ruby Rose, Labrador retriever Ruby Rose is a charming female Labrador retriever puppy being kept at Cody's Friends Rescue. Ruby Rose is happy to keep company with other dogs. She is vaccinated. She is already house-trained. Ruby Rose's current caretakers say: Apply to adopt Ruby Rose today at Petfinder. Ruby Rose is smart and knows how to go in and out of the dog door on her own. Very energetic, but likes to cuddle too. Cami, dachshund and chihuahua mix Cami is a sweet female dachshund and chihuahua puppy staying at Cody's Friends Rescue. Cami likes to socialize and she's happy to keep company with other dogs. She's already house-trained. Cami is vaccinated. Cami's current caretakers say: Apply to adopt Cami today at Petfinder. Cami is a happy, loving, sweet precious girl. She is about 6 months old and loves to snuggle. She also has just learned to play with dogs her size and has a blast running. She gives kisses and is going to be a perfect cuddle bug for someone. This story was created automatically using local animal shelter data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Rahul Gandhi, vying to become the latest prime minister from India's most famous dynasty, has worked hard to shed his image as an entitled footloose princeling and political lightweight. But the great-grandson, grandson and son of three past premiers of the world's biggest democracy still faces a tough task beating Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the elections. No relation to independence hero Mahatma Gandhi, Rahul was born in 1970 when his grandmother Indira Gandhi -- daughter of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru -- was premier. In 1984, Indira was shot dead by her Sikh bodyguards and she was succeeded by her son Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul's father. Rajiv was himself assassinated in 1991 by a Tamil suicide bomber when Rahul was 20. Rahul was enrolled at Harvard but dropped out after a year, following his father's death. He later graduated from Rollins College, Florida and in 1994 earned a master's degree from Cambridge. While in his 20s, he lived in London, where he worked at a management consultancy for a time. His Italian-born mother Sonia Gandhi, widow of Rajiv, took charge of the Congress party in 1998 before handing over the reins to Rahul, her first-born, in 2017. - 'Empty suit' - Ten years earlier, in 2007, leaked US diplomatic cables said Rahul was viewed as an "empty suit" and "lightweight", with little known about his political beliefs -- if he had any. But by 2009, the US assessment was now that Gandhi sounded like a "practiced politician who knew how to get his message across and... was comfortable with the nuts and bolts of party organization and vote counting". "He was precise and articulate and demonstrated a mastery that belied the image some have of Gandhi as a dilettante," a leaked cable by senior US diplomat Peter Burleigh said. After Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crushed Congress at the 2014 election, Gandhi set about reviving and rejuvenating the party, while keeping older hands onside. Story continues A speech in the lower house last year drew widespread applause and forced political pundits to take notice. He ended it by giving an uncomfortable-looking Modi a surprise hug. He has also, in contrast to the Hindu nationalist Modi, reached out to Muslim voters and stressed his secular credentials, and also to women, promising to bring legislation setting aside seats in parliament for them. Last December, Congress secured victory in three key state elections, including in Modi's northern Indian "cow belt" heartland, suddenly making Gandhi look like a serious contender. - 'Not foolish' - During the campaign for the election -- which wraps up on Sunday, with results four days later -- Gandhi has attacked Modi's record on farmers, jobs and his close ties to business. "Across India, people are frustrated and angry. Mr Modi is attempting to use hyper-nationalism to divert the attention of the people," he said in a recent interview to the Kolkata-based Telegraph newspaper. "But the people of India are not foolish. They can see through this game," he said. Election adverts show him hugging an emaciated peasant woman, while Gandhi's leftist manifesto pledges to end abject poverty by 2030 and give cash transfers to 50 million families. But tea-seller's son Modi is no pushover, using traditional and social media, as well as tub-thumping speeches, to dominate the headlines. Modi has capitalised on India and Pakistan's tit-for-tat airstrikes in February to appear as the patriotic "chowkidar" (watchman) of India. Gandhi's attempts to score points with allegations of dodgy dealings related to India's purchase of Rafale jets from France have also failed to stick with voters in a big way, opinion polls have suggested. And at the same time, Modi seldom misses an opportunity to contrast his own humble beginnings with his silver-spoon adversary, deriding Gandhi as "shahzada" (crown prince). Gandhi "appears to be clinging to the socialist ideas of his grandmother and doesn't realise that people have changed, that even the poor have changed", Parsa Venkateshwar Rao, a veteran journalist and political commentator, told AFP. The goal of this article is to teach you how to use price to earnings ratios (P/E ratios). We'll look at City Union Bank Ltd.'s (NSE:CUB) P/E ratio and reflect on what it tells us about the company's share price. Based on the last twelve months, City Union Bank's P/E ratio is 20.75. In other words, at today's prices, investors are paying 20.75 for every 1 in prior year profit. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! View our latest analysis for City Union Bank How Do I Calculate City Union Bank's Price To Earnings Ratio? The formula for P/E is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Price per Share Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for City Union Bank: P/E of 20.75 = 198.6 9.57 (Based on the year to March 2019.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? The higher the P/E ratio, the higher the price tag of a business, relative to its trailing earnings. All else being equal, it's better to pay a low price -- but as Warren Buffett said, 'It's far better to buy a wonderful company at a fair price than a fair company at a wonderful price.' How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios P/E ratios primarily reflect market expectations around earnings growth rates. When earnings grow, the 'E' increases, over time. That means unless the share price increases, the P/E will reduce in a few years. So while a stock may look expensive based on past earnings, it could be cheap based on future earnings. It's great to see that City Union Bank grew EPS by 15% in the last year. And its annual EPS growth rate over 5 years is 12%. This could arguably justify a relatively high P/E ratio. How Does City Union Bank's P/E Ratio Compare To Its Peers? The P/E ratio essentially measures market expectations of a company. We can see in the image below that the average P/E (29.8) for companies in the banks industry is higher than City Union Bank's P/E. Story continues NSEI:CUB Price Estimation Relative to Market, May 19th 2019 This suggests that market participants think City Union Bank will underperform other companies in its industry. While current expectations are low, the stock could be undervalued if the situation is better than the market assumes. You should delve deeper. I like to check if company insiders have been buying or selling. A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank The 'Price' in P/E reflects the market capitalization of the company. In other words, it does not consider any debt or cash that the company may have on the balance sheet. Theoretically, a business can improve its earnings (and produce a lower P/E in the future) by investing in growth. That means taking on debt (or spending its cash). While growth expenditure doesn't always pay off, the point is that it is a good option to have; but one that the P/E ratio ignores. So What Does City Union Bank's Balance Sheet Tell Us? City Union Bank has net cash of 6.6b. That should lead to a higher P/E than if it did have debt, because its strong balance sheets gives it more options. The Verdict On City Union Bank's P/E Ratio City Union Bank has a P/E of 20.8. That's higher than the average in the IN market, which is 15.1. Its net cash position supports a higher P/E ratio, as does its solid recent earnings growth. So it is not surprising the market is probably extrapolating recent growth well into the future, reflected in the relatively high P/E ratio. Investors should be looking to buy stocks that the market is wrong about. People often underestimate remarkable growth -- so investors can make money when fast growth is not fully appreciated. So this free visualization of the analyst consensus on future earnings could help you make the right decision about whether to buy, sell, or hold. Of course you might be able to find a better stock than City Union Bank. So you may wish to see this free collection of other companies that have grown earnings strongly. 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. Today, we'll introduce the concept of the P/E ratio for those who are learning about investing. To keep it practical, we'll show how Harbin Bank Co., Ltd.'s (HKG:6138) P/E ratio could help you assess the value on offer. Based on the last twelve months, Harbin Bank's P/E ratio is 2.86. That corresponds to an earnings yield of approximately 35%. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! View our latest analysis for Harbin Bank How Do I Calculate Harbin Bank's Price To Earnings Ratio? The formula for price to earnings is: Price to Earnings Ratio = Share Price (in reporting currency) Earnings per Share (EPS) Or for Harbin Bank: P/E of 2.86 = CN1.45 (Note: this is the share price in the reporting currency, namely, CNY ) CN0.50 (Based on the trailing twelve months to December 2018.) Is A High Price-to-Earnings Ratio Good? A higher P/E ratio means that investors are paying a higher price for each HK$1 of company earnings. That isn't a good or a bad thing on its own, but a high P/E means that buyers have a higher opinion of the business's prospects, relative to stocks with a lower P/E. How Growth Rates Impact P/E Ratios Probably the most important factor in determining what P/E a company trades on is the earnings growth. Earnings growth means that in the future the 'E' will be higher. That means even if the current P/E is high, it will reduce over time if the share price stays flat. So while a stock may look expensive based on past earnings, it could be cheap based on future earnings. Harbin Bank's earnings per share grew by -5.7% in the last twelve months. And it has bolstered its earnings per share by 4.4% per year over the last five years. Does Harbin Bank Have A Relatively High Or Low P/E For Its Industry? The P/E ratio essentially measures market expectations of a company. If you look at the image below, you can see Harbin Bank has a lower P/E than the average (6.1) in the banks industry classification. Story continues SEHK:6138 Price Estimation Relative to Market, May 19th 2019 Harbin Bank's P/E tells us that market participants think it will not fare as well as its peers in the same industry. While current expectations are low, the stock could be undervalued if the situation is better than the market assumes. You should delve deeper. I like to check if company insiders have been buying or selling. A Limitation: P/E Ratios Ignore Debt and Cash In The Bank The 'Price' in P/E reflects the market capitalization of the company. In other words, it does not consider any debt or cash that the company may have on the balance sheet. Theoretically, a business can improve its earnings (and produce a lower P/E in the future) by investing in growth. That means taking on debt (or spending its cash). While growth expenditure doesn't always pay off, the point is that it is a good option to have; but one that the P/E ratio ignores. So What Does Harbin Bank's Balance Sheet Tell Us? With net cash of CN3.3b, Harbin Bank has a very strong balance sheet, which may be important for its business. Having said that, at 21% of its market capitalization the cash hoard would contribute towards a higher P/E ratio. The Bottom Line On Harbin Bank's P/E Ratio Harbin Bank's P/E is 2.9 which is below average (11.2) in the HK market. EPS was up modestly better over the last twelve months. Also positive, the relatively strong balance sheet will allow for investment in growth. In contrast, the P/E indicates shareholders doubt that will happen! When the market is wrong about a stock, it gives savvy investors an opportunity. As value investor Benjamin Graham famously said, 'In the short run, the market is a voting machine but in the long run, it is a weighing machine.' So this free report on the analyst consensus forecasts could help you make a master move on this stock. You might be able to find a better buy than Harbin Bank. If you want a selection of possible winners, check out this free list of interesting companies that trade on a P/E below 20 (but have proven they can grow earnings). 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. * Capture of Kubayna helps push to seize main highways from rebels * Russia announces ceasefire, says rebels violate it * Rebels say withstood weeks of intensive strikes By Suleiman Al-Khalidi AMMAN, May 19 (Reuters) - Syrian rebels held onto a commanding position in a mountain range in the coastal province of Latakia, the ancestral home of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after government forces were forced to withdraw. They said the army's attempt was the latest of several costly campaigns to seize Kubayna, after it mounted an offensive last month with Russian air power to retake main highways and trade arteries around Idlib and northern Hama now in rebel hands that have fragmented the country's war-torn economy. The northwest represents the last big piece of territory held by rebels opposed to Assad. The coastal province of Latakia is home to the Assad family's Alawite minority. "Whoever controls Kubayna ensures a large stretch of territory is effectively under their firing range. The regime wants it to protect its coastal villages from rebel fire," said Major Youssef Hamoud, spokesman for the Turkey-backed group of mainstream rebels called the National Army. An official from Tahrir al-Sham, the latest incarnation of the former Nusra Front which was part of al Qaeda, said poison gas was used in the army's attack on their position on the mountain slopes in an attempt to regain control. Abu Baraa al-Shami, a fighter based there, told Reuters that several fighters suffered choking symptoms. The army denied the claim and said it was continuing to fight terrorism, with state media earlier saying the military had struck at al Qaeda terrorists in the last jihadist foothold in Latakia province that has long been a launching pad for drone attacks on the main Russian base of Hmeimim nearby. The eviction of jihadists from commanding positions in the mountains would bring the army closer to securing parts of Idlib and a main highway that connects the cities of Latakia and Aleppo. Story continues The fighting has continued even after Russia agreed with Turkey to a 72 hour halt following an upsurge in violence in northwest Syria that has sparked an exodus of tens of thousands to the safety of border areas with Turkey, residents and opposition sources have said. Russia's defense ministry confirmed on Sunday a "unilateral ceasefire" in the Idlib buffer zone in a move the opposition said showed the failure by Moscow and the army after almost three weeks of intensive strikes to bring a rapid collapse in rebel lines. "They are facing stiff resistance in areas that had fallen to the army," said Hamoud, adding many of their fighters from a nearby stretch of territory to the north protected by the Turkish army had joined their compatriots in fronts. The army has so far gained three significant areas, the last being the town of Hawayz on Friday after taking Qalaat al Madiq and the town of Kfar Naboudah. Two senior Western diplomats following Syria say the aim appears to be to take control of the main cities of Maarat al-Numan and Khan Sheikhoun on the main highways in Idlib. The campaign that began in earnest late last month has also killed dozens, destroyed hundreds of civilian homes, more than a dozen hospitals and food stores, according to opposition-based rescuers and Western aid agencies. Both Moscow and Damascus deny indiscriminate bombing of civilians and say they seek to crush radical Islamist groups. 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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 1415 Yosemite St., #103. | Photos: Zumper According to rental site Zumper, median rents for a one-bedroom in Denver are hovering around $1,250. But how does the low-end pricing on a Denver rental look these days and what might you get for your money? We took a look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments to find out what budget-minded apartment seekers can expect to find. Read on for the cheapest listings available right now. (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. 1415 Yosemite St., #103 This one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, situated at 1415 Yosemite St., #103 in East Colfax, is listed for $895/month for its 550 square feet of space. In the unit, the listing promises central heating. When it comes to building amenities, expect assigned parking and on-site laundry. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: cats and dogs are not permitted. Look out for a $45 application fee and a $700 security deposit. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is friendly for those on foot, has some bike infrastructure and offers many nearby public transportation options. (See the listing here.) 3039 W. 38th Ave. Over at 3039 W. 38th Ave. in West Highland, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment, also going for $895/month. In the unit, expect carpeted floors. The building boasts on-site management. When it comes to pets, both meows and barks are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Per Walk Score ratings, this location is friendly for those on foot, is very bikeable and has some transit options. (View the listing here.) 4567 Morrison Road, #23 To round things out, there's this 550-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment at 4567 Morrison Road, #23 in Westwood. It's being listed for $895/month. In the unit, you're promised a deck. Pet owners, inquire elsewhere: this spot doesn't allow cats or dogs. The listing specifies a $50 application fee, a $60 administrative fee and a broker's fee equal to one month's rent. Story continues According to Walk Score, the surrounding area is moderately walkable, is very bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (Here's the full listing.) 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. 2020 Rancho Lake Drive, #206. | Photos: Zumper Finding a quality spot for a reasonable price can be a challenge if you're looking for a rental on a budget. So what does the low-end rent on a rental in Las Vegas look like these daysand what might you get for the price? We took a look at local listings for studios and one-bedroom apartments in Las Vegas via rental site Zumper to find out what budget-minded apartment seekers can expect to find. Read on for the cheapest listings available right now. (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. 2221 W. Bonanza Road, #105 This studio condo, situated at 2221 W. Bonanza Road, #105, in West Las Vegas, is listed for $600/month for its 400 square feet of space. In the unit, expect to find air conditioning and carpeted flooring. The building features a swimming pool. Cats and dogs are not allowed. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is somewhat walkable, is bikeable and has some transit options. (See the complete listing here.) 6666 W. Washington Ave. This studio, situated at 6666 W. Washington Ave. in Michael Way, is listed for $700/month for its 440 square feet of space. The building features outdoor space, a business center and a fitness center. In the unit, look for in-unit laundry, a walk-in closet and a patio. Both cats and dogs are welcome. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score's assessment, the surrounding area is moderately walkable, is bikeable and has a few nearby public transportation options. (See the listing here.) 2020 Rancho Lake Drive, #206 And here's a one-bedroom, one-bathroom condo at 2020 Rancho Lake Drive, #206 in Twin Lakes, which, with 649 square feet, is going for $750/month. Secured entry is offered as a building amenity. Pets are not permitted. The rental doesn't require a leasing fee. Story continues According to Walk Score, this location isn't very walkable, is relatively bikeable and has some transit options. (Check out the 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. 3001 Communications Parkway. | Photos: Zumper Curious just how far your dollar goes in Plano? We've rounded up the latest rental listings via rental site Zumper to get a sense of what to expect when it comes to hunting down an apartment in Plano with a budget of $1,100/month. 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. 701 Legacy Drive Listed at $1,095/month, this 788-square-foot one-bedroom, one-bathroom is located at 701 Legacy Drive. In the unit, expect hardwood flooring, high ceilings and a fireplace. The building features a swimming pool, fitness center and roof deck. Pet lovers are in luck: cats and dogs are welcome. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is moderately suitable for walking, offers some bike infrastructure and has minimal transit options. (See the complete listing here.) 3001 Communications Parkway Next, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom over at 3001 Communications Parkway. It's listed for $1,089/month for its 761 square feet of space. In the unit, expect air conditioning, hardwood flooring and a walk-in closet. The building offers a swimming pool, fitness center and outdoor space. For those with furry friends in tow, know that cats and dogs are welcome on this property. Per Walk Score ratings, the surrounding area is moderately suitable for walking and biking, and offers limited transit options. (See the complete listing here.) 9603 Custer Road Next, check out this one-bedroom, one-bathroom that's located at 9603 Custer Road. It's listed for $1,075/month. In the unit, you'll get air conditioning, dishwasher and in-unit laundry. The building features assigned parking and a swimming pool. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are permitted. Future tenants needn't worry about a leasing fee. According to Walk Score, this location requires a car for most errands, isn't particularly suitable for biking, and doesn't offer many public transit options. Story continues (Check out the complete listing here.) 4925 Rasor Blvd. Located at 4925 Rasor Blvd., here's a 611-square-foot studio that's listed for $1,065/month. In the unit, you can anticipate an air conditioner, dishwasher and a ceiling fan. The building offers a swimming pool, fitness center and garage parking. Luckily for pet owners, both dogs and cats are allowed. Walk Score indicates that the surrounding area is moderately convenient for walking and biking, and offers limited transit options. (See the complete listing here.) 6100 Ohio Drive Finally, there's this one-bedroom, one-bathroom over at 6100 Ohio Drive. It's listed for $1,043/month for its 650 square feet of space. In the unit, there are hardwood floors, high ceilings and a walk-in closet. The building features a swimming pool, fitness center and roof deck. Pet owners, take heed: cats and dogs are welcome. There isn't a leasing fee associated with this rental. According to Walk Score's assessment, this location is car-dependent, is relatively suitable for biking, and offers a few 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. A Republican Missouri legislator apologised on Friday for saying that some sexual assaults are "consensual rapes" during a debate over a new, restrictive antiabortion bill. "I'm not trying to make excuses," said representative Barry Hovis, who represents the city of Jackson in southeastern Missouri. "Sometimes you make a mistake and you own up to it." The lawmaker, who was elected in 2018, made the remark while speaking on the State House floor, arguing that the measure's eight-week window for abortions "gives [rape survivors] ample time" for the procedure. Critics say many women do not know they are pregnant until after eight weeks, and the bill provides no exceptions for rape or incest. The 30-year veteran of the Cape Girardeau Police Department then touched on his experience handling rape cases. "Let's just say someone goes out and they're raped or they're sexually assaulted one night after a college party because most of my rapes were not the gentleman jumping out of the bushes that nobody had ever met," Mr Hovis said. "That was one or two times out of a hundred. Most of them were date rapes or consensual rapes, which were all terrible." Representative Raychel Proudie, a Democrat, quickly rebuked him. "There is no such thing, no such thing as consensual rape," she said to applause from the chamber. Mr Hovis later told The Washington Post that he misspoke and said he believes "there was no such thing as consensual rape." He added that, in all his years in law enforcement, he took the testimony of rape victims seriously. "When a rape is reported, and I'll speak for myself, you always take the word of the victim," he said. Missouri's GOP-controlled House passed the antiabortion bill on Friday, which prohibits abortions after eight weeks of pregnancy. The bill comes as lawmakers in multiple states have passed restrictive abortion laws that advocates on both sides say are aimed at getting the Supreme Court to consider overturning Roe v Wade, the landmark Supreme Court decision that legalised abortion nationwide. Story continues Mr Hovis' remarks recalled a controversial comment made in 2012 by Todd Akin, a former Missouri congressman, that "legitimate rape" rarely causes pregnancy. After losing a 2012 race for US Senate, Mr Akin tried to clarify his words, saying he should have said "legitimate case of rape." The Washington Post Following is a summary of current health news briefs. More U.S. mothers diagnosed with depression at childbirth Growing numbers of new mothers are being diagnosed with depression before they leave the hospital with their newborns, according to a U.S. study that suggests screening women at childbirth could help get treatment for those who need it. From 2000 to 2015, the rate of depression diagnoses among women hospitalized for the delivery of a child rose seven-fold, from 4.1 cases per 1,000 patients to 28.7 per 1,000, the study found. Too much screen time tied to school problems even in little kids Kindergarteners who get more than two hours of screen time a day may be more likely to have behavior and attention problems in school than their classmates who spend less time in front of televisions, smartphones and tablets, a Canadian study suggests. Doctors urge parents of young kids to limit screen time or avoid it altogether because all of those hours watching videos or gaming have been linked to slowed development of speech and language, fine and gross motor skills, and social and behavioral skills. After all, time spent in front of screens means less time for scribbling with crayons or playing games that help kids learn how to kick a ball or take turns. Alabama boycott builds as states retaliate against abortion law A movement to boycott Alabama over its near-ban on abortion gained momentum Thursday as officials in Maryland and Colorado called for economic retaliation and online flyers urged people not to buy anything in, or from Alabama. A day after the southern state passed the country's most restrictive abortion law, Maryland's Democratic Comptroller Peter Franchot said he would advise his state's $52 billion pension fund to divest from Alabama, and urged other states to follow suit. Missouri follows Alabama by passing restrictive abortion bill Missouri lawmakers passed a bill on Friday that prohibits women from seeking an abortion after the eighth week of pregnancy, days after Alabama enacted the most restrictive abortion law in the United States. The legislation allows for an abortion after the eighth week only in the case of medical emergencies. On Wednesday, Alabama banned abortions at any time, with the same exception. Story continues GSK and Novartis liniment marketing misled Australian consumers: court The Australian subsidiaries of British drugmaker GlaxoSmithKline and Swiss drugmaker Novartis misled customers and broke the law by promoting identical liniments as though they could treat specific ills, an Australian court found on Friday. The court said the companies admitted marketing Voltaren Osteo Gel as a treatment for osteoarthritis-related pain when its ingredients were the same as a cheaper Voltaren product, Emulgel. Smokers have higher risk for multiple strokes Smokers who have a stroke are much more likely to have another one if they don't quit or at least cut back, a Chinese study suggests. Smoking has long been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and serious cardiac events like heart attacks and strokes. But the new study sheds light on how smoking influences the risk of a second stroke in patients who already had one. Sunday is 'Hepatitis Testing Day' Millions of people in the U.S. have chronic viral hepatitis, most without knowing it, so the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other groups have designated May as Hepatitis Awareness Month and May 19 as Hepatitis Testing Day. "Hepatitis is a silent killer. When you get infected, you often don't have severe symptoms that make you go to the doctor," said Dr. John Ward, director of the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination at the Task Force for Global Health in Decatur, Georgia. AbbVie halts enrollment after brain cancer trial misses goal, shares fall AbbVie Inc said on Friday it has halted enrollment of patients in all ongoing studies testing its brain cancer treatment after the drug failed to meet the main goal in a late-stage trial. The company's shares fell 1.8 percent to $78.10 before the bell. U.S. FDA labels J&J surgical staplers' recall as severest The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warned of risks of serious injury or death from surgical staplers made by Johnson & Johnson's Ethicon unit, labeling a recent recall of the device as its most serious. The recall, initiated early April by Ethicon, covers 92,496 surgical staplers and is now labeled as "Class-1" - the strictest form of recall issued by FDA, where use of faulty devices may cause serious injury or death. Following is a summary of current world news briefs. Bolivia's Morales defies term limits, launches bid for fourth term Bolivian President Evo Morales launched his campaign for a fourth term on Saturday in a remote coca-growing valley without addressing the biggest controversy in his bid - the fact that he is running at all. Morales, who became the country's first indigenous president in 2006, is defying constitutional term limits. In 2016, voters rejected his proposal to amend the constitution to let him seek another five-year term this year. He later won a court ruling allowing him to run on the grounds that barring him would violate human rights. Turkey's Erdogan says will jointly produce S-500s with Russia after purchase of S-400s Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that the purchase of S-400 defense systems from Russia was a done deal, adding that Ankara would also jointly produce S-500 defense systems with Moscow. U.S. officials have called Turkey's planned purchase of the S-400 missile defense system "deeply problematic," saying it would risk Ankaras partnership in the joint strike fighter F-35 program because it would compromise the jets, made by Lockheed Martin Corp. Austrian government collapses as far right leader caught in video sting Austria raced on Saturday toward a snap election as Chancellor Sebastian Kurz pulled the plug on his coalition with the far right after its leader was caught on video offering to fix state contracts with a woman posing as a Russian oligarch's niece. The far-right Freedom Party's Heinz-Christian Strache resigned as vice chancellor and party leader after the video was released by two German news organizations. He acknowledged that the video was "catastrophic" but denied breaking the law. UK PM May says Brexit legislation to have 'improved package of measures' Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May said she will present a "new bold offer" to lawmakers with "an improved package of measures" in a final attempt to get the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement Bill through parliament before she leaves office. After failing three times to get parliament's approval for her Brexit deal, the government will now put the bill, legislation which will enact that deal, before parliament for a vote in early June. Story continues Three killed in suspected Islamic State attack outside Libyan oilfield Two guards and a soldier were killed and four other people were kidnapped early on Saturday in a suspected Islamic State attack targeting Libya's Zella oilfield, a security source said. The death toll was confirmed by the National Oil Company (NOC) which condemned the attack in a statement on Saturday evening. Sudanese commander says democratic elections are his goal The deputy leader of Sudan's military council voiced his enthusiasm for democratic elections in front of an audience of tribal leaders and senior diplomats on Saturday, while seeking to deflect blame for violence in Khartoum this week. The clashes threatened to derail the council's talks with an alliance of protest and opposition groups pushing for a swift transition to civilian rule after the fall of former President Omar al-Bashir last month. There will be no war as we don't want war, and no can confront Iran: Zarif Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Saturday he did not believe a war would break out in the region as Tehran did not want a conflict and no country had the "illusion it could confront Iran," the state news agency IRNA reported. Tensions have escalated in recent days, with growing concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. Earlier this week the United States pulled some diplomatic staff from its embassy in Baghdad following weekend attacks on four oil tankers in the Gulf. Cristina Fernandez surprises Argentina by running for vice president, not top job Argentina's Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said Saturday she will run as vice president in elections later this year, a surprise move by the firebrand former leader who had been widely expected to be the main challenger to President Mauricio Macri. Former cabinet chief Alberto Fernandez, a longtime operative, will take top spot on the ticket as the presidential candidate. Cristina Fernandez, a divisive figure in South America's No. 2 economy, announced the move in a video posted on social media. Saudi crown prince discusses regional developments with Pompeo: ministry Saudi Arabia's crown prince discussed regional developments, including efforts to strengthen security and stability, in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Saudi Media Ministry tweeted on Sunday. The announcement came hours after the Saudi king invited Gulf and Arab leaders to convene emergency summits to discuss the implications of this week's attacks against oil installations in the kingdom and commercial ships off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. China's top diplomat calls for U.S. restraint on trade, Iran China's senior diplomat Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday that recent U.S. words and actions had harmed the interests of China and its enterprises, and that Washington should show restraint, China's foreign ministry said. Speaking to Pompeo by telephone, Wang said the United States should not go "too far" in the current trade dispute between the two sides, adding that China was still willing to resolve differences through negotiations, but they should be on an equal footing. Billionaire investor Robert F. Smith earned some stunned looks on Sunday during his commencement address at Morehouse College. He told the graduating students he'd pay off their student debt. "On behalf of the eight generations of my family that have been in this country: We're going to put a little fuel in your bus," Smith sad. He continued: "I've got the alumni over here. And this is a challenge to alumni. This is my class, 2019. And my family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans." The class at the all-male, historically African-American college erupted into cheers. Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr., applauded the move and noted her father attended the Atlanta college. "Wow," she tweeted. "What a love-power move by Robert Smith, I believe its the start of something major." Wow. What a love-power move by Robert Smith. I believe its the start of something major. Im grateful for what Mr. Smith, who purchased my fathers birth home for the National Park Service, is doing for @Morehouse, which happens to be Daddys alma mater. https://t.co/uRstRi49fr Be A King (@BerniceKing) May 19, 2019 Tonga Releford, whose son Charles graduated on Sunday and who estimated his student loans totaled $70,000, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "I feel like it's Mother's Day all over again" Smith earned an honorary doctorate from Morehouse during the ceremony. @RFS_Vista May have broken the Internet with his generosity and charge to pay it forward. https://t.co/6dsfw2kToi Morehouse College (@Morehouse) May 19, 2019 _____ Read more from Yahoo News: SAN MARINO (AP) Primoz Roglic of Slovenia won the ninth stage of the Giro d'Italia on Sunday as Italian cyclist Valerio Conti extended his overall lead after the individual time trial. Roglic, who also won the opening individual time trial, was quickest on the rain-soaked 35-kilometer (22-mile) route from Riccione that had an uphill finish in San Marino the only time this year that the Giro crosses into another country. The 29-year-old Roglic was 11 seconds faster than Belgium cyclist Victor Campenaerts and one minute ahead of Bauke Mollema of the Netherlands. Roglic had been more than five minutes behind Conti going into the time trial but moved into second overall, 1:50 behind the UAE Team Emirates cyclist, who had replaced Roglic in the overall lead after finishing second in Thursday's sixth stage. Moreover, Roglic gained time on his rivals. British cyclist Simon Yates one of the pre-race favorites finished more than three minutes behind Roglic. "It's a perfect performance in my mind. I did a good job," Roglic said. "I took it easy at the beginning and I gave it all at the end. "It's nice to take some time over the other GC favorites but the Giro is far from over." Nans Peters of France moved third overall, 2:21 behind Conti. "It was very rainy for me but I stayed calm. My goal was to keep the Maglia Rosa so I'm very happy with the result," Conti said. Vincenzo Nibali fared the best out of the rest of the pre-race favorites, finishing fourth on a day which saw only 12 riders finish within two minutes of the winner. The Italian is 3:34 behind Conti. Monday is the race's first rest day before Tuesday's 10th stage, an entirely flat 145-kilometer route from Ravenna to Modena. The Giro finishes in Verona on June 2. ___ More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports Thank you for reading! Please log in, or sign up for a new account and purchase a subscription to continue reading. Photo: Zipline International Inc./Facebook San Francisco-based blockchain company Figure has secured $1 billion in debt financing, according to company database Crunchbase, topping the citys recent funding headlines. The cash infusion was announced May 10. According to its Crunchbase profile, "Figure is a financial technology company with the mission of leveraging blockchain, AI and advanced analytics to unlock new access points for consumer credit products that can transform the financial lives of our customers. They provide home equity release solutions, including home equity lines of credit, home improvement loans and home buy-lease back offerings for retirement. Concurrently, they are building a blockchain protocol for the origination, custody, trading and securitization of whole loans and other assets." The one-year-old startup has raised two previous funding rounds, including a $65 million Series B round earlier this year. The round brings total funding raised by San Francisco companies in artificial intelligence over the past month to $1.1 billion, an increase of $1 billion from the month before. The local artificial intelligence industry has produced 210 funding rounds over the past year, raking in a total of $2.8 billion in venture funding. In other local funding news, risk management company Coalition announced a $40 million Series B funding round on May 9, led by Ribbit Capital. According to Crunchbase, "Coalition protects the value of a business with Coalition's intelligence, risk management and insurance offerings. Coalition is the best way for a company to manage cyber risk. Coalition provides free cybersecurity tools and up to $10M of insurance coverage to forward-thinking companies around the world. Coalitions app provides automated alerts, threat intelligence, expert guidance and recommendations, benchmarking and ongoing monitoring tools to help businesses remain resilient in the face of cyber risk." The company also raised a $10 million Series A round in 2018. Story continues Meanwhile, advice and professional networking company PeopleGrove raised $4.7 million in Series A funding, announced on May 1. The round's investors were led by Reach Capital. From the company's Crunchbase profile, "At PeopleGrove, we believe the way students experience and value their education has changed. They are seeking an academic experience that addresses: Job outcomes, not just a degree; Social and digital, not isolated and static; Experiential, not theoretical. In fact, many are questioning the value of a college education. Only half of US alumni strongly agree their education was worth the cost." PeopleGrove last raised $1.8 million in seed funding in 2017. Also of note, online portals and advertising platforms company Motimatic raised $4 million in Series A funding, announced on April 24 and led by City Light Capital. From Crunchbase, "The Motimatic platform blends the latest advances in online advertising technology and motivation science to deliver highly targeted messages that drive economically beneficial behavior. The messages support specific users in achieving their goals, while creating economic value for Motimatic client organizations in a wide variety of markets, from healthcare to financial services, insurance and Education." The company previously raised $3.4 million in Series A funding in 2017. Rounding out the city's recent top local funding events, drones company Zipline International raised $3 million in grant funding, announced on April 25 and financed by The UPS Foundation. From Crunchbase, "Zipline is a California-based automated logistics company that designs, manufactures, and operates drones to deliver vital medical products. Zipline's mission is to provide every human on Earth with instant access to vital medical supplies. In 2014, Zipline was created to deliver medicine to those who need it most." The company previously raised Series C funding in 2018. This story was created automatically using local investment data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Riyadh (AFP) - Saudi Arabia announced Sunday it deposited $250 million in Sudan's central bank as part of a support package for the country following the overthrow of longtime leader Omar al-Bashir. "The ministry of finance has deposited 937.5 million Saudi riyals into the central bank of Sudan," it said in a statement. In April, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates announced three billion dollars (2.7 billion euros) in financial aid for Sudan. "$500 million has been provided by both countries... to strengthen its financial position," the kingdom's finance ministry said. The UAE said on April 28 it was depositing $250 million in Sudan's central bank. The oil-rich Gulf states pledged to inject $500 million into Sudan's central bank and $2.5 billion to help provide food, medicine and petroleum products, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said last month. It said the move was aimed shoring up the Sudanese pound. In recent years Sudan has been hit by an acute lack of dollars, a key factor behind the nationwide protests that first erupted in December and led to the toppling of Bashir by the army last month. Sudan plays a key role in the regional interests of Saudi Arabia and its allies, siding with Riyadh against Shiite Iran and providing troops in the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen's war. Both Gulf nations have voiced backing for Sudan's military rulers, who are facing calls from protesters to cede power to a civilian transitional government. The Sudanese currency had plunged even after the United States lifted its 20-year-old trade embargo on the country in October 2017. Expectations that the end of US sanctions would bring an economic recovery failed to materialise, putting pressure on the pound. The country's economic crisis has deepened since the secession of South Sudan in 2011 that took away the bulk of oil earnings. By Marwa Rashad and Stephen Kalin RIYADH (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump issued a new threat to Tehran on Sunday, tweeting that a conflict would be the "official end" of Iran, as Saudi Arabia warned it stood ready to respond with "all strength" and said it was up to Iran to avoid war. The heightened rhetoric follows last week's attacks on Saudi oil assets and the firing of a rocket on Sunday into Baghdad's heavily fortified "Green Zone" that exploded near the U.S. embassy. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Trump said in a tweet without elaborating. A U.S. State Department official said the rocket attack in Baghdad did not hit a U.S.-inhabited facility and produced no casualties nor any significant damage. No claims of responsibility had been made, but the United States was taking the incident "very seriously." "We have made clear over the past two weeks and again underscore that attacks on U.S. personnel and facilities will not be tolerated and will be responded to in a decisive manner," the official said in an emailed statement. "We will hold Iran responsible if any such attacks are conducted by its proxy militia forces or elements of such forces, and will respond to Iran accordingly." Riyadh, which emphasized that it does not want a war, has accused Tehran of ordering Tuesday's drone strikes on two oil pumping stations in the kingdom, claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group. Two days earlier, four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. In response, countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) began "enhanced security patrols" in the international waters of the Arabian Gulf area on Saturday, the U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet said on Sunday. Iran has denied involvement in either incident, which come as Washington and the Islamic Republic spar over sanctions and the U.S. military presence in the region, raising concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want a war in the region nor does it seek that," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference on Sunday. "It will do what it can to prevent this war and at the same time it reaffirms that in the event the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with all force and determination, and it will defend itself and its interests." Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Sunday invited Gulf and Arab leaders to convene emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss implications of the attacks. "The current critical circumstances entail a unified Arab and Gulf stance toward the besetting challenges and risks," the UAE foreign ministry said in a statement. The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet said in its statement about increased maritime patrols that GCC countries were "specifically increasing communication and coordination with each other in support of regional naval cooperation and maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf," with navies and coast guards working with the U.S. Navy. Saudi Arabia's Sunni Muslim ally the UAE has not blamed anyone for the tanker sabotage operation, pending an investigation. No-one has claimed responsibility, but two U.S. government sources said last week that U.S. officials believed Iran had encouraged the Houthi group or Iraq-based Shi'ite militias to carry it out. The drone strike on oil pumping stations, which Riyadh said did not disrupt output or exports, was claimed by the Houthis, who have been battling a Saudi-led military coalition in a war in Yemen since 2015. The Houthi-controled SABA news agency said on Sunday, citing a military source from the group, that targeting Aramco's installations last week was the beginning of coming military operations against 300 vital military targets. Targets include vital military headquarters and facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, as well as their bases in Yemen, the source told SABA. The head of the Houthis' Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, derided Riyadh's call to convene Arab summits, saying in a Twitter post that they "only know how to support war and destruction". A Norwegian insurers' report seen by Reuters said Iran's Revolutionary Guards were "highly likely" to have facilitated the attack on vessels near the UAE's Fujairah emirate, a main bunkering hub lying just outside the Strait of Hormuz. SAUDI PRINCE CALLS POMPEO Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has dismissed the possibility of war erupting, saying Tehran did not want conflict and no country had the "illusion it can confront Iran". This stance was echoed by the head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards on Sunday. "We are not pursuing war but we are also not afraid of war," Major General Hossein Salami was cited as saying by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. Washington has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, trying to cut Tehran's oil exports to zero, and beefed up the U.S. military presence in the Gulf in response to what it said were Iranian threats to United States troops and interests. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed regional developments, including efforts to strengthen security and stability, in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Saudi Media Ministry tweeted on Sunday. "We want peace and stability in the region but we will not sit on our hands in light of the continuing Iranian attack," Jubeir said. "The ball is in Iran's court and it is up to Iran to determine what its fate will be." He said the crew of an Iranian oil tanker that had been towed to Saudi Arabia early this month after a request for help due to engine trouble were still in the kingdom receiving the "necessary care". The crew are 24 Iranians and two Bangladeshis. Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Iran are arch-adversaries in the Middle East, backing opposite sides in several regional wars. In a sign of the heightened tension, Exxon Mobil evacuated foreign staff from an oilfield in neighboring Iraq. Bahrain on Saturday warned its citizens against travel to Iraq and Iran and asked those already there to return. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has issued an advisory to U.S. commercial airliners flying over the waters of the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to exercise caution. (Additional reporting by Lisa Barrington in Dubai, Nandita Bose in Wahsington, Ali Abdelaty in Cairo, Babak Dehghanpisheh in Geneva; Writing by Stephen Kalin, Ghaida Ghantous and David Lawder; Editing by Raissa Kasolowsky, Mark Potter, Chris Reese and Sandra Maler) By Marwa Rashad and Stephen Kalin RIYADH (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia said on Sunday it wanted to avert war in the region but stood ready to respond with "all strength" following last week's attacks on Saudi oil assets, telling Iran that the ball was now in its court. Riyadh has accused Tehran of ordering Tuesday's drone strikes on two oil pumping stations in the kingdom, claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthi group. Two days earlier, four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. In response, countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) began "enhanced security patrols" in the international waters of the Arabian Gulf area on Saturday, the U.S. Navy's Bahrain-based Fifth Fleet said on Sunday. Iran has denied involvement in either operation, which come as Washington and the Islamic Republic spar over sanctions and the U.S. military presence in the region, raising concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want a war in the region nor does it seek that," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference. "It will do what it can to prevent this war and at the same time it reaffirms that in the event the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with all force and determination, and it will defend itself and its interests." Saudi Arabia's King Salman on Sunday invited Gulf and Arab leaders to convene emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss implications of the attacks. "The current critical circumstances entail a unified Arab and Gulf stance toward the besetting challenges and risks," the UAE foreign ministry said in a statement. The U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet said in its statement about increased maritime patrols that GCC countries were "specifically increasing communication and coordination with each other in support of regional naval cooperation and maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf," with navies and coast guards working with the U.S. Navy. Story continues Saudi Arabia's Sunni Muslim ally the UAE has not blamed anyone for the tanker sabotage operation, pending an investigation. No-one has claimed responsibility, but two U.S. government sources said last week that U.S. officials believed Iran had encouraged the Houthi group or Iraq-based Shi'ite militias to carry it out. The drone strike on oil pumping stations, which Riyadh said did not disrupt output or exports, was claimed by the Houthis, who have been battling a Saudi-led military coalition in a war in Yemen since 2015. The head of the Houthis' Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, derided Riyadh's call to convene Arab summits, saying in a Twitter post that they "only know how to support war and destruction". A Norwegian insurers' report seen by Reuters said Iran's Revolutionary Guards were "highly likely" to have facilitated the attack on vessels near the UAE's Fujairah emirate, a main bunkering hub lying just outside the Strait of Hormuz. SAUDI PRINCE CALLS POMPEO Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has dismissed the possibility of war erupting, saying Tehran did not want conflict and no country had the "illusion it can confront Iran". This stance was echoed by the head of Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards on Sunday. "We are not pursuing war but we are also not afraid of war," Major General Hossein Salami was cited as saying by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. Washington has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, trying to cut Tehran's oil exports to zero, and beefed up the U.S. military presence in the Gulf in response to what it said were Iranian threats to United States troops and interests. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed regional developments, including efforts to strengthen security and stability, in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Saudi Media Ministry tweeted on Sunday. "We want peace and stability in the region but we will not sit on our hands in light of the continuing Iranian attack," Jubeir said. "The ball is in Iran's court and it is up to Iran to determine what its fate will be." He said the crew of an Iranian oil tanker that had been towed to Saudi Arabia early this month after a request for help due to engine trouble were still in the kingdom receiving the "necessary care". The crew are 24 Iranians and two Bangladeshis. Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Iran are arch-adversaries in the Middle East, backing opposite sides in several regional wars. In a sign of the heightened tension, Exxon Mobil evacuated foreign staff from an oilfield in neighbouring Iraq. Bahrain on Saturday warned its citizens against travel to Iraq and Iran and asked those already there to return. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has issued an advisory to U.S. commercial airliners flying over the waters of the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to exercise caution. (Additional reporting by Lisa Barrington in Dubai, Ali Abdelaty in Cairo and Babak Dehghanpisheh in Geneva; Writing by Stephen Kalin and Ghaida Ghantous; Editing by Diane Craft, Raissa Kasolowsky and Mark Potter) DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) A top Saudi diplomat says the kingdom has no information about an Arab activist living in Norway who says the CIA tipped Norwegian security about a threat against him emanating from Saudi Arabia. Responding to a question during a press conference in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Adel al-Jubeir, the minister of state for foreign affairs, claimed he'd never heard of Iyad al-Baghdadi. Al-Jubeir, however, then said el-Baghdadi's motivation for speaking out publicly could be that he is seeking permanent residency in some country. The Palestinian-born activist says his work investigating possible Saudi crimes have made him a target. El-Baghdadi responded on Twitter, where he has more than 130,000 followers, saying that for the record, "I have no immigration struggles (anymore), I was granted asylum by Norway four years ago." By Rania El Gamal and Vladimir Soldatkin JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia, May 19 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabia's energy minister said on Sunday he recommended driving oil inventories down and that global oil supplies were plentiful. "Overall, the market is in a delicate situation," Khalid al-Falih told reporters ahead of a ministerial panel meeting of top OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers, including Saudi Arabia and Russia. He said the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Saudi Arabia is de facto leader, would have more data at its next meeting in late June to help it reach the best decision on output. OPEC, Russia and other non-OPEC producers, an alliance known as OPEC+, agreed to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from Jan. 1 for six months, a deal designed to stop inventories building up and weakening prices. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told reporters that different options were available for the output deal, including a rise in production in the second half of the year. The energy minister of the United Arab Emirates, Suhail al-Mazrouei, said oil producers were capable of filling any gap in the oil market and that relaxing supply cuts was not "the right decision." Mazrouei said the UAE did not want to see an increase in inventories that could lead to a price collapse. Saudi Arabia sees no need to boost production quickly now, with oil at around $70 a barrel, as it fears a crash in prices and a build-up in inventories, OPEC sources said, adding that Russia wants to increase supply after June. The United States, which is not a member of OPEC+ but is a close ally of Saudi Arabia, wants the group to boost output to bring oil prices down. Falih has to find a delicate balance between keeping the oil market well supplied and prices high enough for Riyadh's budget needs, while pleasing Moscow to ensure Russia remains in the OPEC+ pact, and being responsive to the concerns of the United States and the rest of OPEC+, the sources said earlier. Story continues Sunday's meeting of the ministerial panel, known as the JMMC, comes amid concerns of a tight market. Iran's oil exports are likely to drop further in May and shipments from Venezuela could fall again in coming weeks due to U.S. sanctions. Oil contamination also forced Russia to halt flows along the Druzhba pipeline - a key conduit for crude into Eastern Europe and Germany - in April. The suspension, as yet of unclear duration, left refiners scrambling to find supplies. Novak told reporters that oil supplies to Poland via the pipeline would start on Monday. (Additional reporting by Dahlia Nehme and Stephen Kalin; Editing by Dale Hudson) RIYADH (Reuters) - A senior Saudi official denied the authorities posed any threat to prominent Palestinian human rights campaigner Iyad al-Baghdadi, who has said the Norwegian security services warned him of a threat against him from Saudi Arabia. "I've really never heard of anyone named Iyad al-Baghdadi," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir told reporters. "It could be that the goal of his allegations is to obtain permanent residency in some country. But with regards to us, we don't have any information about him." Baghdadi, who won prominence during the 2011 Arab uprisings and has written critically of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has lived in political asylum in Oslo since 2015. He said that on April 25 the Norwegian security services took him to a secure location and told him of the possible threat against him. Much of Baghdadi's work over the past two years has focused on human rights in Saudi Arabia, particularly after the killing last October of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The kingdom, a key U.S. ally, has come under increasing global scrutiny over its human rights record since that murder inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate and the detention of around a dozen women's rights activists. A bipartisan chorus of U.S. lawmakers has called on the White House to harden its stance toward Saudi Arabia after Khashoggi, a critic of Prince Mohammed, was killed by Saudi agents in a move widely seen as an attempt to stifle dissent. A CIA assessment has blamed Prince Mohammed for ordering the killing, which Saudi officials deny. (Writing by Stephen Kalin; Editing by Daniel Wallis) WASHINGTON (AP) A key Democrat said Sunday that Republican Rep. Justin Amash's sharp criticism of what he called President Donald Trump's "impeachable conduct" in the Russia investigation isn't enough to count as bipartisan support to launch impeachment proceedings. But House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff nevertheless warned that Democrats were still on that potential path to force White House cooperation with the various congressional investigations into Trump's conduct. "It provides an additional tool," the California Democrat said. "What we have been doing is we have been gradually escalating the tactics we need to use to get information for the American people. So we began by asking for voluntary cooperation, and that was not forthcoming. We followed with subpoenas, we followed with contempt. We may follow with inherent contempt, and we may have to follow with impeachment." Amash, R-Mich., on Saturday became the first member of Trump's party on Capitol Hill to accuse him of engaging in "impeachable conduct" stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. He's often a lone GOP voice in Congress. On Sunday, Trump blasted Amash as a "loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!" "Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy," Trump tweeted. Still, Schiff said it remained unlikely that an impeachment trial would succeed in the Republican-controlled Senate. "We see no signs of that yet," he said. If Democrats are forced to pursue impeachment proceedings, Schiff added, it "has less to do with Justin Amash and more to do with the fact that the administration is engaging in a maximum obstructionism campaign against Congress." Story continues Democrats who control the House are locked in a bitter standoff with the White House as it ignores lawmakers' requests for the more complete version of Mueller's report, the underlying evidence and witness testimony. Some Democrats wants the House to open impeachment hearings, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has resisted, saying impeachment must be bipartisan. Schiff has said his panel will be taking an "enforcement action" against Attorney General William Barr or the Justice Department after they refused to hand over an unredacted version of Mueller's report and other documents. Schiff hasn't said what that action would be. Options could include voting to recommend Barr be held in contempt of Congress, as the Judiciary Committee has done, among others. Mueller found no criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia, but left open the question of whether Trump acted in ways that were meant to obstruct the investigation. Barr later said there was insufficient evidence to bring obstruction charges against Trump. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, praised Amash's "courageous statement" but said he didn't believe there was enough evidence in the Mueller report to show that Trump obstructed justice. "Justin Amash has reached a different conclusion than I have," Romney said. "I don't think impeachment is the right way to go." Schiff spoke on CBS' "Face the Nation" and Romney was on CNN's "State of the Union." EDITORIAL: Emergency Medical Care: Municipalities getting a bargain on Lufkins ambulance service; they should be thankful and at least pay what they owe Brussels (AFP) - This week's election of parliamentarians from 28 EU member states is the prelude to a complete overhaul of European institutions by the end of 2019. Here are the main steps to remember: - May 23 to 26 - The 2019 European Parliament election gets under way on Thursday with voting in Britain and The Netherlands. On Friday, Ireland votes, while in the Czech Republic voters will have two days -- Friday and Saturday -- to make their choices. Latvia, Malta and Slovakia will also vote on Saturday. Then, on Sunday, the other 21 member states including big players Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and Poland will take their turn. The European Parliament in Brussels hopes to publish a rough projection of the results vote at 1800 GMT. Then when polling stations close in Italy later in the evening at 2100 GMT, the national authorities will begin to release official tallies. - May 28 - Two days after voting, the leaders of the 28 members meet for summit dinner -- or an extraordinary European Council as it is known in Brussels. Here, Council president Donald Tusk will take their temperature and nudge them towards consensus on choosing nominees for top EU jobs. - June 20 and 21 - It may be ambitious -- in 2014 it took three months and three summits -- but Tusk hopes to finalise the nominees list at the June 20-21 summit. The leaders will hopefully pick names to lead the European Commission, the Council, the Central Bank, the EU foreign policy post and the parliament. - July - Two working sessions are planned at the European Parliament in July. The first, from July 2 to July 4, will seat the new assembly. The second, from July 15 to 18 should vote to confirm the Council's choice to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as head of the European Commission. - Autumn - At the end of summer, parliament will sort through nominees from the 28 member states to join the new president on his commission. The new executive body is expected to take office on November 1 and the new president of the European Council will start in December. By Mariela Nava and Mircely Guanipa MARACAIBO/PUNTO FIJO (Reuters) - Soldiers oversaw rationing of gasoline at service stations in several parts of Venezuela on Sunday as worsening fuel shortages forced angry drivers to wait for hours to fill their tanks, prompting protests in some areas. Venezuela, whose economy is reeling from a five-year recession amid a prolonged political crisis, saw long lines of vehicles appear at services stations in several regions this week after a shutdown at the OPEC nation's second-largest refinery. Shortages have been exacerbated by tough U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan state oil firm Petroleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA) in January, which have slashed crude oil exports and imports of refined fuels. Washington recognized opposition head Juan Guaido as Venezuela's rightful leader after he invoked the constitution in January to declare an interim presidency, saying President Nicolas Maduro rigged last year's election. Maduro calls Guaido a U.S. puppet and says Washington wants to control Venezuela's oil reserves, the largest in the world. Dozens of people have been killed in political protests this year. In the western city of San Cristobal, close to the Colombian border, National Guard soldiers in anti-riot gear limited gasoline sales to 40 liters (10.6 gallons) per vehicle, witnesses said - roughly equivalent to a full tank on a compact vehicle. Angry residents blocked streets with metal barriers, rubbish and branches in some parts of the city. At some gasoline stations, people said they had been waiting days for fuel. "How can a country function like this?" asked Antonio Tamariz, 58, who said he had waited for days for fuel to drive his truck back to his farm. "No one has explained why there are so many lines for gasoline. I think the government is losing control of this." Venezuela's Information Ministry - which handles media enquiries for the government - did not respond to requests for comment. Oil Minister Manuel Quevedo said on Sunday his country's oil industry was under siege from the U.S. government, causing supply problems. In the southeastern industrial hub of Puerto Ordaz and the northwestern city of Punto Fijo, close to Venezuela's largest refining complex, soldiers were ordered to deliver 40 and 30 liters respectively, according to a dozen witnesses. In the western oil hub of Maracaibo, where power cuts and fuel shortages have been severe in recent months, National Guard soldiers allowed drivers only 20 liters (5.3 gallons) of fuel, witnesses said. "They have taken control of the pumps," said Rocio Huerta, a manager of a service station in Maracaibo. "Every five hours there are inspections by the Military Intelligence Division to measure how much gasoline is left." Victor Chourio, a 58-year-old taxi driver, said he had arrived at the gasoline station early on Saturday and waited for 12 hours without getting fuel. "At two o'clock in the afternoon a soldier guard said only 20 liters per vehicle ... but at seven o'clock the gasoline ran out," Chourio told Reuters. Venezuela's 310,000 bpd Cardon oil refinery - which had been operating well below capacity - halted operations on Wednesday because of damage at some of its units, two workers at the PDVSA-operated complex said. That left only two refineries in operation in Venezuela. Internal PDVSA documents and Refinitiv Eikon data indicate that Venezuela had not imported a gasoline cargo since March 31. The fuel shortages come on top of rolling powercuts in many parts of Venezuela as the government attempts to rotate electricity supplies to avoid a repeat of March's week-long national blackout. In Caracas, home to roughly a fifth of Venezuela's more than 30 million people, there were few signs of widespread gasoline shortages as Maduro has prioritized services to the capital. PDVSA said in a statement on Sunday that it had sufficient fuel inventories to provide reliable gasoline supplies. It denounced rumors "seeking to destabilize normal fuel distribution and drive panic buying", without mentioning the long lines at services stations and rationing of fuel in some areas. PDVSA did not respond to a request for more information. In some cities, security forces set up special gasoline pumps to deliver fuel for ambulances, medical personnel and official vehicles, a measure that aroused criticism among people who remained waiting in lines often stretching for several kilometers. Some drivers complained that fuel rationing meant they would again be forced to wait for hours within just a few days. "This is not enough at all, between going to work and taking my children to school. It will run out in two days," said Eduardo Pereira, a 47-year-old teacher in Puerto Ordaz, who was only allowed to buy 40 liters of fuel. (Reporting by Mariela Navas in Maracaibo and Mircely Guanipa in Punto Fijo; Additional reporting by Maria Ramirez in Puerto Ordaz, Anggy Polanco in San Cristobal, Keren Torres in Barquisimeto and Tibisay Romero in Valencia; Writing by Daniel Flynn and Corina Pons; Editing by Lisa Shumaker and Daniel Wallis) Khartoum (AFP) - Sudan's army rulers and protest leaders said more talks were planned for Monday on finalising the makeup of a new ruling body, after hours of negotiations through the night ended without agreement. Both sides have been at loggerheads over the new governing body that would rule Sudan for a three-year transitional period after the ouster last month of longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir. The latest discussions were launched Sunday evening following pressure from world powers to install a civilian-led governing body -- a key demand of demonstrators. After continuing into the early hours of Monday, the ruling military council announced the talks would resume at 9:00 pm (1900 GMT). "The structure of the sovereign authority has been discussed," Lieutenant General Shamseddine Kabbashi, spokesman of the military council, told reporters. "It's agreed to resume negotiations today (Monday) evening... hoping to reach a final deal." The Sudanese Professional Association -- the group that initially launched the protest campaign against Bashir in December, said Monday that it was in no rush to finalise the deal. "We are not in a hurry for the crucial victory... whatever be the outcome, it will be a step forward," it wrote on Twitter without elaborating. The agreement had been expected on Wednesday, but the military council suspended the negotiations for 72 hours. - Islamist warning - Ahead of Sunday's talks, the umbrella protest movement -- the Alliance for Freedom and Change -- raised the ante by insisting that the country's ruling body be "led by a civilian as its chairman and with a limited military representation". The existing military council is headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the generals insist that the overall new body be military-led. On the eve of the talks, hundreds of supporters of Islamist movements rallied outside the presidential palace in Khartoum warning they would reject any deal that would exclude sharia -- Islamic law -- from the country's political roadmap. Story continues "The main reason for the mobilisation is that the alliance is ignoring the application of sharia in its deal," said Al-Tayieb Mustafa, who heads a coalition of about 20 Islamic groups. "This is irresponsible and if that deal is done, it is going to open the door of hell for Sudan," he told AFP. Bashir came to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989 and Sudanese legislation has since been underpinned by Islamic law. The protest leaders have so far remained silent on whether sharia has a place in Sudan's future, arguing that their main concern is installing a civilian administration. Saudi Arabia meanwhile on Sunday deposited $250 million in Sudan's central bank as part of an aid package it announced following Bashir's ouster. The UAE said on April 28 it would also deposit $250 million in Sudan's central bank. The oil-rich Gulf states have pledged a further $2.5 billion in aid to help provide food, medicine and petroleum products. - Violence-marred talks - It was Sudan's worsening economic crisis that triggered nationwide protests against Bashir. Before talks were suspended earlier this week, the generals and protest leaders had agreed on several key issues, including a three-year transition period and the creation of a 300-member parliament, with two thirds of lawmakers to come from the protesters' umbrella group. But those talks were marred by violence after five protesters and an army major were shot dead near the ongoing sit-in outside the military headquarters in central Khartoum, where thousands have camped out for weeks. Initially, the protesters gathered to demand Bashir resign -- but they have stayed put, to pressure the generals into stepping aside. The protesters had also erected roadblocks on some avenues in Khartoum to put further pressure on the generals during negotiations, but the military rulers demanded that they be removed. Protesters duly took the roadblocks down in recent days -- but they said they will put them back up, if the army fails to transfer power to a civilian administration. The generals have allowed protesters to maintain their sit-in outside army headquarters. FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) Tens of thousands of demonstrators opposed to right-wing populism and nationalism took to the streets Sunday in a number of European cities before May 23-26 elections to the European Parliament. Marches in Germany were held under the banner of "One Europe for Everyone: Your Voice Against Nationalism" in cities including Berlin, Cologne, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg. Organizers from more than 70 groups support the European Union, but also urge changes in migration policy such as support for refugee rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea. Other gatherings under the slogan "No to Hate, Yes to Change" were planned in Budapest, Genoa, Utrecht, Warsaw, Bucharest and other cities. In Bucharest, thousands turned out at Victoria Square, and the crowd formed a heart with the message: "Romania loves Europe." "We want to tell them that their vote matters and that it's very important to go out and vote, to express their selection and to show Europe that Romania loves Europe," rally organizer Catalina Hoparteanu said. The dpa news agency said organizers reported 20,000 protesters in Berlin, while police estimated 10,000 in Munich, 14,000 in Frankfurt, and 10,000 in Hamburg. The 751-seat European Parliament has limited powers but the poll is being seen as a test of strength both by right-wing, populist and nationalist groups who want curbs on immigration and more authority for national governments on the one hand, and on the other by center-left and center-left mainstream parties who support the EU as a bulwark of cooperation among its 28 member states, rule of law and democracy. ___ For more news from The Associated Press on the European Parliament elections, go to https://www.apnews.com/EuropeanParliament By Frank Jack Daniel MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Tense U.S.-China relations are helping the United States understand the importance of a North American trade bloc, a senior Mexican diplomat said on Friday, after negotiating a deal that ended steel tariffs in the region. The United States struck deals on Friday to lift tariffs on steel and aluminium imports from Canada and Mexico, the three governments said, removing a major obstacle to legislative approval of a new North American trade pact. Mexico's deputy foreign minister for North America, Jesus Seade, said the U.S.-China trade war was helping the case for a strong partnership between neighbours. "There is a general climate, in which the United States is in a long-term difficult relationship with China and it understands that the big economy the United States has needs to be accompanied by the big North American economic region," Seade told Reuters in a phone interview. Seade helped lead negotiations last year for the new United StatesMexicoCanada Agreement (USMCA) after U.S. President Donald Trump insisted on reworking the quarter-century-old North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Seade said Friday's tariff breakthrough would help the broad agreement's passage through U.S. Congress. China struck a more aggressive tone in the trade war on Friday, suggesting a resumption of talks between the world's two largest economies would be meaningless unless Washington changed course. That capped a week in which Beijing unveiled fresh retaliatory tariffs and the U.S. levelled a blow against one of China's biggest and most successful companies, Huawei Technologies Co Ltd. Seade said such friction made North America look more attractive. "That is why they are negotiating a good deal, and are now treating Mexico and Canada incredibly differently from (South) Korea, which has quotas," he said. When negotiations over the tariffs started a month ago, Seade said, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer had pushed Mexico to accept a quota on metal imports. In the end the deal that was struck allows free trade of the metals in the region. South Korea scored an exemption from steel tariffs in March, 2018, but only in return for a quota a third below the previous years' volumes, severely crimping the Asian country's industry. (Reporting by Frank Jack Daniel; Editing by Stefanie Eschenbacher and Richard Chang) Theresa May has said MPs will not be voting on the same deal as she has asked them to previously. (AP) Theresa May has said she will make a bold offer to MPs in a desperate bid to encourage them to vote for her Brexit deal. The troubled Prime Minister needs support from across the House to pass her EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill. Mrs May said in The Sunday Times she is asking MPs to vote on an improved packaged of measures that can win new support and she is not asking MPs to think again on same deal. Talks between Labour and the Conservatives have come to an end with no deal on Brexit. (AP) The new bill is expected to include new measures on protecting worker rights, which is an issue where the two main parties nearly agreed. Mrs May said: I still believe there is a majority in parliament to be won for leaving with a deal. When the Withdrawal Agreement Bill comes before MPs, it will represent a new, bold offer to MPs across the House of Commons, with an improved package of measures that I believe can win new support. MPs are due to vote on the bill at the beginning of June and if the bill fails to pass, the UK will leave the EU on October 31 without a deal. Mrs Mays offer to MPs comes after Labour and Tory talks ended without a deal. Read More Cross-party Brexit talks collapse as Corbyn tells May they have "gone as far as they can" Theresa May clings on to power after meeting with Tory backbenchers - for now Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said talks had gone as far as they can and Mrs May said the lack of common ground had made talks difficult. The latest Opinium poll for the Observer has the Tories behind Nigel Farages new Brexit Party ahead of this weeks EU election vote. Bret Secretary Stephen Barclay has warned the Government they would need to increase planning for a no-deal exit from the EU if MPs vote against the Withdrawal Agreement Bill. Montgomery (United States) (AFP) - Thousands took to the streets in the southern US state of Alabama on Sunday to rally against the nation's most restrictive bans on abortions in decades. Around 500 women's reproductive rights defenders gathered in state capital Montgomery, while in the cities of Birmingham, Anniston, Huntsville and Mobile around 3,000 more joined in denouncing the "Alabama Human Life Protection Act," local media reported. The act, known as HB314, virtually outlaws terminations of pregnancy. Protesters in Montgomery held up signs reading "her body, her choice" and "we are not ovary-acting." A woman wearing beige underwear that made her look naked had a drawing of her reproductive system attached to her abdomen and a banner reading: "More than an incubator." Several other women were dressed as characters forced to bear children in the dystopian novel and television series "The Handmaid's Tale." One of them, who gave her name only as Amanda, accused Alabama's legislators of "trying to imprison women and doctors." "Wearing the 'Handmaid's Tale' outfit is sending a message that you're trying to turn us into slaves, reproductive slaves," the 40-year-old-lawyer told AFP. "They're trying to fill prisons, more private prisons so that women will do hard labor after they get convicted of these 'crimes' of abortion." Last week, Alabama passed a law that prohibits all abortions -- even in cases of incest and rape -- unless there is a risk of death for the mother. "Our call center's been getting hundreds and hundreds of phone calls from concerned citizens asking us what this means," said Barbara Ann Luttrell, director of communications and marketing for Planned Parenthood Southeast. Planned Parenthood is not currently providing abortion services in Alabama. "We'll be having abortion services up and running again as soon as possible," she said. Story continues There are only three clinics that perform the procedure. None of them responded requests of comments. The Alabama law is likely to be blocked in state courts before its November launch date but Republican Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged when she signed it that it was part of as a wider Republican offensive to get the issue relitigated on the national stage. - Republican offensive - "We're going to return to the back alleys. We're going to return to where women will do abortions to themselves," 81-year-old Maralyn Mosley told the Montgomery Advertiser. She had an abortion at 13, after her uncle raped her. "We will return to the coat hangers and perforated uteruses. We will return to where women will bleed to death," she warned. Conservative activists hope to get a Supreme Court decision against the landmark 1973 ruling Roe v Wade that said unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional. Conservatives are counting on support at the highest court in the land, where liberal justices are in a minority after the arrival of two conservative members appointed by President Donald Trump. Trump appeared to suggest Alabama lawmakers had gone too far in a series of tweets late Saturday in which he described himself as "strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother." He urged the anti-abortion side to "stick together and Win for Life" when it comes to voting in 2020. While the Alabama measure is seen as particularly draconian, at least 28 US states have introduced more than 300 texts since the start of the year limiting abortion rights, according to activists. Kentucky and Mississippi have banned abortions as soon as a fetus's heartbeat is detectable, or around the sixth week of pregnancy. Similar measures are being adopted in Georgia, Ohio, Missouri and Tennessee. A judge has blocked the implementation of the Kentucky law, while the Mississippi law is set to come into effect in July. The country's largest human rights organization, ACLU, has said it will file suit against Alabama's law as unconstitutional. HB314 seeks jail terms of between 10 and 99 years for doctors performing terminations, which are counted as homicides. It stipulates no penalty for the mother. Around two thirds of Americans say abortion should be legal, a Pew Center poll found last year. By Subrata Nag Choudhury KOLKATA (Reuters) - Violent clashes broke out in West Bengal again on Sunday in the final phase of the staggered election that will decide whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns for a second term. The police used batons to break up skirmishes between supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the regional Trinamool Congress party in Kankinara, on the outskirts of state capital Kolkata. Several crude bombs were also exploded during the clashes, the police said. The populous state has seen sporadic violence between supporters of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress throughout the election, as Modi's party pushed hard to make inroads and offset likely losses elsewhere. West Bengal elects 42 lawmakers, the third-highest of all Indian states. Modi's ruling alliance is likely to win a majority in parliament, two exit polls showed, after voting in the mammoth general election ended on Sunday. Exit polls have a mixed record in a country with an electorate of around 900 million Indians - around two-thirds of whom voted - in the seven-phase election. Votes are to be counted on Thursday. The gruelling, 39-day poll began in the wake of aerial clashes and escalated tensions with neighbouring Pakistan, which Modi's ruling BJP used to focus its campaign on national security. The main opposition Congress party and other regional blocs concentrated on the government's economic mismanagement and inability to create jobs in their attempt to win voters. However, the campaign turned increasingly personal and vitriolic in the final stages and clashes between rival groups marred polling in West Bengal. Security was tight around voting stations in Kolkata and surrounding areas where people cast their vote. Around 57,000 policemen were deployed and more than 400 quick response teams were on standby, the chief electoral officer in Kolkata said. Modi's decision to bomb a purported militant training camp in Pakistan, soon after a suicide attack in the disputed Kashmir region killed 40 policemen, boosted his support. The opposition lacked a strong counter punch but the drawn-out election still appeared to tighten. Story continues India's parliament has a total of 545 seats, and any party or alliance will need the support of 272 lawmakers to form the next government. The BJP won 272 in the previous general election in 2014 to secure a single-party majority for the first time in around three decades. Neelanjan Sircar, a political science professor at Ashoka University near New Delhi, said opposition groups were looking to tap into anger against Modi and the BJP's strong grassroots machinery that helped it win in 2014. "To me, this election is very much a battle between voter accountability and party organisation," Sircar said. (Additional reporting and writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Sanjeev Miglani, Paul Tait and Mark Potter) Photo: iStock Going to the beach doesn't have to break the bank. If you're looking for a coastal getaway, consider Virginia Beach. The beachside city in southeastern Virginia is located where the Chesapeake Bay meets the Atlantic Ocean. A three-mile boardwalk stretches along its beach-lined oceanfront. The bayside First Landing State Park marks the 1607 arrival of the Jamestown colonists from England, and the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center exhibits ocean life including sharks, rays and sea turtles in globally themed habitats. In addition to the sites, there are plenty of top-notch eateries and bars that'll be sure to pique your interest. Using travel site Skyscanner, weve sifted through the cheapest flights between Nashville and Virginia Beach in the next few months, including some popular hotel options and favorite local attractions. (Hoodline offers data-driven analysis of local happenings and trends across cities. Links included in the articles may earn Hoodline a commission on clicks and transactions. Prices and availability are subject to change.) Cheapest Virginia Beach flights The cheapest flights between Nashville and Virginia Beach are if you leave on July 11 and return from Virginia on July 14. Delta currently has tickets for $155, roundtrip. There are also deals to be had in June. If you fly out of Nashville on June 15 and return from Virginia Beach on June 18, American Airlines can get you there and back for $165 roundtrip. Top Virginia Beach hotel To plan your stay, here is Virginia Beachs top-rated hotel, that we selected from Skyscanner's listings based on price and customer satisfaction. The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront (3001 Atlantic Ave.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner For an all-around top recommendation, consider The Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront. The hotel has a 4.2-star rating on Skyscanner, and rooms are currently available for $126. This hotel is near the Neptune Statue and Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. Story continues Local restaurant picks If you're looking for a popular spot to grab a bite, Virginia Beach has plenty of excellent eateries to choose from. Here are a few from Skyscanner's listings to help you get started. TASTE at the Oceanfront (3603 Pacific Ave.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner If you're looking for a local favorite, head to TASTE at the Oceanfront, which has an average of 4.9 stars out of 26 reviews on Skyscanner. "My absolute favorite place in this world to grab a sandwich," wrote reviewer Jennifer. "Fantastic gourmet deli and little grocery. Grab lunch and head to the beach!" Tautogs Restaurant (205 23rd St.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner A solid option for seafood is Tautogs Restaurant. "We reserved a table for nine people and the service was excellent. It is a seafood restaurant and I love that they don't fry them! Portions are also large," wrote Tilly. Ynot Italian (2102 Great Neck Square) Finally, there's Ynot Italian, a popular spot for pizza. "Delicious pizza for a night out," wrote Gretchen. Featured Virginia Beach attractions Virginia Beach is also full of sites to visit and explore. Here are some popular attractions to round out your trip, again from Skyscanner's listings. The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center (717 General Booth Blvd.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner First up is The Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. This aquarium houses an impressive collection of sea life in 800,000 gallons of water. Land life is represented via the Marsh Pavilion and the Aviary, giving a good overall sense of Virginia's wildlife to any new visitor. Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art (2200 Parks Ave.) Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Then, there's the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Exhibitions feature painting, sculpture, photography, glass, video and more from local and international artists. Virginia Beach Photo: Trip by Skyscanner Finally, your trip wouldn't be complete without a stop at Virginia Beach. "Beaches are fantastic, boardwalk is great no stores to distract children," wrote visitor Madelyn. "If you want to shop you have to go one block to Atlantic Avenue." This story was created automatically using flight, hotel, and local attractions data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump criticized Fox News again Sunday in the latest hint that he is souring on what has been his favorite and most faithful news outlet. As part of a flurry of afternoon tweets, Trump took the conservative network to task for interviewing Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg, the 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana. "Hard to believe that @FoxNews is wasting airtime on Mayor Pete, as Chris Wallace likes to call him. Fox is moving more and more to the losing (wrong) side in covering the Dems," Trump wrote, alluding to the Fox interviewer. Trump added: "Chris Wallace said, 'I actually think, whether you like his opinions or not, that Mayor Pete has a lot of substance...fascinating biography.' Gee, he never speaks well of me." Trump again mocked Buttigieg, referring to him as Alfred E. Neuman, the goofy, gap-toothed cover boy with protruding ears of US humor magazine Mad. "Alfred E. Newman will never be president," Trump wrote, using a more anglicized spelling of the name. Sunday's comments were Trump's most forceful of late against Fox, until now the president's preferred US news outlet and the one that most often gets to interview him. Another Trump interview was scheduled on the network for late Sunday. Trump has been critical of Fox's coverage of candidates in the crowded race for the Democratic presidential nomination in the 2020 election that will pit one of them against Trump. Last month, Trump took a swipe at Fox after it hosted a town hall meeting with Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermonth. "So weird to watch Crazy Bernie on @Fox News," Trump tweeted. Trump said the audience "was so smiley and nice. Very strange," and alleged that it had been packed with Sanders supporters. The president's ties with the most Trump-friendly US television network have hit a rough patch since the departure from his administration of two former big names at Fox. These are Bill Shine, a former Fox News executive who served for nine months as White House communications director -- Trump's fifth -- and former Fox news anchor Heather Nauert, who was spokeswoman at the State Department. Nauert had been promoted to a senior State post and then considered for a while as a potential candidate to replace Nikki Haley as US ambassador to the United Nations. Washington (AFP) - Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed as "a total lightweight" the Republican lawmaker who a day earlier became the first member of the party to call publicly for the US president's impeachment. Michigan Representative Justin Amash -- a staunch libertarian on the right of the party -- declared that any other person would have been prosecuted over Trump's multiple attempts to thwart Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report into Russian election interference. "Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there," Trump tweeted. He said that if the Michigan lawmaker had "actually read the biased Mueller Report... he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION..." Trump called Amash "a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!" Amash, who has broken with his party before, had laid out his case in a series of tweets. He said Mueller had identified "multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice." "Undoubtedly," Amash added, "any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence." Since Mueller issued his voluminous report, Trump has repeatedly attacked its authors as partisans even while insisting it exonerates him of allegations of collusion with Russia or obstruction of justice. But Democrats note that the report lists around 140 contacts between Trump's inner circle and various Russians and that it exhaustively details evidence of at least 10 cases where Trump appeared to be interfering with the probe. Amash has often been a lone voice in his party, and so his stance carried less impact than if it had come from a party mainstay. A much higher-profile Republican, Senator Mitt Romney, spoke out on Sunday against impeachment even while praising Amash. Story continues "I respect him," the Republicans' 2012 presidential nominee and occasional fierce Trump critic, told "Fox News Sunday" of Amash. "I think it's a courageous statement. But I believe to make a case for obstruction of justice, you just don't have the elements." Democrats have been divided on impeachment but support appears to be growing with the Trump administration resisting numerous congressional requests for witnesses or information. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has cautioned against moving too quickly, noting that the Republican-controlled Senate would likely acquit the president should the House of Representatives impeach him. Donald Trump has come out against Alabamas abortion ban, suggesting in a series of late-night tweets the issue risked dividing Republicans ahead of the 2020 election. The southern states Republican government earlier this week passed Americas most restrictive abortion law, banning procedures in all instances other than when the mothers health is at risk. The bill, which does not include exceptions in cases of rape and incest, passed 26-6 in the senate and was later signed into law by Alabamas Republican governor Kay Ivey. As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother the same position taken by Ronald Reagan, Mr Trump tweeted late on Saturday night. We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new & positive attitude about the Right to Life. The Radical Left, with late term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear! Legislation to restrict abortion rights has been introduced this year in 16 states, four of whose governors have signed bills banning abortion if an embryonic heartbeat can be detected. The Alabama bill goes further, banning abortions at any time. Those performing abortions would be committing a felony, punishable by 10 to 99 years in prison, although a woman who receives an abortion would not be held criminally liable. Alabama Republicans hope the law change, which will not take effect for six months and is already facing lawsuits, will ultimately end up being contested in the US Supreme Court. Republican senator Clyde Chambliss, arguing in favour of the Alabama bill, said the whole point was so that we can go directly to the Supreme Court to challenge Roe v Wade, the 1973 landmark decision establishing a womans right to an abortion. Story continues Mr Trump has in recent months used the issue of abortion to launch misleading attacks against Democrats, whom he has repeatedly wrongly accused of supporting executing babies after birth. The issue looks set to become a central one in the upcoming 2020 elections, with a number of Democratic presidential candidates having already declared their intention to challenge attempts to outlaw abortions. Even as states like Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, and Mississippi are hell-bent on overturning Roe v Wade and outlawing abortion in this country, there are more of us across the country who are ready to defend womens reproductive freedom. We wont go backward, Senator Kamala Harris tweeted on Saturday. MADRID, Iowa (AP) Iowa farmer Tim Bardole survived years of low crop prices and rising costs by cutting back on fertilizer and herbicides and fixing broken-down equipment rather than buying new. When President Donald Trump's trade war with China made a miserable situation worse, Bardole used up any equity his operation had and started investing in hogs in hopes they'll do better than crops. A year later, the dispute is still raging and soybeans hit a 10-year-low. But Bardole says he supports his president more today than he did when he cast a ballot for Trump in 2016, skeptical he would follow through on his promises. "He does really seem to be fighting for us," Bardole says, "even if it feels like the two sides are throwing punches and we're in the middle, taking most of the hits." Trump won the presidency by winning rural America, in part by pledging to use his business savvy and tough negotiating skills to take on China and put an end to trade practices that have hurt farmers for years. While the prolonged fight has been devastating to an already-struggling agriculture industry, there's little indication Trump is paying a political price. But there's a big potential upside if he can get a better deal and little downside if he continues to get credit for trying for the farmers caught in the middle. It's a calculation Trump recognizes heading into a reelection bid where he needs to hold on to farm states like Iowa and Wisconsin and is looking to flip others, like Minnesota. A March CNN/Des Moines Register poll of registered Republicans in Iowa found 81% approved of how Trump is handling his job, and 82% had a favorable view of the president, an increase of 5 points since December. About two-thirds said they'd definitely vote to re-elect him. The poll had a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points. A February poll by the same organizations found 46% of Iowans approved of the job Trump was doing his highest approval rating since taking office while 50% said they disapprove. The margin of error was 3.5 percentage points. Story continues Many farmers are lifelong Republicans who like other things Trump has done, such as reining in the EPA and tackling illegal immigration, and believe he's better for their interests than most Democrats even on his worst day. They give him credit for doing something previous presidents of both parties mostly talked about. And now that they've struggled for this long, they want to see him finish the job and soon. "We are the frontline soldiers getting killed as this trade war goes on," said Paul Jeschke, who grows corn and soybeans in northern Illinois, where he's about to plant his 45th crop. "I'm unhappy and I think most of us are unhappy with the situation. But most of us understand the merits," he added. "And it's not like anyone else would be better. The smooth-talking presidents we've had recently - they certainly didn't get anything done." When the trade war started last summer, China targeted its first round of tariffs on producers in agricultural and manufacturing states that were crucial to Trump's 2016 victory, such as Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Particularly hard hit were producers of soybeans, the country's largest farm export. The most recent round of trade talks between the Trump administration and China broke up earlier this month without an agreement, after Trump accused China of backing out on agreed-to parts of a deal and hiked tariffs on $200 billion of imports from China. China imposed retaliatory tariff hikes on $60 billion of American goods, and in the U.S. the price of soybeans fell to a 10-year low on fears of a protracted trade war. U.S. officials then listed $300 billion more of Chinese goods for possible tariff hikes. As China vowed to "fight to the finish," Trump used Twitter to rally the farming community. "Our great Patriot Farmers will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of what is happening now," Trump tweeted. "Hopefully China will do us the honor of continuing to buy our great farm product, the best, but if not your Country will be making up the difference based on a very high China buy." He added: "The Farmers have been 'forgotten' for many years. Their time is now!" To partially offset the plunge in sales caused by the tariffs, Trump has promised an aid package, some $15 billion for farmers and ranchers, following $11 billion in relief payments last year. Beside the help prompted by the tariff dispute, a farm bill that Congress approves every five years provides farmers with hundreds of millions in additional federal aid. The subsidies have remained relatively stable, with the latest farm bill approved in December. Most of the aid helps growers of the largest crops, including corn and soybeans. Farmers also benefit from billions of dollars annually in federal insurance subsidies. It's been six years since farmers did better than break even on corn, and five years since they made money off soybeans. U.S. net farm income, a commonly used measure of profits, has plunged 45 percent since a high of $123.4 billion in 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, reflecting American farmers' struggle to return to the profitability seen earlier in the decade. Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings for farm operations in the upper Midwest have doubled since June 2014, when commodity prices began to drop. The hardest hit were farms and dairy operations in Wisconsin, a state that supported Democrats for president for most of recent history before backing Trump and that will be a fierce 2020 battleground. "It's awful expensive to put a crop in," said Morie Hill, looking over countless green shoots peeking up from his fields in central Iowa. He isn't sure why more farmers haven't been forced out. "Everyone I know is squeezing and doing everything they can, trying to go further with less," he said. Brent Renner, who farms with his father in northern Iowa, said while there's strong support for Trump in their area, frustration is growing. Farming friends regularly check Twitter to see what Trump is saying, and how it might move the market. "I don't know how many farming friends I've had who've said 'Why can't someone just take his phone away?'" Renner said. "It's impossible to think he hasn't lost support at some level, but what that level is nobody knows." Patty Judge, a Democratic former Iowa lieutenant governor and state agriculture secretary, agreed people in Iowa haven't rushed to move away from Trump. But she thinks voters will be ready for a change in 2020 and a president who better understands the country's role in international trade. "It's very important to us and to have gone into a trade war without a plan, without an exit strategy, is dangerous and wrong and I think Iowans are going to understand that before the next election," she said. The 2018 midterms showed Democrats' difficulties outside metro areas. AP VoteCast, a national survey of more than 115,000 voters, found rural and small-town residents cast 35% of midterm ballots; 56% of those voted for Republican House candidates, compared with 41% for Democrats. Among small-town and rural white voters the advantage was greater, tilting 63-35 for Republicans. Jeshke said he gives Trump credit for rolling back regulations that have made it tougher and more expensive for new herbicides to be approved, and for his proposed changes to the Waters of the U.S., an Obama-era environmental measure. Under the act, Jeshke said he needed government approval to mow some areas of his property or make changes to manmade lakes where kids go fishing. "And I dug them!" he said. Jeshke says most farmers are more concerned about getting the situation solved than pointing fingers. But if they were to place blame, most of it would be on China, and the rest would be on previous presidents who could have solved the trade imbalances more easily 15 or 20 years ago. One thing he knows for sure about Trump: "If he rolls over now, we'll never be able to hold them accountable." Renner says farmers are used to having things happen that aren't in their control the weather, for example but finding a way through. It's a quality he says is clearly on display now. "We're an optimistic people," he said. "We'll keep our chins up and keep moving ahead." ___ Burnett reported from Chicago. By Paul Sandle and James Davey LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Theresa May said she will present a "new, bold offer" to lawmakers with "an improved package of measures" in a final attempt to get the Brexit divorce deal through parliament before she leaves office. After failing three times to get parliament's approval for her deal, the government will now put the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, legislation which will enact that deal, before parliament for a vote in early June. "Whatever the outcome of any (indicative) votes, I will not be simply asking MPs (lawmakers) to think again. Instead I will ask them to look at a new and improved deal with a fresh pair of eyes - and to give it their support," May wrote in the Sunday Times newspaper. The date of the vote and the substance of what lawmakers will be asked to consider - including whether they will be given chance to indicate what preferences might secure a majority before the vote is binding - have yet to be made public. Brexit talks between May's Conservatives and the opposition Labour Party collapsed on Friday, hours after May, who sealed the deal with the European Union last year, agreed to set out in early June a timetable for her departure. The winner of a leadership contest to succeed her will automatically become prime minister and will take control of the Brexit process, which has plunged Britain into its worst political crisis since World War Two. Facing her last chance to push through the exit from the bloc, which has defined her time in office since the fallout from the referendum in 2016, May said common ground with Labour had been found in workers' rights and protections, the environment and security. "When the Withdrawal Agreement Bill comes before MPs, it will represent a new, bold offer to MPs across the House of Commons, with an improved package of measures that I believe can win new support," she said. WORKERS' RIGHTS Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, however, said May had not moved away from any of the red lines that shaped her previous attempt. "We haven't seen whatever the new bill is going to be yet but nothing I've heard leads me to believe it is fundamentally any different from the previous bill that has been put forward so as of now we are not supporting it," he said in a pre-recorded interview broadcast on the BBC's Andrew Marr show. International Development Secretary Rory Stewart said on the same program on Sunday the Conservative and Labour positions were close - only "about half an inch apart" - in areas such as workers' rights, the environment and the future trading relationship. He said Corbyn's only other demand was the option for a second referendum on any Brexit deal agreed by lawmakers. "That is going beyond," said Stewart, who has said he would run for the party leadership. "But within the terms of a Brexit deal, I don't believe there's anything that Jeremy Corbyn or we want that is that far apart." Support for the two main parties has collapsed ahead of elections for the European Parliament on Thursday, opinion polls indicate, with voters turning instead to the single-issue Brexit Party and, to a lesser extent, the pro-remain Liberal Democrats. On Saturday Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said the government should put a promise to hold a further public vote on the face of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to break the Brexit impasse. Corbyn said he would be willing to consider a new offer, including for example new legislation that entrenched workers' rights in law. "We would obviously look at it very carefully in parliament and we would obviously reserve our right to either amend it or oppose it depending on what's in it," he said. "I can't give it a blank cheque." May will consult cabinet colleagues on proposed changes to the withdrawal agreement aimed at securing cross-party support this week, the Sunday Times said. Nearly three years after the United Kingdom voted 52% to 48% in a referendum to leave the EU, it remains unclear how, when or even if the country will leave the European club it joined in 1973. The current deadline to leave is Oct. 31. (Reporting by James Davey and Paul Sandle; Editing by Daniel Wallis) United Nations (United States) (AFP) - A Nigerian peacekeeper was killed Saturday in an attack on the United Nations' stabilization mission in Mali, the UN said. The victim "succumbed to his wounds following the armed attack by unidentified assailants" in Timbuktu, a statement said. A Nigerian peacekeeper was also injured. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was "deeply saddened" by the assault, which he said could amount to a war crime. In a separate incident Saturday, three Chadian peacekeepers were wounded when their mine-protected vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in Tessalit, in Mali's Kidal region. The UN's MINUSMA mission was established in Mali after radical Islamist militias seized the north of the country in 2012. They were pushed back by French troops in 2013. A peace agreement signed in 2015 by the Bamako government and armed groups was aimed at restoring stability. But the accord has failed to stop the violence. Since their deployment in 2013, more than 190 peacekeepers have died in Mali, including nearly 120 killed by hostile action -- making MINUSMA the UN's deadliest peacekeeping operation, accounting for more than half of blue helmets killed globally in the past five years. ROME (AP) The Italian interior ministry vowed Sunday to press ahead with a new decree formalizing the closure of Italian ports to aid groups that rescue migrants, even after U.N. human rights investigators said it violated international law. Ministry officials said the security decree was "necessary and urgent" and was expected to be approved at a Cabinet meeting Monday. In a May 15 letter to Italy's government released Saturday, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Italy to withdraw the decree, calling it "yet another political attempt to criminalize search and rescue operations." The decree "further intensifies the climate of hostility and xenophobia against migrants," said the letter, which was signed by several U.N. human rights rapporteurs. It was issued as a ship carrying more than 40 migrants from the German aid group Sea-Watch remained off the island of Lampedusa waiting for a port to disembark its passengers. Sea-Watch said it had flouted Italy's ban and entered Italian territorial waters on Saturday for humanitarian reasons. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, a hard-line populist, proposed the decree before the European Parliament elections this week, where nationalist, anti-migrant parties are hoping to make strong gains. Salvini's League has soared in popularity in part because of his hard-line migration policy, which has involved boosting the Libyan coast guard's ability to rescue migrants and bring them back. Among other provisions, the decree leaves it to the interior minister to limit or prohibit entry into Italian territorial waters any ships for public security reasons. It foresees fines of up to 5,500 euros ($6,145) for each migrant transported. The U.N. letter says the measures would violate migrants' human rights, which are enshrined in U.N. conventions that Italy has signed. It said Italy is obliged to rescue migrants in distress and can't impede others from doing so. And it says that Libya can't be considered a safe port for migrants rescued at sea, particularly after the recent spike in fighting. Story continues In a statement late Sunday, the Italian foreign ministry said the letter carried no juridical weight and suggested it was based on imprecise information. It noted that since Jan. 1, 2018, Italy has received eight such letters, whereas the U.S. has received 30, Britain 16 and France 12. Interior ministry officials told journalists in a statement Sunday that Turkey and North Korea similarly punish border violations and that Italy has long had fines in its legal code, which have merely been updated. "The hope is that the authoritative U.N. dedicates its energies to the humanitarian emergency in Venezuela rather than engage in electoral campaigning in Italy," they said. Meanwhile, British and French authorities have stopped 61 migrants who tried to cross the English Channel in five small boats over the weekend. The British Home Office said 52 migrants on four boats were intercepted Saturday and Sunday off the Kent Coast and handed to immigration officials. The migrants said they were from Iraq and Iran. The French maritime authority for the Channel and North Sea said a patrol ship spotted a boat carrying nine migrants Sunday off the coast of Cape of Gris-Nez. The nine were suffering light hypothermia and were handed over to border police in Calais. Several of the migrants were children. Illegal migrant crossings across the English Channel are on the rise in recent weeks despite joint British-French efforts to crack down on them. US The US is "afraid" of war with Iran, the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard said as tensions between Tehran and Washington intensified over the weekend. Major General Hossein Salami told the Iranian state news agency, IRNA, that the country does not want war. "The difference between us and them is that they are afraid of war and don't have the will for it," he said. His remarks came against a backdrop of increased volatility in the region, with the US sending an aircraft carrier strike group to the Persian Gulf to counter an unspecified threat from Iran. Major General Salami's comments were dismissed by the US president on Twitter. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Mr Trump tweeted. The US Federal Aviation Administration has urged commercial aircraft to exercise caution when flying over the Persian Gulf, warning they ran the risk of being "misidentified". A similar misunderstanding in 1988 led to an American warship bringing down an Iran Air flight, killing all 290 people on board. Iraq, meanwhile, has condemned as "political" a decision by US energy giant ExxonMobil to evacuate staff from a southern oil field after Washington ordered personnel to quit its Baghdad embassy. Saudi Arabia responded to the escalating crisis by calling for a Gulf summit, adding that while the country did not want war it would defend itself if hostilities erupted. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want a war in the region nor does it seek that," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference on Sunday. "It will do what it can to prevent this war and at the same time it reaffirms that in the event the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with all force and determination, and it will defend itself and its interests." John Bolton wants tough line with Iran Credit: Joshua Roberts/Reuters In Washington Donald Trump has emerged as a dove within his own administration, telling his acting defence secretary, Patrick Shanahan, that he wants to avoid an armed conflict erupting. Story continues It has put the US president at odds with John Bolton, his national security adviser and a long-standing foreign policy hawk, who has made little secret of his desire for regime change in Tehran. Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, has also sought to lower the temperature by asking European allies to intervene with Iran. Washington's stance on Iran has put it at odds with European allies, notably after it withdrew from the nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration. Over the weekend Tulsi Gabbard, an Iraq war veteran and Democratic presidential candidate, rounded on Mr Trump and Mr Pompeo accusing them of leading the country into a war with Iran. "He says he doesn't want it, but the actions of him and his administration, people like John Bolton and Mike Pompeo, tell us a very different story," she said on ABC. "They are setting the stage for a war with Iran that would prove to be far more costly, far more devastating and dangerous than anything that we saw in the Iraq war." Photo: 27 Morton/Yelp A new Czech, Hungarian and German spot has debuted in the neighborhood. The new addition to the West Village, called 27 Morton, is located at 27 1/2 Morton St. 27 Morton serves up Central and Eastern European comfort foods. The menu now features classic dishes such as borsch, goulash, sausages and spatzle. 27 Morton has gotten an enthusiastic response thus far, with a five-star rating out of six reviews on Yelp. Bob C., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on April 20, wrote, "Formerly in the location of Doma Na Rohu, the new owners have kept Doma's decor, fixtures and the European cafe vibe. The wursts are a step up from the prior incarnation of the restaurant, the spatzle fantastic, and new additions like the crayfish were interesting and welcome to our meal tonight. The bar is beer and wine only but with a good selection." Yelper Franny A. added, Great rustic neighborhood bar showcasing a wide variety of beers and Central and European comfort food. Intrigued? Stop in to try it for yourself. 27 Morton is open from 8 a.m.11 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m.4 p.m. on weekends. 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 Chicago White Sox optioned outfielder Nicky Delmonico to Triple-A Charlotte following Sunday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays and are expected to activate rookie Eloy Jimenez from the injured list Monday. Delmonico was batting .206 in 21 games this season with one home run and six RBIs. That one home run was a game-ending three-run shot against the Boston Red Sox on May 2. He has just one RBI in 13 games since. Jimenez has not played since April 26 as the rookie has been on the injured list with a right ankle sprain. He was batting .241 with three home runs over the first 21 games of his career. The White Sox will open a four-game series Monday at Houston against an Astros team that just saw their 10-game winning streak come to an end in a 4-3 defeat at Boston on Sunday. --Field Level Media Let's talk about the popular PICC Property and Casualty Company Limited (HKG:2328). The company's shares received a lot of attention from a substantial price movement on the SEHK over the last few months, increasing to HK$9.89 at one point, and dropping to the lows of HK$7.86. Some share price movements can give investors a better opportunity to enter into the stock, and potentially buy at a lower price. A question to answer is whether PICC Property and Casualty's current trading price of HK$7.86 reflective of the actual value of the large-cap? Or is it currently undervalued, providing us with the opportunity to buy? Lets take a look at PICC Property and Casualtys outlook and value based on the most recent financial data to see if there are any catalysts for a price change. Want to participate in a short research study? Help shape the future of investing tools and you could win a $250 gift card! See our latest analysis for PICC Property and Casualty What is PICC Property and Casualty worth? According to my relative valuation model, the stock seems to be currently fairly priced. In this instance, Ive used the price-to-earnings (PE) ratio given that there is not enough information to reliably forecast the stocks cash flows. I find that PICC Property and Casualtys ratio of 9.95x is trading slightly below its industry peers ratio of 12.34x, which means if you buy PICC Property and Casualty today, youd be paying a fair price for it. And if you believe that PICC Property and Casualty should be trading at this level in the long run, then theres not much of an upside to gain from mispricing. Is there another opportunity to buy low in the future? Since PICC Property and Casualtys share price is quite volatile, we could potentially see it sink lower (or rise higher) in the future, giving us another chance to buy. This is based on its high beta, which is a good indicator for how much the stock moves relative to the rest of the market. Story continues What does the future of PICC Property and Casualty look like? SEHK:2328 Past and Future Earnings, May 19th 2019 Future outlook is an important aspect when youre looking at buying a stock, especially if you are an investor looking for growth in your portfolio. Although value investors would argue that its the intrinsic value relative to the price that matter the most, a more compelling investment thesis would be high growth potential at a cheap price. PICC Property and Casualtys earnings over the next few years are expected to increase by 56%, indicating a highly optimistic future ahead. This should lead to more robust cash flows, feeding into a higher share value. What this means for you: Are you a shareholder? 2328s optimistic future growth appears to have been factored into the current share price, with shares trading around its fair value. However, there are also other important factors which we havent considered today, such as the track record of its management team. Have these factors changed since the last time you looked at 2328? Will you have enough confidence to invest in the company should the price drop below its fair value? Are you a potential investor? If youve been keeping an eye on 2328, now may not be the most optimal time to buy, given it is trading around its fair value. However, the optimistic forecast is encouraging for 2328, which means its worth diving deeper into other factors such as the strength of its balance sheet, in order to take advantage of the next price drop. Price is just the tip of the iceberg. Dig deeper into what truly matters the fundamentals before you make a decision on PICC Property and Casualty. You can find everything you need to know about PICC Property and Casualty in the latest infographic research report. If you are no longer interested in PICC Property and Casualty, you can use our free platform to see my list of over 50 other stocks with a high growth potential. 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. Paris (AFP) - Voter turnout at European Parliament elections has dropped steadily over the years, hitting a record low of 43 percent at the last poll in 2014. Ahead of the May 23-26 elections for the European Union's assembly, here is an overview. - Staying away - In 1979, at the first direct election for representatives to the European Parliament, just 38 percent of voters stayed away. Since then voter turnout for the five-yearly election has progressively fallen, with a record 57 percent of voters abstaining in 2014. At the same time, however, the powers of the parliament have increased. Having had limited scope in 1979, Euro-MPs can now co-legislate in some areas alongside national ministers in the EU Council. - EU distant - In almost all EU countries more people vote at national general polls than for the European Parliament. The gap is on average 25 percentage points across the bloc, Sciences Po university professor Olivier Rozenberg told AFP. EU citizens feel "less close" to the European elections than polls at their national and local levels, the Jacques Delors Institute think-tank said in a 2014 report. In a September 2018 survey, 48 percent of Europeans said they "believe that their voice counts in the EU", according to the Eurobarometer polling body. This rose to 62 percent for their own countries, its survey found. - Compulsory vote scrapped - In 1979 voting was compulsory in three countries -- Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg -- of the nine that made up the precursor to the European Union, the European Economic Community. The three accounted for a quarter of the bloc's voters. That proportion dropped to about five percent as new members joined and Italy dropped the obligation to vote in the 1990s, which "probably played a major role in the decline in overall voting rates at the European elections," the Jacques Delors Institute said. In the forthcoming elections, voting will be compulsory in five countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece and Luxembourg. Story continues This is not a guarantee of turnout however, as many voters choose to break the law and not cast ballots. While abstention is weak in Belgium and Luxembourg at between 10 and 15 percent, in Greece it was 40 percent at the 2014 poll, and 56 percent in Cyprus. - Record abstention in the east - Slovakia posted the highest abstention rate of 87 percent at the 2014 poll. Ten of the 12 countries with the lowest turnouts were from the former communist bloc in the east, young countries that are the most recent to join the EU. Voting in these nations is "a little less sacred" than in other European countries, Rozenberg said. "For us (western countries) voting is synonymous with democracy, while this link is less clear in Eastern countries where there are still memories of non-pluralist elections," he said. Politics in eastern countries is also more fluid, with parties regularly changing names and alliances. "That does not favour partisan identity and therefore the vote," Rozenberg said. - Founding countries not spared - With the exception of Belgium and Luxembourg, the EU's founding members have also seen higher numbers of voters snubbing the European Parliament polls. In France and The Netherlands, abstention reached around 60 percent in 2014, from 40 percent in 1979. In Italy it was at 43 percent from 14 percent over the same period, and in Germany it was at 50 percent from 34 percent. The stay-away rates have nonetheless stabilised since 2004 in France and Germany. This can be explained by an awareness among people "that the European Union is part of the problem and perhaps of the solution" of the various challenges facing Europe, Rozenberg said. Sign up for the Week in Patriarchy, a newsletter on feminism and sexism sent every Saturday. #YouKnowMe: powerful but also profoundly depressing It has been another terrible week for reproductive rights in America: Alabama outlawed abortion, and Missouri has passed a bill banning abortion after eight weeks. Emboldened by Trump, the right has ramped up its war on abortion, and there is a very real chance Roe v Wade will eventually be overturned. Its not just anti-abortion activists who are organizing, however. Womens rights groups are seeing record donations and unprecedented levels of energy, as activists fight to protect a womans right to control her own body. The regressive new laws have also sparked a viral social media campaign, with thousands of women sharing their abortion experiences with the hashtag #YouKnowMe. The #YouKnowMe campaign was started by the actor and talkshow host Busy Philipps, with the intent of getting rid of the shame that still surrounds abortion. 1 in 4 women have had an abortion, Philipps tweeted on Wednesday. Many people think they dont know someone who has, but #youknowme. So lets do this: if you are also the 1 in 4, lets share it and start to end the shame. Use #youknowme and share your truth. Huge numbers of women (and trans-men) have joined in, including a number of celebrities. Cynthia Nixon, for example, tweeted: Almost 60 years ago, my mother had an illegal abortion. It was too harrowing for her to discuss, but she made sure I knew it had happened. In 2010, my wife had a legal abortion after we found out her pregnancy was not viable. We cannot and will not go back. Hashtag activism has traditionally prompted a lot of sneering, but as #MeToo has demonstrated, online discussion can catalyze real world change. The #YouKnowMe stories people are sharing make the political deeply personal. They paint a powerful picture of the different reasons people get abortions some are traumatic, some are mundane, but none is more valid than another. Story continues #YouKnowMe also seizes control of the narrative around abortion. Anti-abortion activists have embedded shame and blame into the language we use to talk about the issue, describing themselves as pro-life. The real-life stories women are sharing with #YouKnowMe are a reminder that there is nothing pro-life about the people who would restrict a womans right to choose; they are simply pro-control. While #YouKnowMe is powerful, its also profoundly depressing. Women shouldnt have to publicly defend their humanity. They shouldnt have to justify wanting bodily autonomy. They shouldnt have to broadcast their personal stories in order to remind legislators that theyre not just baby-carrying vessels; they are human beings. Break the girls Women were at the forefront of the mass protests that recently ended Omar al-Bashirs decades-long rule over Sudan, accounting for 70% of demonstrators according to some estimates. CNN has a chilling piece on how the Bashir regime tried to use rape to silence these women. Break the girls, because if you break the girls, you break the men, soldiers were told. The women did not break. More male managers afraid of interacting with women #MeToo has made men afraid of interacting with women at work, according to new research by LeanIn.Org and SurveyMonkey. Sixty percent of male managers said they were uncomfortable mentoring, socializing, and having one-on-one meetings with women, up 14% from last year. Almost half of male managers said they were uncomfortable socializing with female colleagues outside the office, and more than a third actively took steps to avoid such interactions. 33 women now lead Fortune 500 companies Thats up from 32 in 2017 and 24 in 2018. While the figure is a record high, its pretty dismal that only 6.6% of Fortune 500 CEOs are women. There is a double standard around drinking and women. There is a double standard around drinking and women.Photograph: Andrew Burton/Getty Images Drinking and dehumanization New research published in the journal Sex Roles has found that women drinking alcohol are viewed as less human and more sexually available. Its a troubling reminder of the double standards around drinking, and the way in which alcohol is used to blame women for sexual assault, and exonerate men. Lesbian Batwoman to the rescue Its been a pretty depressing week, so I think we could all do with some Sapphic superhero news. CW has unveiled the first trailer for its new Batwoman series, starring Ruby Rose. An openly LGBT actor playing an openly gay superhero is a TV first, and a small sign of progress. Dogs are a womans best friend According to a new study, dogs are more likely to obey women than men. This is apparently because women are more empathetic. I have no idea how scientifically sound this research is, but I think we can all agree that dogs are very good boys. SANAA, Yemen (AP) Forces loyal to Yemen's internationally recognized government say they have captured a key al-Qaida leader in the southwestern province of Taiz. The military said in a statement that special forces had arrested Bilal Muhammed Ali al-Wafi on Saturday in the mountain area of Habashi. Al-Wafi, in his 30s, is a key member of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, or AQAP, and has helped to carry out several deadly attacks including the 2012 bombing of a Yemeni military parade that killed dozens of troops. The U.S. designated al-Wafi as a terrorist in 2017. Al-Qaida has maintained a foothold in the country throughout the chaos and violence of Yemen's four-year civil war, as the internationally recognized government, backed by Saudi Arabia, battles Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. CAIRO (Reuters) - Yemen's Houthi group said targeting Saudi Aramco's installations last week was the beginning of military operations against 300 vital military targets, Houthi-controled SABA news agency said on Sunday, citing a source in the movement's military. Targets included vital military headquarters and facilities in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, as well as their bases in Yemen, SABA quoted the source as saying. Saudi Arabia said armed drones struck two oil pumping stations last Tuesday, after Houthi-run Masirah TV earlier said the group had launched drone attacks on Saudi installations. (Reporting by Ghaida Ghantous, writing by Nayera Abdallah; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise) Photo: SWORD Health/Facebook New York-based medical device company SWORD Health has secured $8 million in Series A funding, according to company database Crunchbase, topping the citys recent funding headlines. The cash infusion was announced April 16 and financed by Khosla Ventures. According to its Crunchbase profile, "SWORD Health developed the first digital therapy solution that addresses the growing demand for physical therapy while reducing costs, empowering patients with their recovery and providing a rich source of data for clinical teams and decision makers." The five-year-old startup has raised three previous funding rounds, including a $4.6 million seed round in 2018. The round brings total funding raised by New York companies in health care over the past month to $225 million. The local health care industry has produced 212 funding rounds over the past year, raking in a total of $3.1 billion in venture funding. In other local funding news, lifestyle company Hatch Collection announced a $5 million Series A funding round on May 13. According to Crunchbase, "Hatch Collection is a collection of chic, timeless and comfortable wardrobe essentials to wear before, during and after pregnancy and look beautiful throughout all stages of life." The company also raised a seed round in 2017. This story was created automatically using local investment data, then reviewed by an editor. Click here for more about what we're doing. Got thoughts? Go here to share your feedback. Comments Policy Comments that are excessively crude, obscene or profane - especially when they consist of nothing more than gratuitous insults or aspersions upon the character of authors or other commenters - will be vigorously discouraged. Therefore, if you find your comment has been deleted, you will know why. We have used your information to see if you have a subscription with us, but did not find one. Please use the button below to verify an existing account or to purchase a new subscription. As Americans grapple with a health care system that costs $10,000 per person annually, a form of health care that avoids the insurance system known as direct primary care is starting to become an alternative option. The American Academy of Family Physicians defines direct primary care as giving family physicians a meaningful alternative to fee-for-service insurance billing, typically by charging patients a monthly, quarterly, or annual fee. This fee covers all or most primary care services including clinical and laboratory services, consultative services, care coordination, and comprehensive care management. The model aims to simplify the system for both health care professionals and patients. We have significant bottlenecks and barriers in health care both on the provider side as well as the patient side, Dr. Akash Goel, a gastroenterologist at Weill Cornell/New York-Presbyterian Hospital, told Yahoo Finance. So from a provider perspective, Goel explained, people are rightly frustrated because they're overburdened with [a high number of patients], short patient visits, unsatisfactory timelines to interact with patients, pressure from billing and external pressures that I think are on physicians that make the experience somewhat unsatisfactory. Health care spending in the U.S. continues to grow. (Source: California Health Care Foundation) From a patient perspective, people have insurance, but they're paying a lot for it, Goel said. The average person is spending somewhere in the range of $10,000 a year on health care, and they have high-deductible plans, so you have health insurance, but you don't necessarily get to use it because of the high deductibles or you have to pay out-of-pocket for it. The direct primary care model is a little bit more streamlined in terms of receiving your health care, according to Goel, partly because it limits the number of patients doctors are seeing and gives patients the option to avoid costly insurance plans. We believe the system is broken Surgeries handled through the direct primary care method involve patients being able to see the total price for an operation and find a specialist for that price. Story continues At the Surgery Center of Oklahoma, patients do exactly that. They choose surgeries at specific prices and pay a flat rate up front, with no insurance involved. The center was started by anesthesiologists Keith Smith and Steven Lantier. After years practicing medicine, they felt growing frustration with the health care system. We both started despising what was going on financially with the patients, Lantier told Yahoo Finance (video above). Because when you look at the bankruptcy statistics medical bankruptcies for patients now its egregious. The average American cannot afford health care today, so we believe the system is broken. A look at the Surgery Center of Oklahoma's website. (Photo: Screenshot) The reason we could put it online is because we dont take federal money The Surgery Center of Oklahomas website allows potential patients to look up price quotes for all kinds of surgeries. Individuals simply have to click on the area of the body where they would need a surgery or a procedure done, find the exact name of the procedure, and a price is generated. From there, an option appears to request a specialist for further details. We took all of the numbers, added them up, then added about a 10 or 15% margin to all of that, and thats the price we put it online, Lantier explained. The reason we could put it online is because we dont take federal money. If we took any federal money Medicare or Medicaid we couldnt do that. Some of the pricing listed on the Surgery Center of Oklahoma's website. (Source: screenshot/Surgery Center of Oklahoma) Lantier and Smith stressed the importance of price transparency at their establishment. Their website states fees for the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and facility are all included in one low price. There are no hidden costs, charges, or surprises. They dont disagree with insurance in theory but choose to avoid it in practice. There will always be some uncertainty in the delivery of something like a medical service, Smith said. And for that, I believe insurance has a role. But our idea is that patients really should know how much theyre going to pay for what theyre going to receive, and receiving quality care and not being bankrupted to receive it just seems like a good model to us. Keith Smith (L) and Steven Lantier (R) started the Surgery Center of Oklahoma in 1997. (Photo: Courtesy of Surgery Center of Oklahoma) Match this or I am going to go to Oklahoma City Smith and Lantier have received patients from all around the world and notably from Canada, where there is socialized health care. The most common story of a Canadian was a female who needed a hysterectomy that was in a line that was three years long, Smith said. They were tired of getting blood transfusions, so they would come to our facility, pay our all-inclusive price, get their surgery, and be done. Sometimes, potential patients use their prices as leverage with other hospitals. Weve also had people that were going to travel here, but instead printed out our pricing, held it up, and showed it to their local hospital administrator and said, Match this or I am going to go to Oklahoma City, Smith said. So, theres a bit of a price war and some price matching thats gone on through the years, and patients have been kind enough to send me an email and notify me about how much money weve saved them even when we havent performed the procedure. Overall, while this model wont work for everyone particularly people happy with their insurance direct primary care has become a potential alternative at a time when health care is the top concern among Americans. Direct primary care is a great option for docs and patients with high deductibles, Evolution Healthcare Consulting President Susan Childs told the Medical Group Management Association (MGMA). Doctors are choosing a lifestyle of seeing patients the way they want to. Yahoo Finance's Adriana Belmonte calling local hospitals in an attempt to find out how much a tonsillectomy would cost. (Photo: Yahoo Finance) Theyre just not scaled to deliver at a population level Given how simple direct primary care sounds, a question arises: Whats the catch? The Surgery Center of Oklahoma takes no form of insurance, which lessens the hassle for many patients and physicians but means that patients have to pay for everything out-of-pocket by the time they come in for their procedure. The staff works with patients to help them figuring out financing plans, but the fees must be paid by the day of the operation. If were not helping these companies save money and get better care for their people, then its on us, Lantier said. The responsibility is right where it needs to be with our model. Thats what keeps us honest. More generally, the direct primary care model is currently an option for a relatively low number of people. I imagine that even if they were operating at scale, they would only serve a small percentage of the population, Dr. Goel of Weill Cornell/New York-Presbyterian Hospital said. Theyre just not scaled to deliver at a population level. A patient speaks to Yahoo Finance at the Surgery Center of Oklahoma. (Source: Yahoo Finance) Goel noted that the U.S. already has a significant primary care shortage in the country. People are estimating up to 40,000 primary care physician shortage by 2030. You can imagine a model that shrinks [the number of patients a doctor sees] by a third or a quarter. Well basically magnify that physician shortage by the same multiple. That said, he added, the direct primary care model holds promise at a time when policymakers describe the health care system as inefficient and politicians are proposing major changes to the system. It's early, Goel said. And I think that as people get more creative with incentives and also building these practices, I think it'll become more of the mainstream. Adriana is an associate editor for Yahoo Finance. Follow her on Twitter @adrianambells. WATCH MORE: 'Mainly wire transfers': Inside the secretive and lucrative business of doomsday bunkers Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Flipboard, SmartNews, LinkedIn, YouTube, and reddit. The photo, which seems to depict Jesus wearing a cassock with his arms outstretched, was compared by some social media users to the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Getty Images A photo is being shared around the world of the sun shining through the clouds in Argentina that, some say, is the image of Jesus Christ. The photo was taken by Monica Aramayo in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, according to Fox News, and she shared it online to "bless" others. The photo, which seems to depict Jesus wearing a cassock with his arms outstretched, was compared by some social media users to the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro. Christ-Like figure appears in clouds over Argentina sparking religious frenzy https://t.co/zXfnO17EHi pic.twitter.com/fjdoRbMaqC thefloridapost (@thefloridapost1) May 15, 2019 Others believe the photo showed Jesus wearing a crown of thorns, which, according to three of the Gospels, was placed on the head of Jesus prior to the crucifixion. While, naturally, unbelievers were quick to dismiss the photo as a trick of light, or even photoshop, one commenter wrote that "the image allows us to keep on our path and have a better hope for tomorrow." Just recently in March, an Italian photographer captured a similar photo of the sun peaking through the clouds. Blimey!!! Terrific shot! Alfredo Lo Brutto, from Agropoli, Italy, captured the incredible pictures of the glowing figure standing above the sea while at his home on Friday. pic.twitter.com/hovJ16HXFt Pip Ettore (@pettore) March 4, 2019 "I was enchanted by the view. I don't often share pictures on social media, but when I took this one, I instantly felt like I wanted other people to see it, because it was so beautiful," the photographer Alfredo Lo Brutto said, according to the Daily Mail. In April, a woman in Scotland believed she saw the depiction of Jesus in the flames as Note Dame Cathedral was on fire. Story continues Alongside the image on Facebook she wrote that she hoped it would bring comfort to people in Paris and all over the world at this sad time." 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. I had expected a much different look from Chuck. Is he on the market? Reply Thread Link on the goblin market Reply Parent Thread Link With all that sitcom gold, I get it. Reply Parent Thread Link solid joke lmao Reply Parent Thread Link Anyway, I come from a family that is very free about poop-talk, and I always have to suss out with new people if there's room for a throwaway comment about 'a good go' or that we will pretend that accidentally escaped farts come from the pets. I also love to see how quickly food impacts my eh.. bathroom visits? Like, if my dad hears that things haven't been that easy, I get prunes, dates, bean dishes etc to take home, with satisfying pot results the day or two after. Reply Thread Link This comment reads like a letter written by a first class passenger aboard a luxury liner to a friend back home in Victorian England. Ive never seen poop and its conveyance discussed so charmingly. Reply Parent Thread Link I don't want to disturb the ontders with a more sensible setting! Reply Parent Thread Link same, like actually my so ask about it, if they sense that my mood is weird. i need to go reguarly or i feel, well, shitty. Reply Parent Thread Link lol same, my mom and sister are both nurses and my best friend is a doctor so we are discussing our pooping habits constantly. we also constantly marvel at traveler's constipation and how even the most regular person can get backed up when on holiday. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Hahah same. Since I was diagnosed so young (7), it's always been normal for me to talk about my poop with my family. I have no filter anymore, and sometimes I'll just talk about it in public or with people I've just met, and I have to remind myself that not everyone is as cool with it as I am. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link lol same. We've had a few doctors in the family and my grandpa had colon cancer when I was a kid (and again now) so we've always talked freely about poop and bowel movements etc. My dad almost died and was diagnosed with Crohn's when I was in high school as well. My younger brother is always scandalized af about bathroom talk even though we grew up with it? lol. Damnnn okay do you make prune soup?! My great grandmother was famous for it because she'd be like "I haven't pooped in a day" and make herself prune soup. Never had it tbh but any time anyone is stopped up we're like, "I'm about to eat some prune soup" lol. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Yeah same , my family r just open about it. Some of my friends refused to talk about it, I mean its natural and it can give some idea about whats going on in your body. Reply Parent Thread Link I absolutely love this. my partner and I are pretty open about it tbh any time i see people scandalized by it i just don't get it. lmao. Reply Parent Thread Link same, colon cancer and crohns runs in the family and my mom is one of nine soooooo it gets talked about a lot. everyone knew when i had my first colonoscopy at like 21. Reply Parent Thread Link Definitely didn't know that about Mike McCready, but will look out for it when watching live footage now. I have a bunch of autoimmune issues and I have IBS. Lots of trips to the hospital as a teenager for constipation. I hate it all so much, also because it's socially so awkward. It changed, nowadays it's mostly diarrhea and bad cramps. Edited at 2019-05-19 05:54 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link Ulcerative Colitis is hell on Earth. Reply Thread Link Indeed it is. Reply Parent Thread Link Yes it is. I miss my life before my diagnosis. Reply Parent Thread Link I ... dont understand. How is their shit going to help people? Reply Parent Thread Link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_microbiota_transplant Fecal transplant, I'm guessing Reply Parent Thread Link It's something about getting the right bacteria in to make sure that the environment improves, it's not like literally get someone else's poop injected. It's also still discussed how effective it is; I think one has to keep up with using regular donations as well. Reply Parent Thread Link A lot of people with diseases like this have very poor good bacterial growth. By transplanting some from a donor, it promotes a better bacterial environment. Reply Parent Thread Link ooh I didn't know fecal transplants could be used for CD/UC I thought they were only for C. diff Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Daryl Palumbo from Glassjaw/Head Automatica has Crohn's disease. Reply Thread Link Omg this senior year high school BOP. Reply Parent Thread Link Fuck, this song takes me back to some good times! Reply Parent Thread Link omg hello high school! Reply Parent Thread Link I was low key excited about hitting play to see someone secretly shit themselves but based on the other comments, I got my hopes up for nothing. Reply Parent Thread Link I have celiacs. So poop is an issue. Even though I have been on the diet for years, I get random issues out of nowhere. It's like, the wind changes and BOOOMMM. Problems. Reply Thread Link I'm sorry you have to suffer with this op. I knew Mike from Pearl Jam has this. I remember an interview a long time ago where he talked about it. He was trying to keep a good sense of humor about the whole thing. Reply Thread Link Thank you bb! I was diagnosed when I was 7, so it's "normal" for me at this point. Still sucks sometimes. But it's nice knowing that there are other people that know how I'm feeling! I feel like a lot of people with CD/UC have a good sense of humor about it. Reply Parent Thread Link I work in a lab so I see a lot of shit. The most disturbing was while processing the stool for referral testing it had whole fucking mushroom slices. I don't know why that patient was swallowing mushroom slices whole Reply Thread Link And how did they survive his stomach (acids)? Like ..surely mushrooms aren't that sturdy? Or maybe when raw? Reply Parent Thread Link I figured the patient had a J-pouch bag thingy (brain farted what they're called ) or food was just passing straight through the acid didn't get to do its thing? I honestly don't know Reply Parent Thread Link Mushrooms dont break down so theyre often an issue for those with IBD Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Lmao omg so this actually happened to me last week I literally pooped out a whole mushroom slice. I think I was just really hungry when I ate dinner that night, so I swallowed some mushrooms whole lol. But it really grossed me out. I thought mushrooms were soft enough to digest easily? Def was not expecting to see that in my poo. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link i hate having undiagnosed colon/poop problems and my pcp, i feel like, are just like idk girl! Reply Thread Link my mom has had crohn's and colitis for 30+ years, had to have two intestinal recontrustions. they kept her on prednisone for too long and it gave her addison's disease along w/ a slew of other issues. she's on remicade now which has helped a lot. such a fucking ugly disease. Reply Thread Link I'm sorry your mom had to go through all of that :( But I'm glad that Remicade is helping her! I actually just started a new drug too, Stelara, so I'm hoping it helps me get out of my current flare soon. Reply Parent Thread Link People can have both Crohn's and UC? I've never heard of that. Wow. Reply Parent Thread Link i think it's rarely possible but they're often confused for each other so it might've been diagnosed as UC first because it started in the colon and then they realized it was actually Crohn's Reply Parent Thread Link My mom had Crohn's - diagnosed at like 19, had her intestines rupture twice and after the second time had basically all of her small intestine removed. I don't know what med she took, but it was powder that she mixed in water every morning and once she had her guts removed it seemed to really calm down. She just had to get b12 shots every month. My dad developed Crohn's in his late 60s, which I didn't know was a thing until he was diagnosed. My brother got UC in his late 30s. The doctor initially thought he had pancreatitis and he lost like 80 pounds until my parents finally convinced him to get a second opinion. I live out of state and didn't see my bro until after he was put on steroids, but my dad said he looked like he came out of a concentration camp he was just skin and bones and had no energy and basically was bed ridden for a few months. Now he's on remicade and gets infusions or whatever and seems to have it under control. My colon is a ticking time bomb. I know something will strike me with this kind of family history. I just enjoy as much popcorn now as I can and anytime there is anything irregular with my poops at all I start to panic, like, THIS IS IT. I'll probably be the one in the family to get actual colon cancer, though idk. Reply Parent Thread Link I got diagnosed with Crohns about 12 years ago- very lucky to never have needed surgery nor had to take injection drugs like Humira and havent had to take prednisone or mercaptopurine in years eating paleo-ish has helped keep symptoms under control but I know that could change literally any day so Im grateful for my current health. My heart goes out to anyone suffering- its so scary to hear from people who are in such pain and just keep losing weight...it feels like your body is trying to kill you sometimes. I genuinely cant remember how many colonoscopies Ive had at this point such a glamorous disease lol. Edited at 2019-05-19 06:08 pm (UTC) Reply Thread Link That's awesome, I'm glad you found something that keeps your symptoms under control! Hopefully that doesn't change! I had surgery when I was 12, and have been on biologics since then. I've been on all the drugs. I just had to start a new one because my previous medication stopped working and I've been in a flare since October :( I think I'm FINALLY starting to come out of it though And lol same, I've probably had at least 1 colonoscopy for every year since I was diagnosed. So like, ~25 haha. Reply Parent Thread Link Omg, a flair since October?! Im SO sorry sis. Jesus. Its some divine bullshittery that it can just decide to stop responding to medications that have worked for months/years - Im rooting for you and that new medication, hope it kicks your flairs ass. If you ever need to rant or want to chat with someone about it, message me anytime! I honestly dont know if I should be medicated or if Im ok tbh, about five months ago I was showing mild inflammation throughout my large intestine but despite that I rarely have issues with diarrhea and never see blood in my stool anymore (the blood was my main problem for years) and dont really have pain outside of some bloating when I eat poorly, so I just kinda shrugged it off but tbh I should go back and talk with my dr again. Reply Parent Thread Expand Link Holy hell, since October? I feel for you, bb. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis 10 years ago, and it's been a fucking nightmare. Prednisone tore me apart. One medication I was put on called Uceris had a co-pay of over $400 a month. The doctor had forms you could fill out to try to get some sort of government help to pay for it, but we made too much money. Finally, he put me on mesalamine and dicyclomine, which has a $10 co-pay each and I've been in semi-remission for about a year now. It's still a daily scare every time I have to leave the house. You never know when it'll strike. Being out of remission almost killed me two years back. It's horrible. I hope your doctor can help you more. I can't imagine how ghastly it must be for you right now. Edited at 2019-05-19 10:08 pm (UTC) Reply Parent Thread Expand Link I have poop issues tbh. I have incorporated prune juice into my regiment. It helps with soft stools. Anytime I go away i bring a bag of prunes with me. It's also held be back with like ass play lol. Its tight back there and I am very very scared of trauma so I've stayed away from that Reply Thread Link Lmao my butt is off limits for sex. I've just had a lot of traumatizing experiences involving my butt and doctors, so I'm like nope!! Butt stuff isn't sexy to me haha Reply Parent Thread Link I know 4 people (2 of who are closest friends/family) who suffer from Crohn's. It can be such a debilitating disease. One of my friends has had... I believe 10 surgeries and has lost at least a foot of his intestine. The other had a horrific flare up 10 years ago and ended up in the ER being pumped with meds and blood transfusions. So, good luck to all of these people in life. I know it's not easy for any of them. Reply Thread Link Oil prices seesawed over the past week, jerked higher by tension in the Middle East but dragged down by fears of the fallout from the U.S.-China trade war. In fact, crude is trapped between those two forces, and will likely bounce around in the near future based on which factor appears to exert more influence on the market. Oil saw upward pressure in recent days as the U.S. government seems in danger of rushing into yet another war in the Middle East. National Security Adviser John Bolton appears dead set on trying to escalate conflict with Iran even as tensions ratcheted up quickly over the past two weeks, officials on Boltons National Security Council were initially dismissive of the need to draw up de-escalation options, CNN reported, a clear sign of Boltons intentions. However, President Trump appears to be trying to tap the brakes even as he largely agrees with the maximum pressure campaign on Iran. He reportedly told the Pentagon that he does not want a war. After all, he campaigned removing the U.S. from endless wars in the Middle East. Nevertheless, having pushed the U.S. to the brink of conflict, dialing down tensions may not be so simple, especially with Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo still running the show. Trumps decision to withdraw from the nuclear deal last year, followed by sanctions on Iranian oil, sanctions on Iranian metals exports, and more recently, sending naval ships to the Persian Gulf all of the moves are calculated to ratchet up the pressure and arguably to provoke Iran into reacting. The danger is that either side miscalculates. In fact, the Wall Street Journal reported on May 16: Intelligence collected by the U.S. government shows Irans leaders believe the U.S. planned to attack them, prompting preparation by Tehran for possible counterstrikes. Those moves by Iran have then been cited by U.S. officials as evidence of an imminent threat from Iran. In short, the Trump administration is playing a dangerous game. Any misstep or misinterpreted maneuver could theoretically lead to the breakout of war. Related: A Value Play Too Good To Ignore The good news is that Trump seems to want to de-escalate. Trump met with Swiss president on Thursday, which many view as an attempt to jumpstart negotiations with Iran. The Swiss have acted as an intermediary between the two sides in the past. Trump also said on twitter on May 15, Im sure that Iran will want to talk soon. Against this alarming backdrop, oil prices shrugged off serious concerns about the global economy, with Brent rising back to $72 per barrel over the past week. Even still, the market is underpricing Iran risks, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch. Meanwhile, the Brent futures curve is in a rather steep backwardation in which front-month contracts trade at a premium to longer-dated futures. This suggests that the market is tight, at least for now. At the same time, oil faces enormous downside risks from the U.S.-China trade war. In fact, demand was already slowing before the latest round of tariffs. [G]lobal oil demand growth has decelerated sharply in recent months, averaging just 680k b/d in the past two quarters compared to trend demand growth of 1.46mn b/d in the past 5 years, Bank of America Merrill Lynch wrote in a note to clients. Weaker manufacturing activity in the U.S., China and Germany have translated into weak distillate demand, the bank noted. The trade war could make things worse. Tariffs have impacted some pockets of the global economy, Bank of America said, but the recent increase could begin to trickle down to more and more consumers. As the bank notes, models based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve suggest there is a one in two chance of a U.S. recession over the next 12 months, although there is disagreement over how important this metric is. Related:No, The Oil Glut Hasnt Disappeared The downside risk to crude oil is magnified by the fact that speculators have bought up a huge volume of positions in oil, which could exert influence over prices in the short run. [T]here is a risk that a large portion of the speculative community will nervously rush out of their positions if chances of a US recession increase again, Bank of America warned. The trajectory for crude oil prices hinges very much on what happens next with the U.S.-China trade war. In our view, the global business cycle is at a key junction. Weakness in manufacturing may drag down services if trade wars eventually hurt consumer sentiment. In a global downturn, Brent could slip to $50/bbl, Bank of America analysts wrote. On the other hand, under a US-China deal scenario, business confidence may return with a vengeance, resulting in a weaker USD and stronger global growth. If a cyclical global demand upturn coincides with an IMO2020 boost, Brent crude oil prices could spike to $90/bbl. In short, the oil market is underpricing the upcoming tail risks, Bank of America said. Bob McNally, president of the Rapidan Energy Group put it more bluntly in a statement to Axios. The oil market has rarely seen so much two-way risk. China, trade and macroeconomic weakness could send crude prices at least $15 lower and intensifying geopolitical disruption risks in the Middle East and Venezuela could propel them higher by a similar amount, he said. By Nick Cunningham of Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: Saber-rattling in the Middle East and the continued deterioration in Venezuela have once again trumped considerations such as supply and demand in the fluctuations of global oil prices. Despite what looks like still ample global supply, both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate have risen this week on the back of geopolitical fears. The highlight of the week in this respect was no doubt the sabotage of four vessels off the Emirati coast that U.S. authorities said may have been caused by Iran. The sabotage reports were followed by reports of a Houthi attack on two Saudi oil facilities. Meanwhile the U.S. sent an aircraft carrier to the Middle East in what was overwhelmingly perceived as the next step in an escalation between Washington and Tehran. This would have been enough to push prices a lot higher in just a couple of days as fears about supply from the Middle East are perhaps the most traditional of bullish factors for prices. However, this time the increase has been limited and this is because although they have been receiving less attention, oil fundamentals remain on the scene and they seem to be bearish for benchmarks right now although the situation remains highly volatile and this is working in bulls favor. Take Venezuela, for example. According to OPECs latest Monthly Oil Market Report, Venezuelas oil production surprisingly inched up in April, to 768,000 bpd from 740,000 bpd in March. However, a PDVSA report seen by S&P Global Platts has revealed that since the start of May, production has slumped by as much as 77 percent to 169,800 bpd because of the lack of tankers to carry the crude. "The US sanctions have impacted the international market and have increased the cost of freight to Venezuela, the availability of shipowners to provide such services and the final cost of the products, placing PDVSA in an unfavorable and weak negotiating position," another report said. Related: U.S. Oil Rig Count Dips To 14-Month Low There is also Libya, where the fight between the Libyan National Army of U.S.-backed General Khalifa Haftar and the UN-recognised Government of National Accord has reached a stalemate but it can yet affect oil production, which for the time being has been spared any new outages. Yet on the other hand there is news from Canada that several oil producers will expand production this year despite pipeline constraints; assurances from Saudi Arabia and the UAE they would be happy to cover for any loss in Iranian oil; and, of course, booming oil production in the U.S., where, according to Rystad Energy, shale is now the second-cheapest source of new oil supply. That, combined with lower oil demand expectations from the International Energy Agency has been enough to keep a lid on prices, preventing a major spike and a consequent slump in demand. That said, the oil market loves to fear wars and supply disruptions. This means that despite the fundamental factors that would suggest prices should be lower, the coming weeks would likely bring more uncertainty and more price rises until the dust settles in the Middle East or always a possibility in the region the situation escalates further and so do oil prices. By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: irans Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, on May 14, 2019 a week after US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had visited Baghdad and reportedly met with a senior Iranian official determined the course of his countrys current crisis involving the US and issued directives to the pertinent authorities. Khamenei convened a closed meeting with the heads of power branches, key senior officers and officials, jurists and Majlis members. He discussed and analyzed the current situation, and then outlined Tehrans next moves. Iran would do its utmost to avoid war with the US while relentlessly pursuing its ascent as a prominent regional power. Throughout, he said, there would be no further negotiations with the US. Irans refusal to negotiate with the US, Khamenei explained, stemmed from the realization that negotiating with current US Government is toxic. It was through negotiations that the US seeks to take Irans strengths away; meaning to have Iran unilaterally surrender its defensive power and its strategic regional influence. Khamenei described a US offer to discuss the range of Irans ballistic missiles. Reduce the range so you would not be able to hit our bases, the US demanded, according to Khamenei. He emphasized that talks on Irans strengths, including the missile power and regional influence [are] foolish. Khamenei was confident that there was not going to be any war between the US and Iran, and thus the confrontation would not be a military one. Khamenei stressed that there will not be a military confrontation as neither Iran nor the US seeks war because the Americans know that the war will not be beneficial for them. Under these circumstances, Iran would continue its surge relying on proxies the resistance as the main instrument for confronting all foes. The resistance is Irans only absolute choice, he emphasized. The Iranian nations definite option will be resistance in the face of the US, and in this confrontation, the US would be forced into a retreat, Khamenei explained. Neither we nor they, who know war will not be in their interest, are after war. The Iranian nation was, he said, mobilized behind Tehran. Khamenei observed that as a result of the US threats, hatred towards the US among the Iranians has increased by more than 10 times. Khamenei concluded by stating that the Iranian military forces are more prepared and vigilant than ever. He repeated that in pursuing its policy of confrontation with the Islamic Republic too, the US will definitely suffer defeat, and [the outcome] will end up to our benefit. Khamenei and official Tehran have every reason to be confident, given the reaction of the US, Saudi Arabia, and the Gulf States to the series of violent provocations against their oil infrastructure which began on May 6, 2019. The first confirmed attack took place on May 6, 2019, in the Saudi Arabian port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. A number of powerful explosions rocked the port area and heavy black smoke billowed. Reportedly, an unmanned, remotely-controlled bomb-boat hit an oil loading pier, setting it and nearby facilities aflame. There were also unconfirmed reports that Yanbu was struck by rockets fired from the Red Sea. Riyadh was able to suppress most reports through tight control over the electronic media. On May 8, 2019, a small cargo ship carrying about 6,000 gallons of diesel, 300 tires and 120 vehicles burst into flames in the Sharjah Port in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). All 13 crewmembers were rescued but the ship was completely destroyed. Arson or sabotage were suspected because explosions were heard, and the fire started at three spots almost simultaneously and spread rapidly. Once again, the Saudis helped the UAE authorities to quickly suppress most reporting. Related: Middle East Tensions Put Oil Markets On Edge On May 12, 2019, four or five tankers were hit by underwater and/or near-waterline explosions near the port of Fujairah in the UAE. Fujairah is the distribution end of the key oil and natural gas pipeline-corridor aimed to alleviate the need for tankers to use the Strait of Hormuz. Two Saudi tankers suffered heavy structural damage in the attack. Additional strikes were launched against oil tanks in the main tank farm, but these were blocked by the protective facilities so that the damage was minimal or negligible. The expert assessment is that the attacks were carried out by highly-trained and well-equipped frogmen who most likely arrived from the Iranian side of the Gulf. The attackers were trained and equipped by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC: Pasdaran) Special Forces particularly the Sepah Navy Special Force an independent Takavar unit of the IRGC Navy based on the Greater Farur Island in the Persian Gulf and the Imam Hossein [Marines] Brigade based in Bandar Abbas. As before, even though multiple explosions were heard all over the area, the Fujairah authorities initially insisted that there had been no fire or explosion at the port. This time however, the perpetrators were ready. The HizbAllah-linked Al-Mayadeen news channel aired a detailed report with maps, as well as the names and hull numbers of the attacked tankers. They were accurate. Al-Mayadeen and other Shiite outlets were persistent, despite the initial denials by UAE officials, and ultimately the UAE had to acknowledge that four commercial vessels were hit by acts of sabotage at Fujairah. The next day, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih conceded that two Saudi oil tankers suffered significant damage in the apparent sabotage attack. In the early morning hours of May 14, 2019, seven suicide bomb-drones most likely the Iranian Qasef-1 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) struck two oil pumping stations in Dawadmi and Afeef, west of Riyadh. Fire broke out and put the stations out of order. Reconnaissance UAVs broadcast images of the strike to the Sanaa area. The drones were controlled from IRGC-controlled facilities at the Sanaa Air Base in Yemen. (Unconfirmed reports suggested that the UAVs were launched from the ABS airport in north-western, Yemen closer to the Saudi border.) Saudi Arabia had to shut down its East-West Pipeline. The 1,200km/750 mile pipeline carries about five-million barrels of oil a day from the main oil fields in eastern Saudi Arabia to the port of Yanbu on the Red Sea. The UAV images were broadcast in near-real-time on the Houthi-aligned Masirah TV. A Houthi military official announced that seven drones carried out attacks on vital Saudi installations ... in response to the continued aggression and blockade of our people and we are prepared to carry out more unique and harsh strikes. In an interview with the HizbAllah-affiliated Al-Manar TV, Mohammed Abdulsalam of the Houthi Ansarullah Movement claimed responsibility and promised more strategic attacks on both Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Following Saudi Arabias and the UAEs flagrant disregard of our demand to stop the onslaught and persistence on the blockade of Yemen, Yemeni forces launched attacks against targets in the heart of these countries [that are] high on their agenda. He also promised more strikes to come. Indeed, also on May 14, 2019, the Houthi forces fired a Badr-1 ballistic missile at an Aramco oil refinery in Saudi Arabias Jizan Province. The next day, Al-Mayadeen broadcast an extensive report about recent Houthi strategic strikes against Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and insisted that the number of such attacks was larger than publicly admitted. We have received special information showing that the Yemeni forces in Sanaa have launched over 10 undeclared military operations against vital targets in the depth of Saudi Arabia, Al-Mayadeen said. Throughout, there has been a marked escalation of the shooting and sabotage clashes with Shiite jihadists in eastern Saudi Arabia, especially the Qatif area, and neighboring Gulf States. In principle, Riyadh and Abu Dhabi acknowledge clashes only when the security forces suffer fatalities. Other incidents are concealed. However, these incidents were sufficient for Riyadh to secretly declare an emergency in the entire al-Sharqiyah (eastern) region. According to Saudi opposition leaders, Riyadh ordered full mobilization of all Ground Forces and National Guard units. They published an order issued by Col. Mohammed bin Nasser al-Harbi, a Ground Forces commander in al-Sharqiyeh, that all forces be put on high alert within the next 72 hours. As well, National Guard Forces were dispatched to al-Sharqiyeh from central Saudi Arabia in order to protect oil wells, refineries and oil ports. All military and Guard leave was cancelled. Official Tehran denied any association with the mischief across the Gulf, and even hinted at Israeli false flag provocations aimed to drag the US into war against Iran. However, as located and translated by MEMRI (Middle East Media Research Institute), several Iranian senior journalists from IRGC-affiliated organs identified the perpetrators in their Tweets. On May 12, 2019, Amin Arabshahi, the director of the IRGC-affiliated Tasnim news agency in Khorasan Province, tweeted about the importance of Fujairah as the sole lifeline for the export of oil from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and added that the guys of the Islamic Resistance set fire to the port. The US should know that the war started years ago. We are in its final moments. Also on May 12, 2019, Hamed Rahim-Pour, the editor of the international section of the IRGC-affiliated Khorasan Daily, noted that all our options are on the table in the aftermath of the attacks on both Yanbu and Fujairah. The oil exported through these two ports was meant to replace Iranian oil! They received such a blow that they didnt understand where it came from! On May 14, 2019, he addressed the coming escalation. The scope of the [US] war against Iran should not be defined only by gigantic US aircraft carriers, or [its] strategic bombers stationed in Qatar, or the F-35 fighter planes. The range and scope of the possible war against Iran may be defined by quiet infiltrations at Fujairah, Yanbu, and Golan, and dozens of other points in the region. Also on May 14, 2019, Hesameddin Ashena, a senior political adviser to Iranian Pres. Hassan Rouhani, responded to a Tweet from US Pres. Donald Trump. You wanted a better deal with Iran. Looks like you are going to get a war instead. Thats what happens when you listen to the mustache. Good luck in 2020! Ultimately, and even if for only a short time, Iran and its proxies were able to shut down completely the oil exports of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States from non-Strait of Hormuz venues. With the viable Iranian threat to shipping via the Strait of Hormuz undisputed, Tehran had proven its point: Iran could shut down the export of oil from the entire Arabian Peninsula. Tehrans overall approach is based on the war on oil doctrine adopted in the Summer of 2005. Ali Akbar Hashemi-Rafsanjani, then the Expediency Council Chairman and Irans most influential strategist, articulated the importance of a national oil war strategy. He called for a comprehensive war plan a Big Bang strategy which would drastically alter the strategic posture in the Middle East and the global confrontation with the US-led West, by depriving the West of stable oil supplies. The war on oil was adopted as the national strategy by then Pres. Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad. The strategy is still valid. The strategy was based on a three tier/ring approach. The first Tier/Ring The Core aims to attack and disrupt the production and transporting of oil and gas in the areas immediately surrounding Iran. Tehran planned on implementing its contingency plans through various forces, from overt and covert acts of war by Iranian forces to a myriad of terrorist strikes and covert operations by a web of both Shiite and Sunni Islamist-jihadist groups. The main missions of the Iranian forces and their proxies included blocking the Strait of Hormuz and destroying oil installations in the Persian Gulf, sinking tankers in the Persian Gulf and the Arabian Sea, shelling oil installations in the eastern parts of the Arabian Peninsula (should terrorism fail), and covertly assisting Iraqi forces in destroying Iraqs energy infrastructure. The special training programs which were established in Winter 2005-06 to facilitate implementation of the war on oil have vastly expanded since then. The regions states are cognizant of the Iranian designs and Tehrans determination to implement them. Even Irans closest allies are concerned about the consequences of a major escalation in a clash with the US. Hence, on May 12, 2019, Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani went to Tehran on what was supposed to be a secret visit. According to Qatari senior officials, he came to help head off the deepening crisis between the US, Iran and regional powers. He offered Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif to open new avenues to resolve the growing crisis between Iran and the United States and ease the volatile situation before it was too late. Acknowledging the importance of the new bloc created between Iran, Turkey, and Qatar, Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Thani promised to work out modalities for preventing the US from using the Al-Udeid air base. He pleaded for time to defuse Washington, and urged Iran to refrain from escalating the war on oil in the near future particularly in the Persian Gulf area. For Tehran, however, there remains an unresolved issue: How to handle the US forces deployed throughout the Middle East, and not just in the Persian Gulf area. Related: Stalemate In Libya Could Cause Next Major Oil Supply Outage Indeed, US forces take an active part in blocking the advance of Iranian and Iran-Proxy forces in Syria, Iraq, and, increasingly, Yemen. US forces train and equip local proxies which clash with Irans Shiite militias. In many cases, the US provides heavy artillery and air support to proxy forces in both Syria and Iraq when they confront Shiite militias. The question arose in early April 2019, once Tehran committed to escalating the confrontation with Saudi Arabia, including toppling the House of al-Saud. Until the Spring of 2019, the Iranians and their proxies were extremely cautious when confronting US forces, but the anticipated assertiveness necessitated a new policy. By mid-April 2019, the multitude of the Iranian and Iran-proxy operations envisaged by Qods Force Commander Maj.-Gen. Qassem Soleimani and his staff strongly suggested the possibility of localized friction with US forces throughout the greater Middle East. Having consulted with the top leadership in Tehran, Soleimani authorized Iranian and Iran-proxy forces to clash with US forces if they operated as a trip-wire aimed to prevent Iranian operations and Irans ascent, and if the US forces actively supported (especially by artillery and air strikes) local anti-Iran forces. The reverberations of this decision were the crux of the intelligence warnings the US received from Israel. By early May 2019, Tehran became even more confident in its ability to withstand localized fighting with US forces. On April 28-29, 2019, the Turkish military killed a US soldier in Kobane, northern Syria. He was a member of the 101st Airborne Division. He was killed while with the US-sponsored, predominantly Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). The Turkish military attacked the Kurdish positions. The next day, the US only rushed to conceal the incident and did not even protest the Turkish attack on the Kurdish forces. Hence, Soleimani and IRGC Commander Maj.-Gen. Hossein Salami decided to further revisit the restraining orders on the Iranian and Iran-proxy forces. Given the high stakes involved the strategic Iranian surge to regional prominence throughout the greater Middle East Soleimani and Salami concluded that the risk of friction and localized clashes was warranted. Khamenei agreed with the IRGC commanders and endorsed their audacity. With a stronger mandate from Khamenei, Soleimani has been traveling in Iraq and Syria since early May 2019, coordinating with his allies and proxies the next moves. In lieu of Khameneis instructions, the Iranian surge seems likely to keep expanding and escalating. Tehran is capitalizing on the need for Iranian and Iran-proxy forces in Idlib as the Syrian offensive escalates. Tehran is also emboldened by the growing vulnerability and coming implosion of Saudi Arabia as a result of the new purges by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman al-Saud. Indeed, Saudi opposition officials concluded after May 10, 2019, that Saudi Arabia could not face Iran successfully. A study by current and former Saudi senior officials stated that Saudi Arabia is not prepared for an international confrontation with Iran, because the economy, military, and internal front [the tribal population] are not in the support of the government. Tehran obtained a copy of the study. Hence, as Iran is getting more audacious and assertive, the likelihood of a clash with US forces is growing. By May 15, 2019, Tehran was emboldened not only in its ability to confront the US militarily, but also to withstand political-economic US pressure. This is because of the latest developments in Sochi, Russia. On May 13, 2019, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov hosted in Sochi the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) State Councilor and Foreign Minister, Wang Yi. Lavrov and Wang Yi resolved to strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination between the two countries. A key issue was addressing the brewing US-Iranian crisis in the Persian Gulf. Russia and the PRC decided not to permit the US to topple the mullahs Administration in Tehran. Both countries agreed that their long-term interests demanded the preserving of a friendly loyal Iran as a crucial element in the New Silk Road and the consolidation of the Eurasian Sphere. According to Russian and PRC senior officials, in the secret part of their talks, Lavrov and Wang Yi decided to give Iran guarantees of support in the event the US moved to strangle Iran and attempt a regime change. The bottom line, the senior officials asserted, was that Russia-China will not allow Iran to be destroyed. Significantly, Lavrov consulted with Pres. Vladimir Putin before committing to the joint guarantees with Wang Yi. According to the PRC senior officials, before leaving Beijing, Wang Yi was provided with expert studies about Iran. A study of Irans economy concluded that self-sufficiency helps Iran counter sanctions and thus there was no danger of imminent collapse. A study by the PRCs PLA General Staff and Military Intelligence concluded that the US cannot afford war against Iran, but it likely to play intimidation. The authors warned that Washington does over-estimate its control over this risky process and seriously underestimates the determination of countries to defend their core interests. Another military study warned that Beijing should not underestimate US warlike tradition as it is essentially a dangerous nation. Hence there was the danger of an eruption of violence unless the US was contained and restrained. These studies convinced the Forbidden City to join the Kremlin in adopting a strong policy to guarantee Irans survival. Iranian leaders were immediately notified on the Russian-PRC guarantees. On May 14, 2019, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had meetings in Sochi with Putin and Lavrov. They held lengthy and largely unfriendly discussions on a host of issues on which both countries strongly disagree. According to Russian senior officials, both Putin and Lavrov expressed Russias strong opposition to the US activities in the Persian Gulf and reiterated the Russian and PRC commitment to the Administration in Tehran. Pompeo shrugged off the Russian position and emphasized the US resolve to address the Iranian threats resolutely. After Pompeo left Sochi, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov quipped that the discussion on Iran was interesting. Meanwhile, Tehrans take on the reports from Sochi was that the US would not abandon the confrontation with Iran but that Russia and the PRC would prevent an Iranian defeat even if there were major setbacks. Under such conditions, Iran could be more assertive, even at a higher risk of escalation. Hence, on the night of May 15, 2019, senior commanders made sudden assertions in closed meetings with senior officers about Irans readiness for an imminent fateful war. Iranian Defense Minister Brig.-Gen. Amir Hatami conveyed confidence. Today the Islamic Republic of Iran stands at the peak of defense-military preparedness to counter any threat or act of aggression, he said. He believed that US setbacks in the Syria-Iraq theater were the reason for the sudden crisis. The defeat of the recent takfiri-terrorist current in the region, in particular in Iraq and Syria, dealt a heavy blow to the image of ... the US and the regional governments sponsoring terrorists, and after this malicious plot failed the Americans embarked on waging a severe, all-out war on our nation through using economic tools. Once sanctions failed, the US moved to a military confrontation. Whatever the cost, Hatami concluded, the Iranian nation would defeat the American-Zionist front. IRGC Commander Salami saw an historic turning point in the current crisis and war. We are on the cusp of a full-scale confrontation with the enemy, he said. The Islamic Republic is at the most decisive moment of its history because of enemy pressure. He dwelt on this aspect. This moment in history because the enemy has stepped into the field of confrontation with us with all the possible capacity is the most decisive moment of the Islamic Revolution, Salami reiterated. This war is not against the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, its against the Iranian nation. Meanwhile, Qods Force Commander Soleimani continued to travel around, consulting with his commanders both Iranians and proxies and preparing them for the next phase of the strategic surge of the Islamic Republic of Iran. By Yossef Bodansky via Defense & Foreign Affairs Special Analysis More Top Reads From Oilprice.com: 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... IN HIS spacious office at the Mandarin Plaza Hotel, Chinese Consul General Jia Li narrated the historical ties between the Philippines and China, citing that trade had been going on between the two countries IN HIS spacious office at the Mandarin Plaza Hotel, Chinese Consul General Jia Li narrated the historical ties between the Philippines and China, citing that trade had been going on between the two countries since the Tang Dynasty (618-906 AD). The ancient eastern king of Sulu, Paduka Pahala (also known as Paduka Batara), went to China with more than 300 people in his delegation to establish a friendship with the Ming Dynastys Yongle Emperor. Unfortunately, the former died in this journey, but the Chinese built a tomb for him in Decheng District in Dezhoua tomb which still stands today. The ancient trade of silk, tea, porcelain and metal from China, in exchange for pearl, cotton, gold and coconut from the Philippines has been going on for centuries now. Though there had been a falling out between the two countries, ties were renewed with the opening of the Chinese Embassy in Manila in 1975 and the Cebu Consulate in 1995. In 1989, Jia took the diplomatic examination to enter the Chinese diplomatic service. He was then assigned to places like Macedonia, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. This is his second posting in Cebu, Philippines but his first as Consul General. Now, he is tasked to promote bilateral relations, encourage practical cooperation between the two countries in trade, support education and people-to-people cooperation. There are about 450,000 Filipinos of Chinese descent in his area of responsibility but only about 20,000 Chinese nationals, Consul Jia noted. Most of those of Chinese descent no longer have relations with Chinese culture and are Filipino citizens. He finds them and the Cebuanos very welcoming and very honest. The Consulates area of jurisdiction is Eastern Visayas, Central Visayas and Western Visayas. During his five months in office, Consul Jia has not yet been able to visit all of the provinces and cities in these areas. However, he has been to Iloilo, where there are four Chinese schools, and has also been to Bohol, particularly the island of Panglao. Story continues Consul Jia noted that the relationship between China and the Philippines has improved a lot under the presidency of Rodrigo Roa Duterte, who has been to China three times, while Chinese President Xi Jinping has been to the Philippines once. The two countries have signed 29 documents for future projects including infrastructure, trade, investments, education and people-to-people exchange, he said. With President Dutertes latest trip to China, for the One Belt, One Road international forum (with 124 countries participating), 19 more documents have been signed which will create 300,000 job opportunities. Consul Jia happily noted that there has been an increase of Chinese tourists coming to the Philippines as well. In 2018, there were about 1.3 million tourists from China coming to the Philippineshalf of them coming to Cebu. This year, 1.5 million tourists from China are expected and half of them will also be Cebu-bound. Already this year, three Chinese delegations have visited Cebu, the latest of which, came from Shandong Province as 40 Chinese investors attended a trade investment forum in Marco Polo Plaza Cebu. On a personal note, Consul Jia is a polyglot having studied Slavic and Bulgarian. He also enjoys the food here, whether at Chinese eateries or in local restaurants. He especially likes the seafood, sinugba and puso. He loves the blue sky and the white beach andin his polo baronghe certainly looks very much at home in Cebu City. WHAT could be the narrative that Canada is not verbalizing out loud? On the glaring video of tons of campaign materials left uncollected on the aftermath of the 2019 midterm elections, Canadians must be questioning this countrys leadership. Hey, you cannot even impose on your people to handle the trash problem. Do we have to use taxpayers money for the proper disposal of garbage left by our candidates? The Commission on Elections (Comelec) should be more serious in imposing penalties against violatorspoliticians who remain deaf in the repeated call for them to clean up their mess. We have yet to see a politician violator jailed for violating a Comelec directive that imposes a six-year imprisonment to anyone found guilty. How can we respect our politicians who are supposed to be role models when they themselves are apathetic to the Comelec directive? We have a big problem over trash from our own citizens. And yet our country seems to be the favorite destination of imported trash. South Korea and Canada are compounding the garbage problem. We do not want another dreadful incident like in Payatas, where our citizens were buried alive in the landfill. President Rodrigo Dutertes recall of Embassy and Consulate officials in Canada must be an act of frustration since Canadian leaders have been slow in removing their trash out of our country. Will this directive though, have an adverse effect on the thousands of working visas and immigration applications filed by our fellow men? Conversation now looms on what may be the course of action should our overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) be confronted with a problem abroad? Who could our OFWs turn to with their consular needs? China continues to bully us by undermining our sovereignity. Canadas inaction and failure to attend a meeting that could have tackled the trash problem could be considered an arrogant stance against a nation deemed to be weaker. What we need at this point in time is a leader who can say enough is enough. We may be a Third World country, but we have our rights to shout foul when we are being trampled upon. Story continues Filipinos are known to be resilient but we are also known to be submissive only up to a certain limit. We do not want to go to war over trash. We ask a certain degree of respect from foreign countries, especially from our neighbor. Respect is earned, not imposed. Therefore, our fellow citizens should first show some respect for each other. Collect your trash. MALACANANG on Sunday, May 19, denied persistent rumors that President Rodrigo Duterte is in the hospital."There is no truth to the rumor circulating that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is confined MALACANANG on Sunday, May 19, denied persistent rumors that President Rodrigo Duterte is in the hospital. "There is no truth to the rumor circulating that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte is confined in Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement. He said the President is in his residence at the Palace signing papers. "I just talked to him, he is neither confirming nor denying that he went to the hospital," Panelo added. At about the same time that Panelo issued a statement, former special assistant to the President Christopher "Bong" Go posted photos of him and the President, who could be seen holding a copy of a Sunday paper, on his social media account. Go later added two more photos of them having snacks. The photos were taken at Bahay Pangarap, the President's official residence inside Malacanang Park. Posted by Bong Go on Saturday, May 18, 2019 Rumors about the 74-year-old President visiting or being confined in a hospital have persisted since 2018. Malacanang and the President himself deny these speculations everytime. In October 2018, however, the President admitted having gone to the Cardinal Santos Medical Center for a medical check-up after his then spokesperson Harry Roque denied the reports. Duterte skipped an event in Malacanang to undergo repeat endoscopy and colonoscopy in relation to his Barrett's esophagus, a condition in which the esophagus changes. The President underwent the same procedures about two weeks earlier. Speculations about the President's health arose again after Duterte skipped some events and stayed out of the public eye in the past week. (MVI/SunStar Philippines) CLAIMS of being cheated have always followed the holding of elections in the Philippines. Our vocabulary has even been enriched because of it. From guns, goons and gold (the 3Gs of old) to dagdag-bawas. It does seem like we are not capable of holding free and honest elections. Thus this observation: in Philippine elections, nobody loses and everybody cheats. I wont say there have been no efforts to improve the holding of our elections, especially post-Marcos. The guns and goons part, for example, which was dominant when warlordism surfaced in many economically backward areas of the country, has been largely eliminated with the changes in governmental setup and the passing away of the warlords of old. Electoral cheating peaked under the Marcos dictatorship when the country itself was ruled by a warlord. The 1986 Edsa people power uprising was partly sparked by the dictator Ferdinand Marcos cheating Corazon Aquino of the win in the snap presidential elections he called. That showed that the Filipino people could rise up on the issue of electoral cheating. Elections post-Marcos saw the rise of dagdag-bawas with the cheaters collaborating with corrupt election officials in manipulating the count. Dagdag-bawas pushed the failings of manual elections into the limelight, making the shift to computerized polls easier. Even now, with some politicians clamor for a return to manual elections, people are hesitant to support the manual polls lobby. But suspicions have hounded the reliability of computerized polls even from the beginning. This is largely because many dont have a full grasp of digital technology. While Filipinos are among the top users of social media, they largely do not understand the technology that allows them to be social media users. Their views can thus be easily swayed by anybody who claims to be knowledgeable or even an expert of the technology. I say the current fuss over the results of the May 13 polls can be partly traced to what can be considered as fear of the unknown. Groups recently held a protest action claiming fraud in the May 13 political exercise. No evidence has been presented so far except that questions were raised on the technical glitches that interfered with the count especially in the senatorial race. Story continues I am not prepared to jump into the fray because I too am ignorant of the technology used in the elections. On this, we rely on experts and there are experts on both sides of the divide. Can the technology be manipulated? If so, how? And if there are ways to manipulate the results of elections using digital technology, wheres the proof? Its not enough, for example, to say that the equipment used in the elections were made in China, which insinuates that China may be interfering in our elections. That may not be far-fetched considering that even in the United States, another country, Russia, has been accused of playing a role in Donald Trumps win as president. One positive thing here: the protest gives the Commission on Elections a chance to further educate us on the technology used in the polls. 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. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close POULTNEY, Vt. Volcanos are volatile and destructive but, through the chaos, new land is created and new opportunities appear. This was the message from Green Mountain College Board of Trustees member Dianne Dillon-Ridgley at the colleges 182nd and final commencement ceremony Sunday morning. College closing means uncertainty for surrounding region In January, Green Mountain College officially announced it will cease operations at the end of the spring semester. Southern Vermont College joined them earlier this month, with both citing declining enrollment as the main reason for their financial problems. The loss of the institutions has left alumni and students angry and disappointed, but the effects of their closings go far beyond those who attend. The college announced in January it would be closing its doors at the end of this semester due to declining enrollment, a fate shared by Southern Vermont College and the College of Saint Joseph. The last 237 students to graduate from the college received their diplomas and the, at times emotional, ceremony had a common theme running throughout the nearly dozen speakers who took the stage. The college is closing, William Throop, a professor at the college, said, But the community is not. Many struggled through tears as they gave their speeches, but hope was shared by those who took the stage, including graduating senior Isabella Fearn. Fearn said it devastating knowing she would not be able to return to the college to visit faculty or other students, but the challenge was one she and others were prepared for. We always knew we would someday depart from this place, but to depart with the understanding that we will never return to this college is a heavy weight to carry, Fearn said. We are resilient. We know the weight of responsibility and we carry it well. Despite the somber backdrop, students, parents and friends cheered on the graduates as they received their diplomas, while former faculty and alumni took the opportunity to be on campus one last time. Former Sustainability Director of the college Aaron Witham said he took the chance to come back because being surrounded by those he used to work with has helped process the news. Poultney community meets to discuss future of Green Mountain College POULTNEY, Vt. Nearly 200 people gathered at Poultney High School on Thursday night to disc Those of us that have moved away have been coping with the closure on our own, so to come back and see our friends and people who we love has been very soothing and helpful, Witham said. Witham said he and others have already been discussing ways in which the faculty and alumni can stay connected after the closure as well, saying he planned to participate in and possibly help develop forums where people can collaborate on projects connected to the colleges mission of sustainability. He said hed also like to see an annual reunion of some sort where alumni and faculty can meet to work and spend time with each other, but those plans are still far from concrete. Weve talked about having a conference each year and no matter where its held we invite the larger GMC community to discuss ecological design problems and how to carry out the mission we had here of being sustainable, Witham said. I dont really know what it will look like yet though. Lindsay Herlihy, a member of the class of 2011, also made the trip back to Poultney to witness the ceremony. Herlihy, now living and working in New Hampshire as a teacher, said the experience was bittersweet but echoed the others saying the legacy of the college is not tied to a location. Even though our philosophy and all that weve learned here isnt restricted to these grounds, they have had a large role in shaping our education and our development as young adults, Herlihy said. Some of the bitterness is that we will no longer have this center in this space, but there is sweetness knowing we are still out there with our philosophy and all that we have learned. 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. With more people out fishing and enjoying the weather, state health and environmental conservation officials want to remind the public to not eat fish in the upper Hudson River. For virtually every fish and virtually every location in the Hudson River, the advice is, nobody eat any of it, OK? said Kevin Farrar, with the state Department of Environmental Conservation. Eat none, for virtually every species at every location in the upper Hudson. The advisories were a discussion at the Hudson River PCBs Superfund site community advisory group meeting last week, held at the Gideon Putnam Hotel and Conference Center in Saratoga Springs. The General Electric Co. dumped PCBs, or polychlorinated biphenyls, into the river for decades. They dredged out some of the pollutants, but GE, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the DEC are still monitoring the fish to determine a bill of health for the river. PCBs are hazardous to human health, potentially causing some cancers, and negatively impacting peoples immune, reproductive, nervous and endocrine systems. With Hudson River dredging done, EPA says floodplain cleanup plan is years away SARATOGA SPRINGS The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency acknowledged there could still be a lot of PCB cleanup around the Hudson River, an In the middle and lower Hudson River, there are some advisories where men and women over 50 can eat up to one meal a month for certain species, but women of child-bearing age and children cannot eat any of the fish in the Hudson River. Regina Keenan, with the fish advisories office of the state Health Department, added that its striped bass season, but those are also off-limits for eating north of Catskill. Theres a misconception that theyre safe to eat, officials added, because they swim to the area from the Atlantic Ocean. Were not anti-fishing, and were not against eating fish, but we are against eating contaminated fish, Keenan said. Erin Silk, a spokesperson for the Department of Health, said Friday that the health department surveys people at various outreach events, to get information on what people are eating. It has collected 1,400 surveys so far. From Troy south, where it is legal to eat Hudson River fish, survey respondents report about 40% practice catch and release, and 75% of people who say they eat fish, eat striped bass, Silk added in an email to The Post-Star. NYSDOH advises women under 50 and children under 15 to not eat any fish from the Hudson River, and no one should eat striped bass from Troy to Catskill. South of Catskill, men and older women can eat striped bass and most other fish up to once a month. While most local residents know the fish advisory drill by now, Farrar said the state is working on reaching non-English-speaking communities, especially in the lower Hudson River. Silk said the Health Department works with six mini-grant partners and many other organizations at the local level to help promote awareness of fish consumption health advice, learn more about who is eating Hudson fish, and develop educational tools and outreach activities. There are also advisory materials the Health Department has that are translated into Spanish, Chinese, Haitian Creole and French. To reach immigrants, NYSDOH partners with Capital Region BOCES, and immigrant and refugee organizations trusted by these communities, Silk said. Through these connections, NYSDOH and partners have presented the advice, suggestions for alternative water bodies to eat fish, and distributed outreach materials in English as a New Language classes, at church congregations of refugees from Burma, at community events and on Spanish language radio. Those men and older women that decide to eat a meal a month of certain fish as outlined in the states health advisories should trim away fat from the fish and cook it on a rack so the fat drips off, according to a Department of Health pamphlet. The fat is where PCBs collect in the fish. The fat drippings should not be used for stock or sauce. For more information on fish advisories, go to health.ny.gov/fish. The community advisory group plans to meet again in June to discuss fish findings and more about the Superfund site. The date and time is to be determined. To learn more about the group, go to hudsoncag.ene.com. Reporter Gwendolyn Craig can be reached at (518) 742-3238 or gcraig@poststar.com. Follow her on Twitter @gwendolynnn1. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 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 good news about the new farm labor bill is that its backers, like state Sen. Jessica Ramos, a Democrat from Queens, have been traveling around the state and talking with various constituencies farmers, in particular that will be affected by the bill. Farm workers are exempt from various provisions of the federal wage and hour laws, such as the requirement that overtime be paid for any hours worked over 40 per week. Sen. Ramos bill actually goes further than including farm workers in the federal law, however. It would require the payment of overtime after a worker puts in 8 hours in a day. That sort of provision is insensitive to the special conditions farmers face when trying to run their businesses. The weather doesnt have a schedule, and crops dont ripen by the clock. Sometimes, because of the weather, farmers have little or no work that can be done. Other times when the sun is shining, when the fruit is ripe a lot has to be done quickly. Any farm labor bill should take these special circumstances into account. Making the overtime requirements more onerous for farmers than other employers, as this bill does, is misguided. We dont oppose every aspect of the bill, however. It also would require farmers to grant their workers at least one day of rest every week, preferably on the day when the workers attend religious services (if they do that). That seems reasonable and humane. Everyone should be able to rest at least one day a week, and no one should be kept from religious observances by their job. Also, the bill would require that farmers carry workers compensation and unemployment insurance on their employees. Advocates for farmers say many of them already do participate in these programs, but its reasonable to ask that all farmers who have employees take part. Farm work is dangerous, and it would be unfair to ask a worker hurt on the job to bear all the expenses of that injury. Even as we protect the rights of farm workers, we have to also protect our farmers ability to make a living. We cant surrender farms to the whims of capitalism and shrug when they go broke, because the diversity, quality and availability of food is a critical national interest. For the same reason, the Trump administrations crackdown on immigrant labor has been shortsighted. Local farmers have told us over and over they cannot find the workers they need locally. Federal officials should be working to develop visa programs that meet farmers needs, instead of making their lives more difficult through aggressive pursuit of workers in the country illegally. Sen. Ramos has said she wants to level the playing field, but labor law has long acknowledged the diversity of the circumstances of employment. We arent advocating for the exploitation of farm workers but for the unique challenges faced by farmers to be reflected in the law. Local editorials represent the opinion of the Post-Star editorial board, which consists of Editor Ken Tingley, Projects Editor Will Doolittle, Publisher/Controller/Operations Director Brian Corcoran and citizen representatives Connie Bosse, Barb Sealy and Jean Aurilio. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 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 SPRINGFIELD A test required for teacher licensing that many argue has contributed to the states teacher shortage might soon be suspended. The Illinois Senate on Thursday passed and sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker House Bill 423, which would put what is known as the test of basic skills on hold until July 1, 2025, while state officials try to determine whether that will help relieve the states teacher shortage. The bill also calls on the Illinois State Board of Education to re-evaluate the method it uses to score another mandatory test that prospective teachers must pass, one that measures their mastery of the content area in which they want to teach. Those tests are among three tests that people applying for teaching licenses in Illinois must pass. They also must pass a test covering their content area and a test covering teaching practices and standards, known as the edTPA. A separate bill, House Bill 256, by Chicago Democratic Rep. Will Guzzardi, would drastically overhaul that exam as well by removing a component requiring prospective Illinois teachers to videotape themselves in an actual classroom setting. That bill also passed the House in April but so far has not been assigned to a Senate committee. It is obvious that Joe Manchin is a Republican in Democrats clothing. If he were a legitimate Democrat, he would support the Build Back Better bill like every other member of his party. He has significantly more power now as a Democrat, and he is using it to undermine President Biden. His leisure time is spent with Republicans, and his ideology is the same as theirs. It is equivalent to being Benedict Arnold when the majority of Americans will suffer if he blocks its passage. Like Republicans he refuses to recognize global warming because he bows to the oil companies that contribute to his campaign. It is disgraceful. Tricia Collins, owner of Polished Hair Lounge at 735 Federal St. in Davenport, spent Saturday night with other family members, friends and a few of her employees filling and hauling sandbags to put around the building in which her business is located. With the floodwaters returning, Collins said she is going to try her best to protect her building. At 18 feet, she said, the floodwaters will be right at the front doorstep. "I hope this helps even just a little bit, Collins said, as she carried a sandbag and placed it on her sandbag wall. Im not just trying to protect myself but my employees, said. We were fortunate the last time we were displaced to split up and go do a bit of work at other salons. But were also paying money to them to rent that space for a few days. Meanwhile, the rent doesnt stop here. Were trying to avoid that situation this time and keep our clients. Everybody understands, and nobody was mad, she said of her clientele. Even if her building is not flooded, with River Drive closed her clients have to find the back roads to get to the business. One of my biggest concerns with leaving the building standing is someone comes and buys it and we get another Armstrong a building that sits there for 10 years and nothing happens to it, Champion said at the Oct. 8 meeting, adding that he thinks removing the building should be in any contract. I think, as a board, our goal needs to be getting that property to tax-paying property. Especially in a district with our closed boundaries what would have happened if Armstrong had been sold with the condition of being demoed? There could be housing there now, and that could be feeding our schools and our enrollment. Raso said this week that because schools are such a specific purpose, theyll never make a bunch of money on a sale. Down the road, we get families and the tax base in there, he said. By the next closed meeting on the Jefferson property, Dec. 20, the board had moved to discussing the best way to make sure the property sale would benefit the district in the long-run, by increasing revenue from property taxes and attracting families. The measure was not gaining a lot of traction and then proponents asked the construction unions to chat. The unions listened and suggested some changes to make the bill more labor friendly. The unions recommended an amendment containing responsible bidder requirements, which assure that the contractors meet certain levels of qualifications (and that usually means unionized workers). The provision was added, as were Project Labor Agreements, which require building contractors to enter into labor agreements before commencing work. An income tax credit was also added for projects in areas hit hard by poverty and unemployment. All of a sudden, the bill took off. Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady, who has been looking for union support ever since anti-union Gov. Bruce Rauner was defeated, even signed on as a co-sponsor. The bill sailed out of the Senate on a unanimous roll call. This development would have been unheard of during the past four years. Its not that Rauner was totally averse to subsidies, but he staunchly opposed things like responsible bidder requirements and PLAs. And Brady wouldnt have dared crossed Rauner by signing onto a bill like that because Rauner never wouldve forgotten it. BISMARCK, N.D. | Rachel Roehrich created a website to help students navigate life in high school and connect them to mental health and addiction resources. The website was an idea generated by Roehrich, a sophomore at Century High School, and a small group of classmates in a leadership class as a one-stop, user-friendly site for students. "It's focused mainly around mental health," Roehrich said. The site, called CHS Corner, recently launched. It includes tips for students on topics such as effectively managing stress, an information section with articles for students, and a school and community resources page. Roehrich and her classmates were one of 17 student groups in North Dakota that received funding through North Dakota first lady Kathryn Burgum's Youth Ending Stigma Challenge a program that awarded up to $1,000 to student-led projects aimed at getting rid of the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction. Burgum visited Century recently for the website launch and talked with Roehrich and other students about her goal to include youth in her platform on addiction and mental health. "Youth want to be the advocates," Burgum said. "They have so much passion around advocacy, and I was hoping they could direct some of that advocacy to eliminate stigma and take a leadership role in that." Roehrich and other students hung up signs in the school with QR codes students can scan to take them directly to the CHS Corner website. Only students and teachers with a school email can access the site. Students also may submit questions for the website, which other students answer by postings online. "In a world of information, where there's information everywhere, ciphering through it is very difficult, so now they have a one-stop access for all kinds of information," said Laurie Foerderer, who teaches the leadership class. Foerderer said she hopes future students in her leadership class will sustain the website. "We're going to keep this going as long as it stays relevant," she said. Burgum also has visited other schools that received grants through the YES Challenge, and she said she's also taking the opportunity to ask schools about what mental health and addiction resources they have available. Burgum was told about the four counselors and full-time social worker at Century. Assistant principal Sharon Espeland also told Burgum about a new "transition center," or an alternative room in the school where students with anxiety can go and do school work. Espeland also said they started contracting with a licensed psychologist this year, who comes into the school one day a week to work with students. Burgum said she's supportive of additional funding for behavioral health services in schools. "I would be a huge proponent of having more behavioral health (resources), and how do we get the funding to make that happen in schools, or redirect funding?" she said. Burgum also said she plans to continue youth engagement, though funding for the YES Challenge was only for this school year. She said this summer she'll discuss whether to continue the program or similar initiatives next year. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PIERRE | South Dakota has fallen six places in the past year in an annual report ranking the 50 states from number 14 in 2018 to 20 in 2019. U.S. News and World Report released on Tuesday its annual "Best States" report, which looks at eight main categories. South Dakota ranked 20 this year, while Minnesota is third best, followed regionally by Nebraska at 9, Colorado 10, Wisconsin 11, Iowa 14 and North Dakota 15. Montana and Wyoming ranked 29 and 31, respectively. Of U.S. News' eight primary categories on the state's "scorecard," South Dakota received its highest marks for its natural environment and fiscal stability, which the report named the second- and third-best in the country. On the other end of the spectrum, South Dakota's crime and corrections grade was 40, and its opportunity grade was 34. Health care: 32 In the report's most heavily weighted category, South Dakota's health care was ranked 32nd in the country. The state's quality of health care was ranked number 43. Measured by children's and adults' wellness visits, insurance enrollment and affordability of care, South Dakota's health care accessibility was rated 26th. Per the report, fewer South Dakotans are uninsured than the national average, with South Dakota's uninsured rate at 12.8%, compared to 13.8% nationally. The state's rates of obesity and preventable hospital admissions are slightly higher than the national average. Education: 18 Education in South Dakota was ranked 18th in the country, with higher education taking 10th place and Pre-K through 12th grade number 23. The state's high school graduation rate is less than one percentage point lower than the national average. South Dakota college students graduate with more debt than their peers elsewhere; the average South Dakotan graduating with over $31,000 in student loan debt compared to the national average of approximately $29,000. Economy: 27 South Dakota's economy ranked 27th in the country, with its business environment ranking 45th, employment at number 12 and growth at 23. According to the report, the state's rate of job growth at 0.5% is lagging significantly behind the national average of 1.2%. Colorado's economy was named the best in the country. Infrastructure: 16 The state's infrastructure was rated 16th-best in the country. The state came in third place for energy infrastructure, measured by renewable energy usage, reliability of power grids and the average cost of electricity. Per the report, 37% of South Dakota's total energy use comes from renewable sources, compared to the national average of 10%. South Dakota didn't perform as well in internet accessibility, rated at 43 in the country according to how many South Dakotans have access to broadband and "ultra-fast" internet. South Dakota's transportation was ranked 33 in the country, with the state's average commuting time nearly 10 minutes shorter than the national average. While fewer South Dakota roads were deemed in poor condition than the national average, the state's bridges were ranked 47th. The state's public transit usage was also in the bottom three, at number 48. North Dakota's infrastructure was ranked fifth-best. Opportunity: 34 Opportunity in South Dakota was ranked 34th in the country, with the cost of living and poverty rate both slightly lower than the national average, and overall affordability ranked number 14. Iowa was ranked number one in affordability. Per the report, South Dakota's average household income is lower than the national average, at approximately $57,000, compared to $60,000. Within the opportunity grade, South Dakota was rated last in the country in equality, as measured by the ratio of genders represented in the workforce, as well as pay disparities between them. The equality grade also measures the unemployment rate of disabled people versus able, and educational, financial and employment opportunity gaps between races. Although the report shows that South Dakota has a sizable female workforce, it also shows that many of South Dakota's working women earn less than males, with the state ranking 43rd in the nation for income gaps between genders. And for people of color, South Dakota's grades are even more harrowing: South Dakota was ranked worst in the country for income gaps and employment gaps between races, and 46th for education gaps by race. Opportunity in Minnesota and North Dakota were ranked third- and fourth-best. Fiscal stability: 3 U.S. News deemed South Dakota the third-most fiscally stable state in the country, with short-term fiscal stability coming only behind Florida and long-term stability in eighth place. The state has an AAA credit rating, a hallmark achievement of former-Gov. Dennis Daugaard. Crime, corrections: 40 South Dakota's public safety, weighted on both violent and property crime rates according to 2017 FBI data, was rated 21st in the country (with a higher ranking denoting a lower crime rate). The state's corrections system was rated 48th in the country, based on its incarceration rate, juvenile incarceration and racial equality in jailing. South Dakota's violent crime rate was higher than the national average, and juvenile incarceration rate double at 200 juveniles incarcerated per 100,000, compared to 100 per 100,000 nationally. Natural environment: 2 South Dakota earned top honors for its natural environment, beat only by Rhode Island in first place and followed by Minnesota in third place. The state ranked third in the country for low pollution, with 85 pounds of toxins per square mile compared to the national average of 1,015. South Dakota has 171 days per year with unhealthy air quality, compared to the national average of 227. The state's environment grade was docked, though, for its water quality, with a higher-than-average number of drinking water violation points. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 From the next big thing to one of the most controversial things in 35 years, wind energy is the most talked about form of energy production in the Midwest. In 2018, 324-foot turbines were installed in South Dakota, and they have the capacity to produce 2,300 kilowatts. As of December 2018, South Dakota had 1,018 megawatts of wind power capacity online and running. Another 200 megawatts of wind energy was under construction, and 673 more megawatts spread across dozens of sites are permitted for production. Another 103 megawatts are in limbo in West River. Overall, 1,060 megawatts of wind turbine capacity are pending review by the states Public Utilities Commission, with four more wind farm proposals ready to be submitted for review as of this spring. With the rise in capacity and size came public discussion on how wind turbines affect those around them. Opponents and proponents alike flock to public hearings to discuss new and old projects. After nearly 20 years working for or with the PUC, Gary Hanson, the boards chairman, said the debate has never been hotter. How we got here The question of South Dakotas rise in wind energy mirrors that of the rest of the country. Early on, after the Energy Policy Act of 1992, production tax credits dubbed PTCs enticed energy developers to invest in renewable energy sources like wind by granting them money for every kilowatt hour of power produced. South Dakota didn't enter the wind playing field until 2003, when then-Gov. Mike Rounds created a wind energy task force aimed at enticing developers to come into the state and create jobs, while giving farmers an extra bit of money via land payments for wind turbines. Hanson, who served in the state senate, has been chairman for dozens of organizations and was elected twice as the mayor of Sioux Falls, was selected for Rounds wind development task force after just one year on the job as chairman in 2002. Under their leadership, South Dakota became a wind energy player. South Dakota was quite unattractive for those development projects, Hanson said. Gov. Rounds came in and we really overstepped our position to find out how to encourage wind energy. The state reduced taxes on wind turbines and property where turbines were built, and made deals to get developers to make a claim on projects in the state. In exchange, developers made promises to bring in jobs, money, tax revenue and land payments to farmers. The first signs of trouble popped up with 2003s first major project, Hanson said. (Wind companies) have a tendency to overstate their value to the state by saying its a $200 million project. But perhaps all of that equipment coming in was being shipped in from other states, Hanson said. Hanson and his team worked to fix that problem, as many wind projects post-2008 have stayed true to their proposed value using South Dakota companies and construction teams. The first major development, the Highmore Wind Energy Project, set up 27 65-meter wind turbines with a total capacity of 40.5 megawatts. It got the ball rolling. Hanson said his office fielded thousands of calls and emails from both companies and producers looking for information on how to acquire, permit and build wind turbines in South Dakota. In the early days, Hanson said he saw very little opposition to wind turbines. The PUC heard some of its first big complaints over contracts between landowners and energy companies. The core issue then was that the contracts werent for building turbines, but to claim the land for future use. Others worried how transporting the heavy wind power equipment might destroy roads. However, public opinion was still in favor. Hanson recalled that in one conversation he had, people werent saying not in my backyard but please in my backyard. Now, the concerns have really risen to the surface, he said. He pegs 2008 as the turning point. Thats the year tax credits were expanded to include construction costs for the turbines and construction took off. Around 140 megawatts of wind power came online in 2008. Over the next seven years, another 790 megawatts of capacity was built in South Dakota. Even with current concerns, Hanson said hes satisfied with the progress the PUC has made with wind energy. With the current capacity of 1,018 looking to be doubled over the next few years, Hanson said wind could power a majority of the states electrical needs within the next 10 years. That is huge for the state because, in peak demand, South Dakota uses about 2,500 megawatts of electricity, he said. South Dakotas story is not unique. States like Iowa and Minnesota both have more turbines and more capacity than South Dakota, even with the large boom over the last several years. The United States Department of Energys Wind Technology Office, the national overseers of research and development in the wind sector, attributed the rise in wind to the efficiency of the turbine. Patrick Gilman, the program manager for the wind office, said that even if production credits phased out today, wind energy would still hover around 4 cents per kilowatt hour simply because of the massive scale of wind turbines. The goal of the office overall is to bring the cost of wind down so that it wont need subsidies, Gilman said. Where we are today After 15 years of continuous wind energy investment, South Dakotans have become restless in their fights for and against wind turbines. Dozens of grassroots organizations have come out to fight against misinformation from wind energy companies and an equal number of energy companies have come back to provide data on the impact turbines have on the land. Two grassroots fights in Iowa and South Dakota have taken center stage. One is led by Janna Swanson, president of the Coalition of Rural Property Rights in Iowa, and the other by Gregg Hubner, author of Paradise Destroyed, a book that looks at negative effects wind farms have had on the South Dakota prairie. Swansons fight against wind came indirectly in 2015. Living in Clay County, Iowa, she was given notice that Clean Line Energy Partners intended to build a transmission line through her property. Gathering with her neighbors, she successfully fought the action. Because of this, she and her sister began investigating other cases similar to theirs. I never realized there was a problem and I just didnt know about it, Swanson said. She said she began to realize that energy companies were taking advantage of farmers and intentionally misleading them during meetings. This is wrong. What they are doing here is wrong, she said. No one was against renewable energy and no one was against wind until they realized how it could impact them. The root of the issue for Swanson in Iowa is the incentives energy companies are given to build turbines. The money communities got for hosting wind projects was actually being routed to fix damage from installing the turbines, she said. Is that what we are going to do now? Just build stuff for private companies? she said. In addition to incentive concerns, Swanson said the statements from energy companies regarding how turbines have impacted the land have begun to falter as they have found cases where the soil surrounding the turbine has yet to recover nearly a decade after turbine installation. Those contracts dont cover the damage that farmers have had to deal with, she said. Perhaps the most frustrating part of the experience, Swanson said, is the efforts to discredit her team as being anti-renewable energy. Its like taking a solar panel and hitting you with it and yelling Oh you dont like renewable energy?' she said. Thats never what it was about. Hubner, who lives in Avon, was approached about wind turbines in 2010, but dismissed having them on his property. In 2012, he made plans to build his dream home but found out that a wind company had plans to build a wind farm surrounding his property. After a four-year struggle, he penned Paradise Destroyed to express his concerns with the practices of the energy companies. The root of the issue for Hubner is that wind turbines are not being set back from property lines. He has fought to change that. All of this could be fixed with proper, safe setbacks, he said. He advocates for towers to be built at least 2 miles from a residence. While he and Swanson have tried to educate fellow landowners, both agreed theyve seen that a lot of the property being leased to energy companies comes from absentee landowners, who have no stake in the fight for or against wind energy. The only thing they know is what somebody tells them, Hubner said. The more these things are built, the more problems they have. While organizations argue that energy companies mislead the public, those same energy companies have said theyve conducted studies that suggest that the public is still in favor of wind energy and they are simply meeting market demand. The Berkeley Lab conducted a study in 2018 that found that 8 percent of the people polled disliked wind turbines. The study contacted 1,705 randomly drawn people who lived within 5 miles of a wind turbine to use for their study. The Berkeley Lab is directly related to the U.S. Department of Energy but is operated by the University of California. Paul Copleman, the communications director of Avangrid Renewables, said they model their wind farms after years of testing within the community to make sure there is demand for the turbines. Avangrid, the third-largest wind operator in the country, operates three wind farms in South Dakota, the largest of which is Buffalo Ridge II in Brookings County. The 105-turbine site was built in 2010, a year after Buffalo Ridge I in the same area. Copleman, who said the company has never shied away from answering questions from the community, encourages landowners to be inquisitive. People are right to ask those questions on what building a wind farm means for their community. They need to understand what change that might mean, he said. The three main issues wind turbines create are shadow flicker, noise and view disruptions. Shadow flicker, caused by the spinning blades dancing in low light, causes headaches and nausea for some people. Noise issues depend on the person, and view disruptions are the most common complaint. These three main issues, which Hubner and Swanson said the wind companies refuse to acknowledge, have also taken up a majority of the public comments with the PUC, Hanson said. A lot of people look at us as if were legislators, Hanson said. We cant just dislike it and vote against it. We need evidence. Folks like Hubner remain unconvinced that elected officials are doing their jobs. (Energy companies) seem to have so much influence over the officials so the developers write the setback laws, he said. The future of wind energy Answering the what next in wind energy is fairly impossible according to Hanson, Copleman and Gilman. Gilman and his team at the wind technology office are working on ways for wind farms to be more efficient. Currently, each turbine acts independently, but hopes are to soon have programs in place to get them on the same page and work off of one another. We want to make sure future technology can maximize production from the whole plant, Gilman said. In addition to smarter technology, Gilman said taller technology is inevitable which his office dubs tall wind. As turbines reach for the skies, they wont have to worry about wind disruptions from various sources like trees, and they wont impact birds in the same way. Energy transmission is the biggest area of focus for the Department of Energy. How can we integrate an increasing amount of non-dispatchable energy that you cant just turn on? Gilman said. That problem is solved by better and smarter transmission lines. In other improvements, Gilman said people can expect to see much taller turbines that are optimized to provide power when needed, rather than whenever the weather dictates. For Copleman and Avangrid, they hope to continue to work with South Dakota on building new renewable energy sources. South Dakota has offered a lot of regulatory certainties, he said. Thats critical. We could sign a lease with a landowner and years later we are doing studies on how that wind farm connected with the land. While oversaturation and public opposition may threaten the future of wind in South Dakota, Hanson said the PUCs main focus is on making sure the grid remains reliable with the added inputs. He predicted that wind will flourish for another 10 to 20 years as the cost continues to drop. Even though he maintains his political affiliation with the Republican Party, he said he is confused on why fellow Republicans are against protecting the planet against climate change, and still believes renewable energy like wind could be a viable alternative to coal. Something has to take its place, and wind as well as solar will take that void, he said. As for Hubner and Swanson, they are both discouraged by the lack of education and effort being put forth by those who wind doesnt directly impact. Get educated. Thats the big thing. You just need to get educated, Hubner said. You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Democrat or Republican, conservative or progressive, every United States president in recent history has taken the same approach to North Korea. Avoid dealing directly with the ruling regime because official recognition is what the family of dictators wants. Kim Jong Un, like his father and grandfather, exercises control over the nation with a ruthless tendency to kill opponents and a propaganda effort that allows for no doubt that the nation is among the most important in the world, headed by one of the most important people in the world. Donald Trump has deviated from the traditional approach, relying on his charm and deal-making abilities. Despite abundant evidence that he has fallen into the trap that others easily avoided, that those pictures of the two leaders smiling and shaking hands are the public relations coup that North Korean dictators yearned for since the nation was founded, he persists. This makes the latest troubling news from North Korea even more troubling. The nation recently conducted tests of several unidentified short-range projectiles into the sea off its eastern coast. North Korea knows that this is a violation of the expectation that there would be no further enhancement of its military capabilities even if these were not the kinds of missiles that could reach the United States and carry nuclear weapons. They are the kinds that pose a direct threat to other nations in the Pacific and have sent a chill through those in neighboring South Korea which are very much in the path of such conventional weapons. That's why South Korea is worried and would like the United States to start putting more pressure on the regime rather than continuing to make friendly overtures. The second piece of news is more subtle and more troubling. The United Nations reported that a disastrous harvest has left North Korea with a drastic shortage of food, one that is lowering the daily rations distributed by the state to almost starvation levels with even more reductions likely to come in summer and fall, when food reserves are at their lowest. Previous food shortages have inspired the regime to crack down even harder, fearing that unrest would pose a challenge to its rule. This regime is as cruel, perhaps more cruel, than those it succeeded and there is no incentive for it to give up the one thing that it has identified as crucial to North Korea's standing in the world, its nuclear arsenal. So far, Kim Jong Un has managed to outmaneuver the Trump administration on every front, to gain the status it has long desired without having to give up anything in return. In addition to the tests conducted recently, there are regular reports that development of the nuclear weapons program continues unabated in hopes that it can use this as the ultimate bargaining chip to trade for reductions in sanctions. The situation in North Korea is once again heading toward a crisis, one that previous administrations would have been in a position to exploit. President Trump, however, has already given up the advantage that others had held onto for so long with nothing to show for it. The (New York) Times Herald-Record You must be logged in to react. Click any reaction to login. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Judy Hoy has spent the past 23 years yelling from the rooftop that something bad was happening in her world. For the most part, no one wanted to listen to what she had to say. On April 30, her name was in the lead sentence in an article titled As Pesticide Turns Up in More Places, Safety Concerns Mount in Scientific American, a magazine that dates back to 1845. The articles focus was on research completed at South Dakota University in 2015 and 2016 on the impacts of a class of pesticides called neonicotinoids on captive deer. South Dakota University natural resource management professor Jonathan Jenks had read a study Hoy published in the Journal of Environmental Biology in 2002 about her observations of deer with pronounced underbites and genital deformities, particularly on bucks. It discussed her concerns that the deformities could be tied to pesticide and herbicide use. There was a concern about the amount of imidacloprid (the mostly commonly used neonicotinoid) pesticides being used in the Dakotas, Jenks said. When we were putting together a research proposal, we did a literature search and ran onto Judys publication. What she had documented was circumstantial evidence on birth defects on deer that could be associated with the pesticide. Jenks and other researchers gave the universitys captive deer herd water spiked with imidacloprid and then measured its presence in the animals' spleens. Researchers found that animals with larger amounts of the pesticide in their spleen had pronounced underbites. Fawns also died. A standard necropsy showed the fawns that died had higher levels of the pesticide than the ones that survived. But that wasnt the most surprising part of the study. Researchers also found imidacloprid in the portion of the captive herd that had not intentionally been exposed to the pesticide. They also worked with field biologists in North Dakota to gather samples from free-ranging deer. About 52% of those animals came with rates up to 2.5% higher than the deer that were directly exposed to the pesticide. That was a total surprise for us, he said. Of the free-ranging deer that were exposed to the pesticide, 77.5% had levels that equal or above the fawns that died in the experiment. Jenks said hes not certain how his control herd ended up testing positive for the pesticide. And he doesnt know why some of the free-ranging deer were exposed and others were not. This was the study on large mammals, he said. It would be nice to see if other studies would support what we found. It would be nice to have some replication. Developed by Bayer in the 1980s, neonicotiniods lethally target an insects nervous system. The pesticide was considered less toxic to vertebrates. Unlike other pesticides that are sprayed over fields, it could be applied directly to seeds or through irrigation, which allowed it to be incorporated into the tissue of the plant as it grows. The Scientific American article said there is a growing body of research that challenged the theory that pesticides delivered that way would be less likely to spread into the environment. Hoy traces her concerns that something was wrong back to the spring of 1994. Back then you couldnt go outside at night without a flashlight because there were western toads everywhere, Hoy said. They were on the lawn. They were on the driveway. They were everywhere and I didnt want to step on them. Hoy and her husband, Bob, had lived on the same 100-acre place southeast of Stevensville since 1980. They'd grown used to the toads. By August that year, I couldnt find a single western toad at night with my flashlight, she said. That same summer, she noted that none of the 150 or so baby marmots that she had counted that spring were alive by mid-summer. I thought that was kind of weird, she said. That same summer, on the days when the wind came out of the west, she and her friends would start coughing whenever they were outside. I would literally cough until I vomited, she said. I couldnt figure out what was wrong. Hoy was licensed to work as wildlife rehabilitator. That next summer, she saw lots of animals with birth defects. The only western toad she found that year had no right foot. Her husband worked with the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Part of his job was to pick up road-killed deer. Some of those ended up as food for the carnivores that Hoy cared for at their home, including a turkey vulture with a taste for testes. The first thing I always did when Bob would bring home a deer was I would cut off the testes and give it the vulture, Hoy said. In the early spring of 1996, I started to cut up a deer and found that it didnt have a scrotum. Out of the next seven deer that her husband brought home, all but one lacked scrotums. Hoy said she started getting reports of domestic animals with severe underbites. I knew something horrible was happening, she said. Ive had to sit here for over 20 year and watch little animals die. Its really getting tiresome to find little animals on their side kicking until they die. For the years that followed since, Hoy has been rebuffed by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and local and state health departments about her concerns about pesticides and the widely used herbicide, glyphosate, more commonly known as Roundup. Last week, a California jury awarded a couple more than $2 billion in damages who claimed their non-Hodgkins lymphoma was caused from their use of Roundup since the 1970s. It was the third time a jury ruled against Bayer AG, the parent company of Roundup producer Monsanto. People have acted like they didnt believe me for the last 23 years, Hoy said. Maybe, because of all of this, they might change their minds. She published a book in 2017 called Changing Faces: The Consequences of Exposure to Gene and Thyroid Disrupting Toxins. I believe we should be paying attention to what she is saying, said Dale Burk, a longtime environmental journalist and book publisher from Stevensville. I think she may be the Rachel Carson of our time and our place. Carsons 1962 book Silent Spring changed the way the nation thought about pesticides, and eventually led to the nationwide ban on DDT and other pesticides. The heart of what shes been attempting to draw peoples attention to whether its dealing with the impact on human or wildlife health or simply our environment is something that we need to pay attention to, Burk said. Burk thinks the recent recognition in Scientific American and the study completed in South Dakota could well be a turning point. It has elevated her work out of the petty politics of this local place, Burk said. Her work has always been motivated by a desire to get the information out in world thats been hostile to her. When you grant her the position that she understands the urgency of this message, therefore its been frustrating to her when she cant get others to see. Now shes finally getting the affirmation that shes on the right track, he said. I know its been tough for her. I respect and admire what shes done. Love 8 Funny 1 Wow 1 Sad 1 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. New microscopes are invigorating scientific learning at Corvallis Middle School thanks to a Corvallis Schools Foundation fund drive this fall and winter. The microscopes have arrived, replacing ones that were over 20-years-old and no longer functioning well. Science educator David Chimo said the new microscopes are as good as the ones he used in college. They have the ability for 1,000 times magnification, he said. This year students in his seventhgrade life science class could see bacteria, the perfect impact for introductory biology. Weve never been able to see bacteria before because 100 power was about as good as I could get with our old microscopes, Chimo said. This is their first time to compare different unicellular objects. I think it increases the students ability to understand the structure of their organisms. Now it is hands-on and they get to see it in person. The microscopes are incredible, Chimo told Harlene Marks, president of the Corvallis School Foundation who arranged the purchase of the instruments. We can actually see bacteria now. Being life science I do study all the kingdoms of organisms and being able to look at them all is extremely important. We also look in detail at plants, fungi and animal tissues. Marks was on the Corvallis School Foundation for about three-years before becoming president, an office she has had for two-years. The all-volunteer group has a focus on supporting academics by inspiring, innovating and investing in opportunities for all Corvallis students. The microscope project was funded by grants from CSF and other groups including a $400 donation from PAWS (Parents at Work in the Schools) and an appeal letter detailing the need for microscopes was sent to the community and individuals that support education. They may be alumni, they may be members of the community that feel strongly about educating children, and we sent the letter out to about 1,000 people, Marks said. We were able to fund the project in about six months. Marks said getting hands-on with science is important for students. They absorb the information so much faster than just looking at something on the board because they are the ones doing it, she said. Its also preparing them for what they will see beyond middle school high school, college and work. Marks said the Corvallis School Foundation a nonprofit organization began in 1998 and has had great success stories. Their goal is to enhance and enrich education and have funded blue bicycles for students to pedal to Teller Wildlife Refuge, Performing Arts concerts and theater productions, STEAM based activities and tools to bolster their science, technology, engineering, art or mathematics curriculum in the primary school and nearly 60 other educational projects. For the complete list visit.csfmontana.com/. CMS Principal Rich Durgin said he expected the funding process to take a year. The community support for this project has been amazing, he said. I thought maybe we would get the microscopes next year but we had them by second semester. The Middle School was able to purchase five polarized digital microscopes and 15 monocular 1000x microscopes for the $13,000. The fifth-grade students in Amanda Bestors life science enhancement class used the new microscopes for the first time on Thursday. The students were cautious about their first foray into the world of magnification. They were thrilled to be able to load their slides with pond water and algae and adjust the focus themselves. Discoveries of still-wiggling water-shrimp, worms and cells were key points of excitement. Two types of microscopes standard and digital offered educational learning options and ways to get students excited about science that werent previously available. The digital microscopes allow images to be projected directly onto computer screens or smart boards, so are extremely easy to use for younger students, Durgin said. The students started pointing the digital cameras at flowers and leaves to see the detailed petals and stems. Because the images were seen on Chrome Books the students shared what they discovered with their peers. Soon students were exploring hands and hair. Bestor said she is excited to take the microscopes out in to the field with her students. Ive had a little document camera that I can show feathers and we dissect flowers but now kids can dissect the flowers under the microscope and adjust as they go, she said. This is the first day with the new microscopes and I didnt realize how poorly the old ones worked until I saw the new images. This is amazing. She said her students are identifying the cell walls. It is exciting that they are seeing the parts youve been teaching them, Bestor said. There are dials we dont know how to use yet, but they will. As they get older theyll be able to do more. Her class makes 10-12 trips to Teller Wildlife Refuge each year. In May they complete a survival unit and learn native plants. We talk about medicinal uses, Bestor said. Students often confuse service berry and snow berry and I talk about how leaves look different, but youre just holding up a leaf. It will be cool to have them look under the microscope and really see the differences. The fifth-grade students study protist. We read about protist, we write about protist, but until you actually see them and see them moving across a microscope slide it is really exciting, Bestor said. [Former educator] Ms. Bleibtrey used to say, if anyone finds one Ill give you a dollar and Ive carried on that tradition because they are hard to find. Bestor also uses the outdoor classroom with trees just outside her window. Durgin said the new microscopes are also polarized. That will allow our eighth-grade earth science class to analyze the crystal structure of thin sections of minerals and rocks for the first time, he said. There are just lots of options are now available to us. We will be having another large project for the school next year and we will be selecting it in June, Marks said. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 I would like to thank the Friends of Fort Owen for honoring me at their first official annual meeting. As a trustee, it was my privilege to nominate John Owen to the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center, to which he was inducted in February, 2019. It was very nice of the friends to publicly thank me. Major John Owen was a crucial and important early pioneer, trader, grist mill owner, innovative farmer and precise journalist. He has not been given much recognition for his accomplishments in the past, but many of us are trying to remedy that situation. Because of John Owen, Stevensville is recognized as the first town in Montana. His purchase of St. Marys Mission constituted the first property exchange in the state, and he recorded the first water rightson Burnt Fork Creek, which the Fort Owen Ranch now uses. Fort Owen State Park, on the Fort Owen Ranch preserves where the old trading post used to operate. The Friends of Fort Owen are a fledgling volunteer group dedicated to working with Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Myla Yahrous, current owner of Fort Owen Ranch, and community members, to preserve this precious piece of Montana history. If you would like to help in this regard, please contact Friends of Fort Owen through Margaret Gorski, 406-552-2072 or Ruth Baker, 406- 777-3201. Thank you friends, I appreciate your efforts! 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Since then, EWU shares have increased by 28.5% and is now trading at $32.90. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Dutch intelligence services are probing Huawei for possibly spying for the Chinese government by using a back door in equipment of major telecoms firms. Dutch intelligence probes Huawei for possibly spying for the Chinese government by using a back door in the equipment used by major telecoms firms. Dutch intelligence shares the concerns raised by other western governments about the risks of involving the Chinese telco giant in the creation of the new 5G mobile phone infrastructure. Since 2018, US Government has invitedd its allies to exclude Huawei equipment from critical infrastructure and 5G architectures. According to Dutch newspaper De Volkskrant, the probe into Huawei is being led by the Dutch intelligence agency, AIVD. The newspaper, citing intelligence sources, revealed that Huawei had alleged access to the data of customers of major telecoms firms in the country, including Vodafone, KPN and T-Mobile. In April, KPN announced a partnership with Huawei to update its 4G networks. The report comes at a crucial time in the Netherlands, with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte expected to make an imminent decision on the extent of Huaweis involvement in the countrys 5G infrastructure. reported the Telegraph. AIVD did not comment the report, its spokesman Hilbert Bredemeijer explained that the spy agency does not comment on possible individual cases. Huawei continues to refuse the accusation of cyber espionage, it also remarked that it is a private company not working for the Chinese intelligence apparatus. We do not respond to stories based on anonymous sources or speculation. We have been aware of a Task Force led by the NCTV (Ministry of Justice & Security) for some time to investigate the risks involved in the construction and use of 5G. That was previously announced in a letter from Minister Grapperhaus. a Huawei spokesperson said. It is also known that the three major telecom parties are participating in the risk analysis of the vulnerability of 5G telecommunication networks. This involves looking at what measures are needed to minimize risks. We are in favor of taking general measures that can increase the resilience of telecommunications networks and that apply equally to all relevant parties. We look forward to the results of this report with confidence. The Dutch probe is part of a dispute between China and the United States over global trade and cyber espionage. If you appreciate my effort in spreading cybersecurity awareness, please vote for Security Affairs in the section Your Vote for the Best EU Security Tweeter https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/EUBloggerAwards2018 Thank you Pierluigi Paganini (SecurityAffairs 5G, Dutch intelligence services) Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz dramatically pulled the plug on his coalition government and announced fresh elections Saturday after an explosive camera sting claimed the scalp of his far-right deputy. Media reports on Friday alleged Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache promised public contracts in return for campaign help from a fake Russian backer he met on the island of Ibiza a few months before 2017's parliamentary elections in Austria. "I have suggested to the president of the republic that new elections be carried out, at the earliest possible date," Kurz said in a televised statement. On Friday Germany's Der Spiegel and Sueddeutsche Zeitung published hidden-camera recordings of the sophisticated sting operation at a luxury villa. "After yesterday's video, I must say quite honestly: Enough is enough," said Kurz, adding that he had been personally insulted in the footage. "The serious part of this (video) was the attitude towards abuse of power, towards dealing with taxpayers' money, towards the media in this country," he said. Strache, 49, announced his resignation earlier on Saturday, saying he was the "victim of a targeted political attack" which had used illegal means to entrap him. Loud cheers erupted at Kurz's announcement among the thousands of demonstrators who had gathered outside the chancellery building in central Vienna over the course of the day to demand the government's resignation. The "Ibiza affair" scandal appears to have been the last straw for Kurz after a string of controversies over extremist sympathies among officials from Strache's Freedom Party (FPOe). "Even if I didn't express myself publicly at the time, there were many situations that I found difficult to swallow," Kurz said of his time in government with the FPOe since December 2017. He said that in meetings on Saturday, FPOe leaders hadn't shown the willingness to make the changes necessary to stay in government. - 'Stupid, irresponsible' - President Alexander Van der Bellen said the videos showed a "disturbing moral image which does a disservice to our country and its people", and "a brazen lack of respect for our citizens". "They are shameful images, and no-one should have to be ashamed of Austria," he said. He said he would be meeting Kurz on Sunday to discuss the next steps in arranging elections. In the recordings Strache and his party's group leader in parliament, Johann Gudenus, are seen discussing with a woman purporting to be the niece of a Russian oligarch about how she can invest in Austria. "Yes, it was stupid. Yes, it was irresponsible. Yes, it was a mistake," he said, describing what he did as "alcohol-influenced macho behaviour". He appeared close to tears as he apologised to his family, friends and supporters, in particular his wife for trying to impress his "attractive host". Strache said he was also resigning as FPOe leader, with Transport Minister Norbert Hofer taking over. In the recordings, the woman says she specifically wants to gain control of the country's largest-circulation tabloid, the Kronen Zeitung. Strache is seen suggesting that new owners could make staff changes and use the paper to help his party in its election campaign. He goes on to say the woman would then be able to gain access to public contracts. According to the newspapers, Strache says that there would be no resistance among the Krone's editorial staff as "journalists are the biggest whores on the planet". Both the newspapers that published the footage say they don't have any firm information over who set up the elaborate sting. - Politicians 'for sale' - Strache in the footage evoked the possibility of privatising part of Austria's public broadcaster ORF and said he would like Austria's media landscape to resemble that of neighbouring Hungary. Hungary's right-wing nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has overhauled the country's public media into a government propaganda organ while allies have steadily bought up swathes of the private media sector. The FPOe has mounted repeated attacks on the ORF's coverage, accusing it of being biased against the party. Strache also appeared to hint at possible ways political donations could be made to a foundation linked to the FPOe and not to the party directly, apparently in order to escape legal scrutiny. German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted to the scandal by warning of the dangers of far-right politicians "for sale". "We are confronted with currents... who want to destroy the Europe of our values, and we must stand up to that decisively," Merkel said. Austria's government had already been under pressure due to a stream of scandals linked to the FPOe. In April an FPOe vice-mayor had to resign after writing a poem comparing migrants to rats. The putative link to Russia in the latest scandal is particularly embarrassing as the FPOe has a cooperation agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin's United Russia party. The perception of closeness to Russia wasn't helped by Putin attending the wedding of Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl -- nominated by the FPOe -- last summer. Boeing 747 plane abandoned in Hong Kong faces scrapyard but aviation enthusiasts call for more creative use of iconic jumbo jet A Boeing 747 plane abandoned in Hong Kong faces being scrapped though aviation fans hope it can be spared as the number of the iconic jumbo jets, dubbed the queen of the skies, left in the world dwindles. The Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) was understood to be planning to dismantle the plane formerly operated by Orient Thai Airlines, after the now-defunct carrier cut the aircraft adrift three years ago. The 27-year-old plane faces a wholly different fate to an ex-Russian-operated Boeing 767 which was similarly abandoned but was put up for sale for US$795,000 (HK$6.2 million) by the AAHK last week. Hong Kong-based aviation expert Mike Walsh described the 747 planes as iconic, but said that without seeing the latest details of the planes inspections, among other documents, it was hard to ascertain the hull and engine value of the Orient Thai plane. Walsh did not hold out much hope for its value and understood the condition of the plane was particularly poor. Doubting the plane would fly again, he urged creative thinking rather than the scrapyard. If this were a Southeast Asian country, it may have been converted into a restaurant or boutique hotel perhaps, he said. The former Orient Thai 747, which in a previous life flew for Cathay Pacific Airways, touched down to operate a flight in March 2016 and developed mechanical problems. Orient, which went bankrupt, was unable to pay to repair its plane years ago and it was marooned at Hong Kong airport. For now, the AAHK is locked in talks with people claiming to be the rightful owner of the 747, who face a hefty multimillion-dollar bill in parking charges alone. A conservative estimate from the Post puts the parking charge owed to the AAHK at HK$7,174,080 (US$913,000). Hong Kong International Airports operator declined to address how it has used the abandoned plane or what its fate would be. AAHK is in discussion with the representative of a party who claims to be the owner of the Orient Thai Boeing 747 aircraft for the handling of the aircraft, the authority said in a statement. Story continues The 747, registered HS-STC, has spent most of its time in Hong Kong parked at the maintenance area with one of four engines missing. To prevent the plane from becoming a danger to other planes and property, a spare engine has been attached to the aircraft during typhoon seasons. In recent months, the Post understands, the authority and counterparts have been using the plane for training purposes, despite the newly emerged ownership dispute. One of the tasks involved airport and maintenance companies training to recover a plane that was not upright, using large inflatables to get it back in the correct position. More than 1,500 747 planes have been produced since its introduction more than 50 years ago. About 200 passenger planes remain in service, along with almost 300 freight-only aircraft. A 747-400 version, like the Orient Thai plane, would cost US$240 million brand new. A fully operational 747 would fetch US$3 million, said Peter Huijbers, a former aircraft leasing executive who runs advisory firm PH Aviation Asia. I see no real value to seek to bring one back to the sky given all the hurdles faced on the Orient Thai aircraft, Huijbers said. [But] I would assume there is sufficient spare capacity on the market for the old B747 aircraft [parts], so little point scrapping it. With the hair-raising landings at Hong Kongs old Kai Tak airport, shots of 747s passing closely over Kowloon rooftops on approach made for stunning photography. Now the old airport is being redeveloped and part of the old runway has become home to a cruise terminal and an aviation-themed park. A Jetstream 141 fixed-wing plane, formerly a Government Flying Service plane, flown for 17 years, was retired at Kai Tak Runway Park a nod to the locations aviation heritage. Javier Sampedro said Kai Tak could become a home to retired planes and converted into a museum to pull in more visitors. Cathay Pacific retired its last 747 passenger plane in 2016 after carrying 160 million passengers on them over 37 years of flight. More from South China Morning Post: This article Boeing 747 plane abandoned in Hong Kong faces scrapyard but aviation enthusiasts call for more creative use of iconic jumbo jet first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. British driver Billy Monger on Sunday won his first race since having both legs amputated two years ago when he triumphed in the rain at the 78th running of the Pau Grand Prix in France. The 20-year-old, behind the wheel of a specially-adapted Carlin car, gambled on wet tyres before overtaking almost the entire grid to take the chequered flag in the race which forms part of the Euroformula Open series. "PAU GP Championsss!!! Can't believe it, I didn't think 2 years on I'd be winning races," tweeted Monger. "Huge shout out to the team @CarlinRacing for all their hard work. Over the moon #BillyWhizz." Monger was only 18 when he had both legs amputated after being seriously injured during a Formula 4 race at Donington Park in England in April 2017. He was in a coma for three days and in hospital for almost a month. "What a total winner this young guy is. Amazing @BillyMonger," tweeted Britain's 1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill. El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires was named the worlds most beautiful bookstore by 'National Geographic'. Pictures by CK Lim BUENOS AIRES, May 19 What does one do after reading a book, particularly a really good one? Sharing is caring as one of my favourite auteurs, the Argentinian director Marco Berger, would attest. The maestro behind acclaimed films such as Ausente (2011) and Un Rubio (2019) often posts pictures of books he has read such as Un Campeon Desparejo by Adolfo Bioy Casares and Seda by Alessandro Baricco on his Instagram. This should come as no surprise when you realise that Argentina is a highly literate country, thanks in part to its rich history of European immigrants. They had brought with them a great love of books, deeply embedded in their old culture which then became part of their new one. Whats more, according to a 2015 study by the World Cities Culture Forum, the countrys capital Buenos Aires has more bookstores per person than any other city in the world almost 25 shops for every 100,000 inhabitants! Even with more than 700 bookstores spread across the city, however, one stands above the rest. Named the worlds most beautiful bookstore by National Geographic, El Ateneo Grand Splendid has made Buenos Aires a must-visit for bibliophiles everywhere. But is it truly deserving of its fame? We head to Santa Fe Avenue in the fashionable Barrio Norte neighbourhood, where the eclecticist building originally by architects Pero and Torres Armengol still stands today. Outside, the former theatre looks like any other bookstore albeit with an elegant facade (left). A marble plaque commemorating the 10th anniversary of El Ateneo Grand Splendids transformation into a bookstore. Designed for impresario Max Glucksmann, El Ateneo Grand Splendid first opened as a theatre called Teatro Gran Splendid in May 1919. It was only later converted into a bookstore by the Grupo Ilhsa in 2000. Outside, the former theatre looks like any other bookstore. Streams of pedestrians stroll past, hurrying on their way without a second glance. Aside from a discreet marble plaque commemorating the 10th anniversary of El Ateneo Grand Splendids transformation into a bookstore, nothing seems out of the ordinary. But for those in the know, there is a sense of reverence to finally arriving at this temple to books. Take your time to gather yourself and take a deep breath before entering the century-old space. Story continues Once inside, we are greeted by... well, books, of course. Shelves and shelves of them, in tidy rows stretching over 2,000 square metres. Argentines are prodigious readers; tens of thousands of titles are published in the country annually. Walk further in, and the real dimensions of the store is revealed, like a scene from a dream. Dont forget to look above at the magnificent painted ceiling. Warm and welcoming, the soft auditorium lighting bestows a fairytale glow to the interior. From the graceful lines of rounded balconies to ornate carvings and trimmings everywhere we turn, there is a built-in sense of drama. There are many people here, customers and curious onlookers both, but there is also a serene hush, as though we are in a most majestic library. At the far end, plush crimson curtains beautifully preserve the former stage (now a cafe). Its an elegant reminder of the buildings former existence as a theatre. With a seating capacity of 1,050, the Teatro Grand Splendid saw some of the greatest tango legends performing on its stage, including Carlos Gardel, Francisco Canaro, Roberto Firpo and Ignacio Corsini. Later in the 1920s, the theatre took on a new life as a cinema where the first films with sound in Argentina were shown. Today, what used to be luxury boxes are now discreet corners where readers can hide away and slip into adventures between the pages of a book. Dont forget to look above at the magnificent painted ceiling. The angelic frescoes are a masterpiece by the Italian artist Nazareno Orlandi and create a sense of worshipping in a cathedral. Elsewhere, caryatids sculpted by Troiano Troiani dominate; his handiwork can also be found along the Palacio de la Legislatura de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires. There are books for everyone, young and old alike (left). No other bookstore quite conjures such a vision of heaven and earth. No other bookstore quite conjures such a vision of heaven and earth. Many visitors cant help but pause for selfies. Unlike other inadvertent tourist attractions, the staff here welcome the attention paid to their place of work; some would even suggest the best spots for a photograph, such as the glorious view of the entire space from the upper balcony. (They only stop short of helping to take your picture this isnt in their job description after all.) There are books for everyone, young and old alike. While most of the titles are in Spanish, there are always offerings in English. But why come to Argentina only to purchase a book you could easily find back home? Consider something an Argentine would read, perhaps a graphic novel in Spanish that a friend who is beginning to pick up the language might appreciate. Its hard to imagine but just prior to its redevelopment as a bookstore, El Ateneo Grand Splendid was nearly demolished when the economy was doing poorly. Today over a million people walk through its doors every year. Hundreds of thousands of books are sold annually here so its no mere tourist attraction. No, the most beautiful bookstore in the world is where you make a pilgrimage as a bibliophile. Its a place where you find a book that moves you so much youd share it on your Instagram immediately after reading it. Its where you discover your love for the written word all over again. El Ateneo Grand Splendid Av. Santa Fe 1860, C1123 CABA, Argentina Open Mon-Thu 9am-10pm, Fri-Sat 9am-12am, Sun 12pm-10pm Phone: +54 11 4813-6052 By Kirsti Knolle VIENNA (Reuters) - Politicians from Europe's mainstream parties called on voters to stand against the far right, after a video sting brought down the leader of Austria's Freedom Party, hurting the momentum of nationalists days before a European parliamentary election. Austria's president called on Sunday for the country to hold a snap general election in September, seen as the quickest timetable possible, after the resignation of Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache brought down the ruling coalition. Strache quit on Saturday after video emerged showing him discussing fixing state contracts in return for financial and political favours with a woman posing as the niece of a Russian oligarch. He accepted that the video was "catastrophic" although he denied breaking the law or following through on discussions. Strache's far-right Freedom Party, part of Austria's ruling coalition since 2017, has been one of the most successful groups among the anti-immigrant and nationalists that have surged across Europe in recent years. Mainstream leaders across the continent made clear they hoped his downfall would have an impact far beyond Austria in the May 23-26 vote for the European Parliament. The Freedom Party is part of an alliance of European nationalist parties led by Matteo Salvini of Italy's League, who held a mass meeting in Milan on Saturday with Marine Le Pen of France's National Rally. "A few months ago, Marine Le Pen was singing the praises of Austrian Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache, saying how formidable he was," French Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire said. "(Strache) has been forced to resign. We find out why: that he was caught trying to sell his services to foreign forces. Behind this nationalist movement is a submission to foreign forces," Le Maire told BFM TV. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday: "We're having to deal with populist movements that in many areas are contemptuous of (European) values, who want to destroy the Europe of our values. We have to stand up to this decisively." Story continues FREE FROM THE WHIRLPOOL Austria's Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, a conservative who formed a coalition with the Freedom Party in 2017, pulled the plug on his government and called for a snap election on Saturday after Strache's resignation. He met President Alexander Van der Bellen on Sunday to discuss the timetable for a new vote and the makeup of a caretaker government. "This new beginning should take place quickly, as quickly as the provisions of the Federal Constitution permit, so I plead for elections... in September, if possible at the beginning of September," the president said. Voting is seen as impossible earlier because voters are away for the summer school holidays. Europe's far-right parties have surged at the polls since 2015, when more than a million asylum seekers entered the European Union, mainly by foot across the Balkans. Since then, far-right parties have become the dominant political movements in much of former Communist eastern Europe and claimed a share of power in coalitions in Austria and Italy. Britain's 2016 vote to leave the EU altogether is seen as part of the same trend. Neither Salvini nor Le Pen addressed the Austrian scandal directly. Salvini and his allies hope to emerge as the fourth or even third largest bloc in the European parliament after this week's election, moving decisively into the mainstream. "There are no extremists, racists or fascists in this square," Salvini told Saturday's rally in front of Milan's Gothic cathedral. "Here you wont find the far right, but the politics of good sense. The extremists are those who have governed Europe for the past 20 years." German television commentator Christian Nitsche said the Austrian scandal could have a wider impact by showing that the populist tide was not unstoppable. "Austria can now send a signal that it is able to free itself from this whirlpool. This would probably not yet be a turning point on Europe's wrong path, but a sign of hope that a first country has the strength to turn away from baiting, anti-democratic politicians and parties," he wrote. Istvan Ujhelyi, a Socialist member of the European parliament from Hungary, a country dominated by nationalist leader Viktor Orban's Fidesz Party, called Strache "the first domino" in a line of likeminded politicians he predicted would soon be brought low. "Next up are Salvini, Le Pen, Orban and the rest of the far-right puppets on the Moscow leash." (Additional reporting by Bate Felix, Andreas Rinke and Marton Dunai; Editing by Alison Williams and Peter Graff) Sinon Loresca can walk with ease in 10-inch heels. The social media darling also uses some of his earnings for charity. Picture by Hari Anggara KUALA LUMPUR, May 17 At first glance, Sinon Loresca is all sexy with his very well-toned body. Inch your glance downwards and thats where you can spot his high heels. Hes moved from two-inch heels and can now walk confidently in 10-inch ones. Loresca, who also goes by the moniker King of Catwalk is known for his catwalk videos on social media and has a legion of fans to boot. Oh, and he has one kidney he donated one of the organs to save his sister who suffered from chronic kidney disease. And beneath that colourful facade, the 31-year-old Filipino actor and model revealed recently to Malay Mail that he also uses half of his earnings to feed the homeless, whether in his home country of Philippines or other countries that he has visited, including Malaysia. That happened last year on his birthday, November 2. It was fulfilling, he said of the unforgettable experience. I remember the time when I celebrated my birthday alone and had corned beef but it fell into the dirt. I took it up and ate it. Lorescas deeds of helping the homeless stems from the fact that he, too, lived on the streets when he was younger. This happened when he finished high school and was thrown out of the house by his parents in his hometown of Masbate for being gay. He made his way to Manila in an 18-hour boat ride and lived on the streets, making a living by collecting things like plastic bottles to be sold. This went on for about 18 months until his sister in the United Kingdom asked him to stay with her. He did, donated his kidney and ended up staying there for seven years. And for Loresca, it is more than giving the homeless food and cash. It is also about spending time with them, trying to convince them that they too, can work towards having a better life. He has also reconciled with his mother (his father died three months after the kidney transplant). My mum and sis are staying with me. We are one big happy family and my ex-husband is my best friend. Story continues Sinon Loresca taught himself how to catwalk. Picture by Hari Anggara Social media famous Loresca hit pay dirt in terms of social media popularity after he posted a video of himself catwalking when the Philippines hosted the Miss Universe pageant in 2016. He had already taught himself to catwalk since he was 12 years old by watching videos of Miss Universe beauty pageants and Victorias Secret fashion shows. Various international media picked up his story. He was back home starring on television variety show Eat Bulaga and has since starred in movies and numerous commercials. I love what I do. This is my passion. Its not to become more popular, he added. You always have to make sure that you are happy as well. He keeps fit by working out six times a week for two hours daily even while on holiday adding that he doesnt dress in drag. As for the haters, he was quick to say that he has chosen to ignore them. I hope you help someone as well. I hope you guys have a fabulous life. But dont forget to respect everyone no matter race, age, colour, gender. He also said what he was trying to do was to boost peoples confidence. When I read some comments that I have made someone happy, I am happy. This is what motivates me the most. And as long as I dont hurt or kill anyone. And he doesnt mind that there are others who are trying to copy his style saying: Dont take life seriously. Always be happy and positive. Related Articles Viennas Life Ball, fixture of fight against AIDS, to close More than NZ$10.8m donated to help families in mosque shooting Moscows help for the homeless expands out of sight Together with a few partners, Audrey Goo started MyFishMan which is an online seafood delivery service. Picture by Choo Choy May KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 Its not quite Tsukiji Market that iconic fish market in Tokyo where fish is auctioned in the early hours of the morning but its a fish auction anybody with access to Facebook can participate in. Small fishing companies in Malaysia have turned to digital technology to keep up with the growing demand of a new generation who prefer having their fish packaged and sent to their homes and pay less than they would if they went to a real market. One such company is MyFishMan, based in Klang, whose co-founder 37-year-old Audrey Goo began operating three years ago. Screengrab of DD Fishery Live Facebook page by myfishman.com. Picture by Choo Choy May Her company recently started to conduct fish auctions with partner DD Fishery Live via Facebook Live which she said they learned how to do through trial and error. Viewers watch the livestream of the seller displaying the fish, and if they are interested in purchasing, they can contact the seller via a WhatsApp number displayed. Our auctions run from 8pm to midnight, five days a week. At best, we can expect to auction up to 300kg of fish daily, she told Malay Mail. DD Sea Products Trading is where all the fish is cleaned, vacuum-packed and frozen. Picture by Choo Choy May Viewership at each session can be between 200 and 1,000 with the bulk of the Facebook Live audience made up of parents or busy mothers who do not have time to go to the market. Since we began auctioning over a year ago, our profits have increased by 10 to 50 per cent on average. With our viewers coming from all over the country, we have delivered as far as Kuantan, Penang and Johor Baru, she said. A worker packs the sold fish from the 'live' auction for delivery. Picture by Choo Choy May However, this widening of their customer base brings with it its own set of challenges. Transportation is actually a bigger problem, since a good portion of our viewers are from outside Selangor. In a way, one can say this bypasses the middleman as the fish goes directly to the end consumer. But to be fair, many of those conducting Facebook Live auctions are themselves middlemen, she said. Prices can be lower by 10 to 30 per cent, depending on the type of fish, so consumers find it a great bargain. Also, the fish is delivered right to your doorstep. Story continues Fish which has been scaled, gutted and cleaned are packed for delivery to customers. Picture by Choo Choy May Goo said several fishermen have also expressed interest in the new channel, and added she is willing to teach them how to use Facebook Live to get more customers. They are not as many compared to middlemen who do auctions on Facebook. But if the fishermen are part of the younger generation, then we can teach them how to set up, record and pack, among others. This is especially since most of our auction viewers are within the 30s and 40s age range. Of course, we still cater to physical customers who tend to be middle-aged women in their 50s and above, she said. A selection of DD Fishery Lives supplementary products like homemade cooking sauces and condiments. Picture by Choo Choy May Most important to Goo is the ability to reduce wastage, since most of her fish suppliers hail from various places including Port Klang and Sekinchan. Auctioning also allows us to sell spare parts including the fish heads and tails in the package, which people tend to use to make soup. We also throw in stuff like homemade cooking sauces and condiments. Currently, our customer base is Chinese, but we are planning to open up a special section for Malay customers due to requests from several customers in Kelantan, she said. MyFishMan plans to partner with several sauce-manufacturing companies in Kelantan, who will also provide assistance when conducting auctions. I am not sure if the Malay customer base will increase, as it is still very new for us. But I am going to stay confident all the same, Goo said. Lim Yew Ping, co-owner of seafood e-retail platform Sea Fresh, was one of the earliest users of Facebook Live to auction fish directly to customers. Picture by Choo Choy May Lim Yew Ping, the co-founder of another wholesaler Sea Fresh said despite the increased interest in fishermen looking to sell their catch directly to consumers, he does not foresee the numbers increasing greatly. Customarily fishermen spend an average of eight hours at sea. This means they are quite exhausted when they get back; hence, the prominent role of middlemen, he said at his office in Kuala Selangor. The 27-year-old, who runs the company with his sister and a cousin, is probably one of the earliest users of Facebook Live to auction fish, which he began doing in January last year around the same time he established his company. At the time, it was only me and my sister, and we got the idea from Taiwan where it is quite a big trend. It was a learning process as we did not know we had to prepare so many things. At that testing stage, many customers indicated they wanted fish as fresh as possible, instead of merely packaging it. And then in July or so last year, suddenly everyone started doing Facebook Live auctions, Lim said. Fish is scaled and cleaned before being vacuum packed. Picture by Choo Choy May This piqued the interest of the fishermen themselves, but many are still staying away as they want to observe if this will work out or not in the long run. Despite having to discontinue the Facebook Live auctions for a time after Chinese New Year due to a lack of manpower, Lim said he has learned much during the process. We learned that customers prioritise the freshness of the fish, the convenience and not having to enter a wet market to purchase it. Interestingly, most of our viewers and customers during the auctions tend to be working-class men in their 30s and 40s. I think they also view it because they find it entertaining to engage with the seller, he said with a laugh. A worker at Sea Fresh prepares the fish for sale online. Picture by Choo Choy May Although digital technology has enabled Sea Fresh to reach out to customers interested in buying seafood yet cannot physically make it to do so themselves, Lim said the main challenge is still the customers buying behaviour. An example is seasoned housewives who like to haggle for the price and insist on physically touching the fish when buying. Hence, the reason why we have a frozen food truck for residents in Kuala Selangor and other places to cater to them since they make up the majority of our clients, he said. Boxes of seafood waiting to be delivered to customers. Picture by Choo Choy May Despite his belief that the number of fishermen engaging in direct sales will not be significant due to the time-consuming aspect of their profession, Lim said digital technology will still work in favour of the end consumer. Traditionally, the fishing industry has five tiers: The fishermen to large wholesalers, then small wholesalers, then markets, and finally customers. Increased digitalisation means it is quite possible to reduce this to just two tiers. From my experience, customers can get prices 30 per cent cheaper, he said, adding this is also subject to the fish type, its availability and freshness. Sea Fresh works closely with fishermen to collect their catch once they dock. Picture by Choo Choy May Lim said he expects a genuine need for such services to expand in the coming years, where fish and seafood are packaged nicely and delivered right at the doorstep. With any luck, time, and initiative, this phenomenon may one day resemble the same kind of service provided by the Alibaba Group, he said. Related Articles Facebook restricts Live feature, citing New Zealand shooting Facebook to tighten live stream access after mosque attacks Jane Fonda, Amy Schumer among stars to appear on US voter telethon Fears have been raised that tonnes of illegally hoarded pangolin scales in Hong Kong have been smuggled to mainland China after it was revealed the city has issued just one licence for possession. Government records reveal a solitary permit has been handed out for 350kg of the endangered mammals scales since a global ban on their trade was imposed in 2017. That is despite international trade statistics showing a record 14.2 tonnes of the natural products were imported from East Africa to Hong Kong with export permits in 2016 and 2017, before the worldwide ban on their sale was imposed in January 2017. Anyone in Hong Kong who possesses pangolin products for commercial trade must apply for a permit since February, under changes to the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance that took effect in November last year and were introduced to increase safeguards for the mammals. Only one licence for possession of pangolin scales weighing 350kg has been issued, the Agricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department said, adding no permits have been handed out for the export or re-export of such products since 2016. Given the low levels of domestic consumption in Hong Kong, the findings by the Post sparked concerns from conservationists and a lawmaker that massive amounts of scales have been illegally traded or even smuggled out of the city. Some traders in Sheung Wan may sell a few kilograms [to local customers]. But not significant, said Alex Hofford, a campaigner for WildAid. I think they [scales] are gone already. Gone a long time ago, came in, went out, because the supply chain moves quickly. Who will buy seven tonnes of pangolin scales and just sit on it? Hofford said he believed the 14 tonnes of scales imported to Hong Kong had been smuggled into the mainland to support the legal market with new stocks as the local legal stockpile was declining rapidly. On the mainland, raw pangolin scales can be obtained only at designated hospitals and from approved pharmaceutical companies, while legally sold processed scales must display a special label issued by the government. Story continues Global concern for the pangolins, the only known mammal wholly covered in scales and the worlds most trafficked mammal, has increased since 2017, when its endangered status was raised to the highest alert an Appendix I species by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The same status was given to elephants due to the ivory trade. Hong Kong has become a transit hub for smuggling pangolin scales into the mainland in recent years, with shipments mostly originating in Africa. Figures from the government and the Customs and Excise Department show more than 61 tonnes of the products have been seized since 2014, with the largest quantity shipped from Nigeria. In the first five months of this year alone, at least 30 tonnes of smuggled scales and the same weight of frozen pangolins have been seized by authorities in Asia, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. The department said some pangolin scales could be for local consumption. But the Posts visit to more than 20 Chinese medicine shops as a customer found only one shop selling scales in a small amount by the gram, with a total stock of about 500 grams. Others said they did not have any stock. One owner, surnamed Chan, at a traditional medicine shop in Sheung Wan, said last week that they had not been selling scales for at least 10 years. But he added people were willing to pay high prices to build up supplies as there was demand on the mainland. According to the trade database of CITES, a total of 6.5 tonnes and 7.7 tonnes of scales of giant pangolins, one of the eight species living in Africa, were imported from Burundi to Hong Kong in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Only three tonnes of pangolin scales were imported from Southeast Asia in the past 40 years, the database showed. The scales, which contain keratin, are believed to have high medicinal value for treating conditions such as breast milk stoppage, rheumatoid arthritis and sores in traditional Chinese medicine. But some experts argued that there was no scientific evidence showing that pangolin scales were effective as a treatment and other substitutes could perform similar functions. Dan Challender, chair of the pangolin specialist group at the International Union for Conservation of Nature, said the major concern for the scaly anteater was that intercontinental trafficking to Asia was placing extra pressure on populations of the African species, which is driving their decline. Lawmaker Elizabeth Quat, who sits on the legislatures environmental affairs panel, urged the authorities to investigate the whereabouts of the two large imports. It is not convincing that these scales have stayed in the domestic market as there is no such demand, she said. The rampant smuggling of pangolin scales has been a global issue. A responsible government should look into the cases to find out whether there is any smuggling or illegal activity involved. Asked if customs would investigate, a spokeswoman said it had not found any illegal possession since the local legislation took effect in November last year, adding it had stepped up inspections and would take enforcement action if irregularities were identified. The department declined to disclose details of the local importers involved. The maximum penalty for illegally importing an Appendix I species is a fine of HK$10 million (US$1.3 million) and 10 years in jail. This article Hong Kongs black market in pangolin scales feeding demand in mainland China, campaigners fear first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. Voting in one of India's most acrimonious elections in decades entered its final day Sunday as Hindu nationalist Prime Minister Narendra Modi scrambled to hang on to his overall majority. The seventh and final round of voting ended the world's biggest election with 900 million eligible voters from Goa's beaches to Mumbai's slums and Ladakh's Himalayan monasteries. Long queues formed outside polling stations in eight northern states electing the final 59 candidates to India's 543-seat lower house. Polls close at 1230 GMT with vote counting on Thursday. Heavy security was imposed in West Bengal, which has seen street battles between followers of Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and opposition groups. An improvised bomb was thrown from a motorbike at one polling booth in the state capital Kolkata but no one was injured, officials said. One group attacked a makeshift BJP office in the city and police also cleared other activists blocking polling stations. Modi's constituency in Varanasi, the holy city in Uttar Pradesh state, was also among those to vote. The conservative BJP has campaigned aggressively on Modi's strongman image and played up recent cross-border air strikes against Pakistan. The opposition, led by the Congress party and its leader, Rahul Gandhi, have accused him of pursuing divisive policies and neglecting the economy. Modi and Gandhi have hurled insults at each other on a near daily basis with the prime minister calling his rival a "fool" while Gandhi derides Modi as a "thief". - Jaded voters - The animosity has taken a toll on voters. "All the abuse and misconduct claims suggest that standards in Indian politics have slipped badly," Asit Banerjee, a history teacher in Kolkata, said as he queued to vote. "Endless mudslinging and bitter comments pervaded the campaign. We are losing hope in democracy, it is time for a reset," the 60-year-old told AFP. Writing in the Hindustan Times, political commentator Karan Thapar said Modi's message "played on our insecurities and strummed upon our deep inner fears". He also criticised Gandhi's campaign. Pollsters say Modi remains personally popular but his party's overall majority is at risk from a backlash. The 68-year-old Modi has held 142 rallies across India during the campaign, sometimes five a day, but pollsters say the BJP could lose dozens of the 282 seats it won in its 2014 landslide. - $7 billion vote - On Saturday Modi, dressed in a long robe and saffron sash, trekked to a Himalayan shrine to meditate. Indian media widely used images showing him seated on a bed inside a cave in the country's north. The Delhi-based Centre for Media Studies estimates that the outlay on this election could top $7 billion, making it one of the priciest contests globally -- with the lion's share of the spending by the BJP. Much has been spent on social media advertising and messages, with the parties using armies of "cyber warriors" to bombard India's hundreds of millions of Facebook and WhatsApp users. Fake news and doctored images have abounded, including of Gandhi and Modi having lunch with Imran Khan, prime minister of arch rival Pakistan, or of a drunk Priyanka Gandhi, a politician and the sister of Rahul. Violence has also broken out. Maoist rebels killed 15 troops and their driver in the western state of Maharashtra on May 1, the latest attack in a decades-long insurgency. Gandhi, 48, has tried several lines of attack against Modi, in particular over alleged corruption in a French defence deal and over the plight of farmers and on the economy. Modi's government has fallen short on creating jobs for the million Indians entering the labour market every month, the shock introduction of a cash ban in 2016 caused huge disruption to livelihoods, and Indian banks are gasping under bad debts. Lynchings of Muslims and low-caste Dalits for eating beef, slaughtering and trading in cattle have risen during Modi's tenure, leaving some of the country's 170 million Muslims feeling threatened and anxious for their future. Just one-third of Hong Kong residents satisfied with public hospital services as long waiting times and lack of care top list of gripes Just one-third of Hongkongers are satisfied with the citys public hospitals, a survey has found, with many suggesting overseas doctors should only be allowed to work at these and not private ones. The survey of about 11,000 people, mostly face-to-face interviews conducted by the Democratic Party from March to this month, also found that many respondents were annoyed about long waiting times at public hospitals. With medical resources stretched to the limit, party lawmaker Helena Wong Pik-wan said the government should not encourage local doctors to head across the border to work in the Greater Bay Area Beijings plan to turn Hong Kong, Macau and nine mainland cities into an economic powerhouse. The waiting time in public hospitals is so long that there has been no improvement in the past few decades, Wong said, releasing the surveys findings on Sunday. There is a shortage of beds and thus we need more hospitals. The biggest problem is the shortage of doctors and nurses. Where do we find enough doctors? Asked about public hospital services, 5.6 per cent said they were very satisfied; 28.6 per cent satisfied; 45.8 per cent thought they were average; 11.2 per cent were dissatisfied, 5.7 per cent very dissatisfied and some did not answer. On the reasons for their dissatisfaction, about 9,800 respondents chose long waiting times; 6,676 answered a lack of care from doctors and nurses; 4,307 complained doctors spent too little time with them; and 4,276 were not happy it took them so long to see doctors for follow-up consultations. Some 34 per cent supported allowing outstanding overseas doctors to work in Hong Kong without requiring them to take a local examination. About 31 per cent opposed this suggestion. On whether overseas doctors should only be allowed to work in public hospitals, 42.5 per cent supported this suggestion, with only 13.3 per cent against it. Story continues Earlier this month, the citys medical regulator voted to make it easier for doctors trained overseas to work in Hong Kong. Under the deal, expected to take effect next month, overseas medical practitioners can be exempted from internship requirements if they have worked in Hong Kong public hospitals or medical schools for three years and passed the licensing examination. The survey showed many Hongkongers preferred that overseas doctors be allowed to work in public hospitals only. Are we going to ban them from working at private hospitals? If they dont want to work at public hospitals, there will be two options: let them work at private hospitals, or they will go back to Britain, Canada, or wherever they are from, Wong said. The problem is that we lack manpower in both public and private hospitals. Its better for them to stay than to go. There are about 14,290 doctors in Hong Kong, which works out at 1.9 for every 1,000 residents. The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development put the acceptable global standard at 3.4 doctors for every 1,000 citizens. Wong said Hong Kong should admit more medical students. The Hospital Authority, which runs the citys 43 public hospitals, should also set a target to, for example, treat semi-urgent patients in 90 minutes and non-urgent patients in two hours, she suggested. At present, the authority has a policy of treating critical patients immediately, emergency patients within 15 minutes and urgent patients within 30 minutes. It has no target for less-urgent patients. The authority said it would consider the survey results and the suggestions the Democratic Party had made. This article Just one-third of Hong Kong residents satisfied with public hospital services as long waiting times and lack of care top list of gripes first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran on Sunday, suggesting that if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again," Trump said in a tweet. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been on the rise as the United States has deployed a carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over what it termed Iranian "threats." This account has been met with widespread skepticism outside the United States. The White House has sent mixed signals in recent days, amid multiple US media reports of infighting in Trump's cabinet over how hard to push Washington's arch foe Iran. The Trump administration has ordered non-essential diplomatic staff out of Iraq, citing threats from Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups, and sent an aircraft carrier and heavy B-52 bombers to the region. On Sunday, a Katyusha rocket was fired into Baghdad's Green Zone housing government offices and embassies including the US mission. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. According to US media reports, Trump's long-hawkish national security advisor John Bolton is pushing a hard line on Iran, but others in the administration are resisting. Trump himself said recently that he has to "temper" Bolton. Iran's foreign minister downplayed the prospect of a new war in the region on Saturday, saying Tehran opposed it and no party was under the "illusion" the Islamic republic could be confronted. "We are certain... there will not be a war since neither we want a war nor does anyone have the illusion they can confront Iran in the region," Mohammad Javad Zarif told state-run news agency IRNA at the end of a visit to China. Iran-US relations hit a new low last year as US Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed unilateral sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for Tehran scaling back its nuclear program. Saudi Arabia called Sunday for emergency regional talks to discuss the mounting Gulf tensions, saying that it does not want war with Iran but is ready to defend itself. It comes days after mysterious sabotage attacks on several tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and drone strikes on a Saudi crude pipeline by Yemen rebels who Riyadh claimed were acting on Iranian orders. King Salman invited Gulf leaders and Arab League member states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences", the kingdom's official SPA news agency reported late Saturday. Saudi Arabia's minister of state for foreign affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, said Sunday his country does not want to go to war with Iran but would defend itself. Saudi Arabia "does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it," he said. "But at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with strength and determination to defend itself and its interests." The kingdom's regional allies welcomed the Saudi invitation. The United Arab Emirates' foreign ministry said the current "critical circumstances" require a unified Arab and Gulf stance. Oil producing countries met Sunday in Saudi Arabia to discuss how to stabilise a volatile oil market amid the rising US-Iran tensions, which threaten to disrupt global supply. Oil supplies are sufficient and stockpiles still rising despite massive output drops from Iran and Venezuela, said Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said at the meeting in Jeddah. - 'Childish regimes' - Qatar Sunday weighed in on the escalating tensions, saying it did not believe the US or Iran wanted a war in the region. "US President Donald Trump has said he does not want war, and I do not think Iran wants war or instability in the region," minister of state for foreign affairs Sultan al-Muraikhi told AFP on the sidelines of a Qatar Fund for Development briefing. "I think if we move away from the childish regimes in the region, all troubles will be settled." Muraikhi said Doha -- which remains isolated by neighboring former allies in a long-running diplomatic dispute -- has not yet received a formal invitation to either meeting. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt are among the countries that cut ties with Qatar in June 2017 over accusations it supports terrorism and seeks closer ties with Tehran. Four ships including two Saudi oil tankers were damaged in mysterious sabotage attacks last Sunday off the UAE's Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital maritime route for oil exports which Iran has threatened to close in the event of a war. That incident was followed by drone strikes Tuesday claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned rebels on a major Saudi oil pipeline built as an alternative export route if the Strait of Hormuz were to be closed. Saudi Arabia accused Tehran of ordering the pipeline attacks, targeting "the security of oil supplies... and the global economy". Tucked away in a refurbished factory building in southwest Singapore, Shopbacks headquarters houses only 100 people, about half of its entire workforce. The affiliate marketing firm may only have a fraction of the employees that giants like Facebook and Google have, but Shopback has big dreams to offer businesses a more efficient way of reaching their customers. In Southeast Asia, Shopback has gained traction thanks to its cashback app, with more than 8 million users and 2,000 merchants. When users open the Shopback app, they are greeted by merchants ranging from e-commerce platforms like Lazada and Shopee to ride-hailing firm Grab, and food delivery brands like Foodpanda and Deliveroo. Lazada is owned by Alibaba Group, which is the parent company of the South China Morning Post. Clicking on a merchant redirects the user to the site, and if they make a purchase, Shopback earns a commission and shares it with the user via a cash rebate. More than US$30 million in cashbacks have been awarded up to April this year. It is seen as a win-win for everybody merchants only pony up fees if a transaction is made, Shopback takes a cut, and users get money back on their purchase. Our goal is to help our merchants [and] to ensure that the customers we bring make a purchase, said Joel Leong, Shopbacks co-founder and head of merchant development. Google fined US$1.7 billion by European Union in antitrust case Merchants spend money on all kinds of marketing, including on Facebook and Google advertisements which typically charge by cost per click, he said. For Shopback, we only charge when a sale is made. In the digital advertising industry, Google and Facebook reign supreme. Merchants hoping to reach the billions of users across their platforms must bid for advertising slots or keywords. The more popular an advertising keyword is on Google, for example, the more expensive it will be for merchants. Advertisers also pay for each time a user clicks on the ad, regardless of whether a transaction is made. Story continues However, Shopbacks founders are under no illusion that they can take on giants like Facebook and Google, the latter of which employs about 2,000 people in Singapore alone. Its not about superseding giants like Facebook or Google, its about taking away market share, said Leong. The pie is huge. In Southeast Asia, Shopback is ranked the No 3 publisher in terms of volume and retention, behind Facebook and Google and ahead of Twitter, according to the AppsFlyer Performance Index for 2018. The model of referring customers and taking a commission when a sale is made is known as affiliate marketing. US firm Ebates has been operating this way for almost three decades, and Fanli in China has found similar success, with the Shanghai-based company valued at over US$1 billion. With the affiliate marketing model succeeding in the huge US and Chinese consumer markets, Shopback is confident it can work in Southeast Asia. Exploring Chinas rapidly evolving e-commerce landscape In just four years, Shopback has gone from launching in Singapore to expanding in markets such as Thailand, the Philippines, Taiwan, Australia and Indonesia, Southeast Asias most populous country. Southeast Asia, with a population of over 600 million and high smartphone penetration rate, is an attractive market for Shopbacks mobile-first strategy. The region is also seeing fast growth in e-commerce amid the rising affluence of consumers and as more people come online. Already, the region is seeing e-commerce competition ramp up between platforms such as Lazada and Shopee, as well as big local players such as Indonesias Tokopedia and Bukalapak. Shopback is currently the front runner in the cashback industry, having edged its US counterpart Ebates out of the Singapore market in 2016. Today, Japanese internet company Rakuten the parent company of Ebates is an investor in Shopback, leading a US$45 million round of funding into the start-up. Ebates chief executive Amit Patel also sits on Shopbacks board of directors. Unlike Facebook and Google, which operate services like social networking and search that help with user stickiness, Shopback mainly relies on the network effect that comes from its merchants and shoppers. One concern that merchants may have is that Shopback makes it more expensive to retain existing users. By paying a commission, loyal users who used to transact with merchants directly are now incentivised to use Shopback instead. Leong believes the array of merchants on Shopback provides a value add as it allows for cross-promoting opportunities. A user who purchased a flight for a vacation to Europe during winter, for example, would allow Shopback to push a promotion for hotels and even winter wear to the same user. This way, users get relevant content based on what they already buy, said Leong. Our goal is to be a platform where we can help direct users make purchases with our merchants. If our merchants succeed, so do we. Last year, the company expanded its cashback incentives to offline merchants as well via a feature called Shopback Go, which lets Shopback users who shop or dine in selected stores or restaurants qualify for rebates on their spending. Ultimately, we want to be Southeast Asias pre-shopping destination, where customers will come to before they decide where to shop, said Leong. More from South China Morning Post: This article Singapore start-up chips away at Facebook and Googles online ad dominance, one click at a time first appeared on South China Morning Post For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2019. Images by Zachary Tang. It is very rare that Shashi Nathan, one of the countrys leading criminal litigation lawyers, comes out in full force to defend the Attorney-Generals Chambers (AGC). After all, the partner at Withers KhattarWong LLP usually fights the AGC in court. This anomaly happens on a rainy Wednesday morning in his firms cushy meeting room overlooking sprawling views of the CBD and Singapore river, where Shashi and I are discussing the Monica Baey incident. He believes the harsh criticism against the National University of Singapore has been fair, but not the publics blame of the police and AGC. Despite the online furore around the perpetrators conditional warning, Shashi is adamant that the police and AGC are not and should not be obliged to publicly reveal the facts that made them decide not to charge the perpetrator. While a great deal depends on facts that might not be known to the public, the decision to charge someone is the prerogative of the AGC. For them to do their job properly, they need to do it without pressure, influence, or the need to explain themselves, he states. Who gets to decide once you start going down the road of having to explain every decision made? I think the public should have a stronger sense of trust in our enforcement bodies. Even before Shashi can finish his passionate defence of his regular opponent in court, he catches himself and smiles. After 25 years of dealing with the whole gamut of sexual offences, from underskirt filming to violent rape, he knows a simple truth about life: most situations are never black and white. Under the right circumstances, a defence lawyer can side with the prosecution; an innocent witness can appear dishonest; a man can turn into a monster. In another life, Shashi could have been earning a bigger paycheck if hed stuck to his original plan to do corporate law. Similarly, I could have pursued my own dream of being in criminal litigation, after interning at his previous firm Harry Elias LLP (now Eversheds Harry Elias LLP). Story continues But in this life, our paths have merged and we share a fundamental belief: grappling with these grey areas of human nature is what gets us going every day. Its also what keeps him in business. Out of all the cases his firm gets, he estimates an even split between white-collar and blue-collar crime, with about half his blue-collar cases pertaining to sexual offences. One of the most interesting things about being a defence lawyer, he says, is getting to observe the emotions of the characters that come before the courts: the accused, complainant, friends of the complainant, family members, social workers, police officers, and so on. Therefore the best way to practise litigation is to be a keen observer of humanity. In fact, it might be particularly relevant for sexual offences, since many involve he said, she said scenarios, where body language might end up being the giveaway clue to pinpoint someones innocence or guilt. When Shashi is not in court, he likes nothing better than to sit at a cafe and observe people from all walks of life. This seemingly mundane act is never boring, since analysing peoples behaviour and learning about what makes them tick is precisely why he calls himself lucky to do this job every day. I spend a large amount of time observing the witness. When the evidence is being presented, obviously I listen to how its introduced. But mostly I pay attention to the demeanour of the witness, how they react to certain questions, whether theyre sensitive to specific areas of the evidence, their dressing and mannerisms, and the way they look at the judge, the accused, or the gallery for affirmation or validation, he explains. The information he gathers helps him decide on the style of questioning he uses to cross-examine each witness. With some witnesses, for instance, he has to first make them feel comfortable with him as the questioner before he delves into more important or penetrative questions. This could mean employing soft language or kid gloves to get them to open up to the courttactics that lawyers tend to adopt with vulnerable complainants, depending on their age or their relationship to the accused. As much as it might not appear so, empathy is a crucial skill for any defence lawyer. Shashi believes the defence must be able to empathise with the complainant, their families, what theyve gone through, and the difficulties of being grilled in court after their ordeal. Take, for example, a rape accusation thats been made a considerable amount of time after the incident. He understands that some people need time to digest what happened to them, to do some soul searching, or to stop blaming themselves for what happened. Others might not want the publicity, or there might be a family member involved. But empathy doesnt mean giving someone an easy time or letting them off the hook. Its simply about treating them with fairness, civility, care, and consideration. Asking the complainant why they waited so long to make the report is a question that must be asked, because we need to know why. But it should not always be held against the complainant, nor should the case hang on that alone. The courts and defence lawyers should be fair about it; give it the correct weight, he explains. And if, at any time, the witness is rude to the lawyer cross-examining them, Shashi says most judges will themselves intervene. There is no need for a lawyer to descend into a line of questioning designed to embarrass the witness or raise ones voice as they do in TV dramas, even though this has happened in our courts. For the whole system to work, we recognise that the prosecution, defence, and the court must work together. We might do different things, but if one of us isnt allowed to work properly, the system becomes like a tricycle with one wheel broken. It doesnt become a bicycle after that, right? It simply stops working, he says. At the same time, the defence must ensure a firm, rigorous, and fair cross-examination of the evidence and witnesses. If the court doesnt test the evidence, and simply believes what the prosecutor puts forth, there can be no justice, only retribution. Most people who ask how I can defend a despicable man dont consider that one day their loved one might be similarly accused. Its easy to judge other people when it doesnt affect you. But when something hits close to home, you will want someone to put up the best defence for you or your loved one, he says. I believe everyone is entitled to be defended. We do our best, but we also need to test the evidence. In order to do that, we need to cross-examine complainants to see if theyre telling the truth. Because if they are, the accused could go to jail for a very long time. If and when the evidence has been analysed in court and the court finds the accused guilty of the crime, Shashi firmly believes they should go ahead and charge them. I think all defence lawyers would say the same. Please punish them and punish them appropriately. First, because they deserve to be punished, and second, because we must send a strong signal to society that the law will not allow these crimes to happen. No matter the verdict, however, there are rarely clear winners and losers. Many cases have multiple victims in the end, from the victim themselves to the perpetrators family, all of whom might face varying degrees of financial, social, and psychological stress during the course of the trial. Do people ever question how you sleep at night? I ask. I dont really sleep at night, he laughs. For the whole system to work, the prosecution, defence, and the court must work together. To help me better understand the complexities of defending (and prosecuting) a sexual offence, Shashi walks me through the steps that happen after a complainant decides to lodge a police report. To begin their investigation, the police take statements from the complainant and accused, as well as several witnesses. They would probably invite both complainant and accused to take a lie detector test, even though the results of the test are not admissible as evidence in court. During the polices questioning, neither the complainant nor accused should record their conversation with the police because it might compromise the investigation. However, what they can and should do is immediately write their own notes about what they said once they leave the room, while the interview is still fresh in their minds. After that, the investigating officer puts up a recommended charge about what they think of the case and sends it to the AGC, where an assigned Deputy Public Prosecutor (DPP) will look at the file. At this stage, the DPP doesnt just consider the polices perspective, but the legal perspective. If the AGC agrees with the police on the preferred charge, they may affirm the recommendation. Alternatively, they may suggest a different charge, which the police may then follow. After making a report, the complainant should refrain from posting about the case online. Even though it is not illegal, and Shashi empathises with complainants who turn to social media, he strongly advises against putting a case into public domain while its still undergoing investigation. His reason is simple: in todays age, these incidents tend to go viral and inevitably launch a thousand social commentaries, creating pressure on the police to charge the accused. Finally, if the accused is acquitted and the complainant is unhappy with the verdict, they should be very careful about how they go about seeking closure or justice that they believe they werent given, especially if they are considering taking to social media with their grievances. But, I counter: isnt the act of taking to social media almost the inevitable result of a system that has failed at meting out adequate justice for the crime? Namely, Im referring to how Monica Baey posted a screenshot of her perpetrators Instagram account, among a stream of Instagram Stories detailing what he did to her. To be fair, she came across as a brave young lady. She is entitled to be angry and speaking up the way she did, and I have no issue with his name being published by her. If you are an actual victim, you are entitled to name your perpetrator, he explains. What I take issue with are online keyboard warriors. Instead of focusing on the young lady and what she went through, many criticise the police and the AGC, and forget about the girls cry for justice. Its hard to say whether they really care about Monica. In fact, Shashi thinks its unfair that many female complainants dont come forward when a sexual offence has been committed against them. But neither does he believe theres anything wrong with the system; for one, there are rape squads attached to every police division. Perhaps then, the problem lies with societys insistence on black or white narratives. We are wildly uncomfortable with uncertainty, especially acknowledging that good and bad are often relative. Since #MeToo erupted in October 2017, people have claimed that because sexual allegations are he said, she said in nature, its easy to make false allegations. In reality, this percentage is incredibly low, and statistically speaking, most women who come forward do tell the truth. However, the fact is that getting sentenced for a crime one didnt commit can literally cost someone their life. And so, for better or worse, false allegations are part of why Shashi and other defence lawyers continue to have their job. Shashi recalls a former case when he was at Harry Elias around 2001, when a complainant lied about her father sexually assaulting her. At the time she made the complaint, she was 14. As a result, her father was put in remand and had all his children taken away to be placed in a halfway house. When the case eventually made it to court, she was 18. Seeing as she had difficulty answering even innocuous questions, the defence took almost four days to cross-examine the complainant. While her police statement was clear, she offered a different version of events in court. Around the ninth day of trial, she broke down and told the judge she had been lying. Apparently, her father became excessively strict with her after her mother had passed away, so she grew angry and resentful. If her father had been found guilty, Shashi says he would have been caned and sentenced to jail for more than 10 years. You go into any trial with the hope of winning, but you cant give any client any guarantee. The whole process is such a fluid situation. You dont how witnesses will turn up, how evidence will be received, whether evidence is tainted or manipulated, and so on. We didnt expect the result, he adds. Cases, where a complainant has motive to lie or exaggerate the truth, might be rare, but they are the reason Shashi prefers the term complainant instead of victim. Although some people take issue with his characterisation, he believes its an important point to remember. Too often when we brand someone as a victim, its unfair to the accused. Being accused doesnt mean youre convicted, but being a victim suggests that a crime has already been committed. Until its proven in court that a crime did happen, a victim is a complainant, he explains. The day we forget this, we run into a problem. We start labelling and pigeonholing people into categories and it affects how we weigh the evidence. While he is full of praise for organisations that help women, he concedes that they might have a skewed view of how the criminal justice system works. When they say every girl who comes to them is a victim, I disagree, even though there may be a large proportion of them who are victims and who need their help. But there are always two sides to the coin. These organisations dont see the families that I see getting broken up, he shares. Even though Shashi might sympathise with a complainant, his painful objectivity can rub people the wrong way. Being able to take a step back from a deeply personal topic to look at the evidence from the other side is a privilege offered to few, least of all the disenfranchised who face discrimination daily. But objectivity is not a privilege he has. It is his job, and the bare minimum for how he must understand and present the world. All the same, Shashi has never grown emotionally detached over the years, often finding himself playing therapist to his clients. He brings up his first murder case around 1994, where he was an assisting counsel. The case involved a Thai man who had murdered a compatriot of his at a work site, and seemingly covered every avenue in criminal litigation, such as violence, sex, greed, robbery, alcohol, and drugs. I believed he was innocent all the way through and that someone else had killed the victim. Even after he was charged, he kept saying he didnt do it when I visited him in prison. But wed lost the case at the high court and lost it again at the court of appeal, he says. I wasnt really affected after the verdict, but two to three days before he hanged, he asked me to send a letter to his wife in a Northern province in Thailand. He was only 23 or 24 years old; she was 18 and they had a son. The note was short, but it was to inform her that her husband had died. Thats when it hit me. Following the case, Shashi questioned his suitability for the job and didnt sleep properly for a few weeks. He constantly wondered if he had done enough. Recently, another client with a wife and children was sentenced to death row for drug trafficking. Even though he was originally given a sentence of 15 years in prison, the court of appeal overturned the appeal and sentenced him to hang. When I was young, I had doubts about my ability. As a young lawyer, I would ask if I was good enough, did I do the right thing, and so on. I dont have those doubts anymore; my team and I do good work and we have a good standing in the courts, he muses. But what still hits you is that your client is going to die. Knowing peoples lives rest in ones hands can be emotionally draining even for the strongest person, but the trick to preventing burnout lies in how deftly one moves on from a case, especially after feeling so strongly and deeply for it. The next deserving client and the next sad story I hear draws me into the next case. That is the antidote for me. The next challenge heals, though maybe not fully, and papers over. You need to focus on whats next. For Shashi, it appears eventual closure remains as grey as cases and people themselves. Yet if hes observed himself as keenly as he has humanity throughout the last 25 years, hed know the greys will continue to exist because he cares enough about giving the next alleged voyeur, molester, or rapist a fair trial. There may rarely be blacks or whites, but if he plays his cards right, he could still get a good nights sleep. Have something to say about this story? Write in: community@ricemedia.co. The post A Top Criminal Lawyer Unravels the Complexities of Defending a Sex Crime in Singapore appeared first on RICE. SIOUX CITY D. Douglas Rice, Chairman, president and CEO of Security National Bank, has announced the promotion of Keri Struve to human resources officer. In her new position, Struve will continue to manage the recruitment of talent to Security National Bank, while supporting the development and implementation of the organizations HR initiatives and processes. Struve, who has obtained the Senior Certified Professional designation from the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), joined the bank in 2015 as a human resources generalist. Prior to joining SNB, Struve directed all HR functions for another financial services firm, and acquired nearly a decade of management experience in the retail and technology sectors. She studied communications at the University of Iowa. Active in the community, Struve has been involved with Siouxland United Way, the March of Dimes and the Sioux City Growth Organization. She has also served as the Conference Planning Chair with Young Professionals of Iowa. Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 13 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SIOUX CITY -- "A Sioux City Treasure," a program hosted by veteran photographer George Lindblade, is at 2 p.m. May 26 at the Betty Strong Encounter Center, 900 Larsen Park Road. In his richly illustrated presentation, Lindblade will give audiences a glimpse at his more than 60-year career behind the camera. This includes his pioneering days as Sioux City's first TV cameraman in the 1950s, a stint as a Los Angeles-based NBC News photographer where he rubbed shoulders with Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope, as well as a return to Sioux City, where he worked at KCAU-TV during the "golden age" for local broadcast news. Since then, Lindblade has made countless documentaries examining Sioux City's history in addition to operating G.R. Lindblade & Co. and Sioux City Gifts at 1922 Pierce St. Admission is free for this program and a reception will follow. 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 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. SIOUX CITY -- When Sioux City lost its lone endocrinologist a couple of years ago, Dr. Tyler Wendel and other providers at Siouxland Community Health Center saw an influx of patients with complex, high-risk medical conditions. "The majority of patients I took over were uncontrolled diabetics. Their sugars were all over the place," Wendel said. "It kind of falls on the primary care provider to manage them, but depending on what they have going on, I think we all have different levels of comfort taking care of certain conditions." Instituted locally through Siouxland Community Health Center (SCHC) last October, Project ECHO (Extension of Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a hub-and-spoke model of care that brings health care providers and staff members together to talk to Leslie Eiland, an endocrinologist at University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Project ECHO allows participants in Iowa and Nebraska to share knowledge and resources so that patients can be managed close to home, rather than traveling more than 230 miles round trip to a specialty clinic. Wendel was among 10 SCHC staff members who sat at a long table in a lower level conference room on a Tuesday morning in April discussing patient case histories with Eiland and several participants from other health centers, who were visible on a monitor and large projection screen. "Even if you have a local specialist, sometimes health center patients just have a lot barriers to accessing care outside the walls of our clinic," said Dave Faldmo, SCHC's medical director, who noted that a lack of transportation, access to translators and insurance keeps patients from getting the treatment they need. Last March, Faldmo and Wendel attended an immersion training in Albuquerque, New Mexico, to learn how to bring Project ECHO, which was first launched in 2003, to Siouxland. Dr. Sanjeev Arora, a liver disease specialist in Albuquerque, was frustrated that thousands of New Mexicans with hepatitis C couldn't get treatment because they didn't have access to local specialists. He created Project ECHO so primary care doctors, nurses and other clinicians could learn to provide specialty care to patients in their own communities, thereby reducing health disparities. SCHC serves as a hub site, a role usually reserved for academic medical centers, by facilitating a monthly, two-hour long video session for "spokes," or community clinicians. Currently, Faldmo said eight health centers and two Iowa and Nebraska primary care associations participate as spokes. The only equipment spokes need to connect to a hub site is a computer equipped with a camera. "We couldn't really find a hub to connect with, so we thought, why don't we just be the technical hub and contract out the specialty services," Faldmo said. SCHC has also participated as a spoke in Project ECHO teleconferences that focused on reducing the prenatal transmission of Hepatitis B and using medications that help patients withdraw from opioids. "We're looking at a geriatric ECHO that we may participate in again as a spoke, and there's an asthma one that I just got some information on," Faldmo said. "We would like to continue to expand the use of this learning model." Sharing knowledge During Project ECHO sessions hosted by SCHC, providers present brief patient case histories. Since identities are kept confidential, Faldmo said patients don't always know that their cases are being presented. But when Faldmo does inform patients that their conditions will be discussed in a session, he said their reactions are positive. "They like it. They think, 'That's cool that there are going to be 30 people talking about how we can better my care,'" he said. After each case history is presented, the providers pose a question, "Should we change the patient's medicine?" or "Should we do an additional CAT scan or ultrasound?" Wendel said the question helps guide the discussion that ensues. In April, Wendel presented the case of a patient with type 2 diabetes and a host of other chronic medical conditions. While the patient goes to his medical appointments and reports that he takes his medications, his A1c just keeps rising. Wendel asked the group for input regarding the patient's medication and his social well-being. Faldmo said social aspects of health play a big role when it comes to managing diabetes. "You can have all the right medicines to provide for the patient, but maybe they're fearful of taking it. That's where the behavioral health specialist can help out in finding out how we help patients be compliant with the treatment plan," he said. Glen Houts, a behavioral health case manager at SCHC, said research has shown that providers can have a greater impact on a patient's health outcomes by addressing social determinants of health -- the structural determinants and conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age. "Having access to the kind of foods that someone with a diabetes diagnosis needs to live a healthy life -- that's a huge one that we talk to patients about frequently," he said. "Just the food that they can get at a food pantry, many times, is contraindicative for their diagnosis." Houts said he looks at the entirety of the patient's financial situation to solve the problem of access to nutritious food. He might recommend that the patient make use of a personal care pantry to save a few dollars on household cleaning items or apply for housing assistance if they haven't and are eligible. "If they can save money in another area of their life, then they can shift over to their food budget," he said. 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 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 -- Much of the knowledge high school students gain goes far beyond classroom work they get graded upon. In some cases, they learn just as much about themselves as they do about science, history, English and other subjects. When she entered South Sioux City High School four years ago, Maria Tapia-Calderon says she had to learn how to take on a bigger role in her own education. In the process, she learned that she can be a much more independent person than she believed. "I felt kind of dumb," she said, giving a blunt assessment of her adjustment to high school. Used to teachers who had maybe given her a little too much help during her younger years, high school teachers were more demanding. The young woman who most call Lupita, a shortened form of Guadalupe, a name her family gave her, realized she'd have to step outside her comfort zone if she wanted to make it. "You have to be brave enough to ask questions. I'm shy and stay quiet. I learned how to speak up," she said. On Sunday, Tapia-Calderon will join her classmates for graduation, a step she didn't always believe would happen. "I kept putting myself down during the years that I wasn't going to make it," the 17-year-old daughter of Gabriela Calderon and Augustin Tapia said. That was due in part to challenges from being born with spina bifida, in which spinal fluid was exposed on the outside of her skin and her spine didn't completely form. Tapia-Calderon said her case is not severe. Her legs are fine from her hips to her knees, but has no sensation from the knees down. She can walk short distances and stand for short periods of time using a walker. She uses a wheelchair the rest of the time. By the time she was 14, she'd had surgeries to align her legs and knees. She spent three months in the hospital in eighth grade, a stint that almost pushed her back a year in school, one of the first academic challenges she faced. "It was stressful," she said. "I had in my mind I wasn't going to be able to make it up and (would have to) take the eighth grade again." With the help of video conferencing, tutors and summer school, Tapia-Calderon caught up and began her freshman year with her class. It's when she realized that teachers had taken it a little easy on her until then, and that in high school she would be expected to do her work on her own. With help, she adjusted. Tapia-Calderon says she learns slowly and thought it would be an obstacle that could prevent her from graduating on time. But she learned how to study, to work on her own with help from "all these wonderful teachers helping me become more independent and reach my goal of graduation." The change didn't go unnoticed. "She started out a very shy young lady, but has really grown, not just with her academics but also standing up for herself. She's more of a self-advocate now," guidance counselor Stephanie Hames said. Tapia-Calderon said the struggles she faced made her a better student and have enabled her to help other students who face similar challenges. "You might fall down, but you've got to keep trying," she said. "You've got to get up again." It's a lesson that can't be found in a textbook, a lesson Tapia-Calderon is glad she learned before she heads to college at Western Iowa Tech Community College, with plans to eventually transfer to either Iowa State or Nebraska. She's thought about being a pediatrician, studying child psychology or medical technology. Without overcoming her early struggles, none of that might have been possible. Developing that independence makes her graduation -- on time -- that much more special. "It was a good transition. In college they won't give you as much help," she said. "It feels amazing that I've achieved so much throughout the years." Copyright 2019 The Sioux City Journal. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. WASHINGTON -- The U.S. aviation system needs urgently to restore the world's confidence after two crashes of Boeing 737 Max jets. Instead, the Trump administration's top aviation official, goaded by some Republican lawmakers, informed the world Wednesday that the problem isn't that Boeing put a faulty aircraft into the skies, nor that the Federal Aviation Administration's lax oversight kept it flying. The trouble, they argued, comes from lousy foreign pilots -- particularly the ones on Ethiopian Airlines and Indonesia's Lion Air who died struggling to pull the Max jets from death plunges. "I'm trying to be respectful because they're deceased," Rep. Paul Mitchell, R-Mich., said of the doomed crews. But, "do we not have concerns not only with the training of pilots in other nations, but the reliability of their logs?" The acting FAA administrator, Daniel Elwell, shared this skepticism and said he "absolutely" wants to "take a hard look at the training standards globally." Rep. Garret Graves, R-La., voiced concern about "the maintenance programs, the pilot experience requirements, the pilot training programs of the air carriers involved." And Rep. Sam Graves (Mo.), ranking Republican on the House transportation committee and a pilot (as he repeatedly mentioned), criticized the deceased: They "never pulled the throttles back," they "were simply going too fast," they followed "no operating procedure that I have heard of." Elwell concurred that the problem should have been "immediately recognizable" to the pilots, but there was "apparent lack of recognition." He blamed the Indonesians for failing to disable the system and said the Ethiopian crew "didn't adhere to the emergency [advisory] we put out" and "never controlled their air speed." Sam Graves rejoined the denunciation. "I hate to disparage another country and what their pilot training is, but that is what scares me in all of this: climbing on an aircraft or airline that is outside U.S. jurisdiction," he said. "It just bothers me that we continue to tear down our system based on what has happened in another country." Yep. Nothing makes foreigners want to buy Boeing jets like a little jingoism. Pilot inexperience may well have played a role in the crashes after the infamous MCAS stabilization system malfunctioned. But that doesn't negate the fact that screwups by both Boeing and the FAA put the faulty aircraft in the air in the first place. The Wall Street Journal reported last week that senior FAA officials failed to review key safety assessments of the MCAS system and that Boeing failed to label the stall-prevention system as a critical component whose malfunction could be catastrophic. MCAS wasn't even originally mentioned in the plane's manual. In addition, Boeing had disabled a safety feature designed to warn pilots about malfunctioning sensors related to the system -- but it allegedly didn't inform airlines. Boeing didn't inform the FAA until 13 months after it discovered it had offered the safety feature as an add-on option instead of standard. Elwell played down these factors. His reaction to the Journal report that the FAA's internal review found weak oversight: "Frankly, there's nothing in that article that led me to anything I'm aware of," he replied. Elwell allowed that the 13-month delay wasn't ideal but lectured the panel: "Don't make something that isn't a critical safety item a critical safety item." Elwell also defended a policy that allows Boeing to handle much of its own safety regulation, and he said returning the Max to service is "not contingent" on completing accident investigations. Elwell was not so forgiving of foreigners. He complained that grounding the planes (the United States resisted the move) "was not a collaborative process" and ignored the data. He said he hopes the return of the Max will be more collaborative. "I think that's important for the world to have some level of confidence" in the plane, he said. Exactly. So maybe take some responsibility? At the end, the panel's other witness, National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Robert Sumwalt, cautioned against the attacks on foreign pilots. "Maybe there are different standards throughout the world," he said. But "if an aircraft manufacturer is going to sell airplanes all across the globe, then it's important that pilots who are operating those airplanes in those parts of the globe know how to operate them. Just to say that the U.S. standards are good and this might be a problem with other parts of the globe, I don't think that's part of the answer." Blaming the victim seldom is. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As his limo carried him to work at the White House Monday, Larry Kudlow could not have been pleased with the headline in The Washington Post: "Kudlow Contradicts Trump on Tariffs." The story began: "National Economic Council Director Lawrence Kudlow acknowledged Sunday that American consumers end up paying for the administration's tariffs on Chinese imports, contradicting President Trump's repeated inaccurate claim that the Chinese foot the bill." A free trade evangelical, Kudlow had conceded on Fox News that consumers pay the tariffs on products made abroad that they purchase here in the U.S. Yet that is by no means the whole story. A tariff may be described as a sales or consumption tax the consumer pays, but tariffs are also a discretionary and an optional tax. If you choose not to purchase Chinese goods and instead buy comparable goods made in other nations or the USA, then you do not pay the tariff. China loses the sale. This is why Beijing, which runs $350 billion to $400 billion in annual trade surpluses at our expense is howling loudest. Should Donald Trump impose that 25% tariff on all $500 billion in Chinese exports to the USA, it would cripple China's economy. Factories seeking assured access to the U.S. market would flee in panic from the Middle Kingdom. Tariffs were the taxes that made America great. They were the taxes relied upon by the first and greatest of our early statesmen, before the coming of the globalists Woodrow Wilson and FDR. Tariffs, to protect manufacturers and jobs, were the Republican Party's path to power and prosperity in the 19th and 20th centuries, before the rise of the Rockefeller Eastern liberal establishment and its embrace of the British-bred heresy of unfettered free trade. The Tariff Act of 1789 was enacted with the declared purpose, "the encouragement and protection of manufactures." It was the second act passed by the first Congress led by Speaker James Madison. It was crafted by Alexander Hamilton and signed by President Washington. After the War of 1812, President Madison, backed by Henry Clay and John Calhoun and ex-Presidents Jefferson and Adams, enacted the Tariff of 1816 to price British textiles out of competition, so Americans would build the new factories and capture the booming U.S. market. It worked. Tariffs financed Mr. Lincoln's War. The Tariff of 1890 bears the name of Ohio Congressman and future President William McKinley, who said that a foreign manufacturer "has no right or claim to equality with our own. ... He pays no taxes. He performs no civil duties." That is economic patriotism, putting America and Americans first. The Fordney-McCumber Tariff gave Presidents Warren Harding and Calvin Coolidge the revenue to offset the slashing of Wilson's income taxes, igniting that most dynamic of decades -- the Roaring '20s. That the Smoot-Hawley Tariff caused the Depression of the 1930s is a New Deal myth in which America's schoolchildren have been indoctrinated for decades. The Depression began with the crash of the stock market in 1929, nine months before Smoot-Hawley became law. The real villain: The Federal Reserve, which failed to replenish that third of the money supply that had been wiped out by thousands of bank failures. Milton Friedman taught us that. A tariff is a tax, but its purpose is not just to raise revenue but to make a nation economically independent of others, and to bring its citizens to rely upon each other rather than foreign entities. The principle involved in a tariff is the same as that used by U.S. colleges and universities that charge foreign students higher tuition than their American counterparts. What patriot would consign the economic independence of his country to the "invisible hand" of Adam Smith in a system crafted by intellectuals whose allegiance is to an ideology, not a people? What great nation did free traders ever build? Free trade is the policy of fading and failing powers, past their prime. In the half-century following passage of the Corn Laws, the British showed the folly of free trade. They began the second half of the 19th century with an economy twice that of the USA and ended it with an economy half of ours, and equaled by a Germany, which had, under Bismarck, adopted what was known as the American System. Of the nations that have risen to economic preeminence in recent centuries -- the British before 1850, the United States between 1789 and 1914, post-war Japan, China in recent decades -- how many did so through free trade? None. All practiced economic nationalism. The problem for President Trump? Once a nation is hooked on the cheap goods that are the narcotic free trade provides, it is rarely able to break free. The loss of its economic independence is followed by the loss of its political independence, the loss of its greatness and, ultimately, the loss of its national identity. Brexit was the strangled cry of a British people that had lost its independence and desperately wanted it back. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PLYMOUTH, Mass. On Sept. 6, 1620, two ships, Mayflower and Speedwell, left Southampton, England, bound for the New World. Halfway through the journey, Speedwell developed leaks and turned back, but Mayflower continued on. On board Mayflower were 102 passengers and about 30 crew members. Two people died from scurvy on the 65-day trip, and one baby was born. Mayflower was a typical merchant ship of the day and was about 100 feet in length. When Mayflower reached land on Nov. 9, they encountered heavy seas and nearly shipwrecked. They had planned to sail south down the coast but decided because of the weather they would explore Cape Cod. They turned north and rounded the tip of Cape Cod and anchored in what is now Provincetown Harbor, and spent the next month exploring the area and trying to decide where to build their settlement. On Christmas Day, 1620, they decided to settle in present-day Plymouth and immediately began building their new settlement. Because the original settlement sits in and under the present town of Plymouth, no one knows exactly what that original village looked like. However, the nearby Plimoth Plantations re-creation is based on painstaking research into what a 17th-century English village looked like. One question often asked by those touring the village is why is it spelled Plimoth. Plimoth is the spelling used by Governor William Bradford when he wrote about the settlement. There were no hard and fast rules for spelling words in the early 17th century, so documents from that time have various spellings for the settlement. The spelling also separates it from the modern city of Plymouth. The original settlement had many more houses than the re-created village. However, like the original, the re-creation is situated on the side of a hill but not as steep as the first one. The 17th-century settlement had about 150 acres of land where they grew corn and other crops. Today there is about an acre being worked as a producing corn field. The first stop on a tour of the Plimoth Plantation is the Henry Hornblower II Visitor Center, where you can buy tickets and view an orientation film about the village. Also in the Visitors Center are gift shops offering Native American art and jewelry along with childrens toys and books. The Plentiful Cafe in the Center has a menu adapted from both the Colonial and Native cultures as well as more modern fare. As visitors tour the village, the first outdoor living history exhibit they see is the Wampanoag Homesite located on the banks of the Eel River. Modern-day descendants of the Wampanoag tribe or other Native American nations can be seen working in the exhibit preparing food or using reeds to make mats or baskets. Food is prepared over an open fire using only the items available in the 1600s. They are dressed in historically accurate clothing made mostly of deer skin. The Native historic interpreters explain Wampanoag history and culture, including traditions, pastimes, music and dance of the people who inhabited the area for more than 10,000 years. Near the rivers edge men are sometimes seen making a mishoon, a boat made from a hollowed-out tree. It is requested that visitors refrain from wearing Indian costumes while touring the Plimoth Plantation. It may cause confusion for people who might mistake costumed visitors with Native Wampanoag interpreters. Once visitors leave the Wampanoag Homesite, they enter the re-created 17th-century English Village that is a replica of the one built by Pilgrims in 1620 along the shore of Plymouth Harbor. The village has timber-framed houses furnished with reproductions of everyday items used by those early settlers. Throughout the village are costumed interpreters who explain how the original settlers grew crops and how they managed to survive the sometimes harsh climate and living conditions. Each interpreter portrays an actual resident of the Plymouth Colony. Not far from Plimoth Plantation is Mayflower II, a replica of the famous ship that brought the Pilgrims to Plymouth in 1620. The full-scale replica is currently undergoing a complete restoration in preparation for the 400th celebration of the Pilgrims landing on the shore of New England. The ship is being restored at Mystic Seaport, Connecticut. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The weather is finally getting warmer and its time to hit the road. And for a lot of Siouxlanders that means hitting the road with a camper. It was many years ago when we bought our first camper. I found it in someones backyard, where it had been sitting for years. To get to it we had to fight our way through a field of overgrown grass and weeds. When I looked inside the derelict motor home I saw tons of potential. Some cleaning, a little paint, and I could turn this neglected vehicle into a magnificent highway traveler. My wife and young daughter saw a piece of junk. In spite of their protests I bought the motor home, which I later discovered was a class C. It had a bed over the cab and the seats in the back could be made into another bed. Perfect for the three of us. I had to buy a new battery and put some air in the tires, but I got it home, where the restoration began. You might wonder what made me think I could restore a motor home. My wife and daughter pondered the same question, and it wasnt long before I too began to rethink my decision to buy the camper. Nevertheless I began cleaning, fixing and replacing things with help from my two detractors, who apparently began to see the potential in the camper. After months of hard work it was complete and ready for a test run. We took it to the Black Hawk Lake campground near Lake View. It was a beautiful campground with lots to see and do. Best of all everything worked beautifully in our new RV. We kept that little camper until our daughter reached the teen years, and like most teenagers decided she didnt want or need parents any longer, so we sold the camper. Then when my wife and I both retired, the idea to get a camper came up again. This time wed use it to travel south for the winter. I bought a used fifth wheel camper and truck combination and we were set. Now all I had to do was learn how to pull a fifth wheel. I got some lessons from a friend who knew all about driving semis, which are just larger versions of a fifth wheel camper. After a few lessons I was all set, or at least I thought I was. This time we went to a campground in South Sioux City for a test run. I quickly discovered I knew next to nothing about how to back the darn thing into a camp site. The first time I tried I went back and forth turning the steering wheel this way and that. Then I got mad and cranked it as far as it would go. The sound of the back window on a truck shattering into a million pieces is one Ill never forget. After that trial run and a trip to the glass repair shop we were ready to head south for the winter. I picked a place in Arizona that was recommended by a friend and off we went. We waited until the first week in December so we could spend an early Christmas with our family. All went well until we reached northern New Mexico. We woke up that morning to discover it had snowed overnight. I turned on the TV and checked the weather. According to the radar the snow ended just a little south of where we were. Perfect. We quickly packed up and left the campground while snow continued to fall. Not only did it continue to snow as we traveled down the road, it got heavier and the wind began to blow. It wasnt long before we were in a full-fledged blizzard. I barely knew how to drive that camper in good weather on dry streets, but there I was trying to keep the truck and camper going in the same direction. I slowed to about 35 mph while semis, cars and other campers went flying past. We somehow managed to get out of the blizzard and make it to our first stop in southern New Mexico. It was then I vowed to leave home earlier to go south. We eventually upgraded to a new fifth wheel. It was nice with an electric fireplace, surround sound stereo and all the comforts of home, but like all campers it also had to have the electric and water hooked up, sewer dumped and a myriad of other chores every time we stopped. We then decided to get rid of the camper and pick a spot and in Arizona buy a small house. I dont miss all the work that goes along with a camper but I do miss the fun of taking my house and belongings down the road and the great adventures we had. Maybe someday Ill try camping again and just maybe I might be able to back the thing up without breaking a window. Terry Turner is a Prime writer who can be reached at turnert185@outlook.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 If you enjoy weird and chaotic horse racing, then 2019 has been a banner year. Two weeks after the Kentucky Derbys pre-race favorite was disqualified after finishing first, the Preakness Stakes upped the ante on Saturday with a jockey-less horse. Bodexpress bucked his rider after the starting gates opened, but the horse still managed to haul ass to the finish line. He didnt win, but he probably had the most fun. From the middle of the chaos of the #KYDerby, to the winner of the #Preakness. War of Will takes the second jewel of the Triple Crown. pic.twitter.com/MzXHpj0GPr NBC Sports (@NBCSports) May 18, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both horse and jockey are reported to be OK after the fall and ensuing freelance expedition. He wasnt behaving well in the gate, Bodexpress jockey John Velazquez told NBC. I lost my balance and went off. Im disappointed. The horse could not be reached for comment. War of Will won Saturdays Preakness, but he did so with a jockey. Does that even count? (Yes. Yes it does.) War of Will is the horse that was bumped during the Kentucky Derby, an event that ultimately led to the disqualification of favorite Maximum Security. Bodexpress also participated at Churchill Downs two weeks ago, and he finished that race in 13th place. The race was very, very crazy, Bodexpress trainer Gustavo Delgado said after the Kentucky Derby. I think the horse ran a good race. The rider said hes happy, happy all the time. Happy and free. The finals of the 2019 Eurovision song contest took place in Tel Aviv on Saturday, and the big winners of the venerable pop music competition were the Netherlands, Italy, Russia, and ineffectual celebrity activism. When the contests votes were tallied, Dutch pop star Duncan Laurence won for the song Arcade, which was the outcome bookkeepers had been predicting. Heres the official video for his song: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laurences victory represents both a long-awaited Eurovision resurgence for his home country and a considerably bleaker national songwriting vision: the Netherlands last won in 1975 with Teach-Ins Ding-a-Dong, which contains the lyrics, There will be no sorrow / When you sing tomorrow / And you walk along with your ding-dang-dong. Italy came in second place this year with Soldi, by Mahmood; Russia came in third with Scream, by Sergey Lazarev. But this years contest was overshadowed by political controversy stemming from holding it in Israel, a nation whose recent record of human rights abuses makes a better backdrop for protest anthems than glitzy pop. Israel earned the right to host last year by winning the 2018 contest with Nettas Toy, but supporters of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement urged musicians and fans alike to boycott the competition, which was not televised in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Enter Canadian-Israeli real-estate billionaire Sylvan Adams, who saw an opportunity in the Eurovision contest to build goodwill for Israel among people who were not paying much attention to what Israel had been up to recently, as he explained to the Jerusalem Post: I believe that doing these types of events is speaking to a massive majority out there in the world who dont have a dog in the fight. Theyre not political, but they generally have a negative impression of this country, due to the steady drumbeat of negative news coming from here. Advertisement So Adams reportedly paid pop star Madonna a cool million dollars to perform at Eurovision and add some glitz, glamour, sizzle, and sparkle, while countering the message of, in his words, the lunatics from the BDS world. Madonna, who previously performed in Israel on her 2009 and 2012 world tours, took the money; on Tuesday, she issued a statement to Reuters saying that she would never stop playing music to suit someones political agenda, nor stop speaking out against violations of human rights wherever they may be. On Saturday, however, she went ahead and played music to suit someones political agenda, taking the stage at Eurovision to perform her 1989 hit Like a Prayer, accompanied by the hooded monks from her 2018 Met Gala performance. Heres how that went: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Madonna was then joined onstage by Quavo to perform Future, from her upcoming album Madame X. Things got unexpectedly political (or political) at the end of the song, as two of Madonnas background dancers revealed they had Israeli and Palestinian flags on the backs of their costumes, then walked up a staircase with their arms around each other. If you squint you can kind of make it out: Advertisement Advertisement It was the most toothless gesture of unity imaginable, but it was too much for Eurovision officials, who released a statement distancing themselves: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the live broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, two of Madonnas dancers briefly displayed the Israeli and Palestinian flags on the back of their outfits. This element of the performance was not part of the rehearsals which had been cleared with the EBU and the Host Broadcaster, KAN. The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event and Madonna had been made aware of this. Eurovision has longstanding reasons to pull back from explicit political statements: The festivals original mission was to promote pan-European unity in the aftermath of World War II. But two backup dancers with flags taped to their backs are not politics in any meaningful sense of the word. What policy or path forward do they suggest? Madonna elaborated a little on what she was trying to do with her performance in Tel Aviv, telling presenter Assi Azar, Lets never underestimate the power of music to bring people together. Advertisement "Let's never underestimate the power of music to bring people together" - @Madonna, at the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2019.#DareToDream #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/18RF5r0Kq3 Eurovision (@Eurovision) May 18, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement This is good advice! History is full of examples of music that brought people together, from Maryland, My Maryland to the Horst Wessel Song, and we should never underestimate its power. But it matters what that music brings people together to do. The idea that art is an unalloyed good that cant be coopted for political purposes is always laughable, but its especially laughable from a person who is accepting a large check from another person who explicitly says his plan is to co-opt her art for political purposes. Like Barack Obamas Cantor Fitzgerald speech, Madonnas performance is a classic example of working backwards to find a reason its okay to take the money. Sometimes its not. Financial transactions by legal entities controlled by Donald Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner in 2016 and 2017 were flagged as suspicious by anti-money laundering specialists inside Deutsche Bank. But bank executives repeatedly discouraged the staffers from raising the concerns and filing a formal report with the Treasury Department, according to the New York Times. The Times talked to five current and former bank employees who said transactions involving Trumps and Kushners firms set off alerts in the computer system that detects potentially suspicious activity. Staff members then prepared what are known as suspicious activity reports but executives at the bank put a stop to them and they were never submitted to the Treasury Department. Advertisement Deutsche Bank has been in the spotlight because it has lent billions to the Trump and Kushner companies even as other financial institutions refused to do business with them. Although it isnt clear what the transactions were about, at least some of them had to do with money going from Kushners firms to Russian individuals. Concerns were also raised regarding Trumps firms and at least one transaction was related to the now-dissolved Donald Trump Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Times makes clear that suspicious activity reports by themselves dont prove any wrongdoing. And regular transactions involving real estate can raise red flags because they can involve all-cash deals. The bank, the Trump Organization and Kushner Companies all denied wrongdoing. But the Times sources say the failure to report the transactions is part of a wider culture inside Deutsche Bank in which executives reject reports in order to protect their relationship with wealthy clients. Congressional investigators have been looking into the long relationship between Deutsche Bank and Trump as well as his family members. Two House committees have filed subpoenas for documents relating to suspicious activities involving Trumps accounts since 2010 but the president and his family have sued Deutsche Bank to try to block it from complying. On Saturday, Michigan Rep. Justin Amash, a Republican, tweeted that President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct, and that Attorney General Bill Barr deliberately misrepresented special counsel Robert Muellers report in his topline summary of the document. The Mueller report, Amash said, reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment. In some sense, this was a big deal: Amash is the first Republican congressman to make such a statement, an achievement touted widely in the coverage this weekend. But in another, much more realistic sense, it was not, because Amash is likely the last Republican to make such a statement as well. The lawmaker, now in his fifth term, is an outlier within his caucus. The dam is not breaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amash, one of the most conservative members of the House and a founding member of the Freedom Caucus, came to Congress in the 2010 Tea Party wave, promising to roll back the size and scope of government and constrain the executive branch. Hes grown isolated from fellow conservatives during the Trump administration, however, as the right flank of the party metamorphosed from small-government ideologues into President Trumps choir, while he still has the audacity to consider reining in the White House a priority even with a Republican in it. Too conservative for the House rank-and-file, and too Trump-skeptical for the Freedom Caucus, Amash now finds himself, as CNNs Haley Byrd wrote in a recent profile, the loneliest Republican in Congress. That was especially the case after his friend and nearest analog within the caucus, former North Carolina Rep. Walter Jones, died earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement So the nod to impeachment wasnt out of the blue. Amash has consistently called out, and voted against, the president. He voted against Trumps emergency declaration for a border wall and two hardline immigration billsKates Law and the No Sanctuary for Criminals Actciting constitutional concerns. When Trump talks shit on Twitter, most Republicans hide under their desks. But Amash is known to return fire. He even used the February hearing with former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen to ask actual questions about the president rather than run interference on his behalf. Advertisement Saturday wasnt even the first time that Amash has played footsie with impeaching Trump. In May 2017, following Trumps firing of former FBI Director James Comey, Amash told reporters that if Comeys memos recording his meetings with Trump were true, they could be grounds for impeachment. This came one week after Amash, as the Washington Post wrote at the time, became the first Republican to express support for an independent investigation into the Trump-Russia matter. So often when you read a headline that there are bipartisan calls to hold Trump accountable for something, the bipartisan group is comprised of all Democrats and Justin Amash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And how has this particular first from Amash been received within his party? The president tweeted that he was never a fan of Amash, which is probably true, and described him as a total lightweight and a loser. This was to be expected. But House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy was equally unsparing, leveling personal insults at one of his own members. This is exactly what he wants, he wants to have attention, McCarthy said Sunday. Youve got to understand Justin Amash. Hes been in Congress quite some time. I think hes asked one question in all the committees that hes been in. He votes more with Nancy Pelosi than he ever votes with me. Its a question whether hes even in our Republican conference as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ronna McDaniel, chairwoman of the Republican National Committee, tweeted that its sad to see Congressman Amash parroting the Democrats talking points on Russia, adding that voters in Amashs district strongly support this President, and would rather their Congressman work to support the Presidents policies that have brought jobs, increased wages and made life better for Americans. A primary challenge to Amash is in the works, though none have been successful in the past. (Thats one reason Amash can tweet these things: He has a close, transparent relationship with his voters, often writing lengthy Facebook explanations for his consequential votes. The voters in Michigans 3rd district know who Justin Amash is, and theyve reelected him four times. He can get away with heresies.) Advertisement Still, you wouldnt look to McCarthy or McDaniel for signs that the dam is breaking. But you might look at McDaniels uncle, Mitt Romney. The Utah senator, appearing on CNN on Sunday, didnt lob insults at Amash and called his statement courageous. But Romney also said that Amash has reached a different conclusion than I have, and that to make a case for obstruction of justice, you just dont have the elements that are evidenced in this document. Maybe another Republican legislator or two will get an inconvenient diagnosis of conscience and emerge in the coming weeks in favor of impeachment. But who? Without Walter Jones, the nearest practitioner of Amashs libertarian politics is Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie, and hes made adequately clear that he takes a dim view of Russia hysteria. The relevant statistic here is that about nine out of ten Republicans oppose impeachment proceedings. Unless that changes, calling for Trumps impeachment would be pure political suicide for most. Amash, in all likelihood, will stand alone on this one, too. Rep. Justin Amash became the first Republican in Congress to publicly acknowledge that impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump could be justified. Even though he didnt outright call for Trumps impeachment, the lawmaker from Michigan did say the president engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment. Amash began his lengthy Twitter thread that he posted Saturday afternoon by saying he had reached four principal conclusions after reading special counsel Robert Muellers redacted report. And that, according to Amash, makes him an exception because few members of Congress have actually read it. The main conclusions include an acknowledgment that Attorney General William Barr deliberately misrepresented Muellers report and a realization that Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. The special counsels report makes it clear that Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment, Amash wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are my principal conclusions: 1. Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented Muellers report. 2. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. 3. Partisanship has eroded our system of checks and balances. 4. Few members of Congress have read the report. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 Contrary to Barrs portrayal, Muellers report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Even though some have warned that more polarized politics could lead to an increase in impeachment efforts, Amash has the opposite fear. While impeachment should be undertaken only in extraordinary circumstances, the risk we face in an environment of extreme partisanship is not that Congress will employ it as a remedy too often but rather that Congress will employ it so rarely that it cannot deter misconduct, Amash wrote. While impeachment should be undertaken only in extraordinary circumstances, the risk we face in an environment of extreme partisanship is not that Congress will employ it as a remedy too often but rather that Congress will employ it so rarely that it cannot deter misconduct. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawmaker from Michigan who was elected to Congress in 2010 as part of the Tea Party wave, went on to note that Barrs efforts to mislead the public on the contents of the Mueller report werent a one-time thing. It is clear that Barr intended to mislead the public about Special Counsel Robert Muellers analysis and findings, Amash wrote. Barrs misrepresentations are significant but often subtle, frequently taking the form of sleight-of-hand qualifications or logical fallacies, which he hopes people will not notice. Advertisement Advertisement In comparing Barrs principal conclusions, congressional testimony, and other statements to Muellers report, it is clear that Barr intended to mislead the public about Special Counsel Robert Muellers analysis and findings. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Amash went on to point out that it is up to Congress to take the next step and blasted his colleagues for changing their views on impeachment depending on who is being accused. Weve witnessed members of Congress from both parties shift their views 180 degreeson the importance of character, on the principles of obstruction of justicedepending on whether theyre discussing Bill Clinton or Donald Trump, he said. That partisanship was all the more evident when lawmakers appeared able to reach their conclusions quickly. Few members of Congress even read Muellers report; their minds were made up based on partisan affiliationand it showed, with representatives and senators from both parties issuing definitive statements on the 448-page reports conclusions within just hours of its release, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Weve witnessed members of Congress from both parties shift their views 180 degreeson the importance of character, on the principles of obstruction of justicedepending on whether theyre discussing Bill Clinton or Donald Trump. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 President Donald Trump broke his silence on the recent wave of abortion laws with a series of tweets late Saturday night and made it clear that he backs less restrictive laws than the one recently approved in Alabama. Trump began his Twitter thread by declaring himself strongly Pro-Life but noting that comes with three exceptionsRape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother. Just in case anyone thinks that isnt conservative enough, the president then pointed out that was the same position taken by Ronald Reagan. Trumps tweet came days after Alabama approved the countrys most restrictive abortion law that only allows the procedure if there is a serious health risk to the mother without outlining any exceptions for rape and incest. Advertisement As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan. We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new..... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he outlined his position, Trump also called on Republicans to remain UNITED on the issue as he gave his administration credit for recent restrictions on abortion rights and predicted the issue would be key in the next presidential campaign. We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court justices and a whole new and positive attitude about the right to life, Trump wrote. Advertisement Advertisement ....Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new & positive attitude about the Right to Life. The Radical Left, with late term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 The president then went on to say that the Radical Left is imploding on this issue and he called on Republicans to unite around abortion, implying the GOP should not allow small differences divide them. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear! he warned. Advertisement ....for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 Advertisement Advertisement With the late-night tweets, Trump broke a period of uncharacteristic silence on the recent waves of abortion laws. Advisers had been warning to the president to stay away from the controversial issues over fears that it could help the expected legal challenges of the new laws as well as distract from ongoing negotiations with Democrats over an infrastructure spending package, Politico reported. Before that though, Trump had been making late-term abortions an issue in recent campaign speeches. Just last month, Trump claimed at a rally in Wisconsin that Democrats are in favor of allowing children to be ripped from their mothers womb right up until the moment of birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump did not stay silent. Less than 24 hours after Rep. Justin Amash became the first Republican in Congress to declare that the president had been engaged in impeachable conduct, Trump fired back and called the lawmaker a loser. And, in case you were wondering, the president never quite liked him much anyway. Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy, Trump wrote in the first of tweets aimed at Amash Sunday. While Amash had claimed that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle had not read the report, the president threw that claim back at him. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION, Trump added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, composed by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump,.... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 The whole question is moot anyway because how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? the president asked before accusing Amash of helping Democrats: Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! Advertisement Advertisement ....he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION...Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 Amash took center stage this weekend when he published a series of tweets that said he had reached the conclusion that Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct and that Attorney General Robert Barr deliberately misrepresented the findings of special counsel Robert Muellers report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are my principal conclusions: 1. Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented Muellers report. 2. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. 3. Partisanship has eroded our system of checks and balances. 4. Few members of Congress have read the report. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 It doesnt look like Amashs way of thinking will quickly spread to other Republicans though. Sen. Mitt Romney has not been shy about criticizing Trump in the past but said on Sunday that while Amash had made a courageous statement, he disagreed with his conclusions. My own view is that Justin Amash has reached a different conclusion than I have, Romney said on CNNs State of the Union. I respect him, I think its a courageous statement, but I believe that to make a case for obstruction of justice you just dont have the elements that are evidenced in this document. Beyond that, impeaching a president isnt just about the law, it also must consider practicality and politics, and the American people just arent there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It looks like President Donald Trump wants to make news around Memorial Day by pardoning several Americans who have been accused or convicted of war crimes. Although nothing is official yet, the New York Times reports that the White House has filed expedited requests for the paperwork that would be necessary to move forward with those pardons on or around Memorial Day. The Trump administration requested the paperwork Friday and even though that can take months to assemble, the administration has called for the files to be completed before Memorial Day weekend. Advertisement One of those who could potentially receive a pardon from the president is Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher, who is scheduled ot go on trial shortly for allegedly killing a wounded prisoner of war in Iraq and shooting unarmed civilians in Afghanistan. Trump had recently ordered Gallagher be moved to a less restrictive prison as some Republicans have publicly expressed support for him. Others who could benefit from the presidents move include a former contractor who was found guilty of shooting dozens of unarmed Iraqis and a group of snipers charged with urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In honor of his past service to our Country, Navy Seal #EddieGallagher will soon be moved to less restrictive confinement while he awaits his day in court. Process should move quickly! @foxandfriends @RepRalphNorman Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 30, 2019 If Trump goes through with the pardons, it would only mark the latest effort by the president to push a message that there should be a more lenient stance toward actions taken by servicemembers in a war zone. In the past, Trump has expressed support for torturing detainees, saying that he absolutely believes it works. Earlier this month, Trump pardoned Michael Behenna, a former Army officer who was convicted of killing an Iraqi prisoner in 2008. 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. An adept workforce equipped with sustainable growth has always been the basis for a business to thrive. Unfortunately, most companies in the contemporary world pay minimal heed to this essential aspect and merely focus on boosting their business. This has never been the case for Xoriant, a product engineering, software development and technology services firm headquartered in Silicon Valley. The firm believes investing in continuous education and training of its people. Strengthened with multi-technology competence and insights on the technology industry, Xoriant goes an extra mile to ensure that its people enhance their expertise in next-generation technologies so that they deliver innovative solutions to its clients. Arun Tendulkar, Xoriant COO India says, Xoriant's core values and principles are one of the strategic differentiators that has influenced the way we work together and serve our customers, bringing passionate people to collaborate, while creating opportunities for them to achieve individual career goals and for the company to be an innovation leader.Recognized as a preferred technology partner for ISVs and Enterprise customers today, Xoriant practices a culture that resonates with innovation, backed by key technology partnerships. The firm keeps its customers prepared for the emerging technology disruptions as well as the ongoing competition by delivering next-generation products, end-to-end solutions and platforms. Xoriant's offerings are built on leading technology practices across Product Engineering, Cloud and Infrastructure, Internet of Things, Security, Big Data and Analytics, Data Management and Governance. In turn, its employees, breathing a strong customer-first mindset, undertake each task and responsibility with high motivation for technology and strive to achieve unparalleled excellence for the firm. Xoriant successfully maintains a customer track record with 90 percent repeat business and several employees with a tenure of more than 15 years. Recently in a special event, employees with 15 years of service in the organization were recognized by its CEO, Girish Gaitonde. Redefining Employee Empower- ment Ranjana Singh, Head of HR at Xoriant, says, Xoriant testifies itself as one of the best companies to work for by successfully building a modern, technology driven firm, prioritizing employees through innovative people practices and an empowering environment, open culture, offering exceptional opportunities for career growth along with the experience of working with cutting-edge technologies. A vast range of factors attributes to the empowerment of Xoriants current headcount of 3000+ professionals. Starting from stringent lateral hiring and campus drives in diverse geographies including the provision of exclusive employee development programs around the year, the firm leaves no stone unturned to build the best workforce. Xoriant brings aboard new talent through internship programs, while diversity hiring is prioritized via special recruitment drives and referral schemes. Employees proactively participate in several Xoriant events such as TechX (a bi-annual technology conclave), Hackathon, Fast-Track Leadership Program for Young Managers(FLY), Spring board Program for campus hires, Leadership Acceleration Program (LEAP) and about 200+ skill development and training programs for new hires and employees. Ritu Rungta, Marketing at Xoriant, says, We at Xoriant believe that every employee contributes to the growth of the company. Each employee is given the platform and support, where they can bring their ideas to life and participate in different activities and events beyond their regular work to develop themselves, which in turn translates and forms the basis of the innovation attribute of the company. To further the process of empowerment, Xoriant organizes numerous rewards and recognition platforms including the bi-annual All Hands Meet, initiatives like I Appreciate and Kudos Badge to recognize and appreciate the performance of innovative thinkers. The 2019 Minnesota harness racing season got underway on Saturday, May 18 with Running Aces hosting their opening night of racing. The Opening night card at Running Aces featured the $14,000 Open Handicap Pace for horses & geldings headlined by Stuckey Dote, the 6-5 morning line favourite entering off a career-best mile at El Dorado Scioto Downs in 1:50.3. Stuckey Dote got in gear early with a sweeping move into the first turn to establish the lead over Firedrake, who got away quickly from post 6 and secured the pocket through a :27.2 opener. Driver Rick Magee settled his charge down on the front and registered a breather to a :57 half. From there they weathered a challenge from King Of The Crop to the 1:26.3 third quarter while Firedrake continued to draft. Stuckey Dote paced home strong to register a three-and-a-quarter length tally over King Of The Crop and Firedrake in 1:54.1 for his 30th win from 90 starts. Brett Ballinger trains the winner for owner Merlin Van Oterloo. Longshots dominated the middle part of the opening-night program, with Brushin Albert and Dean Magee registering a 16-1 upset in the third contest, paying a $34.20 mutuel. Race 4 was won by Cenalta Cougar ($44.80) with driver Tim Maier, who would go on to lead the night with three wins. The longshot trail continued in Race 5 when Trinitysfancyfilly and Brian Detgen scored for a $21.60 payout. Stuckey Dote delivered in the featured seventh as the favorite, and Tim Maier completed both halves of the late double while favoured in both events (Fox Valley Nemitz, paying $3.80, and Crystal Hotspur paying $5.20) Live racing returns to Running Aces on Sunday, May 19 with first-race post time at 6:00 p.m. (CDT). (with files from Running Aces) We would love to hear your thoughts... 1. How did you come up with the idea for your startup? 2. What was the hardest part in the early stages of the startups growth? 3. What are the services/solutions/products that the startup offers? Who are the targeted audiences? 4. What are your strengths and advantages over your competitors? 5. At the moment, how do you measure success? What are your metrics? 6. Is the company bootstrapped or funded? What milestones will the financing get you to? 7. What is the road map ahead? How are you planning to achieve it? Key Management : Founding Year : Milestones : Awards/Recognition : Clients : In order to continue enjoying our site, we ask that you confirm your identity as a human. Thank you very much for your cooperation. The name of a Cowlitz County sheriffs deputy killed in April will be engraved on the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington D.C., joining the names of more than 20,000 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout American history. Justin DeRosier, 29, was shot April 13 while investigating reports of a motor home blocking a road in Kalama. He died the following morning, marking the first line-of-duty death in Cowlitz County in 70 years. The Law Enforcement Memorial, opened in 1991, sits just a few blocks north of the National Mall, flanked by the National Building Museum. DeRosier joins three other lawmen in The Daily News circulation area who have died in the line of duty. They are Kelso police officer Frank Konen and Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter. Konen was shot and killed at the age of 33 in March 1948 by Oscar Rogers, an intoxicated man who had just torn apart a hotel room. Konen and two other officers were attempting to arrest Rogers that night, according to TDN records. Konen told his fellow officers to go back to the station, and that he would stick around to make sure things quieted down. But Rogers was able to grab Konens revolver and shoot him in the arm and lower chest. Even with the injuries that would quickly claim his life, Konen was able to pin his killer long enough for the other officers to run back and help handcuff the man. Konen, who left a wife and 18-month-old son, was awarded the Washington State Law Enforcement Medal of Honor in 1998. Painter was shot and killed while responding to a car theft at Rainier Sound Authority in January 2011. Police said Painter struggled briefly with Daniel Butts, who muscled away the chiefs handgun and used it to fatally shoot Painter. Eight years of courtroom battles over Butts psychological health ensued, until he reversed his plea to guilty in March and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 48 years and nine months. He will be nearly 70 at his earliest opportunity for release. Brian Butts, the man believed by authorities to be DeRosiers killer, is the half-brother of Daniel Butts. Brian Butts was shot and killed in a shootout with two Kelso officers who confronted him during the manhunt for DeRosiers killer, according to investigators. Kalama police Chief Randy Gibson died in January 2017 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 59. He died after going into respiratory distress that was brought on by a high-stress arrest. Gibson drove himself to the hospital and was later discharged to his home at his own request, where died later in the day. The memorial is a part of the National Law Enforcement Museum, which maintains an online database of information on the officers featured at its memorial. This can be found at: https://nleomf.org/memorial. Also engraved is the name of Vernonia, Ore., Police Chief Raymond Garcia, who was shot and killed at the age of 26 in October 1971 while making a traffic stop near the police station. The driver opened fire with a .22 caliber pistol, prompting Garcia to return fire. Both men died from the shootout. Eugene Bolstad, a Washington State patrolman, is also engraved; He died at the age of 29 in September 1957 while trying to rescue a teenage boy being washed out to the sea at Longbeach. Both were caught in an undertow. James Saunders, a Washington State Patrol trooper, was shot and killed in October 1999 in Pasco during a routine traffic stop at the age of 31. His mother and maternal grandparents came from Longview, and Jimmer Place off 34th Avenue is named for him. His name also appears on the memorial. According to the memorial, 43 U.S. officers have died in the line of duty so far this year. Roughly half of those deaths are firearms-related. Kittitas County sheriffs deputy Ryan Thompson is the other Washington State lawman who died in the line of duty this year. He was shot and killed in March by a road rage suspect who also injured another officer during the shooting. This article has been updated to include the death of Kalama police Chief Randy Gibson. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 3 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. New YorkBoarded-up stores, shuttered restaurants, and empty office towers: COVID-19 has turned New Yorks famous business districts into ghost towns, with companies scrambling to come up with ways to entice workers to return post-pandemic. If they dont come back, were sunk, said Kenneth McClure, vice president of Hospitality Holdings, whose Midtown bistro pre-coronavirus would buzz with the sound of financiers striking deals at lunch and sharing cocktails after a hard day at the office. The group has closed its six restaurants and bars in Manhattan, two of them permanently, due to lockdown restrictions that have paused office culturea culture as intrinsic to the Big Apple as a Broadway show, a yellow taxi, or a slice of cheese pizza. Customers that you saw three, four, five times a week just virtually disappeared, McClure told AFP, recalling March of last year when the pandemic first swept New York, where it has killed more than 26,000 people. According to data collected by security firm Kastle Systems, only 14 percent of New Yorks more than one million office workers had returned to their desks by the middle of January, putting the countless sandwich shops and small businesses in Midtown and Wall Street at risk. With vaccines now rolling out, corporations and business leaders are grappling with how to attract employees back after spending the best part of a year working from home, and in turn, maintaining the character of business districts. ADVERTISEMENT Seventy-nine percent of employees questioned in a PricewaterhouseCoopers survey published this month said that working remotely had been a success, but the report also found that offices are not about to be consigned to history. Some 87 percent of employees said the office was important to them for collaborating with team members and building relationships, aspects of working life they felt was easier and more rewarding in person than over Zoom. Being here, seeing my colleagues and getting out of the house, it changes my mood for the whole week, said Jessica Lappin, speaking to AFP from her office at the Alliance for Downtown New York, where she is president. Few workers plan on being in offices Monday to Friday, nine to five, though. The vast majority of employees say a hybrid system of two-to-three days working from home and two-to-three days working in the office is their preferred approach, said Deniz Caglar, co-author of the PwC report. Experts say companies should transform their offices away from places where employees come to send emails or make phone calls, which they can do at home, towards more appealing spaces suited for mentoring, camaraderie and fostering creativity. New future That could mean larger, more flexible conference rooms rather than cubicles, something as simple as better decor, outdoor space like a balcony or terrace and hoteling, where workers schedule use of a workspace as opposed to every employee having their own desk. Think of it as a theater, where you have different sets for different scenes, David Smith, co-author of a Cushman & Wakefield report about workplaces of the future, told AFP. It may also mean offices becoming more multipurposefacilities such as gyms, cafes, launderettes and concierge services that make employees feel their commute is worthwhileaccelerating a trend that was growing before coronavirus, experts say. AFP While offering staff flexibility, several major employers are doubling-down on their commitment to offices, betting big on New Yorks business districts despite the uncertainty caused by the pandemic. In August, Facebook signed a lease on a 730,000-square-foot space in Midtown, while a Google spokesperson told AFP the technology giant is continuing to expand its campus in the Chelsea neighborhood. Greenberg Traurig, a law firm that employs 400 people in New York, has installed sneeze guards, touchless faucets, hand sanitizer machines, increased ventilation and distanced work stations. It has staff coming in on a rotational basis, and the firm plans to proceed with its move into a new state-of-the-art building near Grand Central Station this year, vice-chairman Robert Ivanhoe told AFP. In late December, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo cut the ribbon on a new $1.6-billion train concourse servicing Penn Station, highlighting local politicians hopes of reviving Midtown. Business district leaders say they are looking to add green spaces to the neighborhoods, while outdoor diningextremely rare in New York before the pandemicis expected to become a permanent feature. There is definitely an opportunity for everyone to be looking at the new future, Alfred Cerullo, president of the Grand Central Partnership business improvement group, told AFP. Peter Hutchison Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. JOHNSTON RIDGE Though his oft-quoted words "Vancouver! Vancouver! This is it! signaled the start of the eruption of Mount St. Helens, little has been made public about the personal life of volcanologist David A. Johnston. That is, until Saturday, the 39th anniversary of his death and the release of the first comprehensive biography on the man, a U.S. Geological Survey scientist who perished in the volcanos fury on the morning of May 18, 1980 Chicago-based author Melanie Holmes shares Johnstons life story in her book, A Hero on Mount St. Helens: The Life and Legacy of David A. Johnston. While it touches on Johnstons iconic comparison of the smoking and bulging mountain to a keg of dynamite (with) the fuse lit, and his Vancouver, Vancouver. This is it! radio transmission just as the volcano began to erupt, the biography covers more ground than any previous piece on Johnston. Holmes documents the volcanologists childhood, career journey and death, as well as his legacy. The more I researched this mans life, I found how many people had taken liberties with his story, said Holmes in a short lecture at the Johnston Ridge Observatory Saturday. This (biography) is based on people who knew him from the time he was a boy. According to Holmes account, Johnston survived several natural disaster before losing his life on Mount St. Helens. When he was a high school senior, Johnston watched as a killer tornado ripped through his hometown in Oak Lawn, Illinois. Nine years later in 1976 and in what likely fueled his interest in studying active volcanoes Johnston survived three nights on the flank of Alaskas Mount St. Augustine while the mountain was in an eruptive phase. Johnston started studying geology by chance. He switched to the field while he was in college studying photojournalism. A geology 101 class sparked his interest, Holmes said. Like tectonic plates, something inside him shifted when he took a geology class, Holmes writes in the book. Two plates converged and journalism was subducted. Dave switched his degree focus and set about becoming a geologist. The shift fit Daves likes and dislikes. He entered the field at a time when little was known about volcanoes, Holmes said. Volcanology was still a very young science, Holmes said, noting that the first time the federal government officially funded volcano research in its budget was 1968, when Dave would have been 19 years old. He died just 11 years later, at the age of 30. But in that short time, Johnston help advance the field with his focused study on volcanic gases. Measuring concentrations of sulfur, carbon dioxide and other gases can help volcanologists estimate whether there is magma present in a volcano, and how close to the surface it is. Carolyn Driedger, a fellow USGS scientist who studied Mount St. Helens, said Johnston was a pioneer with his research. And scientists have only learned more since his passing. If Dave were here today (on the anniversary), he would be thrilled, Driedger said. He would be just astounded with the progress weve made. Driedger met Johnston just one night before he died in the 1980 eruption. Though she didnt know him for a long time, she said Johnston was the kind of person I wanted to get to know better. She credits him for saving her life after he discouraged her from staying the night of May 17, 1980, on what is now Johnston Ridge. He was there to monitor the volcano for the USGS. Driedger recounted that Johnston wanted to have as few people on the mountain that night because there was a chance the ridge isnt safe. Hours later, his feeling proved to be right. Holmes said she started writing the biography in 2015 after receiving a blessing from Johnstons sister and her close personal friend, Pat Johnston. As far as Holmes knew, no other author had earned the familys permission to dive deeply into David Johnstons life because their family was famously private, she said. (The Daily News in 2000 did an extensive report on Johnstons life based in part on interviews with his parents.) It was sort of by a fluke, said Holmes, who has known Pat Johnston since 1986. Johnstons son had just left for college to studying writing, and Holmes suggested her friends son write about his uncle, the famed volcanologist. Then Pat said three words that changed my life: Why dont you? said Holmes, also the author of the 2014 book The Female Assumption. Though her title called Johnston a hero, Holmes said she was intentional about using a as her article. Hes not the hero, hes a hero, Holmes said. I think there are many heroes. This man (Johnston) overcame so many obstacles, as we all do. To explain her point, she referenced a quote by New York Times bestselling author Brad Meltzer that she included in the introduction for the book: We are all ordinary, we are all spectacular. We are all shy. We are all bold. We are all heroes. We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. Driedger said the biography highlights how scientists like Johnston are real people. Dave was a hero and a scientist, Driedger said. But he was also a human being with the same challenges and triumphs as the rest of us. She added that the book shows how Mount St. Helens still fascinates, even four decades after its eruption. And now the public has a new installment in the story thats long overdue. This biography is going to show Mount St. Helens to the public in a new way, through the eyes of someone who worked there, Driedger said. Thats never been written about before. And it helps show Dave as a whole person. Love 2 Funny 1 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 state Department of Labor & Industries announced Thursday a $503,200 fine against a Dollar Tree store in Vancouver, alleging unsafe conditions. Its one of the largest fines the agency has ever issued. The agency accuses the store of having blocked emergency exit routes, unsafe ladder use and improper stacking of merchandise among the numerous safety hazards. A recent inspection resulted in several repeat willful and other violations for unsafe merchandise storage and handling, and obstructed exit routes, the agency said in a news release. A woman who identified herself as the store manager referred questions to a spokesperson with the Chesapeake, Va.-based corporation. Phone calls to two corporate representatives were not returned Thursday. Dollar Tree has appealed the citation, and it could take several months for the appeals process to be completed. L&I found the same safety hazards at the store during multiple visits, the news release said. The violations continued after the company was informed by an L&I inspector of the safety hazards during earlier visits, and was provided specific instruction on how to improve employee safety at the store and avoid further violations Even after multiple large fines, it appears this company has not gotten the message to ensure their safety and health system is working in every Washington store location, L&I Assistant Director Anne Soiza said in the news release. This fine is one of the largest weve issued, and we will apply pressure to Dollar Tree until its leadership takes sustained, comprehensive steps to prevent serious hazards. The state said this is the third substantial L&I citation and fine involving Dollar Tree in about a year. Since the beginning of 2017, L&I has completed 15 inspections at Dollar Tree stores after complaints and referrals about unsafe working conditions. Dollar Tree has dozens of stores throughout the state, seven of them in Clark County. Also, the corporation opened a $40 million, 665,500-square-foot distribution facility in 2004 in Ridgefield, serving stores in the Northwest. Prior to this most recent citation, the state had fined Dollar Tree nearly $593,000 since 2013. Last year, a Bonney Lake store was fined $166,000 for three willful violations, and a Kelso Dollar Tree was fined $140,000 for violations similar to the ones found at the Vancouver store in this recent inspection. Dollar Trees corporate office controls inventory for local stores, and shipments arrive frequently, L&I said in the news release. Challenges with too much inventory and not enough storage space lead to high stacks of boxes, often leaning over, which cause blocked and impeded pathways and other hazards, the agency said. Improperly stored merchandise can fall, resulting in serious injuries or death if the boxes strike employees or cause employees to fall, or if exits are blocked during an emergency, the news release said. Lifting heavy boxes onto over-the-head stacks is also likely to cause strains and sprains or serious back injuries. In the Vancouver store, workers were also climbing on shelving units, which can result in falls. The company has now been placed in L&Is Severe Violator Enforcement Program, which means its stores are subject to inspections at any time, among other things. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 A King County woman has been diagnosed with measles, the sixth confirmed case of the highly contagious disease in the Puget Sound region this week. The woman, who is in her 40s, spent time in Auburn and Kent while she was contagious but didnt know she was infected, according to Public Health Seattle & King County. All six people spent time at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, and the cases point to a common exposure from an unidentified person contagious with measles on April 25, likely in the morning, health officials said Friday. On Sunday, a Pierce County man was diagnosed with measles, and four other measles diagnoses were confirmed Wednesday. Two of the cases involve King County women, one is a high-school student in Snohomish County and the fourth is another Pierce County man. Health officials in the three counties have noticed. Among those sites are Issaquah High School, where one King County woman is a staff member, and North Creek High School, where the Snohomish County patient is a student. Issaquah High closed Thursday so officials could verify the immunization records of all staff. Teachers scrambled to locate their medical documents, and those who were unsuccessful wont be allowed to come back to school until they find them. Thirteen seniors and an unknown number of younger students are barred from the school until May 31, according to the school district. North Creek had enough staff members with records to keep school open, but sent letters to staff and students who havent been vaccinated. Ten students will be excluded from school until June 3, said Northshore School District spokeswoman Lisa Youngblood Hall. Washington states measles cases account for about 9% of the more than 840 cases reported in the United States this year. Health officers predict that outbreaks are likely to continue in the state, given that the disease is so contagious. One person who contracted measles was immunized, and another was not, according to the state health department. The status of the other four hasnt been determined. Gov. Jay Inslee recently signed a law that eliminates personal belief and philosophical exemptions for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine for children who attend a day-care center or school. The law takes effect in July. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WASHINGTON The Trump administration is going about its trade war with China all wrong. Its strategy and tactics are muddled. If Trump were a general watching the battle unfold, what hed see is his troops getting slaughtered, while the enemy, though suffering casualties, was holding most of its positions. Trump has two goals, says Bill Reinsch, a trade expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a nonpartisan think tank. The first is to reduce the United States huge goods trade deficit with China, which was $419 billion in 2018. As Reinsch notes, most economists discount the importance of this. If the deficit declines through temporary purchases from the United States, the effect may fade with time. Trumps second goal is more significant. It is to suppress the most anti-competitive aspects of Chinas state capitalism, which aims to make Chinese firms the world leaders in most high-technology industries. These include robotics, pharmaceuticals, autonomous vehicles, biomedicine, semiconductors and others. Here, the talks have failed. The United States has claimed that China has rigged the competition in favor of its firms through government subsidies, the theft or coerced transfers of new technologies and outright discrimination against foreign firms doing business in China. Consider semiconductors as a case in point. These are the tiny computer chips that govern virtually all digital services. At present, U.S. firms are the world leaders in semiconductor design and technology, accounting for roughly half of all world revenues in chip sales (46% in 2017), according to data from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), an industry trade group. Other countries lag, the SIA reports. South Korean firms are second with 22% of world sales, followed by companies from Japan at 10%, the European Union at 9%, Taiwan at 6% and China at 5%. The United States also has a trade surplus in semiconductors, which is the fourth largest U.S. export, behind aircraft, refined oil products and crude oil. In 2018, the U.S. trade surplus in semiconductors was $4.5 billion, says SIA. But China has vowed to expand its global market share by constructing new semiconductor plants (called fabs) and embracing the latest chip-making technologies. Its unclear how much, if at all, Chinas plans rely on technologies stolen or coerced from U.S. firms. Late last year, the Justice Department indicted a Chinese firm, Fujian Jinhua, for allegedly stealing trade secrets from a major U.S. chipmaker, Micron. The U.S. industry fears that a surge in subsidized Chinese chip-making fabs will create surplus capacity that will drive down prices and profits, putting unsubsidized foreign firms at a huge disadvantage. That has been the pattern in older technologies such as steel, says the CSISs Reinsch. The trade negotiations have apparently made little headway in resolving these issues. Meanwhile, the tariffs that the United States have imposed on Chinas exports may hurt U.S. consumers. So far, the Trump administration has announced 25% tariffs on $250 billion of Chinese exports to the United States and has threated higher tariffs on another $300 billion, covering virtually all China exports to the United States. The crucial question is who bears the burden of the higher prices created by the tariffs. According to Gary Hufbauer of the Peterson Institute for International Economics, U.S. consumers ultimately shoulder most costs. The tariffs simply get embedded in the products final prices. Hufbauer estimates that if $500 billion in Chinese exports are hit with a 25% tariff, the annual cost for a three-person household would be $2,200. The existing tariffs cover about half of that. Hufbauers estimate also assumes that, shielded from import competition, U.S.-based firms would raise some domestic prices. What the United States should have done is to create a global coalition of major trading countries the United States, the European Union, Japan and other advanced societies that would negotiate limits on subsidies, coerced technology transfers and a level playing field for competition between domestic and foreign firms. If China violated the rules and refused to join, the other countries could take action against its exports. But this sensible approach was virtually eliminated when President Trump decided to pull out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade agreement that could have done just that. Instead, we have a system that, through high tariffs, imposes the equivalent of a tax on American citizens to implement a trade policy that favors China. On the evidence so far, were losing this trade war. Robert Samuelson is a syndicated columnist who appears in The Washington Post. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Editors note: Todays editorial originally appeared in The Yakima Herald-Republic. Editorial content from other publications and authors is provided to give readers a sampling of regional and national opinion and does not necessarily reflect positions endorsed by the Editorial Board of The Daily News. What, this again? Really? Is the Trump administration once more proposing privatizing the Bonneville Power Administration, just as it did around this time last year and the year before and just like every president has considered doing as far back as the Reagan tenure? Sadly, yes. The good news, of course, is that the latest effort to sell off the Northwests popular publicly owned electricity transmission system, part of President Trumps 2020 budget request, is likely to go nowhere in Congress again. Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Sunnyside, is one of the leaders of a bipartisan coalition of 62 congressional members who penned a letter to the House Committee on the Budget, urging that the grid remain under federal control. The letter noted that, rather than being a drain on the federal budget, the BPA is self-funding; it repays, with interest, the U.S. Treasury from electric rates set to recover taxpayer investments. BPA costs are paid for by customers who buy the electricity primarily through local public utilities. None of these costs are shouldered by taxpayers, the letter reads. The entire BPA transmission system has generated approximately $30 billion in payments to the treasury. Retaining BPAs public status is popular on both sides of the congressional aisle. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., agrees with Newhouse. Last year, when the Trump administration tried the same power play, Cantwell told reporters the proposal would hit middle-class families in the pocketbook and hinder small business growth across the Northwest. In short, though Trump, like his presidential predecessors, has every right to propose pulling the plug and privatizing, but he shouldnt expect the plan to go anywhere. So why are we wasting pixels and ink hand-wringing about a possible sell-off when its likely to be DOA? Because if the public is not vigilant in advocating for the retention of the federally run hydropower system that has its problems but lights up much of the Western U.S. with consistently and reasonably priced rates, one of these years a president just might pull off a privatization plan. That outcome, as Cantwell mentioned, would almost assuredly mean higher rates paid by customers and volatile ebbs and flows in service. So wide-ranging in Bonnevilles reach that customers in Washington, Idaho, Oregon, California, Montana, Utah and parts of other Western states would be affected. All told, BPA operates three-fourths of the electricity transmission in eight Western states. A 2017 report by the Northwest Power and Conservation Council bore out those concerns. The organization determined that electricity rates might soar by 40 percent under the proposed selloff. Besides causing a direct and detrimental impact on power rates, the privatization of the BPA transmission system would leave the region vulnerable to market manipulation by creating artificial transmission restraints, the report stated. In other words, it might set the stage for a sequel to the Enron price gouging and power hoarding of the early 2000s, destabilizing the Northwest economy and angering consumers. The Trump administrations proposal, a onetime federal debt-reduction move, states otherwise. The administration has estimated BPAs assets would yield $5.2 billion over 10 years and that market-based rates would help lower consumer electricity costs. Its proposal reads: Reducing or eliminating the Federal Governments role in electricity transmission infrastructure ownership, thereby increasing the private sectors role, and introducing more market-based incentives, including rates, for power sales from Federal dams would encourage a more efficient allocation of economic resources and mitigate risks to taxpayers. That, at first read, sounds reasonable, but economic studies dont support the Department of Energys opinion. In addition to the NPCC report, Moodys Investor Services, a bond credit rating company, concluded that the current BPA public setup is stable and reliable and that selling to private concerns would lead to higher rates New private owners would have higher capital costs that would need to be recovered in rates. Especially vulnerable to private electricity market fluctuations would be people living in rural areas, according to the Congressional letter. Thats because a private company would see it as a drag on its profits to support electricity suppliers in low-density areas with lesser yield. In all likelihood, this latest plan to privatize a perfectly reliable and cost-stable energy system will fizzle out soon enough. But it is sure to rise again, no matter who occupies the Oval Office, so we must urge our federal representatives to hold the line on any future power grabs. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 PetroChina Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in a range of petroleum related products, services, and activities in Mainland China and internationally. It operates through Exploration and Production, Refining and Chemicals, Marketing, and Natural Gas and Pipeline segments. The Exploration and Production segment engages in the exploration, development, production, and marketing of crude oil and natural gas. The Refining and Chemicals segment refines crude oil and petroleum products; and produces and markets primary petrochemical products, derivative petrochemical products, and other chemical products. The Marketing segment is involved in marketing of refined products and trading business. The Natural Gas and Pipeline segment engages in the transmission of natural gas, crude oil, and refined products; and sale of natural gas. As of December 31, 2020, the company had a total length of 31,151 km, including 22,555 km of natural gas pipelines, 7,190 km of crude oil pipelines, and 1,406 km of refined product pipelines. The company is also involved in the exploration, development, and production of oil sands and coalbed methane; trading of crude oil and petrochemical products; storage, chemical engineering, storage facilities, service station, and transportation facilities and related businesses; and production and sales of basic and derivative chemical, and other chemical products. The company was founded in 1999 and is headquartered in Beijing, the People's Republic of China. PetroChina Company Limited is a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corporation. Read More By Christopher James christopher.james@baytownsun.com Volunteers that work with the United Way of Greater Baytown Area and Chambers County to better the community do not volunteer for recognition but rather the people. The nonprofit organization is volunteer-led, with an 18-member board of directors, hundreds of committee members and event-specific volunteers and corporate sponsors. To recognize their efforts, United Way held its annual awards and appreciation Starlight Gala at Springhill Suites Thursday night. The impact United Way has had on the local community, helping agencies, those in need and being able to provide donors community investment options is only possible because we are volunteer-led, United Way Executive Director Melissa Reabold said. Without volunteers, we could not succeed. Volunteers uniting to make things happen are the reason we are celebrating tonight. Three of this years employee campaign coordinators spoke at the event attended by nearly 200. This included Mike Bajer, director of MDI production at Covestro, Priscila Garza, Healthy Community School coordinator at Goose Creek CISD, and Zach Tillman, ExxonMobil Baytown Olefins Plant mechanical supervisor. Tillman shared a personal story of an ExxonMobil volunteer that was working on landscaping for one of the houses at the Baytown Area Homeless Shelter. When one of the residents approached the volunteer, she asked her why she was giving her time for the shelter. The volunteer simply replied, Because I care about you, and I want to serve you. That one little statement brought them to tears. That one little statement at that one volunteer event had that big of an impact on a real persons life simply knowing that someone cares for her, Tillman, who was the employee campaign chair for this years United Way campaign, said. If that doesnt sum up volunteerism and the meaning of live united I really dont know what does. Best of all, thats just one story. Theres thousands of others out there, and thats why I chose to live united. In the spirit of volunteerism, United Way recognized a volunteer that goes above and beyond expectations with the Live United award, naming Patti ONeill-Burn, ExxonMobil Baytown Olefins Plant Mechanical Department head, the 2018-2019 recipient. ONeill-Burn us an active donor and volunteer, having led the organization as Board president for two years and now serves as immediate past-president. She also serves as vice chair for Baytown Area and Chambers County Disaster Recovery partnership, a United Way initiative formed in response to Hurricane Harvey. She secured several grants that fund the effort. She is also an active member of Women Uniteds steering committee. The affinity group of women leaders who contribute $1,000 or more each year recently underwent strategic planning that ONeill-Burn was a part of. Shes a very active member with the board, shes an active member with our women leaders group, Women United, and she really is a friend. Shes been with me through thick and thin, Reabold said. Board President Daryl Fontenot added ONeill-Burn is the embodiment of what it means to be a United Way volunteer, and was proud to have served with her for the past five years. United Way presented, for the first time, the Employee Campaign Coordinator Rookie of the Year award and Employee Campaign Coordinator of the Year, which were given to Garza and Charles Davis, respectively. Reabold also recognized Diane Hughes Havenstein and Patricia Peace for their time and talent in leading the United Ways largest initiative, Days of Caring. The volunteer-led initiative included volunteers from a dozen businesses who participated in a lot of different projects including repairing several homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey. Several companies, schools, local government and nonprofit organizations were also recognized for their level of campaign participation as well as overall giving. Texas First Bank received top mention for the gold awards. ExxonMobil Baytown Complex was recognized as lead in the Silver awards. CenterPoint Energy Bayport Texas took the top award in the bronze category. Education awards went to Goose Creek ISD with Impact Early College High School, Dr. Johnny T. Clark Junior School and Victoria Walker Elementary taking top awards. In the nonprofit category, Unlimited Visions Aftercare, Inc. took the top award. United Way estimates 1,000 volunteers participated in support of its mission. For information about United Way, visit www.unitedwaygbacc.org. Trumps Trade War Is Good for These 3 Dividend Stocks The US v. China trade war is heating up. Until recently, the nations appeared to be making progress. That was until President Trump raised tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports from 10% to 25%. The news sent the S&P 500 down 3% in the next two trading days. But not all stocks suffered. Thats because some stocks actually benefit from tariffs. Ill show you why in a momentand share a few stable, dividend-paying stocks set to benefit as this all plays out. How Tariffs Work A tariff is a tax on imported goods. Governments use them to make foreign goods less attractive and domestic goods more competitive. Take steel, for example. Last year, Trump slapped a 25% tariff on Chinese steel imports. At the time, Chinese steel cost $800 per ton. US steel cost $900. Once the tariff went into effect, it raised the overall cost of Chinese steel for US buyers to $1,000 per ton. As youd expect, US automaker Ford Motor Company (F) buys a lot of steel. And before the tariff, it bought a lot of it from China because it was cheaper. Now Ford buys from US companies like Nucor Corp. (NUE), the largest US steel maker. Nucor loves the steel tariff. The companys CEO said 2018the year the tariffs went into effectwas a record year for Nucor. Ford is less enthusiastic. The tariffs cost the car maker $750 million in 2018. But thats how US tariffs work. They help some domestic businesses. And hurt others. In China, however, everyone is feeling the pressure. A One-Sided Relationship The US and China have the worlds two largest economies. And they trade a lot $780-billion worth of goods in 2018. Still, its a one-sided relationship. In 2018, the US bought $660-billion worth of Chinese goods. But China only bought $120-billion worth of US goods. In other words, the US buys five times as much from China as China buys from the US. So Trumps tariffs have put a lot of heat on Chinas economy and financial markets. The Shanghai Composite Index, a proxy for Chinese stocks fell a staggering 25.7% in 2018: It was the worst year for Chinese stocks since the global financial crisis. This makes sense: Modern-day America consumes more stuff than any country in history. So, US tariffs matter. The tariffs make Chinese goods less competitive. So Chinese companies sell fewer goods to US buyers. This translates to lower overall sales, then lower earnings. And that translates to lower stock prices for Chinese companies, as we just saw. US stocks are not immune to trade war tensions either. However, they fell a mere 6.3% during the period that Chinese stocks dropped 25.7%. Thats because its relatively easy for the US to find cheaper, non-Chinese replacements for tariffed goods. Its a lot harder for China to find non-US buyers. Theres simply no replacement for the endless buying power of American consumers. And remember, some US industries even benefit from tariffs Profiting from the Trade War US companies that make products that compete with Chinese imports like steel, electronics, and automation equipment now have a major advantage. The tariffs help them sell more, which means higher earnings and higher stock prices. Im always on the lookout for safe and stable dividend-paying stocks. When I find ones set to benefit from larger economic forces like a trade war, even better. The American steel firm Nucor (NUE), which I mentioned earlier, is one of these companies. Nucor sells most of its steel in the US. And Trumps tariffs have made its products more attractive to US buyers. Nucor also boasts a 2.9% dividend yield on a low payout ratioone of the most important indicators for dividend stocks. In short, a low payout ratio points to a stable divided. American electronics companies like Hubbell Inc. (HUBB) also stand to benefit from the trade war. High tariffs on cheap Chinese electronics make Hubbells products more competitive. The company also pays a 2.7% dividend yield on a low payout ratio. This means its a safe and stable stock for income investors. The trade war should also boost US automation companies like Rockwell Automation, Inc. (ROK). Rockwell benefits directly from US tariffs on Chinese automation equipment. Plus, the company has raised its dividend nine years in a row (which, again, is one of the key indicators the dividend is safe). With a low payout ratio, its dividend is secure. These companies would do well even without a trade war. Their stocks are cheap. And they have strong underlying businesses that should continue to churn out profits. That said, this trade war isnt going away anytime soon. Last Friday, Trump followed through on his threat to raise tariffs to 25%. China is hitting back as I write This all bodes well for these companies. The Sin Stock Anomaly: Collect Big, Safe Profits with These 3 Hated Stocks My brand-new special report tells you everything about profiting from sin stocks (gambling, tobacco, and alcohol). These stocks are much safer and do twice as well as other stocks simply because most investors try to avoid them. Claim your free copy. By Robert Ross 2019 Copyright Robert Ross. - All Rights Reserved Disclaimer: The above is a matter of opinion provided for general information purposes only and is not intended as investment advice. Information and analysis above are derived from sources and utilising methods believed to be reliable, but we cannot accept responsibility for any losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors. 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. Dennis Ng wrote a comment in the "Oberon" post about how he is finally buying a used medium-format digital back, something he's always wanted. (And congratulations, Dennis. Hope it works out.) Mani Sitaraman wrote under the same post that he can't afford high-end home audio speakers. [Note: this post is not about speakers. It's about grapes.] Well, who can? The first three entries under "Class A" under the "Loudspeakers" category in Stereophile's once-useful "Recommended Components" list cost $85,000 a pair, $22,000 a pair, and $40,000 a pair, and it goes on from there. But he said he hopes to find a nice pair of Spendor SP100II's in decent used condition one day, and might even be able to afford them. Have you ever been locked out of something by rising prices? Something you really wanted that seemed again and again to remain just out of reach, like the grapes to the fox in the famous fable*? Keep-away Sometimes even if your situation improves, the target moves. I have a friend who used to own a house in a certain neighborhood of Denver. She sold it, and now she can't go backproperty prices have risen so much that she can no longer afford to buy a house in the neighborhood she once lived in. Locked out! You know what they say: Oh well. The same thing happened to me with cars when I was young. I started saving for a car when I was 14. At that time, Volkswagen was running an ad for what it called the cheapest car in Americaa Beetle for $1,919. (That's going to make me seem very old to young people.) I had to buy a new car because my father said he would put me on his insurance policy, but only if I bought a new car. But by the time I was 16 and had nearly saved $1,919, the cheapest new car in AmericaI think it was a Datsun (now called Nissan, and yep, yep, sonny, I'm ancient)was $2,800 or so. Two years later I had saved something like $2,400, and the cheapest car in America was midway through the $3,000 to $4,000 range. And so on. I gave up, and didn't buy my first car until I was 30. Before that I took the bus a lot. There was one advantage to that at leastyou could read on the bus. I carried a tiny "Oxford World Classics" volume of Walden in my pocket so I was never without it. Everyoneespecially every young person, and by that I mean you 30-year-olds and 40-year-oldsshould read Walden**. Mark II = price hike Mani reminded me of this by talking about Spendor speakers. For me it's a name that conjures magic. When I was in art school I really, really wanted a pair of Spendor SP1 speakers, and very nearly bought a pair for $850. But they were just a little out of my reach. Damn grapes. And just as with that first car, they remained out of reach. Now, you can buy a used pair for $1,200 or even less if you're lucky, but speaker drivers wear outit's not the smartest move to buy 30-year-old speakers. Fortunately, and rather amazingly, a modern remake is available directly from Spendor, the original makerthe SP1/2 (Mark II, in camera-speak). As you can see from this page, the price had ratcheted up dramatically, to $2,750...in 2002. That is, still beyond my reach at that time. They're still available, but I don't want to know how much they cost now. I already know they're beyond my reach. They've occupied the same relative position now for more than 30 years, so why would anything ever change? Aesop's lesson It doesn't matter anyway (see the fox and grapes fable in the footnote again!), because I don't have a place in my house to set up a traditional stereo, with the equipment on a rack in the middle and two speakers on proper stands situated at the proper place out in the room. Besides, I'm happy with my current desktop system, which sounds marvelous and which allows me to enjoy music just fine. (You can see my system in this picture). So I'm able to be grateful for that, and not have any complaints. "Unless I accept life completely on lifes terms, I cannot be happy. I need to concentrate not so much on what needs to be changed in the world as on what needs to be changed in me and my attitudes." It's just a feature of "life on life's terms," being locked out. And it'll always be something. No matter how good you have it, you can always identify, and focus on, and aspire to the next level, just out of reach. There's always a next level. All we need to do to cure the situation is change our own attitudes, that's all. Mike * The Fox and the Grapes ONE hot summers day a Fox was strolling through an orchard till he came to a bunch of Grapes just ripening on a vine which had been trained over a lofty branch. "Just the things to quench my thirst," quoth he. Drawing back a few paces, he took a run and a jump, and just missed the bunch. Turning round again with a One, Two, Three, he jumped up, but with no greater success. Again and again he tried after the tempting morsel, but at last had to give it up, and walked away with his nose in the air, saying: "I am sure they are sour." "IT IS EASY TO DESPISE WHAT YOU CANNOT GET." Aesop, Sixth Century B.C. (text from the Harvard Classics via Bartleby) **It's very much on topic for this post. 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. B&H Photo Adorama (To see all the comments, click on the "Comments" link below.) Featured Comments from: Malcolm Myers: "There is also the inverse of this. Things that were unimaginably expensive to me as a teenager became easily affordable as: a.) I grew older and started to earn more money, and b.) things I desired new became available second-hand. I have found this to be especially true when picking up old film and digital cameras from car-boot sales, charity shops. and camera stores." Joe: "My parents bought a Volkswagen Beetle about the same time you first started wanting one. My father noted that the car cost a dollar a pound." Benjamin Marks: "I think, responding as a camera guy, 'Leica' comes to mind. Their 35mm cameras were 'unobtainium' for me in college in the '80s. Oh the pain! "At some point in the mid '90s I bought my first Ma used M3 double-stroke from a camera shop in Oakland, CA, with a really nice 50mm /1.5 Summarit. I did finally buy a new M8 in the 2000s and then traded it in on a new M9 three years later. But after that, the prices jumped again, and now it's like watching the tail lights of a faster car receding into the distance. I really like the platform (go on, haters...do your worst), but I am just never shelling out $7K for a camera, period. "Then again, when I was in my 20s, I had a list of camera 'wants' in my head. You know: a Zone IV 4x5 with a matching dual-tube cold light head enlarger, a Hasselblad 500 C/M, a Leica M6, and so on. I could buy all that and be 'done.' I think the magic number was $10,000 in 1988 dollars. Well over the years, I have owned everything on that list, and then some (or: and then, sum). But I still have a mental list, and the magic number hasn't changed much. On the other hand, I can't think of a single picture I haven't taken due to some gear-related shortcoming that existed at the moment of snapping the shutter. "It brings to mind Spock's (That's 'Mr.' not Dr. Benjamin) quotation about wanting and having." David Dyer-Bennet: "I've owned a Yashicamat 124G, and a Graflex Norita 6x6 SLR, and the Fujica GS-645, but I think of myself as having been 'locked out' of medium format from the mid '70s until the 2000s (when I went digital) by prices, which kept rising. What that really meant was my perception of benefit didn't ever catch up with my feeling about the price for long enough for me to act; I could have bought used medium-format gear most years in that period with money I instead used for other things. Another part of the problem was that I had 35mm ideas about the range of lenses needed to have a useful system, which ran up the price of medium format as I perceived it. And I did always know that my primary area of photography was recording and documenting things, often rapidly-changing things in dark situations, which is not what medium format is best at." SteveW: "Buddhist Economics: Happiness = Wealth/Desires "The greater the desires the more wealth necessary for happiness. And vice versa." Dogman: "When I was a kid in high school in the early 1960s, I lusted for the Jaguar XK-E. Of course, to a poor country boy it was an unobtainable dream for its new price of just over $5,000. "In 1977 I paid just over $5,000 for a new Chevrolet Nova. "Speaking of that XK-E, just after I graduated from college I made friends with a guy who owned a body shop. Visiting him one day I noticed in the back of his shop something under a heavy, dusty tarpaulin. I asked him about it and he pulled the tarp back to show me a 1960s XK-E. According to him the car and its owner were stranded on the highway when he happened upon them. Being helpful, he offered the man a ride and they later returned to tow the Jag back to his shop. At that point the Jag's owner expressed the frustration he had endured for his entire ownership of the car due to its unreliability and frequent breakdowns. He then made a gift of the car to my friend because of his kindness. Unfortunately, my friend found there were so many things about the car that needed expensive repairs he couldn't justify ever fixing it. But it was a beautiful car and he couldn't force himself to get rid of it." Dave Levingston: "When I was in high school in the middle of the last century I lusted after two cars, the Shelby AC Cobra (the 289, not the ridiculous 427) and the Porsche 911. Both were completely out of reach at astronomical prices around $7,500. Back when I had a portrait studio I used Mamiya C330s and lusted after a Hasselblad 500 C/M, but could never quite manage to afford one. Today I still feel that lust, and I could afford one, but have to admit to myself that I have absolutely no use for one now. A lovely camera, though, it still is." Mike Ferron: "Locked out? Sure, on high end photographic gear. I love the good stuff but you won't find me in possession it. I shoot 6x6 with a Yashicamat instead of a Rollei. Thirty-five millimeter rangefinder? Olympus RC instead of a Leica. Digital? A secondhand Oly E-M1 with the Oly 25mm /1.8 as my premier lens. (not a bad lens at all, by the way)." Mike replies: I wish I were as smart as you are. I'm being serious. Moose: "Re 'I really, really wanted a pair of Spendor SP1 speakers.' Change one letterspender speakers. \;~)> " Timo: "Locked out? Sure. There's plenty of examples: e.g., Leica's M offerings, which I've not yet tried in any iteration, or maybe that photo safari to the Amazon or Patagonia or Antarctica; of course such were probably always pricey. But the 'locked out' that really stings is Apple's Aperture being discontinued. The amount of time I've spent trying to figure out how to move on (while still taking at least some of my edits with me) is probably a larger 'splurge' than any version of a (have to look up the spelling) Summilux." Mike replies: Fortunately for me, I had already learned about Apple's nefarious and wicked habit of orphaning its software before Aperture came out, and I lashed myself to the mast to help me resist the siren song of Aperture. I never fell for it. I sympathize with you, though. Thomas Walsh: "Like so many others, I wanted that special car or camera or stereo system. And then the concept of opportunity cost set in. Marriage and family seems to intensify opportunity cost and then one is often left rationalizing that those grapes were probably sour." Mike replies: Below is the placemat I use where I sit and eat three times a day, day in, day out. Amazingly, I had never consciously noticed the grapes, nor the theme! Talk about blind. I was just sitting there this morning eating my oatmeal, when I thought, whoa, those are grapesthat's Aesop's fox. alex-virt: "This post reminded me a toast from an old Soviet movie: 'I want to buy a house but have no means. I can buy a goat but have no desire. May our desires always match our means!'" Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois (GSofSI) held its 10th annual Meeting on April 27 at Rend Lake College in Ina. During the meeting, approximately 200 Girl Scout members (adults and girls) from throughout Southern Illinois elected Board of Director members and received a State of the Council report from GSofSI Board of Directors Chair Deanna Litzenburg and Chief Executive Officer Loretta Graham. The theme of this years meeting was Unleash Strong. Girl Scouting in Southern Illinois is strong and growing stronger but we couldnt provide outstanding programs and services to our girls without our dedicated Board of Directors, said Graham. These dedicated and talented professionals help GSofSI achieve its mission of building girls of courage, confidence and character who make the world a better place, Graham added. The following are GSofSI board of director members and officers elected at the meeting for the term of 2019-22: P. Anne Haltenhof of Columbia is First Vice Board Chair; Melanie Mills of Charleston is Secretary. Board members at large are Dr. Shelley PriceWilliams of Belleville; Paula Nixon of OFallon; Priscilla Jacks of Edwardsville and Tracy Smith of Xenia. Board Development Committee members are Linda Manley of Highland; Priscilla Jacks of Edwardsville and Steve Bushong of Waterloo. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a high-capacity Girl Scout council serving approximately 10,007 girls and engaging 3,686 adult volunteers in more than 40 counties in Southern Illinois. GSofSI Mission: Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. The Girl Scouts organization is the world's largest leadership development organization for girls. In partnership with committed adults, girls develop qualities that will serve them all their lives such as strong values, social conscience and conviction about their own potential and self-worth. Todays Girl Scouts not only enjoy camping and crafts; they also explore math and science and learn about diversity, good citizenship, leadership and teamwork. Girl Scouting is the place where girls experience the fun, friendship and power of girls together. Girl Scouts of Southern Illinois is a not-for-profit organization supported by various United Ways throughout the region. Girl Scouts is a proud partner of United Way. The Southern Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A hospital is more than a place where people go to heal, it is a part of the community that fosters health and represents hope. From providing treatment and comfort to the sick, to working to keep people well, hospitals are central to a healthy and optimistic community. For nearly 60 years, Hamilton Memorial Hospital has cared for Hamilton and White County residents with compassion and excellence in clinical care. During 2019 National Hospital Week, health care facilities across the country will unite to celebrate and bring attention to the importance of hospitals. National Hospital Week, first and foremost, is a celebration of people, Victoria Woodrow, CEO of Hamilton Memorial Hospital, said. Were extremely proud of each member of our staff and we recognize the important role they play in extending a sense of trust to our patients and our communities. A full slate of activities is planned at Hamilton Memorial Hospital during this week, including daily employee meals/ treats, and special gifts for employees. The nations largest health care event, National Hospital Week dates back to 1921 when it was suggested by a magazine editor who hoped a community-wide celebration would alleviate public fears about hospitals. The celebration, launched in Chicago, succeeded in promoting trust and goodwill among members of the public and eventually spread to facilities across the country. Hamilton Memorial Hospital has served Hamilton and Whites counties since opening in 1960. Hamilton Memorial Hospital offers a 25-bed hospital and hospital-attached medical clinic located in McLeansboro and another medical clinic, in partnership with Wabash Christian, located in Carmi. The Southern Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 THOMPSONVILLE Farmer Leon McClerren hesitantly cast a ballot for President Donald Trump in 2016. If elections were held this week, he said, he likely wouldnt cast that same vote. McClerren farms commodity crops in Franklin County, a part of Southern Illinois that made history by going red in the 2016 election. In several interviews with The Southern since the election, he has been cautiously optimistic about some of the presidents policies, but expressed concern regarding Trumps trade ideas. As China trade talks continue, Southern Illinois farmers anticipate a tough market for future harvests CARBONDALE Sitting in his combine Monday, Leon McClerren was busy bringing in the summers wheat harvest. But, while he was harvesting his f This hasnt changed as rhetoric heats up between the U.S. and China regarding tariffs and trade deals. He said he likely isnt the only farmer having a hard time with what hes seeing on the news. I believe that farmers in general are very frustrated right now, he said. As prices for grain fall and McClerren and others see their biggest customer impose retaliatory tariffs on American agricultural products, they are left asking a big question. Are we holding the bag for all of this trade war, McClerren asked. McClerren was honest about what he's been seeing. No this isnt what I voted for, he said. According to an Associated Press report, soybean prices plunged early this week to a 10-year low after Trump's decision late last week to impose punitive duties on $200 billion of imports from China. China on Monday retaliated with tariff hikes on $60 billion of American goods. In that same AP report, Joseph Brusuelas, chief economist at the consultant RSM, is quoted saying that while more than agriculture is being hurt by tough trade talks, farmers are likely catching the brunt and the damage could be historic. "Should the current policy pathway not be changed, the farm sector is going to experience the greatest downturn since the late 1980s, driven by widespread bankruptcies and consolidation," he said. McClerren admitted that farmers werent the only ones that will be hurt by steep tariffs, but for the sake of making a point, he said farmers having a bad season can really hurt local economies. Farmers spend a lot of money, McClerren said, and this goes beyond supplies for their businesses. It extends to grocery stores, restaurants and other shops in small towns. In another AP report, a survey of Midwestern bankers shows declining confidence for the country's agricultural economy. The Rural Mainstreet survey for May, released Thursday, shows the survey's overall index dropping from 50 in April to 48.5 this month. According to the AP story, any score above 50 suggests a growing economy, while a score below 50 indicates a shrinking economy. The survey, which included bankers in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, also saw its confidence index, which gauges expectations for the economy six months out, plummet from 50 to 38.2 its lowest level in almost two years. To help soften the blow, talk has again focused on a bailout of American farmers. Fellow Franklin County farmer and Trump voter Larry Miller said the last $11 billion bailout was helpful, but seeing these talks come back up is disheartening. Hed rather not need it. That frustrates me to some degree, he said. The marketplace is where I want to receive my income. Miller and McClerren have said before and reiterated this week that the presidents rhetoric is less than helpful. Its kind of like your brother-in-law. He drives you nuts but hes in the family but what do you do, Miller said. He said a lot of the firebrand language Trump is known for is what has brought him success, so he doesnt expect it to change. Franklin County farmers have mixed feelings about Trump presidency BENTON Franklin County agricultural leaders have reserved feelings about what their industry will look like after Jan. 20, 2017. McClerren said he wasnt able to blame all of his industrys woes on Trumps trade negotiations he said the volume of American farm production has a part to play in prices, too. He and Miller also said lawmakers have had a hand in it. We need Congress to do their work, Miller said, pointing to a lack of movement from Congress on the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal that has been waiting for debate since it was approved for ratification last year. The view from Miller's and McClerrens windows arent helping their anxiety. Both said they have not spent much time working their fields this spring. The ground has been too wet to get a crop in. Miller said some of this stress could be alleviated if farmers could be out working. If we could get in the field, this would help us tremendously, Miller said. McClerren said this is one of the only years he can recall not having a crop in the ground by mid-May. Thats a concern itself. However, it's just the weather. Despite it not being a man-made concern, Miller wasnt convinced people wouldnt try to blame Trump for the weather, too. Miller said he knows sometimes things have to get hard before they get better. Unlike McClerren, Miller told The Southern that he would vote again for the president he said he cant see any pro-agriculture policies coming from the left." But, in saying that, he did not want to minimize the hurt farmers are feeling. We need to develop markets and we need to maintain markets, Miller said. But, he added that sometimes to be at a good deal youve got to bite the bullet a little bit and wait for something to happen. McClerren said he knows that the rearview mirror is going to be the best way of judging the success of Trumps dealing with China. But he said right now hes asking a question: Have we gained anything? While he was talking to The Southern, McClerren found a four-leaf clover. But, hes not sure when he might see the luck come from it. This could take years is what we are hearing, he said. In the meantime, he said, weve got to find a way to adjust to it. However, its not clear what that adjustment will look like. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 1 SPRINGFIELD A test required for teacher licensing that many argue has contributed to the states teacher shortage might soon be suspended. The Illinois Senate on Thursday passed and sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker House Bill 423, which would put what is known as the test of basic skills on hold until July 1, 2025, while state officials try to determine whether that will help relieve the states teacher shortage. The bill also calls on the Illinois State Board of Education to re-evaluate the method it uses to score another mandatory test that prospective teachers must pass, one that measures their mastery of the content area in which they want to teach. Those tests are among three tests that people applying for teaching licenses in Illinois must pass. They also must pass a test covering their content area and a test covering teaching practices and standards, known as the edTPA. A separate bill, House Bill 256, by Chicago Democratic Rep. Will Guzzardi, would drastically overhaul that exam as well by removing a component requiring prospective Illinois teachers to videotape themselves in an actual classroom setting. That bill also passed the House in April but so far has not been assigned to a Senate committee. Those tests were the subject of extensive hearings in the Illinois House where Rep. Sue Scherer, a Decatur Democrat and chief sponsor of the bill, questioned their value and effectiveness. She and others have also suggested that they deter many people from trying to enter the teaching profession and that they have a disproportionate impact on people of color, contributing to the states teacher shortage. We are at a crisis level in the teacher shortage, Scherer said on the House floor during debate over the bill. Its affecting basically every region in every area across the state, which some people are unaware of. Many classrooms are sitting there without a qualified teacher. I know of a school district that right now has 50 open classrooms without a qualified teacher. The bill suspending the basic skills test until 2025 passed the House in April, 85-25. It passed the Senate on Thursday, 55-0. Love 2 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 6 MARION All across the nation, observations of National Nurses Month have taken place throughout May, honoring men and women dedicated to outstanding patient care. Throughout Southern Illinois, health care providers have honored all of their nursing staffs with recognitions ranging from meals in their honor to special gifts. The Southern Illinoisan, along with Heartland Regional Medical Center and assisted by John A. Logan College and the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville School of Nursing, honored 11 of the regions top nursing professionals with a ceremony and reception Thursday at Heartland Regional Medical Center and a special section in todays edition. Nurses: The Heart of Health Care began with a call for nominations from the public. More than 70 individuals submitted letters, sharing the impact a particular nurse had on them or their family member and on the community at large. There has to be strong motivation behind a nomination, explained Terra Kerkemeyer, publisher of The Southern Illinoisan. It takes a lot of time to sit down and share experiences, yet there were dozens of people who were so touched by nurses that they were moved to do that. Kerkemeyer said that judges had a difficult task in selecting 11 honorees from the pool of qualified nominations. The nurses honored included a Peoples Choice Award winner who earned the most public votes. One of the reasons we chose to do this is because nurses do not get enough recognition. What nurses do is important every single day, 24 hours a day, Kerkemeyer continued. They pour their heart and soul into their work. We need them and we need to make sure that we give them the recognition they deserve. The nurses selected for recognition range from those with just a few years of nursing service to one who has been a nurse for four decades. Some work in emergency rooms, some supervise nursing teams and one is a school nurse and teaches high school students exploring the field. This honor is overwhelming and humbling at the same time, said Andrea Buschschulte, BSN, a registered nurse from SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale who was among those honored. I love giving to my patients and Im proud to be a nurse and be able to serve the community. Nurses such as Linda Bell, RN, of Heartland Regional Medical Center said they have seen tremendous change in nursing during their careers; everything from responsibilities and expectations to technological advances. Im amazed at how much nursing has just blossomed during my 40 years in patient care. Nurses today are doing things that were unthinkable years ago. I cant say that weve evolved, but rather that we are fulfilling our dedication, Bell said. Many of the nurses recognized at Thursdays event initially had other career plans, but the care a nurse provided them or a loved one kindled a calling into nursing. They each bring unique personalities and skills to patient care. For nurses Randy Furlow, RN, of the Marion VA Medical Center and Rebecca Renfroe, BSN, RN, of Heartland Regional Medical Center, communication has been a key part of nursing. Being able to connect with the veterans and their families is so important, explained Furlow. Theyve all got experiences to talk about which are amazing. For them, I have to be a listener, but thats important in serving those who have served our country. Renfroe, an army veteran herself, agreed. Communication is the most important thing, she said. I try very hard to make sure that patients understand the directions they get. Often, we translate what the doctors have just told them into laymans terms. Sometimes it means correcting a misunderstanding that could have led to a big problem. Renfroe also is big on education her patients, herself and her colleagues. Other honorees are, too. Christy Hughes, RN, of Harrisburg Medical Center, is a community awareness nurse, sharing a variety of topics in local schools throughout Gallatin, Saline and White counties. Melanie Nelson, RN, is the school nurse at Carbondale Community High School where she also teaches the certified nursing assistant classes. Students in these classes earn seven hours of college credit through John A. Logan College as they explore careers in patient care. Nelson is a student, too, working on her bachelor of science in nursing degree at SIUE. Nursing and teaching are inextricably linked because nursing includes educating people about their health, about ways to wellness because we are trying to focus more on being well rather than treating disease, she explained. I get it from both sides as a teach and a student. Cindy Davis, BSN, RN, of SIH Memorial Hospital of Carbondale, is pursuing a doctorate in nursing at SIUE. One of my goals is to train new nurses. We are building tomorrow and there are new nurses that need support and continuing education. To a person, the nurses honored as the Heart of Health Care emphasize the needs of the patient. The bedside is most important, Davis stressed. Its all about patient advocacy. For one evening, however, it was all about the nurses themselves. It is essential that we do this, explained Heartland Medical Center Marketing Director Herby Voss. Its so important to take a break and acknowledge these wonderful people and hear their profoundly important stories. Voss continued, Each of these award winners do it for the right reasons. They are not in it for any accolades, but it is nice to be able to recognize them and give them much deserved attention to thank them for the very important work they do. Learn more about each of the 11 nurses honored in Nurses: The Heart of Health Care special section in todays edition of The Southern. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 If you want to see how times have changed this legislative session, take a quick look at Senate Bill 1591. The Illinois and Chicagoland chambers have been pushing legislation all session to offer state incentives to data centers. A data center basically stores massive amounts of electronic information. Illinois has been a national leader for data center locations because the Chicago region is a national Internet hub, connecting the countrys east and west, and has a reliable and plentiful electricity supply. Only two states, Virginia and Texas, have more data centers. While companies have continued building lots of data centers in and around Chicago at an aggressive pace, they started having trouble filling them last year because other states have been so aggressively recruiting the facilities. Apple, one of the richest corporations in the world, snagged a $208 million tax break to build a $1.3 billion facility in Iowa. So, the chambers and others decided to propose incentives to protect what Illinois already has and spur some new growth. SB 1591 provides exemptions from and credits for a host of state and local sales and use taxes to lower costs for building and running large data centers (including the massive amounts of electricity they use) with at least $250 million in capital investment and 20 full-time employees. The measure was not gaining a lot of traction and then proponents asked the construction unions to chat. The unions listened and suggested some changes to make the bill more labor friendly. The unions recommended an amendment containing responsible bidder requirements, which assure that the contractors meet certain levels of qualifications (and that usually means unionized workers). The provision was added, as were Project Labor Agreements, which require building contractors to enter into labor agreements before commencing work. An income tax credit was also added for projects in areas hit hard by poverty and unemployment. All of a sudden, the bill took off. Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady, who has been looking for union support ever since anti-union Gov. Bruce Rauner was defeated, even signed on as a co-sponsor. The bill sailed out of the Senate on a unanimous roll call. This development would have been unheard-of during the past four years. Its not that Gov. Rauner was totally averse to subsidies, but he was staunchly opposed to things like responsible bidder requirements and PLAs. And Brady wouldnt have dared crossed Rauner by signing onto a bill like that because Rauner never wouldve forgotten it. One of the best ways to get a bill rolling this year is to invite organized labor into the mix. Not only can it help pass a bill, because both Democratic legislative leaders are trying to do whatever they can for unions after four years of Rauners attempts to destroy them, the support can also help convince Gov. J.B. Pritzker to sign it into law. This data center bill is just one example of many. At last check, people pushing a bill to regulate coal ash were trying to figure a way to bring the unions in to counter the industrys pushback. This is a big reason why securing labors endorsement of the cannabis legalization bill is deemed so crucial by some, even if some proponents were initially resistant. If you look at the House resolution of Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, which urges the General Assembly to slow the legalization process, youll see a bunch of pro-union Democrats are co-sponsors, including Reps. Natalie Manley, Monica Bristow, Bob Rita, Katie Stuart and Fran Hurley, to name just a few. Not to mention that Moylan himself has been consistently endorsed by labor over the years. Make this bill a union priority and you attract votes, or at least you make it more difficult for pro-union legislators to oppose it. There is one big downside. African-American and Latinx legislators have been battling with the predominantly white trade unions for years to integrate their memberships. Theres a reason why that income tax credit for impoverished areas had to be added to the data center bill when labor signed on. And the unions entry into the cannabis legalization movement was not exactly met with joy. However, some very wealthy companies are descending upon Illinois to get a piece of the legalization pie and a good argument can be made that this state needs to make extra sure it doesnt hand out licenses to print money to employers who pay their workers a pittance and only offer folks part-time jobs without benefits. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Its a sad state of affairs in our region when homeless shelters are shutting down and service organizations are stretched so thin financially they cannot fulfill their missions. In March, the Williamson County Family Crisis Center, a homeless shelter in Herrin, shut its doors, leaving about 20 people who had been staying there to find another place to stay. And, earlier this year, the United Way of Southern Illinois announced it would have to indefinitely stop making payments to the local programs it had traditionally supported. Its a sad state of affairs, indeed. In the case of the Herrin shelter, the board had to make the decision to close after years of battling dwindling private donations, inconsistent payments from state government and rising costs. It was sad when it closed, said Peggy Russell, the executive director of the Williamson County Family Crisis Center since 1994. We served over 4,000 shelter nights a year. It was really a challenge to do this. But we did help people. And help people they did. The folks who stayed there dont choose to stay there. They are forced to stay there. Sometime, life deals a tough hand and we have to make decisions we wish we didnt have to. But it happens. And thats exactly why homeless shelters are necessary and do exist. A common refrain in some political circles states homeless shelters and the like should be privately funded. They say the government shouldnt be involved in such endeavors. It is up to the churches and the private sector to care for the poorest among us. Well, this is exactly what happens when the government isnt involved funding goes by the wayside in the form of a budget impasse and important social service needs go unfunded or forgotten about. And thats not to say the states two-year-plus impasse is the sole cause of the closing. There are other factors at play. Southern Illinois is struggling economically. Two decades ago, most people came to the shelter because of a lost job or an unexpected medical emergency and resulting bill, according to Russell. In more recent years, the clientele was composed of an increasing number of families facing chronic economic challenges. Oftentimes, these families came to the shelter after staying with friends or family, but then they were forced to go. In other words, times change and they can get more difficult. In terms of donations, there are only so many organizations, foundations and individuals in the region with the wherewithal to consistently provide funding. The reality is those individuals and institutions are stretched thin by requests from all over the spectrum. While grateful for these groups, theres only so much cash to go around. Thats just a fact of life. Sadly, its not just the Herrin shelter and the United Way of Southern Illinois facing financial difficulties. Other regional shelters face the same issues. Patty Mullen, executive director of Good Samaritan Ministries in Carbondale, said her nonprofit has been on thin ice quite a few times in the past six years but has managed to stay open. June, July, August is when we start to see our funds dwindle to the point where were having to make cuts to employee hours, to programs, and services, she said, and yet in 35 years, weve never closed our doors. Were pretty sure that situation exists universally in Illinois. We realize that theres no magic wand to fix these problems immediately. Checks with a bunch of zeroes on the end of them arent coming magically in the mail anytime soon. And, we also realize the blame doesnt rest solely with the state. The budget impasse didnt help, but as Russell said in a story this week in The Southern, its just a perfect storm of financial challenges that led to this point. We cant offer any solutions. But, this is the reality in todays world. We just wish it didnt have to be this way. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 To the Editor: Largely unnoticed outside Illinois 116th House district, Democrats did another end around on voters this month, denying them the chance to have any voice in the selection of their House Representative. Jerry Costello II, an anti-progressive tax Democrat, resigned and his successor, Nathan Reitz, was appointed by a committee of political leaders. Voters of the 116th have not been allowed to select their new representative in over 20 years. Nathans father, Dan Reitz, was appointed to his House seat in 1997. He held that position until 2011, when he resigned immediately after an 11th hour yes vote on the Madigan tax hike, making way for the appointment of Costello II. So why would Costello II do this so close to a vote to junk the constitutionally protected flat tax? It must have been the job offer from Gov. Pritzker to become the director of law enforcement for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, with a second pension. Costello II gets Paid and Pritzker gets another ally in his fight for a progressive tax. This is a time honored and well-honed fix in the corrupt landscape of Illinois. It needs to be called out every time. This habit of appointing rather than electing senators and representatives must stop. So must the revolving doors of former senators and representatives moving immediately to politically connected lines of work. Pritzker promised honest state government. This is a back room deal to further his fair tax Agenda. Tim Newman Lake Forest Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 CORDOVA -- The Edisto High School Air Force Junior ROTC unit SC-20021 had its annual awards ceremony Thursday, May 9, in the school's auditorium, where a group of student cadets was honored for their hard work, dedication and service to community. The AFJROTC provides more than 1,500 hours of community service each year. Throughout the school year, cadets have conducted roadside cleanups, food drives and helped with blood donations for Edisto High School. More than 600 ribbons and medals were presented during the ceremony, including 20 from local area fraternal and service organizations. Edisto High School cadets receiving organizational awards and honors are: Cadet Tanner Edmonds, Air Commando Association award; Cadet Tucker Canaday, Air Commando Association award; Cadet Fernando Solano, the Tuskegee Airmen award; Cadet Shadae Benjamin, the Tuskegee Airmen award; Cadet T.J. Foster, the Sons of Confederate Veterans H.L. Hunley award; Cadet Tati'Ana Archie, the Masons Grand Lodge award; Cadet Ethan Pritcher, the Sons of Union Veterans award; Cadet Marvin Bonaparte, the Air Force Sergeants award; Cadet Omara Chavez, the Military Order of the Purple Heart award; Cadet Cameron Coker, the Scottish Rite award; Cadet Chandler Whetstone, the Sons of the American Revolution award; Cadet Ja'Neice Moorer, the national Sojourners award; Cadet Paul Agic, the Veterans of Foreign Wars award; Cadet Tyrone Williams, the Military Officers of America Association award; Cadet Dakota Martin, the Military Order of World Wars award; Cadet Simeon Gordon, the Reserve Officers Association award; Cadet Tishayna Robinson, the American Veterans award; Cadet Tysheona Peoples, the Marine Corps award; Cadet Victoria Washington, the Daughters of the American Revolution award; Cadet Francisco Noyola, the American Legion Military Excellence award; Cadet Taniyah Kimbrough, the American Legion Scholastic award; Cadet Tariq Parker, the Daedalian award; and Cadet Je'Wan Goodwin, the Air Force Association Award. Cadets earning top honors were Cadet Brianna Strickland for top academic average in AFJROTC; Cadet Reese Browne for outstanding dress and appearance; Trevon Watson for top drill and ceremony cadet; Cadet Marvin Bonaparte was named outstanding Flight Sergeant; and Cadet Tysheona Peoples was named outstanding Flight Commander. The outstanding cadets overall by year group were Cadet Tariq Parker, Cadet Je'Wan Goodwin, Cadet Cameron Coker, and Cadet Katlin Langston. Super Jock/Jill awards were given out to Cadets Marvin Bonaparte and Mattie Zeigler. Cadets from Charlie and Foxtrot took honors as the best flight for each semester. It was also announced that Edisto High AFJROTC earned the National Distinguished Unit award with Merit for 2019. This award is reserved for the best of all JROTC units nationwide. This is the 14th year that Edisto High School has earned this national award. "The Edisto High School Air Force JROTC citizenship program is making a positive impact on the cadets, the school and the community, Ron Henderson of HQ AFJROTC at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, said during the group's inspection in March. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As the state's legislative session ended, the status of Denmark Technical College remained in a state of uncertainty. But indications are the college will remain open and operate as usual. "It has not been decided yet," Sen. John Matthews, D-Bowman. Negotiations between the House and Senate on the state's $9.3 billion budget, to which the college's future is tied, are not expected to reach a conclusion until this week. "I think it will be Monday." A conference committee of three House members and three senators met May 14 to begin the process of hashing out differences on the budget. The panel met again May 16 but talks will continue into this week as the General Assembly will hold a special session to discuss the budget, the future of state-owned utility Santee Cooper and a $115 million incentive package to entice the NFLs Carolina Panthers to locate a headquarters in Rock Hill. Currently, the House has a budget proviso to close the college on June 30 and have it reopened as a trade school. The Senate budget contains no such proviso. A Senate proviso does, however, have the state giving the college an additional $500,000 above and beyond what the state already gives for operating costs. The S.C. Technical College System approved a budget for the college that includes $7.4 million in state funds and $3.2 million in federal funds for 2019-20. Matthews said there are thoughts that some additional federal monies may be available for the college, though how much is uncertain. "I think they can survive," he said. Several attempts to reach college interim President Dr. Christopher Hall for comment were unsuccessful. Orangeburg Sen. Brad Hutto also said the college's status is up in the air. "There are several budget provisos in the budget that will be impactful, but I don't know what that will be," he said. Hutto said the status of the college should definitely be known by the end of Tuesday, May 21, when the final conference committee recommendations will be approved. Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter, D-Orangeburg, said early indications are the college will operate as it has been with the state giving the institution the extra $500,000 this year. But as last week wore on, Cobb-Hunter too was uncertain about the status of the college. The future of DTC has been much talked about over the past year. The South Carolina Technical College System has said if the school stays in the system after June 30, any shortfalls incurred by the college will negatively affect funds available for the other 15 technical schools. They say according to their projections, DTC has a $2 million shortfall. Smaller schools in the system would be impacted by $25,000 and larger schools could see an impact up to $300,000 to cover the shortfall. Supporters want to keep the college open, saying the state should provide equal, fair and adequate funding. A lawsuit filed on behalf of the Denmark Technical College Foundation and DTC National Alumni Association against the state notes the historically black technical college gets less support from the state and surrounding counties than other technical colleges in South Carolina. The lawsuit claims 374 people will lose their jobs if the college closes. In addition, the lawsuit states that while other local governments help fund the technical colleges in their areas, Denmark Tech gets virtually no funding from Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell counties. DTC has received $38,100 from the counties it serves over the past five years. Greenville Technical College got $59 million during the same time. The complaint claims the state fails to take the disparity into account in its funding of technical colleges. The college has suffered over the past few years. During the past 10 years, enrollment at DTC has plummeted 77%, from 2,277 students in 2008 to 523 students this past fall. According to state numbers, more than 400 students from Allendale, Bamberg and Barnwell attended another surrounding technical college last fall. More than 75% of them headed for Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College. Citing sinking enrollment, financial instability, crumbling facilities and outdated equipment, the state technical college board issued a letter in January 2018 formally recommending the college close and that OCtech serve its primary area. Contact the writer: gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5551. Check out Zaleski on Twitter at @ZaleskiTD. Love 0 Funny 0 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. Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders made stops in Orangeburg and Denmark on Saturday to discuss educational and environmental issues. During an education town hall at Orangeburgs Life Cathedral Church, the Vermont senator unveiled a 10-point proposal for major reforms of the K-12 education system. The Thurgood Marshall Plan for Public Education and Educators focuses on reversing what Sanders said is racial and economic segregation that is plaguing elementary and secondary schools. What were discussing today ... is the need to revolutionize national priorities and start giving education in this country the attention and the resources that it needs, Sanders said. The proposal was announced a day after the 65th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education case, which first began in Summerton with Briggs v. Elliott in 1947. Briggs v. Elliott, litigated by Thurgood Marshall, was one of the five cases that led to the famous Supreme Court case. The decision determined that separate school systems for African Americans and whites was inherently unequal, Sanders said. What many people across this country dont know but Im sure the people of South Carolina know -- is that this historic case was launched 40 miles down the road ... in Summerton. Sanders plan calls for a ban on for-profit charter schools and an immediate moratorium on federal funding for new charter schools, which Sanders said are exacerbating educational segregation. He proposed new regulations to increase charter school transparency, limit the pay of charter school CEOs and ensure that charter schools dont siphon funds from the public school system. The plan also calls for large new investments in programs that serve high-poverty communities, support special needs students and augment local efforts to integrate school districts. Sanders proposed a national per-pupil spending floor for all school districts in America, a plan for universal school meals and increasing school infrastructure funding to renovate, modernize and green schools. It has been said today and it has been said a million times that the future of our country is in our children, he said. And I get a little bit tired of hearing people tell me how much they love America, but apparently they dont love the children of America. I dont understand it. Sanders also called for increases in teacher pay so that the starting salary for educators is no less than $60,000. And Sanders called for a new grant program to help teachers defray the cost of school supplies, as well as the expansion of existing tax credits for teachers who pay for those supplies out of their own pockets. He praised the teachers who recently participated in a rally at the State House in Columbia. What encourages me and gives me so much hope about the future is, in fact, the courage that we have seen in West Virginia, in Oklahoma, all over the states, South Carolina, North Carolina ... teachers standing up for their kids, Sanders said. Theyre not doing it for themselves, theyre doing it for the future of this country. Sanders held what was billed as an environmental justice town hall at Denmark Technical College a few hours later. Taking a break from the environmental theme, he opened with a call to action and promoted his proposal of Medicare for all. This country faces an unprecedented moment in our history, and we need an unprecedented response. And that means that people have got to be involved in the political process in a way that we as a nation have never been involved before, Sanders said. We are the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, he said. Theres no reason why as a nation were the only major country on earth not to guarantee health care to all people as a right. Not a radical idea. Later, conversation turned to the town of Denmarks water woes. Sanders said he visited the home of Denmark resident and activist Pauline Brown and her husband. The water in their home is not drinkable. This is America, this is 2019. One might think that when you turn the tap on, youll get water that is not toxic, Sanders said. This is not unique to Denmark, the senator said. Water safety is a problem all over the country. Brown, a panelist at the event, said that town residents cant drink or cook with the towns tap water. She said that she has experienced burning and sores from bathing with the water. Deanna Miller Berry, the founder of Denmark Citizens for Safe Water, was also part of the panel. Moving to Denmark about six years ago, she said that to learn about this water crisis was something I never, ever thought to uncover. Berry was determined to get to the root of the problem. What we found was horrific. It was appalling. I was angry, she said. Filmmaker and environmental activist Josh Fox said, We take water for granted. I stopped taking water for granted in 2008 when the oil and gas industry came to my neck of the woods. ... They wanted to come in and frack the watershed. Fracking, as you may know, injects chemicals down into the earth, down into the substrata, where those chemicals can leach into water supplies and cause natural gas to come up into the water table. Fox began to investigate and discovered problems all over the country, with animals and people suffering from unsafe water. He eventually became an activist for safe, clean water. This is coast to coast. This is a crisis. And where the water is good, you have infrastructure, pipes that are over a hundred years old, he said. Fox posed a question to the audience: Where are these things happening? Theyre not happening on Wall Street. Theyre not happening in Silicon Valley. Theyre happening to poor people. Theyre happening to people of color, he said. Those people have to be like Pauline Brown, he said, and stand up together and fight back for our rights. Because water is the most basic, fundamental underpinning of everything we have in our society, he said. If you dont have water, you dont have anything. Contact the writer: chuff@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5543. Love 1 Funny 2 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 4 "It's not China that pays tariffs," Fox News Sunday host Chris Wallace pointed out on May 12. "It's the American importers, the American companies that pay what, in effect, is a tax increase and oftentimes passes it on to U.S. consumers." "Fair enough," answered Larry Kudlow, head of President Donald Trump's National Economic Council, before trying to explain that indisputable fact away. As Trump continues his "trade war" with the rest of the world (but China more so than other countries), more and more Americans are beginning to understand what's happening here: Punitive tariffs on Chinese and other foreign goods are simply corporate welfare. They are a mechanism for redistribution of wealth from American consumers and workers to the most politically connected American business owners. Those businesses can charge more for their product and still remain "competitive" because their product doesn't have that extra tax levied on it. In theory, some of that corporate welfare "trickles down" in the form of new jobs for Americans in those particular businesses. That effect seems to be more hype than reality, but even to the extent that it exists, it doesn't create greater general prosperity. The "new jobs" are an artificial sugar high. Everyone else gets just a little bit poorer for each "new job" thus created. As the late, great Henry Hazlitt pointed out in his classic Economics in One Lesson, it's important not to ignore the unseen in favor of the seen. When we are forced to pay more for one thing (steel, for example), we have less money left to spend on other things (shoes or groceries, for example). Protectionist politicians vigorously direct our attention to every "new job" their policies artificially create at our expense, while hoping we won't notice the "old jobs" our decreased wealth eliminates (or makes less lucrative) in other industries. That's not the only way protectionism makes us poorer. Those artificially created "new jobs" also distort the labor market. They shoo workers away from enterprises in which their efforts are most naturally profitable to them, to their employers, and to the consumers of their product, into enterprises where the profitability is an expensive illusion created at their own expense and yours. Trump's "trade war" is indeed a war of sorts, powered by economic sanctions like those levied on Iran and North Korea. But the economic bombs he's dropping are landing on American, not Chinese, heads. Thomas L. Knapp (Twitter: @thomaslknapp) is director and senior news analyst at the William Lloyd Garrison Center for Libertarian Advocacy Journalism (thegarrisoncenter.org). He lives and works in north central Florida. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 0 Bill Connor -- Army Infantry colonel, author and Orangeburg attorney -- wrote recently about the University of South Carolina board's rejection of presidential finalist retired Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen. Caslen, who recently served as superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy, was the target of student protests regarding remarks about preventing sexual assault on campus. Subsequently, the board removed him from consideration for the presidency. "Veterans in South Carolina, particularly we veterans with service in Afghanistan and/or Iraq, took the protest and dismissal of Caslen as a slap in the face. The protesters' claim that Caslen's 'entire career' was 'counter to the values of the university' was spitting in the face of the military in South Carolina." Caslen said of the outcome: "After what I experienced last Friday, who would want to go back to an environment like that? Though Caslen's reference was specifically to USC, Connor said the entire matter reflects badly on South Carolina, its military tradition and its important ties to the military. South Carolina is home to eight major military installations and more than 417,000 military veterans. That includes one of every 10 adults in the state, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. About a quarter of South Carolinians are directly related to the military. The economic impact to the state exceeds $24 billion annually, comprising more than 8% of the states economy. And while it is not likely to get the attention of the Caslen protest and rejection, recent action by state leaders shows the state is determined to be military-friendly. On April 30, Gov. Henry McMaster signed legislation to create the South Carolina Department of Veterans Affairs. Were changing a name, changing a focus, changing a context and promoting the vision of veterans' affairs to a full-fledged agency in South Carolina, McMaster said. Its important that our veterans, through a cabinet agency, have the status, attention and focus they have earned through their service to our state and country. The mission of the new cabinet agency also incorporates the South Carolina Military Base Task Force, which was established through executive order by former Gov. Nikki Haley to enhance the value of our states military installations, as well as the quality of life for military personnel and their families. The task force has coordinated efforts among public and private sectors to maintain a significant U.S. Department of Defense presence in South Carolina. The new Department of Veterans Affairs will work with federal, state and local partners to connect veterans to programs and services they deserve and are entitled to, said Lexington Sen. Katrina Shealy, chairwoman of the Senate Committee on Family and Veterans Services and a sponsor of the bill. It will also codify and strengthen the Military Base Task Force, which helps South Carolina enhance the lives of service members and veterans, and protect the valuable investments in our state. Medal of Honor recipient M. Gen. James Livingston of Mount Pleasant, in his remarks at the bill signing, said the new agency is a major step forward. He said it is step one in encouraging veterans to settle in South Carolina. Step two would be passage of legislation to complete the full exemption of state tax on military retirement income, he said. South Carolina welcomes veterans and wants them served well. As task force Chairman Bill Bethea stated: This act elevates the issues of veterans and the military to the executive level, which demonstrates that our states commitment to serving veterans and supporting our nations defense is second to none. We are very grateful for the governors leadership and the General Assemblys support to accomplish this major advancement for our veterans and military. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Animal activists urged Kenya Thursday to ban the slaughter of donkeys for use in Chinese medicine, a practice which has soared in recent years and decimated African populations of the animal. Animal activists urged Kenya Thursday to ban the slaughter of donkeys for use in Chinese medicine, a practice which has soared in recent years and decimated African populations of the animal. Donkey skins are exported to China to make a traditional medicine known as ejiao, which is believed to improve blood circulation, slow ageing, and boost libido and fertility. It was once the preserve of emperors but is now highly sought after by a burgeoning middle-class. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) told AFP an investigation inside Kenyan slaughterhouses showed animals being cruelly beaten by workers, or dead after long truck journeys from neighbouring countries. "PETA is calling for Kenya to join many other African nations in banning the slaughter of donkeys. There is simply no need for this cruelty, (the medicine) is not even something that has been shown to be effective," said spokeswoman Ashley Fruno. China is increasingly looking to Africa to satisfy demand as its own donkey population has nearly halved in recent years. Activists say there have been cases in Botswana of donkeys being rounded up and machine-gunned / AFP/File Several African countries have banned the export of donkey skins and closed Chinese-owned slaughterhouses, meaning thousands of the animals are now trucked long distances into Kenya from countries such as Ethiopia and Uganda. "There are virtually no laws against the abuse of animals on farms or in slaughterhouses in Kenya, so none of the violence captured in the footage is punishable from a legal standpoint," PETA said in a statement. Kenya's Principal Secretary for Livestock Harry Kimutai told AFP he had taken note of the report and "we wish to request PETA to provide us with details for us to take action. "We take issues of animal welfare seriously. We shall also carry out investigations to confirm the allegations and take appropriate action." - Skinned alive - Alex Mayers of the UK-based animal welfare organisation The Donkey Sanctuary said stories about the trade first began emerging in 2016, with tales of people waking up in the morning to find all of their donkeys had been stolen in the night, often skinned a short distance away. Several African countries have banned the export of donkey skins and closed Chinese-owned slaughterhouses / AFP/File "It started to happen across all corners of Africa, then even wider to Brazil, Peru, Pakistan, all over we were seeing the same photos, the same stories." An investigation by the body in 2017 found the donkey skin trade was inhumane and "completely unsustainable", he said. As the main export is the skin, "it doesn't really matter if a donkey is beaten or bruised by the time it is slaughtered, there is no incentive at all to keep donkeys in good welfare," said Mayers. In Tanzania, there had been cases of slaughterhouse workers using sledgehammers to kill donkeys, he added. "We've seen cases in Botswana where donkeys have been rounded up and machine-gunned. In South Africa slaughter operators have admitted using hammers to kill the donkeys, or... skinning them alive." Mayers said the unprecedented movement of donkeys for slaughter was also being linked to disease spread, with Nigeria and Senegal having registered their first-ever outbreaks of equine flu this year. In East Africa, there were an estimated 2.4 million donkeys, and between Kenya's four slaughterhouses and illegal traders, an estimated 2,000 donkeys were killed daily, he added. - Disappearing donkeys - If this continues, donkeys in the region could be wiped out in four years, said Mayers, adding donkeys were not like cows or goats that can be intensively bred. A 2015 study by Brooke estimated the economic value of a donkey at up to $2,200 (1,900 euros) annually in Kenya / AFP/File Highly susceptible to stress, they do not do well in large groups and have a long gestation period of 12 months. "The harder you try to reproduce them, the less successful it's likely to be, which is why China has not managed to sustain its own population." Another Equine charity, Brooke, said it had noted 60 incidents of donkeys being stolen from Kenyan homes per week, at huge economic loss to their owners. "Donkeys are not only key in helping with household tasks , they also enable owners and their families to make a living through a variety of commercial activities, for instance transport or agriculture," spokeswoman Megan Sheraton told AFP. A 2015 study by Brooke estimated the economic value of a donkey in Kenya at up to $2,200 (1,900 euros) per year. US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo on Tuesday said his country is not seeking war with Iran, despite a spike in tensions that has seen the Pentagon dispatch nuclear-capable bombers to the region. Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei meanwhile insisted the showdown between the Islamic republic and the United States was a test of resolve rather than a military encounter. "We fundamentally do not seek a war with Iran," Pompeo said during a visit to Russia, a key backer of Tehran which has blamed the current crisis on Washington's decision to pull out of the Iran nuclear deal. But Pompeo added: "We have also made clear to the Iranians that if American interests are attacked, we will most certainly respond in an appropriate fashion." "We are looking for Iran to behave like a normal country," Pompeo said, pointing in part to Tehran's backing of Huthi rebels in Yemen who are under attack from US ally Saudi Arabia. Huthi rebels "are launching missiles into areas where there are Russians and Americans travelling. These missiles could easily kill a Russian or an American," Pompeo said. Khamenei echoed Pompeo's rhetoric in a speech to officials. "This face-off is not military because there is not going to be any war. Neither we nor them (the US) seek war. They know it will not be in their interest," he said, quoted on his website. "The definite decision of the Iranian nation is to resist against America," Khamenei said, adding that "in this showdown America will be forced to retreat... because our resolve is stronger." The supreme leader said negotiating with the US was "poison" because the Americans wanted to deprive Iran of its missiles and "strategic depth" in the region. Vladimir Putin, surrounded by top military officers and officials, earlier toured a military flight test centre in Akhtubinsk / SPUTNIK/AFP "Negotiating with the present American government is doubly poisonous... they are not decent humans, they don't stand by anything," he said referring to the US decision to withdraw from the landmark 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and major world powers. - US 'maximum pressure' campaign - Washington last year pulled out of a nuclear deal backed by Europe, Russia and China, which curbed Iran's nuclear ambitions in return for sanctions relief. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (L), with President Hassan Rouhani, attended a government meeting in Tehran / KHAMENEI.IR/AFP Since then it has slapped sweeping sanctions on Iran in an all-out effort to reduce Tehran's regional clout. The US has recently ramped up the pressure, deploying an aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear-capable bombers to counter vaguely described threats from Iran. On Sunday, mysterious attacks by unknown assailants against four ships in the region, including two from Saudi Arabia, sent war talk up another notch. UN inspectors have said Iran is complying with the deal, and Moscow last week denounced new US sanctions on the country's mining industry, calling for new talks to save the nuclear accord. During Pompeo's visit, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would work "to ensure this situation does not descend into a military scenario". "I hope that reason will triumph," Lavrov said, adding that he hoped reports in the US media that President Donald Trump is planning to send 120,000 troops to counter Iran turn out to be wrong. Trump himself rejected the New York Times report, saying it was "fake news" but did not rule out deploying "a hell of a lot more" soldiers in the future. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov welcomed US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo but there was little sign of agreement later / POOL/AFP Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov earlier Tuesday slammed what he called Washington's "maximum pressure" campaign on Iran, saying it would only drive Tehran into a corner. Pompeo cancelled a stop in Moscow Monday to instead have an unscheduled meeting in Brussels with European foreign ministers, who have been uncomfortable with the hawkish direction of the US on Iran. For 19 years, a group of classic car enthusiasts who are members of the Oil Capitol Auto Club has hosted a car show and weekend party over Memorial Day in Casper. Although not all events are open to non-participants, several are, and organizers make sure they remain free so all may enjoy. We chatted with Cruizin with the Oldies show chairman Jerry Barton about this years festivities, which begin Friday and run through Sunday around Casper. How long have you been a member of OCAC? About eight years. I had an old Studebaker, and I had been working on it for several years. My wife met a guy at physical therapy and he wanted to buy the Studebaker. So I sold the Studebaker to him and joined the car club. I had a replica of a 37 Jaguar I was restoring and sold the old Jaguar, and now I have a 65 Mustang, bright red. I did buy it restored. I reached an age where restoring cars has kind of lost its charm. I like to drive em. Do you participate in the car show circuit? Thats a broad question. I and several of my friends go to the Rocky Mountain Mustang Show at Steamboat over Fathers Day, and we do the Sturgis Mustang Rally over Labor Day. We go to Douglas and other places in Wyoming. I drive my car; I dont haul it. Thats why I bought it. Some of these guys have an $80,000 pickup with a $30,000 trailer and then their cars in there. They might put 20 miles a year on it. Thats not me. How does your annual event impact the community? It creates awareness about older vehicles and restoration. We are able to share our experience and our technology with hopefully more young people. One of the biggest impacts is being able to provide some assistance to veterans in our community. We are very pro-veteran. Most of us are in our 60s and 70s. Our thoughts and our hearts lean toward veterans. Our major goal is to provide scholarships to veterans at Casper College. Are you a veteran? Yes, maam. I served in Guernsey, Wyoming, for the Wyoming Air National Guard from 1966 to 1972. Whats available to the public? We have a couple of cruises, which are for participants, but anytime there is a big group of cars, thats fun for the public to see. The Saturday cruise-in starts at 11 a.m. down at the Yellowstone Garage and runs until (owner) John Huff goes to bed. He puts on a really great event for us, and the public is welcome. And then Sunday is the big Show and Shine with all of the cars out at the Central Wyoming Fairgrounds. Thats completely free and open to the public. Were there from 9 in the morning until 5 or 6 at night. And because its the fairgrounds, theres plenty of good parking and handicapped parking as well. We begin with the NCHS JROTC Color Guard, and the DJ plays the National Anthem, so its a great way to start the day. Tell us about some of the rest of the events set for the weekend. Four Casper car dealers host their own shows on Friday, from 10 a.m. to about 3 p.m. All dealers handle their own registration and awards at the respective events. They are the all-Ford show at Greiner Ford, 3333 CY Ave.; all-Mopar show at Fremont Motors, 6101 East Second St.; an all-GM car show hosted by Casper GMC Buick and Cadillac, 6307 E. Second St.; and an import car show hosted by Foss Motors, 6280 E. Second St. Saturday afternoon, registered participants will Cruise for Cash starting at 3 p.m. leaving from the Ramkota Hotel. This is a great opportunity for the public to see the parade of cars that are on the cruise. The clubs philanthropy reaches beyond the veteran scholarships, doesnt it? We give the five scholarships at Casper College for $2,500 each and they are renewable. But we also give to Hospice, Food for Thought, Shop with a Cop, Wyoming Rescue Mission, Project Healing Waters fly fishing, Meals on Wheels, Wyoming Patriot Guard, Casper College Veterans Club and Hunting with Heroes. For more information check the Oil Capitol Auto Club website: ocac.cc. Show chairman: Jerry Barton, 251-1377; registration: Mike Kennedy, 234-9795. Follow community news editor Sally Ann Shurmur on Twitter @WYOSAS Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Japanese seafood company Maruha Nichiro will export fully farmed tuna to Europe, taking advantage of a recent economic partnership agreement scrapping most substantial tariffs. Maruha Nichiro, the nation's largest producer of fully farmed tuna, has received approval to ship fresh fish to Europe from an aquaculture facility and processing plant in Oita Prefecture. The seafood will be sold through a Netherlands-based subsidiary to such customers as Japanese restaurants. The company aims to sell more than 10 tons of fully farmed tuna to Europe in fiscal 2019. Growing concern about overfishing has sparked interest among European consumers in fully farmed seafood. Unlike conventionally farmed tuna, which are caught in the wild as juveniles and raised to maturity, fully farmed tuna are hatched from farm-raised fish. - Nikkei LOVELL (WNE) The Big Horn County Attorneys Office will be pursuing the death penalty in a homicide case involving a man from Lovell. In a recent filing with the court, County Attorney Marcia Bean conveyed to the court that her office would pursue the death penalty in the case involving Donald Joe Crouse. Crouse is charged with the first-degree murder of Carol Jean Barnes on Jan. 4, 2018. The last execution carried out in Wyoming was Mark Hopkinson in 1992. Wyomings last death row inmate, Dale Eaton, had his sentence overturned by a federal judge in 2014. There is a current motion from Crouses current attorney, Timothy Blatt, to reschedule the trial set for June 3. His reasons include that Crouse is seeking another mental examination and the need for another public defender that has experience with death penalty cases. Crouse waived his right to a speedy trial. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 Last month, Rep. Tyler Lindholm, R-Sundance, penned an op-ed in the Star-Tribune that seemed out of the lane that a Majority Whip of the Wyoming House of Representatives would typically occupy. Its contents? An appeal to Washington and to Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney to end a foreign war neither he nor any of his colleagues in Cheyenne had any role in starting. Our people, especially my fellow veterans and their families, are tired of endless wars, Lindholm wrote. Its past time we bring our troops home from foreign entanglements in Syria, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the globe. The op-ed seemed uncharacteristic for Lindholm, whose topics of interest typically include subjects like blockchain and corporate law, adhering to what some around the capital have described as a live and let live brand of politics. But, for the five-year serviceman in the U.S. Navy, ending the U.S. militarys decadeslong involvement in the Middle East, and the ongoing conflict hed left behind more than a dozen years ago, was personal, he told the Star-Tribune in an interview this month. Toward the end of his military service in 2006, he said, there was a solid argument on why we should stay, keeping a consistent presence to stabilize a region that had suffered from years of war, political upheaval and decades of foreign intervention. Now, its 2019, and I have a 13-year-old who, five years from now, could possibly serve in the same war her dad did. And Jesus Christ, he said. I think weve stretched our legs a little too far on this deal. There are lots of arguments to be made, like bringing democracy to these people but clearly, they dont want democracy. Weve tried. Weve given it to them on a silver platter. And what were doing isnt working. On the national stage, however, Wyoming is among the last place federal policy makers would expect to hear calls for withdrawal. Like her father, former Vice President Dick Cheney, Rep. Cheney has long advocated for propping up the Middle East through American intervention, often supporting the maintenance of a military presence to stave off the influence of foreign powers like Russia and often calling for increased funding for the U.S. military. At home, in the meantime, support for the war has begun to slip. Approval for U.S. military operations abroad has decidedly fallen to a minority of Americans, according to data from the Pew Research Center, while a majority of military veterans have expressed in several public polls that its time to pull troops out of the Middle East. Meanwhile, defense funding has bloated to a level that is rapidly becoming unsustainable. A recent analysis in The Nation showed that the annual cost of U.S. military operations in the more than 80 countries it maintains a presence exceeds $1.25 trillion every year an amount larger than the gross domestic product of all but 15 countries. Meanwhile, the nations debt has grown to crisis levels, which Wyoming Sen. Mike Enzi has made the focus of his 22-year career in Washington. Though those decisions are made by the U.S. Congress, over the Teton Range in Idaho, a three-term lawmaker saw a way he might be able to spur movement toward ending a war he too left behind more than a dozen years ago. There, Dan McKnight, a former Idaho Army National Guard sergeant and an Afghanistan veteran, began organizing a bipartisan movement in January, hoping to persuade his congressman, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch and the rest of Idahos delegation to bring American troops home. In February, the group succeeded in getting a response. Weve spent $2 trillion in Afghanistan, and weve shed lots of American blood there, Risch said. Im with you. I am through trying to do nation-building with countries that dont want it. Theyve got to show some type of an appreciation, some type of an embracement of it, and they simply dont. With his column last month, Lindholm hoped to get a conversation going. But then, people started reaching out, expressing a similar sentiment. Empowered, he made a website wybringourtroopshome.com and said he will be beginning a campaign to urge Wyomings delegation to follow in Rischs footsteps. Just days after 130 servicemen from Wyoming were deployed overseas, Lindholm believes now is as good a time as any. Now, weve actually got a president of the United States who wants to stop the nation-building also and, for the most part, it has been about bringing the troops home, he said. I think we carry most of the votes in Congress in that regard. All we have to do now is pull the trigger, and our federal delegation has the power to push that forward. Follow politics reporter Nick Reynolds on Twitter @IAmNickReynolds Love 13 Funny 0 Wow 0 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. CHEYENNE Four of Wyomings coal-fired power plants have been identified as potential targets for early closures to save money. And state lawmakers have worked to put up as many roadblocks as possible to keep Rocky Mountain Power from turning off the lights at those aging plants. During this years legislative session, lawmakers passed Senate File 159, which requires power companies make a good-faith effort to sell a coal-fired power plant before retiring it early. If a buyer is found, they could either decide not to be regulated by the Wyoming Public Service Commission, or the power company would have to buy the power back at a rate determined by the PSC. The bill would also keep a utility from passing along the cost of a new power resource to replace a coal-fired power plant early to ratepayers in Wyoming. How all of this would work if Rocky Mountain Power, or any other power company, decides to close any of the state coal-fired power plants is still a major question for everyone involved. Both Rocky Mountain Power and the PSC want more information from lawmakers on the time frame in which a sale needs to be advertised, how any power would be sold back to the company and what constitutes a good-faith effort. Were looking for specific guidance on sections of the bill, said PSC Chairwoman Kara Fornstrom during a Thursday meeting of the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Interim Committee in Gillette. Fornstrom said the PSC is in the process of gathering stakeholder input now to try to come up with guidelines for implementation of SF 159, culminating in a meeting of stakeholders Aug. 1 in Cheyenne. She said that meeting would be a good opportunity for lawmakers to hear from those involved and see what, if any, tweaks could be made to the law to better accomplish its goal of keeping coal-fired power plants online. While the committee heard about how it might provide clarity on SF 159, members were also focused on why Rocky Mountain Power had identified only Wyoming coal-fired power plants for potential early closure. Lawmakers pressed representatives from the company on what made the four plants Naughton Units 1 and 2 in Kemmerer and Jim Bridger Units 1 and 2 near Point of Rocks ideal for early retirement. Jon Cox, vice president for government affairs with Rocky Mountain Power, said none of the closures were set in stone. The companys integrated resource plan, conducted every two years, wouldnt be finalized until later this year. But Cox said there were multiple factors Rocky Mountain Power took into consideration when it made cost projections, and why the four plants had been identified for potential early closure. Those included the age of the plants, the ability of the power output to be ramped up or down depending on the demand, the level of pollution each produced and a potential carbon tax that could be implemented by the federal government down the road. Cox said in each projection, including whether it was with a carbon tax or not, the companys ratepayers would be seeing a savings if the four plants were replaced with new capacity. But the potential of SF 159 to keep Rocky Mountain Power from trying to recover the cost of a new facility in Wyoming could alter its formulas. When we talk about replacement resources, they need to be in the economic best interest of our customers, Cox said. And if its not, its a pretty big stick that the state of Wyoming is wielding over us, saying we cant get recovery on any future assets to replace that. The burden of proof is on us to prove (that) its economical for our customers. Gov. Mark Gordon had already weighed in on the potential of closures in Wyoming, and on Thursday, his staff presented two legislative proposals to help bolster the case for Wyoming coal. One would be to create a Wyoming Energy Commercialization Program that would take $10 million every biennium from coal severance taxes to be used as research and development dollars. That pool of money would be used as a match for federal grant money to find new ways to use Wyomings coal resources. The other would be a Coal Marketing and Impact Program, funded with an additional $1 million every biennium to the governors office. That program would aim to promote the use of Wyoming coal as an energy source, along with helping deal with local impacts and diversification efforts in coal-impacted communities. The Minerals Committee agreed to have draft legislation for both of those proposals created for debate during its next meeting this summer. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 CHEYENNE (WNE) Wyoming State Treasurer Curt Meier on Tuesday sent letters to President Donald J. Trump and other key officials asking them to advance stable and secure domestic uranium mining. Wyoming is home to the largest uranium mining operations in the United States, Meier stated in the letters. This industry is vital for the nation and for the economic well-being of our communities. Meier noted, however, that the number of Wyomingites employed by the uranium industry today is less than half the number employed in 2013. He said helping Wyomings uranium companies continue their operations is important to the state and the nation as a whole. Pending final numbers, it is believed domestic uranium producers supplied less than 2 percent of the needs of all U.S. power plants in 2018. Additionally, international treaties mandate that U.S. nuclear ships and submarines must be powered by domestic uranium. Letters were also sent to Peter Navarro, assistant to the president and director of the Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, and Ambassador John R. Bolton, national security adviser. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Teenagers, it seems, cant get a break. Older generations criticize them for being too detached from reality, for focusing on their smart phones instead of the real world. Why cant these kids be more engaged in the real world, their detractors bemoan. Unfortunately, the same teens who are critiqued for being detached and vain face criticism and insults when they do participate in the civic process. Witness the response that a small group of teenagers received in Casper when they left school earlier this month to raise awareness about climate change. Or recall the complaints and insults lobbed at a group of Natrona County High School students that walked out of class last year to protest school shootings. In both cases, the students were ridiculed. Critics castigated them for cutting class to conduct the protests, for taking stances that are unpopular in Wyoming and for, in the latest instance, having the temerity to protest climate change while carrying plastic water bottles. One social media commenter went so far as to say he would have punished his children if they had participated in the protest. The critics, of course, dont have to agree with the reasons why the students were protesting. We dont fault people for having differing opinions on how to address complicated issues like climate change and school shootings. They have the right to express whatever opinions they wish. But we do fault people who want to complain about detached teenagers while at the same time knocking them for engaging in a basic part of a healthy democracy speaking out on issues that matter to them. They are exercising the rights afforded to them under our Constitution. They are acting as involved citizens seeking redress from the government for policies they dont agree with. What is more American than that? Weve noticed a disappointing trend in our society: Often the people who claim to treasure our Constitutional rights are angered when young people use those rights to express themselves. How does that make any sense? Regardless of whether we agree with them politically, we should be lauding these young people for stepping outside their comfort zones and opening themselves up to a torrent of criticism in order to participate in our democracy. Its fair for people to criticize the arguments these young people are making. Perhaps you believe their stance on gun control or on climate change is wrong. Thats fine. We encourage a vibrant discussion on these and other political issues. But to criticize these young people for wanting to be part of that conversation, all the while dismissing them as vacant and vapid, is wrong. Our country benefits from a robust debate. We applaud these students for participating in it. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 I am writing in regards to the recent article on hemp in the April 25th issue of the Sundance Times written by Jonathan Gallardo of the Gillette News Record via Wyoming News Exchange. Hemp is most certainly a four-letter word and is already creating huge headaches for Wyoming. Wyomings Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) was already overloaded trying to keep illicit drugs out of the state. Now they have to contend with hemp, which looks and smells like marijuana. A crop of hemp has the ability to produce widely-varied levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in spite of human agricultural regulation. THC levels in hemp can skyrocket for no reason, imitating its so-called distant cousin marijuana. The only way to differentiate the two is to test it with specialized lab equipment. Hence, millions more taxpayer dollars will be spent on special equipment, personnel and training. In the April article, two people from National Organization for the Reformation of Marijuana Laws (NORML) were interviewed in support of hemp in Wyoming. On the NORML website, they fully support the legalization of marijuana. You dont even see the word hemp on their website. NORMLs mission is clear. Theyre not stopping with the legalization of hemp. The full legalization of marijuana is what they really want. Hemp is just a stepping stone and a foot in the door. Wyoming doesnt need any form of cannabis to have a successful and varied economy. Hemp notwithstanding, the new genetically modified cannabis is far more powerful and dangerous, and not just a gateway drug. It causes hallucinations, psychological disorders, birth defects, suicide, violence and its highly addictive. It directly/indirectly causes crime and poverty. In Colorado, where marijuana is legal, its difficult for employers to find employees that can pass a drug test, required for key jobs like working heavy machinery or piloting aircraft. Businesses have fled to other states to find quality people. I applaud leadership in Idaho and South Dakota for stopping the legalization of cannabis hemp. Lets keep the facts and the people of Wyoming in mind the next time we go to the voting polls. JEFFREY BURIAN, Moorcroft Love 0 Funny 22 Wow 1 Sad 1 Angry 15 It feels like someone maybe strapped a belt across your chest, he said. If you let it get worse, you cant even get a breath out. This story was produced through a partnership between Climate Central, a non-advocacy research and news group, and the Arizona Daily Star in Tucson. Contact reporter Tony Davis at tdavis@tucson.com or 806-7746. On Twitter@tonydavis987 Authorities are investigating after a man was found shot to death in a neighborhood south of Tucson International Airport Saturday night. Around 7:27 p.m., deputies were dispatched to the 10000 block of South Summit Creek Drive for an unknown problem, according to a Pima County Sheriff's Department press release. When deputies arrived, they found a man dead from a gunshot wound. Deputies then located a person of interest who they have detained for questioning, the release said. There are no other outstanding suspects at this time. Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME, an anonymous tipster line. Contact Star reporter Shaq Davis at 573-4218 or sdavis@tucson.com On Twitter: @ShaqDavis1 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. Melani Martinez has a story she loves to tell. And as with any great story, hers is about food and family. Hers is also about local history and lore. There are people past and present and ghosts in her story. Its about continuity and gentrification. Its her story to tell and to share. Martinez, known to many as Mele, has been recounting the story of El Rapido Tortilla Factory for several years. Shes published snippets of her story. She has related parts of it before live audiences. And shes continuing to write about her familys story. It is in manuscript form and someday, she hopes and expects, her story will be a book. But right now its a jumble, in a good, creative way. Martinez has a lot of material to work with, and now she is figuring out how to put her words and thoughts on paper, or rather into the computer. Im in this messy time, she said with a smile. A lecturer at the University of Arizona teaching first-year writing and food-writing courses, Martinez, an award-winning author, understands that the hardest part of writing is just before the ideas gel together. One of the agents viewed a video of the incident later that day and said he had never seen anything like that before, the special agent wrote. A little push Bowen also is accused of filing a false report about striking Lopez with the Ford F-150 Border Patrol truck. In a text message to Swartz the day after the incident, Bowen said he gave the man just a little push with a ford bumper. Three days after the incident, Bowen sent a text message to another agent saying if he had tackled the man he still would be doing paperwork. I wonder how they expect us to apprehend wild ass runners who dont want to be apprehended, Bowen wrote. After Bowen learned he was being investigated, he sent a memo to the chief patrol agent that offered a different account, prosecutors said. In the memo, Bowen said he was unfamiliar with the acceleration power of that particular truck and he was trying to get close enough to more easily detain Lopez. He also said he wasnt sure if the truck struck Lopez. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and U.S. President Donald Trump are expected to sign an agreement on joint lunar exploration and other space-related projects when they meet here May 27, seeking to stay a step ahead of China and other rivals. Japan will join the U.S.-led Gateway project, which involves putting a manned space station into lunar orbit to use as a base for missions to the moon and eventually Mars. This will mark the two countries' first collaboration on lunar exploration. Such partnerships are growing more important to Washington as it competes with Beijing for supremacy in space. The U.S. plans to establish a Space Force by 2020 and is reaching out to allies, including Japan, to solidify its dominance. For the Gateway project, Japan plans to contribute in such areas as life support systems and transporting supplies from Earth, using technology from its Kounotori unmanned cargo transfer vehicle and the Kibo experiment module. The government will revise its space policy framework and work on the necessary budgetary and legislative steps this year. Canada is participating in the Gateway project, and the European Union is expected to join. Washington and Tokyo will also work together on space junk for the first time, monitoring and exchanging information about suspicious objects to improve the accuracy of their observations. Japan, which currently relies on the U.S. for much of this data, will develop its own technology and set up an information-sharing framework. - Nikkei At that time there was so much pride in the process of printing, director of printing operations John Lundgren said. The Goss Metro offset press switched on in August 1973 is the same one set to go quiet today too expensive to maintain and run when Tucson has only one daily newspaper and readership is quickly shifting online. I made a pilgrimage back to the press Thursday afternoon to visit with the pressmen. Theyve been getting a lot of visits lately, including one from James Krakowiak, who was a pressman for more than 40 years and is deaf. All the current pressmen knew at least a little sign language because they worked with him and another deaf employee. On Thursday, they spelled out words with their hands to reminisce with Krakowiak. The pressmen have seen the signs that this day was coming for a decade or more, at least since the Citizen closed in May 2009, pressman Jeff Aronhalt told me. But they held on to the job and the pride of creation. The neat thing about this job is you walk around here and pick up something that you made, Aronhalt said. Of course these are people who are fans of the object, the printed paper, that has been their sustenance. Friends encouraged her to republish Cactus and Pine, which was then out of print, and to include some additional poems she had composed since its issuance. Since her first publisher had gone out of business during World War I, she asked a friend to locate the books original plates. He wrote me that all of the metal, including my plates, had been sold to a munitions factory, and that so far as he could learn my poems had been shot at the Hun, and, we might hope, had done their part in winning the war in a decidedly original way for poetry. After her father died in 1925, Sharlot took on her most arduous and rewarding project: restoration of the first governors residence built in 1864. The log cabin had been given to the city of Prescott in 1917 but the old structure was in a state of stagnant disrepair. The city fathers were more than happy to turn over the project of renovating the structure to Sharlot and gave her a life lease on the property. She moved into the dilapidated building and worked tirelessly to refurbish the house. Sharlot died April 9, 1943, before she finished all she hoped to accomplish. Yet her legacy continues. Local journalism is important and producing it costs time and money. To continue viewing content on tucson.com, please sign in with your existing account or subscribe. MELBOURNE/SYDNEY -- Australias conservative government celebrated on Sunday its surprise election victory that defied years of unfavorable opinion polls, with U.S. and Israeli leaders welcoming Prime Minister Scott Morrisons return to office. Australias Liberal-led coalition has won or is leading in 74 seats in its quest for a 76-seat majority, according to the Australian Electoral Commission, with three-quarters of votes counted. The opposition Labor party has conceded defeat and Bill Shorten stepped down as its leader. Congratulations to Scott on a GREAT WIN, U.S. President Donald Trump said on Twitter. The White House said Trump and Morrison spoke by phone and pledged to continue their close cooperation on shared priorities. Morrison told raucously cheering supporters late on Saturday, who just hours earlier had seemed resigned to defeat, that he had always believed in miracles. The result drew comparisons with Republican Trumps victory in 2016, when the real estate mogul defied polls to defeat Democratic rival Hillary Clinton by winning over the so-called silent majority. Opinion polls in Australia had all pointed to a Labor victory ahead of Saturdays vote. So strong was the expectation the government would fall that one betting agency even paid out bets on a Labor win days before the election. Morrison, however, cast himself as the candidate who would work for aspirational voters and the tactic seemed to strike a chord. A Pentecostal church-goer, Morrison took over as prime minister last year when he emerged as the unexpected winner of infighting within the Liberal party, the senior partner within the Liberal-National coalition. It is still unclear whether the coalition can govern with an outright majority or will need to negotiate support from independents, with millions of early votes cast before polling day still to be counted. Several seats in the 151-seat House of Representatives are still too close to call. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, who fended off a tough contest from independent and Greens candidates in his Melbourne electorate, told Australian Broadcasting Corp. television on Sunday Morrison had led with energy and conviction. From the minute the starters gun was fired in this campaign, we knew we were behind, but we also knew we were in it, Frydenberg said. The government campaigned on a platform of tax cuts and stability, while Labor promised to reduce inequality through tax reform, higher wages, better public infrastructure and faster action on climate change. Fitch Ratings said in a note the result would bring policy continuity, including the coalitions pledge to start delivering budget surpluses next financial year. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated Morrison on Sunday. I know that under your leadership the great friendship between Australia and Israel will grow even stronger, Netanyahu said on Twitter. Australia formally recognized west Jerusalem as Israels capital late last year, reversing decades of Middle East policy and following Trumps decision to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv. Morrison, who was widely criticized for the decision, said at the time Australia would not move its embassy to Jerusalem immediately. Four women who are involved in a corpse-in-concrete case in the southern Vietnamese province of Binh Duong have confessed to murder, claiming that they and the victims were Falun Gong followers. An official from the provincial Department of Police confirmed to Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the suspects had admitted to killing one man, while stating that another had committed suicide. We are conducting further investigation to determine the exact role of each woman in the murder, as well as their motive, the policeman stated. The four suspects include Pham Thi Thien Ha, 31, her mother, 66-year-old Trinh Thi Hong Hoa, along with Le Phu Hanh, 54, and Le Thi Phuong Thao, 29. The victims have been identified as Tran Tri Thanh, a Ho Chi Minh City resident, and Tran Duc Linh, who hailed from north-central Nghe An Province. They were said to be between 30 and 35 years old. Authorities break concrete at a house in southern Binh Duong Province, where the murder happened, on the night of May 15, 2019. Photo: Ba Son / Tuoi Tre According to the suspects statements, they and the two victims were followers of Falun Gong, a Chinese religious spiritual practice. Their group rented a house on D2 Street in Ben Cat District, Binh Duong Province to practice the spiritual discipline. After some members left the group, the other followers decided to relocate to keep their activities a secret. Ha then rented the house of Nguyen Minh Vuong in Bau Bang District, also in Binh Duong, in October 2018. During their practices, the two men developed some conflicts with the four women. One of the men, Linh, eventually committed suicide by jumping off the house roof. The other members then kept Linhs body inside a room. As his body began decomposing, they put it into a barrel and covered it tightly with tape. The house where the bodies were discovered. Photo: Ba Son / Tuoi Tre After a while, the women thought that Thanh was no longer a suitable member, so they planned on murdering him. The suspects first rendered him unconscious by electrocuting him, before strangling him to death. The women also kept Thanhs body inside a room while they continued their religious exercises. As the corpse started to smell, they threw it into another barrel and filled it with concrete. In April 2019, they returned the house to Vuong, who then sold it in May. The new owner discovered the concrete-filled barrel on Wednesday night and found Thanhs body as he was breaking up the concrete. Police officers then searched the house and found Linhs body the following day. The women were apprehended on Friday night when they were staying at a hotel in Thu Dau Mot City, Binh Duong, about 50km from the murder scene. Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam! The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have marked their first wedding anniversary with a photo montage on Instagram. Harry and Meghan shared a compilation of 14 wedding snaps including some behind the scenes pictures from their big day last year. The couple who welcomed baby Archie earlier this month have had a momentous 12 months since they wed at St Georges Chapel in a glittering ceremony attended by royalty, celebrities and the public. The social media post, which features some never seen before pictures, is accompanied by the song This Little Light Of Mine which they point out was chosen by the couple for their recessional on their wedding day. In a message, the couple said: Thank you for all of the love and support from so many of you around the world. Each of you made this day even more meaningful. The pictures feature a series of black and white images by Chris Allerton, including one that appears to be Harry thumbing a lift and another where Meghan is holding hands with her mother Doria Ragland. The famous picture of the couple sharing a kiss on the steps, by Press Association photographer Danny Lawson, is also among the snaps shared. Story continues Harry and Meghan outside St Georges Chapel (Jane Barlow/PA) The birth of Harry and Meghans son came less than a year after the royal nuptials in the grounds of Windsor Castle, a wedding attended by A-list stars like Oprah Winfrey and George and Amal Clooney and the British monarchy led by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, got engaged following a whirlwind 16-month romance after going on a blind date in London. Meghan and Harry in 2017 (Danny Lawson/PA) Meghans wedding dress designer Clare Waight Keller posted a throwback video clip, showing the bride stepping out of the car and her veil being arranged before she walked up the chapels steps in front of adoring crowds. Alongside the Instagram post wishing the couple a happy anniversary, Ms Waight Keller wrote: A day and an event in my life I will never forget, it was truly so extraordinarily beautiful and an honour and privilege to be part of a moment in history and their lives. A first wedding anniversary is traditionally celebrated with paper gifts with couples sometimes exchanging presents featuring a paper ticket. Meghans mother Ms Ragland now a grandmother for the first time is thought to be staying with the couple and could perform babysitting duties if the duke and duchess choose to have a romantic dinner to mark their anniversary. Meghan with her mother Doria Ragland (Steve Parsons/PA) Archies birth was registered on Friday, revealing the couple had their baby at Londons Portland Hospital, a private hospital favoured by celebrities wanting a money-no-object birthing experience. The baby, who is the seventh in line to the throne and an eighth great-grandchild for the Queen and Philip, arrived at 5.26am on May 6, weighing 7lb 3oz. He is believed to be the first mixed-race child born to a senior member of the Royal family in centuries, and is a reflection of modern Britain with its culturally diverse population. Meghan and Harry show off baby Archie (Dominic Lipinski/PA) The birth certificate also showed Meghan may have been born a commoner but is now a Princess of the United Kingdom as far as her occupation was concerned. When Harry announced to the world his wife had given birth to a boy he could not hide his happiness at becoming a father for the first time, to a baby he said was absolutely to die for. The royal baby, who was not given a courtesy title, met his uncle and aunt, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, for the first time on Tuesday, having already spent time with his royal great-grandparents, the Queen and Philip. Icelandic act Hatari help up Palestine flags during the live Eurovision broadcast Icelands Eurovision act could be punished after displaying Palestinian flags during the live song contest, organisers have confirmed. Hatari, a leather-clad bondage punk trio, were critical of Israel before Saturdays grand finale, and even challenged the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to a friendly match of traditional Icelandic trouser grip wrestling. During the live final, the band members held up Palestinian flags while their public vote was being announced. In a statement, Eurovision said the consequences of this action will be discussed by the contests executive board. It said: In the live broadcast of the Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final, Hatari, the Icelandic act, briefly displayed small Palestinian banners whilst sat in the Green Room. Winner Duncan Laurence was tapped as an early front-runner before the Grand Final The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event and this directly contradicts the Contest rules. The banners were quickly removed and the consequences of this action will be discussed by the Reference Group (the Contests executive board) after the Contest. Hataris gesture was rejected by Palestinian Campaign For The Academic And Cultural Boycott Of Israel (PACBI), which had demanded all acts pull out of the event. In a statement, PACBI said: Palestinian civil society overwhelmingly rejects fig-leaf gestures of solidarity from international artists crossing our peaceful picket line. Madonnas controversial performance may have grabbed the headlines, but Duncan Laurence won the nearly four-hour-long 2019 Eurovision Song Contest for the Netherlands with the song Arcade, which he cowrote with Joel Sjoo and Wouter Hardy. Laurence won a total of 492 points from the expert juries and televoters in a contest that was touch and [] Eurovision is supposed to be non-political however the build-up has been marred by controversy and calls for a boycott by pro-Palestinian activists. During Madonnas highly anticipated performance, her backing dancers displayed Israeli and Palestinian flags. Organisers said it had not been part of the approved act and she had been made aware not to include political content in her performance. See the full Eurovision Song Contest full finished table here. The Netherlands have won the 2019 Eurovision song contest at a show in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.The extravaganza passed off without too much political controversy, though two incidents temporarily drew attention away from the songs and toward Israel's conflict with the Palestinians.Local media showed images of two of Madonna's dancers side-by-side with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs during her performance.Icelandic group Hatari meanwhile displayed scarfs with Palestinian flags when results were being announced.The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the event, condemned both displays.Referring to Madonna's dancers, it said "this element of the performance was not part of the rehearsals"."The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event and Madonna had been made aware of this."After performances by all 26 finalists, Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands took the prize with the stirring power ballad "Arcade". Italy finished second and Russia third.Controversial culture minister slams incidentIsraeli Culture Minister Miri Regev on Sunday criticised the display of Palestinian flags during the Eurovision song contest finals in Tel Aviv."It was an error," Regev, a right-wing minister known for provocative stances, told journalists before a cabinet meeting."Politics and a cultural event should not be mixed, with all due respect to Madonna."Regev criticised Israeli public broadcaster KAN for not having prevented the flags from being shown, though it was unclear what could have been done. The Netherlands have won the 2019 Eurovision song contest at a show in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv. The extravaganza passed off without too much political controversy, though two incidents temporarily drew attention away from the songs and toward Israel's conflict with the Palestinians. Local media showed images of two of Madonna's dancers side-by-side with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs during her performance. Icelandic group Hatari meanwhile displayed scarfs with Palestinian flags when results were being announced. The European Broadcasting Union, which organises the event, condemned both displays. Referring to Madonna's dancers, it said "this element of the performance was not part of the rehearsals". "The Eurovision Song Contest is a non-political event and Madonna had been made aware of this." After performances by all 26 finalists, Duncan Laurence of the Netherlands took the prize with the stirring power ballad "Arcade". Italy finished second and Russia third. Controversial culture minister slams incident Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev on Sunday criticised the display of Palestinian flags during the Eurovision song contest finals in Tel Aviv. "It was an error," Regev, a right-wing minister known for provocative stances, told journalists before a cabinet meeting. "Politics and a cultural event should not be mixed, with all due respect to Madonna." Regev criticised Israeli public broadcaster KAN for not having prevented the flags from being shown, though it was unclear what could have been done. Lead singer of Primal Scream Bobby Gillespie performing at the 3D festival at Slessor Gardens in Dundee, a celebration of design, music and performance to mark the opening of V&A Dundee on September 15. (Photo by Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images) Primal Scream frontman Bobby Gillespie has labelled Madonna a total prostitute over her decision to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest in Israel. Speaking to Kirsty Wark on Newsnight, Gillespie said: Madonna would do anything for money, you know, shes a total prostitute. And Ive got nothing against prostitutes. The whole thing is set up to normalise the state of Israel, and its disgraceful treatment of the Palestinian people. Madonna would do anything for money" - Primal Scream's Bobby Gillespie on Madonna performing in Tel Aviv at Eurovision. Madonna has said she will never stop playing music to suit someones political agenda" https://t.co/dIXMXIzVwU MORE TONIGHT 22:30#newsnight #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/iRnpJk2TFE BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) May 17, 2019 By going to perform in Israel what you do is you normalise that. Primal Scream would never perform in Israel. I think Madonna is just desperate for publicity, desperate for the money. He added: They pay very, very well. Read more: Madonna on ageism in the music industry: Im punished for turning 60 When asked if he understood his comments could be considered anti-Semitic, Gillespie said: Im not anti-Semitic at all. All my heroes are Jews. Karl Marx, Bob Dylan, The Marx Brothers. The comments received criticism. Music journalist Pete Paphides insinuated Gillespie only made the comments as Madonna is female. Paphides tweeted: Worth noting that Radiohead played Tel Aviv two years ago and Bobby Gillespie didnt feel moved to refer to *them* as prostitutes. What is it about Madonna that somehow makes the difference here hmmm I cant think. Story continues Worth noting that Radiohead played Tel Aviv two years ago and Bobby Gillespie didnt feel moved to refer to *them* as prostitutes. WHAT IS IT ABOUT MADONNA THAT SOMEHOW MAKES THE DIFFERENCE HERE HMMM I CANT THINK https://t.co/JIPGApi3Fh Pete Paphides (@petepaphides) May 17, 2019 He added: Do you imagine that if he was asked about Nick Cave, Radiohead or Iggy Pop having played Israel, he would have likened them to prostitutes? I think its overwhelmingly likely that he wouldnt have. Do you imagine that if he was asked about Nick Cave, Radiohead or Iggy Pop having played Israel, he would have likened them to prostitutes? I think its overwhelmingly likely that he wouldnt have. Pete Paphides (@petepaphides) May 17, 2019 The Queen of Pop closed the ceremony with a performance consisting of hits Just Like a Prayer and Future. Alongside her onstage were dancers wearing Israel and Palestine flags. The 60-year-old said: "Let's never underestimate the power of music to bring people together." TEL AVIV, ISRAEL - MAY 18: Madonna, performs live on stage after the 64th annual Eurovision Song Contest held at Tel Aviv Fairgrounds on May 18, 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images) Read more: Iceland's act 'to be punished' after Palestine protest live on Eurovision Song Contest The Netherlands won the contest, with singer Duncan Laurences song Arcade getting 492 votes. Italy finished second with 465 points and Russian came in third on 369 points. Michael Rice, representing the UK, finished last, his performance of Bigger Than Us getting just 16 points. Watch: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle one year on from royal wedding Can you believe that it has already been a year since the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's royal wedding? It's been an incredible twelve months for the happy couple, who recently welcomed their baby son Archie on 6 May. In this video, we look back at the first year of Harry and Meghan's marriage as we mark the special milestone, from Meghan making her first balcony debut at the Trooping the Colour ceremony, to the Duchess's first joint engagement with the Queen. The royal couple have also undertaken many royal duties, including overseas trips to Dublin, New Zealand, Australia, and Morocco. Meghan also delighted royal fans back in September after launching a cookbook called Together: Our Community Cookbook, which she produced with a group of women from Grenfell Tower. Most recently, the happy couple introduced baby Archie to the world, just three days after announcing his arrival. Harry and Meghan chose for Archie's public debut to be at St George's Chapel, close to their new home Frogmore Cottage, and where they said their vows 12 months before. Watch our video as we take you back through all the highlights of Harry and Meghan's first year of marriage.Scroll down for videoWATCH VIDEO BELOW "General Hospital" (GH) spoilers reveal that the Nurses Ball will turn into a horror theater. Someone will sneak into the party armed with a gun and commit a crime. In all likelihood, Ryan could be the intended victim. If Chamberlain dies, it can't be ruled out that his kidney will be used to save Jordan's life. However, Shiloh also has good reason to take revenge. If he finds out that Sam and Jason have tricked him, he could commit a massacre. Other "GH" spoilers also say that Josslyn, after Oscar's death, will approach Cameron. A special bond will be born between the two, which has all the cards in place to turn into a love affair. Josslyn and Cameron are about to fall in love According to Celebrity Dirty Laundry, we know that Cameron will always be close to Joss after the loss of Oscar. For his part, Josslyn will start to feel something for the boy. However, she won't be able to let herself go completely, as she feels guilty about Oscar's death. Joss' parents will give her valuable support in overcoming her grief, reminding her of how strong she was when her brother lost his life. As time goes by, Joss will find his smile next to his friends, especially Cameron. The teenager will understand that she feels something deep for him that goes beyond just friendship. Fans of the soap opera are thrilled, already imagining a love story between Josslyn and Cameron. Surely, Oscar would be happy about it. "General Hospital" spoilers tease that all this will happen, though not immediately. First, Joss will have to completely overcome the grief and be so ready for a new romantic love. Gunshots at Nurses Ball Emotions not to end in the next episodes of "GH." The Nurses Ball, the annual event held at the General Hospital, will turn into a real nightmare. Discuss this news on Eunomia As we told you before, Ryan will present himself at the party, upsetting those present. Someone will sneak into the party with a gun and certainly not with peaceful intentions. One possible victim will be Ryan himself, who has many enemies scattered around Port Charles. At the same time, however, it could be Chamberlain himself who commits a murder. An interesting hypothesis is that it connects Ryan's storyline with Jordan's one. If Chamberlain dies, he could become a perfect donor for the kidney transplant that will save Jordan. However, Shiloh is also in danger. Sam is about to be discovered and, to defend herself, could shoot Archer. What about Jason instead? The third suspect is him. Jason must protect Sam, even at the cost of killing Shiloh. What is certain is that the Nurses Ball will turn into a shooting. Curious to know all the details? Don't miss the next "General Hospital" spoilers. The EC has rescheduled a visit to Vietnam for November to review the countrys efforts to have the restrictive yellow card on its seafood products removed, instead of visiting in June as previously planned. A customer selects seafood at a supermarket. A visit of the European Commission to review Vietnams efforts to have the yellow card lifted on local seafood products has been rescheduled for November Nguyen Hoai Nam, vice general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), confirmed the visit schedule to the Saigon Times on May 17, saying that the Directorate of Fisheries will have more time to prepare for the upcoming visit of the EC working team. The rescheduling of the visit was finalized by Vietnamese agencies and the European Union during a recent visit of the Vietnamese delegation to Europe. Earlier, VASEP general secretary Truong Dinh Hoe told the paper that the EC issued the yellow card on local seafood products in October 2017, as the country had failed to clamp down on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Vietnam was then given six months since the issuance date of the card, along with measures recommended by the EC, to put in place IUU fishing practices and have the yellow card lifted, according to the VASEP general secretary. However, the EC visit to Vietnam had been rescheduled a number of times, and the team now plans to arrive this November. Following the ECs recommendations, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development had directed agencies to address existing shortcomings in the local fishing sector, including keeping track of the volume of seafood caught and monitoring the origins of imported seafood materials. To date, at least 62 local seafood operators have pledged to fight against IUU fishing by only purchasing or importing seafood products which have clear product origins and were lawfully caught by licensed fishing boat operators, Hoe added. Violators of fishing laws to be fined up to VND1 billion The Government has issued Decree 42/2019, stipulating punishments for administrative violations in the local fishing sector. The decree will take effect on July 5 this year. Fishing boat owners will be fined from VND800 million to VND1 billion if they are caught: using fishing boats measuring above 24 meters long and owning no fishing licenses or having expired fishing licenses; fishing in national or overseas waters without fishing licenses or with expired licenses. Also, foreign fishing boat owners, who operate in Vietnamese waters and have no fishing licenses or expired licenses, will be subject to punishment. Meanwhile, fines ranging between VND500 million and VND700 million will be imposed upon owners of 15-to-24-meter-long fishing boats who do not have licenses; have expired licenses; do not keep track of the volume of seafood caught; conceal, falsify, or discard evidence of fishing violations. Similarly, owners of 15-to-24-meter-long fishing boats will receive fines of VND300 million to VND500 million if they do not have licenses; have expired licenses; or do not install navigation systems on their boats while operating in national waters. Further, they will be eligible for additional punishments from authorities based upon their violations, including having the volume of caught seafood, fishing licenses, and fishing boats confiscated. SGT Trung Chanh The competition between ride-hailing firms and traditional taxi companies are causing a headache for legislators who are looking for a way to regulate disruptive business models in Vietnam. Vietnamese lawmakers are hard-pressed to navigate between old and new, vacillating between ride-hailing apps and traditional taxi companies While the Ministry of Transport (MoT) maintained its proposal that all ride-hailing firms have to affix taxi signs to the top of their vehicles, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) opposes the proposal. The MoJ has recently sent an official dispatch No.1354/BTP-PLDSKT to the MoT to provide feedback for the latest amended draft decree, which would replace Decree No.86/2014/ND-CP on business conditions for automobile transportation. Accordingly, the MoJ suggests removing the clause that would require ride-hailing cars below nine seats such as the ones Grab, Go-Viet, and FastGo use to install signs saying contract vehicle. The MoJ says that this provision is unnecessary as all kinds of contract vehicles are already equipped with taxi badges, showing that they are contract vehicles. The MoJ requested more time to clarify the nature of ride-hailing apps like Grab and come up with the appropriate management solutions and ensure fair and transparent competition. It is clear that the fierce battle between traditional and disruptive businesses is causing a headache for policymakers in Vietnam. The booming ride-hailing industry including the likes of Grab, Go-Viet, FastGo, and Be brings tremendous benefits to both consumers and taxi partners but is shaking up the traditional taxi industry. With the rise of ride-hailing services, some traditional taxi firms and associations are resorting to anti-competitive practices to battle with rivals and slow down the fast-paced development of disruptive businesses. Some traditional firms blamed their losses and ineffective performance on their rivals instead of innovating themselves to remain competitive. Meanwhile, traditional taxi associations and unions continue to fight disruptive businesses with misleading information and untrue accusations. Some taxi firms are mixing up the concepts of GrabTaxi and GrabCar to accuse Grab of violating regulations. The misleading information that fails to clearly differentiate services based on Grabs licenses will adversely affect Grabs operations. This is a sign of anti-competitive practices and goes against international competition law. According to Julien Brun, managing partner of CEL Consulting, the battle between traditional taxi companies and platforms like Grab is not unique to Vietnam. Many other countries, including the US where the model has been developed first through Uber, had to resolve this legislation ambiguity. The underlying trade-off behind such a decision is ensuring that the traditional taxi companies can maintain a decent level of activities while allowing other companies to innovate in order to offer better value for money to consumers. Such a case highlights the challenge for disruptive businesses that follow a completely new economic model, one which does not perfectly fit the legislative framework. Should the framework evolve or should companies try to fit into pre-cast moulds? Politically, it is about the balance between favouring innovation versus ensuring compliance, he added. Ngo Thanh Tung, managing partner of Vietnam International Law Firm (VILAF), said that Grab is not a transportation service because it does not own cars, but an IT platform which drivers can register to use. The ride-hailing app provide a solution for freelance drivers to earn legitimate income. There are no provisions prohibiting Grab from providing these services in Vietnam. Citing the lawsuit between Grab and Vinasun, he noted that this sets an unprecedented case reflecting the mindset of the judicial system on new business trends and creativity, a legal fight between the new and the old, between short-sighted protectionism and competition, between the fearful and the brave. In the battle, anti-competitive practices will cause a devastating impact on a brand's revenue and prestige, making the country less attractive in the eyes of foreign investors. It could even affect investor confidence in Vietnam, resulting in slow foreign inflows in the country. Lawyer Truong Thanh Duc, chairman of Vietnamese law firm Basico, stated that traditional taxis and associations can be sued for anti-competitive practices damaging rivals reputation, assets, and earnings. In this case, Vinasun and other traditional taxi firms can be sued for affixing banners on their cabs to protest against ride-hailing firms like Grab and Uber. With the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) already in effect and the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) expected to be ratified next year, Vietnam needs to make greater efforts to ensure full compliance with the FTAs. Among them, there are regulations to limit the states intervention in e-commerce activities like ride-hailing apps. Before the proposed rules can come into force, legislators will need to carefully consider whether the current legal framework falls in line with Vietnams FTA commitments and does not stunt the countrys efforts to embrace new technology in Industry 4.0. VIR Thanh Van A seminar to promote investment in the North-South expressway project was organized by the Ministry of Transport on May 17, drawing interest from some 100 local firms and 50 international organizations and investors. The construction site of a section of the Ben Luc-Long Thanh expressway, part of the North-South expressway project. As many as 150 local and international organizations and investors are keen on the cross-country expressway project The foreign investors came from South Korea, Japan, China, Spain, Great Britain, France and Singapore, according to the ministry At the seminar, which took place in Hanoi City, the local and international investors learned about the project and its processes and requirements for participation. Local and foreign investors will have equal opportunity to register to invest if they meet requirements, in line with the prevailing regulations. The bidding papers for international tenders held for eight parts of the cross-country expressway under the publicprivate partnership (PPP) format have been issued to domestic and foreign investors. Enterprises will be put on the shortlist if they meet at least 60% of the requirements. Financial capacity, which is the most important requirement, is set to account for 60% of the requirements, while experience and proposed methods for executing the project will make up 30% and 10% of the total, respectively. There are three criteria for assessing investors financial capacity: net asset value, equity value and ability to mobilize funds. Specifically, investors net asset value and equity value must both be equal to 20%-30% of the investment required for the project. If multiple firms form an alliance to get involved in the project, the alliances financial capacity will be the total capacity of the members. The 654-kilometer North-South expressway project, which was divided into 11 subprojects, will be developed with a total investment of over VND118.7 trillion. Of the total, VND55 trillion will come from the State budget and over VND63.7 trillion from the private sector. These 11 subprojects comprises of eight PPP components---Mai Son-National Highway 45, National Highway 45-Nghi Son, Nghi Son-Dien Chau, Dien Chau-Bai Vot, Nha Trang-Cam Lam, Cam Lam-Vinh Hao, Vinh Hao-Phan Thiet and Phan Thiet-Dau Giay---and three subprojects using State capital---Cao Bo-Mai Son, Cam Lo-La Son and My Thuan 2 Bridge. SGT Le Anh A string of local mobile phone stores have removed parallel smartphones from their websites as soon as Nhat Cuong Mobiles head was arrested for smuggling. Hoang Ha Mobile's website replace parallel imports by authorised goods The Ministry of Public Securitys Police Department C03 on May 14 accused and arrested Bui Quang Huy, general director of Nhat Cuong Mobile and eight others to investigate them for suspected smuggling and violating regulations on accounting activities. Previously, on May 9, Nhat Cuong Mobile store chain was searched, with inspectors seizing several boxfuls of documents and assets. As of now, except for the store on Giang Vo Street, all Nhat Cuong Mobile stores are closed. Hotlines, websites, and the company's Facebook page have all suddenly been shut down. Nhat Cuong Mobiles case has significantly affected other mobile retailers who trade in parallel goods. Accordingly, a sizable number of stores have removed parallel products from their websites, including Hoang Ha Mobile, CellphoneS, Hung Mobile, and others. Specifically, new models like iPhone XS/XR coded LL/A (Canada, US) and ZP/A (Hong Kong, Singapore) have all been replaced by authorised products with the code of VN/A (Vietnam) and second-hand goods. At an earlier discussion with VIR, Dang Quoc Tuan, director of iShop Vietnam Ltd., one of the largest parallel Apple products distributors, who co-operated with GSH to open an APR store chain called iCentre, said that parallel imports currently account for 60 per cent of Apple products on the market and the local interest in these products is far higher than in authorised products due to the more reasonable prices and the same service warranties. Therefore, suddenly cutting off all parallel products will cause difficulties for their business. Article 188 of the Criminal Code No.100/2015/QH13 on November 27, 2015 1. Any person who conducts deals in the following goods across the border or between a free trade zone and the domestic market against the law shall be liable to a fine of from VND50 million ($2,713) to VND300 million ($13,043) or face a penalty of 6-36 months of imprisonment: a) Goods, Vietnamese currency, foreign currencies, rare metals, gemstones assessed from VND100 million ($4,437) to under VND300 million (13,043) or under VND100 million ($4,437) but the offender previously incurred a civil penalty for the same offence or any of the offences specified in Article 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196 and 200 hereof, or the offender has a previous conviction for one of the aforementioned offences which has not been expunged, except for the case specified in Article 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 304, 305, 306, 309 and 311 hereof; b) Relics, antiques, or items of historical or cultural value. 2. This offence committed in any of the following cases shall carry a fine of ND300 million-1.5 billion ($13,043-65,217) or a penalty of 3-7 years of imprisonment: a) The offence is committed by an organised group; b) The offence is committed in a professional manner; c) The illegal goods are assessed at VND300 million-500 million ($13,043-27,739); d) The illegal profit reaped is VND100 million-500 million ($4,437-27,739); dd) The illegal goods are national treasure; e) The offence involves the abuse of the offender's position or power; g) The offence is committed in the name of an agency or organisation; h) The offence has been committed more than once; i) Dangerous recidivism. 3. This offence committed in any of the following cases shall carry a fine of VND1.5 billion-5 billion ($65,217-217,391) or a penalty of 7-15 years' imprisonment: a) The illegal goods are assessed at VND500 million-1 billion ($27,739-43,478); b) The illegal profit reaped is from VND500 million-1 billion ($27,739-43,478). 4. This offence committed in any of the following cases shall carry a penalty of 12-20 years of imprisonment: a) The illegal goods are assessed at VND1 billion (43,478) or over; b) The illegal profit reaped is VND1 billion (43,478) or over; c) The offender takes advantage of a war, natural disaster, epidemic or other extreme hardship to commit the offence. 5. The offender might also be liable to a fine of VND20 million-100 million ($870-4,437), be prohibited from holding certain positions or doing certain works for 1-5 years, or have all or part of his/her property confiscated. 6. Punishments incurred by a corporate legal entity that commits any of the offences specified in this Article: a) A corporate legal entity that commits any of the offences specified in Clause 1 of this Article shall be liable to a fine of VND300 million-1 billion ($13,043-43,478) if the smuggled items are goods, Vietnamese currency, foreign currencies, rare metals, gemstones assessed at VND200 million-300 million ($13,043) or relics, antiques or items of historical or cultural value despite the fact that the offender previously incurred a civil penalty for the same offence or any of the offences specified in Article 189, 190, 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, and 200 hereof, or the offender has a previous conviction for one of the aforementioned offences which has not been expunged, except for the case specified in Point d of this Clause; b) A corporate legal entity that commits this offence in the case specified in Clause 2 of this Article shall be liable to a fine of VND1-3 billion ($43,478-130,434); c) A corporate legal entity that commits this offence in the case specified in Clause 3 of this Article shall be liable to a fine of VND3-7 billion ($130,434-304,347); d) A corporate legal entity that commits this offence in the case specified in Clause 4 of this Article shall be liable to a fine of VND7-15 billion ($304,347-652,173) or has its operation suspended for 6-36 months. A corporate legal entity that commits this offence in the case specified in Article 79 hereof shall be permanently shut down; e) The violating entity might also be liable to a fine of VND50-300 million ($2,173-13,043), be prohibited from operating in certain fields or raising capital for 1-3 years. VIR Hoang Van Listed steel companies have reported disappointing business results in the first quarter despite strong growth in the domestic market, which they have attributed to the high cost of capital. Pomina steel products. Pomina reported loss of VND82 billion in the first quarter while it posted more than VND226 billion in the same period of last year. Photo thepmiennam.net.vn According to the Viet Nam Steel Association (VSA), domestic steelmakers produced 5.07 million tonnes in the first four months, registering growth of 37 per cent year-on-year. Steel consumption also rose 29 per cent to reach nearly five million tonnes. Ending March, seven of the 11 listed steel firms posted higher revenues compared to the same period last year. SMC posted the highest revenue growth of 27 per cent, reaching more than VND4 trillion (US$178.3 million) in the first three months, driven by a 25 per cent rise in sales volume. Hoa Phat Group (HPG) and Hoa Sen Group (HSG) the two biggest steel producers by market value grew 15 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively. HPGs Q1 revenue reached nearly VND15 trillion ($643.8 million), while HSG reached VND7.7 trillion ($330.5 million). On the other end of spectrum, Dana - Y Steel (DNY), Vietnam Italy Steel (VIS) and Nam Kim Steel (NKG) slumped, of which Dana - Y Steel fell 99 per cent compared to the same period last year. Revenues at the other two companies decreased 21 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively. Production at Dana - Y Steel was halted for six months in November last year by Da Nang due to pollution issues. Its revenue in this period came from selling off its inventory. Meanwhile, slumps in operations of Vietnam Italy Steel and Nam Kim Steel were due to lower export volumes. The three companies incurred losses during the period, of which Nam Kim posted a loss of VND102 billion compared to a profit of VND131 billion in the same period last year. DNY reported a loss of nearly VND57 billion and VIS lost VND34 billion. Other loss-making companies included Pomina Steel (POM) and Dai Thien Loc (DTL). According to the companies, the price of raw materials had increased substantially while the price of steel products had not changed that much. Pomina reported a loss of VND82 billion in the first quarter while it posted more than VND226 billion in the same period last year. This was also the first loss after four years of posting profits. Other companies, though not incurring losses, suffered declines in profits of between 17 per cent and 80 per cent. Pre-tax profit at Hoa Phat Group declined 17 per cent in the first quarter to VND2.2 trillion while Hoa Sen Group was down 53 per cent to VND54 billion. Lower targets in 2019 Predicting difficulties in 2019, most steel companies have set lower profit targets compared to last year. Pre-tax profit at Hoa Phat Group is expected to decrease 33.5 per cent in 2019 to VND6.7 trillion. Pomina also expects a 12 per cent decline in pre-tax profit this year to VND400 billion. Meanwhile, Vietnam Italy Steel expects profit to fall from VND326 billion in 2018 to VND92.5 billion in 2019. Vietnam Steel Corp, Dana Y Steel, Dai Thien Loc and Nam Kim Steel have yet to announce their 2019 targets. Vietnam Germany Steel Pipe, Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel and Hoa Sen Group have all targeted higher profits. VNS The world is continuously changing with trade tensions between the US and China, the slowdown of the global economy, geopolitical risks, diseases, and climate change. In this unstable world, enterprises should be calm and collected when increasing their competitiveness. The seminar on economic stability and competitiveness for enterprises This was suggested by Ha Huy Tuan, vice chairman of the National Financial Supervisory Committee, at the recently seminar on economic stability and competition for enterprises in Hanoi. According to Tuan, enterprises should invest in scientific research and strengthen connections and information sharing. Particularly, in the context of increasing tensions between the US and China, with the latest move of the Peoples Bank of China depreciating the Yuan by 0.6 per cent against the USD, Tuan said that Vietnamese enterprises need to keep a close eye on the situation to evaluate exchange rate risks and build contingency plans. It is difficult to forecast the next moves in the trade war. Vietnamese enterprises can base their evaluations on the impact forecasts of third parties, such as Japan or the EU, Tuan told VIR. Meanwhile, evaluating the impact of the Yuan on the Vietnamese economy and enterprises, economist Can Van Luc said, This is a normal act in the context of escalating US-China trade war. However, China does not really use monetary tools to minimise the impacts of the trade war. According to Luc, China is internationalising the Yuan and the adjustment is due to the recent hikes in the USD. Therefore, Vietnamese firms do not need to panic over the move, but need to proactively enhance competitiveness by improving corporate governance and product quality, developing their business strategy, and building their brands and a skilled workforce. Vietnam also needs to promptly issue national strategies for Industry 4.0 and the digital economy, Luc told VIR. According to Tran Dinh Thien, former director of the Vietnam Institute for Economics, 65 per cent of Vietnamese firms are of a micro scale and there are not many firms which can compete globally. We need to figure out the causes and then come up with solutions to boost their development. Besides, it is necessary to develop an appropriate legal framework and take risks, said Thien. Phuong Hao The song East of Truong Son Calling West has become a soul-searching tribute to those who trekked through Vietnams deepest jungle to unify the country. The Ho Chi Minh Trail proved a vital lifeline on the country's path to reunification, but keeping it open came at a high price. Over 16 years, engineers, soldiers and volunteers built 20,000km of roads, 1,400km of oil-and-gas pipeline, 3,140km of hidden paths for vehicles to pass during the daytime, plus thousands of smaller bridges and drains. Starting in 2016, the live-televised show has brought together thousands of former soldiers, volunteers and students from the North who volunteered to go South and students who opposed the American war at that time to share stories and memories and recall those who fell for their country. This years, 350 veterans, researchers and guests met in ak Nong at a national conference titled From Truong Son to Ho Chi Minh Trail -- Symbol of the Will for Nations Reunification to commemorate its 60th anniversary. During the conference, military historians, retired generals and strategists reviewed the key points, tactical battles and important logistical decisions to keep the trail safe from enemy bombs, artillery shellings or simply tropical storms and flash floods. Truong Son Ho Chi Minh Trail Sixty years ago, Gia Nghia Town was the meeting point between the North and South on the Truong Son Trail, hence the reason for holding the conference there. In his opening speech, Senior Lieutenant General Le Chiem said that 60 years ago, the Politburo of Viet Nams Communist Party and President Ho Chi Minh decided to open a strategic transportation link to connect the North to the battle front in the South. This decision showed national determination to fight and win the war. Bicycles were vital on the steep slopes that trucks could not get through. What made the Truong Son Ho Chi Minh Trail so legendary was not only that it was vital to our desire to reunify our country, but also a symbol for the mutual friendship between the peoples of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia, Deputy Defence Minister Le Chiem told the audience. He added that in retrospect, historians now can shed new in-depth understanding of the effects of the trail to extract precious lessons for further study and to rebuild the country and defend it in the future. Built, repaired and maintained for 16 years until the day the South was liberated and the country was reunified, the network of dirt roads and beaten mountain paths over rivers and streams served as a strategic transportation link but also another front line for soldiers from the North and bombardments dropped from above by the US forces. It was where the power of goodwill and tactical approach won over the power of modern technology and weaponry. The old saying There is no path, paths are made by walking could not be more true than in this case. Truong Son, or the Long Mountain Range, begins from the northern province of Hoa Binh, crosses part of Viet Nams central region, runs through lower Laos and eastern Cambodia, and back to Viet Nams southern highlands where it ends in Binh Phuoc Province. Fragmented dirt roads up and down the mountains in parts of Truong Son have existed for centuries and are some of the most difficult to access in Southeast Asia. Communities are scattered and hard to find in the mountains. In the early years of the resistance war against the French in the 1940s, Viet Minh used to take these paths to avoid encounters in the French-ruled lowlands. In May 1959, the Truong Son Battalion was formed, nicknamed Corps 559, which was in charge of road surfacing, logistics, medical services, infantry and anti-air force squadrons to maintain the flow of humans and goods along the trail. The name was rather long for a single syllable language like Vietnamese, so the soldiers simply called it the Fireline. Bridges made of tree trunks formed a path for soldiers to pass. The trail started out as a top secret project coded (for uong or road) 559 (May 1959). Five parallel systems of roads were built along the Truong Son Range. In 1971, French author Van Geirt published his book, La Piste Ho Chi Minh, or The Ho Chi Minh Trail describing how the US spent a tremendous amount of resources trying in vain to cut off the supply line. Experts even say that if the US wanted to win that war, it had to destroy this umbilical cord of supplies to the southern front. To destroy the trail, from 1966-68 the US built a 100km 'McNamara electric fence' to stop northern personnel and goods from entering the South. The line ran from the sea up to the border with Laos, with high-tech detecting devices installed on the ground and dropped from the air. It was backed by assorted land mines, which still pollute the land today. Along the Truong Son Ho Chi Minh Trail, the US also dropped Agent Orange to destroy green foliage, which the North used for cover. Between 1962 to 1971, the US launched an air campaign known as Operation Ranch Hand, which sprayed over 20 millions gallons of herbicides and defoliants stored in barrels with rainbow colours, hence the name Agent Orange. Sprayed from low-flying C-123 aircraft, but also from trucks, boats and handheld hoses, by 1971 12 per cent of the total area of southern Viet Nam had been sprayed with chemicals at approximately 13 times more than the average USDA (Department of Agriculture) recommended domestic use. According to Operation Ranch Hand, an area of 10 million hectares of agriculture land was ultimately destroyed. In all, more than 20 per cent of forests in southern Viet Nam was sprayed at least once over the nine years of the operation. The Viet Nam Government says that four million Vietnamese were exposed to US chemicals used during the war, of which three millions have suffered illnesses. The Red Cross of Viet Nam says up to one million people are disabled or suffer from serious health problems ranging from birth deformities to other chronic illnesses today. In Viet Nam, Agent Orange was stored at all 28 US bases and contained dioxin, the most toxic chemical ever produced by humans. TCDD is the most toxic of the dioxins and is classified by the US Environmental Protection Agency as a human carcinogen. From small segments of dirt roads, the Ho Chi Minh Trail grew into a network of five roads along the Truong Son Mountain Range. Just last month, the US started to clean up dioxin at Bien Hoa Airport, one of the most contaminated of its former bases in Viet Nam, in a project that will cost US$390 million. Normalisation of diplomatic ties was signed by US President Bill Clinton in 1994, 19 years after the war ended. Fifty years after Operation Ranch Hand ended, the first attempt to clean up was kicked off now. Four US presidents had come and gone, but only now US foreign policy makers have started to clean up after their predecessors' mistakes. What the future holds During the war, more than one million tonnes of goods travelled along the trail. Lt Gen Pham Ba Tong, Hero of the Peoples Army, said at the conference that the Truong Son Trail did not become legendary overnight. It was built, repaired and protected by soldiers and their personal sacrifices. Gen Tong was Deputy Commander of Corps 12, who joined the army in 1965, and worked on the trail from 1969 until the final days of the war. In Vietnamese it is easier to say Truong Son Trail, but after a book was written by Van Geirt, it became internationally known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which many western experts have called the great military technical achievement of the 20th century. There were two units under Corps 559: military stations and connection units. A military station is equal to a logistical centre that can serve a battalion of up to 1,000 people. Its mission was to safeguard the roads. When independent units in charge of safety and engineering gave the secret sign, the station would provide them with logistics and goods. Connection units were located a one day's walk away, and were in charge of providing food, accommodation, medical services and taking soldiers to the next station up the line. General Ngo Xuan Lich leads a team of senior millitary officers to pay tribute to fallen soldiers at the Ho Chi Minh Trail Museum. By April 1965, Gen Phan Trong Tue had led Corps 559 with 24,000 soldiers in six brigades of trucks, two battalions of bicycles, one battalion of marine forces, eight engineering battalions and 45 connection units. At the end of 1966, Major ong Sy Nguyen took over Corps 559 until its mission was completed in 1975. The US estimated that in 1961, the number of northern soldiers who travelled to the South was 12,675. Now fifty years later, a former soldier of the Transportation General Department, Le Khanh Hoai, 67, has been busy planning a trip to return with more than 20 fellow comrades to the Plain of Jars in Laos next week. Though he did not participate in the conference in ak Nong Province, he's taking his former senior officers on the trip not only to visit the old battlefields, but to start a new chapter. "I'm very much looking forward to this trip," said retired Major Nguyen Phu Nho, 83, political official of the Logistics Department. "We will not be able to visit the actual battlefields, and I'm not sure if the Lao people will remember us because so much time has passed." But I can never forget the image of my senior officer Duong Cao and the troops meeting the soldiers passing by. There was not much difference between officers and soldiers. We all shared the work." Nho recalled his memory of a young girl aged 18 to 20 who would make rice balls during the day and bring them out to the meeting point at night to give to passing soldiers. "It wasn't much food and did not fill any of us up, but the gesture of kindness, hearing her voice though heavy with the local accent, provided so much encouragement to the exhausted soldiers." "I think during that time of hardship, we tried our best to create a balanced atmosphere to keep our spirits high. After a hard day, or even a bomb alert, we went up on the trenches to sing and dance. Music, dance and jokes were always in the air." Nho said they used the Zil 157 and 130 trucks made in the then Soviet Union which were larger than the average vehicle, so the drivers had to sit up straight to be able to see. They were also only allowed to drive at night and headlights were never permitted. Even the homemade lamps attached to the bottom of the trucks had to be turned off most of the time, especially when US planes were flying over. The drivers were also tasked with detecting the types of incoming planes by the sound of the engines and find somewhere to take cover to protect themselves, the trucks and the goods they were carrying. On their way in (southwards), they carried goods, on the way out (northwards), they carry wounded soldiers. "It was very hard," Nho said. "When trucks got hit during attacks, they had to put out the fires and rescue the wounded soldiers, and they had practically no equipment. It was really hard! The life of our fellow comrades, our compassion for them were top priority." Reminiscing the time when the veterans had to "leave no trace when walking, cook without smoke and speak without actually uttering a word", many could not hold back their tears. VNS Nguyen My Ha (with additional media file information) Online travel agencies (OTAs) in Vietnam are striving to capture the opportunities created by the country's booming tourism market. Criteo S.A., an advertising platform for the open internet, last month announced a partnership with Tugo, one of Vietnams leading travel startups, and five major national airlines in the region, to create a seamless purchase experience for premium tour programs and meet the growing demand for premium travel services in Vietnam. The countrys online travel market has bloomed in recent years, according to the e-Conomy SEA 2018 report from Google and Temasek released in November last year, which predicted a sharp increase in the value of Southeast Asias online tourism market from $21.6 billion in 2015 to $89.6 billion by 2025, of which Vietnam will account for 10 per cent, or some $9 billion. SEIZING UPON TRENDS Online travel agencies (OTAs) have thrived in Vietnam, with many travel companies, after making substantial investments in online tourism, earning increasingly high revenue and setting ambitious targets. As part of the one-year partnership, Criteo will provide retargeting solutions that enable Tugo to better reach target customers and promote premium tours with flights from partner airlines. We hope to provide premium travel experiences that satisfy the needs of the modern Vietnamese traveler, cooperating with major national airlines in the Asia-Pacific region over high-quality transport and accommodation, Mr. Nguyen Minh Bao, Founder and CEO of Tugo, said at the signing ceremony. Since its foundation, Tugo has only focused on online sales channels and digital marketing through Criteo, Facebook, Google, and Insider, among others. Our online marketing activities through these channels cost $4 million in 2018, Mr. Dinh Hieu Nghia, Marketing Manager at Tugo, told VET. For instance, we use Criteos proprietary dynamic retargeting technology, Dynamic Retargeting, and Facebook Travel Ads, which use AI analysis technology to identify customer behavior on the internet then post more advertising and communication messages to target customers. These enabled us to cater to 15,000 travelers last year. After setting a principal goal of 100 per cent growth each year, we expect customer numbers to reach 30,000 this year. Launched in 2016, another local OTA, Begodi, offers hotel bookings in many locations, whether well in advance or at the last minute. It selects hotels under criteria such as price, type, rating, and promotions, and can change bookings easily. Revenue in 2018 tripled the figure in 2017, with more than 2,000 customers. The first quarter of 2019 has seen an even higher jump in terms of sales, as we continue to significantly raise investment levels, said Mr. Thai Quynh, Director of Sales and Marketing at Begodi. We invested heavily in digital marketing from the get-go and this has paid off quite nicely. All the digital metrics, like click through rates, repeat rates, conversion rates, and others are available for us to dissect and analyze in order to make better business decisions. MARKET FLOURISH The Google and Temasek report also noted that OTAs offer tourists the ability to quickly compare and find the best tourism products and prices and more conveniently make reservations. OTAs in Vietnam, including online airfare bookings and hotel bookings, are growing quickly, with Vietnam ranking in the top 4 in ASEAN in terms of growth. Significant improvements in the user experience, through mobile interfaces and applications and the growing popularity of smartphones, have seen many OTAs expand their operations. The growing digital economy has changed how consumers research and book holidays and where they go, according to Mr. Ittai Chorev, CMO of Agoda. Travelers now have access to thousands of destinations and millions of accommodation options, whether they seek hotels, hostels, homes, or tree-houses. By using technology to optimize marketing and personalize the booking experience, Agodas own inventory in Vietnam has grown from a couple of thousand properties in 2014 to over 30,000 in 2019, while globally we now have over 2 million properties, all of which we strive to offer at the best possible price, he told VET. International OTAs like Agoda can help property owners large and small in the countrys major tourism cities like Hanoi, Hue, Da Nang and Vung Tau attract travelers from Russia, Australia, or Europe and everywhere in between. Working with local hoteliers and inventory partners, we are bringing travelers to Vietnam and helping Vietnamese travelers explore the world, Mr. Chorev said. One other point is that travelers rely upon other like-minded travelers reviews to help influence their next travel choice. Agodas booking data reveals that South Koreans, Malaysians, and Thais all rank Vietnam as a top 10 destination and the country is growing both as a place to visit and as a source market. Mr. Chorev explained that markets like Vietnam or China have totally skipped credit card ownership and gone straight to mobile payments, meaning there are both huge challenges and opportunities for companies like Agoda. Without a doubt OTAs are here for the long run, he said, to meet global tourism growth and specifically growth across Asia Pacific, which is the fastest-growing source region. Vietnams growing digital economy is driving online travel bookings on websites and mobile apps as people become more mobile and app-savvy. This trend was observed in Criteos The Big App Commerce Opportunity in Vietnam study, where more than four out of five consumers said they prefer to purchase products and services on mobile apps compared to mobile websites. With the rise in internet penetration and smartphone penetration, travelers will continue to prefer OTAs to traditional travel agencies due to convenience, the range of properties, promotional offers, and easier payment methods. In 2017, 71 per cent of foreign tourists heading to Vietnam searched for information online, while 64 per cent booked local tours online, according to figures from the Vietnam Society of Travel Agents (VISTA). OBSTACLES REMAIN The rise in low-cost carriers, internet penetration, and smartphone adoption has led to rapid growth in the online tourism industry, which is dominated by foreign OTAs, who currently hold up to 80 per cent of Vietnams online travel market share, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). The major growth drivers for foreign agencies include access to capital, partnerships with hotels, and promotional programs such as discounts and special offers. When compared to their foreign counterparts, domestic OTAs face ongoing issues such as a lack of technological solutions, few partnerships with hotels, and financial restraints, which allow foreign OTAs to offer higher discounts and better sales promotions, according to Mr. Koushan Das, Assistant Manager, Business Intelligence, at Dezan Shira & Associates. Competing with foreign OTAs in areas such as capital, promotional offers, and marketing is tough for domestic firms. But they can focus on issues such as improving customer service, optimizing technology, and service diversification, such as providing transportation and tour guides, to remain competitive. A main barrier for Vietnamese OTAs is accessibility. Mr. Quynh from Begodi acknowledged that travel is a very competitive sector, now more than ever for newcomers. Its not easy to establish working relationship with stakeholders, for example channel managers, he said. There are many choices in terms of technology in the market, but sadly there are only a few popular options. He noted that the focus on market share as the primary indicator of whether or not an OTA is successful also presents a challenge for them. This approach pushes many businesses to forgo profit and undercut pricing to gain market share in the fastest possible way. With so many OTAs and costs driven down, sometimes to even below their purchase price, customers are spoilt for choice. Customer loyalty, hence, is likely to decline. This is also why Begodi only focuses on a niche market, which is luxury. OTAs are without doubt the future, according to Mr. Quynh. Consumers will turn to platforms where they get the quickest travel advice and can make bookings in a matter of seconds, he said. Utilizing technology is also cost effective for companies to manage all the processes. The biggest challenge for Tugo at the moment is changing customer mindsets, encouraging them to differentiate between OTAs and traditional travel agencies and using the former. However, many industry analysts have pointed out that OTAs in Vietnam are only in their initial stages of operation and the market is yet to take a clear shape, so online service provision remains open. If OTAs know how to approach customers and adopt a long-term strategy, Vietnam still holds significant potential. Moreover, the government issued Resolution No. 103 in October 2017 on a program of action to implement Politburo Resolution No. 08, which focuses on the main tasks and solutions to effectively exploit the advantages and connect and enhance the value of tourism services. The Resolution notes that it will boost digital technology applications to support travelers and focus on developing apps to assist travelers in creating itineraries and make booking and paying for online travel services more convenient. VN Economic Times Khanh Chi & Linh Ngoc ASEAN and China hold the 17th senior officials meeting (SOM) on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the East Sea (DOC) in Hangzhou, China, on May 17 and 18. Delegates to the meeting pose for a group photo Earlier, the ASEAN-China joint working group on the implementation of the DOC met on May 16 and 17 to look into the situation on the East Sea, review the implementation of the DOC and continue the negotiations on the Code of Conduct on the East Sea (COC). Addressing the meeting, head of the Vietnamese delegation Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung acknowledged the progress made in the implementation of the COC and the negotiations on the COC. At the same time, he shared Vietnams concern about the complications in the East Sea which are caused by strategic competitions among powers and unilateral actions that run counter to international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, particularly militarization actions, which have undermined trust, hindered the maintenance of peace, stability and affected negotiations on the COC. The Vietnamese head delegate emphasized that the East Sea is also facing other challenges such as illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU fishing), pollution and plastic waste. He called on countries to uphold their sense of responsibility and join hands to fully implement the DOC, refrain from militarization or making moves that can further complicate the situation, and promote cooperation to handling arising challenges. The Deputy FM informed the meeting that Vietnam will organize a seminar within the framework of the DOC on the fair and humane treatment for fishermen. Regarding the COC, Deputy FM Dung urged the ASEAN and China to do their best in negotiations so as to achieve an effective code of conduct that is in line with international law, including the internationally recognized UNCLOS. He added that Vietnam will host the 18th ASEAN-China SOM on the implementation of the DOC in the latter half of 2019. At the meeting, many countries noted that the complicated situation on the East Sea has its roots in recent developments in the waters, which increased tensions, undermined trust and posed risks to peace and stability on the sea. The countries reiterated the importance of ensuring peace, stability, and security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight on the East Sea. They committed themselves to the full and effective implementation of the DOC, especially self-restraint, and to cooperation on trust building. The meeting approved Vietnams proposal on organising a seminar on the fair and humane treatment of fishermen. The meeting recognized the work of the ASEAN-China joint working group and progress in the negotiations on the COC, saying that the negotiations are following the roadmap towards completing the first round of review ahead of the ASEAN-China Post Ministerial Conference slated for the end of July and early August this year in Bangkok, Thailand. The countries agreed to keep the pace of negotiations and make joint efforts towards building a result-oriented, effective COC that is in accordance with international law. They shared the view that during the process, all sides should exercise self-restraint and maintain an environment favourable for the building of the COC.-VNA Vietnams Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will make official visits to Russia, Norway, and Sweden on May 20-28 with an aim to boost strategic ties and speed up the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse. The tour will begin with Russia on May 20-23 at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, then to Norway on May 24-26 at the invitation of Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg, and to Swedish welcomed by Prime Minister Stefan Lofven on May 26-28, according to local media. Hanoi Moscow Vietnam and Russia established diplomatic relations in 1950 and upgraded the ties to strategic partnership in 2001 and to comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012. The bilaterial relationship has been enhanced with exchange visits at all levels. The two countries have strong economic ties with the two-way trade growing rapidly after the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (VN-EAEU FTA) took effect in October 2016, and hit US$5.3 billion in 2017. Hanoi Oslo Vietnam has maintained a good relationship with Norway as it considers the Northern European country among its important partners in the region. The multisectoral ties covering economics, trade, security and defense, education, tourism, and culture have been reinforced in recent years. Hanoi Stockholm Vietnam considers Sweden a supporter and donor and partner for sustainable growth. Indeed, the 50-year relations have marked uncountable support that Sweden has done for Vietnam regardless of valuable help in the war and hard time since 1969. Being one of the first European countries establishing ties with Vietnam, Sweden has granted more than US$46 billion to Vietnam so far. For Sweden, Vietnam, meanwhile, is believed to be one of the most important partners in ASEAN. Hanoitimes Linh Pham Born in a family of three children, Thong was deaf and dumb since birth due to malaria. Seeing people around speaking affectively to their own parents, he often wondered to himself if life was so unfair to him. Phan Minh Thong is patiently teaching his students in the Binh Thanh School of Hope for Hearing-impaired People With a strong desire to help physically disabled children to live in harmony in the community and freely express their thoughts through arts, Mr. Phan Minh Thong, a deaf mute teacher in the Binh Thanh School of Hope for Hearing-impaired People (sited in Binh Thanh District of Ho Chi Minh City), is striving to teach them necessary drawing skills. Sharing the same background with his students, Mr. Thong has achieved impressive success. Born in a family of three children, Mr. Phan Minh Thong was deaf and dumb since birth due to malaria. Seeing people around speaking affectively to their own parents, he often wondered to himself if life was so unfair to him. Not accepting such a grim fate, little Thong went to the Binh Thanh School of Hope for Hearing-impaired People in order to equip himself with adequate skills and knowledge. It is in this special school that Thong was able to find hope for his future. Discovering his talent in arts, Thong spent more time on this subject besides following his regular curriculum of sign language. In 2006, Thong graduated from the Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) University of Fine Arts to finally fulfill his dream. He was the first physically disabled person to receive a bachelor degree in Vietnam. Thanks to his effort, he was granted a scholarship to the Republic of Korea on fine arts. Yet, his new dream of teaching arts to young handicapped people kept him in Vietnam. Despite the low salary, for the past 10 years, his teaching passion and the love for his own dear school have helped him happily fulfill the role of an arts teacher. Mr. Thong shared that most learners in this special school are deaf-mute like him, making it especially challenging to transfer arts skills. Yet it is their learning effort and their patience that inspire him to find more innovative methods using sign language to successfully train them. In turn, these pupils love of drawing nurture Thongs passion for arts and teaching career. Seeing pictures of his students has never given him more satisfaction as those are the proof of their strong determination. Ms. Nguyen Thi Than, Principal of the Binh Thanh School of Hope for Hearing-impaired People, stated that as Thong was once a student of this school, he is now considered the big kind brother of all children here. She and other teachers do appreciate all the efforts Thong has made. According to Mr. Thong, his family, with his deaf-mute wife and his 4-year-old daughter, is a source of strength and care that he can always depend on. Together, the couple has overcome various obstacles that life has given them. And there has been no greater happiness than the birth of their own daughter, who is luckily normal unlike her parents. To financially take care of the family, besides teaching, Thong is a part-time artist, drawing decoration pieces and portraits for people, especially in festivals. Thong truly wishes that disabled children are able to find the purpose of their life and live it to the fullest. SGGP Tuan Lu The Ministry of Education and Trainings regulation aims to help teachers and students use social media in a healthy, responsible and effective way, It does not try to prohibit them from offering constructive suggestions and criticisms, according to Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Nghia. Nghia gave the explanation after educators voiced their disagreement with the newly released code of conduct in schools, saying that theh Ministry of Educatin and Training (MOET) is breaking the law by requesting teachers and students not to speak ill of schools and the national education system. The new regulation, to take effect on May 28, 2019 stipulates that teachers and students must not make bad comments on social networks which have adverse effects on the schooling environment. Do Thi Dung from Duong Lieu Secondary School in Hanoi lauded the new regulation. Students swear at each other very often on social networks, and then they come to school to fight each other, Dung said. Dung agrees with Nghia that the new rules do not aim to prohibit students and teachers from raising their voice against misbehavior. If MOET doesnt set strict rules, students may post untrue stories which will cause immeasurable consequences, even though the stories remain unproved, Dung said. If students are prohibited from showing their views, management officers and school management board will not be informed about problems to improve education quality. Phan Thi An, an informatics teacher at a high school, also thinks the new regulation is necessary in the current conditions. There is too much information about bad things in the national education, while good things have been ignored. This makes people lose confidence in the education system and teachers, An commented. Nguyen Dinh Thi Thuy, a teacher at Hoai Duc A High School, said the new regulation will in no way affect the behaviors and working style of the teachers with professional ethics. They have the right to express their views, she said, and the views and comments should be encouraged if they are useful and constructive. The teacher went on to warn that if students are prohibited from showing their views, management officers and school management board will not be informed about problems to improve education quality. Nghia said that when compiling the regulation, MOET thoroughly considered current laws and regulations and referred to experts assessments about the impact of social networks on youth. She believes that parents will support the MOET code of conduct because many of them are worried about the way their children use social networks. RELATED NEWS Teachers and parents have let our children down School violence, disorder shake up education community Thanh Lich Young people and volunteers have spent thousands of working days removing trash in hot environment spots. But after they leave the sites, waste soon reappears. The problem, according to experts, lies in the lack of reasonable policies which prevent garbage from reaching the environment. Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam (in red T-shirt, glasses), collects waste at My Dinh Stadium The popular use of plastic bags partially explains why Vietnam has been listed among the five countries which discharge the biggest amounts of plastic waste to the ocean, making up 60 percent of total plastic waste globally. A report found that in Hanoi and HCMC alone, 80 tons of plastics and plastic bags are discharged into environment, most of which are non-degradable products. The Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment (MONRE) reported that if just 10 percent of the plastic waste cannot be reused, the waste volume would be approximate 2.5 million tons per annum. Where will the 2.5 tons of plastic waste go? A part will be burnt or recycled, while millions of tons will go to the environment and oceans, or will be buried. Where will the 2.5 tons of plastic waste go? A part will be burnt or recycled, while millions of tons will go to the environment and oceans, or will be buried. Other countries have been restricting the use of plastic bags. They have prohibited non-degradable plastic bags and only used bags made of environmentally friendly materials The simplest method is taxing unfriendly products heavily. Vietnam also encourages the use of biodegradable bags. However, plastic non-degradable bags still can enjoy tax preferences. Under the Environment Protection Law which took effect on January 1, 2019, plastic bag have an environment protection tax of VND50,000 per kilogram instead of VND40,000 as previously applied. The tax increase aims to make the production cost of plastic bag higher. However, analysts pointed out that the collection from environment protection tax is next to nothing. According to the Ministry of Finance (MOF), only VND50 billion could be collected a year in the past, and the figure would be only VND67 billion with the new tax policy. In other words, plastic bag companies now can benefit from the unreasonable taxation policy. Many of them dodge the laws to evade tax. Low-quality plastic bag producers are mostly small production workshops which pay a presumptive tax. The tax from the workshops is not taken into account as an environmental protection tax. A local newspaper quoted experts as reporting that the state has failed to collect trillions of dong worth of tax on plastic bags because of the legal loopholes. As a result, environmentally unfriendly plastic bags are still dirt cheap in the market, VND40,000 per kilogram. The low price has not encouraged people to stop using the bags. RELATED NEWS Waste sorting at source ready to begin in HCM City Waste separation demands so much more Kim Chi Lieutenant Colonel Dang Van Doan, deputy director of the Criminal Science Institute, Ministry of Public Security, talks to the Voice of Vietnam about new drugs found in Vietnam and the dangers they posed. ang Van oan. Photo vov.vn The Criminal Science Institute under the Ministry of Public Security recently discovered a number of new illicit drugs making an appearance in Viet Nam that are not on the list of banned substances in the country. What are these newly discovered drugs and their effects? From the end of 2018, the Criminal Science Institute has discovered nine new drugs in Viet Nam. Of which, there are seven drugs not included in the list of drugs outlawed in Viet Nam as included in Decree No. 73/2018/ND-CP dated on May 15, 2018 by the Government. Six of them belong to a group of synthetic cannabinoids, such as Spice and K2. Spice and K2 are mind-altering chemicals designed to mimic THC, the active ingredient in marijuana. The chemicals in synthetic weed are significantly more potent than THC and can cause dangerous and unpredictable side effects. Synthetic cannabinoids are artificial mind-altering chemicals that have powerful effects on the brain, causing delusions and aggression. Recently, we have discovered some very sophisticated tricks by drug traffickers. They spray the chemicals on dried, shredded plant materials so the drugs can be smoked or sold as liquids to be vaporised and inhaled in e-cigarettes and other devices. These products are also known as herbal or liquid incense. Can you tell us the name of a few substances and the harmful effects of these drugs on users? Narcotics in general and some substances discovered recently in Viet Nam are very complicated and also hard to name. Some of them are EMB-Fubinaca; 5F-MDMB-Pica; Fub-144; MMB-022; AMB-Fubinaca. These result in physical and mood-altering effects to users. They stimulate the nerves and cause visual hallucinations similar to THC. The use of these narcotics is very dangerous as the user might no longer be aware or in control of their own behaviour and actions, leading to acts of violences or acts that endanger themselves and those around them, their family and society as in some cases due to visual hallucinations as the media has reported. Their effects can be unpredictable. What are the difficulties in tackling these new drugs? After the list of new drugs and substances were issued by the Government, the amount of narcotics currently managed doubled to 515 substances. Therefore, the source of drug reference standards is one of the biggest difficulties in the current inspection work. Only the Criminal Science Institute can meet the requirements in inspecting new kinds of drugs. In addition, there are a lot of substances not yet available in database and not updated as new drugs are constantly made. This presents a challenge, not only in Viet Nam but also for other countries. A report from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) says that every one to 10 days, a new drug is detected. So, it can be seen that the trend of new drugs in the world and in Viet Nam is very complicated, causing many difficulties for the inspection and the fight against this type of crime. What does the institute do to deal with such difficulties? We have good equipment as well as good staff to help inspect drugs. We also receive active co-operation from other agencies such as Institute of Chemistry, Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology; Department of Chemistry, Ha Noi University of Science and Technology, and international co-operation in drug prevention in the region and the world, especially UNODC. With these advantages the Criminal Science Institute, Ministry of Public Security of Viet Nam is capable and qualified to assess and identify the exact drugs in the list, as well as substances and new drugs that are predicted to enter Viet Nam. What solution is needed to prevent the spread of these narcotics as well as improve the effectiveness of drug assessment in Viet Nam? The first thing is to strictly control chemicals as well as related drugs that drug traffickers use to commit a criminal offence. This calls for a well-oiled co-ordination between ministries, agencies and sectors. In addition, it is necessary to focus on combating drug smuggling issues across all of our borders. For inspection, it is necessary to add more drug reference standards to serve inspection. This is a key basis for resolving drug cases. Advanced devices for checking should be used more. Local police also need to be trained how to detect and inspect new drugs. Raising awareness about the harmful effects of drugs, especially among young people, should be enhanced. We also need to strengthen international co-operation in drug inspection because drug crimes are also one of the main causes of other types of crimes. Co-operation and information sharing with other countries will help build a shared database to trace drug origins. VNS Vietnam, with its rapid economic growth and large number of consumers, is being targeted for Indonesian tourism. Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park highlights Indonesias cultural heritage The Consulate General of Indonesia in HCMC recently organized a fam trip for a dozen tour operators and media personnel to visit Bali and broadcast the island countrys destinations to Vietnamese tourists. With robust economic growth of more than 7% last year and a burgeoning middle-income class, Vietnam is becoming a potential market for Indonesia, said Surahmat, head of the Vietnam market division of Indonesias Ministry of Tourism. The Indonesian government has stressed that tourism is the driver of the island nations economy, which must be supported by all other relevant authorities. The world's largest archipelago has set a target to attract 20 million international tourists in 2019, up 26.58% compared with last year. Vietnam will playing an important role in Indonesian tourism, Surahmat said, predicting the total number of tourists from Vietnam would reach 100,000 this year, rising by more than 33% compared with last year. Lonely Planet, a BBC Worldwide-owned travel guide, last year published its Best in Travel 2019 book with destination lists including the top vacation spots to visit next year. Indonesia, the only Southeast Asian country on the list, made it to seventh place and is described as rich in diversity across the nation. More than 17,000 islands make up the medley of cultures, cuisines and religions across the archipelago, offering a kaleidoscope of experience, noted Lonely Planet. Although earthquakes have recently struck some parts of Indonesia, which is located on the volcano-lined Pacific Ring of Fire, much of this sprawling country remains safe for visitors. Thanks to substantial investment in new air, land and sea connections, plus the recent introduction of visa-free access for nationals of 169 countries, it has never been easier to explore this tropical country. added the travel guide. Vietnam, which is geographically close to Indonesia and has a high number of travelers, has not been a dominant tourism market for Indonesia, accounting for less than 0.5% of the total number of international tourists who visited the country last year. Thus, the sprawling islands government is taking multiple steps to advertise its destinations to the Vietnamese market. Apart from fam trips, an Indonesian festival, including a business-to-business event, is being held for the first time in HCMC this June as part of Indonesias promotional campaign this year. Besides the governments efforts, local enterprises have found their own ways of tapping the Vietnamese market. We are planning a number of digital advertising strategies to attract Vietnamese tourists, said Hasnaa Bourouis, a manager at Finns Beach Club. Finns Beach Club, one of the most famous clubs in Indonesia, can accommodate up to 3,000 people for corporate events, weddings and birthday parties. Our strategy is to collaborate with Vietnamese tour operators and make use of digital advertisements, such as through local influencers, the media and bloggers, Bourouis said while discussing the club's plan to tap into the luxury segment of the tourism sector for visitors from Vietnam to Bali in the coming period. Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK), owned by a private company called PT Garuda Adhimatra Indonesia, is also targeting Vietnamese tourists, especially the corporate segment. Vietnam made up less than 2% of the total foreign visitors coming to our park last year," said I Wayan Sugiantara, head of sales for the park, which took 25 years to construct. He added that the company is working with more than 600 tour operators across the island nation targeting the Vietnamese market, mainly for gala dinners, teambuilding activities and weddings. GWK, which was put into operation only one year ago, attracts a large number of tourists who want to experience Indonesias cultural heritage. However, the main barriers for Vietnamese tourists coming to Bali, according to Vietnamese tour operators participating in the fam trip, are the travel time and cost. The most popular tours from Vietnam to Bali take five days, of which two days are spent on flying, and the total cost of the tour is VND13-16 million, equivalent to the cost of package tours to Korea and other northern Asian countries. Besides this, tour guides who speak Vietnamese and have in-depth knowledge of Indonesian culture are rare in Bali and in Indonesia in general. The flight cost, which accounts for half the package tour cost, will drop significantly when local carrier Vietjet opens direct flights from HCMC to Bali, said Lukdy, sales manager for the Phi Loan tour operator, who is considering opening an outbound tour from Vietnam to Bali. We hope to work closely with our local partners to find the best way to attract Vietnamese tourists to Bali, said Ni Nyoman Sri Pramini, sales and marketing manager for Santa Bali Tours. SGT Vu Dung President Ho Chi Minh's birthday was observed in Okayama prefectures Mimasaka the first Japanese city to place his statue. Vietnamese embassies abroad have commemorated President Ho Chi Minh on the occasion of his 129th birthday (May 19) with a series of activities. The embassy in France held a ceremony to mark the late Presidents birth anniversary in Paris on May 17, with the participation of the staff of the embassy and Vietnams representative offices. Following the ceremony, the delegation laid flowers at House No. 9 on Compoint alley in Pariss District 17, where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked from 1921 to 1923 as part of his search for the way for national salvation. The embassy has also joined hands with authorities of the outskirts city of Montreuil city to organize a similar at the Ho Chi Minh Space in Montreau Park. Philippe Lamarche, Montreuils Deputy Governor, said the locality is proud to be the city of friendship and solidarity with Vietnamese people. He highlighted the close ties between Vietnam and Montreuil as well as the development cooperation between the French city and Vietnams northern port city of Hai Phong. The Ho Chi Minh Space, which was unveiled on May 19, 2005 at the Museum of Living History, is preserving valuable objects transferred from House No. 9. The space, together with President Ho Chi Minhs monument at Montreau Park, has been seen as a vivid manifestation of the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and France. Gilbert Schoon, former Director of the museum, said the space is unique in France and has attracted many tourists. Meanwhile, officials from the Vietnamese Embassy and representative offices, along with Vietnamese in the UK on May 18 gathered at New Zealand Building in London to celebrate President Ho Chi Minhs 129th birthday and 108 years since he left Vietnam to seek ways for national salvation (June 5). The New Zealand Building was built on the foundation of the famous Carlton Hotel in the centre of London, where President Ho Chi Minh worked during his time in the UK from 1913-1917. Ambassador Tran Ngoc An recalled milestones in the late Presidents way in search for the way for national salvation, including his four-year stay in the UK. The same day, a seminar was held in Okayama prefectures Mimasaka the first Japanese city to place President Ho Chi Minhs statue. It was attended by Mimasakas Vice Mayor Araki Toshiaki, President of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Mimasaka Norimoto Takashi, and representatives of many businesses and organisations in Okayama. President Ho Chi Minh was also commemorated at a ceremony hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Chile at the Ho Chi Minh Park in Cerro Navia district, Santiago de Chile. Ambassador Nguyen Ngoc Son told his guests at the event that the Vietnamese Government has decided to partner with Cerro Navias authorities to upgrade the Ho Chi Minh Park this year, and handed over Geleximco Groups donations to the locality to carry out the project. The project is scheduled to be completed ahead of the Vietnamese delegations visit to Chile for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Week in November. Cerro Navias Mayor Mauro Tamayo stressed that the park is a symbol of Chilean peoples sentiments towards Vietnamese people and President Ho Chi Minh. On May 19, the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association Central Committee, the General Association of Vietnamese in Laos and the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association in Khammuon province held a ceremony in memory of the late President on the occasion of his birth anniversary. Ho Chi Minhs birthday observed in Chile, Singapore The contributions made by President Ho Chi Minh to Vietnams freedom and independence as well as to the communist ideal and world peace and justice were highlighted at a meeting in Santiago de Chile, the capital of Chile, on May 19. President Ho Chi Minh's birthday was observed in Santiago de Chile, the capital of Chile, on May 19. Prominent among guests at the event were the President of the Chile-Vietnam Culture Institute Patricia Arbazua, the mother of former President Michelle Bachelet, Angela Jeria, and delegates from the Chilean government, political and social organisations in Chile. Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Nguyen Ngoc Son spoke about the late Presidents tireless struggle for Vietnams independence and freedom and the happiness of the Vietnamese people, as well as for independence and freedom of all oppressed nations. He announced that the Vietnamese Government has decided to cooperate with the authorities of Cerro Navia, a commune in the capital city where there is a park named after President Ho Chi Minh, to carry out the upgrade of the Ho Chi Minh Park this year. Also on May 19, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tao Thi Thanh Huong and the Vietnamese community in the Southeast Asian country laid flowers at the Ho Chi Minh Statue in the Asian Civilisation Museum Park on the occasion of the late Presidents 129th birthday and 50-year implementation of his testament.-VNA Dendrocalamus barbatus (family of bamboo) in the North Central province of Thanh Hoa is famous and fishermen of the region have been using it for a long time to build rafts for fishing near shore. But it is hard to believe that this kind of bamboo could constitute a raft travelling over the Pacific over 8,800 kilometers 25 years ago. The initiator and performer is Tim Severin - a famous Irish explorer, historian and writer. Mr. Loi talks about a 25 year journey across the Pacific by bamboo raft In this amazing adventure, Tim Severin had the only Vietnamese partner- Mr. Luong Viet Loi, a Vietnamese 59-year-old man, residing in Truong Son Ward, Sam Son City, Thanh Hoa province. Discovering Vietnamese bamboo raft Mr. Loi talked about the journey like it just took place yesterday when he was a carpenter and shipbuilder. The shipbuilder was very eager as Tim intended to find a sailor accompanying with him. After Mr. Tim tested a boat made by Mr. Loi in water, he realized that this man was not only a skilled worker but also a dynamic and enthusiastic sailor with the hard-working character. Before coming to Vietnam, Mr. Tim had ever come to China but the raft there was made of plastic pipes. Colin Mudie, a British shipbuilder and a friend of Tim guided him to go to along coastal areas in Vietnam, about 160 kilometers south of Hanoi. In 1992, Tim went to Sam Son in Thanh Hoa province. Colin Mudie warned that Vietnamese raft is highly stable but it is also the most dangerous weak point despite of leaning at a certain angle, it would suddenly turn over and very dangerous in the mid-sea. Based on the data which Tim collected in Sam Son, Taiwan (China) and referred to the ancient rafts, Colin Mudie designed a raft across the ocean. The work was carefully carried out with the participation of raft workers in Sam Son. In order to have raft materials, Mr. Tim went to the forest in the Western of Thanh Hoa to discover and buy the bamboo. The raft is 18.3 meters long, 4.6 meters wide, placing three layers with nearly 320 bamboo trees with a length of nine meters per tree, the average diameter of each tree is 15 centimeters. The bamboos must be cut down in the fall, less plastic to limit the termites. After that, it is scraped off the shell and covered a layer of paint made from crushed Bryophyllum calycinum and mixed with sea water and lime. Apart from engineers, 40 raftmen and experienced fishermen of Sam Son were mobilized to complete the bamboo raft. Particularly, the bamboo raft body was used 46-kilometer bamboo string with more than 3,000 ties. The bamboo raft was named Tu Phuc (name of an ancient Chinese sailor who explored the Pacific expedition). On March 16, 1993, the bamboo raft was launched and moved to Ha Long Bay to install a sail and then it sailed to Hong Kong. Reaching into big sea Five members of the journey across the Pacific Ocean are printed in Vietnamese bamboo raft book of Tim Severin The adventure was planned following the maritime route from Hong Kong (China) across the Taiwan Strait, heading to the Northeast to Japan, across the Pacific to North America with the total length of 6,500 miles. On May 17, 1993, the bamboo raft left Hong Kong. The interesting story being told by Tim Severin in the book entitled Vietnamese bamboo travel story. He said that Tu Phuc bamboo raft left Hong Kong like a drunk man staggering out of the house after a big party. At the beginning, there were seven members including: Mr. Tim Severin, three British man: Joe Beynon, Rex Warner and Trondur Patursson, Mr. Loi, Ms.Nina Kojima from Japan and Mark Reynolds from Hong Kong. But when the raft docked at Japan, Nina and Mark stayed behind due to health reason. The adventure was really exciting but it also faced a lot of challenges as avoiding Keoni storm, other cargo ships, rick of the Kuroshio sea currents, dealing with pirates twice, cabin fire, etc. After 100 days, the bamboo raft began to be untidy. The repair turned out to be like a workshop and was joyfully called "mermaid's hair". In the early morning of the 101st day, two bamboo trees from the bottom of the raft had been broken. At this time, food was also running out. Chef Joe Beynon must give the initiative of lightening the load of the raft. Each person had two main meals a day, three cups of coffee and half of the onion for all five people. By the 105th day, the bamboo raft was about 1,000 miles away from the US. No one wanted to leave the raft at that time but for safety Tim Severin and four companions were forced to board the California Galaxy back to Japan ending the journey of 5,500 miles in November 16, 1993. Before this adventure, Mr. Loi did not know a word of English - he only finished the 7th grade. When he was on the bamboo raft, Joe Beynon was assigned to accompany him to study English. Nina equipped him with Vietnamese - English, English - Vietnamese dictionaries. He followed the journey and continued to study English. Mr. Loi confided that the purpose of the trip was to test a theory that it was possible that ancient Asian residents used bamboo raft to reach the Americas. Although they were unsuccessful, all members surpassed 5,500 miles on the Pacific Ocean. It is miraculous, hard to imagine. SGGP Huyen Huong Thai women in Vietnams northwest region always wear shoulder bamboo baskets when they work in terraced fields or go to the forest to pick vegetables and fruit. A Thai woman wears a shoulder bamboo basket to market. A shoulder bamboo basket and a knife are essential items for Thai women when they leave their house. Picking vegetables, roots, and fruits in the forest is a womans job. A woman wearing a shoulder basket full of vegetables and fruits is seen as a hardworking person and responsible to her family. Lo Thi Phang in Chieng An ward, Son La province, said When I was small, I went to the forest with my mother to collect wood and bamboo shoots and dig roots. I always remembered to carry a shoulder basket. Its a habit of all Thai women. Its a very convenient accessory. All Thai men know how to weave bamboo containers and other household items. They make shoulder baskets for all the women in their family. Shoulder baskets of various sizes always have a wide mouth, no lid, and a long bamboo strap. The men chop bamboo in the forest and cut it into pieces according to the size of the baskets they are going to make. They whittle thin bamboo strings to weave the baskets. Fresh bamboo baskets are dried on a shelf above the cooking fire before use. Tong Van Hia, a senior craftsman in Hua La commune, Son La province, said Thai women have worn shoulder baskets for generations. But making the baskets is a mans job. Young men learn to weave bamboo baskets for their families. Skilled weavers can sell their products. It takes me 2 days to make a sparsely-woven basket and 3 days for a densely-woven basket. While urban women wear shoulder bags made of leather or synthetic fabric, Thai women carry shoulder baskets made of bamboo, which are durable and environment friendly. The shoulder bamboo baskets of the Thai are now sold at trade fairs, displayed in ethnic museums, and used as an props in art performances and ethnic fashion shows. VOV5 Inclusion Works Summit date set WATERLOO The Inclusion Works Summit will be June 21 at Hawkeye Community College. The keynote speaker is Nicole Eredics of TheInclusiveClass.com. The breakout sessions include: Diversity and Inclusion: Making the Case for a Culturally Competent Campus by Rhonda McRina, director of diversity and inclusion, Hawkeye Community College. Adaptations for Success: a case study from Cedar Heights School by Corrine Brown, Betsy Haht and Coryn Clasen, Cedar Heights education team. A Place to Play: inclusive playground project by Sarah Corkery and Amanda Weichers, parents. Access for ALL: Making Accommodations and Modifications to the Curriculum by Nicole Eredics, educator. Leaning into Community: Transitioning to Adult Life by Wendy and Quinn Partridge. Inclusion at Work by Kayleen Symmonds, Inclusion Connection and Amy Bakker, Project Search. Inclusive (Not Exclusive) Opportunities for Kids by Tyler Greene, Together We Play. Everything You Need to Know About Inclusion by Nicole Eredics, educator. The conference is $199. Registered students of Hawkeye Community College can attend for $1. The conference is ideal for teachers, principals, family, advocates and those with disabilities. Medical firm wins honors CEDAR FALLS Z&Z Medical Inc. earned two awards recently at the annual Vision Imaging Partners National Convention. Z&Z was awarded first place for 2018 sales and first place for dealership compliance. Vision Imaging Partners is a nationwide radiology group made up of 56 independent radiology dealers and 36 radiology wholesalers and manufacturers. Ag safety day set for Friday LA PORTE CITY Progressive Agriculture Safety Day will be held at La Porte City Elementary School on Friday with more than 300 students, teachers, adult volunteers, FFA members and ISU Extension and Outreach Black Hawk County staff in attendance. Educational safety lessons will be delivered to children from kindergarten through fifth-grade. Based on their grade level, students learn about personal safety around electricity, grain, water, livestock, lawn and farm equipment, food, chemicals, railways, ATVs and firearms. Volunteers and subject area experts from La Porte City Fire & Rescue, East-Central Iowa Rural Electric Cooperative, East Central Iowa Cooperative, Iowa DNR, University of Northern Iowa Outdoors, La Porte City FFA, P&K Midwest, Bests Powerhouse, the Black Hawk County Sheriffs Office, Iowa School for the Deaf, AmeriCorps and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Black Hawk County/4-H will be educators for the sessions. UNI offering music education CEDAR FALLS The University of Northern Iowa is now accepting enrollments in two music education workshops this summer. Each workshop is designed for teachers to enhance learning and instruction in their music classrooms. One hour of undergraduate credit is available for each. RockShop! Modern Band Workshop will be June 24-26 and Audio Engineering for Educators Workshop will be June 27-28. Both will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the UNI campus. Spinutech joins career center WATERLOO Spinutech has partnered with the Waterloo Career Center. Housed in Central Middle School, the WCC gives high school students hands-on career training. Field day set in La Porte City LA PORTE CITY Terry Ward will host a field day with Practical Farmers of Iowa from 4 to 7 p.m. June 4. The event will begin at 14233 Kline Road and end at the La Porte City Community Center, 300 First St. Ward will show his diverse crop rotations that include cereal rye, which he harvests to use in several ways. Hell share his experience making ryelage, rye hay and rye straw, and his neighbors Josh and Dick Blough will talk about feeding the ryelage to their dairy cattle. The event will include a meal. Register online at https://practicalfarmers.org/events/field-days by May 31. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 LA PORTE CITY Iowa nearly doubled its acres of cover crops between 2015 and 2017, but the share of farmland with the offseason crops that reduce pollutants flowing into waterways still is less than 4 percent, new data show. As the government spends tens of millions of dollars subsidizing cover crops, farmers and experts wonder if they instead should encourage offseason cover crops that can be harvested for a profit not just killed off before the traditional cash crop is planted. Terry Ward, 68, of La Porte City, will harvest a rye crop in June and turn it into food for 125 heifers he feeds for a local dairy farmer. Once the rye is gone, Ward will sow soybeans, a practice known as double cropping because he gets two crops from the same land in one year. We think its cost effective because we get a years worth of feed and a crop besides, Ward said. We had 51 bushels per acre (of soybeans) last year, which we think is pretty good. Slow growth Iowa had 907,000 acres planted in cover crops over the 2017-2018 winter season, or about 3.9 percent of all farmed acres, according to the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Groups 2017 cover crop study of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana. This is up from 592,000 acres, or 2.6 percent of Iowas farmed land, in 2015-2016. I think its pretty amazing they doubled the footprint, said Soren Rundquist, the groups spatial analysis director and study coordinator. But the sobering reality is that 1 million acres is just a drop in the bucket. The studys results were similar to the 880,000 acres of cover crops estimated for 2018 by the Iowa Learning Farms, based at Iowa State University. Illinois had 760,000 acres of cover crops last year, or 3.6 percent of agricultural land. This is up from 2.3 percent in 2015-2016. Indiana, which has an ambitious goal of 5 million acres of cover crops by 2025, saw only a slight increase between 2015 and 2017, according to the study. The Hoosier State had 878,000 acres, or 7.8 percent of farmed land, last year compared with 7.1 percent two years earlier. The slow pace has regional and national implications as states, particularly those in the Mississippi River Basin, struggle to reduce nutrient and sediment runoff into waterways that contributes to toxic algal blooms and a dead zone that can kill fish in the Gulf of Mexico. Eastern Iowa Western Iowa largely is responsible for Iowas jump in cover crop acres, with 27 western Iowa counties adding more than 5,000 acres between 2015 and 2017, the study shows. Woodbury County had the largest increase with nearly 26,000 more acres in 2017. Northwest Iowa could have gained because there previously was not much there, Rundquist said. Many Northeast Iowa counties increased planting of cover crops 1% to 2% in 2017, including Black Hawk, Bremer, Buchanan, Chickasaw, Hardin, Howard, Floyd and Franklin. Cover crops remained unchanged in Grundy County. Mitchell and Winneshiek counties saw cover crop planting decrease slightly, as did Linn, Johnson and Washington. Washington County, long a statewide cover crop leader, had 15,600 fewer acres of cover crops, dropping the county from 12 percent of farmed acres in 2015 to just 4 percent in 2017, the study shows. Steve Berger, who has been growing cover crops on his farm near Wellman since the 1990s, said he doesnt know why Washington Countys cover crop acres fell off in 2017. Reports from the state climatologist show temperatures and rainfall statewide were close to normal that fall. But low commodity prices and trade concerns may have taken a toll on local cover crop acres, Berger said. When there are too many challenges, cover crops will be the first things to go, he said. The declines occurred despite huge government aid for cover crops. The U.S. Department of Agriculture paid more than $90 million for cover crop assistance in 2015-2016. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship paid Iowa farmers about $5 million a year in 2017 and 2018 to share the cost of planting cover crops. The Iowa Ag Department estimates farmers contributed $9 million a year to match the state grants. Double cropping Some Iowa farmers are growing multiple crops a year to spread out the risk. Double cropping is seen as a way to reduce the effects of climate change because it allows the same parcel of land to produce more food without degrading the soil, according to a 2018 article in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics. Double cropping occurred on about 2 percent of U.S. cropland most years from 1999 to 2012, according to a 2014 USDA report. Soybeans were, on average, the most common crop found on double-cropped acres over this time period, and, in 2012, winter wheat most commonly preceded these soybean plantings, the report stated. Other viable for-profit cover crops in Iowa include oats, rye and canola. Gary Schnitkey, a University of Illinois Extension farm management specialist, told Illinois farmers in February a double crop rotation of winter wheat followed by beans is likely to turn a higher profit this year than full-season beans or corn, according to Farmweeknow.com. Bryan Sievers, of Stockton, grows three crops corn, winter wheat and sorghum Sudangrass over a two-year period. The winter wheat is a cover crop, but Sievers also uses it as feed for 2,400 cows or as biomass for his anaerobic digester, which produces methane used to generate electricity. It gives us versatility, which really enhances the value of that winter wheat, he said. New messages Sarah Carlson, strategic initiatives director for Practical Farmers of Iowa and a Midwest cover crops expert, thinks farmers want to know how cover crops affect their bottom line. Weve probably gotten the majority of farmers who are motivated by improvements in soil health. Its time for a new message, Carlson said. I believe farmers need to share more strongly about the positive short-term cost-saving benefits through improved weed control and greater ability to access the fields during wet spring conditions. Terry and Rachel Ward will host a field day for Practical Farmers on June 4 in La Porte City in which farmers can come see how the Wards grow and use rye as both a cover crop and feed for cattle. Rundquist, from the Environmental Working Group, said hes encouraged that the Farm Bill directs USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to prioritize spending on conservation practices that have a direct impact on improving water quality. The Gazettes Erin Jordan and the Indianapolis Stars Emily Hopkins collaborated on this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 WATERLOO Graduation party season is in full swing and high school seniors leaving foster care will be celebrating again this year, thanks to a longtime volunteer effort. Organized by Cedar Valleys Promise, the volunteers are throwing a party for the 11th year focused on Black Hawk County residents aging out of the foster care system. On Tuesday from 4 to 5:30 p.m., they will hold a graduation open house for six foster care youths. The public is invited to attend the event at Hawkeye Community Colleges Van G. Miller Adult Learning Center, 120 Jefferson St. The students are graduating from Cedar Falls and West high schools or have earned their diploma by taking the high school equivalency test. But foster youths dont always have the family support that allows for a graduation party. Having this event to celebrate this achievement is huge for these kids, said Michelle Cooper, a transition planning specialist with the Iowa Department of Human Services and one of the organizers. She added that its an opportunity to just recognize how important it is and what an achievement it is. Citing national statistics, she noted only 54 percent of foster youths graduate from high school and only 3 percent graduate from college. The organizing committee is made up of representatives from various agencies dealing with the foster care system. It provides a number of gifts made possible through community donations to help foster youths set up an apartment or dorm room. Among those are a microwave, cookware, tableware, towels, a laundry basket and a suitcase. Each participant will also have a table at the event where people can visit with them and drop off cards or gifts. Attendees are welcome even if they dont bring something for the graduates. I think its so rewarding to see just members of the community come and support these youths and acknowledge their accomplishments, said Cooper. Maima Boakai, a former foster care youth, graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 2018 and participated in last years open house. I really like the event. It was a lot of fun being there and hanging out with my friends, said Boakai, now 19. She appreciated the support of people who stopped by to congratulate her. They gave us a lot of gifts, I think hundreds of dollars in cash, she said. That helped with her first month of rent as well as groceries and books for college. Boakai is a native of West Africa who came to the U.S. with her aunt and uncle. They lived in Florida before moving to Waterloo. Eventually, she ended up in foster care and had multiple placements, describing them as difficult for her. The staff and case workers, they were really awesome, she acknowledged. They tried their best. I was in the foster care system for about 6-1/2 years, and now Im in Aftercare, she added, referring to a state program providing support to foster children once they turn 18. It serves them until their 21st birthday. They help me out, because every month I get about $600 to help me out with rent and groceries, said Boakai. The program also offers therapy services. She is currently living downtown at Pillars, a House of Hope facility for women formerly in foster care designed to help them transition into adult life. She is now a Hawkeye Community College student and works at Jimmy Johns. Im doing my gen eds and then Im transferring to do my bachelors in teaching English, said Boakai. Its been good so far. Its stressful because its school. 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. NEW HAMPTON A Northeast Iowa veteran who married his girlfriend just hours before dying of liver cancer last month will be honored with a memorial bench by his New Hampton classmates. Tristin Laue was 20 when he married Tianna on April 27, a ceremony planned quickly due to Laues advanced condition. Hours later, he died of a rare form of liver cancer. Thanks to family and friends, the couples story went viral, picked up by national and international news outlets in the weeks afterward. Tianna Laue said she thinks the response to the couples story shes heard from news organizations from all over, and gotten messages from strangers as far away as Germany and Japan was what her late husband would have wanted. He wanted our wedding to be big, she said in a message to The Courier on Friday. Its comforting to think hes looking down and seeing how many people know a little bit of him now and, even if it wasnt in the exact same way he wanted, he got his wish. Fellow New Hampton High School Class of 2016 classmate Grace Tolliver created a site to raise money for a memorial bench and Laues name on a special school pathway. The Class of 2016 mourns our beloved classmate Tristin Laue, she wrote in the appeal. We thought it would be a great opportunity to honor him with a memorial bench and his name on the Chickasaw Legacy Pathway. The fundraiser exceeded its goal of $5,000 Tuesday and and continued to climb. All proceeds will be going directly to the memorial as well as any funds left over will be going to help his loved ones in any way they need, she wrote in the appeal. Help us remember a great Chickasaw who brought laughter and kindness to us all! Laues aunt, Kelly Larson, wrote on Facebook that Laue was diagnosed with a very rare Stage 4 liver cancer in January of 2017 at the age of 18, just after finishing Army National Guard boot camp training. Chemotherapy didnt work, but surgery and an immunotherapy treatment seemed to be helping his tumors were found to have shrunk by December 2017. Laue was medically discharged from the military and enrolled at the University of Northern Iowa, Larson said, and got a job and an apartment when he found out sometime in 2018 the treatments were no longer working. He met Tiana in December 2018, Larson wrote. They dated and fell in love, despite his unknown future, she said. When it was clear Laue, by now in hospice care at home, didnt have much more time, he proposed to Tianna on Easter Sunday, April 21. She said yes, and family and friends hustled to make the wedding ceremony happen quickly. His dad and stepmom rallied the community and the following Saturday, April 27th, they got married, surrounded by many of their family and friends, on a snowy spring day, Larson wrote. He died 5 hours later, still surrounded by loved ones. Photos on the Go Fund Me page show an emaciated but smiling Laue holding his wifes hand he in a dress shirt and tie, she in a white wedding gown and veil. Tristins story reminds me of grace, of the power of love, of beauty in the hardest times. Of not giving up and embracing what there is to embrace in life, Larson wrote. Whatever you take from this story, I hope it inspires something of life and love in your heart today. To visit the Go Fund Me page, click here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tristin-laue-memorial-bench Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 5 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. CEDAR FALLS A former Courier opinion page editor died Saturday after an accident at home. Terry Hudson, 57, of Cedar Falls, won numerous writing awards during his career in journalism. He started at the Tri-City Herald in Kennewick, Wash., after serving in the U.S. Navy. He was hired by The Courier in 2001, working as an education reporter prior to becoming an editor. He left the newspaper in 2015 for a job at Amperage Marketing and most recently was a customer representative for Care Initiatives Hospice. All of us at The Courier are stunned at the loss of Terry, who was an extremely talented journalist and friend, said Editor Nancy Newhoff, calling him a real cheerleader for the Cedar Valley. He had a really great talent for writing about community issues that laid out both sides. He clearly was able to guide The Couriers voice on a lot of local issues in his editorials. The community has lost a really great individual, added Newhoff. Hudson, who had five siblings, was born in California and his family lived in Colorado before moving to Cedar Falls in 1966. Both parents were teachers. One of his two sisters, Holly Hudson, formerly worked for The Courier. She returned to the Cedar Valley after he told her about an opening at the paper. He was my big brother and he was a tough act to follow, she said. He was probably the reason I decided to become a journalist. It was a blessing I got to work with him so long. Her brother got married after returning to Iowa. He and his wife, Keri, celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary earlier this month. They were a perfect pair, said Holly. Probably his biggest gift was how he related to people, she added, noting that when he met someone they became instant friends. She hopes people remember his laugh, for sure, and just his big heart. He valued people, he touched a lot of lives and made a strong connection with people. Hudsons funeral service is at 10:30 a.m. Friday at Nazareth Lutheran Church in Cedar Falls. Visitation is from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Richardson Funeral Home in Cedar Falls and an hour before the service at the church. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 18 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. CEDAR FALLS A public meeting to review revised Cedar Falls flood maps will be from 5 to 7 p.m. May 29 at City Hall, 220 Clay St. The open house will include a short presentation to describe the preliminary mapping project. Property owners can view maps and learn how their projected flood risk may have changed. Information on the project timeline, comment and appeals and flood insurance will also be provided. Representatives from FEMA and the Iowa DNR will be on hand to answer questions. The preliminary maps are an update of existing maps that date back to 2011. The maps will be the basis for floodplain management measures. Insurance companies will use the maps to determine flood insurance rates. Some buildings could for the first time be included in a high-risk flood zone, known as the special flood hazard area. This may result in affected property owners being required to purchase flood insurance. If you are unable to attend this meeting, the information is available on the citys website at www.cedarfalls.com/flood. Residents with additional questions can contact the Cedar Falls Planning and Community Services Division at 276-8600. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 DENVER Jim Hamlyn still has the lucky silver dollar an aunt gave him to wear around his neck in Vietnam. He emerged from a 12-month tour of duty there in 1966-67 with that silver dollar, a Bronze Star for valor in combat, some haunting memories and his life. Some of his comrades, some of them Waterloo West High School students he walked the halls with in the 1960s, werent as lucky. It was a real bad deal, said Hamlyn. He also brought back a large amount of rare 8 mm home movie footage. It, and he, will be the subject of a half-hour documentary to be aired on public television stations around the nation this year. It will be shown in Waterloo at West Highs Kersenbrock Auditorium at 7 p.m. Wednesday, free of charge. The documentary is dedicated to his fallen buddies and schoolmates, and its title came right out of Hamlyns mouth. Its called A Bad Deal: My Vietnam Story. It was produced by Illinois public television station WSIU at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale in cooperation with Iowa Public Television. Its being picked up by roughly 100 public television stations around the country through American Public Television. Our documentary is going national, to almost 200 million potential viewers. Were so very excited, said WSIU production specialist Mark St. George, producer and director of the documentary. Sixty-seven percent of all the PBS stations have said yes. Hamlyn is a 1965 West High graduate who lives in Denver, Iowa. He is retired from John Deere. He served in the 196th Light Infantry Brigade in Vietnam. St. George said the commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Carbondale made him aware of Hamlyn and his film as WSIU was interviewing Vietnam veterans in that area. The documentary actually sprang from the West Class of 65s 50th anniversary reunion in 2015. For that event, Hamlyn and classmates Barb Hessel and Linda Cain produced a video, Fallen Heroes, about their fallen classmates and the spouse of another. Hamlyn digitized his old 8 mm footage from Vietnam and used some of it in that video. He also began to show it to veterans groups. Word spread, and WSIU officials eventually caught wind of it. It was originally intended to be used in a compilation of local and regional veterans stories, concurrent with a national airing on PBS of the Ken Burns and Lynn Novick film Vietnam. But Hamlyns footage was so compelling WSIU wanted to do an individual documentary on it. They also asked Hamlyn to be interviewed for it at IPTV studios in Johnston near Des Moines. Hamlyns footage is amazing, St. George said. That, and the narrative from Hamlyns interview, really tells the story of the soldiers on the ground. Hamlyn stressed he agreed to the documentary, without compensation, on one condition. I said, I give you rights to that film if you make notice that its dedicated to the West High School students that were killed in Vietnam, he said. They are acknowledged at the end of the film and on its website, wsiu.org/abaddeal. Production was completed and submitted to American Public Television in January for nationwide distribution. Jim is doing this for the benefit of his community and to educate others, St. George said. This was all about education. For me to be able do that for Jim and to show that we honor all these servicemen, it was a nice opportunity. The documentary features an original musical score by Joe Maddock. Emotional memories Hamlyn noted he surprised himself during the interview at IPTV, when he was overcome with emotion as he recalled his first day in combat. He heard machine gun fire at the front of his convoy and later saw the bodies of a half dozen of his fellow soldiers. We started advancing forward, and when I got up there, I saw these guys, they were laying with ponchos over their front and their boots were just sticking out, he told the Courier. I hadnt thought about that for 40 years, and I teared up an started crying during the interview. He also recalled the engagement for which he was awarded the Bronze Star. A four-man land mine detection crew ahead of his unit was caught under enemy fire in an ambush. Hamlyn, a reconnaissance scout manning an M-60 heavy machine gun, was assigned to cover them from his position on a Jeep. There was shooting going on everywhere. These guys were up front and they were pinned down, he recalled. He grabbed two 200-round ammunition belts, ran up to the mine detection crews position with the machine gun and laid down covering fire so they, and he, could fall back to the main body of soldiers. American planes called in by a superior officer then took out the enemy positions. As the shooting subsided, Hamlyn picked up his camera and filmed the air strikes, which are captured in the documentary. While he saved those soldiers lives, another saved his. One of his buddies fell on an enemy grenade while they were on night watch. He and two other soldiers were on night duty, each taking turns standing watch while the others slept. Hamlyn was trying to sleep when he heard the thud of the grenade hitting the ground. Im laying flat and it lands near my right foot, Hamlyn said. The guy yells Grenade! and jumps on top of me. It blew him all to hell the lower part of him. And the guy to the left of me, it knocked him out. They evacuate both of them and Im still there. I get scratches and some hand grenade fragments in my hand. My left hand. Which is the furthest point from where the grenade went down on the ground. How in the hell? Hamlyn doesnt know whether his comrade who fell on the grenade survived. I think so. But I never, ever saw him again, he said. Ive done searches and everything to try to find him. Hamlyn hopes the documentary will help him find such long-lost comrades. I want to thank him so bad, he said. This might give me that opportunity. Waterloo Schools spokesperson Tara Thomas, who will introduce Wednesdays screening at West, said Hamlyn is also donating a shadow box in honor of West Highs Vietnam fallen. It will hang alongside a painting artist and classmate Stephen Levey did from a photo that appeared in the Courier in May 2017 from an Honor Flight several West Class of 65 alums made to Washington, D.C. The photo, taken by classmate Dave Allbaugh, shows classmate and Vietnam vet Matt Nutt at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial The Wall pointing out the name of a fallen classmate. That painting is to be dedicated at 1 p.m. Friday at West. More information on the Hamlyn documentary, including future broadcast dates, is at wsiu.org/abaddeal. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Democrats are outraged, Republicans are preparing counterpunches and Trump is gloating. After more than two years (22 months under Special Counsel Robert Mueller) listening to charges of presidential/Russian conspiracy, Mueller reported no conspiracy was found. Its become great theater as both sides in this drama are now hogging the stage. The drama started with FBI Director James Comeys questionable handling of the 2016 investigation of candidate Hillary Clintons computer security negligence. Comey became the story and Trump removed him. Comey had leaked information to the press hoping a special counsel would be named, and eventually along came Mueller. William Barr became attorney general just before Muellers investigation concluded. Here is my laymans analysis of a few questions many of us are asking. Q: When did Mueller become aware there was no evidence of a Trump/Russia conspiracy? The Steele dossier was the basis for the FISA warrants that were central to the investigation. Soon after Muellers appointment it was known the dossier was unsubstantiated and financed by Clinton and the DNC. Without substantiation, there was no legal basis for the warrants. Comments by Sen. Dianne Feinstein and James Clapper, Americas top spy, indicated there was no evidence. And FBI official Peter Strzok texted Lisa Page there was no big there, there. Mueller was certainly aware of this soon after taking charge. Before the end of 2017, Mueller decided not to renew allegations of conspiracy, and existing FISA warrants lapsed. So, why did Mueller let the president twist in the wind? Was he hoping for a slip up by Trump? Refer to commentaries by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew McCarthy for further analyses. Q: Why didnt Mueller conclude about obstruction of justice? The frequently reported reason is that the Justice Department has a policy a sitting president cant be indicted. It seems in spite of the restrictive department policy, Mueller could disclose the evidence worthy of prosecution without issuing an indictment. He did conclude there was no conspiracy with Russia. If Mueller had found indictable conspiracy violations, he could have communicated that fact without violating the policy. So why didnt he offer a straight-forward opinion on obstruction? His equivocation is being described as an extraordinary legal defect. One could argue Mueller didnt do his job. Mueller wrote: While this report does not conclude that the President committed a crime, it also does not exonerate him. That seems unusual and is part of the legal defect referred to above. Our justice system presumes innocence, and a prosecutors job isnt exoneration. Rather, a prosecutor makes prosecutorial decisions. In effect, Mueller said to AG Barr, here, you do it, and the AG did. Barr was determined to conclude the justice systems proper role in this, and extricate it from being weaponized by Congress. And he told the Senate Judiciary Committee exactly that. Q: Doesnt the president have to succumb to congressional oversight? The president is definitely subject to oversight, and Democrats accuse Trump of ignoring the fact Congress is a co-equal branch. But Democrats are forgetting that the president is also obliged and sworn to use all his powers and legal rights to enforce the law. That responsibility includes protecting the executive branchs constitutional authority. Q: The House is contemplating holding Barr in contempt, and impeach Barr is being leaked from Democrats lips. Why are Democrats going after Barr so aggressively? Maybe they feel the best defense is an aggressive offense. One purpose is to keep the Trump accusations alive as long as possible ideally through the 2020 presidential election cycle. They hate Trump and want to control the narrative. And Democrats know their own are next on the hot seat. They want to discredit Barrs investigation into the unsubstantiated Steele dossier the original basis for the failed conspiracy investigation. And theres an FBI investigation into a high-level coup attempt to get Trump. What goes around ... I believe Barr has conclusively lowered the curtain on this sad performance. Lets move on without wasting more time. Let the voters in 2020 be the final judge. Steve Bakke is a Courier subscriber living in Fort Myers, Fla. He is a retired CPA and commercial finance executive. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 No one I know has ever witnessed a train wreck. As such, when a friend or colleague says or writes that an event was like watching a train wreck happen, Im pretty sure it wasnt like watching a train wreck happen. Until May 5, that is, when President Donald J. Twitter used his thumbs to announce he would boost the current 10 percent American tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese goods to 25 percent because, he explained, the Chinese had backpedaled on an almost completed trade deal. That unilateral action kicked off a week of rising political tension and falling commodity prices. China quickly answered with tariff hikes of its own. It said it would increase current tariffs on $60 billion of U.S. goods and on June 1 hit 5,000 more U.S. products with 25 percent tariffs. The White House responded by saying it would place tariffs on $300 billion more Chinese goods imported into the U.S. Markets cracked on the news. Nearly $2 trillion drained from New York equity markets in a week. Commodity prices followed; both new and old crop corn and soybean futures sagged to life-of-contract lows May 13. (All rebounded May 14, however, on news of crop planting delays and a possible federal bailout.) The president, ever worried about his red-and-rural voter base, quickly took to Twitter to reassure farmers he had their backs. Initially, he explained, he would use part of the tariffs paid by China to purchase excess U.S. commodities that would then be sent to poor & starving countries in the form of humanitarian aid. The idea, of course, was Grade A malarkey for two key reasons. First, as every farm group economist has said repeatedly for a year, China doesnt pay U.S.-imposed tariffs; U.S. purchasers of Chinese goods pay them. That means there is no pot of Chinese gold for the federal government to buy American commodities to buck up prices and then give away for free. Also, as Chuck Abbott of FERNs Ag Insider, explained in his May 13 report, even If Trumps proposal is implemented, it would expand U.S. food donations 10 times or more from recent levels at the same time the administration wants to shut down the premier U.S. food-aid program. In fact, Abbott continued, the White Houses 2020 U.S. Department of Agriculture budget proposal, asked for no funding for the inefficient food aid approach of shipping U.S.-grown food to recipients overseas. When both of those tweeted turkeys failed to fly, the president with Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue acting as his echo chamber tossed out his latest plan: send patriot farmers $15 billion in reciprocal cash which, he said, is equal to the biggest purchase China ever made. Again, there is no reciprocal whatever that means cash. Moreover, the biggest purchase, noted FERNs Abbott, for U.S. exports to China was $25.7 billion in fiscal 2014, or nearly $11 billion more than the presidents suggested 2019 bailout of his 2018 bailout. No one in the White House, on Capitol Hill or at USDA has said definitively where the billions will come from. The likeliest piggy bank is USDAs Commodity Credit Corp., or CCC. A year ago, the Trump Administration borrowed $12 billion from the CCC for mitigation payments cold cash to soothe rural bruises after the White Houses first dive into the tariff tarpit. Now comes a likely second, even bigger raid. All of which leaves U.S. farmers, who less than three years ago strongly backed what they were told was the most free market, most free trade Congress and White House in a generation, again waiting for government bailout checks as the White House continues to hand hard-won export markets to global competitors. Even worse, few in Congress or the White House have either the courage or plan to stop this runaway locomotive. On second thought, this is exactly what a train wreck looks like when its happening. The Farm and Food File is published weekly through the U.S. and Canada. Source material and contact information are posted at www.farmandfoodfile.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Tom McCuin served two tours as an Army public affairs officer in Afghanistan, and worked closely with local nationals hired by American forces. They were not only our language interpreters, they were our cultural interpreters, he wrote on clearancejobs.com, a site that lists openings for individuals with government security clearances. Our interpreters were our bridge to the local population. They were locals themselves, who knew the lay of the land. Their service was, in a word, invaluable. One of those locals, whom McCuin called Hamid in his post, was severely wounded in an attack that killed his brother and another interpreter. And yet when Hamid tried to immigrate to America under a special visa program that rewards faithful service to the United States by Afghan and Iraqi nationals, he was turned down as a security risk. If Hamid is a threat to American security, then so am I, wrote an outraged McCuin. The rejection of his visa is a stain on our national reputation. Yes, it is an indelible stain. And yet, the shameful stories of Hamid and U.S. employees like him in both Afghanistan and Iraq are largely unknown. They are victims of a broad and brutal crackdown on all illegal immigrants by the Trump administration, which harbors a special animosity toward potential newcomers from Muslim countries. The president, after all, during the campaign, called for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States. He had to settle for a partial travel ban after repeated defeats in federal court, but he continually throws up bureaucratic roadblocks that have been quite effective at thwarting potential immigrants like Hamid. Only 1,650 Afghan employees of the U.S. mission immigrated to America during fiscal year 2018 under the special visa program a drop of 60 percent. Many thousands remain on waiting lists, and while Congress did add 4,000 visas to the program last January, delays and denials amount to a death sentence for many of those left behind. This is a betrayal of the brave men and women who stood by the side of U.S. armed forces in the face of great personal risk, Scott Cooper, founder of Veterans for American Ideals, told the journal Foreign Policy. Hamids experience of sacrificing for America is repeated by Afghans like Mohammed, who worked for the United States on agricultural development projects and emigrated under the special visa program three years ago. He was forced to leave his homeland after a criminal gang kidnapped his 10-year-old brother; he liquidated his life savings to ransom his brother back. Ive been more faithful to this country than many people who were born here, Mohammed told us recently. The foreign nationals who work for American missions abroad defend American values; we contribute to American safety. He is one of the lucky ones. His visa application took almost three years, but finally came through. Many others have not been so fortunate. An Afghan named Naseri survived countless ambushes in the more than five years he spent interpreting for U.S. troops, reports the Washington Post. His visa application was approved in June of 2017, but the Post recounts the torment that followed: Naseri sold everything he had his car, furniture, clothes, appliances, his childrens toys and flew to Dubai with his wife and three young daughters on a flight bound for Houston. Then he was stopped in the airport. There was a problem with their visas, but no explanation. Naseri and his family were forced to return to Afghanistan. Taliban gangs have tried to break into his house and threatened to kill him. He remains in hiding while former military officers he once worked with try to revive his application. These guys were trusted to be in one of the most austere environments to fight to the death with Americans if need be, John Farris, a retired Marine, told the Post. We became brothers out there. The betrayals of Hamid and Naseri typify U.S. policy. Thousands of Afghans and Iraqis who served this country honorably and fearlessly, who fought side by side with American troops and became their brothers, are being abandoned by this administration. And the stain is not just a moral one. This perfidy will seriously damage Americas ability to recruit allies and employees in other places at other times. It sends a message the United States cant be trusted to keep its word, Rep. Michael Waltz, a Florida Republican and former Army Green Beret, told the Post. In this and so many vital areas, that violation of trust has become this presidents lasting legacy around the world. Steve and Cokie Roberts can be contacted by email at stevecokie@gmail.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Global warming DAVID VOIGTS JESUP Earths climate has warmed in the past, so why is it now called a crisis? Its because the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, a group of 1,300 independent scientific experts from countries all over the world, found the average world temperature is at the highest level in recorded history, and it is rising very fast. Scientists also know that atmospheric carbon dioxide will cause Earth to warm ever since 1896 when Swedish physicist Svante Arrhenius found the link. Atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are now 40% greater than they have been in 800,000 years. In the past when acid rain threatened our eastern forests, the government and industry acted. The Clean Air Act was strengthened and electric utilities invested millions to build scrubbers to remove sulfur dioxide, which caused the acid rain, from their combustion emissions. The result was cleaner air and healthier forests. Today when scientists have concluded there is more than a 90% probability carbon dioxide and other human-produced greenhouse gases are warming our planet rapidly, it is again time to act. That is unless the vast majority of climate scientists, including those at Iowas universities, are either incompetent or liars. Trade war DAVE HOTH WATERLOO China is a disgusting country. WoodPro, an 80-year-old family-owned company, has closed its doors; 900 more $15- to $20-an-hour jobs gone. As a former plant manager who knows this idiot system that targets American manufacturing, China tariffs our goods. We get punished. It boggles my mind people who are worried about the gap between rich and poor are upset Trump wants to make it fair. Why is it wrong that we treat them the same as they treat us? You may not like Trump, and for good reason, but he is the only president that has gone after this. The fact soybeans, etc., are being charged more is not our fault. It is China that is doing this. Why is it a bad thing to tax Chinese-made products the same as they tax ours? For the record, no way would FDR, Kennedy or Truman would tolerate Chinas trade policies. If I have to pay more money for products to keep them in line, fine. It will always boggle my mind why unions dont get on board with this. Womens health ERINN CRANE WATERLOO There were more abortions before Roe v. Wade in 1968 than in 2015, according to the CDC. The reason for this was increased funding for contraception and womens health care over the last 45 years. Places like Planned Parenthood take no tax money for abortions, but they are the largest organization that helps prevent the need for abortions. I am a mother, an RN and a Catholic, and I know locking desperate women up for having an abortion will not solve the issue. We need to focus on the proven method of preventing abortions in the first place. Abortion is a political issue that many politicians, including (Joni) Ernst and (President) Trump, use to gain votes. They tout eliminating the very methods for reducing the abortion rate and focus purely on the legality of the issue. This will not reduce abortions but will only fire up their base to get votes. If you want to stop abortions, support candidates who believe in health care for all and funding for contraception and womens health care. School project CAROLE FREKING WATERLOO Hooray for Orange Elementary fifth-graders and their teacher Stacey Snyder for winning the regional Geo-Challenge at the University of Northern Iowa (story April 29). They are a model for the rest of our Cedar Valley in their creativity and courage in addressing the wasteful use of plastic and Styrofoam in modern daily life. When you have real dishes and dishwashers, why do we choose to use disposables for any size of group? Hopefully all schools and families and institutions will follow Oranges example. Way to go. Listen to facts BOB KAISER CEDAR FALLS You have heard the term political correctness many times, but is it important or is it being promoted by those with certain agendas? I would suggest there are those who want to candy coat subjects instead of calling a spade a spade. They say they are being offended by what someone says, and although you may not set out to intentionally offend someone, you do have the right of free speech. It seems people are getting more thin-skinned every day. To those with the thin skin, buck up, get over it. Listen to the message and the facts and dont criticize the messenger. Stick to the facts and not the delivery. Ask yourself, can I agree to disagree or do I have to have my way? Can I give my point of view without elevating my voice? Am I even willing to listen to someone elses viewpoint? When is the last time you really changed your mind on anything important? Do you listen to those who propose a different focus, or do you change channels on the TV? Drug ads CRAIG HUNDLEY WATERLOO Like millions of Americans, Im diabetic. At least 20 times a day, Im reminded by some drug company that I have a 50% more chance of dying from a stroke or heart attack. Thanks so much for just making my day! Im sick of drug companies selling their wares on TV. I wrote my congressional representatives asking them to go back to the way it was and ban prescription drug ads. I got a nice long letter back from Sen. Joni Ernsts office. The letter told me the senator is working to get the cost of prescription drugs down and working on the opioid epidemic. First, Joni, the illegal opioids are coming from India and China and the dark web. Maybe your representatives should do some homework. Cigarettes kill 560,000 Americans each year and cost Medicare hundreds of millions. You dont care about those deaths, do you? The hush money tobacco pays in taxes keeps the government funded. We are sick of prescription drug pushing on TV. Far-fetched claims JOHN DAHLBY WAVERLY Recent articles about the numbers of species that are in danger of extinction is disturbing. No doubt this needs our attention. One news outlet included some suggestions of what we can do as individuals. One suggestion that caught my attention was that we should eat less meat, because a single hamburger takes 660 gallons of water to produce. A quick search on the internet verified a study had indeed determined a one-third-pound hamburger requires 660 gallons of water to produce. Lets do the math. A 1,200-pound steer can produce 750 pounds of beef from which we could create 2,250 hamburgers. Multiplying by 660 gallons and youll find that it takes 1,485,000 gallons of water for one steer. The steer might drink 15,000 gallons of water during its lifetime, which leaves more than 1.4 million gallons of water to raise the food source and create the hamburger for sale. Really? Im not sure what assumptions led to the 660-gallon figure, but I am skeptical. Seemingly far-fetched claims like this causes environmentalists to lose credibility. The future of our environment, if we dont change our ways, is scary enough without casually throwing out statistics like this. Enough said JUDY CIESIELSKI WATERLOO A mailmans quote today after talking to him about the Waterloo City Councils vote to put down a pit bull. He said, People have bad days and so do dogs. Enough said. Stop handouts TIM BURRACK Fayette County farmer ARLINGTON National issues continue to loom large over Iowa farmers this planting season. In addition to ongoing trade tensions, decisions by the Environmental Protection Agency threaten our biofuels sector. Specifically, the EPA continues to hand out dozens of secret exemptions to big oil companies, allowing them to bypass federal biofuel laws. The EPA was never given authority to hand out blanket exemptions to large, profitable fossil fuel corporations. Congress enacted the Renewable Fuel Standard to provide critical market access for farmers and a fair opportunity for homegrown biofuels to compete at the pump. These exemptions have destroyed demand for 2.6 billion gallons of biofuel, which translates to nearly one billion bushels of grain. If these handouts continue, every harvest will continue to lose value. One in five Iowans are employed in agriculture, and without that productivity the entire rural economy suffers. A recent Department of Commerce report found farm income decreased by $11.8 billion since December alone. The EPA must halt this decline. Iowa is fortunate to have leaders like Sens. (Joni) Ernst and (Chuck) Grassley who are advocating on behalf of Iowa farmers, but time is becoming a factor. Leaders in D.C. need to stop these handouts now. 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Shamsie in Newsweek Pakistan: This January, Hussein Fancy, an American academic of Pakistani origin, received the Herbert Baxter Adams Prize, awarded annually by the American Historical Association to honor a distinguished book published in English in the field of European history, for his groundbreaking work The Mercenary Mediterranean: Sovereignty, Religion, and Violence in the Medieval Crown of Aragon. This isnt the first prize awarded to this book: it had earlier been the recipient of the Jans F. Verbruggen Prize from De Re Militari for the best book in medieval military history and the L. Carl Brown AIMS Book Prize in North African Studies. These three very different prizes, each with different parameters, indicate the range and importance of Fancys research. Through his exploration of the relationship between the Christian kings of Aragon in medieval Spain and their privileged, deeply religious Muslim soldiers, the jenets in the 13th and 14th centuries, Fancy sheds new light into the interactions between Muslims and Christians in the Middle Ages in a bid to rethink the study of religion more broadly. He questions the view of modern scholars that these Muslim-Christian alliances were essentially political and secular. He concludes instead that the Muslim jenetswere deeply religious. They were originally Berbers from North Africa where they were known as al Ghuzah al Mujahid and their collaboration with the Christian kings of Aragon was neither opposed to something called religion, nor reducible to it. More here. Audrey Hepburn was one of the most celebrated actresses of the 20th century and a winner of Academy, Tony, Grammy, and Emmy awards. She was a style icon and, in later life, a tireless humanitarian who worked to improve conditions for children in some of the poorest communities in Africa and Asia as an ambassador for UNICEF. But this extraordinary individual was the product of an extremely difficult childhood. Her father was a British subject and something of a rake and her mother was a minor Dutch noblewoman. Both of her parents flirted with the Nazis in the 1930s. Her mother met Adolf Hitler and wrote favorable articles about him for the British Union of Fascists. After abandoning the family in 1935, her father moved to England and became so active with Oswald Mosleys fascists that he was interned during World War II. As a child, Hepburn rarely saw him. Hepburn was shipped off to a small boarding school in England where she fell in love with the world of dance. With the outbreak of the war, her mother brought her back to the Netherlands. There, she became a reluctant observer of the brutal Nazi occupation of Western Europe from 1940 to 1945. Her early life is the subject of Robert Matzens latest book, Dutch Girl: Audrey Hepburn and World War II. This is the third book that Matzen has devoted to leading figures of Hollywoods Golden Age during the war years. As with his earlier volumes, Mission: Jimmy Stewart and the Fight for Europe and Fireball: Carole Lombard and the Mystery of Flight 3, this book dives deep into a corner of his subjects life that gets little attention from most biographers. Matzen believes that what Hepburn, Stewart, and Lombard did during the war is interesting in its own right, and that their experiences fundamentally shaped their lives and provide insights into their characters. More here. Eliza Mackintosh at CNN: On a recent afternoon in Helsinki, a group of students gathered to hear a lecture on a subject that is far from a staple in most community college curriculums. Standing in front of the classroom at Espoo Adult Education Centre, Jussi Toivanen worked his way through his PowerPoint presentation. A slide titled Have you been hit by the Russian troll army? included a checklist of methods used to deceive readers on social media: image and video manipulations, half-truths, intimidation and false profiles. Another slide, featuring a diagram of a Twitter profile page, explained how to identify bots: look for stock photos, assess the volume of posts per day, check for inconsistent translations and a lack of personal information. The lesson wrapped with a popular deepfake highly realistic manipulated video or audio of Barack Obama to highlight the challenges of the information war ahead. The course is part of an anti-fake news initiative launched by Finlands government in 2014 two years before Russia meddled in the US elections aimed at teaching residents, students, journalists and politicians how to counter false information designed to sow division. More here. David Wallace-Wells in New York Magazine: Jared Diamonds new book, Upheaval, addresses itself to a world very obviously in crisis, and tries to lift some lessons for what do about it from the distant past. In that way, its not so different from all the other books that have made the UCLA geographer a sort of don of big think history and a perennial favorite of people like Steven Pinker and Bill Gates. Diamonds life as a public intellectual began with his 1991 book The Third Chimpanzee, a work of evolutionary psychology, but really took off with Guns, Germs, and Steel, published in 1997, which offered a three-word explanation for the rise of the West to the status of global empire in the modern era and, even published right at the end of history, got no little flak from critics who saw in it both geographic determinism and what they might today call a whiff of Western supremacy. In 2005, he published Collapse, a series of case studies about what made ancient civilizations fall into disarray in the face of environmental challenges a doorstopper that has become a kind of touchstone work for understanding the crisis of climate change today. In The World Until Yesterday, published in 2012, he asked what we can learn from traditional societies; and in his new book, he asks what we can learn from ones more like our own that have faced upheaval but nevertheless endured. More here. Maya Jasnoff in The Guardian: Its a well-known saying that women lost us the empire, the film director David Lean said in 1985. Its true. Hed just released his acclaimed adaptation of A Passage to India, EM Forsters novel in which a British womans accusation of sexual assault compromises a friendship between British and Indian men. Misogyny may not be the first prejudice associated with British imperialists, but it has proved as enduring as it was powerful. As Katie Hickman discovered when she started writing about British women in India, Leans view (if not Forsters) remains stubbornly embedded in our consciousness. Everyone she talked to knew that if it were not for the snobbery and racial prejudice of the memsahibs there would, somehow, have been far greater harmony and accord between the races. Her book, vivaciously written and richly descriptive, offers a rebuke to such stereotypes. She animates a cast of British women who travelled to India before the 1857 rebellion. They included bakers, dressmakers, actresses, portrait painters, maids, shopkeepers, governesses, teachers, boarding house proprietors missionaries, doctors, geologists, plant-collectors, writers even traders and some of them might not have been out of place in a Lean epic of their own. A clue as to how strange the Englishwomen may have appeared in turn comes from the 1838 diary of Fanny Eden (sister of the governor-general Lord Auckland), who on concluding a visit to one zenana was startled when her hostesses took a fit of fun and instead of quietly pouring attar of roses over our hands as was conventional took to smearing our gowns all over with it, laughing vehemently at the utter ruin they were perpetrating. More here. Full slate planned in 2022 by Aberdeen Community Theatre Aberdeen Community Theatre eased in to 2021 with three live performances and is now planning six live stage performances in 2022. Prev 1 of 5 Next Micaceous clay potter Angie Yazzie still hears the voice of her late grandmother intoning the words Patience, patience. The creator of eggshell-thin vessels that glitter like the stars, the Taos Pueblo/Navajo artist will be at the Native Treasures Art Market at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center this Memorial Day weekend. Visitors can browse the booths of 180 artists selling pottery, jewelry, paintings and photography in both traditional and contemporary styles. A portion of the proceeds supports the New Mexico Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. Yazzie grew up with a grandmother, Isabel Archuleta, who owned a curio shop at Taos Pueblo. Her grandfather made drums and traveled the U.S. in a traditional dance group. When Yazzies mother Mary became pregnant, she moved back to Taos from Albuquerque. Realizing Mary needed something to do, Isabel gave her some clay. Both women passed on their pottery skills to Yazzie. My grandmother taught me how to clean the clay and the firing techniques, she said. Isabel also led her granddaughter on hunts for the right clay in the Taos foothills, wielding five-gallon buckets into the forests off N.M 518. It was fun for me, because little kids like clay, Yazzie added. To get dirty was cool. By the time she reached eighth or ninth grade, her schoolmates were teasing her for her infatuation. She was already making money selling her work in her grandmothers shop. Soon tourists were asking for her work. Taos art galleries began calling for this micaceous master. Making pottery the traditional pueblo way is a physical process. First, Yazzie must find the clay, dig and clean it. Fifty percent of it is prep work, she said. She recites prayers of gratitude as she searches for the clay, asking for direction because all of this is for my family, she said. And for our collectors, the people who buy the work; it makes them happy. Some of her pieces have grown as large as 30-by-26 inches, weighing as little as 1.3 pounds. She uses the coil method to shape the pots. She jumps between pieces as the clay sets and dries, then fires them in a deep, yawning pit. The glittery stuff is the mica, which is glass, she said. I like to do the big ones, she continued, because it makes the peoples jaws drop. That adventurous spirit carries over into the walls of her vessels the thinner, the better; sometimes less than an eighth of an inch wide. This clay is so pliable its like gum, she said. Im able to pull as much as I can. Ive had a few casualties, she added. One collector called to complain about being shipped an empty box. He hadnt bothered to open it because it was so light. Larger pieces may take months to complete. You have to chop the wood for the firing, she said. Its a lot of physical work, which I love. I just love being active. Its all in prayer and solace; nothing can touch me. Today her work takes on unexpected shapes. Some edges resemble stair steps, others expand to the traditional four or eight directions. Im my own boss, she said. I tell myself, Angie, you can do better. I want to push the limits. Yazzies work was included in the 1999 School for Advanced Research book All That Glitters. In 2017, she won a trifecta of best in pottery, best in classification and best in division awards at the Santa Fe Indian Market. Celebrated cellist Felix Fan has attended Chatter concerts for several years, but May 26 marks his debut on its stage. The Santa Fe-based musician is one of the most sought after cellists of his generation, performing with Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Gil Shaham and the late cellist Janos Starker at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Royal Festival Hall. Hes been a regular performer at the Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival since he was a teenager. I love it; Ive been to concerts at Chatter, he said in a telephone interview from New York. I havent known (Chatter co-founder) David Felberg for that long, but I think what hes doing is amazing. Fan grew up in San Diego, the son of a music teacher mother and violist father who made sure he studied with the best teachers around. He started playing the violin at 3, switching to cello within a year. He wrote his first cello duet at 8. Its kind of the only thing I did as a kid, so I kept doing it, he said. I was already playing concerts in high school. He would later graduate from the Cologne Conservatory. The cellist also is a member of the FLUX contemporary music quartet. It was based on the FLUXUS art movement of the 60s, he said. Their motto was anything goes, so we adopted that thinking. Fan will perform the Brahms Quintet in G major with Chatter musicians Carmelo de los Santos (University of New Mexico violin professor), Stephen Redfield (Santa Fe Pro Musica concertmaster), Chatter artistic director David Felberg and Kim Fredenburgh, UNM viola professor. Its a classic, Fan said. Theres a reason hes considered one of the great composers. Its everything you ever wanted in Brahms. Its so lush, it reminds me of one of his orchestral pieces. Fan will solo on Ta una visione del Ramo Doro (A Vision of the Golden Branch) by the contemporary Italian composer Claudio Scannavini. Fan met Scannavini at a music festival in Cesena, Italy. He asked if I would be interested in playing this solo piece, Fan said. I heard one of his pieces and I liked it. Im always looking for new things to play. Its about 10 minutes long. Toward the end of June, Fan will fly to Philadelphia to play the Chinese composer Tan Duns Winter Passion. Dun wrote the music for Ang Lees 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, earning him an Academy Award. Fan plays the Haussman Stradivarius of 1724. Throughout May, Chatter performances are pay-what-you-wish from $1-$25, thanks to support from the city. La Cueva High School sophomore Jane Wei performed her first solo piano recital at the University of New Mexico at 13. By 2016, she was the gold medalist in the American Protege International Competition. Winning the Judges Distinction Award led to a performance at Carnegie Hall. This year, Wei won the Jackie McGehee Young Artists Competition and the chance to perform with the New Mexico Philharmonic on Saturday, May 25. String competition winner and cellist Abigail Monroe also will play. Wei will play Chopins Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11. She says the composers poetic genius drives her to study the instrument she began playing at 6. Its always very melodic and it flows really well, the 14-year-old pianist said. Its not based on tiny, little rules; its one flowing, romantic piece. Monroe, now 19, grew up in Santa Fe. Shes about to start her senior year at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. She discovered the cello by default. I was 9 years old and my family had just moved to Seattle for a year, she said. I wanted to take violin classes, but my mom couldnt drive me that day, so I decided to play the cello. Weis Russian-trained teacher Tatyana Bayliyeva advised her not to focus on competitions, but she kept winning and enjoying the process. I didnt think Id really make it this far, she said. I expected to drop out at one point. At my first competition, I was visibly shaking and I ended up playing the wrong piece, she added. Today Wei comes armed with techniques to conquer that nervousness. Pacing helps or listening to your piece, she said. The worst thing you can ever do is sit down and not do anything. She practices between four and five hours a day, sometimes keeping her parents up until 1 and 2 a.m. They do complain sometimes about me playing super late and keeping the entire house up, she said. Its gotten easier now. Despite such dedication, she doubts shell pursue the piano professionally. I dont believe Im going to do anything big in music, she said, mostly because Im scared its not stable. But also, Im interested in computer science. Monroe performed with the Santa Fe Youth Symphony and finished high school at Michigans Interlochen Arts Academy. She says guilt drives her regular practicing. Like many cellists, she says the sound of the instrument mimics that of the human voice. And unlike the violin, theres no screeching effect. Its one of those instruments that doesnt annoy other people, she said. Monroe will play Elgars Cello Concerto in E Minor, a piece she once heard a high school friend play. She thought it was too difficult for her to master. But her San Francisco teacher encouraged her to try it. It was very difficult, she said, but Im glad I finally got to do it. The concert will mark her first solo performance with a full orchestra. Its really exciting; very dramatic, she said of the Elgar piece. Its the last piece Elgar wrote before he died. Im playing the last movement. Its very reflective, like somebody looking back on his life. Monroe hopes to join a professional orchestra when she finishes school. I like the community atmosphere of it, she said. Suzan Shown Harjos accomplishments as a Native American activist have spanned more than five decades. The public policy leader, writer and curator is known for penning major legislation, including the 1978 American Indian Religious Freedom Act and the 1990 Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and assisting with many more. Harjo also led the first lawsuit against the Washington Redskins trademark, founded the Morning Star Institute for Native Issues and served as a liaison for Indian affairs in President Jimmy Carters administration. In 2014, President Barack Obama presented her with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. But before she made her mark on Washington, Harjo was the co-host of one of the first if not the first radio shows in the country focused on Native issues. The New York-based, biweekly show, Seeing Red, ran from 1968-1975. Nearly 90 seven-inch, reel-to-reel tapes of the show at least its believed the tapes are of Seeing Red, although they cant be heard in their current condition were part of the life archives that Harjo donated to the Institute of American Indian Arts two years ago. Theyll eventually be placed in a special oven for restoration before they can be digitized. Many of the tapes are labeled with the names of major activists, including Vine Deloria, an author, and Dennis Banks and Clyde Bellecourt, who helped start the American Indian Movement (AIM), a Native advocacy organization. One tape is labeled with the name and a setlist of Comanche guitarist Jesse Ed Davis, who in addition to his own albums was featured on records by Jackson Browne, Taj Mahal, Rod Stewart, native activist/poet John Trudell and many other stars. Some tapes are believed to contain poetry readings. Not much is known about the show today, said IAIA archivist Ryan Flahive, on the internet or from scholars of radio history. He said the current leadership at the Pacifica Foundation, the nonprofit company that owned WBAI the nonprofit radio station that aired Harjos show arent familiar with it, either. But Flahive is hoping to raise the shows profile anew with an IAIA project that received grant funding this month. With nearly $20,000 from the D.C.-based Council on Library and Information Resources, as part of the councils Recordings at Risk program, IAIA will preserve and digitize the Harjo tapes, and make the audio available online. I think one of the biggest problems with the way we teach history of Native peoples in our schools is that we forget that theyre still here, Flahive said. And we forget they have a very recent history, not just moments like Wounded Knee in 1893. Theyre still here, he said. This is kind of describing their current reality, Flahive said of Seeing Red. What these tapes do is lead us up to the Self-Determination Act of 1975, it leads us up to AIM in 1974 and leads us up to all of those other acts that Suzan Harjo started with, including congressional measures protecting Native graves, religious freedom and sacred places. Flahive said none of that would have happened without the people Harjo interviewed setting a stage, and without Suzan Harjo giving them a voice. Everyone was trying to assert who they were In a recent phone interview with the Journal, Harjo, now 73, called the plans to preserve her radio shows wonderful. Recalling how Seeing Red got started, Harjo said she listened to WBAI while staying home with her newborn child in New York. She and Flahive both described WBAI as a center for alternative, liberal viewpoints that werent represented in mainstream media. Harjo called the station free speech radio. I loved what I heard and loved what I was learning from everyone on the air, Harjo recalled. But, she added, once in a while there was something on Native people, and it was always wrong. She said she and her late husband, Frank Harjo, co-produced Seeing Red on a volunteer basis. Many of the people she remembers having on the show were good friends of the Harjos Suzan described the activist/artist Native community at the time as having just one degree of separation. AIM co-founder Dennis Banks, whose name is on the label for a tape in the collection now at IAIA, was one of the shows go-to commentators because he was a very effective educator and a quick thinker, Harjo said. Among musicians, she recalls artists like guitarist Davis, as well as jazz saxophonist Jim Pepper, playing on the show. And WBAI hosted the first reading of Pulitzer Prize-winning Native author N. Scott Momadays 1969 book The Way to Rainy Mountain. The show also covered historical events like the Bureau of Indian Affairs building takeover of 1972, as well as a live program with activists who had just returned from the Wounded Knee Occupation of 1973. Overall, Hardo said, the show aimed to bust stereotypes and shed light on Native-specific civil rights issues in a way that wasnt monolithic. Hot topics relating to religious freedom, saving Native languages, treaty rights, the treatment of Native students in boarding schools and police brutality against indigenous people were all addressed. She said the content was aimed at both Native and non-Native people. We didnt want it to be something that would be laughed at by our own people you never want to embarrass yourself we didnt want it to be so simplistic that it would be that result, or so in the weeds that people would just get lost, she said. In that era, Harjo said, Everyone was trying to assert who they were. African Americans were, and women were, and the gay people were. Anywhere you looked in American society, people were trying to explain themselves to other people and say this is who we are, this is what we mean to be, this is what were trying to be and this is whats preventing us from that. We were a part of that overall movement. Anxious to hear the tapes Whats on the collection of tapes at IAIA is a mystery. Flahive hasnt been able to listen to them. He doesnt know if they contain what their labels say, or if theyve been taped over, or even if they are really recordings of Seeing Red. Many of the tapes are believed to suffer from sticky-shed syndrome, a humidity-caused condition that affects magnetic media. Because the tapes have been sitting in boxes in a Harjos D.C. brownstone home since 1972 without a HVAC system, a white residue has caused the reels to stick together and makes them impossible to play. Most of the $20,000 will go toward sending the collection to the audio preservation department at the Northeast Document Conservation Center in Andover, Massachusets. They will put these in a scientific oven to a very specific, consistent temperature that will then release that residue so they can unwind them, rewind them and reformat them, Flahive explained. He expects that process to be completed by January. IAIA will then be given digital copies on hard drives with embedded metadata, along with reboxed, master preservation copies. The school also plans to give copies to Pacifica, which technically owns the content. Im anxious and excited to get them back and to listen, said Flahive. I just want to know whats on it. Flahive envisions making a book of transcriptions, as well as designing curricula for students as young as elementary school using the Seeing Red content. For scholars interested in researching history of AIM, as well as the history of radio, he thinks this could be an important collection. The 20-year rule Harjo explained what she calls the 20-year rule, under which the American public discovers Native people and issues about every two decades. She said that was happening in the 70s when her show was airing, helped along by the release of Dee Browns 1970 book, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee, in the early 90s around the time the movie Dances with Wolves came out, and most recently in the mid-2010s with the pipeline protests at Standing Rock. The radio tapes, Harjo said, will show people how certain issues have or have not changed in the past 50 years. She added that a lot can be gleaned from hearing the way activist leaders spoke decades ago. Listeners should be able to decipher elements of her interview subjects personalities, how passionate they were about the cause, and how that manifests itself through their words. You hear a lot when youre just dealing with the voice, she said. Facts mean more, you absorb more things, thats just the difference of the medium. I think people have a lot to learn from that. When Fausto Fernandez looked at his new series of paintings, he felt there was something mysterious about them. The abstract expressionist, who is used to employing bright colors and unconventional materials in his painting/collage hybrids, was now covering large sections of his canvas with solid black. The boldness of the black, he said, gave them that air of mystery. And when I started thinking of them as bold, I started thinking of them as powerful, Fernandez said during a recent interview from his home in Phoenix. The Mexican American artist grew up in Ciudad Juarez before moving to the U.S. after college. And then when I started thinking about power, I started thinking about what power means, he added. It led him to thinking about the belief in gods and spiritual entities. Tapping into that idea, and his roots in Mexico, many of the works in his new series are named after Aztec deities. The artworks are split between Fernandezs signature collages and simple, minimalist color blocks. Huitzilopochtli, named after the Aztecs chief deity, is the main piece in the series, more than six feet tall and five feet wide. The bold, multi-colored abstraction starts at the top and is contrasted with the darkness on the bottom. Another made in the same style, Texcatlipoca, is named after the god of darkness because of how its solid section changes from black to gray. These recent works and several others are on display for a solo show at Turner Carroll Gallery on Canyon Road. Progression Through Colors, which opened this weekend, will stay up until June 10. The new paintings were a challenge for Fernandez. He wanted to step away from the themes and styles of some of his previous work. Compared to how aesthetically dense his previous art has been, he said, there was something about the flat-black sections that represented a stillness and comfort. To me, that felt like my ideas were mixed up together, he said of his prior pieces. Just like my personal life experiences became, lets say, complicated. For me, having the black on the bottom kind of creates sort of comfort visually and its also a part of my life. In a visual sense, he said, the black is taking over all of my old ideas. He explained that most of his collages and the materials hes used in the past decade have been based on metaphors. Some of the topics hes previously commented on in his work had to do with how people play a part in society. By using found architectural drawings for the collages, he said the work was meant to symbolize how people live in houses that were built and designed by other people, sending a larger message about how we need to be a part of society to help each other. And while he was in college, he started using renderings of what he called mechanical items airplanes, pliers, door handles. Those types of objects, he explained, are useful, but dont have any value unless people apply force to them. He used that as a metaphor for human relationships. I found those things really interesting because I found myself in relationships in my life where I thought, wow, how would I do this for this person when I wouldnt do this for anybody else? he said. Love does that. Now 43, he said he feels like hes matured and he doesnt connect with the same stories. Its not that the paintings got old, I just started growing and developing as a human being, he added. Another way he tried to challenge his personal growth in his latest pieces is through new styles and materials. Previously, Fernandez says he cared about precision and cleanliness in his abstractions. It took him a while to become comfortable with throwing paint and leaving drips on his work. In this series, he embraced it and also incorporated spray paint into the collages. A lot of these new works (have) to do with movement and action painting, he explained. Its kind of like a way for me to exercise being more free. Not all of the works in the solo show are named after the Aztec gods. One of Fernandezs other noted works, Black Monolith, goes in a different artistic direction. In the center of the painting there is a portrait photograph of a black woman covered by thin, transparent black rectangle. He said the piece was inspired by the minorities and middle-class people in the U.S., and described it as a metaphor for discovering the values of all ethnic cultures. He noted that as a viewer gets closer to the painting, the image of the woman becomes more noticeable behind the dark rectangle. Thats the discovery, he explained. Its like a beautiful thing to discover behind the work. I didnt want to make it too obvious. Prominent members of Santa Fes historic preservation community didnt hold back at a recent hearing when criticizing the planned design for the New Mexico Museum of Arts new modern art wing. John Pen La Farge, president of the Old Santa Fe Association, called the plans a conversion of the decades-old Halpin State Archives building on Guadalupe a blazing sore thumb of a building. For David Rasch, the citys former historic preservation officer, the design for Vladem Contemporary named for donors who are providing $4 million for the project is an epic failure for historic preservation in Santa Fe. La Farge and Rasch are among those who can take commendable credit for working long and hard to save Santa Fes historic, distinctive architecture. But the proposed plans for a modern art museum, in this particular spot on the edge of the Railyard, with its new industrial look developed over the past decade or so, are appropriate. Supporters of the design made good points in the May 9 hearing, which essentially served as consultation with the citys Historic Districts Review Board. Architect Beverly Spears said the design featuring metal and glass and a second-story addition fits with the randomness of its neighborhood, appropriately considered a transition area on the citys historic preservation map. Were not talking here about modern design invading the Plaza, after all. John Dick, another local architect, said, I believe this design has been able to navigate the line between contextual and contemporary, resulting in a richer and more engaging built environment. Referring to sticking to historic norms, he added, Extremism can be just as damaging when concerning mimicry as it is with exhibitionism. Weve been thoughtful and cognizant of the evolving balance between tradition and modernity, and that this project represents that conversation, said Devendra Contractor, one of the projects architects from the dnca firm in Albuquerque. Another thought is that sometimes using modernity to offset historic architecture can be appealing. In Paris, The Louvre has its glass pyramid and the Centre Pompidou modern art museum and library, which features high-tech architecture with exposed structural and mechanical systems, and some bright colors, provides a startling but wonderful offset for the city centers greyish historical look. One sad result of a modern design for Vladem is the loss of the existing 1980 mural, Multi Cultural, by Gilberto Guzman and another artist, a highlight of the Guadalupe streetscape. But theres talk of a recreation of the mural indoors, with Guzmans cooperation. Its easy to quibble with any design that is a break from tradition, and the Journal North will leave the fight over details like the size of the windows and the particulars of the metal scrim siding to the experts. But this is a good location for a modern addition to Santa Fe architectural scene and an opportunity for a stand-out look for what everybody hopes will the citys next great museum. The state Department of Cultural Affairs should stick to its guns, and a contemporary design, for Vladem Contemporary. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal State officials say Santa Fe is about to experience an economic boom, thanks to a $32 million energy-efficiency project the state will soon initiate, as well as several other major construction projects. Those include a $28 million state crime lab and $12 million expansion of the Department of Public Safetys records storage facility. The projects are a slice of a huge $925 million public infrastructure bill approved by the Legislature this year, with about $137 million earmarked for the Facilities Management Division. While planning has been in the works, spending wont take place until after the start of the new fiscal year on July 1. State government is going to be an enormous stimulus for Santa Fe and the state, said Thom Cole, a spokesman with the states General Services Department, under which facilities management is the largest division. And this may just be the beginning. Its a chance to do a lot of the things that have been deferred and just havent gotten done. In all, there are 180 active capital projects underway across the state and another 160 in the pipeline. GSD lists 151 capital projects of more than $5,000 on a link from its webpage. Fifty-eight of them more than 38% of all projects are in Santa Fe County. It pays to be the state capital. By comparison, the county with the next most capital projects, Bernalillo, has 27 projects. Anna Silva, who heads the Facilities Management Division, said there currently exists about $280 million worth of deferred maintenance to state-owned buildings statewide. With the capital outlay, we will finally be able to make a huge dent with buildings we havent been able to address, said Silva, whose division oversees 800 state buildings and leases for 400 others totaling $50 million. Basically, it will address needs at every state building in Santa Fe. Silva said the work will benefit Santa Fe by creating construction jobs, as well as more state jobs once the work is done. Local businesses will also benefit from the activity, and the sale of goods and services, she said. Its a huge injection into the local economy, she said, adding that improved facilities will also boost morale and the quality of work life for state employees. In a news release last month, the GSD said the energy-efficiency initiative calls for improvements to lighting inside buildings, electric transformers, heating and air conditioning systems, doors and windows, and installing solar power at 19 state buildings. Some of the work that will be done has been put off for years, Silva said. We have gaps in walls at some facilities that are a half-inch thick, which she said makes for uncomfortable working conditions for some state workers. What employees are doing on their own is they are putting plastic over windows and wearing jackets. Whats more, she said, many of the facilities in need of repair or upgrades are historic buildings. Among them are the Bataan Memorial Building which evolved over the decades from a 1900 territorial capitol, built 12 years before statehood, and served as the state capitol until 1960 and the Lamy and Lew Wallace buildings, which once served as dormitories for St. Michaels School prior to being purchased by the state in the late 1960s. There are so many historic buildings, and we want to take care of them and not let them go to waste, she said. Asked why the state previously allowed so much building maintenance to be deferred, Silva, who was initially picked as interim division director less than a year ago, said she couldnt say for sure. Maybe it wasnt a priority, she said. But building maintenance is a priority for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and the state Legislature, which approved the spending, she said. State budgets were much tighter during Gov. Susana Martinezs administration. The infrastructure bill was largely fueled by a huge boom in state revenues from the oil and gas industry. Now were ready Silva said state government recognized there was an opportunity to address the building maintenance needs and prepared for it. We knew this was coming, so we had to decide how were going to plan, she said, adding that projects were prioritized based on need, with health and safety being a top concern. Now were ready. Weve met with other agencies and prioritized projects, and now we have the staff. Her own division is now fully staffed, she noted, with 13 project managers. The $32 million green initiative is the most expansive and is part of Lujan Grishams interagency Climate Change Task Force strategy. In her first month in office, the newly elected governor issued an executive order for state agencies to reduce greenhouse gases and shrink their carbon footprints. In addition to making state buildings more energy efficient by doing such things as replacing or upgrading heating and cooling systems, tinting and installing double-paned windows, and switching to LED lighting, about $1.5 million will go toward purchasing electric vehicles for state government use and building charging stations at state facilities in Santa Fe County. Trane U.S., Inc. has been hired to implement the green initiative. Employing 70 New Mexico residents, Trane is recognized by the state Taxation and Revenue Dept. as a local resident business. Other subcontractors using 100% local labor include Sandia Mechanical, Welchs Boiler, M Electric and Positive Energy Solar, all Albuquerque-based businesses. In all, 99% of the work will be done by New Mexico contractors. The project is being touted as the states first energy savings performance project, with projected savings of $1.4 million per year, after the bonds used to borrow about $12 million from the Department of Finance and Administration are paid off in 12 years. Its also the first with a master plan for security. The number one question I get is: what are you doing about security? Silva said. Security was taken into consideration throughout the planning process for the capital projects. Whats been done in the past is weve always been in a reactive state, she said. By working in collaboration with other agencies and stakeholders, were looking at it, so were not just reacting. Taking care of maintenance issues now will save the state from paying for problems that could crop up later. Then, we get out of that reactive mode, she said. New crime lab Security is also of special concern for the new crime lab and secure records facilities. Work on the $28 million crime lab, a two-story 41,000-square-foot facility to be built on Galisteo Street, south of St. Michaels near Santa Fe County Magistrate court, is scheduled to begin by the end of the year. The buildings will also house the Department of Public Safetys statewide training facility, offices, meeting space and a vehicle inspection facility. Its going to be pretty sophisticated, Silva said. Another major project is construction of a new facility to house the Vital Records and Health Statistics Office. Preliminary work on the $12 million project on Camino Entrada on the south side of town has already begun. Silva said part of the Facilities Management Divisions strategy is to reduce the number of state offices under lease. By erecting new buildings, state government can cut into the $50 million it is spending to lease space. It will make state government more efficient and save taxpayers money, she said. Silva said the Facilities Management Division is excited about getting started on their plans once funds become available after July 1. Were prepared for it. We have contractors and price agreements in place, she said. Its a lot of money and a huge responsibility, but its exciting to be able to show what Facilities Management can do. We can address so many needs. And while building new buildings is exciting for facilities management personnel, so is fixing the old historic buildings the state currently occupies. Its the responsible thing to do, instead of just putting a Band-Aid on them and letting these buildings go to waste, she said. LYDEN Her Realtor told Katherine Wells there were a few petroglyphs on the rugged hills of a 188-acre property she would be shown in the river valley near Velarde. That was in 1992. It wasnt long after seeing those first few examples of petroglyphs that Wells and her partner bought the property and settled in. And, since then, some 60,000 petroglyphs have been discovered on what is now the known as the Mesa Prieta Petroglyph Project. For Wells work in cataloguing and preserving this vast concentration of Native American rock pictures some dating back thousands of years the Historic Preservation Division of the state Department of Cultural Affairs presented Wells with its Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony Friday in Santa Fe. Among the other honorees Friday, Santa Clara Pueblo was given the 2019 Tribal Heritage Preservation Award for its Youth Conservation Corps restoration of the Puye Cliff Dwellings. Several hundred tribal youth have been trained in the program, which encourages embracing pueblo culture and nature, and healthy lifestyles, since its inception in 2011. Local young people play a large role in what goes on at Mesa Prieta, as well. In addition to a wave of adult volunteers who scour the basalt-infused terrain for new and unrecorded petroglyphs about half of the original property has been properly surveyed local teenagers have been brought in to help with the process. What we do is take teenage kids, train them to record petroglyphs in the same exact scientific, archeological way that our adult recorders do it and then they go out in the field for two weeks, said Wells, who has since donated 156 acres to the Archaeological Conservancy to establish the Wells Petroglyph Reserve. We work with them intensely (along) with our professional archeologist and other adult volunteers. Its a tremendous learning experience for the teenagers, she said, and exposes them to a part of their own culture while also giving them experience in STEM science, technology, engineering and mathematics techniques. They learn to do this, they get a whole bunch of academic skills in the process, and they get a stipend from their work and they learn a whole lot about their culture and other cultures, all the cultures on the mesa, Wells said. Were very proud of that. The teenagers are from the local pueblos and Hispano communities, she said. This is the 18th year. We think its important because these kids, Hispano and Indian, do not have in many cases a lot of pride in their culture and were trying to give them some of that, Wells said. This is their history. In recording, they get to go find pieces of their history. And they might even find images their own ancestors did. We dont know that, of course. And theyre doing the recording. Nobody goes back out afterward to check their work or change it. Mesa Prieta has also developed an educational program that local educators can tap into in teaching the history of the area. We have a 300-page curriculum primarily for fourth to seventh grades, which is used in 15 to 20 schools every year from Taos to Santa Fe, Wells said. Its bilingual, its free online. We train teachers to use it and several hundred kids a year are exposed to it. We try to get as many as we can here after theyve done some class work. Its also STEM-based. A key to that program is an ensuing field trip to Mesa Prieta. We try to get them here for a hike afterwards because most of them have never been on a hike, Wells said. And theyve never been exposed to anything like this, even though its in their own neighborhood. As a matter of fact, many area residents who grew up in the area never realized just how special Mesa Prieta is. Its really weird, but hardly anybody in Espanola knows about the site, Wells said. And even the local folks, you say petroglyphs and they say what? People who live along here, lived here all their lives, tell me, When I was kid, we played up there and there were some drawings, but we didnt pay attention to them. I came and I paid attention. And now the state is paying attention to her work. I cant tell you how surprised I was to know that somebody else is paying attention, Wells said. Its really nice. This is a really important piece of New Mexico history. To have it recognized and protected is what Ive been doing the last 25 years because it is so important to the history of the state. Im thrilled that people are starting to recognize it. As for the award itself, Wells said its something she never expected, but is a testament to the efforts of all the volunteers that have worked on the project over the years. Im just little ol me just doing my thing, she said. So its very gratifying. And while its gratifying for me, whats really gratifying is what weve achieved. Theres a whole lot more work to do, but what weve been able to do in 20 years is pretty amazing. This award is not just for me by any means. We have more than 100 volunteers. For more than a decade, weve had more than 100 volunteers. Some leave and we get new ones, but the last 10 years at least, weve more than 100 volunteers. It takes a lot of volunteers to get the job the size that weve cut out for ourselves done. Editors note: George Whitesides shared his thoughts on human expansion into the solar system and beyond as the company nears its historic goal of flying tourists into space. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal George T. Whitesides caught the space bug early in life. I have this distinct memory as an 11-year-old of looking up at the night sky where I grew up outside of Boston. It was one of those cold nights where you can see the stars really clearly and I remember saying to myself, Im going to go up there someday. That someday for Whitesides and ultimately thousands of other members of the human race appears to be on the near horizon. And when it happens he will have played a pivotal role. The kid who gazed up at the night sky and whose mom saved his old drawings of Saturn V rockets is now CEO of Virgin Galactic, the company founded by Sir Richard Branson for the historic purpose of launching paying customers into space for a ride that will include a brief period of weightlessness and a breathtaking view of the planet before returning to Earth. Branson, Whitesides, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and others were on hand earlier this month for the announcement that Virgin Galactic is moving the rest of its flight operations to Spaceport America New Mexicos futuristic, $220 million gamble begun 14 years ago in the administration of then-Gov. Bill Richardson. Whitesides said the time to move from California is right given successful test flights in December and February. This was a big day, Whitesides said in an interview after the May 10 announcement. I dont know how the rest of the world will interpret today, but what I know is that its a huge day for our team. Its a culmination. People came to Galactic to operate from New Mexico. As Branson put it: New Mexico built a first-class spaceport. Were now ready to bring you a first-class spaceline. Virgin Galactic is coming home. Hard stuff How soon Virgin Galactics mothership with passenger spacecraft VSS Unity attached launches from Spaceport America with a civilian payload presumably including Branson himself will depend on the work done by the two companies Whitesides oversees: Virgin Galactic and another subsidiary that builds the actual spaceships. Whitesides, who is now focused on moving 100 families from California to New Mexico, hedges on when that first flight might take place, but hes eager to be on board VSS Unity someday soon with his wife, Loretta Hidalgo-Whitesides. They bought tickets years ago. Id love to fly as soon as possible, but we need to fit it into when the engineers say is the right time. Were still working through that manifest stuff, but hopefully over the next year or so. But he also tamped down timeline expectations by talking about the challenges still ahead. We have a lot of work to do to get this right. This is hard stuff. Partly because of Star Trek and Star Wars people assume you can just do this stuff. But in fact, bringing airline type operations to space, which is what were trying to do in a limited way, is really hard. Nobodys ever done it before. Were designing our spaceship to operate for 10 years, and nobodys ever done that before. Not just a few cycles or a dozen or hundreds, but for thousands. Thats really hard to do but were getting there and making great progress. Waiting list With more than $1 billion in private money invested in Virgin Galactic and two related companies, Branson and other investors would no doubt like to see the worlds first space tourism launches sooner rather than later. Whitesides said more than 600 people have signed up and paid deposits for the flights, which will cost $250,000 per passenger, even though the company hasnt been selling tickets the past few years. Significantly more have expressed interest, but we wanted to take care of the existing customers, Whitesides said. And with these recent spaceflights weve had a lot of people getting in touch. The aspiring passenger manifest is global. Only about 35 percent of those who have signed up are from the United States, with nearly 60 countries in the customer base. And that global interest suits Whitesides just fine. We view this as the first step in an interconnected planet, he said, acknowledging spaceport deals (MOUs) inked in both Italy and Dubai. Richards vision has always been to bring this to the planet eventually, but the headquarters is here. The ship is moving here and long term it will be great to operate from here to places around the planet. NASA chief of staff Prior to joining Virgin Galactic in 2010, Whitesides served as chief of staff for NASA from 2008-2010 and upon departure was awarded the agencys highest award, the Distinguished Service Medal. Earlier in his career, he was executive director of the National Space Society, a public space education and advocacy group, and served as chairman of the Reusable Launch Vehicle Working Group for the FAAs Commercial Space Transportation Advisory Committee. Whitesides, 45, is the first person to hold the CEO title at Virgin Galactic. With the investment from the Middle East and the requirement to build an operations, manufacturing and testing organization, then-Virgin President Will Whitehorn and Richard Branson wanted to recruit someone from the space industry. And I knew both of them because of the two tickets I had bought a few years earlier. Branson had found the man to run his company. True Trekker It shouldnt surprise anyone that George Thomas Whitesides is a Star Trek fan. But not because of phasers and James T. Kirks action hero role. I love that it sets a positive vision of the future. And thats what inspires me about space. Its the best of what humanity can be: courage, exploration, teamwork, intelligence, engineering, science. Star Trek was that vision. Laughing, he says wife Loretta (who has a masters degree from Cal Tech with a particular interest in astrobiology, and who also has worked in the space industry) is a huge Star Wars fan. George? Not so much. Star Wars is full of war, so its not necessarily the best of humanity but then again thats in a galaxy long ago and far, far away. So thats the past. Now, we have the present and Star Trek is the future. So its positive progression in our space narrative. He acknowledges, of course, that there is plenty of audience-pleasing conflict in Star Trek. But the basic point of their ship, he insists, was exploration and then connection with other cultures. Kindred spirits Despite his childhood love of space, Whitesides didnt go directly down the science and engineering path. But his academic choice isnt surprising when you hear him talk about humanity and its aspirations and challenges as they relate to space. Whitesides, whose father is a Harvard chemistry professor, graduated with honors in public and international affairs from Princeton Universitys Woodrow Wilson School and was selected as a Fulbright scholar. He earned a masters degree in geographic information systems and remote sensing from the University of Cambridge in England. George and Loretta met at a UN space conference, as you might imagine. One of the exciting things about space is there is this global community of people who are working on it, he said. You go talk to them and theyre from Britain, Mexico, or Thailand, but they share a spirit. Together George and Loretta founded Yuris Night, a celebration of space flight named after Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who was the first human to journey into space when his Vostok spacecraft completed one orbit of Earth on April 12, 1961. We wanted to get younger people excited about space, Whitesides said. The whole idea was to bring together art and music and space. Its the anniversary of our first Space Shuttle launch and Yuris flight, so it celebrates both the first human to go into space and the first reusable spaceship. We thought it was a cool international holiday. Rough spots Virgin Galactic may be near the brink of making history, but the journey has had rough spots none rougher than the Oct. 31, 2014, catastrophic in-flight breakup of VSS Enterprise during a test flight in Mojave, Calif. Pilot Peter Siebold was seriously injured and co-pilot Michael Alsbury was killed when Alsbury prematurely engaged an air brake device used for atmospheric reentry. The NTSB also cited inadequate design safeguards among other causes. Whitesides is somber and serious as he reflects on the tragedy. We have a very resilient team. I think you have to be an optimist in the space business and you have to have a certain mental toughness. We had people on our team who came over from NASA, who had experienced accidents. So we have a team that is really mentally tough and we relied on each other to get through that and relied on our work. We had a path forward and knew that our next task was to build a new spaceship. So having big goals in front of the team is crucial to getting through tough times. When you have an issue in test flight you figure out exactly what happened and feed that lesson in. The reason air travel is so safe today is because there have been hundreds and thousands of test pilots who have made it into a form of transportation that is safe. Whitesides was on the flight line for the crucial tests in December and February that made it possible to move flight operations to New Mexico. For the December flight, when Virgin Galactic flew to space for the first time, I was probably more nervous than Ive ever been. I knew it was a big one and that if everything went as planned we were going to get to space, but we hadnt exactly told people that. For the February flight that produced stunning video used in the announcement, we had demonstrated the system with the only difference that we were putting (Chief Flight Instructor Beth Moses) in the back. I knew she was super solid so I wasnt too worried. Down time Personable and businesslike, Whitesides is a counterpoint to the swashbuckling Branson, who Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M., singled out at the announcement for his rock star outfit of faded jeans and leather jacket. With his job and children ages 7 and 8, Whitesides says he doesnt have time to do much of anything. I ride my mountain bike to get a little exercise but I mostly hang out with my kids and my wife. Mountain biking is sort of exploration with some good exercise, and I hear there is some amazing mountain biking in New Mexico. And I love architecture, which he said hell love in New Mexico. Whitesides plans to split time between New Mexico with flight operations and California with spaceship manufacturing. He has good things to say about doing business in New Mexico. Its been overall great. In my remarks I tried to thank not just Gov. (Michelle) Lujan Grisham but everybody else Ive worked with. Weve worked with a bunch of folks from (the Gov. Susana) Martinez administration and back to Richardson. We had very good relations with the Martinez administration and they did good stuff. I havent paid attention to all the political stuff inside the state but as a businessman interfacing with senior folks in the state they were helpful and so were grateful to them. The future Whitesides thinks a lot about space and the breathtaking advance of technology we have experienced in our lifetimes especially in miniaturization of satellites (he says something the size of the massive conference table in the governors executive offices where he sat for an interview could fit in a toaster) and reusable entry vehicles. How about 20 years down the road? I think that tens of thousands of people will have been to space. Were going to go from a time when very few people know an astronaut to a time when most people do, and that will be an interesting shift in planetary consciousness and awareness. Point-to-point global travel either hypersonic or near space will be absolutely possible. We can use technologies we are using on Spaceship 2 for Spaceship 3 and Spaceship 4 and improve on those. I think well see a cycle orbit (ship) around Earth and moon so you can just jump on that for a week and take a cruise round the moon. From a physics perspective its pretty straightforward. What about militarization of space? Its something we think a lot about. The United States doesnt want space to be militarized and I agree with that. The challenge is that other nations know that the U.S. is very strong in space and the U.S. military uses its space capabilities to do what it does on the ground. I think treaties are interesting, but what I think we really need in the near term are rules of the road. Somebody said to me recently that the state of space right now is sort of like the 17th century on the seas before the normal rules of engagement had been set up. So how are you supposed to act as a responsible actor. Rules of the road, he said, would be a good start. Frontier ethics Capt. James T. Kirk introduced each episode of Star Trek with the words: Space: The final frontier. Whitesides says the values we carry into that frontier are important as we grapple with militarization and other issues. Ive spent a lot of time thinking about this and its a really hard problem. I dont have the answer but will share one perspective: The ethics and traditions we insert into space could last for millennia. What we decide in the next 10 or 20 or 100 years about how we act in space will be the front-end messages we load into this continuous human expansion into the galaxy. So we need to be very conscious about what are we doing in this new environment because we have a deep responsibility as the generations that are starting that expansion to do it with care and hopefully learn some lessons from human history as we go forward. Whitesides takes that responsibility seriously, and as an optimist is more than ready to take that next step to the stars. Ultimately, what we think we are doing is one small step in this expansion of humanity into space. Into the universe. Thats a big vision thats worthy of peoples professional efforts. Prev 1 of 7 Next High water from the runoff of an above average snowpack this spring and past winter is expected to continue in the Rio Grande through June, and perhaps well into the summer. The Middle Rio Grande Conservancy District on Friday issued a notice to local governments and the public about the 2019 spring runoff, which is anticipated to be the highest the region has experienced since 2005. Much of the bosque will be flooded during this time, and water will be against the levees. MRGCD chief hydrologist David Gensler said people with recreational plans along the river should keep their guard up because of it. People who like to hike along the Rio Grande from Cochiti Dam down to Elephant Butte need to be aware that some areas are going to be flooded, Gensler said. People who like to go boating or rafting need to be aware of the greater than normal depth and velocity of the river, and the debris. There will be high river flows on both the main stem of the Rio Grande and the Rio Chama for a sustained period of time. Multiple agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Reclamation and the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, are coordinating with the conservancy district to monitor and manage flow through the middle Rio Grande region. Abiquiu and Cochiti reservoirs provide flood control, regulating the amount of water passing through to the Corps of Engineers specified downstream safe channel capacity. Were letting people know that were monitoring things and repairing things as they happen, Gensler said. The conservancy district is actively monitoring and maintaining the levees, particularly the older spoil bank levees south of Albuquerque. We dont expect the water to get out of the levees, Gensler said. The district will be working closely with Corps of Engineers to regulate releases out of Cochiti Dam. Gensler said water is flowing out of the dam at 4,800 cubic feet per second, after being as high as 5,500. Were expecting it to get back up to 5,500 or 6,000, he said. The Army Corps of Engineers is in charge of the release from the dam. Theyre not going to release more water than the valley can handle. Due to construction crews and equipment moving along the levees and drain roads, the district is closing public access to the levee roads, drains and bosque between the south boundary of Isleta Pueblo to Reinken Road in Belen in order to protect the safety of the general public. The conservancy district may also temporarily close levee/bosque access in other areas to safely complete levee maintenance. Closure signs will be posted to prohibit entry even though gates may be open for construction traffic. The duration of closures will coincide with the duration of the high flow period and the public will be notified when this order is lifted. If anyone wishes to report what they believe is a violation of this closure, or erosion or water seepage is noticed along the riverside levees anywhere within the conservancy district, contact the districts main office at 505-247-0234 day or night and report the information. U.S. Sen. Tom Udall hasnt given up hope of the For the People Act passing the Senate. The two-term Democrat is pushing the legislation because he believes the nations democracy is at a crisis point. In all my years in public office, I have never been more concerned, Udall said in a release. Today, in this country, there is a deep disconnect between what the American people are demanding from their leaders and what the president and Congress have been giving them We are a representative democracy yet the people are not being represented. The senator held a forum on the bill at Central New Mexico Community College last weekend where he discussed his efforts to enact legislation that he said will fight corruption, fix broken politics and make government work for all Americans. Ive been working on these reforms for years, Udall said. And Im now leading the charge in the Senate, where I introduced the For the People Act These reforms will help bring political power back to the hands of everyday Americans, where it belongs. Udalls effort has won the praise of Common Cause executive director Heather Ferguson, Max Feldman, counsel in the Democracy Program at the Brennan Center for Justice, and New Mexicans for Money Out of Politics President John House. This fight is the difference between big dark money versus people power, and this change is going to come from the people power, Ferguson said. The bill would allow voter same-day registration nationwide, restore ex-inmates right to vote and set up a public financing system for congressional campaigns. It would require presidential candidates to disclose their tax returns and Election Day would become a holiday for federal workers. The House version of the bill, co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Deb Haaland, D-N.M., passed the House, but faces hurdles in the Senate where the Republicans hold the majority. State Republican Party Chairman Steve Pearce calls the legislation an overreach, and the White House called it micromanaging the electoral system. HEINRICH INTRODUCES AI LEGISLATION: U.S. Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., told the Journal he was impressed with the advances in artificial intelligence technology following a tour of Booz Allen Hamiltons Albuquerque operation. The senator participated in a virtual demonstration during his tour, and said he was focused on the use of artificial intelligence for defense and intelligence as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He and U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, introduced the Armed Forces Digital Advantage Act last week, which would modernize the Department of Defense workforce by adding a recruitment focus and establishing military career tracks for digital engineering. Whether it is artificial intelligence, 5G telecommunications services, or cloud computing, transformational digital technologies will present new opportunities and challenges for the Department of Defense, Heinrich said. LOWER COSTS FOR PRESCRIPTION DRUGS SOUGHT: Haaland and fellow U.S. Reps. Ben Ray Lujan and Xochitl Torres Small voted in favor of the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act on Thursday, a package of seven bills that seeks to protect and expand access to affordable health care and lower prescription drug costs. In New Mexico, and across the country, too many hardworking Americans are having to make the hard decision between buying food for their families or buying them medicine they need, Torres Small said. Lujan said the House was focused on lowering the price of prescription drugs, cracking down on junk plans. Haaland said no one should have to break the bank to stay healthy. This package of health care bills that we passed in the House will provide some relief by removing barriers so lower-cost generic drugs are available in the over the counter market earlier, reducing costs for New Mexicans, Haaland said. The act passed the House on a 234-183 vote. Scott Turner: sturner@abqjournal.com Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal SANTA FE Less than five months into her tenure as governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham has authorized 17% salary increases for all Cabinet secretaries in her administration. The raises, which took effect for the pay period that started last week, will increase the appointees annual pay from $128,000 to $150,000 and are intended to make the state more competitive with the private sector when it comes to paying agency heads. This administration believes if you want the best, youve got to pay for the best, said Lujan Grisham spokesman Tripp Stelnicki. Some lawmakers say theyre not opposed to the pay raises, which are more than four times larger than the pay raises of 4 percent that rank-and-file state workers will be getting in July. If you want to get the kind of people you need in those positions, youve got to pay them, said Sen. Steven Neville, R-Aztec. He acknowledged the raises might be politically perilous, but said some New Mexico school superintendents, county managers and other municipal employees already make in excess of $150,000 per year. But Sen. Craig Brandt, R-Rio Rancho, expressed concerns that members of Lujan Grishams Cabinet will be getting bigger pay bumps than social workers, State Police officers and other state government employees. I dont think it sends the right message to the rank-and-file individuals, Brandt said. After being elected as governor in November, Lujan Grisham, a Democrat, said several times during the transition period that low salary levels were a stumbling block in her administrations effort to assemble a Cabinet with top-notch appointees. While $128,000 is an unimaginable sum of money for most New Mexicans, weve got to be competitive with the private sector for some of these folks who are true leaders in their fields, Stelnicki told the Journal. Several agency heads ultimately appointed by Lujan Grisham have private sector experience, including Economic Development Secretary Alicia Keyes, who previously worked as the executive director of worldwide acquisitions for the Walt Disney Co. In all, New Mexicos state government has 23 Cabinet-level departments, whose secretaries will all be receiving the salary increases. Several other appointees who are not technically considered Cabinet secretaries including State Engineer John DAntonio and Regulation and Licensing Superintendent Marguerite Salazar will also receive the raises, Stelnicki confirmed. That means the total cost of the salary increases will be roughly $550,000 annually. The pay raises also represent a stark departure from the Cabinet pay levels established by Lujan Grishams predecessor, former Gov. Susana Martinez. Martinez, a Republican who served two terms as governor before stepping down at the end of last year, capped salaries for state Cabinet secretaries at $125,000 annually shortly after taking office in 2011. That came after pay levels for Cabinet secretaries had risen to more than $170,000 per year in some cases under then-Gov. Bill Richardson, a Democrat who served from 2003 through 2010. Lujan Grisham, who herself was a Cabinet secretary under three different governors, did veto a bill after this years 60-day legislative session that would have increased her own $110,000-per-year salary along with the pay levels of other statewide elected officials by 15 percent. She said in her veto message of the legislation she was not comfortable signing into law a pay raise that may apply to current office holders who could run for re-election in 2020 and beyond. Unlike appointed officials, who are exempt from the states classified hiring system and work at the pleasure of the governor, the salary levels for elected officials are set in state statute and can only be changed via legislation. Meanwhile, the salary increases for members of Lujan Grishams Cabinet come as the state is in the midst of unprecedented revenue windfall, driven primarily by an oil drilling boom in southeast New Mexico. The state had an estimated $1.2 billion budget surplus for the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. Copyright 2019 Albuquerque Journal Albuquerque Fire Rescue responds to about 8,000 car crashes a year. It may soon start sending bills for some of that work. Mayor Tim Kellers budget proposal for fiscal year 2020 includes a new cost recovery channel for AFRs response to automobile fires and to car crashes that require hazardous material cleanup or extractions. The fees set out in a proposed update of the citys fire code ordinance run $400 for hazard mitigation and cleanup to $1,305 for use of heavy rescue tools and other equipment to remove someone from a vehicle. The department could also bill $400 per hour for any additional time on the scene under the plan. Officials say it passes the cost of more involved interventions directly to those who required them. Critics argue its charging more for municipal services ostensibly already funded by taxes. The whole purpose of government is to take care of its citizens, and this is like Oh, now were going to go ahead and bill you over here. Jeez, said state Rep. Bill Rehm, an Albuquerque Republican, who objects to the plan. But City Councilor Trudy Jones, also a Republican, said while the fee resembles a second tax, she supports the idea. We can either do it that way, where the people who use it pay for it, or we can do it where all the taxpayers pay for it, she said. If approved by the City Council, the fee would come just a year after the city raised taxes with a promise that most of the money 60 percent would go to public safety. The three-eighths of 1 percentage point gross receipts tax increase enacted last year is expected to yield $57.9 million in 2020. But the mayor said it is not enough. Our resources are incredibly drained, and were trying to recover from a decade-long shortage of investments in first responders, Keller said in an interview. More than half of the tax increase revenue is going into police department initiatives, according to his administrations latest report to the City Council. AFR received a budget increase this year, too. It covered 19 new positions, including seven in the field. But Keller said this fee would boost a fire department tasked with an increasing workload. Anything we can do for public safety, we need to do right now without question, he said. The proposed cost recovery fee could yield up to $1 million in new revenue annually, according to budget documents, and the department would use it to fund 12 new firefighters in the field. It is the only line item in the current budget proposal directly tied to hiring new field personnel, though Keller is also proposing to increase the departments general fund allocation by 11.5 percent or $9.6 million for the fiscal year that begins July 1. While the 12 field firefighter positions are currently linked to the fee, the budget which remains subject to revision also assumes 13 additional uniformed positions for other assignments inside the department. Adam Eakes, AFR deputy chief for planning and logistics, said it is unknown how many of the 8,000 car crashes AFR responds to annually would meet the criteria for the bill because the department has not previously tracked incident severity in its records. But were confident we wont be billing for every accident, Eakes said. As currently written, the proposed ordinance would allow the city to bill the responsible party after a qualifying event. If that person lives in the city, has insurance and the city knows which company, it would send the bill to the insurance company. Nonresidents, however, may get billed directly, unless the city knows which insurance company they have. The focus will be on billing insurance companies and not the citizens living within the metropolitan area, Keller wrote Council President Klarissa Pena this month explaining the plan. Bills not paid within 30 days can go to a collection agency and face added interest fees and other penalties, according to the language in the proposed ordinance. Eakes cited the 19 hours AFR spent off-loading fuel from an overturned fuel tanker in 2018 as one impetus for this proposal. Those are resources that are pulled out of districts to handle that operation that would otherwise respond to 911 calls within their respective districts, he said. And in that case specifically, it was a free service extended to that company. Emergency response fees have drawn some criticism in other American communities with opponents arguing that citizens already pay taxes for such services. Some states, like Missouri and Arkansas, banned charges like the one proposed in Albuquerque. But they have become so commonplace around the U.S. that private companies exist to provide the associated billing services. Rep. Rehm said he does not recall any attempts to ban such fees in his 13 years in the New Mexico Legislature. But he said he opposes this Albuquerque proposal. What are we going to do after this? he said, asking if the police department would be the next to send a bill for its response to a traffic crash. But Fire Chief Paul Dow said billing insurance companies for more complex work makes sense. If you were at fault (for a crash) and all that antifreeze, oil, gas or whatever leaked out onto the street, thats yours. Thats not mine, not the city of Albuquerques, yet were cleaning it up, he said. Were mitigating that hazard and the insurance company has a mechanism in which to reimburse us for that and were just taking advantage of that and using the cost recovery and putting the money back into our firefighters on the streets. As presently written, the fire chief has discretion to waive or reduce the amount of an invoice if the recipient can demonstrate financial hardship or inability to pay. One city councilor said he is still trying to understand the implications of the plan, including whether it could potentially increase residents insurance rates. Theres going to be a lot of discussion and debate when it does come to council, Brad Winter said. Dow said the new personnel funded through the fee would help alleviate some staffing challenges in his department. AFR needs 165 people on duty for each of the departments three daily shifts but sometimes has only 171 available per shift, making it hard to meet the minimum when anyone is off. It doesnt sound like a lot, but it does help us, Dow said. It provides an additional buffer. MADRID, Iowa Iowa farmer Tim Bardole survived years of low crop prices and rising costs by cutting back on fertilizer and herbicides and fixing broken-down equipment rather than buying new. When President Donald Trumps trade war with China made a miserable situation worse, Bardole used up any equity his operation had and started investing in hogs in hopes theyll do better than crops. A year later, the dispute is still raging and soybeans hit a 10-year-low. But Bardole says he supports his president more today than he did when he cast a ballot for Trump in 2016, skeptical he would follow through on his promises. He does really seem to be fighting for us, Bardole says, even if it feels like the two sides are throwing punches and were in the middle, taking most of the hits. Trump won the presidency by winning rural America, in part by pledging to use his business savvy and tough negotiating skills to take on China and put an end to trade practices that have hurt farmers for years. While the prolonged fight has been devastating to an already-struggling agriculture industry, theres little indication Trump is paying a political price. But theres a big potential upside if he can get a better deal and little downside if he continues to get credit for trying for the farmers caught in the middle. Its a calculation Trump recognizes heading into a reelection bid where he needs to hold on to farm states like Iowa and Wisconsin and is looking to flip others, like Minnesota. A March CNN/Des Moines Register poll of registered Republicans in Iowa found 81% approved of how Trump is handling his job, and 82% had a favorable view of the president, an increase of 5 points since December. About two-thirds said theyd definitely vote to re-elect him. The poll had a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points. A February poll by the same organizations found 46% of Iowans approved of the job Trump was doing his highest approval rating since taking office while 50% said they disapprove. The margin of error was 3.5 percentage points. Many farmers are lifelong Republicans who like other things Trump has done, such as reining in the EPA and tackling illegal immigration, and believe hes better for their interests than most Democrats even on his worst day. They give him credit for doing something previous presidents of both parties mostly talked about. And now that theyve struggled for this long, they want to see him finish the job and soon. We are the frontline soldiers getting killed as this trade war goes on, said Paul Jeschke, who grows corn and soybeans in northern Illinois, where hes about to plant his 45th crop. Im unhappy and I think most of us are unhappy with the situation. But most of us understand the merits, he added. And its not like anyone else would be better. The smooth-talking presidents weve had recently they certainly didnt get anything done. When the trade war started last summer, China targeted its first round of tariffs on producers in agricultural and manufacturing states that were crucial to Trumps 2016 victory, such as Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Particularly hard hit were producers of soybeans, the countrys largest farm export. The most recent round of trade talks between the Trump administration and China broke up earlier this month without an agreement, after Trump accused China of backing out on agreed-to parts of a deal and hiked tariffs on $200 billion of imports from China. China imposed retaliatory tariff hikes on $60 billion of American goods, and in the U.S. the price of soybeans fell to a 10-year low on fears of a protracted trade war. U.S. officials then listed $300 billion more of Chinese goods for possible tariff hikes. As China vowed to fight to the finish, Trump used Twitter to rally the farming community. Our great Patriot Farmers will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of what is happening now, Trump tweeted. Hopefully China will do us the honor of continuing to buy our great farm product, the best, but if not your Country will be making up the difference based on a very high China buy. He added: The Farmers have been forgotten for many years. Their time is now! To partially offset the plunge in sales caused by the tariffs, Trump has promised an aid package, some $15 billion for farmers and ranchers, following $11 billion in relief payments last year. Beside the help prompted by the tariff dispute, a farm bill that Congress approves every five years provides farmers with hundreds of millions in additional federal aid. The subsidies have remained relatively stable, with the latest farm bill approved in December. Most of the aid helps growers of the largest crops, including corn and soybeans. Farmers also benefit from billions of dollars annually in federal insurance subsidies. Its been six years since farmers did better than break even on corn, and five years since they made money off soybeans. U.S. net farm income, a commonly used measure of profits, has plunged 45 percent since a high of $123.4 billion in 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, reflecting American farmers struggle to return to the profitability seen earlier in the decade. Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings for farm operations in the upper Midwest have doubled since June 2014, when commodity prices began to drop. The hardest hit were farms and dairy operations in Wisconsin, a state that supported Democrats for president for most of recent history before backing Trump and that will be a fierce 2020 battleground. Its awful expensive to put a crop in, said Morie Hill, looking over countless green shoots peeking up from his fields in central Iowa. He isnt sure why more farmers havent been forced out. Everyone I know is squeezing and doing everything they can, trying to go further with less, he said. Brent Renner, who farms with his father in northern Iowa, said while theres strong support for Trump in their area, frustration is growing. Farming friends regularly check Twitter to see what Trump is saying, and how it might move the market. I dont know how many farming friends Ive had whove said Why cant someone just take his phone away?' Renner said. Its impossible to think he hasnt lost support at some level, but what that level is nobody knows. Patty Judge, a Democratic former Iowa lieutenant governor and state agriculture secretary, agreed people in Iowa havent rushed to move away from Trump. But she thinks voters will be ready for a change in 2020 and a president who better understands the countrys role in international trade. Its very important to us and to have gone into a trade war without a plan, without an exit strategy, is dangerous and wrong and I think Iowans are going to understand that before the next election, she said. The 2018 midterms showed Democrats difficulties outside metro areas. AP VoteCast, a national survey of more than 115,000 voters, found rural and small-town residents cast 35% of midterm ballots; 56% of those voted for Republican House candidates, compared with 41% for Democrats. Among small-town and rural white voters the advantage was greater, tilting 63-35 for Republicans. Jeshke said he gives Trump credit for rolling back regulations that have made it tougher and more expensive for new herbicides to be approved, and for his proposed changes to the Waters of the U.S., an Obama-era environmental measure. Under the act, Jeshke said he needed government approval to mow some areas of his property or make changes to manmade lakes where kids go fishing. And I dug them! he said. Jeshke says most farmers are more concerned about getting the situation solved than pointing fingers. But if they were to place blame, most of it would be on China, and the rest would be on previous presidents who could have solved the trade imbalances more easily 15 or 20 years ago. One thing he knows for sure about Trump: If he rolls over now, well never be able to hold them accountable. Renner says farmers are used to having things happen that arent in their control the weather, for example but finding a way through. Its a quality he says is clearly on display now. Were an optimistic people, he said. Well keep our chins up and keep moving ahead. ___ Burnett reported from Chicago. WASHINGTON President Donald Trump on Sunday lashed out at Rep. Justin Amash, calling him a total lightweight and loser one day after the Michigan Republican said Trumps conduct meets the threshold for impeachment. Amash is the first Republican member of Congress to say the president engaged in impeachable conduct. In morning tweets, Trump said he was never a fan of Amash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy. The president argued that special counsel Robert Mueller IIIs report on Russian interference in the 2016 election was biased but that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION. Mueller found 10 episodes of potential obstruction of justice by Trump but ultimately concluded that it was not his decision to determine whether the president broke the law. Attorney General William Barr said he had reviewed the evidence and found it insufficient to support an obstruction charge. In the report, Muellers team also wrote that while the investigation established that the Trump campaign expected it would benefit electorally from information stolen in Russia-backed efforts, it did not establish that members of the Trump campaign conspired or coordinated with the Russian government in its election interference activities. Trump added on Sunday, Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! he said. Amashs office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Republican leaders on Sunday joined Trump in criticizing Amash. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., called Amashs comments very disturbing, arguing that the lawmaker is not a criminal attorney. Hes never met Mueller. Hes never met Barr. Those who know Justin Amash, this is exactly what he wants. He wants to have attention, McCarthy said in an interview on Fox News Channels Sunday Morning Futures. McCarthy also took aim at Amashs record as a lawmaker.I think hes only asked one question in all the committees hes been in, McCarthy said. He votes more with (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi than he ever votes with me. During one February hearing alone, Amash asked several questions of former Trump personal attorney Michael Cohen, including, What is the truth President Trump is most afraid of people knowing?And despite McCarthys claim about Amashs voting record, the Michigan Republican has a 68 percent conservative rating, according to 2015 rankings by the Almanac of American Politics. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said Sunday that he respects Amash and believes he made a courageous statement about his views on impeachment. But Romney noted that he had come to a different conclusion. As I read the report, I was troubled by it, he said on CNNs State of the Union. It was very disappointing, for a number of reasons. But it did not suggest to me that this was time to call for impeachment. Romney added that when theres not an underlying crime, I think its difficult to put together an effective case to prosecute for those crimes. Amash, a libertarian, considers himself a strict constitutionalist and is often the lone Trump dissenter on his side of the House aisle. After reviewing the Mueller report, he shared his conclusions in a lengthy Twitter thread on Saturday. Amash wrote that after reading the 448-page report, he had concluded that not only did Muellers team show that Trump had attempted to obstruct justice but that Barr had deliberately misrepresented the findings. Amash added that few members of Congress even read Muellers report. Contrary to Barrs portrayal, Muellers report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment, Amash said. Some Democrats on Sunday pointed to the Amash pronouncement as meeting one of the main conditions that Pelosi, D-Calif., set for beginning impeachment proceedings her mandate that some Republicans support such a step. There is now bipartisan support, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash., said on State of the Union. Pelosi has been openly opposed to starting impeachment proceedings because public sentiment has been against it, and until Saturday, no Republican in Congress had indicated anything close to support for removing Trump from office. Impeachment is so divisive to the country that unless theres something so compelling and overwhelming and bipartisan, I dont think we should go down that path, because it divides the country. And hes just not worth it, Pelosi told The Washington Post in a March interview, her most detailed comments on impeachment. On Sunday, Jayapal called Amashs statement a watershed moment.Jayapal, one of the co-chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said the push now would be to just begin formal proceedings in the House Judiciary Committee. That, she said, will give Democrats better legal standing in federal courts to defeat Trumps assertion of executive privilege in not turning over more details from the Mueller report and blocking testimony from former White House officials. We are very quickly headed down that path, Jayapal said of starting impeachment proceedings. Rep. Adam B. Schiff, D-Calif., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, also praised Amash, saying he has shown more courage than any other Republican in the House or Senate. Schiff added there is a growing sense among lawmakers that beginning impeachment proceedings may be the best strategy to combat the Trump administrations maximum-obstructionism campaign against Congress. There is an increasing number of Democrats, and maybe Republicans, who feel this presidents conduct is so incompatible with the office that if the only way that we can do our oversight is through an impeachment proceeding, then maybe we have to go down that road, Schiff said on CBS News Face the Nation. The Washington Posts Colby Itkowitz contributed to this report. CHICO, Calif. - Paradise High School students have been getting ready for their big prom night. Many people from far and wide teamed up to give the senior class a night to remember. Estee Lauder donated tons of makeup and sent 19 makeup artist from New York City and Kentucky to help glam up all of the girls. They also did facials and sent the seniors home with a makeup goodie bag. "Everyone just feels so happy to make these kids feel beautiful and have the best prom they could possibly have," said one makeup artist, Samantha Martin. Keller Williams in Fresno also sent 10 ladies to help do their hair for the prom. "None of us expected anything like this to happen. Most of us would've just stayed home and done our own makeup so it's really cool to get to come down here and have other people do it for us and see what it's gonna look like," said senior Megan Brewer. "I've never really had like professional people do my makeup or my hair or anything like that so it's really fun." At Chico's Elk's Lodge, where the prom was being held, the theme was "A Walk Through Paradise". "I'm super excited! I haven't seen my friends in a couple of months so it's really nice being with them," said Jessica Mittag. When students arrived at the dance, they were able to walk through a replica of the Honey Run Bridge. "I think it's really cool. It's about memories, which at this point is a little bitter-sweet but they're all we have and we're really happy to have them," said Kayla Dixon. UPDATE: 11p.m. 5/18: Chico police say the Amtrack train was headed south toward the depot. Police say the conductor saw there was a person on the tracks and tried to stop, but couldn't in time. Police found the body of a white man still on the tracks. They still haven't been able to identify him, and are investigating it as a possible suicide. ---------------------- CHICO, Calif. - Chico police told Action News Now that a train hit someone who was on the railroad tracks at 5 a.m. on Saturday just north of W. Sacramento Avenue. The person died from their injuries. We are working to get more information from the police, and will update this article when the details are available. As the last phase of the fiercely contested Lok Sabha elections draws to a close, News18 India will bring to you, 100 Ghante ki Maha Coverage. The non-stop reportage will start from 19th May and will run until the Counting Day on 23rd May, when the results will be declared. The Lok Sabha elections have witnessed fervent political campaigning and intense competition amongst the major political parties in the country. With the Counting / Results Day round the corner for the largest democratic exercise in the world, News18 India will strive to be the ultimate news destination for election / results related coverage with a dedicated team giving regular and comprehensive updates regarding the same from across the nation. The 100 Ghante ki Maha Coverage will comprise of exclusive interviews with renowned politicians, discussions, debates, polling day coverage and a mega-exit poll including a poll of polls The reportage will conclude on the Counting Day with the most extensive coverage of the highly anticipated verdict by the people of India. Keeping true to the commitment of bringing the most disruptive programming for the viewers, News18 India will also showcase a first of its kind poll recorded on a hidden camera. In an effort to gauge the real opinion of real India, the channels team of reporters went to major states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, West Bengal and Delhi to ascertain the actual voter sentiment. With a formidable team of anchors and a vast network of on-ground reporters, News18 India will bring an all-encompassing and up-to-minute update on General Elections. The channels team will be joined by the countrys top political pundits who will further analyse major political happenings and bring a unique perspective to the discourse. 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. Ronnie Young, the South Carolina State House Representative from District 84 passed away early Sunday morning according to Aiken County Chairman Gary Bunker. Young, 71, was suffering from cancer and several weeks ago suffered a stroke. Bunker said Young passed just after 4 a.m. "It's tough," Bunker said. "Even though you know it was going to happen." Just two days ago Young received the Order of the Palmetto, which is the states highest civilian honor on behalf of Gov. Henry McMaster. Ronnie Young receives Order of the Palmetto On Friday May 17th, State Representative Ronnie Young received the Order of the Palmetto. "That meant a lot to him," Bunker said. Despite the illness, Young served during the legislative session until just recently. Young won the reelection for District 84 last November by a wide margin and had been the longest serving Aiken County Council chairman in history. He was elected to that position in November 1996 after filling in as chairman in 1994 for the late Carroll Warner. Young remained chairman until 2017 when he won a special election gaining the District 84 seat. District 84 covers parts of North Augusta and runs south to the county line. This story will be updated stay with the Aiken Standard and North Augusta Star for more. https://www.aish.com/jw/s/The-Jewish-King-of-Lampedusa.html The longest-running Yiddish play featured the incredible true story of a British Jewish hero of WWII. One of the most popular Yiddish plays of all times was The King of Lampedusa, a musical based on the incredible real life story of Sydney Cohen, a Jewish soldier during World War II. Cohens real-life adventures were so astonishing they almost seemed like one of the Yiddish plays, full of twists and turns and improbable coincidences, that entertained Jewish audiences who flocked to Yiddish speaking theaters. Sydney Cohen grew up, like so many British Jews in the 1920s and 1930s, in impoverished circumstances in Britains East End. His parents died when he was just a child and he lived with his sister Lily, scraping a living by working as a tailors apprentice. When World War II broke out, Sydney joined the Royal Air Force, eventually becoming a Flight-Sergeant, flying a Swordfish Torpedo Bomber on sorties against Nazi Germany. Syd Cohen On one flight on June 10, 1943, Sgt. Cohen was flying back to his base on Malta when his navigation system went haywire. The plane had a fit of gremlins so we had to make for the nearest land, Sgt. Cohen later explained. The three-man crew turned towards a tiny island in the Mediterranean: the hostile Italian island of Lampedusa. At the time, it was defended by 4,300 Italian Axis troops. As we came down on a ropey landing ground we saw a burnt hangar and burnt aircraft around us, Sgt. Cohen recalled. The crew made a bumpy landing, then exited their bomber with their hands raised, ready to surrender to the Italian troops. Instead the Italians were in no mood to fight. A crowd of Italians came out to meet us and we put our hands up to surrender but then we saw they were all waving white sheets shouting, No, no. We surrender. The whole island was surrendering to us, Sgt. Cohen recalled. Sgt. Cohen asked to see the commandant of the island but before he could be escorted an air raid began and the surrendering Italian troops ran for cover. The island had been the subject of sustained Allied air raids and the Italian troops had had enough. I concluded that the nerves of my hosts were a bit jagged, Sgt. Cohen dryly recounted later. Eventually, the Italians signed a formal note of surrender and allowed Sgt. Cohen to refuel. He took off and flew to nearby Tunis, bringing news of Lampedusas fall to British forces with him Lampedusas capitulation to the British came at a key moment. In the summer of 1943 Britain was braced for invasion and was being mercilessly bombed by German airplanes. It seemed that Germany might win the war. Yet the mass surrender of Lampedusa gave Britain and its allies a glimmer of hope. Strategically, Lampedusa was the first of what would be a series of capitulations of Axis troops to Allied forces. Psychologically, the capture of Lampedusa was a much-needed shot in the arm for Britons who feared they were losing the war. Lampedusa Gives in to Sgt. Cohen! was the headline on the front of the Sunday Pictoral newspaper in Britain on June 13, 1943, when news of the surrender broke. London Tailors Cutter is now King of Lampedusa screamed the front page of the News Chronicle. The story was covered by all the British newspapers and many foreign papers too, all documenting the incredible story. One newspaper that missed out on the coverage was the Jewish Morning Journal of New York. Their London correspondent was a Czech-born journalist named S.J. Charendorf, who wrote up the news item, and was on his way to the Ministry of Information to send in his story, when it suddenly occurred to him that the incredible tale of Sgt. Syd Cohen would make a great Yiddish musical - and The King of Lampedusa a wonderful title. He ran straight home and started writing, producing a play designed to raise the publics morale. He took some liberties with the plot and renamed Syd Cohen Sam Silverman in his play. Charendorf also added a comic second act in which a grateful Winston Churchill offers the young Jewish pilot any reward he might name. The pilot asks for an independent Jewish homeland in the ancient land of Israel, which was at the time administered by Britain. In the play, Churchill informs the pilot that he cannot or will not grant the Jewish people a homeland, but he offers something else instead: the Italian island of Lampedusa. Thus, the pilot becomes King of the tiny island. The King of Lampedusa had its debut in 1943 at the New Yiddish Theatre in Adler Street in Londons East End. The great British-Jewish star Meier Tzelniker helped produce the musical, commissioning songs and helping write the lyrics. He starred in the musical and his daughter Anna Tzelniker played a role. It ran for months to packed houses. Non-Jews as well as Jews packed into the Grand Palais every night. Even though the musical was in Yiddish, it was easy to follow the well-known plot, and the music numbers appealed to everyone. It closed in 1944 when German bombing of the East End of London intensified and made it too risky to go out of doors at night. The King of Lampedusa was translated into Hebrew and performed at the Hamatae Theatre in Haifa, in modern day Israel. Sgt. Sydney Cohen got to watch that performance in 1944 when he was on leave from Malta and visited the ancient Jewish homeland. It was the only time Sgt. Cohen would get to see the wonderful musical his actions inspired. In the musical, the King of Lampedusa returns home to a rapturous welcome. Unlike the real life Sgt. Cohen, his theatre equivalent had living parents to embrace him on his return.nThe actual Sgt. Cohen had a much grimmer fate. As he was flying home from Malta after his military service, and on August 26, 1946, his plane crashed into the Straits of Dover. The wreckage was never found; his sister Lily was never able to give Sydney Cohen the Jewish funeral he deserved. Sgt. Cohen continues to live on in the hearts and memories of the thousands of people who watched his play, and gained courage and hope during the darkest hours of World War II from his actions. https://www.aish.com/sp/ph/Lag-BOmer-Seizing-Your-Lifes-Mission.html Lag BOmer is a remarkable enigma. On the calendar it marks the 33rd day of the counting of the Omer, the days between Passover and Shavuot. The days preceding are observed as a time of mourning. It is then that 24,000 students of Rabbi Akiva perished as result of a horrible plague. To mark their deaths and to commemorate this tragic event music, joy and celebrations are curtailed. But on the 33rd day we rejoice. Why? Because one of the greatest rabbis of the Talmudic era, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai, who lived in the second century of the Common Era, passed away on this date. Death of Rabbi Akivas students is recalled with grief. Yet death of an illustrious rabbinic scholar continues to be observed by major festivities in the city of Meron, the mountain village in northern Israel where Rabbi Shimon is buried, with tens of thousands of pilgrims pouring in from all corners of the world to rejoice together. How can we possibly reconcile these two different responses to the end of life of the righteous? The answer perhaps lies in an extraordinary request Rabbi Shimon left with his disciples on the day of his passing. He instructed them to carefully note the time he left this earth as the day of my joy the day, he explained, when he could happily leave this world knowing that he had fulfilled his divinely ordained mission. Rabbi Shimon was one of those rare individuals who knew that he had succeeded in carrying out his lifes purpose. Death for him was nothing less than heavens Amen to his life of blessing. The true tragedy of death is that it represents the closing curtain on our ability to do any more towards fulfilling the reason God sent our soul down to earth. It is only what we bring to that moment that can earn us a legacy of achievements. Death ends the story of our response to our lifes divine mission. Rabbi Shimon, master of Jewish mysticism and heavenly secrets, was one of those rare blessed individuals who knew that he had succeeded in carrying out his lifes purpose. Death for him was nothing less than heavens Amen to his life of blessing. Lag BOmer is the holiday that serves as reminder for the need for our lives to fulfill our mission. Some years ago, I had the privilege of speaking at a retreat for the Gathering of Titans. They are a group of approximately 100 CEOs of major corporations who get together annually at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to refresh themselves intellectually and spiritually. On the printed program, every one of them was asked to succinctly summarize the philosophy, aims and goals of their business by way of their mission statement. Mission statements are a fact of life for every successful company. They define what the company hopes to accomplish, how it believes it will succeed, what its ultimate plans are for the future what they hope to look like in 10, 20 and 50 years hence. I suggested to these titans of industry they consider writing a mission statement for themselves, for their personal lives, just as they did for their businesses. It would allow them to think about the way they define success and to measure their progress as they try to balance finances and family, their wealth and their values, the way that they are judged by Forbes and the way they will be judged by their faith and their God after they leave this earth. Imagine if we had the same kind of clarity about personal goals and how we plan to achieve them as we do for our bank books. Imagine if we took our personal mission statement as seriously as a business manifesto. Imagine if we took the time to decide why God put us here on earth and then went ahead and fulfilled our life's purpose. Many of these Titans subsequently said to me that the need to think through their mission on earth, a task they had never previously attempted for their own lives, was nothing less than life changing. And how can we discover exactly what our mission is? King David writes, "The steps of man are directed by God" (Psalms 37:23). The Baal Shem Tov, the eighteenth century founder of the Hassidic movement, explained this verse in the following manner: Although we go about our daily tasks at what seems to be our own initiative and will, our steps are "guided" for a spiritual and loftier purpose. We end up in a specific place so that we will have the opportunity to do what needs to be done from a divine perspective. God orchestrates the circumstances to ensure that we have the position and tools to fulfill our mission. The challenge is to seize the moment. God leads us to the location where our mission lies; we dont always need to find it. He orchestrates the circumstances to ensure that we have the position and tools to fulfill it. The challenge is to seize the moment. When we find ourselves in a specific place and situation, that speaks to our abilities and calls for our involvement, it is the greatest indication that there is something for us to accomplish there. There one thing we have to be careful about as we try to determine the life task assigned to us is that we can't allow it to be the goals others have convinced us to pursue. The world tries to seduce us to spend our lives acquiring wealth and possessions. Its slogan is, "He who dies with the most toys wins." But that isn't why we were put here on Earth, and that's also why our material goods immediately abandon us at our passing. Einstein is surely wise enough to be relied on for his advice: "Try not to become a man of success, rather try to become a man of value." Those who are mindful of the idea of mission take special notice of unexpected moments. A flight is rerouted and you suddenly find yourself in a foreign place. You unexpectedly meet people who share their problems with you. You're forced to relocate for the sake of your career and you abruptly discover new friends who need you. If we learn to view life from the perspective that nothing is merely coincidence and that, as the saying goes, "Coincidence is merely God's way of choosing to remain anonymous," well find spiritual clues scattered among our daily activities. The most unforeseeable and unexpected events are the ones that very often have the greatest meaning. They are the directional signals for our souls. The more we turn away from the worship of material objects and concentrate on affirming our values, the closer we come to fulfilling the mission that identifies the meaning of our lives. Lag BOmer is a powerful reminder to all of us that death may not be a curse. If, like Rabbi Shimon, we can reflect on the days of our lives as meaningful contributions to the betterment of ourselves, our family, our people and our world, if we leave a legacy of good deeds and a life of inspiration to others, our passing can partake of the extraordinary last instruction of the Rabbi who gave us a remarkable holiday a holiday which is able to turn death into the day of my joy. https://www.aish.com/tp/i/sacks/509848681.html There are, it is sometimes said, no controlled experiments in history. Every society, every age, and every set of circumstances is unique. If so, there is no science of history. There are no universal rules to guide the destiny of nations. Yet this is not quite true. The history of the past four centuries does offer us something close to a controlled experiment, and the conclusion to be drawn is surprising. The modern world was shaped by four revolutions: the English (1642-1651), the American (1776), the French (1789), and the Russian (1917). Their outcomes were radically different. In England and America, revolution brought war, but led to a gradual growth of civil liberties, human rights, representative government, and eventually, democracy. On the other hand, the French revolution gave rise to the "Reign of Terror" between 5 September 1793, and 28 July 1794, in which more than forty thousand enemies of the revolution were summarily executed by the guillotine. The Russian revolution led to one of the most repressive totalitarianism regimes in history. As many as twenty million people are estimated to have died unnatural deaths under Stalin between 1924 and 1953. In revolutionary France and the Soviet Union, the dream of utopia ended in a nightmare of hell. What was the salient difference between them? There are multiple explanations. History is complex and it is wrong to simplify, but one detail in particular stands out. The English and American revolutions were inspired by the Hebrew Bible as read and interpreted by the Puritans. This happened because of the convergence of a number of factors in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries: the Reformation, the invention of printing, the rise of literacy and the spread of books, and the availability of the Hebrew Bible in vernacular translations. For the first time, people could read the Bible for themselves, and what they discovered when they read the prophets and stories of civil disobedience like that of Shifrah and Puah, the Hebrew midwives, was that it is permitted, even sometimes necessary, to resist tyrants in the name of God. The political philosophy of the English revolutionaries and the Puritans who set sail for America in the 1620s and 1630s was dominated by the work of the Christian Hebraists who based their thought on the history of ancient Israel.[1] The French and Russian revolutions, by contrast, were hostile to religion and were inspired instead by philosophy: that of Jean-Jacques Rousseau in the case of France, and of Karl Marx in the case of Russia. There are obvious differences between Torah and philosophy. The most well-known is that one is based on revelation, the other on reason. Yet I suspect it was not this that made the difference to the course of revolutionary politics. Rather, it lay in their respective understandings of time. Parshat Behar sets out a revolutionary template for a society of justice, freedom, and human dignity. At its core is the idea of the Jubilee, whose words ("Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof") are engraved on one of the great symbols of freedom, the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. One of its provisions is the release of slaves: If your brother becomes impoverished and is sold to you, do not work him like a slave. He shall be with you like an employee or a resident. He shall serve you only until the Jubilee year and then he and his children shall be free to leave you and return to their family and to the hereditary land of their ancestors. For they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves... For the Children of Israel are servants to Me: they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt - I am the Lord, your God. (Lev. 25:39-42) The terms of the passage are clear. Slavery is wrong. It is an assault on the human condition. To be "in the image of God" means to be summoned to a life of freedom. The very idea of the sovereignty of God means that He alone has claim to the service of mankind. Those who are God's servants may not be slaves to anyone else. As Judah Halevi put it, "The servants of time are servants of servants. Only God's servant alone is free."[2] At this distance of time it is hard to recapture the radicalism of this idea, overturning as it did the very foundations of religion in ancient times. The early civilisations - Mesopotamia, Egypt - were based on hierarchies of power which were seen to inhere in the very nature of the cosmos. Just as there were (so it was believed) ranks and gradations among the heavenly bodies, so there were on earth. The great religious rituals and monuments were designed to mirror and endorse these hierarchies. In this respect, Karl Marx was right. Religion in antiquity was the opium of the people. It was the robe of sanctity concealing the naked brutality of power. It canonised the status quo. At the heart of Israel was an idea almost unthinkable to the ancient mind: that God intervenes in history to liberate slaves - that the supreme Power is on the side of the powerless. It is no accident that Israel was born as a nation under conditions of slavery. It has carried throughout history the memory of those years - the bread of affliction and the bitter herbs of servitude - because the people of Israel serves as an eternal reminder to itself and the world of the moral necessity of liberty and the vigilance needed to protect it. The free God desires the free worship of free human beings. Yet the Torah does not abolish slavery. That is the paradox at the heart of Parshat Behar. To be sure, it was limited and humanized. Every seventh day, slaves were granted rest and a taste of freedom. In the seventh year, Israelite slaves were set free. If they chose otherwise they were released in the Jubilee year. During their years of service they were to be treated like employees. They were not to be subjected to back-breaking or spirit-crushing labour. Everything dehumanizing about slavery was forbidden. Yet slavery itself was not banned. Why not? If it was wrong, it should have been annulled. Why did the Torah allow a fundamentally flawed institution to continue? It is Moses Maimonides in The Guide for the Perplexed who explains the need for time in social transformation. All processes in nature, he argues, are gradual. The fetus develops slowly in the womb. Stage by stage, a child becomes mature. And what applies to individuals applies to nations and civilisations: It is impossible to go suddenly from one extreme to the other. It is therefore, according to the nature of man, impossible for him suddenly to discontinue everything to which he has been accustomed.[3] So God did not ask of the Israelites that they suddenly abandon everything they had become used to in Egypt. "God refrained from prescribing what the people by their natural disposition would be incapable of obeying." In miracles, God changes physical nature but never human nature. Were He to do so, the entire project of the Torah - the free worship of free human beings - would have been rendered null and void. There is no greatness in programming a million computers to obey instructions. God's greatness lay in taking the risk of creating a being, Homo sapiens, capable of choice and responsibility and thus of freely obeying God. God wanted humankind to abolish slavery, but by their own choice, in their own time. Slavery as such was not abolished in Britain and America until the nineteenth century, and in America, not without a civil war. The challenge to which Torah legislation was an answer is: how can one create a social structure in which, of their own accord, people will eventually come to see slavery as wrong and freely choose to abandon it? The answer lay in a single deft stroke: to change slavery from an ontological condition to a temporary circumstance: from what I am to a situation in which I find myself, now but not forever. No Israelite was allowed to be treated or to see him or herself as a slave. They might be reduced to slavery for a period of time, but this was a passing plight, not an identity. Compare the account given by Aristotle: [There are people who are] slaves by nature, and it is better for them to be subject to this kind of control. For a man who is able to belong to another person is by nature a slave.[4] For Aristotle, slavery is an ontological condition, a fact of birth. Some are born to rule, others to be ruled. This is precisely the worldview to which the Torah is opposed. The entire complex of biblical legislation is designed to ensure that neither the slave nor their owner should ever see slavery as a permanent condition. A slave should be treated "like an employee or a resident," in other words, with the same respect as is due a free human being. In this way the Torah ensured that, although slavery could not be abolished overnight, it would eventually be. And so it happened. There are profound differences between philosophy and Judaism, and one lies in their respective understandings of time. For Plato and his heirs, philosophy is about the truth that is timeless. For Hegel and Marx, it is about "historical inevitability," the change that comes, regardless of the conscious decisions of human beings. Judaism is about ideals like human freedom that are realised in and through time, by the free decisions of free persons. That is why we are commanded to hand on the story of the Exodus to our children every Passover, so that they too taste the unleavened bread of affliction and the bitter herbs of slavery. It is why we are instructed to ensure that every seventh day, all those who work for us are able to rest and breathe the expansive air of freedom. It is why, even when there were Israelite slaves, they had to be released in the seventh year, or failing that, in the Jubilee year. This is the way of evolution, not revolution, gradually educating every member of Israelite society that it is wrong to enslave others so that eventually the entire institution will be abolished, not by divine fiat but by human consent. The end result is a freedom that is secure, as opposed to the freedom of the philosophers that is all too often another form of tyranny. Chillingly, Rousseau once wrote that if citizens did not agree with the "general will," they would have to be "forced to be free." That is not liberty but slavery. The Torah is based, as its narratives make clear, on history, a realistic view of human character, and a respect for freedom and choice. Philosophy is often detached from history and a concrete sense of humanity. Philosophy sees truth as system. The Torah tells truth as story, and a story is a sequence of events extended through time. Revolutions based on philosophical systems fail because change in human affairs takes time, and philosophy has rarely given an adequate account of the human dimension of time. Revolutions based on Tanach succeed, because they go with the grain of human nature, recognising that it takes time for people to change. The Torah did not abolish slavery, but it set in motion a process that would lead people to come of their own accord to the conclusion that it was wrong. That it did so, albeit slowly, is one of the wonders of history. Shabbat shalom. NOTES 1. See Eric Nelson, The Hebrew Republic: Jewish Sources and the Transformation of European Political Thought (Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2010). 2. Ninety-Two Poems and Hymns of Judah Halevi, trans. Thomas Kovach, Eva Jospe, and Gilya Gerda Schmidt (Albany, N Y: State University of New York Press, 2000), 124. 3. Maimonides, The Guide for the Perplexed, III:32. 4. Aristotle, Politics I:5. CONNECT WITH THE CHIEF RABBI Download the Chief Rabbis new iPhone and iPad app via www.chiefrabbi.org for mobile access to his video study sessions as well as his articles and speeches. Alternatively, search for Chief Rabbi in the App Store on your iPhone. SUBSCRIBE TO COVENANT & CONVERSATION To receive Covenant & Conversation and other news from the Office of the Chief Rabbi direct to your inbox each week, please subscribe at www.chiefrabbi.org. TUNIS, Tunisia The Akal movement arose during Tunisias 2011 revolution as a civil force to defend the rights of the countrys native Amazighs and preserve their cultural heritage. Today, the movements founders are turning the group into a political party that will participate in the legislative and presidential elections this year, according to Akal leader Samir al-Nefzi, who spoke with Al-Monitor. Movement members announced at a May 6 press conference in the capital that they have applied to the government to form a party and are awaiting official permission to start their political activities. There are already 217 parties in the country, but this will be the Amazighs' first. Tunisia's legislative elections are scheduled for Oct. 6, and the presidential election is set for Nov. 17. The Amazighs have long suffered from a government policy of systematic marginalization that continues today, Nefzi said. In a 2016 report, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights accused the Tunisian government of fighting and sidelining the Tamazight language and identity. The word Akal means "land" in the Tamazight language. The movement was formed as a reaction to the marginalization of the Tamazight language and identity in Tunisia, which are not provided for in the new constitution of the country. The constitution's first chapter provides for the Arabic language and the Islamic identity only, which promotes sectarianism and disregards the country's religious and ethnic diversity, Nefzi said. He criticizes Tunisias civil status law, which prohibits the use of non-Arab names for newborns. He said the new partys vision and platform will revolve around the principles of national sovereignty, independent political thought, social democracy and equitable division of wealth. Constitutions aren't limited to determining a countrys language or religion, he noted, but more importantly are designed to outline the political system and uphold the rights and freedoms of all people. There are no official statistics on the number of Amazighs in Tunisia, Nefzi said, but unofficial estimates indicate they number between 500,000 and 1 million, out of the country's total population of 11.5 million. Most of them continue to live in towns close to the mountains in the south and in the northwest. The party plans to open nine offices outside Tunisia, he said, and will have committees led by enthusiastic Amazigh young people to promote the political project in the United States, UK, Belgium and France, as well as Asia. These missions will aim to connect with Tunisians abroad and uphold the Amazigh identity. He believes Akal's transition to a political party with a social and economic agenda is an important turning point. Akal seeks to rehabilitate marginalized Amazigh villages that lack basic social services and promote national sovereignty away from Arabization and Westernization, especially regarding France, "which is constantly accused of continuing to colonize Tunisia politically and economically," the partys founding statement reads. Nefzi said the party will promote Tamazight culture but will focus on secularism and civil work and will respect the country's laws, despite reservations about some of them, and will be open to all political, religious and social components in the country. Dozens of Tamazight associations were established in Tunisia after the revolution. The Tunisian Amazigh Culture Association is among the most active and prominent organizations, seeking to promote the Amazigh folklore of the indigenous people of North Africa, but doesn't engage in political activities. The Akal movement's transformation is not without its critics. Many people point to a law prohibiting political parties from adopting programs advocating discrimination based on religious, sectarian, sexual or regional grounds. The establishment of political parties is an indisputable constitutional right, but on the condition that it's not motivated by sectarian or ethnic strife or seeking to further divide the social fabric in Tunisia," Leila Chraibi, head of the Tunisian Association for Integrity and Democracy of Elections (ATIDE), told Al-Monitor. She noted that the Akal movement can engage in political work and compete in elections scheduled for the end of 2019, if it respects the law. She noted that a committee monitors the work of parties during the election period. Maha Jouini, a Tunisian civil activist and defender of the Tamazight identity, is based in China. She wrote on Facebook May 6 that the Akal movement's decision to enter the political sphere is totally detached from reality in Tunisia and an alien idea to the people advocating for Amazigh rights. Jouini warned that establishing such a party will deepen the division within Tunisian society and even among Amazigh associations. Member of the Iraqi parliament's Security and Defense Committee Hakim al-Zamili announced May 9 that negotiations were underway to buy an S-400 air missile system from Moscow. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yury Borisov said during his meeting April 26 with Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi that the number of Russian companies in Iraq is on the rise. Ihsan al-Shammari, head of the Iraqi Centre for Political Thought, concurred. He told Al-Monitor that Russia is working to compete with multinational companies in central and southern Iraq, particularly in the field of energy. Russia also wants to compete with US companies operating in Iraq, and a lot of Russian investors and capital have started to flow into Iraq in recent months, he added. Moscow is working to strongly enter the Iraqi economy in order to attract Baghdad to its political axis with Beijing and Tehran, he continued. Russia opened an economic office April 25 at the Russian Embassy in Baghdad, which proves that it is working on boosting its economic presence in Iraq. This also indicates that there is a Russian plan to acquire a part of the Iraqi market in fields covered by agreements signed with the Iraqi government. Lukoil seeks to raise its investments in Iraq from $8 billion to $45 billion another sign of Russia's growing economic activity in Iraq. Ruslan Mamedov, a researcher with Moscow State Institute of International Relations, said that Russian companies have become an important player in the oil market following the tightening of sanctions. Iraqi oil has become the most important in the region, and by extension, the Russian companies investing in this oil. For its part, Iraq may also perceive Russia as an opportunity to form a strategic partnership with a big country, especially considering that it is easier to deal with Russia than the United States or other Western countries. This, however, may lead it to a confrontation with the United States, which may not refuse its cooperation with Russia altogether but could try and set the boundaries of such cooperation. Russian officials have increased their visits to Iraq over the past few months, especially Mikhail Bogdanov, President Vladimir Putin's special envoy for the Middle East and North Africa, who has visited Iraq three times since Abdul Mahdi embarked on the formation of the Iraqi government in October 2018. These visits invite questions as to whether there are Russian steps to compete with the United States in Iraq and gain political influence that would help Russia expand its role in the region in the wake of the influence it gained in Syria. Adel Badawi, a professor of political science at Baghdad University, told Al-Monitor, Some parties in Iraq, especially those close to the Iranian axis, are pushing toward rapprochement with Russia and divergence from the United States." This could take place either through Russian armament deals or by making Russia a key political partner in Iraq. He added, The purpose of pushing in this direction is to unify visions with the Iranian axis. Also, there is the foreign factor, and especially the Iranian factor, which pushes in the direction of convergence with Russia in order to have a Russian alliance gradually replace the US presence in the country in the framework of the struggle for influence. However, all of this makes Russia more of a friend than a future partner or ally of Iraq. On April 25, Iraq and Russia signed 16 agreements on trade, energy, economy, telecommunications, technology, transport, agriculture, reconstruction, tourism and culture, among other fields. Russian writer Andrei Ontkov told Al-Monitor, Moscow is not seeking to gain influence in Baghdad, but if we are to talk about the development of political relations between the two countries, then yes, these are developing positively now." He added, "Russia provided Iraq with various weapons that contributed to the fight against the Islamic State, and there are deals that were signed in order to sell Russian weapons to Iraq we are witnessing ongoing and reciprocal meetings and visits between the two countries, which indicates the development of relations. Russia is very interested in Iraq, and it is seeking to deepen its cooperation with the country. We are witnessing closer relations between the two countries amid very good prospects, and I am sure there will be further cooperation in the fields of economy, politics, security and military, Ontkov said. Iraq is seeking to benefit from Russian expertise in the economic, industrial, agricultural and military fields, in addition to oil and energy, at a time when Russia insists it does not intend to stop the investments that it started in the framework of its recent understandings with the Iraqi government. Through its economic presence in Iraq, Russia is trying to hit two birds with one stone. On the one hand, it wants to either limit US influence or compete with the United States over such influence. On the other, it is trying to achieve further influence in the Middle East, which Vladimir Putin is setting his sights on. Although Russia has the economic power and ability to maintain a presence in Iraq, this will be within certain limits drawn by the United States such a presence will be ridden with challenges and obstacles. In other words, even if the Iraqi government is cooperative, some Russian targets might not be achieved. After years of giving Egypt a pass on its human rights record, House lawmakers are starting to tighten the purse strings on Cairo. The foreign aid spending bill for fiscal year 2020, which the House Appropriations Committee advanced 29-23 Thursday, contains language that would condition $260 million in annual military aid to progress on human rights and democracy. Egypt receives $1.3 billion in annual US military aid. In recent years, House appropriators had resisted their Senate colleagues demands to restrict Egyptian aid. But this years bill indicates that the committees new chairwoman, Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., is ready to take a tougher line on the crackdown on dissident voices under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Sometimes only a friend can send a tough message, Lowey told Al-Monitor in an e-mailed statement. Still, the House is not going as far as the Republican-held Senate. Senate appropriators have yet to release their spending bill for fiscal 2020, but in the past two years theyve sought to cut Egypts annual military assistance aid package by $300 million while also incorporating the conditions included in the new House bill. The House bill would require Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to certify that Egypt is taking steps to advance democracy and human rights, implementing reforms to protect freedom of expression, releasing political prisoners and holding security forces accountable. The bill also would demand that Cairo allow US monitors to evaluate Cairos use of aid, "adhere to the separation of powers and the rule of law" and comply with UN resolutions regarding North Korea. We appreciate Egypts progress with respect to combating terrorism, increasing pressure on North Korea, countering Irans malign influence and the acquittal of American citizens working for nongovernmental organizations that had been wrongly charged and convicted of crimes, said Lowey. While we very much value our relationship with Egypt we are insisting on conditions. Last year Egypt acquitted 40 NGO workers, including 15 Americans, who were charged as part of a crackdown before the 2013 Sisi-led coup that ousted President Mohammed Morsi. Egypt, however, under the government of Sisi, continues to detain several US citizens on what the State Department considers to be political charges. After Israel, Egypt is the largest beneficiary of the foreign military financing program, which provides Washingtons partners with taxpayer grants to purchase US military equipment. Congress has placed human rights conditions on a portion of foreign military financing ever since the Egyptian military ousted Morsi, but House pushback against the Senate had kept the vast majority untouched. Loweys willingness to jump on board with stricter conditions favored by the Senates foreign aid panel suggests that Cairo is poised to take a bigger hit this year as part of the compromise spending bill. Seth Binder, the advocacy officer at the Project on Middle East Democracy, which favors the military aid cuts, told Al-Monitor that the new House bill sends a strong and important signal that House appropriators, like their Senate colleagues, are increasingly concerned with the trajectory of Egypt, its harsh crackdown on any and all opposition and its impact on US national security interests. No secretary of state has been able to certify that Cairo is meeting the human rights conditions since Congress first required them in 2014. The State Department leaders have instead relied on national security waivers to release the aid anyway. For the first time, this years bill would exempt $13 million of foreign military financing from the waiver. To receive that portion, Cairo would have to reimburse US citizen April Corley for injuries the former professional roller skater suffered during an errant Egyptian airstrike in 2015. This is approximately the amount that April has requested as compensation for her lifelong injuries, medical expenses and loss of livelihood, said Matthew Stone, a spokesman for the public relations firm Trident DMG, which represents Corley. Days after Alabama passed the nations strictest anti-abortion laws, President Donald Trump said he supports pro-life measures that include exceptions for victims of rape or incest. In a series of tweets, Trump said his abortion policies are similar to those of late Republican President Ronald Reagan. As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan, Trump tweeted. He went on to urge the GOP to stick together on the issue. If we are foolish and do not stay united as one, all of our hard fought gains for life can, and will, rapidly disappear!, Trump tweeted. As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan. We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new..... Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 ....for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 Trumps tweets are his first since the passage of the controversial Alabama law, one of several around the country designed to push the Supreme Court to revisit Roe v. Wade, the historic 1973 ruling that legalized abortion nationwide. Alabamas law would make it a felony for a doctor to perform or attempt to perform an abortion and does not contain an exceptions for victims of rape or incest. The only exception in the Alabama law is abortions performed to protect the life of the mother. Saturday Night Live has set its sights on the Alabama abortion law. The law, which would make it a felony for doctors to perform the procedure, was part of several segments on the late night show. The first was a take-off on the talk show The View. In the segment, Aidy Bryant portrays Meghan McCain defending the passage of the controversial law. These Senators are actually very good and fun guys so I am sending love to Clyde Chambless, Shay Shelnutt and Garlan Gudger and those are all real names, Bryant says, mentioning three Alabama Senators that voted for the law. In another segment, the Alabama law is discussed by comedian Leslie Jones during Weekend Update. You cant control women because I don know if yall heard, but women are the same as humans, Jones said about the law. And how is Alabamas woman governor going along with this? What? You can see the segments below. Some of the language may be offensive. A raid at a Walker County home Saturday night led to the arrests of three men, including one of the countys Most Wanted. The sheriffs office carried out the raid at the home of Bobby and Cheryl Tucker on Crest Avenue in Parrish, the second time in a month that lawmen have executed a search at the home. In the early operation, authorities arrested Robert Deangelo Tucker on charges of trafficking methamphetamine. Joining the Walker County Sheriffs Office in the raid were the Parrish Police Department, the Jasper Police Department Narcotics Division, the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office Aviation Unit, and the Alabama Department of Corrections Prison K9 team. Sheriffs spokesman T.J. Armstrong said 41-year-old Rodney ONeil Thomas, who has been sought by authorities for some time, had outstanding warrants for first-degree escape, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, carrying a concealed weapon, distribution of methamphetamines, distribution of marijuana, and distribution of Suboxone. He recently evaded capture when he fled from deputies on May 15 from that same residence. Armstrong said all of Thomas alleged crimes were committed while he was on state probation for a felony case. He has been avoiding law enforcement for approximately 19 months, he said. The assault charge stems from an altercation where Thomas allegedly used a pistol to shoot a man on Levine Street in Parrish. Thomas is a seven-time convicted felon, and hes prohibited from possessing firearms. In fact, Armstrong said, Thomas has already served 46 months in federal prison for federal firearms violations. Also arrested at the home n Parrish were Bobby J. Tucker, 64, and Andre Bernard Tucker, 28. Bobby Tucker is charged with hindering prosecution, possession of methamphetamine, second-degree possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. The hindering prosecution charge stems from him reportedly helping Thomas evade capture. In Alabama, it is a felony to provide criminal assistance to a suspect wanted a Class A or Class B felony. Andre Tucker is charged with second-degree possession of marijuana. Sheriffs officials are working with Walker County District Attorney Bill Adairs Office to prosecute the cases. Warrants do not just go away, Armstrong said, and suspects must be arrested on those outstanding warrants to get their deserved day in court and receive due process. Every year, Scholarship America awards Dream Scholarships to a select few students who have overcome huge barriers to achieve their college dreams. Jasmine Cunningham, a 23-year-old psychology and neuroscience student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, definitely fits that description. One of only 22 students across the country to be awarded the Dream Scholarship this year, and 86 since its inception in 2014, Jasmine is a study in perseverance. A home-school student from the Clay-Trussville area, she was diagnosed with a pituitary brain tumor in 2016. That tumor caused a rare endocrine disorder called Cushing Disease, which causes the pituitary gland to release too much cortisol, a stress hormone. The disease causes severe fatigue, muscle weakness, headaches and cognitive difficulties, and a laundry list of other symptoms. Then the tumor caused a dangerous cerebrospinal fluid leak, which required surgery last fall at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. The fluid leak was fixed, but the symptoms of Cushing Disease persist. It definitely affects studying and test taking and even walking around campus is hard, said Cunningham, who must use a walker to get around UAB. With the support and encouragement of her parents, Janet and Jimmy Cunningham, shes not let that stop her. Shes gone at a slower pace through college than some of her peers, but slow and steady is winning her the race. Shes had to have two surgeries in the midst of going to college. Its been really difficult, but shes gotten through it, Janet Cunningham said. Jasmine was inspired and supported through the diagnosis and the surgeries by her older brother, Jared, a UAB grad and medical student at the University of Indiana who is pursuing a Ph.D in neuroscience. He was actually in his first year of medical school in 2016, so when I was telling him about my symptoms, he was excited to diagnose me and asked me if the doctors had tested me for Cushings, Jasmine said. On top of the tumor and Cushing Disease and the surgeries and fighting through the fatigue, Jasmine also found out in 2017 that she was on the autism spectrum. She had always wanted to become a doctor (in addition to her brothers medical path, her mother is a psychiatric nurse) but the autism diagnosis helped her decide what disciplines to study. The Dream Scholarship, which provided about $8,000 toward her college expenses, will help with the financial side while she powers through the physical and psychological obstacles. Finding out about having autism moved me more toward the psychology and neuroscience, Jasmine said. I really want to help young kids with autism. Thats what I really want to do with my career. Haskins writes about points of pride statewide. Email your suggestions to shaskins@al.com, or tweet them to @Shelly_Haskins using #AlabamaProud. By Josephine Cox, Birmingham Being a woman in Alabama is essentially no different than being a woman in any other Western country. I feel respected and free in my gender and body, and I have never felt the complaints of gender or income inequality that is touted on by media, feminists, and universities. Even so, in Alabama, more than other places I have lived, I am safer from intense attack by other women on the issue of abortion. Being pro-life, I am free in this part of the world to express my deeply held beliefs regarding the sanctity of life, an issue that I have noted that women more so than men tend to be intolerant of. In Alabama I also feel that I am freer to speak about my Christian beliefs, or drop the phrases God bless, blessed be God, or any other reference to my Creator to strangers and in public. In these two ways, as a woman I feel safer in Alabama than in other parts of the Western world. Josephine Cox is an English and music instructor in Birmingham. By Kathy Jones, Huntsville I am a native Alabamian, born in 1960 near Birmingham. I was so fortunate to have loving, hard working parents who provided a nurturing home for me and my brothers. My mom was a low paid secretary who was the first person in her family to finish high school. My dad had to complete college after World War II and he became a traveling insurance salesman who loved traveling across small towns in southern Alabama. Sometimes hed bring home bartered insurance premium payments. Once he brought half of a butchered pig his customer provided as their payment! We ate bacon and pork chops for a long time! My brothers and I just knew we were expected to go to college. My parents especially wanted me to be self sufficient and independent, where I didnt have to rely on anyone to support me. I have passed this same expectation for my daughter too! After college I moved to Huntsville and had a long, interesting, and successful engineering career working for NASA as a civil servant working on space flight systems. As a federal employee I had significant limitations on expressing my political opinions. However in the three years since I retired in 2016, I have become extremely engaged in voter registration and education. I started the nonpartisan Tennessee Valley Votes group, the League of Women Voters of the Tennessee Valley, and the North Alabama Voter Rights Restoration Coalition. Women across North Alabama have become politically awakened as a direct result of the general election of 2016, the ongoing attacks on civil, environmental, and on voter rights. We are becoming more aware of the injustices that have existed for a very long time and want to make a difference. Since the spring of 2017 our local League is dedicated to get all high school students in our region registered to vote in their senior year. This school year alone we have reached over 1400 students in 14 public high schools. We are also focused on voter rights restoration, working with the Alabama Voting Rights Project, since the Secretary of States office is not helping to notify the over quarter million disenfranchised citizens that they can get their voting rights back. We are looking forward to the 2020 Centennial of the League of Women Voters and the 19th Amendment. We have many plans to raise attention on voting with visual and oral history programs highlighting the Struggle to Vote in Alabama. Everything we are doing is to educate voters on the issues and improve voter turnout in 2020. Kathy Jones is President of the League of Women Voters of the Tennessee Valley. By SueAnn Griffith, a research engineer in Huntsville Im a lifelong Alabamian, and when I think of things like our arts communities, our contributions to the space program, and our beautiful scenery, Im proud of that fact. Time and time again, though, Im reminded that Southern hospitality is a horrible farce. We are not truly welcoming, even to our own citizens. We are not truly accepting. You can see it in my small hometown, where families are written off as "lazy" because they struggle to make ends meet despite them working multiple jobs and pinching every penny. You can see it in the group of older white men who used to sit in my favorite BBQ restaurant and whisper snide remarks to one another about "the gays". You can see it in my former classmates as they claimed that my good grades were merely "given" to me to help with gender diversity statistics. You can see it in the roadside protesters I saw on Sand Mountain, with signs declaring a hatred of all people from the Middle East. You can see it in my black co-worker's neighbor, who called the police on her for being on the phone in her own driveway. You can see it in our lawmakers in Montgomery, too, most blatantly of all. You can see it as they don't care to fund our failing schools, implement much needed prison reform, aid impoverished areas, protect the environment, help struggling veterans, or work to improve equality laws, but instead waste time and money to try restrict the rights of women. A law that will surely, hopefully, be overturned by the courts. Im tired of Alabama being a national embarrassment. Sure, I could just move to another state, but wouldnt it be better if we worked together to improve the place we already live? Ever since Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed whats considered the most restrictive abortion ban in the country, Kelley Taylor has been up all hours of the night arguing on Facebook. I have been furious, said Taylor, of Foley. Its been crazy. People are walking into my office at work and Im telling them, Im not in the mood for you. You want your opinions, but I have mine and Im legally able to tell you them as well. She said, This is not a pro-abortion situation. Its a pro-choice situation. Im not telling you go to out and get an abortion, but dont tell me or my child or any other female we cant. Taylor joined approximately 180 pro-choice advocates for a rally Saturday in Bienville Square and march through downtown Mobile. It was the first of what will be a series of rallies and marches in the states largest cities on Sunday in protest to an abortion ban that was signed into law on Wednesday. Bring community together Its important for us to bring the community together, said Katherine Brown, an organizer for the rally hosted by the Mobile Bay Green Party and the Alabama Coalition for Reproductive Rights. A similar rally and march will be held around noon Sunday in Bienville Square. People are upset. People are hurt. They feel they have not been heard. Frustration over the signing of HB314, which virtually outlaws abortion in the state, underscored comments throughout the rally. Attendees said they hope the rally, along with similar events Sunday and into next week, will spur enough negative attention on the Alabama Legislature that they reconsider the law. Rallies will also be held in Huntsville, Birmingham and Montgomery. Tyler Henderson, an organizer with the Mobile Bay Green Party, told the crowd that his group demands the law be repealed and the Legislature apologize publicly for passing it. We went through this in the 60s and 70s and I cant believe were going through it again, said Helen Clark, an Orange Beach resident. Its just turning the clock back again. The Human Life Protection Act, bans all abortions except when necessary to prevent a serious health risk to women. Though women are exempt from criminal and civil liability, the new law punishes doctors for performing an abortion. The law reclassifies the procedure as a Class A felony that is punishable by up to 99 years in prison. Lawmakers in a host of conservative states have passed similar anti-abortion laws. In Missouri Friday, the Republican-controlled House voted to ban abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy. The Alabama law is considered the most stringent because it prohibits abortions in almost every circumstance including rape and incest. Its drawn criticism in recent days, even among Christian conservative personalities like Pat Robertson who called it an extreme law. Officials in Colorado and Maryland are calling on travel bans to Alabama. It will force victims of rape and incest to carry their pregnancy to term, and thats a pregnancy they have no choice in, said Brown. "It's an extreme law": Pat Robertson says that Alabama's anti-abortion law goes too far and will most likely lose at the Supreme Court. pic.twitter.com/lDuteweasq Right Wing Watch (@RightWingWatch) May 15, 2019 Protect lives But supporters say the law is needed and will help provoke legal challenges that could wind up before the U.S. Supreme Court and lead to an overturn of the courts 1973 decision in Roe v. Wade. Bill Klein, president of Alabama Citizens for Life and a Mobile resident, said the states new law is the strongest in the U.S. and is one hes praying will make its way to the Supreme Court. Klein, though, said he supports any of the other abortion bans that could serve as the legal impetus that leads to overturning the 1973 decision that protects a womans right to choose whether to have an abortion. Any one of these bills can be the medium to overturn Roe v. Wade, which wed be very happy with, he said. Jean Sullivan of Mobile showed up to the Mobile rally to offer an anti-abortion counter protest. She held signs including one that took aim at Planned Parenthood. I dont understand this, said Sullivan, referring to the why people were upset over HB314. All the bill does is protect children and women. We are here to protect lives. We want to stand up for women. Abortion does not help women. They suffer a lot through abortion. Abortion is wrong and we are going to keep standing up until one day it comes to an end. Sullivan said she was proud that Ivey signed the legislation, and said it reflected Alabamas views of believing in life. Were going backward Polling on Alabamas views about abortion have produced some conflicting results. The most recent Pew Research Centers analysis shows that 58% of Alabama residents believe abortion should be illegal in all or most cases, while 37% believe it should be legal. Only Arkansas (at 60%) and Mississippi (at 59%) had a higher percentage of residents in support of criminalizing abortions. Alabama voters, in November, passed with nearly 60% of the vote, a state constitutional amendment that declared support for the rights of unborn children. The measure also stated that there are no provisions in the state constitution allowing for abortions. (HB314) speaks for itself, and it has overwhelming support, I believe, in Alabama and in the nation, said Klein. Other polling shows different results. Anzalone Liszt Grove Research, a Montgomery-based firm, conducted an analysis last year that showed less than a third of Alabamians approved of the provisions contained in the abortion ban adopted into law on Wednesday. Only 16 % of those polled by the Democratic firm agreed that abortion should be prohibited except when a womans life is in danger. Only 29% said abortion should be legal in cases of rape, incents or when the life of a woman is in danger. Nationally, the most recent Gallup poll shows that 50% of Americans believe abortion should be legal under certain circumstances, 29% believe it should be supported under any circumstance and 18% believe it should be outright illegal. The Gallup polling has remained relatively unchanged in recent years. It seems like everywhere else in the world, they are moving forward but in Alabama, were going backward said the Rev. Sara Sills, a pastor at Cornerstone Metropolitan Community Church in Mobile. Sills said she hoped the rallies will inspire more action. If we dont stand up and let our voices heard, well continue to go backward, she said. I am hoping we send a message to our Legislature that we wont stand for this. Poor Kenyan Somalis registered as Dadaab refugees to access benefits, but say they are now being refused nationality. Eastleigh, Kenya In a restaurant in Eastleigh, a noisy Nairobi suburb, Shariff Omar, a Kenyan Somali, reaches for a brown folder. I have managed to get some names of all the needy people in my neighbourhood, he said, flipping through documents as he explains how he started a charity project a few weeks earlier. We now have to find well-wishers to help these people. They are suffering. Omar was born in Tana River, a semi-arid county about 500km south of Kenyas capital. Despite his right to Kenyan citizenship, the government classifies him as a Somali refugee. In August 2009, when Omar lived with his family, their sole source of income was their livestock. That year, the county experienced a severe drought. We did not have food [and had to quit] school to cut costs and try to afford basic needs, he told Al Jazeera. I was the only one in my family who was in school. When I was told to quit, I felt bad. I knew education was the only way to a better life in the future. A few months later, following advice from his friends, he climbed onto a bus and travelled to Dadaab, the once-largest refugee camp in the world, to register himself as a Somali refugee. We always knew that refugees from neighbouring Somalia get good benefits from the UNHCR and other aid agencies. Life was hard and I needed food, shelter and, importantly, education, said Omar, who gave all his details including fingerprints for biometric registration. I was able to continue with my education and graduated from high school. With my certificates, I travelled to the capital to seek further education and apply for my citizenship. This photo from 2011 shows refugees who had fled the famine-hit Somalia waiting in line at a reception at Ifo camp, one of three camps that make up sprawling Dadaab refugee camp in Dadaab, northeastern Kenya [File: Dai Kurokawa/EPA] When they turn 18, Kenyans have to give their details to authorities to get an identification card, a crucial document. Omar, now a graduate of Islamic studies, was told he did not qualify for citizenship because his fingerprints were in the refugee database. According to Mohamed Dahiye, a Kenyan MP representing the Dadaab constituency, there are almost 100,000 similar cases in the country. Since the creation of the refugee camp, thousands of host communities, mainly Kenyan Somalis, registered as refugees to enjoy the benefits offered in the camps which included shelter, monthly food rations, access to education, access to better health facilities and resettlement to a third country, Dahiye told Al Jazeera, explaining that anyone born in Kenya should have access to citizenship. Impoverished, hungry and seeking safety and opportunities, several Kenyan Somalis travelled to Dadaab and are listed on the refugee database. Some borrowed children from Kenyan families in order to increase their food rations. Ahmed Nunow, 26, was one of those children. While his parents and siblings are Kenyan citizens, he said: I am living as an asylum seeker in my own country because someone needed more food rations. The lack of an identification card has crippled me. I cannot move; I cannot do university exams, I cannot apply for a passport. For close to a decade, my life has been frozen. He claimed he is unable to further his education or progress in a career. I am now seeking job opportunities in Somalia; a country I am barely familiar with. But since Kenya classified me as a Somali refugee, I am planning to travel there and look for opportunities, he said. Ahmed Nunow, 26, is considering moving to Somalia to look for job opportunities. He is among the thousands of Kenyan Somalis classified as Somali refugees [Osman Mohamed Osman/Al Jazeera] The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has said it is aware of the phenomenon and advised the government of Kenya to verify the refugee population in Dadaab, identify Kenyan nationals and deregister them as refugees. We understand that there are situations where [people] may seek to register as refugees, even when they are nationals of the same country. In this situation, Kenyan nationals who chose to register as refugees would then find themselves unable to access national documentation, despite being citizens, said Yvonne Ndege, UNHCR Kenya spokeswoman. By the time of publication, government officials had not responded to Al Jazeeras request for comment. In 2016, President Uhuru Kenyatta visited Garissa, the county that hosts the Dadaab refugee camp and promised to solve the issue. Proper vetting will be done and any Kenyan who is registered as a refugee, for whatever reason, will be given their citizenship back and reintegrated to the society, he said. As Omar remembered those words, he said: Nothing happened ever since. Kenya plans to close the camp, which is home to more than 200,000 refugees. It is time for my country to recognise me and thousands of others so that we can move forward with life, said Omar. I am really worried about my future if this issue is not resolved as fast as possible. In a series of tweets, legislator Justin Amash says the US president has engaged in impeachable conduct. Republican legislator Justin Amash has said he believes Donald Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct, becoming the first politician from his party to call for removing the US president. The Michigan representative on Saturday also accused Attorney General William Barr of deliberately misleading the public over the actual content and tenor of Special Counsel Robert Muellers report on Russian interference aimed at tipping the election to Trump. 190426132744336 In a series of tweets, Amash a member of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus said few members of Congress even read Muellers report, which identified multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice. Undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence, he posted. Contrary to Barrs portrayal, Muellers report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behaviour that met the threshold for impeachment. Here are my principal conclusions: 1. Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented Muellers report. 2. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. 3. Partisanship has eroded our system of checks and balances. 4. Few members of Congress have read the report. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 Amashs comments went even further than those by most Democratic leaders in Congress. Fellow Michigan legislator Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat, urged Amash to co-sponsor her impeachment resolution. @justinamash come find me in 1628 Longworth. Ive got an impeachment investigation resolution youre going to want to cosponsor, she wrote in response to Amashs thread. Trump has proclaimed he was fully exonerated by Muellers report. But some Democrats, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, a 2020 presidential candidate who has called for impeachment proceedings, argue that the document lays out multiple occasions in which the president may have obstructed justice. 190510153644885 Other senior Democrats including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have cautioned against such a move, stressing it could deeply divide the nation of about 325 million people. These Democrats warn it could backfire politically in the run-up to the 2020 election, especially with the Republican-controlled Senate likely to acquit the president in the event of impeachment by the House of Representatives. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has thanked his fellow Pentecostal churchgoers after a miraculous election victory that defied years of unfavourable opinion polls and bruised a Labor opposition that had been widely expected to win. Morrisons Liberal-led conservative coalition has won or is leading in 76 seats, the number needed to form a majority government, according to the Australian Electoral Commission. A little more than three-quarters of the roughly 17 million votes cast in the Saturday polls have been counted. A jubilant Morrison hugged community members after an early Sunday service at the Horizon Church in Sydneys southern suburbs, from where he was first elected to parliament in 2007. You dont get to be a prime minister and serve in that capacity unless you are first a member of your local electorate, he said. He drew cheers later on Sunday when he arrived in the stands to watch his team, the Cronulla Sharks, in a rugby league match in his beachside electorate. Miracle victory Morrison told raucous supporters late on Saturday, who had earlier seemed resigned to defeat, that he had always believed in miracles. The result drew comparisons with Republican Donald Trumps victory over Democratic rival Hillary Clinton in the 2016 US presidential election. Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were among the first world leaders to congratulate Morrison. Congratulations to Scott on a GREAT WIN, Trump said on Twitter before calling the Australian leader. Jacinda Ardern, the progressive prime minister of neighbouring New Zealand, also called to congratulate him, saying that Morrison understands us. Opinion polls in Australia had all pointed to a Labor victory. So strong was the expectation the government would fall that one betting agency even paid out bets on a Labor win days before the election. Morrison, who emerged as an unlikely leader after Liberal party infighting last year, cast himself as the candidate who would work for aspirational voters and the tactic seemed to strike a chord. If the coalition fails to secure at least 76 seats, it will need to rely on support from independent politicians, such as maverick conservative Bob Katter, or small parties to govern. Labor concedes defeat 190514043301121 Labor conceded defeat even with several seats in the 151-seat House of Representatives too close to call and millions of early votes still to be counted. Its leader, Bill Shorten, said he would step down. Senior Labor figures began lining up on Sunday for the leadership after the centre-left party lost what some commentators called an unlosable election. Labor campaigned on a platform of reducing inequality through tax reform, higher wages, better public infrastructure and faster action on climate change but Shorten, a former union leader, was never seen as a popular leader. You know I really dont like what stands for, although I like what the Labor party stands for, voter Rob Harb told Reuters news agency at Sydneys Bondi Beach on Sunday. Tanya Plibersek, Shortens deputy, said she was considering running for the leadership. Veteran Labor figure Anthony Albanese announced he would run after calling the defeat devastating. What you see is what you get with me, for better or worse, Albanese told a news conference. I am a bit rough at the edges, but I think that Australians dont want someone who just utters talking points. Attempts by populist and far-right parties to win influence in the upper house Senate largely fell flat. Fraser Anning, who sparked outrage when he blamed Muslim immigration for the New Zealand mosque shootings that killed 51 people in March, lost his Senate seat in the state of Queensland. Mining magnate Clive Palmer, who spent tens of millions of dollars on a campaign aimed at disaffected voters, also failed to secure a place, although his campaign against Labor likely had an impact on the overall result. Morrisons coalition defied expectations by holding onto a string of seats in the outer suburbs of Australias largest cities, as well as in the resources-rich states of Queensland and Western Australia and the small island state of Tasmania. Aerospace company says it has made corrections to simulator software used to train pilots flying its 737 MAX jets. Boeing has acknowledged it had to correct flaws in its 737 MAX flight simulator software used to train pilots, after two deadly crashes involving the aircraft that killed 346 people within six months. The US-based aerospace company said its simulators were incapable of replicating certain flight conditions that contributed to the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March, or the Lion Air accident off Indonesia last October. Boeing has made corrections to the 737 MAX simulator software and has provided additional information to device operators to ensure that the simulator experience is representative across different flight conditions, Boeing said in a statement on Saturday. 190319004904940 The company did not indicate when it first became aware of the problem, and whether it informed regulators. Its statement marked the first time Boeing admitted there was a design flaw in software linked to the 737 MAX, whose MCAS anti-stall software has been blamed in large part for the Ethiopian Airlines tragedy. Grounded planes The 737 MAX was grounded around the world in March following the Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 on board just five months after a similar crash of a Lion Air flight of a 737 MAX killed 189 people. The company said the latest changes will improve the simulation of force loads on the manual trim wheel, a rarely used manual wheel to control the planes angle. Boeing is working closely with the device manufacturers and regulators on these changes and improvements, and to ensure that customer training is not disrupted, it added. Southwest Airlines, a major 737 MAX customer with 34 of the aircraft in its fleet, told AFP news agency it expected to receive the first simulator late this year. American Airlines, which has 24 of the aircraft, said it had ordered a 737 MAX simulator that will be delivered and put into operation in December. As a result of the continuing investigation into both aircraft accidents, we are looking at the potential for additional training opportunities in coordination with the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and Allied Pilots Association, it added. 190429074725422 On Thursday, Boeing said it had completed a software update for its 737 MAX jets and that is also submitting a plan on pilot training to the US Federal Aviation Administration. The planes are awaiting approval from US and international regulators before they can return to service. Currently, there is only one flight simulator specific to the 737 MAX in the United States, and it is owned by Boeing, according to FAA documentation. US airlines train their pilots flying the MAX on a simulator built for the 737 NG, the version preceding the 737 MAX in the 737 aircraft family. Oliver McGee, a former US deputy assistant secretary for transportation, said its vital for pilots to have access to accurate training systems. These simulators are very important to the airline operators, he told Al Jazeera from Lubbock, Texas. It can cost about tens of millions of dollars over the life of the aircraft. American Airlines is already on board, saying were going to get those simulators and get more data and information, to the manufacturers, from the pilots where the manoeuvrability and controllability of the MCAS takes place, he added. US airlines have targeted August as the date they expect to resume flying on the 737 MAX. Turkish leader says purchase of S-400 defence system is complete, adding Ankara will jointly produce S-500s with Moscow. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey and Russia would jointly produce S-500 defence systems after Ankaras controversial purchase of the S-400 missile defence system from Moscow. Turkeys push to buy the S-400s has further strained the already tense relations with the United States, which has repeatedly warned Ankara of the risks, including sanctions, if it goes ahead with the purchase. There is absolutely no question of [Turkey] taking a step back from the S-400 purchase. That is a done deal, Erdogan said on Saturday in Istanbul. 190501145404763 There will be joint production of the S-500 after the S-400, Erdogan told an audience of young people in reply to a question. Ties between Turkey and the US, both NATO allies, have frayed over multiple issues, including American support for Syrian Kurdish fighters viewed as terrorists by Ankara and the US failure to extradite a Muslim preacher blamed for the 2016 coup attempt against Erdogan. Washington says the deal with Moscow is a threat to Western defence. In April, the US suspended the delivery of F-35 stealth fighter jets to Turkey in a bid to halt the purchase. Turkish pilots are in the US receiving training on the F-35s, manufactured by Lockheed Martin. Ankara is expected to buy a total of 100 jets. Erdogan said Turkey conducted technical studies amid US concerns over the compatibility of the S-400s and the F-35s but found there were no issues. He also insisted sooner or later Turkey would receive the F-35 jets. Despite the threat of sanctions, Erdogan repeated that the S-400s were expected to be delivered in July. They [US] are passing the ball around in the midfield now, showing some reluctance. But sooner or later, we will receive the F-35s. [The US] not delivering them is not an option. he said. PM Narendra Modis ruling alliance led by right-wing BJP is likely to win a majority in parliament, most exit polls say. Prime Minister Narendra Modis ruling alliance led by right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to win a majority in parliament in the mammoth Indian general elections that ended on Sunday, exit polls show. Several early exit polls released by Indian media on Sunday predicted the BJP will lose seats but with allies would still secure a majority of the 542 seats fought. BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to win anywhere between 287 to 306 seats in the 545-member lower house of parliament, called the Lok Sabha, at least four exit polls showed. The opposition Indian National Congress party-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was predicted to more than double its 2014 tally of 44 seats by winning anywhere between 128 to 132 seats. The CVoter exit poll said the NDA is projected to win 287 seats, followed by 128 for the UPA. Another exit poll released by Times Now television, Modis alliance is likely to win 306 seats, a clear majority, while the network projected 142 seats for the UPA. 190410110402766 Another TV channel, Sudarshan News, projected 313 seats to the NDA and 121 to the UPA. To rule, a party needs the support of 272 legislators. Votes are to be counted on Thursday. News18India-IPSOS poll said the Modi-led NDA will win 336 seats, while the UPA will be reduced to just 82. One exit poll by Neta NewsX, however, forecast Modis alliance falling 30 seats short of the majority mark of 272. Exit polls, which have a mixed record in a country with an electorate of 900 million people, were released minutes after India concluded its mammoth seven-phase national elections, which began on April 11. As the final polling booths closed at 12:30 GMT, a huge security cordon was thrown around the voting machines and boxes of paper votes used in the vote for 542 seats in the worlds biggest election. Modis constituency in Varanasi, the holy city in Uttar Pradesh state, was also among those to vote. Acrimonious election Critics say Modi has stoked fear among the countrys Hindu majority of the potential dangers posed by the countrys Muslims and Pakistan, and promoted a Hindu-first India. But Modis supporters say the prime minister and his allies are simply restoring Hinduism to its rightful place at the core of Indian society. 190503075428819 The opposition, led by the Indian National Congress and its leader Rahul Gandhi, have accused him of pursuing divisive policies, neglecting the economy and leaving many farmers in ruin. Gandhi, 48, tried several lines of attack against Modi, in particular over alleged corruption in a French defence deal and over the plight of farmers and on the economy. Modis government fell short on creating jobs for the million Indians entering the labour market every month, the shock introduction of a currency ban in 2016, while Indian banks struggle with huge bad debts. New Delhi-based Centre for Media Studies estimates that the outlay on this election could top $7bn, making it one of the priciest contests globally, with the lions share of the spending by the BJP, news agency AFP said. Since the launch by Haftars LNA forces of an offensive to take Tripoli from the UN-sponsored government (GNA) early April, trade has been heavily affected in Tunisian border towns with hospitals full of wounded Libyans. The intensifying battles around Tripoli are also putting a strain on Tunisias security apparatus which announced on May 3 the killing of three of the most dangerous IS terrorists in the southern town of Sidi Bouzid. Tunisia refuses to interfere and adopts a cautious foreign policy as Libya turns into a terrain for a proxy war opposing Qatar and Turkey on one side supporting the GNA and the UAE, Egypt and France backing Haftar. The North African country where the Arab Spring started seems to have too much on its plate than intervene with Libyan fighting. The countrys military is still suffering from a legacy of Ben Ali who under-armed the army in favor of overarming the police. The war in Libya has spilled over by the past to neighboring Tunisia as in March 2016 when dozens of militants stormed a Tunisian town near the border, assaulting police and military posts in what the president called an unprecedented attack. Tunis therefore needs to rethink its military doctrine and adapt its security efforts to the new threats emanating from Libya. In an effort to stop militant infiltration, Tunisia has built a 125-mile-long berm along half of the border with Libya but it still has to do more to protect its nascent democracy from a fallout of the Libyan war. Officials say 17 people were wounded after an explosion hits tourist bus near Giza pyramids. An explosion rocked a tourist bus near Egypts Giza Pyramids wounding 17 people, according to officials. The wounded included South African tourists and Egyptians, officials said on Sunday. There were no reports of deaths. Pictures on social media showed at least one person covered in blood and a bus with some of its windows blown out or shattered. The bomb went off on a road near the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is still under construction and not open to tourists. Sundays blast came as Egypts vital tourism industry showed signs of recovery after years in the doldrums because of the political turmoil and violence that followed a 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak. 181229143130654 It was the second such incident involving foreign tourists near the famed pyramids in less than six months. In December, three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian guide were killed when a roadside bomb hit a tour bus less than four kilometres from the Giza landmarks. Timothy Kaldas, a political analyst and non-resident fellow at US-based The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy, said it was too early to know who was responsible for Sundays blast. The last time we had an attack on a tourist bus that had been leaving the pyramids in December no one ended up claiming responsibility, Kaldas told Al Jazeera. He added that the Egyptian government has traditionally responded forcefully to such incidents. Historically these sorts of attacks have been followed by announcements of raids on different militant groups outposts, he said. Voting in the seventh and final phase ends, wrapping up a six-week campaign with PM Narendra Modi seeking a second term. India has concluded its marathon seven-phase national elections, the countrys Election Commission has announced. The vote count is scheduled four days later on May 23. The voting on Sunday wrapped up the six-week-long campaign in which Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is seeking a re-election for another five years. Nearly 100 million people were eligible to vote on Sunday in 59 constituencies across seven states including politically-critical Uttar Pradesh in the north and West Bengal in the east. Up for grabs on Sunday were 13 seats in Punjab and an equal number in Uttar Pradesh, eight each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, four in Himachal Pradesh and three in Jharkhand and Chandigarh. Election Commission: Polling has concluded in 542 parliamentary constituencies across states and union territories. pic.twitter.com/01rjyLtVfL ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 Sundays voting also covered Modis constituency of Varanasi, a temple town where he was elected in 2014. Pre-election poll surveys by the media indicate that no party is likely to win anything close to a majority in parliament, which has 543 seats up for grabs. To stay in power, the BJP, which won a majority of 282 seats in 2014, may need to ally itself with some regional parties. An opposition Indian National Congress-led government would require a major electoral upset. Referendum on Modi rule 190410185739389 The general election is widely seen as a referendum on Modis five-year rule. He adopted a nationalist pitch in trying to win votes from the countrys Hindu majority by projecting a tough stance against Pakistan, Indias Muslim-majority neighbour and regional rival. Modi played up the threat of Pakistan, especially after the suicide bombing of a paramilitary convoy on February 14 that killed 40 Indian soldiers. Reporting from Varanasi, Al Jazeeras Sohail Rahman said while the BJP positioned national security as its main poll agenda, the opposition attempted to corner Modi by focusing on issues of development. The discourse certainly changed after the Pulwama attacks and national security became the issue. However, people and experts that I talked to said actual issues havent come out, issues like health, education, sanitation and infrastructure, which the opposition used to target the government. The incumbent BJP government has been very reluctant to talk about what they have achieved in the last five years, he said. The Indian National Congress and other opposition parties challenged Modi over a high unemployment rate of 6.1 percent and farmers distress aggravated by low crop prices. Some of Modis boldest policy steps, such as the demonetisation of high-denomination currency notes to curb black-market money and bring a large number of people into the tax net, proved to be economically damaging. A haphazard implementation of one nation, one tax the Goods and Services Tax also hit small and medium businesses. Patna: Conjoined sisters Saba & Farah cast their votes as separate individuals with independent voting rights for the first time. #Bihar #LokSabhaElections2019 (Pictures courtesy- Election Commission) pic.twitter.com/t0ZFucfQiU ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 190416054316199 The average voter turnout in the general elections was a record 67 percent, the Election Commission said. The election took place in a charged atmosphere as Modis BJP pushed policies some say increased religious tensions and undermined multiculturalism. The campaigning was marred by accusations and insults, as well as an unprecedented increase in the use of social media. Mamata Banerjee, chief minister of West Bengal and chief of the TMC, at a roadshow ahead of the last phase of general election in Kolkata [Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters] The Sunday voting was marred by sporadic incidents of violence in the eastern state of West Bengal, where crude bombs were hurled and rival parties claimed they were attacked and voters intimidated, news agency dpa citing Indian media reports said. 190503111153484 The BJP is trying to wrest seats in West Bengal from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), a powerful regional party that is currently governing the state In a drastic and unprecedented action, the Election Commission cut campaigning off early in West Bengal on Thursday after days of clashes in the final stretch of the election. Irans team, ranked number one in the world, hopes to make the top 10 at the next Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2020. With the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics just over a year away, Iran is preparing to stand out by sitting down. Their sitting volleyball team already has dozens of medals to their name. Al Jazeeras Zein Basravi went to meet them. Iraqs state-run news agency says a Katyusha rocket crashed inside the area without causing any casualties. An apparent rocket attack has exploded in the high-security Green Zone. The area houses key government buildings and the United States embassy. Iraqs state-run news agency says a Katyusha rocket crashed inside the area without causing any casualties. Al Jazeeras Charles Stratford joins us from Baghdad to discuss latest updates. The meeting is set to make recommendations ahead of a OPEC summit in late June, to be attended by Iran. Major crude producers are set to meet on Sunday to discuss how to stabilise a volatile oil market amid rising tensions between the United States and Iran in the Gulf, which threaten to disrupt supply. Key OPEC members and other major suppliers, including Russia, will assess the oil market and examine compliance to production cuts agreed late last year. But the subject of Iran, which is not present, will dominate the one-day meeting of the OPEC+ group, formed by OPEC members and its new petro allies. The meeting comes days after sabotage attacks against tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and a drone attack on a Saudi pipeline by Houthi rebels from Yemen. 181203112510476 The meeting also comes as the full impact of reinstated US sanctions against Tehran kicks in, slashing the Islamic Republics crude exports. Hours before the meeting in Jeddah, host Saudi Arabia said it does not seek war with Iran but is ready to defend its interests. The meeting is set to make recommendations ahead of a key OPEC summit in late June, to be attended by Iran. President Donald Trump said last month that Saudi Arabia and other OPEC members had agreed to his request to boost oil production in order to tamp down rising prices. Massive drops in exports by Iran and Venezuela plus output cuts of 1.2 million barrels per day, implemented by the OPEC+ group since January, have cut supply. But UAE Energy Minister Suheil al-Mazrouei said inventories were still building up. He told reporters Saturday that the job of balancing the market was not yet complete, a hint that any ramp-up in production could send prices crashing as they did in late 2018. Iran exports tumble OPEC and the International Energy Agency said earlier this month that global oil supply fell in April due to tightened US sanctions on Iran and OPEC+ production cuts. The IEA said Iranian crude production fell in April to 2.6 million bpd, down from 3.9 million before Washington announced in May 2018 it would withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal and re-impose sanctions. Irans output is already at its lowest level in over five years, but could tumble in May to levels not seen since the devastating 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. Energy intelligence firm Kpler sees Iranian exports plunging from 1.4 million bpd in April to around half-a-million barrels in May down from 2.5 million in normal circumstances. Venezuelas output is also tumbling, down by over half since the third quarter of last year. Kpler says data shows OPEC+ members have kept to agreed production cuts. But exporters fear a rush to raise production to plug the gap left by Iranian exports could backfire, triggering a new supply glut. Gulf tensions Sundays meeting comes amid soaring Gulf tensions after the tanker sabotage and the drone attacks on a key Saudi crude pipeline. Both attacks targeted routes built as alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for almost all Gulf exports. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait in case of war with the US, which announced this month it was sending an aircraft carrier and strike group to the region. Saudi Arabia accused Iran of ordering the pipeline attacks, targeting the security of oil supplies and the global economy. Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi minister of foreign affairs, said Sunday his country does not want war with Iran, but was ready to defend its interests. Saudi Arabia called on Saturday for urgent meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions, government news agency SPA said. It also said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had spoken with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about enhancing security in the region. Tens of thousands gather in cities, including Berlin and Munich, to protest against nationalist and far-right parties. A previous version of this story misnamed the capitals of Romania and Italy. This has been corrected below. Tens of thousands of people have marched in cities across Germany to protest against right-wing populism and nationalism, days ahead of a crucial European Parliament vote. The demonstrations on Sunday were held under the banner One Europe for Everyone: Your Voice Against Nationalism in cities including Berlin, Cologne, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg. I am here because I dont want to relive what a national-socialist party already did during my lifetime. That should never happen again, said 74-year-old Renate Foigt, referring to the ideology of Nazi Germany. I hope more and more people take to the streets to say Stop. The DPA news agency reported that more than 20,000 people turned up to the protest in Berlin, while Munich and Hamburg saw the participation of about 10,000 people each. Another 14,000 people rallied in the streets of Frankfurt. In Cologne, organisers estimated that 45,000 people took part in the march exceeding by far the 25,000 they had expected. The 751-seat European Parliament has limited powers but the poll is being seen as a test of strength both by right-wing, populist and nationalist groups who want curbs on immigration and more authority for national governments on the one hand, and on the other by centre-left and mainstream parties who support the EU as a bulwark of cooperation among its 28 member states, rule of law and democracy. Recent polls show far-right parties like Italys League, Germanys Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and French leader Marine Le Pens National Rally (RN), are expected to do well in the vote for seats in European Parliament, scheduled to take place on May 23-26. I am over the moon. We were 45.000 (!!!) people in Cologne today. Sending a strong signal against nationalism and for a strong and united Europe. #1EuropaFurAlle pic.twitter.com/iRQZypld9w Terry Reintke (@TerryReintke) May 19, 2019 Other gatherings under the slogan No to Hate, Yes to Change were planned in other European cities. In the Romanian capital, Bucharest, thousands turned out at Victoria Square, and the crowd formed a heart with the message: Romania loves Europe. 190516090301567 We want to tell them that their vote matters and that its very important to go out and vote, to express their selection and to show Europe that Romania loves Europe, rally organiser Catalina Hoparteanu said. Several thousand also protested in the Austrian capital Vienna, where on Saturday protesters demanded new elections after far-right leader and vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resigned over a hidden-camera scandal suggesting he was open to corruption. The rally on Sunday came a day after Italys populist leader Matteo Salvini gathered Europes disparate nationalists for a unifying rally in Milan. Salvini of the anti-immigrant League and Le Pen of Frances RN want their Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) alliance group to become the third-largest in Brussels. Nationalist governments in Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic also often push anti-immigrant agendas and clash with Brussels over their hardline policies and anti-EU stances. Pipeline failure in Qatar resulted in disruption of LNG supplies to UAE, which Doha backed up with ships, Reuters says. A major gas pipeline from Qatar to the United Arab Emirates, Dolphin, experienced an outage for several days last month and Qatar filled the gap with additional liquefied gas supplies, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters news agency. Qatar has been under a political boycott and economic blockade by its neighbours, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Egypt, who accuse Doha of supporting terrorism. Qatar denies the claim. In June 2017, then-chief executive of state-run Qatar Petroleum (QP) said Qatar would not cut gas supplies to the UAE despite the dispute between the two nations. Saad Sherida al-Kaabi told Al Jazeera Arabics Liqa al-Yaum (Todays Meeting show) that although there was a force majeure clause in the Dolphin pipeline agreement which pumps around 2 billion cubic feet of gas per day to the UAE Qatar would not stop supplies to its brothers. 170618171841461 The siege we have today is a force majeure and we could close the gas pipeline to the UAE, said Al-Kaabi, who is now Qatars energy minister. But if we cut the gas, it does great harm to the UAE and the people of the UAE, who are considered like brothers we decided not to cut the gas now, Al-Kaabi added in the 2017 interview. According to Al-Kaabi, a shutdown of the 364km Dolphin pipeline, which links Qatars giant North Field with the UAE and Oman, would cause major disruptions to the UAEs energy needs. The Dolphin pipeline supplies 2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day from Qatars North Field to customers in the UAE. The project is owned by Dolphin Energy Limited, which in turn is owned by the UAEs Mubadala with 51 percent, Total with 24.5 percent and Occidental with 24.5 percent. The pipeline encountered a major failure in Qatars territory in mid-April resulting in a shutdown of all of its facilities for several days, the source told Reuters. 190430154256454 The shutdown caused significant curtailment of gas supplies to the UAE, the source said, and state energy giant Qatar Petroleum helped Dolphin by shipping repair materials. It also backed up gas supplies by shipping LNG to the UAE. QP, the Qatar government and Dolphin Energy did not respond to Reuters requests for comments. Blockade continues The four blockading nations severed diplomatic and trade relations with Qatar on June 5, 2017, accusing it of supporting extremism and aligning with their regional rival Iran charges that Qatar has repeatedly denied. The bloc of nations cut off sea and air links with Qatar and ordered Qatari nationals to leave their countries within 14 days. 180609120205392 Qatar Airways, one of the biggest regional carriers, was forced to take long detours after it was barred from using Saudi, UAE and Egyptian airspace. The air, sea and land restrictions imposed by its three Gulf neighbours have not so far affected maritime routes for Qatari LNG vessels, which can pass through the Strait of Hormuz. Most of Qatars almost 80 million tonnes of annual LNG supplies are shipped in tankers, mainly to Japan, South Korea and India, as well as to several European countries. Muslims in the region spend Ramadan trying to rebuild their lives amid shortage of food and damaged mosques. Guludo/Ibo, Mozambique Piles of debris lie where thatched mud huts once stood in the village of Guludo in northern Mozambique. Broken pieces of furniture and muddied books litter the landscape and many like Asma Mushillah, 53, spend their days trying to salvage what they can from the rubble. In an ordinary year, the villagers would be observing the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, fasting from sunrise to sunset and praying, but this year, life seems extraordinarily difficult. Many are trying to rebuild their lives nearly a month since Cyclone Kenneth ripped through the northern coast, where the majority of Mozambiques Muslims live. The countrys central region was still reeling from Cyclone Idai that made landfall over two days in mid-March causing devastation across three Southern African countries, killing over 1,000 people. Then on April 25, Cyclone Kenneth hit the already water-logged country killing an estimated 45 people affecting 375,000 people who remain in need of emergency assistance, according to the UN. Mushillah says her observance of the Ramadan fast has been irregular because of the storms. I should be fasting They washed away her food supplies along with her home, that she hopes to rebuild with a tarpaulin roof. The wind and the rain were too strong for my house, I lost everything. I found a few pots after the flooding, but I dont have a house. My sons can help me to rebuild, but after that, we will still need food. I should be fasting, but I cant do it very well. Its a fast without order, some days I eat because I dont know when next I will get food. Ill fast properly if we get more food aid, then I will know I have something, she said. Many Muslims in this fishing village of about 2,500 inhabitants have had their holy month disrupted. Cyclone Kenneth, with wind speeds of over 200 km/hour, demolished the local mosque leaving them with nowhere to gather for worship or for the evening meal that breaks the fast. Muzasufar Abakari, 45, the chief of Guludo, told Al Jazeera the walls of the mosque had collapsed. The mosque is damaged so there are no prayers, there is no call for prayers and there is no place to come together. At this moment people are scattered, they live in different places so they pray separately, but with time we will organise ourselves and find an open place to pray, he explained. Muzasafar Abakari the chief of Gulugo says it will take the rural fishing village a long time to recover from the destruction of Cyclone Kenneth [Tendai Marima/Al Jazeera] A very difficult time About 50 kilometres south of Guludo is Ibo island, a former base for Arabic traders who introduced Islam to the native population of the Quirimbas archipelago as early as 600 AD. The islands mosques and the religious school were also partially destroyed by Cyclone Kenneth. Mahando Amad, 66, has been the Muslim leader of Ibos main mosque for 15 years, but even he doesnt always manage to attend all of the five daily prayers. Its the month of Ramadan and its an obligation to attend prayers especially on the holy day [Friday], but now people are facing a very difficult time so its understandable that not many people come for prayers. Some come whenever they feel free, but many are so busy with trying to normalise their lives after they lost everything in the cyclone, he said. 190513072544847 With the islands electricity supply damaged, Ahmad uses a megaphone for the call to prayer, but his voice can only be heard for a few blocks. A handful of men and very few women regularly attend prayers in the mosque where the old roof has been badly damaged. In previous years the meal would be shared with poorer members of the community, Amad says this Ramadan there is no communal meal. Instead, worshippers come for sunset prayer with small lunchboxes of food to break the fast with others. In the neighbourhood of Kumwamba, more than 500 homes were destroyed, according to local official Rahba Amad, and large parts of the local mosques ceiling were also damaged. Ibos Imam would like aid from the Islamic Council of Mozambique to help repair the places of worship. Im hopeful we will get some assistance from the Islamic Council. They normally send us food to assist others during Ramadan and Im sure they will help to restore the buildings, but right now communication is impossible because there is no [phone] network on Ibo, Ahmad explained. Technicians from Telecoms Sans Frontiers, are currently working to restore communications on the hard-hit island and food-aid relief agencies continue to try to reach affected communities by air. The UNs World Food Programme (WFP) said it has delivered food aid to over 100,000 affected people in northern Mozambique. I put my faith in Allah during this time, it is a time of struggle but it is also a special time for prayer, says Sifa Drisa who continues to fast during Ramadan [Tendai Marima/Al Jazeera] Faith in prayer But back on Mozambiques mainland coast in Guludo, which falls under Ibo district, Sifa Drisa, 67, does not have much food left in her home. Drisa says she and her grandchildren break their fast with a small bland meal of rice and fish, but Drisa fears the bag of rice she recently received as emergency aid relief will not last long with seven mouths to feed. The family had planted cassava, but the cyclone ruined most of the crop. Over 32,000 hectares of food in the area was destroyed by Cyclone Kenneth right before the main harvest leaving many families without much to eat. Lisa Ratcliffe, the communications representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), said the UN agency is carrying out assessments in parts of the northern Cabo Delgado province and the islands in order to map out a way to help farmers and fishermen who suffered losses. 190507081607786 FAOs expert technical teams are assessing needs, not only for agriculture but also livestock and fisheries, both of which also suffered extensive damage and losses from the [two] cyclones and as such to livelihoods and food security across the region, she told Al Jazeera an email. While aid slowly trickles into the worst-hit areas, Drisa says she still has faith that despite the challenges she faces, she and her grandchildren will be delivered from the hard times. I put my faith in Allah during this time, it is a time of struggle but it is also a special time for prayer. Though we have nothing in our house, I need to keep strong in my faith so that things will be all right in the end, she told Al Jazeera. Follow Tendai on Twitter: @i_amten US announces June conference to encourage investment in Palestinians as first part of deal of the century peace plan. The United States will co-host an economic workshop with Bahrain to encourage investment in the occupied Palestinian territories that could be made possible by a peace agreement, the White House said on Sunday. Peace to Prosperity will facilitate discussions on an ambitious, achievable vision and framework for a prosperous future for the Palestinian people and the region, said the statement. The June 25-26 conference in Manama is expected to bring together government, business and civil leaders to gather support for potential economic investments and initiatives that could be possible with a peace agreement, the statement said. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly touted his plan for peace between Palestinians and Israelis as the deal of the century. But Palestinian officials have rebuked the US effort, which they believe will be heavily biased in favour of Israel. The peace plan has been put together without participation from the Palestinians. Core political issues Trumps Middle East team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and regional envoy Jason Greenblatt, appear to initially focus on the potential economic benefits of the plan, despite deep scepticism among experts that they can succeed where decades of US-backed efforts have failed. Kushner has declined to say whether the plan will include a two-state solution, a key goal of other peace efforts. 190517140558201 Economic progress can only be achieved with a solid economic vision and if the core political issues are resolved, said Kushner in a statement on Sunday. We look forward to presenting our vision on ways to bridge the core political issues very soon. He added: The Palestinian people, along with all people in the Middle East, deserve a future with dignity and the opportunity to better their lives. Typical Trump playbook Al Jazeeras Patty Culhane in Washington said the announcement is really just following the typical Trump playbook when it comes to foreign affairs, which is to point out the economic benefits of whatever political or diplomatic change the White House wants. 190303130838617 It is not a strategy that has worked elsewhere, she pointed out, such as North Korea. She said that Kuchner is expected to invite treasury secretaries and finance ministers from all over the world to the June event. They say they want to focus on four areas, one is infrastructure, other industry, empowering and investing in people and reforming the government for the Palestinian people. This is an administration that has taken hundreds of millions of dollars away from the Palestinians in the form of aid to the Palestinians and to the United Nations. So their request that other countries replace that money, well it remains to be seen how well thats going to be received. US officials had said earlier the peace plan would be rolled out after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in early June. However, the announcement of the investors workshop appears to set the stage for a sequenced release of the plan, starting with the economic plan in late June, and later, at some time not yet clear, the political proposals. Moscow says government forces halted attacks on last major rebel-held area as opposition activists report more clashes. The Syrian government forces, backed by Russia, have unilaterally ceased firing in the northwestern Idlib province, the last major rebel-held territory, Moscows defence ministry said. However, opposition activists said shelling and air attacks continued on Sunday despite the announcement. Fighting erupted in northwestern Syria last month and shattered a truce negotiated by Russia and Turkey late last year. Syrian government forces intensified their attacks on Idlib, which is home to three million people, late in April, as the United Nations and rights groups warned of an humanitarian catastrophe. The offensive by the Syrian army and its allies uprooted more than 150,000 people, the UN said. 190517175629815 In a brief statement on Sunday, the Russian Defence Ministrys Center for Reconciliation of the Warring Sides in Syria said government forces had ceased firing as of midnight. It described the move as unilateral but did not give any further details. However, the pro-government Syrian Central Military Media said government forces responded to shelling by rebel fighters on Sunday on the edge of Idlib, according to the Associated Press news agency. It gave no further details. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitoring group, reported an air attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun, saying it inflicted casualties. The oppositions Syrian Civil Defence also reported shelling near the town of Jisr al-Shughour without reporting any casualties. Russia-Turkey deal Russia has firmly backed President Bashar al-Assads government in the eight-year civil war, while Turkey has supported some of the rebel groups, but the two sides had worked together to try to contain fighting in the countrys northwest. Turkey and Russia agreed on a truce in Idlib after Ankara pledged to disarm and remove Hayet Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters there in a deal reached last September in the Russian city of Sochi. The deal came after another escalation between government forces and HTS fighters in late 2018. Both Russia and Turkey list the HTS as a terrorist organisation. 190109070853739 The Sochi agreement prevented government forces from launching a major military operation on Idlib and protected the so-called de-escalation zone agreed on between Russia, Iran and Turkey in 2017. Since the Sochi agreement, Moscow at various times said that terrorist groups were operating in the zone. Russia has also been piling pressure on Ankara to start an operation in Idlib after Turkeys failure to get the HTS fighters out of the de-escalation zone. Turkey has said the recent Syrian government attacks violated the Sochi agreement. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Since taking back the House, Democrats have made a priority of looking into the presidents history with Deutsche Bank, concerned that there may be suspicious activity in Trumps personal and business accounts going back to 2010. According to a report from the New York Times, Deutsches in-house investigators also had concerns about potential illegal activity: In 2016 and 2017, the banks anti-money-laundering specialists recommended that several transactions involving entities owned by Donald Trump and his son-in-law Jared Kushner be reported to the wing of the Treasury Department that oversees financial crimes. Deutsche compliance staff reportedly prepared suspicious-activity reports on the transactions including at least one from the now-defunct Trump Foundation to send to the Treasury. The details of the transactions are not clear, but some of them reportedly involve money moving between international accounts, which the bank found suspicious. Yet Deutsche brass, which has loaned Trump and his son-in-law billions of dollars for real-estate purchases including the $175 million the president still owes the bank did not report the flagged information. As the Times explains, an internal red flag does not immediately equate to illegal activity: Real estate developers like Mr. Trump and Mr. Kushner sometimes do large, all-cash deals, including with people outside the United States, any of which can prompt anti-money laundering reviews. A former anti-money-laundering specialist for Deutsche, Tammy McFadden, told the Times that the decision not to contact the Treasury stemmed from the banks loose interpretation of money-laundering laws and a willingness to protect high rollers. Its the D.B. way, said McFadden. They are prone to discounting everything. The Times report gives Democrats further reason to pursue the Trump-Deutsche records. Already, two House committees have subpoenaed documents relating to the business relationship, and some Democratic members of Congress, including House Judiciary member Ted Lieu, believe that the president may have committed bank fraud if he misled Deutsche about his net worth to obtain a larger loan. Conversely, the new report would give the president all the more reason to play hardball to keep his relationship with Deutsche the only major bank to stick with Trump through his many years in the red from the public. In response to House subpoenas for the bank documents, Trump and his family sued Deutsche in April in an attempt to block it from cooperating with the House requests. Though the report is the first detail of possible Trump money laundering involving Deutsche Bank, some of the presidents business practices have been consistent with such behavior for years. According to BuzzFeed News, one-fifth of all Trump-branded condos sold in the U.S. since the 1980s were handled in cash transactions that allowed buyers to use shell companies to obscure their finances and identities a type of exchange that the Treasury Department considers an attractive avenue for criminals to launder illegal proceeds while masking their identities. Some protesters say construction will destroy increasingly rare urban green areas, so they prefer a park instead. Thousands of protesters in Russia have claimed victory in a campaign to stop a new cathedral from being built. Russian Orthodox leaders say they need new churches to replace those demolished under Soviet-era laws. But activists say construction will destroy increasingly rare urban green areas. Now plans for the building have been put on hold, after President Vladimir Putin intervened. Al Jazeeras Step Vaessen reports from Yekaterinburg. Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi state minister of foreign affairs, says the ball is in Irans court to determine its fate. Saudi Arabia wants to avert war in the region but stands ready to respond with all strength and determination after last weeks attacks on Saudi oil assets, a senior official said, adding that the ball was now in Irans court. Riyadh has accused Tehran of ordering Tuesdays drone attacks on two oil pumping stations in the kingdom, claimed by Yemens Houthi group. The attack came two days after four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Iran has denied it was behind the attacks which come as Washington and the Islamic republic spar over sanctions and the US military presence in the region, raising concerns about a potential US-Iran conflict. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want a war in the region nor does it seek that, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference on Sunday. 190519094217638 It will do what it can to prevent this war and at the same time it reaffirms that in the event the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with all force and determination, and it will defend itself and its interests. A senior Iranian military commander was similarly quoted as saying his country is not looking for war, in comments published in Iranian media on Sunday. The remarks came as Saudi Arabias King Salman invited Gulf and Arab leaders to convene emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss implications of the attacks. The current critical circumstances entail a unified Arab and Gulf stance toward the besetting challenges and risks, the UAE foreign ministry said. The US Navys Fifth Fleet, in a statement about increased maritime patrols, said Gulf countries were specifically increasing communication and coordination with each other in support of regional naval cooperation and maritime security operations in the Arabian Gulf. Their navies and coastguards working with the US Navy, it said. The UAE has not blamed anyone for the tanker operation, pending an investigation. No one has claimed responsibility, but two US government sources said last week that US officials believed Iran had encouraged the Houthi group or Iraq-based Shia militias to carry it out. The Houthis claimed the attack on the pipelines. 190518065807097 Not afraid Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has dismissed the possibility of war erupting, saying Tehran did not want conflict and no country had the illusion it can confront Iran. This stance was echoed by the head of Irans elite Revolutionary Guards on Sunday. We are not pursuing war but we are also not afraid of war, Major General Hossein Salami was cited as saying by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. Washington has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, trying to cut Tehrans oil exports to zero, and beefed up the US military presence in the Gulf in response to what it said were Iranian threats to US troops and interests. It has not offered details of the nature of the threat. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed regional developments, including efforts to strengthen security and stability, in a phone call with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Saudi Media Ministry tweeted on Sunday. We want peace and stability in the region but we will not sit on our hands in light of the continuing Iranian attack, al-Jubeir said. The ball is in Irans court and it is up to Iran to determine what its fate will be. He said the crew of an Iranian oil tanker that had been towed to Saudi Arabia early this month after a request for help due to engine trouble were still in the kingdom receiving the necessary care. The crew are 24 Iranians and two Bangladeshis. Saudi Arabia and Iran are adversaries in the Middle East, backing opposite sides in several regional wars. In a sign of the heightened tension, Exxon Mobil evacuated foreign staff from an oilfield in neighbouring Iraq. Bahrain on Saturday warned its citizens against travel to Iraq and Iran and asked those already there to return. The Federal Aviation Administration has issued an advisory to US commercial airliners flying over the waters of the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to exercise caution. Saudi official says OPEC+ nations favour gently driving down oil inventories despite uncertainty over Iran exports. Top officials from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have said oil supplies were sufficient and stockpiles were still rising despite anticipated drops in output from Iran and Venezuela. Speaking at the start of a meeting of top crude producers in Jeddah on Sunday, Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said the market was in a delicate situation but inventories are rising and supplies are plenty. None of us wants to see the [oil] stocks swell again, he said, with reference to a supply surplus that sent prices sharply lower in the second half of last year. We have to be cautious, he said, adding that members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) would not make hasty decisions about output ahead of a meeting of the cartel scheduled for June. The meeting, between ministers of OPEC+, which includes Russia and other non-OPEC producers, came amid worries over a volatile oil market following tensions between Iran and the United States in the Gulf. US President Donald Trump last month demanded that buyers of Iranian oil including India, China and Turkey stop purchasing by the beginning of May or face sanctions in a bid to bring Irans oil exports to zero and deny Tehran its principal source of revenue. The move came three months after Trump imposed sanctions on Venezuelas oil industry as part of his administrations bid to ratchet up pressure on embattled President Nicolas Maduro. Iran did not send a representative to Sundays meeting. Reduce inventories At the end of the gathering, al-Falih told a news conference the OPEC+ nations were unanimous in continuing to work to achieve stability between supply and demand. He said there was a consensus among the oil producers to drive down crude inventories gently. OPEC+ agreed to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day from the beginning of this year for six months in a bid to stop inventories building up. Suhail Mohamed Faraj Al Mazrouei, United Arab Emirates energy minister, said there was no need to relax that deal. As UAE we see that the job is not done yet, there is still a period of time to look at the supply and demand and we dont see any need to alter the agreement in the meantime, Al Mazrouei said. On Sunday, Alexander Novak, Russias energy minister, said ministers had recommended continued monitoring of the market due to current uncertainties and that full recommendations would be made at the OPEC meeting next month. Novak also said the option of easing agreed cuts had been discussed and that the supply situation would be clearer in June, including from countries under sanctions. Oil prices edged lower on Friday due to demand fears amid a standoff in US-China trade talks but ended the week higher on rising concerns over disruptions in Middle East shipments due to heightened political tensions between Washington and Tehran. Friction between US-ally Saudi Arabia and Iran was also running high last week after attacks on two Saudi oil tankers off the UAE coast and another on Saudi oil facilities inside the kingdom. Riyadh accused Tehran of ordering the drone strikes on oil pumping stations, for which Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi group claimed responsibility. The UAE has blamed no one for the tanker sabotage. Iran has distanced itself from both sets of attacks. Although it has not affected our supplies, such acts of terrorism are deplorable, al-Falih said. They threaten uninterrupted supplies of energy to the world and put a global economy that is already facing headwinds at further risk. Alliance for Freedom and Change insists a civilian-led authority govern the country during the three-year transition. Sudans military rulers and protest leaders have resumed talks to finalise a new governing body that would replace the generals who took power after ousting longtime ruler Omar al-Bashir on the back of a popular uprising. The resumption of talks on Sunday comes following pressure from world powers to reach an agreement over an interim government that would be civilian-led a key demand of demonstrators. The talks between the Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Alliance for Freedom and Change have started, a statement by the military council said, in reference to the protest movement. Earlier in the day, the alliance said it was determined that the countrys new ruling body be led by a civilian as its chairman and with a limited military representation. The two sides have been divided over the composition of the transitional authority. Both want a majority of seats on the 11-member sovereign council, which would operate as the top tier of power during the planned transition period. They had been expected to meet for negotiations over the issue earlier in the week, but the TMC suspended talks with the alliance for 72-hours early on Thursday. It cited a deteriorating security situation in the capital Khartoum where demonstrators had erected roadblocks on several key avenues. Key issues Before talks were suspended, the two sides had agreed on several key issues, including a three-year transition period and the creation of a 300-member parliament, with two-thirds of legislators to come from the protesters umbrella group. Protesters placed roadblocks on some avenues in Khartoum, paralysing large parts of the capital to put further pressure on the generals during negotiations, but the military rulers suspended the last round of talks and demanded the barriers be removed. Demonstrators took the roadblocks down in recent days, but warned they will put them back up, if the army fails to cede power to a civilian administration. The generals have allowed protesters to maintain their sit-in outside Khartoums army headquarters. The deputy head of the military council, General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, better known as Hemeti, said late on Saturday that security forces had arrested those behind an attack on the protesters last week that killed at least five people, including an army officer. Both the military and the protesters had blamed the attack on al-Bashir loyalists. The assailants who opened fire (on protesters) have been caught. Their confessions will be broadcast on TV, said Dagalo, who heads the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. Dagalo hailed the protesters for their role in al-Bashirs military overthrow on April 11. We want the democracy they are talking about. We want a real democracy, fair and free elections. Whoever the Sudanese choose will rule, he said. Islamists protest Separately on Saturday, Sudanese Islamist movements held their own demonstration outside the presidential palace in downtown Khartoum on Saturday night. Hundreds took part in the rally, the first organised mobilisation by Islamist groups since al-Bashirs overthrow. The main reason for the mobilisation is that the alliance (the main protesters umbrella group) is ignoring the application of sharia (Islamic law) in its deal, said El Tayeb Mustafa who heads a coalition of about 20 Islamic groups. This is irresponsible and if that deal is done, it is going to open the door of hell for Sudan, he told the AFP. Al-Bashir came to power in an Islamist-backed coup in 1989 and Sudanese legislation has since been underpinned by Islamic law. At Saturdays rally, hardline Muslim scholar Mohamed Ali Jazuli had a warning for the military council. If you consider handing over power to a certain faction, then we will consider it a coup, he vowed as supporters chanted Allahu Akbar God is great. 190517164758383 The protest leaders have so far remained silent on whether Islamic law has a place in Sudans future, arguing that their main concern is installing a civilian administration. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabias finance ministry said on Sunday that the kingdom has deposited $250m into the Sudanese central bank. The move will strengthen Sudans financial position, alleviate pressure on the Sudanese pound and achieve more stability in the exchange rate, the statement said. In April, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates pledged to send $3bn worth of aid to Sudan, $500m of which would be deposited in the central bank while the rest would be sent in the form of food, medicine and petroleum products. Voters sign off on firearms reforms which the government said was crucial to maintain treaties with EU. Voters in Switzerland have approved a measure to tighten the countrys gun laws and bring them in line with European Union legislation. Final results on Sunday showed more than 63 percent of voters agreed to align the countrys laws with EU firearms rules adopted two years ago after deadly attacks in France, Belgium, Germany and Britain. The ballot was part of Switzerlands regular referendums that give citizens a direct say in policymaking. The measures restrict semi-automatic and automatic rifles, demand regular training on the use of firearms and require gun owners to keep a registry of their firearms. A majority of voters in all but one of the countrys 26 semi-autonomous cantons backed the reform, with the Italian-speaking southern canton of Ticino the only outlier. Supporters of the change, who included members of the Swiss parliament and executive branch, said the amendments were needed to retain strong police cooperation and economic ties with Switzerlands partners in Europe. They cautioned that a no vote would lead to the countrys exclusion from the Schengen travel region and also the Dublin accords regulating Europes asylum-seeking process, potentially creating far-reaching consequences for security, asylum and even tourism. 181031174955576 Switzerland is not an EU member, but it is in the Schengen zone. Gun ownership But opponents insisted the proposal would do little to fight crime, violate the Swiss constitution and encroach on the countrys tradition of a well-armed citizenry. Critics also said the weapons used in recent attacks in Europe werent obtained legally and argued the new measures would unfairly affect law-abiding gun owners in Switzerland. Jean-Luc Addor, a populist Swiss Peoples Party legislator from the southwestern Valais region, said adopting the EU directive would be unjust, freedom-killing, useless, dangerous, and above all, anti-Swiss. 180923155654658 According to a 2017 report by the Small Arms Survey, Switzerland boasts the worlds 16th highest rate of gun ownership, with some 2.3 million firearms in civilian hands nearly three for every 10 inhabitants. Most Swiss men undergo obligatory military service between the ages of 18 and 30. They are allowed to keep their assigned weapon when their period of service is completed. Another issue put to a national vote on Sunday a government proposal to shake-up the countrys corporate tax system and pump more cash into its pension system also won overwhelming support. More than 66 percent of voters, and all 26 cantons, supported that reform, according to the final results. At least 180,000 Syrian refugees suffer from a chronic disease, but struggle to pay for basic medical care. The United Nations says funding to meet the healthcare needs of Syrian refugees in Lebanon is running dry. Non-profit organisations are trying to fill the gap but as donor fatigue sets in, the refugee population is growing more vulnerable by the day. Al Jazeeras Zeina Khodr reports from Bekaa Valley. Another six UN troops from Chad and Nigeria were injured in two separate attacks. A United Nations soldier has been killed and several injured in two attacks on the UN peacekeeping mission in Mali, officials said on Sunday. Gunmen attacked the UN troops in Timbuktu, where several armed groups are active, according to Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. The peacekeeper who was killed was Nigerian, as were three of those injured. A further three UN soldiers from Chad were injured in Tessalit in the northern Kidal region near the border with Algeria when their vehicle drove over an explosive device. Condemning the violence and expressing his condolences to the family of the killed soldier, Guterres said such attacks on UN soldiers could be considered war crimes under international law. Mali has experienced sporadic attacks by armed groups since a 2012 coup that helped separatist rebels and groups associated with al-Qaeda gain a foothold in the countrys restive north. A UN peacekeeping mission has been active in Mali since 2013. A peace agreement signed in 2015 by the Bamako government and armed groups was aimed at restoring stability. But the accord has failed to stop the violence. Since their deployment in 2013, more than 190 peacekeepers have died in Mali, including nearly 120 killed by hostile action making Mali the UNs deadliest peacekeeping operation, accounting for more than half of blue helmets killed globally in the past five years. There have been repeated attacks on the mission in the north of the country by armed groups, while ethnic conflicts in the centre flare up regularly. Rafael Nadal has won a record 34th ATP Masters 1000 title with a victory over Novak Djokovic in the Italian Open final. The Spaniard, who had shared the record of 33 Masters titles with the Serbian world number one, warmed up for the defence of his French Open crown by securing his ninth Rome title. After losing in the semifinals of three straight clay-court tournaments, Nadal dominated for stretches against his longtime rival Djokovic in a 6-0, 4-6, 6-1 win Sunday for a record-extending ninth Italian Open title. It marked the first time in an Open Era-record 54 meetings, and in their 142nd set against each other, that Nadal won a set against Djokovic without conceding a game otherwise known as a bagel. The timing for Nadals return to form could not have been more opportune, as he will seek a record-extending 12th title at the French Open starting next weekend. Winning a title is important but for me, the most important thing is [to] feel myself competitive, feel myself healthy, Nadal said. Then with the feeling that I am improving. I know if Im able to reach my level you can win, you can lose, but normally Im going to have my chances, especially on this surface. 190505085015321 Top-ranked Djokovic, meanwhile, appeared exhausted after spending more than five and a half hours on court against Juan Martin del Potro and Diego Schwartzman the previous two days. Djokovic was also coming off the Madrid Open title last week. I dont want to talk about fatigue or things like that, Djokovic said. Rafa was simply too strong today. In the womens final earlier, Karolina Pliskova captured the biggest clay-court trophy of her career by beating Johanna Konta 6-3, 6-4. 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 Bidens currently a hit with mature voters across all sorts of other demographic lines. Photo: Elijah Nouvelage/Bloomberg via Getty Images In all the recent brouhaha about Joe Bidens uninterrupted popularity among Democratic voters (in contrast to his unpopularity in the fever swamps of the Twitter Left), a crucial detail about the nature of his support occasionally gets lost. Yes, hes popular among black and white voters, and male and female voters, and to a considerable extent among voters all across the ideological spectrum. But the heart of his base is most definitely his fellow geezers, in sharp contrast with that other mid-septuagenarian, Bernie Sanders, who now as in 2016 is a Pied Piper with a very young following. Ron Brownstein nicely lays out the data on Bidens appeal to mature voters, to use the old AARP euphemism: Firehouse Strategies, a Republican consulting firm, has joined with Optimus, a data-analytics company, to poll the three key early Democratic-primary states. The surveys they released in early May showed a stark age divide. In Iowa, they found that among Democrats ages 18 to 35, Biden drew just 17 percent, placing third behind Sanders and Senator Elizabeth Warren. But Biden opened a narrow lead over Sanders with voters ages 35 to 55, and then spiked to 41 percent among those 55 and older, four times the support of his nearest rival, South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg. Similarly, in New Hampshire, the surveys found Biden drawing just 22 percent among those ages 18 to 35 and trailing Sanders. But Biden again pulled narrowly ahead among middle-aged voters and soared to 39 percent among those older than 55, once more about four times the support of his closest rival, Sanders. South Carolina, which has a large African American population, was Bidens best state in the early polling: He led among all three age groups. But even there, Bidens support grew from 34 percent among voters under 35 to 46 percent among those ages 35 to 55 to 52 percent among the oldest generation. Brownstein also notes a Quinnipiac poll of Pennsylvania showing Biden and Sanders roughly even among voters under 50, but Biden beating him among voters over 50 by an astonishing 47-4 margin. If this sounds familiar, its probably because the same stark generational differences were front and center in Hillary Clintons battle with Bernie Sanders in 2016. That began in Iowa when Bernie won under-30 caucus participants by an 84-14 margin while HRC won seniors by a 69-26 margin. (Seniors are more likely to vote, which is one key reason Clinton eventually won the nomination.) If Biden can maintain anything like Clintons strength in that age demographic, and nothing strange happens that boosts youth turnout through the roof, he will definitely have staying power. But theres a potential Biden problem that is best illustrated by comparing 2008 and 2016 exit-poll data from South Carolina a particularly key state for Biden from Edison Research prepared for Brownsteins piece. In 2016, HRC trounced Sanders among African-American women over 45 in the Palmetto State by a 92-7 margin. But in 2008, in the same demographic in the same state, HRC lost to Obama 82-15. Going from a 67-point deficit to an 85-point advantage among black women in a majority-black state obviously had a lot to do with her big win in South Carolina, and you can assume similar dynamics were at play in other southern states with similar demographic profiles of Democratic primary voters. Why is this relevant to Joe Bidens 2020 campaign? It shows that race can, and in Clintons case definitely did, trump both age and gender. Neither Kamala Harris nor Cory Booker is likely to have the historic appeal of Obama to black voters but if either of them has a burst of national support or begins to look particularly electable against Trump, it could produce a breakout beginning in South Carolina and real trouble for Joe Biden. Harris is a particular threat because her home state, California, will hold its primary just a few days after South Carolinas. Where Biden ultimately lands along the vast spectrum of support from older black women between Clintons 2008 and 2016 performances could determine whether he remains the front-runner once voters begin voting. If he doesnt lose a big chunk of his original senior support to a candidate or candidates with a superior racial/ethnic or gender appeal, he might be able to ride the superior propensity to vote, ideological moderation, and electability concerns of old folks right through to the nomination. Then he would have to cope with the problem that 74-year-old Donald Trump could pose as the youth candidate. I'm a definite, determined, and devoted pro-choice fundamental Baptist! I believe that a woman has a right, responsibility, and requirement to choose: a choice to keep her knees together or rear a child. That personal, practical, and profound choice would solve most of the abortion problems. I told a young woman (who had 13 children, all supported by taxpayers) on the Sally Jesse Raphael Show where we were both guests that she would be much better off if she had spent more time in the vertical position, standing on her own two feet, than in a horizontal position. She looked at me blankly, not understanding what I said. While it is commendable that she did not choose abortion (that would have eliminated her income), she obviously did not choose to keep her knees together. Is it possible, dare I say it, that the young woman did not know why a baby seemed to pop out every nine months or so? Sex, one of God's greatest gifts to humanity, can be misused, as in prostitution, pedophilia, perversion (same-sex "marriage"), polygamy (multiple wives), polyandry (multiple husbands), and polyamory (simultaneous and mutual sexual relationships). I began my first book, Liberalism: A Rope of Sand, in 1979 with this shocking incident: Professor L.R. Agnew, of the UCLA School of Medicine, posed this set of circumstances to his students: "Here is the family history. The father has syphilis; the mother has TB. They have already had four children. The first one is blind; the second one died. Third is deaf. The fourth has TB. The mother is pregnant with her fifth child. The parents are willing to have an abortion if you decide they should. What do you think?" "Most of the students decided on abortion," said Professor Agnew. "Congratulations!" he told them. "You have just murdered Beethoven." Pro-life people should be careful to make it clear that the fact that the child turned out to be a master musician whose work is celebrated worldwide makes no difference in the morality. If Beethoven had turned out to be a chimney sweep, it would have made no difference as to right and wrong. Radical leftists are frothing at the mouth over Alabama, Georgia, Missouri, and Texas because of the abortion bills they have passed or are in the process of passing. It is getting dangerous to be an abortionist; jail time may be in their future. It should be, since they are butchering helpless babies who can't even cry out in their own defense. Humanity has become so jaded that people affirm that a child should be aborted even if he would not have a good quality of life. Some even think parents should have the right to kill a child a few years after birth! It was revealed in the murder trial of abortionist Kermit Gosnell that a late-term baby survived a botched abortion and was "swimming" in a toilet and "trying to get out." An assistant killer then took the large baby out and "snipped the back of its neck while the mother was still in the room." Then Gosnell, a bloody barbarian baby butcher, sarcastically said the baby "was big enough that it could walk to the store or the bus stop." I'd like to see Gosnell in his white coat walk up the 13 steps of a gallows literally. There was testimony that the abortionist had snipped the spinal cords of about 10 babies who survived the abortion procedure. He was sentenced to life without parole, but the babies they dug out of the clogged toilet are still dead. In my opinion, everyone in this sorry, sordid, sinful mess is complicit in murder not manslaughter, not accidental death, not wrongful death, but murder. And any society that permits such atrocities is vile, vicious, and violent and in the toilet. Two professors published, in the Journal of Medical Ethics, a paper titled "After-Birth Abortion: Why Should the Baby Live?" It was a shocker, defending and advocating infanticide but calling it after-birth abortion. The professors declared, "Therefore we claim that killing a newborn could be ethically permissible in all the circumstances where abortion would be. Such circumstances include cases where the newborn has the potential to have an (at least) acceptable life, but the well-being of the family is at risk." Their vacuous arguments get worse by the paragraph. They say, "Merely being human is not in itself a reason for ascribing someone a right to life." The professors argue that personhood doesn't begin until sometime after birth, so there must be some magic going through the birth canal. The professors defend their position by saying, "[I]n order for a harm to occur, it is necessary that someone is in the condition of experiencing that harm. If a potential person, like a fetus and a newborn, does not become an actual person, like you and us, then there is neither an actual nor a future person who can be harmed, which means that there is no harm at all[.] ... In these cases, since non-persons have no moral rights to life, there are no reasons for banning after-birth abortions." No one can defend such heartless slaughter, but people try. In fact, some people tell us abortion is an "act of compassion" since an unnecessary and unwanted child will also grow up unloved. Well, I'd rather be "unwanted" and "unloved" than "unalive." There are many motives for a woman to kill her unborn baby. One reason is that the baby will be an inconvenience to her. After all, it is difficult to live an active social life with a baby hanging on the hip, or being required to get a baby sitter each night. Plus, you know, all the months of sickness, awkwardness, etc., and the sleepless nights, colic, teething, feeding, etc. Babies are a lot of trouble. Still others tell us a child should not be permitted to live if he will be disabled, disfigured, or debased. It would be nice if the baby had a choice in the decision. But only the woman has a choice. Not the baby. Not the father, who is seldom involved in this discussion. It seems a woman assumes that that life within her is hers alone, but the father has as many rights as the mother. The baby would not be there but for his cooperation. But then, the father is never considered by the hypocrites at Planned Parenthood or the screaming feminists. He, like the unborn baby, has no rights. Women, in a word, have a right to control their own bodies, and the word is "no." They become "with child" because they refused to say the word and keep their knees together. The heartless mother, the nurses, and doctors will all stand at the Judgment one day as they finally realize they tried to undo what God did. In a nation where little children (born and unborn) are slaughtered, no one is safe. Fyodor Dostoevsky (author of Crime and Punishment, etc.) said, "If God is dead, then nothing is morally wrong." But God is not dead; I met and spoke with Him this morning. Those who kill the innocent will also meet with Him! Dr. Don Boys is a former member of the Indiana House of Representatives, who ran a large Christian school in Indianapolis and wrote columns for USA Today for eight years. Boys's book, Muslim Invasion: The Fuse is Burning!, is available here. Follow Dr. Boys on Facebook at Don Boys, Ph.D. and at TheGodHaters and on Twitter, and visit his blog. There are now 23 candidates for the Democratic presidential nomination with New Yorks mayor jumping in. The unveiling of the spies and tactics behind the fake collusion tale continues apace. It looks as though Mueller will testify before Congress on the 12th of Never and the impeachment train will never leave the station. Inspector General Horowitzs reports on Comey and another on charges of illegal conduct in the DoJ and FBI are due soon, though, as usual, seem to be a long time aborning. General Flynns sentencing hearing should come soon. There were this week some mysterious rulings by Judge Sullivan on disclosure, and the prosecution under new management obtained an order allowing them to unseal some material in its possession, though we dont yet know what is to be revealed, we assume it is the exculpatory material of which there should be a lot. With nothing much new to report on these matters, its time to visit what the heck has happened to the College Board and why people should encourage students to take the ACT test for college admission and scrap the SAT one. Its the only way I can think of slap some sense into an organization which has gone far off its mission and now appears full-fledged into one designed to (further) dumb down America. The SAT, which has at various times been referred to as the Scholastic Aptitude Test, Scholastic Assessment Test, and SAT Reasoning Test, was created in an attempt to standardize college admissions procedures and increase access to higher education. In the later 19th century, it was common for individual universities to have their own admissions tests or to grant acceptances to students without testing through certification of specific high schools. Higher education at this time was largely a privilege of the upper classes, with only about 1 in 25 high school graduates going on to college. In fact, it has proven quite hard to discern aptitude without reference to acquired knowledge, and with minorities generally scoring significantly lower on these tests, several important sections of the exam were scrapped in an effort (a futile effort) to further equalize results. Major revisions also took place in 1994 and 2005. The 1994 version removed antonyms in an effort to attenuate the benefits of vocabulary memorization, and reading passages were improved to more closely resemble material taught in actual college courses. The use of calculators became permissible for the first time. Criticism of ambiguous questions led to another round of revisions in 2005, the most significant of which were the elimination of certain types of questions that featured analogies and the introduction of the 2400 point scoring system with required essay section. The 2016 SAT reverses some of these changes, which can be seen as the College Board's response to continued competition from the ACT, the adoption of test-optional policies by many universities, and questions about the SAT's usefulness as a predictor of college success. In 1959 a competitor testing service, ACT, began. Almost every college and university in the U.S. now accepts it. ACT doesnt attempt the impossibility of testing aptitude without accounting for college level preparedness. ACT, Inc., says that the ACT assessment measures high school students' general educational development and their capability to complete college-level work with the multiple choice tests covering four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The optional Writing Test measures skill in planning and writing a short essay. Specifically, ACT states that its scores provide an indicator of "college readiness", and that scores in each of the subtests correspond to skills in entry-level college courses in English, algebra, social science, humanities, and biology. This week, the College Board announced it will add to the mix secret adversity scores, rating students on deprivation, but nobody taking the test will be told these numbers. Every student taking the SAT will now be given an 'adversity score' to level the playing field between people with different social and economic backgrounds, but critics say children of affluent parents could be penalized by the new system. The scoring system was established by the national College Board, the nonprofit which administers the test (snip) The new system will use 15 different factors to weigh a student's adversity score, based on things such as the crime and poverty rates in the neighborhood where the teens grew up. Other elements of the adversity index include housing values, family median income, whether a student is a child of a single parent, or speaks English as a second language. My spidey sense indicates to me that this is an end run around a feared SCOTUS ruling banning racial discrimination in college admissions. The average SAT scores by race are: Asian 1223; white 1123; Hispanic 990; black 946. So if race-conscious admission decisions are banned, the next step for proponents of it is to blame the test, and the way to sidestep that is to add a nonacademic aptitude feature to the scores. My practical view is that it is absurd to create well-endowed institutions of higher learning and fill them up with students unprepared by inherent capacity or education to benefit from them. Just as silly as it is to jigger admissions to achieve diversity and then allow separate dorms and graduations for minority students. But then I think unity, not diversity, is our strength -- unity based on the notion that competence and perseverance should be the sole judge of admissions, hiring, and promotion policies. Nor is it correct to suggest that colleges are not doing everything they can to seek out talent in unpromising zip codes. We have contributed to just such a program, helping a young man of adverse background but with talent and grit be better prepared for college. I dont know of any major college and university which lacks a significant outreach program. Nor do admissions officers already lack incentive and means to check out the things the adversity scale seeks to reveal -- from experience, high school counselor recommendations and applicant essays. Matt Margolis at PJ Media weighs in: As Michael Nietzel explains over at Forbes, the College Board has yet to reveal the factors that contribute to the calculation of a students adversity score. But he makes an even more important point. Measuring neighborhood adversity is not the same as assessing an individual students resilience or grit. Although we cant know for sure, its doubtful that adversity scores measure the influence of parents, siblings, and mentors on a student, he explained. Theres not a straight line from socioeconomic background to SAT performance; assigning an adversity number suggests an influence that may not be operating for individual students. If theres anything we learned from the college admissions cheating scandal it's that students from wealthy families arent automatically advantaged. These were highly advantaged kids who still needed to cheat their way into good schools because they or their parents felt entitled to success. Tests only discriminate against those who dont know the answers. In the wake of the college admissions cheating scandal, the last thing we need is an artificial adversity score to tip the scales in favor of those who dont know the answers. Its no less cheating than having someone give you the answers or take the test for you. Everyone has the ability to overcome adversity in their life. College is supposed to be an institution for higher learning; its not meant to be a club that everyone can get into. Heck, its not even something that everyone should feel obliged to do. Some of the most successful people in the world don't have college degrees. Marten Roorda, CEO of ACT, also finds the adversity score wanting: I think the SAT adversity score is not a great idea. Let me explain. Scores that affect students futures require transparency, validity and fairness. The algorithm and research behind this adversity score have not been published. It is basically a black box. Any composite score and any measurement in general requires transparency; students, teachers and admissions officers have the right to know. Now we cant review the validity and the fairness of the score. And even if that changes, there is also an issue with the reliability of the measure, since many of the 15 variables come from an unchecked sourcefor example, when they are self-reported by the student. The plan to report the adversity score only to the college is another example of not being transparent. If I were a student, I would become concerned or angry if the testing company would provide an adversity score to colleges without me knowing it, without me approving it, and without any of the end users understanding how this score is calculated. [snip] If parents, teachers and counselors know test scores will be re-equated for adversity, some will attempt to manipulate and game the system. That is easy: You can use an address of someone you know who is living in a poor neighborhood or report lower family income. [snip] I acknowledge that underserved students face barriers that their more fortunate peers dont, requiring them to work harder and show greater resilience to reach their goals. But I think admissions officers are already very capable of assessing students hurdles without an adversity score, and that assessing an individual students resilience or grit is a much better measure than neighborhood adversity. Of course, this will be manipulated. Once again Iowahawk boils it down: David Burge@iowahawkblog "I don't care if you're going to miss your friends in Palos Verdes High, you're never getting into Stanford unless you do an exchange semester in Appalachia. And we legally changed your name to Lurleen." David Burge @iowahawkblog David Burge Retweeted The Wall Street Journal Every wine mom in Beverly Hills now signing kids up with Adversity Consultants. The author of the adversity score nonsense was College Board president David Coleman, the architect of Common Core, which six states have now repealed and which has been a point of contention in many states. As well, he is the prime mover to feed American kids a prejudiced, anti-American view of history. Read the full critique of this new history guidelines and test to see what our brightest students are being taught. Heres a sampler: They made a number of charges. First: By providing a detailed course of study that defines, discusses, and interprets the required knowledge of each period, the College Board has in effect supplanted local and state curricula by unilaterally assuming the authority to prioritize historic topics. Second: The new Framework inculcates a consistently negative view of the nations past. For example, the units on colonial America stress the development of a rigid racial hierarchy and a strong belief in British racial and cultural superiority. Third, they noted that the new framework ignored pivotal figures and events in favor of less-important individuals and events that reinforce a leftist narrative of U.S. history: It excises Benjamin Franklin, James Madison, and the other founders from the nations story. George Washingtons historical contributions are reduced to a brief sentence fragment noting his Farewell Address. Two pages later, the Framework grants teachers the flexibility to discuss the architecture of Spanish missions, suggesting it merits more attention than the heroes of 1776. Gaps in the program include these: These include emphasizing exploitation, racial conflict, and economic determinism, and omitting the Pilgrims, all Revolutionary War battles, Alexis de Tocqueville, Uncle Toms Cabin, and much more. Their analysis and Woods also make it quite clear that the new curriculum is nowhere near objective, or even even-handed, philosophically, and is, moreover, organizationally incoherent. Tweaks cannot remedy its defects. It quite clearly needs to be scrubbed and begun anew. If kids from wealthy families are not automatically privileged, why are their parents cheating to get their kids admitted? And if colleges are genuinely concerned that more affluent kids have an undeserved advantage on the SAT test, why not just scrap it? If you have sacrificed and worked to get your kids the best education possible and taught them the value of working hard to achieve in school, why should they be discriminated against in favor of parents who did not? When Israel was still a dream, an idea far from plausible reality, Jews from the Arab world risked their lives for the nascent state and went undercover in enemy territory: Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan. This special Palmach unit, dubbed the Arab Section or the Ones Who Become Like Arabs, received cursory training in spycraft, intelligence gathering, and sabotage. Resources -- cars, cameras and radios -- were in short supply, as was money to cover ordinary expenses and even salaries. Yet, the Arab Section infiltrated Arab communities, gathering useful intelligence and radio reports, carrying out acts of sabotage and even attempting an assassination. The exploits of this elite unit of the Haganah, the Jewish underground army in Palestine, are told through the lives of four of its Arab-Jewish recruits in Spies of No Country: Secret Lives at the Birth of Israel (Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill, 2019). Author Matti Friedman uses material from interviews, Israeli military archives, unclassified Haganah documents, published histories and unpublished testimonies from participants to tell the story of four of the men who helped establish what would become Israels intelligence services. These young men, Jews born in Middle Eastern communities, could easily navigate between two worlds, but were, for the most part, amateur spies who survived mainly by their wits. They paid close attention to Arab morale, their opponents military strength and schemes, any potential subterfuge plans, and most importantly, what was happening around them. In 1947, the British announced their departure from Palestine. For more than 25 years, the British had struggled to cope with rising tensions and the increasingly difficult task of governing two hostile populations at odds with each other. The United Nations decided that the British Mandate for Palestine would be divided into two separate states: one Jewish and one Arab. Although the U.N. had no way to enforce this plan and it was unclear how it would be resolved, Jews rejoiced at the long-promised creation of a Jewish state in their ancestral land. Arab Muslims reacted with fury. In Arab-Muslim countries, Arab rioters burned Jewish homes, stores, and synagogues in Jewish communities that had existed for centuries. The U.N. and other international agencies failed to intervene, and many Jews fled, abandoning their property and belongings. This violent civil war evolved into full-scale war. When Israels War for Independence began in late 1947, it wasnt clear that a state of Israel would ever exist. At that time, British authorities believed the Arabs would prevail. To further complicate matters, British soldiers and police were still on the ground, and the British navy continued its efforts to keep Jewish Holocaust survivors from reaching Palestine. During this turmoil, the four men portrayed in Spies of No Country became recruits in the Palmach Arab Section. They were Gamliel Cohen from Damascus, Isaac Shoshan from Aleppo, Syria, Havakuk Cohen of Yemen, and Yakuba Cohen, born in Jerusalem. Friedman describes how they often operated alone in isolated, hostile environments without the backing of an established intelligence agency or even an existent country, as the Israeli state was not yet a reality. An incorrect word or clothing, a gesture, an accent could engender suspicion, blow their covers and result in torture and death. The author also discloses an uncomfortable reality at the time for these Mizrahim, or Middle East Jews, as they were called. They didnt feel fully accepted by most of the inhabitants of what was to become the Jewish state. European Jewish refugees, or Ashkenazis, with their Left-leaning, secular ideas about Zionism, viewed the otherness of Arab Jews with discomfort and referred to the them as blacks. With this intrinsic bias, it was difficult for the Palmach to place these spies in training on kibbutzim for instruction purposes. Thus, the goal for the Arab Section was to create agents who could pass as Arabs. They had to learn about Arab culture and Islam and practice Muslim prayer rituals. They had to become the people they fled, Friedman writes. While undercover, the agents struggled to keep a distance from Jewish residents of the Arab communities. Sometimes, they succumbed to their emotions and visited family members, which proved to be a dangerous, life-threatening proposition for several agents. Despite the bias and dangers, the Mizrahim played a crucial role during the first stage of the war that was fought inside Palestine by Jewish and Arab irregulars. This fighting preceded the 1948 fall of Haifa and the later invasion by regular Arab armies into the area partitioned for the Jews. In one early reconnaissance operation described by the author, an Arab Section agent noticed a suspicious vehicle in Haifa. It turned out to be a truck bomb destined for the Jewish part of town. It could have caused much destruction and many deaths, but the alert agent and a cohort had the truck blown up and a catastrophe was avoided. As part of another mission in Beirut, a letter written by a German serving the Arab cause was intercepted. It contained information about a yacht that had formerly belonged to Hitler and on which 20 escaped German POWs in Beirut were working to install new armaments for the Egyptian navy. The ship posed significant danger for Israeli coastal areas. Three Arab Section spies rigged the ship with explosives, eliminating the threat. On another operation, a Muslim cleric was targeted for assassination. After several failed attempts on his life, a two-car team was employed: one to make a positive identification, the second to follow with a hit. Although the operation went awry and the sheikh was only wounded, he sufficiently feared for his life after the incident and fled from Israel to Beirut. Agents of the Arab section also proposed to blow up a refinery in Tripoli in northern Lebanon. The operation was seriously considered but shelved because of concerns about the safety of local Jews and the political repercussions that could arise from European companies with financial interests in the refinery. By then, the course of the war had shifted with Jews becoming more successful in the fight against the disorganized Arabs. It began to appear that the Jews would prevail and establish their state. At this point, the new government jettisoned the partisan militias and disbanded the Palmach. Toward the end of 1948, the Arab Section became a unit of the Israel Defense Forces. The state of Israel was already beginning to evolve from a secular solution to Europes long-standing, pathological anti-Semitism to more of an amalgamation of European Jews and Jews from the region. As fleeing Arab Jews began populating the state, its character was altered by their culture, deeply tied to Jewish tradition and community. Their profound appreciation for the importance of religion and strength empowered a changing view of Israel from a refugee camp for the Jews of Europe to a country that had resisted, fought, and suffered in the Arab world. The daring exploits of the Arab Section, or the doctrine of Arab cover, were later codified and organized into formal Israeli intelligence courses. The One Who Becomes Like an Arab was dismantled in favor of a more professional intelligence service and was replaced with brief operations to arrest or kill suspects rather than a unit of rugged individuals that lived like Arabs. Friedman quotes one Palmach agent who said, Israels intelligence doctrine was built on their backs. The author concludes that with present-day Arab-Jews far removed from their roots and a well-established Israeli identity, the modus operandi of the Arab Section would be very difficult to duplicate in todays world. A recent stock sell-off was "explained" to the public as "investors are worried due to tariffs on Chinese imports." However, it should be known that market makers are doing this on a regular basis: from a cacophony of daily news, they pick up one story and broadcast it as a "reason" for the stock market moving up or down in a particular day. It makes the unsuspecting public (who is always positioned in a way to maximize losses) feel "good" and "in the know" even if people lose money at every market turn fake news at its best. However, keep in mind that the sell-off manifests much deeper reasons: reconfiguration and correcting decades-old unfair trade imbalances. The best tariff (tax on imported goods) equals zero at least this is what standard economic theory says. However, such a rule is valid only when both trading partners are set at zero. If either side moves one iota above zero in tariffs, it makes its population pay for that move. So what happens when one party does not respond to an unfriendly move from zero to some non-zero tariff? In a short time frame, it hurts the side that makes such a move, but in the long run, it could eventually bankrupt businesses on the other side and, in turn, bring enormous benefits for those who made such a move first. The more time other side keeps indifferent, the more it loses in the end. Enter China: it established non-zero tariffs years ago on practically all American goods and services, while the United States was busy discussing the stained blue dress, "hanging chads," "9/11 was inside job," "keep your doctor," and "Trump is Putin's marionette." As a result, many American businesses moved to other countries, including China, and took millions of jobs with them. The Maoist Chinese rulers were completely satisfied with this American complacency. (Let us recall that Maoism differs from other leftist -isms in an area of "coexistence." Maoism declares that during the transformational period from capitalism to communism, both capitalistic and collectivistic enterprises coexist both under strict Communist Party leadership. That is why all Chinese billionaires are close to the Communist Party apparatus.) American decades-long inaction led to enormous imbalances in the world market. Every independent observer understands that the situation on Trump's plate does not have any suitable solution besides going back to the mutual zero tariffs mode. However, the United States cannot do this unilaterally, because the situation has reached a breaking point. Trump knows all this. He also knows that any country that unilaterally increases tariff hurts domestic manufactures in the short term. The solution he implemented to alleviate this is brilliant. Trump decided to increase external taxes (tariffs) and, at the same time, to decrease domestic taxes. Will the recent painful moves by the American side in the tariff war make Chinese communists think harder? Not at the moment. China buys about 180 billion dollars' worth of American goods in a year; America buys about 560 billion dollars' worth of Chinese goods. This asymmetry, known as the trade deficit, is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, an increasing trade deficit means increased Chinese profits. On the other hand, it means a loss of leverage in trade disputes simply because the Chinese have a bigger amount to lose. To explain Trump's approach further, let us imagine the world economic imbalances as a pair (i.e., the U.S. and some other country) of communicating vessels that use money as their fluid. If the level of fluid in one of such vessels increases (i.e., the wealth of one country in respect to the other), the level of fluid in another vessel will try to compensate. The law of economic gravity equalizes the levels of fluid (i.e., negates economic disparity). How is it possible to correct such an imbalance? Possibly by relocating businesses from one country to another. China has been doing this for decades by using various tricks; tariffs are just one of them. Now it is America's turn. Trump pushed for substantial tax decreases for domestic manufacturers and substantial, painful tax increases for the foreign ones. The proverbial "big sucking sound" everybody hears is the sound of businesses relocating back to the U.S., bringing with them jobs, prosperity, and a headache for Democrats. Such massive relocation of businesses and accompanying wealth transfer would not be possible without Trump's double punch first on the domestic and then the international front. The world is on the verge of a massive exodus of manufacturing, investing, and finances from China and all other countries into the United States. The communicating vessels must equalize the trade imbalances, whether one likes it or not, and President Trump's double punch approach triggers ejecting businesses from other countries and injecting them into the U.S. Leftists dream of "wealth redistribution," too. However, their latest endeavors in this arena failed spectacularly: NAFTA, TPP, and the Paris Climate Accord. All these globalist schemes of redistributing wealth from the United States to underdeveloped countries were either short-lived or dead on arrival. Trump's wealth redistribution differs from the leftists' one not only in scale. It differs in its implementation mechanism: if leftists can achieve their wealth redistribution only by force, Trump's free-market approach employs market's internal mechanism for self-regulation and self-correction. By retaliating in the decades-old tariff war, Trump has no choice. Either China eventually bankrupts the United States or the United States bankrupts China. Finally, there is the third commonsense desired outcome: both parties settle for free trade with zero tariffs. In stark contrast with all previous tariff wars known to humanity, all three such outcomes are negative for China due to its deep dependency on the American market and American know-how. In an attempt to show Trump who is in charge in Asia, Chinese communists forced North Korean communists to fire two small rockets. Both rockets fell into neutral waters less than 300 miles from the shore. Just to confirm otherwise, the United States launched two ICBMs toward the East. One was launched about 10 minutes after North Korean rockets and flew about 6,000 miles, another one about 7,000 miles. Both ICBMs were unarmed and dived into the Pacific. Everybody noticed the difference, not just in Asia. Perhaps we are witnessing a grand miscalculation on the part of the Chinese, who for some reason blindly believe the "mainstream" media that Trump will be soon removed from office via impeachment or that Joe Biden (who is practically under complete Chinese control) has good chances to defeat Trump in 2020 elections. So the Chinese side decided to wait and has torpedoed its recent agreement with Trump. Big mistake. No wonder the current mood in China among those who do not watch CNN is pretty telling: "manufacturers who mainly sell to Europe and the United States need to start taking pain killers again." The recent Trump moves increased tariffs on about one third of the Chinese goods America buys. Watch and see what happens when Trump approaches the two thirds mark and beyond. Gary Gindler, Ph.D. is a conservative blogger at Gary Gindler Chronicles. Follow him on Twitter. Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr. The outcome of multiculturism is clear on college campuses: only white males and Christians come out full force for free speech. It should come as no big surprise that those who reject free speech on campus are members of the privileged grievance groups, daily taught that criticizing them should be verboten. Seventy percent of Democrats on campus are against free speech. Eighty-four percent of Republican students are for it. Sixty-five percent of white American men in college support robust free speech, saying it is never acceptable to shout down speakers. White women arent as open-minded, with only 45% supporting free speech. Only about 40% of blacks, Hispanics, and Asian students think that speakers with opposing viewpoints should be allowed to speak. Some shockers: sixty percent of students think it is okay to deny news media access to cover protests and rallies on campus. Sixteen percent are fine with using violence to shut down opposing views. When the question is protecting free speech versus promoting an inclusive society that welcomes diverse groups by limiting free speech, sixty percent of blacks and fifty percent of Hispanics prefer speech limits to promote inclusion. Protest that shut down speech at UC Berkeley by Milo Yiannopoulus YouTube screen grab The study by College Pulse breaks down the statistics by religion, and finds only Christians are in full support of free speech. This should dismay Jewish parents in particular they have allowed their children to reject the core liberal values they once treasured. There is a stark divide between Christian and non-Christian students. A majority of Mormon (81 percent), white evangelical Protestant (71 percent), white mainline Protestant (64 percent), and Catholic students (62 percent) say that protecting free speech is more important than promoting inclusivity. In contrast, a majority of Jewish students (65 percent), students who are members of East Asian religions such as Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism (60 percent), and religiously unaffiliated students (54 percent) say that promoting a welcoming, inclusive society is more important. Nonwhite Protestant college students, notably, are about evenly divided: roughly equal numbers believe that inclusivity (51 percent) and free speech (49 percent) should be emphasized. On average, sixty percent of students when asked directly if hate speech should be protected by the First Amendment agree, but this positive outcome is driven by white and Asian men, and by Christians. There is an overwhelming rejection of the First Amendment by gender non-binary and homosexual students. A slim majority of black students reject the First Amendment. Hispanics join Asians and whites by a slim margin in supporting the First Amendment. Our campus Marxists have done a very good job. Conservatives have been whining about this for years like a bunch of wimps, doing nothing to stop it, because they are afraid to take on the diversity industry. The reign of power of diversity officers must be broken. They are teaching hatred of freedom. Hat tip: Breitbart.com BJP is set to make a complete sweep in the Gujarat Lok Sabha elections possibly winning all 26 seats, according to the India Today-My Axis India Exit Poll. The Congress, if it opens its account, will win 1 seat maximum, according to the exit poll. The exit poll predictions for Gujarat are contrary to the results of 2017 Assembly elections in the state. In the December 2017 state legislative polls, the Congress had put up a stiff fight winning 77 Assembly seats against BJP's 99. In fact, this was the first time in over two decades that the ruling party's tally had dipped below the 100-mark despite ferocious campaigns by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah. Also Read: Exit Poll 2019 Results Live Updates: BJP to win 19 seats in Odisha, 23 seats in West Bengal; don't trust exist poll gossip, says Mamata Electorate across all 26 parliamentary seats in the state voted on April 23 in the third phase of 2019 Lok Sabha elections. BJP and Congress had fielded candidates on all 26 seats of Gujarat. BJP president Amit Shah himself is contesting from the crucial Gandhinagar seat, after replacing senior leader LK Advani. Apart from the two major national parties, several smaller parties are also in the contest, including former Vishwa Hindu Parishad chief Pravin Togadia's Hindustan Nirman Dal (HND) and Sharad Pawar's Nationalist Congress Party. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 7 LIVE: 'EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore,' Rahul Gandhi tweets The 4.47 crore voters of Gujarat are expected to vote on locally significant issues, including farmers' distress and reservation for non-reserved castes. Indebted rural agricultural households and farmers not getting desired returns for their crops are some of the issues that the votes in the rural parts of the state would have kept in mind while voting. On the other hand, the Patidar agitation in the state had drawn attention to the issue of reservation in Gujarat. Hardik Patel, the leader of Patidar movement, had sided with Congress. Also Read: Lok Sabha election 2019: Final results may not be out till 10 pm on 23rd May Joe Biden might want to inform the president he's trading in nicknames: no longer so somnolent, the avuncular V.P. is swapping out eye crust for Kevlar. Call him Teflon Joe now. As of May 2019, Biden has pretty much wrapped up the Democratic primary contest, a full half-year before the first vote is cast. Even as the candidate field expands further into the horizon, with New York City's unpopular mayor joining the fray, all that's left is the coronation in Milwaukee. The war's over before nary a bullet is shot. Don't expect fundraising to cease for the hopeless, however; re-election campaign tills need replenishing after being raided for far-fetched White House bids. Biden's polling lead is practically insuperable at this point, with Bernie Sanders, alone among the field of twenty-odd challengers, pacing as a far-behind runner-up, nearly 20 points behind. Not only does the former V.P. lead in Iowa and New Hampshire, but he has a commanding lead in South Carolina the fourth primary contest capturing 46% of support from likely Democrat voters. More impressive is Biden's standing among black South Carolinians at an indomitable 58%. He may not share the same skin melanin as Senators Cory Booker and Kamala Harris, but Biden's association with Barack Obama is still paying electoral dividends. Voters easily forget facts and figures from past presidents what they remember is the feeling they had when their guy ascended to the Oval Office. Biden is still riding the wave of awe black Americans felt watching Obama elected president. Like another 2020 Democrat candidate, Biden isn't ashamed to engage in racial appropriation. With his road to the nomination all but uninhibited at this point, it's a wonder why more campaigns aren't putting the screws to Biden to justify his less than progressive record. Unlike most of his rivals, the Old Joe has been in higher office since Richard Nixon's mug graced federal buildings. There's a surfeit of material that would ordinarily drive liberals batty. Yet we only hear katydids. Here's a shortlist of Biden's blasphemy against liberalism: opposition to busing that targeted racial segregation, accusing Clarence Thomas accuser Anita Hill of "lying," support for the 1994 incarceration-happy crime bill, stumping for a House Republican last year, disregard for female personal space, voting for the Iraq War. There was once a time the year 2008 days of yore when support for the Iraq War was a disqualifier for Democrats running for president. Hillary wiped that standard clean in 2016 by assiduously ignoring our overstretched Mesopotamian adventure. The same could be said for the '94 crime bill, which, although Clinton took heat for it during her own quest for the Oval, didn't cost her the party's nod. In most cases, Hillary's progressive perfidy was excused as long as voters thought she could win. And we all saw the results of such presumptive thinking. Some Democrats are wising up and realizing that letting Biden slide probably isn't the best way to cut into his lead. But their criticism has been, at best, tepid. On Biden's defense of the crime bill, former prosecutor Kamala Harris, no dummy when it comes to locking up malefactors, offered this mild objection: "I have a great deal of respect for Vice President Joe Biden, but I disagree." Those ain't exactly fightin' words. Mayor Pete Buttigieg went a slight step farther than Harris, describing the bill's effect on his town of South Bend: "The crime bill didn't make a community like mine more safe." You can almost hear the whiffle blowing past Biden's leathered pate, not even disturbing his silvery hair. Even Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who isn't shy about castigating the Democratic establishment, won't say Biden's name out loud when upbraiding him for dithering on climate change. Democrats are wary or attacking Biden too harshly for fear of turning off Obama, who still enjoys high approval ratings from the party faithful. Far-left groups like Justice Democrats are still taking shots at the V.P., but they aren't leaving a mark. There's a simple reason Biden is running ahead of the pack. Biden's campaign is focused on one thing and one thing only: defeating Donald Trump. His announcement focused squarely on the president and the embarrassment he brings the country, offering pablum about restoring hope and zilch on policy. It's working. Democrats value, above all, beating Trump in 2020. If it takes a war-supporting, minority-incarcerating, segregation-defending white male with a penchant for groping, so be it. This kind of clear-eyed realpolitik is admirable because it's so honest. But it doesn't ensure victory. Biden beats Trump in most one-on-one polling, but then, so did Hillary Clinton. In politics, the easy win isn't always so easy. Google has just suspended Huaweis Android license. Effectively keeping Huawei from using most parts of Android, only those that are covered by open source licenses will be able to be used in its future smartphones. This move means that Huawei will immediately lose access to the Android operating system as consumers in the West know it. In other words, starting with its next round of smartphones, it will lose access to Google apps. Considering Googles apps are what really make Android what it is today, that is a pretty big deal. Obviously, this isnt going to affect those smartphones that are sold in China, since they dont have Google services right now anyways. But it means that they wont be getting help from Google, when it comes time to update to Android Q or later. And a lot of the features that Google has included, that isnt in AOSP, Huawei wont be getting access too. Advertisement What specific services that will be removed from Huaweis smartphones, have not been finalized yet. Google is still talking about that, internally. At least according to someone familiar with the matter (who spoke with Reuters). We have reached out to Huawei for comment, but so far, we havent heard back. This continues the US governments attempt to blacklist Huawei around the world. Last week, the US Commerce Department, essentially put Huawei on a trade blacklist. That makes it almost impossible for Huawei to do any business with the US. Now, adding this fuel from Google to fire, is making Huaweis job even tougher in the US. The company has already announced a lawsuit against the US government and the Canadian government. Advertisement Huawei has had trouble in the US for quite a few years, dating back to the beginning of Obamas first term as President. It wasnt a big deal back then, as Huawei wasnt really trying to break into the US. But many feared that the Chinese government was using Huawei products to spy on people. Thats something that the US government doesnt like it wants to be the only one spying on Americans. Of course, Huawei stealing intellectual property from T-Mobile many years ago, definitely did not help its case. Under the Trump Administration, Huawei had been all but kicked out of the US, and with the latest executive order that Trump signed on Thursday, they are basically out of the US now. This administration was not only looking to get Huawei out of the US, but also getting them out of other countries around the world. In the T-Mobile/Sprint merger deal, the Justice Department was attempting to get the two companys parent companies to stop using Huawei equipment in Germany and Japan, respectively. Its unclear what kind of revenge the Trump Administration is seeking by going after Huawei this hard, but one thing is for sure, less competition is not a good thing. Advertisement Huawei will still have access to the open-source Android build, but that is pretty limited. On top of that, Google will not be providing technical support to Huawei to get things up and running. That is a major blow to the Chinese tech giant. But Huawei likely knew this was coming at some point and has been working on its own replacement for Android for a few years. Now might be the time that we see the fruit of that labor. Marysville, CA (95901) Today A few showers this morning with overcast skies during the afternoon hours. High near 50F. SSW winds shifting to NW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 30%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low near 35F. Winds light and variable. Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling alliance is likely to win a clear majority in parliament after a mammoth general election that ended on Sunday, most exit polls showed, a far better showing than expected in recent weeks. Modi faced criticism early on in the campaign for failing to create jobs for youth and for weak farm prices and the election race was thought to be tightening with the main opposition Congress party gaining ground. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 7 LIVE: 'EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore,' Rahul Gandhi tweets But he rallied his Hindu nationalist base and turned the campaign into a fight for national security after tensions rose with Pakistan and attacked his main rival for being soft on the country's arch-foe. Modi's National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is projected to win 287 seats in the 545-member lower house of parliament followed by 128 for the Congress Party-led opposition alliance, CVoter exit poll showed. To rule, a party needs the support of 272 lawmakers. Votes are to be counted on Thursday. Exit polls, though, have a mixed record in a country with an electorate of 900 million people. With the majority of the polls indicating a clear majority for Modi's alliance, Indian equity markets are expected to rally sharply on Monday, while the Indian rupee is also likely to strengthen again the U.S. dollar, according to market insiders. According to another poll released by Times Now television, Modi's alliance is likely to get 306 seats, a clear majority. One poll by Neta Newsx, though, forecast Modi's group falling 30 seats short. Critics say Modi has stoked fear among the country's Hindu majority of the potential dangers posed by the country's Muslims and Pakistan, and promoted a Hindu-first India. But Modi's supporters say the prime minister and his allies are simply restoring Hinduism to its rightful place at the core of Indian society. Also Read: Lok Sabha election 2019: Final results may not be out till 10 pm on 23rd May Today, at SITDEF 2019, the International Exhibition of Technology for Defense and Prevention of Natural Disasters, Special Forces of Peruvian armed forces and SWAT team of the Peruvian National Police have made a live demonstration to demonstrate their abilities to perform counter-terrorism operations. Special Forces of Peruvian armed forces in a live demonstration at SITDEF 2019, defense exhibition in Lima, Peru. May 18, 2019. (Picture source Army Recognition) The three branches of the Peruvian armed forces have Special Forces units. The Peruvian Marines also have a Special Forces composed of the Espiritus Negros and Fuerza Delta, based on the American Delta Force and US Army Rangers. The Special Forces of the Peruvian army have gained notoriety after the Operation Chavin de Huantar which has been considered one of the most successful military rescue operations in modern times. The government of Peru carried out the operation in April 1997, to rescue 72 hostages held by remnants of the terrorist group Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA, in Spanish), during a crisis at the Japanese ambassadors residence in the Andean nation. After what happened in the 1980s and the 1990s, not only with Chavin de Huantar, the Peruvian armed forces have implemented new strategic planning, but with a different vision, where interoperability of the three branches including Army, Navy, Air Force, had to be clear. Consequently, the Joint Special Operations and Intelligence Command (CIOEC) was created under the Joint Command, as the head of the special forces in the Peruvian Armed Forces. The National Police of Peru is often classified as a part of the armed forces. Although in fact, it has a different organization and a wholly civil mission, its training and activities over more than two decades as an anti-terrorist force have produced markedly military characteristics, giving it the appearance of virtual fourth military service with significant land, sea and air capabilities and approximately 140,000 personnel. MFA PUBLICATIONS, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON Hyman Bloom: Matters of Life and Death Text by Erica E. Hirshler, Naomi Slipp. Themes of mortality and spirituality in the long-neglected art of a midcentury American pioneerBlooms unsettling paintings are fueled by a sense of existence as a state of spiritual emergency and of art as a means for transfiguring fear. Holland Cotter, Art in America Hyman Bloom was a contemporary of Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock and Arshile Gorky. This new study focuses on Blooms paintings and drawings of human corpses, anatomical studies and archeological excavations from the 1940s and 1950s. He often returned to these subjects throughout his career, using thickly applied paint in rich colors as he aspired to present both the physical and the spiritual on canvas. Insightful curatorial essays accompanied by beautiful full-color reproductions explore this difficult but compelling work, considering themes such as the life, death and rebirth of Blooms artistic reputation; the growing divide between figuration and abstraction at this defining moment of American art; earlier artistic traditions of representing mortality; the relationship between these works and Blooms Judaism, interest in Eastern religions, and belief in reincarnation; and the artists desire to find beauty and meaning within death and decay. In these drawings and paintings, as Bloom himself asserted, the paradox of the harrowing and the beautiful [can] be brought into unity. Hyman Bloom (19132009) was born in Lithuania, now Latvia. He and his family immigrated to the United States in 1920, escaping anti-Semitic persecution. He lived and worked in the Boston area until his death. His work is held in many public collections, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, the Whitney Museum of American Art and others. Hyman Bloom, "Pompeiian Glass," 1948. Current location unknown. Photograph courtesy of Robert Alimi. PRAISE AND REVIEWS Boston Globe Nina MacLaughlin [Hyman Bloom's] vital, vivid paintings of the human body in life and death exist in that taut place between seductive and revolting, between beautiful and terrifying, which is to say, that edge up against the sublime. Washington Post Sebastian Smee The paintings, along with a selection of dazzling, large-scale drawings, are the subject of a superb, long-awaited [show and monograph,] Hyman Bloom: Matters of Life and Death." Burlington Timothy Standring Hyman Bloom blurred the boundaries between figurative and abstract painting during the late 1930s. He abandoned what was easy and instead punted for the difficult. in stock $40.00 Free Shipping UPS GROUND IN THE CONTINENTAL U.S. FOR CONSUMER ONLINE ORDERS Plot twists, bingeing, and deep curiosity about characters are nothing new. Cuba exported tons of radionovelas, as they were called, from the 1930s through the 1950s. After the Revolution, Cuban emigres in Miami began making original Spanish-language radio soap operas that reportedly ran on more than 200 stations worldwide. The Latin American Library at Tulane University is now digitizing a whopping collection of those 1960s-era programs and encouraging academic study of Cold War soaps. You know, just like we academic study Game of Thrones. NPR IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir have been rushing to fill the vacuum left by the collapse of Jet Airways. New Delhi: One of the co-founders of Indias largest airline IndiGo has no plans of taking control of the carrier, its Chief Executive said on Saturday, two days after parent InterGlobe Aviation Ltd shares fell over a media report about alleged differences between the co-founders. InterGlobes shares fell 9 per cent on Thursday after Indias most read business newspaper Economic Times reported that the co-founders and two largest shareholders were at odds over its expansion. The shares were up slightly on Friday. Co-founders Rahul Bhatia and Rakesh Gangwal, along with their respective families, each control stakes of slightly less than 40 per cent in the airlines holding company, giving them both a major say in its strategy and plans. I am authorized by Mr Rakesh Gangwal to make the following statement on his behalf - I am categorically and clearly stating that there is no interest or desire whatsoever on the part of the RG Group to take control of the company, Ronojoy Dutta, Chief Executive of IndiGo said in a statement. IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir have been rushing to fill the vacuum left by the collapse of Jet Airways, once Indias largest carrier, and gain control of its valuable slots. IndiGo, launched in 2006, has a nearly 47 per cent market share in India. The airline has a fleet of 225 aircraft and flies to more than 70 destinations globally. McDonald's India and its estranged partner Vikram Bakshi have been directed by the Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT) to appear before it and deposit the proceeds of the proposed settlement with respect to their joint venture firm CPRL. Earlier this month, fast food chain McDonald's reached an out-of-court settlement with Bakshi, buying out Connaught Plaza Restaurants Pvt Ltd from the joint venture. Allowing an application by the state-owned HUDCO on May 9, the presiding officer of DRT II Delhi has directed Bakshi not to transfer his 3,100 attached share of Connaught Plaza Restaurant Ltd (CPRL), a Joint venture between him and McDonald's India to operate fast food chain in northern and eastern India. Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO), which is claiming dues of Rs 194.98 crore from Bakshi and his related entities, in its petition filed before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT), informed that notices regarding orders of the DRT were already served to both the partners. "The presiding officer directed McDonald's India and Vikram Bakshi to appear before the DRT and deposit the proceeds of the settlement with the DRT II, Delhi. "Furthermore, Vikram Bakshi was directed not to transfer the attached shares (of CPRL) and also to file the details of the rates of the shares as on date," said HUDCO. The DRT had also issued attachment notice with respect to the bank accounts of Ascot Hotels & Resorts. "It is clear that respondent Vikram Bakshi can not alienate or transfer his shares in CPRL in view of the specific directions of the DRT vide order February 2, 2016, where Vikram Bakshi was restrained from transferring or alienating or creating any third party interest in respect of the said shares," the corporation said. However, it is not clear whether Bakshi and representatives of McDonald's India have appeared before the DRT yet. Bakshi had given guarantee to HUDCO against a loan of Rs 62.38 crore to Ascot Hotels and Resorts for a commercial project in Noida, UP in 2006, which was defaulted and declared as NPA in August 2011. To recover it, HUDCO then had moved the DRT in 2013 and requested to attach 3,100 shares (having a value of Rs 1,000 each) in CPRL, which were in the name of Bakshi. "The respondent Vikram Bakshi had given his affidavit and undertaking that the shares held by him in CPRL will not be alienated or transferred," said HUDCO while annexing a copy of Bakshi's affidavit in its petition filed before the NCLAT. Passing the judgement, the DRT had on August 12, 2015, issued recovery certificate in favour of HUDCO to recover the sum along with 14 per cent interest from Ascot Hotels, Vikram Bakshi, Madhurima Bakshi and Vikram Bakshi & Co Ltd. Thereafter, respondent, including Bakshi, was asked to disclose their details of movable and immovable assets. However, on their repeated failure to do so, HUDCO moved the DRT again for attachment of their bank account and 3,100 shares held by Bakshi in CPRL. On this, DRT had on February 2, 2016, issued "interim directions restraining Vikram Bakshi from alienating or transferring or creating any third party interest in the 3,100 shares of CPRL or any other quantity in the name of Vikram Bakshi till further orders." Last week, when HUDCO came to know about the settlement between Bakshi and McDonald's, it moved an intervention application before the NCLAT, where both have filed a petition against each other. "The settlement so arrived at between the appellant (McDonald's India) and respondent (Bakshi) with regards to transfer of shares to the appellant without settling the dues of the applicant/intervenor (HUDCO) will cause grave and irreparable losses to the public exchequer," said HUCO, adding that it can not proceed without its approval. HUDCO in its petition has requested the appellate tribunal to direct Bakshi "to furnish complete particulars and documents relating to the settlement" and to "deposit the entire proceeds of settlement" before the DRT for the discharge of liability towards it. Earlier on May 6, estranged partners McDonald's and Bakshi had informed the NCLAT that they were working towards an out-of-court settlement to end their dispute. On May 9, they announced an out-of-court settlement with the US fast-food chain agreeing to buy Bakshi's stake from their joint venture that operated outlets of the chain in the north and east India. The details of the pact, including financial terms, were not disclosed. During the last hearing on May 15, 2019, the NCLAT had suggested Bakshi and his entities to settle the matter with HUDCO and has posted the matter on May 27 for the next date of hearing. Meanwhile, a two-member NCLAT bench headed by Chairperson Justice S J Mukhopadhaya also said: "The pendency of the appeal will not come in the way of Vikram Bakshi & Others to negotiate and settle the matter with HUDCO". Also Read: Reliance Capital to raise Rs 10,000 cr in current fiscal by selling assets, cut down debt by 50% Also Read: RBI's 'Vision 2021' document on payment systems to boost digital transactions: Fintech firms Also Read: Mind completely occupied with Mindtree acquisition; will make it a big firm: A M Naik Ad spend on Google, YouTube, and partner properties since February 19 stood at Rs 27.36 crore with 14,837 ads. According to Facebook's Ad Library Report, there were 1.21 lakh political ads with a total spending of more than Rs 26.5 crore between February and May 15 this year. New Delhi: Political parties have spent over Rs 53 crore on digital platforms like Google and Facebook between February and May, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) accounting for a lion's share of the spending. According to Facebook's Ad Library Report, there were 1.21 lakh political ads with a total spending of more than Rs 26.5 crore between February and May 15 this year. Similarly, ad spend on Google, YouTube, and partner properties since February 19 stood at Rs 27.36 crore with 14,837 ads. Ruling party BJP spent Rs 4.23 crore on over 2,500 ads on Facebook. Supporting pages like 'My First Vote for Modi', 'Bharat Ke Mann Ki Baat' and 'Nation with NaMo' too, infused over Rs 4 crore on ads on the social networking platform that has well over 200 million users in India. On Google's platforms, it has spent more than Rs 17 crore. The Indian National Congress spent Rs 1.46 crore on Facebook for 3,686 ads. It shelled out another Rs 2.71 crore on Google's platforms with 425 ads. As per Facebook's data, All India Trinamool Congress has spent Rs 29.28 lakhs. Aam Aadmi Party shelled out Rs 13.62 lakh for 176 ads on the Facebook page. Interestingly, Google's political ad dashboard showed that Auburn Digital Solutions was running AAP campaigns and had spent Rs 2.18 crore from February 19 onwards. Earlier this year, digital platforms like Google and Facebook had said that they will offer details of political advertisements on their platform to bring transparency ahead of elections in the country. They have also announced a slew of measures over the past few months to strengthen efforts around election integrity. The general elections in the country have entered the final lap for 59 seats in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand and Chandigarh. Counting of votes for the world's largest democracy will be on May 23. Among the 21 films in competition, six are by master directors, all of whom are also old Cannes loyalists and favourites. BULLET Indian movies and directors may be missing from this edition of Cannes, but Indian gods are very much in attendance. In a scene in Pedro Almodovars Pain And Glory, almost the entire Hindu pantheon Krishna, Sai Baba, Santoshi Ma and Hanuman are pasted on a wall while some psychotropic substances are being inhaled. Cannes: Among the 21 films in competition for the Palme dOr this year, six are by master directors, all of whom are also old Cannes loyalists and favourites. Of these men (yes, all are men), two have won Festival de Cannes top prize twice Jean-Pierre Dardenne (for Rosetta in 1999, The Child in 2005) and Ken Loach (for The Wind That Shakes The Barley in 2006 and I, Daniel Blake in 2016); three have won it once (Quinten Tarantino for Pulp Fiction in 1994, Terrence Malick for The Tree of Life in 2011, and Abdellatif Kechiche for Blue Is The Warmest Colour in 2013). The sixth one hasnt won a single one. To put things in perspective, the sixth one is Spanish auteur Pedro Almodavar who has been nominated six times but the crystal cushion on which a gold palm leaf encrusted with diamonds rests has not come to him, yet. On Friday night, Almodovar presented Dolor Y Gloria (Pain and Glory), starring Antonio Banderas, Penelope Cruz and Asier Etxeandia, at Cannes, and couldnt stop talking at the press conference on Saturday morning about the long standing ovation it received. In the film, Almodovars 21st feature, Banderas plays Salvador, an ageing film director who is struggling with an exhaustive list of ailments of the body and soul asthma, insomnia, back pain, migraines, muscular pain, whistles of the heart, choking, as well as anguish, depression, anxiety, terror The pain is now centre-stage, pulsating in the fading glow of glory. Though Salvador remains mostly indoors, in his beautiful apartment with a maid and expensive paintings, a retrospective triggers memories of his film, Sabon, and his fight with the lead star, Alberto (Asier Etxeandia). And so, 32 years later, he goes to visit Alberto who is mostly busy charing the dragon heroin, and in whose company the director finds a new addiction. The film switches between sunny memories of Salvadors childhood spent with his mother Jacinta (Penelope Cruz), of cinema movies of his childhood, he says, smelled of piss, jasmine and the summer breeze as well as of sexual desire, regret. And then, a chance meeting with an old lover, Marcelo (Leonardo Sbaraglia), brings back other heady feelings, and a breakthrough Admodovar said that Pain and Glory draws a lot from his life, and is fairly autobiographical, but added that it should not be taken literally as it is also fictionalised. The tangible similarities between his life and Salvador are not hard to see like young Salvador, Almodovars mother, Francisca Caballero, was a letter reader and transcriber for her illiterate neighbours. Like Salvador, young Almodovar was sent to a seminary and then moved to Madrid to become a filmmaker. And Almodovar, like Salvador, often wrote under a pseudonym (Patty Diphusa). Almodovar, now 70 years old, says that his obsession these days is to get eight hours of sleep daily, and when he thinks of directing a film, his first thought is whether or not he is ready, physically, to commit to it. While that may well be the reason why Pain and Glory often feels like it's supine, but Almodovars storytelling ability and stylistic brilliance are intact. As is his eye and appetite for passion, beauty and warm, glamorous interior decor. Though there is, at times, a certain artifice to Cruz and Banderas acting here, and Pain and Glory doesnt have the kinetic energy and power to overwhelm and carry us in one garrulous, neurotic swoop, like, say Volver, it has languid gorgeousness a naked man bathing in a cave house, and two grown men kissing passionately. Almodovar said that while he did experience love that broke and caused heart-ache, and he hasnt yet got a chance at reconciliation, he enjoyed watching and filming two 50-year-old men snogging in the doorway. Pain and Glory could well be called, Reminisces Sublime, Mostly in Colour Red. But it is not one of Almodovars best films. Pain and Glory is more like an ageing master pausing on a trek uphill, to breathe, banter, share an anecdote or two, talk of the past before returning to to the present to what he does best obsessive characters crackling in crazy situations. If Pain and Glory gets the Palme dOr, many jaws will remain dropped for a long, long time. On the other hand, English director Ken Loachs gently affecting film, Sorry We Missed You, is a very serious contender for the top prize. Set in Newcastle, it tells the story of a family of four struggling to survive but repeatedly coming undone under the pressure of whats come to be known as the gig economy. Ricky (Kris Hitchen) and Abby (Debbie Honeywood) have two children Seb (Rhys Stone) and Liza Jane and many bills to pay. Adorable Abby is a caretaker who visits old, ailing, incontinent, often invalid patients with whom she has, with her calming tone and caring touch, formed a bond. She takes care of them more than she is paid to. But she is also, always, riddled with guilt about not being at home and having to leave messages on the phone for her son and daughter, instructing them about food in Tupperware, Internet usage, etc. Ricky joins a parcel delivery company not as an employee, but as a franchise holder because theres promise of big bucks. But in reality the meter is always running for a tab to be paid by the employee: If you take leave, organise a replacement or pay; rent a van from the company; if an accident takes place, all liability is on the employee. The companys rules are skewed to ensure it has zero liability in all events. Before he can start working, Ricky needs to buy a van that can take a large number of packages, and so a decision is taken to sell Abbys car. While Ricky and Abby are desperately trying to make money in a crushing daily cycle of oppressive rules, unending working hours, Sid, of an age when he needs to exert himself, does so in the most aggressive, obnoxious way. A school emergency and a particularly horrible mugging shows how predatory the gig economy is. And the film, which has been slowly walking towards this moment, pauses here for soft-spoken Abby to have an out-of-character outburst. The Cannes audience spontaneously broke into an applause, finding a voice, perhaps, for their own seething, choking rage. Abbys screaming doesnt amount to much in changing things at the company, but in their personal space it sets both Abby and Ricky free just a little bit. The thought of jumping off the oppressive cycle of work, fatigue, tension, bills stops feeling so suicidal. Ken Loach, now 83, has said that the idea for Sorry We Missed You came from the interviews and research he and his team put in for I, Daniel Blake. It is an accompanying piece, yes, but it also very much its own film a political, sharp, insightful, empathetic commentary on an economy and a work culture that is exploiting and cheating workers, while serving the masters. Loachs film shows the impact that work-related stress, fatigue and frustration can have irreparable damage inflicted at home but also how it can, in short, smiling bursts, bring a family together for such joyful moments that you may actually never jump off the wheel. Sorry We Missed You leaves us with this deeply tragic, distressing thought, and the debilitating feeling of being impaled by the promise of having a life, sometime in the future. The arrested persons include former and current members of ULFA said, Kumar. Guwahati: Police on Saturday arrested three more persons in connection with Wednesday's grenade blast on Zoo Road that left 12 people injured. "After the interrogation of Saikia and Rajguru, we have arrested three more people who played a direct role in the blast," said Guwahati Police Commissioner Deepak Kumar. The arrested persons include former and current members of ULFA said, Kumar. "The accused, identified as Amrit Ballabh Goswami, Indra Mohan Gauda and Chinmay Lakar, have been taken into custody. We will seek their police remand," said Kumar. Kumar further said that the Union Home Ministry is seriously monitoring the case. "ULFA which seemed decimated in the state appears to have begun new activities. The Home Ministry has instructed to take strict action against all people associated with the blast," said Kumar. Police on Thursday arrested United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) leader Pranamoy Rajguru and a television actress Jahnabi Saikia for allegedly possessing a huge quantity of explosive materials in connection with the blast. Read: Man arrested in Assam's Nagaon for his involvement in Guwahati blast In the grenade blast that took place at 8 pm on Wednesday, 12 people were injured when two unknown bike-borne suspects lobbed a grenade at the state police troops and fled from the spot. Rifeman Aurangzeb of the J&K Light Infantry attached with Armys counterinsurgency 44 Rashtriya Rifles was posted in south Kashmirs Shopian district. On June 14 last year, Aurangzeb was abducted by militants as he left his unit to celebrate Id at his home in frontier district of Poonch. (Photo: ANI | Twitter) Srinagar: In their continued tough campaign against separatist militants, the security forces on Saturday killed four more of them in two separate encounters in Jammu and Kashmirs Pulwama and Baramulla districts. One of the slain militants was involved in the murder of Army jawan Aurangzeb in June last year, the police said. Rifeman Aurangzeb of the J&K Light Infantry attached with Armys counterinsurgency 44 Rashtriya Rifles was posted in south Kashmirs Shopian district. On June 14 last year, he was abducted by militants as he left his unit to celebrate Id at his home in frontier district of Poonch. The same evening his bullet-riddled body was found ten kilometres away from the place of kidnapping, evoking a nation-wide outrage. He was posthumously conferred the Shaurya Chakra, a gallantry award given during no war and no peace scenarios, on the Independence Day this year. The police said that Showkat Dar, one of the three militants killed in a fire fight with security forces in Panzgam village of Pulwama district on Saturday, was part of the group which abducted and subsequently killed Aurangzeb. He was part of a group involved in killing of Army jawan Aurangzeb last year. He was also involved in killing of a policeman Aqib Ahmed Wagay the same year, a police spokesman here said. The spokesman identified the two other slain militants as Irfan War and Muzaffar Sheikh and said that the trio was affiliated with Hizb-ul-Mujahideen outfit. Giving the details of the encounter, defence spokesman Colonel Rajesh Kalia said that the Armys 55 Rashtriya Rifles, J&K polices counterinsurgency Special Operations Group (SOG) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) laid siege to Panzgam at dawn on Saturday after receiving inputs about the presence of militants in the village. While the cordon-and-search operation was underway, the terrorists hiding in the area opened fire on security forces. The fire was returned, triggering the encounter, he said. Later during the day, fighting broke out also in Hathlangoo village outside north-western town of Sopore when the Armys 22 Rashtriya Rifles and SOG launched a cordon-and-search operation in the area on learning about the presence of militants inside a residential house. Simultaneously, the authorities suspended the mobile Internet services in Sopore town as a precautionary measure. The police said that one militant was killed in the Hathlangoo fire fight and that the slain mans identity is being ascertained. On Wednesday, five militants were killed by the security forces in two separate encounters in Pulwama and Shopian districts. The officials had said that one of the slain militants was top Jaish-e-Muhammad commander Khalid Bhai, a Pakistani national. Two Army jawans and two civilians were also killed during these operations. A shutdown was observed in Kashmir Valley on Friday to mourn and protest the killing of militants and civilians. The call for the strike had been issued by Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL), the alliance of key separatist leaders, saying Theres no let up in killings in Kashmir, even during the holy month of Ramzan. A report from Anantnag said that traders brought their shutters down and public transport services were withdrawn from roads in the town and its neighbourhood on Saturday following rumours that a local Lashkar-e-Tayyaba militant Tariq Khan has been surrounded by the security forces during a search operation in Dehruna village of Kokernag area of the district. The police sources said that the operation at Dehruna was called off after the militants reportedly managed to escape from the village. Meanwhile, curfew continued to be in force in Bhaderwah town of eastern Doda district on the third consecutive day in view of persisting tensions set off by the killing of a 50-year-old drover Nayeem Ahmed Shah. The police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the shooting incident in which two other persons were injured during the intervening night of May 15 and 16. The incident, blamed on cow-vigilantes by the local Muslim groups had sparked off violence protests in Bhaderwah following which the communally sensitive town was brought under indefinite curfew from Thursday morning. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shabir Ahmed Malik said the situation in the area is peaceful now. He said that newly constituted SIT along with a team of Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) Jammu visited the crime scene on Saturday morning to collect the evidence. The police have seized the 12 bore gun used in the crime. Seven persons have been detained for questioning. The police have, however, expressed doubt over the charge that those involved in killing of Shah are cow-vigilantes. The drover and two others were attacked at 2 am on Wednesday night when they were returning to their native Mohalla Qilla of Bhaderwah along with a herd of cattle. While the local Muslim groups have alleged that they were targeted deliberately at the behest of BJP,RSS and Shiv Sena goons hell bent to polarize the situation in Bhaderwah, the accused have claimed that they opened fire after they found the men roaming under suspicious circumstances in the dead of the night. The BJP appears to be banking on PM Narendra Modis popularity while the Congress hopes that its Nyay scheme would see the party through. Bhopal: It is BJPs brand Modi vs Congress Nyay in all the eight parliamentary constituencies in Madhya Pradesh, going to polls in the final phase of Lok Sabhd elections on Sunday. All the eight LS seats fall under prosperous Malwa-Nimar belt of MP, a traditional saffron bastion, dented by Congress in the 2018 assembly elections after decades. While BJP appeared to be banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modis popularity to regain its lost ground in the belt in the May 19 polls, Congress hoped that its Nyay scheme, the brainchild of AICC president Rahul Gandhi, would see the party through in these seats. Nyay has caught imagination of people particularly in rural MP, Congress spokesman Pankaj Chaturvedy told this newspaper on Saturday. BJP had held all the eight LS seats in the 2014 polls. BJP however claimed that there was groundswell of support for Mr Modi across MP which would help the party retain its bastion in Malwa-Nimar region in the Sundays LS elections. There is an undercurrent in favour of Mr Modi in each constituency. The brand Modi of BJP has taken steam out of the key poll plank of Nyay of Congress, a BJP spokesman here said. In fact, candidates of traditional poll rivals, Congress and BJP, in each constituency have been relegated to background with the die in each seat cast for a showdown between Modi and Nyay. The region witnessed high-voltage campaigning by both BJP and Congress. BJP has fielded new faces in six out of these eight seats in the poll. In 2018 assembly elections, Congress won 35 out of total 66 seats in the belt, helping the party return to power in the state after a gap of 15 years. BJP which had won 58 out of 66 seats in the region had to contend with 28 seats in the last years assembly polls. Two former Union ministers, Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav, both of Congress, are trying their lucks in their respective constituencies of Ratlam and Khandwa in this election. Around 10 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 918 candidates. Election officials carry EVM and VVPAT machines and other equipments ahead of the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha polls in Patiala on Saturday. (Photo: PTI) New Delhi: The last phase of a bitterly fought election which would decide whether the first majority government in a long time comes back to power would come to an end on Sunday even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave a last minute push for Hindu consolidation by going to Kedarnath for meditation. Polling would be held in 59 constituencies including in Varanasi where Mr Modi is seeking to retain the seat. The 59 seats also include all 13 seats in Punjab, an equal number in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat Chandigarh. Around 10 crore voters are expected to exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 918 candidates. The results would be declared on May 23. The seven phse polls have been spread over 38 days. Besides Mr Modi in Varanasi, 25 other candidates are in fray. The PMs main challengers are Congresss Ajay Rai and SP-BSP grand alliances nominee Shalini Yadav. In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is contesting 11 Lok Sabha seats in this phase, while its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) is contesting Mirzapur, currently held by Union minister Anupriya Patel, and Robertsganj. Actor turned politician Sunny Deol, Punjab Congress chief Sunil Jakhar, Aam Aadmi Partys Punjab unit chief Bhagwant Mann are among other prominent candidates contesting in Punjab. Also going to polls are nine constituencies in West Bengal Kolkata North and Kolkata South, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar (SC) and Mathurapur (SC). West Bengal has particularly seen prolonged political violence in these elections. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a meditation in a cave in Kedarnath possibly to give last minite push to Hindutva agenda. On Saturday, Mr Modi had attended a press confernece along with BJP chief Amit Shah where he did not take any questions. PM Modi offered prayers at Kedarnath, a day after campaigning for the LS polls came to a close. PM Modi offered prayers at Kedarnath, a day after campaigning for the LS polls came to a close. (Photo: ANI) New Delhi: The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday wrote a letter to Election Commission of India (ECI) and asserted that the wide-scale of media coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kedarnath is a violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC). 'Election campaign for the last phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls is over, surprisingly Narendra Modi's Kedarnath Yatra is being widely covered by the media for the last 2 days. This is a gross violation of the model code of conduct,' read the letter. Echoing similar sentiments, TMC's political rival and Communist Party of India (CPI) Leader D Raja also accused ECI of being 'soft' on Prime Minister Modi and said, "It is true that PM keeps violating the model code of conduct but election commission is not taking any action. The election commission is so soft on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP Chief Amit Shah. The election commission is not acting in a manner it should act. ECI is constitutional body it should act neutrally, objectively without any biased or without any fear." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath, a day after campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls came to a close. The Prime Minister ended his 18-hour meditation session inside a holy cave of Kedarnath and headed towards Badrinath temple. Union Minister Babul Supriyo hit out at TMC for its complaint. On being asked about violence in the state during the Lok Sabha polls, the Union minister said, "Violence is inherited by TMC through CPI (M) and from there it has spread in the state." "TMC has lost its credibility and if it alleges that BJP is doing violence then people will not believe it. It is fear of losing that TMC is acting in a bizarre manner," he added. Polling for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Sunday in 59 seats spread across seven states and one Union Territory in the country. The counting of voting will begin on May 23. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analysis et al. Happy reading. The statement from Vijayvargiya came after people alleged that there were reports of bombing at Raidighi in Mathurapur Lok Sabha seat. BJP's Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and claimed that her goons are running the state of West Bengal. (Photo: ANI) Indore: BJP's Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and claimed that her goons are running the state of West Bengal. The leader also said that the state government and police have together murdered the democracy of the region. "Mamata Banerjee has handed over the charge of the state to the goons. There is hooliganism in the state and no democracy. There is dictatorship in the region. West Bengal government and police have together murdered the democracy of the region," he said. Vijayvargiya said that the BJP wants to establish democracy in West Bengal and added that the Mamata Banerjee government is not allowing people to vote for the BJP. "I have come to know that people in West Bengal want to vote cast their ballot in favour of the BJP but the workers of the West Bengal government are blocking their ways. I believe that PM Modi is the only leader which can strengthen the democracy in the country and can take the nation forward," he said. The statement from Vijayvargiya came after people alleged that there were reports of bombing at Raidighi in Mathurapur Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal. Polling across nine Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal is underway and the counting of votes will take place on May 23. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses etc all. Happy reading. Old trees in China's permafrost are witnessing growth spurt due to climate change. While this initial soil warming has benefitted Dahurian larch, further permafrost thaw could likely decrease tree growth and even cause the forest to decay, according to the authors. (Photo: Representational/Pexels) Washington: Climate change in permafrost forest of north-eastern China is making Dahurian larch trees (hardy trees) to grow faster, found a study. The study was published in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. The study of growth rings from Dahurian larch in China finds that the hardy trees grew more from 2005 to 2014 than in the preceding 40 years. Also, the oldest trees have had the biggest growth spurts: trees older than 400 years grew more rapidly in those 10 years than in the past 300 years. The study's authors suspect warmer soil temperatures are fuelling the growth spurts by lowering the depth of the permafrost layer, allowing the trees' roots to expand and suck up more nutrients. The increased growth is good for the trees in the short-term but may be disastrous for the forests in the long-term, according to the authors. As the climate continues to warm, the permafrost underneath the trees may eventually degrade and no longer be able to support the slow-growing trees. No other tree species can survive the permafrost plains this far north, so if the larch forests of northern Asia disappear, the entire ecosystem would change. "The disappearance of larch would be a disaster to the forest ecosystem in this region," said Xianliang Zhang, the lead author of the study. Dahurian larch is Earth's northernmost tree species and its most cold-hardy: These larches are the only trees that can tolerate the frigid permafrost plains of Russia, Mongolia and northern China. Chinese locals refer to Dahurian larch as "thin-old-trees," because they grow slowly in the thin active layer of soil above the permafrost and can live for more than 400 years. Permafrost regions around the world have been thawing in recent decades due to rising temperatures, sometimes degrading into swamps and wetlands. In the study, Zhang and his colleagues analysed growth rings from more than 400 Dahurian larches in old-growth forests of north-eastern China to see how the trees are faring in a warming climate. Tree rings allow scientists to measure how much trees grow from year to year. Much like people, trees do most of their growing while young. Dahurian larch generally grows rapidly until they become around 150 years old, at which point their growth slows. When the trees hit 300 years old, their growth basically stalls. The researchers used the width of each tree's growth rings to calculate how much area each tree gained in cross-section each year over the course of its lifetime. The results show Dahurian larch trees grew more from 2005 to 2014 than from 1964 to 2004. Interestingly, the effect was most pronounced in the oldest trees: Trees older than 300 years grew 80 per cent more from 2005 to 2014 than in the preceding 40 years. Trees between 250 and 300 years old grew 35 per cent more during that time period, while trees younger than 250 years grew between 11 and 13 per cent more. The old trees' growth is unusual it's akin to a 100-year-old person suddenly getting taller, according to Zhang. The authors suspect older trees are growing more than younger trees because they have more developed root systems that can harvest resources from the soil more efficiently. The researchers compared the trees' growth rates to climate factors like soil temperatures and precipitation data over the past 50 years to see what was causing the unusual growth. They found increased soil temperatures, especially in winter, are likely powering the growth spurts. They suspect the warmer temperatures lower the depth of the permafrost layer, providing the trees' roots more room to expand and access to more nutrients. While this initial soil warming has benefitted Dahurian larch, further permafrost thaw could likely decrease tree growth and even cause the forest to decay, according to the authors. Dahurian larch can't survive in wet conditions so permafrost changing to wetlands or peatlands would be detrimental to the forest as a whole, they said. "If the larch forest retreats in this region in the future, it is also not a good sign for the whole boreal forest," Zhang said. Kejriwal was in Punjab to campaign for his party, which is contesting on all seats in the state. New Delhi: Delhi chief minister and Aam Aadmi Party supremo Arvind Kejriwal, on Saturday, alleged that some day he will be assassinated like former PM Indira Gandhi. During a political campaign in Punjab, he said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is after his life and will get him murdered by his own personal security officer (PSO) one day. However, refuting his comment, the Delhi police said that the security unit is a professional setup and committed to do their job. BJP would get me murdered by my own PSO (personal security officer) one day like Indira Gandhi. My own security officers report to BJP, Mr Kejriwal told the media in Punjab. BJP is after my life, they will murder me one day, he added. Mr Kejriwal was in Punjab to campaign for his party, which is contesting on all seats in the state. Earlier this month, he was slapped by a man during a roadshow in Delhis Moti Nagar area on Saturday. The Delhi police had claimed that the culprit was a disgruntled AAP worker, but the party blamed BJP for the attack. I will be murdered and the police would say it was a disgruntled party worker. What does it meanif a Congress worker is angry with Captain saab (Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh), can he hit him? If a BJP worker is angry with Modi ji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi), can he hit him? Mr Kejriwal asked. Responding to the allegation, the Delhi police said that its security unit is a professional set-up of well trained personnel who are thoroughly committed to their jobs and perform their duties with a high level of dedication and professionalism. The unit has been providing security cover commendably for several high ranking dignitaries of all political parties. The security personnel posted in the security team of the honourable CM of Delhi are equally well committed to their duties, said Anil Mittal, the additional PRO of Delhi police. Charcoal buyers from Europe Release Date: 28.02.2018 Total companies 2015: 341 Total companies 2016: 187 (I .) Total companies 2016: 464 Total companies 2017: (check pending) Total companies 2018: 376 Base Format: .xls Purchase Volume 2015: 162 208 Purchase Volume 2016: 151 957 Purchase Volume 2017: 174 180 Purchase Volume 2018: 174 032 Database of Charcoal Importing Companies: Structure and Purpose This database is created on the basis of statistical as well as informational and analytical data on supplies of Ukrainian charcoal to Europe for the specified period. The database includes reliable and detailed information about importing companies with country, exact address and location, e-mail and website, phone and fax numbers as well as the representatives of these companies with their contact details. The Database of European Charcoal Importing Companies from Ukraine also shows the procurement volume of each company for the specified period which makes it possible to assess the opportunities of an importer - buyer and prospects for potential collaboration. In total, this database includes information on 376 importing companies from 45 countries of the world, the vast majority of which are located on the European continent. Table 1. European Buyers of Charcoal in Ukraine 2018 Country Volume, MT Companies Poland 68 546 47 Germany 30 682 75 Romania 24 518 53 Belgium 16 606 8 Netherlands 5 104 10 Bulgaria 4 627 15 France 4 521 8 Czech Republic 3 889 17 Iraq 1 905 15 Slovakia 1 828 8 Austria 1 628 7 Turkey 1 463 31 Hungary 1 302 8 Lithuania 1 209 12 Moldova 1 071 16 Switzerland 1 045 2 Sweden 816 7 Estonia 518 4 United Kingdom 463 4 Denmark 378 1 Greece 320 5 Israel 320 16 Latvia 626 14 Finland 120 2 Austria 84 1 Saudi Arabia 46 3 Estonia 43 1 UAE 41 2 USA 36 2 Greece 36 2 Italy 89 3 Oman 31 2 Palestine 22 2 Lebanon 21 1 Jordan 20 1 Syrian Arab Republic 19 1 Montenegro 15 1 Azerbaijan 13 2 Belarus 4 3 Georgia 2 1 Russian Federation 2 2 The Database of European Charcoal Importers from Ukraine is specialized and compiled by market experts. The experts of Ukrainian Biofuel Portal, who prepared this database, make regular monitoring of domestic charcoal exports and continuously update the data in the information and analytical system of Ukrainian Biofuel Portal over the past five years. The experts say that Poland is traditionally the leading importer of domestic charcoal. From this volume, the share of major European importers - Poland, Belgium, Germany, and Romania is more than 80% of the total export of this alternative fuel type supplied by our country. In particular, Poland purchased 56% of this volume, Belgium - 24%, Germany - 14% and Romania - almost 6%. Advantages of the Database of European Charcoal Importers from Ukraine Click the database screenshot to enlarge. A lot of the importing companies represented in the database have many years of experience in sustainable cooperation with Ukrainian charcoal producers and show the relatively stable result of import volumes. The European Database of Charcoal Importers from Ukraine in 2018 makes it possible to monitor the export dynamics clearly and draw conclusions about its prospects in the near future with a high degree of probability. This informational and analytical release is of particular interest for Ukrainian charcoal producers, who have recently entered the market, allowing them to focus on it more clearly and significantly expand their export potential. Also, this information will be of interest to business which implies diversification due to the deployment of charcoal production. Analytical information of the Database of Ukrainian Charcoal Importers will provide invaluable assistance to traders in the optimal commercial offer making and effective search for new markets. In addition, charcoal exporters from Ukraines neighbouring countries will be able, using the information provided, to optimize their pricing and logistics policies which will allowing them to establish new or continue existing international trade cooperation on more favourable conditions for both parties. All databases Wood Briquette Producers Database: Ukraine 2016-2017 Database of European importers of wood pellets from Ukraine 2018 The letter also claimed that Mr Modi had threatened to lock Abhisheks office after the results of Lok Sabha elections are announced. Kolkata: A day before seeking his relection West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjees nephew Abhishek Banerjee has sent a defamation notice to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly calling him Gunda and threatening to lock his office after the Lok Sabha Election results during his May 15 rally at Diamond Harbour in South 24 Parganas. Asking Mr Modi to prove his claims the young Trinamul MP of Diamond Harbour also demanded the PM to tender an unconditional apology in next 36 hours. The letter, sent by his lawyer Sanjay Basu to the PM on Saturday, states, Your speech, punctuated by false, malicious,and defamatory content, was an embodiment of political calculation and mischievous intent. Your imputations were deliberate and mala fide, perpetrated through thinly-veiled references of Bhatija (nephew) and Didi while being fully aware that Mamata Banerjee is referred to as Didi and my client himself is the only nephew of the said Banerjee who is involved in public life and is the sitting MP from Diamond Harbour. Describing Mr Modis allegations as slanderous, malicious and false, the letter argued, In your speech, you referred to my client as a Gunda or goon. Such statements, other than being attempts to deceive the public through rhetoric, are hardly appropriate for a person holding your position. My client denies all your claims and challenges you to provide proof of such deliberate misstatements. The letter also claimed that Mr Modi had threatened to lock Abhisheks office after the results of Lok Sabha elections are announced. In the event an unconditional apology is not issued to my client within 36 hours of receipt of this notice, my client will be constrained to initiate appropriate proceedings against you in accordance with the laws of this country without any further notice. The aforesaid is without prejudice to my clients other rights and contentions, it added. The next Indian Prime Minister has to loosen the China-Pakistan alliance by a combination of rewards and punishments. On May 23, the Indian publics electoral mandate will emerge. The shape of the next government may also become clear. That largely depends on the ruling BJPs numbers. Logic dictates that the BJP may not repeat its 2014 performance, when it won almost every seat in key Hindi belt states, other than Bihar. Thus, the best-case scenario for the BJP is to not need support from outside its existing alliance partners. The fate of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Israeli friend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is instructive. Having again beaten Likuds opponents, he stands checkmated by a notional ally, right-of-centre leader Avigdar Liberman, who won only five seats but subscribes to right-wing, secular values. Without him, Mr Netanyahu has 60 out of 120 members. But the ultra-orthodox group of 21 members opposes Mr Liberman because of his proposed amendment to the conscription law to make orthodox youth subject to military service. The Israeli President gave a final two weeks to Mr Netanyahu to present his coalition. It is imaginable that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar could play a similar role in Mr Modis next coalition by stymieing BJP oddballs like Pragya Singh Thakur or an old ally like the Shiv Sena. Meanwhile, the world has not waited for the tiresome Indian electoral process to be over. Balancing between the United States, Russia, China, Japan and the European Union has continued apace. The elections to the European Parliament will begin on May 23, the day of the Indian vote count, and end by May 26. It will be interesting how people vote in a post-Brexit, populism fed and anti-globalisation driven Europe. Traditional parties were arranged left or right of centre in the post-war period. The Economist calls the European election pitting nationalists against pro-Europeans and established parties against insurgents of all stripes. Simultaneously, the trade war between the US and China, which seemed abating, has reignited. President Donald Trump has dug in by raising tariffs on $200 billion Chinese imports from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. New tariffs were also likely on remainder $225 billion worth of goods. The initial estimates are that immediately while the US GDP will suffer by about 0.31 per cent, the loss to the Chinese economy will be 1.22 per cent. In future, the effect will converge to 0.57 per cent for China and 0.49% for the US. But US farmers and consumers are already feeling the effect. According to one analyst, the US will have to choose between slowing Chinas ascent and its sought-after geopolitical primacy and maximising prosperity at home. So far, and fortuitously for Japan and India, Mr Trump has chosen the first. Japan has not merely relied on the US to manage China. It operationalised the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Mr Trump had abandoned, with the 11 remaining members, making it a major economic grouping. If the US had joined it would have amounted to 40 per cent of global trade under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Japan has also finalised a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU. On the other hand, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has used the Sino-US spat to reach out to China, visiting it in October last year. He expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Japan for the G-20 summit on June 28-29. China reduced its provocative military incursions in the East China Sea and near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands. Japan, like India, holds the cards on the Chinese-advocated Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), that is constructed around Asean and Asian nations. Japan is simultaneously wooing Mr Trump, inviting him to be the first visitor, starting May 25, to visit Japan after the accession of the new emperor. Australia, the other member of the Quadrilateral, a grouping of four democracies of the Indo-Pacific (besides Australia, including India, Japan and the US), held parliamentary elections on May 18. The surprise winner has been the ruling Liberal alliance, which has kept challenger Labour out of play. Thus, Australias tense relations with China and support to a defiant military posture would persist. Like Mr Abe, the next Indian Prime Minister will have to undertake subtle balancing between emerging poles consisting of the US on one side and China and Russia on the other. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo visited Russia to try and keep Russia from aligning too closely with China. Russian President Vladimir Putin understands this game and realises that the Trump administration is hampered in accommodating him strategically due to allegations of cosiness between Trump the candidate and Russians. Attempting to regain its pre-Soviet Union breakup influence, at least in its periphery and West Asia, Russia is playing spoilsport wherever US interests interpose. The latest example is in helping the regime in Venezuela survive popular protests despite US goading from the sidelines. Unfortunately, the Modi government allowed itself to get mired in Pakistan-bashing for electoral purposes to divert attention from a mismanaged economy and social tensions caused by divisions of caste, faith and ethnicity. The US is treating the UN listing of Masood Azhar as major strategic help to India, realising it was useful for Mr Modi electorally. However, like the listing of Hafiz Saeed in 2008 after the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, it is of symbolic value unless Pakistan honestly stops sponsoring jihadi groups. Otherwise there will be a short hiatus and resurrection of the same operatives in a new guise. It is good that the IMFs conditions for the $6 billion facility include Pakistani action on terror funding. The next Indian Prime Minister has to loosen the China-Pakistan alliance by a combination of rewards and punishments. Balakot is a one-off that will be difficult to repeat. But Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) does threaten Chinese investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Chinese economy is being impacted by US tariffs and thus even China has to rethink its position in Asia. If it seeks dominance by using surrogates like Pakistan and North Korea, or direct military action like occupying vast amounts of the South China Sea, then its course is uncertain. It can recalibrate its Asia policy and help create a harmonious new order. India needs a Prime Minister with historical sense, requisite knowledge and finesse to achieve this. Diplomacy can have theatrical moments, like US President Richard Nixon visiting Beijing, but it cannot be mere theatre sans strategic content or a convenient tool for winning elections. China announced this week it would retaliate against a move by Washington to raise tariffs on USD 200 billion of Chinese imports. The US argument about the forced transfer of technology can be described as being fabricated from thin air. The United States has fabricated accusations that China forces firms to hand over technology in exchange for market access, Chinas top Communist Party newspaper said on Saturday, the latest salvo in a bitter trade war. China announced this week it would retaliate against a move by Washington to raise tariffs on USD 200 billion of Chinese imports amid complaints Beijing had done little to resolve US concerns about the theft of intellectual property and the forced transfer of technology to Chinese firms. The Peoples Daily said in an editorial China had never forced US firms to hand over technology and the claim was an old-fashioned argument used by some people in the United States to suppress Chinas development. The US argument about the forced transfer of technology can be described as being fabricated from thin air, it said. The United States had not yet been able to provide any evidence to back up the claims, the editorial said. It said the United States benefited substantially from voluntary technological cooperation, earning USD 7.96 billion in intellectual property use fees in 2016 alone. Washingtons fragile nerves were caused by Chinas own rapidly growing research and development capabilities, the paper said. The increasingly acrimonious dispute between the worlds top two economies has rattled investors and roiled global markets. The United States said negotiations were likely to resume soon but China said no fixed date had been set yet and Washington needed to show sincerity in any new round of talks. State news agency Xinhua accused the United States of pursuing global hegemony in a separate editorial published on Saturday and said Washington would suffer more from an all-out trade war than China. In fact, compared to China, the United States is more reliant on external markets and international economic relations, and is more vulnerable to global economic shocks, Xinhua said. If the United States persistently stokes up trade disputes, it will certainly affect the global market, and the consequences will inevitably see itself suffering greater losses, it said. Google has started sending out emails to Jump users, stating the service will end on June 28, 2019. Google is shutting down its Jump video-creation service due to lack of popularity and the emergence of more advanced immersive video solutions. Google has started sending out emails to Jump users, stating the service will end on June 28, 2019. Users are recommended to download their data by June 27, 2019, after which, Google will begin deleting it. Google Jump was introduced back in 2015 and since then, allowed new-age creators to stitch automatically 3D 360-degree videos captured by compatible action cameras. In the past, too, there were complaints about Wayfair selling the Hindu Gods imprinted bath rugs. E-commerce giant Amazon too was also slammed for selling similar items. (Photo:Wayfair Twitter) Washington: Wayfair, an American e-commerce giant, which sells home products, has come under fire for selling bath mats with Lord Ganesha figures and Lord Shiva imprints on it, the American Bazaar reported on Saturday. The Boston based Wayfair has been accused of stocking bath mats with faces of Hindu Gods on it, media reported. The mats, priced at USD 38 and more on their websites, are described as Yoga Asian Lord with Third Eye Bath Rug by East Urban Home, and "Asian Face of Elephant Lord Bath Rug." In the past, too, there were complaints about Wayfair selling the Hindu Gods imprinted bath rugs. Last year, Wayfair removed a cutting board carrying the image of Ganesha and apologised when Hindu activists protested to discontinue them. E-commerce giant Amazon too was also slammed for selling similar items. The bill had been amended late last year to ensure that it would not impact the right of the British Sikh community. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs had led a delegation to the UK Home Office to ensure that the kirpan remains exempt. (File Photo) London: A new Offensive Weapons Bill aimed at tackling rising knife crime in the UK completed its journey through Parliament to become an act of law after receiving the Royal Assent of Queen Elizabeth II this week. The bill had been amended late last year to ensure that it would not impact the right of the British Sikh community to possess and supply kirpans, or religious swords. "We have engaged closely with the Sikh community on the issue of kirpans. As a result, we have amended the Bill to ensure that the possession and supply of large kirpans for religious reasons can continue," a UK Home Office spokesperson said. The All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for British Sikhs had led a delegation to the UK Home Office to ensure that the kirpan remains exempt when the new bill becomes law. "I am pleased to see the government amendment...which reflects the importance of not criminalising the Sikh community for the sale or possession of large kirpans," said Labour MP Preet Kaur Gill, Chair of the APPG for British Sikhs. The new law would therefore maintain status quo in continuing to legally safeguard the sale, possession and use of large kirpans. Fellow Sikh MP, Tan Dhesi, had also made an intervention during the Offensive Weapons Bill debate in the Commons to seek "assurances about the kirpan, given the Sikh community's serious concerns". Large kirpans, with blades over 50-cm, are used by the community during religious ceremonies in gurdwaras as well as for ceremonies involving the traditional Sikh Gatka martial art. They would have fallen foul of the new bill on the possession of large blades without the amendment, which has now been agreed. The Offensive Weapons Act covers new offences around possession of certain offensive weapons in public and enforces new restrictions on the online sales of bladed articles and corrosive products in attempt to crackdown on rising knife and acid-related attacks in the country. "These new laws will give police extra powers to seize dangerous weapons and ensure knives are less likely to make their way onto the streets in the first place. The Act will also see the introduction of Knife Crime Prevention Orders a power the police called for," said UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid. The act is aimed at strengthening existing legislative measures on offensive weapons, focusing on corrosive substances, knives and certain types of firearm. It brings in new laws to ban the sale of corrosive substances to anyone under the age of 18, to target people carrying acid, to make it more difficult for anyone under the age of 18 to buy knives online and to ban certain types of firearms. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. AMG Oh, and this isn't any GT R , if such language might be used to describe the 585 hp monster. That's because we're talking about the Mercedes-GT R Ring Taxi. And, as the aficionado wielding the Porscha confirms in the description of the video, somebody was riding shotgun at the time.Alas, one of the many yellow flags that constantly fall upon the infamous German circuit brought the chase to a premature end. Even so, there's enough heat here to make an aficioando giggle.Now, one of those who took to the comments section of the video threw a spicy expectation on the table: "without traffic, GT R would have left you behind for sure,"Well, the Porscha driver dismissed that (also in the comments section) and he does have a point. For instance, the Mercedes-AMG GT R might be officially nicknamed the "Beast Of The Green Hell", but the machine only managed to set a 7:10 lap time.Sure, the said time was achieved in a Sport Auto test, but even with carmaker chronograph numbers being sharper, it's difficult to belive the Affalterbach toy could beat the 6:56.4 991.2 Porsche 911 GT3 RS Now, before I invite you the indulge in the Green Hell sprinting we have here, please keep in mind there's no trophy for "winning" Touristenfahrten (Tourist Days) confrontations like this, so things should be kept reasonable (for instance, note that the driver of the Porscha sticks to the no-passing-on-the-right rule, which is obviously there for safety reasons). Welcome Guest! You Are Here: Palmdale, CA (93550) Today Windy with some rain showers. High 47F. Winds SW at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Winds could occasionally gust over 50 mph.. Tonight Considerable clouds this evening. Some decrease in clouds late. Low 32F. Winds WSW at 15 to 25 mph. Winds could occasionally gust over 40 mph. Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld (R) told a crowd in Exeter, New Hampshire, hes "the most pro-choice person youre ever going to meet," AP reports. Driving the news: Many 2020 hopefuls have come out swinging in opposition of Missouri's and Alabama's strict new abortion laws, describing the bills as "dangerous and exceptionally cruel," per Axios' Rashaan Ayesh. What he's saying President Trumps only major GOP primary challenger said he was unsure whether he'd have a litmus test that a possible Supreme Court justice would have to vote to keep Roe v. Wade, but his standard would be "pretty close," according to AP. "The way I look at it, its kind of a power issue. ... who wants a lot of big, fat, white guys who live in Washington 700 miles away making the decision about whats going to happen about a family pregnancy where the family has basis for some views and maybe wants to terminate the pregnancy?" Go deeper: The White House is planning to launch the economic part of the Trump administration Israeli-Palestinian peace plan in mid-June and will hold a special international workshop on Bahrain on June 2526 to discuss the implementation of the economic plan. What's next: A senior White House official said the Trump peace team led by senior adviser Jared Kushner has decided to launch the peace plan in two phases. Phase 1: Publish a plan to boost the Palestinian economy. Phase 2: Publish the political plan, which will deal with core issues like borders and Jerusalem. CNN reported details of the Bahrain summit earlier Sunday. Details: The U.S. delegation to the workshop in Bahrain will be headed by Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Kushner. The Trump administration has decided to invite finance ministers, not foreign ministers, because it will deal with the economic plan and not with the political part of the plan. A senior U.S. official said many business executives from big companies around the world will also participate in the workshop to discuss possible investments in the West Bank and Gaza. Several weeks ago Kushner met a group of 25 business executives at the Milken Conference in Los Angeles to get them onboard. Israel will also be invited to the workshop in Bahrain and is expected to be represented by the finance minister in the new government, which is being formed right now. It is likely to be current Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon. Israel and Bahrain don't have formal diplomatic relations, and a ministerial delegation from Israel in Bahrain will be a big step in normalizing relations. What they're saying: Kushner: "Economic progress can only be achieved with a solid economic vision and if the core political issues are resolved. We look forward to presenting our vision on ways to bridge the core political issues very soon." "Economic progress can only be achieved with a solid economic vision and if the core political issues are resolved. We look forward to presenting our vision on ways to bridge the core political issues very soon." Mnuchin: I look forward to these important discussions about a vision that will offer Palestinians exciting new opportunities to realize their full potential." Between the lines: The Palestinian Authority, which is boycotting the Trump administration, is not expected to participate in the workshop. But a senior U.S. official said the White House invited a group of Palestinian businessmen and is expecting some of them to attend. Former President Jimmy Carter, six administrations later, is re-emerging from political obscurity at age 94 to win over his fellow Democrats once again, AP's Bill Barrow writes. Why it matters: It's quite a turnabout for a man who largely receded from party politics after his presidency, often without being missed by his party's leaders in Washington, where he was an outsider even as a White House resident. Cory Booker, Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar have all ventured to Plains, Georgia, to meet with Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, who is 91. Pete Buttigieg and Amy Klobuchar have all ventured to Plains, Georgia, to meet with Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, who is 91. Booker and Buttigieg also attended the Sunday School class Carter teaches. Fun fact: Carter voted for Bernie Sanders over Hillary Clinton in Georgia's 2016 presidential primary. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) endorsed President Trump's move to further tax Chinese goods, calling it "essential to keep China from continuing to kill our jobs." "The Chinese dont write checks to the American treasury. Were paying for the cost of the tariff. But its a sacrifice, I think, which is essential to keep China from continuing to kill our jobs and kill our businesses and employ people. Romney told CNN's Jake Tapper The other side: Romney called going after Mexico, Canada and the European Union for steel and aluminum tariffs a bad idea. "All the focus ought to be on China," he said. Go deeper: China is ready to fight this trade war Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, the unarmed black teenager fatally shot by then-neighborhood watch volunteer George Zimmerman, is running for office in Florida, the Miami Herald first reported Saturday. Details: Fulton, who became an anti-gun violence activist after her 17-year-old son's death in 2012, said she would launch a bid for the Miami-Dade County Commission. A tweet previously embedded here has been deleted or was tweeted from an account that has been suspended or deleted. Why it matters: Martin's death at the hand of Zimmerman, who was acquitted of all charges in Martin's shooting, became one of the most heated controversies in American society. It triggered a wave of protests and served as the launching pad for the Black Lives Matter movement. Though President Trump has told officials he doesn't want to go to war with Iran, tensions continue to rise between the two countries as U.S. sanction campaign are likely to devastate the Iranian economy. Driving the news: U.S. diplomats warned commercial airliners on Saturday that they may be at risk of being misidentified when flying over the Persian Gulf, the AP reports. The warning, which stemmed from the Federal Aviation Administration, also stated that there could be interference in aircrafts' navigation instruments and communications with little to no warning. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways all told the AP they were aware of the warning and operations would not be affected. Go deeper: Trump pushes China and Iran to the brink Armenias leading opposition forces denounced as unconstitutional on Sunday night Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians calls for a blockade of all court buildings in the country. Pashinian appealed to his supporters to stage such protests on Monday morning following the release from custody of his bitter foe and former President Robert Kocharian, who is facing corruption and coup charges. A senior representative of the Prosperous Armenia Party (BHK), the second largest in parliament, said the appeal violated an article of the Armenian constitution which bans any outside interference in the work of the judiciary. If [Pashinian] is politically disappointed with some persons he must not express that by exerting pressure on the courts and disrupting, paralyzing the work of the courts, Gevorg Petrosian told RFE/RLs Armenian service. Petrosian claimed that Pashinians actions amount to a manifestation of the overthrow of the constitutional order and could leader to a civil war in the country. Bright Armenia (LHK), the other opposition party represented in the parliament, accused Pashinian of disrupting the administration of justice for thousands of people and thus violating their constitutional rights as well as Armenias international obligations. We are calling on Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian to reconsider his appeal and refrain from his intention to block the entrances to the courts, read a statement issued by the LHK. The LHK also called for an emergency session of the National Assembly. At the same time it expressed readiness to participate in institutional reforms of the judicial system. Pashinians move also drew strong condemnation from opposition groups not holding seats in the current assembly, notably former President Serzh Sarkisians Republican Party (HHK). In a statement, the HHKs governing board charged that the unprecedented pressure on the Armenian judiciary violates not only the constitution but also the Criminal Code. Accordingly, it urged Armenians to steer clear of the dangerous and adventurist procedures initiated by Pashinian. The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun) likewise issued a statement condemning Pashinians step taken against the constitutional order. By 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 on May 19, 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. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz A statesmans leadership qualities can be measured in myriad ways. There is no unified formula applicable to every case. But it is generally believed that it is at a time of crisis, or when there is an urgent need for the ultimate concentration of a nations resources, that a leader's true greatness is revealed. By Trend Chinas senior diplomat Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that recent U.S. words and actions had harmed the interests of China and its enterprises, and that Washington should show restraint, Chinas foreign ministry said, Trend reported citing Reuters. Speaking to Pompeo by telephone, Wang said the United States should not go too far in the current trade dispute between the two sides, adding that China was still willing to resolve differences through negotiations, but they should be on an equal footing. On Iran, Wang said China hoped all parties will exercise restraint and act with caution to avoid escalating tensions. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said in a statement that Pompeo spoke with Wang and discussed bilateral issues and U.S. concerns about Iran, but gave no other details. --- Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz The 2016 environmental health inspection report that produced the lowest failing grade in the history of the Kern County Public Health Service SCORING SYSTEM Grades issued by the Kern County Environmental Health Services Department: A: 90 to 100 points B: 80 to 89 C: 75 to 79 (reinspection seven days later is required) Closure: Below 75 (restaurants must pass free county "food school" before they can reopen) View letter grades and scores for all inspected facilities here or at kernpublichealth.com/restaurants-markets-and-kitchens. The health department offers free "food school" to any restaurant that requests it. To learn more, call 661-321-3000. Note: Of 2,029 restaurants inspected, all but 26 currently have an A. Bakersfield, CA (93308) Today Showers this morning, becoming a steady rain during the afternoon hours. High 51F. ESE winds shifting to W at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch.. Tonight Cloudy with showers. Low 38F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Forest Preserve on N. Oregon Coast Opens, Featuring Tallest Cedar in State Published 05/17/2019 at 2:53 PM PDT By Oregon Coast Beach Connection staff (Rockaway Beach, Oregon) A new nature preserve on the Oregon coast officially opens up its boardwalk on June 15, hosting an unusual natural wonder: the highest cedar tree in Oregon, and perhaps among the tallest trees in the state. Rockaway Beach locals have known about it for almost 20 years, but other than that its been a soaring secret. City officials describe the land sitting just behind a residential neighborhood in the north Oregon coast town as a pure forest primeval that has managed to survive the millennia, in spite of heavy logging in the area. Now, whats called the Rockaway Beach Old Growth Cedar Wetlands Preserve is officially opening up its boardwalk, which includes a deck around the gigantic cedar that is pushing the record books. This the nature preserves boardwalk phase one, with the grand opening at 10 a.m. The giant western red cedar is estimated to be between 500 to 900 years old, clocking in at 154 ft tall and 49 ft in circumference. In 2007, the group Ascending The Giants (https://www.facebook.com/ascendingthegiants/) officially measured the tree and with their rating system, gave it 756 points, 130 points higher than the previous Oregon state champion. The 46-acre Old Growth Cedar swamp was given to Rockaway Beach in September 2001 as a unique ecosystem to preserve. Containing high quality - and in some cases rare - examples of trees that are unique to this preserve alone. It is the only type of preserve between Alaska and California for the purpose of protecting a tree. This stunning ancient-growth forest includes an upland as well as a lowland forest and includes Sitka Spruce, Western Hemlock, Western Red Cedar and Red Alder. Within this wetlands area are two streams that flow right through: the Saltair Creek and Heitmiller Creek. The creeks converge just southwest of the viewing platform and flow underneath the boardwalk next to the trail to the Big Cedar. The trail is rugged and should be taken with caution. Phase 2 of the project will provide a boardwalk connecting the viewing platform to the Big Cedar and a replacement deck around the tree. All this started with the Nature Conservancy gifting the land to the city of Rockaway Beach back in 2000. Coupled with a grant from the Oregon Department of Land Conservancy and Development, the city built the deck around the giant cedar to protect its roots. To find the preserve, take Washington St., right off Highway 101, and head away from the ocean. Youll soon encounter Island Street, where you take a right and youll find the trailhead. The entire hike is about a mile long. Phase two of the project will add a parking lot and official trail. Lodging in Rockaway Beach - Where to eat - Rockaway Beach Maps and Virtual Tours . More on Rockaway below: Beachcomber Vacation Homes . Numerous vacation rentals in the Cannon Beach area, including Falcon Cove and Arch Cape. Depending on the home, you may find amenities and luxuries such as a barbecue, claw foot tub, a ship's ladder. 115 Sunset Blvd. Cannon Beach, Oregon. 855-219-4758. 503-436-4500. Website 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 What was presented as the retirement of Beaumont ISDs superintendent earlier this year will end up costing the district a year of salary and benefits and result in the payment of two superintendents for about three months. But school board president A.B. Bernard says the agreement reached with departing Superintendent John Frossard will ultimately save the district two additional years of salary and benefits that it could have been forced to pay. > > SCHOOL NEWS: Kirbyville super will remain through year's end Early this year, the board began to have conversations with Frossard about his plans to relocate his family to his eventual retirement city. The superintendent said he wanted to begin the transition early so that his son could begin and graduate from the same high school. Bernard said the board determined having a partial commuter in charge was not ideal. I think once we discussed that possibility, it was my view of the situation, along with the rest of the board, that traveling back and forth and having that extra concern on his mind would not be to the advantage of the district, Bernard said. Thats been the Board of Managers position on other employees as well that commuters dont work out as well as wed like. Frossard said in a written statement Friday that his intent was to remain in Beaumont to complete the final three-plus years of his contract but visit his family during holidays, vacations and some weekends. Bernard declined to say where Frossard was planning to relocate his family. Frossards statement did not say. Because of the boards concerns, Frossard said, he agreed to settle his contract for significantly less than the fully guaranteed contract amount, even though retiring early would also greatly decrease my lifetime retirement benefits. Frossard was hired in April 2015 by the state-appointed Board of Managers. He was charged with improving the districts financial foundation, addressing the districts accredited probation status, hiring and retaining high-performing teachers and administrators and preparing for a future school district trustee election. Frossards employment contract originally said the district would be responsible to pay the entire value of all salary, medical and health benefits, automobile allowance, supplemental payments to the Teacher Retirement System of Texas, contributions to the Supplemental Retirement Plan and the purchase of TRS out-of-state service credit for the remainder of the contract should the superintendent be terminated for convenience or without good cause. Bernard said the district agreed on one years salary and benefits and the reimbursement for his purchase of three years of retirement service credit, instead of the salary and benefits for the time remaining on his contract. Beaumont ISD declined on Friday to produce documents revealing the final total amount Frossard will be paid. The Enterprise immediately filed a formal public-information request. Frossards employment contract lists his salary as $249,000 a year. When originally hired, (Frossard) accepted the position only after the board agreed to fully guarantee his contract for all years of salary and benefits, Bernard said, noting the volatile situation Frossard was hired into. Since Shannon Allen, the lone finalist for the superintendent position, took over recently, Frossard has been assisting with the transition, Bernard said. Frossard also is expected to help with preparing the upcoming budget, Bernard said. He added that Frossard had made an extended effort to mentor and groom Allen for a long time. kaitlin.bain@beaumontenterprise.com The Port Arthur Police Department is investigating after a man's vehicle was burglarized, according to information from the department. At approximately 12:20 p.m. officials responded to a call in reference to a vehicle being burglarized in the 2100 block of Jefferson Drive. Danny Kennedy is running for one of Northern Irelands three seats in Brussels in this months poll (Liam McBurney/PA). UUP candidate Danny Kennedy has said that an "anti-unionist coalition" wants to stop unionists winning two seats in the upcoming European election. Mr Kennedy was speaking after criticism of comments made by himself and party leader Robin Swann during his campaign launch on Friday. SDLP leader Colum Eastwood said claims that if two non-unionists were elected it could lead to a border poll were "scaremongering". Mr Eastwood said the only union the upcoming election was about is the European Union. Sinn Fein also rejected his comments, saying that the union was not a key issue in the European election campaign. However, Mr Kennedy has doubled down on his comments and said that he will make no apology for highlighting the issue. "It is clear that if two non-unionists were to be elected, it would embolden Sinn Fein to increase calls for a border poll," the former Employment Minister said. "The language used by a number of the candidates would make it appear that they are just anti-unionist rather than being pro-European, which adds to the concept of a latent anti-unionist coalition to stop Unionists winning two seats." Mr Kennedy is expected to be in a three-way battle for Northern Ireland's third European Parliament seat. The DUP's Diane Dodds and Sinn Fein's Martina Anderson are expected to be comfortably elected, leaving Mr Kennedy to battle remain-supporting SDLP leader Colum Eastwood and Alliance leader Naomi Long for the third seat. TUV leader Jim Allister is also expected to poll strongly. Expand Close SDLP leader Colum Eastwood in front of his anti-Brexit bus PA / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp SDLP leader Colum Eastwood in front of his anti-Brexit bus Mr Kennedy said that Mr Eastwood was in no position to dictate to Ulster Unionists and that his party would be respecting the referendum result. The UUP and Mr Kennedy both supported remain in the 2016 EU Referendum. "It is no surprise that Colum Eastwood as an Irish nationalist should seek to ignore that result. Furthermore he shouldnt seek to misrepresent unionists who voted remain," he said. Mr Kennedy said that he can speak for unionists who voted both remain and leave and pledged to always put Northern Ireland first and work to strengthen the union. "To unionist voters out there, I would encourage them to come out and vote for the most important union of all, the union between Great Britain and Northern Ireland," he said. Sinn Fein MLA Caoimhe Archibald said that Mr Kennedy's comments "smacked of desperation" and are "further evidence that the UUP is quickly disappearing down the rabbit hole". "Brexit rather than the union is the key issue of this European election campaign," the East Londonderry MLA said. "The two main unionist parties are on the wrong side of this argument as a majority of the people of the north voted to remain in the EU. "Sinn Fein wants all of Ireland to remain in the EU but in the event of a Tory/DUP Brexit we want to see our economy and rights protected and no hardening of the border. That's why we need the insurance policy which is the backstop." The incident occurred in the Aspen Walk area of west Belfast. Specially trained firearms officers used a taser stun gun on a man with a knife during an incident in west Belfast on Sunday afternoon. The incident occurred in the Aspen Walk area around 1:30pm. Police received a report of man in possession of a knife, firearms officers responded and a taser stun gun was deployed by an officer to "prevent further harm" to the man. The man was then arrested on suspicion of a number of offences including possession of an offensive weapon. Ambulance service staff examined the man at the scene and he is currently in custody assisting police with their enquiries. An ambulance service spokesperson confirmed that they attended the scene to assist police with a patient. The spokesperson said that the man did not require hospital treatment. PSNI Chief Inspector Keith Hutchinson said that the Police Ombudsman's Office has been informed of the incident. A Church of Ireland bishop has warned that the education system in Northern Ireland has reached a point "beyond crisis". Bishop of Derry and Raphoe Rt Rev Ken Good made the comments during a speech at the Church of Ireland's general synod on Saturday. Representatives gathered in Londonderry to discuss the future running of the church. Read More Bishop Good told the assembled church leaders that the education system was facing a number of pressures which could "destabilise the whole school system". The BBC reported that he said issues included a lack of vision, lack of money and declining morale among school staff and govenors. Bishop Good said that schools needed more resources to support children with mental health issues and special educational needs. He also addressed the non-functioning Stormont Assembly, which he said was exacerbating the situation. Last week 500 primary school principals wrote to Head of the Civil Service David Sterling urging him to raise the issue of schools funding during the latest round of power-sharing talks at Stormont. "The lack of political leadership in Stormont is the dead hand," Bishop Good said. "It means there's no-one in charge who can take decisions about this transformation vision. "The education system in Northern Ireland is in financial crisis too. "The squeeze is becoming more and more serious and the consequences are becoming more and more hazardous." While Bishop Good acknowledged good work going on in schools, pointing to the number of schools taking part in shared education, he said that a generation of pupils were being failed by the current situation. "The long-term picture is not healthy and we need to see action now to build a better future for our children and young people," he said. The EU will not renegotiate the Brexit withdrawal deal regardless of who the UKs next prime minister is, Irelands foreign minister has warned. Simon Coveney described political events at Westminster as extraordinary, as he questioned the logic of politicians who believed a change of leader would deliver changes to the agreement struck by Theresa May. The EU has said very clearly that the Withdrawal Agreement has been negotiated over two-and-a-half years, it was agreed with the British government and the British cabinet and its not up for renegotiation, even if there is a new British prime minister, he said. The personality might change but the facts dont. In a scathing assessment of the political situation in the UK, Mr Coveney told RTE that Britain could trigger a no deal by default if its MPs failed to get their act together. In the UK no two parties seem to be able to agree on anything, despite the extraordinary dangers that Britain is potentially going to be exposed to in the autumn.Simon Coveney He said he believed Mrs May was a decent person trying to find a middle ground position, but had been thwarted by an impossible Conservative Party. Mr Coveney said the UK should not assume another extension will be granted by the EU if a deal is not agreed by the latest October deadline. He said the EU was set for major changes and challenges as a result of the European elections and would likely be prepared to devote less focus on Brexit going forward. Thats my concern that Britain will fail to get its act together over the summer, he said. There will be people like Nigel Farage and some within the Conservative Party who will be making the proposition that look, we have had enough of this, lets just leave on WTO (World Trade Organisation) terms without a deal in my view not fully understanding or not being honest about the full consequences of that for Britain and Ireland. He added: The danger of course is that the British system will simply not be able to deal with this issue and even though there is a majority in Westminster who want to be able to prevent a no-deal Brexit it could happen by default. Mr Coveney said Ireland would continue its no-deal Brexit contingency planning . He noted that political parties had largely spoken with the same voice in Ireland. In the UK no two parties seem to be able to agree on anything, despite the extraordinary dangers that Britain is potentially going to be exposed to in the autumn, he said. Noting the prospect of Mrs May offering pledges on technological solutions for the Irish border in her final bid to get the withdrawal treaty through Parliament next month, Mr Coveney said he did not have an issue with that as long as it did not undermine the border backstop provisions within the Withdrawal Agreement. The Tanaiste said UK politicians who thought a new prime minister could strike a new deal did not understand the EU. For the EU and Ireland this has always been about the complexity of Brexit, trying to protect the EU, its integrity, its single market, its customs union, its members and also trying to respect the decision of British people, he said. Its always been about that. For Britain in many ways its been about party politics and personalities and many people seem to think that Britain would have got a much better deal if only they had a tougher prime minister. In my view that just is a fundamental misunderstanding of how the European Union operates. The EU is a treaty-based, precedent-based series of institutions, it doesnt have a lot of flexibility and thats why this negotiation has been about detail, regulation, legal provisions and so on. And I think the British Prime Minister understands that and that is why she has agreed to reasonable compromises in certain areas. But there are many British politicians who dont, quite frankly, understand that or the complexity of politics in Northern Ireland and therefore they have tried to dumb this debate down into a simplistic argument whereby its Britain versus the EU, as opposed to two friends tying to navigate through the complexity of a very, very difficult agreement. The man was taken to hospital for treatment to a neck injury. A man was taken to hospital for treatment after being injured in a hit-and-run collision in west Belfast on Sunday morning. The incident took place on the Springfield Road around 1:50am. It was reported that a man in his forties had been struck by a silver-coloured car. Police and the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service attended the scene. The man was taken to hospital for treatment to a neck injury. Detective Sergeant Laverty appealed for anyone with information to come forward. I am urging anyone who was in the area and who witnessed the collision, or who captured it on their dash cam, to get in touch with detectives at Musgrave Police Station on the non-emergency number 101, quoting reference number 187 of 19/05/19," he said. Two masked men stole a sum of money from a Ballymena takeaway in the early hours of Sunday morning. Police in Ballymena are appealing for information about the robbery, with one of the men reported to have been armed with a large knife. The men entered the takeaway in the Crebilly Road area and demanded money. They then fled on foot with a sum of money. The suspect who was armed is described as having worn navy tracksuit bottoms and a hooded top with a white stripe. The second suspect is described as having worn a blue-coloured hoodie and navy-coloured trousers, possibly jeans. Detective Sergeant Coulter said that while there were no reports of any injuries it had been a "frightening ordeal for staff". "I want to appeal to anyone who was in the area just prior to, or after midnight, and saw two males matching the description of the suspects or who has information which may assist our investigation to call us on the non emergency number 101, quoting reference number 3 of 19/05/19. "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." Additional checks were conducted on all fuel at the Belfast City Airport after the incident (Liam McBurney/PA) Extra checks have been conducted on aircraft fuel at Belfast City airport after one delivery failed testing requirements. A Flybe flight was one of a number of services delayed by the incident, with passengers kept on board the aircraft while an alternative fuel load was secured. The incident happened on Thursday, with the 1530 flight to Leeds Bradford among those impacted. Lord Jonathan Caine, a political aide to Northern Ireland Secretary Karen Bradley, was one of the passengers affected. The Conservative peer, who had accompanied Mrs Bradley on her visit to the Balmoral agricultural show earlier in the day, described the delay as completely unacceptable and beyond ridiculous. Completely unacceptable delay on @flybe flight to Leeds this afternoon due to no fuel @BELFASTCITY_AIR . Beyond ridiculous. Jonathan Caine (@JMCaine) May 16, 2019 A spokeswoman for Belfast City Airport said: All aircraft fuel arriving at Belfast City Airport is subject to stringent testing at every stage throughout the supply chain. Commenting on the Thursday incident, she said: One fuel delivery to the site did not meet our requirements and some minor delays were incurred as a result. Precautionary and additional checks were made to all other fuel in storage in accordance with normal procedures. A Flybe spokeswoman said the incident was a matter for the airport, as it was responsible for fuelling all aircraft. Potholers explore Gaping Gill ahead of its opening to the public next weekend (Danny Lawson/PA) Adventurers will get the chance to explore one of Britains largest caves as it opens to the public once again. Gaping Gill in Yorkshire opens just twice a year, giving a glimpse into one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the UK. Visiting cavers can travel to the site near Ingleborough Cave in the Yorkshire Dales and be winched down from a hole in the roof into the 129-metre long main chamber. The first successful descent into the cave was made in 1895 by Frenchman Edouard Martel, who used a rope ladder and a candle. Expand Close The entrance to Gaping Gill (Danny Lawson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The entrance to Gaping Gill (Danny Lawson/PA) Nowadays the main chamber is floodlit but visitors can use a torch to explore the nooks and crannies of the cave. Expand Close A potholer is winched into Gaping Gill (Danny Lawson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A potholer is winched into Gaping Gill (Danny Lawson/PA) Fell Beck stream, which pours over rock above and crashes to the floor of the cave creating a waterfall, is temporarily diverted by a makeshift dam to allow visitors to explore the cavern. Press Association photographer Danny Lawson, who got a sneak peek when he was lowered 110 metres down, described it as massively impressive. Expand Close A potholer abseils into the cavern (Danny Lawson/PA) PA Wire/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A potholer abseils into the cavern (Danny Lawson/PA) He said: Its a completely surreal experience as you descend into the abyss. Its pitch black at first before your eyes gradually adjust. And its like an echo chamber so you can hear the water running nearby. Its massively impressive. The cave is next open between May 25 and 31. A 16-year-old boy is in hospital following a shooting in Sheffield. South Yorkshire Police have launched an investigation after emergency services were called to the Spital Hill area in the early hours of Sunday morning. The boy was found injured on Spital Lane and taken to hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound to his leg. His condition is described as serious but stable. Detectives in #Sheffield are investigating after an incident in Spital Hill this morning in which a 16-year-old boy was shot. Read more here - https://t.co/b1iurftCKd South Yorkshire Police (@syptweet) May 19, 2019 Detective Chief Inspector Mark Oughton, leading the investigation, said: There is currently a cordon in place around the area as officers carry out enquiries and we will remain in the area today, speaking to witnesses to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding the incident. Our investigation is in the early stages and what I would ask is that anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious last night and into the early hours of this morning contacts us. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) A special elections will be held in a town in Isabela due to intentional burning of a vote counting machine (VCM) there, according to the elections officials. Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Spokesperson James Jimenez tweeted on Saturday, saying the special elections in Barangay Dicamay 1, Jones Isabela, will be conducted on Monday. Frances Arabe, COMELEC Information and Education Department director, said each VCM contains about 1,000 votes which may affect the local elections. In Zamboanga, 400 votes nalang kaya sinasabi nila na [only thats why they are saying] it will not matter. But for Jones, Isabela, it will affect the standing of the local candidates. That is why there is a need for special elections, Arabe explained on Saturday. COMELEC added that it will await the results of the special elections before proclaiming the new senators and party-list representatives. Austrias president has said that the first few days of September would be the best time to hold an early election after a covert video scandal shook up the countrys politics. President Alexander Van der Bellen spoke on Sunday after meeting with Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. Mr Kurz called for a new election following the resignation of his vice chancellor, Heinz-Christian Strache, on Saturday. Everything must be done to restore trust in officeholders, in the representatives of the peoplePresident Van der Bellen This came after Mr Strache apologised for his actions in a video where he apparently offered government contracts to a purported Russian investor at an alcohol-fuelled gathering in Ibiza. Mr Kurz decided not to continue the governing coalition between his centre-right Peoples Party and Mr Straches anti-migrant Freedom Party. The video was published by two German media outlets. President Van der Bellen said: Everything must be done to restore trust in officeholders, in the representatives of the people. A helicopter carrying the bodies of two Indian mountaineers arrives at a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal (Niranjan Shrestha/AP) Rescuers have recovered the bodies of two Indian climbers who died on the worlds third tallest peak last week and flown them to Nepals capital. The bodies of Biplab Baidya and Kuntal Kanrar were carried by rescuers from Mount Kanchenjungs highest camp to a lower camp and then picked up by a helicopter. Mr Baidya had scaled Kanchenjung, while Mr Kanrar was on the way up but fell sick and died. Mr Baidya became sick on his way down. Expand Close The Himalayas (David Cheskin/PA) PA Archive/PA Images / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp The Himalayas (David Cheskin/PA) Both fell sick just below Kanchenjungas 8,586m (28,160ft) summit. It is believed they were suffering from high altitude sickness and frostbite, but autopsies were being conducted at the hospital in Kathmandu where the bodies were being kept. Hundreds of foreign climbers and their guides attempt to scale high Himalayan peaks during Nepals popular spring climbing season, which begins around March and ends this month. Helicopters are only able to access the lower camps on the high Himalayan peaks. Damage to oil tankers has been blamed on Iran (United Arab Emirates National Media Council/AP) A Saudi diplomat says the kingdom does not want war, but will defend itself, amid a recent spike in tensions with Iran. Adel al-Jubeir, the minister of state for foreign affairs, spoke a week after four oil tankers were targeted in an alleged act of sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and days after Iran-allied Yemeni rebels claimed a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. Saudi Arabia has blamed the pipeline attack on Iran. Gulf officials say an investigation into the tanker incident is under way. Mr al-Jubeir told reporters: We want peace and stability in the region, but we wont stand with our hands bound. Ministers from major oil-producing countries were to meet in Saudi Arabia later Tuesday. President Donald Trump has threatened Iran with destruction if it seeks a fight with the US. Mr Trump issued the warning after a rocket landed less than a mile from the US Embassy on Sunday in Baghdads Green Zone, further stoking tensions in the region. Mr Trump tweeted: If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again! Iranian officials say the country is not looking for war. Mr Trump had seemed to soften his tone after the US recently sent warships and bombers to the region to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. On Thursday, when asked if the US and Iran were heading towards armed conflict, he answered: I hope not. The measure of a man is not how he basks in the glory when things go well but how he responds when all is going awry and the responsibility to make it right is his alone. So take a bow this morning Mervyn Whyte, the remarkable race chief of the North West 200. When all around was going wrong, Mervyn kept his nerve and relied on his 40-year experience of the event, and the challenging eventualities it throws up, to ensure a threatened washout turned into a 90th anniversary success story. As the heavens opened, and the rain showed no sign of relenting, the clock turned around from 10am to 3.00pm and still the first race had not been completed, it looked as though everything that could go wrong would go wrong. Read More We had rider spills, oil spills, crazy conditions out on the course, constant stoppages, misgivings in the minds of riders and spectators alike, all fuelling a growing sense that we would see no racing this day. No pressure, then, with 80,000 fans in attendance and a global TV audience tuning in. Compounding all of this, a scenario not even Whyte could have envisaged - a helicopter colliding with power lines while landing at Magherabuoy, further delaying racing while emergency services dealt with the trackside incident. Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Expand Previous Next Close Glenn Irwin celebrates winning the Anchor Bar Superbike race at the North West 200 in 2019 Spectators arriving for today's races at the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER Marshalls prepared for the conditions at the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER Spectators arriving for today's races at the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER Dean Harrison at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Event director Mervyn Whyte with Stanleigh Murray, clerk of the course, at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Lee Johnston with Northern Ireland star Stuart Dallas at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Alastair Seeley (34) takes off in the Supersport race at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Alastair Seeley (EHA Racing) leads on the opening lap from James Hillier and Lee Johnston in the Supersport race (Pacemaker Press/Rod Neill) James Hillier at Black Hill during today's Superstock race at the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER James Hillier and his team celebrate his victory in today's Superstock race at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Jeremy McWilliams celebrates his win in the Supertwins at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Jeremy McWilliams celebrates his win in the Supertwins at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Jeremy McWilliams celebrates his win in the Supertwins at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Teammates James Hillier and Glenn Irwin entertained the crowds in the Superbike race at the NW200 (Rod Neill/Pacemaker Press) James Hillier leads Glenn Irwin and Conor Cummins at Black Hill during today's Superbike Race at the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER Team-mates Glenn Irwin and James Hillier celebrate their victories at the North West 200 with their team (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Alastair Seeley ahead of Saturday's racing at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Davey Todd leads Derek McGee and Conor Cummins at Black Hill during the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER Davey Todd celebrates his victory in the Supersport race at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) James Hillier leads Alastair Seeley in the Supersport race at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) 18/05/19 Pacemaker Press Intl/Rod Neill: Derek McGee (Kawasaki) leads Davey Todd (Milenco Honda by Padgetts) in the red-flagged Supersport race. Photo Rod Neill Daley Mathison crashes off his machine at Black Hill during the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER David Murphy comes off at Black Hill during the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER Victor Lopez hits the tarmac at Black Hill during the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER Mervyn Whyte inspects the work being carried out at Black Hill during the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER Jeremy McWilliams celebrates his win in the Supertwins with Glenn Irwin at the North West 200 (Stephen Davison/Pacemaker Press) Richard Cooper with Dean Harrison at Black Hill at the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Glenn Irwin celebrates winning the Anchor Bar Superbike race at the North West 200 in 2019 The easy option would have been to call it all off. But cool-headed Whyte knew he had time on his side with a road closing extension to 9.00pm available, and he took all the right decisions to give those appreciative fans the show they had come to see. That included listening to the riders who felt it unwise to proceed with the last race, the second Superbike, in worsening light at 7.25pm. Who would be in his shoes? On the one hand, the expectation of the vast crowds and TV time to fill. On the other, his duty of care to his riders, amid the clear and present danger as the difficult weather conditions prevailed and one incident after another occurred. It took five hours to complete the first Supersport race but, with life and limb intact, a testament to Whyte's judgement. And, as the rains abated, he and the fans were rewarded, into the early evening, with a spectacle that will be remembered for all the right reasons; a tribute, above all, to the riders who braved the tough and unpredictable conditions to give their fans a lavish, if unexpected, treat. But what a rotten trick for the weather gods to play, lulling us into a false sense of eager anticipation for a fair day's racing after a week of high speeds and high temperatures, sundrenched crowds, creating a feelgood atmosphere for the landmark occasion. Then Saturday morning dawned with a steady downpour, disheartening, but still not enough to put a damper on proceedings. Normally, not such a big problem for the riders, really, with tyre choices decided for them. It's a bigger concern for them when forced to decide between wet and dry tyres when the course is neither one or the other. Wet, it was, all day long, in every sense. Expand Close Mervyn Whyte inspects the work being carried out at Black Hill during the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) PMAKER / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mervyn Whyte inspects the work being carried out at Black Hill during the North West 200 (David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press) The trackside fans had prepared, too, having checked the forecast and packed their wet gear for a long day ahead. Who knew how long? But there are only so many bases you can cover in an unpredictable sport such as this. Accidents and oil spills you can legislate for and, true to form, they occurred, none of the former thankfully serious, leading to delays as the course was powerwashed clean. It was frustrating for the riders and fans, but everyone here understands that safety is paramount. But how do you factor a helicopter mishap into the equation? All the while, Whyte informed and consulted hs competitors, taking leading riders in the halted race, Lee Johnston and James Hillier, on a tour of the course in the safety car to check and pronounce on the conditions. In the pits, other riders were expressing concern at areas of standing water on the course and the visibility problems they were experiencing. And the longer it went on, the more instinct told some it was not meant to be, and they said so openly. But in Mervyn we trust. And as he calmly reacted to, and dealt with, every obstacle in a fire-fighting masterclass, suddenly it all came together and we had a race on our hands. Thanks to his perseverance, instead of trooping home early and disappointed, we were treated to thrill after thrill.. Clevelander Davey Todd's first international road race win in the Supersport, the North West's longest race ever; a sensational fourth Superbike win in a row for local hero Glenn Irwin; the most popular and uplifting victory of the day for Jeremy McWilliams in Supertwin - how game was he after his two falls on Thursday; Hampshire's Hillier in Superstock. Whyte was right to invoke the option to extend road closing to 9.00pm. Sunday racing has been a fallback since the last weather wipeout in 2013, but there is little appetite among the race organisers to cause further disruption to local residents, on whose goodwill they depend, or to church-goers. Race chief Whyte is due to retire after this week's event. Surely not? If yesterday taught us - and him - anything, it is that his knowledge and expertise is invaluable to the future of this great event. The term "Trinity" is not a Biblical term, and we are not using Biblical language when we define what is expressed by it as the doctrine that there is one only and true God, but in the unity of the Godhead there are three coeternal and coequal Persons, the same in substance but distinct in subsistence. A doctrine so defined can be spoken of as a Biblical doctrine only on the principle that the sense of Scripture is Scripture. And the definition of a Biblical doctrine in such unbiblical language can be justified only on the principle that it is better to preserve the truth of Scripture than the words of Scripture. The doctrine of the Trinity lies in Scripture in solution; when it is crystallized from its solvent it does not cease to be Scriptural, but only comes into clearer view. Or, to speak without figure, the doctrine of the Trinity is given to us in Scripture, not in formulated definition, but in fragmentary allusions; when we assembled the disjecta membra into their organic unity, we are not passing from Scripture, but entering more thoroughly into the meaning of Scripture. We may state the doctrine in technical terms, supplied by philosophical reflection; but the doctrine stated is a genuinely Scriptural doctrine. In point of fact, the doctrine of the Trinity is purely a revealed doctrine. That is to say, it embodies a truth which has never been discovered, and is indiscoverable, by natural reason. With all his searching, man has not been able to find out for himself the deepest things of God. Accordingly, ethnic thought has never attained a Trinitarian conception of God, nor does any ethnic religion present in its representations of the Divine Being any analogy to the doctrine of the Trinity. Triads of divinities, no doubt, occur in nearly all polytheistic religions, formed under very various influences. Sometimes as in the Egyptian triad of Osiris, Isis and Horus, it is the analogy of the human family with its father, mother and son which lies at their basis. Sometimes they are the effect of mere syncretism, three deities worshipped in different localities being brought together in the common worship of all. Sometimes, as in the Hindu triad of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, they represent the cyclic movement of a pantheistic evolution, and symbolize the three stages of Being, Becoming and Dissolution. Sometimes they are the result apparently of nothing more than an odd human tendency to think in threes, which has given the number three widespread standing as a sacred number (so H. Usener). It is no more than was to be anticipated, that one or another of these triads should now and again be pointed to as the replica (or even the original) of the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. Gladstone found the Trinity in the Homeric mythology, the trident of Poseidon being its symbol. Hegel very naturally found it in the Hindu Trimurti, which indeed is very like his pantheizing notion of what the Trinity is. Others have perceived it in the Buddhist Triratna (Soderblom); or (despite their crass dualism) in some speculations of Parseeism; or, more frequently, in the notional triad of Platonism (e. g., Knapp); while Jules Martin is quite sure that it is present in Philo's neo-Stoical doctrine of the "powers," especially when applied to the explanation of Abraham's three visitors. Of late years, eyes have been turned rather to Babylonia; and H. Zimmern finds a possible forerunner of the Trinity in a Father, Son, and Intercessor, which he discovers in its mythology. It should be needless to say that none of these triads has the slightest resemblance to the Christian doctrine of the Trinity. The Christian doctrine of the Trinity embodies much more than the notion of "threeness," and beyond their "threeness" these triads have nothing in common with it. As the doctrine of the Trinity is indiscoverable by reason, so it is incapable of proof from reason. There are no analogies to it in Nature, not even in the spiritual nature of man, who is made in the image of God. In His trinitarian mode of being, God is unique; and, as there is nothing in the universe like Him in this respect, so there is nothing which can help us to comprehend Him. Many attempts have, nevertheless, been made to construct a rational proof of the Trinity of the Godhead. Among these there are two which are particularly attractive, and have therefore been put forward again and again by speculative thinkers through all the Christian ages. These are derived from the implications, in the one case, of self-consciousness; in the other, of love. Both self-consciousness and love, it is said, demand for their very existence an object over against which the self stands as subject. If we conceive of God as self-conscious and loving, therefore, we cannot help conceiving of Him as embracing in His unity some form of plurality. From this general position both arguments have been elaborated, however, by various thinkers in very varied forms. The former of them, for example, is developed by a great seventeenth century theologian -- Bartholomew Keckermann (1614) -- as follows: God is self-conscious thought: and God's thought must have a perfect object, existing eternally before it; this object to be perfect must be itself God; and as God is one, this object which is God must be the God that is one. It is essentially the same argument which is popularized in a famous paragraph (73) of Lessing's "The Education of the Human Race." Must not God have an absolutely perfect representation of Himself - that is, a representation in which everything that is in Him is found? And would everything that is in God be found in this representation if His necessary reality were not found in it? If everything, everything without exception, that is in God is to be found in this representation, it cannot, therefore, remain a mere empty image, but must be an actual duplication of God. It is obvious that arguments like this prove too much. If God's representation of Himself, to be perfect, must possess the same kind of reality that He Himself possesses, it does not seem easy to deny that His representations of everything else must possess objective reality. And this would be as much as to say that the eternal objective co-existence of all that God can conceive is given in the very idea of God; and that is open pantheism. The logical flaw lies in including in the perfection of a representation qualities which are not proper to representations, however perfect. A perfect representation must, of course, have all the reality proper to a representation; but objective reality is so little proper to a representation that a representation acquiring it would cease to be a representation. This fatal flaw is not transcended, but only covered up, when the argument is compressed, as it is in most of its modern presentations, in effect to the mere assertion that the condition of self-consciousness is a real distinction between the thinking subject and the thought object, which, in God's case, would be between the subject ego and the object ego. Why, however, we should deny to God the power of self-contemplation enjoyed by every finite spirit, save at the cost of the distinct hypostatizing of the contemplant and the contemplated self, it is hard to understand. Nor is it always clear that what we get is a distinct hypostatization rather than a distinct substantializing of the contemplant and contemplated eg not two persons in the Godhead so much as two Gods. The discovery of the third hypostasis - the Holy Spirit -remains meanwhile, to all these attempts rationally to construct a Trinity in the Divine Being, a standing puzzle which finds only a very artificial solution. The case is much the same with the argument derived from the nature of love. Our sympathies go out to that old Valentinian writer - possibly it was Valentinus himself - who reasoned - perhaps he was the first so to reason - that "God is all love," "but love is not love unless there be an object of love." And they go out more richly still to Augustine, when, seeking a basis, not for a theory of emanations, but for the doctrine of the Trinity, he analyzes this love which God is into the triple implication of "the lover," "the loved" and "the love itself," and sees in this trinary of love an analogue of the Triune God. It requires, however, only that the argument thus broadly suggested should be developed into its details for its artificiality to become apparent. Richard of St. Victor works it out as follows: It belongs to the nature of amor that it should turn to another as caritas. This other, in God's case, cannot be the world; since such love of the world would be inordinate. It can only be a person; and a person who is God's equal in eternity, power and wisdom. Since, however, there cannot be two Divine substances, these two Divine persons must form one and the same substance. The best love cannot, however, con-fine itself to these two persons; it must become condilectio by the desire that a third should be equally loved as they love one another. Thus love, when perfectly conceived, leads necessarily to the Trinity, and since God is all He can be, this Trinity must be real. Modern writers (Sartorius, Schoberlein, J. Muller, Liebner, most lately R. H. Griutzmacher) do not seem to have essentially improved upon such a statement as this. And after all is said, it does not appear clear that God's own all-perfect Being could not supply a satisfying object of His all-perfect love. To say that in its very nature love is self-communicative, and therefore implies an object other than self, seems an abuse of figurative language. Perhaps the ontological proof of the Trinity is nowhere more attractively put than by Jonathan Edwards. The peculiarity of his presentation of it lies in an attempt to add plausibility to it by a doctrine of the nature of spiritual ideas or ideas of spiritual things, such as thought, love, fear, in general. Ideas of such things, he urges, are just repetitions of them, so that he who has an idea of any act of love, fear, anger or any other act or motion of the mind, simply so far repeats the motion in question; and if the idea be perfect and complete, the original motion of the mind is absolutely reduplicated. Edwards presses this so far that he is ready to contend that if a man could have an absolutely perfect idea of all that was in his mind at any past moment, he would really, to all intents and purposes, be over again what he was at that moment. And if he could perfectly contemplate all that is in his mind at any given moment, as it is and at the same time that it is there in its first and direct existence, he would really be two at that time, he would be twice at once: "The idea he has of himself would be himself again." This now is the case with the Divine Being. "God's idea of Himself is absolutely perfect, and therefore is an express and perfect image of Him, exactly like Him in every respect. . . . But that which is the express, perfect image of God and in every respect like Him is God, to all intents and purposes, because there is nothing wanting: there is nothing in the Deity that renders it the Deity but what has something exactly answering to it in this image, which will therefore also render that the Deity." The Second Person of the Trinity being thus attained, the argument advances. "The Godhead being thus begotten of God's loving [having?] an idea of Himself and showing forth in a distinct Subsistence or Person in that idea, there proceeds a most pure act, and an infinitely holy and sacred energy arises between the Father and the Son in mutually loving and delighting in each other. . . The Deity becomes all act, the Divine essence itself flows out and is as it were breathed forth in love and joy. So that the Godhead therein stands forth in yet another manner of Subsistence, and there proceeds the Third Person in the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, viz., the Deity in act, for there is no other act but the act of the will." The inconclusiveness of the reasoning lies on the surface. The mind does not consist in its states, and the repetition of its states would not, therefore, duplicate or triplicate it. If it did, we should have a plurality of Beings, not of Persons in one Being. Neither God's perfect idea of Himself nor His perfect love of Himself reproduces Himself. He differs from His idea and His love of Himself precisely by that which distinguishes His Being from His acts. When it is said, then, that there 15 nothing in the Deity which renders it the Deity but what has something answering to it in its image of itself, it is enough to respond - except the Deity itself. What is wanting to the image to make it a second Deity is just objective reality. Inconclusive as all such reasoning is, however, considered as rational demonstration of the reality of the Trinity, it is very far from possessing no value. It carries home to us in a very suggestive way the superiority of the Trinitarian conception of God to the conception of Him as an abstract monad, and thus brings important rational support to the doctrine of the Trinity, when once that doctrine has been given us by revelation. If it is not quite possible to say that we cannot conceive of God as eternal self-consciousness and eternal love, without conceiving Him as a Trinity, it does seem quite necessary to say that when we conceive Him as a Trinity, new fullness, richness, force are given to our conception of Him as a self-conscious, loving Being, and therefore we conceive Him more adequately than as a monad, and no one who has ever once conceived Him as a Trinity can ever again satisfy himself with a monadistic conception of God. Reason thus not only performs the important negative service to faith in the Trinity, of showing the self-consistency of the doctrine and its consistency with other known truth, but brings this positive rational support to it of discovering in it the only adequate conception of God as self-conscious spirit and living love. Difficult, therefore, as the idea of the Trinity in itself is, it does not come to us as an added burden upon our intelligence; it brings us rather the solution of the deepest and most persistent difficulties in our conception of God as infinite moral Being, and illuminates, enriches and elevates all our thought of God. It has accordingly become a commonplace to say that Christian theism is the only stable theism. That is as much as to say that theism requires the enriching conception of the Trinity to give it a permanent hold upon the human mind - the mind finds it difficult to rest in the idea of an abstract unity for its God; and that the human heart cries out for the living God in whose Being there is that fullness of life for which the conception of the Trinity alone provides. So strongly is it felt in wide circles that a Trinitarian conception is essential to a worthy idea of God, that there is abroad a deep-seated unwillingness to allow that God could ever have made Himself known otherwise than as a Trinity. From this point of view it is inconceivable that the Old Testament revelation should know nothing of the Trinity. Accordingly, I. A. Dorner, for example, reasons thus: "If, however - and this is the faith of universal Christendom - a living idea of God must be thought in some way after a Trinitarian fashion, it must be antecedently probable that traces of the Trinity cannot be lacking in the Old Testament, since its idea of God is a living or historical one." Whether there really exist traces of the idea of the Trinity in the Old Testament, however, is a nice question. Certainly we cannot speak broadly of the revelation of the doctrine of the Trinity in the Old Testament. It is a plain matter of fact that none who have depended on the revelation embodied in the Old Testament alone have ever attained to the doctrine of the Trinity. It is another question, however, whether there may not exist in the pages of the Old Testament turns of expression or. records of occurrences in which one already acquainted with the doctrine of the Trinity may fairly see indications of an underlying implication of it. The older writers discovered intimations of the Trinity in such phenomena as the plural form of the Divine name Elohim, the occasional employment with reference to God of plural pronouns ("Let us make man in our image," Gen. i. 26; iii. 22; xi. 7; Isa. vi. 8), or of plural verbs (Gen. xx. 13; xxxv. 7), certain repetitions of the name of God which seem to distinguish between God and God (Ps. xlv. 6, 7; cx. 1; Hos. i. 7), threefold liturgical formulas Num. vi. 24, 26; Isa. vi. 3), a certain tendency to hypostatize the conception of Wisdom (Prov. viii.), and especially the remarkable phenomena connected with the appearances of the Angel of Jehovah (Gen. xvi. 2-13, xxii. 11. 16; xxxi. 11,13; xlviii. 15,16; Ex. iii. 2, 4, 5; Jgs. xiii. 20-22). The tendency of more recent authors is to appeal, not so much to specific texts of the Old Testament, as to the very "organism of revelation" in the Old Testament in which there is perceived an underlying suggestion "that all things owe their existence and persistence to a threefold cause," both with reference to the first creation, and, more plainly, with reference to the second creation. Passages like Ps. xxxiii. 6; Isa. lxi. 1; lxiii. 9-12 Hag. ii. 5, 6, in which God and His Word and His Spirit are brought together, co-causes of effects, are adduced. A tendency is pointed out to hypostatize the Word of God on the one hand (e.g., Gen. i. 3; Ps. xxxiii. 6; cvii. 20; cxlvii. 15-18 Isa. lv. 11); and, especially in Ezek. and the later Prophets, the Spirit of God, on the other (e. g., Gen. i. 2; Isa. xlviii. 16; lxiii. 10; Ezek. ii. 2; viii. 3; Zec. vii. 12). Suggestions - in Isa. for instance (vii. 14; ix. 6) - of the Deity of the Messiah are appealed to. And if the occasional occurrence of plural verbs and pronouns referring to God, and the plural form of the name Elohim are not insisted upon as in themselves evidence of a multiplicity in the Godhead, yet a certain weight is lent them as witnesses that "the God of revelation is no abstract unity, but the living, true God who in the fullness of His life embraces the highest variety" (Bavinek). The upshot of it all is that it is very generally felt that, somehow, in the Old Testament development of the idea of God there is a suggestion that the Deity is not a simple monad, and that thus a preparation is made for the revelation of the Trinity yet to come. It would seem clear that we must recognize in the Old Testament doctrine of the relation of God to His revelation by the creative Word and the Spirit, at least the germ of the distinctions in the Godhead afterward fully made known in the Christian revelation. And we can scarcely stop there. After all is said, in the light of the later revelation, the Trinitarian interpretation remains the most natural one of the phenomena which the older writers frankly interpreted as intimations of the Trinity; especially of those connected with the descriptions of the Angel of Jehovah no doubt, but also even of such a form of expression as meets us in the "Let us make man in our image" of Gen. i. 26--- for surely verse 27: "And God created man in his own image," does not encourage us to take the preceding verse as announcing that man was to be created in the image of the angels. This is not an illegitimate reading of New Testament ideas back into the text of the Old Testament; it is only reading the text of the Old Testament under the illumination of the New Testament revelation. The Old Testament may be likened to a chamber richly furnished but dimly lighted; the introduction of light brings into it nothing which was not in it before; but it brings out into clearer view much of what is in it but was only dimly or even not at all perceived before. The mystery of the Trinity is not revealed in the Old Testament; but the mystery of the Trinity underlies the Old Testament revelation, and here and there almost comes into view. Thus the Old Testament revelation of God is not corrected by the fuller revelation which follows it, but only perfected, extended and enlarged. It is an old saying that what becomes patent in the New Testament was latent in the Old Testament. And it is important that the continuity of the revelation of God contained in the two Testaments should not be overlooked or obscured. If we find some difficulty in perceiving for ourselves, in the Old Testament, definite points of attachment for the revelation of the Trinity, we cannot help perceiving with great clearness in the New Testament abundant evidence that its writers felt no incongruity whatever between their doctrine of the Trinity and the Old Testament conception of God. The New Testament writers certainly were not conscious of being "setters forth of strange gods." To their own apprehension they worshipped and proclaimed just the God of Israel; and they laid no less stress than the Old Testament itself upon His unity (Jn. xvii. 3; I Cor. viii. 4; I Tim. ii. 5). They do not, then, place two new gods by the side of Jehovah as alike with Him to be served and worshipped; they conceive Jehovah as Himself at once Father, Son and Spirit. In presenting this one Jehovah as Father, Son and Spirit, they do not even betray any lurking feeling that they are making innovations. Without apparent misgiving they take over Old Testament passages and apply them to Father, Son and Spirit indifferently. Obviously they understand themselves, and wish to be understood, as setting forth in the Father, Son and Spirit just the one God that the God of the Old Testament revelation is; and they are as far as possible from recognizing any breach between themselves and the Fathers in presenting their enlarged conception of the Divine Being. This may not amount to saying that they saw the doctrine of the Trinity everywhere taught in the Old Testament. It certainly amounts to saying that they saw the Triune God whom they worshipped in the God of the Old Testament revelation, and felt no incongruity in speaking of their Triune God in the terms of the Old Testament revelation. The God of the Old Testament was their God, and their God was a Trinity, and their sense of the identity of the two was so complete that no question as to it was raised in their minds. The simplicity and assurance with which the New Testament writers speak of God as a Trinity have, however, a further implication. If they betray no sense of novelty in so speaking of Him, this is undoubtedly in part because it was no longer a novelty so to speak of Him. It is clear, in other words, that, as we read the New Testament, we are not witnessing the birth of a new conception of God. What we meet with in its pages is a firmly established conception of God underlying and giving its tone to the whole fabric. It is not in a text here and there that the New Testament bears its testimony to the doctrine of the Trinity. The whole book is Trinitarian to the core; all its teaching is built on the assumption of the Trinity; and its allusions to the Trinity are frequent, cursory, easy and confident. It is with a view to the cursoriness of the allusions to it in the New Testament that it has been remarked that "the doctrine of the Trinity is not so much heard as overheard in the statements of Scripture." It would be more exact to say that it is not so much inculcated as presupposed. The doctrine of the Trinity does not appear in the New Testament in the making, but as already made. It takes its place in its pages, as Gunkel phrases it, with an air almost of complaint, already "in full completeness" (vollig fertig), leaving no trace of its growth. "There is nothing more wonderful in the history of human thought," says Sanday, with his eye on the appearance of the doctrine of the Trinity in the New Testament, "than the silent and imperceptible way in which this doctrine, to us so difficult, took its place without struggle - and without controversy - among accepted Christian truths." The explanation of this remarkable phenomenon is, however, simple. Our New Testament is not a record of the development of the doctrine or of its assimilation. It everywhere presupposes the doctrine as the fixed possession of the Christian community; and the process by which it became the possession of the Christian community lies behind the New Testament. We cannot speak of the doctrine of the Trinity, therefore, if we study exactness of speech, as revealed in the New Testament, any more than we can speak of it as revealed in the Old Testament. The Old Testament was written before its revelation; the New Testament after it. The revelation itself was made not in word but in deed. It was made in the incarnation of God the Son, and the outpouring of God the Holy Spirit. The relation of the two Testaments to this revelation is in the one case that of preparation for it, and in the other that of product of it. The revelation itself is embodied just in Christ and the Holy Spirit. This is as much as to say that the revelation of the Trinity was incidental to, and the inevitable effect of, the accomplishment of redemption. It was in the coming of the Son of God in the likeness of sinful flesh to offer Himself a sacrifice for sin; and in the coming of the Holy Spirit to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and of judgment, that the Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the Godhead was once for all revealed to men. Those who knew God the Father, who loved them and gave His own Son to die for them; and the Lord Jesus Christ, who loved them and delivered Himself up an offering and sacrifice for them; and the Spirit of Grace, who loved them and dwelt within them a power not themselves, making for righteousness, knew the Triune God and could not think or speak of God otherwise than as triune. The doctrine of the Trinity, in other words, is simply the modification wrought in the conception of the one only God by His complete revelation of Himself in the redemptive process. It necessarily waited, therefore, upon the completion of the redemptive process for its revelation, and its revelation, as necessarily, lay complete in the redemptive process. From this central fact we may understand more fully several circumstances connected with the revelation of the Trinity to which allusion has been made. We may from it understand, for example, why the Trinity was not revealed in the Old Testament. It may carry us a little way to remark, as it has been customary to remark since the time of Gregory of Nazianzus, that it was the task of the Old Testament revelation to fix firmly in the minds and hearts of the people of God the great fundamental truth of the unity of the Godhead; and it would have been dangerous to speak to them of the plurality within this unity until this task had been fully accomplished. The real reason for the delay in the revelation of the Trinity, however, is grounded in the secular development of the redemptive purpose of God: the times were not ripe for the revelation of the Trinity in the unity of the Godhead until the fullness of the time had come for God to send forth His Son unto redemption, and His Spirit unto sanctification. The revelation in word must needs wait upon the revelation in fact, to which it brings its necessary explanation, no doubt, but from which also it derives its own entire significance and value. The revelation of a Trinity in the Divine unity as a mere abstract truth without relation to manifested fact, and without significance to the development of the kingdom of God, would have been foreign to the whole method of the Divine procedure as it lies exposed to us in the pages of Scripture. Here the working-out of the Divine purpose supplies the fundamental principle to which all else, even the progressive stages of revelation itself, is subsidiary; and advances in revelation are ever closely connected with the advancing accomplishment of the redemptive purpose. We may understand also, however, from the same central fact, why it is that the doctrine of the Trinity lies in the New Testament rather in the form of allusions than in express teaching, why it is rather everywhere presupposed, coming only here and there into incidental expression, than formally inculcated. It is because the revelation, having been made in the actual occurrences of redemption, was already the common property of all Christian hearts. In speaking and writing to one another, Christians, therefore, rather spoke out of their common Trinitarian consciousness, and reminded one another of their common fund of belief, than instructed one another in what was already the common property of all. We are to look for, and we shall find, in the New Testament allusions to the Trinity, rather evidence of how the Trinity, believed in by all, was conceived by the authoritative teachers of the church, than formal attempts, on their part, by authoritative declarations, to bring the church into the understanding that God is a Trinity. The fundamental proof that God is a Trinity is supplied thus by the fundamental revelation of the Trinity in fact: that is to say, in the incarnation of God the Son and the outpouring of God the Holy Spirit. In a word, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are the fundamental proof of the doctrine of the Trinity. This is as much as to say that all the evidence of whatever kind, and from whatever source derived, that Jesus Christ is God manifested in the flesh, and that the Holy Spirit is a Divine Person, is just so much evidence for the doctrine of the Trinity; and that when we go to the New Testament for evidence of the Trinity we are to seek it; not merely in the scattered allusions to the Trinity as such, numerous and instructive as they are, but primarily in the whole mass of evidence which the New Testament provides of the Deity of Christ and the Divine personality of the Holy Spirit. When we have said this, we have said in effect that the whole mass of the New Testament is evidence for the Trinity. For the New Testament is saturated with evidence of the Deity of Christ and the Divine personality of the Holy Spirit. Precisely what the New Testament is, is the documentation of the religion of the incarnate Son and of the outpourcd Spirit, that is to say, of the religion of the Trinity, and what we mean by the doctrine of the Trinity is nothing but the formulation in exact language of the conception of God presupposed in the religion of the incarnate Son and outpoured Spirit. We may analyze this conception and adduce proof for every constituent element of it from the New Testament declarations. We may show that the New Testament everywhere insists on the unity of the Godhead; that it constantly recognizes the Father as God, the Son as God and the Spirit as God; and that it cursorily presents these three to us as distinct Persons. It is not necessary, however, to enlarge here on facts so obvious. We may content ourselves with simply observing that to the New Testament there is but one only living and true God; but that to it Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are each God in the fullest sense of the term; and yet Father, Son and Spirit stand over against each other as I, and Thou, and He. In this composite fact the New Testament gives us the doctrine of the Trinity. For the doctrine of the Trinity is but the statement in well guarded language of this composite fact. Throughout the whole course of the many efforts to formulate the doctrine exactly, which have followed one another during the entire history of the church, indeed, the principle which has ever determined the result has always been determination to do justice in conceiving the relations of God the Father, God the Son and God the Spirit, on the one hand to the unity of God, and, on the other, to the true Deity of the Son and Spirit and their distinct personalities. When we have said these three things, then - that there is but one God, that the Father and the Son and the Spirit is each God, that the Father and the Son and the Spirit is each a distinct person - we have enunciated the doctrine of the Trinity in its completeness. That this doctrine underlies the whole New Testament as its constant presupposition and determines everywhere its forms of expression is the primary fact to be noted. We must not omit explicitly to note, however, that it now and again also, as occasion arises for its incidental enunciation, comes itself to expression in more or less completeness of statement. The passages in which the three Persons of the Trinity are brought together are much more numerous than, perhaps, is generally supposed; but it should be recognized that the for- mal collocation of the elements of the doctrine naturally is relatively rare in writings which are occasional in their origin and practical rather than doctrinal in their immediate purpose. The three Persons already come into view as Divine Persons in the annunciation of the birth of Our Lord: 'The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee,' said the angel to Mary, 'and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee: wherefore also the holy thing which is to be born shall be called the Son of God; (Lk. i. 35 m; cf. Mt. i. 18 ff.). Here the Holy Ghost is the active agent in the production of an effect which is also ascribed to the power of the Most High, and the child thus brought into the world is given the great designation of "Son of God." The three Persons are just as clearly brought before us in the account of Mt. (i. 18 ff.), though the allusions to them are dispersed through a longer stretch of narrative, in the course of which the Deity of the child is twice intimated (ver. 21: 'It is He that shall save His people from their sins'; ver. 23: 'They shall call His name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God-with-us'). In the baptismal scene which finds record by all the evangelists at the opening of Jesus' ministry (Mt. iii. 16, 17; Mk. i. 10, 11; Lk. iii. 21, 22; Jn. i. 32-34), the three Persons are thrown up to sight in a dramatic picture in which the Deity of each is strongly emphasized. From the open heavens the Spirit descends in visible form, and 'a voice came out of the heavens, Thou art my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well pleased.' Thus care seems to have been taken to make the advent of the Son of God into the world the revelation also of the Triune God, that the minds of men might as smoothly as possible adjust themselves to the preconditions of the Divine redemption which was in process of being wrought out. With this as a starting-point, the teaching of Jesus is Trinitarianly conditioned throughout. He has much to say of God His Father, from whom as His Son He is in some true sense distinct, and with whom He is in some equally true sense one. And He has much to say of the Spirit, who represents Him as He represents the Father, and by whom He works as the Father works by Him. It is not merely in the Gospel of John that such representations occur in the teaching of Jesus. In the Synoptics, too, Jesus claims a Sonship to God which is unique (Mt. xi. 27; xxiv. 36; Mk. xiii. 32; Lk. x. 22; in the following passages the title of "Son of God" is attributed to Him and accepted by Him: Mt. iv. 6; viii. 29; xiv. 33; xxvii. 40, 43, 54; Mk. iii. 11; xv. 39; Lk. iv. 41; xxii. 70; cf. Jn. i. 34, 49; ix. 35; xi. 27), and which involves an absolute community between the two in knowledge, say, and power: both Mt. (xi. 27) and Lk. (x. 22) record His great declaration that He knows the Father and the Father knows Him with perfect mutual knowledge: "No one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son." In the Synoptics, too, Jesus speaks of employing the Spirit of God Himself for the performance of His works, as if the activities of God were at His disposal: "I by the Spirit of God" --- or as Luke has it, "by the finger of God" - "cast out demons" (Mt. xii. 28; Lk. xi. 20; cf. the promise of the Spirit in Mk. xiii. 11; Lk. xii. 12). It is in the discourses recorded in John, however, that Jesus most copiously refers to the unity of Himself, as the Son, with the Father, and to the mission of the Spirit from Himself as the dispenser of the Divine activities. Here He not only with great directness declares that He and the Father are one (x. 30; cf. xvii. 11, 21, 22, 25) with a unity of interpenetration ("The Father is in me, and I in the Father," x. 38; cf. xvi. 10, 11), so that to have seen Him was to have seen the Father (xiv. 9; cf. xv. 21); but He removes all doubt as to the essential nature of His oneness with the Father by explicitly asserting His eternity ("Before Abraham was born, I am," Jn. viii. 58), His co-eternity with God ("had with thee before the world was," xvii. 5; cf. xvii. 18; vi. 62), His eternal participation in the Divine glory itself ("the glory which I had with thee," in fellowship, community with Thee "before the world was," xvii. 5). So clear is it that in speaking currently of Himself as God's Son (v.25; ix. 35; xi. 4; cf. x. 36), He meant, in accordance with the underlying significance of the idea of sonship in Semitic speech (founded on the natural implication that whatever the father is that the son is also; cf. xvi. 15; xvii. 10), to make Himself, as the Jews with exact appreciation of His meaning perceived, "equal with God" (v.18), or, to put it brusquely, just "God" (x. 33). How He, being thus equal or rather identical with God, was in the world, He explains as involving a coming forth on His part, not merely from the presence of God (xvi. 30; cf. xiii. 3) or from fellowship with God (xvi. 27; xvii. 8), but from out of God Himself (viii. 42; xvi. 28). And in the very act of thus asserting that His eternal home is in the depths of the Divine Being, He throws up, into as strong an emphasis as stressed pronouns can convey, His personal distinctness from the Father. 'If God were your Father,' says He (viii. 42), 'ye would love me: for I came forth and am come out of God; for neither have I come of myself, but it was He that sent me.' Again, He says (xvi. 26, 27):' In that day ye shall ask in my name: and I say not unto you that I will make request of the Father for you; for the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that it was from fellowship with the Father that I came forth; I came from out of the Father, and have come into the world.' Less pointedly, but still distinctly, He says again (xvii. 8): ' They know of a truth that it was from fellowship with Thee that I came forth, and they believed that it was Thou that didst send me.' It is not necessary to illustrate more at large a form of expression so characteristic of the discourses of Our Lord recorded by John that it meets us on every page: a form of expression which combines a clear implication of a unity of Father and Son which is identity of Being, and an equally clear implication of a distinction of Person between them such as allows not merely for the play of emotions between them, as, for instance, of love (xvii. 24; cf. xv. 9 [iii. 35]; xiv. 31), but also of an action and reaction upon one another which argues a high measure, if not of exteriority, yet certainly of exteriorization. Thus, to instance only one of the most outstanding facts of Our Lord's discourses (not indeed confined to those in John's Gospel, but found also in His sayings recorded in the Synoptists, as e.g., Lk. iv. 43 [cf. j Mk. i. 38]; ix. 48; x. 16; iv. 34; v.32; vii. 19; xix. 10), He continually represents Himself as on the one hand sent by God, and as, on the other, having come forth from the Father (e. g., Jn. viii. 42; x. 36; xvii. 3; v.23). It is more important to point out that these phenomena of interrelationship are not confined to the Father and Son, but are extended also to the Spirit. Thus, for example, in a context in which Our Lord had emphasized in the strongest manner His own essential unity and continued interpenetration with the Father ("If ye had known me, ye would have known my Father also"; "He that hath seen me hath seen the Father"; . ,, "I am in the Father, and the Father in me ; "The Father abiding in me doeth his works," Jn. xiv. 7, 9, 10), we read as follows (Jn. xiv. 16-26): 'And I will make request of the Father, and He shall give you another [thus sharply distinguished from Our Lord as a distinct Person] Advocate, that He may be with you forever, the Spirit of Truth . . . He abideth with you and shall be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I come unto you. . . In that day ye shall know that I am in the Father. . . . If a man love me, he will keep my word; and my Father will love him and we [that is, both Father and Son] will come unto him and make our abode with him. . . . These things have I spoken unto you while abiding with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said unto you.' It would be impossible to speak more distinctly of three who were yet one. The Father, Son and Spirit are constantly distinguished from one another --- the Son makes request of the Father, and the Father in response to this request gives an Advocate, "another" than the Son, who is sent in the Son's name. And yet the oneness of these three is so kept in sight that the coming of this "another Advocate" is spoken of without embarrassment as the coming of the Son Himself (vs. 18, 19, 20, 21), and indeed as the coming of the Father and the Son (ver. 23). There is a sense, then, in which, when Christ goes away, the Spirit comes in His stead; there is also a sense in which, when the Spirit comes, Christ comes in Him; and with Christ's coming the Father comes too. There is a distinction between the Persons brought into view; and with it an identity among them; for both of which allowance must be made. The same phenomena meet us in other passages. Thus, we read again (xv. 26):' But when there is come the Advocate whom I will send unto you from [fellowship with] the Father, the Spirit of Truth, which goeth forth from [fellowship with] the Father, He shall bear witness of me.' In the compass of this single verse, it is intimated that the Spirit is personally distinct from the Son, and yet, like Him, has His eternal home (in fellowship) with the Father, from whom He, like the Son, comes forth for His saving work, being sent thereunto, however, not in this instance by the Father, but by the Son. This last feature is even more strongly emphasized in yet another passage in which the work of the Spirit in relation to the Son is presented as closely parallel with the work of the Son in relation to the Father (xvi. 5 ff.) . 'But now I go unto Him that sent me. . . . Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is expedient for you that I go away; for, if I go not away the Advocate will not come unto you; but if I go I will send Him unto you. And He, after He is come, will convict the world . . . of righteousness because I go to the Father and ye behold me no more. . . . I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when He, the Spirit of truth is come, He shall guide you into all the truth; for He shall not speak from Himself; but what things soever He shall hear, He shall speak, and He shall declare unto you the things that are to come. He shall glorify me: for He shall take of mine and shall show it unto you. All things whatsoever the Father hath are mine: therefore said I that He taketh of mine, and shall declare it unto you.' Here the Spirit is sent by the Son, and comes in order to complete and apply the Son's work, receiving His whole commission from the Son - not, however, in derogation of the Father, because when we speak of the things of the Son, that is to speak of the things of the Father. It is not to be said, of course, that the doctrine of the Trinity is formulated in passages like these, with which the whole mass of Our Lord's discourses in John are strewn; but it certainly is presupposed in them, and that is, considered from the point of view of their probative force, even better. As we read we are kept in continual contact with three Persons who act, each as a distinct person, and yet who are in a deep, under lying sense, one. There is but one God - there is never any question of that - and yet this Son who has been sent into the world by God not only represents God but is God, and this Spirit whom the Son has in turn sent unto the world is also Himself God. Nothing could be clearer than that the Son and Spirit are distinct Persons, unless indeed it be that the Son of God is just God the Son and the Spirit of God just God the Spirit. Meanwhile, the nearest approach to a formal announcement of the doctrine of the Trinity which is recorded from Our Lord's lips, or, perhaps we may say, which is to be found in the whole compass of the New Testament, has been preserved for us, not by John, but by one of the synoptists. It too, however, is only incidentally introduced, and has for its main object something very different from formulating the doctrine of the Trinity. It is embodied in the great commission which the resurrected Lord gave His disciples to be their "marching orders" "even unto the end of the world": "Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt. xxviii. 19). In seeking to estimate the significance of this great declaration, we must bear in mind the high solemnity of the utterance, by which we are required to give its full value to every word of it. Its phrasing is in any event, however, remarkable. It does not say, "In the names [plural] of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost"; nor yet (what might be taken to be equivalent to that),"In the name of the Father, and in the name of the Son, and in the name of the Holy Ghost," as if we had to deal with three separate Beings. Nor, on the other hand, does it say, "In the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost," as if "the Father, Son and Holy Ghost" might be taken as merely three designations of a single person. With stately impressiveness it asserts the unity of the three by combining them all within the bounds of the single Name; and then throws up into emphasis the distinctness of each by introducing them in turn with the repeated article: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost "(Authorized Version). These three, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, each stand in some clear sense over against the others in distinct personality: these three, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost, all unite in some profound sense in the common participation of the one Name. Fully to comprehend the implication of this mode of statement, we must bear in mind, further, the significance of the term, "the name," and the associations laden with which it came to the recipients of this commission. For the Hebrew did not think of the name, as we are accustomed to do, as a mere external symbol; but rather as the adequate expression of the innermost being of its bearer. In His name the Being of God finds expression; and the Name of God - "this glorious and fearful name, Jehovah thy God" (Deut. xxviii. 58) - was accordingly a most sacred thing, being indeed virtually equivalent to God Himself. It is no solecism, therefore, when we read (Isa. xxx. 27), "Behold, the name of Jehovah cometh"; and the parallelisms are most instructive when we read (Isa. lix. 19):' So shall they fear the Name of Jehovah from the west, and His glory from the rising of the sun; for He shall come as a stream pent in which the Spirit of Jehovah driveth.' So pregnant was the implication of the Name, that it was possible for the term to stand absolutely, without adjunction of the name itself, as the sufficient representative of the majesty of Jehovah: it was a terrible thing to 'blaspheme the Name' (Lev. xxiv. 11). All those over whom Jehovah's Name was called were His, His possession to whom He owed protection. It is for His Name's sake, therefore, that afflicted Judah cries to the Hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of trouble: '0 Jehovah, Thou art in the midst of us, and Thy Name is called upon us; leave us not' (Jer. xiv. 9); and His people find the appropriate expression of their deepest shame in the lament, 'We have become as they over whom Thou never barest rule; as they upon whom Thy Name was not called' (Isa. lxiii. 19); while the height of joy is attained in the cry, 'Thy Name, Jehovah, G6d of Hosts, is called upon me' (Jer. xv. 16; cf. II Chron. vii. 14; Dan. ix. 18, 19). When, therefore, Our Lord commanded His disciples to baptize those whom they brought to His obedience "into the name of . . . ," He was using language charged to them with high meaning. He could not have been understood otherwise than as substituting for the Name of Jehovah this other Name "of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"; and this could not possibly have meant to His disciples anything else than that Jehovah was now to be known to them by the new Name, of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost. The only alternative would have been that, for the community which He was founding, Jesus was supplanting Jehovah by a new God; and this alternative is no less than monstrous. There is no alternative, therefore, to understanding Jesus here to be giving for His community a new Name to Jehovah and that new Name to be the threefold Name of "the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost." Nor is there room for doubt that by "the Son "in this threefold Name, He meant just Himself with all the implications of distinct personality which this carries with it; and, of course, that further carries with it the equally distinct personality of "the Father" and "the Holy Ghost," with whom "the Son" is here associated, and from whom alike "the Son" is here distinguished. This is a direct ascription to Jehovah the God of Israel, of a threefold personality, and is therewith the direct enunciation of the doctrine of the Trinity. We are not witnessing here the birth of the doctrine of the Trinity; that is presupposed. What we are witnessing is the authoritative announcement of the Trinity as the God of Christianity by its Founder, in one of the most solemn of His recorded declarations. Israel had worshipped the one only true God under the Name of Jehovah; Christians are to worship the same one only and true God under the Name of "the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost." This is the distinguishing characteristic of Christians; and that is as much as to say that the doctrine of the Trinity is, according to Our Lord's own apprehension of it, the distinctive mark of the religion which He founded. A passage of such range of implication has, of course, not escaped criticism and challenge. An attempt which cannot be characterized as other than frivolous has even been made to dismiss it from the text of Matthew's Gospel. Against this, the whole body of external evidence cries out; and the internal evidence is of itself not less decisive to the same effect. When the "universalism," "ecclesiasticism," and "high theology" of the passage are pleaded against its genuineness, it is forgotten that to the Jesus of Matthew there are attributed not only such parables as those of the Leaven and the Mustard Seed, but such declarations as those contained in viii. 11,12; xxi. 43; xxiv. 14; that in this Gospel alone is Jesus recorded as speaking familiarly about His church (xvi. 18; xviii. 17); and that, after the great declaration of xi. 27 ff., nothing remained in lofty attribution to be assigned to Him. When these same objections are urged against recognizing the passage as an authentic saying of Jesus' own, it is quite obvious that the Jesus of the evangelists cannot be in mind. The declaration here recorded is quite in character with the Jesus of Matthew's Gospel, as has just been intimated; and no less with the Jesus of the whole New Testament transmission. It will scarcely do, first to construct a priori a Jesus to our own liking, and then to discard as "unhistorical" all in the New Testament transmission which would be unnatural to such a Jesus. It is not these discarded passages but our a priori Jesus which is unhistorical. In the present instance, moreover, the historicity of the assailed saying is protected by an important historical relation in which it stands. It is not merely Jesus who speaks out of a Trinitarian consciousness, but all the New Testament writers as well. The universal possession by His followers of so firm a hold on such a doctrine requires the assumption that some such teaching as is here attributed to Him was actually contained in Jesus' instructions to His followers. Even had it not been attributed to Him in so many words by the record, we should have had to assume that some such declaration had been, made by Him. In these circumstances, there can be no good reason to doubt that it was made by Him, when it is expressly attributed to Him by the record. When we turn from the discourses of Jesus to the writings of His followers with a view to observing how the assumption of the doctrine of the Trinity underlies their whole fabric also, we naturally go first of all to the letters of Paul. Their very mass is impressive; and the definiteness with which their composition within a generation of the death of Jesus may be fixed adds importance to them as historical witnesses. Certainly they leave nothing to be desired in the richness of their testimony to the Trinitarian conception of God which underlies them. Throughout the whole series, from I Thess., which comes from about 52 A.D., to II Tim., which was written about 68 A.D., the redemption, which it is their one business to proclaim and commend, and all the blessings which enter into it or accompany it are referred consistently to a threefold Divine causation. Everywhere, throughout their pages, God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit appear as the joint objects of all religious adoration, and the conjunct source of all Divine operations. In the freedom of the allusions which are made to them, now and again one alone of the three is thrown up into prominent view; but more often two of them are conjoined in thanksgiving or prayer; and not infrequently all three are brought together as the apostle strives to give some adequate expression to his sense of indebtedness to the Divine source of all good for blessings received, or to his longing on behalf of himself or of his readers for further communion with the God of grace. It is regular for him to begin his Epistles with a prayer for "grace and peace" for his readers, "from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ," as the joint source of these Divine blessings by way of eminence (Rom. i. 7; I Cor. i. 3; II Cor. i. 2; Gal. i. 3; Eph. i. 2; Phil. i. 2;II Thess. i. 2;I Tim. i. 2;II Tim. i. 2; Philem. ver. 3; cf. I Thess. i. 1). It is obviously no departure from this habit in the essence of the matter, but only in relative fullness of expression, when in the opening words of the Epistle to the Colossians the clause "and the Lord Jesus Christ" is omitted, and we read merely: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father." So also it would have been no departure from it in the essence of the matter, but only in relative fullness of expression, if in any instance the name of the Holy Spirit had chanced to be adjoined to the other two, as in the single instance of II Cor. xiii. 14 it is adjoined to them in the closing prayer for grace with which Paul ends his letters, and which ordinarily takes the simple form of, "the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you" (Rom. xvi. 20; I Cor. xvi. 23; Gal. vi. 18; Phil. iv, 23; I Thess. v.28; II Thess. iii. 18; Philem. ver. 25; more expanded form, Eph. vi. 23, 24; more compressed, Col. iv. 18; I Tim. vi. 21; II Tim. iv. 22; Tit. iii. 15). Between these opening and closing passages the allusions to God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are constant and most intricately interlaced. Paul's monotheism is intense: the first premise of all his thought on Divine things is the unity of God (Rom. iii. 30; I Cor. viii. 4; Gal iii. 20; Eph. iv. 6;I Tim. ii. 5; cf. Rom. xvi. 22; I Tim. i. 17). Yet to him God the Father is no more God than the Lord Jesus Christ is God, or the Holy Spirit is God. The Spirit of God is to him related to God as the spirit of man is to man (I Cor. ii. 11), and therefore if the Spirit of God dwells in us, that is God dwelling in us (Rom. viii. 10 ff.), and we are by that fact constituted temples of God (I Cor. iii. 16). And no expression is too strong for him to use in order to assert the Godhead of Christ: He is "our great God" (Tit. ii. 13); He is "God over all" (Rom. ix. 5); and indeed it is expressly declared of Him that the "fullness of the Godhead," that is, everything that enters into Godhead and constitutes it Godhead, dwells in Him. In the very act of asserting his monotheism Paul takes Our Lord up into this unique Godhead. "There is no God but one," he roundly asserts, and then illustrates and proves this assertion by remarking that the heathen may have "gods many, and lords many," but "to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we through him" (I Cor. viii. 6). Obviously, this "one God, the Father," and "one Lord, Jesus Christ," are embraced together in the one God who alone is. Paul's conception of the one God, whom alone he worships, includes, in other words, a recognition that within the unity of His Being, there exists such a distinction of Persons as is given us in the "one God, the Father" and the "one Lord, Jesus Christ." In numerous passages scattered through Paul's Epistles, from the earliest of them (I Thess. i. 2-5; II Thess. ii. 13, 14) to the latest (Tit. iii. 4-6; II Tim. i. 3, 13,14), all three Persons, God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, are brought together, in the most incidental manner, as co-sources of all the saving blessings which come to believers in Christ. A typical series of such passages may be found in Eph. ii. 18; iii. 2-5,14, 17; iv. 4-6; v.18-20. But the most interesting instances are offered to us perhaps by the Epistles to the Corinthians. In I Cor. xii. 4-6 Paul presents the abounding spiritual gifts with which the church was blessed in a threefold aspect, and connects these aspects with the three Divine Persons. "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are diversities of ministrations, and the same Lord. And there are diversities of workings, but the same God, who worketh all things in all." It may be thought that there is a measure of what might almost be called artificiality in assigning the endowments of the church, as they are graces to the Spirit, as they are services to Christ, and as they are energizings to God. But thus there is only the more strikingly revealed the underlying Trinitarian conception as dominating the structure of the clauses: Paul clearly so writes, not because "gifts," "workings," "operations" stand out in his thought as greatly diverse things, but because God, the Lord, and the Spirit lie in the back of his mind constantly suggesting a threefold causality behind every manifestation of grace. The Trinity is alluded to rather than asserted; but it is so alluded to as to show that it constitutes the determining basis of all Paul's thought of the God of redemption. Even more instructive is II Cor. xiii. 14, which has passed into general liturgical use in the churches as a benediction: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." Here the three highest redemptive blessings are brought together, and attached distributively to the three Persons of the Triune God. There is again no formal teaching of the doctrine of the Trinity; there is only another instance of natural speaking out of a Trinitarian consciousness. Paul is simply thinking of the Divine source of these great blessings; but he habitually thinks of this Divine source of redemptive blessings after a trinal fashion. He therefore does not say, as he might just as well have said, "The grace and love and communion of God be with you all," but "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all." Thus he bears, almost unconsciously but most richly, witness to the trinal composition of the Godhead as conceived by Him. The phenomena of Paul's Epistles are repeated in the other writings of the New Testament. In these other writings also it is everywhere assumed that the redemptive activities of God rest on a threefold source in God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit; and these three Persons repeatedly come forward together in the expressions of Christian hope or the aspirations of Christian devotion (e. g., Heb. ii. 3, 4; vi. 4-6; x. 29-31; 1 Pet. i. 2;ii. 3-12; iv. 13-19; I Jn. v.4-8; Jude vs. 20, 21; Rev. i. 4-6). Perhaps as typical instances as any are supplied by the two following: "According to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ" (I Pet. i. 2); "Praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude vs. 20, 21). To these may be added the highly symbolical instance from the Apocalypse: 'Grace to you and peace from Him which is and was and which is to come; and from the Seven Spirits which are before His throne; and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth' (Rev. i. 4, 5). Clearly these writers, too, write out of a fixed Trinitarian consciousness and bear their testimony to the universal understanding current in apostolical circles. Everywhere and by all it was fully understood that the one God whom Christians worshipped and from whom alone they expected redemption and all that redemption brought with it, included within His undiminished unity the three: God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, whose activities relatively to one another are conceived as distinctly personal. This is the uniform and pervasive testimony of the New Testament, and it is the more impressive that it is given with such unstudied naturalness and simplicity, with no effort to distinguish between what have come to be called the ontological and the economical aspects of the Trinitarian distinctions, and indeed without apparent consciousness of the existence of such a distinction of aspects. Whether God is thought of in Himself or in His operations, the underlying conception runs unaffectedly into trinal forms. It will not have escaped observation that the Trinitarian terminology of Paul and the other writers of the New Testament is not precisely identical with that of Our Lord as recorded for us in His discourses. Paul, for example - and the same is true of the other New Testament writers (except John) - does not speak, as Our Lord is recorded as speaking, of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, so much as of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. This difference of terminology finds its account in large measure in the different relations in which the speakers stand to the Trinity. Our Lord could not naturally speak of Himself, as one of the Trinitarian Persons, by the designation of "the Lord," while the designation of "the Son," expressing as it does His consciousness of close relation, and indeed of exact similarity, to God, came naturally to His lips. But He was Paul's Lord; and Paul naturally thought and spoke of Him as such. In point of fact, "Lord" is one of Paul's favorite designations of Christ, and indeed has become with him practically a proper name for Christ, and in point of fact, his Divine Name for Christ. It is naturally, therefore, his Trinitarian name for Christ. Because when he thinks of Christ as Divine he calls Him "Lord," he naturally, when he thinks of the three Persons together as the Triune God, sets Him as "Lord" by the side of God - Paul's constant name for "the Father" - and the Holy Spirit. Question may no doubt be raised whether it would have been possible for Paul to have done this, especially with the constancy with which he has done it, if, in his conception of it, the very essence of the Trinity were enshrined in the terms "Father" and "Son." Paul is thinking of the Trinity, to be sure, from the point of view of a worshipper, rather than from that of a systematizer. He designates the Persons of the Trinity therefore rather from his relations to them than from their relations to one another. He sees in the Trinity his God, his Lord, and the Holy Spirit who dwells in him; and naturally he so speaks currently of the three Persons. It remains remarkable, nevertheless, if the very essence of the Trinity were thought of by him as resident in the terms "Father," "Son," that in his numerous allusions to the Trinity in the Godhead, he never betrays any sense of this. It is noticeable also that in their allusions to the Trinity, there is preserved, neither in Paul nor in the other writers of the New Testament, the order of the names as they stand in Our Lord's great declaration (Mt. xxviii. 19). The reverse order occurs, indeed, occasionally, as, for example, in I Cor. xii. 4-6 (cf. Eph. iv. 4-6); and this may be understood as a climactic arrangement and so far a testimony to the order of Mt. xxviii. 19. But the order is very variable; and in the most formal enumeration of the three Persons, that of II Cor. xiii. 14, it stands thus: Lord, God, Spirit. The question naturally suggests itself whether the order Father, Son, Spirit was especially significant to Paul and his fellow-writers of the New Testament. If in their conviction the very essence of the doctrine of the Trinity was embodied in this order, should we not anticipate that there should appear in their numerous allusions to the Trinity some suggestion of this conviction? Such facts as these have a bearing upon the testimony of the New Testament to the interrelations of the Persons of the Trinity. To the fact of the Trinity - to the fact, that is, that in the unity of the Godhead there subsist three Persons, each of whom has his particular part in the working out of salvation - the New Testament testimony is clear, consistent, pervasive and conclusive. There is included in this testimony constant and decisive witness to the complete and undiminished Deity of each of these Persons; no language is too exalted to apply to each of them in turn in the effort to give expression to the writer's sense of His Deity: the name that is given to each is fully understood to be "the name that is above every name." When we attempt to press the inquiry behind the broad fact, however, with a view to ascertaining exactly how the New Testament writers conceive the three Persons to be related, the one to the other, we meet with great difficulties. Nothing could seem more natural, for example, than to assume that the mutual relations of the Persons of the Trinity are revealed in the designations, "the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit," which are given them by Our Lord in the solemn formula of Mt. xxviii. 19. Our confidence in this assumption is somewhat shaken, however, when we observe, as we have just observed, that these designations are not carefully preserved in their allusions to the Trinity by the writers of the New Testament at large, but are characteristic only of Our Lord's allusions and those of John, whose modes of speech in general very closely resemble those of Our Lord. Our confidence is still further shaken when we observe that the implications with respect to the mutual relations of the Trinitarian Persons, which are ordinarily derived from these designations, do not so certainly lie in them as is commonly supposed. It may be very natural to see in the designation "Son" an intimation of subordination and derivation of Being, and it may not be difficult to ascribe a similar connotation to the term "Spirit." But it is quite certain that this was not the denotation of either term in the Semitic consciousness, which underlies the phraseology of Scripture; and it may even be thought doubtful whether it was included even in their remoter suggestions. What underlies the conception of sonship in Scriptural speech is just "likeness"; whatever the father is that the son is also. The emphatic application of the term "Son" to one of the Trinitarian Persons, accordingly, asserts rather His equality with the Father than His subordination to the Father; and if there is any implication of derivation in it, it would appear to be very distant. The adjunction of the adjective "only begotten" (Jn. i. 14; iii. 16-18; I Jn. iv. 9) need add only the idea of uniqueness, not of derivation (Ps. xxii. 20; xxv. 16; xxxv. 17; Wisd. vii. 22 m.); and even such a phrase as "God only begotten" (Jn. i. 18 m.) may contain no implication of derivation, but only of absolutely unique consubstantiality; as also such a phrase as "the first-begotten of all creation" (Col. i. 15) may convey no intimation of coming into being, but merely assert priority of existence. In like manner, the designation "Spirit of God" or "Spirit of Jehovah," which meets us frequently in the Old Testament, certainly does not convey the idea there either of derivation or of subordination, but is just the executive name of God --- the designation of God from the point of view of His activity - and imports accordingly identity with God; and there is no reason to suppose that, in passing from the Old Testament to the New Testament, the term has taken on an essentially different meaning. It happens, oddly enough, moreover, that we have in the New Testament itself what amounts almost to formal definitions of the two terms "Son" and "Spirit," and in both cases the stress is laid on the notion of equality or sameness. In Jn. v.18 we read: 'On this account, therefore, the Jews sought the more to kill him, because, not only did he break the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal to God.' The point lies, of course, in the adjective "own." Jesus was, rightly, understood to call God "his own Father," that is, to use the terms "Father" and "Son" not in a merely figurative sense, as when Israel was called God's son, but in the real sense. And this was understood to be claiming to be all that God is. To be the Son of God in any sense was to be like God in that sense; to be God's own Son was to be exactly like God, to be "equal with God." Similarly, we read in I Cor. ii. 10,11:' For the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who of men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? Even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God.' Here the Spirit appears as the substrate of the Divine self-consciousness, the principle of God's knowledge of Himself: He is, in a word, just God Himself in the innermost essence of His Being. As the spirit of man is the seat of human life, the very life of man itself, so the Spirit of God is His very life-element. How can He be supposed, then, to be subordinate to God, or to derive His Being from God? If, however, the subordination of the Son and Spirit to the Father in modes of subsistence and their derivation from the Father are not implicates of tbeir designation as Son and Spirit, it will be hard to find in the New Testament compelling evidence of their subordination and derivation. There is, of course, no question that in "modes of operation," as it is technically called - that is to say, in the functions ascribed to the several Persons of the Trinity in the redemptive process, and, more broadly, in the entire dealing of God with the world - the principle of subordination is clearly expressed. The Father is first, the Son is second, and the Spirit is third, in the operations of God as revealed to us in general, and very especially in those operations by which redemption is accomplished. Whatever the Father does, He does through the Son (Rom. ii. 16; iii. 22;v. 1,11, 17, 21; Eph. i.5; I Thess. v.9; Tit. iii. v) by the Spirit. The Son is sent by the Father and does His Father's will (Jn. vi. 38); the Spirit is sent by the Son and does not speak from Himself, but only takes of Christ's and shows it unto His people (Jn. xvii. 7 ff.); and we have Our Lord's own word for it that 'one that is sent is not greater than he that sent him' (Jn. xiii. 16). In crisp decisiveness, Our Lord even declares, indeed: 'My Father is greater than I' (Jn. xiv. 28); and Paul tells us that Christ is God's, even as we are Christ's (I Cor. iii. 23), and that as Christ is "the head of every man," so God is "the head of Christ" (I Cor. xi. 3). But it is not so clear that the principle of subordination rules also in "modes of subsistence," as it is technically phrased; that is to say, in the necessary relation of the Persons of the Trinity to one another. The very richness and variety of the expression of their subordination, the one to the other, in modes of operation, create a difficulty in attaining certainty whether they are represented as also subordinate the one to the other in modes of subsistence. Question is raised in each ease of apparent intimation of subordination in modes of subsistence, whether it may not, after all, be explicable as only another expression of subordination in modes of operation. It may be natural to assume that a subordination in modes of operation rests on a subordination in modes of subsistence; that the reason why it is the Father that sends the Son and the Son that sends the Spirit is that the Son is subordinate to the Father, and the Spirit to the Son. But we are bound to bear in mind that these relations of subordination in modes of operation may just as well be due to a convention, an agreement, between the Persons of the Trinity - a "Covenant" as it is technically called - by virtue of which a distinct function in the work of redemption is voluntarily assumed by each. It is eminently desirable, therefore, at the least, that some definite evidence of subordination in modes of subsistence should be discoverable before it is assumed. In the case of the relation of the Son to the Father, there is the added difficulty of the incarnation, in which the Son, by the assumption of a creaturely nature into union with Himself, enters into new relations with the Father of a definitely subordinate character. Question has even been raised whether the very designations of Father and Son may not be expressive of these new relations, and therefore without significance with respect to the eternal relations of the Persons so designated. This question must certainly be answered in the negative. Although, no doubt, in many of the instances in which the terms "Father" and "Son" occur, it would be possible to take them of merely economical relations, there ever remain some which are intractable to this treatment, and we may be sure that "Father" and "Son" are applied to their eternal and necessary relations. But these terms, as we have seen, do not appear to imply relations of first and second, superiority and subordination, in modes of subsistence; and the fact of the humiliation of the Son of God for His earthly work does introduce a factor into the interpretation of the passages which import His subordination to the Father, which throws doubt upon the inference from them of an eternal relation of subordination in the Trinity itself. It must at least be said that in the presence of the great New Testament doctrines of the Covenant of Redemption on the one hand, and of the Humiliation of the Son of God for His work's sake and of the Two Natures in the constitution of His Person as incarnated, on the other, the difficulty of interpreting subordinationist passages of eternal relations between the Father and Son becomes extreme. The question continually obtrudes itself, whether they do not rather find their full explanation in the facts embodied in the doctrines of the Covenant, the Humiliation of Christ, and the Two Natures of His incarnated Person. Certainly in such circumstances it were thoroughly illegitimate to press such passages to suggest any subordination for the Son or the Spirit which would in any manner impair that complete identity with the Father in Being and that complete equality with the Father in powers which are constantly presupposed, and frequently emphatically, though only incidentally, asserted for them throughout the whole fabric of the New Testament. The Trinity of the Persons of the Godhead, shown in the incarnation and the redemptive work of God the Son, and the descent and saving work of God the Spirit, is thus everywhere assumed in the New Testament, and comes to repeated fragmentary but none the less emphatic and illuminating expression in its pages. As the roots of its revelation are set in the threefold Divine causality of the saving process, it naturally finds an echo also in the consciousness of everyone who has experienced this salvation. Every redeemed soul, knowing himself reconciled with God through His Son, and quickened into newness of life by His Spirit, turns alike to Father, Son and Spirit with the exclamation of reverent gratitude upon his lips, "My Lord and my God!" If he could not construct the doctrine of the Trinity out of his consciousness of salvation, yet the elements of his consciousness of salvation are interpreted to him and reduced to order only by the doctrine of the Trinity which he finds underlying and giving their significance and consistency to the teaching of the Scriptures as to the processes of salvation. By means of this doctrine he is able to think clearly and consequently of his threefold relation to the saving God, experienced by Him as Fatherly love sending a Redeemer, as redeeming love executing redemption, as saving love applying redemption: all manifestations in distinct methods and by distinct agencies of the one seeking and saving love of God. Without the doctrine of the Trinity, his conscious Christian life would be thrown into confusion and left in disorganization if not, indeed, given an air of unreality; with the doctrine of the Trinity, order, significance and reality are brought to every element of it. Accordingly, the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of redemption, historically, stand or fall together. A Unitarian theology is commonly associated with a Pelagian anthropology and a Socinian soteriology. It is a striking testimony which is borne by F. E. Koenig ("Offenbarungsbegriff des AT," 1882, 1,125):: J have learned that many cast off the whole history of redemption for no other reason than because they have not attained to a conception of the Triune God." It is in this intimacy of relation between the doctrines of the Trinity and redemption that the ultimate reason lies why the Christian church could not rest until it had attained a definite and well-compacted doctrine of the Trinity. Nothing else could be accepted as an adequate foundation for the experience of the Christian salvation. Neither the Sabellian nor the Arian construction could meet and satisfy the data of the consciousness of salvation, any more than either could meet and satisfy the data of the Scriptural revelation. The data of the Scriptural revelation might, to be sure, have been left unsatisfied: men might have found a modus vivendi with neglected, or even with perverted Scriptural teaching. But perverted or neglected elements of Christian experience are more clamant in their demands for attention and correction. The dissatisfied Christian consciousness necessarily searched the Scriptures, on the emergence of every new attempt to state the doctrine of the nature and relations of God, to see whether these things were true, and never reached contentment until the Scriptural data were given their consistent formulation in a valid doctrine of the Trinity. Here too the heart of man was restless until it found its rest in the Triune God, the author, procurer and applier of salvation. The determining impulse to the formulation of the doctrine of the Trinity in the church was the church's profound conviction of the absolute Deity of Christ, on which as on a pivot the whole Christian conception of God from the first origins of Christianity turned. The guiding principle in the formulation of the doctrine was supplied by the Baptismal Formula announced by Jesus (Mt. xxviii. 19), from which was derived the ground-plan of the baptismal confessions and "rules of faith" which very soon began to be framed all over the church. It was by these two fundamental principia --- the true Deity of Christ and the Baptismal Formula --- that all attempts to formulate the Christian doctrine of God were tested, and by their molding power that the church at length found itself in possession of a form of statement which did full justice to the data of the redemptive revelation as reflected in the New Testament and the demands of the Christian heart under the experience of salvation. In the nature of the case the formulated doctrine was of slow attainment. The influence of inherited conceptions and of current philosophies inevitably showed itself in the efforts to construe to the intellect the immanent faith of Christians. In the second century the dominant neo-Stoic and neo-Platonic ideas deflected Christian thought into subordinationist channels, and produced what is known as the Logos-Christology, which looks upon the Son as a prolation of Deity reduced to such dimensions as comported with relations with a world of time and space; meanwhile, to a great extent, the Spirit was neglected altogether. A reaction which, under the name of Monarchianism, identified the Father, Son, and Spirit so completely that they were thought of only as different aspects or different moments in the life of the one Divine Person, called now Father, now Son, now Spirit, as His several activities came successively into view, almost succeeded in establishing itself in the third century as the doctrine of the church at large. In the conflict between these two opposite tendencies the church gradually found its way, under the guidance of the Baptismal Formula elaborated into a "Rule of Faith," to a better and more well-balanced conception, until a real doctrine of the Trinity at length came to expression, particularly in the West, through the brilliant dialectic of Tertullian. It was thus ready at hand, when, in the early years of the fourth century, the Logos-Christology, in opposition to dominant Sabellian tendencies, ran to seed in what is known as Arianism, to which the Son was a creature, though exalted above all other creatures as their Creator and Lord; and the church was thus prepared to assert its settled faith in a Triune God, one in being, but in whose unity there subsisted three consubstantial Persons. Under the leadership of Athanasius this doctrine was proclaimed as the faith of the church at the Council of Nice in 325 A.D., and by his strenuous labors and those of "the three great Cappadocians," the two Gregories and Basil, it gradually won its way to the actual acceptance of the entire church. It was at the hands of Augustine, however, a century later, that the doctrine thus become the church doctrine in fact as well as in theory, received its most complete elaboration and most carefully grounded statement. In the form which he gave it, and which is embodied in that "battle-hymn of the early church," the so-called Athanasian Creed, it has retained its place as the fit expression of the faith of the church as to the nature of its God until today. The language in which it is couched, even in this final declaration, still retains elements of speech which owe their origin to the modes of thought characteristic of the Logos Christology of the second century, fixed in the nomenclature of the church by the Nicene Creed of 325 A.D., though carefully guarded there against the subordinationism inherent in the Logos-Christology, and made the vehicle rather of the Nicene doctrines of the eternal generation of the Son and procession of the Spirit, with the consequent subordination of the Son and Spirit to the Father in modes of subsistence as well as of operation. In the Athanasian Creed, however, the principle of the equalization of the three Persons, which was already the dominant motive of the Nicene Creed - the homoousia - is so strongly emphasized as practically to push out of sight, if not quite out of existence, these remanent suggestions of derivation and subordination. It has been found necessary, nevertheless, from time to time, vigorously to reassert the principle of equalization, over against a tendency unduly to emphasize the elements of subordinationism which still hold a place thus in the traditional language in which the church states its doctrine of the Trinity. In particular, it fell to Calvin, in the interests of the true Deity of Christ - the constant motive of the whole body of Trinitarian thought - to reassert and make good the attribute of self-existence (autotheotos) for the Son. Thus Calvin takes his place, alongside of Tertullian, Athanasius and Augustine, as one of the chief contributors to the exact and vital statement of the Christian doctrine of the Triune God. Article "Trinity" from The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia, James Orr, General editor, v. v, pp. 3012-3022. Pub. Chicago, The Howard-Severance Co. 1915. Seguin, TX (78155) Today Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. Near record high temperatures. High 79F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight A few passing clouds. Low 66F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph. The Expedition 59 astronauts are moving full speed ahead today with continuous space biology research. Two cosmonauts are also pressing forward with plans to conduct the fourth spacewalk this year at the International Space Station. NASA Flight Engineers Anne McClain and Christina Koch joined fellow astronaut David Saint-Jacques of the Canadian Space Agency checking on mice throughout the day Tuesday. Scientists are monitoring the rodents' immune systems, which are similar to humans, for changes that take place due to microgravity. Saint-Jacques and NASA astronaut Nick Hague also explored how weightlessness affects different microbiological phenomena. Hague inoculated culture bags inside the Life Sciences Glovebox for research operations to understand why pathogens become more virulent in space. Saint-Jacques checked DNA samples for the Genes In Space-6 experiment that explores how space radiation damages DNA and how the cell repair mechanism works. Commander Oleg Kononenko and Flight Engineer Alexey Ovchinin are both collecting spacesuit parts and tools, as they get ready for a spacewalk planned for May 29. The duo will spend about six hours outside the station's Russian segment collecting experiments, cleaning windows and sampling module surfaces. This will be Kononenko's fifth spacewalk and Ovchinin's first. On-Orbit Status Report Wisconsin Crystal Growing Contest-Wisconsin Space Crystals (CASIS PCG-14): Today a jar sample assembly was performed on the Maintenance Work Area (MWA) during which the crew attached the solution and desiccant jars to a membrane interface. The desiccant draws solution vapors through a membrane, resulting in crystals forming at the membrane surface. Crystals are expected to form within about 14 days. The investigation has two goals: to explore closed-system crystallization of inorganic salts from aqueous solutions using evaporation facilitated by a desiccant, and to examine how well a previously optimized thermal-gradient inorganic salt crystallization procedure translates to other systems. Middle and high school students compete to grow the most perfect ground-based crystals, as judged by experts in crystallography, and those with the fewest imperfections fly their experiments aboard the ISS. Genes in Space-6: The crew performed Genes in Space 6 Freeze and Fly Run Part 1 and recorded a congratulatory message for the four student winners of the 2018 contest. Part 1 involved the crew setting up the miniPCR, preparing samples for the miniPCR, and running the miniPCR. Part 1 looks at ground-prepared DNA samples and the goal is to process and return some of the samples on SpX-17 and use some of the samples in Freeze and Fly Part 2 and Part 3. Genes in Space-6 determines the optimal DNA repair mechanisms that cells use in the spaceflight environment. The investigation evaluates the entire process in space for the first time by inducing DNA damage in cells and assessing mutation and repair at the molecular level using the miniPCR and the Biomolecule Sequencer tools aboard the ISS. Kakuda Imagery: The crew took multiple photos and a video of the Kakuda Space Rice Seed experiment which will return on SpX-17. The Kakuda Space Rice is a JAXA commercial mission designed to attract public attention for local commercial activities to promote the brand equity of the City of Kakuda, located in the Miyagi prefecture. A local farmer grows rice seeds that are, in turn, flown to the ISS aboard a cargo vehicle. The rice seeds are stored internally in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) on the ISS, and later returned to Earth. Characterizing the Effects of Spaceflight on the Candida albicans Adaptation Responses (Micro-14): Using the Microgravity Sciences Glovebox (MSG), the crew inoculated a new culture bag and preserved the previous, used culture bag. The Micro-14 life science research mission will investigate and evaluate the responses of the C. albicans, a type of yeast, to microgravity conditions and, in particular, to assess changes at the physiological, cellular, and molecular level and to characterize virulence factors. MSRR/MSL (Materials Science Research Rack/Microgravity Science Laboratory): The intent of the Monday's activities was to activate the facility and begin the chamber pump-down sequence. Unfortunately, a low pressure indication in the Argon tank was observed (this gas system is used to fill the chamber following the pump-down sequence). A crewmember was asked to check the configuration of valve HV-G1 and it was verified to be in the expected configuration. Ground teams are assessing a forward plan. The MSL is used for basic materials research in the microgravity environment of the ISS. The MSL can accommodate and support diverse experiment modules. Many material types, such as metals, alloys, polymers, semiconductors, ceramics, crystals, and glasses, can be studied to discover new applications for existing materials and new or improved materials. Mobile Servicing System (MSS) Operations: Yesterday afternoon, robotics teams in Japan removed the Cloud Aerosol Transport System (CATS) payload from Exposed Facility Unit (EFU) 8. CATS was then handed over from the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System (JEMRMS) to the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (SPDM). Houston robotics ground controllers then used the Space Station Remote Manipulator System (SSRMS) to maneuver and install CATS into the SpX-17 trunk for disposal. Completed Task List Activities: Mouse Habitat Unit gel insert P/TV SpX hardware deploy Lab, N1, N2 RFID photo audit Rocketman downlink message Dragon cargo transfer ops Ground Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. MSS/SPDM ops Look Ahead: Wednesday, 05/15 (GMT 135): Payloads: Rodent Research-12 sample gathering MicroAlgae Micro-14 Systems: RS EVA tether inspect Thursday, 05/16 (GMT 136): Payloads: Bioanalyzer FIR/LMM/ACE T-12 module config Circadian Rhythms Micro-14 HRF1/HRF2 maintenance ISS Experience Systems: RS EVA #46 tool gather Today's Planned Activities: All activities are complete unless otherwise noted. Material Science Research Rack Troubleshoot Atmosphere Revitalization System (ARS) Thermal Amine Scrubber (TAS) Heater Reset ISS Experience Hardware Stow JAXA Mouse Mission Item Gathering Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) Quarterly Inspection MICRO ALGAE Culture Bag Daily Deploy JAXA Mouse Mission Cage Maintenance Familiarization Acoustic Monitor Setup for Static Measurements FEP MELFI Retrieve 2 24-hour ECG Recording (start) ISS O2 Repress from Progress 440 [AO] Section 2 (start) Micro-14 Inoculation and Preservation-MSG Filling (separation) of [] for Elektron or - (flush water container) XF305 Camcorder Setup JAXA Mouse Mission Preparation for Maintenance JAXA Mouse Mission Cage Maintenance for Micro-G 24-hour Blood Pressure Recording (start) On MCC GO ISS O2 Repress from Progress 440 [AO] Section 2 (terminate) JAXA Mouse Mission Cage Maintenance for Micro-G Preparation of spacesuit replaceable elements, service and personal gear FEP MELFI Insert1 JAXA Mouse Mission Cage Maintenance for 1G Water Refill Kit Habitat H2O Fill Rodent Research Gather-1 JAXA Mosue Mission Cage Exchange Preparation JAXA Mouse Mission Cage Maintenance for 1G PCG-14 Maintenance Work Area Preparation Jar Sample Assembly JAXA Mouse Mission Maintenance Closeout Genes in Space MWA Preparation Genes in Space 6 MELFI Sample Retrieve Genes in Space 6 Freeze and Fly Run Part 1 LSG Work Volume Deploy Water Resource Management (WRM) Condensate Sample Init Private Psychological Conference (PPC) Locating EVA hardware and tools XF305 Camcorder Setup 1G Space Rice Commercial Video and Photo Taking Private Medical Conference (PMC) Genes in Space 6 Payload Message Record Total Organic Carbon Analyzer (TOCA) Sample Data Record Crew trashes obsolete HRF Force Shoes Hardware Rodent Research Habitat 3 & 4 Restock Rodent Research Operations Setup Formaldehyde Monitoring Kit (FMK) Deployment Operations Grab Sample Container (GSC) Sampling Operations Rodent Research Access Unit Clean Photobioreactor File Download Ultrasound 2 HRF Rack 1 Stow Alternate ISS Medical Accessories Kit (IMAK) Unpack from SpX-17 ISS Experience Solid State Drive Changeout Disconnection and Stowing of Kubik 6 Private Psychological Conference (PPC) Mass Measurement Device Hardware Setup Restore COL1D2 cargo after Kubik execution Disconnection and Stowing of Kubik 5 Genes in Space 6 MiniPCR Stop and Stow Water Resource Management (WRM) Condensate Sample Terminate Food Acceptability Questionnaire Genes in Space MELFI Insert MICRO ALGAE Culture Bag Daily Stow TIMER. Battery Charge Please follow SpaceRef on Twitter and Like us on Facebook. For over 150 years, people have been coming to Dresden and on Sunday, May 26, racing will return to the southwestern Ontario half-mile track. As part of Opening Day festivities, Dresden Raceway will offer free t-shirts to the first 100 patrons through the turnstiles, and will also feature a match race between MPP Monte McNaughton and Mayor Darrin Canniff. Opening Day is always a big day at Dresden Raceway with fans excited to be back for another year, said track announcer Gary Patterson. The 11-day meet, which ends on Civic Holiday Monday (Aug. 5), will feature action-packed racing, as well as many contests for fans that will include prizes from Tim Hortons of Dresden, McDonalds and Harveys of Wallaceburg, the Dresden Subway, Shoppers Drug Mart in Wallaceburg, as well as The Track Kitchen and Marios Pizza Plus in Dresden. Its such an exciting time of year. The grandstand is in great shape with a new roof, and the horsemen are stoked get back to the Sunday afternoon tradition. Patterson added. We have a great drivers' colony that come to Dresden every year with guys like Tyler Borth, Garret Rooney and Nick Steward, as well as some veterans like Mark Williams and Donnie Rankin, Patterson continued. Gateway Casinos slots are still in operation as they have not moved to Chatham, which means that patrons will have more ways to win at Dresden Raceway. Post time is set for 1:30 p.m. (Dresden Raceway) MONTREAL - In many ways, the garage sale that took place at the Sisters of Ste-Anne's mother house was no different than any of the dozens of others that took place in the Montreal area over the long weekend, although few of the others are quite as steeped in history. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/5/2019 (952 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A member of the Sisters of Sainte-Anne adjusts some items during a sale at a convent in Montreal, Sunday, May 19, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes MONTREAL - In many ways, the garage sale that took place at the Sisters of Ste-Anne's mother house was no different than any of the dozens of others that took place in the Montreal area over the long weekend, although few of the others are quite as steeped in history. On Saturday and Sunday, browsers and bargain hunters rummaged through tables full of books, furniture, plants, electronics and artwork both religious and secular the kind of everyday objects that accumulate over 110 years of life in a religious institution. And that life is quickly drawing to a close. Sister Celine Dupuis said the mother house in the Lachine borough has hundreds of rooms and is far too big for the remaining members of the religious organization, whose average age is 87. "There were 315 sisters living here at one time. Now it's 180," she said. And Dupuis, who at 76 is among the youngest, says the place has become too much to manage. Now, they're preparing to vacate the sprawling greystone building for a smaller home to be built on the grounds nearby. Dupuis said many of the objects accumulated over the years predate even the mother house. "The congregation exists since 1850, so it's a real collection," she said. On Sunday, it was difficult to move among the crush of people that lined the convent's halls to inspect the desks, art and different items stacked in every corner. Some 5,000 people visited the sale on Saturday, with some waiting up to an hour to enter, a spokeswoman working with the convent said. Dupuis said even the ordinary objects for sale, such as suitcases, contain memories. At one time, every sister was given a large suitcase, which contained all her worldly possessions during frequent deployments on religious missions all over the world. "I used to say that we are like soldiers, we can be (sent) anywhere," she recalled. But Dupuis said she was pleasantly surprised to see the most popular items were religious statues and crucifixes, which quickly sold out. At a time when the Quebec government is introducing a bill to ban the wearing of religious symbols for many public servants, she admitted she hadn't been sure there was still interest in religious objects. "With the secularism bill and all that, we think everyone wants to remove all religious signs, but no," she said. "There are many people who care about that, who want that." The sisters will spend two more years in the mother house before becoming renters in the new house. They have decided to sell the massive building to a community organization, which will transform it into affordable and social housing. Much of the sprawling grounds will become a park administered by the city. Dupuis wouldn't disclose the agreed-upon sale price, but said the sisters agreed to sell below market value to ensure the building serves the community. She said some of the more valuable objects, including a beautiful collection of antique wooden furniture, will be sold at auction in June, while other valuable items have been donated to other churches or museums. Other sales will be held closer to the moving date, she said. Despite all the years and memories, Dupuis said she wasn't sad about the sale or the impending move. "It's not (sad) for me, because it's sharing, and it's a way of continuing our mission in some other way," she said. While many shoppers at the sale came looking for knickknacks, Robert Blondin came looking for a piece of his family history. Blondin, 79, said his great-grandfather was the brother of Esther Blondin, the congregation's founder, making him her closest living descendant. He said his ancestor founded the Sisters of Ste-Anne in 1850 because she was upset with the lack of educational opportunities for young Quebecers, especially girls. He said Blondin, who he describes as a "feminist before her time," had to fight to open the institution, which would eventually expand to include a number of schools, convents and missions both in Canada and abroad. "It makes me feel funny to feel they're closing this place," he said. OTTAWA - The federal team charged with finding a replacement for the government's troubled Phoenix pay system will present the Liberals with options within weeks that are expected to include "multiple pilot projects," government officials say. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/5/2019 (953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Members of the Public Service Alliance of Canada affected by the Phoenix Pay System rally on Laurier Avenue, during a protest on the three year anniversary of the launch of the pay system, in Ottawa on Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019. The federal team charged with finding a replacement for the government's troubled Phoenix pay system will present the Liberals with options within weeks that are expected to include "multiple pilot projects," government officials say. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang OTTAWA - The federal team charged with finding a replacement for the government's troubled Phoenix pay system will present the Liberals with options within weeks that are expected to include "multiple pilot projects," government officials say. The plan could pit at least two of the three potential bidders on the projects against each other in a competition to see which system works better, either independently or in tandem with one another. "In the coming weeks, the next-generation team will present options to the government for next steps, which will likely include multiple pilot projects to test possible solutions beginning later this year," Treasury Board spokesman Farees Nathoo told The Canadian Press in an email. The proposal is laying bare divisions among the unions representing the roughly 300,000 federal employees who have been living under the Phoenix pay cloud for more than three years. One of those unions, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, says the move is wrongheaded and could result in another bungled pay system. Testing separate pay systems through individual government departments, or in groups of departments, could produce problems for federal employees similar to those being experienced under the current, flawed system, warns PSAC national president Chris Aylward. "That is very concerning because they have no clue about the way forward," Aylward said. When issues began to surface shortly after the IBM-built Phoenix pay system was launched in 2016, the government initially, in part, blamed the problems on segregated, antiquated departmental human resources systems that were incapable of properly communicating with each other and the Phoenix system, he noted. "It concerns me if they say, 'We don't know how many providers we are going to use, we may have to use more than one,'" said Aylward. "It sounds like we're starting Phoenix all over again.... They need a system that works. One pay system that works for all 300,000 employees that currently get paid out of Phoenix." The Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, which represents about 60,000 of those employees and has been working closely with the government to find a new pay solution, doesn't share PSAC's concerns. "I think that, so long as those are compatible systems and they are connected through some sort of internal cloud, then there shouldn't be a problem between systems," said union president Debi Daviau. "But at this point we're just trying to determine what is going to be the best system." Daviau suggested a pilot project at the Canada Revenue Agency, for example, could see about 50,000 people properly paid within a year, as opposed to implementing an entirely new software product, which could take several years. PSAC, which represents the vast majority of federal workers, recently rejected an agreement supported by 13 other unions that will see federal employees who've been impacted by the failures of Phoenix provided an extra five days of paid leave over four years. It has also walked away from contract talks with Treasury Board affecting more than 100,000 workers, turning down proposed pay increases amounting to 1.5 per cent annually. The government last week invited "qualified respondents" to submit proposals to enter a third stage for developing a new HR and payroll system to replace Phoenix, after narrowing the field of potential bidders to three companies: Ceridian, SAP and Workday. Bob Conlin, the public services lead in Canada for Germany-based SAP, suggested the government should tread carefully if it ultimately decides to contract more than one system provider and test their programs in different departments. SAP already provides human resources systems for the Canada Revenue Agency and the Customs and Border Services Agency. Those departments would benefit more from combining HR and payroll services under an existing service provider, said Conlin. "If they were to extend (HR) with payroll, it would not be a Herculean leap for them," he said in an interview. "They would benefit in a big way from the opportunity to upgrade to modern technology." But Conlin cautioned that CRA, CBSA and the Department of National Defence, in particular, must be treated carefully. "Those are some of the clients that absolutely have to get done right," he said. "They are also some of the more complex civil service pay environments." On Thursday, the Parliamentary Budget Office told the House of Commons the government could expect to pay about $57 million dollars to buy, test and implement a new pay system. The price tag did not include annual operating costs estimated to reach almost $106 million. The PBO also estimated it will cost taxpayers $2.6 billion to stabilize the existing pay system until a new one is fully adopted. The former Conservative government had estimated Phoenix would save $70 million annually. A Dutch investment fund with shares in toll roads across the country is set to take a stake in the Ringsend incinerator in Dublin. The move was approved by European competition authorities earlier this month. An Irishman who was instrumental in bringing Hollywood actor George Clooney to Ireland for the first time claims his business has been the target of hackers since the actors visit. Andy Ring, who met with the 58-year-old actor at the five-star hotel, Ballyfin House in Co Laois over Easter, along with the actors Irish relatives, explained that the Facebook page of his business, Irish Heritage Towns has been and its proving impossible to contact the social media giant. When pictures of African elephants and exotic snakes started to appear on the Facebook page about Irish Heritage Towns, he realised he'd been hacked. He claims his business is suffering as a result of inaction by the company. The planned Clooney family get together was organised by Georges parents. His wife, human rights lawyer Amal, and two-year-old twins Alexander and Ella accompanied him. Mr Ring said: Im completely frustrated. The Facebook page which has 53,000 likes continues to remain hacked. It was immediately hacked after I posted photographs of George Clooney with his Irish relatives and myself. The tourism industry is so big and competitive that I needed to set-up this Facebook. So far, analysis of the Facebook page, shows it has 75% reach into the United States and this hacking episode is really, really affecting my business and destroying it. I just cannot contact Facebook despite numerous efforts to do so. Ive no control over whats happening. There are posts going up there of elephants and snakes that have nothing to do with my business. My business is about promoting Ireland not about animals and Africa. I honestly believe that a company should not be allowed to trade if you cannot contact them. Ive tried for the past several weeks to reach them and all I get are standard answers to questions. But my problem doesnt relate to any of their answers despite numerous emails etc. I dont think those hacking me are making money out of it. Im adamant that the hacking only took place after I met with George and I just dont understand why they wont come back to me. Im thinking about actually writing to Facebook in a bid to make some sort of contact which is unreal really as they are in the fast-moving social media industry. Actor George Clooney Mr Ring even went on RTE's Liveline hosted by Joe Duffy to vent his anger at the hackers and Facebook management. In 2005 an American genealogist discovered George Clooneys Irish roots in Windgap, Co Kilkenny and Abbeyleix, Co Laois resulting in his parents visiting 12 years ago. The Clooneys have Irish heritage on both sides of the family, though most significantly on the paternal side. His fathers great-great-grandfather Nicholas Clooney, emigrated to the US from Co Kilkenny. George's relative, Sarah Clooney, who was born in Abbeyleix and died a few years ago, worked in a factory also in the town, which made carpets for the Titanic. Efforts to contact Facebook independently have been made. A comment is still being awaited. The National Lottery is appealing to its Lotto players in Co Louth to check their tickets this morning after last night's Jackpot of 6.1m was won with the winning ticket bought in the Wee County. This valuable Lotto ticket was sold at Tesco Extra on Donore Road, Drogheda. It is the fourth time this year that the Lotto jackpot has been won and the second of those the winning ticket has been bought in Co Louth. Co Louth may be Irelands smallest county but when it comes to Lotto wins it is really punching above its weight," a National Lottery spokesperson said. "So far this year, half of our Lotto jackpot wins have come from the Wee County. Louth has always done well when it comes to Lotto wins. A recent review conducted by the National Lottery shows Louth is the luckiest county. The Luckiest Counties Survey, conducted by the National Lottery showed that Louth has had 78 lucky Lotto jackpot winners who have won in excess of 97 million between them. We are calling on all our Lotto players in Louth, particularly those who play in Drogheda to carefully check their tickets to see if they have won this life-changing prize," the spokesperson emphasised. A poll has shown that 70% of the Irish public is in favour of a ban on unvaccinated children attending school. But half of those polled also support parents being permitted to refuse vaccinations for their children if they have concerns about safety. A recovery operation of an Irish father-of-one who fell from the worlds highest mountain may not go ahead due to safety concerns, a leading adventurer and mountaineer believes. Twice Mount Everest summiteer Pat Falvey, who scaled the Himalayan mountain on two occasions, said it remains unclear how Seamus Shay' Lawless, from Bray, Co Wicklow fell some 500 metres as he was descending from the 8,848 metres summit. Mr Falvey said that over the next few days more information surrounding what exactly happened to Mr Lawless will be answered but that a lot of questions currently remain. The Cork native, was the first person in the world to complete the Seven Summits twice by climbing Mount Everest from its north and south sides. The search operation has now been confirmed by the Seven Summits Treks company and by Mr Falvey as a recovery operation. If any type of search, rescue and recovery operation is planned it will not go ahead if it is too dangerous to do so. Paying to put the lives at risk such as the sherpas should not happen if weather conditions are not conducive to do so. Sherpas, who are absolute experts in their field and go out of their way to recover injured and fatally wounded climbers despite the extraordinary dangers, would do so without being paid. A lot of questions need to be asked as to how Mr Lawless fell. From what Im being told from the experts in Nepal is that he was only missed when Mr (Noel, group leader) Hanna went looking for him after they had descended down from summit to the nearest camp. Climbing was treacherous as there is little sun on that side of the mountain. It would be a massive task to bring him down from the balcony area where he was last seen. Normally, a climber has fixed ropes attached to them and is accompanied by a sherpa in a type of one-on-one situation. The fundraising campaign launched to help to locate Mr Lawless is to be commended. Unfortunately, no insurance company would sponsor you in the event of having a fatal injury. It is an unwritten rule in mountaineering and especially in dangerous areas, that remains are often left there as a sign of respect to the person, the sherpas and the mountain. It could take weeks for fresh sherpas to carry out a recovery operation. There are still 700 people waiting to summit Everest but weather conditions for the past week have been horrendous and it is only now that they are starting to slowly improve. The winds alone would zap your energy. So much is stacked against you. It could be weeks before any type of a recovery operation could take place. Meanwhile, Tanaiste and Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney speaking on RTEs This Week radio programme said that he had spoken several times to Mr Lawlesss wife Pamela and committed to providing as much help as his department can. She (Pamela) is a remarkable woman and we will continue to help her, he said. Mr Hanna has experienced another tragedy in his climbing career. In 2011, he was part of a team involved in another Everest summit attempt, where another Irishman and father-of-two John Delaney, 41, from Kilcock, Co Kildare died 50 metres from the Everest summit. His body remains on the mountain. Earlier: Search for Seamus Lawless suspended until late next week as his parents attend Vigil in Trinity The parents of the Irish man who has been missing on the worlds highest mountain attended a vigil for him organised and held at Trinity College. Seamus Lawless, a father-of-one from Bray, Co Wicklow was fulfilling a life-long dream of reaching the summit of Mount Everest, which stands at 8,848m, before he reached his 40th birthday in July this year. The assistant professor in artificial intelligence at Trinity Colleges School of Computer Science and Statistics had successfully reached the summit on Thursday along with several others in his group of eight led by Co Down adventurer Noel Hanna - just hours before falling up to 500 metres. Mr Lawless parents were accompanied by several other family members, relatives, friends and work colleagues. Trinity College Long Hall Room director Jane Ohlmeyer welcomed her work colleagues parents and siblings to the vigil by saying she wanted everyone to know that they are with the missing man in spirit. Thank you to everyone who came to the candlelight vigil for @seamuslawless last night arranged by @TLRHub, and to those who could not be there but shared their support and hope online. #ShareALightWithShay pic.twitter.com/lrKOwncYz0 Trinity College Dublin (@tcddublin) May 19, 2019 They sang a number of songs at the outdoor vigil including Raglan Road and the Auld Triangle. Mingma Sherpa, the chairman of Seven Summit Treks in Nepal, which is leading the recovery operation said they hope to resume searching on Thursday or Friday when weather improves. - Additional reporting Digital Desk The son of murdered French woman Sophie Toscan Du Plantier has urged locals in West Cork to travel to Paris to testify at the trial of English journalist Ian Bailey. Speaking in Goleen, in West Cork, Pierre-Louis Baudey Vignaud said that it was imperative that the relevant parties travel to France for the four-day trial which gets underway on May 27. "I want to make an appeal to all the people here - anyone who has received requests from the magistrates in France, come and tell (your story). We must be all together against violence." Mr Baudey Vignaud travelled to Goleen with his uncle Betrand in order to attend a mass in memory of his mother. He told mass goers that his idyllic childhood had been blighted by the violent killing of his mother in West Cork in 1996. He stressed that Sophie was a real flesh and blood person whose life ended in a horrifying manner. He spoke of his pride at her 'resilience' in her final moments. "My mother, Sophie is not a ghost, she is the victim of human cruelty and violence which has no place here. Sophie fought like a lioness against the most atrocious violence there is. "I still come back here every year because it is the only way for me to defy this violence and to destroy it." Pierre Louis stated that his life became a 'prison" overnight after his mother's death and that it was impossible for him to come to terms with what had happened to her. "I have been coming to Ireland for 30 years. I was eight years old the first time I came here and I was 15 years old when my mother was brutally killed. I cant bear the thought of her blood seeping into your soil." He told mass goers that he was drawn to the poetic and romantic image of Ireland, "the real reasons that attracted her (Sophie) here to West Cork." He claimed that the killing of his mother was not in keeping with the soul of Ireland. "This is a trial of a crime that does not fit with what Ireland is like and does not fit with what you, Irish people, are. This is a trial of a crime that no one, especially myself but also you, would have wanted to know about. This is a trial of a crime that you and I did not deserve, whether it takes place here or in France." He stated that his mother felt at ease in Ireland. "It is the trial of a crime that bears the mark of a country in which a woman, my mother, had such confidence that she opened her door to the person who murdered her. She would not have done this in Paris. She opened her door here in Ireland because she was so confident that nothing bad would happen to her. And that confidence was the reason why she chose to come to this county." He said that Sophie travelled to Ireland for "peace of mind, serenity and trust" and never would have thought that she was at risk in her "haven of peace." Pierre Louis Baudey-Vignaud the son of murdered Frenchwoman Sophie Toscan du Plantier in Goleen, West Cork, for the mass for his mother at the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea and St Patrick. Picture Dan Linehan The church heard that the murder of the French film producer was the "darkest page" in the history of Sophie's family and a sad page in Irish history. Pierre Louis said that he decided to keep his mother's home in Toormore near Schull because he preferred to "believe in the trust that my mother had when she opened her door. " "I could have given up my mothers dream of peace of mind. I could have abandoned this country, this house, her house, mine and your house. I could have chosen not to bring my children here, I could have believed in curses and in a kind of predestination. I could have been afraid but here I am standing before you. "I preferred to desire her Ireland, your Irish way of life that tranquility that she could not find either in Paris or in the glitter that so many others imagined." Massgoers at the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea and St Patrick were told that this land must end a crime which is "neither a mystery nor a legend." Pierre Louise attended the mass with his uncle Bertrand. The family have travelled to West Cork on numerous occasions over the years. Meanwhile, Mr Bailey who is due to be tried in Paris for the murder of Sophie Toscan Du Plantier has said he expects to be found guilty of the offence. In an interview with Virgin Media News earlier this year Bailey, who vehemently denies any involvement in the murder of the 39-year-old in says he has no plans to travel for France "I am greatly, greatly imperilled here. I know I had that I nothing to do with this and I am going to finish up a convicted murderer. I am actually an innocent man. What will happen in France is that they will probably celebrate the fact that I have been convicted. All they'll have succeeded in doing is convicting an innocent man. "I am looking at a date in May when the tectonic plates in my life are going to shift hugely. And I don't know how I am going to handle it." Mr Bailey (62), who lives in Schull Co Cork, says that he is heading into a very difficult period in his life. "I am facing in to a very grim dark period of my life. And yet at the same time I know there are people here in Ireland and in Bantry who know that I have nothing to do with this. Short of a miracle or an intervention some new information coming out, it would appear inevitable that at a point later this I will become a convicted murderer in France. His solicitor Frank Buttimer previously said the criminal trial is just a "show piece trial" to satisfy certain interests in France. Mr Bailey has fought two attempts by the authorities in France to extradite him to the country. Mrs Toscan Du Plantier was murdered at her holiday home at Toormore near Schull in west Cork in the early hours of December 23, 1996. Her battered body was found in a laneway near her cottage. A master tradesman who only finished thatching a 200-year-old pub in Co. Louth before the roof was set on fire for the second time in just three months said he was 'sick' on learning about the arson attack. The former historic pub in Drogheda had only been restored after a five-year local campaign when arsonists first hit in February. Experienced thatcher Peter Childs had only finished re-thatching it again last Friday when fire-starters hit last Sunday. The attacks on the much-loved landmarks have left locals reeling. Mr Childs, who was in the UK visiting friends when he heard of the fire, said he "was a bit aggrieved really". He said: "To be perfectly honest, I was totally disgusted. The owners put so much into that place to get it back to its former glory and it's just getting dragged back down by local thugs, arsonists, whatever. "It's not good for the area, it's not good for Drogheda. The thatched places are part of Irish heritage. You have to ask yourself who's doing it and why are they doing it? "It's ridiculous to be honest with you and now I have to go back and thatch it again and what's to say it won't be set alight again after that." Mr Childs said he had intended on his return from the UK to arrange getting a fire retardant to put on the thatch Peter Childs "It's another three weeks work and it's not an easy job. It breaks my heart to see it happen again. I've no words to describe it. I'm sick." The thatcher who works all over the country said he has never witnessed any other arson attack on a thatched property other than in Drogheda "Most fires on thatched roofs are caused by old electrical wires, new or uncleaned chimneys. I haven't heard of any set alight like they have here. "People think it's more money for me now to do this job yet again but I've other customers to look out for. I'm booked up until the middle of next year so I don't want to have to come back to the same job over and over and over again because some idiot is burning it. "But I think the people of Drogheda will win this one. They'll be looking out to protect it now," he concluded. Gardai confirmed that they are investigating the incident which occurred last Sunday night. Irish showjumper Darragh Kenny has claimed a place on the podium at todays 200,000 five-star Longines Grand Prix at La Baule in France. A flawless performance saw the Offaly rider finishing third after a thrilling jump-off behind the current world champions and the worlds top-ranked rider. Eight of the 45 starters made it through to the second-round jump-off, with Kenny partnering the Kerry Anne LLC-owned gelding Important De Muze to the fastest of the first round clears, to give him the best position of last to go against the clock. The Irishman once again kept all the fences standing in the decider and crossed the line in 43.90 seconds to finish just over half a second behind the winner. Victory went to the current World Champion pairing of Germanys Simone Blum and DSP Alice after they stopped the clock in 43.33 when second last to go. They pushed the current World number 1, Switzerlands Steve Guerdat, into second with Albfuehrens Bianca after they clocked up a time of 43.82 seconds. Louths Mark McAuley (Vivaldi Du Theil) and Corks Shane Sweetnam (Alejandro) were among the group of riders who missed out on the jump-off after finishing with four faults. Cian OConnor finished with five faults with his relatively new mount PSG Final who is just a nine-year-old. Kenny, OConnor, Sweetnam and Paul OShea were part of the Irish team who finished fourth in the Longines FEI Nations Cup at La Baule on Friday. Tens of thousands of demonstrators opposed to right-wing populism and nationalism took to the streets in different European cities today, ahead of the European Parliament elections. Marches in Germany were held under the banner of One Europe For Everyone: Your Voice Against Nationalism in cities including Berlin, Cologne, Leipzig, Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg. A former senior Facebook executive has called on governments and technology platforms to scrutinise the impact of social media on elections and opinions can be swayed after a surprise Coalition win in the weekend's federal election. Facebook Australia and New Zealands former managing director Stephen Scheeler has warned the rapid change of online communication has changed the way people form opinions, including about politics, in ways that have real-world consequences. Former managing director of Facebook Australia and New Zealand Stephen Scheeler. "I think to me the bigger issue is we have entered an era where technology in good and not so good ways is impacting how humans do lots of different things and one is how they form opinions," Mr Scheeler said. "The evolution of technology over the past 150 years television, radio, newspapers has surely changed how people form opinions and how communities form opinions. However, we had time over decades as those technologies evolved to absorb and react to those evolutions. Labor's ambitions to ramp up electric vehicles may be in tatters but some small Australian startups are amongst world leaders in the sector. Brisbane-based Tritium manufactures the fastest electrical vehicle charging stations in the world with 95 per cent of its production exported. Dr Michael Hajesch, chief executive of IONITY and Dr David Finn, chief executive and co-founder of Tritium with a charging station in Germany. "This is a critical piece of infrastructure that allows electric vehicles to make sense," co-founder and chief executive David Finn says. Mr Finn started Tritium in 2001 with his former university class mates Paul Sernia and James Kennedy after they met as part of a university solar car racing team. Not all gig economy workers want to give up their flexibility to become "employees" entitled to benefits under the Fair Work Act including superannuation. Employment law experts and a Victorian government inquiry are looking for new ways to regulate workers who do not neatly fit into legal definitions for employees or contract workers. Deliveroo riders Dennis Peperkamp and his wife Nathalie enjoy the flexibility of being independent contract workers. Credit:Joe Armao Deloitte partner specialising in workplace relations, Natalie James, a former Fair Work ombudsman, said "there is a real question about whether the old binary approach re employer versus independent contractor is still serving us well". Ms James, who is chair of the Victorian government's inquiry into the on-demand workforce said she will be "seeking to avoid cookie cutter approaches" and simple solutions to what is a complex area. Its hard to know who would have had the worse headache come Sunday - understandably depressed Labor staffers over at Trades Halls post-election dirge or the jubilant Liberal officials scattered across Melbournes eastern suburbs, some of whom were spotted holding up the bar at Hawthorn watering hole Beer Deluxe until 3am. While Liberal faithful gathered at Sydneys Sofitel for Scott Morrison, the Victorian team kept to their branches as they prepared for what they expected would be a long, nervous evening. The door list swelled as spirits lifted at Josh Frydenbergs post-election bash at Kooyongs Grace Park Tennis Club, which began as a closely-guarded affair after a tough day on the polling booths, before better than expected early results and free-flowing beer sent the mood north. Revellers included former Victorian premier Ted Baillieu, Liberal powerbroker Michael Kroger and Infrastructure Australia chairman Mark Birrell. Richwood, TX (77531) Today Considerable cloudiness. Near record high temperatures. High around 80F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph.. Tonight Cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low around 70F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Its hard to know who would have had the worse headache on Sunday: the shattered Labor staffers at Anthony Albaneses Petersham Bowling Club knees-up or the jubilant Liberal officials at the Sofitel Wentworth, some of whom ended up at Frankies Pizza at 3am. Meanwhile, the wait for Prime Minister Scott Morrisons arrival at the Coalitions official election event gave this column time to track down the host of the top-secret $13,500 a-head Liberal fundraiser two weeks ago. Scott Morrison and Bill Shorten. Credit:Shakespeare The exclusive dinner, held after a Justin Hemmes-hosted cocktail party, was at the home of Blue Quay Investment Management boss (and long-time Deutsche banker) Patrick Holt. He was spotted in the Sofitel Wentworths VIP room along with former ABC chairman Donald McDonald, steel magnate Sanjeev Gupta and designer Carla Zampatti. The Coalition win in the weekend's election has raised industry concerns that the Scott Morrison government will return to its 'big stick' legislative agenda to rein in power prices. Electricity companies on Sunday called for energy policy stability and warned ongoing threats to the sector may dissuade the investment in new generation that is needed to lower power prices. Prior to the election the Morrison government had controversially proposed interventionist new rules giving it the ability to break-up power companies found to be behaving poorly in the market. The government craft its so-called 'big stick' policies in an attempt to reduce historically high power prices after dumping its combined energy and climate change policy, the National Energy Guarantee (NEG). Although it did not attempt to push the forced divestment legislation through parliament. Scott Morrison's stunning election victory was a product of his ability to tap into the aspirations of middle Australia, to straddle the divide between metropolitan and regional areas and to navigate the competing interests of mining and non-mining states, Liberal analysts say. They also believe Mr Morrison was the superior salesman with a simpler line of attack, while Labor's Bill Shorten was hampered by a blizzard of policies that tended to obscure one another and rhetoric that veered towards class warfare. Scott Morrison was the superior salesman with a simpler line of attack, Liberal analysts say. Credit:James Alcock Veteran Liberal strategist Grahame Morris, one-time chief of staff to former prime minister John Howard, said any suggestion that policy had won the election was "loony tunes". "The [ambitious] Labor program gave the Coalition something strong to run on every day: 'the Bill you can't afford'," he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. With climate change action poised to be a potential thorn in the side of a Scott Morrison government, Queensland has elected a mining executive and a coal supporter from the top of the LNPs Senate ticket. Final results are not expected to be known for several weeks, but at this stage Labor's Nita Green has locked in her seat and the Greens' Larissa Waters looks likely to make her return. Malcolm Roberts and Larissa Waters, who were embroiled in the citizenship saga are set to win their seats. Clive Palmer has been edged out. Credit:AAP/Nine With almost 45 per cent of the vote counted on Sunday night, One Nation's Malcolm Roberts and Labor's Chris Ketter were in the race to round out the final two spots in Queensland's Senate representation. But Clive Palmers tens of millions of dollars' worth of advertising saturation and Fraser Annings right-wing rhetoric failed to translate into Senate seats. Federal Labor's campaign message was too complex and needed to focus on jobs, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says. "I think there has been a very clear message that has been delivered to Labor and that is we have to focus on what is important to Australians and what is important to Queenslanders," she said. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (right) and Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad speaking to reporters at the Greek Paniyiri Festival in Brisbane on Sunday. Credit:AAP/Glenn Hunt. The Premier rejected claims her government's handling of Adani's Carmichael coal mine hurt the party's election results, along with suggestions it was delaying the project. "At the end of the day (federal) Labor had a very complex message and I think it needed to be a very simple message," she said. Bill Shorten began the election campaign in full confidence that his crusade on fairness would win over Australian voters, only to be blindsided by the appeal of a more conservative message. The brutal rebuff forces Labor to consider whether it misread the electorate or bungled its campaign by trying to redistribute wealth with a progressive policy agenda. Monash University professor Andrew Markus said Australians usually nominated jobs, the economy and financial security as their top concerns and may have recoiled from Labor's sweeping plans for tax revenue increases. "If there's a danger that your agenda challenges those economic factors, you're on pretty rocky ground," Professor Markus said. Three of the last four Australian elections have been 50:50 propositions. In 2010, Labor got 50.12 per cent of the national two-party preferred vote and fell short of an outright majority. In 2016, the Coalition won 50.36 per cent and retained government by a single seat. The 2019 result will be similar on the latest figures the Coalition is set to get a little over 51 per cent on a two-party preferred basis. Scott Morrison claims victory in Saturday's election. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Complex political cross-currents have made it difficult for either major party to carve out a decisive lead and long-held electoral norms are shifting. There were swings against the Liberals in a clutch of inner-urban seats once considered blue ribbon, but they did well in outer-metropolitan electorates. Tanya Plibersek will officially launch her bid for Labor leadership on Monday, after factional colleague Anthony Albanese moved to seize the momentum just hours after Bill Shorten's shock election loss. As Labor MPs digest the factors behind Saturday's defeat, Mr Albanese announced his candidacy at lunchtime on Sunday. The former Rudd and Gillard minister told reporters in Sydney: "I believe I am the best person to lead Labor". Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek will both contest the Labor leadership. Credit:Edwina Pickles, Dominic Lorrimer "We need to make sure we articulate not just how we share wealth but how we create wealth." It is understood Ms Plibersek made up her mind to run on Sunday after receiving support from colleagues, senior party figures and Labor members. Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen has also indicated he will throw his hat into the ring. The nation's pollsters are facing calls for greater transparency and an overhaul of their number-crunching after spectacularly missing the result of the federal election. None of the major national pollsters accurately forecast the result, with all putting Labor in a winning position. Combined, Newspoll, Ipsos, Essential and Morgan had Labor 51.7 to 48.3 in front on a two-party preferred basis. The pollsters' biggest misses were the Coalition's primary vote, which all underestimated by about 3 points, and the 2.9 per cent swing to the Liberal National Party of Queensland. Its commanding 57-43 per cent result compared to pollsters' predictions of 51-49. Internal political party polling had pointed to the LNP doing well in Queensland but none had foreseen Labor's primary support dropping to just 27.4 per cent. Military leaders call it "strategic depth" - a fancy term for having lots of territory as a buffer to protect you. Queensland might now be considered the federal Coalitions buffering territory. Previously narrow margins have been widened. The 23-6 seat advantage the Liberal National Party enjoys over Labor verges on the ridiculous. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, pictured with Capricornia MP Michelle Landry, had a wildly successful result in Queensland. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer Labor might point to Scott Morrison's negative campaign and its own failure to explain the benefits of its policies to voters on modest incomes. South Africa: Parliament stands ready to welcome new MPs Incoming members of the National Assembly and delegates of the National Council of Provinces are expected to start arriving at Parliament from Monday. The arrival of the members comes ahead of their swearing in as legislators on Wednesday and Thursday. The designated public representatives will also undergo a registration and on-boarding process. This follows Parliament receiving the lists of designated members of the National Assembly from Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng on 15 May. The 400 designated National Assembly members are expected to register from Monday, 20 May. A rehearsal on the proceedings of the first sitting of the National Assembly is scheduled for designated members. Further to that, members will be briefed on inauguration arrangements and related activities, said Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo. On Wednesday morning, the swearing-in takes place at the National Assembly Chamber and will be presided over by the Chief Justice. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker will also be elected in the morning session. The election of the President of the Republic will take place in the afternoon. Permanent delegates of the National Council of Provinces are expected to register on the morning of 21 May. They will also go through a simulation briefing on proceedings of the first sitting of the National Council of Provinces Chamber on Wednesday, 22 May. On Thursday, 23 May, designated members of the National Council of Provinces will be sworn-in by the Chief Justice. The Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, Chief Whip and House Chairpersons will also be elected at this sitting. Returning designated members will be accommodated in the same houses at parliamentary villages where they previously stayed. An on-boarding orientation programme is also scheduled to take place, and it will cover a range of issues related to MPs constitutional responsibilities. Parliament has ensured that all systems are in place for the establishment of the 6th Democratic Parliament, said Mothapo. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) is prepared to engage in a "frank and factual" conversation about capital punishment with members of the 18th Congress, the agency's chair said Sunday. In a statement, Commissioner Karen Gomez-Dumpit said the CHR is ready to "present the ineffectiveness of the death penalty and offer viable programs" to deter criminality, including improved police visibility and community vigilance. "The Commission does not want crime to go unpunished. However, the apprehension, prosecution, conviction and punishment of those who have committed wrong doings must be in accordance with human rights standards and principles," Dumpit said. The 17th Congress will adjourn in less than three weeks. Senate President Vicente Tito Sotto III earlier said there is a stronger possibility of restoring capital punishment in the Senate, as allies of the President Rodrigo Duterte--who has pushed for the revival of the death penalty--have dominated the partial, official tally of votes. Of the 12 probable senatorial race winners, 10 are in favor of the return of death penalty. In the new Senate, theres a possibility of 13 [votes for death penalty] for high-level drug trafficking alone, Sotto said, noting that death penalty for other heinous crimes may not flourish. READ: Sotto sees opening for death penalty revival in next Senate In 2017, the House of Representatives passed a bill restoring death penalty, but a counterpart measures was stalled in the Senate. Death penalty was abolished under the 1986 Constitution, but the Charter gave Congress the power to reinstate it for heinous crimes. Capital punishment returned under the administration of President Fidel Ramos, but was abolished again under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The Philippines is also a signatory to the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which commits countries to abolish death penalty. "We also have to ensure that our legal obligations as a state party to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the Second Optional Protocol aiming at the Abolition of the Death Penalty are respected and fulfilled. As a state party to these human rights treaties, we have perpetually committed not to impose nor reintroduce capital punishment," Dumpit said. This was, and is, a debacle. Why? In the post-mortems that Labor will conduct into this catastrophe two questions will be paramount. First, how was it possible the party saddled itself with a leader who, by any reasonable measure, was one of the least popular and most distrusted politicians in the entire country? Second, why did the party roll out a set of complex tax reforms that went far beyond what was required to rebut criticism of Labor profligacy in funding a reasonable suite of social programs? Loading This latter was a big target strategy writ larger by Labor policymakers who had convinced themselves that the best way to beat a policy-free do-nothing-except-fight-among-themselves Coalition was to roll out what amounted to a Big Mac array of tax reforms. Whatever your own perspective, these tax measures attacking negative gearing, capital gains, trusts, and cash-back franking credits for those who had paid no income tax were relatively easy to demonise and obfuscate. Morrison, in his own version of Greene-land populated by Quiet Australians, proved extraordinarily effective at running a negative campaign that zeroed in on Labor vulnerabilities, and, increasingly, Shortens manifest weaknesses as the campaign wore on. This brings us to the difficult question, for Labor, of Shortens responsibilities for a disastrous outcome. How much of the blame should be heaped upon him? Understandably, senior Labor figures closed ranks on election night to praise his steadfastness in the campaign in an attempt to divert uncomfortable questions. However, Shortens failure to market an albeit top heavy and complex Labor program will weigh in his peers judgments. More than that will be the question of whether his own difficulties in connecting with the electorate are what killed the partys chances in the end. Poll after poll has attested to the publics reservations. The Ipsos poll, for example, regularly recorded low ratings for Shorten among various metrics for trustworthiness. Whether Labor acknowledges this or not in its post-poll post-mortems, the fact is a significant proportion of the electorate disliked Shorten. The ANU Election study 1987-2016 found he had more negative evaluations than any major party leader since it first asked leadership questions in 1993. All this is relevant for Labor as it contemplates a replacement. This takes us back to 2013 when the party selected Shorten over Anthony Albanese. In that contest, the Right faction, with help from a splintered Left, got Shorten over the line with a combined 52.02 percent caucus and rank-and-file vote. Loading Six years and a car crash of an election defeat later, that judgment in which Albanese lost critical support among his own Left faction can be seen for what it is, and was. This was a triumph of factional thuggery and personalities over what was best for the party. At the time in a column for The Australian Financial Review I quoted an outgoing Labor frontbencher as saying that Shorten would be given a go for one term pending an election loss and the selection of a more marketable leader. Its history that Shorten survived as leader after running Malcolm Turnbull close in 2016. That proved a false positive politically. It put off a reckoning of Shortens manifest weaknesses, with disastrous consequences. In its selection of a new leader the Labor caucus would be doing itself a favour if it eschewed narrow factional considerations and made its choice based on who would best combine the qualities required. These are communication skills, management skills, proficiency in the cut and thrust of Parliament, and, perhaps most important, character. Even Burt the Psychic crocodile got it wrong. And so it's been asked a million times since Saturday night can we ever again trust opinion polls? It probably doesn't matter to people who were hoping for a Labor victory that, once all the votes are counted, the final two-party preferred numbers will not be far off many of the published national polls; the polling, once you move to a state and seat level, becomes unreliable, moving well beyond the margin of error. Over the past decade-plus, the polling industry has had to make a transition from plucking names from the the electoral rolls and contacting voters on fixed landlines, via which they could be certain where they lived, to a relative stab in the dark. Now they reach voters via mobile phones and sometimes even online, with a consequent decline in the confidence they can have in the sample particularly in electorates with diverse voters. Some published seat polling is actually robopolling. No doubt this election victory demands a rethink of my industry's tools and techniques. Labor is facing a rising internal revolt to dump its signature $14 billion franking credit policy in the wake of its stunning election loss to the Coalition. Liberal MPs are astounded at the success of their 'retiree tax' campaign - led by Victorian MP Tim Wilson - which has killed off the threat of Labor's franking credit policy and won the Coalition key seats up the east coast. Liberal MP Tim Wilson. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen The Labor policy, which affected only 5 per cent of Australians, mostly retired shareholders, was harnessed by the Coalition to gain the votes of their children and grandchildren. The policy would have stripped tax refunds from retired investors who had not paid tax. "In the same way that kids told their parents how to vote in the marriage equality postal survey, we saw parents tell their kids about the cost of voting Labor," Mr Wilson said. Senior Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese will run for the party's leadership following its "devastating" election loss promising to be a leader who can "take on the other side of politics in a vigorous fashion" while staying true to the party's values. Mr Albanese faces at least two and possibly as many as four challengers for the position with deputy leader Tanya Plibersek, treasury spokesman Chris Bowen, Tony Burke and Richard Marles all considering their options. Chris Bowen, Anthony Albanese, Tanya Plibersek are likely Labor leadership contenders, while Tony Burke is said to be considering running. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Bill Shorten will remain as acting leader until the ballot process has finished, saying he would "do everything I can to ensure our great party is back stronger, wiser and united to ensure we can deliver a fair go for all". Mr Albanese, a senior figure in the party's left, announced his candidacy on Sunday afternoon at the Unity Hall Hotel in Sydney's Balmain, the birthplace of the Labor Party. Women surgeons are being dismissed as 'just female doctors' or 'pretty faces', 'off having babies' amid a constant barrage of gender discrimination and harassment. The female medicos have described the litany of gender biases that disparage motherhood, erode their credibility, objectify their bodies and shoehorn them into stereotypical empathetic roles (and high heels). Research fellow Dr Katrina Hutchison and plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Neela Janakiramanan. Forty-eight women fellows and trainees of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons took part in a series of in-depth interviews for a study led by research fellow Dr Katrina Hutchison at Macquarie Universitys Department of Philosophy. Dr Hutchison said the pattern of micro-inequities may seem inconsequential, but their compounding effect could do lasting damage and stymie efforts to close the gender pay gap. Police are looking for two people who left the scene of a seven-vehicle crash that led to the death of two men in Brisbane's inner-northern suburb of Windsor. Emergency services were called to Lutwyche Road after a collision just after midnight. Two people have died after a pileup. Credit:ninevms Police said a black BMW SUV was travelling northbound on Lutwyche Road when it collided with a moped being ridden by a 32-year-old East Brisbane man. The BMW, a 2007 X3 hatchback, then veered into the southbound lanes and collided with a Subaru sedan driven by a 23-year-old Acacia Ridge man before also colliding with a Jeep, police claimed. Students with an itch to try their hand at journalism are being given the chance to create a sample school newspaper that could bring them to the newsroom. Students in years 4 to 12 have been invited to create and submit a short newspaper to the Front Page competition, which is run by Australian Teachers of Media and Nine, the publisher of the Herald and the Age. The competition offers the chance to visit the Herald or Age newsrooms. Credit:Dominic Lorrimer The winners in each of the three age categories will get six Apple iPads, and a tour of the Herald or the Age newsrooms and a write-up and photo in both newspapers. The age categories include upper primary, open to students in years 4 to 6, lower secondary, for those in years 7 to 9 and upper secondary, for students in years 10 to 12. As Khalid Baker punches with fierce intensity in a Dandenong boxing gym, rapper Eminem's lyrics echo around the room: "You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow; this opportunity comes once in a lifetime." Having spent 13 years behind bars for a murder he insists he didn't commit, 31-year-old Baker has no intention of missing his chance now. Convicted murderer Khalid Baker wants to clear his name and represent Australia in the world titles. Credit:Justin McManus At 18, Baker had the world at his feet. A welterweight, he had won Victorian and Australian boxing titles, and had been accepted into the Commonwealth Games team. But all that changed in November 2005 when Baker and a group of friends went to a party at a warehouse in Brunswick. The RACV tiny home Credit:City of Melbourne This all might sound like the stuff of science fiction - but the future is coming faster than you think. Last month Washington became the eighth US state to legalise robots delivering food and goods, provided they cant travel faster than six miles an hour, will yield to pedestrians and bikes and only cross the street at the crossing. Meanwhile, a lawmaker in San Francisco wants to ban them, saying public spaces should not be commercialised and the hilly city should be accessible and safe for children, people with disabilities and the elderly. Only in America? Nope. The future is knocking here too. In late 2017 Australia Post trialled a delivery robot nicknamed Billy the Box in the Brisbane suburb of New Farm, reportedly chosen because its residents were some of Australias biggest online shoppers. Australia Post's strategy and innovation general manager Michael Oates said the community and customer response from the trial had been overwhelmingly positive. The Australia Post delivery robot nicknamed "Billy the Box" Credit:Australia Post Australia Posts 2018 annual report said more than 100 deliveries were made over the four weeks of the trial, in which the robot travelled 140 kilometres autonomously. There were no technical or safety incidents during the trial and we have secured community and regulator support to keep exploring this technology, it says. In March last year Elaine Herzberg became the first pedestrian to be killed by a self-driving car. She had been crossing a road in Arizona. University of Melbourne professor in transport for smart cities, Majid Sarvi, believes some countries have jumped the gun to the future. Professor Sarvi is the founder and the director of the Australian Integrated Multimodal EcoSystem, which is testing how driverless vehicles could be integrated into existing transport systems to improve safety, congestion and sustainability. He says driverless shuttles could be used for last mile transport, such as picking up commuters from train stations and driving them home: It is not sustainable to have larger and larger car parks at train stations. Professor Sarvi says it is anybodys guess when driverless vehicles will hit Melbournes streets, but believes there will be trials first in restricted areas such as university campuses, zoos or shopping centres. In late 2016, convenience chain store 7-Eleven began trialling deliveries for food, drinks and over-the-counter medications via flying robots in Reno, Nevada. Cr Watts says drones are already being successfully tested in urban environments in an attempt to reduce road congestion. Perhaps through delivering last kilometre freight or delivering medical supplies, she says. Amazon has a bold vision for delivery drones. Credit:Photo: AP In 2018 Melbourne was ranked number 8 in the top 50 smart city governments by the Eden Strategy Institute. Solar-powered sensors alert the council when street bins need to be emptied. In-ground sensors in city parking bays are used to determine when fines are issued to the chagrin of one motorist, who was reportedly fined four minutes before the expiry time on his display ticket. Thousands of pedestrian sensors are also distributed across Melbourne, to inform decisions on everything from more open space to applications for planning permits. Last year the City of Melbourne hosted an open innovation competition aiming to make the city more accessible for people with a disability. One of the winning solutions was Melba, an app which pairs the citys open data with smart assistants such as Siri, Google Assist and Amazons Alexa to provide up-to-date information about city accessibility via voice, text and screen readers. But it was the news that you can email a tree in Melbourne that almost broke the internet. In 2013, the council assigned every one of its 70,000 trees an ID number and email address as part of its Melbourne Urban Forest Visual project, which maps every tree in the city. The idea was for the public to report issues such as broken limbs, fallen trees, tree decline or vandalism. But there was a completely unexpected consequence. Since the program was introduced, thousands of Melbournes trees have received love letters from all over the world. Thousands of people have emailed love letters to trees in the City of Melbourne Credit:Sandy Scheltema Hi Tree 1022794, emailed one fan. Hows it going? I walk past you each day at uni, its really great to see you out in the sun now that the scaffolding is down around Building 100. Hope it all goes well with the photosynthesis. All the best. Melbourne City Council says it has been contacted by many other councils and countries keen to implement the idea. Bill Shorten would be swept up in it, too, giving many Australians their first view of the man who 13 years later would go to an election that supporters predicted would lead to the prime ministership of Australia. But there would be no light for Shorten at the end of his climb to the top. No joy; no reason to punch the air. His reward on the election night of Saturday, May 18, 2019, would be ashes in his mouth. Labor politics is a merciless business and within hours the caravan had moved on, the talk turning to who might be the newly chosen. Shortens old rival for the leadership, Anthony Albanese, called for critics to lay off Shorten, declaring that attributing blame or fault to any particular individual or policy is not the way ahead". Loading Still, the Labor Party inevitably will spend dark hours debating its wisdom in choosing Shorten to bring it back from the near oblivion of 2013, when Tony Abbotts Coalition swept away the Rudd-Gillard Labor period. Shorten, after all, had played the 'et tu, Brute' role in bringing down Kevin Rudd, then in replacing Julia Gillard with Rudd. And when they were gone, it was Shorten who took the leadership, protected by a new rule that would keep him there, unchallenged, for seven years. He never, however, won unqualified popularity. To some, he was Machiavellian. To others he lacked authenticity. And there was the matter of the company he kept. He had mixed with the roughest of workers as national secretary of the biggest union in the land, the AWU. He was also friends with some of the richest men in the nation, like the late cardboard king, Richard Pratt, who famously lent Shorten his private jet so he could race to Beaconsfield when Todd Russell and Brant Webb were found to be alive. The most consistent criticism of Shorten that he is an opportunist goes back to that rush to Beaconsfield in 2006 when Webb, Russell and Larry Knight, all AWU members, went missing in the depths. Mr Shorten has a beer with Beaconsfield mine disaster survivors Todd Russell and Brant Webb in Tasmania. Credit:Phillip Biggs Shorten had just been preselected for the federal seat of Maribyrnong in Melbournes inner west a brutal Labor affair reportedly involving ethnic branch stackers to persuade the sitting member, Bob Sercombe, to withdraw. Only months before, my colleague at The Bulletin magazine of the time, the author Paul Daley, had written one of the first sweeping profiles of Shorten. The names Bill. Bill Shorten, the kicker line began. Remember it well. Hes a union supremo at the moment. Hes pals with both foxes and hounds. Hes the face of 21st century Labor. Heading for The Lodge? You better believe it. Among the more dangerous accusations in Labor politics is that you are getting above yourself. Critics from afar and Labor figures within, threatened by the idea of a 37-year-old, right-wing smart guy from Melbourne beating them to the prize, took short time to accuse Shorten of using the disaster at Beaconsfield to gain a national profile to fire up his political trajectory. It set the tone for years of doubts about Shortens character. But was this genesis of a millstone ever fair? Brant Webb, more intimately involved in the drama than anyone, bluntly rejects it. People who reckon Bill was there for the glory are bullshitting themselves. He did heaps of things that nobody knew about, he says. Bill was really compassionate to my wife Rachel when I was trapped. He was always around, worried about how she was getting on, trying to keep her going. And you know he stayed at the Riviera Hotel down at Beauty Point with Dad, and he was always there for him. Berlin: Austria's chancellor called on Saturday for snap elections after the country's far-right vice-chancellor resigned over a secretly filmed video from 2017 that renewed questions about whether Russia had a direct line into a government at the heart of Europe. The video showed Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache of the far-right Freedom Party promising government contracts to a woman claiming to be the niece of a Russian oligarch. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz of the People's Party has called for snap elections following the collapse of his coalition with the Freedom Party. Credit:AP "After yesterday's video, enough is enough," Chancellor Sebastian Kurz told a room packed with reporters on Saturday night in the capital, Vienna. He said he had asked Austria's president to hold a new election "as soon as possible". The video was the worst in a series of missteps that ultimately brought down Austria's governing coalition. It raised anew concerns about whether the Freedom Party had been working to undermine liberal democracy and media freedoms in the country while it helped Kurz govern as the junior party in his coalition. Riyadh: Saudi Arabia does not want a war with Iran but will respond "with strength and determination" if Iran decides to start one, a top Saudi official has said. The statements follows similarly Hawkish comments from Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif on Saturday that he did not believe a war would break out in the region as Tehran did not want a conflict and no country had the "illusion it could confront Iran". Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Ahmed Al-Jubeir. Credit:AP Amid the escalating tensions, the US Federal Aviation Administration has warned American air carriers to "exercise caution" when flying over the region due to "increasing" risk, and energy company Exxon Mobil has begun the process of evacuating 50 US employees from Iraq. "We don't want a war in any way, but at the same time we won't allow Iran to continue its hostile policies toward the kingdom," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir told reporters in Riyadh early Sunday morning. "We want peace and stability." Washington: A Republican congressman has become the first member of President Donald Trump's party on Capitol Hill to accuse him of engaging in "impeachable conduct" stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. But Michigan representative Justin Amash stopped short of calling on Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump, which many Democrats have been agitating for. Calls for Donald Trump to face impeachment proceedings are growing. Credit:AP Often a lone GOP voice in Congress, Amash sent a series of tweets Saturday faulting both Trump and Attorney General William Barr over Mueller's report. Mueller wrapped the investigation and submitted his report to Barr in late March. Barr then released a summary of Mueller's "principal conclusions" and released a redacted version of the report in April. Mueller found no criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia, but left open the question of whether Trump acted in ways that were meant to obstruct the investigation. Barr later said there was insufficient evidence to bring obstruction charges against Trump. 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 APRA has granted a foreign ADI licence to one of Europes largest financial services organisations, under the Banking Act 1959. Societe Generale the third largest bank in France is now authorised to operate in Australia. The multinational investment bank will focus on commercial real estate finance in addition to energy, metals and mining, infrastructure financing, bond issuance and securitisation. The bank has ruled out a retail real estate finance operation in Australia although it is expected to focus on funding renewable energy projects. In a statement provided to Australian Broker, the bank said it is looking to leverage its international presence in the local market. Following the authorisation from APRA as a foreign authorised deposit taking institution, Societe Generale will be looking to leverage the strength of core and global expertise in a number of areas including energy, metals and mining and infrastructure financing, together with enhanced product and service offerings such as bond issuance, securitisation / asset backed products, and real estate finance. Our real estate finance will focus on commercial real estate and will not include a retail offering, the statement said. This isnt the first licence Societe Generale has held for Australian operations. The bank was active here until 2013, when it took to decision to service Australian customers from Hong Kong. Today, the bank is present in 67 countries and counts 31 million customers. In February this year, Societe Generales announced via its financial results that it plans to reduce costs by 500m and French newspaper La Figaro reported that 1,500 jobs (7.5% of the total workforce) could be slashed in the corporate and investment banking parts of the business. However, the bank said it wasnt possible to comment, when pressed by the AFP news agency. 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 Three home-grown Australian finance brands including two major banks have made a list of the most attractive places to work. Randstad compiled data from more than 10,000 workers aged 18 to 65 for its annual Employer Brand Research, to identify the companies with the strongest brands and best public perception. ANZ, followed by Westpac, claimed the top two spots on the financial services list, with Macquarie also receiving a mention. However, as a sector banking didnt fare too well. Despite a 2% increase in positive public perception from last year, the industry placed 22 in the list of most attractive sectors to work in. Aviation topped this part of the survey and Qantas took the number one spot on the employer list. CEO of Randstad Australia, Frank Ribuot said, While the royal commission revealed some inconvenient truths about the sector, Australians see financial institutions as valuable to their daily lives. There has clearly been a positive conversation between family and friends of employees - limiting the reputational damage of the royal commission, he added. This interpretation comes as a surprise given that the banking sector is enmeshed in what Deloitte has termed a crisis of trust in its most recent trust index, with just 20% of Australian consumers believing that banks are ethical, and engaged in what is good and right. There could be a practical explanation for the Ranstad results, with the positivity linked to employee benefits rather than an increase in positive sentiment felt towards the majors as a whole. Overall, Australian job seekers clearly voiced that work-life balance, salary and benefits as well job security were at the top of their mind when looking for a new role. These are areas the banking and finance sector has a lot to show for, RIbout explained. However, the CEO suggested that the results are indicative of a more deeply rooted shift. I believe the banks have responded well to the recommendations made in the final report, bringing back trust in these institutions, and most importantly bringing back trust to the large part of the population that would be interested to work in that sector, Ribuot concluded. 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 It was supposed to be Johnson & Johnson's biggest manufacturing plant in India. It was to eventually employ at least 1,500 people and help bring development to a rural area near Hyderabad. Yet, three years after the U.S. healthcare company completed construction of production facilities for cosmetics and baby products on the 47-acre site, they stand idle. Two sources familiar with J&J's operations in India and one state government official told Reuters production at the plant, at Penjerla in Telangana state, never began because of a slowing in the growth in demand for the ... ORIX Corporation of Japan (ORIX) has now expressed its intent to exercise its right to buy out the remaining stake in IL&FS Wind Energy. ORIX owns 49 per cent stake in IL&FS wind portfolio, and GAIL has emerged the highest bidder for the remaining 51 per cent stake in these assets, which are held by the IL&FS group. ORIX has expressed its intent to buy out the remaining 51 per cent stake held by IL&FS Wind Energy, an IL&FS group statement said on ... Dear Reader, Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard. Digital Editor The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is projected to sweep Delhi, with most exit polls predicting that the saffron party would bag at least six of the seven parliamentary seats in the national capital. The surveys project zero to one seat for the Congress. Meanwhile, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is expected to again draw a blank. The BJP is projected to win 6 seats and the Congress only 1, according to the NDTV poll of polls. The AAP, in power in Delhi, is projected to fail to open its account. Voting for all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi was held in Phase 6 on May ... BS POLL How reliable do you think are exit polls? Very reliable Quite reliable Barely reliable Submit VIEW ALL POLLS Polling for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha (LS) elections 2019 ended on Sunday evening, with most exit polls predicting the Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJPs) phir ek baar Modi sarkar, or once more Modi government slogan likely to get vindicated on the counting day on Thursday (May 23). Most of the polls predicted a return of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). They said the BJP would either repeat its 2014 performance of achieving a simple majority on its own, or at worst, along with its NDA allies, and might not need to look beyond its ... Ravi Kishan tied an orange safa (turban) around his head as his SUV stopped at a village named Domari No. 1. Kishan, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from the city of Gorakhpur, is also called Amitabh Bachchan of the East, a superstar of Bhojpuri cinema in eastern Uttar Pradesh (UP) with 600 films to his name. A woman from the village who saw his cavalcade stop could hardly believe her eyes--a star had actually stepped off the silver screen and stood right in front of her. She abandoned her egg stall, switched off the chulha (stove) and told her customers she ... When the last phase of Lok Sabha elections 2019 end on Sunday, all eyes will be on exit polls that will be released after voting concludes. The counting of votes, which will begin at 8 am on May 23, is expected to take longer than usual this time around and will reportedly continue well into the night. Till then, the numerous exit polls -- regardless of their accuracy -- will put forward their predictions on whether the Narendra Modi-led BJP government will come back to power or not. With the embargo on their broadcast being lifted on Sunday evening, the following exit polls will be ... 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. Most exit polls have predicted that saffron supremacy is there to stay in Maharashtra. The silver lining for the Congress-NCP alliance is that it may get to almost double the tally from six in 2014. The NDA, which had amassed 42 seats out of 48 in 2014, is likely to settle down at 35 to 36, an average of eight polls suggests. Shiv Sena, a part of the NDA, had won 18 seats in 2014, but now it's projected to win 11 to 13 seats, according to some of the polls. This may result in Shiv Sena taking a bigger brunt of the loss, while Sharad Pawar-led NCP could be a net gainer. This could ... Huawei Technologies founder and chief executive Ren Zhengfei said on Saturday the growth of the Chinese tech giant may slow, but only slightly due to recent US restrictions. In remarks to the Japanese press and reported by Nikkei Asian Review, Ren reiterated that the Chinese telecom equipment maker has not violated any law. It is expected that Huaweis growth may slow, but only slightly, Ren told Japanese media in his first official comments after the US restrictions, adding that the companys annual revenue growth may undershoot ... A voter turnout of 46.66 per cent was recorded till 3 pm on Sunday in eight parliamentary constituencies across the state of Bihar. According to the Election Commission of India, of the eight Lok Sabha seats, voting percentage was the highest in Buxar (48.31 per cent), followed by Karakat (48.26 per cent), Jahanabad (48.03 per cent), Arrah (47.65 per cent), Pataliputra (47.51 per cent), Nalanda 47.34 per cent, Sasaram-SC (47.23 per cent) and Patna Sahib (40.07 per cent). The bigwigs whose fate will be decided in the election today are Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, his Congress rival Shatrughan Sinha (Patna Sahib), Central ministers Ashwini Kumar Chaubey (Buxar), Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav and his RJD rival Misa Bharti (Pataliputra), and R K Singh (Arrah) and former Lok Sabha Speaker and senior Congress leader Meira Kumar (Sasaram). Among the early voters in the capital city were Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, his deputy Sushil Kumar Modi. Bihar's capital Patna is offering a unique experience to the electorates as special arrangements such as creche, breastfeeding room and first aid facilities have been set up here. Meanwhile, several violence incidents were reported from different seats undergoing poll on Sunday. Polling was stopped at booth number 101 and 102 in Sarkuna village of Paliganj after a clash broke out between two groups. A police official on polling duty was allegedly attacked for stopping bogus voting at polling booth 49 in Arrah. "We received information of stone pelting but there has been no disturbance in voting. Some people might have tried to create trouble. They have been chased out," said Arrah's Additional District Magistrate. Apart from Bihar, polling is currently underway for 13 seats each in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, nine in West Bengal, eight seats in Madhya Pradesh, all four constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and one seat in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Over 10.01 crore voters are eligible to cast their votes in the seventh phase of polling. There are 918 candidates in the fray. Polling began at 7 am across the eight constituencies and will continue till 6 pm. The results will be announced on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As a corruption scandal sweeps Austria, the country on Saturday called for early polls in order to "rebuild" people's trust in the government. This comes as the Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache from the far-right Freedom Party (FPO) resigned from his post as allegations of corruption surfaced against him. On Friday, German news magazine Der Spiegel and the Suddeutsche Zeitung daily newspaper released a video shot in 2017 which showed Strache allegedly offering government contracts to a woman claiming to be a Russian investor, along with being the niece of an oligarch. The publications further reported that the "Russian woman" offered to buy a 50 per cent stake in Austria's Kronen Zeitung newspaper, ensuring to support Strache's Freedom Party with elections only a few months away, reports CNN. "These are shameful images. Nobody should have to be ashamed of Austria," the President said, referring to the video. "Austrians have the right to have a government they can trust, a government that is esteemed and respected in Europe and the entire We need to rebuild this trust, and this rebuilding is only possible with fresh elections," he stated. The call for elections indicates the end of the ruling coalition between the conservative People's Party (SPO) and FPO. Strache, however, dismissed the corruption allegations against him even as he issued an apology. He labelled the accusations as "a targeted political attack." The video was recorded on July 24, 2017, in Spain's Ibiza. "It was a typical alcohol-infused macho behaviour...With this I have hurt the most important person in my life, which is my wife," Strache said while talking about the video during a presser on Saturday morning. Along with Strache, Freedom Party politician Johann Gudenus, who translated Russian into German in the video for the Austrian leader, also resigned on Saturday. "With this, I announce that I will retire from my position as managing club chairman and as member of parliament. I will step back from all my positions within the Freedom Party of Austria," Gudenus said. "I want to express my deep regret for the things that happened more than two years ago. I deeply regret having disappointed the trust from voters, party members, and co-workers," he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Announcing her first major cabinet reshuffle just five months after taking office, Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday changed portfolios of two ministers and three state ministers. The Daily Star cited a notification by the Cabinet Division saying that Mustafa Jabbar, a technocrat and previously minister for post and Communication Technology (ICT), will now only head the Post and Telecommunication Division only. From now on, State Minister Zunaid Ahmed Palak will deal with information and communication technology single-handedly, and State Minister Swapan Bhattachariya will head the Rural Development and Cooperatives Division. Tajul Islam, previously minister for local government, rural development and cooperatives, will now head the Local Government Division only, the report said. Additionally, Md Murad Hasan, previously state minister for health and family welfare, has been reappointed as the state minister for Ministry of Information, it added. However, official gazette notification is yet to be issued in this regard, sources familiar with the issue told The Daily Star. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu on Sunday said that Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh should resign if Congress gets wiped out from the state following the Lok Sabha elections. Justifying her statement, Navjot Kaur said that she had asked Amarinder Singh to start asking for performance report of MLAs and MPs in the state to bring them on track but the Chief Minister failed to do so. She further said that if Congress was wiped out of the state then this means that the voters were not happy with the work done by Captain Amarinder Singh led government in the state. "He should resign. It has been two years. I have always asked the Chief Minister to start taking the performance report of MLAs and MPs as it will improve their perforce and will benefit the state. If people did not vote in our favour that this directly means that our performance is not upright and we fail to deliver. Otherwise, if we have worked hard then naturally we will get a clean sweep in the state," Navjot Kaur said when asked that Amarinder Singh said that he will resign from the Chief Minister post if Congress fail to win in the state in these Lok Sabha elections. On May 17, Amarinder Singh said that he will "accept responsibility and resign" if the Congress party does not perform well in the Lok Sabha elections in Punjab. On being asked to respond on her statement that she was denied ticket, she said, "I still campaigned for the party after being denied ticket. From last three months, I have not even took one Sunday off. We are working on party's ideology and to benefit the party." Amarinder Singh returned as chief minister of Punjab in 2017 after a decade rule of Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Congress had won 77 out of the 117 seats in assembly elections with a vote share 38.5 per cent. Singh's first term as the chief minister of the state from 2002 to 2007. Punjab will witness polling for its Lok Sabha seats 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.) Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday asserted that central armed forces should remain stationed in West Bengal till the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is in place. Speaking at a press conference here Sitharaman lashed out at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led-TMC government in West Bengal and asked, "We fear after the polling gets over today, the TMC workers will continue with violence and bloodshed in the state?" "We demand that the Election Commission should take cognizance of the violence done by the TMC workers in the state during the Lok Sabha polls," she added. Sithraman alleged, "TMC workers have attacked and stopped voters from exercising their franchise in the Lok Sabha polls." "From now on till 6 pm today the Central police force should remain active in West Bengal," she added. The seats where polling is underway in West Bengal today include Kolkata North, Kolkata South, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar (SC) and Mathurapur (SC). Polling for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Sunday in 59 seats spread across seven states and one Union Territory. The counting of voting will begin on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday exuded confidence of getting full majority in the Lok Sabha elections asserting that BJP will be winning over 300 seats on its own. He also took a jibe at Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee over poll violence and asked for a comparison of West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh, both of which voted in all the seven phases of polls. He also commended people for participating in the "festival of democracy" while stating that the elections campaign for the polls was entirely centred around Prime Minister Modi. Speaking to ANI, Adityanath said, "BJP will achieve the target of more than 300 seats in the country and if we combine allies, we will get over 400 seats. In Uttar Pradesh, we will get over 74 seats." "After independence, this is the first election where the whole campaign was around Modi ji only. After opposition ran out of issues, they started making personal attacks. This is the first election in which cast and religious barriers have been broken and people voted on the name and work of Modi ji", he said. Adityanath also cornered the West Bengal government on the issue of poll-related violence and said, "For us, is a way of serving people. We cannot have any expectations with these people when the court is commenting on West Bengal's law and order and election commission has to take action. Compare UP and West Bengal, violence wasn't reported from UP in the last 6 phases of elections, unlike West Bengal." Earlier today, Yogi exercised his right to vote at a booth in Gorakhpur accompanied by party's candidate Ravi Kishan. Polling for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Sunday on 59 seats across seven states and one Union Territory in the country. The counting of voting will begin on May 23. A total of 918 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are in the fray in this last phase of polls. The Prime Minister is seeking re-election from Varanasi and is contesting against Ajay Rai of the Congress and Samajwadi Party candidate Shalini Yadav. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Sunday expressed confidence that Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will be able to secure victory in the Lok Sabha elections and also cast his vote in the ongoing seventh phase of the elections. "I cast my vote just now, the public are with us (BJP). The mood of Patna Sahib is the same as that of the rest of the country, people want to make Modi ji the Prime Minister again," Prasad told reporters outside his polling booth after casting his vote. Prior to casting his vote Prasad, who was accompanied by his 88-year old mother, expressed the confidence that he will win. "I am going to cast my vote, which is my democratic right. The country will achieve new levels of growth in the coming days. I am confident of my victory as always," Prasad told reporters at the time of leaving his house. The BJP fielded Prasad against Congress leader and sitting MP from Patna Sahib Shatrughan Sinha. Sinha, a two time MP from the same seat is seeking re-election for the third time from the seat. Bihar is seeing polling on 8 seats in the seventh and the final phase of the Lok Sabha polls. 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.) Congress candidate for Varanasi Lok Sabha seat, Ajai Rai on Sunday slammed his rival Prime Minister Narendra Modi stating that he has not done enough for the temple town after coming to power in 2014. "The condition of this area is in front of you. No major developmental work has taken place from the past few years. Modi ji has only paid lip service to people development. PM Modi did not get successful in providing jobs to the youth or implementing a Gujarat model here," he said while speaking to ANI. "The work is being carried out in Varanasi on a temporary basis, nothing is permanent," Rai added. In his concluding statement, Rai exuded confidence and said that people will vote for Congress as they are not satisfied with the performance of the incumbent government. It is worth noticing that this is the second time that the Congress decided to field Rai against the Prime Minister for Varanasi seat. PM Modi defeated Rai by bagging record number of votes. Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, too, contested the elections from Varanasi in 2014 and was defeated. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After the conclusion of over 70 day-long high decibel elections campaigning, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan visited famous Jagannath temple here on Sunday. Clad in his trademark white kurta and vermilion on his forehead, Pradhan offered prayers at the ancient temple with his supporters. Talking to media persons after visiting the temple, he said the famous temple has also suffered a lot from the cyclonic storm 'Fani' which hit the district on May 3. "A lot of damage has been done by (Fani) to the temple as well. Life is gradually returning to normalcy. Everything will be fine soon," he said. Pradhan lauded his government for amicably working with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik-led Odisha government after the "extremely severe cyclonic" storm hit Odisha earlier this month. He said: "The Government of India closely worked with the state government in the time of this crisis. I myself came many times here. The Prime Minister came inspected the situations." The minister said that that the situations would be normal by the time of famous 'Jagannath yatra'. Over 64 people died and a huge loss of properties was reported from the state in events related to 'Fani'. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) As part of post-cyclone restoration measures, the Odisha government is distributing free sanitary napkins to all households in Puri district and will continue to do so for the next two months. The government informed that over 24 lakh sanitary napkins have been provisioned for free supply in the district. "Post-cyclone, sanitary napkins have been supplied to ASHA for free distribution at the doorstep of each household in Puri district, for a period of two months," an official release said, adding this would "ensure the health, hygiene and dignity of women and girls in this critical period". Over one crore sixty-five lakh people of the state have been adversely affected due to the cyclone which hit Puri coast on May 3. "Department of Health and Family Welfare took a number of post-cyclone measures such as ensuring health services through Medical Relief Centres, disinfection of village water sources, distribution of halogen tablets to households for safe drinking water and steps for preventing diarrheal and any outbreaks of other diseases," the release read. The government has also constituted several monitoring teams to oversee the multiple relief measures that have been undertaken. Sabyasachi Biswal of Ziqitza Healthcare Ltd, operator of 108 and 102 helpline service in Odisha, said about 3600 pregnant women and injured were brought to hospitals in their ambulances during the cyclone. "From May 2 to May 4 we brought 1800 pregnant women and 1800 injured to hospitals. The telephone network was disrupted in Bhubaneswar, Puri and Cuttack, so we had informed our ambulances to coordinate with district authorities and transfer patients. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday rejected the various exit polls, saying that their accuracy was 'suspect' and he expected the Congress to do much better both at the and state level. Most opinion polls are giving clear or near-clear majority to BJP-led NDA at the Centre while projecting 9-10 seats out of 13 for the Congress in Punjab. "With so much experience, even if I go around Punjab to gauge the voter swing, I would not be able to do it with complete accuracy. So how can these exit polls be accurate," asked Chief Minister Singh. "I am confident that the Congress would do much better in these Lok Sabha elections. Even in Punjab, I am the party to get more than the 9 or 10 seats," he said. Thanking the voters of Punjab for ensuring smooth, peaceful, free and fair conduct of the elections, Amarinder said the voter turnout indicated the people's commitment to upholding the democratic ethos of the country, which the BJP-led NDA was trying to destroy. The final phase of polling has concluded in 59 parliamentary constituencies spread over seven states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Existing immunity against dengue virus is capable of significantly reducing the risk of Zika virus in newborns, claims a new study. According to the study published in the Journal of Emerging Infectious Diseases, researchers compared genomes of all known dengue viruses in Brazil to investigate interactions between dengue and Zika viruses. "We can now say that people who have had early infections with dengue do not need to worry much about contracting more severe forms of Zika infection due to this," said virologist Prof Felix Drexler. According to the virologist, it is known for sure that Zika virus infection during pregnancy can potentially affect the unborn fetus in such a way that the child develops microcephaly or malformations of the head and other severe symptoms. Zika viruses are usually transmitted by mosquitoes, particularly by the Aedes species, but they can also be transmitted sexually. Symptoms of Zika include rashes, headaches, joint pain and muscle pain, conjunctivitis and sometimes fever. However, these symptoms are considered mild compared to other tropical diseases that are transmitted by mosquitoes. During pregnancy, the virus can cause microcephaly and other malformations in the unborn child. Scientists consequently began to search for cofactors that have an influence on whether a Zika infection during pregnancy will develop fatal consequences or not. Dengue viruses, which are widespread in Latin America and caused dengue fever, were suspected to be cofactors. Initially, the scientists suspected that the antibodies humans produce against the dengue virus contribute to the fetal damage caused in later Zika infection. "Surprisingly, our study has shown that a previous dengue infection can protect against Zika-associated damage," emphasized Drexler. As an existing immunity against dengue virus significantly reduces the risk of Zika-associated microcephaly in newly borns. "We can now say that people who have had early infections with dengue do not need to worry much about contracting more severe forms of Zika infection due to this," summarised Drexler. Felix Drexler and his research group have already developed several novel Zika virus tests. The Zika diagnostics project in Brazil was brought underway by the DZIF in order to act against the threat of emerging infections. It is also being funded by the EU programme Horizon 2020. . (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 14 people were injured after a roadside explosion targeted a tourist bus, carrying 25 South African citizens, close to Egypt's Giza Pyramids, state media reported on Sunday. "The bus was hit but it didn't look like it exploded," Mona Zeidan, an eyewitness told CNN. Egypt's state-run Ahram daily said that a device exploded near the bus, while the windshield of another vehicle was damaged. "They were all minor injuries and nothing serious," Zeidan, who drove by the site of the explosion after the incident, told CNN. "Security was inspecting the bus," she added. The explosion took place outside the new yet-to-be-opened Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids. An official at the nearby Al-Haram Hospital told CNN that they received the tourists who were wounded in the blast. Giza's Grand Egyptian Museum, which cost more than USD one billion to build, is expected to open in mid-2020 after a series of delays. The attack comes as Egypt's vital tourism industry is showing signs of recovery after years in the doldrums because of the political turmoil and violence that followed a 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak, Al Jazeera reported. It is the second attack to target foreign tourists near the famed pyramids in less than six months. In December last year, three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian guide were killed and at least 10 others injured when a roadside bomb hit a tour bus less than four kilometres from the Giza landmarks. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) American multinational oil and gas corporation ExxonMobil announced on Saturday that 30 of its foreign engineers have been evacuated from the West Qurna 1 oil field in Iraq's Basra. A statement issued by the company, however, said: "(There are) no indicators that companies operating the oil fields are facing any security threats." The evacuations began on Friday and continued until Saturday. While some of the engineers were moved to UAE's Dubai, the others were placed in the company's main headquarters in Basra. ExxonMobil has labelled the move as a "temporary precautionary measure", according to CNN. The company's work in the oil field has not been affected in the light of the operation. The evacuation comes when diplomatic tensions are high between neighbouring Iran and the United States. Washington refused to extend sanction waivers to eight countries importing oil from Iran, along with listing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). In retaliation, Iran designated the US Central Command (CENTCOM) as a terrorist group. The US has since increased its military presence in the region, citing the threat of an attack from Iran. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After being mocked and trolled by multiple social media users for his tweet asking people not to vote for Sadhvi Pragya, after elections in Bhopal were over, Farhan Akhtar hit the trollers with an epic comeback. "Humne taareek galat samjhi toh galaa pakad liya, Jisne itihaas galat samjha use galey laga rahe ho" (I got the date wrong and was held by the neck, but those who got history wrong are being embraced by all of you)," Farhan tweeted in an apparent reference to multiple BJP leaders who were seen misquoting historical facts during their rallies. Long before the 2019 Lok Sabha elections polling started, Prime Minister Narendra Modi requested B-town celebrities to urge their fans to vote. Following his appeal, many celebrities flooded social media encouraging their followers to exercise their franchise. Farhan Akhtar too joined the initiative but was a little too late. Earlier today Farhan posted a tweet, where he not only urged them to vote but also made an appeal to voters of Bhopal to vote against BJP's Pragya Thakur, unaware of the fact that the parliamentary constituency had already voted in the sixth phase of polls on May 12 last Sunday. "Dear electorate of Bhopal, it's time for you to save your city from another full-of-gas tragedy. #SayNoToPragya #SayNoToGodse #RememberTheMahatma #ChooseLoveNotHate," the actor tweeted. Hawk-eyed Twitter users couldn't have spared the actor for his faux pas. They were not only quick in pointing out the delay but also slammed the actor for his reference to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, one of the world's worst industrial disasters which claimed around 15,000 lives. "Making fun of Gas tragedy and it's victims. #Shameless," wrote a user. "Change your internet connection. Your tweets are taking 10 days to be published," read another tweet. Another user wrote, "These guys are so cut off from reality." Despite the flurry of replies and merciless trolling, the "Rock On!!" actor is yet to issue take down his tweet or issue a correction. Four hours after he put up the post on the micro-blogging website, it had garnered over 2,400 retweets and 12,000 likes. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With India voting in the last leg of the Lok Sabha elections on Sunday, Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar was massively trolled after he made an appeal to voters of Bhopal to vote against BJP's Pragya Thakur. Now, here's the catch - the parliamentary constituency has already voted in the sixth phase of polls on May 12 last Sunday, which means Farhan is a tad too late in his political appeal. "Dear electorate of Bhopal, it's time for you to save your city from another full-of-gas tragedy. #SayNoToPragya #SayNoToGodse #RememberTheMahatma #ChooseLoveNotHate," the actor tweeted. Pragya Thakur had recently stoked controversy by terming Nathuram Godse, the killer of Mahatma Gandhi, a patriot. She was forced to dial down her statement and apologise for the remark after her party BJP expressed disagreement and distanced itself from the comment. Even Prime Minister Modi had stated the he will never be able to forgive Thakur for what she said. Hawk-eyed Twitter users couldn't have spared the actor for his faux pas. They were not only quick in pointing out the delay but also slammed the actor for his reference to the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, one of the world's worst industrial disasters which claimed around 15,000 lives. "Making fun of Gas tragedy and it's victims. #Shameless," wrote a user. "Change your internet connection. Your tweets are taking 10 days to be published," read another tweet. Another user wrote, "These guys are so cut off from reality." Despite the flurry of replies and merciless trolling, the "Rock On!!" actor is yet to issue take down his tweet or issue a correction. Four hours after he put up the post on the micro-blogging website, it had garnered over 1,600 retweets and 8,600 replies. Farhan's parents, Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi, have been vocal critics of the BJP and policies of the Narendra Modi-led central government. The couple also promptly campaigned for Kanhaiya Kumar, the Communist Party candidate from Bihar's Begusarai. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Pakistan Army has released a 33-year-old man from Poonch who had crossed over the Line of Control (LoC) to PoK five months ago. Mohammad Ilyas returned home on May 17 after he was handed over by Pakistan authorities to the Indian side. Speaking to ANI, Ilyas's father said: "Ilyas is mentally challenged. He used to regularly wander off to nearby places and used to be brought back by the police or the Army. One day he left and didn't return. We filed a police report. Later we saw him in a video and got to know that he is in PoK." He added, "I am thankful to the Army, District Collectorate and the Superintendent of Police that my child has returned home safely. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japan's Meteorological Agency on Sunday issued a warning over a possibility of volcanic Mount Hakone erupting. Along with this, the agency also raised its alert level to two on a scale of five, according to NHK. The step was taken after the number of volcanic earthquakes near the mountain increased on Saturday. Furthermore, the agency warned that large volcanic rocks could fall at Owakudani, which is an area around a crater created during Mount Hakone's last eruption around 3000 years ago. Travel near the crater has been restricted in the wake of the warning, while Hakone Ropeways operator stated that services would be suspended on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal where Lok Sabha polls are being conducted across 9 constituencies, recorded 63.58 per cent polling till 3 pm on Sunday. The seats which go to polls in West Bengal today include Kolkata North, Kolkata South, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar (SC) and Mathurapur (SC). Large scale violence is being reported from different parliamentary constituencies of the state with Trinamool and BJP blaming each other for the violence. While vehicles of few leaders were vandalised in poll-related violence, BJP has also accused TMC of beating its office-bearers. BJP MP candidate from Jadavpur, Anupam Hazra said that the Mandal president of his party was beaten by 'goons' of TMC. BJP candidate for Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, Nilanjan Roy's car was also vandalised in Dongaria area of the constituency on Saturday. Voters in Basirhat and Jadavpurhave alleged that TMC workers are disrupting the election process by not allowing them to vote today. West Bengal voted across all the seven phases of polls, today is the last one. All the earlier phases have witnessed poll violence with TMC and BJP trading blame over the issue. Nine seats in the state are voting today. Sunday marks the end of the seven-phase polling in the country with a total of 59 parliamentary constituencies voting today. The counting of votes would take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit on Sunday said that the media coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand was a 'drama' staged to influence the voters in the last phase of Lok Sabha polls. Talking to ANI, Dikshit said, "Anybody can worship any deity and that's his personal choice but the way a drama was created in the form of media coverage of Modi's Kedarnath visit was not at all right." Taking a dig at Prime Minister Modi, the Congress leader said: "The cave in which he was meditating was a manmade cave, built a year ago. I have never seen a window in a cave in my whole life." "TMC was absolutely right that PM Modi projected his Kedarnath visit to influence the voters by showing his religious interest," said the Congress leader when asked about a complaint being filed by TMC against Modi for violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during his visit to Kedarnath. On being asked about violence in West Bengal during the Lok Sabha polls, the former Congress MP said: "The central forces have played a very disappointing role in West Bengal and acted as the police force of the BJP." Dikshit further criticised Pragya Singh Thakur's remark on Nathram Godse, saying "Pragya Thakur's remark on Nathuram Godse or Mahatma Gandhi is nothing else but speaks of her ideology." "Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar should also explain his stand on the party, which has given a ticket to a person like Pragya Singh Thakur," said Dikshit in reply to a question. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Shouting "no road, no vote", a group of villagers in Bihar's Nalanda district on Sunday boycotted polling and smashed an electronic voting machine (EVM). They also damaged the vehicle of a block development officer (BDO). The group was protesting against alleged lack of proper road connectivity and development. Meanwhile, a scuffle ensued between two groups after someone went ahead and cast his ballot at booth number 299 in Chandora village of Rajgir block of Nalanda district. Security personnel posted at the polling station were also chased away by the group of protesting villagers. Shortly after the incident, the district administration rushed in additional forces to bring the situation under control. Voting is underway for eight seats in Bihar in the seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha election. The counting of votes is scheduled for May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) supremo Sharad Pawar met Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday in a bid to step up efforts to form a non-BJP regime in the post-poll scenario. On being asked about the purpose of the meeting, Pawar did not disclose much apart from saying that it was a meeting to assess the 'elections in their respective states.' "We just met and assessed the elections in our respective states. We are waiting for counting day to take further steps," said Pawar. In view of the impending results, non-BJP party leaders have been meeting each other to discuss the post-poll scenarios. On May 18, Naidu undertook a hectic round of discussions with opposition leader including Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati in Lucknow. Naidu is on a mission of rallying opposition parties in a bid to keep the BJP out of power, in case its numbers fall short of majority considerably. Sunday marks the end of the seven-phased Lok Sabha polls in the country. The counting of votes would take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least five people were killed and 28 others sustained injuries after a bus veered off the road and fell into a River in Nepal's Dhading district. The incident occurred in the wee hours of Sunday when the bus, en route to capital Kathmandu from capital Kakarvitta, plunged 60 metres into the Trishuli River. Police superintendent Rajkumar Baidwar told ANI that one woman and four men lost their lives in the incident. The identity of the deceased is yet to be established. Of the 28 injured, 14 were sent to Kathmandu for treatment, while the others are being treated in Dhading district itself. The cause of the accident is yet to be ascertained. The driver of the bus reportedly fled the scene after the incident. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Punjab saw overall 50.26 per cent voting till 5 pm while Chandigarh 51.18 per cent during the last phase of Lok Sabha polling on Sunday. The overall voting percentage at 5 pm on 59 seats was 52.91. All 13 Parliamentary constituencies in Punjab and the Union Territory of Chandigarh went for polls on Sunday along with six other states for a total of 59 Lok Sabha seats in the last phase. Incidents of violence marred the Lok Sabha polls in Punjab, where at least three Parliamentary constituencies including Bathinda, Khadoor Sahib, and Ferozepur violence and clashes were reported. A Congress worker was allegedly murdered by unidentified people in Hardo Sarli village of Khadoor Sahib parliamentary constituency when he was going to cast his ballot. Akali Dal workers were also allegedly attacked in Rampura Phul city of Bathinda, which left one person injured. Four other people were injured in Kot Mohan area of Gurdaspur seat after a violent clash broke out between the Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) Three SAD workers were injured in a firing incident that took place near a polling station in Talwandi Sabo area of Bathinda district. Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol is contesting on the BJP ticket from Gurdaspur constituency. Deol has been fielded against Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Sunil Jakhar who won the Gurdaspur seat, which went to by-poll in October 2017 after the demise of BJP MP Vinod Khanna. Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, a two-time MP from Bathinda is pitted against Congress' Raja Warring, AAP's Baljinder Kaur and Punjab Democratic Alliance's Sukhpal Singh Khaira. A total of 918 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are in the fray in this last phase of the Lok Sabha polls. Polling began on Sunday in 59 seats spread across seven states and one Union Territory. 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.) After spending over 15 hours meditating at a holy cave near the Kedarnath shrine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived at Badrinath, another temple in Uttarakhand's revered 'Char Dham'. Modi stepped out wearing a garland of Tulsi leaves after offering prayers at the Badrinath Temple. The Prime Minister will return to Delhi this evening after a two-day visit to the hill state. The portals of Badrinath temple in the Garhwal Himalayan range of Uttarakhand's Chamoli district were thrown open to pilgrims on May 10 after a six-month-long winter break. The temple, which is located at a height of over 10,000 feet in the Garhwal hills, is among the 'Char Dham' shrines which include Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. Modi, who yesterday visited Kedarnath Temple, offered prayers at the innermost sanctum of the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. After ending his meditation today at a holy cave nearby, Modi was seen meeting devotees dressed in a maroon robe. He told reporters that he has been lucky to visit the shrine on multiple occasions, adding that he has a special connection with Kedarnath. Modi circumambulated the temple and later interacted with local officials, even taking time out to monitor the progress of ongoing development works in the area. When asked if he prayed for his victory in the Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister said, "I did not ask for anything from Baba Kedarnath. God has made us self-sufficient beings who are able to give rather than ask." This was Modi's fourth visit to Kedarnath in a span of three years. In November last year, Prime Minister Modi had visited the Kedarnath shrine during Diwali. In 2017, he paid visits to the temple twice, in May after its gate had opened following a six-month winter break and again in October, before the temple closed for winters. This year, the portals of the Kedarnath temple in Garhwal Himalayan range of Uttarakhand's Rudraprayag district was thrown open to pilgrims on May 9 after a six-month-long winter break. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A political activist in Zangalpora area of Kulgam district in Jammu and Kashmir sustained critical injuries on Sunday after he was shot at allegedly by terrorists. The victim, identified as Mohammed Jamal, was immediately rushed to a hospital where his condition is said to be critical. More details are awaited. On March 8, two Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) workers were shot by terrorists Zainapora area Shopian district. One of the victims later succumbed to his injuries in a hospital on March 16. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) President Ram Nath Kovind on Sunday paid homage to former Indian President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy here at the Rashtrapati Bhavan on the occasion of his birth anniversary. The President along with other officers and staff of the Rashtrapati Bhavan paid floral tributes in front of a portrait of the former President, read a press release issued from the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Reddy, a leading political personality from Andhra Pradesh, served as the sixth President of India, from 1977 to 1982. He began his political career with the Indian Congress Party. Reddy, who was the youngest President to assume office, worked with three with Prime Ministers -- Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, and Indira Gandhi. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Majeed Brigade, an elite unit of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) on Sunday in a video threatened Chinese President Xi Jinping and Pakistan to withdraw their projects immediately from Balochistan. "President Xi Jinping, you still have time to quit Balochistan or you will witness a retaliation from Baloch sons and daughters that you will never forget," a BLA commander said in the video. "China you came here without our consent supported our enemies, helped Pakistani military in wiping our villages. But now it's our turn," he added. The video was released only eight days after four members of Baloch Liberation Army's Majeed Brigade stormed a five-star hotel in Gwadar and battled Pakistani commandos for 26 hours. The deadly attack on May 11 at the luxury hotel in Gwadar has intensified security concerns around Beijing's major development drive in Pakistan, including a strategic deep-sea port. In the video, the BLA commander was seen surrounded by heavily armed persons wearing the same camouflage uniform as members of Majeed Brigade, also known as self-sacrificing squad of the BLA, guarded him. He said, "BLA is telling you that your China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) will fail miserably on the Baloch land." The commander claimed that a special unit has been formed in Majeed Brigade to particularly "attack Chinese officials and installations in Balochistan." In reference to the attack on Pearl Continental, the commander said, "The motive of our attack was to inflict heavy losses upon both Pakistan and China." "It was a simple and clear message to China and Pakistan to withdraw immediately from Balochistan. This warning to China and Pakistan was also given by our leader Gen Aslam Baloch. But China failed to pay heed. "We once again make it clear that Gwadar and the rest of Balochistan belong to Balochistan. It is our duty to protect our land and our sea," he added. The Brigade further noted that the attack on Pearl Continental hotel was "a part of our Operation Zir Pahazag". "This is a continuous operation that has been initiated to safeguard the Baloch Sea from China, Pakistan and other foreign powers," the commander said. In one of the most direct and daring threats to China, the BLA commander says that Balochistan will be a graveyard for Chinese "expansionist motives". BLA commander concludes his video by saying "General Aslam Baloch's mission will continue". General Aslam Baloch, the slain BLA leader and founder of Majeed Brigade, is widely credited for the organisation's recent transformation, which has seen an unprecedented increase in its attacks. The China-Pakistan economic corridor has China investing over USD 60 billion. The corridor reaches out from Xinjiang to Gwadar port in Pakistan's Balochistan province. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A few hours before polling began here on Sunday, a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) worker was allegedly attacked by Congress workers on Saturday night in the Bathinda parliamentary constituency represented by Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Akali Dal worker Nirmal Singh was attacked when he had gone to a village for some work. Nirmal Singh's son Gurpreet Singh claimed, "My father who is an Akali Dal worker had gone to a village. Some Congress workers followed him, so he went to my uncles' house to escape. But they waited for my father to come out. When he came out, they attacked him with sickles and rods. My father has sustained injuries on his head, shoulder and leg." Nirmal has been admitted to a hospital for treatment. Police version on the incident is awaited. Badal, a two-time MP from Bathinda is pitted against Congress' Raja Warring, AAP's Baljinder Kaur and Punjab Democratic Alliance's Sukhpal Singh Khaira. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) RJD leader Rabri Devi sought Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's resignation after the latter condemned Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur's comment on Nathuram Godse. Rabri told ANI that if Kumar was miffed over Thakur's remark then he should have separated from the BJP. "Nitish Kumar should have resigned, if he is hurt over Pragya Thakur's comment. He should have separated from BJP over this comment," she said speaking to ANI. "We are getting 40 out of 40 seats. The Mahagathbandhan is relaxed. On May 23, everything will be clear," she added . Pragya Thakur on May 16, stoked a huge controversy and left the BJP red-faced with her comment that Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse was a 'true patriot', a statement her party condemned and asked her to apologise for it immediately. The Opposition parties tore into Pragya, saying what she said reflected the mindset of the people nurtured in RSS ideology. Thakur, an accused in the Malegaon blast case, is not new to courting controversies. After being fielded by the BJP in Bhopal, she had said Hemant Karkare, who was killed during the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks, died because she had cursed him. The statement had attracted all-round criticism including from the BJP which disowned it. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hit out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi calling his visit to Kedarnath a planned "drama" and accusing the Election Commission of India (ECI) "capitulating before him" and not taking any action against wide-scale media coverage of his visit, even as the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha election was underway. "From Electoral Bonds & EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, "Modi's Army" and now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commission's capitulation before Mr Modi and his gang is obvious to all Indians. The EC used to be feared & respected. Not anymore," Rahul wrote on his Twitter handle. Not only Rahul, even Trinamool Congress and Telugu Desam Party (TDP) have also accused the ECI of being 'soft' on Prime Minister Modi and called media coverage of his Kedarnath visit a gross violation of poll conduct. "The election campaign for the last phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls is over, surprisingly Narendra Modi's Kedarnath Yatra is being widely covered by the media for the last two days. This is a gross violation of the MCC," TMC said in a letter to the EC. Meanwhile, Congress leader and former Finance Minister P Chidambaram expressed similar sentiments and said that the use of religion by a prime minister to influence voting is unacceptable. "Now we can say that the 'pilgrimage' of the PM in the last two days is an unacceptable use of religion and religious symbols to influence the voting," Chidambaram tweeted. Congress leader stated that the watchdog has completely surrendered its independence and authority. "Our charge had been that the EC was sleeping on the job. Now, we can go further and say that the EC completely surrendered its independence and authority. Shame!" he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath, a day after campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls came to a close. The Prime Minister on Sunday ended his 18-hour meditation session inside a holy cave of Kedarnath and headed towards Badrinath temple to offer prayers to Lord Vishnu. Polling for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections was held on Sunday in 59 seats spread across seven states and one Union Territory in the country. 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.) Amidst sniping of coalition partners JD(S) by Congress leaders in Karnataka, Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday told the state unit that such behaviour will not be tolerated. This was conveyed by Gandhi to a delegation of party leaders who met him here according to working president of the Karnataka Congress unit , Dinesh Gundu Rao. "The meeting with Rahul Gandhi is a bid to work in a more cohesive, strong and united manner. Some statements have been made against the coalition government by a few of our party members, which are not acceptable at all. Because of Lok Sabha election, we did not take any strict action but in the future, the party high command has said such things will be not tolerated and firm action will be taken. We need to have more discipline in Congress party," said Rao. The delegation included former chief minister Siddaramaiah and Karnataka minister DK Shivakumar. The state unit president also said that very soon a co-ordination committee meeting will be convened. "We are expecting very good results on May 23, there will be a new government in Delhi. There has been misrule in the country because of five years of Narendra Modi government and people are going to send him out," Rao added. Lately there were statements from Siddaramaiah's supporters against chief minister H D Kumaraswamy with the statements suggesting that there could be trouble for him after the results are out. Kumaraswamy himself took a dig at Siddaramaiah, a fromer JD(S) leader, saying Congress vertran Mallikarjun Kharge missed the bus for chief ministership in the party. Siddaramaiah hit back saying even Kumaraswamy's brother H D Revanna would be a better candidate for the top post. Polling began on Sunday in 59 seats spread across seven states and one Union Territory in the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha elections. 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.) Reporters without Borders (RSF or Reporters Sans Frontieres) has urged Nepalese Government to drop the probe against three journalists of the Rashtriya Samachar Samiti (RSS) who published a report about Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama. Journalists Mohani Risal, Somnath Lamichhane and Jivan Bhandari, who work for the foreign desk of Nepal's state-owned news agency RSS, are being investigated over the news on Dalai Lama. The desk had dispatched news about the health condition of Tibetan spiritual leader. The probe was initiated following the instruction by Nepal's Ministry of Communications and Information Technology. "They are being probed for the issue of a Dalai Lama related story following instructions by Ministry (Communications and Information Technology). The journalists have given their answer about coverage, they have mentioned that it was based on humanitarian ground and had a strong news sense and value as it was an issue of concern for all," a member from the committee formed to investigate the probe informed ANI seeking anonymity. The investigation came at a time when the communist government is bringing strong legislative measures, like the "Media Council Bill", to curb the freedom of journalists. Last week, the Government of Nepal, under the leadership of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, registered the particular new bill in Parliament Secretariat that proposed to fine journalists, media outlets, editors, and publishers, if they were found violating media code of ethics. The council can also get the aggrieved persons or institutions compensated if they suffer any loss due to the publication or broadcast of the material violating the code of conduct issued by the council, according to the section 18(1) of the new bill. The compensation amount can range in between Nepal Rupees 25,000 to one million.The adjoining sub-section (2) of the same section also has granted authority to the council to order the erring parties to pay compensation if the content in media outlets damages the image of the affected party. The current Media Council Act, still in practice does not have such provisions of paying compensation to the aggrieved party, rather it requires publication of the affected party's version. Along with this, it makes recommendations to the government to partially or completely stop the subsidiaries and governmental facilities for a certain period of time. Reciprocating current practice, the bill further explains that the council should forward the case to the concerned authority for legal actions if any case concerning media ethics also constitutes an offence under any existing law. Along with the provision in the bill states that the media, publishers, editors or journalists can challenge the decision of the media council at the high court within 35 days of a verdict. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) leader Sharad Yadav on Sunday took a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for visiting and meditating at Kedarnath temple and allowing media to cover it on a large scale even as the last phase of seven-phased Lok Sabha election was underway. He asked if the Prime Minister wants to convert the Lok Sabha into a 'Kirtan Sabha'. "The Prime Minister of the biggest democracy in the world is sitting inside the cave. What has he achieved by sitting inside the cave? Did any invention take place? Does he want to convert the Lok Sabha into a Kirtan Sabha?" Yadav said while speaking to ANI. Prime Minister Modi on Saturday offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath, a day after campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls came to a close. After spending over 15-hours meditating inside a holy cave of Kedarnath, he visited Badrinath, another temple in Uttarakhand's revered 'Char Dham' on Sunday. Several opposition leaders have been targeting Modi for his visit to Kedarnath and Badrinath temples stating that his action was a clear violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) and it influences voters through a public display of his personal religious activities. Echoing similar sentiments, the LJD leader said: "I do not understand what people get from such caves? Did people bring him to the Centre to perform religious activities? This is all drama to gain publicity for which the Prime Minister has even violated poll conduct." Yadav, on being asked about his view on the exit polls which are giving a clear majority to BJP-led NDA at the Centre, said: "Exit polls have no value. This is unfortunate for the country that we copy everything from the United States and Europe. Exit poll cannot be held in this country. I personally never believe in the exit polls as they have no accurate figures." ABP-Nielsen poll projected 267 for the NDA, 127 for the UPA and 148 for 'Others'. Of the 'Others', the grand alliance in Uttar Pradesh is getting an estimated 50 seats. Voting was held on Sunday for 59 Lok Sabha seats -- 13 each in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, nine in West Bengal, eight each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, all four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat of Union Territory Chandigarh. As per the EC, a voter turnout of 62 per cent was registered till 7 pm in the seventh phase. Counting of votes is scheduled on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Setting an example, a specially-abled middle-aged woman came out to vote at the polling booth in Indore on Sunday. Sonu Mali, with the help of a wheelchair, came to exercise her ballot at the booth no 316 in Nanda Nagar of Indore. "I came here to vote because I feel that I must vote for a good candidate to ensure the development of the region. Voting is our right and we should exercise it," Mali told ANI. Dressed in a green 'salwar-kameez' with a pink 'dupatta', she used the ramp set-up for specially-abled people to enter the polling booth. "I urge other specially-abled people to make efforts and cast their vote," she said. Mali showed-off her inked-finger with a beaming smile. Eight of the total 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh are voting today in the last round of polls. Overall, voting in 59 parliamentary constituencies across seven states and one Union Territory is underway. 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.) A delegation led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Petroleum, Nadeem Babar, left for Turkmenistan to attend a meeting on Sunday evening on the development of Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, also known as Trans-Afghanistan pipeline. Groundbreaking of the TAPI gas pipeline will be held in Pakistan in October this year, sources told Geo News. The Pakistani delegation is travelling to Turkmenistan to finalise the plans for the groundbreaking of the project, sources said. The TAPI gas pipeline project is expected to be completed by 2022 in Pakistan. The TAPI project, supported by the United States and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), has been supported by Turkmenistan since the 1990s. But the initiation of the project was delayed due to issues related to the instability in the region, especially in Afghanistan. The ADB is acting as the facilitator and coordinator for the project. It is proposed to lay a 56-inch diameter and 1,680-kilometre pipeline with a capacity of transporting 33 billion cubic meters (BCM) of natural gas per annum from Turkmenistan through Afghanistan and Fazilka near the India-Pakistan border, Geo News reported. The pipeline will run through areas of southern Afghanistan largely controlled by the Taliban. However, Kabul has assured that no hindrance will be caused to the project, which will benefit Afghanistan with five billion cubic meters of the gas itself, while the rest would be divided between India and Pakistan. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP Lok Sabha candidate from South Kolkata constituency CK Bose, on Sunday said that TMC workers were behaving like "terrorists" and "jihadis" in West Bengal. "Last night, I was getting calls from my workers from different booths that they have been threatened by TMC's 'jihadi' brigade that if you sit as booth agents for BJP, you'll be murdered. There's no difference between a terrorist organisation and TMC," Bose told ANI here. Bose also accused TMC workers of attacking him on April 24, when he was on his way to file nomination papers. West Bengal went to polls in all phases of the elections, with the seventh phase of polling underway today. Votes are due to be counted on May 23. All six phases of ongoing polls in West Bengal were marred with violence. Last week, a convoy of West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh and Assam Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters in Khejuri area of Purba Medinipur district. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed his anguish over the low quality of political debates during the just-concluded election campaign with politicians resorting to personalised attacks instead of focusing on larger issues of public concern. Speaking at a function organised to felicitate the Vice President by his friends and well-wishers following the recent conferment of Honorary Doctorate by the University for Peace at Costa Rica, he said that politicians should remember that they are only rivals and not enemies and said that the language should not be abusive. "All political parties, people and the press too should seriously ponder over this issue," he added. Naidu recalled that during his younger days as a legislator, he used to be highly critical and harsh of the policies of the government but never indulged in personal attacks. He underlined the importance of respecting the institutions of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, Leader of Opposition and other public representatives. The Vice President expressed his anguish over the falling standards in every walk of life. He appealed to all, including legislators, political parties, institutions and people in public life, to uphold high standards and values. He also urged the people to select and elect their representatives on the basis of character, calibre, conduct, and capacity to strengthen democracy, although four other Cs--caste, cash, community, and criminality are trying to be predominant. Naidu also took a dig at the growing trend of defections and freebies offered by political parties. He also advised the media not to mix views with news and said that there should be an audit of the performance of the public representatives every five years. "The country and the states need able leaders and a stable government," he added. Referring to his interactions with foreign dignitaries in India and during his visits abroad, he said the world was impressed with India's economic momentum. "India is being recognised and respected the world over," he asserted and pointed out that the Indian economy was moving forward while the global economy was slowing down. Naidu said that India was respected by the rest of the world for its age-old ethos and civilisational values and for always upholding the principles of peace and non-violence. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With voting underway for the Seventh phase of the Lok Sabha elections, large scale violence is being reported from different parliamentary constituencies of the state. West Bengal, witnessed clashes on Sunday too with Trinamool and BJP blaming each other for violence. While vehicles of few leaders were vandalised in poll-related violence, BJP has also accused TMC of beating its office-bearers. BJP MP candidate from Jadavpur, Anupam Hazra told ANI that the Mandal president of his party was beaten by 'goons' of TMC. "TMC goons have beaten up a BJP Mandal president, a driver and attacked a car. We also rescued our three polling agents. TMC goons were going to carry out rigging at 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP but they are not allowing people to vote", he said. Earlier while visiting polling booth number 150/137 in Jadavpur, he had also objected to women covering their faces while voting and said, "Women TMC workers with covered faces are casting proxy votes, it is difficult to establish their identity. When we raised an objection to it, they created a ruckus at the polling station." BJP candidate for Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency, Nilanjan Roy's car was also vandalised in Dongaria area of the constituency on Saturday. Voters in Basirhat and Jadavpurhave alleged that TMC workers are disrupting the election process by not allowing them to vote. A protest was held by voters outside booth number 189 in Basirhat. "We are not being allowed to vote by TMC goons. We went to Police for complaining against them, but TMC supporters stopped us midway and started beating us," a protestor said. BJP's Lok Sabha candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu was also present at the spot. "100 people were stopped from voting. We will take them to cast their vote," he said. Party's candidate from Basirhat also alleged of the poll process being hindered by TMC workers and demanded the additional presence of Central forces. Similarly, in Jadavpur, there were disturbances in the polling process at booth number 150 and 137. Discontent over the poll process was not limited to BJP but CPI also complaint of high-handedness by TMC workers. CPI candidate Pallab Sengupta on Sunday registered 142 complaints against TMC workers. In his complaint, he had asserted that TMC workers were pressurizing voters to vote for their party's candidate. West Bengal voted across all the seven phases of polls, today being the last one. All the earlier phases have witnessed poll violence with TMC and BJP trading blame over the issue. Nine seats in the state are voting today. Sunday marks the end of the seven-phase polling in the country with a total of 59 parliamentary constituencies voting today. The counting of votes would take place on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP's Bengal in-charge Kailash Vijayvargiya on Sunday slammed Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and claimed that her goons are running the state of West Bengal. The leader also said that the state government and police have together murdered the democracy of the region. "Mamata Banerjee has handed over the charge of the state to the goons. There is hooliganism in the state and no democracy. There is dictatorship in the region. West Bengal government and police have together murdered the democracy of the region," he said. Vijayvargiya said that the BJP wants to establish democracy in West Bengal and added that the Mamata Banerjee government is not allowing people to vote for the BJP. "I have come to know that people in West Bengal want to vote cast their ballot in favour of the BJP but the workers of the West Bengal government are blocking their ways. I believe that PM Modi is the only leader which can strengthen the democracy in the country and can take the nation forward," he said. The statement from Vijayvargiya came after people alleged that there were reports of bombing at Raidighi in Mathurapur Lok Sabha seat in West Bengal. Polling across nine Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal is underway and 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.) The Trinamool Congress on Sunday wrote a letter to Election Commission of India (ECI) and asserted that the wide-scale of media coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kedarnath is a violation of Model Code of Conduct. 'Election campaign for the last phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls is over, surprisingly Narendra Modi's Kedarnath Yatra is being widely covered by the media for the last 2 days. This is a gross violation of the model code of conduct,' read the letter. Echoing similar sentiments, TMC's political rival and Communist Party of India (CPI) Leader D Raja also accused ECI of being 'soft' on Prime Minister Modi and said, "It is true that PM keeps violating model code of conduct but election commission is not taking any action. The election commission is so soft on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP Chief Amit Shah. The election commission is not acting in a manner it should act. ECI is constitutional body it should act neutrally, objectively without any biased or without any fear." Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath, a day after campaigning for the Lok Sabha polls came to a close. The Prime Minister today ended his 18-hour meditation session inside a holy cave of Kedarnath. He will now head towards Badrinath temple. Polling for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Sunday in 59 seats spread across seven states and one Union Territory in the country. The counting of voting will begin on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 32 per cent electorates cast their votes across nine parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal till 11 a.m. on Sunday where the seventh and final phase of polling is underway amid reports of sporadic violence and EVM malfunctioning. Braving the scorching heat, large number of voters of various age groups lined up outside polling stations in the constituencies of Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jaynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata South and Kolkata North. As of 11 a.m., the voter turnout was the highest in Barasat (36.94), followed by Mathurapur (34.90), Diamond Harbour (34.40), Dumdum (34.10), Basirhat (33.90), Jadavpur(31.59), Jaynagar (29.60), Kolkata South (27.69), Kolkata North (25.41). Voting began at 7 a.m. and will end at 6 p.m. In the initial hours, polling was halted at a number of booths due to faulty Electronic Voting Machines. Polling at three booths in Dum Dum's Nagerbazar area and another at South City College under the South Kolkata seat was delayed by more than an hour, while voting did not begin until 9.30 a.m. at a booth in Jadavpur's Sonarpur. Cases of EVM failures were also reported at several booths in Diamond Harbour, Joynagar, Barasat, Dum Dum and both the constituencies of the eastern metropolis. At Kolkata North's park Circus, stones were pelted at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rahul Sinha, injuring a cameraperson of a local news channel. Later, bombs were hurled near the city's Posta area causing panic among the locals. Large contingent of police and central force personnel rushed to the spot. In Basirhat constituency's Minakha, BJP supporters created a road blockade, accusing the Trinamool Congress activists of threatening them and impeding them from going to the polling booths. However, the blockade was withdrawn after Central forces reached the spot and escorted the voters to the polling stations. Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) North Kolkata candidate Kaninika Bose (Ghosh) staged a protest demonstration in Belgachia, alleging that her party's polling agents were beaten up and not allowed to sit inside the booths in the area. In Jadavpur where Trinamool Congress has fielded popular actress and political greenhorn Mimi Chakraborty, BJP candidate Anupam Hazra complained of proxy voting by the ruling party supporters. "Many of our voters are not allowed to cast their votes. They are being sent away by Trinamool booth agents after putting ink on their fingers. Clearly, proxy voting is going on here," Hazra said. In the constituency's Baruipur area, Trinamool Congress booth president Azizur Rahman, allegedly guided many voters to cast their votes for the state's ruling party. The presiding officer accepted that the accused was "helping out" voters to cast their votes. Meanwhile, Trinamool's Kolkata South candidate Mala Roy said that she was not allowed to enter a polling booth at Mudiali by the central forces after an EVM failure was reported. At least 1,49,10,643 eligible voters will decide the fate of 111 candidates -- 94 male, 17 female -- in 17,058 polling booths across the nine seats. The Kolkata North seat has the highest number of candidates (21), while it also has the lowest number of electorate. To ensure peaceful polls, 710 companies of central paramilitary forces, 461 Quick Response Teams (QRT) and state police personnel have been deployed in the nine constituencies spread over three districts -- Kolkata, 24 Parganas North and 24 Parganas South. Stakes are high at a number of parliamentary constituencies as several political heavyweights like Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee (Diamond Harbour), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's grand nephew Chandra Kumar Bose (Kolkata South), BJP National Secretary Rahul Sinha (Kolkata North), former Kolkata mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya (Jadavpur), veteran Trinamool Congress MPs Sougata Roy (Dum Dum) and Sudip Bandyopadhyay (Kolkata North) are contesting in the final phase of Lok Sabha polls here. --IANS mgr/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Following Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's allegation that his own security detail could assassinate him as in the case of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Delhi unit of the BJP has written to the Delhi Police demanding withdrawal of the Kejriwal's security cover. The Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor, on Sunday, wrote a letter to the Delhi Commissioner of Police, the Union Home Ministry and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi demanding withdrawal of the security cover provided to the Chief Minister of national capital. "Delhi Police should seek an apology from Arvind Kejriwal and if he does not apologise, then the Chief Minister's security cover be withdrawn," Kapoor wrote in the letter. Kapoor also raised concerns about the mental condition of the security personnel who are posted for the security of the Delhi Chief Minister following the allegations and demanded psychological counselling for them. "I believe the entire security squad around Arvind Kejriwal must be facing mental depression after hearing their protectee's statement fearing death at their hands. All security staff deployed around Arvind Kejriwal should be given psychological counselling," Kapoor added. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal alleged on Saturday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to assassinate him for building a political narrative around schools and hospitals. Kejriwal had told a news channel in Punjab that he would be assassinated like former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by his personal security officers. "The BJP would get me murdered by my own PSO (personal security officer) one day, like Indira Gandhi. My own security officers report to the BJP. The BJP is after my life, they will murder me one day," Kejriwal told a news channel in Punjab. --IANS rag/bc (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP could win 11 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal, up from its 2014 tally of 2 seats, according to the exit poll conducted by Neta-NewsX. In 2014, the ruling Trinamool Congress bagged 34 out of the 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal while the BJP managed only 2. "The BJP will get 11 seats, while the Trinamool Congress will get 29 and the Congress 2, down from its tally of 4 in 2014," said the Neta-NewsX exit poll. In Bihar, the BJP is likely to win 9 out of the 17 seats it is contesting in the state. In 2014, it had won 22 seats. The Congress, on the other hand, may gain three seats and increase its tally to 5. Out of the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, which were all bagged by the BJP in 2014, the Congress may get 2 while the remaining 5 seats are likely to go the BJP's way. The Congress is also likely to snatch the lone Lok Sabha seat in Chandigarh from the grasp of the BJP. The Congress and the BJP are likely to share the two Lok Sabha seats in Goa, which both went the saffron party's way in 2014. The BJP is also likley to suffer setbacks in Madhya Pradesh, Maharasthra, Rajasthan and Uttrakhand, as per the Neta-NewsX exit poll. However, there is unlikely to be any change in BJP's stronghold in Himachal Pradesh (all 4 seats), Andaman and Nicobar Islands (1) and Jammu and Kashmir (2). --IANS nks/arm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The caste arithmetic of votes in Uttar Pradesh seems to be making a dent on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)'s final tally in the much awaited Lok Sabha elections. The IANS-CVoter Exit Poll reveals that despite the BJP's 407 rallies in India's biggest state, the alliance led by the Samajwadi Party (SP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) seems to be taking away a major chunk of seats from the saffron party. The alliance(gathbandhan), as per the exit poll, could fetch 40 seats, giving a loss of 31 seats to the BJP which secured 71 out of 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh in the 2014 elections. The BJP(NDA) has been given 38 seats in the exit poll, a figure so low that it can disappoint Prime Minister Narendra Modi who spent most time canvassing in the state. The Congress, scoring just 2, fails again to show any sign of improving its tally in a state where Priyanka Gandhi Vadra made a much hyped debut by being appointed Secretary, in charge of Eastern UP. Congress President Rahul Gandhi(Amethi) and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi(Rae Bareli) are the two possible winners for India's oldest party in the region dominated by the Nehru-Gandhi family for the past 70 years. However, the BJP's major loss in Uttar Pradesh seems to have recouped by an outstanding performance in West Bengal and Odisha. Taking West Bengal by storm, Modi and BJP Chief Amit Shah's whirlwind campaign in the state appears to be translating into votes for the party. The IANS-CVoter Exit Poll reveals that the BJP will bag 11 seats, in the process bringing down Mamata Banerjee's tally from 34(2014) to 29. The BJP's strategy of focusing on Bengal and Odisha has worked well. In Odisha, the saffron surge had a 'Fani' effect, where it seems to be securing 10 out of 19 seats. The last time, the BJP could manage only one seat. In fact, the BJP had been gaining momentum in the eastern state since it held its national executive in Bhubaneswar in 2017. According to a senior BJP leader, Shah had devised a special campaign plan for Modi in which 60 per cent of his rallies would be held in Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and West Bengal. While Uttar Pradesh was witness to a tough challenge thrown by the gathbandhan, based on the sheer arithmetic of the caste vote, the BJP still managed to get 38 seats. Party insiders say it is still an achievement as the BJP had lost all major parliamentary seats in a series of by-elections held last year. Nonetheless, the BJP managed almost half of the total seats in Uttar Pradesh, and as per the exit polls and appears to be returning to power at the Centre. --IANS ds/am (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Kolkata South Chandra Kumar Bose on Sunday accused the Trinamool Congress of attacking his party's polling agents in various parts of the constituency and urged the Election Commission to play a more proactive role. Visiting the pooling booth at Mitra Institution where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is set to cast her vote, Bose said there was an "atmosphere of violence" there. "Our polling agents have been attacked at several places. This atmosphere of violence is not good for a prestigious constituency like South Kolkata. There are still a few hours left. I urge the Election Commission to be more proactive and send more forces," said Bose, the grand nephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. --IANS mgr-bdc/ssp/arm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bosch, a leading global technology company, has used its open-source-based Bosch IoT Suite to connect more than 10 million devices from various manufacturers, and is now working with partners to enable these devices to communicate and interact in secure ecosystems. Bosch sold 52 million web-enabled products in 2018 alone, over a third more than in the previous year, said a company statement. The company is offering a glimpse into the future of connected mobility, industry, and life at Bosch ConnectedWorld 2019 (BCW19) in Berlin, Germany, at an industry gathering featuring the tagline From the internet of things to the economy of things. Distributed ledger technologies (DLT) such as blockchain may well become the key technology in these domains, it said. By merging the physical and digital realms, we are making peoples everyday lives easier, said Bosch chief executive officer Dr Volkmar Denner at BCW19, where he addressed some 5,000 technology buffs from the political, business, scientific, and public arenas. In the future, things will not just be connected in order to communicate, they will do business together, he said. Denner added: The company is taking a strategic interest in these technologies, as it will usher in the economy of things which will enable things to communicate independently with other connected things, and even enter into smart contracts on their own. In the mobility domain, for example, this could help expedite routine procedures. Ser-vices of all kinds could result, such as automatically billing vehicle owners for the use of toll roads, parking spaces, and charging stations. Bosch is working with the energy supplier EnBW on a prototype that uses block-chain technology to improve the e-car recharging process. The idea is to stream-line and tailor the entire process to customers needs, so they can select, re-serve, and pay for recharging services as they see fit. For example, the operator could combine the software developed by Bosch for cars with a smart charging-station manager to offer customers transparent pricing models, with the options varying in real time according to the availability of charging stations and green electricity sourced from renewables. The entire transaction reservation and payment is a fully automated blockchain operation. This service can factor other customer preferences into the equation. For example, a customer who has small children and likes coffee could opt for a charging station with a playground and cafes nearby. Initial trials with this new system are underway. Bosch and Siemens are jointly developing a second application, a smart parking-management system based on blockchain. In the future, DLT will make parking considerably less of a chore. Cars will communicate directly with parking facilities in their vicinity and negotiate the best terms. As soon as the car reaches the en-trance to the chosen parking garage, it will identify itself at the entry barrier, which will then be raised without the driver having to remove a ticket from the dispenser. The driver will also be able to leave the parking garage without further ado, since the vehicle will have already communicated with the exit barrier and settled the parking fee in a virtual transaction. Drivers will no longer have to keep small change at the ready or worry about losing their parking ticket. The two companies have installed a prototype at Boschs Renningen research campus and at the Siemens campus in Munich. Distributed structures across the internet are at the core of DLT. Rather than a few platform providers storing data in their data centres, it is spread across numerous servers. To build trust in digital ecosystems, we need open platforms and an internet in which users have the power to decide for themselves, Denner said. This will bring real benefits to people. If users are captive a web platform provider can change its terms of use at will. By gaining independence from the big internet players, users no longer have to blindly accept such changes. We are building trust in internet platforms with these distributed structures. They enable many players to participate, said Bosch board of management member and CDO/CTO Dr Michael Bolle. Distributed platforms operated by an ecosystem encompassing numerous equal partners are also better protected against external attacks. At Boschs initiative, representatives from leading international associations and organizations including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Digital Europe, ETSI, the Eclipse Foundation, Trustable Technology, Plattform Industrie 4.0, the Industrial Internet Consortium (IIC), and the Trusted IoT Alliance will be meeting at the first Digital Trust Forum in Berlin on May 16, 2019. The main focus of the gathering is the question of how to build and safe-guard trust in digital systems. By 2020, global IoT market volume is expected to rise to $250 billion, an annual increase of 35 per cent. We cannot accept a situation in which the overwhelming reaction to digital innovations is mistrust and fear. For this reason, the aim of the Digital Trust Forum is to initiate open dialogue among experts to discuss the trust-related issues raised by the internet, Bolle said. At this years Bosch ConnectedWorld, more than 80 exhibitors are demonstrating how rapid advances on the internet of things are creating new opportunities at work and in everyday life. Some 5,000 people are expected to convene at Station Berlin, a venue with 14,000 sq m of floor space, on May 15 and 16. The lineup of more than 150 speakers includes Bosch CEO Volkmar Denner, Munich Re CEO Dr Joachim Wenning, Vattenfall CEO Magnus Hall, and HTML inventor and worldwide web founder Sir Timothy Berners-Lee. Some 700 programmers, startup associates, and designers will take part in a hackathon to come up with new ideas for connected solutions for everyday life, mobility, manufacturing, and logistics, it stated. TradeArabia News Service Like the famous tech acronym FAANG (Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix and Google), the Indian smartphone market once had its own buzzword: MILK. Desi smartphone players Micromax, Intex, Lava and Karbonn (MILK) ruled the roost before the Chinese invasion hit them some 3-4 years back and today, the likes of Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Honor, Realme and others have completely milked them. Check the MILK's smartphone market share in the first quarter of 2019: Micromax at 1.1 per cent, Intex at 0.1 per cent, Lava at 1.2 per cent and Karbonn, 0.2 per cent (according to Counterpoint Research). Xiaomi had 29 per cent, Vivo 12 per cent, Realme 7 per cent and Oppo 7 per cent in the same January-March quarter. Have Indian brands given up on resurrection in the face of mounting Chinese competition? "More or less, yes. The aggression by the China-based brands in terms of investments in marketing and distribution, developing India-specific product portfolio is helping them carve a significant amount of consumer's mindshare in addition to the market share they have been able to capture in last three years or so," explained Navkendar Singh, Research Director (Devices and Ecosystem) India and South Asia, International Data Corporation (IDC). This is making it very difficult for India-based brands to match the aggression and investments and make any realistic attempt to recapture mind or market share in any price segment. "It seems they realized this a few quarters back which is why we see Micromax venturing aggressively into TVs and Intex in washing machines, etc," Singh told IANS. Speaking to IANS last December on the sidelines of the company's launch of its first Notch series of smartphones, Vikas Jain, Co-founder, Micromax Informatics Ltd said that they are going pretty strong in the smaller towns and cities in India. "We are strong in the Tier II and IV cities with a strong user base. You will see more industry-first features coming into our entry-level smartphones soon. We would also diversify in other consumer electronics segment too," Jain had told IANS. Micromax Informatics' sub-brand YU later entered consumer electronics with the launch of "YU YUPHORIA" smart TV which, unfortunately, has failed to create a buzz. A fresh questionnaire sent to Micromax did not elicit any response. Chinese tech major Xiaomi on Friday announced that its Mi LED TVs have crossed the two-million-sales mark within 14 months of their launch. According to Shobhit Srivastava, Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research, the Indian market would see exits from some of the Indian smartphone brands this year while some will witness major shift in strategy in smartphone segment. "We have been estimating market consolidation for Indian brands for a couple of years now. The market has become highly competitive even in the entry-level segment with Chinese players launching smartphones in below Rs 7,000 price segment. This has made resurrection for Indian brands tougher," Srivastava told IANS. The government intends to make India as the next (and possibly bigger than China) electronics manufacturing hub, and position India as a better alternate manufacturing base for all OEMs. "To that extent, the programmes and initiatives have been very successful in terms that almost 90 per cent of phones in India are now being assembled/manufactured in the country. The China-based players utilized these schemes and incentives rather quickly primarily in order to remain price competitive in the market," informed Singh. According to him, we do not see the government giving special incentive plans to domestic brands since it can hurt the overall goal of India's attractiveness as manufacturing base. "To that extent, there is no way out for India-based players on this front," he lamented. If you can't beat them, join them. Srivastava stressed that changing strategy and leveraging the strong distribution system in Tier II and Tier III cities to partner with emerging players will help desi companies survive the intense smartphone war. "We have recently seen this with Lava offering offline distribution to Chinese brand Honor," he noted. The white goods space still has space for low-priced brands in Tier II market and beyond, wherein the India-based brands can surely leverage on their brand presence, provided they can give quality products at great pricing. "A few Indian brands are planning to become the distribution partners to some of these China-based players, which can actually work well for both sides," added Singh. (Nishant Arora can be contacted at nishant.a@ians.in) --IANS na/prs (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi has urged Washington "not to go too far" in its measures that threatened Chinese interests in a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. In the phone call on Saturday, Wang expressed his strong opposition to the executive order signed by US President Donald Trump last week that prohibits the use of technological equipment by firms allegedly trying to spy on Washington, which could restrict business with companies such as Huawei. "We urge the US side not to go too far," Wang told Pompeo, adding that the US should change its course as soon as possible so as to avoid further damage of bilateral ties. The Chinese Minister said that Beijing "was still willing to resolve economic and trade differences through negotiations, but that they should be on an equal footing", Xinhua news agency reported. He added that in any negotiations, China must safeguard its legitimate interests, respond to the calls of its people and defend the basic norms of international relations. The Minister stressed that China stated its firm opposition to "the US negative words and acts related to Taiwan" and urged Washington to "abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques and handle Taiwan-related issues carefully and properly", the report said. The call came after Beijing and Washington locked horns again last week owing to Trump's action to thwart "foreign adversaries who are actively and increasingly creating and exploiting vulnerabilities in information and communications technology infrastructure and services in the US", according to the White House. However, the White House made no direct reference to China, with whom the US is engaged in a bitter trade dispute. While both Beijing and Washington say that negotiations to resolve the trade dispute have not yet collapsed after over 10 rounds of talks, it seems unlikely that the deadlock will break in the short term after the mutual imposition of tariffs and trading of accusations by both countries. Wang and Pompeo also spoke about the latest developments over the Iran issue. The Chinese top Minister said that China was committed to the denuclearization, peace and security of the Middle East. "We hope that all parties will exercise restraint and act with caution, so as to avoid escalating tensions," Wang said. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Before the actual results are out, the demand for the exit poll data usually outweighs the accuracy of its prediction, as these polls normatively indicate what the nation could expect on the counting-day. Voting for the long-winded seven-phased general elections for the 17th Lok Sabha has come to an end and it will lead into flurry of exit polls prediction. These predictions serve two purposes -- provide real time data on voting trends, and electorate's views on election issues and candidates. But they have a problematic history. The beginning of exit polls In 1996, the government-controlled Doordarshan engaged the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) to conduct exit poll. It accurately predicted a fractured-mandate -- the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) fell short of the majority, but emerged as the single largest party. Atal Bihari Vajpayee though formed the government, but resigned before his government could complete two weeks in office. Although, it began on a positive note, but as it evolved it brought forth in-built inconsistency in the process. In 1998, the top four election surveys -- India Today/CSDS, DRS, Outlook/AC Nielsen and Frontline/CMS -- predicted a victory, but less than 272 seats, for the BJP-led NDA. Eventually, the NDA got 182 seats. In 1999, all the major exit polls went over-board in making prediction for the BJP-led NDA. In fact, poll masters held that the BJP will easily cross the 300-mark, but it fell short, though not far behind -- the NDA won a clear majority with 296 seats. And, the Congress-led coalition folded up at 134 seats; somehow accurately predicted by polls. But the pollsters failed to predict the seats won by other parties and Independents in 1999. Together they got 113 seats, against the lowest 34 and the highest 95 seats predicted by pollsters. Beginning of failure In 2004, the exit polls predicted a comfortable victory for the BJP-led NDA, the lowest at 248 and the highest at 290. But the election results turned these predictions upside down. The NDA was limited at 189 seats. The polls also failed to predict seats for the Congress-led UPA as well as other parties. The polls completely failed to map electorates' mood. In 2009, the pollsters' failed yet again. The Congress-led UPA won 262 seats, a figure no pollster could even come close, and formed the government. The predictions also failed to map out seats for the BJP-led NDA, which won 159 seats -- the lowest prediction was 177 and the highest 197. In a big surprise the exit polls indicated a neck-and-neck contest between the coalitions led by the Congress and the BJP, which ended up as second-in-row failure. In 2014, although top four election surveys predicted a clear majority for the BJP-led NDA, but nothing above 290. The pollsters' failed to see the Narendra Modi wave, which swept elections and gave the NDA 336 seats. From the election results over the years, it's clear exit polls have already failed to predict the electorates' mood. But, renowned psephologist Yogendra Yadav believes exit polls, with only an exception in 2004, have not gone wrong all the way in indicating the direction in which electorate has voted. "Except 2004, the exit polls have not gone wrong actually. They have clearly established the direction in which the electorate has voted, which by far, fair enough to conclude that polls survey was actually good. It is a myth that exit polls can make accurate predictions. It is not fair to criticise these polls lacking accuracy," said Yadav speaking with IANS. --IANS ss/rs/pcj (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The exit polls, which on Sunday largely predicted a majority for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in the Lok Sabha elections, were a sign of the voters' confidence in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Goa BJP President Vinay Tendulkar said on Sunday. However, the Congress in the state argued that the exit polls did not account for the opinion of the "silent voters" whose votes will alter the predictions when the "real results" are announced on May 23. "This is a vote for Modiji's leadership. He has made India and Indians proud of themselves and the exit poll predictions are an indication of how the voters appreciate this," Tendulkar said. Responding to several exit polls showing the BJP winning both the Lok Sabha seats in the coastal state, Tendulkar said the prediction by the pollsters was a sign that the BJP was in a healthy position in Goa. "Like the exit poll projections, we also expect to win both the seats in North Goa and South Goa. This is due to the hard work of the BJP workers. The victories will be a tribute to our late leader Manohar Parrikar and the guidance he gave to us over the years," Tendulkar said. Parrikar, former Chief Minister of Goa and ex-Union Defence Minister, died on March 17 following a prolonged struggle with pancreatic cancer. However, Goa Congress spokesperson Trajano D'Mello said that he did not believe in exit poll predictions because they did not account for the "silent voter" phenomenon. "The silent voter does not speak to the pollsters. It is the silent voters' voice which will change the results predicted by the exit polls in our favour," D'Mello said. --IANS maya/arm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) chief Om Prakash Rajbhar cast his vote, along with his family, at the Mirganj Primary School of Balia on Sunday. He said the SP-BSP alliance will get a massive victory in eastern Uttar Pradesh. Rajbhar, who claims to have walked out of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh miffed over denial of seats of his choice in the state, has fielded 39 candidates for seats in the fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh phases. "No party will get a majority in these elections. But the SP-BSP alliance will get a massive victory in Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh). Without our support the BJP will suffer losses in at least 30 seats in Purvanchal. It is losing Balia, Gorakhpur and Ghazipur seats," said Rajbhar. He predicted that the saffron party will only win 15 seats in the state. "The SP-BSP alliance will win 55-60 seats, while the Congress will gets 2-3 seats," he added. Rajbhar, who has considerable clout in eastern Uttar Pradesh, asserted that his party has not campaigned for the saffron party in these elections. "We are not with them now. We only asked for the Ghosi seat, which the BJP did not give us." The SBSP chief, who has been playing spoiler to the BJP's plans in Uttar Pradesh, last week declared support for the Congress candidate in Mirzapur and SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidates in Maharajganj and Bansgaon. --IANS hindi/rtp (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In an attempt to step up its efforts to become a major technology provider in the global aviation industry, Technopark-headquartered IBS Software has entered into a multi-million-dollar agreement with Massachusetts-based Kronos Incorporated to acquire AD OPT. AD OPT, founded in 1987 in Montreal by a group of mathematicians and operations research experts, was acquired in 2004 by Kronos, a multinational workforce management software and services company employing nearly 6,000 professionals worldwide. Currently, the IBS staff strength is above 3,000 and are specialists in aviation software, supporting flight operations of large airlines, including British Airways, KLM and Emirates. AD OPT is a market leader in aviation software that provides crew management solutions to some of the biggest airlines across the world. The frontline crew planning and optimization platform of AD OPT currently powers some of the top airlines in the world, including Air Canada, EasyJet, Emirates, FedEx, Garuda, Lion Air, and Qantas. The acquisition is an integral part of IBS' growth strategy to become the leading technology provider to the airline industry worldwide. Prior to this, IBS has made six strategic acquisitions -- three in USA, two in Europe and one in India -- in its 21-year history. V.K. Ma0thews, Executive Chairman, IBS Group said acquisition of world-class travel technology companies has been a deliberate strategy of IBS to fulfil its commitment to the aviation industry. "AD OPT offers a sophisticated suite of airline crew planning and optimization products, a sizeable customer base and a highly experienced team of professionals. The coming together of IBS and AD OPT is, therefore, extremely relevant for the industry as it enables us to create the most advanced digital platform, delivering a holistic solution for flight operations and crew management," said Mathews. The acquisition of AD OPT will add more than 20 airline customers to IBS. "IBS represents a well-established and logical acquirer of AD OPT - a game-changing combination which will bring meaningful expertise and complementary benefits to employees and customers of both organizations," said Bob Hughes, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, Kronos. --IANS sg/pg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Batting for PSU banks' consolidation, chief economic advisor Krishnamurthy V Subramanian has said having a few good banks is a good idea as they can compete and their quality can get enhanced to compete globally with the best in the world. "Having a few large Indian banks is a good idea. By encouraging some of our healthy banks to become big and thereby tap into savings elsewhere, it will be a positive thing. We should have a few banks who can compete. By this the quality of those banks gets enhanced as they compete globally with the best in the world", the CEA told IANS in an interview. He said a global bank benefits savings across the world. Chinese and European banks are very large, there are benefits they derive from economies of scale, which reduces their costs. American and Chinese banks benefit from global savings. The Finance Ministry has been saying that India needs fewer and mega banks. The ministry had earlier called for further consolidation of India's banking industry, saying the country needs fewer, stronger mega lenders to exploit economies of scale. The reasoning of the NDA government behind such cosnolidation has been to drive synergies, reducing duplication and generate savings. Taking that line of action forward, state-run Bank of Baroda (BoB) became India's third largest bank after its merger with Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank came into effect from April 1, 2019, beating the private sector lender ICICI Bank. With a total business of about Rs 15 trillion, the merged entity is the third-largest lender in India, after State Bank of India (SBI) and HDFC Bank. Bank of Baroda now ranks second in India across all banks. The merged entity has nearly 9,500 branches as Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank will help BoB increase its reach in the western, southern and north-eastern regions. The new merged Bank of Baroda has an advances and deposits market share of 6.9 per cent and 7.4 per cent, respectively, according to a Motilal Oswal report. The retail book of the merged entity will increase to about 20% of total loans due to a higher retail book of Vijaya Bank. The combined entity will have a CASA mix of 33.6%, with a CD ratio of 70.7%, according to the report. Before that in 2017, five associates and the Bharatiya Mahila Bank became part of the SBI catapulting the country's largest lender to among the top 50 banks in the world. State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur (SBBJ), State Bank of Hyderabad (SBH), State Bank of Mysore (SBM), State Bank of Patiala (SBP) and State Bank of Travancore (SBT), besides Bharatiya Mahila Bank (BMB), merged with SBI from April 1, 2017. With this merger, the bank had joined the league of top 50 banks globally in terms of assets. The total customer base of the bank will reach 37 crore with a branch network of around 24,000 and nearly 59,000 ATMs across the country. The merged entity had a deposit base of more than Rs 26 lakh crore and advances level of Rs 18.50 lakh crore. According to the annual report, the six entities added Rs 5.41 lakh crore to the deposits and Rs 2.98 lakh crore to the total loans. (Anjana Das can be contacted at anjana.d@ians.in) --IANS ana/prs (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 Sunday accused BJP workers and central forces of "torturing people" during the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls on Sunday, saying she has never seen "such a thing before." "See campaigning is over. Now elections are on. So I won't say anything about the campaign. "But today since morning the way BJP workers and CRPF have tortured people, we have never seen any such thing before," Banerjee said after casting her vote at the Mitra Institution booth in south Kolkata's Bhowanipore area. --IANS ssp/kr (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) After spending night Saturday night meditating inside a cave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday morning again offered prayers at the Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand. "Modi is the first PM to spend a night inside a cave," said a top government official. He later thanked the Election Commission for permitting him to visit the Himalayan shrine and take a break from the gruelling election campaign. "I got two days rest," he said. Modi said he was completely cut off from the world inside the specially-created cave, which was furnished with amenities such as power, an attached toilet, a telephone, a CCTV etc. "There was no communication, only a small window through which I could see the temple," he said. Asserting that the blessings of Lord Shiva would continue to bestow on India as well as the world, the Prime Minister said: "I don't ask for anything from the God. I think, the God has made us to give something to the society," he said. Modi also appreciated the redevelopment work at Kedarnath after the 2013 deluge left town battered and said a dedicated team was engaged in the process. "I monitor the work through video conference from time-to-time," he said. The Prime Minister also lauded the people engaged in providing amenities in the tough terrain. "People come only after here after the portals (of temple) are opened. But we must not forget that hundreds of people remain engaged in providing amenities to the pilgrims long before the doors opened," he said. He thanked media for coming to Kedarnath despite the tough election schedule and said the message through the media about the redevelopment in Kedarnath would be positive. He also asked the people to visit Kedarnath and other areas of India in addition to places like Singapore and Dubai. --IANS str/rtp (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) NASAs New Horizons mission team has published the first image of the farthest world ever explored -- a planetary building block and Kuiper Belt object clicked during New Years 2019 flyby of Ultima Thule which looks like a human being in deep meditation. Called "2014 MU69", the object -- detailed of which are published in the May 17 issue of journal Science -- looks like a human being sitting in a meditative pose, an ancient relic from the era of planet formation. The flyby of Ultima Thule was the farthest exploration of an object in history - nearly 6.4 billion km from Earth. The object is a contact binary, with two distinctly differently-shaped lobes. At about 36 km long, Ultima Thule consists of a large, strangely flat lobe (nicknamed Ultima) connected to a smaller, somewhat rounder lobe (nicknamed Thule), at a juncture nicknamed "the neck." "How the two lobes got their unusual shape is an unanticipated mystery that likely relates to how they formed billions of years ago," said NASA. The lobes likely once orbited each other, like many so-called binary worlds in the Kuiper Belt, until some process brought them together in what scientists have shown to be a "gentle" merger. The alignment of the axes of Ultima and Thule indicates that before the merger the two lobes must have become tidally locked, meaning that the same sides always faced each other as they orbited around the same point. "We're looking into the well-preserved remnants of the ancient past," said New Horizons Principal Investigator Alan Stern, of the Southwest Research Institute in Colorado. "There is no doubt that the discoveries made about Ultima Thule are going to advance theories of solar system formation". New Horizons researchers are also investigating a range of surface features on Ultima Thule, such as bright spots and patches, hills and troughs, and craters and pits. The largest depression is a 8 km wide feature the team has nicknamed Maryland crater - which likely formed from an impact. Some smaller pits on the Kuiper Belt object, however, may have been created by material falling into underground spaces, or due to exotic ices going from a solid to a gas (called sublimation) and leaving pits in its place. Ultima Thule is very red - redder even than much larger, 2,400-km wide Pluto, which New Horizons explored at the inner edge of the Kuiper Belt in 2015. Its reddish hue is believed to be caused by modification of the organic materials on its surface. New Horizons scientists found evidence for methanol, water ice, and organic molecules on Ultima Thule's surface - a mixture very different from most icy objects explored previously by spacecraft. The New Horizons spacecraft is now 6.6 billion km from Earth, operating normally and speeding deeper into the Kuiper Belt at nearly 53,000 km per hour. --IANS na/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dubais Jebel Ali Free Zone (Jafza) has announced that it will waive an estimated Dh35 million ($9.52 million) in fines owed by its customers, in commemoration of the UAE Governments designation of 2019 as the Year of Tolerance. Jafzas decision to waive fines is an initiative that aligns strongly not only with the UAE governments goals for promoting tolerance but also with the companys broader goals to support the communities it serves, said a statement. Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem chairman of the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation and the Jebel Ali Free Zone Authority said: HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, designated 2019 as the Year of Tolerance. The values enshrined in this initiative align closely with our values and principles. We are therefore proud to support the government in its efforts to promote the UAE as a leading example of how people from many different cultures can live and work together in harmony. Bin Sulayem added: Jafza has always placed its customers needs as its highest priority, and this is one of many initiatives to create a business environment that promotes growth and reduces costs. We will continue to push the boundaries of innovation and to develop the world-class solutions and services that our clients have come to expect, he added. In addition to promoting the Year of Tolerance, this initiative is also expected to impact Dubais economy positively, as these funds will now allow firms to increase investment in their operations and help them grow. The waiver of fines will support the UAE governments goal of further enhancing its Ease of Doing Business rating, incentivising new companies and investors considering operations in the Middle East. The UAE currently ranks 11th in the World Banks Ease of Doing Business ranking, and Jafza has played a vital role in this positive rating. The free zone continues to be a leading source of foreign direct investment (FDI), accounting for nearly 24 per cent of Dubais total yearly inflow. TradeArabia News Service The poll of polls of exit polls done by NDTV predicted 292 seats for the BJP-led NDA, 127 for the Congress-led UPA and 123 for "non-aligned" parties. The poll of polls predicted BJP making major gains in Odisha and West Bengal, two states where it has been relatively weak but where it put a lot of effort to gain ground. It predicted that BJP will win 10 seats in Odisha and 13 in West Bengal. Odisha's ruling Biju Janata Dal, it said, was likely to win 10 seats while West Bengal's ruling Trinamool Congress was predicted to win 26 seats. However, it predicted that the BJP will suffer losses in Uttar Pradesh and will get 49 seats compared to 71 seats it won in 2014. The grand alliance of the Bahujan Samaj Party, the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Lok Dal was poised to win 29 seats in the state while the Congress was likely to win only two seats. In Bihar, it predicted that the ruling NDA will sweep the polls winning 32 seats, while eight will be won by the Grand Alliance that includes the Rashtriya Janata Dal, Congress and other parties. The BJP-Shiv Sena combine was predicted to suffer some losses in Maharashtra where its tally is expected to come down from its 2014 tally of 42 to 36. The Congress-NCP combine, it said, was likely to win 11 seats in the state. The poll of polls predicted significant gains for the DMK-led front in Tamil Nadu, predicting that it will win 27 seats compared to 11 by the AIADMK-led front that includes the BJP. It predicted that the Congress-led UDF was poised to win 14 seats in Kerala while four seats would be won by the ruling LDF and one by the BJP. It predicted the BJP retaining its dominance in Gujarat, Rajasthan (where it won all seats in 2014) and Madhya Pradesh. The poll of polls projected that BJP is likely to win 24 seats in Madhya Pradesh, 23 in Gujarat and 22 in Rajasthan. The Congress is expected to win five, three and three seats in these states respectively, the poll of polls said. In Andhra Pradesh, it said that the Telugu Desam Party was poised to win 10 seats and the YSR Congress 15. In Chhattisgarh, it said the BJP was poised to win seven seats compared to four for the Congress. The poll of polls predicted the BJP almost repeating its performance in Haryana and Karnataka. It predicted eight seats out of 10 seats for BJP in Haryana and 18 in Karnataka and one and nine respectively for the Congress in the two states. The poll of polls said that the ruling TRS was likely to win 12 seats in Telangana, while two seats could be won by the Congress and one by the BJP. It predicted that Congress would win nine seats in Punjab and the SAD-BJP combine will win three and the AAP one. In Jharkhand, the tally is likely to be eight for the NDA and five for opposition alliance that includes the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha and the Congress. In Delhi, the poll of polls predicted six seats for BJP and one for Congress. --IANS ps/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Nearly 32 per cent voters exercised their ballots in seven polling stations as re-polling was underway in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor Lok Sabha constituency on Sunday amid tight security. As of 11 a.m., 31.92 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the polling stations located in Chandragiri, one of the Assembly segments under Chittoor, according to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer. The re-polls for both Assembly and Lok Sabha polls began at 7 a.m.. It will end at 6 p.m. The Election Commission (EC) ordered the re-polls following complaints by YSR Congress candidate from Chandragiri, Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy that voters of a particular community were not allowed to cast their ballots on April 11. The EC initially ordered re-polls in five booths but later added two more. The poll body's decision evoked strong reaction from the ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP), which accused the EC of bias. The TDP too demanded re-polls in 19 polling stations spread across various constituencies. As there was tension in areas where re-polling was ordered, the election authorities made large scale security arrangements to prevent any poll violence. Earlier, re-polls were held in five polling stations in three districts on May 6. Polling for Andhra Pradesh's 175-member Assembly and all 25 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state was held on April 11. --IANS ms/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP, which had won just two out of 42 Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal in 2014, may bag 19 to 23 seats this time, according to an exit poll conducted by India Today-Axis. The exit poll predicted that the Trinamool Congress, which is ruling the state and had won 34 seats in the last general elections, is likely to win 19 to 22 seats in the state. The Congress is likely to win just one seat in West Bengal while the Left parties would not be able to open their account in the state. --IANS aks/akk/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) could win 242 Lok Sabha seats, 30 short of the majority mark, according to an exit poll conducted by Neta-NewsX. The Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) could win 164 seats while the BSP-SP-RLD Mahagathbandhan could win 43 seats, said the Neta-NewsX exit poll. It also said that with no party reaching the majority mark on its own, outfits such as the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and the Mahagathbandhan are set to be the kingmakers in 2019. The Neta-NewsX exit poll shows that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to win 202 seats (30 per cent decline over 2014), while the Congress is likely to manage 107 seats (140 per cent increase over 2014). It also says that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) is likely to draw a blank in Delhi. "Over 47 lakh voters participated in the Neta exit poll while over 2.5 crore voters participated in its opinion poll across all the 542 constituencies. These results are a statistical derivation based on the two," said Neta-NewsX. The exit poll predicted that the Bahujan Samaj Party-Samajwadi Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal Mahagathbandhan will emerge as the third largest force in the Lok Sabha with 43 seats, while the Left parties may get only 5 seats, down from the 10 they had won in 2014. It also said that the BJP will suffer huge loss in Uttar Pradesh. "The BJP, which had won 71 of the 80 seats in Uttar Pradesh in 2014, is set to suffer huge loss at the hands of the Mahagathbandhan. The saffron party is expected to win only 33 seats this time, a loss of more than 50 per cent over 2014. The Mahagathbandhan is expected to win 41 seats (BSP 22, SP 20 and RLD 1) and the Congress 4 seats," the exit poll said. It also predicted Congress resurgence in all the states where it is locked in a direct contest with the BJP. "The Congress is likely to witness resurgence in all the states where it is fighting the BJP directly, which include Assam, Delhi, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka and Maharashtra. "However, one interesting thing to note is that states like Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, which recently went the Congress way in the Assembly elections, seem to be voting strongly for the BJP in the Lok Sabha elections, highlighting the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in these regions," the exit poll said. To ensure a pertinent sample size, the Neta app has used multiple mediums like the app, IVR calls and SMS to gather data on evolving political inclinations, said Pratham Mittal, Founder, Neta App. "This has been a very close fight. With no one party expected to form the government this time, we are back to the era of coalitions. As per our data, the expected post-poll alliances show that both the NDA and the UPA have an opportunity to form the government though the NDA is much closer to the 272 mark. It would be very interesting to watch the post-poll alliances that the Congress and the BJP are able to form after the election results are out," Mittal said. --IANS nks/arm (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP ally and JD-U chief Nitish Kumar on Sunday lashed out at Bharatiya Janta Party candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for her statement in favour of Mahatma Gandhi assassin Nathuram Godse, and said that he "would not tolerate such remarks". Commenting on the bBJP's Bhopal candidate's statement "Godse was a patriot", the Chief Minister said: "It is condemnable. What action the party takes is their internal matter. We should not tolerate such a statement." Pragya Thakur, who is also a Malegaon blast accused, spurred a row and drew flak after she lauded the killer of Mahatma Gandhi. Speaking to the media after casting his vote Nitish Kumar said: "Bharatiya Janta Party should think about such comments. We condemn such remarks." Thakur had earlier too, created controversy after she claimed that 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare, who died fighting against terrorist in Mumbai, lost his life because he tortured the BJP leader in jail. She is contesting against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh from Bhopal. --IANS in/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and former Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi cast their votes in Patna on Sunday. Nitish Kumar, president of Janata Dal-United, an ally of the BJP-led NDA, cast his vote at polling booth number 326 at a school in Raj Bhawan. Manjhi, chief of Hindustani Awam Morcha, an ally of the RJD-led Grand Alliance, cast his vote at another polling booth. For another former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad though it would be the first-time when he would not cast his vote along with his family members here. The RJD chief has been in jail in connection with fodder scam cases. At present though, he is under going treatment in a Ranchi-based government hospital. More than 1,52,52,608 voters will decide the fate of 157 candidates in Patna Sahib, Patliputra, Arrah, Buxar, Nalanda, Sasaram, Karakat and Jehanabad constituencies. Four Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ram Kripal Yadav, Ashwini Choubey and R.K. Singh are in the fray. Important candidates from the opposition camp include former Speaker of Lok Sabha Meira Kumar is Congress candidate from Sasaram seat and former Union Minister and RLSP chief Upendra Kushwaha from Karakat seat. The RLSP is an ally of the RJD-led Grand Alliance. The ruling BJP-led NDA had won all these eight Bihar seats in 2014. --IANS ik/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The controversy over Nathuram Godse refuses to die down. The All India Hindu Mahasabha on Sunday celebrated the birthday of the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi with a "havan" here. A heavy deployment of police was seen at the Bidas compound under Gandhi Park police station where the "havan" was held. The Hindu Mahasabha had created a controversy on October 2 last year when its members had sought to recreate the Gandhi assassination by shooting at a Gandhi effigy. A row broke out after Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, the BJP candidate from Bhopal, termed Godse as a "patriot", leading to criticism from the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said: "I do not think I will be able to forgive her for praising Godse." Her remarks came after actor Kamal Hassan, who has floated his own party, the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), had stoked the controversy when he said Godse was the "first terrorist of Independent India" and a Hindu. --IANS amita/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer Aariz Aftab on Sunday said with an average of 72.91 per cent voter turnout, the final phase of Lok Sabha election in West Bengal got over amidst "sporadic" incidents of violence. "The seventh and final phase election in West Bengal got over except for some sporadic incidents," he told reporters here. He said presiding officers of three polling stations - of booth no 251 of Baruipur of Jadavpur constituency and of booths 181 and 89 of Falta - were removed after complaints. In Baruipur, a local Trinamool Congress leader was seen helping voters cast their ballots. Asked about the EVM glitches reported throughout the day, Aftab said: "The EVM malfunction was well within the permissible limit. Wherever it happened, the machines were replaced on time." Additional Director General, Law and Order, Siddhi Nath Gupta said that one FIR was been filed in this phase, while out of total 346 arrests, 322 were preventive arrests. He also said that one candidate's vehicle in Nodakhali and another candidate's vehicle in Jadavpur area was vandalised. The FIR was filed after the Nodakhali vandalism, Gupta said. In Diamond Harbour Constituency's Nodakhali area, BJP candidate Nilanjan Roy's car was vandalised. About the disturbances during the bypoll to the Bhatpara assembly constituency, the he said: "Bombs were hurled at Bhatpara where two police vehicles overturned, one weapon was seized and 18 people were arrested from the spot." However, these disturbances in Bhatpara did not disrupt the voting process, the ADG added. In total, six cases of injuries have been reported out of which three are from Bhatpara. Regarding the handling of post-poll violence and guarding EVMs, Gupta said: "We are chalking out the plan. CAPFs will be deployed to guard the strong rooms. Based on inputs, we can increase forces. As of now, state's law and order will be taken care by the state police." There were 48 companies of CAPF for strong rooms and now an additional 34 companies have been deployed. "Today we received 3,497 complaints in total out of which 3,101 have been resolved and rest are being addressed," Aftab added. As of 5 p.m., Mathurapur recorded the highest polling percentage at 78.52 per cent, followed by Basirhat (77.77 per cent), Diamond Harbour (77.40 per cent), Jaynagar (75.81 per cent), Barasat (74.41 per cent), Dum Dum (73.05 per cent) Jadavpur (70.97 per cent), Kolkata South (67.09 per cent), Kolkata North (61.18 per cent). --IANS bnd/ssp/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 45 per cent voting was recorded in the Panaji Assembly bypoll on Sunday till 1 p.m., according to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO). As of 1 p.m., 45.78 per cent voter turnout was recorded, said CEO Kunal. Voting began at 7 a.m. with 22,482 voters eligible to cast ballot, of which 10,697 are male and 11,785 female. Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Sidharth Kunclaienkar is pitted against Atanasio Monserrate of the Congress, Valmiki Naik of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Subhash Velingkar of the Goa Suraksha Manch in the contest for the prestigious Panaji Assembly seat, which the BJP has held since 1994. Velingkar and Kuncalienkar have exercised their franchise. "The BJP has gone to the lowest levels to defame me. People will pay them back while polling today," Velingkar told reporters. "Panaji's voters are all set to choose the BJP, as it is the only option which can provide development," Kuncalienkar said. Congress candidate Monserrate, who has been charge sheeted in a minor's rape case, said the BJP has tried to assassinate his character during the poll campaign. The "The judge who is hearing the case will decide my character. The voters will vote on the basis of the manifesto I presented and my track record," he said. The bypoll has been necessitated due to the death of former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on March 17, after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer. Goa already witnessed by-elections to three other Assembly seats and two Lok Sabha constituencies on April 23. --IANS maya/mag/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A turnout of 46.28 per cent was recorded till 4 p.m. in polling to eight seats in Bihar in the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls in the state amid stray incidents of violence, EVM glitches and poll boycotts. A mob held protests at a polling booth in a village in Paliganj area of the Pataliputra constituency and vandalised an EVM after some youths were stopped from casting their vote, police said. A clash between rival groups occurred at Vayapur in the same constituency. In the Nalanda seat, a mob ransacked a polling booth and held an official hostage for an hour as they boycotted the polls. Clashes were also reported from Sasaram, Karakat, Arrah and Jehanabad. At some booths, voting was delayed to EVM glitches. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi and former Chief Ministers Jitan Ram Manjhi and Rabri Devi cast their votes in Patna on Sunday. Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is contesting from Patna Sahib, and Ram Kripal Yadav, who is in the fray from Pataliputra, Yadav's Rashtriya Janata Dal rival and party supremo Lalu Prasad's eldest daughter Misa Bharti and her brother and former minister Tej Pratap Yadav also cast their votes here. However, it was the first time when Lalu Prasad was not present to vote along with his family members. In a Ranchi jail after his conviction in fodder scam cases, he is presently undergoing treatment in a government hospital there. A total electorate of 1,52,52,608 voters were to decide the fate of 157 candidates in Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Arrah, Buxar, Nalanda, Sasaram, Karakat and Jehanabad constituencies. Among the other prominent candidates are Union Ministers Ashwini Choubey (Buxar) and R.K. Singh (Arrah), former Lok Sabha Meira Kumar (Congress, Sasaram), actor-turned-politician Shatrughan Sinha (Congress, Patna Sahib) and former Union Minister and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party chief Upendra Kushwaha (Karakat). Of these seats, the BJP had won six, then ally RLSP one, and now ally JD-U one. --IANS ik/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) Incumbent senator Cynthia Villar maintained her lead in the latest partial, official tally of the 2019 senatorial poll results of the Commission on Elections Sunday evening, The COMELEC, sitting as the National Board of Canvassers, suspended canvassing at 7:30 p.m. with 162 of 167 Certificates of Canvass accounted for. Reelectionist senator Grace Poe continues to trail behind Villar, with 21,563,558 votes. Former special aide Christopher "Bong" Go is still in third place with 20,223,738. Clinching the top 12 is reelectionist Senator Nancy Binay with 14,065,071. The opposition senator with the largest number of votes is still Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino, with 13,895,154, but he failed to secure a spot in the Magic 12 as he landed in the 14th spot. Here are the top 15 senators as of the latest partial, official tally 1. Cynthia Villar - 24,757,642 2. Grace Poe - 21,563,558 3. Christopher "Bong" Go - 20,223,738 4. Pia Cayetano - 19,390,096 5. Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa - 18,639,583 6. Edgardo "Sonny" Angara - 17,786,740 7. Lito Lapid - 16,587,742 8. Imee Marcos - 15,362,702 9. Francis Tolentino - 15,196,397 10. Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel III - 14,395,957 11. Ramon "Bong" Revilla - 14,279,625 12. Nancy Binay - 14,065,071 13. JV Ejercito - 13,983,153 14. Bam Aquino - 13,895,154 15. Jinggoy Estrada - 11,085,896 COMELEC Information and Education Department Director Frances Arabe said the earliest the winners will be proclaimed is on either Tuesday or Wednesday. Defective SD cards causing delay Arabe said the five remaining COCs will come from Isabela province, Japan, Saudi Arabia, USA and Nigeria. "These countries are waiting for their SD cards. I cannot specifically explain for each country, but it's more of an SD card issue," she said. Arabe said some SD cards used overseas were corrupted. The cards used overseas and the cards used locally have the same supplier. "The SD cards are corrupted, and the replacements have to come from our Santa Rosa warehouse, our hub. That's why it took time because they have to ship the replacement SD cards," Arabe said. The SD cards are used to store the encrypted image of the ballots fed inside the vote counting machines on election day. Artificial Intelligence (AI) could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030, more than the current output of China and India combined, said professional services firm PwC in a new report. Of this, $6.6 trillion is likely to come from increased productivity and $9.1 trillion is likely to come from benefits to consumers. The annual growth in the contribution of AI is expected to range between 20-34 per cent per year across the Middle East, with the fastest growth in the Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Egypt. To meet the demand for having a global platform gathering world class technology experts, the Saudi Emerging Technologies Forum will take place from 11-13 of November 2019 in Kempinski Hotel in Riyadh to be the first conference in the Kingdom to address the deployment of emerging technologies and the 2030 plan for digital transformation plans that willpower cities and economies of the 4th Industrial Revolution. The forum is a mega event that will gather over 500 government officials and senior level executives, more than 50 speakers, leading 12 panel discussions with the participation of 900 attendees, 60 exhibitors, 12 Certified Technical Workshops, 30 Proof of Concepts & Live Demo Sessions, and a dedicated focus day for IIOT. Furthermore, 10 pioneers in innovation will be celebrated with Awards of Excellence in recognition of their efforts on digitization. PwCs report estimated that the Middle East is expected to accrue 2 per cent of the total global benefits of AI in 2030. This is equivalent to $320 billion where the largest gains are expected to accrue to Saudi Arabia as AI is expected to contribute over $135.2 billion in 2030 to the economy, equivalent to 12.4 per cent of GDP. In relative terms the UAE is expected to see the largest impact of close to 14 per cent of 2030 GDP. AI contribution in Egypt is expected to reach $42.7 billion in 2030, equivalent to 7.7 per cent of the Egyptian GDP. The $135billion investment plan in digital transformation set by Vision 2030 will transform the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into the global epicentre of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and supercharge the Saudi economy as global powerhouse in the digital age. As the 4thlargest economy in the world with $684b GDP in 2018, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is currently diversifying the economy by achieving digital transformation across public and private sectors in order to create a vibrant society, a thriving economy and an ambitious nation. The forum will be chaired by Majed Alshodari, CISO at the ACIG group, and the forum will feature 10 exclusive certified workshops on the latest applications of IoT, IIoT, AI implementation for 2030 vision, Data science, Cyber security, Enterprise Architecture, Cloudification, Blockchain for government services, AR/VR, RPA implementation, Deep learning (DL), Machine learning (ML) and Coding 4.0. Mohammed Mahnashi, Information Security advisor of the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said: "Saudi Arabia, the heart of the Arab and Islamic worlds, the investment powerhouse, and the hub connecting three continents, on those three pillars the Saudi Vision 2030 relay on an ambitious yet achievable blueprint reflects our countrys strengths and capabilities and depends on the technology to achieve the vision goals. I believe that The Saudi Emerging Technologies Forum is a key event to attend, to listen and discuss with experts in Saudi National Transformation program." Exclusively at the event, Dr Khaled Abusalem, chairman of UAV & Robotics Standards Committee in Saudi Aramco will be presenting about the Fourth Industrial Revolution Center in Dahran, the first center of its kind in the world inaugurated in March 2019, which will help the companys operational performance to enable greater efficiencies and significant cost savings, and help further strengthen Aramcos global leadership in the oil and gas industry. TradeArabia News Service A BJP candidate was attacked while the vehicles of another nominee and a senior party leader vandalised allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers as West Bengal recorded a 72.91 per cent turnout till 5 p.m. in the final phase of polling on Sunday amid allegations of sporadic violence, rigging and EVM breakdowns. Braving the scorching heat, large number of voters of various age groups lined up outside the polling stations in the nine constituencies since early morning. As of 5 p.m., Mathurapur recorded the highest polling percentage at 78.52 per cent, followed by Basirhat (77.77 per cent), Diamond Harbour (77.40 per cent), Jaynagar (75.81 per cent), Barasat (74.41 per cent), Dum Dum (73.05 per cent) Jadavpur (70.97 per cent), Kolkata South (67.09 per cent), Kolkata North (61.18 per cent). The vehicle of Nilanjan Roy, the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate from Diamond Harbour, was vandalised in Budge Budge, following which he blamed his Trinamool opponent and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Anupam Hazra, the BJP nominee from Jadavpur, and another party leader accompanying him were attacked and the latter's car was damaged allegedly by Trinamool workers after the BJP functionaries visited a booth under Ward No. 109 of Kolkata Municipal Corporation on receiving reports of rigging. Alleging that he was pushed and shoved, Hazra accused the Trinamool of rigging all the 52 polling booths under the ward. "The BJP Mandal President was also attacked and one of his teeth was broken. A CISF officer stationed at the booth was also injured in the attack by the Trinamool workers," Hazra alleged. At Park Circus in Kolkata North constituency, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate Rahul Sinha was allegedly pelted with stones, and a cameraperson of a local news channel also injured. Later, bombs were hurled near the city's Posta area causing panic among the locals. A large contingent of police and central force personnel were rushed to the spot. "Trinamool activists threatened voters across my constituency and tried to create disturbances in many places despite deployment of central forces who should be more active," Sinha said. Meanwhile, the BJP's Kolkata South candidate and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's grand nephew, Chandra Kumar Bose, accused the Trinamool of attacking his party's polling agents in various parts of the constituency. In Basirhat constituency's Minakha, BJP supporters set up a road blockade accusing Trinamool activists of threatening them and stopping them from going to the polling booths. However, the blockade was withdrawn after central forces reached the spot and escorted the voters to the polling stations. Several crude bombs were hurled and threats to voters were reported at Raydighi in Mathurapur constituency. The CPI-M's candidate from North Kolkata, Kaninika Bose (Ghosh), staged a protest demonstration in Belgachia, alleging that her party's polling agents were beaten up and not allowed to sit inside the booths in the area. In Jadavpur constituency's Baruipur area, Trinamool booth President Azizur Rahman allegedly guided many voters to cast their votes for the state's ruling party. The presiding officer accepted that the accused was "helping out" voters to cast their votes. Meanwhile, Trinamool's Kolkata South candidate Mala Roy alleged that she was not allowed to enter a polling booth by the central forces in Mudiali after an EVM failure was reported from there. Trinamool also accused central forces of ransacking a party's camp office at Kamarhati in Dum Dum constituency. Some locals raised "go back" slogans against BJP leader and Union Minister Babul Supriyo when he was taking to the media after casting his vote at a booth in Jorasanko in the North Kolkata parliamentary constituency. He immediately left the spot. The by-polls in Bhatpara Assembly constituency in North 24 Parganas district was marred by violent clashes between between the workers of the BJP and the Trinamool, bombings and ransacking of police vehicles. The police carried out a baton charge and the Rapid Action Force (RAF) had to be deployed in the area to control the situation. In the initial hours, polling was halted in a number of booths due to faulty Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in nine Lok Sabha constituencies. Polling at three booths in Dum Dum's Nagerbazar area and one in South City College under the Kolkata South seat was delayed by more than an hour, while voting did not begin until 9.30 a.m. at a booth in Sonarpur in the Javadpur Lok Sabha constituency. Cases of EVM failures were also reported from several booths in Diamond Harbour, Joynagar, Barasat, Jadavpur, Dum Dum and both the constituencies of Kolkata. Stakes are high in these constituencies where several other prominent candidates including actresses Mimi Chakraborty (Jadavpur) and Nusrat Jahab (Basirhat), former Kolkata Mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya (Jadavpur), and veteran Trinamool Congress MPs Sougata Roy (Dum Dum) and Sudip Bandyopadhyay (Kolkata North) are in the fray. --IANS bdc/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on polling day. "Though the campaign for the last phase of polling for 2019 Lok Sabha elections got over on May 17 at 6 p.m., Narendra Modi's Kedarnath Yatra is being covered and widely reported in local media as well as the national for the last two days. This is a gross violation of the Model Code Of Conduct," said Derek O'Brien, leader of the TMC Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha. Modi announced that the "Master Plan" for the Kedarnath Temple was "ready" and he also addressed the public and the media at Kedarnath, O'Brien alleged. "It is absolutely unethical and morally incorrect," he said in a letter written to the ECI. He sought immediate action to "stop telecast of such surreptitious and unfair campaign". Trinamool's Rajya Sabha member also alleged, "It is unfortunate that the Election Commission, the highest body and the eyes and ears of the democratic process, remains blind and deaf to the gross violation of the MCC." --IANS bdc/rtp (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) BJP ally and JD-U chief Nitish Kumar on Sunday lashed out at Bharatiya Janta Party candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for her statement in favour of Mahatma Gandhi assassin Nathuram Godse and demanded the party to expel her. Pragya Thakur, who is a Malegaon blast accused, spurred a row and drew flak after she lauded the killer of Mahatma Gandhi and called him a "patriot". "The BJP should take action against her. She should be expelled from the party for what she had stated," Nitish Kumar told media here after casting his vote in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. "The BJP should think about such comments. We condemn such remarks," he said. Thakur is contesting from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. Thakur had earlier too, created controversy after she claimed that 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare, who died fighting against terrorist in Mumbai, lost his life because he tortured the BJP leader in jail. --IANS im/pg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) In an effort to oust the Narendra Modi government, Congress President Rahul Gandhi ran a concerted campaign over the past three and a half months, holding nearly 150 rallies and road shows besides press conferences to spell out his partys vision and counter BJP attacks. In the elections considered crucial for the Congres which was decimated to 44 Lok Sabha seats in the last elections, Gandhi sought to keep the focus on issues concerning the common man as he attempted to seize the narrative from the BJP which made nationalism a key election plank. Gandhi campaigned all over the country but his average visit per seat was among the highest in Bihar even though the Congress is contesting only nine of the 40 seats in the state as part of the 'grand alliance'. Gandhi visited the state seven times since February 3 rally, which in a way, marked start of his Lok Sabha campaign. Gandhi, who is contesting from Amethi in UP and Wayanad in Kerala, campaigned in both the seats. He visited Amethi thrice and Wayanad twice including the days he filed his nominations. Apart from a road show in Amethi on April 10, Gandhi held rallies at three places in the constituency on April 22 and another two places on April 27. He filed nomination from Wayanad on April 4 and addressed a rally there on April 17. In Uttar Pradesh, where 80 Lok Sabha seats are at stake, the Congress is not a part of the 'gathbandhan' between the Samajwadi Party, Bahujan Samaj Party and Rashtriya Lok Dal and largely fought the elections on its own. Gandhi made 11 electioneering visits to this state since February and held rallies and road shows. He also met family members of CRPF martyrs on February 20. His last rally in the state was on May 16. Party leaders said that Gandhi visited Madhya Pradesh nine times and Rajasthan seven times, holding multiple rallies in the state considered crucial for Congress revival. He visited Gujarat, the home state of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, four times since February. Through his campaigns, Gandhi has also sought to emerge as a counter to Modi, accusing the BJP leader of being "arrogant" and "vengeful" and portraying himself as "democratic", "sensitive" and "accessible". With his persistent and concerted attacks, Gandhi has sought to emerge as the strongest critic of Modi. Gandhi has accused BJP and its ideological patron RSS of dividing society and "spreading hatred" while insisting that he will defeat it with "love". He had hugged Modi during a debate in Parliament last year. While Modi was the main target of Gandhi's attack on the issues related to alleged corruption, unemployment and problem of farmers, he kept reminding people of the difficulties faced by them due to demonetisation and "flawed" implementation of Gabbar Singh Tax (GST). Gandhi also sought to present the Congress as a party committed to people-oriented governance with its flagship initiative such as NYAY -- Nyuntam Aay Yojana -- which promises to provide Rs 72,000 annually to the poorest 20 per cent of the families. Gandhi announced steps to boost jobs, health care, infrastructure and to boost economy. The Lok Sabha elections are crucial for Congress as the party was reduced to 44 seats by BJP-led by Modi in the last Lok Sabha elections. These are also the first elections being fought by the party with Gandhi as its chief. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who was appointed as general secretary in January, also campaigned in some states apart from Uttar Pradesh but the major responsibility of campaign was carried by Rahul Gandhi who addressed as many as five rallies on a few days. Their mother and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, who is contesting from Rae Bareli, did not campaign in the elections due to health reasons. She had played a key role in the party's campaign in 2014. --IANS ps/akk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Re-polling in Kerala's Kannur and Kasargode Lok Sabha seats was underway on Sunday after it was ordered by the state's Chief Electoral Officer following complaints of bogus voting which was later verified. Voting in four polling booths in Kasargode and three in Kannur began at 7 a.m. and will end at 6 p.m. As of 9 a.m., 20 per cent voter turnout was recorded the two constituencies. Kerala had voted on April 23 to elect 20 Lok Sabha candidates. A few days later, there were visuals of people casting votes more than once was identified, prompting CEO Teeka Ram Meena to order the re-polls. This is the first time in the state that a re-poll has been ordered. Cases have been registered against the Communist Party of India-Marxist and Indian Union Muslim League workers, after identifying their members of voting more than once. --IANS sg/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US Congressman Justin Amash became the first Republican to call for Donald Trump's impeachment, saying that the President committed "impeachable conduct" and accused Attorney General William Barr of intentionally misleading the public. The Michigan Representative's comments on Saturday recommending Congress pursue obstruction of justice charges against Trump were the first instance of a sitting Republican in Congress calling for the President's impeachment, reports CNN. Amash is a rare Republican critic of Trump and previously said the President's conduct in pressuring then-FBI Director James Comey could merit impeachment. In a series of tweets on Saturday, Amash said he believed "few members of Congress even read" Special Counsel Robert Mueller's report and that the report itself established "multiple examples" of Trump committing obstruction of justice. "Contrary to Barr's portrayal, Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behaviour that meet the threshold for impeachment," Amash tweeted. Amash said he made his conclusions "only after having read Mueller's redacted report carefully and completely, having read or watched pertinent statements and testimony, and having discussed this matter with my staff, who thoroughly reviewed materials and provided me with further analysis". He said Barr misled the public in a range of venues regarding the Mueller report, a charge Democrats and others have made repeatedly that the attorney general has disputed. "Barr's misrepresentations are significant but often subtle, frequently taking the form of sleight-of-hand qualifications or logical fallacies, which he hopes people will not notice," Amash added. While many Democrats have called for impeachment proceedings against Trump, many Republican members have agreed with the President's assertions about the Mueller report and defended his conduct, CNN reported. Democratic Representative Rashida Tlaib, also of Michigan, responded to Amash's Twitter thread later Saturday and invited him to join her impeachment resolution. ".@justinamash come find me in 1628 Longworth. I've got an impeachment investigation resolution you're going to want to cosponsor," Tlaib tweeted. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Samsung India, which sold five million units of Galaxy A phones in just 70 days, is banking big time on the A-series -- in an attempt to outshine the Chinese rivals that have carved out a niche in the Indian smartphone market with competitively-priced devices. The launch of the Galaxy A70, which comes with 6.7-inch display and a massive 4,500mAh battery for Rs 28,990, signals the South Korean giant's intention to go aggressive in the country with a neatly laid out strategy. The A70 comes packed with several premium features such as in-display fingerprint scanner, a triple rear camera system and the FHD+ Super AMOLED Infinity-U display. Let's see if the phone measures up to expectation. In terms of look and feel, the device scores high despite the plastic back with a glass-like finish. It appears fairly tall and does feel heavy on the hand. The front has very tiny bezels and a dew-drop notch for the front camera, giving users benefit of a very large screen that comes handy while playing games or streaming movies and videos. The back, however, picks up fingerprint very easily. Samsung is known for offering great display and this phone testifies to that. The internal storage of the 6GB RAM phone is 128GB which can be expanded up to 512GB. The SIM tray has space for two nano-SIM card and a dedicated microSD card. In terms of media consumption, you get enough storage for a lot of content and a great display to enhance the experience. What is more, the phone is backed by a 4,500mAH battery and with 25W fast charging capacity. It took, on an average, around a minute to charge one per cent of the battery. The phone is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor and runs Samsung's One UI based on Android Pie. The user interface made navigating apps quite a smooth experience. There is Samsung's Bixby voice-based assistant that can do a lot of thing like setting the alarm or finding the app for you. The A70 also comes with Samsung Pay which makes shopping easier. The phone comes with a 32MP+8MP+5MP triple rear camera system and a 32MP selfie shooter. Assisted by a wide angle lens and features such as "Live Focus" that lets you blur the background just as much as you want, the primary camera captures vivid photos in adequate day light. In low-light scenarios, the photos come grainy, but using the flash can offset some of the effects. The camera is also great for creating high-quality videos. Among other features, it gives users option to shoot super-slow motion videos which could be a delight for the TikTok generation. The selfie shooter took sharp pictures and in low-light, the screen doubled up as the flash to make face look brighter (but this does not improve the background much). The in-display fingerprint is too slow for effective use as the face unlock feature offers a faster and much convenient alternative. There is also scope for improving the cameras, to make them better suited for low-light photography. Conclusion: Although facing tough fight from devices like POCO F1 from Xiaomi and Vivo V15 Pro, the Galaxy A70 is well equipped to offer users decent performance across the departments, without making them pay through their nose. (Gokul Bhagabati can be reached at gokul.b@ians.in) --IANS gb/na (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) With Microsoft informing users that it would end free technical support for Windows 7 operating system next year, South Korean government has decided to switch from Windows 7 to open source operating system Linux. According to Korea Herald, the decision from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety comes amid "concerns about the cost of continuing to maintain Windows". The ministry would first test-run Linux on its PCs and if no security issues arise, Linux systems will be introduced more widely within the government. "The transition to Linux OS and the purchase of new PCs are expected to cost the government about $655 million," the report said. Windows 7 support will end on January 14 next year, and that is a huge problem for both governments and enterprises as upgrading to Windows 10 would involve a hefty cost. According to Choi Jang-hyuk, Service Bureau Chief of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the government is hoping a long-term cost savings by switching its entire workloads to Linux. Microsoft, however, has warned people using older Windows versions to urgently apply for a Windows Update in order to protect their systems and data against a potential widespread attack. The company has already released security patches for Windows 7, XP and Windows Server 2003 despite the fact that XP and Server 2003 are already out of support. Systems running Windows 8 and Windows 10 are not affected by this vulnerability. In March, Microsoft releases a statement: "After 10 years of servicing, January 14, 2020, is the last day Microsoft will offer security updates for computers running Windows 7. This update enables reminders about Windows 7 end of support." Windows 10 is still edging closer to Microsoft's goal of having it installed on 1 billion devices and the end of Windows 7 would help promote Windows 10 further, reports The Verge. Windows 10 is now running on more than 800 million devices. --IANS na/pg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Estranged BJP ally, the Suheldev Bhartiya Samaj Party (SBSP) President Om Prakash Rajbhar on Sunday said that the SP-BSP alliance was poised for a big win in the final phase of voting taking place in Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh). He was speaking to reporters after casting his vote, along with his family, at the Mirganj Primary School here. Rajbhar, who claims to have walked out of the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh last month miffed over denial of seats of his choice in the state, has fielded 39 candidates in eastern UP, including in Varanasi from where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a re-election. "No party will get a majority in these elections. In eastern UP, It is the SP-BSP alliance that will dominate. Without our support the BJP will suffer losses in at least 30 seats in Purvanchal. It is losing Balia, Gorakhpur and Ghazipur seats," said Rajbhar. He predicted that the saffron party will only win 15 seats in the state. "The SP-BSP alliance will win 55-60 seats, while the Congress will gets 2-3 seats," he added. Rajbhar, who has considerable clout in eastern Uttar Pradesh, asserted that his party has not campaigned for the saffron party in these elections. "We are not with them now. We only asked for the Ghosi seat, which the BJP did not give us," he said. The SBSP chief, who has been playing spoiler to the BJP's plans in Uttar Pradesh, last week declared support for the Congress candidate in Mirzapur and SP-BSP-RLD alliance candidate in Maharajganj and Bansgaon. His new statements can mean trouble for the BJP, since Rajbhars constitute 20 per cent of the Purvanchal population and are regarded as the second-most politically dominant community after Yadavs in eastern UP. --IANS hindi/amita/rtp (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Donning a turban, BJP's Gurdaspur candidate and actor Sunny Deol on Sunday visited polling stations to oversee the polling process. Outside a booth in the Fatehgarh Churian area, he was seen greeting voters with folded hands. Jumping a barricade, when a young voter requested for a photograph, the star obliged. The actor-turned-politician is pitted against state Congress President Sunil Jakhar from here in Punjab. It has been represented four times earlier by yesteryear actor Vinod Khanna, who died in April 2017 due to cancer. Jakhar won the October 2017 bye-election with a margin of 1.92 lakh votes. The bypoll was necessitated by Khanna's death. Gurdaspur lies in the north of Punjab, sharing an international border with Pakistan and the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir. The area is not as developed as other areas in Punjab. The constituency, which has 14,68,972 voters, including 72,6363 women, has nine Assembly constituencies. --IANS vg/in (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi low-cost carrier flynas has announced plans to launch new direct flights between Riyadh and New Delhi, the capital of India, starting from July 1. Flynas will operate five direct flights weekly between King Khalid International Airport and New Delhi India Gandhi International Airport, the carrier said in a statement. The adding of this new destination aims to meet the growing demand for flights between Riyadh and New Delhi, and is in support of flynas global expansion strategy. Passengers can now book their flights between Riyadh and New Delhi through all flynas booking platforms, including sales agents and the flynas website and mobile application, or by calling flynas 24/7 call centre. The carrier recently added destinations including Lahore, Islamabad, Algeria, Trabzon, Erbil, Baghdad, Sarajevo, Vienna, Batumi, Tbilisi and Baku. Moreover, the airline has also announced its expansion strategy for the next phase which seeks to add more destinations and contribute towards doubling its number of passengers, which reached 6.6 million passengers on 60,000 domestic and international flights last year. - TradeArabia News Service Iran Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said he does not believe a war will break out in the region amid concerns over rising tensions with the US. Zarif told state news agency IRNA that Tehran did not want a war, and that no country had the "idea or illusion that it can confront Iran", the BBC reported on Saturday. The US has deployed warships and planes to the Gulf in recent days over what it has described as Iranian "threats". But US President Donald Trump has said he wants to avoid conflict. Speaking to IRNA at the end of a visit to China on Saturday, Zarif said Trump "does not want war, but the people around him are pushing him towards war under the pretext of making America stronger against Iran". Tensions have grown between the two countries since last year when Trump withdrew from the 2015 international deal which had aimed to ease sanctions in exchange for an end to Iran's nuclear programme. Calling the deal "defective", Trump re-imposed sanctions. Iran suspended its commitments earlier this month, threatening to resume production of enriched uranium. The US has deployed warships and planes to the Gulf and ordered the departure of "non-emergency employees" from Iraq, citing intelligence about a potential threat to US forces by Iran. US investigators have also accused Iran or the groups it supports of using explosives to damage four tankers off the United Arab Emirates earlier this month. Tehran has denied the allegations. While leaders on both sides have insisted they do not want war, tensions in the Gulf remain heightened. US diplomats warned on Saturday that commercial airlines flying in the area risk being "misidentified". An order, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration and relayed by diplomats in Kuwait and the UAE, said aircraft operators needed to be aware of "heightened military activities and increased political tension". Insurance market Lloyd's of London on Friday also widened its list of areas in and around the Gulf that pose an "enhanced risk for marine insurers". --IANS pgh/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Contrasting views were voiced by political parties in Tamil Nadu on the results of various exit polls for 2019 Lok Sabha elections that predicted the return of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the centre. While a BJP leader confidently said that the NDA would win over half the state's seats, a DMK spokesperson said the numbers trotted out by the exit polls are "unbelievable". "The exit polls shows the trend of people's preference. I am of the view that the NDA will win 326 seats and the BJP, on its own, will cross 280 seats," BJP's National Secretary H. Raja told IANS. "In Tamil Nadu the NDA will cross the half-way mark out of the 38 Lok Sabha seats that went for polls," he added. According to the CVOTER-IANS exit poll, the NDA is expected to win 287 seats while the BJP, on its own, will win 236 seats. On the other hand, DMK spokesperson A.Saravanan said: "These exit polls are unbelievable. The numbers will give fodder to the media for next two days. We will wait for the real poll results that will be out on May 23." According to him, based on the information from the ground level, the DMK will sweep the Lok Sabha and the by-elections in 22 assembly seats. Former state Finance Minister and AIADMK spokesperson C. Ponnaiyan told IANS: "The exit polls favouring NDA shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personality scores over Congress President Rahul Gandhi's personality." --IANS vj/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Trinamool Congress candidate from West Bengal's Barasat parliamentary constituency, Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar, on Sunday accused the central forces of vandalising her party's camp offices and influencing the people to cast their votes for the BJP in the Rajarhat-Newtown area near Kolkata. "The CAPF personnel are intimidating the voters since morning. They are raising chants of Jai Shri Ram and attacking our party activists, sitting in the camp offices. Many camp offices have been vandalised by central forces in spite of being set up at a permissible distance from the polling stations," Ghosh Dastidar alleged. "Moreover, some personnel are asking the voters to press the lotus sign on the EVMs. How can they openly influence the voters to vote for the BJP? I will not spare anyone if they support such acts of the CAPF," she said, issuing a threat to the state police officers posted there. Meanwhile, another camp office of the state's ruling party at Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency's Kamarhati was allegedly vandalised by the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF), Trinamool activists alleged. "Voting was going on peacefully. There were no problems. Some of our party activists came near the polling station to provide drinking water to the voters in the queue. But the CAPF personnel beat them up and also vandalised our party's camp office completely. "Some people have also been detained by the police," a female activist said. --IANS mgr/mag/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has hinted that he is considering pardons for several American military members accused or convicted of war crimes, the media reported. Two US officials who spoke on the condition of anonymity told the New York Times that the Trump administration has made requests for paperwork needed to pardon the servicemen on or around Memorial Day, which falls on May 27. One pardon request was for Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher of the Navy SEALs, who was charged in 2018 for a number of war crimes, including stabbing and murdering a wounded person and shooting at unarmed Iraqi civilians, the daily reported on Saturday. A few months after Gallagher was charged, Trump met criticism after he said that the Navy SEAL would soon be moved to "less restrictive confinement" in "honour of his past service" to the nation. Other cases were believed to include the case of a former Blackwater security contractor found guilty in the deadly 2007 shooting of dozens of unarmed Iraqis; the case of Major Mathew L. Golsteyn -- the Army Green Beret accused of killing an unarmed Afghan in 2010 -- and the case of a group of Marine Corps snipers charged with urinating on the corpses of dead Taliban fighters. The US officials told the daily that they had not seen a complete list and did not know if other service members were included in the request for pardon paperwork. The White House sent requests on Friday to the Justice Department's Office of the Pardon Attorney, which alerted the military branches, according to one senior military official. Pardon files include background information and details on criminal charges and in many cases include letters describing how the person in question had made amends. The official said that while assembling pardon files typically takes months, the Justice Department stressed that all files would have to be complete before Memorial Day weekend because the President planned to pardon the men around then. Another official confirmed the request concerning Gallagher. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US President Donald Trump has outlined a less restrictive view of abortion than what was passed by Alabama's Republican state government. Alabama has banned abortion except if there is a "serious health risk" to the mother, with no exceptions for rape and incest. The President who calls himself "strongly pro-life", however, said late Saturday that he favours making an exception of cases of rape and incest. "As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly pro-life, with the three exceptions - rape, incest and protecting the life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan," he tweeted. Asked whether Trump would openly criticize the law, the President's 2020 campaign spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany said she didn't know, but reiterated that "he's said repeatedly he's for those three exceptions". Trump said that judicial appointments helped in moving the US to further restrictions on abortion. "We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new federal judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court justices and a whole new and positive attitude about the right to life." According to the President, abortion will be a major issue in his re-election campaign. "The radical left, with late term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and win for life in 2020." "If we are foolish and do not stay united as one, all of our hard fought gains for life can, and will, rapidly disappear," he said. Though this issue dominated headlines this week, Trump remained "uncharacteristically silent", the Washington Post reported. But other anti-abortion conservatives say that the Alabama law goes too far. Those include televangelist Pat Robertson, who called it "extreme", and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who said it "goes further" than what he believes. Other Republicans tried to avoid the contentious issue with many dodging questions by calling it a "states issue". The White House, when asked for Trump's opinion about the law, changed the subject to focus on Democrats and late-term abortions. "Unlike radical Democrats who have cheered legislation allowing a baby to be ripped from the mother's womb moments from birth, President Trump is protecting our most innocent and vulnerable, defending the dignity of life and called on Congress to prohibit late-term abortions," it said in a statement. --IANS soni/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) American e-tailer Wayfair has come under fire for selling bath mats depicting Hindu Gods, after Amazon was slammed for selling similar items, the media reported. The Boston-based Wayfair that sells home goods, has been stocking bath mats with not just Lord Ganesha figurines but also with Lord Shiva's imprints on it, the American Bazaar reported on Saturday. The mats, sold on the website for $38 and more, are described as "Yoga Asian Lord with Third Eye Bath Rug by East Urban Home", and "Asian Face of Elephant Lord Bath Rug." In the past, too, there were complaints about Wayfair selling the Hindu Gods imprinted bath rugs. Last year, Wayfair removed a cutting board carrying the image of Ganesha and apologised after Hindu activists protested against it. Last week, a petition was launched against Amazon for selling bath mats, floor mats and toilet covers depicting the Ganesha. The initial goal of the petitioner was to get 150,000 signatures, but later the target was increased to 200,000. By Friday, it received nearly 156,000 signatures from people across the globe. The petition demanded an apology from Amazon. In 2014, the e-commerce giant removed a controversial pair of pants that featured Ganesha. --IANS ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Residents of the Tara Jivanpur village here have alleged that some people forcibly applied ink on their fingers and gave them Rs 500 each on Saturday evening. They were told not to go for polling on Sunday. "They were from the BJP and said that they will vote on our behalf," said one of the villagers. Members of the SP-BSP alliance sat on a dharna at the Ali Nagar police station protesting the incident. Circle Officer In-charge Sadar Tripurari Pandey said the culprits had escaped by the time the police reached the village after receiving information. An FIR has been registered against three people in the matter. State BJP President Dr Mahendra Nath Pandey is seeking a second term from Chandauli. He is pitted against SP-BSP alliance candidate Sanjay Chauhan Congress nominee Shiv Kanya Kushwaha from the constituency. Harish Srivastava, the BJP spokesman in Lucknow, denied the charges and said, "This is a ploy of our rivals to defame us. Why would the BJP do such things when we are already winning the seat by a huge margin?" --IANS amita/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cast his ballot here on Sunday and said the walls of casteism, regionalism and dynastic were now showing cracks. After casting his vote, Adityanath told the media: "If you work in the interest of the country then only you can stay in the public life. In all the seven phases of the Lok Sabha polls, the entire election was fought around Modi due to the works of his government in the last five years." The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said that a record number of voters participated in the six phases of the elections. "The excitement among voters only showcases the maturity of India's democracy," he said. "And I am happy that the elections so far has been peaceful and the people of the state have respected their democratic right," he added. Voting began at 7 a.m., across 25,874 polling booths in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon, Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj constituencies. --IANS aks/ksk (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh's ruling Telugu Desam Party (TDP) on Sunday said that it does not believe in exit polls as they are often not close to reality. TDP leader Kambampati Rammohan Rao was confident that the results of "exact polls" on May 23 will be different. After the end of seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha polls on Sunday, a majority of the exit polls gave a comfortable majority to the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The exit polls came as a jolt to the TDP, which pulled out of NDA last year and has been working to bring all non-BJP parties together in an alliance to be headed by the Congress. TDP President and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu had series of meetings with Congress President Rahul Gandhi, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and the leaders of Bahujan Samaj Party, Samajwadi Party, Communist Party of India-Marxist and others in Delhi and Lucknow during last two days. Majority of the exit polls also showed that the TDP will lose power to the YSR Congress Party in Andhra Pradesh. "We don't believe in exit polls. They are often not close to reality," said Rammohan Rao, who is also Andhra Pradesh government's representative in New Delhi. He pointed out that the exit polls in 2014 were proved wrong. Rao said Naidu would continue his efforts to form a non-BJP alliance by holding talks with leaders of various parties over next 2-3 days. --IANS ms/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Madhur Bhandarkar, who is here for the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, says Indian filmmakers need to create cinema focussing on real and "earthy" subjects to have visible representation at such platforms. India has zero representation in terms of films at the competition categories of the Cannes Film Festival this year. At the India Pavilion of the gala, Bhandarkar engaged in a conversation with filmmaker Rahul Rawail around the current state of Indian cinema and the way forward. Bhandarkar, known for films like "Page 3", "Traffic Signal" and "Fashion", said: "It is unfortunate that there is no Indian cinema (here). They are looking for strong content... He (a festival official I met) told me the audience is very different here in Cannes, so they have to choose the best one. "We need to have strong content like the cinema of (Satyajit) Ray and Ritwik Ghatak, which basically has the Cannes value... That is very necessary for a filmmaker. More and more people should go for content and subjects that are more real and earthy because they want to see that cinema over here... I think we have lacked that from the last six, seven years. "It's unfortunate (that there are no Indian films at Cannes this time), but we have to focus on the content, the local issues of our country." Bhandarkar said the government has a promising vision for the film industry. "I've interacted with Minister of Information and Broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathoreji a lot and he is definitely looking very positive about pushing the envelope for (Indian) cinema globally. "We are the largest film producing nations across the world, so I am very positive about the push they want to give. They are all out to have collaborations, they want film festivals to grow more, they want our cinema to be seen more." Both Bhandarkar and Rawail stressed on the importance of regional cinema and its quality. --IANS rb/mag/ (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Dnata, one of the worlds largest air services providers, and Lufthansa Group continue to expand their partnership in the US. Dnata has been selected to provide ramp, secure clean and passenger handling services to Lufthansa at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and now serves the airline group, including Swiss International Air Lines, Austrian Airlines and Edelweiss Air, at eight airports in the country. In Austin, dnata will handle Lufthansas new Frankfurt flight, which the airline operates five times a week, using its Airbus A330-300 aircraft. The ground handlers professionally trained staff will ensure a safe and seamless travel experience for up to 70,000 passengers a year from check-in to boarding, and from disembarkation to baggage collection. Including the German carrier, dnata now provides quality and reliable air services to three airlines in the state capital of Texas with a team of 75 customer-oriented aviation professionals. David Barker, chief executive officer of dnata US, said: We are proud to be the ground handler of choice for a leading global airline group in the worlds largest aviation market. Our newest contract with Lufthansa is a testament to our successful partnership and the consistent high quality our teams deliver across the US. We stay committed to providing best-in-class services to our airline customers and their passengers, every day. Holger Bremes, director Commercial Airport Infrastructure, Lufthansa Group, said: As a premium airline, Lufthansa Airlines is excited to grow the North American relationship with the start of service in Austin with dnata. With our very positive service experience from destinations like Boston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and New York, we are looking forward to providing first class service to our customers with our handling partner at Austin Airport. Dnata commenced ground handling and cargo operations in the US in 2016. Since then, the company has invested more than $45 million in facilities, equipment, training and technology, while continually expanding its operations in the country. Offering highly competitive benefit packages in the market, in the past two years dnata has hired 1,000 additional employees growing its team to over 3,500 customer-oriented aviation professionals. The excellent quality of dnatas services is underpinned by the constant growth of its customer base. Having won 26 new contracts in the past 12 months, dnata now serves over 60 airlines at 28 airports in the US. - TradeArabia News Service A thumping victory is again on the cards for the BJP-led NDA in western and central India, as per the India Today-Axis exit poll. The BJP-Shiv Sena combine, which had won 43 out of 48 seats in Maharashtra in 2014, is likely to win 38-42 Lok Sabha seats now. The Congress is likely to win six to 10 seats in the state, where it is contesting in alliance with the Nationalist Congress Party of Sharad Pawar. In Gujarat, the BJP is predicted to win 25-26 seats. It had won all 26 Lok Sabha seats in the state in 2014, but now, the Congress, which gave a tough fight in the 2017 assembly election, is likely to win one seat. In Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress snatched power from the BJP in 2018 assembly elections, the BJP is predicted to be winning convincingly. It is predicted to win 23-25 Lok Sabha seats, like 2014, when it won all 25 seats. The ruling Congress is expected to win zero to two Lok Sabha seats. In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP is again set to repeat its performance of 2014 Lok Sabha polls, being predicted to win 26 of the total 28 Lok Sabha seats. It had won 27 seats the last time. The Congress is expected to win one to three seats. The exit poll results also showed a surprise for the BJP in Chhattisgarh, where the party was decimated in the 2018 assembly election. The BJP is expected to win seven to eight Lok Sabha seats while the Congress is predicted to win zero to three seats. The BJP had won 10 out of 11 seats in the state in 2014 Lok Sabha polls while the Congress had won one seat. --IANS aks/vd (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Will Smith has loved "Sab sahi hai bro", a song that Indian rapper Badshah has created as a promotional number for the Hollywood star's forthcoming release "Aladdin". Badshah took to his Instagram page to share a video in which Will has shared his appreciation, as well as spoken up about how he wanted a sequence in the movie to be "Bollywood level". Will, who plays Genie in the movie, saw the song in Japan, and said: "Badshah, great work man...that is beautiful...looking at the things that you shot against what is in the movie, that is some good production you got going on there. "It's funny when we were making the sequence, what I kept saying to Guy Ritchie (director), it gotta be Bollywood level man....don't let the sequence not be Bollywood level. You know I always wanted to be in a Bollywood dance sequence, so this is beautiful man. Love the work man, really appreciate it. Thank you." Badshah is thrilled with Will's words. "I guess Will Smith paaji likes the song I did for 'Aladdin'. In theatres May 24! It's high time you do a proper Bollywood film sir," Badshah wrote for the actor, who shook a leg on the set of "Student of the Year 2" here on a visit last year. "Aladdin" is a live-action adaptation of one of the most loved animated classic. Disney India will release it in the country on May 24 in English, Hindi Tamil and Telugu. --IANS rb/bg (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hundred and three-year-old Shyam Saran Negi cast his vote yesterday for the 32nd time since 1951 when he had first exercised his franchise. And he cast his vote at the same polling booth at the village Kalpa in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh. Negi has voted in all 16 Lok Sabha elections; he has also voted in 13 Assembly and two territorial council elections. The local administration had made arrangements to ferry him from his home to the polling booth in a primary school nearby and accorded him a hero's welcome when he arrived to cast his ballot. Stories of bravery While many among ... A senior banker has recently said that traditionally the real sector affects the health of the financial sector but now, in the worlds fastest growing major economy, the financial sector woes are set to spill over to the real sector. My aunt agrees with the banker. Running the risk of being dubbed a Cassandra, she says it will be a big mess unless the new government and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) act on this on a war footing. Have the government and the banking regulator been in a denial mode? Not exactly. But, they need to act fast. Why? Lets take a quick look at ... An estimated 13.41 per cent of the 1,49,63,064 voters exercised their franchise in nine Lok Sabha seats in West Bengal till 9 am on Sunday, an Election Commission official said. Polling in the first two hours was peacefull, the official said. "Polling till 9AM in the nine Lok Sabha constituencies is absolutely peaceful. We have received no complaints of any violence or any problem from anywhere in any of the polling booths in these constituencies. However, our officers are alert and ready to counter any untoward incident," a senior IPS officer told PTI. Till 9 am, Jadavpur recorded the highest turnout with 17.11 per cent followed by Dum Dum 16.57 per cent, he said. Mathurapur (SC) witnessed 15.68 per cent, Basirhat 15.67 per cent, Barasat 14.78 per cent, Diamond Harbour 13.32 per cent followed by Kolkata Dakshin 11.92 per cent, Jaynagar, 11.43 per cent and Kolkata Uttar 11.08 per cent, the official said. There were, however, reports of malfunctioning of EVMs from some polling stations. "We are looking into that. Reserve EVMs are being sent to those polling centres where from we got reports of some machines not functioning properly. Polling there will soon start," the official added. An electorate of 1,49,63,064 will decide the fate of 111 candidates in these nine seats -- Kolkata North and Kolkata South, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar (SC) and Mathurapur (SC). Eight seats, barring Jadavpur, will witness a four- cornered contest between the Trinamool Congress, the BJP, the Congress and the Left Front. A total of 710 companies of Central forces are being deployed by the Election Commission to cover 17,042 polling booths to ensure free and fair voting, officials said. The nine constituencies are spread across the three districts of Kolkata, South and North 24 Parganas. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two suspected criminals were killed following a shootout between rival gangs near the Dwarka Mor metro station in South West Delhi Sunday, police said. Parveen Gehlot, a resident of Nawada area, and Vikas Dalal had several cases of murders, extortion and robberies registered against them in Delhi and Haryana, they said. The shootout was an outcome of a property dispute, according to police. It began at around 4pm when occupants of a black car opened fire on a white car. Fifteen rounds were fired in the busy area, leading to panic among commuters, a senior police officer said. Gehlot was in his car when three men in another car intercepted him and opened fire at him, the officer said. Police officials in a PCR van near the metro station also fired three rounds at the criminals and shot one of them dead, he said. Two people involved in the shootout managed to flee. Police said they have ientified them and efforts are on to nab them. The policeman who shot dead one of the criminals will be awarded and his name will be recommended for out-of-turn promotion, the officer said. A case of murder has been registered at Bindapur police station, the officer said. Dalal was on the run after escaping from Haryana police's custody in 2018, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Two drug peddlers were arrested on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir's Ganderbal district and 700 grams of charas was recovered from their vehicle, police said. The accused were arrested at a checkpoint near Sonamarg after the contraband was found in their vehicle, a police spokesperson said The accused have been identified as Abdul Haleem Sheikh, resident of West Bengal's Murshidabad, and Pervaiz Ahmad Chopan, from Ganderbal's Check Prang Kangan area. A case has been registered against the duo and further investigation is underway, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Security forces in Arunachal Pradesh have apprehended three cadres of a militant outfit for allegedly carrying out extortion activities in Changlang district, a senior defence official said Sunday. The Changlang battalion of Assam Rifles launched an operation on Saturday night and apprehended the three cadres of the NSCN (R) from Old Shallang village in the district. The cadres were identified as Wangjang Pangtha, Limglang Tutsha and Chamol Jungli, Kohima-based defence spokesman Col Chiranjit Konwer said. An AK -56 assault rifle, one M-20 pistol with live ammunition, mobile phones with multiple sim cards were recovered from their possession, the spokesman said. The rebels were later handed over to the district police. Extortion activities by insurgents in south Arunachal Pradesh have been a matter of concern. Since the beginning of 2019, reports of extortion activities by various factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) had been received and a proactive strategy was adopted by security forces under the aegis of Director General of Assam Rifles (DGAR) to deter the rebel groups. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) About 500 representatives from the international tourism industry from 51 countries have arrived in Wiesbaden for the 45th Germany Travel Mart (GTM), which runs from May 12 to 14. The GTM is organised annually by the German National Tourist Board (GNTB) in cooperation with varying partner regions and partner cities. The state capital of Hesse is hosting the event for the third time after 1977 and 2005. The GTM is the most important B2B-platform for the German incoming tourism. The heart of the event is the two-day workshop in the RheinMain Congress Centre which was newly opened in 2018. Around 300 suppliers from the hotel industry, transportation as well as local and regional tourism organisations will be presenting their offers to the international expert audience to about 500 key account manager from the international tourism industry and media representatives from significant source markets for the incoming tourism in Germany. Participants will be able to establish new contacts and intensify existing contacts, engage in expert discussions and close business transactions with German suppliers. Petra Hedorfer, chief executive officer of the GNTB explained: Digitalisation, sustainability as well as the appropriate development of offers and infrastructure are the key challenges for the tourism industry within the international competition. Destination Germany is excellently positioned regarding these challenges. The GTM is an excellent platform to place our offer with the international travel industry and to further expand the success of the German incoming tourism. Appealing framework program and compact information for multipliers With a total of nine different pre-convention tours on the days preceding the official opening of the GTM, international guests can discover special touristic offers relevant to the thematic key areas of the GNTB. A workshop program informs on trends and developments for tourism in Germany. At the official opening and the evening of the host city, all participants will experience a representative performance of German hospitality. Efficient sales event for the German mid-sized sector The GTM format was created in 1972 through the GNTB and has been constantly developed since then. Within the dynamic competition of the destinations but also of the distribution channels, the GTM offers predominantly medium-sized companies of the tourism industry the chance to present themselves effectively to international top decisionmakers, Hedorfer added. A survey after the GTM in 2018 showed that 98 per cent of the German suppliers were very satisfied or satisfied with their presentation at the event. Due to successful business deals, 83 per cent of the suppliers expressed their intention to participate in the GTM in 2019 again. Green event In 2012, the GNTB implemented the GTM as a green event. This years event will also take into account certain sustainability aspects. This includes, for example, supporting environmentally friendly arrival and departure of the participants, catering from regional sources, not using disposable tableware and including public transportation as a source of transportation. The GTM 2019 has received the Green Note-Seal of Approval again for its concept. - TradeArabia News Service Over 36 per cent polling was recorded till 1 pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, officials said. In Varanasi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a second term, the voter turnout was 36.80 per cent. "Till 1.00 pm, the turnout (across 13 seats) was 36.44 per cent," a state election office spokesperson said. Violence erupted in Chandauli Lok Sabha constituency, from where state Bharatiya Janata Party chief Mahendra Nath Pandey is seeking re-election, when supporters of the saffron party and the Samajwadi Party clashed. "The incident was reported from Parahupur Sikatiya village in Chandauli. A police team rushed to the spot and the situation was brought under control," Additional Chief Electoral Officer B D R Tiwari said. Two election officials deputed at different polling booths ion Gorakhpur and Bansgaon constituencies died of sudden illness, officials said. Rajaram, 56, was a polling officer of booth number 381 at Prathmik Vidhyalay Madhopur in Pipraich area in Gorakhpur seat, Assistant Election Officer J N Maurya said. He was rushed to a community health centre where he was declared dead. In the Bansgaon, Vinod Srivastavm, 50, deputed at polling booth number 219, died around midnight due to cardiac arrest. He was an employee with the sugarcane department. In Gorakhpur, the turnout was 38.16 per cent. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was among the early voters. "People are fighting this election for nation's interest and if someone cannot understand this thing, his IQ is questionable. The entire election revolved around Modi ji. With big achievements of his government during the last five years, the BJP will win the election."Adityanath said after casting his ballot. Union minister Shiv Pratap Shukla, who also exercised his franchise in Gorakhpur, said BJP candidate Ravi Kishan would win by a margin of over three lakh votes and the party would form the government. According to the data given by the state election office till 1 pm, the highest turnout was 38.68 per cent in Maharajganj, while Chandauli reported the lowest turnout of 34.20 per cent. A report from Chandauli said the fingers of Dalits had been inked before they could actually cast their vote in Tara Jivanpur village under Alinagar police station. Asked to comment on the report, the additional chief electoral officer said: "We have taken cognizance of the entire incident and an FIR has been registered. Prima facie, names of workers of a political party have come to the fore. The administration has assured the people that they do not need to fear." On death of an election official in Gorakhpur, Tiwari said: "The matter is being probed. If someone is seriously ill, then he is not deployed on poll duty. People submit their requests (for exemption from election duty) and the district administration considers such requests with sensitivity. However, if any untoward incident is to take place, no one can forecast it." When asked whether there were lack of medical facilities for the election officials, the additional CEO said, "There is proper medical arrangement and first -aid kits have been given to all the poll staff."The additional CEO also said reports of EVM malfunctioning were reported from some places but polling was not hampered. "We also got reports of poll boycott from certain places in Gorakhpur, Mirzapur, Varanasi and Mau. Officials rushed to those places to pacify the voters," he said. Polling is underway in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC). Union minister Manoj Sinha is seeking re-election from Ghazipur. The BJP is contesting 11 Lok Sabha seats in this phase, while its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) is contesting from Mirzapur, currently held by Union minister Anupriya Patel, and Robertsganj. The saffron party has pitted Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur against Congress' Madhusudan Tripathi and Rambhual Nishad of the Samajwadi Party. Gorakhpur MP Pravin Nishad, who had won the seat on a SP ticket in bypolls last year, has joined the BJP. The party has fielded him from Sant Kabir Nagar seat. Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in the Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The final phase of Lok Sabha polls in the state will decide the fate of eight SP and five BSP candidates. In all, there are 167 candidates in the fray for 13 seats. The highest number of 26 candidates in the fray are from Varanasi, while Bansgaon has the least number of four candidates fighting the polls. The total number of voters who are eligible to cast their voteS in this phase is over 2.32 crore. As many as 25,874 polling booths have been set up in 13,979 polling centres, the Election Commission added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Over 46 per cent polling was recorded till 3 pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, officials said. In Varanasi, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking a second term, the voter turnout was 43.71 per cent. "Till 3.00 pm, the turnout (across 13 seats) was 46.17 per cent," a state election office spokesperson said. Violence erupted in Chandauli Lok Sabha constituency, where state Bharatiya Janata Party chief Mahendra Nath Pandey is seeking re-election, when supporters of the saffron party and the Samajwadi Party clashed. "The incident was reported from Parahupur Sikatiya village in Chandauli. A police team rushed to the spot and the situation was brought under control," Additional Chief Electoral Officer B D R Tiwari said. A report from Chandauli said the fingers of Dalits had been inked before they could actually cast their vote in Tara Jivanpur village under Alinagar police station. "We have taken cognizance of the entire incident and an FIR has been registered. Prima facie, names of workers of a political party have come to the fore. The administration has assured the people that they do not need to fear," Tiwari said. Two election officials deputed at different polling booths in Gorakhpur and Bansgaon constituencies died of sudden illness, officials said. Rajaram, 56, was a polling officer of booth number 381 at Prathmik Vidhyalay Madhopur in Pipraich area in Gorakhpur seat, Assistant Election Officer J N Maurya said. He was rushed to a community health centre where he was declared dead. In the Bansgaon, Vinod Srivastav, 50, deputed at polling booth number 219, died around midnight due to cardiac arrest. He was an employee with the sugarcane department. In Gorakhpur, the turnout was 46.91 per cent. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath was among the early voters. "People are fighting this election for nation's interest and if someone cannot understand this thing, his IQ (intelligence quotient) is questionable," Adityanath said after casting his ballot. "The entire election revolved around Modi ji. With big achievements of his government during the last five years, the BJP will win the election." Union minister Shiv Pratap Shukla, who also exercised his franchise in Gorakhpur, said BJP candidate Ravi Kishan would win by a margin of over three lakh votes and the party would form the government. According to the data given by the state election office till 3.00 pm, the highest turnout was 52.40 per cent in Maharajganj, while Ballia reported the lowest turnout of 42.56 per cent. On the death of an election official in Gorakhpur, Tiwari said: "The matter is being probed. If someone is seriously ill, then he is not deployed on poll duty. People submit their requests (for exemption from election duty) and the district administration considers such requests with sensitivity. However, if any untoward incident is to take place, no one can forecast it." Asked whether there was any lack of medical facilities for the election officials, the officer said,: "There is proper medical arrangement and first -aid kits have been given to all the poll staff."Tiwari said reports of EVM malfunctioning were reported from some places, but polling was not hampered. "We also got reports of poll boycott from certain places in Gorakhpur, Mirzapur, Varanasi and Mau. Officials rushed to those places to pacify the voters," he said. Polling is underway in Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon (SC), Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj (SC). Union minister Manoj Sinha is seeking re-election from Ghazipur. The BJP is contesting 11 Lok Sabha seats in this phase, while its ally Apna Dal (Sonelal) is contesting from Mirzapur, currently held by Union minister Anupriya Patel, and Robertsganj. The saffron party has pitted Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan from Gorakhpur against Congress' Madhusudan Tripathi and Rambhual Nishad of the Samajwadi Party. Gorakhpur MP Pravin Nishad, who had won the seat on a SP ticket in bypolls last year, has joined the BJP. The party has fielded him from Sant Kabir Nagar seat. Gorakhpur was represented by Yogi Adityanath in the Lok Sabha from 1998 to 2017, before he became the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The final phase of Lok Sabha polls in the state will decide the fate of eight SP and five BSP candidates. In all, there are 167 candidates in the fray for 13 seats. The highest number of 26 candidates in the fray are from Varanasi, while Bansgaon has the least number of four candidates fighting the polls. The total number of voters who are eligible to cast their votes in this phase is over 2.32 crore. As many as 25,874 polling booths have been set up in 13,979 polling centres, the Election Commission added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 50-year-old man was allegedly hacked to death with an an axe in Rajasthan's Bundi district, following which the accused person was arrested, police said Sunday. The incident occurred in a village under Dabi police station late Saturday night, they said. The victim has been identified as Gopal Bheel, police said. The accused, Durga Bheel, 50, was arrested Sunday morning and he has confessed to the crime, Station House Officer, Dabi police station, Sampat Singh said. He said Durga Bheel was in a relationship with a widow for the last five years but their relationship turned sour from the last couple of months. This was because Durga Bheel felt that the woman was distancing herself from him because of Gopal Bheel, he said. On Saturday night when the woman had gone to attend a wedding in a neighbouring village, the accused reached her home and found Gopal Bheel sleeping there, Singh said. He got furious and allegedly attacked Gopal Bheel with an axe, killing him on the spot, the SHO said. Hearing the cries, the woman's elder son, who was sleeping beside the victim, woke up and informed his relatives who later reported the matter to police, Singh said. Police arrested Durga Bheel and booked him under section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The fate of 42 candidates was sealed in EVMs Sunday as an estimated 64.81 per cent of the over 45.64 lakh electorate exercised their franchise in three Lok Sabha constituencies in the fourth and final phase of polling in Jharkhand. Of the three Lok Sabha constituencies, Dumka recorded the highest turnout at 66.79 per cent, followed by Rajmahal at 64.68 per cent and Godda at 63.30 per cent, an Election Commission official said. The voting percentage will be updated later as voters were still in queues despite conclusion of the scheduled voting time at 4 pm. Polling was peaceful with no untoward incidents reported from the three Lok Sabha seats. Braving the summer heat, elderly voters also turned out in large numbers. While 15 candidates were in the fray from Dumka, there were 14 contestants from Rajmahal and 13 from Godda. Of the 42 contestants, five were women. Chief Electoral Officer L. Khiangte said a total 6,258 control units, as many ballot units and 6,258 VVPATs had been set up in the three constituencies, besides 1260 control units, as many ballot units and 1884 VVPATs were in reserve. Inspector General of Police (Operation) Ashish Batra said that 37,398 security personnel were deployed across the three constituencies as part of security arrangements. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An estimated 8.08 per cent of the 1,52,52,608 voters had exercised their franchise in the eight Lok Sabha seats in Bihar on Sunday till 9 am, an official said. Altogether 157 candidates including four Union Ministers are in the fray in the seventh and final phase of polling in Bihar. Polling is currently underway in eight Lok Sabha constituencies - Nalanda, Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Ara, Buxar, Jehanabad, Sasaram and Karakat. As per the poll figure released by office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Bihar, all the eight constituencies together recorded 8.08 per cent polling till 9 am. "Polling has been peaceful with no untoward incidents reported from any of these constituencies, so far except initial reports of EVM malfunctioning," official sources said. As per reports reaching from district headquarters where voting currently is underway, voting was hampered at few polling stations in Ara, Sasaram, Jehanabad, Pataliputra, Buxar. Official sources said the problems with regard to EVMs have been redressed. Prominent candidates whose electoral fate will be decided in Sunday's polling include - Union Law and IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, his Congress rival Shatrughan Sinha (Patna Sahib), Union minister Ram Kripal Yadav and his RJD rival Misa Bharti (Pataliputra), Union minister Ashwini Kumar Choubey (Buxar), Union minister R K Singh (Ara), former Lok Sabha Speaker and senior Congress leader Meira Kumar (Sasaram) are also in fray in Sunday's polling. People of all age groups, men or women, were seen standing in long queues at various polling stations in these eight Lok Sabha seats to participate in the biggest festival of world's largest democracy. Prominent among those who voted in the capital city at different polling stations include - Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, his Deputy Sushil Kumar Modi, Union Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad. Voting began at 7 am and will end at 6 PM at all places in the eight Lok Sabha constituencies except 10 assembly constituencies of three lok sabha constituencies of Pataliputra, Sasaram and Karakat where voting would come to an end at 4 pm. Central para military forces, Bihar Military Police, Special Auxiliary Police jawans have been deployed at all 15,811 polling stations eight lok sabha constituencies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Veteran actor Malcolm McDowell says it took almost five decades for dystopian crime film, "A Clockwork Orange" to find the right audience. The 75-year-old actor shot to fame by his portrayal of charismatic but antisocial delinquent Alex DeLarge in Stanley Kubrick's 1972 directorial, which is based on Anthony Burgess' novel of the same name. McDowell said today the cult hit is being understood for it was intended to be - a black comedy and a satire on society. "When it first came out people watched it in stony silence. They were shocked by these new kinds of visuals... In the last 20 years, especially young people, see it for what it is: a black comedy. They laugh all the way through. So, finally, 'Clockwork' has found the audience we thought we were making the movie for," he told Dazed magazine. In 1973, the movie was withdrawn from the release in the UK on the request of Kubrick following a number of copycat crimes committed in the country which were similar to the violent assaults depicted in the film, such as the beating of a vagrant man by Alex and his gang of "droogs". The actor said the fact that violence on celluloid has reached its saturation point, "Clockwork" is like a "Disney movie" today. "I think enough time has gone past that you know the violence on screen is saturated, you can't go any further. I think when Sam Peckinpah was making really violent movies, that was a slow-motion violence, a ballet. 'Clockwork' for this generation is like a Disney movie now," he said. Malcolm said he while performing the role he never thought of the character as "evil", but added he is unsure if he holds any affection for Alex. "I love all the characters I play. Even the horrendous ones, even the ones who are so despicable - they all had mothers, they were all babies - but Alex, I don't know. Alex is a dichotomy, isn't he? "He's a guy who loves life. So you gotta love part of him, you gotta kinda love him because anyone who loves life like that - of course, at the expense of others - but, he has sort of mitigating circumstances," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : About 15 per cent of votes were polled in the first two hours in seven polling stations in Chandragiri Assembly constituency under Chittoor Lok Sabha segment in Andhra Pradesh, where re-poll is being held Sunday. In all there are 5,451 voters under these seven polling booths, according to the state Chief Electoral Officer. On Wednesday, the ECI had ordered repoll in five polling stations, on a petition by YSR Congress candidate Chevireddy Bhaskara Reddy, who alleged that a certain section of voters was not allowed to exercise their franchise. The Telugu Desam Party had on Friday petitioned the EC for a repoll in two polling stations in the same constituency, alleging irregularities. Based on the recommendation of the state Chief Electoral Officer, the ECI issued an order Saturday for the repoll to be conducted on Sunday in two polling stations pertaining to both Chandragiri Assembly and Chittoor Lok Sabha segments. Late Saturday night, the Andhra Pradesh High Court rejected a TDP petition for cancellation of the re-poll. The Election Commission submitted video evidence of the gross malpractices in these polling booths, based on which the re-poll was ordered. As such, the High Court rejected the TDP petition, paving the way for the re-poll. The 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.) Aditya Birla Health Insurance is targeting to break-even by fiscal year 2022-23 by focusing more on the retail segment, a top official has said. The company, a part of the diversified conglomerate Aditya Birla Group, is also aiming to enter the list of companies offering services under the Government's Ayushman Bharat scheme by second half of the next fiscal. "Usually, it takes up to 7 years for an insurance company to break- even after high investments in the beginning. We plan to do it in 5-6 years, by FY23," Aditya Birla Health Insurance chief executive Mayank Bathwal told PTI over phone. He said the company is focusing on the more profitable retail segment for its growth and expects to add up to 1 million customers per year, which will make it possible for the company to achieve the goal. The company reported a premium collection of Rs 500 crore in FY19, and aims to achieve break-even in the next three years, once the premium collection rises to Rs 1,700-2,000 crore. Its premium collections grew 100 per cent in FY19, on the back of a 400 per cent growth in the retail segment, he said. In FY19, the company was successful in reversing the mix of policies between retail and group, Bathwal said and added that retail now accounts for 65 per cent of the overall policies while the remaining is on the group front, where companies face pricing pressure as clients negotiate collectively. By end of FY20, it is targeting to increase the component of retail to 70 per cent, Bathwal said. He claimed the company pioneered the use of wearable devices in the Indian insurance space and added that 30 per cent of its policy holders reduced their insurance premiums through sharing of data showing their seriousness towards health. Under the digitally enabled health insurance plan, insurance companies track users' behaviours and offer discounts to those who lead healthier lives. The retail growth is being achieved through the bancassurance tie-ups, he said, but, did not comment on how the tie-up with the group's payments bank business will play out. At present, over 50 per cent of the business flows through banks, he said. On the Ayushman scheme, he said only those companies which complete three years in operations can get into serving the citizens and added that it will get eligible in October 2019 and would like to enter the fray given the size and scale of the scheme. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) An Air India flight from Delhi to Muscat was diverted to Jamnagar Air Force base Sunday night after a 33-year-old passenger suffered a cardiac arrest onboard. After landing at the Indian Air Force base, the patient was rushed to the Jamnagar civil hospital accompanied by an IAF doctor. "AI 973 Delhi Muscat flt diverted to Jamnagar Air Force Base at 2230 with an Indian passenger aged 33 sufferng cardiac arrest in flight. IAF responded promptly. Diversion to civil airfield wd hv taken more time. Patient shifted to hospital accompanied by IAF doc," PRO Defence Gujarat Puneet Chadha said in a tweet late on Sunday night. He later said patient was taken to Guru Govind Singh Hospital for treatment. Name of the patient was not know immediately. It is rare when commercial flights are allowed to land on IAF bases. However, Chadha said in the tweet that IAF responded quickly as the flight diversion to civil air field would have taken more time. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Arab League called Sunday on the German parliament to rescind a resolution that condemned a boycott movement against Israel as "anti-semitic". The call by the pan-Arab bloc comes after the Bundestag passed a motion on Friday against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, warning that its actions were reminiscent of the Nazis' campaign against Jews. BDS, founded in 2005, describes itself as a Palestinian-led movement, which calls for the boycott of Israeli goods, services and culture as a means of pressuring the Jewish state to end its occupation of Palestinian territories. The Arab League's assistant secretary-general for Palestinian affairs Saeed Abu Ali said in a statement the Bundestag's motion against BDS is "regrettable... unjustified... (and) biased" in favour of Israel. He urged Germany's parliament to "reverse this erroneous step and support the Palestinian people's right for liberation." The non-binding resolution said the BDS movement's "Don't Buy" stickers on Israeli products revive memories of the Nazis' slogan 'Don't buy from Jews', and other graffiti on shop facades and windows. The Bundestag also pledged to reject any financial support for the boycott movement, and to prevent BDS and its partners holding events on its premises. The multi-party motion was backed by Chancellor Angela Merkel's centre-right CDU-CSU bloc, the Social Democratic Party, the liberal FDP and the Greens. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Leading global players from tourism-related businesses such as travel agencies, airlines, lodges, hotels and destination management companies (DMCs) will be showcasing their services and products at the inaugural Gulf Travel and Tourism Forum being held in Bahrain. The event is being organised from October 23 to 25 at the Gulf Convention Cente under the patronage of Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). A first-of-its-kind event in the kingdom, the Forum is being held in co-ordination with the Action Leaders for Women Advancement (Alwane). It will be managed by Worksmart for Events Management. The three-day event will also host a cluster of outstanding speakers to deliver a quality knowledge-sharing platform in the conference. It will allow visitors to gain a better understanding of local tourism destinations, products, said the organisers. The forum aims to provide a platform for Bahrainis hospitality industry to promote and market their products and services to all involved in the industry, including the public. According to the organisers, the events primary objective is to promote Bahrain as one of the top MICE destinations in the region. On the sidelines of the Forum, a number of activities will be held that reflects Bahrainis hospitality, in addition to a series of workshops and discussions related to the tourism sector, it stated. The upcoming event is set to attract a number of hotels, airlines, travel agencies and tour operators from across the GCC region as well as leading leisure destinations in Bahrain. Also it will see global travel agencies and international tourist promotion offices taking part, said the organisers. This initiative comes as a fundamental support to the strategic partnership between the private sector and civil society associations and the BTEA and long-term exhibitions to develop the tourism sector, especially tourism conferences and highlight the tourism components to support the efforts that enhance the contribution of the tourism sector positively in the GDP in line with the vision of the Kingdom Economic 2030, it added.-TradeArabia News Service : Pharma major AstraZeneca has filed a petition in a US court, alleging that Aurobindo Pharma is attempting to come out with the generic version of its patented drug Daliresp (Roflumilast Tablet 500 mcg). In a petition filed in the United States District Court for the District Court of New Jersey on May 15, AstraZeneca alleged thatthe Indian drug makers proposed generic Daliresp would infringe the patents on three counts and requested the court to pass an injunction order against manufacturing, importing and selling that drug in the USA. Daliresp isis a prescription medicine used in adults with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to decrease the number of flare-ups or the worsening of COPD symptoms (exacerbations). AstraZeneca prayed for a permanent injunction, restraining and enjoining Aurobindo Pharma from making, using, selling, offering to sell, or importing any product that infringes the 206, 064, and 142 Patent, including the product (Dalisrep). AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP is the current holder of New Drug Application for Daliresp (Roflumilast) Tablet 500 mcg, which was first approved by Food and Drug Administration on February 28, 2011. Aurobindo Pharma wrote to AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP and AstraZeneca AB on April 5, 2019 (Notice Letter), saying they had submitted US FDA an Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA ) with paragraph IV certifications for the 206, 064, and 142 Patents, the petition said. Under this, a company can seek FDA approval to market a generic drug before the expiration of patents related to the brand-name drug that the generic seeks to copy. Acity-based pharmaceutical company senior official said patent infringement cases are not uncommon for generic drug makers in USAand thelaw suit would not have any implications on the company's performance. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A mentally challenged Bangladeshi, who had crossed over to India accidentally over two decades ago, finally met his family in a jail here on Sunday, officials said. Azbdar Peada (55) had accidentally crossed over to India from Bangladesh 23 years ago, they said. Peada is fit now and he would leave for his country next month, the officials of Tezpur Central jail said. His brother, Iqubal Peada (28), who was a toddler at that time, after years of rigorous search finally managed to trace his elder brother to Tezpur Central Jail in Assam and met him on Sunday morning and the 55-year-old man was united with his younger brother once again. It was an emotional moment for both the siblings and Iqubal thanked the Indian authorities for providing treatment to his elder brother, a mentally challenged person. "Mother told me that my brother was a mental patient and he was missing for the last 23 years," Iqubal said. "When I was a small boy, he somehow entered India. I am happy to see him fully fit now and he spoke to me at length," Iqubal added. Azbhar has fully recovered and can write details about his parents as well as his home in Bangladesh, the Superintendent of Tezpur Central Jail, Mrinmay Dawka, said. "I want to go to my native place. I am eagerly waiting to meet my mother and other family members," Azbhar said. A resident of Satkhira district in Khulna division, Azbhar had gone missing around 23 years ago. His parents Abdul Karim Peada and Momena Khatun searched for but failed to find him. Azbhar, after accidentally crossing over to India, had stayed in Assam for some years, and then he was caught in the state's Dhemaji district on July 1, 2015. He was convicted and sent to jail for two years on November 16, the same year, under various sections under various sections of the Passport Act and Foreigners Act. He served his sentence till December 30, 2017 and he was sent to Tezpur Central Jail the following day so that he could be deported to Bangladesh. Since Azbhar could provide any information about his home due to his mental condition, he was kept there. The authorities of the jail then started treating him for his illness. Azbhar responded to the treatment and became well. After tracing the whereabouts of his elder brother, Iqubal, who is an established businessman now, contacted Bangladeshi social worker Amalendu Das to help meet Azbhar and bring him back home. Das then contacted Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur, the Bangladesh Assistant High Commission in Guwahati, for the necessary support. The Superintendent of Tezpur Central Jail, Mrinmay Dawka, said that Azbhar will be allowed to leave the jail next month as soon as the necessary paper works are complete. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Sunday said he had spoken to the chief election commissioner about the violence in West Bengal in the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls. "Spoke to CEC Shri Sunil Arora ji, apprised him of the large scale attempts at rigging and violence in Dum Dum, Diamond Harbour, Kolkata Uttar, Jadavpur. He has assured us. We hope at this final stage of the poll, they can ensure that people are allowed to vote, freely and fairly," the Left leader said in a tweet. West Bengal has witnessed violence in all the seven phases of polling. On Sunday, polling was held for nine Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Construction of a building by senior BJP leader Nirmal Singh's family near an Army depot in the city's outskirts is near completion, despite the Jammu and Kashmir High Court directing them last year to maintain status quo at the disputed site, officials said. The high court on May 7 last year had asked them to maintain status quo until final disposition of an Army plea which has claimed that the building was in violation of laid down norms. A palatial building is nearing completion in Ban village despite the order, the officials said. Raising security and safety concerns in view of the building's proximity to an ammunition depot, the Centre had filed two petitions before the high court, but are still awaiting a proper hearing a year later. Efforts to seek a reaction from Nirmal Singh and his close aide did not yield result as repeated calls and messages remained unanswered. Singh had earlier claimed it was a political conspiracy against him. The piece of 2,000 square metre land was brought in 2000 by the Himgiri Infrastructure Development Private Limited, whose shareholders included former state deputy chief minister Kavinder Gupta and BJP MP Jugal Kishore besides Singh. Gupta, however, had claimed that he resigned from the company. The construction work on the plot had started in 2017 prompting the Army to send a communication to Singh, who was the then deputy chief minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government, asking him to stop the activity as it was in "violation of the Works of Defence Act (WoDA) 1903" which bars any construction activity upto 1000 yards (914 metres approx). The construction activity falls nearly 581 yards (531 metres approx) from the boundary of the depot. A contempt notice was moved by the central government in 2018 against Nirmal Singh's wife Mamta Singh for allegedly violating a 2015 order of the then deputy commissioner of Jammu Simrandeep Singh in which the Army depot was notified by the state government. The high court had on May 7, 2018, while hearing a contempt petition, asked various departments of the state to file their replies and directed Singh and others to "ensure" that the 2015 order is "strictly implemented with all provisions of law/rules and no unlawful/impermissible activity in the area is permitted". The 2015 order was clear that "no variation shall be made in the ground level and on building, wall, bank or other construction....erected, added to or altered otherwise that with the written approval of the General officer in Commanding..." "No wood, earth, stone, brick, gravel and or other material shall be stacked, stored or otherwise accumulated" and the order was applicable to all those living 1000 yards of the ammunition point at village ban. It said that any violation "shall be dealt with by the local Army commander under law and no compensation in respect of removal of such unauthorised structures shall be payable to the owners." The Defence Ministry had filed a writ petition on May 3, 2018 when the local administration and police failed to implement the 2015 order. Despite the high court's order for strict implementation of the order of the deputy commissioner, the construction work continued unabated prompting the Centre to move a contempt petition on May 16, 2018. Officials in the Defence Ministry said that in view of the recent terrorist action at Pulwama as well as the earlier terrorist attack at Nagrota in November 2016, concerns regarding security of such sensitive defence installations have always assumed importance. Guidelines such as the Works of Defence Act are meant to deter such threats as well as cater for the safety of the civilians residing in the vicinity. However, such construction activity reduces the open area for surveillance and monitoring by the Army too. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Test Identification Parade (TIP) of arrested JeM militant Hilal Naikoo will be conducted in connection with BJP leader Gul Mohammed Mir's killing in Anantnag as an internal probe indicated lapses at bureaucratic level despite a clear threat to him, officials said. The family of 57-year-old Mir, who unsuccessfully contested on BJP ticket in 2008 and 2014 assembly elections from Dooru in South Kashmir, has claimed that Naikoo was present in the squad that killed the politician outside his home on May 4. Mir, whose affidavit shows his age as 52 in the 2014 assembly polls, was shot dead outside his residence at Nowgam in Verinag area of South Kashmir. He was shifted to hospital in a critical condition, but was declared brought dead by the doctors there. Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir police arrested Hilal Naikoo from Dooru. Police officials said that they would be carrying out his TIP soon. The killing had rattled Governor Satya Pal Malik's administration in Jammu and Kashmir and Additional Director General of Police Munir Khan was appointed to inquire into the lapses. Earlier, Malik had ordered an inquiry headed by state Chief Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam to "identify lapses" but withdrew later after political parties accused the top bureaucrat of creating a chaotic situation by withdrawing security of some people in Kashmir Valley. The internal probe shows that the Home Ministry had written in February this year to the chief secretary for providing security to Mir but it was not adhered to, officials said. In its communication, the Home Ministry had sent a representation from Mir along with intelligence inputs about increasing his security, instead the security was withdrawn completely, they said. The local police cited an order from state home department in which it was categorically mentioned that if the security personnel do not report back to their parent units by or before April 5, 2019, the salary equivalent shall be deducted from the salary of district superintendents of police or commandants. "In case where personal security office have been deployed unauthorisedly, the salary equivalent of such personnel would be deducted from the salary of concerned officers for such unauthorised deployment. "The security to politicians is provided on local inputs and not institutionalised through any proper mechanism which includes clearing of names through a screening committee," they said. The order, according to the officials, prompted many district police heads to withdraw security immediately fearing deduction in their salaries, they said. Mir's son, Zahoor Ahmed Mir, had said that his father's security had been withdrawn two months back and all efforts to get it back had fallen on deaf ears. "I had given a letter of the BJP leaders to SSP Anantnag but he expressed his helplessness and directed me to see Munir Khan (Additional Director General of Polce in charge of security)," he said. According to the officials, Mir was included in the list ordered by the chief secretary in February this year despite opposition by security agencies which had suggested that no security should be withdrawn until the election process is completed. However, the chief secretary ordered reconstitution of the screening committee, removed police officials from it and appointed state Home Secretary Shaleen Kabra as its chairman, a move which has been criticised. Since the withdrawal of security, politicians have been easy prey for militants. A panch, Abdul Majeed Dar, was killed in Kulgam on April 4 and a National Conference (NC) worker, Mohammad Ismail Wani, sustained injuries after being shot at on March 14. On March 30, suspected militants shot dead social activist Arjumand Majid Bhat in Baramulla district of north Kashmir. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A large sign warns motorists that Iceland's Fjadrrgljfur canyon is closed to visitors but drivers keep on coming down the narrow gravel road. A ranger at a roadblock has to explain why no one can pass: The vulnerable landscape cannot sustain more visitors. Blame Justin Bieber, the Canadian pop star with a worldwide reach. Bieber's magical music video "I'll Show You" was filmed at the canyon and seen by millions, creating overwhelming demand for the once-pristine spot. For a chance to follow in Bieber's footsteps, his fans are not letting a few fences, signs or park rangers keep them away. Eager visitors try to sweet-talk ranger Hanna Jhannsdttir into opening the gate. Some offer bribes. They should know in advance it's not going to work. "Food from people's home country is the most common bribery," said Jhannsdttir, who recently turned down a free trip to Dubai in exchange for looking the other way at trespassers. The Bieber-inspired influx is one part of a larger challenge for Iceland the North Atlantic island nation may be too spectacular and too popular for its own good. Last year 2.3 million tourists visited Iceland, compared with just 600,000 eight years ago. The 20 per cent annual uptick in visitors has been out of proportion with infrastructure that is needed to protect Iceland's volcanic landscape, where soil forms slowly and erodes quickly. Environment Minister Gudmundur Ingi Gudbrandsson said it is "a bit too simplistic to blame the entire situation on Justin Bieber" but urged famous, influential visitors to consider the consequences of their actions. "Rash behaviour by one famous person can dramatically impact an entire area if the mass follows," he told The Associated Press. Bieber has the third-largest Twitter account at over 105 million followers, after Katy Perry and Barack Obama, according to friendorfollow.com and he has over 112 million followers on Instagram. In the viral video watched over 440 million times on YouTube since 2015 Bieber stomped on mossy vegetation, dangled his feet over a cliff and bathed in the freezing river underneath the sheer walls of the canyon. "In Justin Bieber's defense, the canyon did not, at the time he visited, have rope fences and designated paths to show what was allowed and what not," Gudbrandsson said. Over 1 million people have visited the area since the release of the video, the Environment Agency of Iceland estimates, leaving deep scars on its vegetation. After remaining closed for all but five weeks this year, it is expected to reopen again this summer only if weather conditions are dry. Icelanders are reluctant to fault the pop star, who enjoys enormous support on the island. About 12 per cent of Iceland's entire population 38,000 people attended his two concerts in Reykjavk, the capital, a year after the video was released. Locals underestimated the canyon's potential as a major attraction because it's relatively small compared to those formed by the country's powerful glacier rivers. But unlike others, it is easily accessed and requires less than a kilometre of trekking. The selfies and drone images have stopped for now but more exposure is coming. The latest season of the popular HBO drama "Game of Thrones" features scenes filmed at the canyon. The nearby Skgar waterfall and the Svnafells glacier are also backdrops in the fictional Thrones world of warriors and dragons. Inga Palsdottir, director of the national tourism agency Visit Iceland, said a single film shot or a viral photograph has often put overlooked places on the map. The most extreme example, she said, is the Douglas DC-3 U.S. Navy plane that crashed on the black sand beach at Slheimasandur in 1973. The seven Americans on board all survived but the plane wreck was never removed. "Then someone decided to dance on it and now it's one of the most popular places in the country," said Palsdottir. On a foggy Wednesday morning, ranger Jhannsdttir observed fresh footprints on the muddy pathway to the Fjadrrgljfur canyon, indicating that someone had jumped the fence overnight. She predicted that more people would trespass that afternoon when she left the roadblock to give a presentation at a community center. She was right. Less than 30 minutes passed before tourists began ignoring the fences and signs. "We came because of Justin Timberlake," said Mikhail Samarin, a tourist from Russia, traveling with Nadia Kazachenok and Elena Malteseva, who were quick to correct the artist's last name to Bieber. "It was so amazing," said Malteseva about the Bieber video. "After that, we decided it was necessary to visit this place." The three took turns posing for a photograph, standing at the edge of an Icelandic cliff. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) acknowledged Saturday it had to correct defects in its flight simulator software used to train pilots to fly the 737 MAX, the aircraft model involved in two deadly crashes that killed 346 people. " has made corrections to the 737 MAX simulator software and has provided additional information to device operators to ensure that the simulator experience is representative across different flight conditions," the company said in a statement. "These changes will improve the simulation of force loads on the manual trim wheel. is working closely with the device manufacturers and regulators on these changes and improvements, and to ensure that customer training is not disrupted. An Iraqi Shiite paramilitary group says a roadside bomb has hit a bus carrying its fighters in eastern Iraq, killing seven people and wounding 26. The Popular Mobilisation Forces said in a statement that the bomb hit the bus in the eastern town of Balad Ruz, while travelling from the southern province of Basra. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. The Sunni Islamic State group has targeted Shiite groups in the past. IS, which seized Iraqi cities and declared a self-styled Islamic caliphate in territories it controls in Syria and Iraq, was formally declared defeated in Iraq following a three-year bloody battle that left tens of thousands dead and Iraqi cities in ruins. The extremist group sleeper cells continue to launch attacks in different parts of Iraq. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A British-Indian female banking chief from the UK's wealthiest Hinduja family has lashed out at the "toxic culture" that exists for women in the financial world. Shanu Hinduja, the chairperson of the Switzerland-headquartered Hinduja Bank, told the Sunday Times that female entrepreneurs were frozen out by a "deeply patriarchal" system that often refused to fund their ventures. The 55-year-old daughter of S P Hinduja and niece of G P Hinduja -- the brothers who topped 'The Sunday Times Rich List' for 2019 last week with an estimated fortune of 22 billion pounds -- is among a few women at the helm of a major financial institution in Europe. "As the chair of a bank, I all too often witness the toxic culture for women in the banking sector. We are under represented at all levels of the global financial system," she said. Shanu believes that mothers are particularly penalised as many male investors doubt they would focus fully on their work when they have a young family. "It remains widely accepted among investors that women especially those of childbearing age aren't going to give their business ideas their full efforts and attention," she said. The banker criticised companies for failing to promote women as a result of widespread "subconscious bias" against them. She singled out venture capital investors the funds that back early-stage businesses long before they become profitable as a reason more women do not go into business. Besides banking, her family's business empire, founded in Mumbai in 1914 by her grandfather Parmanand Hinduja, is spread across a range of sectors, including oil and gas, energy, media, property and automotive. The family occupies four interconnected London homes at Carlton House Terrace near Trafalgar Square, bought from Queen Elizabeth II in 2006. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Ottawa plans to proceed "full steam ahead" on ratification of a free trade agreement with the US and Mexico, Canada's foreign affairs minister said Saturday, after the neighbours scrapped reciprocal tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. Canada had been "very clear" that as long as the tariffs were in place "it would be very hard for us to move forward with ratification," Chrystia Freeland told CBC On Friday, US President Donald Trump announced the lifting of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico. Ottawa and Mexico City also announced the elimination of reciprocal duties. The steep US tariffs imposed last year -- 25 per cent on steel and 10 per cent on aluminum -- became a major stumbling block to ratifying a new North American trade pact negotiated last year by the three countries. With the removal of the obstacle, "our government now intends to move forward with the ratification," of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, Freeland said, describing the process as progressing "full steam ahead." However, she did not specify when the deal would be presented to Parliament, which remains in session only until June. Freeland acknowledged that despite the lifting of the aluminum and steel tariffs, it would be "naive" to think US protectionism is no longer a threat. "Eternal vigilance is required," she said. Meanwhile, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said Saturday the US move to withdraw tariffs was a "triumph" for Mexico. "It was a triumph for the Mexican government negotiators, a triumph of diplomacy. We even gave a bit of little help to the government of Canada. Not to brag," Lopez Obrador told reporters in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. He stressed that his administration is working toward "free trade, not a trade war. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Fairmont Dubai has appointed James Thompson as its new director of food and beverage (F&B). Thompson brings over 22 years of experience to this role, having worked at prestigious hotels and restaurants throughout the UK and UAE. Starting his career in independent restaurants, Thompson has worked at various iconic restaurants across the UK capital while working for the Conran Restaurant Group. Following 10 years in London, he returned to his home town of Birmingham, taking various general manager roles for the Individual Restaurant Company. In 2008, Thompson joined Burj Al Arab as the manager for the prestigious Al Muntaha restaurant. Over the years, he climbed the career ladder until eventually holding the director of food and beverage position for two years, overseeing their 10 outlets. In 2017, Thompson moved to Jumeirah Beach Hotel in anticipation of the hotel renovation. Whilst there, he was responsible for the successful relaunch of the 21 outlets and led a team of over 400 colleagues. - TradeArabia News Service Club captain Vincent Kompany announced Sunday that he is to leave Manchester City after 11 trophy-laden years. The 33-year-old Belgian defender joined the club in the summer of 2008 and has made 360 appearances, winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and two Community Shields. He signed off with victory in the FA Cup final on Saturday, where City thrashed Watford 6-0 to complete a domestic treble. "As overwhelming as it is, the time has come for me to go. And what a season to bow out," said Kompany, who joined City from Hamburg. "I feel nothing but gratefulness. I am grateful to all those who supported me on a special journey, at a very special club." Kompany added: "I will never forget how all Man City supporters remained loyal to me in good times and especially bad times. Against the odds you have always backed me and inspired me to never give up. "(Club owner) Sheikh Mansour changed my life and that of all the City fans around the world, for that I am forever grateful. A blue nation has arisen and challenged the established order of things, I find that awesome." Kompany also paid tribute to his team-mates and manager Pep Guardiola. "It's cliche to say it but it's also so true: without my team-mates, I would have never been here today," he said. "We fought many battles together. Side by side. In good times and in bad. So to all of you, from the 2008-2009 squad to today's domestic treble winners: I owe you guys! "A special word also to Pep and the backroom staff: you've been superb. You've followed me through so much hardship. You made me come back stronger every time. Thank you so much. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and leader N on Sunday held a second round of talks with top opposition leaders, including and Sharad Pawar, in an apparent bid to rally support for a non-BJP government at the Centre. Naidu, who arrived in the national capital on Friday, had met Gandhi, Nationalist Congress Party chief Pawar, Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav and leaders of the Communist Party of India on Saturday as well. He had then flown to Lucknow and met Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati. Sunday's meeting assumes significance as Naidu is meeting Gandhi and Pawar after holding talks with the SP and BSP chiefs, who have not openly come in favour of an opposition alliance so far. The chief's deliberations are part of his efforts to unite non-NDA parties and bring them together on one platform to stake their claim for forming the next government in case the NDA fails to get the majority mark. The Telugu Desam Party chief has held several rounds of discussion with various opposition leaders, including TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury. Naidu's was a part of the NDA, but quit the alliance a few months ago. The Congress and other opposition parties have exuded confidence of forming the next government. Members of the Christian community on Sunday protested after police failed to make a breakthrough in a case desecration of graves in a cemetery in Pakistan's Punjab province. The incident happened on May 12, when over 30 graves in a village in Okara district of Punjab province, about 200 km from Lahore, were found desecrated. Following the incident, there were reports of tension between Muslim and Christian communities. After police failed to make any breakthrough in the case, even after six days, the local Christians on Sunday held demonstration outside the Okara police station, demanding action. Protest ended after District Police Officer (Okara) Athar Ismael assured the protesters that police would soon arrest those involved in the incident. "Some miscreants could be behind this incident whose sole purpose seems to cause violence," he said, adding that police was investigating the matter He said recently some influential people from an adjoining village had stopped the Christians from building a church. According to the priest of the village's St Anthony Church, Father James Bahadur, more than 30 graves were desecrated. "It is very sad to see that some people attacked our Christian cemetery, they damaged graves. The culprits must be arrested," he said, adding the act of vandalism has spread terror in the village among the Christian community. "This seems to be the handiwork of extremists who wanted to sow hatred among people of both faiths and to ruin the peace and harmony in the area," he said. The cemetery in question is more than 100 years old spreading over 6 acres of land. The oldest tomb dates back to 1903. It houses also tombs of the English. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress MP Pradip Bhattachraya Sunday wrote to the Election Commission, saying the media coverage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kedarnath was in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. He said he has requested the poll panel to stop the media coverage of Modi's trip and take stern action. "The way he (Modi) ensured media coverage of his trip to Kedarnath temple is nothing but a violation of MCC. His trip is all over the media. Is this not a way to directly and indirectly influence voters ahead of polls," Bhattacharya said. "lt is absolutely unethical. Every minute detail of his activities during the visit is being widely publicised with an ulterior motive to influence voters directly and/or indirectly. This is wrong," he added. The Trinamool Congress has also complained to the poll panel that Modi's address to the media at Kedarnath shrine was "unethical" and that the coverage of his visit has violated norms. Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Uttarakhand, reached Kedarnath on Saturday and is expected to be at Badrinath temple on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Seeking to promote Delhi as a shooting destination for global filmmakers and production houses, the city's tourism department is participating in the ongoing Cannes film festival in France, saying the capital offers a multitude of stories worth telling on screen. A senior official of the Delhi Tourism Development Corporation, who is in Cannes, said, Delhi with its layers of history and iconic monuments, is a perfect setting for creating cine-magic. These (filmmakers at Cannes) are some of the best storytellers in the world, and Delhi has a multitude of stories worth telling. We are committed to enabling creators craft their narratives, staged on the ever inspiring platform of Delhi, said Sudhir Sobti, Chief Manager, Public Relations at the DTTDC. Delhi is home to three iconic World Heritage sites -- Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb, alongside numerous other historic monuments, and the city offers a sumptuous banquet of history and heritage, seamlessly in tune with its transformation as one of the world's fastest growing and largest metropolis today, he said. As civilisations have arrived and left an everlasting mark on Delhi, we wish the fraternity of creators, at the Festival de Cannes and beyond to help theIndian capital carve its space in the hearts and minds of cinematic denizens and film buffs, he said. The Delhi government has been taking steps to promote the national capital among the filmmaking community and has facilitated shooting of various films in the last few years, including Raanjhanaa and other productions. Today, as the capital of India, Delhi continues to hone and nurture cultures, ethnicities and riveting narratives that have time and again inspired national and international filmmakers to shoot here, Sobti said. The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) along with the government of Delhi have been working towards making the capital a film friendly city. Apart from coordinating with various stakeholder agencies on a regular basis, the corporation also has a dedicated page on the website to guide the filmmakers on numerous locations and facilities available in the city. We look forward to inviting the filmmakers and producers to this endearing city and showcase the 'Delhi Cinemagic' to one and all, Sobti said. Asked what are the advantages of shooting a film in Delhi, he said what the city provides is a potent canvas for effective and emotive storytelling and the logistical support required to facilitate the process of narrating the story. The infrastructure that Delhi proffers includes hotels, transport, communication, film shooting equipment and film processing. Delhi's IGI Airport ranks No.1 in the world when it comes to service quality and is capable handling chartered flights, he added. In terms of other resources, trained manpower in the field is readily available in Delhi with disruptively low production costs, the official said. Binding the resources available and the procedures involved in acquiring them, the Delhi government facilitates all your permissions to aid production in Delhi. Any filmmaker can send in their applications directly to Delhi Tourism stating the desired locations to shoot at, and the Film Shooting Facilitation Cell, Delhi Tourism will do all the groundwork for you, Sobti said. Besides, Delhi offers new talent, lower production cost, international connectivity and more than 200 locations to shoot at. Delhi Tourism itself has a few properties which can be used as ideal location for shootings, he said. The Festival de Cannes for us translates into the opportunity to present Delhi and its unrivalled creative potential and logistical ease to the esteemed fraternity of creators. Marking our place in the ever-expanding filming universe, we wish to mutually benefit in terms of thecreative and tourism discourse, the DTTDC official said. Asked if Delhi Tourism has a mechanism in place for film producers in case they face problem during a film shoot, he said, DTTDC is the nodal agency working towards permissions for shootings. Once any producer reaches out to us, we further connect with the requested stakeholder agency and guidethem in obtaining necessary permissions. Delhi Tourism is also part of the Ministry ofInformation and Broadcasting's National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC),Film Facilitation portal that enables producers to directly reach out to us and seek ourassistance for permissions and logistical solutions, he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi unit of the BJP Sunday requested the commissioner of police to review the security cover of Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, a day after the AAP chief alleged that he could be assassinated by police personnel deployed for his security. In a letter to Commissioner of Delhi Police Amulya Patnaik, BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor said Kejriwal's statement was "damaging" for the morale of his security staff as well as the entire police force in the national capital. He also sent copies of the letter to Home minister Rajnath Singh and Delhi's Lt Governor Anil Baijal. Kejriwal on Saturday had alleged that the BJP was after his life and said he could be assassinated like former prime minister Indira Gandhi by police personnel deployed for his security. Recently, the Delhi chief minister had also told a channel in Punjab that the BJP was after his life and they would "murder" him one day. Kapoor in the letter said, "I believe this statement coming from a chief minister is highly damaging for the morale of not only his security guards but the entire Delhi Police force personnel who are deployed for VIP security". He asked for psychological counselling of Delhi Police personnel deployed for Chief Minister Kejriwal's security, saying they must be "depressed" over his allegations. "All security staff deployed around Kejriwal should be given psychological counselling and Delhi should immediately review his security cover". Delhi Police should seek an apology from Kejriwal for his allegations and if he refuses his security cover should be withdrawn, Kapoor said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 19 year-old woman was arrested for allegedly stealing jewellery worth Rs 15 lakh and cash from a house in northwest Delhi's Pitampura where she used to work as a domestic help, police said Sunday. The accused has been identified as Khusboo, a resident of Khanpur village in Samastipur district of Bihar, they said. The theft was reported at Subhash Place police station on Friday, police said. In her complaint, the woman, a resident of Kohat Enclave in Pitampura reported that she had hired Khusboo about 20 days ago. On May 17, she left her house on the pretext of some emergency. After this, she realised that some ornaments and cash which were kept in almirah were missing following which she approached the police, Vijayanta Arya, Deputy Commissioner of Police (northwest) said. A case was registered and investigation was taken up, she said. During investigation, it was found that the servant verification was not got done by the complainant and she did not have any information including address, photo of Khusboo, the officer said. The police team checked various CCTV cameras installed in the vicinity and during analysis of CCTV footage, Khusboo was found roaming in the area of I-block, Shakarpur, Delhi following which she was apprehended from her rented house in JJ colony in Shakarpur area, the DCP said. During interrogation, the accused confessed of committing theft in her employer's house and she was arrested. The stolen cash of Rs 62,000 and other items have been recovered on her instance from her rented house. She told police that due to her poor financial condition, she became greedy and committed theft at her employer's house, the officer added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) China's top diplomat Wang Yi has asked US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo not to go "too far" in its "damaging moves" against the Chinese interests, saying that both countries will benefit from cooperation and lose from conflicts. State Councillor and Foreign Minister Wang held a telephonic conversation with Pompeo on Saturday, days after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order barring American companies from installing the foreign-made telecom equipment posing a national security threat, a move apparently aimed at banning Huawei from US networks. Beijing has warned of retaliation against the order that effectively barred Chinese telecom giant Huawei from the US market. The world's top two economies are locked in a trade battle that has seen mounting tariffs, sparking fears that the conflict could damage the global economy. Wang, noting that the US has recently made remarks and taken actions that are harmful to the Chinese interests in various fields including cracking down on Chinese enterprises' normal operations through political measures, said China strongly opposes such actions. "We urge the US side not to go too far," he told Pompeo. History and reality have shown that as two big countries, China and the US will both benefit from cooperation and lose from conflicts, Wang said, adding that cooperation is the only right choice for the two countries. The two sides should follow the direction set by the two countries' heads of state, manage their differences on the basis of mutual respect, expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, and work together in pushing forward a China-US relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability, state-run Xinhua agency quoted Wang as saying. China has always been willing to resolve economic and trade differences through negotiations and consultations, which, however, should be conducted on the basis of equality, he said, adding that China, in any negotiations, must safeguard its legitimate interests, answer the calls of its people, and defend the basic norms of international relations. Wang stressed that China has stated its firm opposition to the US' recent negative words and acts related to Taiwan, and urged Washington to abide by the 'one-China principle' and the three China-US joint communiques, and handle Taiwan-related issues carefully and properly. The two sides also exchanged views on relevant international and regional issues, the report said. Wang emphasized that China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, is committed to the de-nuclearisation, peace and stability of the Middle East. The trade war between China and the US escalated after Trump this month increased the import duty on Chinese products worth USD 200 billion from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. China retaliated by slapping tariffs on USD 60 billion worth of US imports. Trump has been demanding that China reduce the massive trade deficit which last year climbed to over USD 539 billion. He is also pressing for verifiable measures for protection of intellectual property rights (IPR), technology transfer and more access to American goods to Chinese markets. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) "Avengers: Endgame" star Elisabeth Olsen has revealed she auditioned to play Daenerys Targaryen in hit HBO series, "Game of Thrones". Emilia Clarke eventually bagged the role. Olsen said trying out for the part was the "most awkward audition" ever as she was asked her to read a monologue in two different accents. "When I first started working, I just auditioned for everything, because I like auditioning. And I auditioned for Khaleesi. I forgot that. It was the most awkward audition I'd ever had. "(It was from) after she just burned. And she's making this speech to thousands of people about how she's their queen. They didn't know if they wanted a British accent or not. So, you did it in both. It was terrible. Anytime someone says, 'Bad audition story.' That's one I remember," she told Vulture. The actor, who went to star as Scarlet Witch/ Wanda Maximoff in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, said she is a huge "GoT" fan. "I'm just so deep in 'Game of Thrones' that all I can think about is Kit Harington (who plays Jon Snow)," Olsen added. "The Tudors" actor Tamzin Merchant was originally cast as Daenerys and played the role in the pilot episode filmed in late 2009. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Debt-ridden has registered an EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) of Rs 4,229 crore during its Corporate Insolvency Resolution period (over 600 days). In an affidavit filed before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) last week, its resolution professional has informed that the company earned Rs 4,000 crore from its operations between August 2017 and February 2019. In addition, the RP also mentioned an earning of Rs 229 crore for March this year. Moreover, this amount "excludes Rs 734 crore EBITDA utilised for Finance Costs (Financial Lease, LC/BG Charges to banks and finance charges on payables to suppliers etc) for maintaining the Corporate Debtor (Essar Steel) as a going concern," the affidavit said. The affidavit was filed following the directions of the appellate tribunal, which - on May 7, 2019 - directed the RP of to submit the details of earnings from operations of the company during the corporate insolvency period. The affidavit, however, said that "figures from April 1, 2019 till date are not available." Insolvency resolution proceedings of had commenced on August 2, 2017 after the application under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 was admitted by the NCLT, Ahmedabad Bench. The Committee of Creditors (CoC) had voted in favour of Rs 42,000 crore take over plan of the global steel major ArcelorMittal. Later, the National Company Law Tribunal had also approved the ArcelorMittal's resolution plan, however, it had asked the CoC to look into the issues of distribution of money to the operational creditors of the company. The operational creditors of Essar Steel are not satisfied with the CoC over the distribution of Rs 42,000 crore coming from the resolution plan by global steel major ArcelorMittal. The CoC of Essar Steel has divided operational creditors of the company into two categories -- one with claims under Rs 1 crore and another above Rs 1 crore. On May 16, the CoC had informed the that out of Rs 42,000 crore coming from the resolution plan of ArcelorMittal, Rs 2,500 crore has been marked as the working capital of the debt-laden firm. The CoC submission before a National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) implied that only Rs 39,500 crore would be available for distribution among the financial and operational creditors. It had also informed the appellate tribunal that the actual upfront amount is Rs 39,500 crore and the rest Rs 2,500 crore has been committed as working capital for Essar Steel. 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 Voting machine glitches and sporadic incidents of violence in parts of West Bengal marked the final phase of Lok Sabha elections, which recorded 72.91 per cent turnout till 5pm in the nine parliamentary constituencies of the state on Sunday, officials said. Till 5pm, Mathurapur (SC) recorded the highest turnout at 78.52 per cent, followed by Basirhat at 77.77 per cent and Diamond Harbour at 77.40 per cent, a senior Commission official said. Jaynagar (SC) recorded 75.81 per cent turnount, Barasat 74.41 per cent, Dum Dum 73.05 per cent, Jadavpur 70.97 per cent, Kolkata Dakshin 67.09 per cent and Kolkata Uttar 61.18 per cent till 5pm of polling, they said. Polling was also conducted for by- to four Assembly constituencies in Bengal, necessitated due to resignations by sitting MLAs who are contesting the parliamentary polls. There have been reports of clashes, allegedly between the BJP and TMC activists, from Kankinada under the Bhatpara Assembly constituency where by- was underway, officials said. Bombs were hurled at an office of the ruling TMC in Kankinada and was then set on fire with the central forces stepping in to bring the situation under control, they said. The Barrackpore Police Commissionerate had to deploy Rapid Action Force (RAF) to control the situation there, a senior polling official said. The Commission has sought a report from the North 24 Parganas district magistrate in connection with the violence in Bhatpara, which recorded 61.30 per cent polling, he said. "Polling was absolutely peaceful. There was no report of any violence from anywhere in the nine constituencies. The incidents reported were very minor and necessary action was immediately taken," the official said. "There were, however, reports of EVM glitches in several polling stations. We had to send reserve EVMs to the booths, where the voting process was temporarily hampered due to technical glitches," he told PTI. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, however, alleged that the the central forces and the BJP carried out "tortures" during Sunday's election. "Since this morning, BJP workers and CRPF personnel carried out unprecedented tortures on voters. I have not seen such thing ever," Banerjee told reporters after casting her vote. Former Trinamool Congress MLA and now BJP leader Arjun Singh, whose son Pawan Singh is contesting the Assembly by- election from Bhatpara seat against TMC's Madan Mitra, alleged that he was "confined inside a room" by state police and his movements were "totally restricted". "I have been cooperating with the administration as well as police all through so that polling is conducted peacefully. But it was Madan Mitra who started creating problems in the area. And when we tried to stop him, the state police confined me inside a room saying that they were trying to control the situation," Arjun Singh said. Habibpur (ST) Assembly constituency saw 71.60 per cent turnout, Islampur 71.53 per cent, Bhatpara 67.26 per cent, while Darjeeling recorded 60.80 per cent, the EC official said. Meanwhile, BJP's Kolkata Uttar candidate Rahul Sinha claimed that a crude bomb was hurled near Girish Park area in the constituency around 12pm, creating panic among voters. Police, however, said those were crackers and polling was peaceful. In the Kolkata Dakshin constituency, TMC candidate Mala Roy alleged that she was stopped from entering polling booths. There were also reports about vandalisation of cars of Nilanjan Roy, the BJP's Diamond Harbour constituency candidate, and Anupam Hazra, the party's nominee from Jadavpur. A total of 1,49,63,064 voters decided the fate of 111 candidates from West Bengal in the final phase. Altogether 710 companies of central forces were deployed at 17,042 polling booths in the state to ensure free and fair voting, the official said. Ashok Vikhe Patil, the elder brother of former Leader of Opposition in Maharashtra Assembly Radhakrishna Vikhe Patil, Sunday announced an indefinite hunger strike from Monday near the statue of his grandfather late Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil at Loni in Ahmednagar district. Ashok said he wanted the state government to investigate "irregularities" committed by Radhakrishna, his wife Shalini, and son Sujay by not paying the FRP to sugarcane to farmers. He also alleged that Radhakrishna received funds from a trust run by controversial Islamic preacher zakir Naik, who is wanted by the NIA and ED in various cases. "Radhakrishna, Sujay and their family members run three cooperative sugar factories. They have not paid the Fair and Remunerative Price (FRP) to cane growers," he alleged. Ashok, a businessman by profession, said as per rules, sugarcane factories must pay Rs 2550 per tonne to farmers but the factories run by Radhakrishna and kin paid only Rs 1800. "Farmers have not yet received payment for the cane sold to these factories since the last one year," he alleged. Radhakrishna had resigned as the opposition leader, days after his son Sujay joined the BJP and contested his maiden Lok Sabha election from Ahmednagar constituency. Ashok alleged the state government was purposefuly not taking action against Radhakrishna since he had campaigned for the BJP in polls. Radhakrishna, Shalini and Sujay control Pravara Education Trust, Mula Pravara Cooperative Electrical Society, Vitthalrao Vikhe Patil sugar factory to name a few. Shalini is the president of Ahmednagar Zilla Parishad. Radhakrishna didn't respond to calls for reaction despite several attempts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu Sunday mocked at the exit polls, saying they were not exact polls. "Exit polls do not mean exact polls. We have to understand that. Since 1999, most of the exit polls have gone wrong," the Vice-President pointed out. Naidu addressed an informal meeting of well-wishers, who felicitated him in Guntur. Referring to the ongoing general elections, he said every party exuded confidence (over victory). "Everyone exhibits his own confidence till the 23rd (day of counting). There will be no base for it. So we have to wait for 23rd," he remarked. "Country and the state need an able leader and stable government, whoever it be. That's what is required. Thats all," Naidu observed. The Vice-President also said change in society should start with political parties. "If democracy has to strengthen and something good has to happen to people elections, selections, candidates, parties all should discharge their duties responsibly and properly," he noted. The Vice President lamented that civility has become a casulaty in the present political discourse. "There is a lot of degeneration in the speeches of political leaders. They are resorting to personal abuses. One is not an enemy to the other in politics, they are only rivals... They are forgetting this basic fact," he said. Expressing anguish over the behaviour of elected representatives in Parliament and state legislatures, he said, "See how MPs are behaving in Parliament and MLAs in Assembly, irrespective of the parties. Panchayat and civic bodies' members follow them." The Vice-President also found fault with political parties announcing freebies to win over the electorate. "The way parties are behaving.. you have been given a mandate for five years. You have to work. Without doing that, you announce freebies at the last minute. I am always opposed to it. Free power means, no power," Naidu observed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Japanese multinational firm LIXIL expects India to be one of the top three global markets outside its home country for water technology business in next seven-eight years on the back of growth driven by pre-fabricated bathrooms, according to a top company official. The water and housing products major, which was formed in 2011 through merger of five of Japan's most successful building materials and housing companies, is entering pre-fabricated bathroom vertical in India to add to its primary water technology business. Under this segment, the USD 16 billion firm offers total solutions for bathrooms and currently sells products under premium GROHE and mass market American Standard brands in India. "I would say currently India is not a very big part of our overall business globally. We are a USD 16 billion group globally and India is a very small part of that. But, we expect for the water technology businesses, India becoming our third largest market globally after China and the US," LIXIL Asia Pacific CEO Bijoy Mohan told PTI. When asked about the timeline to meet such expectation, he said: "That might take us 7-8 years to get there". Right now, India is probably number 15 globally, he added. Elaborating on where the growth will come from, Mohan said, "In terms of volume and revenue in business, I would expect our largest business would be the pre-fabricated bathrooms. That will be the single largest business. It will lead the way for sure, because the value or size of the home or the bathroom is much bigger". Under its pre-fabricated bathroom system, LIXIL is offering integrated bathroom systems through construction of the entire bathroom in a factory, flooring, tiling, walls, piping everything together and deliver it within 16 hours at the proposed site. "This we believe will be huge for India because of the construction demands, the scale that is required, there is not enough skilled labour to be able to do all of this on site and the speed of construction and regulations like now make it essential to complete a project at a certain period of time," Mohan said. LIXIL has been doing this in Japan for the last 50 years, he added. The company has invested Rs 400 crore at its Vijayawada factory, which has a capacity to produce 1.2 million pieces of ceramics and can be doubled up. It has also set up a windows fabrication unit at Manesar at an investment of Rs 20 crore. When asked if LIXIL would make further investments in India to meet its growth targets, Mohan said it may invest another Rs 100 crore to double the capacity of ceramics business in another three years. However, it is not decided on the same for the windows fabrication unit. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Australia's conservative government held on to power at national elections thanks to a highly effective negative campaign warning voters against the centre-left Labour Party's large policy reform agenda, analysts said Sunday. Labour led every opinion poll in the two years prior to Saturday's election but fell well short of a parliamentary majority after the vote, in a surprise result for the ruling Liberal-National coalition. Analysts said opposition leader Bill Shorten's unpopularity with voters and his struggle to explain the party's complex tax policies were used by Prime Minister Scott Morrison to devastating effect. Labour's failure also reflected a broader trend across Western societies of voter cynicism towards bold policy platforms, said Australian National University senior fellow Mark Kenny. "I think we're in an age where it is very difficult to communicate big ideas and to sell imagery," Kenny told AFP, adding that right-wing populists around the world had been successful in invoking nostalgia and anxiety over the future to win elections. "It's quite hard to run a change or proposed change and to inspire the imaginations of voters and hold that against a very spirited and surgical scare campaign." Morrison successfully cast Labour's proposals -- particularly on removing tax concessions and tackling climate change -- as too risky and damaging to household finances at a time when the national economy was slowing down. "He fought an absolutely masterful negative campaign against Shorten and Labour," La Trobe University fellow Tony Walker told AFP. The government's anti-Shorten slogans focused on hip pocket issues, such as "The Bill Australia Can't Afford", which appeared to have resonated with voters, while Labour failed to make the case for change. Morrison's campaign was particularly effective in Queensland, a battleground state that swung in favour of the government and where Labour's perceived urban bias rankled with regional and rural voters. Voters in the state's mining towns, already angry with delays in the approval of a major India-backed coal mine promising thousands of jobs, did not warm to Labour's big climate action plans and lukewarm commitment to the project. "It seemed there was... sometimes mixed messaging about how much they supported it and I think that's come home to roost," University of Queensland expert Chris Salisbury told AFP. "The regions in Queensland are desperate for economic and employment opportunities and (voters believed) that the coalition was better placed to secure those opportunities." Labour blamed its Queensland collapse on mining magnate Clive Palmer's estimated Au$60 million ($41 million) spend on election advertising. While Palmer himself failed to secure an upper house Senate seat, support for his party and the anti-immigration One Nation boosted the government's vote thanks to Australia's complex preferential voting system. Unlike Labour, the coalition campaigned on almost no new policies. Analysts say the fallout from the shock outcome could lead future political campaigns to shun bold or big ideas. "It'll be damaging if parties can only operate in a safe zone that they think isn't going to offend the electorate," Salisbury said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A gang of robbers, involved in over three dozens cases, was arrested following an exchange of gunfire with police in Greater Noida early on Sunday, officials said. Two of the accused and a sub-inspector were injured in the exchange of fire that started around 12.20 am in Surajpur area, a senior officer said. "This gang of robbers was active in Noida since 2015. It used stolen vehicles to commit robberies and was involved in at least 39 cases since August 2015," Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Gautam Buddh Nagar, Vaibhav Krishna, said. The arrested have been identified as Omveer Bhati, Sonu Yadav and Monu Yadav, he said. Omveer and Sonu were injured in the action and have been admitted to a hospital, the SSP added. Sub-Inspector Patnish Kumar was injured in the cross firing, Krishna said, adding that "around 12 rounds (of bullets) were fired by the criminals." The gang was involved in a recent incident of robbery of reporters of a private television channel on May 8, and also a gold robbery case on May 18 in which the victims were shot at and injured. "Three stolen cars that were used by them to commit the crimes have been recovered besides four pistols of 30 mm bore, around 40 live cartridges, heavy amount of looted gold have also been recovered," the SSP said. A case is being registered against the trio and further proceedings are underway, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Corporate affairs ministry plans to introduce artificial intelligence system in the MCA 21 portal as it seeks to make compliance process easier as well as ensure routine enforcement activities are done round-the-clock on autopilot basis. MCA 21 is the electronic backbone for dissemination of information to all stakeholders, including the regulator, corporates and investors. All filings under the companies law are submitted to the ministry through this portal. Corporate Affairs Secretary Injeti Srinivas has said the ministry would look to "introduce Artificial Intelligence in MCA 21 when version 3 of the portal is rolled out in about a year's time". "It will look to rationalise all the forms, follow the principle of single source of truth so that one is not required to fill in known details again (as it will get filled automatically) and also interlink databases, so that routine enforcement is done 24x7 on autopilot basis," he said. In the ministry's monthly newsletter, Srinivas also said that MCA 21 allows electronic filings of various documents under Companies Act, 2013 and has fully automated all processes related to enforcement and compliance monitoring under the Act. Earlier this year, the ministry sought applications from service providers to develop as well as operate the upgraded version of MCA 21 system. MCA 21 system was started in 2006. The first phase of the e-governance initiative of the ministry was implemented by Tata Consultancy Services and the second phase is being implemented by Infosys for the period from January 2013-July 2021. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The GST Council is likely to consider next month a proposal for setting up a national bench of the Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling (AAAR) to reconcile the contradictory orders on similar issues passed by AARs in different states, a move aimed at providing certainty to taxpayers. Sources said the revenue department is mulling on the idea of a national bench of AAAR since it feels that the Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) mechanism in its current form is not serving its objective of providing certainty to taxpayers under the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime. "There has been a view that a second Appellate Authority for Advance Ruling needs to be set up. It would be a national bench only to reconcile divergent verdicts passed by state AARs. We will present the proposal before the GST Council, which is expected to meet in June," an official told PTI. The AARs in different states have passed about 470 orders, while AAARs have disposed of around 69 cases till March 2019. Out of the orders passed by AARs, contradictory orders were passed in about 10 cases, a couple of which were later clarified by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC). The official further said the GST law would have to be amended for setting up a second appellate authority since the Act in its present form does not provide for a centralised authority. Setting up of a national bench of AAAR would help bring certainty in the GST era as divergent rulings by AARs leave the industry flummoxed about the tax implication of a particular business decision. "The composition of the national bench of AAAR would be decided after the states agree to the proposal," the official added. In view of the confusion created by contradictory rulings, the revenue department had last year too mooted a proposal to set up a centralised appellate authority for advance ruling to bring uniformity in such cases. The GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister and comprising state counterparts, was scheduled to discuss it in its meeting in July 2018. However, the council did not arrive at a decision on the agenda item. Under the GST law, each state is required to set up an Authority for Advance Ruling (AAR) comprising one member from the central tax department, and another from the respective state. An aggrieved party can file an appeal against an order of the AAR to the AAAR within a period of 30 days, which may be further extended by a month. The appellate authority has two members -- the Chief Commissioner of Central Tax as designated by the CBIC and the Commissioner of State Tax. The appellate authority has been mandated to pass order within 90 days of the filing of an appeal. Industry is of the view that since both the AAR and AAAR only have tax officers as members, the ruling is most cases is tilted towards the revenue side. The New Delhi bench of the AAR had in March last year held that duty-free shops at airports are liable to deduct GST from passengers. However, these shops were exempt from service tax and Central Sales Tax in the earlier regime. This had created a flutter in the industry. Similarly, the solar industry too was left in a vexed situation when the Maharashtra AAR said that 18 per cent GST rate would be levied for installation works, but the Karnataka bench of AAR passed an order levying 5 per cent GST on the same. Also, the AARs in Tamil Nadu and Gujarat had passed divergent orders on applicability of GST on catering services in an industrial/office unit, which was later clarified by the CBIC through a circular. Besides, there were contradictory orders passed by AARs in different states on levy of GST on payment made by breweries to brand owner, availability of Input Tax Credit (ITC) on cess paid and also whether ITC is admissible when the recipient settles the payment through a book adjustment. AMRG & Associates Partner Rajat Mohan said: "A National Bench/ Regional Benches needs to be implanted in the quasi-judicial decision-making process of AAR so that decisions of the lower authority could be re-calibrated by a higher centralised authority freeing them from revenue bias and passing on relief of certainty by preserving a nation-wide single line of verdicts. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) At least 19 people were killed when gunmen attacked a fish market in northeast Democratic Republic of Congo near Lake Albert, local officials said on Sunday. No group has claimed responsibility, but the region around Ituri province has been hit in the past by intercommunal violence between militias from the Hema and Lendu communities. "Nineteen corpses were found in the village of Tara on the edge of Lake Albert, and eight others were wounded," said Pilo Mulindo, a local community leader in Djugu territory. "The attack happened on Wednesday when armed bandits attacked a group gathered on the beach to set up a market," the official said. The UN mission to the DRCongo, known by its initials MONUSCO, reported the attack on Friday without giving a precise death toll. It planned to send a team to the area. The victims were fishermen and their customers, Mulindo said. The area is known as a region where Lendu militia are active. Violence shook Ituri province, particularly Djugu, last year when militias from Hema herder communities and Lendu farmers clashed and killed more than 100 people. More than 300,000 were displaced or forced to flee to Uganda, on the other side of Lake Albert. Lakes in the region are also a cause of tension between DRCongo and Uganda, with claims of Congolese militia members crossing to the Ugandan side for illegal fishing, often accompanied by attacks on locals. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Delhi High Court has directed a lower court to ensure that the trial in a 2010 murder case, in which a 22-year-old man was killed after receiving 76 injuries, is not unnecessarily delayed. Justice A K Chawla also asked the trial court judge to ensure that no unnecessary adjournments are granted in the nearly nine-year-old case. The high court's order came on a plea by the father of the victim Umesh Singh seeking a speedy trial in his son's murder case in which the charge sheet was filed eight-year-ago but the matter is yet to be decided by the lower court. Advocate Pritish Sabharwal, appearing for Balwant Singh Rawat, submitted that the case was listed before the trial court 37 times and it was being delayed due to non-availability of either the accused persons' counsel or the special public prosecutor. Justice Chawla said, "The copy of this proceeding be sent to the trial court which shall ensure no unnecessary adjournments are granted. The trial court should ensure that conclusion of trial should not be unnecessarily delayed. The high court listed the matter for further hearing on May 30 and asked the police to file an additional status report regarding the execution of non bailable warrant issued by the trial court against an accused who had failed to appear before it. It also directed the investigating officer/ SHO to remain present before the court on May 30. Advocate Kamna Vohra, representing the Delhi Police, said a status report has been filed by the state and all the prosecution witnesses in the case have already been examined by the trial court. A status report submitted by the trial court judge stated that one of the accused, Praveen Nagar, absented on the last hearing and NBW has been issued against him. According to the petition, Kamal, a Delhi University student, was murdered by five persons near a gurudwara in Sonia Vihar area in north east Delhi on July 12, 2010. The victim was taken to GTB Hospital where he was declared brought dead. Police had said that 76 injuries were inflicted on the victim's head, legs and hands with a sharp and blunt object. Two charge sheets were filed against the accused in October 2010 and May 2012. The police filed charge sheets against accused Bachhan Nagar, Umesh Kumar, Praveen Nagar, Yogesh and Parvinder. They are facing trial for the alleged offences of murder, abduction and destruction of evidence under the IPC. The plea said due to non-conclusion of the trial and adjournments being sought by parties, the rights of the victim's father have been greatly prejudiced and has caused miscarriage of justice. It said that while the star witness of the case turned hostile, a few witnesses also expired during the course of trial. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Story with the arrest of two Tbilisi residents, Alexander Konovolov and Marat Kazanjyan, accused of creating a "complex transnational organized cybercriminal network", is still unfolding in Georgia. According to the Prosecutor Generals Office and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Alexander Konovalov, who lives with his mother in the poorest district of Georgian capital, Varketili, has managed to create an international network of hackers that have stolen about $100 million from users of internet banking services. Konovalovs right hand is Marat Kazanjyan, who was also arrested and sent to the Gldani detention center. In total, the group consisted of dozens of people living in several states, including Russia, Ukraine, Moldavia and Bulgaria. Some were exposed and brought to justice in 2016-2019, but leaders of this group managed to escape justice all this time. Perhaps it's because no one knew Alexander Konovolov and Marat Kazanjyan personally. They started to talk to people online and chatting with colleagues under pseudonyms None1 and Phantom. According to the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs, the damage done by Konovalovs group to a number of Western banks is so significant that the FBI has instructed the most experienced and qualified specialists to search for them. Suddenly, traces led to a poorly furnished apartment with no signs of luxury in Varketili. Technology used by criminals is simple: Konovalov and Kazanjyan, with the help of accomplices, used Trojan program called Goznym, which was sent to millions of computers around the world, and then global network of hackers began so-called fishing, stealing logins and passwords of internet banking services from tens of thousands of bank account holders. With the help of stolen data, criminals transferred money to fake accounts, and then cashed them through US banks. In total, over 41,000 people worldwide - from Canada to Australia - fell victims to criminals. What led to Konovolov and Kazandzhyan is associated with events of 2016, when the FBI and European intelligence services got the first clue: one of participants of this global network of hackers was arrested in Bulgaria. He was immediately extradited to the United States. He said he would love to tell the true names of None1 and Phantom, but he simply didn't know them. However, American investigators were able to use information he gave to obtain important data that led experts to Tbilisi. Konovolov and Kazanjyan were sentenced to preliminary detention by the Tbilisi court. They are charged under four different articles of the Criminal Code of Georgia. Both deny their guilt. They know that they won't be extradited them to the United States, since Georgian legislation prohibits extradition of citizens to another state. Residents of Georgia are beginning to understand why many of them have received messages from their banks over the past few months about the need to be especially vigilant about risk of hacker attacks on bank accounts. Apparently, management of the largest Georgian banks already knew that traces of transnational organized cybercriminal network lead to Georgia. Over 26 per cent turnout was recorded in the first four hours of polling on Sunday in four Lok Sabha seats of Himachal Pradesh where five MLAs are among 45 candidates in the fray. Polling was underway in Shimla (SC), Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra. EVM snags delayed voting at nine polling stations. Voting restarted after the nine faulty EVMs were replaced, a state election officer said. The first Indian voter Shyam Saran Negi cast his vote at tribal district Kinnaur's Kalpa polling booth falling under Mandi Lok Sabha seat. He was accorded a warm welcome by the election staff at the booth. Chief Minister Shri Jai Ram Thakur along with his family members cast his vote at Bharari (Murhag) in Seraj Vidhan Sabha constituency of Mandi district. A total of 7,730 polling stations have been set up in 4 constituencies -- Shimla (SC), Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra -- in the state where 53,30,154 registered voters are registered. The BJP has fielded state's Food and Civil Supplies Minister Kishan Kapoor in Kangra after dropping sitting MP Shanta Kumar. Kangra's Congress MLA Pawan Kajal is contesting against him. In Hamirpur, three-time MP and former BCCI president Anurag Thakur is in the fray on a BJP ticket. BJP's Pachhad MLA Suresh Kashyap is contesting against Solan Congress MLA Dhani Ram Shandil for the Shimla (SC) parliamentary seat. Aashray Sharma, who is the grandson of former Union Telecom minister Sukh Ram, is contesting against BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma in Mandi. His father Anil Sharma had to resign from the state cabinet after he decided to contest on the Congress ticket. Anil Sharma's resignation followed an awkward phase during which the minister refused to campaign for his own party's candidate in Mandi, insisting that he would not takes sides. Superintendent of Police (law and order) Khushhal Sharma said elaborate security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of the polls in the state. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Hindu Mahasabha activists here celebrated the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse, a functionary of the outfit said Sunday. Godse was born in Baramati in Pune district, then part of the Bombay Presidency, on May 19 in 1910. Hindu Mahasabha national vice president Jaiveer Bharadwaj said celebrations were held at its office in Daulatganj area. Terming him a "deshbhakt" (patriot), Bharadwaj said, "We paid obeisance to him and performed aarti in front of his photograph and distributed sweets." He claimed that several BJP leaders consider Godse a patriot but there was a section in the ruling party that had been denigrating him. Earlier, on November 15, 2017, the Hindu Mahasabha had installed a 32-inch bust of Godse at its Gwalior office, which the administration then removed. "If the bust isn't returned by district administration by November 15 this year, the Mahasabha will install another one at its Gwalior office," Bharadwaj said. Additional Superintendent of Police Satyendra Singh, meanwhile, said the Mahasabha's programme did not disrupt peace, adding that the police was keeping vigil. Asked if the Hindu Mahasabha sought permission, he said since the event was organised behind closed doors on private property, permission was not needed. Godse, who was hanged in Ambala Jail in November 15, 1949, became one of the contentious topics of the current Lok Sabha polls after actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan referred to him as the country's first "Hindu extremist" and the BJP's Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur termed him a "deshbhakt". Godse was hanged in Ambala jail on November 15 in 1949. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Health services at North Delhi Municipal Corporation-run Hindu Rao hospital are feared to be disrupted as its resident doctors plan to go on an indefinite strike over pending salaries from Monday. There is no word on payment of salaries due for past three months. Around 450 resident doctors and interns are forced to go on strike from Monday, said Rahul Chaudhary, president of Resident Doctors Welfare Association at the hospital. "We have planned to set up a temporary OPD on the campus for patients but will not join our respective departments and other duties," Chaudhary said. The resident doctors will also stage a march and seek "alms" from patients as a symbolic protest against failure of the corporation authorities to pay their salaries, he said. The municipal corporation, suffering financial stress, has been facing hardships in regular payment of salaries to its employees, including sanitation workers and those serving in other departments. A senior NDMC official said salaries of the doctors were delayed due to "lack of funds" and arrangements were being made to solve the problem. Since Thursday, the resident doctors of the hospital have abstained from duty for three hours everyday, warning about an indefinite strike from Monday. Chaudhary said the strike is being held to protest delay in payment of salaries and the association is not against patients. Visited by thousands of patients everyday, Hindu Rao is the largest hospital operated by NDMC. A medical college was also opened by the civic body in 2013. The BJP-ruled NDMC blames the Delhi government for its financial crisis. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) : IBS Software (IBS) has entered into a multi-million dollar pact with Massachusetts-based Kronos Incorporated to acquire AD OPT, a market leader in aviation software. The crew planning and optimisation platform of AD OPT powers some of the top airlines in the world, including Air Canada, EasyJet, Emirates, FedEx, Garuda, Lion Air, and Qantas, a press release said here Sunday. The acquisition is an integral part of Thiruvananthapuram-headquartered IBSs growth strategy to become the leading technology provider to the airline industry, the release said. Earlier, the company had made six acquisitions three in USA, two in Europe and one in India. AD OPT, founded in 1987 in Montreal, Canada, was acquired in 2004 by Kronos, a multinational workforce management software and services company, it said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India has registered in 2018-19 with as many as 11 Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries - including China, South Korea and - out of the grouping of 16 nations that are negotiating a mega trade pact since November 2012. The bloc comprises 10 Asean group members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Laos and Vietnam) and their six partners - India, China, Japan, South Korea, and According to the provisional trade data, India's - the difference between imports and exports - with three countries (Brunei, Japan, and Malaysia) has in fact increased marginally in 2018-19 as compared to the previous fiscal. The trade gap with Brunei, Japan, and Malaysia has increased to $0.5 billion, $7.1 billion and $3.8 billion, respectively in the last fiscal. It was $0.4 billion, $6.2 billion and $3.3 billion in 2017-18. However, deficit with Australia, China, Indonesia, Korea, and Thailand has narrowed in 2018-19 as compared to the preceding fiscal. With Australia, China, Indonesia, Korea, and Thailand, it narrowed to $8.9 billion, $50.2 billion, $10.1 billion, $11 billion, $0.2 billion, and $2.7 billion, respectively, in 2018-19, compared to $10 billion, $63 billion, $12.5 billion, $11.9 billion, $0.3 billion, and $3.5 billion in 2017-18. Interestingly, the trade surplus with Singapore ($2.7 billion) in 2017-18 has turned into deficit of $5.3 billion in 2018-19. India has trade surplus with Cambodia ($0.1 billion), Myanmar ($0.7 billion), and the ($1 billion) in 2018-19. India did not carry out any trade with Laos in the previous fiscal. Experts have mixed views over the impact of increasing trade gap on India's position in negotiating mega free trade agreement. An industry expert on these negotiations said as this is a comprehensive trade deal, India will get greater market access in other countries not only in goods, but in services also. On the other hand, some experts said that India needs to be cautious while negotiating the pact, as is increasing with several of the member nations, which would impact domestic manufacturers. "Free trade pacts are not about only giving market access, but also getting that access in other countries. Our exports to countries like Singapore, with which India has trade surplus, is not increasing. In 2018-19, we have a trade deficit with Singapore," said Biswajit Dhar, the professor of economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University. He said that as the strength of the domestic manufacturing is weak, India would not be able to take advantage of such free trade agreements. An official said that India does not have free trade agreement with two of its biggest trading partners - the and - but the country has highest positive balance of trade with America, while it has highest deficit with negotiations, which started in Cambodian capital Phnom Penh in November 2012, aims to cover goods, services, investments, economic and technical cooperation, competition and intellectual property rights. Pressure is also mounting on India for early conclusion of the proposed trade pact. Member countries are looking to conclude the talks by end of this year but many issues, including the number of products over which duties will be eliminated, are yet to be finalised. Domestic steel and other metal industries wants these sectors to be kept out of the deal. Under services, India wants greater market access for its professionals in the proposed agreement. India already has a free trade pact with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), Japan and South Korea. It is also negotiating a similar agreement with and New Zealand but has no such plans for A 21-year-old Indian has been charged with aggravated rape of an undergraduate girl near a war memorial in Singapore, a media report said. Chinnaiah Karthik was arrested on May 5, a day after he allegedly attacked the 23-year-old girl near the Kranji War Memorial in northern Singapore, The Straits Times reported. If convicted, he faces at least 12 strokes of cane and a jail term of between eight and 20 years. Chinnaiah allegedly approached her in Turf Club Avenue around 1.30 AM, the report said. She tried to defend herself but was overpowered by the man, who dragged her into a forested area between the Singapore Turf Club and Kranji War Memorial and raped her, according to the newspaper. Chinnaiah was identified from the surveillance footage of the area, including from a camera attached to a nearby lamp post. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) India's top refiner Indian Oil Corp (IOC) will evaluate the implications of sanctions if was to invest in its subsidiary Chennai refinery's Rs 35,700 crore expansion, its Chairman Sanjiv Singh said. IOC plans to pull down the 1 million tonnes per year Nagapattinam refinery of its subsidiary Chennai Petroleum Corp Ltd (CPCL) and build a brand new 9 million tonnes unit in the next five to six years. "National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC), which holds 15.4 per cent stake in CPCL, is keen to participate in the expansion project," Singh said. Following decision to reimpose economic sanctions on Iran, IOC will examine the impact of NIOC investing further in "We are evaluating that," he said when asked about the impact of sanctions on NIOC investing further in NIOC's investment in had been made several years back and that as such will not draw any impact of US sanctions but fresh investments in the company need to be studied. "NIOC is keen to remain committed to investing in CPCL. Now we have to see (the impact of US sanctions on such a move)," he said. "The (expansion) project has not been approved (by the board) yet." After the US reimposed full economic sanctions against beginning November 5, 2018 and ended waivers six months later, India has stopped buying oil from its third-largest crude oil supplier. Prior to the waivers ending on May 2, India paid for oil purchases in rupees. These rupee payments are made into a account of NIOC. The government had allowed NIOC to use the money it got in the account for paying for commodities Iran buys from India as well as for direct investments in Indian projects. Naftiran Intertrade, the Swiss subsidiary of NIOC, holds 15.4 per cent stake in CPCL. Whether the same money can now be invested by NIOC as its share of equity portion of the expansion project is being evaluated by IOC. IOC holds 51.89 per cent stake in CPCL. The expansion was to originally cost Rs 27,460 crore but is now estimated to cost Rs 35,698 crore. Officials said CPCL plans to achieve financial closure of the refinery expansion in 2019. It also plans to build a petrochemicals plant of about 475,000 tonnes per annum capacity. Detailed feasibility report for the expansion project is expected to be completed by June. CPCL, formerly known as Madras Refineries Ltd, was formed as a joint venture in 1965 between the Government of India, AMOCO and NIOC having a shareholding in the ratio of 74 per cent, 13 per cent and 13 per cent. In 1985, AMOCO disinvested, following which the government held 84.62 per cent and NIOC 15.38 per cent. The government later disinvested 16.92 per cent of the paid-up capital. The company was listed in 1994. IOC acquired the government's holding in 2000-01 and holds 51.89 per cent stake in CPCL while NIOC has 15.40 per cent. CPCL has two refineries with a combined refining capacity of 11.5 million tonnes per annum. The Manali refinery has a capacity of 10.5 million tonnes per annum and is one of the complex refineries in the country. Its second refinery is located in Nagapattinam at Cauvery Basin. This unit has a capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum. CPCL refineries produce LPG, petrol, kerosene, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), diesel, naphtha, bitumen, lube base stocks, paraffin wax, fuel oil, hexane, and petrochemical feedstocks. Railway CPSE International plans to raise funds by issuing fresh equity shares, piggybacking on the government's proposal to dilute its stake to 75 per cent through follow-on public offer route, an official said. The government, which holds 89.18 per cent stake in International, is required to bring it down to 75 per cent under the Sebi's minimum public shareholding norms. The Cabinet has already approved the finance ministry's proposal to reduce government shareholding to 75 per cent in the railway firm. However, with planning fresh issuance of shares, the Cabinet will have to vet the company's proposal for issuance of additional equity. "In view of the proposal of Ircon to raise funds through fresh equity issuance, it has been decided to keep in abeyance the Offer For Sale (OFS) decision of the government. Once the Cabinet approves the proposal, an FPO would be launched for lowering government stake and issuing fresh equity by the company," an official told PTI. The quantum of stake dilution by the government will be decided on the basis of the number of fresh shares the company issues, the official added. Railway engineering firm Ircon got listed on the bourses last fiscal and its initial public offering (IPO) had garnered Rs 467 crore. The scrip listed at Rs 410.30 on the BSE. Shares of Ircon closed at Rs 381.55 apiece on the exchange Friday. Last week, the government said it is planning to divest up to 15 per cent stake in another railway PSU RITES through OFS, which could fetch around Rs 700 crore, based on the current market price, to the exchequer. The government has budgeted to raise Rs 90,000 crore from CPSE disinvestment in the current fiscal. It has so far raised Rs 2,350 crore from IPO of Rail Vikas Nigam Ltd (RVNL) and sale of 'enemy property'. Enemy property refers to the assets left behind by people who migrated to Pakistan or China and are no longer citizens of India. The government is also aiming to launch initial public offering of state-owned RailTel Corp India, Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corp (IRCTC) and Indian Railway Finance Corp (IRFC) this fiscal. Delhi BJP leader Vijender Gupta Sunday lodged a police complaint against Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia accusing them of hatching a conspiracy to falsely implicate him in criminal cases. The Rohini MLA's claim comes a day after Kejriwal had alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would get him assassinated by his own personal security officer (PSO), the way former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was killed. "Kejriwal and Sisodia are hatching a larger conspiracy against me to falsely implicate me in criminal cases," Gupta said in his complaint submitted at Parliament Street Police Station here. "They can go to any extent to gain sympathy and implicate anyone for their political dividends and the same is known to all," he added. The BJP legislator also alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener had "scripted" the May 4 attack on him during a road show in Delhi's Moti Nagar. "In the recent past, in order to yield political gains, Kejriwal scripted the 'slap-gate' during his road show and blamed the BJP for it," he said. "Subsequently, it was revealed that Kejriwal himself demanded the liaison officer that the security of his vehicle should be removed because in the presence of security personals, his script will be thwarted," Gupta alleged. According to Delhi Police, they have received the complaint and will take required action accordingly. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 22-year-old labourer died here Sunday allegedly after an iron rod fell on his head at the work site, police said. The deceased has been identified as Rakesh, a native of Araria in Bihar, who was working at the site of a hosiery complex in Sector-41, the police said. "He was emerging out of a toilet when the iron rod fell on his head, leading to severe injury. He was being rushed to a hospital but died midway," a police official said. A complaint of accidental death has been lodged at Noida Phase-2 police station in the case, the official said. The complaint was made by the victim's fellow labourer who also hails from the same village as his in Bihar, the official added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The record volume of liquefied natural gas landing in northwest Europe will likely subside. LNG imports into the region have soared since October, reaching a record last month, absorbing excess global supply following a mild winter across the Northern hemisphere. As Gulf Times writes, after helping push Europes gas prices down by more than a third this year, some cargoes may now reroute into Asia, according to executives at the annual Flame conference in Amsterdam this week. Prices are under pressure, but some of the LNG import will be routed to other places, said Peder Bjorland, vice president at Norwegian producer Equinor ASA, Europes biggest supplier after Russias Gazprom PJSC. I dont expect a rapid recovery of prices but not necessarily the same import rate as we have seen in the last 2-3 months. The Norwegian exporter expects overall supplies into the region to remain high. While Equinor has some flexibility at its Troll and Oseberg fields depending on price signals, it is not changing its production and all maintenance has been planned and isnt related to that optimisation, he said. As the last cold leaves Europe, the question is whether there will be sufficient demand for the heating fuel. European gas consumption through the third quarter is normally driven by injections into storage but stocks are above average after the mild winter. That may see the sites fill earlier than usual and further pressure prices or even force either Russia or the US to reduce production, according to speakers at Flame. Some of the flexible US LNG will be coming into Europe over the next one or two years, but as Asia, the biggest market for the super-chilled fuel, continues to grow, eventually the pendulum swings back, Gavin Thompson, who oversees energy analysis at Wood Mackenzie Ltd in the Asia Pacific, said in an interview. If Russian and Norwegian gas pipeline flows remain at the same level and LNG keeps landing in Europe, storage sites will fill before the end of the summer, Andree Stracke, chief commercial officer at RWE AGs supply and trading unit, said in an interview at Flame. If prices fall, that will generate demand in other markets, such as in Asia, versus other fuels. Depending on cooling demand requirements in Asia, cargoes will be lured eastward, he said. Northwest Europes LNG infrastructure usage rate rose to 70% in March and April, he said, adding that he wouldnt consider it a glut unless there was no more room for LNG. Now, the next month we will see a decrease of utilisation. This is because of normal maintenance in production and increase in demand in Asia, Stracke said. I see less cargoes coming to Europe in the next months because Asia will take more again, but it depends how the summer weather will develop. Around 13.19 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first three hours of polling on Sunday in the eight Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh, an official said. Polling for the eight seats - Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa - in the fourth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state was going on peacefully since 7 am, MP's Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao said. The voting figures till 10 am were: Dewas-14.6 per cent, Ujjain 14.6 per cent, Mandsaur-14.64 per cent, Ratlam- 12.08 per cent, Dhar-11.54 per cent, Indore 10.84 per cent, Khargone-14.66 per cent and Khadnwa-13.45, another poll official said. Prominent candidates in the fray are former Union ministers Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav of the Congress, who are contesting from Ratlam and Khandwa seats, respectively. Long queues were seen at several booths in these eight constituencies, all currently held by the BJP. Some state leaders from Malwa Nimar region of the Indore constituency were also seen standing in queues to cast their votes. Altogether 82 candidates, including Bhuria and Yadav, are in the fray in the eight constituencies where there are 1.49 crore eligible voters. Total 18,411 polling booths, including 1,157 entirely managed by women, have been set up in these seats, he said. An average 69.26 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls in the state, he added. Out of the total 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, six went to polls on April 29, seven on May 6 and eight on May 12. The counting of votes would be held on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 41 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 1 pm on Sunday in eight Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh, an official said. Polling was underway since 7 am in the eight seats - Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa - in the fourth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state, Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao said. However, voters listed at a booth in Agar Malwa district falling under the Dewas seat and five booths in Mandsaur seat boycotted the polling over some of their demands, Rao said, without elaborating further. Efforts were on to pursuade the voters to exercise their democratic right, he said. Rao said around 12 people cast their votes at the polling booth in Dewas after being persuaded by the election officials there. Long queues were seen at several other booths in the eight constituencies, all currently held by the BJP. The voting figures till 1 pm were: Dewas-42.99 per cent, Ujjain-43.42 per cent, Mandsaur-47.45 per cent, Ratlam- 44.83 per cent, Dhar- 42.12 per cent, Indore-33.04 per cent, Khargone-40.43 per cent and Khadnwa-36.33 per cent, another poll official said. Prominent candidates in the fray are former Union ministers Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav of the Congress, who are contesting from Ratlam and Khandwa seats, respectively. Altogether 82 candidates, including Bhuria and Yadav, are contesting in the eight constituencies where there are 1.49 crore eligible voters. Total 18,411 polling booths, including 1,157 entirely managed by women, have been set up in these seats, Rao said. An average 69.26 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls in the state, he added. Out of the total 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, six went to polls on April 29, seven on May 6 and eight on May 12. The counting of votes would be held on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 69.33 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 6 pm on Sunday in the eight Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh, an official said. Polling was underway since 7 am in the eight seats - Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa - in the fourth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state, Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao said. The voting figures till 6 pm were: Dewas- 73.88 per cent, Ujjain 67.53 per cent, Mandsaur- 73.01 per cent, Ratlam- 69.18 per cent, Dhar- 67.18 per cent, Indore 64.10 per cent, Khargone- 70.69 per cent and Khandwa- 70.57 per cent, another poll official said. Prominent candidates in the fray are former Union ministers Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav of the Congress, who are contesting from Ratlam and Khandwa seats, respectively. Altogether 82 candidates are contesting in the eight constituencies where there are 1.49 crore eligible voters. Total 18,411 polling booths, including 1,157 entirely managed by women, have been set up in these seats, Rao said. An average 69.26 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls in the state, he added. Out of the total 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, six went to polls on April 29, seven on May 6 and eight on May 12. The counting of votes would be held on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 71.15 per cent voter turnout was recorded till the end of voting for the eight Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, a poll official said. The final figures would be provided later, he said. Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa were the eight Lok Sabha seats that went to polls in the fourth and final phase of the general election in the state. As per information issued at 8 pm by the state electoral office, voting figures were: Dewas 78.04 per cent, Ujjain 70.89 per cent, Mandsaur 73.01 per cent, Ratlam 70.49 per cent, Dhar 67.18 per cent, Indore 65.18 per cent, Khargone 72.77 per cent and Khandwa 73.51 per cent. Polling began at 7 am and those in queue at 6 pm, when voting officially ends, were allowed to exercise their franchise, MP Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V L Kantha Rao said. An average 69.26 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls in the state, Rao said. He said during the mock poll, either the EVM ballot unit or the control unit or the VVPAT printer was replaced in 344 booths, and the same had to be done in 70 booths during actual voting. Prominent candidates in the fray are former Union ministers Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav of the Congress, who are contesting from Ratlam and Khandwa seats, respectively. Altogether 82 candidates, including Bhuria and Yadav, are contesting in the eight constituencies where there are 1.49 crore eligible voters. Of these total nominees, 20 are contesting in Indore, 13 in Mandsaur, 11 in Khandwa, nine each in Ujjain and Ratlam, seven each in Dhar and Khargone, and six in Dewas, Rao said. Over 56,000 security personnel, including 83 companies of the central forces and 49 of the state forces, have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the polls, he said. Total 18,411 polling booths, including 1,157 entirely managed by women, have been set up in these seats, Rao said. Out of the total 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, six went to polls on April 29, seven on May 6 and eight on May 12. The counting of votes would be held on May 23. In Indore, a newly-wed couple, Gaurav Yadav and his wife Sonal, decked up in finery, exercised their franchise at a polling booth in Nayapura area even as the 'baraat' (marriage party) waited outside. At least two men aged above 100 -- Madhukar Veerkar (101) and Sunderlal Mahajan --cast their votes along with their family members. In Muslim dominated Khajrana area in Indore, a large number of local residents queued up outside polling booths in scorching heat. A Muslim voter said the ongoing Ramzan fast had no impact on the voting turnout as far as the community is concerned. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Around 59.38 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 4 pm on Sunday in the eight Lok Sabha seats of Madhya Pradesh, an official said. Polling was underway since 7 am in the eight seats - Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa - in the fourth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state, Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao said. The voting figures till 4 pm were: Dewas- 63.88 per cent, Ujjain 58.76 per cent, Mandsaur- 62.52 per cent, Ratlam- 59.73 per cent, Dhar- 58.69 per cent, Indore 54.55 per cent, Khargone- 59.95 per cent and Khadnwa- 58.56 per cent, another poll official said. The corresponding figures for 1 pm were: Dewas-42.99 per cent, Ujjain-43.42 per cent, Mandsaur-47.45 per cent, Ratlam- 44.83 per cent, Dhar- 42.12 per cent, Indore-33.04 per cent, Khargone-40.43 per cent and Khadnwa-36.33 per cent. However, voters listed at a booth in Agar Malwa district falling under the Dewas seat and five booths in Mandsaur seat boycotted the polling over some of their demands, Rao said, without elaborating further. Efforts were on to persuade the voters to exercise their democratic right, he said. Rao said around 12 people cast their votes at the polling booth in Dewas after being persuaded by the election officials there. Long queues were seen at several other booths in the eight constituencies, all currently held by the BJP. Prominent candidates in the fray are former Union ministers Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav of the Congress, who are contesting from Ratlam and Khandwa seats, respectively. Altogether 82 candidates, including Bhuria and Yadav, are contesting in the eight constituencies where there are 1.49 crore eligible voters. Total 18,411 polling booths, including 1,157 entirely managed by women, have been set up in these seats, Rao said. An average 69.26 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls in the state, he added. Out of the total 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, six went to polls on April 29, seven on May 6 and eight on May 12. The counting of votes would be held on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Polling for eight seats in the fourth and final phase of Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh began at 7 am on Sunday. Prominent candidates in the fray are former Union ministers Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav of the Congress, who are contesting from Ratlam and Khandwa seats, respectively. Polling was going on peacefully in the eight seats of Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa, MP's Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao told PTI. "So far, there was no report of any problem in the polling process," he said. Long queues were seen at several booths in these eight constituencies, all currently held by the BJP. Some state leaders from Malwa Nimar region of the Indore constituency were also seen standing in queues to cast their votes. Altogether 82 candidates, including Bhuria and Yadav, are in the fray in the eight constituencies where there are 1.49 crore eligible voters. Of these total nominees, 20 are contesting in Indore, 13 in Mandsaur, 11 in Khandwa, nine each in Ujjain and Ratlam, seven each in Dhar and Khargone, and six in Dewas, Rao said. Total 18,411 polling booths, including 1,157 entirely managed by women, have been set up in these seats, he said. Over 56,000 security personnel, including 83 companies of the central forces and 49 of the state forces, have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the polls, he said. An average 69.26 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls in the state, he added. Out of the total 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, six went to polls on April 29, seven on May 6 and eight on May 12. The counting of votes would be held on May 23. (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 clashes in Punjab were reported during the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha polls on Sunday, with over 61 per cent turnout being recorded in 59 seats. Over 8,000 candidates were in fray for 542 Lok Sabha seats across the country in the Lok Sabha elections. The last phase, which decided the fate of 918 candidates including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also saw EVM glitches and poll boycott at some booths. Voting took place in 13 seats of Punjab and an equal number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat Chandigarh. In Uttar Pradesh, 55.52 per cent voting was recorded in 13 Lok Sabha seats, officials said. The turnout in Varanasi was 53.58 per cent, while in Gorakhpur, it was 56.47 per cent, the Election Commission said. Violence erupted in Chandauli Lok Sabha constituency, where state Bharatiya Janata Party chief Mahendra Nath Pandey is seeking re-election, when supporters of the saffron party and the Samajwadi Party clashed. The situation was later brought under control. A report from Chandauli said the fingers of Dalits had been inked before they could actually cast their vote in Tara Jivanpur village under Alinagar police station. Officials said an FIR was registered in the matter. Incidents of violence were reported in West Bengal where 73.40 per cent of over 1.49 crore electorate exercised their franchise in nine Lok Sabha seats. According to BJP's North Kolkata candidate Rahul Sinha, a crude bomb was hurled near Girish Park in the constituency around noon. Police, however, said crackers were burst in the area, and polling was underway peacefully. In Kolkata south, TMC candidate Mala Roy alleged that she was stopped from entering polling booths. Sporadic clashes were reported in Kolkata and its surrounding areas, with TMC workers claiming that voters were being intimidated by central forces outside booths. BJP candidate Nilanjan Roy in Diamond Harbour constituency alleged that his car was vandalized in Budge Budge area. Similar reports also came in from Jadavpur constituency, where BJP candidate Anupam Hazra's car came under the attack of unidentified men. "Polling has by and large been peaceful in the nine seats. There have been no complaints of any violence from any of the polling booths," an election official told PTI. "There were also reports of EVM glitches in several polling stations. We have sent reserve EVMs to booths, where the voting process was temporarily hampered due to technical glitches," he added. Punjab saw a polling percentage of 59 per cent in 13 Lok Sabha seats. In lone Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, 63.57 per cent turnout was registered. Maximum polling percentage was witnessed at 64.18 in Patiala and the lowest was in Amritsar at 52.47. In the morning, there were some reports of technical glitches in EVMs at several places including Ludhiana, Samana and Moga. Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju said eight ballot units, 13 control units, and eight voter-verified paper audit trail have been replaced. There were also reports of clashes between Congress and Akali-BJP workers in Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and Gurdaspur. At Talwandi Sabo, Akalis alleged that shots were also fired by ruling party workers. In Himachal Pradesh, 66.70 per cent turnout was recorded till 5 pm in four Lok Sabha seats where five MLAs, including a state minister, are among the 45 candidates in the fray. EVM snags delayed voting at nine polling stations. Voting restarted after the nine faulty EVMs were replaced, a state election officer said. A turnout of 132 per cent has been recorded in the world's highest polling station in Lahaul and Spiti district's Tashigang village, a district official said. In Madhya Pradesh, 69.36 per cent voter turnout was recorded in eight Lok Sabha seats. However, voters listed at a booth in Agar Malwa district falling under the Dewas seat and five booths in Mandsaur seat boycotted the polling over their demands. Efforts were on to persuade voters to exercise their democratic right, an official said. The official said around 12 people cast their votes at the polling booth in Dewas after being persuaded by election officials there. Bihar witnessed 53.36 per cent voting in eight Lok Sabha seats. An election official said, "Going by reports that reached us from district headquarters, we have found out that the voting process was temporarily hampered at few polling stations in Ara, Sasaram, Jehanabad, Pataliputr and Buxar. Officials have attended to the complaints and redressed all grievances," he said. In neighbouring Jharkhand, an estimated 70.97 per cent of the total 45,64,681 voters exercised their franchise in three Lok Sabha seats. In the last phase of Lok Sabha polls, over 10.01 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. The Election Commission has set up more than 1.12 lakh polling stations and has deployed security personnel for smooth conduct of polls. An average of 66.88 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the last six phases and the whole elections were spread over 38 days. Counting of votes will be taken up on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Authorities Sunday ordered a time-bound magisterial probe into the death of a man in firing and subsequent violence here, which prompted imposition of curfew in the communally-sensitive town. The curfew continued to remain in force without any relaxation for the fourth day on Sunday even as a total of seven persons involved in incidents of stone-pelting were arrested. The Army, which was called out following the violence, was withdrawn, officials said. The Doda district administration had earlier refuted reports that "cow vigilantism" was the reason behind the killing of Nayeem Shah and said some people were trying to give a communal colour to the incident to flare up the situation. "A magisterial inquiry has been ordered into the killing of Shah and subsequent stone-pelting episode. Sub-divisional Magistrate, Thathri, Mohammad Anwar Banday will conduct the inquiry and was asked to submit his report within seven days," Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Sagar Doifode told PTI. He said the officer is supposed to give a detailed report on the killing of Shah, reasons thereof and probable causes, besides the reason for stone-throwing and the perpetrators because the administration is of the idea that the stone throwing was well collaborated and needs a thorough investigation. Doifode said the situation in the curfew-bound areas is well under control and there was no report of any untoward incident from anywhere. "We are monitoring the situation and considering to relax curfew in a phased manner for a few hours later in the day," he said, adding that the mobile internet services, however, will remain suspended in the town till further orders though the services have been restored in the rest of the district. The official said the Army was withdrawn from the curfew-bound areas of the town, but the CRPF and police remained deployed in strength especially in the sensitive localities to maintain law and order. On Saturday, police constituted a five-member special investigation team (SIT) headed by Superintendent of Police, Bhaderwah, Raj Singh Gouria to probe the death of Shah at village Kachi Nalthi on Thursday. The SIT visited the site of the incident and also seized a 12-bore gun which is believed to have been used in the killing and sent it to FSL Jammu for examination. Eight persons have been arrested in connection with the killing so far and are being questioned, Gouria said, adding that seven more persons were arrested for their involvement in violent protests. The relatives of the deceased alleged that he was victim of cow vigilantism and was targeted as he was involved in cattle trade. However, the residents of Kachi Nalthi village told police that two to three persons were found moving under suspicious circumstances in the area which led to the firing. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan, who has found himself in a row over his "India's first extremist was a Hindu" remarks, Sunday called Mahatma Gandhi a 'superstar'. Pointing out that he has been repeatedly reading about Gandhi and his life, Haasan recalled an anecdote where the latter once lost his slipper while travelling in a train. "...he (Gandhi) is a superstar. While waving at the crowds standing in a train, he once lost his slipper. And he threw away the other one and reasoned that a pair of footwear will be useful for someone," he said at an event of director R Pathiban's movie titled 'Seruppu', meaning chappal. Talking more on Gandhi's footwear, Haasan said following research on the Indian freedom movement's doyen for his film "Hey Ram", he came to know that his spectacles and a slipper "went missing during the melee," apparently referring to his assassination. "So I created a scene where Saketram (the lead played by himself) takes it (slipper) and keeps it till his death," he said. Caught in a row for saying that Nathuram Godse, who shot dead Gandhi, was a Hindu and that he was free India's first extremist, Haasan said he cannot "accept a villain as a hero." On the incident where footwear was hurled during his campaigning at Thirupparankundram near Madurai recently, he said "it is an insult for the one who threw the chappal." Indicating that Gandhi was his "hero", Haasan said "I cannot change my hero.""I cannot change my hero, can't accept the villain as hero," he said, without mentioning who he was referring to. However, the apparent reference seemed to be Godse. Earlier, stoking a controversy, Haasan had said "free India's first extremist was a Hindu," referring to Godse. "I am not saying this because this is a Muslim dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Free India's first extremist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it (extremism) starts," he had said in bypoll bound Aravakurichi. The remarks had resulted in a major row, with the BJP and AIADMK tearing into Haasan, even as cases were filed against him in Tamil Nadu and Delhi. However, the Congress' state unit and rationalist outfit Dravidar Kazhagam backed him. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A 45-year-old man was killed in a blast caused by a chemical near the residence of Congress MLA Munirathna at the posh Vyalikaval locality here Sunday, police said. The deceased was identified as Venkatesh, a washerman of the same locality, and his body was mutilated in the explosion that took place at about 9.30 am. Citing initial findings of the forensic experts, police said the blast was caused by a chemical used for cleaning plastic floor or plastic moulding. ".. There is nothing to be scared of.. It's a unique case.. It is restricted to a very local phenomenon," Deputy Commissioner of Police D Devaraja told reporters here. However, he refused to either disclose the name of the chemical or how the blast occurred. A blue plastic packet was found at the spot, he said. The police would book a case under the Explosives Act and investigate why it was brought to that place, he added. Bengaluru Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar who visited the spot said, "A crater has been formed at the place where the blast took place.. A person has been killed. Our investigations are on." Following the incident, police cordonned off the area. Reacting to the blast, MLA Munirathna said it would be wrong to jump to any conclusion until the probe was over because it gives room for unwanted rumours. "Let us wait for the police investigation to be completed," he added. Munirathna also said he knew the victim's family well. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Turkey's fresh fruit and vegetable exports to 118 countries amounted to $622.5 million in the first four months of the year with Russia taking the lead among markets with $184.2 million in the said period. As Daily Sabah reports, according to the Eastern Black Sea Exporters' Association (DKIB) data, in January-April 2019, $622.5 million was generated from Turkey's fresh fruit and vegetable exports of 1.1 million tons to 118 countries. In this period, the Russian Federation ranked first with $184.2 million, followed by Iraq with $61.9 million and Romania with $60 million. Meanwhile, in the said period, 86,288 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables were exported to 36 countries from the Eastern Black Sea, providing $48.8 million in foreign exchange inflow. In fresh fruit and vegetable exports made from the region, Russia ranked first with $37.4 million, followed by Georgia with $4.7 million and Iraq with $1 million. DKIB Chairman Saffet Kalyoncu said that Russia stood out as the primary market for fresh fruit and vegetable exports. He noted that Russia continually ranks first in fresh fruit and vegetable exports, stressing that Russia's share in these figures has been falling due to the problems experienced in the last three years. He also added that it is possible to see an increase in exports to the Russian Federation in case of a solution to these problems and the lifting of the non-tariff barriers. In January 2016, after Turkey downed a Russian fighter jet violating its airspace, Russia banned imports of Turkish fruits and vegetables including tomatoes, oranges, apples, apricots, cabbage, broccoli, mandarins, pears, peaches, cucumbers, plums, strawberries, onions, cloves and poultry. However, Russia relaxed trade sanctions placed on Turkey during the summer of 2017. "We want to close 2019 with much better figures in the export of fresh fruits and vegetables," he added. "In this context, we aim to progressively increase our exports to Russia, which is our primary market." Touching on the country diversity in exports, he said that the number of countries in foreign trade is growing. Kalyoncu further pointed out that they want to achieve the real potential of the export of fresh fruit and vegetable sector, which is one of the few sectors that provide net foreign exchange inflow to the country, and that they give importance to promotion and country diversity by attending exhibitions and visiting countries abroad in this direction. Suggesting that they also pay attention to increasing the variety of products in exports, Kalyoncu added that they would accelerate work on further improving the transportation of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the year. A man allegedly killed three members of his family in Upper Subansiri district, a top police officer said Sunday. Director General of Police S B K Singh told PTI that Boda Motu killed his wife, elder brother and sister-in-law in Daporijo town of Upper Subansiri district using a machete on Friday night. The DGP quoting the report of the Superintendent of Police of Upper Subansiri said Motu after commiting the crime surrendered before the police. The DGP said police was investigating the case. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) State-owned (BoB) is considering the option of rationalising 800-900 branches across the country to improve operational efficiency, following its merger with and The merger of and with BoB became effective from April 1. It does not make sense to have branches of Dena and Vijaya at the same location when both have been merged into BoB, a senior bank official said. "There are cases where branches of three are at one location or one building. So these branches have to be either closed or rationalised as duplication is a drain on efficiency," the official said. After comprehensive review, BoB has identified 800-900 branches which needs to be rationalised, the official said, adding that the lender could opt for re-location and in some cases closure. Besides, there is also need to close regional and zonal offices of merged entities as they would not be required. The official further said, the bank needs to expand in eastern part of country as it has strong presence in South, West and northern part of the country. With the first ever three-way merger, BoB has now become the second-largest public sector lender after with over 9,500 branches, 13,400 ATMs, and 85,000 employees to serve 12 crore customers. The consolidated entity started the operation with a business mix of over Rs 15 lakh crore on the balance sheet, with deposits and advances of Rs 8.75 lakh crore and Rs 6.25 lakh crore, respectively. The maiden three-way amalgamation is considered as the major step in the consolidation of the public sector banking industry recommended in 1991 by the Narasimham Committee report. It is to be noted that when (SBI) amalgamated its five associate and Bharatiya Mahila Bank in April 2017, it rationalised about 1,500 branches across the country. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan Sunday said the Narendra Modi government would return to power with absolute majority for the second time. Mahajan, who represented the Indore Lok Sabha constituency for eight consecutive times since 1989, was talking to reporters after casting her vote at a polling booth in Old Palasia here. "There is an encouraging atmosphere for the BJP in the country. I have full faith that the Modi government will once again form the government with full majority," Mahajan (76), popularly known as 'Tai' (elder sister in Marathi), said. Mahajan, who has the distinction of being one of the longest-serving women members of Parliament (MPs), was not in the fray this time as she crossed her party's 75-year age bar to fight elections. She had last month opted out of contesting the general elections saying she had freed the party to make its choice. She had, however, maintained that she would continue to work for the BJP and campaign for it. Thereafter, the saffron party had pitted Shankar Lalwani (57) against Congress candidate Pankaj Sanghvi (58). Accompanied by Lalwani, Mahajan further told reporters, "My role has changed this time, but I am still in the fray. I am standing beside Lalwani." "I am not a candidate this time, but that does not matter. BJP is contesting the election. The question 'who is contesting on the BJP ticket?' is not important. The question is about democracy. I have always voted for my country and democracy," she said. When asked about the results of the Indore seat, she said whoever the voters choose as their representative, will be handed over the "key" of the constituency. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amidst a controversy over his visit to Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines during 'silent period' for the last leg of polling, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday thanked the Election Commission for the permission, even as opposition parties cried foul over the much-publicised trip and alleged poll code violation. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi termed the visit a "drama in Kedarnath" and was also highly critical of the poll panel, saying its "capitulation before Mr Modi & his gang is obvious to all Indians". "The EC used to be feared & respected. Not anymore," he tweeted. After offering prayers at the Kedarnath temple and spending around 17 hours at a holy cave near the shrine, Modi said, "I did not ask for anything. I don't believe in asking for, because the God only wants us to give...all I want is 'Baba' Kedarnath bestows his blessings not just upon India but the entire mankind." Modi said he remained totally cutoff from the outside world as there was no communication link to the cave he stayed in, and he kept looking at the shrine through a small window. Modi also thanked the Election Commission, which had allowed the visit while "reminding" the Prime Minister's Office that the model code of conduct is still in force, for granting him the permission. The PM said he got two days of "rest" there. "I am fortunate to have visited the temple on multiple occasions," he said, while thanking the media for taking out time to go to Kedarnath at a time when the poll process is underway. The media's presence, Modi said, will send a message that the town has been developed well. Major opposition parties including the Congress, however, alleged violation of the poll code by the visit, several pictures and videos of which have been splashed across social media over last two days, including through the Twitter accounts of Modi and the BJP. Congress MP Pradip Bhattachraya wrote to the Election Commission, saying the media coverage of the visit was in violation of the Model Code of Conduct. He said he has requested the poll panel to stop the coverage and take stern action. "The way he (Modi) ensured media coverage of his trip to Kedarnath temple is nothing but a violation of MCC. His trip is all over the media. Is this not a way to directly and indirectly influence voters?" Bhattacharya asked. The Trinamool Congress also complained to the poll panel that Modi's address to the media at Kedarnath shrine was "unethical" and that the coverage of his visit has violated poll norms. TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora claiming that "continuous" telecast of Modi's "private activities" at the shrines is violation of the poll code. Modi is now trying to project a "megalomaniac" image of himself through various "dubious" activities, Naidu said. Modi reached the temple town Saturday. Dressed in a grey traditional pahari attire, he offered prayers for about 30 minutes and undertook a circumambulation of the Kedarnath shrine situated at a height of 11,755 feet near the Mandakini river. The prime minister then went inside a cave near the shrine to meditate. Draped in a saffron shawl, Modi was seen meditating at the holy cave. The Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines reopened for devotees earlier this month after the winter break. Early Sunday morning, Modi also tweeted urging people, especially first-time voters, to vote in record numbers to shape India's development trajectory in the years to come. The 59 constituencies where voting was held Sunday included Varanasi, where Modi is in the fray for his second consecutive term. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Amid the ongoing voting for the last phase of Lok Sabha polls Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that the BJP will form the next government at the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a "massive mandate" of "300 plus seats" of the BJP and "400 plus" of the NDA allies. "Polling on 67 Lok Sabha seats in UP has already been held, and voting was held on 13 seats today. I can say with confidence that on May 23, when the election results will be declared, the BJP under the leadership of Modiji will accomplish its target of securing 300-plus seats on its own, and 400-plus seats on the strength of its allies," said Adityanath after casting his vote. "In UP, the BJP will be successful in achieving the target of 74-plus seats," said the chief minister, adding "the festival of the democracy should be treated enthusiastically". Asked whether the the chief minister's remarks amounted to influencing voters or flouting the model code of conduct after the end of campaign, UP Chief Electoral Officer L Venkateshwarlu told PTI in Lucknow that the Election Commission will look into it of it gets any complaiunt on the matter. "No complaint has yet been received in this connection. If we get any complaint, we will seek a report from the local administration in this regard and look into it," he said. Adityanath was among the first voters to exercise his franchise here Sunday. He cast his vote at the Prathmik Vidyalaya near Jhoolelal Temple in Gorakhpur at 7 am. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, the chief minister said, "People are fighting this election for the nation's interest and if someone cannot understand it, his IQ (intelligent quotient) is questionable. The entire election revolved around Modiji. With big achievements of his government during the last five years, the BJP will win the election." "This is the first election which hinged on Modiji. All through the seven phases of the polls, I found it centred around Prime Minister Modi," said the chief minister. "Naturally, there has been an enthusiasm among the common people over the five-year performance of the government," he added. "For the first time after the independence, the barriers of casteism, regionalism, language and dynastic can be seen crumbling," said Adityanath. Asked about TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu's meeting with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati in Lucknow on Saturday, the chief minister dubbed the three leaders as "beaten pawns (pitte huye mohare)". "I feel Chandrababu is not able to save Andhra Pradesh and he is losing his ground there. They are defeated people, people who have been rejected by the public. Modiji will be forming the government with a massive mandate," said Adityanath. The UP chief minister also claimed witnessing unprecedented enthusiasm among voters for the prime minister. "The enthusiasm among voters for Modiji has breached the barriers of caste, creed, religion, language and gender. For the first time, it was seen that the people were at leading position with candidates and parties following them. It proves that if you work in the interest of the country, you will get support of the people," he said. "The BJP under the leadership of Modiji will achieve the target of 300-plus seats fort the BJP and the NDA will secure 400-plus seat. In UP, the BJP will achieve the target of 74-plus seats," he claimed. Asked about the situation in West Bengal, Adityanath said, "The people of Bengal, have seen violence, perpetrated during all phases of the elections in the state. The Election Commission was forced to take stringent steps there." "I feel the dictatorial and undemocratic action witnessed in Bengal will be given a befitting reply by people, who voted in large numbers there in the interest of the country, in the interest of the public and for uprooting and exposing the forces which want to disrupt democracy by resorting to violence, which hatch conspiracies to stay in power at any cost," he added. "The enthusiasm shown by the people of Bengal indicate that good results will be coming from Bengal. And there should be no doubt on it," Adityanath asserted. The chief minister termed the "enthusiasm" which, he said, he saw in people for the prime minister's work as an "indication of mature democracy" of the country. "The enthusiasm shown by voters in mega festival of democracy is an indication of mature democracy of India. If you work in the interest of the pubic and interest of the country, you will be able to sustain in public life, or else there will be no place for you," he said. Adityanath also said, "People are fighting this election for nation's interest and if someone cannot understand it, his IQ is questionable. The entire election revolved around Modiji. With big achievements of his government during the last five years, the BJP will win the election. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Names of Rajya Sabha members, who moved an impeachment motion against a high court judge, and those who withdrew it can't be disclosed as it would be a breach of parliamentary privilege, the Central Information Commission has held. Chief Information Commissioner Sudhir Bhargava gave this order on a petition filed by S Malleswara Rao, who had sought to know from the Rajya Sabha Secretariat the number of MPs who had signed and moved the impeachment against Justice C V Nagarjuna Reddy, and those who withdrew it. Reddy retired from the Hyderabad High Court last year. The Rajya Sabha Secretariat had cited Section 8(1) (c) of the RTI Act to deny the information. The section exempts from disclosure information which can cause a breach of privilege of Parliament or a state legislature. Bhargava said in order to enable the Parliament or a state legislature or their individual members to perform their functions effectively and without any impediments or interference from any quarter, certain privileges are conferred upon them in the Constitution under articles 105 and 194. Quoting noted British constitutional theorist Thomas Erskine May, Bhargava said, Parliamentary privilege is the sum of the peculiar rights enjoyed by each House collectively is a constituent part of the High Court of Parliament... and by members of each House of Parliament individually, without which they cannot discharge their functions." "The commission notes that giving a notice of motion by any member in the course of discharge of his parliamentary duties is covered within the meaning and scope of the term 'Proceedings in Parliament'," the commissioner said. He said the disclosure of details of members who gave the motion and some who subsequently withdrew their names under the RTI may open the parliamentary conduct of such members to public scrutiny. "Such disclosure may not only indirectly influence the members in discharge of their parliamentary duties, but has a tendency to influence their independence in the future performance of their duties, thereby would cause breach of privilege," Bhargava said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Incidents of a road roller being torched, roads being blocked besides putting up of posters against the administration and security forces were reported Sunday during the shutdown call given by Naxals in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli district, police said. The Naxals, through posters put up earlier this week, had claimed that the shutdown was a protest against the killing by security forces of woman Naxals Ramco alias Kamla Narote and Shilpa Durva on April 27, 2019. The two were killed in an encounter in Gunderwahi forest in Gadchiroli when commandos of C-60, a specialised anti-Naxal unit, were combing the area. Around midnight, the ultras set ablaze a road roller in Kumargudda village in Bhamragad tehsil, and also put up several banners in the area, an official said. Police said the weekly markets in Etapalli and Bhamragad were closed on Sunday due to the shutdown call. A press release by the Gadchiroli SP office Sunday informed that Naxals, as part of their bandh call, had put up banners and blocked roads in the Gurupalli area of Etapalli tehsil and Arawada area in Bhamragad. The release, however, claimed that the villagers tore down several Naxal banners and burnt them in a heap. The banners claimed Narote and Durva were first held, tortured and then killed by security forces. Ramco and Durva were carrying rewards of Rs 16 lakh and Rs 4 lakh on their heads respectively, police said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The main opposition party in Nepal on Sunday warned of stalling the Parliament proceedings if the government tried to pass a controversial bill that aims to curtail press freedom by imposing strict penalty on media outlets. "The government wants to curtail press freedom through the bill which is unacceptable. We will not allow the government to pass the bill," Nepali Congress (NC) president Sher Bahadur Deuba told reporters at Biratnagar Airport here. He said his party would stall the Parliament proceedings if the ruling Communist Party of Nepal tried to pass the Media Council Bill. "The bill that curtails press freedom and human rights has to be withdrawn. We will not let the bill pass at any cost," he said, adding that the party, however, would not resort to violence and vandalism to press the government to withdraw the bill. The bill, proposed by K P Sharma Oli-led government, has provisions to impose a fine up to Rs 1 million on media outlets, editors, publishers and journalists if they were found "guilty of damaging someone's reputation". The bill also stipulates that the Nepal Media Council (NMC) can order the erring parties to pay compensation if the content in media outlets damages the reputation of the affected party. It also proposes punishment for violating the code of conduct which includes suspending press pass of media-persons and downgrading the classification of media outlets. The bill has raised alarm among journalists who say that the government seeks to punish the press in the name of regulation. Along with the NC, the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal is also planning to stall House proceedings to prevent the passage of the draft legislation, said Laxman Lal Karna, a senior leader of the Madhesi-based party. Meanwhile, Federation of Nepalese Journalists (FNJ) has announced the second phase of protests against the Media Bill being tabled in the Parliament. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Construction of a building by senior BJP leader Nirmal Singh's family near an Army depot in the city's outskirts is near completion, despite the Jammu and Kashmir High Court directing them last year to maintain status quo at the disputed site, officials said. Singh's lawyer R K Gupta said there was no stay on construction activity by any of the residents of the area. "The court has only directed the implementation of the notification issued in 2015 is in accordance with the law and the act," he said, adding that the notification is not valid in terms of provisions and cannot be implemented. The high court on May 7 last year had asked them to maintain status quo until final disposition of an Army plea which has claimed that the building was in violation of laid down norms. The high court, while hearing a contempt petition, had asked various departments of the state to file their replies and had directed state authorities to "ensure" that the August 2015 order is "strictly implemented with all provisions of law/rules and no unlawful/impermissible activity in the area is permitted". The 2015 order was clear that "no variation shall be made in the ground level and on building, wall, bank or other construction....erected, added to or altered otherwise that with the written approval of the General officer in Commanding..." "No wood, earth, stone, brick, gravel and or other material shall be stacked, stored or otherwise accumulated" and the order was applicable to all those living 1000 yards of the ammunition point at village ban. It said that any violation "shall be dealt with by the local Army commander under law and no compensation in respect of removal of such unauthorised structures shall be payable to the owners." However, a palatial building is nearing completion in Ban village despite the order, the officials said. Raising security and safety concerns in view of the building's proximity to an ammunition depot, the Centre had filed two petitions before the high court, but are still awaiting a proper hearing a year later. Construction work on the plot had started in 2017 prompting the Army to send a communication to Singh, who was the then deputy chief minister in the PDP-BJP coalition government, asking him to stop the activity as it was in "violation of the Works of Defence Act (WoDA) 1903" which bars any construction activity upto 1000 yards (914 metres approx). The construction activity falls nearly 581 yards (531 metres approx) from the boundary of the depot. A contempt notice was moved by the central government in 2018 against Nirmal Singh's wife Mamta Singh for allegedly violating a 2015 order of the then deputy commissioner of Jammu Simrandeep Singh in which the Army depot was notified by the state government. The Defence Ministry had filed a writ petition on May 3, 2018 when the local administration and police failed to implement the 2015 order. Despite the high court's order for strict implementation of the order of the deputy commissioner, the construction work continued unabated prompting the Centre to move a contempt petition on May 16, 2018. Officials in the Defence Ministry said that in view of the recent terrorist action at Pulwama as well as the earlier terrorist attack at Nagrota in November 2016, concerns regarding security of such sensitive defence installations have always assumed importance. Guidelines such as the Works of Defence Act are meant to deter such threats as well as cater for the safety of the civilians residing in the vicinity. However, such construction activity reduces the open area for surveillance and monitoring by the Army too. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday strongly condemned BJP's Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur's controversial remark describing assassin of Mahatama Gandhi, Nathuram Godse as "patriot' and said BJP should consider expelling her from the party. Kumar, president of BJP's strong ally JD(U), made it clear that his party would not tolerate such things. "This is highly condemnable. We will not tolerate all these things (Thakur's statement terming Godse as patriot). Bapu is the father of the nation and people will not like if anyone talks about Godse in this manner, " Kumar said. Kumar was talking to reporters after casting his vote at a polling station located at a government school near Raj Bhavan here. It falls under Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat, where Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha is locked in an intense contest with Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad. In reply to a query whether the BJP should expel her from the party, Kumar said that "it must be considered." He, however, was quick to add that though "it is an internal matter of the BJP, but so far as country or ideology is concerned, there is no question of tolerating such things." Kumar said that he has categorically stated that it is completely in the domain of party to give reaction or take action against the person who made such remarks. In reply to a query, Kumar said that he has never compromised over 3Cs-- "crime, corruption and communalism". Pragya Thakur kicked a row by describing Godse as 'deshbhakt'. She, however, apologised over the controversial remark after being pulled up by her party. During a roadshow in MP, Thakur had said that "Nathuram Godseji deshbhakt the, hain, air rahenge, unko aatankwadi kahne wale log swayam ki gireban me jhank kar dekhe chunav main aise logon ko jawab de diya jayega (Nathuram Godse was a patriot, is a patriot and will remain a patriot. Those who call him a terrorist should look within they will get a reply in this election) It may be noted that Prime Ministet Narendra Modi on May 17 had said that he will never forgive BJP candidate Pragya Thakur for insulting Mahatma Gandhi by calling his assassin Nathuram Godse a "true patriot". Modi, who had told a TV channel during his last rally at Khargone in Madhya Pradesh on May 17, said that "the remarks made about Gandhiji or Nathuram Godse are very bad and very wrong for society. "She has sought an apology but I would never be able to forgive her fully." BJP president Amit Shah had also condemned the remarks and said that remarks on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin by three leaders - Thakur, Union minister Anantkumar Hegde and Karnataka MP Nalin Kumar - were not in line with the party's ideology. Shah had said that party's disciplinary committee has sought an explanation from them in 10 days. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) (CNN) At least 14 people were injured in an explosion that targeted a tourist bus carrying 25 South African citizens, Egypt's state-run Ahram daily reported. "The bus was hit but it didn't look like it exploded," Mona Zeidan, an eyewitness told CNN. A device exploded near the bus, Ahram reported, while the windshield of another vehicle was damaged. "They were all minor injuries and nothing serious," Zeidan, who drove by the site of the explosion after the incident, told CNN. "Security was inspecting the bus," she added. The explosion took place outside the new yet-to-be-opened Grand Egyptian Museum, near the Giza Pyramids. An official at the nearby Al-Haram Hospital told CNN they were receiving the injured tourists. Giza's long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum, which cost more than $1 billion to build, is expected to open in mid-2020 after a series of delays. The facilities offer a home to relics previously held by the notoriously crowded Egyptian Museum, in central Cairo's Tahrir Square, once considered the country's leading history institution. This story was first published on CNN.com, "Egypt explosion injures tourists near Giza pyramids." April 12th marks the 180th anniversary Nikolai Przhevalskys birth. He was a researcher, scientist, Honorary Member of the Russian Geographical Society (RGS). He was the General Staff officer, and the information obtained on expeditions, including cartographic information, is still of essential importance. Przhevalsky died on the shore of Issyk Kul, where his next expedition was designated. The President of the Russian State University for Humanities, a member of the Council of the Russian Geographical Society, Yefim Pivovar spoke with Vestnik Kavkaza about the heritage of the scientist. - Yefim Iosifovich, you recently returned from Kyrgyzstan, where you participated in the forum dedicated to the anniversary of Przhevalsky. Is Kyrgyzstan honoring the legacy of a Russian scientist? - On April 12-13, an International Forum dedicated to the 180th anniversary of Przhevalsky was held in Jalal-Abad. The scientist made five journeys to Central Asia. Much of what he did still remains in Kyrgyzstan as his heritage. He was a man of very broad erudition, he was a geographer, a biologist, a naturalist, an ethnologist, and a historian. He accompanied all his expeditions with detailed records that have been preserved to our days. That is, he set an example of interdisciplinarity in the full sense. Unfortunately, after the collapse of the USSR, there were several ideological attacks on his legacy and him as well. He was considered some kind of a scout. But he was not. He contributed a lot to the development of humanitarian and natural science knowledge and died after being infected with typhoid fever and he was not even 50 years old. Przhevalsky was buried in Kyrgyzstan, near Karakol, which until 1990 was called Przhevalsk. His grave is preserved in the town and his memory is honored there as well. In connection with the anniversary of Przhevalsky, two events took place in Kyrgyzstan. One of them was organized by the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University in Bishkek with the participation of the Russian Embassy, the ambassador took part in the event. Another event in which I participated was held by the National University and Jalal-Abad University. The representatives of universities from Osh were invited as well. Considering that the Forum of Rectors of Russia and Kyrgyzstan was held recently, and before that, Vladimir Putin had visited the country, everything just lined up. Kyrgyz colleagues invited the delegation of the Russian Geographical Society to the forum, including me. My presentation was dedicated to the role and place of Przhevalsky's heritage in the cultural and scientific ties of modern Kyrgyzstan and Russia. Of course, the value of the forum is unprecedented, because it was an initiative of the Kyrgyz side, and we just supported it. It is also important that the forum was held in the south of Kyrgyzstan - it is a territory with a very complex ethnic composition and rather tense inter-ethnic situation. In 1990 and in 2010, there were clashes on ethnic grounds there. Therefore, it was necessary to show the importance of those relations that make it possible to unite the efforts of Kyrgyzstan as a whole and to strengthen the Russian-Kyrgyz scientific and cultural educational ties. I enjoyed speaking at the forum. I held a whole series of meetings with the rectors of these universities, with the university community, visited auditoriums, reviewed their work, signed several documents, including a cooperation agreement between the RSUH and the University of Jalal-Abad. The rector of the National Law University will visit us soon, and our rector will sign such an agreement with him. It is not just about the framework agreements, we also agreed on some projects, including the possibility of issuing a joint publication of Russian and Kyrgyz historians. I negotiated with the dean of the history department of the National University of Bishkek, who also participated in this conference, and we agreed that they would send proposals that we would discuss as a matter of course. - In your opinion, what is Przhevalsky's contribution to science? - We are now striving for an interdisciplinary approach to the synthesis of various sciences, which allows us to identify the boundary fields and new approaches in the theory and methodology of research. Przhevalsky is important precisely as a direct example of the implementation of this approach in the 19the century. He examined almost the entire environment, which he studied as part of the noosphere. The ideas of Vladimir Ivanovich Vernadsky about the biosphere and the noosphere were embodied in this sense. Przhevalsky reviewed these ideas as a geographer, historian, ethnologist, anthropologist, philologist-folklorist, biologist, ecologist. From the point of view of the development of science, this legacy is very important. In addition, Przhevalsky made five expeditions, including to Kyrgyzstan, Xinjiang, Tibet, Pamir. He walked a thousand miles. It speaks not only of hard work and perseverance, but also of a thirst for knowledge. This is very important in regard to the educational practice. He discovered unknown representatives of the animal world, flora, described many water objects. Kyrgyz historians and cultural scientists are actively working in our archives, studying his heritage. Przhevalsky started his work being very young. At the age of 25, he was already engaged in expeditions. His legacy was supported by his followers: both Petr Petrovich Semenov-Tian-Shansky and our other geographers, travelers relied on the achievements of Przhevalsky. The history of his family is also symbolic: on the one hand, he represented the Cossacks, on the other hand, the gentry, who partially even converted to Catholicism, but his clan, his family remained in Orthodoxy. So in all respects, this is the most interesting object for analysis of our post-Soviet space. Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) president Nitish Kumar Sunday questioned the long drawn polling in intense heat conditions and suggested general election should be held in two or three phases. He said February-March or October-November would be ideal weather condition for the polling in the country. He also disfavoured gap between voting days. He stressed on a constitutional provision for conduct of election at above-mentioned suitable time and said in the capacity of being chief of JD(U) he will write a letter to his counterparts in other parties after completion of current election to reach a consensus over the issue. Kumar, a strong ally of the BJP in Bihar, exuded confidence that Narendra Modi would return to power after counting of votes on May 23. The JD(U) chief's views were seen as a discordant voice within ruling NDA. But, Kumar said he was saying this on the basis of his long political stint and also talking to cross-sections of the people "Such a long drawn elections should not be held in such an intense heat conditions. This is not an appropriate time for holding elections. It must be either held in February-March or October-November in two to three phases in our country," Kumar told reporters here. He was talking to reporters after casting his vote at a polling station located at a government school near Raj Bhavan here. It falls under Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency where Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha is locked in a close fight with Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad. Kumar said that elections should be held in minimal phases so that voters should not have any problems in exercising their franchise as there is no shade for them at polling stations and they have to stand in queues amid soaring mercury "There should be unanimity among people that there should be constitutional arrangement that whenever there is election, it should be held at aforementioned time (Feb-Mar or Oct-Nov) and should not be held in so many phases," the chief minister said, adding that there is no point having big gap between two phases of polling. Ideally, elections should be held in one phase across the country but since the country so big that it should be held in two or three phases keeping in mind the hilly areas of north eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir. Stating that the long drawn elections can't be seen as mismanagement, Kumar said that "After the elections are over, I as a president of my party, will write letter to the presidents of all political parties for discussion on the issue (timing for holding elections) despite the fact that we have so much differences over many issues." It would be good for everyone especially for voters if the idea is accepted by parties, he said, adding that the idea is in the interest of the country. In reply to a query, Kumar exuded confidence that NDA government will be formed at the Centre under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Asked about his issues during the campaigning, Kumar said that his only issue was development work which he did in the past 13 years and also the work done by the Central government which he raised during his election meetings. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday repudiated arch rival Lalu Prasad's claim that he had sent poll-strategist-turned politician Prashant Kishor for rapprochement owing to unease with the BJP. Kumar also said that he was looking forward to the formation of a new government by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre and his JD(U) joining it. The chief minister, however, made it clear that his party will stick to its stand on issues like Article 370, Uniform Civil Code and the Ayodhya dispute, which was at variance with that of the BJP. The JD(U) chief, who had a low-key presence during the general elections, talked in detail on varied issues, including condemning BJP Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur describing Mahatama Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse as "patriot", and also questioned the long-drawn polling in intense heat condition. Terming Thakur's remarks on Godse as "nindaneeye" (condemnable), he hoped that the saffron party would consider taking action against her. Replying to queries from journalists outside a polling station near the Raj Bhavan, where he cast his vote, Kumar dismissed the recent statement by senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad, who had hinted at the possibility of a post-poll tie-up with the JD(U) in the event of the elections throwing up a hung Parliament. The CM said though he shared "excellent personal relations" with the veteran leader, the latter's words did not carry much weight within his own party. "Ham kyon bhejenge (why would I send)," replied Kumar curtly, when asked about the jailed RJD supremo's controversial claim in his recently-published autobiography that he had sent Prashant Kishor as his emissary to discuss the prospects of a realignment, a few months after he returned to the BJP-led NDA in July, 2017. "It is a fact that Prashant Kishor does keep meeting people from various political parties. He has to as a talented political strategist. But, he formally joined our party only in September last year," said Kumar, breaking his silence over the claim, which has been seconded by Prasad's wife Rabri Devi and son Tejashwi Yadav. "Moreover, Prashant Kishor has himself made his position clear on the issue," Kumar said, referring to the young JD(U) national vice-president's tweets in which he rubbished claims by Prasad as "bogus" and "nothing but a poor attempt at seeking relevance by a leader whose best days are behind him". "Yes, we did meet many times before I joined the JD(U), but if I were to tell what all was discussed then he would be quite embarrassed," Kishor had added. He had worked as a poll strategist in the 2015 assembly polls for the 'Mahagathbandhan', which then comprised the JD(U), the RJD and the Congress. Kishor shared a good equation with both the arch rivals who had buried the hatchet after the debacle of their respective parties in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, and is said to have played a crucial role in maintaining coordination between the two that enabled the Grand Alliance to trounce the NDA at the hustings. Kumar expressed hope that the NDA will win the general elections comfortably and Narendra Modi will form the new government, after the results are announced on May 23. Asked whether the JD(U), which did not get a ministerial berth at the Centre despite having returned to the NDA about a couple of years ago, will join the new government, he replied "why not". He also dismissed speculations about the JD(U) having balked at releasing its poll manifesto because of strong differences it had with the BJP on a number of contentious issues. "What our party stands for is known to all. Our stand has been the same since the Samata Party days. Indeed, parties which may win not more than a seat or two also release manifestos as a mere formality. But, we do not believe in that," Kumar said. Asked about the statement by Thakur on Godse, for which she has been issued a show-cause notice by the party besides drawing flak from Modi, Kumar said, "It was condemnable" and when asked whether he would demand her expulsion from the BJP, the CM replied, "It should be considered, though it is an internal matter of that party". The JD(U) chief also expressed displeasure over the long-drawn out poll schedule and said "elections must not be spread over seven phases. The number of phases need not have been more than two or three. Moreover, these should be held either in February-March or October-November so that people are not inconvenienced by the weather". "Political parties have their differences but all of us should agree on this point. After elections are over, I would be writing to all party presidents on the issue in my capacity as the head of the JD(U)," Kumar added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) No polling took place at four booths in Ferozepur Parliamentary Constituency in Punjab on Sunday, officials said. There was no voter turnout at polling booth number 61, 62, 63 and 64 which were set at a school in cantonment area of Ferozepur city. "There is a report that voting did not take place at four polling booths," Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju said Sunday evening. He said there were a total of 4,500 voters who were registered here. Raju said he got the matter inquired and found that the army units had shifted from this place. "Therefore no voting took place," he said. Raju said 283 ballot units, 223 control units and 509VVPATs were replaced at several places in Punjab. "The replacement percentage was 0.06 per cent for ballot units, 0.96 per cent for control units and 2.19 per cent for VVPATs," he said. He further said paramilitary forces had been deputed to secure the EVMs. "Fifty-six companies of paramilitary forces will provide security to the electronic voting machines in the state," he said. Polling to 13 Lok Sabha seats in Punjab was held on Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Naga People's Front (NPF) has decided to withdraw support to the BJP-led government in Manipur, a senior party leader said Sunday. NPF state unit president Awangbou Newmai Sunday told PTI that "they were forced to take the decision to withdraw support as bigger parties were looking down upon smaller parties." He, however, said though the decision to withdraw support has been taken, it will be implemented after the entire electioneering process is complete on May 23. A senior leader said on Sunday that if the NPF withdraws support it will not have any effect on the coalition government. The senior leader told PTI that the has 29 MLAs and has the support of one legislator each of the LJP, AITC and an Independent in the 60-member Assembly. The NPF has four MLAs. The Congress had 29 MLAs after the 2017 Assembly polls, but eight of its legislators defected to the BJP last year, taking its tally from 21 to 29 in the Assembly. Newmai claimed the NPF was "forced" to take the decision to withdraw support as the "BJP has not honoured some of the agreements that were agreed upon when the coalition government was formed back in 2017." "We have been patient for some two years," Newmai said, adding the bigger party "looks down on smaller groups." Still, as representatives of the people, "we desire that respect be given to other parties." "The BJP has never respected the spirit of alliance since the formation of government in 2017. There have been instances when their leaders have refused to consider our members as alliance partners," he said, without elaborating. The BJP has denied the allegations made by the NPF leader. The allegations made by the NPF are "totally baseless and unfounded". "All possible cooperation has been extended to our coalition partners for smooth functioning of the government," said a senior BJP leader. A meeting of senior NPF leaders was held in Kohima on Saturday evening to decide whether to stay in the coalition government. The meeting was held at the NPF's central office in Kohima, which was attended by party chief Shurhozelie Liezietsu, opposition leader in Nagaland Assembly T R Zeliang, NPF core committee members and the party MLAs in Manipur. "We had threadbare deliberations on the attitude of the BJP government in Manipur towards NPF legislators, which dwelled on withdrawing support, but the final decision is yet to be taken," NPF spokesperson Ahcumbemo Kikon told PTI. He said the NPF central leaders and legislators from Manipur were of the view that their decision should not disturb the electioneering process. "The final call on withdrawing from the BJP-led government in Manipur will be taken only after the completion of the entire electioneering process," he added. BJP general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya Sunday claimed his party, on the basis of its "big electoral success" in West Bengal and Odisha, would win around 300 Lok Sabha seats, paving way for Narendra Modi to become prime minister again. He also debunked Chief Minister Kamal Nath's claim that the Congress would win 22 out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh. "I feel the BJP would win around 300 Lok Sabha seats. We are going to touch this figure as we are going to get big electoral success in West Bengal and Odisha," Vijaywargiya, the party's West Bengal in charge, told reporters here. "The government machinery, police and goons in West Bengal were on the same page and people are fed up of this as well as chief minister Mamata Banerjee's dictatorial attitude and the goondaism of Trinamool Congress workers," he alleged. He further claimed that after the results on May 23, Banerjee and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, who are currently trying to bring about an anti-BJP coalition, would "go into hiding" and the media would have to look for them for comments and quotes. Asked about the claim of MP chief minister Kamal Nath that the Congress would win 22 out of 29 MP LS seats, Vijaywargiya said, "Right now the question is whether Nath would stay put in his post 22 days after Lok Sabha results." He said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had said the CM would be changed if farm loan waiver was not implemented in 10 days of his party coming to power, adding that the Kamal Nath government had not been able to write off farmers' loans even after 150 days of assuming office. "Due to this, farmers are not allowing Congress legislators to enter their villages. So there is a possibility the Congress chief might change the state CM," he claimed. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Electric scooter maker is investing Rs 200 crore to set up a new manufacturing plant with an annual capacity of one million units, preparing to meet increased demand following implementation of FAME II scheme, a top company official said. The new plant at Alwar in Rajasthan is being set up in a staggered manner with 5 lakh units per annum capacity to be ready by the end of this fiscal to add to the existing volume of 90,000 units a year. "As on today our capacity in a single shift is 90,000 units per year. If the market demand grows we can increase it to 1.8 lakh units in double shift. We are also working on a new facility. Our new plant will be operational by the end of this fiscal year," Pvt Ltd Founder and Managing Director Jeetender Sharma told PTI. The new unit will have a total installed capacity of up to one million vehicles annually and that would be ramped up in a phased manner. "In the first phase we are looking at around 5 lakh units annually that will be ready by the end of this fiscal. The second phase will be in the next financial year," Sharma said. When asked about investment in the plant, he said, "It will be Rs 200 crore". Sharma said the company decided to set up the new plant in order to be "future ready towards the direction of the market", specially after the expected increase in demand for electric scooters after the implementation of FAME II. "Demand has increased after FAME II, people have gained more confidence in electric two-wheelers. Even the price of the electric scooter will also go down. For example, we got a subsidy of Rs 26,000 under FAME II as compared to Rs 22,000 under FAME I and that Rs 4,000 extra more benefit we are passing it to the customer. That will give a boost," the MD said. Under the government's ambitious FAME II scheme to popularise electric and hybrid vehicles, up to 10 lakh electric two-wheelers powered by new advanced technology battery of 2KWH are pegged to get subsidy of up to Rs 20,000. The maximum ex-factory price of an electric two-wheeler to avail of the subsidy is up to Rs 1.5 lakh. Bullish on demand to increase, Sharma said, "In another three to four years we expect to utilise the full capacity of the two plants". Commenting on the company's sales expectations, he said, "In 2018-19 we sold around 45,000 vehicles. This financial year we are looking at selling one lakh vehicle". The top official further said Okinawa is also ramping up its sales network across India to have a total of 500 dealers, up from 300 as on March 31. Brisk voting was reported in the four Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu Sunday, with over 30 per cent of the electorate casting their votes in all four segments till 11 AM in the by-polls. Election Commission officials said polling was peaceful and smooth, despite early EVM glitches in some areas, even as the ruling AIADMK filed complaints against DMK, including charging one of the opposition party candidates with "wronful restraint" of voters in Aravakurichi. Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Satyabrata Sahoo said wherever complaints regarding glitches in EVMs were made, officials were rushed to address the situation. Adequate police protection has been deployed in all four constituencies to ensure peaceful election, he added. According to the EC figures, all four constituencies-- Sulur (31.55 per cent), Aravakurichi (34.89 per cent), Thirupparankundram (30.02 per cent) and Ottapidaram (SC) (30.28 percent), recorded over 30 per cent voting till 11 AM. Brisk polling was also on in the 13 polling booths where repolling was ordered for reasons, including alleged irregularities and technical issues. Meanwhile, the AIADMK filed complaints against the DMK with the CEO. AIADMK Spokesperson and party advocate R M Babu Murugavel accused Aravakurichi DMK candidate V Senthil Balaji of "wrongful restraint" of voters in two places in the Assembly constituency. "In the said places, voters were wrongfully restrained by the DMK candidate Mr Senthil Balaji for not to vote... it is a clear violation of election rules," he said. Murugavel sought action for the voters in the area to cast their votes, besides registration of "criminal cases" against Balaji. In a seperate plaint, Murugavel alleged that DMK candidates and cadre were preparing food to be distributed to voters in all four Assembly segments and said "it is a clear violation of model code of conduct." He sought "appropriate action" in this matter. While bypolls to 18 of the total 22 vacant assembly seats were held on April 18, the rest go to hustings Sunday. The outcome of the bypolls will decide the future of the K Palaniswamii government as the ruling AIADMK would require a significant number of seats to remain in power. It has a strength of 113 minus the Speaker in the 234-member house with 22 vacancies The simple majority in the full house is 117. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Imran Khan-led government is actively considering appointing a Security Advisor to revive backchannel diplomacy with to iron out issues hindering the resumption of peace talks between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, official sources said on Sunday. Since assuming the office in August last year, Prime Minister repeatedly reached out to for the resumption of peace talks on all outstanding issues. But has made it clear to that terrorism and dialogue will not go hand-in-hand. The likely appointment of the is meant for reviving the backchannel diplomacy with India to sort out some of the pressing issues between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, the official sources privy to the development was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the government was likely to appoint a retired military official as the Security Advisor (NSA). He said certain names were under consideration but no final decision has been taken yet. The relationship between the two neighbouring nations currently is at all-time low after a Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicide bomber attacked a convoy in in on February 14 that killed 40 soldiers. Amid mounting outrage, the (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside on February 26. The next day, the PAF retaliated and downed a in an aerial combat and captured IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was later released and handed over to India on March 1. Now, with the almost two-month long election exercise getting over, the is considering options on how to resume talks with India. Pakistan believes that the new government in India after the general elections would be more receptive to Khan's offer of peace talks. When asked about the prospects of resumption of talks given the current hostilities, the official said Pakistan was optimistic. The reason for this optimism stems from the fact that new government, whether it is formed by the ruling BJP or the Congress, is unlikely to follow the pre-election rhetoric, he said. One of the options include the appointment of the to revive the backchannel with India. In the past, the two countries often used backchannel through the NSAs to prepare ground for any talks. In 2015, Pakistan's Lt General (retd) Naseer Khan Janjua and his Indian counterpart were instrumental in breaking the ice. The two held meetings in leading to the agreement between the foreign ministers of both countries for the resumption of the composite dialogue. The leadership of the two countries used their respective NSAs to communicate on important issues. Talking to foreign journalists last month, Khan had said that there might be a better chance of peace talks with India if Modi returned to power. "If the next is led by the opposition party, it might be too scared to seek a settlement with Pakistan over Indian-occupied (IoK), fearing a backlash from the right," the prime minister told a small group of foreign journalists in an interview. "Perhaps if the BJP a right wing party wins, some kind of settlement on could be reached." Khan's statement stirred a heated debate both in Pakistan as well as in India, where Modi's opponents mocked him as Pakistan's ally. In Pakistan, opposition parties criticised Khan for making an 'undiplomatic statement' and also supporting Modi despite his hostile policies. A Peoples Democratic Party activist was grievously injured after militants allegedly shot him at Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Sunday, police said. Suspected militants shot at PDP worker Mohammad Jamal, 65, near his residence at Zungalpora village of Kulgam district in south Kashmir, a police official said. Jamal was rushed to a hospital in a critical condition, he added. A police case has been registered and a hunt has been launched to nab the assailants, the official said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A quarter century after Shekhar Kapur's "Bandit Queen" generated a massive worldwide buzz following its premiere in Directors' Fortnight in 1994, the epochal film's producer, Bobby Bedi, has firmed up plans for a 20-episode web series on the life and death of Phoolan Devi, the dreaded Chambal dacoit-turned-Member of Parliament who was assassinated in the heart of Delhi in July 2001. The web series, titled "Phoolan Devi", will be directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, with Tannishtha Chatterjee taking on the role of the protagonist. Dhulia was the casting director of "Bandit Queen". Like Seema Biswas, who shot to fame with the Cannes hit from 25 years ago, Tannishtha is a National School of Drama (NSD) alumna. But that is where, the producer says, the similarity between the two productions will end. Speaking on the sidelines of the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, Bedi reveals that the web series will go into production within the next few months. It will be spread out over two seasons of 10 episodes each. "The first season will end with Phoolan's eight-year prison term, while the second will largely cover the years in the aftermath of her release," he says. "Her prison term was extended by four years, but within two years of her release she became a Member of Parliament," says Bedi. "There is a great deal of Phoolan Devi's life that remains to be covered." "'Bandit Queen' hinged on how a woman had to suffer huge indignities in rural India on account of being low caste. It focused on crushing caste oppression," says Bedi. "In an urban setting, conversely, she demonstrated the political power of a low-caste woman." For a long time, the New Delhi-based producer had toyed with the idea of doing a sequel to "Bandit Queen" in order to take the story forward. "Then the web space opened up and we realised it would be the best option because it allows the storyteller all the time to develop characters and settings," he says. Bedi was sure from the very outset that he wanted Tannishtha for the role of The actress, who is currently wrapping up her first directorial venture, "Roam Rome Mein", came on board instantly once she was convinced that the web series would be completely unlike "Bandit Queen" in tone and substance. "I saw 'Bandit Queen' a few years after its release. This was in Poland, such was the impact of the film," recalls Tannishtha. "The new production is neither a sequel nor a remake and the format is long enough to allow us to handle a wider canvas of the Phoolan story," she adds. The CSTO countries will be able to reach consensus on the issue of the new CSTO Secretary General, Armenian FM Zohrab Mnatsakanyan told Russian reporters. His remarks came in response to comment whether the candidacy of the new general will be determined at a meeting of the CSTO foreign ministers in Bishkek on May 22, News.am reports citing TASS. "The organization is strong enough thanks to the interaction of the member countries, he said. We will come to a consensus; we will reach an agreement." Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered prayers at the Badrinath temple on Sunday, the last day of his two-day visit to Uttarakhand. He reached Badrinath after spending around 20 hours at the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath. Modi offered prayers at the innermost sanctum in Badrinath, another temple in Uttarakhand's "char dham" religious circuit, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee chief Mohan Prasad Thapliyal said the prime minister offered prayers at the temple for around 20 minutes and was given a greeting card made on a "bhojpatra" (birch leaves) by the temple's priests. He was also given a shawl by the residents of Mana village, he said. The prime minister took a walk inside the temple complex and later, shook hands with the devotees and locals, Thapliyal said, adding that Modi also met pilgrims waiting near the shrine. Members of the committee met the prime minister at the shrine's guest house and submitted a memorandum stressing upon the need to expand the temple's premises and improving telecommunication services at Badrinath. Modi asked temple authorities to play an active role in providing better facilities to pilgrims visiting the shrine, Thapliyal said. The prime minister reached Badrinath on an IAF helicopter, which landed at an army helipad near the shrine, and reached the temple by road, he said, adding that stringent security arrangements were in place. On Saturday, Modi offered prayers for around 30 minutes at the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath, a day after campaigning for the general election came to a close. The prime minister then went inside a cave near the shrine to medidate. Draped in a saffron shawl, Modi was seen meditating at the holy cave. Modi also took stock of development work in the temple town. The Election Commission gave its nod to Modi's visit while "reminding" the Prime Minister's Office that the model code of conduct is still in force. Polling for the seventh and the last phase of the general election was held Sunday. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Sunday hailed women for playing a key role in the general elections and said the voices of"mothers and sisters"must be heard. His remarks came as polling began for the final phase of the polls in 59 seats to decide the fate of 918 candidates including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is seeking to retain the Varanasi seat in Uttar Pradesh. "Today is the 7th and last phase of polling. Our mothers and sisters have played a key role in these elections, not just as candidates, but also as committed voters whose voices must be heard. I salute them all," Gandhi said. Earlier,Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala tweeted:"Do vote in the last phase of the general elections to make the country liberal and progressive." "One vote, will make the future of the youth empowered. One vote, will take the farmers towards loan waiver. One vote, will take small traders towards profit. One vote, will get the deprived 'Nyay' (justice)," he said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao Saturday has demanded that the Centre reduce cost of power production by bringing in changes in the way coal allocations are made for production of power. He said he would take up the issue with the government to be formed at the Centre soon (post Lok Sabha elections), a release from his office said late Saturday night. Rao, who visited the power plant being built by NTPC at Ramagundam in the state, held a meeting with officials. He requested that 2,000 MW be supplied from NTPC to Telangana in view of the growing power demand in the state. "The policy being followed by the Centre with regard to allocation of coal to power plants is not proper. Coal for Ramagundam NTPC plant is being used by bringing it from Mandakini in Odisha, 950 km away, instead of taking coal from nearby Singareni (state-run miner Singareni Collieries). This leads to increase in cost of production," Rao said. The release also said production at the Fertilisers Corporation at Ramagundam would start this year. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A rocket was fired into the Iraqi capital's heavily fortified Green Zone Sunday night, landing less than a mile from the sprawling US Embassy, an Iraqi military spokesman said. The apparent attack, which Iraq's state-run agency said did not cause any casualties, came amid heightened tensions across the Persian Gulf, after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region earlier this month to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. The US also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. It was the first such attack since September, when three mortar shells landed in an abandoned lot inside the Green Zone. There was no immediate comment from the State Department or the US Embassy in Iraq on Sunday's attack. No one claimed responsibility for the attack that took place after sunset when many Baghdad residents were indoors breaking their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Associated Press reporters on the east side of the Tigris River, opposite the Green Zone, heard an explosion, after which alert sirens sounded briefly in Baghdad. Iraqi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Rasoul told The Associated Press that a Katyusha rocket fell near the statue of the Unknown Soldier, less than a mile from the US Embassy. He said the military is investigating the cause but that the rocket was believed to have been fired from east Baghdad. The area is home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. Shortly afterward the rocket launcher was discovered by security forces in the eastern neighbourhood of Wihda, according to a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The official also said the roads leading to the Green Zone were closed briefly for security reasons before they were reopened as normal. Iraq's state-run agency said a Katyusha rocket crashed inside the Green Zone without causing any casualties. As tensions escalate between the US and Iran, there have been concerns that Baghdad could once again get caught in the middle , just as it is on the path to recovery. The country hosts more than 5,000 US troops, and is home to powerful Iranian-backed militias, some of whom want those US forces to leave. American forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011 but returned in 2014 at the invitation of Iraq to help battle the Islamic State group after it seized vast areas in the north and west of the country, including Iraq's second-largest city, Mosul. A US-led coalition provided crucial air support as Iraqi forces regrouped and drove IS out in a costly three-year campaign. Iranian-backed militias fought alongside US-backed Iraqi troops against IS, gaining outsized influence and power. Now, amid an escalating conflict between the US and Iran, Iraq is once again vulnerable to becoming caught up in the power play. An attack targeting US interests in Iraq would be detrimental to the country's recent efforts at recovering and reclaiming its status in the Arab world. On May 8, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a previously unannounced trip to the Iraqi capital following the abrupt cancellation of a visit to Germany, and told Iraqi intelligence that the United States had been picking up intelligence that Iran is threatening American interests in the Middle East, although he offered no details according to two Iraqi officials. A few days later, as US-Iranian tensions continued to rise, the State Department ordered all non-essential, non-emergency government staff to leave the country. Employees of energy giant ExxonMobil have also begun evacuating from an oil field in the southern Iraqi province of Basra. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) on Sunday opened the Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul and Spiti valley, after a gap of six months. A large number of Lahaul residents, living in the Kullu-Manali area had a sigh of relief as one has to travel through the Rohtang Pass to commute between Kullu and Lahaul valley. Meanwhile, the district administration has restricted the movement of tourist vehicles towards the Rohtang Pass for safety reasons. They have been allowed to go up to Gulaba. "We are allowing the movement of Lahaul-Spiti residents towards Lahaul from the Manali side. The tourists can go up to Gulaba only for snow-related activities," Manali sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) Ashwani Kumar said. According to the BRO, they opened the road despite several challenges in sub-zero temperature. A BRO official said despite all odds like heavy snowfall, landslides and rough weather, the BRO has been able to connect Lahaul valley with Manali through the Rohtang Pass around 4 am. As the opening coincides with the day of voting, the voters were also able to move to Lahaul to cast their votes. This year, it has been a tough task as the snow clearance teams encountered 30-40 feet of snow at Beas and Rani nullahs and area around the Rohtang Pass, the official said. The team also encountered a lot of avalanches, the official said. Although it was snowing as latest till May 17 at the Rohtang Pass, in spite of that, the BRO was able to achieve the target, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia has called for emergency regional talks to discuss mounting Gulf tensions, saying Sunday that it does not want war with Iran but is ready to defend itself. It comes days after mysterious sabotage attacks on several tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and drone strikes on a Saudi crude pipeline by Yemen rebels who Riyadh claimed were acting on Iranian orders. The United States has also deployed an aircraft carrier and bombers to the Gulf over alleged threats from Iran. King Salman invited Gulf leaders and Arab League member states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences", the kingdom's official SPA agency reported late Saturday. Saudi Arabia's minister of state for foreign affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, said Sunday his country does not want to go to war with Iran but would defend itself. Saudi Arabia "does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it," he said. "But at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with strength and determination to defend itself and its interests." The kingdom's regional allies welcomed the Saudi invitation. The UAE's foreign ministry said the current "critical circumstances" require a unified Arab and Gulf stance. The meetings will be a "significant opportunity for the countries of the region to achieve their aspirations for establishing peace and stability," it said. According to Elizabeth Dickinson, senior analyst with the International Crisis Group think tank, Riyadh wants to show that the region is behind it. "The US maximum pressure campaign against Iran has little support among Western allies," she told AFP. "Saudi Arabia is building, in its eyes, the strongest coalition of Arab and Muslim states that it has ever assembled to push back against its adversary, Iran." Four ships including two Saudi oil tankers were damaged in mysterious sabotage attacks last Sunday off the UAE's Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital maritime route for oil exports which Iran has threatened to close in the event of a war. That incident was followed by drone strikes Tuesday claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned rebels on a major Saudi oil pipeline built as an alternative export route if the Strait of Hormuz were to be closed. Saudi Arabia accused Tehran of ordering the pipeline attacks, targeting "the security of oil supplies... and the global economy". "If Iran is deemed responsible, Gulf allies will presumably support a firm retort, but they may balk at being dragged into a major confrontation," the Washington Institute said on Tuesday. Jubeir said the UAE was leading the probe into the damaged oil tankers, but added that "we have some indications and we will make the announcements once the investigations are completed". The Emirates has said three Western countries -- the US, France and Norway -- would also be part of the investigation, along with the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Neither of the two Gulf states, both close allies of the United States, has given details on the exact nature of the ship attacks. Despite international scepticism, the US government has cited increasing threats from Iran, a long-time enemy of both Washington and its regional allies, including Israel and Saudi Arabia. SPA said Sunday that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had spoken with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about enhancing security in the region. The US has already strengthened its military presence in the region, deploying several strategic B-52 bombers. US President Donald Trump last week predicted that Iran would "soon" want to negotiate. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Saudi Arabia said Sunday that the kingdom's massive oil installations are well protected a few days after a drone attack claimed by Yemeni rebels on a key oil pipeline. "We have strong (oil) industry security... everybody is vulnerable to extreme acts of sabotage," Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Jeddah of major oil producers. Yemen's Huthi rebels last week claimed responsibility for a drone attack on the huge east-west pipeline forcing it to temporarily shut down. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Several Union ministers, including Vijay Goel, Prakash Javadekar, Nirmala Sitaraman and Sushma Swaraj, have not cleared dues on their official bungalows till February, the Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry said. Replying to an RTI query, the ministry said Union Minority Affairs Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region Jitendra Singh also have outstanding payments on their bungalows. These dues concern furniture and other things provided at the bungalows, an official of the ministry said. The amounts for Naqvi and Singh are around Rs 1.46 lakh and Rs 3.18 lakh respectively for the same period, according to the ministry. The reply, dated April 26, came on an RTI application filed by Ajit Kumar Singh. The Directorate of Estates, which comes under the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, allots bungalows to Union ministers and MPs in the national capital. Defence Minister Nirmala Sitaraman had pending dues of Rs 53, 276 while dues of Rs 86,923 was not cleared by Javadekar till February. Goel, who is minister of state for parliamentary affairs, also did not clear dues running into nearly Rs 3 lakh while Minister of State for Agriculture Gajendra Singh had dues of Rs 2,88,269 till February, it stated. Responding to the RTI query , the directorate said External Affairs Minister Swaraj had pending dues of Rs 98,890 on her official bungalow till the same period. The Directorate of Estates issues a 'No Demand Certificate (NDC)' to those ministers and MPs who have cleared their dues. According to the RTI reply, there was only Rs 14,627 dues pending on Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thawar Chand Gehlot after he paid Rs 1,23,215 out of Rs 1,37,842 accessed from August 2014 to February 2019. There are also several Union ministers who have cleared their dues. Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari, Giriraj Singh, Babul Supriyo, Harsh Vardhan, Manoj Sinha, Narendra Singh Tomar, Mahesh Sharma, Jayant Sinha, Ravi Shanker Prasad, Uma Bharti and Smirti Irani are among the Union ministers who have cleared their dues. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Want to win an argument online? Bolstering your social network may be more helpful than persuasive arguments or witty comebacks, a study has found. Researchers from Cornell University in the US analysed data from a website that hosts debates on a variety of topics. Users can debate each other, comment on other debates, ask and answer questions, create and respond to polls, and become friends. The study found that social interactions are more important than language in predicting who is going to succeed at online debating. However, the most accurate model for predicting successful debaters combines information about social interactions and language, researchers said. "It turns out that the interaction of people on this platform is really predictive of their success," said Esin Durmus, a doctoral student at Cornell University. "So if someone is trying to win an argument, they should focus on their social interactions, like discussing interesting findings with the people they're friends with," said Durmus. The study has implications for online debaters looking to improve and for developers of artificial intelligence systems seeking to expose humans to different perspectives, he said. "To assist automated systems that could maybe debate a human, the first thing to understand is what factors are important in persuasion," Durmus said. "If this debater had information about people's backgrounds or past interactions, maybe it could then personalise the types of arguments it uses, to maximise the chances of persuading them," he added. The dataset includes more than 67,000 debates on 23 topics, including politics, religion, science and health. They also collected nearly 200,000 voter comments on those debates, as well as personal information for more than 36,000 users. The researchers analysed personal traits such as gender and political views, as well as social interactions on the website -- how frequently users voted on other debates and the degrees of their connections with other users, for instance. For social interactions, they calculated debaters' "hub" and "authority" scores, based on the number and influence of other users connected to them. They also looked at the linguistic features in the debates, such as the number of personal pronouns, the mirroring of the competitor's language, and the number and diversity of words. To control for people who are simply better than others at debating, the researchers considered only users who were at first unsuccessful at online debates. They also compared people with equivalent debate experience to avoid skewing results because some debaters had more practice. They found that a model incorporating social interactions and language was the best at predicting who would win a debate, guessing correctly around 70 per cent of the time. Of the three features, a robust history of social interaction, with high hub and authority scores, was the best predictor of future debate success, Durmus said. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Spanish biotech firm AlgaEnergy and Krishi Rasayan Exports (KREPL) have formed a joint venture for manufacturing bio-stimulants based on microalage that boosts soil health, and plan to invest about USD 20 million in next 3-4 years in the business. The partner companies also said their JV firm AgMA Energy will have a soft launch of its products, which can be used on all kinds of crops, in the country during this Kharif season. The aim of the JV -- entered between AlgaEnergy's Indian subsidiary MicroAlgae Solutions India Pvt Ltd (MASI) and KREPL's sister concern Agrolife Sciences Corporation -- is to tap not only the Indian market but also other countries barring Europe, where AlgaEnergy has strong presence. "We will work jointly. We have the technology and KREPL has the market penetration...We are planning to invest USD 20 million in the next 3-4 years," AlgaEnergy's Asia Pacific Business Vice President Debabrata Sarkar told PTI. The JV firm AgMA Energy has already been established and is headquartered in the national capital. "We have the technology and KREPL has the market penetration. We will invest equally but in stages," he said. The technology solution that the Spanish firm offers can be used not only in agriculture and acqua-culture but also in human and plant nutrition as well as in cosmetics among other areas, Sarkar added. "It is a natural product that helps improve the quality of the soil without destroying the environment. We see huge potential in India and other Asian countries," AlgaEnergy International Agribusiness President Douglas Wagner said. Though the monetary investment will be significant, but the bigger investment is sharing of the knowledge and technology in India and other Asian markets, he said. KREPL Executive Director Rajesh Agarwal said the company has already done pilot study of the products in Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Jammu and Kashmir, and Andhra Pradesh. "The company will soft launch the products during the kharif season in June-July. The products can used for all kinds of crops but doses will differ," Agarwal said. Initially, KREPL will manufacture the products from its existing plants, and separate plants will be set up in the next 2-3 years, he added. The company plans to market the products under its brands and also distribute through few fertiliser firms in the later stage, Agarwal noted. "The price of the products is yet to be decided but it will be affordable to the farmers," Sarkar said, adding that farmers will benefit from the products which will help them get higher yields, improve quality of the crop and eventually reduce the use of fertilisers/pesticides. Agrochemical makers, like KREPL, are keen to invest in microalgae solutions due to their bio-stimulant and biofertiliser properties. KREPL is into the business of crop protection chemicals, crop nutrient, public health and household, farm equiopment and pest control among other areas. It has seven manufacturing sites and one research and development unit with 3,000 distributors and 6,700 dealers. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Chinas senior diplomat Wang Yi told U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Saturday that recent U.S. words and actions had harmed the interests of China and its enterprises, and that Washington should show restraint, Chinas foreign ministry said, Reuters reports. Speaking to Pompeo by telephone, Wang said the United States should not go too far in the current trade dispute between the two sides, adding that China was still willing to resolve differences through negotiations, but they should be on an equal footing. On Iran, Wang said China hoped all parties will exercise restraint and act with caution to avoid escalating tensions. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday asked the security forces to use their experience in defeating separatist Tamil guerrillas a decade ago to meet the new challenge from Islamist militants linked to ISIS and responsible for last month's serial bombings that killed 258 people. Addressing the 'National War Heroes Day' to mark the 10th anniversary of the government's victory against the LTTE, Sirisena also said that he has full confidence in their (defence forces') ability to defeat such threat, "which is not only limited to Sri Lanka but has become international". At least 100,000 people were killed in the conflict between Sri Lankan forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Thousands of people, including security personnel, are still reported to be missing after the war. According to the Army, 27,000 soldiers lost their lives in the war. The 10th anniversary falls nearly a month after Easter Sunday bombings, the worst terror attack in the country that killed 258 people and injured over 500 others. "We were enjoying 10 years of peace when most unexpectedly this terror group launched the attack last month," Sirisena said, referring to the serial suicide attacks on three churches and as many hotels by a local Jihadi group, the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) on the Easter Sunday. "Nearly 300 of our own citizens and foreigners died in the attack. It is now upto our forces to face this threat and eliminate it. I have the fullest confidence in their ability," Sirisena said, adding this is not an issue limited to our country but an international threat. "Sri Lankan troops are enriched with experience in fight against the LTTE to end their 30-year campaign for a separate Tamil state in the north and east," the President said. Remembering the anti-LTTE campaign run by the military Sirisena said that our friendly state, India sent its troops to fight the LTTE, but they met with limited success. Indian troops were deployed in Sri Lanka's north and east from 1987 until early part of 1990 to help Sri Lankan military to end the LTTE's armed campaign. Sirisena remembered the fallen war heroes at the ceremony and awarded the Parama Veera Vibhushana Medals to them and conferred on them the national hero status. The Ministry of Defense also asked the citizens to light a lamp remembering the fallen heroes. On Saturday, thousands of Tamils in Northern Sri Lanka observed the 10th anniversary of the brutal civil war between the government and LTTE by lighting oil lamps and remembering those who lost their lives in the over three-decade-long conflict. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Opposition leader and TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu Sunday wrote to the Election Commission, claiming that "continuous" telecast of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "private activities" at Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines is violation of the poll code and should be stopped. Naidu is in the national capital trying to bring Opposition parties together to keep the BJP out of power after Lok Sabha election results are declared on May 23. Modi, who has expressed scientific knowledge guiding the scientists and defense experts to go ahead with air strikes on a cloudy day to escape from being caught by radars, is now trying to project a "megalomaniac" image of himself through various "dubious" activities, Naidu said. "If continuous telecast of these activities of Prime Minister is not stopped, it could affect the level playing field envisaged by the model code of conduct, which the ECI is duty bound to implement," he said in a letter written to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora. Modi has gone to Badrinath and Kedarnath on an "official visit" for two days till May 19 but all his "private activities" during the pilgrimage were continuously telecast by TV channels, which itself is a clear violation of the model code of conduct, he said. This is "indirect canvassing" and influencing voters through a person's religious beliefs and public display of his personal religious activities, he said. Modi's activities like meditating in caves, walking in various costumes, making announcements on Badrinath and Kedarnath master plan, and thus making direct references and indirect appeal to the people of specific religion, amounts to canvassing in disguise, he added. "...The Election Commission of India, which should have stopped this, has been a mute spectator (thus) further strengthening the public belief that it has different sets of rules for the PM and BJP, and the rules in vogue for other political parties," Naidu said. Modi can do all these activities in private but continuous telecast should be stopped, he said. "I earnestly request the Election Commission of India (ECI) to immediately stop such delusive, unfair and immoral campaign and direct all concerned to refrain from any activity that influences the voters directly or indirectly," Naidu requested. Besides, Naidu also noted the dissent expressed by Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa over clean chits given to Modi and BJP president Amit Shah over allegations of poll code violations. "The callousness showed by the ECI in not considering minority's decision is arbitrary and is not befitting the stature of the office of EC. This clearly depicts the erosion of institutional integrity," he said. The TDP chief further said it was alarming to see the Prime Minister mentioning about 'satta' market, an illegal occupation, and how people suffered huge loss for betting on a particular party in 2014. The Prime Minister's two-day visit to the Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines in Uttarakhand was cleared by the election body with a reminder that the election code of conduct is still in place. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The country's largest IT services firm (TCS) expects significant growth in the coming years across markets like Latin America, and South Africa that have historically lagged in technology spending. The over $20-billion revenue company is also confident of expanding its play in large markets like continental Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand as it launches new services, products and platforms. "...our share even in our largest markets is still in low single digits. We are only scratching the surface yet in large markets like continental Europe, Japan, Australia and New Zealand. Market penetration will be a growth driver in the coming years," Global Head (Business and Technology Services) Krishnan Ramanujam said in the company's annual report for 2018-19. He added that emerging markets like Latin America, and South Africa -- which have historically lagged in technology spending -- will see enterprises leapfrog into the 'Business 4.0' era and start spending. Last year, had introduced its 'Business 4.0' strategy -- a thought leadership framework to help customers leverage digital technologies to address their growth and transformation agendas. About 53 per cent of TCS' revenue came from Americas, 29.7 per cent from and 5.7 per cent from Other geographies accounted for the remaining 11.36 per cent. "We keep expanding our addressable market by continually launching new services, products and platforms, catering to the needs of a broadening set of stakeholders... All this gives us greater confidence and visibility in our ability to sustain our market leading revenue growth," he noted. The Mumbai-based company's consolidated net profit stood at Rs 31,562 crore, while its revenue was at Rs 1.46 lakh crore in FY19. Apart from crossing the $20 billion revenue mark, also became the first Indian company to achieve a market capitalisation of $100 billion in the last decade, and joined the list of the top 100 most valuable in the world. TCS COO N G Subramaniam said each time the company crossed a new milestone, it has only grown stronger while retaining agility and entrepreneurial mindset. "Today, we are not intimidated by scale. If anything, it has been a source of immense strength, giving us the ability to invest in many more capabilities all at once, and take on larger, more complex assignments," he said. Subramaniam said TCS has maintained a very lean corporate structure and has been "steadily devolving executive decision-making powers to lower and lower levels". "Diseconomies of scale arise from corporate bloat and bureaucracy that slows down decision making, and hinders responsiveness to changing market trends...Today, we have over 150 operating business units on the ground, each with its own P&L (profit and loss)," he pointed out. TCS will hold its 24th annual general meeting on June 13 in Mumbai. Thousands of demonstrators prepared to take to the streets around the southern US state of Alabama on Sunday to rally against one of the nation's most restrictive bans on abortions in decades. Women's reproductive rights defenders will gather in the capital, Montgomery, and in Birmingham, Anniston and Huntsville, to denounce the "Alabama Human Life Protection Act," or HB314, which virtually outlaws terminations. "People should have the right to make the decisions that are best for their bodies without state interference," organisers said on Facebook. Alabama passed a law last week that prohibits all abortions -- even in cases of incest and rape -- unless there is a risk of death for the mother. "We're going to return to the back alleys. We're going to return to where women will do abortions to themselves," 81-year-old Maralyn Mosley told the Montgomery Advertiser. She had an abortion at 13, after her uncle raped her. "We will return to the coat hangers and perforated uteruses. We will return to where women will bleed to death," she warned. Sunday's rallies follow protests last week that saw women donning the iconic red tunics and white bonnets worn by the oppressed women of a dystopian future America in Hulu's "The Handmaid's Tale." The Alabama law is likely to be blocked in state courts before its November launch date but Republican Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged when she signed it that it was part of as a wider Republican offensive to get the issue relitigated on the national stage. Conservative activists hope to get a Supreme Court decision against the landmark 1973 ruling known as Roe v Wade that said unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional. Conservatives are counting on support at the highest court in the land, where liberal justices are in a minority after the arrival of two conservative members appointed by President Donald Trump. Trump appeared to suggest Alabama lawmakers had gone too far in a series of tweets late Saturday in which he described himself as "strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother." He urged the anti-abortion side to "stick together and Win for Life" when it comes to voting in 2020. While the Alabama measure is seen as particularly draconian, at least 28 US states have introduced more than 300 measures since the start of the year limiting abortion rights, according to activists. Kentucky and Mississippi have banned abortions as soon as a fetus's heartbeat is detectable, or around the sixth week of pregnancy. Similar measures are being adopted in Georgia, Ohio, Missouri and Tennessee. A judge has blocked the implementation of the Kentucky law, while the Mississippi law is set to come into effect in July. The country's largest human rights organisation, ACLU, has said it will file suit against Alabama's law as unconstitutional. HB314 seeks jail terms of between 10 and 99 years for doctors performing terminations, which are counted as homicides. It stipulates no penalty for the mother. Around two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should be legal, a Pew Center poll found last year. US actress Eva Longoria spoke out against the Alabama and Missouri legislation as European stars including Penelope Cruz and Charlotte Gainsbourg staged a protest against the bans at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday. "What's happening in Alabama is so important in the world," the "Desperate Housewives" star said. "It's going to affect everybody if we don't pay attention." Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added his own note of caution last week, saying he was gravely saddened by "backsliding" on women's rights seen in several US states. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Thousands of people have signed an online petition calling on the UK Home Office to allow an Indian woman suffering from a rare disease stay in Britain. The petition for Bhavani Espathi, who is seriously ill with Crohn's Disease, is edging close to its 150,000-signature target on Change.Org. It was launched by the 31-year-old artist's fianc, Martin Mangler -- a German national based in the UK as a volcanologist -- in order to help with a Home Office review of the case. The Londoner's case came to light recently after it emerged that her application to stay in the UK on human rights grounds had been rejected. "The doctors say she needs to stay here, but the Home Office want to deport her to India. They even threatened her with deportation whilst she was unconscious in coma," noted Mangler's petition titled 'Let Bhavani Live'. "Doctors say her life is at risk if she would be deported. This means the Home Office could be sending her to her death. The Home Office have admitted that she wouldn't get as good care in India, and pointed out that she could get 'palliative care' instead," it said. Crohn's Disease is a digestive tract disorder for which Espathi requires a specific immunosuppressant, which she says is currently unavailable in India. The Home Office has said that her case is being reviewed again after it was made aware of "fresh evidence" in March. "This cruel politics has to end, so that Bhavani can continue to get the care she desperately needs," urges her fianc's petition, which has been signed by over 147,000 people. Many of the signatories have left message of shock and support over the "torturous" situation, with one nurse adding that anyone in such a condition should not be forced to travel. Espathi, who came to the UK as a student in 2010 and has since created a social innovation online hub for people with chronic illnesses called Invisible Labs, underwent a surgery in September last year but it resulted in complications. She is required to undergo further surgeries because her stomach never closed properly. "She remains on a drip to gain weight so that she can survive the next surgeries. She can't travel at all and the surgeons say that it is of vital importance that her care continued to be coordinated and performed here in the UK," notes the petition by Mangler. The UK Home Office visa refusal to Espathi, issued in December last year, accepted that the healthcare systems in the UK and in India are "unlikely to be equivalent" but concluded that it does not entitle her to remain in the UK. "The only thing keeping me somewhat 'healthy' besides constant medical attention are immunosuppressants such as Ustekinumab, which is currently unavailable in India, the country that the British Home Office believes is a place I should return for 'palliative care' instead of living in the UK," says Espathi, on her online campaign blog 'The Only Be'. Her local MP from Lewisham in south-east London, Labour's Vicky Foxcroft, also raised the "distressing case" in the House of Commons earlier this week and was told by the Leader of the House, Andrea Leadsom, that she should take up the "worrying" issue with the Home Office directly. "The Home Office's barbaric treatment of migrants continues to appall me. I will do all I can to oppose it," Foxcroft said in a statement. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Three persons were killed and two others injured Sunday when the SUV they were travelling in rammed into a truck in Satara district of Maharashtra, police said. The mishap occurred at around 9.30 am near Khambatki ghat adjacent to Khandala village, over 260 kms from here, an official said. The SUV carrying five passengers was returning to Borivli in Mumbai from the Konkan region when it hit the truck from behind, he said. While three of the five passengers died on the spot, two others, including the SUV driver, sustained serious injuries, the official said, adding that they are admitted in hospital in Shirval village. Police have registered a case of accidental death. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The Trinamool Congress Sunday alleged that the central forces were "brutally torturing" and "intimidating" voters in West Bengal and acting as per orders of BJP leaders. In a statement, Trinamool Congress lawmaker Derek O' Brien said, Bengal wants peaceful polling, which BJP doesn't. "Today, in Bengal, central forces are brutally torturing and intimidating common citizens, especially the marginalised. Even physically handicapped persons are being tortured. Central forces are also threatening voters 'kamal dabao nahin toh thok dega' (vote for BJP or will shoot you)," he said. "Media has all these videos. Many are already in the public domain," he added. O'Brien alleged that central forces were "mercilessly" beating up Trinamool Congress workers. "We are against violence and want the polling process to be peaceful. But the BJP is resorting to high level of violence in the Bhatpara Assembly bypoll. This is dangerous for democracy," he said. "This is a horror story being executed with the full support of central forces," O'Brien said. In Bhatpara, an Assembly bypoll is on with TMC candidate Madan Mitra taking on BJP's Pawan Kumar Singh. The Bhatpara seat was previously held by Arjun Singh of the Trinamool Congress, who recently defected to the BJP and is now the saffron partys Lok Sabha candidate from the Barrackpore constituency. Pawan is son of Arjun Singh. The BJP termed the allegations baseless and said it was goons supported by the TMC who were trying to intimidate voters. "They are afraid of their defeat, that is why TMC is resorting to violence. Had they been so confident about their victory then what is the need for so much of violence," BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said. In Delhi, BJP leader and Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman also urged the poll body to order the central forces to remain in Bengal till the Model Code of Conduct is in place, as it expressed concern that the TMC may target a section of voters after polling is over. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The BJP on Sunday accused the TMC of letting loose widespread violence in the last phase of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, and demanded repolling in several booths in eight out of the nine constituencies. Over 72 per cent of voters of the over 1.49 crore electorate exercised their franchise till 5 pm in the nine constituencies of West Bengal during the seventh and final phase of polling. "In Diamond Harbour, Kolkata North, Kolkata South, Jadavpur, Basirhat, Mathurapur and Joynagar, there has been rampant violence. The goons of TMC didn't allow elections in most of the booths. We would seek repoll in several booths," senior BJP leader Mukul Roy said. "The TMC is afraid of defeat, that is why it is resorting to violence," BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya said. On Trinamool Congress's allegations that central forces were "brutally torturing" and "intimidating" voters in West Bengal, and acting on the direction of BJP leaders, the saffron party said TMC leaders had "lost their mental balance". "Sensing defeat, the TMC leaders have lost their mind. The central forces are here to conduct free and fair polls. Why were goons of the TMC stopping people from casting their vote, if it is so confident of victory?" West Bengal BJP president Dilip Ghosh said. The BJP leadership in Delhi earlier in the day urged the Election Commission to continue with the presence of central armed police forces in West Bengal till the model code of conduct period ends, as it expressed concern that the TMC may target a section of voters after polling is over. Union minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters in the national capital that elections in six of the nine seats, which went to polls on Sunday, were marred by violence. Meanwhile, CPI(M) state secretary Surya Kanta Mishra accused both the TMC and the BJP of indulging in violence. "The impartial role of EC is questionable. We would seek repoll in several booths. The TMC and the BJP have indulged in violence and malpractices during the polls," Mishra said in a statement. West Bengal Congress president Somen Mitra also alleged rigging in several booths of the nine constituencies. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Polling was underway in four constituencies of Tamil Nadu Sunday, with people turning up in good numbers to cast their ballot in the by-elections Polling was brisk and peaceful, police said. The bypolls are being held in Sulur, Ottapidaram, Thirupparankundram and Aravakurichi. Repolling in 13 constituencies was also underway. A total of 137 candidates including those from the AIADMK, DMK, TTV Dhinakran led AMMK and Kamal Hassan's MNM are in the fray in the four seats. There were reports of EVM glitches in Sulur and officials were attending to it. While bypolls to 18 of the total 22 vacant assembly seats were held on April 18, the rest go to hustings Sunday. The outcome of the bypolls will decide the future of the K Palaniswamii government as the ruling AIADMK would require a significant number of seats to remain in power. It has a strength of 113 minus the Speaker in the 234-member house with 22 vacancies and the simple majority in the full house is 117. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) US issued a stern warning to on Sunday, suggesting that if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed. "If wants to fight, that will be the official end of Never threaten the again," said in a tweet. Tensions between and have been on the rise as the has deployed a group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over what it termed Iranian "threats." Iran's foreign minister downplayed the prospect of a new war in the region on Saturday, saying opposed it and no party was under the "illusion" the Islamic republic could be confronted. "We are certain... there will not be a war since neither we want a war nor does anyone have the illusion they can confront Iran in the region," Mohammad Javad Zarif told state-run news agency IRNA at the end of a visit to Iran-US relations hit a new low last year as pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed unilateral sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for scaling back its nuclear program. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Ankara and Moscow might launch talks on joint production of Russian-made S-500 air defence systems after the S-400 deliveries, Sputnik reports. Previously, Turkey has repeatedly expressed its interest in the joint production of S-400. In April, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov specified that "there is and can be no talk" about the two countries joint production of S-400 systems. He, however, did not rule out that some components would be produced jointly. "The S-400 deal is completed. Under the contract, the deliveries are to begin in July or, maybe, even earlier. Russia has offered us very good conditions. After that, we will talk about the S-500, including joint production [of these systems], as well as S-400," Erdogan said at a meeting with the youth, as broadcast by the NTV channel. Erdogan added that the United States had already handed over five F-35 fighters to Turkey. The president expressed confidence that Washington would fulfil all its obligations to Ankara under the F-35 programme. UNESCO has included the Indian part of Kailash Mansarovar in its tentative list of world heritage sites, sources in the Culture Ministry said Sunday. It was in April that the Archeological Survey of India, which is under the Culture Ministry, sent the proposal mooted by the Ministry of and Forests to UNESCO. In the proposal, Kailash Mansarovar is in the mixed category both as a natural as well as a cultural heritage. Covering an area of 6,836sq km within India, the area is flanked in the east by Nepal and bordered by China on the north. The Indian site is part of the larger landscape of 31,000 sq km referred to as the 'Kailash Sacred Landscape' constituting the Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in the remote south-western portion of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China and adjacent districts in the far-western region of Nepal. Both China and Nepal have proposed the landscape as a world heritage site to UNESCO. If it comes through, Uttarakhand, a major transit point of the annual Kailash Mansarovar yatra, will benefit as communities living along the yatra route can be incorporated in the plan to develop sustainable tourism for the site. The Indian portion of the landscape in the State of Uttarakhand comprises four major watersheds viz. the Panar-Saryu, the Saryu-Ramganga, the Gori-Kali and the Dhauli-Kali. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The US has detained an Iranian scientist for nearly seven months for allegedly attempting to ship growth hormones, Iranian media said Sunday, quoting his brother as saying he is being held "hostage". Masoud Soleimani, 49, a professor and senior stem cell researcher at Tehran's Tarbiat Moddares University, left for the US on October 22, 2018, state agency IRNA said. He was to undertake a six month study in the US, but was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation at Chicago airport, according to semi-official agency ISNA. His visa was cancelled and he was transferred to Dayton prison in Atlanta, IRNA said. According to Iran's English language state-run channel Press TV, Soleimani was invited by the Mayo Clinic, a university hospital in Minnesota, to conduct a research programme. "For months we weren't given any clear answers until we managed to find out where he was by hiring a lawyer and following up," IRNA quoted Soleimani's brother, Rasoul, as saying. During Soleimani's sole court appearance on May 14, he was told he was charged with "trying to transfer some 'growth hormone vials' via two students to Iran," the brother told ISNA. "The vials were not subject to sanctions and have a purely medical use ... the Americans' absurd claims have baffled everyone inside and outside the country," Rasoul Soleimani added. IRNA said Rasoul had emphasised that his "brother is certainly the hostage of the US government". Rasoul said that the family had not previously talked to the media because of Iran's "national security", according to ISNA. The head of Tarbiat Moddares University Mohammad Taghi Ahmadi was quoted by ISNA as saying that prosectors' claims Soleimani violated US sanctions by trying to procure a medical substance are "ridiculous and unacceptable". "The professor has not made any purchase directly... the charges levelled against him are ridiculous and unacceptable," Ahmadi said. "His detention is a harassment operation," he added. Iran's deputy science minister Salar Amoli told ISNA that "two individuals detained with the professor" have been released. He said his ministry is coordinating with Iran's foreign ministry to secure Soleimani's release, but did not name the other two who were allegedly arrested. The Iranian academic was secretly indicted on June 12, 2018 by the FBI for unspecified reasons, Press TV reported, quoting two American lawyers. US President Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal in May last year, and his administration has since reimposed punishing sanctions. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have recently ratcheted up further as the US has increased its military presence in the region over alleged "Iranian threats. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) The voters of a village on the Sino-India border in Himachal Pradesh have boycotted the Lok Sabha poll as the government "failed" to find a permanent solution to frequent floods they face. Located at an altitude of 10,000 feet and around 350 km from state capital Shimla, voters at Geu village in Lahaul and Spiti district said they had been demanding their resettlement but their demands remained unheard. "We have to take the decision as none of the governments have found a permanent solution to frequent floods due to a nearby nullah," a villager said. According to the district election office, there are 167 voters registered at the village and none of them have voted so far. The district officials and election staff is in the village to persuade them to withdraw the boycott and exercise their franchise. Only five votes have been cast at the Geu polling station, that too were cast by the poll staff, a district spokesperson said. The five members of the poll staff do not belong to the village but they cast their votes on the basis of election duty certificates issued to them by AROs concerned, he added. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Twenty-three-year-old conjoined twins Sabah and Farah, who have been acknowledged as separate voters, Sunday urged people to exercise their franchise in large numbers after casting their ballots. The twins, joined at the head, had first voted in the 2015 Assembly polls when their names were printed on a single voter ID card and their vote was counted as a single one. This time they have been issued separate voter IDs and permitted to cast their votes separately. "We have voted for development and urge people to come out and do likewise in large numbers," the sisters told newspersons outside their booth in Samanpura locality of the city, falling under the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat. A poll official, who accompanied the young women, told reporters "as per Election Commission's directions transport arrangements were made for Sarah and Farah and we helped them to cast their votes at the booth". District Magistrate Kumar Ravi said the girls have been acknowledged as separate voters since "despite nature having made them the way they are, they have their individual opinions and choices". (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Voters boycotted polling at six booths in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday over some local issues, a senior election official said. Efforts were on to pursuade the voters to exercise their democratic right, MP's Chief Electoral Officer V L Kantha Rao told reporters here. Polling was underway in the eight constituencies of Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa since 7 am, he said. However, voters listed at a booth in Agar Malwa district falling under the Dewas seat and five booths in Mandsaur seat boycotted the polling over some of their demands, Rao said, without elaborating further. "Our teams are in talks with them and urging them to cast their votes. We are trying hard so that that no one refrains from voting over local issues," he said. Rao said around 12 people cast their votes at the polling booth in Dewas after being persuaded by the election officials there. Meanwhile, long queues were seen at several other booths in the eight constituencies, all currently held by the BJP, he said. Some state leaders from Malwa Nimar region of the Indore constituency were also seen standing in queues to cast their votes in the morning. Prominent candidates in the fray are former Union ministers Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav of the Congress, who are contesting from Ratlam and Khandwa seats, respectively. Altogether 82 candidates, including Bhuria and Yadav, are contesting in the eight constituencies where there are 1.49 crore eligible voters. Total 18,411 polling booths, including 1,157 entirely managed by women, have been set up in these seats, Rao said. An average 69.26 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls in the state, he added. Out of the total 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, six went to polls on April 29, seven on May 6 and eight on May 12. The counting of votes would be held on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Voting began Sunday morning for the bypoll to the Panaji assembly constituency, which was necessitated due to the death of former Goa chief minister Manohar Parrikar in March. Polling began at 7 am, officials said. As many as 22,482 voters are eligible to exercise their franchise in the constituency which covers areas including the state capital and has 30 polling stations. Parrikar, who passed away on March 17 battling pancreatic ailment, had represented the constituency for nearly two-and-a-half decades since 1994. Six candidates, including two Independents, are in the fray for the bye-election. The BJP, which has dominated the constituency, has nominated Siddharth Kunkolienkar as its candidate. The saffron party is fighting to retain its hold over the constituency considered as its fiefdom. Kunkolienkar had won twice from this assembly seat when Parrikar was elevated to Central cabinet as the Defence Minister between 2014 and 2017. The Congress has fielded its former Minister Atanasio Monserratte, who had lost against Kunkolienkar in the 2017 state Assembly election by over 1,500 votes. Monserratte had contested as an Independent. Former RSS Goa Chief Subhash Velingkar is contesting his first election on Goa Suraksha Manch (GSM) ticket. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has fielded Valmiki Naik, who had lost the last assembly election from Panaji in February 2017. Two Independent candidates Dilip Ghadi and Vijai More are also in the fray. No queues were seen outside the polling stations when the voting began. Kunkolienkar and Velingkar were amongst the early voters who exercised their franchise at their respective booths. The counting of votes is scheduled on May 23. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) Polling began Sunday morning in all 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in Punjab and the lone Chandigarh constituency in the seventh and final phase of general elections, with prominent faces including SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Puri in the fray. Polling began at 7 am and is scheduled to go on till 6 pm, officials said. Over 2.07 crore voters in Punjab are eligible to exercise their franchise in the election in which 278 candidates, including 24 women, are in the fray. Besides Sukhbir Badal, his wife and Union minister Harsimrat Badal is seeking re-election from Bathinda for the third time. Union minister and BJP candidate Puri is contesting from Amritsar seat. Actor-turned-politician Sunny Deol is making his electoral debut from Gurdaspur constituency against Congress candidate Sunil Jakhar. AAP's Bhagwant Mann is trying his luck from Sangrur seat. Among Congress' heavyweights, former Union minister Manish Tewari is contesting from Anandpur Sahib while former Union minister and wife of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Preneet Kaur, is contesting Patiala seat. On most of the 13 seats, the contest appears to be a direct fight between the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance. In 2014, the AAP and the SAD had won four seats each, the Congress three and the BJP two. Out of over 2.07 crore eligible voters in Punjab, 98,29,916 are female electors and 560 belong to the third gender. More than one lakh security personnel including paramilitary force have been deployed in the state for holding free and fair polling, officials said. Over 3.94 lakh voters in the 18-19 age group would exercise their franchise for the first time in Punjab. A total of 23,213 polling stations have been set up and 249, 719 and 509 booths have been categorised as critical, sensitive and hyper sensitive, respectively. From the Chandigarh seat, BJP candidate Kirron Kher is locked in an electoral battle against former railway minister and Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Bansal. More than 6.46 lakh voters in Chandigarh have the right to exercise their franchise in the election in which 36 candidates, nine of them women, are in the fray. Of total 6,46,063 voters in Chandigarh, 3,04,423 are women electors and 21 are in third gender category. There are 17,598 eligible first-time voters in the 18-19 age group. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) A Russian senator on Sunday said the hidden-camera recordings that toppled the Austrian government did not prove any link to Russia and Moscow did not want to spoil its relations with Vienna. Far-right Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resigned in disgrace on Saturday following explosive revelations in a hidden camera sting. Media reports emerged Friday alleging that Strache promised public contracts in return for campaign help from a fake Russian backer he met on the Spanish island of Ibiza a few months before 2017's parliamentary elections in Austria. "You cannot draw a Russian link to this clearly ugly incident based on the existing recording," Oleg Morozov, a member of the foreign affairs committee of Russia's upper house and a ruling party lawmaker, told RIA Novosti state agency. "This could be a staged provocation. Or some incident to do with corruption that no state may be behind at all," he suggested. "Good relations with Austria are too dear to Russia to squander them on such movie-style thrillers," he added. An expert at the Institute of Europe of Russia's Academy of Sciences, Alexander Kamkin, told RIA Novosti that the situation could be described as "an information terror attack". "Once again there is the same hysteria about the hand of Moscow -- a standard scare story," Kamkin said. "We are dealing with a well staged provocation, a trap, that Strache, a fairly experienced politician, fell into." Russian state television broadcast the video footage and showed street protests against Strache in Vienna. Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen at his residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Wednesday. The Russian leader met Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz for talks in Saint Petersburg in October last year. Strache's Freedom Party (FPOe) is seen as close to Russia and has a cooperation agreement with the ruling United Russia party that backs Putin. Putin attending the wedding of Foreign Minister Karin Kneissl -- nominated by the FPOe -- last summer. (This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.) YSR Congress Party of YS Jaganmohan Reddy is likely to dominate the Lok Sabha election with 18-20 seats, according to India Today-Axis My India Exit Poll. There is a three-pronged in contest in Andhra Pradesh between N Chandrababu led-TDP, YSR Congress Party of YS Jaganmohan Reddy and movie star Pawan Kalyan's Jana Sena. Naidu's TDP is likely to win between 4 to 6 seats, according to the India Today-Axis My India Exit Poll. The national parties, the Congress and the BJP, are just minor players in the State. The last general polls were held in 2014 in undivided Andhra Pradesh. Following the bifurcation of the State, 42 Lok Sabha seats were divided among Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with the former getting 25 seats and the latter 17, respectively. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 7 LIVE: 'EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore,' Rahul Gandhi tweets In 2014, N Chandrababu Naidu's TDP had an alliance with the BJP and the combined strength of the BJP-led NDA was 17 at that time, which helped him beat Jaganmohan Reddy to the chief ministerial office. The BJP-led NDA was supported by the Jana Sena Party of Telugu film star Pawan Kalyan, who did not contest from any seat. The Lok Sabha elections 2019 were held in Andhra Pradesh in a single phase on April 11. These were the first Lok Sabha elections in the state after it was bifurcated into Telangana and Andhra Pradesh due to the Telangana movement. Meanwhile, assembly elections were also held on April 11 in Andhra Pradesh. In the last Assembly polls, the TDP had won 102 out of 175 seats, while YSRC had bagged 67, followed by BJP (4), Navodayam Party (1) and an independent one. TDP secured 44.61 per cent of vote share and its ally BJP held 2.18 per cent, which helped Chandrababu Naidu to clinch power. The YSR Congress Party obtained 44.58 per cent vote while the Congress, which ruled AP for 10 years from 2004, managed only 2.77 per cent votes. Also Read: Lok Sabha election 2019: Final results may not be out till 10 pm on 23rd May The BJP is likely to repeat its 2014 performance winning either all 7 seats, or minimum 6, in the Delhi Lok Sabha elections 2019, according to the India Today-My Axis India Exit Poll. The Congress may win maximum 1 seat, if it does, while the Aam Aadmi Party may not even open its account, the exit poll suggests. In the run-up to the May 12 polling for the seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, the election discourse was dominated by nationalism, full statehood, personality cult and slander campaigns as the Aam Aadmi Party, BJP and Congress battled it out. While the BJP, which had won all seven seats in the 2014 polls, is set to retain its turf, the Congress, that ended up at the third spot in the last Lok Sabha elections, may be further disappointed. AAP's candidates, who have banked on Arvind Kejriwal-led Delhi government's work in last four years, are also likely to face a bitter defeat. Also Read: Exit Poll 2019 Results Live Updates: BJP to win 19 seats in Odisha, 23 seats in West Bengal; don't trust exist poll gossip, says Mamata Delhi had recorded a voting percentage of 60.34 per cent in the Lok Sabha 2019 elections, five per cent less than the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. This revealed AAP's slipping grip over the capital. Earlier, there were speculations of a Congress-AAP tie up against the BJP, but it did not fructify. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 7 LIVE: 'EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore,' Rahul Gandhi tweets Both AAP and Congress targeted similar vote banks this time. The campaign trails of AAP and Congress were identical and their road shows and rallies were targeted to specific areas which were once considered as Congress strongholds prior to the emergence of AAP. The 5% lesser turnout in Delhi means the floating voter, which turned out in large numbers to support AAP during the last Assembly elections, turned up in low numbers this time round. Floating voters - those who cast their votes based on the developments and issues in the country - are considered as AAP's strong vote bank in the Capital, and the numbers suggest that they were disappointed by the current dispensation. Also Read: Lok Sabha election 2019: Final results may not be out till 10 pm on 23rd May Parliamentary by-elections are being held at N1 majoritarian election district in Tbilisi today. In addition, extraordinary mayoral elections are being held in Marneuli,Zestaponi, Chiatura, Zugdidi and Khulo municipalities, as well as Sakrebulo by-elections are being conducted at local majoritarian election districts of Sagarejo, Akhmeta, Adigeni, Zestaponi, Chiatura, Tkibuli, Tskaltubi and Ozurgeti municipalities, InterPressNews reports. The first news briefing was held at the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Georgia. As Ana Mikeladze, CEC Spokesperson announced to the media, Election Administration (EA) is ready to professionally conduct elections in an accessible election environment. All election precincts were open for voters at 08:00 am and the polling process is ongoing. CEC Spokesperson noted that the next stage of the electronic vote counting pilot project is being conducted at eight election precincts in Tskaltubo and Tkibuli election districts. Voters using the new technologies are participating in elections without any obstacles. In case of necessity, members of the Precinct Election Commissions (PEC) are ready to help and provide each voter with additional instruction in the mentioned process. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is likely to win up to 15 out of 20 seats in Kerala, according to India Today-Axis My India Exit Poll. Left and Democratic Front (LDF) is expected to win around 3-4 seats and PM Narendra Modi's Bhartiya Janata Party may left with only one seat. The main reason for the LDF's likely success is its performance since the Assembly elections in 2016. Apart from increasing investments in public education, reviving public sector units and other welfare measures, the state government has also been praised for its decisive and quick response to the 2018's unprecedented floods. Additionally, LDF's task of rebuilding destroyed infrastructure and homes is likely to attract more support. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 7 LIVE: 'EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore,' Rahul Gandhi tweets However, the BJP-led NDA, despite the Modi wave, had not been able to get significant votes and comforted themselves with nearly 11 per cent votes in the 2016's Assembly elections. Since then, the Modi government has been continuously stirred in Sabarimala Temple controversy and somehow failed to attract voters in the country's tropical Malabar Coast. In their election manifesto, the BJP has included the Sabarimala issue and asserted that it would do its utmost to support the religious customs and traditions. The LDF, led by Pinarayi Vijayan, vowed to implement the apex court's order. On January 1, around five million women participated to form a 620-km long wall, which spanned the entire state, in protest against the BJP-led opposition to the Sabarimala Temple's entry. They asserted that progressive ideas are much more important than discriminatory practices of the past. The Congress also played its role in the Sabarimala controversy and firstly welcomed the order and opposed it later. Moreover, Congress president Rahul Gandhi is contesting from Wayanad constituency of Kerela. He is battling against ruling CPI (M)-led LDF candidate and BJP supported Bharat Dharma Jena Sena (BDJS) candidate. A total of 227 candidates, including 23 women, are in the fray for the 20 seats of the state. Apart from Rahul Gandhi, two-time sitting MP Shashi Tharoor and Union Minister Alphons Kannamthanam are the key candidates to watch out. Also Read: Lok Sabha election 2019: Final results may not be out till 10 pm on 23rd May Congress is likely to maintain its grip on the northern state of Punjab with up to 9 seats, as predicted by the India Today-My Axis India Exit Poll. The poll prediction has given 5 seats to Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP). The India Today exit poll is conducted by Axis My India that has surveyed more than seven lakh people in all of the 542 constituencies that underwent the Lok Sabha Elections 2019. It is likely to be one of the few states with a Congress majority. Even though BJP fielded some of the most popular faces, it is not likely to translate the votes in its favour. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 7 LIVE: 'EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore,' Rahul Gandhi tweets Some of the key candidates in the fray were BJP-SAD's Sunny Deol from Gurdaspur, Hardeep Singh Puri from Amritsar, Sukhbir Singh Badal from Firozpur, Harsimrati Kaur Badal from Bathinda, Congres' Sunil Jakhar from Gurdaspur, Hardeep Puri from Amritsar, Preneet Kaur from Patiala, Manish Tiwari from Ananpur Sahib and AAP's Bhagwant Mann. BJP's Sunny Deol and Congress' Sunil Jakhar witnessed a tough fight for the Gurdaspur seat. Jakhar is also the Punjab Congress president. While campaigning for Sunny Deol, his father and veteran actor Dharmendra had said that if he had known that his son was contesting against Balram Jakhar's son, he would have asked him to step down. Separately, Sukhbir Badal is contesting from Firospur and his wife and Union minister Harsimrat Badal is seeking re-election from Bathinda for the third time. On most seats, the fight is straight up between Congress and SAD-BJP alliance. In 2014, AAP and SAD had won four seats, while the Congress had settled for three and BJP had two. Polling in the state began at 7 am today and concluded at 6 pm. Over 2.07 crore individuals were eligible in Punjab to vote. Out of that, 98,29,916 were female electors and 560 belong to the third gender. There were 278 candidates, out of which 24 were women. A total of 23,213 polling stations were set up and 249,719 and 509 booths were categorised as critical, sensitive and hyper sensitive, respectively. More than one lakh security personnel including paramilitary force were deployed in the state for free and fair polling, officials said. Despite such security, violence broke out in at least four Lok Sabha constituencies, including Bathinda, Khadoor Sahib, Hoshiarpur and Ferozepur. Polling was stopped at a station in Talwandi Sabo area of Bathinda following violence in which three SAD workers were injured in a firing incident. Also Read: Lok Sabha election 2019: Final results may not be out till 10 pm on 23rd May The 7th and the final phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha election is currently underway. Polling began for 59 Lok Sabha seats today which will decide the fate of 918 candidates including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is looking to retain the Varanasi seat in Uttar Pradesh. Over 10.01 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. The Election Commission has set up more than 1.12 lakh polling stations and has deployed security personnel to ensure smooth and peaceful polls. After a 39-day long political battle, votes polled in 542 Lok Sabha constituencies will be counted on May 23. The result will seal the fate of Indian politics and decide the next Prime Minister of India (Elections in one constituency -- Tamil Nadu's Vellore -- were cancelled, bringing down the number of total seats voting in the polls) . Also read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 7 Voting LIVE: 9.08% voting percentage till 9am; bombing in Bengal's Mathurapur However, before the final result of 2019 general election is declared, the exit polls will surely give early clues about the final outcome regarding who may or may not win. On Sunday May 17, as the polling for Phase 7, comprising the remaining 59 constituencies out of 543 will conclude, the exit poll results of 2019 Lok Sabha elections will be televised LIVE on India Today. The exit poll will give voters a brief idea as to whether Narendra Modi will continue living at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg. You can watch the exit poll results on India Today from 4 PM onwards today with star-anchors Rajdeep Sardesai and Rahul Kanwal. Also read: Lok Sabha Election 2019: Phase 7 voting today; FAQs, voting for 59 seats The India Today Exit Poll has been conducted by Axis My India, a pollster with a solid track record of predicting the India voter's mood. Over 7 lakh plus voters will be surveyed across 542 constituency with 95 per cent accuracy record. Coverage of the India Today-Axis My India Exit Poll findings will continue until counting day, that is May 23. The counting will begin by 8 am on 23rd May. India Today will bring you the findings of the exit poll, voter analysis and the mood across India. So log on to IndiaToday.in on May 19 for live coverage of the India Today-Axis My India Exit Poll. Also read: Lok Sabha Election 2019: Poll dates, full schedule, voting phase7 FAQs, election results, constituencies' detail Political parties officially ended campaigning for the seventh and final phase of voting for Lok Sabha Electionon Friday. 8 constituencies of Bihar will go to poll on Sunday, May 19. Nearly 1.52 crore voters are eligible to cast their vote in the final phase of election which will decide the fate of 157 candidates. Of 40 Lok Sabha seats in Bihar, polling would be held in eight Lok Sabha seats, namely Nalanda, Patna Sahib, Patliputra, Ara, Buxar, Karakat, Jahanabad and Sasaram. The Sasaram parliamentary constituency, from where the first women Speaker of the Lok Sabha Meira Kumar is contesting as a Congress candidate, is one of the key seats that will vote in Phase 7. Kumar, daughter of former Prime Minister Jagjivan Ram, is pitting against sitting MP Chhedi Lal Paswan of the BJP. In 2014 Lok Sabha election, Paswan defeated Meira Kumar with 7.48 per cent margin. Meira won the Sasaram seat twice in 2004 and 2009. The Election Commission has set up 15,811 polling stations for smooth conduct of phase seven of elections. As per data issued by CEO Bihar office, there are a total of 1.52 lakh voters, which include 80.95 lakh male voters, 1.56 lakh female voters and 501 third gender voters. In Patliputra, sitting BJP MP Ram Kirpal Yadav is facing Grand Alliance candidate Misha Bharti, daughter of RJD chief Lalu Prasad. In last election, Ram Kirpal Yadav defeated Bharti with narrow margin of 4.12 per cent vote. Patna Sahib constituency will see an interesting fight between two old friends: Shatrughan Sinha and Ravi Shankar Prasad. Former BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha seeks to retain the seat for a third consecutive term, this time on a Congress ticket, faces formidable challenge by Ravi Shankar Prasad, who is fighting his maiden Lok Sabha election. There is a bipolar contest between the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) camp and Congress-RJD led 'Mahagathbandhan' in Bihar. The NDA comprises the Janata Dal (United) and the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). As per seat sharing formula, the BJP and JD(U) is contesting on 17 seats, while the LJP is seeking the electoral mandate on 6 seats. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019: Poll dates, full schedule, voting phase7 FAQs, election results, constituencies' detail Also Read: General Election Polling 2019: How to vote, get polling booth details without voter ID card Chandigarh, the joint capital of neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana, has a triangular contest for the lone Lok Sabha seat. The voting on the lone seat of this constituency is being held today in phase 7 of Lok Sabha Elections. The union territory will be witnessing a tough contest between BJP's actor-turned-politician Kirron Kher, Pawan Kumar Bansal of Congress and AAP's Harmohan Dhawan. While BJP and Congress have renominated their 2014 candidates for Lok Sabha Elections 2019, AAP has replaced Gul Panag with Harmohan Dhawan, who joined AAP in November 2018. In 2014 elections, Kher defeated Bansal by securing 42.20 per cent votes. The sitting MP of Chandigarh had received a total 1,91,363 votes against 1,21,720 votes polled for the Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Bansal and 1,08,679 votes for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) candidate Gul Panag, according to the Election Commission of India (ECI) 2009 data. Pawan Kumar Bansal, on the other hand, had won the lone seat in 1999, 2004 and 2009 for Congress. Except the main contenders for the Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, other major party candidates include BJP Chandigarh president Sanjay Tandon, ex-city MP Satya Pal Jain, former Union Minister Manish Tewari, Punjab Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's wife and former MLA Navjot Kaur Sidhu among others. Anil Garg, PCS has been appointed as the nodal officer for enforcement of model code of conduct.The counting of votes for all the phases, across the country, will be conducted on May 23. The results will be announced on the same day. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019: Poll dates, full schedule, voting phase7 FAQs, election results, constituencies' detail Also Read: General Election Polling 2019: How to vote, get polling booth details without voter ID card Phase 7, the last of the Lok Sabha Election 2019 phases, is underway currently. Fifty-nine constituencies have gone to the polls today across eight states. Out of those constituencies are nine seats from West Bengal. The nine constituencies in West Bengal that are currently polling are Dumdum, Barasat, Basirhat, Joynagar, Mathurapur, Diamond Harbour, Jadavpur, Kolkata Dakshin and Kolkata Uttar. There are 111 candidates in the fray for these nine seats. Out of these 111 candidates, 40 have declared their educational qualification to be between 5th and 12th standard, while 70 candidates have declared that they are either graduates or hold degrees beyond that. West Bengal is one of the few states to have conducted its elections in seven phases. Along with the eastern state, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is also conducting polls in all the phases of the Lok Sabha Elections. Lok Sabha Election 2019: Major parties and candidates While Congress and BJP have their presence in West Bengal, the primary party in the state is Mamata Banerjee-helmed Trinamool Congress (TMC). Some of the candidates in the fray are the TMC supremo's nephew and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee. Congress' Mita Chakraborty from Kolkata Dakshin, CPI (M)'s Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya from Jadavpur, Congress' Syed Shahid from Kolkata Uttar, TMC's Mimi Chakraborty from Jadavpur are some of the candidates in the fray. Mita Chakraborty is the state's richest candidate for Phase 7 with assets worth Rs 44 crore. Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya is a distant second with Rs 12 crore worth of assets. Bhattacharya has shown over Rs 1 crore as income in the financial year 2017-18, while Chakraborty has shown over Rs 1 crore income for the same. According to an ADR report, average asset per candidate from the nine constituencies is Rs 1.35 crore, based on data from their self-sworn affidavits. Lok Sabha Election 2019: West Bengal election news In a first-of-its-kind decision, the Election Commission curtailed campaigning in the eastern state by a day stating that the state government had failed to provide a fair playing field to all the parties. In the six-page order, the commission said that "special measures are urgently needed to arrest the prevailing situation in these nine parliamentary constituencies", following clashes between BJP and TMC workers during Amit Shah's rally. A statue of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was also vandalised. Shah said that Vidyasagar's statue was broken by TMC workers and the BJP was blamed for it. Following its decision, the commission asked all campaigning to end by 10 pm on Thursday, instead of the scheduled wrap up at 6 pm on Friday. The Opposition rallied behind Mamata Banerjee's TMC and criticised the EC. "Election Commission has banned campaigning in West Bengal, but from 10 pm today just because the PM has two rallies during the day. When they had to put a ban why not from morning? This is unfair and the EC is acting under pressure," said Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati. "It is clear that PM Modi, Amit Shah, and their leaders are targeting Mamata Banerjee. "This is planned targeting. This is a very dangerous and unjust trend and one which doesn't suit the PM of the country," she added. Along with Mayawati, N Chandrababu Naidu, Akhilesh Yadav, Sitaram Yechury, Asaduddin Owaisi and Arvind Kejriwal voiced their support for the Bengal CM. Additionally, the Congress has also been criticising the EC. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019: Poll dates, full schedule, voting phase7 FAQs, election results, constituencies' detail Also Read: General Election Polling 2019: How to vote, get polling booth details without voter ID card The Bharatiya Janata Party is set to win anywhere between 15 and 19 Lok Sabha seats in Odisha, the India Today-Axis My India exit poll results showed. The regional parties and others, which includes the Naveen Patnaik-led Biju Janata Dal (BJD), will get only 2-6 seats in the 2019 Lok Sabha election, the exit poll predicted. Congress will get one seat at most, the poll prediction showed. Some noteworthy contests had been seen in Odisha during the recent General Elections. The primary amongst them was the fight between Baijayant Panda of BJP and BJD's Anubhav Mohanty for the crucial Kendrapada seat. ALSO READ: Uttar Pradesh Exit Poll 2019: BJP to win 62-68 seats, BSP-SP alliance to be get 10-16 seats 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. Against him was BJD's actor-turned-politician Anubhav Mohanty. Although Mohanty is not a political heavyweight, the real fight was between old friends Panda and Patnaik. And a lot is at stake for both bigwigs 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 will be seen as a huge personal loss for the Odisha Chief Minister. ALSO READ: West Bengal Exit Poll Results 2019: Modi's BJP to get 19-23 seats; TMC to win up to 22 Another candidate of note was BJP's spokesperson Sambit Patra, who was in the fray from the Puri Lok Sabha seat. March 29th was going to be a momentous day. It was the day for the first ever all-women spacewalk outside the International Space Station. Unfortunately, NASA had to put this on hold, for a reason that left half the world rather confounded. They couldn't find a second medium-sized spacesuit for one of the female astronauts leading to one of them dropping out of the prestigious mission. Now before I proceed any further, let me put into perspective just how significant this walk was. Ever since the space station was assembled in 1998, only an all-male duo or a male-female duo has walked together in space; that's 214 spacewalks. The month of March would've seen Christina Koch and Anne McClain create history but alas, their dreams, along with those of many women, will have to wait. Now, let's wind back a decade - in 1999, a female police officer in UK revealed that she had to undergo a breast reduction surgery because of the health effects of wearing her body armour which did not accommodate for standard female anatomical construct. After this case was reported, another 700 officers in the same force came forward to complain about the standard-issue protective vest, designed with an average male body in mind Forget complex items like spacesuits and body armours. Let's talk about central air-conditioners, especially those in offices. Most women find these spaces frightfully cold. It's hardly a surprise though because according to a study from 1960s, the formula to derive the indoor climate regulations is based on a model that considers the metabolic rate of an average male. The same formula overestimates the female metabolic rate by 35% leading to daily discomforts most women suffer from. It makes you so angry, doesn't it? Brrr and Grrr you say and I agree. So huddled under a shawl sitting in mid-summer in Mumbai, what am I trying to get at? Also Read: Wages of Inequality Well, for starters, can you see the recurring theme in all these examples here? If you, like me, are starting to observe how easily unfair the world seems to be to an entire gender, you're spot on! The more you read about this, the more you realise that we live in a world designed by men, for men. And sadly, whether you look at science and technology, economics and business, city planning, films, art, or literature, all of them seem to be, markedly and conspicuously, missing the female perspective. In fact, we are so used to thinking of men as the default entities that women end up being an extension of the male species. And the pre-ordained idea that 'men run the show' and that the world revolves around them, carries forward in how public places are designed, how articles of everyday use are built to accommodate a typical human being - who is by default male, and how all medical research gets diverted to solving problems based on a sample size consisting, yes, of males! This is the shocking realisation which dawned upon the writer and activist Caroline Criado Perez, leading her to write a brilliantly detailed book titled 'Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men' where she highlights how women have been unknowingly treated as second class citizens in several spheres of life. She began researching gender bias after discovering that medical data around heart attacks was based on male symptoms, causing clinicians to miss heart attack cases in women since those symptoms were considered atypical. And soon she realised that a can of worms had been opened, as more such instances reared their ugly heads, some bordering on inconvenience while others being almost fatal to women. Also Read: Sorry ma'am, the phone has been permanently disconnected! For instance, women often struggle with levelling the headrest in automobiles, it never lands itself right. The kitchen cabinets are often far too high for us to reach because when the standard kitchen layout was being designed decades back, the person in mind was a 6 ft. tall British man. Standard hand tools like wrenches tend to be too large for women's hands to grip tightly leading to them suffering from a higher rate of sprains, strains and nerve conditions of the wrist and forearm than men. Look at the Mumbai locals, for example, most women can't reach the hand straps without stretching. Now, think about potentially life-threatening conditions like a car crash. When a woman is involved in a car crash, she is 47% more likely to be seriously injured, and 71% more likely to be moderately injured, and is 17% more likely to die. This, because historically cars are designed for men, putting us at a higher risk for frontal and rear-end collisions. In fact, the most commonly used car crash dummy is 1.77m tall and weighs 76kg possessing male muscle-mass proportions and a male spinal column. And sadly, even when a female dummy was introduced, it wasn't really female; it was just a scaled-down male dummy. Isn't it appalling that in an era where we are quick enough to publish articles and reviews with a sharp critique on design flaws and investments in R&D by companies, something like this is expediently disregarded? I haven't even gotten to pregnant women, yet! Also Read: Amazon kills its AI recruitment system as it exhibited bias against women Dig deeper and you will see, the core problem for all these glaring inconsistencies is the fact that we continue to rely on data from studies done on men as if they apply to women. Specifically, Caucasian men aged 25 to 30, who weigh 70kg. This is "Reference Man" and we've conveniently assumed he represents humanity as a whole when in reality, he doesn't. Thankfully, all is not bleak; things are changing, ever so slowly but steadily. For example, Vienna has implemented more than 60 pilot projects since the early 1990s, such as Women-Work-City, an apartment complex created by and for women that aim to rethink urban planning with the whole population in mind. In fact, the efforts have been so effective that the United Nations Human Settlements Programme included Vienna's work in its 2008 registry of best practices. In California, a nonpartisan group created the Women's Well-Being Index in 2016 to better understand "how women are faring in terms of health, economic standing, and political participation across the state." But as is obvious, these are mere exceptions to the rule. We, as a society, need to do so much more to bring the spotlight back on to what the 'female' part of the world needs and requires. We need to ensure women don't have to bear the brunt of a cookie-cutter approach where individuals and companies alike subscribe to the one-size-fits-all theory, overlooking the importance and well-being of half the world's population. Now on that forward-looking note, I'd like to get myself a drink at the bar but hey, the barstools are too high for me to sit on comfortably. And by the way, could someone switch off the AC, please? India's debt-ridden Infrastructure Leasing and Financial Services (IL&FS) said on Sunday that Japan's Orix Corp has expressed an interest in buying out the remaining 51% stake in IL&FS's wind energy assets. Orix Corp plans to buy the stake to exercise its right under the terms of an existing agreement that allows Orix to match the price offered by the highest bidder for buying a stake in the wind power plants, IL&FS said. In April, GAIL (India) Ltd offered 48 billion rupees ($683.01 million) for IL&FS's power plant portfolio, emerging as the highest bidder for its wind assets. "GAIL Ltd's offer of about 48 billion rupees for 100% of enterprise value contemplated no haircut to the debt of the SPVs (wind power plants), aggregating to about 37 billion rupees," the group added in a statement. The Indian government replaced the company's entire board last year after defaults on some of its debt obligations triggered sharp declines in stock and debt markets, leading to fears about contagion in India's financial sector. IL&FS has initiated the sale of several assets to pay off its debt. Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Phase 7 LIVE: 'EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore,' Rahul Gandhi tweets Also Read: Lok Sabha election 2019: Final results may not be out till 10 pm on 23rd May Also Read: Lok Sabha Election 2019: Sebi, stock exchanges beef up surveillance mechanism Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that it wants to avert war in the region but stands ready to respond with all strength following last weeks attacks on Saudi oil assets, telling Iran that the ball was now in its court, Reuters reports. Riyadh has accused Tehran of ordering Tuesdays drone strikes on two oil pumping stations in the kingdom, claimed by Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi group. Two days earlier, four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Iran has denied involvement in either operation, which come as Washington and the Islamic Republic spar over sanctions and the U.S. military presence in the region, raising concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want a war in the region nor does it seek that, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference. It will do what it can to prevent this war and at the same time it reaffirms that in the event the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with all force and determination, and it will defend itself and its interests. May 18, 2019 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement: On this day in 1944, hundreds of thousands of Crimean Tatar children, women and men were forcibly deported from the Crimean peninsula by Soviet authorities. Today, we honour the memory of those who lost their lives and those others who suffered so greatly. Canada remains deeply concerned by the dire human rights situation on the Crimean peninsula, which is under continued and illegal Russian occupation, as well as by the mistreatment of the Crimean Tatar people and the destruction of their historic sites. We continue to denounce Russias banning of the Mejlis, the self-governing body of the Crimean Tatars, and call for Russia to reverse this illegal and immoral decision. In March 2019, Canada imposed new sanctions on Russia in response to its breaching of international rules, including its ongoing occupation of Crimea. We condemn Russias decision to extend citizenship to Ukrainian citizens, a decision that carries serious implications and forms part of Russias playbook, aimed at destabilizing the region. In my visit to Ukraine last week, I reaffirmed Canadas continued and unwavering friendship with the people of Ukraine and our commitment to defend Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity. We are also committed to working closely with the Crimean Tatar community to denounce the injustices they face and find concrete ways to protect their human rights. Until Russia respects Ukraines sovereignty and international law, the international community and Canada will continue to maintain pressure, including through economic sanctions. Quick facts In February and March 2014, Russian forces occupied the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine. Following the unconstitutional referendum on March 16, 2014, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a treaty on March 18, 2014 purporting to incorporate Crimea into the Russian Federation. Related products Our Promise: Welcome to Care2, the world's largest community for good. Here, you'll find over 45 million like-minded people working towards progress, kindness, and lasting impact. Care2 Stands Against: bigots, racists, bullies, science deniers, misogynists, gun lobbyists, xenophobes, the willfully ignorant, animal abusers, frackers, and other mean people. If you find yourself aligning with any of those folks, you can move along, nothing to see here. Care2 Stands With: humanitarians, animal lovers, feminists, rabble-rousers, nature-buffs, creatives, the naturally curious, and people who really love to do the right thing. You are our people. You Care. We Care2. Photo: CTV News UPDATE 12:20 p.m. A British Columbia woman says her pilot brother was killed in a plane crash in Honduras on Saturday. In a phone interview with The Canadian Press on Sunday, Jenna Forseth confirmed her brother Patrick was killed in the crash in the Roatan area, a popular island destination for tourists to the Central American country. Earlier on Sunday, Global Affairs Canada confirmed a Canadian citizen had died in the crash, but did not identify them due to privacy concerns. Stefano Maron said consular officials in the capital, Tegucigalpa, were in contact with local authorities and providing assistance to the victim's family. The Associated Press reports that the other victims of the crash were the plane's four American passengers, citing an Armed Forces spokesman. The Piper Cherokee Six plummeted into the Atlantic shortly after takeoff from Roatan en route to Trujillo, a port city on Honduras's northern coast. Jenna Forseth said her brother was "well-loved" in the area, saying "the whole town is in mourning." Maron added that Global Affairs's thoughts are with the Canadian citizen's friends and family. The Honduran military said in a statement that rescue boats with police divers and firemen recovered four bodies within minutes of the crash, and transported another to a hospital, where he died shortly after of internal injuries. The U.S. State Department also confirmed the deaths of four American citizens. ORIGINAL 9:30 a.m. Global Affairs Canada confirms that a Canadian citizen has been killed in a plane crash in Honduras. A spokesperson for the department says the crash happened in the Roatan Islands area, a popular tourist destination in the Central American country. Stefano Maron says consular officials in the capital, Tegucigalpa, are in contact with local authorities and providing consular assistance to the victim's family. Local media report that all five people who died in yesterday's crash were foreigners, but there have been conflicting reports of their nationalities. Maron says Global Affairs's thoughts are with the Canadian citizens friends and family. He says no further information can be disclosed. Carambola is a fruit that has already appeared in India, although it is already popular in Brazil. It comes from... The Duggar family has inundated Counting On fans with pregnancy announcements in recent weeks, but chances are they arent done yet. Could John David Duggar and Abbie Grace Burnett be the next couple in the family to announce they are expecting? JOHN DAVID DUGGAR, JOSIAH DUGGAR, and JOSEPH DUGGAR | Photo by Ida Mae Astute/ABC via Getty Images Their relationship moved quickly John David actually did things a little differently than his siblings because he waited until he was 28 to tie the knot instead of getting married in his late teens or early 20s. However, once he found the woman he wanted to spend his life with, John David didnt waste a minute. John David announced he was courting Abbie Grace Burnett just one week after they met, and a month later the couple was engaged. Four months later in November 2018 John David and Abbie Grace became husband and wife, and then the couple enjoyed a private mini-moon after the ceremony. Honeymoons lead to babies The married Duggar children have a habit of getting pregnant right after they tie the knot. Most likely, there are two reasons for this family phenomenon: they arent allowed physical contact with their significant other until the wedding, and they dont use birth control. The strict Duggar family rules mean that the kids dont even get their first kiss until their wedding ceremony, so it goes without saying that as soon as they hit the honeymoon suite, the baby-making immediately begins. Jim Bob and Michelle the parents of the large Duggar crew have spoken out against the use of birth control because they believe that it led to a miscarriage that Michelle suffered early in their marriage. The family also subscribes to the Quiverfull belief system, which is all about populating the Earth to spread the word of God. With the exception of Jinger, every married Duggar has announced a pregnancy within the first year of marriage. And, two couples Joy-Anna and Austin and Joseph and Kendra got pregnant on their honeymoons. John David and Abbie Grace just honeymooned in Finland The newlyweds waited a few months after their wedding to go on their honeymoon. After their mini-moon in a warm and sunny private location, the couple wanted a more winter wonderland type vibe and traveled to Finland. According to OK! Magazine, the couple posted multiple pics and video clips on Instagram to show their fans how much they enjoyed their winter getaway. And now that they have been home for a couple of months, fans believe the baby announcement is coming soon. Abbie Grace quit her job The Duggars have an extremely traditional belief system that doesnt encourage the women in the family to work outside of the home. Instead, their role in the family is to be a wife and mother, so all of the Duggar women are birthing children at an exponential rate. Some thought this might change when John David got engaged to Abbie Grace. She is a registered nurse and had a career outside of the home. But, when she moved from Oklahoma to Arkansas to get married, Abbie Grace quit her job. According to The Hollywood Gossip, she started the process of getting licensed in her new home state, but it doesnt look like she ever followed through and the 27-year-old is no longer working. Now that the honeymoon is over and Abbie Grace isnt working outside of the home, it must mean that a baby announcement is coming any day now. All the signs point to John David and Abbie Grace being the next in line, but theres also a chance that Josiah Duggar and Lauren Swanson who married last June could beat them to it. Josiah and Lauren told fans earlier this year that they suffered a heartbreaking miscarriage last fall. However, the family believes that you should have as many children as God wants you to have, and he will send them a child when the time is right. Jenelle Evans and David Eason appeared in court in a bid to get their kids back, but things didnt go as planned. Eason is currently under investigation for animal cruelty, but Jenelle is free to do as she pleases. The mother of three was in the home when her dog, Nugget, was killed but did not partake in the violence. Now, however, it seems like Evans is being asked to choose between Eason and her children, and she is siding with Eason. What happened in court for Jenelle Evans Evans and Eason headed to court earlier this week to discuss the fate of their children. Easons daughter Myrssa and Evan and Easons daughter Ensley were removed from the home and placed with Davids mother before the court appearance. Four-year-old Kaiser, Jenelles son from a previous relationship, was removed from his preschool and placed in the care of his fathers family. Jace, 9, Jenelles son from a different relationship remains in the custody of Jenelles mother, Barbara. Jenelle Evans and David Eason | Photo by GVK/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images According to The Hollywood Gossip, Jenelle was told she could retain custody of the children if David was removed from the property of if she agreed to take the children to a different location. That didnt happen though, and fans are surmising that Evans decided to stick it out with Eason. David Eason was allegedly removed from a visitation center The hot-tempered father and Jenelle reportedly visited their children at a visitation center over the weekend, but the visit was cut short after Eason got into an argument with a social worker. The reason for the dispute has not been made public. Easons ex Whitney Johnson allegedly testified in court against the pair, according to The Ashley. Johnson is the mother of Maryssa but has not had custody of the girl for several years. Eason is also the father of a young son, but the childs mother was not slated to appear in court. Eason had previously been in danger of going to jail for failing to pay child support. Evans is rumored to have given him the money needed to get current just days after Nuggets death. Will David and Jenelle ever regain custody of their children? Its hard to say if the pair will be able to regain control of their children, including the ones they dont share. As it stands, Jenelle could potentially regain full custody of both Ensley and Kaiser if she were willing to stay away from Eason. Fans assumed she would do so in the interest of her children, but Evans has already given up her job in an attempt to mend the relationship with her troubled husband. Jace, 9, is also reportedly being kept away from the land while Eason resides there. Barbara and Jenelle are said to be at odds over the situation. Jace was not in the home during the incident. Instead, he was cruising with his grandmother. Kaiser, Ensley, and Maryssa are believed to have been on the property when the incident occurred. Jinger Duggar and Jeremy Vuolo announced on their Instagram page several weeks ago that they would be uprooting their life in Laredo, Texas to make a big move to Los Angeles, California. Although the two seem incredibly excited about the move, as do the fans, its definitely going to be a big change of pace for the couple. Both of them come from strict religious backgrounds will L.A. be too different for them? Jinger Duggar with her husband, Jeremy Vuolo and daughter, Felicity Vuolo. | Jinger Vuolo via Instagram Duggar and Vuolo announced they will be moving to L.A. in July A couple months ago, Duggar and Vuolo took a trip out to California and posted some photos of their travels on social media. Fans were quick to notice how much fun it looked like the two were having, and people began to say the couple should move out to California. It was as if fans read Duggar and Vuolos minds; a short time later, the couple announced that they would be picking up their Texas life and planting new roots in California starting this July. Vuolo will be taking graduate classes in California, which has given the couple and their daughter the opportunity to see a new place. Fans were thrilled to hear the couple would be branching out. Duggar and Vuolo have grown to love their Texas town Although Duggar and Vuolo seem excited about their move, they definitely arent happy to be leaving their current home in Laredo, Texas. Duggar said in her post about the move that it would be difficult to leave all of the friends theyve made. Duggar first moved to Texas after she wed Vuolo, who was already living in the Lone Star State; since 2016, theyve called Texas home. Duggar said the two have made plenty of friends and that leaving them will be tough, but theyre excited to see whats next for them in California. https://www.instagram.com/p/BvdIkj9DhD1/ Jinger Duggar and her family have grown to love Laredo, Texas. L.A. is very liberal and accepting, which could contradict the couples strict religious beliefs Although Duggar and Vuolo seem excited for their move, the way of life in L.A. will probably take some getting used to. The couple has very strict religious beliefs, and they dont necessarily accept everything that people in L.A. do. For example, the Duggar family is extremely against abortion as well as birth control, but most people in California believe that every woman has the right to her own body and how she controls it. Christianity suggests that gay people are not welcome, but in California, everyone is welcome. The state definitely, as a whole, has very different values from Duggar and Vuolo. The couple could be in for quite an awakening when they actually move there versus only taking a trip. Its unclear how long the couple will be living there they might love it or hate it Vuolo is taking classes, but its unclear if this move is temporary or permanent. The couple seems to be open to trying new places, and Duggar is largely considered the most rebellious member of her family, so its possible the two will actually adapt well to their new home. However, based on what we know about the Duggar family, they are extremely traditional, and California is the opposite. Time will tell how comfortable the couple feels living somewhere so new and accepting. Check out The Cheat Sheet on Facebook! By now most people have heard about a royal feud. You know the one that alleges Prince William and Kate Middleton are at odds with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. There were a few incidences that started the British media on the rumors. With all the buzz around the Duke and Duchess of Sussex new son, Archie Harrison, and all the press surrounding Williams alleged affair, you would think the media has enough to cover. But people just wont leave it alone. Every day more reports come out with evidence that points to a feud, including Harry and Meghans recent move. Tabloids will tell you they desperately needed to get away from the family. Thats not true, though, and we have the best proof that Harry and Meghan didnt leave London because of a feud. How the royal feud rumors started Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Steve Parsons WPA Pool/Getty Images What it comes down to is a bunch of people playing connect the dots, not with facts, but with speculations. First, there were the affair rumors between William and Rose Hanbury. This rumor also started with a move. She is not only the couples neighbor but also one of Kates friends. Next came a supposed rift between the brothers. The press thought that Harry and William werent talking due to the affair. They said Harry was disappointed in his older brothers actions. He was closest to his their mother, the late Princess Diana, and watched her struggle with their fathers affair (now his wife), to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. After all that, Harry and Meghan decided to move out of Kensington Palace. This news sent social media and the press in overdrive. Of course, they need to move out because of the growing tension and fighting. Or was there another reason for the move? Why people cant let the royal feud rumors go Even though there is constantly something new going on with the Royals every day, people cant seem to let this fight go. If its true, it must be pretty big, if the Duke and Duchess of Sussex needed to move out. The British media cant let it go, because they are pretty busy trying to make Meghan look like the bad guy. She comes along from America, and now these two brothers are fighting. The truth is not as salacious as the media wants us to believe. We dont know if William and Harry are fighting or not. Theyre brothers and siblings sometimes fight. What we do know is that it has nothing to do with the duke and duchess moving out of the palace. And, we have proof! Proof that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle didnt leave London because of a feud The real reason Harry and Meghan decided to move out of Kensington Palace is that they didnt feel safe, and they wanted more privacy. Reuters is now reporting that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex won a lawsuit in court against a media company. They used a helicopter to take photos of the couple and their private residence. The syndication and publication of the photographs very seriously undermined the safety and security of the Duke and the home to the extent that they are no longer able to live at the property, their lawyer said. They also beefed up security to Fort Knox levels at Frogmore Cottage. Were talking about a full security detail and cameras everywhere. The couple wants less time in front of the public eye and more normalcy. Can you blame them? Frogmore Cottage gives the duke and duchess everything they need to keep their newborn son, Archie, safe, and free from the paparazzi. It makes more sense that they would move to the country to get away from the press. They dont like or deserve any of the trash the tabloids have been reporting. And, let us not forget, Harry still holds the paparazzi responsible for the loss of his mother. Now he has a child and a wife to protect. Acts of Genocide: 100 Years Since the Massacres Approximately 300,000 Armenian and 25,000 Assyrian subjects of the Ottoman Empire were killed during the Hamidian massacres of 1895. It is estimated that 100,000 "Greeks" were also killed, although this may mainly refer to Armenian, Assyrian and Arabic members of the Greek Orthodox church rather than just ethnic Greeks per se. These were massacres were deliberately planed by the Ottoman state in response to Armenian protests at oppressive taxation and ill treatment, along with merging nationalist fervour. They mark the first phase of the Armenian genocide and indeed, the first phase of what turned out to be the genocide of the Christian peoples of the Ottoman Empire. In Trapezounta, the centre of Pontic Hellenism, no Greeks were targeted at that time. Instead between one and two thousand Armenians are believed to have been killed, out of a total community of 9,000. In later phases of the genocide, Armenians of Trapezounta would be taken out into the sea in boats, slaughtered, and thrown into the water. A very brave Pontic Greek woman, a latter day Antigone, rescued many of the corpses washed up into the shore and at great peril, buried them near a Catholic church along the seafront. Yet during the Hamidian massacres, British consul Henry Longworth, who was an eye witness to the massacre, wrote that after the Turks shot down every Armenian they encountered during a street rampage, joined by "Greeks and Persians," the mob systematically looted Armenian "houses, shops and storerooms throughout the town, killing anyone who resisted." At that time, it is alleged that certain Pontic Greeks were actively complicit in acts of genocide, as the term is understood in its international legal sense. British consul Longworth went on to write: "Greeks possibly in fear, refused in the majority cases to shelter the hunted down people in their shops and houses, schools and churches." They closed their homes to the most vulnerable of their neighbours at a time when they needed assistance the most. In so doing they most likely contributed to the horrific deaths of the hapless Armenians, by the marauding Turkish bands. Of course, two decades later, when it was the Greeks of Trapezounta who began to fall victim to the genocidal policies of the Neo-Turks, there exist countless stories of Greeks hiding the children of their Armenian neighbours, or handing them over for protection to the occupying Russian army. These are two ostensibly contradictory modes of conduct that are almost never analysed and are generally effaced from Greek narrative of the genocide, which in part, although this is changing, tends to ignore the experiences of other victim groups, save where these highlight the enormity of the crime visited against the Greeks of Asia Minor. We don't know whether other examples of Greeks or indeed Armenians aiding and abetting Turks during the genocide exist, and if they do, why they took place. No doubt, if they exist, they could be understood through the prism of self-preservation and self-interest. And it is important to point out that the account of the Greek complicity in the Hamidian massacre in Trapezounta is one infinitesimally small event that is almost completely overshadowed by decades of common suffering and mutual assistance. In Greece, Armenian refugees found a home and sanctuary. Assyrians fleeing their homelands in the face of persecution and religious intolerance that has continued unabated since the Genocide, still do, in the present day. Yet the single fact that some Greeks felt it expedient to persecute their Armenian neighbours deserves our attention. This is because some genocide activists employ the genocide in a manner that can only be termed almost pornographic. They take perverse delight in providing detailed, blow by blow accounts of the harrowing physical, sexual and emotional abuse meted out against the Greeks and other Christians. Their eyes shine with glee and artfully placed tears trickle down their cheeks as they quote statistic after statistic to highlight just how many people were killed, while they try to also quantify the magnitude of the economic and cultural loss. In their accounts, our people are (quite rightly) victims. Their stoicism in suffering grants them a nobility that is juxtaposed against the barbarity of the people who took part in this heinous crime against humanity. As such, partakers in the narrative are invited to make assumptions about the characteristics of a whole race. Accordingly, entire races are surmised to harbour genocide-perpetrating propensities within in them. The knowledge that some Pontic Greeks, perennially cast as victims, took part in the Hamidian massacres against the Armenians, seems to come in stark contrast to the well-worn narrative of racial stereotype. Given that as a people we are so generous, so valiant, so democratic and so humane, how is it possible that even the slightest proportion of us could have stooped to the level of the perpetrator who will forever bear the brunt of our ire? It is either impossible or a blatant lie. The argument is that as a 'superior' people, we are above such acts of bestial brutality that are the preserve of 'lesser' races. This is why racial stereotyping of this manner is so dangerous, as it carries the seeds of future intolerance within it. Rather than indulge in racial profiling or attempts to explain the event away as a negligible aberration that is not endemic to our people, what this specific Pontic Greek act of participation in the massacre suggests, is that the tragedy of genocide is that this failure to maintain humanity is something that can afflict all of us, regardless of race or religion. All of us are capable of such acts, given the right amount of coercion, suggestion, or encouragement. Understanding the fact that the seeds of magnanimity and compassion but also of depravity lie within all of us, and that all of us have moral choices to make that are not always without cost when called upon to maintain or transgress the standards of humanity, will assist us in gaining a true insight into humankind's ability to turn on one another. It will help us to comprehend why the muslim inhabitants of Mosul were able to collaborate with ISIS and commit heinous acts upon the Christians of the city in our own time. It will facilitate understanding of how incited by hate speech in the media, Hutus were able to attack Tutsis, people of the same nationality and murder them in drives in Rwanda. It will help us to place into context, the manner in which Greek was able to denounce and slaughter Greek, during the bloody Civil War. It will also go a long way in explaining why a disaffected socially privileged white person came to nurse grievances that came to be symbolised by the names of obscure historical figures which he scrawled upon his murder weapons as he live-streamed the slaughter of innocent muslims in the mosques of Christchurch. No one, and certainly no race is immune from crimes of violence and intolerance. All these events, demonstrate how the societies in which we live and pride ourselves occupy a precarious existence, perched upon the precipice of order in danger of decent into anarchy, safety, descending into bloodshed. The Turkish Prime Minister's latest pronouncement, that the deportation of the Armenians was a perfectly appropriate act, signifies just why the maintenance of a civil and democratic society, in which human life and its ability to thrive and express itself in safety and within a climate of respect is so vitally important. The world has failed the victims of the Christian genocide. A hundred years on, most countries, including our own, in the interests of political expediency, choose not to recognise these terrible events as genocide. In so doing, they have arguably permitted would-be perpetrators to understand that they can commit their crimes with impunity. The slaughter of the Christians of the Middle East by ISIS, many in the very deserts of Syria and Iraq where their ancestors were massacred by the Ottomans before them, can be deemed to be a logical outcome of this cynical behaviour. A society that witnesses suffering and yet cannot place it in its historical context in order to condemn it, is a society in peril. Yes, some Pontic Greek opportunists seem to have aided and abetted the Neo-Turks in their disgusting crimes in Trapezounta, just as some modern Greek opportunists aided and abetted the Nazis in the commission of the Holocaust in Salonica. We remember them with the scorn they deserve. We do not trivialise or seek to hide their crimes. Those crimes do not in any way stigmatise us as a people. Nor do they in any way, defile the memories of the innocent victims of the genocide. Instead, in teaching us that given the right amount of goading, no one is immune from barbarity, they stiffen us in our resolve to call out intolerance where we see it and demand from our leaders that they take the necessary steps to preserve our democratic way of life. A good place to start is by officially recognising the genocide of the Christian peoples of the Ottoman Empire, creating the moral opprobrium that will prevent similar massacres ever being repeated in the same region again. DaBaby, real name Jonathan Kirk, first gained attention when he wore a diaper to South by Southwest in 2017. Kirk continued dropping music for his fanbase until his 2019 album Baby on Baby received national attention. His larger-than-life stunts on Instagram have translated well to his songs, showing he has strong hit-making abilities. Kirk is projected to land a spot on the coveted 2019 XXL Freshman List. Who is DaBaby? DaBaby | Cooper Neill/Getty Images DaBabys life before fame Kirk, born December 22, 1981, is from Charlotte, North Carolina. Over the years, he developed a track record from several run-ins with the law. Police arrested Kirk several times, and his drivers license got revoked. He wanted to change by helping people and discovered music as the perfect outlet for it. Kirk began rapping in 2014 under the name Baby Jesus. He changed the name because he thought it would be too conflicting and not fit with the music industry. DaBabys music history This is DaBaby at Rolling Loud last night. Fam. This is insane. pic.twitter.com/0wipGIOH9X Astasia Williams (@AstasiaWill) May 11, 2019 Astasia Williams | Twitter Kirks first mixtape, titled, NonFiction debuted in 2015. It did not perform well, but his next mixtape, titled, Gods Work: Resurrected, made a splash. The single, Light Show, has since received millions of plays across all streaming platforms. Kirk continued to release music every few months, including the Baby Talk series. It consists of five mixtapes, with the last titled Blank Blank, published in November 2018. He released Baby on Baby in March 2019. The album debuted at number five on Apple Music and number 25 on the Billboard 200. Interscope Records signed him to the label around 2017. Kirk is projected to feature in the 2019 XXL Freshman List. Every year, XXL publishes the list which features the top ten rappers to watch. They showcase underground artists and others who are considered to be on the verge of blowing up. DaBabys legal history On November 5, 2018, Kirk shot and killed a man inside a North Carolina Walmart. He went on Instagram to defend himself, claiming he acted in self-defense. He said two men approached him with guns during a shopping trip with his family. Police initially charged Kirk with one count of carrying a concealed gun. However, the prosecutor dropped the charge in March 2019. People also accused Kirk of using the shooting to promote his mixtape, Blank Blank. What NOT to do at a DaBaby Meet & Greet pic.twitter.com/vdT6NEswmO Rap Generals (@RapGenerals_) May 18, 2019 Rap Generals | Twitter In May 2019, Kirk and another rapper, Don Trag, were scheduled to perform in a Massachusetts night club. Allegedly, Trag tried to take a picture with Kirk when Kirks security team viciously attacked Trag. While Trags brother said he was trying to get a picture, Kirks security team claimed Trag acted aggressively. TMZ obtained a video of the brutal beating which shows Kirk standing close by, watching. Police showed up and tried to investigate. However, no one cooperated. Trag, who had been released in his mothers care, collapsed, and had to be rushed back to the hospital where he remains in a coma. His mother says he is not doing well as he has considerable neck and brain swelling. In public, Prince Harry and Prince William always present a united front, but it appears that behind the scenes, more might be going on than meets the eye. Numerous reports have come out that the brothers are at odds. The rumors first started when Harry told his brother that he was marrying Meghan Markle after less than a year of dating. William reportedly advised his brother to slow down, which obviously wasnt well received by Harry. The royal split After Markle and Harry were married, it was announced that the royal brothers were splitting their households. Some close to the family thought the split was a bad thing. Its a shame, a household source told People. There was power in that unity and great strength in the foursome, but I see why it is happening. There is always that tension: trying to do the PR thing and then realizing that they are just real people. They want their own place and their own things. Though the announcement may have been shocking to some fans, it was always the natural course of action. I think it was always going to be a case of Harry wanting to branch out on his own when he finally got married, and with Meghan, he found a strong, confident, capable woman, royal respondent Katie Nicholl wrote in her book, Harry and Meghan: Life, Loss, and Love. And so I think the relationship with the brothers more likely than not, will improve because they with both have more space. What might also improve the siblings relationship is Harrys new baby, Archie. How will Archie bring Prince William and Prince Harry together? Babies can pretty much solve any problem. When they come into the world, all new and innocent and full of love, it makes people forget petty arguments and focus on whats important. Hopefully, that is what Archie will do for William and Harrys relationship. In addition to just bringing a little more love to the family, Archie will force William and Harry to spend more time together in order for the baby to get to know Williams children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis. William and Harry will want their children to know their cousins and do things together, so they will work harder at their relationship, a source close to the family told People. The brothers will have a different kind of relationship and move on. When the baby was born, William was very happy for his brother. Im very pleased and glad to welcome my own brother into the sleep deprivation society that is parenting, he told cameras while leaving an event at the Cutty Sark in Greenwich, London. I wish him all the best and I hope in the next few days they can settle down and enjoy having a newborn in their family and the joys that come with that. Though there have been issues between them, the brothers will always be there for one another. There is never any doubt that they will be there for each other 100 percent and support each other when it matters, a royal insider told People. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex arent like other couples. First and foremost, Prince Harry has always been the so-called rebel of the family, going through a rebellious phase during his teens and twenties that probably made his grandmother Queen Elizabeth cringe a few times. While he wasnt quite a royal disgrace, he never fit in effortlessly the way his brother Prince William did. Then theres Meghan Markle. While Prince Harry has settled down and become a family man ever since marrying his wife, it doesnt change the fact that shes a little bit different than the rest of the royal family (not that thats a bad thing). Shes American, bi-racial, and divorced. If youre looking for signs of the modernizing of the British monarchy, their marriage is the most obvious point to start. For these and so many other reasons, royal fans cant help but wonder if Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will shock the world yet again by rejecting the royal life in favor of something completely different. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle | Chris Jackson/Chris Jackson/Getty Images The Duke and Duchess of Sussex already began distancing themselves Prince Harry made headlines earlier this year when he formally announced his intention to split his official household from his brother, Prince William. This creation of two distinct offices makes sense from a logical standpointnow that both men are grown and married, its the ideal time for them to assert their individual identities. But some wonder if this is just the first step to total separation from the royal life. Next, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced theyd be moving away from their home at Nottingham Cottage, where they lived when they first got married. Many royal fans assumed theyd select an apartment closer to Prince William and Kate Middleton once they outgrew the space, but instead they moved even further away to Frogmore Cottage. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle treasure their privacy Even though Prince Harry grew up as the son of the future King and Meghan Markle voluntarily became a Hollywood actress, neither one of them seems to appreciate the public intruding into their private lives. The pair went to great lengths to ensure their privacy at their new home, especially since they had a baby on the way. And its no secret how Prince Harry feels about paparazzi. After their son Archie Harrison was born, the pair did share his photo with the press after waiting two days. But that was a serious break in protocol and different from how Prince William and Kate Middleton did things. With the frenzy surrounding their family, its not insane to consider that the two might want to retire from the royal life and go buy a beach house in Malibu thats far from prying eyes and aggressive paparazzi. They do have one important reason to stay It seems like theres a mountain of reasons for the couple to quit the royal life and just go be themselves somewhere, free from public scrutiny. But theres also a good reason that wont happen. Mostly, it has to do with the causes that they support. Being working royals gives them a unique platform to share their opinions with the world and draw attention to the things they find important. Most recently, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex launched a joint initiative with Prince William and Kate Middleton to draw attention to mental health. Its still possible that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle will get fed up with the royal life and decide to quit. But as long as they are using their massive popularity as a force of good, theyll probably just put up with it. SBC President JD Greear talks new book, Trump-supporting evangelicals, and complementarianism Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear is calling on American churches to put Gospel evangelism above all other issues, including politics, social justice and worship preferences. In the upcoming book, Above All: The Gospel is the Source of the Church's Renewal, the lead pastor of The Summit Church of Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, exhorts American churches to be more active in evangelism. What the church needs now is what the church has always needed a return to the Gospel. This isnt nostalgia for a bygone age. Im not, in the words of one pundit, 'sacrificing the future in search of the past,' and Im not trying to make anything great again. What I am trying to do is show us that the only way to save the future is by going back to the very beginning, wrote Greear. This book is intended to be a wrenching look at how secondary things quite often good things, sometimes even necessary things have displaced the Gospel as the main focus in the life of the church. In an interview with The Christian Post on Tuesday, Greear explained that he believed it's not that most churches in the West have made any kind of conscious decision to go away from the Gospel, but rather allowed secondary things to be elevated as the essential thing. In First Corinthians 15, Paul says that the Gospel was of first importance to him. First importance implies that there are other important things in the church. And there certainly are. And Paul talked about a lot of things, but this one is of first importance, said Greear. Its got to be what were characterized by; its got to be what were identified by. I believe the Gospel should both be the source of the churchs power and renewal and the proclamation of the Gospel ought to be the focus of our mission. Greear also said that while things like community ministry and social justice can be really good, nevertheless doing them without Gospel proclamation is only making people more comfortable as theyre headed to Hell. Politics is another one, he added. I think politics is very important, but I know that for me to get involve in political agendas would hinder my ability to preach the Gospel to all people. Ill always tell our church, I might be wrong about global warming, but Im not wrong about the Gospel. So I dont want to let my opinions about the former ever keep people from hearing me on the latter. So I will deliberately show some restraint in how I talk about things so that I can make sure that people have plenty of bandwidth and opportunity to hear the Gospel. CP talked with Greear about his new book, plus other topics like how evangelical churches should respond to the 2020 election cycle and how The Summit Church seeks to follow the complementarian model of church leadership while also allowing women to serve as teachers. Here are excerpts from the interview. CP: In the book, you talked about how in order to multiply the church, pastors need to shift their focus from "seating capacity" to "sending capacity." What advice would you give pastors who focus on seating capacity to shift to sending capacity? Greear: Theres often a false dichotomy put forward in churches in the West, and that is some churches focus on growing wide and other churches focus on growing deep. And it almost seems as though they are mutually exclusive. So even the church conference circuit, you got conferences that are designed to have you grow your church and youve got ones that are focused more on taking your people deep. What I believe from studying the Bible is that depth and width are never at odds and that those who grow wide without growing deep are not really as wide as they think are, because Heaven counts disciples, not converts. And those who grow deep without growing wide are probably not as deep as they think because depth and the Gospel always leads to an urgency in evangelism. And if were ever going deep with Jesus, and its not leading us to reach out wide in our witness and our serving and our meeting need, it means that were not really as deep in the Gospel as we probably think we are. CP: In Chapter 5, you wrote: "evangelicals have lost a lot of moral authority in recent years because of our apparent willingness to wink at sin when it serves our interests." Would you say this has been a bigger problem in 2016 as opposed to earlier years like the 1980s or has this always been an issue with evangelicals in politics? Greear: Well, typically what happens is these kinds of situations they dont create problems in us, they reveal them. And what weve seen, I think, is that some of us are too willing to go along with sin if we feel like it strategically works out well for us. I am not trying to say that anybody who voted for Trump or anybody that votes for any candidate, I am not trying to say that they are hopelessly compromised. But I am saying that when we are willing to excuse and even brush away, when were willing to not preach about sin because were afraid that it will somehow put us out of favor with the powers that be, well that shows that weve got our priorities out of order, the Gospel is not above all. It shows that weve got power above all or weve got influence above all. I certainly think that candidates in both political parties who are not Christians, I think both of them can advocate helpful and unhelpful things. And I think sometimes we have to, politically we have to choose which is going to be better for the country. Sometimes that means voting for a candidate who you dont agree with everything they say or do, but thats not the same as capitulating to those parties and failing to say, thus says the Lord. Adrian Rogers was a great Southern Baptist leader of the past. He was invited to the White House several times during the Reagan administration. Sometimes he went, but he was always very clear that I dont come here to be a stooge on the stage for you, to be a good photo-op to make it look like hey, the church is behind you. He said, I come here as a prophet of God to say thus says the Lord. And I will speak affirmatively on the things that you are doing that are consistent with peace and biblical principles and the areas that are not, I will say thus says the Lord the other way. I just want to make sure that we can keep our conscience and keep clarity on those things. Put the Gospel above all, not political influences. CP: What do you believe evangelical churches should do differently in the 2020 election cycle as opposed to 2016? Greear: We have to be clear on the things that we disagree with as much as we champion the things that we agree with in our particular candidate. A friend of mine named George Yancey, hes an African-American sociologist, he said, I dont have a problem with a Christian who evaluates all the different things at stake in the election and believes that Trump is the better of the two options. He says, I dont have a problem with that, but if thats you, your voice ought to be the loudest one speaking out against things that Trump says or does that are damaging to other people in ways that trouble you. He said, because if people know that you voted for them Im not faulting you for doing that, but you need to be clear that youre not OK with these other things. If you feel like that at the end of the day Trump is the right one or the better of the options, be clear about the dignity of the immigrant. Be clear about the need for righteousness and purity in our leaders. Be clear about how much you dislike him speaking in a way that denigrates other people and doesnt respect their dignity, whether it is political opponents or people from other nations. On the other side, if at the end of the day you look at it and feel like whoever the Democratic candidate is, you feel like that of all the different things, this is the better of the options, well thats great. Make sure youre clear about the wickedness of abortion. Make sure youre clear about the preciousness of religious liberty and the right of conscience, and the fact that people need to have the dignity to make their own choices and to provide for themselves. Just make sure youre clear about whatever it is that is on the other side from where you voted. CP: In Chapter 8, you covered the "worship wars" and how you believe that worship service preferences are still one of the big reasons why people "either leave our church for another or come to us from a different one." What do you believe are ways a church can curb departures based on worship preferences? Greear: The sense in which we have a certain kind of worship that culturally resonates with how we want to express ourselves, theres nothing wrong with that. But what I think is problematic is when that particular style becomes more important than the mission of our church. I tell people that our churchs music is not necessarily my favorite. ... Because Im the one who has the most influence here, I dont just try to make my preferences what we do. Were asking the question, "what helps us best reach the people were trying to reach" and were always running it through that grid. What helps reach this community? And if it means going more modern and contemporary, then that is what you should do. If it means adding more Gospel or more so-called ethnic flair during your music, then man thats what you should do. If it means going more traditional, that's what you should do. CP: Moving away from the book, as I understand back in March you announced your church's intention to draft an official paper on allowing women an expanded role in teaching. What is the status of this effort and how do you respond to the claim that this goes against biblical standards for the roles of women in the church? Greear: Functionally, there is a paper I have out right now on my blog called Can Women Teach in the Church? That is the essence of it. What were talking about is a more polished version of it. And well probably put that out in early July. Theres not anything substantively different in it than whats in that article, Can Women Teach in the Church? or what were not already practicing. Basically, its trying to say that theres been a false dichotomy put forward in the church, we think, in the complementarian world. And that is youre either an egalitarian who believes that women and men have no distinctive roles in the church or you assume that women can only do secondary roles, that leadership gifts are not as important to them. What we believe is that women have access to the same spiritual gifts that men do. They dont use them in the same roles that men use them in, but they have the same gifts, and we need to be as devoted to platforming and elevating their gifts as we are those of our sons. In order for the church to thrive, both our sons and daughters have to thrive. Its meant that we have looked through all of our staff positions and asked: "can a woman do this position without having to have the authority of an elder? Can a non-elder, a non-pastor elder do this job?" If so then we would say, maybe we traditionally only consider men for this job. But we should consider people of both genders [for this other job] because it can be done without the authority of a pastor or an elder. We dont want to have our position where she either occupies a role as a pastor-elder or even implies that she does. So we have also chosen that because the Sunday morning sermon is so closely associated with the authority of the church, we dont have a woman that delivers that sermon. We believe that that would be a violation of 1 Timothy 2. However, weve had women whove shared during the Sunday morning service in ways that showed that they were not the ultimate teaching authority. Women ought to be using their teaching gifts and writing, [but] in a way that respects the order of 1 Timothy 2 and 3 that doesnt either occupy pastor-elder or functionally look like they are. CEO of massive homeless ministry shares powerful message God delivered after husband's suicide Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment When Susie Jennings husband of nearly a decade killed himself one April morning in 1993, she couldnt see a way forward. "An officer found David's decomposing body in a ravine, 30 days after he'd disappeared," Jennings told The Christian Post. "He'd shot himself in the head after years of suffering from a chemical imbalance that caused severe depression." I was so angry at David for leaving me. He was supposed to sing in church that same week; he'd been saved as a little boy. But illness took him from me. We buried him three days before my birthday. Shortly after the loss of her husband, Jennings survived a devastating car accident, leaving her disabled for several months. During that time, her neighbor also died by suicide. At that point, my anger became directed at God, she said. But one night, He gave me a dream. In it, I saw myself knocking on my neighbors door, telling them about Jesus. That morning, I woke up and I decided to choose joy. I said, God, what can I do for you? While driving home from a worship service in Dallas in November of that same year, Jennings heard a voice clearly say, look to your left side. There, she saw over 100 men, women and children living in cardboard boxes. The voice said to me, You're going to go there in person and minister to these people, she recalled. I said, No, no. Not these people. I dont like homeless people. And God said, You were the one who asked me. You need to bring these people blankets.' An immigrant from the Philippines, Jennings shared how growing up, she hated when her mother would serve the homeless in the local community. When I was a little girl, my mother would feed the homeless and poor in our kitchen, and I didnt like it, she admitted. I didnt like these dirty people occupying my space and eating my food and coming into my house. But after hearing Gods voice that day in 1993, Jennings said she was instantly convicted: This is why I tell people, Dont ask God what you can do for Him unless youre prepared because Hell take you out of your comfort zone, she said. Thats what He did to me. The Lord led me to the very group of people I didnt like and it all started in my mothers kitchen. Then a nurse at a major hospital, Jennings began purchasing blankets and asking others to help her buy more. The blankets were distributed with the Gospel message, food and love. On more than one occasion, she stayed overnight with the homeless, immersing herself in their lives. It wasnt long before the homeless community gave Jennings a nickname: The Blanket Lady. In 2001, Jennings willingness to step out in faith and serve God and her community prompted her to launch Operation Care International. Today, the faith-based nonprofit organization serves thousands of homeless, destitute, and low-income families in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and around the world. OCI provides hot meals, an array of health and personal care services, plus clothing, sleeping bags, and blankets to those in need. It also provides free phone calls home, seeking to reunite families. We are an evangelistic street ministry, she said. We provide the physical and spiritual needs of the homeless and poor. While giving them gifts, we tell them about the greatest gift of all, and that is Jesus." In 2004, OCI launched Operation Care Christmas Gift, determined to serve and honor the thousands of homeless at Christmas with an event held at the Dallas Convention Center. The now annual event drew more than 15,000 people and 3,000 volunteers in December 2018. In honor of Jesus birthday, the event provided homeless individuals, veterans and impoverished families with coats, shoes, blankets, toys, meals, haircuts and eye care. The children in attendance enjoyed bounce houses, pony rides and a zipline. This year, Nick Vujicic, founder of Life Without Limbs, shared with those in attendance an encouraging and inspirational message. New shoes and socks come with the event's signature foot washing by volunteers and with the Gospel message presented by volunteers and entertainers. Nationwide, this is the largest event for the homeless, meaning that, aside from just numbers, the things that we do for them is more than other ministries everything is free, Jennings said. "Servanthood is the hallmark of OCI. Before He went to the cross, Jesus washed His disciples feet, demonstrating how He washes away our sins. We follow Jesus by making this act the trademark of our ministry." Over the last few years, thousands of lives have been changed as a result of OCIs work. Jennings shared the story of one woman, Julie, a homeless veteran who lived in her car. She had to give up her son to her boyfriend because she couldnt afford to care for him, she recalled. We put her in an apartment and paid her bills. If we hadnt, she wouldve been on the waiting list for two years to get into the VA. Through OCI, Julie also received free dental care, a makeover, clothing and jewelry. I wanted her to feel like a queen a daughter of God, Jennings explained. Two years later, Julie showed up at OCI with an offering. She wanted to give us money as a thank you, like the leper who came back and thanked Jesus, she said. Today, Julie has finished school and purchased a house. Her son graduated at the top of his class, and three major colleges in Texas offered him full scholarships. Most importantly both mother and son came to know Christ through the ministry of OCI. Homelessness is a very hard thing to minister to because so often, theyre gone the next day, Jennings said. But if one life is changed, Id do all the work a million times over. Jesus left 99 for one. Now, OCIs ministry is going global. In 2012, God gave Jennings a vision to expand the Christmas Gift event and take its message of hope, transformation and the experience of Jesus love to more than 250 cities across the 50 states and to all 240 countries of the world. Renamed the Global Birthday Party for Jesus, the event will occur on Dec. 19, 2020, reflecting Gods perfect vision of the salvation of the world. With $2.4 million raised so far, OCI is hoping to partner with World Vision, Samaritans Purse and Compassion International to make their vision a reality. God told me to take this mission global, but I was fearful because I didnt know how we were going to raise the money, Jennings said. But one day, I received a phone call with a $2.4 million donation. In one phone call, God adopted the world. I said, God forgive me for putting you in a box. The event will culminate with a series of large gatherings held by the worlds greatest evangelists. Jennings hopes that Franklin Graham, son of evangelist Billy Graham, will lead the charge. We believe on that one day, millions will come to know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, she declared. I believe this worldwide event will draw millions of new heirs to Jesus throne, from the bushes of Africa to the rivers of Columbia to the rich in China. While some may view her vision for OCI as a little too ambitious, Jennings said shes sold out for Jesus and believes that childlike faith can move mountains. The guiding principle for the vision of OCI is in Romans 8:28, And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose, she said. This is just the beginning of evangelizing the world. Is Christianity harmful to sexual minorities? Ex-lesbian says no, it's an 'invitation to true love' Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment WASHINGTON The call to follow Jesus is an invitation to true love, and it's good news to those who identify as LGBT, says a former lesbian. Before hundreds of attendees at Crystal Gateway Marriott hotel for the annual Wilberforce Weekend sponsored by the Colson Center, Jackie Hill-Perry, author of Gay Girl, Good Godspoke of her own journey out of same-sex desires and into the knowledge of God. Given the profound shift in opinion among younger generations of Americans about same-sex relationships, she underscored the need to explain the case for why the Christian faith is life-giving for those who experience same-sex attraction or in any way identify themselves as LGBT. And that is because their default understanding is that Christianity isn't only not good, but harmful to sexual minorities, she said, which constitutes approximately 4.5 percent of the American populace. "If Christianity is harmful for sexual minorities, there is either a problem with Christianity or there is a problem with Christians," she said. "I understand what it feels like to be a minority and it's not just because I'm black, but also because I used to be gay." Her same-sex desires began around the time she was 5 or 6, before she knew how to spell her first name. She had no language with which to communicate and express her feelings, particularly because during the early 1990s, homosexuality was considerably less visible in popular culture. She also had no space to process her experiences and desires, but soon became aware of the apparent special condemnation in the Church that was reserved for homosexuals. Hill-Perry loved church and growing up in it felt safe, mostly. "But safe for saints. So as long as I was willing to take on the task of hiding the parts of me that would make saints clutch their pearls or lift up their nose a bit then I could preserve peace. Naturally, the older I got and the gayer I behaved I wanted nothing to do with church," she said. As she changed her clothing style and started acting in gender-nonconforming ways, her interactions with Christians became more awkward. It seemed that the only thing they could talk about with her were the passages in Scripture about sexual ethics related to homosexuality, such as Romans 1 and Leviticus 18. "Which was confusing, because it felt like, if I just looked heterosexual I don't think there would be such weirdness between me and them, this distance between me and them. It was as if my being gay automatically made Christians act less Christian. They knew how to love everyone else easily, except me." "It seemed so contrary to the way of Jesus to only love people with whom you share similar sexual dispositions with," when in fact everyone is born of wrath, she said, referencing Ephesians. The failure of Christians to love sexual minorities whose primary identity is as people made in God's image is evidence that Christians have harmed them, she said, adding that that doesn't mean Christians are harmful. "To make the two synonymous, I think, would be to make an inaccurate generalization of the Church. The Church being big and broad and extending beyond our American borders." But God is still at work, she said. At 19, the Holy Spirit convicted her amid her struggle and everything that she loved, enjoyed, and identified with she realized did not compare with knowing Jesus, and she knew she had to make a change. "My repentance was not me going from gay to straight. My repentance was me turning from unbelief to faith." "And by God's grace, I was empowered to obey all the ways that He commanded me to. And it's not to say that in my repentance, in my turning, that there was not grief." Repentance proves painful, she added. And the call to repentance for those who identify as LGBT feels like giving up everything that they know and are familiar with in order to follow Christ. The call to repentance seems offensive and foolish to those who are perishing. The label ascribed to Christianity is now "harmful" because of its definitions of morality. "Christianity is going to be thought of as harmful simply because it interferes with their understanding of rights," she said. To those who identify as LGBT, they see it as a right to love as they see fit and whoever would seek to undermine this, particularly in God's name, is seen as bigoted. But it is God who gets to define who and how you love, she said, adding that the Gospel call is not to be confused with a call to heterosexuality. "God isn't calling gay men and women to be straight. He is calling them to be reconciled back to Himself. And by belonging to Him, even if their same-sex desires persist, which they statistically most likely will, they will love God more than what they are tempted by. "But until we can get people to understand the crucial point of seeing God as the loveliest One, the Christian faith that exalts Him over and above everything will always look unloving. "Because Jesus loves people of every orientation or gender identity, His call to follow Him is actually the pathway to joy. And for that reason, Christianity isn't harmful, it's simply an invitation for true love," she said. The theme of this year's Wilberforce Weekend is "Is Christianity still good for the world?." The three-day conference concludes on Sunday. Louie Giglio identifies why millennials, Gen Z are some of today's greatest evangelists Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Louie Giglio, founding pastor of Passion City Church in Atlanta, Georgia, said he believes millennials and Generation Z are some of today's most effective evangelists because they are cause-driven and have a high sense of social responsibility. Ive always had a burden for the university moment, Giglio told The Christian Post. I believe that God has a purpose and plan for 18- to 25-year-olds, from millennials to Generation Z. I think they get unfairly painted with a broad stroke when theyre actually a generation God cares deeply about. They want to be led and believed in, and theyre one of the most cause-driven generations Ive encountered. Giglio is the founder of the Passion movement, a gathering of young people that has been going on yearly since 1997. He shared how, in past years, Passion students have raised $8.3 million to fight modern-day slavery through Passion and the END IT Movement. This year, students raised $448,370 for the Deaf Bible Society as part of Hope in Every Language, a campaign that helps fund and distributes translations of the stories of Jesus into the sign languages of areas that haven't been reached. These are poor students who are scrounging for ramen noodles, Giglio said. They dont have any money, yet theyre giving what little they have to causes that mean something to them, and that makes them some of todays greatest evangelists. Passion believes in this age group because God has believed in them. Giglio shared how his heart for the next generation began when he started graduate school at Baylor University several decades ago. I saw so many people at the crossroads of life, where they would come to a college campus and be away from their support system and the church they grew up in and suddenly had all of this freedom, he said. I saw so many people putting their faith on hold and not coming back to it until they were 40 and on their second divorce. But 18, 19, 20-year-olds need to see the risen Jesus right here, and right now, he continued. They need to understand that the best thing they can do is live for Gods glory. And at Passion, we've seen tens of thousands of young people come to Christ." The pastor told CP that while its been a number of years since he attended Baylor, the temptations and issues facing young people today havent changed. Still, the introduction of social media has posed challenges unseen just a few decades ago, he said. Its put us all under a microscope, he said of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat. Take the case of someone who has lived through a divorce. They dont have the presence of a dad, and they pick up their phones to find solace or some relief, and what do they see? They see everyones filtered life and best-case scenario. Social media, he continued, has put this generation behind the eight ball wondering, How can I measure up to this? instead of asking, How can I do what God says I can do? Its given this generation an identity crisis. We need to put our perspective on technology in check and focus on what God says about our identity. Giglio, who wrote the book,Not Forsaken: Finding Freedom As Sons and Daughters of a Perfect Father, pointed out that more than 1 in 4 children lives without a father in the home. He told CP that the introduction of no-fault divorce in 1970 directly contributed to the breakdown of the family. Without a hearing or judge, anyone can end their marriage today, he said. It seems easy and painless, but now were bearing the fruit of that. This is the first generation where a quarter of children grow up without a father, and thats having devastating effects on society. Once you have a destructive view of your earthly father, then is possible youre going to struggle to have a relationship with God the Father, he continued. Thats one of Satans greatest lies. PULSE founder Nick Hall, who has been called "the next Billy Graham," previously told The Christian Post that he believes millennials and Generation Z make up a revival generation. Like Giglio, Hall said he finds millennials and Gen Z to be particularly cause-driven, positioning them well to fulfill the Great Commission something he believes will happen in our lifetime. "Millennials and Gen Z want a cause bigger than themselves," he said. "They're also passionate, and there's such a willingness to love, to serve, and to get their hands dirty. This is also the first generation where there isn't a division between the sacred and the secular; this generation understands that everything is ministry. If you know Jesus, then you are called to this work of being a light wherever you go. This generation wants to see Jesus made much of and for people everywhere to experience His love." Hall, who has shared the Gospel in person to nearly 3 million students, told CP this generation "cares deeply for their faith, while also caring deeply for their neighbor, for the refugee and for the outcast." "I look into the eyes of teenagers and college kids today, and I'm encouraged," he said. "There's power in unity, and that's something this generation understands. They understand lifting one another's arms to something bigger than us." Sozo prayer spreading worldwide, but what is it? Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Theres a prayer and deliverance ministry that you may or may not have heard of. Its called Sozo. And many churches worldwide have implemented it to help Christians experience inner healing and ultimately draw closer to God. But the reactions have been mixed. While some have wholly embraced it and testified to how much it has changed their lives, others have denounced it as unbiblical and warned Christians to stay away. So what is Sozo? The Sozo ministry or Sozo prayer started in Redding, California, in 1997 by Bethel Church a nondenominational charismatic megachurch. The idea was inspired after a healing evangelist, Randy Clark, held a prayer training at the church. "Sozo" is a Greek word that the ministry's founders, Dawna DeSilva and Teresa Liebscher, two leaders at Bethel, say is found in the New Testament 110 times. Strongs Concordance translates the word as to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue. Liebscher defines it specifically as "to be made whole." The Gospel of Matthew is the first time the word Sozo is used in the New Testament when the angel Gabriel tells Mary that she will have a child who is to be named Jesus. He will save His people from their sins," Matthew 1:21 states. Sozo is translated into the word save in this passage. The Bethel Sozo website describes Sozo ministry as a unique inner healing and deliverance ministry aimed to get to the root of things hindering your personal connection with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." Co-leader Liebscher describes the Sozo ministry as a place one goes to uncover wounds or lies and their roots. Sozo is not counseling, it is not a prayer ministry, it is a team of people going in helping you make that connection with the Godhead and thus have a place to go to deal with all the issues and crises that will happen with you, Liebscher shares in a promotional video of the experience. It is also a deliverance ministry, because once you go in and heal the wounds and lies, heal the reasons why the demonic thinks it has legal access, the demonic has to leave, and that's in essence what deliverance is. Churches that have a Sozo ministry have leaders who are trained by Bethel's team. Training typically lasts two to four days. What happens during a Sozo? Assemblies of God Pastor Paula Noble, wife of Pastor Jason Noble, the subject behind the new blockbuster hit film Breakthrough, is a big fan of the Sozo prayer and has used the method in her ministry throughout the years. She told The Christian Post that she initially started the practice because of how it personally affected her own life. When conducting an inner healing session, Noble and her team arrive early to prepare their hearts and really surrender themselves to hearing God. After the appointment is set up, the person seeking inner healing meets with no less than two leaders, one who leads the Sozo prayer and another who records what God says throughout the meeting. "In a session of inner healing, there's the leader of the session and then there is a second person. What they're doing is they're writing down all of the good stuff that Jesus said to that person during this session, so they have a written account to take with them. It's not a written account that we keep for any reason. We write it down so they have it to take with them when they leave the room, she told CP. "We get there, we pray, and then when the person comes we just kind of explain what's going to happen and get it started, Noble shared. I always have the person keep their eyes closed during the times so that they're not looking at me. I want them to keep their eyes closed so they can clearly hear what Jesus is saying to them, in the way that He communicates stuff to them, and everyone is different. Some people see pictures, some people have the word come to their mind. It's just so different how everyone communicates with Jesus, but everyone can communicate with Jesus. They keep their eyes closed so that they don't feel like they're talking to me, I want them talking to Jesus. Noble would then proceed to explain to the subject or sozoee what will take place during the session. "'I'm going to give you questions and it's really important for you to communicate to me what He (God) says to you because He's not talking to me, He's talking to you about this, so I want to know where He's going with you,' she illustrated. We do a lot of asking questions and hearing what He has to say about those specific things. Based on what they are hearing from Him, gives me an idea of where He's going with them. Sometimes it's quick and easy and sometimes it's longer. A Sozo goes far beyond just one session in a church, noted Noble. Its usually the beginning or continuation of someone's communication with God. "I really want a person to leave a session and just digest what has happened. That communication doesn't stop when I end a session because now they're hearing Him. Usually, that process continues for a person for a while, a few weeks afterward, she said, adding that she always encourages people to come back for another session. The average Sozo session can last an hour to three hours long, though when DeSilva and Liebscher first started it lasted three to six hours long. The Bethel team created six tools to use that have made the sessions go more quickly. According to Bethel's website, the model of deliverance they use came from Clark's teaching which began in Argentina. The following are the six tools: 1: Father Ladder The Father Ladder tool was designed to explore how the subject's relationships with the people in their life may be affecting how they relate to the Trinity. A sample breakdown of the Father Ladders structure equates God to someone's earthly father or an authority figure in their life, Jesus to siblings or friends and the Holy Spirit to one's mother or the nourishers in their life. 2: Four Doors (hatred, fear, occult, sexual sin) During a Sozo prayer, the leader tries to identify which of the four sins may have opened up a spiritual door to demonic possession or oppression. DeSilva introduced the tool after attending a series of meetings at her church. Although the tool encourages confession and renunciation of sin, which is encouraged in the Bible, its specificity of just the fours sins (hatred, fear, occult, and sexual sin) is often criticized because they are not the only sins spoken of in Scripture that can invite the demonic into their lives. 3. Presenting Jesus Presenting Jesus takes a sozoee on a journey into their past. They are instructed to recall their most painful memories and discover Jesus in the moments in order to bring healing. Dr. Ed Smiths Theophostic Prayer Ministry teachings is said to have helped form the inner healing principles that inspired this tool. This Sozo tool roots out lies we believe that cause us to experience emotional pain greater than our circumstances warrant. We invite the Truth in the person of Jesus Christ to speak into places in our hearts where these ungodly beliefs were formed. Once Jesus speaks truth, emotional wounds are healed, and our present circumstances are no longer so painful, a basic Sozo training handout from The Freedom Resource website details. 4: The Wall From the website Flash Card Machine, we learn that the Wall is a negative blockage in a person's soul that impedes the flow of Gods love which can activate that persons gifting and character in Christ. The Sozo prayer wishes to identify any walls the sozoee might have. The final two are considered advanced tools. 5: Trigger Mechanisms This tool identifies the feelings associated with our memories and was allegedly inspired by button pushing, a tool created by brain science expert Dr. Aiko Hormann. 6: Divine Editing Divine editing has also been linked to Dr. Aiko Hormann in relation to the Sozo prayer. If your childhood lacked nurturing, invite your Heavenly Father to fill in the voids created by lack of nurturing. He will edit your memories both edit out painful memories and edit in His nurturing, Hormanns website describes. The idea was first associated with Sigmund Freud though without the "divine" aspect. American Christian writer Agnes Sanford is responsible for teaching the Christian method of inner healing. Danny Silk, a leader at Bethel Church in California, likened a Sozo prayer to some of the teachings he does in the new Christian meditation app Soultime. During a Sozo, you help people meditate on things in order to find freedom from them, Silk told CP in an interview. "If you notice the [meditation teachings] I do [in Soultime], I pretty much do a mini Sozo prayer in every one of the ones I do, which is, Are there any lies that I am believing about this area of my life?' If so, 'Lord, please show me what they are,' Silk said. 'What is the truth that you want me to believe? Do I need to forgive anyone?' which is classically the obstacle to peace or freedom, that I've not forgiven somebody that scarred me or hurt me, whether it be my parents, or my spouse, or a friend or whatever. Many times in a Sozo there's a block that's going to be a place where my soul is all knotted up. My spirit wants to be free but my soul has this knot." The Bethel leader described a Sozo prayer as a deep massage for your spirit. "A Sozo is where we're just going to keep pushing those spots until you go 'ouch' and then well apply the remedy which classically is forgiveness and aligning your heart up with the truth and turning away from the lie, Silk said. In 2002, Bethel created an advanced Sozo ministry called Shabar, which is the Hebrew word for broken. The ministry is for those who still seek healing after experiencing two Sozo prayer sessions. Should persons attending Sozo sessions be unable to hold on to their healing, they may be encouraged to seek a Shabar session . Shabar is a ministry to individuals who have continued to have inner healing ministry and yet cannot hold on to their healing, the Bethel Sozo website explains. Calif. parents take kids out of school, protest controversial 'gender-inclusive' sex education Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Parents across California kept their children out of school on Friday to protest the state's sex-ed curriculum that supports the belief that some people are born in the wrong body and can change their sex. Those are just two topics being taught to children as part of the state's "gender-inclusive" comprehensive sex education curriculum and related materials. Parents in the Golden state are resisting the implementation of the California Healthy Youth Act (AB 329), particularly Comprehensive Sex Education, and many decided to withdraw their children from school on Friday. In addition to keeping their children home from school, parents across the state gathered at their respective County Board of Education buildings to protest public school system overreach, including the teaching of "gender-fluid theory" to pre-kindergartners, said the Informed Parents of California in a statement shared with CP on Friday. The group said that AB 329 is a model for other organizations that back these kinds of curriculum materials that sexualize children and promote destructive social change that undermine families. We will not tolerate the states overt attempts to push their extreme and damaging agenda, IPOC founder Stephanie Yates said. "We will not allow our kids to be sexualized in the classroom and our parental rights stripped. We will not allow our childrens hearts and minds to be stolen and used for political social experiments and radical activist agendas. We will stop at nothing to protect our kids. The materials also assert that biological sex is not necessarily determined by DNA but is "assigned at birth," Yates added. In California, school officials are being pressured to accept the health education framework under threat of lawsuits from the ACLU and other groups, sources told CP on Thursday, noting that not every school administrator is so familiar with the actual flexibility they have legally at the district level, and schools generally want to avoid negative attention. Writing at the Federalist on Wednesday, Mary Hasson of the Washington-based Ethics & Public Policy Center noted that transgender activists are publishing educational materials arguing that puberty is "gender-inclusive." Activists at Gender Spectrum a group whose stated mission is to "create a gender-inclusive world for all children and youth" by helping "families, organizations, and institutions increase understandings of gender and consider the implications that evolving views have for each of us" released a publication earlier this year called "Principles of Gender-Inclusive Puberty and Health Education." The phraseology "gender-inclusive puberty" and "gender literacy" is rooted in the notion of gender identity, which, although it has never been defined with clarity, holds that both sex can be changed and gender is self-determined and not based in biology. These and other terms are unpacked and explained through a distinct ideological lens and have been packaged and presented as health education. "The real goal is to normalize transgender and nonbinary identities and the drastic medical and surgical interventions that 'affirm' them," Hasson explained. The Equality Act an update to the 1964 Civil Right Act that on Friday passed the House by a vote of 236173, with all Democrats and eight Republicans voting in favor of the bill seeks to enshrine gender education of this type to be taught in public schools couched in protecting students who identify as trans from discrimination, she continued. But even if the federal legislation fails to pass the Senate, the push for this kind of content in educational arenas is advancing, she said. Another principle of teaching gender-inclusive puberty is that "multiple pathways" exist to becoming adult bodies and the pubertal processes can be suppressed with hormones. "Puberty is the time of life when a childs body begins developing into adult form. It looks very different for each person Some young people will start puberty at such a young age that they may be given medication to slow down the process. Puberty can also be delayed. Some young people will experience puberty in a way that does not feel right for their gender and medication can be used to pause that process Each body is different," the Gender Spectrum material reads. Teenage girls who take puberty blockers and go on a testosterone regimen are said to be receiving "medical support" that affirms their new path to a masculine-looking adult body. The material urges teachers not to imply that the only reason bodies change is to produce children and start families. "In short, trans activists want confused kids to feel good about taking hormones that will render them infertile before they are legally old enough to order a beer because 'just as there are many pathways to your adult body, there are also lots of ways of becoming a parent,' Hasson concluded. The Principles of Gender-Inclusive Puberty and Health Education from Gender Spectrum is backed by Planned Parenthood, the Gay and Lesbian Straight Education Network, and the flagship LGBT rights organization the Human Rights Campaign. What children learn about human sexuality at school has long been a bitterly contested subject in American politics. On April 23 last year, Sex Ed "sit outs" occurred around the country where parents withdrew their children from school in protest of sexually graphic school sex-ed resources under the guise of health education. In collaboration with the California Family Council, parents have been successful at getting several of the recommended sexually explicit books scrapped from the framework but others remain listed. In response, state education officials insisted they were not "mandating" the books that they ultimately removed and that they had become "a distraction." The goal is that the curriculum framework be useful, David Sapp, the deputy policy director for the State Board of Education, told KCRA 3 NBC News in Sacramento amid the fallout last Wednesday. A resource that is still recommended as part of the educational framework for fifth graders is the book, Sex, Puberty, and all that stuff: A Guide to Growing Up by Jacqui Bailey. The book features graphic descriptions of masturbation, sexual slang terms, and shows and a picture of a cartoon boy measuring his genitals with a ruler expressing worry that his penis is shrinking. When girls masturbate it is "trickier," and it "can take patience to get to know your clitoris," the book instructs. "Above all, remember that there are lots of ways to show you love someone having sex is only ONE of them," it reads. Man charged with torching Pa. church says he was mad at God Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment A man charged with the arson of a Pennsylvania church that banned him for unspecified reasons said he was angry at God. Wilmer Jose Ortiz Torres, 43, was charged with twice setting fire to Iglesia Pentecostal De Bethlehem, as well as burglary and criminal trespass. Ortiz Torres spoke briefly with the media after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing, explaining that he did set the fires and was mad at God, The Morning Call reported on Thursday. Northampton County District Attorney John Morganelli explained to the media that Ortiz Torres had some mental health issues, according to The Morning Call. Ortiz Torres is believed to have set the first fire to the church after midnight on April 23, which damaged the sanctuary. A second fire was set two days later on the churchs roof. Who would do this again? They already burned everything inside, said Nitza Colon, the daughter of the pastor's daughter in an interview with a local CBS affiliate after the second fire. When we got the call this morning it was like who would do this again? The law knows how to take justice and we just pray for that person because we dont know whats gonna happen. Authorities arrested Ortiz Torres for the fires when security camera footage from a nearby intersection showed a person identified as the suspect walking around the area just before the arson. Irma Rivera, sister of Ortiz Torres, told local news station WFMZ that her brother had a long history of mental illness and claimed that he was bullied by the congregation. He was always quiet (and) respectful to everyone, Rivera told WFMZ. All he wanted to do was sit down in (the) church that he loves and feel safe and listen to God's words. And instead he got humiliated and bullied once again. Iglesia Pentecostal De Bethlehem was founded about 50 years ago and has a mostly Hispanic congregation of about 150 people. Turkey's Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian Christians Destroyed By '30-year Genocide' Turkey's Greek, Armenian, and Assyrian Christians, which predominated in the region before its colonisation by Turkic Muslims, were subjected to a "staggered campaign of genocide" from 1894 to 1924, which reduced them from 20 per cent of the population to less than 2 per cent, according to Israeli researchers. Dr Benny Morris and Dr Dror Ze'evi, of the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Beersheba, Israel, say that the British, French, Turkish, and U.S. archives, along with "some Greek materials" and German and Austro-Hungarian foreign ministry papers, confirm "Turkey's Armenian, Greek and Assyrian (or Syriac) communities disappeared as a result of a staggered campaign of genocide beginning in 1894, perpetrated against them by their Muslim neighbours." Summarising findings published in full in their book The Thirty-Year Genocide, Turkey's Destruction of Its Christian Minorities, 1894-1924 in a Wall Street Journal essay, Morris and Ze'evi identified a "strikingly consistent pattern of ethno-religious atrocity over three decades, perpetrated by the Turkish government, army, police and populace" against Asia Minor's Christian minorities, extending well beyond the infamous Armenian genocide -- still denied by the Turkish government -- of 1915-16. "The bloodshed was importantly fueled throughout by religious animus," the Israeli scholars asserted. "Muslim Turks -- aided by fellow Muslims, including Kurds, Circassians, Chechens and Arabs -- murdered about two million Christians in bouts of slaughter immediately before, during and after World War I... organized by three successive governments," they explained. "These governments also expelled between 1.5 and 2 million Christians, mostly to Greece." While the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople -- the former Byzantine capital renamed as Istanbul by its conquerers -- is still based in the city to this day, the Turkish government recently prevented the training of new Orthodox Christian priests by shuttering the island seminary of Halki. Morris and Ze'evi noted that the aggression against Christians was often sexual in nature, quoting American consul-general George Horton's observation that one of the "outstanding features" of the Turkish reprisals in the Anatolian city of Smyrna, which the Greeks had tried to take back after the collapse of the Ottoman empire, was the "wholesale violation of women and girls." "[W]e found that tens of thousands of Christian women suffered rape, abduction and forced conversion during this period, along with the mass murder and expulsion of their husbands, sons and fathers," the Israelis noted. "The German people and government have long acknowledged the genocidal horrors of the Third Reich, made financial reparations, expressed profound remorse and worked to abjure racism," they concluded ruefully. "But every Turkish government since 1924 -- together with most of the Turkish people -- has continued to deny the painful history we have uncovered." Theologian makes biblical case for why white Christians need to support reparations for black Americans Email Print Img No-img Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment White Christians need to get behind a growing movement pushing for reparations for African Americans because it is a biblical principle endorsed by Jesus, associate professor at Princeton Theological Seminary Keri Day recently contended. Day, who teaches constructive theology and African-American religion at the Ivy League seminary, made the argument earlier this month in a lecture at the historic Riverside Church in Manhattan. She defended her argument using the story of Zaccheus the tax collector. When we turn to the Gospel, we see that Jesus is clear that reparations or restitution to those who have been exploited and rendered vulnerable is not optional but required. Consider Jesus encounter with Zaccheus in Luke 19, Day said. Zaccheus is a tax collector who has participated in Roman imperial oppression against marginalized Jewish populations. Jesus sits with Zaccheus but is clear with Zaccheus on what his reparative response needed to be and that this reparative response as Zaccheus was tasked to do was not simply and only a political response but was more deeply a theological response, she explained. In his encounter with Zaccheus, I want to suggest that Jesus sets forth a reparations ethic . Zaccheus is expected to give back that which he has stolen so that he can be reconciled with others and God. Reconciliation cannot occur until he has given back what he has stolen. Days argument came on the 50th anniversary of iconic civil rights leader James Formans famous interruption at the church where he presented the Black Manifesto, which sent shockwaves across white America in 1969. Forman and other blacks who had attended the National Black Development Conference that year, demanded $500,000,000 in reparations from white churches and Jewish synagogues for black Americans, arguing that they were complicit in upholding the system of slavery that exploited blacks. The demanded sum would have worked out to approximately $15 each for the approximately 30 million black American population. This is a low estimate fro (sic) we maintain there are probably more than 30,000,000 black people in this country. $15 a negger isnt a large sum of money and we know that the churches and synagogues have a tremendous wealth and its membership, white America, has profited and still exploits black people, the group argued. We are also not unaware that the exploitation of colored peoples around the world is aided and abetted by the white Christian churches and synagogues. This demand for $500,000,000 is not an idle resolution or empty words. Fifteen dollars for every black brother and sister in the United States is only a beginning of the reparations due us as people who have been exploited and degraded, brutalized, killed and persecuted, the manifesto said. Hilda Clark, a longtime Riverside Church member who was present during Formans interruption, recalled the tension that was created by his protest. I saw this young man, protest down the aisle and I wondered whats up with this. He mounted the stage began to speak and people began to get, I guess something between annoyed and perplexed. Riverside at the time was a fairly formal operation and this man was violating protocol for sure. And immediately a few people got up and left but I decided to sit and see what would happen, Clark said. Later on I heard words like reparations. Not something I knew a lot about but I got the message. He then started talking money and masses of people got up and walked out and they were mostly white but there were a few black people who walked out also. While Formans group did not get the $500 million they demanded, a year later in 1970, The New York Times reported that many mainline churches committed approximately $127 million toward social programs for black Americans in response to church protests which had expanded beyond Riverside Church. A long time coming Prior to making her argument for a Bible-based reparations ethic, Day explained that black Americans have been making the case for reparations since the end of the Civil War. Callie House, a formerly enslaved black woman, argued to Congress after the Civil War that every ex-slave should get a pension in order to be equal citizens. Even Martin Luther King Jr., in his Economic Bill of Rights for the Disadvantaged, maintained that public and private sectors, including white churches, needed to provide some sort of economic repayment for the collective years of slavery and racial oppression. The well-known phrase "Forty Acres and a Mule" also emerged in the South after the Civil War, and it asserted the right of newly freed slaves to redistributed lands especially plantations confiscated by U.S. troops during the war. The land was supposed to serve as reparations for unpaid labor during slavery. Historians credit the phrase to General William T. Sherman's Special Field Order Number 15, issued on Jan. 16, 1865, which set aside a 30-mile tract of land along the South Carolina and Georgia coasts for former slaves. It also promised the army's help securing loaned mules. The Freedmen's Bureau was also initially authorized to divide abandoned and confiscated lands into 40-acre tracts for rental and eventual sale to refugees and former slaves. The efforts of Radical Republicans to redistribute the land during the Reconstruction period, however, were eventually abandoned and whites reclaimed their land in the south and blacks were forced into sharecropping, which kept them poor and powerless. The experience with "Forty Acres and a Mule" was later used to advocate for affirmative action programs developed from the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Day also highlighted the Freedom Budget for All Americans that was proposed by A. Philip Randolph and a coalition of black, socialist, and progressive leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., who had come together to organize 1963s March on Washington. The ambitious policy proposal was created in the fall of 1965, after the Voting Rights Act passed with a goal to end poverty in the United States without cost to taxpayers. It proposed using strong economic growth to provide a federal jobs guarantee, universal health care and a basic income. This bill required $10 to $12 billion from the combined efforts of public and private sectors and it was understood that the private sector would include religious communities such as churches, Day said. There are some scholars that say even requiring some sort of financial reparative work is seen in some of the work that King was doing as well. In fact, the number of white pastors, Episcopal, Methodist, some Baptist pastors, agreed in principle with some sort of economic payment for a history of economic disenfranchisement among blacks. These were those marching with King, she added. Reparations in 2019 Riverside Churchs commemoration of Formans interruption comes as the reparations discussion has emerged as a major talking point among 2020 Democrat presidential candidates. Many in the crowded field, including Andrew Yang, Beto ORourke, Julian Castro and Kamala Harris, have voiced strong support for reparations for the descendants of slaves. I have said several times during the last several weeks that I have long believed that our country will never truly heal until we address the original sin of slavery, Castro, the former secretary of U.S. Housing and Development under former President Barack Obama, said last month. If under our Constitution we compensate people if we take their property, why wouldnt we compensate people who were considered property and sanctioned by the state? In January, Texas Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee introduced the H.R. 40 bill, called the Commission to Study and Develop Reparations Proposals for African Americans Act, to look more deeply into the discussion. Reparations and repentance In her biblical argument for reparations, Day argued that the story of Zaccheus demonstrates, in her opinion, what true repentance looks like. I recognize that for some theologians and biblical scholars, it would be a stretch to interpret this interpersonal encounter between Zaccheus on a structural systemic level. Such encounters, so the argument goes, do not always translate perfectly within larger institutional contexts, she said. I want to take that seriously. You have conservative voices that say its a personal ethic altogether, but you have some other voices. I would consider myself standing in the tradition of Reinhold Niebuhr, who essentially says there is no perfect justice. And in some ways, some of the ethics that you find in the Bible they do not translate into larger institutional settings where power and interest sort of mark or characterize what the world is, she continued. I do want to say that while imperfect, this encounter that Jesus has with Zaccheus does indeed translate into a larger structural context. I think that Jesus own reparations ethics when He tells give back what is stolen and then can be reconciled with others and with God, sheds light on what is central to Gods economy, which includes restitution and real material repair as the grounding of Gods salvific work in history, Day explained. So Gods salvific work is not merely the existential but it is also the material. Such discussions are not separate or unrelated to the reign of God. Instead, Jesus own thoughts here to Zaccheus, provide evidence that reparative work is Kingdom work. It is part of what constitutes the unfolding of the Good News. And most importantly, what I think is being communicated in this encounter is that Zaccheus salvation could only be made complete in his action to repair. How does this translate into this moment even in thinking about the salvific work or history, what God has done in Jesus Christ that salvation history is always ongoing, redemption is seen as always ongoing, that part of that redemption is not fulfilled and complete until what has been stolen is returned and repaired and restitution has occurred? White Christians, Day argued, should see reparations as an act of worship. White Christians should see themselves, I would argue, as held underneath the same signs of the times, with the Zaccheus commissioning of sorts, that the reign of God involves repair as ones spiritual act of worship. What might it mean to wrestle with how Jesus ministry empowers white Christian communities to see reparations not only as a theological imperative but as a spiritual act of worship, she contended. White Christians supporting reparations for black Americans would also reset the notions and practices of repentance, she argued. Repentance in some Christian traditions is too easily seen as verbal in the form of simple apologies. So in this account repentance involves acknowledging wrongdoing in the past, feeling contrition for injury that has been caused, and promising to not do it again in the future. The future in this account is a qualitatively different point on the time continuum that the past. The past and the future are inter-related in this account but located at different points altogether. The call for repentance in this account stresses to leave behind the past by not committing the same infraction again. But this view of time, I would argue, in thinking about repentance, has no way of tracking how the past stretches into the present, how the past is the future, how the past is a becoming into the present, Day said. In my estimation, we get repentance wrong. And we get repentance wrong because we have a distorted idea of time, of temporality. And I want to note here that I think in some ways I think part of it is just hegemonic interest, so I dont want to say, where people get repentance wrong is in some ways is this insufficient notion of time. I think that theres real interest. In other words, white interest is very important to why white communities do not take up this very important work. But I also do think that the past is construed in a very particular way in this country. And it deeply shapes how we think about the gospels and how we think about salvation and therefore how we think about repentance. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment What is Restorative Justice? Restorative justice seeks to heal the harm caused by crime. Instead of focusing on retribution, it focuses on rehabilitation. At its core, it is a process that offers both victims and those who caused harm an opportunity to seek answers and accountability to begin to repair the damage caused by crime. You might be thinking that I just read a passage from one of Chuck Colsons books. Chuck devoted many years to promoting this biblically based approach to justice. But that description of restorative justice, believe it or not, comes from CNN.com, specifically from a promo page for a new series called The Redemption Project. In each episode, survivors of violent crime or the deceased victims loved ones come face to face with the very people who victimized them. The Redemption Project is the brainchild of CNN commentator Van Jones, who hosts the series. You most likely know Jones as a very left-of center social justice warrior. But, before you switch off the radio, you should know that Jones was raised in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, and, having briefly turned away from Christianity, has once again embraced his faith. Jones launched this new series in response to our increasingly toxic culture. As he explained in one interview, I feel we are losing the capacity as a culture for grace, compassion, and forgiveness. So he set out to film a series that depicts grace, compassion, and forgiveness in the most unlikely and trying of circumstances. Take the case of Mariah Lucas. When she was just 15 months old, Jason Wayne Clark murdered her mother in cold blood, stabbing her to death as she sat in her car. Mariahs family never recovered. Her dad fell apart and eventually ended up in prison himself. When Mariah married and had children of her own, she realized something was missing in her life. I had questions about my moms murder, I needed to reach out to this man who killed my mom 23 years ago. So she wrote Clark a letter, which he received shortly before he was paroled after serving 23 years in prison. She asked if she could meet him. It was like a slug to the chest, Clark said. She told me about her life . . .. its what we call the cycle of violence. I went through a cycle of violence. And my actions started another cycle of violence that she had to live through. She was the one who broke that cycle of violence. Their meeting, to say the least, is compelling television. But its not suitable for young children. The crimes discussed are heinous. There are ample references to drug abuse, and rare but raw profanity. The damage inflicted on these peoples lives is horrific. At times, its a struggle to have any empathy at all with the offenders, much less remember that they are made in the image of God who still loves them with an incalculable love. But thats where the grace, compassion, and forgiveness part of the series comes in, and is so remarkable. Listen to how Jones described the meetings he facilitated and witnessed, Nine times out of ten in this series, peoples faith was a big factor, on both sides. Im not surprised at all, and I wish The Redemption Project offered us more about the faith lives of the offenders and the victims. Hearing the occasional mention of God or a prayer is fine, but theres obviously much more to the faith aspect of these stories than we see in the series. Still, this series by CNN and Van Jones helps to refocus reform on victim-offender dialogue. And what an opportunity it provides to believers to have conversations about grace, forgiveness, and justice all three of which are only fully realized in Jesus Christ. Come to BreakPoint.org and click on this commentary. Ill link you to CNNs Redemption Project, as well as to Prison Fellowships work for restorative justice. Download audio mp3 here. Resources The Redemption Project, CNN website Van Jones Redemption Project brings victims families and perpetrators face to face on CNN, Rodney Ho | AJC.com | May 2, 2019 Prison Fellowship | Justice Reform, website Originally posted at Breakpoint. Email Whatsapp Menu Whatsapp Google Reddit Digg Stumbleupon Linkedin Comment Iowa. Kentucky. Mississippi. Ohio. Georgia. Alabama. What do these states have in common? Courage and compassion. Theyve passed Heartbeat bills (Missouri and Louisiana are on their way), banning the brutal act of abortion once a heartbeat can be detected in unborn children. I love how mainstream media is trying to spin this as a male versus female political fight (well, at least theyre admitting that there are only two genders). They ignore all the prolife women in this fightthe ones who run the majority of prolife organizations and the ones fighting in state and federal legislatures who reject the violence of abortion. All across the Twittersphere, pro-abortion activists are tweeting in ALL CAPS: NO UTERUS, NO SAY!!! Funny. Didnt seven white men in black robes deliver the violence of Roe v. Wade and Doe v. Bolton in the first place? Guess thats an acceptable form of patriarchy. CBS News laments: Alabama just criminalized abortionsand every single yes vote cast by a white man. Gasp! Didnt know it was a crime to be a white male politician. Didnt all white men (91% of Republican white men and a smaller 60% of Democrat white men) make womens right to vote, the 19th Amendment, a reality? USA Today asks: 25 Men voted to ban abortion in Alabama. Do they reflect the rest of America?. It starts off with more alarmist language: 25 white male Republicans in Alabama voted to ban abortion at every stage of pregnancy. There those Radical Republicans go again, believing were all created equal. Didnt all white male Republicans vote to abolish the injustice of slavery? And then theres the horrific tragedy of rape, which the Left is relentlessly exploiting. Never mind they ignore it when Planned Parenthood fails to report the rape of underage victims. Those rape situations dont bother them. No. Only when they realize how potent it is to use the 1% to justify 100% of abortions. I am that 1 percent. My biological mother was raped, yet she rejected the violence of abortion. I was adopted and loved instead. Im not the residue of the rapist, as Senator Vivian Davis Figures described those like me who were conceived in rape. I couldnt control the circumstances of my conception. Could you, Senator? My birthmom needed an active Healer in her life, not an activist huckster. As an adoptee who grew up wanted and loved in a multiracial family of fifteen and as an adoptive father with four children, Im here to say theres another side of this painful issue. There are others like me who were conceived in the violence of rape, like my friend Rebecca Kiessling, an attorney and passionate defender of life. Theres the former Miss Pennsylvania, Valerie Gatto, Trayvon Clifton, Monica Kelsey, Jim Sable, Pam Stenzel, and many more whose stories offer a different perspective than mainstream medias myopic pro-abortion view. There are women who became mothers from rape who courageously chose life, like Jennifer Christie, Liz Carl, and Rebekah Berg. I mean, who really are the extremists here? Those who think that every human being has the right to life? Or people who celebrate the needless slaughter of one million innocent humans each year in America? People who boast about having their abortions like Gloria Steinem sporting an I had an abortion shirt? People like fake feminist Jill Filipovic who suggest severing part of a mans penis every time he impregnates someone. People like Cecile Richards who compare protesting abortion to protesting a colonoscopy, because an unborn child is no different than feces? When it comes to rape and abortion, how do you heal violence with more violence? Lets be real here. Even if Alabamas Human Life Protection Act had a rape and incest exception, the confused Handmaids Tale cosplayers would still be out in full force. Fake feminists need to exploit tragedy to promote their false equality. And they never seem to find space in their screeds to talk about punishing the actual criminalthe rapist. Remember when the bipartisan Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act was signed by President George W. Bush? Every abortion group, including the NAACP, descended upon DC in 2004 in a massive protest, called the March for Womens Lives. How dare you prevent a child from being partially birthed in order to have her tiny skull crushed and body parts severed to remove that separate human being from her mothers body! Dr. Leana Wen, the historically-challenged President of Planned Parenthood, declared on Twitter: I cant believe I have to say thisbut there is no such thing as infanticide in medical care. There is no such thing as abortion up until birth. Clearly she didnt get the memo about the Planned Parenthood-led March for Womens Lives demonstration 15 years ago when pro-abortion activists went all apoplectic after mostly Republicans andsome Democrats voted to stop the brutal practice of partial birth infanticide. According to the New York Times, Ron Fitzsimmons, the executive director of the National Coalition of Abortion Providers, admitted that the barbaric intact dilation and evacuation procedure (aka partial birth abortion) was common. And then there was Virginia Governor Ralph Northam calmly explaining how infanticideis practiced. Lets not forget Gosnell, who happened to be committing infanticide for years in Phillydelivering babies alive and then snipping their spinal cords to kill them. He was finally convicted of murder and jailed. New Yorks recently passed Reproductive Health Act reiterated that abortion up until birth, for any health reason (physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and the womans age as declared in Doe versus Bolton), is legal as long as the abortionist vouches for it. How convenient. Vermont just passed H57 which eliminates all abortion restrictions, allowing abortion up until birth. The legislation also decriminalizes self-induced (aka back alley) abortions. Fake feminism is the extremism. It sees compassion in an act of violence. It sees strength when someone succumbs to despair. It sees (selfish) autonomy where God designed selfless dependency. I am the one percent that is always demonized and exploited. But Im part of a far larger collective of courageous and compassionate advocates for Life who believe in the radical notion that we all have equal and irrevocable worth regardless of how our lives began. Originally posted at theradiancefoundation.org 1. Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. A woman who survived alone in the marsh becomes a murder suspect. 2. The 18th Abduction by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. The 18th book in the Womens Murder Club series. Lindsay Boxer investigates the disappearance of three female teachers. 3. Redemption by David Baldacci. The fifth book in the Memory Man series. The first man Amos Decker put behind bars asks to have his name cleared. 4. Neon Prey by John Sandford. The 29th book in the Prey series. Lucas Davenport goes after a serial killer. 5. Lost Roses by Martha Hall Kelly. In 1914, New York socialite Eliza Ferriday works to help White Russian families escape from the revolution. 6. Normal People by Sally Rooney. The connection between a high school star athlete and a loner ebbs and flows when they go to college. 7. The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. Theo Faber looks into the mystery of a famous painter who stops speaking after shooting her husband. 8. A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum. A Palestinian American teenager, much like her mother before her, faces the prospect of an arranged marriage. 9. Fire and Blood by George R.R. Martin. The first volume of the two-part history of the Targaryens in Westeros. 10. Someone Knows by Lisa Scottoline. A dark secret emerges when Allie Garvey returns home to attend a friends funeral. Nonfiction 1. Becoming by Michelle Obama. The former first lady describes how she balanced work, family and her husbands political ascent. 2. Educated by Tara Westover. The daughter of survivalists leaves home for university. 3. The Second Mountain by David Brooks. A New York Times op-ed columnist espouses having an outward focus to attain a meaningful life. 4. The Moment of Lift by Melinda Gates. The philanthropist shares stories of empowering women to improve society. 5. Life Will Be the Death of Me by Chelsea Handler. The comedian chronicles going into therapy and becoming an advocate for change. 6. Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb. A psychotherapist gains unexpected insights when she becomes another therapists patient. 7. The Matriarch by Susan Page. A biography of former first lady Barbara Bush, based on interviews and her private diaries. 8. Shortest Way Home by Pete Buttigieg. A memoir by the mayor of South Bend, Indiana, and the first openly gay Democratic candidate to run for president of the United States. 9. Nanaville by Anna Quindlen. The Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist observes the joys of being a grandmother. 10. Bad Blood by John Carreyrou. The rise and fall of the biotech startup Theranos. New York Times A man who allegedly broke into an Alief home died after being shot multiple times by the family's father, says Houston Police. Houston Police responded to a shooting call at 13110 North Bellaire Estates Drive around 2:40 a.m. The suspect, estimated to be between 30 and 35 years old, allegedly broke in through home's ground-floor window facing the street and was found by the family's father outside of his 13-year-old daughter's upstairs bedroom. The man was allegedly armed, and the father fought for control of the weapon. Police say the father wrested the gun from the suspect's grasp and shot him multiple times. HOUSTON CRIME: Second Houston teen faces murder charges in gang shooting of Lamar High student There were four children in the house, ages 4 through 13. After hearing the shooting, a neighbor went by the house and ushered the kids outside. Upon returning to the home, the neighbor reportedly saw the suspect downstairs stabbing himself with a kitchen knife. The suspect was transported to Southwest Memorial Hospital, where he was declared dead. "This appears to be random," said Detective Blake Roberts when asked if the suspect had any connection to the family. "Of course, it's still under investigation -- we still have a lot of research to do on the male that broke into the house as far as his criminal history, his mental history and anything we can find in order to determine what would be the motive for this." 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. Fifty years ago, a Texas family bought a resort that would become the iconic Schlitterbahn. The story of Schlitterbahn's creation started with the Henry family when founders Bob and Billye Henry bought Landa Resort in New Braunfels in 1966. For the next 10 years, the family realized their resort guests were most attracted to the water slides they installed. FUN FACTS: 35 facts about Schlitterbahn you likely didn't know about before In response to the water slide demand guests expressed, the owners continued to develop new rides and slides for guests to enjoy. Then by 1979, the Henry's opened Schlitterbahn - which is the combination of the German words for slippery (schlitter) and road (bahn). At the beginning, the resort the Henrys bought was 15 acres and 32 cabins, which grew to 40 acres and over 100 units in the first 10 years. The constant improvement of the park's attractions has been a staple in the Henry family and continues today. "We lived at the camp so we literally lived the business," said Gary Henry, the eldest son of Bob and Billye Henry. "My mother would answer the reservation line at night and if there was any problem, we would go and fix it. It was a way of life. It was what we did." The 2017 Schlitterbahn New Braunfels guests enjoy is over 70 acres containing 51 attractions. Click through the gallery above to see the vintage photos of the Landa Resort and Schlitterbahn in their early years and continue clicking to see photos and facts of what we know as Schlitterbahn now. SUMMER IN WINTER: Schlitterbahn is loving this warm weather in the winter Last season the Schlitterbahn family was devastated after a 10-year-old boy suffered a fatal neck injury in August 2016 while riding the Verruckt slide, the world's former highest slide in the world reaching a staggering 168 feet high. "It was a devastating event and devastating to the staff that ran that ride and the park in general,' Gary Henry said. "Our focus is on safety every day the way we open the park and check to see everything is operating properly. We don't only rely on our safety, but we also rely on others coming in to double check after us." Henry says the Schlitterbahn brand is going to continue testing, revisiting and improving all of their attractions to continuously ensure the safety of their customers and employees. "Whether it's the parking lots or the restrooms or the rides, every aspect has to be looked at to ensure it is as safe as possible," Henry said. Ed Hubbard has been going to Schlitterbahn New Braunfels for the past 25 years with his entire family each Memorial Day weekend. He says thanks to Schlitterbahn, there is something for every family member to do and no one is bored. He credits Schlitterbahn as the reason why his kids know their extended family. "There's one particular time that repeats itself every Memorial Day. During the day, everyone goes their own way, but every night around 6:30 and 7 we all meet up for dinner and a prayer circle," Hubbard said. "So it is really the only time of the year when our whole family is together in such an important moment. "There's no place like Schlitterbahn. No other place would compare." Ariana Grande welcomes fans into her universe Sunday night at Toyota Center. But before that, Grande took a space trip of her own. The pop superstar visited NASA Saturday, chronicling it in her Instagram stories. She donned a spacesuit, and her photo was featured on one of the screens as a welcome to Mission Control. TO BE CLEAR: Only certain bags will be allowed at Ariana Grande's concert "Thank you for the coolest day of my life @nasa. My mind is still processing and devouring every second of what just happened but I can't wait to share more," Grande wrote. "What a special day and experience. Thank you so so so so much for your generosity and for showing my friends and I around." And there's a deeper connection. Grande's "thank u, next" album features a song called "NASA." Her friend can be heard playing it while astronaut Grande laughs. Grande added more photos Sunday, including the "incredibly special opportunity" to FaceTime with astronauts in space. She also posed with the Mission Control team and got to experience some cool NASA toys. The NASA Johnson Space Center even got in on the fun, sharing a photo on Instagram Stories with a play on the song. "It's like you're the universe and we're N-A-S-A." Grande's current tour is here Sunday and features two hours of hits, including "Into You," "God is a Woman" and "Break Free." Joey Guerra is the music critic for the Houston Chronicle and also covers everything from "Drag Race" to "Idol." Follow him on Twitter. Send him news tips at joey.guerra@chron.com. An 18-year-old is the second person to be charged with murder in the shooting death last November of a Lamar High School student, one of a string of crimes authorities have described as part of an ongoing gang war. Dave'on Thomas was arrested and charged with murder Friday in state district court in connection with the Nov. 13 murder of Delindsey Mack, court records show. Mack, who had just transferred to Lamar from Yates High School, was walking home from classes on Nov. 13 when two people jumped out of a car and shot him. One of the gunmen stood over him and continued to shoot as he lay dying on the pavement, records state. Thomas, who police suspect was the driver in the incident, is being held in Harris County Jail on a $200,000 bond. In court documents, prosecutors described him as "an extreme threat to public safety" and said he is a suspect in two other murders and three aggravated robberies. ON HOUSTONCHRONICLE.COM: Family of Lamar student shot dead says he was a "big talker" but no gangster." Kendrick Johnson, who was in custody on two unrelated aggravated robberies, was charged in March with Mack's murder and that of 24-year-old Kenneth Roberson, who was killed in southeast Houston last September. Johnson, 19, also is accused of wounding a person in the neck on Jan. 8 in a drive-by shooting. The Nov. 13 Lamar attack at sent the River Oaks campus into lockdown and prompted a visit from Mayor Sylvester Turner after a 17-year-old student wrote him a letter expressing concerns about the violence. The mayor then also visited Yates, the Third Ward campus from which Mack had just transferred. Law enforcement leaders have described a number of recent murders as part of an ongoing war between members two local street gangs, 100 Percent Third Ward (103) the group to which Thomas belongs, court documents allege -- and the Young Scott Block, or YSB, gang. In the aftermath of the Lamar shooting, Mack's parents said they hadn't known about an online persona he'd created portraying himself as a member of the Backstreet/Freemoney gang, a group associated with YSB. But at least twice before Mack's death as far back as December 2016, when he was still at Yates his mother warned police he was being threatened by gang members. About 20,000 gang members in roughly 300 gangs live in the greater Houston area, according to law enforcement estimates. 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. Life is filled with milestones and thousands of Katy ISD seniors are about to pass a big one. Beginning on Friday, May 24, high school seniors from the districts seven main campuses will walk across the stage at the Leonard E. Merrell Center to end one trek and take steps toward new lives. Thousands of graduating seniors will receive their diplomas next weekend at the Merrell Center at 6301 S. Stadium Lane. The schedule for high school graduations in Katy ISD include: James E. Taylor High School 2 p.m. Friday, May 24. Katy High School 7 p.m. Friday, May 24. Mayde Creek High School 9 a.m. Saturday, May 25. Cinco Ranch High School 2 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Morton Ranch High School 7 p.m. Saturday, May 25. Obra D. Tompkins High School 2 p.m. Sunday, May 26. Seven Lakes High School 7 p.m. Sunday, May 26. Receiving diplomas the following week will be graduating seniors from the Simon Youth Academy, at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Katy Mills Mall; and from Martha Raines High School, 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 29, at Morton Ranch High School. Patricia E. Paetow High School, which opened its doors in 2017, will have its first graduating class at the end of the 2019-2020 school year. Katy Area Chamber of Commerce The Katy Area Chamber of Commerce has ribbon cuttings scheduled for this week. The assembled members of the chamber will welcome: Keller Williams Premier is located at 22762 Westheimer Parkway, Suite 420 in Katy, at the east side of Villagio Town Center. Keller Williams will welcome visitors from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 20. The ribbon cutting is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. For more information go to www.katytxhomes.com. DTP Realty at 5811 Highway Blvd. in Katy. DTP Realty is a real estate brokerage, specializing in working with buyers, sellers, and lease properties. The ribbon cutting is slated for 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. An open house is set for 4-5:30 p.m. For more information, go to www.dtp-realty.com. Hollyoak, a luxury living for active adults age 55 and older, is located at 1830 Hollyoak Drive in Houston. The open house is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, May 23. For more information, go to www.hollyoakseniors.com. For more information or to register for the events with the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce, go to www.katychamber.com. Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce Keeping it Texas, the Fulshear-Katy Area Chamber of Commerce opts to have rope cuttings instead of traditional ribbon cuttings. New businesses being welcomed into the fold this week include: Aquila Insurance Agency at 25920 Westheimer Parkway #350 in Katy. The business will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 23. Katy Sportz Academy at 24746 Saddlespur Lane in Katy. An open house is slated for 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, May 24. For more information, go to www.fulshearkaty.com. T.E.A.M. send-off Texans Embracing Americas Military will host a ceremony to send off new recruits to the military service at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 19, at Crosspoint Church, 700 Westgreen Blvd. For more information, email texansembracingamericasmilitary@yahoo.com or call Ralph Oliver, founder/team leader, at 281-222-6292. Rotary Club of Katy The Rotary Club of Katy meets every Thursday at 11:45 a.m. at The Club at Falcon Point, 24503 Falcon Point Dr. in Katy. for more information, go to https://katyrotary.com/3937. Community Food Fair Powerhouse Church will host its Community Food Fair from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 25. Powerhouse Church is located at 1818 Katyland Drive in Katy. The fair will provide free produce to anyone in need. For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/y282wkmj. rkent@hcnonline.com Thirty contestants turned back the clock in Galveston on Saturday for this year's bathing beauties contest. Donning vintage-inspired swimwear, entrants hailed from as far away as Oklahoma, New Jersey, Colorado and California. The event was part of the two-day Galveston Island Beach Revue presented by the Hotel Galvez and Spa. Now in its 11th year, the beach revue was started by Islander By Choice LLC in the wake of Hurricane Ike. Jennifer Vera won first place, followed by Hayley Cochran in second, Mackenzie Finklea, third; Thao Lam, fourth; and Angela Ledesma, fifth. Crystal Gates was named crowd favorite. Earlier, Stephanie Rivera was named Best Vintage Dressed. GALVESTON APPEAL: Peek inside luxurious homes for sale in Galveston's exclusive yacht club community The bathing beauties contest has its roots in the island's annual Bathing Girl Revue, which later became the "Pageant of Pulchritude" contest in the 1920s.The winner back then was named Miss Universe. The event faded away during the Great Depression, but it would pop up again after World War II as part of the annual Splash Day activities in May. By the mid-1960s, disturbances and an effort to promote tourism year-round prompted city leaders to do away with Splash Day and, by extension, the bathing beauties contest. 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. Videos Sorry, there are no recent results for popular videos. A crowd of supporters turned out Saturday night to call for justice for Pamela Turner, a 44-year-old grandmother with mental health issues who was gunned downed by police this week. Turner was fatally shot during a confrontation with Baytown Police officer Juan Delacruz at The Brixton Apartments complex at 1601 Garth on Monday. More than a dozen people, led by Black Lives Matter organizer Kandice Webber, denounced Delacruzs actions. Ben Crump, a lawyer who is representing the family, called Turners death one of the worst police shootings hed ever seen on video. He said they will be pushing for all possible avenues of legal justice, including a criminal murder charge on the officer. My sister was a human being who had rights, and on that evening, her rights were violated in every possible way, her sister Tracy Frazier said earlier this week. She did not deserve to be killed and murdered. Delacruz said he was serving an arrest warrant on the woman when they began to struggle, according to Baytown police. The two had prior dealings, Dorris said. The officer struck Turner with a Taser, after which she grabbed a hold of the weapon and used it against him, Dorris said. He fired five shots, all heard on a viral video taken by a bystander. Delacruz remains on paid administrative leave, officials said. The Rev. Al Sharpton and Rev. Terry Anderson will officiate Turners funeral on May 23 at Lilly Grove Missionary Baptist Church. The heat of summer will roll into Houston in a few months. Luckily, Houston-area residents have a good spot to cool off. Wet'n'Wild SplashTown is set to open to the public at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 6. The water park will remain open to the general public from Friday to Sunday through May 25. By May 26, the water park will be open every day. A woman accused of impersonating a California deputy to break her boyfriend out of the Washington County Detention Center was sentenced to 15 years in prison Monday. According to an arrest affidavit, Maxine Feldstein told jail officials she was "Deputy Kershaw with the Ventura County Sheriff's Office" on July 27. AKRON, Ohio Vehicles at Copley Road and Crestview Avenue can see two new murals of famous Akronites LeBron James and Rita Dove at the Maple Valley Branch Library. Art x Love, an Akron-based fine arts branding company, on Saturday installed paintings of the former St. Vincent-St. Mary and Cavaliers star and Pulitzer Prize-winning poet created by local artists. Dierre Fleetwood, a 35-year-old Akron man who creates art under the name Duece Dime, painted Heart of A.KING. The 8-by-8-foot, medium-density overlay panel painting shows James and a lion overlaid on the state of Ohio, which Fleetwood first drew in his sketchbook one evening. Duece stands for Do-U-Everyday-Creating-Elevating. I was just thinking about LeBron, everything he did for the city, Fleetwood said Saturday at the mural installation. He inspires the whole city. Look at what hes done. He brought us a chip back, too. From him building a school and just everything hes doing for the community, hes a big leader. Hes a big leader for Akron. The mural took Fleetwood more than two months to complete. Rita Dove was painted collaboratively by about 50 people at the 2018 PorchRokr fest in Akrons Highland Square neighborhood and finished by Akron artist Alan Lunda. The 4-by-4-foot painting began as a line drawing based on a photograph of Dove, the first African-American poet to serve as Poet Laureate Consultant in Poetry to the Library of Congress. Dove, 66, was born and raised in Akron. Dove has written a poem about the Copley Road library and the power of knowledge and discovery, entitled Maple Valley Branch Library, 1967. The murals are two of 100 that are being installed across Akron as part of the @PLAY project, said Mac Love, who runs Art x Love with his wife, Allyse Love. In 2017, Art x Love won a $240,000 Knight Cities grant for an 18-month series of art challenges to drive engagement and deepen community connections through creative acts of play. The team surveyed every Akron street, interviewed residents, developed concepts, and hired local artists to create art projects, Love said. We produced 100 murals, made enhancements to 50 public spaces including two public pools, Love said. Love hopes these murals are the beginning of a series that continues down Copley Road in Akrons Maple Valley neighborhood. Fleetwood hopes high school students at nearby Buchtel CLC are inspired to create when they see the public art. Youve got a lot of young artists that want to draw, so maybe this will give them some inspiration, also, he said. 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 Since the invention of the cellphone, photography has never been more ubiquitous and more popular. A group of Cleveland photographers aims to celebrate that fact, and raise the ante on the ambitions of amateurs and professionals alike by staging the first annual Cleveland Photo Fest in September and October. The event, which the organizers hope will become a fixture on Northeast Ohios cultural calendar, will kick off with half a dozen exhibitions, plus related educational events, but the organizers hope it will eventually grow to 30 exhibits. Two shows will be open to the professionals and amateurs alike, with no submission fees, although jurors will review works in advance to make sure they are family friendly, in the words of veteran Cleveland photographer Herbert Ascherman, Jr., a chief organizer of the project. We are swamped, we are overwhelmed with visual imagery, he said. We want to show the best of the best, drawing from Cleveland sources primarily. Ascherman said the goal of Photo Fest is to raise consciousness about what constitutes a good photo, to give higher visibility to Cleveland photographers and to uplift the human condition. The mission statement of Photo Fest states that its objective is to to create an annual event that will involve photographers, photography supporters and other Cleveland based organizations that exhibit and promote photography as a fine art for a two-month period of continuous public exhibitions, educational programming and civic events. The initial leaders of the project include Cleveland photographer, writer and educator Laura DAlessandro, a former volunteer for the New Orleans Photo Alliance and its annual festival of photography, PhotoNOLA. Also on board is freelance photographer and social media and marketing manager Jim Szudy. Cleveland photographer Donald Black, Jr., is advising the project as well. Black, who is African-American, said he often feels excluded from visibility in Cleveland, but was pleased to be invited to participate in Photo Fest. My experience helps me make sure theres representation for people like me, he said. The Photo Fest will kick off on Sept. 6 with an exhibition on Cutting Edge Cleveland photographers at Good Goat Gallery in Lakewood, followed by a second show and sell event at the gallery, later in the festival. Other shows will be held at Foothill Galleries of the Photo Secession in Cleveland Heights; Prama Artspace & Gallery in Parma; and the Orange Art Center in Pepper Pike. Additional details will be announced on the Photo Fest website. The whole idea is to bring the photo community and photo lovers together, DAlessandro said. Were trying to accommodate as many Cleveland photographers as we can, and give them as many opportunities as possible. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Most people know that allowing a thief to get credit card or debit card numbers could lead to fraud. But writing a check for payment is harmless, right? Think again. Less known is the damage that could be done, including fraud, if a bad guy gets that checking account number, according to the Federal Trade Commission. This is one of the reasons that banks and other experts are increasingly urging consumers to use electronic payments instead of writing paper checks. In some cases, consumers think theyre paying electronically when they use their banks online bill payment service. But in about 20% of cases, the payment cant be made electronically and must be made with a paper check. While theres no cost for paper checks to the consumer, some banks dont mask the customers account number. This could be risky in this era where thieves seem to be three steps ahead in finding new ways to commit fraud. The FTC has investigated several big rackets involving stolen checking account numbers. Statistics on the number of complaints lodged arent kept separate -- for now -- from fraud complaints involving debit cards. In one big case from 2017, the FTC sued several individuals and companies on allegations they took $40 million out of peoples accounts using remotely created checks without permission from the account owners. Consumers need to be careful about sending or handing over checks, said Steve Kenneally, senior vice president of payments and cybersecurity policy for the American Bankers Association in Washington, D.C. What youre doing is handing someone a piece of paper with your name, address and bank account information, he said. Electronic payments, by contrast, are safer and faster and cheaper. The FTCs advice is simple: Dont give out your bank account number. Even if youre careful about who you give personal checks to, or only write checks from a secondary account, the disclosure of your account number could be occurring without you realizing it, depending on where you bank. Some banks mask the persons account number; some dont. Citizens (Bank) does not put the account number on the check to safeguard the customers account from fraud, said spokeswoman Nancy Lesic. "Citizens Bank, N.A is displayed on the bill pay checks. However we use a third-party vendor to fulfill and process bill pay checks. So generally youd see the vendors settlement account details. The move is smart business for Citizens. The safety and security of customer accounts is of the utmost importance to Citizens, and it has consistently instituted safeguards to help reduce fraud losses for our customers over the years, Lesic said. Huntington Bank has hidden a customers account number on bill payments since the 1990s, said spokeswoman Emily Smith. The customers Huntington deposit account number is not printed on the bill pay check, meaning that information is not exposed to the payee or potential fraudsters, she said. Huntington, like many banks, uses an internal settlement account where the payment is drawn from and reconciled. KeyBank also doesnt use a customers bank account number on checks sent out through its bill payment service. It also uses an internal settlement account. This allows us to facilitate the payment via check while also keeping our clients information safe, said spokesman Matthew Pitts. Chases process of using an internal number and not the persons real account number has the same effect, said spokesman Andrew Blight. (This) ensures our our customers account details remain protected, he said. There are other local banks, however, that use a customers actual account number. Among Greater Clevelands larger banks, this is true at PNC, Fifth Third and U.S. Bank. (Third Federal doesnt offer online bill pay.) In cases where payments cant be sent electronically, online bill pay checks that are sent by Fifth Third Bank do contain the customers account number. Fifth Third uses the process as the best way to ensure a great customer experience, which includes paying the bill from the correct account, said spokeswoman Laura Trujillo. PNC noted that a bill payment made with a paper check is no different than a customer paying with their own paper check, said spokeswoman Shannon Mortland. Instead of a PNC customer writing out the check and mailing it, PNC creates the paper check and mails the check on behalf of the PNC customer. The same account and bank routing information that appears on every check the customer prepares themselves, also appears on the electronically-created check prepared by PNC -- both checks include the customer account information. The account and bank routing information found on each check are necessary for the funds to be transferred from the PNC customers account to the recipients account, Mortland added. Consumers who arent sure whether their bank uses their actual account number for bill payments and care to find out should look at checks that have cleared their account. Consumers are much more at risk if they lose a blank check or their entire checkbook, Kenneally at ABA noted. Less sophisticated thieves can do more harm more quickly with blank checks. The popularity of checks continues to shrink, Kenneally added. The Federal Reserve found check usage declined 3% to 5% a year from 2012 to 2017, after steeper declines from 2000 to 2012. Electronic payments, mobile wallets and peer-to-peer payments are soaring. Were really focusing on trying to get rid of checks, he said, but theyre not going away anytime soon. A Plain Dealer special report Cleveland has long failed to help young people learn the skills they need to find rewarding work. The mismatch between workers skills and industrys needs harms young people, hurts local businesses, and hobbles the regions economy. But there are ways to close the gap. Elsewhere, schools and businesses tackle the problem together. Children in some European countries get deeply exposed to career options starting in seventh grade. Before they graduate from high school, they have the skills local businesses need. How can Northeast Ohio do this better? We traveled to Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands to find out. We are sharing those stories here in our series called Pathways to Prosperity. Pathways to Prosperity: A New Way As The Plain Dealer learned on a recent visit to Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, the countries of western Europe offer a very different mindset about how education and job preparation should work than here in Cleveland. There, students start earlier, experience more, and dive deeper into career training. In the U.S., were just starting debates about whether 12 years of school is enough to prepare students for meaningful careers. Read more here. Rotterdam combines efforts from industry, education Colleges in the Dutch city of Rotterdam needed a way to give students chances to work while still in school - a key part of the Dutch educational system. The city also wanted a place that innovative startups could have a chance to grow. The result was RDM Rotterdam Research, Design, Manufacturing a hub that combines companies, high school-level vocational training and college-level internships into one complex. We talk about some of the kids and programs in the facility, and add observations from the Cleveland Foundation, who also visited RDM a few years ago. Read more here. Starting young in Switzerland Cleveland kids might not get on a career path until after high school; in Switzerland, they start in seventh grade. Having enough qualified people to fill jobs is critical to Clevelands future, local educators and employers say. The lesson from Europe is: Start earlier. In Switzerland, these pathways begin in middle school with a two-year career education program that includes one-on-one counseling and job trials. Career education prepares students to choose the two- to four- year apprenticeships that most begin around age 15. Read more here. Exposure, real work is enough Cleveland schools may seem unusual by creating career-theme high schools that expose students to career fields, but they look feeble compared to what European companies like Airbus do. Read more here. Businesses benefit by self-made pipeline Cleveland employers feel stifled by a skills gap between what they need and what schools produce; in Europe, a pipeline of apprentices, future workers, fixes that. Read more here. Diplomas mean being certifiably skilled In the Netherlands, you dont get a general high school diploma, you learn how to do some kind of job if you are not on a competitive academic track. Yet in America, its very possible for a high schooler to graduate with no skills and no chance at college. Read more here. Bringing in nurses of any age Cleveland hospitals have done great work helping young people become nurses, but Switzerland takes it to a whole new level, training people of all ages. Read more here. Apprenticeships better than college? How about both College is still a goal for many European families, even if not pronounced as in the U.S., but mixing apprenticeships or other on-the-job training with college is a viable path for many. And it has plenty of upsides: no tuition debt, clearer paths to careers, better-educated workforce. Read more here. Training pays off for the community American companies often see training as a waste; Bruck, a German company with a Cleveland area co-owner, says its the key to loyalty, stability, and productivity. If the employees are educated enough, skilled enough, loyal enough it equals a successful company, which in turn equals a successful/stale community. This is an example of how that equation works. Read more here. Lessons Learned In our last installment in the series, we take a look at the lessons weve learned and pose the quesitons: What are the big opportunities in Cleveland where we can change or do better? What needs to change and where do we start? Read more here. MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- Residents living in neighborhoods adjacent to Grace Church in Middleburg Heights are experiencing relief from problematic parkers. For many years, parishioners have parked in every available curb space along Lanier Drive, Glenridge Avenue and Briarcliff Parkway to avoid dealing with congestion in the Pearl Road churchs parking lots during weekend worship services and weeknight parish activities. At the citys May 13 Safety Committee meeting, residents acknowledged to Mayor Matt Castelli that the situation has improved in recent weeks. "I know Grace Church has communicated to its membership asking them not to park on those streets," Castelli said. "I think that has been effective. We all want to be good neighbors to each other." Associate Pastor Steve Harper told the committee that Grace Church actively has been monitoring the side streets to make sure parishioners are complying with the churchs request. Police Chief Ed Tomba said he has seen improvement in the parking situation as well, and plans to add a bicycle patrol for additional enforcement. In the summer, I will have officers ride over there and feel free to handle any issues, Tomba said, noting that the police department, when requested, will use traffic cones to accommodate Lanier/Glenridge/Briarcliff residents who periodically need reserved street parking at their homes for special social events. The mayor cautioned everyone to pay attention to the permanent road signs along Briarcliff. You are allowed to park on one side of the street and not the other, Castelli emphasized. If you park on the No Parking side, youre going to get a ticket. While it appeared that neighborhood residents want to be optimistic about the improved parking issue, theyre not convinced it will last. As soon as this all clears out, I believe its going to go right back to the way it was, one woman said. That church is too strong. Read more stories from the News Sun here. INDEPENDENCE, Ohio -- The citys Clerk of Council, Debi Beal, has earned her Certified Municipal Clerk status. This title is awarded by the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC). Beal earned this status after completing education requirements, participating in Athenian dialogues on books relating to her field of study, attending Ohio Municipal Clerk Institutes and taking classes. After successfully completing each of these tasks, Beal earned points toward her certification. In order to be a Certified Municipal Clerk, an applicant must have a total of 60 points in combined education and experience. According to the IIMC website, an applicant must also be a member of the IIMC, practice the code of ethics and complete two application forms. The site notes that, The Certified Municipal Clerk program is designed to enhance the job performance of the clerk in small and large municipalities. The courses Beal took focused on subjects such as record retention, legislation and laws on government. Courses could be taken online or, in some cases, the material was presented to municipal clerk applicants. Beal regularly attends a monthly speaker series with the Northeast Ohio Municipal Clerks. This group takes an extended lunch once a month to hear professionals speak on municipal-related topics. Most recently, Beal said she heard the Ohio attorney general speak about phone and email scams in the workplace. Following speakers such as these, the attendees are required to fill out an assessment, for which they earn points toward their certification. The Municipal Clerk Institutes are broken down into levels, ranging from local to national. Beal is the secretary for the Northeast Ohio Municipal Clerks Association, but the levels include a statewide Ohio Municipal Clerks Association and a National Association. Beal has been with the City of Independence for 15 years. She previously worked for former mayor Fred Ramos as a legal secretary in his office. Following her time with Ramos, she saw an opening for a secretary in the citys Building Department and was offered the position. She has progressed to become the Clerk of Council in addition to the secretary for the Board of Zoning Appeals, Planning Commission and Architectural Board of Review. When asked how she handles all of these responsibilities she said, I pride myself on being very organized. Beal prepares agendas, provides copies of legislation, attends meetings and types out all of the meeting minutes verbatim for each of the departments mentioned, as well as for City Council. Her typical day begins with checking and answering emails, viewing applications for the various building boards and working with the law director on council legislation. She said the biggest change she has seen during her time with the city has been the streamlined process. Going paperless has been huge. There used to be eight or nine [paper] copies of legislation, Beal said. She now enters information into a computer program called Accela. Another change Beal has experienced has been the different styles of mayors. Beal has worked under three mayors now. Each one is different and brings something to the table," she said. Her favorite part of the job is getting to work with the residents of Independence and the public. The city has given me lots of opportunity throughout the years. I love the day-to-day variety in the job, Beal said. She does not live in Independence, but Beal said she feels she can be more impartial by not living in the city, and said she still treats it as if it were her own hometown. Beal was recognized for her Certified Municipal Clerk status at the May City Council meeting by Mayor Anthony Togliatti and Vice Mayor Dave Grendel. Grendel said, I speak on behalf of all members of council that Debi is a consistent professional, a fantastic worker. Beal is now in the process of working toward her Master Municipal Clerk Certification. Read more news from the Parma Sun Post. LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- Burglary, Nelson Court An officer at 3:44 a.m. May 7 noticed a suspicious man standing near a window of a home. The man was kneeling and attempting entry into a basement window, according to a police report. Police arrested the suspect for burglary. Disorderly conduct, Halstead Avenue A woman called police at about 2:43 a.m. May 8 to report that a woman she did not know was at her front door. Police arrived and arrested the unwanted early morning visitor for disorderly conduct while intoxicated. Fleeing and eluding, Lake Avenue Lakewood police attempted at 1:04 a.m. May 9 to make a traffic stop on a car near Nicholson Avenue, but it failed to stop. The car continued east on Clifton Boulevard into Cleveland. Police terminated the pursuit in Cleveland. Theft, Delaware Avenue A caller informed police at about 10:30 p.m. May 8 that his bicycle had been stolen. Criminal damaging, Detroit Avenue Police received information at about 6:40 a.m. May 6 about a window being broken out at Black Market Records. Driving under the influence, Madison Avenue Police initiated a traffic stop at about 12:05 a.m. May 7 and ended up arresting the male driver for operating a vehicle while impaired. Burglary, Clarence Avenue Police took a report at 11 a.m. May 4 from a woman who reported that she believes her ex-boyfriend had entered her house while she was away. Aggravated burglary, Cedarwood Avenue Police responded at 10:42 a.m. May 3 to a call from a woman saying a male suspect was trying to break into the house. Read more news from the Sun Post Herald. NORTH OLMSTED, Ohio -- Drunken driving, Lorain Road Police responded at 11:58 p.m. May 10 to Fat Heads Brewery for a report of a hit-skip traffic accident in the parking lot. Police, using information from witnesses, went to the home of the vehicles owner and found the car still running in the driveway, with the driver inside. Police also noticed damage to the rear of the car, where witnesses said it had backed into another vehicle. Police discovered the woman driver asleep behind the wheel. A police report said that when the woman awoke, she appeared confused, smelled of an alcoholic beverage, had glassy eyes and slurred her speech. The woman said she did not remember being at the brewery where the accident occurred. After officers administered a field sobriety test to the woman, they arrested her for operating a vehicle while impaired and failing to stop after an accident. She refused to take an alcohol breath test, according to police. Marijuana possession, Country Club Boulevard An officer at 9:15 p.m. May 9 spotted a rented car failing to signal a turn while exiting Great Northern Malls parking lot onto Country Club Boulevard. The officer pulled over the car for a traffic stop, then noticed the strong odor of raw marijuana as he approached the vehicle. A man, woman and 8-year-old child were in the vehicle. The male passenger in the car handed police a bag containing 28 grams of marijuana, a jar containing another 28 grams of marijuana, a pack of cigarettes containing a hand-rolled marijuana cigar (or blunt), a small digital scale and six more plastic sandwich bags. He was cited for possession of marijuana and possession of marijuana paraphernalia. The woman driver received a traffic citation for change of course. Petty theft, Brookpark Road A Walmart security officer called police at 5:13 p.m. May 8 to report that she had a woman in custody for suspected shoplifting. The security officer showed police a video of the suspect scanning items through a self-checkout register and bagging some of the items without scanning them. The suspect is accused of scanning and paying for about $20 worth of groceries, but taking an additional $27 in groceries without paying for them. The store security officer stopped the suspect as she left the store. The suspect had previously been banned from Walmart stores nationwide because of suspected theft. Police charged her with shoplifting and criminal trespass. Criminal trespass, Great Northern Mall Police at 4:41 p.m. May 12 charged a man with criminal trespassing for coming to the mall. The suspect the previous day had been in the mall and acted in a disorderly manner. At that time, mall security told the man he was banned for his lifetime from returning to the mall. Mall security said that prior to police arriving May 12, the man had been yelling at employees of Dillards department store and the mall, including yelling profanities. Police charged him with criminal trespassing. Read more news from the Sun Post Herald here. MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio -- To raise environmental awareness, St. Bartholomew Academy teachers joined with Middleburg Heights city officials to assist students in planting a tree, distributing saplings for each family and launching seed-filled, biodegradable balloons. The combined Arbor Day/Earth Day event took place May 10 on the school grounds. Each class shared a handmade poster -- one of which noted We speak for the tree -- and classroom representatives briefly spoke about the different aspects of ecology. Principal Elizabeth Palascak told cleveland.com that students learned that God created everything and made us caretakers of our earth. We try to do something different every year in regard to the earth and the environment, Palascak explained. Each class has a balloon to release that is filled with flower seeds. We celebrate all the gifts God has given us of everything that is in nature. Middleburg Heights city officials stood with St. Bartholomew students while they planted a tree on the school grounds. (Beth Mlady, special to cleveland.com) After students prayed for Gods blessing on the trees, Mayor Matt Castelli proclaimed May 10 as Arbor Day in Middleburg Heights and urged residents to support efforts to protect our trees and woodlands. "We're leaving a legacy behind for others," added Assistant Principal Richard Kaliszewski during the tree planting. "This is the only environment we have, and we need to take care of it." City Arborist Mike Nadeo provided a quick lesson on the parts of a tree and how to properly plant one. The greater lesson, however, will be realized sometime in the years to come, according to Palascak. "We want the students to grow up to be responsible adults," she said. "The younger you start, the better." Read more stories from the News Sun here. Guest columnist Malcolm Watson retired as director of Baldwin Wallace Universitys International MBA Program and continues to teach both on the Berea campus and in Brazil. He has lectured on five continents and directed BWs MBA comparative management seminars in 11 countries in South America, Africa, Europe and Asia. Id rather speak English with my German manager than with the American guy from the U.S.; its a lot easier. Thats what one of my Portuguese-speaking graduate students said to me last week after a class I teach at FAE Business School, Baldwin Wallace Universitys partner institution in Curitiba, Brazil. Neither his cheerful directness nor his message was a surprise to me. Recently, for example, back in Berea, a Thai manager -- part of a nine-member team that included two Americans and six managers from five other countries -- complained to me that the Americans on his team were not trying hard enough to understand him. A few years ago, this same student would have resigned himself to the necessity of spending another year or so in the U.S. to improve his English. But now, if the Americans wont understand him, he can work with the Korean, or the Brazilian, or the Chinese manager. The failure at productive communication in English is no longer the Thai managers problem, or the Brazilians, or the Koreans; today, it is the Americans. The English of international business has slipped its moorings in the U.S. and the U.K., and is no longer anchored in the historically preponderant commercial power of those two nations. For many of us in the U.S., this presents a new kind of challenge: We must win international business alliances in a language weve long assumed to be our birthright, but now find must be acquired all over again, in a new form. Why is this? An immediate reason is that the U.S. now finds itself among a growing number of powerful and assertive peers, recovered from the wars of the last century and reclaiming antique greatness or shiny futures. But equally important, and less obvious, is the transformation of the language we speak at home as natives into an international medium of communication commanded by three to five times as many nonnative speakers. And many of the leaders, the artists, the diplomats, the musicians and the young speak it among themselves -- as an international professional language -- largely without cultural reference to or economic dependence on the United States. Both for cultural and for linguistic reasons, their English is deeply creative, sharply practical and briskly specific in ways different than our English. Whatever else the fluent English-speaking Danish manager may be thinking, you may be sure she is not wondering about the Browns draft prospects. As an old friend once observed: Just because they speak English, doesnt mean theyre American. Our own absorption of this insight will lead us to a richer language and thence to a richer, more comparative perspective. We will be able to see more things and therefore do more things. On Monday, I will return to my graduate class of curious, eager, ambitious, quite brilliant and not only bilingual but bidialectal Brazilian students and, thanks to their hospitality and forbearance, I will join them in our building together an international English of the future. Lucky for us at Baldwin Wallace University, and for us in the United States, we are all participating in this project. Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts, and stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using Notification Settings (in blue) just below. Readers are invited to submit Opinion page essays on topics of regional or general interest. Send your 500-word essay for consideration to Ann Norman at anorman@cleveland.com. Essays must include a brief bio and headshot of the writer. Essays rebutting todays topics are also welcome. BEDFORD, Ohio -- A man was shot early Sunday after jumping out of a window, trying to evade bail bond agents, Bedford police said. Charles Jones-Hill, 27, is charged in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas court with drug possession, trafficking and having a concealed weapon, among other charges. City Bail Bonds agents called Bedford Police at 7:26 a.m. Sunday, saying they were trying to apprehend a violent fugitive felon, police said. Two hours later, police received a call that shots were fired from the 90 block of Solon Road. Police arrived to find bond agents performing first aid on Jones-Hill, police said. Jones-Hill jumped out of a second story window to evade the agents and landed on one of them, police said. Jones-Hill tried to disarm the agent and in a struggle, a gun was fired but hit no one. Then another agent fired a gun from Jones-Hills apartment, police said. Jones-Hill was struck once in the lower back and transported to MetroHealth Medical Center, police said. He is expected to recover. Comment here on cleveland.com court and crime stories for Sunday, May 19, 2019. SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio -- OVI, Van Aken Boulevard At 1:55 a.m. May 12, police responded to a car crash at the intersection of Van Aken Boulevard and Lee Road. One of the involved drivers was found to be intoxicated and was arrested on a charge of OVI. Theft from building, Van Aken Boulevard At 5:20 p.m. May 10, a theft was reported from Heights Christian Church, 17300 Van Aken Blvd. OVI, Chagrin Boulevard At 1:20 a.m. May 11, an officer stopped a car for speeding and failure to keep an assured clear distance. The driver was found to be intoxicated and was charged with OVI. Robbery, Chagrin Boulevard At 7:05 p.m. May 11, a juvenile approached officers and stated that he had just been robbed by two youths. The two suspects were located and arrested. Warrant arrest, Lee Road At 10:20 a.m. May 10, a traffic stop was made and the driver, a woman, was arrested on a Cuyahoga County Sheriffs Office warrant. See more Sun Press news here. MONTVILLE TOWNSHIP, Ohio A man is dead Sunday following a SWAT stand-off that was initiated after a woman suffered a gunshot wound to her head, police say. Montville Township police were tipped off to the incident about 12:45 a.m. Sunday when a unclothed female juvenile ran to a McDonalds on Wooster Pike, according to a news release from the police department. The child told an employee at the restaurant that she had been assaulted at a home on the 4700 block of Stockbridge Drive, about a quarter-mile away. The child was taken to the hospital by a McDonalds employee, the release states. While officers were sent to the Stockbridge Drive address, police dispatch received a call from the hospital. The child told hospital staff that the same man who assaulted her had also shot a woman in the head at the house, police said. As police arrived at the Stockbridge Drive house, police dispatch received a call from a man inside the home who said he had just shot a woman. Officers converged on the houses garage, where they found a man standing near a woman who had an apparent gunshot wound to her head, police said. The man refused to comply with polices orders and ran inside the Stockbridge Drive house, the news release says. The woman was taken from the garage and treated at the hospital. Her current condition is unknown. The Medina County SWAT Team was called to the house after the man ran inside, and after a three-hour stand-off, the man was found dead, police said. There were other children inside the Stockbridge Drive home at the time of the incident, police said. They were uninjured and are currently at a safe location. Montville Township police say they are still trying to gather more information and evidence, and the investigation into the incident is very fluid. The homes that lined the streets in the Montville Township neighborhood where the shooting happened were neat and new, with manicured lawns and American flags waving in the wind. At least three homes on Stockbridge Drive were for sale, and the end of the streets cul-de-sac was still under development. Several neighbors that spoke with cleveland.com did not wish to say much, besides saying they were shocked and disturbed by the incident. The man and woman who lived at the home were quiet and unassuming, they said. There was not a law enforcement presence in the quiet neighborhood when a reporter arrived around 1 p.m. Sunday. Three cars remained in the driveway. All of the lights were still on in the house, and the front door was boarded up. Numerous car drove slowly past the home while a reporter was in the neighborhood. Police do not anticipate releasing further details on the incident Sunday. A press conference will be held 1 p.m. Monday at the Montville Township police department, where more information will be provided. If youd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio A 16-year-old boy suffered a gunshot wound to his head early Sunday on the citys East Side. Few details about the shooting were provided Sunday morning. The shooting happened about 1 a.m. Sunday on the 6200 block of Haltnorth Walk, just north of Woodland Avenue in the citys Central neighborhood, Cleveland police spokeswoman Sgt. Jennifer Ciaccia said. The injured 16-year-old was taken to MetroHealth by paramedics, Ciaccia said. An 18-year-old man was also hurt in the shooting; he suffered a gunshot wound to his leg and was also taken to MetroHealth. Police have not publicly identified any shooting suspects, and its unclear if any arrests were made. This post will be updated if more information is released Sunday. If youd like to comment on this post, please visit the cleveland.com crime and courts comments section. CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Despite being a voracious news consumer, I somehow missed the news that the Taliban had overtaken the Alabama legislature, which I found out when it was reported that they had passed the most draconian abortion bill in the nation. Alabamas governor signed into law the bill which essentially bans legal abortions, even in cases of rape and incest. On top of the that, the law would charge any doctor with a felony, carrying a min. 10 year sentence, except in the case of the mothers life being in danger. The law goes too far -- back to the stone age. You know the law goes too far when even televangelist Pat Robertson and Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy say it went too far. President Trump also weighed in saying that there should be exceptions for rape, incest, and the mothers life being in danger. McCarthy said that while hes always been pro-life, hes also thought there should be exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother being endangered. McCarthy said thats whats in the partys platform and exactly what Republicans have voted on in this House. President Trump tweeted the following: As most people know, and those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan." Its also the position Ive always held, as I explained in my previous post objecting to Ohios 'Heartbeat bill" because it made no exceptions for rape, incest or the mothers life being in danger. Extremists on Pro-Life & Pro-Choice sides as with Republicans & Democrats Just as the extreme sides of the Democrats and Republicans have come to the fore, so have the extreme sides of the Pro-Life and Pro-Choice factions. Most of America, meanwhile is somewhere in the middle. I believe the mainstream of the Pro-Life faction support exceptions for rape, incest and the mothers life being in danger. There are also people who are Pro-Life, but also believe its a personal belief that shouldnt be forced on someone else. They may not agree with Roe V. Wade, but respect the fact that its the law of the land. Democrats who fall into that category include presidential candidates Joe Biden and Tim Ryan, as does former Congressman Dennis Kucinich. Far more Democrats are Pro-Life than the Democrat Party realizes or accepts. I know more than a few lifelong Democrats who refused to vote for Al Gore for president because of his ardent support of late-term abortions. Hillary Clinton also supporting late-term abortions cost her more Democrat votes than she realizes. Its not something people will tell pollsters. Roe v Wade is not settled law, neither is SCOTUS overturning it. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey conceded the new Alabama law is likely to be unenforceable as it faces legal challenges. But Ivey also admitted the law was passed with the hope that the U.S. Supreme Court takes up the case and revisits Roe v Wade. Ohio along with all the states passing new restrictive abortion laws are doing so with the intention of SCOTUS taking up Roe v Wade again, and with Trumps new court appointees, they are presuming the time is ideal for Roe v Wade to be overturned. The Pro-Choice side has argued Roe v. Wade is settled law. Both sides are wrong and presumptuous. Since 1973 Its been proven time and again, that Roe v. Wade is not settled law immune from challenges. It has been chipped away at in several cases. Even Justice Ginsburg had questioned its legal standing. Some Pro-Choice advocates actually objected to Bill Clintons nomination of Ginsburg because she criticized the legal foundations of... Roe v. Wade. She added that its wholesale repudiation of state abortion restrictions went to far, to fast, reported The Washington Post. There have been significant medical advances since Roe v. Wade has been passed. The now common use of sonograms has actually increased the number of people who now identify as Pro-Life or have shifted their opinions from being stringently Pro-Choice. Kavanaugh-Roberts not sure anti-Roe v. Wade votes. Contrary to what conservative legislatures seem to assume, Justice Kavanaugh is not a sure bet to overturn Roe v. Wade. Those who think he is, ought to go back and listen carefully to his confirmation hearing testimony about the case and read some of his past rulings. Since joining the court, Kavanaugh has ruled with the Democrat leaning and appointed justices more than once. Chief Justice John Roberts is also emerging as the new switch hitter replacing Justice Kennedy. Of all the new State abortions laws, Alabamas is the least likely to even make it to the U.S. Supreme Court. It will be aborted by lower courts and its doubtful the Roberts court will want to go anywhere near it. ********* Saturday, in honor of it having been National Police Week, I posted on my twitter account, @Darcycartoon, several circa 1800s/ Early 1900s photos of the Cleveland Police, from my collection of vintage deaccessioned press photos from several Cleveland newspapers. Included are photos of the CPD drilling at League Park and Eliot Ness meeting with his CPD commanders. Im seeing ads on TV and hearing them on the radio promoting Ohio House Bill 6 as a clean energy bill. The ads show plenty of wind-turbine generators and solar farms, but nary a mention of the primary beneficiaries of this bill: FirstEnergy Solutions nuclear plants, Davis-Besse and Perry. Its also misleading in that it purports to support these renewable-energy sources (wind and solar) while neglecting to mention that the bill would remove all the incentives Ohio utilities have to increase their renewable portfolios. As usual, the supporters are counting on uninformed voters to help them pass this bill. Unfortunately for them, Plain Dealer readers probably dont fall into this uninformed group. Nevertheless I urge all voters to contact their legislators and ask them to vote No on House Bill 6. R Michael Curran, Chagrin Falls Q: I am a small-business owner (I have a home office), and I received a piece of junk mail from Account Services at Quickbridge Funding in Irvine, California. The letter was sent to my home address, but instead of my name, it was addressed to the name of a city park close to my home. Anyway, the flyer inside the envelope said that I have been pre-qualified for a business loan and that my new account has been established. (I have not sought a business loan, nor do I need or want one.) They sent me what looks like a laminated cardboard credit card. The card is made out to the city park, by name, and there is a 16-digit account number. They also said I can get started by calling an 800 number or by logging on to quickbridge.com/cash. I have no intention of doing either. I Googled "Quickbridge scam and found that others have reported receiving similar letters. Then it got weirder. About a week later, I received a catalog addressed to the manager of the shipping department, at the city park, followed by my home address. The catalog came from ULINE, which appears to be an industrial and retail-business supplier. When I Googled the name of the city park, the first site that pops up is one on foursquare.com, which apparently develops apps for city guides. They show the parks address as my address. Its odd that I had no idea that my address has been listed as the parks address until this week, when I received two mailings. My question is, is this new account that has supposedly been established for my address something I should be worried about? Im just worried that this might lead to identity-theft shenanigans. M.S., Strongsville A: After doing a bit of research, I believe I figured out the origin of your strange mailings. The city of Strongsville last month approved the purchase of playground equipment for this park. On the purchase agreement with the contractor, either the city or the contractor mistakenly used your address as the park location where the playground equipment was to be installed. You got your first mailing less than two weeks after that. Given the world we live in, with so many people out there hunting for legitimate business leads or people they can defraud, it doesnt surprise me you started getting mailings from folks who jacked the address off of this city contract, which is public record. I dont blame you a bit for being a little bit spooked by this. I often hear from folks who get mailings addressed to someone else. Most of the time, its an honest error or perhaps someone used a random address, which happens to belong to someone, to enter a contest at the mall. For anyone who receives mailings made out to someone else, and they fear something fishy, I recommend a few steps: CLEVELAND -- Location made Cleveland and location might remake it. In the mid-1800s, the village of Cleveland became a perfect place to produce iron, steel and metal products. Today, climate change (natures protest against mans abuse of it) might catalyze new dynamism in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio; indeed, much of Ohio. A study by Trulia.com has identified the nations metropolitan areas that are least likely to have hurricanes, tornados, earthquakes, floods, wildfires. Cleveland was ranked second safest behind Syracuse, New York. Akron was third, Dayton sixth. In the big picture, the Lower Great Lakes region is safer than most of the rest of the country. Thomas Bier is Associate of the University at Cleveland State University. The world may be on the verge of the Age of Adjustment a period in which humanity makes major adjustments because of climate change. If natural disasters increase in frequency and severity; if the oceans rise, as appears increasingly likely; if rain patterns shift and alter agricultural viability, then issues associated with adjustments might dominate society. Survival and risk-reduction could override financial gain as prime motivation. How much battering, disruption and loss does it take to cause people to look for safer places? In another 20 years or so, residents of Houston could be at the breaking point. Today in the nations heartland, many flooded farmers are more than worried about their future. Farther west, farmers who draw water from the Colorado River and underground aquifers are seeing those sources shrink. And corporations that are doing long-range planning must be churning with uncertainty about future investment, particularly along the Southeast and Gulf Coasts where the land is sinking as water rises. At the extreme, businesses are looking at a nightmarish ocean rise of roughly 11 feet if a weakening mass of Antarctic ice were to collapse into the sea and melt. With just a six-foot rise by 2100 (which is considered plausible), an estimated 2.4 million coastal residential properties and more than 100,000 commercial properties in 16 states would be at risk of chronic flooding (defined as every other week). At least a two-foot rise seems likely. Streets in Miami Beach are being raised by that much. What will the scale of destruction do to the insurance industry and policy premiums? How will needed adjustments sea walls, levies, relocations, abandonments, canals, reconstructions, compensations be financed? How will local and national economies be affected, along with the dynamics of state and federal governments? How will winners and losers be determined? (Should Long Island be saved or should funds for that project be applied to a new agricultural water distribution system across the Great Plains?) Forces are forming that could push people and businesses to safer places Ohio, for one; particularly Northern Ohio. Those forces have yet to amount to much (except in places like Miami Beach, New Orleans and Charleston, South Carolina) and it could take several decades, more or less, before they do. Only when loss and threat are seen as unavoidable and unbearable will shifts occur. But it would be prudent to begin assessing possible implications for Cleveland, the region, and the state. Its timely for analysts at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland State and our other centers of expertise to scan the horizon and determine how disruption elsewhere might create opportunities here. And there might be dangers to consider. Most of nations petrochemical industry is located near rising and stormy waters. The massive concentration of plants along the Lower Mississippi River is highly vulnerable. Companies there must be considering safer places for future operations. Shelter and the availability of natural gas have made the Ohio River attractive. Royal Dutch Shell is building a $6 billion plant on the Pennsylvania side of the Ohio, 35 miles southeast of Youngstown. Might Lake Erie become a target for new plants in various industries? (A plant that will use natural gas and Lake Erie water to make pig iron is being built in Ashtabula.) What do these possibilities mean for safety and pollution? Climate change could compel dramatic, painful and costly adjustments across the nation. Even though Northeast Ohio appears to be geographically blessed, there would be costs to pay. But they could be more than offset by new opportunities. It is not premature to begin anticipating and assessing possibilities, and identifying actions that would facilitate benefits. In the 1950s, Cleveland was pitched as the Best Location in the Nation. In the 1980s the states Division of Travel and Tourism touted Ohio, The Heart of It All. Both could be much truer than was appreciated at the time. Thomas Bier is an associate of the university at Cleveland State University where, until he retired in 2003, he was director of the Housing Policy Research Program in the Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs. ************ Have something to say about this topic? Use the comments to share your thoughts. Then, stay informed when readers reply to your comments by using the Follow option at the top of the comments, and look for updates via the small blue bell in the lower right as you look at more stories on cleveland.com. Warren Buffett Gerard Miller | CNBC Billionaire Warren Buffett is a master when it comes to investing. The Berkshire Hathaway CEO is famous for buying and holding stock and not giving in to the volatility of the market. He's also well-known for taking big stakes in companies, such as the $900 million worth of shares he has in Amazon. His latest play: a $10 billion investment to back Occidental Petroleum's bid for Anadarko Petroleum. Berkshire Hathaway will make the investment by purchasing 100,000 shares of preferred stock, which pays out an 8% annual dividend. Preferred shares are different from common stock, the one most people are familiar with. Both are equity in a company, but preferred stock typically pays a higher dividend. And that may be attractive in this current low-interest rate environment. "Think of it as a hybrid security," said certified financial planner Colin Gerrety, client advisor at Glassman Wealth Services. "It has some aspects similar to ordinary common stock," he added. "It also has some aspects of it that are more similar to a bond." Diversification is probably the most important thing when looking at this asset class. Marguerita Cheng CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth So when is it a good idea to follow in Buffett's footsteps and invest in a preferred stock? "If you have some extra capital, you have a long-time horizon and it's consistent with your investment objective, this may be something that you may want to consider," said Marguerita Cheng, a CFP and the CEO of Blue Ocean Global Wealth. But don't just wade in before figuring out if it is the right move for you. Here are some advantages and drawbacks of investing in preferred stocks. Earning income If you want to get higher and more consistent dividends, then a preferred stock investment may be a good addition to your portfolio. While it tends to pay a higher dividend rate than the bond market and common stocks, it falls in the middle in terms of risk, Gerrety said. "The dividend of a preferred stock tends to be safer than a common stock dividend but it is not as safe as investing in a traditional bond," he explained. For example, Wells Fargo's dividend yield on its common stock is 3.92% and it offers several preferred stock options that range from a 7.5% yield to a 5.125% yield. Sempra Energy's common stock has a dividend yield of 2.96%. It also issues a mandatory convertible preferred stock with a current yield of 6.19%. The convertible feature is an option for the shareholder to exchange their shares for common stock at a predetermined conversion rate. It's also important to know that dividends aren't guaranteed they are paid out of company earnings, just like a common stock dividend. However, there are several different kinds of preferred stocks, and that could matter when it comes to collecting any dividends the company missed. Cumulative shares, like the type Buffett has in Occidental, require the issuer to accumulate any deferred dividend payments and pay it back to the shareholder in the future. In this case, the preferred stockholders have priority over common shareholders in receiving their back payment. If a company issues non-cumulative stock, on the other hand, it's not required to pay missed dividends. But because of the higher risk involved, these shares tend to have higher yields than cumulative shares. Interest rate sensitivity The main risk of investing in preferred stock is that the assets are, like bonds, sensitive to changes in interest rates. There's an inverse relationship between interest rates and the price of not only fixed income securities but also hybrids such as preferred stocks. If interest rates rise, that makes preferred stocks on market less attractive, so they tend to sell at lower prices Colin Gerrety client advisor at Glassman Wealth Services "If interest rates rise, that makes preferred stocks on market less attractive, so they tend to sell at lower prices," said Gerrety. The company can also call back the preferred stock whenever it chooses, based on the provisions in the prospectus, he pointed out. That means if interest rates are falling, the issuer has the right to call the stock back. It can then issue new shares with a lower dividend. Voting rights Preferred stockholders don't have voting rights, so they don't have a voice when it comes to things like electing a board of directors. Common stockholders, on the other hand, do have voting rights. Taxes There is a tax benefit for preferred stock investors, since dividends are often taxed at qualified dividend rates. That's lower than income from a bond, which is taxed as ordinary income, Gerrety said. Other risks Investors also should take a close look at the market for preferred stocks, which is a lot smaller than that of common stocks and therefore not as liquid, Gerrety said. As of Thursday, the size of the preferred stock market was $272 billion, according to the S&P Dow Jones Indices. It is also has a higher concentration of financial companies, which took a big hit during the 2008 financial crisis. That's because most sectors, except for utilities, don't generally issue as many preferred stocks. More from Personal Finance: How to keep your investments safe in a trade war This tactic can help ease financial stress for couples 3 steps to determine whether you've earned the right to invest In fact, the S&P U.S. Preferred Stock Index has 71% of its holdings in the sector, as of April 30. While the aims to have sector diversity, the U.S. Preferred Stock Index is made up of any stocks that meet its eligibility requirements and so that results in the heavy weighting in financial stocks. "Investors may be looking at the yield and thinking that it's a good way to earn some steady income and in the absence of any shocks in the system, that may be the case," he said. "But it's more risky than investing in traditional safe bonds." The bottom line Rep. Justin Amash of Michigan said Saturday that President Donald Trump "engaged in impeachable conduct" by committing obstruction of justice, breaking ranks with a Republican Party that has rallied to the president's defense in the wake of Robert Mueller's findings in the Russia investigation. Amash also accused Attorney General William Barr of "deliberately" misrepresenting the Mueller report and misleading the public through "sleight-of-hand." Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented Mueller's report. 2. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. 3. Partisanship has eroded our system of checks and balances. 4. Few members of Congress have read the report. In a series of posts on Twitter, Amash criticized members of Congress for being overly partisan and not upholding their constitutional duty, saying very few members had actually read Mueller's full report. He warned that partisanship risked eroding the nation's system of constitutional checks and balances. The Republican representative, a libertarian who often goes against the grain of his party, said he came to the conclusion that Trump committed obstruction of justice after carefully reading the special counsel's full redacted report. Amash said Mueller's report found multiple instances of Trump engaging in obstruction of justice and if he wasn't president, he would face indictment based on such evidence. In fact, Mueller's report identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence. Amash said that impeachment "simply requires a finding that an official has engaged in careless, abusive, corrupt, or otherwise dishonorable conduct." He also warned that Congress risked encouraging misconduct by shrinking from the impeachment process. While impeachment should be undertaken only in extraordinary circumstances, the risk we face in an environment of extreme partisanship is not that Congress will employ it as a remedy too often but rather that Congress will employ it so rarely that it cannot deter misconduct. Amash's call for impeachment goes further than even many Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, for example, has repeatedly said that she does not currently support impeachment because it would only divide the country. A screengrab from a video shows a parked Tesla catching fire in a parking garage in Shanghai, China. Source: Weibo Recent reports of Tesla vehicles spontaneously catching fire could make potential customers wary at a time when virtually every automaker is getting ready to roll out battery-based vehicles, industry executives and analysts worry. Tesla said earlier in the week that it's investigating the most-recent fire and sent out a software update to tens of thousands of its vehicles to help reduce the risk of battery fires. Three of its sedans went up in flames without warning in recent months, one in Shanghai, another in Hong Kong, a third in San Francisco. Tesla has experienced at least 14 known battery fires in recent years. But it is by no means alone, a long list of manufacturers experiencing similar incidents. The threat that vehicles could catch fire while parked, never mind after an accident come as automakers ramp up plans to win over more skeptical mainstream buyers, not just hardcore fans, several analysts and industry executives told CNBC. "There are a lot of people who won't want to take the risk" of buying an electric vehicle "if they think there's a chance of an accidental fire," said Joe Phillippi, senior analyst with AutoTrends Consulting. General Motors alone is planning to launch about two dozen all-electric models in its fleet by mid-decade, Volkswagen twice that many. Mercedes-Benz this month began taking orders for its new GLC, the first of 10 pure battery-electric vehicles. All told, manufacturers around the world are believed to be investing well over $100 billion in their electrification efforts, a large share of that going to BEVs. It's one thing to have a fire occur following a crash, Phillippi said, but another matter altogether when a vehicle is simply parked. Of the 14 known fires involving Tesla vehicles, the majority occurred after a collision, but there have been a growing number of blazes in which its products appear to spontaneously ignite. That appeared to be the case when, on April 21, a security camera in a Shanghai garage captured images of a Model S sedan smoldering before suddenly bursting into flames. Another fire engulfed a Tesla sedan that appears to have been hooked up to one of the company's Superchargers in Hong Kong. Then, two weeks ago, firefighters in San Francisco tweeted that they had been called to a garage where another Tesla Model S was on fire. In an initial response, the automaker said it did not think the sedan itself was responsible for the California blaze. But it is investigating the two Chinese incidents, it said in a statement, and "out of an abundance of caution, we are revising charge and thermal management settings on Model S and Model X vehicles via an over-the-air software update that will begin rolling out today, to help further protect the battery and improve battery longevity." As the face of the emerging battery-car market, Tesla's troubles have been widely reported, but it is by no means the only manufacturer to have experienced unexpected fires. Chinese start-up NIO confirmed last month that one of its vehicles unexpectedly ignited while it was in a repair shop. Fires have been reported with Chevrolet Volts, Fisker Karmas, Mitsubishi iMiEVs and other electric vehicles. Electric vehicles aren't unique in experiencing fires involving lithium-ion batteries. There have been numerous incidents involving consumer devices, such as cellphones and laptop computers, unexpectedly igniting. That has led most major airlines to enact new restrictions. Travelers now routinely hear agents advise them to remove batteries from luggage that they plan to gate check, and air freight shipments of lithium-ion batteries have been sharply curtailed. Though the technology is the most effective and affordable available right now, lithium-ion batteries need to be babied. The chemistry is quite sensitive to temperature variations, especially excess heat, and can experience what is referred to as a "runaway" condition if overheated or overcharged. Punctures also pose a particular hazard. The fundamental problem is the flammable liquid electrolyte lithium batteries use. There are a number of different lithium chemistries and manufacturers choose which formulation to use by balancing safety risks, longevity and the need to maximize energy density the amount of power they can store. Battery specialists say the desire to reduce the flammability of today's batteries is one of the factors driving the search for replacement technology. One particularly promising alternative is known as the solid-state battery. It effectively replaces the flammable electrolyte with a solid ceramic material that doesn't burn. But while there are dozens of battery manufacturers, consumer appliance and automotive manufacturers working on solid-state technology, few expect it to be available for widespread use before mid-decade, at the earliest. For now, the industry is focused on finding ways to minimize problems with lithium batteries. That includes using software that can better track the way batteries are behaving and take steps, if necessary, to keep them operating safely. Several early Tesla fires occurred when road debris penetrated the bottom of the battery packs that are mounted under the skateboard-like platforms used by its vehicles. It subsequently dealt with that by adding titanium cages able to better resist such punctures. Other incidents have occurred after aggressive collisions ruptured the battery packs shorting out their cells and, in some cases, making things worse by dousing them with coolant That is leading manufacturers to design packs so they are even less likely to crack open or short out should that happen. Adam Jeffery | CNBC Adam Jeffery | CNBC It was a moment that the 45 million Americans who hold student loans can only dream of. Robert F. Smith, the founder and CEO of the private equity firm Vista Equity Partners, came to Morehouse College to deliver a commencement address and receive an honorary degree -- a standard part of any college graduation ceremony. But what the billionaire investor did next surprised even his own staff and the staff at Morehouse College, according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Smith announced that he and his family would set up a grant to pay off the nearly 400 graduating seniors' student loans. The total gift is estimated at $40 million, according to the AJC. Smith had already pledged a $1.5 million gift to Morehouse, a historically black college located in Atlanta. According to Forbes, Smith has a net worth of $5 billion. The student loan burden for graduating seniors has been increasing. Today, average debt at graduation stands at around $30,000, triple what it was in the early 1990s. And many graduates simply can't afford to pay -- 3,000 borrowers default daily. With total student loan debt nationwide now at whopping $1.5 trillion, politicians are moving to address the issue. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, has a proposal that would forgive $50,000 of debt for those with a household income of under $100,000. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez took to Twitter to comment on Smith's gift. She said the Morehouse class of 2019 would become a "natural experiment" -- the students could be followed to compare how their lives develop compared to their peers who graduate with debt. But Ocasio-Cortez also said "people shouldn't be in a situation where they depend on a stranger's enormous act of charity." It's important to note that people shouldn't be in a situation where they depend on a stranger's enormous act of charity for this kind of liberation to begin with (aka college should be affordable), but it is an incredible act of community investment in this system as it is. -- CNBC's Annie Nova contributed to this report WATCH: What would happen if the U.S. canceled student debt? Deutsche Bank ignored employees' calls to report transactions made by legal entities controlled by President Donald Trump and Jared Kushner to the Treasury Department's financial crimes unit, according to The New York Times . Transactions in 2016 and 2017 triggered automated controls at Deutsche Bank meant to catch illicit activity, and compliance workers then prepared what's known as suspicious activity reports that they believed should be sent to the Treasury, according to the Times, which cited five current and former bank employees. But the reports were never filed with the government, the article states. The red flags raised by employees don't mean the transactions were improper, the Times said. The newspaper said it couldn't determine the exact nature of the transactions, but that some of them involved funds flowing overseas, which typically brings greater scrutiny. The move to disregard the compliance workers' recommendation was part of a pattern at Deutsche Bank of rejecting concerns to protect relationships with valued clients, the Times said. The German bank, along with other global institutions, has been fined billions of dollars over failing to police internal transactions tied to illicit activity. "We have increased our anti-financial crime staff and enhanced our controls in recent years and take compliance with" anti-money laundering laws very seriously, Deutsche Bank spokeswoman Kerrie McHugh said in a statement provided to NBC News. "At no time was an investigator prevented from escalating activity identified as potentially suspicious," McHugh said. Addressing allegations in the Times that employees were sidelined for bringing up their concerns, McHugh added that "the suggestion that anyone was reassigned or fired in an effort to quash concerns relating to any client is categorically false." A spokeswoman for the Trump Organization told the Times it had no knowledge of flagged transactions and said that it doesn't have any current accounts with Deutsche Bank. A spokeswoman for Kushner Companies said that any allegation that it violated money laundering rules was "made up and totally false," the newspaper reported. Some of the transactions involved money sent from Kushner Companies to Russian individuals, the newspaper said, citing Tammy McFadden, a former Deutsche Bank employee who claims to have viewed the payments. Trump's relationships with Deutsche Bank have drawn scrutiny in Congress and elsewhere. Trump sued the bank last month to prevent it from complying with congressional subpoenas seeking information about potential suspicious payments. WATCH: In 2018, the White House investigated loans to Kushner biz Iowa farmer Tim Bardole survived years of low crop prices and rising costs by cutting back on fertilizer and herbicides and fixing broken-down equipment rather than buying new. When President Donald Trump's trade war with China made a miserable situation worse, Bardole used up any equity his operation had and started investing in hogs in hopes they'll do better than crops. A year later, the dispute is still raging and soybeans hit a 10-year-low. But Bardole says he supports his president more today than he did when he cast a ballot for Trump in 2016, skeptical he would follow through on his promises. "He does really seem to be fighting for us," Bardole says, "even if it feels like the two sides are throwing punches and we're in the middle, taking most of the hits." Trump won the presidency by winning rural America, in part by pledging to use his business savvy and tough negotiating skills to take on China and put an end to trade practices that have hurt farmers for years. While the prolonged fight has been devastating to an already-struggling agriculture industry, there's little indication Trump is paying a political price. But there's a big potential upside if he can get a better deal and little downside if he continues to get credit for trying for the farmers caught in the middle. It's a calculation Trump recognizes heading into a reelection bid where he needs to hold on to farm states like Iowa and Wisconsin and is looking to flip others, like Minnesota. A March CNN/Des Moines Register poll of registered Republicans in Iowa found 81% approved of how Trump is handling his job, and 82% had a favorable view of the president, an increase of 5 points since December. About two-thirds said they'd definitely vote to re-elect him. The poll had a margin of error of 4.9 percentage points. A February poll by the same organizations found 46% of Iowans approved of the job Trump was doing his highest approval rating since taking office while 50% said they disapprove. The margin of error was 3.5 percentage points. Many farmers are lifelong Republicans who like other things Trump has done, such as reining in the EPA and tackling illegal immigration, and believe he's better for their interests than most Democrats even on his worst day. They give him credit for doing something previous presidents of both parties mostly talked about. And now that they've struggled for this long, they want to see him finish the job and soon. "We are the frontline soldiers getting killed as this trade war goes on," said Paul Jeschke, who grows corn and soybeans in northern Illinois, where he's about to plant his 45th crop. "I'm unhappy and I think most of us are unhappy with the situation. But most of us understand the merits," he added. "And it's not like anyone else would be better. The smooth-talking presidents we've had recently - they certainly didn't get anything done." When the trade war started last summer, China targeted its first round of tariffs on producers in agricultural and manufacturing states that were crucial to Trump's 2016 victory, such as Iowa, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. Particularly hard hit were producers of soybeans, the country's largest farm export. The most recent round of trade talks between the Trump administration and China broke up earlier this month without an agreement, after Trump accused China of backing out on agreed-to parts of a deal and hiked tariffs on $200 billion of imports from China. China imposed retaliatory tariff hikes on $60 billion of American goods, and in the U.S. the price of soybeans fell to a 10-year low on fears of a protracted trade war. U.S. officials then listed $300 billion more of Chinese goods for possible tariff hikes. As China vowed to "fight to the finish," Trump used Twitter to rally the farming community. "Our great Patriot Farmers will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of what is happening now," Trump tweeted. "Hopefully China will do us the honor of continuing to buy our great farm product, the best, but if not your Country will be making up the difference based on a very high China buy." He added: "The Farmers have been 'forgotten' for many years. Their time is now!" Trump has promised an aid package, some $15 billion for farmers and ranchers, following $11 billion in relief payments last year. It's been six years since farmers did better than break even on corn, and five years since they made money off soybeans. U.S. net farm income, a commonly used measure of profits, has plunged 45 percent since a high of $123.4 billion in 2013, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, reflecting American farmers' struggle to return to the profitability seen earlier in the decade. Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings for farm operations in the upper Midwest have doubled since June 2014, when commodity prices began to drop. The hardest hit were farms and dairy operations in Wisconsin, a state that supported Democrats for president for most of recent history before backing Trump and that will be a fierce 2020 battleground. "It's awful expensive to put a crop in," said Morie Hill, looking over countless green shoots peeking up from his fields in central Iowa. He isn't sure why more farmers haven't been forced out. "Everyone I know is squeezing and doing everything they can, trying to go further with less," he said. Brent Renner, who farms with his father in northern Iowa, said while there's strong support for Trump in their area, frustration is growing. Farming friends regularly check Twitter to see what Trump is saying, and how it might move the market. "I don't know how many farming friends I've had who've said 'Why can't someone just take his phone away?'" Renner said. "It's impossible to think he hasn't lost support at some level, but what that level is nobody knows." Patty Judge, a Democratic former Iowa lieutenant governor and state agriculture secretary, agreed people in Iowa haven't rushed to move away from Trump. But she thinks voters will be ready for a change in 2020 and a president who better understands the country's role in international trade. "It's very important to us and to have gone into a trade war without a plan, without an exit strategy, is dangerous and wrong and I think Iowans are going to understand that before the next election," she said. The 2018 midterms showed Democrats' difficulties outside metro areas. AP VoteCast, a national survey of more than 115,000 voters, found rural and small-town residents cast 35% of midterm ballots; 56% of those voted for Republican House candidates, compared with 41% for Democrats. Among small-town and rural white voters the advantage was greater, tilting 63-35 for Republicans. Jeshke said he gives Trump credit for rolling back regulations that have made it tougher and more expensive for new herbicides to be approved, and for his proposed changes to the Waters of the U.S., an Obama-era environmental measure. Under the act, Jeshke said he needed government approval to mow some areas of his property or make changes to manmade lakes where kids go fishing. "And I dug them!" he said. Jeshke says most farmers are more concerned about getting the situation solved than pointing fingers. But if they were to place blame, most of it would be on China, and the rest would be on previous presidents who could have solved the trade imbalances more easily 15 or 20 years ago. One thing he knows for sure about Trump: "If he rolls over now, we'll never be able to hold them accountable." Renner says farmers are used to having things happen that aren't in their control the weather, for example but finding a way through. It's a quality he says is clearly on display now. "We're an optimistic people," he said. "We'll keep our chins up and keep moving ahead." DUBAI Iran is not seeking war, the leader of the country's elite Revolutionary Guards said Sunday. "The difference between us and them is that they are afraid of war and don't have the will for it," Major General Hossein Salami said, as quoted by local news agency Fars. On Saturday the Revolutionary Guard general, known for his inflammatory rhetoric, mocked the U.S. political system and made a jab related to the 9/11 attacks. "The U.S. political system is full of cracks," Salami said. "Though impressive-looking, it has osteoporosis. In fact, America's story is like the World Trade Center towers that collapse with a sudden blow." The Donald Trump administration labeled Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) a terrorist organization in April, making it the first military institution of a foreign government to receive that designation. The comments come amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington and just days after drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure carried out by Iranian-supported Houthi rebels from Yemen. The U.S. later withdrew much of its diplomatic staff from Iraq, citing intelligence reports alleging threats and evidence of heightened activity from Iranian-backed proxies in the country. But Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has been meeting with foreign leaders and dismissing the potential for war. "There will be no war because neither do we want a war, nor has anyone the idea or illusion it can confront Iran in the region," Zarif told local media Sunday. Masayoshi Son speaks during a joint announcement with Toyota Motor to make new venture to develop mobility services in Tokyo in October 2018. There are two schools of thought on 61-year-old SoftBank founder Masayoshi Son. To quote from the 1990s animated cartoon theme song for "Pinky and the Brain": One is a genius, the other's insane. Son is one of the world's wealthiest men, with a net worth of more than $20 billion. He founded a Japanese wireless company called SoftBank and invested $20 million in Alibaba in 2000. That investment, plus several later ones in the Chinese e-commerce company, gave SoftBank about a 30% stake in Alibaba, a company with a $440 billion market capitalization. That one investment accounts for much of Son's wealth. SoftBank's market capitalization today is $98 billion. The stake in Alibaba is worth more than the entire company. Son's SoftBank has a famed 300-year plan, the core philosophies of which theoretically drive the investments behind his $100 billion Vision Fund. Slides from a Son presentation on that 300-year plan include focusing on cloning, 200-year-old human beings and telepathy. The Vision Fund, which thus far has invested about $80 billion in a startups including Uber, Didi Chuxing, DoorDash, Fanatics, Flexport, Grab, Lemonade, Opendoor, SoFi, and The We Company (WeWork), is crafted after Son's "vision," hence the name. Here's a paragraph from SoftBank's website, again alluding to that 300-year plan. SoftBank aims "to continue to grow as a corporate group for the next 300 years. The SoftBank Group strives to develop over the long-term by forming partnerships with the most superior companies at the time in the information industry, without adhering to particular technologies or business models." I'm going to take a quick timeout. A 300-year plan is completely bonkers. It's asking someone from the year 1719 to predict today, in 30-year increments. It's a fun exercise. It's also ridiculous. Put me down for "insane" for this one. Real life is what SoftBank Vision Fund managing partner Jeff Housenbold told my colleague Riley de Leon. "I'm not worried about an exit in two to three years," Housenbold said. "I'm worried about maximizing returns over 7 to 10 to 15 years." SoftBank has largely transitioned from a Japanese wireless provider to a diverse investment vehicle, and its investments need to monetize so that investors keep giving Son and SoftBank more money. And while the Vision Fund is still in its relative infancy, its first big investment went public last week -- Uber -- and there were some problems. Morgan Stanley tried desperately to get investors to value Uber at a higher valuation than its last private round ($76 billion), but the appetite simply wasn't there. It's so far never traded above its debut price of $45, and closed its first full week on the market at $41.70. The New York Times reports that investors' appetite was suppressed in part by the success of ride-hailing competitors around the world, like Didi in China and 99 in Latin America (now owned by Didi), both of which have received huge funding rounds from...SoftBank. Uber's fastest-growing segment, the food delivery business Uber Eats, faces stiff competition from venture-backed DoorDash, which has also received a major investment from you guessed it SoftBank. That's not to say Uber will be a bad investment for SoftBank, which originally bought in at around $33 per share, giving Son a 27% paper gain over Friday's closing price. Of course, SoftBank also bought in at about $48 per share, so its average blended investment is closer to $36 per share. SoftBank also owns more than 80% of Sprint. Son is holding out hope that regulators will allow Sprint will to merge with T-Mobile. Otherwise, Sprint may be in jeopardy of losing its entire equity value. SoftBank has invested $10.5 billion in WeWork, which is preparing for an IPO this year but also said this week it had lost $264 million in the first three months of the year. WeWork also announced a separate fund to invest $2.9 billion into buildings which it will then rent, in part, to itself. Founders that have taken Vision Fund money are quick to highlight Son's awesomeness. "He remembers everything," Brain Corp. co-founder and CEO Eugene Izhikevich told me last year. "Honestly I'm afraid to talk any numbers with him because six months later he's quoting them back to people as if we just spoke hours ago. He remembers how much we charge our customers. It's extraordinary. I wonder, is he like this with every company?" "SoftBank thinks longer term and bigger," Brandless Co-founder and CEO Tina Sharkey wrote in a Medium post after accepting Vision Fund money as part of a $240 million funding round for her online retailing company. "Humbled to have Masayoshi Son from @Softbank place his faith on @Cohesity," Cohesity founder Mohit Aron tweeted last year after a $250 million funding round led by The Vision Fund. "Masa has a tremendous vision," Kabbage co-founder and CEO Rob Frohwein told CNBC. But what exactly is Son's vision? Occam's razor suggests there's no grand plan no 300-year purpose and there shouldn't be. The Vision Fund's investments are case-specific. In ride-hailing, perhaps it's investing in competitors and trying to merge them together and split up markets to gain efficiencies and pricing power. With Sprint, it's clearly merging with T-Mobile. With WeWork, it's...something else. For standard VC investing, that's fine! That's the business. You only need a couple of hits to make up for the misses. Alibaba pays for everything else. Hell, Son almost invested in Amazon early too! You have to play to win. But with late-stage VC investing, the math is trickier. The returns will generally be lower. You'll need more hits. That's what will make The Vision Fund's success, or lack thereof, so interesting to watch in years to come. Is Son a genius or insane? Maybe he's just a really ambitious guy with a passion for taking business risks. Current geopolitical tensions are making it harder and harder for oil-producing nations to make decisions that will help stabilize crude prices, Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak told CNBC Sunday. Asked about tensions in the Middle East, Novak said that problems in the region were becoming "greater and greater," but added that the U.S.-China trade conflict was also having a destabilizing effect. "We have seen in the last few days an exchange of the imposition of customs duties. In addition, we have seen risks of a geopolitical nature with regards to this region," Novak told CNBC's Dan Murphy in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to a translation. "This all tells us that the market is very unstable. And there are many factors that have become bigger and it's more complicated to take longer-term decisions that are fundamental to the market," he added. The comments come amid escalating tensions between Tehran and Washington and just days after drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure carried out by Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels from Yemen. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said there were different options available for OPEC and its oil-producing allies in the second half of 2019, including a possible raising of output. The OPEC+ alliance held a ministerial monitoring committee meeting, known as the JMMC, on Sunday in the Saudi Arabian city of Jeddah. The producers agreed to continue monitoring the oil market and are set to meet again in late June to review their oil supply cut agreement. "As far as our joint plan of action for the second half of the year. We are supportive of continuing our cooperation with our colleagues from other countries," Novak told CNBC's Dan Murphy in Jeddah, according to a translation. "But this continuation could depend to various extents on how the situation unfolds by this time and what the forecasts for supply and demand will be on the market. If it turns out that there will be a shortfall in the market then we will be prepared to examine options linked with a possible increase in production," he said Sunday. His comments come five months into a fresh round of production cuts from OPEC+. The deal is designed to stop inventories building up and weakening prices. Russia has been vocal about raising production while OPEC's de-facto leader, Saudi Arabia, has been wary of a possible price crash that an output increase could cause. The output cuts have helped oil prices to rise more than 30% so far this year. President Donald Trump on Sunday lashed out at Republican Rep. Justin Amash over his call for Trump to face impeachment for allegedly committing obstruction of justice. Amash, a libertarian who often goes against Republican orthodoxy, broke with his party over the weekend to call for impeachment, arguing that Congress risked encouraging future misconduct if it did not live up to its constitutional duty. Trump said Amash "opposes me" and accused him of trying to garner name recognition by stirring controversy. He again claimed that the Mueller report found "no collusion" and "no obstruction." Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, "composed" by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump,.... In fact, Mueller did not investigate collusion, which has no legal definition. The special counsel documented extensive ties between Trump campaign officials and Russians, but concluded that there was not sufficient evidence to establish a conspiracy or coordination between the Kremlin and the Trump campaign during the 2016 presidential election. On the question of obstruction, Mueller did not reach a conclusion, but pointedly declined to exonerate the president. His investigation documented numerous instances in which the president may have attempted to obstruct justice. Amash cited these instances as the reason for his call for impeachment. Though Amash has broken with the Republican Party, it's unlikely many GOP members of Congress will follow his lead. The party has stood firmly behind Trump in the wake of Mueller's findings. Sen. Mitt Romney, who has repeatedly and publicly criticized Trump's conduct, called Amash's stance "courageous" but said he does not believe the Mueller report establishes obstruction of justice and impeachment is not realistic. "I just don't think there is the full element you need to prove an obstruction of justice case," says Sen. Romney. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Tuesday, May 14, 2019. When asked on Thursday if the United States is going to war with Iran, Trump said "hope not." The New York Times has reported that Trump told acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan that he does not want war with Iran. President Donald Trump on Sunday told Iran to never threaten the United States, warning the Islamic Republic that if it wants a fight, it would be "the official end of Iran." Trump's threat, posted on Twitter, comes amid rising international tensions in the Middle East as the U.S. has dispatched a carrier strike group and bomber task force to the region in recent weeks. The Pentagon says the military moves are in response to "heightened Iranian readiness to conduct offensive operations." But his national security advisor John Bolton has reportedly pushed within the administration for an aggressive military posture against Iran. According to The New York Times, Shanahan presented an updated military plan that included sending as many as 120,000 ground troops to the Middle East if Iran attacks U.S. forces or accelerates nuclear work. The revisions to the military plan were ordered by hard-liners led by Bolton, according to the Times. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said there are growing threats from Iran in the region, but he has had trouble convincing America's European allies. British Maj. General Chris Ghika, the deputy commander of the U.S.-led coalition fighting the so-called Islamic State, publicly disagreed with the U.S. assessment. "There has been no increased threat from Iranian backed forces in Iraq and Syria," Ghika told Pentagon reporters last week. The Pentagon later issued a statement saying Ghika's comments "run counter to the identified credible threats available to intelligence from U.S. and allies regarding Iranian backed forces in the region." Pompeo told CNBC that the White House does not want war and would welcome the opportunity to negotiate with Iran. "We're not going to miscalculate: Our aim is not war, our aim is a change in the behavior of the Iranian leadership," Pompeo said. "The forces that we're putting in place, the forces that we've had in the region before you know, we often have carriers in the Persian Gulf but the president wanted to make sure that, in the event something took place, we were prepared to respond to it in an appropriate way." WATCH: Iran not looking for a military confrontation with U.S. at this time Natalie Kukulka, a graduate from the School of Medicine, grew up around a family of physicians, but her father impacted her most, giving up his career for his family. Today, Natalie's father participates in her hooding ceremony. Brexit 1) May to make bold new offer to MPs on the Withdrawal Agreement T Shell hold talks on a package of measures intended to win support Sun on Sunday which will apparently still involve a customs union Mail on Sunday heresa May is to launch a last-ditch attempt to gain MPs approval for her Brexit deal, with a bold offer to Labour and Conservative critics. This week Cabinet ministers will be consulted on concessions that Number 10 hopes could win over support from the Opposition and some Tory rebels if they are inserted into the Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB), which Mrs May is planning to introduce to the Commons next month. The disclosures came as a Gallup International poll conducted across the EU found that a majority of the blocs citizens believe it should renegotiate the deal if Parliament refuses to back it. Sunday Telegraph Talks: Prime Minister blames Starmer for the breakdown of cross-party talks Sun on Sunday whilst he blames wannabe Tory leaders The Observer and Labours northern MPs say hes driving voters to Farage Mail on Sunday Brexit 2) Johnson rules out pact with Farage Boris Johnson has ruled out an election pact with Nigel Farage to stop his surging Brexit Party destroying the Tories. Leadership favourite BoJo has been warned that if he does not do a deal he will face heavy defeat at the next general election. One Tory warned no seat is safe and that unless the next PM comes to an agreement, Mr Farage will kill the party and let Labour in. Senior Tory Crispin Blunt, writing in todays The Sun on Sunday, adds: If the Conservatives dont ally with his party well be so badly damaged that government may fall into the hands of Corbyns Labour and the EU. Sun on Sunday Brexit Party pulling in 100,000 in donations every day Sunday Telegraph Farage says hell topple both major parties in revolution Sun on Sunday He alone lights the fires of fed-up middle England Sunday Times Poll suggests Farage should lead EU negotiations Sunday Express Comment: Were heading for a hammer blow against the Party Daniel Hannan MEP, Sunday Telegraph Johnson waits in the wings Rod Liddle, Sunday Times Foul tweet shows Remainers have themselves to blame for Farage Dan Hodges, Mail on Sunday Two-party politics or that new car feeling? Its up to the voters Richard Tice, Sunday Telegraph Editorial: Vote Farage get Corbyn? Sunday Times >Today: ToryDiary: The Johnson hype is here. Dont fall for it. >Yesterday: Dr Ros Beck in Comment: Its not just EU policy thats driving conservative voters towards the Brexit Party Brexit 3) as Rudd and Green launch bid to block Brexiteer leadership bids Dont lead us into disaster, moderates warn Johnson The Observer Cash rolls in for the BoJo bandwagon Mail on Sunday as Hancock attracts 100,000 in donations for his pitch Sun on Sunday McVey launches tour of countryside pubs Mail on Sunday A 60-strong group of Tories led by Amber Rudd and Damian Green will launch a bid to block leadership candidates backing a no-deal Brexit, as they urge MPs to reject narrow nationalism and the comfort blanket of populism. The One Nation Caucus, which is backed by eight pro-EU Cabinet ministers, is preparing to issue a declaration of values tomorrow before going on to hold hustings to interrogate would-be successors to Theresa May. The document, designed as a draft manifesto for the next Conservative leader, will state that the climate change emergency should be given a comparable level of attention and urgency as counter-terrorism, to help draw support from younger voters. Sunday Telegraph Comment: Our Conservatism can make a success of Brexit The One Nation Group, The Observer Tories need a bold Brexiteer who delivers: Mordaunt Asa Bennett, Sunday Telegraph >Yesterday: Brexit 4) Theresa May: My bold new offer to MPs to help them back the deal When the Withdrawal Agreement Bill comes before MPs, it will represent a new, bold offer to MPs across the House of Commons, with an improved package of measures that I believe can win new support. It will deliver a Brexit that honours the decision the British people took in the referendum with a Brexit that is good for jobs, good for our security, and which sets the whole UK on course for a bright future outside the EU. The cabinet will consider the details of those changes next week. It will also consider whether holding votes in parliament to test support for possible solutions would be a useful prelude to MPs considering the legislation. But whatever the outcome of any votes, I will not be simply asking MPs to think again. Sunday Times Its not too late for the Conservatives to bounce back Ruth Davidson MSP, Sunday Telegraph St Theresa took up her cross and got nowhere Dominic Lawson, Sunday Times The Brexit middle ground is gone, its all or nothing now Andrew Rawnsley, The Observer Empty seats show were careening towards catastrophe Peter Hitchens, Mail on Sunday >Today: Terry Barnes in Comment: Rejoice in this poll-defying win by the centre-right in Australia and ponder the lessons for the Conservatives and Corbyn Brexit 5) Heseltine and Major plea for return to centre ground Vote for a pro-EU party over Labour, says Hodge Sunday Times Labour panic as Europhile voters defect Sunday Express Corbyn issues rallying call ahead of Thursdays poll Mail on Sunday Tory heavyweights today demand an end to the virus of extremism that has divided the country and left the Conservative Party trailing in fourth place in two opinion polls for the European elections. The former prime minister Sir John Major and former deputy prime minister Lord Heseltine issued last-ditch pleas for a return to the centre ground on the eve of Thursdays elections, in which support for the two main parties has fallen to historic lows. Heseltine revealed that for the first time he will not vote Conservative but will cast his ballot for the Liberal Democrats, dismissing his party as myopically focused on forcing through the biggest act of economic self-harm ever undertaken by a democratic government. Sunday Times Comment: Until the Tories back another vote, Im voting Lib Dem Michael Heseltine, Sunday Times as Allen rejects rumours she will defect to the Liberal Democrats Change UKs interim leader has denied speculation that she is defecting to the Liberal Democrats after a bruising week in which the party lost one candidate and sank to the lowest poll numbers since its launch. Heidi Allen, the South Cambridgeshire MP who resigned from the Conservatives in February, said: It wouldnt look good if I defected from one party and defected to another a few weeks later. She added: Its not something that I am considering. The pro-Europe MP hinted, however, that Change UK might have to enter an alliance with the Lib Dems after Thursdays European elections. Sunday Times Now to block Brexit, says Cable Sunday Times as Lib Dems might change policy to just revoking Article 50 Sunday Express Editorial: The European elections are the real peoples vote Sun on Sunday and Sturgeon urges even unionists to vote SNP over Brexit Meanwhile Farage calls on real nationalists to vote for him Mail on Sunday May urged to award compensation to victims of blood-contamination scandal Nicola Sturgeon has urged voters across Scotland to support the SNP in next weeks EU elections whether youre for or against independence, to send a convincing message about the countrys opposition to Brexit. While opponents have accused her of using the Brexit deadlock as an excuse to campaign for independence, Sturgeon stepped up her appeals to pro-European voters to discount Labour. Launching her partys EU manifesto on Friday, she dismissed as pointless Jeremy Corbyns talks with Theresa May, and accused him of wanting to overturn the referendum result in Scotland, where a majority voted to remain. The Observer Theresa May is under pressure to award compensation to the victims of the contaminated-blood scandal without delay, after seven opposition leaders wrote to her demanding immediate action. With victims of the scandal dying at the rate of one every four days, May has been warned that many more will succumb before the public inquiry into the tragedy ends. The letter, which describes the contaminated blood scandal as one of the worst peacetime disasters in our countrys history, warns the prime minister: Since you announced the inquiry in July 2017, one victim has died on average every four days. Justice delayed even further will be justice denied for many of those currently still with us. Sunday Times Government suppliers fail anti-slavery test Sunday Times Prime Minister accused of personally blocking move to protect Ulster veterans T Ex-servicemens outrage at decision Sunday Telegraph GPs join NHS crusade to help troops adapt to life outside the Armed Forces Sun on Sunday heresa May personally blocked ministers from proposing a new law that could have protected Northern Ireland veterans from facing murder charges, an explosive memo reveals. A private letter sent on the Prime Ministers behalf orders that a government consultation on addressing unsolved murders during the Troubles should not contain proposals for a statute of limitations on historic prosecutions of military personnel. The official memo, drawn up by Mrs Mays assistant private secretary and seen by The Sunday Telegraph, also warns that veterans should be offered equal, rather than preferential, treatment relative to other groups affected by the consultation, which include terrorists. Sunday Telegraph Comment: Treating our soldiers as murderers turns my stomach Johnny Mercer MP, Sunday Telegraph Hinds announces new workplace experience plan Sixth-formers will spend a day a week in the workplace to give them hands-on experience of having a job. Pupils studying for the new work-related T-level exams will be given placements to gain confidence and skills to get a head start. Schools supremo Damian Hinds will this week announce a 7 million support for firms who take part in the biggest shake-up in technical education for 70 years. The new courses to be launched at 52 colleges next year will lead to an A-level alternative in subjects such as construction, digital communications and childcare. They will give 16-year-olds chance to study vocational subjects rather than academic courses such as history or geography. Sun on Sunday Street calls for more people to be trained in coding Sunday Telegraph Hart calls on tech firms to show zero tolerance of abuse Tone down speeches and avoid hate crime, candidates told The Observer Labour ex-minister furiously denies spy claims Tech firms must deploy a zero tolerance approach to abuse aimed at MPs on social media, an MP has warned. Tory Simon Hart says the rise in crimes against public figures will mean less people wanting to enter public life which will threaten democracy. The comments come after neo-Nazi Jack Renshaw was jailed for at least 20 years after planning to kill Labour MP Rosie Cooper in a terror incident. Neil Basu, head of UK counter-terrorism policing, said earlier this month 152 crimes had been reported by MPs between January and April this year a rise of 90 per cent on the same time last year. Sun on Sunday One of Jeremy Corbyns most senior MPs was a spy who passed confidential Government documents to an enemy state, according to intelligence files unearthed by The Mail on Sunday. The Cold War documents report that Geoffrey Robinson, a Minister under Prime Minister Tony Blair, divulged highly sensitive information about Britains nuclear deterrent over the course of 51 meetings with a spymaster from Communist Czechoslovakia. The files also describe alleged contact between Mr Robinson and Russian KGB agents The documents held in an official Prague archive claim that Mr Robinson acknowledged at the time that he was involved in espionage and would be sent to prison if caught. Mail on Sunday First Training Manual to do the right thing launched 100% Website sgag.sg uses latest and advanced technologies like: Boostrap. It supports HTTPS and GZIP compression. The main html page has a size of 475039 bytes (463.91 kb uncompressed) and 111927 bytes (109.30 kb compressed). This CoolSocial report was updated on 2021-09-15, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want. The new Norwegian Encore now has her trademark hull art. Eduardo Arranz-Bravo, the Spanish artist, created the hull artwork for the fourth and final ship of its Breakaway-Plus class, Norwegian Encore, debuting in Miami in November 2019. A representation of his modern and abstract style, the ships hull will feature a "labyrinth of color" inspired by Arranz-Bravos life by the sea in Barcelona and pay tribute to the vibrant guest experience for which the Norwegian brand is recognized, the company said. After her debut in Miami, the Encore will move to Seattle in 2021, sailing seven-day cruises to Alaska. China's state media signaled a lack of interest in resuming trade talks with the U.S. under the current threat to escalate tariffs, while the government said stimulus will be stepped up to buttress the domestic economy. Without new moves that show the U.S. is sincere, it is meaningless for its officials to come to China and have trade talks, according to a commentary by the blog Taoran Notes, which was carried by state-run Xinhua News Agency and the People's Daily, the Communist Party's mouthpiece. The Ministry of Commerce spokesman said Thursday he had no information about any U.S. officials coming to Beijing for further talks. The indications that negotiations are paused will focus attention on the next opportunity for Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump to meet -- at the Group of Twenty meeting in Japan next month. Their meeting in Argentina in December last year put negotiations back on track, only for them to fall apart again this month in Washington. "If the U.S. doesn't make concessions in key issues, there is little point for China to resume talks," said Zhou Xiaoming, a former commerce ministry official and diplomat. "China's stance has become more hard-line and it's in no rush for a deal" because the U.S. approach is extremely repellent and China has no illusions about U.S. sincerity, he said. According to Zhou, the commerce ministry spokesman on Thursday effectively ruled out talks in the near term. In comments to the media, ministry spokesman Gao Feng said that China's three major concerns need to be addressed before any deal can be reached, adding that the unilateral escalation of tensions in Washington recently had "seriously hurt" talks. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said this week that American officials "most likely will go to Beijing at some point" in the near future to continue trade talks, before later saying he has "no plans yet to go to China." On Friday, China's government said that it will work to counteract the effects of more U.S. tariffs and keep the economy in a "reasonable range." The National Development and Reform Commission is studying the impact of U.S. tariffs and will roll out "responsive measures when necessary," spokeswoman Meng Wei said at briefing in Beijing. A sharper and more aggressive tone in state media doesn't rule out short-term progress in trade talks, as rhetoric can be dialed back just as quickly. However, after months of downplaying the dispute with the U.S. and banning the phrase "trade war," the new strident tone of coverage is striking. The U.S. has been talking about wanting to continue the negotiations, but in the meantime it has been playing "little tricks to disrupt the atmosphere," according to the Taoran commentary on Thursday night, citing Trump's steps this week to curb Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies Co. "We can't see the U.S. has any substantial sincerity in pushing forward the talks. Rather, it is expanding extreme pressure," the blog wrote. "If the U.S. ignores the will of the Chinese people, then it probably won't get an effective response from the Chinese side," it added. The Shanghai Composite Index was 1.7% lower at 1:38 p.m. in Shanghai, putting it on course for a fourth week of losses, the worst streak in 10 months. The offshore yuan had weakened more than 0.4% to 6.9395 per dollar. The blog reiterated China's three main concerns for a deal are tariff removal, achievable purchase plans and a balanced agreement text, as first revealed by Vice Premier Liu He. They mark the official stance as much as the will of the Chinese public, it wrote. "If anyone thinks the Chinese side is just bluffing, that will be the most significant misjudgment" since the Korean War, it said. In addition to putting the Taoran commentary on WeChat, the People's Daily newspaper had three defiant articles on the trade war in the print newspaper Friday. A front page commentary from the Communist Party's propaganda department headlined 'No Power Can Stop the Chinese People from Achieving Their Dream' said "the trade war will not cripple China, it will only strengthen us as we endure it," citing the hardships China has overcome from the Opium War to floods to the SARS epidemic in 2002-2003. There were two editorials on page three, with one saying "China doesn't intend to change or replace the U.S., and the U.S. can't dictate to China or hold back our development." The other said claims from some officials in the U.S. that they have "rebuilt" China over the past 25 years are "outrageous" and shows their vanity, ignorance and distorted mentalities. --- Bloomberg's Xiaoqing Pi, April Ma and Yinan Zhao contributed to this report. Our own Bruce Siwy and Eric Kieta talk about their true-crime cases in Return To View: The Roundtable If anyone still doubts just how dangerous war with Iran would be, they should listen to yesterdays warning from General David Petraeus, a former head of the American militarys Central Command and a past CIA Director. Such a venture, he said, would be perilous and he is right. Iran, remember, bears little comparison with Iraq, which collapsed so readily in the face of British and American troops. Iran is four times bigger than its neighbour. If anyone still doubts just how dangerous war with Iran would be, they should listen to yesterdays warning from General David Petraeus, a former head of the American militarys Central Command and a past CIA Director. Above: Iranians set fire to a US flag in 2018 It is a major nation with 80 million people, 450,000 battle-hardened troops and a huge stockpile of weapons, not to mention heavily armed regional proxies such as the Hezbollah militia on the Lebanese border with Israel. And with the oil-supply route from the Persian Gulf at obvious risk, the effects of conflict would be felt right around the world. America has already declared economic war, reimposing sanctions designed to choke off crucial oil exports. Irans oil exports have plummeted from 2.8 million to one million barrels a day. And now there is talk of a shooting war, with the Pentagon reliably said to be preparing for conflict. The US recently sent four B-52 strategic bombers to the region. An American aircraft carrier heading for the Gulf has been told to speed up its voyage. As yet, the guns have remained silent, but with tension rising by the day, America and Iran are enveloped in the sort of fog that leads to open warfare should bluffs be called or mistakes made. Such a venture, Petraeus (pictured) said, would be perilous and he is right. Iran, remember, bears little comparison with Iraq, which collapsed so readily in the face of British and American troops. Iran is four times bigger than its neighbour There is no shortage of pretexts. Just last week, four empty oil tankers three Saudi Arabian and one Norwegian were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates as they loaded up. A major Saudi oil pipeline designed to bypass the Strait of Hormuz was attacked by drones carrying explosives. The House of Saud claims Iran was to blame, but without any evidence. It seems just as likely the attacks were conducted by forces actively seeking to engineer a showdown. America has drawn up a colourful charge sheet against Iran, including claims that the ruling mullahs are close to developing nuclear weapons, that the regime sponsors world terrorism and that it actively threatens American troops in the region. Just a few days ago, Israels Mossad intelligence agency alleged that Iran is planning strikes against US bases in neighbouring Iraq. None of this bears scrutiny, however. Take, for example, the claims about Irans nuclear programme. The international community was aghast when the White House unilaterally pulled out of the 2015 deal, a major agreement which brought an end to international sanctions in return for Iranian guarantees it would not develop nuclear weapons. Trump described the treaty as a disaster. Yet Iran had stuck to its side of the bargain, a point confirmed 13 times by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Then, when it comes to terrorism, America has ignored the fact that Iranian-directed Shia militias and Irans militant ally Hezbollah have been bulwarks against the Islamic State, fighting in parallel with coalition troops in Iraq and Syria. Irans secret service has also played an important role in combating the Afghan Taliban. Even so, Trump has designated the entire 125,000 strong Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps an arm of the Iranian state itself as a terrorist organisation. The US recently sent four B-52 strategic bombers to the region. An American aircraft carrier heading for the Gulf has been told to speed up its voyage As for the Israeli claims that Iran is menacing American soldiers in Iraq, the US Congress has demanded to see proof. The Iraqis themselves dispute the Mossad claim, as does the British deputy commander of coalition forces in Iraq, Major-General Christopher Ghika. What, then or who is behind this reckless series of threats and actions? While the American President is certainly complicit, the real blame lies elsewhere. Trump is against going to war, and especially in the Middle East. While it is true that he makes a great deal of noise when it comes to foreign affairs, much of it aggressive, he was elected by American voters who were sick of the blood and treasure squandered in Iraq and Afghanistan. Instead, the driving force is an unlikely alliance of Israel, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the support of John Bolton, Trumps 70-year-old National Security Adviser. The Saudis and Emiratis want to crush Iran, which they see as the major danger to regional stability. Trump has designated the entire 125,000 strong Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps an arm of the Iranian state itself as a terrorist organisation These autocratic Sunni monarchies feel menaced by a Shia Islamic republic, which not only promotes a rival brand of Islam, but whose tentacles now reach into Lebanon, Syria, Iraq and Yemen, where Iranian-backed Houthi rebels are engaged in a long-running and bloody insurgency. Israel, too, regards Irans theocratic regime as a threat, and points to the hostile presence of Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Above all else, the Israelis have sought to prevent Iran developing nuclear weapons. Before the 2015 nuclear deal, they used cyberattacks notably the Stuxnet virus to cripple Iranian nuclear plants, and they assassinated key Iranian engineers and scientists. Now Israel, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have the whole of Irans civilian (and entirely legitimate) nuclear infrastructure in their sights. They wish to destroy it altogether. But for that they need the help of US air and sea power as Israel lacks the aerial refuelling tankers needed to conduct long-range raids against multiple targets. And in American National Security Adviser John Bolton they have a true friend. Bolton, a Vietnam draft-dodger like Trump, is an ultra-hawk on most foreign policy questions. He loathes international organisations and insultingly describes Europeans including us as Euroids. Attacking Iran with sanctions is not enough for him: Bolton wishes to overthrow the regime, just as his fellow neo-conservatives were able to do in Iraq. Will the Iranian regime fall as Saudi Arabia hopes and Bolton privately predicts? Will it come meekly to the negotiating table? Of course not. Trumps threats and sanctions have shown every sign of rallying ordinary Iranians to their flag. The response will be quite different. Iran is now likely to abandon the nuclear restraint it agreed in 2015, making the world a more dangerous place as a result. It will no doubt attempt to draw Russia an ally in the Syrian conflict into this dangerous standoff. In American National Security Adviser John Bolton Israel have a true friend. Bolton, a Vietnam draft-dodger like Trump, is an ultra-hawk on most foreign policy questions Russias President Putin has explained to Iran that he cant act as a fire-fighter in every single conflict, but it is worth noting that many of Irans nuclear technicians are from Russia. Will Putin install his impressive S400 missile defence system to protect Russian citizens there, not to mention his own regional influence? The Iranians will certainly hope so. Then there is the question of Hezbollah. Time and again, Israel has shown itself capable of containing missile attacks launched across the border from Gaza by Hamas. But missiles fired from Lebanon by Hezbollah a large, professional army with up to 150,000 missiles would be a very different prospect. In the event of war between America and Hezbollahs Iranian paymasters, few doubt that such attacks would follow. The stakes in this electrifying power struggle are high for all of us, not least the hard-pressed citizens of Iran. Russias President Putin has explained to Iran that he cant act as a fire-fighter in every single conflict but it is worth noting that many of Irans nuclear technicians are from Russia War would bring chaos to the Persian Gulf, the worlds most important shipping route for oil, and send the price of crude shooting through the roof. It rose by more than a dollar a barrel after last weeks sabotage on the UAE coast. Global recession would soon follow. I have rarely seen such a blatant example of foreign powers determining US policy as in these despicable attempts to push America into firing on Iran or of aggression towards a state that has successfully dismantled a nuclear weapons programme. Here in Britain, we should recall the wisdom of Harold Wilson who correctly defied Lyndon B Johnson and refused to get involved with the disastrous adventure in Vietnam. It is time for Trump to call a halt, to end this slide towards potentially catastrophic conflict and give warmongering Bolton the boot. Michael Burleigh is Engelsberg Chair of History and International Affairs at LSE IDEAS. We are told we should relax about the fate of Britain because new ravens have hatched at the Tower of London. I am more worried by another very frightening omen last week. There were empty seats on the green benches of the House of Commons during Prime Ministers Questions. What is supposed to be the central ritual of our ancient, adversarial Parliament has now become so dull and pointless that quite a few MPs can no longer be bothered to turn up. This is a clear sign that something is seriously wrong at the very heart of our constitution. There were empty seats on the green benches of the House of Commons during Prime Ministers Questions. What is supposed to be the central ritual of our ancient, adversarial Parliament has now become so dull and pointless that quite a few MPs can no longer be bothered to turn up I still remember the thrill of the long-ago day in the 1980s when I watched my first PMQs from the Press Gallery. The previous day I had crawled through the thin seam of a coal mine for the first time, and I am still not sure which of the two experiences went deeper into my mind and memory. Those were the times before Parliament was televised, when PMQs were a twice-weekly 15-minute joust in which Neil Kinnock confronted Margaret Thatcher across the dispatch box. There was nothing phoney in their hostility, and nothing staged in the passions which were released once the combat got going. The two parties at that time were still truly divided, utterly separate tribes which spoke for the two halves of the country. I dont exactly know what the division was, or where it started. I suspect a lot of it went back to the Norman Conquest and the deep and lasting divide between Norman and Saxon. Some of it went back to the Civil War, and to the General Strike, and to the Great Betrayal of 1931, when the Labour premier, Ramsay MacDonald, entered a National Government whose actions made todays alleged austerity look like a spending spree. Beyond that lay the Cold War, in which the Left still couldnt quite bring itself to loathe the Soviet Union as much as it should have done. The great thing was, these were the divisions in the country, and they were faithfully reflected in our Parliament. Nobody felt voiceless and forgotten. The House of Commons worked as it should, as a safety valve and an upward transmission belt through which peoples real concerns reached the very top, and were addressed. After the Cold War ended, and Mrs Thatcher destroyed the great heavy industries that sustained the old working class, these historic hostilities faded away. A new divide arose. It was mainly about mass immigration, law and order, morals and marriage, and the sexual revolution. At least new BBC drama has got one thing right I CANT say I actually like Years And Years, the BBCs new drama about the near future. It is crammed with the usual propaganda about everything from sex to Donald Trump. It even referred to Russian soldiers as the Soviet Army, a serious mistake in the script that someone should have spotted, and which results from a liberal mental blockage. But it is right about how dangerous our times are. Even if it uses Emma Thompsons character, right, to mock and belittle the fears of millions, it admits they exist. Advertisement It was also about the way in which so much of the country simply did not benefit from the glittering prosperity of London. Not even all of London benefited from it. Almost none of this was discussed in Parliament. Instead, the three big parties became so alike that it was often impossible to tell them apart without checking their labels. They despised the concerns of the voiceless millions, and talked down to them, trying to tell them what they should think. And it was that new, unrecognised division which led to two earthquakes in politics. First, there was the rise of Jeremy Corbyn, who, for all his faults, grasped that millions simply are not sharing in the supposed recovery. Thats why they flocked to his meetings and why he did so well in 2017. The other was the transformation of the European issue. Once it only bothered fringe people like me. But when millions began to see our EU membership as a symbol of everything they didnt like about modern Britain, especially the open borders, it became the new demarcation line. In 2016, in the referendum result, we saw for a few days the ghostly shape of two new political parties form in the air. The two new tribes were more or less evenly matched, genuinely different from each other. I think the easiest way to define them is that one was a Mail party and the other a Guardian party. The things that divide this country now are not nationalisation or even tax, but morals, law and justice, mass immigration, patriotism versus internationalism. They are vital, living issues and it is time they were debated and settled in the proper old British way. But if they are not, then I see nothing but trouble coming. I fear greatly that we are now on course for a second EU referendum. I do not want this, in fact I hate and fear the idea. But MPs and party leaders have refused to take responsibility for the future of the country, because they are afraid of their own voters. And so it seems more and more likely that a second poll is where it will end up. Often these days, I think the only sensible thing left to do is pray. Truth vanishes in a cloud of poison gas A huge international news story broke last week, but I doubt you will hear about it anywhere else. It seems very likely that the decision we, France and the USA made in April 2018 to bomb Syria was based on a mistake as big as the fictional weapons of mass destruction in Iraq in 2003. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the international body which examines alleged incidents of the use of poison gas, has just confirmed to me that a devastating leaked document from its Dutch HQ is genuine. The document, written by one of the OPCWs most experienced investigators, shows that it is highly unlikely that gas canisters found at the scene of an alleged poison gas attack in Douma, Syria, were actually dropped from helicopters as has been widely believed and claimed. The claim is crucial to the case for bombing Syria. A copy of the leaked document can be found on my blog on Mail Online. Yet the OPCWs official report on the event made no mention of any such doubts. What is going on? The OPCW is a valuable organisation, containing many fine people, with a noble purpose, but has it been placed under pressure, or even hijacked, by political forces which seek a justification for military intervention in Syria? Given that a decision between war or peace, affecting the whole planet, could one day hang on its judgments, I think the world is entitled to an inquiry into what is happening behind its closed doors. Penny leans the hard way Yet another ambitious pseudo-patriotic Tory has made a fool of herself over the prosecutions of British soldiers who served in Northern Ireland. The latest Defence Secretary, Penny Mordaunt, who claims to have been named after a warship and is far from reticent about her service connections, noisily pretended she could do something about this witch-hunt. And then she went into reverse. Because she cant. I shall keep saying this until it sinks in. The United Kingdom surrendered to the Provisional IRA, under heavy American pressure, in 1998, and the persecution of British soldiers was part of the terms of that surrender. The Tory Party supported the nauseatingly named Good Friday Agreement at the time and still defends it. OK then they should openly admit that this is what defeat looks like, and this is what the special relationship amounts to. If you want to comment on Peter Hitchens click here Last Tuesday, an image began to circulate on Twitter of a Nigel Farage rally. Showing a predominantly white, relatively elderly audience, it was quickly seized upon by Matt Kelly, editor of the pro-Remain New European newspaper. An actual Nigel Farage audience, he commented. Marvel at the diversity, behold the spread of demographics. And bring a mop to clear up all the leaked piss afterwards. On Thursday, Britain votes in the European elections. If the opinion polls prove to be even remotely accurate, they will be won decisively by the Brexit Party. At which point anxious Remainers will take to the airwaves and print, and commence a tortuous search for the reasons why. This tweet was written by Matt Kelly, editor of the pro-Remain New European newspaper Nigel Farages impending triumph needs no scholarly deconstruction The media inevitably will shoulder much of the blame, accused of failing to effectively interrogate, challenge and expose the Brexit Partys leader. Farage will be castigated for nefariously pulling the wool over the eyes of a gullible electorate. Theresa May will be pilloried because thats basically all she is useful for now. And it will all amount to nothing more than an exercise in self-indulgent, pseudo-intellectual denial. Farages impending triumph needs no scholarly deconstruction. All it requires is for Remainers to open their eyes and ears, and grasp three simple facts. In 2016, Britain voted to leave the EU. It is now 2019, and Britain has not left the European Union. Mocking, abusing and belittling people who perceive a basic injustice in this democratic disconnect will not result in them reversing their opinion. It will result in the brutal political backlash about to be administered to Britains mainstream politicians in four days time. The Remainers place great store on the perceived ignorance of their opponents. Their supposed narrow world-view, simplistic Brexit prospectus and casual Little Englander prejudice. They are pledged to take the fight to them right up until 10pm on polling day. But they would be better served doing a little less fighting and a bit more reflecting. Reflecting on their own ignorance of the forces that are about to be unleashed. Farage is one of the most highly scrutinised politicians in British political history. His childhood, medical history, private life, business life, financial relationships, political relationships, drinking habits, driving habits, sartorial choices just about every aspect of his existence has been examined and headlined on one of the major national media platforms. And the bandwagon keeps rolling. Rather than the reincarnation of Churchill, Farage is Brexits Del Boy Trotter the fast-talking chancer whose patter is ultimately doomed to failure There is no killer fact waiting to be revealed. There will be no definitive expose. The silver bullet Remainers keep praying for does not exist. And it doesnt exist for one simple reason. Nigel Farage is fooling no one. Certainly not the British people. Contrary to popular Remainer wisdom, they know full well who and what the Brexit Party leader is. He does not engender the starry-eyed devotion of Blair, the awe of Thatcher or cultish idealism of Corbyn. Rather than the reincarnation of Churchill, he is Brexits Del Boy Trotter the fast-talking chancer whose patter is ultimately doomed to failure, but will burst the conceit and pomposity of the Establishment in the process. The British people are also aware of something else. Whatever distortions and sleight of hand Farage may have deployed in previous campaigns and incarnations, in the 2019 European elections he is telling the truth. Before the Referendum, we were told by the Prime Minister of the day and in a taxpayer-funded leaflet delivered to every home in the land that it was our choice. We could vote to stay in the European Union, or we could vote to leave the European Union and the politicians would implement our will. Britain chose to leave. At which point the politicians turned to the nation and said: Sorry, but youre staying anyway. Farage describes this as an act of betrayal. To which Remainers respond by accusing him of peddling incendiary invective. But what do we actually call it when someone delivers a solemn pledge, you accept it in good faith, then they do precisely the opposite? What word is in the dictionary to describe such an act? Westminster whisper Amber Rudd will not be standing in the upcoming Tory leadership contest. No, Im not going to be running, she tells me. I want to take the time to sit back and watch, and see who emerges. Rudd is well respected by the partys modernising wing, and her endorsement will be significant. Start lunching her, guys. Advertisement In this campaign, the truth is not Farages enemy, but his friend. Yet for some reason, Remainers are utterly blind to this basic fact. They are setting themselves against the will of the people as freely and fairly expressed via the ballot box. They are abusing those who want that result respected for being too stupid, too old or too white. Then they wonder why they are losing the argument. And the European elections. Perhaps they ultimately dont care. As in 2016, initial shock at the Brexit Partys breakthrough could simply give way to further defiance. If the voice of the voters has been ignored once, why not again? Maybe the end will be seen to justify the means. So long as Britain remains in the sainted EU, the implosion of the main parties and fracturing of parliamentary democracy is a price worth paying. But that it will have to be paid is no longer in doubt. The patience of the British people has been tested to destruction. Our politicians have been given and ignored too many warnings. They have taken the voters for granted for the final time. This morning the Remainers are struggling to understand what lies behind the Farage Surge. On Thursday they will be given the answer. Baker... and the Boris ultimatum Boris Johnson has surged into a commanding lead as the bookies favourite to replace Theresa May. But I understand he is about to be confronted with an ultimatum from the ranks of the influential European Research Group. Friends of Steve Baker, the pro-Brexit groups unofficial shop steward, tell me he will demand a pledge from the former Foreign Secretary, along with fellow leadership contender Dominic Raab, that they will vote against Mays Withdrawal Agreement Bill when it is introduced into the Commons next month. Both Johnson and Raab reluctantly voted for Mays plan in March, and Im told Baker is planning to stand against them if they dont go back to opposing the Prime Minister. Steves been contacted by a number of colleagues asking him to run, and so far hes been listening to them out of politeness, an ally tells me. But Boris and Dominic need to understand that if they vote for the second reading, he will run against them. Its unclear how much support Baker would garner from Tory MPs, but he is popular with grassroots members who admire his stubborn refusal to back down over the Chequers deal. Boris has a tricky decision to make. As Change UKs Euro campaign falters, Im told that hopes for a new centrist political realignment now hang on the outcome of the upcoming Lib Dem leadership election. The contest is set to be a straight fight between Jo Swinson, who favours a new LD/Con/Labour alliance, and Ed Davey, who wants to keep the defectors at arms length. One Change UK MP tells me: Jo has told us if she wins, she wants to establish a whole new centrist party. But Davey doesnt want anything to do with us. If he wins, the idea of a new party is dead. A student who promised his dying brother he would 'live a great life and help others' has started an online support group for grieving siblings. Callum Fairhurst, now 21, was only 12 when his brother Liam died at the age of 14 in 2009 following a four-year battle with synovial sarcoma, a rare soft tissue cancer. Now a decade later Callum, from Cambridgeshire, has launched website Sibling Support which helps the sometimes 'forgotten grievers' after a young person dies. Callum, who is a student at the University of East Anglia, said: 'Liam is such an inspiration, I am so fortunate to have him as my brother. 'Talking about death, especially when its a young person, can be a tough subject and I want Sibling Support to be an outlet for people - somewhere they're not alone.' Callum Fairhurst, 21, pictured last summer, wants the Sibling Support website to be somewhere young people can know they're not alone when they lose a brother or sister Callum, left, and Liam, right, were invited to No 10 Downing street in July 2007 by the then PM Gordon Brown. Liam died in June 2009, two years after being told his cancer was terminal Liam, pictured on his 13th birthday in 2008, raised thousands of pound for charity during his life and kept proving his prognosis wrong after being first diagnosed in 2005 Although Callum was a child himself at the time his brother passed away, he can remember Liam's final years clearly. Callum said: 'There were lots of ups and downs, hundreds of hospital visits, and thousands of tablets. 'Liam was originally diagnosed with cancer in his left leg but he kept proving his prognosis wrong. He did so much to help people and raised thousands of pounds. 'But two years after being told the cancer was terminal he died at home in 2009. I can still remember every detail of June 30 2009.' Liam met Prince William in July 2007 at Wembley, London, during a lunch before the Diana Memorial concert Callum, right with his big brother as children, said after Liam died he needed to talk about his feelings but that it was difficult and at times he didn't want to When Liam died at home in 2009 Callum, pictured climbing on his brother, said he 'just understood' it was time to say his goodbyes and the nurses didn't have to tell him anything Callum explained how when a nurse came downstairs to get him he 'just understood' it was time to say goodbye and they didn't have to say anything to him. He said: 'I went up to Liam and made him two promises. That I would live a great life and two that I would help others.' In the years that followed Callum tried to hide his emotions and said he didn't really speak about Liam properly. Gemma's story: 'I wanted to jump in the ground after his casket' Gemma, now 21, was 11 when her younger brother Ryan died from acute myeloid leukemia when he was seven. After her brother passed away on the 24th August 2009 at a childrens hospice, Gemma said she didnt know how to feel. Although she had support of a siblings team at the hospice but said she would often feel forgotten and was told to be good for her parents as it was a hard time. Gemma, pictured with Ryan, said she had great support after her brother died and hopes Sibling Support can give similar help Gemma explained how Ryans funeral was the same day as her first day at high school and she had to go collect her timetable, then go to his funeral. She said: 'I found the funeral very hard, and thats when the grief first hit me. I wanted to jump into the ground after his casket, but I was held back by family members. I dont remember much else from the funeral.' Ten years later, Gemma said she still misses Ryan terribly and hopes that, although virtual, Sibling Support can give people similar guidance to what she received from the hospice support team. Gemma said: 'Its okay to not know how youre feeling when your sibling dies and its okay to feel both positive and negatively - not feeling sad all the time doesnt make you a bad sibling.' Advertisement Callum said: 'I had all these emotions building up and I needed to speak but I didn't want too. 'The thing with coping with grief is that it can change by the day and sometimes you want to speak and others you really can't. 'There were some great charities and support systems around at the time but lots of them had long waiting lists which meant I couldn't quickly ask questions. 'Siblings can sometimes become forgotten grievers after their brother or sister dies.' This is part of the inspiration behind Sibling Support, which has a range of questions pre-answered on the site and written by young people in an easy to understand way. Since its launch last month the website has already had thousands of visits from young people wanting to ask questions about what they're feeling. Callum said: 'A small group of young people as well as professionals helped setting up the site. 'We wanted experts to be involved to make sure we were asking questions in the best way to help people. I've learned a lot from other people since doing the site.' Callum said that adjusting to life after Liam's death was difficult as his brother was well known in their area and he went back to school quickly. He said: 'Liam had done lots of fundraising around where we live and lots of people saw me as his brother not as Callum. 'It was also difficult at school when people would complain about trivial problems with their siblings and I'd be reminded of Liam. 'But Sibling Support shows that there are loads of siblings out there going through similar pain and its not as rare as 12-year-old me thought.' Now a decade on from losing his brother, Callum said it's getting easier to talk about him and he no longer shies away from conversations. Now 10 years since Liam, pictured, died, Callum said he no longer avoids talking about him Through his teenage years Callum, right, sometimes found it difficult to speak about Liam, left, and wouldn't always know what to say when asked if he had a brother Callum promised his brother he would live a great life and help others. He is pictured after returning home from driving a Tuk Tuk around 28 countries in 2017 He said: 'As a teenager Liam would sometimes come up and depending on who I was talking with I could open up but would rarely say too much. 'It's often simple things, like playing ice-breaker games of "hands up if you have a sibling", which catch me out because I do but then if I have to explain further I have to decide whether I tell people Liam's dead. 'Before I'd shy away from this but now I proudly say I have a brother.' To find out more head to SiblingSupport.co.uk An entrepreneur behind a sex party company that promises 'no strings' fun in a luxury holiday setting has revealed that he sometimes joins in at the x-rated events he holds. Raphael Yadgaroff, 29, from London, a former self-defence trainer, runs Clique Asia which offers luxury holidays in the Far East with access to sex parties. He says he was inspired to start the company after realising sexually curious people were being poorly served - with no equivalent to Tinder for swingers. Scroll down for video Former self-defence trainer Raphael Yadgaroff, 29, from London decided to star Clique Asia and Clique Asia after moving to Asia and realising that there was no Tinder for the sexually curious Clique Asia offers sex parties in luxury properties in Asia. Raphael says people of 'any age, gender, sexuality' can join the trips - but often they'll be strictly vetted first The entrepreneur says it's not his job to convince people whether they're open-minded enough to join in the events, where strict consent policies exists He says he decided to focus on the adult holiday market after moving to Asia and spotting a gap in the market for holidays for the sexually adventurous - and now encourages people of 'any age, gender and sexuality' to have fun in a balmy setting. There is, however, often a strict vetting process in place and party holders require applicants to say in writing why they want to attend including listing previous experiences. The idea to start 'lifestyle' brand Clique Asia came when, Raphael says, he realised there was no easy, honest way to meet people who were also keen on open relationships and exploring their sexuality in an open way. He explains he was at an 'event' in Malaysia when he had the lightbulb moment: 'I had an interesting conversation about how difficult it was to connect with like-minded people ie people in open relationships, looking for threesomes or single people into sexual exploration. I realised there were plenty of online platforms but they weren't done very well.' Clique Asia now organises travel for said curious people to travel to Asia to attend sex parties in villa-style properties, which are often five-star. He says 'all ages, genders and sexual orientation' can hook up on the online platform: 'We provide a safe environment and social network to allow people already in this lifestyle or curious to connect to have the kind of experience they are looking for whilst on holiday.' Temptation: Raphael says he will get involved in an event if it's a smaller party...but never if he's hosting a larger group of people The promise of sex is often more appealing than the actual sex, he says, saying the company aims to hook up sexually curious people who would otherwise struggle to find each other Risque: Some of the equipment on offer at the x-rated shindigs for the 'sexually curious' How do they convince people that it's not a sleazy proposition? He says if they're curious enough to click, they're probably already open-minded enough to attend and 'we're not here to convince people who arent open minded'. Swingers are misrepresented he says: 'The most common misconception is that swinging is a term for orgies. The term swinging can start from a threesome all the way to an organized event that is providing a place for an orgy of 100+ people.' He says people 'still need a personality and know how to make a connection with another couple or to move take it to the next level.' Raphael adds: 'The truth, its not all about sex, but instead the possibility of it. You go to the event with the possibility to have sex, if you and whoever you connect with and consent with agree.' Personality is important too - because swingers 'need to know how to make a connection with the another couple or to move take it to the next level.' There's a strict consent rule in place, with agreements in place before guests disrobe: 'All parties and small meetings I have ever attended have a verbal agreement rule about participating and you may stop at anytime, for which there is never pressure or judgement.' If it's a smaller event, he won't hesitate to join in 'if I meet someone or several someones who I feel comfortable with and connect to'. However, he can't be seen to be disappearing off to 'a secluded room' if he's overseeing a larger party and keeps his clothes firmly on. He says the concept of sex parties isn't always portrayed positively but there's nothing wrong with 'people getting together like any other group of friends that are secure in their own sexuality or relationship that understand sex is to be enjoyed and is a physical pleasure.' The problem arises he concludes when people get too emotionally involved: 'Love and love-making is both a physical and mental connection that only you and your partner share intimately. Sex is something different.' In China, the wedding of the century happens every other day, as engaged couples will spare no expense for their big day. Rachel Wee and her fiance Ken, from Singapore, are no different and star in a new documentary by Channel 5, Crazy Rich Asian weddings - which looks into the lavish weddings of the wealthiest heirs and heiresses of China. The pair tied the knot in April in Singapore, and treated their some 600 guests to a three-part wedding. Themed on the Little Mermaid, with pre wedding underwater photographs of the pair, the bride dressing as a mermaid for her bachelorette and climbing into a giant clamshell for her entrance for the wedding. Rachel Wee, pictured with her fiance Ken Chen in a pre-wedding photoshoot in 2018. The couple's wedding is featured in a new Channel 5 documentary on decadent wedding Ken and Rachel in an under-water photoshoot ahead of their wedding, which was underwater-themed The bride-to-be dressed as a mermaid during her bachelorette in her parents' multi-million pad in Singapore 'Before I met Ken, my friend actually showed me his Facebook,' Rachel says on the show about her husband to be, ' and I thought Ken was a player because of his good looks.' Rachel being the daughter of a beauty mogul, and Ken being a financial analyst, everything about the celebration was decadent. But planning this massive event is not without stress, and tensions erupt between Rachel's opinionated mother Jean and the bride-to-be. When discussing cake with the wedding planner specially hired for the event, Rachel says she wants a four layer cake. But her mother soon takes over the conversation and demands that the cake be bigger, and at least five layers. Rachel (middle) with her mother Jean (right) and 'auntie' Dawn on their way to a shopping spree aboard one of the family's Rolls-Royce The traditional part of Rachel and Ken's wedding celebration. The guest then headed to the church, and then the Carlton Hotel Singapore for the reception During the reception, Rachel (pictured) climbed in a giant clamshell for her entrance - Ken went up to the clam and swept his bride off her feet Neptune, God of the Sea, also made an appearance at the wedding - it was Rachel's father dressed up in a costume The bridesmaid party with Rachel, posing for pictures, dressed as mermaids during her bachelorette party The wedding planner finds a common ground by suggesting to create a 'dummy' cake as part of the wedding's decoration, which would be incorporated to the big cake. 'I can accept that, but it would have to be a big mock-up for the bottom,' Jean says. Later, when Rachel goes to try on her wedding dress with her mother, Jean finds an issue with the train of the dress selected by her daughter, which is encrusted with 6,000 crystals. 'I think we should add more Swarovski crystal at the end,' she says, 'it will make it more stunning.' Some of the wedding guest posing for the picture in the walk-through aquarium on display at Rachel and Ken's wedding Rachel and Ken, who've just been married, share a tender kiss in front of their wedding guests in Singapore Immediately Rachel seems worried by her mother's request. 'This is very very stunning' she objects, pulling lightly on the dress, 'But, I mean, since we're going all out, might as well...' she concedes. 'For the wedding it's not just for the couple, but also the family,' Jean's friend later explains, 'And Jean, she's 100% [sure] that she was to be involved in everything.' Rachel and Ken indeed went 'all out' while planning their big day. A view at the reception room at the Carlton Hotel Singapore, where one dinner table cost SG1.328 (757) The couple splashed on several pre-wedding photoshoots, posing in lavish hotels and even for an under-water themed-picture. All the pictures were later showcased on the day of their wedding. Everything about the celebration was decadent, starting with Rachel's bachelorette's, which was organised by her friends. In the documentary, we find out that Rachel's bridesmaids have rent a 'real' mermaid to entertain at her bachelorette. Rachel trying on her wedding dress ahead of the big day. The dress is encrusted with 6,000 Swarovski crystals Another look at Rachel's stunning wedding dress. The train (seen in the background) was encrusted with even more crystals at the request of Rachel's mother The party took place at Rachel's parents multi-million poolside pad. All bridesmaids wore mermaid tails and jewels and took some pictures with a professional photographer for the event while the ladies munched on finger food by a private caterer. 'It's my dream come true,' says an excited Rachel as she puts on a mermaid tiara and her tail. Later on, Rachel and Ken are filmed as they fly to London for some diamond shopping. Rachel and Ken (pictured) has a fairy tale romance and decided to have a fairy tale wedding to match The couple held their wedding reception at the Carlton Hotel Singapore. According to website Value Champion, a dinner table at the Carlton costs at least SGD1,328 (757). In the documentary, during their dinner reception, the couple puts on a show for their guests where Ken looks for his bride around the room before heading to a giant clamshell on the room's centre stage. There, he finds Rachel hiding in the shell and lifts her up, carrying her to the dinner table. The wedding celebration also includes a 'boys vs girls' dance routine, a speech from Rachel's father dressed as Neptune, God of the Sea. In the documentary, it is revealed that Ken and Rachel enlisted the help on a wedding planner, who claims he's been paid at least 800,000. 'An Asian wedding, it can be absolutely enormous,' the man explains. The wedding planner reveals that the biggest wedding he ever worked on cost 3million (2,358,870.00O) and counted 1,300 guests. The man goes on to explain that people love to show their wealth, adding: 'somebody wanted to pay me 800,000 (629 032) to do a prop for their wedding.' Crazy Rich Asian Weddings airs at 9pm tonight on Channel 5. The day after their third wedding anniversary Janelle Brunton-Rennie's husband Kurt, someone who never got as much as a cough or cold, found a lump in his abdomen. Almost a year to the day on January 7, 2019, the 41-year-old father was buried in his custom wedding suit, shoes and even the tie he wore to marry Janelle. 'As I stand there and look at him in his casket, I realise that on that hour, exactly four years prior, I was standing before him, admiring him in exactly the same clothing as we exchanged our vows,' his wife wrote in heartbreaking detail on her Instagram. The day after their third wedding anniversary Janelle Brunton-Rennie's husband Kurt found a lump in his abdomen (pictured on their wedding day) Almost a year to the day on January 7, 2019, the 41-year-old father was buried in his custom wedding suit, shoes and even the tie he wore to marry Janelle (pictured) 'As the realisation hits me, I'm overwhelmed, and I feel him walk up behind me and put his big reassuring arms around me - there was no mistaking it.' The family, who have a 16-month-old daughter named Sage, were horrified to learn Kurt had a hyper aggressive blood cancer called Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2018. Based in New Zealand, Kurt's body initially responded well to treatment at their local hospital but soon the cancer was spreading faster than the chemotherapy could handle. The family, who have a 16-month-old daughter named Sage, were horrified to learn Kurt had a hyper aggressive blood cancer called Non Hodgkins Lymphoma in 2018 Looking for another option, Kurt was offered a place in a groundbreaking immunotherapy treatment trial in Boston known as CAR-T therapy What is Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma? Each year in Australia around 5000 people are diagnosed with lymphoma, making it the sixth most common type of cancer in the country. B and T-cell lymphomas are cancers of the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system forms part of the immune system. It contains specialised white blood cells called lymphocytes that help protect the body from infection and disease. Lymphomas arise when developing B and T-lymphocytes undergo a malignant change, and multiply in an uncontrolled way. These abnormal lymphocytes, called lymphoma cells, form collections of cancer cells called tumours, in lymph nodes (glands) and other parts of the body. Advertisement Looking for another option, Kurt was offered a place in a groundbreaking immunotherapy treatment trial in Boston known as CAR-T therapy. But after more than three months of treatment and time spent apart from his loved ones, again the cancer began outrunning the cure. Janelle recalls the moment Kurt was urgently flown home, arriving on New Year's Eve and deteriorating with every hour. 'Kurt's abdomen now feels like it's full of large rocks. So many large and hyper-fast growing tumours,' she said. 'Doctors insert an abdomen drain. I think I accept it now. I've accepted our defeat. I think Kurt has too, I can feel a shift in his energy. 'The palliative care team visit, I talk to them outside, they ask me if he knows he's dying. I say yes, we both know, but I still ask them to introduce themselves to Kurt without using the word palliative. 'Kurt's abdomen now feels like it's full of large rocks. So many large and hyper-fast growing tumours,' she said Over the course of two days Janelle allowed select members of Kurt's family to visit the hospital because 'she didn't want them to remember him like this' 'We have lost. What did we do wrong. How did I fail him like this. We were perfect. I'm so sorry Sage - Mama and Dadda fought their hardest... we threw everything we could at this.' I'm torn in half, I have to let him go, I know that escaping his body and leaving this suffering behind him is what's best for Kurt Over the course of two days Janelle allowed select members of Kurt's family to visit the hospital because 'she didn't want them to remember him like this'. She began paying very close attention to his breathing, explaining in tragic detail what it's like to listen to someone take their dying breath. 'Kurt's mum and brother decide to stay on with me tonight. It's never spoken about but we know why,' she said in another caption on social media. 'At 9.50pm Kurt's breathing seems to get a little less painful sounding all of a sudden... I'm so relieved, then it stops... the longest 10 seconds of my life. She began paying very close attention to his breathing, explaining in tragic detail what it's like to listen to someone take their dying breath 'My head falls to his chest. What did I just witness. What on earth just happened. I just sit there with my head on his chest and weep,' she said 'Oh god, breathe. Thank god another breath, and another, then it stops... another 10... a longer 10, what's happening, what's happening... one more, thank Christ, then... this very moment is the most vague, yet vivid and painful moment of it all. 'Waiting for that next breath... waiting, holding my own, waiting... holding myself back from jumping up to commence CPR... breathe baby... breathe... breathe. 'I'm torn in half, I have to let him go, I know that escaping his body and leaving this suffering behind him is what's best for Kurt. I have my left hand on his chest. My right hand holding his. I feel his heart stop. 'My head falls to his chest. What did I just witness. What on earth just happened. I just sit there with my head on his chest and weep. 'I refuse to leave for an hour or so, not until his hand is cold and I can feel that he's not with us anymore. Just to make sure his soul has left so he's not going to be lonely when I go.' She threw herself into planning her husband's farewell - she still doesn't like to say funeral - and placed his ashes in their home But four months after his death and the fiercely independent young mother is able to reflect on what Kurt's death has taught her Janelle woke up the next morning, January 8, a 36-year-old widow. She threw herself into planning her husband's farewell - she still doesn't like to say funeral - and placed his ashes in their home. She still kisses the urn each night before bed. But four months after his death and the fiercely independent young mother is able to reflect on what Kurt's death has taught her. 'So often I ask myself "what would Kurt do" and it's always the right answer. Because Kurt really did live each day like it was a gift in itself, maybe he knew all along his days would be numbered,' she said. 'So right now, stop and take a minute. Are you truly happy? What are the things that make your eyes sparkle and your heart smile? Do those, with your special humans, every day, do those. 'Because one day... well one day, you'll have so many beautiful memories to reminisce upon together in those inevitable final days.' You can follow Janelle on her Instagram account here. All eyes were on Cyprus last night, as both this year's and last year's entry wowed crowded with dynamic performances and daring outfits. Last year's entry Eleni Foureira surprised audiences by returning for a special performance in the second half of the Eurovision Song Contest, which took place in Tel Aviv last night. Foureira, donning a nude illusion body suit adorned with stars in very strategic places and rhinestones, set the stage on fire with her dancers in an energetic rendition of Dancing Lasha Tumbai. Viewers were delighted with the performance and hailed Eleni the 'true winner of Eurovision.' While this year's entry for Cyprus, Tamta, divided opinions on Twitter with her very daring nude illusion outfit too, paired with black high thigh boots and black laces. One Twitter user called it a chandelier crotch. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO Eleni Foureira (pictured), Cyprus' last year entry, made a triumphant return to the stage of this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv for a special performance This year's entry for Cyprus, the beautiful Tamta, raised eyebrow with her daring outfit made of a nude illusion and a latex jacket and boots (pictured) Audience were pleasantly surprised to see Cyprus' last year's entry make a return to the Eurovision's stage One excited viewer tweeted about Eleni's show: 'Eleni Foureira's performance was the only performance that felt like a performance. The level of professionalism... Far too much.' 'Actually, Eleni Foureira is the real winner of this year (and last year, of course).' wrote another. 'Also, not having to carefully appeal to audiences and juries across Europe, Eleni Foureira's outfit choice is slightly less modest than last year's,' one observed. 'Whenever Eleni Foureira comes on the stage she just owned it. It was good until she appeared than it burned up!!! Fuego,' wrote another one in a nod to her performance for last year's. Audiences were definitely intrigued by Tamta's daring outfit choice, but some deemed it too distracting While audiences seemed split over Tamta's outfit, they definitely liked her performance as the Cyprus entry While Tamta, who was singing Replay, for Cyprus also had fans commenting: 'Ok, I 100% live for her outfit,' one fan wrote. 'Well, Cyprus has got my vote based purely on her outfit,' another wrote. 'Interesting outfit, Cyprus,' noted one. Not everyone was a fan of the outfit, however. As some noted it was very distracting: 'I'm not sure if I like Cyprus' song. I was distracted by the outfit. All that's missing is the whip,' noted one. 'I like Cyprus outfit, I'm just concerned about the chandelier crotch,' joked another. Eleni Foureira with her dancers, performing on the stage of this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Israel Elini Foureira's return convinced her fans - and dedicated viewers of the Eurovision - that she was Holland have triumphed at the 64th Eurovision Song Contest in Israel - while Britain's Michael Rice finished bottom of the pile on just 16 points. Duncan Laurence, 25, won with 492 points. He was named the Eurovision front-runner shortly after releasing his anthemic piano ballad Arcade in March and remained the bookies' favourite ever since. Gold glitter rained from the ceiling as Laurence's name was called and he climbed back on stage to lift the trophy, handed to him by Netta Barzilai. The winner of this year's contest was Duncan Laurence, who sang 'Arcarde,' for the Netherlands But the UK finished last for the first time since 2010 as former X-Factor contestant Michael Rice scored just 16 points with his power ballad, Bigger Than Us. Britain's 21-year-old Eurovision entry Michael Rice took to the stage in Tel Aviv, hoping to turn around the UK's fortunes and bring the crown back to Britain for the first time in 22 years. He was joined by an outfit of backing vocalists dressed in white as he broke into the song's gospel-influenced chorus. UK viewers praised presenter Graham Norton's catty commentary for his 'British sarcasm' - after he compared the Albanian contestant's dress to a Christmas tree. This year's show kicked off with an Olympic-style flag parade to introduce the finalists and featured a performance by a cohort of the musical extravaganza's former stars. Sadly, Great Britain's entry Michael Rice did not perform too well in the song contest and finished in 26th position Israel's Netta Barzilia and Dana International - both previous winners - were joined by Swedish champion Mans Zelmerlow for a performance of Omer Adam's song Tel Aviv, during which the 26 contestants were introduced before taking their seats to one side of the stage. The finalists perform for the international public vote, which will make up 50 per cent of the total vote, with the other half determined by a professional jury in each participating country, who cast their votes during performances on Friday. However the jury vote from Belarus was not counted in the final score on Saturday evening because the country's officials broke the rules by revealing who they had voted for during Thursday's semi-final. Madonna raised some eyebrows with her performance of the evening - and attracted some scatting remarks from Graham Norton about the eye-patch she wore The chair of the Belarussian jury Valeri Prigun, said on Tuesday that the jury voted 'almost unanimously' and that he favoured Estonia, Czech Republic and Georgia. Other members said gave their highest marks to Australia. Belarus' own entry - 16-year-old Zena came one place above the UK - second from bottom. As per one of Eurovision's most famous quirks, fans can vote up to 20 times but will be unable to select their own country's entry. The UK's Michael Rice performed 16th, after Norway but before Iceland, whose techno-punk outfit Hatari had been among the favourites to win. What do you hope to be doing at 80? Most of us imagine a slower pace of life and a well-earned retirement. Not so for Beate Howitt. Her 80th year has marked the start of a new career: the octogenarian grandmother recently landed her first modelling contract. Its sensational, says Beate. Ive always dreamed of being a model. Of course, part of me was surprised anyone wanted to see this old face. But Ive never thought of myself as getting older; I always live in the moment. Now a whole new chapter of life is opening up. I walked into the bank recently and the cashier said: Werent you on the TV? as my modelling had made the local news. I quite liked that. It all makes me feel I am worth knowing after all. In a stroke of fate that proves its never too late, Beate was scouted while out shopping last year in Oxford, where she lives. Beate Howitt. Dress, 189, sikadesigns. co.uk; Earrings, 35, jaeger.co.uk Now, ten years after retiring from a teaching career, she has been signed by London agency MOT Models. And, while this new-found success may have arrived late, it is the realisation of a life-long ambition: Beate first dreamed of working as a model more than 65 years ago, in the Fifties when she was a teenager. I wanted to be a model when I was young, she says. We didnt have much money and I had to make my own clothes, so I was really drawn to glamour. The New Look was in fashion then nipped-in waists and full skirts and my icon was British model Barbara Goalen. I followed her work and cut out everything I could find about her in magazines or adverts and stuck it in a book. I looked at pictures of her wearing Dior and dreamed of being paid to wear beautiful clothes like she was. Goalen considered the first British supermodel was supremely successful in the late Forties and early Fifties. She was the highest paid model in her field, boasted a 33-18-31 in figure and was internationally renowned, modelling for Dior and Balenciaga. Nearly seven decades on from those childhood aspirations, Beate naturally assumed that door was firmly closed. Few people embark on a new career in their ninth decade, let alone in fashion modelling. It happened by complete chance, says Beate, a widow with two grown-up children and four grandchildren. I was shopping in Oxford in October, looking for a present for my niece, and I found this wonderful shop full of silk scarves. When I was paying, the manager asked if I would take part in a charity fashion show. I was a little nervous, but am rather vain and loved the idea of being on a catwalk. It was at this show that Beate caught the eye of a designer, Bianca Elgar, who asked if Beate would model silk scarves for her website. I was quite self-conscious on my first shoot, she says. But the photographer was patient and helped me with my poses. I got the hang of it quickly, and at my next shoot they said they were going to stop telling me what to do as I could do it naturally. Bianca has called me her muse since then. The photos turned out so well that Bianca and her assistant, Sophie, secretly entered Beate into a modelling competition being run by over40s magazine Goldie. Beate says: The first I knew of it was when I answered the phone one day and Sophie said: Youve won! The prize was to be taken on by agency MOT Models and appear on the cover of Goldie magazine. To be on the cover is sensational; who wouldnt want to be on the cover of a glossy magazine? asks Beate. I thought it was hilarious, too: an old face gracing a glossy. Everyone I know says its a really strong picture and my 13-year-old granddaughter thinks Im a cool granny. Ten years after retiring from a teaching career, she has been signed by London agency MOT Models. Blazer, 330, Stine Goya at fenwick. co.uk; Shirt, 79, jigsawonline. com The modelling contract was even more of a shock. When you are 80, it really is exceedingly surprising, she says. I always need a project and was wondering what to do next. I had been talking to God and saying: Ive got all this energy, please open another door for me. Then a new life chapter started. Goldie editor Rebecca Weef Smith, one of the competition judges, says: Beate could have been a model on a front cover at any stage of her life, but circumstances have led to it happening now. Beates unique beauty is all the more intriguing for the deep creases that pattern her face and it is a look that is in increasing demand. The so-called greynaissance has seen agencies that manage solely older models spring up. And, in January, American businesswoman, interior designer and fashion icon Iris Apfel was signed to top agency IMG Models at the age of 97. Older models are increasingly gracing the catwalks, too the number of models aged over 50 on the runway during London, Milan and Paris fashion weeks rose from just five in spring 2016 to 27 in spring 2018. I always need a project and was wondering what to do next. I had been talking to God and saying: Ive got all this energy, please open another door for me. Then a new life chapter started. In New York, the Marc Jacobs show was closed by Christy Turlington, now 50, while Patti Hansen, then 62, was lauded as the star of the Michael Kors show and 65-year-old supermodel Christie Brinkley walked the Elie Tahari catwalk alongside her daughter, Sailor Brinkley-Cook. The worlds oldest working supermodel, Daphne Selfe, is 90, and Models 1 reports that its older employees are busier than ever. Theres an evolution going on in the beauty world, says Kate Riley, director of MOT Models, where Beate has a contract. Lots of brands want to show diversity in age. And so they should. The over-50s buy 6.7 billion worth of womenswear in the UK each year and are the biggest shoppers for beauty products. There is also increasing recognition of just how characterful and striking older faces can be, especially when women such as Beate and Iris have led such fascinating lives. Beate was ten when she and her twin brother arrived in England as child refugees from Germany. Her father had been killed fighting in the German army at Stalingrad in 1942. Then, in 1945, her family were forced to flee their home in the German state of East Prussia as they were in the path of the Russian assault. We just picked up our bags and walked west and kept on walking, says Beate. Sometimes wed sleep in ditches and barns. They eventually reached the medieval German town of Goslar, in the UK occupation zone. I remember British soldiers looking after us and giving us their chocolate and oranges as we were starving, she recalls. We had nothing; we were street urchins with no shoes and no food. We ended up living in a strangers house my mother, grandmother, twin, aunt and me all five of us in two tiny rooms. After the war, Beates mother was unable to feed her children so, in 1948, she sent them to England. My mother gave me a tremendous gift when she sent me away, says Beate. In England I found freedom and space and education. It was a land of opportunity. Beate was adopted by Peter and Mary Brown, the estranged sister of her late father, who lived on the outskirts of Hertford. Peter was old-fashioned and wanted to turn me into a Victorian lady, so I had to learn to draw and play the piano, Beate says. The most important thing to him was deportment. I used to have to walk around the house with a book on my head. Beate credits this for her strong posture and elegant walk, now so impressing photographers. Ive been told I walk exceptionally. I glide along with my head held high. Modern models dont know how to walk. They slouch. But when she mentioned modelling to her guardians, they disapproved. Necklace, 75, jaeger. co.uk; Blazer, 745, Fenwicks (in store only) They felt modelling was too precarious a profession and that I needed a steady income, she says. I also thought of being an air hostess, as that seemed glamorous. But, again, they said no. So I shelved my dreams. Peter encouraged me to train as a teacher. He said I was suited to it and it would fit around family life. When you come from a broken home, as a refugee, having a family unit is what you really aim for. So Beate spent her life teaching in village primary schools around Hertfordshire. I was very happy and it was a career I enjoyed, she says. I love children. Later on, I was headhunted by a boarding school to be matron to the girls, and lived there for 11 years, as a mother figure really, until I was 70. It was in 1959, at a friends party, that Beate met her husband, Claude (the English son of a Belgian girl sent to school in Hertford during World War I). Claude, an engineer, ran a servicing garage, the family business. He and Beate married eight months later and moved to Datchworth, where they had three children, Tania, Lydia and Nigel. But in 1978, Tania, aged 18, collapsed in the street in a fit that left her severely disabled. She died 11 months later. Claude could not bear the loss. He went to pieces, says Beate. But women have no choice but to cope. As a mother, I couldnt just grieve for the child Id lost; I had a 16-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son to care for. I wasnt going to neglect them. Id been a refugee, Id fled from the Russian advance with bombs flying around; a lot of death, destruction and injury. My husband had never experienced anything except living in a country village. I understand death is a part of life. Tania was severely disabled, and when you love someone, sometimes its easier to let them go than to see them struggle. As Claude was unable to manage, Beate went part-time at her teaching job and took charge of the family business along with a friend. But Claude almost resented the fact I could come to terms with it. He was so absorbed in his loss that he got it into his head I didnt love him and walked out. Having always loved France, Claude moved to Avignon in 1990. I was very unhappy about it but I had to let him go, says Beate, who remained in the UK, still working, but travelled to see him regularly until his death in 2007. When she was widowed, Beate thought again of modelling, having always been slim and tall. I thought: Maybe now, she says. People have often said I would make a good clothes horse. But I didnt know how to go about modelling. I hadnt any connections. In 2016, she moved to Oxford as there is so much going on there lectures, cinemas, evensong. Now her already very active retirement is even fuller. I got a call from the agency on Monday evening asking if I would go for a casting the next morning in London for a TV commercial. I love new experiences. I had to pose in different positions and climb around with a man with a very long beard and long hair down to his waist. Ive never seen such a hairy man. Beate is waiting to hear whether shes been picked. Im down to the final two for a TV commercial! I cant get over it, she says. Filming would be in Germany, but I didnt even ask when thats how excited I was. Though I know it was my first attempt and Im a realist. The potential work is particularly welcome as Beate has barely any pension. When she had to reduce her work hours to help out with the family business after her daughter died, it was at a time when part-time teaching didnt count towards a pension. So I am always looking for work, she says. Modelling could prove a very big blessing. It isnt how most people top up their pensions in retirement. But, then, Beate isnt retiring shes launching a wonderful new fashion career. The 43-year-old won the BBC TV cookery competition MasterChef in 2005, before co-founding Wahaca, the Mexican street food restaurant chain. This year, she was made an OBE. Miers lives in London with her fund manager husband, Mark Williams, and their three daughters. One way or another, my life has always revolved around food. As a little girl, I preferred hanging out with my mother in the kitchen to playing with dolls. Im naturally quite a greedy person. But, in my teens, I was surrounded by overachieving pupils at an all-girls school. I felt the pressure to keep up and was careful about what I ate. Thomasina Miers (pictured), 43, who is the co-founder of the Mexican street food restaurant chain Wahaca, explained the importance of not feeling guilty about your food choices Meanwhile, my grandmother, who was a model, ate cream and butter with everything, but walked for an hour a day and loved her calisthenics exercises which made me feel less guilty about eating a bit of what I fancied. When I decided that my career lay in cooking, I was forced to confront those tricky issues. Today, its perfectly obvious to me that you shouldnt deny yourself the odd treat, or even a daily one I eat chocolate every day. So long as youre not mainlining crisps and doughnuts and never touching a green vegetable, you shouldnt feel guilty about it. Food should always be a source of pleasure. I do my best to encourage that attitude in my three young daughters. Ill never tut at them for eating cake. Yes, Im militant about green veg but, if you toss it in a bit of extra-virgin olive oil and lime juice and let them season it themselves, in my experience theyll eat it happily enough. After being made an OBE [for services to the food industry] at Buckingham Palace, we went out for a posh lunch, and my eldest daughter ate an entire bowl of spring greens. It was my proudest moment of the day. If we all go vegetarian once a week and eat higher-quality meat (such as organic) when we do, we can have a positive impact on climate change through our eating habits. By choosing organic, youre protecting the insect populations so at risk from pesticide and herbicide use. I dont want my girls to grow up in a world without bees. Thomasina is the BOOMbassador for the Soil Association Certification and its organic Best Of Organic Market (BOOM) Awards. To find out more, visit soilassociation.org A stranger recently texted me, asking if I could supply a reference. She was thinking of employing the nanny who had looked after our firstborn when I returned to full-time work. She was excellent, I said, but we havent seen her in eight years. Surely theres a more up-to-date referee? The woman explained she was being thorough, having already been let down once. There are few more important decisions a parent can take than to whom to entrust their children. Even in the most enlightened of households, childcare, like laundry, seems to fall to the woman to sort. Literary expert Patricia Nicol shared a selection of books focused on nannies including Leila Slimanis Lullaby (pictured left) and Jilly Coopers Harriet (pictured right) It is a stressful business and can feel like a thankless one: many see little change from their taxed income after childcare. In the office, working mothers often feel overlooked, or conspicuous for the wrong reasons in a macho environment, there is no walk of shame like the desk-to-creche dash. Amazingly, speculation is already rife as to what The Duke and Duchess of Sussex might do for childcare for baby Archie. Id recommend anyone thinking of recruiting someone to look after their children give Leila Slimanis Lullaby a wide berth. This terrifying, acutely observed, bestselling social drama, opens with every parents worst nightmare, then spools back to tell the story of elegant Parisians Myriam and Paul and their perfect nanny. Meanwhile, a nanny seeking a well-heeled employer might read Jill Dawsons The Language Of Birds as a cautionary text. It is inspired by the 1974 murder of 29-year-old Sandra Rivett. If that name does not ring a bell, then that of her presumed murderer, Lord Lucan, will. Are there any nannying tales that wont leave you in a state? Absolutely: Nina Stibbes epistolary Love, Nina and I have a soft spot for Jilly Coopers Harriet, where a dreamy Oxford undergrad is forced to drop out after a cad leaves her pregnant. Divorcing Hollywood screenwriter Cory Erskine takes her and her son into his rambling Yorkshire mansion to look after his children. Gloriously Seventies, it is a spoonful of sugar if youre finding modern life hard to swallow. Jo Chidley, 47, set up natural beauty brand Beauty Kitchen with her husband, Stuart, 42, in 2010. She lives near Glasgow and has a four-year-old daughter. It was beauty products that inspired me to become a scientist. My mum worked as an Oriflame lady, going to peoples homes to sell the Swedish firms skincare and cosmetics. As she was a single parent, she always took me along. I wanted to understand how the products were made and how they worked. That curiosity led me to qualify as an analytical chemist. Jo Chidley, 47, set up natural beauty brand Beauty Kitchen with her husband, Stuart, 42, in 2010. She lives near Glasgow and has a four-year-old daughter After university, I moved into human resources. I was head of HR at Avon for six years, then worked as a consultant for firms such as Microsoft and Nestle. It was at a presentation on sustainability in 2010 that I decided to set up my own company. I was interested from a scientific perspective: there had to be a way to make sustainable, natural products and thats how the idea for Beauty Kitchen was born. At first, Stuart and I experimented with ingredients on our kitchen table. We started with body scrubs, as they dont involve water so dont need preservatives. We sold them at farmers markets and I also went to friends houses and showed people how to make the scrubs themselves. We set up a small shop, then linked with Holland & Barrett, where we could spread our wings. Our most popular product on its shelves is Natruline, a 0 per cent petroleum, 100 per cent natural jelly lip treatment. We run workshops to teach people how to make products from kitchen ingredients thats the most sustainable way to make skincare and means no waste. Holland & Barrett asked if we could do it in store, so our create your own unit was launched in 2015. It was the first time a customer could make a product themselves in a retail environment. Our Return. Refill. Repeat. programme means customers can buy a bottle for life, then refill it in store. They can also return empty packaging to the store and get money off another product. The container comes back to us, where we wash it, refill it and send it back out to stores. Its like milk bottles for beauty. Turnover has grown 100 per cent year on year and we give 2 per cent of our overall sales to charity. Were proof there is a more sustainable, natural way that is no more expensive. An Australian distillery has launched a new flavoured spirit, one that tastes just like freshly buttered toast topped with Vegemite. The concoction built on the iconic breakfast treat was conceived by Sydney-based craft distillers Archie Rose and is aptly named ArchieMite Buttered Toast Spirit. 'Inspired by Australia's love for umami-rich breakfast spreads we've created an unaged spirit like no other featuring freshly churned, uncultured Pepe Saya butter and Sonoma sourdough toast,' read an announcement on the Archie Rose site. 'This unaged spirit has a big, mitey character at the front followed by biscuity, bready notes.' The ArchieMite Buttered Toast Spirit (pictured left) tastes just like freshly buttered toast topped with Vegemite (pictured right) The newly launched spirit is priced at $80 for a 700mL bottle works and is understood to work well as a base for a number of cocktails. These include Bloody Mary's and Espresso Martinis. The creators have renamed these classics made using the spirit 'Mite Mary's' and 'Espresso Mite-Ini's'. While the spirit has blended each ingredient to create the unique flavour, each component first required a separate distilling process. This included distilling 25kg of freshly churned Pepe Saya Butter, 15kg of toasted Sonoma sourdough toast and a selection of blended yeast-extract spreads. Espresso martinis (pictured centre) and Bloody Mary's have proven the ideal cocktails for the newly formulated spirit (pictured left) The idea to create the unusual tipple started as a joke, said Archie Rose master distiller Dave Withers, speaking to Executive Style. He said most distillers go through phases of trying to distil different foods into spirits to find out how their flavours work - with mixed results. To date, the company has distilled red miso paste, which worked well, a meat pie, which didn't quite hit the mark, and has experimented most recently with 'mites'. The idea to create the unusual tipple started as a joke, said Archie Rose master distiller Dave Withers 'We were sharing it around and everyone quite liked it. We ended up saying, "well maybe we should make this a product",' Mr Withers told the publication. 'We then started this crazy journey of distilling all of the mites that we could get and seeing what worked best.' While the boutique drop might not be everyone's idea of a great drink, there may well be health benefits to including Vegemite in an alcoholic beverage. To date, the company has distilled red miso paste, which worked well, a meat pie, which didn't quite hit the mark, and has experimented most recently with 'mites' Vegemite on toast has been named as a top hangover cure (stock image) According to medical nutritionist Dr Sarah Brewer, Vegemite on toast ranks as the number one food for helping cure a hangover. The reason for this is that Vegemite is full of salt and B vitamins - things that need replenishing as they are used up quickly when the body processes alcohol. 'Australia's Vegemite on toast is top of our list for best hangover cures proving that the simpler, the better,' she said. It's no surprise that the trusty favourite took one spot as it contains the B vitamins thiamine, riboflavin and niacin and is also a source of folate. The vitamins found in the iconic spread also improve cell health, boost the digestive system and keep your nerves in check. Government scientists are considering a national campaign to vaccinate all babies against chickenpox almost a decade after they last looked at the possibility. While many consider the childhood illness a rite of passage and for most it is relatively harmless for a few it can lead to serious complications, including sepsis, pneumonia and brain damage. Every year, around 25 people die from chickenpox in England and Wales, a fifth of them children. The 25 deaths are more than from measles, mumps, pertussis and Hib meningitis combined, according to a 2001 analysis in the BMJ. Sarah Westcott, 44, right, had her youngest son Gabriel, now three, centre, immunised after her 14-year-old daughter Bridy, left, suffered badly with chickenpox as a young girl Ms Westcott, left, said her daughter Bridy, right, 'had inch-wide black blisters all over her body and nearly ended up in hospital. Its only thanks to my father, who is a GP, that we were able to manage it at home' aediatrician Dr Andy Raffles, of the Portland Hospital in London, said the damage chickenpox could wreak on a child should not be underestimated. I would warmly welcome the introduction of routine chickenpox vaccination for children, he said Specially commissioned doctors are now weighing up the pros and cons of instituting a vaccination campaign, which would see more than 700,000 babies across the UK inoculated annually. It is understood a recommendation to Ministers could be made within a year, although the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has made no decision yet. Last night, paediatrician Dr Andy Raffles, of the Portland Hospital in London, said the damage chickenpox could wreak on a child should not be underestimated. I would warmly welcome the introduction of routine chickenpox vaccination for children, he said. In his 30 years experience, he said he had seen two otherwise healthy kids die of sepsis associated with chickenpox. He added: Attitudes to chickenpox today are much like attitudes to measles in the 1970s and 1980s. But we shouldnt be calling it a rite of passage any more, when it has the potential to harm, and we have the means to prevent it. Among those convinced is mother-of-three Sarah Westcott, 44, who had her youngest son Gabriel, now three, immunised after her 14-year-old daughter Bridy suffered badly with chickenpox as a young girl. Bridy went through a week of hell, said Ms Westcott, from Bexley, South-East London. She had inch-wide black blisters all over her body and nearly ended up in hospital. Its only thanks to my father, who is a GP, that we were able to manage it at home. Paying 120 for Gabriel to have a two-jab course was a no-brainer, she said. However, the decision is not straightforward. While a national campaign would probably eradicate chickenpox, widespread vaccination might have damaging health consequences for older people. That is because the chickenpox varicella virus also causes shingles in adults. It occurs when our immunity wanes and the dormant virus breaks out, resulting in a nasty rash which can leave the victim with crippling long-term pain. It is thought being periodically exposed to active chickenpox, as people are as parents and grandparents, helps boost adults immunity, so keeping shingles at bay. When the JCVI looked at the issue in 2010, it concluded vaccinating children could therefore lead to higher shingles rates in older people. That, in turn, made vaccination poor value for money, as treating shingles is expensive. But new evidence is emerging, suggesting vaccinating children might not drive up shingles rates. Countries that have started such programmes, including the US and Australia, have not seen shingles rates rise more than countries that have not, like the UK. Professor Andrew Pollard, director of the Oxford Vaccine Group and chair of the JCVI, said the committee was looking at findings from such countries. He said: The vaccine works extremely well in preventing chickenpox and if it is good value and cost-effective for the NHS, then its something we would recommend. But if its not cost-effective, then it will not meet the criteria set by the NHS. Victoria Hislop knew it was true love with future Private Eye editor and Have I Got News For You star Ian Hislop when they got together in their final year at Oxford University. He rented out his essays at 50p a time, but he let me read them for free, she remembers. He is the clever one. I got some murky lower second and he just missed out on a first. He has the better brain. This doesnt appear to be strictly true. Today she is a ten million-selling novelist, the writer who has done for the whole of Greece what Gerald Durrell did for Corfu and Peter Mayle did for Provence. Her debut novel The Island sold five million copies worldwide and was turned into a 26-part TV series in Greece too. Her eighth book, Those Who Are Loved, comes out this month. Victoria Hislop is a ten million-selling novelist, the writer who has done for the whole of Greece what Gerald Durrell did for Corfu and Peter Mayle did for Provence The Island (left); Those Who Are Loved (right) It starts with an entire house collapsing and the noise and drama of the Second World War, the Greek civil war and a family at war barely lets up. Its likely to follow the success of its predecessors, but Ian Hislop wasnt the first person permitted to read it. (That honour went to their journalist daughter Emily, 28.) He wasnt even the second. His wife busted him down to third reader a couple of books ago because he gets so busy with his red pen. Ian is an editor. I forget its his primary job, so I am shocked by the things he notices when my book is in its raw state, which no one else would see. Id rather he saw it afterwards. Even so, I am very nervous when he does start to read. Its a nerve-racking weekend I cant look at the expression on his face. I always want him to think it is OK, or better, she says with a broad smile, which suggests they have had each others backs since those Oxford essay crises 40 years ago. Anyway, Victoria Hislops success is all her own and she has Bognor Regis to thank. Were it not for a series of sodden childhood holidays paddling in the waters off the spiritual home of Butlins, she wouldnt have fallen so hard for Greece when she arrived there in her teens. It was only a Seventies package holiday courtesy of Laker Airways, but she took one look at the speedwell sky above Athens and lost her heart to the Hellenes. She was in her 40s when she started to translate that passion onto the printed page. She now has a house in Crete, where she spends three months of every year, has taught herself to speak Greek well enough to give a lecture or talk on television and has an honorary doctorate from a university in Thessaloniki. To her surprise university in Thessaloniki. To her surprise and pleasure she is also something of a celebrity in her adopted home. The entire population of Greece is the same as that of London, so it is not difficult to be well known, she says modestly, describing a parallel life of designer gowns and appearances in society magazine Hello! I quite enjoy playing at being that other person, though I worry they think that my life is like that over here too. She is delicate and stylish in a slim, dark dress, boots and a cocktail ring whose spiral square of diamonds reminds her of the classic Greek meander pattern, the countrys ancient design motif. She wears it for luck. Hislop is about to turn 60. Shell be celebrating in Greece, of course, with her husband, Emily and their son, William, 25, a comedian. She doesnt write books solely for women like her, midlife, who treasure the idea of family and admire the strength of other women, but she knows her work will mostly be read by them. Shes delighted by this, as long as no one refers to her novels as chick lit. It's nerve-racking when Ian sits down to read them. I cant bear to look at the expression on his face Its a ridiculous label, demeaning to a whole genre, but I am fairly laid-back about it because its women who are buying fiction today and I am glad anyone reads my books. I dont think I would feel any better about myself if men read them why should I? If they are just for women, brilliant, I am happy to write for women. I cant get worked up about the issue of literary fiction versus commercial fiction either. It is something we have created in Britain. They dont have it in other countries. Those Who Are Loved was ten years in the imagining and three years in the writing. It follows Themis, Thanasis, Panos and Margarita Koralis from the German Occupation of the Forties into the civil war between communists and Greek government forces, through the 1967-1974 rule by a military junta and past the amnesty declared on old communists by the Athens authorities in the Eighties. Authentic details, from the perfect spinach pie to noms de guerre for soldiers fighting for the Left, course between its covers. Hislop does not shy away from detailing the torture and killings of those exiled to Greeces prison islands, still a subject the country struggles to confront. The family drama is only what you see first. Ian is an editor. I forget its his primary job, so I am shocked by the things he notices when my book is in its raw state, which no one else would see. Id rather he saw it afterwards' Hislop scoffs at the idea shes half of a well-known couple, saying, Well, I might be a bit bigger now but Ian is 90 per cent of it. However, given that Greece offers no shortage of plots and characters and that she thinks being 60 is no bar to ambition shes currently writing a childrens book in Greek it may not be long before those percentages shift in her favour. Those Who Are Loved is published in hardback by Headline on May 30, price 20 Were walking through a park in London where a Soviet spy once carried out a secret drop just before he saved the world. Most people have no idea how close we were to nuclear war at that time, says Ben Macintyre, author of The Spy And The Traitor, which tells the extraordinary true story of a KGB agent turned British informant called Oleg Gordievsky. He was able to crack open the inner secrets of the Kremlin. No spy had ever done that for Britain before. Gordievsky worked undercover for the KGB the Soviet secret service in London in the early Eighties, sending reports back to Moscow. But he was also, bravely, spying for the West. If Oleg had been caught he would have been tortured and executed, and most of his family would have been rounded up as well. Oleg Gordievsky today. In 1997 the Queen made Gordievsky a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George Then came Able Archer 83, a Nato war-game training exercise in November 1983, leading up to a simulated nuclear attack. The Soviets thought it was real. Ronald Reagans rhetoric about the Soviet Union as an evil empire was interpreted in Moscow as a direct threat. The Kremlin genuinely believed the West was going to launch a first nuclear strike. The Soviets panicked and prepared to launch their missiles first, believing it was the only way to save themselves. Gordievsky heard all about it as a senior KGB operative, but quickly passed word on to his handlers, who took it to the highest level. People in Downing Street and the Oval Office didnt believe it at first, but Oleg managed to convince them it was true and say that unless they calmed down the fighting talk, the West would effectively press the button on its own destruction. Moves were made to calm down the Soviets, who never fired. A lot of what spies do doesnt amount to a hill of beans. This is one of the few cases in which spying changed history. Gordievsky was even more intimately involved in the next historic development, when the Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev came to London in 1984 for a meeting with the Prime Minister that would hasten the end of the Cold War. Oleg was briefing both sides. He was telling Thatcher what to say to Gorbachev and he was telling Gorbachev what to say to Thatcher. Extraordinary. Oleg Gordievsky in his KGB uniform (left); his wife Leila (right) Gordievsky had been brought up a loyalist, the son of a KGB agent, but his stomach was turned by the sight of the Berlin Wall going up while he was stationed there. He came to believe that he was serving a corrupt, barbarian regime. He didnt do it for money; he did it purely for ideological reasons. All this is laid out in The Spy And The Traitor, which is about to be released in paperback. So Im walking with Macintyre, a short, bespectacled 55-year-old with a tweed jacket and a fierce intelligence, through Corams Fields near Holborn. This is where Gordievsky carried out his last dead-drop, hiding 8,000 in the bushes for a newly arrived Soviet spy. He brought his kids as cover. They would have been aged three and six. He left them on the swings, went behind the hedge and dropped a brick with the notes, wrapped in a plastic bag. But, of course, Gordievsky had told the British too. At one end of the path was an agent disguised as a cyclist, at the other was another with a pram and a camera, so she could snap whoever came to pick up the brick. The following day, Gordievsky kissed his wife Leila and his two daughters and flew to Moscow, having been summoned back to face his masters, who suspected him of treachery. They injected him with a truth drug but Gordievsky gave nothing away, so he was released. Leila and the girls were called back to Moscow, unaware he was a double agent. Gordievsky fled the country by triggering an audacious escape plan dreamed up by MI6. First he shook off his KGB tails, then made for the border with Finland, hiding in remote undergrowth until he was picked up by a rescue car driven by two British agents who, astonishingly, had brought along their baby. Gordievsky was locked in the boot and wrapped in silver foil to fool heat-seeking cameras, but his scent attracted sniffer dogs at the border. The babys mother dropped cheese and onion crisps to distract them, then got out and changed her daughters nappy on the boot, letting the stinky results fall to the floor. The dog duly slunk off, says Macintyre. Oleg lost everything. He lost his marriage. Hes estranged from his children. Hes paid an enormous cost After his escape, Gordievsky was given a safe house in the suburbs, where he still lives. But attempts to get his family out of Moscow by diplomatic means failed. They underestimated just how furious the KGB was. This was the most embarrassing failure in KGB history. Macintyre describes the former spy in his book as one of the loneliest men he has met. In a way, Oleg lost everything. He lost his family. He lost his marriage. Hes estranged from his children. Hes paid an enormous cost. He lives a very solitary life. But he adds: I dont want to make him sound like a tragic figure, because Ive never heard him express a single word of regret. Hes always maintained that he made the right decision and I dont think I would challenge that, morally, in terms of what was happening in the world then. Leila Gordievsky did eventually come to Britain, after the end of the Soviet Union, but the marriage quickly failed. Shes at another safe house here in Britain. And she is still looked after by MI6. They have a duty of care to her as they do to Oleg. They dont know where the other is. In 1997 the Queen made Gordievsky a Companion of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, the honour awarded to James Bond in Ian Flemings books. Oleg is very proud of that. But Bonds not a spy, hes an assassin. Hes not gathering intelligence. No one like Bond ever existed. After years building up contacts through his work as a journalist, Macintyre had help in approaching Gordievsky. I went through a middleman to see him. It wasnt as easy as turning up outside his front door. Security is still tight, particularly after the poisoning of the double-agent Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia in Salisbury last year. The remnants of the KGB are still really angry about Gordievsky. Im told Vladimir Putin has a personal axe to grind when it comes to Oleg. The execution order on him has never been rescinded. Mikhail Gorbachev meets Margaret Thatcher at Chequers in 1984; Gordievsky had briefed them both Macintyre believes Putin and the other former KGB officers who run Russia now are still up to their old tricks. One of the things Oleg was tasked to do when he first came over here in 1982 was to interfere with the General Election. Fake news there was plenty of that sloshing around. Of course they are still at it. The methods are just different. Theyre doing it on Facebook, theyre doing it on Twitter, but the technique is the same. What are they after? Confusion. Its an old Stalinist technique called maskirovka, little masquerade, which means confusing everybody so that nobody knows what is real and what isnt. That creates an atmosphere in which its very hard to govern. Oleg lost everything. He lost his marriage. Hes estranged from his children. Hes paid an enormous cost How did the British secret services react when they found out Macintyre was talking to Gordievsky, putting together a detailed account of his spy work and escape? They didnt interfere, but they didnt stop me. Former intelligence officers had to go back and ask permission to talk to me, but I was given total access. The only thing they were insistent on was that I didnt identify any of the intelligence officers by name. And why were those former agents so happy to talk? Spies, God bless them, are brilliantly indiscreet. They love telling their own stories. They still have a powerful resonance today, he says. I got very lucky. The Skripal case gave this story an immediacy that I had not anticipated. But intelligence is more important than its ever been. Far from disappearing, because we do everything online now, the secret world is more important than ever. False identities are being created all the time online, but at the end it does still come down to two people looking each other in the eye and saying, OK, I trust you. That does ring true. And when former spies think of spilling their secrets and telling their amazing stories at last, Ben Macintyre is clearly the man they trust. The Spy And The Traitor is published in paperback, with a new afterword, on May 30 (Penguin), 8.99. For details about Ben Macintyres book tour, visit penguin.co.uk/events Ben Macintyre will be speaking at the Chalke Valley History Festival on Saturday 29th June. For tickets, go to www.cvhf.org.uk or call 01722 781133 The Painted Hall Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich Rating: Well, there can be no faulting the PR campaign. The ceiling of the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich has just been returned to public view after an 8.5 million restoration lasting two years. Its being marketed as a chance to see, with fresh eyes, Britains answer to the Sistine Chapel. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the college was completed in the mid-18th century as a place of refuge for elderly and injured members of the Royal Navy, and the Painted Hall served as its dining area. The eminent artist Sir James Thornhill (who also decorated the dome at St Pauls cathedral) spent the best part of 20 years painting the halls 40,000 square feet interior The eminent artist Sir James Thornhill (who also decorated the dome at St Pauls cathedral) spent the best part of 20 years painting the halls 40,000 square feet interior. He finished in 1726. Over the following centuries, however, a combination of dust, unhelpful attempts at cleaning and steam from the ex-sailors food had an adverse effect on Thornhills work. Hence the recent restoration, which was intended to leave it as close as possible to its appearance when he got down off his scaffold for the final time. Sadly, even now, the Painted Hall fails to inspire anything like the awe that Michelangelos Sistine Chapel in Rome does. Its all a bit too overblown and baroque for that. The artists choice of subject matter, though, still makes it worth the 12 entry fee. In the central scene, the Dutch-born King William III (aka William of Orange), can be found trampling on a figure that looks distinctly like Louis XIV of France. Its a piece of blatant propaganda at a time of considerable tension and rivalry between Europes powers. The political parallels with today are so obvious they dont need spelling out. I cant stop her! I shout. So this is what its like to be on a bolting horse I ask you. Is this scenario normal? Every morning, when I put my knickers on, I think to myself: Would these be OK if I end up in A&E? Sometimes I take them off again to find a pair by Hanro, no-longer-stretchy relics of my old London life. Does anyone else begin their day like this? Its not normal, is it? But then, on Easter Monday, it turned out I was right after all, and you, with your sunny optimism, were wrong. I ended up in A&E. A nurse and a doctor saw my knickers. The day starts well. Knickers chosen. Jodhpurs on. I plan to ride my horse, Swirly. Ive been having hypnotherapy to make me more confident. Able to enjoy my life rather than wondering which underwear would look best if cut off in an emergency. I have a mantra: Calm, Confident, Capable. (Maybe my editors should put that below the headline on this page.) I tack her up in my usual over-cautious way: is the girth too tight? Are her feet OK? We plan to walk along a track and around a few fields beside my assistant Nic on her horse, who has a swollen leg so is not allowed to trot. Fine by me. Nic mounts, hatless and in a T-shirt, one hand on the reins. I put on heavy boots, crash helmet, gloves, sleeves and my Racesafe back protector, the sort of thing jockeys wear in the Grand National. No one else at the livery yard wears such a thing. They all chat, in T-shirts, gloveless. Oh to be nonchalant. I mount carefully. I stroke Swirlys muscled, powerful neck. I remember to breathe. I start to sing to her: Simon and Garfunkel today. We set off. Its a beautiful day. Maybe too hot, I say. I read this morning about a pregnant horse who collapsed in Cardiff with heat stroke. We are just walking. Theres a breeze. Shell be fine, says Nic. We set off along the track, then turn right to circle a field of rape. I worry about flies. Giant bees. I sing to keep breathing: Michael Buble this time. Swirlys ears twirl. Shes such a good girl. She now has an amazing life. Aged four, she raced six times, was never placed. Now shes mine, she lives out with two other thoroughbreds and my beloved pony Benji, eats organic food imported from Switzerland and isnt groomed much as she hates it. The reason I ride her is to make sure shes fit and healthy. Its not for pleasure. I have no pleasure. But maybe today Im starting to enjoy myself. Maybe all the hard work is worth it. We go through a gap in a hedge and round a corner. Im behind Nic, as the track is narrow. My reins are loose. Im starting to relax when, out of nowhere, something startles Swirly and she takes off, like a rocket. We shoot past Nic, barging her horse out the way. I cant stop her! I shout. She gallops off, half a ton of super-fit racehorse. So this is what its like to be on a bolting horse. I pull on the reins, and manage to turn her right into the field but as she does so, she unseats me, and I fall, over her left shoulder, landing heavily on the sun-baked ruts. Wallop! Im winded. I vaguely see her gallop off, reins and stirrups flying. I manage to say, Help. My hearing aids have vanished. I unzip the Racesafe, as the pain in my ribs is off the scale and I cant breathe; truth is, it probably saved my life. Nic jumps off, catches Swirly, who is now head down, eating, looking as sheepish as you can when youre a horse. Do you need an ambulance? Wha? She repeats, not realising Im now deaf. I dont think so, but I cant stand. She sets off, leading the two enormous horses, to fetch help. After an age, she returns in my car and helps me in. It still hurts to breathe, plus I have a wound on my leg where Swirly must have kicked me as she galloped off. Nic drives me to the nearest hospital with an A&E. Miles along country roads, every pothole making me cry out. Eventually, we park, and I stagger in, for all the world like Mrs Overall. A woman in a green boiler suit greets us. Oh, the A&E closed two weeks ago. I tell her Im not going anywhere, so a doctor is summoned. He examines me. Any possibility you are pregnant? He asks. Id hug him were I not in so much pain. A nurse undresses me. You see? I knew this was going to happen, one day. Im X-rayed. My ribs are badly bruised, but nothing is broken. Only my trust that everything will be OK. Turbans yes, turbans are back in all their retro glory Turbans are back Theyre everywhere in Beautyland not surprisingly as theyve been making a comeback in Fashionland. Theres something so old Hollywood about them, very Joan Crawford or Norma Desmond. They are practical, too by keeping your hair out of the way while youre doing your beauty ritual. And flattering the slight DIY facelift they give you makes them the ponytail of bathroom headgear. And now there are all sorts of versions. Here are my current favourites Shhhowercap, Styledry, Silke, Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban Shhhowercap (35, cultbeauty.co.uk), the US brand that Cult Beauty brought to the UK, has led the beauty turban revolution. It utilises nanotech, antibacterial and breathable material so no humidity all the better to protect your hairdo with. It comes in a variety of prints and is washable. Also for the shower and machine washable is Styledrys chic Turban Shower Cap (19.95, harveynichols.com). This brand is all about lengthening the time between hair washes I recently wrote about its dry shampoo compact and this cap feeds into that ethos. The outside is made from quick-drying Lycra and comes in different colours. The inside is clear plastic and reminds me of hotel bathroom amenities (if I ever end up using one of those I feel so guilty that I bring it home to reuse with a hair mask). Then theres Silke with its 100 per cent yes silk Hair Wrap (50, silkelondon.com). This one is for bed, to protect hair from the static and broken ends caused by friction while you sleep. But quite frankly, its swanky enough to wear out if you fancy it. Lastly, theres the Aquis Lisse Luxe Hair Turban (30, selfridges.com). Made from the brands absorbent Aquitex fabric, it massively cuts hair drying time thanks to water-wicking technology. This also mimics how we twist towels over wet hair and, because we all know how annoying it is when said towel keeps falling off, can be secured with a button. No drama. Super-elegant. The only turban I havent yet found and would like is a full-on towelling version. Perhaps Ive spotted a gap in the market... Sir Philip Green is facing a battle with shopping centre landlords over the future of his Arcadia retail empire Sir Philip Green is facing a battle with shopping centre landlords over the future of his Arcadia retail empire. The tycoon is seeking a company voluntary arrangement (CVA) to reduce rents and close dozens of stores as total sales slumped 10.5 per cent to 1.7 billion in the year to last August. It is believed that in return for approving the CVA he has offered landlords a 10 per cent stake in Arcadia, whose brands include Topshop and Miss Selfridge, but some are understood to have demanded three times that, The Sunday Times reported. Arcadias troubles are being driven by Topshop, which is struggling against online fashion stores such as Asos and Boohoo. If the CVA is approved, 57 stores will close and rent will be reduced by an average of 30pc at 459 sites. The Pensions Regulator will also have to sign off the deal due to concerns about Arcadias pension deficit. Thomas Cook's shares took another hit today after the group battled to reassure customers their summer holiday plans will go ahead amid fears the company is close to collapse. The holiday group's share price sank by more than 25 per cent this morning, but recovered to trade 14 per cent at 10.15p at the close, a fall of 1.65p. Britain's biggest independent tour operator has suffered a dire few days that saw its share price fall 40 per cent after posting a 1.5 billion half-year loss. Pressure mounted on Saturday when an intermediary which processes customer payments said it would hold millions of pounds owed to Thomas Cook for up to several weeks due to concerns over its financial health. Thomas Cook has been desperately trying to reassure customers that their summer holidays will go ahead amid fears it is close to collapse A similar move, which puts pressure on short-term cash flows, had forced airline Flybe to the brink of insolvency. Yesterday Thomas Cook fought back against what it called 'irresponsible' suggestions the 178-year-old business could collapse. It added: 'We have ample resources to operate our business and at the same time, as usual, our liquidity position continues to strengthen into the summer period. Our customers can have complete confidence in booking their holiday with us.' Following Thursday's half-year results which revealed the 1.5 billion loss mainly down to a 1.1 billion goodwill write-down relating to its 2007 merger with My Travel major investment bank Citigroup said Thomas Cook's shares were worthless. That sent them tumbling 40 per cent to 11.8p, giving the business an overall valuation of 181 million. This time last year shares in the company were 129p more than ten times the current value. Holidays that customers have already bought are protected by Air Travel Organiser's Licence (ATOL) rules, and they will receive a refund if their trip is cancelled. The scheme is run by the regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, which was said to be monitoring Thomas Cook closely. It declined to comment last night. Thomas Cook flights booked with credit cards are protected, but if it went bust other customers would be forced to rely on travel insurance to recoup money. The firm is now seeking to fight its way out of a vicious cycle where a collapse in confidence leads to money from sales drying up. 'The summer months are a cash-rich period,' an insider said yesterday. The weekend crisis shines a light on the difficulties that Thomas Cook has faced in trying to sell its airline business. Its auditors said that while the sale stalls the company faced 'material uncertainty'. While many A-level students are sweating over revision and exams in the hope of good results taking them off to university in the autumn, their parents should be doing their own urgent homework on the financial help available to fund their offspring's degrees. For the majority of families who cannot afford to fund a course and living costs a May 24 deadline is looming to apply for Government-backed student loans. There are two types to apply for soon if students want to ensure they will be paid out in time for their course starting: one to cover annual tuition fees of up to 9,250, and maintenance loans to cover the cost of day-to-day expenses. Everyone is entitled to receive the full tuition fee loan and a certain level of maintenance loan. To apply for more than the basic maintenance loan, parents must dig out details of both their child's and their own income. A student whose family income is 25,000, for example, can apply for a maximum maintenance loan of 11,672 if they will be living in London away from the family home. The higher the family's joint earnings, the less you can borrow. For example, the loan for a household with an income of 60,000 will be 7,103 at most and those with an income of 100,000 can only borrow 5,812. With student rent averaging 5,000 a year, many parents are likely to have to step in with extra cash. Another source of top-ups are scholarships and bursaries. Many universities offer some kind of cash bonus for academic excellence or for those on low incomes. But there are others ranging from cash for vegetarians (from the Vegetarian Charity) to those with an aptitude for sport. Among those currently listed on website The Scholarship Hub are bursaries of up to 3,000 offered to students planning a career in television (from the Royal Television Society); two scholarships worth 1,500 open to students from Tunbridge Wells with 'enquiring minds' (from Red Brick Research); and for environmentally conscious students cash is on offer from energy supplier GreenMatch. Students can also enlist the help of family and friends through cashback website Funds4Uni. Those who agree to the arrangement will see a cashback (at no cost to them) go to the student each time they shop at certain retailers online. Karen Kennard, at The Scholarship Hub, says: 'It's never going to cover everything but it can provide a nice additional income to help with day- to-day living costs.' Sarah Coles, personal finance expert at broker Hargreaves Lansdown, reminds parents that those taking out student loans could easily end up with 60,000 of debt by the time they graduate raising the temptation for parents to pay off some or all of it on their behalf. She says: 'If they're going to end up paying off the whole debt and interest (currently charged at 6.3 per cent while they are on their course) it is worth doing it as soon as possible after graduation before interest mounts further.' If graduates keep the debt, repayments are taken from pay at the rate of 9 per cent over the current earnings threshold of 25,725. One of the selling points stressed by the Government is that student loans are written off after 30 years. But this disguises the huge levels of interest many graduates will fork out in the meantime never mind the fact these rules could change. Figures show that only 17 per cent of graduates repay their loans in full. Coles says: 'Assuming average pay rises and no career breaks a graduate would need a starting salary of 55,000 to pay off all their loan and interest in full. Making the same assumptions, a 29,000 starting salary would be necessary to pay any interest before it is written off.' No one knows the level of earnings their children will reach, suggesting it may be best left to their offspring to decide a repayment strategy. Coles says: 'A good idea is to invest in a Junior Isa throughout their childhood to give them a nest egg at 18 which they can either put towards university costs or pay off loans later or if they prefer use it to help them on the housing ladder.' Apply for loans online at gov.uk/studentfinance (England), studentfinancewales.co.uk, saas.gov.uk (Scotland) and www.studentfinanceni.co.uk (Northern Ireland). Applications take six to eight weeks to process. Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to meet the Dalai Lama during a 2014 visit to India but a 'cautious' Delhi did not allow it to happen, a new book has claimed. The 83-year-old Buddhist monk has made India his home since fleeing the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959 - and has been a thorn in Beijing's side ever since. 'In 2014, when Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Delhi for talks with Prime Minister Modi, I requested a meeting with him,' author Sonia Singh quotes the Dalai Lama as saying. The 83-year-old Dalai Lama has made India his home since fleeing the Tibetan capital Lhasa in 1959 - the year the previous Tibetan government was abolished after a failed uprising 'President Xi Jinping agreed, but the Indian government was cautious about the meeting, so it didn't happen,' according to excerpts from the book published Wednesday. In the book 'Defining India - Through Their Eyes', Singh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government was concerned about maintaining good relations with China. The Dalai Lama's personal spokesman Tenzin Taklha said he didn't have any comments to make, without either confirming or denying the contents in the book. The Dalai Lama set up a government-in-exile in Dharamsala in northern India and launched a campaign to reclaim Tibet from China, which gradually evolved into an appeal for greater autonomy - the so-called 'middle way' approach. In her book 'Defining India - Through Their Eyes', Sonia Singh claims that India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government was concerned about maintaining good relations with China. Modi (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping are pictured together at the G20 Summit in 2016 India, which gave him asylum in 1959, has supported the Tibetan leader but of late the government has maintained a distance, citing diplomatic sensitivities. Singh, the editorial director of NDTV news channel, says the meeting had the 'promise to change the course of China-Tibet relations' if it had been allowed to happen. The Dalai Lama is also quoted as saying he had 'very good relations' with Modi, who is seeking a second term in the ongoing general election. 'He is quite an active Indian prime minister, continuously visiting many countries. That, I admire at his age.' A global symbol of peace, the Dalai Lama was briefly hospitalised for a chest infection in Delhi last month. The book is set to be released on May 20. Sarah Sky-Smith once dreamed of becoming a social worker - helping those who were living rough or had fallen on hard times. But that was a lifetime ago. Ms Sky-Smith, 44, has been a drug addict for more than 20 years. Now she spends her days living rough, begging for money to fund a $200-a-day heroin habit and shooting up four times a day, often in plain sight. This is the brutal reality of the drug crisis in Australia's largest city - home to thousands of addicts who are hooked on everything from prescription drugs to the growing scourge of ice. Sarah Sky-Smith (pictured shooting up in a Sydney park on Wednesday) first moved to the streets aged 22 because she thought it would help her become a social worker Ms Sky-Smith tells Daily Mail Australia how she put herself on the streets at the age of 22, thinking 'the experience of living rough' would help her chase her dream career of becoming a social worker. But the move backfired badly when she was offered her first hit of heroin - sold to her as though it was medicine. 'I had a tummy ache one day, a real bad one, and someone said they had something that'd make me feel better,' she said. 'It was heroin. 'I had that, and it made me feel better - but when it wore off I felt sick again, so I had more. After the third time that was it.' The years since have been spent wandering the streets, begging, and shooting up in parks. Now 44, she is still on the streets and addicted to heroin (pictured). She uses a quiet reserve in Surry Hills for her morning 'shot' Ms Sky-Smith relies primarily on her Centrelink payment to fund her life, which includes rent and food on top of heroin - but when money is tight she will beg using this sign Ms Sky-Smith's partner of 10 years Brett Kearines, 39, is also a heroin addict. The pair reveal they spend about $400 a day in total on drugs, using Centrelink payments and money from begging to fund their habit. They are well known and liked in Sydney's homeless community, and float around town, sitting down occasionally in Redfern, Circular Quay, the city and Surry Hills. 'We do certain things to get money, it's better than crime. Instead of robbing people, we'd rather sit down and ask for help,' they said. 'We don't ask people for money - if they (people) give it to us, good, but people walk past and go "get a job you homeless c***" - it's rude.' 'We don't walk up to anyone in the general public going "give us this, give us that". We're always polite.' The 44-year-old has a sign, telling passers by she is homeless and needs $45, plus food money. The piece of cardboard thanks those who have given her money, and notes she 'has been off the streets every night so far'. But Ms Sky-Smith and her partner say they have a home to sleep in, and mentioned paying rent when discussing their weekly costs. She and her partner both prefer to go to the injecting Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Kings Cross, which they call the 'shooting gallery', but it doesn't open until 9.30am Ms Sky-Smith (right) and partner Brett Kearines (left) returned to Frog Hollow Reserve on Thursday morning, where they laid out blankets and both injected heroin WHAT HAPPENED TO SARAH Aged 22, Sarah Sky-Smith claims she decided to try living on the streets, thinking the experience would help her achieve her dream of becoming a social worker. Soon after, she says, she was given a shot of heroin by another homeless person to help ease the pain from a stomach bug. Now, Ms Sky-Smith lives rough, spending her days wandering the streets, begging, and shooting up in parks. The 44-year-old has somewhere to sleep, but without food in the cupboards, still has to resort to spending her days on the street. Advertisement On Thursday morning, Ms Sky-Smith and Mr Kearines arrived at Frog Hollow Reserve in Surry Hills, where they laid out blankets and each injected heroin. Ms Sky-Smith uses alcohol wipes to clean the skin before she injects, and always ensures she has clean needles. The Sydney woman carries some around with her during the day to ensure her friends have access to them as well. When she and her partner are done 'taking a shot', they clean up the area around them, picking up small popped orange water balloons and small clear zip-lock bags. This is part of the code that 'old street kids' abide by: to always clean up after themselves and to look out for others living rough. They try to use heroin exclusively, saying they function better on it, but will take ice if it is the only thing available. Ms Sky-Smith tries to be as clean as possible when she injects, using alcohol wipes to clean her skin and always using a clean needle The 44-year-old says she tries to exclusively use heroin, because ice, which sells for a similar price, 'fries you' The couple say in recent years, they have seen more and more people on the streets using ice, and have witnessed the horrifying effects. 'We try to stay away from it, it fries you,' Ms Sky-Smith said. '[Ice users] think they're having a daydream, but they're fried. They're running around with sores all over them, picking themselves, and it's like woah man.' 'They've got this arm movement going, and they're twisting around... 'I've seen blokes who just don't come back.' Ms Sky-Smith said a good friend of hers had turned to ice, and after one bad hit, lost his mind. 'Now he walks with his head down to the street and he talks to God-knows-who. He was the funniest bloke, nicest guy. Now he's gone with the fairies,' she said. Mr Kearines says he thinks ice users are chasing 'a rush' you don't get from heroin. 'Heroin makes you stoned,' he said. 'It's not like a euphoria.' 'Me and me girl, we probably use about four caps [hits] a day, but other people, they'll go and get an eight ball of ice and do a shot, and a shot, they just keep f***ing using, because they don't sleep, they don't eat.' Ms Sky-Smith spends about $200 a day on heroin, which equates to about four hits Ms Sky-Smith carries her sign around with her, where she claims she is homeless but also that she has spent 'every night so far' off the streets As Ms Sky-Smith and her partner injected themselves with heroin on Thursday morning, a middle-aged couple were exercising nearby, a personal trainer directing a session with a young man, while locals exercising they dogs caught up with the local gossip. Two dogs ran up towards Ms Sky-Smith and Mr Kearines as they spoke. On both occasions, the owners looked too afraid to approach them and the couple had to shoo the animals away. Locals say addicts frequent the park, shooting up early in the morning, when local clinics open, and in the evening. In between, they try to make the space more friendly by walking their dogs. Addiction rates throughout Australia appear to be rising, with the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's National Wastewater Drug Monitoring program finding 'the demand for harmful drugs remains robust' in their 2018 report. The report found Australians were using more methamphetamine and cocaine, though the most commonly used drugs around the country were alcohol and nicotine. About 8.3 tonnes of ice were consumed in Australia in 2017, the report said, with the average consumption believed to be close to 40 doses per 1,000 people every day. A reality TV star has gone head-to-head with a convicted killer after pulling out of his planned appearance on the bikie enforcer's podcast. Married at First Sight star Sam Ball had been invited onto the new podcast of former Nomads OMCG boss Moudi Tajjour, which has gathered a cult following on YouTube. The pair cordially discussed Ball potentially appearing on the 'Can't Fight Fate Podcast' to talk about his time on MAFS, just like fellow star Telv Williams had. But the conversation quickly turned heated when Ball apparently informed Tajjour he had changed his mind, angering the convicted killer who demanded an apology. Scroll down for audio Married at First Sight contestant Sam Ball (pictured) has been embroiled in an argument with ex-bikie boss Moudi Tajjour over an appearance on the convicted killer's YouTube podcast Tajjour (left, with his brother Sleiman), who was previously the Nomads OMCG president, told Ball he felt 'disrespected' and urged the TV star 'not to take him lightly' in a volatile voice mail An audio message from Tajjour to Ball describes how the bikie felt 'disrespected' and issued a fierce warning to the MAFS star that he should 'not to take him lightly'. 'I don't even want you to come on now, I don't know who the f**k you think you are but you f**ked me around and you don't reply to my messages,' Tajjour tells Ball in the voice message, heard by Daily Mail Australia. 'Anyway it will all be forgotten if you send me a simple f**king apology and not try to disrespect me. 'Or, I'm going to take it as a simple disrespect and it means you've tried to f**k with me - it's your choice.' 'It's a simple courtesy, reply with a respectful message and I'll let it go, because I'm not looking like a f**kwit with the people I do the podcast with and looking like someone like you f**ked me around. 'Is this crystal f**king clear? I can't be anymore clearer [sic] to you. 'If I don't get an apology back, it means you f**ked with me - that's how I'm going to take it.' In response Ball defends himself, saying 'nobody has been f**ked with' and there was 'no disrespect' intended. The tensions between Ball and Tajjour escalated after the bikie invited the MAFS star to appear on his YouTube podcast 'Can't Fight Fate' Ball denied that he had 'disrespected' Tajjour by not replying to his messages and said he had 'a lot of s**t on' By the end of their conversation the pair seemed to smooth over their differences, with Ball telling Tajjour he 'looked up' to him and other bikies Tajjour refused to comment on their interaction, while Ball did not respond to attempts to contact him by Daily Mail Australia 'I've got a lot of s**t on with court, the media and my life in general so (it) may not be the right time,' the MAFS star said in one message. 'You asking me to come on your podcast and me trying to make it happen isn't a disrespect?' After several hostile messages the pair eventually smoothed over relations, with Ball telling Tajjour he had long 'looked up' to the bikie and his fellow OMCG members. Ball then enquired about the possibility of the pair catching up for a 'feed'. Tajjour refused to talk about their interaction, while Ball has also been contacted for comment. A federal judge on Friday fined the Mongols motorcycle club $500,000 in a racketeering and conspiracy case but refused the latest effort in a decade-long attempt by the government to take away the club's control over its logo - a Genghis Khan-style rider in sunglasses astride a chopper-style bike. Prosecutors had successfully argued before a jury that the logo was core to the identity of the Los Angeles area-based gang responsible for drug dealing, beatings and murder. They argued that bikers wore the badges like armor to intimidate. In announcing charges in 2008, prosecutors said a forfeiture order would allow any law enforcement officer to stop a gang member and 'literally take the jacket right off his back.' A jury that in 2018 convicted the club as a whole of racketeering and conspiracy agreed in January that the club's trademarks should be forfeited to the government. But in February, U.S. District Judge David O. Carter nullified that part of the verdict, saying it would violate the First Amendment rights to freedom of association and Eighth Amendment protections against excessive penalties. A California judge fined the Mongols motorcycle gang $500,000 for racketeering and conspiracy, but denied a request by the government to strip it of its trademarked logo, ruling such a move would be unconstitutional Ordering forfeiture of the trademarks would violate the First Amendment rights to freedom of association and Eighth Amendment protections against excessive penalties, Carter said. 'The collective membership mark acts as a symbol that communicates a person's association with the Mongol Nation, and his or her support for their views,' Carter wrote. 'Though the symbol may at times function as a mouthpiece for unlawful or violent behavior, this is not sufficient to strip speech of its First Amendment protection.' Mongols' attorney Joe Yanny said the ruling was a big deal for the bikers and he criticized prosecutors for wasting millions of dollars chasing 'an impossible dream by some government guy who had no respect for the constitutional rights he might be trampling.' 'It's an attempt at collective guilt, which has never been the law here in this country,' Yanny said. 'You don't hold people guilty or punish folks simply because they know people that may be related in some fashion to people who are alleged to have done something wrong.' On Friday, while fining the club and ordering it placed on five years of probation, Carter rejected a different request by the government. Instead of trying to strip Mongol members of their logo, it asked the judge to order the club to give up its trademarks, making it unable to prevent others from using the image, the Los Angeles Times reported. It was unclear whether the government planned to appeal. The Mongols was founded in a Los Angeles suburb in 1969. The group is estimated to have more than 1,000 riders in chapters worldwide. In January, a jury found the Mongol Nation entity guilty of racketeering and said the group's trademarked patches could be forfeited Yanny described the Mongols as a club that doesn't tolerate criminal activity. He said the government targeted the group because of its large Mexican-American population. Former pro wrestler and Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura testified for the defense in court, saying he neither committed crimes nor was told to do so when he was a Mongol in the 1970s. Prosecutors won the convictions after detailing violence that included the killing of a Hells Angels leader in San Francisco, a Nevada brawl in 2002 that left members of both clubs dead, and the killing of a Pomona policeman while raiding the home of a Mongols member in 2014. Clarisa Figueroa came into the hospital covered in blood with a baby that wasn't hers Police and Illinois' child welfare agency say staff at a Chicago-area hospital didn't alert them after determining that a bloodied woman who arrived with a gravely injured newborn had not just given birth to the baby boy, as she claimed. The woman, 46-year-old Clarisa Figueroa, was charged more than three weeks later with killing the baby's mother, 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, after police found her body outside Figueroa's home. Chicago police say she cut Marlen's baby out of her womb on April 23, then called 911 to report she had given birth to a baby who wasn't breathing. Paramedics took Figueroa and the baby to Advocate Christ Medical Center in suburban Oak Lawn. Marlen's family spent those weeks searching for her and holding press conferences pleading for help finding her, unaware the child was in a neonatal intensive care unit on life support. Victim Marlen Ochoa-Lopez is seen left and right in a pregnancy shot shortly before her death. Police say she was lured and killed for her unborn baby Baby Yadiel was still on life support in the hospital on Saturday. Sources say he is unlikely to survive without life support due to extensive brain damage from the ordeal The baby remained hospitalized on life support on Saturday, according to authorities. Prosecutors say that when Figueroa was brought with the baby to the hospital, she had blood on her upper body and her face, which a hospital employee cleaned off. They also say Figueroa was examined at the hospital and showed no physical signs of childbirth. Advocate Christ Medical Center has declined to say whether or when it contacted authorities, citing state and federal regulations. Oak Lawn police said they were not contacted about Figueroa by the medical center or any other agency. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Jassen Strokosch said Saturday the agency was alerted May 9 that there were questions about who had custody of the child in order to make medical decisions. He said he couldn't speculate about why the agency wasn't contacted sooner. 'We don't know what was happening at the hospital,' he said. Advocate Christ Medical Center is seen in a file photo. Staff there did not alert cops even after they determined that Figueroa had not given birth to the baby as she claimed A memorial of flowers, balloons, a cross and photo of victim Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, are displayed Friday on the lawn in Chicago, outside the home where she was murdered Strokosch said the Department of Children and Family Services was alerted by someone required by law to contact the department about suspected abuse or neglect, but he couldn't say who contacted the agency. However, that was after Chicago police had connected Figueroa to Marlen's disappearance. Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson said police learned Marlen was missing when her husband reported it on April 24. On May 7, Chicago police learned from one of Marlen's friends that she had been communicating via a private Facebook group with Figueroa about buying clothing. Police then went to Figueroa's home, where her 24-year-old daughter eventually told them her mother had recently had a baby. 'There was nothing to point us in that direction in the beginning,' Johnson told reporters on Thursday, after police had arrested Figueroa and her daughter on murder charges. Desiree Figueroa, 24, and Piotr Bobak, 40, were also charged in connection with the murder Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said Saturday authorities had to subpoena medical records from the hospital for Figueroa and the child. He said police didn't learn that Figueroa showed no signs of childbirth until 'a couple weeks' after she was examined. Both Johnson and Guglielmi referred questions about hospital protocol and policies to the medical center. A spokesman said in an emailed statement: 'We have been cooperating with authorities and as this is an ongoing police matter, we're referring all inquiries to local law enforcement.' DNA testing determined Figueroa was not the baby's mother and that Marlen's husband was his father. Strokosch said his department let protective custody of the child lapse on May 13 because his father had been identified. Clarisa Figueroa and her daughter Desiree Figueroa are charged with first-degree murder and aggravated child abuse causing permanent disability. The elder Figueroa's boyfriend, 40-year-old Piotr Bobak, is charged with felony counts of concealing a death and concealing a homicide. All three suspects are being held in Cook County Jail without bond. A primary school headteacher has reportedly been accused of running 'Victorian' classrooms where children are forced to fill out a 'reflection form' if they are desperate for the toilet in lessons. Rachel Bentham has come under fire from parents at Norden Community Primary School in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, who are up in arms over her 'military' regime that they claim has put their children off school. In addition to the head's rule of making pupils file a written toilet request, children are also supposedly made to march around the school with their hands behind their backs as part of an activity dubbed 'fantastic walking'. Rachel Bentham (pictured) has come under fire from parents at Norden Community Primary School in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, who are up in arms over her 'military' regime that they claim has put their children off school One parent said that Ms Bentham's (pictured) new initiatives 'left kids saying that all the fun has gone out of school' A letter from mums and dads sent to school governors read: 'It has been reported to parents that children are being denied toilet breaks in lessons, or if they appear really desperate and have gone anyway, they have to fill in a reflection sheet,' according to the Mirror. They also reportedly lashed out at the 'fantastic walking' sessions which they likened to drills performed in an army base camp or a Victorian school. One parent said that Ms Bentham's new initiatives 'left kids saying that all the fun has gone out of school'. A spokeswoman for Rochdale Council said: 'We are aware of the issues parents have raised and we are dealing with them via appropriate channels and procedures.' And the governors reportedly said that they will respond to the concerns raised by parents. Scott Morrison's 'miracle' election win has been cheered by US conservatives and compared to Donald Trump's surprise 2016 presidential win. The Coalition won despite 55 Newspolls in a row predicting they would lose - echoing how the US president rose to power against pollsters' predictions in 2016. The Liberal campaign had emphasised the cost of Labor's climate change policies - which included reducing carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030. And while Labor campaigned against the controversial Adani mine, the Coalition focused on the jobs boost of the new development. On Saturday night, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Labor's stance on climate had cost them the election. After Bill Shorten failed to secure votes in Queensland the Liberal Party elder said Labor did not reassure voters about job security. 'When they saw a Labor Party prepared to destroy jobs in the name of climate ideology in relation to the Adani mine, they said "That's not for Queensland"', he said. Scroll down for video Scott Morrison's 'miracle' election win has been cheered by US conservatives and compared to Donald Trump's surprise 2016 presidential win On Sunday morning American TV news channel Fox News labelled Mr Morrison's win as 'a stunning victory'. American political activist Pamela Geller meanwhile trumpeted 'the people are taking back their countries from the totalitarian left'. 'SHOCKING Australia Election Results: Australia's Conservative Party Seizes Stunning Win: The Trump effect. Polls were wrong.... again,' Ms Geller, founder of The Geller Report and president of Stop Islamisation of America, wrote on Twitter. US news site Axios told readers the election result indicates 'Australia will continue to closely resemble the Trump administration's positioning on climate change'. The Coalition won despite 55 Newspolls in a row predicting Bill Shorten's (pictured) Labor would win - echoing how the US president also rose to power against pollsters' predictions in 2016 'Climate advocates had said this election would be a referendum on the current leadership's positions on climate change,' Ms Harder wrote. 'The results suggest that either voters don't care as much about the issue compared to others or they prefer less aggressive measures, as the current leadership is pursuing.' The New York Times described how 'the conservative victory also adds Australia to a growing list of countries that have shifted rightward through the politics of grievance, including Brazil, Hungary and Italy. 'Mr Morrison's pitch mixed smiles and scaremongering, warning older voters and rural voters in particular that a government of the left would leave them behind and favour condescending elites.' While Labor campaigned against the controversial Adani mine, the government focused on the jobs boost of the new development (pictured former Greens Leader Bob Brown speaking during an anti-Adani rally) President Trump tweeted his congratulations to Prime Minister Scott Morrison on his 'miracle' election win as the Coalition edged closer to the 76 seats it needs to have a majority in the Australian parliament. 'Congratulations to Scott on a GREAT WIN!' the US president tweeted on Sunday morning, Australian time. Pre-election polls had tipped the ALP would win the federal election and leader Bill Shorten would be the next prime minister. 'I have always believed in miracles,' Mr Morrison told supporters on Saturday night. US news site Axios told readers the election result indicates 'Australia will continue to closely resemble the Trump administration's positioning on climate change' On Sunday morning Tanya Plibersek blamed Labor's loss on scaremongering and voters not being fully aware policy. But she was attacked on Twitter for being out of touch. 'Labor went too far to their progressive left, forgot their grassroots working Australians. Drop crap #climatechange,' one person wrote. 'All this climate change crap you carry on with was seen through for all that, crap!!!' wrote another. While the pollsters continue to come under fire for getting the Australian election result so badly wrong there was one man who correctly predicted the outcome. Bela Stantic, of Griffith University, previously predicted Britain's Brexit result and Donald Trump's surprise victory in the race to become US president. He said he knew the Coalition would win the election by compiling data from social media - a method he believes is far superior to the usual political polls. Griffith University Professor Bela Stantic (pictured) correctly predicted the Coalition would hold power after compiling data from social media 'My methods survey more people. I used the opinions of around half-a-million people, while polls, I believe, only survey in range of 1,000,' Prof Stantic said. 'Also, it appears people are more honest when talking to friends and social media than answering polls. 'Important aspects were also preferences and sentiment toward Greens, Clive Palmer as well as ON (One Nation), which I also took into account. 'When everything was added up it told me that ALP has no support to win the election.' Professor Stantic fed millions of tweets into his program at Griffith University's Big Data and Smart Analytics lab. 'Polling methods are not as accurate as Big Data analytics methods,' Prof Stantic said. 'This is probably the reason why it got all elections correct as well as Brexit despite polls telling a different story.' Prof Stantic said his correct prediction of the 2016 US election showed the validity of his method. 'It is scary how accurately prediction can be done by analysing social media,' he said. 'Such analytics can provide much more accurate information than telephone polling, especially in a day and age where people have caller ID and don't have landlines. Professor Stantic fed millions of tweets into one of his programs at Griffith's Big Data and Smart Analytics lab in a method he feels is a better indicator of voter sentiment and predicted an LNP victory (Scott Morrison pictured with his family during his victory speech) 'The amount of data that all of us generate is truly staggering, and it is continuing to grow. This publicly available data is secret treasure of information if we know how to discover it.' Stantic said the two million tweets he analysed were much more reliable than the usual 1000 people used in a traditional poll. After the 2016 US election Professor Stantic said online data provided his research with 'a rich source of information about what people are thinking and feeling about the election'. The method also allowed Prof Stantic to correctly predict the previous Australian Federal Election in 2016. 'The same lab using the same method predicted and announced in a public lecture a week before the Australian federal election that the Coalition would win over the ALP,' Prof Stantic wrote after the contest. Newspoll had predicted an ALP win in every poll leading into the Federal Election with many questioning of its accuracy the morning after the shock election result (ALP leader Bill Shorten pictured with wife Chloe during his concession speech) Newspoll had predicted an ALP win in every poll leading up to the federal election. The Newspoll website claims its model has the 'best track record having estimated the outcomes of every state and federal election since our company was founded' in 1985. 'Our success arises from the best sampling and design, attention to detail and a genuine culture of taking care at every level,' the website reads. The stunning election result returning the Morrison Coalition government has been branded 'a massive polling failure' that no one predicted. Early on Saturday night, ABC election analyst Antony Green summed up the mood as the coalition defied all the pre-election polls. 'At the moment, on these figures, it's a bit of a spectacular failure of opinion polling,' he said on the ABC. Most of the Newspoll, YouGov/Galaxy, Ipsos and ReachTEL polls had Labor ahead 51-49 on the two-party preferred vote, even as late as Friday night. After the contest, Tasmanian election analyst Kevin Bonham said the Coalition was likely to get 51.6 per cent of the two-party vote - a 'mirror image' of what was expected. 'What we've seen is a massive polling failure and a result that (whatever exactly it is) was not predicted by anybody much to my knowledge,' Dr Bonham wrote on Saturday night. Greens leader Richard Di Natale (pictured) said the election result showed the era of opinion polls was over and that it was time for a change Dr Bonham said the polling failures were different to Donald Trump's 2016 election win, where the national polls were correct but there were serious local errors. 'This is a national total polling failure more similar to Brexit or to recent UK national elections,' he said. 'Betting markets failed as well - initially expecting Labor to win by more than Labor's leads at the time showed.' Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says the polling fail follows a global trend. 'Pollsters got it wrong with Brexit, they got it wrong with Trump, and now they've got it wrong at the federal election here in Australia,' he told ABC Radio on Sunday. Greens leader Richard Di Natale said it was time for a change. 'What it does show is that the era of opinion polls I think is over. They can't be trusted,' he said. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews stressed the only poll that matters is the election itself. 'It's not like it's one poll that was wrong, it was 50-odd Newspolls ... Scott Morrison has won the poll that matters.' Another polling failure occurred in the Northern Territory, where 'psychic' crocodiles have successfully picked the winners of the past three elections. This time around, even Burt the psychic croc chose Bill Shorten to win. Australians awoke on Sunday morning to a Coalition government led by Scott Morrison after Labor lost the 'unloseable' election. Opinion polls, critics and bookmakers all pointed towards a sweeping win for the Labor Party, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison defied the odds and has been handed another three years in power. Labor has now been accused of alienating their core electorate with policies that were too progressive and divisive on climate change and negative gearing. Older Australians in particular appeared to turn on Labor over the controversial plan to scrap franking credits for self-funded retirees. The policy was so complex that many voters did not understand what it would mean and many feared they would be left out of pocket. As Australians wake up to the fact Labor and Bill Shorten have spectacularly lost the 'unloseable' election, many are wondering what went so wrong for the Opposition Opinion polls, critics and even bookmakers all pointed towards a sweeping win for the Labor Party Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured with his wife Jenny) defied the odds and is set to remain in power for another three years A survey midway through the election campaign found one-third of voters were questioning the franking credit plan, which is more than the proportion of those who would have actually been impacted by it. Labor had hoped to secure seats in Queensland to push them over the line, but unfortunately witnessed big swings against it. Their climate change policy and stance on Adani cost them dearly and was at odds with many voters who wanted the new coal mine as it promised to provide hundreds of jobs in regions struggling against drought and high levels of unemployment. It seems the party crumbled under its out of touch policies, unlikeable leader and lack of communication with farmers, the elderly and blue collar workers - alienating many of their key seats Labor pitched a transformative slate of policies aimed at stamping Mr Shorten's vision on the country 'You could have been the government tonight, you fools, but you're not,' Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said after his own easy re-election. 'When they decide their voters live in Woolloomooloo, Queensland will leave you alone. In this area as well, people are talking about their power prices. 'They want to know how they can get dignity in their lives by being able to turn on their fridge, the toaster. This is the issue that resonates with them.' WHAT WENT WRONG FOR LABOR? The party crumbled under its out of touch policies, unlikeable leader and lack of appeal to farmers, the elderly and blue collar workers - alienating many of their key voters. Bill Shorten promised a great number of policies and reforms to the electorate. The party lost hope with people over 65 who were concerned about the franking credit plan. Homeowners were also concerned that abolishing negative gearing would result in a housing market collapse. After six years as the Opposition Leader, it seems that Mr Shorten just wasn't liked by the Australian public. Advertisement 'Take a reality pill, wake up and get back to your blue collar workers, get back and talk to people about power prices.' 'Start listening to the blue collar workers, and we'll walk with them. Farmers - they work with their hands, same people, same towns. This is a wake up call for the Labor Party.' Labor's climate change policy also left them open to attack as the Coalition successfully argued its plans would hurt the economy and force up power prices. Even Labor supporters admitted that the party's stance on Adani had cost them votes. 'This particular project became a symbol of pro or anti-climate. The LNP wanted to message it being pro or anti jobs,' Labor shadow foreign affairs minister Penny Wong admitted on the ABC election panel. 'That's challenging as a Labor Party. As party of government, we have to manage the right policy and manage explaining that in Melbourne just as we do in Brisbane and the outer suburbs and it's a challenge for us.' Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos said some of the result could be explained by those opposing the Adani project being seen as anti-jobs. 'Adani became about jobs. It became emblematic of "we want jobs" and the Bob Brown caravan which went up there to talk about stopping Adani, had locals thinking 'hang on, you are not going to tell us how to live',' he said. Mr Shorten's big target agenda has quickly come under fire as being too much for voters to accept, and alienating too many who they needed to win 'You could have been the government tonight, you fools, but you're not,' Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce said after his own easy reelection ABC election analyst Anthony Green agreed as he discussed the results of seats in central and northern Queensland. 'The voters have emphatically sent a message of some sort to Canberra [about the Adani mine],' he said. 'There will be a lot of discussion about what's caused this swing but I think I've got a rough idea what people can be pointing their finger at in terms of what was the big issue in north Queensland.' Labor has also come under fire for their economic policy and mounting an attack on the 'top end of town' by closing a series of tax loopholes. During the campaign this was slammed as the 'politics of envy'. One of the party's signature policies was restricting negative gearing to new homes, and halve the capital gains tax discount from 50 per cent to 25 per cent, to make houses more affordable. Mr Shorten also aims for half of all new cars sold in Australia to be electric by 2030 The existing policy gives housing investors a tax break if they make short-term losses on real estate investments. But property analysts lined up to claim this would slash house prices by a quarter or more, and could even hurt the rest of the economy. Investors weren't happy either and the Coalition was able to spin it as punishing people just trying to get ahead. Former Liberal prime minister John Howard slammed Labor's approach as the 'politics of envy' that divided Australia on class. 'All of this talk about the big end of town, if you make a few bob and you are successful, and you want to invest, and you want to leave some of your children, it doesn't make you the big end of town,' he said. 'He has done something I don't think Bob Hawke would have ever done, and that is trying to divide the country on class lines... I think he stumbled badly.' Finally, Mr Shorten was personally unpopular, perceived as a factional warlord who lacked charisma - even with the help of his wife Chloe. For much of his career, he was remembered as the man who stabbed Kevin Rudd in the back for Julia Gillard, then knifed her too. Mr Shorten was personally unpopular, perceived as a factional warlord who lacked charisma There will be more recriminations in days and weeks to come and some soul-searching by the ALP as to how it all went so horribly wrong As a former Australian Workers Union secretary he was perceived as too much of a union hack in a Labor Party constantly accused of being beholden to union interests. The opposition fell into the same trap everyone else did and believed in its own hype far too much. With polling indicating they couldn't possibly lose they became complacent with the campaigning and took too many risks. They also didn't effectively counter Mr Morrison's attacks on their positions and allowed him to chip away during a spirited campaign. There will be more recriminations in days and weeks to come and some soul-searching by the ALP as to how it all went so horribly wrong. Labor's next chapter won't be led by Bill Shorten as he resigned as Labor leader in his concession speech. A woman angry for being turned down for a job at a Kentucky Fried Chicken restaurant in Connecticut had scalding hot water thrown in her face after she hit the manager in the head with a metal pipe, police say. The manager, Bhagmattie Persaud, 45, was charged with second-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace. According to authorities, Persaud got into a dispute with 22-year-old Karielys Ayala at the KFC on Boston Avenue in Bridgeport on Friday, May 3. When police arrived at the restaurant, Ayala was being transported to Bridgeport Hospital with second-degree burns to her face, neck, arms, chest, and stomach, according to the Connecticut Post. The alleged incident took place on May 3 at the Kentucky Fried Chicken on Boston Avenue in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The image above was taken on that day. It shows an ambulance which transported Ayala to a local hospital Persaud told police that Ayala attacked her with a metal pipe and that she defended herself by throwing scalding water on her. Ayala has also been charged with second-degree assault. The dispute started when Ayala made a telephone call to Persaud complaining that she had applied for a job at the KFC and nobody from the restaurant called her for an interview, Persaud told police. When police arrived at the restaurant, Ayala was being transported to Bridgeport Hospital with second-degree burns to her face, neck, arms, chest, and stomach During the phone call, Persaud said she told Ayala that the manager was unavailable. Moments later, police said that an angry Ayala walked into the restaurant and confronted Persaud, who admitted that she was, in fact, the manager. Persaud told investigators that at this point Ayala became angry and started using profanity, according to DoingItLocal. Persaud told police that she ordered Ayala out of the restaurant, saying that she would never hire anyone with that kind of an attitude. Investigators said surveillance video corroborates Persauds claims that she was struck with a metal pipe. Police said video shows Ayala taking a small piece of a metal display and hitting Persaud on the side of the head. Persaud then threw scalding hot water at Ayala, it is claimed. Theresa May faced an impassioned cross-party appeal last night to pay full compensation to infected blood victims before more die. Jeremy Corbyn joined six other political party leaders at Westminster to urge the Prime Minister to act now. A public inquiry into how thousands were given infected blood in the 1970s and 1980s dubbed the worst treatment scandal in NHS history began three weeks ago. Mrs May marked the launch of the inquiry, led by former High Court judge Sir Brian Langstaff, by offering extra financial support for victims from 46million a year to 76million. A public inquiry into how thousands were given infected blood in the 1970s and 1980s dubbed the worst treatment scandal in NHS history began three weeks ago (file image) But in a letter released last night, the seven party leaders made clear the Prime Ministers move was not enough. Mr Corbyn joined Sir Vince Cable from the Lib Dems, and Ian Blackford, the SNPs Westminster leader, among others to warn that victims infected with HIV and hepatitis could not wait for the inquiry to conclude in two or three years. They told Mrs May: Since you announced the inquiry in July 2017, one victim has died on average every four days. Justice delayed even further will be justice denied for many of those currently still with us. Mr Corbyn joined Sir Vince Cable from the Lib Dems, and Ian Blackford, the SNPs Westminster leader, among others to warn that victims infected with HIV and hepatitis could not wait for the inquiry to conclude in two or three years (file image) This is why, with the utmost urgency, we ask you to address campaigners central demand and provide full compensation to all those infected. More than 7,500 people were infected with hepatitis C or HIV in the 1970s and 1980s. More than 2,000 are thought to have died. Thousands more may have been exposed through blood transfusions after an operation or childbirth. The Department of Health last night said it was committed to a fair and transparent support scheme for victims. Tory leadership contests have traditionally been dominated by middle-class men launching their campaigns in wood-panelled Westminster drawing rooms. But for Esther McVey, the Liverpudlian former GMTV presenter who was one of the first MPs to declare her candidature, the campaign will be a more spit-and-sawdust affair: a countrywide tour of pubs where she will set out policies designed to entice working-class voters back to the party. Ms McVey, who resigned from the Cabinet in November over Theresa Mays Brexit deal, will tomorrow launch Blue Collar Conservatism a group dedicated to devising a compelling domestic policy agenda for ordinary working people as the vehicle for her tilt at No 10. For Esther McVey, the Liverpudlian former GMTV presenter who was one of the first MPs to declare her candidature for Conservative leader, the campaign will be a more spit-and-sawdust affair The former Pensions Secretary, 51, will then embark on a ten-date pub tour setting out policies such as boosting funding for the police and schools, scrapping HS2 and pegging the foreign aid budget to 2010 levels. Aides are even discussing whether she should take a John Major-style soapbox to stand on as she addresses the crowds. Ms McVey who will start the tour at the end of the month at the Brown Cow in Bingley, Yorkshire said: Never have the politicians in Westminster seemed so remote from ordinary conversations in the pub. 'Brexit is a massive issue, but people want to talk about domestic stuff too. In a field of possibly 20 leadership candidates, the Tatton MP cuts a distinctive figure with her Scouse accent and media-trained poise. It has earned her predictably sexist brickbats, including from her own side: last year, an ally of Chancellor Philip Hammond dismissively said: All she knows how to do is blow-dry her hair. There was also widespread fury when Labours John McDonnell said in 2014 that activists in Liverpool had wanted to lynch her as she tried to hold on to her then Wirral West seat. The experience has forged the steeliness she will need to survive the turbulence of the leadership contest. After initially hiding their relationship behind a friendship, Ms McVey recently got engaged to fellow Tory MP Philip Davies, 47 Ms McVey, a Brexiteer, reluctantly backed Mrs Mays deal in the most recent vote, but hinted she will vote against it when it comes before the Commons again next month. She said: If she comes forward with a customs union... I cant support that. She added that when Mrs May sets out her timetable for leaving No 10, she hopes it will be sooner rather than later, saying: Id like her to leave in a dignified way... it would allow our colleagues to offer robust challenges on the hustings to whoever has put themselves forward. How would she counter the twin threat from Nigel Farages Brexit Party and Jeremy Corbyns support among young voters? I always said the softer our Brexit the bigger Farage would be, and when we didnt deliver on March 29, that would be something that brought him back to life, she said. The Conservative Party stands for so much more and that is what we have to get back to, what we believe in, be proud of what we believe in and sell what we believe in aspiration, freedom of choice and the responsibility of the individual. Asked how she would improve on Mrs Mays performance in No 10, Ms McVey said: You have got to believe in something. You have got to go back to our fundamental Conservative values, not be embarrassed about them actually stand for them. After initially hiding their relationship behind a friendship, Ms McVey recently got engaged to fellow Tory MP Philip Davies, 47. They are planning to marry in Parliament next year. Will he be happy to be a Denis Thatcher-style figure, in the background of her leadership? Asked how she would improve on Mrs Mays performance in No 10, Ms McVey said: You have got to believe in something' He is actually very good and supportive of women. Having been direct about her desire to become Prime Minister, how does she feel about colleagues such as Home Secretary Sajid Javid, who have been running ghost campaigns without declaring they are running? Im very honest and Im very straight-talking and I will continue to be. When we know colleagues have got money and are running campaigns yet when answering a question are evasive, it says to me all thats wrong with politics. A memo revealing Prime Minister Theresa May's intentions to block proposals for a new law protecting Northern Ireland Veterans from facing murder charges has come to light. The letter, written on May's behalf, stated that any government consultation surrounding the unsolved murders from during the troubles 'should not contain' any suggestion for a statute of limitations to be placed on historic prosecutions of military personnel, reports The Sunday Telegraph. Mrs May's letter instead stated the intention for prosecutions to be made 'against any person who was operating outside of the parameters of the law' during the troubles. Prime Minister Theresa May's letter, dated March 2018, was sent to the Northern Ireland Office and Ministry of Defence as ministers and officials were drawing up a consultation document on 'addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland's past' The decision is likely to be controversial with many Conservative MPs who have spoken out about the punishing of former soldiers for crimes committed under the order of their superiors. Tory MP Johnny Mercer, last night called Mrs May's intentions to block legal protections of the Northern Ireland Veterans a 'betrayal' and said the letter had delivered a 'sucker punch', reports The Sunday Telegraph. Former Army Captain Johnny Mercer has told the Prime Minister he is withdrawing his support after new details emerged of the way her Deputy Chief Whip tried to dig dirt on him Mr Mercer, a former Officer in the British Army, said he no longer 'shared the values or ethos' of the Tory Party under Mrs May's leadership after campaigning for legal protections of the Troubles's veterans earlier this month. In his letter to Mrs May on May 7, he lambasted the 'offensive' investigation of former British soldiers for alleged crimes in Ulster. At least three prosecutions are under way, including against a former Parachute Regiment soldier due to face murder charges over his role in Belfast's 'Bloody Sunday' riot in 1972. Mr Mercer wrote: 'I cannot continue to support you while this injustice (prosecuting veterans) continues unabated and the behaviour of your Whips has ground out of me any residual co-operation.' In an article for the Telegraph he wrote: 'That troops, uniformed and sent by the Crown to an unpopular, difficult and bloody war, should not have the Government, at least starting, on their side is totally unacceptable.' The memorandum, dated March 2018, was said to have been written by Mrs May's assistant private secretary. It was sent to the Northern Ireland Office and Ministry of Defence as ministers and officials were drawing up a consultation document on 'addressing the legacy of Northern Ireland's past'. It stated: 'The Prime Minister has decided that the consultation document should not contain specific reference to a 'statute of limitations' or 'amnesties', in line with government policy. 'The Ministry of Defence should work closely with the Northern Ireland office to ensure that their veterans package offers equal, rather than preferential, treatment relative to other groups or individuals affected by this consultation.' A number of Northern Ireland veterans are currently facing charges, including Soldier F, who has been charged in relation to the killings of two protesters during Bloody Sunday in Londonderry in 1972. The disclosure comes after new Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt last week announced plans for legislation to provide stronger protection from repeated investigations into historical allegations for veterans of overseas conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. In Mr Mercer's letter to Mrs May, he lambasted the offensive investigation of former British soldiers for alleged crimes in Ulster Under the proposals there would be a 'presumption against prosecution' in relation to alleged incidents dating back more than 10 years, unless there were 'exceptional circumstances'. As it stands, the legislation will not apply to those who served in Northern Ireland, although in an apparent break with Government policy, Ms Mordaunt said she intended to find a way they could be afforded the similar protection. A Government spokesman said: 'The Ministry of Defence have proposed legislation to provide better support and stronger legal protections for serving and former personnel facing investigation over alleged historical offences overseas. 'This will ensure veterans are not subject to repeated investigations many years after the events in question where there is no new evidence. 'A separate consultation has been run by Northern Ireland Office on how to deal with the past in Northern Ireland, and the conclusion of that will be announced as soon as possible.' A Royal Marine wrongly accused of sending lewd photographs to dozens of women after a stranger stole his identity has spoken of his anguish and how the pressure led to a medical discharge from the Navy. Steele Saunders and his wife Sally left their jobs and endured death threats and vigilante attacks during the 12 months that Graeme Brandon posed online as commando Mr Saunders. In an interview with The Mail on Sunday, Mr Saunders said: 'I felt helpless in trying to clear my name and trying to convince people it wasn't me. 'The thought that people were doubting me was unbearable. There were incidents when I was out with my family and people recognised my face and started shouting things like ''paedo'' at me.' Steele Saunders and his wife Sally left their jobs after a stranger stole his identity and sent naked photos to 27 women Mr Saunders received online messages including 'You are a disgusting pervert', 'You don't deserve to live' and 'Wait until I find you'. He also had death threats, including one threatening to burn down his home with his children inside. The experience devastated the couple and it was not until Brandon, 44, appeared in court earlier this month that the full damage was exposed. The painter and decorator had found Mr Saunders's Facebook profile in April 2017 and used his name and photograph to send naked photos of himself, via messaging service WhatsApp, to 27 women. The couple only found out when children's nursery worker Mrs Saunders received a Facebook message from the mother of a child she looked after. It included a screen shot appearing to identify Mr Saunders as the sender of unsolicited pictures of his genitals. Mrs Saunders, 37, knew her husband was innocent and the couple contacted the police, yet despite Brandon being identified as a suspect, he continued to use Mr Saunders's identity for almost a year. Graeme Brandon posed online as commando Mr Saunders for 12 months, eventually pleading guilty to 28 offences of sending an indecent communication and one of unauthorised access to computer data During that time, the couple's BMW car was damaged in two attacks and Mr Saunders, 38, had to put up with snide remarks from colleagues. this led to a medical discharge from the Marines after ten years of service. Mother-of-two Mrs Saunders, from Poole, Dorset, also left her job as she was not comfortable working with children while the allegations hung over her husband. Brandon was finally arrested in March 2018 when police visited his house in Poole and found two pay-as-you-go phones from which the obscene messages had been sent. He was jailed for 30 months at Bournemouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to 28 offences of sending an indecent communication and one of unauthorised access to computer data. While the couple are pleased he is behind bars, the guilty plea means he never had to explain why he targeted Mr Saunders. 'I struggle to explain how angry I feel towards him,' says Mrs Saunders. 'We have no idea why he chose Steele but the stress and upset he has caused has been horrible.' The court heard that after taking Mr Saunders's Facebook identity, Brandon got the numbers of women by searching items they were selling on Gumtree. He then sent obscene photographs. 'I trusted Steele, but I hated the fact people were doubting our marriage,' says Mrs Saunders. 'I felt they were talking behind our backs, saying, ''He's been caught out and he's made up this story.'' It was horrible and stressful for us but it's brought us closer together.' Mr Saunders said: 'It destroyed everything our home, where we live, my job. Him going to prison is OK but I don't have closure and until I find out why, I won't get that.' A British grandmother sentenced to death for smuggling drugs into Bali has said she just wants to die after six years on death row, according to her killer friend. Drug mule Lindsay Sandiford, 62, who was caught flying into Bali from Bangkok with 10.16 lb of cocaine in 2012, has now spent six years on Death Row while three Britons believed to be higher up the smuggling syndicate received sentences of one to six years and have all left prison. Locked up in Bali's grim Kerobokan prison - known as Hotel K - Sandiford had been spending her days knitting clothes and toys for her grandchildren, charities, and church groups. Scroll for video Brit grandmother Lindsay Sandiford (pictured), was sentenced to death for smuggling drugs into Bali in 2012. She abandoned her legal battle to escape execution and now says she is reconciled with the prospect of facing the firing squad Sandiford, 62, from Yorkshire, a grandmother-of-two young girls, has been held on Death Row for six years at Bali's grim Kerobokan prison known as Hotel K (pictured) Sandiford, originally from Redcar, near Middlesbrough, attempted to smuggle over ten pounds of cocaine into Bali (pictured) She had been spending her days knitting clothes and toys for her grandchildren, charities, and church groups But in recent weeks she has reportedly isolated herself and told her murderous fellow inmate Heather Mack that she is ready to die by firing squad. 'Body In A Suitcase' murderer Mack said she had become close to Sandiford and the Yorkshire-born grandmother had 'maternal feelings' towards her and her child Stella, who had been living in the cell. The American 23-year-old told the Sunday Mirror: 'She spends all day pretty much alone in her cell and doesn't mix so much with the other prisoners. 'Body In A Suitcase' murderer Heather Mack has given up her claim on her mother's estate but has formed an unlikely friendship with Sandiford. She says the Brit has given up and wants to die 'She snaps at me for no reason but I still make an effort with her. She has said she wants to die.' Mack said Sandiford's mental health spiralled after two other inmates - who were in for drug-related offences - were executed. 'When Lindsay saw that even they could be taken away and killed, she knew it would be happening to her. That's when it really, really hit home for her,' Mack said. Sandiford, who has no previous convictions, was sentenced to death in 2013 after claiming in court she was forced by a UK-based drugs syndicate to smuggle cocaine from Thailand to Bali by threats to the life of one of her two sons in Britain. Despite the prospect of being shot, Sandiford has said she feels blessed to have lived long enough to have seen her sons grow into 'fine young men' and met her granddaughters (one pictured) Now grey-haired and suffering arthritis, Sandiford has been spending her days knitting in a cramped five metres-by-five-metres cell in Kerobokan prison (pictured). She shares a room with four other women prisoners, most of them poorly-educated local women convicted of drug offences She received a death sentence despite co-operating with police in a sting to arrest people higher up in the syndicate, sparking an outcry from human rights lawyers and former UK Director of Public Prosecutions Ken Macdonald who said she had been treated with 'quite extraordinary severity'. The British government has repeatedly refused to fund Sandiford's appeal, despite a ruling from Supreme Court judges in London who said 'substantial mitigating factors' had been overlooked in her original trial. The syndicate's alleged ringleader Julian Ponder, 50, from Brighton, was freed from Kerobokan prison in late 2017 following rumours more than 1million in bribes were paid to drop trafficking charges against Ponder, his former partner Rachel Dougall, and fellow Brit Paul Beales. Julian Ponder, 50, from Brighton (pictured) was the alleged ringleader of the drug smuggling syndicate that Sandiford was involved in but he was freed from Kerobokan prison in late 2017 Ponder (pictured in jail) was freed from Kerobokan prison in Bali two years ago following rumours more than 1million in bribes were paid to drop trafficking charges against him Ponder (left), who served just six years after being convicted of a reduced charge of cocaine possession, now flits between luxury hotels in Malaysia and Thailand with a 23-year-old Indonesian bride called Nadya (right), a convicted fraudster he met while in Kerobokan Asked how she felt towards Ponder, known as the King of Bali for his lavish lifestyle, Sandiford (pictured in jail) said: 'He very seldom crosses my mind. 'If I dwelt on it I could quite easily send myself insane with the unfairness of it all' Dougall served one year and Beales four years for involvement in the conspiracy. Drugs were found in a secret part of Sandiford's suitcase when she flew from from Bangkok to Bali, Indonesia, and she was locked up in Kerobokan. She formed an unusual friendship with Chicago-born killer Mack, who was serving a ten-year sentence for murdering her mother Sheila von Wiese-Mack with her boyfriend Tommy Schaefer in 2014 in a plot to take her inheritance. Mack was due to receive a regular income from her mother's estate until she turned 30 when she was to inherit $1.6 million, according to Sheila's will which named her as the sole heir. Mack and Schaefer stuffed her mother Sheila von Wiese's body in a suitcase after killing her in Nusa Dua in 2014 (pictured) The couple dumped Sheila's destroyed body in a suitcase, hailed a taxi and fled. Schaefer was sentenced to 18 years and Mack ten despite claiming they were acting in self defence after Sheila lost her temper when she found out Mack was pregnant. Mack said her and Sandiford became friends because they both spoke English. But Mack said Sandiford 'couldn't believe it' when Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran - who were part of the Bali Nine drug runners - were killed at the notorious Nusa Kambangan priosn, known as Execute Island. Sandiford (pictured left with her eldest son and right in her younger days) will be transferred to Nusa Kambangan known as Execution Island and shot by firing squad at midnight with up to a dozen other condemned prisoners when and if her death penalty is carried out She said: 'They were the nicest guys. They would do anything for anyone.' Sandiford continued her knitting and used it to raise 7,000 against her death sentence. But after this an 30,000 from benefactors dried up, she has become 'resigned to her fate'. In a shocking interview with MailOnline in February, Sandiford said: 'My attitude is 'If you want to shoot me, shoot me. Get on with it. 'I've done a terrible thing, I know, but the worst thing is the ritual public humiliation they seem to enjoy. 'It won't be a hard thing for me to face any more. It's not a death I would choose but then again I wouldn't choose dying in agony from cancer.' An investigation by the Care Quality Commission discovered that a man with autism or learning disabilities has been locked up in solitary confinement for almost a decade after being sent to secure hospital units. The watchdog's inquiry, ordered by Health Secretary Matt Hancock after The Mail on Sunday exposed shocking treatment in secretive units, also found a child incarcerated alone for almost two and a half years. The devastating report, due to be released on Tuesday, concludes 'the system is not fit for purpose' because people with autism and learning disabilities many still children or teenagers are being sent to unsuitable units often filled with untrained staff, where their conditions can worsen. The CQC accepts that this is a major human rights issue. The watchdog's inquiry, ordered by Health Secretary Matt Hancock after The Mail on Sunday exposed shocking treatment in secretive units, also found a child incarcerated alone for almost two and a half years Its report admits the organisation was so disturbed by the evidence it saw that it plans to overhaul its own monitoring of units that use segregation. The Health Secretary has agreed to two key recommendations: to order urgent reviews of the worst 120 cases of seclusion and segregation reporting by the end of the year and the establishment of an independent body to speed up discharges and improve the care system. The new expert body, made up of doctors, patients, families and carers under a high-profile chair, will report directly to the Health Secretary and Simon Stevens, chief executive of National Health Service England. Another report tomorrow by the Children's Commissioner will highlight the increase in children with autism or learning disabilities held in mental health hospitals, despite repeated government pledges to slash their numbers. Mr Hancock said he had been 'deeply moved' by the plight of those locked in care and was determined to act on the CQC's report, which calls for stronger safeguards against 'punitive cultures of care'. 'As a society, we've got a duty to get this right,' he said. 'Each of these cases is complex and hugely challenging. We've got to get the right care to each and every one of these vulnerable young people. And what of the person in the CQC report who has been stuck in segregation for almost a decade? Though he is not identified, it may be Tony Hickmott, a 42-year-old autistic man being held in a three-room living space at Cedar House, a 40-bed unit near Canterbury run by Huntercombe. Pictured, with his mother Pam 'But I'm not going to over-promise. So we will look at each case, starting with the most challenging, and make sure they have a plan to be in the best care for them.' The Mail on Sunday's investigations have exposed how hundreds of people with autism and learning disabilities are being shut in inappropriate units where they are routinely abused, forcibly sedated and stuffed into small padded cells. The campaign found teenagers and young adults taken away against the wishes of their families when they seek support, then violently restrained by teams of up to six adults and even fed on the floor in seclusion through hatches like wild animals. The CQC report, an interim review of restraint and seclusion, investigated 62 cases of long-term segregation, and visited 35 wards. Many of these patients, it was found, had been admitted into mental health hospitals where families saw 'deterioration' in health due to lack of support in the local community. It also discovered some hospitals lacked staff with the right skills or training to care for autistic people, who comprise 'a high proportion' of those in segregation, while several cases it examined 'were not receiving high-quality care and treatment'. This included bare rooms used for segregation, patients forced to eat food on their laps from takeaway containers, and having access restricted to families. Funding disagreements were found to be thwarting discharges. Mr Hancock will demand that the final report, due in March 2020, is finished later this year. 'We need to rethink the whole system for care for those with the most complex needs and behaviour that challenges,' said Paul Lelliott, CQC's lead for mental health, who headed the inquiry, on a recent blog post. And what of the person in the CQC report who has been stuck in segregation for almost a decade? Though he is not identified, it may be Tony Hickmott, a 42-year-old autistic man being held in a three-room living space at Cedar House, a 40-bed unit near Canterbury run by Huntercombe. He has been incarcerated for almost 19 years, to the despair of his elderly parents. 'He has started talking to himself now,' said his mother Pam, 75, a retired hospital supervisor from Brighton. 'He's only got autism but he's been left so damaged.' Huntercombe says isolation is only used as a last resort. The second report published this week is by Children's Commissioner Anne Longfield, and called 'Far Less Than They Deserve'. It sharply criticises the system for failing children with autism and learning disabilities as rising numbers are locked up and then detained too long in hospitals. It says 250 children with learning disabilities or autism were identified in mental health hospitals in England in February, compared with 110 four years earlier. Many are aged under 14, with the youngest just ten. About one in seven had spent at least a year in their current hospital yet any could have returned home if community support was available. Restraint, meant to be used as a last resort, was 'almost a matter of routine'. Tony Hickmott has been incarcerated for almost 19 years, to the despair of his elderly parents. 'He has started talking to himself now,' said his mother Pam, 75, a retired hospital supervisor from Brighton. 'He's only got autism but he's been left so damaged' 'I have heard horrific stories from parents who feel absolutely powerless to do anything as their child is locked away for months or even years,' said Longfield. 'This is shocking and heartbreaking. I've spoken to children in mental health hospitals who are frightened and whose childhoods are being ruined. It is also clear some children are receiving very poor quality of care I heard of one boy who was not washed for six months. 'Very vulnerable children are being let down, and it is time for government to act to stop this happening.' The influential joint committee on human rights in Parliament is also preparing a highly critical report after members were moved to tears by evidence from families. It is likely to say the NHS is breaching three key rights: to family life, not to be wrongfully detained, and not to be subjected to inhuman or degrading treatment. 'These findings show what families have always said: people are being failed and unlawfully denied their most basic human rights,' said Mark Brown, of the Rightful Lives campaign group. 'But yet again, those in government who can make a real difference are just tinkering at the edges of barbarity.' Politicians pledged to empty assessment and treatment units (ATUs) of people with learning disabilities after a BBC Panorama documentary in 2011 exposed abuse at Winterbourne View care home in Gloucestershire, leading to six staff being jailed. Yet figures for March revealed at least 2,260 such people still in hospital units in England, more than half on secure wards. The target, whose timeframe was recently extended by Mr Hancock, had been to reduce numbers to as low as 1,300 by now. Panorama has a new expose called 'Undercover Hospital Abuse Scandal', due to be screened on Wednesday, which will reveal patients being 'mocked, taunted and intimidated by abusive staff' at another unit for people with learning disabilities. At least 40 people with autism or learning disabilities have died in ATUs since 2015 an issue that will be in the spotlight this week with the anticipated release of a review into the high rate of needless deaths of such patients across the NHS. 'This whole system is horrific,' said the father of a 17-year-old girl with autism, a high achiever at school who started self-harming inside three units over the past four years. 'You walk around and hear the screams of children as they are being held down and restrained by adults.' At one privately run secure unit, his daughter was supposed to have two carers, yet ended up in A&E eight times in five months. 'We live each day in fear of that call you never want to hear,' he said. 'I can't believe people get better in these places they are just used to hold people society can't deal with.' How we exposed the cruelty being inflicted on thousands By Ian Birrell It all began with Beth. When I spoke to her father last October, he described a teenage girl who loved animals, fresh air and music. Yet his daughter was locked up in horrific conditions: shut in solitary confinement, fed through a hatch like a wild creature and growing obese from drugs and inactivity. This tragic teenager, then 17 and incarcerated at that point for almost two years, had not committed any crime. Yet she was held with fewer human rights than a convicted killer simply because she has autism. And she is far from alone just one of thousands of victims of a callous state that treats such people and their families with astonishing cruelty when they seek help. As the father of a woman with learning disabilities and a journalist who campaigns on such issues, I knew of the hollow promises to empty secure units after a BBC Panorama exposed abuse at Winterbourne View care home in 2011. And I knew that more than 2,260 people were still trapped in supposedly short-stay assessment units, that the number of children held in them was rising fast, and that the costs were approaching half a billion pounds a year. Yet I had little idea of the full and distressing extent of the cruelty until that conversation with Beth's father. The more I wrote about such cases after this newspaper launched its campaign to force action, the more I was contacted by other families with similar desperate stories of lives torn apart. People such as Adele Green, whose words, spoken with such dignity, will forever haunt me as she told of seeing her 13-year-old son Eddie for the first time after an initial month in a hospital that was supposed to help him. This sports-loving boy, so fond of silly jokes, had been stuck in a small padded cell where he slept on a plastic mattress, was fed through a hatch, ate on the floor and had just a bowl for a toilet. Sometimes he was handcuffed, while his body was becoming bloated from inactivity and being pumped full of powerful drugs. 'My life has never been the same from that moment,' said Adele, a risk assessor and mother of four from Bristol. 'I felt I had failed my child. He had gone from the warmth and security of our home into this horrific environment.' Eddie who turns 20 in two weeks' time remains in captivity for displaying signs of autism and learning disabilities. Beth too is still imprisoned despite pledges made in Parliament after my article was published, her father forced to sue the NHS for action. And thousands more like them, sectioned when they seek support. This is an unusual issue since there is widespread agreement that the system is failing. Autism and learning disabilities are not conditions to be cured, yet these people are sent to unsuitable psychiatric institutions that often only intensify stresses. It is not even about cash. Secure units cost up to 730,000 a year per person, while community provision can be cheaper, as well as more effective and kinder. But this is provided by struggling councils, so many prefer to dump the problem on the NHS. We found one man held 18 years at an estimated cost exceeding 10 million. Others do not have families to fight for their freedom. There is no shortage of warm words. Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, said he was 'deeply shocked' by our revelations and ordered the Care Quality Commission to review the abusive restraint and prolonged seclusion exposed by our stories. Our reports also sparked two parliamentary probes investigations by the Children's Commissioner for England and a Scottish inquiry into why people with autism and learning disabilities were held alongside child killers in state psychiatric hospitals. This week there will be small steps forward as the CQC issues its initial report and Mr Hancock promises to review the worst cases highlighted by the watchdog. He will also set up an independent body to drive forward discharges. But it is hard to be hopeful when we have seen such things before. It is baffling why the Health Secretary does not simply force through change by insisting all cases are reviewed urgently with ring-fenced funds and discharge plans agreed within a year. Where is the leadership? This scandal has exposed other flaws in society's underbelly: the private firms profiteering from misery; the woeful child mental health services; the creaking social care system, the lack of joined-up services, the under-diagnosis of female autism. Yet ultimately this issue boils down to one question: why do we tolerate such cruelty towards one fragile slice of society, which would spark outrage if perpetrated against animals? A photographer has taken Snapchat's gender swap filter to new heights performing both the male and female parts in Evanescence's hit 'Bring Me to Life.' Scott Hubbard, from Tucson, Arizona, first appears in the video in female form, with black eyeliner, sporting shoulder length brown hair and sparkling white teeth. He launches into the nu metal classic released in 2003 taking on the singing part made famous by Amy Lee, miming, with lots of feeling and bags of expression. Scott Hubbard first appears in the video in female form, with black eyeliner, sporting shoulder length brown hair and sparkling white teeth Hubbard lip syncs the part of the song sung by Paul McCoy, switching to his true form as he turns to the side Hubbard as female finishes the word 'home' looking demurely into the camera before turning his head to the side and morphing unexpectedly into his true male form. He then lip syncs 'Wake me Up!' taking on the part of Paul McCoy. Hubbard seamlessly goes from singing the male part back to the female vocals throughout the performance. Hubbard, as seen with the Snapchat gender swap filter applied, looks straight into the camera Amy Lee of Evanescence (pictured above) who's vocals are on 'Bring Me to Life' released in 2003 Hubbard seamlessly goes from singing the male part back to the female vocals throughout 'Bring Me to Life' With a turn of his head Scott Hubbard sings the vocals blasted out on the 2003 track by Paul McCoy (pictured above) 'Wake me up inside,' he sings and then back to the side to belt out, 'Can't wake up.' Each time the transformation takes place from male to female he turns his head, to the side for McCoy's part, and to face front for Lee. The video is just over 17 seconds long. Away from Snapchat's filters: Hubbard is a photographer from Tucson, Arizona Hubbard, hails from Tucson, Arizona, and describes himself as a Lifestyle + Portrait +Travel Photographer, husband and father. 'Thank you everyone for almost 9 million views worldwide! You guys are awesome!' he posted on his Instagram page. She is the writer of Killing Eve who was recruited by James Bond producers to bring 007 out of his sexist ways. And now Phoebe Waller-Bridge has revealed that she was such a tomboy as a youngster that she would have jumped at the chance of becoming transgender. The actress, 33, who also starred in Fleabag, said that she shaved off her hair, began wearing boys clothing and demanded that her parents call her Alex when she was six. Phoebe Waller-Bridge has revealed that she was such a tomboy as a youngster that she would have jumped at the chance of becoming transgender Asked if that meant she would be considered trans today, she said: I mean theres the tomboy kind of thing I was fervent about it when I was younger. I just desperately wanted to be a boy more than anything else. If it had been taken seriously by my school or those options had been given to me, I probably wouldve jumped at it. Phoebe said she recalled being mistaken for a boy when she was aged about 11 and being delighted about it. However, she told Americas NPR radio that she began asking friends and family to call her Phoebe again when she went to boarding school at 11. She said she still has the same impulse to be a boy, adding: I feel more comfortable in a hoodie and jeans than in little kitten heels and a flowy skirt. Pictured, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Jodie Cromer at the BAFTA Television Awards I wasnt thinking about either being a boy or being a girl, she added. But then I discovered boys in a big way That was the kind of crossover point. She said she still has the same impulse to be a boy, adding: I feel more comfortable in a hoodie and jeans than in little kitten heels and a flowy skirt. Her comments will reignite the debate about whether tomboyish girls are being encouraged to see themselves as trans. Boeing acknowledged Saturday it had to correct flaws in its 737 MAX flight simulator software used to train pilots, after two deadly crashes involving the aircraft that killed 346 people. 'Boeing has made corrections to the 737 MAX simulator software and has provided additional information to device operators to ensure that the simulator experience is representative across different flight conditions,' it said in a statement. The company did not indicate when it first became aware of the problem, or whether it informed regulators. Its statement marked the first time Boeing acknowledged there was a design flaw in software linked to the 737 MAX, whose MCAS anti-stall software has been blamed in large part for the Ethiopian Airlines tragedy. Workers are seen tending to a Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane on the tarmac at the Boeing Renton Factory in Renton, Washington on March 12 According to Boeing, the flight simulator software was incapable of reproducing certain flight conditions similar to those at the time of the Ethiopian Airlines crash in March or the Lion Air crash in October. The company said the latest 'changes will improve the simulation of force loads on the manual trim wheel,' a rarely used manual wheel to control the plane's angle. 'Boeing is working closely with the device manufacturers and regulators on these changes and improvements, and to ensure that customer training is not disrupted,' it added. Southwest Airlines, a major 737 MAX customer with 34 of the aircraft in its fleet, told AFP it expected to receive the first simulator 'late this year.' The planes have been grounded around the world, awaiting approval from U.S. and international regulators before they can return to service. The airplane manufacturer said on Thursday that it would also be providing additional information on the software to address requests from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Such details are set to include more rigorous instructions for how pilots should interact with controls and displays in different flight scenarios. Once the requests are addressed, Boeing will then work with the FAA to schedule its certification test flight and submit final certification documentation, the company said. The FAA is planning a meeting on May 23 in Fort Worth, Texas, with air regulators from around the world to update them on reviews of Boeing's software fix and new pilot training. The aviation regulator said Boeing had not yet submitted its final software package to the agency for approval. On Wednesday, acting FAA Administrator Dan Elwell said he expected Boeing to make its formal submission for its software update in the next week or so. Boeing hopes the software upgrade and associated pilot training will add layers of protection to prevent erroneous data from triggering an anti-stalling system called MCAS, which was activated in both crashes. Indonesian investigators inspect the wreckage of an engine from Lion Air Flight JT 610 recovered from the sea at the Tanjung Priok port on November 4, 2018 in Jakarta Boeing said it has completed associated simulator testing and its engineering test flight and developed training and education materials that are now being reviewed by the FAA, global regulators and airline customers so that the jets can be returned to service. To date, Boeing has flown the 737 MAX with updated software for more than 360 hours on 207 flights, the company said. 'With safety as our clear priority, we have completed all of the engineering test flights for the software update and are preparing for the final certification flight,' said Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Muilenburg in a statement. 'Were committed to providing the FAA and global regulators all the information they need, and to getting it right. Were making clear and steady progress and are confident that the 737 MAX with updated MCAS software will be one of the safest airplanes ever to fly. 'The accidents have only intensified our commitment to our values, including safety, quality and integrity, because we know lives depend on what we do.' The announcement comes just two days after new audio footage revealed how members from the American Airlines pilots urged Boeing to address issues with MCAS system just weeks after the Lion Air crash. The call for action, which could have required the best-selling aircraft model to be temporarily grounded, was made during a November 27 meeting between the American Airlines pilots union and officials from the aircraft manufacturer. Pilots voiced a particular concern about the jets anti-stall system during the conference, but Boeing executives resisted, insisting they didnt want to rush out a fix and they believed pilots would be capable of handling any glitches in the system. A photo shows debris of the crashed airplane of Ethiopia Airlines, near Bishoftu, a town some 60 kilometres southeast of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on March 11, 2019 Boeings Vice President, Mike Sinnett, said the company was investigating potential design flaws with the aircraft including the anti-stall software but refused to take any further action saying the circumstances surrounding the Lion Air Crash that killed 198 people were still unclear. No one has yet to conclude that the sole cause of this was this function on the airplane, Sinnett can be heard saying in November, according to The New York Times. The worst thing that can ever happen is a tragedy like this, and the even worse thing would be another one. Less than four months after, another 737 MAX 8 crashed in Ethiopia. An investigation into each of the crashes has since suggested that the contentious anti-stall system played a part in each of the disasters. Labour's Brexit supremo was last night accused of driving voters into Nigel Farages arms by championing a second referendum. Sir Keir Starmer faced a bitter backlash from Northern Labour MPs fearful that their Brexit-backing voters are now deserting Labour because of his pro-EU stance. The Shadow Brexit Secretary was also accused of openly undermining Jeremy Corbyn as part of his own bid to replace his party leader. Labour's Brexit supremo was last night accused of driving voters into Nigel Farages arms by championing a second referendum. Sir Keir Starmer faced a bitter backlash from Northern Labour MPs fearful that their Brexit-backing voters are now deserting Labour because of his pro-EU stance The row broke out after Downing Street privately claimed Sir Keirs backing for a second referendum was a key factor in the collapse of Labours Brexit talks with the Government last week. Shadow Cabinet colleagues and Northern MPs are growing increasingly anxious that Brexit-backing Labour voters in the North and Midlands are being ignored by senior party figures from pro-Remain London. Greater Manchester MP Graham Stringer angrily accused Holborn MP Sir Keir of driving voters into Nigel Farages arms. He said: Every time he says there has to be a second referendum he is losing us votes in the North of England, the Midlands and Wales. Sir Keir could not be reached for comment last night. But speaking to the BBC earlier, he suggested that adding the option of a second referendum to the Withdrawal Agreement Bill would break the impasse. A grooming gang victim has revealed police knew she was being trafficked around the country to be raped by more than 100 men, but arrested her instead. Cassie Pike, now 23, was just 11 when the abuse began, lasting until she was 16, as officers ignored her desperate pleas. She claims police officers in Halifax, West Yorkshire, arrested her after she had been pumped full of drugs by her rapists. Ms Pike said they even arrested her on suspicion of facilitating a child sex offence when she got into an abuser's car with another underage girl. The woman, originally from Halifax, told the Sunday Mirror: 'I was arrested around five times in total, but nothing ever seemed to happen to the men who were abusing me.' Cassie Pike, 23, was only 11 when the abuse began and it lasted until she was 16 (Stock image) 'I was only 15 and they were in complete control of my life. How could they suggest it was me that was the criminal?' She first contacted the authorities in 2011 following the Rochdale sex abuse scandal. Ms Pike, who is now a mother of two, endured a prolonged investigation but managed to see 18 of her attackers imprisoned for a total of 168 years. A review found there had been recurring failings to save her from the grooming gang, resulting in her suing Calderdale Council. Cassie Pike's memoir 'Prey' is now out This month, Ms Pike released her memoir 'Prey', published by John Blake, hoping to push people to spot the signs of child sexual exploitation. Yet the families of the rapists still send her death threats and she has had to put herself under police protection in an undisclosed location. She said: 'I'm constantly looking over my shoulder, I worry over who knows where I live.' 'It's terrifying. I'm happy some of the men are now in jail, but they won't be there forever.' She was picked up by the Pakistani groomers when she was walking through Halifax, with her troubled home life - a drug addict dad and a dying mother - offering little support. After being abused by numerous men, the woman got pregnant and had an abortion. It was at this point she tried to kill herself by swallowing a mix of pills, but failed and fell back into the world of constant sexual abuse. The then teenager had been preparing for her GCSE science exam but was raped and battered with a hammer by an abuser in Manchester. She said: 'I turned up at school and told the teacher what happened and that I hadn't slept, but she told me to try the exam anyway.' Ms Pike said she still gets death threats from the families of the rapists (Stock image) Ms Pike was later taken into care, away from Halifax and learned about the Rochdale grooming gangs from a newspaper two years later. She said: 'I read the story of one girl involved in the Rochdale case and it was like reading about my own life. 'She'd been abused for years by loads of men and, in frustration, had smashed up the counter in one of their takeaways. She was arrested but nothing had happened to any of the men for ages.' 'It was the first time I realised none of this had been my fault.' Ms Pike, who has been diagnosed with PTSD following her experience, fears young girls being raped across the country is a systemic problem, especially in places such as Bradford and Rochdale. Nine abusers from a grooming gang based in Rochdale were imprisoned in 2012 at Liverpool Crown Court. In 2014 it was revealed by an independent inquiry that as many as 1,400 young girls had been affected by the Rotherham rape scandal. A wave of arrests followed the inquiry. The woman now wants to give her five-year-old daughter and two-year-old son the happy childhood she never had. The chancellor of New York City's public schools has been accused of promoting the concept of 'toxic whiteness' by white administrators who are preparing to sue the city. At least four top Department of Education executives, all white women who are veterans of the department, have signed on to file suit against the city in the coming weeks, a source told the New York Post. 'There's a toxic whiteness concept going on,' the source said, adding that the women believe they have been pushed out of roles of responsibility in favor of less qualified people of color. Department insiders say that under Chancellor Richard Carranza, who was appointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio, administrators are subjected to endless lectures and workshops critiquing 'whiteness' and attempting to root out 'white supremacy' in the workplace. NYC schools Chancellor Richard Carranza (left with Bill de Blasio) is under fire for allegedly promoting the concept of 'toxic whiteness' and targeting white employees The DOE has contracted Pacific Educational Group Inc for $775,000 to run workshops about racism in the workplace, paying out $582,603 so far. The company defines 'whiteness' as: 'The component of each and every one of ourselves that expects assimilation to the dominant culture.' 'There's been a lot of discussion of white supremacy and how it manifests in the workplace, conversations about race, and looking at how the white culture behaves,' one white executive who received the training told the Post. 'White supremacy is characterized by perfectionism, a belief in meritocracy, and the Protestant work ethic,' the exec said. White employees who object when accused of deep-rooted bias are called 'fragile' and 'defensive,' according to the exec. 'Can you imagine if we scrutinized blackness or brownness? We're being trained in anti-bias not to stereotype blacks, but they're fostering a stereotyping of whites.' Under Carranza's leadership, sources said, whites, in some cases, are being told they must give up power or lose responsibilities no matter how well they have performed. Carranza became chancellor in March of 2018. He and de Blasio have pushed a plan to eliminate testing requirements for elite specialized schools to 'diversify' them A DOE spokesman denied the allegations in a statement to the Post. 'We hire the right people to get the job done for kids and families, and any claim of 'reverse racism' has no basis in fact,' said spokesman Will Mantell. 'We'll continue to foster a supportive environment for all our employees.' Carranza became chancellor in March of 2018, less than one week after Miami schools superintendent Alberto Calvalho, backed out of the position while on camera, on the same day his hiring was announced. Within a month, Carranza ignited a racial firestorm with a tweet attacking 'Wealthy white Manhattan parents.' The tweet linked to a story from the rawstory.com website, and included the following auto-generated text: 'WATCH: Wealthy white Manhattan parents angrily rant against plan to bring more black kids to their schools.' The linked article included a video originally shot for NY1 News, showing parents at PS 199 reacting to a proposed plan for the Upper West Side's 17 middle schools to be required to reserve 25 percent of their seats for children scoring below grade level in statewide English and Math tests. Carranza has also come under fire for plans to 'diversify' the city's elite specialized schools, which currently admit students based solely on their performance on the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test. De Blasio, who this week announced plans to seek the Democrat nomination for president, has championed a plan to toss out the test requirement for entry to the schools, saying: 'It's not fair. It's not inclusive. It's not open to all.' Currently, the student bodies at the eight elite specialized schools is 62 per cent Asian, many of them from low-income and immigrant families. The plan to eliminate testing in order to increase the schools' black and Hispanic share of the student bodies has angered some in the Asian community. 'This policy causes chaos in the Asian-American community and we're here to reject this policy,' John Chan, head of the Coalition of Asian-Americans for Civil Rights, said last year. A young girl's search to find her biological father turned into a nightmare after he continuously raped her for years and forced her to have an abortion after she fell pregnant. Details of the harrowing case can only be published because the man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, lost his appeal over his 18-year- sentence on May 10, The Daily Telegraph reported. Newcastle District Court heard how the girl, who was seven at the time, attempted to find her father with her aunt and manged to track him down to an apartment in Sydney's CBD. Soon after meeting, the girl's mother moved overseas and the man became the young girl's sole carer. When girl's mother returned to Australia she also moved in with the man, who began showing her daughter pornography on his computer. Soon after the girl turned eight, her mother left the country once again and the father and daughter shared the only bed at their home. A young girl's search to find her biological father turned into a nightmare after he continuously raped her for years and forced her to abort their baby The father began to act on his sexual interest while the pair shared a bed. When his daughter turned 11, the man began to pay her $50 to have sex with him on regular occasions. This occurred over the following four years, but the abuse only stopped when the girl turned 15 because she fell pregnant with his child. They tried finding ways to naturally induce a miscarriage but eventually the man forced the girl to abort the baby in Mount Druitt. She continued to keep the horrific abuse to herself at the man threatened her and ordered her not to tell anyone. The man lost his case of appeal against his 18-year jail term on May 10 at Newcastle District Court (pictured) However, in 2016 the girl confided in a friend about what was happening to her and continued to tell more friends before confessing to a psychologist and then the police. Her father was arrested on October 20 in 2016 and has remained in jail after pleading guilty to five charges. The charges include three counts of aggravated sexual intercourse with a person aged between 10 and 14. He was sentenced to 18 years behind bars on October 27, 2017, by District court Judge Peter Berman. 'The case before me today is in my view one of the worst cases of sexual exploitation that has come before the courts of recent times,' Judge Berman said during sentencing. The man appealed the sentence, claiming it was too long, but it was rejected. Two men died after a BMW rammed into a moped and then veered across lanes hitting several vehicles on a busy road late Saturday. Police are searching for the driver and passenger of the black BMW X3 hatchback, which caused a multi-vehicle collision on Lutwyche Road in Windsor, about 3.5km from the Brisbane central business district. The driver of the hatchback allegedly lost control and hit a moped travelling in the same direction shortly before midnight. Two men died after a BMW rammed into a moped and then veered across lanes hitting several vehicles on a busy road late Saturday The mopped was being ridden by a 32-year-old man from East Brisbane. Police said the BMW then veered into southbound lanes and collided with a Subaru sedan driven by a 23-year-old Acacia Ridge resident. The man on the moped and the Subaru driver died at the crash site. Officers said the BMW hit a jeep before flipping and coming to rest on its roof. 'A third person inside the BMW, a 24-year-old Aspley woman, was injured and transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries,' police said. 'Two other people were injured and transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.' Three other vehicles travelling on Lutwyche Road sustained minor damages. Officers from the Forensic Crash Unit are appealing for witnesses and dashcam vision in relation to the movements of the BMW and its occupants. Police are searching for the driver and passenger of the black BMW X3 hatchback, which caused a multi-vehicle collision on Lutwyche Road at Windsor, about 3.5km from the Brisbane central business district Media personality Lisa Wilkinson has penned an open letter to re-elected Prime Minister Scott Morrison following his shock victory, congratulating him while also begging him to 'start the healing'. Mr Morrison's surprise election victory has been deemed a miracle, with the prime minister himself calling Australia the greatest country in the world. However, Ms Wilkinson - a TV host and journalist - took to Ten Daily to slam the toxic culture of Australian politics and urged the re-elected prime minister to provide 'real leadership' with a 'genuinely clear direction'. In her letter, she writes that Australia is currently a broken-hearted nation due to the toxicity of the country's politics. Media personality Lisa Wilkinson (pictured) has penned an open letter to re-elected Prime Minister Scott Morrison following his shock victory Scott Morrison's (pictured with his family) surprise election victory has been deemed a miracle, with the prime minister himself calling Australia the greatest country in the world. 'We are sick and tired of the energy spent on infighting, political pointscoring and the tribal, factional warfare of recent years. We are aching for inspiring solutions put together by serious people, at a time when we are facing serious problems,' Ms Wilkinson said. She details the horrors of climate change and mental issues plaguing people across the country, homelessness, gender inequality and domestic violence. 'Most of us now fear the kind of planet we are leaving behind for our kids and grandkids,' she wrote. The TV host begs Mr Morrison to look past economic politics and see what 'true leadership with a united party' can do in building a socially strong Australia. Ms Wilkinson wished the prime minister luck with the next three years, finishing the letter with a nod to New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern, who was widely praised for her reaction to the Christchurch mosque attack. 'If you're ever in doubt when those big decision-making moments arise, when all the nation turns its lonely eyes to you, if despite all your best efforts you find that wisdom is failing you, can you do us a favour? Just call Jacinda,' she said. Ms Wilkinson wished the prime minister luck with the next three years, finishing the letter with a nod to New Zealand's Jacinda Ardern (pictured) Ms Wilkinson's reaction to the shock victory came as other sad and angry celebrities shared their rage towards the result. Television personality Meshel Laurie let off a barrage of tweets, airing her disappointment over the Coalition's return to power. 'Australians are dumb, mean-spirited and greedy. Accept it,' she posted on Saturday night, as the Liberal Party clinched a surprise victory. Shortly afterwards, the comedian followed up by saying 'the only thing left to look forward to in a AUSTRALIA is Schadenfreude,' a German word for getting pleasure from other people's misfortunes. Television personality Meshel let out a barrage of Tweets, airing her disappointment over the Liberal Party's return to power The Project panelist Meshel Laurie replied to a Twitter user who branded the Opposition's tax policies as 'greedy' But she didn't stop there - a Twitter user replied to her saying 'Labor got greedy with too much tax - be honest with yourself...no one likes Shorten' The Project panelist hit back, saying 'tax pays for everything outside your house genius. It pays for the hospital you'll die in one day.' Writer and broadcaster Yassmin Abdel-Magied declared that 'it's going to be a long three years in Australia' if Scott Morrison is re-elected. 'Also - a warning to the progressive US counterparts, that even if things look good, ppl may surprise you (again),' Abdel-Magied Tweeted on Saturday night. Just hours earlier she weighed in on Tony Abbott's loss of his seat of Waringah, which he held for 25 years. 'Even listening to this tony speech makes me shudder... at least he's not PM any more. Oh but wait, when he gets his talk show we won't be able to stop him from speaking,' she wrote. Famously left-wing writer and broadcaster Yassmin Abdel-Magied declared that 'it's going to be a long three years in Australia' if Scott Morrison is re-elected The outspoken engineer-turned-writer also took the opportunity to call out 'progressive US counterparts' Social commentator and Sunrise regular Jane Caro also shared her dismay at the prospect of a Coalition government. 'Australia. If the LNP wins we have decided to be a backward looking country in a backwater. I wish I was a New Zealander,' the novelist Tweeted in the midst of election results being counted. Outspoken author Clementine Ford didn't hold back with her Tweets either. 'Thinking of my son and his little friends and crying over the climate destroyed, bulls**t world Australian voters are determined to leave him,' the feminist writer wrote. Former prominent radio host Mike Carlton even declared 'we may have to declare war on Queensland,' after dramatic swings in the sunshine state all but secured the election win for the Coalition. Social commentator and Sunrise regular Jane Caro also shared her dismay at the prospect of a Coalition government, declaring 'if the LNP wins we have decided to be a backward looking country in a backwater. I wish I was a New Zealander' 'F***. Fifty years ago, Labor lost the 1969 Don's Party election. History repeats itself: first as tragedy, then as farce.' He then said 'WA has gone to s**t too,' after early results suggested WA was following suit with the rest of the country's votes. Liberal voters have been celebrating after the election was called for Scott Morrison. The result was called shortly after 9.30pm AEST - as results began to be called in Western Australia. Labor struggled to pick up enough seats even in Melbourne, in its strongest state Victoria, and has lost electorates in Brisbane, north Queensland, western Sydney and Tasmania. Michigan GOP member Justin Amash has become the first Republican to publicly call for President Trump's impeachment. The congressman accused Trump of engaging in 'impeachable conduct' stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Mueller found no criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia, but left open the question of whether Trump acted in ways that were meant to obstruct the investigation. The congressman accused Trump of engaging in 'impeachable conduct' stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election Republican lawmaker Justin Amash's comments about President Donald Trump's alleged 'impeachable conduct' went even further than those by most Democrats Amash said he reached four conclusions after carefully reading the redacted version of Mueller's report, including that 'President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct.' 'Contrary to Barr's portrayal, Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment,' the congressman tweeted. Robert Mueller (pictured) found no criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia He said the report 'identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence.' The Justice Department, which Barr leads, operates under guidelines that discourage the indictment of a sitting president. Trump and Republican lawmakers generally view the matter as 'case closed,' as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recently declared on the floor of the Senate. On the other hand, Democrats who control the House are locked in a bitter standoff with the White House as it ignores lawmakers' requests for the more complete version of Mueller's report, the underlying evidence and witness testimony. Some Democrats wants the House to open impeachment hearings, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi resisted, saying impeachment must be bipartisan. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., a freshman who opened her term by profanely calling for Trump to be impeached, applauded Amash. 'You are putting country first, and that is to be commended,' Tlaib tweeted. Tlaib is seeking support for a resolution she's circulating calling on the House to start impeachment proceedings. The Coalition is on track to form government in its own right as it leads in four of the remaining six undecided seats. To form majority government, the Coalition needs 76 seats. It is currently has 74 and, according to the ABC, the Coalition is currently ahead in Chisholm, Wentworth, Macquarie and Boothby. Labor remains ahead in Lilley and Cowan. With only six seats left to call in the federal election, the Coalition's hopes of forming a majority government get a boost as they are leading in four of the remaining undecided districts With a target of 76 seats and currently sitting on 74, Scott Morrison's Liberal National coalition needs just two more victories to form government Opinion polls, critics and bookmakers all pointed towards a sweeping win for the Labor Party, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison defied the odds and has been handed another three years in power. The Coalition won despite 55 Newspolls in a row predicting they would lose - echoing how the US president rose to power against pollsters' predictions in 2016. The Liberal campaign had emphasised the cost of Labor's climate change policies, which included reducing carbon emissions by 45 per cent by 2030. And while Labor campaigned against the controversial Adani mine, the Coalition focused on the jobs boost of the new development. On Saturday night, former Australian Prime Minister John Howard said Labor's stance on climate had cost them the election. After Bill Shorten failed to secure votes in Queensland the Liberal Party elder said Labor did not reassure voters about job security. 'When they saw a Labor Party prepared to destroy jobs in the name of climate ideology in relation to the Adani mine, they said "That's not for Queensland"', he said. The Liberal and the National parties recorded strong swings to them - particularly in Queensland - granting them a possible slim majority or a minority government. After Bill Shorten failed to secure votes in Queensland the Liberal Party elder said Labor did not reassure voters about job security Bill Shorten conceded defeat shortly after 11.30pm and declared he would step down as party leader, after almost six years in the role. Mr Morrison started his victory speech by saying Mr Shorten had been in contact. 'I thank him very much in the spirit in which he made that call and I thank him very much for his kind remarks to me, and to Jenny, and to our family,' he said. 'And I would like to wish him and Chloe, and his family all the best, and God's blessing. 'I have always believed in miracles! I'm standing with the three biggest miracles in my life here tonight! And tonight we've been delivered another one!' Mr Morrison started his victory speech by saying Mr Shorten had been in contact Mr Morrison thanked his 'miracle' daughters, Abbey, 11, and Lily, nine, at the Liberal Party Reception in Sydney on Saturday night. 'To the dearest of my family who are with me here tonight, to my beautiful miracle girls, Abbey and Lily, thank you,' he said. 'And to the woman I fell in love with in my teens, and it's never let up, and now Australia has fallen in love with her, Jenny Morrison.' Mr Morrison leaned over his two daughter's and perched kisses on the top of their heads. The delighted family-of-four waved to the cameras and the Liberal supporters who packed into the Sofitel Wentworth Hotel. Police are searching for an eight-year-old girl who was abducted in Fort Worth, Texas, while out walking with her mother. An Amber Alert has been issued for Salem Sabatka who was kidnapped by an 'unknown light skinned black male of skinny build' while on a walk with her mom in Fort Worth, in broad daylight on Saturday night, police say. Officers in Fort Worth said a man approached Salem, who's 4'5', and her mother at 6.38 p.m. in the 2900 block of 6th Avenue in Fort Worth's Ryan Place neighborhood, as reported by NBCDFW. Police have released a photo of Salem in the shirt she was wearing when abducted. Salem Sabatka, 8, (pictured above) in the teal shirt with 'centennial' printed on the front that she was wearing when she went missing, according to police The Amber Alert says Salem was taken by force by a 'unknown light skinned black male of skinny build, balding and no facial hair' An Amber Alert has been issued for Salem (pictured above) who was kidnapped while on a walk with her mother in Fort Worth Saturday night CCTV footage from the neighbor's house also shows the vehicle in question which is described as a gray, four-door sedan with alloy wheels Salem's mother is also seen on CCTV footage thrown out of the car and landing in the road Salem's frantic mother is seen to stand up and run calling for help The man grabbed Salem. Her mother jumped into the car in an attempt to rescue her daughter, but the man pushed her out and drove off, police said. Salem has brown hair, blue eyes, freckles, pierced ears and was wearing a teal shirt and green leggings when she was last seen. Police say they are looking for a gray, four-door sedan with alloy wheels. The vehicle had light or no tint to its windows. The Amber Alert says Salem was taken by force by a 'unknown light skinned black male of skinny build, balding and no facial hair.' Fort Worth police have issued a close up photo of the suspect's car Officers in Fort Worth said a man approached Salem and her mother at 6:38 p.m. in the 2900 block of 6th Avenue in Fort Worth's Ryan Place neighborhood (pictured above) Saudi Arabia said it does not want war but will not hesitate to defend itself against Iran if tensions boil over into conflict. The kingdom said it was ready to respond with 'all strength' following last week's attacks on Saudi oil assets, telling Iran that the ball was now in its court. A top Saudi diplomat made the comments amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf after attacks on the kingdom's energy sector. Iran also said it is not pursuing war with the US, the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards added on Sunday, according to the Fars news agency. Major General Hossein Salami said: 'The difference between us and them is that they are afraid of war and don't have the will for it.' Saudi Arabia earlier called for urgent meetings of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions in the region, the kingdom's official news agency said yesterday. Saudi King Salman, pictured, has invited Gulf leaders and Arab states to emergency summits in Mecca amid escalating tensions in the region King Salman has invited Gulf leaders and Arab states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent 'aggressions and their consequences' in the region, the Saudi Press Agency said. Tensions have soared in the Gulf region, with the United States deploying an aircraft carrier and bombers there over alleged threats from Iran. Saudi foreign affairs minister Adel al-Jubeir said his country does not want to go to war with Iran, but is ready to defend its interests. He said Riyadh, Saudi Arabia's capital, 'does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it'. Al-Jubeir spoke a week after four oil tankers- two of them Saudi- were targeted in an alleged act of sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and days after Iran-allied Yemeni rebels claimed a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. He told reporters: 'The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want war in the region and does not strive for that... but at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this with all force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens and its interests. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, pictured, said his country does not want to go to war with Iran, but is ready to defend its interests 'We want peace and stability in the region, but we won't stand with our hands bound as the Iranians continuously attack. Iran has to understand that. The ball is in Iran's court.' Fears of armed conflict were already running high after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region earlier this month to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. The US also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. But President Donald Trump appears to have softened his tone in recent days, saying he expects Iran to seek negotiations with his administration. Asked on Thursday if the U.S. might be on a path to war with Iran, the president answered, 'I hope not'. The United Arab Emirates 'welcomed' Saudi Arabia's invitation to talks. Last Sunday, four ships, including two Saudi oil tankers, were damaged in mysterious sabotage attacks off the UAE's Fujairah, located at the crucial entrance to the Gulf. The incident was followed by drone strikes by Yemen's Huthi rebels on a major Saudi oil pipeline, which provided an alternative export route if the Strait of Hormuz closed, on Tuesday. Iran has repeatedly threatened to prevent shipping in Hormuz in case of a military confrontation with the United States, which has imposed sanctions on Tehran in recent months. Jubeir said the UAE was leading the probe into the damaged oil tankers, but added: 'We have some indications and we will make the announcements once the investigations are completed'. Despite international scepticism, the US government has been pointing to increasing threats from Iran, a long-time enemy and also a rival of US allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. The Saudi crown prince spoke on the phone with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about efforts to enhance security in the region, the Saudi Press Agency reported. President Donald Trump has broken his silence about Alabama's controversial new law imposing a near-total ban on abortions, saying he is pro-life but believes there should be exceptions in cases of rape or incest. 'As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan,' Trump tweeted late on Saturday from the White House. He continued: 'We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new & positive attitude about the Right to Life.' The Mexico City policy, which critics call the 'global gag rule', blocks U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations that provide abortion counseling or referrals. President Donald Trump broke his silence about Alabama's controversial new law imposing a near-total ban on abortions in a series of tweets on Saturday 'The Radical Left, with late term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020,' Trump continued. 'If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear!' he wrote. It marks the first time that Trump has weighed in on Alabama's law, passed this week, which would ban abortion in all cases except with the mother's health is threatened. The law, set to take effect in six months, does not penalize women who receive abortions, but would threaten doctors who perform them with up to 99 years in prison. Lawmakers in Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana and Missouri have also advanced laws to severely restrict abortion. All are hoping that court challenges will make their way to the Supreme Court, and that the judiciary will overturn Roe v Wade, the 1973 high court ruling that declared abortion a Constitutional right as long as the fetus is not viable. Jim Snively, of Huntsville, waves to passing cars while holding an anti-abortion sign in front of the Alabama Women's Wellness Center on May 17 Trump is not the only prominent anti-abortion voice to speak out saying that Alabama lawmakers went too far. Christian televangelist Pat Robertson, a staunch abortion opponent, called the Alabama law 'extreme', saying he feared that it would not create a good test case to overturn Roe v Wade in the Supreme Court. During the 2016 campaign, Trump secured the evangelical vote that had been initially hesitant to cast ballots for the bombastic, twice-divorced billionaire by promising to appoint anti-abortion justices at the highest court in the land. His stated position on abortion two decades ago was that he was pro-choice. 'I'm very pro-choice,' Trump said in an interview with Tim Russert in 1999. 'I hate the concept of abortion. I hate it. I hate everything it stands for. I cringe when I listen to people debating the subject. But you still I just believe in choice.' By 2011, however, Trump said that he had changed his position and was opposed to abortion. During the 2016 campaign, he explained in an interview that his position had changed after he had a heartfelt conversation with a friend who had contemplated abortion. Bill Shorten has been seen for the first time since losing the 'unloseable election' overnight, putting on a brave face for the cameras as he spoke about looking forward to spending more time with his family. The former Labor Leader suffered a humiliating defeat against Prime Minister Scott Morrison, despite telling reporters on Saturday he would be 'hitting the ground running' on Sunday. Instead he was left talking to the media about what the Labor party could take from the election result. Bill Shorten (pictured) has been seen for the first time since losing the 'unloseable election' overnight putting on a brave face for the cameras as he spoke to the media After his shock defeat Shorten announced he would step down as leader of the ALP but would continue to work for his Maribyrnong electorate. 'Lots of lessons for Labor to learn from yesterday's result, I know that my party will,' Mr Shorten said. 'I am now looking forward to spending some overdue time with my amazing wife, after all I am Chloe Shorten's husband, and to see the kids. When asked what went wrong Mr Shorten was straight to the point: 'We didn't get enough votes'. The timing of Mr Shorten's appearance was not great, clashing with Anthony Albanese's announcement that he would contend for the ALP leadership. Opinion polls predicted the party would enjoy a comfortable win and be able to form majority government, but what should have been a night of triumph ended in one of defeat. The former Labor Leader suffered a humiliating defeat against Prime Minister Scott Morrison , despite telling reporters on Saturday he would be 'hitting the ground running' on Sunday In an emotional speech to supporters late on Saturday night, he said he was 'disappointed by the result' and that he wished he could have won 'for the true believers' and for the late Bob Hawke. 'Now that the contest is over, all of us have a responsibility to respect the result, respect the wishes of the Australian people and to bring our nation together,' he said. 'However that task will be one for the next leader of the Labor Party because while I intend to continue to serve as the member for Maribyrnong, I will not be a candidate in the next Labor leadership ballot.' Mr Shorten's speech was praised by voters as 'inspiring' and 'graceful'. As he spoke, his wife Chloe stood close by his side, gazing adoringly at her husband as he resigned from the leadership. A Labor win was expected to be a sure thing, with a Newspoll held on the eve of the election showing Labor leading the Coalition 51.5 per cent to 48.5 per cent on a two-party-preferred vote basis. But it was not meant to be. As votes flooded in, there was an early swing to the Coalition and Labor never recovered. While it will take days for the party to work out exactly what went wrong, political pundits are already speculating. The Labor leader of six years has outlasted two Liberal Prime Ministers before calling it quits on Saturday In an emotional speech, he told supporters he wished he could have won for the Party's true believers and Bob Hawke ABC's Andrew Probyn said Labor sources told him they believed their chances were 'killed' by the Coalition's preference deals with Clive Palmer's United Australia Party and Pauline Hanson's One Nation. Troy Bramston, a columnist for The Australian, said Labor sources had told him they were 'stunned and shocked, and it looks like a diabolical night for their party'. Mr Shorten has led the Labor Party since October 2013, when he took over from former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. In 2016, Shorten led Labor to gain 14 seats in an election where Malcolm Turnbull was only able to form a Coalition government by a single seat. He did not nominate a successor in his concession speech, but notably thanked Tanya Plibersek, Penny Wong and Chris Bowen - excluding Anthony Albanese. Anthony Albanese will reportedly put his hand up for the the top job, having only narrowly lost the leadership ballot to Mr Shorten six years ago. His decision to run was reported by Sky News' David Speers - while Mr Shorten was still on stage conceding the election. Anthony Albanese, who previously put his hand up for the top job in 2013, will be a contender for future leader of the party He comfortably won his seat in Sydney's inner-west against the Greens' Jim Casey on Saturday night, and addressed supporters with what appeared to be a bid for the leadership, noting he would work in 'whatever capacity' to return the party to power. 'The Labor Party doesn't seek to form government to change who sits in ministerial cars. We seek to form government to change the country,' he said to thunderous applause. 'Bill Shorten as the leader and our entire team have worked incredibly hard over recent times. I have been someone who has never put myself before the Labor Party as a whole. 'And as part of that team I must accept, as we must collectively, responsibility for the fact the many people who rely on us will be disappointed that the outcome tonight is uncertain. 'But what I am convinced about, and have been convinced about since I joined the Labor Party in school, is that this movement is bigger than any individual.' He went on to slam the Coalition for running a 'campaign of fear', and said he would work in 'whatever capacity' to bring Labor to power. 'This movement, which has been in existence since 1891, standing up for the interests of working class people and standing up to change the power balance in society, whether that be economic power, political power or social power, that is our task and it is one that I will continue to pursue whether in Government or, if we aren't fortunate to be in Government, in whatever capacity over the coming days, weeks, months and years.' Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek is another strong contender for the leadership, having taken a starring role in Mr Shorten's campaign. Tanya Plibersek is another favourite for the leadership, with the Deputy Leader expected to put her hand up now Mr Shorten has stood down Ms Plibersek was often seen by Mr Shorten's side, her smiling face often in stark contrast to Mr Shorten's wooden demeanor. She became Deputy Leader of the party in 2013, when Mr Shorten became leader, and previously served as a cabinet minister in the governments of former prime ministers Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. The Member for Sydney also comfortably held on to her seat, but declined to say if Mr Shorten would be ousted or if she would contend for the leadership. 'I think we might wait for the ballot papers to be done before we do that,' she said when asked by ABC's Leigh Sales if Bill Shorten was 'done'. 'We've got about 4.7million pre-poll votes to count, postal votes... it adds up to about six million votes. 'I think we can say we didn't do as well as we had hoped, especially in Queensland, you've gotta say the strong One Nation and Palmer United Party preference flows to the LNP in Qld have certainly helped them there, so you can imagine the chaotic dent that will happen there in the future. 'There's still a lot of votes to count, and I'm very proud of the campaign we've run. Bill ran a fantastic campaign and he had a great team behind him.' Penny Wong, who was sitting on the ABC panel, would not be drawn on her predictions, claiming the results were not fully in yet. Ivan Milat believes he will go to heaven despite being convicted of murdering seven backpackers, according to letters he wrote to a close friend from prison. Ivan Milat believes he will go to heaven despite being convicted of murdering seven backpackers, according to letters he wrote to a close friend from prison The anonymous pen pal said Milat often spoke to her about his Catholic belief and added he knew he was dying from cancer a week before being taken to hospital. The 74-year-old was taken to Randwick's Prince of Wales Hospital on Monday and his family were later told he was suffering from terminal cancer of the oesophagus and stomach. 'He believed he probably had cancer. He had lost a lot of weight ... he pretty much knew,' the source told The Sun-Herald about a letter she received from Milat two weeks ago. 'He's quite a religious person, a Catholic believer - he often speaks about religion in his letters. He's very confident of going to heaven one day.' Crime author Amanda Howard, who has been in written contact with Milat once a month since 1997, said she was certain he would not confess to his crimes. 'If he sends something out to the press, which if he is able to he probably will, it will be to protest his innocence to his dying breath,' she said. Ms Howard said while there were moments in their correspondence where Milat may have been referring to himself when talking about the third-person killer, he has never confessed. Crime author Amanda Howard, who has been in written contact (pictured letter from Milat to solicitor John Boersig) with the serial killer once a month since 1997, said she was certain he would not confess to his crimes The anonymous pen pal said Milat (pictured) often spoke to her about his Catholic belief and added he knew he was dying from cancer a week before being taken to hospital Milat was convicted of killing seven backpackers in the Belanglo State Forest, south of Sydney, between 1989 and 1992. The road worker stabbed or shot his victims - and their bodies were found in shallow graves, often near empty beer bottles. He was jailed for life in 1996 and was also questioned in 2004 about the disappearance of two nurses at Parramatta in 1980. Milat was taken to Prince of Wales Hospital, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, from Goulburn Correctional Centre, about 200 kilometres south-west of Sydney, on Monday Deborah Everist (left) and Anja Habschied (right) were among Ivan Milat's seven victims. Everist, 19, died after being stabbed multiple times. Habschied, 20, was decapitated Joanne Walters, 22, (left) was stabbed to death by Ivan Milat. Her friend Caroline Clarke, 21, (right) was shot 10 times as if she was target practice. The pair disappeared in April, 1992 In 2006 Milat was named by police at an inquest as the person most likely to have killed a schoolgirl and her boyfriend who disappeared from northern Sydney in 1978. On Monday, the convicted serial killer was taken from Goulburn Correctional Centre, about 200 kilometres south-west of Sydney, to the inner-city hospital. Alistair Shipsey, Milat's nephew, told The Daily Telegraph the serial killer had been showing signs of dementia for more than a year. The 'sugar daddy' whose NYPD cop girlfriend has been charged with seeking a hitman to kill her estranged husband has been identified. John DiRubba, 54, was identified on Saturday as the boyfriend who ratted out his much younger girlfriend Valerie Cincinelli, 34, for allegedly putting a contract out on her husband, Isaiah Carvalho Jr. DiRubba paid for Officer Cincinelli's apartment and car payments - and it was he who told the FBI of the murder plot and wore a wire for the feds to foil the scheme, multiple sources told the New York Post. Cincinelli was arrested on Friday and charged with use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, and is currently in federal detention at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. John DiRubba was a known associate of Vincent Pastore (left), who played Sal 'Big P***y' Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, as well as Tony Lip (right), who played Carmine Lupertazzi Though it's now closed, DiRubba opened an Italian bakery in this Montgomery Village storefront in 2007, where TV wiseguys congregated Though his last known address was in Howard Beach, Queens, DiRubba in 2007 opened an Italian bakery in upstate Montgomery Village, selling cannoli to TV wiseguys. Among the regulars were Tony Lip, who played Carmine Lupertazzi on The Sopranos, as well as Vincent Pastore, who played Sal 'Big P***y' Bonpensiero on the show, according to the Times Herald-Record. DiRubba himself looked the part of a mafioso, with his shaved head and Adidas track suit - though he insisted he was just a humble bakery owner, and not a made man. Though Cincinelli's father points the finger at DiRubba, accusing him of orchestrating the murder plot, he wore the wire that prosecutor say provided 'overwhelming' evidence against his now-suspended NYPD cop girlfriend. The twisted murder-for-hire saga dates back to February, when prosecutors say that mother-of-two Cincinelli approached her new boyfriend, urging him to find a hitman who could off Carvalho. But instead of going forward with the plot, the boyfriend rushed to the FBI with the information and became a secret informant, according to charging documents reported by the New York Post. Valerie Cincinelli (pictured left in 2017 with ex-husband Isiah Carvalho and her daughter), 34, is accused of asking her current boyfriend to hire an assassin to kill her ex-husband. She received a 'Cop of the month' award in July 2017 (shown above) Video courtesy PIX 11 On February 18, prosecutors say that Cincinelli moved forward with the plot by withdrawing $7,000 from a TD Bank branch, giving the money to the boyfriend to buy five ounces of gold coins to be used to pay the purported hitman. Cincinelli, who has her own children with Carvalho, also wanted the supposed hitman to kill her new boyfriend's own teen daughter because she was in the way of their relationship, the court documents say. The cop allegedly told her boyfriend tell the hitman to 'run her the f**k over' to make the girl's death appear to be a hit-and-run. The boyfriend strung Cincinelli along as the FBI gathered information, telling her that he was in contact with a hitman and the plot was moving forward. On Monday, the boyfriend told Cincinelli that the supposed hitman was stalking Carvalho at his workplace on Long Island, but the NYPD cop protested that the area was too upscale. Instead, Cincinelli said he should be killed in 'the hood' or 'the ghetto' so 'it would not look suspicious,' court papers say. Worried that two deaths close together would raise suspicion, Cincinelli advised her boyfriend 'to have the hitman kill [the teen] over the weekend and then wait a week or a month to kill' her husband, the documents said. Ex-husband Isiah Carvalho Jr (above) posed as dead in a photo that federal agents sent to Cincinelli's boyfriend, which he used to convince her the hit had been carried out The investigation came to a head on Friday morning, when a Suffolk County detective who was working with the feds came to Cincinelli's home and told her - falsely - that her husband had been found dead. Cincinelli sobbed during the notification - but hidden devices recorded her response after the detective left her home. She quickly began discussing her 'alibi' with the boyfriend, according to the court papers. The boyfriend also showed her text messages between himself and an undercover federal agent posing as the hitman, one of which included a staged photo of Carvalho appearing dead in his car, court papers say. Soon after, a task force of FBI agents and NYPD Internal Affairs officers swooped in and arrested Cincinelli. Records show Carvalho filed for divorce against Cincinelli last year and a court date had been set for June. Prosecutors did not offer a motive for Cincinelli wanted him dead. According to the NBC4, Cincinelli joined the police department in 2007 and worked out of the Queens 106th Precinct, in Ozone Park. However, she was stripped of her badge and gun and placed on modified assignment in 2017 following a number of domestic incidents, an official said. Cincinelli joined the New York police department in 2007 and worked out of the Queens 106th Precinct (above) in Ozone Park Cinicinelli's father, however, has jumped to his daughter's defense insisting the allegations against her are 'bulls***'. 'They were married, they have a kid together and then they got divorced. There is no way on the planet my daughter would have someone try to murder him. That's nonsense!' he told the Post on Friday. He also added that his daughter had been 'going out with some wacko who made an allegation against her before that she tried to kill him.' Refusing to identify the man, he said that he was 'sure' the unnamed partner was behind the allegation. Meanwhile, Carvalho Jr. is said to be left 'shaken-up' by the ordeal but doing well 'with all things considered'. The Bronx-based mechanic declined to speculate whether he believed the allegations against his ex-wife were true or not. Before her demotion, Cincinelli had been an award-winning officer and was even crowned 'Cop of the month' by the Jamaica Rotary in June 2017. The Oceanside, Long Island resident had recently been working at the Viper Unit, monitoring cameras in public housing prior to her arrest. A graduate of Longwood University, Cincinelli returned to the school in 2016 to be interviewed about her work in the NYPD's domestic violence unit. 'We want kids to like us. That's the next generation; they'll be adults in 10 years. I love kids; they're my soft spot. I feel like I'm making a difference by helping children and their families,' she told the school's alumni magazine. 'Unfortunately, when I say hello to kids out walking with their parents, the parent sometimes says, 'Don't talk to them.' Some parents teach their kids to hate the police.' Cincinelli is charged with use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire, which carries a maximum 10-year prison sentence. She will appear before a judge on Monday. She was immediately suspended without pay after her arrest. The Coalition's suggested public sex offender register that will name and shame paedophiles may soon be a reality after the party's shock federal election win. Names, aliases, photos of known paedophiles, as well as the nature of their crimes, will be added to a national child sex offender registry if the plans go ahead. The announcement was first made by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton in April and now the Coalition has been re-elected it could soon come into effect. Peter Dutton (pictured after re-claiming his seat of Dickson on Saturday) made the announcement in April of a public sex offender register that will name and same paedophiles There are more than 17,000 convicted paedophiles in Australia. Western Australia alone has more than 3,500 on its register for a population of less than 2.7 million Opinion polls, critics and bookmakers all pointed towards a sweeping win for the Labor Party, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison defied the odds and has been handed another three years in power The controversial register will be hosted by the secretive national crime fighting body, the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC). Police agencies in every state and territory will provide, vet and manage the information included on the $7.8 million register. 'Protection of our most vulnerable our children remains one of the highest priorities of the Morrison government,' Mr Dutton said in a statement in April. The Budget papers don't specify what the rules would be for perpetrators whose victims would be identified if they were named - such as mums and dads who abuse their children. The papers also do not elaborate on what crimes would land offenders on the register. Paedophiles' names, aliases, photos and the nature of their crimes will be made public with the Federal government announcing it will establish a national child sex offender registry Mr Dutton has previously floated the idea of a child sex offender registry but said the government would consult with the states. But the register was announced as a funding commitment in the second budget paper on April 2. At the time, a police source said he was 'very concerned' about the announcement, and wondered how the government will compel the states and territories to join the scheme. Child advocates Bravehearts opposed the proposal when Mr Dutton suggested the measure in January, branding it a political stunt. Founder Hetty Johnston said: 'The bottom line is that all dangerous and repeat sex offenders should not be on a register, they should be in jail. 'No offender should be released until the risk they pose is of a level that can be managed in the community. A register will not keep children safe.' But Mr Dutton said: 'It will send a clear message that Australia will not tolerate individuals preying on the most vulnerable members of the community - our children'. Fallen Labor leader Bill Shorten has appeared with his wife Chloe and put on a brave face as two hard-left frontbenchers declared their interest in taking over. Anthony Albanese and Tanya Plibersek, who represent neighbouring Sydney inner-city electorates, on Sunday made their pitches to replace him as Opposition Leader, following Labor's third consecutive election loss. Mr Shorten resigned as leader Saturday night as he became the first Labor leader since Kim Beazley to have lost two elections in a row, as voters in north Queensland, Tasmania, outer Brisbane and western Sydney turned on the Opposition. He has reportedly thrown his support behind his deputy, Ms Plibersek, with a Labor MP telling Daily Mail Australia the New South Wales Right faction would be backing Mr Albanese. Scroll down for video Fallen Labor leader Bill Shorten has appeared with his wife Chloe and put on a brave face as two hard-left frontbenchers declared their interest in taking over Anthony Albanese (right) and Tanya Plibersek (left with husband Michael Coutts-Trotter), who represent neighbouring Sydney inner-city electorates, on Sunday made their pitches to replace him as Opposition Leader, following Labor's third consecutive election loss Former Labor leader Mark Latham, who lost the 2004 election despite a series of positive opinion polls, said Mr Albanese and Ms Plibersek would be even worse than Mr Shorten, who hails from Labor's Right faction. 'If you think Shorten was bad, wait for one of the inner-city lefties to take over,' he tweeted on Sunday afternoon. Mr Latham, who is now a One Nation MP in the New South Wales upper house, said Mr Albanese and Ms Plibersek would be electoral poison in the outer suburbs and regional centres. 'Albo and Tanya believe in open borders, 100 per cent renewables, even higher taxes plus divisive identity politics,' he said. Former Labor leader Mark Latham, who lost the 2004 election despite a series of positive opinion polls, said Mr Albanese and Ms Plibersek would be even worse than Mr Shorten, who hails from Labor's Right faction Mr Latham, who is now a One Nation MP in the New South Wales upper house, said Mr Albanese and Ms Plibersek would be electoral poison in the outer suburbs and regional centres 'Labor took the wrong policy turn a decade ago and now this cr*p baked into the culture.' Mr Latham said both Mr Albanese and Ms Plibersek would pander to the politically-correct agenda of the Greens, who poll strongly in their inner-city electorates. LABOR LEADERSHIP RULES Labor leadership contenders need to have 20 per cent caucus support to nominate for the top job. Rank-and-file party members get a say in the leadership if there are more than two contenders. There is a 50 per cent weighting between the Labor caucus in federal Parliament and party members. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd introduced the rules in 2013, to avoid a repeat of a sitting PM being knifed for fellow Labor MPs. Advertisement 'Labor culturally believes in the wrong stuff,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday. 'The amount of resentment for working people who just hate the idea of these patronising, condescending, know-it-all elites and there's a whole batch of them in the Labor Party. 'They spend all day telling other people how to live their lives and I think that's a big part of the result yesterday and unfortunately for Labor it will get even worse with Plibersek in particular.' While Labor's frontbench supported the Opposition's boat turn backs policy, Mr Latham feared that under Mr Albanese and Ms Plibersek, the ALP would seek to abandon offshore processing again. 'Understand this, Albanese in particular, is fanatical about open borders,' he said. 'He thinks it's an article of faith that you can't be kind to people unless the boats sail and he's learnt nothing from the tragic drownings.' When Labor was last in power, 48 people, mainly asylum seekers from Iran and Iraq, died as their boat sunk and washed on to cliffs at Christmas Island in December 2010. Mr Shorten appeared with his wife Chloe on Sunday, at Moonee Ponds in Melbourne, after telling supporters on Saturday night he would not be a contender for the Labor leadership On election night, the Labor Party appeared to have lost at least five seats, causing its tally in the 151-member House of Representatives to fall to 66, compared with 74 so far for the Coalition Under Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard, the number of asylum seekers surged from 25 to 5,327, between 2007 and 2010. On election night, the Labor Party appeared to have lost at least five seats, causing its tally in the 151-member House of Representatives to fall to 66, compared with 74 so far for the Coalition. The Opposition had campaigned to scrap negative gearing tax breaks for existing properties, from January, and deprive some share-owning retirees of franking credits. It had also vowed to increase taxes and block tax breaks for higher-income earners, to the tune of $387 billion, in a bid to slash carbon emissions by 45 per cent within 11 years and boost spending on hospitals, dental care and universities. 'Labor's energy policies, they don't resonate in places like central Queensland, coal-rich Queensland,' Mr Latham said. Mr Albanese, a former deputy prime minister, has declared he will run to become Labor's next leader by visiting a pub 'They scared a lot of people with these radical economic policies. 'Labor's woes get worse with Albanese and Plibersek.' Labor was decimated in Queensland, losing the Townsville-based seat of Herbert and the northern Brisbane seat of Longman. The Opposition also suffered 11 per cent swings against it in the marginal National Party seats of Capricornia and Dawson, centred around Rockhampton and Mackay. It also lost Bass and Braddon in Tasmania and another in outer-western Sydney, Lindsay, as it failed to gain any new seats in Perth. Labor even failed in Victoria, its strongest state, only picking up seats which were already notionally Labor following redistributions. The 56-year-old member for Grayndler, in Sydney's gentrified inner-west, highlighted his childhood growing up in housing commission It struggled to win enough support to reclaim the seat of Chisholm in Melbourne's south-east, even though the previous member Julia Banks had quit the Liberal Party and accused it of bullying women. Mr Shorten appeared with his wife Chloe on Sunday, at Moonee Ponds in Melbourne, after telling supporters on Saturday night he would not be a contender for the Labor leadership. 'Lots of lessons for Labor to learn from yesterday's result, I know that my party will,' Mr Shorten said. 'I am now looking forward to spending some overdue time with my amazing wife, after all I am Chloe Shorten's husband, and to see the kids.' When asked what went wrong Mr Shorten was straight to the point: 'We didn't get enough votes'. Mr Albanese, a former deputy prime minister, has declared he will run to become Labor's next leader by visiting a pub. The 56-year-old member for Grayndler, in Sydney's gentrified inner-west, highlighted his childhood growing up in housing commission. 'I grew up in a house with a single mum on an invalid pension,' Mr Albanese told reporters at the Unity Hotel on Sunday in the wealthy suburb of Balmain. 'Public housing down here in Campberdown. I know what it's like to do it tough. 'What you see is what you get with me. I'm a bit rough at the edges, but I think that Australians don't want someone who just utters talking points.' Mr Albanese is declaring his hand, six years after he lost a Labor leadership ballot to Mr Shorten, despite having more support from rank-and-file party members in the postal vote. Ms Plibersek, who has been Mr Shorten's deputy since 2013, has signalled her intent for a run at the party's top job on Sunday morning during an interview on the ABC Insiders program Under the party rules, introduced in 2013, Mr Shorten prevailed because he had more support from federal Labor MPs. Making his leadership pitch in 2019, Mr Albanese held a media conference in Balmain, a birthplace of the Labor Party in 1891, and talked about his late mother Maryanne. He met his Italian biological father Carlo in 2009 shortly before he died. Ms Plibersek, who has been Mr Shorten's deputy since 2013, has signalled her intent for a run at the party's top job on Sunday morning during an interview on the ABC Insiders program. 'I'll talk to my colleagues today but of course I'm considering it,' she told the program's host Barrie Cassidy, a former Labor press secretary. 'My determination is to ensure we are in the best place to win in three years time and that we continue to offer Australians real options.' Two days before the election campaign, Ms Plibersek defended Labor's controversial negative gearing policy, even though she owns four properties, including two in Sydney and one in Canberra. When it came to the opinion polls getting it wrong, the former Labor leader said pollsters had failed to talk to those 'who don't like politics' and 'keep their views to themselves other than in private conversation'. Mr Latham said these people 'galvanised' around Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured with wife Jenny and daughters Abbey and Lily) The 49-year-old member for Sydney is married to senior NSW public servant Michael Coutts-Trotter and even has a rental investment property at Ljubljana, in Slovenia, where her parents hail from. Mr Latham said it was telling the NSW Right faction, which produced prime ministers Gough Whitlam and Paul Keating, didn't have a viable candidate to take on Mr Albanese and Ms Plibersek. Shadow treasurer Chris Bowen, who represents the seat of McMahon in Sydney's outer south-west, was the architect of Labor's unpopular negative gearing and franking credits policies. 'The Right faction has hollowed out and was the policy ballast of the Labor Party - it's got nothing now,' said Mr Latham, a former member of this faction. 'It's got nothing other than lazy tax-and-spend merchants like Chris Bowen.' When it came to the opinion polls getting it wrong, the former Labor leader said pollsters had failed to talk to those 'who don't like politics' and 'keep their views to themselves other than in private conversation'. Mr Latham said these people 'galvanised' around Prime Minister Scott Morrison. A One Nation candidate has gained a 20 per cent swing away from a long standing Labor member in what is being reported as a backlash over the party's caginess over the Adani mine controversy. The buff One Nation candidate for Hunter, Stuart Bonds, 33, has already accumulated 21.9 per cent of the electorate's votes as the ALP and the Nationals battle over the central NSW seat. And while Labor looks to have secured the seat with 54.58 per cent of the votes counted so far, there remains a chance that preferences could get the buffed coal miner across the line. One Nation candidate Stuart Bonds (pictured with wife Sini) has gained a 20 per cent swing away from a long standing Labor member in what is being reported as a backlash over the party's caginess over the Adani mine controversy Mr Bonds, a 'proud' Australian farmer and coal miner, ran on a platform to bring greater investment into rural areas, pushing for more infrastructure projects like dams, roads and bridges to 'link the city to the bush'. He told Daily Mail Australia there were likely a number of reasons that lead to a shift away from a once strongly held Labor seat. 'It wasn't just about coal and green government, people around here were being highly taxed,' Mr Bonds said. 'And it was looking like they were going to get taxed more under Shorten who didn't do a good job explaining it to them.' 'He wasn't clear and when he wouldn't answer the questions at first I think he lost more votes.' The buff One Nation candidate for Hunter, Stuart Bonds, has already accumulated 21.9 per cent of the electorate's votes as the ALP and the Nationals battle over the central NSW seat which has been held by Labor since 1910 Mr Bonds said the turnout for One Nation at the Hunter polls surprised even him but if left him' extremely happy' to see the voters having their voices heard. The Hunter electorate has been held by the ALP for every election since Matthew Charlton secured it for the party in the 1910 election. 'It is one of the most rusted on seats for the Labor party,' Mr Bonds said. Mr Bonds' campaign cost $10,000 and was run on a protest to big government mind-set which he hopes would encourage others to do the same at the next election. 'This isn't one and done for me or for the country,' he said. Labor candidate Joel Fitzgibbon (pictured left) looks to have secured the seat with 54.58 per cent of the votes counted so far while National candidate Josh Angus (pictured right) has 23.83 per cent of the vote 'Next time there might be 100 'Stuart Bonds' running.' Mr Bonds is only about 2000 votes behind the Nationals which means he could find himself challenging for the Hunter seat if preferences smaller parties get him ahead of Nationals candidate Josh Angus. So far, 76 per cent of all Hunter votes have been counted and confirmed as of publishing. 'It could take as long as another two weeks to finish the count in this seat,' Mr Bonds said. Mr Bonds made it clear he was a supporter of coal mining in the lead up to the election, having worked in the industry. However the ALP Hunter candidate Joel Fitzgibbon also made it clear he was also in support of the coal industry, The Australian reported. However some believe the anger from coal miners about the Adani fiasco resulted in a backlash against the ALP member in a seat with a strong coal mining voter contingent, despite his support of the industry. Swiss voters approved stricter gun laws to bring the country more into line with the EU, but angered many firearms owners. Despite the objections of local gun enthusiasts the measures to tighten the Alpine nation's gun laws were approved on Sunday, the Swiss media reported. More than 63 per cent of voters nationwide agreed to align with European Union firearms rules adopted two years ago after deadly attacks in France, Belgium, Germany and Britain, Switzerland's public broadcaster said. The vote on Sunday was part of Switzerland's regular referendums that give citizens a direct say in policy making. It had stoked passions in a country with long, proud traditions of gun ownership and sport and target shooting. Switzerland, unlike many other European nations, allows veterans of its obligatory military service for men to take home their service weapons after tours of duty. A visitor trying out a CO2 air pistol during the 45th edition of the Arms Trade Fair, in Lucerne, Switzerland in March Weapons not affected by the proposed new gun law are pictured at a media briefing at FedPol in Bern in January Werner Salzman (front left) Swiss parliamentarian of conservative party SVP and member of the committee against the EU gun laws and policies, speaking at the committee's meeting in Burgdorf The Swiss proposal, among other things, requires regular training on the use of firearms, special waivers to own some semi-automatic weapons and serial number tracking system for key parts of some guns. Gun owners would have to register any weapons not already registered within three years, and keep a registry of their gun collections. Supporters of the measure, who included the Swiss parliament and executive branch, said similar measures adopted by the EU after deadly extremist attacks are needed to ensure strong police cooperation and economic ties with Switzerland's partners in Europe's Schengen visa-free travel zone. They insisted it will not block law-abiding citizens from obtaining legal guns, but would simply do more to track them. Switzerland is not an EU member, but it is in the Schengen zone. Opponents insisted the proposal would violate Switzerland's constitution and do little to fight extremism or crime. They said the weapons used in recent attacks in Europe weren't obtained legally. Gun enthusiasts shooting during the historic 105th Morgartenschiessen 2018, at Morgarten Monument in Morgarten, Switzerland, last November Michel Baud, gunsmith at the Swiss Gun Center holds a Kalashnikov rifle next to a Musket 31 and an M-16 ahead of the referendum on proposals to tighten weapon ownership laws in line with EU steps, in Geneva, Switzerland Meeting rooms and a poster of the committee against the EU gun laws and policies, before the committee's meeting in Burgdorf, Switzerland today They argued the proposal cracks down mainly on lawful gun owners in Switzerland and rams through what they see as the latest diktat from Brussels. Jean-Luc Addor, a populist Swiss People's Party lawmaker from the southwestern Valais region, said adopting the EU directive would be 'unjust, freedom-killing, useless, dangerous, and above all, anti-Swiss.' 'With no effect on the fight against terrorism, it will only hit honest, law-abiding citizens who possess legal weapons,' he wrote on his website. 'It's the epitome of injustice.' Switzerland hasn't faced major extremist attacks like those that have hit France, Belgium, Britain and Germany in recent years, leaving scores dead. Ahead of the vote, most of Switzerland's major political parties - except for the populist Swiss People's Party - favoured the measure, with support strongest among Socialists and Greens. The rift on the issue has fallen along a rural-urban divide, with city dwellers more inclined to back the EU directive. Today's vote stoked passions in Switzerland, a country with long, proud traditions of gun ownership and sport and target shooting. Pictured are semi-automatic shotguns displayed on a wall during the 45th edition of the Arms Trade Fair, in Lucerne The newly re-elected Morrison government will seek parliament's support for income tax cuts before the end of the financial year. Treasure Josh Frydenberg said that the government would be quickly turning its attention to delivering tax cuts of up to $1,080 into the pockets of Australians who are earning up to $126,000. 'We want to bring parliament together. The Labor party have already said they will support that legislation, so it will have bipartisan support, so let's get this legislation passed so that the Australian people get their tax cuts,' he said. Mr Frydenberg spent his Sunday celebrating the Morrison government win by fufilling a promise to shout local voters a beer at a bowling club in his Melbourne electorate of Kooyong. Treasure Josh Frydenberg (pictured) said that the government would be quickly turning its attention to delivering tax cuts of up to $1,080 into the pockets of Australians who are earning up to $126,000 More than ten million people are expected to enjoy significant tax cuts under the Morrison government's proposed tax offsets. Under the plan, Australians earning less than $37,000 will get up to $255 with their tax return. Singles earning between $48,000 and $90,000 are expected to get $1,080, while double-income families will enjoy up to $2,160. As counting continued on Sunday, the Coalition appeared to be on 73 seats - three seats short of a majority in the lower house - with Labor on 65 seats and six crossbenchers. Of seven in-doubt seats, the Liberals were ahead in Bass, Boothby and Wentworth while Labor was ahead in Chisholm, Cowan, Lilley and Macquarie. While the seat count continues and the government gets back to business, Labor is set for a month of introspection with a leadership ballot. Tax cuts were part of the Coalition's signature policy and is expected to effect more than ten million people. Pictured: Scott Morrison and his family Frontbencher and former leadership challenger Anthony Albanese on Sunday became the first to formally announce a tilt at the top job, following what he described as a 'devastating result'. 'I particularly want to say my heart goes out to all those many tens of thousands of true believers who campaigned strongly over many months,' Mr Albanese said. 'I am sorry that we collectively did not get the job done.' Mr Shorten will be interim leader while a postal ballot process is conducted, involving Mr Albanese and potentially deputy leader Tanya Plibersek, shadow treasurer Chris Bowen and finance spokesman Jim Chalmers. 'I will start the ball rolling (on Monday) so that in a matter of weeks the members of the party and parliamentary party can pick a new leader to take this into the next exciting time in the parliament ahead,' Mr Shorten said in Melbourne. James Bond fans usually try to emulate their hero by wearing a suave dinner suit but now they can opt for the blue onesie look - worn by Sean Connery in Goldfinger - if they dare. The unusual (for Bond) choice of towelling wardrobe has gone on sale as part of a collection of recreated vintage clothing in homage to almost 60 years of 007 on the big screen. Although it costs a whopping 345, that hasn't stopped the onesies flying off the shelves. They sold out within hours of going on sale last week. Fans of Bond have been snapping up a recreation of the blue onesie worn by Sean Connery in 1964 classic Goldfinger (left). The '007 Riviera Towelling All-in-One' (right), which costs 345 from luxury menswear brand Orlebar Brown, sold out within hours of going on sale last week Among the other items on sale are the dress shirt worn by George Lazenby in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), which costs 245 Australian actor Lazenby (above, left) wears the shirt on a beach scene from the film A recreation of Roger Moore's safari jacket as seen in The Man With The Golden Gun (1974) is available for 395 Moore pictured in the safari suit during the film, in which he takes on villain Scaramanga The baby-blue playsuit recreation from the 1964 film is made by luxury menswear brand Orlebar Brown, in collaboration with the owners of the Bond films. Among the other items on sale are the dress shirt worn by George Lazenby on a beach in On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969), which costs 245; Roger Moore's safari jacket as seen in The Man With The Golden Gun (1974), for 395; and another towelling item - the robe worn by Connery in 1962's Dr No, for 295. There are also reinventions of Connery-wear from 1965's Thunderball - blue shorts from a diving scene in the Bahamas, for 195, and his Espadrilles, for 145. 'Most men want to look like Bond but not everyone has the physique. 'It will take a braver man than me to rock the onesie and pull it off. For starters you need to be super slim,' fashion writer Mark O'Connor told the Sunday Express. Orlebar Brown started working with the people behind Bond in 2012 when Daniel Craig wore its light blue swim shorts in Skyfall. A Dr No towelling robe (left) is also on sale, for 295; as well as a 295 Polo top (right) like the one seen in Thunderball A reinvention of the swim shorts which Connery wore in Thunderball are on sale for 195 If you want to recreate the secret agent's shoewear look from Connery's 1965 Thunderball, these Espadrilles come with a 145 price tag Former Labor senator Sam Dastyari has revealed the startling text he received from one of Bill Shorten's top lieutenants in the midst of the Labor party's shock election defeat. While Scott Morrison defied the odds and was handed another three years in power, Dastyari received a text from an unnamed senior Labor adviser that read: ''What the f**k just happened?' In the election aftermath, Dastyari revealed he had been inundated with people wanting to know how the Labor party had reacted to the result. 'I tell them the truth. No one in Labor expect this result - no one. I saw all the Labor party polling. I spoke to all of the senior shadow Ministers. None of them saw this coming,' he wrote on a 10 Daily column. 'The Labor party will now do what it does best: Blow itself up. It will be completely lost,' he declared. While Scott Morrison defied the odds and was handed another three years in power, Dastyari received a text from an unnamed senior Labor adviser that read: ''What the f**k just happened?' He went on to say that history had been rewritten following the poll's drastic inaccuracy. 'There will be endless columns, hand wringing, and - for Labor - questions over how it lost the un-loseable election,' Dastyari said. In a video posted to Twitter, Dastyari called the election results an 'unmitigated disaster' for progressives and the Labor party, but urged people not to point the finger at Bill Shorten. 'We obviously got it wrong, we lost the election because we got it wrong, and we have to ask some really serious questions about how we got it wrong,' he said to his 36,000 Twitter followers. In a video posted to Twitter, former Labor senator Sam Dastyari called the election results an 'unmitigated disaster' for progressives and the Labor party He predicts that in the coming weeks there will be some 'really easy targets' to shift the blame for losing the 'un-loseable' election. 'People are going to turn around and say it's all Bill Shorten's fault, and that's bulls**it.' 'Labor wouldn't have gotten where they got if it wasn't for the fact that they had chosen strategically to prioritise unity over disunity. And that was a collective decision, I think it's unfair to place everything on Bill,' he said. Sam Dastyari's rant comes after Labor was accused of alienating their core electorate with policies that were too progressive and divisive on climate change and negative gearing. Pictured: Bill Shorten after his concession speech following his election loss He went on to emphasize that the decision to make a bold, forward-thinking policy agenda was done collectively, and that Shorten shouldn't be made a scapegoat for what an entire party had decided on. 'I think it's really going to be dangerous if people if people try and make some kind of a cop-out explanation as to what happened.' He then called for a fundamental change for the way Labor goes about implementing their values and agenda. WHAT WENT WRONG FOR LABOR? The party crumbled under its out of touch policies, unlikeable leader and lack of appeal to farmers, the elderly and blue collar workers - alienating many of their key voters. Bill Shorten promised a great number of policies and reforms to the electorate. The party lost hope with people over 65 who were concerned about the franking credit plan. Homeowners were also concerned that abolishing negative gearing would result in a housing market collapse. After six years as the Opposition Leader, it seems that Mr Shorten just wasn't liked by the Australian public. Advertisement 'I think a lot of us believe we had our ideology right, but clearly, clearly a fundamental rejection like the rejection we've had means that as a party, as a campaign machine, as a parliamentary team (and) as a movement, there has to be a proper re-think' His rant comes after Labor was accused of alienating their core electorate with policies that were too progressive and divisive on climate change and negative gearing. Older Australians in particular appeared to turn on Labor over the controversial plan to scrap franking credits for self-funded retirees. The policy was so complex that many voters did not understand what it would mean and many feared they would be left out of pocket. He went on to give props to Scott Morrison for his win, admitting that he ran the 'perfect campaign'. In his opinion piece, Dastyari managed to find a silver lining for Labor in the chaos that has been the 2019 Federal Election. He referenced the Coalition losing the 'un-losable' election back in 1993, where they still went on to regain power by 1996. Dutch darts star Raymond van Barneveld has caused a stir after posting pictures of an Ibizan getaway with his new British girlfriend. The former world champion, who is currently in the process of divorcing his wife, posted two snaps alongside 34-year-old Julia Evans as the pair jetted off for a romantic getaway on the Mediterranean island. Van Barneveld, 51, shared the photos with his 100,000 followers showing him reclining on a sun lounger alongside a bikini-clad Julia. The 51-year-old Dutch darts legend was pictured alongside new British girlfriend Julia Evans, 34, in Ibiza The pair were pictured sipping enormous cocktails and eating nibbles on sunloungers as they soaked up the sun The pair were pictured sipping cocktails and enjoying a platter of food as they soaked up the sun on their idyllic retreat. He captioned one of the pictures: 'Ibiza a nice little break with my love @flamingo_85' Earlier this year, van Barneveld and Evans were spotted at Disneyland Paris and in March they were seen kissing in the lobby of a Devonshire hotel. Van Barneveld and wife Silvia, 52, have been separated since January after marriage difficulties. Their divorce came after Silvia appeared in court to give evidence about the armed burglary of their family home in The Hague, Netherlands. Van Barneveld is a five-time darts world champion who most recently won the sport's top prize in 2007 She was reportedly threatened with a gun during the incident and beaten, before eventually fleeing naked into a bush to escape the burglars. Her former husband had been away at an exhibition tournament at the time. 'I was at an exhibition in Scotland when three guys broke into my house at 6.15am on a Saturday when my wife was home alone,' he revealed. 'She had a loaded gun held at her head. I can't forgive myself that I wasn't there for her. 'She is afraid to live in the house.' Barney, one of the most popular faces in world darts, said their relationship had suffered because he had to spend long periods away from home. Julian Assange has sparked fury he is receiving special favours after he was visited by two United Nations human rights inspectors in prison. The Wikileaks founder, 47, who is serving 50 weeks in Belmarsh prison for violating his bail conditions, was reportedly visited by the inspectors without a guard present. A source said: 'I can't recall another prisoner being afforded the same privileges.' Julian Assange has been visited by two UN human rights inspectors in prison without a guard present (pictured, on his way to prison earlier this month) Nils Melzer, a UN special rapporteur on torture, visited Assange in Belmarsh on May 10 in a meeting behind closed doors Nils Melzer, a UN inspector who usually reports on prison torture in corrupt states, visited Assange in Belmarsh on May 10, according to The Sun. Joseph Cannataci, a privacy campaigner and human rights expert also visited the convict on April 25. The source said: 'The officials refused to follow normal security procedures to have an officer with them.' It is believed prison staff initially wanted to have a guard in the room during the meetings, but the UN inspectors made him stand outside the door where he could not hear anything. Joseph Cannataci, a privacy campaigner and human rights expert, spoke to Assange without a prison guard present in the room Assange has also been visited by former Baywatch actress Pamela Anderson and WikiLeaks editor Kristinn Hrafnsson Mr Melzer, who has also worked alongside prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, said after his meetings with the Australian hacker he was assessing the risks of torture and poor treatment he could be exposed to in prison. At the time of his sentencing, UN human rights experts said Assange had received a 'disproportionate sentence' of 50 weeks in prison for skipping bail. They said the charge was a 'minor violation' and he was being holed up 'as if he were convicted for a serious criminal offence', the UN working group on arbitrary detention said in a statement. Julian Assange pictured as he is led out of the Ecuadorian Embassy in London in handcuffs following his arrest by British police last month Conservative backbencher Sir Henry Bellingham has voiced his concern about the clandestine meetings, saying it is typical behaviour from Assange. The Ministry of Justice said: 'The UK has a close working relationship with UN bodies and facilitated a visit request made prior to his arrest.' Assange has also been visited by friend and Baywatch star Pamela Anderson. It is possible the Wikileaks whistleblower could face further charges after Swedish prosecutors reopened the rape investigation. Swedish authorities said they still want to speak to Assange over claims he raped a woman while in the country in 2010 and will apply to extradite him from Britain. A GP has revealed he is planning to quit medicine over an investigation by the doctors watchdog into claims he discriminated against a Muslim woman for asking her to remove her veil. Dr Keith Wolverson said he politely asked the woman to take off the garment for patient safety reasons during a consultation last year because he was unable to hear her explain her sick daughters symptoms. He was then deeply upset when last week he received a letter from the General Medical Council, the professional regulator, informing him that he was subject to an inquiry over allegations of racial discrimination which could result in him being struck off. Dr Keith Wolverson, pictured, has practised as a GP for 23 years but now plans to leave his job Last night, Dr Wolverson, who has practised as a GP for 23 years and has an unblemished record, said regardless of the outcome of the investigation he now plans to leave his job. He said: I feel a major injustice has taken place. This is why you are waiting so long to see your GP and doctors are leaving in droves. This country will have no doctors left if we continue to treat them in this manner. Im deeply upset. A doctors quest to perform the very finest consultation for the safety of the patient has been misinterpreted in a duplicitous manner to suggest there has been an act of racism committed. I absolutely no longer want to be a doctor. Dr Wolverson told how the Muslim woman brought her daughter, aged ten or 11, to see him at a walk-in centre at Royal Stoke University Hospital in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, last June. The doctor said he asked the woman to remove the veil as he was unable to hear her explain her sick daughter's symptoms because of the niqab she was wearing The mother said she was concerned the child had tonsillitis. But the 52-year-old GP struggled to hear the mothers account of the girls health problems because her speech was being obscured by her niqab a garment worn by some Muslim women that covers the body and face apart from the eyes. The doctor said he politely asked the woman to remove the veil covering her face so he could be sure what she was saying. I asked her, would you kindly remove your face veil please because it makes communication very difficult, Dr Wolverson explained. Normally this issue doesnt arise because patients automatically do so. One would think that any parent would be wholly supportive and grateful that a doctor was trying to safely treat their child. According to Dr Wolverson, the mother complied with his request without raising any objections. But half an hour after the consultation, her husband arrived and declared he was making a complaint about the GPs behaviour. He sat outside my consultation room and threateningly made eye contact towards me whenever I went out to fetch each patient, Dr Wolverson said. He then made a formal complaint and I was prevented from working at the walk-in centre again. It has since emerged that NHS bosses sent the GMC a form outlining the complaints. It says the woman told the doctor she did not want to remove the veil on religious grounds but he refused to continue the consultation unless she did. Dr Wolverson is now facing an inquiry but he said that, regardless of its outcome, he does not want to work as a GP anymore It claims he was rude and gave her a dirty look, leaving her shocked and crying. She said she felt victimised and racially discriminated against. Joyce Robins, from Patient Concern said losing a doctor over the issue would be criminal. A doctor needs to be sensitive to a patients religion but safety must always come first, she added. A spokesman for The Doctors Association UK said: It is of utmost importance that the religious wishes of our patients are respected. However, evidently there are some circumstances where removal of a niqab or burka is necessary for medical assessment and treatment. The GMC should consider issuing clear guidelines to protect both doctors and our patients. Human rights campaigner Aisha Ali-Khan tweeted: I dont believe [a] doctor should be prosecuted for doing his job *but* he should have asked for a female third party to help, or asked patient to write down her medical complaints. Nigel Farage is facing an investigation by the EU after allegedly failing to declare a 450,000 payment from Leave.EU founder Arron Banks. Earlier this week it was claimed the Brexit Party leader was bought a chauffeur-driven car, and had his rent and bills on a 4.4m Chelsea home paid for by Mr Banks. Mr Banks also allegedly paid for Farage's lavish tours of the US, during which he met with right wing political figures. But according to the Independent, none of the gifts were declared on Farage's register of interests - a record designed to stop MEPs keeping their conflicts of interests secret. Scroll down for video Mr Banks was said to have forked out for several of Mr Farage's trips to the US, including occasions on which he met Donald Trump (pictured) Banks is currently under investigation by the National Crime Agency over the source of his funding for the Brexit campaign One of the European parliament's quaestors, politicians responsible for financial and administrative matters, has now reportedly written a letter to the Parliament's presidency asking them to 'investigate these apparent contraventions as a matter of urgency'. Catherine Bearder, the quaestor who is also a Liberal Democrat MEP, said in the letter to Antonio Tajani, president of the European parliament that she believed Farage had broken the rules. 'I can see no reference to any of the reported travel or accommodation subsidies related to Mr Farage's US tour on any of his declarations of financial interests on the parliament's website.' She also noted that Mr Banks was 'currently under investigation by the National Crime Agency over the source of his funding for the Brexit campaign'. European Parliament rules mean Farage could be fined up to around 10,000 (8,800) if he is found to have breached the rules. Catherine Bearder, the quaestor who is also a Liberal Democrat MEP, wrote a letter to Antonio Tajani, president of the European parliament, asking him to investigate He could also be suspended from 'all or some of the activities of parliament for a period of between two and 30 days' though his right to vote cannot be removed. It comes as he and his newly-founded Brexit Party area just days away from contesting the European elections. According to last week's Channel 4 investigation Rock Services Ltd, a company owned by Mr Banks, flew Mr Farage business class to Cleveland, Ohio to attend the Republican National Convention. Mr Banks, through Southern Rock, is also said to have paid American lobbying firm Goddard Gunster 64,064 for a 'Nigel Farage Brexit Policy Luncheon'. Mr Banks paid American strategist Gerry Gunster, through his company Goddard Gunster, to organise the event. This included paying Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson 11,305.41 to interview Mr Farage at the event, the investigation reports. Channel 4 News claims that for the year after the EU referendum Mr Banks, through his companies, organised and funded multiple visits to the United States for Mr Farage (pictured in June 2016) In a statement Mr Banks said that Channel 4 was attempting to 'smear myself and Nigel' before the European elections this months At the RNC, Mr Farage met Republican Senator Bob Corker and John Bolton, currently serving as Donald Trump's National Security Advisor. The meetings were coordinated by the American strategy firm. The following month Mr Farage, Mr Banks and his associate Andy Wigmore flew to Jackson, Mississippi where they were hosted by the Governor Phil Bryant and first introduced to Donald Trump. Mr Farage also addressed a Trump rally, the first British politician to do so. In autumn 2016, Channel 4 News reports that Rock Services arranged for Farage and Wigmore to travel to America on multiple occasions, including visits to St Louis, Missouri. Farage and Wigmore also flew to Las Vegas for the Presidential debates, and stayed at the Hard Rock Hotel. Banks, Wigmore and Farage also travelled to New York for election night in November 2016 and stayed at the luxurious Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Mr Banks, through Southern Rock, paid American lobbying firm Goddard Gunster 64,064 for a 'Nigel Farage Brexit Policy Luncheon' and paid Fox News anchor Tucker Carlson (pictured) 11,305.41 to interview Mr Farage at the event Mr Farage was the first British politician to meet the president elect where he was photographed in front of a gold lift at Trump Tower. At Donald Trump's inauguration, emails seen by Channel 4 News suggest Mr Banks paid more than 15,000 to fly Nigel Farage to and from Washington, approximately 1000 on a room at the plush Mayflower Hotel. The investigation also cites invoices that reportedly show Goddard Gunster billed 108,684 for a lavish party in Farage's honour at the Hay-Adams Hotel. Mr Farage denies any wrongdoing. He told Channel 4 News 'no comment' on their investigation, but later told the BBC: 'Whatever happened after the referendum I was leaving politics, it happened mostly in America, it had nothing to do with politics, nothing to do with the Brexit Party, it was purely on a personal basis. 'I was looking for a new career and a new life it's got nothing to do with anything, it's a purely private matter.' Mr Banks said: 'Channel 4's attempts to smear myself and Nigel come at a time when the Brexit Party is riding high in the polls, so it should come as no surprise to anyone.' Michael Heseltine has vowed to vote for the Liberal Democrats in the Euro elections because the Conservative party has been 'infected by the virus of extremism'. His comments come as a new poll shows Boris Johnson is on his way to be the next prime minister, and the Brexit Party are set to win the elections next week. The former deputy prime minister, 86, outlined his support for Bill Newton Dunn in his constituency in Northamptonshire in the Sunday Times. The Tory grandee wrote: 'Before our party was infected by the virus of extremism, he was a Conservative MEP in the best traditions of Winston Churchill, Harold Macmillan and, yes, Margaret Thatcher, whose Bruges speech in 1988 made it clear that "our destiny is in Europe".' He went on to say that while he would vote with the Tory party in the Lords and stay a member of his local association, he cannot vote for them because of their position on Brexit. Michael Heseltine has vowed to vote for the Liberal Democrats in the Euro elections because the Conservative party has been 'infected by the virus of extremism' His comments come as a new poll shows Boris Johnson, pictured with his partner Carrie Symonds in Bempton, East Yorkshire, yesterday, is on his way to be the next prime minister Mr Heseltine added: 'I cannot, with a clear conscience, vote for my party when it is myopically focused on forcing through the biggest act of economic self-harm ever undertaken by a democratic government.' On Thursday, Mr Johnson announced he would stand for the Tory leadership when Theresa May steps down and he is the clear favourite, according to a YouGov poll of Conservative Party members for The Times. He has ruled out doing a deal with Nigel Farage, whose party are set to win the Euro elections next week. A friend told the Sun: 'Hes categorically ruled out doing any deal with Nigel Farage. 'Boris is the only leadership candidate who can see off both him and hard-left Mr Corbyn.' The news comes as John Major called for an inclusive Tory party, while Labour MP Margaret Hodge was recorded saying people should vote tactically in the upcoming elections - even if that means not voting for her party. The former prime minister told The Sunday Times that the need for an inclusive Tory party is 'greater than ever', and warned: 'The middle ground of politics is empty.' On Thursday, Mr Johnson announced he would stand for the Tory leadership when Theresa May, pictured leaving a church service near her Maidenhead constituency today, steps down and he is the clear favourite, according to a YouGov poll At an event last week, Ms Hodge was heard saying: 'I think taking whatever action you need, within your locality, that gives you the best likelihood of electing somebody who will be a pro-European MEP, I think is the way you should go, I really do.' When asked later about the comments, Dame Margaret told the Sunday Times: 'I probably misspoke then. 'I would never advocate voting against the party.' The Brexit Party are predicted to win the vote next week, with a Comres poll placing them on 31 per cent. Labour are second on 22 per cent, with Lib Dems third on 16 per cent, and the Green Party and Tories in joint fourth on 9 per cent. His comments come as Labour MP Margaret Hodge was recorded saying people should vote tactically in the upcoming elections - even if that means not voting for her party. Theresa May says this week's Withdrawal Agreement Bill to get Brexit through Parliament will be 'a new bold offer' - though Eurosceptics say 'The WAB is toast' Prime minister has said the bill will have new package of measures attached to it Members of ERG are planning to vote it down, with one saying 'the wab is toast' Comes as Brexit Party soars in the polls, commanding 34 per cent of the vote Theresa May has said that this week's Withdrawal Agreement Bill to get Brexit through Parliament will be a 'new bold offer' - even though Eurosceptics have said it is 'toast'. The prime minister said that when she brings the bill before parliament early next month, it will come with a new package of measures attached that she hopes can command majority support. 'I still believe there is a majority in parliament to be won for leaving with a deal,' May wrote in The Sunday Times. But members of the ERG are planning on voting down the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, or Wab, according to leaked WhatsApp messages. One said: 'The only way to be sure of a future and to do the right thing by the country is to shut the Wab down.' Another added: 'The Wab is toast.' MPs three times rejected the deal May struck with Brussels, forcing Britain's EU departure date to pushed back from March 29 to April 12 and again to October 31. Theresa May, pictured today at church, has said that this week's Withdrawal Agreement Bill to get Brexit through Parliament will be a 'new bold offer' - even though Eurosceptics have said it is 'toast' The bill is needed to ratify the divorce agreement struck with the European Union. On Thursday, May agreed to set out a timetable for her departure following the vote in the week beginning June 3, regardless of whether MPs back her deal at the fourth time of asking. It is thought that she will trigger a contest for the leadership of her governing Conservative Party once the bill either falls or completes all of its stages through parliament. 'When the Withdrawal Agreement Bill comes before MPs, it will represent a new, bold offer to MPs across the House of Commons, with an improved package of measures that I believe can win new support,' she told the newspaper. 'Whatever the outcome of any votes, I will not be simply asking MPs to think again. Instead I will ask them to look at a new and improved deal with fresh pairs of eyes - and to give it their support.' The bill is expected to include new measures on protecting workers' rights, future customs arrangements with the EU, and on the use of technology to avoid the need for border controls between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, an EU member state and the UK's only land neighbour. It will not, however, seek to re-open the withdrawal agreement, which Brussels repeatedly insisted could not be re-negotiated, despite many MPs voting it down due to concerns about its so-called 'backstop' clauses on Northern Ireland. May is expected to set out the details of her proposals in a speech later this month. Her gambit on Sunday comes ahead of the European Parliament elections, to be held in Britain on Thursday. The latest survey put eurosceptic figurehead Nigel Farage's single-issue party way ahead on 34 per cent in the upcoming Euro elections The opinion polls make dire reading for the Conservatives, with the newly-formed Brexit Party forecast to win the most seats, ratcheting up the pressure on May. The latest survey out Sunday put eurosceptic figurehead Nigel Farage's single-issue party way ahead on 34 per cent, with the Labour Party on 20 per cent, the pro-EU Liberal Democrats on 15 per cent and the Conservatives on 11 per cent. Furthermore, the poll said the Brexit Party had overtaken the Conservatives in general election voting intentions too, with Labour leading on 29 per cent, Farage's party on 24 per cent and the Conservatives on 22 per cent. Opinium Research conducted an online survey of 2,004 British adults between Tuesday and Thursday for The Observer. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said Saturday that whoever replaces May, calling an early general election risked 'killing Brexit' and making veteran socialist Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn prime minister. 'A general election before we've delivered Brexit would be a disaster,' he told The Daily Telegraph newspaper. 'A general election before that not only risks Jeremy Corbyn, but it risks killing Brexit altogether.' The next Conservative leader is set to be chosen by the centre-right party's members. Former foreign secretary Boris Johnson is the clear front runner, according to a YouGov survey of grassroots Conservatives for The Times newspaper. Johnson was on 39 per cent, ahead of former Brexit secretary Dominic Raab on 13 per cent, interior minister Sajid Javid and Environment Secretary Michael Gove on nine per cent each and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt on eight per cent. Cash rolls in for Bojo bandwagon: Donors divert money from May to Boris as he leaps ahead in the polls as party chairman begs for funds 'to keep the lights on' at Tory HQ By Glen Owen, Harry Cole and Brendan Carlin for the Mail On Sunday Boris Johnsons leadership campaign has triggered a financial crisis at Theresa Mays party HQ with the Tory Chairman Brandon Lewis forced to beg his local associations for emergency loans to keep the lights on. The former Foreign Secretarys surge in the leadership race has led to a stampede by the partys donors to switch money from Mrs Mays operation to Mr Johnsons campaign, with many donors telling Tory HQ that they will only resume funding after Mrs May has left No 10. It comes as both Chancellor Philip Hammond and his predecessor George Osborne have both privately said that they expect Mr Johnson to become the next Prime Minister. Boris Johnsons leadership campaign has triggered a financial crisis at Theresa Mays party HQ A string of recent polls have put Mr Johnson well clear of his rivals among Tory Party members, whose votes will decide the contest: his hopes of leading the party have also been boosted by a bombshell megapoll and focus grouping effort paid for by donors that shows Jeremy Hunt and Michael Gove would lead the Conservative Party to an electoral wipe-out. The survey, which has been circulated to a close band of senior party figures, warns that electing either of them would turn the next Election into a row about public spending because of their previous roles at Health and Education. Tory chairman Mr Lewis ordered his officials last month to contact wealthy local party associations to ask them to loan money to Tory HQ, which would then be paid back over five years at high-street rates of interest. Boris Johnson was pictured bird watching with his girlfriend Carrie Symonds at Bempton Cliffs nature reserve in the East Riding of Yorkshire yesterday It is also understood that the partys CEO, Sir Mick Davis, has been asked to inject more of his own money, amid fears that the party could soon struggle to pay the staff salaries. Sir Mick, a mining tycoon, donated 250,000 to the party in March last year and the same sum again in July, September and December. That came on top of the 1.2 million he donated to the party in 2017. A party source said: If we dont get a serious injection of money soon we will be in trouble. The former Foreign Secretarys surge in the leadership race has led to a stampede by the partys donors to switch money from Mrs Mays operation to Mr Johnsons campaign Not only is it demoralising it also means we cant fund the work we need to do to prepare for a General Election. Meanwhile, in a further boost for Mr Johnson, former PM Sir John Major will tomorrow lead a major Tory charge on climate change, joining the One Nation group of party moderates to demand that climate change is given the same level of concern as counter terrorism. A source said: Boris will have no problem in jumping on all that, and it should give some moderates the fig leaf they need to climb down in their opposition to him. The boost to Mr Johnsons poll ratings which started after Mrs May failed to deliver Brexit has rattled his rivals, who include former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt. One Minister backing Mr Johnson told The Mail on Sunday: We only have one candidate that can make Nigel Farage look like a pound-shop, snake-oil salesman and as the referendum showed, that is Boris whether you agree with him or not. The Minister branded critics of Mr Johnson a cadre of entitled p***** who think they are born to rule but were the ones that got us into this mess in the first place. Tory Chairman Brandon Lewis (right) has been forced to beg his local associations for emergency loans to keep the lights on But another senior Tory MP warned that Mr Johnson could yet crash to earth given his previous history of gaffes. They said: Never underestimate the f***-up factor with Boris, so even if he is going to win we need a credible alternative. And a Cabinet source said: The dilemma now for moderate voices around the table is accept what the tea leaves say and get on board now, or have to go begging to him when the soft, fluffy candidates inevitably crash out. Yesterday, former Attorney General Dominic Grieve said: If the party wishes to elect Boris Johnson then he may win, but thats not to say hes going to make a good Prime Minister. When asked whether he would remain within the Conservative Party if Boris wins the leadership contest, the MP said: Im a Conservative so Im going to remain as a Conservative Member of Parliament. 'Whether Im in a position to follow the party whip is quite another matter, that depends on what the leader of the party is doing and my own opinion as to the leader of the partys fitness for office. A Tory source who has seen the megapoll said of Mr Johnsons rivals: Its not that they are doing badly, its the fact they have zero support in the wider public. Last month, Lewis (right) ordered his officials to contact wealthy local party associations to ask them to loan money to Tory HQ They added: Its all very well getting MPs numbers and a bit of support in the party, but neither of them are going to survive contact with reality in the wider country. They are both toxic and it becomes a public-sector Election and the Tories will not win on that ground. Look at what they did to Theresa last year on police funding. Now times that by a billion and thats where Gove is with the teachers, and slightly unfairly Jeremy is with the NHS. But allies of Mr Gove hit back to claim he is garnering support across the Conservative Party from bother Leavers and Remainers. On Tuesday night he hosted 50 MPs for dinner at a pub in Chelsea, and pitched his unity vision over burgers and fish and chips. Mr Gove did not explicitly say he was running but set a vision of protecting the union and trashing Corbyn every week, while also renewing the party intellectually whilst in government. An MP in attendance told The Mail on Sunday: It went down very well, there was a good mix as well. For someone not officially declared, he had a hell of a lot of support. Official figures put Mr Raab top of the leadership money league, with 127,305 raised since January 1. Mr Johnson has received 80,250, thanks to donations from JCB chairman Lord Bamford and hedge-fund manager Johan Christofferson, but promises of more money for Mr Johnson are said to have flooded in in recent days. The boost to Mr Johnsons poll ratings which started after Mrs May failed to deliver Brexit has rattled his rivals, who include former Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab and Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt Mr Raabs war chest includes a hefty 44,258 to pay for a member of staff in his Westminster office from the Arbuthnot Banking Group whose chairman Sir Henry Angest is a former Tory treasurer. Mr Raab has also received 10,000 from Lord Harris of Peckham, an early backer of David Cameron when he was running to be party leader in 2005. According to the MPs Register of Interests, other potential leadership rivals such as Amber Rudd and Gove have pulled in much lower sums since January 15,750 and 14,000 respectively. But Tory MPs point that as serving Cabinet Ministers, they are more restricted in building up war chests. The same will apply to Hunt and Sajid Javid who do not declare any donations since January. Party insiders point out that both men are wealthy enough to be able to fund leadership campaigns without them. A Tory party spokeswoman said: We have always taken deposits from local associations, but we have changed the basis on which we pay interest. The daughter of one of the victims of ISIS killer Jihadi John has vowed to go to Syria to retrieve her father's body. Aid worker David Haines was kidnapped, tortured and beheaded after spending 18 months as a captive in Syria. The Yorkshire-born former RAF engineer appeared in a sickening ISIS murder video, kneeling in the desert in an orange jumpsuit before being beheaded by Jihadi John, real name Mohammed Emwazi, in September 2014. David Haines was beheaded by Jihadi John in September 2014 and the video of his murder was filmed and posted online Now his daughter Bethany, 22, has decided to do everything in her power to retrieve his body. She told The Sunday Times: 'I decided that in the summer I would launch a campaign and appeal to anyone who may have information about my father's remains. Bethany Haines, 22, pictured in September 2017, has vowed to travel to Syria to retrieve her father's body 'Even if it meant going over to Syria to look for them myself.' When he was first kidnapped, Ms Haines, then 15, said she could not understand why her father had been taken because he was only trying to help people. Fellow captive Federico Motka, who was released by the ISIS 'Beatles' after Italy paid a reported ransom fee of 5million, has also spoken about his relationship with Mr Haines in a new documentary about Jihadi John. The Italian aid worker was captured with Mr Haines in March 2013 after the pair were pulled away from their car at gunpoint by masked men, including the four men who would go on to be known as the 'Beatles' because of their English accents. Mr Motka and Mr Haines had only known each other for four days when they were kidnapped but soon forged a strong friendship in the most horrific of circumstances. They endured torture, beatings and sleep deprivation and were even made to wrestle each other by their captors. Aid worker David Haines was kidnapped at gunpoint in March 2013 near the Turkish border in Syria Federico Motka was captured along with Mr Haines but was freed after the Italian government paid a 5million ransom for his release. He has since revealed how he and his fellow captives were made to wrestle each other in a 'Royal Rumble' Jihadi John, one of the ISIS 'Beatles' whose real name was Mohammed Emwazi, held the captives in horrific conditions Mr Motka, 35, said: 'They put us into a cell to do a Royal Rumble. 'We obviously weren't going to fight each other, but you kind of couldn't not fight each other as there was potential for punishment. 'You have to understand we were like skeletons by then, and every one of us fainted at some stage of another just from exhaustion.' The former captive said his kidnappers found the fights very entertaining. Mr Motka attended Mr Haines's memorial service in Scotland in October 2014 where he first met Bethany and the pair have since become close friends. He said he can see a lot of David in his daughter which is a 'wonderful thing'. Four young men who slammed a stolen ute into a restaurant are still on the run after leaving their friend behind. The teenagers allegedly stole a Toyota Hilux on Saturday night before losing control and slamming into a nearby shop in Hampton, Melbourne. There were 40 people dining at the restaurant on Thomas St around 9pm when the ute mounted the kerb, ran over a park bench and hit the shop front. Four young men and an 18-year-old female allegedly stole a Toyota Hilux before crashing into a restaurant (pictured) in Melbourne on Saturday The four men managed to flee the scene while their 18-year-old friend was held down by her hair 'All my customers really panicked from last night..really dangerous. Really happy no one [was] hurt,' the shop owner told Nine News. An 18-year-old woman was left behind after the four young men, who allegedly stole the ute sometime between 5pm and 8.45pm, fled the scene. A man from inside the restaurant held the girl down by her hair while two of the young men punched him and tried to drag her away. 'They ran away and the girl couldn't keep up with them so she got caught,' a witness said. Another man tried to follow the men in his car but they couldn't be found. Police are continuing their investigations and searching for the four men aged in their late teens to early 20s. Police are still searching for the four men who are aged in their late teens to early 20s (pictured is the scene) Dean Phoenix, the lorry driver who crashed into and killed a young boy, will not have his on-year sentence increased A lorry driver who mowed down and killed a toddler as he crossed the road cannot have his sentence increased, the government has confirmed. Dean Phoenix was given just 12 months behind bars for causing the death of Jaiden Mangan at a pedestrian crossing in Wareham, Dorset. The conviction outraged Jaiden's father James, who said the driver 'deserved more for what he did to my little boy'. Phoenix, 44, was previously jailed for life in 2004 when he murdered his wife Naomi at their home in Hounslow, west London. He was still on licence for the offence when he hit Jaiden, three, as the toddler crossed the road on his balance bike on March 29 last year. The defendant admitted death by careless driving at court and the case was referred to the Attorney General's 'unduly lenient sentence' scheme. Now however, after reviewing the details of the case, it has been confirmed it will not go before the Court of Appeal. A spokesman for the Attorney General said the case did not 'fall into the parameters of the scheme'. They add that referral orders under the scheme can only be made to the court if a sentence is 'not just lenient but unduly so, such that the sentencing judge making a gross error or imposed a sentence outside the range of sentences reasonably available'. Jaiden suffered fatal chest and abdominal injuries and died in hospital on March 29 last year Jaiden's father says a longer sentence should have been imposed on his son's killer. Mr Mangan said: 'I understand that he didn't mean to do it - it wasn't deliberate, it was a mistake. 'But he deserves longer in prison for what he did to my little boy.' The father of the three-year-old shouted 'is that all he gets' as Phoenix was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court in April. Jaiden's heartbroken mother told said her life had been ruined by Phoenix's 'stupidity' A statement from Jaiden's mother Miss Dougan addressed to Phoenix at the sentencing read: 'My life will never be the same. All I have are memories because of your actions and stupidity. 'He's my baby boy and I miss him so much. When I think of him now all I get is heartache and pain. You have taken the joy and happiness away from my life.' Phoenix, who lives in Chineham, Hampshire, was filmed 'sarcastically clapping' a motorist just moments before he hit Jaiden. He failed to notice the lights on a pedestrian crossing coming up had changed to red to allow Jaiden and his family to cross when the tragedy happened. The defendant became frustrated that a stopped car that was blocking his path, and as he tried to manoeuvre around it, he was seen swearing, gesticulating and sarcastically clapping by another driver he thought had stopped to let him through a very tight gap. In fact the oncoming driver had stopped because of the same red light. The young boy, who was with his mother and sister, was knocked down on the crossing, suffering multiple chest injuries. He died later in hospital. The tragic incident took place just days before Jaiden's fourth birthday. Locals left tributes at the scene after the accident in the centre of Wareham in March last year Pauline Hanson has furiously slammed her 'left-wing' critics for 'acting above the law' after a One Nation truck was set alight by a mystery arsonist. Ms Hanson said on Sunday night that the billboard truck was parked outside a shop in Hobart while Tasmanian senate candidate Adam Lambet ducked inside to buy groceries. She said someone was seen torching the vehicle before fleeing the scene, at the Shoreline Shopping Centre car park on Sunday evening. In video posted online the truck, with One Nation posters on it, can be seen going up in flames. 'It is amazing how the left call for tolerance but act like they're above the law when you don't agree with their ideologies,' Ms Hanson tweeted. 'This is what the left do to conservative parties.' Mr Lambert posted a video to his Facebook of him at the scene shortly after the fire was started, and described the deliberate blaze as a 'mess'. 'If you don't like us don't vote for us, but for those magnificent supporters who have voted for us this is a little more encouragement on why we have to work a bit harder for you guys next time,' he said. It took three fire crews to extinguish the blaze after a bar worker from a nearby pub called police after noticing the flames just after 5pm. In video posted online the truck, with One Nation posters on it, can be seen going up in flames in Hobart Passersby from the shopping centre said they heard an explosion that 'sounded like a petrol bomb.' Hanson also took the opportunity to call out people who allegedly bashed a One Nation volunteer in Western Australia on Saturday. 'Yesterday one of our volunteers was bashed and called a 'white dog' because he asked a man to stop wrecking our signs in Cowan. 'I'm concerned about where politics is heading in this country.' Social media users were quick to condemn the arsonist for setting the truck alight. 'Have a close look at yourselves people if you cant respect our (politicians) soon there will be riots,' one man wrote. 'This is not democracy at all. This is what this world is coming to. I am disgusted that our future generations are becoming radicals,' added another. 'This is left-wing terrorism,' wrote a third. The arson attack comes after a One Nation volunteer was targeted by a family in the Western Australian seat of Cowan. One Nation Senator Peter Georgiou posted photos of a man bleeding to social media on Saturday. Police released a statement saying they are investigating and treating the fire as suspicious. Shanu Hinduja, 55, daughter of the man who topped this year's Sunday Times Rich List, has hit out at the 'toxic culture' in banking against women The daughter of the man who topped this year's Sunday Times Rich List has hit out at the 'toxic culture' in banking against women. Shanu Hinduja, 55, is the daughter of Srichand and the niece of Gopichand - who were shown to have a fortune of 22billion on last week's Rich List. She said female entrepreneurs' requests for loans were ignored and left by the wayside by bankers because of a 'deeply patriarchal' system. Speaking to the Sunday Times, she said: 'It remains widely accepted among investors that women - especially those of childbearing age - aren't going to give their business ideas their full efforts and attention'. Ms Hinduja, who is the chairwoman of Hinduja bank, believes that women are 'underrepresented at all levels of the global financial system'. She is the daughter of Srichand (right) and the niece of Gopichand (left) - who were shown to have a fortune of 22billion on last week's Rich List Ms Hinduja, who is the chairwoman of Hinduja bank, believes that women are 'underrepresented at all levels of the global financial system' Britain's five largest banks have all-male chairman and chief executive teams and a recent Treasury report found that less than one per cent of venture capital funds are given to start-ups run entirely by women. The Hinduja Group was founded in 1914 by the Parmanand Deepchandh Hinduja who traded in tea and carpets. It is now the parent of 26 other companies and has stakes in oil, gas, energy, media and banking. The family was hit by controversy in 2000 when Srichand, Gopichand and their brother Prakash were charged in connection with the Bofors scandal. Swedish bank Bofors stood accused of bribing Government officials in relation to the $1.3billion sale of weapons to the Indian Government in 1986. By 2005 the brothers were cleared of all charges due to a lack of evidence. A young girl was nearly crushed when a drifting Holden Commodore slid out of control and slammed into three parked cars during a street race. The 12-year-old girl was standing on a footpath on Beach Road in Fremantle, Perth, when the man attempted to drift his high-powered car. Onlookers gasped as the driver lost control and slammed into a row of cars, injuring the innocent girl who was watching on from a distance. Video footage showed the car turning onto Beach Road in Fremantle, Perth, and as it revved it's engine the driver attempted to drift 'F***ing idiot,' one person yelled as they ran up to the car. 'Oh f*** look at it,' another said. 'Oh there is someone in that car. Someone check if that person is alright!' The girl was standing on the footpath behind the parked cars when the Commodore driver crashed into them, according to The West Australian. The girl was taken to Fiona Stanley Hospital for treatment to her hand after the accident, while the driver suffered suspected neck injuries. A Western Australian Police spokesperson told the publication that the driver, a 29-year-old man, is helping with inquiries. All four cars needed to towed and the car that hit them has been seized. Jayne Kitching, 53, has been ordered to pay back the 88,000 she defrauded at a rate of just 7.65 per month A benefits cheat has been ordered to pay back nearly 88,000 she wrongly claimed while living in Spain, but not until the year 2977. Jayne Kitching, 53, is paying back the amount she defrauded at a rate of just 7.65 per month, Grimsby Crown Court has heard. At the rate agreed by the Department of Work and Pensions and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs, it would take 958 and a half years, or up to the year 2977. Based upon the average life expectancy of 80 for a Grimsby woman, that could leave a total of 84,683 unpaid. In court the mother of two admitted cheating the public revenue between July 2013 and August 2016. She obtained income support, disability living allowance and carer's allowance having failed to tell authorities she had moved to Spain. Kitching also admitted taking tax credit from HMRC between September 2013 and April 2017 and failing to failing to let agencies in the UK know that her children had been taken into care in Spain. Prosecuting Nigel Clive said she claimed the benefits while living in Spain with her children. She did not tell agencies in the UK she had moved abroad. Mr Clive said her children were taken from her and placed in the care of local authorities in Spain. He said: 'The money she claimed was used for ordinary day-to-day living costs and to pay Spanish legal teams over her childcare claims. There was no lavish lifestyle.' The children were not returned to her until April 2017 and the prosecutor said she has so far paid back 400. The benefits cheat would take 958 and a half years, or up to the year 2977, to pay back the full amount she owes He said: 'She gets 2,000-a-month now. She is repaying at 7.65 per month and there is no indication that she has any form of assets.' The court was told she is the registered carer for one of her teenage children. For Kitching, Craig Lowe said his client 'cuts a disconsolate and pathetic' figure. He said: 'She is not the most intelligent of individuals and there was no prospect of success. It was only a matter of time before she was caught.' Recorder Abdul Iqbal QC questioned why authorities had not detected her claiming benefits while living in Spain. He asked: 'How would they know if she was living in Doncaster, or Grimsby or Malaga?' Kitching's defence lawyer, Craig Lowe, told Grimsby Crown Court (pictured) his client was 'not the most intelligent of individuals' Mr Clive said she had posted on Facebook how much she was looking forward to moving to Spain with her two teenage children and said the DWP had been tipped off. Recorder Iqbal imposed a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months. He said he was doing so as 'an act of mercy towards her children' and to avoid them having to be taken into care. He said: 'I hope you are thoroughly ashamed of your dishonesty.' He added benefits agencies in the UK are 'overburdened and have over-stretched resources' which she had taken from dishonestly. Kitching has also been ordered to undergo 20 days of rehabilitation. A DWP spokesperson said: 'Only a small minority of benefit claimants are dishonest, but cases like this show how we are stopping those who cheat the system and divert taxpayers' money from the people who need it. 'There are a range of penalties for benefit fraud, and those found guilty have a criminal record. 'Last year we prosecuted around 5,000 fraudsters and recovered 1.1billion in overpaid benefits.' Defeated Labor leader Bill Shorten has thrown his support behind his loyal deputy Tanya Plibersek as she faces a messy battle with Anthony Albanese for the party leadership. However Ms Plibersek could face the same fate as former foreign minister Julie Bishop, who was humiliated in August last year in a Liberal Party leadership ballot despite being the party's deputy leader for 11 years, under three male leaders and four leadership changes. For the second time in just nine months, a talented woman could again be overlooked in favour of a man, despite being a loyal political lieutenant, with a senior Labor insider revealing Mr Albanese had undermined Mr Shorten for six years. Scroll down for video Tanya Plibersek (left with husband Michael Coutts-Trotter) could face the same fate as former foreign minister Julie Bishop (right with boyfriend David Panton), who was humiliated in August last year in a Liberal Party leadership ballot despite being the party's deputy leader for 11 years, under three male leaders and four leadership changes In 2013, Mr Albanese destroyed the standing of Australia's first female prime minister Julia Gillard so Kevin Rudd could return to the leadership. The Labor insider is furious Mr Albanese, who served as deputy PM under Mr Rudd in 2013, could now destroy the prospects of a deserving would-be female leader. 'Tanya deserves a go. She's been a loyal deputy,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday night. 'She's been a loyal deputy, done the hard yards, done the hard work. 'Albo has just been sitting there hoping Bill gets run over by a bus the whole way through. 'All he's ever done is back stab, undermine and s*** stir. Albo can get stuffed.' A senior Labor insider is furious Anthony Albanese could now destroy the prospects of a deserving would-be female leader (pictured is Tanya Plibersek at a Labor rally this week) On Saturday night and again on Sunday, Mr Albanese insisted he had always put the party before himself and declared his support for Mr Shorten. 'He's someone who has my respect,' he told reporters at Balmain in Sydney's inner west on Sunday afternoon. The man hoping to become the next Labor leader declined to address the assertions made by a senior Labor insider when contacted by Daily Mail Australia on Sunday night. Labor's upcoming leadership race is shaping up as a battle between two Left faction frontbenchers from trendy, inner-city Sydney. They will be tasked with trying to win back support for a party that was belted in the outer suburbs of Brisbane and Sydney and the provincial towns of Queensland and Tasmania. Mr Albanese, who holds the Sydney inner-west seat of Grayndler, and Ms Plibersek, the member for Sydney, both hail from the New South Wales Left faction, whose members favour an end to offshore processing of asylum seekers The senior Labor source, who declined to be named, said Mr Shorten was throwing his support behind Ms Plibersek and accused Mr Albanese of undermining his leadership. LABOR LEADERSHIP RULES Labor leadership contenders need to have 20 per cent caucus support to nominate for the top job. Rank-and-file party members get a say in the leadership if there are more than two contenders. There is a 50 per cent weighting between the Labor caucus in federal Parliament and party members. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd introduced the rules in 2013, to avoid a repeat of a sitting PM being knifed for fellow Labor MPs. Advertisement 'He's never been loyal, he doesn't do the hard work and he's past it,' he said. While Ms Plibersek is considering her options, Mr Shorten is supporting her as Labor's Brisbane-based finance spokesman Jim Chalmers, from the Right, firms as a possible deputy. Griffith University politics lecturer Dr Paul Williams said Mr Albanese was more likely to win the support of Labor's rank-and-file, as he did in an October 2013 leadership battle with Mr Shorten. Mr Albanese, 56, on Sunday launched his leadership pitch by pointing out how he was raised by his late single mother Maryanne, an invalid pensioner, in housing commission. 'I know what it's like to do it tough,' he said. Dr Williams said the life story of the man, known as 'Albo', would be more appealing to Labor Party branch members hoping for a leader who can connect with blue-collar workers who abandoned the ALP at the weekend election. Defeated Labor leader Bill Shorten (pictured with wife Chloe) has thrown his support behind his loyal deputy Tanya Plibersek as she faces a messy battle with Anthony Albanese for the party leadership 'Plibersek clearly wouldn't have won over the blue collar vote that's walked away from Labor in Queensland whereas Albanese could bring them back,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Sunday night. 'We're getting back to that where blue collar voters don't want anything to do with the Labor-Green identity and Labor must get some of them back if it has any chance of governing.' Mr Albanese, who holds the Sydney inner-west seat of Grayndler, and Ms Plibersek, the member for the neighbouring electorate of Sydney, both hail from the New South Wales Left faction, whose members favour an end to offshore processing of asylum seekers. To become leader, they will need to win the support of rank-and-file party members and a majority of the federal Labor caucus in Parliament, with both groups given a 50:50 weighting. Ms Plibersek, who has been Mr Shorten's deputy since 2013, has signalled her intent for a run at the party's top job on Sunday morning during an interview on the ABC Insiders program Mr Albanese, who is separated from former NSW deputy premier Carmel Tebbutt, is running for the leadership, six years after losing to Mr Shorten despite being the choice of Labor Party branch members. Either candidate would be Labor's first Left-faction leader since Ms Gillard, who was supported by the Right faction in June 2010 as the party caucus ousted Mr Rudd as a first-term prime minister. Mr Shorten was involved in the ousting of both Mr Rudd and Ms Gillard three years later, as a Right faction powerbroker from Victoria. Paul Williams: Anthony Albanese would be better at winning back blue collar workers Ms Plibersek, 49, who has been Mr Shorten's deputy since 2013, has signalled her intent for a run at the party's top job on Sunday morning during an interview on the ABC Insiders program. 'I'll talk to my colleagues today but of course I'm considering it,' she told the program's host Barrie Cassidy, a former Labor press secretary. 'My determination is to ensure we are in the best place to win in three years time and that we continue to offer Australians real options.' Ms Plibersek comes from a middle-class background and grew up at Oyster Bay in Sydney's south as the daughter of Slovenian immigrants. 'Plibersek is much more new Labor,' Dr Williams said. A federal Labor MP said the result could also hinge on the powerful NSW Right faction, which backed Ms Gillard in 2010, adding it was more inclined to back Mr Albanese. Dr Williams said whoever became leader, after two decades in Parliament, was likely to politically pragmatic, even if their Left faction disagreed. 'That's exactly what Albo could do,' he said. 'Left-wing on social, cultural issues and more pragmatic, centrist on the economy. 'That would go down a treat with working Australia.' Bob Katter has launched a blistering attack against deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek, claiming her comments cost Labor the 'unloseable' election. The maverick MP said the potential future leader of the Labor party was out of touch with Queensland voters, and that her stance against coal mines alienated constituents in the regions. 'Tanya Plibersek ran amok,' the Katters Australian Party MP for the vast north Queensland electorate of Kennedy told Sky News on Sunday night. 'She was out there denigrating the coal industry and saying it will phase out. 'To say that on the eve of an election in which there are six marginal seats in north Queensland in the coal belt is absolutely disastrous.' Ms Plibersek has been vocal in her opposition to the Adani coal mine in Queensland Labor was belted in north Queensland, losing the Townsville-based seat of Herbert with a 7.6 per cent swing against it, three years after Cathy O'Toole won by just 37 votes. The National Party also kept its most marginal seat of Capricornia, centred around Rockhampton, with assistant minister Michelle Landry scoring a 10.7 per cent swing in her favour. In neighbouring Dawson, taking in Mackay, renegade backbencher George Christensen romped home with a 11.3 per cent swing to him, despite media coverage of him spending months of the year in Manila. The Gladstone-based seat of Flynn delivered a 5.2 per cent swing to fellow Nationals MP Ken O'Dowd, as Labor was punished in regional areas that overlap with state ALP seats. Three of these regional electorates had federal Labor members a decade ago. Away from the proposed Adani coal mine, Labor was also thumped right across Brisbane, with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton securing a swing of two per cent to him. 'The ALP were certain on the polls to take all six seats, but she and a bunch of loud mouthed extremists that have an immense amount of power in the Labor movement... they blew it to smithereens,' Mr Katter said. Ms Plibersek has been vocal in her opposition to Adani's proposed Carmichael project in Queensland's Galilee Basin, with Labor relying on Greens preferences to win many capital city seats. The Left-faction inner-city MP previously said Australians 'can't rely on an Indian mining company to bring jobs to central and north Queensland'. The member for Sydney also said she was skeptical Adani would bring as many jobs to the region as it had promised, and believed backers may have underestimated the impact it could have on the environment. Labor was accused of alienating their core electorate with policies that were too progressive and divisive on climate change and negative gearing. Older Australians in particular appeared to turn on Labor over the controversial plan to scrap franking credits for self-funded retirees. Mr Katter said the potential future leader of the Labor party was out of touch with Queensland voters Labor's climate change policy and stance on Adani was at odds with many voters who wanted the new coal mine, which has promised to provide hundreds of jobs in regions struggling against drought and high levels of unemployment. Liberal Senator Arthur Sinodinos said the result could be partially explained by those opposing the Adani project being seen as anti-jobs. 'Adani became about jobs. It became emblematic of "we want jobs" and the Bob Brown caravan which went up there to talk about stopping Adani had locals thinking, 'hang on, you are not going to tell us how to live',' he told the ABC. LABOR LEADERSHIP RULES Labor leadership contenders need to have 20 per cent caucus support to nominate for the top job. Rank-and-file party members get a say in the leadership if there are more than two contenders. There is a 50 per cent weighting between the Labor caucus in federal Parliament and party members. Former prime minister Kevin Rudd introduced the rules in 2013, to avoid a repeat of a sitting PM being knifed for fellow Labor MPs. Advertisement Tax cuts and ministry changes will be Mr Morrison's agenda as the nation awaits the final results of the federal election. Prime Minister Scott Morrison looks to govern with a majority, despite opinion polls consistently pointing to a Labor victory up until election day. Out of three close seats listed on the Australian Electoral Commission website on Monday, the Liberals were on track to win Chisholm in Melborrne's south-east, and Bass in northern Tasmania, with Labor only narrowly holding a lead in the seat of Macquarie, west of Sydney. If the current count trends continue, this will give the Liberals 77 seats in the expanded 151-seat House of Representatives, with Labor on 68 and six crossbenchers. Independent MP Kerryn Phelps conceded defeat in the Sydney eastern suburbs seat of Wentworth on Monday, losing to the Liberals' Dave Sharma after only scven months in Parliament. With 84 per cent of the vote counted, the Labor member for Macquarie Susan Templeman led her Liberal rival Sarah Richards by 312 votes. Liberal candidate for Chisholm Gladys Liu led Labor's Jennifer Yang by 166 votes in Chisholm, even though the sitting member Julia Banks had quit the Liberal Party and accused it of bullying women. In Bass, Liberals candidate Bridget Archer was 437 votes ahead of Labor MP Ross Hart. Scott Morrison will remain as prime minister of Australia after he beat Bill Shorten's Labor party Labor's Nadia Clancy has conceded defeat in the battle for the Adelaide-based federal seat of Boothby with Liberal MP Nicolle Flint set to be returned to Canberra. Ms Clancy called Ms Flint on Monday to congratulate her on her victory in Saturday's federal election. 'I wish her well as she has been afforded the privilege to continue her role as your member for Boothby,' she told supporters on her Facebook page. In the previous parliament the numbers were: Liberals 58, Nationals 16, Labor 69, Greens 1, Centre Alliance 1, Katter's Australian Party 1, independents 4. The first sitting of the new parliament could occur before June 30, with the federal government seeking to deliver tax cuts of up to $1080 into the pockets of Australians earning up to $126,000. 'We're going to get on with our economic plan, with our job creation plan. We will seek to legislate our plans to reduce the tax burden on Australians as soon as we possibly can,' Trade Minister Simon Birmingham told Nine's Today program on Monday. The Coalition's plans also include improving mental health services, social media content laws and drought recovery policies. 'We want to support you ... but not pretend to be a government that has answers for all of your problems, we want to support you instead to support your families and your lives,' Senator Birmingham said. Bob Katter has launched a blistering attack against deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek, claiming her comments cost Labor the 'unloseable' election Mr Morrison also needs to fill a number of spots in his ministry due to retirements, including indigenous affairs, industrial relations and human services. While the seat count continues and the government gets back to business, Labor is set for a month of introspection with a leadership ballot. Frontbencher and former leadership challenger Anthony Albanese on Sunday became the first to formally announce a tilt at the top job, following what he described as a 'devastating result'. Ms Plibersek will on Monday announce she will run for the leadership and shadow treasurer Chris Bowen is also expected to put himself forward. Bill Shorten will be the interim leader while a postal ballot process is conducted. The Labor national executive will gather for a teleconference on Monday to discuss the process. Rev. Lissa Scott agreed to host event at St Matthew and St Lukes in Darlington A Church of England vicar has criticised for organising a celebration Ramadan in her parish church. The Reverend Lissa Scott agreed for the celebration of the Muslim fast to take place in St Matthew and St Lukes church in Darlington. As part of the event, the Reverend agreed to 'cover up' the church's cross and a copy of The Light of the World, a well-known devotional painting of Jesus by the pre-Raphaelite artist William Holman Hunt. Rev Lissa Scott (pictured with husband Nigel Scott after their wedding at St. Andrew's church) has come under fire for organising for a cross and picture of Jesus to be covered up for Muslim prayers in the church It is believed men who from a nearby mosque were invited to pray in the aisle of the church, while Muslim women were offered an adjoining set of rooms. The plans were discussed at a church meeting on May 9 attended by the Rev Scott, former Darlington mayor of Gerald Lee, and a number of local Muslim representatives. Mr Lee has been seeking to boost racial harmony in the area with a group called Celebrating Communities, which mostly organised diverse social events. St Matthew and St Luke's Church in Darlington, where men who from a nearby mosque were invited to pray in the aisle of the church, while Muslim women were offered an adjoining set of rooms Lissa and Nigel Scott in front of the altar inside St. Andrew's church, which is one of the three churches that she oversees in her parish The Sunday Times reported that minutes from the meeting read: 'One aisle in church to be cleared of chairs for Muslim men to say prayers. 'Cover Christian crosses/ photographs in small rooms for ladies to say prayers.' Christian Episcopal Church Bishop Gavin Ashenden criticised the plans because of the disrespect caused by covering up Jesus. The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt was the painting of Jesus that had been planned to be covered up 'When Muslims come into our church, we invite them to come in and respect Jesus. If we accepted an invitation to go into a mosque, we would respect Muhammad,' he said. The diocese of Durham has intervened in the fiasco, stating that church law does not permit acts of worship by non-Christians in a Church of England building. Muslims are still set to join Christians and other faiths at the church at sunset on June 2 for the evening meal of Iftar with ends the daily fast. Prayers will be held in a nearby building instead. Mr Lee added that he was not trying to 'convert or upset' anyone, and just wanted to bring parts of the community together. He accepted that they had made an 'error of judgment'. Rev. Scott was not immediately available for comment. Timothy Painter, 26, of Piedmont, South Carolina has been arrested after authorities found more than $200,000 worth of stolen property, including cars, in a system of tunnels on his property A South Carolina man has been arrested after authorities found more than $200,000 worth of stolen property in a system of tunnels on his property. The Greenville County Sheriffs Office said Timothy Painter, 26, was using 'a sophisticated network of underground tunnels' to hide stolen items including heavy construction equipment, transport trailers, power tools, construction material and even cars. The tunnels ended in a 'dead end roughly 15 feet underground,' authorities said. Painter has been charged with eight counts of receiving stolen goods and one count of grand larceny. Investigators released a photo of a portion of the tunnels, which they said was dug using some of the stolen construction equipment hidden within them. The Sheriff's office followed up on tips which led them to Painter's property at 617 Looperville Road in Piedmont on May 14. The Sheriff's office obtained a search warrant and examined the land owned by Painter over a two day period. Investigators released a photo of a portion of the tunnels, which they said was dug using stolen construction equipment hidden within them While executing a search warrant on Painter's Piedmont property over two days beginning on May 14, 'investigators discovered that the four acre property contained a sophisticated network of underground tunnels that were being used to conceal over $200,000 in stolen property,' the Sheriff's office said. Images of the tunnels are shown During that time, 'investigators discovered that the four acre property contained a sophisticated network of underground tunnels that were being used to conceal over $200,000 in stolen property,' the Sheriff's office said. 'We didn't expect to see a tunnel system this intricate,' Ryan Flood of the Greenville County Sheriff's Office told WILX. 'They eventually lead to a dead end roughly 15 feet underground. [It was] very sophisticated to see, not something very common that we see on a residential property.' 'We didn't expect to see a tunnel system this intricate,' Ryan Flood of the Greenville County Sheriff's Office said. 'They eventually lead to a dead end roughly 15 feet underground. [It was] very sophisticated to see, not something very common that we see on a residential property' Painter's sister, Breanna (pictured), suggested to that drug use may have played a role in the shocking discovery. She apologized on behalf of her brother, for the entire Painter family Painter's sister, Breanna, suggested to that drug use may have played a role in the shocking discovery. 'He's not always been this person,' she said. 'He's worked his butt off for what he's owned. I mean, drugs completely take a toll in your life and make you a completely different person.' The victims who own the property found are believed to reside in the counties throughout upstate and the midland areas of South Carolina. The Sheriff's office is now working to get in touch with those victims in an effort to return their property to them. As of Friday morning, Painter was being held in the Greenville County Detention Center on a $133,400 bond. Investigators said they anticipate additional charges to follow as they delve further into the case. Breanna apologized on behalf of her brother and the entire Painter family. An eight-year-old girl snatched off the street in front of her mother was found safe seven hours later in a Texas hotel room before police arrested a 51-year-old suspect in her kidnapping. Police discovered Salem Sabatka at a hotel in Fort Worth, Texas, at around 2am Sunday less than eight miles from where she was abducted seven and a half hours earlier. Michael Webb, 51, has been arrested and booked on a charge of aggravated kidnapping. The youngster had been out on a walk with her mother Saturday evening in Fort Worth's Ryan Place neighborhood when a man grabbed the girl and put her in his car. Heart-wrenching surveillance video showed Salem's mother jumping into the vehicle and desperately trying to save her daughter before the kidnapper shoved her out and drove off. Scroll down for video Eight-year-old Salem Sabatka (left) has been found safe after being snatched off the street while on a walk with her mother in Fort Worth, Texas, on Saturday evening. Her alleged abductor, 51-year-old Michael Webb (right). has been charged with aggravated kidnapping Police discovered Salem at around 2am Sunday in a room at the WoodSprings Suites hotel (pictured) less than eight miles from where she was abducted seven and a half hours earlier Officer Buddy Calzada said at the press conference early Sunday that Salem's alleged kidnapper, a 51-year-old man named Michael Webb, was taken into custody Two citizens contacted police after spotting a car matching the description of the one used in the abduction (above) outside the hotel in Fort Worth's Forest Hill neighborhood An Amber Alert was issued for Salem, who is 4'5", shortly after her abduction, describing the suspect as a 'light skinned black male of skinny build' and the car as a dark gray four-door sedan with alloy wheels. The alert included a photo of Salem wearing the same shirt she had on when she was taken. Two citizens reported seeing a car that matched the Amber Alert description in the parking lot of the WoodSprings Suites hotel in Forest Hill and contacted authorities. Officers dispatched to the hotel determined which room the suspect was staying in and breached the door. Salem was reportedly found in good condition but was taken to a local hospital to be checked out, Officer Buddy Calzada said at the press conference early Sunday. The map above shows the roughly eight miles between where Salem was abducted at approximately 6.38pm Saturday and where she was found hours later in a hotel room An Amber Alert issued after Salem's abduction described the suspect as a 'light skinned black male of skinny build' and the car as a dark gray four-door sedan with alloy wheels Heart-wrenching surveillance video from a nearby home showed Salem's mother jumping into the vehicle and desperately trying to save her daughter The kidnapper shoved Salem's mother out of the car before driving off as she frantically called 911, screaming: 'Help me please, someone call the police, my daughter just got kidnapped' The abduction took place at approximately 6.38pm Saturday. Surveillance video from a nearby home showed Salem's mother tumbling out of the vehicle after attempting to pull her daughter to safety. The car sped off and the mother immediately dialed 911, screaming: 'Help me please, someone call the police, my daughter just got kidnapped.' Police thanked the public for spreading the information about the suspect, which ultimately allowed them to bring Salem home. The 2900 block of 6th Avenue in Fort Worth's Ryan Place neighborhood is seen above This is the moment dozens of people including British tourists and locals brawl in a massive fight in Ibiza's Sant Antoni district. The brawl took place in a KFC restaurant on the Spanish island yesterday night and it also involved some locals who were walking by at the time. It resulted in several tourists being wounded and two men got their trousers ripped off by their opponents. The fight started with a discussion between a group of tourists and some locals and then involved more people who were walking by The fighters were punching and kicking each other both in the restaurant and in the street by its exit as locals walked past Some women were screaming in English as they asked the fighters to stop. The brawl in the middle of the restaurant also caused damage to the premises. The footage shows a group of four people looking at the scene as the fighters hit each other viciously. The brawl in the middle of the restaurant also caused damage to the premises of a KFC restaurant in the Sant Antoni district The fight resulted in several tourists being wounded and two men got their trousers ripped off by their opponents They punch and kick each other the restaurant and the fight then moves to the street. A man is guided out of the restaurant by a security officer who holds him from the back before releasing him in the street. As soon as he is free, however, another man punches him again. Ride-booking app Uber is under investigation by HM Revenue & Customs because it allegedly owes more than 1billion in unpaid tax Ride-booking app Uber is under investigation by HM Revenue & Customs because it allegedly owes more than 1billion in unpaid tax. If the company, which has more than 60,000 drivers in Britain, is made to pay out then its users will potentially face a rapid increase in fares. Uber doesn't pay VAT on its fares, because it claims it acts as a 'middleman' between self-employed drivers and customers. However, the description Uber gives of its relationship with its drivers has been called out by judges for involving a 'high degree of fiction' when in December last year two of its drivers won a case for being classed as 'workers' who deserved minimum wage and paid holiday. The company argues that it shouldn't have to pay the standard amount of tax because its drivers earn less than 85,000 a year - the threshold at which it starts being charged. If the HMRC rules that the company is in fact a transportation company and should therefore be paying VAT, Uber will face the largest tax bill ever levied on a digital giant in the UK. If the company, which has more than 60,000 drivers in Britain, is made to pay out then its users will potentially face a rapid increase in fares The HMRC is believed to be currently undecided in their investigation. Tax barrister Jolyon Maugham QC is due to file a legal action against the HMRC in High Court this week because he believes it has mishandled Uber's VAT case. He estimates that Uber's potential VAT bill will be 260m a year, with taxmen able to claim four years back payment. Uber, founded in San Francisco in 2009 and now operating in 600 cities across 65 countries, has been hit by countless controversies in the past. Uber doesn't pay VAT on its fares, because it claims it acts as a 'middleman' between self-employed drivers and customers In 2014 it was hit by the 'God view' scandal - which saw the company's ex-forensic investigator admit that employees regularly spied on politicians, celebrities and even ex-lovers by using the app's map system. Travis Kalanick - former CEO who was forced to step down in 2017 - was caught on camera arguing with his own Uber driver who was complaining about the difficulties of working for the company Former Uber engineer Susan Fowler spoke out in 2017 about claims of sexual harassment and discrimination - leading to speculation about widespread mistreatment of women in Silicon Valley. Travis Kalanick - former CEO who was forced to step down in 2017 - was caught on camera arguing with his own Uber driver who was complaining about the difficulties of working for the company. According to the Guardian, he said: 'Some people dont like to take responsibility for their own shit. They blame everything in their life on somebody else. Good luck!' Kalanick later apologised for his outburst. Three months later Kalanick was forced to formally step down after a group of investors wrote a letter demanding his departure. According to the Sunday Times, Uber said: 'Uber fulfils and will continue to fulfil its tax obligations in the countries in which it operates.' An HMRC spokesman said: 'HMRC will always make sure that every business, no matter its size, pays all the taxes due under UK law and we don't settle for less. HMRC's ability to assess for tax will always depend on the specific facts and circumstances of any case.' A grandmother has been killed and five other people wounded in a shooting at a vigil in Long Beach, California. Police responding to reports of gunfire near a bar at Pacific Coast Highway and Canal Avenue at around 12.40am Saturday found three men and three women suffering from gunshot wounds. Jacquelyn Hodge Glasby, 57, was pronounced dead at the scene and the five other victims, who have not been named, were taken to the hospital. Police did not release Glasby's name but she was identified by loved ones. The mother-of-two and grandmother was originally from Wilmington but had been living in Ontario, Canada. The victims were with a group of people gathered in a parking lot for a vigil honoring a person who had recently died of natural causes when an unknown number of suspects began shooting. Scroll down for video Jacquelyn Hodge Glasby, 57, was killed and five others were injured when gunfire erupted during a vigil in Long Beach, California. Glasby (left and right) was a mother-of-two and grandmother originally from Wilmington who had been living in Ontario, Canada Police responding to reports of gunfire near the West Cocktail Lounge (above) on Pacific Coast Highway at 12.40am Saturday found three men and three women with gunshot wounds Another woman was transported to a hospital in critical condition and three men were transported with non-life-threatening injuries, police said in a news release. All four suffered gunshot wounds to the upper-torso. A third woman took herself to a nearby hospital to get treatment for a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the lower torso, police said. Glasby's daughter-in-law, Sabrina Neely, said the family is devastated. 'She was just at the wrong place on the wrong time,' Neely told KTLA. 'It just doesn't feel real.' A body is seen behind yellow police tape in the parking lot where the shooting took place No details about the suspects have been released and police have yet to determine the motive behind the shooting. Video showed investigators canvassing the area near the West Cocktail Lounge in the hours after the incident. A man who was in the bar at the time described hearing several gunshots right after a band finished their set. He said he ran outside and found his rear windshield was shattered. Police are still investigating the incident and more details are expected to be released later on. Anyone with information is asked to contact Long Beach Police Homicide Detectives at 562-570-7244 or 1-800-222-8477. A woman migrant has been found unconscious today on a boat crammed with 19 people - the second incident of its kind this weekend. She was in a boat that got picked up by Border Force at around 9am and taken into Dover, Kent, as one of around 30 migrants made it on to British waters within two days. The woman, whose nationality is not yet known, was checked over and understood to now be well after making the perilous trip across the Channel. A patrol vessel belonging to the Maritime Gendarmerie spotted the migrants who claim to be Iranian and Iraqi - including a child suffering from hypothermia - close to Calais. The group of Iranian migrants were spotted by the Maritime Gendarmerie on Sunday morning. Pictured: Border Force boats patrol Dover Harbour in December Ten of them were taken to shore by a Border Force patrol vessel and the other nine by a cutter before they were interviewed. A local French official said: 'They were all rescued from the sea, and then taken ashore and handed over to the frontier police. 'The boat they were in was a small dinghy totally unsuited for the kind of crossing they had in mind.' The other arrival today was at around 4am, with a small boat packed with 13 migrants - including five children - heading towards Dover. HMC Seeker - one of the Border Force cutters - intercepted it and took the group, which had six men and two women on, to Dover to be medically assessed. These migrants also all claimed to be either Iraqi or Iranian, and were found to be well and are now with immigration chiefs. A Home Office spokesman said: 'Anyone crossing the Channel in a small boat is taking a huge risk with their life and the lives of their children. 'Since the Home Secretary declared a major incident in December, two cutters have returned to UK waters from overseas operations. 'We have agreed a joint action plan with France and increased activity out of the Joint Coordination and Information Centre in Calais. 'It is an established principle that those in need of protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach and since January more than 25 people who arrived illegally in the UK in small boats have been returned to Europe.' All those taken ashore were part of a community of migrants who have based themselves in France so as to regularly risk their lives in the English Channel in a desperate attempt to get to the UK. Despite Sunday's risky maritime operation, most of the migrants are likely to be freed again within hours, allowing them to go to sea again. Semi-rigid dinghies with outboard motors are used, but prosecutions are only usually pursued against people smugglers charging the equivalent of thousands of pounds for a crossing. The number of attempts has been increasing steadily, despite a new action plan involving the British government paying millions to try and secure France's northern coast with technology including drones. The French authorities are regularly criticised for releasing those caught making illegal attempts to get to Britain. Many are simply driven to Belgium - the country from which they entered France - and then left to return. French Interior Minister Christophe Castaner revealed earlier this year that 71 attempted boat crossings were recorded in 2018 Most want to make asylum claims in the UK, rather than in France, where it is much harder for foreigners to access social security benefits. Christopher Castaner, the French Interior Minister, said earlier this year that 71 attempted boat crossings were recorded in 2018. This compared to just 12 the previous year, with Iranians making up the biggest group of would-be migrants to Britain. More than 80 per cent of attempts came in November and December, leading to UK Home Secretary Sajid Javid agreeing to provide 'financial support' for drones, radar and video surveillance to prevent 'irregular sea departures'. Other measures include trying to stop boat shops and rental firms from doing business with migrants, but such measures do not apply in Belgium, which is just a few miles from Calais. British funding for new measures was first pledged as part of the Sandhurst agreement in 2018, when the UK agreed to pay 44.5 for detection technology, and other measures. Asylum seekers are technically obliged to claim asylum in their first safe country, but many Iranians have family and friends in the UK, and speak English. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is being honored with the 2019 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award Sunday night. Pelosi is being recognized for her efforts to pass former President Barack Obama's 2010 health care law and for helping Democrats reclaim control of the U.S. House during last year's elections. Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of the late president, called the California Democrat 'the most important woman in American political history.' House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi will receive the 2019 John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award on Sunday night Pelosi (pictured with President Trump) is being recognized for her work in helping to pass the 2010 healthcare bill and for helping Democrats win back the House during the 2018 midterms Caroline Kennedy (left) and Pelosi (right) are pictured arriving at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston prior to the award ceremony start Pelosi (in green) pictured holding the Profiles in Courage award, surrounded by family members including her grandsons Thomas (left) and Paul (right) Pelosi (in green) receiving the Profiles in Courage award from JFK's daughter, Caroline Kennedy (center), and grandson, Jack Schlossberg Pelosi (in green) accepting the award from Caroline Kennedy (left) and her children, Jack and Tatiana (right) Schlossberg The John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award (pictured) was created in 1989 and given to nominated public officials at the federal, state or local level Kennedy said Pelosi, who has served in the House since 1987, 'leads with strength, integrity and grace under pressure.' The award is being presented to Pelosi in a Sunday evening ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston, starting at 8.30pm. Pelosi, who has served in the House of Representatives since 1987, is the first woman to have been elected Speaker and is the highest-ranking, elected female in US political history. The award was created in 1989 and recognizes nominated public officials at the federal, state, or local level 'whose actions demonstrate the qualities of politically courageous leadership in the spirit of Profiles in Courage, President Kennedy's 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, which recounts the stories of eight U.S. senators who risked their careers by embracing unpopular positions for the greater good,' according to the JFK Library website. Horrifying footage shows a motorcyclist who was left with a hammer sticking out of his helmet after an attempted robbery, in the latest escalation of London's moped crime wave. The alarming footage was filmed in the wake of a violent bike theft attempt on the Hayes Bypass in West London on Friday. The video was filmed by a Mercedes driver who got the man's moped back for him by bashing the robbers of their bike with his car. It comes in the same week a gang of moped 'scumbags', exposed by BGT judge Amanda Holden for threatening to snatch a toddler, were jailed for a total of 68 years. Shocking footage shows the large hammer sticking out of the moped rider's helmet after the incident In the moments after the brutal attack, that took place at around midday, the Mercedes driver took out his camera to film the aftermath. Shocking footage shows the hammer sticking out of the man's moped helmet and the rattled rider standing by the side of the road. He can be heard in the recording saying: 'There has been a fresh hijacking on the Hayes bypass just now.' He points to the victim who is wearing a hi-vis jacket and says: 'This guy here got hammered and then we chased him and I smashed my car onto the guy's bike.' The man's heroic actions led to the bike being returned to its owner. He continues and points again to the motorcyclists and says: 'This is the poor victim.' And then showing the shocking sight of a hammer impaled into the man's helmet he says: 'They hammered him here.' The moped rider (left) pictured on his phone after the attempted robbery. Right: His stricken moped The video has been shared across social-media with former Scotland Yard detective chief superintendent Tweeting it out stating: 'Shocking hammer attack on a motorcyclist on the Hayes bypassdangerous suspect must be found asap.' In a statement the Metropolitan Police said: 'Police were called at approximately 11:19hrs on Friday, 17 May to Glencoe Road in Yeading following reports that a moped rider had been assaulted and robbed of his vehicle. 'Officers established that a male suspect had driven off on the stolen moped along with another man who was on a white moped after the robbery took place on Springfield Road shortly after 11.00hrs. 'A member of the public pursued the suspects with the victim in his car. On Glencoe Road, one of the suspects fell from his moped before fleeing with the second suspect on the victim's moped. A gang of moped criminals were jailed earlier this week following an intervention from Amanda Holden. Pictured: Helicopter footage shows the moment the gang were finally caught after they slid off their moped following a chase Officers discovered a hammer, screwdriver, angle grinder and large knife underneath the seat cover of one of their mopeds 'Both mopeds used by the suspects were later recovered by police. Both were found to be stolen and subsequently returned to their owners. The victim's moped was located in Greenford. Seven months of mayhem: Timeline of the gang's activity 31 December 2017: Gang used a stolen Range Rover to break to ram raid a clothing shop on Kensington High Street. They stole two high value coats before abandoning the vehicle and fleeing on motorbikes. January 2018: Four of the gang travelled to Redditch in Worcestershire and stole three motorbikes worth a total of 30,000 after their owner accidentally posted his address after advertising them on eBay. 30 January 2018: They targetted the same shop, using three mopeds to ram the front before attacking a security guard with planks of wood. In the two raids, they netted 40,000 worth of stock. 22 March 2018: The gang were responsible for the attempted theft of a media camera that was fixed to Putney Bridge to film the Oxford v Cambridge boat race. They successfully stole another BBC camera from Lonsdale Road, near Barnes Bridge, only an hour later. April 2018: They raided three Kensington-based businesses, making off with thousands of pounds of electronic equipment - one company alone lost 83,000 worth of MacBooks and other Apple products. 7 May 2018: Two of the gang were involved in an attempted knifepoint moped robbery on Dolphin Street in Kingston. Three of the men were detained and arrested in Ealing by police following a 90 minute pursuit which ran through ten London boroughs. 21 June 2018: Four suspects went to Kingston and stole number plates from a parked vehicle. They then approached a woman who was walking hand in hand with her three-year-old son. They demanded jewellery whilst threatening to harm the boy if she did not comply. 19 July 2018: Police carry out a series of raids, rounding up and arresting the gang. Advertisement 'The victim did not require medical treatment. There have been no arrests.' Earlier this week a 12-strong mob who carried out a series of high-profile raids around the capital were jailed after an intervention from Britain's Got Talent's Amanda Holden. Ms Holden got involved after four gang members were caught on CCTV targeting her neighbour, Pheobe Ruele, as she walked her little son home from nursery last summer. Bearded gang ringleader Terry Marsh, along with Steven Weller, John McFadyen and his brother Isaac, tried to rob Miss Reule in the middle of the road, demanding 'give me your rings or I'm going to hurt your child'. They were spotted by a group of builders who chased them off brandishing scaffold poles. The gang were finally rounded up following another raid, after a 90-minutes chase through 10 London boroughs, which ended when one pair slid off their bike while trying to take a corner at high speed. In one notorious incident, the gang attempted to steal TV cameras from bridges on the university boat race route - before making off on mopeds. The gang were behind the theft of 170,000 of camera equipment used to film the Oxford and Cambridge boat race. All four were jailed at Kingston Crown Court last week, along with six other members of the 12-strong gang who were also responsible for a string of high profile raids across London. Two were spared jail. Nine of the 12 had racked up 383 previous convictions for burglaries, handling stolen goods, car theft, aggravated vehicle taking, assault and robberies between them. The other three men had no previous criminal records. The gang's illegal activity first came to light on New Year's Eve 2017 after a ram raid on outdoor clothing company Altimus Ltd in Kensington using a stolen Range Rover and several mopeds. Three were arrested last May after a high-speed police chase that lasted more than 90 minutes and spanned 10 London boroughs. Footage of the attack in Richmond, south west London, was tweeted by the Britain's Got Talent judge who urged the public to call the police 'if u know these scumbags' after it happened last June A woman claims a man ordered his dog to attack a harmless swan before he stood back and watched the violent incident unfold while laughing along with a friend. The alleged incident is understood to have occurred near to the Front Beach in Sorrento, a coastal town southeast of Melbourne, around 10am on Sunday. The dog owner was accompanied by a male friend who he allegedly told to 'watch this' before taking his dog off its lead and telling him to 'sick em'. Pictured: Man (left) wanted for questioning after a man ordered his dog to attack a swan The witness said the dog then proceeded to approach a group of around 20 black swans who were swimming in the shallows before the dog 'grabbed one' swan. '[T]he dog grabbed a swan and began to shake it vigorously. I screamed and swore at him to call dog off, he laughed,' the witness said. 'My husband ran into the water to try and release swan from dog's mouth, [the] guy just stood on beach. The witness, who labelled the two men as 'gutless morons' said the swan was injured and had to be carried out of the water. The witness took to social media to share details of the incident and to ask if anyone recognised the men or the dog She said she and her husband then kept hold of the swan until the police arrived at the scene. She said the two men continued to walk 'very quickly' in the direction of the Sorrento yacht club. The woman, who shared an image of the two men facing away from the camera alongside the dog, urged anyone who recognised the men or the dog to get in touch with the police. 'They cannot be allowed to get away with this,' she added. Since the witness, who asked not to be named, shared the post many social media users have condemned the two men for their 'disgusting' actions. The alleged incident is understood to have occurred near to the Front Beach in Sorrento (pictured), a coastal town southeast of Melbourne, around 10am on Sunday 'That is disgusting. I hope they get the biggest fine plus community service. They can clean all the beach. Idiots,' one person wrote. 'Yes they look and sound like total morons and I hope they get caught disgusting that they would train their dog to do that idiots,' another said. A third wrote: 'They do not deserve to own a dog!! That kind of behaviour they are basically setting the poor pup up to be euthanised... some people just lack brains!!' 'I'm Speechless! It's [s]uch a shame you didn't get their faces. Hopefully they will be recognised,' another added. The dog owner is believed to be Caucasian and was last seen wearing an off-white jacket and a pair of shorts. Police have released an image of a man wanted for questioning over the incident. Anyone with information on the incident should contact Rosebud police station on 03 5986 0444. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney, who was one of Donald Trump's harshest critics in the 2016 campaign, declined to endorse the president for re-election next year. 'I'm not ready to make an endorsement yet,' Romney told CNN's 'State of the Union,' adding 'it's way too early.' Romney, who was the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, also said Trump had some work to do on character issues. Republican Sen. Mitt Romney declined to endorse President Donald Trump for re-election next year Romney was one of Donald Trump's toughest critics in the 2016 campaign 'I think he could substantially improve his game when it comes to helping shape the character of the country,' the Republican from Utah said. 'The President has distanced himself from some of the best qualities of the human character.' But Romney was not ready to join fellow Republican Justin Amash, who said the president 'engaged in actions that meet the thresh hold for impeachment. 'An impeachment call is something that not just relates to the law but considers practicality and politics. And the American people just aren't there,' Romney said. 'I don't think impeachment is the right way to go,' he added. 'As I read the report, I was troubled by it. Was very disappointing for a number of reasons. But it did not suggest to me this was a time to call for impeachment,' he noted. None the less, Romney said Amash made a 'courageous' statement. 'I respect him. I think it's a courageous statement,' he said of the Michigan lawmaker. CNN's Jake Tapper asked Romney if Trump has disgraced the office of the president. 'I think a number of things were unfortunate and distressing,' Romney replied. 'Clearly the number of times there were items of dishonesty, misleading the American public and media are things you would not be want to see from the highest office in the land.' But he said there was not suggestion of an abuse of power on the part of the president. 'Abuse of power is at a whole other level, which suggests impeachment. I think in part one of the things it's difficult in order to make a case for obstruction of justice or impeachment is whether or not there was intent. And when there's not an underlying crime, I think it's difficult to put together an effective case to prosecute for those crimes,' he said. Special counsel Robert Mueller's report found no criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia, but left open the question of whether Trump acted in ways that were meant to obstruct the investigation. Trump and Republican lawmakers generally view the matter as 'case closed,' as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell recently declared on the floor of the Senate. Sen. Romney also defended President Trump against calls for impeachment On the other hand, Democrats who control the House are locked in a bitter standoff with the White House as it ignores lawmakers' requests for the more complete version of Mueller's report, want the underlying evidence and witness testimony. During the 2016 election, Romney gave a highly critical speech of Trump, calling him a 'a phony, a fraud.' Trump, in return, mocked Romney for losing the 2012 presidential election. Advertisement Adventurers will get the chance to explore one of Britain's largest caves as it opens to the public once again. Gaping Gill in Yorkshire opens just twice a year, giving a glimpse into one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the UK. Visiting cavers can travel to the site near Ingleborough Cave in the Yorkshire Dales and be winched down from a hole in the roof into the 420ft-long main chamber. The descent is not for the faint-hearted, however. It's a 360ft drop and takes about a minute to reach the bottom. Gaping Gill in Yorkshire is open just twice a year. It gives potholers a glimpse into one of the longest and most complex cave systems in the UK To reach Gaping Gill, intrepid explorers must be winched 360ft down in a manoeuvre that takes around one minute Fell Beck stream, which pours over rock above and crashes to the cave floor creating a waterfall, is temporarily diverted by a makeshift dam to allow visitors to explore the cavern Gaping Gill is home to Britain's highest unbroken waterfall, which is twice the height of Niagara in North America. Centuries ago, local superstition had the cave as bottomless - a gateway to hell Water has been the chief architect of this cathedral of stone, which began taking shape around 300million years ago The main chamber of the cave is floodlit but visitors can use a torch to explore the many nooks and crannies But the views that await are truly breathtaking. The heart of the cave alone is a space so vast that the dome of St Paul's Cathedral could fit inside. The first successful descent was made in 1895 by Frenchman Edouard Martel, who used a rope ladder and a candle. Nowadays, the main chamber is floodlit but visitors can use a torch to explore the nooks and crannies of the cave. Fell Beck stream, which pours over rock above and crashes to the cave floor creating a waterfall, is temporarily diverted by a makeshift dam to allow visitors to explore the cavern. The main cave is 420ft long, 100ft high and 82ft wide. The first recorded attempt at a descent was made by John Birkbeck, a Quaker, banker and pioneer potholer from nearby Settle, in 1842 Birkbeck made it 180ft down before the rope began to fray and he was forced back to the surface. It would be another 53 years before anyone would set foot in the chamber Press Association photographer Danny Lawson, who had a sneak peek when he was lowered down, described it as 'massively impressive'. He said: 'It's a completely surreal experience as you descend into the abyss. 'It's pitch black at first before your eyes gradually adjust. And it's like an echo chamber so you can hear the water running nearby. It's massively impressive.' The cave is next open between May 25 and 31. A potholer is winched into Gaping Gill over the main shaft entrance. The cave is next open between May 25 and 31 President Donald Trump on Sunday slammed the first Republican lawmaker who called for his impeachment, saying Rep. Justin Amash is a 'loser' who is 'getting his name out there through controversy.' 'Never a fan of @justinamash , a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy,' Trump wrote on Twitter. 'If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, composed by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump, he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION...Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!,' he concluded. President Donald Trump slammed the first Republican lawmaker who called for his impeachment President Trump prepares to go to his Trump National Golf Club in Virginia on Sunday Amash, a Republican congressman from Michigan, become the first Republican to publicly call for President Trump's impeachment on Saturday. The congressman accused Trump of engaging in 'impeachable conduct' stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Amash's libertarian views often put him conflict with members of his own party. Mueller found no criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia, but left open the question of whether Trump acted in ways that were meant to obstruct the investigation. The congressman accused Trump of engaging in 'impeachable conduct' stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election Republican lawmaker Justin Amash's comments about President Donald Trump's alleged 'impeachable conduct' went even further than those by most Democrats Amash said he reached four conclusions after carefully reading the redacted version of Mueller's report, including that 'President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct.' 'Contrary to Barr's portrayal, Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment,' the congressman tweeted. Robert Mueller (pictured) found no criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia He said the report 'identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence.' The Justice Department, which Barr leads, operates under guidelines that discourage the indictment of a sitting president. Trump and Republican lawmakers generally view the matter as 'case closed,' as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recently declared on the floor of the Senate. On the other hand, Democrats who control the House are locked in a bitter standoff with the White House as it ignores lawmakers' requests for the more complete version of Mueller's report, the underlying evidence and witness testimony. Some Democrats wants the House to open impeachment hearings, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi resisted, saying impeachment must be bipartisan. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., a freshman who opened her term by profanely calling for Trump to be impeached, applauded Amash. 'You are putting country first, and that is to be commended,' Tlaib tweeted. Tlaib is seeking support for a resolution she's circulating calling on the House to start impeachment proceedings. Georgia residents are by law allowed to hunt up to three 'gobblers per season' He said his main concern was that the shooting season was ending and he had not yet reached his 'limit' Carter fell and broke his hip earlier this week on the way to a turkey shoot 39th US President was forced to cancel his Sunday School class at Maranatha Baptist Church where he has taught since he left the Oval Office in 1981. Former President Jimmy Carter has canceled plans to teach Sunday school just days after undergoing surgery for a broken hip. 'Though he is progressing well, he underestimated the amount of time he would need to recover from his recent hip replacement,' Carter spokeswoman Deanna Congileo said in a statement on Saturday evening. Carter, 94, broke his hip Monday as he was leaving to go turkey hunting. Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter was forced to cancel this week's Sunday School classes Carter broke his hip after going turkey hunting. Here he is pictured with Tyler Jordan, who features on the show Realtree Outdoors with his father Bill on the Outdoor Channel 'He will undergo physical therapy, as part of his recovery from hip replacement surgery,' the statement continued. Congileo said Carter apologized for any inconvenience to those who traveled to hear his lesson at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. Congileo said Carter's niece, Kim Fuller, will teach the lesson in his stead and, he says, 'No one will be disappointed.' A devout Christian, Carter has spent most Sundays since his retirement in the 1980s attending Maranatha Baptist Church teaching Sunday school in Plains. He draws hundreds of visitors for each session. He and his wife Rosalynn pose for pictures with each attendee. President Donald Trump wished the former Commander in Chief well, saying that 'he will be fine!' in his recovery from a broken hip Jimmy Carter's office sent out a light-hearted statement about the accident, saying that the 94-year-old's only concern was that the turkey shooting season was ending Carter became the longest-living president in U.S. history in March when his age surpassed that of former President George H.W. Bush, who died November 30 at the age of 94 years, 171 days. Nearly four years have passed since Carter revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer. Carter said in August 2015 he had melanoma that had spread to his liver and brain. He received treatment for seven months until scans showed no sign of the disease. Despite the uncomfortable nature of the hip injury, it was far from the Nobel Peace Prize winner's mind. Instead, Carter revealed that his 'main concern' was that turkey season was ending this week and 'he has not reached his limit'. Georgia state residents are by law allowed to hunt up to three of the 'gobblers per season'. A statement said that Carter 'hopes the state of Georgia will allow him to roll over the unused limit to next year'. The accident comes just a month after Carter went hunting with Tyler Jordan, who features on the show Realtree Outdoors with his father Bill on the Outdoor Channel. Several presidential hopefuls including Democratic candidate Pete Buttigieg (right, with husband Chasten Glezman, left, and Carter) have stopped by to listen in on Carter's Sunday schools Jordan posted a photo of him and Jimmy with a turkey, smiling wide and dressed in head-to-toe camouflage. '94 years old and bustin' beaks!' Jordan wrote in the caption. 'An unforgettable morning in the woods with President Carter at Realtree Farms.' The one-term Commander-in-Chief has remained very active throughout his retirement, and recently became the oldest living president following the death of George H W Bush Snr. But health concerns have plagued the last few years. Carter announced in August 2015 that he had melanoma that had spread to his liver and brain. After a successful round of treatment with immunotherapy drug pembrolizumab, doctors said his scans no longer showed any signs of cancer in December 2015. The ex-Georgia peanut farmer continues to enjoy his retirement, and is still valued on the political landscape. Even presidential hopefuls have stopped by at Carter's Sunday school class, with runners Pete Buttigieg, Kamala Harris, and Amy Klobuchar all sitting to listen to the Democrat. The former president has taken on volunteer projects like Habitat for Humanity, which hosts an annual Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project to renovate or build homes in the United States or internationally. Bernie Sanders will join protesters in Birmingham on Sunday to sound off against Alabama's controversial abortion law. Sanders, a leading progressive among Democrats, also vowed - should he be elected president - not to appoint any justice to the Supreme Court who wouldn't uphold Roe vs. Wade, the landmark case that made abortion legal. 'What they did in Alabama is unbelievable,' Sanders said Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' Bernie Sanders will join protesters in Birmingham on Sunday to sound off against Alabama's controversial abortion law Around two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should be legal Protesters in front of the Alabama State House 'If you're asking me, would I ever appoint a Supreme Court justice who does not believe in defending Roe versus Wade, who does not believe that a woman has the right to control her own body, I will never do that,' he added. The senator from Vermont will join protesters in the state after his rally in Alabama, CNN reported. Sanders is on a campaign swing of Southern states. Sanders and other Democrats have been slamming the state for its restrictive law, which only allows exceptions for life of the mother. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who's also running for the 2020 presidential nomination, said President Donald Trump has 'started a war on America's women.' 'This is nothing short of an all-out assault on women's reproductive freedom, an effort to take away our basic human rights and civil rights, and make no mistake, the 30 states that are trying to unwind abortion rights are trying to get rid of Roe v. Wade,' she said Sunday on CBS' 'Face the Nation.' 'I hope America's women are paying attention because President Trump has started a war on America's women. And if it's a fight he wants to have, it's a fight he's going to have, and he's going to lose,' she added. Even some Republicans have called Alabama's law too restrictive. 'I don't support the Alabama law,' GOP Sen. Mitt Romney told CNN's 'State of the Union.' Romney stated he is against abortion, but he favors exceptions 'for rape and incest and where the life of the mother is at risk.' President Trump said he supports the same exceptions. 'As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan,' Trump tweeted late on Saturday from the White House. Thousands of demonstrators prepared to take to the streets around Alabama on Sunday to rally against the bans. Women's reproductive rights defenders will gather in the capital, Montgomery, and in Birmingham, Anniston and Huntsville, to denounce the 'Alabama Human Life Protection Act,' or HB314, which virtually outlaws terminations. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who's also running for the 2020 presidential nomination, said President Donald Trump has 'started a war on America's women' Even some Republicans, like Sen. Mitt Romney, said Alabama's law is too extreme President Trump has also criticized the law 'People should have the right to make the decisions that are best for their bodies without state interference,' organizers said on Facebook. Alabama passed a law last week that prohibits all abortions -- even in cases of incest and rape -- unless there is a risk of death for the mother. 'We're going to return to the back alleys. We're going to return to where women will do abortions to themselves,' 81-year-old Maralyn Mosley told the Montgomery Advertiser. She had an abortion at 13, after her uncle raped her. 'We will return to the coat hangers and perforated uteruses. We will return to where women will bleed to death,' she warned. Sunday's rallies follow protests last week that saw women donning the iconic red tunics and white bonnets worn by the oppressed women of a dystopian future America in Hulu's 'The Handmaid's Tale.' The Alabama law is likely to be blocked in state courts before its November launch date but Republican Governor Kay Ivey acknowledged when she signed it that it was part of as a wider Republican offensive to get the issue relitigated on the national stage. The law, set to take effect in six months, does not penalize women who receive abortions, but would threaten doctors who perform them with up to 99 years in prison. Lawmakers in Indiana, Ohio, Louisiana and Missouri have also advanced laws to severely restrict abortion. All are hoping that court challenges will make their way to the Supreme Court, and that the judiciary will overturn Roe v Wade, the 1973 high court ruling that declared abortion a Constitutional right as long as the fetus is not viable. Bianca Cameron-Schwiesow, from left, Kari Crowe and Margeaux Hartline, dressed as handmaids, take part in a protest against HB314, the abortion ban bill, at the Alabama State House on Wednesday US actress Eva Longoria warned that other US states could restrict the rights of women to abortion Conservative activists hope to get a Supreme Court decision against the landmark 1973 ruling known as Roe v Wade that said unduly restrictive state regulation of abortion is unconstitutional. Conservatives are counting on support at the highest court in the land, where liberal justices are in a minority after the arrival of two conservative members appointed by President Trump. While the Alabama measure is seen as particularly draconian, at least 28 US states have introduced more than 300 measures since the start of the year limiting abortion rights, according to activists. Kentucky and Mississippi have banned abortions as soon as a fetus's heartbeat is detectable, or around the sixth week of pregnancy. Similar measures are being adopted in Georgia, Ohio, Missouri and Tennessee. A judge has blocked the implementation of the Kentucky law, while the Mississippi law is set to come into effect in July. The country's largest human rights organization, ACLU, has said it will file suit against Alabama's law as unconstitutional. HB314 seeks jail terms of between 10 and 99 years for doctors performing terminations, which are counted as homicides. It stipulates no penalty for the mother. Protesters in front of the Alabama State House Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured (right) with French President Emmanuel Macron, aying he was gravely saddened by 'backsliding' on women's rights seen in several US states Around two-thirds of Americans believe abortion should be legal, a Pew Center poll found last year. US actress Eva Longoria spoke out against the Alabama and Missouri legislation as European stars including Penelope Cruz and Charlotte Gainsbourg staged a protest against the bans at the Cannes Film Festival on Saturday. 'What's happening in Alabama is so important in the world,' the 'Desperate Housewives' star said. 'It's going to affect everybody if we don't pay attention.' Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau added his own note of caution last week, saying he was gravely saddened by 'backsliding' on women's rights seen in several US states. A man who kidnapped a 3-year-old girl in the middle of the night because he claimed 'the devil told him to' will be released from jail immediately after a sentence reduction of 18 months. Eden Kane, 50, abducted the little girl from her home in Childers, Queensland while she was sleeping by the lounge room window in April 2014. He kept the terrified girl in his house for two days before leaving her at a showground across the road from her home. Eden Kane, who kidnapped a 3-year-old girl in the middle of the night because he claimed 'the devil told him to,' will be released soon after a sentence reduction of one and a half years After a huge search, she was found by patrolling police who heard her calling out 'Mummy'. At his trial, prosecutors said Kane told police that the devil drew him to the girl's home and told him what to take. There was no evidence Kane indecently assaulted the girl. According to prosecutors, they slept in the same bed, watched movies and ate chocolate. When she was found, the girl's hair appeared to have been washed and brushed. Kane, who does not know the victim's family, pleaded guilty to child abduction and was sentenced in Brisbane District Court last month to four-and-a-half years in jail, with eligible parole on August 17. Eden Kane, 50, abducted the little girl from her home in Childers, Queensland while she was sleeping by the lounge room window in April 2014 However, 14 months already spent in custody was counted as time served on his sentence On Friday, the court ordered he be released on parole immediately after the Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to just three years, the Courier Mail reported. The young girl has suffered lasting impacts, including no longer feeling safe to sleep alone and experiencing nightmares. 'Clearly it would not only have been an extremely terrifying ordeal for that child, but also for the family associated with that child,' Judge Nathan Jarro said during sentencing. The court heard that Kane suffers from bipolar, and Court of Appeal judges appreciated his mental health was a factor in his lessened moral accountability. 'His condition is such that a further period of custody of a few months is not called for by any consideration of personal deterrence, nor would it serve the purposes of general deterrence,' the judges said. Kane will be under supervision in the community as terms of his parole. But on arrival at Goose Green the campers found dirty tent filled with rubbish A group of university students going on a 'magical' glamping break were horrified to find their tents dirty and the campsite littered with empty bottles of drink and half-eaten food. Rachael Colet, 22, had planned the trip with friends from Bath University as the opportunity for a get-together at a countryside retreat. But upon seeing the state of the 'romantic' and 'unique' accommodation, Rachael was so 'uneasy' about the Airbnb-listed tent that she refused to stay. She and nine other business students and trainee lawyers had been looking for a short break and had searched the popular holiday website for ideas. Rachael Colet (right) with her Bath University friends Louise Smith (left) and Evan Harris (centre) who booked a holiday in a yurt only to find it was an improvised tent One listing was for a bell tent in a 'secluded meadow' in Goose Green, West Sussex which caught their eye. Host Joanna Murray described the listing as a 'magical' spot where you could 'wake up to the sounds of wildlife'. Photos on the site had it 'decorated beautifully with lots of fairy lights, real sheepskin rugs, reindeer rugs and a coconut coir floor'. Nearby to the tent (seen in the background) were piles of rubbish that included a child's car seat and sleeping bags. There are travellers' caravans with caged dogs in a neighbouring field But when the group arrived for their one-night stay, it was anything but. Pictures taken by the group show the pile of rubbish left near to the tents (there were two instead of one), which sit in an overgrown field. Host Joanna Murray described the listing as a 'magical' spot where you could 'wake up to the sounds of wildlife' 'My friends aren't picky, but we felt really uneasy as it seemed like quite an unsafe place,' Rachael Colet, 22, from High Wycombe, told the Sunday Times. 'The tents were clearly on a traveller site. There were caravans surrounding us and dogs on the loose, so we felt very unsafe.' However reviews still available on Airbnb offer dozens of positive reviews for the listing, claiming the tents were 'very clean' and 'beautiful'. Another person who stayed last month wrote: 'Really sweet space, ideal for private group camping! There's a fireplace and a bbq and plenty of seating around the fire.' When host Murray arrived, Rachael said they would not be staying and asked for a refund of the 277 cost. While Murray agreed to it in person, Airbnb later refused to give her the money, citing guidelines that require complainants to email within 24 hours of checking in. Rachael, who complained at 3pm the next day, was offered 112 by Airbnb two weeks later. The listing for the bell tents have now been split into two separate options on Airbnb, with the original listing still holding a four-and-a-half star rating with several different positive reviews The Sunday Times later contacted Airbnb, would at that point decided to provide a full refund, as well as a 150 voucher in goodwill. The listing has since been changed into two separate tents, instead of the claimed one, and says that 'dogs are welcome'. Airbnb said: 'We were disappointed to hear about this experience and are reaching out to the guest to provide support.' Politicians should tone down their language to avoid inciting hatred ahead of the European Elections this week, the country's most senior police officer on hate crimes has warned. The National Police Chiefs' Council lead for hate crime, Mark Hamilton, said the mood at the moment in 'incredibly febrile' and wants MEP candidates and party leaders to be mindful of their language. His comments come just days before the European Elections where the new Brexit Party led by Nigel Farage will look to shake up the established order and Tommy Robinson's campaign has been marked by protests. Mark Hamilton, the National Police Chiefs' Council lead for hate crime, has warned of politicians stoking the flames of division ahead of the European Elections this week Former EDL leader Stephen Yaxley-Lennon is standing as an independent candidate in Warrington and his campaign has been met with protests Mr Hamilton, who is also the assistant chief constable of the Police Service of Northern Ireland, told The Observer: 'Tensions are being stoked on a national level around our relationship with Europe, about cultural identity and about immigration more broadly. 'In any scenario like this its incumbent on people with a public voice to think carefully about how they express views so they dont incite hatred. 'There is a responsibility on those who have a platform to think of the impact their words might have on others and to not inflame tensions or inspire actions which could turn criminal.' Yesterday, violent clashes broke out at a Tommy Robinson campaign as masked supporters clashed with crowds shouting 'racist scum'. Bricks were thrown at a Tommy Robinson campaign event yesterday and two police vehicles were damaged Bricks were thrown and two police cars were damaged as the rival groups gathered in Oldham, Greater Manchester. His campaign has been marked by confrontations after protesters threw milkshake over the MEP candidate, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Mr Hamilton's comments reflect an ongoing rise in the number of reported hate crime incidents since the Brexit vote in June 2016. There were a reported 94,000 hate crime offences committed in England and Wales in the year up to March 2018, an increase of 17 per cent on the previous year. Last week a man was jailed for writing 'no blacks' on the door of a family home in Salford. Dowd (pictured) daubed 'no blacks' on his neighbour's door and his lawyer said Brexit and immigration played on his mind Jack Renshaw (pictured above) had previously attended National Action rallies before plotting to kill MP Rosie Cooper Vaughan Dowd, 54, maintained he was not racist and his defence lawyer said: 'Brexit and immigration was playing on his mind.' In the days leading up to the referendum in June 2016, a man shot and stabbed Labour MP Jo Cox as he shouted 'Britain first'. And on Friday, far-right paedophile Jack Renshaw was jailed for plotting to murder Labour MP Rosie Cooper. Bashy Quraishy, the secretary general of the Denmark-based European Muslim Initiative for Social Cohesion, has said the emboldening of the far-right in the UK has ramifications across Europe. She may be a hero to some Democrats, but Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has been told she is no Wonder Woman when it comes to comic books. DC Comics, the creator of the iconic cartoon character. has issued a cease-and-desist to a small comic book company barring it from selling covers of the freshman Democrat in a costume that looks remarkably similar to that of Wonder Woman. Devil's Due Comics created is running a comic about AOC called 'Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the Freshman Force: New Party Who Dis?' Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 29, is the subject of a new comic book. But DC Comics have sent a cease and desist to the publisher telling them not to distribute the comic with that cover Ocasio-Corte looks remarkably similar to Wonder Woman in the way she has been drawn 'Grab a hamberder and grab a cup of covfefe and prepare to enjoy this read!' a promotional webpage reads using jargon and typos associated with President Trump. According to comicbook.com, DC Comics has urged Devil's Due Comics not to distribute the 250 planned copies of the special cover with AOC wearing a metallic tiara and blue skirt, standing over a knocked-out red elephant, symbolic of the GOP. A number of other covers have been produced showcasing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, but have not been challenged by DC The comic aims to 'celebrate the election of the most diverse group of freshman Congresspersons in history, and spare no one in this satire that takes aim at Washington,' according to the publisher. In his foreword, Josh Blaylock, the founder of the company, said he created the comic because he was inspired by Ocasio-Cortez and other newly elected members of Congress. The result is a 52-page book, priced at $5.99, which has pinups, games and stories. The common theme is the potential of the new members of Congress and their 'finally bringing diversity to the legislative body that reflects us as a whole,' Blaylock wrote. Copies with other covers that didn't include the costume were not challenged by DC Comics. Those still wanting a copy with the Wonder Woman theme can look on eBay where one is selling for $99. Devils Due Comics sells a wide variety of comics with political themes including Talk Bernie to Me and Barack the Barbarian, according to the New York Post. Wonder Woman first appeared in a DC Comics' All Star Comics in October 1941. The character has since appeared in a host of comics, TV series and films - including 2017's Justice League starring Gal Gadot. Gadot will star in a second solo-Wonder Woman film in 2020. Democratic presidential contender Bernie Sanders slammed rival Joe Biden's focus on President Donald Trump, saying it was not enough to win the 2020 election. 'It goes without saying that we have got to defeat Donald Trump,' Sanders said Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' However, he added: 'Beating Trump is not good enough. You got to beat the fossil fuel industry. You have to take on all of those forces of the status quo who do not want to move this country to energy efficiency and sustainable energies.' Bernie Sanders slammed rival Joe Biden's focus on President Donald Trump, saying it was not enough to win the 2020 election In his campaign kickoff in Philadelphia on Saturday, former Vice President Joe Biden focused his remarks on Trump and called for unity among Democrats Biden, in major campaign speech in Philadelphia on Saturday, rejected the belief that Democrats should nominate a candidate who can tap into their party's anti-Trump anger in order to win next year's election. 'I know some of the really smart folks say Democrats don't want to hear about unity,' Biden said. 'They say Democrats are so angry that the angrier a candidate can be the better chance he or she has to win the Democratic nomination.' 'That's what they are saying you have to do to win the Democratic nomination. Well, I don't believe it,' he added. 'I believe Democrats want to unify this nation. That's what the party's always been about. That's what it's always been about. Unity.' Sanders has long pushed a more progressive Democratic agenda, a call that made him a force for Hillary Clinton to reckon with in the 2016 Democratic primary. 'We took on the entire Democratic establishment,' the senator from Vermont said. 'So I understand that our campaign is unique in the sense that we're going to try to win the Democratic primary, going to try to beat Trump. What else we're going to try is to transform the United States of America, deal with this massive level of income and wealth inequality, deal with Wall Street, deal with the greed of the drug companies and the insurance companies and the fossil fuel industry,' he said. 'Our campaign has a different goal,' he added. 'It's to transform this country, and we're taking on the entire establishment when we do that.' Sanders led the liberal left in the 2016 campaign in a battle against Clinton - wounds of which still fester among Democratic primary voters after hacked emails posted on Wikileaks showed party officials helped Clinton over Sanders in the contest. Biden holds a commanding lead over Sanders in the early matchup in the battle for the Democratic presidential nomination. In the RealClearPolitics polling average, Biden leads Sanders by 18 points. The former vice president started his campaign with a focus on Trump, which he doubled down on during his formal launch in Philadelphia on Saturday. We're all in this together,' Biden said. 'We need to remember that today, I think, more than any time in my career.' He also promised to release a climate plan by the end of the month - younger voters in particular have named climate change one of their top concerns. 'The first and most important plan in my climate proposal is beat Trump,' Biden sai on Saturday. Other Democratic 2020 contenders echoed Biden's call for unity. 'Most of my adult life I've been able to bring adult people together again and again and get tough, progressive things done that people said we couldn't do. And I think it's time to replace the nonsense in Washington with some common sense,' Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper told ABC's 'This Week' on Sunday. Other Democratic 2020 contenders - such as John Hickenlooper and Steve Bullock - echoed Biden's call for unity Montana Gov. Steve Bullock, who entered the 2020 race last week, has touted the fact he won re-election in 2016 in a state Trump carried in the general election. 'I was the only Democrat to get elected in the state where Trump won. 2016 - 25 per cent to 30 per cent of my voters also voted for Donald Trump. We need to make sure we can win back places we lost,' he said on CNN's 'State of the Union.' 'We need to bridge divides and make D.C. work,' he added. The Government should tackle Britain's opioid epidemic by starting trials which involve implanting microchips in drug addicts' brains, say scientists. The treatment - known as deep brain stimulation (DBS) - has long been used for movement disorders like Parkinson's, where it helps people control tremors. In DBS surgery, a device that acts as a kind of pacemaker, is implanted in the brain, electrically stimulating targeted areas. And now, senior scientists want to see whether it can be applied to 'switch off' people addicted to opioids, heroin, alcohol or methamphetamine. The Government should tackle Britain's opioid epidemic (file image) by starting trials which involve implanting microchips in drug addicts' brains, say scientists. The treatment - known as deep brain stimulation (DBS) - has long been used for movement disorders like Parkinson's, where it helps people control tremors Dr Valerie Voon (pictured), a neuroscientist at Cambridge university, said the UK should join countries such as China that offer the clinical trials of DBS While Western attempts to push forward with human trials of DBS for addiction have foundered, China is emerging as a hub for this research. In fact, the first clinical trial of DBS for methamphetamine addiction is currently being conducted in Shanghai's Ruijin Hospital, along with parallel trials for opioid addiction. WHAT IS DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION? Deep brain stimulation (DBS) helps to control movement problems and is the main type of surgery used to treat Parkinson's. It involves implanting very fine wires with electrodes at their tips into the brain. These are connected to extensions under the skin behind the ear and down the neck, which then connect to a pulse generator. When the device is turned on, electrodes deliver high-frequency stimulation to the targeted area, which changes signals in the brain that cause Parkinson's symptoms. The brain is not destroyed in the process. DBS is usually reversible. It does not stop Parkinson's progressing and is not a cure. Source: Parkinson's UK Advertisement However, scientists in Europe have struggled to recruit patients for their DBS addiction studies. A number of surgeons are concerned that brain implants could alter the behaviour and personality of some patients. Complex ethical, social and scientific questions have made it hard to push forward with this kind of work in the United States, where the devices can cost $100,000 (78,000) to implant. Dr Valerie Voon, a neuroscientist at Cambridge university, said the UK should join countries such as China that offer the clinical trials of DBS. 'There is an expense but I think it is worth it, she said. 'It is important to run and fund these studies in the UK to determine the efficacy,' she told the Sunday Telegraph. Tipu Aziz, professor of neurosurgery at the Nuffield Department of Clinical Sciences, believes DBS could help solve problems created by the removal of NHS funding for pain relief. 'We have repeatedly called for trials because without a recourse for pain relief, opioid consumption is going to go up,' he said. Dr Voon is currently advising on a further trial of DBS in China - and Prof Aziz is advising on clinical trials in Ireland and France. Opioid painkillers to carry addiction warning, announces Health Secretary Last month, Health Secretary Matt Hancock announced that packaging on common medications such as morphine or fentanyl will now have to carry a warning informing patients about the risk of addiction. Dependence on the drug can have devastating consequences for the user. Prescriptions for opioid painkillers soared by more than 60 per cent, from 14 million in 2008 to 23 million last year. Mr Hancock said: 'I have been incredibly concerned by the recent increase in people addicted to opioid drugs. 'Painkillers were a major breakthrough in modern medicine and are hugely important to help people manage pain alongside their busy lives but they must be treated with caution. Last month, Health Secretary Matt Hancock (pictured) announced that packaging on common medications such as morphine or fentanyl will now have to carry a warning informing patients about the risk of addiction 'We know that too much of any painkiller can damage your health, and some opioids are highly addictive and can ruin lives like an illegal drug. 'Things are not as bad here as in America, but we must act now to protect people from the darker side to painkillers. 'We need to place a greater focus on making sure that these medicines are used appropriately and for pain management alone, and make sure people are fully aware of the risks.' The wording of the warning must be based on guidance from the Commission on Human Medicines' opioid expert working group and will be enforced by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Professor Dame Sally Davies, chief medical officer for England, said: 'We know that long-term use of painkillers can lead to life-altering and sometimes fatal addictions so I am delighted to see measures put in place to raise awareness of the risks of codeine and prescribed drugs. 'It is vital that anyone who is prescribed strong painkillers takes them only as long as they are suffering from serious pain. 'As soon as the pain starts to alleviate, the drugs have done their job, and it is important to switch to over-the-counter medication like paracetamol which do not carry the same risk of addiction that comes with long-term use.' A specific deadline for the introduction of the warning has not yet been set but the regulator thinks a review could be concluded within the year. Boris Johnson has ruled out forming a pact with the Brexit Party despite fears that Nigel Farage's group could cost the Tories the next election. On Thursday, Mr Johnson announced he would stand for the Tory leadership when Theresa May steps down. He is the clear favourite, polling at 39 per cent, according to a YouGov poll of Conservative Party members for The Times. A friend told the Sun: 'He's categorically ruled out doing any deal with Nigel Farage. 'Boris is the only leadership candidate who can see off both him and hard-left Mr Corbyn.' Boris Johnson, pictured in Manchester after declaring his intention to run for the Tory leadership after Theresa May steps down, has ruled out forming a pact with the Brexit Party despite fears that Nigel Farage's group could cost the Tories the next election Mr Farage said he does not know where Mr Johnson stands on Brexit in response to claims he could support the Tory leadership hopeful becoming prime minister. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon claimed on Friday that Mr Johnson as PM backed by Mr Farage would be a 'nightmare' for Scotland. But the Brexit Party leader laughed at the suggestion and questioned whether he could trust the leadership favourite. Mr Farage said: 'Would I trust Boris Johnson? 'Boris wrote in his column repeatedly that Mrs May's new treaty was vassalage - that we'd become a slave state - and I rather agreed with that analysis, even if his language was more colourful than perhaps what I would use. 'Then, on the third attempt, he voted for it. So I'm not quite sure where Boris stands on all of this.' Mr Johnson resigned as foreign secretary last July, days after a plan for leaving the European Union was agreed by Conservative ministers. He voted against the Prime Minister's defeated withdrawal agreement twice, before announcing he would back it at the third attempt in March, which was again rejected by MPs in the House of Commons. The former mayor of London changed his position shortly after Mrs May said she would resign if she could get her deal through, and argued that the decision was to stop Parliament from 'stealing Brexit'. A manager-in-training at a Taco Bell restaurant in Bridgeton, Missouri was filmed making Islamophobic comments by a Muslim man who was visiting the store. Tarek Hamdan filmed the encounter with the woman shortly after 1am Central (2am Eastern) in Bridgeton on Tuesday. The incident began when the employee asked Hamdan why he had ordered $50 worth of food and he answered by explaining that he is Muslim and had not eaten all day because he had been fasting for Ramadan. In the video the woman states assumptions about Hamdan's faith and then tells him, 'Until you call me and change my mind, Muslim motherf**kers can suck my d**k.' Management at the store where the incident occurred confirmed the woman had been fired to DailyMail.com and declined to provide additional comment beyond an earlier released statement. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim year, during which strict fasting is observed from sunrise to sunset, which for Hamdan means he can't eat until after the sun goes down. The dates vary each year, with the month spanning from May 5 though June 4 in 2019. When Hamdan went to go get his evening meal in the early morning hours of Tuesday, he was confronted with an Islamophobic rant from a member of management. A manager-in-training (right) at a Taco Bell restaurant in Bridgeton, Missouri was filmed on Tuesday making Islamophobic comments by Tarek Hamdan (left), a Muslim man who was patronizing the store. In the video the woman states assumptions about Hamdan's faith and then tells him, 'Until you call me and change my mind, Muslim motherf**kers can suck my d**k' Hamdan shared the video of the woman making the comments in a tweet moments after the encounter, writing: 'Around 1am after a busy day at work & not being able to eat from a long day of fasting for #Ramadan, I went to @tacobell to buy some food for suhoor (pre-dawn meal/breakfast) but, ended up having a 25 minute debate with this worker who insisted ALL Muslims are terrorists. #STL' Hamdan shared the video of the woman making the comments in a tweet moments after the encounter, writing: 'Around 1am after a busy day at work & not being able to eat from a long day of fasting for #Ramadan, I went to @tacobell to buy some food for suhoor (pre-dawn meal/breakfast) but, ended up having a 25 minute debate with this worker who insisted ALL Muslims are terrorists. #STL' Speaking about Muslims, the woman can be heard saying, 'They tore down my country, they killed thousands of my people, so you need to change my mind. 'You need to cater to me. Im not going to cater to you, 'cause this is on my territory.' Hamdan tries to turn being confronted with the hate-filled rhetoric into a teaching moment, telling the woman, 'But I'm an American, just like you.' The women then asks him if he believes women should 'bow down' to men, to which Hamdan replies, 'Women have equal rights as men, that's what God says in the book.' Refusing to budge from her preconceived notions about the religion, the woman looks down is disbelief and says, 'That's not Muslim.' Speaking about Muslims, the woman (at left and right) can be heard saying, 'They tore down my country, they killed thousands of my people, so you need to change my mind. You need to cater to me. Im not going to cater to you, 'cause this is on my territory.' Hamdan tries to turn being confronted with the hate-filled rhetoric into a teaching moment, telling the woman, 'But I'm an American, just like you' Again, Hamdan tries to educate her about his faith. 'See, Muslim and whatever religion you're thinking Muslim is in your head is not what you believe, it's not the same belief,' Hamdan says. The woman then tries to hurry him out of the drive-thru lane, telling him the timer is running. 'But hit me up on my phone, I'd love to talk to you about this,' the employee says before closing the window. Hamdan posted a second video on Thursday from the same incident, where the woman gets upset because she 'apologized three times' but Hamdan still wanted to speak to another manager about her behavior. A spokesperson for the store located at 12420 Street Charles Rock Road said in a statement, 'We welcome everyone in our restaurants and do not tolerate this type of behavior. This is a franchise location and the team member involved no longer works for this franchisee. The franchisee has reached out to the customer to apologize.' Faizan Syed, who serves as the executive director of the Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) said the firing of the woman was not enough over the 'hurtful' and 'reprehensible' video. 'Taco Bell does not appreciate the seriousness of this situation. They have not done enough. Just firing the lady is a cop-out, an easy way to sweep the issue under the rug,' Syed told KMOV4. Instead, Syed wants the company to offer its workers, including the fired woman, cultural competency training. Advertisement A Blitz re-enactment bash brought explosions and gunfire to the home of the Bronte sisters as villagers dressed up for a wartime weekend. Visitors to the northern village of Haworth were transported back in time for a 1940s weekend featuring an explosive battle reenactment, dressed up locals and themed history exhibits. Revellers could watch a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, ride on a steam train and enjoy street performances of Second World War music. Renactors dressed up as soldiers are pictured running from the huge staged explosion during the reenactment. Visitors watched the mock Western Front gun battle reenactment taking place at the 1940s vintage weekend A Nazi soldier is pictured striking up a cigarette. Visitors to the northern village of Haworth were transported back in time for a 1940s weekend featuring an explosive battle reenactment, dressed up locals and themed history exhibits Visitor Cassandra Tainsh is pictured dressed in service costume during the event next to an American Jeep. People could dress up in traditional costume, ride on a steam train and even watch a Battle of Britain flypast over the weekend Locals dressed as pilots, Home Guard members and even Nazis. Revellers could even watch a Battle of Britain Memorial Flight flypast, ride on a steam train adapted for the period and dance to performers in the streets as they played music from the time The event takes place every year in the village near Bradford, West Yorkshire, and this year's certainly did not disappoint. Some visitors even bumped into Coronation Street star Chris Gascoyne, who plays Peter Barlow in the soap. Locals were dressed as pilots, Home Guard members and even Nazis. Businesses along the high street decorated their shops and pubs with Union Flags and bunting. People visiting for the weekend could tour the railway station with costumed guards and a traditional steam train. One of the many highlights of the themed event was an explosive and fiery battle reenactment, as British Tommies and German Nazis fought out a loud gun battle on the mock Western Front Many classic military vehicles were on display, including this Jeep above, and some re-enactors had set up living history exhibits around the village with sandbags and mock road blockades Costumed visitors Emma Louise and Abi Carr are pictured at Haworth train station as a traditional steam train is seen pulling into the station One of the many highlights of the themed event was an explosive and fiery battle reenactment, as British Tommies and German Nazis fought out a loud gun battle on the mock Western Front. Many classic military vehicles were on display and some re-encators had set up living history exhibits around the village with sandbags and mock road blockades. Locals in dapper Home Guard costumes even put sandbags around a house for their exhibit, next to an impressive Air Warden office complete with a corrugated iron roof and a clock displaying the blackout time. Organisers are already planning for next year's event in 2020, where the annual Haworth 1940s weekend will celebrate its 25th year. Revellers could visit different events taking place around Haworth, including the railway station with costumed guards and a traditional steam train to boot Locals in dapper Home Guard costumes even put sandbags around a house for their exhibit, next to an impressive Air Warden office complete with a corrugated iron roof and a clock displaying the blackout time A dog even dressed up for the occasion, pictured with his costumed owner. Some re-encators had set up living history exhibits around the village with sandbags and mock road blockades Visitors dressed in 40s period costume are pictured having a tea in a local cafe. The event takes place every year in the village of Haworth, near Bradford, West Yorkshire, and this year's offering certainly did not disappoint A British toddler has been left fighting for his life after he 'slipped from his mother's arms' and 'fell 20ft' off a cliff at a Majorcan beach. The 19-month-old, who is reportedly a boy, is believed to have got hurt at around 2pm near a stunning set of two beaches at Sa Calobra, tucked among steep cliffs on the island's northwest coast. One of the beaches, Torrent de Pareis, is accessed by a long footpath and and narrow tunnel. Local paper Diario de Mallorca said the boy had fallen just over 20 feet over the side of the footpath. The child, who is reportedly a boy, is believed to have hurt himself at around 2pm after falling from his mother's arms near two beaches at Sa Calobra (stock) The toddler's parents are understood to have been walking towards the footpath when the youngster slipped from his mother's arms. A Civil Guard helicopter, carrying a doctor and a nurse, took the child to hospital. Local reports said he is currently in a paediatric intensive care at Son Espases in the Majorcan capital Palma. His condition has been described as serious and he is undergoing a series of tests. They are thought to be holidaymakers, although the Civil Guard could not be reached this afternoon for comment. Seven members of staff at Kensington Palace have been sacked or resigned over misconduct. The workers helped look after the palace, which is home to Prince William and wife Kate, for the charity which manages royal palaces for the Government. Records show they are among 27 Historic Royal Palaces (HRP) employees who have been fired or left under a cloud since 2015. Two of the 27 were dismissed last year for harassment, while another lost their job four years ago over a fraud. The front of Kensington Palace, where the tourists enter. HRP staff work for the public side of the palace so don't work directly for the royals Five others were fired over their attendance, while eight were sacked for 'failing to follow procedure'. Another was dismissed for 'failing to follow performance framework'. Three of the 17 HRP staff sacked since 2015 worked at Kensington Palace, which houses up to 15 high-ranking royals, including Prince William, 36, wife Kate, 37, and their three children. Prince Harry, 34, and wife Meghan, 37, were living in the palace's Nottingham Cottage but moved out before the birth of their son this month. HRP staff work for the public side of the palace so don't work directly for the royals. Others sacked by HRP include seven employees from the Tower of London, five from Hampton Court and two from Hillsborough Castle. A further ten members of HRP staff resigned during discipline cases. Two left during harassment investigations, including one last year, while another being investigated for theft also quit last year. The workers helped look after the palace, which is home to Prince William and wife Kate, for the charity which manages royal palaces for the Government In 2017 a member of HRP staff resigned over a fraud and another in 2015. Four of the ten who resigned worked at Kensington Palace and another four at Hampton Court. The other two who quit worked at the Tower of London and Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. HRP was set up by the Government in 1989 to look after five royal palaces but later became an independent charity. It took over the management of a sixth palace, Hillsborough Castle, in 2014. The disciplinary figures, released after a freedom of information request, show there have been at least 98 disciplinary sanctions handed out to HRP staff since 2015. A spokeswoman for the charity said: 'In common with all responsible employers, we have a performance framework and code of conduct in place to guide our staff to deliver the highest possible standards of service to our visitors. 'As an organisation with over 1,000 employees, we occasionally need to instigate disciplinary proceedings when these standards are not met. 'This is always a regrettable, but thankfully rare occurrence. We are proud to hold Gold Investors in People status.' A rocket has been fired into Baghdad's heavily fortified Green Zone tonight - where the US Embassy is based. Iraqi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Rasoul said a Katyusha rocket fell near the statue of the Unknown Soldier, less than a mile from the embassy, but it is not known who is responsible. It comes amid heightened tensions across the Persian Gulf after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region earlier this month to counter an alleged threat from Iran. In an outburst following the rocket launch, President Donald Trump threatened Iran with destruction if it seeks a fight with the US. He tweeted: 'If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!' The US Embassy in Baghdad (pictured) has ordered all non-essential, non-emergency government staff on Wednesday to leave Iraq immediately amid escalating tensions with Iran. Washington did not publicly provide any evidence to back up claims of an increased threat from Tehran. A rocket was fired today into Baghdad's heavily-fortified Green Zone - where the US Embassy is based Iraqi military spokesman Brig Gen Yahya Rasoul said a Katyusha rocket (stock pictured) fell near the statue of the Unknown Soldier, less than a mile from the embassy The US has also moved nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. Two Baghdad-based diplomatic sources said they heard the blast close to the compound and reports suggested alert sirens were briefly sounded. Bill Urban, a spokesman for US Central Command, said in a statement Iraqi Security Forces are investigating Sunday's incident. A State Department spokesman confirmed 'a low-grade rocket' landed within the International Zone near the US Embassy and there was no significant damage or impact on any US-inhabited facility. The military is investigating the cause of the blast but said the rocket (stock pictured) was believed to have been fired from east Baghdad The spokesman said such attacks will not be tolerated and will be responded to 'in a decisive manner'. They added that the US will hold Iran responsible 'if any such attacks are conducted by its proxy militia forces or elements of such forces'. Police patrols were originally rushed to the Mohammed al-Qasim highway in eastern Baghdad in search of any suspicious vehicles spotted that may be carrying rocket launchers after they received a tip the rocket had been fired from inside a truck. They were searching for suspects in the eastern district of New Baghdad, with the area home to Iran-backed Shiite militias, some of whom do not want the US in Iraq. Police special forces found a rocket launcher in al-Sina'a district in eastern Baghdad and sealed off the area as an ordinance disposal team from the Baghdad Operations Command prepared to inspect it. The Katyusha multiple rocket launcher is an inexpensive type of rocket artillery that can deliver explosives to a target quicker than conventional artillery, but is less accurate. The Green Zone is one of the world's most high-security institutional quarters. Located in the centre of the Iraqi capital, it houses parliament, the prime minister's office, the presidency, other key institutions, top officials' homes and embassies. The US embassy in Baghdad - the world's largest - lies within the fortified neighbourhood, also known as the International Zone, and is surrounded by concrete walls. Today's attack is the first since September, when three mortar shells landed in an abandoned lot inside the Green Zone. Now, amid an escalating conflict between the US and Iran, Iraq is once again vulnerable to becoming caught up in the power play. An attack targeting US interests in Iraq would be detrimental to the country's recent efforts at recovering and reclaiming its status in the Arab world. It comes after the US Navy revealed it had conducted exercises in the Arabian Sea over the weekend, with an aircraft carrier strike group ordered to the Persian Gulf to counter an alleged, unspecified threat from Iran. The amphibious assault ship USS Kearsarge and the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Bainbridge sail in formation as part of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group in the Arabian Sea on Friday The Navy said today the exercises and training were conducted with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group in coordination with the US Marine Corps, highlighting US 'lethality and agility to respond to threat,' as well as to deter conflict and preserve US strategic interests. Also taking part in exercises were the Kearsarge Amphibious Ready Group and the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit, both deployed to the US Fifth Fleet area of operations in the Persian Gulf. The Navy said the exercises - on Friday and Saturday - included air-to-air training and steaming in formation and manoeuvring. The USS Abraham Lincoln sails in the Arabian Sea near the USS Kearsarge. It is part of the US Fifth Fleet which was sent to the region amid an unexplained threat from Iran The Navy said the exercises - on Friday and Saturday - included air-to-air training and steaming in formation and manoeuvring. Pictured: Aviation Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class Nicholas Hawkins, from Houston, Texas, signals an MV-22 Osprey to land on the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln in the Arabian Sea Iraq hosts more than 5,000 US troops and is home to powerful Iranian-backed militias, some of whom want US forces to leave. American forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011 but returned in 2014 by invitation to help battle the Islamic State group after it seized vast areas in the north and west of the country, including Mosul. A US-led coalition provided crucial air support as Iraqi forces regrouped and drove IS out in a costly three-year campaign. Iranian-backed militias fought alongside US-backed Iraqi troops against IS, gaining influence and power. On May 8, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a previously unannounced trip to the Iraqi capital following the abrupt cancellation of a visit to Germany. He told Iraqi intelligence the US had been picking up information that Iran is threatening American interests in the Middle East, although he offered no details according to two Iraqi officials. Since then, both Iran and the US said they do not want to go to war, but Saudi Arabia has said it will not hesitate to defend itself against Iran if tensions boil over into conflict. The kingdom said it was ready to respond with 'all strength' following last week's attacks on Saudi oil assets, telling Iran that the ball was now in its court. Saudi King Salman called for urgent meetings of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss the escalating tensions. Saudi King Salman, pictured, has invited Gulf leaders and Arab states to emergency summits in Mecca amid escalating tensions in the region A former Oklahoma high school teacher is facing multiple charges after she allegedly had sex with three different students. Janet Kaye Barnes was indicted by a grand jury for rape and sexual battery on Friday. The married 44-year-old is accused of having sex with multiple minors between 2014 and 2016. Janet Kaye Barnes, 44, was indicted by a grand jury on charges of rape and sexual battery She is accused of raping two students and committing sexual battery against a third at at Pocola High School, pictured, between January 2014 and November 2016 Barnes was suspended from her duties at Pocola High School when an investigation began in 2016 Barnes is alleged to have sex with two separate minors between January 2014 and November 2016 while she worked at Pocola High School and faces two second-degree rape charges for each incident. At the same time, Barnes is also alleged to have committed sexual battery against another minor, unrelated to the ones she is accused of raping. She no longer works at the high school. A LeFlore County judge signed a warrant for her arrest and set bail at $250,000, according to court documents. Second-degree rape has a term of imprisonment in Oklahoma no less than one year and no more than fifteen years. The sexual battery charge carries a term of imprisonment in Oklahoma no more than 10 years. Billionaire philanthropist Robert F. Smith pledged to pay off all of the student loan debt for every member of Morehouse College's 2019 graduating class during his commencement speech on Sunday. In the span of seconds, the CEO and Chairperson of Vista Equity Partners changed the lives of the 430-some graduates of the all-male, historically black college in Atlanta. The total price tag of Smith's generosity will amount to approximately $40 million. 'On behalf of the eight generations of my family who have been in this country, we're gonna out a little fuel in your bus,' Smith said. 'Now I've got the alumni over there. This is a challenge to you, alumni. This is my class, 2019. And my family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans.' Smith's gift will go a long way toward combating wealth disparity in these young black men's lives, according to analysis of yearly data compiled by the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997 Cohort. The cohort consists of a nationally representative sample of over 8,900 respondents who were interviewed nearly every year for the past 22 years, according to NBC. In a study titled 'Racial Disparities in Student Debt and the Reproduction of the Fragile Black Middle Class,' researchers examining data from those interviews concluded that nearly 25 percent of the black-white wealth gap can be attributed to student debt. Billionaire Robert F. Smith (pictured) pledged to pay off all of the student loan debt for every member of Morehouse College's 2019 graduating class during his commencement speech on Sunday in Atlanta The total price tag of Smith's generosity will amount to approximately $40 million. Students are shown rejoicing after Smith's announcement Seated immediately behind the billionaire technology investor, the shocked faces of Morehouse College faculty, staff and administrators showed their acknowledgement at the tremendous barrier to success that had been lifted from the shoulders of these young men. One man mouthed the word, 'Wow!' before rising to his feet to give Smith and his incredibly generous announcement a standing ovation. Once the gravity of that sentence sunk in for everyone, the crowd erupted in cheers. In the weeks before graduating from Morehouse on Sunday, 22-year-old finance major Aaron Mitchom drew up a spreadsheet to calculate how long it would take him to pay back his $200,000 in student loans. According to his calculations, if he allotted half of his monthly salary to the bill he could pay it all off in 25 years. In an instant, that number vanished. Mitchom, sitting in the crowd, burst into tears. 'I can delete that spreadsheet,' he said in an interview after the commencement. 'I dont have to live off of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I was shocked. My heart dropped. We all cried. In the moment it was like a burden had been taken off.' In the span of seconds, the CEO and Chairperson of Vista Equity Partners changed the lives of the 430-some graduates of the all-male, historically black college in Atlanta Smith's gift will go a long way toward combating wealth disparity in these young black men's lives, according to analysis of yearly data compiled by the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1997 Cohort His mother, Tina Mitchom, was also shocked. Eight family members, including Mitchoms 76-year-old grandmother, took turns over four years co-signing on the loans that got him across the finish line. 'It takes a village,' she said. 'It now means he can start paying it forward and start closing this gap a lot sooner, giving back to the college and thinking about a succession plan' for his younger siblings. Morehouse College president David A. Thomas said the gift would have a profound effect on the students futures. 'Many of my students are interested in going into teaching, for example, but leave with an amount of student debt that makes that untenable,' Thomas said in an interview. 'In some ways, it was a liberation gift for these young men that just opened up their choices.' Student loan repayment is problematic for all races, with less than half of indebted students having paid even $1 toward the principal balance of their loans within five years of entering repayment, according to the Department of Education. But on average, the situation is far worse for black people, who pay their loans down at a rate of four percent each year while white student borrowers tend to pay their loans down at a rate of 10 percent annually. As a result, it's estimated that 15 years after graduation, black adults are 185 percent more indebted due to student loans than their white adult counterparts. Morehouse said it is the single largest gift the college has ever receive since its founding in 1867 in the basement of Springfield Baptist Church in Augusta by the Reverand William Jefferson White. Smith, who received an honorary doctorate from Morehouse during the ceremony, had already announced a $1.5 million gift to the school. Smith said he expected the recipients to 'pay it forward' and said he hoped that 'every class has the same opportunity going forward.' Both Smith and actor Angela Bassett received honorary degrees from the college on Sunday. Advertisement One person has died and two more have been injured after a house exploded in southern Indiana, authorities in the US have said. Several nearby homes were left uninhabitable following the explosion in Jeffersonville, just north of Louisville, Kentucky. Police and Indiana State Police are investigating the cause. An explosion leveled a home in southern Indiana early on Sunday, killing one person, injuring two others and leaving several nearby homes uninhabitable Aerial footage showed the home's foundation and what appears to be its basement, covered with debris From the air it is clear to see how the blast affected several homes in the area sending debris all over the place Fire crews are pictured on site early Sunday as they assess the damage and try to understand what caused the massive blast The blast occurred in the 900 block of Assembly Road in Jeffersonville near Lousiville. This is how the home looked before The explosion shattered windows across the neighborhood and sent debris flying onto roofs, lawns and cars. But officials have not said what they believe caused the explosion. Jeffersonville police lieutenant Isaac Parker said the house exploded just before 5am on Sunday. Lt Parker confirmed that one person had died and two other people had been hospitalized with serious injuries. The police officer did not say whether the victims were inside the house that exploded. Fire Chief Eric Hedrick said the house was largely destroyed and five to six nearby homes were uninhabitable due to damage, although about 20 homes in the area were affected by the explosion. Resident Adam Keeney told a local television station that he felt a big boom in his chest, and that it knocked the gutters off his house. Drone footage captures the size and scale of the blast which happened in the early hours of the morning while it was still dark The home sat on a very picturesque plot of land in Jeffersonville, Indiana with a lush, green front lawn The explosion shattered windows across a Jeffersonville neighborhood and sent debris flying onto roofs, lawns and cars It happened just before 5am leveled the home, which is in the 900 block of Assembly Road in he Capitol Hills neighborhood Indiana State Police, Jeffersonville police and firefighters were at the scene, along with crews from Vectren gas company Indiana State Police, Jeffersonville police and firefighters were at the scene, along with crews from Vectren, a natural gas provider. Aerial footage showed the home's foundation and what appears to be its basement, covered with debris. Sgt. Jason Ames with the Jeffersonville Fire Department said the explosion Sunday had affected about 20 homes in the Capitol Hills neighborhood. He said it was felt up to 5 miles (8 kilometers) away and that the house where it occurred suffered 'catastrophic' damage. Ames did not immediately return a phone message seeking additional details. Fire Chief Eric Hedrick said the house where the blast occurred was largely destroyed and five to six nearby homes were left uninhabitable due to damage. William Short, who lives across the street from the house that exploded, said he was in bed when he heard the explosion. He said he looked outside and saw what appeared to be fireworks before a second blast shattered his windows, blew off his front door and cracked his ceilings. Short looked outside again and saw from the light of a burning car that his neighbor's home was gone. 'You don't never think you're going to wake up and see your neighbor's house completely gone,' he told The Courier-Journal. Girls from a leading private school are being sent on a week-long retreat without smartphones to help them reconnect with friends. Sixth-formers from Roedean will spend a week at a country house to practise interacting face-to-face. The 38,000-a-year Brighton boarding school said the retreat has lots of fresh air and no wi-fi, so the girls will not be able to message each other on WhatsApp or like photos on Instagram. The move comes after the headmaster, Oliver Blond, realised that some pupils received a lot of their information about friends from social media. At the retreat, the sixth formers will be set team tasks and encouraged to make eye contact, read facial expressions and play board games. During a chat with pupils, Mr Blond asked one girl which city her friend lived in and was surprised when she did not know even though they had been friends for more than a year. He said teenagers can sit next to each other every day yet still feel lonely in the bubble of their online world. He told the Sunday Times: Teenagers can seem so connected but at the same time rather isolated. Gemma Hannan, who is the director of sixth form, said the idea of a retreat came after teachers noticed the girls friendships were mostly conducted online. She said: We find them WhatsApping each other even when they are in the same class. They feel more comfy contacting each other via WhatsApp than talking face to face. The move comes after the headmaster, Oliver Blond, realised that some pupils received a lot of their information about friends from social media. File photo Pupil Ellie Flavin, 17, said many of those she interacts with online are not friends in real life. She added: Even when we walk with a friend down a corridor, they have their phones out. Social media offers virtual friendships. I will see them on Instagram and follow them, but I have never had a face-to-face chat with them. Florence Andrews, 16, said: I dont feel I can ask my friends about their families. The friendship is limited to online. It would be weird. Theres something caused by social media that makes it really difficult to approach them. Its almost as though we are hiding behind these screens. Mr Blond added: The time away is not just for eye contact and board games but to develop critical thinking, discussion and debate, without the distraction of technology. n Blocking out blue light from screens can improve teenagers sleep in just a week. Dutch researchers found special glasses which intercept the light emitted from mobiles and tablets caused children to fall asleep and get up 20 minutes earlier. A home invader killed himself after he was caught breaking in to a child's bedroom with a gun, cops say. A Texas father wrestled a gun off the man who broke into his 13-year-old daughter's bedroom and then shot him multiple times. The intruder then ran into the family's kitchen, took a knife, and stabbed himself to death. What appeared to start as a home invasion in Texas turned into a bizarre string of events that has even shocked police. A Texas father wrestled a gun off a man who broke into his 13-year-old daughter's bedroom and then shot him multiple times before the intruder ran into the kitchen and stabbed himself to death with a knife It all began around 2.30am on Sunday, when the man broke a downstairs window in the Houston home. There were four children inside the house, aged four to 13. He made his way upstairs and into the room of the family's sleeping 13-year-old daughter. The girl's father saw the man enter her room with a gun and immediately confronted him. It all began around 2.30am on Sunday, when the man broke a downstairs window in the Houston home and made his way upstairs to the teen girl's bedroom The girl's father saw the man enter her room with a gun and immediately confronted him and they wrestled for the gun before he shot the intruder They then began to wrestle for the gun and the homeowner successfully obtained it, according to KTRK. The father then shot the suspect multiple times. Meanwhile, a neighbor had come over to help the family escape. When they walked by the kitchen, they saw the intruder repeatedly stabbing himself with a knife. Authorities arrived on the scene and the suspect was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Meanwhile, a neighbor had come over to help the family escape. When they walked by the kitchen, they saw the intruder repeatedly stabbing himself with a knife It remains unclear if the man died from his gunshot wounds or stab wounds. All four children who were in the house were unharmed. Detective Blake Roberts said they are doing 'pretty well', according to Law & Crime. Authorities said the home invasion appears to be random. The suspect's name has not yet been released. Police said he was a white man aged 30 to 35. His motive remains undetermined. When Simon and Jenny Phillips moved into their luxury villa in Cyprus they were looking forward to many happy years under the Mediterranean sun. But those dreams soon came crashing down, when the earth opened up beneath them and reduced chunks of their family home to rubble. Now the couple and their two teenage daughters are stuck in a cross between a building site and warzone as their 200,000 home continues to slide downhill. When Simon and Jenny Phillips moved into their luxury villa in Cyprus they were looking forward to many happy years under the Mediterranean sun And the family, who once enjoyed a large swimming pool and ocean-view terraces, are now suing the Cypriot government for signing off on the doomed development. Mr Phillips, 50, an IT consultant, sold everything to buy the villa in 2008 but it was less than two years before cracks began to appear. An especially rainy winter triggered landslides underneath the home, causing large craters and a dangerous drop outside the front door to form, and tilting the garage to a 12-degree angle. Now parts of the property in Armou, in the Paphos district, have slipped more than six feet below the earth and the family, from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, are the only ones left on the development after five other British households deserted their crumbling homes. Mr Phillips says the Cypriot government should not have allowed developers JNM 4U to build on the clay-based site in 2004, with an independent engineering report later finding the soil was problematic. The report said the government was aware of the sites geological problems and allowed the developers to build without taking necessary precautions to stabilise and secure it. But those dreams soon came crashing down, when the earth opened up beneath them and reduced chunks of their family home to rubble. Above: Jenny and Simon Phillips outside their ruined home Now the couple and their two teenage daughters are stuck in a cross between a building site and warzone as their 200,000 home continues to slide downhill The developer is now defunct, but the distraught family are suing the Cypriot government for the value of their home which experts believe could cost 210,000 to repair. It is completely worthless now. No one in their right mind would buy this house or any of the other homes on the development, Mr Phillips said. Weve had countless sprained ankles over the years, the place is just so dangerous. Our home is a cross between a building site and a warzone. We cant get to the front door because theres a crater a few yards deep in front of it. Mr Phillips said he is racked with guilt over the decision to relocate his wife, a 50-year-old waitress, and daughters a 17-year-old student and 19-year-old animal rescue volunteer. He added: I carry a huge amount of guilt with me all the time. I have ripped myself apart about this. Our dream has been ripped away from us. The life we wanted for our kids has been taken away. The independent report carried out in 2014 found the home unfit for habitation, but the family continue to live there in defiance of a government order banning them from staying. The family, who once enjoyed a large swimming pool and ocean-view terraces, are now suing the Cypriot government for signing off on the doomed development Mr Phillips said: We cant afford to move house. Even though the whole hillside could one day slip down the valley, we have nowhere else to go and I am not making my family homeless. This is the only home my children really remember living in, the home they grew up in. And its such a tragedy they have been put through this. When we first moved out here I felt like the luckiest man alive but this has just become a nightmare we are trapped in. Airports are charging drivers as much as 25 for loitering too long when they drop someone at the terminal. Critics said it means that 'kiss and fly' charges can be more than the cost of a cheap flight to Europe. An audit of drop-off charges at Britain's biggest airports reveals that Stansted in Essex charges the biggest minimum fee of 4 for up to ten minutes. And there are hefty penalties for those who overstay. Stansted Airport in Essex charges the largest minimum drop-off fee - 4 for up to ten minutes Drivers who park for more than ten minutes have to pay an extra 1 a minute, and they are penalised with a 25 charge if they stay more than 15 minutes. This equates to a parking rate of more than 1.60 a minute for those who stay just beyond the allotted time. By comparison, last night the Ryanair website was offering one-way flights from Stansted to European destinations including Poitiers in France for 2.99. Manchester airport is even stricter than Stansted. It imposes a minimum fee of 3 for up to five minutes, or 4 for up to ten minutes. But drivers who park for more than ten minutes will be hit with a 25 penalty fee. This is the equivalent of just under 2.50 per minute, for those who depart just over the ten-minute cut off. London City Airport is one of only three to give drivers the option of dropping off a passenger outside for free - but waiting is not allowed Airports say they impose steep charges to deter drivers from causing congestion by loitering outside the terminal, where there is limited space. They also point out that drivers can park much more cheaply or even for free if they use the short-stay car parks or drop-off areas further away from the terminal. But Simon Williams, of the RAC, said: 'As if the cost of picking someone up or dropping them off at the airport isn't bad enough, the penalties for staying too long can be truly eye-watering. 'You really can't afford to take your eye off the clock, otherwise you might end up being stung with a charge that is as much as catching a cheap flight to Europe.' Of the 16 airports assessed by the Daily Mail, only three Heathrow, Gatwick and London City gave the option of dropping a passenger off outside the terminal for free. But waiting is not allowed, with police and airport staff patrolling the forecourts. MAG, which owns Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands airports, said: 'At our airports, passengers being dropped off at the forecourt are subject to a charge, which is designed to encourage alternative, more sustainable transport options while reducing congestion and traffic jams at the airport and on surrounding roads.' Seven Tory Cabinet ministers will today launch a bid to prevent Boris Johnson from leading Britain out of the EU without a deal if he becomes the next leader of the party. In a significant intervention, the 60-strong 'One Nation Caucus' of Conservative MPs will publish a 'declaration of values' rejecting 'narrow nationalism'. The group last night said it aimed to 'shift the Conservative Party towards the centre'. Sources close to Boris Johnson (pictured) said yesterday he would not form an electoral pact with Nigel Farage's Brexit Party which some Eurosceptics are demanding. One ally said: 'Of course he won't do a deal with Farage he's the man to beat Farage' Sources confirmed it would hold hustings during the impending leadership contest and would 'work to stop any leadership candidate who endorses a 'Nigel Farage No-Deal Brexit'. The stance is a direct warning to Mr Johnson and other Tory leadership candidates flirting with a No Deal Brexit. The new group was founded by Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd and former education secretary Nicky Morgan with the backing of former prime minister Sir John Major. Including Miss Rudd, it counts at least seven Cabinet ministers as members: David Gauke, Greg Clark, Rory Stewart, David Mundell, Claire Perry and Caroline Nokes. The new group was founded by Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd (pictured) and former education secretary Nicky Morgan with the backing of former prime minister Sir John Major Cabinet ministers Greg Clark (left), Claire Perry (centre) and David Gauke (right) are members of the group Other Cabinet ministers Caroline Nokes (left) and David Mundell (right) are also in the group An eighth senior minister, Chancellor Philip Hammond, will go public tomorrow with his concerns about a Tory lurch towards populism, describing it as 'the politics of easy answers'. Mr Stewart, the new International Development Secretary, yesterday said he would find it 'very difficult' to stay in a Conservative Party led by someone pursuing a No Deal strategy. He told the BBC's Andrew Marr Show that No Deal would be 'damaging and unnecessary' and said the UK would eventually have to do a trade deal with the EU anyway. Rory Stewart (pictured), the new International Development Secretary, yesterday said he would find it 'very difficult' to stay in a Conservative Party led by someone pursuing a No Deal strategy He added: 'If you go down the path of No Deal Brexit you're going to lose 4 million Remain voters who voted for the Conservatives last time, so you won't win an election, and No Deal Brexit is a vote for Jeremy Corbyn.' Mr Stewart, who has announced he will stand in the Tory leadership contest, said he would legislate to prevent No Deal if he became prime minister. Mr Johnson, the runaway favourite to be the next Tory leader, has made it clear he is willing to pursue a No Deal Brexit if the EU refuses to make concessions. Sources close to Mr Johnson yesterday said he would not form an electoral pact with Nigel Farage's Brexit Party which some Eurosceptics are demanding. One ally said: 'Of course he won't do a deal with Farage he's the man to beat Farage.' Several other leadership candidates, including Dominic Raab and Andrea Leadsom, are also expected to endorse a No Deal strategy, which is overwhelmingly backed by Conservative Party members, who have the final say in the contest to choose Britain's next prime minister. Sources confirmed it would hold hustings during the impending leadership contest and would 'work to stop any leadership candidate who endorses a 'Nigel Farage No-Deal Brexit'. Mr Farage is pictured above at a rally for the Brexit Party on Sunday Brexit Secretary Steve Barclay warned that the UK would have to ramp up No Deal preparations if MPs vote down Theresa May's deal for a fourth time. Mr Barclay, who is considering his own bid to succeed Mrs May, told Sky News it was time for MPs to 'face the facts' that they had only three options backing Mrs May's deal, leaving without a deal at the end of October or cancelling Brexit, which would be 'disastrous' for democracy. He added: 'If Parliament won't back a deal then it needs to confront that reality and I do think in that instance we need to bring forward our preparations to mitigate No Deal. 'There is no guarantee that the EU 27 will grant an extension. That is a non-UK decision on the October 31 so that would be a matter for the EU, so we do need to prepare for No Deal and ensure that we use the time we have to mitigate any disruption as best we can.' Mr Hammond will use a speech to the CBI tomorrow night to issue a warning on the dangers of populism. And he will warn that a No Deal Brexit would leave any new leader unable to pay for expensive campaign pledges on other issues. Urging the next leader not to abandon fiscal discipline, he will warn against them going on a 'spending spree', saying that 'borrowing today has cost tomorrow'. The One Nation Caucus will formally launch its 'declaration of values' tonight, describing its members as 'patriotic Conservatives who reject narrow nationalism'. Key aims include ensuring the UK remains 'a leader on the world stage through our aid, trade and security commitments to tackle global challenges as a global citizen'. Hopefuls STILL playing happy families A picture tells a thousand words in politics so Tory leadership hopefuls were out in force at the weekend, cameras at the ready, to document their 'normal' lives. Commons Leader Andrea Leadsom went for a family walk in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on Saturday with her husband Ben, daughter Charlotte and son Freddie, posting a selfie of the ramble on Instagram. Meanwhile, Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds were spotted bird-watching at Bempton Cliffs nature reserve near Bridlington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, before tucking into a 7 fish supper from a local chippy. Selfie: Mrs Leadsom in a group with Ben, Charlotte (at back) and Freddie. The family went for a family walk in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, on Saturday Boris Johnson and his girlfriend Carrie Symonds were spotted bird-watching at Bempton Cliffs nature reserve near Bridlington, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, before tucking into a 7 fish supper from a local chippy Pub tour: Miss McVey, with fiance Philip Davies, detailed her policies The photos follow recent snaps of Jeremy Hunt with his wife and Dominic Raab in his kitchen. In contrast with her rivals' outdoorsy approach, Esther McVey upped the ante by spelling out some of her policies, including a call to take billions of pounds from the aid budget to spend on domestic priorities in a 'blue collar' pitch for votes. The former cabinet minister, who will formally launch her bid for the leadership this week, wants annual aid spending of more than 14.5billion to be cut to the 2010 levels of less than 9billion. Her pitch also involves more funding for police and schools and axing HS2. She will set out her stall today at the launch of a new Blue Collar Conservatism group that will concentrate on a domestic policy agenda to appeal to 'ordinary working people'. Miss McVey, who revealed her engagement to MP Philip Davies last month in the Mail, then starts a pub tour to meet voters. Victims now want a proper compensation scheme before their time runs out Some families are still missing out on compensation from the blood scandal Victims that were paid off early on found the money came with a gagging clause Families are still missing out on formal compensation for the contaminated blood scandal, campaigners warned last night. With a life being lost every four days, they demanded immediate action from the Government. Some victims and relatives have received nothing while others were given only limited sums. Those paid off early on found the money came with a gagging clause, stopping them speaking out or seeking further redress as the true scale of the scandal emerged. They now want a proper compensation scheme before their time runs out. The Government insists it is following the proceedings carefully. But campaigners say evidence of harm done at the hands of NHS officials is already overwhelming and the victims cannot wait any longer [File photo] An estimated 7,500 patients were infected in the 1970s and 1980s through receiving tainted NHS blood in what has been called one of the worst peacetime disasters in our countrys history. The Daily Mail started campaigning on the issue as long ago as 1990. Former health secretary Andy Burnham, who has become a vocal campaigner on tainted blood, said: We have all let them down over many years. They have been forced to beg for scraps for people in this position it is awful and just wrong. The time has come to do the right thing by these families. No one has received formal compensation because the Government has not admitted legal liability. The contaminated blood scandal centred on the use of clotting agents for patients with haemophilia in the 1970s and 1980s. They were infected with HIV and hepatitis from a product called factor VIII a clotting agent extracted from the blood of donors [File photo] Victims whose lives have been destroyed by disease have instead been forced to apply, cap in hand, for discretionary payments and meagre living allowances under a series of support schemes. And for the grieving survivors of those who have already died from the scandal, most get nothing at all. Payments for the bereaved are limited to those on very low incomes and reserved for husbands, wives and partners only those who lost parents or children get nothing. Theresa May recently raised the size of the support scheme in England from 46million to 75million but campaigners have stressed this is insufficient and does not apply to the rest of the UK. Campaigners want the UK to follow the model set by the Republic of Ireland, where special tribunals decide whether people are entitled to compensation, and how much. The NHS was very low on supplies, so it was imported from the US, where it had often been taken from high-risk groups including drug addicts, prostitutes, prisoners. A stock picture is used above for illustrative purposes [File photo] Some 3,000 people have already died after being infected by cheap blood products imported from the US. Voices for a proper payouts have been growing since a public inquiry started three weeks ago. The Government insists it is following the proceedings carefully. But campaigners say evidence of harm done at the hands of NHS officials is already overwhelming and the victims cannot wait any longer. Seven opposition leaders have written to Mrs May demanding immediate action, stressing the victims cannot wait until the inquiry delivers its findings, which would come after hundreds more have died. The letter is signed by Labours Jeremy Corbyn, Lib Dem Sir Vince Cable, Ian Blackford, the SNPs Westminster leader, as well as the leaders of the DUP, Plaid Cymru, the Green Party and Change UK. They told Mrs May: Since you announced the inquiry in July 2017, one victim has died on average every four days. Justice delayed even further will be justice denied for many of those currently still with us. This is why, with the utmost urgency, we ask you to address campaigners central demand and provide full compensation to all those infected. Diana Johnson, MP for Hull North, who organised the letter, said: Even in a Parliament which is in disarray we have all the opposition leaders and a majority of MPs behind this. It is quite clear that people have been harmed. Clive Smith of the Haemophilia Society said: Many people gave up promising careers to look after family members who were infected. They have been left destitute and on their knees, not only by the devastation of losing their loved ones, but also financially. The Government has just ignored them. Campaigners want the UK to follow the model set by the Republic of Ireland, where special tribunals decide whether people are entitled to compensation, and how much. A stock picture used above for illustrative purposes [File photo] The inquiry has sat for two weeks in London and tomorrow is to resume in Belfast. It will then travel to Edinburgh, Cardiff and Leeds before returning to London later this year. It is due to last two years. The contaminated blood scandal centred on the use of clotting agents for patients with haemophilia in the 1970s and 1980s. They were infected with HIV and hepatitis from a product called factor VIII a clotting agent extracted from the blood of donors. The NHS was very low on supplies, so it was imported from the US, where it had often been taken from high-risk groups including drug addicts, prostitutes, prisoners. Chrissie White Cannon, 58, whose husband Allen White died with HIV in 1991, aged just 38, said: It is injustice on top of injustice that victims have got to tell their stories again, to relive it all, just in an attempt to get what is fair. She was left with two daughters, Sarah, 11, and Naomi, nine, when Mr White died. Although they received some support in return for dropping a legal challenge since Allen died they have received nothing. Mrs White Cannon, who lives in Huddersfield, added: Nothing is going to bring Allen back but he was very clear that he wanted to see compensation for his girls, even if he wasnt going to see it himself. A Department of Health spokesman said: Weve always been clear that all those who have been affected by this tragedy should be supported by a fair and transparent support scheme that focuses on their welfare and long-term independence. We have continued to follow the Infected Blood Inquiry closely and have demonstrated we are listening by committing up to a further 30million to the scheme. We have also listened to the call for parity of support across the UK. United States President Donald Trump predicted the Coalition's victory in the Australian election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed. Mr Morrison retained power in a stunning, 'miracle' upset on Saturday despite his Liberal Party consistently trailing in the polls and betting markets. His first day as the country's elected leader began with a phone call from Mr Trump, who told him he was 'very pleased' at the result. United States President Donald Trump (pictured with wife Melania) predicted the Coalition's victory in the Australian election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison has revealed Mr Morrison (pictured) retained power in a stunning, 'miracle' upset on Saturday despite his Liberal Party consistently trailing in the polls and betting markets 'He was very congratulatory and very pleased about the outcome. He said that he always thought that it would happen,' Mr Morrison told the Daily Telegraph. 'We'd already struck up a good relationship and looking forward to the certainty of me being in the role for the next three years. We talked about that and I look forward to potentially being there later in the year but certainly getting together at the G20 (leaders summit).' Mr Morrison's unexpected victory was compared to Mr Trump's in 2016, and his last-minute efforts to campaign in marginal seats also echoed the US President and his tactics three years ago. The Australian Prime Minister visited five seats in three different states on the eve of the election, while Mr Trump travelled to five American states before holding a midnight rally in Michigan, a crucial swing state. Senior White House officials told The Australian that Mr Morrison's win was more desirable than a Labor victory. 'We know what we are dealing with and we like it,' one official said. Mr Shorten had previously called Mr Trump 'barking mad'. 'Does our alliance with America mean that you have to agree with everything they say and do? I don't think so,' Mr Shorten said. Mr Trump tweeted his congratulations to Mr Morrison saying the election result was a 'GREAT WIN'. Congratulations to Scott on a GREAT WIN, Donald Trump tweeted after the election result was announced A White House spokesperson said Mr Trump called Mr Morrison to discuss their commitment to the relationship between Australia and the United States. 'The two leaders reaffirmed the critical important of the long-standing alliance and friendship between the United States and Australia, and they pledged to continue their close co-operation on shared priorities,' the spokesperson said. After the election result was announced, Mr Morrison delivered a speech praising God and his family. 'I have always believed in miracles and I'm standing with the three biggest miracles in my life tonight and tonight we've delivered another one,' he said while standing with his wife Jenny and their daughters Abbey and Lily. Tony Abbott has been criticised by some Liberal supporters after revealing he knew he wasn't going to win his seat before deciding to stand anyway. Although victorious over Labor, the Liberal Party is yet to secure a majority alongside its Coalition partners the Nationals. On Monday morning it held 75 seats with five still in doubt - and supporters blamed Tony Abbott for not letting a more popular candidate contest the north Sydney seat of Warringah. Tony Abbott (pictured at the bottle shop on Sunday) is facing the wrath of Liberal Party supporters The former prime minister (pictured) on Saturday night admitted he knew he was going to lose his seat after the Liberals suffered defeat in the Wentworth by-election last year 'Mr Abbott was treating the seat as a personal fiefdom rather than putting the party's interests first,' one Liberal told the Sydney Morning Herald. 'Basically Abbott was saying he knew he was going to lose the seat, and he has not put the interests of the party ahead of his own interests. Vanity and pride prevented him from doing that.' The former prime minister on Saturday night admitted he knew he was going to lose his seat after the Liberals suffered defeat in the Wentworth by-election last year. But he said he decided it would be better to lose than to give up. 'I can't say that it doesn't hurt to lose but I decided back then, in October of last year, that if I had to lose, so be it. I'd rather be a loser than a quitter,' Mr Abbott told a rather upbeat crowd at Manly Leagues Club on Saturday night. Australia's 28th prime minister was beaten convincingly by Olympian Zali Steggall, an independent who rode a wave of discontent with the coalition's handling of climate issues. Ms Steggall, who arrived to a rock star reception at a Manly hotel, described the result as a 'a win for the moderates with a heart'. Mr Abbott was seen emptying bottles into his bins on Sunday before heading to the bottle shop 'Tonight Warringah has definitely voted for the future. Warringah - we have a new beginning for our environment,' she said. Mr Abbott said while it was disappointing to lose his seat, 'what matters is what's best for the country. 'What's best for the country is not so much who wins or loses Warringah but who forms, or does not form, a government in Canberra.' The ex-Liberal leader said there was 'every chance' the Liberal and National coalition would win the election. He said it was a 'stupendous result' for Prime Minister Scott Morrison who would now enter the Liberal Party pantheon. Despite losing his seat in a campaign dominated by climate action, Mr Abbott said the wider election result proved 'where climate change is a moral issue, we Liberals do it tough. But where climate change is an economic issue, as a result, tonight shows we do very, very well.' Australia's 28th prime minister was beaten convincingly by Olympian Zali Steggall (pictured), an independent who rode a wave of discontent with the coalition's handling of climate issues Ms Steggall in victory vowed to be a 'climate leader' who would hold the government to account. Mr Abbott congratulated Ms Steggall but the crowd booed at the mention of her name. Mr Abbott's mentor, former PM John Howard, said he 'grieved' for his loss and saluted the 'enormous contribution that Tony has made to public life in Australia'. One Abbott supporter was overheard saying: 'We lost the battle but won the war.' Media were not allowed into the event before Mr Abbott arrived and were promptly escorted from the room after he finished speaking. One worker threatened to call the police to have reporters evicted from the venue. Mr Abbott hinted he wasn't done with politics stating: 'My public life will, I imagine, go on.' Bill Shorten's disastrous election campaign is being compared to that of Hillary Clinton after both left-leaning leaders were unexpectedly defeated by their conservative opponents. Mr Shorten spent the last day before the election drinking beer in a Melbourne pub with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, while Mr Morrison took a whirlwind, last-minute tour of five marginal seats across three states. The contrast echoed the eve of the United States election in 2016 when Mrs Clinton spent time with Barack Obama, Bruce Springsteen and Jon Bon Jovi, while Donald Trump went to five states and held a midnight rally in Michigan, a crucial swing state. Mr Shorten (centre) spent the last day before the election drinking beer in a Melbourne pub with Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (right) and former premier Steve Bracks (left) In honour of former prime minister Bob Hawke - who died two days out from the election - Mr Shorten (centre) drank at one of the late leader's favourite pubs, the John Curtin Hotel in Carlton Mr Morrison (pictured) took a whirlwind, last-minute tour of five marginal seats across three states In honour of former prime minister Bob Hawke - who died two days out from the election - Mr Shorten drank at one of the late leader's favourite pubs, the John Curtin Hotel in Carlton, Melbourne. Mr Shorten was joined by Mr Andrews and former Victorian premier Steve Bracks. The three men drank 'Hawke's Pale Ale', a beer made in homage to Mr Hawke. Meanwhile, Mr Morrison's last-minute campaigning paid off as the Coalition claimed an unlikely victory. The Coalition tracked 20 marginal seats and tailored its campaign towards them. 'On the marginals we were always ahead and the momentum was going our way,' a Liberal source told the Sydney Morning Herald. The contrast echoed the eve of the United States election in 2016 when Donald Trump (pictured) went to five states and held a midnight rally in Michigan, a crucial swing state Mr Morrison had visited Tasmania seven times by the end of the campaign's first week and the seats of Longman and Bribie Island in Queensland were also targeted in the campaign. The Liberal leader praised 'quiet Australians' for his 'miracle' election win. 'They have their dreams, they have their aspirations, to get a job, to get an apprenticeship, to start a business, to meet someone amazing, to start a family, to buy a home, to work hard and provide the best you can for your kids, to save for your retirement,' Mr Morrison said. 'These are the quiet Australians who have won a great victory tonight. Tonight is about every single Australian who depends on their government to put them first.' Much like Trump, opinion polls had trended towards Mr Morrison's opponents and Sportsbet were so confident of a Labor victory they had paid out on bets days before the ballot. Mr Morrison's victory over Mr Shorten has parallels to the 2016 US election campaign where Donald Trump defeated Hillary Clinton (pictured) Mr Trump congratulated Mr Morrison during a phone call on Sunday, with the US President telling his Australian counterpart that he had predicted the result. 'He was very congratulatory and very pleased about the outcome. He said that he always thought that it would happen,' Mr Morrison told the Daily Telegraph. 'We'd already struck up a good relationship and looking forward to the certainty of me being in the role for the next three years. We talked about that and I look forward to potentially being there later in the year but certainly getting together at the G20 (leaders summit).' Gunmen opened fire at a bar in Brazil's s northern Para state on Saturday, killing 11 people. The G1 news website says police reported that seven gunmen opened fire at a bar in Belem City on Sunday afternoon. G1 says police also report one man was wounded in the attack. The victims are said to be five women and six men. One of the victims is the owner of the bar, according to local reports. The owner has been identified as Maria Ivanilza Pinheiro Monteiro or 'Vanda' (Wanda) and the bar is known as Vanda's (Wanda) Bar and Drinks. Scroll down for video Many of the victims were shot in the head and blood was splattered all over the bar. Drugs could be seen near some of the bodies The identities of three other victims have been released but most did not have identification on them, O Liberal states. They are: 21-year-old DJ Leandro Breno Tavares da Silva, 25-year-old employee Paulo Henrique Passos Ferreira and 33-year-old Raquel da Silva Franco. Anderson Goncalves dos Santos is said to have been the person who survived the attack. Video shows the aftermath of the shooting, with many of the victims shot in the head and blood all over the bar. Drugs can be seen near some of the bodies. The victims are said to be five women and six men The gunmen are said to have traveled on three motorcycles and a silver car. They escaped using routes connecting to the building, which further led authorities to believe that the bar was a drug den The gunmen are said to have traveled on three motorcycles and a silver car. They escaped using routes connecting to the building, which further led authorities to believe that the bar was a drug den. The Homicide Division of the Civil Police is conducting interviews and trying to determine the identities of the gunmen. No one has been arrested. General delegate Alberto Teixeira stated that the deaths were execution style, with some of the victims suffering head wounds while others were shot multiple times. A Para state spokeswoman, Natalia Mello, says she can only 'confirm' there was a massacre in the state. The Homicide Division of the Civil Police is conducting interviews and trying to determine the identities of the gunmen. No one has been arrested The massacre occurred in Belem City and in an area known for drug use Para governor, Helder Barbalho, called an emergency meeting late Sunday night with security officials at government offices. In a video posted on his social networks he pledged to do all he could to fight the violence and guaranteed 'absolute (swift and complete support) to the investigations'. 'Let's not back down. If this incident, which occurred in the Guama neighbourhood, is to intimidate public security forces led by the government, it will not. We will remain firm and work to guarantee the right of the population to have a quality of life, peace and security.' O Globo reports that police know the bar as being 'a place for drug use.' The killings took place in the Guama neighborhood, one of the seven most violent spots in the metropolitan Belem area where federal troops were sent in March to boost security. British jihadists who travel to Syria will face up to ten years in prison on their return home, the Home Secretary will announce today. Sajid Javid is set to use new powers for the first time which will make it illegal to enter or remain in terror hotspots overseas without a valid reason such as aid work or a relatives funeral. The war-torn country where Islamic State, or Daesh, are based will become a designated area under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act. Sajid Javid is set to use new powers for the first time which will make it illegal to enter or remain in terror hotspots overseas without a valid reason such as aid work or a relatives funeral The Act, which came into force earlier this year, is designed to allow the authorities to prosecute individuals, even when there is limited evidence of a suspects activities abroad. Mr Javid will outline the move to tackle the threat from foreign fighters in a major speech in London seen as the start of his bid for the party leadership. He will say: Ive asked my officials to work closely with the police and intelligence agencies to urgently review the case for exercising this power in relation to Syria, with a particular focus on [the city of] Idlib and the north-east. So anyone who is in these areas without a legitimate reason should be on notice. The new offence would require proof of a persons presence in a designated area rather than actually being involved in terrorism. The Home Secretary would be able to place countries or regions on a travel blacklist, making it a crime for an individual to go there. Around 900 Britons are believed to have travelled to Syria or Iraq. Yet only 40 out of 400 jihadis who fought with IS have been prosecuted after returning home. At least 360 fanatics have been allowed to go free due to lack of evidence. Syria where Islamic State, or Daesh, are based will become a designated area under the Counter-Terrorism and Border Security Act. Pictured, Atmeh camp for the displaced in Atmeh town, Idlib province, Syria Mr Javid will say: The police and security services have worked tirelessly to identify those intending to travel overseas and join Daesh. They have seized passports at the border and prevented them from leaving the country. He will use the speech to highlight the UKs international role in fighting terrorism and drum home the need for continued co-operation with other countries to save lives even though Britain is leaving the EU. He will say: From terrorism, to crime, to hostile state activity, we are facing international problems, and they require an international response. As these threats become more global we all rely on an international system of defence, policing, security and intelligence. A safety net based upon co-operation, and unity. A man who made a written confession to raping a woman in her sleep will not be prosecuted after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case. Bonny Turner, 41, waived her legal right to anonymity to highlight how she believes rape has been decriminalised by prosecutors. Miss Turner was allegedly attacked by a man she knew in a London hotel in 2016. A man who made a written confession to raping a woman in her sleep will not be prosecuted after the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the case. Bonny Turner, 41, waived her legal right to anonymity to highlight how she believes rape has been decriminalised by prosecutors He left Britain after the incident, but in a written exchange on the Facebook Messenger app she says he confessed to raping her. However, even though he admitted in writing to having made a huge mistake, the CPS refused to bring charges. Miss Turner, a counselling trainer, told The Independent newspaper that the refusal of the CPS to act meant rape victims chances of winning justice were bleak. She added: He confessed what he had done. In my view rape has become decriminalised. 'If a confession isnt enough to even get to court, theres no hope for anyone else. 'I was naive to believe that a voluntarily written admission of rape amounts to prosecutable evidence in the eyes of the UKs so-called justice system. In the exchange on Messenger, Miss Turner told the man she was fast asleep when he allegedly forced herself on her. She says the man replied: I know. I made a huge mistake and have been thinking about how wrong I was since then. Please forgive me. He then claimed he noticed too late that she was asleep and is said to have replied: That is why I stopped, but I should not have even tried from the beginning. I am so deeply sorry. Following this exchange, Miss Turner reported the incident to the police. She said she was questioned a few days later for five hours at a London police station, and was asked for her mobile phone as well as access to personal information on her phone and her social media accounts. Miss Turner was allegedly attacked by a man she knew in a London hotel in 2016. In a written exchange on the Facebook Messenger app she says he confessed to raping her. Above: Miss Turner wrote on Twitter: 'This is about one of my many #MeToo experiences and my struggle to get justice in the broken UK justice system. DO NOT KEEP THIS SECRET' Miss Turner said she was not told what was taken from her mobile, but later found that police had demanded information from a former employer about a grievance process. She believes the fact that a complaint she made about workplace bullying was not upheld could have been used to discredit her. Miss Turners case comes after widespread concern this month over plans to require rape and domestic violence victims to give their phones to police or face their cases being dropped. The man was not interviewed until more than a year after the incident, when British police arranged to have him questioned in his own country. But nearly two years after her report, she was told no further action would be taken. When Miss Turner used the CPS Victims Right to Review, prosecutors refused to reopen her case. Detective chief superintendent Maria Woodall, from City of London Police, said: We are sorry Miss Turner has been left feeling insecure and unsafe, but we are confident that a thorough investigation of her report took place' In January, the High Court declined an application for a judicial review of the CPS decision. Miss Turner said: Some of my family and friends have said I just need to get on with my life. I dont know how thats possible given how angry, exhausted and unsafe I feel just surviving in this world. A CPS spokesman said: Rape is one of the most complex and challenging offences to prosecute, and we recognise that our decisions have a profound impact on the individuals affected. We considered all the available evidence in this case carefully and concluded there was no realistic prospect of conviction. This decision was upheld under review. We understand this was disappointing and met her to explain the reasoning. Detective chief superintendent Maria Woodall, from City of London Police, said: We are sorry Miss Turner has been left feeling insecure and unsafe, but we are confident that a thorough investigation of her report took place. The case was taken on by one of our most experienced investigators who committed a lot of time and resources, working with translators and our colleagues [abroad] to ensure the suspect was questioned appropriately on all the evidence we collected. She made a rare public appearance with her husband Jesse Wood in Richmond on Wednesday. And Fearne Cotton was back on the red carpet as she attended the annual British Podcast Awards at Kings Place in London on Saturday. The radio presenter, 37, looked effortlessly glamorous in a pale pink suit as she posed up a storm ahead of the star-studded ceremony. Pretty in pink: Fearne Cotton was back on the red carpet on Saturday as she attended the annual British Podcast Awards at Kings Place in London The mother-of-two paired her chic ensemble with a white graphic T-shirt and opted for casual black, white and pink trainers. Fearne wore her golden locks loose around her shoulders and opted for a natural make up look for the evening. The presenter, who was joined at the event by Celebs Go Dating star Anna Williamson, was nominated in the Spotlight category for her Happy Place podcast. Glam: The radio presenter, 37, looked effortlessly glamorous in a pale pink suit as she posed up a storm ahead of the star-studded ceremony Chic: The mother-of-two paired her chic ensemble with a white graphic T-shirt and opted for casual black, white and pink trainers Suits you, Ferne! The presenter added a hint of sparkle to her appearance with golden rings and a simple silver necklace Her latest outing comes after she put on a loved-up display with her husband Jesse as they attended Petersham Nurseries' 15th Anniversary in Richmond, London, on Wednesday. The presenter looked typically stylish in a monochrome heart print dress, which featured a plunging neckline and button detailing down the front. The TV personality teamed her dress with a grey blazer and a pair of quirky metallic green ankle boots, giving her black and white ensemble a pop of vibrancy. Fearne carried her essentials for the evening in a small bag which boasted a chunky gold chain strap and accessorised with a pendant necklace. So chilled: The blonde bombshell dressed down her snazzy pink suit with a pair of black trainers on arrival at the event She's so glam: Ferne applied light touches of make-up to her glowing complexion and she styled her golden locks loosely around her face Pals: The presenter, who was nominated in the Spotlight category for her Happy Place podcast, was joined at the ceremony by Anna Williamson Star: The Celebs Go Dating star stunned in a chic black jumpsuit paired with vibrant red heels She wore her newly-bobbed locks in loose bouncy waves, while highlighting her natural beauty with light touches of make-up in pink tones. Jesse looked equally dashing, opting to sport a blue blazer with a horizontally-striped T-shirt with blue slim fitting jeans and trainers. Fearne has previously spoken candidly about her marriage to Jesse, who she met in 2012 and married two years before coming parents to to Rex, six, and three-year-old Honey. Earlier this year she joked that her husband's disorganised mess means she doesn't even want him 'anywhere near her' while she sleeps. Sweet: Fearne and her husband Jesse Wood looked loved-up as they made a rare appearance at Petersham Nurseries' 15th Anniversary in Richmond, London, on Wednesday Stylish: The 37-year-old presenter looked typically stylish in a monochrome heart print dress, which featured a plunging neckline and button detailing down the front In an interview with Notebook she spoke out about her relationship with her husband-of-four years and how his messiness led her to buy a large bed. 'My bedroom is my calm zone - where I try to escape the chaos. My bed is super-king size because I don't want my husband anywhere near me when I'm sleeping,' she admitted. 'Jesse is the opposite. He makes a cup of tea and leaves the cupboard doors open, tea bags on the side, milk still out two hours later, it literally drives me mental. 'But I do his head in too, because he'll get clothes out to wear and I'll have tidied them away before he even gets out the shower,' she admitted. Game of Thrones stars Lena Headey and Jerome Flynn reportedly did not film scenes together due to a 'bad break-up' after a 'very turbulent relationship' in their past. Lena, 45, who portrayed notorious queen Cersei Lannister, has starred alongside Jerome, 56, in the HBO fantasy drama since the first season aired in 2011. But despite the pair having both appeared in all eight seasons of the epic, Cersei and Jerome's Ser Bronn of the Blackwater have barely shared a single scene. Drama: Lena, who portrayed notorious queen Cersei Lannister, has starred alongside Jerome in Game of Thrones since the first season aired in 2011 (Pictured, Lena in Game of Thrones) It has been claimed this is due to the actors' 'very turbulent relationship' prior to Game of Thrones which left things 'very awkward on set'. An insider told the Sun: 'Lena and Jerome have not filmed together due to a bad break-up. 'They kept the full extent of it secret but it was a very turbulent relationship and it has been very awkward on set. Turmoil: But despite the pair having both appeared in all eight seasons, Cersei and Jerome's Ser Bronn of the Blackwater have barely shared a single scene (Pictured, Jerome as Bronn) 'Lena has opened up to her trusted friends. She appears to have a genuine hate towards him.' The pair, who were first linked in 2002, appeared together in the ITV hit show Soldier Soldier in 1993. Speaking to the Telegraph in 2014, a Game of Thrones crew-member claimed the pair were no longer on speaking terms, with the bitter end to their relationship resulting in both parties avoiding one another on set. 'Jerome and Lena aren't on speaking terms any more and they are never in the same room at the same time,' the insider explained. Throwback: The pair, who were first linked in 2002, appeared together in the ITV hit show Soldier Soldier in 1993 (Pictured, Lena far right and Jerome second from left) Awkward: It has been claimed this is due to the actors' 'very turbulent relationship' prior to Game of Thrones which left things 'very awkward on set' (Pictured in 2016) 'It's a pity because they appeared to have patched things up for a while, but now the word is they should be kept apart at all costs.' Jerome, whose other other TV credits include Ripper Street, previously offered an ambiguous response when asked about his relationship with the actress. 'We're not a couple right now, people have seen us together and jumped to conclusions,' he said in 2003. 'I can't rule out a relationship with her in the future, I just don't know.' It comes as the much-anticipated final episode of Game of Thrones is set to air on Sunday night. A source said: 'Lena and Jerome have not filmed together due to a bad break-up' Lena went on to marry musician Peter Loughran in 2007 before divorcing five years later. The former couple are parents to nine-year old son Wylie. The actress has since given birth to her daughter, three-year-old Teddy, with new partner Dan Cadan. MailOnline has contacted Lena and Jerome's representatives for further comment. Game of Thrones concludes on HBO in the US, and is screened simultaneously at 2 AM on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK, on Sunday night. Hit Network radio host Kate Langbroek reflected on how her son's battle with leukaemia encouraged her to 'feel differently' about life. Speaking to Stellar Magazine on Saturday, the 53-year-old revealed Lewis' health scare encouraged her to make the move to Italy with her family four months ago. 'Lewis was very sick when he was little and he could've died,' Kate told the publication. 'He could've died': Radio host Kate Langbroek, 53, reveals her son Lewis' (top right) battle with leukaemia as a child encouraged her to make the move to Italy with her family during an interview with Stellar Magazine on Saturday The popular personality added that Lewis battled leukaemia for three and a half years before reaching full recovery in 2013. 'Maybe that makes you feel differently about the opportunities you have in life, and the biggest opportunity is the life itself that you have,' Kate added. Kate, her husband Peter Lewis and their children have been living in Bologna since January. 'Lewis was very sick when he was little and he could've died,' Kate told the publication, adding that Lewis battled leukaemia for three and a half years before reaching full recovery in 2013 Gushing over how 'relaxed' Italians are, Kate explained life in Italy involves food, resting and soaking up the beauty of the city. 'Life revolves around having something nice to eat, having a rest, enjoying what you're doing, your family, and enjoying the beauty around you. That's really it,' she said. Just days before packing her bags and leaving Melbourne, Kate said on The Project that she had 'no idea' why she was moving to Europe. 'Maybe that makes you feel differently about the opportunities you have in life, and the biggest opportunity is the life itself that you have,' Kate added. Pictured with husband Peter 'I can't tell you why because I've got NFI [no f**king idea],' she said nervously. 'But at the time it seemed like a good idea that we would take our four children and go to live in Italy for a year. Why? I don't know. I'm hanging by a thread.' Kate and Peter are parents to Lewis, 15, Sunday, 14, Artie, 12, and Jan, nine. Teen Mom star Jenelle Evans and disgraced husband David Eason went to court on Thursday to fight a judge's order that removed her three children from their North Carolina home after Eason shot and killed their family dog. The children were not returned to the couple, and now it could get even dicier for them in their effort to regain custody. Video, posted by TMZ, shows the pair left the courthouse and got into their SUV with what appears to be a handgun on the dashboard. Child custody case: Jenelle Evans and husband David Eason left a North Carolina courthouse on Thursday with what appears to be a handgun on the dashboard of their SUV Evans walked out of the courthouse first with her husband following close behind. As they headed to their car someone asked: 'Why did you kill the dog?' Another question went unanswered when Evans was asked: 'What happens if you have to choose between your kids and your husband?' Just as the couple began to drive off, the object on the dash becomes visible. The object still looks very much like a pistol in screenshots at different angles. Family troubles: The 27-year-old MTV star was in court to 'fight a judge's order' which removed her three children from their North Carolina home following an incident where David shot and killed their family dog Nugget, according to TMZ Legal: Evans and Eason left a Columbus County courtroom without answering any questions Weapon in view? The object on the dash still appears to be a pistol in another screenshot Driving away: Eason was asked: 'Why did you kill the dog?' as they left the courthouse Shortly before they were seen leaving the Columbus County court room, three children with blankets on their heads were seen being placed in a CPS vehicle and driven away. This is all started when Eason videotaped their two-year-old daughter Ensley playing with their French Bulldog and shared the clip on social media. As Ensley tried to kiss the puppy named Nugget, the dog who is clearly uncomfortable as it cowers and pulls away from the little girl nipped back at the girls face while the video continued to roll on. Very public: Eason regularly boasted about his arsenal of weapons and ammunition stored on his land before news broke that he shot and killed the family dog Nugget; seen on Instagram TMZ also caught up with Teen Mom star Kailyn Lowry, who spoke about Evans being removed from the show. 'I think that people did watch the show for Jenelle, and I don't think that can be denied,' Lowry said. When asked if she thought the drama surrounding Evans and Eason would have helped the show, Lowry thought otherwise. 'No, I think the drama is hurting the show, and it's unfortunate for those who have worked really hard to rebuild our reputation,' she added. Brutal: The Blast reported Eason 'grabbed the family dog by the throat and slammed it on the ground before throwing the helpless animal into the kitchen table; seen on Instagram Sad: Jenelle has three children: Jace, nine, Ensley, two, and Kaiser, four The Blast reported that Eason 'grabbed the dog by the throat and slammed it on the ground' before throwing the helpless animal into the kitchen table. He then threw the dog's body out of the door, grabbed a pistol and shotgun and went outside to shoot the puppy to death, only to return to the home 'covered in blood.' Eason has made it his mission to publicly display his love of guns, which includes posting a number of video on social media showing off his weapons and ammunition after getting a visit from the Secret Service. You're fired: Shortly after the news broke that Eason had killed the puppy, MTV fired Evans from the show; the network parted ways with Eason last year following his homophobic and transphobic comments posted online; seen on Instagram Shortly after the news of puppy killing, MTV fired Evans from the show; the network parted ways with Eason last year following his homophobic and transphobic comments posted online. 'MTV ended its relationship with David Eason over a year ago in February 2018 and has not filmed any new episodes of 'Teen Mom 2' with him since," MTV said in a statement following the news of the killing. 'Additionally, we have stopped filming with Jenelle Eason as of April 6, 2019 and have no plans to cover her story in the upcoming season.' The former reality star has been married to Eason for nearly three years and was 'very grateful' for the opportunity to appear on Teen Mom 2 (a spin-off from the network's 16 and Pregnant), a representative said in a statement. She just released her single, Do Not Disturb, with Gigi Gorgeous and Steve Aoki. And Bella Thorne celebrated her new release's success on Saturday, posing with cake in her lingerie. The 21-year-old beauty was seen in a bathroom with a double mirror while holding up the sweet treat and baring all. Time to celebrate: Bella Thorne bared all on Saturday, stripping down to her lingerie to celebrate her new music video for Do Not Disturb 'CAKE FOR DO NOT DISTURB,' she captioned. Bella opted for a black set that drew attention to her ample cleavage. She teamed the look with a matching G-string that was in full view through the double mirror. busting out: Bella opted for a black set that drew attention to her ample cleavage Natural beauty: Bella styled her brunette hair out into loose natural waves and was makeup free. Bella styled her brunette hair out into loose natural waves and was makeup free. Taking to her Instagram Stories, Chyna shared other images in her sexy night attire. And while Bella was seen indulging in some cake, Thursday night saw the beauty hit the town. 'Miss doing this w @com3tmusic she just went b2b at edc last night,' she captioned the videos. Dessert time: Taking to her Instagram Stories, Chyna shared other images in her sexy night attire Bella was seen in a white crop top and a pair of mid-rise jeans. Along with Bella's new music release which also saw her direct the music video, she's also managed to book some movies this month as well. 'Booked 3 movies in the last two weeks fwm,' she revealed on Instagram Stories. Bella signed on to star in the sci-fi horror flick The Friendship Game, which is being directed by Scooter Corkle (Hollow In The Land) from a script by The OA writer Damien Ober. Night out: And while Bella was seen indulging in some cake, Thursday night saw the beauty hit the town Casual look: Bella was seen in a white crop top and a pair of mid-rise jeans She will also star alongside Jake Manley (The Order) in Southland. The drama is written and directed by Joshua Caldwell (The Beautiful Lie). 'Very excited to work w jake. Loving his new show and his whole vibe,' she wrote. 'Lets go make a dark a** dope a** eccentric movie together w a great director/writer.' Bella also landed the lead in the upcoming film Girl, a thriller from writer-director Chad Faust, who first made waves for his role as Kyle Baldwin in The 4400. Michelle Rodriguez will appear in the Fast & Furious 9. The 40-year-old actress confirmed her involvement in the next installment of the action saga while appearing in London on Thursday at the Bloomberg Equality Summit. The San Antonio native, who's played Letty Ortiz Toretto in the film series since 2001, said that officials with Universal Pictures inked a female writer after she said she 'just might have to say goodbye' two years ago if they didn't. In tow: Michelle Rodriguez, 40, confirmed she will appear in the Fast & Furious 9, while appearing in London on Thursday at the Bloomberg Equality Summit. She was snapped last year in San Francisco The Machete Kills beauty said at the event in England, 'Yeah, I'm gonna do 9,' noting that Universal Pictures exec Donna Langley had agreed with her assessment to add a female perspective in the writers room. The Girlfight beauty said that Langley 'came on board at the studio, and agreed to have that female voice on board so the guys aren't basically interpreting that female voice on paper.' Rodriguez said she found it 'annoying' that her character would be solely filtered through male voices, saying that she would 'rewrite all [her] stuff' as she 'felt like there wasn't enough of a female voice in the franchise. 'I'm tired of being a writer and an actress, you know?' she said. 'It's kind go cool that I had that freedom, but it's frivolous.' Mainstay: The San Antonio native has played Letty Ortiz Toretto in the films since 2001 Key player: Rodriguez was seen opposite Vin Diesel in 2015's Furious 7 Rodriguez also noted the lack of interplay between her character Letty and other female characters in the series, who have been played by stars such as Jordana Brewster, Gal Gadot and Charlize Theron. 'I can count with two hands how many times I spoke to my female colleagues,' she said. 'Like Jordana, who played the sister. I've been in the franchise for 16 years, and I can count on both hands how many times we've actually had a conversation on screen, and I thought that was pathetic. 'And I said if I'm coming back, I really want there to be a female writer to give it a female voice, and finally they showed me some love.' Gorgeous: The actress was snapped attending the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in February Making things clear: In a June 2017 Instagram post of a collage, Rodriguez voiced her unrest over the gender imbalance in the action film series In a June 2017 Instagram post, Rodriguez voiced her unrest over the gender imbalance in the action film series. 'I hope they decide to show some love to the women of the franchise on the next one,' she wrote. 'Or I just might have to say goodbye to a loved franchise. It's been a good ride & Im grateful for the opportunity the fans & studio have provided over the years One Love.' Fast & Furious 9 is slated to arrive in theaters May 22, 2020, while the next spin-off in the series, Hobbs & Shaw, will hit theaters August 2, 2019. He left Channel Seven's The Daily Edition in December last year. And on Friday, Tom Williams enjoyed a 'catch up' with his fellow 'escapees' while at Sydney pub The Lady Hampshire. The 48-year-old posted two photos to Instagram that saw himself and his former colleagues appearing elated at having left the network. 'The Escapees!' Tom Williams (far right), 48, and other former Channel Seven employees, celebrated their departure from the network with a 'catch up' at a local Sydney pub on Friday In one photo, the group are huddled together around a table full of alcoholic beverages. Tom smiles at the camera, while several of his former colleagues make animated hand gestures. The group includes Mia Burns, Elise Barker, Melanie J. Ruiz, Mike Duffey and Stu Wallace. No love lost? Tom captioned the Instagram post 'The Escapees catch up' alongside the hashtag #topicofconversation Tom wrote in the post's caption 'The Escapees catch up!' alongside the hashtag #topicofconversation. Sunrise reporter Edwina Bartholomew, 35, was quick to take to the comments section, asking Tom whether there's a '12 step program', to which he responded: 'we skipped it and went straight to the drinking part!' A spokesperson for Channel Seven told The Daily Telegraph's Confidential on Sunday: 'Tom and Channel 7 will always be the best of friends. We are big supporters of Tom and wish him every success.' Banter: Sunrise reporter Edwina Bartholomew, 35, was quick to take to the comments section Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Tom for comment in relation to this story. Tom told The Daily Telegraph's BW magazine earlier this month that his decision to leave Channel Seven was based purely on being cautious of his longevity in the media. Seeking stability, he said: 'I think I did as well as I could for as long as I could in TV and I was looking for a career that would sustain me into my 60s - and TV wasn't going to do that.' 'People say that you have three careers over your life: I was a carpenter, then I was the TV guy, now I'm in real estate,' he added. Commentary: The journalist asked Tom whether there's a '12 step program', to which he responded: 'we skipped it and went straight to the drinking part!' As reported by Mosman Collective in February, Tom joined Sydney estate agents LJ Hooker Avnu. Tom told the publication at the time: 'Property and real estate is my thing. It always has been, but most people haven't known about it - until now!' 'My family are super excited about the incredible opportunity I've been given, especially my young daughters,' he added. Tom is father to daughters Storm, five, and Sloane, three, with fashion designer wife Rachel Gilbert. Australia's Kate Miller Heidke secured ninth place at the 64th Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday, despite a stellar performance - with the Netherlands crowned the winner. The 37-year-old belted out her song Zero Gravity, which earned her 285 points, however it was the Netherlands' Duncan Laurence who won the competition with 492 points - marking the nation's first win in 44 years. Outraged fans took to Twitter shortly after the announcement, with some claiming Australia was 'robbed' following Kate's gravity-defying performance. Ninth place: Kate Miller-Heidke missed out on a Eurovision win despite her gravity-defying performance at the grand final in Tel Aviv on Saturday 'Kate Miller-Heidke was robbed, LNP won, and I didn't get my sausage. What a weekend,' one Twitter user wrote. 'Can't believe kate miller-heidke came 9th in eurovision. disappointed and outraged,' another user complained. Italy followed in second place with 465 points, while Russia came in third with 369 points. This year's competition saw 26 countries battle it out in the grand final, which was held in Tel Aviv, Israel. The winner is determined by viewers' votes and a five-member jury. Electrifying performance: The 37-year-old managed to belt out Zero Gravity, a song about her battle with post-natal depression, while simultaneously balancing on a six-metre pole In a Twitter video after the competition, Kate said she was thrilled to place in the top ten. 'I'm on such a massive, massive high. To get top ten is amazing and far beyond what I expected coming into this,' she beamed. 'Thank you so much for everybody that voted for me... it's been the most unforgettable... one of the most unforgettable moments of my life.' Brisbane-native Kate, who was considered a favourite to win early in the competition, wowed the crowd while flying in the air, wearing a glittering blue princess-style gown. She managed to belt out Zero Gravity, a song about her battle with post-natal depression, while simultaneously balancing on a six-metre pole. She was the fifth person to represent Australia at Eurovision. Pop Queen Madonna, 60, closed the show with a performance of her classic track Like a Prayer and new single Future. Incredible feat: The Netherlands' Duncan Laurence (pictured) won the competition with 492 points - marking the nation's first win in 44 years Australia began participating in Eurovision in 2015, after being invited by the European Broadcasting Union to perform as a wildcard entry. Guy Sebastian performed his song Tonight Again and secured fifth place that year. In 2016, Dami Im won second place, marking the highest Eurovision score for Australia. She's known for her sophisticated style. And so it comes as no surprise that Getaway host Catriona Rowntree wore a whopping $500,000 worth of jewellery to the Paspaley Australasian Beach Polo Cup event. The 47-year-old made a stellar entrance at glamorous outing, which was held at Cable Beach Polo in Western Australia on Saturday. A whole lot of bling! Getaway host Catriona Rowntree (R) wore a whopping $500,000 worth of pearls and diamonds at glamorous Paspaley Beach Polo Cup event on Saturday, according to The Sydney Morning Herald According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the glamorous TV presenter stepped out wearing pearls and diamonds by Paspaley, worth about half a million dollars. Catriona wore a bright yellow-and-white printed dress for the occasion, that featured a loose-fitting silhouette and maxi length. She teamed the ensemble with a dainty pearl necklace, matching drop earrings and a wide brim straw hat. Glamorous: She wore a bright yellow printed dress and accessorised with this dainty pearl necklace, matching drop earrings and a wide brim straw hat Catriona's makeup was kept fresh and dewy, consisting of defined eyebrows, lashings of mascara and a pop of clear lip gloss. Her blonde locks were tucked behind her ears and styled silky straight. And the glamorous event comes after the beauty was named as an ambassador for French skincare giant, Clarins, last year. Revealing the secrets behind her age-defying appearance, the mum-of-two told The Grace Tales: 'I keep up my vitamins, drink a bucket load of water, appreciate a bit of sleep and regular skincare'. When she's not jet-setting around the globe, Catriona lives on a farm in rural Victoria with her husband, James Petit, and their sons, Andrew, eight, and Charles, seven. 'I keep up my vitamins, drink a bucket load of water, appreciate a bit of sleep and regular skincare': And the glamorous event comes after Catriona revealed the secrets behind her age-defying appearance in an interview with The Grace Tales last year The mum-of-two insists she lives a low-key life, and does what she can to maintain her flawless physique. She told Body+Soul earlier this year: 'Here's the thing - I live on a farm, I'm a working mum, I don't live in some fantasy world of yoga class three times a week. I just do what I can, when I can.' Catriona claimed she's 'allergic' to exercise, but finds innovative ways to keep active. 'A beginner's cha-cha class on a cruise, a walk around the deck, a polo class at home (believe it or not), walk the stairs where I can, ride my old bike around the farm, and maybe even 20 minutes in a gym if I can find one,' she said. Who better to help usher in a new restaurant in Disneyland's Downtown Disney District in Anaheim than a massive Disney star? An excited Vanessa Hudgens was on hand for the opening of Black Tap Craft Burgers And Shakes on Saturday -- which is the first of its franchises to debut in California. And The High School Musical alum appeared to be relishing the moment as she hobnobbed with the likes of Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Goofy while eating some of the establishment's most prized dishes. Team Disney: Vanessa Hudgens helped usher in the grand opening of Black Tap Craft Burgers And Shakes in Disneyland's Downtown Disney District in Anaheim Oozing elegance for the festive occasion, Hudgens looked stylish in an blue-grey patterned jumpsuit that hung off her petite curves with its loose design. The ensemble also included a duster-length matching sweater-jacket. She rounded things off with brown heels and pulled her long raven tresses back off of her face in tight ponytail with swirly part of the left. Chummy and yummy: The High School Musical alum appeared to be relishing the moment as she hobnobbed with the likes of Mickey and Minnie Mouse and Goofy Charmer: The actress blew a kiss towards the camera during the photo-op Grand arrival! The restaurant is the first of its franchises to debut in California Elegant: Hudgens looked stylish in an blue-grey patterned jumpsuit that hung off her petite curves with its loose design and a matching sweater-jacket that came down past her knees The actress, 30, joined some of Disney's iconic characters for a photo-op, where she squeezed in-between Mickey and Minnie. Not long after, the gang all sat together to enjoy some of the restaurant's famous burgers and shakes Hudgens played Gabriella Montez in three High School Musical films beginning in 2006, when she was 17-years-old. She also starred in season two of Disney's The Suite Life Of Zack & Cody that same year. Delicious combo: The High School Musical star and her Disney mates also got to enjoy some of the restaurant's famous burgers and shakes Sweet: The actress dished out her contagious personality with Mickey and Minnie Big breakthrough: Hudgens, 30, played Gabriella Montez in three High School Musical films beginning in 2006, when she was 17-years-old Since then her movie resume includes the fantasy-drama Beastly (2011), the psychological fantasy Sucker Punch, the blockbuster hit Journey 2: The Mysterious Land (2012), starring Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, and the crime film Spring Breakers (2013). Hudgens recently starred in Fox's televised production of Rent, the Jonathan Larson rock musical based on La Boheme that opened on Broadway in 1996. Her upcoming projects include a Netflix film called The Knight Before Christmas and the third installment of the Bad Boys franchise called Bad Boys For Life, starring Will Smith. Work perk: Hudgens got to indulge in some of the establishment's famous sweets and shakes Loving it: The California native was giddy with excitement as she taste-tested Working it: Hudgens recently starred in Fox's televised production of Rent Elizabeth Banks was all smiles on the red carpet of the world premiere of her new film, Sony's thriller Brightburn. The 45 year old actress was seen posing with her co-stars David Denman, Jackson A. Dunn and producer James Gunn. Sony will release Brightburn in theaters May 24, going up against Disney's Aladdin and United Artists' Booksmart. Premiere: Elizabeth Banks was all smiles on the red carpet of the world premiere of her new film, Sony's thriller Brightburn Banks was wearing a black floral print dress with a slit up the leg, which she revealed on her Instagram page was designed by Markus Lupfer. She also wore large light blue hoop earrings and orange strap stiletto heels to her red carpet premiere. The actress also posed with producer James Gunn, who directed the actress in the 2006 thriller Slither. Premiere wear: Banks was wearing a black floral print dress with a slit up the leg, which she revealed on her Instagram page was designed by Markus Lupfer Brightburn puts a unique genre spin on a superhero-like origin story, but instead of a hero coming to Earth, it's a villain. The story follows a child from another world who crash lands on Earth, but instead of blossoming into a heroic figure, he turns into something far more sinister. The cast also includes Jennifer Holland, Matt Jones, Meredith Hagner and Steve Agee, with David Yarovesky (The Hive) directing from a script by Brian and Mark Gunn (Journey 2: The Mysterious Island). New movie: Brightburn puts a unique genre spin on a superhero-like origin story, but instead of a hero coming to Earth, it's a villain Banks had previously returned to voice Wyldstyle in the animated sequel The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, which hit theaters in February. She also stars as one of the Bosley characters in Sony's reboot of Charlie's Angels, which also stars Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott, Ella Balinska and Noah Centineo. Banks also directed Charlie's Angels, which will hit theaters November 1, going up against Paramount's Terminator: Dark Fate. New role: Banks had previously returned to voice Wyldstyle in the animated sequel The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part, which hit theaters in February She is also directing the pilot episode for the potential ABC series The Greater Good, described as 'a comedic version of The X-Files, a relationship and workplace comedy set in the world of conspiracy theories.' Banks is also set to star in director Taylor Hackford's new film Signal Hill, which is currently in pre-production. She will star in Signal Hill alongside Jamie Foxx and Anthony Mackie, who plays a young Johnnie Cochran, who takes on a police brutality case in 1981 that would put him on the map in the legal world. Channel Seven's Andrew O'Keefe, 47, will reportedly return to work in the first week of June, after taking a leave of absence over 'emotional exhaustion' in April. On Sunday, The Daily Telegraph claimed that the embattled television host will soon resume production on game show The Chase in Melbourne. Last month, his manager Mark Klemens told the publication he was stepping away from filming to 'regroup and work through some personal issues'. Back in The Chase! Andrew O'Keefe (pictured) is set to resume production on his Seven game show in the first week of June after taking a leave of absence due to 'emotional exhaustion' At the time, Mark added: 'Over the past year or so [Andrew] has had to come to terms with his marriage breakdown among a range of other issues. 'He is emotionally exhausted to say the least and needs this break.' Andrew is currently the host of the Australian version of The Chase, and formerly worked on Deal or No Deal. In addition to the breakdown of his marriage in late 2017, Andrew made headlines in March this year after he lashed out at a photographer while leaving court. Recovered! The 47-year-old stepped away from his professional commitments in April to address his 'emotional exhaustion' (Pictured with his estranged wife Eleanor in 2014) Andrew was quick to deny he'd hit the photographer. 'Mate, if a photographer chooses to get in the way of my folder, that's the photographer's fault,' he told AAP. The 47-year-old was in court after being pulled over driving a green 1968 MGB Mark II convertible in Vaucluse, Sydney on September 03, 2018. Asked if the vehicle was registered, Andrew said it was in his estranged wife Eleanor's name. The registration had expired one month earlier. Andrew, who once worked as an intellectual property lawyer, pleaded guilty in court but explained that he did not know the vehicle was unregistered. Denied: In March 2019, Andrew allegedly struck a news photographer with a folder full of documents when leaving Downing Centre Local Court after driving unregistered In September 2018, Woman's Day published images of the then newly-separated TV personality kissing a brunette during a night out in Tasmania. The magazine reported that the video was filmed during a period when Andrew was 'partying for 48 hours'. 'I am not the only person who has gone out and had a big night and done things that in the light of day looks little silly,' Andrew said of the incident. He separated from his wife Eleanor in late 2017. In the headlines: In September 2018, Andrew O'Keefe, 46, was filmed kissing a mystery brunette woman during a night out in Hobart following his marriage breakdown Cheryl Burke had the time of her life at her bachelorette party. The 35-year-old San Francisco native looked to be enjoying herself at the bash ahead of her forthcoming nuptials to actor Matthew Lawrence, as she danced and laughed over a risque cake for the occasion. For the bachelorette party, the Dancing with the Stars personality laughed as she presented a large cake in the shape of male genitalia with an inscription that read, 'Same penis forever,' in a nod to marital monogamy. Fun time: Cheryl Burke, 35, looked to be enjoying herself at the bash ahead of her forthcoming nuptials to actor Matthew Lawrence, as she danced and laughed over a risque cake in the shape of male genitalia She posted a series of shots of herself with the cake, writing on Instagram: 'About last night ... I have to give a shout out to @jandlcakes for the ultimate bachelorette cake! It was almost too perfect to eat...' The 5ft4 beauty later posted more tame shots of the party, writing, 'For any of you who were offended by my last post, here is another of my favorite pictures (G Rated) from the other night.' She thanked her sister Nicole for 'for throwing one hell of a party' that she said left her 'really impressed.' Burke previously celebrated her pending wedding to Lawrence March 30 at the Los Angeles home of her friend Leah Remini with a bridal shower. Living it up: The bride-to-be was clad in a white gown with a sash and a mini-veil Squad goals: The Dancing with the Stars personality was flanked by her friends at the party Light-hearted: The ladies weren't afraid to get a bit tawdry with the humor for the festivities She told People last month that 'it was such a perfect day' as Remini 'went above and beyond' in throwing the classy party, which featured karaoke and scrapbooking, in addition to a brunch spread. 'Leah is a perfectionist and pays such close attention to detail,' she said. 'Thats why we get along! 'She put so much work into it because she wanted it to be special and for me to have a good time.' Party time: Cheryl and a drag queen entertainer performed in a bit called 'Save a horse, ride a cowboy' Joyful: The abode was decorated with balloons and banners in Cheryl's honor Burke said that Lawrence 'noticed that every person in the room had a smile on their face.' Prior to dating Lawrence, Burke was linked to model Maxwell Zagorski, Cougar Town star Josh Hopkins and businessman JT Torregiani. Lots of laughs: Cheryl showed off the anatomically-based cake on Instagram Friday Family ties: Cheryl thanked her sister for throwing the bachelorette bash She moved to Bologna four months ago with husband Peter Allen Lewis and their four children. And in Sunday's Stellar magazine, radio host Kate Langbroek revealed that the language barrier has been 'humiliating'. The 53-year-old, who has basic knowledge of Italian, said she speaks 'like a toddler'. 'I speak like a toddler!' Radio host Kate Langbroek (pictured with her family), 53, revealed in Sunday's Stellar that she's struggling with the language barrier, having relocated to Italy 'Nobody speaks English here, absolutely nobody,' Kate said. 'I have to accept that I speak like a toddler and it's very - I'm gonna say humbling. But in reality, it's humiliating.' Kate relocated from Melbourne four months ago with her family, and has set up a studio to continue hosting the Hit Network's Hughesy and Kate. When not on the air, Kate shares Instagram photos of her children Lewis, 15, Sunday, 14, Artie, 12, and Jan, 9, adapting to their new life in Italy. Kate's radio co-host Dave Hughes revealed in February that she's 'having the time of her life' after moving to Europe. Kate, who speaks basic Italian, told the paper: 'I have to accept that I speak like a toddler and it's very - I'm gonna say humbling. But in reality, it's humiliating.' Pictured with husband Peter Allen Lewis During an appearance on Channel Nine's Today Extra, Dave, 48, joked that Kate was 'spending all afternoon on the pasta and wine'. He also insisted their working relationship hasn't really changed - even though they have to deal with a 10-hour time difference. 'She's on from 6.30am to 8.30am and it's bizarre, you wouldn't know we weren't in the same room if we didn't tell anyone. No one would know,' Dave said. Family: The Langbroek family relocated to Italy four months ago. The couple's children Lewis, 15, Sunday, 14, Artie, 12, and Jan, 9, are pictured Kate was planning on resigning from her job before leaving for Italy, but Dave encouraged her to keep working. She told news.com.au earlier this year that her longtime colleague said she'd be 'crazy' to leave the show if she was only going overseas for a year. The Mulia, Mulia Resort and Villas, Nusa Dua in Bali, has hosted the likes of Lupita Nyong'o, Millie Bobby Brown and Fergie. And fortunately, it's not just the A-list that can bask in the five-star establishment's luxurious surrounds. Located away from the hustle and bustle of Seminyak, Mulia Bali offers respite for solo travellers, couples and larger groups. Idyllic: A-list destination Mulia Bali, offers the ultimate in relaxation from butler service to signature massages and fine dining... in picturesque Nusa Dua Accommodation Mulia Bali caters to all travellers with three distinct experiences - The Mulia, Mulia Resort and Villas, Nusa Dua. The Mulia is a boutique all-suite resort with 111 suites - Mulia Resort has 526 rooms, lagoon pool rooms and suites - and Mulia Villas is nestled on the hills of Nusa Dua. The villas offer private pools and tropical gardens, with views of the Indian ocean and offer total privacy and relaxation. Lavish design: The Mulia suites are lavish in their design, with a generously-sized walk-in wardrobe, bathroom and balcony with a private jacuzzi Dining There's no shortage of food with nine restaurants to splurge at. Standouts include authentic Chinese at Table8, an international buffet at The Cafe, and Mediterranean and Pan Asian cuisine at Soleil. Must-have dishes are the mushroom pasta at Soleil, made-to-order dumplings and Thai stir-fry at The Cafe. On the drinks front, Sky Bar offers refreshing lychee cocktails, while Cascade Lounge, overlooking the entire resort area, is perfect for a glass of champagne. Indulge: Cascade Lounge, overlooking the entire resort area, is perfect for a glass of champagne Facilities The Mulia offers a plethora of activities, whether you prefer something on the active side, or the utmost in relaxation. A state-of-the-art gym overlooks the Ladies Pool, with machines stationed at the front. Get active: A state-of-the-art gym overlooks the Ladies Pool, and offers complimentary personal training Personal trainers are on hand at all times of opening, while those wanting to interact can enjoy daily group Yoga and Pilates classes. An idyllic spa, located in the mountain tops, offers decadent hour-long massages with live percussion. Spa-goers can finish off the experience with complimentary tea, coffee and fruit in the picturesque surrounds. She's the stunning Australian model known for her ethereal beauty. And Abbey Lee Kershaw flaunted her sensational figure in a glitzy ensemble as she stepped out for Cannes Film Festival in France on Saturday. The blonde beauty, 31, posed up a storm on the red carpet whilst clad in a mini black sequins dress and polka dot hosiery. Glitzy goddess! Model Abbey Lee Kershaw (R) flaunted her sensational figure in this mini black sequins dress and polka dot hosiery at Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, France on Saturday Featuring a form-fitting silhouette, Abbey's glimmering dress also sported a strapless bust and red velvet detailing. She enhanced her flawless visage with a glamorous makeup look consisting of nude lipstick, a touch of illuminator and winged eye liner. Abbey's blonde tresses were swept to one side of her face and styled in textured waves. Wow! Featuring a form-fitting silhouette, Abbey's glimmering dress also sported this strapless bust and red velvet detailing It comes after Abbey dropped jaws in a gold mermaid-inspired ensemble as she arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the Met Gala earlier this month. But despite attending fashion's night of nights, Abbey once told W magazine that the industry is completely 'inhumane'. 'When you're a high fashion model in the show circuit, by Paris [the last stop of the major fashion weeks] you are completely debilitated,' she said in 2016. Mermaid: It comes after Abbey dropped jaws in this gold mermaid-inspired ensemble as she arrived at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York for the Met Gala earlier this month 'It was not humane what they do to girls during that period,' Abbey added. 'I don't care what anyone says about the fashion industry, it's hard work. 'And those dumb videos where you see Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner jumping around a hotel room is bulls***. That's not how it is at all.' They provided the soundtrack to many adolescent lives in the early 2000s. And to celebrate their 25th anniversary, Irish band Snow Patrol are heading to Australia for a tour. The Chasing Cars hitmakers will bring their Live And Acoustic show to four intimate venues in Perth, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney in August this year. 'We can do whatever the hell we want': Irish band Snow Patrol will celebrate their 25th anniversary with a series of unique and intimate acoustic shows in Australia later this year. Pictured: Snow Parol front man Gary Lightbody, 42. Talking to The Sunday Telegraph, front-man Gary Lightbody, 42, said he was excited to bring the unique shows to Australian shores. 'With the acoustic show we can do whatever the hell we want,' he said. 'The set list changes quite a lot and sometimes we are changing things in the middle of playing them, which is a lot of fun.' Back to it! The Grammy-nominated band went on a much-publicised hiatus in 2013 to allow Gary (pictured) time to deal with his depression and alcohol abuse Gary will be accompanied by lead guitarist Nathan Connolly and Johnny McDaid, a multi-instrumentalist who helped Ed Sheeran write much of his new album, Divide. Snow Patrol visited Australia only last year in support of the their recent album, Wildness, which reached No.12 on the Australian charts. However, this will mark the first time since 2012 that they've performed their catalogue of hits with an acoustic arrangement. Supportive: After the band's three-year break, they were re-introduced back into the mainstream market after Ed Sheeran (pictured) took them on tour with him around the US last year The Grammy-nominated band went on a much-publicised hiatus in 2013 to allow time for Gary to deal with his depression and alcohol abuse. They were re-introduced back into the mainstream market after Ed Sheeran took them on tour with him around the US last year. Snow Patrol will perform at the Concert Hall in Perth on August 4, QPAC Concert Hall in Brisbane on August 6, Melbourne's Palais Theatre on August 10, before wrapping up at Sydney's iconic Opera House on August 11. Tickets available through Live Nation. Her love of our four-legged friends has been a life-long passion. Lisa Vanderpump's -- Vanderpump Dog Foundation --- held its 4th annual World Dog Day at West Hollywood Park in West Hollywood on Saturday. The free event aims to celebrate dogs, teach people about global dog abuse and allow fans to check out some of their favorite stars from Vanderpump Rules up close and personal. Fun in the sun: The Vanderpump Dog Foundation threw its 4th annual World Dog Day event on Satruday in West Hollywood - with Lisa Vanderpump in attendance with her pooch The reality star dressed for the part in a summery full length black dress that was adorned with various dogs on it. She matched it with black open-toe heels and covered her long dark brown tresses with a straw bolero-style hat The 58-year-old accessorized with a couple of silver necklaces, matching dangling earrings, several rings and a watch. When in Rome: The reality star dressed for the part in a summery full length black dress that was adorned with various dogs on it Added flare: The 58-year-old covered her long dark brown tresses with a straw bolero-style hat The team: Vanderpump was joined on the red caret by Vanderpump Dog Foundation executive director Dr. John Stessa Passionate: The British native played host and animal rights cheerleader The event included dozens of pet-centered vendors and services, a dog agility park, an animal education area, a morning 'Doga' class, and food trucks. New this year: the first annual 'Best of Vanderpump Rescue Contest,' hosted and judged by the cast of Bravos Vanderpump Rules. Some of the other high-profile faces on hand included Lisa Vanderpump's husband and co-founder Kenneth Todd; the organization's executive director Dr. John Stessa; Vanderpump Rules stars James Kennedy, Raquel Leviss, Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright and and Scheana Marie. There were also actresses Joanna Cassidy, Heather Macdonald, Kaylyn Slevin, Camila Banus, Bella Shepard and Sofia Strauss. Going strong: Vanderpump started her foundation with husband Kenneth Todd Lending their support: A number of Vanderpump Rules stars were on hand including James Kennedy and Raquel Leviss All for a good cause: Co-stars Jax Taylor and Brittany Cartwright brought their two four-legged family members Revealing: Scheana Marie showed off her toned figure at the annual event Nearly 4000 people and their dogs were in attendance for last year's festivities. The Vanderpump Dog Foundation is a dog rescue organization based in Los Angeles, working both on the domestic and international front to help create a better world for dogs globally, according to it's website www.vanderpumpdogs.org. Some of the causes that are apart of its mission statement include: tackling domestic and international overpopulation and ending abuse and inhumane treatment of dogs worldwide. Lisa Vanderpump co-founded the organization with husband Kenneth Todd. Their daughter Pandora Vanderpump Sabo is the secretary, executive board president and head of marketing and events, while Dr. John Stessa serves as executive director. Commanding attention: Actress Kaylyn Slevin brought the color with her ensemble Youthful: Actress Camila Banus held her pooch in her arms dressed in a denim mini dress Shining star: Actress Heather Macdonald looked summery as she hit the red carpet Cute: Actress Bella Shepard rocked some Daisy Dukes alongside her furry family member Gorgeous: Actress Sofia Strauss opted for a floral mini dress She's a Hollywood star, famous for both her iconic movies and sensational looks. And on Saturday night Sharon Stone, 61, was the belle of the ball in a very racy ensemble for the annual Museum of Contemporary Art benefit in Los Angeles. The actress showed off her famous figure and quirky sense of style in a sheer crochet dress as she led the A-listers on the red carpet. Stunner: Sharon Stone, 61, was the belle of the ball in a very racy ensemble for the annual Museum of Contemporary Art benefit in Los Angeles on Saturday Sharon flaunted her figure in her floor length black crochet dress, preserving her modesty with a bralet and mini skirt layered underneath. She added a pop of colour with her red beanie hat and clutch bag in the same hue. The finishing touch were a pair of designer shades as the icon sashayed into the soiree. Wow! Sharon flaunted her figure in her floor length black crochet dress, preserving her modesty with a bralet and mini skirt layered underneath Quirky: She added a pop of colour with her red beanie hat and clutch bag in the same hue Sharon recently spoke out on her looks, telling Vogue Portugal that early on in her career actresses had to be deemed 'f***able' by studio executives in order to get parts - and she actively tried to become more 'employable' by turning herself into a sex symbol. Sharon said she did a 'strategically planned' racy Playboy shoot in 1990 to coincide with the release of sci-fi thriller Total Recall, in which she appeared opposite Arnold Schwarzenegger, to change the perception of her as an actress. The decision worked as it led to her being cast in her most famous role - Basic Instinct. Fashion fans: Sharon posed with the flamboyantly dressed Billy Idol and China Chow Rock star: Courtney Love looked pretty in a print dress and white leather boots Movie man: Keanu Reeves took a break from John Wick 3 promo to enjoy the benefit Talented pair: Director Sam Taylor-Johnson and her actor husband Aaron cosied up for the cameras Pretty in print: Marisa Tomei looked gorgeous in a colourful pastel coloured gown She told Vogue Portugal: 'When I entered the business the term "f***able" was used to see if you were employable. 'The studio executives sat around a large table and discussed whether or not each of us was in fact "f***able". They thought I was not. 'I gave this some hard thought as I wanted to work, so I did a strategically planned a semi-naked Playboy shoot. Did I fit the part? Obviously not. 'Did I use my brain to figure out how to appear "f***able"? You bet ... But I didn't and I don't [feel like a sex symbol].' Dapper: Queer Eye star Antoni Porowski and musician Rufus Wainwright also supported the benefit Stunning couple: Edei Pack and James Marsden posed up a storm together Quirky: House actress Lisa Edelstein chose a fashion forward black and white tulle dress He began his acting career by appearing as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire at the age of 19. And Robert Pattinson has come a long way since first stepping onto the silver screen as he mingled with the Hollywood elite at the Vanity Fair and Chopard Party at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cannes on Saturday. The actor, 33, who is said to be in talks for his biggest role yet as the iconic superhero Batman, looked every inch the handsome star in a charcoal grey suit and white shirt that was printed with abstract images and text. Suave: Robert Pattinson, 33, mingled with the Hollywood elite as he attended the Vanity Fair and Chopard Party at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cannes on Saturday Rubbing shoulders with A-listers, the face of Dior Homme, chatted with the likes of Andie Macdowell, 62, Williem Defoe, 63 and Quentin Tarantino, 56. Andie flaunted her age-defying beauty in a one-shoulder terracotta gown that featured a white piping detail that swooped from the asymmetric neckline down the torso. The model adorned her ears with extravagant chandelier ear rings encrusted with rubies and diamonds. Willem, who stars in The Lighthouse with Robert which is set to debut at the Cannes Film Festival this weekend, dressed in a navy blue suit atop of a black shirt and tie for the luxury magazine's get together. Dapper: The actor looked every inch the handsome star in a charcoal grey suit and white shirt that was printed with abstract images and text as he posed with Andie MacDowell Director Quentin put on a smart display in head to black, as he slipped into a black suit, shirt and tie. Also at the bash was Tarantino's wife, Daniella Pick, 35, the Israeli beauty, who tied the knot with the American filmmaker last year, caught the eye in a showstopping fuchsia gown that plunged deep below her cleavage. Robert's appearance at the party comes after it was reported that he is the next in line to play the DC Comics superhero after Ben Affleck last played Bruce Wayne in 2017's Justice League. Deep in conversation: Rubbing shoulders with A-listers, the face of Dior Homme, chatted with the likes of Andie, 62 Glamorous: Andie flaunted her age-defying beauty in a one-shoulder terracotta gown that featured a white piping detail that swooped from the asymmetric neckline down the torso Pattinson is in talks to play Batman in the Matt Reeves led project according to Variety on Thursday night. Back in January it was reported that Ben Affleck was out of the project which he was originally set to star in, write, and direct. According to Variety's sources negotiations are not fully complete but Pattinson is the top choice and the deal is expected to close shortly. Co-stars: Williem Defoe, 63, who stars in The Lighthouse with Robert was at the bash Chatty: Director Quentin Tarantino, 56, put on a smart display in head to black, as he slipped into a black suit, shirt and tie Pre-production on the Matt Reeves directed film is expected to begin this summer. According to Deadline, the role may not only be Pattinson's for the taking as Nicholas Hoult is also atop the 'short list' for the coveted role. Robert is best known for his vampire role of Edward Cullen in the Twilight Saga of films which released five films from 2008 to 2012. The unveiling of the latest Tigerlily collection was one of the most hotly anticipated shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week. So much so that some guests were reported to have 'pushed their way' into the front row at the invitation-only event last week. The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that celebrity stylist Donny Galella, 38, took a front row position uninvited - however he has strongly denied the claims. 'I was in fact in my allocated seat': Celebrity stylist Donny Galella has denied claims that he 'sneaked into the front row' at hotly anticipated Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Tigerlily show. Pictured at another show at Fashion Week The Emerald City column alleged on the weekend that they'd 'spied stylist Donny Galella sneak into the highly sought after FROW at Monday's Tigerlily show'. This was reportedly despite holding a ticket that was for the second row. Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the stylist insisted that he sat exactly where he was meant to. Popular: The Tigerlily showcase (pictured) was one of the most hotly anticipated shows at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Denied: Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the stylist insisted that he sat exactly where he was meant to. 'I was in fact seated in my allocated seat, in the second row. I was not sitting in the front row for that show' he said. Pictured at another show during fashion week He said in a statement: 'I was in fact seated in my allocated seat, in the second row. I was not sitting in the front row for that show'. He claims that the publication, 'have got it wrong'. Speaking of the clamor for a front row seat, a fashion publicist told The Sydney Morning Herald earlier this month: 'If you haven't supported the brand or the PR all year and think you are getting onto the front row - think again'. Popular: Donny been an A-list stylist for many years, and frequently appears on The Morning Show where he provides fashion advice. Donny has been an A-list stylist for many years, and frequently appears on The Morning Show where he provides fashion advice. He has worked with big names such as Tegan Martin, Kris Smith, Erin Holland, Sophia Forrest and WAGs Anne Gallen and Nicole Slater. Speaking to TV Week, Donny explained his secret to styling success, saying, 'I need to get into their head about what they're comfortable and not comfortable with.' They are one of the hottest couples at the Cannes Film Festival. And Priyanka Chopra looked incredible on arrival at the Vanity Fair Cannes party with her husband Nick Jonas at the Hotel Martinez, in France on Saturday. Giddy Priyanka, 36, struggled to contain her cleavage in the plunging chainmail dress while her handsome husband Nick, 26, gazed at her lovingly. Dazzling diva: Priyanka Chopra oozed sex appeal in a plunging thigh-split chainmail dress as she joined handsome Nick Jonas at Vanity Fair Cannes party on Saturday The actress also put her legs on display in the daring soaring split which was slashed to the top of her thigh and had a ruffled hem. Priyanka sauntered through the plush venue for the Chopard party in steep heels in black which complemented her handbag. Nick didn't let his wife down on the style stakes as he dressed in a snazzy caramel-coloured blazer and straight-legged black trousers. Leggy lady: The actress also put her legs on display in the daring soaring split which was slashed to the top of her thigh and had a ruffled hem Style points: Priyanka sauntered through the plush venue for the Chopard party in steep heels in black which complemented her handbag Earlier this week, the couple touched down at the Nice airport in time for the star-studded Cannes Film Festival. They been mingling with the great and the good of the showbiz world at the parties in the south of France as well as treading the red carpet. Nick and Priyanka tied the knot in a lavish wedding at Umaid Bhawan Palace in Jodhpur, India, in December last year. Hunky: Nick didn't let his wife down on the style stakes as he dressed in a snazzy caramel-coloured blazer and straight-legged black trousers The best time: They been mingling with the great and the good of the showbiz world at the parties in the south of France as well as treading the red carpet The musician popped the question while the couple were on holiday on the Greek island of Crete in August 2018, just a few months after dating rumours first emerged. Nick recalled how Priyanka took her time in giving him an answer to his proposal of marriage. He told Vogue: 'I got down on one knee, again, and I said, "Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?" 'No joke she took about 45 seconds. Forty-five seconds of silence. "Im going to put this ring on your finger now unless you have any objections".' Game of Thrones star Isaac Hempstead has hit out at the petition to remake the final series of the hit HBO show. The actor, who plays Bran Stark in the series, branded the backlash 'ridiculous' and 'absurd' and told how he was 'personally' affected by the criticism. It comes as die-hard fans were left disappointed with the penultimate episode which saw Daenerys Targaryen become the 'Mad Queen' and murder thousands of innocent people. Not impressed: Game of Thrones star Isaac Hempstead has hit out at the petition to remake the final series of the hit HBO show With just hours until the final ever installment of Game of Thrones, over a million people have signed the Change.org petition entitled 'Remake Game of Thrones Season 8 with competent writers'. Hitting out at the petition, 22-year-old Isaac told Hollywood Reporter: 'Its just absurd. I cant even fathom it. Its just ridiculous. 'Its ridiculous that people think they can just demand a different ending because they dont like it. I have stupidly taken it quite personally, which obviously I shouldnt.' The star also went on to disclose that he was a fan of the conclusion, adding that it was a 'great ending' Outraged: The actor, who plays Bran Stark in the series, branded the backlash 'ridiculous' and 'absurd' and told how he was 'personally' affected by the criticism Backlash: It comes as die-hard fans were left disappointed with the penultimate episode which saw Daenerys Targaryen become the 'Mad Queen' and murder thousands of innocent people Discussing how Daenerys' downfall had actually been documented in previous seasons, he continued: 'People have complained there wasnt enough foreshadowing but time upon time, shes demonstrated a capacity to be quite brutal. He added that Emilia Clarke's character had waited 'years and years' to get to Westeros and take what is hers, adding that she had to fight an army of 'literal dead people.' Explaining the losses she's endured, he recalled how she was nearly killed and had lost Jorah and Missandei along the way, as well as being mad that her love interest Jon Snow has a better claim to the Iron Throne than her. Fuming: 'Its ridiculous that people think they can just demand a different ending because they dont like it. I have stupidly taken it quite personally, which obviously I shouldnt' He added: 'Shes sick of it. Shes p***ed off and shes lost her mind', stating that her changes are 'genuine character development.' Isaac's words came as another star of the franchise has weighed in on the petition. Jacob Anderson, who plays Grey Worm, told TMZ that the backlash 'sucks', and also branded the negative reaction 'insulting' to the cast and crew who have worked so hard on the production. Meanwhile, petition creator Dylan D opened up about his appeal going viral and explained that it was originally supposed to be a way he could vent. Foreshadowed? Discussing how Daenerys' had actually been documented in previous seasons, he continued: 'People have complained there wasnt enough foreshadowing but time upon time, shes demonstrated a capacity to be quite brutal' He said: 'I was just so disappointed and angry. It was simply me venting a bit. I think this message is one of frustration and disappointment at its core.' The Texas native continued: There is so much awful crap going on in the world, people like me need to escape into things like Star Wars and Game of Thrones. We fans invested a wealth of passion and time into this series... I love this story, and I, like most of you, was crushed to see how the last season (and season 7, lets be real) has been handled. I didnt make this petition to be an entitled, whiny fan. I made it because I was immensely disappointed and needed to vent. Do I have a solution? Ive got plenty of ideas, but no, Im not a Hollywood writer. But you dont need to be a mechanic to know your car is broken. Game of Thrones concludes on HBO in the US, and is screened simultaneously at 2 AM on Sky Atlantic and NOW TV in the UK, on Sunday night. He ventured to Thailand in a bid to recuperate after news his ex-girlfriend Vanessa Siera has begun dating Dan Webb surfaced. But it appears Married At First Sight's Rhyce Power has endured everything but rest and relaxation during his trip. Taking to Instagram on Sunday, the 'hot brother' to Jessika Power, revealed he was involved in a motorcycle accident in Bali on Saturday night. 'I woke up in hospital 12 stitches later': Married At First Sight's Rhyce Power is rushed to hospital in Bali after driving a moped without a helmet and 'a few too many drinks' In the image, the 28-year-old is seen with a bruised face and a large white bandage over his left eye. 'Last night I was driving a scooter in Bali a few too many drinks and no wearing a helmet as I thought I'm close to home ill be right,' he begins. 'Can't really remember much but I woke up in hospital 12 stitches later, with no memories of the incident a huge medical bill and pretty bloody sore today. 'Chicks dig scars yer??' Taking to his Instagram stories earlier, the 28-year-old filmed himself getting stitches across his eyebrow 'I could have been a lot more injured or even worse died. 'I want to get this message out whether you 2km or 400km from home please always wear your helmet when riding a scooter in a foreign country or even your own country it's just not worth it even if you look like a dork or you think you'll be fine. 'AND NEVER DRINK DRIVE OPERATING ANY MOTOR VEHICLES. so lucky and grateful I had my friends there with me thank you girls,' he concluded. Escaping? He ventured to Thailand in a bid to regather and recoup after news his ex-girlfriend Vanessa Siera has begun dating Dan Webb surfaced. The Perth-based tradie said he hoped his experience would serve as an 'awareness post'. Comments left on the post range from the supportive to the accusatory, with many asking him why he was drink driving in the first place. 'What about awareness of perhaps not drink driving??' one user commented. Party boy: The 'hot brother' from MAFS hoped his story would serve as an 'awareness' post on Instagram Earlier yesterday, Rhyce had also taken to his Instagram stories to film himself get stitches on his eyebrow. In the video, Rhyce is seen being stitched up by a nurse, as they apply a blood-soaked bandage to the wound and snip the stitch with a pair of medical scissors. 'Chicks dig scars yer? Wear helmets riding scooters can't stress this enough,' he wrote over the video. Hours earlier, he filmed himself appearing to sit on a skate ramp as he downed bottles of Bintang beer. Power siblings: Rhyce came to prominence after appearing alongside his sister Jessika Power (right) in Married At First Sight Talking to Daily Mail Australia, Rhyce said he was 'pretty bloody sore' and that he wanted to get the awareness out there that it's 'never OK not to wear a helmet'. 'I was literally two streets from home and thought I'd be OK, I'd had four beers so was feeling normal and with the amount of traffic made a false move and ended up in hospital,' he said. The last time Rhyce visited Thailand, he was with his now ex-girlfriend Vanessa Siera, who is now dating MAFS co-star Dan Webb, in March. She's a former reality TV star who is usually snapped in a tiny bikini. And Kimberley Garner put on a more demure display as she attended the Vanity Fair and Chopard Party at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cannes on Saturday. The Made In Chelsea star, 29, ensured she turned heads by slipping her slim frame into a princess style nude gown that that was adorned with red sequins that cascaded down from the tight bodice to the billowing hemline. Dressed-up: Kimberley Garner she attended the Vanity Fair and Chopard Party at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Cannes on Saturday Allowing the extravagant gown to take centre stage, the socialite wore natural make-up and tied her hair up in a relaxed up-do and teased a few pieces of her loosely curled tresses out around her face. Earlier on Saturday, Kimberly pulled out all the stops for her grand arrival in Cannes, as she was spotted landing on top of a hotel building by helicopter. Kimberly gracefully hopped out of the aircraft after being sat alongside the pilot, who carefully manoeuvred the chopper onto the helipad. After the safe landing, the blonde beauty stepped out of the aircraft and sauntered her way across the platform as her suitcases waited to be taken to her suite. Extravagant: The Made In Chelsea star turned heads by slipping into a princess style nude gown that that was adorned with sequins that cascaded down from the bodice to the hemline The stunner looked glamorous in a white collared blouse with a plunging neckline that hinted at her cleavage, which she teamed with high-waisted red trousers. She accessorised with a Gucci purse with a red, white and blue scarf, and completed the ensemble with chic white loafers. Her luscious blonde tresses billowed in the wind as the helicopter's blades powered down giving her a dramatic windswept look. Following her dramatic helicopter entrance Kimberley was seen arriving at the luxurious Martinez hotel. Stylish: Kimberley was seen making a grand entrance in Cannes earlier in the day, landing on top of a hotel building by helicopter Front seat: The blonde sat alongside the pilot who carefully manoeuvred the chopper onto the helipad Chic: After the safe landing, the beauty stepped out of the aircraft and sauntered her way across the platform as her suitcases waited to be taken to her suite Glamour: The stunner looked glamorous in a white collared blouse with a deep V neck and high waisted red trousers. She accessorised with a Gucci purse with a red, white and blue scarf Following her dramatic helicopter entrance Kimberley was seen arriving at the luxurious Martinez hotel. She changed into another outfit, going braless in an off-white tank top with high waisted wide leg brown trousers and a belt. Kimberley teamed her look with sandals and accessorised with a brown crocodile skin mini handbag. Her Cannes trip comes after her recent house-hunting trip to Miami. Living it up: Following her dramatic helicopter entrance Kimberley was seen arriving at the luxurious Martinez hotel Fashionista: She changed into another outfit, going braless in an off-white tank top with high waisted wide leg brown trousers and a belt In a chat with MailOnline, the blonde admitted she flew to Florida after purchasing a dream home in the coastal city. 'I worked very hard last year and had even moved home for a few months to save money,' she explained. 'I really had my head down working to concentrate on goals, but achieved it on New Years Eve, praise God, and flew over here. Completing the sale on the plane over.' Mogul in the making: Her Cannes trip comes after she recently purchased property in Miami. She told MailOnline: 'I worked very hard last year and had even moved home for a few months to save money' Reflecting on her new home, the swimwear designer confessed it is a world away from her former busy life in London. 'Its right on the beach, and really is a dream come true,' she explained. 'I am over doing the interior design, going for a beachy chilled vibe for the place. 'I wont be moving here, as London is one hundred percent home, but really overjoyed and proud to have achieved it.' Disgraced former Corrie star Bruno Langley has reportedly moved in with a married university student and is now reportedly working as a portrait photographer for 65 a day. According to The Sun, the actor, 36, is currently in a 'love tryst' with Lucy France, 27, four years after they first met. The reports surrounding Bruno and Lucy's living situation has emerged nearly a year after her husband Jonathan, 47, was jailed for siphoning more than 6million from his scrap metal business. Disgraced former Corrie star Bruno Langley has reportedly moved in with a married university student (pictured in June 2016) A source told the publication: 'Hes got himself caught up in a love tryst between a gorgeous blonde and her dodgy-dealing husband. 'Theyre not even trying to keep it quiet. Lucy has shared pictures of them together on social media. 'Jonathan had barely been in prison two minutes when the pair decided to shack up and make it official. The scrap metal dealer got ten years last July for siphoning the 6million from his businesses to fund a lavish lifestyle.' New romance? According to The Sun , the actor, 36, is currently in a 'love tryst' with Lucy France (pictured), 27, four years after they first met Fraud: The reports surrounding Bruno and Lucy's living situation has emerged nearly a year after her husband Jonathan, 47, was jailed for siphoning more than 6million from his scrap metal business Wakefield native Jonathan, was jailed at Leeds Crown Court for 10 years in July 2018. Meanwhile, Bruno has now found work as a portrait photographer and takes home 65 for a four hour shoot. Friends of the actor told The Mirror that he is hoping to kick-start a career as a writer after losing his acting work on the small screen. Bruno was spotted near his new photography studio in Leeds earlier in the week. MailOnline has contacted a representative for Bruno for further comment. Demise: Doctor Who star Bruno was axed from Coronation Street in 2017 after being convicted of groping two women on a drunken night out (pictured heading to court in November 2017) The Doctor Who star was axed from Coronation Street in 2017 after being convicted of groping two women on a drunken night out. He portrayed the role of Todd Grimshaw in the ITV soap for 16 years. The actor pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault at a hearing in November 2017, and was given a 12-month community order, including 40 days of rehabilitation activity and to submit to a curfew. He offered a tearful apology for his actions, and has since said he is attending therapy session and alcoholic anonymous meetings. Rise to fame: The actor portrayed the role of Todd Grimshaw in the ITV soap for 16 years (pictured with Chris Finch as Karl Foster and Tina O'Brien as Sarah Platt in 2004) Dalziel and Pascoe star Bruno told The Sunday Mirror: 'I've been living way too fast for too long... My drinking had escalated. The wheels fell off. I wasn't particularly happy... I've started going to see a counsellor and been attending AA meetings and that's helped. 'I have no excuse, no one forced me to drink to such an extreme, but it is hard to explain why I would do anything as dreadful as that. It must have been awful for those women, and I am ashamed of myself. Im truly sorry. 'I sincerely apologise to the women, from the bottom of my heart. I promise I will never do anything like that again', he added at the time. The Voice Australia has made a world-first move - bringing back former finalists, known as All Stars. The professionals will compete against the up and coming amateurs for a place in the finals. But when the move was announced as blind auditions kicked off on Sunday, many fans took to Twitter to dub the revelation as being unfair. Scroll down for video 'Can you call them All Stars if no one knows who they are?' The Voice fans were up arms on Sunday, after the show brought back former finalists (pictured) One person wondered: 'I don't know if it's fair for the new unknown people having all-stars?!? They are obviously good at they do they'd also have confidence.' 'Puts more pressure on the unknown unless the judges are harder on them?' Another fan chimed in: 'How fair is that!! [They've] played professionally in world'. Not cool? When the move was announced as blind auditions kicked off on Sunday, many fans took to Twitter to dub the revelation unfair. Others slammed the line up of All Stars Others slammed the line up of All Stars after a glimpse was given of who will compete in a preview for upcoming auditions. A person at home Tweeted: 'Can you call them all stars if no one knows who they are?' Another added: 'Ummm. I'm not going to remember any of these 'All Stars'. I can't even remember winners!' Back! The first of the All Stars, Prinnie Stevens, auditioned and joined Team Kelly on Sunday Throwback: She rose to fame on Season One of The Voice in 2012 (pictured) Popular: Prinnie has gone on to perform on the West End in a production of The Bodyguard and appeared in the film The Sapphires Yet one more person wrote: 'Looking at these all stars I reckon I recognise only two of them'. The first of the All Stars, Prinnie Stevens, who rose to fame on Season One of The Voice in 2012, auditioned and joined Team Kelly on Sunday. She has gone on to perform on the West End in a production of The Bodyguard and appeared in the film The Sapphires. Katherine Kelly Lang has starred on Bold And The Beautiful for more than three decades. And on Sunday, the 57-year-old appeared on The Sunday Project to speak about the benefits of working on the long-running soap as a mother-of-three. '[When] I started with the show, I signed a four year contract,' Katherine, who has played Brooke Logan since March 1987, said. 'It was a great job to have when you're pregnant': Katherine Kelly Lang, 57, appeared on The Sunday Project this week to speak about the benefits of working on The Bold And The Beautiful as a mother-of-three Katherine said her decision to stay on the show 'just happened', but they were always supportive of her biggest off-screen role as mother. 'I started having my children. It was a great job to have when you're pregnant,' she said, with her winning numerous awards for her portrayal. Katherine added: 'I could bring the babies to the dressing room, and I could be there with them all day long. So it just worked out.' 'I could bring the babies to the dressing room, and I could be there with them all day long': Katherine said bosses were always supportive of her biggest off-screen role as mother Katherine has three children, including: Jeremy Skott Snider, born in 1990, Julian Lang Snider, born 1992, and Zoe Katrina D'Andrea, born in 1997. She went on to applaud the show, which is one of the highest watches series in the world, with it watched by six million people daily. '32 years later and here I am. I had no idea this was going to happen. You know. It's still a hit in 100 countries.' Long serving: Katherine Kelly Lang (pictured) has starred on the show since 1987, with her character Brooke Logan becoming a beloved member of the cast Moving Down Under? Last year, the American actress hinted that she would consider moving to Australia after several visits Down under over the years. Pictured in 2018 Katherine is no stranger to Australia, with her currently promoting her own stylish Kaftan line, an inclusive brand created by her. The blonde beauty starred on the local version of 'I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here' this year, which saw her eliminated in February. Last year, the American actress hinted that she would consider moving to Australia after several visits Down under over the years. 'I love the idea of having a place here,' she told TV Week magazine. 'We've looked around the Manly area and hopefully we can buy in the near future. But we couldn't live here full-time, because of my job on Bold.' She's been in the headlines recently amid her romance with Strictly Come Dancing partner Kevin Clifton. But Stacey Dooley put the drama out of her mind as she arrived to film The Andrew Marr show at a London studio on Sunday. The journalist, 32, went make-up free for the outing as she rocked a stylish black ensemble. Hard at work: Stacey Dooley put her Kevin Clifton romance drama out of her mind as she arrived to film The Andrew Marr show at a London studio on Sunday The star looked stylish in the black over-sized coat, which she layered over a v-neck black top. Stacey teamed this with a pair of black leather trousers and added height to her frame with strappy black heels. She accessorised her look with a designer handbag as well as a chunky gold necklace and matching gold hoops. While her outfit was glam, Stacey opted for a casual hairstyle, pulling her auburn tresses into a messy bun using a leopard-print scrunchy. Style Queen: The journalist, 32, went make-up free for the outing as she rocked a stylish black ensemble Fashionista: The star looked stylish in the black over-sized coat, which she layered over a v-neck black top The broadcaster appeared in good spirits as she clutched her phone and a pile of newspapers as she headed into work. Stacey later put on an animated display as she chatted to Andrew Marr on his BBC show. The documentary maker left her hair loose for the programme, adding a hint of make-up which accentuated her pretty features. Stacey's appearance comes just days after it was claimed that she has moved in with Kevin after leaving the Brighton home she shared with ex Sam Tucknott following their split in March. Glam ensemble: Stacey teamed this with a pair of black leather trousers and added height to her frame with strappy black heels Out and about: She accessorised her look with a designer handbag as well as a chunky gold necklace and matching gold hoops Laid back: While her outfit was glam, Stacey opted for a casual hairstyle, pulling her auburn tresses into a messy bun using a leopard-print scrunchy A source told The Sun: 'Stacey needed somewhere else to live. Kevin has been really relaxed about letting her stay and so far its working really well.' The insider added: 'Stacey is not sure whether shell stay for good but for now its a good place for her to set up base.' MailOnline has contacted Stacey and Kevin's representatives at the time for further comment. The reports followed Kevin's touching tribute to his new partner during another performance from his current dance tour Burn The Floor. Chatty: Stacey later put on an animated display as she chatted to Andrew Marr on his BBC show Grimsby native Kevin reportedly blew a kiss to his girlfriend, who was sat proudly watching from the audience alongside his sister Joanne. A source told MailOnline: 'Stacey was really into the performance and spent the night dancing and videoing Kevin's dance moves. 'At one point, he blew her a very public kiss from the stage showing that he was thinking of her. 'Kevin also told the audience that Burn The Floor has helped him during his tumultuous personal life as it's a place he can come to and focus his mind.' TV appearance: The documentary maker left her hair loose for the programme, adding a hint of make-up which accentuated her pretty features Moving on: Stacey's appearance comes just days after it was claimed that she has moved in with Kevin after leaving the Brighton home she shared with ex Sam Tucknott following their split in March Kevin and Stacey's relationship has been marred with controversy as she was in a five-year romance with personal trainer Sam, 30, when she joined the show. When the pair split in March, it was reported that he confronted Kevin about his relationship with Stacey in a furious FaceTime call. He claims he called Kevin a 'snake' and a 'rat' when he discovered flirty text messages sent to his ex after they separated. Sam told the Mail On Sunday last month: 'He went white. I just stuck it on him, "Youre an absolute rat. How you conducted yourself. Just a slippery, slimy snake." He didnt say a word. He looked petrified. He looked so shocked. Taking the next step: Stacey reportedly moved into her boyfriend Kevin's London home last week, just weeks after confirming their romance In need: 'Stacey needed somewhere else to live. Kevin has been really relaxed about letting her stay and so far its working really well', a source told The Sun 'I am so respectful of [Stacey], but I am gutted and I am disappointed and I feel so let down that she did not have the respect for me to tell me and just come clean.' The fitness enthusiast said all was well in their relationship until mid-November - when Stacey and Kevin were performing in the BBC competition series - and he noticed flirty text messages from the dancer. But by the end of March, the couple had made arrangements to separate and for the TV presenter to move out of their Brighton home. She got tangled in a bitter war of words with her Love Island ex Josh Denzel. And Kaz Crossley put all the drama into her sizzling appearance when she headed out on a girls' night with a pal, in Mayfair, London on Saturday. The Love Island bombshell, 25, barely contained her cleavage in a strapless corset-style LBD which was cut across her chest. Fantastic fun: Love Island's Kaz Crossley put on a busty display in a sensual corset-style LBD on a girls' night out on Saturday after she threw serious shade at her ex Josh Denzel Kaz swung a golden handbag down at her side which picked out the glittering lace-up detailing on her sexy minidress. The reality star elongated her legs as she paired the tiny dress with vertiginous platform sandals which added to her model frame. Love Island's Kaz applied a red lipstick to bring a vibrant colour to her black ensemble and ensure she had all eyes on her. Bright: Love Island's Kaz applied a red lipstick to bring a vibrant colour to her black ensemble and ensure she had all eyes on her Kaz's girls' night comes after she had a very public war of words with her ex-boyfriend across Instagram for all their fans to see. The former LADBible star, 27, hinted his stunning ex had moved on just three weeks after the couple had split up. Josh commented on a post which read: 'Girls that move on before it's been 3 years after a break up.' He wrote: 'Three years? How about three weeks?!' Sizzling: The Love Island bombshell, 25, barely contained her cleavage in a strapless corset-style LBD which was cut across her chest She's so fab: The Love Island star put all the drama into her sizzling appearance when she headed out on a girls' night with a pal Tagged in the post, Love Island pal Jack Fowler responded: 'Ffs man.' Kaz had no qualms sharing her opinion as she lashed out at her ex by taking a screenshot of the original post. She wrote: 'Ppl move so brave after they've blocked you.' (sic) Kaz and Josh first crossed paths on Love Island last year when she entered the villa late in the Casa Amor segment. Not cool: Kaz's girls' night comes after she had a very public war of words with her ex-boyfriend across Instagram for all their fans to see Exes at war: Kaz hit back at her Love Island ex Josh Denzel after he hinted that she moved on three weeks after they split up Josh pied off his current ladylove Georgia Steele to re-couple with Kaz and the pair made it all the way to the finale. However, their romance soon fizzled out after six months when they took their love to their home turf in London. The couple had shared their intentions to hold off moving in together while they starred on Love Island. Secret lovers: Kaz sparked speculation that she was dating Theo after they shared a cute snap of just the two of them while away with friends in Thailand last month At the time of the break up, she wrote: 'Sometimes things dont go the way you planned, but you have to be grateful for the journey. Thank you for everything especially showing me how to love myself again.' However, Kaz sparked speculation that she was dating Theo after they shared a cute snap of just the two of them while away with friends in Thailand. The pair are yet to publicly confirm that they are dating. However, Josh is currently enjoying single life as he jetted on a luxurious trip to the Maldives on Sunday with his Love Island pals Wes Nelson, 21, and Fowler, 23. She can always be expected to put on a chic display. And Monica Bellucci ensured she continued to wow with her elegance and class as she posed for snaps for the photo call for The Best Years of a Life at Cannes Film Festival on Sunday. The Italian actress, 54, slipped her killer curves into a black satin wrap blouse that brought the drama thanks to its billowing sleeves and plunging neckline. Elegant: Monica Bellucci, 54 posed for snaps for the photo call for The Best Years of a Life at Cannes Film Festival on Sunday Keeping her look crisp, she paired the statement top with black slim leg trousers and added to her height by wearing black patent peep toe stilettos. Monica ensured she looked immaculate from head to toe as she flaunted a face of expertly applied make-up that amplified her natural beauty. The stunning brunette allowed her locks down in a straight style with her fringe framing her heart shaped face. Monica, who has a cameo in the forthcoming film, that's French title is Les Plus Belles Annees D'Une Vie, posed alongside her cast mates Souad Amidou, 59, Tess Lauvergne, Anouk Aimee, 87, Marianne Denicourt, 56, at the photo call. Gorgeous: The star continued to wow with her elegance and class as she displayed her timeless beauty Classy: The Italian actress slipped her killer curves into a black satin wrap blouse that brought the drama thanks to its billowing sleeves and plunging neckline The 90 minute film, which was shot in 13 days, was screened at the iconic film festival on Saturday night. Monica put on a stunning appearance at the screening in a black evening gown that featured a sweetheart neckline and full skirt. The star drew the eye to her neck by adorning her decolletage with a emerald and diamond encrusted alligator necklace. The Best Years of A Life is a sequel to Claude Lelouch's 1966 A Man And A Woman, which swept the board with awards from the Oscars, Palme dOr and Golden Globes. Chic: Keeping her look crisp, she paired the statement top with black slim leg trousers and added to her height by wearing black patent peep toe stilettos The film was co-produced by Lelouch and the late Sammy Hadida along with his brother Victor before his death in November 2018, after battling a short illness. It marks the return of characters Anne Gauthier and Jean-Louis Duroc, who fell in the love in the original film, and reunited 50 years later. Jean is struggling with his memory and his son tracks down Anne in the hope that his father's cherished memories of their relationship will help him. The 2019 Cannes Film Festival takes place at the iconic Palais des Festivals from Tuesday until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Cast: Monica posed alongside her cast mates (L-R) Souad Amidou, 59, Tess Lauvergne, Anouk Aimee, 87, Marianne Denicourt, 56, at the photo call Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will preside over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition will also include Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies will also sit on the panel, alongside two other female directors. Kelly Reichardt, whose Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams was a contender for Cannes' Un Certain Regard award in 2008, directed 2016's Certain Women. Italy's Alicia Rohrwacher won best screenplay at Cannes last year for her film Happy as Lazzaro, a satirical fable about a peasant family. French filmmaker Robin Campillo, who took Cannes by storm in 2017 with 120 BPM - Beats Per Minute, winning the Grand Prix for his movie about an AIDs activist, will complete the line-up. Red carpet look: Monica put on a stunning appearance at the screening on Saturday night in a black evening gown that featured a sweetheart neckline and full skirt Dramatic: Monica drew the eye to her neck by adorning her decolletage with a emerald and diamond encrusted alligator necklace Monica is attending this year's festival with her other half, Nicolas Lefebvre, who she has been dating since May 2017. The Bond girl first confirmed she was seeing someone in an interview with Paris Match last November, but stayed coy about her partner's identity. Admitting they had been dating a while and things were going well, she said of her new man: 'The man I share my life with doesn't have the same job as me, but he travels a lot. His rhythm of life complements mine.' Asked whether she would consider getting married again, the former Bond girl kept her cards close to her chest. She said: 'When you've been married twice before, you need to take time to think about it before starting over, to understand why it happened and why you divorced. Let's just say I'm in a learning phase at the moment.' Monica was married to fashion photographer Claudio Carlos Basso from 1990 until 1994, and then Matrix star Vincent Cassell from 1999 until 2015. Monica got her start as a model and spent time working in Paris and Milan, where she was signed to Elite Model Management. They celebrated their 14-year wedding anniversary earlier this year. And Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso looked as loved-up as ever as they enjoyed a scenic stroll along resort town Ravello in Italy on Sunday afternoon. The Saving Private Ryan actor, 48, cut a typically dapper figure as he rocked a slick navy suit, featuring a sharp tuxedo blazer and classic trousers. Smitten: Matt Damon and his wife Luciana Barroso looked as loved-up as ever as they enjoyed a scenic stroll along resort town Ravello in Italy on Sunday afternoon Complementing his sophisticated appearance, the screen star sported a crisp black shirt and patent brogues. Luciana, 42, ensured she didn't let her man down in the style stakes as she slipped into a flowy purple maxi dress, teamed with a chic longline black coat. The Argentinean interior designer upped the fashion ante as she boosted her frame in a pair of chunky silver-strapped heels, and accessorised with diamond dangle earrings. Sleek: Complementing his sophisticated appearance, the screen star sported a crisp black shirt and patent brogues Looking good: Argentinean interior designer Luciana, 42, ensured she didn't let her man down in the style stakes as she slipped into a flowy purple maxi dress She swept her tresses into an effortlessly elegant ponytail to reveal her striking features, which was enhanced with heavy strokes of dark-toned make-up. Matt and Luciana appeared in great spirits as they held hands during their romantic stroll in the European country. The gorgeous couple first met in 2003 while Damon was filming Stuck On You. They share three daughters; Isabella, 13, Gia, 10, and Stella, eight. True love: The gorgeous couple (pictured together earlier this month) first met in 2003 while Damon was filming Stuck On You. They share three daughters; Isabella, 13, Gia, 10, and Stella, eight When asked what the secret to a successful marriage is, Luciana previously gushed she and the award-winning actor do not take their relationship for granted. She told Vogue Australia last year: 'I have no idea! I just know I think we both feel, really, really lucky to have met each other so we dont take that for granted. 'Its life and marriage, so theres ups and downs you know, but overall its easy and its fun. And hes such a good dad', the brunette added. As a model, she's used to strutting her stuff on the runway. And Toni Garrn swapped the catwalk for the streets as she cut a chic figure while out and about during the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday. The German model and actress, 26, donned a white vest top and white trousers, which she teamed with a frayed denim jacket. Lovely: Toni Garrn swapped the catwalk for the streets as she cut a chic figure while out and about during the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday The plunging white top featured a frilly hem and large white ribbons tied over her shoulders. The star added height to her frame with towering tan heels and added a black handbag and trendy sunglasses. Toni swept her blonde tresses into a chic topknot, while appearing to go make-up free for the outing. The fashionista's confident appearance comes just a day after she was left red-faced as she took a tumble while out and about in the French city. Strutting her stuff: The German model and actress, 26, donned a white vest top and white trousers, which she teamed with a frayed denim jacket Ethereal: The plunging white top featured a frilly hem and large white ribbons tied over her shoulders Standing tall: The star added height to her frame with towering tan heels and added a black handbag and trendy sunglasses She had been wowing the crowds in a chic monochrome ensemble before taking an unfortunate fall on the rain-sodden streets. She earlier turned heads in a plunging white wrap-around blouse, which she teamed with an eye-catching black and white tasseled skirt. Leonardo DiCaprio's former girlfriend added a pair of white, strappy sandals but she clearly didn't account for the wet streets in the French city and soon took an awkward tumble after slipping on the pavement. Work it: Toni confidently strode down the street as she enjoyed some down time amid the Cannes Film Festival Fashionista: Toni swept her blonde tresses into a chic topknot, while appearing to go make-up free for the outing Feeling hot: The model may have been a tad warm in the French sunshine as she kept her jacket shrugged off one shoulder Luckily, she was helped up by a pal and continued to walk unharmed. Toni didn't let her fall dampen her mood as she smiled for photographers as she made her way to her hotel. The catwalk Queen even took a moment to strike up a pose, and whipped her tasseled skirt around in the process. Say cheese: Toni flashed a dazzling smile to the waiting photographers as she made her way into the hotel Angelic: The German beauty caught the eye in her bright, white outfit and frayed denim jacket Better today: The fashionista's confident appearance comes just a day after she was left red-faced as she took a tumble while out and about in the French city Also stepping out on Sunday was fellow model Natalia Vodianova. The Russian beauty showcased her enviable pins in a red and white patterned mini dress with a ruffled hem. She layered a sophisticated pale blue blazer on top and added a pair of white and orange trainers. The philanthropist and entrepreneur accessorised her look with a khaki handbag, several necklaces and black sunglasses. The fashion star beamed as she made the solo outing amidst the Cannes excitement. Best foot forward: Also stepping out on Sunday was fellow model Natalia Vodianova Leggy display: The Russian beauty showcased her enviable pins in a red and white patterned mini dress with a ruffled hem Beaming: The fashionista was all smiles as she headed out for a day in the French city The 2019 Cannes Film Festival takes place at the iconic Palais des Festivals from Tuesday until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will preside over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition will also include Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. They've been married for just three months. And Tommy Lee, 56 and Brittany Furlan, 32, are still clearly in the honeymoon period as the Motley Crue drummer showed his admiration for his much younger wife, posting a snap of her in a bikini. 'Dayum!!! My wife is [bomb]' the rocker captioned the steamy snap. Dayum! Tommy Lee, 56 and Brittany Furlan, 32, are still clearly in the honeymoon period as the Motley Crue drummer showed his admiration for his much younger wife on Saturday The brunette bombshell is seen posing on a windswept beach in a black push-up two-piece with string cover-up over the top. At 56, Tommy is 24 years older than Brittany, and the newlyweds are clearly still enjoying the honeymoon phase. The May-December couple tied the knot on February 14 after a year-long engagement following eight months of dating. Going strong: The May-December couple tied the knot on February 14 after a year-long engagement following eight months of dating Animal attraction: The couple have never shied away from flaunting their attraction to each other Lee proposed to Furlan Valentine's Day 2018. Then, about three months later, they sparked rumors that they had gotten married when Lee shared an Instagram photo of the couple in their bathrobes in front of an alter with the caption: 'Did it, I do A LOT.' The photo turned out to be a prank. The couple have been together since June of 2017. Smooches: The Pennsylvania-born beauty rose to fame as a video star on Vine Lee was previously married to model Elaine Bergen from 1984-1995. Then he was wed to Melrose Place actress Heather Locklear from 1986 to 1993. And he was also married to Baywatch actress and Playboy model Pamela Anderson from 1995 to 1998. They have two sons together. Tommy and Pam split and got back together for a few years after their official divorce. They finally called it off for good in 2008. She found love with her fiance Nathan Massey when they both coupled up on Love Island in 2016. And Cara De La Hoyde appears to be having a wild time as she and her bride tribe glammed up to descend the Oceans Beach Club in Magaluf on Sunday. The reality TV star, 27, who shares a son, Freddie, 17-months, with her husband-to-be, looked sensational as she slipped her curves into a lilac string bikini that featured diamante detailing on the sides. Party time: Cara De La Hoyde, 27, appears to be having a wild time as she and her bride tribe glammed up to descend the Oceans Beach Club in Magaluf on Sunday Bringing more glamour to the Spanish beach club, the beauty sported an elaborately decorated captain hat encrusted with gems, feathers, pearls and emblazoned with Bride. Cara ensured all eyes were on her as she plaited her long raven hair into thick braids that cascaded down to her waist. Ensuring they had a day to remember before her impending nuptials, the hen party forked out for a private area complete with a cabana. The former Playboy star kicked of the raucous day by popping bottles of champagne which she happily chugged back as well pouring the bubbly into her friends open mouth. Sexy: The reality TV looked sensational as she slipped her curves into a lilac string bikini that featured diamante detailing on the sides Popping bottles: The mother-of-one poured champagne into her friends mouth straight from the bottle Proving the group of girls (and guys) were going all out they co-ordinated in white swimwear as they gyrated and danced on the large sunbed. Continuing their wild day party, the large group sang together and cheered the bride-to-be on as they continued their booze-soaked extravaganza that kicked off on Friday when they boarded a party bus to the airport from her Essex abode. A male pal appeared to be having a laugh as he seemed to be putting a note of money in the soon to be wed star's bikini bottoms. Cara and Nathan are set to return to TOWIE before they walk up the aisle and will appear on the series again after a six month hiatus, according to The Sun. Happy hen: Bringing more glamour to the Spanish beach club, the beauty sported an elaborately decorated captain hat encrusted with gems, feathers, pearls and emblazoned with Bride Dolled-up: Cara ensured all eyes were on her as she plaited her long raven hair into thick braids that cascaded down to her waist VIP: Ensuring they had a day to remember before her impending nuptials, the hen party forked out for a private area complete with a cabana Party girl: Cara led the way at the booze-fuelled party Bottoms up! Proving the group of girls (and guys) were going all out they co-ordinated in white swimwear as they gyrated and danced on the large sunbed The pair will spend an evening with Georgia Kousoulou and Tommy Mallet in Sunday's episode, airing on May 19. The TV personality previously shared that Disneyland would be her dream wedding venue. She told OK! magazine: 'I'd love to get married in Disneyland, but Nathan doesnt seem that convinced!' Cheeky! A male pal appeared to be having a laugh as he seemed to be putting a note of money in the soon to be wed star's bikini bottoms Cheers! Cara prized open a bottle of fizz a she gritted her teeth Raucous: Cara led the way as she sang and screamed with her bride tribe I do crew: The group basked in the Spanish sunshine as they drank alcohol Bubbly: Cara opened up the bottles of champagne whilst her pals filmed her on their phones Cara and Nathan's son Freddie-George will be a 'big part' of the impending nuptials. She said: 'Fred will be a big part of it. Were not sure about other page boys and flower girls as we want it to be quite small and intimate, and were allowing everyone to bring their kids anyway.' Cara and Nathan's wedding will see the likes of TOWIE's Tommy Mallet and Georgia Kousoulou, fellow Love Island star Rykard Jenkins, actor Scott Thomas, Loose Women's Stacey Solomon and I'm A Celeb star Joe Swash in attendace. Go for it! The gorgeous girl tried with all her might as she twisted the cork Love: Cara shared a hug with her friend as they continued their fun in the sun A toast! The bridal party could not wait to drink some fizz Slurp: The star necked back from the bottle Woo! The gang cheered with happiness as they continued their wild celebrations She said: 'We wont be inviting people we met one time. The wedding is for us, not for the pictures.' The mother-of-one also confirmed that X Factor finalist Scarlett Lee will sing at their nuptials. Cara and Nathan met on the first day of the 2016 series of Love Island, and paired up immediately before going on to win the show. Good time: The group all watched the star as they surrounded her Golden: The pretty star topped up her tan at the open air venue Pucker up! Cara pouted her lips before chugging from the bottle Cutting loose: The group looked in high spirits as they waved their arms in the air The popular couple endured a brief split in April 2017, but got back together seven months later and welcomed son Freddie shortly after reuniting, admitting it was the 'best thing' they've ever done. Cara admitted: 'We had months where we didnt even talk! It was so hard because people were asking me about Nathan; he was there at the pregnancy scan but we didnt really like each other.' Nathan surprised his bride-to-be with a proposal back at the villa in Mallorca where they met in the summer of 2018. She is no stranger to showing off her incredible physique during workout routines. And Gabby Allen showed off all the hard work she has put in at the gym as she shared several bikini snaps during her trip to Mykonos, Greece. The former Love Island star, 27, displayed her gymnastic prowess as she posed in a dramatic split while balancing on a balcony. Stunning: Gabby Allen showed off all the hard work she has put in at the gym as she shared several bikini snaps during her trip to Mykonos, Greece Gabby looked sensational in the snap, donning a dark blue bikini that showed off her sun-kissed tan. She shared another photo of her pulling the same pose in a white bikini next to a small wall. She wrote: 'These two pics (SWIPE RIGHT) were taken almost exactly a year apart & both in Mykonos and Ive had a little moment to myself to think about how much things can change within a year. 'I dont know if Im a firm believer that everything happens for a reason but in this instance, Im choosing to believe. Beauty: The former Love Island star, 27, has been soaking up the sun on her trip, sharing a host of bikini clad snaps 'It has been a windy road (much like the roads here! But I am so grateful for where I am in my life right now. 'Thank you to every single person who I have had the privilege of knowing so far. Continue learning. Keep growing. And most importantly, never stop stretching!' Her post comes after her beau Myles Stephenson, 27, confirmed that he has already planned how he's going to propose to her and joked that it would be with a 'haribo ring'. Fitness: Gabby looked sensational in the snap, donning a dark blue bikini that showed off her sun-kissed tan Discussing his future plans with Gabby, the Rak-su star told MailOnline: 'I don't care whether we get married first. 'I was born before my mum and dad got married. I was two or three [when they tied the knot]. 'To me - and Gabby will hate me for saying this - marriage is not a big thing to me. It's big, but I don't have to put a ring on your finger to tell you how much I love you every single day. Adding: 'But, I'll do it because I know women want the big white dress, they want the flowers and all of those things. So, I'll do it, I have no qualms in doing it. It'll be a beautiful day. But, it's a lot of money. 'I'll just put a haribo on her finger. In all seriousness, though, I know how I'm gonna propose to her.' She never fails to turn heads on the red carpet in her array of sartorial looks. And Kimberley Garner upped the style ante on Sunday night as she attended the world premiere of A Hidden Life during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival. The blonde bombshell, 29, looked utterly sophisticated in a strapless structured pearl-coloured gown, which accentuated her slender legs with a daring thigh-high split that hinted at her underwear. Pin-credible: Kimberley Garner upped the style ante on Sunday night as she attended the world premiere of A Hidden Life during the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival The former Made In Chelsea star's demure look accentuated her narrow waist with it's svelte silhouette while her ballgown skirt featured a dramatic train that followed her. Continuing her glamorous display, she accentuated her Rami Al Ali dress with a statement diamond necklace and earrings, which were crafted into the shape of a flower. The swimwear designer added inches to her svelte frame with a pair of champagne-coloured heels. Kimberley worked her golden-coloured locks into a sleek style and sported a soft smokey-eye for the cinematic occasion. Demure: The blonde bombshell, 29, looked utterly sophisticated in a strapless structured pearl-coloured gown Work it: The former Made In Chelsea star's demure look accentuated her narrow waist with it's svelte silhouette while her ballgown skirt featured a dramatic train that followed her All in the details: Continuing her glamorous display, she accentuated her look with a statement diamond necklace and earrings, which were crafted into the shape of a flower Historical drama A Hidden Life tells the harrowing true story of Austrian farmer Franz Jagerstatter, an objector to the Third Reich during World War II, who is faced with the threat of execution for treason. The film is written and directed by Terrence Malick. It stars August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ulrich Matthes and Maria Simon. It also sees Michael Nyqvist and Bruno Ganz in their final performances, who both died shortly after filming. Meanwhile, Kimberley's Cannes trip comes after her recent house-hunting trip to Miami. Model behaviour: She held onto her skirt while she made her way up the carpet All that glitters: The swimwear designer added inches to her svelte frame with a pair of champagne-coloured heels Sleek: Kimberley worked her golden-coloured locks into a sleek style Beauty: She sported a soft smokey-eye for the cinematic occasion In a chat with MailOnline, the blonde admitted she flew to Florida after purchasing a dream home in the coastal city. 'I worked very hard last year and had even moved home for a few months to save money,' she explained. 'I really had my head down working to concentrate on goals, but achieved it on New Years Eve, praise God, and flew over here. Completing the sale on the plane over.' All smiles: Kimberley beamed as she posed for photographers Film: Historical drama A Hidden Life tells the harrowing true story of Austrian farmer Franz Jagerstatter, an objector to the Third Reich during World War II, who is faced with the threat of execution for treason Star-studded: The film is written and directed by Terrence Malick. It stars August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ulrich Matthes and Maria Simon Reflecting on her new home, the swimwear designer confessed it is a world away from her former busy life in London. 'Its right on the beach, and really is a dream come true,' she explained. 'I am over doing the interior design, going for a beachy chilled vibe for the place. 'I wont be moving here, as London is one hundred percent home, but really overjoyed and proud to have achieved it.' Home sweet home: Kimberley's Cannes trip comes after her recent house-hunting trip to Miami She has been turning heads at all of Cannes hottest red carpets and parties. And Lady Victoria Hervey turned up the glamour in a silver sheer dress with a plunging neckline at the HFPA Philanthropic party at at Original Luxury Beach Club's Cannes Outpost on Sunday. Earlier in the day, the socialite, 42, wowed in risque ensemble a at the premiere of A Hidden Life at the film festival. Sheer delight: Lady Victoria Hervey, 42, wowed in a sheer silver gown at a philanthropic event in Cannes on Sunday while also turning heads at a film premiere earlier that day The blonde beauty looked nothing short of sensational at the HFPA event, turning heads with her garment that featured an embroidered embellishment and a silver collar. Adding height to her frame with a pair of matching heels, Victoria displayed stellar Hollywood glamour at the bash. Earlier in the day, she stepped out in a sheer gown with a nude body suit that showcased her lithe and statuesque physique for the film premiere. Her frock featured quirky tinsel fringe detailing across the neckline and bodice. Fashion: Victoria looked nothing short of sensational at the HFPA event, turning heads with her garment that featured an embroidered embellishment and a silver collar She teamed the look with nude heels and a matching clutch and added a touch of sparkle with diamond earrings, rings, Cartier Love bracelets and a gold watch. Victoria styled her shoulder-length locks in soft waves that bounced just above her delicate shoulders. For makeup the socialite opted to keep it simple and elegant to show off her radiant complexion with lashings mascara, pink hued cheeks and glossy pink lips. Lady Victoria's racy ensemble comes after she voiced her concerns about her body clock. Adding height to her frame with a pair of matching heels, Victoria displayed stellar Hollywood glamour at the bash Ensemble: The garment featured a plunging neckline while the embroidered design ran down along the sleeves Last January, Victoria told The Mail On Sunday that she has frozen her eggs in a fertility clinic, costing her 11,000. Victoria has said she hopes to have a child before she is 45, she explained: 'I had six eggs removed from my ovaries and frozen in a fertility clinic. 'At the end of this month, I intend to go through the exhausting procedure again in the hope that I will produce another half-dozen or so eggs... it will, I hope, fill what has become rather a hole in my life.' Glamorous: Her first frock featured quirky tinsel fringe detailing across the neckline and bodice Sparkles: She teamed her look with diamond earrings, rings, Cartier Love bracelets and a gold watch All eyes on her: For makeup the socialite opted to keep it simple and elegant to show off her radiant complexion with lashings mascara, pink hued cheeks and glossy pink lips Motherhood: She recently voiced her concerns about her body clock and revealed that she has frozen her eggs in a fertility clinic, costing her 11,000 Victoria confessed that she would like 'two children' and turned to freezing her eggs - a decision prompted by Stacey Solomon, whom she met while competing on The Jump in 2015 - following her fears she has 'left it too late' to become a mother. Historical drama A Hidden Life tells the harrowing true story of Austrian farmer Franz Jagerstatter, an objector to the Third Reich during World War II, who is faced with the threat of execution for treason. The film is written and directed by Terrence Malick. It stars August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ulrich Matthes and Maria Simon. It also sees Michael Nyqvist and Bruno Ganz in their final performances, who both died shortly after filming. She's currently on a girl's trip with ten of her closest girlfriends for sister Kourtney Kardashian's birthday trip in Turks and Caicos. But Khloe Kardashian still ensured she made time her her number one girl, daughter, True Thompson, one. The 34-year-old hot mama took to social media on Sunday morning to pose with her little one while flashing her incredible toned physique. Hot mama: Khloe Kardashian set pulses racing on Sunday when she shared bikini shots on her social media while on sister Kourtney's birthday trip in Turks And Caico Khloe kept things affordable for her day out on the island, opting for a $24 neon pink bikini to and $31 bottoms from White Fox Boutique. She teamed the look with $139 hat from Lack Of Color, but it was her washboard abs that stole centre stage. The beauty did not face the camera, rather stared down at a blurred out True for the sunny day. Another shot had Khloe pose on a lounge chair while adding a white cover-up to her look. Saving her money! Khloe kept things affordable for her day out on the island, opting for a $24 neon pink bikini top and $31 bottoms from White Fox Boutique Birthday girl! Elder sister and birthday girl Kourtney Kardashian, shared a racy shot on Sunday wearing a stellar black ensemble 'Do Not Disturb Please,' she captioned the shot. But Khloe wasn't the only hot mama to take the luxury vacation by storm. Elder sister and birthday girl Kourtney Kardashian, shared a racy shot on Sunday wearing a stellar black ensemble. 'island gyal,' she captioned. Kourtney's outfit saw her rock a cut-out leotard with material keeping her modest on one side. The girl's trip consisted of (L-R): Malika Haqq, Khadijah Haqq, Khloe Kardashian, Larsa Pippen, Koutney Kardashian, Melissa Kolker, Steph Shep, Virginia Nazari, Vero Veronica, Jess Dubb and Nicole Reda Sending her wishes: Khloe's best friend Khadijah Haqq, who's also been joining in on the trip, shared a candid shot of the birthday girl blowing out her candles on Saturday 'Most exciting to look at': And Keeping Up With The Kardashian enthusiasts would understand the reference appearing on the cake And it appears to be quite the incredible trip for Kourtney, celebrating her recently passed 40th birthday. Khloe's best friend Khadijah Haqq, who's also been joining in on the trip, shared a candid shot of the birthday girl blowing out her candles on Saturday. 'No Boys Allowed. #CelebrateKourt #LadiesTrip2019,' she captioned. And Keeping Up With The Kardashian enthusiasts would understand the reference appearing on the cake. Gorgeous: Kourtney stunned in a black netted ensemble for the celebrations Altogether: In other photos, Khloe was seen enjoying beach days with her best friends and daughter True In an episode that was shot at the end of 2017, sister Kim Kardashian was heard slamming Kourtney during a sister fight, claiming she was 'the least exciting to look at.' On top of her Kourtney's birthday cake on Saturday, it read: 'Happy Birthday The Most Exciting To Look At.' Others on the girl's trip include Khadijah's twin sister Malika, pal, Larsa Pippen, ex-assistant, Steph Shep, mom and LA restaurant owner Jess Dubb, Calabasas mom friends, Virginia Anzari and Melissa Kolker, Nicole Reda, the wife of ex Scott's best friend, Chris Reda, and other pal Vero Veronica. She has graced the runways of more than 300 fashion shows and modelled for some of the world's biggest fashion brands. And Josephine Skriver looked every inch the supermodel as she took to the red carpet for the premiere of A Hidden Life at the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival in France on Sunday. The 26-year-old cut a glamorous figure at the event, donning a flowing black sleeveless dress with a long train. Stunning: Josephine Skriver, 26, looked every inch the supermodel as she took to the red carpet for the premiere of A Hidden Life at the Cannes Film Festival in France on Sunday The garment was a-symmetric, with a shorter front that came complete with pleated ruffles. Styling her brunette locks into a ponytail, Josephine added height to her frame with a pair of black heels. Born and raised in Copenhagen, Denmark, Josephine got her introduction to the world of modelling when she was on a school trip to New York and was signed by Unique Models. She later joined the industry full-time after graduating secondary school in 2011. Elegant: The model cut a glamorous figure at the event, donning a flowing black sleeveless dress with a long train Style: The garment was asymmetric, with a shorter front that came complete with pleated ruffles Fashion: Styling her brunette locks into a ponytail, Josephine added height to her frame with a pair of black heels Historical drama A Hidden Life tells the harrowing true story of Austrian farmer Franz Jagerstatter, an objector to the Third Reich during World War II, who is faced with the threat of execution for treason. The film is written and directed by Terrence Malick. It stars August Diehl, Valerie Pachner, Matthias Schoenaerts, Ulrich Matthes and Maria Simon. It also sees Michael Nyqvist and Bruno Ganz in their final performances, who both died shortly after filming. Spotted: Josephine got her introduction to the world of modelling when she was on a school trip to New York and was signed by Unique Models Career: She later joined the industry full-time after graduating secondary school in 2011 Model: Joephine has graced the runways of more than 300 fashion shows and modelled for some of the world's biggest fashion brands The 2019 Cannes Film Festival takes place at the iconic Palais des Festivals from Tuesday until May 25. Actress Elle Fanning, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will preside over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition will also include Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Radiant: The model struck a series of elegant poses as she made her way down the red carpet at the premiere Accessories: Josephine completed her look with a ruby pendant bracelet and a pair of earrings Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies will also sit on the panel, alongside two other female directors. Kelly Reichardt, whose Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams was a contender for Cannes' Un Certain Regard award in 2008, directed 2016's Certain Women. Italy's Alicia Rohrwacher won best screenplay at Cannes last year for her film Happy as Lazzaro, a satirical fable about a peasant family. French filmmaker Robin Campillo, who took Cannes by storm in 2017 with 120 BPM - Beats Per Minute, winning the Grand Prix for his movie about an AIDs activist, will complete the line-up. Advertisement She has wowed fashion fans with her incredible ensembles so far at Cannes Film Festival. And Eva Longoria has stolen the spotlight yet again in a figure-hugging gown for at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Philanthropic Party on Sunday. Joining the likes of Andie Macdowell and helen Mirren, the actress, 44, slipped her petite figure into a sleeve-less green frock by Atelier Zuhra that showed off her hourglass figure, as well as her trim and toned arms. Fashion favourites: Actress and producer Eva Longoria (left) has stepped in a figure-hugging dress for at the Hollywood Foreign Press Association Philanthropic Party on Sunday, alongside Andie Macdowell (centre) and Dame Helen Mirren (right) Her dress featured with mirrored detailing on the bodice and racy criss-cross detail across her chest that continued on the length of the outfit. The leading down to a sheer skirt with embellishments and her matching heels, which elevated her evening look. The green motif was continued with her makeup as she rocked a verdant hued eye shadow, along dramatic false lashes, a flush of peach on her cheeks and a nude pout. Eva's luscious brunette tresses were style up in a sophisticated top knot, drawing attention to sparkling diamond earrings. Green with envy! The green motif was continued with her makeup as she rocked a verdant hued eye shadow, along dramatic false lashes, a flush of peach on her cheeks and a nude pout Glamorous: Her dress featured with mirrored detailing on the bodice and racy criss-cross detail across her chest that continued on the length of the outfit Bold: Actress Andie MacDowell, 61, opted for an eye-catching red ensemble of a silk long-sleeved top with wide leg trousers, teamed with a black clutch and bright pink heels Beauty: Her makeup look was kept simple with flushed pink cheeks, a nude pout and mascara, while her luscious chestnut locks cascaded down her shoulders, contrasting her outfit Actress Andie MacDowell, 61, also joined the Latina stunner at the event. She opted for an eye-catching red ensemble of a silk long-sleeved top with wide leg trousers, teamed with a black clutch, bright pink heels and black clutch. Her makeup look was kept simple with flushed pink cheeks, a nude pout and mascara, while her luscious chestnut locks cascaded down her shoulders, contrasting her outfit. Fun in floral: Dame Helen Mirren, 73, opted for a fun floral mid-length dress with lace along the hem Stylish: She teamed the outfit with black opaque stocking and boots, and accessorised with elegant jewelry pieces and a black clutch Dame Helen Mirren, 73, opted for a fun floral mid-length dress with lace along the hem. She teamed the outfit with black opaque stocking and boots, and accessorised with elegant jewelry pieces and a black clutch. Tying her look together was a chic dusty pink coat that draped her hourglass figure. Goodie bag: The Queen actress was seen later seen leaving the event and toting a Dr Hauschka goodie bag Beauty: She delighted her fans with a wave after stepping out of her car Statuesque: Model Toni Garn opted for a chic black jumpsuit with a sparkling bodice that shimmered under the light, which she teamed with a striking white blazer The Queen actress was seen later seen leaving the event and toting a Dr Hauschka goodie bag. She delighted her fans with a wave after stepping out of her car. Model Toni Garn opted for a chic black jumpsuit with a sparkling bodice that shimmered under the light, which she teamed with a striking white blazer. Also joining the star studded event was acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino, 56, who kept his look for the charity event very casual in a black T-shirt, topped with plaid button up, jeans and red sneakers. His wife Israeli singer Daniela Pick, 35, wowed in slinky black backless dress, with a deep V neckline that hinted at her ample assets. Film's finest: Acclaimed director Quentin Tarantino, 56, attended the event his wife Daniela Pick, 35 (left), alongside Robert Pattinson (centre) and Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and his wife Maria Eladia Hagerman (right) Flirty floral: American actress Blanca Blanco, 38, seemingly took a style note from Helen Mirren in her flirty floral cocktail dress that drew attention to her long and trim pins Solo attendee Robert Pattinson, 33, opted for a classic black suit and unbuttoned white shirt ensemble for a touch of edge. Mexican film director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu stepped out in formal look, a tuxedo and bow tie, while his wife Maria Eladia Hagerman looked chic in a burnt orange frock with ruffles and a plunging neckline. American actress Blanca Blanco, 38, seemingly took a style note from Helen Mirren in her flirty floral cocktail dress that drew attention to her long and trim pins. For makeup she opted lashings of mascara and for a pop of colour with a classic red pout. Dazzling: Lady Victoria Hervey dazzled on the red carpet in a silver sequin gown with a perilously plunging neckline and a sheer skirt that showcased her long and trim pins All eyes on her: The 42-year-old kept her makeup simple and classic to complement her youthful visage with lashings of mascara, blush pink cheeks and a peachy pout Guests: Quentin Tarantino put on a smitten display with wife Daniella Pick as they arrived to the HFPA Philanthropic party Attendee: Also among the guests was actress Rose McGowan who wore a red long-sleeved dress with orange tassles while accessorising with a monochrome clutch bag Lady Victoria Hervey dazzled on the red carpet in a silver sequin gown with a perilously plunging neckline. The 42-year-old slipped her statuesque figure into the glimmering frock the featured sheer skirt that showcased her long and trim pins. She kept her makeup simple and classic to complement her youthful visage with lashings of mascara, blush pink cheeks and a peachy pout. Also among the guests was actress Rose McGowan who wore a red long-sleeved dress with orange tassles while accessorising with a monochrome clutch bag Former Made In Chelsea starlet Kimberly Garner dared to go braless in a classic black suit for the charity event. Dare to bare: Former Made In Chelsea starlet Kimberly Garner dared to go braless in a classic black suit for the charity event. The plunging neckline drew attention to her statement diamond necklace around her neck, as well as her ample assets Chic: Kimberley also shared the limelight with her mother Geraldine who also opted for a classic look in a black and white suit. She teamed a white blazer with skinny trousers and black pumps, and accessorised with a Chanel Flap Bag The plunging neckline drew attention to her statement diamond necklace around her neck, as well as her ample assets. Kimberley also shared the limelight with her mother Geraldine who also opted for a classic look in a black and white suit. She teamed a white blazer with skinny trousers and black pumps, and accessorised with a Chanel Flap Bag. Babe in pink: Socialite Hofit Golan, 33, stood out in a pink jumpsuit that accentuated her ample assets as her long and luscious blonde tresses cascaded down her delicate shoulders Traditional: Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Meher Tatna also attended the charity event looking delightful in her red and coral sari Socialite Hofit Golan, 33, stood out in a pink jumpsuit that showcased her trim and toned physique. The sweetheart neckline and off-the-shoulder detail accentuated her ample assets, while her long and luscious blonde tresses cascaded down her delicate shoulders. Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Meher Tatna also attended the charity event looking delightful in her red and coral sari. Meanwhile model Albina Kireeva wowed in a pale pink frock with feathered details. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is charitable trust created to provide financial support education and cultural non-profit organizations focused on the entertainment industry Advertisement She turned heads earlier this month when attending the coveted Met Gala in New York City in a Barbarella-inspired look. And Elle Fanning, 21, made a style splash as she arrived to Kering's Women In Motion Awards during 72nd Cannes Film Festival on Sunday night alongside fellow actress Salma Hayek, 52. The Teen Spirit actress, who is on the jury of this year's festival, donned a strapless mixed print floor-length gown for the star-studded event. Fashion fiend: Elle Fanning, 21, made a style splash as she arrived to Kering's Women In Motion Awards during 72nd Cannes Film Festival on Sunday night alongside fellow actress Salma Hayek, 52 (R) The American star's eye-catching garment accentuated her statuesque frame while she posed for photos on the red carpet. In jovial spirits for the event, she worked her blonde tresses into a sleek style, which fell down her shoulders, and sported a fresh beauty look. In a fashion juxtaposition, Frida actress Salma slipped into a figure-flaunting black gown for the cinematic festivities. The Mexican star's dress featured intricate silver detailing along the neckline and shoulders, which elevated the sleek designer garment. Work it: The American star's eye-catching garment accentuated her statuesque frame while she posed for photos on the red carpet Beaming: In jovial spirits for the event, she worked her blonde tresses into a sleek style, which fell down her shoulder, and sported a fresh beauty look Blonde ambition: In jovial spirits for the event, she worked her blonde tresses into a sleek style, which fell down her shoulders Posing up a storm: Elle posed up a storm while walking inside the venue Fix up: The Super 8 beauty fixed her hair while she posed for an array of shots Idyllic: Elle was later spotted taking her seat among guests at the Kering and Cannes Film Festival Official Dinner at Place de la Castre The From Dusk To Dawn star attended the event with husband Francois-Henri Pinault, who she married in 2009, and continued her glittering appearance with an array of statement rings. The petite star, who is currently filming The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard alongside Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, worked her raven-coloured locks into soft wave and accessorised it with a silver hairband. Other stars attending the event included Eva Longoria, who stunned in a glittering green midi dress. The Desperate Housewives actress, 44, looked incredible in the reptile-inspired dress that featured semi-sheer panelling, which highlighted her slender pins. Glorious: In a fashion juxtaposition, Frida actress Salma slipped into a figure-flaunting black gown for the cinematic festivities Date night: The From Dusk To Dawn star attended the event with husband Francois-Henri Pinault, who she married in 2009 Radiant: Salma sported a bold red lip for the occasion as she posed alongside her husband Sophisticated: The Mexican star's dress featured intricate silver detailing along the neckline and shoulders, which elevated the sleek designer garment The petite star, who is currently filming The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard alongside Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson, worked her raven-coloured locks into soft wave and accessorised it with a silver hairband All that glitters: Other stars attending the event included Eva Longoria, who stunned in a glittering green midi dress Mane attraction: Eva worked her brunette locks into a sleek top knot for the event Glittering: Eva was spotted later in the evening enjoying the Kering and Cannes Film Festival Official Dinner at Place de la Castre Earlier this month, Elle channeled Barbarella as she put on a dazzling display at the Met Gala alongside a host of stars. She echoed the look of the famous 1960's Jane Fonda character as she stepped out at the fashion world's Oscar's, accompanied by boyfriend Max Minghella, 33. The Mary Shelley star flaunted her very flat tummy in a coral Miu Miu crop top and matching wide-legged pants. Glittering: Model Toni Garrn attended the event also and looked sophisticated in a strapless jumpsuit Picture perfect: She posed alongside beau Enrique Murciano Charming: Charlotte Casiraghi arrived on the black carpet in a chic one-shouldered mini dress Model behaviour: Charlotte, the second child of Caroline, Princess of Hanover, and Stefano Casiraghi, poses for a snap with a guest after enjoying the Kering and Cannes official dinner Eventful: Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu and his other half Maria Eladia Hagerman attended the event She showcased the billowing pleated sleeves as she posed up a storm at the celebrity-packed event. Being playful with the camp theme, the beauty sported a custom oversized charm necklace which featured the words 'camp' and 'The Met'. Elle had brought impressive attention to detail - as she flaunted a brightly colored manicure with individual charms hanging from each rose-painted nail. The charms ranged from a serving of fries to candy wrappers, as she flashed her hands to waiting photographers. Chic: Call Me By Your Name star Amira Casar attended the event Jaw-dropping: US actress Leyna Bloom (L) stunned in a semi-sheer gown alongside Dutch-French star Anouchka Delon Hand-in-hand: Jean-Michel Jarre and wife Gong Li arrived to event hand-in-hand Grin: Jean-Michel Jarre, Alain Delon and Gong Li share a cheerful greeting at the star-studded event on Sunday night Cheers: Jean-Michel Jarre and his girlfriend Gong Li, Salma Hayek and her husband Francois-Henri Pinault posed for a snap at the event Delight: French actress Virginie Ledoyen (L), actress-writer Wu Kexi (centre) and Belgian star Deborah Francois put their best fashion forward Later in the evening, Elle was seen heading to one of the after parties at the Boom Boom Room, changing into a navy puffball midi with a feathered bodice. Elle has been dating her beau for nearly one year after first meeting on the set of Teen Spirit, which Max directed. When asked by ET what she thought of dating rumours between herself and the British actor-turned-director, she referred to him as a 'good friend.' 'I mean, we just really love working together. That was, like, very special, and he's such a good friend,' she said. Demure: French stars Clotilde Courau (L), Julie Gayet (centre) and German film producer Eva Trobisch (R) donned demure looks for the event Fashion: Chinese actress Coulee Nazha (L) and Polish model Anja Rubik (R) posed on the carpet Award winning: President of the Cannes Film Festival Pierre Lescure and Rosalie Varda arrived to the awards Doubles: Argentine film maker Gaspar Noe and Stephania Cristian (L) walked the carpet together. Model Abbey Lee Kershaw and Argentine model Mica Arganaraz (R) posed together Care to share? Alain Delon and Anouk Aimee were spotted laughing and joking amid the night's festivities The 2019 Cannes Film Festival, taking place at the iconic Palais des Festivals, started on Tuesday and concludes on May 25. Actress Elle, French graphic novelist Enki Bilal and the Oscar-nominated director of The Favourite, Yorgos Lanthimos, will be among jury members during the annual event. Mexican director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu will preside over the panel that decides on prizes, including the top Palme D'Or award. The jury for the festival's 72nd edition will also include Pawel Pawlikowski, the Polish filmmaker and screenwriter named best director at Cannes last year for the impossible love story Cold War. Lady in red: Four Weddings and a Funeral actress Andie MacDowell, 61, caught the eye in a bright red tunic and matching trousers, which she teamed with hot pink heels Showstopping: French-Swiss actress Irene Jacob (L) stunned in a semi sheer black gown, while Lebanese actress Nadine Labaki (R) looked stunning in an electric blue number Couple goals: Eva and her husband Jose cosied up for a snap as they enjoyed the night's festivities Friends in high places: The couple later sat down for a chat with Salma's husband Francois-Henri Dressed to impress: Camila Coelho (L) turned heads in a monochrome feathered number, while Elsa Zylberstein (R) dazzled in a sequinned champagne gown Stunning: Elle later sultrily poised in front of a neon sign that read 'women in motion' Light up a room: Dakota Fanning's younger sister glowed among her fellow attendees Maimouna N'Diaye, who has directed documentaries and acted in films such as Otar Iosseliani's Chasing Butterflies will also sit on the panel, alongside two other female directors. Kelly Reichardt, whose Wendy and Lucy starring Michelle Williams was a contender for Cannes' Un Certain Regard award in 2008, directed 2016's Certain Women. Italy's Alicia Rohrwacher won best screenplay at Cannes last year for her film Happy as Lazzaro, a satirical fable about a peasant family. French filmmaker Robin Campillo, who took Cannes by storm in 2017 with 120 BPM - Beats Per Minute, winning the Grand Prix for his movie about an AIDs activist, will complete the line-up. Flawless: The actress posed up a storm in her elegant gown outside the star-studded bash in Cannes Glowing: Lady of the moment Elle stopped to pose for a snap at the prestigious dinner Beautiful: Salma couldn't resist taking her picture in front of the neon sign and fairy lights Leading lady: Actresses Eva and Salma shared a hug as they posed for pictures at the star-studded Women in Motion event An 'intimacy coordinator' has reportedly been hired to assist with Daniel Craig and Ana De Armas' sex scenes for the new Bond 25 movie. Bosses for the eagerly-anticipated flick, which is currently taking a break from filming due to Craig's ankle injury, are 'going to great lengths' to make sure the handsome actor, 51, and his new Bond Girl, 31, are 'comfortable.' A source has told The Sun: 'Its all changed in the #MeToo era and theyre going to extra lengths to make sure all the stars are getting the support they need on set, including during some of the more risque sex scenes.' 'Its all changed in the #MeToo era': An 'intimacy coordinator' has reportedly been hired to assist with Daniel Craig, 51, and Ana De Armas', 31, sex scenes for the new Bond 25 movie It has been added that producer Barbara Broccoli is intent on making sure that they are 'bringing Bond up to speed'. 'An intimacy coordinator is now on set during those scenes and is working with Daniel Craig and new Bond girl Ana De Armas to run through the script and make sure they feel comfortable. 'Its really progressive and is a step in the right direction not just for Bond but the industry as a whole,' it was continued. MailOnline has contacted representatives for Bond 25 for further comment. Cuban-Spanish Ana was confirmed as the brand new Bond Girl last month and will be starring in anticipated untitled Bond 25 film, which will be released on 8 April 2020. 'Make sure the stars are getting support': Bosses for the flick are 'going to great lengths' to make sure the handsome actor, 51, and his new Bond Girl (pictured) are 'comfortable 'Progressive': It has been added that producer Barbara Broccoli is intent on making sure that they are 'bringing Bond up to speed' Ana first made her Hollywood debut in 2015's Knock Knock alongside Keanu Reeves, and a quick look at her Instagram platform shows her love for uploading bikini and nearly nude snaps from idyllic locations around the world. Born in Santa Cruz del Norte, Ana attended the National Theatre School of Cuba at the age of 12, and made her acting debut in 2006's Spanish film, Una rosa de Francia. Ana made the successful crossover to Hollywood in 2015 alongside Keanu in Knock Knock and then went on to work with Ryan Gosling and Robin Wright in 2017's Blade Runner 2049. This will mark Ana's breakthrough Hollywood role and interestingly enough, she has already worked with Daniel Craig on the crime drama Knives Out, which is set for release in November of this year. Beauty: Cuban-Spanish Ana was confirmed as the brand new Bond Girl last month and will be starring in anticipated untitled Bond 25 film, which will be released on 8 April 2020 Sexy: A quick look at her Instagram platform shows her love for uploading bikini and nearly nude snaps from idyllic locations around the world Meanwhile, it was recently reportedly Bond 25 filming will resume within the week after Daniel injured his ankle while filming concluded in Jamaica. The Sun reported the 007 actor tweaked his ankle ligaments after falling during filming for a high-octane scene for his fifth outing as the Secret Service Agent. Prior to this he was seen shooting his stone skimming scenes before chatting away to director Cary Joji Fukunaga in intense talks. The Layer Cake actor is said to have flown to New York City for treatment, but is thought to be 'furious' that he injured himself - causing filming to be suspended - after months of gruelling preparation for the role. A source told the website: 'Things were deemed to be a disaster at first. But the injury is not as severe as believed and he will be able to film while not over exerting his ankle. He will be back on set within the week... Oh no! Meanwhile, it was recently reportedly Bond 25 filming will resume within the week after Daniel injured his ankle while filming concluded in Jamaica 'Daniel was furious that he had suffered an injury after spending months getting into prime physical shape.' The unnamed film scheduled for release next April and rumoured to be a remake of 1969's On Her Majesty's Secret Service starring George Lazenby opens with Bond having left active service. Unfortunately his retirement is interrupted by the arrival in Jamaica of his CIA friend, Felix Leiter, who persuades him to help rescue a kidnapped scientist. Bond's arch-enemy will be played by Oscar-winner Rami Malek, who starred as Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody. Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard's younger brother Curtis is being lined up for the upcoming series of Love Island. The 23-year-old dancer, who appears on the Irish version of Dancing With The Stars, is set to jet out to Hidden Hills villa in Majorca next month, according to The Sun. The speculation comes after Curtis hit the headlines in December with brother AJ after a group of thugs attacked them in a Cheshire nightclub. Love on the horizon? Strictly Come Dancing professional AJ Pritchard's younger brother Curtis (R) is being lined up for the upcoming series of Love Island A TV source said: 'His body is ideal for being in swimwear all day, plus hes a lovely bloke with a great sense of humour so is sure to be a hit with the ladies. 'They are also hoping that he will bring some sexy salsa moves to the villa.' MailOnline have contacted a Love Island spokesperson and Curtis Pritchard's rep for comment. The news comes nearly six months since Curtis and brother AJ, 24, were attacked in a Cheshire nightclub in the lead up to New Year's Eve. Speculation: The 23-year-old dancer, who appears on the Irish version of Dancing With The Stars, is set to jet out to Hidden Hills villa in Majorca next month, according to The Sun Then: The speculation comes after Curtis hit the headlines in December with brother AJ (L) after a group of thugs attacked them in a Cheshire nightclub (Pictured in January) The attack saw the siblings get kicked and punched by a gang of eight thugs, and as a result Curtis had to undergo surgery on his knee. While the police announced they had arrested a 20-year-old male in connection with the crime, he was 'released under investigation pending further inquiries'. Meanwhile, Curtis isn't the first sibling of a celebrity lined-up for this year's series with boxer Tyson Fury's hunky younger brother Tommy reportedly set for an appearance. The 19-year-old boxer is speculated to get top billing when the show returns to ITV2 next month. Reports: Curtis isn't the first sibling of a celebrity lined-up for this year's series with boxer Tyson Fury's hunky younger brother Tommy reportedly set for an appearance An insider told the Daily Star: 'Tommy is one of the hottest young boxers on the circuit. Hes already got a huge following, and has been getting quite a lot of attention from the girls. 'Hes been out and about in Manchester over the last few months since splitting up with his ex and always cleans up. Adding: 'Hes very confident when it comes to the ladies. Hes got a lot of cheeky banter and isnt shy in coming forward.' Changes: Love Island producers are reportedly set to cast contestants with 'different body shapes' in a bid to create more 'diversity' on the 2019 series (Dani Dyer and Jack Fincham pictured on the show in July) Last month, Love Island producers were reportedly set to cast contestants with 'different body shapes' in a bid to create more 'diversity' on the 2019 series. The hit ITV2 dating show is said to be focusing on what 'viewers want' and what 'they can do to make it better'. The latest series of Love Island irked fans due to its lack of body diversity' among contestants, with show watchers complaining there was no female contestant with a 'curvier figure'. In March, Love Island bosses confirmed that they have been working on overhauling their reality show aftercare policy. 'More diversity': The hit ITV2 dating show is said to be focusing on what 'viewers want' and what 'they can do to make it better' (contestants pictured on Love Island in June) The show released a lengthy statement just days after Mike Thalassitis tragically passed away aged 26. His death came after former contestant, Sophie Gradon, was also found dead, aged 32, in June last year. Producers confirmed they would change policies to ensure that all Islanders are offered support before, during and after their time on the show, as well as social media and finance management training. In the message it also revealed that they would be changing the outlying policy towards mental care of all contestants, after many former stars hit out at producers for the lack of aftercare. A "hi-vis revolution" defeated Labor in parts of Queensland where Adani's proposed coal mine was the biggest issue, Nationals senator Matt Canavan says. Labor was smashed in the state, where a slew of marginal seats swung the election in favour of the Morrison coalition government. Senator Canavan - also the federal minister for resources and northern Australia - said Adani was "no doubt" the biggest issue in the state's cental and northern regions, blaming the state Labor government for failing to hasten approvals. "They've been sitting on this for eight years," the Queensland senator, whose portfolio also includes responsibility for northern Australia, told AAP. "It's a high-vis revolution. "For too long, despite the fact miners wear the brightest shirts of anyone, they've been invisible to the Australian Labor Party." The LNP is set to gain Townsville seat Herbert - won by Labor's Cathy O'Toole in 2016 by just 37 votes - as well as retaining Dawson, Flynn, Capricornia and Leichhardt on the state's north and central coasts. Coalition figures including Senator Canavan believe the anti-Adani convoy led by former Greens leader Bob Brown galvanised voters for the LNP as it wound through central Queensland during the federal election campaign. Liberal senator Arthur Sinodinos said the convoy annoyed Queenslanders, while Capricornia Liberal MP Michelle Landry thanked Mr Brown. "Bob's going to get a Christmas card from me this year," Senator Canavan said. "It didn't just galvanise the people of central and north Queensland, it galvanised the people of Queensland. "They don't take kindly to a blow-in trying to lecture people, rather than listen to them." Mr Brown rejected claims his convoy through central Queensland backfired, noting the swing to the LNP was national, not just across central Queensland. "It's an easy comment afterwards," he told AAP. "You can see where the independents and Greens have done very well. That's because climate change has been very important. "The convoy was a great success and it's part of awakening people to climate change." Mr Brown said that "greed won" over climate action in the federal election. "People went for the money," Mr Brown said. "It just shows that dollars will defeat morality at the ballot box." Malawi Malawi, which holds presidential polls on June 23 after its 2019 vote was cancelled, is a small, poor southern African country where people are largely dependent on agriculture and its enormous lake for their livelihoods. - One-fifth water - The country is landlocked but around a fifth of its surface area is covered by water, mostly the vast Lake Malawi. At roughly 580 kilometres (360 miles) long and 75 km across at its widest point, Lake Malawi is Africa's third-largest freshwater lake. The lake also abuts Tanzania, which claims its top portion in a border dispute blamed on maps drawn up by colonial Britain and Germany. The long-running feud resurfaced after Malawi in 2011 awarded British company Surestream Petroleum a licence to drill for oil and gas in the lake's north. - Agriculture-dependent - Agriculture powers Malawi's economy -- tobacco, tea and sugar are among the top crops -- and contributes over 40 percent to gross national product. About 85 percent of households engage in agricultural activities and most rely on subsistence farming, according to USAID. The country is heavily reliant on foreign aid. Around half Malawi's population of 18 million lives below the poverty line, the World Bank says. Nearly two million face acute food insecurity, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said this year. Economic growth in 2018 was forecast at 3.5 percent, slowed by drought and an armyworm caterpillar infestation, it says. Infrastructure is widely lacking and just 11 percent of the population have electricity. China is Malawi's top trading partner. - Stability and scandal - Malawi gained independence from Britain in 1964 and for much of its history has been stable and peaceful. Its official language is English. Its first president was US-trained doctor Hastings Kamuzu Banda, who held a ruthless grip on power for three decades until he was ousted in the first multi-party elections in 1994. In 2012 vice president Joyce Banda became the first female leader -- and only the second on the continent at the time -- on the death of then-president Bingu wa Mutharika. Embroiled in a massive graft scandal, she lost power in 2014 elections to Mutharika's brother, a law professor. Peter Mutharika, 79, won the presidential election in 2019 but the opposition cried foul and Malawi's top court quashed his re-election, paving the way for a re-run. Mutharika bemoaned the decision as a "judicial coup d'etat". - Albino attacks - Malawi has since late 2014 seen a surge in attacks on people with albinism, whose body parts are used in witchcraft rituals to bring wealth and luck. Of 163 cases reported since November 2014, 22 have been murders, Amnesty International said in May 2019, criticising impunity. Just 30 percent of those attacks have been properly investigated, according to official statistics, with only one murder and one attempted murder case successfully prosecuted. A widespread belief in black magic has also seen people accused of being "vampires" by trying to obtain human blood for rituals, sometimes triggering vigilante violence in retaliation. Eighty percent of the population is Christian. - Ravaged by AIDS - In 2018 one million people in Malawi were living with HIV, with 9.2 percent of adults aged between 15 and 49 infected with the virus that causes AIDS. Some one million children are orphaned as a result. US pop star Madonna set up the "Raising Malawi" foundation in 2006 for AIDS orphans and has adopted four children from the country. Even though Malawi in 2015 raised the marrying age to 18, nearly half of its girls enter matrimony before this age. Sources: AFP, UNAIDS, UNESCO, UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, USAID BERLIN (AP) - German lawmakers on Friday approved a resolution denouncing the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement against Israel, describing its methods as anti-Semitic and reminiscent of Nazi-era calls to boycott Jews. The motion called on the German government not to support events organized by BDS or other groups that actively pursue its aims, and vowed that parliament wouldn't finance any projects that call for a boycott of Israel or actively support the movement. It was filed by the country's three governing parties, along with two mainstream opposition parties, and passed by a large majority. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated the German parliament and expressed appreciation for its "important decision," calling on other countries to adopt similar legislation. The Palestinian-led BDS movement has grown in popularity overseas in recent years. It advocates boycotts, divestment and sanctions against Israeli businesses, universities and cultural institutions. Comparing BDS to the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa in years past, supporters say it uses nonviolence to resist unjust policies toward Palestinians. Israel says the movement masks its motives to delegitimize or destroy the Jewish state. The BDS group said the "German parliament's equation of the nonviolent BDS movement for Palestinian rights with anti-Semitism is based on outright lies." Lawmakers attend a polling at the German federal parliament, Bundestag, at the Reichstag building in Berlin, Germany, Friday, May 17, 2019. German lawmakers have approved a resolution denouncing the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions movement against Israel and describing its methods as anti-Semitic. (Wolfgang Kumm/dpa via AP) "It's not only anti-Palestinian McCarthyism, it is a betrayal of international law, German democracy and the fight against real anti-Jewish racism," it added. The German motion stated that "the pattern of argument and methods of the BDS movement are anti-Semitic." "The campaign's calls to boycott Israeli artists, along with stickers on Israeli goods that are meant to dissuade people from buying them, are also reminiscent of the most terrible phase of German history," it added. "The BDS movement's 'Don't Buy' stickers on Israeli products inevitably awake associations with the Nazi slogan 'Don't Buy from Jews!' and similar scrawls on facades and shop windows." The lower house in Berlin voted down two rival motions. One, from the far-right Alternative for Germany party, or AfD, called for a ban on the BDS movement. The other, from the Left Party, condemned "all anti-Semitism" in BDS calls for boycotts. AfD, which opposes migration and Islam, has itself been accused of playing down Nazi crimes. Helge Lindh, a lawmaker with the governing Social Democrats, said: "We clearly say no to AfD's cheap attempt to instrumentalize anti-Semitism for its anti-Muslim racism." PARIS (AP) - French President Emmanuel Macron sees himself as Europe's savior, and this week's European Parliament elections as a make-or-break moment for the beleaguered European Union. But Macron is no longer the fresh-faced force who marched into a surprising presidential victory to the rhythm of the EU anthem two years ago. His pro-Europe vision has collided with national interests across the continent. And at home, his pro-business policies have given rise to France's raucous yellow vest uprising. Macron wanted the May 23-26 European Parliament elections to be his shining moment to push his ambitions for a stronger Europe - but instead, nationalists and populists who blame the 28-nation bloc for piles of problems could achieve unprecedented success. They argue that elitist EU leaders have failed to manage migration and remain out of touch with ordinary workers' concerns. "We have a crisis of the European Union. This is a matter of fact. Everywhere in Europe ... all the extremes, extreme-rights, are increasing," Macron said Thursday, making an unexpected appeal for European unity on the sidelines of a technology trade show. "On currency, on digital, on climate action, we need more Europe," he said. "I want the EU to be more protective of our borders regarding migration, terrorism and so on, but I think if you fragment Europe, there is no chance you have a stronger Europe." In person, the 41-year-old Macron comes across as strikingly, sincerely European. A political centrist, he's at ease quoting Greek playwrights, German thinkers or British economists. France's youngest president grew up with the EU and has been using the shared European euro currency his whole adult life, and sees it as Europe's only chance to stay in the global economic game. France's President Emmanuel Macron gestures as he walks with his wife Brigitte during a visit to Biarritz, southwestern France, Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) Macron has already visited 20 of the EU's 28 countries in his two years in office, and while he acknowledges the EU's problems, he says they can only be solved by fixing the bloc - not disassembling it. Macron won the 2017 presidential election over France's far-right, anti-immigration leader Marine Le Pen on a pledge to make Europe stronger to face global competition against the U.S. and China. Since then, he's had to make compromises with other EU leaders - and clashed with some nations where populist parties govern, from Poland to neighboring Italy. Four months after his election, Macron outlined his vision for Europe in a sweeping speech at Paris' Sorbonne university, calling for a joint EU budget, shared military forces and harmonized taxes. But with Brexit looming and nationalism rising, Macron has had to reconsider his ambitions. He calls his political tactics with other EU leaders a "productive confrontation." That has strained the Franco-German ties that underpin the EU. In March, Macron sought to draw support for Europe with a written call to voters in 28 countries to reject nationalist parties that "offer nothing." And he proposed to a roadmap for the EU by the end of this year based on discussion with a panel of European citizens. "There will be disagreement, but is it better to have a static Europe or a Europe that advances, sometimes at different paces, and that is open to all?" he asked. Macron can count on cooperation from pro-EU governments but has made a point of not yet visiting Hungary or Poland, two nations led by populist leaders whom Macron accused last year of "lying" to their people about the EU. France has also been entangled in a serious diplomatic crisis with Italy - a fellow EU founding nation - over migration. Italy's anti-migrant Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has repeatedly criticized Macron and is backing his rival Le Pen's National Rally party in the election this week that aims to fill the European parliament's 751 seats. Macron has little chance to repeat Europe-wide what he did in France: rip up the political map by building a powerful centrist movement that weakened the traditional left and right. The campaign for Macron's Republic on the Move party is being led by former European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau under a banner called "Renaissance." The party wants to associate with the pro-market ALDE alliance to create new centrist group at the European Parliament. But across the continent, the centrists are expected to rank third or even lower behind the parliament's traditional two biggest groups, the right-wing European People's Party and the left-wing Socialists and Democrats group. Even at home, Macron is far from certain of being able to claim victory in the European vote. Loiseau's campaign has been lackluster, and polls suggest their party is in a close race with the far-right National Rally in the election, which takes place in France on May 26. Le Pen's National Rally is determined to take revenge after she lost to Macron in 2017, and the European election campaigning has been unusually personal. Le Pen compared Macron this weekend to "a child king" with "a kind of conviction of superpower." Speaking at a meeting of European nationalist leaders in Italy, Le Pen accused Macron of unfairly using his presidential office to campaign against her, and challenged him to step down if his party doesn't come out on top. Le Pen isn't Macron's only problem. His political opponents across the spectrum are calling on French voters to seize the European elections to reject his government's policies. While he won 64% of the presidential vote in 2017, Macron's popularity has been around half that for the past year. It reached record lows when France's yellow vest movement broke out last fall, demanding relief from high taxes and stagnant wages for French workers, then slightly rose as extensive protest violence in Paris and elsewhere dampened support for the movement's cause. At a farmer's market in southern Paris on Sunday, several shoppers said they'd vote for Macron's party, but few exhibited enthusiasm. A few said they voted for Macron in 2017, but plan to choose other parties in the European election - if they vote at all. Part-time construction worker Marc Lambert said that despite tax breaks and other gestures by Macron to quell yellow vest anger, the president "still hasn't understood. He is in his bubble" of rich friends and start-up entrepreneurs. Lambert said Macron had failed to convince regular people that "Europe is the solution." Meanwhile, new yellow vest protests are planned against Macron and his government - right up to EU election day. ___ Catherine Gaschka in Paris contributed to the story ___ For more news from The Associated Press on the European Parliament elections, go to https://www.apnews.com/EuropeanParliament French President Emmanuel Macron poses for photos with supporters in Biarritz, southwestern France, Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) France's President Emmanuel Macron, right, talks to a worker during a visit to Biarritz, southwestern France, Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) French President Emmanuel Macron, left, shakes hands with residents as he arrives to prepare the upcoming G7 in Biarritz, southwestern France, Friday May 17, 2019. The G7 Summit will take place in Biarritz on Aug. 25-27 2019. (Iroz Gaizka/Pool via AP) France's President Emmanuel Macron talks to a worker during a visit to Biarritz, southwestern France, Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) France's President Emmanuel Macron, centre, walks during a visit to Biarritz, southwestern France, Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) France's President Emmanuel Macron walks,during a visit to Biarritz, southwestern France, Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) France's President Emmanuel Macron talks to a worker during a visit to Biarritz, southwestern France, Friday, May 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Bob Edme) Yellow vest protestors march in Paris, France, Saturday, May 18, 2019. Yellow vest protests are taking place for the 27th consecutive week to challenge President Emmanuel Macron's economic policies. (AP Photo/Rafael Yahgobzadeh) Yellow vest protestors gather in Paris, France, Saturday, May 18, 2019. Yellow vest protests are taking place for the 27th consecutive week to challenge President Emmanuel Macron's economic policies. (AP Photo/Rafael Yahgobzadeh) The Duke and Duchess of Sussex chose to have their baby at the private hospital favoured by celebrities wanting a money-no-object birthing experience, their sons birth certificate has revealed. The document also showed Meghan may have been born a commoner but was now a Princess of the United Kingdom as far as her occupation was concerned. Archies birth certificate, seen by the Press Association, confirmed the place of birth as the Portland Hospital and dismissed speculation that Meghan had a home birth in the sanctuary of Frogmore Cottage the Sussexes home on the Windsor Estate. The birth certificate of Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor (Jonathan Brady/PA) Harry registered the arrival of his son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor on Friday and it is likely Dexsha Mevada, deputy registrar of Westminster City Council who completed the form, travelled to his home as other registrars have done following royal births. Meghan gave her name as Rachel Meghan Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Sussex and unusually the postcode of the couples home was printed on the document, something not normally a feature of birth certificates. The couples new baby was born in a maternity unit renowned for its quality of service, akin to a five-star hotel where parents can spend tens of thousands to ensure a safe and happy arrival for their baby. Portland Hospital for Women and Children in Westminster (Clive Gee/PA) The Duke and Duchess of York chose to have Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie at the Portland while Victoria Beckham had her sons Brooklyn and Romeo there. Other famous mums who picked the hospital include Jerry Hall and Julie Walters. Archie, who is the seventh in line to the throne and an eighth great-grandchild for the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh, arrived at 5.26am on May 6, weighing 7lb 3oz. The baby is believed to be the first mixed-race child born to a senior member of the royal family in centuries, and is a reflection of modern Britain with its culturally diverse population. His father signed the original birth register but in the certificate copy his name Harry is printed to signify his signature, elsewhere his full title is given His Royal Highness Henry Charles Albert David Duke of Sussex. Archie has already spent time with Meghans mother Doria Ragland and both the Queen the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle (Chris Allerton/SussexRoyal/PA) Until now, the duke and duchess who celebrate their first wedding anniversary on Sunday had been trying to keep the birth location private and details of their medical staff a secret. When Harry announced to the world his wife had given birth to a boy he could not hide his happiness at becoming a father for the first time, to a baby he said was absolutely to-die-for. The duke was at his wifes side during the birth and he later confessed he had only had a few hours sleep, suggesting Meghan had spent much of the night in labour. A delighted Harry announces the new arrival (Steve Parsons/PA) Archies birth came less than a year after Harry married American former actress Meghan in a glittering ceremony in St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle. Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, became engaged following a whirlwind 16-month romance after going on a blind date in London. The protective parents want to ensure their son grows up away from the limelight. Harry, who knows only too well the pressure that comes with being a Windsor and once admitted he wanted out of the royal family, is set on allowing his son to have as normal a life as possible. Harry and Meghan want to ensure their son grows up away from the limelight (Dominic Lipinski/PA) Royal protection officers will always be close by, while help from housekeepers and aides will be the norm, but Harry and Meghan will be hands-on parents and have Meghans mother Doria Ragland staying with them at the moment. The royal baby, who was not given a courtesy title, met his uncle and aunt, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, for the first time on Tuesday, having already spent time with his royal great grandparents, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh. More than 50 migrants have been found in the English Channel travelling towards the UK during the weekend. Two more incidents were reported involving 32 migrants off the Kent coast on Sunday, the Home Office said, after 20 were found in boats on Saturday. At 4am on Sunday, Border Force was alerted to a small boat heading towards Dover, a Home Office spokesman said. Six men, two women and five children were found on board. Then at 9am, the coastguard was told of another boat with 19 people on board which was intercepted by a Border Force cutter. They all said they were from Iraq or Iran and have been handed over to immigration officials. HMC Vigilant, a Border Force cutter, has been on patrol in the English Channel (Gareth Fuller/PA) Border Force had already been called to two incidents in the Channel the day before. A group of 11 men, who said they were Iranian, were found at 5.50am on Saturday. At around 7.50am, six men, two women and a 12-year-old who said they were from Iraq and Iran were found on board another boat. A Home Office spokesman said: Anyone crossing the Channel in a small boat is taking a huge risk with their life and the lives of their children. It is an established principle that those in need of protection should claim asylum in the first safe country they reach, and since January more than 25 people who arrived illegally in the UK in small boats have been returned to Europe. The EU will not renegotiate the Brexit withdrawal deal regardless of who the UK's next prime minister is, Ireland's foreign minister has warned. Simon Coveney described political events at Westminster as 'extraordinary', as he questioned the logic of politicians who believed a change of leader would deliver changes to the agreement struck by Theresa May. In a scathing assessment of the political situation in the UK, Mr Coveney told RTE that Britain could trigger a no deal by 'default' if its MPs failed to get their act together. Tanaiste Simon Coveney said UK politicians who thought a new prime minister could strike a new deal did not understand the EU. He said he believed Mrs May was a 'decent person' trying to find a middle ground position, but had been thwarted by an 'impossible' Conservative Party. Mr Coveney said the UK should not assume another extension will be granted by the EU if a deal is not agreed by the latest October deadline. He said the EU was set for major changes and challenges as a result of the European elections and would likely be prepared to devote less focus on Brexit going forward. He said: 'The EU has said very clearly that the Withdrawal Agreement has been negotiated over two-and-a-half years, it was agreed with the British government and the British cabinet and it's not up for renegotiation, even if there is a new British prime minister'. Mr Coveney said he believed Mrs May was a 'decent person' trying to find a middle ground position, but had been thwarted by an 'impossible' Conservative Party 'There will be people like Nigel Farage and some within the Conservative Party who will be making the proposition that 'look, we have had enough of this, let's just leave on WTO (World Trade Organisation) terms without a deal' in my view not fully understanding or not being honest about the full consequences of that for Britain and Ireland.' He added: 'The danger of course is that the British system will simply not be able to deal with this issue and even though there is a majority in Westminster who want to be able to prevent a no-deal Brexit it could happen by default.' Mr Coveney said Ireland would continue its no-deal Brexit contingency planning. He noted that political parties had largely spoken with the same voice in Ireland. 'In the UK no two parties seem to be able to agree on anything, despite the extraordinary dangers that Britain is potentially going to be exposed to in the autumn,' he said. Noting the prospect of Mrs May offering pledges on technological solutions for the Irish border in her final bid to get the withdrawal treaty through Parliament next month, Mr Coveney said he did not have an issue with that as long as it did not undermine the border backstop provisions within the Withdrawal Agreement. The Tanaiste said UK politicians who thought a new prime minister could strike a new deal did not understand the EU. 'For the EU and Ireland this has always been about the complexity of Brexit, trying to protect the EU, its integrity, its single market, its customs union, its members and also trying to respect the decision of British people,' he said. 'It's always been about that. For Britain in many ways it's been about party politics and personalities and many people seem to think that Britain would have got a much better deal if only they had a tougher prime minister. The Irish foreign minister said the EU was set for major changes and challenges as a result of the European elections and would likely be prepared to devote less focus on Brexit going forward [File photo] 'In my view that just is a fundamental misunderstanding of how the European Union operates. 'The EU is a treaty-based, precedent-based series of institutions, it doesn't have a lot of flexibility and that's why this negotiation has been about detail, regulation, legal provisions and so on. 'And I think the British Prime Minister understands that and that is why she has agreed to reasonable compromises in certain areas. 'But there are many British politicians who don't, quite frankly, understand that or the complexity of politics in Northern Ireland and therefore they have tried to dumb this debate down into a simplistic argument whereby it's Britain versus the EU, as opposed to two friends tying to navigate through the complexity of a very, very difficult agreement.' India awaits on May 23 the result of its seven phase-long elections. In the worlds biggest democracy, the elections are for 543 seats of the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. And, yes, to do the most important thing: elect the next prime minister. The numbers and logistics of the biggest voting exercise of the worlds biggest voting demographics are staggering, to state it without much drama. Indias elections have taken place in 29 states and 7 federally-administered territories, with 2,354 registered parties, is comprised of 900 million voters, one million polling stations, and 2.3 million electronic voting machines. Some of them are said to have malfunctioned. With the hope of having a bigger turnout than the 66% of the 2014 elections, there are many an exit poll and predictions of psephologists and political analysts, hopes and boasts and prayers of competing parties, confidence of party members and supporters of Rahul Gandhi, wishes of an India-for-all cheerleaders, and the expectations of those who voted for the BJP in 2014, giving Narendra Modis party a landslide victory and an electoral knockout punch of 44 seats to the INC. For observers of Indian politics like me, political analyses on Indian television and newspapers are a mixed bag of the predicable pre-during-post-elections reactions and viewpoints that are, unsurprisingly, not too dissimilar from the commentary I hear in Pakistan when it is gripped in the frenzy of an election that has the power to change its fate for the next five years. In 2014, there was a clear Modi wave that, true to predictions, won the BJP the biggest electoral majority in 30 years, sidelining the INC to such parliamentary insignificance, it was as if the ten-year-in-rule INC was never in power. The Modi wave in 2014 led the BJP to a massive electoral majority, sweeping the Congress away. (Photo: PTI) In Pakistan, Narendra Modis victory and his taking charge of the position of the prime minister of India was taken, at various stages, with trepidation, caution, restrained hope, a measured expectation of relationship-recalibration and moving beyond the stagnant status quo of simmering hostility. For Pakistan, the end of Modis term is marked with hyper-nationalistic Pakistan-hating and Pakistan-attacking in the backdrop of the very unfortunate incident in Pulwama and its warlike aftermath in Balakot and the aftermath of Balakot. Today in Pakistan, Modi and his government are viewed with cynicism that is not surprising, given the events of February and the we-are-not-talking-to-one-another (non)-relationship status of the two countries that, in an ideal world, based on their geographical proximity, historical one-ness and shared cultural and other factors, should be good friends, business and trade allies and regional partners. Today, Modis India in Pakistan is considered a xenophobic, anyone-other-than-Hindu-hating economic behemoth whose magnificent shades of pluralism and diversity have been dipped into a stark hue of saffron and intolerance. Beyond that view, there is not much of a commentary on Indian elections in Pakistan. The truth always prevails and is always the best policy. BJP's attempt to win elections through whipping up war hysteria and false claims of downing a Pak F 16 has backfired with US Defence officials also confirming that no F16 was missing from Pakistan's fleet. Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) April 6, 2019 Contrary to the perception in India, there is never really any interest in Indian elections in Pakistan, my complex, beloved country that is invariably and constantly entangled in a circle of its own domestic issues, big and small, affecting the everyday life of most Pakistanis. Those who have been elected to rule Pakistan are busy figuring out ways to put Pakistan in order, without sideways glances on things that are of no immediate concern and countries that love to hate Pakistan. Hindu Sena members celebrate India's major preemptive air-strike on Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) camps in Balakot. (Photo: PTI) So I simply asked a few people whose opinion I respect, whose analytical viewpoint is based on their deep understanding of issues, and who for their professional background and present occupations have keen insight into the dynamics of Indian politics and their effect on relations with Pakistan. Without adding my own commentary to their responses, I thought Id simply write down their answer to my straightforward question: Is there any discussion on Indian elections in Pakistan? And their listing in alphabetical order is simply a tiny manifestation of my writing-OCD and is in no particular order in terms of the significance of their comments or position. Abdul Basit (Former Pakistan ambassador to Germany and high commissioner to India; former Foreign Office Spokesperson): Yes, we do have an interest in the outcome of elections to the extent that we want this [Pakistan and India] bilateral relationship to move forward, to make a new beginning by resolving bilateral disputes and to promote bilateral and regional cooperative frameworks. In fact, much hinges on India. It [India] must understand that our respective national aspirations cannot be fully realised in an unstable regional environment. India as a bigger power has more responsibilities in this regard. Ajmal Jami (Talk show host, Dunya News; political analyst): There is a discussion on the Indian elections in Pakistan. I have hosted a couple of shows, rather, three to four shows on Indian elections. Since they are phase-wise, the discussion is not that extensive. When they started, we focused on the first phase. Then Pakistans issues are such we have to concentrate on them. But some people like me are keeping a close eye on the Indian elections. Of course, it [our coverage] is not as extensive as that of our own elections but some things connected to these elections if Modi is bullying someone or if he is being bullied, if the turnout is small somewhere, the Kashmir issue, etc., are discussed. This time the Indian elections are very interesting, quite interesting. They're watching him closely across the border too. (Photo: PTI) Asma Shirazi (Veteran TV Talk show host, Aaj News; political analyst): There are no discussions on Indian elections in our media because one, we are busy with our economic situation, and two, we dont even much discuss the regional situation any more. I think we are more concerned about our own economic and political situation, and our media thinks that is more important for our audience. Ayesha Raza (Senator Pakistan Muslim-League-Nawaz; chairperson Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges): We support democracy and would want a democratic transition in India through free and fair elections. We hope to work with whichever party forms government in India as a result of free and fair elections, to improve relations [between Pakistan and India] in the long term. We also hope to sit on the table with the new government to resolve the long-outstanding Kashmir issue. Aziz Ahmed Khan (Former Pakistan high commissioner to India and ambassador to Afghanistan; former additional foreign secretary and Foreign Office spokesperson): As for elections, Modi and the BJP are not as confident as they were at the start of the elections. Statements from their leadership, particularly Modi, make it quite obvious. Their tone is becoming more panicky and content abusive. Fahd Humayun (Political behaviour and South Asia analyst; Jinnah Institute): The outcome of this election will matter less than the consistent demonisation of Pakistan on the campaign trail. Most of the damage has been done; the groundswell of public opinion in India is vehemently against the idea of peace with Pakistan and in favour of a hardline foreign policy, even if that means flirting with war. Jalil A Jilani (Former foreign secretary, ambassador of Pakistan to the US, High Commissioner to India): In Pakistan, mostly people are looking at the likely impact that Indian elections will have on the Pakistan-India peace process. The last five years can be termed as wasted years due to an absence of dialogue, high-level tension, intensified repression in Kashmir, stagnant trade, and negligible people-to-people contacts. It is hoped that the post-election Indian government will have a fresh look at its Pakistan and Kashmir policy. Naeem-ul-Haq (Special assistant to Prime Minister Imran Khan): The important thing for us will be the attitude of the new Indian leadership. They must be willing to sit down at the table and talk with us. Prime Minister Imran Khan has offered to talk [to India] a number of times to discuss and resolve our [Pakistan and India] outstanding issues. Nusrat Javed (Veteran TV Talk show host, Aap News; political analyst): I think Modi will return but with lesser numbers. I dont see his return changing things with Pakistan the way we anticipate. PJ Mir (Veteran TV talk show host; Aap News, Indus News; political analyst): These Indian elections I can assure you are going to play a very important role in the future of Indian political history. These elections should be taken in the right spirit because for the future relations of India in the region, these elections do matter, will matter and will continue to matter. Therefore, the theme of peace, tranquility and harmony in the region all depends on who the Indians elect. Also read:How Pakistan's behavior is hitting international air traffic and its own economy Avesoro Resources Inc. explores for, develops, and operates gold assets in West Africa. The company primarily owns interests in the New Liberty gold mine located in Liberia; and Youga gold mine and Balogo satellite deposit in Burkina Faso. It also has an exploration stage gold project in Cameroon. The company was incorporated in 2011 and is based in Toronto, Canada. Avesoro Resources Inc. is a subsidiary of Avesoro Jersey Limited. Read More 6 hours ago 3 Stocks That Are Ready to Rip in 2022 These 3 Stocks Could Outperform in 2022 With the new year right around the corner, investors might want to start thinking about the companies with the strongest prospects for 2022. Theres no better way to start off the year than by adding a few potential winners to your portfolio, but finding those types of stocks is easier said than done. Read Article The following companies are subsidiares of Xylem: Aanderaa Data Instruments AS, Beijing United Gas Meters Co. Ltd., Bellingham & Stanley Ltd., Bombas Flygt de Venezuela S.A., CMS Research Corporation, EmNet LLC, FARADYNE Motors LLC, Faradyne Motors (Suzhou) Co. Ltd., Flow Control LLC, Flowtronex PSI LLC, Fluid Handling LLC, Godwin Holdings Ltd., Goulds Water Technology Philippines Inc, Grindex AB, Grindex Pumps LLC, HYPACK Inc, Heartland Pump Rental & Sales Inc., IMT b.v., Jabsco Marine Italia s.r.l., Jabsco S. de R.L. De C.V., Lowara UK Ltd, Lowara Vogel Polska SP ZOO, Lowara s.r.l., MJK Automation ApS, MultiTrode Inc., Multitrode Pty Ltd, Nova Analytics Europe LLC, O.I. Corporation, PCI Membrane Systems Inc., Pension Trustee Management Ltd, Pims Pumps, Portacel Inc., Pure Technologies, SELC Electronics Ltd, SELC Group Ltd., SELC Ireland Ltd, Safe Sea Services FZC, Sensus, Sensus (UK Holdings) Ltd., Sensus Australia Pty Ltd, Sensus Canada Inc., Sensus Chile SA, Sensus Espana SA, Sensus France Holdings SAS, Sensus France SAS, Sensus GmbH Hannover, Sensus GmbH Ludwigshafen, Sensus Italia SRL, Sensus Japan Kabushiki Kaisha, Sensus Manufacturing (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., Sensus Maroc S.A.., Sensus Metering Systems (Fuzhou) Co. Ltd., Sensus Metering Systems (LuxCo 1) S.A R.L., Sensus Metering Systems (LuxCo 2) S.A R.L., Sensus Metering Systems (LuxCo 3) S.A R.L., Sensus Metering Systems (LuxCo 4) S.A R.L., Sensus Metering Systems (LuxCo 5) S.A R.L, Sensus Metering Systems IP Holdings Inc., Sensus Polska sp. zoo, Sensus Precision Die Casting (Yangzhou) Co. Ltd., Sensus SPA, Sensus Services Deutschland GmbH, Sensus Slovensko a.s., Sensus South Africa (Proprietary) Ltd., Sensus Spectrum LLC, Sensus UK Systems Limited, Sensus USA Inc., Sensus de Mexico S. de R.L. de C.V., Sensus metrologicke sluzby s.r.o._Slovakia, Sensus Ceska republika spol. s r.o., Sentec Limited, Smith-Blair Inc., Texas Turbine LLC, Tideland Signal Corporation, Tideland Signal EMEA B.V., Tideland Signal LLC, Tideland Signal Limited, Tirinstal Investments Ltd, UGI Global Limited, Valor Water Analytics, Visenti Pte. Ltd, Water Asset Management Inc., Water Process Limited, Watercompany, Xylem (China) Company Limited, Xylem (Hong Kong) Limited, Xylem (Nanjing) Co. Ltd, Xylem Analytics (Beijing) Co. Ltd, Xylem Analytics Australia Pty Ltd., Xylem Analytics France S.A.S., Xylem Analytics Germany GmbH, Xylem Analytics IP Management GmbH, Xylem Analytics IP Management SCS, Xylem Analytics LLC, Xylem Analytics UK LTD, Xylem Australia Holdings PTY LTD, Xylem Brasil Solucoes para Agua Ltda, Xylem Canada Company, Xylem Delaware Inc., Xylem Denmark Holdings ApS, Xylem Dewatering Solutions Inc., Xylem Dewatering Solutions UK Ltd, Xylem Europe GmbH, Xylem Financing S.a.r.l, Xylem Germany GmbH, Xylem Global S.a.r.l, Xylem Holdings S.a.r.l., Xylem IP Holdings LLC, Xylem IP Management S.a.r.l, Xylem IP UK S.a.r.l., Xylem Industriebeteiligungen GmbH, Xylem Industries S.a.r.l., Xylem International S.a.r.l., Xylem Lowara Limited, Xylem Luxembourg S.a r.l., Xylem Management GmbH, Xylem Manufacturing Austria GmbH, Xylem Manufacturing Middle East Region FZCO, Xylem Middle East Water Equipment Trading & Rental LLC, Xylem Russia LLC, Xylem Saudi Arabia Limited, Xylem Service Hungary Kft, Xylem Service Italia Srl, Xylem Services Austria GmbH, Xylem Services GmbH, Xylem Shared Services Sp. Z.o.o., Xylem Technologies & Partners S.C.S, Xylem Technologies GmbH, Xylem Water Holdings Limited, Xylem Water Limited, Xylem Water Services Limited, Xylem Water Solutions (Hong Kong) Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Argentina S.R.L., Xylem Water Solutions Australia Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Austria GmbH, Xylem Water Solutions Belgium, Xylem Water Solutions Chile S.A., Xylem Water Solutions Colombia SAS, Xylem Water Solutions Denmark ApS, Xylem Water Solutions Deutschland GmbH, Xylem Water Solutions Espana S.A., Xylem Water Solutions Florida LLC, Xylem Water Solutions France SAS, Xylem Water Solutions Global Services AB, Xylem Water Solutions Herford GmbH, Xylem Water Solutions Holdings France SAS, Xylem Water Solutions India Private Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Ireland Ltd., Xylem Water Solutions Italia S.R.L, Xylem Water Solutions Korea Co. Ltd., Xylem Water Solutions Magyarorszag KRT, Xylem Water Solutions Malaysia SDN. BHD., Xylem Water Solutions Manufacturing AB, Xylem Water Solutions Metz SAS, Xylem Water Solutions Mexico S.de R.L. de C.V., Xylem Water Solutions Middle East Region FZCO, Xylem Water Solutions Muscat LLC, Xylem Water Solutions Nederland BV, Xylem Water Solutions New Zealand Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Norge AS, Xylem Water Solutions Panama s.r.l., Xylem Water Solutions Peru S.A., Xylem Water Solutions Polska Sp.z.o.o., Xylem Water Solutions Portugal Unipessoal Lda., Xylem Water Solutions Rugby Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Singapore PTE Ltd., Xylem Water Solutions South Africa (Pty) Ltd., Xylem Water Solutions South Africa Holdings LLC, Xylem Water Solutions Suomi Oy, Xylem Water Solutions Sweden AB, Xylem Water Solutions U.S.A. Inc., Xylem Water Solutions UK Holdings Limited, Xylem Water Solutions UK Limited, Xylem Water Solutions Zelienople LLC, Xylem Water Solutions(Shenyang) CO. Ltd, Xylem Water Systems (California) Inc., Xylem Water Systems Hungary KFT, Xylem Water Systems International Inc., Xylem Water Systems Japan Corporation, Xylem Water Systems Philippines Holding Inc., Xylem Water Systems Texas Holdings LLC, Xylem Water Systems U.S.A. LLC, YSI (China) Ltd., YSI (Hong Kong) Ltd., YSI (UK) Ltd., YSI Incorporated, YSI Instrumentos E Servicos Ambientais Ltda., YSI International Inc., YSI Nanotech Limited, and ylem Analytics Germany Sales GmbH& Co. KG. The following companies are subsidiares of Travelers Companies: 10762962 Canada Inc., 350 Market Street LLC, 8527512 Canada Inc., Aetna Life and Casualty Co, American Equity Insurance Company, American Equity Specialty Insurance Company, Aprilgrange Limited, Arch Street North LLC, Auto Hartford Investments LLC, Bayhill Restaurant II Associates, Camperdown Corporation, Constitution State Services LLC, Discover Property & Casualty Insurance Company, Discover Specialty Insurance Company, F&G UK Underwriters Limited, Farmington Casualty Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Company, Fidelity and Guaranty Insurance Underwriters Inc., First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, Gulf Underwriters Insurance Company, IHP Capital Partners Fund VIII L.P., Northbrook Holdings Inc., Northfield Insurance Company, Northland Casualty Company, Northland Insurance Company, Phoenix UK Investments LLC, SPC Insurance Agency Inc., Select Insurance Company, Simply Business Holdings Inc., Simply Business Inc., St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, St. Paul Guardian Insurance Company, St. Paul Mercury Insurance Company, St. Paul Protective Insurance Company, St. Paul Surplus Lines Insurance Company, Standard Fire Properties LLC, Standard Fire UK Investments LLC, TCI Global Services Inc., TPC Investments Inc., TPC U.K. Investments LLC, The Automobile Insurance Company of Hartford Connecticut, The Charter Oak Fire Insurance Company, The Dominion of Canada General Insurance Company, The Family Business Institute LLC, The Phoenix Insurance Company, The St. Paul Companies Inc., The Standard Fire Insurance Company, The Travelers Casualty Company, The Travelers Home and Marine Insurance Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company, The Travelers Indemnity Company of America, The Travelers Indemnity Company of Connecticut, The Travelers Lloyds Insurance Company, TravCo Insurance Company, Travelers (Bermuda) Limited, Travelers Brazil Acquisition LLC, Travelers Brazil Holding LLC, Travelers Casualty Company of Connecticut, Travelers Casualty Insurance Company of America, Travelers Casualty UK Investments LLC, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of America, Travelers Casualty and Surety Company of Europe Limited, Travelers Commercial Casualty Company, Travelers Commercial Insurance Company, Travelers Constitution State Insurance Company, Travelers Distribution Alliance Inc., Travelers Excess and Surplus Lines Company, Travelers Global Inc., Travelers Indemnity U.K. Investments LLC, Travelers Insurance Company Limited, Travelers Insurance Company of Canada, Travelers Insurance Designated Activity Company, Travelers Insurance Group Holdings Inc., Travelers Lloyds of Texas Insurance Company, Travelers London Limited, Travelers MGA Inc., Travelers Management Limited, Travelers Marine LLC, Travelers Participacoes em Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Personal Insurance Company, Travelers Personal Security Insurance Company, Travelers Property Casualty Company of America, Travelers Property Casualty Corp., Travelers Property Casualty Insurance Company, Travelers Seguros Brasil S.A., Travelers Syndicate Management Limited, Travelers Texas MGA Inc., Travelers Underwriting Agency Limited, Ultramar Travel Management, United States Fidelity and Guaranty Company, Xbridge Limited, Zensurance Brokers Inc., and Zensurance Inc.. The Hartford Financial Services Group, Inc. is an insurance and financial services company. The company provides life insurance, group and employee benefits, automobile and homeowners insurance and business insurance, as well as investment products, annuities, mutual funds, and college savings plans. It operates through the following segments: Commercial Lines, Personal Lines, Property & Casualty Other Operations, Group Benefits and Hartford Funds. The Commercial Lines segment provides workers compensation, property, automobile, liability and umbrella coverage under several different products, primarily throughout the U.S., within its standard commercial lines, which consists of The Hartford's small commercial and middle market lines of business. The Personal Lines segment includes automobile, homeowners and home-based business coverage to individuals across the U.S. The Property & Casualty Other Operations segment includes certain property and casualty operations, currently managed by the company, that have discontinued writing new business and substantially all of the company's asbestos and environmental exposures. The Group Benefits segment offers group life, accident and disabi Read More 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. There is not enough analysis data for RWE Aktiengesellschaft. 4.1 Community Rank Outperform Votes RWE Aktiengesellschaft has received 32 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes RWE Aktiengesellschaft has received 20 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment RWE Aktiengesellschaft has received 61.54% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about RWE Aktiengesellschaft and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe RWE will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe RWE will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next 1 Wall Street equities research analysts have issued "buy," "hold," and "sell" ratings for iShares North American Tech ETF in the last twelve months. There are currently 1 hold rating for the stock. The consensus among Wall Street equities research analysts is that investors should "hold" iShares North American Tech ETF stock. A hold rating indicates that analysts believe investors should maintain any existing positions they have in IGM, but not buy additional shares or sell existing shares. View analyst ratings for iShares North American Tech ETF or view top-rated stocks. TransAtlantic Petroleum Ltd., an oil and natural gas company, engages in the acquisition, exploration, development, and production of oil and natural gas properties in Turkey and Bulgaria. As of December 31, 2019, it had interests in 4 onshore exploration licenses and 20 onshore production leases covering an area of 436,388 net acres with a total net proved reserves of 10,259 thousand barrels of oil and 2,466 million cubic feet of natural gas located in Turkey, as well as a production concession covering an area of approximately 162,800 net undeveloped acres located in Bulgaria. The company was incorporated in 1985 and is based in Addison, Texas. Read More SPDR S&P MidCap 400 ETF Trust's stock was trading at $288.91 on March 11th, 2020 when Coronavirus reached pandemic status according to the World Health Organization. Since then, MDY stock has increased by 76.2% and is now trading at $509.01. View which stocks have been most impacted by COVID-19. The following companies are subsidiares of Xerox: A B S Digital Limited, Acorn Business Machines (Holmfirth) Limited, Alloy Acquisitions Corp. LLC, Altodigital Networks, Altodigital Networks Limited, American Photocopy Equipment Company of Pittsburgh LLC, Amici, Arena Group, Arena Group Holdings Limited, Arena Group Limited, Arizona Office Technologies Inc., B 2 Business Systems Limited, Back2Business Limited, Bessemer Insurance Limited, Bessemer Trust Limited, Boise Office Equipment Inc., Bright Ceramic Technologies Inc., Bunch CareSolutions, Business Systems (North Wales) Limited, CPAS Systems, CREDITEX - Aluguer de Equipamentos S.A., CTX Business Solutions Inc., Capitol Office Solutions LLC, CareAR Holdings LLC, CareAR Inc., Carolina Office Systems Inc., Carr Business Systems Inc., Chicago Office Technology Group Inc., ComDoc Inc., Concept Group, Concept Group Limited, Connecticut Business Systems LLC, Consilience Software, Continua Limited, Continua Sanctum Limited, Conway Technology Group LLC, Copyrite Business Solutions (Holdings) Limited, Copyrite Business Solutions Limited, Copytrend Limited, Criterion IT Limited, Customer Value Group, Dahill Office Technology Corporation, Digitex, Digitex Canada Inc., Docucentric Holdings Limited, Document Systems, Document Systems, Eastern Managed Print Network LLC, Elan Marketing Inc., Electronic Systems Inc., Fovia (Innovation) Limited, G-Five Inc., GDP Technologies Inc., Global Imaging Systems, Global PR Corporation, Groupe CT, Gyricon LLC, Healthy Communities Institute, Heritage Business Systems Inc., ITEC Group, Image Technology Specialists Inc., ImageQuest Inc., Imagetek Office Systems, Impika, Impika SAS, Inland Business Machines Inc., Institute for Research on Learning, Integrity One Technologies Inc., Intrepid Learning, Invoco Group, Irish Business Systems, LRI LLC, LaserNetworks, LaserNetworks Inc., Lateral Data, Learn Something, Lewan & Associates Inc., Limited Liability Company Xerox (C.I.S.), M & S Reprographics Limited, MRC Smart Technology Solutions Inc., MT Business Holdings Inc., MT Business Technologies Inc., MWB Copy Products Inc., Mail A Doc Limited, Merizon Group Incorporated, Michigan Office Solutions Inc., Minnesota Office Technology Group Inc., Mitral Systems Limited, Mr. Copy Inc., Nemo (AKS) Limited, NewField IT, NewField Information Technology LLC, NewField Information Technology Limited, Northeast Office Systems LLC, Osprey Business Systems Limited, PARC China Holdings Inc., Pacific Services and Development Corporation, Palo Alto Research Center Incorporated, Platinum Digital Print Solutions Limited, Precision Copier Service Inc., Quality Business Systems Inc., Quilver Business Services Limited, R. K. Dixon Company, RRXH Limited, RRXIL Limited, RRXO Limited, RSA Medical, Rabbit Copiers Inc., Reflex Digital Solutions (UK) Limited, Reprographics Egypt Limited, Saxon Business Systems Inc., Smart Data Consulting, SoCal Office Technologies Inc., Stem Networks Limited, Stewart Business Systems LLC, Stewart of Alabama Inc., StrataCare, Talegen Holdings Inc., Tektronix - color printing, Text Comm Limited (in receivership), The Xerox (UK) Trust, The Xerox Foundation, Time Business Systems Limited, Triton Business Finance Limited, Una-Stem Limited, Veenman B.V., Veenman Financial Services B.V., WDS, WaterWare Internet Services, XC Asia LLC, XC Global Trading B.V., XC Trading Hong Kong Limited, XC Trading Japan G.K., XC Trading Korea YH, XC Trading Malaysia Sdn. Bhd., XC Trading Shenzhen Co. Ltd., XC Trading Singapore Pte Ltd., XEROX CZECH REPUBLIC s r.o., XESystems Foreign Sales Corporation, XFS Secured Borrowing 2020-1 LLC, XHC Acquisition Corp., XMPie, XMPie Inc., XMPie Ltd., XRI Limited, XRO Limited, Xerox (Europe) Limited, Xerox (Ireland) Limited, Xerox (Nederland) BV, Xerox (Romania) Echipmante Si Servici S.A., Xerox (UK) Limited, Xerox (Ukraine) Ltd LLC, Xerox A/S, Xerox AG, Xerox AS, Xerox Argentina Industrial y Comercial S.A., Xerox Austria GmbH, Xerox Bulgaria EOOD, Xerox Business Equipment Limited, Xerox Business Services Bulgaria EOOD, Xerox Business Solutions Inc., Xerox Business Solutions Southeast LLC, Xerox Buro Araclari Servis ve Ticaret Ltd. Sti, Xerox Canada Inc., Xerox Canada Ltd., Xerox Canada N.S. ULC, Xerox Capital (Europe) Limited, Xerox Capital LLC, Xerox Computer Services Limited, Xerox Comercio e Industria Ltda, Xerox Corporation, Xerox DNHC LLC, Xerox Dienstleistungsgesellschaft GmbH, Xerox Distributor Operations Limited, Xerox Egypt S.A.E., Xerox Equipment Limited, Xerox Equipment UK Limited, Xerox Espana S.A.U., Xerox Exports Limited, Xerox Finance AG, Xerox Finance Leasing S.A.E., Xerox Finance Limited, Xerox Financial Services B.V., Xerox Financial Services Belux NV, Xerox Financial Services Canada Ltd., Xerox Financial Services Danmark A/S, Xerox Financial Services Finland Oy, Xerox Financial Services LLC, Xerox Financial Services Norway AS, Xerox Financial Services SAS, Xerox Financial Services Sverige AB, Xerox Foreign Holdings LLC, Xerox Foreign Sales Corporation, Xerox GmbH, Xerox Health Care LLC, Xerox Hellas AEE, Xerox Holding Deutschland GmbH, Xerox Holdings (Ireland) Limited, Xerox Holdings Inc., Xerox Hungary Trading Limited, Xerox IBS Limited, Xerox IBS NI Limited, Xerox India Limited, Xerox International Joint Marketing Inc., Xerox Investments Europe B.V., Xerox Israel Ltd., Xerox Italia Rental Services Srl, Xerox Kazakhstan Limited Liability Partnership, Xerox Latinamerican Holdings Inc., Xerox Leasing Deutschland GmbH, Xerox Leasing GmbH, Xerox Limited, Xerox Luxembourg SA, Xerox Mailing Systems Limited, Xerox Manufacturing (Nederland) B.V., Xerox Maroc S.A., Xerox Mexicana S.A. de C.V., Xerox Middle East Investments (Bermuda) Limited, Xerox N.V., Xerox Overseas Holdings Limited, Xerox Overseas Inc., Xerox Oy, Xerox Pensions Limited, Xerox Polska Sp. z o. o, Xerox Portugal Equipamentos de Escritorio Limitada, Xerox Products Limited, Xerox Products UK Limited, Xerox Professional Services Limited, Xerox Realty Corporation, Xerox Renting S.A.U., Xerox Reprographische Services GmbH, Xerox S.A.S., Xerox S.p.A., Xerox Secured Borrowing 2020-1 LLC, Xerox Servicios Compartidos Guatemala y Compani Limitada, Xerox Servicos e Participacoes Ltda, Xerox Shared Services Romania SRL, Xerox Sverige AB, Xerox Technology Services India LLP, Xerox Technology Services SAS, Xerox Telebusiness GmbH, Xerox Trading Enterprises Limited, Xerox Trinidad Limited, Xerox UK Holdings Limited, Xerox XHB Limited, Xerox XIB Limited, Xerox Xf Holdings (Ireland) DAC, Xerox de Chile S.A., Xerox del Ecuador S.A., Xerox del Peru S.A., Zeno Office Solutions, Zeno Office Solutions Inc., Zoom Imaging Solutions Inc., and inVentiv Patient Access Solutions. FREDERICKSBURG Blue Ridge Bankshares Inc. of Luray has signed an agreement to buy Virginia Community Bank of Louisa for $42.5 million. As part of the transaction, Blue Ridge said it will move its corporate headquarters to Charlottesville, according to a news release from both banks. The purchase gives Blue Ridge seven more branches in Central Virginia, including banks in Culpeper, Orange and Spotsylvania counties. According to the release, it also adds approximately $252 million in assets, $168 million in loans and $223 million in deposits to Blue Ridge, giving it a total of $826 million in assets, $635 million in loans and $664 million in deposits. Under the terms of the agreement, Virginia Community shareholders will receive either $58 in cash or 3.05 shares of Blue Ridge common stock for each share of Virginia Community common stock they hold. The transaction, announced Tuesday, has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both banks and final approval by regulators and shareholders is expected by the end of the year, the release said. Central and Western Virginia businesses, universities and marketing agencies recently were celebrated for their successful marketing moves. The Central Virginia chapter of the American Marketing Association which includes Charlottesville, the Shenandoah Valley, Lynchburg, Farmville, Roanoke and Blacksburg presented awards in eight categories at its Excellence in Marketing Awards gala May 9. Year after year, local marketers are raising the bar with the quality of work theyre producing, said Julia Prince, president of the local AMA chapter. Congratulations to all of our award recipients and thank you to everyone who celebrated with us at the gala. Sarah Elson, director of business relations at Massanutten Resort, won Marketer of the Year for her balancing of community service and business efforts. Elsons 12 years of leadership at Massanutten have garnered more than 20 local and national awards for the resort. She worked with local restaurants, helped to create a resort app and organized several music, food and running events at the resort to benefit Shenandoah Valley nonprofits and organizations. This entire rainstorm unfolded during the hours of darkness, Halverson said. The sound experience was overwhelming. Halverson said that some survivors got their first hints of the danger they were in through a different sense entirely. One sawmill worker was overwhelmed by the smell of sap he recognized in the air, which alerted him to the likelihood that many trees were coming down. The strong scent of earth alarmed others who grew up with a love for the land. Sundays event will explore ways in which modern technology has helped researchers get a better sense of what happened that night and why and how to help save lives during future storms. Radar coverage is much more widespread and more effective, and stream gauges and monitoring have improved, for instance. Halverson pointed to a more recent flooding event near his new hometown that showed some similar characteristics. Devastating flooding ripped through Elliott City, Maryland, in 2016 and again in 2018. People there had only a few minutes warning of the flooding, but they had the opportunity to evacuate vertically very quickly, he said. The ability to head upstairs in many buildings saved lives. Tibor Nagy devant le Congres americain capture d'ecran Tibor P. Nagy, United States Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs pulled another stunt on the on-going crisis in Cameroons North West and South West Regions as he addressed the US house of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs Thursday May 16. Ambassador Nagy said the government of Cameroon has done nothing to resolve the conflict in the North West and South West, despite President Paul Biyas earlier assurances that he will hold an all-inclusive dialogue to resolve the crisis. He was responding to questions put to him by members of the US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs. Ms Karen Ruth Bass asked: In terms of the crisis in Cameroon, in the Anglophone region, we know it has been worsening over the last 18 months. And so, I wanted to know what we are doing along with our diplomatic partners to encourage negotiation. To this, Honourable Nagy responded: Cameroon continues to be one of three countries that grieve my heart every night [the other two are Somalia and South Sudan]. I sat with President Biya a couple of months ago in Cameroon and he told me yes we are interested in dialogue, but the government has done nothing to show for. They have set up some institutions which have not done anything. We continue to press forward with our allies. Congressman Kenneth Robert Buck went back to the Cameroon dossier, stating that most Cameroon nationals are desperate to know what the US is doing to end the crisis. Buck asked: Ambassador Nagy, Thanks for your distinguished services to our country. I want to go back to Cameroon. I share chairman woman Basss interests there. I have a lot of Cameroon nationals who are desperate. You mentioned that the government had established some Potemkin institutions. What are they really doing to bring the two sides together? Could you elaborate on that? Nagy: I understand that the Cameroonian government established several commissions. The bilingualism commission is something which on the face of it sounds good. They have been a couple of these but they have not been provided adequate budget and they have not really done anything. Because what the country needs more than anything else is a genuine, open dialogue, probably to include the Diasporas of Cameroon because they have a great deal of interest in this. Because sir, what is happening is that both sides are becoming further and further radicalised. Unfortunately, I believe the President of Cameroon is being told by his hardliners that he can win this thing militarily. There is no way that they are going to win this thing militarily. The violence is going to get worst in the North West and the South West. The arm for an arm literarily an eye for an eye and the whole world will be blind there. The violence will spread to the west province. It may even spread to the littoral province which is the large city of Douala. So there has to be something. We are very very energetically speaking with our allies. We discussed it on Monday at the Arria Session of the UN Security Council. It is so clear that everybody wants to move forward on this given the open debate. Sanctions are on the table, everything is on the table moving forward. But we have to bring the situation to an end. Else, there is a possibility of what happened in Nigeria with Boko Haram. It started as a small movement and now look at it. And it will be disastrous for the region if the Cameroon government turns these things into yet another boko haram. What can we do that we are not already doing? Like I said, the best we can do for right now is to just work with our allies to really make the Cameroonian government understand the need for a real dialogue and if that doesnt happen relatively quickly, and then we have to look at the array of other tools we have in our toolkit because, frankly, the possibility of sanctions is always there. But it is always better to work in concert with our friends before we go in that direction. The frustrating thing is that it is in the interest of everybody to have a national dialogue. The situation will not end militarily. Each day, the atrocities will get worst and worst. Is the permanent separation of the two regions a possibility? Buck asked Nagy. I dont believe so because I think that most Cameroonians, including in the North West and South West regions have a sense of Cameroonianness. And the concept of a separate state to what they call Ambazonia in my view is not realistic. It is the view of the United States of America to recognise the integrity of the country of Cameroon. Irene Larsen was born on May 16, 1924, in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. She was the oldest of three children born to Archer and Thelma Poole. Irene grew up in Mt. Vernon and made the top grades for her entire elementary school each year with the top honor of a book donated to the library every year in her name. Irene found her love of dance early when her high school played Jitterbug music in the gym at lunch and she chose to dance her lunchtime away rather than eat. Irene wished to become a fashion designer, but there was no money to send her to college, so after high school graduation, Irene left for Chicago to live with her favorite aunt, Lora, who was only two years older than her. Irene scored very high in intelligence tests and was assigned to read blueprints and manage women building weapons for World War II in a converted washing machine factory. In her spare time, Irene and her Aunt Lora went with friends to go ballroom dancing every week at the beautiful Aragon and Trianon Ballrooms in Chicago, where all the iconic big bands played. She met Arnold Lee Poole (no relation), as they happened to live in the same large apartment building in Chicago. Irene married Arnold in 1948 and they moved to Endicott, New York when her husband was promoted to an Electrical Engineer for IBM there. Irene did volunteer work for the Jaycees and Faith at Work doing Missionary work in every state in the Union and Bermuda. She became the first woman Ordained Deacon of a Christian denomination in the area and designed the new church they subsequently built. Irene accepted a job selling large, beautiful, leather wrapped, $50 Bibles door-to-door in Binghamton, N.Y. in the mid-1950s and became the top Bible salesperson in the U.S. She also modeled couture fashion in a weekly television fashion show for Drazen's City of Fashion. Arnold and Irene had a son, Bruce, and then a daughter, Taryn, before they all moved to Campbell, California in early 1962. They also decided to divorce, which was finalized later that same year. Irene met Milton Larsen in 1963 and they married later that year at a Mission in Carmel. Milt wanted Irene to have a beautiful home and they built this home in Los Altos Hills. This was the second home that Irene designed and had custom built. This new home included a sunken living room, a recessed conversation area, as well as a two-sided, two-story fireplace. There were many happy Christmases spent there. The family moved to Rhode Island in 1969, and purchased a 30-acre property in Hopkinton, R.I. in 1970. Irene began collecting antiques with a passion and decided to build an Antique Shop named Fox Run Country Store. She became an Antique Dealer and expert Appraiser for over 30 years; specializing in Lighting, Asian art, Jewelry, Furniture and Primitives. Irene developed a love of hats in her 20s, wore them constantly throughout her life and was often simply referred to as "the hat lady". During this time, Milt and Irene bought property in Charlottesville, Va., in 1988. Milt passed away of Parkinson's in June, 1994, leaving Irene a widow and she did not remarry. At the age of 81, Irene sold the 30-acre property in Hopkinton, R.I. and moved to Charlottesville, Va., in 2005. She built a beautiful home on that property. This was the third home that she designed (this time with her daughter, due to failing eyesight from AMD) and had custom built which includes gothic arches and stained glass windows as well as a Holy Spirit Window. This new home was completed by late January, 2007. Irene continued to go dancing into her late 80s, loved to go clothes shopping with her best friend, Penny, loved to attend church on Sunday and had a love of life that was unparalleled to those who knew her. For over 10 years, Irene was able to enjoy her new home, with the help of her son and daughter, Bruce and Taryn, as well as eventually, more care giving assistance. Irene accepted our Lord, Jesus Christ when she was only 12 years old and has been a Missionary for the Lord all of her life. She has led many people to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior in person as well as over the telephone. Irene passed away very peacefully in her sleep on November 23, 2018, at 94 years old, right here in her home, just as she had preferred. She is survived by her sister, Erma Jean Jones as well as her brother, Harold Poole. She also left behind her children, Bruce and Taryn Poole. If you knew Irene and would like to attend, you are invited to a Celebration of Life Service that will be held at Broadus Memorial Baptist Church, 1525 Stony Point Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22911, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 25, 2019. Responding to Purpose of job at university raises alarm (The Daily Progress, May 12) in which the letter writer criticizes the University of Virginias approach in hiring a new vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion: The authors concern for the systemic discrimination against white students and faculty at UVa is among the more ridiculous statements Ive ever read. The rhetorical move of invoking Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s visionary hope that we would know people by the quality of their characters rather than the color of their skin indicates that the author knows nothing about Dr. Kings life and work beyond sound bites from the 1963 March on Washington. Even a cursory reading of Dr. Kings Wikipedia page would produce a more thorough understanding. Additionally, the authors ignorance of social dynamics and American history more generally share dangerous company. Similar concerns were among the core sentiments that a host of white supremacists chanted on UVas campus in August 2017. Notably, his letter was published 21 months to the day since they brutalized our community and one of them committed an act of terror. North West Governor LELE L'Afrique Flanked By Close Aides Visiting Check Points Wilson MUSA The Governor of North West region, Adolphe Lele Lafrique will this Saturday May 18, install members of the newly created committee to evaluate property damaged at the Muwachu, Alachu and Matsam in Mankon, North West as a result of a fire incident, check military excesses. A May 15 decision signed by the governor, says the commission would evaluate the humanitarian situation, identify all victims and their needs, and ascertain material damages and property destroyed. The Senior Divisional Officer for Mezam, Songa Pierre has been appointed president of the commission, the regional delegate of State Property, surveys and Land Tenure as rapporteur, with members such as the Divisional Officer of Bamenda II, the commander of the Army rescue unit ,the Fon of Mankon, Mayor of Bamenda II council amongst other administrative officials in Bamenda II subdivision. The commission is expected to present a report within one week on the situation on the ground. President Paul Biya reacted promptly according to local officials, to the needs of those in distress, following the attacks. So far, no village burnt down in the course of this crisis, has been shown this immediate concern like the Alachu or Mile 8 Mankon community. Many believe it is as a result of constant reports from nongovernmental organisations focusing on human rights violations carried out by the military in the North West and South West as well as the recent pressure on Cameroonian authorities by foreign countries, that has pushed the government to react this quick. Ambazonia fighters killed two soldiers around Mile 8 Alachu Mankon on Wednesday, May 15. This led to a retaliation and man-hunt exercise from the military said to have destroyed more than 100 houses, a local clinic and cars amongst others. The Mayor of Bamenda II, Balick Awah Fidelis, revealed that some 200 persons were affected by the attack. The military has often accused civilians in the Anglophone regions of collaborating with armed separatists, making it difficult for the army to fish out their enemies. The attack came few days after Prime Minister, Dr. Dion Ngute, was on a peace mission to Bamenda, capital of the region. Re-elected Chair of MALAMPA Provincial Council, Councillor Norbert Ngpang, in the background is the outgoing SG, Neil Netaf. IOC has a term deal to buy 5.6 million tonnes from Saudi Aramco in the financial year 2019-20 that started on April 1. New Delhi: Saudi Aramco will supply state-run Indian Oil Corp Ltd (IOC) an extra 2 million barrels of crude a month from July to December, an IOC executive said on Friday, as New Delhi seeks to make up for a loss in supplies from Iran. Saudi Arabia approached Indian buyers last month offering them additional supplies to compensate for lost Iranian oil after US sanctions kicked in. The United States, which imposed new sanctions on Iran in November, initially gave Indian and seven other buyers a six-month waiver to allow them to continue importing Iranian oil. Those waivers have not been renewed. IOC has a term deal to buy 5.6 million tonnes from Saudi Aramco in the financial year 2019-20 that started on April 1 and an option to buy additional 2 million tonnes. We have told them we will be taking 2 million barrels every month for six months from July (about 1.6 million tonnes in total) and they have agreed, said A K Sharma, IOC finance director. India, Irans top client after China, has close diplomatic ties with Iran but wants to work closely with the United States. In 2012, when Iran was under a previous round of sanctions, Saudi Arabia and Iraq raised their Asian market share. Since then, trade has shifted as US and other crude supplies have come to the market. India had bought about 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian oil under the six-month U.S. sanctions waiver. Only state refiners, accounting for about 60 per cent of Indias 5 million bpd refining capacity, purchased oil from Iran since November. India imported about 304,500 bpd Iranian oil between January and April 2019. IOC, which was the biggest Indian buyer of Iranian oil in 2018-19, has not signed an annual contract to buy oil from Iran this fiscal year. IOC has been diversifying its suppliers. We have requested Saudi Arabia for additional oil. We have optional contracts with ADNOC, Kuwait and Mexico. We will ask them also for extra supplies if required, Sharma said. IOC has signed separate annual contracts with Norways Equinor and Algerias Sonatrach to buy 4.6 million tonnes of US oil in 2019, he said. Buying from the US was a message to the market that we are diversifying, he said, adding that with the lost of Iranian oil the supplies from US are definitely helping us. AstraZeneca, in the petition, alleged that the proposed generic of Daliresp, which is a prescribed medication for adults with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to decrease the number of flare-ups. Hyderabad: In a petition filed in the US district court, pharma major Astra-Zeneca alleged that city-based Aurobindo Pharma is planning to launch a generic version of its patented drug Daliresp (Roflumilast Tablet 500 mcg). AstraZeneca, in the petition, alleged that the proposed generic of Daliresp, which is a prescribed medication for adults with severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) to decrease the number of flare-ups, would infringe the patents on three counts and requested the court to pass an injunction order against manufacturing, importing and selling it in the USA. AstraZeneca prayed for a permanent injunction, restraining and enjoining Aurobindo Pharma from making, using, selling, offering to sell, or importing any product that infringes the 206, 064, and 142 patent, including Dalisrep. A pharma firms senior official said such cases are not uncommon for generic makers in the US. These facts and figures should bring cheers to Indian tea growers, The ndian Tea Association (ITA) says payments from Pakistan are regular and if the rising trend continues Indian can expect 20-25 million kg of exports this year. Kolkata: Pulwama terrorist attack and Balakot airstrike seem to have failed to dampen India's tea exports to Pakistan. In fact, it has gone up quite significantly. Higher import of Indian tea by Pakistan has more been by compulsion than by choice. Kenya had been experiencing a drought like situation, resulting in a substantial drop in its tea output and that in turn led to shooting up of prices by 15 to 20 per cent at the Mombassa auction. Pakistan therefore hardly had a choice but to import larger quantity of tea from India. If this trend continues, India's tea export to Pakistan could rise to 20-25 million kg in 2019 from 15.83 million kg in 2018. This has also to be seen in light of the fact that Paki-stan had registered a 35.8 per cent rise in per capita consumption of tea between 2007 and 2016, according to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the UN. At present, Pakistanis consume 172,911 tonne of black tea, and the figure is expected to rise to 250,755 tonne by 2027, as per FAO estimates. These facts and figures should bring cheers to Indian tea growers, The ndian Tea Association (ITA) says payments from Pakistan are regular and if the rising trend continues Indian can expect 20-25 million kg of exports this year. There is more good news. India is heading for higher tea production in 2019, going by the first quarter trend, which has reversed the falling trend. As per Tea Board's official statistics, India's tea production in March rose to 74.59 million kg (mkg) from 61.04 mkg in March 2018, which is an increase of 13.55 mkg or 22.20 per cent. From January to March, the cumulative production of tea rose to 103.61 mkg from 92.20 mkg, a gain of 11.41 mkg, or 12.38 per cent. North Indian teas, dormant from December 2018 due to the Tea Boards order to close operations in winter to get rid of sub-standard teas, have now started to hit the market. Production from the North in Q1 rose to 64.13 mkg. The accused arrived at the victims residence once again on the following Wednesday, and this time, her relatives noticed and tried to stop them but to no avail. They took the girl to Kuncherukals graveyard, molested her and then dropped her off at the Pragnapur bus stop on Thursday and fled. (Representational Image) Hyderabad: Five out of six violators involved in the gangrape of a 16-year-old girl in Rayavaram village, Jagdevpur mandal were arrested by the Gajwel police on Sunday. According to the police, the main accused Shivarathri Venkat befriended the victim through the phone and introduced himself to her as Venkat. During their conversations, he promised to marry her, and after a month of chatting on the phone, the accused visited the victim at her place in Rayavaram village late at night and took her to Kuncherukals graveyard in Gajwel on his two-wheeler. Once there, the accused, along with three of his friends, sexually assaulted the girl. Around 11.00 pm on the following Wednesday, the accused once again showed up at her residence and asked her to go with them. When she refused, they threatened her of dire consequences. Afraid, the victim gave in. They then took her near Gopalpur T-road on the outskirts of Thimmapur and gangraped her again. The accused arrived at the victims residence once again on the following Wednesday, and this time, her relatives noticed and tried to stop them but to no avail. They took the girl to Kuncherukals graveyard, molested her and then dropped her off at the Pragnapur bus stop on Thursday and fled. Following receipt of the complaint, the Jagdevpur police registered a case under sections 376 (D), 366 (A), and 386 of the IPC, and under relevant sections of the POCSO Act and the SC/ST Atrocities Act. On Sunday, they nabbed five accused namely Shivarathri Venkat, Shivaratri Anjaneyulu, A. Parashu Ramulu, A. Rajini Kanth, and Mohammed Raheem Pasha, while the sixth accused named Sriramulu is absconding. Amandeep Singh Sovti, a tourist from Mohali in Punjab, was killed when the pilot lost control of the paraglider. (Photo: File I Representational) Manali: A 24-year-old man was killed and another person was injured after a paraglider met with an accident at Solang Valley in Himachal Pradesh's Manali on Saturday. Amandeep Singh Sovti, a tourist from Mohali in Punjab, was killed when the pilot lost control of the paraglider. The pilot was admitted to a hospital in Manali and was undergoing treatment. Police have registered a case in the matter. Amandeep's body will be handed over to his family after an autopsy is done, they said. RAMESWARAM: Ten years have gone by since the Sri Lankan Armed forces vanquished the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), but we are still refugees with no equal citizenship rights, lamented Vishwanathan, a Sri Lankan Tamil refugee at the main Mandapam camp near here on Sunday, disapproving the Island-Governments celebration of this day to mark its military victory. For the Sri Lankan Tamils and Tamils in other parts of the world, this day (May 19) is a painful reminder of the anguish of the Tamils and an occasion to condemn the genocide that was then perpetuated by the Sri Lankan Army, Vishwanathan rued, echoing the sentiments of the Island-Tamil refugees living in Tamil Nadu. It was not a military victory (for the Sri Lankan government) but genocide against the Tamils there, if you recall the plight of three lakh innocent Tamils who had moved out of Mullivaikal then and were at the mercy of the Sri Lankan Army, he recalled. In the last ten years after the cessation of the civil war, we still have not got justice; we have no equal citizenship rights, we continue to be stateless people, living as refugees, he said summing up the mood in the Mandapam camp. The Island-government celebrating this day was uncalled for, he added. Sharing similar sentiments at the Mandapam refugee camp was Nagamuthu Kumar: Since the Sri Lankan government announced the final defeat of the LTTE this day in 2009 in the last days of the civil war, till now there has been no change in our position. They assured elected provincial governments would be in place, but only ethnic hatred is on the rise. There is no economic development, we are unable to trace our lost relatives and there is no security for the Tamils yet, he cried. Hence for the SL government to gloat over this day as victory day is unacceptable, Nagamuthu Kumar added. Bhopal: Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtars goof-up on elections in Bhopal Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh has invited him derision in social media. The actor was under impression that Bhopal was going to polls in the final phase of parliamentary elections on Sunday. Accordingly, he made an appeal to voters of Bhopal to exercise their franchise on Sunday. He had perhaps no knowledge that Bhopal had already gone to polls on May 12. A tweet by Mr Farhan said, Dear electorate of Bhopal, its time for you to save your city from another full-of-gas tragedy. #Choose Love Not Hate. Members of Twitterati pounced on him for making an appeal to voters of Bhopal a week after elections were held in the constituency. Hyderabad: Exit poll surveys which were out on Sunday have weakened Telangana state Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Raos chances of forming a federal government at the Centre. As for the Lok Sabha, it come as a surprise to Mr Rao that the NDA would form the government at the Centre. Though the exit polls predicted that the lions share of seats would go to the TRS in the state, they also predicted that the ruling BJP-led NDA would effortlessly come to power again at the Centre. Mr Rao, who is batting for the Federal Front since his landslide victory in December 2018 Assembly elections, had just a day before the exit polls, expressed confidence of forming a non-Congress and non-BJP government with regional parties, at the Centre. As per the exit polls, the TRS will likely win 12 seats and others Congress, BJP and MIM will share the remaining five. To push for his Federal Front, Mr Rao has been meeting party leaders like Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Naveen Patnaik, P. Vijayan, former PM Deve Gowda, M.K. Stalin and also Jagan Mohan Reddy. But many of these party leaders differed with him. Only the YSRC in Andhra Pradesh and the AIMIM have openly lent their support to KCRs Federal Front initiative. Meanwhile, TRS cadres and leaders are jubilant at the exit polls predicting a win for the TRS in the state with the main Opposition parties, the Congress and the BJP losing ground in the state, and the Telugu Desam losing ground in AP. They are still hopeful that the actual results will paint a different picture at the Centre. Party leaders point out that in the 2014 elections, the UPA had just 60 seats and now all the predictions show that the UPA will cross the century mark and also an increase in the seats of other parties. Following are the predictions of exit polls of various agencies for Telangana state. The India Today-My Axis poll predicted that the K. Chandrasekhar Rao-led TRS would secure anywhere between 10 and 12 seats, and the Congress is projected to win 1 to 3 seats, while the BJP is also expected to bag 1 to 3 seats. AIMIM is predicted to get 0 to 1 seat. While the Times Now-VMR polls predicts 13 seats for the TRS, it predicted 2 seats for Congress and 1 for the BJP. Asaduddin Owaisi is projected to win 1 seat. The Republic-C Voter exit polls predicts 14 seats for the TRS and 1 for the Congress, 1 for the BJP and 1 for the MIM. The Republic-Jan Ki Baat poll has predicted the TRS getting 14 to 15 seats and the Congress 0 to 1. It predicted the BJP will get 1 seat and the MIM 1 seat. The CNN News18-IPSOS predicted that the TRS would win a comfortable 12 to 14 seats, the Congress would pick up 1 to 2 seats, the BJP 1 to 2 seats and the AIMIM would get 1. News24-Chanakya has predicted the TRS to win 14 to 16 seats, the Congress, the BJP and the MIM to win zero to 1 seat each. The Association in a statement said that no government order had stipulated admissions to girl students alone. (Representional Image) Kochi: The Trained Nurses' Association of India has asked the State Government to annul the admission notification by the Association of the Management of Christian Self Financing Nursing Colleges-Kerala denying admission to boy students in the management seats in certain colleges under it. The Association in a statement said that no government order had stipulated admissions to girl students alone. The admission to professional colleges is conducted under the supervision of the Admission Supervisory Committee appointed by the Government. Both girls and boys have to get equal consideration in admission to nursing courses as per the standards stipulated by the Indian Nursing Council, Kerala Nursing Council and Kerala University of Health Sciences. The Association also pointed out that as per the order of the Supreme Court, merit should be the basis for the management admission as well. "Hence the current notification violates all norms and standards," said its president Dr Sona P. S. She pointed out that decades ago a government order issued based on a High Court order had removed the 1:10 boy-girl ratio in nursing admissions. "It is to be noted that the government had issued NOC to these colleges in question, not as women's colleges. It is to be suspected that the agitations led by boys in certain colleges for them not adhering to the norms stipulated by the nursing council and KUHS, may have prompted the colleges to make such a move. This shows gender bias and challenges the rule of law. If such a move is persisted with, we will be forced to proceed legally against it," said Biju S. V., its secretary. New Delhi: Mr Modi had made national security and fighting terror one of his key campaign points to blunt Opposition attacks on his handling of the economy. The Prime Minister also attempted to paint the Congress as corrupt and run down effort by Opposition parties to consolidate votes against the ruling NDA, calling them "power hungry". An election exit poll is a poll of voters taken immediately after they exit the polling stations. The survey was conducted after each round of voting starting from the first on 11 April. The EC, however, did not allow the exit poll outcome to be released till the last vote was cast in the seventh phase. Mr Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah had declared that the BJP would win a clear majority on its own with 300-plus seats. The Congress had, off and on, made a similar claim of a majority but as the elections came close to the finishing line, Mr Gandhi spoke about a majority for the "secular formation". New Delhi: As polling for the Lok Sabha election ended, Congress president Rahul Gandhi Sunday hit out at the Election Commission, saying its "capitulation" before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his gang is obvious. He trained his guns on the poll body, saying it is no longer "feared and respected", as he listed a host of examples in this regard, including Modi's visit to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. "From Electoral Bonds and EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, 'Modi's Army' and now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commission's capitulation before Mr Modi and his gang is obvious to all Indians," Gandhi tweeted. "The EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore," he wrote. The Congress party, including Gandhi, have been accusing the Election Commission of being "biased" and "partial". Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also hit out at the EC saying, "Our charge had been that the EC was sleeping on the job. Now, we can go further and say that the EC completely surrendered its independence and authority. Shame!" "Polling is over. Now we can say that the 'pilgrimage' of the PM in the last two days is an unacceptable use of religion and religious symbols to influence the voting," Chidambaram alleged. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and Telugu Desam national president. N. Chandrababu Naidu has stated the fact that he has been fighting against the use of electronic voting machines (EVMs) and has been a strong proponent for the use of VVPATs since 2009, unlike senior leaders of the ruling government who have had flipped sides on the subject depending on how much it benefitted them or not. Recalling a conversation he had previously with the Prime Minister of Singapore, Naidu mentioned how a technologically dependent country like Singapore does not use EVMs in its electoral process and has instead been opting for paper ballots process. He participated in a consultation on Strengthening Transparency, Accountability and Independence of the Election Commission and the Electoral Process held at the India International Centre in New Delhi. Speaking to the hallowed audience, Naidu restated how he, along with senior leaders of 21 political parties, have been condemning the current electoral process of India for the clear lack of transparency and what can be termed as ethics. He stated that India is a vibrant country and is one of the largest democracies in the world. To maintain this position, the country needed a fair and transparent system of electing its leaders and representatives. However, he said: When we oppose the Central Government, we face a lot of problems with the ruling government acting in vendetta. The Supreme Court has rejected the petition put forward by 21 political parties asking for 50 per cent verification of VVPATs to ensure accountability in the electoral process. While we respect the decision of the Supreme Court, we promise to continue our fight to bring transparency in the election process. Naidu stated that when they approached the Election Commission, they were told that ceding to their demand of counting of 50 per cent VVPATs will delay the entire results by a period of at least 6 days which they were not prepared to do. He argued by saying that VVPATs can be counted on the same number of tables (14) that are being used by EVMs and can be done in the presence of a counting agent and an observation officer to ensure that the counting takes place in a fair and transparent manner. He also argued that the counting of polls cast by EVMs first and then a random selection of five VVPATs will throw up a lot of discrepancies in the overall counting and this should be done across all constituencies. Naidu said that irrespective of who wins or loses this election, it is our task to ensure voters full and fair democratic procedure. The remarks had resulted in a major row, with the BJP and AIADMK tearing into Haasan, even as cases were filed against him in Tamil Nadu and Delhi. (Photo: File) Chennai: Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan, who has found himself in a row over his Indias first extremist was a Hindu remarks, Sunday called Mahatma Gandhi a superstar. Pointing out that he has been repeatedly reading about Gandhi and his life, Haasan recalled an anecdote where the latter once lost his slipper while travelling in a train. ...he (Gandhi) is a superstar. While waving at the crowds standing in a train, he once lost his slipper. And he threw away the other one and reasoned that a pair of footwear will be useful for someone, he said at an event of director R Pathibans movie titled Ottha Seruppu, meaning single chappal. Talking more on Gandhis footwear, Haasan said following research on the Indian freedom movements doyen for his film Hey Ram, he came to know that his spectacles and a slipper went missing during the melee, apparently referring to his assassination. So I created a scene where Saketram (the lead played by himself) takes it (slipper) and keeps it till his death, he said. Caught in a row for saying that Nathuram Godse, who shot dead Gandhi, was a Hindu and that he was free Indias first extremist, Haasan said he cannot accept a villain as a hero. On the incident where footwear was hurled during his campaigning at Thirupparankundram near Madurai recently, he said it is an insult for the one who threw the chappal. Indicating that Gandhi was his hero, Haasan said I cannot change my hero. I cannot change my hero, cant accept the villain as hero, he said, without mentioning who he was referring to. However, the apparent reference seemed to be Godse. Earlier, stoking a controversy, Haasan had said free Indias first extremist was a Hindu, referring to Godse. I am not saying this because this is a Muslim dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Free Indias first extremist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it (extremism) starts, he had said in bypoll bound Aravakurichi. The remarks had resulted in a major row, with the BJP and AIADMK tearing into Haasan, even as cases were filed against him in Tamil Nadu and Delhi. However, the Congress state unit and rationalist outfit Dravidar Kazhagam backed him. Kumar was talking to reporters after casting his vote at a polling station located at a government school near Raj Bhavan here. (Photo: File) Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday strongly condemned BJP's Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur's controversial remark describing assassin of Mahatama Gandhi, Nathuram Godse as "patriot' and said BJP should consider expelling her from the party. Kumar, president of BJP's strong ally JD(U), made it clear that his party would not tolerate such things. "This is highly condemnable. We will not tolerate all these things (Thakur's statement terming Godse as patriot). Bapu is the father of the nation and people will not like if anyone talks about Godse in this manner," Kumar said. Kumar was talking to reporters after casting his vote at a polling station located at a government school near Raj Bhavan here. It falls under Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat, where Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha is locked in an intense contest with Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad. In reply to a query whether the BJP should expel her from the party, Kumar said that "it must be considered." He, however, was quick to add that though "it is an internal matter of the BJP, but so far as country or ideology is concerned, there is no question of tolerating such things." Kumar said that he has categorically stated that it is completely in the domain of party to give reaction or take action against the person who made such remarks. In reply to a query, Kumar said that he has never compromised over 3Cs "crime, corruption and communalism". Pragya Thakur kicked a row by describing Godse as 'deshbhakt'. She, however, apologised over the controversial remark after being pulled up by her party. During a roadshow in MP, Thakur had said that "Nathuram Godseji deshbhakt the, hain, air rahenge, unko aatankwadi kahne wale log swayam ki gireban me jhank kar dekhe chunav main aise logon ko jawab de diya jayega (Nathuram Godse was a patriot, is a patriot and will remain a patriot. Those who call him a terrorist should look within they will get a reply in this election. It may be noted that Prime Ministet Narendra Modi on May 17 had said that he will never forgive BJP candidate Pragya Thakur for insulting Mahatma Gandhi by calling his assassin Nathuram Godse a "true patriot". Modi, who had told a TV channel during his last rally at Khargone in Madhya Pradesh on May 17, said that "the remarks made about Gandhiji or Nathuram Godse are very bad and very wrong for society. She has sought an apology but I would never be able to forgive her fully." BJP president Amit Shah had also condemned the remarks and said that remarks on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin by three leaders - Thakur, Union minister Anantkumar Hegde and Karnataka MP Nalin Kumar - were not in line with the party's ideology. Shah had said that party's disciplinary committee has sought an explanation from them in 10 days. Keep yourself updated on Lok Sabha Elections 2019 with our round-the-clock coverage -- breaking news, updates, analyses et all. Happy reading. A total of 918 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are in the fray in this last phase of ongoing polls. (Photo: File) New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday urged people, especially first-time voters, to exercise their democratic right in the seventh and last phase of the Lok Sabha elections. "Today is the final phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. I urge all those voting in this phase to vote in record numbers. Your one vote will shape India's development trajectory in the years to come. I also hope first-time voters vote enthusiastically," Modi tweeted. Today is the final phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. I urge all those voting in this phase to vote in record numbers. Your one vote will shape Indias development trajectory in the years to come. I also hope first time voters vote enthusiastically. Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2019 A total of 918 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, are in the fray in this last phase of ongoing polls. The Prime Minister is seeking re-election from Varanasi and is contesting against Ajay Rai of the Congress and Samajwadi Party (SP) candidate Shalini Yadav. Polling for the seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha elections began on Sunday in 59 seats spread across seven states and one Union Territory in the country. The counting of voting will begin 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. Vijayawada: Telugu Desam supremo and Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, N. Chandrababu Naidu, who has been busy meeting leaders of several parties for the last two days in Delhi as part of building an alliance of Opposition parties against the NDA, on Sunday met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi. The meeting assumed significance in the midst of reports that Sonia Gandhi has invited all non-NDA political parties to a meeting on May 23. There were reports that she wanted to invite TDs opponent parties, the Telangana Rashtra Samiti and the YSR Congress party. Amid such reports Mr Naidu meeting Sonia Gandhi gained importance. It is learnt that Mr Naidu briefed Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi about the meetings he had with Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Saturday in Lucknow. The SP-BSP combo has not been supportive of the Congress and Mr Naidu has been playing a key role in bringing the varying forces on the same platform. He also met Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar on Sunday. The aspirations of Mayawati and Trinamul chief Mamata Banerjee are an open secret and Mr Naidu has a tough task ahead in bringing all these opposition parties on to a single platform and building a consensus against the BJP in the event of a hung parliament. On May 23, the Indian publics electoral mandate will emerge. The shape of the next government may also become clear. That largely depends on the ruling BJPs numbers. Logic dictates that the BJP may not repeat its 2014 performance, when it won almost every seat in key Hindi belt states, other than Bihar. Thus, the best-case scenario for the BJP is to not need support from outside its existing alliance partners. The fate of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Israeli friend Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is instructive. Having again beaten Likuds opponents, he stands checkmated by a notional ally, right-of-centre leader Avigdar Liberman, who won only five seats but subscribes to right-wing, secular values. Without him, Mr Netanyahu has 60 out of 120 members. But the ultra-orthodox group of 21 members opposes Mr Liberman because of his proposed amendment to the conscription law to make orthodox youth subject to military service. The Israeli President gave a final two weeks to Mr Netanyahu to present his coalition. It is imaginable that Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar could play a similar role in Mr Modis next coalition by stymieing BJP oddballs like Pragya Singh Thakur or an old ally like the Shiv Sena. Meanwhile, the world has not waited for the tiresome Indian electoral process to be over. Balancing between the United States, Russia, China, Japan and the European Union has continued apace. The elections to the European Parliament will begin on May 23, the day of the Indian vote count, and end by May 26. It will be interesting how people vote in a post-Brexit, populism fed and anti-globalisation driven Europe. Traditional parties were arranged left or right of centre in the post-war period. The Economist calls the European election pitting nationalists against pro-Europeans and established parties against insurgents of all stripes. Simultaneously, the trade war between the US and China, which seemed abating, has reignited. President Donald Trump has dug in by raising tariffs on $200 billion Chinese imports from 10 per cent to 25 per cent. New tariffs were also likely on remainder $225 billion worth of goods. The initial estimates are that immediately while the US GDP will suffer by about 0.31 per cent, the loss to the Chinese economy will be 1.22 per cent. In future, the effect will converge to 0.57 per cent for China and 0.49% for the US. But US farmers and consumers are already feeling the effect. According to one analyst, the US will have to choose between slowing Chinas ascent and its sought-after geopolitical primacy and maximising prosperity at home. So far, and fortuitously for Japan and India, Mr Trump has chosen the first. Japan has not merely relied on the US to manage China. It operationalised the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Mr Trump had abandoned, with the 11 remaining members, making it a major economic grouping. If the US had joined it would have amounted to 40 per cent of global trade under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Japan has also finalised a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU. On the other hand, Japanese PM Shinzo Abe has used the Sino-US spat to reach out to China, visiting it in October last year. He expects Chinese President Xi Jinping to visit Japan for the G-20 summit on June 28-29. China reduced its provocative military incursions in the East China Sea and near the Japanese-controlled Senkaku islands. Japan, like India, holds the cards on the Chinese-advocated Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), that is constructed around Asean and Asian nations. Japan is simultaneously wooing Mr Trump, inviting him to be the first visitor, starting May 25, to visit Japan after the accession of the new emperor. Australia, the other member of the Quadrilateral, a grouping of four democracies of the Indo-Pacific (besides Australia, including India, Japan and the US), held parliamentary elections on May 18. The surprise winner has been the ruling Liberal alliance, which has kept challenger Labour out of play. Thus, Australias tense relations with China and support to a defiant military posture would persist. Like Mr Abe, the next Indian Prime Minister will have to undertake subtle balancing between emerging poles consisting of the US on one side and China and Russia on the other. US secretary of state Mike Pompeo visited Russia to try and keep Russia from aligning too closely with China. Russian President Vladimir Putin understands this game and realises that the Trump administration is hampered in accommodating him strategically due to allegations of cosiness between Trump the candidate and Russians. Attempting to regain its pre-Soviet Union breakup influence, at least in its periphery and West Asia, Russia is playing spoilsport wherever US interests interpose. The latest example is in helping the regime in Venezuela survive popular protests despite US goading from the sidelines. Unfortunately, the Modi government allowed itself to get mired in Pakistan-bashing for electoral purposes to divert attention from a mismanaged economy and social tensions caused by divisions of caste, faith and ethnicity. The US is treating the UN listing of Masood Azhar as major strategic help to India, realising it was useful for Mr Modi electorally. However, like the listing of Hafiz Saeed in 2008 after the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai, it is of symbolic value unless Pakistan honestly stops sponsoring jihadi groups. Otherwise there will be a short hiatus and resurrection of the same operatives in a new guise. It is good that the IMFs conditions for the $6 billion facility include Pakistani action on terror funding. The next Indian Prime Minister has to loosen the China-Pakistan alliance by a combination of rewards and punishments. Balakot is a one-off that will be difficult to repeat. But Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) does threaten Chinese investment in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The Chinese economy is being impacted by US tariffs and thus even China has to rethink its position in Asia. If it seeks dominance by using surrogates like Pakistan and North Korea, or direct military action like occupying vast amounts of the South China Sea, then its course is uncertain. It can recalibrate its Asia policy and help create a harmonious new order. India needs a Prime Minister with historical sense, requisite knowledge and finesse to achieve this. Diplomacy can have theatrical moments, like US President Richard Nixon visiting Beijing, but it cannot be mere theatre sans strategic content or a convenient tool for winning elections. With Prime Minister Narendra Modi focused on taking the oath as PM again immediately after the Lok Sabha results, as he strongly indicated on Friday at the press conference of BJP president Amit Shah, the best the Opposition parties may pray for is that the BJP doesnt emerge as the largest party in Parliament. But since this can only be known on May 23, the political moves animating the various efforts in the Opposition camp are aimed at roping in regional parties that are neither NDA nor UPA to not back the BJPs bid for power if it turns out that the BJP is actually the party with the most seats, even if this number is at a modest level. Being the largest party makes for a stronger claim than any other scenario if the election throws up a hung Parliament. But President Ram Nath Kovinds moves will be watched closely. Mechanically following the rulebook has its pitfalls. In 1996, Atal Bihari Vajpayee was sworn in on this basis but the PM-designate bowed out in 13 days. He couldn't get other parties to support him. This is the move the Opposition will try to replicate, unless the Congress can beat the BJP to being the largest party in the Lok Sabha. TDP leader and Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu has lobbied with top Opposition players in UP, Maharashtra and West Bengal for this. UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhis emissaries are out to persuade the BJD and YSR Congress along the same lines. It will be interesting to see how so many parties are coordinated in a compressed timeframe. The company is owned by Facebook Global Holdings II in Ireland and will focus on developing the hardware and software for digital currency-related functions. Facebook wants to be part of the exciting world of digital currency and before any other technology giant takes the leap, the social networking service has reportedly started working on its virtual money in Switzerland. According to a Swiss news site Handelszeitung, Facebook has set up a company called Libra Networks in Geneva that will help CEO Mark Zuckerberg build the cryptocurrency. The company is owned by Facebook Global Holdings II in Ireland and will focus on developing the hardware and software for digital currency-related functions including payments, financing, identity management, big data, analytics, and blockchain. Click on Deccan Chronicle Technology and Science for the latest news and reviews. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter. If the Bill passes into law, it says, New Yorkers can expect to be fined from $25 to $250 if police catch them using a portable electronic device while crossing a roadway. New Delhi: New York states Senate is considering a Bill banning texting while walking on the streets. It could attract a fine for reckless behaviour, news reports said. If the Bill passes into law, it says, New Yorkers can expect to be fined from $25 to $250 if police catch them using a portable electronic device while crossing a roadway. Some people would be exempted, including an emergency response operator and employees of a hospital, physicians office or fire department, among others. About 300 pedestrian fatalities occur annually in New York state. John Liu, the New York state senator who introduced the Bill, is determined to lower that figure significantly. [The Bill] does not say you cant talk on the phone, it quoted the senator as saying. Were talking about handheld devices you can wait the five seconds to get to the other side. Its a terribly misguided bill, Marco Conner, the interim executive director of Transportation Alter-natives, a group committed to reclaiming the streets of New York City in favour of walking, biking and public transit, said. Barely any data is being cited. Most traffic fatalities nationwide involve some kind of driver. Its victim-blaming in disguise. He fears the law would heighten racial discrimination by police. Its a recipe for subjective and discretionary policing, he said. Mr Liu cites many statutes where there is a possibility of selective enforcement and asserts hell be the first to concede that it's not going to be the priority of police. "My intention is to help New Yorkers remember what they should do and what they should not do wait the five seconds! he said. The final result may not be known for some time. (Photo:AP) Sydney: Australia's Liberal-led conservative government was headed for a remarkable win at the national election early on Sunday after uncovering a narrow path to victory that twisted through urban fringes and rural townships. The results upended pre-election polls which predicted a Labor victory, though it is unclear whether the Scott Morrison-led coalition can govern with an outright majority or will need to negotiate support from independents. The final result may not be known for some time. Also Read: Voting under way in climate-dominated Australia elections "I have always believed in miracles," Morrison told cheering supporters at Sydney's Wentworth Hotel, where the government holds its official election night function. "Tonight is not about me or it's not about even the Liberal party. Tonight is about every single Australian who depends on their government to put them first." The conservative government has won or is leading in 72 seats in its quest for a 76-seat majority, according to the Australian Electoral Commission, with just over two-thirds of votes counted. Australian Labor leader Bill Shorten stands on stage with his wife Chloe, at the Federal Labor Reception in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, May 18, 2019. Shorten has conceded defeat to Prime Minister Scott Morrison in the country's general election. Shorten made the announcement to supporters of his opposition Labor party late Saturday night in Melbourne. (AP Photo/Andy Brownbill) Several seats are still too close to call and the final result is complicated by a large number of early votes that have delayed counting. Morrison's coalition defied expectations by holding onto a string of outer suburban seats in areas where demographics closest resemble America's Rust Belt, blocking Labor's path to victory. This included a devastating result in the coal-rich state of Queensland, which backed the Pentecostal church-going prime minister by defying expectations and delivering several marginal seats to his government. Voters on Saturday cast their ballots for Morrison's message of support to aspirational voters and turned their back on Labor leader Bill Shorten's reforms. "I know that you're all hurting and I am too," Shorten told supporters at the party's Melbourne election night function. "And without wanting to hold out any false hope, while there are still millions of votes to count and important seats yet to be finalised, it is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government." Shorten said he would step down as the party's leader. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, center, leaves a polling station after casting his ballot in a federal election in Sydney, Australia, Saturday, May 18, 2019. Both major parties are promising that whoever wins the election the leader will remain prime minister until he next faces the voters' judgment. The parties have changed their rules to make the process of lawmakers replacing a prime minister more difficult. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft) Labor, a party with deep ties to the union movement, had promised to abolish several property and share investment tax concessions primarily aimed at the wealthy. Both major parties suffered a decline in their primary vote, according to AEC data, which was caused in part by a well-funded campaign by Clive Palmer's populist United Australia Party. The election sparked several high-profile local battles, including attempts to remove Peter Dutton, a senior lawmaker who has championed Australia's controversial policy of detaining asylum seekers in offshore centres. Although Dutton has retained his Queensland seat, former conservative prime minister Tony Abbott lost his Sydney beaches seat of Warringah to high-profile independent Zali Steggall. "So, of course, it's disappointing for us here in Warringah, but what matters is what's best for the country," Abbott told supporters in a concession speech. "And what's best for the country is not so much who wins or loses Warringah, but who forms, or does not form, a government in Canberra." There were also 40 of 76 Senate spots contested in the election, the outcome of which will determine how difficult it will be for the next government to enact policy. Indian businesses employ around 50,000 people in London and are the second-biggest foreign investors in London. (Photo:AP) London: Pakistani-origin London Mayor Sadiq Khan has called for similar preferential norms for Indian companies and students as those offered to China in order to boost foreign direct investment (FDI) from India into the British capital. Indian businesses employ around 50,000 people in London and are the second-biggest foreign investors in London. According to a data of London & Partners (L&P), the Mayor of London's promotional agency, FDI from India into London increased by 255 per cent from 2017 to 2018. The mayor, who reiterated his "London is Open" message, attacked the UK government's hostile immigration policies as a barrier to increased investments and students coming from India into London. "The government's got to make it easier for businesses to come to London. Immigration policies have got to change, it's got to be easier for Indian students and business people to come here," Mr Khan said on the sidelines of the annual Asian Voice Charity Awards in London on Friday evening. "The government has made some changes to make it easier for China, and I welcome that, but also India deserves the same sort of preferential treatment...I worry because of this government's hostile immigration policies, we aren't seeing many talented students coming to London, particularly talented Indians. I am hoping the government realises this is a huge opportunity lost," he said. China being included on a list of countries offered easier UK student visa application norms is one of the preferential routes currently not open to India. Mr Khan, a former Labour Party MP who has been a vocal advocate of a second Brexit referendum, said the Theresa May government was a "million miles away" from what was promised during the June 2016 referendum campaign. "Parliament is in gridlock, we should give the British public a say on the deal negotiated by the government... with the option of remaining in the European Union. I can''t think of anything more democratic than giving the British public a final say," said Mr Khan, who was presented with a Political and Public Life Award at the awards ceremony. The Asian Voice Charity Awards, powered by due diligence network Charity Clarity, reward charities and individuals that try and solve the most pressing social issues in Britain and globally. Some of the winners this year included Indian-origin entrepreneur Leah Chowdhry, who was named the Most Inspiring Young Person for becoming the first British Asian woman to swim the English Channel to raise funds to combat child trafficking in India. The Sarvam Trust, which facilitates and supports the work of the Sri Aurobindo Society to help the under-privileged in rural areas of India, was the winner of the Audience Choice Award. The theme of this year's awards was around combatting knife crime, an issue that has dominated the London Mayor's agenda. "Charities have an important role to play in filling in the gaps in the social safety net," Mr Khan said. CB Patel, Publisher and Editor of UK-based 'Asian Voice' weekly newspaper which organises the awards, added: "One of the ills that now plagues our community is knife crime, and this requires the collective effort of individuals, families, educational institutions and community organisations to put an end to the menace." His Editor's Choice Award for the year went to the Damilola Taylor Trust, which provides inner-city youths in Britain with opportunities to play and learn, free from fear and violence. The Charity of the Year award went to Paul Strickland Scanner Centre, an independent medical charity working to improve the lives of people affected by cancer and other severe medical conditions, and the Social Impact Award was presented to Child Rescue Nepal, which works on the ground to free children from slavery and captivity. "The awards are absolutely unique in that each applicant goes through a rigorous Charity Clarity rating process before the very best are shortlisted for the judges' consideration," Pratik Dattani, from Charity Clarity, said. Earlier this week the United States pulled some diplomatic staff from its embassy in neighbouring Iraq. (Photo:AP) Dubai: Iran's top diplomat dismissed the possibility of war erupting in the region at a time of escalating confrontation with the United States, saying Tehran did not want conflict and no country had the "illusion it can confront Iran". Tensions between Washington and Tehran have increased in recent days, raising concerns about a potential US-Iran conflict. Earlier this week the United States pulled some diplomatic staff from its embassy in neighbouring Iraq following attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf. "There will be no war because neither do we want a war, nor has anyone the idea or illusion it can confront Iran in the region," Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif told Iran's IRNA state news agency before ending a visit to Beijing. Also Read: Iran works to counter US sanctions; says it can hit US warships in gulf 'easily' President Donald Trump has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, and his administration says it has built up the US military presence in the region. It accuses Iran of threats to US troops and interests. Tehran has described US moves as "psychological warfare" and a "political game". "The fact is that Trump has officially said and reiterated again that he does not want a war, but people around him are pushing for war on the pretext that they want to make America stronger against Iran," Zarif said. He told Reuters last month that Trump could be lured into a conflict by the likes of US national security adviser John Bolton, an ardent Iran hawk. In Tehran, Major General Hossein Salami, the commander of the Revolutionary Guards, said on Saturday that Iran had nothing to fear from the United States, which he said was in decline, the semi-official news agency ISNA reported. "The US political system is full of cracks. Though impressive-looking, it has osteoporosis. In fact, America's story is like the World Trade Center towers that collapse with a sudden blow," Salami, known for his fiery rhetoric, was quoted as saying. He was referring to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. Trump has said publicly he wants to pursue a diplomatic route with Iran after ratcheting pressure on Tehran. President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday Iran would not be bullied into negotiating, IRNA reported. "The (US) claim that it is forcing us to the negotiating table is worthless... We are for logic, negotiation and dialogue ...but we will never surrender to anyone who intends to bully us," Rouhani was quoted as saying. A year ago Trump pulled the United States out of a 2015 pact that limited Iran's nuclear programme in return for the lifting of international sanctions. Iran has continued to abide by the terms of the pact, although Rouhani said this month it would scale back some curbs on nuclear activity. In a sign of the heightened tension across the region, Exxon Mobil evacuated foreign staff from an oilfield in neighbouring Iraq after days of sabre rattling between Washington and Tehran. Elsewhere in the Gulf, Bahrain warned its citizens against travelling to Iraq or Iran due to "unstable conditions". In Washington, officials urged US commercial airliners flying over the waters of the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to exercise caution. A Norwegian insurers' report seen by Reuters said Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards were "highly likely" to have facilitated the attacks last Sunday on four tankers including two Saudi ships off Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. Iranian officials have denied involvement in the tanker attacks, saying Tehran's enemies carried them out to lay the groundwork for war against Iran. US officials are concerned that Tehran may have passed naval combat expertise onto proxy forces in the region. Following the re-imposition of US sanctions, a senior Iranian maritime official said Iran had adopted new tactics and new destinations in shipping its oil exports. Iranian crude oil exports have fallen in May to 500,000 barrels per day or lower, according to tanker data and industry sources, after the United States tightened the screws on Iran's main source of income. After Bangladesh and Bhutan, Myanmar seems to be doing what Pakistan has always refused to a crackdown on rebels carrying out attacks on Indian soil. After the recent takeover of NSCN (K) headquarters in Sagaing province and jail terms given by a Myanmar court to 24 Northeast-based militants on Wednesday, security officials here believe that the first such sentencing has given a body blow to the rebel groups that have kept the region troubled for decades. This is definitely a huge setback for the rebel groups operating in the Northeast. Ulfa and NDFB had shifted their bases to NSCN (K) camps in Myanmar after the Bhutan operation in 2003-2004 and Bangladeshs action in 2009-2010. But after the Myanmar crackdown, which began in January-February this year, they have no option but to look towards China for shelters, former chief of Assam police special branch, Pallab Bhattacharyya told DH on Sunday. He also cited reports about Ulfa (Independent) chief Paresh Baruah already taking shelter in Yunan province of China, sharing border with Myanmar. This seems to be the fallout of strong diplomatic pressure by India on Myanmar. But whether the rebel groups will be able to shift to China soil will definitely depend on the stand taken by the new government that takes charge, he said. Bhattacharyya was part of the peace process with several militant groups in Assam. Although there has been no official confirmation from governments in both the countries, intelligence officials said at least 29 militants have been taken into custody since February when Myanmar army, known as Tatmadaw took over the NSCN (K) headquarters. NSCN (K), a Naga rebel group having a conditional ceasefire with Tatmadaw have provided shelter, supplied arms and provided training in their Myanmar camps to other groups to carry out their struggle for independence in the Northeast. Jungles of Arunachal Pradesh is used as a transit corridor to enter Assam. Several cadres of NSCN (K), Ulfa (I), NDFB (S) and KLO had reportedly fled Myanmar and got in touch with security agencies to surrender. Security forces, however, stepped up operation along the India-Myanmar border in Nagaland, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh and have arrested at least 22 so far. Even on Sunday, three NSCN (K) cadres were arrested by Assam Rifles personnel in Changlang district in Arunachal Pradesh. Expressing concern over Myanmar armys action, NSCN (IM), the Naga rebel group in ceasefire since 1997 said there should be a better way to deal with the situation. Given the hostility shown by the Tatmadaws operation in the so-called Indo-Myanmar corridors, the road to peaceful solution may get jeopardized if they fail to recognize the need for trust, respect and mutual understanding that goes together in solving a political problem that is more complex than one could see, the outfit said in a statement emailed to DH on Sunday. The NSCN (IM) had signed a broad framework agreement with the Centre in August 2015 and was hoping to sign a final agreement soon. NASA has found evidence for a unique mixture of methanol, water ice, and organic molecules on Ultima Thule's surface -- the farthest world ever explored by mankind. The US space agency has published the first profile of Ultima Thule -- an ancient relic from the era of planet formation -- revealing details about the complex space object. Analysing just the first sets of data gathered during the New Horizons spacecraft's New Year's 2019 flyby of the Kuiper Belt object 2014 MU69 -- nicknamed Ultima Thule -- unveil much about the object's development, geology and composition. Researchers are also investigating a range of surface features on Ultima Thule, such as bright spots and patches, hills and troughs, and craters and pits on Ultima Thule. The largest depression is an 8-kilometre-wide feature the team has nicknamed Maryland crater -- which likely formed from an impact. Some smaller pits on the Kuiper Belt object, however, may have been created by material falling into underground spaces, or due to exotic ices going from a solid to a gas and leaving pits in its place. In colour and composition, Ultima Thule resembles many other objects found in its area of the Kuiper Belt. Its reddish hue is believed to be caused by modification of the organic materials on its surface. According to the research published in the journal Science, the team found evidence for methanol, water ice, and organic molecules on Ultima Thule's surface -- a mixture very different from most icy objects explored previously by spacecraft. "We're looking into the well-preserved remnants of the ancient past," said Alan Stern of the Southwest Research Institute, Boulder, Colorado. "There is no doubt that the discoveries made about Ultima Thule are going to advance theories of solar system formation," said Stern, Principal Investigator of the New Horizons mission. Ultima Thule is a contact binary, with two distinctly differently shaped lobes, NASA said. At about 36 kilometers long, Ultima Thule consists of a large, strangely flat lobe -- nicknamed "Ultima" -- connected to a smaller, somewhat rounder lobe -- dubbed "Thule" -- at a juncture. How the two lobes got their unusual shape is an unanticipated mystery that likely relates to how they formed billions of years ago, NASA said in a statement. The lobes likely once orbited each other until some process brought them together in what scientists have shown to be a "gentle" merger. For that to happen, much of the binary's orbital momentum must have dissipated for the objects to come together, but scientists do not yet know whether that was due to aerodynamic forces from gas in the ancient solar nebula, or if Ultima and Thule ejected other lobes that formed with them to dissipate energy and shrink their orbit. The alignment of the axes of Ultima and Thule indicates that before the merger the two lobes must have become tidally locked, meaning that the same sides always faced each other as they orbited around the same point. Data transmission from the flyby continues, and will go on until the late summer 2020. In the meantime, New Horizons continues to carry out new observations of additional Kuiper Belt objects it passes in the distance. The New Horizons spacecraft is now 6.6 billion kilometers from Earth, operating normally and speeding deeper into the Kuiper Belt at nearly 53,000 kilometers per hour. PTI MHN MHN THE SUN IS ALSO A STAR 2 stars Yara Shahidi, Charles Melton, Keong Sim; PG-13 (suggestive content and language); in general release; running time: 100 minutes SALT LAKE CITY There are a lot of ingredients that go into a good romance, and The Sun Is Also a Star only checks a couple of boxes off the list. Based on the Nicola Yoon novel, Ry Russo-Youngs The Sun Is Also a Star is a teen romance about a pair of high school seniors who fall in love over the course of an afternoon in New York City. Yara Shahidi plays Natasha, a young woman who immigrated to New York with her family from Jamaica nine years earlier. Natasha loves pure science and aspires to be a data scientist, which she helpfully explains, is a scientist who studies data. Unfortunately, thanks to complications with the immigration process, Natasha and her family are about to be deported. Daniel (Charles Melton) also comes from a family of immigrants. His parents run a hair product store that caters to African-Americans, and they are very intent on Daniel becoming a doctor. Daniel is applying to Dartmouth, and though hes not sure he actually wants to be a doctor his natural inclination is toward poetry for now hes playing along. Daniels alumni interview is the same day as Natashas meeting at the immigration office, and they meet when Daniel saves Natasha from getting hit by a speeding BMW. For Daniel, their meeting is fate. For Natasha, its coincidence. For the audience, its because the screenplay really needs to tie all the threads together as closely as possible. Because Daniels alumni meeting suddenly needs to be rescheduled, and Natasha has a few hours before a follow-up meeting with a lawyer who might be able to delay her familys deportation, Daniel convinces Natasha to hang out with him for a few hours, confident that he can convince her to fall in love with him scientifically. What follows is a twisting and turning love story set against a romanticized New York backdrop that pretty much behaves like that BMW. It really only takes Daniel about an hour before he charms Natasha into falling for him, at which point the will-they-wont-they tension rests more with the immigration case (and, truth be told, Natashas feelings for Daniel seem to flip hot or cold based on the likelihood of her impending deportation more than a sense of true love). To its credit, unlike a lot of movies in this genre, The Sun Is Also a Star goes to considerable lengths to develop both of its leads, even though Natashas voiceover narration technically makes her the protagonist. The film also looks fantastic, even among so many other movies shot against a Big Apple backdrop. Unfortunately, Also a Star seems determined to use that pretty sheen plus a lot of romantic montages to disguise a host of story problems and issues, which become more and more obvious when you consider how such an encounter would play out in reality (for example: how many young women would feel comfortable ducking into a cheap dark karaoke room with a total stranger two hours after you met?). Keep in mind also that Daniel and Natasha are supposed to be high school seniors, even though they both look and behave like they are in their mid-20s. The issues continue through the script, which pinballs from concept to concept, abandoning fundamental premises such as the scientific courtship angle when the story leads elsewhere. Overall, The Sun Is Also a Star offers some pretty cinematography and a handful of heart-tugging one-liners, including one that drew an aw from about two-thirds of the theater. But Russo-Youngs film still falls far short of the kind of charm and chemistry that define so many great New York romances like Moonstruck, When Harry Met Sally or even Serendipity, which, while not a great movie, had a lot more fun with the fate vs. coincidence concept. Sometimes a night in with a classic is better than a night out with a pretender. Rating explained: The Sun Is Also a Star is rated PG-13 for occasional profanity (including a single use of the F-word), sensual content and some scenes of violence. SALT LAKE CITY During a recent orchestra rehearsal, Thierry Fischer pleaded with his musicians. The Utah Symphonys music director wanted the music to be light and fast, so he asked his players to imagine they were little birds, furiously flapping their wings. The musicians were performing Igor Stravinskys Firebird, so the analogy wasnt actually all that odd. What was odd was the fact that this wasnt a Utah Symphony rehearsal. Fischer was talking to Cottonwood High School students. And although they were significantly younger than the musicians he was used to working with, the conductor didnt lower his expectations. He demanded the best from them. They are here to learn, they are here to discover, they are here to wonder and I am aware (that any) analogy or metaphor I can give is going to be strong in their minds, Fischer said. If they cant do it, Im even more motivated to give them another idea to try to do it better. The 90 young musicians in rehearsal were riveted. When they werent playing and taking Fischers advice to heart, they were silent, absorbing every word the Swiss conductor had for them. All the focus was on him, said Aubrey Henrie, a 16-year-old viola player and sophomore at Cottonwood High School. "Ive never seen a group do that before. Now, after three meetings and rehearsals with Fischer, the big moment has arrived for these students. On May 20 at 10 a.m., Aubrey and her fellow Cottonwood High School musicians will perform a suite from Firebird under Fischers baton. Thanks to Facebook Live, students from four other high schools Gunnison Valley High School in Sanpete County, Tooele High School, Grantsville High School and Granger High School will also join in and closely follow Fischers lead. I can say Ive performed with Maestro Fischer of the Utah Symphony, said 17-year-old Jacob Pehrson, a senior and principal cellist at Cottonwood High School. "Hes the director of the Utah Symphony its basically having like a music celebrity right in front of us. Utahs first Super Orchestra In total, around 250 students from across the state have been learning the Stravinksy piece and preparing for this moment. It's the first time the Utah Symphony has attempted anything like this, but creating what they've dubbed the "Super Orchestra" is far from the first time the organization has engaged with Utah schools. According to statistics provided by Utah Symphony and Utah Opera, the company spends $4 million on education outreach each year roughly 20% of the organizations overall budget. About a quarter of that total, $1.4 million, comes from legislative funding. A lot of people dont know that USUO is a nonprofit arts organization or know how involved in education programs we are in the schools, said Paula Fowler, Utah Symphony and Utah Operas director of education and community outreach. Probably a third of the symphonys concerts every year are for education, but it doesnt always make a big media splash. Which is why Fischer has adopted the Cottonwood High School musicians and is leading the inaugural Super Orchestra. Fowler hopes this pilot program, called Adopt a School, will help draw attention to Utah Symphony and Utah Operas dedication to reaching schools statewide an effort Maurice Abravanel spearheaded with help from former senator Haven Barlow during the 1970s. They went to the Utah state Legislature and said that students throughout our state deserve the opportunity to see what professional artists can do, to have an experience with professional musicians, Fowler said. And so the Legislature granted matching funds to the symphony to go on a regular rotation throughout the state performing for students. Since 1975, when Abravanel received funding for what is now known as the Professional Outreach Programs in the Schools, the program has grown to feature more than 10 arts organizations including Utah Opera, Ballet West and the Utah Shakespeare Festival traveling throughout the state to perform in schools. Currently, the Utah Symphony puts on 50-60 school concerts each year, with Utah Opera resident artists performing between 150 and 200 student concerts annually, Fowler said. Both the symphony and opera each reach about 12 percent of public school students in a school year, each performing for 75,000-80,000 students. I don't know of any other state that invests in the student experience, being inspired by professional artists, the way that we have it, Fowler said. Our professional arts organizations serve many more students than most professional organizations do. Most of them charge for their programs and they serve people in their home cities, but they dont have that mission to travel their entire state. USUO taking part in music education programs throughout the state helps ensure Utah will continue to be a thriving arts state for many years to come, according to Fowler. She pointed to a 2016 study released by the National Endowment for the Arts that showed performing arts attendance in Utah to be significantly higher than the national average: In 2015, nearly 32% of U.S. adults attended at least one live music, theater or dance performance in a 12-month period. In Utah which ranked No. 1 in the nation for performing arts attendance that rate was 51%. As a longtime music teacher at Cottonwood High School, Amber Tuckness loves what outreach programs like Adopt a School is doing for her students. Ive noticed a huge decline in students choosing music, and legislatures (are) cutting it continually through the district, said Tuckness, who has taught at the high school for 22 years. Students dont take private lessons as much anymore, and I think having somebody coming in as a professional and showing that they can make a living with music and keep it a part of their lives kids dont just always see that in a classroom. (USUO has) shown that they care about musicians at the younger age and where they begin, and thats been really impressionable to me. The door is open Fischer has a lot on his plate. Just last Sunday, May 12, he was in southern France conducting the Marseille Philharmonic. After returning home, he leapt right back into Utah Symphony rehearsals, preparing for two performances over the weekend. And now, he's about to conduct a Super Orchestra of 250 high-schoolers. Its a lot to balance, but the conductor wouldnt even think to miss this opportunity and not just because Stravinksy is one of his favorite composers. The way he sees it, that 10 a.m. gig on Monday is just as important as leading a professional symphony. It doesnt mean (the students) will want to embrace the musician career, and its not important. I dont have the feeling I have to motivate them to be musicians; I want to motivate them to be able to make choices, he said. Its crucial that they know what is possible, whether they do it or not. But the door is open. Im very, very happy and proud to do this, and their response being there, happy and wanting to learn, is a reward. For Cottonwood High School students like Aubrey, who grew up attending Utah Symphony performances, it's been surreal getting to know Fischer and work with the conductor on such a personal level. She might not remember how to play Firebird years down the road, but watching Fischer's flailing arms up close, egging her on to play with the energy of a flock of little birds, has been unforgettable. Ive been going to the symphony for longer than Ive been playing the viola, Aubrey said. So to see him up there and then to see him conducting me has been a fantastic experience. I have loved every second of it. SALT LAKE CITY A recent study has found the negative financial repercussions of divorce substantially deter many white children from going to college. By contrast, the study did not find that divorce lowers educational attainment for nonwhite children. White families are often more economically advantaged than nonwhite families, so the resource loss for a divorcing white family is often more substantial, the study's authors found. The study, published in Sociological Science, concludes that a decline in family income because of divorce results in one- to two-thirds of the negative effect divorce has on educational outcomes for white children. Other things like social, behavioral and thinking skills have minimal impact on a childs future education when compared to the role of income change after a divorce, it finds. While this research reinforces the realities of the socioeconomic influence on educational opportunity in the U.S., it also raises questions about the causes of this post-divorce income change and whether families can do anything about it. Unstable employment is the source of divorces financial aftermath for some families, and it is also the cause of divorce itself, suggests data from Harvard sociology professor Alexandra Killewald. Killewald finds that a man having an unstable job increases the likelihood his marriage will end in divorce because it challenges the norm of male breadwinning. According to Killewald, a mans job instability is a larger factor than a familys overall income, a womans ability to support herself financially after a divorce or the way a couple divides household responsibilities. (W)hile wives can balance paid and unpaid work in a variety of ways without threatening marital stability, anything other than full-time employment for husbands is associated with an increased risk of divorce. Some post-divorce income decrease is the result of a spouses unawareness of a familys financial situation and responsibilities. Certified divorce financial analyst Laurie Itkin writes in Forbes that many women only discover the nasty surprise of health insurance costs, credit card debt or home equity once they are divorcing or divorced. While some women cede the responsibility of this information to spouses during marriage, Itkin says this practice has financial consequences if the marriage ends. (A)fter a divorce, women must take responsibility for all household functions including earning money, saving and investing and paying bills. By sharing responsibility for all these functions while married, women will have a better shot at maintaining the same financial standard of living after divorce. Divorce can also impact credit scores. Although divorce itself doesnt cause credit dings, creditors who are not required to honor divorce decrees do. A judges rulings can help a formerly married couple attempt to disentangle its finances by delineating which spouse will pay what. Some post-divorce income decrease is the result of a spouses unawareness of a familys financial situation and responsibilities. However, as Michelle Black writes for Bankrate, If a judge orders your ex to pay a joint credit obligation, but he or she fails to do so, your personal credit could suffer. Black also notes that for women, divorce can be particularly financially difficult because of the gender gap in earnings. Around 50 percent of divorced women also reported an ex-spouses intentional credit damage according to an Experian survey, with 54 percent saying their credit score declined during their marriage. Because the study's authors find that income for many nonwhite families "may have already been below the threshold (for) investment in higher education prior to divorce," it becomes important for all divorcing spouses to consider the financial situation they're creating for their children. One initial step is to reconcile the inevitability of child support and alimony. Bari Weinberger, family-law attorney, told The Atlantic that while some parents simply cannot afford the required payments, others wont accept them: (A)limony and child support dont always flow from ex-husband to ex-wife. Many men fear theyll be ridiculed when others find out theyre receiving money from their exes. Some would rather forgo their monthly stipends than swallow their pride, even if they are the stay-at-home parent bringing in no income. Another financial consideration after divorce is the need to retrain in smart money practices, no matter ones income during marriage. It can feel uncomfortable or embarrassing to re-learn core money management skills, Ladders reports. However, (s)haring tasks in a marriage, and then having to handle all responsibilities alone, virtually guarantees that both parties will have to learn new skills. Salt Lake County is growing, and the process of planning for that growth will require community and stakeholder involvement from across the valley. Good government builds consensus and works through collaboration, something that planning attempts in this county have struggled with, both in the past and more recently. The city mayors in the southwest portion of the county are working to offer a better way forward. I believe its important to create a visioning document that can better plan for our region of the county. Ive heard from so many of you about the struggles with traffic congestion and have experienced it myself. My participation on various boards has alerted me to the fact that our utility infrastructure water, sewer, etc. is also under strain. With that understanding, last summer I joined the mayors in West Jordan, South Jordan, Herriman, Bluffdale and Copperton in a series of monthly meetings, and then weekly meetings during the legislative session. In those discussions, we outlined our shared priorities and a vision for the future. Those of us in the Southwest Mayors Coalition, as its come to be known, have decided to embark on a more holistic visioning study for the entire southwest. Recognizing that we cannot just plan in a silo, this visioning effort will commence in the next month, with a tremendous amount of outreach to property owners, utility providers, school districts and residents. We hope to chart a new path that can soothe tensions and strengthen coordination. By state law, the county is required to develop a master plan for its unincorporated areas, much like cities are for their incorporated areas. And as the southwests population booms, attention inevitably turns to the valleys west bench where the bulk of remaining buildable land exists. These plans not only affect the sparsely populated and undeveloped west bench, but all the cities to its east that are already teeming with population and infrastructure. Growth inevitably has spillover effects broader than just building new homes on previously vacant land. Transportation in particular is a critical problem to address. Many of our roads, like 12600 South, are already congested. Creating new residential areas on the west bench without investments to improve east-west connectivity or finishing improvements to Bangerter Highway and Mountain View Corridor inevitably means that most inhabitants will have to commute along existing roads through our cities. Without proper planning to accommodate this increased traffic, we will be stuck with frustrating traffic jams, strained infrastructure and poor open spaces that significantly impact the quality of life. Thats not an outcome anybody should be eager for. Salt Lake County needs to learn the lessons from Olympia Hills. County Councilman Steve DeBry was a voice of reason and demonstrated leadership in listening to his constituents concerns. Thanks to the efforts of the southwest mayors, DeBry and most of all from the residents that mobilized, pressure was put on then-Mayor Ben McAdams to veto the project, avoiding a plan that would have negatively impacted neighboring communities. Unfortunately, current planning attempts by the county seem to be repeating the same mistakes. Its a new idea to have the cities come together to craft their own plan, but that is the kind of innovative, collaborative solution we need. With funding from both the county and the participating cities, weve invited county and city planners, engineers and elected officials to participate in this process. I urge the county to work with us to develop a smart, comprehensive plan. Getting everybody on the same page now can avoid needless divisiveness, congestion and strain down the road, and thats the kind of leadership everyone in Salt Lake County deserves. Its time for Salt Lake County and all of the cities to work together as we plan for a sustainable future. And with as much growth as weve experienced and are projected to experience in the southwest, we really have one last chance to get it right. ALPINE The bodies of two people killed Friday in a helicopter crash in the hills above Alpine have been recovered. Police, however, are not releasing the names of the two victims, a man and a woman, until their children can be notified. The couple was reportedly flying from eastern Utah to Salt Lake City Friday morning. The flight was reported overdue and a search began in the Horsetail Falls area above Alpine Friday afternoon, according to Utah County Sheriff's Sgt. Spencer Cannon. The Federal Aviation Administration alerted Utah authorities around 2 p.m. Friday that a four-seat Robinson R44 helicopter flying from Vernal Regional Airport to Salt Lake's South Valley Regional Airport was missing, an agency spokesman said. The helicopter had, however, initially embarked from the couple's home in Ballard, Uintah County. SALT LAKE CITY Utah as a whole is continuing to grow older, and state administrators say a troubling trend has accompanied the demographic shift. They have received more and more complaints alleging abuse of vulnerable and elderly Utahns. "It happens in facilities. It happens in their own home," said Nan Mendenhall, director of Utah Adult Protective Services. "It's not discriminatory. It happens to anybody." Utahns reported 5,325 instances of abuse to Mendenhall's agency in 2017, a 40 percent increase from just three years earlier, when it documented 3,030. Recent criminal cases have also drawn attention to the misconduct. A former Clearfield nurse's aide is now serving a year in jail for punching and shoving two Alzheimer's patients after a camera captured some of the abuse. The exploitation is not just physical and sexual, but also financial. And while there are steps families can take to protect loved ones, Utah's experts on aging say the Beehive State must do more to prepare for its aging population. Those over 65 years old now have outpaced children and teens as the fastest-growing age group in Utah. State demographers estimate the retirement-age share will doubleover the next 50 years to 1 in 5, according to a Januaryanalysisfrom the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute. The rate of those with Alzheimer's will grow even faster, more than tripling in the same time frame to a total of 112,000, the report estimates. The disease is one type of dementia, a decline in mental function that can lead to memory loss and changes in personality or reasoning skills. It has no cure, but drugs can ease symptoms. "We tend to have a healthier population, which means that people live longer," said Ronnie Daniel with the Utah chapter of the Alzheimer's Association. "The single largest risk factor for getting Alzheimer's and other related dementia is age." His group worked with state health and licensing managers to create a 2017 requirement for employees of long-term care facilities to receive at least four hours of training on how to work with those who have dementia in order to renew their licenses. "We don't believe that's enough," he said, "but that's a good start." Rob Ence, executive director of the governor's Commission on Aging, said despite some progress, "we are still falling short where we are today, let alone taking steps to be prepared for the future." The groundwork he envisions ranges from more doctors encouraging dance and exercise, which can help stave off Alzheimer's, to more affordable housing for aging Utahns and incentives to draw more of the workforce to care giving. Utah still must grow state programs to investigate abuse and advocate for patients' rights, Ence said. In 2017, nearly half of complaints to Adult Protective Services alleged financial exploitation, Mendenhall said. She is now urging lawmakers them to codify tougher penalties on those who transfer an aging family member's deeds and property without permission. Physical and sexual abuse claims account for 20 percent of the total, but Mendenhall said they are often underreported, especially when they occur in group settings. "On the sexual side, the victims are targeted because they have their cognitive ability of not being able to remember," she said. Mendenhall declined to say whether her agency investigated Jason Herald Knox, the Clearfield nurse's aide convicted of aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult who led his employer to believe he was taking ongoing training even though his certification had expired. Knox's victims had routine visitors, but predators will typically opt to take advantage of those more isolated, Mendenhall said. "If you don't have active eyes coming in to see your loved ones, they're more likely to be abused." Utah law requires anyone who suspects exploitation of a vulnerable adult to tell either police or her agency, which creates plans protect the victim from further abuse. As the workload for the two dozen investigators across Utah has grown, their budget has shrunk, Mendenhall noted. She is seeking the money to add three more, a request she hopes lawmakers will grant in a special session later this year Some resources and tips from the experts: After a diagnosis, seek out a care strategy as soon as possible so that your aging loved one can have a say in the plan. For those wondering where to begins, the Alzheimer's Association runs a 24-hour hotline: (800)272-3900. Utah's area agencies on aging, mostly run by counties, also can help. Families shopping for a longterm care facility should drop by at different times of day to observe interactions between staff and residents, Mendenhall said. On planned visits, you're less likely to spot telling interactions. A database operated by Medicare.gov issues report cards on nursing homes nationwide. When hiring someone to care for a loved one in their own home, be sure to do a background check and call references, preferably at agencies with a strong reputation. You can report abuse of a vulnerable adult in Utah by calling Adult Protective Services (800)371-7897 or online through the agency's website. Help is also available through the agency for family members who become overwhelmed by a loved one's needs and would like training on how to cope with the stress . Utah has a long-term care ombudsman, plus several local liaisons, who advocate for the rights of those in group settings when it comes to concerns from suspected criminal behavior down to meal preferences. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Commercial airliners flying over the Persian Gulf risk being targeted by "miscalculation or misidentification" from the Iranian military amid heightened tensions between the Islamic Republic and the U.S., American diplomats warned Saturday, even as both Washington and Tehran say they don't seek war. The warning relayed by U.S. diplomatic posts from the Federal Aviation Administration, though dismissed by Iran, underscored the risks the current tensions pose to a region critical to both global air travel and trade. Oil tankers allegedly have faced sabotage and Yemen rebel drones attacked a crucial Saudi oil pipeline over the last week. Meanwhile on Saturday, Iraqi officials said ExxonMobil Corp. began evacuating staff from Basra, and the island nation of Bahrain ordered its citizens out of Iraq and Iran over "the recent escalations and threats." However, U.S. officials have yet to publicly explain the threats they perceive coming from Iran, some two weeks after the White House ordered an aircraft carrier and B-52s bombers into the region. The U.S. also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. President Donald Trump since has sought to soften his tone on Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also stressed Saturday that Iran is "not seeking war," comments seemingly contradicted by the head of the Revolutionary Guard, who declared an ongoing "intelligence war" between the nations. This all takes root in Trump's decision last year to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers and impose wide-reaching sanctions. Iran just announced it would begin backing away from terms of the deal, setting a 60-day deadline for Europe to come up with new terms or it would begin enriching uranium closer to weapons-grade levels. Tehran long has insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build atomic bombs. The order relayed Saturday by U.S. diplomats in Kuwait and the UAE came from an FAA Notice to Airmen published late Thursday in the U.S. It said that all commercial aircraft flying over the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman needed to be aware of Iran's fighter jets and weaponry. "Although Iran likely has no intention to target civil aircraft, the presence of multiple long-range, advanced anti-aircraft-capable weapons in a tense environment poses a possible risk of miscalculation or misidentification, especially during periods of heightened political tension and rhetoric," the warning said. It also said aircraft could experience interference with its navigation instruments and communications jamming "with little to no warning." The warning comes 30 years after the USS Vincennes mistook an Iran Air commercial jetliner for an Iranian F-14, shooting it down and killing all 290 people onboard. That was not lost on Iran's mission to the United Nations, which dismissed the warning as America's "psychological war against Iran." "There has never been a threat or risk to civilian air traffic in the Persian Gulf from Iran," mission spokesman Alireza Miryousefi told The Associated Press. "One cannot forget the fact that it was indeed a U.S. warship that wantonly targeted an Iranian civilian passenger aircraft. ... The U.S. has yet to apologize for that act of terrorism against Iranian civilians." The Persian Gulf has since become a major gateway for East-West travel in the aviation industry. Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, home to Emirates, is the world's busiest for international travel, while long-haul carriers Etihad and Qatar Airways also operate in the region. Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways all said they were aware of the notice and their operations were unaffected. Oman Air did not respond to a request for comment. Speaking in China, where he finished a tour of Asian nations who rely on Mideast oil, Zarif told the state-run IRNA news agency that war is not what Iran wants. "No war will occur as neither are we seeking a war nor anyone else has the illusion of being able to fight with Iran in the region," Zarif said. Meanwhile, the head of Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard reportedly said the U.S. and Iran already were in a "full-fledged intelligence war." The semi-official Fars news agency also quoted Gen. Hossein Salami using 9/11 as a metaphor for America's political system, describing it Saturday "like the World Trade Building that collapses with a sudden hit." It isn't just air traffic affected. Lloyd's Market Association Joint War Committee added the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the United Arab Emirates on Friday to its list of areas posing higher risk to insurers. It also expanded its list to include the Saudi coast as a risk area. In Iraq, ExxonMobil began evacuating staff from Basra amid the tensions with Iran, two Iraqi officials told The Associated Press. ExxonMobil works in Basra at its West Qurna I oil field, which had been shut off for years from Western oil firms over sanctions levied on Iraq during dictator Saddam Hussein's time in power. The U.S. Consulate in Basra has been closed since September after American officials blamed Iran-aligned Shiite militias for a rocket attack on the post, which is inside Basra's airport compound. Basra as a whole has been shaken by violent protests in recent months over entrenched corruption and poor public services, which earlier saw Iran's Consulate there overrun and set ablaze. ExxonMobil, based in Irving, Texas, said it declined to discuss "operational staffing." Iraq is OPEC's second-largest Arab producer, pumping some 4.5 million barrels of crude oil a day. Separately, the State Department acknowledged an unidentified drone flew over the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad on Thursday and the facility briefly went on alert, though it said the aircraft posed no threat. ___ Associated Press writers Qassem Abdul-Zahra and Bassem Mroue in Baghdad, Nasser Karimi in Tehran, Iran, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from. To learn more or opt-out, read our Cookie Policy. Please also read our Privacy Notice and Terms of Use, which became effective December 20, 2019. By choosing I Accept, you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia does not want war but will not hesitate to defend itself against Iran, a top Saudi diplomat said Sunday after the kingdom's energy sector was targeted this past week amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. U.S. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, warned Iran that it will face destruction if it seeks a fight, while Iranian officials said their country isn't looking for war. Trump spoke after a rocket hit near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, spoke a week after four oil tankers two of them Saudi were targeted in an alleged act of sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and days after Iran-allied Yemeni rebels claimed a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want war in the region and does not strive for that... but at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this with all force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens and its interests," al-Jubeir told reporters. On Sunday night, the U.S. military command that oversees the Mideast confirmed an explosion outside the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad and said there were no U.S. or coalition casualties. A State Department spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that "a low-grade rocket did land within the International Zone near the U.S. Embassy." The spokesman said that "attacks on U.S. personnel and facilities will not be tolerated and will be responded to in a decisive manner" and added that the U.S. will hold "Iran responsible if any such attacks are conducted by its proxy militia forces or elements of such forces." Earlier, after initial reports of the attack, Trump tweeted a warning to Iranian leaders: "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Trump tweeted. A senior Iranian military commander was quoted as saying his country is not looking for war, in comments published in Iranian media on Sunday. Fears of armed conflict were already running high after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region earlier this month to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. The U.S. also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. Trump had appeared to soften his tone in recent days, saying he expected Iran to seek negotiations with his administration. Asked on Thursday if the U.S. might be on a path to war with Iran, the president answered, "I hope not." Sunday night's apparent rocket attack was the first such incident since September, when three mortar shells landed in an abandoned lot inside the Green Zone. Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul told The Associated Press that a Katyusha rocket fell near the statue of the Unknown Soldier, less than a mile from the U.S. Embassy. He said that the military was investigating the cause but that the rocket was believed to have been fired from east Baghdad. The area is home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Iran, there have been concerns that Baghdad could once again get caught in the middle , just as it is on the path to recovery. The country hosts more than 5,000 U.S. troops, and is home to powerful Iranian-backed militias, some of whom want those U.S. forces to leave. The U.S. Navy said Sunday it had conducted exercises in the Arabian Sea with the aircraft carrier strike group ordered to the region to counter the unspecified threat from Iran. The Navy said the exercises and training were conducted Friday and Saturday with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group in coordination with the U.S. Marine Corps, highlighting U.S. "lethality and agility to respond to threat," as well as to deter conflict and preserve U.S. strategic interests. The current tensions are rooted in Trump's decision last year to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers and impose wide-reaching sanctions, including on Iranian oil exports that are crucial to its economy. Iran has said it would resume enriching uranium at higher levels if a new nuclear deal is not reached by July 7. That would potentially bring it closer to being able to develop a nuclear weapon, something Iran insists it has never sought. Energy ministers from OPEC and its allies, including major producers Saudi Arabia and Russia, are meeting in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss energy prices and production cuts. Iran's oil exports are expected to shrink further in the coming months after the U.S. stopped renewing waivers that allowed it to continue selling to some countries. OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers have production cuts in place, but the group of exporters is not expected to make its decision on output until late June, when they meet again in Vienna. The United Arab Emirates' energy minister Suhail al-Mazrouei told reporters at the meeting he does not think relaxing the oil production cuts in place is the right measure. His comments suggest there's support within OPEC and other oil-producing nations, like Russia, to continue propping up oil prices after a sharp fall last year. Oil is now trading above $70 a barrel and closer to what's needed to balance state budgets among Persian Gulf producers. Saudi Arabia's King Salman, meanwhile, has called for a meeting of Arab heads of state on May 30 in Mecca to discuss the latest developments, including the oil pipeline attack. The kingdom has blamed the pipeline attack on Iran, accusing Tehran of arming the rebel Houthis, which a Saudi-led coalition has been at war with in Yemen since 2015. Iran denies arming or training the rebels, who control much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. "We want peace and stability in the region, but we won't stand with our hands bound as the Iranians continuously attack. Iran has to understand that," al-Jubeir said. "The ball is in Iran's court." Al-Jubeir also noted that an investigation, led by the UAE, into the tanker incident is underway. The state-run Saudi news agency reported Sunday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss regional developments. There was no immediate statement by the State Department about the call. An English-language Saudi newspaper close to the palace recently published an editorial calling for surgical U.S. airstrikes in retaliation for Iran's alleged involvement in targeting Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure. The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was quoted Sunday as saying Iran is not looking for war. But he said the U.S. is going to fail in the near future "because they are frustrated and hopeless" and are looking for a way out of the current escalation. His comments, given to other Guard commanders, were carried by Iran's semi-official Fars news agency. The USS Abraham Lincoln has yet to reach the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a third of all oil traded at sea passes. __ Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat in Tehran, Iran, and Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Bassem Mroue in Bahgdad contributed to this report. SALT LAKE CITY When Jenny Lewis was making her 2014 album The Voyager, producer Ryan Adams told her the album needed another song. As the story goes, Adams told Lewis to go write her Wonderwall. It resulted in the albums title track. That song never really fit the writing prompt, though. The Voyager didnt have the anthemic kind of gravitas, the defiant hopefulness, of Oasis big hit. Since then Ive wondered, What exactly is Jenny Lewis Wonderwall, anyway? Midway through her Saturday show at The Commonwealth Room, I think I got my answer. Lewis stood perched on a platform at center stage, draped in a sparkling, form-fitting, body-length gold-sequined dress, singing Hollywood Lawn. That song, off her new album On The Line, is big. It yearns. It aches. And, through it all, it attempts to muster a little hope in the face of hopelessness. In a live setting, Hollywood Lawn felt like Lewis Wonderwall albeit from someone a bit older, perhaps wearier and definitely wiser than Oasis was in the mid-1990s. Lewis and Co. arent the same wrecking crew they were five years ago. (I was there for Lewis 2014 visit to The Depot, a take-no-prisoners performance that still has me amazed.) Shes got new backing musicians now, and they lack the infectious chemistry of her former players. Lewis herself is a slightly different performer these days, too. The glammed-up gypsy persona she wields onstage equal parts Stevie Nicks and Dolly Parton feels more exaggerated this time, I think on purpose. It feels sadder that way, and somehow fits the decidedly un-performative melancholy of Lewis new album. Indeed, On The Line is undeniably sad, in a catchy, bittersweet, grandiose kind of way. (Think Harry Nilssons 1974 heartbreaker Many Rivers to Cross.) It fits the new albums subject matter: among other topics, the end of a 12-year relationship and the death of Lewis mother, from which she'd long been estranged. Lewis played six of the albums 11 songs on Saturday. Strictly as arrangements, the new material feels less dynamic, less malleable, than the rest of Lewis set, which incorporated her three other solo albums, a few Rilo Kiley songs and a Traveling Wilburys cover. The new songs are still really good, though, and their percussive weightiness gave a baseline oomph to the whole show. Lewis began hitting her stride five songs in, on the hazy, languid country-western ballad Happy. The song is so effectively cinematic it felt like being in a dusty old saloon and showcased Lewis at her most theatrical. (Which is Lewis at her best.) It kicked off an incredible five-song run the evenings most thrilling that had Lewis saunter through a more seductive version of The Voyager, into Do Si Do, Shes Not Me and the aforementioned Hollywood Lawn. Her pre-encore set ended, appropriately, with Rilo Kileys With Arms Outstretched. Lewis had the venue drop all the house lights, and asked the crowd to light her with our phones. And, with arms outstretched, we did just that. In that glamorous gold gown of hers, basked in the decidedly less glamorous light of our cell phones, Lewis sang, Its 16 miles to the promised land / And I promise you, Im doing the best I can. She seemed to really mean it, too. Set list The Big Guns Head Underwater Rise Up With Fists!! Silver Lining (Rilo Kiley) Happy The Voyager Do Si Do Shes Not Me Hollywood Lawn Red Bull & Hennessy Just One of the Guys On The Line Little White Dove Born Secular With Arms Outstretched (Rilo Kiley) Encore Party Clown See Fernando Handle with Care (Traveling Wilburys) Acid Tongue President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, wave to devotional attendees on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, laugh as they meet with youth during a meeting on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints speaks at the International Conference Center on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with youth during a meeting on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Twins Darren and Donovan Mekaio wait to hear President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Isla Dunn, 7, waves to President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the International Conference Center on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Boats travel past the Sydney Opera House on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Manly Wharf visitors dangle their feet on May 18, 2019 in Manly, Australia. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited Sydney, Australia, on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Attendees listen to President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the International Conference Center on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News An Aboriginal Australian performs on the street on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited the city on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, walk on stage at the International Conference Center to speak on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Elder Elder Gerrit W. Gong, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and his wife, Sister Susan Gong, follow. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, kiss during a devotional on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News The Sydney Opera House on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited the city on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Attendees wave to President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at the International Conference Center on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News A street performer on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited the city on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Attendees gather in front of the International Conference Center to hear President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News A pedestrian walks near the wharf in Manly, Australia, on May 18, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited the city on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News A boat sails on Sydney Harbour on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited the city on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News An Aboriginal Australian performs on the didgeridoo on the street on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited the city on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News The Sydney, Australia skyline on May 18, 2019. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited the city on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News A lone sail boat on May 18, 2019, in Manly, Australia. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited Sydney, Australia, on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News A Crocodile Dundee performer hangs on a sign on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited the city on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News A magazine is read near Manly Beach on May 18, 2019, in Manly, Australia. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife Sister Wendy Nelson, will visit the city on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Elva Merle Mitchell about her family's Church membership on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Elva Merle Mitchell looks over the grounds at the Sydney Australia Temple on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News The Sydney Australia Temple on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News The Sydney Australia Temple on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. President Russell M. Nelson, with his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, visited the city on his nine-day, seven-nation Pacific Ministry Tour. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Elva Merle Mitchell walks the grounds at the Sydney Australia Temple on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Paul and Diane Parton stand near the Sydney Australia Temple on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Paul and Diane Parton talk about their history on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Emily Kwok talks about her service with Church public affairs on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News The Sydney Australia Temple on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Friends Elva Merle Mitchell and Diane Parton talk on May 18, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Attendees enter the International Conference Center to hear President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Attendees enter the International Conference Center to hear President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and his wife, Sister Wendy Nelson, meet with youth during a meeting on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News Elder Elder Gerrit W. Gong, of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, speaks on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News A choir sings at the International Conference Center on May 19, 2019, in Sydney, Australia. Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News SALT LAKE CITY Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said he believes Alabama's newly adopted abortion law is too extreme and people on both sides of the controversial issue are taking exceptionally radical positions. "I am pro-life but there ought to be exceptions for rape and incest," he said during an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday morning. "You are seeing laws on both sides of this argument that are in the extreme," he said. "People have gone to the wings, if you will, and I don't think that is productive. I think something much more toward the center makes more sense." Alabama passed a law that bans abortions in all cases unless the life of the mother is in jeopardy. It does not make exceptions for rape or incest. People have gone to the wings, if you will, and I don't think that is productive. I think something much more toward the center makes more sense. Utah Sen. Mitt Romney Lawmakers there know it will be challenged and want the law to be weighed by the U.S. Supreme Court in an attempt to overturn the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion. Other states such as Georgia, Kentucky and Ohio have adopted so-called "heartbeat" abortion laws that prohibit the procedure once a heart beat is detected, typically around six weeks. Utah has not taken up those type of restrictions. The Beehive State's Republican-controlled Legislature passed a bill in 2016 that requires doctors to administer anesthesia or painkillers for a fetus before any abortion at 20 weeks gestation or later the first law of its kind in the country. Earlier this year, lawmakers outlawed abortions performed solely based on a Down syndrome diagnosis and passed a law banning the procedure after 18 weeks gestation. That law is under challenge by Planned Parenthood of Utah and is on hold pending the outcome of the litigation. Romney, while bashing Trump for his character that he said does not reflect the ideals of the highest office of the nation, said the controversial leader should not be impeached. "I do not think impeachment is the right way to go," he said. The Mueller report, which did not find evidence of collusion by the Trump campaign with Russia, was troubling and disappointing, Romney said. But still, "I just dont think there is the full element you need to prove an obstruction of justice case. I dont think a prosecutor would actually look at this and say you have here all the elements to get this to a conviction." He also said the president is right to take on China, even though it is painful economically for consumers and certain sectors such as farmers. "Well of course the cost of tariffs is born by the American public," he said. "But it is a sacrifice I believe is essential to keep China from continuing to kill our jobs and kill our businesses that employ our people. China has gotten away with murder for years so I think the president has appropriately said, 'Enough of this. We are going to say stop.'" ALPINE A Uintah County couple were identified Sunday as the victims of a fatal helicopter crash. The pilot, Benno Anthony Penna, 32, and his wife, Megan Michele Hawk Penna, also 32, were killed on impact in the Friday crash in the mountains north of Alpine, according to the Utah County Sheriff's Office. They leave behind a son, age 6, and a daughter, age 5. Just before 3 p.m. Friday, deputies with the Utah County Sheriff's Office were notified of an overdue helicopter that had left a private residence in Ballard, Uintah County. The helicopter was headed to the South Valley Regional Airport in West Jordan and was expected at 2 p.m. The downed chopper was found in the area of Schoolhouse Springs in rugged mountainous terrain. Authorities say the unsettled weather may have been a factor in the crash. Megan Penna, who owns an art studio in Ballard, posted photos and a video on Facebook about 10 a.m. Friday of her and her husband flying "above the clouds." Friends and relatives initially wrote enthusiastic comments about the Facebook post, then later began writing words of condolence. "A wonderful way to remember them. Their memorial from the heavens. Rest in peace Megan and Benno. You will always be remembered in the fondest ways," one man wrote. "Sending love, light and energy healing along with prayers to your family. Both truly are flying high above the clouds now. Godspeed my friends!" wrote another. "See you Two in Paradise. Until then I'll be missing your beautiful faces," one woman posted. Another wrote, "(The) clouds almost look like I'd picture heaven. My prayers are with your family and friends." Late Sunday, the Penna, Zubiate and Hawk family released a statement. "The Penna family is heartbroken at the loss of Benno and Megan Penna. Benno was a devoted husband and father who loved helping friends and family. Megan was a devoted wife, mother and business partner with Benno. Megan loved working with her husband and they both adored their kids." In the statement, they added: "The family is so grateful for the outpouring of community love and support during this very difficult time. The family is asking for privacy at this time. Please hold your calls, messages and visits until we have enough time to grieve the loss of Benno and Megan." Diana Penty is one of those Bollywood stars who made their debut at the Cannes Film Festival this year. The actress, who is a brand ambassador of GreyGoose, is in Cannes to represent her brand. She has made a golden debut, literally, by sweeping us off with her Golden Tassled dress and later making an amazing entry with a white saree. She seems to be continuing with her fashion outing yet again as she channeled her inner Jolie with her Blumarine trench coat and knee-length boots. View this post on Instagram Channeling my inner Jolie #DianaAtCannes #LiveVictoriously #GreyGooseLife #Cannes2019 A post shared by Diana Penty (@dianapenty) on May 19, 2019 at 1:20am PDT Diana was seen in a Blumarine trench coat that has been designed by Andreas Mercante. Blumarine owns the design and it belongs to the Fall-Winter Collection of 19/20. Diana looked ethereal. Her make-up was done by Namita Alexander while her hair and make-up was done by Marianna Mukuchyan. She accessorised it with just a pair of earrings by Vintage Givenchy and a bag by Christian Louboutin. Diana is really taking her fashion game a notch higher, isn't it? Photo: The Canadian Press Four out of 10 British Columbians say rising gasoline prices are making it harder to afford necessities. A new survey by pollster Angus Reid finds 33% of respondents are struggling to keep up with increases that have B.C. residents paying the highest prices in North America. And that has them rethinking summer travel plans. The poll finds seven out of 10 support a cap on gas prices, and 59% feel the provincial government isnt doing enough to address the issue. One-in-three (35%) say they have been driving less, and another quarter (26%) say they have been filling up less. Still others have travelled to other towns (18%) or across the U.S. border to buy fuel (7%) Drivers living in rural areas are more likely to have noticed a major increase in gas prices (75%) and are more likely to say theyve been struggling as a result (44%). Across the country, there is considerable disagreement over the reasons for the increasing cost of filling up, the Reid notes. "Federally, Conservative-minded Canadians overwhelmingly blame government taxes, while supporters of other federal parties are more likely to point a finger at oil companies trying to maximize profits," the Angus Reid Institute said in a press release. Telegram founder criticises WhatsApp harshly, says it will never be secure WhatsApp was recently under fire for harbouring a security vulnerability (named Pegasus) that let anonymous attackers and cybercriminals infect iOS and Android smartphones with spyware. While many WhatsApp users found the news surprising, Telegram founder Pavel Durov was unshaken. In a long opinion piece on Telegra.ph, the Russian entrepreneur writes why he thinks WhatsApp never was and never would be secure. Durov cites WhatsApps not being open source as the first reason for its lack of proper security. By being owned by Facebook as a proprietary tool, there's no way for security researchers or even the common user to check for backdoors in the app's code. This makes it easy for security organisations, like the FBI, or even unruly governments to impose conditions on WhatsApp in the name of anti-terrorism efforts. No wonder dictators seem to love WhatsApp, writes Durov. Durov then goes on to criticise WhatsApp for its consistent history of poor security. Looking back, there hasnt been a single day in WhatsApps 10 year journey when this service was secure. Thats why I dont think that just updating WhatsApp's mobile app will make it secure for anyone, he adds. According to him, WhatsApp is bound to higher powers in the US, and that is the reason it isn't ready to explain how it maintains security behind the scenes. The founder of Telegram believes messages on WhatsApp are not truly end-to-end encrypted partly because of WhatsApp's online backup facility on Google Drive. Those resilient enough not to fall for constant popups telling them to back up their chats can still be traced by a number of tricks from accessing their contacts backups to invisible encryption key changes, he adds. On top of this, you have a mix of critical vulnerabilities succeeding one another. Durov concludes his piece by explaining how Telegram is superior to WhatsApp in this regard but not made as popular because of its commitment to being honest. Photo: Pixabay OVERVIEW: Those seeking adventure or excitement need to consider the cost. If you feel it is worth it, then go ahead; avoid prying eyes. Dodge those asking too many questions that are none of their business. Some may see a future in the association or relationship so let it develop naturally. New plans or ideas need a test period. Decisions are made mid-week; shift gears or finalize. Resurrect the past if it still has value. Communications increase on all levels; timing is an issue for results or reunions. Be short and to the point. Take a break to have some fun if you have to wait. Consult with professional when making critical choices. Collect signatures, etc. ARIES: You have a larger say or increased authority now. Use this to pull every thing together right. TAURUS: You attract praise or spontaneous affection as others are attracted to you. Enjoy popularity. GEMINI: Cozy talk in private enhances relationships. Assess the future potential or love connection. CANCER: You step up to the plate and out of your comfort zone. Connect with influential associates. LEO: Your status rises as others show their admiration for you. Being responsible is highly rewarding. VIRGO: You gain information that gives you the edge with important matters. Consult the authorities. LIBRA: Navigate obstacles as you climb the ladder. Greater job fulfillment makes you more secure. SCORPIO: Pull a plan together or sigh something that benefits you financially or increases assets. SAGITTARIUS: You have luck with mate or partnership matters. Generous arrangements work out. CAPRICORN: Your reputation speaks for itself and others see you as the one best for the job now. AQUARIUS: Join forces with those of power or influence. The outcome could affect home or office. PISCES: Take your rightful place in the public eye. Choose a good location for base of operations. A High Court challenge has been brought by a group representing oyster fishermen over a decision to grant licences allowing the farmed fishing of oysters in Lough Swilly. The action has been brought by the Co Donegal based Lough Swilly Wild Oyster Society Ltd (LSWOS) whose members have been engaged in the fishing of native oysters in Lough Swilly for over 25 years, which fears that the lack of proper controls over the farming of oysters in the Lough is an "environmental disaster". The group, represented in court by Peter Finlay SC and Ciaran Elders BL claims the licences, awarded by the Minister for Agriculture and upheld on appeal by the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board last February, allow the farmed fishing of a species in Lough Swilly known as Pacific Oysters. Detrimental effect LSWOS claims that the farming of these foreign oysters are eroding the natural occurring fishing grounds and are having a detrimental effect on their ability to fish for native species. They claim that licences were given to parties to farm Pacific oysters that were either abandoned or neglected. This resulted in a mass of untended pacific oysters that have spread out and taken over the beds of the native oysters. The state it is claimed has done nothing to control the proper farming of oysters in the Lough. LSWOS says it makes no criticism of the proposed licences and says that in principle it has no objections to the granting of properly regulated licences to farm oysters in Lough Swilly. Mr Finlay told the court that his clients claim the decisions to award the licences are flawed and should be set aside, on various grounds including the appeals board refusal to grant his client an oral hearing after LSWOS lodged its appeal against the Minister's decision in 2017 to grant the licences. Counsel said that there was a lack of fairness in the manner in the process which the appeals board adopted when considering his client's appeal. Counsel added that contrary to the EU Habitats Directive the appeals board also relied on information concerning the Lough Swilly that was some six years out of date and did not take into account the proliferation of the Pacific Oyster in the Lough. In judicial review proceedings, the LSWOS seeks various orders and declarations including an order quashing the decisions of the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine, as well as the decision by the Aquaculture Licence Appeals Board confirming the Minister's decision. Seeking stay on licences They also seek a declaration that the decision to grant the licences is in breach of natural and constitutional justice, damages and for a stay to be put on the licences. Both Mr O'Sullivan and the Lough Swilly Shellfish Growers Co-Operative Society Ltd are notice parties to the action. Permission to bring the challenge was granted on an ex parte basis, by Mr Justice Seamus Noonan. The matter was made returnable to a date in July. I could say it was a blast from the past, but I dont recall much of a blast and quite frankly, when a writer from New York City asked me last week of details regarding an interview Id had with a convicted con artist from Canada/Germany/Florida/Arkansas/Missouri -- oh heck, lets just say a convicted con artist and leave it at that well, I needed her to remind me of some details because, as I told the writer, I have not only slept since then but I often have trouble finding where I had laid down my keys the night before. Thanks to the writer, author Tori Telfer, I began re-hashing some of the story that included her mother, a German countess, and an abusive father who has associated with German Fuhrer Adolph Hitlers military, as well as Hackneys criminal activities, the least of which was not her falsifying her mothers death so that she could claim her assets. In fact, she had attempted to run over her mother and her mothers boyfriend. John K. White More than 200 people lined up bright and early Sunday morning to grab some ink for a good cause in Vernon. Five Fathoms Tattoo Shop owner Nick Matovich has been hosting a fundraiser for The BC Childrens Hospital Foundation ever since his daughter Nova was diagnosed with a congenital heart defect called hypoplastic left heart syndrome. While Nova sold lemonade to eager buyers, pleased patrons waited their turn for a permanent memento of their good will. There was also gourmet food available for purchase, with proceeds going to the cause. On top of the five regular tattoo artists from Five Fathoms, skin-inkers from across B.C. and Alberta were in town to donate their skills to the cause. While it's an immense amount of work in a short period of time, Matovich said they are quite eager to support the effort. Matovich said he hopes to donate somewhere near $30,000 to the foundation after the event, which is expected to wrap up early Monday morning. According to a report in the national media today, the chief suspect in the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe was detained by the United States' Homeland Security for immigration offences. The man, who is in his mid-20s was taken into custody in New York by officials yesterday. It is believed he was arrested for overstaying his visa. This development opens the possibility for his deportation back to Ireland where Gardai will get the opportunity to speak to him regarding the killing of Garda Donohoe, which took place at Lordship Credit Union in January 2013. A four man gang were involved in the murder of Garda Adrian Donohoe which happened during a robbery at the Credit Union. On the fourth anniversary of Adrian's death earlier this year Garda Commissioner Noirin OSullivan praised the work done by local Gardai to date. "The investigation team in Dundalk has done incredible work and An Garda Siochana will continue its efforts in this vain until justice is done. "We cannot do this alone, we still need the publics help. Even the smallest piece of information could be vital. At this time, I would appeal to anyone with information on Adrians murder to come forward and help us with our enquiries. There are still people out there who know who the killers are. It is never too late to do the right thing. Any information provided will be treated sensitively." The National Lottery is appealing for its Lotto players in County Louth to check their tickets this morning after a ticket which won the 6,197,310 Lotto jackpot was sold in the town of Drogheda. This valuable Lotto ticket was sold at Tesco Extra on Donore Road, Drogheda. Co. Louth. This is the fourth Lotto jackpot to be won so far this year and amazingly, the second won in Co. Louth. The winning numbers of last nights main Lotto draw are: 1, 7, 9, 18, 22, 33 and the bonus number is 17. Speaking on this latest Lotto jackpot win, a National Lottery spokesperson said: County Louth may be Irelands smallest county but when it comes to Lotto wins it is really punching above its weight this year, with half of our Lotto jackpot wins coming from the wee county. In truth, Louth has always done well from Lotto since and a recent research conducted by the National Lottery shows Louth is the luckiest. The National Lotterys Luckiest Lotto Counties survey showed that Co. Louth boasts the most Lotto millionaires per head of population since Lotto launched 32 years ago, with an incredible 5.9 Lotto jackpot winners for every 10,000 people. The county has had 78 lucky Lotto jackpot winners who have won in excess of 97 million between them. A Lotto jackpot of 2,497,727 was won by a Louth Lotto player who bought their ticket in Termonfeckin in March. This winner revealed they were going use their jackpot win to pay off their mortgage and other bills. The National Lottery spokesperson continued: We are calling on all our Lotto players in Louth, particularly those who play in Drogheda to carefully check their tickets to see if they have won this life-changing prize. If it is you, be sure to sign the back of the ticket, keep this valuable piece of paper safe and contact our prize claims team on 01 836 4444 and we will make arrangements for you to come to the National Lottery to get your prize. Banker Phares is a John and Karen Mast Professor at SFA. He is board certified in estate planning and probate law and teaches in the Department of Economics and Finance at SFA. He is a practicing attorney and founding member of the Estate Planning and Probate Law certification by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization. Photo: Brendan Kergin Terry Lake with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at a Liberal Party of Canada fundraiser in January The Prime Minister is coming back to Kamloops just a few months after his last visit, this time to throw his support behind Terry Lake. Lake will be getting the official nod as the Liberal Party of Canada candidate for the Kamloops-Thompson-Caribou riding in the upcoming federal election. As part of the nomination event, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will be on hand, according to the Liberal Party of Canada event page. The event will be Tuesday, May 21 at the Coast Hotel in Aberdeen (where a Liberal fundraiser in January was held) from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. On Wednesday, May 22 Trudeau will be in Vancouver for another Liberal Party event. Lake, a former provincial cabinet minister representing Kamloops-North Thompson and former mayor of Kamloops, stepped back from politics before the last provincial election. In April he announced his return and goal of running for the Liberal Party. He will be acclaimed as the nominee for the party. -By Brendan Kergin / Kamloops Matters Information using chalk paste, e-craft publications and Guinea pigs as pets will be the featured topics on Creative Living at 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday and at noon on Thursday. Kari Child will demonstrate a project uses a chalkboard, chalk transfers and chalk paste. She will then show a simple but fun ombre technique to make the project more unique. She lives in Midvale, Utah. Designers Ann Butler and Lisa Rojas will show samples of each of their magazines and explain the changes that have taken place through the years. They have also added e-books to their collection. Butler lives in Villard, Minnesota and Rojas is from Victorville, California. Ray Pawley is a retired zoologist, and he says that for children 8 years and up a Guinea pig may be a suitable choice for a pet. Guinea pigs are rodents that reproduce rapidly, are non-allergenic and come in different colors. Pawley lives in Hondo. Information on quilting tips, basic crochet stitches, and the art of perfumery will be the featured topics on Creative Living at noon on Tuesday and at 2 p.m. on Saturday. Debbie Caffrey will show step-by-step how to test for accurate seam allowances and correct alignment of triangles in all of your quilting projects. Shes from Albuquerque. Drew Emborsky is known as The Crochet Dude, and hes going to demonstrate a beginner skill level project which teaches how to crochet basic stitches, and the result is a crocheted curly scarf. He lives in Houston, Texas. Kris Wrede is an aromatic alchemist and natural perfumer, and she teaches a course in the art of perfumery. It starts with a basic history of fragrance, talks about fragrance notes and perfume fixatives as well as perfume components. She lives in Albuquerque, NM. 10 Reasons Why Guinea Pigs Make Great Pets Thinking of getting a pet but dont want the responsibility of a cat or a dog? How about a guinea pig? Guinea pigs, or cavies, are short-tailed, rough-haired South American rodents (family Caviidae.) Guinea pigs have always been one of the exotic pets I recommend most, especially for families considering a pet for the first time. Here are 10 reasons guinea pigs make great pets: 1. Guinea pigs are hardy. When cared for and fed properly, guinea pigs are generally very healthy animals. 2. Guinea pigs are easy to care for. They require hay, fresh water, fresh vegetables and a small amount of pelleted food formulated for guinea pigs, plus a vitamin C supplement each day. 3. Guinea pigs are great pets for children. Not as fragile as rabbits and generally less skittish than smaller rodents like hamsters and gerbils, guinea pigs are wonderful pets for elementary-school-age kids and older. 4. Guinea pigs live long lives. While most hamsters, gerbils and rats live only two to three years, on average, most guinea pigs live five to seven years and some have even lived into their teens. 5. Guinea pigs are unique. Many people dont realize this, but guinea pigs have a lot of personality. Some guinea pigs are shy; others are bold and dominant. 6. Guinea pigs purr! Just like cats, guinea pigs make a quiet yet audible vibrating sound when they are happy, often when they are petted gently. 7. Guinea pigs like to pop. Popcorning is a unique behavior more commonly seen in young guinea pigs when they are happy or excited: They jump up straight into the air over and over. Popcorning is unique to guinea pigs and is a fun behavior to watch. 8. Guinea pigs are colorful. Short-haired, long-haired, even hairless - guinea pigs come in various breeds with fur of all lengths, colors and patterns. According to the American Cavy Breeders Association, there are 13 breeds and 10 basic colors of guinea pigs. 9. Guinea pigs like people. People who havent been around guinea pigs often dont believe this, but these friendly little animals really do recognize and respond to their owners. 10. Guinea pigs make great first pets. Given their low-maintenance care, overall hardy nature, strong ability to bond with their owners and generally long lifespans, guinea pigs make terrific first pets for families who want an animal that is loving and rewarding but cant provide the degree of care that a cat or dog requires no need to walk a guinea pig! Creative Living is produced and hosted by Sheryl Borden. The show is carried by more than 118 PBS stations. Contact her at: [email protected] On May 9, security forces killed Ishfaq Ahmad Sofi in South Kashmir town of Shopian. It soon turned out Sofi was not just another militant fighting New Delhi in the state. He was owned by the global jihadi outfit Islamic State which claimed Kashmir as its new Wilayah (province). In a statement published in Amaq news agency, the IS claimed to have inflicted casualties on the forces at Amshipora, the site of the encounter that killed Sofi. Sofi had joined Harkat-ul Mujahideen (HuM) in 2015, but had reportedly become a member of ISJK in 2016. The J&K Police has promptly denied that the IS even existed in the Valley with the DGP Dilbagh Singh terming claims of its presence in the state as "rubbish". In fact, the sources in the police say "there is no connection between the IS in KashmIr and the global outfit". And Sofi is said to be the last of the local IS member. Another member, police say, has joined the indigenous militant group Hizbul Mujahedeen. But what then explains the global IS owning Sofi and claiming Kashmir as its Wilayah in Amaq, its recognised news agency? There is no credible answer to the question. But the police in Kashmir doesn't set much store by these claims. "You can't verify these claims. But what you can verify is the situation on the ground in Kashmir," says a police officer. "And that situation tells us there is no IS presence in the Valley". However, it is not first time that an international jihadi group has claimed to have a presence in Kashmir. In July 2017 for the first time since the outbreak of militancy in Kashmir in 1989, Al Qaeda announced to have set up its affiliate in Kashmir with former Hizbul Mujahideen Zakir Musa commander as its chief. The affiliates name is Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind. The announcement was made by Global Islamic Media Front, a media wing of Al Qaeda. Giving the statement an imprimatur of authenticity, it also carried the logo of the official media Ansar Ghazwat-ul-Hind titled Al-Hur, Al-Hur. But ever since Ghazwat-ul-Hind has largely been absent from the Valley's militant discourse. And over the past year, the occasional feeble discourse around the Al Qaeda has given way to the one about the IS and almost in a similar fashion. And if the police is to be believed, the outfit has been all but wiped out with the killing of Sofi, its solitary militant. Separatist Dissociation Despite this ground reality, both Al Qaeda and the IS have recurrently sprung to the surface of the discourse about the situation in the Valley. More so, when both the separatist political and armed groups have dissociated from the the IS and made it clear that there was no role for an international jihadi group in Kashmir. Earlier this year, after some masked youth unfurled an IS flag at the grand mosque in downtown Srinagar, separatist parties publicly took the group on by holding a protest jointly with civil society and trade bodies. "All of us need to stand up and defeat the elements which are trying to malign our struggle, Hurriyat M chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq said at the time. Not only has the incident saddened the people of Kashmir, but there is a growing demand for isolating these elements (IS supporters). In fact Mirwaiz also performed 'purification' of the mosque after the incident. So, does the IS operate in a vacuum in Kashmir? Or can it boast of some popular backing? "In a sense, one can say it operates in a vacuum. Separatists have distanced from it and the government has denied its presence," says Naseer Ahmad, author of Kashmir Pending. "But there is a tiny section of population which is a bit hardcore in their religious worldview. They may or may not be the IS supporters. But then people with extreme views exist in every society". Pakistan Factor Another important factor that rules out the scope for an IS or for that matter even Al Qaeda foothold in Kashmir is that it will never be supported by Pakistan. Kashmir, it is argued, poses structural difficulties for an Al Qaeda or ISIS like outfit to operate and survive. "No political or militant outfit in Kashmir can hope to exist in Kashmir without either leaning on Islamabad or New Delhi for support. The bottomline is there is no independent political or militant space in Kashmir. It will be very difficult to strike on your own and get away with it, said a political analyst, not wishing to be named. Basic questions to be asked are these: Who will fund an IS or Al Qaeda in Kashmir? Who will supply weapons? You cannot take on both India and Pakistan in Kashmir and also the rival militant outfits and then hope to survive. Curry County Retired Educators Our guest speaker was Cindy Kleyn-Kennedy, Clovis Municipal Schools (CMS) Instructional Tech Coordinator and weekly columnist for The Eastern New Mexico News. She spoke to us about a program being used in the middle schools called Capturing Kids Hearts which addresses todays needs in the classroom. This program helps develop positive student-teacher relationships through various methods, such as handshakes, hugs, or fist-bumps between student and teacher. Through a social contract, students develop self-behavior accountability by creating classroom expectations together and monitoring their behavior. Another component, according to another account in The Eastern New Mexico News, is having a safe and healthy school coordinator at each school who assists teachers with classroom management and implementing this program successfully. We invite all retired Curry County educators and staff to join us at K-Bobs at 11 a.m. for lunch and 11:30 a.m. for the program. Our next meeting will be Sept. 3. Submitted by Sandra Bates CLOVIS A longtime Clovis resident was recently recognized as the nurse of the year for Interim HealthCare Inc., a national health care provider with over 300 offices and 5,000 nurses around the country. Rakel Nussbaumer, the director of health care services in Clovis, received the 2019 Interim HealthCare Nurse of the Year, handed out annually by the company to coincide with National Nurses Week, May 6-12 this year. Ill tell you I was surprised. I wasnt expecting to get it, Nussbaumer said. Being recognized as nurse of the year is a real honor. Its really truly amazing that this has happened. Like I said I wasnt expecting this award, there are so many other nurses that I work with that are just as deserving of this recognition. As the director of health care services, Nussbaumer oversees all of the nurses, physical therapists and home health aides with the Clovis office who provide care to patients in their home. We take care of an aging population at generally the most vulnerable time in their lives theyve fallen or theyve had a decline and we really help them gain their independence back and to keep them safe in their homes for as long as possible, Nussbaumer said. Twila Rutter, the regional director of operations for Interim HealthCare, said every office in the company can nominate someone for the award, which is based on five qualities: integrity, compassion, customer focus, innovation and financial responsibility. Rutter said Nussbaumer was selected for the award in part because of her knowledge of the nursing industry and the way she treats her employees. Shes an excellent leader and has really put us on the map so to speak as far as great patient outcomes and taking care of our patients and their families, Rutter said. Shes a smart cookie and incredibly compassionate and empathetic to her employees. The clinicians that she works with understand shes been out in the field. Shes been there. Shes done what they are doing in the home and her compassion when they have an issue in the home is real because shes been there, done that. Nussbaumer, 37, said she was born in Florida and moved to Spain before her father was stationed at Cannon Air Force Base when she was 5, living in Clovis ever since. Being a nurse is really hard but yet its very rewarding to be able to give back to the community and our patients and I really do love what I do, Nussbaumer said. A surveillance program that allows the U.S. government to comb through hundreds of millions of Americans telephone records in search of connections to terrorism could soon be a thing of the past. That would be good news for personal privacy and responsible intelligence-gathering. Reports in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal suggest that the National Security Agency has lost its enthusiasm for a program that is the successor to the massive bulk collection of telephone records revealed six years ago by Edward Snowden. Luke Murry, a national security advisor to House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-California, said in March that the program hadnt been used for the previous six months. The White House may still recommend that Congress extend the phone-records program, which is set to expire in December along with some other provisions of the Patriot Act first enacted after 9/11. But in light of problems with the program, Congress should say no. The original phone record program, justified under a strained interpretation of the Patriot Act, authorized the collection by the NSA of vast quantities of so-called metadata information about the source, recipient and time of telephone calls or text messages. Investigators could then search through this electronic haystack for the needle of information that might expose terrorist plots. The program didnt capture the content of conversations. Still, it placed in the governments possession massive quantities of information that could reveal myriad details about Americans lives, such as calls made to a suicide hotline or to a psychiatrist, lover or potential employer. After Snowden revealed the existence of the program, President Obama initially defended it, assuring the American people that there was no problem because nobody is listening to your telephone calls. But later Obama recommended that Congress end bulk collection of metadata. In 2015 Congress passed the USA Freedom Act, which ended the bulk-collection program but permitted investigators, with permission from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, to search call detail records maintained by telecommunications companies. A search term (such as a phone number) can be used to search the records only if there is a reasonable articulable suspicion that it was associated with international terrorism. The USA Freedom Act was only a partial victory for privacy rights, however. It did ensure that the government itself wouldnt gather and possess phone records. But privacy is also at risk when such records are retained by a company but are still subject to searches by the government. In 2017, according to a report by the director of national intelligence, the government obtained 534 million phone records from telephone companies. Moreover, the NSA had found it hard to implement the new program without inadvertently collecting information that is supposed to be off-limits. Last year the agency disclosed that it had deleted hundreds of millions of records collected since 2015 because telecommunications firms had turned over data that the government wasnt allowed to access or search. Such compliance problems might be tolerable if the phone records program were yielding information that led to the detection of terrorist plots. But that is doubtful given the governments apparent conclusion that the program isnt vital and that it can rely on other forms of intelligence-gathering, including the collection of information from foreigners located abroad. There is a good reason why the USA Freedom Act and some other provisions of the Patriot Act werent made permanent. Congress recognized that provisions designed as emergency responses to a terrorist threat shouldnt be reflexively reauthorized. The government shouldnt have access to private information that it doesnt need to protect the nation. Los Angeles Times Were finally seeing how voter suppression, mass incarceration, the war on women and the demise of labor all feed off each other. Unfortunately, conservatives figured that almost 50 years ago. Abortion is being criminalized in state after state, punishing poor people and people of color. We have no attorney general. Prosecutions of Trumps political opponents seem inevitable. War crimes are being rewarded. Foreign adversaries have been invited to interfere with our elections, again. Were denied even basic knowledge about how effectively weve already been hacked. The census is being rigged to reinforce minority rule for at least another decade. The Trump Administration is trying to start a war with Iran and the press is proving it learned nothing from Iraq. And the federal courts are lost, probably for the rest of our lives. When did we first begin to get our ass kicked after the monumental victories of the 60s, despite a few big wins in 1993-94 and 2009-10? Was it when Democrats barely defeated the man who pardoned Nixon failing to pass any sort of labor reform under Jimmy Carter or Bill Clinton or Barack Obama? Was it the shift to policies that prioritize incarceration over social services? Was a fear of prioritizing the courts or anything that boldly protected or expanded abortion rights, though Roe remains far more popular than any conservative policy? Was it the failure of expanding on the success of the Motor Voter Law? Was the tipping point just two bad elections 2014 and 2016? Obviously, it was the not the moment Trump the personification of all thats wrong with conservatism but not the cause of any of it was elected. Youd probably have to read The Rise of the Conservative Legal Movement, Rick Perlsteins genealogy of the modern conservative movement, Ari Bermans Give Us the Ballot, Jane Mayers Dark Money, Ian Haney Lopezs Dog Whistle Politics and Nancy MacLeans Democracy in Chains to begin to answer these questions. George Lakoff points to the Powell Memo of 1972, which lays out a master plan that has largely become a reality. People tend on the left tend to think systematically about policy, which is why Democratic policies lead to better job growth, more people insured and a inclusion for those who have historically been denied rights. Bad policies like the forced pregnancy bill are a direct result of voter suppression, Stacey Abrams said. Voter suppression is the glue that ties together everything the GOP does. This includes making it difficult or impossible or just unlikely for most Americans to vote. This includes de jure disenfranchisement for the Americans criminalized by the legacy of Jim Crow and slavery and de facto disenfranchisement through a countless useless measures including voting purges and ridiculous barriers to voting. This includes the constant politicization of health care of women and LGBTQ people designed to summon steady state of toxic stress. This includes Fox News spewing hate to feed the machine that fleeces workers 24/7. This results in the constant gutting funding for poor communities with massive tax cuts while raising the burdens on the most vulnerable with the craven gutting of all government protections. When it comes power, conservatives get it. And the left has gotten served. Nearly compromise of the last half century has had costs paid mostly by the people Democrats should be serving. This is why appeals to trust the elders of the Democratic Party ring increasingly hollow. Nancy Pelosi is the singularly most successful Congressional leader of the century. She must have a plan for Trump. Joe Biden may be be on the verge of proving all his doubters, including me, wrong and running off with the Democratic nomination. I get the need to return to normalcy, the feeling that somebody has got this. Theyve led us back to power before. Now, if were lucky, well get to restore the rule of law after the rise of authoritarianism. But what we need is a plan to stop getting our ass kicked. At least six Daesh terrorists killed in N.Iraq In mid-2014, Daesh overran roughly one-third of Iraq, including the northern city of Mosul. Six Daesh militants were killed in a security operation in northern Iraq, according to the countrys defense ministry on Saturday. SIX DEASH TERRORIST KILLED In a statement, the ministry said security forces raided two suspected militant hideouts in Saladin, north of Baghdad, upon an intelligence tip-off. Security forces seized three explosive belts and six devices during the operation, the ministry said. By late 2017, the Iraqi army with the help of a US-led military coalition had recovered most if not all lost territories from the notorious terrorist group. Although officials in Baghdad say Daeshs presence in the country has been largely eradicated, the terrorist group has continued to stage sporadic attacks in Iraq's Nineveh, Kirkuk, Diyala, Saladin and Anbar provinces. Austria leader calls for snap election after corruption scandal Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz has asked for a snap election after his Vice Chancellor, Heinz Christian Strache, resigned over a corruption scandal. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called Saturday for a snap election after accepting resignation of his far-right vice chancellor Heinz Christian Strache over a corruption scandal. EARLY ELECTION CALL Kurz's center-right People's Party ended the coalition government with Strache's Freedom Party after a secret video footage emerged Friday. Strache stepped down from his posts. The scandal episode filmed before 2017 national elections appears to show Strache discussing and promising government contracts to an investor lady of Russian origin in exchange for helping his far-right party campaign in Austria. After yesterdays video, enough is enough, Kurz told reporters, adding that he asked the President Alexander Van der Bellen to hold a new national vote as soon as possible. The president said next steps on fresh elections would be discussed on Sunday. Kurz also said that the Freedom Party has both damaged the image of Austria and created the abuse of power. Iraqi forces arrested Daesh commander in Mosul The Daesh commander was arrested in a security raid in Mosul. Iraqi police forces arrested a Daesh commander in the northern city of Mosul, according to the Defense Ministry on Sunday. DAESH COMMANDER ARRESTED In a statement, the ministry said Jihad al-Ansari was captured in a security raid in eastern Mosul upon an intelligence tip-off. The ministry said al-Ansari was serving as a commander of Daesh militants in the northern Nineveh province. In mid-2014, Daesh overran roughly one third of Iraq, including the northern city of Mosul. By late 2017, the Iraqi army with the help of a US-led military coalition had recovered most if not all lost territories from the notorious terrorist group. Although officials in Baghdad say Daeshs presence in the country has been largely eradicated, the terrorist group has continued to stage sporadic attacks in Iraq's Nineveh, Kirkuk, Diyala, Saladin and Anbar provinces. London holds alternative party to protest Eurovision Song Contest Not The Eurovision Party For Palestine event saw the participation of hundreds attending in solidarity with Palestine. A boycott movement against the Eurovision Song Contest held in Israel has been a massive success as it has amplified awareness about the Palestinians plight, according to the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. "A COMPLETE FAILURE FOR ISRAEL" Hoda Amari from the campaign told Anadolu Agency that the Eurovision contest has been a "complete failure" for Israel. Palestinian, Israeli and international artists have united to hold a series of concerts as an alternative to the Eurovision Song Contest held in the Israeli capital Tel Aviv from May 14-18. Pop star Madonna's guest performance at the annual international song competition has drawn condemnation especially by the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement which has been pushing artists to shun Israel for its occupation of Palestine. Speaking at an alternative event to the song contest, Not The Eurovision Party For Palestine in north London, Amari said Israel expected around 50,000 tourists during the contest week but this number only reached 4,000 to 5,000. Amari said with this event they aimed to protest the contest which Israel is using to mask its crimes against the Palestinian people". The London event saw the participation of hundreds of people at a venue near Camden Town and it featured some well-known hip hop artists including Lowkey and Mic Righteous. Palestinian folk dances were watched with interest by the crowd. Similar alternative parties were held in the occupied West Bank, Haifa and Dublin, which were all streamed live. I am proud to perform in this event, said Lowkey, the head artist of the protest event in London. To point out the relationship between the normalization of Israel and international events such as the Eurovision song contest [is the number one aim of the event]," he said. It is not a difference between Jews and Muslims but it is a difference between those who believe in the equality of all and those who believe in the supremacy of some, he added. The alternative party continued into the early hours of Sunday. Pompeo strives for consensus with Lavrov on Venezuela US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo shared with his Russian counterpart the Trump administration's desire to stop support for Maduro. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited Russia this week to discuss several issues with President Vladimir Putin's diplomatic officials. This political move was made in order to strengthen relations and clear differences with the Russian government. SUPPORT FOR MADURO MUST STOP Both sides have shown goodwill on topics discussed such as control of nuclear weapons and the growing tensions between Iran and the US Nevertheless, they disagree on issues like the Russian electoral interference and the political crisis in Venezuela, where positions are irreconcilable. On his first trip to Russia as secretary of state, Pompeo issued the Venezuelan crisis as one of the White Houses priorities in foreign policy, hoping to bring Russia closer to his diplomatic position and leave differences behind. However, his request that Russia must "stop supporting" Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro was not well received. The US has accused Moscow of "interfering" in the process of democratization in Venezuela by supporting the legitimacy of Maduro as president, while Washington supports Juan Guaidos declaration, proclaiming himself as interim president of Venezuela. After the meeting of Pompeo with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, differences over Venezuela came to light. Lavrov later told reporters that "democracy can not be imposed by force". Russia is betting on diplomatic dialogue to end the Venezuelan crisis. "The threats we heard against the Maduro government, threats that come from US officials' speeches, have nothing in common with democracy," said Lavrov. "Our cooperation has been excellent: in North Korea, in Afghanistan. We have done great anti-terrorism work together. These are things we can build on," Pompeo told the Russian official. The agenda also includes bilateral agreements for the control of nuclear weapons, the situation in Iran and Syria, as well as the relationship between Russia and the US, which is not in the best terms. A new laboratory-based method of estimating outcomes for patients with a severe pulmonary disorder that has no cure can help physicians better provide proper care, referrals, and services for patients at the end of life, according to a new study of more than 17,000 patients from Intermountain Healthcare. The Laboratory-based Intermountain Validated Exacerbation (LIVE) score is a prediction model that predicts all-cause mortality, morbidity, and hospitalization rates for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a chronic, progressive lung disease that gradually makes it hard to breathe. COPD affects roughly 16 million Americans, or just under five percent of the U.S. population. It's estimated that millions more have the disease, but are undiagnosed. The LIVE score combines a patient's simple laboratory values (levels of hemoglobin, albumin, creatinine, chloride, and potassium) to identify patients who are at high risk of death or further disease advancement, and who may most need referrals to palliative care and advanced care planning resources. In the study, Intermountain Healthcare researchers calculated the LIVE scores of 17,124 patients with COPD from the Kaiser Health System Northwest Region. They found that patients with high-risk LIVE scores had the highest one-year mortality rates (39.4%) and the highest rate of palliative care referrals (41.7%). In comparison, patients with the lowest risk LIVE scores had 0.7% all cause one-year mortality and 0.7% palliative care referral rate. "We found the LIVE score helps personalize therapy to patients beyond the COPD diagnosis alone and provides additional risk information to both patients and their doctors. From a population health perspective, the LIVE score allows for designing pathways of care that identify and treat patients based on individual risk beyond a single diagnosis label alone," said Denitza Blagev, MD, the study's lead author, and a pulmonary and critical care physician at Intermountain Medical Center, who serves as medical director for Quality, Specialty Based Care at Intermountain Healthcare in Salt Lake City. Results from the study will be presented at the annual international conference of the American Thoracic Society, in Dallas on May 19. Unlike other COPD risk scores, the LIVE score is entirely based on blood tests and assesses rates of other diseases in COPD patients rather than lung function specifically. While diseases such as heart disease and kidney disease contribute to the risk of death, hospitalization, and symptoms in patients with COPD, there has been no systematic way of incorporating these diseases in determining overall risk for patients with COPD, until now. Researchers say the findings can help physicians determine which of their COPD patients are at highest risk, and who may benefit from palliative care and appropriate end-of-life services. Palliative care focuses on relief from the symptoms of a serious disease, rather than on a cure, and is often provided in the final stages of a patient's life. While patients with COPD in general are considered high risk, there is a lot of variability in the risk of death for a particular patient with a COPD diagnosis. By using the LIVE score clinicians can design health system interventions that assess high-risk patients for palliative care evaluation. "By exploring the association of palliative care referrals and LIVE score risk, this study is a step forward in understanding how the LIVE score may be used to target appropriate patient care," said Dr. Blagev. "Our findings lend more insight into how we can use these laboratory-based scores at the bedside to ensure that patients are receiving the most appropriate care," she said. "This doesn't mean everyone with high risk needs to be referred to palliative care, but it shows potential opportunities to improve care for patients in that highest risk group," said Dr. Blagev. For example, for a COPD patient with a low-risk LIVE score, interventions aimed at optimizing COPD management may be most effective, as the risk of other diseases and death is relatively low. In contrast, a patient with a high-risk LIVE score may see benefit from COPD-directed therapy, but may find even more improvement with management of their other diseases, which contribute to the risk of death. Researchers note that the LIVE score model has already been validated in more than 100,000 COPD patients at several diverse health systems, so these new study findings further demonstrate the effectiveness of using the model to enhance care and planning for patients. ### PITTSBURGH, May 19, 2019 - Reversibly paralyzing and heavily sedating hospitalized patients with severe breathing problems do not improve outcomes in most cases, according to a National Institutes of Health-sponsored clinical trial conducted at dozens of North American hospitals and led by clinician-scientists at the University of Pittsburgh and University of Colorado schools of medicine. The trial--which was stopped early due to futility--settles a long-standing debate in the critical care medicine community about whether it is better to paralyze and sedate patients in acute respiratory distress to aid mechanical ventilation or avoid heavy sedation to improve recovery. The results, presented today at the American Thoracic Society's Annual Meeting, will be published in the Thursday issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. "It's been a conundrum--on the one hand, really well-done studies have shown that temporarily paralyzing the patient to improve mechanical breathing saves lives. But you can't paralyze without heavy sedation, and studies also show heavy sedation results in worse recovery. You can't have both--so what's a clinician to do?" said senior author Derek Angus, M.D., M.P.H., who holds the Mitchell P. Fink Endowed Chair of the Pitt School of Medicine's Department of Critical Care Medicine. "Our trial finally settles it--light sedation with intermittent, short-term paralysis if necessary is as good as deep sedation with continuous paralysis." The Re-evaluation Of Systemic Early neuromuscular blockade (ROSE) trial is the first of the new National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute's (NHLBI) Prevention & Early Treatment of Acute Lung Injury (PETAL) Network. PETAL develops and conducts randomized controlled clinical trials to prevent or treat patients who have, or who are at risk for, acute lung injury or acute respiratory distress syndrome. The trial network places particular emphasis on early detection by requiring every network member institute include both critical care and emergency medicine, acute care or trauma principal investigators to ensure that critical health issues are recognized and triaged as fast as possible to improve patients' odds of recovery before they are even transferred to the intensive care unit. From January 2016 through April 2018, 1,006 patients at 48 U.S. and Canadian hospitals were enrolled in ROSE within hours after onset of moderate-to-severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. Half were given a 48-hour continuous neuromuscular blockade--a medication that paralyzes them--along with heavy sedation because it is traumatizing to be paralyzed while conscious. The other half were given light sedation, and the clinician had the option of giving a small dose of neuromuscular blockade that would wear off in under an hour to ease respiratory intubation. "This is the kind of important question that the PETAL network was designed to answer efficiently," said James Kiley, Ph.D., director of the Division of Lung Diseases at the NHLBI. "These results will help practicing clinicians make decisions early on in the care of their patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome." The trial was needed because a French trial found in 2010 that neuromuscular blockade reduced mortality. However, in that trial all participants were heavily sedated, regardless of whether they received the neuromuscular blockade or not. In recent years, particularly in North America, clinicians have trended away from heavy sedation, which is associated with cardiovascular complications, delirium and increased difficulty weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. In the ROSE trial, the patients who received the neuromuscular blockade and sedation developed more cardiovascular issues while in the hospital, but there were no significant differences in mortality between the two groups three, six or 12 months later, said David Huang, M.D., M.P.H., who oversaw clinical implementation of the trial and is an associate professor of critical care and emergency medicine at Pitt's School of Medicine. "Due to the exceptional work of our research coordinators, the study completed enrollment ahead of schedule, a rarity in multicenter clinical trials," said lead author Marc Moss, M.D., The Roger S. Mitchell Professor of Medicine and head of the Division of Pulmonary Sciences and Critical Care Medicine at the University of Colorado's Department of Medicine. "Therefore, these important findings are available to health care providers sooner and should result in more rapid implementation of enhanced care for our patients." Angus, who also directs Pitt's Clinical Research, Investigation, and Systems Modeling of Acute Illness (CRISMA) Center, said the trial results make him confident when he says that avoiding paralysis and deep sedation is the best practice for most patients hospitalized with breathing problems. However, he notes that future trials will be needed to tease out whether there is a subpopulation of patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome who still benefit from neuromuscular blockade. ### Additional authors on this study are Roy G. Brower, M.D., Johns Hopkins University; Niall D. Ferguson, M.D., M.Sc., University of Toronto; Adit A. Ginde, M.D., M.P.H., University of Colorado; Michelle Ng Gong, M.D., Montefiore Hospital, the Bronx, NY; Colin K. Grissom, M.D., Intermountain Medical Center and the University of Utah; Stephanie Gundel, M.S., and Catherine L. Hough, M.D., M.Sc., both of the University of Washington; Douglas Hayden, Ph.D., B. Taylor Thompson, M.D., and Christine A. Ulysse, Ph.D., all of Massachusetts General Hospital; Duncan Hite, M.D., Cleveland Clinic; Peter C. Hou, M.D., Brigham and Women's Hospital; Theodore J. Iwashyna, M.D., Ph.D., University of Michigan and VA Center for Clinical Research; Akram Khan, M.D., Oregon Health & Science University; Kathleen D. Liu, M.D., Ph.D., M.A.S., University of California, San Francisco; Daniel Talmor, M.D., M.P.H., Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center; and Donald M. Yealy, M.D., Pitt. This research was supported by NHLBI grants U01HL123009, U01HL122998, U01HL123018, U01HL123023, U01HL123008, U01HL123031, U01HL123004, U01HL123027, U01HL123010, U01HL123033, U01HL122989, U01HL123022 and U01HL123020. To read this release online or share it, visit http://www.upmc.com/media/news/051919-angus-moss-sedation [when embargo lifts]. About the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine As one of the nation's leading academic centers for biomedical research, the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine integrates advanced technology with basic science across a broad range of disciplines in a continuous quest to harness the power of new knowledge and improve the human condition. Driven mainly by the School of Medicine and its affiliates, Pitt has ranked among the top 10 recipients of funding from the National Institutes of Health since 1998. In rankings recently released by the National Science Foundation, Pitt ranked fifth among all American universities in total federal science and engineering research and development support. Likewise, the School of Medicine is equally committed to advancing the quality and strength of its medical and graduate education programs, for which it is recognized as an innovative leader, and to training highly skilled, compassionate clinicians and creative scientists well-equipped to engage in world-class research. The School of Medicine is the academic partner of UPMC, which has collaborated with the University to raise the standard of medical excellence in Pittsburgh and to position health care as a driving force behind the region's economy. For more information about the School of Medicine, see http://www.medschool.pitt.edu. About the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus and the CU School of Medicine The largest academic health center in the Rocky Mountain region, the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is a world-class medical destination at the forefront of transformative science, medicine, education, and healthcare. The campus encompasses the University of Colorado health professional schools, numerous centers and institutes, and two nationally ranked hospitals that treat more than 2 million adult and pediatric patients each year. Innovative, interconnected and highly collaborative, together we deliver life-changing treatments, patient care, and professional training, and conduct world-renowned research powered by more than $500 million in research awards. Faculty at the University of Colorado School of Medicine work to advance science and improve care. These faculty members include physicians, educators and scientists at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital, Children's Hospital Colorado, Denver Health, National Jewish Health, and the Veterans Affairs Eastern Colorado Health Care System. The school is located on the Anschutz Medical Campus, one of four campuses in the University of Colorado system. http://www.upmc.com/media Contact: Rick Pietzak, Pitt Health Sciences Office: 412-864-4151 Mobile: 412-523-6922 E-mail: PietzakR@upmc.edu Contact: Mark Couch, UC School of Medicine Office: 303-724-5377 E-mail: mark.couch@ucdenver.edu EUR/USD FORECAST UPDATE #3: The Euro to US Dollar rate saw out Monday's session higher, snapping a five-day losing streak for the single currency. Into Tuesday however, Fibre resumed its downward trajectory with the exchange rate last seen at $1.11506. With US-China trade uncertainty leaving investors jittery, the Greenback has benefited from it's relative safe-haven status. "The dollar has established itself as a safe-haven and it attracts demand in times like this, with equities falling and market volatility rising, said Takuya Kanda, general manager at Gaitame.Com Research Institute, adding "The bounce by Treasury yields is another factor supporting the dollar. The recent drop by the 10-year yield seemed overdone, and with Feds Powell not providing clear hints of a rate cut this year, the rebound in yields could continue for a while. Overnight, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell did little to shake markets, stating the US-China trade outcome remains an uncertainty factor and it would be premature to make a judgement about the impact of tariff and trade issues on monetary policy or the economic outlook. The market is now pricing in approximately two 25bps cuts to interest rates over the 12-month horizon. It's another relatively light session on the data front with EU Consumer Confidence the key data point on the agenda ahead of FOMC speakers Evans and Rosengren later in the session. With the Euro incurring steady losses over recent session, some analysts are considering downgrading their single currency forecasts. "EUR/USD is steady so far, while continued status quo in the trade war and on monetary policy raises downside risks for our 1.13 3M forecast," wrote Danske Bank chief analyst, Arne Rasmussen. EUR/USD FORECAST UPDATE #2: Currency markets kicked off the week on a quiet footing ahead of a busy week on both the data and geopolitical front with the Euro to US Dollar exchange rate snapping a five-day losing streak to trade a shade higher with the single currency last seen at $1.11658. Fed speakers and minutes remain the key releases on the agenda for the Greenback this week with strategists noting the implied yields on U.S. futures contracts appear to be pricing in as many as two rate cuts this year as concerns over the impact of US-China trade barriers and a slowing global economy weigh. "As such, these (Fed) minutes will take on added significance as markets try to figure out the Feds true message, said Win Thin, global head of currency strategy at Brown Brothers. Up first for the Fed, Chairman Jerome Powell is set to deliver a speech titled "Assessing Risks to our Financial System" at the Financial Markets Conference, in Florida. Portfolio manager at Manulife Asset Management, Chuck Tomes, said that Powell's speech "will be something were watching very closely to see if there are any comments from the Federal Reserve as to if they feel there will be a change in their outlook ... because of the increased trade tensions." Meanwhile for the single currency, focus remains on the latter half of the week with European parliamentary elections due to commence and a suite of PMI releases slated for release on Thursday. "European elections on Thursday should dominate the euro this week, with the focus on whether the populists take charge," wrote ING head of global strategy, Chris Turner, adding "Even a bounce in the German IFO/eurozone PMIs (on Thursday) may be insufficient to alter the mood until global trade tensions settle. EUR/USD sinking to 1.1115/35 seems the path of least resistance, also leaving CE4 FX vulnerable." EUR/USD FORECAST UPDATE: The Euro to US Dollar exchange rate was last seen at $1.11584, flat versus the weekly open and struggling to find direction ahead of Monday's European session as investors weighed the myriad factors at play and expected to move markets this week. The single currency initially climbed against the Greenback on the weekly open following the decision from President Trump over the weekend to delay potential tariffs targeting the EU's auto-sector. The week ahead holds a heavy schedule for Fibre with the most notable items on the agenda expected to be May's Euro zone PMI releases, EU parliamentary elections commencing on the 23rd and overarching US-China trade and the subsequent impact on risk. "EUR/USD will look ahead to Thursdays release of Mays flash PMIs. We look for a slightly bigger rebound in the Eurozone manufacturing PMI than consensus, which should break the negative trend seen since last summer of EUR/USD plummeting on disappointing flash Eurozone PMIs," wrote Danske Bank senior analyst, Aile Mihr. Mihr went on to add "In the bigger picture, a US-China trade deal is not in the cards before late Q3 and a recovery in Chinese PMIs not due before Q4. These are important prerequisites for a sustained uptick in EUR/USD. We forecast EUR/USD at 1.12 in 1M, 1.13 in 3M and then rising to 1.15 in 6M." Near-term, election uncertainty is expected to keep a cap on the EUR with a swell in support for populist parties expected to spell trouble for the bloc. Managing director of FX strategy at BK Asset Management, Boris Schlossberg wrote "The market is a little bit concerned about European elections. It seems to be a flow into the dollar as a bastion of last resort." EUR/USD FORECAST: The Euro to US Dollar exchange rates plunged last week following Beijing's decision to retaliate against Washingtons move to hike tariffs against $200bn worth of Chinese goods the previous week, by raising its own tariffs on $60bn worth of US imports. The US Dollar then faced a setback in the mid-week as US retail sales and industrial production were both shown to have unexpectedly contracted in April. However USD exchange rates then shot higher on Thursday as markets were taken surprise by Donald Trumps move to effectively bar Chinese telecoms giant, Huawei from doing business with US companies. This was seen by many as a major escalation in the US-China trade dispute and even appeared to put trade talks in jeopardy as Chinese state media reported Beijing was no longer interested in a trade dialogue with Washington, even advising Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin not to waste him time travelling to China for more talks. Euro (EUR) Exchange Rates Weakens on Mixed Eurozone Data Meanwhile the Euro (EUR) struggled last week amidst worries about the US-China trade dispute spilling over into the Eurozone. However initially driving the Euro lower was the publication of the Eurozones latest sentiment index, with a surprise drop in economic sentiment in the bloc in May, alongside a contraction in industrial production in March weighing on the single currency. The mid-week then saw EUR investors welcome the release of Germanys latest GDP figures as recession fears were dispelled after the economy expanded by a healthy 0.4% in the first quarter after stagnating at the end of 2019. Despite the strong GDP reading, the EUR/USD exchange rate was briefly driven lower, only recovering in the afternoon following reports that Trump would delay plans for new tariffs on all cars entering the US, much to the relief of Europes auto manufacturers. The second half of the week then saw the Euro struggle to hold its ground against a strengthening US Dollar, as it was undermined by concerns over Italy, after the countrys deputy prime minster Matteo Salvini positioned his government for another clash with the EU over his threat to ignore EU deficit targets. EUR/USD Exchange Rate Forecast: Euro to Face Headwinds as Europe Goes to the Polls? Looking to the week ahead, the Euro US Dollar (EUR/USD) exchange rate could come under further pressure as Europe goes to the polls in the latest EU elections. Political observers are forecasting, a swell in support for populist parties in this weeks election, a result with could give Eurosceptic groups within the EU more clout, likely weakening the single currency as it would make it harder to push through policies seeking to reform and expand the EU. On top of this, there will also be the release of the Eurozones latest PMI figures, which could further soften EUR exchange rates if growth in the blocs private sector remained subdued through May. Meanwhile, we are likely to see the US Dollar remain in a position of strength this week as the trade dispute between the US and China remains a key concerns for investors, driving inflows towards the safe-haven US currency. However there will also be the release of the latest US durable goods orders at the tail end of the session, which could apply pressure to the US Dollar if order growth is shown to have contracted as forecast in April. From: Arthur Koch Miami , FL Sunday, May 19, 2019 Art Koch's Profit Chain TM Series Notre-Dame | Boeing 737 MAX | Leadership Volume 2 | Number 5 | May 2019 "There is no such thing as bad publicity" - P.T. Barnum As we watch the news our thoughts are first toward the human tragedy and second towards the cost of rebuilding. We hope and pray for survivors, embrace heroic story lines and sensationalize costs. Typical reactions are: "If only we had spent the extra $0.85..." or "We should have protected our priceless artwork..." or "Why didn't we anticipate the billions lost in market capitalization?" The Notre-Dame fire and the Boeing crashes may appear to be very different tragedies, but there is something they both have in common: leadership failure. It is now known that Notre-Dame was in complete disrepair and that Boeing missed critical linkages between automation and manual flight modes. How does this happen? Complacency and denial? Notre-Dame is one of the most visited tourist destinations in France and the world; 13 million people visit per year. How could there be any problems when everyone wants to visit your location? Think about the mind set at Boeing before the latest 737 MAX crash: "Wow, what a ride!" "Boy aren't we doing a great job?" "Just look at the record sales, market share and profits!" The dust has settled on two defining disasters of 2019 (and possibly the decade): the Notre-Dame fire and Boeing 737 MAX crashes. What should we learn from these tragedies, and why are we always destined to repeat the mistakes of history?As we watch the news our thoughts are first toward the human tragedy and second towards the cost of rebuilding. We hope and pray for survivors, embrace heroic story lines and sensationalize costs. Typical reactions are: "If only we had spent the extra $0.85..." or "We should have protected our priceless artwork..." or "Why didn't we anticipate the billions lost in market capitalization?"The Notre-Dame fire and the Boeing crashes may appear to be very different tragedies, but there is something they both have in common: leadership failure. It is now known that Notre-Dame was in complete disrepair and that Boeing missed critical linkages between automation and manual flight modes.How does this happen? Complacency and denial? Then BAM!!! The Significant Emotional reset of core values. True leaders own and learn from their mistakes. Now is not the time to deflect blame. Now is not the time to be in denial about critical cracks in the foundation. Now is the time to take ownership and complete the job you signed up for. Ask yourself if you're following these critical questions; Do you "walk the walk"? Do you follow all personal protective equipment guidelines? Do you walk the facilities to be certain they are safe, orderly and well maintained? The simple items make all the difference. Are fire extinguishers in the proper locations, inspections current, and are they all freely accessible. Are all exits marked and is egress clear? Are your facilities visually managed? Can you see out of control processes from a distance? Is your organization safe emotionally? Do all people feel safe and non-threatened? Are you absolutely sure of your answer? Is there a whistleblower hotline? Is it effective? Again, are you absolutely sure of your answer? Have you visited your sites all hours of the day and night? If you want to lead, show up at the beginning of an off shift and work alongside the team. You'll see first-hand what is occurring; listen to what they are saying. If you do this enough you will learn what is really going on. Is the organization a learning enterprise? Are people rotated through departments and assignments? Is knowledge for processes shared and documented? Does your team have both planned and unplanned drills for environment, health and safety guidelines and policies? Do you have an outside advisor test your preventative practices? Are you receiving the unfiltered truth on the organization's practices? Do you know the warning signs? For me this is a simple answer. Is health and safety discussed first? Are corrective actions taken more seriously than customer quality complaints? Is there an open line of communication? Are team members able to openly and freely disagree and debate without repercussions? Do whistleblowers have a voice? Are whistleblowers rewarded or punished? When a key person leaves the organization, are you left with a large gap in knowledge? Most, if not all, major disasters could have been averted with minimal cost and/or timely resolution of deficiencies. As leaders we are Guardians! In the case of Notre-Dame - the history of a great religion. In the case of Boeing, the millions of literally priceless individuals who place their lives in your hands each time they board an aircraft! Guardians don't fall asleep at the wheel! And as for the P.T. Barnum quote "There is no such thing as bad publicity"... well, just ask Boeing and the Archdiocese of Paris. The evening news should not be a marketing strategy! Inventory Is Evil! in?ven?to?ry / 'in-v?n-?t?r-e / noun Inventory is the term for the goods available for sale and raw materials used to produce goods available for sale. in?ven?to?ry is evil! / 'in-v?n-?t?r-e is 'e-v?l / phrase Left unchecked inventory has many negative unintended consequences to profitability. It hides problems; therefore, it delays fixing problems! Art Koch's Profit Chain Turn Operational Problems into Profits Visit Our site Thanks in advance for your time. As always, thanks for being a loyal client. Looking forward to helping you and your team again soon. Carpe diem, Art Koch Arthur Koch Management Consulting, LLC info@arthurkochmgt.com +1 (336) 260-9441 Website About Services White Papers Case Studies Unlock the Art of Change Clients Contact Blog Copyright 2019 Arthur Koch Management Consulting, LLC, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: 21200 NE 38th Ave, Suite 2003, Miami FL, 33180 info@arthurkochmgt.com +1 (336) 260-9441 Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. From: American Evaluation Association (AEA) For Immediate Release: Dateline: Washington , DC Sunday, May 19, 2019 Hi, I am Awuor Ponge, an Independent M&E Consultant; Associate Research Fellow in a Think Tank and Adjunct Faculty in a Public University in Kenya. I have a passion for Participatory Approaches and Tools in Gender and Development and this prompts my interest in Outcome Harvesting (OH) as a Participatory Evaluation approach, and the desire to make the process gender-responsive and equity-focused. In todays post, I share some methodological considerations, and will share additional considerations tomorrow, in Part II. I asked Ricardo Wilson-Grau, just before his passing on, about the ways in which OH as an emerging participatory approach to evaluation could be made gender-responsive and equity-focused. This generated some debate in the For a start, it is important to ask these important questions in designing the Outcome Harvest: What is the Outcome? What was done? How did each category of actors contribute to this? Who did what? How did each category of actors contribute to this? Where was it done? How was the choice of location and actors? How it was done? What was the role of each of the actors? To address issues of gender-responsiveness and equity-focus, the Harvester as well as the Harvest users need to identify the contribution of the outcome to the needs of men and women, as well as the marginalised categories. The harvest process should be able to isolate the specific vulnerabilities and inequalities and how these play out during the outcome harvesting. For example, how do we engage single-female headed households, rural women, women with disabilities among others, in the process? Lesson Learned: Ricardo Wilson-Graus Methodological Considerations During the debate, Ricardo Wilson-Grau did give some Reference for Principal Uses and Users: Make sure that the terms of reference explicitly or at least implicitly require that one or more of the principal uses of the primary intended users is that the OH process and product be gender-responsive or equity-focused or both. Make sure that the terms of reference explicitly or at least implicitly require that one or more of the principal uses of the primary intended users is that the OH process and product be gender-responsive or equity-focused or both. Negotiating the Terms of Reference: If the harvesting or evaluation questions that will guide the application of OH are not gender-responsive or equity-focused or both, in negotiating the terms of reference, make them explicitly so. If the harvesting or evaluation questions that will guide the application of OH are not gender-responsive or equity-focused or both, in negotiating the terms of reference, make them explicitly so. Identifying the useful Harvest Questions: In the design of the harvest, ensure that the information that will be required to answer the harvesting questions, and how it is collected, are gender-responsive or equity-focused or both. In the design of the harvest, ensure that the information that will be required to answer the harvesting questions, and how it is collected, are gender-responsive or equity-focused or both. Context specification for intended users: Gender-responsiveness or equity-focus have to not only be methodologically sound but also adapted to what the primary users understand those terms to be and contextualised for their specific uses of the Outcome Harvest application. Gender-responsiveness or equity-focus have to not only be methodologically sound but also adapted to what the primary users understand those terms to be and contextualised for their specific uses of the Outcome Harvest application. Utilisation-focus of the Harvest Findings: Throughout the outcome harvest, primary users, co-evaluators will check on the gender-responsiveness or equity-focus and adapt as necessary, to make sure that the harvesting process and findings are proving useful in the light of the other principal uses. Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the About AEA The American Evaluation Association is an international professional association and the largest in its field. Evaluation involves assessing the strengths and weaknesses of programs, policies, personnel, products and organizations to improve their effectiveness. AEAs mission is to improve evaluation practices and methods worldwide, to increase evaluation use, promote evaluation as a profession and support the contribution of evaluation to the generation of theory and knowledge about effective human action. For more information about AEA, visit www.eval.org. Hi, I am, an Independent M&E Consultant; Associate Research Fellow in a Think Tank and Adjunct Faculty in a Public University in Kenya. I have a passion for Participatory Approaches and Tools in Gender and Development and this prompts my interest in Outcome Harvesting (OH) as a Participatory Evaluation approach, and the desire to make the process gender-responsive and equity-focused. In todays post, I share some methodological considerations, and will share additional considerations tomorrow, in Part II.I asked Ricardo Wilson-Grau, just before his passing on, about the ways in which OH as an emerging participatory approach to evaluation could be made gender-responsive and equity-focused. This generated some debate in the Outcome Harvesting Forum For a start, it is important to ask these important questions in designing the Outcome Harvest:To address issues of gender-responsiveness and equity-focus, the Harvester as well as the Harvest users need to identify the contribution of the outcome to the needs of men and women, as well as the marginalised categories. The harvest process should be able to isolate the specific vulnerabilities and inequalities and how these play out during the outcome harvesting. For example, how do we engage single-female headed households, rural women, women with disabilities among others, in the process?During the debate, Ricardo Wilson-Grau did give some methodological guidelines , which are worth mentioning:Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this aea365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the aea365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an aea365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to aea365@eval.org . aea365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators. The violent street battles that erupted in parts of Caracas were the most serious challenge yet to Maduro's rule. And while the rebellion seemed to have garnered only limited military support, at least one high-ranking official announced he was breaking with Maduro, in a setback for the embattled president. After news broke in March of mayoral candidate Greg Brockhouses two past alleged instances of domestic violence, some hoped the revelations would spark a public discussion, especially at a time when family violence deaths in San Antonio are on the upswing. But the reaction apart from scattered protests by activists and a plea from a handful of City Council members for more domestic violence funding largely has been silence. Far from becoming a cause celebre as voters choose their next leader, the issue seems to be getting brushed under the rug a reflection, womens advocates say, of a widespread discomfort with talking about domestic violence, still viewed by some as a private matter between adults. What is truly alarming is the whole process of trying to hide it and not talk about it, said Patricia Castillo, head of the P.E.A.C.E Initiative, a San Antonio nonprofit and advocacy group that helps survivors of family violence. Weve got to look ourselves in the mirror and say, What can we do to make this better? Our community is in denial. Brockhouse, who is in a June 8 runoff with Mayor Ron Nirenberg, has avoided giving an in-depth explanation of either incident, both documented in police reports. In the first, he described himself as the victim. In the second, he initially said he couldnt recall police coming to his home, then later denied it happened. For the most part, he has been spared public questioning about the allegations, telling moderators at one debate that he would walk out if the police reports were brought up (they werent). The moderator at a subsequent debate sponsored by the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce never asked, saying later that he didnt have time to get to the question. Brockhouse recently declined to be interviewed by a television station about the allegations, according to a local anchor. Brockhouse, a city councilman representing District 6, was not arrested or charged in either incident. As the candidate has batted away direct questions, some in the community downplayed the subject. Richard Perez, president of the Chamber of Commerce, said domestic violence was not a business issue in explaining why the issue wasnt raised in the chamber-sponsored debate. Perez apologized after the remark sparked criticism. The CEO of the citys largest battered womens shelter wonders why not a single leader in the faith-based community has appealed to her for guidance in teaching their flocks about the problem. (Click here to see the 2009 report of alleged domestic violence by Greg Brockhouse. Some personal details have been redacted for privacy reasons.) Those who work to help women harmed by family violence say theyre frustrated other issues have taken precedence over an epidemic that claimed 28 lives in Bexar County last year alone, triple the number of fatalities in 2015. One advocacy group estimates Bexar County has the highest per capita rate of intimate partner homicides in the state. The lack of public discussion around domestic violence allows misconceptions and ignorance about its causes and dynamics to flourish, experts say. Linda Chavez-Thompson, a retired national labor leader in San Antonio who served as the first female executive vice president of the AFL-CIO, is baffled by the muted reaction. Why arent womens organizations speaking out? she asked. They should all be talking about this Some argue that efforts by the Nirenberg campaign to politicize his opponents past has prevented a deeper discussion of family violence. Domestic violence has been turned into a wedge issue, said Thomas Marks, a government relations specialist with the DeBerry Group, a local communications firm. Making it a political issue has made it easier for people to discount the problem. Its trivializing an issue that is non-trivial. Two months after Brockhouses past made headlines, at least one group of local women is taking action. On Monday, they plan to hold a news conference to present a petition, signed by more than 100, that says Brockhouse hasnt adequately addressed the past allegations of violence. Until he does, they say, hes not a fit candidate. Were women who are outraged about this, said artist Kathy Sosa, a former high-profile advertising executive and one of the groups organizers. If the whole world isnt watching, it should be. Questions not asked The two incidents involving Brockhouse took place in 2006 and 2009. On ExpressNews.com: Past allegations of domestic violence emerge In the first, Brockhouses second wife, Christine Rivera, from whom he was separated, told police he assaulted her when he returned to their home on the Northwest Side on April 29, 2006, to retrieve some belongings. She told the Express-News that Brockhouse pushed her into a wall. Both she and Brockhouse called police to report the incident. Brockhouse claimed he was the victim, and that her boyfriend hit and choked him. After learning about the incident in March, the Express-News contacted Rivera in Washington D.C., where she now lives, and interviewed her. Rivera said Brockhouse later called her and told her not to say anything to the paper. She first sought to withdraw her comments, then decided to stand by her account and allow it to be published. She said shes afraid to come home to San Antonio because of her ex-husbands anger issues. For his part, Brockhouse said the episode prompted him to examine his life and convert to Catholicism. In the second incident, his third and current wife, Annalisa, told police on the night of Dec. 23, 2009, that Brockhouse grabbed her, threw her to the ground and tried to hit her. He climbed on top of her and got off only when their children came into the room and told him to stop, according to the police report. She told police her husband had been drinking over a job loss, the report says. Annalisa, a special education teacher, declined to be interviewed by the Express-News. In a Facebook post, she said: I refute the allegations ... to include any references to treatment of me, and I stand proudly with Greg. Brockhouse has given shifting explanations over time, and now denies the incident took place. When the Express-News offered him a chance to look at the 2009 report, he refused and accused the paper of carrying water for the Nirenberg campaign. Just before the start of an April 17 debate sponsored by the Rivard Report, Brockhouse told the two moderators he would leave if anyone asked about the police reports. They didnt. On ExpressNews.com: Brockhouse told moderators hed leave if asked about allegations City Councilwoman Shirley Gonzales said the lack of discussion of the allegations hasnt surprised her. This issue makes people very uncomfortable, said Gonzales, who has promoted peer-to-peer programs to address the high rate of child abuse in her council district on the near West Side. But we have to take it seriously. Domestic violence impacts our workforce, our quality of life and it keeps a whole segment of women nonfunctional. Fake document? The San Antonio Police Department released a copy of the 2006 incident report in response to a public records request. However, news organizations that asked for the 2009 report were told the department had no records responsive to your request. Legal experts say this suggests the 2009 report was expunged by court order, although no one in authority will say so. Express-News reporter Brian Chasnoff independently obtained a copy of the 2009 report and has written about it. Still, the absence of a public record of that incident has dampened media coverage and public discussion. And it has fueled speculation that it might all be fabricated. Both the candidate and his wife said it didnt happen, said Louis Barrios, president and CEO of the popular Los Barrios family restaurants who has helped raise money for Brockhouses campaign. The report hasnt been presented. Where did it come from? Who gave it to the Express-News? You guys are adamant about saying its legitimate. Prove it. On Friday, the Express-News published a copy of the complete report online for the first time. Barrios said the issue of domestic violence should be more widely discussed. We have a big problem with it because were a poor city, he said. All of that is the result of government policies and over-regulation. Once Brockhouse takes office and reduces regulations and taxes, Barrios said, the economy is going to take off, reducing levels of violence. What do couples argue about the most? Money, Barrios said. One of the spouses spends more than the other, and that causes an argument, which becomes a fight. Youve got to take it back to root issues. Experts say domestic violence goes far deeper than money squabbles. The real problem stems from ingrained individual and cultural beliefs about male entitlement that view women as subservient to men, more like property than autonomous beings. Poverty and other stresses like mental illness and substance abuse can exacerbate domestic violence, but they arent root causes. Abusers also tend to rate high for narcissism, studies show. Many victims are trapped in a complex web of emotional, psychological and financial dependency with their tormentor; most try to leave an average of seven times before they break free. Thats also when theyre in the most danger. On ExpressNews.com: What happened to the Brockhouse police report? Some Brockhouse supporters have remained steadfast in light of the allegations. At a watch party for the candidate on the night of the election, Tonya Spellmon waited over a plate of puffy tacos at Violas Ventanas, hoping Brockhouse would win. An associate pastor at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, she said the domestic violence allegations are too old to be relevant. If you look back 25 years ago, I may not be suitable for what I do right now. We all have a past, Spellmon said. We dont know about the wifes mental capacity, so we cant make that call. Michelle Batilla, who sat across from Spellmon, agreed. I think thats their business, she said. If youre not there, you dont know what happened. Marta Pelaez, president and CEO of Family Violence Prevention Services, which runs the citys battered womens shelter and related services, said shes concerned not just with Brockhouses alleged history but with his reaction to being asked about it. Shes not surprised his current wife now denies being abused its common for victims to recant. Id like for Mr. Brockhouse to let the public know what he feels on domestic violence, and what hed do if elected mayor, she said. The last thing I want is a mayor with that flaw in his character. If it was me, Id jump at the opportunity to clear my name, and I hope that happens soon. Pelaez finds it ironic that some high-profile faith leaders erupted at the councils recent decision to ban Chick-fil-A as a vendor at San Antonio International Airport, in part because of its position on same-sex marriage. But none have spoken publicly about domestic violence as it is playing out in the election. They are the very people that have the attention of their followers and could exhort them to be respectful of the people they claim to love, she said. A chance to speak declined Brockhouse declined to be interviewed about the two incidents and the issue of domestic violence in general. He told the Express-News he would respond only to written questions and would provide written answers only, by email. On ExpressNews.com: Police and fire union spend big in mayoral race When the paper declined to accept those conditions, Brockhouse said Wednesday he would send a written statement to be included in this article. On Friday, he said he didnt have time to provide a statement. His wife later emailed one that combined an attack on Nirenberg with a defense of her husband: We are supposed to Believe Women, yet there remains a small group who refuse (to) believe me. I have never been in nor would I ever stay in an abusive relationship and I certainly wouldn't keep my kids in an abusive environment. I have never been hurt by my husband, at ANY point in our relationship. Brockhouse is scheduled to appear with Nirenberg at a town hall forum at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Travis Park Church. Whether the formers domestic violence history comes up is anyones guess. As the runoff nears, each candidates supporters continue to block-walk and campaign in hopes of rousing a complacent electorate only 11 percent of registered voters turned out for the May 4 election. Despite the muffled conversation around domestic violence, the rise in fatalities many of them murder-suicides is stirring government leaders to take action. Recent developments include proposed legislation that would provide drug treatment to domestic violence offenders in Bexar County, increased training for police and additional felony prosecutors in the district attorneys office. Advocates like Castillo say Brockhouse could move the needle on the issue by speaking forthrightly about his past. If you cant acknowledge the harm thats been done, it speaks volumes about your ability to change, she said. Staff Writer Silvia Foster-Frau contributed to this article. | Melissa Fletcher Stoeltje is a general assignment reporter covering breaking news, cultural trends and interesting people and goings-on around San Antonio and Bexar County, as well as all across South Texas. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | mstoeltje@express-news.net | Twitter: @mstoeltje Much like U.S. Sen John Cornyn, we, too, would like to know how the U.S.-China trade war story ends. Texas, the nations leading export market to China, has a lot on the line in these talks. A favorable outcome for the U.S. would include ending these tit-for-tat tariffs, stopping the practice of forcing U.S. companies doing business in China to share technology, cracking down on counterfeiting and espionage, and opening markets for U.S. agriculture exports. If President Donald Trump can achieve those goals, it would be an enormous win for the president and the global economy. But the problems are his strategy is clear as mud, there is no outcome in sight, and the president is ratcheting up tariffs rather than eliminating them and, contrary to what the president is saying, consumers pay these costs. A prolonged trade war serves no one. Tariffs hurt U.S. consumers and manufacturers because they raise the prices for imported goods. A tariff on imports is a tax we pay. Chinese retaliation raises prices on American exports and is a tax Chinese consumers pay, but it also potentially closes off a key market for our exporters. The only winners in such a trade war are the countries that make competing products and are not subject to such tariffs. A better approach would have rallied allies also affected by Chinas espionage and counterfeiting to create international pressure for change. Alas, that never happened. We are where we are. Because the U.S. and China are the two largest global economies, the repercussions of a protracted trade war are immense. Markets plunged after Trump announced he was upping a 10 percent tariff on many Chinese imports to 25 percent. China responded, and the president is considering additional tariffs. Analysts are concerned that slowing economic growth in both countries the U.S. economy is strong, but China was already struggling will have ripple effects in the global economy as consumption falters. Meanwhile, U.S. farmers are once again clamoring for a bailout and appear likely to get it as they bear the brunt of Chinese tariffs, but they are not the only businesses struggling. Domestic manufacturers are seeing the costs of their products increase. Through it all, Trump has been consistently inconsistent. At one point, Trump suggested a trade deal was imminent, but after talks fell apart, he ratcheted up the tariffs and suggested the trade war would be prolonged. And he has, at times, demonstrated a misunderstanding of tariffs, suggesting China pays for them, which is not accurate. Importers and, in turn, U.S. consumers pay for U.S. tariffs. And if the government pursues another bailout for farmers but ignores the hit for other businesses such as manufacturers? then taxpayers are also paying for this trade war. All of this has left Republican lawmakers frustrated. Im not sure if you talk to him face to face, he hears everything you say, said Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley, according to the Washington Post. Thats an extraordinary comment about the president of the United States from someone in his own party. Grassley has said he plans to pen a letter to the president on behalf of farmers, and there is talk about attaching a bailout to disaster relief funding. A bailout that could have been entirely avoided with better policy. Remember, the U.S. could have partnered with allies to create international pressure on China. Perhaps Cornyn should send his own letter on behalf of Texas. The Lone Star State is the nations leading exporter, and producers here shipped more than $16 billion in goods to China in 2018. Thats greater than any other state, which is another way of saying Texas has a lot to lose in a protracted trade war with China. A trade war cant be won if there is no agreement. BRIDGEPORT More than 100 local children learned safety swimming tips, and some even learned how to swim on their own, during free swimming classes offered in the city this spring. On Friday, about 150 Bridgeport youth graduated from the spring session of the free swim camp offered at the Cardinal Shehan Center. The program was made possible through the Bridgeport Health Department, with funds provided by a two-year U.S. Consumer Protection/Pool Safely grant. The centers executive director, Lorraine Gibbons, and Bridgeports director of public health & social services, Maritza Bond, admitted to the children participating in the swim program this spring that they didnt know how to swim either. So on the week of May 13, during the week-long swimming lessons, Gibbons and Bond took the plunge with the kids and went through a swimming lesson with them. Were the largest urban city with the most access to water, Bond said of Bridgeport. It was important to me that we provided these free classes. The grant allows the center to host the classes free of charge. The children were divided up based on age groups. Every day, an estimated 10 people die in unintentional drownings in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Of those 10, the CDC said, two are children 14-years-old or younger. Drowning is the fifth leading cause of unintentional injury death in the U.S. Fire and police representatives even gave pointers to the children during their lessons, Bond said. And four firefighters were present for the graduation ceremony, where the youth each received a certificate of completion. One firefighter urged the children to encourage your friends, dont tease them ... encourage them to take classes and learn. An estimated 30 children will continue with swimming lessons through the fall, Bond said. She said she hopes to see adults classes in the future at the center. When we asked the childrens parents who knew how to swim, only a few said they knew how, Bond said. We want to offer them classes in the future. About 200 walkers and 50 cyclists participated in the Walk to End Epilepsy at Cove Island Park in Stamford on Sunday. The walk supported epilepsy awareness and raised money for the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut. STAMFORD A city man who helped a friend abduct an intoxicated woman and take her back to the mans home where she was sexually assaulted pleaded guilty last week to second-degree sexual assault and conspiracy to commit sexual assault. When he returns to court in July, Augusto Carreras, 58, who has been in jail since his arrest in December 2014, will be sentenced to time served and deported to his native Guatemala. My client pleaded guilty to two felony charges for his involvement, criminal defense attorney Stephan Seeger said. He has accepted responsibility and will be deported as a result of these pleas. Nonetheless, offers conveyed by the state were fair and reasonable and for this reason there is no need to recount the incident in open court before a jury. All things considered, it is the best possible outcome. Carreras was arrested with his friend Ruben Enio Sandoval, 39, on December 20 of that year after two women, Jessica Feighan and Kerilyn Whitehead pulled up to a stop light and saw the man help a stumbling woman cross a downtown street. The two women pulled over and asked the men if they could help, but Sandoval and Carreras looked away and refused to answer. Feeling that something was wrong, the women called police and followed the two men as they almost carried the nearly unconscious woman to a multifamily home on Dolsen Place, police said at the time. When officers arrived, they could see Sandoval through a window sexually assaulting the woman, who was passed out on a mattress, police said. The two were each charged with sexually assaulting someone who was physically helpless. Stamford States Attorney Richard Colangelo prosecuted the case. Later, when receiving a citation from the Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education, Feighan said, We really did feel like it was just something that needed to be done. We didnt really think twice about helping this girl. She obviously needed someones help and we were there. I wish more people would do it. Sandoval was sentenced to four and one-half years in jail when he was convicted of the same charges in 2016. jnickerson@stamfordadvocate.com Fairfield, MT (59436) Today Bitterly cold. Plenty of sunshine. High near 0F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Clear to partly cloudy. Low -6F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Authorities reported that a man tried to lure a child in to his pickup Saturday night at 7100 S. Normal Blvd. in the Englewood neighborhood. The man followed the girl in his truck for about a block and blocked her path. He then blew his car horn and gestured for her to come toward him, according to a statement from Chicago police. by Mike Maher | Nationals Correspondent | Sun, May 19th 10:44am EDT Nationals outfielder Juan Soto went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, and three RBIs in Saturday's win over the Chicago Cubs. Bollywood's Dabangg 3 has been in the news ever since it was first launched. The movie is going to be bigger this time as it is a multi-starrer. A few recent reports are suggesting that Sandalwood actor Sudeep and Bollywood star Salman Khan will be seen fighting against each other in a climax scene. While, there is so much happening around the film, Sudeep has decided to take a break from Dabangg 3. The reason however is his daughter Saanvi. This action of the actor explains his priorities. Previously, we had told how Sudeep waits to spend quality time with family. In an interview, he had stated that his daughter Saanvi is his world. She is the reason he's taken a break from his forthcoming Bollywood film. According to Times of India, Sudeep is flying down to celebrate his daughter's birthday. Besides being parents' adorable daughter, Sannvi has proved herself as a smart kid. Two years ago, she was selected to be the prefect of at her school, Sudeep and wife Priya both took to their social media handles to celebrate their daughter's achievement. From Saanvi To Lilly, Rashmika Mandanna Has Transformed Stunningly Over The Years! VIEW PICS After having conferred the badge to his daughter, Sudeep has said that it was one of the greatest moments of his life. Also, he added that this was a gift from his daughter, the best until date. ALBLASSERDAM, Netherlands, May 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Oceanco is proud to announce S/Y Black Pearl and M/Y DAR have won the highest possible honors at the World Superyacht Awards, 2019- Black Pearl came away with the award for 'Best Sailing Yacht Overall' and DAR won for 'Best Displacement Motor Yacht 2,000 GT and Above' as well as the coveted 'Best Motor Yacht of the Year' award! The World Superyacht Awards Gala, organized by Boat International Media, took place in the heart of London, in Old Billingsgate. Nearly 600 guests including superyacht Owners, designers, and builders were on hand for the dinner/ awards event. Black Pearl, measuring 106.7-meters in length, is not only the world's largest private sailing yacht, she also has many unique and innovative features such as a state- of -the- art Dynarig sailing system, single- level engine room, and a hybrid propulsion installation with a high capacity battery bank allowing for a regeneration mode when under sail. With Exterior Design by Ken Freivokh and Nuvolari Lenard, Interior Design by Gerard Villate and Nuvolari Lenard and naval architecture by Dykstra Naval Architects/ Oceanco, Black Pearl is both stunningly beautiful and a technological tour de force. The 90-meter motoryacht DAR, with edgy exterior styling by DeBasto Design has an unprecedented -nearly 24 tons and 400m2 of exterior glass. Her detailed interior by Nuvolari Lenard works well with the exterior by taking advantage of the extraordinary floor-to-ceiling views from nearly everywhere on board. In addition to head-turning aesthetics and advanced technology, DAR is the first yacht to ever achieve the Lloyd's Integrated Bridge System (IBS) notation. "We are thankful to all of the team members and myriad individuals responsible for the execution of both of these yachts," says Marcel Onkenhout, CEO of Oceanco. "Moreover, we are thankful for the trust given to us by the Owners of Black Pearl and DAR to build the extraordinary yachts that they envisioned." www.builtbyoceanco.com Combination of Tata Communications' IZO cloud enablement platform and Cisco SD-WAN eliminates the complexity of enterprise networking in the digital era The leading global digital infrastructure provider Tata Communications and Cisco have extended their partnership to enable enterprises to transform their legacy network to a customised and secure multi-cloud native hybrid network. The combination of Tata Communications' IZO cloud enablement platform and Cisco SD-WAN is a fully-managed, global solution that gives businesses greater control over their digital infrastructure, the ability to securely connect any user to any application location, and provide the assurance of application performance needed to support successful digital transformation. The new offering brings together the expertise of two Gartner Magic Quadrant Leaders. Tata Communications has been positioned in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Network Services, Global1. Cisco has been positioned in the Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure2 Tata Communications' cloud and hybrid networking capabilities are underpinned by the company's global tier-1 Internet backbone and partnerships with major cloud providers, including Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Alibaba. This means that through IZO SDWAN powered by Cisco, enterprises are now able to offer their employees a secure and reliable user experience for and with cloud-based applications and on premise applications seamlessly in more than 150 countries worldwide. Cisco's SD-WAN solution plays a pivotal role in the Cisco Digital Network Architecture (DNA) for enterprises transitioning to become digital natives and in multi-cloud adoption. With Cisco's DNA, enterprises are able to centrally secure user, device and application policies across wired, wireless and wide area network. Cisco's DNA is the central keystone in assisting organisations with securely managing multi-cloud and multi-domain environments, making it easier for enterprises to accelerate their digital transformation journey. "We want our customers to be able to harness the power of the Internet and the cloud to transform how they operate, but without jeopardising security or performance," said Song Toh, Vice President, Global Network Services, Tata Communications. "With our new SDWAN solution powered by Cisco, we offer a fully managed hybrid network service that's fit for your digital business. It's a resilient cloud-ready network-as-a-service which can grow and scale as needed, while ensuring predictable and secure access to data and applications. It's designed to give businesses agility and reduce the complexity of network transformation." Tata Communications has several years of experience in deploying large-scale enterprise SD-WAN solutions across thousands locations. This - combined with its global presence and its ability to design, migrate and manage SD-WANs round-the-clock lowers the barriers for enterprises to move from a legacy infrastructure to a hybrid software-defined network. "We are excited to partner with Tata Communications on our Cisco SD-WAN platform, which is a critical building block of our multi-cloud, multi-domain architecture," said Vish Iyer, Vice President, Architectures APJC, Cisco. "Cisco SD-WAN is the point of intelligence in application-aware networking for multi-cloud adopted businesses. It can direct each application to the most appropriate transport to use in real-time and that application is free to reside in any cloud or on-premise location. This cloud-native architecture allows organisations to seamlessly transition and adopt cloud-hosted and assisted infrastructure to ultimately allow businesses to accelerate their transformation and innovation agenda." This new joint SDWAN offering builds on Tata Communications' long-standing partnership with Cisco. The company is a globally certified Master Service Provider in Cisco's Cloud Managed Services Program. This means that Tata Communications integrates its own network, cloud, hosting, security and voice services as part of Cisco's solutions and serves customers globally with this integrated, fully-managed offering to address their diverse business and technology needs. "Enterprises want SD-WAN's many practical features to have a predictable and secure cloud applications experience, but they often run into unexpected challenges," said Brian Washburn, Practice Leader, Network Transformation Cloud, Ovum. "Ovum recommends enterprises partner with an expert service provider to help with their network transformation. Tata Communications IZO SDWAN with Cisco now offers enterprises a fully integrated, managed SD WAN solution to help with the transition." Tata Communications' software-defined networking experience includes the deployment and management of networks for customers across 3,000+ sites globally. One of the company's customers is Carlsberg. As the growing use of cloud-based applications has led to 70% of Carlsberg's network traffic being on the Internet, the software-defined hybrid IZO network by Tata Communications has given the brewer 10 times more bandwidth, reduced costs by 25%, and halved the occurrence of network incidents. Ends About Tata Communications Tata Communications is a leading global digital infrastructure provider that powers today's fast-growing digital economy. The company's customers represent 300 of the Fortune 500 whose digital transformation journeys are enabled by its portfolio of integrated, globally managed services that deliver local customer experiences. Through its network, cloud, mobility, Internet of Things (IoT), collaboration and security services, Tata Communications carries around 30% of the world's internet routes and connects businesses to 60% of the world's cloud giants and 4 out of 5 mobile subscribers. The company's capabilities are underpinned by its global network, which is the world's largest wholly owned subsea fibre backbone and a Tier-1 IP network. Tata Communications Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the National Stock Exchange of India, and it serves customers in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide through its technology capabilities and partnerships. www.tatacommunications.com Forward-looking and cautionary statements Certain words and statements in this release concerning Tata Communications and its prospects, and other statements, including those relating to Tata Communications' expected financial position, business strategy, the future development of Tata Communications' operations, and the general economy in India, are forward-looking statements. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including financial, regulatory and environmental, as well as those relating to industry growth and trend projections, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Tata Communications, or industry results, to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements include, among others, failure to increase the volume of traffic on Tata Communications' network; failure to develop new products and services that meet customer demands and generate acceptable margins; failure to successfully complete commercial testing of new technology and information systems to support new products and services, including voice transmission services; failure to stabilize or reduce the rate of price compression on certain of the company's communications services; failure to integrate strategic acquisitions and changes in government policies or regulations of India and, in particular, changes relating to the administration of Tata Communications' industry; and, in general, the economic, business and credit conditions in India. Additional factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, many of which are not in Tata Communications' control, include, but are not limited to, those risk factors discussed in Tata Communications Limited's Annual Reports. The Annual Reports of Tata Communications Limited are available at www.tatacommunications.com. Tata Communications is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements. 1 Gartner, Inc. "Magic Quadrant for Network Services, Global" by Neil Rickard, Bjarne Munch, Danellie Young, February 25th, 2019 (Tata Communication positioned as a Leader) 2 "Gartner Magic Quadrant for WAN Edge Infrastructure" by Joe Skorupa, Andrew Lerner, Christian Canales, Mike Toussaint, October 18th, 2018 (Cisco positioned as a Leader) Gartner disclaimer: Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190519005004/en/ Contacts: Kersti Klami Tata Communications +44 (0)7917 173 853 kersti.klami@tatacommunications.com Rick Cohen Hill Knowlton Strategies +1 212 885 0563 rick.cohen@hkstrategies.com The world's highest polling station at 15,256 feet in Tashiganag village of Himachal Pradesh Sunday recorded an unbelievable, 132 per cent voter turn out - all valid votes Shimla: The world's highest polling station at 15,256 feet in Tashiganag village of Himachal Pradesh Sunday recorded an unbelievable, 132 per cent voter turnout - all valid votes. Against merely 49 registered voters figuring in the village electoral roll, a total of 65 voters have cast their votes till 3 pm at the Tashigang polling booth, said a district election official. The unbelievable spike in the poll percentage was attributed to the desire of many poll officials, deployed at polling booths in the Tashiganag village and other nearby areas to cast their votes at the world's highest polling station, located at a dizzying height of 12,256 ft. Poll officials said the poll percentage is likely to rise further as out of 49 voters, registered in the village electoral roll, merely 33 have cast their votes till 3 pm. With the remaining 16 village voters and many other poll officials deployed in nearby polling stations likely to exercise their franchise at the world's highest polling booth by the end of voting process at 6 pm, the poll percentage is likely to go up further, they added. The poll officials cast their votes at Tashigang polling booth after showing their election duty certificate (EDCs) issued to them by concerned assistant returning officers, he added. Tashigang is a village near an ancient monastery in Himachal Pradesh. It is the highest settlement in Spiti Valley near the India-Tibet border with villages Nako and Khab located nearby and is connected to Shimla by National Highway 22. Tashigang acquired the unique distinction of becoming the highest polling station during Himachal Pradesh assembly elections in 2017, when the erstwhile polling station at the highest altitude of 14,400 ft was replaced by Tashigang due to some technical reasons, said HP's Assistant Chief Electoral Officer Harbans Lal Dhiman. Hikkim is located 160 km from Tashigang. The polling at Tashigang began at 7 am when the temperature was below freezing point. Voters came to the polling station wearing their traditional attire to beat the chilly weather. Besides Tashigang, Himachal has another unique polling station, Ka, with lowest number of voters. Located in Sipti valley itself, Ka has only 17 registered voters. The poll officials were yet to release the voter turnout at Ka. Both Tashigang and Ka polling stations fall under the Mandi parliamentary seat where the highest number of 17 candidates among the four Lok Sabha seats in the state are in the fray. Mandi is witnessing a direct contest between the BJP and the Congress. Former Union Minister Sukh Ram's grandson Aashray Sharma is pitted as a Congress candidate here against sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma. Aashray's father Anil Sharma, who was a minister in the Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government in Himachal, had to resign from the Cabinet as he was unwilling to campaign against his son to favour the BJP candidate. Mandi being his home, Himachal Chief Minister Thakur's prestige is at stake here with veteran politician Sukh Ram too leaving no stone unturned to ensure his grandson Aashray's victory. Five MLAs, including a state minister, are among the 45 candidates trying to make it to the Parliament from the state where polling is underway. There are 53,30,154 registered voters for the four constituencies - Shimla (SC), Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra - in the state. Consumers with food safety questions can visit AskKaren.gov or via smartphone at m.askkaren.gov. The toll-free USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline 1-888-674-6854 is available in English and Spanish and can be reached from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Recorded food safety messages are available 24 hours a day. The online Electronic Consumer Complaint Monitoring System can be accessed 24 hours a day at: http://www.fsis.usda.gov/reportproblem. The ground realities indicate that even after the withdrawal of the AFSPA, the Assam government will remain dependent on Central paramilitary forces to meet the operational requirement of counter-insurgency in the state. Reports of likely withdrawal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 from Assam sometime after the publication of the final list of updated National Register of Citizens on 31 July has brought the issue of the capability of the Assam Police to carry out counter-insurgency operations independently to the centre stage. Withdrawal of the AFSPA will surely create a new perception of the prevailing security situation in Assam as the army would then be relieved from counter-insurgency operations in the state after 29 consecutive years. However, it would not necessarily mean Assam Police has become self-sufficient to meet the challenge on its own. The ground realities indicate that even after the withdrawal of the AFSPA, the Assam government will remain dependent on Central paramilitary forces to meet the operational requirement of counter-insurgency in the state. For, Assam still lacks a specialised counter-insurgency force like Tripura State Rifles (TSR) on the pattern of Central Paramilitary Force to meet the challenge of counter-insurgency operations without the support of Central forces. Besides, the state has remained far from achieving the primary objective of the Modernisation of State Police Force Scheme of reducing dependency on the army and Central Armed Forces. A grenade blast claimed to have been triggered by the Paresh Barua-led United Liberation Front of Asom (Independent) in Guwahati on 12 May that left 12 injured indicate that even though insurgency has declined, the possibility of militants regrouping and adopting more desperate tactic will keep the security top brass on toes for some more time. The AFSPA was imposed in Assam in 1990 following a spurt in insurgent activities of the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA). The army role in counter-insurgency operations in Assam was made more structural in nature in 1997 when the state was brought under three-tiered Unified Command Structure of the army, Assam Police and Central paramilitary forces and the Army was entrusted with the duty of heading the operational command. Even though the state government has extended the AFSPA in the state, deployment of army for counter-insurgency operation has reduced gradually with the reduction in insurgent activities due to synergised counter-insurgency operations under the Unified Command Structure and the crackdown by Bhutan, Bangladesh and Myanmar on insurgents from Assam. However, the Central Paramilitary Organisation (CPO)s have replaced the army in an operational role in some of the districts. Official data show that in the last four years since 2014, there has been 63 percent reduction in insurgency incidents in the northeastern region. According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the year 2018 witnessed the lowest number of insurgency incidents and civilian deaths in the region since 1997. Assam Police has one elite commando force to combat insurgency -- Assam Police Commando Battalion which was raised on 18 January, 1996. Known as Black Panthers, the commandos received training in Punjab in 1995. Nearly 12 years later it raised the Special Task Force in 2008 with jurisdiction all over the state to perform exceptionally dangerous, high risk, counter terrorism operations that fall outside of the abilities of the District Police. Headed by an officer in the rank of Inspector General of Police, the mandate of the STF is also to conduct investigation of extremist/ terrorist-related cases of complicated nature and far-reaching consequences which also includes investigation of specially organised crimes. In Tripura, the TSR was raised in 1984 on the pattern of CPMF under the Tripura Rifles Act, 1983 passed by Tripura Legislative Assembly. TSR currently has 12 battalions under it which played the critical role in containing insurgency in the state. Tripura government withdrew AFSPA in 2015 after 18 years of its imposition. The AFSPA was imposed in Tripura in 1997. An impact assessment study of the erstwhile Modernisation of the State Police Force Scheme conducted by Ernst & Young pertaining to the period from 2000-01- to 2008-09 points towards how the scheme failed to bridge the gap of mobility and infrastructure for Assam Police and explains its dependence on the army and the Central paramilitary forces over the past nearly 29 years of imposition of the AFSPA. The report of the impact assessment study available on the Ministry of Home Affairs website reveals that the availability of vehicles per 100 policemen has decreased to 5.81 in 2008 from 11.81 in 1998. Similarly, the availability of staff quarters has declined from 29.65 per 100 policemen in 1998 to 13.64 in 2008 and the availability of police station decreased from 0.83 per 100 policemen to 0.42. Such decline was attributed to increasing in strength from 22,895 in 1998 to 61,975 personnel in 2008. The current sanctioned strength of Assam Police is about 65,000 but over 9,500 posts of different ranks are lying vacant for the past several years. The objective of the scheme is to gradually reduce the dependence of the State Governments on the Army and the Central Armed Police Forces to control internal security and law and order situations by equipping the State Police Forces adequately and strengthening their training infrastructure. The focus of the scheme is to strengthen police infrastructure at cutting edge level by construction of secure police stations, training centres, police housing (residential), equipping the police stations with the required mobility, modern weaponry, communication equipment and forensic set-up etc, states the objectives of the erstwhile Modernisation of State Police Force Scheme of the Ministry of Home Affairs. Under the scheme, Assam falls in category A states comprising other states in North East and Jammu and Kashmir which are eligible to receive financial assistance on 90:10 Centre:State sharing basis. Remaining states are eligible for financial assistance on 60:40 Centre:State sharing basis. The annual Central allocation for the scheme for the entire country stood reduced to Rs 595 crore in 2015-16 and in 2016-17 against Rs 1,341 crore in 2013-14 and Rs 1,397 crore in 2014-15. In 2017-18 the allocation was Rs 769 crore. Besides, Assam received Rs 1,072.40 crore under reimbursement of Security Related Expenditure Scheme for various security-related expenditure including logistics provided to army, Central Armed Police Forces, raising of India Reserve Battalions, ex-gratia grant and gratuitous relief to the victims of extremist violence, honorarium paid to Village guards/Village Defence Committees, Home Guards deployed on security duty, 75 percent of expenditure in fuel and lubricants used in operations, ex-gratia of next of kin of police personnel killed in insurgent attack and expenditure incurred on maintenance of designated camps set up for insurgent groups with which the government has entered into Suspension of Operation agreement. After a review of the SRE scheme for the North East, the amount earmarked under different heads has been revised with effect from 1 April, 2018. The maintenance expenses of designated camps for each cadre has been increased to Rs 6,000 from Rs 3,000, ex-gratia to next of kin of police personnel killed in insurgent violence has increased to Rs 20 lakh from Rs 3 lakh, and to next of kin of civilian killed to Rs 2 lakh from Rs 1 lakh and for permanent disability of police personnel the amount has been increased Rs 5 lakh from Rs 75,000. Clearly, even after withdrawal of the AFSPA, the state will have to continue seeking the reimbursement of expenditure on logistics for deployment of Central Armed Police Forces till all the outfits currently active including the ULFA (I) joins the peace process and for footing the bill for maintenance of cadres of the outfits engaged in peace talks till accords are signed with them. The author is Editor, nezine.com. While dissent is at the core of democracy, it becomes problematic when it claims to be the sole representative of truth. On Friday, several news reports spoke about differences between the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Sunil Arora and Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa -- who reportedly differed and disagreed with the CEC on giving clean chit to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during Lok Sabha election campaign. As reported by PTI, Lavasa had differed with the CEC in some of the 11 decisions, the CEC took in respect to complaints against Modi and Shah for alleged MCC violation. According to PTI in a letter to CEC Arora written on 4 May, Lavasa expressed his displeasure over the fact that his decision was not recorded, hence he preferred to stay away from the meetings of the full Commission. But what exactly happens "when the Commissioner becomes a multi-member Commission, how are the decisions taken, whether by majority or by consensus?" This is what the Election Commission of India says: "Section 10 of the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Conditions of Service) Amendment Act, 1993 is reproduced below:- (1) The Election Commission may be by unanimous decision, regulate the procedure for transaction of to business as also allocation of its business amongst the Chief Election Commissioner and their Election Commissioners. (2) Save as provided in sub section (i) all business of the Election Commission shall, as far as possible, be transacted unanimously. (3) Subject to the provisions of sub-section (ii), if the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners differ in opinion on any matter, such matter shall be decided by according to the opinion of the majority." This answer, which is part of the Frequently Asked Questions about Election Machinery available on Election Commission of India (ECI) website speaks about two hard facts regarding the functioning of democratic institutions, which are: (1) While democracy allows the plurality of ideas to coexist, ultimately it is the majority that rules (2) In this context dissent against the majority decision becomes a natural outcome. While dissent is at the core of democracy, it becomes problematic when it claims to be the sole representative of truth. Calling the entire episode as unsavory and avoidable, CEC Arora said, The three members of EC are not expected to be template or clones of each other, there have been so many times in the past when there has been a vast diversion of views as it can, and should be. Arora was right in this respect as in 1993 then chief election commissioner TN Seshan had challenged the appointment of his two Commissioners and in 2009 then chief election commissioner N Gopalaswami had recommended to the government for the removal of the other Election Commissioner Navin Chawla. While Arora clarified his stance, it took no time for a narrative to build. The narrative hastily concluded three things (1) Election Commission has become tyranny of the majority (2) Lavasas dissent was right (3) As Lavasa is questioning the clean chit given to Modi and Shah, he is doing the right thing and Election Commission took a wrong decision. Overlooking the fact -- that no one knows the facts of the case, a narrative is built where dissenter is shown to be right and the majority as wrong. Nikhil Mehra, a Delhi based lawyer wrote in a tweet on Saturday: halo, EVM challenged haven't worked so now the next attack is on the EC itself. Based on one dissenting opinion. (BTW he'll get some kind of award). What exactly did the EC not do which has affected the election so as to manifest unfairness? Talking to Firstpost Mehra said, Often the outcome of the seeking of a victimhood narrative is that quest for ascertaining facts is subordinated to that cause. General truths which hold true for the larger picture may not be true in the specific facts of a particular incident, but are nonetheless deemed to be true. The narrative is more important than facts. The course of Indias constitutional development is marked by numerous landmark judgments by the Supreme Court. In its close to seven decades of functioning Supreme Court judges delivered judgments that touched issues ranging from fundamental rights to life and liberty to right to worship. And, in course of penning these judgments, on several occasions, the judges agreed to disagree with each other. From justice HR Khannas famous dissent in landmark Habeas Corpus case (1976) to Justice Indu Malhotras dissent in Sabarimala case (2018) all added vigour to the debate that surrounded these cases. Apart from Supreme Court other high constitutional offices like that of President of India and Election Commission of India in the past had witnessed dissenting opinion, not concurring with Executive and other Commissioners respectively. This has remained unchanged over the years. But, what is changing now is the manner in which dissent is now being treated: as a gospel truth that is enough to tell that the institution is collapsing. Pallav Mongia, who practices law at Delhi High Court and Supreme Court, commenting on this issue said, That the expression of dissent only supports the conclusion that all is well with the commission. One must remember that it is a commission and not an individual which is taking a decision and a dissent shows consultation and deliberation in the decision-making process, which makes it truly democratic. Another lawyer J Sai Deepak, who practices in the Supreme Court and Delhi High Court said, "While dissent is integral to democracy, to make a virtue out of every dissenting opinion and to make a hero out of every dissenter is to encourage rebels without a cause. It is interesting to note that dissent is given such premium only when non-Congress governments are in power or when the dissent favours a particular party or ideology." While the history of institutions like the Supreme Court can be cited to buttress this point that dissent has been at heart of working of these institutions, it would be better to refer a landmark case related to Election Commission itself. In 1993, a presidential order made a change in the structure of Election Commission. Till then Election Commission was a one-member body (leaving for a short period in 1989 when two commissioners were appointed). However, in 1993, the President appointed two Commissioners making Election Commission, a three-member body. Then CEC Seshan challenged the decision in the Supreme Court. In its judgment, the bench headed by the then chief justice of India AM Ahmadi upheld the decision of the government and made some observations that are important in the present context. The judgment stated, The concept of plurality is writ large on the face of Article 324, clause (2) whereof clearly envisages a multi-member Election Commission comprising the CEC and one or more ECs. The judgment quoted Supreme Court earlier judgment in SS Dhanoa v. Union of India and Others (1991) : "There is no doubt that two heads are better than one, and particularly when an institution like the Election Commission is entrusted with vital functions, and is armed with exclusive uncontrolled powers to execute them, it is both necessary and desirable that the powers are not exercised by one individual, however, all-wise he may be. It ill conforms the tenets of the democratic rule. It added, "It is true that the independence of an institution depends upon the persons who main it and not on their number. A single individual may sometimes prove capable of withstanding all the pulls and pressures, which many may not. However, when vast powers are exercised by an institution which is accountable to none, it is politic to entrust its affairs to more hands than one. It helps to assure judiciousness and want of arbitrariness. The fact, however, remains that where more individuals than one, man an institution, their roles have to be clearly defined, if the functioning of the institution is not to come to a naught. Through these observations, the Supreme Court made it clear that an institution with more than one person assures judiciousness and also defined the powers of the CEC and Commissioners which is of equal status but also held that in case of difference of opinion the majority will prevail. The judgment also noted that It would be wrong to project the individual and eclipse the Election Commission. Nobody can be above the institution which he is supposed to serve. He is merely the creature of the institution, he can exist only if the institution exists. Dissent means that plurality of ideas is being allowed to coexist and it cannot be taken as indicative of any cracks in the institution. The dissent of one individual cannot overshadow the entire institution as the apex court rightly pointed out that nobody can be above the institution. Most exit polls have projected a clean sweep for the BJP and its allies, or National Democratic Alliance (NDA), in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh the three states where it had lost the state Assembly elections to Congress in 2018. Most exit polls have projected a clean sweep for the BJP and its allies, or the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh the three states where it had lost the state Assembly elections to Congress in 2018. For Madhya Pradesh, the Today's Chanakya exit poll predicted that the BJP and its allies will win 27 seats, while the Congress and its allies, part of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), will only win two. According to News18-IPSOS exit poll, the BJP and its allies are expected to cross the 20 seats mark in the state, while the UPA will net two to four seats. NDTV also claimed that the NDA will secure 25 seats, while both the Republic-CVoter and Times Now-VMR said the saffron party will get 24 seats from the state. Madhya Pradesh BJP+ Cong+ Others Today's Chanakya 27 2 0 ABP Exit Poll 24 5 0 News18-IPSOS 24-27 2-4 0 India Today-Axis Poll 26-28 1-3 NDTV Poll of Polls 25 4 0 Republic-Cvoter 24 5 0 Republic Bharat-Jan Ki Baat 21-24 5-8 0 Times Now-VMR 24 5 0 For Chhattisgarh, which sends eleven representatives to Lok Sabha, Today's Chanakya projected nine seats for NDA, and two for UPA. While News18-IPSOS said BJP and allies will win seven to nine seats, Republic-CVoter and ABP Exit Poll said NDA will get six seats. Only Republic Bharat-Jan Ki Baat exit poll showed an equal chance at seats for both UPA and NDA, predicting a tough fight between the two parties in the Maoist-affected state. Chhattisgarh BJP+ Cong+ Others Today's Chanakya 9 2 0 ABP Exit Poll 6 5 0 News18-IPSOS 7-9 2-4 0 India Today-Axis Poll 7-8 3-4 0 NDTV Poll of Polls 7 4 0 Republic-Cvoter 6 5 0 Republic Bharat-Jan Ki Baat 5-6 5-6 0 Times Now-VMR 7 4 0 The India Today-Axis Poll predicted 23-25 Lok Sabha seats for BJP and allies from Rajasthan. It further said that Congress, which was hoping to retain the ground it gained in the 2018's Assembly election, will win just 1-3 seats. ABP Exit Poll predicted 19 seats for NDA and six seats for UPA, while Republic Bharat-Jan Ki Baat showed 19-23 seats for BJP and allies, and three to six for UPA. Rajasthan BJP+ Cong+ Others Today's Chanakya 25 0 0 ABP Exit Poll 19 6 0 News18-IPSOS 22-23 2-3 0 India Today-Axis Poll 23-25 1-3 0 NDTV Poll of Polls 22 3 0 Republic-Cvoter 22 3 0 Republic Bharat-Jan Ki Baat 19-23 3-6 0 Times Now-VMR 20 5 0 On the whole, most exit polls aired on television channels predicted that the NDA will retain power at the Centre, thereby indicating another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Whether these predictions are accurate or not will only be known on 23 May. Located at the border region of Rajkot district in Gujarat, Madhapur village has been battling a brutal summer, all on its own. 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. *** Madhapur: Located at the border region of Rajkot district in Gujarat, Madhapur village has been battling a brutal summer, all on its own. This is one of the worst-affected villages in the state when it comes to water scarcity. The Saurashtra region has given three chief ministers to Gujarat, including sitting chief minister Vijay Rupani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who won his first election from Rajkot. Yet, not a single government scheme connected to water has been implemented in this village. With a population of over 35,000, Madhapar does not have a reservoir or water storage facility. The entire village gets illegal water from a pipeline that runs through the region supplying water from the Narmada. Officials at the Madhapur panchayat office said, "Drinking water is always an issue here. We illegally take water from the pipeline that passes through our village. We have already informed the government about this. Once known for its farming community, Madhapar now has only around 40 people actively involved in agriculture. In the past one-and-a-half year, around 15 agricultural plots have been converted to non-agricultural land. Today, farming is not seen as a profitable business due to various reasons, including water scarcity. Most second-generation villagers have given their lands for farming on a contract basis and moved to the cities to work or operate businesses. The Saurashtra-Narmada Avataran Irrigation Yojana (Sauni Yojna), an ambitious dream project of Modi to supply water to Saurashtra has not reached the village. Launched by Modi during his tenure as chief minister of Gujarat ahead of the state elections in 2012, Sauni Yojna was to fill 115 major reservoirs in Saurashtra. The scheme involves diverting flood-water overflow from the Sardar Sarovar Dam across the Narmada river to drought-prone areas in Saurashtra. While Narmada water has reached Rajkot city, several surrounding villages and Kutch district, Madhapar continues to survive without water supply and pipelines. That a severe crisis was going to hit the state was apparent when the last monsoons were less than spectacular. Saurashtra received only 72.20 percent of average rainfall in the 2018 monsoons. Despite this, Madhapur village wasnt declared drought-one as it was deemed to have received enough rainfall. Just a year ago, however, water politics played out quite differently. In summer 2018, anticipating a water crisis, the state government announced a clampdown on the water for irrigation and industries and also rationed drinking water supply to cities including Rajkot, Surat, Ahmedabad and Vadodara. Just a few months ago in 2017, before the Gujarat elections, the Sardar Sarovar dam was inaugurated (56 years after Jawaharlal Nehru had laid the foundation for it) and BJP promised it would end people's water woes forever. But soon after, the government hit them with the bad news. The state government announced that Narmada water would not be available for irrigation, farmers were advised to not sow crops in the summer unless they had other sources of water like borewells, built at their own expense. This coincided with state elections in Madhya Pradesh, where the 15-year-old BJP government, fighting anti-incumbency, farmer unrest and weak monsoons, took the decision to not release any excess water to Gujarat. Farmer leaders allege that the government knew about the impending shortage but hid it with the elections in mind. Farmers who could have planted rabi crops had they been warned early on were caught by surprise and were at a loss. Meanwhile, the Opposition accused the government of diverting water so that Modi could campaign via a seaplane. In 2017, the Opposition was keen to capitalise on the ire of rural voters regarding water scarcity in Saurashtra, and sentiments against the BJP have only strengthened post the last kharif season. Over-dependence on the Narmada According to a panchayat member, Pruthvisinh Jadeja, in 2018, Rs 14 lakh was spent in four villages of Rajkot including Ghanteshwar and Madhapar to supply water using tankers. "This year, the cost will be more. The government spends around Rs 800 for a 10,000-litre tanker. We ensure that water reaches everyone who needs it, he said. Politicians have always been promising to bring the Narmada to every corner of Gujarat at the cost of developing and preserving local water bodies. Minister for Water Resources, Kunvarji Bavalia said, There are some issues at places which do not have local water resources. I visited areas in south Gujarat, Kutch and north Gujarat, and held a review meeting last week about the complaints from locals. The district collector has been asked to address these complaints at the earliest. When asked about the feasibility of existing water supply schemes to meet the water requirements in Gujarat, Bavalia said, The schemes that are being implemented are based on the 2011 census. The population and water consumption has since increased. Vitthal Dudhatra, president of the Bhartiya Kisan Sangh said, The state government has spent crores on water schemes, but none were planned well. Along with ensuring proper water supply, efforts should be made to implement rainwater harvesting to raise groundwater levels. When Keshubhai Patel was the chief minister, he had launched a scheme to build check dams, but it soon became a business for contractors and officials. In Madhapur, around half the youth have left villages, many sold their farms and switched to running businesses. Mukesh Jalawadiya, a farmer in Madhapar sold his six-acre land five years ago and set up a factory. "What can one do without water? I was not earning enough from agriculture, so I sold my land and started a hardware factory. It gives me enough income to support my family. Like Mukesh, Bhadabhi Bachubahi of Madhapar sold his two-acre land last year and now works as a labourer. He said, "We never got good prices for our crops. Water was always an issue. What can a farmer do? Every house or building in Madhapar has a borewell. A filter is fitted in every house for water purification and those who cannot afford this, buy 20-litre cans of filtered water. Madhapar sarpanch Chaganbhai Sankhavara said, No matter which party or person comes to power, nothing seems to improve in the villages or for farmers. This village has been deprived of basic facilities for so long. Once water would be available if we dug about 100 feet, but today, even after digging to 2000 feet, there is no guarantee we will find water here. In summer, the situation worsens. Daily, over 10.30 lakh litres of water is supplied to the villagers using tankers. This year, the supply of water via tankers started on 11 March. Sankhavara added. Heenaben, a woman from Krishnanagar is fed up with the water shortage situation. "I work as a domestic help and I cannot afford proper water storage facilities in my house. I manage my work timings according to the time the tankers bring water to our area. There is much physical strain involved in filling water and carrying the pots to our homes, but we have no other option, she said. Shankersinh Vaghela, former Gujarat Leader of Opposition, submitted a letter to the Governor, Om Prakash Kohli on 17 May, 2019 outlining the water shortage issues in Gujarat and asking for government intervention. His letter was based on visits by his party members to around 12,000 villages. The letter stated, Access to drinking water is still an issue for around 70 percent of the population of both urban and rural Gujarat. Earlier north Gujarat and Kutch-Saurashtra faced droughts, but this year, Ahmedabad city and south Gujarat are facing water shortage. Despite 25 years of BJP rule in the state, the water situation has worsened. The government has only marketed themselves in the name of Narmada and Sauni Yojna. Questioning the Vibrant Gujarat model, the letter further stated, The inefficient Narmada water supply scheme has forced women to walk miles to fetch water. Adivasi women in some areas are forced to get down inside wells to fetch water. Many areas receive water at a gap of three to seven days. Vaghela has requested the governor to form a committee comprising people from different walks of life to help address the problem of water shortage in Gujarat. According to Mansukh Suvagia, the pioneer of bringing Jal Kranti (water revolution) by constructing check dams at nominal costs with peoples participation, all is not lost yet. He said, "The government should stress on water conservation schemes to handle water shortage. I have constructed 3,000 check dams in total and 51 check dams in Jamka village of Junagadh. While the government spent Rs 5 lakh for one check dam, I spent Rs 10 lakh for 51 check dams. The Jamka model can be replicated across the country. I have constructed 25 check dams in Bhekhadiya village of Chotta Udaipur. The check dams constructed tend to last for 100 years and even today, the ones we constructed 20 years ago in Jamka are standing strong and the entire belt has no water issue." (The author is a Rajkot-based freelance writer and a member of 101Reporters) Four militants were gunned down in two separate encounters in Pulwama and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said. Srinagar: Four militants were gunned down in two separate encounters in Pulwama and Baramulla districts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, police said. While three Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including the one belonging to a group of ultras who were involved in the killing of army jawan Aurangzeb last year, were gunned down in a pre-dawn operation by security forces in Pulwama district of South Kashmir, another militant, belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), was killed in Sopore town of Baramulla, a police spokesman said. He said based on credible input a cordon and search operation was launched by the police and security forces in the pre-dawn hours on Saturday in Panzgam area of Awantipora in south Kashmir's Pulwama district. During the search operation, the hiding militants fired on the search party of the forces, who retaliated, leading to an encounter, he said. In the ensuing encounter, the spokesman said, three militants were killed and the bodies were retrieved from the site. He said the slain militants have been identified as Showkat Dar of Panzgam Awantipora, Irfan War of Wadoora Payeen Sopore and Muzaffar Sheikh of Tahab Pulwama. "All three killed terrorists, according to police records, were affiliated with proscribed terror outfit Hizbul Mujahideen. They were wanted by law for their complicity in a series of terror crimes including attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities. Several terror crime cases were registered against them, he said. As per police records, the spokesman said, Dar had a long history of terror crime records. "He was involved in planning and executing series of terror attacks in the area and many other civilian atrocities. He was part of a group involved in killing of Army jawan Aurangzeb in 2018. He was also involved in killing of a policeman Aqib Ahmad Wagay last year. Several terror crime cases were registered against him," he said. Aurangzeb was abducted and later killed by militants in Pulwama in June last year while he was on his way home in Poonch to celebrate Eid. The spokesman said War was part of terror groups responsible for conspiring and executing attacks on security establishments and civilian atrocities in the area. "Accordingly terror crime cases were registered against him. Similarly, Sheikh, as per police records, was involved in several terror attacks on security establishments in the area. Several criminal cases were registered against him for terrorist activities," he said. Incriminating materials including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site of encounter, the spokesman said, adding police have registered a case and all these materials have been taken in the case records for the purpose of investigation and to probe their complicity in other terror crimes. The spokesman said with the efforts of police and security forces, it was a clean operation and no collateral damage took place during the exchange of fire. In another anti-militancy operation, the spokesman said, a cordon and search operation was launched by security forces in Hathlangoo area of Sopore in north Kashmir's Baramulla district. During the search operation, militants fired on the forces, triggering an encounter in which one militant was killed, he said. The body of the slain militant was retrieved from the site and he has been identified as Waseem Ahmad Naikoo of Barsoo Awantipora, the spokesman said. He said according to the police records, Naikoo had joined the proscribed terror outfit JeM after he went missing from his home in February this year. Police have registered a case in this regard and further investigation in the matter is in progress, the spokesman said. Notwithstanding his failing vision and aching knees, India's 'first' voter Shyam Saran Negi Sunday reached his polling booth in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district to exercise his franchise Shimla: Notwithstanding his failing vision and aching knees, India's "first" voter Shyam Saran Negi Sunday reached his polling booth in Himachal Pradesh's Kinnaur district to exercise his franchise. The 102-year-old was given a warm welcome by election staff at the Kalpa booth in Mandi Lok Sabha constituency, which went to polls in the last and seventh phase of the general elections. "A resident of Himachal Pradesh's tribal district Kinnaur, Shyam Sharan Negi is India's first voter and very important for the state election department," Kinnaur District Election Officer Gopal Chand told PTI. Negi, a retired school teacher was born on 1 July, 1917, as per his official records. The centenarian still vividly remembers how he became India's first voter. "India's first election was held in February 1952, but the voting for remote, tribal areas in Himachal Pradesh was held five months in advance on 23 October, 1951, owing to fears of inclement weather rendering the exercise impossible here during winter," Negi said. "I was a school teacher then and had been put on election duty. Due to it, I reached my polling booth at Kalpa primary school in Kinnaur at 7 am to cast my vote. I was the first one to reach there and cast my vote," he said. "Later, I was told I was the first to cast my vote anywhere in the area," he said with a glint in his eyes and added that he proceeded to join his election duty after voting. Negi, who also made a special appearance in Hindi film Sanam Re, said he never missed casting his vote ever since then whether it be a panchayat election or the Lok Sabha polls. He on Saturday had appealed to people to elect "honest" candidates for all the four Lok Sabha seats in the state. "Elect honest and active candidates for your parliamentary seats instead of voting for particular parties," Negi told PTI. "It's my last wish to vote again. But I have got immobile legs and aching knees now, besides failing vision and hearing," he had said. The Shimla (SC), Hamirpur, Kangra and Mandi seats went to polls on Sunday along with 55 other Lok Sabha constituencies in the country. 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. Demanding that elections should be held in two or three phases instead of such a long period, Nitish Kumar said he will be working to create a consensus among political parties on the issue. Patna: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday condemned BJP candidate Pragya Singh Thakur for calling Nathuram Godse a "patriot", asserting that his party JD(U), an ally of BJP, will not tolerate any remark in support of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin. "It is condemnable, we don't agree with such views. Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation. Suspending her from the party is their own matter. Giving a reaction or taking action is an internal matter of their party. As much as we are concerned, we will not tolerate this kind of view," he told reporters here after casting his vote for the Lok Sabha polls. Demanding that elections should be held in two or three phases instead of such a long period, Kumar said he will be working to create a consensus among political parties on the issue. "Based on my experience, I believe that an all-party meeting should take place on the issue of poll duration. It is not right to have a long campaign period in such hot weather. In our country, polls should be held in February-March or October-November and they should not be in so many phases," he said. "Elections should happen in fewer phases as far as possible. This will also help people. There is no need of conducting elections in so many phases. Ideally, elections should be carried out in one phase but the country is big so there may be two-three phases," the chief minister said. Kumar said he has fought this election on the basis of his work and hoped that the NDA will form the government again under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Article 370 of the Constitution giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir and common civil code, the JD(U) chief said, "Under no circumstances, we will support of the removal of Article 370. We will not accept a common civil code. We believe that the Ayodhya issue should be sorted out either in court or through mutual discussion." The Doctor and the Saint is a decent starting point for those who seek to revise their own uncritical points of view about Gandhi. But for those looking to introduce themselves to Ambedkar the man as well as his politics youre much better off reading Annihilation of Caste itself, followed by everything else Ambedkar wrote. In 2014, Navayana published an annotated edition of BR Ambedkars Annihilation of Caste, which included a new, book-length introduction to the text: Arundhati Roys essay The Doctor and the Saint. While the annotations, written by S Anand (also the publisher of the book) were, barring a few exceptions, generally praised, there were several detailed criticisms of Roys essay, most of which led with the fact that Roy chose to devote by my estimate almost two-thirds of her 120-odd pages to Gandhi rather than Ambedkar. Recently, Penguin Random House India published a new, standalone edition of The Doctor and the Saint, where Roy admits as much in a new, two-page introduction. I have been faulted for paying an inordinate amount of attention to Gandhi in an introduction to what is essentially Ambedkars work. I am guilty as charged. However, given the exalted, almost divine status that Gandhi occupies in the imagination of the modern world, in particular the Western world, I felt that unless his hugely influential and, to my mind, inexcusable position on caste and race was looked at carefully, Ambedkars rage would not be fully understood. And the Project of Unseeing, the erasure of cruel, institutionalised social injustice at the heart of the country that likes to be known as the worlds greatest democracy, will continue smoothly and without a hitch. This is a revelatory passage if there ever was one, for several reasons. 1. Its refreshing to see authors engaging with critical writing in modes other than the time-honoured they know nothing or theyre eunuchs in a harem. A few brownie points are in order here (not too many). 2. Roy is candid enough to admit that she was more interested in Gandhis inexcusable position on caste rather than Ambedkars delineation of the same. As an author, shes looking in particular at the Western world, which is far more likely to be conversant with Gandhis words than Ambedkars. This, then, is as much a marketing decision as a literary one make of that what you will. 3. One can only infer that her publishers are similarly looking Westward (or the English-speaking elite, which amounts to the same thing as far as publishers and their un-subtle calculations are concerned). Why else would you publish the book-length introduction to a textwithout also publishing the text itself (in this case, Annihilation of Caste)? Because for a travelling salesperson in the modern world, Gandhi and Roy herself are bigger draws than Ambedkar. And also because Roy had said, at the time of the Navayana editions release, that one of the reasons behind clubbing The Doctor and the Saint with Annihilation of Caste was she feared her book will be banned if published as a standalone text. Why or how that fear has subsided is tough to say, given that her would-be-tormentors are still very much in power, and have been more aggressive than usual of late. Gandhi in the dock The Doctor and the Saint is strongest when it sets about its primary task: to scrutinise the historiography of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, and to remind readers of some inconvenient truths about the man, facts that make the Mahatmas mythologists very uncomfortable indeed. Roy lays the groundwork by quoting Gandhis homilies about caste being a kind of control; he was talking about the Brahminical hygiene about inter-caste dining. Before he back-pedaled on this in his later years, Gandhi was opposed to inter-caste dining and inter-caste marriage. And, as Roy points out, he was not above peddling alternative facts as we call them today once the Congress was on the back foot re: the caste system, he revised his opinion and said that he believed in the varna system that a persons varna ought to be decided by their worth and not their birth (which was also the Arya Samaj position). The Jat-Pat-Todak-Mandal of Lahore, the organisation that had invited Ambedkar to address them (they later rescinded and the undelivered address was later published as Annihilation of Caste), was an Arya Samaj group, after all. Roy is similarly effective when she draws a straight-ish line between Gandhis disturbing views on the inferiority of the African man (he once wrote to the British government during his time in South Africa, declaring his horror at Indian prisoners sharing cells with them), and the upper-caste messiah position he held onto regarding caste. Shes right; if you believe youre inherently superior, you really do not need to pronounce anybody else inferior. Its implicit (not that Gandhi kept this sentiment implicit; he in fact wrote pamphlets to that effect). Gandhis tactics leading up to the Poona Pact of September 1932, when he started a fast unto death simply to kill the prospect of separate electorates for Untouchables, are also collared Roy rightly calls this barefaced blackmail, which isnt something youll hear Gandhi historians saying out loud, certainly not the ones whove made a career out of Gandhi-chronicling (Roy lampoons the most prominent among these historians, making fun of their assessment of Ambedkar as someone Hindus can be proud of). Retro-fitting Ambedkar Roy is, alas, on thin ground once she starts making her case for Ambedkar as the Doctor, a sleek, well-dressed man of pure intellect and cold reason, the natural adversary for Gandhi the Saint, a neo-ascetic defined by contradictions, enforced austerity and quasi-mystic speeches. To aid this too-neat, polar characterisation, she plays fast and loose with Ambedkars personal history, his written work as well as his political decision-making. As Roys essay starts coming to a somewhat hasty end, she compensates for the lack-of-Ambedkar-pages by indulging in some amateur mythology namely, the ridiculous notion that Ambedkar was politically naive, and that his decisions, both personal and professional, scored high in idealism but were essentially unmoored from ground realities. Again and again, Roys language subtly reinforces the idea of Ambedkar as a naive man of rationality but little political nous. Ambedkars attempts to call Gandhis bluff during the Poona Pact are referred to as his usual arsenal of logic and reason, for example. On other occasions, she is more direct with her withering analysis of Ambedkars supposed lack of political wisdom. Though Ambedkar had a formidable intellect, he didnt have the sense of timing, the duplicity, the craftiness and the ability to be unscrupulous qualities that a good politician needs. Finally, Roy makes a dubious claim at the very end. She writes, Ambedkar did not have enough money to print his major work on Buddhism, The Buddha and his Dhamma, before he died. He wore suits, yes, but he died in debt. The former sentence is backed up by a letter that Ambedkar wrote to Nehru but thats a routine request that authors often make to governments, requesting financial aid. Nowhere does that letter suggest that Ambedkar was as steeped in penury as Roy paints him to be. The latter sentence claiming that Ambedkar died in debt has not been backed up by any source whatsoever. After the original Navayana edition had been published in 2014, Roundtable India published a series of articles criticising Roy and pointing out the problematic portions of her book. In one such article Dr Suresh Mane, a former comrade of Kanshi Ram and author of a book on Ambedkar, said (this was actually the transcript of a speech he delivered at the University of Mumbai, circa November 2014): Ambedkar never died as a debt-ridden man. He had huge property, lands, which he gave to different trusts and societies which were not in his name. Neither was his family debt-ridden. But any general reader who doesn't know about Ambedkar, what will he get from this introduction? He will get an impression that Ambedkar mismanaged the finances of his own household. This about the man who wrote on the mismanagement of the provincial finance in British India. Even if you set aside this questionable bit of fact-checking or lack thereof Roys real failure is in her retro-fitting of Ambedkar as the Doctor, a character she has made up, a too-perfect opposite number for Gandhi aka the Saint. The Doctors suits and the Saints naked torso, the Doctors lack-of-craftiness versus the Saints canny political moves it gets old and moreover, it ignores even her own previous assessment of Ambedkars legacy. Towards the beginning of the essay, when she just begins talking about Ambedkar, she says, Using the Constitution as a subversive object is one thing. Being limited by it is quite another. Ambedkars circumstances forced him to be a revolutionary and to simultaneously put his foot in the door of the establishment whenever he got a chance to. His genius lay in his ability to use both these aspects of himself nimbly, and to great effect. Which is it, then? Was Ambedkar, in fact, a master of straddling two very different styles of politics, as she says here, or was he a well-meaning but miscalculating ideologue (as almost every other paragraph about him seems to indicate)? The Doctor and the Saint is a decent starting point for those who seek to revise their own uncritical points of view about Gandhi. But for those looking to introduce themselves to Ambedkar the man as well as his politics youre much better off reading Annihilation of Caste itself, followed by everything else Ambedkar wrote. Ramabai Ranade was a pioneering social worker, who advocated womens rights and equality in the early 1900s. Ranades husband was a reformer in fact, she belonged to the early generations of Indian women who were schooled by their husbands. While she was an enthusiastic learner, this also stemmed from a desire to please her husband and conform to his authority. Accompanying him on his tours, she would write letters on his behalf and execute instructions, while also cooking special savouries for him and massaging his feet with ghee at night. In Ramabais example, the reformers found the model of the new Indian womanhood, the one who could be modern without relinquishing the virtues of a traditional Indian wife, reads a little card in Enter Sultanas Reality. The animated project, by Goa-based artist Afrah Shafiq, is a captivating Alice in Wonderland-style adventure exploring the relationship between women and books in India. Using gifs, music, videos, statistics, comics, and little hidden notes of history, she tells the stories of women who challenged societal conventions theres Kashibai Kanitkar, the first female Marathi novelist, Anandibai Joshi, the first Indian woman to get a degree in Western medicine, and Savitribai Phule, who started the first school for Indian girls in Maharashtra, among other revolutionary women. The project was born out of a fellowship by the India Foundation for the Arts, as part of which Shafiq got access to a wealth of archival images at the Centre for Studies in Social Sciences, Calcutta. I liked the fact that the images in the archive were very varied there were lithographs, oleographs, Kalighat paintings, folk art, oil paintings and photographs, she says. While she wasnt specifically looking at books or women while going through the archives, she discovered that the images of the women in the artwork could be broken into a kind of thematic visual imagination. There were certain recurring ways in which women were imagined sitting by the window and looking outside, flying away or floating out of towers and windows. In another collection, there was one where a man with a book is explaining something to a woman in the frame what I call mansplaining in the project, says Shafiq. Whenever she came across an image of a woman with a book in some images, women were into the books, in some they were annoyed there was an urge to decipher the story behind it. I started looking at the images as research material, and decoding how visual history and textual history can speak to each other. [Enter Sultanas Reality at the Kochi Muziris Biennale] A fascinating nugget in the project reveals how some of the women were unwilling to study, and perceived as blind traditionalists. Shafiq writes that this resistance came from the fact that education was often thought of as a decorative need womens agency was not an instrumental factor in the process and nor did it absolve them from household labour. In fact, women who read were often resented by older women in the house. Ranades sister-in-law Durga who was widowed at 21 and wasnt educated like Ranade believed that education, while useful, was a frivolous activity for women. An intelligent, hot-tempered woman, she would tell Ranade to ignore her husbands advice. Reading was something extra women had to do in addition to cooking and cleaning it wasnt so they could have control, acquire knowledge and be their own people. It was a safe and decorative ability, for the men. Like husbands who say my wife stitches very well and sings beautifully, but wouldnt want her to showcase her work or perform at a concert, she says. Shafiq has also highlighted the struggles women underwent to acquire an education. Rokeya Sakhawat Hussain whose Sultanas Dream was an inspiration for Shafiqs project would study in secret at night and opened one of the first schools for Muslim girls, where they had access to subjects like chemistry, botany and gymnastics. Savitribai Phule had garbage thrown at her when she walked to school. [Afrah Shafiq] Its important for younger women and feminists to acknowledge that these were things women had to fight for and were called out for. They pushed to make their space in the world, just like we need to continue pushing to make those spaces. A chapter in Enter Sultanas Reality also delves into the zenanas or andarmahals women-only spaces in affluent households that men had no access to. Shafiq imagined zenanas to be restricted places that were limited to one part of the house, with barely any interaction with the outside world. But the images she saw were of playful women relaxing and laughing, like gangs of sakhis in a surveillance-free zone. This led her to reimagine, and reinterpret, what transpired in these spaces, resulting in elements like Yo Pati Jokes and a band called The Bhava Ranis. [Enter Sultanas Reality at the Kochi Muziris Biennale] I was also looking at the tradition of popular womens performances that happened in the zenana, and people from working class families who were allowed inside to sell things, or to render certain services. What kind of things did they bring in in terms of stories, what were the themes of stories and jokes that women told each other in these spaces. A lot of this was very rich in its imagery and poetry, but also very lascivious, irreverent and open in its humour." [Enter Sultanas Reality at the Kochi Muziris Biennale] Enter Sultanas Reality was also turned into a physical installation, and was showcased at the recently concluded Kochi Muziris Biennale. While Shafiq says that the work wasnt imagined for an installation, it was interesting to convert an interactive web experience into a physical one. I played a lot with the idea of what its like to immerse yourself in a virtual space where you can really indulge in exploring, or research as an exploratory journey. I only stayed for a week after it was set up, but it was interesting to see visitors experiences. Some had a curious peek, while others stayed for an hour, fiddling with the icons and reading the stories. The artist had another work on display at the Biennale st.itch, where she imagined the inner lives of women sewing in Victorian England by digitally pairing historical depictions of them engaged in the activity with their cross-stitched fabric. This project too was the result of her research into archival images of these women, where she used a lot of the womens unpublished writings, like diary entries, journals and letters. Im very interested in womens lives, and exploring what was going on in their minds how did they negotiate their lives, create mechanisms to cope, how did they create protest? she says, adding, Sultanas Reality and st.itch are both looking at womens inner minds, the former from a more factual point of view, while the latter is emotional. In both, Ive used womens writing as an entry point to something else. Shafiq is now preparing to take st.itch to Texas next month, and also mulling over ideas around transformation and the moon. Shes fascinated by how the moon connects to time and has a significance across cultures. Im also looking at the connection between the moon and marriage, or festivals like karva chauth. Why is it so central to that kind of festival? What does it mean when people say aadmi shaadi ke baad badal jaata hai? Through this line, I want to explore how different genders come together, change, dominate or merge. It's unclear whether Figueroa was still allowed to visit the baby in intensive care in the following days. According to prosecutors, Figueroa created a GoFundMe page asking for funds for the baby and featuring a picture of the baby hooked up to a breathing tube and monitors. The page was eventually taken down, but it's not known when. After spending the night in a holy cave near Uttarakhand's Kedarnath temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the Election Commission for granting him permission for the visit, saying he remained entirely cut-off from the outside world and got two days of 'rest'. Kedarnath/Badrinath: After spending the night in a holy cave near Uttarakhand's Kedarnath temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday thanked the Election Commission for granting him permission for the visit, saying he remained entirely cut-off from the outside world and got two days of "rest". Modi reached Kedarnath on Saturday and after offering prayers to Lord Shiva at the shrine went inside the cave to meditate at 2 pm wearing a saffron colour shawl. He came out at 7 am on Sunday and then left for Badrinath, another important Hindu shrine, where he ended his two-day visit to the state. Dressed in a kurta-pyjama with a shawl wrapped around him, the prime minister walked down from the cave on a hill to the Kedarnath temple with the help of a cane. "I did not ask for anything. I don't believe in asking because God only wants us to give... all I want is 'Baba' Kedarnath bestows his blessings not just upon India but entire mankind," he told reporters outside the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath after offering prayers. He also thanked the Election Commission for allowing him to undertake the visit, saying he got two days of "rest" there. The EC had given its nod to Modi's visit while "reminding" the Prime Minister's Office that the model code of conduct is still in force. Polling for the seventh and the last phase of the general election was held Sunday. Modi said he remained totally cutoff from the outside world as there was no communication link to the cave he stayed in for 24 hours and he kept looking at the shrine through a small window. He said, "I am fortunate, that I am getting the opportunity to come to Kedarnath for many years." This is Modi's fourth visit in the last two years to the temple, which is at a height of 11,755 feet, near the Mandakini river. Taking note of the redevelopment work at Kedarnath, which was devastated in a series of cloudbursts in 2013, Modi said there is a dedicated team deployed for it and that he too had taken stock of works through video-conferencing with authorities. "The work at Kedarnath is now progressing at a proper pace. People, besides visiting Dubai and Singapore, should also visit Kedarnath and other places in India," he said. The prime minister then boarded an Indian Air Force helicopter to Badrinath, another temple in Uttarakhand's "char dham" religious circuit, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Modi offered prayers at the innermost sanctum in Badrinath. Badrinath-Kedarnath Temple Committee chief Mohan Prasad Thapliyal said the prime minister offered prayers at the temple for around 20 minutes and was given a greeting card made on a "bhojpatra" (birch leaves) by the temple's priests. He was also given a shawl by the residents of Mana village, he said. The prime minister took a walk inside the temple complex and later, shook hands with the devotees and locals, Thapliyal said, adding that Modi also met pilgrims waiting near the shrine. Members of the committee met the prime minister at the shrine's guest house and submitted a memorandum stressing upon the need to expand the temple's premises and improving telecommunication services at Badrinath. Modi asked temple authorities to play an active role in providing better facilities to pilgrims visiting the shrine, Thapliyal said. The prime minister reached Badrinath in an IAF helicopter, which landed at an army helipad near the shrine, and reached the temple by road, he said, adding that stringent security arrangements were in place. The portals of the Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines reopened for devotees earlier in May after the winter break. Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday held a second round of talks with top Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sharad Pawar. New Delhi: Andhra Pradesh chief minister and TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday held a second round of talks with top Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sharad Pawar, in an apparent bid to rally support for a non-BJP government at the Centre. Naidu, who arrived in Delhi on Friday, had met Rahul, Nationalist Congress Party chief Pawar, Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav and leaders of the Communist Party of India on Saturday as well. He had then flew to Lucknow and met Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati. Sunday's meeting assumes significance as Naidu is meeting Rahul and Pawar after holding talks with the SP and BSP chiefs, who have not openly come in favour of an Opposition alliance so far. The TDP chief's deliberations are part of his efforts to unite non-NDA parties and bring them together on one platform to stake their claim for next government formation in case the NDA fails to get the majority mark. The Telugu Desam Party chief has held several rounds of discussion with various Opposition leaders, including TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal and CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury. Naidu's TDP was a part of the NDA, but quit the alliance a few months ago. The Congress and other Opposition parties have exuded confidence of forming the next government. News18-IPSOS exit poll Sunday forecast another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a thumping majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party. News18-IPSOS exit poll survey Sunday forecast another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a thumping majority for the Bharatiya Janata Party. The survey, which employed four stages of multi-sampling as part of its methodology to ensure a wider sample, said that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is likely to win 336 seats in Lok Sabha elections 2019, with BJP alone slated to cross the 272-seat majority mark. If the prediction of most pollsters is anywhere close to the final results which will come out on 23 May, it will be for the first time in 48 years that an incumbent prime minister and his party return to power with a full majority. The last time this occurred was in 1971, when Indira Gandhi led the Congress (R) to victory with a full majority after having done the same in 1967 (for the united Congress). The survey said that UPA, the principal Opposition alliance led by the Congress, will find its ambitions capped at a dismal 82. The saffron party appeared to make major gains in eastern states of West Bengal and Odisha. The NDA is likely to sweep the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Jharkhand, and improve its tally in Karnataka and Maharashtra. In Uttar Pradesh, where it is locked in a bitter battle with the SP-BSP mahagathbandhan, the BJP could end up losing a few seats to the combined force of Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, when compared to last year's impressive 71 seats. But the party will still manage to secure 60 to 62 seats, while the SP-BSP combine will stop at 17 to 19 seats, according to the survey. Besides, any losses the party incurs will be offset by significant gains in Odisha and West Bengal. News18-Ipsos poll said the BJP's tally will improve to 3 to 5 seats in West Bengal from the last election's two seats. The saffron party might win six to eight seats in Odisha. Likewise, a poll rout is predicted for the Aam Aadmi Party in its bastion New Delhi. According to the survey, the BJP, which won all seven Lok Sabha seats in Delhi, is again set to sweep the National Capital Territory with around six to seven seats. The AAP and Congress run the risk of scoring nought. The survey further showed that the BJP has managed to reverse some of the damage it suffered ahead of last year's Assembly polls in key Hindi heartland states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisdarh. The Congress, according to the exit poll, may be limited to just two seats in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, and may not win even a single seat in Rajasthan. The BJP won 26 of 29 seats in Madhya Pradesh in 2014 and it is set to retain 24 to 27 seats. In Rajasthan, it will win 22 to 23 seats while in Chhattisgarh, it may get seven to nine seats, while Congress will be limited to two to four seats. Furthermore, the News18-IPSOS survey is hinting at a historical political picture. News18-Ipsos said that even if the BJP's poll tally falls by six seats, NDA's polling percentage will improve to 49 percent, in contrast to 2014, when it garnered close to 39 percent votes. It said 26.5 percent votes have been polled for other regional parties, including the Mamata-led TMC, SP, BSP, TRS, BJD, YSRCP, AAP and TDP. In 2014 polls, 38.5 percent votes were polled in favour of NDA and the UPA's vote share was 23 percent. The CNN News18-Ipsos projected only 46 seats for the Congress and 82 for its allies. Elections to 542 seats of the 543-member Lok Sabha ended Sunday. The Election Commission has deferred election for Vellore in Tamil Nadu over allegations of misuse of money power. The counting of votes is slated for 23 May. In 2014, the NDA had won 336 seats and the Congress 44 seats. The BJP had notched up its maiden majority by bagging 282 seats. All exit polls in 2014 did predict that the NDA under the leadership of Narendra Modi would become the single-largest coalition. As soon as the final phase of polling gets over on Sunday, it would be time for several pollsters to come out with their exit poll predictions. Major national pollsters including News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis, Times Now-CNX, NewsX-Neta, Republic Bharat-Jan Ki Baat, Republic-CVoter, ABP-CSDS and Today's Chanakya will reveal their numbers ahead of the counting of votes on 23 May. As per Election Commissions guidelines, pollsters can only begin airing their numbers once they get a go-ahead from the poll body. According to Section 126A of the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951, exit polls can only be aired until half an hour after the completion of the final phase of voting. Exit polls have often been subjected to criticism for their inaccuracy. The exit polls in 2004 and 2009 failed to accurately predict the results of the elections. In fact, the 2004 exit polls predicted a massive victory for the Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led NDA. However, proving all exit polls wrong, the Congress staged a stunning comeback to form a coalition government. In 2009 too, most exit polls predicted a hung Parliament with the UPA as the single largest coalition. This time too they were proven wrong as the Congress on its own managed to win over 200 seats. CLICK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES ON EXIT POLL RESULTS 2019 Nevertheless, pollsters could gauge the mood of voters in 2014 since they put the BJP-led NDA ahead of Congress. Ultimately, the BJP managed to win a simple majority on its own while the NDA crossed 300 seats in the Lok Sabha. Ahead of the exit polls on Sunday, here is a recap of how exit polls panned out ahead of the counting of votes in 2014. All predicted a BJP gain but failed to gauge the scale of victory All exit polls in 2014 did predict that the NDA under the leadership of Narendra Modi would become the single-largest coalition. However, they failed to predict the scale and magnitude of the victory. Not only did they underestimate the BJP but also overestimate the seat tally for the Congress-led UPA. Of the six main pollsters in 2014, the News24-Chanakya proved to be the most accurate. The News24-Chanakya poll had predicted 340 seats for the NDA while the coalition won 336 seats. The India TV-C Voter exit poll too gave a simple majority to the NDA 289 seats. Two other exit polls India Today-Cicero and CNN-IBN CSDS too gave the most number of seats to the NDA. However, their tallies fell just short of the halfway mark of 272. While the India Today-Cicero exit poll gave a minimum of 261 seats (plus or minus 11 seats) to the NDA, CNN-IBN-CSDS poll gave a minimum of 270 seats to the alliance. On the other hand, exit polls did predict the defeat of the UPA but failed to predict the scale of the debacle. In fact, the Times Now-ORG India exit poll predicted 148 seats for the UPA. ABP News-Nielsen gave 97 seats to the Congress-led alliance while News24-Chanakya gave only 70 seats. Ultimately, Congress won a paltry 44 seats in the Parliament. Rahul Gandhi, vying to become the latest prime minister from India's most famous dynasty, has worked hard to shed his image as an entitled footloose princeling and political lightweight. New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi, vying to become the latest prime minister from India's most famous dynasty, has worked hard to shed his image as an entitled footloose princeling and political lightweight. But the great-grandson, grandson and son of three past premiers of the world's biggest democracy still faces a tough task beating Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the elections. Rahul was born in 1970 when his grandmother Indira Gandhi daughter of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru was premier. In 1984, Indira was shot dead by her Sikh bodyguards and she was succeeded by her son Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul's father. Rajiv was himself assassinated in 1991 by a Tamil suicide bomber when Rahul was 20. Rahul was enrolled at Harvard but dropped out after a year, following his father's death. He later graduated from Rollins College, Florida, and in 1994, earned a master's degree from Cambridge. While in his 20s, he lived in London, where he worked at a management consultancy for a time. His Italian-born mother Sonia Gandhi, widow of Rajiv, took charge of the Congress party in 1998 before handing over the reins to Rahul, her first-born, in 2017. 'Empty suit' Ten years earlier, in 2007, leaked US diplomatic cables said Rahul was viewed as an "empty suit" and "lightweight", with little known about his political beliefs if he had any. But by 2009, the US assessment was now that Rahul sounded like a "practiced politician who knew how to get his message across and... was comfortable with the nuts and bolts of party organisation and vote counting". "He was precise and articulate and demonstrated a mastery that belied the image some have of Rahul as a dilettante", a leaked cable by senior US diplomat Peter Burleigh said. After Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crushed Congress at the 2014 election, Rahul set about reviving and rejuvenating the party, while keeping older hands onside. A speech in the Lower House last year drew widespread applause and forced political pundits to take notice. He ended it by giving an uncomfortable-looking Modi a surprise hug. He has also, in contrast to the Hindu nationalist Modi, reached out to Muslim voters and stressed his secular credentials, and also to women, promising to bring legislation setting aside seats in Parliament for them. Last December, Congress secured victory in three key state elections, including in Modi's northern Indian "cow belt" heartland, suddenly making Rahul look like a serious contender. 'Not foolish' During the campaign for the election which wraps up on Sunday, with results four days later Rahul has attacked Modi's record on farmers, jobs and his close ties to business. "Across India, people are frustrated and angry. Mr Modi is attempting to use hyper-nationalism to divert the attention of the people," he said in a recent interview to the Kolkata-based Telegraph newspaper. "But the people of India are not foolish. They can see through this game," he said. Election adverts show him hugging an emaciated peasant woman, while Rahul's leftist manifesto pledges to end abject poverty by 2030 and give cash transfers to 50 million families. But tea-seller's son Modi is no pushover, using traditional and social media, as well as tub-thumping speeches, to dominate the headlines. Modi has capitalised on India and Pakistan's tit-for-tat airstrikes in February to appear as the patriotic "chowkidar" (watchman) of India. Rahul's attempts to score points with allegations of dodgy dealings related to India's purchase of Rafale jets from France have also failed to stick with voters in a big way, opinion polls have suggested. And at the same time, Modi seldom misses an opportunity to contrast his own humble beginnings with his silver-spoon adversary, deriding Rahul as "shahzada" (crown prince). Rahul "appears to be clinging to the socialist ideas of his grandmother and doesn't realise that people have changed, that even the poor have changed", Parsa Venkateshwar Rao, a veteran journalist and political commentator, told AFP. Voting in West Bengal came to an end on Sunday with the last of the seven phases of the 2019 Lok Sabha election drawing to a close Kolkata: Voting in West Bengal came to an end on Sunday with the last of the seven phases of the 2019 Lok Sabha election drawing to a close. Nine constituencies went to the polls in the state on Sunday Barasat, Basirhat, Dum Dum, Diamond Harbour, Joynagar, Jadavpur, Mathurapur, Kolkata Dakshin and Kolkata Uttar. Like the other six phases of polling since April, the state witnessed incidents of violence between different party workers, especially between those from the TMC and BJP. However, the intensity of violence was comparatively lower than earlier. The state recorded 64.87 percent of voting till 5 pm. Basirhat constituency recorded the highest polling percentage in the state at 72.07 percent, while North Kolkata saw 55 percent voting as of 5 pm. On Sunday, a bomb exploded outside booths 66 and 67 in Deganga that falls under the Basirhat parliamentary constituency. According to witnesses, unidentified men came riding on a bike and hurled a few bombs at the voting booths. As soon as security forces rushed in, they left the bike and fled. Tollywood actress Nusrat Jahan is the much-criticised TMC candidate from Basirhat, while the BJP candidate from the constituency is Sayanta Bose. Also, just before the polling day, a massive bombing was reported from the Mathurapur constituency's Raidighi area, which recorded a 69.39 percent voter turnout as of 5 pm. BJP North Kolkata candidate, Rahul Sinha, was greeted with slogans and posters that read "Go back!" at Dr Ambedkar Vidyalaya. Sinha was allegedly stopped by TMC workers who did not allow him to enter the polling booth. In the midst of all of this, the media was also attacked and a journalist sustained some injuries to the head. In the Jadavpur constituency, the BJP candidate Anupam Hazra's car was allegedly attacked by TMC workers near South 24 Parganas. The car's windshield was shattered and Hazra escaped with minor injuries. He was travelling with BJP Yuva Morcha workers who were in separate cars. The other key candidates in the constituency are Mimi Chakraborty of the TMC and Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharyya of the CPM. Jadavpur saw 62 percent polling as of 5 pm. Nilanjan Roy, BJP candidate for Diamond Harbour, was allegedly attacked by TMC workers in Budge Budge. His convoy was attacked and car vandalised. For this seat, the Congress fielded Soumya Aich Roy, while the CPM fielded Fuwad Halim. However, candidate in the spotlight is TMC's Abhishek Banerjee Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew who has been fielded for this seat. Taking this into consideration, a BJP delegation led by vice-president Jay Prakash Majumdar and Sishir Bajoria, a member of the Election Committee, met the Chief Election Officer (CEO) of West Bengal at around 3.30 pm to discuss various discrepancies in the seventh phase. In the early hours of voting, polling was delayed for at least half an hour in the Kolkata Dakshin constituency at the City College polling station in booths 153 and 156 due to EVM malfunctions. Senior citizens who waited in line since 6 am to cast their votes expressed their displeasure over the delay. "We, as senior citizens, cannot just wait here for so long," said Swami Aditya Banerjee, who was visibly annoyed at the delay caused. Similar cases of EVM malfunction and polling delay were also reported from booth number 132 in Panihati, under the Dum Dum constituency, and at booths 100 and 88 in Barasat constituency's Habra South region. Dum Dum recorded 65.24 percent, Kolkata Dakshin 58.66 percent, and Barasat saw 65.38 percent polling percentage as of 5 pm. Voters also complained of alleged rigging and being manhandled by unidentified party workers. Women voters from Nupur High Madrasa polling station under the Diamond Harbour constituency were allegedly manhandled by the Central security forces because of which a big mob of villagers gathered outside the booth. Diamond Harbour recorded 69 percent polling percentage and Joynagar was at 66.4 percent as of 5 pm. TMC candidate Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar was caught arguing with Central forces at booth 104 of Barasat constituency. She was there after hearing of the chaos as BJP workers were agitating there and alleging that TMC men are trying to rig polls. Dastidar is up against BJP's Mrinal Kanti Debnath. The situation was tense as allegations of rigging were brought by the BJP at booths 32 and 33 in Ashoknagar and Bhurkunda area of Barasat constituency. A large force of policemen and CRPF personnel were deployed to control the situation. The woman polling agent of the BJP alleged that she was spoken to in an abusive language when she tried to resist the rigging by TMC men. Expectations from the new government As voters thronged polling booths in large numbers, they also expressed their hope from the government that would come to power. Prapan Kumar Guha, 30, arrived early in the morning to cast his vote in a booth near Tribarna Sangha Kasba in the Kolkata Dakshin LS constituency. Guha said he is concerned about jobs and the economy of the state. Since he was forced to work outside West Bengal, Guha hopes the new government would improve industrialisation in the state to increase jobs; he also disapproves of the youth working outside the state, claiming the present government has not worked enough towards industrialisation. However, there were other voters like Tapan Chakraborty, 70, who did not show much enthusiasm as he stood in the line to vote. "Issues don't matter as whoever wins, common people will have to suffer," he said. He added that at this point, voters have to choose the best among the worst. Important candidates from Kolkata Dakshin constituency include Subrata Bakshi fielded by the TMC, Nandini Mukherjee of CPM and Chandra Kumar Bose of BJP. Bose is the grand-nephew of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. With inputs from A Ghose and SS Parveen The author is a member of 101Reporters.com, a pan-India network of grassroots reporters Follow all the latest updates from Lok Sabha exit polls here Lok Sabha Election 2019 Final Phase Voting LIVE News and Updates: After the end of polling, Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter that the Election Commission's 'capitulation before Modi and gang is obvious to all Indians'. Auto refresh feeds Over 10.01 crore voters are expected to decide the fate of 918 candidates. The Election Commission has set up more than 1.12 lakh polling stations for smooth conduct of polls. The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, one of the most bitterly fought in recent memory, will come to a close Sunday when polling will be held in 59 constituencies including in Varanasi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking to retain the seat. Polling will be held in all 13 seats in Punjab and an equal number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat Chandigarh. In UttarPradesh, where 13 seats go to polls on Sunday, chief minister Yogi Adityanath has left to vote early. More than 46 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAFP) along with 18 companies of Special Armed Forces (SAF) have already taken up their designated positions. Additional 14,000 policemen have been called in. Of 7000 polling stations in Ujjain, 20 percent have been identified as critical. Thirty one companies of central paramilitary forces have been deployed in the division. Ujjain division includes Agar-Malwa, Dewas, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Ratlam, Shajapur and Ujjain districts. Mobile squads will monitor security at booths in Indore division throughout the day. Of the total 11,082 polling booths in the division, which includes Alirajpur, Barwani, Burhanpur, Dhar, Indore, Jhabua, Khandwa and Khargone, around 1,803 have been identified as critical and 217 as vulnerable. An EVM malfunction was reported at booth number 146 in Malwa, under Dewas Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh. The EVM could not be cleared of history after mock polling. A teacher who was on election duty reportedly died at Maksi Nai Abadi's booth number 262 in Shajapur under Dewas Parliamentary constituency in Madhya Pradesh. A preliminary police inquiry into Anil Nema's death pegged the cause to be heart attack. He had complained about chest pain on Saturday evening after which his co-officers rushed him to the hospital where he died while undergoing treatment. Congress leaders were booked for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct in Alirajpur under Ratlam constituency, in Madhya Pradesh. Police have booked Kantilal Bhuria, Surendra Singh Baghel and six others on charges of campaigning during the silent period. Uttar Pradesh chief minister was one of the first to cast vote at his Gorakhpur constituency on Sunday. Keeping the caste equation in mind, BJP and Congress have both given ticket to candidates belonging to the Kayastha community, who form a sizable population in the constituency. There is a fear of division of Kayastha votes. The number of Muslims and Yadav castes in Patna Sahib Lok Sabha is also high. The BJP has been winning the seat for a long time from Patna Sahib. In 2009 and 2014, Shatrughan Sinha was elected as MP from BJP. This time, he is contesting from Congress. BJP has nominated Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad for the first Lok Sabha election of his political career, while Shatrughan Sinha is contesting for the third term from Patna Sahib Lok Sabha. In Ratlam as well, the number of female polling booths have gone up. The Lok Sabha constituency has 130 pink booths out of 1292. This number was at 100 in the state assembly elections four months ago. In Dhar, too, the count has increased to 12 from seven. In Jhabua, the pink booths have increased twofold from being 55 in the state Assembly polls to 127 for Lok Sabha polls. In Ujjain, this time the total number of pink booths is 383 out of total 1814 polling booths The number of all-women polling booths in Indore has decreased in Lok Sabha elections to 21.5 percent as compared to 23.5 percent in Assembly polls held last year. During the Assembly elections, of total 3109 polling booths, 725 were pink booths. But in general election, of the total 2,881 polling booths, 619 are pink booths. This time JD(U) has fielded incumbent MP Kaushlendra Kumar whereas mahagathbandhan has given this seat to Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM). It is believed that caste equation is very important factor in this seat. Nalanda which is also called Kurmistan due to its large population of Kurmis has been a stronghold of JD(U). JD(U) head and chief minister of Bihar Nitish belongs to Nalanda and is from the Kurmi community. Since the formation of JD(U), Nalanda has been easy win for the party. In 2014, JD(U) had won the seat alone. When Nitish Kumar was with Samta Party, George Fernandes had won this seat for four consecutive elections. This time Congress has again fielded Meira Kumar. BJP has given a ticket to Chhedi Paswan. BJP has campaigned against Meira Kumar saying that she is an outsider. Congress has countered it saying she is a 'daughter of the soil'. Congress veteran and former Union minister late Jagjivan Ram had been MP from Sasaram for a long time. His daughter and the first woman speaker of the Parliament Meira Kumari won this seat in 2004 and 2009 but lost in 2014 to senior BJP leader Chhedi Paswan. RJD has fielded Surendra Yadav whereas JDU has given ticket to Chandreswar Prasad Chandravanshi. Jehanabad has substantial population of lower caste people, specially Musahars. Liquor ban in Bihar had impacted the Musahars badly as their livelihood was dependent on Mahua. Known for caste violence, Jehababad Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar will see a three corner fight as rebel RLSP leader and incumbent MP Dr Arun Kumar is fighting on the ticket of his newly formed political outfit Rashtriya Samta Party (S). Raju Yadav is familiar face in Arrah because he has been participating in the agitations of students, labourers and farmers. His candidature is supported by mahagathbandhan. CPI (ML) had been strong a few decades ago but has never won this Lok Sabha seat. Arrah Lok Sabha constituency is witnessing direct contest between CPI(ML) candidate Raju Yadav and incumbent BJP MP RK Singh. Former bureaucrat RK Singh had started his political career in the 2014 general election on a BJP ticket and won but this time faces a tough challenge from local alleging that he has not done enough for them. Gorakhpur is one of the VIP constituencies going to polls today and will be very keenly watched owing to the fight between BJP's Ravi Kishan Shukla, who is a famous Bhojpuri star and gathbandhan's Ram Bhuval Nishad. The BJP lost Gorakhpur, which is also known as the home turf of Yogi Adityanath in the 2018 bypolls. Gorakhpur has a long history of electing its lawmaker from the Gorakhnath Mutt. Earlier, it seemed like the gathbandhan candidate will secure an easy win but Yogi Adityanath too has camped in Gorakhpur amid his busy campaigning schedule along with party president Amit Shah to give a tough fight to the alliance. An EVM machine was found malfunctioning at booth number 57 in Dagdibai Girls School, under Khargone Lok Sabha constituency. The machine is currently being replaced and polling has been halted. A special air-conditioned polling station has been set up by Indore Municipal Corporation and district administration with the help of Indore Management Association. There is a kids' zone, safety locker, ambulance arrangements, RO water cooler, snacks along with cool drinks (for those on duty) to beat the heat. IMA president Santosh Muchhal said that special vehicle arrangements have been made to ferry physically disabled people. BJP has filed a complaint against Congress leader Shobha Oza to the Election Commission for appealing to people to vote for Congress on Twitter even after the completion of allowed time frame for campaigning. The Parliamentary constituency, currently held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is currently witnessing a steady trickle of voters but news of EVMs developing technical snags and keeping them waiting in queues has been arriving from across the constituency. The EVMs at booth number 42, 70 and 43 have developed glitches, leading to delays in polling there. BJP Lok Sabha candidate from South Kolkata parliamentary constituency, CK Bose cast his vote at a polling booth in City College, in Kolkata. Kolkata North BJP candidate Rahul Sinha cast his vote at polling booth in Bijoygarh Shikshaniketan for Girls, in Jadavpur. EVM glitches were reported from booth number 107 in Mahesh Yadav Nagar and booth number 206, part of Indore Lok Sabha constituency. The poll process has been halted as the machines are being replaced. Voters are waiting in a long queue. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew and the Trinamool Congress's candidate from Diamond Harbour Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote at polling booth number 208 in South Kolkata Parliamentary constituency. After casting his ballot Abhishek emerged with criticism for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said "Watever he (the PM) said in his meeting on 15 May in Diamond Harbour, he has to substantiate those statements with ample proof and justify what he said. If he fails to do so I'll sue him in the criminal and defamation cases. I'll drag him to the court and do the needful." The poll process was halted at Fatuha's Sitjainchak school booth number 185, under Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat, as a technical glitch was found in the EVM. The machine is being replaced. A malfunction was reported on the EVM machine after polling staff put ink marks on 11 people at Sirpur polling booth number 257. The 11 can no longer vote now. Congress leaders Golu Agnihotri and Vivek Pawar have raised this issue with poll officers and lodged a complaint to the District Election Officer over phone, after which polling resumed. Polling has just resumed at booth number 155 in Madhya Vidyalaya Beni Bigha, under Patliputra constituency after 40 minutes after a malfunctioning EVM was replaced. Voters allege that poll officers reached the booth 20 minutes late and found the glitch in the machine. Voting could not be started at booth number 108 in Uttar Pradesh's Mau as EVMs there have developed some sort of snag. EC officials are replacing the machines. At Bihar's Chandauli , voting has been halted for more than an hour at Fattepur's booth number 35 and Chakiya Development Block's booth number 274 owing to EVM glitches. Voting has still not begun at booth number 29, under Arrah Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, due to EVM malfunction. EVM malfunctions were reported at booth number 64-65 under Indore Lok Sabha constituency, in Madhya Pradesh where voters are waiting in the queue as the EVM is yet to be replaced. Poll officers have replaced an EVM at booth number 295 after it was found defective during the mock polls. EVM glitches have affected polling in Mirzapur and Kushinagar in Uttar Pradesh. Voting at booth number 263 and booth number 183 of Kushinagar, and booth number 322 and booth number 257 of Mirzapur could not be started owing to the EVM developing technical snags even as a large number of people have reached both the polling booths to exercise their franchise. BJP leader and MLA Paras Jain reached the polling booth on his cycle and cast his vote in Ujjain. Voters of Kavatiyapani, part of Dewas Lok Sabha constituency, reached the polling booth in their bullock cart as it is nearly three kilometres away from their village. They reside in Kavatiyapani but the booth is situated in Palasi village. Husaina, a young mother in Mandsaur of Madhya Pradesh was delighted to discover that her seven-month-old had a dedicated children's play area to sit in, at booth number 40. The area comes equipped with Anganwadi workers and toys. Meanwhile, sugarcane farmers at booth number 64 and 65 in Kushinagar district have boycotted the polls over non-payment of dues. Senior officials have reached the spot and are requesting them to vote. Villagers of Sanegpur and Pardahapur in Mau have boycotted the elections over non development of the area. Residents of Babrecha village, under Mandsaur Lok Sabha constituency in Madhya Pradesh have boycotted the polls over demands of road construction in the area. About 1,000 angry villagers have resolved to not vote until the District Collector agrees to their demands. Voting in seven booths under the Kannur and Kasargod constituencies in Kerala, where bogus voting in the polling on 23 April was confirmed by election commission is on with heavy security. More than 100 police officials have been posted in and around each booth to ensure free and fair voting. Voters had started queuing up before booths hours before polling to cast their votes. One of the early voters at Pilathara booth under Kasargod constituency was a woman, whose vote in the polling on 23 April was cast by a bogus voter. Polling booths in urban areas of Ludhiana constituency witnessed low footfall in the early hours of voting. Punjab recorded one of the the lowest voter turnout figures, along with hilly Himachal Pradesh, at around 9.20 am. Jharkhand has so far led the footfall of voters, with 11.05 percent voter turnout recorded at 9.20 am. BJP's South Kolkata candidate Chandra Kumar Bose has said there is no distinction between Bengal's ruling TMC and a terrorist organisation. "Last night, I was getting calls from my workers from different booths who were saying that they have been threatened by TMC's 'jihadi' brigade that if you sit as booth agents for BJP, you'll be murdered," he said. BJP leader Kailash Vijayvargiya cast his vote with his family at booth number 10 in Government school, Nanda Nagar lane, part of Indore Lok Sabha constituency. His son and MLA Akash Vijayvargiya was also with him. In addition to regular officials manning the booths, reserve teams of officials have been deployed outside the booths. The issue had kicked off a controversy with the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) Kannur secretary MV Jayarajan urging the Election Commission not to allow women voters wearing face-covering veils to cast their vote unless they show their faces in polling booths. The Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party had termed Jayarajans remark as communal. Polling officials are allowing women voters wearing face-covering veils inside seven polling booths under Kannur and Kasargod constituencies where Election Commission has ordered re-polling following confirmation of bogus voting in the polling on 23 April. The poll panel had, however, stressed that people will be allowed to vote only after their faces are verified to prevent bogus voting. In each polling station, around 25 voters were randomly selected depending on the terrain and voter turnouts in that particular polling station. A total of 1,21,542 voters were interviewed from 199 parliamentary constituencies. Multi-sampling process was adopted for the selection of parliamentary constituencies, Assembly constituencies and polling stations. After the final phase is over, News18 with research partner IPSOS will present its exit poll to its viewers. To predict the number of seats likely to be won by each party or alliance, a total of 199 parliamentary constituencies were selected out of 543. Within the Parliamentary constituencies, 796 Assembly constituencies were selected, and 4,776 individual polling station areas were selected for conducting interviews. Even though polling began peacefully in violence-torn West Bengal, an incident of bombing was reported outside Deganga's booth number 66/67. It has been alleged that some unidentified men came riding a bike, hurled a few bombs and as soon as forces rushed in, left the bike there and fled away. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadavs photo has been replaced with someone else's on the voter identification list at the Veterinary College booth, where Rabri Devi and Misa Bharti voted and where he will vote in the Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency. Polling officials have said that Tejashwi will not be facing problems when he comes in to vote. An investigation on the goof-up is underway. Violations of the poll code were reported in Jehanabad Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar as voters there took photos of the EVM and VVPAT slips and posted them on social media. Three people assaulted police officers at booth number 67 in Bhabhua of Sasaram in Bihar. One police officer was injured. Voting was halted for an hour. The Kaimur SP has confirmed arrest of criminals. In Mandsaur of Madhya Pradesh deployed Central force personnel in polling stations were seen helping the aged voters by assisting them to the booths. At many booths, arrangement of chairs, sofas, drinking water, tents and fans have been made. Few minutes after the incident, unidentified people pelted stones on police at booth number 49 and 50 in the same area. One constable and an assistant sub-inspector of police were injured. People had complained to authorities of bogus voting. Supporters of RJD MLA Saroj Yadav allegedly engaged in a clash with the police at booth number 99 in Badhara, part of Arrah Lok Sabha constituency. Saroj Yadav also reached booth after being informed about the issue. A man was listed as a woman in the voter identification list in Karakat Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar. Sarju Bhagat, a resident of Mahuaw village, can be seen displaying his voting slip. He was not allowed to vote. Villagers in Sanegpur which comes under the Pardaha development block have boycotted the polls owing to non-development of their area. The villagers have alleged that there are no motorable roads in the village and no facility of drainage. The villager said that they have complained it to the administration but to no avail. There are 1,284 voters in the village. Clashes were reported between Samajwadi Party and BJP supporters over voting first in Chandauli's Parahupur polling booth. Police have brought the situation under control now. BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra has alleged that TMC workers were covering their faces at a Jadavpur booth and giving proxy votes. Shortly after he made this allegation, Hazra said TMC goons have beaten up a BJP mandal president, a driver and attacked a car. Hazra's own car was also allegedly attacked. "We also rescued our three polling agents. TMC goons were going to carry out rigging at 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP but they are not allowing people to vote," he said. Two government employees engaged in election duty died in separate incidents in Madhya Pradesh, an official said on Sunday. Garu Singh Chogad, who was deployed at the Jalwat polling booth in Dhar Lok Sabha constituency, died after suffering a heart failure on Sunday morning, state's Chief Electoral Officer VL Kantha Rao told reporters. At Chandauli, SP and BSP workers late last night staged a sit-in at the Alinagar police station alleging that BJP workers had allegedly been inking and distributing Rs 500 each to Dalit voters in Tarajeevanpur village. Police have begun investigating the case. Meanwhile, these villagers have been scared to cast their votes fearing they will be ousted from the booths. BJP candidate from Pataliputra parliamentary constituency, Ram Kripal Yadav has filed a complaint with Election Commission alleging booth capturing in his constituency. He says that some people are threatening voters and trying to capture the booths. He also alleged that his party workers are being beaten up and their vehicles were vandalised. Gathbandhan candidate Shalini Yadav who is contesting against Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Varanasi performed pujas at her house before going to cast her vote. Police said they used mild force to disperse the mob but denied that it was a clash among rival members parties. Two groups, belonging to BJP and Congress parties according to eyewitnesses, attacked each other with sticks near booth number 201 in Petlawad of Umarkot, which is a part of Ratlam Lok Sabha constituency. Police reached the spot and detained members of both parties. Workers of the two parties had gathered near the booth and started arguing over political issues. Samajwadi Party (SP) has alleged that as many as 300 Muslim voters names on the voter list at booth number 334, 335 and 336 in Chandauli have been deleted. The party has demanded action from the Election Commission. In Ekona of Badhara in Bihar's Arrah, booth numbers 49 and 50 saw voters who had stood in line to cast their votes for a long time in the heat, pelt stones at a police officer. A police officer was injured. Senior officials reached on time to bring the situation under control. A Congress worker was attacked with sharp edged weapons and killed as soon as he came out from the polling booth in village Sarhli of Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab. The deceased has been identified as Bunty. Victim's family alleged that Shiromani Akali Dal workers attacked and killed Bunty. Tej Pratap Yadav's personal security guards in Patna allegedly beat a camera person after he allegedly broke the windscreen of Yadav's car. Tej Pratapwas leaving after casting his vote at Veterinary College in Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency. The former RJD leader has filed an FIR in the incident. According to eyewitnesses, Tej Pratap was travelling in an e-rickshaw which ran over the feet of a media person. Tej Pratap Yadav has alleged that his bouncers did not do anything. "I was leaving after casting my vote when a photographer hit the windscreen of my car. I have filed an FIR in the incident. A conspiracy is being hatched to kill me," he said. Tej Pratap files FIR against journalist who 'smashed' his windshield, says his guards did nothing Extra personnel of central security forces have been deployed in the city, the report said. The BJP blamed the TMC for the incidents of violence. Nilanjan Roy, a BJP candidate for Diamond Harbour, was also allegedly attacked by TMC in Budge Budge. A crude bomb explosion took place in the Kolkata Uttar constituency in the Girish Park area, News18 reported. This is the first incident of a bomb blast in Kolkata. At least two incidents of crude-bombs being thrown were reported in the Barasat and Basirhat constituencies in the morning. Farid Alam, a police officer posted at booth number 11, Government Middle School, in Maheshpur block of Pakur in Jharkhand has been removed from poll duty with immediate effect by Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer, DC Chaudhary after he was accused of pressurising voters to vote for a particular candidate in the ongoing Lok Sabha election. After a protest by voters, the complaint was escalated to DC who removed Alam from the polling booth. On two sides of the Congress war in West Bengal, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Congress leaders Navjot Singh Sidhu and his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu all cast their votes on Sunday. While Amarinder voted at Patiala, the Sidhus voted in Amritsar. The commission had deputed women officials in all the booths to identify such women and facilitate their votes. Most of the booths recorded 50 percent polling till 1 pm. The polling in all these booths was above 80 percent in the 23 April polling. Women voters turned up without face-covering veils to cast their votes in seven polling booths under Kasargod and Kannur constituencies in Kerala, where bogus voting was confirmed on 23 April. The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) had urged the Election Commission not to allow women with covered faces to cast their votes. Voting began with a sizeable delay at booth numbers 281 and 296 in Kumhrar assembly segment, under Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat. Locals alleged no officials had bothered to change the EVMs of Muslim majority booths even though the machines had not been working. Voters have been waiting for more than half an hour at the Chakiya polling booth in Chandauli as the EVM has developed a fault and the master trainer is yet to reach the booth. Voting at Dhichorva polling booth number 294 in the same seat started with a delay of several hours. EVM malfunctions have been reported from Pataliputra constituency's Maner in Bihar since morning. Voting was haulted at booth number 181 since noon. Officials say machines will be repaired soon. In booth numbers 179, 180 and 181, no arrangements have been made for voters to avoid heat as they stand and wait while a power cut renders the booth functional. A major clash was reported at Dulhin Bazar village of Patna where villagers allegedly attacked the police force at booth numbers 101 and 102. Police used mild force to disperse the mob. Villages alleged police of not allowing voters to cast their votes. A police source said that cops shot blanks in the air but officials are yet to confirm it. The District Administration has tracked down social media details of at least one person who shared a similar post. This information was then passed on to the Commissioner of Police, and the person was detained. Police are now investigating the matter. The Chief Election Officer (CEO) of Punjab has asked the Ludhiana District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Pradeep Kumar Agrawal to look into media reports on people posting photos of votes being cast on EVMs. A delegation of the Samajwadi Party met Election commission officials and complained about the "unfair elections in the state." The delegation aprised the Commission about several incidents which they alleged were against democratic rules. Among the incidents SP mentioned were clashes between SP and BJP workers in Chandauli, the allegation that Dalit voters were paid Rs 500 by BJP workers and their fingers were inked and an alleged booth capturing attempt in Chandauli. "Central forces are directly taking orders from the BJP candidates and party functionaries, clearly violating the orders of the Electon Commission. However, the Election Commission has not taken any action." In a statement, the TMC said, "Today, in Bengal, central forces are brutally torturing and intimidating common citizens, especially the marginalised. Even physically handicapped persons (are) being tortured. Central forces are also threatening voters 'kamal dabao nahi toh thok dega'. A delegation of the Samajwadi Party met Election commission officials and complained about the "unfair elections in the state." The delegation aprised the Commission about several incidents which they alleged were against democratic rules. Among the incidents SP mentioned were clashes between SP and BJP workers in Chandauli, the allegation that Dalit voters were paid Rs 500 by BJP workers and their fingers were inked and an alleged booth capturing attempt in Chandauli. Polling officer Shashi Kumar Gauhar fainted at Indore's booth number 207 while voting was on today. Dr Meena Sisodia, who was present at the booth performed cardio-pulmonary resuscitation on her after which he gained consciousness. The officer was later sent to the district hospital for further treatment. Former MLA Satya Narayan Patel has filed a complaint with the District Election Officer alleging that a booth-level officer had placed a flag of BJP inside the polling booth. The booth which the BLO is attached to is situated at Badi Gwaltoli ward number 48, part of Indore Lok Sabha constituency. TMC leaders Madan Mitra was allegedly attacked in Kankinara in North 24 Parganas. CNN-News18 reported that crude bombs and bricks were hurled at Madan's car, after which BJP and TMC cadres clashed in the area. As per the rules, one third of panchayat land had to be reserved for members of Dalit community for agricultural purposes. The land is alloted through auction for one year. Gurpreet Singh, member of Sangrur district committee, said, "As the successive state governments have failed to provide a part of common land in all villages to the Dalit community, it was decided that the community members will press NOTA." The Dalit community in many villages of Sangrur LS constituency claimed they pressed NOTA. Zameen Prapti Sangharsh Committee (ZPSC) led the campaign in Malwa belt of Punjab asking Dalits who have been ignored by successive governments to press NOTA. According to ANI, the letter said: "Modi has gone to Badrinath and Kedarnath on an official visit. All the private activities done by him during his pilgrimage are being displayed and continuously telecast, which is a clear violation of the MCC." After TMC, the TDP has approached the Election Commission, alleging poll code violation by Narendra Modi over his Kedarnath visit. CNN-News18 quoted TDP president Chandrababu Naidu as saying in his letter to the EC that Modi was "canvassing in disguise". Six villages in Sadar block Balua, Govindpur, Karai, Pulia, Balrampur and Koderma under Buxar Lok Sabha constituency have boycotted elections as roads have not been constructed in the area. Zero votes were cast in booths number 157, 162, 168, 169 and 177 until 12 oclock. District Magistrate Raghvendra said that he had appealed to the residents to vote, but they were adamant. He also said that this has been the "most disappointing overseeing of polls in independent India by the Election Commission". Yechury alleges 'massive rigging' in Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, North Kolkata CPM general-secretary Sitaram Yechury wrote on Twiter: "Massive rigging including in Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, North Kolkata. There are no central forces, no efforts to stop the hijacking of democracy. The EC cannot merely watch it needs to intervene decisively. It is the people resisting this violence and wresting back their rights." He further told that when he was returning after casting his vote another police officer came to him and said that he should not come out of his house until the end of voting process. According to poll officers, the step was taken after he was seen roaming with a huge crowd of supporters. RJD MLA from Fatuha Ramanand Yadav confirmed the order and said, "I had gone to vote at around 9 am in the morning to Maujipir booth when SP rural told me that I should not come out of my house until vote ends." Locals in Chiriyawan village in Jehanabad are boycotting the polls and holding a protest outside polling booth no. 236 "Road nahi to vote nahi (No road, no vote)... The MLA says our village is not on the map, so why would we vote." At a press conference, the Election Commission said that polling has concluded in 542 parliamentary constituencies across states and Union Territories. The torture that BJP workers and central forces have carried out today since the morning, is unprecedented. I have never seen anything like this before: @MamataOfficial after casting her vote After casting her vote, Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the BJP and central security forces for 'torturing' West Bengal on Sunday. "I have never seen anything like this before," she said. Kolkata: Anupam Hazra, BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Jadavpur, alleges a special mark was put on TMC's symbol in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to misguide illiterate & semi-literate voters and indicate them to press that button. #WestBengal #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/6cAnNZBWOY Anupam Hazra, BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Jadavpur, alleges a special mark was put on TMC's symbol in the Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) to misguide illiterate and semi-literate voters and indicate them to press that button. He said, "The presiding officer is trying to fool me saying he doesn't know anything. I spoke to a few voters who said the presiding officer was whispering to them that they need to press the button which is inked. It's clearly a pre-planned game." BJP writes to Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal, alleging violent incidents in 9 parliamentary constituencies of the state. Letter states, "We have filed 417 complaints to ECI, out of which 227 were resolved, a whooping number of 190 complaints are unresolved" BJP wrote to West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer, alleging that there were violent incidents in 9 parliamentary constituencies of the state. At a press conference, the Election Commission said that polling has concluded in 542 parliamentary constituencies across states and Union Territories. The Election Commission said that 7.27 crore people voted during the seventh phase of Lok Sabha election. The voters on Sunday included 3.47 crore women and 3,377 from the third gender. From Electoral Bonds & EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, Modis Army & now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commissions capitulation before Mr Modi & his gang is obvious to all Indians. The EC used to be feared & respected. Not anymore. The overall voter turnout for the seventh phase is estimated to be 60.21 percent at 6pm. Data taken from the Election Commission's official app . Our charge had been that the EC was sleeping on the job. Now, we can go further and say that the EC completely surrendered its independence and authority. Shame! "Polling is over. Now we can say that the 'pilgrimage' of the PM in the last two days is an unacceptable use of religion and religious symbols to influence the voting," P Chidambaram wrote on Twitter. "Our charge had been that the EC was sleeping on the job. Now, we can go further and say that the EC completely surrendered its independence and authority. Shame!" The following are the details of the EC seizure for the seventh phase of Lok Sabha election: Lok Sabha Election 2019 Final Phase Voting LATEST News and Updates; (National Pollsters To Release Lok Sabha Exit Poll Results Today): After the end of polling, Rahul Gandhi said on Twitter that the Election Commission's "capitulation before Modi and gang is obvious to all Indians". At a press conference, the Election Commission said that polling has concluded in 542 parliamentary constituencies across states and Union Territories. The exit poll results will be made available shortly. The overall voter turnout at 5 pm is 52.62 percent. After casting her vote, Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the BJP and central security forces for 'torturing' West Bengal on Sunday. "I have never seen anything like this before," she said. CPM general-secretary Sitaram Yechury wrote on Twiter: "Massive rigging including in Diamond Harbour, Dum Dum, North Kolkata. There are no central forces, no efforts to stop the hijacking of democracy. The EC cannot merely watch it needs to intervene decisively. It is the people resisting this violence and wresting back their rights." After TMC, the TDP has approached the Election Commission against the alleged poll code violation by Narendra Modi with his Kedarnath visit. CNN-News18 quoted TDP president Chandrababu Naidu as saying in his letter to the EC that Modi was "canvassing in disguise". According to ANI, the letter said: "Modi has gone to Badrinath and Kedarnath on an official visit. All the private activities done by him during his pilgrimage are being displayed and continuously telecast, which is a clear violation of the MCC." TMC workers held protests against BJP's North Kolkata candidate Rahul Sinha in Kolkata and blocked the BJP leader's convoy, according to reports. Farid Alam, a police officer posted at booth number 11, Government Middle School, in Maheshpur block of Pakur in Jharkhand has been removed from poll duty with immediate effect by Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Electoral Officer, DC Chaudhary after he was accused of pressurising voters to vote for a particular candidate in the ongoing Lok Sabha election. After a protest by voters, the complaint was escalated to DC who removed Alam from the polling booth. Women voters turned up without face-covering veils to cast their votes in seven polling booths under Kasargod and Kannur constituencies in Kerala, where bogus voting was confirmed on 23 April. The ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) had urged the Election Commission not to allow women with covered faces to cast their votes. CLICK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES ON EXIT POLL RESULTS 2019 The commission had deputed women officials in all the booths to identify such women and facilitate their votes. Most of the booths recorded 50 percent polling till 1 pm. The polling in all these booths was above 80 percent in the 23 April polling. Tej Pratap Yadav's personal security guards in Patna allegedly beat a camera person after he allegedly broke the windscreen of Yadav's car. Tej Pratap was leaving after casting his vote at Veterinary College in Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency. The former RJD leader has filed an FIR in the incident. According to eyewitnesses, Tej Pratap was travelling in an e-rickshaw which ran over the feet of a media person. A Congress worker was attacked with sharp edged weapons and killed as soon as he came out from the polling booth in village Sarhli of Khadoor Sahib constituency in Punjab. The deceased has been identified as Bunty. Victim's family alleged that Shiromani Akali Dal workers attacked and killed Bunty. BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra has alleged that TMC workers were covering their faces at a Jadavpur booth and giving proxy votes. Shortly after he made this allegation, Hazra said TMC goons have beaten up a BJP mandal president, a driver and attacked a car. Hazra's own car was also allegedly attacked. "We also rescued our three polling agents. TMC goons were going to carry out rigging at 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP but they are not allowing people to vote," he said. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadavs photo has been replaced with someone else's on the voter identification list at the Veterinary College booth, where Rabri Devi and Misa Bharti voted and where he will vote, in the Pataliputra Lok Sabha constituency. Polling officials have said that Tejashwi will not be facing problems when he comes in to vote. An investigation on the goof-up is underway. Voters are staging a sit-in protest outside polling station number 189 in Basirhat, alleging that TMC workers are not allowing them to cast their votes. BJP MP candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu told ANI, "Hundred people were stopped from voting. We will take them to cast their vote." Even though polling began peacefully in violence-torn West Bengal, an incident of bombing was reported outside Deganga's booth number 66/67 in Basirhat. It has been alleged that some unidentified men came riding a bike, hurled a few bombs and as soon as forces rushed in, left the bike there and fled away. Tollywood actress Nusrat Jahan, the Basirhat candidate, has arrived to cast her vote. Jharkhand has so far led the footfall of voters, with 11.05 percent voter turnout recorded at 9.20 am. Polling booths in urban areas of Ludhiana constituency witnessed low footfall in the early hours of voting. Punjab recorded one of the the lowest voter turnout figures, along with hilly Himachal Pradesh, at around 9.20 am. No phase of this election has been without EVM failures and Phase 7 was no exception. Voting has still not begun at booth number 29, under Arrah Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar, due to EVM malfunction. At Bihar's Chandauli, voting has been halted for more than an hour at Fattepur's booth number 35 and Chakiya Development Block's booth number 274 owing to EVM glitches. Voting could not be started at booth number 108 in Uttar Pradesh's Mau as EVMs there have developed some sort of snag. EC officials are replacing the machines. Polling has just resumed at booth number 155 in Madhya Vidyalaya Beni Bigha, under Patliputra constituency after 40 minutes after a malfunctioning EVM was replaced. Voters allege that poll officers reached the booth 20 minutes late and found the glitch in the machine. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew and the Trinamool Congress's candidate from Diamond Harbour Abhishek Banerjee cast his vote at polling booth number 208 in South Kolkata Parliamentary constituency. After casting his ballot Abhishek emerged with criticism for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and said "Watever he (the PM) said in his meeting on 15 May in Diamond Harbour, he has to substantiate those statements with ample proof and justify what he said. If he fails to do so I'll sue him in the criminal and defamation cases. I'll drag him to the court and do the needful." Two NDA chief ministers, Uttar Pradesh's Yogi Adityanath and Bihar's Nitish Kumar were one of the first to cast their votes at Gorakhpur and Patna respectively on Sunday. The seven-phase Lok Sabha elections, one of the most bitterly fought in recent memory, will come to a close Sunday when polling will be held in 59 constituencies including in Varanasi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking to retain the seat. Polling will be held in all 13 seats in Punjab and an equal number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat Chandigarh. Over 10.01 crore voters are expected to decide the fate of 918 candidates. The Election Commission has set up more than 1.12 lakh polling stations for smooth conduct of polls. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reportedly trekked 2 kilometres to a Kedarnath cave and on the request of mediapersons accompanying him, allowed cameras to take initial photos. His meditation, reported ANI, will begin in a few hours and will last until tomorrow morning. No media or personnel will be allowed in the vicinity of the cave at that time, the agency has reported sources as having said. In the aftermath of comments by Janata Dal (Secular) leaders H Vishwanath and Basvaraj Horatti, signalling discord in the JD(S)-Congress alliance once again, Karnataka chief minister HD Kumaraswamy, said on Saturday that it is time for leaders of his party to fall in line and stop contradicting each other. "We are on the verge of formation of a new government at the Centre. At this juncture where all efforts are being made to form non-BJP government at the Centre, the contradictory statements by leaders of coalition partners Congress-JDS may mar such efforts," he said. The Election Commission has issued a notice to BJP candidate from Gurdaspur Sunny Deol for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct. Poll officials took serious note of a public meeting held by Deol in Pathankot on Friday night, after the silent period came in force. They also found that a loud speaker was used in the public meeting in which around 200 people were present. Responding on media reports of Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa recusing himself from the panel's meetings to discuss poll code violations, Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala on Saturday said the "erosion of institutional integrity" was "the hallmark" of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government. In a tweet, he dubbed the poll panel the "Election Omission." Reports have said that Election Commission member Ashok Lavasa had allegedly sent three letters and several notes over the last 10 days, asking for his dissent to be recorded. These were allegedly ignored by the Election Commission, leading to a final letter sent by him, in which he said he will skip the poll panel meetings. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora described these reports as "unsavory" and "avoidable". A day after making an appearance at his first-ever press conference as prime minister, and with Bharatiya Janata Party's campaign for the 2019 Lok Sabha election all wrapped up, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on a two-day visit to Uttarakhand's pilgrimage sites of Kedarnath and Badrinath. Modi arrived at the hill shrine of Kedarnath in a chopper and walked from the helipad to the Himalayan shrine, dedicated to Lord Shiva. On the way, he also greeted people who were standing at a distance to get a glimpse of the prime minister. In the temple, Modi sat on the floor in front of the deity and performed rituals. He also took rounds of the sanctum-sanctorum as per Hindu practice of worship. He also stepped out of the temple premises and greeted the crowd. People gathered around the temple also greeted the Prime Minister with loud chants of "Har Har Mahadev". This is Modi's fourth visit in three years. Modi flew 1.5 lakh kilometres and addressed 142 public rallies during the most extensive campaign for a Lok Sabha election since Independence, BJP president Amit Shah said Friday. In what is rumoured to be some heavy duty post-campaign strategising, Telugu Desam Party chief Chandrababu Naidu met Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Saturday morning. He is also scheduled to meet Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar, and Uttar Pradesh alliance partners Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday. Yesterday, Naidu had met Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal in Delhi. Opposition parties have lost no time in taking swipes at Narendra Modi's maiden press conference on Friday, where he did not entertain even a single impromptu question. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said the presser seemed "like last episode of Mann ki Baat aired on TV instead of radio". Loktantrik Janata Dal party chief Sharad Yadav, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah, Congress leaders Ahmed Patel, Ashok Gehlot and party chief Rahul Gandhi too made fun of the fact that Modi was not asked any questions in the meet. 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 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 West Bengal voted across all the seven phases of national polls, Sunday being the last one. All the earlier phases have witnessed poll violence with TMC and BJP trading blame over the issue. The counting of votes would take place on 23 May. In West Bengal, polling across nine parliamentary constituencies started on Sunday morning amidst reports of electronic voting machine malfunctions and stray incidents of violence from both north and south Kolkata, with the latest being a crude bomb explosion in the Kolkata Uttar's Girish Park area. This is the first bomb-related incident that was reported in Kolkata during the ensuing Lok Sabha election. Two other such incidents were reported in the Barasat and Basirhat constituencies in the morning. "Extra personnel of central security forces have been deployed in the city," the report stated. Follow LIVE updates on West Bengal Lok Sabha Election 2019 here The TMC Sunday alleged that the central forces were "brutally torturing" and "intimidating" voters in West Bengal and acting as per orders of BJP leaders. In a statement, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Derek O'Brien said, Bengal wants peaceful polling, which BJP doesn't. "Today, in Bengal, central forces are brutally torturing and intimidating common citizens, especially the marginalised. Even physically handicapped persons are being tortured. Central forces are also threatening voters 'kamal dabao nahin toh thok dega' (vote for BJP or will shoot you)," he said. "Media has all these videos. Many are already in the public domain," he added. On the other hand, voters in Basirhat and Jadavpur alleged that TMC workers are disrupting the election process. A protest was held by voters outside booth 189 in Basirhat. "We are not being allowed to vote by TMC goons. We approached the police, but TMC supporters stopped us midway and started beating us," a protester stated. BJP Lok Sabha candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu was also on the spot. "Over 100 people were stopped from voting. We will take them to cast their vote," he said. Similarly, in Jadavpur seat, there were disturbances in the polling process at booths 150 and 137. BJP candidate from the parliamentary constituency, Anupam Hazra said, "Women TMC workers with covered faces are casting proxy votes, it is difficult to establish their identity. When we raised an objection to it, they created a ruckus at the polling station." BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra at polling booth number 150/137 in Jadavpur: Women TMC workers with covered faces are casting proxy votes, it is difficult to establish their identity. When we raised objection to it, they created a ruckus at the polling station. pic.twitter.com/Grf3rwoVc6 ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 "TMC goons have beaten up a BJP mandal president, a driver and attacked a car. We also rescued three of our polling agents. TMC goons were going to carry out rigging at 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP but they are not allowing them to vote," Hazra alleged. There were reports of violence at Raidighi Assembly under Mathurapur Lok Sabha seat and Deganga Assembly segment under Barasat Lok Sabha seat. Crude bombs were hurled at both these places on Saturday night and on Sunday morning, The Hindu reported. In Newtown, which falls under Barasat Lok Sabha seat, crude bombs were found in two plastic containers. BJP candidate at Diamond Harbour seat Nilanjan Ray's vehicle was attacked at Budge Budge. Ray blamed the TMC and alleged that its supporters were behind the attack. Diamond Harbour is a prestigious seat where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjees nephew Abhishek Banerjee is contesting on a TMC ticket. The nine seats where polling is held during the day are Kolkata North and Kolkata South in the metropolis, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat in North 24 Parganas and Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, Jaynagar (SC) and Mathurapur (SC) in South 24 Parganas respectively. The Election Commission has deployed 710 companies of central armed police forces for the last phase of elections in the state. These forces will provide 100 percent static postings at all the 17,058 polling booths where polling is held during the day. West Bengal voted across all the seven phases of national polls, Sunday being the last one. All the earlier phases have witnessed poll violence with TMC and BJP trading blame over the issue. The counting of votes will take place on 23 May. With inputs from agencies and 101reporters Beyond improving a companys financial health, requiring the inclusion of women and minorities in the boardroom also guarantees that there will be individuals in decision-making roles who can advocate for the importance of diversity across all levels of a business, while lifting up the next generation of leaders. Diversifying boardrooms does not mean we must sacrifice business and financial acumen. Rather, it helps to ensure that qualified individuals from traditionally marginalized groups of society are given the chance to show the positive contributions they can make to a corporation. My colleagues and I at the Womens Business Development Center are lucky enough to witness the positive impacts on our businesses, economy and communities that arise when we give our women and minority colleagues a seat at the table. In the Kolkata South constituency of West Bengal, TMC candidate Mala Roy alleged that she was stopped from entering polling booths. Kolkata: An estimated 63.57 percent of the over 1.49 crore electorate exercised their franchise till 3 pm in nine Lok Sabha constituencies of West Bengal on Sunday, election officials said. Polling is currently underway, amid tight security, in Kolkata North, Kolkata South, Dum Dum, Barasat, Basirhat, Jadavpur, Diamond Harbour, Joynagar (SC) and Mathurapur (SC) in the seventh and final phase of the staggered general election, they said. Voting is also in progress for by-elections to four Assembly constituencies in Bengal, necessitated due to resignations by sitting MLAs who are contesting the parliamentary polls. However, there were reports of clashes, allegedly between the BJP and TMC activists, from Kankinara under the Bhatpara Assembly constituency where by-election was underway, the officials said. Bombs were also hurled and an office of the ruling TMC in Kankinara was set on fire, as central forces resorted to lathicharge to bring the situation under control, they said. The Barrackpore Police Commissionerate had to deploy Rapid Action Force (RAF) to control the situation in Kankinara, a senior polling official said. The Election Commission has sought a report from the North 24 Parganas district magistrate in connection with the violence in Bhatpara, which recorded 61.30 percent polling, he said. "Polling is absolutely peaceful. There is no report of any violence from anywhere in these nine constituencies. The incidents reported were very minor and necessary action was immediately taken," the official said. "There were, however, reports of EVM glitches in several polling stations. We have sent reserve EVMs to the booths, where the voting process was temporarily hampered due to technical glitches," the official told PTI. Meanwhile, BJP's Kolkata North candidate Rahul Sinha claimed that a crude bomb was hurled near Girish Park area in the constituency around 12 pm, creating panic among voters. Police, however, said crackers were only burst, and polling was underway peacefully. In the Kolkata South constituency, TMC candidate Mala Roy alleged that she was stopped from entering polling booths. There were also reports about vandalisation of cars of Nilanjan Roy, the BJP's Diamond Harbour constituency candidate and Anupam Hazra, the party's nominee from Jadavpur. Of the nine constituencies, "Basirhat recorded the highest turnout at 69.99 percent, followed by Mathurapur (SC) at 69.39 percent, Barasat at 65.38 percent, Dum Dum at 65.24 percent, Jaynagar (SC) at 63.99 percent, Diamond Harbour at 63.96 percent, Jadavpur at 60.59 percent and Kolkata South at 58.66 percent," the official added. The Kolkata North constituency recorded the lowest turnout till 3 pm at 54.66 percent. A total of 1,49,63,064 electorate will decide the fate of 111 candidates in the final phase of the general elections. Altogether 710 companies of central forces have been deployed at 17,042 polling booths in the state to ensure free and fair voting, he said. Polling began on Sunday morning for 59 Lok Sabha seats in the seventh phase of Lok Sabha polls to decide the fate of 918 candidates including Modi, who is seeking to retain the Varanasi seat in Uttar Pradesh. With the seventh and the final phase of 2019 general elections coming to a close on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ended his 18-hours long meditation inside a cave at the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath and is scheduled to visit Badrinath shrine, another temple in Uttarakhands char dham religious circuit. Ending his mediation in a holy cave near Kedarnath, the prime minister said, "I am fortunate that I have been getting the opportunity of visiting this holy land (Kedarnath) for several years. My mission of development here focuses on environment and tourism." #LIVE I thank media also. There is a lot of pressure on media during elections, mental and physical. People should know that in India also there are so many places to be visited like Kedarnath: PM @narendramodi briefs media after prayers at Kedarnath. | #ElectionsWithNews18 pic.twitter.com/7gpX8r5WZN News18 (@CNNnews18) May 19, 2019 On Saturday, Modi had trekked for 2 kilometres to the cave and allowed the media to take initial visuals before he began his meditation, which lasted till Sunday morning. Upon reporters asking if the prime minister sought his win in the ensuing Lok Sabha elections, Modi said, "I never ask for anything from God. I don't support the tendency of asking anything from God. He has made us to give, not to demand." Urging Indians to visit Uttarakhand and Kedarnath, the prime minister said, "The development work I have initiated will improve tourism here. Masterplan in place for Kedarnath. Monitoring work here via videos. Instead of visiting Singapore and other foreign places, people should know that in India also there are so many places to be visited like Kedarnath." "I thank media also. There is a lot of pressure on media during elections, mental and physical," said Modi after prayers at Kedarnath. Dressed in a grey traditional pahari attire, on Saturday Modi had offered prayers for about 30 minutes and undertook a circumambulation of the Kedarnath shrine situated at a height of 11,755 feet near the Mandakini river. The prime minister had then went inside a cave near the shrine. Draped in a saffron shawl, Modi was seen meditating at the holy cave. Rudraprayags District Collector Mangesh Ghildiyal said devotees were not allowed to enter the temples premises when the prime minister was offering prayers. Polling began on Sunday morning for 59 Lok Sabha seats in the seventh phase of Lok Sabha polls to decide the fate of 918 candidates including Modi, who is seeking to retain the Varanasi seat in Uttar Pradesh. In Uttar Pradesh, all eyes are on Varanasi, where besides Modi, 25 other candidates are in the fray. Modi's main challengers are Congress's Ajay Rai and the SP-BSP grand alliance's nominee Shalini Yadav. With inputs from PTI On Sunday, voting took place in 13 seats of Punjab and an equal number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat Chandigarh. A total of 59 seats went to polls in the final phase of the Lok Sabha election on Sunday, marking an end to the gruelling and extremely-long voting schedule in India. The seventh and the final phase witnessed a voter turnout of 61.21 percent till 6 pm, indicating a pattern in the poll percentage during this election season 69.57 percent for first phase, 69.44 percent for second, 68.40 for third, 65.51 for fourth, 61.48 percent for fifth, and 60.21 for sixth. An average of 66.88 percent voters exercised their franchise in the last six phases and the elections were spread over 38 days. On Sunday, incidents of violence and EVM glitches marred polling in some areas. In Punjab's Bathinda, where Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal is seeking re-election, clashes broke out between two groups outside a polling booth in Talwandi Sabo. One man was injured after a group, allegedly linked to the Congress, fired bullets and allegedly vandalised chairs and some vehicles during the clashes at polling number 122 in Talwandi Sabo. A case was registered under 307 of IPC. In Uttar Pradesh, violence erupted in Chandauli when BJP supporters clashed with Samajwadi Party cadres. The situation was later brought under control. Reports also said that the fingers of some Dalit voters in Chandauli were inked before they could cast their vote in Tara Jivanpur village under Alinagar police station. Officials told PTI an FIR was registered in the matter. West Bengal, where nine seats went to polls on Sunday, was in the news for several reasons, including poll violence and allegations of malpractice. BJP's North Kolkata candidate Rahul Sinha alleged that a crude bomb was hurled near Girish Park in the constituency around noon. Police, however, said crackers were burst in the area, and the polling process was unaffected by it. In Kolkata Dakshin, TMC candidate Mala Roy alleged that she was stopped from entering polling booths. Sporadic clashes were reported in Kolkata and its surrounding areas, with TMC workers claiming that voters were being intimidated by central forces outside booths. BJP candidate Nilanjan Roy in Diamond Harbour constituency alleged that his car was vandalised in Budge Budge area. Similar reports also came in from Jadavpur constituency, where BJP candidate Anupam Hazra's car came under the attack of unidentified men. "Polling has by and large been peaceful in the nine seats. There have been no complaints of any violence from any of the polling booths," an election official, however, told PTI. "There were also reports of EVM glitches in several polling stations. We have sent reserve EVMs to booths, where the voting process was temporarily hampered due to technical glitches." Hazra also alleged that special ink mark was put on the TMC symbol on an EVM in Kolkata to misguide illiterate and semi-literate voters. He claimed that the president officer was telling the voters to press on the ink mark on TMC button if they didn't know to understand Bengali. After casting her vote in Kolkata, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee lashed out at the BJP and the central security forces deployed for "torturing" the state. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee after casting her vote: Since morning the torture that BJP workers and CRPF have done during polling in our state, I have never seen it before. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/Oev54FJ8ZZ ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 Meanwhile, CPM general-secretary Sitaram Yechury spoke to Chief Election Commission Sunil Arora over the "large-scale attempts at rigging and violence" in Dum Dum, Diamond Harbour, Kolkata Uttar, Jadavpur. "We hope at this final stage of the poll, they can ensure that people are allowed to vote, freely and fairly," Yechury tweeted. The state witnessed 73.40 percent turnout. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) approached the Election Commission (EC), alleging poll code violation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi due to his Kedarnath-Badrinath visit. CNN-News18 quoted TDP president Chandrababu Naidu as saying in his letter to the EC that Modi was "canvassing in disguise". According to ANI, the TDP's letter said: "Modi has gone to Badrinath and Kedarnath on an official visit. All the private activities done by him during his pilgrimage are being displayed and continuously telecast, which is a clear violation of the MCC." Punjab saw a polling of 59 percent in 13 Lok Sabha seats. In lone Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, 63.57 percent turnout was registered. Maximum polling percentage was witnessed at 64.18 in Patiala and the lowest was in Amritsar at 52.47. CLICK HERE FOR LIVE UPDATES ON EXIT POLL RESULTS 2019 In the morning, there were some reports of technical glitches in EVMs at several places including Ludhiana, Samana and Moga. Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju said eight ballot units, 13 control units, and eight voter-verified paper audit trail had been replaced. There were also reports of clashes between Congress and Akali-BJP workers in Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and Gurdaspur. At Talwandi Sabo, Akalis alleged that shots were also fired by ruling party workers. In Himachal Pradesh, 66.70 percent turnout was recorded till 5 pm in four Lok Sabha seats where five MLAs, including a state minister, are among the 45 candidates in the fray. EVM snags delayed voting at nine polling stations. Voting restarted after the nine faulty EVMs were replaced, a state election officer said. A turnout of 132 percent has been recorded in the world's highest polling station in Lahaul and Spiti district's Tashigang village, a district official said. In Madhya Pradesh, 69.36 percent voter turnout was recorded in eight Lok Sabha seats. However, voters listed at a booth in Agar Malwa district falling under the Dewas seat and five booths in Mandsaur seat boycotted the polling over their demands. Efforts were on to persuade voters to exercise their democratic right, an official said. The official said around 12 people cast their votes at the polling booth in Dewas after being persuaded by election officials there. Bihar witnessed 53.36 percent voting in eight Lok Sabha seats. An election official told PTI, "Going by reports that reached us from district headquarters, we found out that the voting process was temporarily hampered at few polling stations in Ara, Sasaram, Jehanabad, Pataliputr and Buxar. Officials have attended to the complaints and redressed all grievances." In neighbouring Jharkhand, an estimated 70.97 percent of the total 45,64,681 voters exercised their franchise in three Lok Sabha seats. On Sunday, voting took place in 13 seats of Punjab and an equal number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat Chandigarh. Votes will be counted on 23 May. With inputs from agencies Training his guns on the poll body on the last day of polling for the Lok Sabha election, Rahul Gandhi listed a host of examples, including Narendra Modi's visit to Kedarnath, to accuse the EC of being biased towards the prime minister. New Delhi: Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that the Election Commission's "capitulation" before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is obvious and the poll watchdog is not feared and respected anymore. Training his guns on the poll body on the last day of polling for the Lok Sabha election, he listed a host of examples, including Modi's visit to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, to accuse the EC of being biased towards the prime minister. "From electoral bonds and EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, 'Modi's Army' and now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commission's capitulation before Mr Modi and his gang is obvious to all Indians," Rahul tweeted. "The EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore." The Congress chief's tweet came a day after his party hit out at the poll panel after Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa reportedly wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora that he will be recusing himself from EC meetings as his dissent was not being recorded on clearances given by the poll panel to the prime minister over the alleged poll code violations. While the EC had concluded that NaMo TV, sponsored by the BJP, can't display 'election matter' during the poll silence period, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath had described the Indian Army as "Modiji ke sena" (Modi's Army). Congress and Rahul have been accusing the EC of being "biased" and "partial". Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also hit out at the EC on Sunday, alleging that the poll panel has "surrendered its independence". "Our charge had been that the EC was sleeping on the job. Now, we can go further and say that the EC completely surrendered its independence and authority. Shame!" he said on Twitter. "Polling is over. Now we can say that the 'pilgrimage' of the prime minister in the last two days is an unacceptable use of religion and religious symbols to influence the voting," he said. Modi was in Uttarakhand for two days and offered prayers at the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples, which Opposition parties termed a much-publicised trip and alleged poll code violation. Demanding a probe into charges made by Lavasa, the Congress on Saturday alleged that eroding institutional integrity has been the hallmark of the Modi government and asked whether the poll panel has become Election Omission and a puppet in the PM's hands. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had asked whether the EC will save itself more embarrassment by recording Lavasa's dissent notes, as he accused PM Modi of "muzzling" democratic institutions. Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday thanked the Election Commission for granting him permission to visit the Kedarnath shrine at a time when the model code of conduct is in force. With the voting for the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha going on, Trinamool Congress on Sunday wrote to the Election Commission of India alleging breach of Model Code of Conduct by Prime Minister Narendra Modi by undertaking a visit to the Kedarnath temple with the media giving it wide coverage. Trinamool Congress writes to EC, states, 'Election campaign for last phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls is over, surprisingly Narendra Modi's Kedarnath Yatra is being widely covered by the media for the last 2 days. This is a gross violation of model code of conduct.' "Election campaign for last phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls is over, surprisingly Narendra Modi's Kedarnath Yatra is being widely covered by the media for the last 2 days. This is a gross violation of model code of conduct," Trinamool Congress spokesperson Derek O'Brien said in the letter. Accusing the prime minister of "blatantly" breaking the poll code on Sunday, Derek said, "Modi even announced the masterplan for Kedarnath temple and addressed the media and the people", adding that this is "morally incorrect and unethical". Claiming that the "Modi chants" in the background were "well calculated" with the intention to influence voters, the TMC spokesperson said, "Every minute details of his activity during his visit is widely publicised with an ulterior motive to influence voters either directly or indirectly even on the date of polls." "Election Commission, the highest body and the eyes and ears of the democratic process, remains blind and deaf to the gross violation of the MCC. I would request you to take immediate action and stop telecast such surreptitious and unfair campaign, which is also morally wrong," read the TMC statement. Modi, who is on a two-day visit to Uttarakhand, reached Kedarnath on Saturday and is expected to be at Badrinath temple Sunday. The prime minister on Sunday thanked the Election Commission for granting him permission to visit the Kedarnath shrine at a time when the Model Code of Conduct is in force. He told reporters he did not ask for anything while praying as it is not his nature. "God has given us capacity to give and not demand," he said. "I am fortunate to visit the temple on multiple occasions," he said while thanking the media for taking out time to visit Kedarnath at a time when the poll process is underway. The media's presence, he said, will send a message that the town has been developed well. Referring to the ongoing development works at the temple town, Modi said development should be a mission in which nature, environment and tourism should not be affected. He said he has been reviewing the work through video-conferencing. With inputs from PTI Uttar Pradesh Exit Poll Full Results 2019: Uttar Pradesh Exit Poll Results; News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis and Todays Chanakya have predicted a clear majority for the NDA, with 54, 62 and 55 seats in their tally respectively Auto refresh feeds Where and how to watch the exit polls Various news channels along with other agencies release exit poll results. Some of the channels and agencies are News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis, Times Now-CNX, NewsX-Neta, Republic-CVoter, ABP-CSDS and Today's Chanakya. Who are the key candidates? The key candidates in the fray in the state include Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi, BJP chief Amit Shah, Sonia Gandhi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Smriti Irani, Ravi Kishan, Maneka Gandhi, Salman Khurshid, Akhilesh Yadav, Mulayam Singh Yadav, Mayawati, Raj Babbar, Hema Malini and Ajit Singh. Others 44-46 91 seats went to polls in the first phase. Phase 1, 2 and 3 NDA: 162-166 UPA: 54-58 Others: 79-82 302 seats went to polls in the first three phases. Source: News18 IPSOS Exit Poll In crucial state of Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is likely to remain in power. NDTV poll of polls has said that the party will win 55 seats. NDTV Poll of Polls at 7:35 pm shows BJP+ will bag 44 seats and SP+BSP at 33 seats. ABP News - Nielsen Exit Poll says SP+BSP at 56 and BJP+ at 22. Heavy losses for BJP in Western UP, Purvanchal, predicts ABP Nielsen Exit Poll survey The ABP Neilson Exit Poll survey has predicted heavy losses for the BJP in West Uttar Pradesh and Purvanchal. Out of the 53 seats, the party is predicted to only win 14 seats in West UP and Purvanchal. The BJP is predicted to win only one seat in the Bundelkhand region, while the survey says it will win only seven seats in the Awadh region. Most exit polls predict clean sweep for BJP, allies Two exit polls telecast by Times Now gave the NDA 296 and 306 seats, while they projected 126 and 132 for the Congress-led UPA. The CVoter-Republic exit poll has forecast 287 and 128 seats for the NDA and UPA respectively. Neta-News X predicted that the National Democratic Alliance could fall short of the majority and win 242 seats. It gave the UPA 164 seats. An exit poll on News 18 forecast that the NDA will win 292-312 seats while it gave 62-72 seats for the UPA. 336 seats for BJP, predicts News18-IPSOS survey According to News18-IPSOS survey, the BJP is likely to win in 336 constituencies, easily surpassing the 272 majority mark. NDA: 336 Others: 124 UPA: 82 Uttar Pradesh Exit Poll Full Results 2019: News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis and Todays Chanakya have predicted a clear majority for the NDA, with 54, 62 and 55 seats in their tally respectively. Meanwhile, the C-voter survey and ABP AC-Nielsen has predicted the SP-BSP-RLD gathbandhan will win in 40 and 56 seats respectively. The state, which has 80 Lok Sabha seats, voted all the phases on 11, 18, 23 and 29 April and 6, 12 and 19 May. During these elections in the state, the contest has been between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Congress and the mahagathbandhan, comprising of the Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD). In the last phase, 13 seats in Uttar Pradesh went to polls. Among the highlights in the polls this year in the state was Congress general secretary for Uttar Pradesh (East) Priyanka Gandhi Vadras entry into politics with the charge of a region that comprises of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanaths bastions Varanasi and Gorakhpur respectively. Click here for LIVE updates on Exit polls The BJP, however, banked on star power, giving away Adityanaths stronghold Gorakhpur to actor Ravi Kishan. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi are contesting from Amethi and Rae Bareli respectively, with the former facing union minister Smriti Irani. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is contesting from Azamgarh, while party patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav is seeking to get elected from Mainpuri. In the 2014 general elections, the BJP has won in 71 constituencies. The Samajwadi Party had won five seats with a vote share of 22.35 per cent. The BSP did not win any seat while securing 19.77 per cent votes. The Congress registered wins on two UP seats, bagging 7.53 per cent of the votes. Agence France-Presse Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg said Friday a breakup of big US technology would not address "underlying issues" facing the sector and suggested that such a move could help rivals in China. Sandberg, interviewed on CNBC television, was asked about the latest calls to break up Facebook and other major Silicon Valley firms which dominate key sectors. "You could break us up, you could break other tech companies up, but you actually don't address the underlying issues people are concerned about, Sandberg said in the interview. Sandberg said the social network used by more than two billion people was working to address concerns about election security, online violence promotion and data protection, but that a breakup might only serve to help competitors from China. "While people are concerned with the size and power of tech companies, there's also a concern in the United States with the size and power of Chinese companies, and the realization that those companies are not going to be broken up," she said. The comments come a week after one of Facebook's co-founders, Chris Hughes, said in an essay "it's time to break up Facebook," warning that it has gained too much power over what people see online. Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren has also called for a breakup that could require Facebook to spin off its Instagram and WhatsApp units. Sandberg maintained that Facebook's teams are working hard on safety and security issues, echoing comments since the company came under fire over a series of missteps including leaking of data in 2016 to a consultancy working for Donald Trump. "We know at Facebook we have a real possibility to do better and earn back people's trust," she said. Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg said this week he was optimistic about progress toward a new regulatory framework that would apply to internet platforms. "Overall I think in order for people to trust the internet... there needs to be the right regulation put in place," Zuckerberg said after meetings with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss a report called "Creating a French Response to Make Social Media Responsible." Reuters The U.S. Commerce Department said on Friday it may soon scale back restrictions on Huawei Technologies after this weeks blacklisting would have made it nearly impossible for the Chinese company to service its existing customers. The Commerce Department, which had effectively halted Huaweis ability to buy American-made parts and components, is considering issuing a temporary general license to prevent the interruption of existing network operations and equipment, a spokeswoman said. Potential beneficiaries of the license could, for example, include internet access and mobile phone service providers in thinly populated places such as Wyoming and eastern Oregon that purchased network equipment from Huawei in recent years. In effect, the Commerce Department would allow Huawei to purchase U.S. goods so it can help existing customers maintain the reliability of networks and equipment, but the Chinese firm still would not be allowed to buy American parts and components to manufacture new products. The potential rule roll back suggests changes to Huaweis supply chain may have immediate, far-reaching and unintended consequences. Accusing Donald Trump of being 'divider-in-chief' by fomenting hatred, former US vice-president Joe Biden formally launched his 2020 bid for the White House. Philadelphia: Accusing President Donald Trump of being "divider-in-chief" by fomenting racism, hatred and bitterness among fellow citizens, former US vice-president Joe Biden on Saturday formally launched his 2020 bid for the White House and asserted that his campaign is all about restoring the soul of the nation, rebuilding the middle class, and unifying the country. Giving a clarion call to "defeat Trump" amid chants of we want Joe by several thousands of his die-hard supporters, 76-year-old Biden formally launched his 2020 presidential bid from Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy. "So why do we begin this journey in this place Philadelphia? Because this was the birthplace of our democracy. It was here that two of the most important documents in the world's history were written," Biden said. The city of Philadelphia played an instrumental role in the American Revolution. The city is where the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were signed. Accusing Trump of stroking fear and bringing racial division among Americans, Biden said, "The threat to our democracy and our nation is real. Our politics today is traffics in division. And our President is the divider-in-chief." "If the American people want a president to add to our division... they don't need me. They already have a president who does just that," Biden told a cheering estimated crowd of 6,000 supporters. "I am running to offer our country Democrats, Republicans and Independents a different path," said the former US vice-president, who had played an important role in strengthening the India-US relationship during his tenure in the Obama administration. "At the core of our campaign is a simple idea: we are at our best when we're one America," Biden, who was introduced to his supporters by his spouse Jill, said. Biden has emerged as the frontrunner among nearly 20 Democratic presidential aspirants, including Indian-American Senator Kamala Harris, first Hindu US Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard and Senator Bernie Sanders. The winner of the Democratic presidential primaries, beginning early next year, would be declared as party's nominee for the November 2020 presidential elections at the Democratic National Convention in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on June 16. If nominated, Biden will be pitted against incumbent Trump, 72, for the November 3, 2020 presidential elections. First elected as the US Senator from Delaware at the age of 29, Biden has nearly five decades of public service including eight years as the Vice President from 2009-2016. Biden's campaign also attracted several Indian-Americans from various parts of the country. "We are here to support Joe Biden. I believe it is only he who can put the US back on the path of development. The United States needs to lead the world," said Ajay Jain Bhutoria, a Democrat who flew in from California for the launch event. By Andreas Rinke ZAGREB (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for Europe to push back against far-right parties, saying populist movements wanted to destroy core European values such as fighting corruption and protecting minorities. Merkel made the remarks when asked about a scandal engulfing Austria's far-right Freedom Party, whose leader Heinz-Christian Strache quit on Saturday as government vice-chancellor after he was videoed offering state contracts in exchange for political support. By Andreas Rinke ZAGREB (Reuters) - German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Saturday for Europe to push back against far-right parties, saying populist movements wanted to destroy core European values such as fighting corruption and protecting minorities. Merkel made the remarks when asked about a scandal engulfing Austria's far-right Freedom Party, whose leader Heinz-Christian Strache quit on Saturday as government vice-chancellor after he was videoed offering state contracts in exchange for political support. "We're having to deal with populist movements that in many areas are contemptuous of these values, who want to destroy the Europe of our values. We have to stand up to this decisively," said Merkel, who has kept a low-profile during campaigning for next week's EU parliamentary election. "What falls under this is that minorities are not protected, that basic human rights are called into question and that corruption plays a role in politics," she added after meeting Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic in Zagreb. Merkel has left the most vocal election campaigning to fellow countryman Manfred Weber, the top conservative candidate in the May 23-26 election. Weber, also speaking in Zagreb, said the Austrian scandal vindicated his intention not to rely on votes from far-right parties in his bid for EU commission president. "The far right and populists are ready to sell their patriotism and the values of their country for their gains", he said, referring to the affair. (Writing by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Helen Popper) This story has not been edited by Firstpost staff and is generated by auto-feed. At least five people were killed and 28 others sustained injuries after a bus veered off the road and fell into a river in Nepal's Dhading district. Dhading (Nepal): At least five people were killed and 28 others sustained injuries after a bus veered off the road and fell into a river in Nepal's Dhading district. The incident occurred in the wee hours of Sunday when the bus, en route to capital Kathmandu from Kakarvitta, plunged 60 metres into the Trishuli river. Police superintendent Rajkumar Baidwar told ANI that one woman and four men lost their lives in the incident. The identities of the deceased have yet to be established. Of the 28 injured, 14 were sent to Kathmandu for treatment, while the others are being treated in Dhading district itself. The cause of the accident has yet to be ascertained. The driver of the bus reportedly fled the scene after the incident. Saudi Arabia has called for urgent meetings of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions in the Gulf, the Saudi official news agency said on Saturday Riyadh: Saudi Arabia has called for urgent meetings of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions in the Gulf, the Saudi official news agency said on Saturday. The Saudi Press Agency said King Salman had invited Gulf leaders and Arab states to two emergency summits in Mecca on 30 May to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences" in the region. Tensions have soared in the Gulf with the US deploying an aircraft carrier and bombers to the region over alleged threats from Iran. Four ships including two Saudi oil tankers were damaged in mysterious sabotage attacks Sunday off Fujairah, an emirate located at the crucial entrance to the Gulf. That incident was followed by drone strikes Tuesday by Yemen's Houthi rebels on a major Saudi oil pipeline, which provided an alternative export route if the Strait of Hormuz closed. Iran has repeatedly threatened to prevent shipping in Hormuz in case of a military confrontation with the United States, which has imposed sanctions on Tehran in recent months Despite international scepticism, the US government has been pointing to increasing threats from Iran, a long-time enemy and also a rival of US allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. Name: Tony Houck Connection to Fredericksburg region: I attended Mary Washington College, which is now the University of Mary Washington; I (and my wife and son) have lived in Fredericksburg since 2016; my wife is an Early Childhood Special Education teacher with Stafford County Public Schools. I was inspired to write a book because: I began writing 20 years ago, and when I did, I had only one goal in mind: to write something I wanted to read. I never intended to write for anyone else, and I wrote about what I knew, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (from which I have suffered my entire life) and the Spanish language (having lived in Spain after graduating from high school). My first novel grew out of a personal challenge to see if I could write something someone else wanted to read. Having achieved that goal (fingers crossed), what keeps me motivated is trying to repeat my success while growing as a writer. James Monroe High School sent 22 DECA members to the International Career Development Conference in Orlando, Fla., in April. This competition drew more than 18,000 students and advisers from the United States, Canada, China, Mexico and Puerto Rico. Jack Hardy and Emma Kruus placed second overall in the Community Service Project category. Their oral presentation and written manual highlighted the Fredericksburg St. Jude Teen Gala for which they were co-chairmen. They organized and motivated more than 190 members and sponsors to raise $62,212 for St. Jude. Gina Elkin placed in the top 20 in Restaurant and Food Services Management. The JMHS DECA chapter is grateful for the support from their administration, faculty and community members who contributed to their success this year. A few weeks ago, I had to get from Northern Virginia to Fredericksburg. Lacking access to my car and not wanting to trouble anyone, I turned to . . . wait for it: The bus, or specifically, the old gray dog. You do know that Greyhound is still in business, right? That it runs buses all over the country? That those big blue-and-gray buses will actually carry paying humans from point A to point Z? And that they serve many towns otherwise lacking rail or air transportation? Now, lest you think this is an advertorial for Greyhound Lines, think again. I think, read and write about transportation. A lot. Transportation in all its guises and in as many locations as you can find it. Funny thing, though, in these United States, we have so focused on transportation by car or airplane that the other modes have been left to fend for themselves. Oh, well, before I go off on my Why do we neglect our train and bus transportation systems rant, lets just get on the bus and head down the road. All these years later, Minor has said he still is influenced by his upbringing in Aurora and the surrounding farmlands. His Midwest roots are plain to see in his paintings. From a wheelchair in her Louisa County home, Amy Withrow is encouraging other people who suffer with chronic pain to let their voices be heard. In recent years, patients such as Withrow, a 35-year-old mother of three with an assortment of auto-immune disorders, have had trouble getting their medicine as a result of the ongoing opioid epidemic. In an effort to reduce the the number of painkillers used illegally, some doctors have stopped prescribing narcotics altogetherand their actions have left millions of legitimate pain sufferers "homeless" in the medical community, Withrow said. That's why the Louisa County woman has organized a number of protests in Richmond to get the word out about the other side of the opioid epidemic. She's planning the fourth "Don't Punish Pain Rally" Wednesday on the steps of the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. "We need to bring attention to ourselves," Withrow said. "That's why we continue to rally so frequently. We're suffering, but we're not going to sit here quietly and suffer in silence." He touted his 12 years as a supervisor, pointing out his work on the Crows Nest preservation and transportation during his time as a supervisor, saying he would bring a similar approach as a delegate. Thomas, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who replaced retired House Speaker Bill Howell, is a Stafford resident and also served on the Board of Supervisors before becoming a delegate. He runs a government contractor software company. Thomas told the crowd it has been a whirlwind two years as a delegate, but that he got plenty of bills passed, on such issues as transportation, education, broadband service and low-income housing. Cole attended Fridays event, but since he has no primary opponent, he did not speak at the forum. He laid out his platform during Wednesdays Democrat forum held in Fredericksburg and attended by about 40 residents. Wednesdays forum included opening and closing statements and questions covering such issues as criminal justice inequity, gun control, the economy, mental health and addiction, education and the environment. Cole, a Stafford resident, told the crowd the upcoming election is important because it can flip power to the Democrats in the General Assembly. With last weeks fatal attack on the Appalachian Trail, nearly one dozen people have died since 1974 at the hands of others along the popular footpath. Ronald Sanchez Jr., 43, of Oklahoma City, was stabbed to death along the trail near the Smyth and Wythe county line. Federal authorities charged 30-year-old James Louis Jordan, 30, of Massachusetts, in the case. Violence is rare on the Appalachian Trail, which stretches for about 2,190 miles from Georgia to Maine. About 2 million to 3 million people hike the trail each year. The chance of being murdered on the trail is about 1 in 20 million, according to Brian King, a spokesman for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Although the trail opened more than 50 years before, the first known murder on the Appalachian Trail occurred in 1974, when Joel Polson from South Carolina was killed in the Chattahoochee National Forest near the Low Gap Trail Shelter. Ralph Fox, a fugitive from Michigan, was later arrested in Atlanta and convicted in the case. One year later, in 1975, Janice Balza of Wisconsin was thru-hiking in Carter County, Tenn., when a man named Paul Bigley killed her. Authorities said the Arizona man attacked her with a hatchet at the Vendeventer Shelter, which is near Watauga Lake. "The design is an important part of the process, and the funding is the lynchpin. We continue to work with our state representatives to secure $100 million of funding in the state capital bill. All eight of our local legislators have signed letters of support to their caucus leaders to include the funding in the capital bill," Di Santo said. The plan was pretty inspired: The pond at Starker Arts Park in Corvallis needed to be drained for work this summer, so why not empty it on the same day that a kids' day was planned, so visitors could learn about the pond's ecosystem by seeing what was living in it? That was the plan. One hitch: Corvallis city employees began to pump water out of the pond at 8 a.m. Saturday, but by the time the Kids to Park Day activities started at 10 a.m., the pond was still nearly full of water. And it was still pretty full of water at noon, when the event ended. And still pretty full of water an hour after the event ended and all the activities were folded up and gone. Ted Hart, the citys stormwater program specialist, said during planning city staff thought the pond was only 2 or 3 feet deep, but as they began pumping water out they realized it was up to 6 feet deep in places. There was two to three times as much volume as we expected, he said. As the day wore on, city workers added more pumps to move water from the pond into the nearby Lower Dunawi Creek, which drains into the Marys River. Hart said by the end they were pumping around 500 gallons of water out of the creek every minute. But all was not lost. Even though the plan was a bust, kids still got a chance to experience aquatic life firsthand, thanks to Brian Bangs, with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. Bangs, a fisheries biologist, was invited to help identify species found in the pond. Thankfully, he had already collected a tank of aquatic animals, including rough skinned newts, sculpin, and threespine stickleback, at the Marys River Friday to display during the event. Ive showed up to these and not caught anything before and thats a big disappointment, he said. Bangs table was popular during the event, with dozens of kids passing through and getting a chance to see and touch the creatures he brought. He said he brings similar displays to many events, even though its not really part of his job duties. Its not my job, but honestly its so important for kids to do things like touch a rough skin newt or see how squishy a bullfrog is, he said. He added that kids can read about these animals or see pictures of them, but until they get to see them in real life they dont really get to understand what they are like. Bangs said the plan with the draining of the pond was to collect all the animals found, and release the native species back into the Marys River, and humanely dispose of the invasive species. Jackie Rochefort, park planner for Corvallis, said the pond was drained to prepare it for work this summer. She said the city was given a $300,000 donation for projects at the park and the pond refurbishment will get about a third of that. She said the plan is to redo the artificial pond so that it is a bit more like a natural pond with native plant species. She said the city doesnt really know yet what the substrate below the pond is like, so contractors will assess the pond this summer and then upgrade it as needed. The work will involve building areas that step down to deeper depths to allow a variety of native species to have the conditions they need to thrive, she said. Rochefort said the park and its amphitheater will remain open this summer as work goes on, but warned there will be caution tape up in some areas and construction work of which visitors should be aware. Anthony Rimel covers weekend events, education, courts and crime and can be reached at anthony.rimel@lee.net, 541-758-9526, or via Twitter @anthonyrimel. 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. The man who allegedly started a chemical fire at the Lebanon Walmart left the store, met up with a friend, admitted to setting the blaze and said it was just a trial run, said prosecutor Coleen Cerda during a hearing in Linn County Circuit Court on Friday afternoon. He poses a substantial risk of doing this again, in his own words, Cerda added. Joel Lee Reynolds Jr., 49, was charged with first-degree arson. Judge Rachel Kittson-MaQatish set his bail at $100,000, as requested by Cerda, and scheduled the next hearing in the case for May 28. The pool chemicals fire was reported at 12:49 p.m. Tuesday at the Lebanon Walmart, 3290 S. Santiam Highway. Investigators determined that several pool chemicals inside the store had been mixed, and the chemicals then ignited. What exactly happened is still under investigation. All we know is two chemicals were mixed, said Detective Tim Trahan of the Lebanon Police Department. The investigation will include surveillance cameras inside the Walmart, he added. While fire damage inside Walmart was mostly contained to one aisle, the smoke contaminated a large portion of the store, according to a Lebanon Police Department news release. Walmart remains closed due to the fire, and the cost of the damage is not known, the news release states. Walmart has suffered substantial damage due to this mans action. Walmart is out millions and millions and millions of dollars, Cerda said. When officers arrived, Walmart employees were already evacuating customers from the store. Due to the risk of chemical smoke exposure, surrounding businesses were evacuated at the direction of the Lebanon Fire District, the news release states. About 100 employees and an unknown number of customers were inside the store when the fire started. No injuries have been reported, according to the news release. Reynolds has a limited criminal history in Oregon, according to the states online court database. However, A Lebanon Police Department news release states that he has had multiple contacts with police. In 2018, he was trespassed from the Walmart store after a theft arrest, the news release states. Cerda said Reynolds was convicted in Lebanon Municipal Court of third-degree theft. Investigation into the fire continues. Those with information about the case should contact Lebanon Police Department Detective Chris Miner at 541-258-4314. Kyle Odegard can be reached at kyle.odegard@lee.net, 541-812-6077 or via Twitter @KyleOdegard. Love 0 Funny 2 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. Lake County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Christopher Covelli said it appears the boy snuck out of his Inverness home early Saturday morning and rode his bike to a friends house, and was then struck by a vehicle on his way back home, about one mile away from the home he had visited. CH-53K LRIP contract awarded for 12 heavy-lift helicopters Navy News Service Story Number: NNS190517-08 Release Date: 5/17/2019 5:42:00 PM From NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. Public Affairs WASHINGTON (NNS) -- The Naval Air Systems Command awarded on May 17 a $1.3 billion Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) Lots 2 and 3 contract for 12 aircraft to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, Stratford, Conn. for the U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K King Stallion. "The Marine Corps is very appreciative of the efforts by the Navy and our industry partners to be able to award the LRIP 2/3 contract," said Lt. Gen. Steven Rudder, Deputy Commandant for Aviation. This is a win for the Marine Corps and will secure the heavy-lift capability we need to meet future operational requirements and support the National Defense Strategy. I'm very confident in the success of the CH-53K program and look forward to fielding this critical capability." The most powerful helicopter in the Department of Defense, the CH-53K King Stallion is a new-build helicopter that will expand the fleet's ability to move more material, more rapidly throughout the area of responsibility using proven and mature technologies. The CH-53K is the only aircraft able to provide the Marine Corps with the heavy-lift capability it needs to meet future operational requirements for the vertical lift mission. "This contract award reflects close cooperation and risk sharing between the Government and industry teams to deliver critical capabilities to the Marine Corps," said James Geurts, Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. "Working with our industry partners, the team ensured that solutions for technical challenges are incorporated into these production aircraft. This reflects the urgency to ensure we deliver capabilities necessary to support the Marine Corps and the Department of Navy's mission, while continuing to drive affordability and accountability into the program." Designed and demonstrated the lift capability of nearly 14 tons (27,000lbs/12,247 kg) at a mission radius of 110 nautical miles (203 km), in Navy high/hot environments, the CH-53K lifts triple the baseline CH-53E lift capability. The CH-53K has proven the ability to lift up to 36,000lbs via the external cargo hook. The CH-53K will have an equivalent logistics shipboard footprint, lower operating costs per aircraft, and less direct maintenance man hours per flight hour. The combination of unmatched heavy-lift and range, fly-by-wire flight controls, with an advanced, integrated communications suite will provide the Marine Corps with the operational flexibility necessary to gain and, more importantly, sustain a tactical edge on the battlefield. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australian PM Morrison celebrates unexpected victory Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 03:46PM Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has celebrated election victory while the opposition leader conceded an unexpected defeat. Morrison thanked "quiet Australians" for delivering his party a "miracle" election victory in Saturday's election. "I have always believed in miracles!" Morrison told a room filled with happy supporters of the Liberal Party, adding, "How good is Australia?" Initial vote counts indicate that Morrison's coalition government is to remain in power. With half the votes counted on Saturday, it is unclear whether Morrison's party can govern with an outright majority. The rest of the ballots are to be counted this weekend. Pre-election polls, however, had indicated that the Labor Party was set to win the elections. However, the center-left party suffered a shock defeat in national polls. The leader of the party, Bill Shorten, conceded defeat late Saturday, saying that the Labor Party would not be able to form government. He announced that he had decided that he would resign from his post as party leader. "And without wanting to hold out any false hope it is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government," Shorten said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Nigerian army opens fire on protesters demanding release of Zakzaky Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 08:56AM The Nigerian army has opened fire on protesters demanding the release of top Muslim cleric Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky, who has been held for four years on trumped-up allegations. Several people were seriously injured after being shot by soldiers at the rally on Friday night. The protesters were calling for justice for the leader of Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), who has been held since December 2015 following a deadly raid by the Nigerian army troops on his residence in the country's northern Kaduna State. Sheikh Zakzaky, who is in his mid-sixties, lost his left eyesight in the raid. His wife also sustained serious wounds while more than 300 of his followers and three of his sons were killed in the violence. The cleric has been kept in custody along his wife and a large number of his followers ever since. Back in 2016, Nigeria's federal high court ordered his unconditional release from jail following a trial but the government has so far refused to set him free. Zakzaky's legal team has long called for his release, saying he is suffering from health issues that require urgent medical care abroad but the state high court in Kaduna has denied the request. A group of medical experts and consultants, who conducted health assessments on Zakzaky and his wife earlier this month, suggested that the two need to be taken abroad without further delay for treatments. The cleric and his wife were unable to attend a court hearing back in March this year, due to dire health conditions, according to their lawyer Femi Falana SAN. "My clients are yet to access any form of medical attention even after the court had ordered so," he said, referring to a court order on January 22 to avail the cleric and his wife access to medical care. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President Maduro declares beginning of Norway-brokered talks with opposition Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 08:47AM Venezuela President Nicolas Maduro has declared the beginning of negotiations with the US-backed opposition in an effort to resolve the political stalemate in the country following months of unrest. Addressing some 6,500 troops Friday, Maduro said he had sent his Communications Minister Jorge Rodriguez and Miranda state Governor Hector Rodriguez, for talks with the opposition in the Norwegian capital, Oslo. "The talks have begun nicely to move toward agreements of peace, agreement and harmony, and I ask for the support of all Venezuelan people to advance on the path of peace," he said. He said the oil-rich country "has to process its conflicts" and seek solutions "by way of peace." Maduro hailed the "good news" hours after Norway said it had made "preliminary contacts with representatives of the main political actors of Venezuela." Norway, which referred to the talks as "exploratory discussions," started the mediation to bring to an end a months-long crisis. The crisis began after opposition figure Juan Guaido declared himself the interim president after Maduro won his second six-year term in January. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that he was "very much supportive" of the Oslo talks. Guaido also confirmed on Thursday that he had sent a delegation to Oslo, but denied that any direct negotiations had taken place. Guido, the speaker of the now-defunct Venezuelan National Assembly, has said any diplomatic process must lead to the end of Maduro's government. He orchestrated a coup against the government Maduro on April 30 during which a small group of armed troops accompanying Guaido clashed with soldiers in the capital, Caracas. The putsch quickly petered out, though, and some 25 renegade soldiers sought refuge at the Brazilian embassy in Caracas. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Massacres won't weaken Yemeni nation: Houthi leader Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 07:02AM The leader of Yemen's Ansarullah movement has condemned the recent Saudi-led airstrikes on residential areas in the Yemeni capital Sana'a, saying the attacks won't weaken the nation's determination. "The enemy's persistent crimes will never weaken the will of the Yemeni nation; they are in fact steadfast in the resistance against the enemy's aggression," said Abdul-Malik Badreddin al-Houthi on Saturday. At least seven civilians, including children, were killed in the Saudi air raids on Thursday. Four of those died were from one family. Dozens more were also wounded in the attacks. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs later said that five children had died as a result of the airstrike. Houthi said that killings served as yet another instance of Saudi crimes against the country, revealing the "true essence" of the enemy. "The coalition proved its animosity towards the Muslim people of Yemen since the first days [of its campaign] and showed that the victims of the coalition's crimes are children, women and civilians which are bombed while asleep," he said. The Ansarullah leader further noted that "the crimes of the coalition have developed into a well-known issue in the world." "Today, the transgressing coalition with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) at its forefront, along with all its backers hosts the worst record in genocide in the world," he said. Saudi war crimes Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Seyyed Abbas Mousavi issued a statement condemning the attacks on Friday. "We urge international bodies and human rights organizations to act according to their responsibilities and stop such crimes from happening again by any means possible," said Mousavi. United Nation's Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Lise Grande, also condemned the attack. "Everything must be done to protect civilians. This is not optional. This is a legal and above all moral obligation on all parties," she said. The Saudi attack also prompted the condemnation of various Yemeni officials. Speaking to Russia's Arabic RT channel, Ansarullah Supreme Political Council member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said that attacking residential areas would attract more volunteers to fight "in the fronts", rather than be killed under the coalition's bombings. Ali al-Qahoum, a member of Ansarullah's Political Council, described the attacks as a sign of "the enemy's weakness and defeat". "This massacre, demonstrates the amount of savagery of the Saudi kingdom," he added. Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies, including the United Arab Emirates, launched the war on Yemen in March 2015, with the goal of bringing the government of ex-president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi back to power. According to a December 2018 report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, the Saudi-led war has claimed the lives of over 60,000 Yemenis. The US-backed war effort has also led to a major surge of Western arms exports to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which depend greatly on foreign arms and military support in the war. France, the United States, Britain and other Western countries have faced criticism over arms sales to the Saudi regime and its partners over the war. Last week, popular protests prevented a Saudi cargo ship that had been expected to pick up a hugely controversial shipment of arms from receiving its arms cargo from France. The Human Rights Watch later described the event as a "small victory" against arms sales to the kingdom. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Maduro Says Mediation In Norway Seeks 'Peaceful Agenda' To End Venezuela Crisis May 18, 2019 Venezuela's embattled socialist president, Nicolas Maduro, has made his first public comments about mediation efforts taking place in Norway, saying government and the opposition representatives are seeking to "build a peaceful agenda." The remarks came on May 17 after Norway's government confirmed reports that it has had "preliminary contacts" with representatives from Maduro's government and the opposition. Norway's Foreign Ministry, which has in the past conducted similar conflict-mediation efforts, said the talks were in an "exploratory phase." "We reiterate our willingness to continue supporting the search for a peaceful solution," the ministry said. Opposition leader Juan Guaido, who is not in Norway, has confirmed that the Scandinavian country was conducting mediation talks, but he denied the two parties were negotiating face-to-face. Representatives from both sides arrived in Norway over the past week, indicating a new approach to ending a months-long crisis in the South American country. An attempt at an uprising by Guaido apparently collapsed after Venezuela's military failed to support his movement, which has brought hundreds of thousands of people on to the streets in protest against the Maduro government. Maduro, backed by Russia, China, and Cuba, took office in 2013 and was sworn in for a second term in January following elections in May 2018 that were marred by an opposition boycott and claims of vote-rigging. Maduro has been criticized for alleged human rights abuses and for his handling of Venezuela's economy. Guaido, who leads the National Assembly, declared himself interim president in January and won support from major powers, including the United States and more than 50 other countries. Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and dpa Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/venezuela- maduro-norway-mediation-peaceful- agenda-crisis/29949861.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 Elusive Bulgarian Politician On Track To Take Disappearing Act To Brussels By Alan Crosby, RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service May 18, 2019 Most politicians can't be seen enough when running for office. Delyan Peevski isn't most politicians. The Bulgarian multimillionaire hasn't made a public appearance since April 19, 2017, when he attended the first meeting of that Balkan country's current National Assembly after being elected as a lawmaker. Now Bulgaria's purportedly "undisputed media mogul" appears headed to victory again, this time in European Parliament elections later this month despite his real-life game of "Where's Waldo?" He is second on the list of candidates for the Movement for Rights and Freedoms (DPS) party in the May 26 balloting, meaning he will likely gain a seat in the assembly given the party's current third-place standing in opinion polls at about 10 percent. Peevski's disappearing act in the Bulgarian parliament sparked legal action by an NGO called Boets (Fighter), which appealed to the Supreme Administrative Court after the Central Election Commission ruled the 38-year-old's residence wasn't in question despite all the questions his skulking provoked. "The issue is of utmost public importance because it concerns the legitimacy of the upcoming European elections. We cannot have legitimate choices if we have illegal candidates," the group said in a letter to Prime Minister Boyko Borissov on May 16. Business And Media Interests Peevski's absence may have been less of an issue if it weren't for his business interests. His New Bulgarian Media Group holds stakes in six newspapers that account for a combined 80 percent or so of print distribution in the country and controls many other websites and information outlets. His wealth and status as a member of the National Assembly since 2009 have raised eyebrows in a country often chided for its close links between politicians and businessmen. Reporters Without Borders (RSF), for example, ranks Bulgaria as the worst European Union member in terms of media freedom. "Corruption and collusion between media, politicians and oligarchs is widespread in Bulgaria. The most notorious embodiment of this aberrant state of affairs is Delyan Peevski," the media watchdog wrote in its world media freedom index report for 2018. Peevski was investigated in 2018 and cleared by Bulgaria's anticorruption agency, which said that audits of his business affairs dating as far back as 2003 uncovered no illegal activities. Nonetheless, said Daniel Smilov, a professor of political science from Sofia University, appearances, both figuratively and literally, make a difference. "When a person controls a huge media empire, which regularly destroys the public image of all its critics, after a while people start to close their eyes to legitimate criticisms against him," he told RFE/RL. "For example, if this person does not go to parliament, he might still be viewed by the public as a politician and parliamentarian. He could even get reelected. With money and political influence, they could make the unacceptable acceptable in Bulgaria; they could turn bad fiction into reality." All Quiet In Brussels While EU criticism of Bulgaria's democratic credentials has kept the country outside the bloc's Schengen Area for visa-free travel since it joined in 2007, Brussels has been silent on Peevski's participation in its elections. His Movement for Rights and Freedoms currently holds four of the 17 seats allocated to Bulgaria in the European Parliament, and the party appears headed for a similar allotment after the May vote. The party has refused to comment on Peevski's inclusion on its election list, saying only that Bulgaria's courts have also been unmoved by questions surrounding his residency status. "He is a Bulgarian citizen who has a registered address in the territory of the Republic of Bulgaria or in another Member State of the European Union," the court wrote in upholding Peevski's candidacy. "The complaint is unfounded," it added. The European Parliament already has a problem with attendance, according to European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, who once referred to it in that context as "not serious" and "totally ridiculous." Ireland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France have all weathered minor scandals over their MEPs' attendance records. And the Bulgarian contingent doesn't appear to be helping itself either. In the European Parliament's public rankings of its members' activity, Bulgaria lags behind all but six of the 29 countries or communities by plenary attendance. Its MEPs fare equally poorly in written questioning, too, though they are near the middle of the pack in proposing motions. Peevski actually won a seat to the European Parliament in 2014 but didn't take up the position, saying at the time that he ran to help clear his name and restore his reputation after his appointment as Bulgaria's chief of the State Agency for National Security sparked widespread public protests. Peevski, who has been elected to Bulgaria's parliament four times, eventually stepped away from the post but remained a lawmaker. During the current European campaign, Peevski has been almost invisible at his party's events, save for his picture on the side of the campaign bus and on the party's Facebook page in a photo. Boets said it believes there is enough evidence to prove Peevski resides in Dubai, where he has business interests. It also claimed there is evidence of him flying to Vienna several times. But the courts have rejected the group's bids to examine records from border police and other state agencies to prove the allegations. In the meantime, Peevski continues to appear on the party list, and even collect his MP's salary. According to documents filed with parliament, Peevski collected his full 44,580-lev (roughly $26,790) salary in 2017, while the speaker of the house recently acknowledged the same applies for 2018 even though official filings have yet to be published. Activists have complained about the declaration, since Bulgarian law states that deductions should be made to legislators' salaries when they are absent "without reason." The speaker's office says it receives a formal letter each week from the Movement for Rights and Freedoms' chairman noting that Peevski will be absent from the legislature because he is "performing party activities." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bulgarian- peevski-elusive-politician-eu- elections-brussels/29949847.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 Armenian Court Orders Release Of Ex-President Kocharian From Pretrial Detention By RFE/RL's Armenian Service May 18, 2019 YEREVAN -- court has ordered the release of former President Robert Kocharian from pretrial detention after current and former leaders of the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region provided personal guarantees. Kocharian went on trial earlier this month on charges of overthrowing the constitutional order during the final weeks of his decade-long rule that ended in April 2008. The Yerevan court said on May 18 that the 64-year-old Kocharian, who has been in pretrial detention since his arrest in December, could be released after the Nagorno-Karabakh leaders said they would vouch for him and guaranteed that he would appear in court when the trial resumes. Kocharian is accused of illegally ordering army soldiers to use force against opposition supporters who were protesting against alleged fraud in the February 2008 presidential election. He has dismissed the charges against him as politically motivated. Asked earlier in the week about the offer of guarantees from the Nagorno-Karabakh officials, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian said: "from a moral standpoint I find it normal, but from a political standpoint there are some questions." Before serving as Armenia's president from 1998 to 2008, Kocharian was the leader of Nagorno-Karabakh. The disputed Azerbaijani region that has been under de facto Armenian control since early 1994, when a multiyear conflict ended with a cease-fire. Around 30,000 people died in the fighting, and hundreds of thousands were displaced. During the protests that erupted on March 1, 2008, eight protesters and two police officers were killed when security forces cracked down. The order came after Kocharian declared a three-week state of emergency. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/armenian-court- orders-release-of-ex-president-kocharian-from- pretrial-detention/29949727.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 Austrian Leader Calls For New Elections Amid 'Russian-Linked' Video Scandal By RFE/RL May 18, 2019 Austria's chancellor has called for new elections amid a political scandal involving a secret video that showed his vice chancellor offering contracts to a potential Russian benefactor in exchange for political donations. As thousands of protesters gathered in Vienna on May 18, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called for snap elections as soon as possible. "Enough is enough," Kurz said in a statement to the media. "I have suggested to the president of the republic that new elections be carried out, at the earliest possible date," he said. The decision came hours after the vice chancellor, Heinz-Christian Strache, announced his resignation from the government. Strache is with the far-right Freedom Party, which has been in a coalition with Kurz's Austrian People's Party. In addition to an anti-immigration agenda and links to far-right extremists, the Freedom Party has been dogged by suspicions of cozying up to Russian interests. In 2016, Strache traveled to Moscow to sign a cooperation agreement between the Freedom Party and the Kremlin-backed political party, United Russia. And Austria's foreign minister, also a Freedom Party member, invited Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend her wedding last August. The video, published on May 17 by Der Spiegel magazine and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper, reportedly shows Strache offering infrastructure contracts to a woman posing as a wealthy potential donor from Russia. In the video, the woman speaks Russian and identifies herself as the niece of a wealthy Russian businessman. Another Freedom Party official is shown translating from German into Russian. The encounter took place on the Spanish island of Ibiza in July 2017, three months before the election that brought Strache's Freedom Party to power and made him vice chancellor. In announcing his resignation, Strache apologized for the video, but confirmed its authenticity. "It was dumb, it was irresponsible,and it was a mistake," Strache said, saying also that he did not break any laws. It wasn't clear who or how the video was recorded, nor was it immediately clear who the woman was. Opposition parties have repeatedly called on Kurz to dissolve his coalition with the Freedom Party. With reporting by dpa, AP, AFP and Reuters Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/austria-strache -resigns-secretly-recorded-video- coalition/29949465.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 Venezuela Sells Additional $570mln in Gold, Skirts US Sanctions Report Sputnik News 21:10 18.05.2019 The US Treasury has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Venezuelan state companies since January, when opposition figure Juan Guaido proclaimed himself interim president, escalating the crisis in the South American country. In the past two weeks, Venezuela has sold 15 tonnes of gold worth $570 million from central bank reserves, managing to bypass US Treasury sanctions, Bloomberg cited sources familiar with the matter as saying. The sources claimed that on 10 May, the Venezuelan Central Bank sold about 9.7 tonnes of gold and four tons more three days later; this brought the country's gold reserves to a 29-year low of $7.9 billion. According to one of the sources, "the proceeds will be partly used to fund imports through the country's foreign trade office". The Central Bank is yet to comment on the matter. Bloomberg reported that since the beginning of April, Venezuela has sold 23 tonnes of gold, in the face of a US economic blockade aimed to stop the Latin American country's trading operations. The sale comes after Venezuela reportedly announced plans in February to sell 15 tonnes of its Central Bank gold to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and be paid in cash in euros. The goal was to sell a total of 29 tonnes to Abu Dhabi in order to provide liquidity for imports of basic products. In a separate development that month, President Nicolas Maduro suggested that "more or less 80 tonnes" of Venezuela's gold could be frozen in the Bank of England. This followed Bloomberg's report that the Bank of England refused to withdraw Venezuela's gold reserves worth $1.2 billion after Maduro's request. The US Treasury has imposed several rounds of sanctions on Venezuelan state companies since January. In late March, the Treasury specifically sanctioned the Venezuelan state gold mining firm Minerven and its president, Adrian Antonio Perdomo Mata. The total damages from US sanctions against Venezuela have already reportedly exceeded $100 billion dollars. Venezuela remains embroiled in a political standoff, which escalated after opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself the country's interim president in late January, in a move immediately supported by the US and its allies. Maduro accused Guaido of being a "puppet", while blasting Washington for orchestrating a coup in the Latin American country. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia, Turkey and a number of other countries have voiced their support for Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Detectives investigating the incident said Nichols, who was wearing a partial mask when he approached the pharmacy counter, presented a note requesting several types of narcotics as well as asked for them, the release said. When questioned by detectives, Nichols admitted he was going to steal the medication when he entered the pharmacy, and further confessed to a prior unsolved robbery that occurred on September 7 at the same location, according to the release. Yemeni Official Condemns Houthi Pullout From UN-Watched Ports As 'Fake Move' Sputnik News 17:09 18.05.2019(updated 17:11 18.05.2019) MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Hamzah Alkamaly, the Yemeni deputy minister for youth and sports, said that he regarded the withdrawal of Houthi forces from the three strategic Yemeni ports under a close watch of the United Nations as a "fake" move, while UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths only attempted to present it as progress. "The problem is that what happened in Al Hudaydah is not a real step, it is a fake step that we cannot count on. Houthis did not until the final moment withdraw from the ports, the three ports that were mentioned in the Stockholm agreement. Houthis until this moment are escalating [situation] in Al Hudaydah and other cities. They are not convinced with peace until now, and the government of Yemen believes that this step is not a real step, it is just a maneouver that the Houthis did before the meeting of the UN Security Council on May 15," Alkamaly, who was also part of the government delegation at the talks with opposition in Sweden, said. According to Alkamaly, the UN chief's special envoy is trying to picture the Houthi withdrawal from Yemen's Red Sea ports as an important step. "He [Griffiths] is not balanced anymore, he wants to misinterpret, he wants to make any step prove that [the situation in Yemeni ports] is actually an improvement, which is not right. Until now we did not achieve anything despite they claim to withdraw from Al Hudaydah, which is not true," he added. Alkamaly noted that, in his point of view, Griffiths was not facilitating the peace process in the crisis-affected nation and, on the contrary, was "trying to deal with Houthis as if they are really implementing something." The Houthi withdrawal from the ports under the Stockholm peace accord started earlier in May. Under the deal sealed in the Swedish capital, the Yemeni government led by President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi and the rebel Houthi movement agreed to a ceasefire in the key port city of Al Hudaydah, which had witnessed months of heavy fighting between the rival forces. Yemen has been engulfed in an armed conflict between the government forces, led by Hadi, and the rebel Houthi movement for years. A Saudi-led coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis at Hadi's request since March 2015. The conflict has resulted in a massive humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Greece Gets First Upgraded Lockheed Martin P-3B Maritime Surveillance Aircraft Sputnik News 10:47 18.05.2019(updated 11:03 18.05.2019) ATHENS, (Sputnik) - The Greek navy received its first modernised P-3B maritime surveillance aircraft from Lockheed Martin, a US global aerospace, defence and advanced technology company, the Greek Defence Ministry said. The ceremony took place at the Greek aircraft industry plant in Tanagre, north of Athens on Friday in the presence of Greek Defence Minister Evangelos Apostolakis, US Ambassador to Greece Geoffrey Pyatt and representatives of Lockheed Martin. "The modernisation of the aircraft will satisfy the needs of the [Greek] Navy at least until 2040, both at the national and international levels in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean regions," Apostolakis said. According to the minister, Greece "started to strengthen and modernise" its armed forces. Pyatt, in his turn, said that it was "a great pleasure and an honour" to celebrate the rebirth of the Hellenic Navy's Maritime Patrol capability. "Following the delivery of the interim aircraft today, I eagerly await the modernisation of the four remaining P-3 aircraft and their return to the skies to provide maritime domain awareness for Greece and the Alliance across the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean Seas," he said. The Greek army said that the helicopters were suitable for immediate use and were expected to enter service very soon. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Members of Venezuelan Military Say Waiting for US With Weapons in Their Hands Sputnik News 07:21 18.05.2019(updated 07:22 18.05.2019) MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) Venezuelan military personnel participated in the so-called march of loyalty, alongside President Nicolas Maduro, shouting that they are waiting for the United States with weapons in their hands. The march took place on Friday during Maduro's visit to Aragua state. "Only the ones who fight have a right to be. You will never invade my country. Listen to us small gringo. We are ready. With weapons in our hands we are waiting for you," the personnel shouted during the parade. Maduro marched more than a mile alongside the personnel and military equipment. The president also presented awards to outstanding service members and gave a speech, slamming US imperialism, during the parade. The situation in Venezuela has been tense since January when opposition leader Juan Guaido proclaimed himself an interim president. Washington and its allies endorsed Guaido and called on Maduro to step down. Moreover, the United States seized billions of dollars' worth of Venezuelan oil assets. Moreover, US officials have repeatedly stated that all options remain on the table with regard to the Venezuelan crisis, including military action. Maduro, in turn, has accused the United States of trying to orchestrate a coup in order to install Guaido as its puppet and take over Venezuela's natural resources. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia, Turkey and a number of other countries have voiced their support for Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Venezuela Willing to Begin Dialogue With US on Basis of Mutual Respect, FM Says Sputnik News 06:19 18.05.2019 BUENOS AIRES (Sputnik) Caracas is willing to engage in dialogue with the US administration on the basis of mutual respect, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza has said. "The moment is right for diplomacy. The hour is right for diplomacy. We are ready to return to diplomacy and to sitting at the negotiating table and respecting each other The Venezuelan government is willing to establish a dialogue mechanism with the US administration on the basis of mutual respect," Arreaza said in a statement on Friday, as quoted by the Venezuelan Foreign Ministry. The statement argued that the anti-Venezuelan strategies of US President Donald Trump's administration had failed. The situation in Venezuela has been tense since January when opposition leader Juan Guaido illegally proclaimed himself an interim president. Washington and its allies endorsed Guaido and called on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro to step down. Moreover, the United States seized billions of dollars' worth of Venezuelan oil assets. Maduro, in turn, has accused the United States of trying to orchestrate a coup in order to install Guaido as its puppet and take over Venezuela's natural resources. Russia, China, Cuba, Bolivia, Turkey and a number of other countries have voiced their support for Maduro as the only legitimate president of Venezuela. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN blue helmets in South Sudan use Sustainable Development Goals to help build peace 18 May 2019 - The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) has concluded the week by harnessing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to support the nation, including by offering free medical services, encompassing SDG 3's target on health coverage. By Friday, UNMISS Bangladeshi peacekeepers in Wau, a city located in the country's north-west, had treated more than 100 civil servants suffering from a variety of health issues. "My problem is my kidney because it hurts too much,'' said 21-year-old Sodinia Edward, who went to a hospital in Juba where she was told that "they did not have medicines". We have been engaged in humanitarian assistance, especially the medical and veterinary services UNMISS commander However, she left the UNMISS clinic with the prescribed drugs in her possession, just like many of the other patients suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and other ailments. The commander of the Bangladeshi peacekeepers detailed that their work in Wau is not limited to providing force protection to UN facilities and aid convoys. "Since our arrival, we have been engaged in humanitarian assistance, especially the medical and veterinary services but also some other social programmes,'' said Colonel Majhuri Heque. Since the onset of the crisis in 2016, most of the city's health facilities have faced shortages of medication, leaving their clinics brimming with patients. The local agriculture minister, who lives with diabetes and blood pressure issues said that the government would like UNMISS to extend their medical services to villages in the area. "We have little chance of being able to afford the medicines needed," Simon Akot explained, adding that many villagers resort to leaves and roots that may, or may not, have medicinal properties. A new chapter of 'forgiveness' UNMISS outreach does not exclusively focused on health, as illustrated by its recently concluded forum aimed at promoting harmonious relations between political actors, embracing SDG 16's focus on participatory democracy and governance. As politicians in Aweil East, also located in the north-west, pondered how best to achieve durable peace, the UNMISS' Civil Affairs Division organized a two-day reconciliatory meeting in Wanyjok town, where 50 participants from four different political parties commitment to reconcile and work together in accordance with the revitalized peace agreement. "For us to open a new chapter, forgiveness is needed," said Abuor Gordon, a representative of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. From the Sudan African National Union Party, Achoul Garang Deng thought the forum was fruitful because it taught how to resolve political differences peacefully. "We should have one view, whether we are ordinary citizens, military or politicians, for the sake of peace," she said. All agreed that peace is paramount for the security and development of the nation. "It is a forum for all the political actors, including the political parties here, to reflect on the peace agreement itself," said Khalif Farah, who serves with UNMISS. For his part, the deputy governor of Aweil East, William Ater Lual, welcomed a six-month extension of the pre-transitional period, calling it "an opportunity for the country's leaders to get the peace process back on track". Forum participants all held firm that durable peace would lead to fair distribution of resources, a restored social fabric and the professionalization of the army. Getting the judicial process on track Meanwhile on Friday in the Jonglei state, UNMISS' Human Rights Division held a one-day judicial training workshop in Bor to strengthen traditional courts' members and to facilitate a discussion between formal and traditional justice systems. Discussions focused on the existing competencies and jurisdiction of each body, and the necessary cooperation needed for the town's judiciary to function well. "Training in judicial processes is critical to ensure fairness and professionalism in what we do", said Daniel Deng, the Bor High Court Magistrate. "We don't have such opportunities often". UNMISS Human Rights Officer in Bor Alfred Zulu said that they identified many challenges in dispensing justice caused by existing conflicts between customary and formal law, lack of knowledge of some legal aspects and the overlapping of competencies within the judicial system. "The workshop was designed to bring all partners involved in the process, from detention to investigation, trial, defense and custody, to facilitate an enriching dialogue that would result in better cooperation, and clarify areas of concern," explained Mr. Zulu. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Austria's Vice Chancellor Resigns By VOA News May 18, 2019 Austria's vice chancellor has resigned. Heinz-Christian Strache stepped down Saturday after two German newspapers Der Spiegel and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung posted video footage of him appearing to offer state contracts to a potential Russian benefactor. Strache said Saturday he was the "victim of a targeted political attack," but admitted that his actions in the video were "stupid and a mistake." Political analysts say the scandal throws into the question the governing coalition between Strache's anti-immigration Freedom Party and Chancellor Sebastian Kurz's center-right People's Party. Neither politician has commented on the future of their alliance. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ali Kourani Convicted in Manhattan Federal Court for Covert Terrorist Activities on Behalf of Hizballah's Islamic Jihad Organization FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, May 17, 2019 Ali Kourani Was Trained by Hizballah's External Terrorist Operations Component and Gathered Intelligence in New York City in Support of Attack-Planning Efforts Yesterday, a jury returned a guilty verdict against Ali Kourani, a.k.a. "Ali Mohamad Kourani," a.k.a. "Jacob Lewis," a.k.a. "Daniel," on all eight counts in the Indictment, which charged him with terrorism, sanctions and immigration offenses for his illicit work as an operative for Hizballah's external attack-planning component. Kourani is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 27, 2019, by the Honorable Alvin K. Hellerstein, who presided over the eight-day trial. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman for the Southern District of New York, Assistant Director Michael McGarrity of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division and Assistant Director in Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr. of the FBI's New York Field Office made the announcement. "While living in the United States, Kourani served as an operative of Hizballah in order to help the foreign terrorist organization prepare for potential future attacks against the United States," said Assistant Attorney General Demers. "The evidence at trial showed that Kourani searched for suppliers who could provide weapons for such attacks, identified people who could be recruited or targeted for violence, and gathered information about and conducted surveillance of potential targets within our country. Such covert activities conducted on U.S. soil are a clear threat to our national security and I applaud the agents, analysts, and prosecutors who are responsible for this investigation and prosecution." "Ali Kourani was recruited, trained and deployed by Hizballah's Islamic Jihad Organization to plan and execute acts of terrorism in the United States," said U.S. Attorney Berman. "Kourani's chilling mission was to help procure weapons and gather intelligence about potential targets in the U.S. for future Hizballah terrorist attacks. Some of the targets Kourani surveilled included JFK Airport and law enforcement facilities in New York City, including the federal building at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. Today, Kourani has fittingly been convicted for his crimes in a courthouse that stands in the shadow of one of his potential targets." "This case shows Hizballah's Islamic Jihad Organization is a threat to the American people and not just to those living abroad," said FBI Assistant Director McGarrity. "The IJO enlisted Kourani to help plan an attack on high profile U.S. locations where many people could have been killed or injured. Thanks to the New York Joint Terrorism Task Force his plans were not carried out." As reflected in the criminal Complaint, Indictment, and the evidence presented at trial: Hizballah is a Lebanon-based Shia Islamic organization with political, social, and terrorist components that was founded in the 1980s with support from Iran. Since Hizballah's formation, the organization has been responsible for numerous terrorist attacks that have killed hundreds, including United States citizens and military personnel. In 1997, the U.S. Department of State designated Hizballah a Foreign Terrorist Organization, pursuant to Section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, and it remains so designated today. In 2010, State Department officials described Hizballah as the most technically capable terrorist group in the world, and a continued security threat to the United States. The Islamic Jihad Organization (IJO), which is also known as the External Security Organization and "910," is a highly compartmentalized component of Hizballah responsible for the planning, preparation, and execution of intelligence, counterintelligence, and terrorist activities on behalf of Hizballah outside of Lebanon. In July 2012, an IJO operative detonated explosives on a bus transporting Israeli tourists in the vicinity of an airport in Burgas, Bulgaria, killing six people and injuring 32 others. Law enforcement authorities have disrupted several other IJO attack-planning operations around the world, including the arrest of an IJO operative surveilling Israeli targets in Cyprus in 2012, the seizure of bomb-making precursor chemicals in Thailand in 2012, including chemicals manufactured by a medical devices company based in Guangzhou, China (Guangzhou Company-1), and a similar seizure of chemicals manufactured by Guangzhou Company-1 in Cyprus in May 2015 in connection with the arrest of another IJO operative. Kourani, who was born in Lebanon, attended Hizballah-sponsored weapons training in Lebanon in 2000 when he was approximately 16 years old. After lawfully entering the United States in 2003, Kourani obtained a Bachelor of Science in biomedical engineering in 2009, and a Masters of Business Administration in 2013. Kourani and certain of his relatives were in Lebanon during the summer 2006 conflict between Israel and Hizballah, when a residence belonging to his family was destroyed. At some point by 2008, IJO recruited Kourani to its ranks. In August 2008, Kourani submitted an application for naturalization in the United States in which he falsely claimed, among other things, that he was not affiliated with a terrorist organization. In April 2009, Kourani became a naturalized citizen and was issued a United States passport. Despite claiming in his passport application that he had no travel plans, Kourani traveled to Guangzhou, China the location of Guangzhou Company-1 on May 3, 2009. He later claimed to the FBI that the purpose of the trip was to meet with medical device manufacturers and other businessmen. IJO assigned Kourani an IJO handler, or mentor, responsible for providing him with taskings, debriefings, and arranging training. Kourani sometimes communicated with his handler using coded email communications, including messages sent by the handler that informed Kourani of the need to return to Lebanon. In order to establish contact with his handler when Kourani returned to Lebanon, Kourani called a telephone number associated with a pager (the IJO Pager) and provided a code that he understood was specific to him. After contacting the IJO Pager, the handler would contact Kourani to set up an in-person meeting by calling a phone belonging to one of Kourani's relatives. The IJO also provided Kourani with additional training in tradecraft, weapons, and tactics. In 2011, for example, Kourani attended a weapons training camp in the vicinity of Birkat Jabrur, Lebanon, where he used a rocket propelled grenade launcher, an AK-47 assault rifle, an MP5 submachine gun, a PKS machine gun (a Russian-made belt-fed weapon) and a Glock pistol. Based on other taskings from IJO personnel, which IJO personnel conveyed during periodic in-person meetings when Kourani returned to Lebanon, Kourani conducted operations, which he understood to be aimed at preparing for potential future Hizballah attacks. These covert activities included searching for weapons suppliers in the United States who could provide firearms to support IJO operations; identifying individuals affiliated with the Israeli Defense Force whom the IJO could either recruit or target for violence; gathering information regarding operations and security at airports in the United States and elsewhere, including JFK International Airport in New York; and surveilling U.S. military and law enforcement facilities in New York City, including the federal building at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan. Kourani transmitted some of the products of his surveillance and intelligence-gathering efforts back to IJO personnel in Lebanon using digital storage media. Kourani, 34, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted of providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; conspiracy to provide material support and resources to a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; receiving military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a sentence of 10 years in prison or a fine; conspiracy to receive military-type training from a designated foreign terrorist organization, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; conspiracy to possess, carry, and use firearms and destructive devices during and in relation to crimes of violence, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; making and receiving a contribution of funds, goods, and services to and from Hizballah, in violation of IEEPA, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; conspiracy to make and receive a contribution of funds, goods, and services to and from Hizballah, in violation of IEEPA, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; and naturalization fraud in connection with an act of international terrorism, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as the defendant's sentence will be determined by Judge Hellerstein. Mr. Demers and Mr. Berman praised the outstanding efforts of the FBI's New York Joint Terrorism Task Force, which principally consists of agents from the FBI and detectives from the New York City Police Department. This prosecution is being handled by the Office's Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emil J. Bove III and Amanda L. Houle are in charge of the case, with assistance from Trial Attorney Bridget Behling of the Counterterrorism Section. Topic(s): Counterterrorism National Security Component(s): Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 19-545 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address France, UK, Germany defy US bid to ban Huawei equipment Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 09:11AM Several European nations have decided to break with US-led efforts to ban major Chinese telecommunications firm Huawei from their markets. President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday it is not in France's best interests to block Huawei, and that it would not be appropriate to wage a technological war or a trade battle. Macron said he believed in cooperation and multilateralism to generate employment, expand businesses and improve innovation, signaling France's opposition to US trade practices. The president announced in Paris on Thursday that France will permit the Chinese company to build its 5G network infrastructure while safeguarding the country's national security. President of Germany's Federal Network Agency Jochen Homann also said on Thursday that Berlin does not plan to exclude Huawei from building its 5G network in the country. His organization had recently updated the country's network security requirements, saying any company that met the criteria could participate in network building. Homann said no evidence has emerged so far showing that Huawei has acted against any regulations in Germany. British authorities have also allowed Huawei to assist in building the "non-core" infrastructure of the country's 5G network. The country's telecommunications provider Vodafone has already declared plans to turn on its 5G service by using Huawei technology in the UK on July 3. Huawei, meanwhile, intends to unveil its latest 5G smartphone -- the Mate 20 X -- in the UK next month. Last Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced a national emergency and signed an executive order, adding Huawei to a trade blacklist in a bid to curb its business dealings with companies. The Chinese company lambasted as "unreasonable" Trump's declaration to ban what he referred as telecommunications equipment from "foreign adversaries" which posed a national security risk. "If the US restricts Huawei, it will not make the US safer, nor will it make the US stronger," said Huawei in a statement cited in Chinese media reports. The ban, it said, "will only force the US to use inferior and expensive alternative equipment, lagging behind other countries... and ultimately harming US companies and consumers." 'Europe bigger threat than China' The US president further complained on Friday that the European Union's trade barriers were damaging American manufacturing, making the bloc even more harmful to the US than China. Addressing a gathering of real estate agents in Washington, Trump said, "The European Union treats us, I would say, worse than China, they're just smaller." "They have trade barriers. They don't want our farm products, they don't want our cars. They send Mercedes-Benz's in here like they're cookies. They send BMWs here. We hardly tax them at all," he added. In a proclamation released on Friday, Trump declared that some imported vehicles and parts from the EU and Japan pose a national security threat to the US. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China raps 'fabricated' US claims, says talks 'meaningless' Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 08:25AM China has dismissed US accusations of forcing firms to hand over technology as "fabricated" and suggested that a resumption of talks will be meaningless unless Washington changes course. The Communist Party's People's Daily said on Saturday the accusations were "an old-fashioned argument used by some people in the United States to suppress China's development." "The US argument about the 'forced transfer of technology' can be described as being fabricated from thin air," the paper said, adding that Washington had not yet been able to provide any evidence to back up the claims. The People's Daily said the United States benefited substantially from voluntary technological cooperation, earning $7.96 billion in intellectual property use fees in 2016 alone. The paper argued that Washington's "fragile nerves" were caused by China's rapidly growing research and development capabilities. Beijing announced this week it would retaliate against a move by Washington to raise tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports. Tensions worsened this week after the Trump administration added China's Huawei to a trade blacklist, that will make it extremely difficult for the telecom giant to do business with US companies. The order puts Huawei and 68 affiliates in more than two dozen countries on the blacklist. That bans the company from buying parts and components from American firms without US government approval. Last week, China and the US concluded their 11th round of high-level economic and trade consultations in Washington, without reaching any deal aimed at ending their trade tensions. After the talks broke down, the US announced an increase of Chinese tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports. China urges 'sincerity' The United States has said negotiations are likely to restart soon but China said Friday resuming bilateral trade talks would have no meaning unless Washington changed course and showed "sincerity." Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang said in Beijing Friday China always encouraged resolving disputes with the United States through dialogue and consultations. "But because of certain things the US side has done during the previous China-US trade consultations, we believe if there is meaning for these talks, there must be a show of sincerity," Lu said. Sources familiar with the issue said the trade talks had stalled and the next round of negotiations between the two countries was "in flux." The People's Daily published on Friday a front-page commentary that China is as "firm as a boulder" in protecting its national interests and dignity in the face of Washington's trade war. "The trade war can't bring China down. It will only harden us to grow stronger," it said. The trade dispute escalated earlier this month, when the US increased tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods after the Trump administration accused Beijing of reneging on earlier commitments made during months of talks. Trump also ordered US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer to begin imposing tariffs on all remaining imports from China, a move that would affect about an additional $300 billion worth of goods. Trump has urged China to either sign the deal now or it will be forced to sign a far worse agreement in future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Proposed Amendment Would Compel Hong Kong to Hand Criminal Suspects to China By Suzanne Sataline May 18, 2019 Each week for the last five or six years, a man named Alan crosses into mainland China to work on sales for a packaging factory. His job, and the location, worry him now that Hong Kong is considering a law change that would compel Hong Kong to turn over criminal suspects to mainland China. "Every single business that's working in China has broken some sort of laws. Every single one of them," said Alan. He asked that his surname be withheld out of concern for his and his family's safety. "It's impossible not to break a law in China when running a business because the laws are so onerous." "I know I'm not wanted, but who knows?" he said. "The whole thing about living in Hong Kong is, there is a certain amount of protection from China." That protection could soon vanish. A proposed amendment, backed by Chief Executive Carrie Lam, would free Beijing to demand that Hong Kong surrender criminal suspects to China to face trial there. Similar concerns were shared in Washington Wednesday. Four democracy activists from Hong Kong urged Congress to pressure the Hong Kong government to shelve proposed changes to the law that would allow Beijing to demand that criminal suspects be extradited to face trial there. In Washington, former Hong Kong lawmakers Martin Lee and Nathan Law reminded the bi-partisan panel, the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China, that China's opaque and political legal system operates without the transparency or standards used in the West. China could get someone on the mainland to swear an affidavit that a suspect had committed an offense and then demand that Hong Kong send the suspect to face prosecution, Lee said. "This goes to the heart of what Hong Kong people truly fear: that those of us who dare speak out to defend human rights and democracy will risk trumped up arrest, torture and unfair trial in mainland China," Law said, a lawmaker until 2017 when he was ejected by a court using a controversial legal opinion issued by China's legislature. "Our generation is especially concerned about being sent to a place that does not respect human rights," he said. The testimony came days after Hong Kong's legislature erupted in a brawl when members of the body's two opposing camps physically battled for control of the bill currently in a legislative committee. The bill would allow Hong Kong to send criminal suspects to other jurisdictions where the territory does not currently have extradition pacts. That includes Taiwan and China. Hong Kong's chief executive, Carrie Lam, says the change is needed fast, before a Hong Kong man suspected of killing his girlfriend in Taiwan last year is freed. Lawmakers and scholars proposed alternative language, including a proposal for extradition to Taiwan only. The government said Hong Kong needs a broad policy to handle fugitives or the city will become a haven for them. The four guests in Washington made clear that the extradition bill doesn't only threaten permanent residents who are protected by a Common Law legal system in Hong Kong. Also vulnerable are foreign workers and the 85,000 Americans who live in the former British colony that was surrendered to China in 1997. The commission's witnesses said the American officials should press Hong Kong's human rights concerns as the United States continues to negotiate with China about the ongoing battle over tariffs. Lee said if the bill is passed, Hong Kong's guaranteed rights to free speech and assembly, and a Common Law court, will be finished. "There's this under-appreciation of what happens in mainland China," Lee said. "There's no rule of law. They want to get you, they get you. Period. Your right of appeal is null." The group made their case on Capitol Hill Wednesday as the bill continues to deeply divide Hong Kong people. Tens of thousands of residents demanded that the bill be shelved and that their chief executive resign as they marched through Hong Kong streets on April 28. It was the largest protest in the Chinese territory since tens of thousands staged a sit-in for free elections in 2014. The committee witnesses mentioned the increasing difficulties faced by Beijing government opponents in Hong Kong. Earlier that day, six pro-democracy activists were convicted of joining an unlawful protest in Hong Kong in 2016 to oppose an imminent constitutional interpretation from Beijing. That rare ruling was triggered by a legal challenge to the oath-taking by eight new lawmakers. Soon after, Beijing required oaths to be delivered "sincerely and solemnly," as written, with no option to retake them. Hong Kong courts soon used the interpretation retroactively to bar two elected lawmakers from restating their pledges and expelled four legislators who had been sworn in. Lee urged U.S. officials to remind corporations that their freedoms and businesses are threatened with the law. Individuals could face prosecutions and businesses would lose guarantees of a transparent legal system. "They would rather we fight the fight for them," Lee said. "They don't want to stick their necks out. I reckon the business people must be persuaded to come around. So they understand that human rights are preserved for everybody." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Barstow told the officer that he had run out of gas while on his way home, the release said. The trooper smelled alcohol, so he asked Barstow to step out of the vehicle so he could administer field sobriety tests, the release said. But, once Barstow got out and moved to the back of the car, he refused and attempted to walk back, the release said. Chinese FM urges US to avoid further damage of ties in phone call with Pompeo Global Times Source:Xinhua Published: 2019/5/19 0:56:16 Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the United States not to go too far in its damaging moves against Chinese interests in a phone conversation Saturday with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Noting that the US side has recently made remarks and taken actions that are harmful to Chinese interests in various fields, including cracking down on Chinese enterprises' normal operations through political measures, Wang said China strongly opposes such actions. "We urge the US side not to go too far," Wang told Pompeo, adding that the United States should change its course as soon as possible so as to avoid further damage of bilateral ties. History and reality have shown that as two big countries, China and the United States will both benefit from cooperation and lose from conflicts, Wang said, adding that cooperation is the only right choice for the two countries. The two sides should follow the direction set by the two countries' heads of state, manage their differences on the basis of mutual respect, expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, and work together in pushing forward a China-US relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability, said the Chinese foreign minister. China has always been willing to resolve economic and trade differences through negotiations and consultations, which, however, should be conducted on the basis of equality, said Wang, adding that China, in any negotiations, must safeguard its legitimate interests, answer the calls of its people, and defend the basic norms of international relations. Wang stressed that China has stated its firm opposition to the US recent negative words and acts related to Taiwan, and urged the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-US joint communiques, and handle Taiwan-related issues carefully and properly. The two sides also exchanged views on relevant international and regional issues. Pompeo briefed Wang on the US views on the latest development of the Iranian issue. Wang emphasized that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is committed to the denuclearization, peace and stability of the Middle East. "We hope that all parties will exercise restraint and act with caution, so as to avoid escalating tensions," he said. Wang also reiterated the principled stand against the "long-arm jurisdiction" imposed by the United States. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address DPRK Permanent Representative to UN Sends Letter to UN Secretary General Korean Central News Agency of DPRK Date: 18/05/2019 Pyongyang, May 18 (KCNA) -- Kim Song, permanent representative of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, sent a letter to Antonio Manuel de Oliveira Guterres, secretary general of the United Nations, on Friday. The letter reads: Mr. Secretary General, I address this letter to you with regard to the incident of dispossession of the cargo ship "Wise Honest" of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK). Recently, the United States committed an unlawful and outrageous act of taking the DPRK's cargo ship to Samoa (U.S.), linking the ship to the violation of the American domestic law, and this act of dispossession has clearly indicated that the United States is indeed a gangster country that does not care at all about international laws. Unilateral sanctions, such as the anti-DPRK "Sanctions Act" based on the U.S. domestic law which the U.S. has employed as a ground of dispossession of the ship, are defined as an illegal act going against the UN Charter and the international laws, in accordance with the resolution adopted at the 62nd Session of the UN General Assembly, and it is also a universally recognized principle of international law that in no case can a sovereign state be an object of jurisdiction of other countries. Moreover, the United States committed a sovereignty-infringing act of flagrantly violating the UN Charter by dispossessing the cargo ship where the DPRK's sovereignty is fully exercised. Since the international concern is growing more than ever over the likely impact to be brought to the situation of the Korean peninsula by the heinous act of the United States, I believe that the Secretary General of the United Nations is requested to take urgent measures as a way of contributing to the stability of the Korean peninsula and proving the impartiality of the UN. We will follow actions to be taken by the United Nations. -0- NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea asks UN chief to deal with ship seizure by 'gangster' US Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 07:48AM North Korea has called on UN chief Antonio Guterres to interfere in the "illegal" impounding of one of its largest cargo ships by the US, which it described as "a gangster country." "This act of dispossession has clearly indicated that the United States is indeed a gangster country that does not care at all about international laws," read a letter addressed to Guterres. The protest letter, dated Friday, was issued by North Korea's permanent representative to the UN and quoted in a Saturday report by the official KCNA news agency. It demanded "urgent measures" by the UN chief and accused the US of violating Pyongyang's sovereignty in breach of the United Nations charters. North Korea's objection to the world body over the US seizure of its cargo vessel came amid rising tensions between Pyongyang and Washington after their summit ended in total failure back in February. The second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and US President Donald Trump in Vietnam aimed to reach a deal on denuclearization. Pyongyang has said the ship's confiscation violated the spirit of the summit, calling for its immediate release. North Korea's foreign ministry on Tuesday denounced the US seizure of the cargo vessel Wise Honest -- as "an illegal act of robbery." "The United States carried out an illegal act of robbery by seizing our cargo ship citing UN Security Council sanctions resolutions," a ministry spokesman said in a statement carried by KCNA. The statement further rejected United Nations Security Council resolutions against North Korea which the US cited to impound the vessel as an infringement on its sovereignty. "This act is an extension of the US-style calculation of trying to hold us in submission with its 'maximum pressure' and is a total denial of the fundamental spirit of the June 12 DPRK-US joint statement," it added, warning Washington about the "consequence of its gangster-like actions." The US Justice Department declared on May 9 that it had confiscated the North Korean cargo ship after it was first seized by Indonesian authorities. It alleged that the vessel had been engaged in the illicit shipments of coal in violation of US-led and UN economic sanctions against Pyongyang. The seizure came after North Korea test-launched a number of missiles on two occasions within a few days in what was seen as an act of protest at Washington's refusal to dial down the sanctions. The US Justice Department has insisted that the timing of the move was not related to the missile launches. Washington has spearheaded several rounds of sanctions against Pyongyang at the UN Security Council since 2006. The bans have mostly targeted Pyongyang's exports, including coal, iron, lead, textiles, and seafood, while also hindering the imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address North Korea Urges UN Chief to Take Action Over Ship's Seizure by 'Gangster' US Sputnik News 10:59 18.05.2019 The US Justice Department on 9 May confirmed that US forces had detained a vessel that had allegedly been shipping coal from North Korea in violation of US sanctions and UN Security Council resolutions. North Korea has complained to the United Nations about the recent seizure of its cargo ship by the United States in an "outrageous and unlawful" move, the DPRK's Korean Central News Agency said on Saturday. "Mr. Secretary General, I address this letter to you with regard to the incident of dispossession of the cargo ship 'Wise Honest' of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)," Kim Song, Pyongyang's permanent representative to the United Nations, wrote in a letter to UN chief Antonio Guterres. "This act of dispossession has clearly indicated that the United States is indeed a gangster country that does not care at all about international laws," he concluded, urging Guterres to take "urgent measures". Earlier in May, the US government detained the North Korean bulk carrier Wise Honest and towed it to a port in American Samoa, claiming that the vessel had been illegally shipping coal from, and heavy machinery to, North Korea in violation of US and UN sanctions. "Our Office uncovered North Korea's scheme to export tonnes of high-grade coal to foreign buyers by concealing the origin of their ship, the Wise Honest," the Justice Department said in a statement. "This scheme not only allowed North Korea to evade sanctions, but the Wise Honest was also used to import heavy machinery to North Korea, helping expand North Korea's capabilities and continuing the cycle of sanctions evasion. With this seizure, we have significantly disrupted that cycle." North Korea's Foreign Ministry lashed out at the US following the seizure, accusing Washington of giving up on their joint commitment to building new relations. The United Nations and the US have subjected North Korea to numerous sanctions since its first nuclear test in 2006. A period of rapprochement began in 2018, with Washington and Pyongyang engaging in denuclearisation talks. Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un held a summit in Singapore last June, which marked the first-ever meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader. They expressed their commitment to the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula in a joint declaration, but issued no detailed road map for this goal. Trump and Kim sat down for a second time in Hanoi, Vietnam in February, but this meeting ended up being far less successful. The talks stalled without any declaration or agreement after the parties failed to reach a consensus on what each of them was ready to give up in order to secure the deal. North Korea then continued its weapons tests, launching a number of short-range missiles earlier this month. South Korean President Moon Jae-in said that the missiles were probably fired in a sign of protest against the United States after the botched Hanoi talks. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran able to defeat enemy in intelligence war: IRGC Commander IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, May 18, IRNA -- Iran can defeat the enemy in the intelligence war, the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) Chief Commander said on Saturday. Iran is facing a full-scale intelligence war with the US and its allies and they are using all means of psychological war, cyber operation, military action, public diplomacy and intimidation to undermine the Islamic establishment, Commander-in-Chief of the IRGC Major General Hossein Salami said. He made the remarks in an induction ceremony for the new head of IRGC's Intelligence Organization Hossein Taeb. Intelligence war between Iran and the US is an objective reality, top IRGC commander said. He pointed to Iran's measures to suspend parts of its obligations enshrined in the nuclear deal and said that Iran's move changed the US and its allies' calculations. They supposed that Iran will show no reaction to pressures, the commander added. Salami described the US as a declining power, but cautioned all about its conspiracies. Iran's President Hassan Rouhani said on May 8 that Iran will give a 60-day moratorium to the states parties to JCPOA to remedy their breaches and restore Iran's interests enshrined by the international deal. May 8 marks the first anniversary of the US unilateral withdrawal from the Iran Deal formally known as the JCPOA endorsed by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2231. 9191**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU's "resurgence", "studious" strive to rescue JCPOA IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Tehran, May 18, IRNA -- The latest US nails on the coffin of the nuclear agreement amid the silence of Europe led Tehran's reciprocal action to reduce its volume of commitments. With reduction in Iran's obligations and rise of tensions, Brussels leaders have resumed their rescue efforts to save JCPOA to get rid of the consequences of its annihilation. On Monday, May 13, Brussels, the Belgian capital hosted European Troika Foreign Ministers to prevent the collapse of the nuclear deal that they had negotiated for more than a decade. It seems that the meeting of the German, French and British foreign ministers with EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini has been successful, so that a promising space, as well as a strong determination after the conclusion of the meeting can be seen. The 'full' commitment of Europe to the launch and implementation of INSTEX, the financial channel of Iran and Europe, was one of the most important aspects of these talks. At the end of the meeting, Mogherini referred to the necessity of EU's adherence and emphasized that 'the European Union and all its members are determined to fully implement the nuclear deal with Iran'. The EU foreign policy chief, pointed to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the only institution to judge Iran's commitment about JCPOA that in her view, this institution has confirmed Tehran's adherence to the nuclear deal. Mogherini's reference is to the 14 quarterly reports of the Director General of the IAEA, Yukiya Amano, which commenced on January 15, 2015, and has since reported to the IAEA Board of Governors and the UN Security Council on every three month on Iran's nuclear activities; reports that neutralized the conspiracy and plans of the enemies of Iran, such as the Zionist regime and the United States. The good news that came to light after the Brussels summit in various media outlets was linked to a part of Mogherini's remark that 'The first financial transaction of the INSTEX channel will take place over the next few weeks,'; a mechanism that has been changed several times which has repeatedly been repeated in word but has not reached the operational phase. Observers, however, believe that in the current state of tensions in the Persian Gulf, especially between Iran and the United States, the chance to make INSTEX operational is more than other times. Not only Mogherini and the foreign ministers of the three European countries that voluntarily defend the implementation of the European financial mechanism, but other officials of these countries are also seeking to operationalize this mechanism, like the German government spokeswoman Stephan Siebert, who at a press conference on Monday underlined his government's strive to save the JCPOA and find way to trade with Iran, and emphasized that, 'with the cooperation of our three European partners, we are seeking the creation of a legal mechanism for trade through the creation of a channel of payment with the Islamic Republic of Iran.' It is now undeniable that Europeans' resurgence endeavors to save the JCPOA, are the outcome of Iran's recent countermeasures. On Wednesday May 8 concurrent with the first anniversary of the US withdrawal of the JCPOA, the Supreme National Security Council took the first step in responding to the unaccountability of the other side, and in order to protect the security and national interests of the people of Iran and to apply the Islamic Republic's laws, issued the halt of some of Iran's commitments in the agreement. In the statement of this council, clauses 26 and 36 of the JCPOA were mentioned which allowed Iran to suspend all or part of the fulfillment of obligations if the parties did not comply with their obligations. Tehran's decision to reduce its volume of commitments, especially on heavy water and uranium enrichment, was adopted after the president of the United States, Donald Trump, refrained from extending the exemption of surplus heavy water transfer to Oman and exchanging enriched uranium with a yellow cake. In addition to relieving the extent of Iran's partly or full obligations, the Supreme National Security Council gave group 4+1 a 60 - day deadline to adhere to its commitments in the JCPOA, especially in banking and oil fields. It was in this regard that on Tuesday the spokesman for the Atomic Energy Agency of Iran, Behrouz Kamalvandi said Iran at least waited one year to see what the European countries reaction is to the withdrawal of the US from JCPOA. They made a lot of promises during this time, but the practice and especially about cases such as the SPV and INSTEX financial mechanism no determination has been seen on the part of Europeans. European countries have announced the main reason for their frustration in implementation of the JCPOA, as government change in the US and White House pressures on other international players; threats that even put the European Union in a tight corner. One of the reasons for Mogherini's cold welcome of Mike Pompeo, the US Secretary of State is also linked to the same attitude; an unexpected visit followed by Pompeo's hasty visit to Brussels, and the American Secretary of State postponed the trip to Moscow and meeting with officials the Kremlin for one day and headed for Belgium to talk about the JCPOA and latest developments in the region. In recent days, events such as the deployment of US warship and bombers to the Persian Gulf and the blast of several merchant ships in the UAE's Fujairah port have scared Europe. In these days, when tensions have escalated between Iran and the United States in the Persian Gulf, Brussels is once again thinking of the outcomes of new crisis in the region, which could threaten the security of the Green Continent. Hence, collectively, they trying to save the JCPOA, and have called for Tehran and Washington to show restraint. 9455**2050 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US should honor its obligations instead of pursuing threats: Iran ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency Sat / 18 May 2019 / 14:34 Tehran (ISNA) Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Seyyed Abbas Mousavi insisted that US had better meet its promises, instead of threatening. "The message from the Iranian people is that we will not succumb to illegal and illegitimate pressure. These tactics have failed for 40 years. There is no place for bullies, young or old," the spokesman wrote on his official twitter account. "Instead of pursuing threats, the US should honor its obligations under JCPOA (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action) and United Nations Security Council Resolution 223," he added. End Item NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address EU seeks dialog with Iran, rejects provocation: German FM Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 09:46PM German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has said that the European Union will continue to reject "rhetorical provocation" against Iran as it seeks dialog with the country to resolve a dispute on its nuclear agreement with international powers. In a Saturday interview with German newspaper Passauer Neue Presse, Maas said that Germany was still bemused by a US decision last year to withdraw from a 2015 international agreement on Iran's nuclear activities. "It still remains incomprehensible for us that the Americans have unilaterally pulled out of this agreement," said Maas. The top German diplomat said that the EU parties to Iran nuclear agreement, namely Germany, France and Britain, believed that US strategy of imposing maximum pressure on Tehran would go nowhere. "We Europeans firmly believe that the strategy of maximum pressure on Iran won't help. We emphasize dialog rather than rhetorical provocation," said Maas. He also warned against "unforeseen events" that could lead to a conflict between Iran and the United States. Maas reiterated his country's position on Iran's recent announcement to suspend parts of its commitments under the nuclear deal, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). He said Iran was supposed to observe its full responsibilities under the JCPOA without cutting back on any of its commitments. The comments came less than two weeks after Iran announced it would halt selling its excess enriched uranium and heavy water, as stipulated in the JCPOA, in a bid to force parties to the agreement to respect their obligations and try to salvage the agreement in the face of increasing US sanctions on Tehran. Iran has also warned it would restart its uranium enrichment program if signatories to the JCPOA other than the US, which also includes Russia and China, do nothing to allow Iran enjoy the economic benefits of the agreement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran surprised enemies with move on nuclear deal: IRGC Commander Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 08:24PM Chief Commander of Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Major General Hussein Salami has said that the United States and allies have been taken by surprise by Iran's recent decision to suspend parts of its commitments under an international nuclear deal, saying Washington expected Tehran to surrender in the face of mounting pressures. Speaking to a group of IRGC staff and commanders in Tehran on Saturday,Salami said the US and allies never thought Iran would manage to resist against their pressures once they began to backtrack on their commitments under the nuclear deal signed in 2015 between Iran and world powers. "They thought Iran would not react, no matter how much they increase the pressure," he said, adding, "but with Islamic republic's recent decision and efforts, their hypothesis fell apart." The comments came following Iranian government's announcement earlier this month indicating that the country would stop selling abroad its excess enriched uranium and heavy water. The announcement came exactly one year after US president Donald Trump pulled his government out of the 2015 nuclear deal, technically known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran has argued for the past year that other parties to the JCPOA have failed to do their share of their agreement to protect it from negative impacts of US sanctions. Tehran has set a two-month deadline for other parties to the deal to either correct the terms of the agreement or face Iran resume its uranium enrichment program. Iran in full intelligence war with US Elsewhere in his remarks, IRGC's Salami said that Iran and the US have been locked in a serious war of intelligence. "Today, we are in an atmosphere of a full-blown intelligence war with the US and the front of enemies of the Revolution and the Islamic system," said Salami, adding, "This atmosphere is a combination of psychological warfare and cyber operation, military provocations, public diplomacy and intimidation tactics." The IRGC has become a main target of US sanctions against Iran, especially since Trump's administration blacklisted the organization last month. Responding to the move, Iran has also designated United States Central Command (CENTCOM) as a terrorist entity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US warns airliners flying over Persian Gulf to exercise caution Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 03:17PM The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned US commercial airliners flying over the wider Persian Gulf faced a risk of being "misidentified" amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran. The advisory, issued by the FAA on Thursday and circulated late on Friday, underscored the risks the current tensions pose to a region crucial to global air travel. The order said that US commercial aircraft flying over the waters of Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman needed to be aware of "heightened military activities and increased political tension." This presents "an increasing inadvertent risk to US civil aviation operations due to the potential for miscalculation or misidentification," the warning said. It also said aircraft could experience interference with its navigation instruments and communications jamming "with little to no warning." Tensions mounted between Tehran and Washington last May, when US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran, officially known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and re-imposed harsh sanctions against the Islamic Republic in defiance of global criticisms. The tensions saw a sharp rise on the first anniversary of Washington's exit from the deal after the US moved to ratchet up the pressure on Iran by tightening its oil sanctions and sending military reinforcements, including an aircraft carrier strike group, a squadron of B-52 bombers, and a battery of patriot missiles, to the Middle East. On May 5, US National Security Advisor John Bolton an ardent Iran hawk said the deployment was in response to a "troubling and escalatory indications" of Iranian activity in the region, without giving details or evidence to support the claims. Nonetheless, US media reported that Trump has told his hawkish aides that he does not want the US pressure campaign against Iran to explode into an open conflict. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chelsea Manning is ordered back to jail after she again refused to cooperate with a subpoena to testify before another secret federal grand jury. Now would be a good time to remember that the guy in charge of the DOJ that just ordered Chelsea Manning back to jail for refusing to comply with a subpoena is also refusing to comply with a subpoena. Saudi, UAE pressuring Egypt to take hostile stance against Iran: Report Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 09:54AM Saudi Arabia and the UAE have reportedly stepped up pressure on Egypt to make the North African country take an overtly hostile position against Iran. Citing some sources close to the Egyptian presidency, the New Arab or al-Araby al-Jadeed, a London-based pan-Arab media outlet, reported on Saturday that the pressure has mounted following recent "sabotage attacks" on four oil tankers off the coast of Fujairah. The report said while Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are pressuring Arab states to take a more aggressive stance on Iran, Cairo has refused to fall in line. A diplomatic source said Egypt values its diplomatic ties with Iran, though at the lowest level, but the Persian Gulf Arab countries are seeking to drag Cairo into a battle with Tehran. An Egyptian diplomatic source said Saudi Arabia and the UAE are offering Egypt economic and oil incentives as well as direct investment to lure the country into sending forces to the two Middle Eastern states as a warning to Iran. "Saudi Arabia offered to extend the period of free oil supplies provided by Aramco, estimated at $750 million per month ... and the non-recovery of Saudi dollar deposits in the Central Bank of Egypt ... and the UAE deposits [which make] about $15 billion of the total Egyptian cash reserves," the report said. Madawi al-Rasheed, a visiting professor at the Middle East Institute of the London School of Economics, predicted that even with the help of Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE will fail in a possible confrontation with Iran. "Together with its other Arab allies, like Egypt, Saudi Arabia will fail in any direct military confrontation with Iran, despite the latter's loss of appetite for major confrontation at a time when its economy is struggling to stand on its feet under US sanctions," she wrote. "Neither the UAE nor Saudi Arabia will expect victory in a quick US-led war on Iran. In fact, they better rule out the prospect of war and begin a serious rethinking of their relations with Iran," she added. Writing on the website of the Middle East Eye news portal, Rasheed further stressed that the prospect of Egypt or any other Arab ally being drawn into a war in the Persian Gulf is "certainly unrealistic." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pompeo and Bolton tensions escalate over Iran policy: Report Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 08:09AM US media have reported of growing conflict between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and National Security Adviser John Bolton over Washington's Iran strategy. US President Donald Trump "maximum pressure" campaign against Iran has exacerbated fissures between the president's top foreign policy advisers, Politico reported Friday. The tensions between the two men was triggered "over the tight control Bolton has tried to exert over the national security decision-making process," the report said. Pompeo and his special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, have indicated that the Trump administration's goal in pressuring Iran is renewed negotiations with Tehran, according to the report, citing two sources familiar with their thinking. But Bolton is a deep skeptic of the value of negotiating with adversaries, the sources said. "Though Bolton and Pompeo largely have the same hawkish instincts, when disagreements have arisen, Bolton has made clear why he has a reputation as bare-knuckled bureaucratic infighter," Politico said in its report. While Pompeo has worked to carry out the president's foreign policy directives, Bolton has at times contradicted the president, as when he walked back Trump's call for a rapid US troop withdrawal from Syria. US officials say that in the case of Iran, Pompeo and Bolton's divergent approaches to working with the impulsive president has strained their relationship as the US increases its military presence in the Persian Gulf. Earlier this month, Bolton said that Washington was preparing for possible attacks by Iran or its allied forces in the region. Citing those "threats," Washington sent military reinforcements to the region, including an aircraft carrier strike group, a squadron of B-52 bombers, and a battery of patriot missiles. Trump on Friday pushed back against reports of conflict between Pompeo and Bolton, calling sourcing cited by reporters "b*** s***." "They say confidential sources. You ever notice they don't write the names of the people anymore. Everything is 'a source says' ... The person doesn't exist, the person is not alive," the president told a gathering of real estate agents in Washington. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. Warns Airliners Flying In Persian Gulf Amid Escalating Tensions With Iran May 18, 2019 The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned U.S. commercial airliners flying over the waters of the Persian Gulf that they risk being misidentified amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Iran. An advisory, issued by the FAA on May 16, said the warning came amid "heightened military activities and increased political tensions in the region which present an increasing inadvertent risk to U.S. civil aviation operations due to the potential for miscalculation or mis-identification". Tensions have escalated in recent days, with concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran military conflict. The U.S. has ordered a beefing up of U.S. military assets in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, citing possible threats from Iran, and the State Department also ordered the evacuation of all nonessential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in neighboring Iraq. Iran has dismissed the allegations from Washington that there were "imminent threats" from Tehran and accused the United States of an "unacceptable" escalation of tensions. Last May, U.S. President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of a 2015 landmark nuclear deal which curtailed Iran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for relief from crippling sanctions. Since then Washington has steadily stepped up its rhetoric and reimposed sanctions. Both sides have said they do not want a war. Trump said on May 16 that he was not inclined toward the U.S. going to war with Iran. "I hope not," Trump said at the White House when asked about the prospects of an armed conflict with Tehran. Speaking on May 18, Iran's Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said he did not believe a war would break out in the region as Tehran did not want a conflict and no country had the "illusion it could confront Iran." Based on reporting by Reuters, AP and IRNA Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/u-s-warns-airliners -flying-in-persian-gulf-amid-escalating- tensions-with-iran/29949333.html Copyright (c) 2019. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Okayed to Deploy Its Military in Gulf States Amid Iran Row - Reports Sputnik News 19:50 18.05.2019 The Pentagon announced the deployment of its aircraft carrier strike group to the Gulf shortly after Tehran's move to backtrack on some of its obligations under the 2015 Iran nuclear deal on 8 May. While the US insists the deployment aims to grapple with what Washington sees as an Iranian threat, the Islamic Republic rejects the allegations. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations have given the green light to the US deploying its troops and warships on their territories, the Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper cited unnamed senior diplomatic sources as saying. The sources claimed that the move was agreed "on the basis of bilateral deals between the US and Arab countries of the Persian Gulf". The goal is to warn Iran against military escalation and an attack on the Gulf countries or the interests of the US in the region. Additionally, the sources told the newspaper that several Arab countries are currently discussing the possibility of holding a meeting on the matter on the sidelines of a summit of Islamic states in Mecca scheduled for late May. This comes as Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif voiced hope that a war would not be unleashed in the Middle East amid mounting tensions between Washington and Tehran. "As Leader of the Islamic Revolution has also announced, we are certain that no war will break out because neither we want a war, nor has anyone the idea or illusion that it can confront Iran in the region", Zarif said in an interview with the IRNA news agency on Saturday. His remarks were preceded by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei excluding the possibility of war between the two sides on Wednesday. He underscored that Washington knows that "war will not be in their interest". "The Iranian nation's definite option will be resistance in the face of the US, and in this confrontation, the US would be forced into a retreat," Khamenei added. Earlier, the New York Times quoted several unnamed senior US officials as saying that "[President Donald] Trump was firm in saying he did not want a military clash with the Iranians". The Tehran-Washington tensions have been simmering since Trump announced last May the US' withdrawal from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal with Iran, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also reinstating harsh sanctions against the Islamic Republic. The tensions exacerbated earlier this month, when the US imposed more anti-Iranian sanctions and sent an aircraft carrier strike group, a squadron of B-52 bombers and a battery of patriot missiles to the Middle East. US National Security Advisor John Bolton said that the deployment was in response to a "troubling and escalatory indications" of Iranian activity in the region. Iran condemned US sabre-rattling as "psychological warfare", expressing readiness to retaliate against a potential military conflict. On 8 May, Tehran announced that it had suspended some of its obligations under the JCPOA. Iran pledged to return to full compliance if the other parties to the deal were able to help solve problems caused by US sanctions. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Tehran Finds New Ways to Export Oil Amid US Pressure Iranian Official Sputnik News 14:16 18.05.2019(updated 14:17 18.05.2019) Iranian oil exports have suffered a blow in May, sinking to 500,000 barrels a day or lower, amid the revival of the US sanctions against the Islamic republic. The International Energy Agency warned in its report issued this week that Iran's oil production could slump in May to its record-low level since the 1980s. Iran has rolled out a new strategy, finding new destinations for its oil exports in the wake of the sanctions which have been unilaterally reinstated by the United States, Maritime Affairs Deputy Director Hadi Haqshenas at Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization told the Iranian Labour News Agency (ILNA). Haqshenas added that despite the drop in the loading of oil and oil products compared to the past, the transport of oil from Iranian ports has never stopped. The senior maritime official provided no further details regarding the new tactics or destinations for the export of Iranian crude. Following the 2018 US withdrawal from the Iranian nuclear deal, officially known as the Joint Cooperative Plan of Action on 8 May 2018, the Trump administration has told oil buyers around the world to cease doing business with Tehran by 1 May or face sanctions of their own. Tehran, however, announced that it would continue to sell its oil, regardless of US pressure. Exactly a year after the US pullout from the accord, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing sanctions on Iran related to iron, steel, aluminium, and copper. On the same day, Iran announced its decision to partially discontinue its 2015 nuclear commitments. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address There Will Be No War, We Don't Want It - Iran's Foreign Minister Sputnik News 06:47 18.05.2019(updated 13:55 18.05.2019) The Iranian foreign minister suggested there is contradiction between Trump and his advisers advocating for a hardline policy towards Iran, saying the US does not seem to know what to think. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has said that the Islamic Republic is not seeking a military confrontation with any power, as quoted by the IRNA News Agency. Prior to the end of his visit to Beijing, Zarif stressed that there will be no war as Iran does not want to engage in a conflict, adding that no country had the "illusion it could confront Iran". Zarif tweeted on Friday that, unlike the US, Iran has a consistent policy, retaining the same stance in its relations with the US since 1953. He also highlighted that the possible split between Trump and his advisers led by National Security Advisor John Bolton, dubbed the B_Team. The tweet came as an apparent response to the US President's comment that because of the "fraudulent and highly inaccurate coverage of Iran" in the US news media, Tehran "doesn't know what to think, which at this point may very well be a good thing!" He later repeated in another tweet that "with all of the Fake and Made Up News out there, Iran can have no idea what is actually going on! " Zarif's comments came after the escalation of tensions between Washington and Tehran. The United States has boosted its military presence in the Persian Gulf with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and a bomber task force, to send "a clear and unmistakable message" to Iran. Washington also approved the additional deployment of the Patriot missile defence system and an Arlington amphibious warship to the region despite reports indicating that US President Trump does not wish for war with the Islamic Republic. Iran has condemned US sabre-rattling as "psychological warfare" and repeatedly expressed its readiness to retaliate in the event of a military conflict. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iraq will remain part of 'axis of resistance' despite foreign plots: Nujaba leader Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 10:20AM Iraq's Harakat al-Nujaba Secretary General Akram al-Kaabi says Iraq will remain part of the "axis of resistance" despite foreign-backed attempts to detach the Iraqi society from the regional developments. "Our enemies want Iraq to be an apathetic society and not react to what is happening in our region. This goes against our beliefs," said al-Kaabi. Al-Kaabi stressed that based on Islamic beliefs, Iraq can't be separated from the greater Muslim world and the regional "resistance axis". "Major organizations affiliated with the Zionists, the United States and the Saudis are managing a media war against the resistance and are seeking to target our youth and our moral values," he added. The popular resistance force chief added that it was unfortunate that some of "Iraq's elite and leaders" had been influenced by this foreign-backed trend. "If our positions are based on the enemy's media objectives, this will surely deviate us," he said. The Harakat al-Nujaba leader made the statements as the United States has recently ratcheted up pressure seeking to hamper efforts of a unified front countering foreign intervention and terrorism in the region. Last week, during an unannounced visit to the Iraqi capital Baghdad, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on the Iraqi government to restrain the country's popular mobilization and anti-terror forces, saying that they posed a "threat" to US interests. Washington has also notified Iraqi officials that US may even directly attack the groups without coordinating with Baghdad if it perceived any threat. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi dismissed the comments, saying that Iraq had not observed "movements that constitute a threat to any side." Washington has commonly described the popular Iraqi forces as being "Iran-backed proxies", despite being formally funded and incorporated into Iraq's security forces. Groups such as the Harakat al-Nujaba are part of the Iraqi Popular Mobilization Units (PMU), a combination of some 40 groups formed shortly after the emergence of the Daesh terrorist group in Iraq in 2014. Since the early days of the Daesh's reign of terror, the PMU-aligned forces have played a major role in reinforcing the Iraqi army, which had suffered heavy setbacks in the face of initial lightning advances of the terrorists. Daesh has currently been effectively vanquished in Iraq and Syria, with only few remaining cells operating in isolated desert areas. Daesh's demise in the past years has prompted many Iraqi politicians to question the US' continued military presence in the country which was initially permitted under the pretext of supporting and training Iraqi forces against the terrorists. Concerns have also been raised about Washington's direct or indirect support for the terrorist group in the past years. Numerous accounts have emerged alleging US forces conducting airlifts, weapon airdrops and aerial support for the terror group, especially as its strength gradually diminished in the region. Iraqi figures have also expressed concern that the US seeks to use the country's territory to exert pressure on Iran. Trump has in the past described the US' mission in Iraq as a bid to "watch Iran", drawing the condemnation of Iraqi figures from across the country's varying political landscape and leading to calls to ban US forces from the country. On Saturday, the Iraqi parliament was set to vote on a draft bill that will effectively ban US military presence in Iraq. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan dispatched 600 militiamen, mostly minors, to Yemen in April: Report Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 01:24PM Sudan has dispatched scores of militiamen, most of them under the age of 18, to fight alongside Saudi-led military forces against Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah fighters, a report says. The Arabic-language Sout al-Hamish daily newspaper, citing an unnamed informed source, reported on Saturday that 600 Sudanese fighters had been flown late last month from Nyala Airport in southwestern Sudan to Yemen. The source added that the Sudanese fighters had received training for only four months at the Dumaya camp in Nyala, the paratrooper training camp in the capital Khartoum as well as the al-Jili camp north of Khartoum before being sent to battle fronts in Yemen. Even though Sudan's long-time President Omar al-Bashir was toppled in April after months of public protests, the military council that runs the country follows suit and continues to dispatch soldiers to fight at the front line of war in Yemen. Almost all the Sudanese fighters appear to come from the battle-scarred and impoverished region of Darfur, where some 300,000 people were apparently killed and 1.2 million displaced during a dozen years of conflict over diminishing arable land and other scarce resources. Most of the militia belong to paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, a tribal militia previously known as the Janjaweed. There are reports that Sudanese fighters are sent to battles in the Midi Desert of the northwestern Yemeni province of Hajjah, the Khalid bin Walid camp in Ta'izz, or around Aden and Hudaydah. All of those interviewed by foreign media outlets confirm that they have fought in Yemen only for money, as they were paid in Saudi riyals. Payments to the mercenaries are said to be deposited directly into the Faisal Islamic Bank of Sudan, which is partly owned by Saudis. Last November, the spokesman for Yemen's Ansarullah movement, Mohammed Abdul-Salam, referred to the deaths of several Sudanese mercenaries in the strategic western Yemeni province of Hudaydah, saying they were "victims of their government being on the payroll in a cruel and senseless war." Abdul-Salam warned that Yemen would turn into a "graveyard" for invaders. Saudi Arabia and a number of its regional allies launched a devastating campaign against Yemen in March 2015, with the goal of bringing the government of former Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi back to power and crushing Ansarullah movement. According to a December 2018 report by the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project (ACLED), a nonprofit conflict-research organization, the Saudi-led war has claimed the lives of over 60,000 Yemenis since January 2016. The war has also taken a heavy toll on the country's infrastructure, destroying hospitals, schools, and factories. The UN said in a report in December 2018 that over 24 million Yemenis are in dire need of humanitarian aid, including 10 million suffering from extreme levels of hunger. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian air defenses foil drones, rockets fired at key base Iran Press TV Sat May 18, 2019 07:49AM Syria says its air defenses in the Hmeimim air base have thwarted projectiles and drones fired by terrorist groups. Terrorist groups fired projectiles at Hmeimim, situated in Latakia's Jableh district, as well as the nearby Qardaha neighborhood, the Syrian TV reported on Saturday. It also noted that the attack had left one person dead and several others wounded. Syria's official SANA news agency confirmed that terrorists based in the provinces of Idlib and Latakia had fired rockets at Sharasher and Hweiz villages in Lattakia countryside, killing one civilian and injuring two others. The terrorist attack, it added, also caused material damage to Syrian houses. In recent weeks, there has been a surge in attacks from Idlib which is the last major terrorist stronghold. Russia has been piling pressure on Turkey to start an operation against terrorist-held areas after Ankara's failure to get militants linked to al-Qaeda out of a buffer zone agreed between the two countries. In September, a deal was struck with the assistance of Russia and Turkey to make Idlib a de-escalation zone. The area is now largely controlled by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham which was formerly known as Jubhat al-Nusra. Russia has said it will refuse to consider terrorists "untouchable" and continue to target them. The fresh raid came hours after Syrian air defenses intercepted "hostile targets" coming from Israel. "Aerial defenses targeted luminous objects coming from the occupied territories, shooting down a number of them," a military source told SANA. In recent months, foreign-backed Takfiri terrorists have been suffering heavy defeats against Syrian government forces, backed by the Russian air force and Iranian military advisers. Israel frequently attacks positions inside Syria in what is considered as an attempt to prop up anti-Damascus terrorists. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Syrian Air Defences Fire at Projectiles From Israeli-Held Territory Sputnik News 21:21 18.05.2019(updated 22:06 18.05.2019) The report comes less than 24 hours after the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said that Syrian air defence systems shot down a number of "luminous objects" launched from "occupied territories." On Saturday, Syrian air defences fired at projectiles that were launched from Israeli-controlled areas into southern Syria, according to state media. The SANA correspondent reported from Quneitra Province that the "objects" were dealt with from the ground. Meanwhile, videos of bright spots in the night, with the caption saying that Syrian air defences fired at targets coming from Israel, were published online. This comes as on late Friday SANA reported that Syria repelled an attack by "luminous" objects launched from Israel and shot down a "number of them". The Ikhbariya broadcaster reported that the projectiles were fired from the "occupied territories," referring to Israel, but didn't specified the exact launch location. At the same time, the sound of several explosions was heard in the Syrian capital of Damascus overnight on Friday. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Although growing protectionism and economic uncertainty are disrupting world trade, Volkmar Denner, chief executive officer (CEO) of Bosch Group, remains optimistic about his company's future growth. As the sales revenue in China accounted for about 20 percent of Bosch's total sales income of 78.5 billion euros (87.57 billion U.S. dollars) in 2018, he foresaw long-term growth potential in the Asian giant, the largest overseas market for the German engineering and technology company. Keeping a close eye on the development and economic prospects of China, the CEO of the industrial magnate told Xinhua that he is upbeat about China's economic performance in the long run, and that Bosch will further benefit from higher-quality growth in China. Beyond Bosch, many European enterprises, particularly multinational giants, tend to see China as a stable and reliable "harbor" for overseas investment and business operations amid current global headwinds, and are participating in China's economic transformation and upgrading, as China-EU economic and trade ties become increasingly stronger. Key market for business growth Beating market expectations to advance 6.4 percent year on year in the first quarter of 2019, China's economy got off to a good start. For many European companies, the stable and resilient economic growth in this key market is recognized as a significant drive for businesses, which is reflected in their recent annual or quarterly reports. German pharmaceutical company Bayer said in its quarterly report that pharmaceuticals have registered an encouraging sales growth of 5.3 percent to over 4.3 billion euros (4.8 billion dollars) in the first quarter of 2019, "with business in China developing particularly well." Similarly, Swiss-based biotech company Roche registered a 63 percent pharmaceutical sales growth in China, resulting in a 17-percent year-over-year rise in international sales in the same period. Meanwhile, the German auto manufacturer BMW Group delivered nearly 2.2 million vehicles to Asia, increasing by 45,000 deliveries on a year-on-year basis, according to its quarterly report. "This performance was mainly achieved on the back of continued dynamic growth in China, where the BMW Group delivered 1,686,631 BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce brand vehicles to customers, outperforming the market as a whole with a significant increase of 10.2 percent," said the report. With a comparable sales growth of 2 percent in the first quarter, a spokesman of Amsterdam-based health technology company Royal Philips told Xinhua that Philips recorded in China a double-digit comparable sales growth in its businesses of "Diagnosis & Treatment" and "Connected Care," adding that it also delivered a double-digit order intake growth there during the period. Potential in economic transition While downgrading global growth forecasts, the International Monetary Fund in April revised up China's 2019 growth projection by 0.1 percentage point to 6.3 percent. The steady positive growth rate of China's economy as well as the potential momentum of China's new growth model are encouraging European companies to remain optimistic about their long-term development in the Asian market, as well as to grasp opportunities amid the country's economic transformation. "Philips remains optimistic about the future prospects of the Chinese professional healthcare market," the company's spokesman said. In Denner's view, the transition of China's economic growth strategy to a more sustainable, innovative and high-quality development will favor technology companies like Bosch. "Bosch is well-prepared by innovation technology to serve this market ... We think Bosch has very good opportunity to serve the need of the upgrade of manufacturing capabilities in China," he added. British healthcare company GlaxoSmithKline also observed the encouraging trend, noting in its report that "in China, the authorities accelerated progress towards bringing innovative treatments to market. This included increasing the pace and frequency of reimbursement coverage, especially for oncology drugs." Keep investing in China Many European entrepreneurs agree that expanding investments and businesses in China is a wise and profitable option in the long term, particularly when the country is committed to opening its door wider. In March, Bosch held a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of its plant expansion in the western Chinese city of Xi'an. Bosch's wholly owned subsidiary Bosch Rexroth invested around 60 million euros (about 67 million dollars) in the new center of factory automation in Asia. Apart from Xi'an, Bosch also continued to invest in its plants in the eastern Chinese cities of Wuhu and Nanjing, Denner said. "(The) Chinese government is encouraging foreign investors to invest in the country. That is positive for companies like Bosch." Denner underlined that the high investment rate in China is related not only to manufacturing activities, but to local high-quality innovation. London-based oil giant British Petroleum (BP) has launched its first branded retail station in China's eastern Shandong province, marking the start of its plan to add 1,000 new sites over the next five years to the existing network in China with more than 740 sites. Particularly, the energy company opened a dedicated electric vehicle charging station in the first quarter in China, according to its quarterly report. "I always think of China as the jewel in the crown," said Bill McDermott, CEO of Germany's largest software company SAP. "When you think about the world's second-largest and fastest growing economy, you have to be super excited." In McDermott's view, SAP is performing well in China thanks to its close cooperation with Chinese partners like Alibaba and China Telecom and contributes to the Chinese economy as well. "I love being in China. I love innovating in China, for China," McDermott said. Escalating Violence in Syria's Idlib Province Could Turn into Bloodbath By Lisa Schlein May 18, 2019 A senior United Nations official warns the alarming escalation of hostilities in northern Syria's Idlib province could spiral out of control with disastrous consequences for its three million civilian inhabitants. The recent uptick in violence in Syria's northern Idlib province is causing alarm among U.N. and international observers. Over the past two weeks, at least 100 civilians reportedly have been killed or injured in clashes between Russian-backed Syrian forces and al-Qaida associated rebels. Dozens of medical and health facilities, as well as schools have been hit by airstrikes and more than 180,000 people reportedly have fled their homes toward supposedly safer areas. But, U.N. Senior Humanitarian Adviser, Najat Rochdi, notes there are no safe areas in Idlib. She says nearly three million people in the Syrian province are essentially trapped. She says there are no escape routes out of this conflict-ridden area. "The recent loss of life and suffering of civilians in Idlib is absolutely not acceptable," she said. "People fleeing because of fear and because of bombing is their cruel daily reality. But now if the bombing is continuing where do you want them to flee? They already fled there as like the last resort for them to find a safe place. Where is it that they will be able to go as of now, if this is not stopping?" Rochdi says she cannot predict whether the current upsurge of violence in Idlib will turn into a full blown or bloody war. But she says the United Nations is preparing for, what she calls, the worst-case scenario. "It will be a real disaster, and I mean a real tragedy if this is really scaling up more than it is now, not only in terms of impact on the civilians, which is already dramatic in itself, but really in terms of the whole dynamic in the sub-region," she said. Rochdi says the Humanitarian Task Force, which is responsible for getting aid into besieged and hard-to-reach areas of Syria, is calling for an urgent de-escalation of the situation. She says the parties to the conflict must recommit fully to the cease-fire arrangement of the memorandum signed last September. She calls upon the so-called Astana guarantors, especially Russia and Turkey, to uphold the de-escalation agreement to stop all violence and to prevent further escalation. She urges the United States to lend its weight to this process. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia presents draft resolution to get 'politicized' OPCW 'back on track' Iran Press TV Fri May 17, 2019 11:54PM Russia has presented a draft resolution to the UN Security Council to "get the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) back on track", as it believes the UN's chemical watchdog has been "hijacked by politics". After putting forward the draft UNSC resolution, Russia's UN ambassador charged that the OPCW had been hijacked by politics and its mandate derailed. "We are trying to get the OPCW back on track because it (has) slided off the track and now it is so politicized," Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters. "It was always a technical organ where consensus prevailed, and now we see that it is completely politicized, with politicized agenda from various parties." "We want the OPCW to get back to where it was before," Nebenzia said. The draft text, seen by AFP, notes "with concern the continuing politicization of the work of the OPCW" which "significantly reduces the efficiency of the organization's activities." The draft resolution states that the Security Council - where Russia holds veto power - is the only international body that can impose measures on countries that violate the Chemical Weapons Convention. That came after Western governments pushed for new blaming powers for the OPCW. The OPCW agreed last year to set up a mechanism that would identify the perpetrators of chemical attacks, a move bitterly opposed by Russia and Syria. Russia and Syria blame the attacks on western-backed terrorists, but the US and its allies say Damascus is to blame. Western governments and their allies have never stopped pointing the finger at Damascus whenever an apparent chemical attack takes place. Syria surrendered its stockpile of chemical weapons in 2014 to a joint mission led by the United States and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which oversaw the destruction of the weaponry. It has also consistently denied using chemical weapons. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address English Icelandic After closing of the stock market last Friday, Eimskip received a letter from the attorney of Gylfi Sigfusson, former CEO of the company. The subject of the letter is a court case to be filed by Gylfi at the District Court of Reykjavik where he demands that the investigation conducted by the District Prosecutor, based on the Icelandic Competition Authoritys complaint from 2014, to be ceased. The Icelandic Competition Authority has been investigating Eimskip since 2010, for over nine years. Gylfi will file his case at the District Court of Reykjavik tomorrow, 20th of May. Gylfis principal argument is based on the fact that the Icelandic Competition Authority initiated its investigation in an unlawful manner. The investigation of the District Prosecutor is based on the investigation of the Icelandic Competition Authority, which is such a defect that as a result, the prosecutors investigation should be ceased. Gylfi also bases his case on the argument that the investigation has been conducted in an unlawful manner, violating his human rights protected by the Constitution of the Republic of Iceland. The investigation is based on evidence gathered by the Icelandic Competition Authority, under threat of administrative fines, after Gylfi was reported to the District Prosecutor. It also seems that District Prosecutor has investigated matters that do not relate to the alleged crimes reported by the Icelandic Competition Authority. Also, the very long time the investigation has taken. Furthermore Gylfis case outlines that the investigation by the District Prosecutor is unlawful for numerous reasons, one of them being that the Icelandic Competition Authority held back information from the district court when requesting search warrant at Eimskip premises, that there is no legal basis for search warrants or investigation of seized documents, and that the criminal investigation in relation to Gylfi has in fact been carried out by employees of Icelandic Competition Authority and not the District Prosecutor, as is duly stipulated by law. As a result of all of the above he demands that the investigation will be ceased. The case is filed by Gylfi Sigfusson in his own name, but Eimskip will watch closely how the case will progress and evaluate how to react as many of the facts pertain to the companys own case with the Icelandic Competition Authority. Longtime Danville educator Carrie P. Ashe was honored May 11 during Danville Community Colleges 2019 commencement held at Averett Universitys North Campus in Danville. Ashe was awarded an honorary Associate in Humane Letters degree in recognition of her service to the college and the community. Ashe served two four-year terms on the board of Danville Community College, beginning in July 2009 and ending in June 2017 and was vice chair of the board in 2015 and 2016. She also was appointed to serve several terms on the Danville Community College presidents advisory panel on black concerns. In 2013, Ashe was a member of the DCC presidential search committee. Over the years, Ashe has encouraged many students to attend DCC and aided some financially by securing scholarships and funding. This institution has been, and is, dear to me, said Ashe, as she accepted the honor. I have worked with and served the past three presidents, Dr. Oliver, Dr. Ramsey and Dr. Scism, and I hope the next president. Additionally, I have worked with many of the vice presidents, instructors, staff, and yes, students. Bringing together the community and Danville Community College is a joy and a pleasure. It is both humbling and gratifying to receive this honor. Ashe has been involved in education for most of her life. She graduated from Barber Scotia with a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary education and from North Carolina A & T State University with a masters degree in reading education. She also studied at the University of Virginia, Radford University, and Virginia Tech. During her career, Ashe was named the first master teacher for Danville Public Schools and was the coordinator of a federal reading and mathematics program. She retired in 1987 after 32 years in the Danville Public School system, having worked with both children and adults. In 2001, she was awarded the Humanitarian Award by the city of Danville. CHATHAM In order to help close the skills gap and raise awareness of career options in the skilled trades, the Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center participated in SkillsUSA National Signing Day sponsored by Klein Tools, celebrating thousands of high school seniors across the country pursuing a career in the skilled trades. The local center was one of approximately 300 schools across the nation participating, which recognized over 2,500 students nationwide. We are thrilled we were able to partner with SkillsUSA and Klein Tools for the first-ever National Signing Day, said Jessica S. Dalton principal of The Pittsylvania Career and Technical Center. As the shortage of skilled workers worsens, we at The Career and Technical Center encourage students to enter this rewarding industry upon graduation. Our seniors should be very proud of everything they have accomplished at The Career and Technical Center as they continue to further their education and training post-graduation. We wish them all the best as they prepare for their lifelong careers. In a style similar to National Signing Day events for high school student athletes, 18 high school seniors were recognized as they signed their letters of intent for a job offer, apprenticeship or advanced technical training. Students were celebrated among school administrators, teachers, SkillsUSA advisors, family and friends, and business partners as they take the next step in their education or career pathways. High school seniors also received a Klein Tools Signing Kit, which included a hat, T-shirt, and their first pair of Klein Tools pliers to begin their lifelong careers. Charlena Parker was on the phone with her fiances mother on Oct. 11, 2018. The rain from Tropical Storm Michael pounded outside and she was sure she was safe inside her ground-floor unit at Colonial Heights Apartments. Her mother-in-law told her during their conversation that Parkers apartment at 624 Arnett Blvd. could flood. I said, were fine, we on an incline, Parker, 30, recalled responding. As soon as I said those words, water just started coming in from every direction. Her fiance tried to scoop it out with a bucket. Parker, who was seven months pregnant, put her two children up on a bed to keep them above the rushing water. Parker and her family had to leave the apartment, and the owner of Colonial Heights, Angelia Baldwin, put them in a motel for three days and paid for their room. They later stayed with Parkers dad and grandmother. Her apartment was one of six two-bedroom units in Parkers building at 624 Arnett Blvd. that were flooded and are now being refurbished. All of those tenants had to leave, and Parker is the only one who has returned. I lost all those first-floor tenants except one, Baldwin said. For Baldwin, Tropical Storm Michael marked the third time floodwaters had hit her property along Arnett Boulevard since the previous May. Baldwins property includes seven apartment buildings containing 63 units and a house. It has been seven months since the deluge wreaked havoc in the Dan River Region, and Baldwin is rebuilding several units that were damaged as a result. Work began in March. The ground-floor units at 624 have been gutted, cleaned, sanitized and dehumidified. Wall air-conditioning units have been replaced with central air, exhaust systems have been added to the bathrooms and the electrical and plumbing systems have been updated, Baldwin said. A wall between the living room and kitchen in each unit has been removed to open up more space. Baldwin is also adding custom cabinetry, an above-range microwave, and waterproof luxury vinyl plank flooring to the kitchens. The HVAC systems will be more energy efficient and new color schemes will be included in the design. New landscaping adorns the outside and Baldwin plans to include solar porch and lamp lighting. Between raising a family at her home in Millersville, Maryland, and looking after her Colonial Heights tenants, which is like a second family, Baldwin stays busy. She came to Danville in September to prepare for Hurricane Florence and deal with effects from past floods and ended up remaining until Christmas last year to face the aftermath of Michael. She is able to run a strong operation at Colonial Heights because of help from others, she said. I do it because I have amazing people, amazing contractors and amazing employees, Baldwin, a Danville native and a graduate of Tunstall High School, said during a telephone interview Wednesday. Thats how I get it done. I have an amazing family that supports me. Melissa Dix, Colonial Heights property manager, is enthusiastic about the changes taking place at the apartments at 624. Im really excited because weve opened this wall space to make it more homey, Dix said during a tour of one of the units. The work at those apartments should be complete in about a month, she said. Five units in other buildings were also affected but were repaired in November and December, Baldwin said. She also plans to rebuild and upgrade six other Colonial Heights units at 112 Colonial Ct., and another half-dozen at 130 Colonial Ct. The single-family home on her property at 607 Arnett Blvd. also needs to be rebuilt, Baldwin said. Work is also being done on a laundromat on her property. Baldwin estimates up to $1 million of work needs to be done at Colonial Heights. Flood insurance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency will cover part of the costs, she said. Colonial Heights was built in 1963 by Baldwins grandfather, Claude Dix, who had a third-grade education. The property was managed and maintained by Dix, his wife, Katherine, and their daughter, Marie, Baldwins mother. Baldwin has owned it since 2016. Melissa Dixs grandfather, Bedford Page Dix, was Claude Dixs first cousin, Melissa said. She also endured Tropical Storm Michaels destruction as a property manager at Colonial Heights. Ive learned a lot of lessons, she said. Ive learned a lot of patience. Were just now getting our heads above water. Colonial Heights is special for Dix, who also points to the family atmosphere among herself, Baldwin and its tenants. This is a little piece of my heart, she said. As for Parker, she was able to get another apartment on the floor above her old one when Baldwin called her about it. She provided food for us ... for about three weeks to a month after Parker and her family moved back into Colonial Heights, Parker said. After the nightmare of having her life upended by a flood while seven months pregnant, Parker is glad to be home. I really did love my apartment, but this is just fine, she said. Im happy to have a roof over me and my familys heads. John Crane reports for the Danville Register & Bee. Contact him at jcrane@registerbee.com or (434) 791-7987. 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. South Africa: DIRCO Deputy Minister urges young people to prioritise education International Relations and Cooperation Deputy Minister Reginah Mhaule has encouraged young people to pursue careers in academia. This after the University of Fort Hare awarded her with a Doctorate degree in Public Administration on Friday. The title of Dr Mhaule's doctoral thesis, The Implication of Teacher Development in the Improvement of Learner Achievement in the Kwa-Mhlanga sub-district of the Mpumalanga Province, was informed by a need to improve results in Mpumalanga, where Mhaule previously served as Education MEC. We need academics and we encourage young people in particular to pursue academic professions. Whatever government is doing or plans to do needs research. The outcomes of their research and analyses will enable us as government to respond accordingly to the needs of our people, said the Deputy Minister. Mhaule said she was honoured to be part of this historic and august institution, Forth Hare, which has produced giants of the liberation struggle. My message to every South African is that it is possible to achieve your dreams, she said. International Relations and Cooperation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu, Deputy Minister Luwellyn Landers and the entire team at DIRCO have congratulated Mhaule on her achievement. "We join your family in sharing this special day with you. Your great achievement is an inspiration to all of us. You made us all very proud, said Sisulu. The graduation ceremony was attended by Higher Education and Training Minister Naledi Pandor (who has recently achieved her own Doctorate), Basic Education Deputy Minister Enver Surty and Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Deputy Minister Sfiso Buthelezi. SAnews.gov.za This story has been published on: 2019-05-19. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article. Dave Ramsey is CEO of Ramsey Solutions. He has authored seven best-selling books, including The Total Money Makeover. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 14 million listeners each week on 585 radio stations and multiple digital platforms. Follow Dave on the web at daveramsey.com and on Twitter at @DaveRamsey. A total of 7,746 kg of ivory and ivory products have been seized in south China's Guangdong Province in the first four months this year, said customs authorities of the province Friday. Guangdong customs busted 67 endangered species smuggling cases in the first four months of the year. Apart from the ivory items, a batch of live pangolins, eagles, and giant salamanders have also been seized. Guangdong is one of the provinces where cases of endangered species smuggling occur frequently, said Zhou Jijun, deputy director of the anti-smuggling bureau of the Guangdong branch of China's General Administration of Customs. The Chinese government suspended imports of ivory and all ivory products in 2015 and ended commercial processing and sales of ivory at the end of 2017. Preparing the Grid for a Dark Sky Event Cybersecurity and The Whole-of-State Approach Cybersecurity & Crisis Communications After-Action on the Colorado Department of Transportation Ransomware Attack Keynote-Governor John Bel Edwards Breakout: Supply Chain Management Breakout: Using Cyber Volunteers for Incident Response Breakout: How Does IT Centralization and Unification Improve Security? Breakout: Information Sharing How Far Have We Come? Breakout: Statewide Disruption Response Planning Breakout: Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosures State Efforts to Assist Locals with Cybersecurity An Interview with Dan Geer, chief information security officer of In-Q-Tel Panel: Preparing the Next Generation of Cybersecurity Professionals in Louisiana Keynote Chris Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Fireside Chat Jeff McLeod, director of the Homeland Security & Public Safety Division, National Governors Association (Moderator); Gov. Asa Hutchinson, Arkansas; Thomas Kennedy, CEO, Raytheon Election Security: Looking Back, Looking Forward A good question to consider for penetration testing is not whether they can break into your network, but rather, how much effort does it take to break into your network. Cybersecurity may be the hardest problem in the world to fix, because we have an active opponent who is always adapting. Fixes dont stay solved. Measurement (in cyber) must yield a decision support. For example, police may not be able to determine how much meth is in an area, but they can measure the price. How can we move forward in a positive way? Answer: We need more legal responsibility for developers, and more liabilities must be added. For example, if a company stops supporting a software product, it should become open-source. Also, network operators (for example AT&T and Verizon), who know when (and how) many cybercrimes are being committed on their networks must take more responsibility and action to stop bad actors. Overall, Dan Geer is cautiously optimistic about the 2020s in cyber. Defenders are improving. Geer believes the Internet will Balkanize into many smaller micro-networks. He believes smaller countries are asking which foreign power will own you. The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices held their third National Summit on State Cybersecurity from May 14-15, 2019 at the Shreveport Convention Center.The unique event convened state homeland security advisors, chief information officers, chief information security officers, governors policy advisers, National Guard leaders, and others from 50 states and territories to explore cybersecurity challenges and promising practices. Over the course of two days, participants engaged in a series of interactive sessions and breakouts to discuss countering the newest threats, disruption response planning, workforce development, and much more.Coverage of the event was widespread. Here are a few of the headline stories that came out of the event (with embedded videos from the summit):This radio interview after the event highlights many of the regional cybersecurity topics being addressed at the national summit.So what topics were on the agenda? Heres a sampling from Day 1:On Day 2, here were some of the highlights:The sessions were packed with best practices, case studies, opportunities for improving cybersecurity in different areas and much more.You can visit this NGA resource center for best practices in state cybersecurity to learn more details. There are numerous guides, case studies, sample memos and more in areas such as governance, response planning, critical infrastructure, cybersecurity controls, cybercrime and other topics.In a related topic, this article from Government Technology magazine also offers details on how Arkansas is taking aggressive measures to shore up cybersecurity.I was involved in the summit as a moderator for the breakout session on coordinated vulnerability disclosure programs. For those who want to learn more on that topic, see this blog My two favorite sessions at the 2019 National Cyber Summit on State Cyber Security were the interview with Dan Geer and the presentation by Chris Krebs.Here are a few of my highlights from the Dan Geer interview (some words may be slightly paraphrased).While this session is from another event in 2018, this interview provides a good sense of the dialog that occurred with Dan Geer.The keynote session with Chris Krebs, director of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, was also fascinating.He described the actions of Russia in 2016 as game-changers in the history of cybersecurity, because the hacking was not just for data, but was an attempt to undermine democracy. He described excellent progress on election cybersecurity, with more actions coming soon.Krebs stated that serious threats were not just from nation-states. Ransomware and a host of other cyber trends were top priorities. He reiterated many of the same themes that he presented at the RSA Conference 2019 in San Francisco. You can see that RSA presentation below to get a sense of his style and content.Hats off for Jeff McLeod , the director of NGAs Homeland Security and Public Safety Division, and also Maggie Brunner , program director for the Homeland Security and Public Safety Division for the NGA Center for Best Practices, who organized and ran this event. Extremely well done!Also, the National Governors Association (NGA) Resource Center for State Cybersecurity is co-chaired by Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, and both leaders (and their teams) really strengthened and supported the event in numerous ways.I found the networking and level of discussions to be outstanding, with experts and cyber leaders from numerous state governments involved in some way. Involvement from academia, police, technology, homeland security and many other areas of local, state and federal government was unique. The priority focus on how cybersecurity impacts election security, workforce development, economic development and other areas of public-private interaction was outstanding, in my opinion.In short, our challenges are great in cybersecurity, but the opportunities are also numerous in every area of life.I encourage readers to engage their local and state leaders on these cyber topics and to review the materials and best practices offered by NGA and NASCIO NASA will provide $6 million over the course of three years to support a University Leadership Initiative (ULI) project focused on the development of a fully electric aircraft platform that uses cryogenic liquid hydrogen as an energy storage method. The Center for Cryogenic High-Efficiency Electrical Technologies for Aircraft (CHEETA) project is led by the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. The project includes participation from eight additional institutions: the Air Force Research Laboratory, Boeing Research and Technology, General Electric Global Research, The Ohio State University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Arkansas, the University of Dayton Research Institute, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. The hydrogen chemical energy is converted to electrical energy through a series of fuel cells, which drive the ultra-efficient electric propulsion system. The low temperature requirements of the hydrogen system also provide opportunities to use superconducting, or lossless, energy transmission and high-power motor systems. Its similar to how MRIs work, magnetic resonance imaging. However, these necessary electrical drivetrain systems do not yet exist, and the methods for integrating electrically driven propulsion technologies into an aircraft platform have not yet been effectively established. This program seeks to address this gap and make foundational contributions in technologies that will enable fully electric aircraft of the future. Phillip Ansell, assistant professor in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at Urbana-Champaign and principal investigator The co-principal investigator on the project is Associate Professor Kiruba Haran in U of Is Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Concept sketch of a fully electric aircraft platform that uses cryogenic liquid hydrogen as an energy storage method. NASA ULI. NASA created ULI to initiate a new type of interaction between NASAs Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD) and the university community, in which US universities take the lead, build their own teams, and set their own research path. The award to the University of Illinois was one of three in the second round of ULI funding, which will provide a total of about $15 million over three years. The two other awards are: Carnegie Mellon University. This team will explore new methods for using additive manufacturing to reduce costs and increase the speed of mass-producing aircraft without sacrificing quality, reliability and safety. Key challenges faced are to come up with a scientifically sound basis for qualifying the 3D printed parts, as well as demonstrating that facilities for the efficient large-scale production of these parts can be designed and used. University of Wisconsin, Madison. This team will explore new ways in which humans can use robotics to improve the efficiency and flexibility of aviation-related manufacturing processes in a manner that enhances the safety of human workers. NASA ARMD will soon open ULI - Round 3. Resources With these stalwarts leading the settlement of southeastern Ohio, theres not much suspense to the story. The orderly and industrious town that Putnam founded, Marietta, merely reflected the virtues of its founder. There were a few setbacks along the way (blizzards, failed crops and what McCullough calls the Indian menace), but the outcome is so undoubted that McCullough is left to narrate a litany of mundane Northwest Territory firsts: the first bridge, first tannery, first cattle drive, first public building made of stone and so forth. The heroes are so upstanding that, somewhat unexpectedly for a McCullough book, the villains are more compelling. These include Captain Pipe, a Delaware Indian leader who first welcomed Putnam and his followers to Ohio, only to turn against them in the early 1790s and join with Shawnees, Miami and other Native Americans to resist settlement. McCullough devotes a chapter to Aaron Burr, the disgraced former vice president who, less than a year after killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel, passed through Marietta in 1805 on his way to the Mississippi, where he embarked on a misbegotten scheme to separate some of the western territories from the United States and create an independent republic. Fortunately, the U.S. military does not exist in this kind of ethical quagmire. Compared with our opponents in the modern age, we have taken much more care to prosecute warfare in accordance with the laws of war. We have systems of military education that highlight our values and the law of armed conflict. And we have a military justice system that, while not perfect, prosecutes and condemns those service members who commit atrocities. In short, we have a foundation of military ethics that our combat leaders can stand on. But what happens when that ethical foundation erodes or crumbles? There are things we can learn from the German military and the Holocaust that are relevant today without arguing that we are Nazis. One lesson is the influence of an institutions culture on criminal behavior during wartime. The German state intentionally created such a culture (another important distinction from the current situation). Before a German soldier set foot in the Soviet Union, he received several unmistakable clues about what behavior would be acceptable. The Commissar Order explicitly called for the summary execution of all Red Army political officers, an act that violated all laws of war, including those that Germany was party to. Also, the guidelines for German troops, disseminated the day before the invasion, stated that this war demands ruthless and aggressive action against Bolshevik agitators, snipers, saboteurs, and Jews and tireless elimination of any active or passive resistance. Let me get this right. A tariff is a tax on imported goods, almost always paid directly by the importer, not the exporting country. That means the $6.2 billion in tariff revenue collected in October 2018 was paid for by U.S. businesses. According to the Tax Foundation, Tariffs damage economic well-being, and lead to a net loss in production and jobs, and lower levels of income. If all (of Trumps) tariffs announced thus far were fully imposed, U.S. GDP would fall by 0.75 percent ($188 billion) in the long run, effectively offsetting almost one-half of the long-run impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Wages would fall by 0.48 percent and employment would fall 582,604. Additionally, there is the effect of retaliatory tariffs on U.S. producers. Prime example: soybeans. China responded to Trumps actions by placing a tariff on soybeans. The Chinese market nose-dived and our farmers lost billions of dollars. U.S. citizens are now having to fund the $12 billion farmer relief package caused by the tariffs. REIDSVILLE At Rockingham County High School, where Teresa M. Harris spent nearly 31 years in the classroom, seven of her former students are now her coworkers. Five are teachers, and two are teachers assistants. Of the most rewarding factors in her 33-year teaching career has been having students follow in her footsteps, Harris said. One, Nedine Jacobs Rowe, is the second health science teacher at the school and will take over Harris lead teacher position when Harris officially retires June 30. Mrs. Harris has been a major contributor in my career choices, Rowe said. I have always loved both nursing and education. She showed me that I do not have to choose just one. Being a health science educator combines both my love for nursing and educating young adults, Rowe said. The others teaching at RCHS are Misty Attaway, Bryanna Boaz, Chris Hairston, Carlene Hardin, Jennifer Powell and Kylie Keck Wright. Two other students were on hand at Hospice of Rockingham County on two occasions when Teresa lost family members, and another was the first person Harris saw after having surgery several years ago. Medical center awarded grant Caswell Family Medical Center received a $150,000 grant supported through the North Carolina General Assembly. The grant was given to CFMC in 2018 to increase access to primary care and preventive care for Caswell Countys most vulnerable, underserved and medically indigent citizens. It allows CFMC to create or augment existing primary care and preventive medical services that are already provided and increase capacity necessary to serve low-income patients by enhancing or replacing facilities, equipment or technologies. GREENWICH Retired Greenwich Police Capt. Albert Barclay died earlier this week, according to a Facebook post from the police department. Barclay died on May 13 at the age of 83. Barclay served as a police officer to the town of Greenwich from 1957 to 1986. During his career, he rose through the ranks to captain, where he commanded ever major division in the department. The police department said Barclays personnel file is filed with commendations and letters of appreciation from the department and the community. We join all the members of the Greenwich Police Department in extending our sincere sympathy to the Barclay family, Greenwich police said. FITCHBURG, Mass. On Tuesday, New Haven woman Tamika Jones, 40, was found dead in a car near Drake Road in Fitchburg, Mass., according to a News 8 report and an article from News 7 of Boston. Her death has been categorized as suspicious, the reports said. The Indiana World War II veteran who received thousands of cards to celebrate his 100th birthday has died. Bethel Killman hit the century mark on St. Patrick's Day, and his family asked people on social media to send him birthday cards. He received nearly 21,000 cards from all over the world, including all 50 states. Some week we had! A whole bunch of announcements took place over the past few days - some exciting, others even more so. It all started on Tuesday with the reveal of the OnePlus 7 Pro, and its vanilla 7 sidekick. OnePlus releases always make waves and this one was no different. The 7 Pro comes with a superb QHD+ 90Hz display, a trifecta of cameras on the back, and a motorized selfie cam. Be sure to have a look at our findings in the in-depth review. Then on Wednesday, Realme pulled the wraps off the X. The ultra affordable, yet properly well specced smartphone from Realme really impressed us, and our feelings go beyond the superficial - not that we're not liking pop up selfie cams. The day had more in store with the Motorola One Vision arriving later in the afternoon. One of few phones with a 21:9 aspect display, the One Vision has attractive design, delivers good performance, and takes great pictures, but we're less thrilled about its battery performance. Details in the review, of course. Thursday brought us the Asus Zenfone 6 - an all-screen phone with a rotating dual camera assembly, aimed at power users. Snapdragon 855 and a 5,000mAh battery do sound appealing, and so does the 499 starting price. We went hands-on with the Zenfone 6, but a review is coming soon. Also on Thursday, the Huawei Mate 20 X (5G) went official. Strictly speaking, that's not big news as it's essentially the same phone as the non-5G Mate 20 X, save for the battery section and the 5G bits (duh). And then on Friday, the Oppo A9x got announced with a couple of tweaks compared to its non-X stablemate from a month before. A 48MP Quad Bayer main cam replaces the conventional 16MP shooter and the A9x suports Oppo's VOOC fast charging. Weekly poll: OnePlus 7 Pro is now available, who is getting one? OnePlus is officially part of the mainstream with its partnership with T-Mobile and a promo campaign with Robert Downey Jr., the company wants its brand to be as recognizable as Apple or Samsung. That also means its not shy about the price. At $700, the OnePlus 7 Pro matches the iPhone XS ($730) and Galaxy 10e ($750 MSRP, though you could easily find an S10 for that kind of cash). Long-time fans will likely scoff at that price, but they can look to the OnePlus 7 as an upgrade path. Indeed, the non-Pro won't even be available in the new hunting ground for OnePlus, the US. Americans can already buy the Pro (it launched on T-Mo this Friday), its available in India as well. Europeans will have to wait until next week. In China, it will start shipping this weekend. But who will buy one? 6.67" Fluid AMOLED display (QHD+ resolution) 90Hz mode Mobile photographers may be interested. With a 48MP main camera and 8MP telephoto (both with OIS), plus a 16MP ultra-wide cam, the OnePlus 7 Pro seems to have it all. That attention-grabbing pop-up camera doesnt hurt either. It's not the best-quality camera (especially in low-light), but it gets close. Gamers might want to have a look too. This costs less than the Asus ROG phone, but delivers a better 90Hz AMOLED screen QHD instead of 1080p. The Pro comes with the requisite Snapdragon 855 chipset, vapor chamber cooling, fast UFS 3.0 storage (the first phone in the world to do so) and as much RAM as you could possibly want. Camera for any subject near or far Pop-up cameras prevent notches Theres a painful shortage of pure or nearly pure Android flagship out there. Yes, there are the Pixels, but those are quite expensive unless youre in the US. Most Android One phones are mid-rangers. It doesnt help that HMD hasnt really managed to deliver a compelling Nokia flagship. Oxygen OS adds a few helpful features, but refrains from changing too much. And it has a solid track record when it comes to upgrades. Battery life is always a major consideration. In the tests for our review, we found that you might want to give up the 90Hz mode for the best endurance (92h in 60Hz mode, up from 85h). Of course, the new 30W Warp Charge makes this less of a concern as you can go from 0% to 50% charge in just half an hour. The OnePlus 7 Pro isnt a fully-featured flagship the company has traditionally omitted waterproofing, wireless charging and expandable storage, the 7 Pro is no exception. It does maintain its pricing edge over the likes of iPhone XS, Galaxy S10 and Huawei P30 Pro, so its okay not to have everything. Or is it? China is tirelessly working for the welfare of the world, which can be seen in its great endeavor to build a shared future for all humanity. The endeavor is grounded in the dream of establishing a win-win and prosperous world where no side will be a loser and all are guaranteed to be gainers. In order to carry the dream forward, China has come up with a win-win cooperative approach going under the title of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Thanks to its open and inclusive nature, it has already become a highly successful platform for global cooperation and development. Alongside the principles of extensive consultation and joint contributions for shared benefits, the BRI has taken people-to-people exchanges as one of its five core components. This is definitely the right approach as communications and exchanges among the peoples of different nations are vital for success of any initiative to create shared benefits. To further promote this approach, China has initiated the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations (CDAC), which emphasizes the need for dialogue in a time when the entire world is paying high prices for the so-called "clash of civilizations." Since the current world is fraught with thorny issues including geopolitical tensions which sometimes lead to outright conflicts and bloody, prolonged wars, the constructive approach of the dialogue provides a welcome alternative , which is encouraging the world to dream of peaceful development. Against this backdrop, China is hosting the CDAC in Beijing from May 15 to 22. The conference seeks to promote intercultural dialogue aimed at building an "Asian Community of a Shared Future" focused on cultural diversity, exchanges and mutual learning. It aims to enhance rich cultural lives for all Asians and contribute to vibrant regional development. The conference emphasizes Asian solutions to benefit its people, Asian wisdom to promote political advancement, and the creation of an Asian community with a shared future. With the participation of more than 2,000 delegates from 47 Asian and other interested countries and regions, the high-powered conference is considered a platform to showcase Asian cultural traditions, boost exchanges and mutual learning between different civilizations and promote cooperation between different countries. Analysts believe the platform has brought Asian civilizations much closer together in knowing each other, which is a major driving force for promoting world peace and development. Every civilization has been pushing its people ahead with its best characteristics and practices and this conference creates opportunities for all to learn and exchange their best features. From this, countries can be inspired to create conditions for other civilizations to develop while keeping their own vibrancy, building a shared future in the days ahead. The CDAC facilitates Asian nations to continue writing brilliant new chapters of their own civilizations and to consolidate the cultural foundation of jointly building the desired Asian community of a shared future and on to for all humanity. Though the conference is a platform for Asian civilizations, it will benefit the whole world because the former are more than willing to share their best learning experiences. The concept of the dialogue will enable the world to become more connected and harmonious, providing them with stability and prosperity. And thus, it will contribute to creating a better place for future generations irrespective of their race, color, religion, and home region, developing human civilizations in its entirety. The conference is also playing a role in safeguarding world peace and harmony by teaching all to respect the diversity of civilizations. It offers a guarantee for the peaceful coexistence of all countries, dialogue between them helping to solve various problems of human survival and development. The conference is bringing about interaction and integration among peoples and countries and taught them to accept diversity and ensure equality and inclusiveness all over the world. As the current world is facing some common challenges and threats and shares almost same dreams, the conference offers great opportunities for a concerted effort to overcome the challenges and turn people's aspirations for a better life into reality. It has also contributed to bringing everyone together to promote economic globalization that is open, inclusive, balanced, and beneficial to all, and work together to eliminate poverty and backwardness in some countries. In a word, the concept of dialogue of civilizations has brought about enormous opportunities for peaceful development of the world. Md Enamul Hassan is the diplomatic correspondent with the Daily Sun, Bangladesh. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn. If you would like to contribute, please contact us at opinion@china.org.cn. Published on 2019/05/19 | Source Students rest under the trees at Chonnam National University in Gwangju on Wednesday. /Yonhap This year's first heat advisory was issued for Gwangju on Wednesday, the earliest on record. Advertisement The Korea Meteorological Administration issued the advisory at 3 p.m. as temperatures hit 33 degrees Celsius and were expected to remain above that level for the next two days. The highest temperature was measured at 33.1 degrees in Pungam-dong, Gwangju. Elsewhere temperatures climbed to 30 degrees. The previous earliest heat wave advisory was issued for the northeastern part of Gyeonggi Province on May 19, 2016. The early heat wave suggests that another record summer lies ahead. Last summer was already the hottest on record as the mercury soared to 41 degrees in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province last August. Temperatures are expected to rise on Thursday, with the highest at 30 degrees in Seoul, 31 degrees in Daejeon, 32 degrees in Gwangju, 31 degrees in Daegu, 26 degrees in Ulsan, and 25 degrees in Busan, according to the KMA. Published on 2019/05/19 | Source /Courtesy of the Cultural Heritage Administration Nine historic Korean Confucian academies have been recommended for the UNESCO World Heritage List, according to the Cultural Heritage Administration on Tuesday. Advertisement The International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), an advisory group to UNESCO, recommended that nine Seowon or Korean neo-Confucian academies, be inscribed on the list. Normally all monuments or sites recommended by ICOMOS, are added to the list. The final decision will be made at the 43rd UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 30. They are Sosu Seowon in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, the first Seowon of the Chosun era built in 1543; Dosan Seowon and Byeongsan Seowon in Andong, North Gyeongsang; Oksan Seowon in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang; Dodong Seowon in Dalseong, Daegu; Namgye Seowon in Hamyang, South Gyeongsang Province; Pilam Seowon in Jangseong, South Jeolla Province; Museong Seowon in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province; and Donam Seowon in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. The CHA submitted an application for their evaluation to ICOMOS in 2016, but it was rejected because ICOMOS could not see how they formed a unit and said they do not seem to have been preserved properly or integrated into their surroundings. The application was submitted again and accepted last year. This time the CHA concentrated on building a story that would connect the nine academies. Cho Jae-mo, a professor at Kyungpook National University who was involved in the submission, said, "We focused on the important role of the nine academies in the spread of neo-Confucianism, while explaining the process of how they were created over a century and provided a model for early Confucian academies. They were private schools built by local scholar-aristocrats to train young students and honor dead Confucian scholars. ICOMOS accepted that the Korean Seowon contributed to spreading neo-Confucianism locally and set a standard architectural model for the period, which amounted to "outstanding universal value". By William Schwartz | Published on 2019/05/18 In 2005, "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil" opens up on a dark stormy night. Kyeong-ho (played by Kim Sung-kyu) doesn't seem right in the head- an impression soon confirmed when he flips out randomly after an apparent automobile accident. Then, in turn, we are introduced to the impatient, hotheaded cop Tae-sook (played by Kim Mu-yeol) and the exceptionally patient, eternally calm gang leader Dong-soo (played by Ma Dong-seok) and their own particularly violent solutions to generally minor problems. Advertisement The Korean title of "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil" roughly translates as they're all bad dudes. Literally evil people, but I think bad dudes gets the idea across better. It's a fairly apt description- "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil" is the story of these three characters and their completely assymetric war over oddly symmetric purposes. Tae-sook wants justice, Dong-soo wants revenge, and Kyeong-ho just wants to kill for the fun of it. That last one was a bit of a disappointment for me. After a failed attack a peculiar scene at a dog meat farm seems to imply that Kyeong-ho is actually compelled to kill for some unclear mental reason, and believes disastrous consequences should he fail. Alas, the more we see of Kyeong-ho's character the clearer it is that he's a fairly one-note serial killer archetype, even managing to pull out that classic we're not so different you and I groaner of a cliche. Now Tae-sook and Dong-soo- those are characters, with great chemistry to boot. Neither one likes each other, or trusts each other, or even necessarily believes in the other's competence. Even though marketing for "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil" emphasizes that the two team up, practically speaking they're fighting each other about as often as they're searching for clues about Kyeong-ho. In some particularly hilarious moments they get so completely sidetracked that Kyeong-ho's presence in the story at all is an afterthought, such that Kyeong-ho has to barge back in insulted that they're apparently ignoring him. Another misleading bit of marketing- "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil" isn't as violent as it sounds or looks at all, because so much of the movie just consists of protracted negotiations and investigation. But make no mistake, writer/director Lee Won-tae easily makes up for the lack of quantity with exceptional quality in the fight scenes. The best ones are actually the shortest, where frailty is emphasized as a single bone crunching punch or well-aimed stab is enough to make one of the three titular tough guys start wondering if they'd be better off making a run for it. The proceedings are also elevated by exceptionally strong performances from Kim Mu-yeol and Ma Dong-seok, both of whom are highly driven and motivated men with the necessary muscle to make their ambitions reality. It's a pity the script doesn't really take this into account though. For all the competence of his antagonists Kyeong-ho is ultimately located more by dumb luck and hubris than he is by actually being convincingly defeated. I could have done without that goofy court scene too. Review by William Schwartz ___________ "The Gangster, The Cop, The Devil" is directed by Lee Won-tae, and features Ma Dong-seok, Kim Mu-yeol, Kim Sung-kyu, Yoo Seung-mok, Choi Min-chul, Kim Yoon-sung. Release date in Korea: 2019/05/15. Published on 2019/05/19 | Source More than 70 percent of South Koreans feel solving the country's economic problems outweighs reunification with North Korea, an annual survey suggests. Advertisement The Korea Institute for National Unification polled 1,003 adults from April 5-25 and found that 70.5 percent felt their country's economic issues far outweigh reunification. Only 8.3 percent said reunification was more important. Some 60 percent were against their country swallowing losses in order to help North Korea overcome its economic crisis. "Reunification is no longer an absolute goal that most South Koreans feel must be achieved at all costs. We now need to convince each citizen why reunification is important", the institute said. Asked if it is necessary to form a single country just because the people of the two Koreas are the same ethnicity, 41.4 percent agreed, but 26.7 percent did not. The institute said traditional beliefs that ethnic unity necessitates reunification are no longer shared by all South Koreans, especially the younger generation. Meanwhile, 72.4 percent of South Koreans feel North Korea will not scrap its nuclear weapons, unchanged compared to last year, before inter-Korean dialogue began. Also, 65 percent think international sanctions against the North must continue. The institute said this is closely related to public skepticism of North Korea's willingness to scrap its nuclear weapons. When it comes to U.S. troops, 40 percent supported their continued presence on the peninsula, while 22 percent opposed it. With regard to humanitarian aid to the North, 45.5 percent said that it should continue, compared to 40.9 percent last year. The proportion who oppose remained about the same at 26.3 percent. Also, 51.4 percent feel it is necessary to continue negotiating with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. When it comes to the government's North Korea policies, only 42.3 percent approve, down from 69.5 percent last year. Read this article in Korean By William Schwartz | Published on 2019/05/18 The opener to "Miss and Mrs. Cops" is filmed like a grainy old kung fu movie. The action befits the cinematographic style. Mi-yeong (played by Ra Mi-ran) is right away shown to be a tough middle-aged broad who wants to bring in crooks peacefully, but will use violence when she gets suitably cranky. By the time we get to the present day, and the more traditionally pretty woman cop Ji-hye (played by Lee Sung-kyung), there's an obvious personality clash between old and new. Advertisement ...Well, that's what I thought was going to happen anyway. Mi-yeong and Ji-hye actually have mostly the same personality, it's just their exteriors that are different. I was frustrated that writer/director Jung Da-won gets such an obvious dynamic of buddy cop movies wrong, given that on paper Ra Mi-ran and Lee Sung-kyung are perfectly cast. One's a chronic background character, one's a romantic lead, they're both funny, and in this movie, they fight crime. And that crime happens to be the distribution of of secretly filmed sexual videotapes. The monstrous nature of the crime, as well as the grisly scene that provokes the titular detectives to get to work on finding the perpetrators, is at odds with the movie's general tone of slapstick, especially since writer/director Jung Da-won keeps changing it without warning. One minute there are rapey overtones as a female character groggily comes to, the next everyone is muddling about clumsily trying to escape a fire. Trying to avoid being burned to death probably doesn't sound like a wacky comedy scene, yet that's exactly how the hot moment plays out. It's about as funny as it sounds. Other prime moments of alleged comedy include- riding to the rescue in an automated scooter. Hawaiian shirts. Office banter. Gratuitous violence. Dropping a bunch of cameras. Mi-yeong's cute son being kind of annoying. Mi-kyeong's cute husband Ji-cheol (played by Yoon Sang-hyun) being kind of an idiot. Those wacky foreigners. Actually I liked the wacky foreigners. They behave believably and comically in the face of two strange Korean women speaking broken English and generally behaving incompetently. A shame that those scenes are tinged with a fairly awful racist subtext, namely the implication that foreigners supply all the roofies to Korean rapists. In between the racism and the police brutality any social message about crimes against women not being taken seriously is fairly firmly negated. Even the action in this action comedy is decidedly subpar. Many action scenes aren't filmed at all, whether it be via editing or just turning out the lights. Mi-yeong takes out whole gangs by herself but has way too much trouble with the villain, a man who we are given no reason to believe has any fighting ability whatsoever. The way the climax rips off "Veteran" is particularly galling- there's not even a hint of twist or parody. Although really, "Miss and Mrs. Cops" as a whole just plays off as a bad version of "Midnight Runners", right down to Sung Dong-il popping up out of nowhere to make excuses for police incompetence. Review by William Schwartz "Miss and Mrs. Cops" is directed by Jung Da-won, and features Ra Mi-ran, Lee Sung-kyung, Yoon Sang-hyun, Choi Soo-young, Yeom Hye-ran and Wi Ha-joon. Published on 2019/05/19 | Source The quarterly number of Koreans visiting Vietnam has surpassed the 1 million mark for the first time in the first quarter of this year. Advertisement The Korea Tourism Organization said on Thursday that the number of Korean visitors to the Southeast country jumped 24.4 percent or 892,000 to 1.11 million in the January-March period. Given the rise, it is expected that the total for the whole year will reach 4 million. The annual number exceeded 1 million for the first time in 2015 with 1.15 million, and has been steadily increasing ever since, with 2.42 million in 2017 and 3.44 million last year. The biggest destination for Korean tourists in the first quarter was Japan with 2.08 million. Published on 2019/05/19 | Source Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York, visited Hahoe Village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province on Tuesday, 20 years after his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, toured the traditional village that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Advertisement The duke was treated to a birthday party just like his mother when she visited Hahoe Village back in 1999. He said the queen instructed him to tell her about every detail of the visit when he returns to London. The duke arrived at the North Gyeongsang provincial government building by helicopter at 11 a.m. and was greeted by the governor. He was welcomed by a smattering of locals waving the flags of the two countries at the gate to the village. When presented with his birthday table by the villagers, Prince Andrew read a message from the queen who said, "It is over twenty years since the Duke of Edinburgh and I paid a state visit to [Korea], and I recall with great fondness the many places we visited. In particular, I remember the very warm welcome that I received in Hahoe Village, on the occasion of my 73rd birthday. In the months and years ahead, Prince Philip and I wish you every good fortune and happiness". Back then, villagers prepared a lavish table of 47 dishes for the queen, ranging from steamed sea bream to dumplings. Andong Mayor Kwon Yong-jin presented Andrew with a gift made of traditional rice paper and porcelain. Andong designated the 32-km route the queen and duke took on their tour as "The Royal Way". It had previously been referred to as "Queen's Road". Flash China's top legislator Li Zhanshu paid an official friendly visit to Norway from May 15 to 18, expecting to promote the development of Sino-Norwegian ties to score more progress. During the stay in Norway, Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with Norwegian King Harald V, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg and President of the Norwegian parliament Storting Tone Wilhelmsen Troen. When meeting with Norwegian King Harald V, Li conveyed the greetings of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the King, and expressed congratulations on the Norwegian National Day, which falls on May 17. Li said during the King's successful visit to China last year, the two heads of state made strategic plans for the development of bilateral relations in the new era. As this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Norway, the two sides are expected to seize the opportunity to cement friendship and expand cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and treating each other equally, so as to realize better development of bilateral relations. Harald V expressed gratitude to China's friendliness to the Norwegian side, saying Norway admires China's tremendous development achievements. He said Norway is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as winter sports, and will make efforts to help China successfully host the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. When meeting with Solberg, Li said although Sino-Norwegian relations have experienced ups and downs, friendship and cooperation has always been the main theme of the ties. As both countries share common interests on safeguarding current global mechanism, building an open world economy, the two sides should jointly support multilateralism and free trade. Moreover, the two countries have similar development concepts and share strong economic complementarities, so the outlook of bilateral cooperation is very broad. Norway is welcome to actively participate in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. And bilateral cooperation on economy, trade, environmental protection, science and technology, people-to-people exchanges and tourism is expected to be forged ahead, said China's top legislator. "China hopes the Norwegian side provides a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises' investment and operation in Norway," said Li. Solberg said bilateral cooperation has maintained sound momentum since the normalization of bilateral ties, expecting the two sides to push forward talks on inking a free trade deal and deepen cooperation in such areas as maritime affairs, shipping, fishery and environmental protection. She also voiced the will to advance communication and collaboration with China on issues concerning the United Nations, coping with the climate change and Arctic affairs. When respectively meeting with Troen and members of the parliament's standing committee on foreign affairs and defense, Li introduced China's development path and political system. "The reasons why China continues to make new development achievements are that we have embarked on a development path that suits our national conditions. This is the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics," said Li, stressing that the Chinese people will unswervingly follow this path. He said that the NPC of China is willing to work with the Norwegian parliament to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen friendly exchanges at all levels, enhance understanding and trust through frank dialogues, and create a favorable environment for pragmatic cooperation. Troen said that this visit is of great significance as Li's tour marks the first visit of a Chinese leader since the normalization of bilateral relations in 2016. The Norwegian parliament is willing to carry out all-round exchanges and cooperation with the NPC of China, and make positive contributions to the development of state-to-state ties. The two legislators also exchanged views on jointly safeguarding multilateral trade system, sustainable development and other issues of common concerns. On May 16, Li attended the economic and trade conference in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of Norway-China diplomatic relations. He said in a speech that President Xi's proposal of the high-quality development of jointly building the Belt and Road and the policy of China's further expansion of opening up have provided new opportunities for the common development of all countries. The two countries' enterprises are expected to seize the opportunity, tap cooperation potentials, so as to translate the desire for strong cooperation into more practical results. During the tour, Li visited the Chinese skiers who were training in Norway and encouraged them to train hard and carry out bilateral friendship. He also visited a local ecological agriculture project, an oil gas processing plant, and met with local officials in Norway's southwestern county of Rogaland and its southern city of Stavanger. Norway is the first lag of Li's ten-day tour in Europe, which will also take him to Austria and Hungary. Published on 2019/05/19 | Source Seoul Mayor Park Won-soon has proposed relocating Seoul National University Hospital from Yeongeon-dong to Chang-dong in northern Seoul. Advertisement The proposal involves moving the prestigious hospital to the site of the depot of Seoul Metro when it is vacated in 2024. Park wants to turn the area into a hub for biotechnology and medical research. In an interview with the Chosun Ilbo, Park said, "I proposed the idea to SNU to build the world's best and largest medical hub there. I met with SNU President Oh Se-jung last month and explained this plan. It seemed like he was considering it positively". The site measures 179,578 sq.m., which is nearly twice as big as the current site of SNU Hospital. "I will lease them the land at a low price for as long as they want, whether it be 50 or 100 years", Park said. Construction would not start until 2025. "It will be impossible for construction to begin within my term, but I want to have a rough sketch at least", Park added. Despite the symbolic significance that the current location of the SNU Hospital holds in historic center of Seoul, it has also limited the hospital's expansion due to the proximity of royal palaces. Most of the expansion to date had to be done underground. An official from SNU Hospital said the hospital does not have an official position on the matter yet. Opposition from alumni who cherish the current site as well as nearby pharmacies is expected. The Seoul Metropolitan Government recently formed a task force on the relocation that will meet for the first time this week. Flash Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the opening of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations (CDAC) on Wednesday has inspired the world on exchanges, inclusiveness and cooperation, a Thai expert has said in Bangkok. Pokin Polakul, chairman of the Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association, said Thursday that he highly appreciates what the Chinese president said about respect and equality, and believes it will contribute to world peace and prosperity. Polakul spoke highly of Xi's point that "the thought that one's own race and civilization are superior and the inclination to remold or replace other civilizations are just stupid." Nowadays, some people still see his or her nation as superior and as having to come first, which will surely result in tensions and conflicts, Polakul said. "For any leader, it is right to bring a better life to your people, but this cannot be at (the) expense of others' interests," he said. Polakul said he also appreciated Xi's offer to the world that "China is ready to work with other countries to protect Asian cultural heritage" and "happy to launch initiatives with relevant countries to translate Asian classics both from and into Chinese and promote film and TV exchanges and cooperation in Asia." There are several temples in Thailand built for Zheng He, a Chinese mariner who led voyages to Southeast Asia and other parts of the world during the Ming Dynasty, Polakul said, adding that he hopes there would be more film and TV series to tell such stories of Thai-Chinese exchanges hundreds of years ago. Recalling his visits to China's Guangxi and Yunnan provinces, as well as the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Polakul said he admires China's efforts to preserve its cultural diversity. Thailand should learn from China to preserve its own cultural diversity, he suggested. Flash The first ever Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine Meeting was held at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta's state hospital, on Saturday. The meeting aims to foster academic communication between Chinese and Western medicine in Malta, to further promote Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) therapies, and to improve the level of understanding and academic exchanges between Chinese and Western medicine. Around 70 participants, including doctors from the Mediterranean Regional Centre for TCM, doctors from Mater Dei Hospital and Saint James Hospital, professors and students from the University of Malta, therapists and nurses, attended the meeting. Focusing on the theme of how to combine Chinese and Western medicine in European countries, and apply them in practice, the participants held a warm discussion and put forward some suggestions and proposals on teaching, system construction,training mechanism and so on. Charles Savona Ventura, head of the department of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the center for TCM of the University of Malta, actively participated in the meeting and acknowledged the significance of the meeting. It could help to bring western doctors in touch with traditional Chinese medicine professionals and the value of traditional Chinese medicine, said Charles Savona Ventura. "I do believe that we should be more open and I think it is a very important conference," said Alex Manche, chairman of Cardiac Surgical Department of Mater Dei Hospital,"Try to understand things as we grow older as there is more knowledge. It is an opportunity to see the knowledge of a very different kind." This meeting was organized by China's Jiangsu health commission and the Mediterranean Regional Centre for Traditional Chinese Medicine. East Tennessee PBS, in partnership with the Paramount Center for the Arts and ETSUs Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music program, will present an advance screening of Ken Burns Country Music. Burns kicked off a promotional tour of his new documentary in Bristol in March, accompanied by producers, writers and musicians. The film will premiere as an eight-part miniseries on PBS and focus on the development of country music, beginning with the 1927 Bristol Sessions that introduced the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers to a wider audience. An advance screening will be held for the public at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, at the Paramount Center on State Street in Bristol. The event is free, but due to limited space, attendees must reserve tickets online by going to paramountbristol.org. A special pre-show will accompany the screening with performances from ETSUs students in the bluegrass program. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. MARION, Va. The town of Marion will host the Profiles of Honor Tour, a mobile exhibition created by the Virginia World War I and World War II Commemoration Commission, as part of the communitys Memorial Day weekend. The exhibit will be set up in front of Marions Town Hall, located at 138 W. Main St. in historic downtown, and will be open all weekend May 24-27 through the Monday Memorial Day parade. The Profiles of Honor Tour is touring for its third and final season in 2019, featuring the stories of Virginians who served in World War I and World War II, along with artifacts relating to both wars and a full-scale model of an M5A1 Stuart tank. The tour, which brings to life Virginias integral role in world history, is part of a statewide commemoration marking the 100th anniversary of World War I and the 75th anniversary of World War II. The mobile museum, free and open to the public, has already reached 34,000 visitors over the course of more than 100 tour stops across the state and beyond. The complete tour schedule for 2019 is online at VirginiaWWIandWWII.org/tour. Flash Narongchai, a volunteer tour boat guide on the Mekong river in northeast Thailand's Nakhon Phanom, has been doing this job for 16 years. "The Mekong is our mother river, binding everyone in the basin," said Narongchai, describing the cross-border river part of his life. "The water from the sky separated the land into two sides, but the friendship between the two sides will last forever," said Narongchai, 58, who loves singing a famous Mekong river song on the boat. Nakhon Phanom, a rarely explored but charming place, hugs the Mekong river in the northeast of Thailand with the bordering country of Laos seen from the riverbanks. Here the Mekong river forms the natural boundary between the two countries. Narongchai grew up near the bank of Mekong. When he was young, his family grew vegetables on the bank and went fishing in the river. But in his memory, the Mekong river was an important place for children to play. "In February, March and April, the beach would come out of the water. We would play in the river and pick up shellfish," said Narongchai. He said the Thais and Laotians who share the Mekong river have had similar cultural traditions and maintained close exchanges. According to Narongchai, fishermen on the riverbanks can have a short stay at the opposite shore without a passport or visa. He said the fishermen, no matter from the Thai side or the Lao side, all knew him, as he has been working on the river for so many years. They greet each other warmly every day when the boat passes. The Mekong is the most important trans-boundary river in Southeast Asia. From China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the river, the Chinese stretch of which is called the Lancang river, runs through southwest China's Yunnan Province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. As the lifeblood of Southeast Asia, the Mekong not only carves the natural landscapes along its banks, but also shapes the collective civilization memory of the countries along the river. "Located on the international business route, Southeast Asia became a melting pot of cultures," said Sunait Chutintaranond, a history professor from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. "Southeast Asia was mainly influenced by two great civilizations," the professor said. "One is the Indian civilization in the South Asian subcontinent; the other is the Chinese civilization from the upper reach of the Mekong river in East Asia." Dragon boat racing, which originated in China, has also spread to the middle and lower reaches of Mekong. "The river is also a place of festivals," Narongchai said. "Every year, there is a dragon boat race on the Mekong river around the time the rainy season ends." Also in April during the Thai and Lao New Year, people celebrate along the river by building sand towers in the shape of Buddhist stupas. "The Mekong river ties people who live along its banks together, no matter they are Thais or Laotians," Narongchai told Xinhua. One wonders how long it will be before President Donald Trump recognizes this as a political disaster, one that will tie him to the most cruel, farthest-reaching and (from a national standpoint) least-popular abortion law in recent memory. NARAL and its allies, as Hogue said, have been preparing for this moment for years. What she calls a race to the bottom, exactly matches pro-choice advocates warnings when Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh were nominated to the Supreme Court: The right wants to destroy Roe and ban abortion. She recalls that conservatives called pro-choice forces hysterical for even suggesting Roe might be endangered. (Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, essentially put her entire career on the line insisting Kavanaugh would not eliminate Roe and uphold these kinds of laws.) In Hogues mind, the pro-life movement is racing against the clock. It suffered losses in 2018 and may do so again in 2020. Moreover, unlike Collins, pro-lifers are convinced they have the court they want to uphold Alabamas law and similar efforts. The Trump administrations top foreign affairs officials are issuing threats against Iran, and the media is suddenly focused on the possibility of a war with the Islamic republic. The regime in Tehran, not to be outdone, makes counterthreats that only fan the rhetorical flames. But, as tensions rise, the voices of one crucial group are missing: the Iranian people. Most Americans know war through their television screens or perhaps the military service of a relative or friend. Firsthand knowledge of armed conflict on our own soil is an experience that, thankfully, few of us have. For Iranians, though, its different. Any military strike will almost certainly take many Iranian lives on Iranian territory. And those who will suffer most have little say in the matter. Its the Iranian people who have borne the brunt of 40 years of enmity between the United States and the Islamic republic, and in the current standoff, they stand to lose the most yet again. Unlike Americans, Iranians have already endured a vicious war in their homeland in recent memory the war with Iraq, from 1980 to 1988. Every Iranian knows someone who died in that war. Most politicians are just ordinary people. Some good. Some bad. But for some odd reason, all the loony birds and crooks end up in the U.S. Congress. Donald Trump is not a politician. Thats a good thing. The economy is humming, people have jobs. Trumps tax cut is putting more money in our pockets. Unemployment is at a 50-year low. And everyone in America is happy. Right? Well, not exactly. The Trump success story is driving the loony birds out of their gourd. They predicted the country would fall apart when Trump was elected. Instead the presidents agenda is working, and the Democratic socialists have gone berserk. They want to impeach Trump, put the Trump kids in jail, get rid of old white men, tear down the border wall, cut ties with Israel, ban planes and cars and kill all our cows. Kill all our cows? Yes! They say cows pass gas and that speeds up global warming. But dinosaurs passed more gas than cows, and the dinosaurs froze to death. Without cows, there are no steaks or burgers. No milk or ice cream. How will we survive? What will we eat? I dont know about you, but Id rather starve than eat road-kill possum. At the same time, the man who served as a guardian to Jean Baptiste Charbonneau, the son of Sacagawea and Toussaint Charbonneau, professed to have the interests of Native Americans at heart. Perhaps his time on the expedition with Sacagawea, who served as a guide, a translator, and a symbol of the expeditions peaceful nature, helped Clark see the worth of Native Americans, but he failed to overcome his devotion to the concept of Manifest Destiny. The Lewis and Clark expedition officially extended from May 14, 1804, to Sept. 23, 1806. As they explored the American west, the members of the expedition saw wonders, including the feathered variety, never before beheld by people outside of various Native American tribes. One of those birds still honors Clarks name. Clarks nutcracker, also known as Clarks crow or Clarks woodpecker crow, is a member of the family Corvidae, which gives it kinship with birds such as ravens, magpies, jays and crows. Clarks nutcracker populations appear to have experienced declines between 1966 and 2015, most notably in the state of Washington, according to the North American Breeding Bird Survey. Because this bird lives in specialized habitats found near the tops of mountains, it is likely to be particularly vulnerable to climate change. Wounded man ordered to serve six years in 2018 Hagerstown gunfight A Hagerstown man charged in a 2018 gunfight in the city entered an Alford plea to first-degree assault and was ordered to serve six years in prison. ServSafe and SafePlates are both accredited by ANSI and meet the FDA Food Code 2013 requirement for a Certified Food Protection Manager. Safe Plates is the NC Extension brand and is rooted in behavior-change rather than just memorization of answers and regurgitation of information. Safe Plates is recognized across the United States and upon passing a national exam, the certification is good for five years. Managers and food industry staff trained in Safe Plates are equipped to create an environment that minimizes food safety risks in their food establishments through best practices, open communication and practical, science and regulatory-based knowledge. Who should take the Safe Plates course? Anyone who is a manager in the food service industry, person in charge, or anyone looking to further their food safety knowledge, is encouraged to take the course. North Carolina Cooperative Extension agents offer Safe Plates regularly in partnership with the local health department. Here in Catawba County, Cooperative Extension maintains close communication with Scott Carpenter at Environmental Health. Scott is the Food and Lodging Environmental Health Supervisor in our county. I encourage participants to communicate with Environmental Health when they have questions. Oftentimes, Environmental Health employees are feared by people in the food service industry, but our Environmental Health team is here to ensure that those who frequent local food service establishments have safe food to eat. Actor Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is a regular at the Cannes Film Festival and will walk the red carpet again this year. The actor was spotted at the Mumbai airport as she left for France with daughter Aaradhya. Actor Abhishek Bachchan accompanied the mother-daughter duo to the airport. Aishwarya was seen in black casuals paired with a vibrant overcoat and boots. Aaradhya looked excited as she joined her mother yet again on her way to the annual film festival. Aishwarya Rai with daughter Aaradhya at the airport. (Varinder Chawla) Abhishek Bachchan drops Aishwarya Rai and Aaradhya at Mumbai airport. (Varinder Chawla) WATCH: Deepika, Priyanka & Kangana steal the show at Cannes 2019 Aishwarya was spotted with her family at choreographer Shiamak Davars Summer Funk show hours before her flight. The actor along with Aaradhya, Abhishek, mother Brindya Rai, mother-in-law Jaya Bachchan and sister-in-law Shweta Bachchan Nanda had attended the event to cheer Aaradhya who delivered a dance performance with other kids. Jaya Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Shweta Bachchan Nanda, Brindya Rai, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Aaradhya Bachchan at Shiamak Davars dance event in Mumbai. (Varinder Chawla) (Varinder Chawla) Aaradhya Bachchan performing with other kids at the event. (Varinder Chawla) Aaradhya Bachchan performing at Shiamak Davars dance event. (Varinder Chawla) Aishwarya, along with Sonam and Deepika, will walk the red carpet at the film festival for makeup brand Loreal India. Deepika had made her debut at the festival last year and walked the red carpet twice this year before returning home on Sunday morning. She was spotted at the Mumbai airport in a denim on latex look. Deepika Padukone arrives from Cannes at the Mumbai airport. (Varinder Chawla) On the work front, Aishwarya is reported to have signed Mani Ratnams period drama based on the historical Tamil novel by Kalki, Ponniyin Selvan. She will reportedly play a negative role in the film. Also read: Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas set couple goals at Cannes and now fans want a husband just like him. See pics Other Bollywood actors including Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Hina Khan have already walked the red carpet at the festival. Another Cannes regular, Sonam Kapoor is yet to walk the red carpet at the event. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Diana Penty is attending the Cannes Film Festival and joined the FICCI Forum at the Indian pavilion on her second day in the French city. She made an appearance in a white silk saree-gown paired with matching heels and pearls. With her hair parted at the centre and tied back in a bun, the actor completed the look with a dash of red lipstick. She shared her pictures on Instagram with the caption, Day 2 at Cannes for The FICCI Forum at The India Pavilion. Actor Dia Mirza called her stunning in the comments section which was flooded by positive comments from her fans. A user wrote, Damn! White never ever looked this goooood. Another wrote, Awesome u look the best among all. A user even called her a Greek goddess. The actor made her second appearance of the day in a straight black gown with a huge pink bow on one shoulder. She shared the look on Instagram with the caption, Live like you are ready to make an entrance. Diana had announced her arrival in Cannes by attending the Chopard Love event in a short golden tassle dress by Greek fashion designer Celia Kritharioti. Priyanka Chopra with husband Nick Jonas and actor Huma Qureshi had also attended the party. Diana had also shared pictures of herself in a seude dress with a side slit on the day of her arrival. Also read: Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas set couple goals at Cannes and now fans want a husband just like him. See pics Diana made her acting debut in 2012 with Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan-starrer Cocktail. She was last seen in Aanand L Rais Happy Phir Bhag Jayegi last year, which was a sequel to her 2016 film Happy Bhag Jayegi. She was also seen as the female lead in 2018 film Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran starring John Abraham and in the 2017 film Lucknow Central. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actor Kangana Ranaut is in Cannes and is making one stunning appearance after another. The actor posed on a yacht in a blue summer dress with red flowers on Saturday. She reminded fans of her Revolver Rani days as she posed in the sun with her curly hair and her floral Ralph and Russo dress flowing freely in the sea breeze. Her pictures were shared by her team on Instagram with the caption, Live like you are on the French Riviera @seawaysyachting. The actor was earlier spotted in a chic co-ord set by Alexis while leaving for Elle cover shoot during the day. She had opted for an off-shoulder white top and matching coloured asymmetrical skirt teamed up with pink strappy heels and sunglasses. Deepika, Priyanka and Kangana steal the show at Cannes 2019 After making her Cannes debut last year, Kangana had walked the red carpet for the second time on Friday. She wore a fairytale inspired pink and lavender gown by Filipino fashion designer Micheal Cinco. She then made her way to the Chopard Love party on Friday in a single-sleeve white gown. Priyanka Chopra with husband Nick Jonas, Diana Penty and Huma Qureshi had also attended the party. Kangana also attended the Grey Goose party in a black Nedret Taciroglu pantsuit with a waistcoat. She also made an appearance in a quirky Falguni and Shane Peacock saree. She had worn magenta gloves with the outfit and had sported a vintage hairdo. She attended an event in Cannes where she met Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairman Prasoon Joshi. Kangana Ranaut wore a saree ahead of her appearance at the Cannes Film Festival. Kangana Ranaut, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare and Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairman Prasoon Joshi at Cannes Film Festival 2019 at Cannes in France. (IANS) Also read: Priyanka Chopra, Nick Jonas set couple goals at Cannes and now fans want a husband just like him. See pics Apart from Kangana, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra and TV actor Hina Khan have also walked the red carpet at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival this year. Sonam Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan are yet to arrive in France for their annual appearance at the festival. Follow @htshowbiz for more Actors Sonam Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai have reached France for the 72nd Cannes Film Festival. They will walk the red carpet at the event and confirmed their arrival in France with a series of pictures on Instagram. They walk the red carpet every year for makeup brand LOreal India. Sonam and Rhea were earlier spotted at the Mumbai airport in similar looks. Sonam wore a blue and read outfit with a khaki jacket. She also shared a picture of herself from Nice airport upon reaching France. A video on her Instagram stories shows her in her hotel suite in Cannes. Rhea and her team members can be seen waving at the camera in the video. Sonam Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor at Mumbai airport (second from left), Sonam in her flight and Rhea in Cannes. (Varinder Chawla/Instagram) Sonam also wished parents Anil Kapoor and Sunita on their 35th wedding anniversary. She shared a picture of the two and wrote with it, Mom, you are the yin to Dads yang. He lights up your eyes like no one else. The two of you are pure magic together. I wish you both a very Happy Anniversary, heres to many more magical Lamhe! Love you. #CoupleGoals #Lamhe #. Deepika Padukone also endorses the same brand. While Deepika was seen at the Mumbai airport upon her return from France, Aishwarya was seen leaving for Cannes with daughter Aaradhya. She shared a picture with Aaradhya and captioned it, My love my angel. She also shared a picture of the clouds from her flight with the caption, Whipped cream over the Alps..., confirming her arrival in Cannes. Aishwarya Rai, daughter Aaradhya and Deepika Padukone were spotted at the Mumbai airport. (Varinder Chawla) Cannes 2019: Deepika Padukone slays in three new looks from Day 2 Also read: Diana Penty flirts with black and white for her Cannes appearances. See pics Deepika, Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut and Hina Khan have already walked the red carpet. Priyanka was later joined by husband Nick Jonas who accompanied her for her second red carpet appearance. The couple also attended the Chopard party which also had Diana Penty and Huma Qureshi in attendance. Follow @htshowbiz for more Indias beloved childrens author Ruskin Bond is celebrating his 85th birthday today, May 19 with the release of a new memoir set against the backdrop of the partition. The book titled Coming Round the Mountain, will be released officially by the author at Cambridge bookstores in Mussourie, where he signs books for his readers every week on Monday. Coming Round the Mountain is the third installment of Bonds award-winning memoir series for children that includes Looking for the Rainbow and Till the Clouds Roll By. In Looking for the Rainbow, Bond described the two years he had spent with his father when he was just nine years old, and in Till the Clouds Roll By he talked about the sudden change in his circumstances, the efforts he had to make to adjust to a new and very different life with his mother and stepfather. Now, the third part of the series will deal with Bonds story as a boy of thirteen during the crucial year of Indias partition. The making of friends; the loss of friends; the countrys freedom and its division; changes everywhere, this is how Ruskin Bond remembers Independence Day of 1947. Coming Round The Mountain: In the Years of Independence launched today on Ruskin Bonds 85th birthday. (penguin.co.in) Bond had just turned 13 then and was studying in Bishop Cotton residential school in Shimla. His best friends were Azhar Khan, who was his age; Brian Adams, who was a year younger; and Cyrus Satralkar, who was the youngest. They called themselves the Fearsome Four, although there was nothing very fierce about them. Azhar was a quiet, soft-spoken boy. He came from the North-West Frontier Province, but there was nothing unruly or rough about him, as many might have imagined. Satralkar was the smallest boy in his class. I think he was Iranian. Brians home was in Bangalore, he recalls. They were not in the least interested in each others religion or regional backgrounds. Adults seemed to think it is important; but at 13, friendship and loyalty seemed to matter more. The catalyst for their bonding was that early-morning rouser for PT or physical training. Bond recalls an incident when the four of them overslept one morning and failed to turn up for their exercises. Our absence was duly reported by a senior prefect, and we were summoned to the headmasters study for the usual punishment, he writes in his latest book. They were flogged and after that they promised never to be late for PT again. But then in 1947, life was about to change quite dramatically for most of them. Bond says Cyrus knew more about the political situation than he did. Although I knew a bit about Gandhi and Nehru and other leaders, I had no real interest in politics. I would accept whatever came along. My stepfather was an Indian and a Hindu and he wouldnt be going anywhere, nor would my mother and small brothers and sister; in truth, there was nowhere for us to go, he writes. On August 15 1947, Bond and his friends were roused by the ringing of the bell. No PT that morning. That was a good sign. We went into breakfast in a happy frame of mind, and as a special treat we were given laddoos, halwa and samosas, then marched up to town to take part in a flag-raising ceremony, he revisits the historic occasion. All this went off gloriously - or as gloriously as the rain would allow, for nature waits upon no man - and we sang the national anthem as vigorously as any in the crowd. Unfamiliar with Hindi, we had been practising it for weeks! All the big speeches were being made in New Delhi, but we had our share of them too, and the massive crowd on the Ridge listened patiently, applauded generously and went home happily. The entire school had attended the ceremony, he says. The boys had worn their suits and ties and caps. The school cap, so British, so public school, was still a part of our uniform. On our way back to school we split into groups, and the Fearsome Four lagged behind. Brian took off to purchase a supply of roasted bhuttas. Munching happily, we marched on through the rain, singing a few songs of our own. When asked by his friends how he felt being in a different country now, Bond replied, It will take time to sink in. Right now, the rain is the same as it was yesterday. But with Independence came a division of the country and the violence spread like wildfire, even up to Shimla, he says. The school management then decided that the entire Muslim contingent would be evacuated - roughly one-third of the school. Four or five army trucks were provided by the government, and these were manned by soldiers, both Indian and British. The convoy was to leave at midnight, when the town was supposedly asleep. It was all very hush-hush, writes Bond in the book, published by Puffin. He was asleep when someone shook him by the shoulders, and he woke up to find Azhar leaning over him. Azhar was going home under army escort. He stood besides Bond, his arm around his shoulders. Time to say goodbye. Ill write to you. Well meet again - some day, somewhere, Azhar told Bond. Azhars departure left quite a gap in Bonds life. He had been someone to whom I could talk freely, someone to whom I could confide and share my dreams, Bond writes about his friend. Towards the end of that year, Bond received a letter from Azhar. He replied and have his home address, but did not hear from Azhar again. Perhaps the letters were lost, for there were many new borders. History, it seems, is all about shifting borders, Bond writes. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter Delhis food safety department on Friday seized over 1,060kg of counterfeit ghee during a raid in Shradhanand market near Lahori gate. Officers confiscated 60 cartons containing 18 one-kg plastic jars of ghee being sold under the Gowardhan brand. Some of the packs had been opened. We confiscated all that was there in the shop. Legal samples were also sent to the food safety lab for testing, said Ranjit Singh, designated officer, Delhis food safety department. The raid was conducted on the complaint of the company whose products were being counterfeited. We realised there was a problem when we found out that our ghee was being sold at 100 less than our market price. We also received complaints from some customers that the quality of the ghee was bad, said Dinesh Bhatnagar, head, corporate affairs at Parag Milk Foods, the company that manufactures Gowardhan ghee. When we got some of the samples, we realised that it was counterfeit; the logo they were using was slightly different, the colour of the packaging was also off, and our products say Parag Milk Foods Ltd, but the counterfeit did not have an s in the food. Thats when we lodged a police complaint, Bhatnagar said. Although legal proceedings will be filed after an analysis of the samples in Delhis food safety lab, even upon a physical inspection, the counterfeit ghee was not found to be up to the mark. The first thing we do while collecting samples is to check the physical appearance. I have been in the field for years and on just a visual inspection, I could tell something was off with the ghee. The colour was not consistent with pure ghee and it did not have the typical smell either. It was also surprising to see that even at these high temperature, the ghee had not fully melted. The samples smelled rancid as well, Singh said. HT had on Thursday reported that milk and milk products topped the list of unsafe food items, with 161 samples failing the food safety departments tests in the last 16 months. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The small jewellery units located in the lanes and by-lanes of Karol Baghs Beadon Pura, where many Delhiites still throng regularly to get their gold and silver ornaments repaired or for a complete makeover, could soon face closure. The area, according to local traders, has around 5,000 such units with over 20,000 employees. However, shops here have been under the lens of the government watchdog after complaints from people in the area of the alleged polluting nature of the work there. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), in a letter dated May 9, directed the North Delhi Municipal Corporation to close down shut down all the units / shops engaged in the activity of cleaning and washing gold and silver in an unscientific manner operating in Beadon Pura, Karol Bagh. HT has a copy of the letter. It, however, does not give details of these unscientific methods. While senior officials of the DPCC confirmed that the letter was sent to the north Delhi civic body, they refused to divulge any further details. Even Imran Hussain, Delhi environment minister refused to comment. The letter states that DPCC had carried out an inspection on March 1, following an order of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). The inspection, it read, found that these units were engaged in assembling unfinished small gold and silver ornaments after washing, cleaning and soldering them to give them a complete makeover. While the shops were located on the ground floor, most of the units where the cleaning, washing and soldering were being done were located on the first, second, third and fourth floors of buildings. We will follow the directions. It is yet to be ascertained as to how many such units are operating in the said area. The survey is in progress, said a senior official of the north municipal corporation, who didnt wish to be named. The letter, however, came as a shock for the traders who said that around 85 units had already been sealed in May 2018 and in December 2018 in Beadon Pura. Traders said that at least 5,000 such units operate in the streets of Beadon Pura and Regar Pura in Karol Bagh. More than 20,000 artisans work in these units. We have the permission of working out from homes engaging four-to five labourers and LPG cylinders. Only washing and polishing of the metals using acid would cause some degree of pollution. But it has been a year that we all have got machines that does not let the fume out and dilutes it in water, which is later drained, said Rabindranath Hait, president, Delhi Swarnakar Sangha , Karol Bagh. The artisans and traders also said that they have sent a letter to the union environment minister Harsh Vardhan in February, 2019 seeking relief. The union minister could not be reached for comment. In an overnight operation, the Delhi Police rescued a 64-year-old Mumbai-based businessman who was abducted from a luxury hotel in New Delhi on Friday night and confined in a building in east Delhis Laxmi Nagar. The police said that the man had fallen victim to a honey trap and a ransom amount of 30 lakh had been demanded for his release. The police have arrested four women and two men for the abduction. A police officer who was probing the case, but is not authorised to speak to the media, said that they got a call around 10.50pm on Friday from one of the businessmans friends reporting that he had been abducted. The man told us that the abducters had asked for a ransom of 30 lakh for his release. We started to investigate, and the phone number from which the call was received was put on surveillance. CCTV camera footage from the hotel was also checked and the man was seen leaving the hotel in a Hyundai Verna car. The vehicles registration number was noted and a message was passed across the Delhi Polices district control rooms and PCR vans to trace the vehicle, said the police officer. He said CCTV camera footage along the route the car had travelled were checked. We traced the car as far as we could. Further, following overnight raids and technical surveillance we finally managed to trace the businessmans location to a building in Laxmi Nagar. Around 6am, our teams conducted a raid at the identified address and the man was rescued, said the officer. Additional deputy commissioner of police (New Delhi) Eish Singhal said that four woman and two men were arrested for the abduction. The businessman was rescued and his family members were informed, he said. Singhal, however, refused to reveal the names of the businessman or the suspects arrested for the alleged abduction, stating that the matter was under investigation. All six have been booked for the abduction under the Indian Penal Code Section 363. We are investigating the gangs involvement in other cases. It was a honey trap case and further details are being probed, Singhal said. Congresss Delhi unit chief and the partys candidate from North East Lok Sabha constituency Sheila Dikshit on Saturday said that votes in the national Capital shifted to the grand old party because of the bad track record of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. Dikshits comment came after Kejriwal, in an interview to a news daily on Friday, said that around 13% of Muslim votes got shifted to Congress in Delhi at the last moment. On Saturday Dikshit a three-time chief minister of Delhi said that the Congress would win all seven seats in the national Capital because of its good track record. If people are choosing us over the AAP, it means they are seeing and believing the good works done by us in the 15 years of Congress government in Delhi. It is clearly a reflection of [Arvi nd] Kejriwals track record, she said. On Friday, Kejriwal had told a newspaper that the Muslim vote in Delhi shifted to the Congress at the last minute during the Lok Sabha polls. Delhi went to polls on May 12 and the city has seven parliamentary seats. Dikshit also said that Delhiites do not like or even understand Kejriwals governance model. Be it Muslims, Sikhs, or anyone for that matter, every voter is important. We dont discriminate based on their religion. Everyone including Muslims, Dalits, backward classes, women and all other sections of the society have strongly supported us, she said. Several AAP leaders later took to Twitter to defend Kejriwals statement. Ankit Lal, the social media in-charge of the AAP said, The statement has been misconstrued. He (Kejriwal) said that media and some people are reporting this and we will come to know what happened on 23 (May). Media portrayed it as if he blamed a certain community. Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Board (GSHSEB) will declare the class 10th or SSC result 2019 on Tuesday, May 21, 2019 at 8 am. Candidates can check Gujarat Board SSC Result at gseb.org. In a notice issued by GSEB, the Class 10th SSC Result will be declared on May 21 at 8 am. The exam was conducted from March 7 to 19. 1. Check GSHSEB 10th Result on official websites Visit the official website of Gujarat Board at gseb.org Find a link on the homepage that reads -GSHSEB SSC Result 2019 Click on the link Key in your registration number, roll number and date of birth (as required on the login page) Submit the details Your results will be available on the website Download and take its print out. 2. Check GSHSEB 10th Result on mobile Candidates who do not have access to computers can check their result on mobile Open your mobile browser, preferably google chrome Visit the official website at gseb.org If the website doesnt open, go to options tab in your browser and enable Desktop site option GSHSEB website will open Find a link on the homepage that reads -GSHSEB SSC Result 2019 Click on the link Key in your registration number, roll number and date of birth (as required on the login page) Submit the details Your results will be available on the website 3. Check GSHSEB 10th Result on third party websites GSHSEB does a partnership with other third party websites on which the results will be available. Candidates who cannot access their result from the official website of the board due to server issues and heavy traffic can check their result from the third party websites. Some of the third party websites include: examresults.net indiaresults.nic.in results.gov.in Earlier, on May 10, Gujarat Board had released its class 12th exam result for science stream. A total of 11,34,352 students had appeared for the exam. Overall, 71.9% students passed the GSEB Class 12th Science exam that totals to 1,23,860 students who have passed the exam. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Delhi government will demand an explanation from teachers of state-run schools where less than 80% students cleared the CBSE class 10 and 12 board exams this year. According to the minutes of a coordination committee meeting chaired by the director of education on May 15, all district education officers have been asked to issue show- cause notices to teachers of schools over poor performance. The director of education ordered district deputy directors of education (DDEs) to issue show-cause notices to all teachers with less than 80% results in X and XII classes to explain as to why action as per CCS (CCA) Rules for Minor Penalty should not be initiated against them for poor performance, the minutes stated. The teachers will be given a chance to improve the performance of their students during remedial classes being held in summer vacations. Action, if required, would be taken keeping in view the result of the compartment exams, the minutes added. State education department officials said less than 80% students passed the board exams in as many as 572 government schools. Not all teachers will be issued show-cause notices. It will be decided on class-based performance. For instance, if there are 50 students in a class and less than 42 have passed the exams then show-cause notices will be issued to teachers of that school, said a government official who wished not to be named. The government is paying full attention to students who have to write the compartment exams. Regular remedial classes are being held for them, the official said. Overall, Delhis 1,024 government schools registered a pass percentage of 94.24 and 71.97 in the CBSE class 12 and 10 exams, respectively, in the academic year 2018-19. While the performance of government schools was better than their private counterparts in class 12 exams, they lagged in class 10. The government school teachers association (GSTA) termed the move irrational. It is an arbitrary decision. Instead of praising teachers for improving the overall results this time, the government is punishing us. We will resist the move and will move court if required, said Ajay Veer Singh, general secretary of the association. In February last year, teachers of around 120 government schools were issued notices after 31% students who wrote the Class 10 pre-board exams passed. The government had even tried to stop the increment of a teacher after his class could not perform well in the class 10 boards in 2018. We are going to protest this move, said Sandeep Bhardwaj, GSTA district secretary. Officials at the DoE said such action would be taken only if results do not improve even in the compartment exams. As many as 44,516 and 99,207 students of Delhi government schools will write the compartment exams for class 10 and 12, respectively, in 2019. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The University Grants Commission (UGC) has directed Kolhan University to start compulsory diploma course for all students from 2019 under which the students will get the opportunity to study about environment with practical classes in natural atmosphere. Undergraduate students will study seven topics related to environment along with field visit in forests, riversides and other natural sites, surrounded with flora and fauna. They will conduct outdoor classes in most polluted places; collect information about local available plants, forest species and ecosystem of the locality. The KU will start six months diploma course on Environmental Science. Students of any stream and department will go through the subject as the UGC intends to make students aware about environment. Through a letter, the UGC has directed the KU to spread environment protection awareness . VC of University, Shukla Mahanty, said the academic council will take it up further so that students could smoothly take up the classes. The university intends to start this course from the upcoming session and let the students be equipped with the environment protection measure, she added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Over 10 Lakh candidates who had appeared for the West Bengal class 10th result 2019 will get their results tomorrow. West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) will declare the results of Madhyamik 2019 or Bengals class 10 board exam on May 21 at 9 am. Candidates will be able to check their results online and offline. Candidates can check their WBBSE Madhyamik 2019 results in four ways. 1. Check WBBSE 10th Result on official websites Visit the official website of West Bengal Board at wbbse.org or wbresults.nic.in Find a link on the homepage that reads -WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2019 Click on the link Key in your registration number, roll number and date of birth (as required on the login page) Submit the details Your results will be available on the website Download and take its print out. 2. Check WBBSE 10th Result on mobile Candidates who do not have access to computers can check their result on mobile Open your mobile browser, preferably google chrome Visit the official website at wbbse.org or wbresults.nic.in If the website doesnt open, go to options tab in your browser and enable Desktop site option WBBSE website will open Find a link on the homepage that reads -WBBSE Madhyamik Result 2019 Click on the link Key in your registration number, roll number and date of birth (as required on the login page) Submit the details Your results will be available on the website 3. Get WBBSE 10th Result on SMS Candidates who want to check their scores offline can get it on SMS SMS - WB10 ROLL NUMBER - Send it to 56263 As soon as the result is declared, the candidates will get their scores on their message inbox. 4. Check WBBSE 10th Result on third party websites WBBSE does a partnership with other third party websites on which the results will be available. Candidates who cannot access their result from the official website of the board due to server issues and heavy traffic can check their result from the third party websites. Some of the third party websites include: examresults.net indiaresults.nic.in results.gov.in jagranjosh.com This year the results will be declared much ahead of what it was in 2018. Last year, Madhyamik results were announced on June 6. The pass percentage last year was 85.49%. In 2019, Bengals Class 10 board examination started from February 12 and continued till February 22. This year the number of aspirants stood at 10,64,980, a dip by 18,408 than what it was in 2018. Of the total of 10,64,980 aspirants this year, 6,03,311 (56.65%) were girls and 4,61,669 (43.35%) were boys. Following reports of question paper leaks during the previous years, in 2019, WBBSE took a number of precautionary measures including changing the norms of opening question paper packets. This year, the invigilators opened sealed packets of question papers in front of students and then distributed the same among them. The decision was taken following the incident in 2018 when the headmaster of Subhasnagar High School in Jalpaiguri district of north Bengal was charged with opening question paper packets 35 minutes before the scheduled time. Restrictions were also imposed on invigilators carrying mobile phones to the exam halls. They had to deposit their phones to the venue-in-charge (who will be a government officer) at least 30 minutes before the commencement of the exam. However, despite such precautions several incidences of question papers being leaked were reported from different corners of the state. Criminal Investigation Department (CID), West Bengal also made a number of arrests in this connection. State education minister, Partha Chatterjee claimed that such incidents were deliberate attempts by a a section to malign the state governments image. He also sought a report from WBBSE on such incidences of paper leak, following which CID took over the investigation. (With inputs from Sumanta Ray Chaudhuri) SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Television actor Aansh Arora has sent a complaint to the National Human Rights Commission alleging third degree torture by Ghaziabad police at the Indirapuram police station on May 12 night. The Ghaziabad police, however, have refuted the charges and claimed that the actor was making up a case just to evade facing action for allegedly vandalising a store inside a mall in Vaishali. Arora who is based in Mumbai and who has starred in shows like Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki, said that he had gone to his brothers house in Vaishali and both had gone to a nearby mall to pick some household items on the night of May 11. The incident took place at a department store after Arora picked up some items and also ordered for a hotdog. I gave 2,000 to the store staff and my bill was about 1,500. I had also ordered a hotdog. The staff told it would take 30-45 minutes to prepare it, so I asked them to cancel. However, they billed me for it. On pointing this out, an altercation broke out inside the store. My brother who was waiting in the car outside later came and took me away from the store, he said. The Ghaziabad police on Saturday released several CCTV footages from inside the store purportedly showing Arora damaging equipment inside the store. On the night of May 12, I again went to the store. I wanted to apologise for my behaviour and wanted to pay for the damages. But some policemen were already present there. They took me away on a complaint by the store owner. I was beaten up in the PCR van and later confined in a lock up of the police station. After some time, I was taken to a room and mercilessly beaten up with a belt. I suffered injuries to my hands and legs. They did not allow me to speak to my family members either, he added. I was beaten the entire night and tortured. They showed me as arrested in the morning of May 13 and later produced me before a magistrate without getting my medical examination done, he added. Arora was later booked under Section 151 of the Criminal Procedure Code and produced before a magistrate where he was granted bail. Later, he had to be admitted to a hospital in Vaishali. Later, he posted a complaint to NHRC, the Prime Ministers office, UP chief minister and director general of police (UP). Ghaziabad police, however, denied all the charges. The suspect had vandalised the property inside the store. The suspect was brought to the police station and was not subjected to any assault. He was booked under 151 of the CrPC and taken to a government hospital for medical examination, before being produced before an executive magistrate. He was granted bail and allowed to go home, said Shlok Kumar, superintendent of police (city). SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Two more students in Jharkhand have ended life after the announcement of results for secondary and senior secondary examinations by the CBSE and Jharkhand Academic Council (JAC), pushing up the number of suicide cases among students post-results to five. On Saturday, a girl student of a government school in Khunti district hanged herself. She had failed to secure passing marks in the recently announced matriculation results by Jharkhand Academic Council. Her parents work as daily wage workers. Sanjiv Kumar, officer-in-charge of Murhu police station, said that according to the girls parents, she was depressed after the results were announced. The same day, a 16-year-old boy hanged himself near Ranchi. Police said he had failed twice in a row in the matriculation exams. Parents of the boy were not at their residence on Saturday afternoon, police said. Earlier, on May 10, a 17-year-old school student jumped off the eighth floor of a shopping mall on Harmu Road. Although the student was declared to have secured overall pass marks in the exams, she was said to be distressed because of securing only 12 marks in mathematics. Four days later, an 18-year-old girl student of science stream in Godda district hanged herself.The next day, a 17-year-old student of commerce jumped before a running train at Ketari Bagan railway crossing under Chutia police station limits. The state does not have a functional suicide prevention helpline number. Ranchis senior superintendent of police, Anish Gupta, said students in distress could call on emergency number 100. Trained personnel with requisite skills were deputed on the number to provide counselling to students suffering from depression or extreme tension due to results. Apart from this, the officer-in-charge of police stations were sensitized to deal with such cases, he said. Soon after the Lok Sabha elections were peacefully conducted in the Kashmir valley, the frequency of gunfights has increased and so has the number of militant deaths. After the voting ended in the Kashmir valley on May 6 when Anantnag and Ladakh constituencies went to polls, the security forces have launched eight counter-insurgency operations from May 10. Six of the operations were successful in which 12 militants were killed. Two army jawans and two civilians (police said one was an associate of militants) were also killed during these gunfights. The surge in operations has coincided with the holy month of Ramazan which began on May 7. There were two gunfights on Thursday and two more on Saturday. In contrast, there were just four encounters between security forces and militants between April 11 when Kashmirs Baramulla voted in the first phase and May 6 when the polls ended in the valley. Eight militants were killed in those four encounters. I agree there has been an increase in militancy related operations post elections, but it is all a part of ongoing counter-insurgency process. Operations happen because of credible intelligence inputs, said a senior police officer of the state not wishing to be named. So far we have eliminated over 86 terrorists this year and there has been a decrease in the number of youth joining militancy to the extent that the rate of elimination is more now than the rate of recruitment, he said. Director General of Police Dilbag Singh had told a news conference on April 24 that they did not suspend the counter insurgency operations during the polls but acknowledged their focus was on the polls. We were concentrating more on peacefully concluding the elections, he had said. By and large the polls across the valley remained relatively peaceful owing to the heavy presence of security forces and a three-phase election for Anantnag constituency in south Kashmir- the hotbed of militancy. Although the turnout remained low to very low, there was no large scale violence except for the killing of a teenaged civilian in pellet firing by security forces after voting ended at Mandigam village in Handwara area of Kupwara district on April 11. A BJP leader Ghulam Mohammad Mir (60) in Nowgam area of South Kashmirs Verinag was killed by suspected militants on May 4. In contrast, the by-polls to Srinagar parliamentary constituency on April 9, 2017 had witnessed large scale protests in which eight people were killed in security forces firing and which also saw a mere 7 per cent voter turnout. The reasons for peaceful elections were many including well planned security measures, phased elections and community involvement. Nobody was coerced to vote and there were preventive arrests as well. To split Anantnag polling also helped, the officer said. Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan, who has found himself in a row over his Indias first extremist was a Hindu remarks, Sunday called Mahatma Gandhi a superstar. Pointing out that he has been repeatedly reading about Gandhi and his life, Haasan recalled an anecdote where the latter once lost his slipper while travelling in a train. ...he (Gandhi) is a superstar. While waving at the crowds standing in a train, he once lost his slipper. And he threw away the other one and reasoned that a pair of footwear will be useful for someone, he said at an event of director R Pathibans movie titled Ottha Seruppu, meaning single chappal. Talking more on Gandhis footwear, Haasan said following research on the Indian freedom movements doyen for his film Hey Ram, he came to know that his spectacles and a slipper went missing during the melee, apparently referring to his assassination. So I created a scene where Saketram (the lead played by himself) takes it (slipper) and keeps it till his death, he said. Caught in a row for saying that Nathuram Godse, who shot dead Gandhi, was a Hindu and that he was free Indias first extremist, Haasan said he cannot accept a villain as a hero. On the incident where footwear was hurled during his campaigning at Thirupparankundram near Madurai recently, he said it is an insult for the one who threw the chappal. Indicating that Gandhi was his hero, Haasan said I cannot change my hero. I cannot change my hero, cant accept the villain as hero, he said, without mentioning who he was referring to. However, the apparent reference seemed to be Godse. Earlier, stoking a controversy, Haasan had said free Indias first extremist was a Hindu, referring to Godse. I am not saying this because this is a Muslim dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Free Indias first extremist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it (extremism) starts, he had said in bypoll bound Aravakurichi. The remarks had resulted in a major row, with the BJP and AIADMK tearing into Haasan, even as cases were filed against him in Tamil Nadu and Delhi. However, the Congress state unit and rationalist outfit Dravidar Kazhagam backed him. A team of police from Nagaland left for New Delhi on Sunday after an arrested gangster from Haryana claimed to have received money to kill a senior politician from the northeastern state. Vijay Farmana, who was arrested by Delhi Police on May 15 from Uttar Pradeshs Lucknow, had said during his interrogation that he and two associates had visited Nagaland in April to accept the contract. Farmana, Sharad Pandey and Kapil Chitania had allegedly taken 80 lakh and a Ford Endeavour vehicle to carry out the killing after the Lok Sabha election gets over. A report in HT citing of Delhi Polices deputy commissioner of police (crime) G Ram Gopal Naik had stated that while Farmana admitted to receiving the money for the job he didnt disclose the identities of who paid the amount and who was the target. We have sent a team of senior officers led by an inspector general (IG) to Delhi to get in touch with our counterparts there and carry out investigation and interrogation of the gangster, Nagalands director general of police (DGP) T John Longkumer said. Farmana, 29, who hails from Sonepat in Haryana and is involved in 11 murders, one rape, attempts to murder and numerous carjacking cases, was nabbed by Delhi Police following a tip-off. News of the contract killing has created a flutter in Nagaland prompting a review of security arrangements of senior politicians, ministers and MLAs from the state. It is disturbing to learn about the contract to kill a Naga politician after the LS election. Investigating agencies should treat this as a high profile case and find out the person/s who paid for the hit job, Naga Peoples Front leader and former Nagaland chief minister TR Zeliang tweeted. Nagaland deputy chief minister Y Patton, who also holds the home portfolio, issued a statement on Saturday urging the Union home ministry to constitute a committee for carrying out an impartial inquiry. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The road that goes from Digoh to Ratia in Fatehabad, more than 220 kilometres away from the heart of Gurugram, bears witness to a sense of quietude on a hot summer day. Flanked by farmlands on both sides, the stretch is largely uneventful and morose, with little human presence owing to the sweltering heat. However, its from here that a small detour off the main road leads one to the sleepy village of Kunal. On the face of it, Kunal is much like any other Indian village, except it was once a Harappan village and is imbued in history that predates Indias ancient settlements. Located at a distance of 12km from Ratia tehsil, Kunal is one of the oldest pre-Harappan settlements and dates back roughly to the 5th millennium BC. The roughly 6,000-year-old site holds within it a rich legacy and its ties to the past can possibly help trace the history of Haryana, and the country. First discovered in 1986, excavations in Kunal have taken place over different seasons in 1992-93, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. The seventh round of excavations that started in January ended two weeks ago, and a compilation of the findings are expected to be released in the next one year. Kunal: The settlement The presence of the settlement is signalled by a yellow metal board that springs up abruptly on the Digoh-Kunal road. Harappa Kaleen sthal (Harappan-era site), is written on the board in Hindi and a painted red arrow below it points in the direction of the site. Flanked by fields, the settlement is just a few hundred metres away from this board. It bears a deserted look for the greater part of the year except when its time for excavations. The site has been dug up thrice since 2017 following a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Archaeology and Museums, Haryana; the Indian Archaeological Society, New Delhi and National Museum, New Delhi. The recent round of excavation in Kunal started in January this year and concluded in April. The excavations were undertaken to find out more about the original inhabitants of Kunal. A tractor moves past a road, at Kunal village, in Ratia tehsil of Fatehabad district, in Haryana. (Parveen Kumar / HT Photo ) The prime objective of re-excavating the site was to find out who were the earliest settlers of this area, or Haryana, for that matter. We wanted to know whether they were indigenous people or outsiders who came here and settled. The identity of the occupants is ascertained through the cultural material that is found in different geographical layers. At Kunal, our aim is to know more about Hakra culture and the people who were associated with Hakraware, said Shubam Malik, technical assistant and excavator at the site. Culture sans boundaries Hakraware refers to the cultural material that has been traced to the pre-Harappan phase. The word is a combination of two words: Hakra and ware. While ware means pottery, the word Hakra traces its origins to the palaeochannel of Ghaggar-Hakra that flows through India and Pakistan. The river channel is known as Ghaggar in India and Hakra further downstream in Pakistan. Hakraware was first traced to Cholistan in Pakistan along the banks of the river Hakra, and Harappan sites in India have also yielded cultural material resembling that of the Cholistan region. The excavations at Kunal were aimed at digging deep into Hakra culture. When Harappan sites were first excavated in Cholistan, a typical distinctive pottery was found along the banks of the Hakra river. The pottery, however, wasnt limited to that region alone. When Kunal was surveyed, traces of Hakra culture were found here, informed Malik. The fresh round of excavations at Kunal has unearthed myriad cultural material, on the basis of which new conclusions can be drawn about the people who once lived here. (Parveen Kumar / HT Photo ) He added that cultural similarities between the objects unearthed in Pakistan and India had revealed that Hakraware people diffused from the Cholistan region towards Kunal. Hakraware people came here and settled in this area. They were moving and looking for a land to make settlements. Findings have showed that the people lived here in proper continuity for many years, added Malik. Remnants of the past The fresh round of excavations at Kunal has unearthed myriad cultural material, on the basis of which new conclusions can be drawn about the people who once lived here. Banani Bhattacharyya, deputy director of the Department of Archaeology and Museums, and co-director of the excavation, said pottery or Hakraware sourced from Kunal gives an evidence of the craftsmanship of the people of the settlement. What the excavation unearthed this time: Pottery, biochrome pottery, hand-and-wheel-made pottery, ceramics, wares, beads, terracotta bangles, stamps, semi-precious stones and seals, bones of neelgai, antelopes, birds, cattle and fishes Pit activity, indicating use of the site for industrial purposes, has been found Traces of mud brick walls which were used to form rectangular structures in the pre-Harappan stage. Furnace area and remains of water channels Kunal over the years Kunal, one of the oldest pre-Harappan site, roughly dates back to the 5th Millenium BC Excavations at the site first started in 1986. Excavations have taken place in 1992-93, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2001-2002 and 2002-2003. Kunal was a rural village centre. People who lived here were great artisans as demonstrated by the cultural material discovered. Those who lived are identified as Hakraware people The core surviving area of the site is, at present, five acres and is being protected by the state Pottery, biochrome pottery, hand-and-wheel-made pottery, ceramics, wares, beads, terracotta bangles, stamps, semi-precious stones and seals, bones of neelgai, antelopes, birds, cattle and fishesPit activity, indicating use of the site for industrial purposes, has been foundTraces of mud brick walls which were used to form rectangular structures in the pre-Harappan stage.Furnace area and remains of water channelsKunal, one of the oldest pre-Harappan site, roughly dates back to the 5th Millenium BCExcavations at the site first started in 1986.Excavations have taken place in 1992-93, 1996-97, 1998-99, 1999-2000, 2001-2002 and 2002-2003.Kunal was a rural village centre.People who lived here were great artisans as demonstrated by the cultural material discovered. Those who lived are identified as Hakraware peopleThe core surviving area of the site is, at present, five acres and is being protected by the state A gamut of objects ranging from pottery, biochrome pottery, hand and wheel-made pottery, ceramics, wares, beads, terracotta bangles, stamps, steatite beads, semi-precious stones and seals have been extracted in the excavations. People of Kunal were good artisans. They were skilled and exploited different raw materials to make beads of various kinds. We have recovered a large part of steatite beads and they could very well have been running a steatite bead industry, said Malik. He added that in addition to steatite beads, a number of terracotta bangles had also been found from the site. Bangles are omnipresent here. Bangles were not just used for domestic use and evidence of large number of bangles suggests that they were doing some kind of a trade, he added. A shell found during an excavation at a pre-Harappan site, at Kunal village. (Parveen Kumar / HT Photo ) Other important findings that stand out in Kunal are traces of pit dwellings, furnace, mud-brick walls, post-holes and water channels. Bhattacharyya said that Kunal had demonstrated pits that were unique. Kunal has both residential and industrial areas. The central area of the mound has a residential pattern and pit dwellings can be found there. These pit dwellings were supported by post holes and based on the pattern of the post hole, we can draw different conclusions. A round and rectangular post hole could suggest different things, she explained. Malik, on the other hand, said use of mud bricks along the boundaries of these dwellings had also been found during excavations. In pre-Harappan Hakraware culture, it is said that the people were pit-dwellers. They dug out pits into the earth in a circular pattern. At early-Harappan stage, people in Kunal were using mud bricks to make rectangular structures, he added. The process of excavation A SURVEY is done to decide on the area that needs to be dug up A LAYOUT is created and trenches are marked THE EXCAVATION is done through the Wheeler -Kenyon method in which the mound is divided into grids measuring 10 m x10 m. Each grid is further divided into four quadrants. TRAINED WORKERS go down manually into the quadrants and dig using tools. WHILE DIGGING, the soil is exposed layer by layer. The layers are recorded to understand the type of habitation or settlement that were once there. ARTEFACT RECOVERED from the soil is taken out and the remaining soil is put through a sieve. After sieving, the soil is manually checked to ensure that no material of importance is left behind. THE POTTERY or the cultural material retrieved is washed and brought into the pottery ward where it is labelled. is done to decide on the area that needs to be dug upis created and trenches are markedis done through the Wheeler -Kenyon method in which the mound is divided into grids measuring 10 m x10 m. Each grid is further divided into four quadrants.go down manually into the quadrants and dig using tools.the soil is exposed layer by layer. The layers are recorded to understand the type of habitation or settlement that were once there.from the soil is taken out and the remaining soil is put through a sieve. After sieving, the soil is manually checked to ensure that no material of importance is left behind.or the cultural material retrieved is washed and brought into the pottery ward where it is labelled. Excavators also said that they were better equipped to have an improved understanding of the food habits of the people at Kunal. While previous excavations had unearthed citrus fruits, bones of animals like buffalo, neel gai, antelopes, goats, birds and rabbit had been found in the latest round of excavations. The people who lived in Kunal were both carnivorous and herbivorous. Bones of both small and big animals have been found from the site and even grains. Smaller animals like birds and rabbits were found in the layers below, while the size of animals increased in the top layers. It suggests that smaller animals were consumed when the population was less but as the population started increasing, people started consuming bigger animals. We have discovered skeletons of bigger animals which are totally charred. Charred bones suggest that the animal was burnt and roasted well for consumption. It also seems that after eating the flesh, the animal was burnt or thrown into the fire, said Bhattacharyya. The carnivorous tendencies of the people can also be established by the discovery of arrows. According to an expert, charred bones excavated at Kunal village suggest that the animal was burnt and roasted well for consumption. It also seems that after eating the flesh, the animal was burnt or thrown into the fire. (Parveen Kumar / HT Photo ) Additionally, among other important discoveries are seals and traces of water channels. While the former suggests that people at Kunal possibly took part in a barter system or trade, the latter shows how the flow of water had disturbed the area from time to time. Seals suggest that a barter system was in place. There was trade contact with Gujarat and Rajasthan, because Haryana did not have raw material for making beads. We also know that a measurement system was being followed based on the evidence that we have gathered, informed Bhattacharyya. Not a happy finding Not everyone in the village, however, seems to be happy with the presence of a historic site in their vicinity. Sukhwinder Singh, 45, is a relative of the original owners of the site and said his family had been cheated by the government. The total site was around 5.5 acres. We used to grow our crops over 3.5 acres of the land. My uncle Mahinder Singh, and his brothers, Gopal Singh and Kashmir Singh, owned the land. Initially, they opposed when the excavations first began. The government, took our elderly into confidence saying they will get jobs. They gave us compensation of 22 lakh for one acre, said Singh. People work during an excavation at a pre-Harappan site, at Kunal village. (Parveen Kumar / HT Photo ) The disgruntled relative, however, believes that the compensation amount was not sufficient. He even claimed that the village had not benefitted much from the excavations. But what can we do now? The land no longer belongs to us, he resigned. Locals, meanwhile, say that rumour has it that the village is named after a king by the name of Kunal, who once lived here. However, not much is known about Kunal, the king. Going back in time The origins of the people at Kunal are being tracked by going back in time through geographical strata. Through the process of digging, different layers are being detected for the presence of cultural material so that a better understanding of the communities of Kunal can be ascertained. To find out the origins, we need to go down, just on top of the natural soil. Natural soil is the area below which there wont be any cultural material. Cultural material will be only found in layers where there were humans or some human activity, said Malik. He added that digging is undertaken at every 3-4 metres to find cultural material. We dig for three-four metres, till the habitation of the mound can be unlocked, he said. The digging at the site is being done vertically using the Wheeler-Kenyon method to trace the chronology of the settlement. In the Wheeler- Kenyon method, the mound is divided into grids measuring 10 m x10 m and each grid is further divided into four quadrants. Trained workers go down manually into the quadrants and start digging using tools. While digging, the soil is exposed layer by layer. There are different levels of layers, and every layer has different activity going on, and demonstrates a different cultural phase. The layers are recorded to understand the type of habitation or the type of settlements that were once there. Whatever appears in the soil is taken out and the remaining soil is put through a sieve. After sieving, the soil is manually checked to ensure that no material of importance is left behind, said Malik. A tooth found during an excavation at a pre-Harappan site, at Kunal village. (Parveen Kumar / HT Photo ) He explained that the pottery or the cultural material that is retrieved is washed and brought into the pottery ward where it is labelled. Labelling is a crucial part of the documentation process. There is always a label with information about the trench and layer. The description is important and tells us where the soil has been taken from. The label records the changes that are unearthed during excavations, he said. The cultural sequences found at Kunal belong to different periods. They are: Period I A- Stage I (Pre-Harappan), Period I B- Stage II (Early Harappan), Period II A- Stage III (Transitional phase), Period II B- Stage IV (Harappan) and Period III - painted grey ware. Bhattacharyya said that the detailed findings of the excavations would only be tabled after a year after verification. These findings, she said, would add an important chunk of knowledge to the already existing understanding of Harappan culture. The local excavators Most people who are involved in the various processes of excavations are locals from the village. Before engagement, the workers are trained by members of the department. While locals of the village didnt know much about the settlement, the site provided them with a source of living. The workers are paid as per DC rates, and working on the field is sought after by villagers. Most people who are involved in the various processes of excavations are locals from Kunal village. (Parveen Kumar / HT Photo ) Chand Singh, 37, has been working on the site as a labour since 1998. Singh first started working on the site when he was still a school student and recalls the place as a mitta ka teela (mound of sand). I have been part of three previous excavations. The site used to be a mound of sand and was pretty ordinary. Our elders would say that pottery is hidden inside the sand. I was still in school when I started coming here and took to writing the labels, he said. The settlement, Singh said, had brought glory to the village and put it on the world map. But most importantly, he was thankful for having a job, albeit, for a few months of the year. Around 90% of the people in our village our uneducated and do not have regular jobs. The site gives us a chance to work and we are paid a decent amount for our services, he added. His gratitude is shared by others from the village who are working on the site. Bhajan Singh, 54, has been a part of all the excavations that the site has seen in the past. He was a class 10 student when the site was acquired and a boundary wall started coming up around it. Singh informed that he was asked to join the excavation process by JS Khatri, who was among the two persons who first started excavations. I knew about Indus valley civilization and took a great interest in history. Moreover, there was no school beyond class 10 and I willingly started working on the site, he said. He has fond memories of time spent on the site, and gleefully recalls the one time when he struck gold. It was 1990. My axe got stuck in a small earring like structure. It was gold and everyone was amazed. So many other exquisite beads have also been found here, said Singh. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Anees-ul-Islam, 30, contested the local bodies elections in Jammu and Kashmir last year hoping to do his bit in developing his village Sagam in Anantnag district. He entered the fray despite threats to his life in the militancy-hit South Kashmir district. Many like Islam hoped the situation would get better to allow them to fulfil the promises they had made to their voters. But the situation has gone from bad to worse, so much so that Islam has been unable to even visit his family in Sagam. I am living in a rented room in the town [Anantnag] along with my wife and two children since I became a sarpanch, he said. Islam is not alone. Hundreds of elected sarpanches have been unable to visit their families since getting elected in the Panchayat polls held in November-December last year. The elections were held under the shadow of militant threats. In August 2018, Hizb-ul-Mujhadeen (HM) commander Riyaz Naikoo issued a video message threatening acid attacks against the participants. The elections were held without any major violence. But militant violence has escalated in South Kashmir over the last six months. On May 4, suspected militants killed Bharatiya Janata Party functionary Ghulam Mohammed Mir, 55, in Anantnag. The attack on Mir was the latest in militant assaults in south Kashmir, which has become a militant hub since the killing of HM militant Burhan Wani in 2016. Islam said they face a double whammy as they were hardly getting their salaries, not to mention a lack of developmental funds. We thought we would at least help rebuild lanes and by-lanes in my village...but since getting elected, I am literally homeless. Many of us got government accommodation for the initial few months, but were later told to vacate them. Farooq, who refused to give his second name fearing reprisals, was forced to quit even before takling his oath in the face of specific threats. He said gunmen came to kill him a week after he was elected as sarpanch in Shopian. He, too, has not returned home despite quitting. I am afraid to go back. These sarpanches say their pleas for help have fallen on deaf ears even as they have threatened hunger strikes and mass resignations. A police officer in Srinagar said following Mirs killing they have now been directed to reassess the security of sarpanches and panches facing threats. After threat assessment of these people, security will be provided to them, the officer said. Many like Irshad Ahmad said they were elected unopposed but are yet to get funds since their election has not been notified officially. Mohammad Nazir Sheikh, the director of Panchayats, said a sarpanch needed the backing of one-third of panches to get notified under the previous Panchayat Raj Act. He said 230 sarpanches are yet to be notified since they do not have any Panches to back them. A 41.3% turnout was recorded in the panchayat polls in Kashmir while it was 83.5% in the states Jammu region. Across South Kashmirs Shopian, Pulwama, Kulgam and Anantnag districts, there was no polling in the absence of candidates in a majority of the villages. As a result, of the 1,560 sarpanches elected, only 1,330 could be notified since at least 11,236 panch posts remain vacant. Many blame the poll boycott of the states main parties like the National Conference (NC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in protest against alleged attempts to dilute the states special status for the situation. PDPs Rajya Sabha member, Nazir Ahmad Laway, blamed the Centre for making the elected local bodies members scapegoats by insisting on conducting the elections. Rao Farman Ali, a political analyst, said the boycott gave a way to rogue elements to contest. The boycott turned out to be fatal... apart from militant threats they are now facing public resentment too. Shafiq Mir, head of the All J&K Panchayat Conference, said he led a delegation that met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in December. But the meeting was just to show we have elected people in the Valley. Four militants were killed in two separate gunfights with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, a police spokesperson said. The spokesperson said three Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) militants were killed in a pre-dawn operation in South Kashmirs Pulwama district. Another militant was killed in Sopore town of North Kashmirs Baramulla district, the spokesperson added. He said security forces launched a cordon and search operation based on an input in the early hours of Saturday at Panzgam in Pulwamas Awantipora. The three militants holed up there fired as the search operation was going on. The security forces retaliated, leading to an exchange of fire in which the three were killed. The militants were identified as Showkat Dar, Irfan War, and Muzaffar Sheikh. Showkat Dar was part of a group of militants involved in killing of Army jawan Aurangzeb last year, the police spokesman said. Militants abducted and killed Aurangzeb while he was on his way home for Eid from his camp in South Kashmirs Shadimarg in June 2018. The spokesman cited police records and said Dar had a long history of terror activities. He was involved in planning and executing a series of terror attacks in the area and many other civilian atrocities. He was also involved in the killing of a policeman Aqib Ahmad Wagay last year. Several terror crime cases were registered against him, he said. Irfan War and Muzaffar Sheikh, the police said, were involved in several terror attacks on security establishments in the area. Several criminal cases were registered against Sheikh for terrorist activities, a police statement said. Incriminating material, including arms and ammunition, were recovered from the gunfight site, the police spokesman said. The police have registered a case and the material has been taken in the case records for the purpose of investigation, he added. It was a clean operation and no collateral damage took place during the exchange of fire, the police spokesman said In the second operation, at Hathlangoo village in north Kashmirs Sopore area, the police said one militant was killed. While the body of the slain militant has been retrieved from the site of the gun battle, the police said the identity and affiliation of the militant is yet to be ascertained. He said incriminating material, including ammunition, was recovered from the site of the encounter. In another operation at Dehrna in Anantnag district, some unidentified militants managed to escape following an exchange of fire. The operation was later terminated. Over the past three days, five militants, two soldiers and a civilian have been killed in two different operations in South Kashmir. Nine people, including three Jaish-e-Mohammed militants, two soldiers and two civilians, were killed on Thursday last.This was one of the worst single day causalities since the February 14 car bomb attack in Pulwama in which 40 paramilitary troopers were killed. The Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed had claimed responsibility for the attack. India responded to Pulwama attack with an air strike on a terror camp in Pakistan. The intake capacity of pharmacy institutes across the country, for degree and diploma courses, has gone up by nearly 30% this academic year as compared to 2018-19, suggests data from the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). While the number of seats across India for degree and diploma pharmacy courses increased to 2,62,698 in 2019-20 from 2,04,951 in 2018-19, the number of institutes rose to 3,276 in 2019-20 from 2,306 in 2018-19. In the academic year 2018-19, there were 480 pharmacy institutes in state, offering diploma, undergraduate and post graduate courses. For 2019-20, 81 new institutes have been approved to start admissions. This takes the total number of pharmacy institutes to 556 (five colleges sought permission for closure) in 2019-20. Pharmacy has been trending for the past two years. Last year too, the AICTE approved many new pharmacy institutes. This year, weve been very strict with our rules and only approved those colleges which have appropriate infrastructure and staff, said Anil D Sahasrabudhe, AICTE chairman. He said that like every year, a special team inspected all applications, and based on the report, approvals were issued this week. Dr Krishna Iyer, chairman, board of studies for pharmacy, University of Mumbai, said pharmacy institutes have rarely complained of seat vacancy, unless they are new. Students have a lot of options to branch out once they complete their graduation [in pharmacy] and its easy to apply for higher education, said Iyer, an alumnus of the department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry Research at the Bombay College of Pharmacy.Moreover, he said, fierce competition in other health science sectors has also contributed to the popularity of pharmacy courses. The competition for medical seats is so strong at present that more and more students are opting for pharmacy courses after failing to get a medical seat. This has led to many new institutes. Generally, around 50% of the batch is easily placed in the placement season while the rest pursue higher education, Iyer said, adding in some cases, placements are much better in pharmacy colleges as compared to some engineering colleges. While pharmacy institutes are positive they will continue to attract students year after year, experts have expressed concern over the rate at which these institutes are cropping up, especially in states such as Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. These colleges, especially the ones in rural parts of the country, are witnessing 15-20% seat vacancy. The situation is worrisome as jobs in the pharmacy sector are not growing at the same rate as the colleges. Very soon, these institutes may face a situation like engineering colleges did a few years ago, said a senior AICTE official on condition of anonymity. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON After spending over 15 hours meditating at a holy cave near the Kedarnath shrine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday arrived at Badrinath, another temple in Uttarakhands revered Char Dham. PM Modi stepped out wearing a garland of Tulsi leaves after offering prayers at the Badrinath Temple. The iconic Badrinath Temple remains an important part of our culture and ethos. Had the honour of joining the Puja at the Temple today, PM Modi tweeted. The iconic Badrinath Temple remains an important part of our culture and ethos. Had the honour of joining the Puja at the Temple today. pic.twitter.com/AcHJxImztU Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2019 After offering his prayers at the temple, PM Modi sat down to meditate in the mountains. Majestic and magnificent. Serene and spiritual. There is something very special about the Himalayas. It is always a humbling experience to return to the mountains. pic.twitter.com/o01iPJ5dl3 Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2019 The Prime Minister will return to Delhi this evening after a two-day visit to the hill state. The portals of Badrinath temple in the Garhwal Himalayan range of Uttarakhands Chamoli district were thrown open to pilgrims on May 10 after a six-month-long winter break. WATCH: Day after campaign ends, PM Modi meditates in cave near Kedarnath shrine The temple, which is located at a height of over 10,000 feet in the Garhwal hills, is among the Char Dham shrines which include Gangotri, Yamunotri and Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. Modi, who yesterday visited Kedarnath Temple, offered prayers at the innermost sanctum of the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Also read | Food, call bell, phone: Cave PM Modi meditated in can be rented for Rs 990/day After ending his meditation today at a holy cave nearby, Modi was seen meeting devotees dressed in a maroon robe. He told reporters that he has been lucky to visit the shrine on multiple occasions, adding that he has a special connection with Kedarnath. Modi circumambulated the temple and later interacted with local officials, even taking time out to monitor the progress of ongoing development works in the area. When asked if he prayed for his victory in the Lok Sabha elections, the Prime Minister said, I did not ask for anything from Baba Kedarnath. God has made us self-sufficient beings who are able to give rather than ask. This was Modis fourth visit to Kedarnath in a span of three years. In November last year, Prime Minister Modi had visited the Kedarnath shrine during Diwali. In 2017, he paid visits to the temple twice, in May after its gate had opened following a six-month winter break and again in October, before the temple closed for winters. This year, the portals of the Kedarnath temple in Garhwal Himalayan range of Uttarakhands Rudraprayag district was thrown open to pilgrims on May 9 after a six-month-long winter break. (The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text, only the headline has been changed) Also read | I never seek anything from God, says PM Modi after his Kedarnath yatra Vishnu Goswami, 22, succumbed to burn injuries in a city hospital on Sunday morning after he was set ablaze by a group of four youngsters over a petty dispute in a Gonda village five days ago. The news of his death led to tension at his native place Mughal Jot Chistipur village of Gonda district and markets remained closed in protest of the incident. Police force was deployed and a peace committee meeting was held in the area apprehending communal tension, as the victim and the assailants belonged to different communities, said the police. Saras Shukla, a social activist, who was helping the victims family in Lucknow, said the youth had suffered nearly 65% burn injuries and was first admitted to the Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Hospital for three days. The victim belonged to a poor family and had not enough money, so we managed funds from different sources to shift him to a private hospital for better treatment. He was shifted on Saturday, but he succumbed, he stated. According to Shukla, doctors said the victim died on Sunday morning after breathlessness due to major damage caused to the pulmonary system of the body. The victims cousin, Raj Kumar Goswami, said the incident occurred when Vishnu and his brother Mahesh had gone to get back their drunken father, Ramgeer Goswami, who was loitering near the village, under Kotwali Dehat police limits, at around 8.30 pm on Tuesday. He said the four accused got into a verbal duel with the brothers while they were trying to take their father home. The accused confronted Vishnu and allegedly set him ablaze after pouring petrol on him when he was washing his face after the heated exchange. Inspector (Kotwali Dehat), Rajnath Singh, said the four accused Imran, Ramzan, Nizamudeen and Tufail were arrested on Tuesday night after registering an FIR of attempt to murder. He said the case will be altered. Force has been deployed in the village to prevent any further trouble after the arrest of the assailants, said the inspector. 74 seats not difficult to achieve in Odisha Assembly: BJP leaders The magic number in Odisha Assembly is 74 which senior BJD leaders say would not be difficult to achieve considering the overall popularity of chief minister Naveen Patnaik. In Odisha Assembly, BJP party hopes to get around 50-55 seats In Odisha Assembly, BJP party hopes to get around 50-55 seats. Partys ational secretary Suresh Pujari however says Odisha would surprise everyone as the support for PM Narendra Modi was unprecedented. KCRs TRS to win big in Telangana, says exit polls According to the Times Now-VMR exit poll, the TRS will win 13 of the 17 seats while the Congress will win 2. The BJP and MIM will bag one seat each, says the poll. YSRC confident of crossing the three-figure mark in the 175-member assembly The mood in the YSRC is very much upbeat as it is confident of coming to power by crossing the three-figure mark in the 175-member assembly. No party will get a majority in these elections: SBSP chief OM Prakash Rajbhar No party will get a majority in these elections. But the SP-BSP alliance will get a massive victory in Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh). Without our support the BJP will suffer losses in at least 30 seats in Purvanchal. It is losing Balia, Gorakhpur and Ghazipur seats, said OM Prakash Rajbhar. ABP News-AC Nielsen predicts 22 seats for NDA in UP According to ABP News-AC Nielsen, in Uttar Pradesh, NDA will secure 22 seats, UPA will secure 2 seats and 56 seats will go to others. Watch: Live analysis of Exit Polls 2019 Polling concluded, exit polls to be released soon Polling has concluded in 542 parliamentary constituencies, said the Election Commission. Click here for Lok Sabha elections Exit Polls 2019 LIVE Updates: Voting ends, exit polls to be released after 6:30 pm Centre for the Study of Developing Societies developed exit polls in 1960s In India, exit polls were almost indigenously developed by the pioneering Delhi-based Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) in the 1960s. Voter behaviour survey determines opinion poll An opinion poll is a voter behaviour survey conducted in order to find out the opinion of the people, including those who may or may not vote, before voting takes place. An exit poll is done right after people have voted on an election day. Most exit polls overrated NDAs win in 1999 elections In the 1999 elections, forced by an early collapse of the government led by BJPs Atal Bihari Vajpayee, most polls overrated the National Democratic Alliances (NDAs) win. They gave the NDA overwhelming 315-plus seats but it actually won 296. Four exit polls predicted wrongly At least four exit polls have predicted wrongly, barring those in the 1998 and 2014 general polls. 278 candidates including 22 women in the in fray in Punjab In Punjab, a total of 278 candidates including 22 women are in the in fray. Bollywood actor Sunny Deol is the BJP candidate from Gurdaspur while former Union minister Preneet Kaur wife for Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh is contesting from her home turf of Patiala for the fifth consecutive time. Cong leaders believe MPs ruling party will turn the tables on BJP Congress leaders in Madhya Pradesh, including chief minister Kamal Nath, have claimed that there is no change in public sentiment in the last six months and that the states ruling party will turn the tables on the BJP this time too. Confident of victory irrespective of what exit polls predict: Naidu The TDP leaders have kept their fingers crossed, though Chandrababu Naidu has been putting up a brave front saying the TDP will definitely come to power for a second term, irrespective of what the exit polls and pre-poll surveys say. Exit poll results not always correct predictions of results The exit polls are based on the poll of voters taken immediately after they exit the polling stations, and they do not always predict the results correctly. The actual results will only be known on Thursday, May 23, when votes are counted. National pollsters to release predictions after voting ends National pollsters Times Now-VMR, India Today-Axis, CNN IBN-IPSOS, ABP-AC Nielsen, Republic TV-C Voter, News 24-Chanakya and India TV-CNX will release their predictions after 6.30 pm. Exit polls to start coming in after 6.30 pm Exit polls will start coming on Sunday after 6.30 pm. For the first time, Election Commission covered websites and social media platforms in its advisory. Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the Election Commission of capitulating to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that the poll panel is neither feared nor respected anymore. From Electoral Bonds & EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, Modis Army & now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commissions capitulation before Mr Modi & his gang is obvious to all Indians. The EC used to be feared & respected. Not anymore, he tweeted. The Congress had earlier accused the EC of being partial. The poll panel has also found itself embroiled in a controversy after election commissioner Ashok Lavasa recused himself from meetings of the three-member ECI pertaining to complaints on Model Code of Conduct violations until his demand for inclusion of the minority decision in the Commissions final order is met. Lavasa has dissented on clean chits the ECI handed to Prime Minister Narenda Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah in disposing of complaints of MCC violations made by opposition parties. The election commissions decision to clear PM Modi and Amit Shah in all cases of poll code violations was criticised by the opposition parties. Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora on Saturday played down differences in the poll panel. The three members of EC are not expected to be template or clones of each other, there have been so many times in the past when there has been a vast diversion of views as it can, and should be, Arora said in a statement on election commissioner Ashok Lavasas purported letter to him. The BJP-JD(U) partnership is set to sweep the Lok Sabha election in Bihar trumping the Congress-RJD combine, said a majority of exit polls on Sunday. The Republic-CVoter survey gives BJP-JD(U) 33 seats and RJD-Cong 7 seats. Another survey by Times Now-VMR gives 30 seats to the NDA and 10 to the Congress and its allies. The ABP-AC Nielsen survey predicts 34 seats for the NDA and 6 to the RJD-Congress alliance. News 24 - Chanakya predicts 32 seats for the NDA and 8 for the Opposition Congress alliance. Yet another exit poll, India TV-CNX, gives 32 seats to the NDA and 8 to the Congress and its allies. The Republic Jan Ki Baat predicts seats in the range of 28-31 to the NDA, 8-11 for the Congress-RJD combine and 1 to Others. Five years ago, the BJP, recently divorced then from Nitish Kumars Janata Dal United, had grabbed 22 of Bihars 40 Lok Sabha seats; its allies Lok Jan Shakti Party and Rashtriya Lok Samata Party mopped up six and three seats more, totalling a massive 31 seats for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as it marched to power at the Centre by a big margin. The JD(U) could win only two seats. Lalu Yadavs Rashtriya Janata Dal won four, the Congress one. Much has changed in Bihars political landscape since then, including a return of Nitish Kumar as a BJP ally after an adventurous turn as traditional rival Lalu Yadavs partner. That partnership - called a Mahagathbandan or grand alliance that included the Congress - saw Nitish Kumar return as chief minister before he ditched the new configuration for old friends. Back in the NDA, the BJP and JD(U) have contested an equal number of seats, 17, this time, with smaller allies contesting the remaining six. The decision caused heartburn among some allies, like Rashtriya Lok Samata Party, who moved away. The NDA takes on in the state Lalu Yadavs Rashtriya Janata Dal and the Congress along with regional allies, together part of the Congress-led national alliance, the UPA. Who succeeds and to what extent, only the results will tell. But the results will have far-reaching implications, as this election will be a curtain raiser for assembly elections a year later, said Shaibal Gupta, member secretary of the Asian Development Research Institue (ADRI). Despite apparent confidence in both the camps, there is also a palpable sense of concern with the stakes so high. While the NDA claims to have successfully reignited the Narendra Modi wave riding on airstrikes on terror camps in Pakistan in the wake of the Pulwama attack, the grand alliance is banking on a new chemistry built around a call to opposition parties to defeat the BJP. Issues took a backseat and the people, too, did not seem too much bothered about it, much to the delight of political parties. It was basically a fight between Modi-yes and Modi-No. Whether caste factor could have an overriding influence on this, it cannot be said for sure, said Prof Vijay Kumar of BRA Bihar University. Bihar has always been crucial in national politics and it has remained so in these elections, going by the attention it got from top national and regional leaders. While Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah led 10 rallies each, the tallest Bihar BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi slogged across the length and breadth of the state with 132 election programmes, including 89 rallies and 43 road shows. The JD-U did not initially appear comfortable playing second fiddle, but Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar still addressed 172 election meetings across the State, highlighting the achievements of the Narendra Modi government at the centre and his government in Bihar. The Grand Alliance (GA), which did phenomenally well in the 2015 assembly polls to stop the BJP, tried a new combination without the JD-U by roping in smaller allies and focused on its old allegation that its leader Lalu Prasad has been unfairly jailed. Lalus son Tejaswhi Prasad spearheaded the campaign in the absence of his father and these elections are seen as a test of his leadership. Lalu Prasad tried to make up for his absence with tweets, letters and a timely book to consistently make news. Yogi Adityanath had represented Gorakhpur in Parliament for 19 years before the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost the seat in the 2018 bypoll as he vacated it after taking over as Uttar Pradesh chief minister in 2017. He has tried to pull out all the stops to ensure that the BJP wins back the seat that would go to the polls in the last phase of the national elections on Sunday. Adityanath virtually turned Gorakhpurs Gorakhnath Mutt, which he heads, into a virtual war room in the run up to the polls and oversaw the poll preparations. The Hindu Yuva Vahini (HYV), which was founded by Adityanath in 2002 and had become dormant when he became chief minister in March 2017, was also reactivated in view of the Lok Sabha polls. WATCH: Lok Sabha Elections 2019 | Analysing possible post-poll scenarios The HYV workers organised door-to-door campaigning and reported to Adityanath. The organisation has a widespread network in eastern Uttar Pradesh and is back in action to win the support of the voters, said HYV functionary PK Mall. Surya Mani Tripathi, a BJP worker, said Adityanath camped in the mutt for 10 days and monitored the election campaign. Follow Lok Sabha elections 2019 live updates here Political analyst Manoj Singh said it may not be easy for the BJP, which lost Gorakhpur in 2018 for the first time since 1989. He said the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)-Samajwadi Party (SP) alliance enjoys support among Yadavs, Muslims, Dalits , and Nishads, which roughly account for 50% of the population. [This is] a reason for the BJP to worry. BJP candidate, Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan, is up against the SPs Ram Bhuwal Nishad, who belongs to dominant Nishad caste, which accounts for 16% of the population. SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP leader Mayawati maintained they formed the alliance after their candidate defeated the BJP in Gorakhpur bypoll. BJP leader Dharmendra Singh said Adityanath has directed the party cadres to ensure an increase in the polling percentage. Low polling percentage in the bypoll led to the BJPs defeat. Praveen Nishad, who defeated BJPs Upendra Shukla in the bypoll, joined the BJP along with his father, Sanjay Nishad, ahead of the general elections. Also read | 59 seats up for vote, all you need to know about phase 7 Ram Avadh Nishad, a local resident, said there was an intense fight between the BJP and the BSP-SP alliance for the Nishad vote. No doubt Ram Bhuwal Nishad is an influential leader of our community but Sanjay Nishad is also a tall leader and he is seeking support for the BJP. Our vote will be decisive in deciding the fate of the candidates. Umesh Kumar Gupta, a trader, said the BJP has tried to overcome the traditional rivalry between Thakurs and Brahmins with the choice of its candidate. BSP national general secretary, Ramachal Rajbhar, said the BSP- SP alliance has support of the masses. The bypoll results will be repeated, he added. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday questioned the protracted schedule of the Lok Sabha election this year as eight states, including his, began polling in the seventh and last phase. Elections should not be held over such a long duration. There was a long gap between each phase of voting. I will write to leaders of all parties to build a consensus on this, Nitish Kumar said. Nitish Kumar made the comments after casting his vote at polling booth number 326 at a school in Raj Bhawan in the state capital Patna. Follow live updates here Bihar has 40 Lok Sabha seats and only four parliamentary constituencies each went to polls in the first couple of phases followed by five each in the next three phases. Votes were cast in the remaining 17 in the last two phases. Opposition parties in Bihar had also questioned the Election Commissions decision to spread the Lok Sabha polls in the state over seven phases and alleged that voting was staggered to enable extensive electioneering by the ruling National Democratic Alliances (NDAs) main crowd-puller - Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Other than Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal were the other two states where polling for the Lok Sabha election was held in all the seven phases. In the 2014 Lok Sabha election, polling was held in six phases in Bihar and in five phases in West Bengal out of a total of nine phases. Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Arrah, Buxar, Nalanda, Sasaram, Karakat and Jahanabad parliamentary constituencies are voting in the last phase. And, of these eight Lok Sabha, all eyes will be on four of them where Union ministers will face a tough battle to retain their seats. Law minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, minister of state for rural development Ram Kripal Yadav, minister of state for health and family welfare Ashwani Choubey and minister of State (independent charge) for power Raj Kumar Singh will contest from Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Buxar and Arrah. These seats are crucial for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), as it had won all of them in the last general election in 2014 the alliance had won 26 out of 40 seats. The votes will be counted on May 23. West Bengal witnessed incidents of violence on Sunday, the last and 7th phase of the Lok Sabha elections with crude bombs hurled at two places while polling was underway in nine constituencies in the state. Reports of bombs thrown in Gilaberia area in Deganga of North 24 Parganas district under Barasat constituency and in Raidighi of South 24 Parganas district under Mathurapur constituency came in as voters queued up in polling booths. Follow live updates of Lok Sabha elections here With less than an hour left for the voting to end, all eyes are on exit polls now that are scheduled to be aired from 6.30 pm onwards. Though often known to go wrong, such polls are keenly-watched and claim to capture the pulse of the voters West Bengal, one of the states where BJP is hoping to make gains, violence and allegations of booth capturing were reported in all the seven phases. Follow live updates of exit polls here On Sunday, there were allegations that BJP supporters were beaten up and its camp office vandalised allegedly by TMC workers in Kultoli in Jaynagar Lok Sabha constituency as 14.17% polling was recorded till 9am from across the state. WATCH: LS Polls | Rigging, violence, vandalism charge levelled against TMC by BJP Sayantan Basu, the BJPs candidate for Basirhat constituency, alleged rigging in several areas and said police was doing nothing to stop it. People have queued up from as early as 4:30am to vote. But there are a lot of allegations of muscle flexing and rigging in areas such as Sandeshkhali, Hingalganj and Baduria. The inspector-in-charge of Shashan police station is virtually helping to rig in favour of the TMC, Basu said. About 150 complaints were lodged with the EC (Election Commission) in the first three hours. I have not seen effective steps of the poll panel so far, Basu, also the general secretary of the Bengal unit of the BJP, alleged. Read: 1998 to 2014, what exit polls predicted and what voters decided. A look Mala Roy, the TMCs candidate in Kolkata South constituency, alleged that central force personnel did not allow her to enter booth number 72 in a polling station in Mudiali under her constituency. Roy said she went after learning that polling was stopped for 45 minutes. She said she will lodge a complaint with the poll watchdog. Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha member Sukhendu Sekhar Ray alleged Electronic Voting Machines in all the parliamentary constituencies were not working as he questioned the EC over the EVMs. Hundreds of EVMs found to be dysfunctional from the very start of poll in various booths of the 9 Parliamentary Constituencies Of West Bengal where elections are being held today, Ray wrote on Facebook. Rs 3,173 crores sanctioned by the Government in April 2017 for purchase of 16 Lakh new EVMs. It seems that old and junk machines have been put on service in these 9 constituencies with the evil design to delay the process of voting, he said. Because if the voters after waiting for hours together fail to cast their votes will leave the polling stations in disgust, which will affect percentage of polling severely. Shame Election Commission, Ray said. Widespread violence Before this, the state witnessed numerous incidents of violence in the last six rounds of polling, which included vandalism, attacks on candidates, party workers, security officials and the media, and those of stopping voters from voting. Sporadic incidents of booth capture, smashing and malfunctioning of electronic voting machines (EVM), intimidation of voters have also been reported from West Bengal in all these phases. Several workers of both the parties have also been killed in violence reported from across the state. The past week also saw a high-pitched battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party and the TMC, during and in the immediate aftermath of BJP president Amit Shahs roadshow in Kolkata, which included the vandalising of a bust of 19th century Bengali icon Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar in an educational institute. This led to the Election Commission bringing forward the campaign period by 19 hours, a move that received all-round criticism from opposition leaders. The eastern state is important for both the TMC and the BJP as 42 seats are on offer the third highest after Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra which the ruling party at the Centre is eyeing to offset possible losses in northern India, and which are crucial for chief minister Mamata Banerjees national political ambitions. Candidates, as well as party workers, of both the TMC and BJP have accused each other of violence throughout the six phases of polling in the state. During the sixth phase on May 12, the BJPs candidate from Ghatal constituency Bharati Ghosh alleged she was heckled at a polling booth and pushed by some women supporters of the Trinamool Congress. The former Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, once considered close to chief minister Mamata Banerjee, also said stones were thrown at her convoy and that crude bombs were hurled at her car. Also read: Poll violence at several places in Bengal, BJP to meet EC in Delhi In Barrackpore parliamentary constituency, the BJPs candidate Arjun Singh alleged he was attacked by goondas of the Trinamool Congress in the fifth phase on May 6. On the same day, at Bongaon Lok Sabha seat, one TMC worker and one cop were injured in the violence. In Hooghly district, which borders Kolkata, the rented accommodation of BJPs womens wing chief Locket Chatterjee, an actor-turned-politician who is also the partys candidate from the Hooghly Lok Sabha constituency, was allegedly vandalised on May 6 by TMC workers. A complaint was also filed against Chatterjee for allegedly threatening a presiding officer at a poll booth in Hooghly constituency during the same phase. Sporadic clashes were reported in West Bengal, especially from Asansol, in the fourth phase of the general election. The BJPs sitting member of Parliament and candidate Babul Supriyos car was vandalised in Asansol allegedly by stone-throwing Trinamool Congress supporters. The minister escaped unharmed with only the rear glass of the vehicle being damaged. On April 18, the second phase of polling, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) candidate and Raiganj sitting MP Mohammed Salims car was attacked when he went to a polling booth on Islampur. Reports of sporadic violence came from Darjeeling constituency as well. Places such as Nalhati (Birbhum), Nanoor (Bolpur), Barabani (Asansol) and Suri (Birbhum) saw pitched battles between political workers involving knives and long sticks. Crude bombs were hurled by unidentified men outside polling stations at Tiktikipara in Domkal, Murshidabad, and Kaliachawk in Malda South. The Election Commission has deployed hundreds of security personnel forces to cover the booths in the battleground eastern state to ensure free and fair polling. The votes will be counted on May 23. Also read | On last day of 7-phase voting, Nitish Kumar bats for crisper poll schedules Over 37,000 security personnel have been deployed in the final phase of Lok Sabha elections in Jharkhand where three constituencies Dumka, Rajmahal and Godda are voting on May 19, officials said. Ashish Batra, IG (Operations) said on Saturday that 219 companies of security forces, comprising 153 companies of central police forces and 66 companies of state reserve battalions along with 4,700 jawans of home guard, 1,400 women police officials and 5,700 state police officers would be deployed to provide security cover during polls. He said that air ambulance was provided for emergency services, while monitoring in some sensitive pockets would be conducted by helicopters. Helicopter facilities would be provided at 7 polling centres, said Batra. He added that eight polling booths were relocated because of security reasons. Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Phase 7 Voting: Follow live updates here According to officials 1,744 polling booths are categorised as very sensitive, while 2,466 booths are in the category of sensitive. As many as 156 booths in interior pockets are in the category of difficult. The tribal heartland, Santhal Pargana region, saw death of eight polling officials, including five police personnel in an explosion triggered by Maoists in April 2014 elections in Dumka. This had prompted intensified anti-Maoist operations by security forces since the beginning of 2019. Also Read | In last phase of polls, big BJP push to breach JMM fort Santhal Parganas By March 2019, security forces had seized a total of 110 kg of explosive material Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) and 90 kg of IED at Dumka. On January 5, security forces gunned down zonal commander-rank Maoist cadre Tala Da alias Shahdev Rai, who was wanted in several cases of murder and loot, and carried a reward of Rs 10 lakh. Another top-Maoist, Mahashay Baski alias Mahashay Soren, involved in the 2014 blast, had surrendered before the district police on January 23. Ahead of elections, forces in the district were given special training modules to detect IEDs and landmines. The police headquarters in the capital had also issued directions to the zonal authorities to establish a communication grid with the neighbouring state of West Bengal to facilitate synchronisation of operations and exchange of information. Raj Kumar Lakra, DIG, Santhal Pargana range, said that two dozen inter-state coordination meetings were conducted with officials concerned in West Bengal. He said that many pockets in the bordering region was sealed and barricaded to prevent Maoist activities. Election commissions directives regarding security were being completely adhered to, he said. ML Meena, additional director general (operations), said that forces were on a high alert, and comprehensive security measures were undertaken to ensure peaceful elections. On May 19, last round of voting will be held for the Lok Sabha elections bringing to an end the mammoth seven-phase exercise that saw millions of Indians voting to choose who will represent them in the 17th Lok Sabha. (Click here for live updates) In the 7th phase, 59 seats will go to polls across seven states and one Union territory to decide the fate of 909 candidates. An electorate of 99,768,185 is expected to vote in 100,304 polling booths set up for the purpose. Among the states voting are Bihar (8 seats), Jharkhand (3), Punjab (13), West Bengal (9), Himachal Pradesh (4), Madhya Pradesh (8) and Uttar Pradesh (13) and one seat in the Union Territory of Chandigarh. Also Read| Analysis: What candidate selection tells us about BJP, Congress strategies Some of the key candidates in the fray are Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajyavardhan Rathore, Union ministers Manoj Sinha and Ravi Shankar Prasad, Sunny Deol, Kirron Kher (all BJP), Harsimrat Kaur Badal of SAD, Shatrughan Sinha, Pawan Kumar Bansal, Preneet Kaur (Congress), Misa Bharti (RJD) and Abhishek Banerjee (Trinamool). Also Watch | Big fights to watch out for in final phase of voting In Uttar Pradesh, the BJP is facing a tough fight in the 13 Lok Sabha constituencies as it will largely be a straight fight between the BJP and the SP-BSP alliance on ten seats while two - Kushinagar and Deoria - are in for a triangular contest with the Congress. In 2014, the BJP and allies had won all these seats -- Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon, Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj. Read: Trinamool complains to EC about PMs Kedarnath yatra While Prime Minister Narendra Modis Varanasi constituency looks largely predictable, the saffron party is on shaky ground in the other constituencies against the SP-BSP alliance. In West Bengal, several heavyweights, including chief minister Mamata Banerjees nephew Abhishek Banerjee, TMCs leader in the 16thLok Sabha Sudip Bandyopadhyay and BJP national secretary Rahul Sinha are in the fray, along with TMCs political greenhorns, actor-turned politicians Mimi Chakraborty and Nusrat Jahan. Eight of the seats have been with the TMC since 2009. Joynagar went to a TMC-backed Socialist Unity Centre of India (SUCI) candidate in 2009, while in 2014 TMC won it. Read: On final voting day, Rahul Gandhi tweets video message for all mothers and sisters In Madhya Pradesh, Malwa-Nimad region will vote on May 19. BJP had won all the eight parliamentary constituencies in the region in 2014 polls. The Congress draws strength from the statistics of state assembly elections held hardly six months back when it won 35 seats against its rival BJPs 28 and Independent 3. The BJP is confident about repeating its performance of 2014 this time given the Narendra Modi wave and what it claims as the failure of the state government to fulfill its promises. In Punjab, the Lok Sabha election is being seen as a mid-term test of popularity for CM Amarinder Singh-led Congress government. Read I Food, call bell, phone: Cave PM Modi meditated in can be rented for Rs 990/day The Congress, which swept to power with a two-thirds majority in the 2017 assembly polls after ten years, is facing the SAD-BJP combine, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Punjab Democratic Alliance, a coalition of small parties. Though the ruling party is upbeat about the results, it is weighed down by internal fight and allegations of unkept promises. In Bihar, all eyes will be on four Union ministers, who are facing tough battles to retain their parliamentary constituencies. A total of 15,252,608 voters will decide the fates of 157 candidates, including ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ram Kripal Yadav, Ashwani Choubey and RK Singh, in Patna Sahib, Pataliputra, Arrah, Buxar, Nalanda, Sasaram, Karakat and Jahanabad on May 19. These seats are crucial for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) as it had won all of them in the last general election in 2014. In Jharkhand, 44.8 lakh voters will exercise their franchise choosing their representative from among 42 candidates across Dumka, Rajmahal and Godda Lok Sabha seats. The BJP is eyeing to make inroads into the tribal-dominated Santhal Parganas division which is considered a stronghold of Shibu Soren-led front. In Himachal Pradesh, it is set to be a high-stakes battle for both the ruling BJP and opposition Congress in the northern state where politics has broadly been bipolar. Riding on the Modi wave, the BJP had won all the four Lok Sabha seats Mandi, Kangra, Shimla and Hamirpur in the last general election in 2014. While the BJP is eyeing to repeat its 2014 success, for Congress it is a battle of prestige. In Chandigarh, BJPs Kirron Kher is tied in contest with four-time former lawmaker and Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Bansal. The Aam Aadmi Partys (AAPs) Harmohan Dhawan makes the third contender in the fight. Varanasi, the seat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, went to polls along with 12 other parliamentary seats on May 19, the last phase of the ongoing general elections. The state voted in all the seven phases of the month-long polls. All 13 constituencies lie in the eastern region of the state. In 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party and allies had won all these seats, including Gorakhpur, the home turf of UP CM Yogi Adityanath. Varanasi looks largely predictable, but BJP cannot be sure of repeating its 2014 performance in the region. The alliance between Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party stitched together by Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati poses a formidable challenge to it. It is a straight fight between the BJP and the gathbandhan on 10 seats, while in two Kushinagar and Deoria Congresss candidates make it a triangular contest. Congress and its allies will not contest in Ballia. Priyanka Gandhi was made in-charge of east UP, marking her formal foray into politics. Also Watch | Big fights to watch out for in final phase of voting Other heavyweights in the fray include BJP state president Mahendra Nath Pandey, Union minister Manoj Sinha, Union minister Anupriya Patel (of ally Apna Dal), and Congresss RPN Singh. Gorakhpur, where BJP has fielded Bhojpuri actor Ravi Kishan, will be a prestige battle for Adityanath. The seat had been his stronghold, but in the 2018 bypoll, the gathbandhans Praveen Nishad had won it. This time around, SP has fielded Ram Bhual Nishad with an eye on the about 200,000 Nishad votes along with the Other Backward Caste, Dalit, and Muslim votes. Also read | Lok Sabha elections 2019: 59 seats up for vote, all you need to know about phase 7 In Kushinagar, Congresss 2009 winner RPN Singh will want to win back the seat from BJP, but faces a tough challenge from the gathbandhan candidate Nathuni Prasad Kushwaha of SP. In Deoria, the BJP did not field sitting MP Kalraj Mishra, but Ramapati Ram Tripathi. Niyaz Ahmed is the Congress candidate here. BSP has fielded Binod Kumar Jaiswal. In Ghazipur, sitting BJP MP and Union minister Manoj Sinha will fight gathbandhan candidate Afzal Ansari (BSP), one half of the influential Ansari brothers, known as local strongmen. Varanasi was also in the news because of the Election Commissions rejection of SPs candidate Tej Bahadur Yadav, a former Border Security Force soldier. Now, SPs Shalini Yadav is in the fray along with Congresss Ajay Rai and criminal-turned-politician Atiq Ahmed. Also read | Lok Sabha elections Phase 7 voting LIVE Updates: First-time voters in Punjab get certificate of appreciation Benaras Hindu University (BHU) political science departments Prof Kaushal Kishore Mishra said, The seventh phase and the phase that preceded are very crucial. The two phases together covered the whole of eastern UP. The trend of the sixth phase will follow in the seventh phase. (...) the Party, which does well in the region, will emerge the victorious in UP and a play key role in politics at the Centre. The Lok Sabha election is a mid-term test of popularity for the Captain Amarinder Singh-led Congress government in a multi-cornered fight in this border state. The Congress, which stormed to power with a two-thirds majority in March 2017 after a gap of 10 years, is facing the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party (SAD-BJP) combine, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Punjab Democratic Alliance, a coalition of small parties, in the May 19 slugfest for the states 13 Lok Sabha constituencies. The Congress, gung-ho about its electoral prospects following massive victories in two bypolls, municipal and panchayats elections in the past two years, is looking to continue its winning streak and had launched Mission 13 to make a clean sweep, as opposed to the three seats that it won in the 2014 general election. However, the party has been weighed down by internal bickering, and anti-incumbency due to unkept poll promises, prompting the chief minister to issue a perform-or-perish warning to his ministers and legislators. The stakes are similarly high for the SAD-BJP coalition, but they too have been dealing with internal squabbles. Lok Sabha Elections 2019, Phase 7 : Follow Live Updates here The SAD-BJP alliance had won six seats in the 2014 parliamentary elections before getting pushed to the number three position with its worst-ever tally in the 2017 state polls. The Akalis, particularly the Badals, have been on the back foot since the 2015 sacrilege (in which the holy book was desecrated in a series of incidents, which resulted in widespread protests), but they have taken the Congress head on by countering its Panthic pitch by raking up the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, and Congress leader Sam Pitrodas recent remarks about them that courted controversy. For complete coverage of Lok Sabha Elections 2019, click here The AAP, which won four seats in its debut in 2014, is in disarray. Though the party has fielded its candidates in all 13 seats, its battle is limited to Sangrur and Faridkot from where sitting MPs Bhagwant Mann and Sadhu Singh are in the fray. Rebel AAP leader Sukhpal Khaira, the PDA comprising Bahujan Samaj Party, Punjab Ekta Party and Communist Party of India among others, has muddied the waters. Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal will eye a hat-trick from Bathinda, pitted against Congress MLA Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. Career diplomat-turned-politician, Hardeep Puri of the BJP is pitched against Congresss sitting MP Gurjeet Singh Aujla in Amritsar. Actor Sunny Deol, who recently joined the BJP, will fight Punjab Congress president and sitting MP Sunil Jakhar. Former Union minister Preneet Kaur will contest from Patiala against sitting MP Dharamvira Gandhi of PDA. It is a close fight between the Congress and the SAD-BJP combine with the former facing anti-incumbency. The Akalis are on the path of resurgence from their low point of the 2017 state polls. Modi and his nationalism pitch are likely to work with urban Hindus. The sacrilege issue could help Congress in pockets of Malwa region, but a counter-narrative is being built on 1984 anti-Sikh riots after Pitrodas hua toh hua remark, Pramod Kumar, director, Institute for Development and Communication, said. Chandigarh, BJPs sitting MP Kirron Kher is up against former railways minister and four-time MP Pawan Kumar Bansal of the Congress. In 2014, Kher had defeated Bansal, who was sacked from the United Progressive Alliance government after his nephew was caught accepting a bribe for allegedly fixing a top appointment in the railway board. The AAP, which polled 24% votes with actor Gul Panag as its nominee, has fielded former Union minister Harmohan Dhawan. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday said that he never sought anything during pilgrimages, a day after his Kedarnath yatra and meditation at the shrine in the Himalayas, capping months of campaigning for the ongoing Lok Sabha elections. I come here for peace, prayer and meditation I never seek anything from God, PM Modi said days ahead of the much-awaited vote count on May 23. The Prime Minister said that his vision for the hill temple includes development with focus on nature, environment and tourism. He was speaking to mediapersons at Kedarnath during his two-day visit to Uttarakhand. My mission here is that we should look into prakriti, pariyavaran and pariyatan (nature, environment, and tourism). Fortunately, I have a hard-working team. I thank the media also for covering this region as it will help to boost tourism here. I usually take a stock of progress made in this area via video conferencing, PM Modi said. Also read | Lok Sabha elections 2019: PM Modis Varanasi among 13 east UP seats voting today; big test for SP-BSP This is his fourth visit to Kedarnath since assuming charge as the prime minister following the BJPs massive win in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. He is scheduled to go to the Badrinath shrine on Sunday where he will review a beautification project for the shrine area. Also read | 6% voting recorded till 9 am on 59 seats in phase 7 of Lok Sabha polls On Saturday, Modi undertook a difficult trek to spend some time meditating at a cave called Dhyan Kutia. Following heavy rain and cold, arrangements for umbrellas and benches for sitting were made on the trek. He is expected to return to New Delhi later today. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to bounce back after assembly election losses in three key heartland states and capture a big chunk of the Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, a clutch of exit polls predicted on Sunday. The polls showed the Congress, which formed the government in these states in December, may not have built on its gains in the state polls. The BJP was predicted to, more or less, repeat its dominant performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, when it won 62 out of the 65 seats in the three states. In Rajasthan, which has 25 seats, News24-Todays Chanakya survey predicted a sweep for the BJP and a rout for the Congress. India Today-Axis gave 23-25 seats to the BJP and 1-3 to the Congress. ABP News-Nielsen gave the BJP 19 seats. In 2014, the BJP swept all 25 seats in the state but lost power in December to the Congress, which won 100 seats in the 200-member assembly. In Madhya Pradesh, which has 29 seats, News24-Todays Chanakya survey gave the BJP 27 and the Congress 2 seats with a margin of error of two seats. India Today-Axis My India gave 24-26 to the BJP and 1-3 to the Congress. ABP News-Nielsen said the BJP may win 24 seats and the Congress five. In 2014, the BJP had won 27 seats but the Congress wrested power from it after 15 years in December, winning a slim majority in the 230-member assembly. Also read: Four different scenarios predict victory for NDA; over to May 23 In Chhattisgarh, which has 11 seats, News24-Todays Chanakya said the BJP will win nine seats and the Congress two, with a margin of error of two seats. The India Today-Axis poll forecast that the BJP will win 7-8 seats and the Congress 3-4. ABP News-Nielsen predicted a neck-and-neck battle with the BJP slightly ahead at six seats and the Congress at five. In December, the Congress had secured a two-thirds majority in the 90-member assembly and removed the BJP from power after 15 years. Exit polls show people have reposed their faith in the BJP but results will clear the real picture...The voters have become mature and it seems that they did not mix state and national politics, said Sheila Rai, a retired professor of political science at St Xaviers College, Jaipur. Also read: Exit polls predict BJP to keep Capital crown with 5-7 seats Here is a look at the numbers: 61.85% voter turnout in phase 7 of Lok Sabha elections According to the Election Commission of India, the total turnout in phase 7 of Lok Sabha elections was 61.85%. 15 lakh announced for kin of polling officials who died on election duty Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur announces an ex-gratia of 15 lakh each to the next of the kin of three polling officials of the state who died on Lok Sabha Elections duty. The deceased officials were Vineet Kumar, Devi Singh, and Lot Ram. :ANI 839.03 crore seized during phase 7 of LS polls 839.03 crore, liquor worth 294.41 crore, drugs/narcotics worth 1270.37 crore, precious metals worth 986.76 crore, other items worth 58.56 crore, according to the Election Commission seizure report for the 7th phase of general elections. :ANI Times Now-VMR predicts majority for NDA with 300 plus seats First exit poll, released by Times Now-VMR, predicts majority for PM Modi-led NDA with 300 plus seats. 98-year-old Panjaki Devi casts her vote in Himachal Pradesh 98-year-old Panjaki Devi cast her vote at booth number 7 in Himachal Pradeshs Sarkaghat for Mandi Parliamentary Constituency earlier today. :ANI 98-year-old Panjaki Devi casts her vote in Himachal Pradesh ( ANI Twitter ) Exit poll results to be announced soon Click here for Lok Sabha elections Exit Polls 2019 LIVE Updates: Voting ends, exit polls to be released after 6:30 pm Click here for Assembly elections Exit Polls 2019 LIVE Updates: Polling concluded, exit polls to be released soon 60.21% voter turnout recorded till 6 pm in phase 7 60.21% voter turnout has been recorded in the seventh phase of Lok Sabha elections till 6 pm. The poll percentage was 49.92% in Bihar, 66.18% in Himachal Pradesh, 69.38% in Madhya Pradesh, 58.81% in Punjab, 54.37% in Uttar Pradesh, 73.05%, in West Bengal, 70.5% in Jharkhand and 63.57% in Chandigarh. :ANI Action taken to prevent violence in West Bengal 2,022 rowdy elements were detained across West Bengal so that they do not enter the polling area, said election commission. Former Himachal Pradesh CM Virbhadra Singh casts vote Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, his wife Pratibha Singh, and son Vikramaditya Singh cast their votes for Mandi Parliamentary Constituency earlier today. :ANI Polling has concluded in 542 parliamentary constituencies: EC Polling has concluded in 542 parliamentary constituencies across states and union territories, says Election Commission. :ANI Election Commission holds press conference Ahead of exit polls that are to begin after voting in the seventh phase ends at 6 pm, the election commission held a press conference. Andhra CM leaves 10 Janpath after meeting with Sonia Gandhi Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has left 10 Janpath after a meeting with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi. 3-feet tall Vinita Mehta casts her vote in Indore 3-feet tall Vinita Mehta cast her vote for Lok Sabha Elections 2019 at polling booth no. 212 in Indore earlier today. :ANI 3-feet tall Vinita Mehta casts her vote in Indore ( ANI Twitter ) Unprecedented torture by BJP, CRPF during polling in our state: Mamata Banerjee Since morning the torture that BJP workers and CRPF have done during polling in our state, I have never seen it before, said Mamata Banerjee after casting her vote. :ANI Mamata Banerjee casts her vote in Kolkata Mamata Banerjee cast her vote at a polling station in Kolkata. Mamata Banerjee casts her vote in Kolkata. ( ANI Twitter ) Villagers in Gaya boycott polls over lack of proper roads Locals in Gayas Chiriyawan village boycott polls and protest outside polling booth no. 236. Road nahi to vote nahi. We went to so many offices, but the government didnt give No Objection Certificate. MLA says our village is not in the map, so why would we vote, they said. :ANI Sourav Ganguly casts his vote Former Indian cricket team Captain Sourav Ganguly cast his vote. :ANI Kolkata: Former Indian cricket team Captain Sourav Ganguly cast his vote at a polling booth in Barisha Janakalyan Vidyapith earlier today. #WestBengal #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/nwruUqWe4V ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 We are voting for development, say people of Bhil tribe in MPs Dhal People of Bhil tribe in Dhal village turned out in large numbers to vote for Lok Sabha Elections 2019. We have come to vote as we have to select a government. We have a lot of issues like road, water, employment. We are voting for development, they said. :ANI 52.89% voter turnout in phase 7 till 3 pm The overall voter turnout in Phase 7 of Lok Sabha elections 2019 stood at 52.89% at 3 pm . The poll percentage was 46.66% in Bihar, 52.86% in Himachal Pradesh, 58.72% in Madhya Pradesh, 48.78% in Punjab, 46.58% in Uttar Pradesh, 63.64% in West Bengal, 64.81% in Jharkhand, and 51.18% in Chandigarh, as per data on Election Commissions Voter Turnout app. 2 poll officials die while on duty in UP Two poll officials ,including a presiding officer, died while on election duty in Uttar Pradeshs Gorakhpur. Conjoined twins cast vote in Bihar Conjoined sisters Saba and Farah cast their votes as separate individuals with independent voting rights for the first time in Bihar in the final phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019. At 2 pm, 41% voter turnout in Phase 7 The overall voter turnout in Phase 7 of Lok Sabha elections 2019 stood at 41.41% at 2 pm . The poll percentage was 36.20% in Bihar, 43.73% in Himachal Pradesh, 46.03% in Madhya Pradesh, 37.89% in Punjab, 37% in Uttar Pradesh, 49.79% in West Bengal, 52.89% in Jharkhand, and 37.50% in Chandigarh, as per data on Election Commissions Voter Turnout app. On final voting day, Rahul Gandhi tweets video message for all mothers, sisters Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday saluted women for playing a key role in the ongoing Lok Sabha elections as candidates as well as for turning up in large numbers to vote. Today is the 7th and last phase of polling. Our mothers and sisters have played a key role in these elections, not just as candidates, but also as committed voters whose voices must be heard. I salute them all, Gandhi tweeted. Today is the 7th and last phase of polling. Our mothers and sisters have played a key role in these elections, not just as candidates, but also as committed voters whose voices must be heard. I salute them all. #AbHogaNYAY pic.twitter.com/2qspqzkKvY Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 19, 2019 Worlds highest polling station with 49 voters records 53% voting in 2 hours The worlds highest polling station at 15,256 feet, Tashiganag village in Himachal Pradesh, Sunday took little than two hours to climb up to 53 per cent voting, a state electoral officer said. There are total 49 registered voters in Tashigang polling station in tribal Lahaul and Spiti district, States Assistant Chief Electoral Officer Harbans Lal Dhiman said. The polling began at 7 am when the temperature was below freezing point. Voters came to the polling station wearing their traditional attire to beat the chilly weather. It recorded voter turnout of 53 per cent till 9 am, he said. At 1 pm, 31% voter turnout in Phase 7 The overall voter turnout in Phase 7 of Lok Sabha elections 2019 stood at 30.94% at 1 pm . The poll percentage was 22.87% in Bihar, 29.19% in Himachal Pradesh, 32.87% in Madhya Pradesh, 30.53% in Punjab, 28.36% in Uttar Pradesh, 37.76% in West Bengal, 47.65% in Jharkhand, and 22.30% in Chandigarh, as per data on Election Commissions Voter Turnout app. SP, BJP workers clash in Uttar Pradeshs Chandauli There were reports of clash between SP and BJP workers in Parashurampur of Uttar Pradeshs Chandauli. Indelible ink was forcibly applied on our fingers, allege UP voters After a group of five locals in Jeevanpur village of Chandauli Lok Sabha seat alleged that indelible ink was forcibly applied on their fingers and 500 each were given them, police have registered a case against seven persons. Tej Pratap Yadavs security beats up man who allegedly broke cars windscreen Tej Pratap Yadavs personal security guards in Patna beat a camera person after he allegedly broke the windscreen of Yadavs car. Tej Pratap Yadav was leaving after casting his vote. Yadav has filed an FIR in the incident. #WATCH Tej Pratap Yadav's personal security guards in Patna beat a camera person after he allegedly broke the windscreen of Yadav's car. Tej Pratap Yadav was leaving after casting his vote. Yadav has filed an FIR in the incident. #Bihar pic.twitter.com/u1KzKDCGBG ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 Firing at Punjab poll booth There were reports of firing outside a polling booth in Punjabs Talwandi Sabo. Later, Jeet Mohinder Singh Sidhu was seen showing bullet casings used in firing outside the polling station. Congress leader alleges faking voting in Punjabs Ferozepur Angrej Singh, a Congress leader and Nambardar of village Ramewala in Ferozepur urban constituency claimed that when he objected to fake voting by Akali leaders of the village, he was attacked with sharp weapons by three dozen Akali Dal supporters while his Sedan was also damaged. Injured was hospitalised at local civil hospital. Bridegroom, family cast vote in Himachal Pradeshs Manali A bridegroom along with his family cast his vote at polling booth number 8 in Manali parliamentary constituency in Himachal Pradesh. A bridegroom along with his family casts his vote at polling booth number 8 in Manali parliamentary constituency in Himachal Pradesh. Track LIVE updates here: https://t.co/jELmQED7bW #Phase7 #VotingRound7 #LokSabhaElections2019 #ElectionsWithHT Photos: ANI pic.twitter.com/GLx60XUinC Hindustan Times (@htTweets) May 19, 2019 Bike-born goons vandalised car in front of cops: BJP candidate in Bengal BJP candidate Nilanjan Roy in Diamond Harbour constituency alleged that his car was vandalised in front of police in Budge Budge area. Bike-borne goons came and vandalised by car. We have informed the EC and police super about the incident. The EC has failed to utilise the police and security forces. The poll panel has become a mute spectator. I had told the police that trouble would take place here on polling day, said Roy. EC seeks report of poll rigging in Bengal The EC sought a report on two alleged incidents at booth number 219 in Baduria under Basirhat Lok Sabha constituency about the votes of two persons being cast by someone else. Crude bombs hurled in Kolkata streets Crude bombs were hurled on the streets in Rabindra Sarani in north Kolkata. A few motorbike-borne criminals hurled the bombs around 11:30 am. BJP supporters block road in Bengal BJP supporters blocked a road alleging that TMC workers obstructed them from voting in Malancha that is under Basirhat constituency. TV channels show booth president of TMC helping voters Jadavpur TV channels showed a booth president of the TMC helping voters in Baruipur under Jadavpur constituency by telling them which button to press. The presiding officer defended his action saying that he was merely helping. The accused person said he was only offering help to those who are asking for it and not asking everyone which button to press. A central force personnel stationed there said that he did not have the authority to enter the booth unless the presiding officer asked him to. BJPs Kailash Vijayvargiya casts vote BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya posted this photo on his Twitter handle after casting his vote along with his wife in Indore. Women TMC workers with covered faces are casting proxy votes: BJP Women TMC workers with covered faces are casting proxy votes, it is difficult to establish their identity. When we raised objection to it, they created a ruckus at the polling station, alleged BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra at polling booth number 150/137 in West Bengals Jadavpur. Murli Manohar Joshi casts vote Senior BJP leader Murli Manohar Joshi cast his vote in Varanasi. At 11 am, 17% voter turnout in Phase 7 of voting The overall voter turnout in Phase 7 of Lok Sabha elections 2019 stood at 11.61% at 9 am . The poll percentage was 17.94% in Bihar, 15.66% in Himachal Pradesh, 16.56% in Madhya Pradesh, 15.70% in Punjab, 14.43% in Uttar Pradesh, 21.11% in West Bengal, 23.86% in Jharkhand, and 10.40% in Chandigarh, as per data on Election Commissions Voter Turnout app. Additional forces arrive at Bengal poll booth Additional forces arrived at polling station number 189 in West Bengals Basirhat. BJP MP candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu has alleged that TMC workers are not allowing people to cast their vote. Mohali man comes to vote with NOTA written on T-shirt A man in Punjabs Mohali arrived at a poll booth wearing a tricolour cap and a cardboard with NOTA written on it attached to his shirt. Sumitra Mahajan casts vote Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan cast her vote at a polling booth in Madhya Pradeshs Indore. Voters click selfies outside poll booths Harsimrat Kaur Badals daughter among first-time voters Harsimrat Kaur Badals daughter Gurlin Kaur was among the first-time voters. She was seen with a certificate of appreciation before polling her vote in Punjabs Badal village on Sunday. Voters hold protest outside polling station in Bengal Voters hold protest outside polling station number 189 in Basirhat, allege that TMC workers are not allowing them to cast their vote. BJP MP candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu says, 100 people were stopped from voting. We will take them to cast their vote. West Bengal: Voters hold protest outside polling station number 189 in Basirhat, allege that TMC workers are not allowing them to cast their vote. BJP MP candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu says, "100 people were stopped from voting. We will take them to cast their vote." pic.twitter.com/9qoXEi8YDV ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 Himachal Pradesh BJP leaders in queue outside polling booth Himachal Pradesh: BJP MP Anurag Thakur and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal wait in queue outside a polling booth in Hamirpur, to cast their votes. Himachal Pradesh: BJP MP Anurag Thakur and BJP leader Prem Kumar Dhumal wait in queue outside a polling booth in Hamirpur, to cast their votes. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/7DxjikG8ht ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur casts his vote at polling station Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur casts his vote at polling station number 36 in Mandi district. Himachal Pradesh CM Jairam Thakur casts his vote at polling station number 36 in Mandi district. pic.twitter.com/lQsrG66nKx ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 Trinamool Congress writes to EC Trinamool Congress writes to EC, states, Election campaign for last phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls is over, surprisingly Narendra Modis Kedarnath Yatra is being widely covered by the media for the last 2 days. This is a gross violation of model code of conduct. : Reports by ANI BJP alleges poll rigging by TMC in Bengal People have queued up from as early as 4:30 AM to vote. But there are a lot of allegations of muscle flexing and rigging in areas such as Sandeshkhali, Hingalganj and Baduria. The inspector-in-charge of Shashan police station is virtually helping rigging in favour of the TMC. About 150 complaints were lodged with the EC in the first three hours. I have not seen effective steps of the poll panel so far, alleged Sayantan Basu, BJP candidate of Basirhat constituency in Bengal. Basu is also the general secretary of the Bengal unit of the BJP. At 10 am, 12% voter turnout The overall voter turnout at 9 am stood at 11.61%. The poll percentage was 10.65% in Bihar, 11.44% in Himachal Pradesh, 13.19% in Madhya Pradesh, 10.01% in Punjab, 10.35% in Uttar Pradesh, 14.33% in West Bengal, 15% in Jharkhand, and 10.40% in Chandigarh, as per data on Election Commissions Voter Turnout app. Central forces didnt let me enter poll booth: TMCs Mala Roy Mala Roy, TMC candidate from Kolkata South constituency, alleged that central force personnel did not allow her to enter booth number 72 in a polling station in Mudiali (under her constituency), where she went after learning that polling was stopped for 45 mins. Roy said she will lodge a complaint with the EC. Hundreds of EVMs found dysfunctional: TMCs Sukhendu Sekhar Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Sukhendu Sekhar Ray wrote on social media, Hundreds of EVMs found to be dysfunctional from the very start of poll in various booths of the 9 Parliamentary Constituencies Of West Bengal where elections are being held today. 3,173 crores sanctioned by the Government in April 2017 for purchase of 16 Lakh new EVMs. It seems that old and junk machines have been put on service in these 9 constituencies with the evil design to delay the process of voting. Because if the voters after waiting for hours together fail to cast their votes will leave the polling stations in disgust, which will affect percentage of polling severely. Shame Election Commission, Ray added on FB. Clashes between Congress, BJP supporters in MP Clashes between Congress and BJP supporters were reported in Madhya Pradeshs Umarkot, Petlawad in the Jhabua Ratlam seat. Police had to use force to control the situation. At 9 am, 6% voter turnout in Phase 7 The overall voter turnout at 9 am stood at 5.97%. The poll percentage was 10.65% in Bihar, 0.40 in Himachal Pradesh, 4.57% in Madhya Pradesh, 2.94% in Punjab, 4,80% in Uttar Pradesh, 8.91% in West Bengal, 11.05% in Jharkhand, and 10.40% in Chandigarh, as per data on Election Commissions Voter Turnout app. Seers from Gorakhnath temple cast vote Yogi Kamalnath, the officiating chief priests of Gorakhnath temple cast his vote with others seers of temple. Voters in Bhangar allege intimidation by TMC strongmen In Bhangar under West Bengals Jadavpur Lok Sabha constituency in Bengal, a section of voters alleged intimidation by TMC strongmen on Saturday night, who warned them not to venture to the polling station in the morning. But policemen went to the villages in Uttar Gazipur and encouraged them to vote. However, former TMC MLA Arabul Islam rejected the allegation saying the allegations were false. Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad casts vote Union Minister and BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad arrived in Bihars Patna to cast his vote at booth no. 77 in Patna Womens College. TMC candidate Abhishek Banerjee casts vote CM Mamata Banerjees nephew and TMC leader, Abhishek Banerjee casts his vote at polling booth no. 208 in South Kolkata Parliamentary Constituency. Whatever he (PM) said in meeting on 15 May in Diamond Harbour, he has to substantiate those statements with ample proof & justify what he said. If he fails to do so Ill sue him in the criminal and defamation cases. Ill drag him to the court & do the needful, he said, reported by news agency. BJP candidate from Kolkata North casts vote BJP candidate from Kolkata North Rahul Sinha cast his vote at polling booth in West Bengals Jadavpur. First-time voters in Punjab get certificate of appreciation First-time voters in Punjab received certificate of appreciation after casting their vote. First time voter Manmeet Kaur showing ink mark and voter Id card after casting vote outside the polling station during Seventh and last phase of Parliamentary polls in Amritsar ( Sameer Sehgal/HT Photo ) Anandita (R) Surbhi (C) and Kavita ( L) first time voter at a polling booth in Jalandhar. ( Pardeep Pandit/HT Photo ) EVM snag in Patna EVM malfunction was reported at booth no.6 in Pant Nagar of Bihars Patna Sahib (Lok Sabha constituency), reported news agency ANI. Harbhajan Singh queues up to cast vote Cricketer Harbhajan Singh queued up to cast his vote at a polling booth in Jalandhars Garhi village in Punjab. Elections should not be held over such a long duration: Nitish Kumar Elections should not be held over such a long duration, there was a long gap between each phase of voting. I will write to leaders of all parties to build a consensus on this, said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar casts his vote Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar cast his vote at polling booth number 326 at a school in Raj Bhawan, in Bihars Patna. Bihar deputy CM Sushil Modi casts his vote Bihar deputy chief minister Sushil Modi cast his vote at booth number 49 in Bihars Patna. All eyes on Varanasi, big test for SP-BSP alliance in east UP Varanasi, the seat of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will go to polls along with 12 other parliamentary seats on May 19, the last phase of the ongoing general elections. The state voted in all the seven phases of the month-long polls. All 13 constituencies lie in the eastern region of the state. In 2014, the Bharatiya Janata Party and allies had won all these seats, including Gorakhpur, the home turf of UP CM Yogi Adityanath. Varanasi looks largely predictable, but BJP cannot be sure of repeating its 2014 performance in the region. PM Modi urges voters to turn up in record numbers Today is the final phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. I urge all those voting in this phase to vote in record numbers. Your one vote will shape Indias development trajectory in the years to come. I also hope first time voters vote enthusiastically, tweeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Glad to see voters enthusiasm: UP CM Yogi Adityanath Im glad about the enthusiasm with which the voters have participated in the electoral process.The entire election circled around PM Modi, said UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath after casting his vote in Gorakhpur. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath casts his vote Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath cast his vote at polling booth no. 246 in Uttar Pradeshs Gorakhpur. He was accompanied by Bhojpuri actor and BJP candidate Ravi Kishan. Vote in favour of development, tweets Amit Shah , , , , , Chowkidar Amit Shah (@AmitShah) May 19, 2019 Voting begins Voting on 59 seats across 8 states begins. According to Election Commission of India (ECI), over 10.01 lakh voters will decide the fate of 918 candidates. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. Voting across 8 states to begin shortly In the last phase of polling, 13 seats each in Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, all four constituencies in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and one seat in the Union Territory of Chandigarh will witness the polling. Voters queue outside polling booths People have begun queuing up outside polling stations in Jharkhands Dumka Lok Sabha constituency, to cast their votes. Voting for the 7th and last phase of Lok Sabha Elections 2019 will begin at 7 am today. Battle for India enters the final lap The seven-phase poll process for electing the 17th Lok Sabha will come to an end with voting in 59 parliamentary constituencies (PCs) on Sunday. More than two months of official campaigning for the 2019 general elections ended on Friday. The Election Commission of India (ECI) had announced the schedule on March 10. Voting for the last phase of elections to begin shortly Voting on 59 seats in phase 7 to begin shortly For JMM supremo and former Jharkhand chief minister Shibu Soren, it is the 11th outing from Dumka Lok Sabha seat which is one of the three Lok Sabha constituencies voting on Sunday in the seventh and final phase of polling in Lok Sabha elections. If he pulls off a win, it will be a record ninth term from the seat for the 75-year-old former Union minister. The undisputed Santhal leader has been winning from Dumka since 1980. However, the BJP leaders believe that poor health is limiting him. He cant even speak properly or walk for long, underscored former Dumka Mayor and BJP leader, Amita Rakshit. The JMM pooh-poohed it saying it is BJPs game plan, seeing its likely defeat. He is hale and hearty and is enthusiastic when he is among people, said JMM leader Sunil Srivastav. Lok Sabha Elections 2019 Phase 7 Voting: Follow live updates here The JMM patriarch is least concerned about what others say. I am not bothered and will continue my fight for the people till my last breath, Shibu Soren said. The septuagenarian leader took aerial route to Giridih constituency by chopper on May 8 and campaigned for party nominee Jagannath Mahto at three places. Earlier in April, he campaigned for his daughter Anjali Soren who contested from Mayurbhanj Lok Sabha seat (Odisha) and in Sundarpahari for Rajmahal candidate Vijay Hansdak on May 12. During campaigning, he attended 43 election meetings and rallies besides village meetings and door to door campaigns. However, insiders and his close associates admitted it would be difficult for Soren to contest next time. Mentally he is fit and doing well but his body is not responding the way it used to do a decade back, said his friend and election agent Bijay Kumar Singh. Also Read | In last phase of polls, big BJP push to breach JMM fort Santhal Parganas Notwithstanding the debate on whether it is Sorens last election outing, the BJP fired all cylinders to capture the seat and is keen on gaining foothold in the region. Dumka was won by the BJP only twice -in 1998 and 1999 - by Babulal Marandi, who quit the BJP in 2006 and floated a regional party named JVM (P). Chief minister Raghubar Das has been focusing on the region in the past three years. He addressed 3-4 rallies everyday to ensure BJPs gain from Santhal. The BJP leaders are hopeful that 2019 Lok Sabha elections will script the political obituary of Soren and his party in Santhal Pargana that has three Lok Sabha seats Dumka, Godda and Rajmahal. However, the JMM is also determined to win the seat for Soren and the party. The party is desperate, as a win or loss from Dumka will alter the poll equation in the assembly election that is due in December 2019. The JMM is contesting from Dumka and Rajmahal, while Godda went to the JVM (P) in the grand alliance deal. Dumka is thus headed for a showdown between the JMM and BJP and two Sorens Shibu Soren and BJPs Sunil Soren. While the JMM is confident and desperate to retain its supremacy, the BJP is keen to increase vote share before the state assembly election. Sunil said he and his team had been working for the people of the constituency for long and was confident of his victory this time. JMM spokesperson Supriyo Bhattacharya said its dhanbal (money power) versus janbal (peoples power) and added, It is Baba nagri and difficult to defeat our Baba (Shibu) in the heartland, he said. The JMM is also worried about the farm labourers, a loyal vote bank, who have migrated to neighbouring West Bengal for paddy harvest. BJP is banking on Prime Minister Narendra Modis development agenda. Road, electricity, water and Dumka medical college found mentions in all party rallies and election campaigns besides diplomatic victory over Pakistan. On the other hand, JMM spoke about the failure of BJP governments in the state and the Centre, tampering with land laws and Santhal Pargana Tenancy Act which the party feels will make life hell for the farmers, tribals in particular, besides social disharmony in the BJP rule. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON The Congress-led United Democratic Front is on its way to secure a majority in Keralas 20 Lok Sabha seats, six out of eight exit polls have predicted. The UDF is tipped to win 15-16 seat and the LDD 3-5 seats, according to India Today Axis exit poll. The BJP, which ran a high-profile campaign in Kerala, is projected to get one seat . The Times Now-VMR exit poll has predicted that the UDF is likely to win in 15 out of the total 20 seats in Kerala. On the other hand, the CPI(M)-led LDF is expected to win four seats which is four less than what it had won five years ago. Watch: Live analysis of Exit Polls 2019 </iframe</div></div></p><p></p><p>Republic TV-C Voter&rsquo;s survey revealed that the UDF could grab 15 seats, leaving the LDF with 5 seats and the BJP-led NDA with zero seats.</p><p>According to the Republic-Jan Ki Baat, the UDF is predicted to win 14 to 16, the LDF 4 seats and the NDA 2 seats.</p><p>News 24 Chanakya predicted 16 seats for the UDF and gave just 4 to the LDF.</p><p>CNN News18-IPSOS exit poll has predicted that 7 to 9 seats will go to the Congress-led UDF, while the CPI(M)-led LDF could end up with 11 to 13 seats. The BJP is predicted to win 1 seat. </p><p>The state which voted on April 23, recorded 77.68% polling, highest in recent years.</p><p><b>Here is a look at exit poll numbers:</b></p><p><div class="lazy exit-poll-19"><iframe data-src="https://www.hindustantimes.com/images/app-images/2019/5/exit-poll-2019.html" class="lazy exitpolltable" height="240" style="border:none; width: 100%; "> Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) should consider expelling its Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur from the party for praising Mahatma Gandhis assassin Nathuram Godse. Hitting out at Thakur for calling Godse a patriot, Kumar, whose Janata Dal (United), or JD (U), is part of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), said: The BJP should think about such comments. Her statement is highly condemnable. Follow Lok Sabha Elections 2019 LIVE Updates Here Asked by the media if the BJP should expel Thakur for her comment, Kumar said expulsion must be considered. He added that it is an internal matter of the BJP, but as far as the country or [JD(U)s] ideology is concerned, there is no question of tolerating such things. Reacting to the Bihar CMs demand for Thakurs expulsion, state BJP chief Devesh Kumar said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior party leaders have already condemned the partys Bhopal candidate for her comments and also pulled up other leaders who have tried to eulogise Godse. We do not have anything to add to it, he said. Watch | Highly condemnable: Nitish Kumar on Pragya Thakurs remark on Godse At a press conference to mark the end of campaigning, BJP president Amit Shah said that the disciplinary committee of the party will review Thakurs response and take a decision on the matter. Also read: 2 different things, says Amit Shah on fielding Pragya Thakur after Godse row PM Narendra Modi said in an interview to a TV channel in Madhya Pradeshs Khargone that while Thakur has apologised, he can never find it in his heart to forgive her. A suspect in the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast, which killed six people, Thakur was forced to apologise within hours of praising Godse on May 14 after she was cornered by opposition parties. The Trinamool Congress on Sunday complained to the Election Commission about the media coverage of PM Narendra Modis Kedarnath yatra calling it a gross violation of the election code. Election campaign for last phase of polling for Lok Sabha polls is over, surprisingly Narendra Modis Kedarnath yatra is being widely covered by the media for the last 2 days. This is a gross violation of model code of conduct, the party said according to news agency ANI. Follow Lok Sabha Elections 2019 LIVE Updates Here The PMs Kedarnath visit comes in the middle of the last round of the seven-phase polling when voters of 59 constituencies are voting in eight states. Also read | Lok Sabha elections 2019- 7-day ban to blackouts: Exits polls in other countries PM is on a two-day yatra of Kedarnath where he visited the shrine on Saturday and meditated in a cave, which was widely covered by the media. He also spoke to mediapersons on Sunday, where he said that he does not seek anything from God. God has given us capacity to give and not demand, the PM said. Congress leader and Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot also attacked the PM for meditating in Kedarnath, wondering what message he wants to give now. Also read | Lok Sabha elections 2019: Accuracy of exit polls in Lok Sabha elections Today he is sitting in a cave wearing bhagwa (saffron). God knows, what message he wants to deliver. Everybody has been watching him, said Gehlot, who also accused the prime minister of doing nothing but polarisation. Click here: Exit Polls 2019 Live Updates Gehlot criticised Modi for his silence on employment, farmers problems, economy and foreign policy and instead raising issues like religion and nationalism. Exit polls differ widely on their projections for Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, aligned only in predicting that the tally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliances tally will come down from the spectacular 73 of 80 seats five years ago. A survey by Times Now-VMR shows the NDA winning 58 seats in the state, with the Congress-led UPA winning two. It shows others - which includes the ambitious alliance between Mayawatis Bahujan Samaj Party and Akhilesh Yadavs Samajwadi Party - getting 20 seats. But the ABP-AC Nielsen exit poll predicts the opposite; 22 for the BJP and allies and 56 for the others, which includes the BSP-SP alliance. This survey too predicts a bleak 2 for the Congress, equal to the partys tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Here are the highlights of exit polls Republic TV-C Voter projects that the NDA tally will come down to 38, the gathbandhan (BSP-SP-RLD) will get 40 seats and the UPA 2 seats. Yet another exit poll, by Republic-Jan ki Baat, gives seats in the range of 46-57 to NDA, UPA 2-4 and Others 21-32. Watch: Live analysis of Exit Polls 2019 At present, Mumbai Police is neck deep in preparations for the function at which it will bid farewell to those policemen who will retire on May 31. Of the 850 personnel who will reach the retirement age of 58 years in 2019, more than 50%, ranging from constables to assistant commissioners of police (ACPs), will retire on the last day of this month. At a function to which the families of the retiring policemen are invited, the commissioner of Mumbai Police will present wrist watches to each of the 444 retiring policemen and their spouses, a new identity card (as a retired policeman), a citation, a shawl and a coconut. It isnt unusual for Mumbai Police to see a large chunk of its force retiring on May 31. To understand this, one must know the popular legend of ek-chhe [1-6], said retired ACP Shivaji Kolekar. The numbers refer to June 1, which on paper is the date of birth for thousands of people who were born pre-Independence or in newly-independent India. Those days, there were no government agencies in rural areas to register births. Besides, illiteracy and multiple childbirths made parents lose track of their childrens birthdays, said Kolekar. Since the new academic sessions used to begin on June 1, children born in the 1950s and 1960s were often given June 1 as their birthdays, especially if their parents were unsure about the exact date as per the Gregorian calendar. This practice continued until the 1970s. Dnynoba Jagannath Shinde, who retired on May 31, 2014, as assistant police sub-inspector (ASI), remembers the teacher at his primary school put Shindes birthday down as June 1 because his father wasnt sure about the date. His father was a farmer who had never been to school and though his mother would later, in the 1980s, enrol herself in an adult education program, in 1951, when Shinde was signing up for school, neither parent was sure about his date of birth. My father told the teacher that I was born on the day it rained after Diwali, said Shinde, who remembers there were many others in the same situation as him and his father. The teacher fixed the birthdays to June 1 so that we fit the requirements for admission, he said. Shinde was later able to find out his real birthday November 28 and since 2000, his family celebrates Shindes birthday on both November 28 and June 1. Meanwhile, Mumbai Police is in the process of figuring out where to hold the retirement function. Last year we had booked the Shanmukhananda Hall as over 450 had retired that month. Similar arrangements will be made this year too, said joint commissioner of police (crime) Santosh Rastogi who was previously handling administration. For smaller numbers, the event is held at either the police club near Azad Maidan or at the Naigaon police headquarters. Rastogi said that despite the large number of retirements, the force is not short of staff, especially in the constabulary. Last year, we recruited 1,429 constables as against the 900-odd people who had retired, Rastogi said. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday slammed Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi for not taking questions from journalists at the only press conference he has held in his five-year term. Thackeray, who joined the Opposition parties to criticise Modi, said this is the PMs psychological defeat. On Friday, Modi, who appeared along with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Amit Shah at the press conference in New Delhi, directed all questions to the latter. After the press conference, Thackeray tweeted: Prime Ministers Press ConferenceMaun ki baat [Talk of silence]. Addressing the media in Mumbai on Saturday, Thackeray asked why Modi is scared to face the media and respond to the questions asked by journalists. If he cannot come before the media and answer questions on what he has done in the past five years, then this it is his first psychological defeat; another defeat is coming on [May] 23, Thackeray said. He further questioned that if Shah was going to be the one addressing the media, then why did the PM even attend the media briefing. The MNS chief has been taking on Modi and Shah in the Lok Sabha campaign in Maharashtra. What has he [Modi] done that he is scared to face the media? The dialogue in the past five years is unidirectional; he speaks and people listen. He doesnt have time or courage to listen to people. SENA BACKS MODI Meanwhile, the Shiv Sena on Saturday backed Modi. Sena leader Sanjay Raut said it was Shahs press conference and Modi was present there. It is not that he doesnt answer questions. He has given interviews to TV and print media, said Raut, adding Modi has expressed himself through various platforms. Sometimes silence has a lot more power than speaking constantly, he said. Seeking to promote Delhi as a shooting destination for global filmmakers and production houses, the citys tourism department is participating in the ongoing Cannes film festival in France, saying the capital offers a multitude of stories worth telling on screen. A senior official of the Delhi Tourism Development Corporation, who is in Cannes, said, Delhi with its layers of history and iconic monuments, is a perfect setting for creating cine-magic. These (filmmakers at Cannes) are some of the best storytellers in the world, and Delhi has a multitude of stories worth telling. We are committed to enabling creators craft their narratives, staged on the ever inspiring platform of Delhi, said Sudhir Sobti, Chief Manager, Public Relations at the DTTDC. Delhi is home to three iconic World Heritage sites -- Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayuns Tomb, alongside numerous other historic monuments, and the city offers a sumptuous banquet of history and heritage, seamlessly in tune with its transformation as one of the worlds fastest growing and largest metropolis today, he said. As civilisations have arrived and left an everlasting mark on Delhi, we wish the fraternity of creators, at the Festival de Cannes and beyond to help the Indian capital carve its space in the hearts and minds of cinematic denizens and film buffs, he said. The Delhi government has been taking steps to promote the national capital among the filmmaking community and has facilitated shooting of various films in the last few years, including Raanjhanaa and other productions. Today, as the capital of India, Delhi continues to hone and nurture cultures, ethnicities and riveting narratives that have time and again inspired national and international filmmakers to shoot here, Sobti said. The Delhi Tourism and Transportation Development Corporation (DTTDC) along with the government of Delhi have been working towards making the capital a film friendly city. Apart from coordinating with various stakeholder agencies on a regular basis, the corporation also has a dedicated page on the website to guide the filmmakers on numerous locations and facilities available in the city. We look forward to inviting the filmmakers and producers to this endearing city and showcase the Delhi Cinemagic to one and all, Sobti said. Asked what are the advantages of shooting a film in Delhi, he said what the city provides is a potent canvas for effective and emotive storytelling and the logistical support required to facilitate the process of narrating the story. The infrastructure that Delhi proffers includes hotels, transport, communication, film shooting equipment and film processing. Delhis IGI Airport ranks No.1 in the world when it comes to service quality and is capable handling chartered flights, he added. In terms of other resources, trained manpower in the field is readily available in Delhi with disruptively low production costs, the official said. Binding the resources available and the procedures involved in acquiring them, the Delhi government facilitates all your permissions to aid production in Delhi. Any filmmaker can send in their applications directly to Delhi Tourism stating the desired locations to shoot at, and the Film Shooting Facilitation Cell, Delhi Tourism will do all the groundwork for you, Sobti said. Besides, Delhi offers new talent, lower production cost, international connectivity and more than 200 locations to shoot at. Delhi Tourism itself has a few properties which can be used as ideal location for shootings, he said. The Festival de Cannes for us translates into the opportunity to present Delhi and its unrivalled creative potential and logistical ease to the esteemed fraternity of creators. Marking our place in the ever-expanding filming universe, we wish to mutually benefit in terms of the creative and tourism discourse, the DTTDC official said. Asked if Delhi Tourism has a mechanism in place for film producers in case they face problem during a film shoot, he said, DTTDC is the nodal agency working towards permissions for shootings. Once any producer reaches out to us, we further connect with the requested stakeholder agency and guide them in obtaining necessary permissions. Delhi Tourism is also part of the Ministry of Information and Broadcastings National Film Development Corporation of India (NFDC), Film Facilitation portal that enables producers to directly reach out to us and seek our assistance for permissions and logistical solutions, he said. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter When Aditya Gupta, a Gurugram-based IT professional, left for Istanbul last week on a business-cum-vacation trip, among the essentials he put in his bag was a brand new copy of Lonely Planet travel guide. It was the twelfth travel guidebook he had bought in the last four years, and all of them, now dog-eared with yellow notes popping out of them, are stacked on a bookshelf at his house. These guidebooks are a record of my journeys, my ultimate advisors, says Gupta. I never felt lost in an unfamiliar place, whether I was in Peru or Prague. In fact, there are many like Gupta who still turn to travel guidebooks Frommers, Fodors, Lonely Planet, Rough Guides to plan trips of their lifetime. No wonder then the printed travel guidebook, whose obituary was written a few years ago, is alive and continues to thrive, overcoming the growing challenge from a host of digital platforms such as TripAdvisor, Expedia, Google Trips, and Instagram, which, with its 80 million photo uploads every day, threatens to take the mystique out of travel. There has been a double-digit rise in sales; in fact, 80% of our revenue comes from our print business. Unlike many online travel platforms, what our travel guides offer is curated, validated and practical information covering all aspects of travel, says Sesh Seshadri, director, Lonely Planet India. Rene Frey, CEO of London-based APA Publications, which publishes both Rough Guides and Insight Guides, too testified to the enduring popularity of travel guidebooks. The rise of online platforms such as TripAdvisor created a wave and many people thought the guidebook is dead. It isnt, he says. 30-40% of all reviews online are alternative facts. The function of the physical travel guide is to give the consumer reliable, trustworthy and curated information on how to plan a trip. Simply speaking, consumers buy our Rough Guides or Insight Guides because they feel somebody they can trust has done the groundwork for them. The history of the modern travel guidebook dates to the early 19th century when guides by publishers and writers such as John Murray-III, Karl Baedeker and Mariana Starke, became quite popular among travellers the newly rich on their grand tours of Europe. Eugene Fodor, Arthur Frommer and Tony Wheeler dominated the travel guidebook market in the 20th century, and their guides continue to be popular. In fact, many of the early editions by Murray and Baedeker have become popular collectables. Humeyra Gundogan from Turkey (left) with Regev Aloni from Israel. Aloni says he prefers Google Trips app to a guidebook. (Raj K Raj/HT PHOTO) The Lonely Planet brought out its first India guide in the 1980s, and in the words of its founder Tony Wheeler on the Lonely Planet India website, it was a turning point in the companys history: Our first India guide in 1981 was a big breakthrough, a bigger and more audacious title than anything wed done previously and a book which was both a critical and commercial success. That one title changed Lonely Planet from a small struggling company to a much more firmly based operation. In 2015, the company launched Lonely Planet Kids, the richly illustrated books aimed at young travellers. Today, despite the increasing challenge from the online, most guidebook publishers are scaling up their operations, adding new titles every year. DK Travel re-launched its Eyewitness Travel Guides series with a new design, photographs, and its trademark illustrations in 2018 to mark its 25th anniversary. There has been a steady demand for compact travel guides that focus on the top 10 highlights of a particular destination. Indian destinations such as Bengaluru and Goa have done very well for us. Delhi also has been a steady seller, says Aparna Sharma, managing director, DK India. People are starting to distrust digital, especially in this age of fake news. There has been a resurgence of all things physicalthe renewed popularity of vinyl records, the increase in print book sales as a whole. Every travel guidebook has its own area of specialisation. While Lonely Planet is known for comprehensive, no-nonsense facts, listings and on-ground travel tips, Rough Guides are known for in-depth sightseeing information. The Blue Guides, which started publishing in 1918, are famous for offering a scholarly history of places you are visiting. Most guidebooks are updated every two years. Every update is like a new edition but the writing style, the tone and voice, a unique part of our guides, remain the same. We have 250 authors around the world who visit, revisit, discover new places and offer updated and insightful knowledge, says Seshadri. Many professional travel writers such as Archana Singh, who travels solo and runs a popular blog Travel, See, Write, says she stores most of her travel information -- the boarding pass, trip itinerary, offline and online navigation apps, hotel booking on her mobile phone, but prefers to carry a physical travel guidebook when she visits an offbeat or newer place. At times, when consistent internet access is an issue, travel guidebooks come very handy. Plus, the ease and simplicity of page-turning experience associated with guidebooks cant be compared with digital guidebooks where navigation could be a pain at times. But then there are others who feel when there are countless recommendations at your fingertips and a map of the entire planet in your mobile, there is no point in carrying a bulky travel book that goes out of date in a couple of years. Recently, I was in the Philippines and went looking for a cafe listed in a travel guide but I found it was closed, says Regev Aloni, 24, who hails from Israel and is in Delhi. I am a great fan of Google Trips. But his friend from Turkey, Humeyra Gundogan, who is also on a trip to Delhi, says she likes to travel without any guide books, either digital or print. I just love to hit the streets when I am in a new city, talking to locals, asking them where I can go; I think this is the best way to explore a new place. Ajay Jain, a travel writer and founder of the Kunzum Travel Cafe in Delhi, feels travel guides need to reinvent themselves to stay relevant. Instead of trying to pack too much information about the things to do, they should find a better way of combing facts and storytelling, says Jain, who has written several books, including Kunzum Delhi 101. In fact, some travel writer-publishers have taken the idea of a good travel guide beyond curated content, also focusing on the look and feel of the books. Take, for example, Fiona Caulfield, the founder of Love Travel India, a firm that brings out a range of handcrafted travel guides Love Delhi Guide, Love Mumbai Guide, Love Goa Guide, among others whose brand equity, according to Caulfield, is a combination of authenticity, intimacy, and sensuality, the last referring to their design. They are printed on delicately textured handmade paper; they boast khadi cotton covers, and all the books are hand-bound, says Caulfield, who hails from Australia and is based in Bengaluru. Our guides are aimed at time-poor luxury vagabonds. Aditya Gupta says a good travel guide is also a chronicle of culture, food, and way of life at a particular place during a particular period in history. Maybe someday, I will pick out a travel guide from my shelf and go back to these old haunts to see what became of them. Follow more stories on Facebook and Twitter SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON At least 14 people were injured after a roadside explosion targeted a tourist bus, carrying 25 South African citizens, close to Egypts Giza Pyramids, state media reported on Sunday. The bus was hit but it didnt look like it exploded, Mona Zeidan, an eyewitness told CNN. Egypts state-run Ahram daily said that a device exploded near the bus, while the windshield of another vehicle was damaged. They were all minor injuries and nothing serious, Zeidan, who drove by the site of the explosion after the incident, told CNN. Security was inspecting the bus, she added. The explosion took place outside the new yet-to-be-opened Grand Egyptian Museum near the Giza Pyramids. An official at the nearby Al-Haram Hospital told CNN that they received the tourists who were wounded in the blast. Gizas Grand Egyptian Museum, which cost more than USD one billion to build, is expected to open in mid-2020 after a series of delays. The attack comes as Egypts vital tourism industry is showing signs of recovery after years in the doldrums because of the political turmoil and violence that followed a 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak, Al Jazeera reported. It is the second attack to target foreign tourists near the famed pyramids in less than six months. In December last year, three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian guide were killed and at least 10 others injured when a roadside bomb hit a tour bus less than four kilometres from the Giza landmarks. The EU withdrawal agreement to be re-introduced in parliament in the week beginning June 3 will include a bold offer, Prime Minister Theresa May said on Sunday, but the announcement soon evoked scepticism, making it unlikely that it would be passed. It would be Mays fourth attempt to seek its passage through parliament, after the agreement was voted down thrice in the House of Commons. Unless it was fundamentally changed, the opposition Labour said it is likely to be rejected again. May wrote in The Sunday Times that a new and improved Brexit deal will be put to MPs, adding that she will not be simply asking MPs to think again on the same deal that they have rejected - but on an improved packaged of measures that I believe can win new support. May wants MPs to consider the deal with fresh pairs of eyes - and to give it their support. Part of the offer will be around improved workers rights (part of Labours demand), international development secretary Rory Stewart told the BBC. However, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who announced end to the cross-party talks on Brexit last week, said he would look at the proposals very carefully but cant give it a blank cheque, since what was being talked about was not fundamentally different from what No 10 had already promised. As it stood, Labour would oppose it. Various parties have been setting up their stalls on the issue of the UKs membership of the European Union ahead of the May 23 elections to the European parliament. The Liberal Democrats hope to gain considerably due its demand for a new referendum and an openly anti-Brexit position. But the new Brexit party led by Nigel Farage is increasingly gaining traction at the cost of the Conservative and Labour parties, polls suggest. Another new party, Change UK, comprising ex-Labour and Conservative MPs, believes the only option is to stop Brexit by revoking Article 50. Change UK spokesman Chuka Umunna said there was simply not enough time to hold a referendum before October 31, the new date of the UKs exit from the EU. According to him, We are facing a national emergency, he told BBC. SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON Blunt, ignorant and confused are some of the criticisms voiced by allies on U.S. policy toward Iran. But none sees the Trump administration preparing for war. Governments worldwide are alarmed at the tension between Washington and Tehran, concerned about the risk of escalation or military miscalculation and frustrated at a lack of communication about U.S. goals. What keeps the anxiety in check from Berlin to Moscow to Ankara is President Donald Trumps oft-stated aversion to starting fresh wars. Many allies share U.S. concerns about Irans meddling in places like Iraq, Syria and Yemen, and the prospect of it one day acquiring nuclear weapons. But Washington faces opposition - at times the exasperation has spilled into public view - for ripping up the 2015 nuclear accord with Tehran, for its heavy sanctions on the regime and for a ratcheting up of military activity in the Gulf. Secretary of State Michael Pompeos trip to Brussels last week yielded little support for the U.S. position, with Europe doubling down on its commitment to the deal that Trump abandoned last year. Pompeo also got nothing new on Iran from President Vladimir Putin during a subsequent visit to the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi, according to a senior Russian official with knowledge of the discussions. Distrust between Moscow and Washington is so great that no separate deal is possible on Iran, said another person close to the Kremlin. Still, Russia is counting on Trump to rein in both the hawks in the U.S. administration and regional allies, led by Israel. Weve studied Trumps approach and tactics pretty well over the past two and a half years; hes not a military man, he doesnt like to fight, said Fyodor Lukyanov, head of the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy, which advises the Kremlin. He likes to make a show of strength and use economic levers. His idea is that sanctions will force Tehran in the end to negotiate. In Berlin, officials view Trump as the main force to halt the spiral toward conflict, primarily due to his well-known resistance to foreign interventions, said a senior lawmaker from Chancellor Angela Merkels coalition. Indeed, a U.S. official said late last week that Trump isnt seeking conflict - though hed consider using the military if needed. And the president, when asked about war with Iran, said I hope not. Trump has spoken frequently of his desire to reduce what the U.S. spends on security support for others, be it NATO or troops in places like South Korea. Hes said for too long other countries have taken advantage of the U.S., without boosting their own military capacity. The U.S. has been a significant presence globally since World War II, and is seen as a buffer against China as a rising global power. A particular red line for Trump appears to be boots on the ground in a fresh conflict. Still, the overall U.S. strategy on Iran causes concern. One French government official said Trump and senior aides such as National Security Adviser John Bolton are wrong to think that tightening the screws on Irans economy would convince its leaders to bend. Germany, too, has no choice but to maintain a certain level of cooperation with Iran, the lawmaker in Berlin said. Europe is pressing ahead with a trade clearinghouse, known as Instex, to circumvent around U.S. sanctions and is eager to settle its first transaction with Iran, another official said. At the same time, theres frustration in Germany at the opacity of Washingtons motives. Read more: What Europe Can, Cant Do to Save Iran Nuclear Deal: QuickTake Thats also a complaint from U.S. allies elsewhere. Each day brings only more confusion, one Asian government official said. An official familiar with Turkeys thinking said the actions of those within the U.S. administration do however appear coordinated. Usually the Americans and Trump are very clear -- you could say almost brutal, said Jacques Maire, a former diplomat whos a member of parliament for President Emmanuel Macrons LREM party. This time, I have to say Im not always clear what is the end game, what is the goal. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Zarif undertook his own Asian tour to seek renewed commitments to deliver the economic benefits that were supposed to derive from the 2015 nuclear deal. He went to New Delhi, Tokyo and Beijing, where he won a pledge from China on Friday to support Irans efforts to safeguard its interests. Read more: Exasperated Europeans Face Surprise Pompeo Visit on Iran Japan is worried that Iran, a country with which it has had good ties for decades, will be forced out of the nuclear deal by hawks in the Trump administration. But Tokyo also has no intention of breaking away from the path set by its longtime ally Washington. Iran is asking the Japanese to do anything and everything that they can to persuade the United States to be a little more rational, but I dont know whether Prime Minister Shinzo Abe can really convince Trump, said Kazuo Takahashi, emeritus professor of international politics at Open University in Japan. In the Middle East, key U.S. ally Israel is keeping its head down. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered cabinet ministers to avoid making public statements on the possibility of a U.S.-Iran war, according to three Israeli officials familiar with the matter. Read more: Saudi Prince Says Iran Ordered Pipeline Attack as Tensions Rise Israel views Trumps goal as getting an improved nuclear deal that covers Irans ballistic-missile development and sponsorship of regional militias such as Hezbollah. That said, if Iran miscalculates and strikes U.S. bases or other interests, triggering retaliation, Israel wouldnt worry, the officials said. They dont regard Iran as having the capability to strike Israel. Its Iran that is encouraging false narratives of war, said Firas Maksad, director of the Arabia Foundation, a Washington think tank thats close to the Saudi Arabian government. Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. have an interest in Washington and Tehran reaching a new understanding, he said. Trump, while averse to another Middle Eastern war not unlike his predecessor, understands the need for a deal with Iran that goes beyond an arms control agreement to include other aspects of destabilizing behavior, he said. All involved understand that the path to such an understanding will have to go through a difficult period of brinkmanship. Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir told reporters on Sunday that Saudi Arabia does not want war with Iran in any way, but at the same time we wont allow Iran to continue its hostile policies toward the kingdom. A senior European diplomat said that while governments dont see conflict as likely, that doesnt mean they arent nervous. Leaving the nuclear deal was a mistake that increases risks on multiple fronts, the diplomat said. Its a broad concern thats surfaced elsewhere over the gamut of Trumps policy beyond Washington, from Venezuela to North Korea, trade tariffs, Chinas Huawei and now Iran. Turkey, for example, is very much worried over Trumps roller-coaster global foreign policy, said Muhittin Ataman, director of foreign policy studies at the Ankara-based SETA think tank. It injects more uncertainty rather than predictability to challenging problems around the world. --With assistance from Udi Segal, Jon Herskovitz, Henry Meyer, Vivian Nereim, Iain Marlow, Patrick Donahue, Selcan Hacaoglu and Boris Groendahl. To contact the reporters on this story: Alan Crawford in Berlin at acrawford6@bloomberg.net;Ilya Arkhipov in Sochi at iarkhipov@bloomberg.net;Gregory Viscusi in Paris at gviscusi@bloomberg.net To contact the editors responsible for this story: Rosalind Mathieson at rmathieson3@bloomberg.net, Tony Czuczka For more articles like this, please visit us at bloomberg.com 2019 Bloomberg L.P. US President Donald Trump has joined the latest Republican push to overturn a decades-old Supreme Court ruling that makes abortion legal, saying he is pro-life but supports exceptions for rape, incest and mothers life unlike the more stridently conservative sections of his party. In a new conservative push predicated on the hope that the new Trump-created conservative majority on the Supreme Court bench will overturn the earlier decision, Republican-ruled states have been enacting severely restrictive laws banning abortion from the detection of fetal heartbeat and make no exceptions. I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the life of the mother, Trump wrote on Twitter on Saturday and went on to cite late American President Ronald Reagan, a sort of gold-standard for Republican leaders in his defense, the same position taken by Ronald Reagan. And in a disapproving nod to the extreme positions taken by other Republicans on the issues, he appealed for unity with an eye on the 2020 elections, when the United States will hold its next presidential, congressional and state elections. We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear. Republicans have felt encouraged to seek the overturn of Roe versus Wade, a landmark Supreme Court ruling in 1973 that guarantees a womans right to abortion, by the appointment of Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh that has given conservatives a 5-4 majority on the nine-member Supreme Court bench. The rush of new legislations by Republican-ruled Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah are meant to provoke a legal challenge that could send the issue back to the courts conservative-majority bench. Alabamas law, enacted last week, has been called the most restrictive. It makes exceptions for the health of the mother and fetal anomalies, when the fetus is unlikely to survive outside the womb, but, unlike President Trump, not for rape or incest. Mississippi has banned abortion after eight weeks of pregnancy, and also makes no exception for rape or incest. And Georgia prohibits pregnancy termination from the time of detection of the fetal heartbeat, six to seven weeks into pregnancy usually. Abortion is allowed in the United Sates from 2-4 weeks to 24 weeks. Exceptions are allowed for after 24 weeks in rare cases for medical complications. India permits abortion till the 12th week on the recommendation of one doctor and till the 20th if approved by two doctors, and a court for after that period. Blac Youngsta was one of the recent artists to be interviewed by Nadwuar Serviette. As usual, the interview involved a series of questions which took viewers down memory lane and left Blac Youngsta very puzzled (and lowkey scared). While we still don't know how Nardwuar acquires such precise information, it is still funny to see how shocked his interviewees are about the information that pops up. We all remember the infamous Nardwuar interview with Lil Uzi wherein the rapper literally ran away because Nardwuar knew too much. As such, Blac Youngsta experienced the same fate but remained joyful through it all. The 10-minute interview took place during the eventful Rolling Loud Festivalweekend in Miami where Lil Nas X was also interviewed by Nardwuar. Moreover, the latest news involving Blac Youngsta consisted of a legal victory which the rapper celebrated. Youngsta previously faced pretty serious criminal charges which were tied to a deadly shooting in Charlotte. Fortunately, he managed to come out of the ordeal unscathed. Additionally, earlier this month, the Memphis rapper made a special appearance as a Milk Man in the video to his catchy single "Cut Up." The hilarious visuals hinted at Blac Youngsta's artistic versatility and acting skills. The Israel Palestine conflict does not appear to be making much progress in terms of peace. The bloody feud stems from several political issues, the main one being the creation of Israel by the United States and other countries after World War II as a place for the persecuted Jewish population to live. That land was already occupied before the US and others carved out a piece of it for the persecuted Jewish people. The conflict between those who had lived there versus the new inhabitants has led to war. The 2019 Eurovision Song Contest took place on Saturday (May 18) night in Tel Aviv, Israel. Madonna was set to perform her new single, "Future" featuring Quavo, which she did. Quavo even made an appearance on stage as well. Prior to their performance, activists fighting for Israel to cease warring with the Palestinians urged the artists not to get on stage. According to Complex, several activists called for an international boycott of this year's Eurovision because it was hosted in Israel. Roger Waters, the co-founder of Pink Floyd, asked Madonna not to perform at the event. "Some of my fellow musicians who have recently performed in Israel say they are doing it to build bridges and further the cause of peace. Bullshit," Waters wrote. "To perform in Israel is a lucrative gig but to do so serves to normalise the occupation, the apartheid, the ethnic cleansing, the incarceration of children, the slaughter of unarmed protesters all that bad stuff." Madonna responded with a message of her own. https://twitter.com/_/status/1129871573631098880 "Ill never stop playing music to suit someones political agenda nor will I stop speaking out against violations of human rights wherever in the world they may be," she said in a statement to Reuters. "My heart breaks every time I hear about the innocent lives that are lost in this region and the violence that is so often perpetuated to suit the political goals of people who benefit from this ancient conflict. I hope and pray that we will soon break free from this terrible cycle of destruction and create a new path towards peace." Shocking news was reported by CNN recently, an evil plot usually subject to a psychological thriller/horror film. According to the news outlet, a Chicago woman was accused of murdering a pregnant teen to acquire the unborn baby. The 46-year-old alleged killer, Clarisa Figueroa, lured 19-year-old victim Marlen Ochoa-Lopez at her Chicago home last month. After strangling the teen to death, Figueroa removed the teen's baby from her stomach and pretended it was hers. Further details granted by the authorities add that both Figueroa and her 24-year-old daughter Desiree helped strangle the victim. Ochoa-Lopez's body was found in a trash can in Figueroa's yard on Tuesday and the finding resulted in an immediate arrest. Both the mother and daughter were charged for first-degree murder and aggravated battery of a child less than 13 years old. Figueroa's boyfriend, Piotr Bobak, was also charged on two counts due to his role in hiding the victim's body. The deceptive plot underlying the slain teen's death consisted of Clarisa Figueroa befriending the victim on Facebook. In October of 2018, Figueroa announced that she was pregnant despite her family knowing she had her tubes tied previously, based on details shared by assistant state's attorney James Murphy. After joining a Facebook group for new moms, the alleged murderer met Marien Ochoa-Lopez. They began exchanging private messages, discussing pregnancy and more. Finally, Ochoa-Lopez was invited to Figueroa's home which led to the unfortunate, premeditated event. [Via] Residents and volunteers spent Saturday morning scraping, digging and sweeping out clogged and mud-caked gutters in Lake Forest, a northeast Houston neighborhood that flooded earlier this month during the latest round of heavy thunderstorms. More than two dozen members of the Northeast Action Collective walked the streets of Lake Forest wearing bright yellow shirts and carrying shovels, trash bags and wheelbarrows in hopes of improving the long-neglected drainage system that serves this area and bringing awareness to their struggling community. Juan Sorto, a volunteer who was cleaning with a group that included a couple boys from the neighborhood, turned the work into a game as they collected bags of trash and pulled debris out of street drains, some of which were hidden by dirt and weeds. Were on a scavenger hunt, he said, asking the kids to walk ahead and look for drains. During Harvey this whole entire neighborhood was completely flooded out, Sorto said. Now you kind of see why. Saturday was the Northeast Action Collectives first organized event. They came together out of frustration with what they see as a lack of public investment in drainage and flood mitigation in their community. These neighborhoods are constantly flooding after each storm, said Tarsha Jackson, who is running for Houston City Council District B, which includes the northeast Houston community near Tidwell and Mesa. This is simple, just get it cleaned up so the water can drain properly. Veronica Medina and her family finally finished repairing their home about two months ago from the 3 feet of water that came in during Hurricane Harvey. Their house in Lake Forest, just south of Halls Bayou, took in water again during the rain and hail storm a week ago Thursday. Medina, 42, used a wet/dry vacuum to suction up the water, but all the new carpet and baseboards again need to be replaced, she said through a translator. Ben Hirsch, who works with West Street Recovery, a non-profit that has been providing support and rebuilding services to this community, said the streets in Lake Forest have shallow ditches that dont work unless theyre free of debris. As he helped clean, he was looking for any collapsed culverts or damaged drains. Constance Luo, a volunteer who also works with the Texas Organizing Project, took a video on her phone as two women she was near pulled out branches, dirt and a piece of clothing from a clogged drain. This is what the city of Houston needs to be doing instead of community activists and residents, said Luo. We pay our tax dollars to the city and in return we get this. nancy.sarnoff@chron.com twitter.com/nsarnoff She had spent the year in Afghanistan targeting senior al-Qaida and Taliban members from one of the CIA's most important bases. Ranya Abdelsayed was less than 48 hours away from returning to the United States in 2013 when a colleague found her body in her bed at the agency's Gecko Firebase in Kandahar. At age 34, she had shot herself in the head. The next year, Abdelsayed was honored with a black star on the CIA's vaunted Memorial Wall, which pays tribute to members of the CIA who, its inscription reads, "gave their lives in the service of their country." On Tuesday, the CIA will hold its annual ceremony to recognize the fallen, unveiling new stars on the increasingly crowded wall. But not everyone agrees that Abdelsayed - one of at least 19 CIA deaths in Afghanistan during the longest war in U.S. history - deserved that honor. Of the 129 men and women given stars, she is the only one to have died by suicide. Nicholas Dujmovic, a longtime CIA historian who retired in 2016, said that Abdelsayed's inclusion violates the agency's own criteria - and that her star "must absolutely come off the wall." The famed memorial, he said, is reserved for deaths that are "of an inspirational or heroic character" or are the result of enemy actions or hazardous conditions. But, in addition to Abdelsayed's, some stars have been awarded to operatives who died in airplane or vehicle crashes that had no connection with the dangers of their assignments. "There's been an erosion of understanding in CIA leadership for at least two decades about what the wall is for and who is it that we're commemorating," said Dujmovic, who has researched agency deaths to see whether they meet the criteria for inclusion on the wall. "Now we have a suicide star on the wall. That's not what the wall is for. Suicide is a great tragedy, of course. But the purpose of the wall is not to show compassion to the family. It's to show who in our community is worthy of this honor." Dujmovic said he was so startled by Abdelsayed's star that he made his objection known to senior CIA officials, including those on the agency's Honor and Merit Awards Board. The board makes recommendations to the director, who has the final say on inclusion. "They said, 'We understand people are plagued by demons and break in war under psychological pressure,' " Dujmovic recalled. "And another said, 'It's just so hard to say no.' My thinking was, 'Isn't that what leadership is for?' " In an interview, John Brennan, who approved Abdelsayed's star when he was CIA director, defended his decision. He said that Abdelsayed had volunteered for one of the agency's most dangerous assignments and that "under those circumstances, there are a lot of stresses as well as daily challenges associated with that work." After her death in August 2013, Brennan and his wife flew with Abdelsayed's parents to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware for the arrival of her remains. Fathi and Nahed Abdelsayed - who declined to comment for this article - told the Brennans that their daughter loved to paint, draw, write and play the piano. "There were a lot of tears and heartbreaking discussions," Brennan said of the trip. "A big part of them was torn away. Ranya was someone who they not only loved but admired. They beamed with pride that their daughter worked for the Central Intelligence Agency." Some people raised questions when Abdelsayed became a candidate for the wall, Brennan said. The reason for her suicide was unclear. But, ultimately, a message needed to be sent, he said. "Ranya was tremendously committed to the agency's mission. Her death, I felt, was a direct result of her work and her dedication in a very difficult overseas environment," he said. "It may not have been unanimous that Ranya was deserving (of a star), but I let it be known that . . . Ranya's death was something the agency needed to recognize as being one of those unfortunate consequences of the global challenges the CIA addresses." After her suicide, Brennan said he made it a priority for the agency to provide more help to CIA employees who might be suffering from depression or other psychological pressures. He lauded Abdelsayed and three other officers when their stars were unveiled on May 19, 2014. "We share your pride in them and what they achieved," Brennan told their colleagues and family members. "We too know the measure of their strong character and generous spirit, and feel deeply privileged and grateful to have served with such selfless patriots." But he made no mention of how Abdelsayed died. And when the CIA added her name to the Book of Honor that sits at the base of the wall a few years later, there was no customary news release or public acknowledgment. - - - 'A risky flight' When it was created in 1974 with 31 stars, the Memorial Wall, which dominates the agency's main lobby, was designed to inspire awe. Among the operatives now honored there: Barbara Robbins, a CIA secretary killed when a car bomb exploded outside the U.S. Embassy in Saigon in 1965; Richard Welch, the Athens station chief fatally shot by a terrorist in 1975; Bob Ames, the agency's top Middle East expert, killed in a truck bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut in 1983; and Johnny Micheal Spann, who was killed in a prison uprising while deployed in Afghanistan two months after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. But Dujmovic, the retired historian, said only about half the people awarded stars died because of hostile action or terrorism. Chiyoki "Chick" Ikeda, for example, was killed in a 1960 Northwest Airlines plane crash as he was escorting a Japanese security official on a trip. Ikeda was considered for inclusion in 1974, Dujmovic said, but was rejected because his death was not deemed heroic or inspirational, the wall's original criteria. When his name came up again in the late 1990s, the agency's Honor and Merit Awards Board told then-Director George Tenet that Ikeda should be excluded. One high-ranking CIA executive, Dujmovic said, even wrote a memo to Tenet saying the wall's integrity needed to be preserved. But Tenet disagreed, and a star was added for Ikeda in 1997. Tenet declined an interview request. Others who have been awarded stars: John Celli, an economic analyst who died in a car crash in Saudi Arabia in 1996; and Leslianne Shedd, an operations officer who was on leave from her duty post that same year when her Ethiopian Airlines flight was hijacked and crashed into the Indian Ocean. While Dujmovic questions their inclusion, he does not think their stars should be removed. And he has advocated on behalf of several other officers who died decades ago. This year, two of those, Daniel Dennett and John Creech, will be honored with stars. The men were flying in a twin-engine aircraft on an operation for the Central Intelligence Group - the immediate precursor to the CIA - when their plane crashed into a mountain in the Horn of Africa in 1947. When the wall went up in 1974, they were excluded because they were considered not technically part of the CIA. But, as Dujmovic wrote in an article on the CIA website, there was hardly any difference between the two groups, save for their initials. Another group that has repeatedly been rejected for the wall: five CIA security officers who were flying from California to a U-2 spy plane test site and crashed into a Nevada mountain in 1955. The crew had to fly at dangerously low altitudes through mountains to avoid detection. But the CIA has turned them down for stars at least four times, Dujmovic said. The agency, Dujmovic said, has long felt they were "simply going to work," though he disagrees and thinks their case is far more persuasive than those of others already granted stars. "It was a risky flight in hazardous conditions," he said. "They were on the job, not just going to the job." Steve Ririe, a Nevadan who spearheaded the effort to build a memorial at the site of the crash, wondered why those killed in the crash have been denied stars when someone who died by suicide received one. "I am kind of shocked, but at the same time, I don't want to judge it," Ririe said when told about Abdelsayed's star. "I don't know; what was the heroic element? It has to be there. Because I believe what these men on the flight did was incredible." - - - 'She was my sister' The daughter of Egyptian immigrants, Ranya Abdelsayed joined the CIA in 2006. Friends and colleagues called her "Rani." In Afghanistan, she worked nonstop as a targeter, mapping and tracking figures such as drug lords and senior Taliban members. "She never felt like she could do enough," said one former colleague, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of Abdelsayed's death. "We were playing whack-a-mole out there. The stress and intensity of her work ethic and other problems overwhelmed her in the end." He said Abdelsayed was widely respected but was often withdrawn and "not really part of the cohesive team and social network." She was very private, said a linguist on contract with the agency who also spoke on the condition of anonymity. The two, she said, were close friends, working long hours together and riding bikes to relax. Abdelsayed used dark humor to describe the job's intensity. "Oh, it's a clusterf--- today," she was fond of saying. But whenever her colleague asked Abdelsayed about her personal life - her family, how she got to the CIA, her ambitions - she always demurred. "Still, she was my sister down there," the linguist said. "She not only had the best interests of the U.S. in her heart, but she also had the interest of the people in Afghanistan in her heart." By August 2013, after a year in Kandahar, Abdelsayed was about to head home to McLean, Virginia. Her final week, though, was tense. According to the linguist, she grew angry at random moments. "She would yell at me," the linguist recalled. "A couple times, she cornered me in the chow hall and started yelling and screaming. I'd say, 'What's wrong? What's the matter?' She said, 'I am sorry. I didn't mean to do that.' I was like, 'OK, you're having a bad day.' " On the morning that Abdelsayed was to leave the base, she was supposed to meet her friend for a 7:30 breakfast. But she did not show up. Eventually, the linguist called her on the radio and got no reply. She got a key to her room from a support officer. But before entering, her colleague knocked. Maybe Abdelsayed was in the shower, she thought. But after a few more moments, she opened the door. "I just saw her laying down on the bed," the linguist said. "You could see no light in her. She was pale. I just sat on the ground of her room and called for support and then left. The image is still carved into my head. I still have nightmares about it." Abdelsayed's official date of death, according to Fairfax County probate records, was Aug. 28, 2013. Her parents, Brennan said, had "already made plans to see her. It was all taken away." - - - The Washington Post's Tom Jackman contributed to this report. SUTHERLAND SPRINGS When Sherri Pomeroy stepped into the new First Baptist Church, her eyes landed on the wheelchair ramp. I look to the right and find where the ramp is, this stark reminder of why we have the building, why Kris is now in a wheelchair, said Pomeroy, whose husband, Frank Pomeroy, is the pastor. Kris Workman, who was paralyzed from the waist down, was one of 20 congregants who were wounded in the Nov. 5, 2017 mass shooting at the former church. Twenty-six were killed, including 14-year-old Annabelle, the Pomeroys daughter. On Sunday, after a year-and-a-half of worshiping in a portable structure neighboring the old church, the members of this tight-knit community will step into the new, $3 million facility, which features more than 250 seats, a large bell tower, an education center and kitchen. Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. John Cornyn, along with leaders from the Texas religious community, will attend the dedication. Once that building is done and were in it, I think people will move on better, Frank Pomeroy said. Were in limbo. We even call our building a temporary building, Sherri added. I think well be more stable, feel more secure when we get over there. The original church a quaint, white clapboard building with a small bell tower and seating for less than 100 was converted into a memorial, painted white inside with chairs and flowers to mark the dead. The new church, on a 2-acre lot on Highway 87 adjacent to the old one, is more than double its size. It was donated by the North American Mission Board and designed at no cost by Myrick, Gurosky & Associates. It towers above other buildings in the small town. Its also fortified to prevent another mass shooting. There are more cameras, higher windows, with keyed access required to enter the building. Since the shooting, the congregation has more than doubled, and Sutherland Springs, a town of 600 about 30 miles south of San Antonio, has been thrust into the public eye as one of many communities across the country affected by mass shootings. This is just the next logical step to move forward, Sherri Pomeroy said. So we can get to normal. There are big ways to move on, and there are smaller ways. John Holcombe, who lost three children, his pregnant wife and parents, has begun teaching Sunday school again. Neil Johnson, who lost both parents and couldnt bring himself to attend church for months after the shooting, now sings in the choir. And Jennifer Holcombe, who lost her husband and 1-year-old daughter, is one of two women who care for children during services. She also got a part-time job at a nonprofit for at-risk children. But there are still grief ambushes, as Sherri Pomeroy put it. The last Sunday service was on Mothers Day. Sherri Pomeroy cried off and on all that morning. We need to remember the mothers that lost their children, and the children that lost their mothers, Frank Pomeroy said at the altar in the temporary building. Im going to ask us all to bow our heads, and lift them up. John Holcombes remaining daughter, 8-year-old Evelyn, played in the seats in the back with a stuffed dinosaur oblivious, for the moment, of the intensity of Pomeroys words. Doo, doo, doo, she said in a soft, sing-song voice as she walked the dinosaur along the edge of the seats. Her father stood nearby, manning the video camera that records every service. Holcombe looked down at her and smiled. For those who lost children, Frank Pomeroy asked God to speak directly to these moms and let them know you feel, you care, you know, and you love them. May you wrap them in your arms. Hold them and love them, and speak to their hearts in the only way you can. Silvia Foster-Frau covers immigration news in the San Antonio, Bexar County and South Texas area. Read her on our free site, mySA.com, and on our subscriber site, ExpressNews.com. | sfosterfrau@express-news.net | Twitter: @SilviaElenaFF AUSTIN U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar warned against elected officials who fuel Islamophobia and pit religious groups against each other at an Iftar dinner Saturday night in Austin, just days after Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller called on Austin Mayor Steve Adler not to attend the event. It is through strength and unity that we push back, and that is what this night is all about, said Omar, D-Minnesota. Mayor Adler and the Muslim community knew that the best way to push back when people seek to divide our communities is by coming together and affirming that there is more that unites us than divides us. Omar, 37, was the keynote speaker at the Annual Austin Citywide Iftar Dinner, a ceremonial meal to break the fast during Ramadan. Adler, who has attended each of the previous city-wide Iftars, was the guest of honor. In November, Omar made history when she and Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Michigan, became the first Muslim women elected to Congress. Since then, Omar has stirred controversy with comments seen as anti-Semitic and remarks viewed as dismissive of the 9/11 attacks. Texas Take: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox Omars critics accuse her of playing into anti-Semitic stereotypes when criticizing Israel and its supporters. In 2012, she tweeted that Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel, and later apologized for her use of the word hypnotize and the ugly sentiment it holds. On Tuesday, Miller called on Adler, who is Jewish, to stay home and suggested replacing Omars participation with Jewish community leaders. "It's not inclusive to have a keynote speaker at a dinner who has repeatedly attacked the Jewish faith and its adherents," Miller said in a statement. "Mayor Adler should help Austin stay true to its roots and use this opportunity as a teaching moment for Muslims, Jews, Christians and those of other faiths to come and break bread together in the spirit of unity and love, not hate. More than two dozen protestors and counter-protestors gathered outside the event. Some danced to drums while holding a banner reading Jews stand with Ilhan, while a handful of others stood quietly in body armor, and openly carrying rifles. During the keynote address, Omar said hate against Muslims is on the rise everywhere including Texas. Mosques in Texas regularly face death threats, and Austin has seen a rise in hate speech against Muslims, she said. The attacks that Muslims face are "the same as the ones that Jews face every single day, she said. Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia are two sides of the same bigoted coin, Omar said. Attacks on faiths are linked, and we must confront them together. Omar applauded the solidarity shown between Jews and Muslims in the wake of the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting and the March mass shooting in a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. Every time we feel threatened, we show up with love and others stand with us, Omar said. We say together that we will not be terrorized, that we are strong and we are resilient, that we will always show up because we know that we, just like everyone else in this country, have a right to a dignified life. Omar urged the audience not to let the hate around us divide us. As Americans, we must all stand together in rejecting hate and embracing one another to create a country and culture of unity and justice, she said. Miller himself has been called out for racist statements in the past, such as in 2015 when his campaign made a Facebook post suggesting nuclear bombs as a way to make peace with the Muslim world. Last year, Miller faced criticism for liking a comment on his Facebook page that was an apparent reference to lynching. The 2019 Texas Legislature ends on May 27, but between now and next week lawmakers are scrambling to pass or reject bills still pending after weeks of debate and hearings. Keep these seven issues top of mind in the final days. Harvey relief is top priority Houston and its flood-prone neighbors had no higher priority entering this session than a smart, well-funded plan for Hurricane Harvey recovery. It looks like they will have it. The Texas House approved Thursday good changes to what had been a merely adequate Senate bill. The improved measure, still called SB 7, passed the House with a single nay vote. (Once again, Rep. Jonathan Stickland, R-Bedford, has embarrassed himself.) The changes are expected to be approved early this week. The bill spends more than $3 billion in rainy-day funds to help, and creates a vehicle for low-cost grants for other resilience work. The state money is an essential boost as area governments can use it as their local match to speed the flow of federal funds. Abbott lets Santa Fe shootings pass without real reform Its unfair to call SB 11 the Legislatures response to the 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting anemic. After all, its a good bill dealing with more awareness and treatment of mental health issues in schools. The House should approve it. But after Gov. Greg Abbotts forceful call to action in the aftermath of the violence that left eight students and two teachers dead, SB 11 is an inadequate answer to the question of school shootings. It limits all prevention measures to mental health, with no mention of the tools used to inflict the carnage. At a minimum, Abbott should have insisted that lawmakers pass his School and Firearm Safety Plan recommendations, including more responsible storage (the shooters guns belonged to his father), mandatory reporting of lost or stolen guns, and to allow judges to temporarily confiscate a persons firearms if he or she is determined to be an immediate threat. SB 11 is an egregious missed opportunity to make Texans safer. Rival school finance plans must be resolved A conference committee is currently hammering out a compromise between the rival education funding bills proposed by the House and Senate. As we have written, the committee should accept the Senates more ambitious $12 billion proposal but recognize that the House version has better ideas on how to spend that money, such as local discretion on teacher raises, and how to calculate school funding. In other education matters, the House should approve SB 608 and SB 1659, dealing with the management of the Permanent School Fund and composition of the School Land Board. A four-part Chronicle investigation published in March found the board invested billions of dollars with companies run by friends and business associates. The bills would allow for better management and more transparency of the boards actions, ultimately benefiting Texas schools. Bail reform boondoggle of Abbotts making Sen. John Whitmire, D-Houston, had an ambitious plan to extend statewide many of the tenets of bail reform taking root in Houston and Dallas. Now the best he can hope for is to kill HB 2020. Id rather have no bill than a bad bill. Well try again next session, Whitmire said. The culprit? The governor, who doesnt have a vote but put his weight behind a phony reform bill that would make it harder for some defendants to be released at all. Abbott has refused to budge, so Whitmire says hell keep the bill bottled up until its too late. Its a travesty because Abbott could have easily achieved his goals while also finding common ground with Whitmire. People locked up for no other reason than they cant afford bail a violation of their constitutional rights needed a remedy. The session is ending without one. The only option now is more lawsuits. Wins and losses on LGBTQ rights Its been a toss-up session for stronger civil rights protections for the LBGTQ community. In January, five members of the House formed the Legislatures first LBGTQ caucus. By May, a promising HB 517 banning conversation therapy the often cruel work of trying to get gay and bisexual kids to live as if they were straight had been cast out. Then the caucus scored a win when it killed a House bill that would have barred state penalties against anyone, including state-licensed professionals, whose actions are taken in accordance with their religious beliefs. Gay rights allies worried that would allow discrimination against those in same-sex marriages. But it took no time at all for the Senate to pass a similar bill. As of Friday, SB 1978 was back in the House, before the House State Affairs Committee. Speaker Dennis Bonnen has predicted it will pass the House this time. We hope hes wrong. Lawmakers treat Texas cities like children States rights? We hear that a lot from Texas lawmakers. Local rights? Forgetaboutit. In 2019, the Legislature has upped its animus toward municipalities across the state, all but declaring war against their lobbying organization, the Texas Municipal League. The warring school finance bills (see above), still being reconciled, would put tough new caps on local property tax rates. SB 1152, which lets cable and internet companies pay lower franchise fees, has passed both chambers and is likely to become law. It will cost Houston between $12 million and $24 million in the 2020 fiscal year. As of Friday, a House committee reported favorably SB 2486, which has already passed the Senate and would prevent cities from establishing paid sick leave policies. Why? Because Mother and Father in Austin know best. Bill encourages churches to report abuse allegations Stopping the vicious cycle of sexual abuse requires stopping the silence that often helps perpetuate it. That was one of the lessons of the Abuse of Faith series by the Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News, which found that hundreds of Southern Baptist church leaders and volunteers had been charged with sex crimes in the past two decades. In dozens of instances, church leaders apparently failed to disclose the allegations when the accused applied at new congregations. The Senate should follow the House in passing HB 4345 by Rep. Scott Sanford, R-McKinney. It would allow churches and other nonprofits to share former employees sexual abuse and misconduct allegations without risk of being sued. The bill, which also has the backing of Texas Catholic leaders, doesnt do anything for victims but its a positive step in preventing new ones. 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. Governor and First Partner Rally in Support of Reproductive Health and Freedom San Diego, California - On the final stop of his statewide California for All health care tour, Governor Gavin Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom rallied with San Diego legislators, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest, patients and local advocates in support of reproductive health and freedom. While the White House and states like Alabama attack reproductive health care, Governor Newsom highlighted his historic $100 million budget proposal to invest in reproductive and sexual health care in California. While men in legislatures across the country are telling women what they can and cant do with their bodies, California is taking the exact opposite approach," said Governor Newsom. "We arent just protecting reproductive freedom we are seeking to greatly expand access to reproductive and sexual health care here in the state. Governor Newsom was joined today by San Diego Assemblyembers Todd Gloria, Shirley Weber and Lorena Gonzalez. At the event, Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest President and CEO Darrah DiGiorgio Johnson discussed the organizations efforts to expand reproductive health care throughout Riverside, San Diego and Imperial counties. Planned Parenthood patient Eboney Stewart shared how doctors helped her identify fibroids on her uterus and provided necessary surgery. The words strike terror in any entrepreneur's heart: "Hey, did you hear that Google is getting into your industry?" We've seen it a few times recently, after Google announced a plan to attack the $140 billion video game industry, and then rolled out privacy changes that some say are designed to cement its mammoth lead in the $129 billion digital advertising industry. Now, Google is placing a bet on potentially the biggest business yet, one that the U.N. World Tourism Organization estimates could be worth a total of $830 billion, in just one segment of the industry. Drum roll please: It's the travel and hospitality industry. $100 billion already The announcement came this week, in a blog post by Google's Richard Holden, vice president of product management for travel. It was easy to miss the importance--because of course, Google is already in the travel industry, and it's been slowly and without much fanfare launching feature after feature. In fact, a couple of years ago an outside analysis suggested travel accounted for about 15 percent of Google's overall revenue, and that its pieces would be worth $100 billion as a standalone business--more than competitors like Priceline at the time. But as Holden laid out in his blog post, Google has now been consolidating many of its various travel offerings together into a single interface, and it's considerably more than just the sum of its parts. It's all called Trips, same as the travel app that Google first introduced almost three years ago, and it's a pretty intuitive way to organize all of your research and reservations for any one trip in a single place, accessible on any device. "Things to do" It's probably easier just to walk through a few examples of how Google Trips works, instead of trying to explain all of this in the abstract. So take for example, a short trip my family and I plan to take at the beach in Delaware once school lets out. Just entering the location in the search field at google.com/travel brought up a "travel guide," a "things to do" section, and a "plan a trip" option. These were pretty robust; within a few seconds I'd already hit on a few good ideas for where my wife and I could take our daughter on the trip. I'd already done about two hours of research and chose a hotel to stay at before doing this little experiment. Lo and behold, the hotel I'd picked was the first one Google recommended. I suspect, of course, that Google was either making this recommendation after a) looking at my search history, b) aggregating my browsing history, or c) digging through my Gmail account, where I already had been communicating with the hotel. "Kind of creepy" About that part: As the New York Times put it while reviewing the mobile app version of this when it first appeared: "It's kind of creepy." But in my case, there were also some times when it seemed like our overlords at Google were a little less omniscient. For example, the "plan a trip" option by default suggested my family should fly from New York City to Baltimore or Philadelphia--and then, rent a car to go the rest of the way to Delaware, I guess? Short version: That's pretty silly. You'd be much better off just driving the whole way--rather than paying $260 round trip per person on Spirit, as Google suggested. In fairness, it was more useful for a hypothetical trip to Paris, with a clean display laying out some slightly obvious "things to do," like see the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre--although it did also suggest an outdated, pre-fire photo of the Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris. The big advantages Beyond that, however, the logistics of actually getting to Paris and staying there were pretty slick: laying out flights, times, prices, and hotels, with prices on a single interface. And that really seems like the future here. Google brings a few key competitive advantages to this whole thing, including the sheer number of Google visitors, the panoply of services we're already using that Google can string together, and an almost unlimited timeline. Google isn't even monetizing this the way it probably could; for example, if you want to book a plane ticket, Google sends you to the airline's website rather than selling direct itself. At the end of the day, this is potentially an enormous market. That U.N. report estimates international tourism alone amounts to $830 billion a year, and that doesn't even count domestic travel and business travel. This is a story about a secret audio recording of American Airlines pilots, the controversy over the Boeing 737 Max, and bare knuckles union politics. News broke last week of a heated meeting between American Airlines and Boeing representatives last November--after the Lion Air crash in Indonesia, but before the crash of an Ethiopian Airlines flight in March. Both crashes killed all passengers and crew. A recording of the conversation--apparently made without the Boeing side of the table's knowledge--turns angry and frustrated at some points, with the American Airlines pilots apparently urging Boeing to take actions that would have resulted in the plane being grounded, while the Boeing representatives insisted it was safe. "We're the last line of defense to being that smoking hole," one of the pilots says angrily on the recording, which was then leaked to the media. "And we need the knowledge." In its article reporting on the audio, the New York Times summarized the implications: [P]ilots from American Airlines pressed Boeing executives to work urgently on a fix...[and] even argued that Boeing should push authorities to take an emergency measure that would likely result in the grounding of the Max. The Boeing executives resisted. They didn't want to rush out a fix, and said they expected pilots to be able to handle problems. After the story broke, Boeing said in a statement to the Dallas Morning News that it "is committed to working with pilots, airlines and global regulators to safely return the updated MAX to flight once certified." And then on Thursday, Boeing separately said that it had "completed development of the updated software for the 737 MAX, along with associated simulator testing and the company's engineering test flight," taking it a big step forward toward the FAA's review. But now, some members of the union representing American Airlines pilots say they're incensed that the meeting with Boeing was recorded and leaked to the press in the first place. According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, some of the pilots believe the decision to release the audio recording had as much to do with a battle over leadership of the union as safety. Two of the pilots' members are currently in a runoff for the presidency of the union. The result apparently has been a series of emails sent to the entire 15,000-pilot union membership, suggesting that recording the meeting and sharing the audio will make it harder for the pilots to work with manufacturers in the future. "Please consider how you would feel if you were having frank discussions [and] you learned that what you discussed had been recorded without your knowledge," and leaked to the media, a union board member named Joe Collins wrote in an email to other union pilots. "Would you trust them in the future?" Making it all more tangled is the fact that while the American pilots in the audio sound very frustrated and skeptical, and the union in fact issued a freedom of information request to the FAA on February 26--before the second crash--trying to get documents about the approval of the 737 Max, the pilots' union has publicly been very supportive of Boeing and the troubled plane. In a press release two days after the Ethiopian Airlines crash, the union said it "remains confident in the Boeing 737 Max and in our members' ability to safely fly it." Think about your favorite duos: peanut butter and jelly, Batman and Robin, Simon and Garfunkel, or perhaps Jordan and Pippen. Each pair works because its individual members complement one another's strengths and weaknesses. Another strong pairing that doesn't get nearly as much attention? Humility and confidence. By itself, Root CEO Jim Hauden argues, each trait tends toward excess. "It is often my experience that leaders that are confident are not humble," Hauden writes. "And on the flip side, those with humility are not confident, even to the point of constantly seeking reassurances to validate their leadership. Unfortunately, overconfident leaders see humility as a weakness or inadequacy. In reality, humility helps you see your blind spots, own up to your mistakes, and develop your problem-solving skills. Similarly, overly humble leaders may mistake confidence for arrogance. Nobody wants to be around someone who believes they're the smartest person in the room, but some degree of self-confidence is important. Self-confidence promotes motivation, resilience, and courage. What's the solution? A healthy balance of humility and confidence. Here's how to achieve it: 1. Train your emotional intelligence. Experts agree that emotional intelligence is important for productivity because it promotes self-motivation and emotional regulation. Those qualities also make it an excellent tool for improving your confidence without giving your ego the reins. Fortunately, there's no shortage of ways to build your EI. Start small: Reflect on how you respond to your own emotions. If another driver cut you off in traffic, did you grit your teeth and move on, or did you add to the danger by striking back? Observe your emotions, think before you act, and be open to others' criticism. 2. Practice gratitude. Saying "thank you" helps us recognize all the good others contribute to our lives, explains Vicki Zakrzewski, education director at University of California-Berkeley's Greater Good Center. "Very simply, gratitude can make us less self-focused and more focused on those around us--a hallmark of humble people." Gratitude generates humility, but believe it or not, it's also a great source of self-esteem. Gratitude means "appreciating all of your qualities, attributes, and abilities," a Pick the Brain article notes. Being grateful results in more meaningful relationships and produces a greater sense of belonging -- both of which build self-confidence. 3. Stop pointing fingers. My team lost because the referees made bad calls. My business failed because customers don't know what they want. My career is stagnating because my boss doesn't care about me. Whether it's valid or not, blame is corrosive. By pinning your problems on others, you de-motivate yourself to solve them. On top of that, you show everyone around you just how fragile your ego is. Take the advice of Gary Vaynerchuk: Don't point fingers. Own your role in bad situations, and embrace what they can teach you. Self-accountability is necessary for growth, leadership, and all-around human decency. 4. Develop a growth mindset. Stanford research shows that each of us approaches life with either a "fixed" or "growth" mindset. Those with a fixed mindset think things like intelligence and talent are set in stone. Growth-minded people, in contrast, believe they can cultivate new skills and traits through their actions. Regardless of how you currently approach life, you can look at it through the lens of growth. Reflect on and accept your imperfections. Frame challenges you encounter as opportunities. Take risks, celebrate when they pay off, and be grateful for their lessons when they don't. Above all, appreciate the effort behind the talents you and others possess. Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Moggs new book has been savaged by the critics, who have dismissed his tribute to the Victorians as staggeringly silly, sentimental jingoism and so terrible. The influential Brexiteers latest work The Victorians: Twelve Titans Who Forged Britain looks at the lives of a dozen eminent 19th-century figures including Queen Victoria, Sir Robert Peel and Lord Palmerston. Writing in The Sunday Times, Dominic Sandbrook described it as so bad, so boring, so mind-bogglingly banal that if it had been written by anybody else it would never have been published. The historian added: Did Rees-Mogg really write this? Or did he get the work-experience boy to do it? In any case, the overall effect is soul-destroying. There have been many books on the Victorians, but surely none as badly written. AN Wilson was equally withering, describing Mr Rees-Moggs effort as anathema ... to anyone with an ounce of historical, or simply common, sense. In his review for The Times, Mr Wilson said the book consists of a dozen clumsily written pompous schoolboy compositions What a staggeringly silly book this is! The Victorians: Long to reign over us Show all 5 1 /5 The Victorians: Long to reign over us The Victorians: Long to reign over us 611756.bin Getty The Victorians: Long to reign over us 611761.bin PA The Victorians: Long to reign over us 611762.bin The Victorians: Long to reign over us 611765.bin Getty The Victorians: Long to reign over us 611763.bin Historian Kim A Wagner called the book a sentimental vision of the past as the author wishes it had been resembling a series of half-remembered anecdotes from a Boys Own story, or perhaps tales told by his nanny. The book really belongs in the celebrity autobiography section of the bookstore, he wrote in The Observers review. At best, it can be seen as a curious artefact of the kind of sentimental jingoism and empire-nostalgia currently afflicting our country. The Guardian reviewer Kathryn Hughes wrote: At least we know The Victorians isnt ghost written, since no self-respecting freelancer would dare ask for payment for such rotten prose. The MP for North East Somerset has said he spent around 300 hours writing it, and the register of MPs financial interests shows he has already received a 12,500 payment from Penguin Random House. The father of six said his children did not delay my work ... as Peter, Mary, Thomas, Anselm, Alfred and Sixtus were kindly looked after by my wife Helena and, of course, nanny. Elizabeth Olsen has revealed she once auditioned for the role of Daenerys Targaryen on Game of Thrones. Speaking to Vulture, the Avengers actor recalled how "awkward" the audition was as the showrunners were unsure whether they wanted an American or British accent. When I first started working, I just auditioned for everything, because I like auditioning. And I auditioned for Khaleesi. I forgot that. It was the most awkward audition Id ever had, she said. Olsen was asked to give the monologue from the final moments of season one. [From] after she just burned," Olsen continued. "And shes making this speech to thousands of people about how shes their queen. They didnt know if they wanted a British accent or not. So, you did it in both. It was terrible. Anytime someone says, Bad audition story. Thats one I remember. 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 Tamzin Merchant won the part, appearing in the pilot episode. However, after the pilot failed to impress the producers, Merchant was recast and Emilia Clarke took over. Game of Thrones has gone on to become a worldwide phenomenon and has made Clarke an internationally recognised star. Olsen, meanwhile, has become best known for playing the character Scarlett Witch in the Avengers films. Indias rapid economic growth has been accompanied by falling fertility rates and higher educational attainment among women. These advances often lead to an increase in women entering the labour force, but there has been a surprising decline on this front in India. Less than 30 per cent of working-age women are currently in work compared to nearly 80 per cent of men in India. The conspicuous absence of women in Indias labour force is part of a wider issue the country is facing when it comes to jobs growth. But the fact that it is affecting women more than men is a worrying trend for India, which tends to rank poorly in UN rankings like the Gender Development Index and Gender Inequality Index, and has historically had low shares of women participating in the labour market. Plus, the number of women working has been gradually falling over the last 30 years. There are a number of reasons for this, ranging from a lack of jobs growth in female-friendly sectors such as manufacturing, to more women staying in education for longer, and persisting stigma surrounding the idea of women working. As India grapples with boosting the number of jobs available to people and young people especially it must ensure it does not leave women behind in the process. Global trends It is useful to understand Indias experience against the global landscape. According to the latest estimates from the UNs International Labour Organisation, the worldwide labour force participation rate in 2018 for women aged 15-64 was 53 per cent while it was 80.6 per cent for similarly aged men. Since 1990, participation rates for both groups have shown an overall decline around the world. There are, however, variations in these global trends. The number of women working in high income countries went up between 1990 and 2018, largely due to policies like better parental leave, subsidised childcare, and flexibility in jobs. But in South Asias low and middle income countries, the number of women working has declined. 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Show all 20 1 /20 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Someone celebrates underneath a rainbow-coloured flag as the Supreme Court in India rules that gay sex is longer a crime. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling People celebrate in the street following the ruling. The Chief Justice of India stated that the outlawing of gay sex had been "irrational, arbitrary and indefensible". AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Up until now, gay sex in India had been punishable by up to 10 years in prison under Section 377 of the Indian constitution. AFP/Getty 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling The law was originally imposed during the Victorian era while India was still under the rule of the British Empire. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling "Any consensual sexual relationship between two consenting adults - homosexuals, heterosexuals or lesbians - cannot be said to be unconstitutional," said Dipak Misra, Chief Justice of India. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Members and supporters of the LGBT+ community in India were overjoyed by the decision, with the celebrations awash with rainbow-coloured paraphernalia. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling "They have opened the door to discussing rights," Anjali Gopalan, founder of the Naz Foundation charity that has been fighting against Section 377 told The Independent. "They have apologised to the gay community, and they have said copies of the judgement will be handed to every police station. It is the best judgement we could have hoped for." AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling People were dancing and smiling as the Supreme Court's ruling was announced. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Bismaya, an activist with the Delhi brand of LGBT+ advocacy group Impulse, told The Independent: "I'm so happy, it's overwhelming. I cried when we heard the news. I'm gay and I'm not afraid of that. It's something I used to say, but now for the first time I have the legal backing." AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling The rain did little to dampen people's spirits as they celebrated the historic ruling in New Delhi. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling A woman exclaims with joy as she holds hands with others on the day of the ruling. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Members of the LGBT+ community in India hold a placard reading "Love is genderless" while standing outside the Supreme Court in New Delhi. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling The celebrations in India were bright, colourful and full of happiness. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Bismaya, activist for LGBT+ advocacy group Impulse, said: "It's great for me but it's also a great day for the whole of India. Acceptance in wider society will take time, because we cannot expect change overnight. It has been a battle for two decades for this judgement. If now we get full acceptance in a couple of years, that would be great." AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling Members and supporters of the LGBT+ community in member celebrate the landmark ruling in Siliguri with a cake and confetti. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling People join in the jubilant festivities in Kolkata. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling A woman cries with happiness in Chennai as the ruling made by the Supreme Court in India is announced. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling The celebrations in Kolkata were full of happiness and energy. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling A group of people stand in heavy rainfall in New Delhi as they celebrate the outlawing of the outdated ban on gay sex in India. AFP/Getty Images 20 best pictures of India celebrations following gay sex court ruling The movement to reconsider Section 377 started in 2001 with a legal challenge made to the Delhi High Court from the Naz Foundation. AFP/Getty Images In India, female labour force participation fell from 35 per cent in 1990 to 27 per cent in 2018. India fares better than its neighbour Pakistan (where the rate increased from 14 per cent to 25 per cent over the same period). But it lags behind Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal, and other countries at similar stages of growth and development. There are regional and demographic differences across the country. Rural women have higher participation rates than their urban counterparts. Married women, less educated women, and women from higher castes are less likely to participate in the labour market. Reasons for the drop Both economic and cultural reasons explain women falling out of Indias labour force. The latest evidence suggests that the number of jobs in India is on the decline. This is a significant structural problem for a country with a burgeoning young population. In particular, India has struggled to create labour-intensive manufacturing jobs, many of which favour women. This is in contrast to countries such as Bangladesh that experienced a booming export-led manufacturing sector that led to more employment opportunities for women. The number of women staying in education in both urban and rural areas has increased, keeping them out of the workforce for longer. But, even when this is accounted for, the numbers of women working remains below Indias peers. For men, greater education leads to higher participation in the labour force. Across India, there are cultural expectations that married women should not work and that they should prioritise housework and care work. A survey on social attitudes in 2016 found that around 40-60 per cent of men and women believe married women should not work if the husband earns reasonably well. Another factor keeping women out of the workforce is the wider problem of violence against women. New work finds that sexual violence and an unsafe environment for women also stops them seeking paid work outside their homes this is especially the case for Muslim and lower-caste women. Reversing the decline Gender equality is an important development objective in and of itself. Research shows that when women work they have greater agency and voice and the poorer representation of women in paid work has negative consequences for their bargaining power within their households. Plus, increasing the number of women in work is important for any countrys economic growth, leading to better productivity and improving prospects for future generations. There are a number of ways to boost the number of women working. Tackling the cultural reasons that result in women leaving the workforce could be one such way. Changing social norms about gender equity and womens work is paramount, and this is where awareness programmes and affirmative action policies may help alleviate gender stereotypes. The 2017 Maternity Benefit Act, by increasing paid maternity leave, may also help to limit the drop-out of women from work after motherhood. Access to subsidised childcare may also free up time for women to engage in the labour force. At a more structural level, the next government faces a tough task of reforming the economy to create more jobs. When it does so, it must take into account Indias growing gender employment gap and specifically think about jobs for women, if it wants to reduce this gap and help boost the countrys economy. Smriti Sharma is a lecturer in economics at Newcastle University. This article first appeared in The Conversation Ukip candidate Carl Benjamin has had a fourth milkshake thrown over him in a week. The far-right activist, who was touring Salisbury as part of his campaign for the European elections this week, was targeted by opponents in the street. A Twitter user who posted a photograph of him doused in the milkshake quickly received more than 1,000 likes. Another user posted: This is becoming a habit. Mr Benjamin, who is being investigated by police for comments about raping Labour MP Jess Phillips, has been the target of a series of protests while campaigning for the EU Parliament elections. The University of the West of England cancelled a hustings where he was due to speak out of fears of disturbances, and just days later Exeter Cathedral banned him from a separate election event it is hosting. Milkshaking: New tactic emerges in fight against far-right Show all 6 1 /6 Milkshaking: New tactic emerges in fight against far-right Milkshaking: New tactic emerges in fight against far-right Newcastle says "no thanks Farage" Brexit Party leader Nigel farage is led away by security after being hit with a milkshake at a campaign event in Newcastle Reuters Milkshaking: New tactic emerges in fight against far-right Tommy Robinson covered in a milkshake... While out on the campaign trail for the European Elections in Warrington, a man threw a milkshake in Tommy Robinson's face. Frame 1: Man throws milkshake. Frame 2: Robinson and Co. beat man. Frame 3: Robinson covered in milkshake @AzTheBaz/Twitter Milkshaking: New tactic emerges in fight against far-right ...the day after being covered with a milkshake The day before in Bury, a suspected child threw a milkshake over Robinson before running away Paul Ryder/Youtube Milkshaking: New tactic emerges in fight against far-right Gerrard Batten's image Amy Thompson from Plymouth greeted the Ukip tour bus by throwing a milkshake over the image of leader Gerrard Batten McCoys Media/SWNS Milkshaking: New tactic emerges in fight against far-right Carl Benjamin milkshaked Ukip candidate Carl Benjamin aka Sargon of Akkad was met with a milkshake while campaigning in Totnes, Devon PA Milkshaking: New tactic emerges in fight against far-right Aftermath The remains of the milkshake that struck Carl Benjamin Cornwall Live/SWNS Earlier this week, police in Totnes separated Mr Benjamins supporters from demonstrators after he was doused in a milkshake for the third time. A crowd of about 40 white people reportedly listened Mr Benjamin as he made another "joke" about restarting the British Empire. Anti-far-right activists have regularly adopted the tactic of throwing milkshakes as a form of protest at candidates. Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon and who is standing as an independent candidate, was hit with milkshakes twice in two days in Bury and Warrington earlier this month. In 2016, Mr Benjamin, who is standing as an MEP in the South West England region, tweeted to Ms Phillips: I wouldnt even rape you, @jessphillips. He later defended what he called a joke and refused to apologise. Because of the spread of the practice of throwing milkshakes, police in Edinburgh asked a branch of McDonalds to stop selling them on an evening when former Ukip leader Nigel Farage was holding a rally nearby. Julian Assanges belongings from his time living in the Ecuadorian embassy in London will be seized by US prosecutors in the UK on Monday, according to WikiLeaks. Ecuadorian officials are travelling to London to allow US prosecutors to help themselves to items at the embassy including legal papers, medical records and electronic equipment the organisation has claimed. WikiLeaks said neither Assanges lawyers nor United Nations officials were allowed to be present for the handover of possessions. The material is said to include two of Assanges manuscripts. His lawyers said an illegal seizure of property had been requested by the US, describing the country as the agent of political persecution against the WikiLeaks founder. Assange was dragged out of the embassy last month and is serving a 50-week prison sentence for bail violations. He faces an extradition request from the US after authorities there charged him with conspiracy to commit computer intrusion. 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 Kristinn Hrafnsson, editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, said: On Monday Ecuador will perform a puppet show at the Embassy of Ecuador in London for their masters in Washington, just in time to expand their extradition case before the UK deadline on 14 June. The Trump administration is inducing its allies to behave like its the Wild West, she added. Baltasar Garzon, international legal coordinator for the defence of Assange and WikiLeaks, said: It is extremely worrying that Ecuador has proceeded with the search and seizure of property, documents, information and other material belonging to the defence of Julian Assange, which Ecuador arbitrarily confiscated, so that these can be handed over to the agent of political persecution against him, the United States. It is an unprecedented attack on the rights of the defence, freedom of expression and access to information exposing massive human rights abuses and corruption. We call on international protection institutions to intervene to put a stop to this persecution. Ben Brandon, the lawyer representing the US at a recent extradition hearing, said there were computer room chats showing real-time discussions between Chelsea Manning and Assange over an attempt to gain access to classified US documents. Earlier this week Swedish prosecutors announced they would reopen a 2010 rape case against the WikiLeaks founder. Additional reporting by PA Dozens of flights have been grounded at Manchester Airport after a power failure prevented the refuelling of aircraft. Passengers reported being stuck on the runway for over four hours as engineers attempted to fix the problem. More than 80 flights from and to the airport have been cancelled, with more than 40 arrivals and departures on easyJet axed or delayed overnight affecting 7,000 passengers. Most are European departures, to destinations as far away as Tenerife, Prague and Preveza in Greece. Two flights to Belfast International and back have also been grounded. Around 3,000 Ryanair passengers have had their flights cancelled, with links to and from Dublin, Lisbon, Malaga, Oslo, Palma and Rome among those affected. Flybe has cancelled links with Exeter, Belfast City, Southampton, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Hanover and the Isle of Man. Air France, Eurowings, KLM, Loganair, Lufthansa and SAS have also cancelled flights. The world's healthiest and happiest airports Show all 8 1 /8 The world's healthiest and happiest airports The world's healthiest and happiest airports Therapy dogs at Vancouver International Airport Vancouver International Airport employs therapy dogs to assist with anxious and stressed passengers Vancouver International Airport The world's healthiest and happiest airports The rooftop swimming pool at Changi Airport, Singapore This airport also includes its own cinema Changi Airport, Singapore The world's healthiest and happiest airports Green space at Vancouver International Airport Vancouver International Airport scored top marks for outdoor and green space Vancouver International Airport The world's healthiest and happiest airports The outdoor terrace at San Francisco International Airport San Francisco International Airport is the seventh busiest airport in the US San Francisco International Airport The world's healthiest and happiest airports Fancy a dip? A pool at Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest airport and number three in the ranking Dubai International Airport The world's healthiest and happiest airports Frankfurt Airport With an open-air roof terrace, dedicated silent chairs, a quiet room and peaceful leisure facilities, Frankfurt International Airport came top in the ranking Frankfurt Airport The world's healthiest and happiest airports Work out The transit lounge gym facilities at Changi Airport's Terminal 2 Changi Airport, Singapore The world's healthiest and happiest airports The spa at Vancouver International Airport Vancouver International Airport came seventh in the ranking Vancouver International Airport As the evening wore on, many flights which had already been boarded in the hope of fuelling being available were cancelled. One Aer Lingus flight to Dublin is showing a delay of seven hours, to 4.10am on Monday. The Emirates Airbus A380 flight to Dubai, carrying around 500 people, is currently showing a delay of four hours. Many of the passengers will miss onward connection at the airline's hub. Under European air passengers rights rules, airlines must provide accommodation, meals and alternative flights to passengers whose departures are disrupted. Recommended High winds cause planes to abort landings at Manchester Airport One passenger on board a plane stuck on the ground since 4pm on Sunday said that he had been told the fault was unlikely to be fixed before 10pm. People have been really patient and understanding so far but are reasonably keen to get off the plane now, Ellis Davies tweeted. Still waiting to disembark our cancelled flight as ALL the buses are being used to ferry people are being used. Staff are doing their best here but someone higher up the chain deserves sacking for this shambles. Manchester Airport said in a statement: Due to a power issue this afternoon there is currently an issue with the fuel supply at the airport and we have engineers on-site working to fix this. It urged passengers to contact their airlines for flight information and updates. Manchester Airport unveils 'private jet' experience even for Ryanair passengers An easyJet spokesperson said: Due to a current fuel system failure at Manchester Airport easyJet like all airlines operating at the airport is experiencing disruption to its programme. We advise all customers due to travel to and from Manchester airport to check the status of their flights on our Flight Tracker. Although this is outside of our control, we would like to apologise to all our customers for any inconvenience and would like to reassure them we are doing all possible to minimise any disruption. Passengers at the airport were provided with regular information updates, refreshments and hotel accommodation where required. With no clear idea of when fuelling can resume, there are fears about the start of the working week on Monday. Key links to Amsterdam, Frankfurt and Paris used by both business travellers and leisure passengers connecting to long-haul flights may be affected. More than 80,000 passengers are due to fly in or out of Manchester on Monday. Eggs and a bottle of what appeared to be milkshake were thrown as protesters attempted to disrupt a Tommy Robinson rally in Merseyside. Demonstrators sat in the road to block traffic, chanted and waved anti-racist placards ahead of the far-right activists arrival in Bootle on Sunday afternoon. More than 50 police officers separated the group from Robinsons supporters, who shouted: Tommys going to be your MEP. Scuffles broke out as a van, used by Robinsons European Parliament elections campaign team, arrived in Douglas Place. Eggs hit the windscreen of the van and a bottle containing a milk liquid was hurled from the crowd. "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Show all 7 1 /7 "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Covered in a milkshake... While out on the campaign trail for the European Elections in Warrington, a man threw a milkshake in Tommy's face. Frame 1: Man throws milkshake. Frame 2: Robinson & Co beat man. Frame 3: Robinson covered in milkshake. @AzTheBaz/Twitter "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson ...the day after being covered with a milkshake The day before in Bury, a suspected child threw a milkshake over Robinson before running away Paul Ryder/Youtube "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Confronted for his racism... Back in 2014, Robinson was not warmly received in his home town of Luton... ABC "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson ...falls over while cowering away ...In attempting to back away from the three advancing men, he fell over a curb ABC "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Slapped in Luton The slap came as then-EDL leader was trying to drive away directly after making the subtitled comment Round8ere/Youtube "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson Shouted down in Salford When trying to spread his message to the streets of Salford, this woman told him where to get off Beth Redmond/Twitter "Stephen Yakult Lennon" - The British public vs Tommy Robinson "You're not as famous as you think you are" A judge at Peterborough County Court explained this to Robinson as she dismissed his discrimination case against the police. Robinson had claimed that he was ejected from a pub on account of his beliefs, however the officer didn't recognise him and was ejecting him on account of his drunken behaviour PA Robinson, who is standing as an independent candidate for North West England in Thursdays vote, was escorted by police through a back alley. He was greeted by cheers from his own supporters while counter-protesters booed and shouted fascist scum. Recommended Police vehicles damaged during clashes at Tommy Robinson rally Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, spoke at the rally for around an hour before being escorted away by police. Bootle MP Peter Dowd, who joined the counter-demonstrators, said Merseyside Police should have called off the visit. He wrote on Twitter: Stephen Yaxley-Lennon aka fascist Tommy Robinson isnt wanted in Bootle. Dont bother coming here. Anti-far-right activists have regularly adopted the tactic of throwing milkshakes as a form of protest at candidates possibly because milk has previously been used as a symbol of the far-right and white supremacy. Robinson was hit with milkshakes twice in two days in Bury and Warrington earlier this month. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events And on Sunday afternoon UKIP MEP candidate Carl Benjamin had a milkshake thrown over him while campaigning in Salisbury the fourth time in a week. Additional reporting by PA Jeremy Corbyn has claimed the free movement of people would be "open for negotiation" if a Labour government was negotiating Brexit with Brussels. The Labour leader dismissed suggestions he was "staunchly against" one of the key principles of the European Union the ability to live and work freely in the 28 member states. At the 2017 snap election, Labour's manifesto said "freedom of movement will end" when Britain exits the bloc, but today Mr Corbyn appeared to soften this stance. In an interview, Mr Corbyn also said his party does not currently support Theresa May's Withdrawal Agreement Bill without any fundamental changes as the prime minister braces for yet another defeat in the Commons. And he appeared to give a warmer endorsement of a Final Say referendum, but Labour sources played down Mr Corbyn's comments claiming there was no shift in policy. Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Show all 5 1 /5 Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Brexit culture: film posters reimagined The Hunchback of Notre Dame with a Brexit spin Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Les Miserables reimagined Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined A Room with a View of Britain's future Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Roman Holiday relocated Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined The Sound of Music reimagined Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Pressed on the issue of free movement, Mr Corbyn the BBC's Andrew Marr Show: "I'm not staunchly against freedom of movement. Our manifesto said the European system would not apply if you're not in the European Union but I quite clearly recognise there has to be a lot of movement of workers. "Ask any company in manufacturing or any other sector how much they need and rely on workers from Europe and indeed the other way around." Told there are countries outside the EU that have chosen to retain free movement, Mr Corbyn said: "That would be part of our negotiations with the EU." He added: "Part of our negotiations, the extent to which workers would transfer from one country to the other and what the needs for it would be." Asked if Labour would keep free movement as a non-member of the EU, Mr Corbyn replied: "It would be open for negotiation the level of movement of people between Europe and this country if we're a non-member of the EU." He was also repeatedly pressed for clarity on Labour's Brexit stance ahead of the European elections this week and interviewer Andrew Marr presented Mr Cobryn with a series of conflicting views from members of the shadow cabinet. Asked if the Labour election slogan was "Vote Labour, get Brexit", Mr Corbyn said: "I think what would be a fair assessment would be to say Vote Labour, challenge austerity and guarantee living standards for the future, not a no-deal exit from the European Union which is all that's being offered by the Tory right and, in a sense, by the Tory party." Mr Corbyn reiterated a second referendum should be an option on the table to respond to what emerges from parliament, although added MPs have yet to reach agreement. He was also pushed on what he meant when saying "option", to which he replied: "We would want a vote in order to decide what the future would be, so yes." Asked if a second referendum would be disastrous, Mr Corbyn replied: "No, I don't think anything like that is disastrous but I think it has to be an opportunity for public debate and public discussion, but it has to be about something and that's why I have made the point clear about a customs union and trade and rights protection." Labours party chairman has reignited infighting over a fresh Brexit referendum, accusing its supporters of using the misleading term confirmatory ballot to confuse voters. Ian Lavery, a key ally of Jeremy Corbyn, said some of his colleagues had realised the phrase peoples vote had run into the problem that the people have already voted. Its fair to say that the terminology has changed, Mr Lavery told The Independent, adding: Im not sure where the term confirmatory ballot has come from. Im not saying it is trying to hoodwink people, but it is trying to appease people, trying to flower it, trying to be something it isnt. Its a second referendum. Mr Lavery is a stanch opponent of throwing Brexit back to the voters offering to quit, last month, for defying the party whip to back another referendum in an indicative vote. Recommended May blames Labour divisions over referendum for end of Brexit talks He described the idea of Labour giving its full-throated support to the policy as self-harm, because it would be seen as defying the 2016 referendum result. And he added: We have never at the NEC [National Executive Committee], the shadow cabinet we have never ever discussed the term confirmatory ballot. Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Show all 24 1 /24 Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent The term confirmatory ballot has grown out of the proposal, put forward by two Labour backbenchers, Phil Wilson and Peter Kyle, to break the Brexit deadlock. It would see Labour agree to allow Theresa Mays deal to pass, provided it was put to the public to agree withdrawal should go ahead or choose to Remain instead. Both MPs hit out at Mr Lavery, Mr Kyle saying: A confirmatory ballot didnt confuse the people of Northern Ireland when they voted to confirm the Good Friday Agreement. It didnt confuse voters in 2012, when they rejected electoral reform in a UK-wide confirmatory ballot. It certainly isnt a good look for Jeremy Corbyns Labour Party to suggest the public are too stupid to answer the question is this deal good enough for you and your family?. Mr Wilson said the chairman appeared unaware that Labour had agreed use of the term for last months indicative votes, saying: Its party policy that it should be called a confirmatory ballot. Whatever the deal, it will ask the people, three years after the referendum, whether they want to confirm that deal and go ahead with it. Other referendum supporters favour the term Final Say, the campaign launched by The Independent which has attracted the support of more than 1.2 million people who signed our petition. Mr Lavery also warned supporters that the government would be in charge of the process and accused supporters of dodging the crucial issue of the question to be asked. The big question with regard to that is What would be on the ballot paper?, he said. Would it be Theresa Mays deal, would it be no deal, would it be Remain? People arent prepared to answer what would be on that ballot paper. This is down to whether the government will agree to have a second referendum and whether or not the Labour Party should be putting itself through what I describe as self-harm. Is this wise? Mr Lavery also accused the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) of being very unfair to Mr Corbyn, after he was sharply criticised at recent meetings. There has been a lack of respect for the fact that Jeremy is the leader of our party and I would urge MPs and peers to recognise that, he said. The behaviour we see at the PLP has been quite different to what we have experienced under different leaders. However, opponents of Mr Corbyn have pointed out that he regularly challenged Labour leaders when left-wingers such as him were isolated in the past, defying the party whip on more than 100 occasions. Ireland's deputy prime minister has warned the European Union will not renegotiate the Brexit withdrawal agreement, regardless of who succeeds Theresa May as prime minister. Delivering a scathing assessment of the political logjam at Westminster, Simon Coveney said he was concerned Britain will "fail to get its act together over the summer". He also accused politicians of failing to understand the complexity of politics in Northern Ireland, and therefore "have tried to dumb down" the Brexit debate into the UK versus the EU. His remarks came after the cross-party talks between Labour and the Conservatives collapsed on Friday without an agreement, and as Theresa May braces for yet another defeat to her Brexit plans. If Ms May's Withdrawal Agreement Bill is rejected in two weeks' time, the prime minister will then set out a timetable of her departure from Downing Street - kicking off a Tory leadership contest. Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Show all 5 1 /5 Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Brexit culture: film posters reimagined The Hunchback of Notre Dame with a Brexit spin Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Les Miserables reimagined Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined A Room with a View of Britain's future Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined Roman Holiday relocated Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club Brexit culture: film posters reimagined The Sound of Music reimagined Jeff Moore / Rooftop Film Club But speaking to the Irish broadcaster RTE, Mr Coveney said: "The EU has said very clearly that the withdrawal agreement has been negotiated over two-and-a-half years, it was agreed with the British government and the British cabinet and it's not up for renegotiation, even if there is a new British prime minister. "The personality might change but the facts don't," he said on Sunday, as he claimed Ms May was a "decent person" attempting to find the middle ground. He went on: "For the EU and Ireland this has always been about the complexity of Brexit, trying to protect the EU, its integrity, its single market, its customs union, its members and also trying to respect the decision of British people. "It's always been about that. For Britain in many ways it's been about party politics and personalities and many people seem to think that Britain would have got a much better deal if only they had a tougher prime minister. "In my view that just is a fundamental misunderstanding of how the European Union operates." Taking aim at MPs, he added: "There are many British politicians who don't, quite frankly, understand that or the complexity of politics in Northern Ireland and therefore they have tried to dumb this debate down into a simplistic argument whereby it's Britain versus the EU, as opposed to two friends tying to navigate through the complexity of a very, very difficult agreement." Mr Coveney also warned the UK should not assume another Article 60 extension will be granted by the EU if a deal is not in place by the revised 31 October deadline. Major changes and challenges as a result of the European elections next week, he claimed, could mean the EU being prepared to devote less focus on Brexit going forward. "That's my concern - that Britain will fail to get its act together over the summer," he said. "There will be people like Nigel Farage and some within the Conservative Party who will be making the proposition that 'look, we have had enough of this, let's just leave on WTO [World Trade Organisation] terms without a deal' - in my view not fully understanding or not being honest about the full consequences of that for Britain and Ireland." Jeremy Corbyn will plunge his own position into jeopardy if he betrays Labour supporters by refusing to push for a further Brexit referendum, a shadow minister has said, in an outspoken interview. Clive Lewis warned Mr Corbyns leadership would be in peril if he failed to fully support a Final Say public vote because the activists who put you in that position could turn against him. You can only drive a wedge so far between yourself and the people who put you in that position before your opponents start looking at their options, the shadow Treasury minister told The Independent. Mr Lewis warned Labour was haemorrhaging support from Remain voters and attacked senior party figures happy to finish second in next weeks European elections as long as we beat the Tories The strategy would open the door to pseudo-fascists in the form of Nigel Farage and Stephen Yaxley-Lennon [known as Tommy Robinson], he said. Recommended May blames Labour divisions over referendum for end of Brexit talks There are those who think Labour coming second is an acceptable position, as long as we beat the Tories, but that will open the door to them [the hard right] an appalling situation. Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Show all 24 1 /24 Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Put It To The People march: Best of The Independents pictures Angela Christofilou/The Independent Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of people will vote for these parties for the first time and, once they have broken that seal of always voting Labour, then doing so in subsequent elections becomes easier. Mr Lewis, a leftwinger, is a long-time supporter of a frsh referendum, quitting his frontbench position when he refused to vote to trigger Article 50 two years ago, before regaining it. He was among more than 100 MPs who signed a letter demanding Mr Corbyn endorse a public vote in the European elections manifesto, under the Love Socialism, Hate Brexit banner. Mr Lewis predicted frontbench resignations had Mr Corbyn ordered his MPs to abstain on the withdrawal agreement bill a possibility, before the cross-party talks collapsed on Friday. It would be a betrayal of our conference position and the vast bulk of our members and voters, he said. The leadership would have had a real struggle enforcing that with the vast majority of the PLP [parliamentary Labour party] I for one will not be abstaining on Theresa Mays deal. The Norwich South said it would be very silly to speculate about leadership challenges, given Mr Corbyn had won two contests, but insisted: It would put in peril the political project so many of us want to see enacted. I dont want to see our party driven dragged back to the centre-ground of British politics, which has few answers to the radical challenges that face our society. In recent weeks, the Labour leadership has unveiled a blitz of domestic policies on housing, the wages of young people and green energy, among other key issues. But Mr Lewis suggested the attempt to win a hearing until Mr Corbyn was willing to nail his colours to the mast on Brexit. Many Labour voters are among those most affected by austerity and have real fears about special needs education, the NHS, social care and childrens centres, he said. But, on the Remain side, we cant get to talk about these things because they feel so passionate about a confirmatory vote. Its in effect become an identity issue. Veteran Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson has denied allegations that he was a spy for communist Czechoslovakia during the Cold War, denouncing the accusations as complete fabrication. A report in The Mail on Sunday claimed Mr Robinson passed information to the Czech StB state security service between 1966 and 1969 while working in Labours research department. Citing documents from the Czech archives, the paper alleged that material given to the communist authorities included sensitive details relating to Britains Polaris nuclear deterrent as well as Nato briefing notes. A spokesman for the MP a minister in Tony Blairs New Labour government called the claims a lie in a strongly worded statement. These allegations are highly defamatory and false and Mr Robinson strongly refutes them. The allegations, which are apparently based on documents put together by Czech authorities in the 1960s, are a complete fabrication. It's the end of the world, so see it out in style... in a Russian Cold War bunker Show all 8 1 /8 It's the end of the world, so see it out in style... in a Russian Cold War bunker It's the end of the world, so see it out in style... in a Russian Cold War bunker bunker3.jpg moscowwalks.ru It's the end of the world, so see it out in style... in a Russian Cold War bunker bunker1.jpg moscowwalks.ru It's the end of the world, so see it out in style... in a Russian Cold War bunker bunker5.jpg moscowwalks.ru It's the end of the world, so see it out in style... in a Russian Cold War bunker bunker6.jpg moscowwalks.ru It's the end of the world, so see it out in style... in a Russian Cold War bunker bunker4.jpg moscowwalks.ru It's the end of the world, so see it out in style... in a Russian Cold War bunker bunker2.jpg moscowwalks.ru It's the end of the world, so see it out in style... in a Russian Cold War bunker bunker7.jpg moscowwalks.ru It's the end of the world, so see it out in style... in a Russian Cold War bunker bunker8.jpg moscowwalks.ru The spokesman added: At no time did Mr Robinson ever pass confidential government documents or information to any foreign agent and he did not have access to such material. At the time of the alleged contacts, Mr Robinson now aged 80 was said to have been working in the research office at Labour Party HQ at Transport House. He went on to work for prime minister Harold Wilsons Industrial Reorganisation Corporation (IRC), before founding technology company TransTec in the 1980s. Appointed Paymaster General by Mr Blair in 1997, he resigned in 1998 after it was revealed he had lent Peter Mandelson 373,000 to buy a house. Geoffrey Robinson outside the Houses of Parliament in 2000 (PA Archive/PA Images) According to the Mail story, he held 51 meetings with a Czech handler over a three-year period in the late 1960s, during the course of which he was said to have passed on 87 pieces of intelligence. He was said to have been given the codename Karko and the material he handed over was said to include information relating to plans to upgrade Polaris and the withdrawal of British troops from what was then West Germany. Mr Robinson was said to have attracted the interest of the StB, in part because of the access they believed he had to then foreign secretary George Brown and defence secretary Denis Healey. The spokesman for the MP said that the translation of the only document which he had been shown a partial document dated 19 February 1974 did not support the claims. It describes him as concurrently a Secretary to the Minister of Defence Mr Healey. He was never a secretary to Mr Healey, the spokesman said. At the end of the document, it states these moments were neither proven nor clarified so even on its face this document is not proof that such activity took place. Jeremy Corbyn hits back at communist spy claims Last year Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn denied claims made by a former Czech spy that he had been paid by the communist regime in the 1980s. Mr Corbyn admitted to meeting Jan Sarkocy but insisted he thought the man was a diplomat, and strongly denied giving him any information. A party spokesman dismissed Mr Sarkocy as a fantasist, whose claims are entirely false. The leader of the oppositions office later released details from his records showing he was at a meeting in Derbyshire at the time the former communist spy claimed to have been with him in London. Additional reporting by PA Eleven people have been shot dead in a massacre in northern Brazil, according to officials. Police said at least seven masked gunmen fired into a bar in the Guama neighborhood of Belem on Sunday afternoon. Five women and six men, including the owner, were fatally wounded, local media reported. Another man was injured in the attack. Several customers escaped injury by hiding in the back, it is claimed. World news in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 World news in pictures World news in pictures 30 September 2020 Pope Francis prays with priests at the end of a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 29 September 2020 A girl's silhouette is seen from behind a fabric in a tent along a beach by Beit Lahia in the northern Gaza Strip AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 September 2020 A Chinese woman takes a photo of herself in front of a flower display dedicated to frontline health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in Beijing, China. China will celebrate national day marking the founding of the People's Republic of China on October 1st Getty World news in pictures 27 September 2020 The Glass Mountain Inn burns as the Glass Fire moves through the area in St. Helena, California. The fast moving Glass fire has burned over 1,000 acres and has destroyed homes Getty World news in pictures 26 September 2020 A villager along with a child offers prayers next to a carcass of a wild elephant that officials say was electrocuted in Rani Reserve Forest on the outskirts of Guwahati, India AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 September 2020 The casket of late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is seen in Statuary Hall in the US Capitol to lie in state in Washington, DC AFP via Getty World news in pictures 24 September 2020 An anti-government protester holds up an image of a pro-democracy commemorative plaque at a rally outside Thailand's parliament in Bangkok, as activists gathered to demand a new constitution AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 September 2020 A whale stranded on a beach in Macquarie Harbour on the rugged west coast of Tasmania, as hundreds of pilot whales have died in a mass stranding in southern Australia despite efforts to save them, with rescuers racing to free a few dozen survivors The Mercury/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 22 September 2020 State civil employee candidates wearing face masks and shields take a test in Surabaya AFP via Getty World news in pictures 21 September 2020 A man sweeps at the Taj Mahal monument on the day of its reopening after being closed for more than six months due to the coronavirus pandemic AP World news in pictures 20 September 2020 A deer looks for food in a burnt area, caused by the Bobcat fire, in Pearblossom, California EPA World news in pictures 19 September 2020 Anti-government protesters hold their mobile phones aloft as they take part in a pro-democracy rally in Bangkok. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy protesters massed close to Thailand's royal palace, in a huge rally calling for PM Prayut Chan-O-Cha to step down and demanding reforms to the monarchy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 September 2020 Supporters of Iraqi Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr maintain social distancing as they attend Friday prayers after the coronavirus disease restrictions were eased, in Kufa mosque, near Najaf, Iraq Reuters World news in pictures 17 September 2020 A protester climbs on The Triumph of the Republic at 'the Place de la Nation' as thousands of protesters take part in a demonstration during a national day strike called by labor unions asking for better salary and against jobs cut in Paris, France EPA World news in pictures 16 September 2020 A fire raging near the Lazzaretto of Ancona in Italy. The huge blaze broke out overnight at the port of Ancona. Firefighters have brought the fire under control but they expected to keep working through the day EPA World news in pictures 15 September 2020 Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny posing for a selfie with his family at Berlin's Charite hospital. In an Instagram post he said he could now breathe independently following his suspected poisoning last month Alexei Navalny/Instagram/AFP World news in pictures 14 September 2020 Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga, former Defense Minister Shigeru Ishiba and former Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida celebrate after Suga was elected as new head of the ruling party at the Liberal Democratic Party's leadership election in Tokyo Reuters World news in pictures 13 September 2020 A man stands behind a burning barricade during the fifth straight day of protests against police brutality in Bogota AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 September 2020 Police officers block and detain protesters during an opposition rally to protest the official presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus. Daily protests calling for the authoritarian president's resignation are now in their second month AP World news in pictures 11 September 2020 Members of 'Omnium Cultural' celebrate the 20th 'Festa per la llibertat' ('Fiesta for the freedom') to mark the Day of Catalonia in Barcelona. Omnion Cultural fights for the independence of Catalonia EPA World news in pictures 10 September 2020 The Moria refugee camp, two days after Greece's biggest migrant camp, was destroyed by fire. Thousands of asylum seekers on the island of Lesbos are now homeless AFP via Getty World news in pictures 9 September 2020 Pope Francis takes off his face mask as he arrives by car to hold a limited public audience at the San Damaso courtyard in The Vatican AFP via Getty World news in pictures 8 September 2020 A home is engulfed in flames during the "Creek Fire" in the Tollhouse area of California AFP via Getty World news in pictures 7 September 2020 A couple take photos along a sea wall of the waves brought by Typhoon Haishen in the eastern port city of Sokcho AFP via Getty World news in pictures 6 September 2020 Novak Djokovic and a tournament official tends to a linesperson who was struck with a ball by Djokovic during his match against Pablo Carreno Busta at the US Open USA Today Sports/Reuters World news in pictures 5 September 2020 Protesters confront police at the Shrine of Remembrance in Melbourne, Australia, during an anti-lockdown rally AFP via Getty World news in pictures 4 September 2020 A woman looks on from a rooftop as rescue workers dig through the rubble of a damaged building in Beirut. A search began for possible survivors after a scanner detected a pulse one month after the mega-blast at the adjacent port AFP via Getty World news in pictures 3 September 2020 A full moon next to the Virgen del Panecillo statue in Quito, Ecuador EPA World news in pictures 2 September 2020 A Palestinian woman reacts as Israeli forces demolish her animal shed near Hebron in the Israeli-occupied West Bank Reuters World news in pictures 1 September 2020 Students protest against presidential elections results in Minsk TUT.BY/AFP via Getty World news in pictures 31 August 2020 The pack rides during the 3rd stage of the Tour de France between Nice and Sisteron AFP via Getty World news in pictures 30 August 2020 Law enforcement officers block a street during a rally of opposition supporters protesting against presidential election results in Minsk, Belarus Reuters World news in pictures 29 August 2020 A woman holding a placard reading "Stop Censorship - Yes to the Freedom of Expression" shouts in a megaphone during a protest against the mandatory wearing of face masks in Paris. Masks, which were already compulsory on public transport, in enclosed public spaces, and outdoors in Paris in certain high-congestion areas around tourist sites, were made mandatory outdoors citywide on August 28 to fight the rising coronavirus infections AFP via Getty World news in pictures 28 August 2020 Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe bows to the national flag at the start of a press conference at the prime minister official residence in Tokyo. Abe announced he will resign over health problems, in a bombshell development that kicks off a leadership contest in the world's third-largest economy AFP via Getty World news in pictures 27 August 2020 Residents take cover behind a tree trunk from rubber bullets fired by South African Police Service (SAPS) in Eldorado Park, near Johannesburg, during a protest by community members after a 16-year old boy was reported dead AFP via Getty World news in pictures 26 August 2020 People scatter rose petals on a statue of Mother Teresa marking her 110th birth anniversary in Ahmedabad AFP via Getty World news in pictures 25 August 2020 An aerial view shows beach-goers standing on salt formations in the Dead Sea near Ein Bokeq, Israel Reuters World news in pictures 24 August 2020 Health workers use a fingertip pulse oximeter and check the body temperature of a fisherwoman inside the Dharavi slum during a door-to-door Covid-19 coronavirus screening in Mumbai AFP via Getty World news in pictures 23 August 2020 People carry an idol of the Hindu god Ganesh, the deity of prosperity, to immerse it off the coast of the Arabian sea during the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai, India Reuters World news in pictures 22 August 2020 Firefighters watch as flames from the LNU Lightning Complex fires approach a home in Napa County, California AP World news in pictures 21 August 2020 Members of the Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian demonstrator during a rally to protest against Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank AFP via Getty World news in pictures 20 August 2020 A man pushes his bicycle through a deserted road after prohibitory orders were imposed by district officials for a week to contain the spread of the Covid-19 in Kathmandu AFP via Getty World news in pictures 19 August 2020 A car burns while parked at a residence in Vacaville, California. Dozens of fires are burning out of control throughout Northern California as fire resources are spread thin AFP via Getty World news in pictures 18 August 2020 Students use their mobile phones as flashlights at an anti-government rally at Mahidol University in Nakhon Pathom. Thailand has seen near-daily protests in recent weeks by students demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha AFP via Getty World news in pictures 17 August 2020 Members of the Kayapo tribe block the BR163 highway during a protest outside Novo Progresso in Para state, Brazil. Indigenous protesters blocked a major transamazonian highway to protest against the lack of governmental support during the COVID-19 novel coronavirus pandemic and illegal deforestation in and around their territories AFP via Getty World news in pictures 16 August 2020 Lightning forks over the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge as a storm passes over Oakland AP World news in pictures 15 August 2020 Belarus opposition supporters gather near the Pushkinskaya metro station where Alexander Taraikovsky, a 34-year-old protester died on August 10, during their protest rally in central Minsk AFP via Getty World news in pictures 14 August 2020 AlphaTauri's driver Daniil Kvyat takes part in the second practice session at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo near Barcelona ahead of the Spanish F1 Grand Prix AFP via Getty World news in pictures 13 August 2020 Soldiers of the Brazilian Armed Forces during a disinfection of the Christ The Redeemer statue at the Corcovado mountain prior to the opening of the touristic attraction in Rio AFP via Getty World news in pictures 12 August 2020 Young elephant bulls tussle playfully on World Elephant Day at the Amboseli National Park in Kenya AFP via Getty The bar, known as Wandas, was a well-known drug-dealing hangout, police told the Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo. It came a day after five people were shot in the street by suspected gang members near the city of Salvador in the east of the country. Five tourists and a pilot have been killed after a private plane crashed into the sea in Honduras. The light aircraft came down shortly after take-off on Saturday from Roatan island a popular tourist destination on the Atlantic coast. Officials gave conflicting accounts of the victims nationalities. Armed forces spokesman Jose Domingo Meza said four of the victims were from the United States and the fifth victims nationality was yet to be determined. However emergency services initially said the victims included four Canadians and another victim of unknown nationality. Five foreign tourists killed in plane crash in Honduras Show all 8 1 /8 Five foreign tourists killed in plane crash in Honduras Five foreign tourists killed in plane crash in Honduras Honduras firefighters and police at the scene where a private plane carrying foreign tourists crashed into the sea shortly after take-off in the Isla Bonita Area, in Roatan, Honduras, on 18 May 2019. HO/Honduras Fire Department/AFP/Getty Images Five foreign tourists killed in plane crash in Honduras HO/Honduras Fire Department/AFP/Getty Images Five foreign tourists killed in plane crash in Honduras HO/Honduras Fire Department/AFP/Getty Images Five foreign tourists killed in plane crash in Honduras HO/Honduras Fire Department/AFP/Getty Images Five foreign tourists killed in plane crash in Honduras HO/Honduras Fire Department/AFP/Getty Images Five foreign tourists killed in plane crash in Honduras Honduras Fire Department/via Reuters Five foreign tourists killed in plane crash in Honduras Honduras Fire Department/via Reuters Five foreign tourists killed in plane crash in Honduras Honduras Fire Department/via Reuters Local authorities did not immediately give a cause for the crash. The Piper PA-32-260 plane was headed to the tourist port city of Trujillo, about 49 miles from Roatan, a picturesque island frequented by tourists from the United States, Canada and Europe, authorities said. Reuters contributed to this report Former vice president Joe Biden offered himself to voters as a leader uniquely positioned to unify a divided country during a rally on Saturday afternoon. The event, the largest of his nascent campaign, was intended to bookend the opening phase of his White House bid. "We're all in this together," Mr Biden told the crowd. "We need to remember that today, I think, more than any time in my career." He added a note of optimism: "In this great experiment of equality and opportunity and decency, we haven't lived up but we've never given up on it." Mr Biden walked onstage with his signature swagger, wearing a pair of aviator sunglasses that he shed, along with a sport coat, before speaking to an audience of about 6,000, according to an estimate from a security firm hired by the campaign. 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 Biden took repeated and direct aim at Donald Trump, comparing his tactics to those used by dictators. At one point, he quoted Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, delivered during the Civil War on a Pennsylvania battlefield, to drive home the importance of uniting the country. "Will we be the ones to let the government of, by, and for the people perish from the face of the earth?" he asked. "Dare we let that happen? Dare we let that happen? Absolutely not. We will not." Mr Biden entered the race three weeks ago with a video that spotlighted Mr Trump's reaction to the violent 2017 "Unite the Right" rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, where white supremacists marched and clashed with protesters. The president said at the time there were "very fine people on both sides" of the conflict, which prompted Mr Biden to pen an opinion piece in The Atlantic titled "We Are Living Through a Battle for the Soul of This Nation." The former vice president has made restoring the nation's soul a theme of his campaign. Mr Biden followed that video with a rally at a Pittsburgh union hall, where he focused on another theme: Rebuilding the middle class. Saturday's event was designed to highlight the third message of his candidacy: Uniting the country. "I know some of the really smart folks say Democrats don't want to hear about unity," he said. "They say Democrats are so angry that the angrier a candidate can be the better chance he or she has to win the Democratic nomination." "That's wrong, Joe!" an audience member yelled. "I don't believe it," Mr Biden continued. "If the American people want the president to add to our division, lead with a clenched fist, a closed hand, a hard heart, to demonise your opponent, to spew hatred, they don't need me," he said. "They've got President Donald Trump." It is an idea other candidates also highlighted at their kickoff rallies. "We must not allow those with power to weaponise hatred and bigotry to divide us," said senator Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass, during her launch. "We're going to bring our people together," senator Bernie Sanders, I-Vt, said. "We need to recognise that we're already on common ground," senator Kamala Harris, D-Calif, said. Mr Biden also used the 30-minute speech to address some of the criticism about his campaign message, including some who think it is naive for him to suggest that he will work with Republicans if elected. "I'm going to say something outrageous: I know how to make government work. Not because I've talked or tweeted about it. But because I've done it. I've worked across the aisle to reach consensus," he said. He also previewed a policy to address climate change that his campaign will release in coming weeks, saying, "We need a clean energy revolution" and expressing a desire to "set the most aggressive goals possible." Mr Biden took heavy criticism from liberals after a Reuters report quoted a Biden adviser saying the vice president would try to find a "middle-ground" solution to the problem. Joe Biden says he has to be 'more sensitive' about whether people want him to show affection Since entering the campaign, Mr Biden has visited all four of the early nominating states. During those visits, he has taken relatively few questions from voters and the news media. On Saturday, he took no questions at the public venue. That has not hurt him in early polls, and it is a factor that has attracted attention from Mr Trump. The president has sought to define Mr Biden by using the nickname "Sleepy Joe," tweeting the moniker about a half-dozen times since Mr Biden entered the race. The president has also referred to Mr Biden on social media as "SleepyCreepy Joe," a reference to a recent focus on his affectionate manner, which some women say made them uncomfortable. Mr Biden has promised to be more mindful in the future and blames the interactions on his personal style. In a stark reminder of how the issue could be a problem, one of those women made news on Saturday shortly before Mr Biden took the stage. Lucy Flores, the former Nevada state assemblywoman who wrote an essay earlier this year accusing him of touching her without her consent, broke down in tears at a public event hundreds of miles away in Richmond, Virginia. Ms Flores was the keynote speaker at an organising event sponsored by She the People, a group that aims to boost voter turnout among women of colour. As she listened to the introduction, which referenced her decision to publicise her uncomfortable physical encounter with Mr Biden, she began to cry. Tears continued as Ms Flores took the stage, where she spent a few seconds attempting to regain her composure, sniffling and wiping her eyes. She made only passing remarks about Mr Biden. "I had no idea that as many battles as I've had with the Republican Party, I would have as many if not more with my own party," she said. Ms Flores received a standing ovation from the crowd of about 250 mostly black and Hispanic women. The Washington Post Elizabeth Warren seems to have a plan for everything, and she wants everyone to know it. Speaking to a crowd of teachers and students at a recent campaign stop in Philadelphia, the presidential candidate and US senator stuck to that script, repeating the mantra her campaign has adopted as she makes her case for big, structural changes in America. I have a plan for that in fact I have several, she claimed to knowing nods on her first trip to the state of Pennsylvania on the 2020 trail. But the woman who is seeking out the nations highest office, the one who has set herself apart from the pack with dozens of detailed policy proposals, is the first to admit that being president of the United States actually wasnt part of her plan, at least not originally. I am, like, the most unlikely person to ever run for president, said Ms Warren, who was first out of the 2020 gate with an announcement on New Years Eve, to the crowd that just a half an hour later would form a long line for big-smile selfies that wrapped around the room. Never thought I would do this. Warren holds a baby during a selfie line in Philadelphia (Associated Press) (AP) 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 Its a modest conceit for a sitting US senator, especially one who is a leading figure in a progressive movement that has surged over the past decade. Thats not to mention the resume she has built since her seemingly reluctant entrance into national politics in 2010 when she spearheaded the creation the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau one of the financial sectors most hated agencies only to be blocked from running the thing by a Washington elite fearful of what the former Harvard law professor might do with an agency aimed at keeping Wall Street accountable. But, standing in that union hall on a recent rainy afternoon in front of all those teachers, Ms Warren had a story to tell thats more than just her policies. I had this dream I wanted to be a public school teacher. And, so, like a lot of Americans, I have a story that kind of twists and turns. It doesnt take a straight line, she said, describing her first love in life: teaching. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Born in Oklahoma City in 1949, the 69-year-old senior Massachusetts senator said her life was anything but glamorous growing up. Her middle class parents struggled with medical bills after her father had a heart attack, a condition that was only exacerbated when his hours were cut as a salesman. They lost the family station wagon. They almost lost their home. The twisting and turning came next, and Ms Warren has a way of telling the story in short segments, pulling the audience with her on the journey that would see her nearly not achieving that dream of being a public school teacher, achieving that dream, and then losing that dream before finding her way back. So here goes my story: I got a scholarship to college. Yay! she said, raising her fist triumphantly to applause. Then at 19 we fell in love. Yay! she said with marked less enthusiasm, and the audience catches the drift, laughing along. Oh, and got married to the first husband. Ehh, she continued, riding dangerously close to some understanding boos. Dropped out of school. Oh Warren speaking in Philadelphia (Associated Press) (AP) After the exit from school, Ms Warren the found herself a job answering phones, a job she says would have been a good life, but not the one she wanted. So, she eventually enrolled at the University of Houston for $450 a semester, and later became a special education teacher. I loved it, and I would probably still be doing it today but back in the day, before unions, the principal, by the time we got to the end of the first year, I was visibly pregnant, she said. And the principal did what principals did in those days: they wished you luck, showed you the door, and hired someone else for the job. And there went my dream. Of course, thats not where Ms Warrens story ends, and that wasnt the end of her dream. She went on to move to the east coast, where she attended law school at Rutgers University. She practised law after that for 45 minutes before going back to her first love, teaching, trading kids for adults studying law at Harvard University. For the next several decades, she says she focused on money commercial law, corporate finance law, economics and bankruptcy before, finally, finding herself in Washington pushing the Obama administration to put in place a consumer financial watchdog in an effort that would then propel her, against the odds, into a US Senate seat, and, now, a long-shot presidential election campaign. Elizabeth Warren calls for impeachment proceedings Sitting far below the front runner in the Democratic field, Joe Biden, its easy to see why Ms Warren tells her story of meandering triumph. While the former vice president instantly found himself in first place in the polls with nearly 40 per cent support after announcing his candidature, Ms Warren is pushing third place with less than 10 per cent in most polls sometimes shes in fourth place. And there are some 20 other candidates not far behind, doing everything they can to stand out, hot on her heels. Sometimes, at least for Ms Warren, standing out can be a liability, and shes learned that the hard way. While she has often tried to focus on her big policy proposals, shes also been attacked repeatedly by Donald Trump and Republicans for claiming Native American ancestry on an official national law school directory. And, just last year she fanned those flames further, by releasing DNA test results that showed she perhaps had distant Native American ancestry generations ago a stunt that stirred fury in the Cherokee Nation who said the senators claim of connection to the tribe was inappropriate, even as she tried to put the whole thing to bed. Plus, even without the Native American ancestry fiasco, Ms Warren is always a target for pundits in the Biden wing of the Democratic Party, who think the former vice president is a safer bet as he wont rock the boat as much and perhaps wont alienate big money donors in the pharmaceutical industry, on Wall Street and elsewhere who help pay for the billion-dollar presidential campaigns that America has come to know as the price of admission to the White House these days. Trump on Elizabeth Warren: I should have saved the Pocahontas thing for another year' So, facing those attacks, it helps to have the alternative narrative: shes a midwestern middle class gal who is used to being the underdog. Shes the hero in waiting, who knows more than almost anyone how wealth and power have amassed in America while regular Joes get left behind. And, shes the Robin Hood in the race planning that first big heist, waiting for the best opportunity to pounce. Theres been one central question that has always been at the heart of my work, and that is whats happening to working families in America, she said. Why is Americas middle class being hollowed out? Why is opportunity shrinking in this country? Why is it that for people who work every bit as hard as those a generation earlier that the road is getting steeper and rockier and for people of colour even steeper and even rockier. Thats been my work. And, she has plans for all of that: get people into college for free and eliminate student debt for around 95 per cent of Americans, revitalise American unions, make sure Americans all get affordable health insurance and actually target the special interests that have created a system that benefits the wealthy and not the middle class. The rich will pick up the tab, with a 2 per cent tax on wealth above $50m that will pay for much of her plans, she says. How about, for the ultra-zillionaires, we include in their property tax the diamonds, the Rembrandts and the yachts? Ms Warren said in Philly, describing the tax she says is better understood as a property tax for the ultra wealthy. Right? Elizabeth Warren launches 2020 US presidential bid In her estimation, the current system works pretty well for those at the top. Big financial institutions are doing great, just not the workers getting ripped off as they try to make it between paydays. Big oil companies arent worried about padding their pocket books while the rest of us are watching in fear as climate change comes bearing down upon us. And, for the woman who persisted, thats enough to pull her from her dream job in the classroom. But, you know, there comes a time, when the fight comes to your front door, and you see what its about, and you say theres no more standing on the sidelines, she said in Philadelphia, concluding her story and, perhaps, setting up its next chapter. This is our chance to build an America that is an America of our best values. This is our chance to build the America in which not just those at the top, but everybody, gets a real chance to build a life. Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg has said events named after US founding father Thomas Jefferson should be renamed because he was a slave owner. The 2020 candidate said changing the title of his partys annual dinner events designated in honour of presidents Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson was the right thing to do. Speaking on a nationally syndicated radio show, Mr Buttigieg was asked whether the Democrats Jefferson-Jackson dinners be renamed across the US because both were holders of slaves. Yeah, were doing that in Indiana. I think its the right thing to do, Mr Buttigieg told The Hugh Hewitt Show, referring to his home state. Over time, you develop and evolve on the things you choose to honour, he said, before saying he thought Jeffersons legacy was particularly problematic. 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 One of the founders of the Democratic party, the third US president was a Virginia plantation owner and is believed to have owned more than 600 slaves during his lifetime. Yet Jefferson also condemned the practice as a moral depravity. Theres a lot of course to admire in his thinking and his philosophy, said Mr Buttigieg. Then again if you plunge into his writings, especially the Notes on the State of Virginia, you know that he knew slavery was wrong and yet he did it. The South Bend mayor insisted the renaming of events was not about blotting him out of the history books or deleting him from being [one of] the founding fathers, but was a question of which things you decided to honour. Thomas Jefferson (1743 - 1826), the 3rd President of the United States (Getty Images) The real reason I think there is a lot of pressure on this is the relationship between the past and present that were finding in a million different ways that racism isnt some curiosity out of the past that were embarrassed about but moved on from, the Democrat added. Its alive, its well, its hurting people and its one of the main reasons to be in politics today is to try to change or reverse the harms that went along with that. We better look for ways to live out and honour that principle. Democratic party organisers in several states, including Georgia, Connecticut and Missouri, have removed the names of Jefferson and Jackson from their annual fundraising dinners informally known as JJs in recent years. Jackson, the seventh US president, signed the Indian Removal Act which forcibly relocated Native Americans a dispossession between 1830 and 1850 known as the Trail of Tears. Democrat presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg had a snarky response for Donald Trump after he commented on his marriage to husband Chasten Buttigieg. Mr Trump, asked about the Indiana mayor's gay marriage on Fox News, said: I think its great. I think thats something that perhaps some people will have a problem with. I have no problem with it whatsoever. I think its good. However, Mr Buttigieg rebuked the comments, sarcastically saying: Thats nice. Mr Buttigieg continued speaking on the comments made by Mr Trump at a campaign event in Iowa. The Democrat implied that Fox News asked Mr Trump about the matter so he would have the opportunity to openly support gay marriage. 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 Theyre paying lip service to the idea of like the president was asked about my marriage so he could have the opportunity to say hes fine with it. Mr Buttigieg has often critiqued members of the Trump Administration for their anti-LGBT+ policies, specifically Mike Pence, saying I dont know whats in his heart in an interview with Hugh Hewitt. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Mr Buttigieg continued: "If youre in public office and you advance homophobic policies, on some level it doesnt matter whether you do that out of political calculation or whether you do it out of sincere belief. The problem is, its hurting other people. Donald Trump has come out against Alabamas abortion ban, suggesting in a series of late-night tweets the issue risked dividing Republicans ahead of the 2020 election. The southern states Republican government earlier this week passed Americas most restrictive abortion law, banning procedures in all instances other than when the mothers health is at risk. The bill, which does not include exceptions in cases of rape and incest, passed 26-6 in the senate and was later signed into law by Alabamas Republican governor Kay Ivey. As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother the same position taken by Ronald Reagan, Mr Trump tweeted late on Saturday night. We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new & positive attitude about the Right to Life. The Radical Left, with late term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear! Legislation to restrict abortion rights has been introduced this year in 16 states, four of whose governors have signed bills banning abortion if an embryonic heartbeat can be detected. The Alabama bill goes further, banning abortions at any time. Those performing abortions would be committing a felony, punishable by 10 to 99 years in prison, although a woman who receives an abortion would not be held criminally liable. Sam Bee offers sex ed lesson to the men behind the new abortion laws Alabama Republicans hope the law change, which will not take effect for six months and is already facing lawsuits, will ultimately end up being contested in the US Supreme Court. Republican senator Clyde Chambliss, arguing in favour of the Alabama bill, said the whole point was so that we can go directly to the Supreme Court to challenge Roe v Wade, the 1973 landmark decision establishing a womans right to an abortion. Mr Trump has in recent months used the issue of abortion to launch misleading attacks against Democrats, whom he has repeatedly wrongly accused of supporting executing babies after birth. Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Show all 7 1 /7 Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Derry Girls cast members Siobhan McSweeney and Nicola Coughlan (right) join MPS and women impacted by Northern Ireland's strict abortion laws PA Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Heidi Allen (second right) joins the protest PA Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster A luggage tag on a suitcase, symbolising the women who travel from Northern Ireland to England for terminations PA Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster The campaigners march across Westminster Bridge PA Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Counter-protesters Rebecca Morgan (left) and her daughter Helen, one, demonstrate in favour of Northern Ireland's current laws Getty Images Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Protesters supporting Northern Ireland's abortion laws at Parliament Square Getty Images Northern Ireland abortion protest in Westminster Demonstrators pull suitcases to symbolise the women who travel from Northern Ireland to England for a termination AFP/Getty Images The issue looks set to become a central one in the upcoming 2020 elections, with a number of Democratic presidential candidates having already declared their intention to challenge attempts to outlaw abortions. Even as states like Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, Ohio, and Mississippi are hell-bent on overturning Roe v Wade and outlawing abortion in this country, there are more of us across the country who are ready to defend womens reproductive freedom. We wont go backward, Senator Kamala Harris tweeted on Saturday. Justin Amash has become the first Republican in Congress to call for the impeachment of Donald Trump, recommending lawmakers pursue obstruction of justice charges against the president. The Michigan representative set out the case with a lengthy Twitter thread, arguing Mr Trump had engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behaviour that meet the threshold for impeachment. Mr Amash said the Mueller report into Russian election inference and related matters identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence. The congressman also attacked William Barr, saying it is clear the attorney general intended to mislead the public about the Mueller report in both his written conclusions and congressional testimony. Barrs misrepresentations are significant but often subtle, frequently taking the form of sleight-of-hand qualifications or logical fallacies, which he hopes people will not notice, he wrote. A frequent critic of the president, Mr Amash previously signalled he would consider running as a libertarian against Trump in the 2020 election. In February he became the only Republican to co-sponsor a resolution in the US House of Representatives to reject the emergency Mr Trump declared at the US-Mexico border to build a wall there. Neither the White House nor the Department of Justice have responded to his tweets on impeachment. Ronna McDaniel, the chairwoman of the Republican National Committee said its sad to see ... Amash parroting the Democrats talking points on Russia. She said the only people still concerned about the Russia investigation are Mr Trumps political foes hoping to defeat him in 2020 by any desperate means possible. '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 Amash, who represents Michigans 3rd congressional district, wrote that he had read the full Mueller report, but that few members of Congress had. He claimed their minds were made up based in partisan affiliation. The Republican said impeachment should be undertaken only in extraordinary circumstances, but added: Americas institutions depend on officials to uphold both the rules and spirit of our constitutional system even when to do so is personally inconvenient or yields a politically unfavourable outcome. Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed Mr Muellers report concluded there no obstruction of justice, yet the report made no formal finding on that question, leaving it up to Congress. Nancy Pelosi: 'We shouldn't be impeaching for a political reason and we shouldn't avoid impeachment for a political reason' In his letter to Congress, Mr Barr said he and his deputy Rod Rosenstein determined there was insufficient evidence to establish that the president committed criminal obstruction of justice, or acted unlawfully to impede the investigation. House speaker Nancy Pelosi said earlier this month that Mr Trump was moving closer to impeachment with his efforts to thwart lawmakers efforts to oversee his administration. She said the president was becoming self-impeachable due to his administrations repeated obstruction of congressional investigations. Democrats are divided about impeachment, however, and Ms Pelosi has also said impeachment proceedings would be divisive for the country. Donald Trump has indicated he is considering pardons for several US military members accused or convicted of war crimes, including high-profile cases of murder, attempted murder and desecration of a corpse, according to two US officials. The officials said the Trump administration had made expedited requests this week for paperwork needed to pardon the troops on or around Memorial Day. One request is for Special Operations Chief Edward Gallagher of the Navy SEALs, who is scheduled to stand trial in the coming weeks on charges of shooting unarmed civilians and killing an enemy captive with a knife while deployed in Iraq. The others are believed to include the case of a former Blackwater security contractor recently found guilty in the deadly 2007 shooting of dozens of unarmed Iraqis; the case of Major Mathew Golsteyn, the Army Green Beret accused of killing an unarmed Afghan in 2010; and the case of a group of Marine Corps snipers charged with urinating on the corpses of dead Taliban fighters. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, said they had not seen a complete list and did not know if other service members were included in the request for pardon paperwork. Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies Show all 7 1 /7 Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies Doctors and mothers killing babies At a rally in Wisconsin in April 2019, Mr Trump made this extraordinary claim. 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 Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "China rapes our country" At a rally in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 2016, Mr Trump said this in reference to the US trade deficit with China: "we cant continue to allow China to rape our country and thats what theyre doing. Its the greatest theft in the history of the world" Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "EU formed to take advantage of US" At a rally for the midterm elections in October 2018, Mr Trump called the EU a "brutal" alliance that "formed to take advantage of us" AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "I will build a wall and Mexico will pay for it" Mr Trump first made this claim at the launch of his presidential campaign back in 2015: "I will build a great, great wall on our southern border, and I will have Mexico pay for that wall. Mark my words" AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "Horrible, horrendous people" At a Republican rally in Pennsylvania on August 3 2018, President Trump deemed all journalists in attendance "horrible, horrendous people". He later denounced the "fake, fake, disgusting news" for falsely reporting that he was late to his meeting with the Queen when visiting Britain AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody" Mr Trump said this in reference to his popularity during a rally in Iowa in 2016 AFP/Getty Most shocking remarks made by Trump at campaign rallies "I wish I could punch him" Mr Trump said this in reference to a protester who was escorted out of his rally in Las Vegas on 22 February, 2016. There was often violence between protesters and supporters at Trump's campaign rallies AFP/Getty The White House sent requests on Friday to the Justice Departments Office of the Pardon Attorney, which alerted the military branches, according to one senior military official. Pardon files include background information and details on criminal charges, and in many cases include letters describing how the person in question has made amends. The official said while assembling pardon files typically takes months, the Justice Department stressed that all files would have to be complete before Memorial Day weekend, because Mr Trump planned to pardon the men then. A second US official confirmed the request concerning Mr Gallagher. The military branches referred questions to the Justice Department, which declined to comment on the matter. Recommended Trump pardons soldier who stripped and killed Iraqi prisoner Mr Trump has often bypassed traditional channels in granting pardons and wielded his power freely, sometimes in politically-charged cases that resonate with him personally, such as the conviction of former Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona. Earlier this month, the president pardoned former Army 1st Lieutenant Michael Behenna, who had been convicted of killing an Iraqi during an interrogation in 2008. While the requests for pardon files are a strong sign of the presidents plans, Mr Trump has been known to change his mind, and it is not clear what the impetus was for the requests. But most of the troops who are positioned for a pardon have been championed by conservative lawmakers and media organisations, such as Fox News, which have portrayed them as being unfairly punished for trying to do their job. Many have pushed for the president to intervene. The White House declined to comment. Pardoning several accused and convicted war criminals at once, including some who have not yet gone to trial, has not been done in recent history, legal experts said. Some worried that it could erode the legitimacy of military law and undercut good order and discipline in the ranks. These are all extremely complicated cases that have gone through a careful system of consideration. A freewheeling pardon undermines that whole system, said Gary Solis, a retired military judge and armour officer who served in Vietnam. It raises the prospect in the minds of the troops that says, Whatever we do, if we can get the folks back home behind us, maybe we can get let off. Mr Gallaghers lawyer, Timothy Parlatore, was surprised by the news that the president could be considering a pardon, and said ideally the chief would be acquitted at trial. We want the opportunity to exonerate my client, Mr Parlatore said in an interview. At the same time, there is always a risk in going to trial. My primary objective is to get Chief Gallagher home to his family. To that end, Chief Gallagher would welcome any involvement by the president. The fact that the requests were sent from the White House to the Justice Department, instead of the other way around, is a reversal of long-established practices, said Margaret Love, who served as the US pardon attorney during the first Bush administration and part of the Clinton administration. Process aside, Ms Love said that pardoning the men would be an abrupt departure from the past. Presidents use pardons to send messages. They recognise when a process wasnt just or when punishments were too extreme, like for some nonviolent drug cases, she said. If this president is planning to pardon a bunch of people charged with war crimes, he will use the pardon power to send a far darker message. The New York Times Donald Trump has lashed out at Americas Sunday morning political talk shows, claiming the programming has bias and dishonesty in a self-serving thread about American military and economic might. Mr Trumps tweet thread claimed that the American military was a depleted disaster when he came onto the scene, touted his record of installing conservative judges in federal courts, and railed on Obamacare, despite praising one of the programme's most popular pieces protections for pre-existing conditions. He wrote: For all of the Fake News Sunday Political Shows, whose bias & dishonesty is greater than ever seen in our Country before, please inform your viewers that our Economy is setting records, with more people employed today than at any time in U.S. history, our Military, which was a depleted disaster, will soon be stronger than ever before. He continued: our Vets are finally being taken care of and now have Choice, our Courts will have 145 great new Judges, and 2 Supreme Court Justices, got rid of the disastrous Individual Mandate & will protect Pre-Existing Conditions, drug prices down for first time in 51 years (& soon will drop much further), Right to Try, protecting your 2nd Amendment, big Tax & Reg Cuts, 3.2 GDP, Strong Foreign Policy, & much much more that nobody else would have been able to do. Our Country is doing GREAT! Since Mr Trump became president, the US military budget has not risen or decreased in a significant way compared to during Barack Obamas presidency. 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 Trump and his Republican allies have also attempted repeatedly to repeal Obamacare, only to be stymied by Democrats and widespread public support for the measure. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The economy, which Mr Trump repeatedly praises, has remained strong, continuing a trend established during his predecessor's tenure. Exits polls suggest Narendra Modi has secured a second term as prime minister of India, as voting closed in a marathon six-week election that was the largest democratic exercise the world has ever seen. The vote was clearly defined by all sides as a referendum on the first five years in office of Mr Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, which has tried to modernise the economy and maintain growth while tensions between religious communities have grown. The election began on 19 April and was held in seven phases, with the final 59 of 543 parliament seats voting on Sunday. Counting will take place on Thursday, and official results are expected the same day. Four national surveys released as the last polling stations shut suggested Mr Modis right-wing, BJP-led coalition the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had secured victory albeit with a reduced majority, from its 341 seats to between 280 and 315. The main opposition Congress party, which with 44 seats suffered the worst result in its history at the last election in 2014, was projected to secure 124 to 128 constituencies with the help of its allies. Exit polls in India have been badly wrong in the past and analysts warned there was likely to be a large margin of error this time round as well, such is the scale of the election with more than 900 million eligible voters. Among the last to cast their ballots were residents of several key seats in the populous bellwether state of Bihar, which was part of the so-called Hindi heartlands swept by the Modi wave of 2014. Distress among farmers and rising unemployment levels are seen as the biggest factors putting pressure on Mr Modi during the campaign, and the impoverished state has both a high percentage of rural voters and a poor track record of development. Outside a polling station at a village primary school in the farming district of Fatuha, 23-year-old Mantu Kumar told The Independent he voted BJP in the last election, but that he voted Congress this time round as Mr Modis pledge to create 20 million jobs had not materialised. In 2014 there was a wave in favour of Modi this time there is nothing like that, he said. Modi was a vote for change. We thought things would get better but they didnt. When it comes to appearances he is good, but when it comes to his promises he has not delivered anything. In the expanding urban areas of Patna, the state capital, support for Mr Modi was much stronger, however. Voters here were as likely to talk about the prime ministers record on national security his number one talking point in the last five months of campaigning as they were jobs and infrastructure. After a separatist militant killed 40 Indian soldiers in Pulwama, Kashmir, Mr Modi ordered Indias first air strikes on Pakistani soil in decades. Though the efficacy of the strikes has been questioned, there is no doubt the action he took has resonated well with his supporters. Outside Patna College, general store owner Sanjay Chandra, 38, said: The country has grown stronger under Modis governance. The world has got the message thanks to Modis leadership that we too are a strong country. I hope he delivers more for the people but the most important issue is the terrorism in this country. Only Narendra Modi can tackle this. While voting passed at a brisk pace and without any reports of clashes in Bihar, in neighbouring West Bengal police used batons to break up skirmishes between BJP supporters and those of the regional Trinamool Congress party on the outskirts of the state capital Kolkata. Several crude bombs were also exploded during the clashes, the police said. The state has seen the worst of the violent clashes throughout the election, as the BJP has pushed hard to make inroads ahead of expected losses of seats in other large states like Uttar Pradesh, with its 80 seats up for grabs, and Bihar itself. West Bengal sends 42 members to parliaments lower house. Mr Modi visited West Bengal 17 times throughout the campaign, his visits in part provoking the sporadic violence that forced the Election Commission to cut off campaigning a day earlier than scheduled a move analysts described as unprecedented. Varanasi, Mr Modis own constituency, was also among the last seats to vote in Sundays seventh phase. While the prime minister faced little opposition on his home turf, early riser Ramesh Kumar Singh said he was surprised to see [the level of] enthusiasm among the voters. Independent Minds Events: get involved in the news agenda There were long queues of people waiting patiently to cast their votes, which is a good sign for democracy, he told the Associated Press. With his rhetoric against Pakistan and appeals to the BJPs Hindu core, Mr Modi has been accused of failing to speak out in defence of Indias large Muslim minority. Incidents of violence against Muslims in the name of cow protection have increased, and Kashmiri Muslims faced a backlash across India in the wake of Februarys Pulwama bombing. If the exit polls are correct and Mr Modi is indeed returning for a second term, voters like Shahla Hasan in the Muslim-majority Bhanwar Pokhar neighbourhood of Patna city were worried. A 30-year-old business graduate who is nonetheless without a job, Ms Hasan took issue with Mr Modis claim that educated young people who cannot find employment should go sell pakodas [street food]. But she is more worried about what she calls the rise of religious and caste divides on his watch. Modi is anti-Muslim. Definitely. There is no doubt about it, she told The Independent. He talks about banning triple talaq, banning the burqa, banning loudspeakers in mosques. When it was Congress [in power] it was never like this we are equal citizens of an independent nation, we shouldnt have to tolerate it. If he comes back for a second time he wont be the prime minister, he will be like Hitler a dictator. Final results will not be known until Thursday, when tallies from all states electronic voting machines will be counted and the official numbers released within a matter of a few hours. Amid uncertainty over the exit polls, the BJP may yet need to secure the support of more regional parties in order to claim a majority. A Congress-led government would require nothing short of a drastic electoral upset. Saudi Arabia has said it does not want war but stands ready to respond with all strength to defend itself against Iran, as the US stepped up naval exercises in the Persian Gulf. The Saudis, who have accused Tehran of ordering drone strikes five days ago on two of its oil pumping stations, told Iran the kingdom would not stand by while being attacked. Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran are arch-adversaries in the Middle East, backing opposite sides in several regional wars. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want war in the region and does not seek that... but at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this with all force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens and its interests, foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir said. We want peace and stability in the region but we wont stand with our hands bound as the Iranians continuously attack. Iran has to understand that. Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Show all 8 1 /8 Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman gestures while driving in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman drives at night in Al Khobar, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Saudi women embrace as they celebrate the lift of the female driving ban in Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman straps in Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman drives to work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive Fadya Fahad is one of the first female drivers for Careem, a ride sharing company in Saudi Arabia Getty Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman stops at a petrol station while driving to work in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters Saudi Women celebrate their freedom to drive A Saudi woman waits for coffee on the commute in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia Reuters The ball is in Irans court and it is up to Iran to determine what its fate will be. Saudi Arabia would do what it could to prevent this war, he said. An Iranian military commander was similarly quoted as saying his country is not looking for war. Fears of armed conflict have run high after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the Persian Gulf earlier this month to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. The US also has ordered non-essential staff out of diplomatic posts in Iraq. An aircraft carrier strike group with the US Navy has stepped up security patrols in the international waters after an alleged act of sabotage on four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, off the United Arab Emirates. Days earlier, Iran-allied Yemeni rebels claimed a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. Iran has denied involvement in either operation. Recommended Trump is making the same US mistake in the Middle East yet again The tensions are rooted in Donald Trumps decision last year to withdraw the US from the 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers, and impose wide-reaching sanctions, including on Iranian oil exports that are crucial to its economy. Iran has said it will resume enriching uranium at higher levels if a new deal is not reached by 7 July. That could potentially bring it closer to being able to develop a nuclear weapon. Saudi Arabias Sunni Muslim ally the UAE has not blamed anyone for the tanker sabotage, but two US government sources said US officials believed Iran had encouraged Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi group or Iraq-based Shiite militias to carry it out. Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events The Houthis have been battling a Saudi-led military coalition Yemens war since 2015. An English-language Saudi newspaper close to the palace recently published an editorial calling for surgical US airstrikes in retaliation for Irans alleged involvement in the oil attacks. Agencies contributed to this report We have a holiday booked with Thomas Cook. Will it go ahead? The honest answer is: I expect so. I realise this looks unhelpful. But it reflects the truth that there is no absolute guarantee that any holiday will go ahead as booked. In normal times external events such as drones at airports, atrocious weather and volcanic ash can scupper holiday plans. But very occasionally travel companies go bust. When they close down, forward bookings are cancelled. There have been increasing fears that Thomas Cooks financial position is precarious. But the fundamentals of the business look sound to me. Thomas Cook is a giant company with an illustrious history, an outstanding brand and, probably, a successful future. It has over 20 million customers each year, revenue of nearly 10bn and 20,000 staff. So why is Thomas Cook in the headlines for all the wrong reasons? Thomas Cooks share price collapsed on Thursday and Friday 16/17 May because of the companys poor financial performance. Simon Calder: 25 years of Independent travel Show all 5 1 /5 Simon Calder: 25 years of Independent travel Simon Calder: 25 years of Independent travel The Independent Simon Calder: 25 years of Independent travel The Independent Simon Calder: 25 years of Independent travel The Independent Simon Calder: 25 years of Independent travel The Independent Simon Calder: 25 years of Independent travel The Independent Someone with 200 shares in May 2018 would have enough for a weeks holiday for two on the Greek island of Zante including flights from Gatwick, transfers and accommodation. Today, their shareholding would barely be worth enough for one single ticket on the Gatwick Express. Thomas Cook has arranged a financial backstop of 300m in case it is needed, and is actively selling its airline which, with over 100 aircraft, is a sound and profitable part of the business. The aim is for the sale to help Thomas Cook pay down its huge debts and turn the company around. Alternatively, someone could take advantage of the low share price and buy the firm. The Chinese group Fosun is rumoured to be interested in Thomas Cook. What could cause Thomas Cook to collapse? Thomas Cook says: We have taken a number of proactive steps in recent months to strengthen our financial position. We have the support of our lending banks and major shareholders, and just this week we agreed additional funding for our coming winter cash low period. We have ample resources to operate our business and at the same time, as usual, our liquidity position continues to strengthen into the summer period. But there is a risk that fears about its possible failure could become a self-fulfilling prophecy. All travel bookings are built on faith. You hand over cash well in advance in the expectation that you will take delivery, ie enjoy the holiday, as planned. If many people stop booking because they believe the company could fail, then the fall in revenue could precipitate its failure. Conversely, so long as enough travellers believe Thomas Cook will stay in business, then it can continue its financial recovery. Is the money I paid for my holiday safe? This information is provided in the hypothetical event that the company stops trading. Thomas Cook operations are continuing as normal. Were the worst to happen and Thomas Cook closes, the vast majority of travellers will be able to reclaim their cash. I believe most current customers paid for some or all of the trip by credit card. In this situation, the card issuer will be expected to provide a full refund, whether for a package holiday (flights and accommodation bought in the same transaction) or any other purchase. People who paid for a package holiday with a debit card should make a claim under the Atol scheme, which is administered by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). For other trips, such as flight-only purchases, paid for by debit card, the the first place to seek a remedy is the card issuer. Although there is no legal requirement for debit card issuers to pay out if the supplier collapses, the voluntary chargeback scheme should help you out. But what if a replacement trip costs much more than I paid? That is always the problem when airlines and holiday firms fail you get your money back, but the actual replacement cost for a similar trip is much higher not least because other firms can put their prices up to exploit the surge in demand. A good travel insurance will pay the extra to provide a like for like trip. What if the company fails while I am on holiday? Package holidays will continue as normal, with hotel bills paid and new flights provided by the CAA. For flight-only passengers, rescue fares should be provided by other airlines. You can then claim back the cost of the original flight from the credit-card provider or travel insurance. Simon Calder: 25 years at the Independent I booked a trip through a Thomas Cook travel agency but with a different tour operator. What are my options? There is every likelihood that the trip will go ahead as planned. If there is any issue eg money you paid the travel agent not having been passed on then Abta, the travel association, will be able to advise. My package holiday is with Tui but the flights are with Thomas Cook Airlines. What happens if it is sold, or if Thomas Cook fails? Thomas Cook Airlines is a successful part of the business and is currently up for sale. If it is sold, you can expect all present obligations to be carried out as planned. Were it to close down with the rest of the business, Tui would find someone else to do the flying. I have a Thomas Cook Cash Passport prepaid card. Is the money on it safe? Yes. The cards are issued by Wirecard Card Solutions Ltd and operated separately from Thomas Cook. Wirecard is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Havent we been here before? Yes. On 22 November 2011, Thomas Cooks share price collapsed even more spectacularly, losing around three-quarters of the companys value on some bad financial news. The firm sold off some family silver, cut costs and improved operations. I expect the same will happen now. Should Thomas Cook staff be worried about their future? Once again, people working for the travel company are facing uncertainty and, if they work in Thomas Cooks retail travel agencies, having to respond to questions from understandably concerned customers. Assuming the firm remains as a going concern, there are certain to be cutbacks in particular among High Street travel agents. Any part of the business that is not making a demonstrably positive contribution is likely to come under intense scrutiny. Should the worst happen and Thomas Cook closes down, then more than 20,000 staff will be in the awful position of looking for new jobs. Retail agency staff are likely to be in a tougher position than those working for the companys overseas and airline operations. Is there enough cash in the Atol fund to cover the failure of a company the size of Thomas Cook? Yes, because the first question asked of anyone seeking to claim from Atol will be: Did you use a credit card? Anyone with a credit card will rationally use it to pay for a holiday, to defer payment and benefit from the consumer protection provided under the Consumer Credit Act. So most claims will be met by the financial services industry. The Air Travel Trust fund, which comprises the Atol contribution of 2.50 a head for everyone taking a package holiday, has a surplus of upwards of 150m. This is more than enough to cover the costs of assisting travellers abroad and future customers lacking in other protection. This week, Elizabeth Warren announced that she would not be participating in a Fox News town hall, branding the propaganda machine masquerading as a news network a hate-for-profit racket. In a series of tweets, she elaborated on why shed chosen to refuse their invitation: Hate-for-profit works only if theres profit, so Fox News balances a mix of bigotry, racism, and outright lies with enough legit journalism to make the claim to advertisers that its a reputable news outlet, she explained. Its all about dragging in ad money big ad money. Noting Fox News has recently struggled to keep advertisers as criticism of the network and some of its biggest stars Tucker Carlson and Laura Ingraham in particular continue to grow, the Democratic presidential candidate effectively said she would not allow her name to be exploited in an effort to lend them the legitimacy they need to keep generating revenue. A Democratic town hall gives the Fox News sales team a way to tell potential sponsors it's safe to buy ads on Fox no harm to their brand or reputation (spoiler: Its not), Warren said. Warrens declaration has rightfully generated headlines, but the racism on Fox News has never been opaque. From Bill OReilly to Sean Hannity to Megyn Kelly to insert-just-about-any-other-anchor here, their business model of selling to white old people xenophobia has long been evident. They routinely trivialize black deaths at the hands of the state while stoking fears about black people, Muslims, women, and LGBTQ people; anyone, basically, who qualifies as other. Brit Hume and other Fox News anchors may feel a certain way about Warrens phrasing, but some of their former black Fox News colleagues like Eboni Williams only a month ago declared on Power 105.1s The Breakfast Club, Fox has a reputation for being bigoted and racist, all for very good reason. Roses are red, violets are blue, if youre just now realizing that Fox News is like if the old Soviet Union had a baby with a burning cross, congratulations, youre a fool. When Bernie Sanders decided to do a Fox News town hall after the Democratic National Committee barred the network from doing a presidential debate for reasons similar to those espoused by Warren, it was to great ratings success. That led to some of his competitors, such as Senator Amy Klobuchar, to follow suit; Pete Buttigieg is set to do so this coming Sunday. Others like Cory Booker are said to be in talks for their own town hall special with the network. Frankly, I am not convinced one needs to jump on Fox News to pursue these purported swing voters. How much can someone swing politically really if they choose to expose themselves to that level of commentary daily? 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 Its important to note that Elizabeth Warren has not completely shut out Fox News. She has allowed their reporters access to her campaign. She just recently campaigned in white rural areas of the country full of those ugly red hats that are all the rage among racist apparel enthusiasts. She has engaged with the free press in a normal way. Shes just chosen not to have her name and image used in a way her conscience doesnt agree with. Warren has taken a stand, and hopefully some of her fellow Democratic presidential candidates will join her. Donna Brazile may be happy to do otherwise, but thank goodness a Democrat with national name recognition has said, Not me, sis. As fate would have it, I was recently asked to appear on a primetime Fox News show. In their request, I noticed they made attempts to differentiate themselves from the other programming bloc. I assumed that in their Google search of me, they realized I was black and assumed that, because of that, I may have an immediate issue with the network. I politely declined for the same reasons Elizabeth Warren did. Yes, there are some benefits to being seen by such a large audience, but I cant in good faith ever pretend not to know what has been said about people like me on Fox News. A few weeks later, I noticed racist blowhard Rush Limbaugh on the same show. I wasnt surprised. People know what Fox News is but not everyone is willing to take a meaningful stand against it. In doing so, Elizabeth Warren proved she is a principled leader. Veon is one of the largest players in forestry funds in Ireland and manages over 34,500 acres of forestry. Photo: Roger Jones Thousands of small-time forestry investors across the country are set to receive a summer bonanza after the largest private forestry sale in Irish history. Irish forestry fund management company Veon has agreed the sale of a portfolio of 18 funds - equating to about 10,000 acres of private forestry - to a global institutional buyer following a competitive process, the Sunday Independent understands. Veon is one of the largest players in forestry funds in Ireland and manages over 34,500 acres of forestry. The long-term forestry funds sold by Veon involve 12,400 investors in Ireland who on average have invested about 3,500, meaning a total investment of more than 40m. The sale will see investors receive substantial returns on those original investments, it is understood. It is likely that cheques will be posted to thousands of Veon investors by the end of July, it is understood. A number of shareholders are believed to have already received letters advising them of the sale process. The strength of the offer by the institutional investor was described as "very compelling", not least because of various threats to Ireland's forestry industry. Up to 70pc of Ireland's timber is exported to Britain and Brexit is seen as a major threat to the industry. 'Despite the tens of thousands of online purchases being made by Irish consumers every day, retailers here are adopting quite a positive stance in relation to the challenge' Christmas has always been a busy time for An Post, traditionally for the massive volumes of Christmas cards making their way to homes across Ireland and abroad. But last Christmas was significant for another reason - the huge increase in its parcel business. Although this was due in part to An Post's new focus on the parcels division, it was also reflective of the massive influx of online purchases into Ireland. Garrett Bridgeman, managing director of An Post's mails and parcels business, said: "We've seen an absolute massive growth in online shopping, up 40pc in 2018 over 2017. But very significantly it was up over 60pc over Christmas on the previous year, which is massive when you think about it." The number of online purchases making their way to Ireland are staggering. Last year, an Post delivered 42 million parcels, which equates to around 135,000 a day. Around 55,000 are domestic, which means 80,000 are coming from outside Ireland. Some 45,000 come from the UK, 25,000 from China, 10,000 from the US and the remainder coming from the rest of the world. The majority of these parcels coming in from all over the world are retail purchases. It is great news for An Post and other delivery companies, but for Irish retailers, the volumes of incoming parcels represents growing pressure on their own businesses. Despite the tens of thousands of online purchases being made by Irish consumers every day, retailers here are adopting quite a positive stance in relation to the challenge. "Online retail has changed the retail landscape completely, but it's not a doomsday scenario. Retail in Ireland has changed and adapted, not died," said Bryan Rankin of Retail Excellence. "For instance we now have a 'Golden Quarter' in retail in the last three months, we have a Cyber-Week in November, sales now before Christmas etc." Arnotts and Brown Thomas managing director Donald McDonald also believes that retailers should not be afraid of the challenge brought by online. "Good retailers - like ourselves and retailers that are about the customer experience - are thriving. We're very much a multichannel business, which is physical and channel." Online revenue is growing at 30pc a year for the stores, which are now owned by the Selfridges Group, and now account for close to 9pc of total sales. The company has launched a Brown Thomas app, which accounts for a high percentage of its online sales, with activity growing all the time. Further digital enhancements are planned for both stores. The good news for Arnotts and Brown Thomas is that its traditional stores are not suffering at the expense of that growth. "Our footfall numbers are increasing. Our like-for-like sales are increasingly in-store," McDonald said. McDonald finds that around 40pc of customers do research online before coming into the shop. "And over 50pc of what we sell online is click-and-collect, again people coming back into the store." The investment in online is being done in tandem with investment in-store, and 'engagement' is a key word. Retailers have to work harder then ever to make their shops worth a visit. While footfall may be up for Arnotts and Brown Thomas, IBEC's Retail Ireland has claimed that generally speaking, footfall is down. The shift in trends is making retailers re-evaluate their business models. Owen McFeely, retail and consumer practice director with PwC, said that while less than 10pc of all global retail is transacted online, some categories are being more affected than others. Categories such as homeware, furniture and DIY have not been hit too hard, but fashion, footwear, music and books and among the categories seeing a shift of sales to online - and often to competitors based outside of Ireland. "In the most affected categories, I would imagine those retailers will have seen an impact on store sales," said McFeely. "But retailers are starting to adapt their businesses to it. One thing that has started to come through now is a much greater occurrence of click-and-collect. "There is a benefit for the consumer and there is also a benefit for the retailers as it's actually now driving footfall back into the store. "Ikea is now starting to look at its business model and finding customers mightn't want to go to a big store, so it's putting its offer online and that drives the customer to smaller click-and-collect stores and there Ikea can showcase its top 200 products." He said that a significant number of shop closures in the UK reflected a 'readjustment exercise'. "They are saying that in the future, the number of stores that we have and the format of them just isn't going to work for the customer of the future," said McFeely. Companies are having to make big decisions about plans for both in-store and online investment. Emer McCarthy of the strategy and ecommerce director of Kilkenny Group said that retailers need to make sure their online choices match the business. "You have to step back and understand your own customer. From our perspective, bricks and mortar is our bread and butter, but online is absolutely needed to keep us in business. "From an online perspective, you've constantly got to keep investing in technology and you've got to keep investing in tools and analytics to understand and improve customer experience." But she warned against a rush by Irish retailers to try and compete with international retailers. For example, offering discounts may not be viable or good for brands in the long run. "In November and December, everyone is in discounting mode but is this really what the customer wants?" Retailing has to adapt to survive and we can see the impact where some international retailers have over-relied on discounting online and have subsequently closed their doors." It can be hard for smaller retailers to compete because the bigger retail players internationally are setting customers expectations, like same-day delivery. "For a small-time player, that is an expensive commitment to make. It is a tough playing field, especially for smaller retailers, to return a profit. Online requires high-volume sales to drive return. But the trick is to create a strategy which works for your business, otherwise it can involve high fixed costs and what you could find at the end of the day is actually, 'I'm not making any money out of this'. " Kilkenny Group, which employs 350 people, marks itself by offering Irish-made products often not available elsewhere. It also prides itself on very strong customer service. The company is currently improving its own website "to create a seamless experience" between offline and online. Rankin also believes that smaller stores need to tread carefully with their online plans. "The shift to online is not just a major issue for big retailers, we really need to encourage the smaller operators that find it particularly daunting and don't know where to start. "A classic temptation for high street shops is to try to replicate their shop online when they really need to be focusing on a small number of items and ranges that will transfer well to an online scenario and, crucially, cut down on costly customer returns." There are other challenges, including making sure that staff are on board with online offerings and understand that digital also contributes to the bottom line, which can ultimately ensure that bricks-and-mortar shops continue to thrive. Gail Banim, ecommerce director at Anthony Nicholas Group, owner of Fields jewellers, said that a shift to online can require a switch in mindset for staff. For example, click-and-collect - which accounts for 42pc of the company's online sales - won't have involved the input from a sales person and the rewards which might typically go with it closing a transaction. "We have an awareness in the business that click-and-collect is important part of the day-to-day. It's how you roll it out, the training and the fact that [staff know] you get kudos for click and collect." The company is close to launching an upgraded website, which will allow people to book online consultations and other improvements. "We know that our website is part of people's offline journey too. It is very much a marketing tool, but it can't just be a picture of your product, it needs to have all the bells and whistles - multiple pictures of the product, a zoom feature to look at the details. It's lovely to spend time poring over the details and picking the products that you love the most. And you can't do that with a rubbish picture." Like other retailers, Fields needs to make sure the online experience matches the service people would expect in store. There is little doubt that the onslaught of competition from international retailers will continue. An Post is certainly readying itself for considerable growth. Said Bridgeman: "I spend a lot of time in the UK meeting all the e-tailers, Amazon and all of these and they see a huge opportunity in Ireland to grow their volumes even further, the reason is Irish people really have a big attraction to UK brands. "UK retailers have realised that we spend about half what the UK spends online per person, but we catch up fairly quickly." Bridgeman is expecting parcel volumes growth of at least 15pc. This is possible partly due to changes in how An Post does business, offering better delivery times to online retailers, such as weekend deliveries, for example. "The retailers are seeing is a big growth opportunity. Amazon have teamed up with ourselves to double our volumes into Ireland over the next 12 to 18 months. We've doubled Amazon in the last 18 months." McDonald, however, believes Irish retailers will be up for the challenge. "It's helped everybody up their game," he said. "Online is not the enemy far from it. Bad retailing is the enemy." Bunk beds, dozens of people at viewings and meeting special conditions set out by landlords are just some of the obstacles facing would-be tenants in Dublin. Most people for accommodation in the Greater Dublin Area now have to spend weeks, if not months, researching, hoping to get selected for viewings and interviews, and hoping against hope they will find somewhere. Last week, more than 100 people queued up for a house viewing in Drumcondra, a suburb in the north of the city, in the hope of snagging a bed. Daniel Flanagan, a 19-year-old student from Wexford, explained how "disheartening" it was to see a swarm of people outside of the house he went to view. We waited 15-20 minutes and left because the line wasnt moving. We knew we had no chance, he said. Went to view a house today in Drumcondra, one of the cheapest on the market for what you're getting. There was approximately over 100 people waiting on the street to get in and view it, mostly student's. If this doesn't exemplify Ireland's housing crisis, I don't know what will. pic.twitter.com/b2zmfNG3nV Daniel Flanagan (@danielmflanagan) May 8, 2019 In his opinion, the low price attracted dozens of people to the property. He said the three-bed house was on the rental market for a little over 2,000 a month. The price was very low, it wasnt cheap, but it was one of the cheapest on the market, he said. The house seemed in presentable condition, it wasnt falling apart. Most houses which are on a budget rent are deteriorating. Daniel explained that the majority of the viewers were all students, desperate to find accommodation for the incoming academic year. I cant see myself living in Ireland. Theres barely any jobs and theres nowhere to live, he said. In Dublins south city centre, we were among 15 people scheduled to view a bunk bed in a two bedroom apartment. Each bedroom has a set of bunk beds and a single bed. The bunk bed is currently being rented by a non-national tenant who is moving out of the apartment. Shes been in the country for three months. The person who will be selected out of those viewing the bunk bed will pay 450 a month. If each of the three people sharing the room this amount, it is at least 1,350 a month. The same amount of money will be made from the second bedroom - which means this two bed apartment is pulling in 2,700 every month. Theres been a lot of interest, its Dublin, she says. She explains how she has viewings arranged with each hopeful over the coming days. The apartment is newly furnished, and a Brazilian tenant explains that he has been in Ireland for a month. A faint smell of cigarette smoke lingers. The tenants have the use of the washing machine, but only allowed a single load of washing a week. In north Dublin, some 6km away from the city centre, a single room in a house share is up for grabs. There are two double rooms, and three single rooms which mean that a total of seven people can occupy the house. The single room clocks in at just under 500 a month. Read More The house is in need of renovation and a deep clean, but the landlord says that the current tenants will clean up before leaving. Irish students are the worst, he says. Inside the front door of the house hangs a list of special conditions. Some of these state that tenants are not to keep guests overnight without the landlords permission and draw back curtains and open windows for air before leaving in the morning. There is also a laminated newspaper clipping beside said conditions, of an article detailing a female student died in a house fire two years ago. The words cause of fire, with a phone charger are underlined in red biro. As mostly students occupy the house, interest increases each year as students come and go. I do feel sorry for them, the landlord says. Letting agents in property management companies are feeling the pressure also. A staff member in a letting agency in Dublin, who asked his name not to be disclosed, said that over 50 applications are received daily. Read More Fifty a day, and thats continuous, there will be 50 more tomorrow, its an extremely difficult role for all, he said. What you have to do, to keep your sanity, [is] go through the emails, find the best 20 or 30, set another 10 to 15 to organise viewings, he explained. You couldnt possibly have open viewings because you cant speak to people, theres too many. However, as desperate tenants shell out for staggering rents, the number of available properties is steadily dropping. Two or three years ago we would turnover 130 properties per annum, the staff worker says. Now, we would be lucky to turn over 65 or 70. High demand sees tenants spending months searching for somewhere to live, finally finding a place, and staying there. Anybody who is in rental accommodation isnt leaving it as they know that anywhere else is dearer, he adds. Buying a house is a mere pipe-dream as rents cost as much - in some instances it will cost more - than mortgages, leaving less tenants with the ability to buy. Its a crisis, he says. A faint radio noise can be heard over the telephone as he speaks. I hear [Housing Minister] Eoghan Murphy on Pat Kenny now in the background. He goes around in circles. Italian Deputy Premier Matteo Salvini was cornered on UniCredit's potential interest in Germany's Commerzbank. On Friday, he made his first public comment on the possible cross-border merger when asked a question at the Foreign Press Association in his hometown Milan. But he limited himself to expressing patriotic pride at a prospect that has triggered unease within the populist government and his League party. "As an Italian it would fill me with pride to see that UniCredit, like others such as Fincantieri, could compete at a continental level," Salvini said. "In principle, I see nothing strange about this. Usually it's the opposite, it's foreign companies that come to Italy to do their shopping." Salvini, a champion of the Trumpian slogan "Italy First", has repeatedly lashed out at the European Union and Germany ahead of the May 26 European Parliament vote. Yet Salvini was reluctant to be drawn further. "Don't make me say something that's going to get me in trouble, I already have enough legal troubles," Salvini quipped. Salvini's public stand clashed with private comments by Italian officials who are bristling over German hostility toward the prospect of Commerzbank falling into Italian hands. Berlin has demanded that any acquirer moves its headquarters to Germany. Salvini has turned the EU deficit and debt rules into a priority of his European campaign, unsettling financial markets and clashing with his populist ally-turned-rival in the Rome government. He has ramped up his attack on the EU, calling for an overhaul of the bloc's banking rules. He denounced what he called "the rules that are strangling the European economy". Taking aim at rules limiting deficits and debt, Salvini said: "I'd go back to pre-Maastricht, with more normal economic and fiscal rules, when we talked about well-being and full employment. The directive on banks should be reviewed, because it puts the whole banking system at risk, the directive on services should be reviewed." Global stocks rebounded in the second half of last week on optimism that maybe cooler heads will prevail before the trade wars get out of hand. That optimism is likely to be short-lived. Investors should not only expect to be buffeted repeatedly by tit-for-tat measures by the US and China, but by global trade disputes on two other major fronts. Such pessimism on the part of investors is reflected in demand for the ultimate risk-off assets, US Treasuries and German bunds. The yield on 10-year Treasury notes hit an intra-day low of 2.36pc on Thursday, about the lowest since December 2017. Also substantiating investor preference for havens, the yield on 10-year German bunds fell to 0.136pc, the lowest since September 2016. Trade tensions are only likely to escalate given the support US President Donald Trump has received from across the aisle in the Senate. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has urged Trump in a recent tweet to "hang tough on China". The view that China does not play fair on trade and investments is widespread among US politicians and may lead to bipartisan support for the Trump measures. On Friday, China's state media signalled a lack of interest in resuming trade talks with the US under the current threat of higher tariffs, while the government said stimulus will be stepped up to buttress the domestic economy. Then there's the US Mexico Canada Agreement (or USMCA, as the revised version of the North American Free Trade Agreement is known) that the leaders of the three countries signed in December but has not been approved by the US Congress, where it faces significant opposition in the House of Representatives. Speaker Nancy Pelosi suggested last month that the proposed accord be reopened to institute new provisions to ensure that labour standards are enforced, especially in Mexico. And even though Bloomberg News reports that the US is poised to lift steel and aluminium tariffs on Canada and Mexico in favour of stronger enforcement actions, a move that helps clear the way for USMCA ratification, a final treaty may not be in place anytime soon as key US politicians focus on the forthcoming elections. Europe and Japan, as well, may soon be drawn into the tariff war. Although Trump on Friday announced a delay in imposing tariffs on imported vehicles from the European Union, Japan and other nations for 180 days to pursue negotiations, that only kicks the can down the road. US President Donald Trump has announced a delay in imposing tariffs on imported vehicles and parts from the European Union, Japan and other nations for 180 days to pursue negotiations, avoiding opening another front in his tariff battle with some of America's key allies. The Commerce Department submitted its findings in February to the president after conducting a probe into whether car imports pose a national-security threat. Trump had until yesterday to decide how to respond, including whether to impose tariffs or defer any action. In a proclamation released in Washington, Trump said he agreed with the conclusion by the department that imports of cars and certain auto parts harm national security. The order, however, softened language contained in an earlier draft seen by Bloomberg, which had sought to reach "agreements that limit or restrict" exports of autos and auto parts from the EU, Japan and other nations - suggesting the US could seek to impose quotas. Instead, the White House order had less pointed wording, directing the US trade representative Robert Lighthizer to pursue negotiations of agreements "to address the threatened impairment of the national security". "Domestic conditions of competition must be improved by reducing imports," the proclamation stated. Volkswagen AG, BMW AG and Mercedes-Benz maker Daimler AG pared declines in Frankfurt following Trump's proclamation. General Motors Co, Ford Motor Co and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV opened lower in New York trading. The order indicated that Canada, Mexico and South Korea would not face any tariffs because they had already negotiated deals with the Trump administration. "I have also considered the renegotiated United States-Korea Agreement and the recently signed USMCA, which, when implemented, could help to address the threatened impairment of national security," it said. Canada and Mexico negotiated side letters to the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement that spare them from new US duties on cars, subject to a cap. The US renegotiated a trade deal with South Korea last year, which included a provision to double the number of cars US automakers can sell in the Asian nation without restrictions from local safety standards. The EU and Japan have rejected the idea of quotas, even those that allow for some growth like the arrangements that Mexico and Canada negotiated with the US in the Nafta talks. The investigation started last year under Section 232 of a 1960s trade law, the same provision the administration used to slap tariffs on steel and aluminium. The car probe covered imports of vehicles including SUVs, vans and light trucks, as well as auto parts. The delay may avoid a major escalation of tensions with US allies as the administration faces a deepening trade war with China, which is disrupting supply chains and casting a cloud over the global economy. In 1956, a 30-year-old airline ticket agent in New York was given what might well be the most significant Christmas present in literary history. From her friends Michael and Joy Brown, Nelle Lee received an envelope containing a generous cheque and the words, "You have one year off from your job to write whatever you please". Within two months, Lee had the first draft of a novel based on her home background in Monroeville, Alabama. Over three years and several drafts later, it was published under the title To Kill a Mockingbird - by which time she'd replaced her first name (on the grounds that "most people call it 'Nellie'") with her middle name, Harper. The result, of course, was one of the most-loved and bestselling books in all American fiction. So, wondered the world - and Lee's publishers - what would she write next? The answer, famously, was nothing. Very occasionally, she acknowledged the fact with rueful comedy: "I never read anything by you except To Kill a Mockingbird," a young girl once said to her. "Nobody else has either," Lee replied. Mostly, though, everybody who knew her understood that one thing you never asked Harper Lee was a breezy "and what are you working on now?" In this gripping but always judicious book, Cep convincingly rejects the widespread idea that Lee (who died in 2016) was a recluse. In New York, where she continued to live and socialise, her name was on the doorbell of her apartment. When visiting Alabama, she happily hung out in local cafes. Even so, she gave no interviews after 1964, reluctant either to talk about "The Bird" - as she wearily called it - or face questions about its non-existent successor. She also took to the bottle. But while that can't have helped, the main reason for her spectacularly prolonged silence seems to have been that The Bird was simply too hard an act to follow. Its overwhelming success, she told that 1964 interviewer, was like "being hit over the head" and left her in a state of "sheer numbness". "Harper Lee thrives," she later lamented, "but at the expense of Nelle." Then, in 1977, Lee heard of a trial in rural Alabama that might provide her with the material for a new book. Since 1970, two of the wives and three other relatives of a black preacher named Willie Maxwell had died in mysterious circumstances - perhaps made slightly less mysterious by the fact he collected huge sums in life insurance on all of them. The locals suspected voodoo. The insurance companies suspected something less supernatural but, unable to prove any wrongdoing, were forced to pay out anyway - usually by Maxwell's lawyer Tom Radney, one of Alabama's rare white liberals. The last mysterious death was of Maxwell's 16-year-old stepdaughter, whose funeral attracted 300 mourners. At the end of it, one of them - Robert Burns, a relative of the dead girl - pulled out a gun and shot Maxwell in the head. Given that there were 300 witnesses, the prosecution were understandably confident of a murder conviction when the case came to court. Burns's lawyer, however, was none other than Tom Radney, who opted to turn the trial into a kind of referendum as to whether his former client had had it coming. Cep persuasively argues that the appeal of all this to Lee went well beyond that of a cracking story. For one thing, Lee strongly objected to the many liberties her childhood friend Truman Capote had taken with the truth in his 1966 true-crime book In Cold Blood, which she'd helped to research. Now the Maxwell case gave her a chance to take a more honourable approach. More intriguingly, suggests Cep, it also gave her a chance to correct something else that had long niggled her. In 2015, there was worldwide excitement at the much-hyped appearance of a "new" Harper Lee novel, Go Set a Watchman - followed by worldwide indignation that it was merely that first 1957 draft of To Kill a Mockingbird. The consensus was that this showed how good her editor, Tay Hohoff, had been. But there was also the troubling fact that everybody's favourite dad, Atticus Finch, was presented as far less unequivocally noble. Back in 1957, this was among Hohoff's objections to the original version: that readers wouldn't buy the idea of a white lawyer who loathed the Ku Klux Klan and was willing to defend black people - but still opposed racial integration. Likewise, in 1961, Lee's only other fiction submission, the short story 'Dress Rehearsal', was rejected by Esquire magazine, which apparently felt that white segregationists who hated the Klan were "an axiomatic impossibility". "According to those lights," protested Lee unavailingly, "nine-tenths of the South is an axiomatic impossibility". Now, Cep claims, in Radney she had "the sort of morally complex character Tay Hohoff had encouraged her to avoid". A reinvigorated Lee spent a year investigating the case and attending the trial, and several more working through the material she collected. Yet, as far as we know, the book was never written. Again, a combination of booze and the pressure of following you-know-what played its part. But there was also the sheer difficulty of getting at the truth she'd pledged herself to reveal, or even of organising all that she'd discovered into a coherent narrative. Video of the Day Cep, faced with similar challenges, meets with rather more success. On the question of revealing exactly what Maxwell did, she sensibly sticks with explaining the impossibility of ever knowing. On the organising of the material, she clearly shares some of Lee's struggles, but in the end comes up with the required trade-offs. So it is that Furious Hours begins with a section on Maxwell's life and crimes, then backtracks for an overview of Radney's career, before turning to Lee only about halfway through. It also pauses regularly to provide the background information we may or may not need. Luckily, although some overall narrative momentum is lost, almost every individual part of the book rattles along compulsively. As well as the enthralling central story, there's plenty of great stuff on the always eye-popping business of southern politics. And perhaps best of all, Furious Hours triumphantly rescues Harper Lee from the myth she's been in danger of disappearing into - and restores her to full and recognisable human life. The Israeli broadcaster of the Eurovision Song Contest said on Sunday that an unauthorised display of Palestinian flags by Iceland's band could draw "punishment" from the event's organisers. During the point-tally of Saturday's final, members of the eclectic punk ensemble Hatari held up scarf-sized Palestinian flags. A vocalist, Klemens Nikulasson Hannigan, flashed a V-for-victory sign. Many in the Tel Aviv audience responded with boos. In earlier remarks to Eurovision fan site wiwibloggs, Hannigan had criticised Israel's settlements and what he described as its "apartheid" in occupied Palestinian territory. The flag display, briefly caught on the live TV relay of the 41-country contest, marked the only disruption of a show that had been a focus of anti-Israel boycott calls, and drew a swift rebuke from the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). "The Icelanders will apparently be punished by the European Broadcasting Union, which is really not tolerant of those who violate its rules," Eldad Koblenz, CEO of the EBU's Israeli counterpart Kan, told Ynet TV. An EBU spokesman declined direct comment, saying the matter was under discussion. EBU rules allow for disqualifying contestants who do not abide by requirements for a "non-political event". Asked what other penalties might be available, the spokesman said: "In the past there have been financial sanctions for rule breaches." He did not elaborate on these cases or sums. Hatari's song "Hate Will Prevail", during which the leather- and latex-clad performers thrashed around a grenade-shaped globe as flames shot from the stage, came 10th of the 26 finalists. Their flag display did not impress the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic & Cultural Boycott of Israel, which had urged countries to shun the Tel Aviv Eurovision. None did. "Palestinian civil society overwhelmingly rejects fig-leaf gestures of solidarity from international artists crossing our peaceful picket line #Hatari," the campaigners said on Twitter. Video of the Day Koblenz was more upbeat about a political display by Madonna, whose much-anticipated, two-song guest performance in the final featured two back-up dancers, with Israeli and Palestinian flags on their backs, walking in an embrace. "We are very happy that she came, certainly in a reality where very few artists are prepared to come to Israel," he said, while allowing that "perhaps she's had more successful shows". Madonna, who has previously performed in Israel and is a devotee of Jewish mysticism, said on Twitter on Sunday that she was grateful "for the opportunity to spread the message of peace and unity with the world". Kan had no advance notice of Hatari's or Madonna's flag displays, Koblenz said: "That's the price of a live broadcast." The Bailey family are due to join in June (ITV)STRICT EMBARGO No Use Before 0001hrs Saturday 06/04/19Coronation StreetNew Bailey FamilyDad Edison Bailey (Trevor Michael Georges)Mum Aggie Bailey (Lorna Laidlaw)Older son Michael Bailey (Ryan Russell) Yellow JacketYounger son James Bailey (Nathan Graham).Picture contact David.crook@itv.comPhotographer Mark BruceThis photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms In terms of paying bills, a regular gig starring in the iconic Coronation Street must be the Holy Grail for actors. Yes, its relentless, there are long hours and not exactly loads of time to learn lines, but youre being beamed into millions of peoples living rooms on a daily basis, plus a consistent pay cheque whats not to love? Plenty if the rumoured departure of eight intrinsic cast members is any indication. While producers come and go every couple of years, none have been more infamous than Kate Oates and her successor. During her two-year stint, Oates brought viewers such groundbreaking storylines as the grooming of Bethany Platt, David Platts rape, and most notably Aidan Connors suicide. Those still reading are probably thinking: Well, thats traumatic viewing of a teatime. Yes, it is, but think of the positives. Soap holds a (somewhat skewed) mirror up to society, providing an opportunity to openly discuss topics that we wouldnt ordinarily shoot the breeze about. Expand Close Former ITV soap producer Kate Oates joins BBC Studios (Isabel Infantes/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Former ITV soap producer Kate Oates joins BBC Studios (Isabel Infantes/PA) While Oates had her detractors, she still managed to straddle both stark topics and moments of hilarity, something EastEnders rarely (if ever) managed to do in the past. Fittingly enough, Oates left Weatherfield for Walford E20 last year. NEW BLOOD Expand Close Iain MacLeod attending the British Soap Awards in London in 2016 (Matt Crossick/PA Wire) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Iain MacLeod attending the British Soap Awards in London in 2016 (Matt Crossick/PA Wire) Since Oates successor, Iain MacLeod, took over in April 2018, there have been eight departures from the Cobbles. MacLeod is no stranger to ITV, having previously produced Emmerdale. Coincidentally (or not), during his tenure in The Dales, 10 actors left the show in the space of a year, including Kelvin Fletcher (Andy Sugden), Pasha Bocarie (Rakesh Kotecha), Adam Thomas (Adam Barton), Gillian Kearney (Emma Barton), Gemma Atkinson (Carly Hope), Jonathan Wrather (Pierce Harris), and the entire White family. The exodus didnt garner the same column inches, however, because well its Emmerdale. Video of the Day RATINGS LULL With EastEnders winning a TV Bafta on Sunday night and Emmerdale overtaking Corrie in recent ratings, the soaps current situation seems increasingly bleak Corrie took an uncharacteristic dip below Emmerdale during the recent bank holiday. While Emmerdale clocked in at 5.34 million on Monday, May 6, Corries first episode trailed at 5.30m, while the second episode garnered 5.24m. In 2012, Corrie was reaching viewing highs in the region of 11.43m. This figure comparatively pales to 2003, which saw numbers peak at 19.43m. As for 2019s high to date? 8,231,437. In short, in the advent of online viewing platforms such as Netflix, the powers that be seriously need to realise the adage of nothing is bigger than Corrie no longer applies. CORRIE CULL OF 2019 Expand Close Bhavna Limbachia has departed Coronation Street. (Ian West/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Bhavna Limbachia has departed Coronation Street. (Ian West/PA) Those who actually left our screens this year thus far include both Bhavna Limbachia (Rana Habeeb) and Connie Hyde (Gina Seddon), but thats only the tip of the proverbial. Malcolm Hebden AKA Norris Cole Expand Close Malcolm Hebden plays Norris Cole (Yui Mok/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Malcolm Hebden plays Norris Cole (Yui Mok/PA) Hebden had taken a hiatus some time ago after a massive heart attack. He is currently back on our screens for a spell to sort things with wife Mary, but he is due to leave (again) next month. Kym Marsh AKA Michelle Connor Expand Close Kym Marsh announces Coronation Street exit after 13 years (Matt Crossick/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Kym Marsh announces Coronation Street exit after 13 years (Matt Crossick/PA) Marsh first burst on to our TV screens in 2001 thanks to Simon Cowells first televised band manufacturing Popstars. HearSay was born and then died promptly. Corrie wasnt the 42-year-olds first dalliance with acting; Marsh also made a one-off appearance on Doctors in 2005, and played a prostitute on Hollyoaks in 2006. When she appeared on the Cobbles as part of the original Connor clan in April 2006, she must have felt like shed won the Lotto. She announced she was leaving the soap after 13 years on February 25 of this year. Tristan Gemmill AKA Robert Preston Expand Close Tristan Gemmill is leaving the soap (Matt Crossick/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Tristan Gemmill is leaving the soap (Matt Crossick/PA) On April 26, Gemmill declared his intention to leave after four years via Twitter. The 51-year-old who returned as a silver fox after Roberts stint inside said: Folks, I just wanted to let you know that the time has come for me to hang up the chefs gear and head for pastures new. There is still a lot of drama & shenanigans to come for Robert, but I will be leaving Corrie later in the year. Faye Brookes AKA Kate Connor Expand Close Faye Brookes (Matt Crossick/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Faye Brookes (Matt Crossick/PA) Brookes is reportedly leaving to concentrate on her union with partner Gareth Gates. Speaking via social media, the 31-year-old said: Thanks to everyone for your amazing support, but after 4 fabulous years in Weatherfield, its time for me to explore new opportunities. Ive loved playing Kate Connor, but she needs a break for a little while and so, with a song in my heart, Im off to pastures new. A duet awaits... Katie McGlynn AKA Sinead Tinker Expand Close Katie McGlynn, who plays Sinead in Corrie (PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Katie McGlynn, who plays Sinead in Corrie (PA) Last week, Katie McGlynn appeared on ITVs Celebrity Juice alongside her onscreen husband, Rob Mallard. When Keith Lemon asked how long she had been portraying Sinead, she retorted: Too long... Im joking! I think its been about seven years. The 25-year-old then felt compelled to tweet the following over the weekend: Unlucky timing with my sarcastic humour on CelebJuice when these silly rumours are going around. I have not quit Corrie, I am contracted well into this year & am fully committed to our long-running storyline, we do not know the outcome as of yet, which is how we like it! She then added: I LOVE working at Corrie and LOVE everyone there! Its a fabulous place to work FYI Noted, Katie. Noted. Lucy Fallon AKA Bethany Platt Expand Close Lucy Fallon is to leave Coronation Street (Matt Crossick/PA) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Lucy Fallon is to leave Coronation Street (Matt Crossick/PA) The latest shock departure, Fallon announced her intent to leave on May 2: After the most incredible four years, I have made the extremely difficult decision to leave Coronation Street at the end of my contract in 2020. Its hard to put into words how much this show means to me. Ive made lifelong friends with some of the most talented and hard-working people in the industry. Seemingly well see Lucy bust a move in the next season of Strictly. MORALE MALAISE So, to the big question; why are people jumping ship? The hours have reportedly increased. While there is no filming on a Saturday, some cast and crew have been drafted in to film on Sundays. In addition to the working hours, some of the younger cast members are feeling hard done by as a ban has been implemented on boosting earnings via social media endorsements. That could be construed as frustrating considering half the cast have to now brandish Costa coffee cups during scenes. Will the walkout end here? Unlikely. Rumours suggest that another slew of actors will hand in their notice over the coming months. Not Sally Dynevor (Sally Metcalfe), however. Shes recently been quoted as saying: Everyone is really happy. I am nailing my feet to the floor. The viability of the national diabetic retinopathy screening programme, Diabetic Retina Screen, is now in danger, its clinical director has warned - due to the implications of a recent legal judgment on medical screening. The ruling by Mr Justice Kevin Cross in the Ruth Morrissey case regarding slides being misread under the CervicalCheck programme has set a legal precedent for how negligence should be assessed in medical screening programmes, with "absolute confidence" deemed the standard that should be applied. Diabetic RetinaScreen clinical director Prof David Keegan confirmed to the Sunday Independent that the diabetic programme had examined the judgment carefully and consequently held an emergency meeting of its management team. It has now sought legal advice about whether the programme can continue to screen patients. There are around 200,000 people living with diabetes in Ireland. Speaking during a special discussion session on diabetic retinopathy screening at the annual conference of the Irish College of Ophthalmologists (ICO) in Galway last Friday, Prof Keegan noted that no screening test has 100pc specificity and sensitivity and that absolute confidence was an impossible ask. He said it had been suggested that the programme could "tighten up" its patient information leaflets to stress the limitations of screening but he was uncertain this would be sufficient legally to deal with any future interpretation of the Cross ruling. His points were echoed by Dr Alison Blake, outgoing president of the ICO, who pointed out that medical screening was a very important population health measure, which could reduce but not eliminate entirely the risk of developing the advanced stages of a particular disease and that there was still a misperception about the basis and limitations of screening. Prof Keegan and a number of doctors at the session voiced concern that the legal profession did not appreciate how the interpretation of the Cross judgment could affect their work and the viability of screening programmes. It was pointed out that medico legal payout awards in Ireland are much higher than in the UK and that the cost of medical indemnity insurance is also far higher for Irish doctors. Prof Keegan said that Diabetic RetinaScreen, which started in 2012 and now has 124 screening locations and seven treatment centres nationally, is delivering positive results for diabetic patients. "We are detecting pre-symptomatic disease and providing sight-saving treatments in at risk patients. Uptake rates are steadily rising and we are confident that the true impact of our programme - the reduction in blindness and vision impairment due to diabetic retinopathy - will be achieved." Diabetic RetinaScreen offers free annual screening to people with diabetes aged 12 years and older. Its uptake reached 61.7pc last year. Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that can cause blindness in those with diabetes if it is not detected early enough. AN IT student who had a utility knife in his car when stopped by gardai claimed he used it when working with computers. Kyriacos Petrou (30) was put on a one-year probation bond by Judge Geraldine Carthy, who said she was not satisfied with his explanation for having the blade. Petrou, of no fixed address at the time, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a knife. Dublin District Court heard gardai stopped a car at Swords Road, Whitehall, at 5.15pm last March 15. Petrou was driving and had a utility knife with a four inch blade in the car. He told gardai it was for work purposes, but could not provide the name of an employer. The accused knew he should not have had a knife in his possession. Petrou was an Irish national and had worked throughout his life. He was currently living in hostel accommodation with his partner. He was studying IT, did some work assisting in computer operations and uses it to connect wires, the court heard. He was hoping to go to university for a degree course. Stacey Ring was only 31 when she was found dead on the couch in her apartment. A verdict at her inquest would declare it was "death by misadventure". A combination of "methadone toxicity" and therapeutic levels of prescription medications "tipped her over the edge" to cause "acute respiratory depression", said pathologist Dr Charles d'Adhemar. No evidence emerged at her inquest in Mullingar last Tuesday of past suicide attempts. The coroner's court did not hear that six weeks before her death, Stacey Ring posted three videos on social media. She informed viewers she had just survived a suicide attempt in which she had thrown herself into the River Shannon in Athlone on September 30 last. Her video pleas were for better psychiatric care for people undergoing methadone treatment for drug addiction. She asked that TDs heed her plea and called on the public to share the video. Her cousin, Stephen Ring (34), is a former vice-chairman of the Limerick Treaty Suicide Prevention Group which regularly patrols the banks of the Shannon in Limerick. "It's extra hard for me to think that my cousin Stacey went into the Shannon in Athlone. It happened while I was a member of a group that volunteers to prevent suicides along the same river in Limerick," he told the Sunday Independent. Stephen joined Stacey's parents, Oliver and Joan, this weekend to call for improved psychiatric services for people with drug addictions. Stacey made the videos on her mobile phone while inside two hospitals. She said in the videos she believed her need for daily methadone treatments were an obstacle to her chances of being admitted to a psychiatric hospital as an in-patient. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she expressed anguish and desperation at being plagued with suicidal thoughts every couple of months. Stacey had moved to Athlone from Limerick with her family when she was a schoolgirl. Later, she developed a drugs problem. Both she and her partner, Tony, both developed serious drug problems. Her parents took over the care of Stacey's three children. Stacey found her partner dead beside her in the bed one morning almost four years ago. She ended up living in a hostel and finally was housed by Westmeath County Council in an apartment in Mullingar. She had succeeded in coming off drugs and was a participant in a methadone treatment programme. She would take her daily dose of methadone in a pharmacy. She sometimes got possession of extra methadone elsewhere. She said she suffered mental problems and had been seen by psychiatrists and counsellors over the years. She spoke of having made a number of suicide attempts. Following the incident in the River Shannon in Athlone last September, she was taken by ambulance to Portiuncula Hospital in Ballinasloe where she was seen by a psychiatrist. She was transferred to St Loman's psychiatric hospital in Mullingar and was seen by a number of health professionals. While at both hospitals, she uploaded the videos saying she was feeling dissatisfied with her care. She said she felt people who had drug addiction and mental health problems did not get the same treatment as those without addiction problems. Later, she was supplied with a taxi which drove her to her parents' house in Athlone where she stayed for a number of weeks. At her inquest, her friend Elaine Lardner, who was staying with Stacey, said Stacey had gone to sleep on a couch in the Mullingar apartment on the night of November 12. Stacey had taken methadone that day and a sleeping tablet. Ms Lardner had dozed off for a while and later, when she checked on Stacey, she found her unresponsive with a brown stain around her mouth.She tried to resuscitate her and screamed for help and thought "half of Mullingar" must have heard her. She ran to the downstairs flat where their friend Joe Flynn lived. He also tried to help. Paramedics and gardai arrived and a doctor pronounced her dead. Ms Lardner told Coroner Raymond Mahon she did not believe Stacey had taken her own life and she believed her death was accidental. Her father, Oliver Ring, said in a statement read in the court that Stacey was "in good form" the last time he spoke with Stacey three days before she died. She said she was planning to buy a PlayStation for her son. He said her son and two daughters lived with him and his wife Joan. He said Stacey had been living in hope for the day she was well enough to get her children back. The coroner told the jury there was no evidence presented to the inquest that Stacey intended to end her life that night. Indeed, "there was evidence to the contrary", he said. The jury delivered a verdict of death by misadventure. Stacey's mother Joan told this newspaper her daughter had been "so depressed" for a long time. She agreed with her daughter that people with drug problems did not get the same quality of psychiatric care as other patients. While the HSE does not comment on individual cases, a spokeswoman said: "In general, patients who have mental health difficulties and are on methadone are admitted to HSE-run psychiatric hospitals if admission is indicated. Each centre would have individual policies as to how methadone can be administered locally." A Fianna Fail candidate running for the European Parliament has said he is "ashamed" of "striking out at" a female friend while in college. Malcolm Byrne, who is running in the Ireland South constituency, was a 20-year-old student union leader at the time of the incident in 1994. Mr Byrne, who was then an education officer with the Union of Students in Ireland, issued a public apology after the incident at a freshers ball. In a newspaper report at the time, the then Ogra Fianna Fail member said he "felt great shame". Yesterday, Mr Byrne told the Sunday Independent the incident has been a "source of shame and regret for me ever since". "At a student party, I got involved in an argument with a friend and struck out at her," he said. "I immediately took full responsibility for it at the time and apologised unreservedly to my friend, and publicly to the student community in UCD for my stupidity. This event took place at a difficult time in my life and was a catalyst for major personal change. This story has never been a secret, as reported in the Irish Press at the time and has occasionally resurfaced at elections since." "This incident is a part of my life. I'm ashamed of it, but I accept responsibility for it," he added. In the Irish Press newspaper report of the incident, Mr Byrne said he considered resigning from his student union position afterwards. However, he reconsidered and instead decided to issue a public apology to the woman involved. "I do not want to bring any more pain to the student involved and we are both trying to come to terms with what happened," he told the newspaper at the time. Tess and Danny Valdez, the parents of murdered Jastine Valdez pictured with family at the one year anniversary at Blessed Sacrement Chapel Bachelors Walk Dublin this afternoon. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos Tess and Danny Valdez, the parents of murdered Jastine Valdez pictured with family at the one year anniversary at Blessed Sacrement Chapel Bachelors Walk Dublin Pic Stephen Collins/Collins Photos The heartbroken parents of murdered student Jastine Valdez attended a memorial mass in honour of their beloved daughter who was tragically killed a year ago. Tess (Teresita) and Danny (Danilo) Valdez and other bereaved family members marked the one year anniversary of the murder of the 24-year-old student at a mass at the Blessed Sacrament Chapel on Bachelors Walk in Dublin today. The horrific killing of the young woman unfolded in the picturesque village of Enniskerry, Co Wicklow on Saturday May 19, 2018. Ms Valdez was returning to the village where she lived with her parents who moved to Ireland from their native Philippines more than three decades ago. Expand Close Jastine Valdez / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Jastine Valdez She had joined them only three years previously and was studying accountancy at the Institute of Technology in Tallaght. She had innocently boarded a bus from Bray, Co Wicklow and arrived in the village shortly after 6pm. Twenty minutes later she was bundled into the car by married father-of two Mark Hennessy, (40), a construction worker from Bray in what gardai believe was a completely opportunistic and random attack fuelled by his apparent drug and alcohol problems. A witness rang 999 after her 12-year-old son saw a man forcing the student into the boot of a Nissan Qashqui around 6.24pm. Around an hour later, another witness rang gardai after seeing a young woman in a distressed state banging on the back window of an SUV, sparking a massive manhunt for Hennessy who would be shot dead by gardai the following day. They found a note on his body, saying sorry and Pucks (Castle) Lane where her body was found the next day. PETER Tighe is single and in his middle years and though he works in the sales profession, hes on the edge of homelessness, after receiving notice to leave his rented home. Mr Tighe, in his 50s, lives in Dublin 8, in a one bed cottage, wheres hes been a tenant since 2006. Mr Tighe claims his landlady, whom he has no negative words for, has asked him to leave several times over the years. And while he wants to go, he simply has nowhere to move to and refuses to make myself homeless. As he watches rents rise across the city, the salesman realises he just cannot afford to rent anywhere else. Though hes tried to find a new rental home, the vast shortage means hes not been successful in finding anywhere he could afford. Expand Close Peter Tighe pictured at his home in Dublin 8. Photo: Kyran O'Brien / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Peter Tighe pictured at his home in Dublin 8. Photo: Kyran O'Brien Id gladly move to another place, if there was another place to go to, he said. I have no desire to stay where I am if the landlady wants me to go but Ive not been given a choice. I will not move out to make myself homeless. I have nothing against my landlady but I have nowhere to go. I knew a guy across the road, who got a notice of termination from his landlord. He was a young married man with a new baby. He moved out. And since he went his home has been turned into an Airbnb. Initially it was a big shock when I got my first notice. The pressure initially was intense. I went to the Residential Tenancies Board, which is like a semi quasi court. You dont know whats happening, most people are lost when they go in there. I did everything I could to stay in the house, as I knew if I left, there was nowhere else and Id be homeless. But here I am again, with another letter. I feel like Dublin is now an apartheid style system of housing. Politicians talk about solving the housing crisis but if they arent coming up with a model to create affordable housing for all, how are they even close to solving this? We need public housing and long-term security of tenure, rents linked to income. Without this, we know, this Government is not interested in solving this housing crisis. A lot of investors are buying up properties and some have left these properties for long periods. The Government has failed to tax those hoarding properties. They have failed to bring in proper fines, high fines, for landlords utilising loopholes or discriminating against tenants. They have failed to protect renters. The Government by not taking action, is encouraging property speculation and theyve abandoned tenants by doing so. People are terrified of getting that letter in their door, from their landlord, telling them its time to go. Close to three quarters of a million people are renting in Ireland and a lot of people are hanging on. If you look at the average wage, it doesnt match inflated rental prices. And people on lower incomes are being forced out of Dublin. Its a type of social cleansing. This Government are the government for landlords. In my life, Ive never seen anything this bad. Its ruthless out there. Trying to find an affordable rental home is impossible, you face a selection process from agents and still you cant afford the rent. The only option when the Government wont help renters, is for us to stand up, to fight back. This has placed me under huge stress, as it has so many renters. I want to come home to feel secure. I dont even have that anymore. I cant go with only emergency accommodation my option. Im not doing that to myself. I advise others try to avoid that too. We have to stand together now. Former FBI special agent John Douglas, who spent his career interviewing some of the most horrific serial killers of all time - including Ted Bundy, the so-called 'Son of Sam' killer David Berkowitz and Ed Kemper - has offered to meet gardai to help solve the mystery of Ireland's missing women. Between 1993 and 1998, six women disappeared in an 80-mile area outside Dublin. The bodies of Annie McCarrick, Josephine 'JoJo' Dullard, Ciara Breen, Fiona Sinnott, Fiona Pender and Deirdre Jacob have never been found. Now Douglas said he is willing to work on the cold cases. Speaking exclusively to the Sunday Independent, he also gave his thoughts on convicted rapist Larry Murphy, the prime suspect in the case of Deirdre Jacob, and said he believes Murphy's urges have merely been put "on ice". "I always say about rehabilitation, you can't rehabilitate someone who is not 'habilitated' to begin with. All you are doing - particularly in this case with Larry Murphy - is that you have put the physical body on ice for whatever number of years he has served in prison. You have not changed him. What are you going to change him to? Psychologically, he has probably been a mess since he was a child and even after his release from prison, his needs will still be there. "These are crimes of power and control," Douglas explained "and, if anything, he has learned from his mistakes about how he slipped up and got caught. Eventually he'll do something else but he'll be a lot slicker and it will be more difficult for police to catch him." As an innovator at the FBI in the late 1970s, Douglas developed new investigative techniques for hunting serial killers, sex offenders and other violent criminals. Advancing the use of criminal profiling, Douglas became recognised as its top authority. Through his mix of psychology, pattern recognition, and inductive/deductive reasoning, he can accurately predict a suspect's age, background, personality, and other characteristics from the barest of clues. His experiences inspired a character in The Silence of the Lambs and the Netflix Mindhunter series. Now the retired special agent, chairman of the Cold Case Foundation in the US, has invited gardai to meet him in London next month to give a presentation of their evidence on Ireland's missing women. "It's a very interesting case - there's got to be a solution to that case - and I would be willing to meet with authorities from Ireland. I will do anything I can to help." He also explained how Murphy's advancing years do not make him any less of a threat to women. "Some people make the mistake in thinking that, because it's a sexually related crime, they will no longer attack. But that's not what I have found. These people want to be in a position of dominance and control over someone, so age has nothing to do with it. Just because the guy is now in his 50s, he will have these feelings until the day he dies." Murphy (53), from Baltinglass, Co Wicklow, was jailed after he pleaded guilty to kidnapping, raping and attempting to murder a woman in the Wicklow Mountains in February 2000. He was released in 2010 after serving 10 years in Arbour Hill Prison. Since his release, Murphy has been moving around Europe, working as a labourer in Barcelona and living at addresses in Amsterdam and London. Meanwhile, Douglas, who has just released a new book, The Killer Across the Table, explained how delving into the minds of the world's most horrific serial killers - hearing their fantasies and seeing pictures of their crimes - almost killed him while still a young investigator in the field. He had been working on the Green River murders in Washington state when he told colleagues he was feeling unwell and went to his hotel room: "I collapsed on the floor and was lying there for three days because I had put the 'do not disturb' sign on the door. When they found me I had a temperature of 107 and I ended up being in a coma for a week. When I came out I was paralysed and had to go through five months of rehab. The psychologist told me I was suffering from PTSD from everything I was dealing with. "Working in the bureau can be hazardous to your health. I used to suffer very bad nightmares when I was younger from studying the cases before I went to bed. You would also be working on extremely violent cases and then you would be in bed with your wife and all of a sudden you would get these horrific flashbacks." As part of the more controversial findings in his work, Douglas has seen a strong link between domineering mothers and men who grow up to be violent predators. As Douglas explains: "It's more of a mother thing than a father thing. I have seen tough-guy killers break down in tears. They seem to have a love-hate relationship with their mother." Among his discoveries, he also found that predators often exhibited three behaviours - bed-wetting beyond a normal age, cruelty to small animals and fire-starting - while young, known as the 'homicidal triad'. Many serial killers are also interested in law enforcement as a career. Elsewhere, many revealed how their early childhood fantasies developed into dark realities. Rarely attacking the people they most resent, they are highly manipulative, motivated by their need for control. The Killer Across the Table: Unlocking the Secrets of Serial Killers and Predators with the FBI's Original Mindhunter is published by William Collins this weekend. Price 20 (23) Taoiseach Leo Varadkar is set to have his first official meeting with British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, the Sunday Independent has learnt. The Taoiseach will meet Mr Corbyn, the main opposition leader in the House of Commons, in Dublin within the next fortnight. The meeting comes against the backdrop of ongoing turmoil in British politics after crucial Brexit talks between prime minister Theresa May and Mr Corbyn broke down last week. However, senior Government sources in Dublin yesterday played down any suggestion that the meeting between the Taoiseach and Mr Corbyn was arranged based on political developments in Westminster. A Department of the Taoiseach source said it had been seeking a meeting between Mr Varadkar and Mr Corbyn for some time and was not trying to undermine Mrs May. However, the meeting is sure to raise eyebrows in Britain where political tensions have again escalated after two months of relative calm. Mr Varadkar will use the meeting to discuss Brexit, the Northern Ireland Assembly and other issues with the Labour Party leader. It is understood that he will try to convince Mr Corbyn of the benefits of the Brexit withdrawal agreement which the EU agreed with Mrs May's negotiating team last year. Mrs May has been unable to convince her parliament to support the exit deal and had been locked in talks with Corbyn for a number of weeks. However, last week the Labour leader wrote to May, saying he did not believe that the negotiations could continue given the "weakness and instability" of her government. The breakdown of the talks also sparked fresh speculation surrounding Mrs May's leadership of an increasingly divided Conservative Party. The prime minister told party members she would set out a timetable for her departure after the next round of Westminster votes on the Brexit deal which is due to take place next month. On January 19, 1964, Rory Allen dispatched a letter from Newtown School in Waterford to his parents, Myrtle and Ivan Allen of Ballymaloe House. "The letter simply recounts the details of the everyday," says Regina Sexton of UCC, "but with the sweet and seemingly urgent note to 'Please send on more tuck'". The letter is just one item in a huge collection of papers that forms part of the Myrtle Allen Archive, which has been donated by the Allen family to UCC. The archive includes journals from the restaurant, daily menus, hand-written family recipe books, correspondence with producers and chefs, restaurant and hotel reviews, and scrapbooks of traditional recipes sent to Mrs Allen by readers of the Irish Farmers Journal. There are also letters of advice to fledgling chefs, drafts and proofs of her 1977 book, The Ballymaloe Cookbook. "As we have just been bequeathed the collection, the papers are neither sorted nor catalogued and are still in a raw state," says Regina Sexton, UCC Food and Culinary Historian, who has been researching the influence of Myrtle Allen on Irish food culture since 2013. "This will take a number of years. That process will put order on a vast collection of papers, describing the content of each item and creating a referencing system to aid researchers in accessing the material." UCC's announcement of the bequest coincided with the launch of the university's post-graduate diploma in Irish food culture. For academics at the university, including Sexton, and students enrolling in the new course, the prospect of delving deep into the Myrtle Allen archive is a tantalising one, which will inform research for many years into the future. "Myrtle is to be the icon, the touchstone that epitomises the things that we would like the students to think about, and it will help keep her legacy alive down the line," says Regina. It was in 1964, when Myrtle's youngest daughter, Fern, was heading off to join her siblings at Newtown, that Myrtle decided to open a restaurant in her house, primarily, she said, as a means of avoiding having to spend her time cleaning it - and of making the most of the ingredients produced on the family's farm. It all began with an advertisement in the [then] Cork Examiner inviting interested parties to 'Dine in a Country House'. Myrtle's skills in the kitchen were largely self-taught and, famously, she only finalised the evening's menu just before the guests arrived, when she knew what fish had been landed in Ballycotton, or what foraged hedgerow or shore foods the local children would bring to sell to her at the kitchen door. Eleven years later, in 1975, Myrtle Allen won a Michelin star - the first Irish woman to receive the accolade and still one of just two women ever to hold the award in the Republic of Ireland. Over the years, her achievements were recognised by the great and the good of the international world of gastronomy, while at home in Ireland, she is acknowledged as the most important figure in Irish food culture ever. Mrs Allen - as everyone at Ballymaloe referred to her - died in June 2018 at the age of 94, and is recognised as having changed the course of Irish food culture through her progressive ethos and revolutionary approach to cooking and Irish produce. Regina Sexton knew Myrtle Allen for many years, and in 2013 delivered a talk at LitFest about her writings in the Irish Farmers Journal. "Myrtle's columns were very interesting and placed her in context," she explains. "In the 1960s, her approach was wildly out of step with current trends. At that time, as Ireland was undergoing rapid social, economic and cultural change, Irish food and cooking was often eschewed and undervalued as the country deployed a modern approach to production and it took its gastronomic cues from outside trends and fashions. "What made Myrtle different was that she wasn't swayed by outside influences but rather she aimed to validate the internal, she looked inward and strove to elevate good home-produced food to such a high status that we could be confident in believing that Irish food was some of the best the world could produce." When Myrtle died, Regina decided to write an academic paper as a tribute to her and establish a memorial lecture, to tie in with the postgraduate course that UCC was planning to launch. "The family mentioned that she had left papers and asked if I would like to have a look. I knew immediately that they were very significant culturally. So far we have really only skimmed the surface of the collection, but I have a feeling for the broad categories of content that are there. It's clear that Myrtle was not just involved in food activity in the kitchen - she was involved in a network of food communities and kept meticulous records. We think of the gastronomic sphere as local but she was involved at a national and international level with Slow Food, Eurotoques and La Ferme Irlandaise, her restaurant in Paris. "She was a polymath in her activities and interests, a visionary with missionary zeal to support and protect Irish food culture. From what I've seen, her character is coming through - she had a curious mind and an innate intelligence that will be interesting to explore." Now an experienced team associated with UCC's Boole Library will set about the task of preservation, describing and cataloguing every item in the bequest in a process that will take several years. Among the speakers at the memorial lectures in Cork last week was Myrtle Allen's friend, Claudia Roden, the esteemed author and food writer. "She inspired me and a whole generation," says Claudia on the phone from her home in London. "And I don't mean just in Ireland. Through her influence on Darina, who applied it in turn to the cookery school, the legacy of Myrtle is felt all over the world." Claudia first met Myrtle nearly 40 years ago when Darina invited her to give a course at the cookery school on Middle Eastern Food, about which Claudia had just published a book. "I stayed at Ballymaloe and thought that if I could choose one place where I would live for ever and ever it would be there. I'd lived in Egypt and France and the UK but there was something very special about Ballymaloe - it wasn't just the house, but the combination of the house and the food and the landscape and the world that Myrtle created there. I loved being around her and the Allen family. It was less about the enjoyment of good food than it was about the respect for the land, and the ingredients, and the producers, the farmers and the fishermen, and the power of food to bring people together. The hospitality at Ballymaloe is always so gracious, and people bond around food and conviviality. The last thing I'd expected at the time was to find great food in Ireland - or in the UK for that matter, it was a toss-up as to which was worse! "At Ballymaloe the food was enthrallingly delicious - the flavour of vegetables just out of the ground, whatever wild things people brought to the kitchen door and the fish just landed in Ballycotton." Claudia says that Myrtle Allen stood out at a time when very few women were to be found working in professional kitchens. "I remember researching a book about food in Turkey and there were no women in professional kitchens there, except cleaning the floor. "It was the same in most Mediterranean countries, other than Morocco, and it was hard to find real local food. Grand restaurants served French food and yet here was Myrtle, a farmer's wife, with a Michelin star! She put Ireland on the culinary map. "When I started researching, food was a taboo subject like sex and money, not important enough to be a university subject, seen as frivolous, a topic for women's magazines. "But now it is acknowledged to be such an important part of culture and I think that it's wonderful that the university will have the course." Claudia says that Myrtle was the first person to realise the importance of food in Irish culture. "She was always willing to absorb new ideas in cooking and to experiment with growing new types of vegetables. She had contacts with chefs throughout Europe and was a founder member of Eurotoques, so she was very much out there learning and networking, and at the same time passionate about preserving traditional dishes. "It was politics through gastronomy; she was aware how fragile living heritage can easily be lost long before UNESCO identified gastronomy as intangible heritage. Now people travel to eat and incidentally see sites, whereas it used to be the other way around - food is vital to tourism and economies the world over. And when visitors come, they want to taste what Ireland means, not to eat sushi and burritos "Before Myrtle, people were ashamed of Irish food, but she knew that recipes and dishes can reinforce national identity with pride and dignity, and remind us of a time that has vanished; sometimes that's all that remains of a way of life that has disappeared. "She understood that we must value our own, not throw it away and not embalm it either, and that it's important to update and revitalise and this is what she did. She led the way, was properly international and a trailblazer. To me, she was a personal inspiration." It's a sign of how deeply Brexit has infiltrated the national consciousness that Nigel Farage has repeatedly taken centre stage in the European election debate in Ireland, despite representing a party which isn't even running candidates here. Independents 4 Change TD Clare Daly is the latest to become unnaturally fixated on the Brexit Party leader, taking the opportunity last week to denounce his views as "warped, very mad and horrible", whilst simultaneously using his electoral success as an example of how individuals can make a difference in Brussels - "albeit an appalling one, in that instance". When the Dublin woman attacks Farage for peddling dangerously simplistic solutions to complex problems, is there never a part of her that wonders if she might not be guilty of the same thing? He's a right-wing populist, and she's a left-wing populist, but surely one of the things that's become apparent is that populism is a political force in its own right, and one that's shaping politics the world over in ways that unpick the traditional left/right divide, for both good and ill. When Europe was a more burning issue in Irish politics, and the Troika controlled the purse strings, left-wing parties in the Dail were more than happy to stir the same anti-EU pot. Suddenly they're attacking Farage for saying now what they often said in the past. Daly herself stood in the 2011 Dail election for the Socialist Party, whose manifesto that year demanded: "Don't pay the bankers' debts and reject the EU/IMF austerity diktats". The party denied that this would cause economic problems, and who knows it may have been right. There is certainly no question that the imposition of Europe's banking debts on Ireland, which cost the country 25pc of its GDP, whilst Germany's loss was just 1.5pc, was unjust and forced on the Irish only because they were too weak at the time to refuse; but be honest, rejecting it would have had consequences too. If the anti-EU mood which the socialists were happy to stoke back in 2011 has dispersed, it's because the economy has since stabilised; but the reason it's done so, the Government would argue, is because the country stuck to the rules and took the pain. Some of them may express that in tones of unctuous gratitude which grate on the ear, but the argument is clear. We took the medicine, we came through, now let's move on. And who didn't want Ireland to do that? Politicians on the left like Daly. She now denounces Farage, though his passionate denunciation of the EU's treatment of Ireland when it was on its knees - delivered to February's controversial 'Irexit' conference in Dublin - could have been lifted straight from any Socialist Party campaign literature just a few short years ago. At least those campaigning for their respective countries to get out of Europe, such as former Greek minister Zoe Konstantopoulou, leader of the new left of centre Course of Freedom party, who describes the EU as a "monstrous construction which we need to take down", are prepared to follow the logic of their anti-austerity positions. The Irish left would rather have its cake, eat it, then have it and eat it again, endlessly. Even its attacks on the EU's military ambitions are entirely in tune with Brexit Party and Ukip talking points. Why are they "lunatics on the far right", as Daly described them last week, for raising those concerns, whilst she and her comrades pose as champions of the people? Irish left-wing positions on Europe have a habit of oscillating wildly from one moment to the next. By the time of the last European elections in 2014, People Before Profit had taken to insisting that the party was "not 'anti-Europe'" at all. "Quite the contrary," its manifesto that year reassured voters, "it is the way the EU is run that we object to." Sinn Fein does the same. Despite voting against every EU treaty since 1973, it now describes itself as "Euro-critical" rather than Eurosceptic. It's a classic cop-out. Many supporters of Brexit would say the same. Indeed, many pro-EU establishment parties, such as Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, insist they want reform too. Everyone wants reform. The truth is simpler. The Irish left doesn't like the EU any more than Farage does. It just want to get elected to it anyway, and there's no pathway to doing that by being openly anti-EU in a country where 93pc most recently said EU membership had been beneficial. That's also why Sinn Fein, which once called the EU a "soulless capitalist club", has radically softened its tone. It needs wins in these elections too, to keep up momentum. Electing a few left-wing Irish MEPs is never going to make much difference to the laws which are passed in Brussels, but admitting as much would be electoral suicide. So they keep having to bring out the same bag of old tricks, using the rise of Farage to insist, as Daly did last week, that "people with backbone and radicalism and a bit of a brass neck can actually shake up the European Parliament, and I have to say it needs to be shaken up, because citizens... [are] being left behind". They're denouncing Farage whilst using him as a template. He could take it as a compliment, if so minded. Actually, Farage hasn't shaken up the European Parliament. It could be that a victory for anti-EU forces in this week's elections may bring about upheaval. Some estimates say up to half could come from anti-EU parties. But they haven't won so far. What Farage has done much more effectively is shake up his own country. That's what really inspires people like Daly. They see how he's used Brussels to rise to national prominence, and wonder: Why not us too? The difference is that people, whether they love him or loathe him, know what Farage stands for, but they'd be hard pressed to say what the left in Ireland stands for when it comes to Europe. It is still pretending that it can make the EU some radical force against globalism and neo-liberalism, which is, well, let's be polite and just say silly. Voting for those who love the EU, or for those who want to bring it down, makes sense. Voting for candidates who just want the seats so that they can increase their profile back home makes none whatsoever. At the height of negotiations for the Belfast Agreement, the late Mo Mowlam, apparently sleepwalking, shuffled barefoot into a room where Seamus Mallon was meeting Bertie Ahern, sat down beside the former and fell asleep on his shoulder. Mallon let her rest and carried on talking. A few minutes later, as he describes in his new book A Shared Home Place, she "lifted her head and... exclaimed, 'F***ing brill, Seamus', and went back to sleep again". It's one of many fascinating anecdotes contained in his first memoir, which Mallon, shunning computers, wrote by hand. The process took a year with the help of Andy Pollak, who edited it to its finished form. "He's very good as a journalist and I was asking him his opinion on every part of it," Mallon explains. "He was also very useful to me in the sense that he's living in Dublin and he knows media and everybody in it." Writing was laborious but Mallon says: "It's the only way I can do it. If I'm using a tape recorder it's false. Some of the stuff I read, if I could say it gently, is cogged out of other books and put together with bits from video stuff, so I firmly believe that I was going to do it my way and that was it." What followed is a thoughtful book, replete with memories of his life and career, well-researched historical references to the area he grew up in, astute political analysis and his own suggestions for the future of his country. We talk over cups of tea and buns, and Mallon relaxes into conversation. A photograph of him meeting Pope John Paul II sits on the table beside him, while pictures of his granddaughter Orla take pride of place on the mantel. At 82, his voice is softer these days, less urgent than it seemed through the medium of television at the height of his career, but at that time it was a necessity to try to stop his fellow humans slaughtering each other. Death, or what Mallon describes in the book as the "stench of evil", was everywhere and he made a pact with himself that he would go to the funeral of everyone who had been killed in his constituency, no matter what their background. Expand Close Seamus Mallon with wife Gertrude and daughter Orla / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Seamus Mallon with wife Gertrude and daughter Orla It wasn't without its difficulties. "It has a terrible effect on you," he says, voice faltering. He was denounced from the platform of the funeral of IRA man Fergal Caraher, whose death he describes as a "shoot to kill" by the British army, where the speaker accused him of being "a UDR lover, and a half-Brit". "I was standing there and I said to myself, hold your ground stay, and that was hard." On another occasion he was beside two policemen friends when they were murdered and describes in horrific detail in the book kneeling beside one of them as he lay dying under a cattle truck, effluent dripping down on both of them. Asked how he coped with experiences like that, he is honest: "You cope because you have to cope it batters you emotionally and it makes you decide what your priorities are politically and every other way." The former English teacher explains further: "To go for a bit of poetry, Wilfred Owen's Dulce et Decorum est That's it in words, I was seeing it in reality." It's an apt descriptor: "If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood... Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues,/ My friend, you would not tell with such high zest/ To children ardent for some desperate glory/ The old lie: Dulce et decorum est Pro patria mori." Expand Close Seamus Mallon with SDLP leader John Hume. Photo: Peter Jordan / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Seamus Mallon with SDLP leader John Hume. Photo: Peter Jordan It's a message Mallon has carried with authority - equally critical of all those who inflicted violence during decades of conflict. His no-nonsense approach combined with human empathy won him respect as a formidable political opponent, while drawing the ire of paramilitaries on all sides. A nationalist politician who openly favoured Irish unity, living in a remote part of the predominantly unionist village of Markethill left him vulnerable to attack. "The reason we survived was," Mallon says, "there were Protestant people in the village and the area, and on a number of occasions people came to me and said, 'Go off for the weekend'. So my survival in reality was thanks to them. There was the time they (loyalists) tried to burn the house but they made a balls of it, and another night they broke windows, so we knew it [danger] was there." His has been a remarkable political career. Involved in the civil rights movement, he entered the political field at the last minute when another candidate pulled out, was elected as an SDLP councillor in 1973, then the new Northern Ireland Assembly post-Sunningdale, subsequently became a Westminster MP, a Senator in Seanad Eireann, and Deputy First Minister for the post-98 Assembly. Throughout his 32 years as a politician, he regards his work on the Patten legislation on policing as one of his greatest achievements, though was frustrated by British government use of the guillotine at report stage. "Mandelson had done the dirt on Blair... I got so angry that the following Sunday I went uninvited to Chequers. I said, 'Look Tony, we will not and cannot make any political agreement unless we have got policing and justice right'. Two or three years later they had to do it again at a cost of x number of millions and we got a happy end to it." John Hume is described as "the visionary" in the book, while Mallon refers to himself as "the negotiator". "From the earliest civil rights days, John set down markers that our party followed, governments followed and that were at the heart of peace," he explains, mindful not to diminish Hume's role when I inquired whether Hume's travelling to the US and EU made Mallon a de facto leader of his party at home. "I just had to get on with it, in a way. I wouldn't overstate it," he says matter-of-factly. His description of elevation to Deputy First Minister is typically understated: "John took me by the sleeve and says 'hey, you're going to have to do this'. and I said 'OK', and that was the conversation." He became a symbol of hope for reconciliation when, along with David Trimble as First Minister, they worked on running the post-agreement Assembly. It wasn't without its difficulties. "We did quite a substantial amount. What I couldn't get David Trimble to do was to forget about the normal type of press statements but to tackle the whole issue of relationships, go to places that we should go but where others wouldn't go. He was so cautious, couldn't get him to do that, and the decommissioning eventually got him - got the both of us maybe." There is a very funny story in the book where Mallon resorts to locking the door on Trimble, who, according to him, had a reputation for storming out. "I got so used to him flouncing out after a tirade and the face flying off him. It was on what days the flags would be flown up at Stormont and one of those things could go on forever and he came in and I locked the door. 'Why are you doing that?' he asks. 'Ah,' I says, 'I just want to be safe, people come in there you know, we could be interrupted'. I found with him over time he could be very entertaining, but he didn't know he was an entertainer - he's an expert in everything." In the last three chapters of his book, Mallon puts forward detailed arguments for unity of Ireland's people, discusses whether the country is ready for unification and suggests a mechanism of what he terms "parallel consent", or "sufficient plurality" of both communities on unity, and at least 40pc of agreement among unionists on a Border poll. "The reason I'm making those suggestions is to get there and to get there in a peaceful way. Now my belief firmly is to hold a Border poll. A small majority is not going to work, because Ireland North and South isn't ready for it. I've no doubt there would be loyalist reactions, no doubt at all about that. There would be very substantial loyalist violence before it and afterwards. What do you do then? Sooner or later the unionists' position in terms of a Border poll has got to be measured. The reason it's got to be measured is that 50pc-plus doesn't give you either the stability of knowing if unionism is responding. Might we not be safer having the Border poll and have the donkey work done before rather than after it?" Pushed on the fact that his proposal may win favour with unionists, but draw ire from his own tribe, Mallon concedes. "Yeah, FW de Klerk, that was his experience in South Africa, that's right, I accept that. I would certainly like to see a lot of discussion about the hard, difficult parts of this. If a Border poll was carried and we only had 20pc unionists for, you can't do anything for another seven years and there's a sourness about it all... and then all of a sudden this thing's going to come up in front of us - are we going to do to the unionists what they did to us in 1920? And of republicans? "We're now coming to this point, the point where there are demographic changes because the whole raison d'etre of nationalism and republicanism is to obtain unity by consent. Consent and agreement only come by discussion and analysis, now who is going to do that persuasion? Are the Provos going to do that?" Asked why he thinks republicans are not best placed to persuade on the unity argument he states bluntly: "Dead bodies." He is also scathing about Brexit. "When Cameron made the awful decision to have the referendum, the government sat back. They did nothing, Now, we could well make that same mistake on the Border poll if we were to go into that without any planning, without the two parts of Ireland being ready for it, then we could have the type of catastrophic result. The other factor in Brexit which I think is very important for us, Brexit has turned out to be about identity. You have those who are seeing Britain still as an empire with power and influence worldwide, a nonsense which of course is being laid bare. "In Ireland the sense of identity is the root of the problem we are talking about in terms of negotiations, unionists, nationalists, a sense of identity that we have to be very aware of, and that is one of the factors I tried to inform myself in writing this book, that's why I called it A Shared Home Place, so the two identities would live hopefully together without making the same mistakes they have in the past. At the end of the interview, mindful of Mallon's contribution to political history, I ask how he wants to be remembered. He sits back, exhales, and his answer is typically pragmatic. "That would be self-indulgence. I did my best and I got some things right and some things wrong and that's a mirror image of life, isn't it?" he says. 'A Shared Home Place' by Seamus Mallon with Andy Pollak, published by Lilliput is out now. For Fine Gael and Fianna Fail, the coming week is all about managing expectations. Neither party believes there will be any major shift in its fortunes once the votes are counted in the local elections next weekend. Before the campaign kicked off, Fine Gael strategists were making bold predictions of overtaking Fianna Fail to become the biggest party in local government. That confidence has been tempered in recent weeks as candidates reported back from the doors. It is not that they are getting run off the doorsteps by angry voters. But there is not a lot of room for growth in an increasingly crowded field and party loyalties have not shifted significantly since the last local election, or the last general election for that matter. So the expectation of being the largest party in local government is being replaced by a narrative which will suggest Fine Gael won the election by not losing seats. The party will say Fianna Fail, even if it still has the most seats, has essentially lost the election because the Government wasn't hammered at the ballot box. "The last governing party to increase their seat counts in local elections was Fianna Fail in 1999 under Bertie Ahern and they only got one extra seat," a Fine Gael minister said yesterday. The same minister also pointed to comments made by former British prime minister Tony Blair who attacked the current Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn for failing to capitalise on the dysfunctionality within the Conservative Party in the recent UK local elections. "This is a government not in a state of disarray but of profound dysfunction. No one of any age or any political experience can remember anything like it," Blair said, before adding: "Yet Labour cannot even win the local elections, for heaven's sake." Fine Gael will push a similar line about Micheal Martin if it is still trailing behind Fianna Fail after the local elections. Fianna Fail is relatively content with its own campaign but, like Fine Gael, it is not expecting a seismic shift in the political landscape next weekend. Fianna Fail is the largest party in local government with around 265 councillors. It would be happy enough if it came back with a similar figure as long as it was ahead of Fine Gael in the overall standings. Councillor turnover is a big problem in modern Irish politics and it can be difficult to gauge if the fresh-faced new recruit is well positioned to replace the party stalwart who decided to step down. A lot of Fianna Fail's top performers in local politics were promoted to the Dail after the 2016 General Election and those co-opted into their seats are untested with the public. However, they will naturally have the endorsement of their local TD. Sinn Fein is also facing into a tricky election after spending two years engulfed in a high-profile controversy over allegations of bullying within its local party apparatus. During a two-year period up to the summer of 2018, Sinn Fein saw a total of 37 local representatives step down from their seats. This included 10 leaving for personal reasons while five were expelled, eight resigned and a further 14 quit amid accusations of bullying. Many of those who quit are running in the local elections for other parties or as Independent candidates. Sinn Fein had a good election campaign in 2014 but now it will find itself up against former candidates who have built up their profile by taking on Mary Lou McDonald's party. The anointed party leader could find herself being forced to answer some difficult questions by its shadowy backroom overlords if she again fails to impress at the polls after the disastrous presidential election campaign. McDonald will probably take some solace in returning four MEPs in the European elections but in reality the local elections will be more telling of the party's overall standing with the electorate ahead of a national poll either this year or next. Certain sections of society have developed an environmental conscience in recent years which will probably help the Green Party increase its presence on local authorities. People like to vote Green during times of prosperity but that will probably change rapidly once the party starts seeking to impose carbon taxes on taxpayers. The Labour Party might see a slight bounce too as the palatable party of the left for people who want to vote progressive but not Green. The mix-match bag of hard-left protest parties might find themselves squeezed next weekend. They did well off the back of the water charges protest but have proved to be disruptive rather than productive in council chambers. Independents could have a good election despite national polls showing a drop in public support for non-aligned candidates. As one Fianna Fail TD put it last week, it is a "very local local election" so the issues being debated are quite defined depending on the area. Independent candidates are at times one-issue politicians but it's generally an issue which strikes a chord with their electorate. Five years ago, the country was convulsed by the Government's botched introduction of water charges and repulsed by its callous policy on discretionary medical cards. The two issues dominated the campaign but there is no singular issue this time out. Broadband is coming up on the doors but it certainly hasn't resonated in the same way as water charges did. The Bus Connects plan in Dublin is the main issue which could damage Fine Gael in the capital. Local elections are supposed to be bellwethers ahead of national polls but next week's vote will probably tell us what we already now - that there is very little between Fine Gael and Fianna Fail. Prince Harry has been much praised for his warm, informal approach in announcing the birth of his son, Archie: it's said that he and Meghan are really modernising the British monarchy. Archie being of mixed race is a bonus. Harry addressed media and public as "you guys", and unlike his predecessors, he no longer requires interviewers to call him "Sir". The monarchy is getting with the programme! Yes. But careful, now, Harry. This is a project that every institution has faced - political parties, churches, retail businesses, media and communications. How do you modernise and adapt to a changing world while nevertheless retaining your brand identity? If the British monarchy were to 'modernise' fully it would do away with itself altogether. Monarchy is an archaic constitutional arrangement. It has no basis in rationality, let alone equality: why should one family inherit privilege through a dynastic form? The ultimate modernisation of royalty is abolition. Expand Close Mary Kenny, writer and author. Photo: Tony Gavin / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Mary Kenny, writer and author. Photo: Tony Gavin Thus monarchies have to proceed cautiously. Yes, adapt to changed values and new ways. But a monarchy is nothing without history and tradition, and continuity has to be maintained if the brand is to be plausible. Supposing that Harry and Meghan, instead of having that very pretty wedding ceremony just a year ago, with church ceremonial, music, hymns, prayers and scripture readings, had just popped down to the Windsor Register Office for a simple civil procedure? Or just shacked up together in agreed cohabitation? Modern, yes. But if royals start doing everything like everyone else, they lose their reason for existing - which is to provide a mystique based on dynastic tradition, rich in symbolic meaning. Modern royalty only survives when it is popular. That doesn't always entail being modern in every way. A little bit modern, yes. A little bit diverse, sure. But keep an eye on the continuity. We know the pace of global change has been rapid since the millennium - the American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt reckons that a quantum leap occurred around 2014, when social media really took off. It was predicted that books would disappear, with the rise of Kindle (2007) and the availability of texts on screen. The book trade did indeed take a hit, and bookshops struggled. Why pay good money for something printed and bound in paper and cardboard which clutters your home when you can read every classic ever written by downloading it, cheaply or even free? But the book industry fought back: books were re-branded as objects worth having, with attractive jackets and quality presentation. Book stores sometimes added little coffee shops to their premises, reading spaces, and, above all, events, where people could meet and talk to authors. Book publishers smartened up on the art of hype. Result: last year, the Publishers' Association announced that physical book sales (non-digital) were up by 5pc - demonstrating that you can "modernise" by using imaginative thinking rather than defeatist thinking. The retail trade has been hit by similar upheavals. Personally, I'll never get over the loss of Clerys on O'Connell Street (and small wonder that boulevard is now judged to be drab and slummy, with shuttered-up window fronts), but I suppose it was no longer adapted to the way that people shop today. The long-established English store, Debenham's, has had a similar struggle and is set to close down 22 of its outlets in the UK. Quite how it can modernise and adapt has vexed better business brains than mine, but it's noticeable that some retailers still survive by a canny blend of change and continuity. Can political parties modernise and still maintain their brand? Sinn Fein will surely be a social study for future political PhDs. In recent years, it switched from being anti-EU to being European Union cheerleaders; and from being aligned with traditional Catholic social values, as it often was, to supporting same-sex marriage and abortion rights. Expand Close Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex hold their baby son Archie, during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex hold their baby son Archie, during a photocall in St George's Hall at Windsor Castle. Photo: Dominic Lipinski/Pool via REUTERS Video of the Day There's now a millennial generation who would favour these values, in general, and in reaching for their votes, Sinn Fein can be said to be modernising. How much it will retain of its original "brand" of trademark Irish patriotism is yet to be seen. The Catholic church began a modernising process back in the 1960s. Nuns were still wearing 17th century habits, so modernisation was certainly needed. But the French religious scholar Olivier Roy claims that the church literally threw away the most engaging aspect of its old brand: beauty and tranquillity. Ugly churches and banal liturgy did nothing for spirituality. We veteran journalists have seen huge shifts in the media world. When the digital revolution began, the word went out: "It's the dissolution of the monasteries." Quite so! But the monastic scribes adapted, too, and new and stimulating forms emerged. The printed word, whether on screen or on paper, is still a great way to communicate ideas from one mind to another. That's the core value. Watch how far Harry and Meghan go in modernising royalty - and how much, nevertheless, they retain of the old brand. It's a lesson for us all. Fans are hoping they will find out who will sit on the Iron Throne during the last ever episode of Game Of Thrones. The gritty series, based on the books by George RR Martin, comes to an end after eight seasons. Expand Close Daenerys and Cersei weigh their options as an epic conflict looms at Kings Landing. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Daenerys and Cersei weigh their options as an epic conflict looms at Kings Landing. The sixth and final ever episode of the current series airs on Sunday night on HBO in America, with a double airing in the UK on Sky Atlantic: one at 2am on Monday morning to coincide with the US broadcast, and another at 9pm on the same night. The series stars Emilia Clarke, Kit Harington and Maisie Williams have not given any hints as to the fate of their characters. Clarke, who plays Daenerys Targaryen, previously said on US talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! that the last few episodes would be insane. Disgruntled fans started a petition on Change.org, which has more than 950,000 signatures, to express their dissatisfaction with the storyline of the current series, which is not based on Martins books. The petition berates writers David Benioff and DB Weiss, and adds: This series deserves a final season that makes sense. Plot line aside, the current series also made headlines when eagle-eyed viewers spotted a modern coffee cup on a table during a celebration in Winterfell. Video of the Day The fifth episode, titled The Bells, saw Daenerys unleash her dragon in rage during an attack on Kings Landing, the capital of the Seven Kingdoms. A prequel to Game of Thrones, reportedly titled Bloodmoon, is rumoured to be in the works. Derry Girls star Saoirse-Monica Jackson said she remains committed in promoting causes close to her heart with her new, increasingly high profile. The 25-year-old plays Erin Quinn on the hit Channel 4 show, which takes place in 1990s during the Troubles and a recent addition of the programme to American Netflix has seen the show's audience grow exponentially. With that newfound fame, Jackson is putting her profile to good use and and she and castmates like Nicola Coughlan and Siobhan McSweeney are particularly active on on social media and in interviews highlighting issues in Northern Ireland like legalised abortion and same sex marriage. "By no means are we politicians in any way," she told VIP magazine. "But I've always cared about issues back home and I still care. Derry Girls has highlighted that if Claire was to come out today, like she did in the show, she still wouldn't be able to get married, which is wrong. "And where I stand on abortion is that women should have a choice in the North. We definitely have a lot of catching up to do and it's just a pity that we're still waiting." Jackson, who was born and raised in Derry, said she takes particular pride in being of a show which portrays her native city in such a positive light; crediting Lisa McGee, who wrote the show, for bringing her vision to life. "These are Lisa's words and story," she said. "My character represents her as a teenage girl and being from Derry myself, I think she's done a tremendous job reflecting the town and the people that are from there. I'm proud to know her: she's so humble and I just think she should be delighted with herself. "I often say Derry Girls is like Lisa's love letter to the town and it's a real testament to how people ploughed through and still brought up their kids, went to work, got on with their day, had family disputes and just got on with it." Saoirse-Monica, who lives in London, has been splitting her time across the island of Ireland in recent months. In April, she and her mother Ruth paired up for some photshoots and red carpets and she's currently in Dublin filming There You'll Find Me with legendary actress Vanessa Redgrave. Expand Close Saoirse-Monica Jackson for VIP Magazine. Picture: Emily Quinn/VIP Magazine / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Saoirse-Monica Jackson for VIP Magazine. Picture: Emily Quinn/VIP Magazine "When Im not working and back in London waiting for the next job, I try to see as much theatre and stand-up as possible," she previously told the Sunday Times. "I do a lot of meditation and yoga when Im not working, partly to try and keep the anxiety under wraps and not have a freak-out. I read a lot, currently Milkman, by Anna Burns, plus a lot of scripts for auditions, but I spend a lot of time on my own at home, and it takes some getting used to." Sarah Cass from Castlekelly, Gowran, Co Kilkenny, was crowned Best Dressed Lady at The Royal Ascot Trials and Ladies Day at Naas Kilkenny native Sarah Cass has landed the best dressed title at the races for the second time this month, after impressing judges with her style as Naas Racecourse today. The Dublin-based midwife turned heads at Punchestown earlier this month when she walked away with the Best Dressed Lady prize on the third day of the festival. The theme for today's Royal Ascot Trials and Ladies Day at Naas Racecourse was 'Breaking the Mould', with women encouraged to embrace the concept that racing fashion "does not have to be traditional and predictable". Ms Cass stunned the judges in a printed Rixo dress, hat by Laura Hanlon Millinery and classic Lulu Guinness 'lips' bag. Expand Close Sarah Cass at Naas Racecourse. Photo: Morgan Treacy, INPHO Photography / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sarah Cass at Naas Racecourse. Photo: Morgan Treacy, INPHO Photography Speaking after the win, head judge Lottie Ryan said it was difficult to pick a winner as their was so much interest in the competition this year. "In the end it was Sarah Cass who really stood out as her eye-catching, colourful outfit was paired with fabulous accessories," she said. "It was great to see how Sarah embraced the theme of Breaking the Mould her hat was really incredible, and she just looked effortless." Sarah received a prize to the value of 8,500 for her efforts, which included an overnight stay with dinner in the Manor House at Palmerstown House Estate with 19 of her friends and a 1,000 shopping spree at Kildare Village. "Im absolutely delighted, Im going to use the prize and the trip to Palmerstown Estate as a pre-wedding family get together for my brother who is getting married in June," Sarah said after the win. The 32-year-old previously stole the show at Punchestown in a bottle green guna from Spanish designer Cherubina. She added a pop of red lippy to set off the vibrant green colour. She also wore a custom-made headpiece from Marc Millinery in Cork with a YSL black bag. Expand Close Sarah Cass, from Kilkenny, the winner of the Bollinger best dressed lady competition pictured at the third day of the Punchestown festival, Kildare. Picture credit: Damien Eagers / INM / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Sarah Cass, from Kilkenny, the winner of the Bollinger best dressed lady competition pictured at the third day of the Punchestown festival, Kildare. Picture credit: Damien Eagers / INM Video of the Day The next race at Naas racecourse is their summer BBQ evening on June 26. A group of camels and horses stand idle in front of the Great Pyramids awaiting tourists in Giza, Egypt on March 29, 2017. REUTERS/Mohamed Abd El Ghany/File Photo A damaged bus is seen at the site of a blast near a new museum being built close to the Giza pyramids in Cairo, Egyptm May 19, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh An explosion targeting a tourist bus injured at least 12 people on Sunday, mostly South African tourists, near a new museum being built close to the Giza pyramids in Egypt, two security sources said. A third security source said the bus was carrying 25 South African tourists from the airport to the pyramids area, and that four Egyptians in a nearby car were also injured by broken glass. Pictures posted on social media showed a bus with some of its windows blown out or shattered, and debris in the road next to a low wall with a hole in it. One witness told Reuters he heard a "very loud explosion" while sitting in traffic near the site of the blast. Expand Close An ambulance is seen at the site of a blast near a new museum being built close to the Giza pyramids in Cairo, Egypt May 19, 2019 in this still image taken from a social media video. Stringer/via REUTERS. / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp An ambulance is seen at the site of a blast near a new museum being built close to the Giza pyramids in Cairo, Egypt May 19, 2019 in this still image taken from a social media video. Stringer/via REUTERS. The explosion happened a few hundred metres away from the Grand Egyptian Museum, not far from the site of a roadside blast that hit another tourist bus in December. The museum is due to open next year as the new home for some of the country's top antiquities on a site adjoining the world-famous Giza pyramids. It is part of an effort to boost tourism, a key source of foreign revenue for Egypt. The sector has been recovering after tourist numbers dropped in the wake of a 2011 uprising and the 2015 bombing of a Russian passenger jet. There was no damage to the museum from the blast, which happened 50 metres from its outer fence and more than 400 metres from the museum building, the Antiquities Ministry said in a statement. Expand Close A damaged bus is seen at the site of a blast near a new museum being built close to the Giza pyramids in Cairo, Egyptm May 19, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp A damaged bus is seen at the site of a blast near a new museum being built close to the Giza pyramids in Cairo, Egyptm May 19, 2019. REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh There was no immediate claim of responsibility. Egyptian security forces are waging a counter insurgency campaign against Islamist militants, some with links to Islamic State, that is focussed in the north of the Sinai Peninsula. Attacks outside Sinai have been relatively rare. In December, three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian guide were killed and at least 10 others injured when a roadside bomb hit their tour bus less than 4 kilometres (2.5 miles) from the Giza pyramids. A billionaire technology investor has stunned graduates at a US college by announcing he will pay off all their student loans estimated at 40 million dollars (31m). Robert F Smith made the announcement while addressing nearly 400 graduating students at the all-male historically black Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr Smith is the founder and CEO of Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm that invests in software, data and technology-driven companies. On behalf of the eight generations of my family that have been in this country, were gonna put a little fuel in your bus, the investor and philanthropist told graduates in his morning address. This is my class, 2019. And my family is making a grant to eliminate their student loans. The announcement immediately drew stunned looks from faculty and students alike. Then the graduates broke into the biggest cheers of the morning. Morehouse said it is the single largest gift to the college. We are enough to ensure that we have all the opportunities of the American dream.Robert F Smith Mr Smith, who received an honorary doctorate from Morehouse during the ceremony, had already announced a 1.5 million dollar (1.2m) gift to the school. The pledge to eliminate student debt for the class of 2019 is estimated to be 40 million dollars. Mr Smith said he expected the recipients to pay it forward and said he hoped that every class has the same opportunity going forward. Because we are enough to take care of our own community, Mr Smith said. We are enough to ensure that we have all the opportunities of the American dream. And we will show it to each other through our actions and through our words and through our deeds. In the weeks before graduating from Morehouse on Sunday, 22-year-old finance major Aaron Mitchom drew up a spreadsheet to calculate how long it would take him to pay back his 200,000 dollars in student loans 25 years at half his monthly salary, according to his calculations. In an instant, that number vanished. Mr Mitchom, sitting in the crowd, wept. Expand Close Graduates react after hearing billionaire technology investor and philanthropist Robert F Smith say he will provide grants to wipe out the student debt of the entire 2019 graduating class at Morehouse College in Atlanta (Steve Schaefer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Graduates react after hearing billionaire technology investor and philanthropist Robert F Smith say he will provide grants to wipe out the student debt of the entire 2019 graduating class at Morehouse College in Atlanta (Steve Schaefer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP) I can delete that spreadsheet, he said in an interview after the ceremony. I dont have to live off of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I was shocked. My heart dropped. We all cried. In the moment it was like a burden had been taken off. His mother, Tina Mitchom, was also shocked. Eight family members, including Mr Mitchoms 76-year-old grandmother, took turns over four years co-signing on the loans that got him across the finish line. It takes a village, she said. It now means he can start paying it forward and start closing this gap a lot sooner, giving back to the college and thinking about a succession plan for his younger siblings. Morehouse College president David A Thomas said the gift would have a profound effect on the students futures. Many of my students are interested in going into teaching, for example, but leave with an amount of student debt that makes that untenable, Mr Thomas said. In some ways, it was a liberation gift for these young men that just opened up their choices. A couple kisses as they celebrate after Taiwan became the first place in Asia to legalise same-sex marriage REUTERS/Tyrone Siu TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY Gay couples in Taiwan plan a mass wedding registration after politicians voted to legalise same-sex marriage. The vote made Taiwan the first place in Asia with a comprehensive law both allowing and laying out the terms of same-sex marriage and followed two decades of campaigning. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, a supporter of the law, tweeted: "On May 17th, 2019 in Taiwan, LoveWon. We took a big step toward true equality, and made Taiwan a better country." At least 20 same-sex couples are planning a mass marriage registration in Taipei on May 24, a spokesman for the advocacy group Marriage Equality Coalition Taiwan said. The newlyweds and hundreds of invitees will hold a mass party a day later on a blocked-off boulevard outside the presidential office, the event organiser said. The law will give a boost to Jay Lin and his partner, who hope to marry and assume joint custody of their two two-year-old sons. They plan to register after May 24. "A lot of gay parents are excited about that already," said Lin, a Taipei-based online streaming service founder. "I think once more people are married and more families are more comfortable being out in public, that will naturally have a beneficial impact on society and on people's minds," Lin said. Thousands of people, including same-sex couples, demonstrated on Friday morning in the rainy streets outside parliament before the vote. Many carried rainbow-coloured placards reading "The vote cannot fail." About 50 opponents sat under a tent outside parliament and gave speeches favouring marriage between only men and women. Religion, conservative values and political systems that discourage LGBT activism have slowed momentum toward same-sex marriage in many Asian countries from Japan through much of Southeast Asia, although Thailand is exploring the legalisation of same-sex civil partnerships. "This will help spark a debate in Thailand, and hopefully will help Thailand move faster on our own partnership bill," said Wattana Keiangpa of the Asia Pacific Coalition on Male Sexual Health. Phil Robertson, deputy Asia director for Human Rights Watch, said Taiwan's action should "sound a clarion call, kicking off a larger movement across Asia to ensure equality for LGBT people and pro-active protection of their rights by governments throughout the region." Taiwan's acceptance of gay and lesbian relationships began in the 1990s when leaders in today's ruling Democratic Progressive Party championed the cause to help Taiwan stand out in Asia as an open society. Although claimed by China as its own territory, Taiwan is a self-governing democracy with a vibrant civil society dedicated to promoting rights for sexual and ethnic minorities, women, the handicapped and others. Mainland China, ruled by the authoritarian Communist Party, remains much more conservative and officials have repeatedly discouraged even the discussion of legalising same-sex marriage. Fast-growing female health startup Elvie has said it would consider quitting the UK in the event of a damaging Brexit in the latest stark warning from Londons tech sector. (Elvie/PA) Fast-growing female health startup Elvie has said it would consider quitting the UK in the event of a damaging Brexit in the latest stark warning from Londons tech sector. Elvie which is backed by veteran City investor and former Conservative Party treasurer Michael Spencer cautioned it could look to quit the UK for Europe if Brexit threatened to knock Londons international reputation and access to investment and talent. Speaking to the Press Association, the groups chief executive and co-founder Tania Boler said the UK is one of the best places in the world for startups, having recently secured the biggest ever femtech investment. Elvie, which is behind the award-winning Kegel trainer and app that helps women strengthen their pelvic floor, completed a record 42 million US dollars (33 million) funding round in April. But Ms Boler said: We are nimble and already quite international if it is looking like Brexit will have a negative impact on the UK, wed have to consider moving. She said there is great talent in London, though a third of Elvies staff are European. Her comments come after recent survey data found one in four tech startups in London claimed to have lost out on investment as a direct result of Brexit. The poll, commissioned by technology entrepreneur network Tech London Advocates, also revealed more than half found it harder to attract international talent during the EU withdrawal negotiations. Ms Boler said Elvies success in securing the bumper funding round shows that London can compete with the US, but the pioneering entrepreneur is mindful of Brexit and the impact it may have. The group is fast becoming one of the UKs big success stories in the so-called femtech sector. We want to be the Apple of women's tech.Tania Boler, Elvie co-founder and chief executive Having completed its funding round led by Mr Spencers private investment vehicle IPGL, with support from venture capital firms Octopus Ventures and Impact Ventures UK the group is now planning to expand further internationally and boost its research and development capabilities. Elvie wants to grow its reach and sales across the US and China, with plans to set up a team in China over the next year. Ms Boler said the group is ambitious, with aims to become the first ever global womens health tech brand. We want to be the Apple of womens tech, she said. But her sights are not just set on womens health and in five years, she wants to conquer all tech health issues. My idea is that when we have solved womens health, then we will look at mens health they (men) talk about things even less than women. Elvie is forecasting revenues of 23 million in 2019, with soaring sales of its silent wearable breast pump for nursing mothers the first product of its kind in the world. It has already amassed an army of celebrity fans for its products from Hollywood A-lister Gwyneth Paltrow and Khloe Kardashian to British TV presenter Davina McCall. One of its successes so far was also having its breast pump which was launched in 2018 included in this years highly coveted Oscars goodie bag. Ms Boler said with her global domination plans in sight, the group may at some stage consider strategic acquisitions or a stock market float. But for now she said they are building their in-house capabilities, hiring more staff across its operations and growing overseas. Things are happening much faster than we thought they would, she said. Id say within two years, well have cemented out position as the first ever global femtech brand. A Houthi security officer reacts at the site of an air strike launched by the Saudi-led coalition in Sanaa, Yemen. Photo: Mohamed al-Sayaghi/Reuters The United Nations refugee agency said it was "deeply saddened" by the targeting of civilians in recent airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition last week, which left at least six dead including four children, in Yemen's capital of Sana'a. The UN agency issued a statement quoting its spokesman Andrej Mahecic as saying that refugees were among those injured in last Thursday's attacks, including a Somali woman and her daughter who were receiving "critical" medical treatment. The strikes on Houthi targets in Sana'a were launched after the Iran-backed rebels claimed responsibility for an armed drone attack on two oil-pumping stations in Saudi Arabia two days earlier. Residents in Sana'a shared photographs of civilians dragging the limp bodies of children out of the rubble of a residential building. They later circulated an image of a little girl, who was believed to be the sole survivor of an airstrike that hit her home. The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, says the humanitarian conditions for more than 275,000 refugees and asylum seekers who live in Yemen have "deteriorated significantly" due to the ongoing war. Yemen's four-year-old civil war has produced what the UN has called the "world's worst humanitarian crisis" and pushed more than 13 million people to the brink of famine. A preliminary ceasefire deal was hammered out during talks held in Sweden in December, anchored on the withdrawal of all troops from the lifeline port city of Hodeidah, which had become the front line of the conflict. Under the agreement, the Red Sea port - Yemen's main channel for food and aid - would be handed over to a civil authority. Five months on, the withdrawal tentatively has begun, with the Houthis saying last week they had unilaterally pulled out of Hodeidah and two other ports after Gulf-backed government troops refused to. The Yemen authorities later accused the Houthis of merely handing over the port to fighters dressed in coastguard uniforms. Last Wednesday, fighting between the two sides again erupted in the city. Talks were held in the Jordanian capital Amman the following day, but the warring sides failed to agree on how to manage revenues from Hodeidah. Tensions are still ratcheting up after last Tuesday's drone attack on two Saudi oil-pumping stations. Saudi Arabia's deputy defence minister has accused Iran of ordering the attack. "The terrorist acts, ordered by the regime in Tehran and carried out by the Houthis, are tightening the noose around the ongoing political efforts," Prince Khalid bin Salman tweeted. Lt Col Richard Cole, who has died aged 103, was the last survivor of the 80 US airmen known as the "Doolittle Raiders" who carried out the first air attack against the Japanese mainland in World War II. Two weeks after the devastating attack against Pearl Harbour in December 1941, and a series of unbroken reverses in the Pacific, President Franklin D Roosevelt tasked his military chiefs to find a way to strike Japan as soon as possible to boost morale. An audacious proposal to launch a number of twin-engined B-25 Mitchell bombers from an aircraft carrier was proposed, and after a series of trials the idea was accepted. Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle was detailed to plan and lead the raid and he chose Cole to be his co-pilot. Sixteen Mitchells, modified to carry extra fuel, were loaded on to the aircraft carrier Hornet in San Francisco before it sailed towards Japan. On the morning of April 18 1942, a Japanese picket boat sighted the naval task force when it was 650 miles off the coast. The plan had been to launch the bombers at a range of 450 miles but Doolittle decided to take off immediately. None of the crews had taken off from an aircraft carrier before. Doolittle and Cole lined up their aircraft on the Hornet's 500 ft deck and were just airborne by the time they reached the end. Throughout the mission, the two pilots alternated in flying the bomber. After a six-hour flight at low level they dropped their bombs on Tokyo and on nearby towns, having encountered limited opposition. The bombing caused only light damage before the Mitchells turned away at treetop height and headed for China with the aim of landing at Nationalist Chinese airstrips. Due to the earlier take-off and the longer flight to the target, the aircraft ran low on fuel and none were able to reach the airstrips. After a 13-hour flight, 15 were lost in Japanese-occupied territory or ditched, while one flew on to the Soviet Union. Doolittle and his four crewmen baled out after crossing the coast. Cole landed in a tree on a mountain and rested overnight before making contact with Chinese guerrillas, and he was soon reunited with the rest of his crew. After an arduous journey they reached an airstrip, where they were picked up by a US military transport aircraft and flown to Chungking, the headquarters of the Nationalist Chinese. The raid was a major boost to morale and became a legend when it was dramatised in the 1944 film Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo. Doolittle was awarded the Medal of Honour, the highest US decoration for gallantry, while Cole received the first of his DFCs. Richard Eugene Cole was born on September 7 1915 in Dayton, Ohio. He attended the Marion L Steele High School, then Ohio University. He enlisted in the US Army Air Force in November 1940 and trained as a pilot. He was commissioned in July 1941 and initially flew anti-submarine patrols off the west coast of the US. After the Doolittle Raid, Cole flew transport aircraft in Burma, including carrying supplies to China on the dangerous route over the Himalayan Mountains. He served with the Air Commandos and supported Allied forces operating behind Japanese lines. Richard Cole married Marty, who died in 2003. He is survived by their daughter and son. In its escalating confrontation with Iran, the US is making the same mistake it has made again and again since the fall of the Shah 40 years ago: it is ignoring the danger of plugging into what is in large part a religious conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims. I have spent much of my career as a correspondent in the Middle East, since the Iranian revolution in 1979, reporting crises and wars in which the US and its allies fatally underestimated the religious motivation of their adversaries. This has meant they have come out the loser, or simply failed to win, in conflicts in which the balance of forces appeared to them to be very much in their favour. It has happened at least four times. It occurred in Lebanon after the Israeli invasion of 1982, when the turning point was the blowing up of the US Marine barracks in Beirut the following year, in which 241 US military personnel were killed. In the eight-year Iran-Iraq war during 1980-88, the west and the Sunni states of the region backed Saddam Hussein, but it ended in a stalemate. After 2003, the US-British attempt to turn post-Saddam Iraq into an anti-Iranian bastion spectacularly foundered. Similarly, after 2011, the west and states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey tried in vain to get rid of Bashar al-Assad and his regime in Syria - the one Arab state firmly in the Iranian camp. Now the same process is under way yet again, and likely to fail for the same reasons as before: the US, along with its local allies, will be fighting not only Iran but whole Shia communities in different countries, mostly in the northern tier of the Middle East between Afghanistan and the Mediterranean. Donald Trump looks to sanctions to squeeze Iran while national security adviser John Bolton and secretary of state Mike Pompeo promote war as a desirable option. But all three denounce Hezbollah in Lebanon or the Popular Mobilisation Units in Iraq as Iranian proxies, though they are primarily the military and political arm of the indigenous Shia, which are a plurality in Lebanon, a majority in Iraq and a controlling minority in Syria. The Iranians may be able to strongly influence these groups, but they are not Iranian puppets which would wither and disappear once Iranian backing is removed. Allegiance to nation states in the Middle East is generally weaker than loyalty to communities defined by religion, such the Alawites, the two-million-strong ruling Shia sect in Syria to which Bashar al-Assad and his closest lieutenants belong. People will fight and die to defend their religious identity but not necessarily for the nationality printed on their passports. Expand Close Iranian president Hassan Rouhani / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Iranian president Hassan Rouhani When the militarised Islamist cult Isis defeated the Iraqi national army by capturing Mosul in 2014, it was a fatwa from the Shia Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani that sent tens of thousands of volunteers rushing to defend Baghdad. Earlier in the fighting in Homs and Damascus in Syria, it was the non-Sunni districts that were the strongpoints of the regime. For example, the opposition were eager to take the strategically important airport road in the capital, but were held back by a district defended by Druze and Christian militiamen. This is not what Trump's allies in Saudi Arabia, UAE and Israel want Washington to believe; for them, the Shia are all Iranian stooges. For the Saudis, every rocket fired by the Houthis in Yemen into Saudi Arabia - though minimal in destructive power compared to the four-year Saudi bombing campaign in Yemen - can only have happened because of a direct instruction from Tehran. Last Thursday, for instance, Prince Khalid Bin Salman, the vice minister for defence and the brother of Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, claimed on Twitter that drone attacks on Saudi oil pumping stations, were "ordered" by Iran. He said that "the terrorist acts, ordered by the regime in Tehran, and carried out by the Houthis, are tightening the noose around the ongoing political efforts". He added: "These militias are merely a tool that Iran's regime uses to implement its expansionist agenda in the region." There is nothing new in this paranoid reaction by Sunni rulers to actions by distinct Shia communities (in this case the Houthis) attributing everything without exception to the guiding hand of Iran. I was in Bahrain in 2011 where the minority Sunni monarchy had just brutally crushed protests by the Shia majority with Saudi military support. Among those tortured were Shia doctors in a hospital who had treated injured demonstrators. Part of the evidence against them was a piece of technologically advanced medical equipment - I cannot remember if it was used for monitoring the heart or the brain or some other condition - which the doctors were accused of using to receive instructions from Iran about how to promote a revolution. This type of absurd conspiracy theory used not to get much of hearing in Washington, but Trump and his acolytes are on record on as saying that nearly all acts of "terrorism" can be traced to Iran. This conviction risks sparking a war between the US and Iran because there are plenty of angry Shia in the Middle East who might well attack some US facility on their own accord. It might also lead to somebody in one of those states eager for a US-Iran armed conflict - Saudi Arabia, UAE and Israel come to mind - that staging a provocative incident that could be blamed on Iran might be in their interests. But what would such a war achieve? The military invasion of Iran is not militarily or politically feasible so there would be no decisive victory. An air campaign and a close naval blockade of Iran might be possible, but there are plenty of pressure points through which Iran could retaliate, from mines in the Strait of Hormuz to rockets fired at the Saudi oil facilities on the western side of the Gulf. A little-noticed feature of the US denunciations of Iranian interference using local proxies in Iraq, Syria and Lebanon is not just that they are exaggerated but, even if they were true, they come far too late. Iran is already on the winning side in all three countries. If war does come it will be hard fought. Shia communities throughout the region will feel under threat. As for the US, the first day is usually the best for whoever starts a war in the Middle East and after that their plans unravel as they become entangled in a spider's web of dangers they failed to foresee. Independent Justin Trudeau's government has been accused of trying to buy media support ahead of crucial elections by launching a $600m taxpayer-funded bailout for Canadian newspapers. The fund for "supporting Canadian journalism" would give tax credits and other incentives to traditional media organisations struggling to cope in the digital age. A bill introducing the fund is expected to pass the Canadian parliament ahead of October's general election. The Conservative opposition said the scheme would compromise journalists, move Canada toward "state-run media", and lead to favourable pre-election coverage for Mr Trudeau and his party. Pierre Poilievre, a Conservative MP, told reporters: "I think it's very dangerous. Trudeau wants to define what constitutes acceptable journalism, and give money to those who meet that definition." Under the plan, an "independent" panel - made up of members from the "news and journalism community" appointed by government - will determine which organisations will benefit. Reaction in the media has been mixed, with the CWA Canada journalists' union giving it a cautious welcome. Paul Godfrey, the chief executive of Postmedia, which publishes Canada's National Post, Vancouver Sun and Montreal Gazette, has called it a "turning point in the plight of newspapers" and suggested journalists should be "doing victory laps". However, Andrew Coyne, a National Post columnist, has warned it will "irrevocably politicise the press" and called on journalists to boycott the "accursed" panel. Meanwhile, broadcasters complained that they were being ignored. In a letter to the government, the Canadian Association of Broadcasters said it was "hugely disappointed" that television and radio operators would not be eligible. It suggested the move would "solve the problems of one medium at the expense of another". Telegraph US diplomats have warned that commercial airliners flying over the Persian Gulf face a risk of being "misidentified" amid heightened tensions between the US and Iran. The warning relayed by US diplomatic posts from the Federal Aviation Administration underlined the risks the tensions pose to a region crucial to global air travel. It came as Lloyd's of London also warned of increased risks to shipping in the region. Concerns about a possible conflict have flared since the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran that has seen America order non-essential diplomatic staff out of Iraq. President Donald Trump has since sought to soften his tone. Meanwhile, authorities allege that a sabotage operation targeted four oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, and Iran-aligned rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a crucial Saudi oil pipeline. Saudi Arabia blamed Iran for the drone assault, and a local newspaper linked to the Al Saud royal family called for America to launch "surgical strikes" on Tehran. This all takes root in Mr Trump's decision last year to withdraw the US from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers and impose wide-reaching sanctions. Tehran has since announced it will begin withdrawing from the deal, setting a 60-day deadline for Europe to come up with new terms or it would begin enriching uranium closer to weapons-grade levels. Tehran has long insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, but the West fears its programme could allow it to build atomic bombs. The order relayed yesterday by US diplomats in Kuwait and the UAE came from an FAA Notice to Airmen published late last Thursday in the US. It said that all commercial aircraft flying over the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman needed to be aware of "heightened military activities and increased political tension". This presents "an increasing inadvertent risk to US civil aviation operations due to the potential for miscalculation or misidentification", the warning said. It said aircraft could experience interference with navigation instruments and communications jamming "with little to no warning". Iran's foreign minister said yesterday that the Islamic Republic is "not seeking war". Mohammed Javad Zarif said: "In fact, as the supreme leader said, there will be no war since we are not seeking war and nobody in the region is suffering from a hallucination to think that he is able to confront Iran." Mr Zarif added that though Mr Trump has said he is not seeking war, "some that have sat around him" are pushing conflict. The Persian Gulf has become a major gateway for East-West travel in the aviation industry. Dubai International Airport in the United Arab Emirates, home to Emirates, is the world's busiest for international travel, while long-haul carrier Etihad also operates there. In a statement, Emirates said it was aware of the notice and in touch with authorities worldwide, but "at this time there are no changes to our flight operations". Qatar Airways similarly said it was aware of the notice but its operations were unaffected. Meanwhile, an Iraqi oil official said employees of energy giant Exxon Mobil were evacuating an oil field in the southern province of Basra. The official said all those being evacuated are foreigners or Iraqis with other nationalities. The US has already ordered all non-essential diplomatic staff out of Iraq. Lloyd's Market Association Joint War Committee added the Persian Gulf, the Gulf of Oman and the United Arab Emirates to its list of areas posing higher risk to insurers. It also expanded its list to include the Saudi coast as a risk area. The USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group have yet to reach the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a third of all oil traded at sea passes. A Revolutionary Guard deputy has warned that any armed conflict would affect the global energy market. Iran has long threatened to shut off the strait. Associated Press A Chicago woman has been charged with murder after allegedly strangling a pregnant teenager and cutting the baby from her womb. Clarisa Figueroa, 46, had previously sold baby clothes to 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, and lured her back to her house with an offer of more clothing, investigators said. Expand Close Clarisa Figueroa (Chicago Police Department/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Clarisa Figueroa (Chicago Police Department/AP) They added that Figueroa apparently wanted to raise another child two years after her adult son died of natural causes. Words cannot express how disgusting and thoroughly disturbing these allegations are, Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson told reporters at a news conference to announce murder charges against Figueroa and her 24-year-old daughter, Desiree Figueroa. Expand Close Desiree Figueroa (Chicago Police Department/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Desiree Figueroa (Chicago Police Department/AP) The mothers boyfriend, 40-year-old Piotr Bobak, was charged with concealment of a homicide. The charges come three weeks after Ms Ochoa-Lopez disappeared and a day after her body was discovered in a bin in the back yard of Figueroas home on the citys Southwest Side, about four miles from her own home. Expand Close Piotr Bobak (Chicago Police Department/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Piotr Bobak (Chicago Police Department/AP) Read More According to police, the young woman drove from her high school to Figueroas home in response to an offer of free clothes that Clarisa Figueroa had posted on Facebook. When she arrived, police said, she was strangled with a cord and the baby cut from her body. A few hours later, Clarisa Figueroa frantically called 911, claiming that her newborn baby was not breathing. When first responders arrived, the boy was blue. They tried to resuscitate him and took him to hospital, where police said he remained in grave condition and was not expected to survive. Police did not connect the womans disappearance and the 911 call about the baby until May 7, when friends of Ms Ochoa-Lopez directed detectives to her social media account, which showed she had communicated with Clarisa Figueroa in a Facebook group for expectant mothers. At the same time, Clarisa Figueroa had started a GoFundMe campaign for the funeral of what she said was her dying baby, said Sara Walker, a spokeswoman for Ms Ochoa-Lopezs family. Police then conducted DNA tests which showed Ms Ochoa-Lopez and her husband, Yiovanni Lopez, were the babys parents, Ms Walker said. Expand Close Yiovanni Lopez (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Yiovanni Lopez (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times/AP) When police arrived to question Clarisa Figueroa, her daughter said her mother was in hospital with a leg injury, before adding she had just delivered a baby, said Brendan Deenihan, deputy chief of detectives. Police searched the neighbourhood and found Ms Ochoa-Lopezs car a few blocks away. On Tuesday, they returned with a search warrant, finding cleaning supplies as well as evidence of blood in the hallway and the bathroom. They later found the body in a waste bin behind the house and recovered surveillance video that showed Ms Ochoa-Lopezs vehicle driving through the neighbourhood on the day they believed she was killed, authorities said. Expand Close Missing person notice for Marlen Ochoa-Lopez (Chicago Police/Chicago Tribune/AP) / Facebook Twitter Email Whatsapp Missing person notice for Marlen Ochoa-Lopez (Chicago Police/Chicago Tribune/AP) Ms Ochoa-Lopezs family had been looking for her since her disappearance on April 23, organising search parties and holding news conferences as they pushed police for updates. Her father, Arnulfo Ochoa, said relatives were grateful to have found her, and now they want justice. The family was also bracing for the babys death, while still hoping for a miracle. We plead to God that he gives us our child because that is a blessing that my wife left for us, Mr Lopez told reporters through a Spanish interpreter outside the morgue where his wifes body was taken. The three suspects are scheduled to appear in court on June 3. Cannes has just begun and our Indian actors have already taken everyone by storm! After landing in the city on Thursday, Deepika Padukone had posted an Instagram video, sharing, "We have just landed. We have to settle in because we don't have much time. As soon as we get into hotel, we have to start with hair and make-up and literally a five minute fitting. Let's go." Agencies Ahead of her Cannes trip, she had asked her fans to help her choose an outfit. "Do you think I should wear red on the red carpet? Yes or No," she had posted on her Instagram Story and what happened a few hours later was a completely different story! In case you are wondering what our Indian ladies have been up to, fret no more! We have all the deets! 1. Deepika Padukone Actress Deepika Padukone went as dramatic as it could get for her red carpet appearance at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival, where she wore a cream dress with a gigantic bow taking most of the attention away from her striking make-up and unique hairdo. Agencies Deepika, here to represent a cosmetics brand, wore a creation by designer Peter Dundas for the event. The cream gown had a front slit, a plunging neckline, exaggerated sleeves and a bow. Agencies Her eye makeup exuded drama with dark reverse winged eyeliner and a sleek and neat high ponytail. She looked fresh and wore her confidence on her sleeve with no sign of fatigue even though she got ready amid a tight schedule, and her husband, actor Ranveer Singh paid a compliment as always. Agencies "BABY," wrote Ranveer, who expressed his excitement with several exclamation marks. He also called her "elegance ki moorat." Cannes Clearly, she surprised fans with her choice of outfit and internet flooded with amazing comments for her. 2. Priyanka Chopra For her debut at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas looked fiery in a bold black and red embellished ensemble, a custom creation by Roberto Cavalli. She carried the strapless gown with a thigh-high slit that made her look absolutely stunning. Agencies The former Miss World took to the red carpet with a smile on her face and folded her hands to gesture 'Namaste'. Her accessories were limited to statement earrings, while her hair was left simple in loose curls. Agencies Priyanka is at the gala for a brand association. Earlier on Thursday, she was seen here in a white ensemble inspired by what the late Lady Diana once wore to the Cannes Film Festival. Priyanka had made cryptic Instagram posts ahead of her visit to the Cannes Film Festival, suggesting that her outfits may be inspired by fashion icons such as Lady Diana, Grace Kelly and Sophia Loren. 3. Kangana Ranaut Kangana opted for a traditional Kanjeevaram sari styled with a sequined corset and gloves for the 72nd Cannes Film Festival. During a session at the festival, she spoke her heart out and said female actors can now find a space for themselves and do not have to fit into stereotypes. She said, Today I see so many actresses who can have a successful career if they dont know dancing. Or if you are a dancer, you can continue doing that, but I feel that since the last year or two, a lot of women have made a comeback, be it Neena Gupta or Madhuri Dixit without being frowned upon for age. So, there are not mainstream things that are happening, but at least there are some examples to begin with, and its not a bad thing." She later changed into a black embellished pant suit. 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. Recent Oxfam report shows that womens labour force participation in India is among the worlds lowest and gender pay gap is 34 per cent. It means that women in India, irrespective of employment category (casual and regular/salaried) - organised or unorganised sector, and location (urban and rural) - are paid 34 percent less compared to men for performing the same job with same qualifications. Youtube We spoke to the women rights activist, Kavita Krishnan, on the issue that needs immediate attention. Here are the excerpts: 1. Data on women employability in the informal sector is not that readily available when we look at statistics on labour employment. What reasons do you think are responsible for the same and its implications? There is no precise data, but it is widely accepted that around 94 per cent of women who are working in India are working in the informal sector, according to Jayati Ghosh's work, Never done and poorly paid. So, women end up doing the most insecure, ill-paid and casual jobs in India, because it falls in the informal sector, labour laws are mostly flouted and women aren't respected there. Maternity benefits are flouted on a daily basis. There exist no safeguards whatsoever. 2. Daily-wage labourers come from all parts of the country. But we see gender ratio skewed highly towards the males in terms of participation? Why so? The answer for this should not be only located in family patriarchy and related phenomenons. However, it is much more complicated than what is perceived. The same family that would show no resistance with women going out to work in rural Bihar and working as Anganwadi workers or as agricultural labourers, will show reluctance to work as migrant labourers. The reason is that the living conditions of the migrant labourers are poor. And of course there is a huge gender gap because the conditions are so hard and exploitative, naturally, women end up not doing this type of job. 3. What reason do you believe is behind falling women participation? Overall the reason for womens participation falling in the labour workforce is mainly located in the conditions of work at home and outside as well. If there were measures by the state to reduce the womens unpaid labour at home and to ensure that unionisation can happen in the informal sector as well as formal sector, I think then the labour force participation would definitely rise. But, women do form a large chunk of the agricultural workforce, however, it doesn't constitute even a significant proportion in urban labour workforce. I can see that there is a willingness to work but there is less employment in certain sectors and the area where the work is available to tend to be so exploitative and ill-paid. For instance, see garment workers in Bangalore, an urban sector where women are employed. The women are undergoing enormous stress, because the conditions of work are extremely abusive. Which in turn strains the already burdened situation at home. So their own willingness to come out and keep working reduces significantly. Instead, I have seen that they want to get relieved of the obligation to work outside the home. 4. What are the safeguards or changes do you think needs to be brought about keeping the current scenario in mind with such minimalist representation? According to the national family health survey and India human development survey, womens mobility can be looked at two levels. First, going outside the home without seeking permission, another is seeking permission before going outside the home to work. What we see across caste and communities, there isn't much of a difference as most of us assume. Interestingly, the women in backward communities and more oppressed tend to be more mobile in venturing outside the home. However, the obligation to take permission to go outside the home is common across all the sections. What we observe with rising incomes is the womens mobility tends to drop. There are multiple reasons for the same. Rising income strengthens patriarchal ideas. Ideally, women are allowed to go work outside because of certain necessities, the moment that disappears it directly impacts the decision of whether the women would work. 5. But isn't this an oversimplified understanding of the issue? Yes, as I stated that since the conditions are so exploitative in workplaces. With rising income, women also tend to be less willing to work in such conditions. Especially, they have a double burden of unpaid work at home. 6. How can this change? This would change if certain structural changes were made in the economy and society. These should include ensuring lesser exploitative work conditions, ensuring more unionisation at the workplace, getting rid of the gender gap as well as lowering the burden of unpaid care work of women. Schemes like Ujjawala Yojna are good measure by the government, however, women lack any sort of financial capital to even derive something out of this scheme. In the last five years, funds have been diverted to Swachta Campaign, which has focused on building toilets, rather than ensuring a clean supply of water. The supply of potable water has reduced in rural India and that has increased women labour as they have to travel long distances to get clean drinking water. 7. Do you think migrant daily wage workers form an active political workforce? Migrant daily wage labourers are not a political force in India. Primarily because they cannot vote where they are working. Unionisation isn't allowed in most places. For instance, see the case of workers who have come to build the Delhi metro are provided separate labour camps and they aren't allowed to contact with the wider world. However, to this is one exception: construction workers. In short, since they are not allowed to organize and thus cannot act as a political force. The interviewers are freelance journalists working on a project - Latent Dreams - which dwells into the problems, dreams and aspirations of migrant daily-wage labours in Delhi. Eleven villages near India-Pakistan border at Hussainiwala have been waiting for 40 years for a bridge over river Sutrej. In last 40 years, many elections, both assembly as well as the parliament, came and went, several assurances and promises were given too, but to no avail. The magnitude of their problem can be measured from the fact the farmers have to transport not only their produce from the crops but also their tractors on the wooden blocks to get across the river and the farmers from these 11 villages have always been on the receiving ends of the political promises. The farmers have to go 10-12 km extra if they use road route. It has been for 40 years that the villagers keep getting promises but none paid heed and over the years, the farmers have been losing their crop many a time during winds when the boat turns turtle. AP/Representational Image We have been promised the bridge since Indira Gandhis time. Yet, in 2019, farmers have to cross the river daily to reach their farms and ship their produce. When the river swells during monsoon, all our fields go under water and we lose the entire crop, Bhagwant Singh, a farmer told The New Indian Express. BCCL/Representational Image Bhagwant Singh is among several farmers who have many stories to tell of the apathy, the government has practised over the years. I along with several others farmers have been standing outside the mandi for the last eight to ten days to sell wheat but we dont know when well get the chance. There is no system in place to collect wheat. With bad weather threatening, there are chances that our stock could get soaked and wasted. There has been no succour for the problems faced by farmers despite the fact that we feed the entire nation, said Balkar Singh, a farmer at Gobindgarh mandi. For anyone who has visited Old Delhi, the first thing that hits is its chaos marked by the cacophony of sellers, traders, hoteliers and street vendors. However, amongst all this racket, it would be impossible to miss the sight of small gunny sacs lining one corner of the pavement. The sacs contain paints, brushes, hammers, nails and various other plumbing equipment. Sitting in front of the are a group of daily wage labourers looking for work. Intifada Basheer They come to Chadni Chowks labour market everyday at 7 am. Youll find them sitting there throughout the day till 4 in the evening patiently waiting for anyone who might be in need for their services. The group that I spoke to on a fine Monday morning this March, mostly consisted of painters but there were even a few carpenters and plumbers. As I made my way towards them with my camera and tripod in hand, Ramesh Jatav greeted me with a gentle smile and enquired what I was up to. As our conversation continued, I learnt that he was from Moradabad in the neighbouring state of Uttar Pradesh, and has been living in Delhi for the past 10 years. Intifada Basheer A painter by profession, he was there that day waiting for any warehouse owner, any couple looking to renovate their house or any government clerkthe usual potential employers, who come to the labour market looking for daily wage painters who can do a days work. By then, I had spent about an hour loitering around the area, but Ramesh and his group of migrant labourers were glued to the same placewaiting. Curious to know how long it takes to find work everyday I asked Ramesh if there was any specific time of the day when employers came looking for labour. People come when they need to get work done. We sit here everyday from morning to evening and wait. At times I find work, at times I dont. The past couple of years have been rough for us, especially after demonitisation. Lets see how it goes today, he replied. Intifada Basheer Beside him, smoking his tenth bidi for the day, was Muzammil Abbas, a carpenter. Muzammil didn't share Rameshs talkative nature. He was from Hyderabad, 1,500 kilometers away from the National Capital. He migrated to Delhi in the 1980s. Back then, Hyderabad wasnt developed and many people around me were migrating to the North. Therefore, I too decided to join them. Since then, I have been here, he recalled. Without a family, living by himself in a city with a starkly different culture than his, Ramesh feels quite stuck here. Intifada Basheer "Since I have lived in Hyderabad almost all my life," chatting with me in Telugu he said, "It feels quite weird speaking in his mother tongue in a place thats dominated by Hindi speakers." Before I could I ask him why he hasnt moved back home, now that Hyderabad has developed into a metropolitan city with ample job opportunities, Muzammil hastily picked up his gunny sac of tools and rushed towards a man who came looking for him. Thats one of his regular employer, explained Santosh, another migrant labourer from the group. Intifada Basheer Most daily wage labourers in the city rely on government sponsored Rain Baseras/shelter homes for accommodation. Even though this guarantees them a decent and safe place to live, many prefer to camp out on the streets as this ensures them an early spot at the labour chowk every morning. Intifada Basheer Unlike other labour chowks in the city, this one at Chadni Chowk stands out for the fact that most labourers here belong to the age group of 50-60 years, who arrived in the city during the 1980s. Intifada Basheer We came here a long time ago, however we don't usually see a lot of new people coming here nowadays, said Manjit. When asked what gives them the strength to practice this profession at such an age, the answer is immediate.There is no other way for us, when your stomach calls you have to do this mundane and tiring job, Santosh said with a grin. Intifada Basheer As the day progressed, the number of labourers waiting at the chowk steadily decreased. Not that many of them found work, rather the fact that wages drop by every passing hour is the main reason why most of them return home slowly one by one. As I too wound up to leave, this verse of poetry by Milkazada Manzoor Ahmad comes to my mind: Chehre pe saare shahr ke gard-e-malal hai, jo dil ka haal hai vahi dilli ka haal hai" (our faces are draped with the sorrow of the city, the state of our hearts is reflected in the state of this city, Delhi). The author is a New Delhi based freelance contributor. This article is part of the multimedia project-Latent Dreams. To know more visit. In order to send a clear message about the vitality of MiG-21, Air Chief Marshal and IAF Chief, BS Dhanoa, flew a number of MiG-21 jets in Coimbatores Sulur, Tamil Nadu. #LeadingFromFront :The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa, is on an official visit to AFS Sulur- 'Home base to Tejas'. The CAS, interacted with the team 'FLYING DAGGERS' during the visit. pic.twitter.com/PRNIPIauWL Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 17, 2019 The IAF chiefs have flown the fighters earlier as well as a morale-booster for the force, Air Marshal Dhanoas move is seen in the back drop of MiG-21, the soviet era aging fighter shooting down Pakistans Air Force (PAF) F-16 which is considered as far superior fighter plane in air warfare. The dog fight had taken place on February 27 after India on February 26, destroyed terror camps inside Pakistan in response to Pulwama terror attack by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terror outfit in which more than 40 of CRPF soldiers were martyred. #LeadingFromFront : Glimpses of Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa's solo sortie from AFS Sulur. The CAS has more than 2000 hrs of flying on the MiG-21 jet. He has led a MiG-21 Sqn from front during 'Op Safed Sagar', Kargil Ops. pic.twitter.com/chbpX4QiKZ Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 17, 2019 The MiG-21 was flown by Wing Commander Abhinandan Vardhman, who had shot down F-16 near LoC in a dog fight. However, Wing Commander Varthaman was taken into custody by Pakistani army after his MiG-21 was hit by an anti-aircraft gun which forced him to eject. Pakistan returned the captured Wing Commander days later as peace gesture as Pakistan PM Imran Khan called it. #LeadingFromFront : Glimpses of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa's sorties at AFS Sulur. pic.twitter.com/GtzthdhXAY Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) May 17, 2019 Air Marshal Dhanoa undertook the sortie in the fighter Jets two-seater version and followed it with three sorties solo on MiG-21 Type 96, the oldest variant of the aircraft with IAF which is a single-seat variant of the MiG-21. The news agency PTI reported. Air Marshal Dhanoa had commanded 17 squadrons (flying Type 96) during the Kargil war in 1999. Ever since it was set up in 1948, with an aim to help countries which are torn by conflict to create the conditions for lasting peace, India has been one of the biggest supporters of the UN Peacekeeping mission. The first time, India became a part of the UN Peacekeeping Mission was in Korea in 1950. UN Peacekeeping Mission Since then, India has sent its personnel all over the world as part of the UN mission and has contributed more personnel than any other country as well as the first-ever all-female force that helped to bring peace to Liberia in the wake of that countrys brutal civil war. Even the current Current Indian Army Chief, Bipin Rawat was once the commander of the MONUSCO brigade. But now, the country has expressed concerns over the delay in reimbursement to countries providing peacekeeping troops and police for UN missions. According to reports, the United Nations owe a total of $3.6 billion in reimbursements to contributing countries. The UN owes India $38 million in reimbursements for the various missions it has taken part. UN Peacekeeping Mission Expressing concern, India said the delays are "unjustifiable and inexplicable". "Reimbursement on time for peacekeeping is a genuine expectation," First Secretary in India's Permanent Mission to the UN Mahesh Kumar said Thursday at a Fifth Committee (Administrative and Budgetary) session on 'Improving the Financial Situation of the United Nations,' adding that UN peacekeeping also suffers from delay in reimbursements and called for a serious introspection. He pointed out that apart from the one billion dollar worth of unsettled reimbursements to TCCs, large reimbursements related to Letters of Assist (USD 178 million) and death and disability claims (USD 8 million) were also outstanding. UN Peacekeeping Mission These amounts do not include the long unsettled Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) reimbursements of many TCCs, including India, from the closed peacekeeping missions. Earlier, in March 2019, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had said that the UN owes India USD 38 million, among the highest it has to pay to any country, for peacekeeping operations. India's share of the UN's budget has been increasing in recent years, including a 13 percent increase from this year and the country has been paying its share on time. UN Peacekeeping Mission Earlier this year, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin had said that the financial situation of the United Nations peacekeeping, particularly the non-payment/delayed payment of arrears to the troop/police-contributing countries, is a "cause for concern". He had said that the practice of delaying payments to TCCs/PCCs, even as contractual obligations to others are met, cannot continue unaddressed. With PTI inputs. More than 100 girls and women have come forward with new sexual abuse accusations against international peacekeepers in Central African Republic, the UN said on Thursday, calling allegations that a French military commander forced three girls to have sex with a dog "shocking to the core". The revelations dramatically expand an already alarming scandal involving troops sent to protect civilians in the world's hotspots who become predators instead. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said 108 alleged victims of sexual abuse have been interviewed by a UN team in Kemo prefecture, east of the capital Bangui, the vast majority of them minors. The allegations date from 2013 through last year and far eclipse the 22 allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation in Central African Republic in 2015 that the UN reported earlier this month. reuters Dujarric said the UN can't confirm a report by the US-based advocacy group, AIDS-Free World, that three girls told the UN they were taken to a French military camp, tied up, undressed, and forced by a commander to have sex with a dog but he said the investigation is continuing. According to the group, each girl was given 5,000 Central African Francs, worth about $9, after having sex with the dog, including a fourth girl who later died of an unknown illness. France's UN ambassador, Francois Delattre, called the allegations "sickening and odious" and promised "exemplary disciplinary action" in addition to a criminal response if they're proven true. AIDS-Free World, which first reported the new allegations Wednesday night, said 98 girls in Central African Republic had reported being sexually abused between 2013 and 2015 by perpetrators who have left the country. The group also said information on the alleged rape of a 16-year-old girl by a Congolese peacekeeper only three days ago in a hotel room in a different part of the country has been turned over to the United Nations. Paula Donovan, co-director of AIDS-Free World and its Code Blue Campaign against sexual abuse, told Associated Press on Thursday when asked about the new allegations: "Obviously that's just the top of the iceberg." The United Nations has been in the spotlight for months over dozens of allegations of child rape and other sexual abuses by its peacekeepers, especially those based in Central African Republic, which has faced sectarian violence since 2013. There have been similar allegations against the French force known as Sangaris, which operates independently in the country, known as CAR. reuters Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was "shocked to the core by the latest allegations," "Yesterday, the Central African Republic inaugurated a new democratically elected president, marking the end of a transition period," he said. "The interventions of the international community helped save the CAR from an unspeakable fate. Yet we must face the fact that a number of troops who were sent to protect people instead acted with hearts of darkness." The UN human rights chief, Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein, in a statement called the allegations "sickening" and said all three countries whose peacekeepers are accused Burundi, Gabon and France have been formally notified. He said governments must do more to stop abuse and hold their troops accountable, "otherwise this awful cycle of abuse will never end." The secretary-general said the UN "is shining a spotlight on these despicable, depraved and deeply disturbing allegations" and stressed that its actions must be matched by those of member states, "who alone have the power to discipline their forces with consequences." "This is essential to restoring trust in the invaluable institution of peacekeeping and even more importantly to provide a full measure of justice and healing to the affected communities," Ban said. The United Nations has more than 100,000 peacekeepers deployed in 16 missions around the world. The UN security council, which authorizes all UN peacekeeping operations, was briefed on the latest allegations and said in a statement that it is "disgusted" and wants an urgent investigation and those responsible to be held accountable. reuters Dujarric said last week that a UN team was sent to gather information about allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation by UN and non-UN forces as well as civilians in Kemo prefecture. He added on Wednesday that the allegations also include abuses by local armed groups. Dujarric said that for the first time the United Nations would be jointly investigating the allegations with Burundi and Gabon. The UN recently reported that 25 allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation were registered with the UN mission in Central African Republic in January and February, most from previous years. That compares with a total of six allegations in the 15 other UN peacekeeping missions in the first two months of this year, the UN peacekeeping department said. US ambassador Samantha Power, who was in CAR for the president's inauguration, visited the town of Bambari Thursday to talk to the families of victims. Congolese soldiers based there had been accused of sexual abuse and exploitation and last month the Congolese battalion was sent home. Power said she was "sickened" by the latest allegations and it was "gut-wrenching" to listen to family members talk about the victims' "pain and suffering and the acute sense of betrayal." reuters AIDS-Free World called the information it received "shocking." Two weeks ago, it said, the UN children's agency Unicef interviewed 98 girls who reported being sexually abused. The group said a delegation from the UN peacekeeping mission on Saturday met local leaders and victims who alleged that troops from France and Gabon had sexually abused girls. Some victims left the area because they were stigmatized by the community, it said. In the latest incident, AIDS-Free World said the mother of a 16-year-old girl informed local police that a Congolese UN peacekeeper raped her daughter in a hotel room on Monday afternoon. The police questioned the soldier in the presence of his commander and the group said he confirmed that he "had sexual intercourse" with the victim several times and paid her between 2,000 and 5,000 Central African Francs. If you're interested in submitting a Letter to the Editor, click here. Submit We're always interested in hearing about news in our community. Let us know what's going on! Go to form The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report on Department of Defense's (DoD) efforts to identify risks in its rare earths supply chain. The report (GAO-16-161), entitled "Rare Earth Materials: Developing a Comprehensive Approach Could Help DOD Better Manage National Security Risks in the Supply Chain," was sent to congressional committees last week. The report stated that the US DoD depends on rare earths with unique properties, such as magnetism at high temperatures, to provide functionality in weapon system components. It pointed out that many steps in the rare earths supply chain, including mining, are conducted in China a situation that "may pose risks to the continued availability of these materials". The GAO study was intended to determine the extent to which rare earths, if any, are critical to national security and to identify and mitigate risks associated with rare earths, including the effects of a potential supply disruption. It found that the minerals are critical to some defence applications, such as lasers, but said that the DoD had not taken a comprehensive, department-wide approach to identifying which rare earths, if any, are critical to national security. Using different statutorily-based definitions, the DoD identified 15 of the 17 rare earths as critical over the last five years and the GAO concluded this approach was "fragmented". The report added that acomprehensive approach for ensuring a sufficient supply of rare earths for national security needs, establishing criticality, supply risks and mitigating actions would better position the DoD to ensure continued functionality in weapon system components should any disruption occur. Creditors of US rare earths miner Molycorp Inc. are still nowhere near reaching a deal to reorganise the company, according to a report by Bloomberg. The newswire reported that Andrew Leblanc, attorney for Oaktree Capital Management LP, Molycorps principal creditor, told US bankruptcy judge Christopher Sontchi "I might not recommend you hold your breath," during a court session in Wilmington, Delaware, last week. Oaktree is battling a committee of lower-ranking creditors over the size of its loans and how best to restructure the company. Oaktree and Molycorp agree that loans made before and after the bankruptcy bring the amount owed to Oaktree to $514m, but other creditors, which are collectively chasing a debt of $1.4bn, dispute the senior lenders figure. Molycorp filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in June last year, as a series of operational problems, falling rare earths prices and mounting debt made the business unprofitable. The company is planning to either sell itself at an auction or reorganise and reduce debt by turning itself over to Oaktree. Canada-listed rare earths junior Mkango Resources Ltd is aiming to dual list on the UKs Alternative Investment Market (AIM) next month, according to the companys CEO, William Dawes. Speaking to IM at the Mining Indaba Conference in Cape Town, South Africa, last week, Dawes was upbeat about the reception Mkango is likely to receive in London. Mkango, which OWNS the early-stage Songwe Hill rare earths project in Malawi, will be the only pure rare earths junior to be listed on AIM. The company plans to use the proceeds of its initial public offering (IPO) to fund A bankable feasibility study (BFS) at Songwe. Dawes said that junior miner IPOs are generally greeted with lukewarm responses from investors in the current depressed commodities market, but that listing remains a good source of capital for developing assets. Germany-based Tantalus Rare Earths AG has withdrawn its application to open insolvency proceedings, following the signing of a sale and purchase agreement in December last year between Tantalus and Singapore-based Apphia Minerals Ltd for 60% of the shares in the German explorers subsidiary, Tantalum Holding (Mauritius) Ltd. Apphia agreed to pay 3.7m ($4.14m*) for the shares and last week transferred the second tranche of this sum, which amounted to 1.35m, to Tantalus. In addition, some of Tantalus creditors have signed moratorium agreements, meaning that the company is no longer illiquid within the meaning of section 17 of the German Insolvency Code. Tantalus now plans to hold an extraordinary general meeting with its shareholders to decide on the arrangements with Apphia. The company, which owns the TRE ionic clay project in Madagascar, filed for insolvency in October 2015. Peak Resources Ltd has delivered a simplified leach recovery flow sheet for its Ngualla rare earths project in Tanzania, following the completion of technical development programmes on processing bastnaesite mineral concentrates from the deposit. The ASX-listed company said that the new flow sheet, which is a four-stage alkali roast process, compared with the previous five-stage double sulphate process for producing rare earths solution, would lead to reduced plant capital cost through a smaller, modular design of plant as well as lower operating costs due to reduced reagent consumption. It added that the new flow sheet would allow Peak to focus on extracting and recovering higher value elements, praseodymium and neodymium, while reducing extraction of the low value rare earth, cerium. The revised process was developed by Peaks metallurgical team and optimised in Australia by Nagrom, in Western Australia and ANSTO Minerals, in New South Wales. TSX-V-listed Commerce Resources Corp., which is developing the Ashram rare earths project in Quebec, Canada, has also managed to reduce the number of processing steps in its flowsheet, following the completion of pilot-scale test work. The leach stage pilot plant work, completed last year, was based on a double leach process that resulted in a more than 99% stage recovery, with complete carbonate removal, Commerce said. A further positive development from this piloting was obtaining bench scale evidence that the process could be further optimised using only a single leach. The recently completed single leach mini-pilot plant confirmed that process efficiency can be maintained with a reduced number of processing stages, while operating at a larger scale, the company added. TSX-listed Avalon Rare Metals Inc. has said that its Nechalacho rare earths project in Canadas Northwest Territories will remain inactive in 2016, while the company focuses on lithium and tin at its other Canadian properties. Avalon said that work on the project in 2015 consisted mainly of concluding metallurgical research, disposal of waste materials and storage of bulk samples for future use. The company blamed falling rare earths prices, which have persisted owing partly to illegal supply from China which has caused an imbalance in the market, bankruptcies at other rare earths explorers and a dramatic decline in investor interest, for its decision to mothball Nechalacho. Avalon added that it had agreed with Belgian chemicals producer Solvay SA to terminate a toll processing agreement for refining Nechalacho concentrate, which the companies signed in March 2014 and that it was assessing the cost of continuing with permitting applications for the property. Avalon also owns the Separation Rapids lithium project in Ontario and the East Kemptville tin-indium project in Nova Scotia. Finally, Japanese engineering group Honda has come up with a way of reusing rare earths extracted from nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries to make new batteries for hybrid vehicles. Honda has been working on the process, which it claims is a world first, since April 2012, at a plant belonging to ferroalloy manufacturer, Japan Metals and Chemicals Co. According to a report by The Observer Star, the rare earth elements are recycled by applying molten salt electrolysis to the NiMH oxide, achieving purities of more than 99% in the recovered materials. *Conversion made February 2016 Sixty is the new 45, 80 is the new 60, and 100 is well, really dang old. But even centenarians know that once you stop learning, you star... Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Vice President of Nigeria has asked President Muhammadu Buharis aide, Lauretta Onochie, for an apology and N500 million for defamation. This was revealed in a letter dated May 14 and addressed by Mike Ozekhome, Atikus lawyer to the presidential aide. Atiku has threatened to commence a N2 billion suit against Onoichie if she does not meet his demands. In a tweet on May 7, Onochie said that Atiku was on a United Arab Emirates (UAE) watch list. Atiku on UAE watchlist- Security sources. Security operatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are keeping a close tab on a former Nigerian Vice Pres Atiku Abubakar who has been in the Middle East nation for several weeks now What is he doing there? Me: Shopping for Terrorists? Atiku, therefore, asked the presidential aide to publish a retraction in six national newspapers and one international daily as well as on social media. Your odious publication is clearly also aimed at rubbishing our clients image and reputation, the letter read. It has caused him national and international backlash and embarrassment and done incalculable damage to him. Your publication has also caused our client, in the eyes of reasonable members of the public, unspeakable odium, obloquy, hatred, ridicule, and psychological trauma. He has thereby been subjected to the shame and infamy of being viewed by members of the public as not only corrupt but as a terrorist and sponsor of terrorism. Numerous telephone calls, emails, visits, letters and private social media chats by his family members, friends, political and business associates, and international statesmen and women in the last few days attest to the alarm and serious concerns generated by your false publication. A Twitter user @4eyedmonk has accused the member representing Bayelsa West Senatorial district in the National Assembly, Ben Murray Bruce, of sharing fake Information on his Twitter handle. The user made this known while reacting to a post shared by the self-acclaimed common sense senator on how Rwanda has started using an e-bike and fast becoming a force to reckon with in Africa. Ben Bruce words: This picture is not from Europe or America. This is Rwanda. They have e-bikes in the street that you locate with a mobile app. You use them abs return them. They are charged by solar panels. They are saving Rwandans both time and money. Rwanda is becoming a small giant of Africa. What Ben Bruce posted: This picture is not from Europe or America. This is Rwanda. They have e-bikes in the street that you locate with a mobile app. You use them abs return them. They are charged by solar panels. They are saving Rwandans both time and money. Rwanda is becoming a small giant of Africa. pic.twitter.com/QhLWHdvVzJ Ben Murray-Bruce (@benmurraybruce) May 16, 2019 The users word: Ben Murray Bruce has refused to limit his mischief to Nigeria. He has found a way to drag Rwanda into it. Dear @ BenmurrayBruce, stop embarrassing yourself. The image in that tweet of yours is actually from North America, California to be precise. Do better research The users tweet: Actress Lydia Forson is of the opinion that Ghanaians are overly obsessed with sex despite being the first to condemn anyone who openly talks about it. The Ghanaian actress pondered why many in Ghana talk so much about sex and such news spread like wildfire in Ghana but a humanitarian gesture goes unnoticed. In her words; Ghanaians are OBSESSED with sex. Theyll act shocked, disgusted and quote scripture to anyone who talks openly about it. But theres a reason why a story with a sexual reference will spread faster than on about raising money to build a school. This is coming after a 24-year old Ghanaian lady revealed that she sleeps with 600 men in a year due to the harsh economic situation in the country. According to the Ghanaian lady; Senator Shehu Sani has revealed how lawmakers at the Red Chambers quickly through Senator Ben Murray-Bruces Electric cars bill out if the window. The lawmaker representing Bayelsa East has been calling on the Nigerian government to do away with its over-dependence on cars that use diesel or petrol. According to him, electric cars will force us to fix our power infrastructure, which will itself have multiplier effects for our economy because it will provide power, which is the lifeblood of a modern economy. He also revealed his surprise about his Senate colleagues and the Executive have not seen the potential of electric cars. In a tweet recently, the lawmaker condemned plans by the federal government to borrow almost $10 billion from China to build railways for obsolete diesel-powered trains when some Western nations will even pay us to take their obsolete diesel trains? He noted that every sensible country is running to electric. But Nigeria is running to petrol and diesel. The lawmaker representing Kaduna Central, Sani who said he supports the Electric car bill, revealed in a tweet on Sunday how colleagues including those of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) treated the bill by the Bayelsa East senator But he wasnt permitted to speak. He wrote: When @benmurraybruce moved his motion on electric cars, Senators permitted to speak came out with Koboko and lashed at him; When it was @dino_melayes time to speak, Ben thought a saviour has come, until Dino brought out a cable whip and the motion was sent to its early grave; I wasnt permitted. Emzy Ned Nwoko, the step-son of Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels has taken to Instagram to publicly announce that he has disowned his father. The lawmaker, Ned Nwoko, who got married to Regina Daniels in a low-key version, has been alleged to have absconded his fatherly duties. Emzy Ned Nwoko, who graduated from the University of Port Harcourt recently, disclosed that he has never enjoyed the wealth of his father. Also Read: Don Jazzys Advice To A Troll Who Questioned His Voice Is A Must Read He disclosed that his mother raised him up to where he has gotten to. He further revealed that he stopped his music career to complete his education. See his post below: Zainab Aliyu was accused and arrested for smuggling packages of Tramadol into Saudi Arabia, an offence which carries a penalty of death sentence in the country. It was later found out after serious investigations both by the Nigerian government and Saudi Arabia, that the 22-year-old student had been wrongly accused As she was set up by an airport drug trafficking cartel that plant drugs in the bags of unsuspecting travellers or sometimes even tag their(travellers) particulars to bags containing hard drugs. Zainab was exonerated and returned home last week to the joy of many Nigerians especially her family. In an interview with Daily Trust recently, she recounts her ordeal From when she was arrested and sent to prison. Read what she wrote below My mother, my sister Hajara, and myself, we were sleeping in our hotel room, when suddenly some Arabs and two black men forcefully entered. They woke us up, all of us, and started asking questions about a consignment of drugs which they said we had illegally brought into the Holy Land from Nigeria. We asked what drugs and they said we left them at Jeddah Airport. Of course, we all denied the allegations and told them that we had not left any luggage at Jeddah. So, after they realized that we didnt know anything about what they were asking us about, they searched my bag and the entire room, but they could not find anything incriminating. They told my mother that they were taking me to their office for further investigation because the consignment of drugs they found was bearing my name, and therefore I must follow them to their office to answer some questions. I began to cry, out of a mix of fear and confusion, and my mother and sister also started crying because we all knew that we did not travel with any prohibited item into the country, not to talk of drugs. After we left the hotel, I realized that I was not the only person arrested, because I met Malam Ibrahim Abubakar, who was also arrested for the same allegation. Apparently, they arrested him first, then me. But we were taken to the office together. So, when we arrived at their office in Madinah, they gave us some forms and asked us to fill, which we did. After that, we were kept in the office until the next day. They seized my phone, so there was no way I could communicate with my mother. In fact, at that time I was confused because I was not even myself Wallahi. I was just crying and thinking of what might happen to me, or where I would be taken to. I was completely confused. So, the next day, we were taken to Jeddah, like the security agents said, for further investigation. Again, we were given papers and directed to fill, and we did. They also snapped several photos of me, before I was taken to a female prison, while Baba Ibrahim Abubakar was taken to the male prison. I was taken to the prison located outside Jeddah, around 12am Saudi time. Thats how we were separated. You know we travelled to Saudi Arabia on the same airplane and we were arrested the same day for the same allegation, even though we stayed in different hotels. When we met, he asked me about my own situation, and I told him. He then told me about his own case, and from there we realized that we were facing a similar problem. Since then, we continued communicating, even though some of the security agents warned him to stop talking to me. Nobody told me where I was to be taken to, and even after I was taken there, I never imagined that it was a prison, because deep inside my heart, I knew I did not commit any offense that would warrant such punishment. But after some time, I realized that I was actually taken to prison. So, I was given a room, and we were four in it. In fact, it is after I got there that one of my roommates helped me with her cell phone with which I called my mother. After I spent three weeks there, some officials visited us and they gave us an assurance that they would do everything to ensure that we were released. But since then, nobody visited us again. They only returned to the prison the very day I was released. Honestly, it was terrible, because you dont have rights. You are restricted from doing so many things. Youre always thinking of your future. You have no certainty of your condition, whether you are going to be freed or not. You dont even know your fate. So, it is a kind of life that cannot be explained; it is only when you taste it that you will understand. What shocked me the first day I entered the prison was that the inmates told me that if I was found guilty of the offence I was accused of, my punishment was death. So, understandably, I was devastated. But because my parents were always counselling me, I dedicated myself to prayers. A two-time former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has called on Nigerians to take out a day every month to mourn because of the current situation of the country. Aregbesola who made this known during a symposium in Lagos yesterday, 19th May, noted that Nigerias population is growing at a geometric progression while the economic situation of the country is nose diving. His words: We dont remember that we are poor here in Nigeria. If we have a deep thought, we ought to have a day of weeping every month. If we dont work harder to improve our fortunes, we would continue to be poor. In 2017, Brazil had a population of approximately 200 million people almost about what Nigeria had. That year, Brazil had a revenue of about $600 billion and a budget of $700 billion. Nigeria in that same year made $13 billion and a budget of $23 billion. Are the two countries equal? Today, OPEC allowed Nigeria to extract and sell 2million barrel of crude oil per day but we dont get that quantity. Even if we get 2million barrels per day and if the price rises to $100 per barrel, it means our income will be $200 million. If you divide this by 200 million people, it amounts to $1 per every Nigerian. We have to check our population by practising birth control. If we dont address this, we would have huge problems to deal with. We would also need every able-bodied person to work. Kogi state Governor, Yahaya Bello, has promised to clear all backlog of salaries owed by the state government to workers before December. The Governor who spoke to newsmen in Kaduna shortly after the Northern State Governors Forum, NSGF, meeting explained that his administration did not incur any debt through the non-payment of salaries due to workers since he assumed office. Nigerians while reacting to the news have been indifferent as they said his service is no longer needed in the state. Reactions: Your service is no longer needed, you guys are the top scammers Brainstorm La yung (@brainstorm_yung) May 17, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Where is he going to get the money now, that he couldnt pay before now. If only wishes were horses. onaiwu osarobo (@osarobosnr) May 18, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Do it before November Argh.. Election is 2nd Nov. Yahaya Jibrin Danjuma, M.Sc. (@YahayaDJ) May 18, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js You wont be the governor any more from November, Insha Allah! Segun Onibiyo (@SComrado) May 17, 2019 https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe professes to be very proud of his rainy day fund and it is surely good that our Government has a sinking fund from which resources can be drawn should the national roof fall in, or fiscal dry rot develop. Mr Donohoes 1.5bn contribution to the fund sounds like a lot of money, but is small change. We have been here before, after all. One of his predecessors, Charlie McCreevy, also set out to provide for the future and we all know what happened next. In recent interviews, Mr Donohoe has sounded a little edgy. One wonders what he really thinks about his boss casual references to large capital projects and their likely cost. The truth is that auction politics is back with a vengeance and Fine Gaels reputation as the party of fiscal rectitude is going up in smoke. For some nervous supporters, it is a bit like watching your steady-if-dull parent undergo a mid-life crisis and start shelling out the family savings on facelifts, fast cars, and sun holidays. The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, appears to regard a billion thrown here or there as the equivalent of loose change. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, are forced to play a double game: look on like outraged matrons, aghast at the spending spree, while simultaneously coming up with yet more ideas for laying waste to the national finances. All of this is made possible by an upsurge in corporation tax revenue, which largely caught the forecasters by surprise. It is, for Ireland, the equivalent of a gusher that could soon perhaps quickly run dry. They realise this only too well down in Merrion Street. The failure to make real inroads into the mountainous national debt has been noteworthy. According to the latest Department of Finance Stability Programme update, the Government is acutely aware that the ratio of debt to modified gross national income is too high, at over 100%. The problem lies in the failure of the Cabinet to set about managing peoples expectations, and this, in turn, can be traced back to the 2016 general election, which has resulted in effective political deadlock. Since then, we have been in pre-election mode. However, it may not be too late for the finance minister to take hold of the situation and assert his undoubted authority in the manner of his 1980s predecessor, Ray MacSharry, who faced down the then Taoiseach, Charles Haughey. The difference, of course, was that MacSharry was operating in a time of crisis and it is usually only at such periods that the Merrion Street mandarins get to assert their authority. But would it not make sense to start preparing the administration, ahead of time, for the almost inevitable turn down in the economic cycle, not to mention the possibility of a sudden shock? The business of seeking cuts in spending programmes within government should be ongoing and constant. Where financial or managerial incompetence is discovered, it often says something about the culture of an organisation. A case could be made for the organisation to be taken over by groups of handpicked public servants and outsiders who have the required accounting and financial skills. Where certain public bodies are repeat offenders in mismanaging resources, they should be treated like failing schools. Such a shake-up may be traumatic, but can surely be cathartic, allowing for the unearthing of talent in the junior ranks and for the sending of a message to other underperformers. Some years ago, the head of the economic and financial affairs directorate in the European Commission, Caroline Vandierendonck, wrote about the need to reconnect funding decisions with policy priorities. She stressed the need for regular spending reviews within government, drawing a distinction between strategic reviews, where the very future of spending programmes is questioned, and tactical reviews focused on increasing the efficiency of spending. At the very least, a strong finance minister will represent the interests of the taxpaying voters and will present, in an honest and straightforward manner, the various options. The problem currently is that the cards are politically stacked against the minister, what with the prospect of an autumn election looming. But it is in times like this that the political orthodoxies that voters like to be bought with goodies are best challenged. Earlier this month, the Taoiseach was halted in his tracks by a determined 12-year old girl in Co Mayo. Aoibheann Mangan gave him a talking to on the continuing lack of decent broadband services in rural Ireland. It can be hard to stick to the path of fiscal virtue when one is being constantly waylaid by single-minded citizens with little interest in boring matters such as cost containment. In todays political world, emotion usually trumps analysis and rational decision-making is an early casualty. Ian Bailey's solicitor, Frank Buttimer, has said Mr Bailey will not be attending the trial in France for Sophie Du Plantier's murder. Mr Buttimer, who was interviewed on RTE radio this morning, said Mr Bailey was in a living nightmare, since Ms Du Plantier's murder in Schull, West Cork, in 1996. Mr Buttimer said: It's a show trial for the purpose of satisfying certain persons in relation to their own beliefs in relation to the matter. He added that Mr Bailey had been subjected to this sort of situation for almost 23 years. He can't escape from it. He has been entirely exonerated in this country. The Director of Public Prosecutions has long since decided that there is no evidence upon which he can be put on trial. The French have decided that exact same evidence is sufficient to put him on trial. "The situation is, quite frankly, farcical and, of course, extremely unjust. Mr Buttimer said Mr Bailey would not be mounting a defence to the charge when the trial gets underway in Paris on Monday, May 27. He said: He doesn't recognise that the proceedings are, in fact, valid or just. He will not be attending. He will not be represented. Assuming that there is a conviction, which is probably going to be the case, I suspect that the French will probably come back to this jurisdiction for a third time to seek his removal from the country to face a sentence which will probably be imposed. We will resist that. The Irish courts have twice determined that he is not liable to be removed from this jurisdiction and that the application of the French was not in accordance with law. It would be quite farcical to come back to seek his removal from this jurisdiction to face his sentence for a crime for which he is then found guilty, but in respect of which the Irish Supreme Court has determined that he can't be removed in the first instance even to face trial, so we would have a quite farcical situation at that point in time. Frank Buttimer. Mr Buttimer said the case was bigger than Ian Bailey in the sense that what they were dealing with here was an act of gross disrespect by the French jurisdiction to the Irish criminal justice system. He said: If the courts uphold the decision which they have made that he cannot be removed, I suspect that there will be a case taken against Ireland by France to the European Court to see whether that decision by the Irish court stands up to European scrutiny. Now that's so far down the line that it is very, very difficult to predict. And, of course, you must remember that throughout all of that Mr Bailey will be continuing to live the exact same nightmare which he has been living for nearly 23 years. He's devastated. He finds it extremely difficult to deal with this situation on a day-to-day, week-to-week basis, simply not knowing what is going to happen to him where throughout all of this he has protested his innocence." "There is no evidence to link him with the offence in so far as this jurisdiction is concerned and he continues to live the exact same nightmare. He agreed that there was a lot at stake. Yes. It is an unprecedented case," he said. "It is one jurisdiction telling another jurisdiction that its criminal justice system isn't up to standard and that it is the standard that is measured by the other jurisdiction where I personally think that their system isn't up to the standard that we have, but we respect their system. "They clearly have no respect for ours. Asked if he had any idea where it was going to end, he replied: It will be with Mr Bailey till his grave. Given the many setbacks an exciting, eagle reintroduction project has suffered, any smidgeon of positive news is welcome. An Irish-bred, white-tailed sea eagle has become the first of its species to reach England, which is being celebrated by nature lovers here and the UK, all hoping it will be safe. Named Aonghus and fledged last year in Connemara, Co Galway, its not the first to leave the country as at least seven others had already ventured to Scotland. After a trip around the south-east and east coast of Ireland, Aonghus headed north to Malin Head, in Donegal. On May 1, he went east to reach the north Antrim coast before making the shortest crossing (21km) to the Mull of Kintyre. He headed north-east, on May 5, crossing over the isle of Arran before roosting near Gilston, south-east of Edinburgh. He then flew east towards Berwick-on-Tweed before eventually stopping in a small upland area 30km south of the Scotland/England border. Since the programme to restore white-tailed eagles here began in 2007, around 100 birds all sourced from Norway where theres a thriving population have been released in Killarney National Park. So far, 25 Irish-bred chicks have fledged and most are still alive, according to Allan Mee. Some eagles were lost to bird flu, last year, while Storm Hannah also took its toll, last month, disturbing birds which had been sitting on eggs, with some even abandoning their nests during the storm. Up to eight pairs were laying eggs. The timing of storm during the breeding season was just terrible, said Dr Mee. "The storm and the 2018 avian flu showed just how vulnerable these birds are to such unexpected events. But not all is lost. A Killarney pair has hatched this year. Also, two pairs in Lough Derg, Co Clare, continue to attract a deal of public attention. In Lough Derg, the first Irish-bred female has teamed up a mate and she herself was hatched there. Many of the birds are satellite-tracked and there are now at least 10 pairs in the wild in Ireland, including Glengarriff. It is believed more than 10 other birds have not paired. The eagles tend to travel a good deal, especially in their second year, but many of those which go to Scotland, where theres a large eagle population, return. A Killarney female, for example, which spent a winter in Scotland, came back to Killarney to breed. Poisoning has been a problem for the eagles, but there has been no confirmed poisoning in Ireland since April 2015, though there was an inconclusive case just before Christmas 2018. Overall, it seems illegal poisoning has declined as a serious cause of eagle deaths. Chris Moody, the first person to film otters on the River Bride in Cork City, argues that we should be protecting the biodiversity of urban waterways, writes Ellie OByrne The River Bride is not a river renowned for its beauty. A tributary of the Lee, it flows through Blackpool, a traditionally working-class area on the outskirts of Cork City. Once heavily polluted by industry, its been rerouted to accommodate developments including housing estates and Blackpool Shopping Centre, and joins the River Lee unseen, flowing through underground culverts into the city. Locals may even have reason to actively dislike the river: In 2012, Blackpool suffered severe flooding. In 2015, the Office of Public Works (OPW), revealed plans for the River Bride Certified Drainage Scheme, which would see much of what remains of the Bride surrounded by concrete flood defences, or permanently covered over. But one man believes that his Bride is beautiful: Cartoonist Chris Moody, who has become something of a self-appointed river patrol on the stretch of the Bride that runs behind his home. Donning waders and setting up camera traps, Chris has documented a staggering array of wildlife on the river. Hes the first person to capture footage of otters on the Bride, but it doesnt end there. Hes spotted foxes, badgers, stoats, mink, heron, wagtails, mallards, dippers and even, once, a fleeting glimpse of the elusive kingfisher. Dippers are amazing little birds to watch, Chris says. They walk under the water and flip the stones to feed, and they do it by using the current. If theres anything I can do, its to show that the river isnt dead; its full of life. Sleek, intelligent, and playful, the European otter has charm aplenty, and Chris videos of the nocturnal mammals have attracted the attention of the press and, last year, earned him an Outstanding Individual award from Cork Environmental Forum. Hes taken part in otter surveys with Cork Nature Network, and was surprised at how active the playful mammals, protected under Irish and EU law, are on the urban waterway. With biodiversity such a buzzword these days, Chris feels that the Bride, as a city river, is undervalued and misunderstood. The OPWs plans to cover the river are, he fervently believes, a missed opportunity to make the most of an ecosystem thats teeming with life. I think its mad to cover it over, he says. I understand that there are a number of points of view here: Businesses were flooded badly, and the water was up to the windows of the shops. But I think there are other solutions. I feel that Blackpool is being shafted out of its river. I went up the river with an ecologist and she did whats called kick-tests, where the riverbed is disturbed and a sample taken, he says. Theres freshwater shrimp in there, mayfly larvae: The river is terribly littered, but its not polluted. To get people to stop chucking stuff into it is a challenge. Ive pulled out bicycles, scooters, TV sets, medication in bags. The impacts of dwindling city biodiversity arent just a problem for the species that disappear. For human city-dwellers, exposure to nature, including hearing birdsong and seeing trees, comes with a big boost to mental well-being, a recent study from Kings College London revealed. Irelands National Biodiversity Action Plan 2017-2021 tries to ensure we achieve no net loss of biodiversity through the actions of public authorities; it states it will work with the OPW to ensure that Flood Risk Management planning minimises loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services through policies to promote more catchment-wide and non- structural flood risk management measures. Yet Chris has by no means been the only one complaining about the OPWs treatment of rivers in their extensive flood risk management works. In Skibbereen, though many locals have welcomed protection from flooding, the Caol stream, a tributary of the beautiful Ilen, has been reduced to what some say amounts to an open drain in the town, surrounded by concrete and steel. In Bandon, footage of trucks using the gravel-bedded river, where salmon, trout, and lamprey spawn, as a thoroughfare during flood relief works sparked threats of legal action by environmental groups. Most recently, the Irish Wildlife Trust accused the OPW of the systematic destruction of river systems following clearing and tree-felling on the banks of the Newport River in Co Limerick. And then theres the ongoing Save Cork City campaign, a concerted effort, including legal challenges, to halt the OPWs plans for 15km of flood defence walls in Cork. Save Cork City argues that, despite the higher cost, a tidal barrier, in combination with managed wetlands to slow the flow of the Lee, are a better long-term solution to Corks flooding. Chris agrees that slowing a river down is part of the solution to flooding. Hes been poring over maps of successive rounds of development along the Bride since 1996 and believes he knows whats causing the river to flood. All the development upstream has resulted in water coming into Blackpool faster, which erodes the banks of the river, and all that material is getting caught in culverts, he says. The history of development in the area, including previous widening and straightening of channels, contributed to the flooding. Despite a provision for otter walkways in the OPWs plans for the Bride, Chris believes that the 350m of proposed culvert will impact negatively on the fish population of the river. And if that happens, he fears otters will disappear from the Bride. If the fish population is affected, thats the otters source of food, he says. Theres a total lack of joined-up thinking here. An ecosystem capable of supporting an apex predator like an otter relies on the presence of a complete food chain, including invertebrates and plant life. A survey conducted on the River Thames in 2008 found that concrete walls and sheet piling were the worst environment for plants and animal species. Weathered brick or boulder walls, with rough and complex surfaces that trap water and organic material, were the most biodiverse habitats, researchers concluded. Other countries are reversing centuries of river management that treat waterways as little more than an obstacle to human progress. In Sheffield, an award-winning flood defence solution was built when a culverted river flowing beneath a council-owned car park was uncovered and slowed down with the aid of plants, natural materials like coir and rock rolls. Now, brown trout are breeding in the river again. Chris, a father to two children of 10 and six, would like to see something similar for the Bride: The waterway protected, cleared of rubbish, and enjoyed as an amenity. There were plans for walkways and cycle paths along the river in the area development plan in 1996, and I dont know what happened, he says. I want my children to grow up with the river. The threat of bacterial epidemics is something that threatens all countries, island or not. Such epidemics and pandemics have wiped out populations of people and animals since the dawn of time. The Spanish flu epidemic in the years just after the First World War was probably the deadliest of all, when 20m to 50m people died globally. For this reason, island nations have often used their seas as barriers to quarantine possibly infected peoples or animals until such time as the infection risk has passed. Ellis Island at New York was the quarantine port for millions of immigrants to the United States. In Canada, Grosse Isle near Quebec was another such port where an estimated half a million Irish people passed through to build a new life. Many were infected with typhus and cholera and around 3,000 Irish people died there. Irish quarantine ports were established at Lough Larne, Carlingford Bay; Derry; Killybegs; Clew Bay; Galway Bay, Scattery Bay; Poolbeg; Warren Point; Belfast; Tarbert; Baltimore; Passage East; Spike Island. Scattery Island The Baltimore quarantine took place at Quarantine Island, as the name might suggest. The island is a mere speck, only 50m by 50m, and is completely overgrown today with furze bushes and heather prominent. Its only feature of note is a tiny salt marsh where western marsh orchids can be seen. The island lies just off Turk Head on the busy channel between Sherkin and Spanish islands. The Cape Clear ferry travelling between Baltimore and Cape passes by here with an optional route coming past the much-loved Beacon at Baltimore. Ferries and pleasure craft pass by Quarantine and are prompted to stay clear of dangerous rocks by tall yellow poles. Quarantines more immediate neighbours are the equally small Jeremiahs Island, Sandy Island, and the multiple Catalogue Islands which were the scene of a drowning tragedy a century ago when the Thomas Joseph sank with five lives lost. Baltimore quarantine port had a surveyor, cox, and six boatmen and had a barge at its disposal to impound any suspect cargo. It operated for about 80 years from mid-18th to mid 19th centuries. Pratique masters were appointed to ensure regulations were adhered to. Many other European quarantine ports had buildings designated to store contraband goods known as lazarettes but Baltimore had none such. The Custom House in Dublin declared that goods are aired on a rock in the harbour unless ordered to be aired on the decks of vessels. In addition to Quarantine Island, there is a Quarantine Hill on Cape Clear Island and the naming is no coincidence, wrote the late Rev J Coombes, a former curate on Sherkin Island, parish priest in several West Cork parishes, and a well-known historian. The islands name appears to derive from the period when ships docked adjacent to it such as the Friendsgoodwill which sailed from Cork in 1760 to perform quarantine according to a Dublin newspaper of the time, Pues Occurrences. When the animals were passed fit they were brought ashore at Baltimore for dispersal to market. Since it is clear that Cork [Spike] was the Quarantine port for Cork for 73 years it is hardly necessary to look further for the origin of the names in question, wrote Fr Coombes. Quarantine Island was probably near the anchorage used for quarantine and Cnoc Coranti or Quarantine Hill was probably used as the lookout post. Some of the ships quarantined at Baltimore were the Mary Anne Green of Kinsale on April 18, 1803; the Eliza of Cork on March 1, 1820; and the Providence from Gibraltar with a cargo of hides and bark on July 2, 1825. By the middle of the 19th century the quarantine ports were phased out. At the time Quarantine Island was owned by HW Becher who owned extensive lands in Co Cork. He was the son of William Wrixon Becher among whose deeds was the planting of the woods at Lough Hyne and the construction of the Ringarogy causeway. Many of the 19th century Bechers are interred at Aughadown cemetery a few kilometres west of Skibbereen, according to the Skibbereen Heritage Centre. How to get there: Cape Clear ferry passes it. Other: Seanchas Chairbre; No 2; Fr J Coombes; Baltimore as a Port of Quarantine; www.graveyards.skibbheritage.com Let us now praise famous men, and our fathers that begat us. This year, Berlin celebrates the life of a distinguished son; Alexander von Humboldt, who was born in the city 250 years ago. Its a double anniversary; he died there 90 years later. Alexanders older brother Wilhelm, a philosopher who influenced John Stuart Mill, founded the University of Berlin, the most famous institution bearing the Humboldt name. Their father, a minor aristocrat, died when Alexander was nine years old. The boys were educated privately. Alexander travelled widely, never married, and attended several German universities, becoming a geologist. After his mothers death when he was 30, he inherited a fortune. Few legacies were spent more productively. A polymath, with extensive knowledge of the science of his day, Alexander spent two years meticulously preparing for a voyage to the Americas, one which Darwin would emulate 30 years later. In 1799, he set sail for the New World on a corvette called the Pizarro, taking a huge assortment of scientific instruments with which to measure everything from electricity and magnetism to the positions of stars and planets. The expedition lasted five years. He, and botanist Aime Jacques Bonpland visited Mexico, where they compared the columnar basalt formations of Huasca de Ocampo with those of the Giants Causeway in Antrim. The oilbird they encountered in Venezuelas Guacharo Cavern was a species new to science, as was the black-spot piranha of the Orinoco River. The shocks delivered by electric eels were investigated. Among the first Europeans to explore the Amazon Basin, the pair discovered more new plants and animals. A penguin found along the Pacific coast is named after Humboldt. Alexander proposed that the Old and New Worlds were once joined, an idea ridiculed at the time. A series of water temperature measurements, he took along the coast of Peru, led to the discovery of what became known as the Humboldt Current. This cold Pacific upwelling, one of the planets most productive eco-systems, accounts for up to 20% of the worlds marine fish catch. Its vagaries govern the El Nino effect, playing havoc with the climate every few years or so. Naturalists tend to be field men rather than visionaries, their attention rooted in the particular, whereas philosophers concentrate on the big picture, glossing over details which dont fit their schemes of things. At a time when philosophy was relinquishing its hold on many disciplines, von Humboldt straddled both camps. His observations were meticulous, but he never became so bogged down in detail that he failed to see the wood for the trees. With something of the philosophical spirit of his brother, he sought to comprehend the phenomena of physical objects in their general connection and to represent nature as one great whole. Here was the influence of his contemporary, the great philosopher of nature, Friedrich Schelling. For Enlightenment thinkers, the world had been seen as a static unchanging entity. You examined it and drew your conclusions. For Schelling and his successor, Hegel, however, it was not a collection of independent objects but a transient work in progress. With von Humboldt, we see the beginnings of an integrated holistic approach to nature, the genesis of environmentalism and the future science of ecology. He was a supreme example of what Nietzsche would later term a superman. From the moment we touched down at the airport in Santander, our five day trip to Northern Spain was a cultural whirlwind. It propelled us into cable cars on which we glided seamlessly to and from cloud-skimming summits. It carried us deep underground on screeching miners train carriages. It took us to winding mountain roads and heavy forests, to bustling towns, tranquil villages and quiet harbours. Day one was spent exploring Santander. Its not as you might imagine. A carousel glimpsed beyond a copse of trees set the scene, rotating in silence without any of the accompanying music you might expect. Its a city in which tradition and contemporaneousness are spun together with a delicate thread. Here, ancient wooden hut type grain stores balance atop creaky pillars, relics of times gone by. Close by, shiny souvenir shops sell wooden clogs and chocolate bars by the kilo. We began by racing across the Sardinero beach. That done, we visited the magnificent Magdalena Palace, the onetime summer home of Spanish King Alfonso XIII and his family. Because royalty attracts a flourish of aristocrats, the monarchs holiday habits helped popularise the region amongst the wealthy. They did for Cantabria located between the Basque Country and Asturias what Scott Fitzgerald and Zelda did for the French Riviera. Santander Bay in Cantabria with the Sardinero and Magdalena Peninsula However it was a pilgrim route long before the royals discovered it, forming as it does, part of the Primitive Way, the Camino route which begins in Asturias and ends in Santiago del Compostela. That afternoon, we went to see the Renzo Piano-designed Centro Botin. Located on the waterfront overlooking the bay it appears to be a building in mid-flight. Maybe thats because it scarcely touches the ground, resting as it does on columns the height of tree-tops. That night was spent in an immaculate corner room at the Hotel Chiqui, enjoying spectacular views over the Sardinero Bay towards Mouro Island. So balmy was it, it made sense to leave the terrace doors wide open, so as to hear the sound of the sea. On day two we visited Cabarceno, where hundreds of species of animals from five continents, live in semi-free conditions in 70 acres of natural parkland. Travelling around by car, it was hippos languishing in the sunshine we best remember. What intrigued that day, was the dearth of bird call, the silence being punctuated only occasionally, by the sound of wingless animals calling. Later, we climbed into a cable car at Fuente De for an aerial view. There, we spied bears, bison, zebras, elephants and intriguingly, antelopes mingling with rhinos. Park explored, we took to the roads. Leaving San Vicente de la Barquera behind, we passed hayfields and pairs of white horses, then hugged the coast until we reached Comillas. This is a fishing town with a church and walls dating back to the 13th century. There, we ate a scrumptious lunch, at El Remedio, where the majestic hilltop view could have been of coastal west Cork on a summers day, with red roofed houses, and sheep grazing in fields of green beneath a clear blue sky. El Capricho, the villa designed by Antoni Gaudi, in Comillas, Cantabria It was there that we visited The Caprice, a Gaudi designed house, complete with hand-painted sunflower tiled exterior walls and exquisitely elaborate craftsmanship throughout. Later, we drove twisting roads to Potes, then checked into the Valdecoro, a simple but spotless hotel in the centre of town. That night, we dined at El Cenador del Capitan, a local restaurant owned by the family that ran our hotel. We loved its eclectic ambiance and beneath the rafters setting. We liked the river views, extensive wine list and perhaps most importantly of all, its proudly cooked locally sourced food. The following morning we explored Potes, a pretty market town, one of bridges and rivers. Its a place where traditionally distilled liqueurs, such as Orujo, are drunk and where the regions infamous green cheese is a staple. Later, we visited the 6th century Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana. There, we queued to touch what we were told is the largest piece of the Lignum Crucis (wood of the cross) ever discovered in Jerusalem. This was a moving experience, one which gave me goose bumps and filled me with peace. On the third day, we set off for the Toribio de Liebana Monastery. That done, it was on to Llanes in Asturias. There we had a great lunch at the Gloria restaurant before driving to Oviedo. That evening, we stayed at the Eurostar Hotel de la Reconquista, an exceedingly comfortable lodging of the understatedly classy sort. While we heard that the King of Spain stayed there just days before we visited, we didnt glimpse him or indeed any royalty; bejewelled, becrowned or otherwise. One reason for that might have been that instead of luxuriating in the decadent splendour of our hotel that night, we hot-footed to the local cider house, the Tierra Astur Parrilla, to learn how the fruity drink should be poured and drunk. We walked there, marvelling as we did, at the abundance of statuary on the Oviedo sidewalks. Woody Allens statue was notable, largely because it portrayed the controversial filmmaker as surprisingly small in height, a fact accentuated by locals who opined that the man himself is centimetres smaller than the metal sculpture in his likeness. Next morning, we were up and out early for the drive to Gijon, a city of culture. From there we drove to Lastres for a quick mosey around. With so much to see, we were soon on the move again, this time to the wondrous expanse that is the Picos de Europa National Park. As we drove through the winding mountainous roads, the weather changed and grew colder. By the time we reached Covadonga, a town dramatically encircled by a range of stark and formidably peaked mountains, the air was thick with slowly falling snowflakes. The weather scuppered our plans to see Lakes Enol and Ercina. We didnt mind as we were enthralled by the beauty of the setting. Our final stop was at Cangas de Onis, where we checked into the lovely Los Lagos Nature Hotel. The next morning, as we explored the markets and marvelled at the blue locally grown tomatoes we thought the trip revealed a hidden Spain, one we never knew existed. To best picture it, imagine a marriage between Spain and Switzerland. Imagine the combined natural beauty, scent and flavour. Thats what you find in the north of the country, in Asturias and Cantabria. A secret Spain. A magnificent forest-filled mountainous land. One thats steeped in history, tradition and culture. A unique region that disperses popular myths about what the essence of Spain might be. Getting there By ferry: Brittany Ferries sail twice weekly from Cork to Santander www.brittanyferries.ie By air: Ryanair flies direct to Santander from Cork and Dublin www.ryanair.com www.spain.info Ten years on, the treatment of women and children by the Church and State remains a chapter that has yet to be closed, writes Conall O Fatharta. On 20 May 2009, Ireland made international headlines when the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) was published. The Ryan Report, as it was to become known, quickly entered the Irish national lexicon as bywords to the Church and States shameful treatment of children in institutional care over a period of decades. The report detailed in shocking detail, the scale of physical, sexual and emotional abuse suffered by children in institutions run by a range of Catholic Orders but which were funded and inspected by the Department of Education. Abuse was reported by over 1,000 men and women in over 200 residential settings between 1914 and 2000. The settings included industrial and reformatory schools, childrens homes, hospitals, national and secondary schools, day and residential special needs schools, foster care and a small number of other residential institutions, including Magdalene laundries. The report identified some 800 known abusers. The report concluded that physical and emotional abuse were features of the institutions examined while sexual abuse occurred in many of them in particular boys institutions. It found that the Department of Education had a deferential and submissive attitude towards the congregations that ran the institutions to the extent that it compromised its ability to carry out its statutory duty of inspection and monitoring of the schools. The report shocked the nation and made headlines around the world. It had taken 10 years to get to that point. There had been a number of media revelations relating to child abuse in the 1990s in particular, the Dear Daughter documentary on RTE by Louis Lentin in 1996. The issue of child sexual abuse in Irish institutions was firmly on the public agenda by this point. Then, on May 11, 1999 the then taoiseach Bertie Ahern issued a formal apology on behalf of the State and its citizens to the victims. On behalf of the State and all the citizens of the State, the Government wishes to make a sincere and long overdue apology to the victims of childhood abuse, for our collective failure to intervene to detect their pain and to come to their rescue, he said. Mr Aherns apology wasnt exactly out of the blue. It came just hours before the final episode of what was to become one of the seminal documentaries ever made in Ireland RTEs States of Fear. The documentary by the renowned investigative journalist Mary Raftery fully exposed the scale of physical and sexual abuse suffered by children who passed through Irelands industrial school system. The broadcast caused a national outcry. The ensuing scandal saw demands for a State inquiry made in the Dail. Mr Ahern announced that a Commission of Inquiry would be set up to investigate the abuse. He said that the primary focus of the Commission will be to provide victims with an opportunity to tell of the abuse they suffered in a sympathetic and experienced forum. Residents in Artane Industrial School making carts The CICA was formally established on a statutory basis the following year in 2000 and operated through two main strands. 1. A Confidential Committee where victims could relate their experiences in a confidential and private setting. 2. An Investigation Committee where the more pro-active investigative body of work could be carried out and individuals could be compelled to contend. The CICA was followed up in 2002 with the establishment of the Residential Institutions Redress Board which was tasked with making fair and reasonable awards to people who had been abused in industrial schools, reformatories and a range of other institutions. The CICA was initially headed up by Ms Justice Mary Laffoy. It published two interim reports in May and November 2001. However, tensions had been growing between the Commission and the Government which eventually culminated in the resignation of Ms Justice Laffoy in September 2003. Her resignation came just one day after the Government of the day announced the second phase of a review into the Commissions remit. The first phase had begun the previous December. For its part, the Government claimed that, at the then rate of progress, the Commission would not complete its work for up to 11 years and could result in legal fees of up to 200m. The resignation caused widespread controversy, particularly as Ms Justice Laffoy was scathing of the Government in her resignation letter. Ms Justice Mary Laffoy She claimed that since its establishment, the commission has never been properly enabled by the Government to fulfil satisfactorily the functions conferred on it by the Oireachtas. She also pointed to a range of factors over which the Commission had no control had produced a real and pervasive sense of powerlessness. Ms Justice Laffoy also complained that additional resources sought by the Commission since the previous June had not been made available. She was replaced by Judge Sean Ryan, who was at the time a senior counsel. The controversy didnt end there and came in the form of a controversial deal done between the Government and the 18 religious congregations at the centre of the inquiry. Further controversy was to follow a controversy which continues to echo in the present, over a decade later. The deal was signed in June 2002 the dying days of the Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrats coalition. Signed by the then education minister Michael Woods, it was finalised after the dissolution of the 28th Dail and before the new Dail had met. As a result, it was carried out without any public scrutiny and without a vote in the Oireachtas. The details of the deal were hugely controversial. Under the agreement, the religious congregations were granted indemnity against all legal claims in return for 128m in cash and property. To date, the total liability incurred by the taxpayer is over 1.5bn. Collar and cuff making in Artane Industrial School In short, the deal opened the State up to unlimited liability while the liability attached to the religious congregations was effectively scrapped in return for a financial contribution which subsequently emerged to be far short of what would be required. For example, the following year, in a scathing report, the Comptroller and Auditor General put the bill at 1bn. It also revealed that during negotiations on the indemnity deal, not a single government department did a forensic analysis on the exposure of the State with regard to the agreement. Following the publication of the Ryan Report in 2009, the congregations offered a further 352m. As of last year, just 253m of the total 480m pledged has been transferred to the State. The circumstances surrounding the indemnity deal remain controversial to this day. Just last month, in an RTE documentary, the then attorney general Michael McDowell said the State effectively signed a blank cheque in agreeing to the deal. The Ryan Report was finally published on May 20, 2009 and made headlines around the world and shocked the nation. It heard from more than 500 witnesses and revealed how children lived in a climate of fear in the institutions it examined and that sexual abuse was endemic in boys institutions. It was scathing in its assessment of the Department of Education which it said had a deferential and submissive attitude towards the congregations that ran the institutions. This compromised its ability to carry out its duty of inspecting and monitoring the institutions in question. The report made some 20 recommendations all of which were accepted by the then Government. An implementation plan was prepared and published in July of 2009 and set out 99 actions committed to: Addressing the effects of past abuse. Developing and strengthening national child care policy and evaluating its implementation. Strengthening the regulation and inspection function. Improving the organisation and delivery of childrens services. Giving greater effect to the voice of the child. Revising Children First, the national guidelines for the protection and welfare of children and underpinning the guidance by way of legislation. How successful the Government has been in addressing the needs of survivors in the aftermath of the Ryan Report is questionable. For example, the Caranua fund was established by the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 to oversee the use of cash contributions of up to 110m, pledged by the religious congregations, to support the needs of survivors. It has proven to be a deeply controversial initiative and has been routinely criticised by survivors. Survivors have routinely spoken in extremely negative terms of the Residential Institutions Redress Board process with many referring to the hearings as being adversarial in nature. Ten years on, what is the legacy of the Ryan Report? Historian of child welfare, childhood, youth and gender in Ireland Dr Sarah Anne Buckley said the report offers much when looking at class, gender, power, welfare and the treatment of generations of vulnerable groups of Irish children but noted that the gaps are also stark. Children from the Travelling community, children nursed out, thorough investigation of the foster care arrangements from the schools, the list goes on, she said. Ms Buckley also said the report had arguably grossly underestimated the role of the ISPCC/NSPCC in the transferral of children to industrial schools. The historian also raised concerns at the Government plan to seal the records of the Commission, the Residential Institutions Redress Board, and Residential Institutions Redress Review Committee for 75 years. The washrooms and toilets in Artane Industrial School What is of utmost concern to survivors, academics and activists today is what will happen this archive, where will it be placed, when will it be made accessible and will consultation occur. Historical justice is central to this conversation and I believe the role for historians and archivists remains critical today and in the future, she said. Similarly, Emilie Pine, Susan Leavy, and Mark T Keane wrote in Re-reading the Ryan Report: Witnessing via and Close and Distant Reading that despite its length and level of detail, the Ryan Report is not comprehensive. There were institutions (such as the Magdalene laundries) that fell outside the remit of the CICA and hence are not discussed in the final report. "The report does not constitute an exhaustive archive, but often only a sample of the archive. As a result, the archives of the religious orders and the state departments are described and excerpted but not fully available to the reader. "Yet even though it is a limited source, it constitutes the only publicly available access to those closed records and hence provides the means for valuable insights. What followed the Ryan Report was more scandals and more reports on the same theme. We had the Ferns Report in 2005, the Murphy Report in 2009, the McAleese Report in 2013. We await the report on Mother and Baby Homes. Ten years on, the treatment of women and children by the Church and State remains a chapter that has yet to be closed. Actually listening to survivors is best redress Public discussions are the most meaningful kind of redress because they represent not only listening to, but hearing survivors, writes Emilie Pine. It is 10 years since the publication of the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, commonly known as the Ryan Report. Ten years since we read of the systemic abuse that children suffered in Industrial Schools in Ireland. Ten years since survivors were vindicated. There are few moments in a social history when attitudes experience a complete sea change, and the publication of the Ryan Report was one of those moments. But what has that shift in attitudes resulted in? How can we measure the impact of the report now? The Ryan Report definitively proves that children in institutions suffered terrible abuse, including physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. This endemic abuse was sustained by the Catholic Church through the silencing of allegations of abuse, the transfer of abusers, and a reliance on physical and emotional punishment of children. Abuse was sustained by the failure of the State to enforce any of the guidelines around childrens education, health or welfare. As one survivor said to me: I was handed over to the State until the age of 16, they had a duty of care, as far as I was concerned. They failed in that duty of care. They completely failed. However, though the report makes the failures of Church and State clear, there are also silences within it. On the publication of the report, Mary Raftery strongly criticised the policy of not naming abusers. The comprehensive anonymisation of institutional staff (both lay and religious), the civil service, and other figures representing society at large, creates a barrier between the truths of the report and the reality. This anonymity is preserved even in the case of convicted child abusers. A further failure of the report is the absence of a system-wide analysis of abuse, in particular the transfer of abusers between institutions. Though individual chapters give detailed consideration to the cases of individual abusers, the links between institutions remain obscure. As part of the Industrial Memories project at UCD (funded by the Irish Research Council), our team used digital tools to trace the patterns of abuser-transfers across the system. Professor Mark Keane developed a Transfer Graph to visually illustrate how allegations of abuse were dealt with by transferring the abuser to another institution. With a similar approach, Susan Leavy identified the ways that the fate of children was talked about within the system, demonstrating through a communication network just how actively discussed these things were. We talk about a culture of silence around abuse, but both these digital approaches illustrate that we have a culture not of silence, but of collective denial. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina with on left Terri Harrison and on right Carmel McDonnell-Byrne, co-founder of the Christine Buckley Centre, surrounded by abuse survivors at a reception in Aras An Uachtarain at a function marking 10 years since the Ryan Report was published. Picture: Tony Maxwell In Ms Leavys graph, for example, she has identified many occasions when fathers of children within the system wrote to residential managers, politicians, the Department of Education and other key figures. The graph thus shows that parents did not forget their children, nor were they silent. But, tellingly, the graph also shows that parents were almost never replied to. This is a chilling insight into the bureaucratic operation of a culture of abuse. The States decision to seal all testimony to the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse for 75 years puts any other lessons we could derive beyond the range of those living now. What a travesty that the wisdom of those who experienced the system first-hand has been deemed too dangerous for public consumption. Though the commission empowered survivors to tell their stories, the sealing of their testimony revokes that power. This is compounded by the absence of this history from the national curriculum. When are we going to start teaching this history? How can we make the maxim never again meaningful if the current generation of secondary school children are not learning the history of how children their age and younger were abused? Both survivors and scholars need more. Christine Buckley Over the past few months, the National Folklore Collection at UCD, in a collaboration with the Christine Buckley Education and Support Centre, has recorded some of the stories of survivors of institutional abuse (including industrial schools, mother and child institutions, and Magdalen Laundries). Though I have read the report many times, the most profound experience of my career has been the privilege of listening, alongside Criostoir Mac Carthaigh, to the resilient, human and brave testimony of those who are still surviving their institutional past. One of the realities of the institutional system that became apparent through this listening was the level of crossover between institutions many people moved from a mother and child institution, to an industrial school, to a laundry. The reports we currently have ignore this facet of institutional experience, and perhaps inadvertently perpetuate an atomised view of Irish institutional history. Without listening to survivors, the complexity and the real systemic nature of abuse remains invisible. Perhaps the best way of marking the anniversaries, and acknowledging the collective debt to survivors, is not through a monument, or even through re-reading the Ryan Report. But to listen to survivors. By which I dont mean just asking them to tell their stories. But actually listening to what survivors need: medical cards; pension benefits; educational support. Autonomy in deciding how to use their financial compensation. These and other issues were the subject of the Facing the Future Together conference (May 11), organised by survivors to discuss Irelands lifelong responsibility to survivors. These kinds of public discussions, leading to structural reforms, are the most meaningful kind of redress. Because they represent not only listening to but hearing survivors. Emilie Pine, associate professor, UCD School of English, Drama and Film Survivors Stories is part of the Industrial Memories project at UCD, funded by the Irish Research Council (industrialmemories.ucd.ie). It was launched at UCD on May 16 by Childrens Minister Katherine Zappone. The worry is that the lessons of the past will remain unlearned Decades of scandals may have led to public apathy, says James Gallen. This month presents an opportunity to reflect on how Ireland has addressed its abusive past. The anniversary of the State apology in May 1999 from then taoiseach Bertie Ahern to victims/survivors of industrial and reformatory schools and the publication of the Ryan Report in May 2009 focus attention on significant moments in Irish history. However, these significant achievements risk being undermined by how victims/survivors have been treated in the last 20 years. It took significant effort and courage from victims/survivors and journalists to compel church and state to begin the process of addressing the abusive elements of their past. At the time of its creation, the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (CICA) was innovative, ambitious but also risky. By seeking to engage with those who suffered profound physical or sexual abuse and neglect as children, the commission risked re-traumatising individuals and families who may have wanted more than the opportunity to provide a narrative, but instead wanted information, accountability, or healing. As a country deals with its abusive past, the process matters as much as the outcome. The processes of the Ryan Commission offer some good practices, but also missed opportunities. The commission remains unique among Irish abuse inquiries as being the only one to hold public hearings. The Commission of Investigation Act 2004, which governs the Murphy and Cloyne inquires and the ongoing mother and baby homes inquiry, has the power to hold public hearings, but these inquiries have declined to do so. Bertie Ahern in 1999, the year he made a State apology to survivors or institutional abuse. Picture: AP Photo/Maxim Marmur The failure to hold public hearings is often framed in terms of confidentiality, concern for vulnerable persons, and the potential defamatory nature of allegations made against alleged perpetrators and institutions. None of these concerns are unique to historical abuse inquiries or to Ireland: Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom have all managed public hearings into historical abuse despite similar concerns. This remains a missed opportunity to empower survivors and enable the public catharsis through scrutiny of those responsible for abusive institutions and public affirmation and acknowledgment of the rights of those who suffered. The process of victim/survivors giving testimony in CICA was primarily framed in therapeutic terms. This therapeutic focus may have been suitable for some survivors, but offered them little space to take ownership of the process or to pursue alternative goals of accountability, information recovery, or retribution against perpetrators. The failure to publicly identify alleged abusers, due to legal challenge by the religious orders, also frustrated some survivors. Amid these limitations in process, the findings of the commission remain significant and profound. Its report publicly acknowledged what many victim/survivors had long known. Institutions did not meet the legal or professional standards of the day. Physical and sexual abuse was endemic, known by authorities and ignored. Society did not care for these least among us. The Ryan Report received a mixed reaction among survivors, welcomed by some for its acknowledgement of their suffering. It disappointed others who hoped these investigations would emphasise State and social knowledge of and responsibility for abuse and would lead to revisiting the Churches contributions to redress for survivors or greater pursuit of criminal responsibility of perpetrators. In addressing this past, the phrase never again is often used as a commitment to prevent the harms of the past repeating now or in the future. To ensure we do not continue to harm those on the margins of society, we must learn not only from what went wrong in industrial schools, but also what has gone wrong in how we sought to address the past in the last 20 years. We must ensure that processes of investigation, redress and apology do more good than harm. The reality is that as a society we have not reckoned with the effects of the State apology, Ryan Commission or Residential Institutions Redress Board never mind clerical sexual abuse, the Magdalene Laundries, the burial of children at Tuam, or illegal adoptions. There has been no systematic evaluation or audit of whether the State inquiries or redress work for victim-survivors. These mechanisms may have helped clarify the abusive elements of our past, and acknowledged victim-survivor experiences but survivors I have spoken to affirm that these mechanisms at the same time caused great distress and re-traumatisation. On the one hand, Ireland is particularly poised to re-examine its abusive history in a new way, with the historic repeal of the 8th amendment and comparatively low attendance at the Papal visit this summer signalling a turning away from deference and respect to the Catholic church. On the other hand, decades of scandals about the abusive parts of Church and State may have lead to public fatigue or apathy. A lack of deference to religious authority does not mean the country has changed in the ways it treats and recognises those on the margins of society. The public has not been led in processes or mechanisms that enable us to rage or lament about what we did to one another, nor to permanently honour, recognise and remember those who have suffered. There is no museum, no memorial to which we can bring younger generations. We need to do better. Simplistic narratives, that paint the past as a different country, avoid scrutinising our responsibility to one another today. There is considerable data and information gathered by existing inquiries, but the sense among researchers and survivors persists that the full story has not been told and the full extent of institutional, individual and social responsibility for the past remains under-explored. The unwillingness or inability of the State to permanently obtain private Church archives or increase the financial contribution of the Catholic church and religious orders to the cost of investigations and redress remain troubling. George Balandier writes that the supreme ruse of power is to allow itself to be contested ritually in order to consolidate itself more effectively. I worry that is true in Ireland. My most profound worry is that despite decades of advocacy, millions of euro in expense, and great courage and suffering of survivors, that the lessons of the past the historically abusive past and the recent past in addressing such abuse will remain unlearned and that structures of power which shame and marginalise will remain intact in 21st-century Ireland. James Gallen is assistant professor at the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University. Sorry doesnt do it anymore Twenty years since Bertie Ahern apologised to victims of abuse its debatable if redress measures have helped survivors, writes AnneMarie Crean. This month marks 20 years since then taoiseach Bertie Aherns apology, on behalf of the State, to survivors of institutional child abuse. However, questions remain as to whether any of the various redress measures implemented by the State have adequately helped survivors. A review of parliamentary questions, Dail debates, United Nations Committee Against Torture (UNCAT) hearings, and Oireachtas committee sittings has highlighted that the State will go to great lengths to avoid answering this difficult question. In support of its redress schemes, the State often refers to the large sums of money it has spent. However, this ignores the concerns raised about the shortcomings of some of these schemes; shortcomings that have had psychological, emotional, and physical impacts on large numbers of survivors. Caranua, launched in 2014, is the most recent organisation tasked with delivering redress to survivors. It has been criticised for its bureaucratic, inconsistent, and unfair treatment of survivors and its seeming disregard for its own policies and procedures. In a number of submissions, Fionna Fox, a solicitor who has acted pro bono for 50 applicants to the Caranua fund (which was closed to new applicants in August 2018), referred to the dehumanising and disempowering experiences her clients had with Caranua. Similarly, psychotherapist Hilary Somerville reported that Caranua caused further trauma to an already vulnerable group of individuals. Whilst Ms Fox says some survivors did receive the support they required, a large proportion did not. Of particular concern to Ms Fox was the arbitrary treatment of applicants to the fund, meaning that one could be awarded a grant for a particular service and another, in equal need, would be denied. Ms Foxs success rate (over 80%) with applications made to the appeals officer, challenging decisions made by Caranua, provides a snapshot of the organisations failure to apply the law governing its operations. However, Caranua is not the only redress measure by the State found to be wanting; in a report to UNCAT in 2017, Reclaiming Self, a former survivor advocacy charity, highlighted serious shortcomings in relation to a number of measures employed by the State in addressing institutional child abuse. It criticised the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuses lack of mandatory reporting, which can be viewed as protecting alleged abusers rather than children. The report also criticised the commissions 2004 decision not to name and shame perpetrators of abuse, which resulted in some survivors feeling that an injustice had occurred. Reclaiming Selfs report also highlighted the trauma experienced by survivors with regards to the Residential Institutions Redress Board, which was described by some as a shocking shambles that left them feeling hurt, angry, degraded and humiliated. The report also criticised the lack of accountability, investigations, prosecutions (of which there was only one on foot of the commission), and transparency by the State in its handling of abuse reparations. Since 2011, UNCAT has continually sought answers from the Irish State about its response to the redress and reparation needs of survivors. Similarly, in the face of the apathy of the State and its reluctance to grasp the nettle, survivors bravely continue to vocalise the impact many of these measures have had on them and their families. By ignoring the concerns and needs of survivors, the State continues the cycle of silence and contempt which surrounded the abuse of children in Ireland in the first instance. President Michael D Higgins received representatives from Christine Buckley Centre on the 10th anniversary of the Ryan Report. Taking time out at the Aras are survivors from left Christy McDonagh, Marian Kelly and Michael Harrington. Picture: Tony Maxwell Given its record, what can survivors expect from the State in the future? The Department of Education has established an Interdepartmental Committee to address the needs of survivors. However, survivors needs have not been identified, nor does it appear that the Interdepartmental Committee is informed enough to provide fit-for-purpose services to survivors. Moving forward, the Department has agreed to hold consultation talks with survivors. It can only be hoped that these will be meaningful and inclusive and that the committee will put the needs and views of survivors at the heart of its policy-making into the future; an approach that has been seriously lacking in the majority of the redress schemes introduced over the past 20 years. The State now has the opportunity to move beyond the culture of isolating survivors and of turning a deaf ear to their voices, whilst simultaneously closing its eyes to its own shortcomings. Redress and reparations cannot take place in secrecy and denial. Some 20 years after Mr Aherns historic announcement, now is surely the time for the State to properly take up the challenge. AnneMarie Crean is a PhD student at UCCs School of Applied Psychology and a survivor advocate. The proposal to be considered by the Irish voters on May 24 relates to two aspects of the regulation of divorce; namely how long people must be living apart before they can apply for a divorce, and secondly the recognition of foreign divorces. Although two separate issues, they are presented together and voting Yes will approve both proposals. As regards the living apart requirement, currently, the law provides that either spouse has a right to secure a decree of divorce once they satisfy the three requirements outlined in the governing laws, namely there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation; the court is satisfied that proper provision has been made for both spouses and any dependent children; and that the parties have been living apart for four out of the five years preceding the making of the application to the courts. Unusually, these requirements are currently set out in both the governing Act, the Family Law (Divorce) Act 1996, and in the Constitution, which is more typically reserved for fundamental rights and principles, with the detail being a matter for the Oireachtas to address. What is proposed now is the removal entirely of the waiting period to apply for divorce from the Constitution, and for its regulation to be more appropriately positioned within the remit of the Oireachtas. It is expected that the new laws that would follow a yes vote will provide for a shorter two-year waiting period. The inclusion of the four-year waiting period in the Constitution sought to copper-fasten the conservative rules governing divorce in order to secure the votes of the undecided voters in the 1995 referendum. It served to reassure the voters that the terms of divorce which informed the pre-referendum debate would remain unchanged and unchangeable unless first approved by the Irish people. It was also regarded as a means of retaining State control; to act as a tool to reduce the availability of divorce, requiring a spouse to wait for this extended period of time to protect the marital bond and preserve the union for as long as possible. The scaremongering at the time referenced the likelihood of the flood-gates opening, predicting an inevitable avalanche of applications that would follow once laws were enacted. The then minister for Justice, Equality, and Law Reform, Mervyn Taylor, sought to reassure those who had voted against the referendum that there would be no easy or quick divorce, that there would be no divorce for marriages in difficulty, only for marriages that are irretrievably at an end. This view was politically necessary to convince undecided voters that divorce would remain a remedy that is difficult to secure. However, the lived experience is that no divorce is easy and no divorce is quick. It is and will remain a considered process that requires court supervision and approval, and voting Yes in the referendum to remove the regulation of the waiting period for divorce from the Constitution will not change this reality. It is also worth noting that the feared flood gates did not arise and indeed continues not to be an issue. Ireland has the lowest divorce rate in Europe, and we have certainly not created a divorce culture. The current rate is a mere 0.6 per thousand people, with Britain, France, and Austria at 1.9, Spain at 2.1, and the US at 3.2. By imposing the lengthy four-year living apart requirement, the current laws suggest that the desire alone of spouses to exit the marriage is insufficient. Rather, this insistence of the need for a lengthy waiting period imposes an objective view of a deserving spouse whose circumstances merit access to divorce in the eyes of the State. Compassion and understanding demand that we trust and empower those who are dealing with the immense difficulties associated with a broken marriage and reduce the waiting period to two years. It does not demand that parties apply after two years, but it does facilitate those who wish to do so. As regards the issue of the recognition of foreign divorces, this welcome development seeks to remove the existing refusal to recognise a foreign divorce where the marriage would remain lawful in Ireland. A yes vote on May 24 will require Ireland to respect and recognise divorce decrees from other jurisdictions where the decree was secured in line with the laws of that country. Currently, the uncertainty that surrounds this issue is incredibly unhelpful, and transferring the law-making responsibility to the Oireachtas opens the way for clear and modern regulation. Additionally, enhancing the recognition of foreign divorces means that a party now resident in Ireland will be better positioned to secure financial relief from their former spouse where this is necessary. By restricting the rights of parties to apply for divorce and delaying their right to determine unresolved issues, including financial provision and arrangements regarding access and custody of the children, it prevents the parties from finalising their circumstances, most likely contributing to ongoing disharmony, and prejudicing vulnerable spouses; especially where a spouse is financially dependent on the financially stronger spouse, or indeed where the applicant is the victim of domestic abuse and needs court intervention to dissolve the union and sever the marital ties. In a more multi-cultural society involving many more international marriages, and families who reside in more than one jurisdiction in the course of their lifetime, it is important that Ireland recognises the rights of those individuals and indeed the laws as applied by other jurisdictions. By voting yes and according the law-making power on both issues to the Oireachtas, our public representatives can create, reform and modify laws to respond to changing social norms and expectations. While not definitively decided as yet, it is likely that the new governing laws will provide for a reduced two-year waiting period, making divorce more accessible and facilitating parties to more quickly secure a resolution of their rights and obligations. Greater recognition of foreign divorces will similarly provide stability and consistency for affected parties. A Yes vote will empower these changes, and indeed the reform of any other regulatory aspects of divorce into the future. Dr Louise Crowley is a senior lecturer in family law, School of Law, University College Cork Custodial and financial issues cant be put on hold for four years after a marriage break-up, says Karen Murray This referendum was never going to have the passion or vitriol of the 80s and 90s campaigns, when Hello Divorce, Goodbye Daddy became one of the memorable soundbites. Twenty-four years on from it being legalised by the tiniest of margins, fears of a divorce culture and a mass exodus of errant fathers did not bear fruit. According to a Euromonitor report, the number of divorced people in 2017 was 0.5 per 1,000 far lower than the European average. Todays Ireland is a very different place, progressing towards being a more inclusive, secular, and tolerant society. Yes votes on the issues of same-sex marriage and abortion have also been achieved. As a nation, we are more compassionate and understanding about marital breakdown but, for people seeking a divorce especially those who did not choose to end the marriage the process is costly, protracted, and often traumatic, all of which can have a devastating impact on any children caught in the crossfire. This referendum seeks to reduce the minimum living-apart period from four years to two for spouses seeking to divorce, taking it out of the Constitution and allowing the Oireachtas to legislate accordingly. So far, so sensible? Why drag out the inevitable? Why leave a couple whose marriage has irretrievably broken down in limbo, unable to move forward? Whatever the reasons for the split, nobody wins by delaying proceedings, except perhaps solicitors. And the Law Society of Ireland is supporting a yes vote. On a recent social media post about the referendum, someone described a yes vote as speeding up the ruination of childrens lives in the name of progress. Reading that, I felt as if we were back in 90s Ireland. This referendum is not about ruining childrens lives or allowing a quickie get-out clause for the sake of convenience. Its about changing a punitive, restrictive, outdated regime which forces couples to stay trapped in an unhappy, often acrimonious union much longer than necessary. How does that benefit anyone, least of all the children involved? Under the current regime, the Constitution only allows divorce where spouses have lived apart for four years out of the previous five. This can mean having to undergo a judicial separation first to sort out custodial or financial issues that simply cannot be put to one side for four years, which adds to the trauma and cost for both parties. Its like getting divorced twice. In other cases, some couples who are no longer together cannot afford to run two households as they await legal recourse, so are forced to live under the same roof, trying to shield the children from the tension and acrimony of a no-win situation. This vote is not about being for or against divorce, which already exists. Its about dealing with the painful reality of marital break-up, helping to ease the pressure and pain financial and otherwise on families, many of whom did not choose to be part of the statistics and are simply dealing with the fallout. Regardless of who initiated the split, children pay the price when the system forces couples to stay married long after love has gone, particularly if there is conflict and/or one has started another relationship. Marital breakdown can destroy a family but so can staying together in a toxic environment when love and respect have left the building. Parents want to protect children from the pain and grief of a break-up, but young people can be remarkably resilient and adaptable. They need to know their parents are OK too. Jacqueline Jefferies, a counsellor at Mallow Therapy Centre, backs this up, saying: Voting yes will not create further negative effects on children involved in the relationship breakdown. It is likely to help resolve the heightened emotional responses experienced in the process of divorce, assisting families to settle into their new family makeup in a more timely fashion, thereby reducing conflict over a prolonged period and helping all parties to heal and rebuild their lives. Children need emotional support in this process and if helped to understand their feelings are normal, they can become well-adjusted and comfortable with their new family dynamics. "Co-parenting or parallel parenting, if parents are unable to communicate respectfully, can be achieved more rapidly if the legal arrangements of divorce are settled sooner rather than later. As long as they are loved by both parents, any long-term effects of a divorce on the child can be contained, managed, dealt with. Its not easy, but it can be done. A childs life doesnt have to fall apart. Its not what happens at the time of the break-up, its how the process is managed after the event. Few people walk down the aisle planning for it to be anything other than forever. Sometimes, for whatever reasons, it doesnt work out that way. The road to divorce is a rocky one: By making it a shorter journey, the pain can be eased for everyone. Burma The Day Independent Myanmars 1st Charter Began to Take Shape Gen. Aung San addresses the preliminary conference of the AFPFL in Yangon on May 19, 1947. Sunday, May 19th, 2019 (12:01 am) - Score 14,572 The UK Government has today officially launched their new 200m Rural Gigabit Connectivity (RGC) programme, which was originally announced during the 2018 Budget and aims to encourage an outside-in approach to building new ultrafast broadband ISP networks by focusing on helping to connect rural areas. At present only around 7%+ of homes and businesses across the United Kingdom can access a Gigabit (1Gbps+) speed capable full fibre (FTTP / FTTH) broadband network and the Government wants to see 10 million premises covered by the end of 2022, rising to 15 million by 2025. After that theres an aspiration to deliver a nationwide full-fibre to the premises network by 2033 (likely to need billions of extra public funding). In order to encourage this the Government has proposed various changes as part of last years Future Telecoms Infrastructure Review (FTIR), which is on top of their existing Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN) fund, a 5 year business rates holiday on new fibre (10 years in Scotland) and investment support via the Digital Infrastructure Investment Fund (DIIF). Some Building Digital UK (formerly Broadband Delivery UK) money is also helping the roll-out. The FTIR report indicated that a large-scale deployment of full fibre to cover the final 10% of premises would eventually require some 3bn to 5bn of public investment (state aid). The Government also expressed a strong desire to pursue an outside-in strategy, which means theyve been looking to introduce measures that could encourage rollout into some of the most difficult to reach rural areas (i.e. at the same time as supporting private investment in more commercially viable locations, such as urban areas). As part of that outside-in philosophy theyve today introduced the new 200m Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme, which over the next 2 years (March 2021 completion) will aim to pilot innovative approaches to deploying full fibre internet in rural locations, starting with primary schools, and with a voucher scheme for homes and businesses nearby. The Two RGC Approaches 1. Fostering Local Rural Hub Sites A hub site is really just the lingo for a public sector building, which is deemed to be eligible for intervention and aligns with qualifying criteria set by the BDUK programme. Initially this will start by connecting primary schools to gigabit-capable connections (full fibre is the obvious choice, but the announcement isnt specific about technology) and 31 of those have now been identified as eligible under the scheme (see end of this article). Other public buildings will then be added throughout the course of the programme (e.g. health sites and community halls). The idea being that you not only help to connect those hub sites, but also bring the fibre deeper into a remote community and thus provide a network that other commercial ISPs can build upon in order to reach surrounding homes and businesses (i.e. market stimulation). The eligibility criteria for all this will take into account a number of factors, including rurality, funding considerations, state aid compliance, existing interventions (commercial or otherwise), value for money and deliverability within timescales of the programme. 2. Vouchers The government already runs a 67m Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme (GBVS), which offers a grant to help businesses (up to 2,500) and homes (up to 500) gain access to a 1Gbps capable connection. The GBVS is primarily business orientated and the only way for residents to benefit is as part of a local community group, which must include small businesses (i.e. up to 10 homes can participate for every one SME). By comparison the new RGC vouchers will offer up to 3,500 for small businesses and up to 1,500 for residents. The greater size of the vouchers reflects the higher cost of deployment in such areas. Crucially the new scheme does NOT include a business requirement like GBVS (i.e. homes can easily get a voucher), but like GBVS it will still be possible to aggregate the vouchers in order to help tackle larger deployments. The first wave of all this will focus upon prioritised sites in Cornwall, Cumbria, Northumberland and Pembrokeshire. Additional sites in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and the rest of England will be announced in the coming months. The funding for this scheme comes from the Governments National Infrastructure Productivity Fund (NPIF). NOTE: A related 3m pilot of this approach was first unveiled in February 2019 via the old LFFN budget ( A related 3m pilot of this approach was first unveiled in February 2019 via the old LFFN budget ( here ), which is now expected to connect 119 schools but is separate from todays announcement (the 31 new schools are all different). Jeremy Wright MP, DCMS Secretary of State, said: Our decision to tackle some of the hardest to reach places first is a significant shift in Government policy and will be instrumental in delivering our plans for a nationwide full fibre broadband network by 2033. Our rollout of superfast broadband transformed the UKs digital landscape, and our modern Industrial Strategy is focused on investing in the infrastructure that will make Britain fit for the future. Robert Jenrick, The Exchequer Secretary, said: We want everyone across the country to have access to fibre broadband connections no matter where they live. Weve set a target of having 15 million premises able to connect to full fibre by 2025 with a nationwide network by 2033 and committed to ensuring the most rural areas arent left behind. This investment enables communities that have not previously benefited from broadband to leapfrog to the most advanced fibre technology boosting productivity and enhancing quality of life. Granted 200m is only a small slice of what may ultimately be required to hook-up rural communities across the final 10% of premises, but for now this is all about taking a gradual approach and making it easier for network operators to develop viable economic models around such challenging rollouts. This funding is thus ideal for smaller community centric rural ISPs like B4RN, which can no longer benefit from the Governments Enterprise Investment Scheme (here) but should be able to take advantage of the new vouchers in order to help extend their network into some of the most remote communities. Going even further into the future were likely to see more funding being invested and possibly a revised BDUK style approach, although when this happens the Government will need to be very careful not to distort the market that alternative rural ISPs (e.g. Gigaclear, B4RN) are already building in such locations. But we suspect this is still a few years away. Equally wed encourage the Government to take a closer look at the existing Open Market Review (OMR) process, which is currently used as a tool to identify existing network coverage and future rollouts so as to avoid overbuild when public money is used. But the OMR process only occurs every few years (i.e. often missing new build homes or failing to correctly reflect all altnet deployment plans) and this can cause problems. Otherwise the new RGC programme will aim to complement other BDUK Programmes, such as Superfast Broadband and Local Full Fibre Networks (LFFN), but will not overlap with areas where a gigabit-capable solution is already available or will be delivered through these existing interventions. The Government has also signalled that this new programme may explore other ways of rolling out gigabit capable connectivity in rural and hard-to-reach areas using the outside-in approach, although they havent announced anything specific today (other than the above). Gigabit Voucher Schemes (GBVS and RGC) https://gigabitvoucher.culture.gov.uk List of First 31 Schools One of the big problems in tech that the incoming minister for the digital economy will have to fix is the matter of getting big tech multinationals to pay their fair share of tax. With Michael Keenan having retired at the election, exactly who will fill his shoes is unknown. But whoever it is, that individual will have to confront big tech and two companies from among that lot have more or less just given the government the finger. According to The Australian, Facebook recently filed documents with ASIC showing that it had paid about $12 million in tax for 2018 - after earning more than $600 million in ad sales. But it showed $454.9 million in costs to an overseas subsidiary, leading to a net revenue of $125.5 million. The company showed $23.3 million as profit and paid $11.8 million in tax. Google was no less parsimonious when it came to paying tax. The search giant made more than $1 billion in revenue in Australia in 2018 but paid $49 million in income tax. Both these companies along with others like Amazon, Apple and Microsoft claim that what they are selling is due to products created in a low-tax country like Ireland. A major portion of their revenue is attributed to that country even though the sales are in Australia. And, hey presto, when they present their balance sheets, they pay very little tax. In an interview with iTWire before the election, the Shadow Minister for the Digital Economy Ed Husic said that working out how to deal with big tech would be "the hottest game in town" within government. But Husic is not going to be in the ministerial chair, so one has to hope that the person who takes that post shows the guts needed to tackle a bunch of corporates who are used to glibly getting past governments around the world. The government has been pursuing these firms for at least the last four years, in order to get them to pay what they owe. In 2015, the heads of Google, Microsoft and Apple appeared before a Senate committee which was inquiring into their tax structures and seeking to understand why they steadfastly refused to pay what they had to under the law. No company ever shows the slightest bit of shame in hiding their activities if they can pay the least amount and get away with it. For quite some time, the government has talked tough about getting the multinationals to fall in line but nothing practical has happened. In 2017, for example, Scott Morrison, then the treasurer, claimed the government had introduced what he characterised as the "toughest" multinational tax avoidance laws. But if these laws only brought in the pathetic amounts that Facebook and Google declared for 2018, then they are just a waste of time. Brave talk is all well and good. Just show us the money, prime minister. A little more than six months before Microsoft ends support for Windows 7, the South Korean Government is considering a switch to Linux, the country's Interior and Safety Ministry has said. The Korea Herald reported that the ministry would be testing Linux on its PCs and, if no security issues were encountered, the government would slowly move to introduce Linux for its use. Microsoft has said it would end support and updates for Windows 7 on 14 January 2020, and is advising users to switch to Windows 10. The company has said Windows 7 users could upgrade to Windows 10 on their existing hardware, and obtain a full licence, if the hardware met certain requirements. But it added that it would be better to move to a new PC with Windows 10 in order to take advantage of new hardware capabilities in the latest version of its operating system. The Herald report said the Linux move was driven by concerns over the cost of maintaining Windows 7 in the absence of free technical support. Moving to Linux and the purchase of new PCs was estimated to cost the government about US$655 million, according to the ministry. Choi Jang-hyuk, the head of the ministry's digital service bureau, said the ministry expected to cut its costs by introducing Linux and also avoid dependence on a single operating system. A switch will only be undertaken once Linux is tested to see its security when running on private networked devices, and also its compatibility with existing websites and software that had been built for Windows. Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 19) President Rodrigo Duterte neither confirmed nor denied that he went to a hospital, Malacanang said Sunday amid speculations that the chief executive was hospitalized at the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan City. Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo, however, denied that Duterte was confined at Cardinal Santos. "The President is in his residence at the Palace signing papers," Panelo said in a statement. Duterte's former special aide Bong Go, meanwhile, shared a photo showing the President in his official residence in the Palace holding today's newspaper. Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea and Go first denied the rumor. Zeerah Blanche Lucrecia, spokesperson of the Presidential Security Group, also refuted it, saying Duterte is "well and good." Speculations have surfaced that the President was brought to Cardinal Santos and that the hospital called a "code blue," an emergency situation where a patient suffers from cardiac or respiratory arrest. The President was last seen by the public on May 13 when he cast his vote in Davao City. This is a developing story. My column today is very unusual. I am writing to both condemn and praise Congress. My disgust with our elected representatives focuses on their shabby treatment of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that will collect about $3.5 trillion for Uncle Sam this year. On the other hand, Congress deserves kudos for its current bipartisan effort to improve retirement legislation. Why has Congress consistently reduced IRS appropriations since 2010 despite a more complicated tax code caused by the Affordable Care Act and numerous other tax changes? For 2010, Congress appropriated $13.9 billion for the IRS; for 2018 that number had dropped to $11.43 billion a stunning 18 percent decline. This year the proposed level for IRS funding is no better currently it is set at $11.62 billion in the House and only $11.26 billion in the Senate. Today, the IRS has 18,000 fewer employees than it did nine years ago a reduction of nearly 20 percent of its workforce. This year, only 38 percent of callers who phoned the IRSs automated system got through after an average 48-minute wait. A private-sector company with that kind of service wouldnt stay in business very long. (In President Trumps 2020 IRS budget proposal, his goal is to have almost half of all calls to the IRS answered!) Medicare seminars scheduled June 6 McCall Insurance Services will hold two free Medicare 101 seminars at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. June 6 at office at 2511 Neudorf Road, suite G, Clemmons. The seminars are for anyone turning 65 or on Medicare. Topics include the basics of Medicare about signing up for Medicare Parts A and B and also covers Parts C and D. The seminars are designed to inform participants about Medicare programs, and no solicitations will be made. Brookridge to host open house, tours Brookridge Retirement Community, 1199 Hayes Forest Drive, will have an open house with lunch, tours and door prizes from noon to 3 p.m. June 9. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Becky Wright at 336-759-1044 or by sending email to rwright@brh.org. Workshops on healing from grief to be held Trellis Supportive Care will have free Writing Through our Grief workshops for adults who are grieving the death of a loved one. Kay Windsor, a writer, will lead the workshop. McHugh said the cumulative effect of tax cuts passed since 2013 has been to drain $3.6 billion a year from public coffers. That has real consequences for everyday North Carolinians, McHugh said. These cuts have all been great for rich shareholders, but have left the rest of us on the outside looking in. McHugh said that since the corporate tax rate cuts began in 2014, overall employment in North Carolina has increased by 10.9%, compared with 12.6% in South Carolina and 12.8% in Georgia. Tax cuts have completely failed to revitalize manufacturing, an industry that helped to build North Carolinas middle class and remains the lifeblood for many communities across our state, McHugh said. Since the beginning of 2014, both South Carolina and Georgia have added manufacturing jobs at roughly twice the rate that we have seen here in North Carolina, weak sauce for a state that was once the undisputed manufacturing powerhouse of the Southeast. McHugh also said the GOP tax cuts have contributed to the widening rural-urban economic divide in which a handful of cities (are) growing rapidly, while much of our state struggles to keep from going under. JBG Smith, the major landlord and developer of Crystal City, and the Crystal City Civic Association also strongly supported the name change. The road runs right through the neighborhood where Amazon plans to settle over the next 10 years, although there was no public statement about the name change from the Seattle-based company. (Amazon founder Jeff Bezos owns The Washington Post.) Stacey Stewart, president of the March of Dimes, which relocated to Arlington late last year, said the highways name is divisive and a daily reminder of our nations dark and shameful history ... a painful and oppressive past. She, like others, said the Confederate presidents name does not reflect the regions values. The road was named in 1922, part of an effort by the Daughters of the Confederacy as a direct and antagonistic response to the establishment of Lincoln Highway across the northern states, Dorsey said. Davis, a Mississippi congressman before the Southern states seceded in 1861, had no known connection to Northern Virginia. He was accused of treason after the Civil War and was imprisoned but was released without trial. The name was established to terrorize African-Americans, Levine said. Lets not forget that Virginia was the birthplace of slavery, he added. Only two foals have been documented so far this year on the Shackleford Banks, in part because there are lots of places where the "critically threatened breed" of wild horses can hide on the southern Outer Banks island. A rare moment of one of the two found at play was captured May 15 by a National Park Service volunteer at Cape Lookout National Seashore and posted on Facebook. The 20-second video, taken with a telephoto lens, shows the bucking colt racing around its mother, which is trying her best to eat in peace. It has been viewed 30,000 and shared nearly 900 times in 24 hours. "His mother is keeping an eye on him and turns her head to keep him in sight, but is more interested in eating the new spring grass," the park service wrote with the video. Karen Duggan, acting chief of interpretation at Cape Lookout, told the Charlotte Observer that capturing scenes of the foals at play is tough, because they are wary of humans. "Had the volunteer who took the video not used a telephoto and tried to get closer, the foal would have stopped his play and Mom would have undoubtedly gone into protective mode," Duggan told the Observer. HEALTH INSURANCE EXCHANGES: The House has passed the Strengthening Health Care and Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Act (H.R. 987), sponsored by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., to require the Department of Health and Human Services to make outreach and educational efforts for informing the public about the opportunity to enroll in federally-facilitated health insurance exchanges that are operated by the states under federal auspices. Rochester said the bill will advance important gains made by the Affordable Care Act and further improve our healthcare system by, one, lowering the cost of prescription drug prices and, two, increasing access to care. An opponent, Rep. Michael C. Burgess, R-Texas, called the funding for the exchanges a partisan measure to prop up Obamacare that derailed the prospects for other, bipartisan bill measures attempting to lower prescription drug prices to become law by ensuring that the bill could not get the Senates approval. The vote, on May 16, was 234 yeas to 183 nays. Of course, fakes and forgeries are not new. Whether it was the Soviets airbrushing out undesirables or Hollywood special effects, convincing imitations of reality have been around for a while. But in both instances, there were only a few masters of the trade who could pull off a convincing fake. Deepfakes, on the other hand, require little technical expertise, meaning that virtually anyone with the right software will be able to make any fake video of just about any person seemingly saying whatever they want. I would say within another 18 to 24 months, that technology is going to get to a point where the human brain may not be able to decipher it, Hany Farid, a professor of computer science at Dartmouth College, recently told me. Soon, the forger will consistently fool us. Given how poorly our democracies performed with easily debunked fake-news articles about, say, the pope endorsing President Donald Trump, the prospect of having to question videos that we can see with our own eyes is even more harrowing. The things that keep me up at night these days are the ability to create a fake video and audio of a world leader saying Ive launched nuclear weapons, Farid told me. The technology to create that exists today. The second observation is that sitting state legislators tend to be strong candidates for higher office. Bishop, who previously served in the state house, won the 9th District GOP nomination outright. State Rep. Greg Murphy won 23 percent of the vote in the initial 3rd District primary, while his state house colleagues Phil Shepherd and Michael Speciale came in third and four place, respectively. Naturally, Bishop did well in his own Mecklenburg senate district, while Murphy got 68 percent of his home county of Pitt, Shepherd won 51 percent in his home base of Onslow and Speciale was the top vote-getter in his home of Craven. But legislators often fared well in neighboring counties Murphy topped the ballot in Beaufort (next-door to Pitt), for example, and Speciale did so in Pamlico (next to Craven). What explains these effects? A name on the ballot multiple times is a plus, as is news coverage of legislative service. But another clear advantage is that legislators are used to raising money. They have preexisting ties to donors, prospects and potential institutional support. Im not as concerned about the deepfakes, though, as I am by the casual acceptance of falsehoods that could be dismissed by a quick Google search, but instead are passed along gleefully from neighbor to neighbor, simply because they reinforce prejudices. Im concerned with the millions who follow QAnon, who were promised that mass incarcerations of secret organizers of a child sex-trafficking ring were just around the corner last year no, wait, this year no, this week for sure, next week. Im concerned about the influence of a chief executive whose lies undermine agencies that are responsible for supporting law, public health, national security, secure elections and even, for Gods sake, accurate weather reports institutions that have much better track records than his own. It shouldnt have to be stated that theres great danger in being immersed in lies. We need education more than ever, including media literacy and critical thinking, to counter what some see as a truth crisis. Our education system should be a tower of truth that teaches our children how to recognize falsehoods when they see them even if the falsehoods are deeply ingrained in their elders and political representatives. Another quote that showed up in my social media recently turns out to be quite genuine. According to 18th century author Voltaire, Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. Which may be the best reason to reject lies, when theyre found, and cling to the truth. "I added Connor, because it's important to remind people that even though the three girls are now cancer-free, there are still kids being diagnosed every day," said Scantling, 35. In the aftermath of the first photo, as it was shared widely on social media, Scantling began hearing from other parents in Oklahoma whose children had also been diagnosed with cancer. She offered to photograph them as well. Since then, dozens of children with cancer have posed in her studio. "It's important to their parents - nobody wants their child to be forgotten," she said. She did not realize the power of such photos, in fact, until she posted the original one five years ago. "I had no idea about the impact it would have," she said. "I still get heartwarming messages from people who come across the photo online. They tell me it's helped them or someone they know through a dark time in their lives." Children and adults with cancer write to her to say her annual photos of the girls (and now Connor) give them hope to keep fighting, said Scantling, a professional photographer for 11 years with two daughters, both healthy. We are sensing this week, as the agricultural organizations reacted to Trumps suggestion its time for another round of trade war relief, that their patience no longer is for sale. They refuse to be bought. The first round of relief $12 billion translated into just a penny per bushel. Sorry Mr. President, what else can you offer? Farmers want trade, not aid. A raspberry to ... unfinished business. While weve been patient in trade negotiations, we still dont have an updated NAFTA and still havent resolved disputes with China. It will take more than a penny per bushel trade assistance package to help corn farmers, said David Bruntz of Friend, chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. During the next several days, farmers like Bruntz are being encouraged to drop a call or letter in the mail to the White House. The Nebraska Corn Growers Association and Nebraska Corn Board are collaborating with the National Corn Growers Association in urging farmers to write and phone the White House to tell the administration how the trade war and foot dragging on other trade issues is crippling their farming operations. As measles cases continue to be reported in record levels nationwide, some communities are finding they are better prepared than others. On May 10, the Centers for Disease Control reported 839 cases of measles across 23 states had been reported so far this year, the largest outbreak of measles in the United States in 25 years. Some cities, including Milwaukee, have cause for concern. According to a report in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, state records indicate that some 15 percent of students in Milwaukee Public Schools did not receive all required vaccinations this school year, leaving more than 11,000 students exposed to the risk of contracting measles and other diseases. In Kenosha, state records indicate that the measles, mumps and rubella immunization MMR is not as strong in the county as it is in the city, specifically for the Kenosha Unified School district, according to local health officials. In Kenosha County in 2018, the most recent year for which data is available, the percentage of children age 5-18 with at least two doses of MMR was 76 percent, said Hortensia Aiello, communicable diseases and clinical services team lead for the Kenosha County Health Department. Students in the Kenosha Unified School District, however, are immunization ready, with some 92 percent immunized for the current school year, Aiello said. Of the districts currently enrolled 21,295 students, 19,630 meet all minimum requirements, 452 are in the process of meeting those requirements and 56 are behind schedule, according to Gina Montemurro, administrator for Unifieds immunization program. To be fully vaccinated, children need to have received 16 doses of vaccines over the course of their childhood to protect against nine diseases. Opting out Some families, however, opt out of getting some or all of the required vaccines citing personal, religious or health reasons. In Unified the number of students with waivers for personal, religious or health reasons is 1,111; 239 of those have a waiver for all vaccines, so they have no immunizations, reported Montemurro. Statewide, waiver numbers are increasing, Aiello said. Citing state records, Aiello said that during the 1997-98 school year, the number of students with immunization waivers was 1.6 percent; today that rate is 5.3 percent. Without the waivers, however, students and their parents are cited as non-compliant for vaccinations, health and school officials said. During the school year, parents of children who are not immunized may get up to four warnings, Montemurro said. We try to really stay on top of it in our schools, she said. The solid immunization rates experienced in Unified mirror those reported at the state level, Aiello said. Citing information from the Immunization Registry for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, she said statewide immunizations for 2018-19 school year are at 91.9 percent. The percentage of students who were behind schedule for immunizations is currently 1.6 percent, a rate similar to that in previous years, Aiello said. The rates all look very, very healthy, Aiello said. Stay on top of immunizations Aiello said she hears from Unified school nurses that parents say the district does a very good job about following up and being conscientious about student immunizations. Keeping immunizations in the healthy zone is all about record-keeping and communication, said Montemurro and Aiello. We run (immunization) checks two times a year, on the 30th and 90th days of school, Montemurro said. For kids who are behind during the fall, we exclude them from school for three to five days per state law. In spring they are no longer excluded but put on a list, and we inform the parents. We use the Wisconsin immunization registry as our data system for all those who are immunized, Aiello said. Physicians of those who come from other states are required to enter into the registry in order to keep records up to date. With that program we have capability to send notifications and reminders to parents and routinely run reports. Getting the word out In addition to sending out physical reminders, the health department has also begun using social media, including a Facebook page, to get the word out about immunizations and measles. The health department has recognized that social media has a very wide impact and the comm has responded very rapidly. As they say, Weve got a lot of hits. Were being followed, Aiello said. In the event that measles did find their way into our area, public health officials are prepared, Aiello said. On May 13, the health department held a webinar for staff working with communicable diseases. We dont see measles that often, so a refresher is important, Aiello said. Its better to be proactive. 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. 2K Shares Share If you live or work in Washington DC, your number one health care question is how do I (or my meal ticket people) win the next election. If you live or work in Caruthersville MO, chances are that your most pressing health care question is how do I (or my immediate family members) get a hold of some insulin this month. Theoretically speaking, in a healthy democracy, the answers to both questions would be one and the same. In America, in the year 2019, this is no longer the case. The Washington jet setters most aligned with the Caruthersville culture (whatever that means), will pop up on your TV screen promising at least fifty insulin shops on Main Street, all competing for your insulin business, until insulin prices plummet to gas station coffee levels. Not to be outdone, the opposing Washington faction, will promise you free insulin for life, and to sweeten the deal, they will throw in free college for your semi-literate children who couldnt pass a college entrance exam with a gun to their head. They will also promise free childcare for your grandkids, so just in case your daughter does not make it into that free college and does not become an astrophysicist as planned, she can still pursue her Walmart career. We are being hoodwinked. We are being robbed. We are being disrespected and infantilized. Stealing our votes has become easier than stealing candy from babies. There are more of us by orders of magnitude than there are of them. They certainly have better and bigger weapons. They are better trained and better organized and have better discipline. We also have collaborators in our midst, who are difficult to spot. Lets face it, in every conceivable way, Washington DC and its sprawling appurtenances have become what the Court of St. James was to our forefathers. Health care is complicated because it has so many degrees of freedom, few of which we can reliably identify. Some degrees of freedom are yet to be discovered, others look independent, but are not, and vice versa. Furthermore, the boundaries of what we call the health care system are ill-defined and in a perpetual state of flux. At our current state of knowledge, deterministic theories of health care systems are not possible, i.e., you cannot infer past states or future developments of the health care system based on its current state, which is why both health care historians and futurists consistently fail to produce any valuable insights, let alone solutions. Option one The first and most common strategy for changing complex systems is to essentially ignore the complexity, zero in on ones pet peeve, kick it hard in the shins, and hope for the best. Thats what LBJ did in 1965, and thats what President Obama did in 2010. One was wildly successful, the other less so. Why? Both LBJ and Obama identified a segment of the population driven into misery and poverty for lack of affordable medical care and passed legislation to have the government assume financial responsibility for their medical care, to various degrees. Both LBJ and Obama faced militant opposition to their proposals. Both had to compromise and twist arms to make it happen. However, the health care system wasnt nearly as complex when LBJ acted on it. As luck would have it, LBJ was able to separate a piece of the system from the whole in a relatively clean way and move on that piece and that piece alone. It would take half a century for the ripple effects of LBJs kick in the shins to reach all other parts of health care, for better or for worse. By the time Obama got his shot, the health care system became almost impossible to detangle. Almost. Instead of working hard to carve out his pet peeve from the bigger mess, expose its shins, and deliver a blow, President Obama chose to kick the whole system softly in multiple spots, hoping the change will materialize only where intended. It did not. Obamacares main thrust was to provide health insurance to the 45 million Americans who were then uninsured, mostly because they couldnt afford to buy insurance. If thats all Obamacare endeavored to do, it would have probably been a resounding success. Instead, Obamacare chose to partially address the uninsured problem directly, while simultaneously attempting to lower the overall costs of health care, so the unaddressed portions of the problem will address themselves. It was too much intervention for the system to absorb at once, particularly since the underlying philosophy was old, unimaginative and empirically proven to be morally and operationally bankrupt. At the very core of Obamacare is Richard Nixons (or rather Edgar Kaisers) notion that health care is best when throngs of people, devoid of agency, submit themselves to medical decisions of expert organizations whose job is to minimize the costs of health care. This idea is why we are told that the job of doctors is to keep people healthy and be stewards of scarce resources, why we need a health system instead of a sickness system, and why Obamacare mandated preventive care to be free across all health care. This idea is why most Medicaid, large chunks of Medicare and the Obamacare exchanges were surrendered to managed care and accountable organizations, why fee-for-service is incessantly vilified, and why massive medical surveillance by computers has been instituted. And this idea is why independently-minded private practices had to be demolished. Remember those vaguely defined degrees of freedom? It turns out some of them had to do with pricing. You want free preventive care? Sure, no problem, just pay a higher deductible. You dont want to pay a fee for each service? Oh well, then pay a hell of a lot more for each bundle. You want a health system? Perfect, just pay more for sickness. You want billion-dollar precision surveillance of the herd? Easy peasy, just pay more for everything. You dont like how things turned out? Too bad, because while you were busy pontificating, we all merged ourselves into too-big-to-push-around health entities, so take it or leave it, see if we care. Option two The health system we have today is very different than the one we had when Obamacare became law. It has bigger teeth, sharper claws, and spectacularly buff muscles, and its grip on our lives has tightened significantly. You cant close your eyes and click your heels to go back to pre-Obamacare times. You may be able to strip twenty million people of the lousy health insurance they now have, but you cant repeal the mergers and acquisitions of the last nine years, you cant resurrect thousands upon thousands of small practices and pharmacies, and you cant rip out trillion dollars of computerized surveillance. You can certainly indulge in fantasies of shooting it dead with your Medicare for All silver bullet, but the post-Obamacare health system is no fictional werewolf. Its a very real animal. You can certainly wound it, but nothing is more dangerous than a wounded beast. The only way forward is to do what Obamacare should have done, albeit under much more difficult circumstances. You still have around 30 million people with no health insurance, and over 100 million who are underinsured because they cant afford the new deductibles. You also have small limited opportunities to lower expenditures on certain health-related items such as prescription drugs and extra payments to hospitals. You also have a slew of Federal regulations and administrative programs that make everything a bit more expensive, with no added benefits to either buyers or sellers of medical services. Before you do anything though, you must overcome a very painful mental hurdle. Medical care is and will remain very expensive for the foreseeable future, and thats okay. We dont know how to cure Alzheimers. We dont know how to cure diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and most cancers. These things make medical care expensive. Five percent of Americans use fifty percent of health care funds every year. Fifteen million people use around one million dollars each, in any given year. If these very sick people didnt exist, or if medicine had nothing to offer them, health care would be affordable for everybody else. Alternatively, if medicine had a fully restorative cure for these and other afflictions, health care would be dirt cheap, and life would be much better for everybody. Science will do its thing eventually, and nudging it wont hurt either, but for now, we need to bite the bullet and pay up. First, we spend lavishly: Expand Medicaid to 200% Federal Poverty Level (FPL). The Obamacare Medicaid expansion was up to 138% FPL. Where did they come up with that number? The FPL is a joke. No person can live on $6.245 an hour when working full time, which is equivalent to the FPL. Expand Medicaid a little bit more (yes, I just said expand Medicaid). Get rid of the individual market for health insurance. Create locally managed group plans for counties or whatever geographical measures make sense in a given area. Let those groups shop for health insurance just like employers do. This will put to rest all the preexisting conditions sound and fury. Subsidize these group plans so nobody pays more than a certain percentage of their income and establish parity with current employer-sponsored insurance. Yes, it is going to cost money, probably more than Obamacare, but it wont break the bank. Now lets save a few pennies: Do the prescription drugs thing. Dont reimport from Canada, thus taking advantage of Socialized medicine, while badmouthing it with gusto. Grow a pair and take on the drug cartels. If the President can threaten China with tariffs, Mexico with shutting down all trade moving through the border, the EU with dismantling NATO, and North Korea with nuclear annihilation, he can certainly negotiate a better deal for America, with a bunch of pharmaceutical sleazeballs, no? Get rid of the free preventive care and allow direct primary care, and any cash services that are priced lower than plan negotiated fees, to count against deductibles. Speaking of deductibles, cap those nationally at ten percent of premiums. Incentivize competition in physician services, and discourage shady referral schemes, by paying small independent practices, more than hospitals for the same service. Look at this as a form of reparations for past discrimination. Get rid of all Medicare and Medicaid funded initiatives that have no clear purpose or return on investment and disallow anything that is not a direct payment to a medical professional, facility or supplier, from being included in health insurers medical loss ratios. Require all sellers of health insurance to submit to yearly value-based performance evaluations and publish the results. This is not about clinical quality. Its about quality of service, and value-based is the proper term here (for a change). There is obviously more, a lot more, that we could do, but these are my pet peeves. Other people will have their own. If we keep it simple, and if we are careful when detaching little pieces from the tangled mess that is our health care system, we should be fine. The folks in Caruthersville, MO will be getting plenty of insulin, and the wise men and women brave enough to take this or a similar route to solving the health care conundrum, will get reelected in a landslide. The alternative is that in a pointless battle against Obamacare, those who defend the Obamacare status-quo will win in that landslide (regardless of Medicare for All empty promises), because starving people will not trade the piece of stale bread in their hand, for promises of champagne and caviar due to arrive in two years or so, if all goes well. The presidents political instinct was correct. Health care must be addressed in a positive and generous manner at this exact moment in time, or the party will be over sooner than anticipated (pun intended). Those who advise the President to postpone the discussion are not serving him or the nation well. These are the same people who pushed the stingy and cruel Paul Ryan agenda that brought the house down last year (pun fully intended). The truth is that right now, nobody in Washington DC has a realistic solution for health care, so why not try something different? What do you have to lose? I mean, seriously What the hell do you have to lose? Margalit Gur-Arie is founder, BizMed. She blogs at On Health Care Tech & Policy. Image credit: Shutterstock.com NEAR VENETA, Ore. -- Oregon State Police has confirmed that one person was killed in a crash on Highway 126 Saturday afternoon. ODOT reports that the crash happened at around 4:30 p.m. at milepost 50, east of Veneta at Fern Ridge Lake. The highway was closed for about two and a half hours. Crews opened it to traffic at about 7:00 p.m. Two out of three people with asthma currently do not have an Asthma Action plan, according to a survey undertaken by the Asthma Society, launched today by Minister for Health Simon Harris as part of Asthma Awareness Week. The research was conducted after recent figures for asthma deaths show they are on the rise. One person now dies every five days from asthma. The Asthma Society of Ireland is encouraging the 5,587 people in Kilkenny with uncontrolled asthma to reduce their risk of a fatal asthma attack by getting an Asthma Action Plan. The survey was conducted April/May 2019, with 1,081 respondents. Asthma Society CEO, Sarah OConnor, said: It is truly frightening that asthma deaths are on the rise in Ireland a person now dies every five days in Ireland from asthma. Our Asthma Management survey, launched today, highlighted a huge lack of awareness of how to manage asthma. The survey results showed that, in the event of an asthma attack, most people wouldnt know the necessary steps to take to save a life (the 5 Step Rule). Every person who has asthma should be in possession of an Asthma Action Plan UK research into asthma deaths indicated that having an up-to-date Asthma Action Plan made it significantly less likely that a person would experience a fatal asthma attack. This Asthma Awareness Week we are calling on people all over the country to put an Asthma Action Plan in place. Minister for Health, Simon Harris, said: I am strongly supporting the Asthma Societys campaign today, encouraging people to take control of their asthma. Asthma management is extremely important. It allows people with the condition to live a longer, healthier and happier life. I encourage everyone to put an Asthma Action Plan in place it is the one of the best asthma management tools available. People with asthma can work with their GP or asthma nurse or phone the Asthma and COPD Adviceline for help to create their personalised plan on 1800 44 54 64. The Asthma Management survey found that: Two out of three people with asthma do not have an Asthma Action Plan Two out of three people with asthma have not spoken to their healthcare professional in the last six months Only 63% of people surveyed knew there was a 5 Step Rule for managing an asthma attack 69% people with asthma would not know the 5 Step Rule to manage an asthma attack Half of people with asthma use their reliever inhaler more than the recommended twice a week Three out of five people with asthma do not use their controller inhaler all year round Nine out of ten people with asthma do not carry an Asthma Attack Card with them at all times One in five people with asthma would not know the six most common symptoms of an asthma attack As part of this campaign, the Asthma Society has produced two videos both provide tips about asthma management. One very emotive video features Ciara Kelly who lost her mother to an asthma attack in 2018 and the other video features Michael McDonagh who shares his story of how he got in control of his asthma, getting his life back on track. The Asthma Society will kick off its first ever Asthma Roadshow during Asthma Awareness Week. This roadshow will travel around the country to help people get in control of their asthma. The roadshows next stop is Mahon Point Shopping Centre in Cork on 8 May (12 noon to 4pm), Eyre Square Shopping Centre on 9 May (2-6pm) and Letterkenny Retail Park on 10 May (12 noon to 4pm). People with asthma are encouraged to attend these events where they can meet with a respiratory specialist nurse one to one about getting in control of their asthma. These events are designed to be family friendly and feature activities/games to get children to learn about and accept their own asthma or that of a friend or family member. The inaugural Asthma Awareness Week runs from 4-10 May and is kindly supported by Boots Ireland and GSK. Susan ODwyer (Pharmacy Strategy Manager for Boots Ireland) said: We are delighted to partner with the Asthma Society for Asthma Awareness Week. With our Lets Breathe Easy consultations available year round our pharmacists are ideally placed to support people with asthma to better manage their medication and condition - providing advice on inhaler technique, asthma control and the creation of an Asthma Action Plan. We are encouraging people with asthma to attend for a free Lets Breathe Easy consultation in their local Boots pharmacy throughout the month of May to get some valuable advice and to pick up an Asthma Action Plan. Jon Barbour (Director of Medical Affairs for GSK Ireland) said: GSK is proud to support this campaign we encourage people with asthma to fill out their Asthma Action Plan with a healthcare professional. We share the Asthma Societys mission to save and improve the lives of people with asthma and we are committed to helping those with the condition to do more, feel better and live longer. Asthma Action Plans can be downloaded from asthma.ie or ordered over the phone at 1800 44 54 64 (delivered for free) or picked up at any Boots pharmacy nationwide. They help to identify asthma triggers, manage symptoms, correctly take medication and, vitally, informing people how to know if someone is experiencing an asthma emergency and how to use the 5 Step Rule to manage an attack. To support the Asthma Society, text BREATHE to 50300 TO DONATE 4 (Text costs 4. Asthma Society of Ireland will receive a minimum of 3.25.Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278) People are welcome to phone the Asthma and COPD Adviceline on 1800 44 54 64 to get a free personalised pack sent to them. The Adviceline service allows users to call a respiratory nurse specialist for free to discuss their Action Plan and any other questions they may have on asthma management. People with asthma should carry an Asthma Attack Card with them at all times. This card details the 5 Step Rule for managing an attack and the symptoms and can be given to a member of the public if help is required. This card also contains the persons emergency details including their next of kin. Newshub reports: The Ministry of Transport business case examined the cost of upgrading the rail line between Auckland and Whangarei, reopening the mothballed tracks north to Moerewa and west to Dargaville, and constructing a new spur east to Northport. It estimates the total cost at $1.3b over 40 years. Including $730m in the first four years during the construction phase and $3m for improvements and maintenance in the years after. Thats a huge amount of money. So what would the benefits be? However, the economics tread a fine line. In the best-case scenario, the report gives the investment a benefit-cost-ratio (BCR) of 1.19, meaning for every $1 spent there would be a $1.19 return. So what assumptions are based on that best-case? This would require a major expansion of Northport which would see it handling 400,000 containers, 100,000 from within Northland and 300,000 from Auckland. In the year to June 2019 Northport expects to handle 12,500 containers, up from 8000 last year. So Northport would have to increase its volume of freight by a factor of 50, yes by 5000%, in order for the investment in rail to be positive. That is a delusional assumption, rather than an optimistic one. Share this: Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Reddit WhatsApp More Pinterest Print Tumblr Dr. Terry Gaff is a physician in northeast Indiana. Contact him at drgaff@kpcmedia.com or on Facebook. To read past columns and to post comments go to kpcnews.com/columnists/terry_gaff. Kendallville, IN (46755) Today Generally cloudy. High 52F. E winds shifting to WSW at 10 to 15 mph.. Tonight Mostly cloudy. Low around 30F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph. (AMAZONIA, Mo) Family and friends of a man believed to be missing assisted state troopers scouring the Missouri River in an attempt to locate him on Saturday. This was the 2nd-day crews have been out searching in the area near Amazonia. Family friends said the man set out onto the river Thursday to fish, then Friday morning they say they discovered the mans vehicle on the access ramp still running with a trailer attached. The missing man's boat was found roughly two miles away from the access ramp. "Were racing against time," Candi Redel, a close friend of the missing man's wife said. Search and rescue teams worked with civilians to try and locate the man before severe weather moved into the area. The highway patrol said the weather wasn't the only challenge. "The rivers up and it's moving pretty fast," Lt. Shane Sims, Missouri State Trooper said. "Ultimately we have to consider the safety of everyone involved." The wife of the missing man is a hospice nurse, she along with her co-workers are asking for prayers and the safe return of her husband. "What we do every single day is help people in the hardest times in their lives," Redel said. "Now, one of our nurses needs help. Search crews called off the search efforts after severe weather moved in. The highway patrol says search operations resumed at 8 am Sunday morning. A lady has warned new dad, Ubi Franklin who is visiting Abuja, not to impregnate any lady before he leaves. Ubi had posted a photo of himself with the caption, I cant even lie, life can test you Sha, before the lady emotion_girl7 jumped into the comment section to make the statement. Follow Us on Facebook @LadunLiadi; Instagram @LadunLiadi; Twitter @LadunLiadi; Youtube @LadunLiadiTV for updates Top U.S. corporations including chipmakers and Google have frozen the supply of crucial software and components to Huawei Technologies Co., complying with a Trump administration crackdown that threatens to choke off Chinas largest technology company. Chipmakers including Intel Corp., Qualcomm Inc., Xilinx Inc. and Broadcom Inc. have told their employees they will not supply Huawei until further notice, according to people familiar with their actions. And Alphabet Inc.s Google cut off the supply of hardware and some software services to the Chinese giant, another person familiar with the decision said, asking not to be identified discussing private matters. The moves, which had been expected, hamstring the worlds largest provider of networking gear and No. 2 smartphone vendor. The Trump administration on Friday blacklisted Huawei which it accuses of aiding Beijing in espionage and threatened to cut it off from the U.S. software and semiconductors it needs to make its products. Blocking the sale to Huawei of crucial components could also disrupt the businesses of American chip giants such as Micron Technology Inc. and slow the rollout of vital 5G wireless networks worldwide including in China. That in turn could hurt U.S. companies that are increasingly reliant on the worlds second largest economy for growth. If fully implemented, the Trump administration action could have ripple effects across the global semiconductor industry. Intel is the main supplier of server chips to the Chinese company, Qualcomm provides processors and modems for many of Huaweis smartphones, Xilinx sells programmable chips used in networking, and Broadcom is a supplier of switching chips, another key component in some types of networking machinery. Representatives for the chipmakers declined to comment. Advertisement Huawei is heavily dependent on U.S. semiconductor products and would be seriously crippled without supply of key U.S. components, said Ryan Koontz, an analyst at Rosenblatt Securities Inc. The U.S. ban may cause China to delay its 5G network build until the ban is lifted, having an impact on many global component suppliers. Who is the man behind Huawei and why is the U.S. intelligence community so afraid of his company? To be sure, Huawei is said to have stockpiled enough chips and other vital components to keep its business running for at least three months. Its been preparing for such an eventuality since at least the middle of 2018, hoarding components while designing its own chips, people familiar with the matter said. But its executives believe their company has become a bargaining chip in ongoing U.S.-Chinese trade negotiations, and that they will be able to resume buying from American suppliers if a trade deal is reached, they said. The U.S. companies moves are likely to escalate tensions between Washington and Beijing, elevating fears that President Trumps goal is to contain China, triggering a protracted cold war between the worlds biggest economies. In addition to a trade fight that has rattled global markets for months, the U.S. has pressured both allies and foes to avoid using Huawei for 5G networks that will form the backbone of the modern economy. The extreme scenario of Huaweis telecom network unit failing would set China back many years and might even be viewed as an act of war by China, Koontz wrote. Such a failure would have massive global telecom market implications. The U.S. clampdown also deals a direct blow to Huaweis fast-growing mobile devices division. Huawei will be able to access only the public version of Googles Android mobile operating system, the worlds most popular smartphone software. It wont be able to offer proprietary apps and services from Maps and search to Gmail, said the person, who requested anonymity speaking about a private matter. That will severely curtail the sale of Huawei smartphones abroad. Huawei, the worlds largest smartphone brand after Samsung Electronics Co., was one of a select few global hardware partners to receive early access to the latest Android software and features from Google. Outside of China, those ties are crucial for the search giant to spread its consumer apps and bolster its mobile ads business. The Chinese company will still have access to app and security updates that come with the open-source version of Android. Reuters reported the moves earlier. We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications, a Google representative said without elaborating. Ryan Disraeli, 31, is one of the three co-founders of TeleSign, a Marina del Rey company that provides user identification software for things such as two-factor authentication services requiring an additional personal ID number sent to ones smartphone, for example to help block fraudulent users at some of the worlds largest websites. TeleSign customers include Twitter, Facebook, Googles Gmail, Microsoft Outlook, Bank of America and PayPal. The company, which began in 2005 with just Disraeli and co-founders Stacy Stubblefield and Darren Berkovitz, now has more than 300 employees. It generated more than $100 million in sales during the last full year of operations before it was acquired by Belgian telecommunications firm Belgacom International Carrier Services in 2017 for $230 million. Disraeli has served as chief executive of TeleSign since December 2018. Find your own path Disraeli grew up in San Diego and decided early on that he wasnt suited for the path of his ancestors, who were seriously involved in dental hygiene. He graduated magna cum laude from USCs Marshall School of Business, focusing on entrepreneurship and advertising. I came from a family of dentists, like four generations of dentists, Disraeli said. I loved the business part I mean dentists typically own their own practice but certainly not the part about looking in peoples mouths all day. Unfortunately, the dental dynasty in the family has died. I have two brothers, and all three of us are in tech. Advertisement Bonding Good partners are vital to most successful businesses, and TeleSign is no exception. Disraeli, Stubblefield and Berkovitz are all USC alumni who met while working at a business incubator in Beverly Hills. Our personalities and strengths are different, Disraeli said. Stacy is very forward-thinking and one of the smartest people Ive certainly worked with and highly technical. Darren is extremely sales and business development-oriented and an eternal optimist. I fall somewhere in the middle of them where Im more of an operator. The three of us really united very early on and I think built a lot of trust around those ups and downs in the early part of the business. Berkovitz has since left the company. Stubblefield is TeleSigns chief innovation officer. The big idea The trio had several ideas for a possible business, but the one that seemed most promising would later become TeleSign. The real need we saw was a solution to online fraud, Disraeli said, everything from spam on the internet to hacked accounts. It was more of a theoretical problem than the headline-grabbing crisis that we have today. We were really the innovators in that space, the first to have a commercial product whereby youd send a text message or a voice call with a code to verify your identity. The big problem Customers didnt exactly flock to TeleSigns door. First off, online fraud wasnt such a huge problem at the time, and companies didnt know how important it would later become, Disraeli said. But the other problem that frequently surfaced came during the due diligence phase of checking out TeleSigns credentials. They would realize that we were three young kids basically running a start-up, Disraeli said. We really struggled getting past that. We would go through the entire sales process and get to the very end and run into challenges where companies would realize how small we were and how important we were going to be to their infrastructure, and they couldnt take that risk. Rejected In the early days of the company, Disraeli said, we couldnt afford to go buy a booth at a conference, and so we would go walk the halls of conferences. Most of the feedback we got was Nobody would ever use this technology and This will never be successful. There was tons of negative feedback early on. Ryan Disraeli co-founded TeleSign with two fellow USC graduates in 2005. (Ana Venegas / For The Times) The big break The trio kept plugging away in spite of all the negative responses, Disraeli said. TeleSign finally got its first big break in 2007 when a top online marketplace said yes to its pitch. The customer had only 20 employees, meaning it wasnt big enough, Disraeli thinks, to have someone running deep due diligence checks. They signed up with us and saw a ton of success, Disraeli said. We were able to leverage that one large customer into acquiring others because they helped establish our credibility. It was persistence as well, continually focusing all of our attention on customer acquisition and listening to customers and innovating quite quickly. Listen carefully We wouldnt go to a large company and tell them what to do, Disraeli said. Wed really listen to their challenges and try to be an extension of their team. We became extremely successful with our large-customer engagements, which is why nine of the top 10 U.S. websites use our services. We worked with them as opposed to just trying to sell them different solutions. Even to this day we spend a lot of time meeting customers in person. Im still very much a believer in that. Global preparation There are no one-size-fits-all solutions, Disraeli said, especially when the customer base is global. We have to have our services available in every country and every language and localized for the nuances of those different geographies. And so we very much think of ourselves as a global company. Were also very strong in China, for example, and some other emerging markets. Tracking disruption Disraeli says it is important to pay attention to people who are disrupting their industries. Certainly, any of the leaders that think outside the box, like Richard Branson, who are constantly developing new markets and not staying in their same space. Modern day entrepreneurs like Elon Musk, for example, who has multiple business interests and is always trying to challenge the status quo and think differently. Those types of leaders are certainly ones that I like to read about and follow quite a bit. Personal Disraelis success got him on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2017. Along with his two co-founders, Disraeli received the 2018 USC Alumni Entrepreneur of the Year award. With a severely limited amount of free time, Disraeli said he has found a way to parlay some fun and cultural enrichment from his business trips. I do a ton of international travel for TeleSign and I enjoy adding on a weekend in different places to really experience different cultures, Disraeli said. Last week, I was in China in four different cities for business, and then on the weekend, I went to Chengdu and visited the pandas and ate all the spicy Szechuan food I could find. Times critic Justin Chang is filing regular dispatches from the 72nd annual Cannes Film Festival, which runs May 14-25 in France. In the eight years since Terrence Malick won the Palme dOr at Cannes for The Tree of Life, his magisterial drama about childhoods end and the spirits awakening, the standard critical line is that he has become an artist lost in the wilderness, stranded in an artistic limbo of his own making. His most recent features To the Wonder, Knight of Cups and Song to Song are wispy, fragmentary tales of romantic ennui and moral drift, full of visual beauty but absent a comparable sense of transcendence. I admired them more than many of my colleagues did, though it would be disingenuous not to admit that I, too, was left wondering if this great and singular filmmaker would ever give us another movie to love. I wonder no more. Sunday marked Malicks return to Cannes, and it felt like a homecoming in more than one sense. His extraordinarily beautiful and wrenching new movie is called A Hidden Life, a title that quotes from Middlemarch, though one that could easily be misinterpreted as a reference to this famously press-shy auteur himself. But it also sounds an echo of The Tree of Life, which may be more than mere coincidence: If that 2011 film was Malicks most personal and autobiographical work, then this one feels like a decisive return to roots. Its at once a linear, almost classically structured drama and an exploratory, intensely romantic work of art. Advertisement A Hidden Life tells the story of Franz Jagerstatter, a peasant farmer from the Austrian village of St. Radegund who was imprisoned and executed in 1943 for refusing to fight for the Nazis. Its the writer-directors second World War II picture, after The Thin Red Line, except that here not a single shot is fired. The focus is entirely on Jagerstatter and his family, his growing discontent as Austria falls into Adolf Hitlers grip and his heroic, ultimately fatal decision to become a conscientious objector. August Diehl and Bruno Ganz in the movie A Hidden Life. (Reiner Bajo) After some brief archival footage of Hitler at the height of his powers, the movie settles down in St. Radegund, whose rolling green pastures and mist-wreathed mountains may constitute the most astonishing vision of earthly paradise Malick has given us, which is saying something. You will recognize some familiar sights and sounds: the babbling of a brook, the rustling of wind in the leaves, the orchestral blasts of Bach, Beethoven, Handel and Dvorak on the soundtrack. And you will settle into the movie with a sigh or perhaps a groan, depending on your persuasion as Malick immerses us in yet another blissfully idealized evocation of family life. Pushing plows, threshing wheat and taking care of livestock is hard work, but Franz (a haunting August Diehl), a man of joy and contentment, also loves chasing and playing with his wife, Fani (Valerie Pachner) and their three young daughters. But the familys deep ties to the land and the surrounding community are disrupted when their fellow villagers take up the call of Heil Hitler, submitting freely to the grip of a murderous totalitarian regime. When a local bishop urges Franz to submit as well, he makes a decisive break with the church though not, crucially, with God, whom he continually presses and wrestles with in prayer. I am still wrestling with A Hidden Life myself, and imagine I will continue to do so long after its eventual release. The lengthy middle act, in which Franz finds himself called up for military duty and imprisoned after refusing to fight, feels lumbering and oppressive, which may of course be entirely the point; the claustrophobia here is physical and spiritual. Given the ensemble cast, which includes the late Bruno Ganz in one of his final roles, I wish that Malick had simply committed to shooting entirely in German, rather than a mix of German and English. (A particularly nagging choice: The Nazis are often heard barking in German, while Franz and Fanis mellifluous voice-overs are in English.) But the conviction of this movie would speak forcefully in any language. A Hidden Life is both an intense portrait of Christian devotion in practice and a damning study in how religious institutions, among others, can align themselves with evil. Malick sees no contradiction between these two truths; for him, sincere doubt and serious belief have always gone hand-in-hand. When a character murmurs, To follow Him is insanity the first and not the last time the movie quietly broke me you register fully what it might mean, and cost, to obey a doctrine of peace in violent times. August Diehl in A Hidden Life. (Reiner Bajo) Malick may be making the same movie he always has: a gorgeously expansive cinematic poem that is forever carving out fresh emotional tributaries, but which always cycles back to the despoiling of Eden, the fear of violence and mortality, the calm acceptance of the unknowable. But if his camera is still given to flurries of ecstatic movement, it also seems more stationary, more grounded than usual, as if the director were pausing to gather his thoughts and clear his throat. He has an awful lot to say. At its simplest level, A Hidden Life exists to disprove the snarling Nazi soldiers we hear telling Franz that his act of protest is meaningless and that no one will ever remember him. (They have admittedly already been disproved, thanks to the scholarship of Gordon Zahn and Thomas Merton, as well as a 2007 papal declaration of Jagerstatter as a martyr.) But it is also a call for moral vigilance in any era, the present one very much included: It is hard to watch this movie and not think of the rise of far-right and nationalist movements across Europe, or the Trump administrations chokehold on evangelical Christianity. That particular charge may be implicit, but its also unmistakable. Unless you are allergic to near-three-hour running times, there is nothing particularly difficult or elusive about A Hidden Life, nothing too cosmically elevated or metaphysically overreaching, to cite some of the dismissals frequently leveled against this directors work. If we understand pretension as an attitude that leaves no room for humility, then is there any filmmaker working today less pretentious than Terrence Malick, any artist more generous and unassuming in the way he exalts the beauty of the everyday? Just as importantly, in our era of ever-expanding options and decreasing patience, is there an audience still willing to accept that challenge and see that beauty as he does? Even when tarnished, Malicks legend looms large at a festival like Cannes, where he can be dismissed as a scourge and hailed as a god, but where he will never elicit an indifferent response. He deserves an equally impassioned reception when this imperfect, wise and entirely heroic movie comes out of hiding. justin.chang@latimes.com I think of you as trailblazers, Gwyneth Paltrow told a gathering of famous Hollywood friends Taraji P. Henson, Olivia Wilde, Jessica Alba and Busy Philipps during an end-of-day panel discussion at her lifestyle brands In Goop Health Summit at Rolling Greens Nursery in Los Angeles. Topics during the lively conversation ranged from new abortion restrictions in states including Alabama, Ohio, Missouri and Georgia to Hollywood career reinventions. Paltrow mentioned to the audience that Philipps short-lived talk show, Busy Tonight, sadly just ended as members of the audience booed E!s decision. Advertisement Its OK, guys. It wasnt the right place for it, Philipps said, later adding, Ive had a really strange few weeks. During a panel discussion, Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, from left, chats with Olivia Wilde, Taraji P. Henson, Jessica Alba and Busy Philipps about a number of topics from career reinvention to new abortion restrictions. (Neilson Barnard / Getty Images for Goop) Paltrow also addressed Philipps #youknowme campaign, which encourages women to share their personal abortion stories on social media. In light of whats going on in the last couple of days in various states in our country and your willingness to talk about your own experience on social media, its incredibly brave to do that, Paltrow said. Its not brave of me to say that I had an abortion at 15, Philipps said, because its a choice that I made and I dont regret it at all, and many women go through the exact same thing. I dont have a shame. Im glad I didnt have that guys baby. Im OK. I rail against this idea that we are holding onto these things so as to not make men uncomfortable. Later, Philipps said, I was so glad that I hadnt been canceled yet. I was grateful for that opportunity to be able to say it on my show on television. The event Onstage, Ambi Sitham leads a sound bath at the In Goop Health Summit. (Phillip Faraone / Getty Images for goop) Wearing an army-green G. Label romper, Paltrow roamed the downtown Los Angeles nursery, sampling Kreation Organic raw chi chia pudding and signing autographs for fans. Attendees shelled out $1,000 to $4,500 per a ticket to experience a series of holistic activities, including chakra-balancing yoga, guided meditation, a fitness session with Julianne Hough, sound baths and an intuition course with Laura Day. The shopping A look at the Chloe X Goop C shoulder bag ($2,090). (Goop) The space also featured a gift shop where Goop essentials were available including the companys new Goop X Chloe capsule collection of classic saddle bags: the Small Tess bag ($1,690) and the C shoulder bag ($2,090). The purses were featured alongside a curated collection of Chloe spring-summer 2019 pieces from creative director Natacha Ramsay-Levi. (Paltrow and Ramsay-Levi recently attended the Met Gala together.) The crowd Goop panelist Dr. Will Cole, from left, Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow and panelist Seamus Mullen at the In Goop Health Summit. (Phillip Faraone / Getty Images for Goop) Other panelists included author Elizabeth Gilbert, filmmaker Kevin Smith, Dr. Will Cole, chef Seamus Mullen, Nutrafol Chief Executive Giorgos Tsetis, energy healer John Amaral and journalist Lisa Taddeo. The scene Guests appear to be having a mindful moment during the In Goop Health Summit on Saturday at Rolling Greens Nursery in Los Angeles. (Neilson Barnard / Getty Images for goop) During a panel discussion, Henson, a star of the Fox series Empire (she will direct an episode during the shows upcoming final season), discussed her mental health advocacy nonprofit, the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation. Named after her father, Henson said shes working to eradicate the stigma around mental illness. One of the organizations initiatives aims to put qualified therapists in public schools. Theres so much work to do, but at least Im starting the conversation, because thats how you break the ice, said Henson, who worked as a substitute teacher before becoming an actress. I wanted to work with special-ed kids, she said, adding that she was placed at a school in Crenshaw and observed children being misdiagnosed because they failed to bring in their homework due to problems at home. Henson remembered thinking she was going to be working with physically enabled children. I go into a classroom with all black boys, and theyre special ed. Im thinking, They can walk. They can talk. Whats the problem? It comes time to do the curriculum. They kick their feet up [and say], I cant do that. Im special ed. But you can talk. These young boys are believing these titles that are given to them, and its a lie. Thats because the therapists or the counselors that are in these schools are not culturally competent. Or they are not qualified to see if children are having real issues that need to be addressed. Olivia Wilde at the In Goop Health Summit. (Phillip Faraone / Getty Images for Goop) Wilde discussed her directorial debut with this months comedy Booksmart, starring Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever. Im totally hooked. Its all I want to do, Wilde said of her newfound love of directing. I was also inspired by my mom, who at 66, pivoted from a long career in journalism and ran for congress in Virginia and she ultimately didnt win, but it was an incredible experience. Alba reminisced about launching the Honest Co. in 2011. The moment when I decided that I wanted to do something [other than acting] was probably when I got pregnant with my first kid, said Alba. And I learned about how many potentially harmful things in the world I was going to maybe expose myself to and my child to that could have long-term effects on her health. She said affordability was important to her when developing the brand. I grew up super blue collar, working class. My dad was in the military. We had no money; so I wanted to create a brand that stood for safety and health but also had a price point that was accessible to people. The quote Taraji P. Henson displays a copy of her memoir, Around the Way Girl, at the In Goop Health Summit. (Neilson Barnard / Getty Images for Goop) Perfect is the perfect lie, said Henson. Its a myth. It doesnt exist. Once I started thinking like that, shame went away because how dare you judge me? Why should I feel shame? Shes turned to prayer and meditation to get through the day. I have to meditate in the mornings, Henson said, so I dont head-butt a fellow human. This elicited a laugh from Paltrow. Oh, my God, that has to be one of our quotes on Goop that we put on Instagram, the Goop founder said. image@latimes.com For fashion news, follow us at @latimesimage on Twitter. Before launching into her signature song, Defying Gravity, Idina Menzel stopped to thank the evenings honoree, Broadway and film composer Stephen Schwartz, who was seated in the first row at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Having Stephen Schwartz in my life, well, it changed the trajectory of my life. It changed everything about me, she said, welling up with emotion. Having originated the role of Elphaba, the witch with the green complexion, in Wicked, Menzel spoke of the gift and privilege of giving voice to that character to embrace the power and the beauty of a unique, fierce, incredible woman and to feel the calm in owning that and not apologizing for who you are. Advertisement The event Isaiah Johnson and Liz Callaway perform at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts Spring Celebration. (Michael Kovac / Getty Images) The annual spring celebration at the Wallis this time dubbed An Evening of Wicked Fun Honoring Stephen Schwartz took shape in three acts on Thursday: a buffet dinner on the theaters terrace; a musical show starring Broadway icons; and a post-show dessert reception with the stars under the stars. Presented by Harry Winston, the evening event raised funds for the artistic, education and outreach programs of the Wallis, which serve more than 70,000 audience members, including thousands of students in underserved areas in greater Los Angeles each year. The honoree Composer Justin Paul, from left, honoree Stephen Schwartz and composer Benj Pasek at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts spring celebration. (Michael Kovac / Getty Images) The acclaimed composer of Wicked, Godspell and Pippin, Schwartz has also contributed lyrics to songs in the films Enchanted, Pocahontas and The Prince of Egypt. In her remarks onstage, Wallis Annenberg noted that by the age of 28, the six-time Tony nominee had three shows running simultaneously on Broadway and has now become one of only two composers who has had three shows run on Broadway longer than 1,500 performances. Stephen Schwartz once wrote this wonderful line, said Annenberg from the stage. People like the way dreams have of sticking to the soul. That is why we created this center six years ago. We all need dreams that touch us deep down inside, that stick to our soul, and that is why Stephens career has been so extraordinary, so iconic, because his stories, his compositions, his glorious works of art speak to the deepest emotions about who we are and who we want to be. The crowd John Bendheim and Cathy Louchheim co-chaired the event, which drew a crowd including Wicked book writer Winnie Holzman; First Date composers Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner; and Dear Evan Hansen composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The show Idina Menzel, a star of composer Stephen Schwartzs Broadway hit Wicked, performs onstage at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts spring celebration event. (Michael Kovac / Getty Images) Backed by the Los Angeles Childrens Chorus, Menzel, Liz Callaway, Isaiah Johnson, Megan Hilty, Jordan Fisher, Andrea Martin and Angel Blue sang their favorites of the composers songs. A trio danced a classic Bob Fosse number from Pippin, and others ascended the stage to offer thanks or to tell stories. In addition to Annenberg, they included actor John Rubenstein, producer Marc Platt, screenwriter Cinco Paul, and, from the Wallis, executive director Rachel Fine and artistic director Paul Crewes. If you missed the show, here are a few more highlights. Jordan Fisher at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts yearly spring celebration. (Rachel Luna / Getty Images) In a video clip from Kristin Chenoweth, David Copperfield and other admirers, Jason Alexander performed an over-the-top audition for the wizard role in Wicked, the movie. Before singing her favorite number in The Bakers Wife, Hilty recalled the composers generosity of spirit when, as a freshman theater student, she asked him a question and the kindness of his response made her feel so important. Having played the grandmother in Pippin, Martin praised Schwartz for his ability at age 22 to get into the heart and mind of a person four times his age and write her roles insightful, funny and wise song that transcends all ages. As the shows culmination, Schwartz took what he called a look forward with a song for a new play, My Fairytale, about the great storyteller Hans Christian Andersen. Then, inviting the cast to gather around the piano as he sang Can You Imagine That? he joked that cast members need not sing along with him because the script called for them to look on adoringly. The quote Briga Heelan, left, and Andrea Martin at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts celebration of Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz. (Rachel Luna / Getty Images) In a conversation with The Times, Schwartz talked about his work as a mentor to aspiring composers. I stumbled into it and found I liked doing it, he said. The problem is that its so random the way this business works and the way life works. You need, of course, talent and, maybe more than anything, perseverance and luck too. Its tough out there, and so, the more we can support one another, the better for all of us. The numbers Although total proceeds have not been released, tickets for the 475 guests began at $500, while donor packages of 10 ranged up to $100,000. image@latimes.com For fashion news, follow us at @latimesimage on Twitter. Food Bowl continues. This week features a pizza party, a full day of wine consumption at a bowling alley, plus a chef film screening and some serious restaurant industry conversation. There are also dinners, discussions, screenings and lots of food and drink going on. MAY 19: A TUTTA PIZZA A tutta pizza translates to all-out pizza. This event features all-you-can-eat slices from New York to Chicago, and Roman to Neapolitan plus craft beers; panels and Q&A with chefs and food aficionados; cooking demos; and culinary workshops. Advertisement $20-$125, noon to 8 p.m. at the Hollywood Palladium. Tickets and more info at: lafoodbowl.com/events/a-tutta-pizza-l-a-s-pizza-fest. MAY 19: MAJORDOMO + CHEF YU BO Chefs David Chang and Jude Parra Sickels of the Chinatown restaurant Majordomo welcome special guest chef Yu Bo of Yus Family Kitchen in Chengdu, China for a special lunch-time service. A limited number of special large-format dishes will be served for one-day only on a first-come, first-served basis. 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Majordomo. More info at: lafoodbowl.com/events/majordomo-lunch-with-chef-yu-bo. MAY 20: L.A. CHEF CONFERENCE Featuring chef speakers, panelists and cooking demos from the restaurant industry for the restaurant industry. Topics include: how to open a restaurant, mental health in the restaurant industry, pastry chefs, food sustainability and the food media. $85-$110, 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. at ArcLight Cinemas and the Gourmandise School. Tickets and more info at: lafoodbowl.com/events/l-a-chef-conference. MAY 22: AN EVENING WITH CHEF GAGGAN ANAND A screening of Chefs Table followed by a discussion with chef Gaggan Anand and director David Gelb. Anand, who is from India, runs the restaurant Gaggan in Bangkok, Thailand, considered among the best in the world. Gelb also directed Jiro Dreams of Sushi. $20, 7 to 10 p.m. at the Wiltern. Tickets and more info at: lafoodbowl.com/events/chefs-table-an-evening-with-chef-gaggan-anand. MAY 25: WINE BOWL An evening that demonstrates that the most conducive setting for exploring the world of natural wine is, in fact, in the cacophony of a bowling alley while getting day-drunk and huffing down burgers from Chris Kronners Oakland Burger Paradise. Tickets includes burgers, bowling, music, flights of wine. $75-$85, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Highland Park Bowl. Tickets and more info at: lafoodbowl.com/events/wine-bowl. MAY 27: OUTSTANDING IN THE FARM For the second year in a row, guests are invited to Weiser Family Farms in Tehachapi, where chef Rodolfo Guzman of Chile will create a feast utilizing grains and vegetables harvested from the fields and foraged finds from the surrounding mountains. A four-course family-style, long-table dinner is preceded by a cocktail hour. $285, 4 to 9 p.m. at Weiser Family Farms. Tickets and more info at: lafoodbowl.com/events/outstanding-in-the-field-weiser-family-farms. amy.scattergood@latimes.com Instagram: @AScattergood When Enma Hernandez crossed the Rio Grande here illegally about two weeks ago and approached Border Patrol agents seeking asylum, she told them she was eight months pregnant. Hernandez, 26, said she had fled Guatemala hoping to join her husband and 2-year-old daughter in Miami. Instead, U.S. immigration officials returned her to Ciudad Juarez under the Trump administrations Remain in Mexico policy. Rather than being released in the U.S. pending an immigration court hearing, Hernandez would have to wait in Mexico as her case progressed. She can enter the U.S under guard only for court hearings and then return to Mexico until her case is decided. The program, officially dubbed Migrant Protection Protocols, debuted in San Ysidro in January and expanded to El Paso in March, one of several White House initiatives designed to deter asylum seekers who fear persecution at home. The Trump administration has also initiated wait lists at border crossings that have left thousands of migrants waiting in Mexican border shelters for the chance to enter the U.S. to apply for asylum. Advertisement Immigrant advocates point out that pregnant women are given priority on the wait lists coordinated by U.S. Customs officers, whereas Border Patrol agents part of the same agency include pregnant women in the Remain in Mexico program, placing vulnerable asylum seekers lives at risk by forcing them to wait indefinitely in Mexican border cities. Last week, some asylum seekers were returned to Mexico with court dates months away, some in January, because of a growing backlog in U.S. immigration courts of more than 800,000 pending cases. As of Friday, the U.S. had sent 6,004 asylum seekers back to Mexico under the program, and during the last month, authorities sent 1,713 to Tijuana, 933 to Mexicali and 2,035 to Juarez, according to Mexicos immigration agency, the National Institute of Migration. This month, Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) proposed legislation, co-sponsored by 21 other Democrats, to defund the program. In addition, civil liberties groups have mounted a legal challenge, but the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on May 7 allowed the returns to continue while the case is pending. Homeland Security guidelines exempt unaccompanied children seeking asylum from being returned to wait in Mexico. Others with known physical/mental health issues and individuals from vulnerable populations are exempted on a case-by-case basis. But the guidelines do not make provisions for all pregnant women, new mothers, parents with disabled children or transgender migrants all of whom have been returned to Juarez in recent weeks. A spokesman for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, whose agents decide which migrants are placed in the program, referred questions to Homeland Security. A Homeland Security spokeswoman declined to comment. Only about 20 asylum seekers have been exempted from the program and allowed into El Paso, migrant advocates said. They include several Guatemalan parents who speak indigenous languages and two Central American fathers who said they were kidnapped, beaten and robbed in Juarez. Pregnant women such as Hernandez, on the other hand, have been shipped back to Mexico without medical care to await their hearings on the American side of the border. Due to waiting lists, Juarez is already strained by an influx of migrants. Its 10 shelters have housed more than 14,000 since large numbers of Central American families began showing up in October. More recently, large groups of Cuban asylum seekers have aggravated the crowding. A thousand migrants packed overcrowded Juarez shelters last week, said Martha Esquivel de Guerrero, director of Buen Pastor church shelter. Her 10-bed shelter was housing 125 migrants, 35 of them asylum seekers sent back by U.S. immigration officials to Mexico. Most had no choice but to sleep on the floor or between pews. The citys largest shelter, the 250-bed Casa del Migrante, housed 480 migrants, about 60% of them returnees. Trump has claimed that asylum seekers are engaging in a hoax or big, fat con job and that there is an emergency at the border. According to government statistics, nearly 110,000 migrants presented themselves legally at ports of entry or crossed the border illegally last month. Thats the highest monthly total since 2007. Advocates for greater limits on immigration have also long complained that pregnant migrants come to the U.S. to have anchor babies who automatically are citizens. But immigration advocates say that gang violence and political strife in Central America are largely responsible for the influx of asylum seekers and that by law, those fleeing persecution abroad have the right to seek asylum in the United States. As Hernandez prepared to cross the border bridge from Juarez to El Paso on Thursday to attend her U.S. immigration court hearing, she said she had been too nervous to stay at one of the crowded shelters. Unable to get a Mexican work permit because of her pending U.S. asylum case, she has started working off the books as a cook and has rented an apartment with several other asylum seekers. She said she fears for her safety. Homicides in Juarez increased in recent years, reaching a 10-year high, and immigrants are easy targets. This month, three Honduran migrants were fatally shot when gunmen stormed a Juarez home. Hernandez says American officials should let pregnant women remain in the U.S. until their asylum cases are decided. We should be an exception because we are vulnerable, she said. Its dangerous for us here. Raquela Pedro Juan, 21, of Guatemala, who gave birth to daughter Ana Sofia Pedro Juan on May 9, 2019, attempts to cross the border bridge to El Paso. At right is Enma Hernandez, 26, who is eight months pregnant. (Molly Hennessy-Fiske / Los Angeles Times) Four other pregnant migrants crossed the bridge on Thursday with her, along with a new mother carrying her 6-day-old daughter. All were in the Remain in Mexico program. Linda Rivas, executive director of El Paso-based Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, represents the mother and accompanied the group across the bridge. She and other advocates had alerted the Border Patrol about the women and requested they be allowed to stay in the United States. Rivas represents other Central American asylum seekers, including a transgender migrant and a man with a disabled son, who were initially returned to Mexico but later allowed to stay in the U.S. while their immigration cases are pending. It seems arbitrary, Rivas said of which migrants are exempted. She accompanied the migrant women across the bridge, but once they reached Border Patrol, they entered U.S. custody and Rivas had to leave, telling them she would see them in court. They never made it there. Of 31 migrants scheduled to appear in El Paso immigration court, guards brought nine. All nine said they feared returning to Mexico. One woman said through tears that the pastor she had been staying with in Juarez had been kidnapped. The U.S. immigration judge ordered immigration officials to speak with the asylum applicants before they were sent back to Mexico, and scheduled their next hearings for August. It wasnt initially clear what happened to Hernandez and the other women who did not appear. Immigration Judge Nathan Herbert asked Rivas and an attorney representing the government. Neither of them said they knew. The judge asked the government lawyer to find out, but he said after the hearing that he still didnt know. Rivas later learned that Border Patrol had the women in custody. She worried they had been placed in chilly holding areas, called hieleras, where migrants sometimes wait for days before being released. Since December, three Central American migrant children have died after falling ill in U.S. custody in the El Paso area. On Friday afternoon, Rivas was reunited with one of the women, her client, new mother Raquela Pedro Juan, 21. Rivas said Pedro Juan had been held in a hielera overnight with her baby, then released and allowed to stay in the U.S. while her asylum case is pending. Late Friday, a Homeland Security official released a statement saying seven women had been stopped after crossing the bridge and investigated because some were wearing microphones after talking to reporters. The migrants involved were interviewed, as is routine for all [Remain in Mexico] participants, to determine if they continued to meet the requirements for the program, the official said. Six of the individuals are scheduled to return to Mexico under the program and one is being processed through other appropriate immigration channels. Casa del Migrante, a 250-bed shelter in Juarez, was housing 480 migrants, many sleeping on pallets on the floors. Migrants complain they have become targets for kidnapping, extortion and shootings, and the shelter has added security. (Molly Hennessy-Fiske / Los Angeles Times) The Remain in Mexico program appears to be deterring some migrants from pursuing their asylum claims. Some returnees at the Casa del Migrante shelter have left in recent days with people who staffers suspect are smugglers helping them try to cross the border illegally. Others have decided to return to Central America. Victoria, 28, who asked to be identified only by her first name due to safety concerns, said she fled Honduras after her husband, a rancher, received death threats from a gang. They were separated by Border Patrol agents once they crossed the Rio Grande and she spent two days in the rain in an outdoor holding area. Smugglers treat us better. I was told Mexico was dangerous. Its worse there with Border Patrol. Theyre animals, she said. Her first court date is Jan. 15, 2020. She didnt have an attorney or a place to stay and feared, Im going to be here years. Her father back in Honduras was injured in a truck crash, lost his left foot and is depending on her for support, she said. So she wont be staying to pursue asylum in the United States. I cant take that chance, Victoria said as she sat at a table in the shelters courtyard, surrounded by a dozen others, including some families with children. Beside her, Xiomara, 21, said she left her rural hometown in El Salvador last month after a masked man armed with a knife tried to rape her. She fled to join family in Tallahasee, Fla., expecting she would be released to a U.S. shelter, as relatives had been after they crossed to Texas last month. Instead, she was returned to Juarez, also with a Jan. 15 court date. Now she too planned to return home. We came at a bad time, she said. In Roma, Texas, residents must choose: Help Border Patrol, or border crossers? Cecilia Sanchez of The Times Mexico City bureau contributed to this report. A spate of tornadoes raked across the Southern Plains on Saturday, leaving damage and causing injuries, with parts of the region bracing for more severe thunderstorms and possible flooding. The National Weather Service confirmed an EF-2 twister Saturday morning with winds up to 130 mph that destroyed at least two homes and left one person with minor injuries in southwestern Oklahoma. A suspected tornado caused roof damage to numerous homes in northwestern Arkansas, a state official said, and severe winds downed trees and power lines across a highway, blocking all lanes. Energy companies in Oklahoma and Arkansas reported tens of thousands of customers were without power Saturday afternoon. Advertisement Tornadoes touched down Friday in Kansas and rural Nebraska, tearing up trees and power lines, and damaging homes and farm buildings, according to the National Weather Service. In Abilene, Texas, 150 miles west of Fort Worth, strong winds prompted the evacuation of a nursing home and left many homes and businesses damaged, according to the Abilene Reporter-News. A spokeswoman for the city said no deaths or serious injuries were reported. The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for the western half of Arkansas. Portions of North Texas also were under a tornado watch, and a flash-flood warning was issued in the Dallas area. Forecasters warned of heavy rain, lightning, ping-pong-ball-sized hail and flooding as a line of storms moved west to east, covering an area from south of Killeen, Texas, to north of the Oklahoma state line. In Oklahoma City, thunderstorms prevented workers from securing and removing glass from Devon Tower, which was damaged Wednesday when a scaffolding holding two window washers banged against the building, the Oklahoman reported. Officials said the rain and wind blew broken glass from the tower and compromised the integrity of other panes. Fire officials in Comanche County, Okla., said that two people escaped from a home destroyed by a tornado without injury, and another person was taken to a hospital as a precaution. Meanwhile, in Montana, snowmelt and rain have caused the Clark Fork River to rise, with officials issuing a flood warning. National Weather Service data showed the Clark Fork above Missoula in minor flood stage at 8.6 feet Friday morning. Ray Nickless of the weather service said recent warm weather was melting mountain snowpack and rain was expected to add to the rising flows. The flood warning includes the same Missoula neighborhood that flooded at this time last year and forced the evacuation of dozens of homes. Last, year the river crested at 13.8 feet, the highest level recorded in more than a century. She is there when he wakes up, telling him she loves him and helping him coax their son, Ashton, to finish his Honey Nut Cheerios before the school bus whisks him to kindergarten. She is there when he is at work delivering UPS packages, and shes there to greet their 6-year-old when he gets home from school, bounces up and down the stairs, and pulls the arms and legs of his Stretch Force Fireman. Yet Jason Rochesters wife, Cecilia, is not really there. Her dark-brown eyes gaze out of a slick iPad screen and her voice floats through a tiny hole in the side of the machine. I cant sleep. I keep waking up every hour. What are you wearing today, Ashton? Shorts or pants? Papi, I want to see you. Can you stay in front of the camera?... Come on. Forced apart by President Trumps stringent immigration policies, Jason Rochester and Cecilia Gonzalez have spent the last 16 months raising their 6-year-old son from opposite sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. Like so many separated families, the couple have experienced the years of Trumps presidency as a grim journey of restless nights and tearful goodbyes. But unlike many in their predicament, Jason voted for Trump. He knew Trump planned to get tough on immigration building a wall and deporting drug dealers, rapists and killers. He never imagined anyone would consider his sweet stay-at-home wife a bad hombre. Jason Rochester walks his son, Ashton, 6, to the school bus stop in Roswell, Ga. Chris Aluka Berry / For The Times A white delivery driver born and raised in the tiny Alabama town of Smiths Station, Jason, 43, is a laid-back evangelical Christian, and the kind of man who takes the time to ask a customer how her baby carriage turned out and coo over its color. About 15 years ago, a few years after he moved to the northern suburbs of Atlanta, he met Cecilia at work as he began a shift unloading packages. She was petite at 5-foot-4, just an inch shorter than him, with big brown eyes. He was instantly smitten. Los Angeles Times Whenever he spotted her tugging at a heavy box, he would haul the package off the semitrailer. Day after day, they sat together on their 15-minute breaks, sharing pizza and chicken wings. Sometimes he would bring her dandelions from the side of the road. Occasionally she let him rub her shoulders. But she didnt offer much about her background all he knew was she was from somewhere near Guadalajara, Mexico and after two years he had failed to persuade her out on a date. Eventually, a Mexican co-worker told him: Shes illegal. He didnt care. When they eventually started dating, Cecilia told him that she had crossed the border into California several times in her early 20s. Immigration officials had caught her twice, first after crossing in Calexico and then in San Ysidro. Why would you want to be with me, knowing Im like that? she asked. I love you for who you are, he told her. After a year of dating, Jason proposed. They got married in his uncles backyard. Then came Ashton. Cecilia gave up her job cleaning hotels and settled into life as a stay-at-home mom in this affluent Atlanta suburb, making Ashton pancakes and grits for breakfast and taking him for strolls to the local park. Youre not a criminal, Jason tried to reassure her. You dont have to worry about it. Jason had faith that the Trump administration would distinguish between good and bad immigrants. Cecilia had never even gotten a traffic ticket. In my mind, bad hombres were people who did bad things, he said. We figured that he was going to get rid of the people we didnt want. So he voted for Trump, assuring himself and his wife that the ultimate decision was in Gods hands. A few days after taking office, Trump signed an executive order that expanded Immigration and Customs Enforcements focus to most of the 11 million immigrants in the U.S. illegally, regardless of whether they had a criminal record. From the beginning, Cecilia eyed Donald Trump warily. It was clear he never had anything good to say about immigrants, at least not anyone from her country. When Mexico sends its people, theyre not sending their best, Trump said in 2015 when he announced his presidential bid. Theyre sending people that have lots of problems. Theyre bringing drugs. Theyre bringing crime. Theyre rapists. And some, I assume, are good people. Jason didnt like much of what Trump said on immigration either. An independent voter who leans conservative, he voted for Barack Obama in 2008, hoping he would fix the immigration system and make it easier for Cecilia to pursue citizenship. But this time, immigration was not his main concern. Jason listened to conservative Christian radio, and his favorite talking heads, like James Dobson, the evangelical psychologist who founded Focus on the Family, convinced him that electing Trump would lead to a Supreme Court that would overturn Roe vs. Wade, the landmark 1973 decision legalizing abortion. Cecilia urged him to pay attention to Trumps vows to build a wall along the southern border and amass a huge deportation force. Jason and Ashton Rochester pray over their breakfast as they FaceTime with Cecilia in Mexico. Chris Aluka Berry / For The Times Ashton gets ready for school. Pictures of his mother hang in the hallway. Chris Aluka Berry / For The Times Jason told Cecilia not to worry, that the government wasnt interested in her. But she became increasingly fearful, scanning Univision broadcasts and local Facebook pages and showing him stories of people picked up by la migra when they were leaving for work or walking their kids to the school bus. As immigration arrests surged, Cecilia became afraid to take Ashton to the park. She stopped driving. Her hair fell out in thick clumps. What would happen if they came for her? Cecilia wondered. If they asked for her papers? For the last few years, the couple had met with ICE once a year to renew Cecilias work permit. Under the Obama administration, ICE granted renewable work permits to many law-abiding immigrants who had been in the country at least five years. But with their next appointment in November 2017, Jason and Cecilia had to decide: Should she go and risk being deported? Or should they skip the meeting, risking the possibility that ICE agents might knock on their door? Ashton was 4. More than anything, Cecilia wanted to spare him the trauma of watching her be hauled away. They decided to go to the ICE appointment with a plane ticket and a plan. If you allow us to spend Christmas and New Years together, they told the immigration agent, Cecilia would self-deport in January. They were not sure it would work. As they waited at a cubicle, a woman sobbed as she was given a few moments to say goodbye to her young children. But the ICE agent agreed. So they roasted a beef tenderloin over Thanksgiving and piled presents under the tree at Christmas. After New Years, Jason and Ashton flew with Cecilia to Guadalajara and took an Uber to her familys home in the rural town of Juanacatlan. It was Jasons first time in Mexico and he was shocked by the poverty of her hometown. Stray dogs roamed the dirt roads, and mosquitoes buzzed inside homes with no air conditioning or drinkable tap water. Locals ran tiendas inside their rundown homes. Unbelievable to him, there was no McDonalds or Walmart. Until then, Jason had not really grasped why his wife took the risk of crossing the border for a better life. But God wanted his family to be together, he felt sure. Eventually, immigration officials would consider that Cecilia was married to an American citizen and had a child in the U.S. Mommy will be home soon, he promised Ashton. Not long after Jason got back to the U.S., their attorney told him Cecilia was permanently barred from returning. It should not have been a surprise Cecilia had lived in the U.S. for nearly two decades after being caught twice illegally crossing the border but Jason was crushed when the lawyer said there was nothing more she could do. They would have to wait 10 years before they could ask for permission to reapply to enter the country. Jason could not imagine Cecilia living in Juanacatlan, so they decided she should move to Merida, the capital of Yucatan state and known as one of Mexicos safest major cities. Jasons mother moved from Alabama to Georgia to help care for Ashton. Cecilia's crucifix and some of her clothes remain in the bedroom of her home in Roswell, Ga. Chris Aluka Berry / For The Times The family together in Mexico for Thanksgiving last year. Rochester family In the summer, Ashton would visit Cecilia while Jason tried to figure out how to bring her back. But there was a setback in July, not long after Ashton arrived in Merida. Cecilia was rubbing lotion on Ashton when she noticed a protrusion under his rib cage. After snapping a picture and texting it to Jason, she took Ashton to a hospital. Ashton had a Wilms tumor, a cancerous mass in his left kidney the size of a cantaloupe. Jason flew to Mexico and rushed Ashton back to the U.S. for treatment. After surgery to remove Ashtons kidney, there was radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Ashton screamed every time he had blood taken. Why isnt mommy here? he asked. The government doesnt want her here, Jason tried to explain. Mommy messed up years ago and were trying to get her back. Frantic, Cecilia considered trying to cross the border again. But Jason urged her to follow the law. God will reward us, he said. They applied for humanitarian parole, assuming everything would be resolved in a few days. Even the most hard-hearted immigration official, they figured, would make an exception for a 5-year-old with cancer. Nearly two months passed before they got word: Parole was denied. As a white Trump voter, Jason makes an unlikely immigration activist. He refers to immigrants as illegals, a term many advocates consider dehumanizing. He is indifferent about Trumps big, beautiful wall. He suggests immigrants who have lived in the country without authorization should pay $10,000 fines. But watching Cecilia miss walking Ashton to his first day of kindergarten or dressing him up as Sonic the Hedgehog for Halloween has pushed him to try to persuade Congress to overhaul immigration laws. Without a law change, he said, shes not going to come back. Ashton's kindergarten class made this booklet and sent it to the White House in hopes of helping his mother. Chris Aluka Berry / For The Times Jason remains hopeful that Cecilia will return. More than 16 months after she left, her blouses, jeans and hoodies still hang in the bedroom closet. Her Calvin Klein Contradiction perfume sits on the bathroom vanity. Her wooden crucifix hangs on the bedroom wall. Now that Ashton is in the clear after months of chemotherapy and radiation, Jason is focused on changing the law so that, as he put it in an online fundraiser, good people like my wife can return to the U.S. to be with their American citizen family. Immigrants who have a clear criminal record, he believes, should be ranked in order of priority. At the top of the list would be immigrants with an American spouse and American children, he said. And then go down to maybe an immigrant with an American spouse but no children and then just the children who are illegal. Yes, he conceded, such a system would cost money, but that could be offset by requiring immigrants to pay a fine. Isnt it worth it to be humane? he said. To not just separate families? Sometimes Jason feels like an outlier in the nations polarized immigration debate. After 16 months apart from Cecilia, he has yet to meet another U.S. citizen who is married to an immigrant in the country illegally. Were a very small demographic, he said. Usually, illegals are married to illegals. But Jasons story is not uncommon. About 1.2 million immigrants who lack legal status more than 1 in 10 are married to a U.S. citizen, according to the Migration Policy Institute. Nearly a third have a child under 18 who is a U.S. citizen. Still, Jason has struggled to win sympathy across the echo chambers of social media. When Ashton was going through chemotherapy in October, Jason posted pictures on Twitter of his son in a hospital bed, tagging Trump. Please read this and help my family! he wrote. I voted for you because I believed you would be fare to illegals and now my family is suffering! Trump did not respond, but others did, dubbing Jason a hamburger brain and a sociopathic monster. Trump doesnt believe good illegals exist, one commenter wrote. I feel bad for your boy. I have zero sympathy for you. Why do Republicans lack all compassion until something happens to them directly? Jason Rochester gives Ashton a kiss as they wait for the school bus. Chris Aluka Berry / For The Times Jason tries not to let the partisan digs get him down, preferring to believe that people just dont understand. He probably wouldnt vote for Trump again, he said. Still, he isnt really sure that he made a mistake. Sometimes he feels stupid or duped or betrayed. But then he thinks back to how he didnt vote for himself personally but for the greater good for what he sees as the noble cause of outlawing abortion. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers spokeswoman accused Republican legislative leaders Saturday of refusing to work with the governors chief of staff because she is a woman, leading the GOP lawmakers to call the charge asinine and clueless. The back-and-forth came after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos and Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald detailed at the Wisconsin Republican Party convention what they said was a strained relationship with the new governor, who is in his fifth month in office. Theres a real disconnect on all different levels with this governor, Fitzgerald said. Fitzgerald said he and Vos have only met with Evers twice for five minutes since January. Evers has communicated repeatedly to GOP leadership that they should work with his chief of staff, just like they did under the previous governor, said his spokeswoman Melissa Baldauff. That directive wasnt confusing to them when the chief of staff was a man. Advertisement Everyone who served as chief of staff under former Gov. Scott Walker, a Republican, was a man. Evers chief of staff is Maggie Gau, who ran his campaign and previously worked for Democrats in the Legislature. Vos and Fitzgerald are clearly uncomfortable or simply unwilling to work with a leadership team made up entirely of women, Baldauff said. Fitzgerald replied in a statement, The most powerful senator on the budget committee is a woman, referring to Republican state Sen. Alberta Darling, and perhaps theyd know that if someone from the governors team was actually engaged in budget negotiations. Vos, in a tweet, pointed out that his own chief of staff, communications director and policy director are all women. Evers staff - Clueless, Vos tweeted. Vos and Fitzgerald defended their approach to Evers, including killing several of his major proposals, including Medicaid expansion. It will be over our dead bodies, Vos said of approving Medicaid expansion. Evers built his budget around accepting the Medicaid money, which would then make $1.6 billion in federal funding available for other healthcare priorities. Baldauff said the governors budget is built around what Wisconsin residents want. Polls have shown broad support for expanding Medicaid. Vos said Evers was catering to liberals with a wacky and crazy state budget that would never win approval of Republicans who control the Legislature. The convention that brought together about 650 conservative activists served as part pep rally ahead of the 2020 presidential election, part examination of why every Republican running for statewide office lost in 2018, and part strategy session on what changes need to be made to do better next year. Republican members of Congress praised President Trump. Rep. Bryan Steil, who replaced former House Speaker Paul D. Ryan, credited Trump for getting his message out by going around the mainstream media. Wisconsin is expected to be a key battleground state in the presidential race. Democrats are holding their national convention next summer in Milwaukee, something Republicans said provides the Wisconsin GOP an opportunity to offer a contrast. Sen. Ron Johnson, the only Republican in statewide office, told reporters he thought Joe Biden posed the biggest threat to Trump in Wisconsin because of his high name recognition and personality. He compared him to a congenial company sales manager. Hes a likable guy, Johnson said. But Johnson said he thinks Trump is right on the issues and will prevail. Several years ago, while living on the East Coast, I felt burnt out by work and, for no particular reason, decided to fly west to California to follow the route of the San Andreas fault. My plan was to stay in cheap hotel rooms, write at night and take long hikes along remote stretches of the fault during the day. The San Andreas, an 800-mile slash of warped hills and broken rocks, extends from the U.S.-Mexico border to the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Mendocino. The San Andreas marks the very edge of the North American tectonic plate, where it grinds against the relentless force of a much-larger plate that underlies the Pacific Ocean. San Francisco is on the North American plate; Los Angeles is on the Pacific. The San Andreas is a border between two worlds in more ways than geological. My goal was to track the fault across hundreds of miles of forest, city, mountain and plain. The San Andreas, of course, is not always visible. Sometimes it dives beneath the surface, disappearing under the cover of towns, lakes, and freeways; other times it rears up in surreal majesty to make its colossal scale known, a kind of mineral tidal wave. The resulting, convoluted landforms offer great hiking opportunities in fault-adjacent parks, such as the angled teeth of the Devils Punchbowl outside Los Angeles or the recently declared Pinnacles National Park. Faulted landscapes like the San Andreas also offer something less tangible, even poetic. Indeed, the very premise of my trip felt confrontational, symbolic. I wanted to see a place where the world had broken open, a seam or margin where something new would forcefully emerge. Advertisement A fault is where a new version of the world is taking shape, where everything we know threatens to rearrange itself beneath our feet. A geologist will tell you that a fault is where separate blocks of rock meet and slide, creating earthquakes. But a psychologist, say, or a poet, a novelist, an artist, will tell you something different. A fault is where a new version of the world is taking shape, where everything we know threatens to rearrange itself beneath our feet. A fault is where futures lurk. One of the most memorable experiences of my trip came at a place called Wallace Creek, part of the Carrizo Plain National Monument. I arrived at the end of an unpaved road late one afternoon to find I was the only person there; I also had no cellphone service. A geologist had told me that the best time to visit Wallace Creek is at sunrise or sunset, not out of a shared sense of seismic romanticism, but because of the angle of the sun. At Wallace Creek, the San Andreas takes the form of a shallow, sloped berm that extends for many miles across the landscape; the lower the sun, the more pronounced a shadow it can cast. I hiked there for hours, eerily stepping over dozens of tarantulas that had come out to breed, and I watched in genuine awe as the fault seemed to emerge before me. It was a black line of shade that seemed to pull itself across the fractured ground, slowly, widening every minute like an abyss. I should add that I watch a lot of horror movies, and the feeling was not lost on me that day, that something dark and ancient was coming into view before me, a shadow-Earth infested by an ever-increasing number of huge spiders. (When I checked into a motel later, I did some Googling: I was traveling in the midst of a tarantula boom and what I had seen that day suddenly made sense.) Although it is now years later, I still feel the otherworldly pull of faulted landscapes and I travel to see them whenever possible. Recently, for Wired magazine, I took a long trip along the California-Nevada border, to explore what some seismologists now believe is the future edge of the North American continent. In other words, these geologists believe that the San Andreas fault is actually dying and that an entirely new continental rift is forming, right now, east of the Sierra Nevada. The rift area, called the Walker Lane, closely follows U.S. Highway 395, which also means that it is an easy road trip to see the world-changing grandeur of plate tectonics. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute At least for now, the Walker Lane is nowhere near as visible as the San Andreas, but I once again felt as if I was encountering something huge and relentless, some entirely new version of our world trying to assert itself from below, like a whale cresting from the depths. If the geologists are right, an ocean will form here over millions of years, as the Earths surface is ripped open and redesigned. It is an almost supernatural place: a landscape haunted by something it has yet to become. My wife and I now live in Los Angeles, a short drive from both the San Andreas and the Walker Lane, as well as mere blocks from the Raymond fault, which lurks just uphill from our home. Faults are terrestrial reminders that things are not frozen in place forever, that the Earth moves, that, however stuck or desperate we might think weve become in our own lives, immense forces are at work all around us, at all scales. Faults are both a promise and a threat: They are proof that the world will remake itself, always, whether were prepared for the change or not. Geoff Manaugh is a Los Angeles-based writer and author of A Burglars Guide to the City. In the last two weeks, the odds of a military conflict between the U.S. and Iran have increased appreciably. The Trump administration has dispatched additional forces to the region and ramped up its threatening rhetoric in response to intelligence reports that Iran may be preparing to attack U.S. interests. Last week, the White House reviewed plans for sending up to 120,000 forces to the Middle East in the event Iran attacked U.S. interests. The smart money is still betting against a sustained shooting war, a prediction we hope will come to pass. Thankfully, there are signs that the president is annoyed with his secretary of State and national security advisor for getting way ahead of him in planning a military conflict with Iran. The last thing even Trumps trigger-happy advisors should want is a purposeless and pointless war with Iran. And the last thing Trump should want is to break his campaign pledge not to drag the country into another war in the Middle East. A compelling case could be made for the use of U.S. military force if Iran posed an immediate threat to vital American interests. But as harmful as Irans activities in the region may be to the United States and its friends and clients, the inconvenient reality, particularly for Iranian hawks in the U.S., is that Tehran poses no imminent threat to Americas three core interests preventing terrorism against Americans abroad or against the homeland, preserving the uninterrupted flow of oil from the Persian Gulf, and preventing Iranian acquisition of a nuclear weapon. Advertisement The last thing even Trumps trigger-happy advisors should want is a purposeless and pointless war with Iran. Iran is a state sponsor of terror, but it has not attacked U.S. civilians in years and actually shares a common interest with Washington in fighting Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, through which 30% of all seaborne-traded oil flows. But it has not carried out those threats. Over the last year, Iranian naval units have ceased to harass U.S. naval vessels in the Persian Gulf and have not interfered with freedom of navigation on international waters. And despite its threats, Iran has not ramped up its enrichment of uranium for nuclear weapons. In short, theres no compelling justification for war, and nothing yet that approximates past triggers for U.S. military action, such as Saddam Husseins 1990 invasion of Kuwait, Al Qaedas 9/11 attack on the U.S., and the Trump administrations 2017 and 2018 military retaliation for Syrias use of chemical weapons. Not only is a war with Iran unnecessary; its also risky and dangerous. America wields a preponderance of military force. But Iranian military forces and their proxies could cause serious damage to the U.S. and its allies. As they have done in the past, pro-Iranian militias in Iraq could target U.S. forces causing significant casualties and endangering the U.S.-Iraqi relationship and the fight against Islamic State. Hezbollah could attack Israel or U.S. forces in Syria and Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen could fire more missiles at Saudi Arabia and commercial ships transiting the Red Sea. Iranian ballistic missiles and mines can interdict shipping in the Gulf and drive up the price of oil, and its cyber weapons, used in the past against Saudi Arabia, and missiles could destroy Persian Gulf energy infrastructure and U.S. naval combatants. The U.S. can probably count on three countries Israel, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to publicly support U.S. military attacks against Iran. The rest of the world will not rally to the Trump administrations defense, particularly if it seems the U.S. was spoiling for a fight or overreacted with a hasty and disproportionate use of force. Washingtons unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear deal with Iran, which Tehran was complying with, has antagonized the other parties to that agreement (China, France, Germany, Russia, the United Kingdom and the European Union). Similarly, the U.S. has alienated several countries, including India, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, to whom it had granted sanctions waivers for importing Iranian oil. Unprovoked U.S. military strikes will likely be met with global denunciations, especially if they drive up the price of oil. The United Nations will not sanction the use of U.S. military force nor will any of the worlds regional organizations. U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeos cool reception at the EU foreign ministers meeting in Brussels, and the disastrous U.S.-sponsored anti-Iran conference in Warsaw earlier this year, illustrate the dramatic failure to build a united transatlantic front against Iran and portends the negative reaction the U.S. is likely to get if it incites a war with Iran. Enter the Fray: First takes on the news of the minute from L.A. Times Opinion Military force should serve clear political and security objectives. But its hard to see the administrations end game if it becomes embroiled in a sustained military conflict with Iran. Surgical strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities would only temporarily set back its nuclear program, and they would have to be preceded by large-scale attacks on Irans conventional air, naval and missile assets, which would cause civilian casualties and widespread destruction. It is fanciful to believe that attacks on Iranian territory would provoke a popular uprising that would topple the regime and even if it did, the new government would likely be more militantly anti-American than the current one. If the U.S. goal is regime change, it would require a ground invasion and U.S. occupation. Weve seen how well that worked out in Iraq and Afghanistan and Iran has a much larger population, much more territory and more ways to hurt the U.S. than both those countries. The U.S. and Iran are locked into a long-term competition for influence and control in a volatile and dangerous region. Military strikes and war are not the answer they will only make a bad situation worse. A mix of deterrence, transactional negotiations, renewed dialogue and, yes, military force if Iran acts against Americas vital interests, is the most effective way to manage that competition. As Winston Churchill is believed to have said, meeting jaw to jaw is better than war. And when it comes to U.S.-Iranian relations, truer words may have never been spoken. Aaron David Miller, a distinguished fellow at the Woodrow Wilson Center, has been a State Department Middle East advisor and negotiator in Republican and Democratic administrations. Richard Sokolsky, a non-resident senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, was a member of the secretary of States Office of Policy Planning from 2005 to 2015. To the editor: Heartfelt thanks from an old desert rat for speaking out against the proposed outrageous water grab by Cadiz Inc. Every time we lovers of the Mojave Desert think that this groundwater-pumping project has had the final stake driven through its bloodless heart, it lurches from its coffin in the dark of night and once again stalks the desert landscape. Stealing precious water from this beautiful but fragile area has nothing to do with the Emergency and National Security priority that the Trump administration says it is, and everything to do with the enrichment of powerful, private interests at the expense of endangered habitats. Gary J. George, Cherry Valley, Calif. Advertisement .. To the editor: Thank you for the insightful and provocative article on Cadizs plans to effectively drain the Mojave Deserts aquifer. Your editorial inspired me to call the office of state Sen. Richard Roth (D-Riverside), the sponsor of a bill to subject Cadizs plan to further review, and those of my own two representatives in Sacramento to voice my support for Senate Bill 307. This bill gives California a chance to demonstrate how it values the flora, fauna and recreational opportunities in the Mojave Desert, all of which would be compromised by Cadizs project. Laura Jaoui, Claremont Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook. To the editor: While I doubt that Georgetown University junior Adam Semprevivo was unaware that his father bribed his way through the admission process, I find it irrelevant to the schools decision to rescind his admission. Semprevivo was co-applicant in a fraudulent process. The fact that his parents could afford $200,000 in tuition over three years and hire an attorney to prevent the school from rescinding its admission offer does not mitigate this. Nor should it matter that he has kept up academically. Semprevivo was part of the application. Georgetown has every right to enforce its decision despite the attempt by his parents to let him off the hook. Glenn Egelko, Ventura Advertisement .. To the editor: Semprevivos attorney David Kenner wishes to rewrite basic law that clearly states one cannot indirectly benefit from the proceeds of a crime. If a bank robber buys his mother a home with his stolen money, she is not entitled to keep it when he is finally caught, even if she had no knowledge of the source of funds. Likewise, whether these students were truly unknowing of their parents actions is debatable, but the colleges actions to oust them and strip them of their credits is the right thing to do. The blame for this lies not with the college, but with the parents who thought stealing a slot for their child just like stealing money from a bank was something they could justify. The only victims in this entire scam are the deserving students who lost a slot that was stolen in this process. Despite the public relations effort to rewrite history and frame these people as concerned parents and their children as unknowing victims, keep in mind this is no different than any other robbery. David Higgins, Los Angeles Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook. To the editor: The latest figures show there are 8,000 homeless people in San Francisco, yet residents want to use the California Environmental Quality Act to halt the building of a homeless shelter in their city. I work next to the Santa Ana River in Orange County, where about 700 homeless people living along a two-mile stretch of the riverbed were relocated by court order only a year ago. The county cleaned up more than 400 tons of debris along the public bicycle trail, including 14,000 hypodermic needles and more than 5,000 pounds of human waste. Tell me, which is more of an environmental hazard: a shelter for homeless people, or a few hundred homeless people living on the street? Brian Ong, Riverside Advertisement .. To the editor: Obviously, more than just a few people are fighting the idea of homeless shelters in their neighborhoods. Perhaps several recently closed military bases could host living centers for homeless people. There, homeless families and individuals could get the food and shelter that they so desperately need. Counseling and help for addiction would be available. Classes for children would be provided. Job training could also be offered so that people are prepared to succeed when they reenter the world. Teachers, doctors, social workers and other professionals with student loans could work in these facilities to erase their debt. Residents in neighboring cities would have new employment opportunities. This proposal seems like a win-win all around and would be a valid use of funding to solve the homelessness crisis. Nancy Rossi, South Pasadena Follow the Opinion section on Twitter @latimesopinion and Facebook. You know were in trouble when President Trump looks like the adult in the White House. Starting on May 5, Trumps hawkish national security advisor, John Bolton, dramatically escalated pressure on Iran announcing the deployment of an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers, ordering up contingency plans to send 120,000 troops, warning against allegedly threatening behavior. Trump finally intervened, saying hes not interested in launching a new war in the Middle East. He sent Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo to reassure allies that he wants negotiations, not airstrikes. That shouldnt be a surprise. Trump campaigned for the presidency on a promise to end Americas long, costly wars. He enjoys thumping his chest remember when he warned North Korea of fire and fury like the world has never seen but the bluster is intended to jump-start negotiations, a pursuit at which Trump believes he has no peer. Advertisement So it has been with Iran. After all the tough talk and menacing warships, Trumps basic demand of the ayatollahs was almost plaintive: Can we talk? What they should be doing is calling me up, the president said on May 9. We can make a deal, a fair deal. The mini-crisis with Iran wasnt the first time Boltons efforts to put the U.S. on a war footing has conflicted with Trumps preference for deal-making. That difference has produced a remarkable string of public disagreements between the president and his chief national security advisor. On North Korea, Bolton has argued that the United States will never persuade Kim Jong Un to give up nuclear weapons, and that Trump should consider military strikes instead. Trump disagrees, and even removed Bolton briefly from his negotiating team. In Syria, after the Islamic State lost its self-declared caliphate, Bolton said U.S. troops would stay in the country until the last Iranian went home. Trump overruled him and ordered the troops out. (He later relented, but still insists the troop commitment will be brief.) In Venezuela, Bolton was the administrations leading champion of a U.S.-backed coup attempt against the autocratic regime of Nicolas Maduro. When the coup collapsed, Trump was furious, reportedly raging that Bolton had misled him about the chances of success. In Iran, Bolton has long promoted regime change as his goal. Earlier this year, on the 40th anniversary of Irans revolution, he posted a taunting video message to the countrys leader: I dont think youll have many more anniversaries to enjoy. Thats not Trumps message. Were not looking to hurt Iran, the president told reporters. I want them to be strong and great. All those collisions raise a question: Why does Bolton still have his job? After last weeks war scare, Washingtons gossip mill went into overdrive. Insiders traded stories of Trumps annoyance with his national security advisor, especially over the perception that Bolton, not the president, was making key decisions. Officials insist that Boltons job is not in serious danger. In past similar instances, when Trump has decided to fire an aide, he has aired his frustration on Twitter and floated the names of possible replacements. That hasnt happened to Bolton yet. Instead, Trump has joked about his advisors hawkishness, making it sound as if he enjoys playing the good cop to Boltons bad cop. I actually temper John, which is pretty amazing, isnt it? he told reporters. I have John Bolton and I have other people that are a little more dovish than him. And ultimately I make the decision. In any case, Bolton isnt the root of the problem between the United States and Iran. The two countries have clashed since Islamic revolutionaries overthrew the U.S.-backed shah in 1979, stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and held 52 Americans hostage for more than a year. In the current round, the Trump administration accuses Iran of supporting militants in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Yemen. Iran accuses the White House of trying to destroy its economy and topple its leadership. Both sides are essentially correct. Trump raised tensions a year ago when he pulled out of the 2015 nuclear agreement and imposed stiff new economic sanctions, including a move to choke off Irans oil exports. But on May 2, when the White House threatened to punish China, India and six other countries unless they cut their Iranian oil imports to zero, that got Tehrans attention and raised fears that Iran might seek to retaliate through terrorist attacks or Iranian-backed militant groups. A week later, U.S. officials were alarmed by intelligence indicating that Iranian security forces had loaded short-range missiles onto vessels heading into the Persian Gulf. It was unclear whether Iran was preparing to strike an outside target or reacting defensively to what they saw as a growing U.S. threat. The two countries were falling into a dangerous spiral: reading each others actions as aggressive, but seeing their own responses as defensive. Thats a situation that makes accidental or inadvertent escalation more likely. For Trump, the solution is simple: direct negotiations with Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, much like the two summits he has held with North Koreas Kim. Im sure that Iran will want to talk soon, the president tweeted Thursday. So far, Irans supreme leader has refused to reopen the nuclear deal, the main issue Trump wants to discuss. His foreign minister, Mohammed Javad Zarif, says he has offered to engage in talks on other issues at a lower level, but the Americans havent replied. So there are no direct channels of communication between Washington and Tehran, another factor that makes it easy for each side to misinterpret the others moves. Trump likes to start crises as a way to force adversaries to talk. With Boltons help, hes succeeded at the first step. Now can he find a way to take Step 2? Nothing is more sacrosanct in California politics than the power of the states voters to create laws through ballot measures, so much so that judges rarely block a duly qualified initiative from getting its moment on election day. But what if voters, by enacting a ballot measure, end up violating existing law? Should the courts weigh in after the campaign? Or should the courts have kept the proposal off the ballot in the first place? Those questions are at the heart of an important case that a Sacramento judge will hear at the end of the month. The outcome has consequences that could stretch far beyond the world of elections. Both sides the current and most recent governor on one side, advocates for crime victims on the other have suggested that more violent criminals will roam the streets if the courts make the wrong decision. Gov. Gavin Newsom faces a big political test as he shapes his first California budget Advertisement The case centers on what is perhaps the centerpiece of former Gov. Jerry Browns legacy on criminal justice, a 2016 ballot measure offering thousands of prisoners new opportunities for parole. Proposition 57 was approved by 64% of voters in 2016 and state prisons officials have spent the intervening years crafting the rules under which more of the states convicted felons earn at a shot at early release largely through credits for education and good behavior that can be used to shorten their sentences. But a number of local prosecutors and tough-on-crime groups protested the language in Browns ballot measure, arguing that its definition of what constituted a violent felony was far too narrow. And in October, an initiative to undo part of Proposition 57 earned a spot on the Nov. 3, 2020, statewide ballot. The proposal would block inmates from being released early from prison for some of the crimes now deemed nonviolent. It also would tighten the rules regarding probation and increase penalties for some theft-related crimes that were reduced under a different ballot measure in 2014. This would be a political battle for next year, except for one key thing: The tough-on-crime ballot measure would create a new state statute a general law whereas Proposition 57 was an amendment to the California Constitution. Before leaving office, Brown filed a lawsuit asking a judge to block the new initiative on the grounds that a state constitutional amendment cant be altered by a statutory ballot measure. Had the crime victims group written its proposal differently (and gathered the appropriate and larger number of needed voter signatures), Browns argument went, then voters could consider it. But as it stands, the crime initiative will confuse and frustrate the voters who would then see the proposed law struck down after the election, state-hired attorneys wrote in a recent court filing. Gov. Gavin Newsom assumed control of the lawsuit when he took office in January. The supporters of the new ballot measure, not surprisingly, think the two governors are wrong about the law and insist theres no good reason to block a ballot measure that was signed by more than 430,000 voters. They argue that its normal not to rush to judgment. The number of substantive constitutional challenges courts have heard after enactment of a law (whether by the Legislature or by the people via the initiative process) are too numerous to list, the initiatives attorneys wrote in a recent court document. This looming ruling will have a lasting effect, no matter what the court decides. If the initiative is blocked, a potential precedent could be set for how citizens and interest groups use the states 108-year-old system of direct democracy. If the measure appears on the ballot, expect an emotional and expensive campaign about crime, punishment and the rule of law. john.myers@latimes.com Follow @johnmyers on Twitter and sign up for our daily Essential Politics newsletter A sculpture at the new IKEA in Burbank that was recently placed near the entrance of the Swedish retailers store has many residents questioning the art piece. The tall object, which is wrapped in a white material and located just off South San Fernando Boulevard, has caught interest of some passersby since last week because of its phallic appearance. It is part of an art installation project that IKEA needs to fulfill per the citys Art in Public Places ordinance, wrote Leticia Bradley, an IKEA spokeswoman, in an email on Tuesday. The city regulation requires that 1% of the costs for a major project, such as the retailers new store or the transportation center at Hollywood Burbank Airport, must go toward an art piece on-site or be put into the citys Public Art Fund, according to Burbanks website. Bradley said officials with the Burbank store have been working with the citys Art in Public Places Committee to select an artist and commission them to work on the artwork. The project is currently covered until the official unveiling later this month, Bradley stated in the email. Members of the Arts in Public Places Commission could not be reached for comment. anthonyclark.carpio@latimes.com Twitter: @acocarpio The Costa Mesa Planning Commission gave the green light to another medical marijuana manufacturing and distribution facility Monday night. Commissioners voted unanimously to grant a conditional use permit for Natures Market, which plans to open in an existing 24,379-square-foot industrial building at 1675 Toronto Way. It is the sixth medical marijuana facility the commission has approved for the area of the city where businesses that research, test, process and manufacture such products are allowed under Measure X, an initiative approved by local voters in 2016. The area is north of South Coast Drive and west of Harbor Boulevard. The commissions vote is final unless appealed to the City Council within seven days. Costa Mesa still prohibits retail sales of marijuana and marijuana products. Activities at Natures Market would include extraction, manufacturing/processing, packaging, staging, storage and distribution of cannabis products, according to planning documents. The processing plant takes in cannabis material to be processed into concentrated oil and packaged into cannabis vapor pens, the documents state. The facility can operate up to 24 hours daily. Delivery and distribution would not be permitted between midnight and 5 a.m. Commissioner Carla Navarro Woods praised the application for its thorough description of the operation. Thank you for setting the bar a little higher, she told Natures Market representatives who attended Mondays meeting. I hope that any subsequent applications really take the time to be this detailed about their own particular business. Before it can open, Natures Market must receive final fire prevention, finance and building safety approvals from the city as well as a medical marijuana business permit and business license. State approval also is required. The city has a litany of other requirements for medical marijuana businesses, including detailed security plans generally including installing alarms, cameras and lighting and having specified controlled-access areas. Also, anyone younger than 21 may not be allowed onsite, and cannabis cannot be consumed at the business at any time in any form. Ann Parker, the only resident who spoke Monday about the Natures Market application, expressed concern with the operations safety and security, particularly in transporting products. I dont think the city of Costa Mesa has one clue what its getting into, she said. Commission Vice Chairman Byron de Arakal pointed out that residents approved Measure X and said he thinks the best thing to do is to abide by what the voters put in place [and] watch how the state regulates these. Just to say no because we dont know what were getting into I dont think is the right way to go, he said. luke.money@latimes.com Twitter @LukeMMoney Two townhome projects near City Hall that will include units priced for moderate-income buyers won unanimous approval from the Huntington Beach Planning Commission on Tuesday night. One of the developments, at 19100 Gothard St., will contain 21 units, two of which will be priced for buyers of moderate income defined as earning 120% or less of the Orange County median income. For the record: An earlier version of this post stated that Commissioner Dan Kalmick bought a condominium in a similar type of development. Kalmicks girlfriend bought the condominium. The second project, at 19200 Holly Lane, was approved for 32 units. Four of them will be priced for moderate incomes. The units in both developments are planned to be two or three stories, ranging from about 1,700 square feet to 2,150 square feet and containing three or four bedrooms. Prices have not been announced. On both projects, developer MLC Holdings of Newport Beach, a subsidiary of Arizona-based Meritage Homes Corp., a nationwide homebuilder, took advantage of a state law that allows various exemptions including the ability to build more houses and have fewer parking spaces than city code usually requires if some of the units are priced more affordably. Commissioner John Scandura expressed concern about a parking deficiency on the Gothard project 53 spots instead of the city-required 63. Most of the parking would be in the units two-car garages. Scandura suggested taking out some of the projects planned green space to make room for additional parking, though city staff said it didnt feel comfortable making such a change during the hearing. Commissioner Dan Kalmick, whose girlfriend bought a condominium in a similar type of development, said prospective buyers will know before purchasing that they cant fit in too many cars. If you have four cars, youre not gonna buy there, he said. Commission Chairwoman Connie Mandic said she wanted buyers of the Gothard property to receive disclosures that the development is near industrial and commercial sites that may generate noise and odors. The disclosures were approved as part of the overall site conditions. The Holly Lane project was approved with 76 parking spots, fewer than the 96 that city code requires. MLC, however, will create some new street parking during construction to increase the neighborhood supply, officials said. Some residents of existing condos in the Holly Lane area told the commission the new development would make the street parking situation even worse. Its not gonna work, Stephen Ernst said. Theres just not enough space. Ernst said the streets got more full as the neighborhoods empty lots were developed over the years and owners started renting to tenants. Lester Tucker, a vice president with MLC, said he understood how the various exemptions his company was seeking for the projects such as fewer parking spaces and smaller setbacks would give pause. In the end, he said, the exemptions are truly innocuous and will be indiscernible in the final products. Of the Gothard development, Tucker said, This is the right project in the right location with the right design for the right reasons. He later echoed that for the Holly Lane project. The Huntington Beach Chamber of Commerce and the Building Industry Assn. of Southern California gave their support to the projects, saying they will provide much-needed housing for the region. Both properties are owned by Costa Mesa resident Linda Stadel and are currently used for boat and recreational vehicle storage. They also contain oil wells. Mixed-use project In other action Tuesday, the Planning Commission reviewed a mixed-use project for 20 condominiums and commercial space at 414-424 Main St. The development would be four stories tall, with three commercial tenants on the ground floor. The condos would contain one or two bedrooms. The proposal is scheduled to return to the commission Jan. 23. Before that, the developer, Peter Zehnder, will hold a public event about the project from 6 to 8 p.m. Jan. 8 at the Central Library, 7111 Talbert Ave. bradley.zint@latimes.com Twitter: @BradleyZint An Orange County Superior Court judge determined Thursday that Californias sanctuary state protections for undocumented immigrants infringe on Huntington Beachs local control as a charter city, making Huntington the first city to successfully challenge the controversial law. Senate Bill 54, authored by state Senate leader Kevin de Leon (D-Los Angeles), in many cases prohibits state and local police agencies from notifying federal officials about the impending release of immigrants in custody who may be deported. But after an hours-long courtroom debate Thursday, Judge James Crandall sided with Huntington Beach City Attorney Michael Gates argument that the law is unconstitutional as it applies to charter cities, which are run by a charter adopted by local voters. The ruling makes Huntington Beach and all of Californias 121 charter cities exempt from complying with SB54. Gates said afterward that he was ecstatic about the ruling. The operation of a police department and its jail is a city affair, Crandall said. For the state to say one size fits all for policing isnt going to fit everybody. Several other Orange County governments also have taken steps to oppose the states sanctuary policies. Crandall said SB54 infringes on local governments authority to practice policies they know are appropriate for themselves. Cities have a better view and better ability to oversee their needs in certain areas, he added. Though the state may have had good intentions, Crandall said, there are constitutional protections for cities from the ever-extending tentacles of state rule. California Deputy Attorney General Jonathan Eisenberg contended that municipalities can exercise other forms of autonomy and criticized Huntington Beachs alleged sweeping effects of this law. Eisenberg also argued there is an important need for a uniform public safety law. He referred to comments included in his briefing in which a law professor suggested that if police officials lose the trust of immigrant communities, people in those areas would avoid police and stop reporting crime, possibly resulting in an increase in crime. But Crandall contended that violent crime is already up in the state and said he would rather rely on the opinions of local police than a law professor who may not be familiar with a city like Huntington Beach. Crandall commended both sides for submitting strong briefs and said that regardless of his decision, he expected it to be appealed and eventually taken up by the California Supreme Court. After the hearing, Eisenberg referred questions to Jennifer Molina, press secretary for the state attorney generals office. Molina could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday evening. Last year, dozens of residents of Huntington Beachs Oak View community, which has a high concentration of Latinos, voiced concerns at a town hall meeting following President Trumps executive order calling for a more aggressive approach to finding and arresting people who are in the country illegally. Fear has lingered in Oak View since April, when Gates sued over SB54 following a 6-1 vote of approval from the City Council. Asked what he would say to those residents, Huntington Beach Police Chief Robert Handy, who was present during the hearing, said in an interview that he would ask them to rely on the trust already built among police officers and the community and ignore rhetoric in politics and the media. Priscella.Vega@latimes.com Twitter: @vegapriscella UPDATES: 7:35 p.m.: This article was updated to say the ruling applies to all California charter cities. This article was originally published at 6:35 p.m. In a study session Tuesday, the La Canada Flintridge City Council heard a plan for how the city might identify potentially historic properties and proactively inform property owners of their rights and options for possible preservation. The city has grappled with the issue since a March 2014 preservation report card issued by the Los Angeles Conservancy gave La Canada and 50 other cities in Los Angeles County a failing grade, in part, for its lack of an established preservation program. That October, a mayors subcommittee was formed to create an inventory of historic places in La Canada and adopt regulations that would catch and potentially preserve valuable homes before they were demolished. In 2015, city officials approved increasing tax breaks for homeowners who registered their historic property under the Mills Act, providing an annual $20,000 in combined property tax deductions. Beyond that, La Canada functioned on a case-by-case basis, requiring owners to conduct a historical analysis for all properties over 50 years of age when seeking a permit. On Monday, Councilman Greg Brown said he and fellow Councilman Len Pieroni outlined a process for honing an overly broad standard by tagging historically significant properties before their owners visit the Planning Department. We should make efforts to preserve and protect our historic resources its a good thing to do. La Canada Flintridge Mayor Mike Davitt The committee compiled local and statewide lists and databases and found about 30 notably historic properties and up to 100 potentially historic properties in the city. Weeding out designations not tied to an actual structure like La Canadas first school in what is now Memorial Park or Palm Drives palm trees refines the list to a workable number, Brown said. That gives you a starting point, in my mind, of where we ought to be going, he added. The councilman recommended a mechanism that would allow people to challenge the designation and argue for a sites removal from the list, or for inclusion. If a property met two or more state-identified criteria, it could be considered historic. It would be black and white in the sense that you come in for a permit, you look up the address, youre either on one of those two lists or youre not. And if youre not, youre at the end of the review, Brown explained. Pieroni said the proposal helps staff without creating an undue burden on homeowners of qualifying properties. Council members clarified a designation would not necessarily preclude renovation of a structure but would rather provide a vehicle for identifying and cataloging them. They supported moving forward with the effort and possibly reaching out to owners of potentially historic properties with a list. Its a big enough issue that we need to nail it down, said Mayor Mike Davitt. We should make efforts to preserve and protect our historic resources its a good thing to do. sara.cardine@latimes.com Twitter: @SaraCardine The road trip from Moab, Utah, to Ajo, Ariz., is a sunbaked ramble through about 600 miles of dreamy, lethal desert, beginning with the red rocks of Utahs Arches National Park, skirting Monument Valley and the Colorado River, and ending in the cactus country of southern Arizona. I did it in April with one of my favorite writers. Or at least he was when we started. Edward Abbey (1927-1989) was a desert rat, a chronic contrarian, a serial government employee with a penchant for anarchy. He made his reputation by exploring Arches in the nonfiction Desert Solitaire (1968), then doubled his fame in 1975 with The Monkey Wrench Gang, a novel that follows four misfits as they lament lost wild places, burn billboards, disable heavy equipment and dream of liberating the Colorado River from the concrete grip of Glen Canyon Dam. In the wake of that book, a few of his admirers founded Earth First! Advertisement (Lou Spirito / For The Times) To appreciate the desert, Abbey once wrote, You cant see anything from a car; youve got to get out of the...contraption and walk, better yet crawl, on hands and knees, over the sandstone and through the thornbush and cactus. When traces of blood begin to mark your trail, youll see something, maybe. In my 20s I inhaled four or five of his books and met him at a book-signing in La Jolla. I knew nothing about his life off the page, but it seemed to me he spoke for the rocks, the sand and the snakes in a way that no one had. I recently realized hed been gone for three decades, and when had I last read him or rambled through his beloved territory? I took a week, flew to Grand Junction, Colo., rented an SUV with all-wheel drive and stocked it with water, snacks and books. I had three Abbey milestone spots in mind that would make anyone a believer in the desolate beauty of the desert West, even if you never open one of his books. Hike to Delicate Arch The first was Arches, where before long I found myself at a trailhead in the dim, blue light before dawn. Most of the trail was slickrock, strewn with boulders and junipers moderately strenuous, the sign said. In 1 miles I gained about 480 feet in elevation, tiptoed along a ledge above a big drop, turned a corner and gaped. Edward Abbey, naturalist and novelist, at his Tucson home in 1987. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angeles Times) This was Delicate Arch. Among the more than 2,000 natural arches in the park, its the marquee attraction, eerily symmetrical, perched on a mountaintop, neighbored by a deep, round bowl of pink sandstone. Most visitors do this hike in the afternoon, when the light is photo-friendly. But I was willing to trade light for peace, and sure enough, just a few hikers were sprawled about, resting at the foot of the peach-colored arch. A hiker pauses near Delicate Arch, Aches National Park, Utah. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) I watched a kangaroo rat sneak up on a puddle. Then I may have dozed off. After a while I heard a voice in the distance. Hey, a man said to someone. After you get this picture, can you have your kid get off? Because I dont really want your kid in my picture. There were a lot more of us now. I sat up and imagined Abbey, raised in the woods of Appalachia, clambering up here as a 29-year-old philosophy grad student at the University of New Mexico, budding novelist and rookie park ranger. Still crazy for wildflowers? Colorado road trip leads to the summer bloom In those days, about 500 tourists turned up every week in Arches. Abbey answered their questions, collected their trash and lived in a trailer near Balanced Rock, then an outpost, now one of the busiest intersections in the park. Abbey spent the summers of 1956 and 1957 at Arches, at the time a national monument with no paved roads. Then he spent a decade chewing on the experience and concluded that there should be no pavement at Arches, no more cars in national parks, and no more growth in Western states that dont have water for it. Of course, Abbey didnt get his way. By 1958, paving the main road at Arches had begun. By 1971, Congress had doubled its size and made it a full-fledged park. Now it gets about 32,000 visitors a week. In Moab, five miles south of Arches, I found a former uranium-mining town decades into a new life as a gateway city for adventure travelers, especially mountain-bikers and off-roaders. Forty hotels have risen, and yet another, the Hoodoo Moab, a Hilton property, is due to open in late summer or fall. I grabbed dinner at the busy Spoke on Center (order the meat loaf) and found plenty of browsers in Back of Beyond Books. Abbey was everywhere here novels, nonfiction, postcards, refrigerator magnets. The clerk told me the shop sells one or two copies of Desert Solitaire daily, usually to customers in their 20s or people in their 40s who feel like buying it for their teenage kids. Are we recreational vehicle people? Hell, yeah! Then she led me to the Abbey-adjacent shelves featuring Desert Cabal, a 50th anniversary response to Desert Solitaire in which author Amy Irvine takes Abbey down several pegs. Abbey was brilliant, Irvine allowed, but also selfish, sexist and inconsistent. Over the days that followed, as I headed south, I read in Edward Abbey: A Life, by James M. Cahalan, that Abbey married five times, cheated frequently, drank heavily and fathered five children from whom he was often absent. From the 50s through the 70s, Abbey served stints in more than a dozen units of the national park system, gigs that took him away from family but gave him time to write and sit at the campfire. In later years, he taught writing, joined just about every public debate he could find and alienated many allies when he came out against all immigration until we have brought our own affairs into order. Between rants about the vulnerability of nature, he occasionally roared around the desert in a fire-engine red 1975 Cadillac Eldorado. Atop the dam, down the river I had no Eldorado my gas-guzzler was a rented SUV but driving south from Moab was still fun. Open spaces. Throwback signage. Cheap gas (about $2.60 a gallon). And just when I began to suspect I was driving too fast, a friendly black-and-white sign popped up: SPEED LIMIT 80. I was still legal. As this video shows, Arizonas Glen Canyon Dam catches the waters to the Colorado River to make Lake Powell, a vast reservoir in the desert. Below the dam, the river winds through the many twists and turns of Glen Canyon -- including the spectacular It didnt take long, roaring down U.S. 191 and 163, to blow past Monticello, Blanding, Bluff and Mexican Hat, then Monument Valley, where I could have passed three days instead of three minutes. By midafternoon Id reached the Carl Hayden Visitor Center in Page, Ariz., about 270 miles southwest of Moab, and stepped to the big window. Through it I saw perhaps Abbeys worst nightmare before me: Glen Canyon Dam, completed in 1963, squatting on the Colorado River ever since. To grasp what the Bureau of Reclamation did at Glen Canyon, Abbey later wrote, imagine the Taj Mahal or Chartres Cathedral buried in mud until only the spires remain visible. I took the tour 45 minutes for $5 which included a stroll along the top of the dam with Paige Spowart, a Glen Canyon Conservancy guide whose command of facts was almost as daunting as all that concrete. The dam is 710 feet tall, Spowart told us, and sends water and power to several western states. Its reservoir, Lake Powell, accommodates millions of yearly visitors who frolic on houseboats and other watercraft. The lake reached its fullest point in 1983. Nowadays, after years of hotter, drier weather, the lake is about 62% empty. Vegetation is growing back on land that used to be underwater. Upstream from the dam, I drove to the Wahweap Overlook for a sunset view of the lake, shimmering like a mirage. Downstream, I hiked to Horseshoe Bend for a sunrise view of the river as it bent 270 degrees beneath 700-foot canyon walls. Then I climbed aboard a Wilderness River Adventures pontoon boat below the dam. There were 22 of us, along with Jalen Halwood, a savvy guide with Navajo roots and a sly sense of humor. If you find yourself on fire, he said during the safety briefing, be sure you jump in the water. Over three hours, we meandered 15 miles, drifting through Horseshoe Bend, pulling out at Lees Ferry, where Grand Canyon National Park begins. We saw turkey vultures above, fish below, ancient native art at Petroglyph Beach. We drank river-chilled lemonade and dangled toes in the current. Nobody caught fire. Cue the organ pipes West of Tuscon, Arizonas Sonoran Desert is a zone of wide open spaces, towering saguaro, organ pipe cacti, soaring temperatures and sometimes desperate migrants crossing the nearby Mexican border. This video explores Organ Pipe Cactus National Monu Road trip: In New Mexico, a volcano hike and Wild West history By the time I got to Ajo, 38 miles from the Mexican border, I was on the last leg of the trip. Since Page, Id covered about 370 southbound miles of U.S. 89, interstates 10 and 17 and Arizona 85. Ajo is the gateway to Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, a rugged wonderland where Abbey did three seasons as a ranger, and the even lonelier Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, where the writer made many expeditions. Hes still there. Well before Abbey died of esophageal bleeding at 62, his health deteriorated and he realized his time was short. He left detailed instructions: His friends should put his body on ice, drive it from his Tucson home to the 860,000 raw-desert acres of Cabeza Prieta and bury him in his old sleeping bag so that he might fertilize a cactus or cliff rose or sagebrush. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) This they did, and marked his resting place with a rock bearing the words NO COMMENT. Since then, many writers and readers have made pilgrimages seeking that spot. For most of a day, I bounced along Organ Pipes unpaved Ajo Mountain Drive and hiked Arch Canyon, where the saguaro and organ pipe are deep green after a wet year. Ocotillos bloomed brilliant red. Palo verde trees blossomed in shrieking yellow. Razor-sharp cholla nipped at my knees, and rabbits ran between the mesquite and agave. I wouldnt get near this place in the blast-furnace heat of summer, but this 85-degree spring day was just right. Id never seen a desert as green and vivid. No other hikers. It was the same at Cabeza Prieta, with a twist of red tape. To visit legally, I had to apply online to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for an access permit and promise not to leave anything behind, including food, water or blankets. I signed and found my way to Charlie Bell Road, one of three gravel roads in the refuge. What I heard: the breeze, the hum of insects buzzing flower to flower. What I saw: ocotillo, palo verde and cholla, ad infinitum. When the sun dipped beneath the horizon, the sky went purple and the saguaros and organ pipe cacti turned to soldierly silhouettes. What I didnt see: a stone that said NO COMMENT. Which is just as well. I dont need to follow Edward Abbey anymore. Id rather save my admiration for somebody who pays a little more attention to what we owe each other. But Ill always be grateful that he led me into the desert. Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge near Ajo, Ariz. (Christopher Reynolds / Los Angeles Times) If you go WHERE TO SLEEP Gonzo Inn, 100 W. 200 South, Moab, Utah; (800) 791-4044. Doubles from about $209. Red Rock Motel, 114 8th Ave., Page., Ariz.; (928) 645-0062. Doubles from $80. Guest House Inn, 700 W. Guest House Road, Ajo, Ariz.; (520) 387-6133, guesthouseinn.biz. Doubles from $89. WHERE TO EAT The Spoke on Center, 5 N. Main St., Moab, Utah; (435) 260-7177; thespokemoab.com. Lively, two-level dining room and large patio. Dinner main dishes $11-$18. Hat Rock Cafe, Hat Rock Inn, 120 U.S. 163, Mexican Hat, Utah; (435) 683-2270, hatrockinn.com. Breakfast and lunch $8.50-$14.75 Big Johns Texas Barbecue, 153 S. Lake Powell Blvd., Page, Ariz.; (928) 645-3300, bigjohnstexasbbq.com dinner. Big patio with picnic tables. Often live country music. Lunch and dinner. Dinner main dishes $8.25-$23.50 Agave Grill, 1051 Solana Ave., Ajo, Ariz.; (520) 387-4235, agavegrille.com. Mostly burgers and steaks. Dinner main dishes $8.49-$19.99. TO LEARN MORE Arches National Park, nps.gov/arch Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, nps.gov/glca Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, nps.gov/orpi Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, fws.gov/refuge/cabeza_prieta christopher.reynolds@latimes.com Follow Reynolds on Twitter: @MrCSReynolds A tourist bus struck a roadside bomb on Sunday near the Giza pyramids, wounding at least 17 people, including tourists, Egyptian officials said. The officials said the bus was traveling on a road close to the under-construction Grand Egyptian Museum, adjacent to the Giza pyramids. The bus was carrying at least 25 people, most of them from South Africa, officials added. The attack came as Egypts vital tourism industry is showing signs of recovery after years in the doldrums resulting from ongoing political turmoil and violence that followed a 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak. Advertisement The officials said security forces cordoned off the site of the explosion and the wounded were taken to a nearby hospital. The explosion damaged a windshield of another car, they said. Video circulated online shows shattered windows of the bus. Atif Moftah, general supervisor of the Grand Egyptian Museum, said the explosion did not cause any damage to the museum, in a statement issued by the antiquities ministry. No group immediately took responsibility for the attack. It was the second to target foreign tourists near the famed pyramids in less than six months. In December, a bus carrying 15 Vietnamese tourists was hit by a roadside bomb, killing at least three. Egypt has battled Islamic militants for years in the Sinai Peninsula in an insurgency that has occasionally spilled over to the mainland, hitting minority Christians or tourists. The insurgency gained strength after the 2013 military overthrow of the countrys first freely elected president, Islamist Mohamed Morsi, whose brief rule sparked mass protests. Indians voted Sunday in the seventh and final phase of a grueling national election that lasted more than five weeks, as Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist party seeks to govern for another five years. The election is seen as a referendum on Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJPs main opposition is the Congress Party, led by Rahul Gandhi, the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has produced three prime ministers. Vote counting begins on Thursday, and the election result will likely be known the same day. The voting Sunday covered Modis constituency of Varanasi, a holy Hindu city where he was elected in 2014 with an impressive margin of more than 200,000 votes. Modi spent Saturday night at Kedarnath, a temple of the Hindu god Shiva nestled in the Himalayas in northern India. Advertisement The final election round included 59 constituencies in eight states. Up for grabs were 13 seats in Punjab and an equal number in Uttar Pradesh, eight each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, four in Himachal Pradesh and three in Jharkhand and Chandigarh. In Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, voters lined up outside polling stations early Sunday morning to avoid the scorching heat, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Armed security officials stood guard in and outside the centers amid fear of violence. While the election, which began April 11, was largely peaceful, West Bengal, in eastern India, was an exception. Modi is challenged there by the states chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, who heads the more inclusive Trinamool Congress Party and is eyeing a chance to go to New Delhi as the oppositions candidate for prime minister. Modi visited West Bengal 17 times in an effort to make inroads with his Hindu nationalist agenda, provoking sporadic violence and prompting the Election Commission to cut off campaigning there. On Sunday, Nirmala Sitharaman, a BJP leader and the countrys defense minister, accused Banerjees supporters of attacking her party members and preventing them from voting at several places in six of the nine constituencies in West Bengal. She did not provide details. Prodeep Chakrabarty, a retired teacher in Kolkata, said Modis BJP was desperate to win some seats against Banerjees influential regional party. People are divided for many reasons. We have to wait for a final outcome to see who people are voting for. Things are not predictable like before, he said. Minorities in India, especially Muslims, who comprise about 14% of the countrys 1.3 billion people, criticize Modi for his Hindu nationalist agenda. Modis party backed a bill that would make it easier to deport millions of Bangladeshis who have migrated to India since Bangladeshs independence in 1971. The bill, however, eases a path to citizenship for Hindus, Sikhs, Parsees and Jains non-Muslims who came from Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan over decades. Voters were also up early Sunday in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh state, where election workers arranged for drinking water, shade and fans to cool them down. I straightaway came from my morning walk to cast my vote and was surprised to see enthusiasm among the voters, said Ramesh Kumar Singh, who was among the first to vote. There were long queues of people waiting patiently to cast their votes, which is a good sign for democracy. During the election campaign, Modi played up the threat of Pakistan, Indias Muslim-majority neighbor and archrival, especially after the suicide bombing of a paramilitary convoy in Kashmir on Feb. 14 that killed 40 Indian soldiers. Congress and other opposition parties have challenged Modi over a high unemployment rate of 6.1% and farmers distress aggravated by low crop prices. Some of Modis boldest policy steps, such as the demonetization of high currency notes to curb black-market money, proved to be economically damaging. A haphazard implementation of one nation, one tax a goods and services tax also hit small and medium businesses. Voter turnout in the first six rounds was approximately 66%, the Election Commission said, up from 58% in the last national vote in 2014. Pre-election media polls indicate that no party is likely to win anything close to a majority in Parliament, which has 543 seats. The BJP, which won a majority of 282 seats in 2014, may need some regional parties as allies to stay in power. A Congress-led government would require a major electoral upset. Indias sewer cleaners keep working despite ban on job A rocket crashed Sunday in the Iraqi capitals heavily fortified Green Zone, landing less than a mile from the sprawling U.S. Embassy, an Iraqi military spokesman said. The apparent attack in central Baghdad, which Iraqs state-run news agency said did not cause casualties, came amid heightened tensions across the Persian Gulf after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region earlier this month. U.S. officials cited an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. The U.S. also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. Associated Press reporters on the east side of the Tigris River, opposite the Green Zone, heard an explosion, after which sirens sounded briefly in Baghdad. Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul said a Katyusha rocket fell near the statue of the Unknown Soldier, less than a mile from the U.S. Embassy. He said the military was investigating the cause but that the rocket was believed to have been fired from east Baghdad. The area is home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. Advertisement As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Iran, there have been concerns that Baghdad could get caught in the middle just as its on a path to recovery. The country hosts more than 5,000 U.S. troops and is home to powerful Iranian-backed militias, some of whom want those U.S. forces to leave. American forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011 but returned in 2014 at the countrys invitation to help battle the Islamic State militant group after it seized vast areas in the north and west of Iraq, including its second-largest city, Mosul. A U.S.-led coalition provided crucial air support as Iraqi forces regrouped and drove Islamic State out in a costly three-year campaign. Iranian-backed militias fought alongside U.S.-backed Iraqi troops against militants, gaining outsized influence and power. Now, amid an escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran, Iraq is vulnerable to being caught up in the power play. An attack targeting U.S. interests in Iraq would be detrimental to the countrys recent efforts to recover and reclaim its status in the Arab world. On May 8, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a previously unannounced trip to the Iraqi capital following the abrupt cancellation of a visit to Germany. He told Iraqi intelligence that the United States had been picking up intelligence that Iran was threatening American interests in the Middle East, although he offered no details, according to two Iraqi officials. A few days later, as U.S.-Iranian tensions continued to rise, the State Department ordered all nonessential, non-emergency government staff to leave Iraq. Employees of energy giant ExxonMobil also have begun evacuating from an oil field in the southern Iraqi province of Basra. A Nicaraguan American dual national who died in a prison disturbance in Nicaragua served in the U.S. Navy and was a staunch opponent of the government of President Daniel Ortega, his cousin said Saturday. Eddy Montes Praslin, 56, was shot dead Thursday at La Modelo prison outside the capital of Managua. Hundreds of Nicaraguans have been jailed over the last year after protesting against the Ortega government. His cousin Marvin Montes told the Associated Press that Montes Praslin moved to the U.S. when he was 13 years old, went to school in California and served in the Navy. He said Montes Praslin traveled between the two countries, establishing himself more permanently in Nicaragua since 2006. Montes Praslin at one point studied medicine, and he received a law degree from a Nicaraguan university in 2018, his cousin said. Advertisement At least 17 others who had been arrested for apparently participating in anti-government protests were wounded in the prison disturbance. The government said prisoners rushed at guards. Marvin Montes said his cousin was jailed in October after complaining to police that pro-government activists had occupied several acres of his property in Matagalpa, about 60 miles northeast of Managua. The attorney generals office accused him of terrorism, aggravated robbery, obstruction of public services and attacking the mayors office in Matagalpa. The Nicaraguan Center for Human Rights represented Montes Praslin while he was in prison. We have an account of the persecution that he suffered over his property going back more than two years, said Vilma Nunez, president of the human rights center. Nunez said that in addition to the property dispute, Montes Praslin had offered to testify as a witness to a murder that he said was committed by government agents. Eddy was there and saw everything, Marvin Montes said. Attorney Yonarqui Martinez, who represents more than 70 political prisoners, said via Twitter that there is proof that Montes Praslin was shot in the back and not during a tussle. Its unclear whether an autopsy will be performed. Fellow inmates looked up to Montes Praslin, calling him pastor because he led religious gatherings and even father because he was much older than the many students who are in jail. Student-led protests against social security reforms began in April 2018 and grew in scope to demand Ortegas exit from office and early elections. The demonstrations were put down forcibly by security forces and armed, pro-government militias leaving at least 325 people dead and more than 2,000 wounded while forcing more than 52,000 to flee the country, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. Daughter Eddy Jafet Montes, who lives in California, told a Nicaraguan news outlet that she would travel to Nicaragua for the funeral, but with trepidation. If they threw my father in jail under any excuse, I feel they could do the same to us, she said. The funeral is expected to take place Sunday, according to Marvin Montes. U.S. Ambassador Kevin Sullivan expressed sadness at Montes Praslins death and said he met with family members Friday to convey the U.S. governments condolences. They deserve a comprehensive and credible account of this unjustifiable use of lethal force against an unarmed political prisoner, Sullivan said via Twitter. A U.S. State Department official reiterated the governments call for the release of all political prisoners. Liberty High School students gathered at the high school Saturday afternoon before loading onto buses to head to New Jersey for a cruise later that night. Click on the gallery above to see students all dressed up. MORE PROM If these photos have you looking for more prom, check out the photos from last year. Liberty High School prom 2018 photos. Don't forget to check back to lehighvalleylive.com/prom for full coverage of the celebrations across our region. SHARE YOUR PROM PHOTOS Don't forget to tag @lehighvalleylive in your Instagram photos and @lehighvalley on Twitter - we'll highlight the best pics! BUY THESE PHOTOS Are you one of the people pictured at this prom? Want to buy the photo and keep it forever? Look for a link below the photo caption to order prints in a variety of sizes or products like shirts or coffee mugs. Saed Hindash may be reached at shindash@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @SaedHindash. Find lehighvalleylive on Facebook. When Craig Hunt was a student at Lehigh University, Bethlehem Steel Corp. offered engineering students a program called the Loop that would help them find jobs with the company after graduation. His father-in-law, George Yasko, worked in the Steel's No. 2 Machine Shop, Gerry Hunt said. Sunday morning, Craig and Gerry Hunt were up before the sun to drive from their home in the Pottsville area to see the implosion of Martin Tower, former global headquarters of Bethlehem Steel. Other than just the spectacle of the building, (its) just the official end in my mind of the Bethlehem Steel era, Craig Hunt said after explosives reduced the 21-story building -- the tallest in the Lehigh Valley -- to a pile of rubble averaging about 45 feet high. It was the third implosion Carole Peiffer got to see. She came in from New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, after having witnessed the demise of a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation building in Harrisburg and Blue Shield offices in Camp Hill. "This one went almost too fast," she said. "With the PennDOT building we actually had time between the explosions and it coming down that you actually thought maybe there was a problem." Doug Sigler, of Clinton, worked in Martin Tower with Dun & Bradstreet during the early 2000s, and said it was sad to see the destruction of the iconic structure, which opened in 1972. "It's something that I've always just, I was saying, coming up 78, and you look over into the valley and you could see it, my kids know it because I always point it out to them," he said. "And it's going to be sad the next time we go out and just don't see it there. It's something you kind of rely on." Seeing the demolition firsthand, Chris Daw said it was the kind of thing he had only ever seen on television. Its going to be a bummer not seeing it around anymore, Daw, of Allentown, said. Its always been a way to get around this area, you just looked for the tower and you knew which way you were going. Yeah, itll be missed. Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein and Facebook. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. A teen boy punched out the rear drivers side window of his mothers vehicle during an argument, Pennsylvania State Police said. State police in Lehighton said the the incident happened just after 7 p.m. this past Friday along Forest Inn Road in Towamensing Township, Carbon County. The 16-year-old boy is from Palmerton, Carbon County and the mother is a 39-year-old Binghampton, New York resident. Its unclear if the woman was driving the 2013 Volkswagon at the time of the vandalism or what led to the dispute. Police cited the juvenile and are investigating the incident as a criminal mischief case. The value of the damage is $300, according to police. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook. The Government should invest in marriage rather than asking people to vote in a referendum which speeds up divorce, according to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese that takes in most of Laois and several Leinster counties. Bishop of Kildare and Leighin Denis Nulty made the call in a statement in his capacity as chair of the Council for Marriage & Family of the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference. Bishop Nulty says Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution of Ireland proclaims that the State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it from attack. He says stable marriages and relationships contribute significantly to a happy and stable society. The Bishop claims that the State has an alternative to the changes planned. "Marriage is essential and fundamental for the good of society worldwide. It is imperative that we continue to work together to promote marriage and family. The objective of the proposed referendum is not to support marriage, rather to liberalise divorce. "For this reason, it is important to reflect deeply on the implications of this referendum which seeks to expedite the dissolution of marriage. The common good would be better served by supporting and resourcing couples and families in preparation for, and during marriage. "We believe that the incidence of marriage breakdown and divorce could be reduced through the introduction of socio-economic policies which support the family and through long-term education strategies which promote values such as fidelity and commitment. While this would cost money, the human and economic cost of breakdown and divorce, both for the couple and for their children, is a far greater cost. "Also Accord, the pastoral agency of the Catholic Church supporting marriage and family life, offers courses to women and men who are preparing for the Sacrament of Marriage. Feedback from Accord indicates that the experience of couples who have undertaken a marriage preparation course has been very positive and this has benefits for their marriage and family life. "The Government should recommit resources to marriage preparation and invest resources into marriage enrichment. Both initiatives will sustain marriages into the future and lead to great dividends for wider society," he says. Read also: VOTING YES WILL EASE BURDEN OF SEPARATIONS He says that following the World Meeting of the Families and the visit of Pope Francis to Ireland, the Council for Marriage and the Family published A Word of Truth and Hope. He says this recognises that people are called to live their married lives in the reality of the world with all its opportunities and its challenges. He says it that for many reasons, even with the best efforts of the husband and wife, marriage sometimes reaches a crisis point. "A Word of Truth and Hope acknowledges that there is possibly no greater loneliness than to share a home with a person with whom one can no longer share life or love. Sometimes with great courage and support from those around them, it is possible for a couple to continue their married life and even to deepen their love. Sometimes, however, marriage ends in divorce. "Our experience would suggest that many divorced people have no wish to remarry. Many, inspired by faith, seek to remain faithful to the promises which they made before God, while others, eventually, do remarry civilly or enter into new relationships. Our understanding of the Church as a loving mother and the parish as a family of families endorses our pastoral approach as Church in accompanying people in the brokenness and pain of their situation," says the statement. If passed the referendum will allow the Government to move legislation that will allow a reduction in the time couples have to be living apart before they can get a divorce. It will also allow for the recognition of foreign divorces. MORE ON THE VOTE AT WWW.REFCOM.IE The May Bank Holiday weekend saw the culmination of the celebrations in Saint Conleths Parish Newbridge marking the 1,500th anniversary of the death of St Conleth, the first Bishop of Kildare and patron saint of both Newbridge Parish and the diocese of Kildare and Leighlin. St Conleth died on May 4 519 and 1500 years later, the people of the parish of Newbridge came together on his feast day to mark the anniversary of his death and to celebrate the vibrant parish life that exists in Newbridge. The weekend of celebrations began with Mass on Saturday, May 4, in St Conleths Parish Church, Newbridge. Bishop Denis Nulty was the principal celebrant. The Mass, which was concelebrated by priests and religious from the parish and from the diocese, was attended by more than 700 people with many of the ministries and services of the parish represented in the opening procession and throughout the Mass. Local students and staff were also involved as well as the young people preparing for First Holy Communion. One of the highlights of the Mass was the reading of a special papal message from Pope Francis which was received for the St Conleth 1500 celebrations. The message said: "His Holiness Pope Francis was pleased to learn of the celebration marking the fifteen-hundredth anniversary of the death of Saint Conleth, patron and first Bishop of Kildare, and he sends prayerful greetings to the you and to the priests, consecrated men and women and lay faithful of the diocese. In his homily Bishop Nulty said: The important message is the life Conleth led and the legacy he left behind, a legacy we live out of and celebrate this night. At the end of the Mass Bishop Nulty was presented with an image of a piece of the stained glass from St Conleths parish church which depicts Saint Conleth. On Sunday, May 5, a pilgrim walk took place from the parish church out to Old Connell where it is said Conleth lived in seclusion. In years gone by on the Sunday after St Conleth's Day a pilgrimage would place from the parish church in Newbridge to Old Connell, about two miles outside the town. This pilgrimage was revived this year and more than 80 people took part in the walk to what is now an historic graveyard where a short prayer service and blessing of the graves took place. Historian Paul Cooke gave an overview of the stories of some of those who are buried in the graveyard. The celebrations concluded on Monday when the novena welcomed the Papal Nuncio to Ireland, Archbishop Jude Thaddeus Okolo. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. TWENTY two Limerick artists have submitted their masterpieces to Corks first Incognito secret art sale, writes Rory OConnor. With queues for Incognitos Dublin sale beginning at 4.30am and paintings sold on a first come, first served basis, the dawn chorus wont fall on deaf ears outside the Lavit Gallery Cork on Friday and Saturday May 17 and 18. It is set to be the countries biggest art sale with 2,600 pieces going for auction. Each postcard-sized piece will be 50, with the twist being that the artist is not revealed until after the purchase is made, meaning some people end up with paintings worth much more than they are paying. All eyes will be peeled for artworks by well-known artists such as Paul Costelloe and Abigail OBrien and one lucky shopper will pick up a valuable piece created by U2 frontman Bono! The Jack and Jill foundation are the beneficiaries of the sale, with last years event, held in Dublin, raising 95,000, with every 16 raised funding one hour of home nursing care for over 340 children who are under Jack & Jills wing today, with 15 Limerick-based families currently receiving care. William Fry are also a key contributor, who have donated 100,000 over the last three years. The artworks can be viewed on www.Incognito.com in the days leading up to the sales with a preview day taking place on May 16. ABBEYFEALE will remember Irelands foremost Nazi codebreaker this weekend when it will unveil a plaque in the Square to native son Richard J Hayes, who was also Director of the National Libary. And a large contingent of Richard Hayes relatives, including his sister, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and other relatives are travelling to Abbeyfeale for the event. Marc McMenamin, the documentary maker and author who brought Richard Hayes achievements during World War 2 to a wider audience, will also attend. The event is being organised by Abbeyfeale Community Council, and council chairman, Maurice OConnell said they were very pleased and honoured by the response to their initiative. The fact that so many of Richard Hayes relatives are travelling is very significant, he said. The plaque is located on the Bank of Ireland building in The Square, where Richard Hayes was born in 1902, the son of the then bank manager Richard Snr. The young Richard was clever, excelling at Clongowes and later pursuing three degree courses at the same time and becoming fluent in several languages including German as well as being a brilliant mathematician. He got a post in the National Library and was later to become its national director. How he first became connected with Military Intelligence remains a mystery but with the outbreak WW11 began he was headhunted for G2, the Irish Military Intelligence section. Ireland, although neutral, was of interest to the German High Command and Richard Hayes job, because of his mathematical prowess, was to break the codes of messages coming from and to Germany into Ireland could be understood. He was, by any measure, successful at it and made a number of significant breakthroughs, one of which was the discovery of microdot coding. Another concerned German spy Herman Gortz who was dispatched to Ireland with one of the most sophisticated ciphers or codes in use by the Germans. At the time, there were 16 people working in Bletchley Park in England trying to break this code but it was Richard Hayes who did so, using measures that today read like an old-fashioned spy thriller. Gathering up burnt pieces of paper and applying chemicals to them is as James Bond as you can get. A third significant breakthrough involved the spy from Kilkee, John Francis OReilly who was trained as a spy in Germany and was parachuted into West Clare. He brought with him a code-cipher wheel or device which Richard Hayes set about analysing and discovered that Germany had developed an entirely new system of carrying out substitution and transposition ciphers, the keys to any code. This information was shared with British intelligence and was the break-through in decoding German messages in the build-up to the Battle of the Bulge. At the end of the war, Hayes was described as a colossus whose gifts amount to genius, Marc McMeniman told the Limerick Leader when his book was published last autumn. But he added: He has almost written himself out of history. Richard Hayes rarely if ever spoke about his work, he pointed out. It was the ethos of the time you just didnt talk about it.. He described Richard Hayes as very discreet, a man with a very dry sense of humour who loved peace and quiet. He loved learning and would hate anything to get the better of him, he continued. In the best sense, he was a practical public servant, a man with a huge sense of duty, who didnt seek fame and didnt like a fuss or a crowd. But Marc added, he would have wanted things to be on the historical record. And a bit of that historical record will be marked this Saturday. A YOUNG woman who drove at speeds of up to 150km/h in an attempt to evade gardai has been warned she will go to jail if she reoffends. Natalie Sheridan, 19, who has an address at Ballywilliam, Rathkeale has pleaded guilty to multiple road traffic charges relating to an incident in the town on March 17. During a hearing last month, Inspector Andrew Lacey told Newcastle West Court gardai decided to follow a grey Peugeot car being driven by the defendant after they saw two females hanging out the rear window. Ms Sheridan, who lives in the UK, accelerated at high speed before driving through the centre of the town. Insp Lacey said during the pursuit through Rathkeale, the defendant overtook a number of cars on the wrong side of the road and that two pedestrians had to jump out of the way of the car. The court heard she reached speeds of 150km/h in a 100km/h zone and 100 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. When the Peugeot car was stopped at Church Street, Rathkeale shortly after 10pm, gardai established that Ms Sheridan was not insured to drive the car and did not have a drivers licence. Solicitor Michael ODonnell said his client has no previous convictions and that events had spiralled from what was a relatively minor matter. He told Judge John King the defendant, who was driving her mothers car on the night, was going to get food with friends when she first encountered gardai at Main Street, Rathkeale. She panicked. It was bizarre and dangerous, he said. The solicitor said his client, who mainly lives in the UK, is embarrassed by her behaviour and has been chastised by her parents. A probation report was prepared after Judge King previously indicated he was considering 240 hours of community service in lieu of a prison sentence If she is not going to do community service, she is going to jail. Either way she will be in the jurisdiction for some time, said the judge. While noting her colleagues views during a hearing last Friday, Judge Mary Larkin commented that her age and previous good record were factors that she had to consider. She also noted it would be difficult for the defendant to carry out community service as she mainly lives outside the jurisdiction. In the circumstances, she imposed a three month prison sentence which she suspended for 12 months. Ms Sheridan was disqualified for three years and fined a total of 1,000. She could have killed them all including herself, commented Judge Larkin after hearing the facts of the case. Last night, the Ghana Music Awards witnessed an unprecedented chaos when dancehall artiste Shatta Wale and label mate Stonebwoy disrupted the show. Stonebwoy was announced as the winner for the Reggae/Dancehall artiste of the year, a move that didn't sit down well with Shatta Wale who stormed the stage with his 'goons' in protest. Stonebwoy was however battle ready as he had a gun on him and he pulled it out on stage. Shatta Wale in his reaction on twitter this morning said, 'this is called insecurity, its a shame Ghana music supports this arrogant cripple'. See the rest of his tweets below... All eyes are now on what kind of government will emerge from the Lok Sabha elections. These elections have challenged the very soul of India. Has all decency, morality, self-respect, harmony and co-existence been lost forever in our political discourse? Those who believe in mythology may consider the Mahabharata as our perennial destiny, but living societies must think of the future and not of the past. In recent years, the practice of trying to expose the skeletons in each others cupboard has become a favourite political pastime. This is both shocking and frightening. The youth of this country need a clear map for the future. A consensus on this among political parties is imperative for this, but this is not what is happening. Farmers, workers, women and the oppressed have just been reduced to political pawns. On serious issues like defence and security, we get a whole lot of noise and no substantial debate. Whatever good or bad previous governments did, one thing was clearthere was a kind of unwritten consensus on a number of issues. Let me take you back 52 years. It was 1967. Embarrassed after the defeat by China in 1962 and severely damaged on the economic front by the 1965 Indo-Pak war, the Army was compelled to fight an undeclared war. At Nathu La on the Chinese border, the Red Army had created trouble. In response to it, the Indians took decisive action. More than 300 Chinese soldiers were killed. Sixty-five of our soldiers lost their lives. This battle was fought at 14,200 feet and was the last major conflict between the two countries. China understood that the attitude of our army is aggressive and it decided against further adventures. Those days in India, politics was characterised by decency. Instead of spreading and publicising this news, it was suppressed. For years, most people were unaware of this. As a result, there was no bitterness between the two countries and it became easy for India to present its side on strategic platforms. Most army actions are expected to be conducted with the same caution, but now, the world has changed. Its not that defence has become a topic of discussion only in India. From World War II till 1983, Britain too followed the principle of silence and secrecy on defence matters. But the American way of letting it all hang out has taken over in Britain too. Its consequences may have some short-term benefits for 10, Downing Street or the White House, but it creates dissatisfaction and aggression in the rest of the world. This is the reason Barack Obama, who watched the killing of Osama Bin Laden live, could not eliminate al-Qaeda. Even after many attacks on it, Daesh is capable of creating havoc even today. The recent attacks in Colombo are another example of this. While leaders in many countries are aggressive in their speeches, some others are seen as guarding the peace and their people. The prime minister of New Zealand Jacinda Arden is the epitome of a healthy democracy. On 15 March when a fanatic killed 51 Muslims praying in a mosque at Christchurch, she was seen acting with commendable calm, control and balance. In her first speech after the gruesome attack, she made it clear that the government will not make public the identity of the attacker. Not only this, after taking the oppositions consent, she took several steps to ensure that such an assault could be prevented in the future. She also attended a condolence meeting wearing a black scarf. The world media highlighted her photo. Will our leaders, steeped in the politics of division, behave like this? New Zealand is considered one of the cleanest and healthiest democracies of the world. In the last seven phases of polling for the general election in India, people who cast their votes may have had some noble intentions. They must have voted thinking that despite the negative campaign rhetoric, their leaders will deliver on promises of heathcare, education and jobs among other things. But, this whole election exercise today has become one of name- calling and raising irrelevant issues which have little connect with the actual lives of people. It would seem that the electoral arena has become one where the ability to fling mud on each other and shout down opponents is seen a vehicle to success. I cannot honestly think of a single leader who has displayed high standards of decorum and probity in this campaign. The future does not look too bright, does it? Shashi Shekhar is editor-in-chief, Hindustan. His Twitter handle is @shekarkahin. The views expressed are personal Subscribe to Mint Newsletters * Enter a valid email * Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!! Topics U.S. Navy pilots and sailors won't be considered crazy for reporting unidentified flying objects, under new rules meant to encourage them to keep track of what they see. Yet just a few years ago, the Pentagon reportedly shut down another official program that investigated UFO sightings. What has changed? Is the U.S. military finally coming around to the idea that alien spacecraft are visiting our planet? The answer to that question is almost certainly no. Humans' misinterpretation of observations of natural phenomena are as old as time and include examples such as manatees being seen as mermaids and driftwood in a Scottish loch being interpreted as a monster. A more recent and relevant example is the strange luminescent structure in the sky caused by a SpaceX rocket launch. In these types of cases, incorrect interpretations occur because people have incomplete information or misunderstand what they're seeing. Based on my prior experience as a science advisor to the Air Force, I believe that the Pentagon wants to avoid this type of confusion, so it needs to better understand flying objects that it can't now identify. During a military mission, whether in peace or in war, if a pilot or soldier can't identify an object, they have a serious problem: How should they react, without knowing if it is neutral, friendly or threatening? Fortunately, the military can use advanced technologies to try to identify strange things in the sky. Taking the 'U' out of 'UFO' "Situational awareness" is the military term for having complete understanding of the environment in which you are operating. A UFO represents a gap in situational awareness. At the moment, when a Navy pilot sees something strange during flight, just about the only thing he or she can do is ask other pilots and air traffic control what they saw in that place at that time. Globally, the number of UFO reportings in a year has peaked at more than 8,000. It's not known how many the military experiences. Even the most heavily documented incidents end up unresolved, despite interviewing dozens of witnesses and reviewing many written documents, as well as lots of audio and video recordings. UFOs represent an opportunity for the military to improve its identification processes. At least some of that work could be done in the future by automated systems, and potentially in real time as an incident unfolds. Military vehicles Humvees, battleships, airplanes and satellites alike are covered in sensors. It's not just passive devices like radio receivers, video cameras and infrared imagers, but active systems like radar, sonar and lidar. In addition, a military vehicle is rarely alone vehicles travel in convoys, sail in fleets and fly in formations. Above them all are satellites watching from overhead. Drawing a complete picture Sensors can provide a wealth of information on UFOs including range, speed, heading, shape, size and temperature. With so many sensors and so much data, though, it is a challenge to merge the information into something useful. However, the military is stepping up its work on autonomy and artificial intelligence. One possible use of these new technologies could be to combine them to analyze all the many signals as they come in from sensors, separating any observations that it can't identify. In those cases, the system could even assign sensors on nearby vehicles or orbiting satellites to collect additional information in real time. Then it could assemble an even more complete picture. For the moment, though, people will need to weigh in on what all the data reveal. That's because a key challenge for any successful use of artificial intelligence is building trust or confidence in the system. For example, in a famous experiment by Google scientists, an advanced image recognition algorithm based on artificial intelligence was fooled into wrongly identifying a photo of a panda as a gibbon simply by distorting a small number of the original pixels. So, until humans understand UFOs better, we won't be able to teach computers about them. In my view, the Navy's new approach to reporting UFO encounters is a good first step. This may eventually lead to a comprehensive, fully integrated approach for object identification involving the fusion of data from many sensors through the application of artificial intelligence and autonomy. Only then will there be fewer and fewer UFOs in the sky because they won't be unidentified anymore. Iain Boyd, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Tony Stahl said he waited five years for the state to put his disabled daughter, Allison, in the selection process that would allow her to live in her own home in a community. It took an extra three years before that home was found. After that eight-year wait, Allison is living and paying rent with two roommates in Sycamore, where she also works at Walmart, ushers at a church and dances at a studio. Only the community home, rather than a state institution, could fully address her personal care, medical, and community living needs, her father said. Nearly 300 other advocates and people with disabilities came to the Capitol this week to say something similar. By segregating people, by limiting access to services and supports necessary for participation, Illinois communities are missing out on the benefits and contributions of people with disabilities, said Meg Cooch, executive director of The Arc of Illinois, a Chicago-based advocacy group. Cooch said Illinois is second only to Texas in the number of disabled people it puts into institutions, and that the average annual cost to house someone there $280,000 does not compare to the $34,000 average yearly cost to help them live in communities instead. Cooch and representatives from the Going Home Coalition are urging lawmakers to provide more funding for community-based living for people with disabilities. Among other things, they argue that the $107 million that Gov. J.B. Pritzker proposed to give to the Department of Human Services to help the agency comply with the new minimum wage law is not enough. Cooch said the average caregiver for people with disabilities is paid between $10 and $11 an hour by the state. While the caregiving role is not a minimum wage job in the first place, she said the additional money proposed is still insufficient. This is a job that means the difference between independence and non-independence for people with disabilities, Cooch said. That money is not enough. We need more from legislators. Bob Peterson, a disabled self-advocate from Naperville, said the shortage of caregivers caused by the low wages does not help either, but that without them, it is more difficult to get people into communities where they can be active and engaged. The state operates seven institutions for people with disabilities. In recent years, The Arc of Illinois has called for the closing of six of those facilities in order to move their occupants into community settings, which advocates say allow people to live safer and healthier lives. Washington A Republican congressman from Michigan on Saturday became the first member of President Donald Trump's party on Capitol Hill to accuse him of engaging in "impeachable conduct" stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. But Rep. Justin Amash stopped short of calling on Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump, which many Democrats have been agitating for. Often a lone GOP voice in Congress, Amash sent a series of tweets Saturday faulting both Trump and Attorney General William Barr over Mueller's report. Mueller wrapped the investigation and submitted his report to Barr in late March. Barr then released a summary of Mueller's "principal conclusions" and released a redacted version of the report in April. Mueller found no criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia, but left open the question of whether Trump acted in ways that were meant to obstruct the investigation. Barr later said there was insufficient evidence to bring obstruction charges against Trump. Trump, who has compared the investigation to a "witch hunt," claimed complete exoneration from Mueller's report. Amash said he reached four conclusions after carefully reading the redacted version of Mueller's report, including that "President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct." "Contrary to Barr's portrayal, Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment," the congressman tweeted. He said the report "identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence." The Justice Department, which Barr leads, operates under guidelines that discourage the indictment of a sitting president. A representative for Amash did not immediately respond to an email request to speak with the congressman. Trump and Republican lawmakers generally view the matter as "case closed," as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recently declared. Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has moved closer to fully backing a second Brexit referendum, saying the public should be given a choice on any deal to leave the European Union. Corbyn has previously said the country should be offered a vote on Prime Minister Theresa May's Brexit deal. On Sunday, he seemed to echo his deputy Tom Watson, who has been calling for a vote on any Brexit package, including one proposed by the Labour party. "It would be reasonable to have a public vote to decide on that," Corbyn said on the BBC's Andrew Marr show. May blamed divisions within Labour on a second referendum for the collapse in talks between the party and the government on Friday, though Corbyn said the prime minister's refusal to soften her red lines were at fault. While the two sides failed to find an agreement on a customs union, they did find common ground on workers' rights, which May said she would include in a "new and improved" deal this week. She will ask lawmakers to back her fourth attempt at passing a Brexit deal early in June. Writing in the Sunday Times, May said she would make "a bold new offer" to members of Parliament. She also said her cabinet will on Tuesday consider a new series of indicative votes that could deliver a consensus in Parliament. Corbyn told Marr he wouldn't give a blank check to May's new plans, but would consider them very carefully. He was also doubtful whether another round of indicative votes could break the impasse. Corbyn also appeared to back away from his previous pledge to end freedom of movement after Brexit, saying a Labour government would instead be prepared to negotiate the issue of British and European workers having the ability to work in each others' economies with the European Union. His comments come ahead of Thursday's European Parliamentary elections, in which both the Conservative and Labour parties are trailing in the polls. The Tory party is currently polling at just 12 percent, according to the latest Opinium poll for the Observer newspaper, with voters protesting May's failure to deliver Brexit three years after the referendum. The Brexit party, led by Nigel Farage, topped the poll with 34 percent, followed by Labour at 20 percent. May this week agreed to chart a path for resigning if she can't get her deal through parliament on its fourth attempt. That's spurred Tory hopefuls who want to replace her, including former foreign secretary and bookies' favorite Boris Johnson, who backs a no-deal Brexit. But on Monday, a group of 60 Tory MPs will launch a campaign seeking to stop May's replacement from pursuing no deal, according to a person familiar with the plans. The so-called One Nation Caucus, led by Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, will launch a declaration of 10 values on Monday, rejecting "narrow nationalism" and calling for the U.K. to be a leader on the global stage. The group also includes Nicky Morgan and Defense Minister Tobias Ellwood, who on Sunday ruled out running for leader. He criticized colleagues who appear to be using Brexit to boost their own popularity, instead of working in the national interest. "Our focus must be to get Brexit across the line. Get that out the way, so we can then have a bigger, wider debate as to how we can earn the respect of the nation; to be a one nation, progressive party, center-right, fiscally responsible, able to take the nation forward," Ellwood told Sky News's Sophy Ridge Sunday. Chancellor Philip Hammond will also warn leadership candidates against pursuing no deal this week. In a speech to the CBI on Wednesday, he'll say that populism "is the ideology of easy answers" and that no Brexit solution is sustainable unless it commands a parliamentary majority, according to a person familiar with the speech. MPs have repeatedly voted against pursuing a no-deal Brexit. BAGHDAD - A rocket landed inside Baghdad's fortified Green Zone, which houses the sprawling United States Embassy, Iraqi security officials said Sunday, in an apparent warning shot to the U.S. amid escalating tensions with Iran. The rocket landed less than a mile from the U.S. Embassy near Iraq's Parliament building and caused no injuries or serious damage, a security official said. But the timing of the launch has increased worries in Iraq that it will be drawn into a conflict between two of its closest allies, the United States and Iran. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion among Iraqi officials and Western diplomats fell on one of the Shiite militias that draw their strength from Iranian support. Last week, the State Department took the extraordinary step of ordering all nonessential staffers to leave the embassy and consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, citing an alleged threat from Iranian proxies in the country. Shiite militias with deep ties to Tehran have gained unprecedented political and military power over the past three years and have repeatedly used rocket launches toward American diplomatic missions to express their displeasure with U.S. policies. Late last year, several rockets fell harmlessly near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate in Basra during a halting and acrimonious government formation process in which the United States tried to thwart Iraqi militia members from shaping the nation's Cabinet after elections in which they gained the second most seats in Parliament. The Trump administration responded by shuttering the consulate in Basra. Sunday's incident contributed to a growing sense in Iraq among politicians and diplomats that Iraq may become a staging area for a unpredictable conflict between Washington and Tehran - a prospect Iraq's leaders have repeatedly warned will destabilize Baghdad as it works to recover from a four-year war to oust the Islamic State. Iran and the United States played pivotal military roles in backing Iraq's military and militia forces in the effort to defeat the militant group and have since attempted to leverage that assistance into political and economic influence. Iraq's president and prime minister have insisted that Baghdad seeks close ties with both powers and wants to remain neutral in the rivalry that has exploded into bellicose warnings of military action since President Donald Trump took office. He pulled out of a nuclear accord among Iran, Europe and the United States and imposed widespread economic sanctions. Iran has responded by trying to bring Iraq closer to its orbit as a way to offset the debilitating effects of the American penalties. Iraqi officials and European diplomats have warned that even a small provocation like Sunday's rocket launch could trigger a heavy-handed American response, drawing the region further into violence and instability. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and national security adviser John Bolton have been explicit in their threats to Iran, saying they will hold Tehran responsible for any actions taken by their allies in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon or Yemen, where Iran sponsors a constellation of powerful militias. Earlier this month, Pompeo made a surprise trip to Baghdad to rally Iraq's leaders to the U.S. side. The order to partially evacuate the U.S. Embassy and suspend visa services soon followed, angering some Iraqi lawmakers who said Washington was punishing Iraq for a political rivalry it wants no part of. The dire American warnings have also lead ExxonMobil to begin evacuating employees from an oil field in Basra this weekend, according to The Associated Press. The United States has moved a Navy carrier group and fighter jets into the region in recent weeks in response to what the White House has said were "imminent" threats from Iran on American forces. The Trump administration has provided no evidence for the claim, which has been received with skepticism and mistrust from some American lawmakers and European and Iraqi allies, who suspect the United States of politicizing the diplomatic spat with Iran. Nicole Hensley/Houston Chronicle A suspected firearm thief was apprehended inside a northwest Houston home after a police dog found him hiding in the attic, authorities said. An alert on a security camera alerted the homeowner to a possible intruder at the Greater Inwood home in the 7000 block of Bent Branch Drive around 12:30 p.m., police said. The owner called police and a next-door neighbor who quickly blocked an escape route by parking their truck behind the suspect vehicle, HPD Commander Larry Bainbridge said. A San Marcos police officer is facing multiple surgeries after authorities say she was struck by a vehicle as she responded to a call on Interstate 35 Saturday night, according to a news release. Officer Claudia Cormier was severely injured by the Ford Expedition driven by Neil Sheehan, 58, of Flower Mound, while in the northbound lane of I-35 near Mile Marker 202 about 9:45 p.m., police say. Drumlish native Amanda Duffy is one of the four Fianna Fail candidates in the Granard Municipal District race. FF and FG won three seats apiece in the 2014 local election in Granard, but this time round a seat less is on offer making matters far more competitive. This election also sees two experienced Granard MD FF councillors - Luie McEntire and Martin Mulleady - bow out of local politics. Amanda believes rural Ireland, including, north Longford, needs a boost of energy, and she wants to assist voluntary and community organisations so that communities go from strength to strength. Employed as a hair salon manager, she decided to run for election because I have a fresh perspective to offer the people of the Granard electoral area. The dangers of social media is an issue that has been highlighted to Amanda during her canvass and she said that while great strides have been made in relation to infrastructure and services she believes that there is much more to do. If elected I will work with all groups, organisations and other elected representatives to tackle rural isolation, enhance infrastructure, and increase funding for community and voluntary organisations. Describing herself as hardworking, Amanda says she is very approachable and that she will deliver on the issues that matter. People in Longford learned more about how to avoid fraudsters and keep their money safe at a Friends Against Scams information and anti-fraud training event organised by Ulster Bank at the Longford Arms Hotel last week (Wednesday 8th May). Attendees on the night heard from Denise Cusack, Ulster Banks Community Protection Advisor; Declan Kenny, Head of Conduct, Ulster Bank Personal Banking and Community Banker, Brigid Nally; on ways to protect yourself from fraud and improve your digital banking skills. They also heard from crime prevention officer and Community Garda, Sgt Paul McDermott and Longford Garda Superintendent Jim Delaney. Several community organisations were present at stands on the night, to promote the services they offer, and people had opportunity to get assistance with banking securely online at a digital hub and visit Brigid, the Midlands Mobile Bank. The Friends Against Scams information, which was provided on the night, is being rolled out around Ireland by Ulster Bank to help educate customers and the broader public on how to protect themselves against fraud and to keep their money safe. A recent survey commissioned by Ulster Bank, found that while almost three quarters (71%) of Leinster respondents say they are fairly confident that they could detect a potential scam (up from 55% in 2017), under a quarter of respondents in Leinster (24%) say theyre very confident that they know what kind of security information their bank may ask them for (down from 26% in 2017). Ulster Banks Community Protection Advisor, Denise Cusack, said: Every day I travel around the country meeting customers and community groups to provide support to those who have been the victim of a fraud or a scam. I see at first hand the financial and emotional distress that can be caused and I know how important awareness and education are if we are to prevent this. Ulster Banks Community Banker in Longford, Brigid Nally, said: (Last weeks) event was extremely successful and its my hope that by raising awareness and bringing these things into the open, more people in Longford will now feel more comfortable in speaking out and help others avoid scams in the future. Anyone who encounters suspicious behaviour should contact our fraud and scams team immediately. We have a dedicated number for customers to call to report a fraud or scam 1800 245 403. (if its outside of hours or youre calling from a mobile please call (+44) 370 010 1913.) You can also get more information our website at https://digital.ulsterbank.ie /personal/security-centre. html. Top tips for consumers in Longford to remember when banking online are: 1. Be vigilant. Just because someone knows basic personal details (such as names and addresses or even a customers mothers maiden name), it doesnt mean they are genuine. We advise customers to listen to their instincts if something doesnt feel right, take a moment to stop and pause and think things over. 2. Customers should always follow their banks security advice and never provide remote access to their device when asked to do so following a cold call. 3. Customers should be cautious with what they disclose on social media and take precautions to ensure that their profile is private and only viewable to people they know. 4. We advise that customers should keep their mobile devices operating systems up to date to ensure that they have the latest security patches and upgrades. 5. A genuine bank or organisation will never ask a customer to transfer money to a safe account for fraud reasons. 6. A genuine bank will never contact a customer out of the blue to ask for their full PIN or password. Stay in control and have the confidence to refuse unusual requests for information. Your bank will never ask you to disclose card reader codes over the phone under any circumstances. This appeared in Thursdays Washington Post. The Republican partys global-warming denial is becoming the fringe view it always deserved to be. It is not just environmentalists who want to move on climate change. Big corporations even oil companies are increasingly calling for action, too. Declaring that climate change is a major threat to the U.S. economy, a group of chief executives on Wednesday teamed up with several prominent environmental groups to call on President Donald Trump and Congress to put in place a long-term federal policy as soon as possible to protect against the worst impacts. The group, called the CEO Climate Dialogue, endorsed cutting the countrys planet-warming greenhouse-gas emissions by 80 percent or more by 2050. That goal is too modest; the United Nations warns that world governments must get to net-zero emissions by mid-century. But just reaching the 80 percent goal would require a huge transformation in the U.S. economy and also on the part of some of the big companies calling for it. These include BP, Royal Dutch Shell, DuPont, Dominion Energy and Ford. The environmentalist groups that joined these firms, including the Environmental Defense Fund and the Nature Conservancy, risk criticism for associating with big energy companies calling for an emissions goal that falls short of the U.N. target not to mention the extreme demands of the Green New Deal advocates. But those who really care about the problem should not turn away would-be allies, if their desire to move in the right direction is sincere. The CEO Climate Dialogue is not the first corporate group to demand tougher government climate policy, nor is its proposal the most detailed out there. But the fact that the groups rollout seems almost worth taking for granted is itself notable. The fact that there are several business coalitions working to advance federal climate legislation demonstrates that demand for U.S. climate action is growing, and that a wide range of companies are keen to drive progress in Congress, the group argues. This trend is explainable in part because the science and therefore the need to act is increasingly undeniable. But it is also in the long-term interest of major corporations to plan for the inevitable transition to come. Addressing global warming can be an orderly, careful process, or it can be an expensive emergency effort thrown together once the consequences start getting really dire when time will be short and options few. Business needs and supports predictable and effective climate policies including an economy-wide price on carbon, the group said. That is the right policy. These companies can prove their sincerity by throwing their lobbying power behind it not just issuing statements. As the evidence piles up and more voices admit the need to act, it becomes all the more astonishing that Trump ignores climate change and celebrates his administrations drive to tear up environmental rules. He ought to listen to the corporate executives who are demanding a very different policy. AMHERST Ericka Hart a social justice practitioner, sexuality educator, descendant of slaves and cancer survivor delivered Saturdays keynote commencement address at Hampshire College. Hart recounted her own experience after graduating college, describing myriad instances of discrimination, sexism and racism and one of her first jobs working on a luxury liner, when her boss said she must salute the ships captain whenever she encounters him on the boat. She refused, and thus extended a journey already begun in search of individual, and social, and economic, justice imploring the graduates to say what needs to be said, to whoever, in the moment. What the hell am I going to do next, Hart said, recalling the stress she felt right after graduation formulating that discomfort as a capitalist induced anxiety. Hart began her speech saying: I want to recognize the black people that have been pushed out of Amherst. She referred to New York City where she works as a sex educator for Kindergarten through 5th grade students as the most segregated school system. Hart told the graduating class that white-supremacist capitalism expects you to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and that educational institutions will do many things to claim credit for your success. Criticizing what she termed the non-profit industrial complex, Hart said they function to pacify the most radical perspectives. Hart said it is a lie that college is a liberal escape from society. The speaker also shared that her zodiac sign is Aquarius, with moon in Scorpio. Prior to concluding, she addressed, in a general way, blacks and then whites, saying first: your worth is not measured by your production, then asking: how are you using your white privilege? During the roaring applause, a man attending the graduation shouted: thank you, thank you for keeping it real. Hampshire College President Ken Rosenthal spoke, referring to financial challenges facing the school. The college, which typically accepts about 400 freshmen each year, will only accept a handful for the coming fall semester, and has laid off numerous staff in an effort to gain financial stability and maintain their accreditation. During graduation weekend at Hampshire, the school set a fundraising goal of $500,000; by Saturday afternoon, more than $1 million had been raised. The college hopes to raise $100 million in the next five to six years, and $20 million by June 2020. To date, Hampshire has collected donations totaling $5.5 million. The Senior-class student speaker, Cheyenne Palacio-McCarthy, referred to the colleges seal, on which is inscribed the words, Non Satis Scire, while describing her study of epistemology during four years on campus. To know is not enough, she said, adding: sniffing out all signs of injustice is a meaningful approach to navigate through life. She thanked her parent, saying: To my mother, you have been my secret where I can come, broken, beaten, without shame . . . thank you for choosing me every day, and to her graduating cohorts, said, to you, thank you for being my village, my people. Palacio-McCarthy asked her classmates to smile at every person without shoes. A Springfield police officer shot at a car Sunday morning after the driver struck two cruisers and continued to try to drive away, police said. Officers saw a car strike another vehicle around 1:30 a.m. The driver then left the scene. Acting Police Commissioner Cheryl Clapprood said police were on an anti-drag racing detail when they saw the initial crash. Police tried to pull the driver over, but he initially refused to stop, according to police. The driver, identified by police as 24-year-old Demetrius Smith of Holyoke, pulled over between Exits 4 and 5 on the eastbound side of Interstate 291. When officers approached the car, the driver drove in reverse towards an officer, striking a cruiser, police said. One officer, in fear of being struck and pinned against a guardrail, fired their service pistol. Smith was not hit by the gunfire, police said. Smith then drove forward and struck another cruiser and a vehicle before his car became inoperable, police said. Smith was arrested and faces several charges in court. Quick action and proactive patrols from our officers got a dangerous individual off the street and helped save a life, Clapprood said. NEBO - Trail closures are in place as firefighters respond to the Lost Cove Fire burning in the Wilson Creek area on the US Forest Service Grandfather Ranger District in Avery County. The fire is located near Bee Mountain in a remote part of the Lost Cove Wilderness Study Area, 10 miles southeast of the town of Linville. The fire, which was reported on Friday afternoon, is estimated at 350 acres and 10% contained. Back in that one scene in 'Avengers: Infinity War', Doctor Strange gave up the time stone to save Tony Stark's life because 'it was the only way'. Now, after watching 'Avengers: Endgame', we know that Tony couldn't die in 'Infinity War' since he had to die in 'Endgame'. This was because of the 14,000,605 alternate endings that Doctor Strange saw, while acting quite strange, and knew exactly how everything will go about. There was only one time out of over 14 million that the Avengers actually came out victorious. But, now that we know about the winning ending, a lot of people wondered what actually happened in the other alternate endings, and well, people are way too creative and hilarious and have come up with a lot of predictions. Also, a shoutout to Reddit for never disappointing us. Here's a kinda one. Reddit And, a 'nice' one. Reddit No salt bae, but weed bae? Reddit Wow, now that's evil. Reddit Seems appropriate. Reddit Perfectly balanced, as all things should be. Reddit Noobmaster69 is everywhere. Reddit Jam-mora, tho. Reddit The James Charles shade tho. Reddit They only got half the required signatures. Reddit People won't mind the snap then. Reddit Does this prove that Thanos is real? Since the past few hours, social media is talking particularly about these two things - Cannes Film Festival 2019 and PM Narendra Modi in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand. (Sometimes, in the same sentence). The iconic Badrinath Temple remains an important part of our culture and ethos. Had the honour of joining the Puja at the Temple today. pic.twitter.com/AcHJxImztU Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2019 According to reports and social media, PM Narendra Modi meditated in a cave in Kedarnath, Uttarakhand. What's wrong with PM Modi, or anyone for that matter, meditating in a cave? Blessed morning at Kedarnath. pic.twitter.com/xPqEsjIMBI Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2019 Apparently, people had issues with him walking on a red carpet and the fact that there were photographers in the cave he was in. Is it #Cannes2019 ? Why is the red carpet treatment at Baba #Kedarnath temple for a man who has admitted of living major part of life like a Sanyasi ! pic.twitter.com/y9SWwiXOgN Niraj Bhatia | #NYAYforIndia (@bhatia_niraj23) May 18, 2019 World-renowned Actor Narendra Modi attends Cannes Film Festival in Kedarnath Temple. (2019) pic.twitter.com/LQTnF4y9mL Chicha Vaidya (@AuntyHindutva) May 18, 2019 In case you missed out on these pictures circulating on social media of PM Modi meditating in a cave, then I will assume you were probably living under a rock all this while. Not a rock near that cave though, because the cave that PM Modi was in had WiFi. Twitter The fact that there is Wifi in a cave, when we don't even get proper network here in Delhi, raised my curiousity and digging out more information led me to this. Turns out, the cave was built recently and comes with all the modern facilties. What's more? You can go there and meditate too, only if you want to; because the place is avalaible for rent at just Rs. 990 per day. According to a report in Hindustan Times, the cave that is known as 'Rudra Meditation Cave' was built last year, after PM Modi suggested the concept of meditation caves in the area. Majestic and magnificent. Serene and spiritual. There is something very special about the Himalayas. It is always a humbling experience to return to the mountains. pic.twitter.com/o01iPJ5dl3 Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2019 "The cave did not get a good tourist response last year as by the time it was opened for bookings, the weather had already become quite cold. Secondly, we realised the tariff was too high," the general manager of Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) said while revealing that the price of the cave was Rs. 3000 per day initially and was later reduced to Rs. 990. Earlier, it was compulsory for people to book the cave for at least 3 days, but not anymore. Twitter Talking about the amenities, the cave is in no way less than a hotel. Apart from WiFi, it offers electricity, drinking water, 24x7 phone service and attendant who will take care of all your needs, and washroom. If you are concerned about food, the cave offers breakfast, lunch and dinner and serves chai twice a day. Sounds fun, doesn't it? HARTFORD Chanting things like Save Our State and No Tolls, a crowd estimated at 2,100 showed up at the state Capitol on a sunny Saturday to protest a proposal to install tolls on four highways in Connecticut. The rally organized by No Tolls CT got off to a late start because motor vehicle accidents on Interstates 91 and 84 prevented some lawmakers from getting there on time. Patrick Sasser, the founder of No Tolls CT, welcomed the crowd by calling them fellow morons. Sasser was referring to a phrase House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz, D-Berlin, used to describe the effort to get cities and towns to pass resolutions against the concept of tolls. Sasser said 18 cities and towns have passed resolutions against tolls since the beginning of the year. This isnt something new, this isnt something that just sprung out of nowhere. The battle of tolls has been raging for quite some time and the simple reason is, they want our money, Sasser said. He said the movement against tolls is loud and clear, however there are still some in this building who are deaf. Who dont listen to we, the people. House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, said Republicans cannot win this fight on their own. It is not looking good, but theres always a chance, Klarides said. Klarides said theyve offered alternatives, but Democrats are not interested because theyre lazy and beholden to special-interest groups. Its likely the General Assembly will debate a toll bill next week as it races toward its June 5 deadline. Many had been hoping the crowd on Saturday would give lawmakers pause. Rep. Laura Devlin, R-Fairfield, who is the ranking Republican on the Transportation Committee, said there has yet to be legislation raised for debate in either the House or the Senate because of the vocal opposition theyve created. Devlin said during the public hearing phase they received over 7,000 pieces of testimony which crashed the system. There were also 650 calls made the to Transportation Committee before the vote on the bills and only eight of them were in favor of tolls, Devlin said. But I have to tell you, Im not sure theyre really hearing you yet. The crowd broke out into a No tolls chant. Sen. Henri Martin, R-Bristol, said the rally reminded him of 1991 when about 40,000 came to the state Capitol to protest the creation of the state income tax. Like the income tax, tolls will have a dramatic effect on Connecticut residents for decades to come, Martin said. Aresimowicz said in a phone interview that he appreciates people coming to the Capitol to express their opinion. However, 2,100 at a rally is not enough to get him to change his mind. Our needs are far more pressing than folks at the rally understand, Aresimowicz said. We need to be responsible for the state. At the same time, Aresimowicz said theyre not wrong about a few things. He said he agrees that pensions should not be paid through the Special Transportation Fund, but thats the way it has been since the fund was started in the 1980s. Colleen Flanagan Johnson, a senior adviser to Gov. Ned Lamont, said theres no question Connecticuts transportation system is a mess. We rank near dead last in the nation for the condition of our infrastructure. But the people who attended todays rally arent saying no to tolls, Flanagan Johnson said. Theyre saying yes to excessive borrowing on the states already maxed-out credit card. Theyre saying yes to saddling future generations in this state with debt we cant afford. And theyre saying yes to an unsustainable and reckless fiscal policy. The Rev. Carl McCluster of Shiloh Baptist Church in Bridgeport spoke at the rally and called tolls fools gold. He said tolls will hurt the middle class and the working class of Connecticut. It will negatively impact the livelihood of all of our citizens in town and hurt the middle and poor residents disproportionately, McCluster said. He said he lives in Derby and wondered aloud if anyone has ever tried to get off the highway and drive on Route 1. He claimed Connecticut will turn into the largest parking lot in the world if tolls are enacted. To a growing number of Democrats, legalization is not enough. Cannabis laws have created intertwining criminal justice, poverty and race inequities, many lawmakers say. And in a growing number of blue states, recreational-use legislation is now targeting those problems by supporting minority-owned businesses, expunging criminal records and reinvesting in urban communities. If Connecticut approves its own marijuana bill this year still a big if with two and a half weeks until the legislature adjourns the state will be among the more progressive in the nation in this sense. Social justice provisions or not, Connecticut could make history: if it acts soon, it may become the first state to create a legal retail market for the drug through its legislature. But advocates in Connecticut will not be satisfied by a simple legalization law, they said. It is incumbent on this legislature to ensure that legalization doesnt just enrich a handful of corporations, said Lindsay Farrell, state director of Connecticuts progressive Working Families Party. Rather legalization must be part of a bigger program to repair the damage done to black and brown communities. Democrats have been listening. As they draft and redraft their proposed marijuana legislation, the bill has moved farther in this direction. Democrats crafting the bill have given the commission that would oversee the new recreational marijuana market a specific mandate: promote and encourage full participation in the cannabis industry by persons from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition and enforcement. The bill gives the commission $500,000 a year to do outreach to these communities. The legislation also would give jobs in the new marijuana industry to people who were arrested or convicted of cannabis sale or possession, have a child or parent who was arrested or convicted of the same, or who live in high-poverty, low-employment neighborhoods in the state. People who meet this criteria equity applicants will be given the first licenses to cultivate, manufacture and grow marijuana. Cannabis retailers or growers who are not equity applicants would have comply with a state-approved plan to hire workers from communities disproportionately impacted by marijuana-related crimes or reinvest in those communities. The state too will be investing: Democrats want to send money from taxing recreational marijuana back to those same impoverished neighborhoods with high employment, most of which will likely fall in cities. And they want to expunge the criminal records of people arrested for marijuana-related crimes. Lets be honest about who has suffered the most over time at the hands of harsh marijuana laws, said New Haven Mayor Toni Harp, a former state senator, speaking in favor of legalization. Statistics show that despite similar rates of marijuana use, African Americans are still arrested at a far higher rate than white suspects for marijuana-related charges. As of 2010, African Americans were 12 percent of the population in Connecticut but accounted for more than 30 percent of marijuana possession arrests. Around the country Ten states and the District of Columbia have already legalized adult recreational cannabis use, all via ballot initiative. A few of these states have also adopted similar social justice cannabis laws to what Connecticut is advancing, most notably California and Massachusetts, said Karmen Hanson, program director of Behavior Health at the National Conference of State Legislatures. In 2016, California passed a ballot initiative that allowed people with drug convictions to obtain marijuana licenses. It also allocated $10 million a year to pay for job placement services, legal help, and mental health and addiction treatment for residents of communities hit hard by past drug laws. In 2018, another ballot measure allowed the expungement of certain marijuana convictions in California. The state also allows individual cities to add their own regulations to help minority business owners access the cannabis market. Massachusetts has a similar equity applicant status to Connecticut and requires cannabis businesses owners to reinvest in communities disproportionately harmed by marijuana law enforcement. Businesses are also required to have diversity plans to hire from minority, veterans and disabled groups. Despite these provisions, Massachusetts has had few equity applicants successfully enter the cannabis market, which some attribute the seed money and technical knowledge needed. That problem is not unique. Around the country the burgeoning legal cannabis industry is dominated by white investors, critics say. The industry is not anywhere near as diverse as either the population as a whole or the population that has been impacted by the War on Drugs, said Karen OKeefe, director of State Policies for the national pro-legalization group Marijuana Policy Project. That needs to change. In Colorado, the first state to legalize, black people hold only a handful of the thousands of cannabis retail and cultivation licenses. But Colorado, fellow early adopter Washington, has revised its cannabis laws over time to try to diversify business license applications and add expungement provisions, Hanson said. Meanwhile, among blue states now attempting to legalize recreational pot through their legislatures, social justice provisions are overwhelmingly part of the picture, said OKeefe. These include New York, New Jersey, Illinois, Delaware and Maryland. Theyre all looking at these issues maybe not the exact same approach to them, but theyre all looking at whats working and whats not, OKeefe said. In some more conservative states, like Georgia and Ohio, that allow medical marijuana use 34 states have legalized this lawmakers have passed measures to diversify the cannabis industry too, OKeefe said. Uncertain passage Approval of recreational marijuana in Connecticut is not assured - not even close. The legislation was 10 votes shy of passage earlier this month. Since then, Democrats have updated the bill to allow more poor residents - not just those affected by marijuana-related arrests - to get priority status to grow and sell cannabis. That change upset some Democrats, but its not clear how many - or how they will vote on the final bill - because Democrats have not had another caucus on the topic. Many lawmakers of both parties worry that legalization will increase drug addictions, cause more drug-impaired driving accidents and put cannabis in the hands of children. Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, said legalization may be decided by the legislature in a special session this summer. House Democratic leadership said this week theres a chance marijuana may get a vote before Sine Die on June 5, although numerous issues like the state budget and tolls still need their attention. emunson@hearstmediact.com; Twitter: @emiliemunson In admitting to Democratic legislators that he put them in a pickle when he changed his stance on trucks-only-tolling, Gov. Ned Lamont created a pickle of his own when he added that hed raise money for the caucus, an implication that hed do so in exchange for their vote on tolls. The quote spread across the internet, picked up by his opponents and detractors, and due to a lack of clarity on what, exactly, he meant spun into a political faux pas that made insiders drop their jaws. In the 24 hours that followed, Lamont and his team were forced to clarify his intent rather than focus on the issue he was there to fight for in the first place. Four months into the Lamont administration, nearly two dozen legislators and lobbyists interviewed by Hearst Connecticut Media say the governor has made many missteps, most notably appearing unsure in public on details of major legislative proposals. Many compare him to his predecessor, Dannel P. Malloy, who they say knew exactly what he wanted. And while Malloy could be prickly and Lamont is a personable guy, they say, the new governors traits have not made up for his lack of a clear vision on policy. One of the things people have found endearing of Ned is that hes not political, said Tom Swan, executive director of the Connecticut Citizen Action Group and who has known Lamont for more than a decade after running his 2006 campaign for U.S. Senate. But sometimes that leads to big messes and his most recent comment is a big clean up on aisle 3. I think that makes his fight over tolls that much harder and arguably it should. Lamont has taken a CEO approach by focusing on the broad aspects of big issues, but when it comes to negotiations involving issues in legislators districts, the administration struggles to keep up. One lawmaker, for instance, recounted how the administration had been inconsistent in its discussions on an issue in the lawmakers district and then was uncommunicative over a significant period of time. Legislators and lobbyists, and even Lamont himself, attribute his inexperience in government for the occasions in which hes made public comments that are confusing. Everything is public, Lamont said Friday. So every time I try out an idea on someone in private it ends up on the front page of the paper. Earlier this month, Lamont had suggested to a legislator that perhaps the Merritt Parkway would be excluded from tolls. The idea, of course, never truly had legs as its largely infeasible. But it was a conversation that needed clarification: did the governor truly suggest or consider not putting tolls on the scenic highway that runs parallel to I-95? In a press conference the next day, his answer was still unclear as he never explicitly said, No, thats not even a consideration, and reporters had to repeatedly ask what he meant. I think aside from my very closest friends, I ought to be more careful about what I say when Im thinking out loud. I come from a world where if you have closed door conversations there are people you know you can talk to in confidence and share ideas ... in government, people are trying to find ways to twist them so you have to be a little more cautious, he said. That same week, Lamont told a reporter from the Connecticut Mirror that he didnt think a deal on gambling would be made this session. But minutes later, on stage at a tourism conference in Hartford, his answer was less clear and made it sound like a deal could still happen this session, prompting confusion. As he came off stage a small group of reporters asked for clarification. Lamont, now seeming unsure of his stance, consulted with a member of his team and Rodney Butler, the chairman of the Mashantucket Pequots, and confirmed that a deal is not likely this year. In early April, Lamont puzzled a room full of business leaders at a Norwalk Chamber of Commerce dinner after he promised to take another look at the Walk Bridge. Doing so would further delay the construction project to replace the 100-year-old railroad bridge near the Maritime Aquarium significantly, and a spokesman for Lamont later clarified that the governor meant he wanted to make sure the project is done properly, but that the plan thats been approved is the plan the city and the state will continue to move forward with. Some who have known or worked with Lamont outside of his short tenure as governor said he does often understand issues more than it seems, but that his tendency to continue asking questions before taking a firm stance can make it appear that he is uninformed. Many legislators and lobbyists at the Capitol said theyve had a hard time adjusting to the new administration. Along with Lamont, they cited the many members of his staff who havent had lengthy tenures in politics primarily his Chief of Staff Ryan Drajewicz, who, aside from a stint working for former U.S. Sen. Chris Dodd, has only worked in the private sector. One lobbyist said Lamont seemed to acknowledge the political inexperience when he brought in an expert on the inner workings of the politics that take place within the walls of the state Capitol building. Johnathan Harris, on a sort of sabbatical from his post in the Office of Policy and Management, was brought in at the end of April to handle all legislative negotiations on behalf of the governor in the final weeks of the session. Several legislators, whove known Harris since his own days as a state senator, said his presence has been noticed and certainly made a difference in their communications with the administration. (Lamont) appears uninformed on the independence, the membership and the processes of the General Assembly. Im happy he brought Jonathan Harris in, but the question is whether its too little too late (to push through his initiatives), said a veteran Democrat who asked to remain anonymous to avoid political friction. kkrasselt@hearstmediact.com; 203-842-2563; @kaitlynkrasselt Isaak Olson was two months from graduating in 2014 when he disclosed that his fiancee had given birth several months earlier... FORT IRWIN, California -- If there is one piece of advice Col. Patrick O'Neal would offer to leaders coming to the National Training Center, it's that they should leave their pride at home station. The commander of the 3rd Infantry Division's 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team is on his fourth rotation to NTC, one of the Army's three combat training centers designed to push combat brigades to their limits and expose tactical weaknesses to improve combat proficiency. 1. Leave Your Pride at Home "It's not to tell you how good you are; it's to tell you what you need to work on," said O'Neal on May 10 during a short break from planning his next move against enemy forces here. "That is what you want to know. If you just go through this and everybody says, 'Hey, you are so good,' at the end of it, we are not going to be a better organization. "Don't let your ego get in the way of progress," he added. This year, Army leaders placed a greater emphasis on sending more brigade combat teams to decisive-action rotations at NTC to prepare units to face potential near-peer adversaries such as Russia or China on a future battlefield. At NTC, combat units are forced to operate in a battlespace the size of Rhode Island against an opposing force equipped with armored vehicles, artillery, drones and helicopters. The rapid pace of operations tests even the best units' ability to adapt as they try to seize key terrain and defend against enemy counterattacks. 2. Be Ready to Adapt to Anything "What this place replicates for you is when you train to go to war, and you go to a war, and then it's not exactly what you trained for because the enemy gets a vote. The environment gets a vote. And no war we have really ever trained for is the war we have fought," O'Neal said. "Do you have a mental ability to adapt, which means you can understand your environment, orient on it and decide to change? A lot of people don't. "Good organizations understand that the willingness and the ability to adapt is what makes them the strongest," he said. Pfc. Paulin Schmit, a 23-year-old civil affairs specialist who came straight to NTC two weeks after arriving at her unit from Advanced Individual Training, said she would offer similar advice to any soldier coming to NTC. 3. 'Plan A' Will Change "Be very flexible because things can change," she said, describing how most time schedules have to be altered because of changing conditions on the ground. "Even if a plan is set in stone ... you have to have a plan B, C and D just in case, because you just never know what is going to happen," Schmit said. Lt. Col. Arthur McGrue III, commander of 3rd Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, said he knew from past experience that his tactical operations center (TOC) would have to be extremely mobile. On May 9, McGrue's headquarters "jumped" the TOC three times, a process that involves packing up the unit's computers, radios, command tent, lighting, generator and other essentials needed to monitor the battlefield, then moving it to a new location. "The first time we jumped is because we received indirect fire, so we had to move from that location because that let us know that the enemy saw us," McGrue said. "The second time we jumped is because we needed to get closer to companies so that we could hear them -- with the type of terrain that is here, it was blocking some of those radio signals." A potential chemical weapons threat forced the unit to move a third time, he said. "We didn't get gassed, but we were close enough to an area that was gassed. So to prevent any downwind effects, we moved," he said. Infantrymen with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team wait behind cover as a leader talks on the radio during the units recent rotation at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California. (Matthew Cox/Military.com) 4. Prior Training Will Come in Handy A TOC can take up to two hours to break down and longer to stand up. McGrue's unit streamlined that during training so it takes 30-45 minutes to tear down and no longer than an hour to stand up, he said. "That was one of the things we did in the train-up back in November timeframe," he said. "We had a training exercise where we went out and set this thing up and tore it down, set up and we tore it down." When units come to NTC, they often struggle with coordinating key combined-arms capabilities, said Capt. Joshua Haseltine, an observer-controller who trains unit intel staff officers at NTC. "A lot of teams back at the home station will train to specialties. ... We have intel guys, that I train, so they will find the enemy, but how well do they work with the fires guys or the ... [joint terminal attack controllers] to be able to actually integrate aviation, close-air support, artillery to take out or destroy a target?" he said. "So that is one thing we look at that typically teams struggle with." 5. Dont Count on Getting the Supplies You Were Promised Sgt. Tim Hohman would advise units not count on equipment that the Army promises it will provide once they arrive at NTC. "The biggest piece of advice I would say is plan for what you have, not what you are told will be there," said Hohman, a civil affairs specialist on his second rotation at NTC. "They will say, 'We are going to give you five cans for fuel, and we will give you four cans for water.' ... Plan on having the three to four cans you have yourself." Communications headaches are also common in the mountainous, barren training space in the Mojave Desert, Hohman said. Units typically get a lot of extra communications training prior to NTC, "but when you come out here, you usually bring a roll of chew or a carton of cigarettes or a bag of candy, and you are going to make friends with the battalion or brigade commo guy," he said. "He is your best friend. You want him fat, dumb and happy because he is going to come and help you anytime you need it," Hohman said. -- Matthew Cox can be reached at matthew.cox@military.com. How to use the mindat.org media viewer Click/touch this help panel to close it. Welcome to the mindat.org media viewer. Here is a quick guide to some of the options available to you. 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Summary of all keyboard shortcuts The Diamondbacks starting staff has been a respectable unit this season, though the club hasnt been able to find a capable fifth option to plug into a rotation that includes Zack Greinke, Luke Weaver, Robbie Ray and Merrill Kelly. Zack Godley has received ample rope this year, having racked up eight of the nine starts that havent gone to Greinke, Weaver, Ray or Kelly, but hasnt come close to replicating his useful production from either 2017 or 18. Godley turned in his latest unappealing performance of the year Saturday in a loss to the Giants, whose normally impotent offense chased him after totaling four earned runs on six hits in 3 1/3 innings. Earlier this week, before Godleys outing against San Francisco, Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen told reporters (including Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic) that it would be ideal for the 29-year-old to regain form and lock down a rotation spot going forward. However, with Godley battling a velocity drop and ranking last in ERA (7.90), fifth worst in K/BB ratio (1.52) and 15th from the bottom in FIP (5.45) among 109 major leaguers who have thrown at least 40 innings this season, it doesnt look as if the Diamondbacks can continue holding out for a resurgence. Hazen, cognizant of Godleys struggles, revealed in the wake of Taijuan Walkers newest arm injury that Arizona will likely look to add starting pitching leading up to the July trade deadline. Hazen didnt even close the door on a pursuit of free-agent left-hander Dallas Keuchel, per Piecoro, saying: Were going to look at starting pitching now, I would imagine, as we move forward. Well see how we get through this next brief period of time. And then Im sure well be looking at all options of starting pitching. Keuchel may finally end his holdout and sign somewhere once the first few days of June pass, given that a team would no longer have to surrender draft pick compensation for inking the qualifying offer recipient. But the longtime Astro might not be able to help a club for at least a few weeks after signing, considering hed probably have to ramp up before returning to a major league mound, and could still score a payday outside the Diamondbacks comfort zone. Whether or not the Diamondbacks land Keuchel or swing a summer trade for rotation help, it appears theyll have to continue trying to make do with in-house possibilities for the time being. That could mean demoting Godley from the rotation something the Diamondbacks already did earlier this season before reinstating him in favor of one of their younger choices. Promising prospect Taylor Clarke, the only other D-back to get a start this year, has impressed over a limited sample of work and is eligible for a recall after the team optioned him May 9. The 26-year-old Clarke has turned in ugly results with Triple-A Reno this season, though, which could give the big league club pause. On the other hand, fellow prospect Jon Duplantier has been Renos top starter and has held his own in Arizona across 12 innings as a reliever. Duplantier, 24, may be the teams best hope right now to stabilize the back of its rotation. Either way, the 25-21 Diamondbacks are going to have to figure something out quickly in order to maximize their chances of earning a wild-card spot. UPDATE: The Tornado Warnings in Macomb and St. Clair counties have been canceled by the National Weather Service. MACOMB, MI - Tornado warnings have been issued in two Southeast Michigan counties as a line of severe storms is churning across that area today. The National Weather Service office in Detroit issued tornado warnings around 3 p.m. in Macomb and St. Clair counties after radar indicated cloud rotation in that area. The first tornado warning was issued at 2:54 p.m. for northeastern Macomb County. According to the NWS, a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located over Armada, near Richmond, moving northeast at 45 mph. There was radar-indicated rotation with this storm. Flying debris will be dangerous to those caught without shelter, the NWS said, noting mobile homes could be damaged or destroyed with this type of storm, and vehicle and tree damage is also likely. This storm was moving toward Ray Center and New Haven. NWS canceled the tornado warning for Macomb at 3:09 p.m. The radar at 3 p.m. also caught rotation near Memphis in northern St. Clair County, eight miles north of Richmond. That storm was also moving at 45 mph. The tornado warning in that area was canceled at 3:33 p.m. At 3:16 p.m., there was radar-indicated rotation in the line of severe storms about seven miles east of Emmett, or nine miles west of Port Huron, the weather service said. So far, there have been no on-the-ground confirmations of these cloud rotations that have been seen on radar. There has been storm damage reported with this line. In Genesee County, emergency personnel in Flint report downed trees. In Mt. Morris Township, there was a report of a tree down on a house. No injuries were reported. Theres also an area of concern developing in West Michigan. The NWS office in Grand Rapids at 3:30 p.m. said they are monitoring storms coming east across Lake Michigan: We are watching the cells over Lake Michigan. They seem to be rooted above the surface as they are not dissipating over the cold lake. They have a history of 40-60 mph winds over Milwaukee and Chicago. Shear is increasing overhead, and enough instability (500+ J/kg) is present over our land areas to keep monitoring these. That line of storms off the lake is expected to reach the shore by 4 p.m., and into Grand Rapids by 4:30 p.m. The Storm Prediction Center had placed most of Lower Michigan in the slight risk of severe weather today, MLive Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa reported earlier today. WASHINGTON, D.C. President Donald Trump has fired back at Michigan congressman Justin Amash after the Republican from Grand Rapids said the president had engaged in impeachable conduct. Trump posted a series of tweets on Sunday, May 19, blasting Amash for his remarks based on the congressmans reading of special counsel Robert Muellers report. Never a fan of (Amash), a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy, Trump tweeted. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, composed by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump, he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION. Trump went on to counter Amash asking how could he obstruct justice when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! Trump wrote. ....he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION...Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 Trumps tweets came in response to Amash who on Saturday posted a series of tweets to explain his opinion after reading special counsel Robert Muellers report. Amash, often a critic of Trump, is now the only Republican House member to support impeachment proceedings. Amash wrote: "1. Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented Muellers report. 2. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. 3. Partisanship has eroded our system of checks and balances. 4. Few members of Congress have read the report." Amash went on to write that he had read the full redacted report, as well as watched other testimony and statements. Contrary to Barrs portrayal, Muellers report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment, he wrote. In fact, Muellers report identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence, he wrote. Here are my principal conclusions: 1. Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented Muellers report. 2. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. 3. Partisanship has eroded our system of checks and balances. 4. Few members of Congress have read the report. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 Muellers investigation centered around the 2016 presidential election and whether there was Russian interference with links to the Trump administration. Amash, who is part of the House Liberty Caucus, in February came out against Trumps emergency declaration to get funding to build a border wall. Kim Kardashian and Kanye West have welcomed their fourth child via surrogate on May 9. The couple has finally revealed their sons name on social media. The post read, Psalm West, Beautiful Mothers Day with the arrival of our fourth child. We are blessed beyond measure. We have everything we need. Along with it the rapper also sent his wife a photo of their son sleeping in his crib. The name of their fourth child is reportedly inspired by Wests current spiritual path. The couple is also parents to daughters Chicago, North and Saint. One of the factors worth pointing out is that the West girls and boys each have a special connection to their parents. The names of daughter North and Chicago both represent direction. As for their boys, Saint and Psalm, the religious undertone of their names speak volumes about Kim and Kanyes spiritual inclination. Correction: This story originally cited the incorrect date for the filing of Andrew Lipians federal lawsuit ANN ARBOR, MI -- University of Michigan employees must submit to sworn depositions in a federal sexual misconduct lawsuit filed by a former graduate student, a judge ordered last week. Andrew Lipian, a former UM School of Music, Theatre & Dance graduate student, says David Daniels, an opera singing professor who is currently on forced, paid leave, sexually harassed and sexually assaulted him. Lipians lawsuit claims the university failed to properly address Daniels after learning about other sexual misconduct accusations filed against him beginning in March 2018. Witnesses to be deposed include: Elizebeth Seney, an investigator in the Office of Institutional Equity, which is tasked with investigating sexual misconduct allegations; Office of Institutional Equity Interim Director Jeffrey Frumkin; assistant music Professor Matthew Thompson; UM Director of Choral Activities Eugene Rogers; and Melody Racine, the former interim dean of the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, who signed a recommendation that Daniels receive tenure in May of 2018. Attorneys for UM and Lipian have been arguing over the release of certain records and scheduling of depositions for months. U.S. Magistrate Judge Mona K. Majzoub heard arguments from both sides this week and sorted out the unresolved conflicts. In addition to the depositions that are set to take place in June, UM must release internal sexual misconduct files involving Daniels between fall 2015, when the university hired Daniels, and May 2018, when Lipian graduated. Lipian must provide: Income tax records All communications with Daniels Communications with Samuel Schultz, who says he was raped by Daniels and Daniels husband, William A. Scott Walters, in 2010 Communications with another student, whom Daniels solicited for sex over the hookup phone app Grindr Communications with UMs Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center Medical records related to treatment for emotional or psychological issues Any proof of financial damages Additionally, the court is approving subpoenas requiring Walters and Daniels to release their communications with Lipian. The judge denied a request by UM attorneys to force Lipian to provide any communications with media, calling them irrelevant to the case. Lipian claims Daniels made numerous unwanted sexual advances over a two-year period, and on March 24, 2017 sexually assaulted him after serving Lipian bourbon and an Ambien sleeping pill. Lipians isnt the first sexual misconduct complaint levied against Daniels. Another student in July provided UM police screen shots of sexually charged messages he exchanged with Daniels over the mobile hookup application Grindr from March 2017. The messages show Daniels offered the student $300 for sex and later asked the student not to tell anyone, due to his upcoming tenure review, after the student said the conversation was not OK." The universitys Office of Institutional Equity in February determined Daniels violated the universitys sexual harassment policy. The student, who asked not to be named, told the Ann Arbor News/MLive he wasnt contacted by the OIE until November and called the nearly seven months it took to issue findings unreasonable. The OIE first learned of this and another Grindr solicitation claim in March of 2018, but closed the investigations after Daniels denied the claims and investigators were unable to reach the then-anonymous victims. Mugshots from Washtenaw County Jail Daniels and his husband were also accused of raping Schultz, who was a Rice University graduate student at the time, when Schultz visited the couples Houston apartment in 2010. Schultz says he was sexually assaulted after becoming incapacitated by booze and sleeping medication. He didnt officially report the incident to police until July last year. Walters and Daniels, during interviews with Ann Arbor police, admitted to having a sexual encounter with Schultz while all three were intoxicated, but insist it was consensual. Prosecutors in Houston charged Daniels and Walters with second-degree criminal sexual conduct on Jan. 29. Walters and Daniels remain free on bond and are scheduled to appear in a Houston courtroom June 10 for a pretrial hearing. Despite the sexual harassment policy violation finding, Lipians pending lawsuit, criminal charges in Texas and at least one other sexual misconduct investigation the university refuses to discuss, Daniels hasnt been disciplined. UM administrators did tell Daniels to stay away from campus and students in August. Lipians attorney, Deborah Gordon, believes the university should have removed Daniels much sooner. They knew, as of July, that he lied, Gordon said, so why is he still on the payroll? Daniels continues to collect a $191,000 yearly salary while on leave. Should the university try and fire him, the process is made significantly more complicated by the Board of Regents decision, based on a departmental recommendation, to grant Daniels tenure in May 2018. Neither UM nor its elected Board of Regents have responded to questions from the Ann Arbor News/MLive regarding disciplinary action Daniels might face. Representatives did send a link to an online policies page that describe a range of possible punishments. HOLLAND TOWNSHIP, MI A 37-year-old Holland man was shot Sunday morning and later hospitalized, according to the Ottawa County Sheriffs office. The shooting occurred around 12:45 a.m. Sunday, May 19, at an address on Westwood Lane in Ottawa Countys Holland Township, according to a news release issued by the department. Deputies wrote that the victim was wounded by a single gunshot and was taken by ambulance to a Grand Rapids-area hospital following the incident. A 37-year-old man from Holland Township was arrested in connection with the shooting. No additional suspects are being sought at this time, the release reads. Neither the victim nor the man in custody were identified by the sheriffs office. The incident remains under investigation. If you are reading this in your Facebook app, use this link to view the entire gallery of photos. KALAMAZOO, MI Kalamazoo Central students gathered at Arcadia Creek Festival Place in downtown Kalamazoo for photos with family members and friends alike. Later in the night, the students proceeded to the Kalamazoo Country Club for their 2019 prom. The prom had a Great Gatsby theme. Students dazzled the dance floor in their extravagant outfits throughout the night. MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, MI - Muskegon Heights Academy students spent an evening celebrating with their community during prom 2019. The prom was held on Saturday, May 18, at the high school in Muskegon Heights. With the theme Diamonds are Forever, about 30 students and guests enjoyed an evening of music, dancing, food and community celebration highlighted by the traditional pre-prom show off. The theme colors were black, silver and red. Students came together with the Muskegon Heights community at the high school before prom to take photos that commemorate the right of passage. Prom was planned by the senior class and school administrators. The event included dinner for attendees that was put together by the community. The menu included chicken, pasta, snack foods, cupcakes and punch. MLive/Muskegon Chronicle sent photographers to several proms this year, including the ones for Reeths-Puffer High School, Ravenna High School, Fruitport High School and Muskegon Catholic Central, which all won Prom of the Week polls. Photographers also went to proms for Muskegon High School, Whitehall High School, Western Michigan Christian High School and North Muskegon High School. Here are the links to this years prom coverage: Whitehall prom 2019 celebrates Paris, City of Lights Reeths-Puffer students spend Starry Night in Paris at prom 2019 Muskegon High students show off glitz, glam at prom 2019 Ravenna prom 2019 blends glam, rustic vibes in Enchanted Forest Western Michigan Christian prom 2019 honors Beauty and the Beast Fruitport hosts enchanted prom 2019 Muskegon Catholic Central goes to prom 2019 with Among the Stars theme North Muskegon goes to prom 2019 with New York City Lights theme 150 kings and queens crowned at Night to Shine prom SAGINAW, MI - St. Charles High School students gathered together for prom to celebrate the school year at Saginaw Valley State University in Curtiss Hall, Saturday, May 18, 2019. About 119 students enjoyed dinner, getting their photographs taken and hitting the dance floor. The To the Moon and Back theme included silver stars hanging from the ceiling and labels on each water bottle. Its a chance for them to be a grown up, class advisor Mary Jo Skiendziel said. She also talked about how prom is important because this is some of the students first dance, first time dressing up and first date. If you are reading this in your Facebook app, use this link to view the entire gallery of photos. EU sanctions targeting Russia dont work and all decent people support removing them, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said ahead of next weeks European Parliamentary elections. I continue to believe that we dont need sanctions. The issue of their removal unites all decent people, Salvini told Sputnik new agency after holding a major rally that included leaders of 11 right-wing European parties in Milan on Saturday. The leader of the right-wing League party argued that the economic warfare between the EU and Russia has caused damage and resolved nothing. If a tool does not work, it is removed, he added. Also on rt.com We want nothing to do with you: Salvini says Merkel and Macron ruined Europe Salvini stressed that much would depend on the outcome of the upcoming elections, including whether it would be possible to repeal the anti-Russia restrictions. Polls show that Salvinis right-wing alliance, Europe of Nations and Freedom, is expected to become one of the largest blocs in the next EU parliament. The political group will perform a historic feat to pass from the 8th place in Europe to third or maybe second, National Rally leader Marine Le Pen predicted while speaking at the Milan rally. Also on rt.com As if Germany is a US colony: Bundestag energy chief lashes out at Russia sanctions The United States and the European Union imposed restrictions on Russia produce and other goods following Crimeas reunification with Russia in 2014. Moscow reciprocated the sanctions in a tit-for-tat move. Since then, the sanctions regime has expanded to include banking and other sectors. As a result, many European businesses have been pushed out of the Russian market. The issue has sparked considerable anger in Germany, where politicians from both the left and the right have spoken out against the policy as counter-productive and harmful to German interests. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Democratic presidential hopeful Tulsi Gabbards anti-war stance has seen her slammed in the media for over-friendliness to Moscow. After this weeks hit piece the Hawaiian Congresswoman called these accusations fake news. Speaking to ABCs George Stephanopoulos on Sunday, Gabbard repeated several of her core foreign policy messages: Regime change operations are counterproductive and wasteful, and escalating military tension with Russia and China is a dangerous game for the US. A combat veteran and foreign-policy focused candidate, Gabbard launched her presidential campaign in January. From the outset she was lambasted by both parties and the mainstream media for meeting with Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad, and was branded a Putin puppet for suggesting that the US improve relations with Russia, at a time when most of her party was consumed with Russiagate hysteria. Stephanopoulos kept the theme going on Sunday, pressing Gabbard on a recent Daily Beast article accusing her campaign of taking a shocking THREE donations from Putin apologists, and one from actress Susan Sarandon who committed the mortal sin of supporting the Green Partys Jill Stein in her 2016 election bid, and not Hillary Clinton, as the Hollywood consensus demanded. Save for one returned contribution from a businessman involved in some unlicensed transactions, no donation mentioned by the Daily Beast amounted to more than $1,000. Also on rt.com Trump must avoid very stupid and costly war with Iran Tulsi Gabbard "It's unfortunate you're citing that article, George, because it's a whole lot of fake news, Gabbard responded. What's in the best interest of national security? Keeping American people safe. "And what I'm pointing out consistently, time and time again, is our continued wasteful regime change wars have been counterproductive to the interests of the American people. The latest debacle was ridiculed by commentators on Twitter. Independent journalist Ben Norton called the Daily Beasts article embarrassingly bad, while The Hills Krystal Ball blasted the Daily Beast's reporters for searching through 65,000 donors to find 3 with views that fit their pre-conceived narrative. Gabbard is currently polling at around one percent, in a crowded field of 24 Democratic candidates. As the mainstream media continues to fixate on her supposed sympathies for the Kremlin, the Hawaiian has stuck to her guns. On Thursday, Gabbard warned President Donald Trump against launching a very stupid and costly war with Iran, and called out war hawks in his administration like National Security Advisor John Bolton, for leading the US towards another conflict in the Middle East. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! The Eurovision song contest in Israel has culminated with no serious incidents, even though a crowd of ultra-Orthodox Jews clashed with police in Jerusalem while supporters of the Palestinian cause were calling for its boycott. The Netherlands has conquered the hearts of the public and jury with Duncan Laurence's Arcade, beating 25 other contestants at the finals of the five-day contest in Tel Aviv. Italys Mahmoud came in second while Russias Sergey Lazarev took third place. While the song contest finals did not even start until after sunset on Saturday, over 2,000 Haredi men demonstrated against the rehearsals that were being held in Tel Aviv during a day of rest which prohibits any work from sundown Friday until nightfall the next day. Marching against what they called the horrible desecration of Shabbat in the holy land, and against the abomination show going on in Tel Aviv, they condemned the international song competition. During the vocal protest, the ultra-orthodox crowd blocked traffic, vandalized a number of businesses and clashed with police. At least six arrests were made. At the same time the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement slammed Eurovision for distracting the worlds attention from the fate of the Palestinians under Israeli occupation. Eurovision in apartheid Tel Aviv is cynically used by Israel's far-right government to artwash, or whitewash through art, its decades-old regime of occupation, colonialism and apartheid against the indigenous Palestinian people, Omar Barghouti, a co-founder of the BDS movement said. To tune out the 41 competitors taking part in the contest, BDS advised pro-Palestinian activists to tune into "Globalvision" an improvised alternative competition which featured Palestinian musicians. We launched this project so that we can boycott Israel but culturally and historically, instead of boycotting them economically, one of the coordinators of the project, Ali Abu-Al Shaikh, told Ruptly, explaining that their goal was to show the international community the suffering of the Palestinian people through music instead of spreading this through violence. Also on rt.com Israel is not safe, you will see: Hackers target Eurovision with missile threat If you like this story, share it with a friend! Italys Interior Ministry has hit out at the UNs criticism of its anti-migrant proposals, suggesting the body focuses on solving the emergency in Venezuela instead of electoral campaigning in Italy. Ministry officials made the barbed remark on Sunday, after a letter by the UNs High Commissioner for Human Rights urged a reversal of the measures that block entry to Italian ports for any NGO vessels attempting to dock with migrants. It will also allow the ministry to prevent any ships deemed to be a security concern from entering Italys territorial waters, and give powers to issue fines of up to $6,145 for each migrant transported. The hope is that the authoritative UN dedicates its energies to the humanitarian emergency in Venezuela rather than engage in electoral campaigning in Italy, the officials said. They added that the proposed measures were necessary and urgent to Italys security and would be likely approved during a Cabinet meeting on Monday. Also on rt.com Terrorist infiltration a certainty, Italian ports stay closed for migrant boats Salvini The UNs High Commissioner for Human Rights voiced its concern with the proposed measures in a letter dated May 15 and released on Saturday. In it, the body said Italys proposals equated to another political attempt to criminalize search and rescue operations in the Mediterranean and fostered a climate of hostility and xenophobia towards migrants. It warned that by preventing such vessels from porting in Italy, it violated human rights for migrants enshrined in conventions Rome has signed up to. However, the ministry said that fines were already present in Italys legal code and was merely being updated. Rome has long accused the European Union of turning the country into a refugee camp with other countries failing to take on the migrants, leaving Italy with the burden. Also on rt.com All decent people oppose damaging Russia sanctions, Salvini says ahead of EU elections Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini is pushing for greater border security as EU member states prepare to go to the polls on Thursday in tightly-contested European Parliament elections, where right-wing and anti-immigration parties are looking to make strong gains. To this end, Salvini has joined forces with Frances Le Pen to form the Europe of Nations and Freedom (ENF) group. The bloc includes Austria's Freedom Party, Belgium's Vlaams Belang and Geert Wilders Party for Freedom from the Netherlands. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Google has reportedly suspended some of its product-sharing agreements with Chinese communications giant Huawei, as Washington accuses the company of spying for Beijing. The Silicon Valley tech giant has cut its business deals with Huawei that involve the transfer of hardware and software, an anonymous source told Reuters on Sunday. Following the move, Huawei will lose access to Android operating system updates, and its forthcoming smartphones will be shut out of some Google apps, including the Google Play Store and Gmail apps. The Chinese firm will still have access to the open source version of the Android operating system, the source told Reuters. Huawei has repeatedly been accused of installing so-called backdoors on its products - effectively giving the Chinese government free rein to gather any information sent or received on a Huawei device. The heads of six US intelligence agencies warned American citizens against using Huawei products last year, and the Chinese companys phones were banned from US military bases shortly afterwards. Huawei denies all accusations of spying. Nevertheless, the US Commerce Department added Huawei to its blacklist on Thursday, after President Donald Trump ruled that the Chinese firm could undermine US national security or foreign policy interests, particularly in developing Americas 5G network. The ban forbids Huawei from buying parts or technology from US suppliers, effectively halting its operations until it can replace American parts with its own. Also on rt.com Huawei has long been ready for US ban & wont bow to pressure, CEO says Coupled with the latest development from Google, the ban will likely see Huawei remain in place or tumble in the global smartphone market. The Chinese company overtook Apple at the beginning of the month to become the second biggest manufacturer worldwide, after South Koreas Samsung. Although Google has often had an antagonistic relationship with the Trump administration, Sundays report comes less than two months after CEO Sundar Pichai met with President Trump at the White House. After the meeting, Trump announced that Pichais firm was "totally committed to the U.S. Military, not the Chinese Military. Prior to the meeting, Googles work in China had caused some consternation at the Pentagon. Although Google insists its projects there - including an AI lab in Beijing - have strictly peaceful applications, Joint Chiefs of Staff chair Gen. Joseph Dunford told a Senate hearing that the work that Google is doing in China is indirectly benefiting the Chinese military. The company has, however, shown a willingness to work for the benefit of the US military too. Google was contracted in 2017 to create an AI program to analyze video footage from drones using machine learning, a project codenamed Project Maven by the Pentagon. However, Google decided not to renew the contract last year, after receiving backlash from its employees. Googles competitors, Microsoft and Amazon, have both lent their cloud computing power to the Pentagon to help the military develop its AI projects. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! US restrictions wont hurt Chinese telecom giant Huawei much, as it has long been prepared for it, CEO Ren Zhengfei stated, adding that the firm has no intention of changing its activities on the US request. We have already been preparing for this, the founder of Shenzhen-based Huawei Technologies said, as cited by Nikkei in his first speech since Washington severely hampered access for the firm to the US market over alleged security risks. Ren Zhengfeis daughter, Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, was arrested by Canadian authorities at the end of last year, resulting in a diplomatic row between China, Canada, and the US amid the already flaring trade tensions. Also on rt.com All Chinese money into Silicon Valley stops after Huawei ban, former Beijing banker warns He added that the tech firm will advance by developing its own chips to lessen the impact of the ban on its production and can stay afloat even if Qualcomm and other American producers refuse to sell chips to Huawei amid escalating tensions. The statement comes shortly after Huaweis chipset subsidiary, HiSilicon, said that it has a backup plan and is ready to switch to its independently-developed chips to mitigate the US measures. While the ban makes it much more difficult to do business with American companies, Huawei does not expect that it will have a significant effect on its long-term performance. It is expected that Huaweis growth may slow, but only slightly, the CEO said. Ren added that the companys annual revenue growth may undershoot 20 percent. Also on rt.com Huawei may pull out of markets where it is not welcome Last year, another Chinese firm, ZTE, suffered similar restrictions from the Trump administration when American firms were banned from selling parts and software to it, eventually leading to a crash in the companys stock price. The measure was lifted after ZTE agreed to pay a $1.4 billion fine and change its board and executive team. However, Huawei said its not going to follow their fellow telecoms example and dance to Washingtons tune. We will not change our management at the request of the U.S. or accept monitoring, as ZTE has done, Ren said. Even if the US asks us to manufacture over there, we will not go. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Igor Makarov, a Russian oligarch whose supposed niece was filmed discussing alleged shady deals with the Austrian vice-chancellor, stated he has no family links to that woman as he was an only child in his family. It is widely known that I was the only child in my family, and I have no nieces whatsoever, Makarovs spokesperson told Forbes Russian edition. I have no family bonds with the woman who calls herself Alena Makarova and I dont know her at all, he added. Also on rt.com Austrian VC caught discussing alleged shady deals, and pundits cry 'Russia took over the country' The woman in question featured in a video leaked to two German publications, Spiegel and Suddeutsche Zeitung. The 2017 footage shows her meeting with Heinz-Christian Strache, Austrian vice-chancellor and leader of the rightwing populist Freedom Party (FPO), and his aide Johann Gudenus, allegedly discussing corruption schemes. While Spiegel did not identify the woman in their initial article, Suddeutsche Zeitung wrote that she was introduced to the politicians as "a niece" of Igor Makarov, "a Russian oligarch close to [President Vladimir] Putin. Makarov is the founder of Itera (now Areti), Russia's first non-state gas company. In the late-1990s, the firm re-sold gas from the former Soviet republic of Turkmenistan, where Makarov was born. He is ranked 48th in the list of Russias wealthiest people with an estimated net worth of $2.1 billion. Also on rt.com Enemies of freedom? Germany launches anti-rightwing crusade amid Austrian govt crisis As the story unfolds, Makarovs company is now using all lawful means to establish who was behind the illegal use of [his] name. Meanwhile in Austria, the scandal led to the resignation of Strache as vice-chancellor and head of the FPO. The government, led by conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, proposed a snap election set for early September of this year. Strache denies any wrongdoings, saying the leaked video lacks key details and its publication two years after the events was a political assassination. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! The Israeli broadcaster of the Eurovision said Iceland could be punished for holding up Palestinian flags during live coverage of the competitions voting results. Members of the Hatari group held up Palestinian flags with Palestine written on them as the cameras were fixed on them during the announcement of their public votes at the final on Saturday night. The protest generated boos and cheers from the crowd at the Tel Aviv event, and support online. Security quickly confiscated the flags from the band who were sitting in the green room at the time. The Icelanders will apparently be punished by the European Broadcasting Union, which is really not tolerant of those who violate its rules, said Eldad Koblenz, CEO of Israel's public broadcaster Khan. Eurovision is meant to be non-political, so contestants could be disqualified or fined for breaking this rule. The EBU said that the move directly contradicts the contest rules. Also on rt.com Desecration, carnival of apartheid: Netherlands wins Eurovision in Israel, unfazed by protests The banners were quickly removed and the consequences of this action will be discussed by the Reference Group [the events executive board] after the contest, the EBU added. Hatari were outspoken about their support for Palestinians before the international event, and said they were conflicted about taking part. They visited Hebron in the West Bank during the contest and told a Eurovision fan blog that the apartheid and segregation was so clear there. While the group received praise for its protest, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) said that because Iceland had attended the contest instead of boycotting it, it was rejecting this fig-leafing. Madonna also featured a Palestinian flag in her performance at the event. Two of her dancers wore a Palestinian and Israeli flag on their backs and held hands in a surprise addition to the routine that had not been cleared by the EBU or Kan. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Iran does not want war with the United States, the head of the elite Revolutionary Guards has claimed, adding that Washington lacks the will to fight Tehran. The difference between us and them is that they are afraid of war and dont have the will for it, Major General Hossein Salami said, according to the Fars news agency. Salami has made a number of public statements about rising tensions with the United States, following Washingtons declaration that a joint strike group was being deployed to the Persian Gulf to send Iran a message. The Iranian general described the move as part of a psychological war, noting that Tehran has grown accustomed to a large US military presence in the region. Also on rt.com There will be no war in Gulf region, despite wishes of Trumps B Team Irans Zarif His comments echo similar remarks made by Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, who said on Saturday that Iran does not want war. The Iranian diplomat also boasted that no country on earth is under the illusion that it could confront Iran in the Middle East. Rising tensions between the US and Iran have led to fears of a brewing conflict. The New York Times reported that the Pentagon had proposed to send up to 120,000 troops to the Middle East in the event of an escalation with Iran. US President Donald Trump denied the report. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has also alluded to the possibility of a regional conflict, noting that the kingdom wants peace but is prepared to confront Tehran with all strength and determination if necessary. Also on rt.com Saudi Arabia ready to confront Iran with all strength & determination Like this story? Share it with a friend! Exxon Mobils decision to take its foreign employees out from the West Qurna 1 oilfield was unjustified, according to Iraqs oil minister. He added that the withdrawal does not pose a threat to the countrys oilfields. The withdrawal of multiple employees despite their small number temporarily has nothing to do with the security situation or threats in the oilfields in of southern Iraq, but its for political reasons, Thamer Ghadhban said in a statement on Sunday. The official slammed the decision as unacceptable and unjustified as the companies operate freely and safely in the region. It was earlier reported that major US energy company, Exxon Mobil, evacuated around 60 non-Iraqi staff from the oilfield in southern Iraq as a precautionary measure amid rising tensions in the Middle East between neighboring Iran and the US. The withdrawal did not affect the facilitys operations, the head of Iraqs state-owned South Oil Company which owns the oilfield, Ihsan Abdul Jabbar said. Also on rt.com Exxon & Chevron to dump Azeri oil project meant to save Europe from Russian energy reliance report The Iraqi oil ministry is now seeking clarification from the American oil giant and sent Exxon Mobil a letter, demanding that work immediately resume at the oilfield under a long-term agreement. Exxon Mobils decision came on the heels of a US order for non-essential government staff to leave Iraq, both from the US Embassy in Baghdad and the US Consulate in Erbil. Such moves might indicate that the country is expecting some kind of destabilization, even warfare in the region, an analyst earlier told RT. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section The US will sooner or later have to reconcile the reality and understand that Turkeys purchase of Russian S-400 systems is a done deal, President Tayyip Erdogan stressed, noting that the current agreement is just the beginning. Were done with the S-400. There is absolutely no question of stepping back on the S-400. It is a defense system, not an attack system, Erdogan said on Saturday during the televised question and answer session with university students in Istanbul, stressing that first deliveries of the Russian anti-aircraft weapon system are expected in July. Explaining that Russian military hardware is offered on very favorable terms and with no strings attached, Erdogan stressed that Ankara is also potentially seeking to acquire the next generation S-500 systems or even engage in co-production partnership, once Russia completes the development of its newest mobile surface-to-air missile system. Also on rt.com Turkey will look for 'best technology' elsewhere if US blocks F-35 transfer The $2.5 billion defense deal with Moscow enraged Washington, which threatened Ankara with all kinds of sanctions while offering to substitute the Russian systems with Patriot batteries a carrot Ankara has been reluctant to accept. At the same time, Washington threatened to block the delivery of some 100 F-35 jets purchased by Turkey, and terminate its participation in the F-35 program. Ankara, having invested some $1.25 billion in the trillion-dollar program, is a vital partner, producing parts of fuselage, landing gear and cockpit displays for the jets. Also on rt.com We arent slaves: Erdogan defies US pressure over S-400 deal with Russia, says S-500 may follow Ankara repeatedly slammed Washington's coercive diplomacy, stressing that the country is not a "slave" to dance to the US tune when it comes to protecting the sovereignty of the country. Nevertheless, Erdogan said that he has no doubts that the stealth jets will be delivered. They [the US] are passing the ball around in the midfield now, showing some reluctance, the president said. But sooner or later, we will receive the F-35s. Not delivering them is not an option. If you like this story, share it with a friend! Austrian prosecutors have examined the scandalous videotape which cost vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache his job and said they couldnt find any grounds to launch an investigation over its content. Theres no specific proof of a crime being committed coming from this [the video], Oesterreich 1 radio revealed, citing the statement from the prosecutors. The Justice Ministrys General Secretary Christian Pilnacek earlier warned that there were only extracts of the footage available, which would make it impossible to assess the full context of what was going on. A major political crisis unfolded in Austria on Friday after German papers, Spiegel and Suddeutscher Zeitung, published a video of Strache and another high-ranking member of his rightwing populist Freedom Party (FPO), Johann Gudenus, talking to a woman who claimed to be a niece of a Russian oligarch. They discussed how the woman could support their campaign during the 2017 general election in Austria in exchange for future preferences in getting government contracts in the field of construction. One of the things on the agenda was her buying a majority share in a tabloid newspaper to use it as a platform to promote the FPO. Also on rt.com Austrian VC caught discussing alleged shady deals, and pundits cry 'Russia took over the country' Strache called the leak of the footage a political assassination, announcing resignations from both the position of vice-chancellor and partys leader. He didnt dispute the authenticity of the tape. On the contrary, the 49-year-old insisted that it should be made public in its entirety so that everyone could see that he maintained during the meeting that at all the assistance could only be provided within the law. After the news broke, thousands took to the streets of Vienna, demanding a snap election, with Austrian President Alexander van der Bellen later suggesting that the vote should take place in early September. Suddeutscher Zeitung identified the woman speaking to the Strache and Gudenus in the video as the niece of gas tycoon Igor Makarov. But the businessman denied those claims, saying that he had no family links to that woman and was an only child in his family. Also on rt.com I was only child: Russian oligarch denies links to woman in epicenter of Austrian leak scandal Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! Is Joe Biden the man to end Americas generational and partisan divides? One New York Times writer thinks so, but an avalanche of comments not seeing it put the spotlight on a brewing generation war. With the democratic party being pushed to the left by socialists like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and the tax cuts and globalization Republicans sidelined by the bombastic theater of President Donald Trump, former Vice President Joe Biden has focused his 2020 campaign on themes of unity and a return to the Washington consensus. This nation needs to come together, he told a rally in Philadelphia on Saturday, lets stop fighting and start fixing. The New York Times Bret Stephens was enthralled. In an opinion piece published the same day, Stephens lauds Bidens centrism, and congratulates the 76-year-old former VP for refusing to cave to the more outlandish demands of his partys newly-energized left. No faction on the Democratic side more richly deserves rebuking than the one Biden singled out, he wrote, referring to all those who recklessly participate in the search-and-destroy missions of the call-out culture the outrage mobs who recently hounded Harvard law professor Ronald Sullivan out of a job for taking a job defending disgraced media mogul Harvey Weinstein, and physically assaulted college professors for daring to host debates with right-wing panelists. The sensible center want a leader like Biden, Stephens argues, not a candidate wholl indulge the whims of the chortling twenty-somethings leading the outrage brigades. So case closed, Bidens the man to do it. Stephens article confirmed the biases of some of the Times readership, like commenter Phyliss Dalmatian, a 60-year-old who called Stephens the voice of common sense and encouragement. I say to the millennials: put up, or shut up. Put down the Facebook, Twitter, avocado toast, influencer blogs, and VOTE, she wrote. Save the snark for your Elders, we have much experience. The Times editors were evidently impressed with Phyliss stay off my lawn sass, retweeting her social commentary for all to see. In pushing for an establishment favorite, Stephens have unleashed the fury of chortling twenty-somethings, and scores more millennials (generally defined as people born between 1981 and the mid-1990s). Im 32 and I say stop blaming the generation with no job security, trillions in student loan debt, no affordable healthcare and a dying planet for the pain and suffering your generation has caused, wrote one. Millennials have been fighting your messed up wars since 9/11, read another comment from G. Iraq. Katrina. Great Recession. $1 trillion student debt. Sandy Hook. Over 400 ppm CO2. A dying planet. Im tired of the OLDER generations whining and entitlement. Move aside. Youve done enough damage. Validation and basic respect are whats needed here, read another comment. Not a patronizing lecture. It betrays a fundamental weakness in our society when so many of our elders, who also happen to come from the most economically privileged generation in human history, take this much pleasure in baselessly maligning their own children, said Joseph from Sacramento. Some example you're all setting... Good luck, America. Scores of further comments suggest that its not just millennials struggling in America, and more than just one generation are angry at Stephens generalization. Whatever the narrative, there are more than 83 million millennials in America, according to 2014 data from the Census Bureau. These millennials are only going to become a more potent political force, and even in 2014 outnumbered the Baby Boomers by nearly 10 million, Their impact was seen in 2016, when their support was critical in propelling Bernie Sanders campaign onto the national stage. During the primary season that year, more under-30s voted for Sanders than Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump combined. As is evident in the reaction to Stephens editorial, the generation gap is another political fault line any 2020 contender will have to navigate, and Democratic leaders have so far been unsure which side to stake a claim to. Sanders has continued to market himself to millennials, promising to help them with student loan debt and falling living standards. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, meanwhile, has called for Biden/Clinton style centrism, in an effort to make her party more palatable to older voters. Own the center left, own the mainstream, the 79-year-old Congresswoman told the New York Times earlier this month, warning candidates against embracing some of the other exuberances that exist in our party. Graham Dockery, RT Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! OPEC countries and allied producers need to discuss the situation on the market before making proposals for the cartels meeting in June, Russias energy minister has said amid calls to further extend output cuts under OPEC+ deal. I think its too early to talk about it [the necessity to extend the deal]. We need to meet and discuss everything, Alexander Novak told reporters after he arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where some of the major crude producers gathered for ministerial panel meeting, known as the JMMC, on Sunday. The top Russian energy official said the primary task now is to review a technical committees report and assess the situation on the oil market as well as the implementation of the deal reached between OPEC and non-OPEC states at the end of last year. The states agreed to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day in an effort to boost crude prices. Also on rt.com OPEC likely to collapse thanks to some members unilateralism Irans oil minister While Russia adheres to the deal and is going to implement the stipulated cuts by more than 100 percent in May, it is ready to consider alleviating the cuts in the second half of the year, Novak said later on Sunday after talks with his Saudi counterpart, Khalid Al-Falih. The output may be partially restored in case the demand or market deficit is high enough, according to the minister. Overall the market is in a delicate situation, Al-Falih said as cited by Reuters after the meeting, adding that China-US trade tensions affect it. He also stressed that global oil producers should focus their efforts on driving oil inventories down as it is one of the tasks of the December deal. The agreement should be equally implemented by all signatures, the Saudi minister added, as Riyadh has been one of the main contributors of the output reduction. Also on rt.com Trumps Iran decision could kill the OPEC+ deal However, some countries have already called for the extension of the OPEC+ cuts. On Sunday, OPEC member Nigeria said it hoped the deal would be extended till the end of the year. Another member of the cartel, the UAE, urged to keep the cuts in place till the market balances. Meanwhile Azerbaijan, which is one of the signatures of the OPEC+ agreement, also urged to further extend the agreement as the cooperation proved its effectiveness. For more stories on economy & finance visit RT's business section Riyadh will confront Tehran with all strength and determination, if need be, the Kingdoms FM has warned after Crown Prince received a call from Washington in which the sides discussed ways to ensure regional security. Tehran seeks to destabilize the entire region, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir proclaimed at a news conference, demonizing Iran and urging the international community to intervene and stop it until it is too late. Claiming that Riyadh wants nothing but peace, the minister stated that the Kingdom stands ready to respond with full force against it arch rival if "the other side chooses war." Also on rt.com UAE says commercial ships targeted by sabotage, amid rising Gulf tensions Earlier on Saturday, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman held a phone conversation with US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, in which the sides discussed developments in the region and joint efforts to enhance security and stability. King Salman meanwhile asked Arab leaders to attend an emergency summit in Mecca on May 30 to discuss attacks against the oil sector, that has with little proof been pinned on Iran. Also on rt.com US wages psychological war against Iran Revolutionary Guards chief Four commercial ships were damaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates last Sunday, while several days later oil installations in Saudi Arabia were allegedly targeted by drones. The US used the incident as a convenient pretext to deploy warships and strategic bombers in the region, citing an imminent threat from Tehran to American interests. Iran denies accusations of any involvement in the attacks on four oil tankers in the Persian Gulf, claiming it has been framed by radical individuals who are trying to pull it into a war with the US and its regional allies. Think your friends would be interested? Share this story! A funeral home is certainly not a place one would like to frequent, but one such business in Russia apparently thinks otherwise as text on its cashiers receipt suggests the establishment cant wait to see their customers again. A resident of the town of Belogorsk in Eastern Russia was so perplexed by the funeral homes weird message that he sent the sales slip to the local news. The receipt suggests this particular person paid 3075 rubles (around $47) for washing and dressing of the corpse. A text in bold at the bottom reads See you again. Once uploaded to the web, the receipt was widely shared on social media leaving people to wonder whether the bizarre greeting was provoked by someones sick joke or was caused by simple negligence. Also on rt.com VIDEO emerges allegedly showing that a morgue in Russia was used to store baby food The funeral home's management has not commented on the issue so far, however, it is assumed that the facility simply used default settings which included the actually standard phrase (such settings can be changed, though). Like this story? Share it with a friend! If Washington wants to get along with Moscow, the White House will have to refrain from using the sanctions stick, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says after the US extended anti-Russia restrictions. In an interview to Russian state TV, the official weighed in on Trumps tweet that he posted on his favorite social media on May 3. The message followed a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and featured Trumps notorious getting along with Russia is a good thing. Peskov, however, found the chosen definition a bit nebulous. 'Getting along' probably doesnt mean imposing additional sanctions, ignoring each others interests. It should be something different. Building bridges with Moscow has been a recurring point in Trumps rhetoric during the past three years, Peskov noted, but lamented that his position is subject to drastic changes and therefore Moscow needs to wait for comprehensive explanations. Also on rt.com All decent people oppose damaging Russia sanctions, Salvini says ahead of EU elections On Thursday, Washington blacklisted Terek special police unit deployed in Russias southern republic of Chechnya, as well as its commander and four more personnel. It was done under the so-called 2016 Magnitsky Act, which allows Washington to impose sanctions on anyone around the world who is regarded as a human rights abuser. Moscow for its part was swift to promise necessary countermeasures and has repeatedly slammed the Act as a tool allowing Washington to put pressure on Russia. Also on rt.com US sanction Chechen special police force in latest Magnitsky Act blacklist for human rights abuses Just days before the fresh batch of sanctions, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo held talks with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin in Russia. After the meetings, Pompeo said the US stands ready to find common ground with Moscow while Putin indicated that Kremlin would be inclined to fully restore relations with Washington. Like this story? Share it with a friend! Former UFC lightweight world champion Rafael dos Anjos battled toe to toe with divisional newcomer Kevin Lee before eventually submitting 'The Motown Phenom' in the fourth round of their main event bout at UFC Rochester. Dos Anjos battled through a grueling four rounds of action before eventually locking up an arm-triangle to finish the exhausted Lee in the penultimate round. It meant the Brazilian snapped a two-fight losing streak as he re-established himself as a legitimate contender in the UFC's talent-filled 170lb weight class. "I knew he was going to be strong in the first round and he pushed through the third and I was just using my experience," said the Brazilian after his victory. "Jason Parillo told me to do a little adjustment in the fourth, [and it] made a huge difference - stick to my jab, dont load too much my punches. "I started letting go more. I was able to work my takedowns. I needed that victory." The Brazilian's stoppage victory in the main event took the tally of finishes for the night to nine, making the event the UFC card with the most finishes so far in 2019. The main card saw Canadian debutant Felicia Spencer submit fellow former Invicta FC featherweight champion Megan Anderson to catapult herself instantly into title contention, while Vicente Luque finished the last-minute replacement Derrick Krantz via first-round TKO. And in a third meeting between the pair, Brazilian submission ace Charles Oliveira extended his unbeaten record against American Nik Lentz with a rare TKO finish. Washingtons war on Venezuelas economy undermines stability on global markets, the countrys oil minister Manuel Quevedo told OPEC cartel, just days after the US placed him on sanctions list alongside other Caracas officials. American sanctions generate disturbances in the flow of oil supply to the world market as well as serious economic damage and suffering to the Venezuelan people, Quevedo stressed on Sunday in Saudi Arabia, ahead of a ministerial panel meeting of top OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers. Also on rt.com Trumps Iran decision could kill the OPEC+ deal The Venezuelan economy has been under extreme pressure as the White House continues its effort to place opposition leader Juan Guaido in power instead of elected President Nicolas Maduro. Keeping all option open to instigate regime change, the US has been systematically choking the countrys economy by targeting banking and other strategic industry sectors, concentrating their efforts on cutting oil revenues which account for about 98 percent of the Bolivarian Republics exports. Quevedo, the head of its state-owned oil giant, PDVSA, was sanctioned by the US Treasury Department last week together with four other officials for their ties to President Maduro. We are intent on going after those facilitating Maduros corruption and predation, including by sanctioning the President of PDVSA and others diverting assets that rightfully belong to the people of Venezuela, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said. Also on rt.com Russia says too early to discuss OPEC+ deal extension Amid ongoing social economic and political instability, Caracas continues to diversify its customer base, turning in particular to India as well as other nations who recognize Maduro as the legitimate leader of the country. In a meeting with his Russian counterpart, Alexander Novak, on Sunday, Quevedo also stressed the importance of maintaining a respectful relationship with the Russian Federation... to maintain the stability of the oil market. Like this story? Share it with a friend! EU workers are returning - but maybe not for long My regular column is available to subscribers on www.thesundaytimes.co.uk This is an excerpt. Every so often some figures come along which change your perceptions. This happened a few days ago. We have got used to the idea that the number of European Union nationals working in Britain has been falling. Indeed, this fall has contributed to a tight labour market and recruitment difficulties across many sectors. So, for example, during the course of 2018 there was a 61,000 drop in the number of EU nationals working in Britain, and the total was down by almost 90,000 from its 2017 peak. Having risen by an average of nearly 140,000 a year since 2004, this drop in the number of EU workers represented quite a turnaround. That was the story, and it chimed in with what businesses have been saying. It was a surprise, therefore, when official figures last week showed that, far from falling, the number of EU workers in Britain recorded a rise of 98,000 in the year to the first quarter. This meant, incidentally, that the cumulative rise in the number of EU nationals working in Britain since just before the referendum is 237,000, to the current total of 2.38m. It was driven in the past 12 months by workers from Romania and Bulgaria, up by 70,000 over the year, with smaller rises of 9,000 in so-called EU8 workers those from Poland, Hungary and the other countries which joined in 2004 and 14,000 in workers from the longer-term EU14 Western European EU members. But it was a rise nevertheless. Does it mean the tide has turned? Before answering that question, it is worth rehearsing why EU workers have been such a benefit for the UK economy. They have a high employment rate; 82.7% of EU migrants of working age are in jobs compared with 64.8% of non-EU foreign nationals in Britain. They have not prevented a rise to record levels in employment levels and rates among UK nationals, have had a zero to minimal impact on wages for indigenous workers, and have been net contributors to the public finances, paying more in than they take out. Though freedom of movement has become toxic in the Brexit debate, it has been one of the great advantages of EU membership for this country, filling important gaps in the labour market. If there is a concern about the latest figures, taking them at face value, it is the change in the mix of EU workers. Not to impugn Romanians and Bulgarians, but many of them find themselves in lower-skilled jobs, for which they are often overqualified, than earlier waves of EU migrants. Those lower-skilled jobs need to be filled but the contribution of these workers, including to the public finances, is proportionately lower. The question is whether we should take the figures at face value, and I have to say that I smell a bit of a rat. The figures for EU nationals working in Britain are not seasonally adjusted, so have to be interpreted with care. There has in the past sometimes been an increase in the number of EU workers in the UK in the first quarter of the year, perhaps reflecting the fact that firms seek to recruit for the year in the early months. This year, however, the jump was exceptional, 107,000 between the final three months of 2018 and the first quarter of this year. It contrasted with a quarterly fall a year earlier. It was entirely responsible for the turnaround. What was going on? The Office for National Statistics has identified no special factors in the rise. It seems to me, however, that we might have seen the human equivalent of pre-Brexit stockpiling. Firms, in other words, rushed to recruit ahead of the initial March 29 Brexit date and EU nationals, keen to establish a foothold in the UK labour market, were keen to be recruited. March 29 has come and gone and so might this temporary blip in the number of EU workers in Britain. It would be better if this were not so but normal service, in terms of a fall in the number of such workers, seems likely to be resumed, for familiar reasons. EU nationals feel less welcome, are uncertain about their future status and have suffered a pay cut measured in their own currencies because of sterlings weakness. There are also often better opportunities closer to home. The future, assuming Brexit goes ahead, and this weeks European Parliament elections will provide a lot of sound and fury about that, will bring greater difficulties for British firms in recruiting workers from other countries. In this debate, everybody loves skilled workers, and skilled migrants, but turn their noses up at the unskilled, even though there are plenty of unskilled jobs to fill. Most people would also regard Britains manufacturing sector as the heartland of skills, and it is here where Britains post-Brexit immigration regime could bite very hard. The government is very likely to adopt a system in which there is a salary floor of 30,000 a year for both EU and non-EU migrant workers, implying that unskilled workers fall below that threshold while skilled workers are above it. But, as Make UK, the former EEF, which represents Britains manufacturers, has pointed out in evidence to the government, such a floor would make it hard for firms to employ foreign workers. Currently 11% of UK manufacturing workers are EU nationals. Nearly nine in 10, 88%, of manufacturing employees, including senior engineers, earn less than 30,000 a year. Design draughtsmen and women, who design and modify components, undertake technical calculations, and draft technical specifications using computer-aided design and manufacturing, would fit most peoples definition of a skilled occupation. Yet, as Make UK points out, most such workers do not earn more than the 30,000 threshold, including 67% in the North West and 86% in Yorkshire & the Humber. More than 90% of all manufacturing employees in the West and East Midlands, Wales, the South West, the North East and Yorkshire & the Humber earn less than 30,000 a year. Some would say that the response of firms to this would be to recruit more home-grown talent, and to train up more workers. But surveys show that this is the chosen route of the vast majority of businesses already, and they only turn to migrant workers when they have to. In future, that will be much more difficult to do, and the economy will suffer as a result. The latest increase in EU nationals working in Britain, sadly, looks very much like a blip. Huawei Technologies founder and chief executive Ren Zhengfei said on May 18 the growth of the Chinese tech giant may slow, but only slightly due to recent US restrictions. In remarks to the Japanese press and reported by Nikkei Asian Review, Ren reiterated that the Chinese telecom equipment maker has not violated any law. It is expected that Huaweis growth may slow, but only slightly, Ren told Japanese media in his first official comments after the US restrictions, adding that the companys annual revenue growth may undershoot 20%. On May 16, Washington put Huawei, one of Chinas biggest and most successful companies, on a trade blacklist that could make it extremely difficult for Huawei to do business with US companies, a decision slammed by China, which said it will take steps to protect its companies. The developments surrounding Huawei come at a time of trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and amid concerns from the United States that Huaweis smartphones and network equipment could be used by China to spy on Americans, allegations the company has repeatedly denied. A similar US ban on Chinas ZTE Corp had almost crippled business for the smaller Huawei rival early last year before the curb was lifted. The US Commerce Department said on May 17 it may soon scale back restrictions on Huawei. Ren said the company was prepared for such a step and that Huawei would be fine even if US smartphone chipmaker Qualcomm Inc and other American suppliers would not sell chips to the company. Huaweis chip arm HiSilicon said on May 17 it has long been prepared for the scenario that it could be banned from purchasing US chips and technology, and is able to ensure steady supply of most products. The Huawei founder said that the company will not be taking instructions from the US government. We will not change our management at the request of the US or accept monitoring, as ZTE has done, he said. In January, US prosecutors unsealed an indictment accusing the Chinese company of engaging in bank fraud to obtain embargoed US goods and services in Iran and to move money out of the country via the international banking system. Rens daughter, Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada in December in connection with the indictment. Meng, who was released on bail, remains in Vancouver, and is fighting extradition. She has maintained her innocence. Ren has previously said his daughters arrest was politically motivated. State-owned Bank of Baroda (BoB) is considering the option of rationalising 800-900 branches across the country to improve operational efficiency, following its merger with Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank. The merger of Dena Bank and Vijaya Bank with BoB became effective from April 1. It does not make sense to have branches of Dena and Vijaya at the same location when both have been merged into BoB, a senior bank official said. "There are cases where branches of three banks are at one location or one building. So these branches have to be either closed or rationalised as duplication is a drain on efficiency," the official said. After comprehensive review, BoB has identified 800-900 branches which needs to be rationalised, the official said, adding that the lender could opt for re-location and in some cases closure. Besides, there is also need to close regional and zonal offices of merged entities as they would not be required. The official further said, the bank needs to expand in eastern part of country as it has strong presence in South, West and northern part of the country. With the first ever three-way merger, BoB has now become the second-largest public sector lender after State Bank of India with over 9,500 branches, 13,400 ATMs, and 85,000 employees to serve 12 crore customers. The consolidated entity started the operation with a business mix of over Rs 15 lakh crore on the balance sheet, with deposits and advances of Rs 8.75 lakh crore and Rs 6.25 lakh crore, respectively. The maiden three-way amalgamation is considered as the major step in the consolidation of the public sector banking industry recommended in 1991 by the Narasimham Committee report. It is to be noted that when State Bank of India (SBI) amalgamated its five associate banks and Bharatiya Mahila Bank in April 2017, it rationalised about 1,500 branches across the country. Debt-ridden Essar Steel has registered an EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) of Rs 4,229 crore during its Corporate Insolvency Resolution period (over 600 days). In an affidavit filed before the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) last week, its resolution professional has informed that the company earned Rs 4,000 crore from its operations between August 2017 and February 2019. In addition, the RP also mentioned an earning of Rs 229 crore for March this year. Moreover, this amount "excludes Rs 734 crore EBITDA utilised for Finance Costs (Financial Lease, LC/BG Charges to banks and finance charges on payables to suppliers etc) for maintaining the Corporate Debtor (Essar Steel) as a going concern," the affidavit said. The affidavit was filed following the directions of the appellate tribunal, which - on May 7, 2019 - directed the RP of Essar Steel to submit the details of earnings from operations of the company during the corporate insolvency period. The affidavit, however, said that "figures from April 1, 2019 till date are not available". Insolvency resolution proceedings of Essar Steel had commenced on August 2, 2017 after the application under Section 7 of the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016 was admitted by the NCLT, Ahmedabad Bench. The Committee of Creditors (CoC) had voted in favour of Rs 42,000 crore take over plan of the global steel major ArcelorMittal. Later, the National Company Law Tribunal had also approved the ArcelorMittal's resolution plan, however, it had asked the CoC to look into the issues of distribution of money to the operational creditors of the company. The operational creditors of Essar Steel are not satisfied with the CoC over the distribution of Rs 42,000 crore coming from the resolution plan by global steel major ArcelorMittal. The CoC of Essar Steel has divided operational creditors of the company into two categories -- one with claims under Rs 1 crore and another above Rs 1 crore. On May 16, the CoC had informed the NCLAT that out of Rs 42,000 crore coming from the resolution plan of ArcelorMittal, Rs 2,500 crore has been marked as the working capital of the debt-laden firm. The CoC submission before a National Company Law Appellatre Tribunal (NCLAT) implied that only Rs 39,500 crore would be available for distribution among the financial and operational creditors. It had also informed the appellate tribunal that the actual upfront amount is Rs 39,500 crore and the rest Rs 2,500 crore has been committed as working capital for Essar Steel. Sakina Mandsaurwala Precious metal complex ended in losses last week, with gold prices having sunk $14 to $1,286/oz while Comex Silver prices lost 1.5 percent over the last week after the release of better than expected US economic releases. Gold prices reversed gains this week due to strong US corporate earnings that led to a stronger dollar and higher yields. Base metal complex remained largely unchanged with Aluminium being an exception showing an upside of four percent last week while all other metals traded with gains/losses of around one percent. Aluminium prices are seeing strength from a supply tightness in the Chinese alumina market. Energy complex closed the week on a mixed note with Nymex Crude gaining ground on worries over increasing supply tightness while Nymex natural gas closed the week with 1 percent gains. Crude oil prices are taking support from the ongoing Middle East tensions, which are mounting concerns over supply disruptions. Looking at the global demand supply picture, it says the market stays tightly balanced in the first quarter of 2019. The forecast of OPEC suggests the market might shift into a deficit in the Q2 and Q3 of 2019 if the OPEC+ group continues to keep its oil production at the current levels. The major supply concern is the impact of sanctions on Irans oil output and exports and how will the OPEC and its allies be able to deal with it. US production is growing slowly due to slowdown of the drilling at its oil rigs. Crude oil inventories are expected to fall in the second half of the year as the refineries restarts after the maintenance. With the upcoming supply tightness from Iran, Venezuela and with targeted level of production from OPEC+ nations and expected drawdown in crude oil inventory draws makes near term price movement susceptible to sporadic rally and a move towards$68-$70 per bbl in the coming quarter of 2019. However, if the OPEC and its allies agree to increase oil production in the June 25-26 meeting or United States eases sanction pressure on Iran and Venezuela, the fortunes of oil prices may reverse. At present, Nymex Crude oil prices are trading at $63.2 per barrel. The author is Commodity Analyst at Narnolia Financial Advisors. Considered to be the Ten Best UFO Photos Ever Taken I am sure that we could add more pictures to this list but these are considered ten o... Indian market witnessed three green days in May but they were enough to push the S&P BSE Sensex towards 38,000 while Nifty50 climbed 11,400 levels on closing basis last week. The sharp rally which we saw in the last two trading sessions of the week suggests that Mr. Market is factoring in a positive scenario which in other words mean a stable government at the Center. Most of the heavy lifting was done by largecaps as the broader market i.e. the small & midcaps have failed to deliver. The S&P BSE Midcap and the Smallcap index closed with a negative bias as compared to over 1 percent rally seen in the Sensex and Nifty50 for the week ended May 17. The Volatility Index, India VIX, a strong indicator of traders perception of market risks is up nearly 30 percent so far in May and is now trading around 28 levels which suggest that upside could remain capped. All eyes will be on exit polls which are scheduled to come out later in the evening after the seventh phase of polls gets concluded. The polling will be held in 59 constituencies including in Varanasi where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is seeking to retain the seat. We spoke to experts and they have highlighted two possible scenarios, and their possible impact on markets come Monday morning. There could be a sharp movement on Monday based on the outcome of exit polls because they also bring some decisiveness on the table. "Any confusion or indecision which is there and is inherent at present in price action may disseminate with time. The volatility we are seeing which is heightened and is at 4 years high may see rollback and evaporate," Mustafa Nadeem, CEO, Epic Research told Moneycontrol. "Technically we are at very important supports of 11,100 - 11,200. If these are held we may see an up thrust to 11,500 - 11,550. As per derivatives data, the resistance is placed at 11,500 on the upside, while on the downside 11,100 is strong support," he said. Nadeem lists out two possible scenarios: Hung or Mandate and their possible impact on markets on Monday. Markets have become volatile ahead of exit polls. Investors will be better-off hedging their positions both on long as well as short side, suggest experts. But, once the dust settles down, D-Street will shift its focus back on global cues, as well as earnings. "If we go by 2004 results, the election outcome will decide the direction of the market in short term but once the euphoria dies down everything gets back to fundamentals like earnings, crude, trade war, etc.," Atish Matlawala, Sr Analyst, SSJ Finance & Securities told Moneycontrol. Matlawala lists out two possible scenarios and their possible impact on markets on Monday morning in exit polls. The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on moneycontrol.com are his own, and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. The Nifty50 which has rallied by over 2 percent or about 250 points in the run-up to the Exit Polls could well see a knee jerk reaction on the upside of about 100 points or more as poll predicts a comfortable sweep for the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). However, the gap-up is unlikely to sustain and we see profit booking at higher levels, suggest experts.Traders are advised to either hold their positions or book partial profits at levels around 11,800, they say. According to a comprehensive News18-Ipsos exit poll, the BJP is likely to gather over 336 seats. Republic-CVoter sees BJP hitting 287 while Congress gaining about 128 seats. Experts feel that anything above 270 for the NDA on May 23 will be positive for markets. The kneejerk reaction could take the index higher by over 100 points but the gap-up is unlikely to sustain. "Unless the actual outcome varies by 10 percent on either side from the 300 mark, the market has more or less discounted. In a way, exit polls will be a non-event, and on the day of results, markets will cheer the results with the upper limit at 11,700-11,800 which will be a good point to sell," Umesh Mehta, Head of Research, SAMCO Securities told Moneycontrol. "Based on the exit polls, the market is likely to open with a gap-up on Monday, but then towards the close, we could see some profit taking," he added. Sanjeev Jain, VP Equity Research at Sunness Capital India Pvt Ltd, told Moneycontrol that the Nifty may open with a gap of 100-150 points on Monday but will take a breather. "Majority of exit polls are in favour of BJP led NDA government but no of seats are near about the magical figure of 272. So the clear indication is still gloomy. However, party-wise exit poll yet to come, which we need to watch closely that how much BJP is getting alone," he added. Well, investors should take the results with a pinch of salt because history suggests otherwise. Exit polls have not been accurate for the last three national elections. Yes, to some extent they tell us the direction of the wind. In 2004, exit polls wrongly forecasted BJP-led NDA coalition winning again, while in 2009, they meaningfully underestimated Congress-led UPA's seat share, UBS said in a report. "In 2014, while exit polls correctly predicted a BJP-led NDA victory, they significantly underestimated the margin of victory. Markets will watch these results closely though and there could be some impact," it said. What should investors do? Volatility is likely to rise on Monday, and in the past elections, exit polls were the major source of indication of results and so market's movement was more correlated to them. "We have been advising investors to hedge their portfolios with buying put calls on NIFTY. At present due to volatility, options are trading at a big premium and this makes them less attractive now," Abhijeet Bajpai, co-founder, Avighna Trades told Moneycontrol. "We advise investors to book profits/exit on market heavyweight shares for now and stay light for the election result day. In case of large downslide in the markets they can buy into quality midcaps or stay in cash," he said. Ritesh Ashar, Chief Strategy Officer, KIFS Trade Capital told Moneycontrol that investors having a huge equity portfolio can hedge their risk by buying Put options. "This is the best way that they can minimize their losses as well as the risk of losing the most in such a volatile condition. One can simply buy Nifty 11,000 Put near Rs 174 for the lot size of 75 each in a quantity according to their portfolio," he said. Disclaimer: The views and investment tips expressed by investment experts on Moneycontrol.com are their own and not that of the website or its management. Moneycontrol.com advises users to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions. Image for representation Around 71.15 percent voter turnout was recorded till the end of voting for the eight Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, a poll official said. The final figures would be provided later, he said. Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa were the eight Lok Sabha seats that went to polls in the fourth and final phase of the general election in the state. As per information issued at 8 pm by the state electoral office, voting figures were: Dewas 78.04 percent, Ujjain 70.89 percent, Mandsaur 73.01 percent, Ratlam 70.49 percent, Dhar 67.18 percent, Indore 65.18 percent, Khargone 72.77 percent and Khandwa 73.51 percent. Polling began at 7 am and those in queue at 6 pm, when voting officially ends, were allowed to exercise their franchise, MP Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) V L Kantha Rao said. An average 69.26 percent voter turnout was recorded in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls in the state, Rao said. He said during the mock poll, either the EVM ballot unit or the control unit or the VVPAT printer was replaced in 344 booths, and the same had to be done in 70 booths during actual voting. Prominent candidates in the fray are former Union ministers Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav of the Congress, who are contesting from Ratlam and Khandwa seats, respectively. Altogether 82 candidates, including Bhuria and Yadav, are contesting in the eight constituencies where there are 1.49 crore eligible voters. Of these total nominees, 20 are contesting in Indore, 13 in Mandsaur, 11 in Khandwa, nine each in Ujjain and Ratlam, seven each in Dhar and Khargone, and six in Dewas, Rao said. Over 56,000 security personnel, including 83 companies of the central forces and 49 of the state forces, have been deployed to ensure smooth conduct of the polls, he said. Total 18,411 polling booths, including 1,157 entirely managed by women, have been set up in these seats, Rao said. Out of the total 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, six went to polls on April 29, seven on May 6 and eight on May 12. The counting of votes would be held on May 23. In Indore, a newly-wed couple, Gaurav Yadav and his wife Sonal, decked up in finery, exercised their franchise at a polling booth in Nayapura area even as the 'baraat' (marriage party) waited outside. At least two men aged above 100 -- Madhukar Veerkar (101) and Sunderlal Mahajan --cast their votes along with their family members. In Muslim dominated Khajrana area in Indore, a large number of local residents queued up outside polling booths in scorching heat. A Muslim voter said the ongoing Ramzan fast had no impact on the voting turnout as far as the community is concerned. As polling for the Lok Sabha election ended, Congress president Rahul Gandhi on May 19 hit out at the Election Commission, saying its "capitulation" before Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his gang is obvious. He trained his guns on the poll body, saying it is no longer "feared and respected", as he listed a host of examples in this regard, including Modi's visit to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. "From Electoral Bonds and EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, 'Modi's Army' and now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commission's capitulation before Mr Modi and his gang is obvious to all Indians," Gandhi tweeted. "The EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore," he wrote. The Congress party, including Gandhi, have been accusing the Election Commission of being "biased" and "partial". Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also hit out at the EC saying, "Our charge had been that the EC was sleeping on the job. Now, we can go further and say that the EC completely surrendered its independence and authority. Shame!" "Polling is over. Now we can say that the 'pilgrimage' of the PM in the last two days is an unacceptable use of religion and religious symbols to influence the voting," Chidambaram alleged. On May 12, Varanasi underwent voting for the Lok Sabha elections 2014. The total polling percentage reached a record 58.31 percent, as against less than 43 percent in last general elections in 2009. (Image: Reuters) Looking forward to exercising his franchise once again on May 19, India's "first" voter Shyam Saran Negi on May 18 appealed to Himachal Pradesh electors to elect "honest" candidates for all the four Lok Sabha seats in the state. "Elect honest and active candidates for your parliamentary seats instead of voting for particular parties," 102-year-old Negi told PTI. Negi also expressed his desire to vote again on Sunday during the final phase of 2019 general elections. "A resident of Himachal's tribal district Kinnaur, Shyam Sharan Negi is India's first voter and very important for the state Election Department," Kinnaur District Election Officer Gopal Chand told PTI. A retired school teacher, Negi, as per his official records, was born on July 1, 1917. Negi still vividly remembers how he became India's first voter. "India's first election was held in February 1952, but the voting for remote, tribal areas in Himachal was held five months in advance on October 23, 1952 owing to fears of inclement weather rendering the exercise impossible here during winter," he said. "I was a school teacher then and had been put on the election duty. Due to it, I reached my polling booth at Kalpa Primary School in Kinnaur at 7 am to cast my vote. I was the first one to reach there and cast my vote," he said. "Later I was told I was the first to cast my vote anywhere in the area," he said with an glint in his eyes. Negi added he proceeded to join his election duty after casting his vote. Negi, who also made a special appearance in Hindi film "Sanam Re", said he never missed casting his vote ever since then whether it be a panchayat election or the Lok Sabha polls. Talking of his desire to vote again, Negi complained of his failing health as possible impediment in fulfilling it. "It's my last wish to vote again. But I have got immobile legs and aching knees now, besides failing vision and hearing," said Negi. On Negi's fears, District Election Officer Gopal Chand said, "Negi is very important for us. We will have him brought to the polling booth and drop him back at his home." "We still take care of his health and other needs. A government doctor regularly visits him to check his health," he said. Negi is among 999 voters of the state who are 100 or above, a state election official said. Representative Image It may be strange but true! The world's highest polling station at 15,256 feet in Tashiganag village of Himachal Pradesh on May 19 recorded an unbelievable, 132 percent voter turn out -- all valid votes. Against merely 49 registered voters figuring in the village electoral roll, a total of 65 voters have cast their votes till 3 pm at the Tashigang polling booth, said a district election official. The unbelievable spike in the poll percentage was attributed to the desire of many poll officials, deployed at polling booths in the Tashiganag village and other nearby areas to cast their votes at the world's highest polling station, located at a dizzying height of 12,256 ft. Poll officials said the poll percentage is likely to rise further as out of 49 voters, registered in the village electoral roll, merely 33 have cast their votes till 3 pm. With the remaining 16 village voters and many other poll officials deployed in nearby polling stations likely to exercise their franchise at the world's highest polling booth by the end of voting process at 6 pm, the poll percentage is likely to go up further, they added. The poll officials cast their votes at Tashigang polling booth after showing their election duty certificate (EDCs) issued to them by concerned assistant returning officers, he added. Tashigang is a village near an ancient monastery in Himachal Pradesh. It is the highest settlement in Spiti Valley near the India-Tibet border with villages Nako and Khab located nearby and is connected to Shimla by National Highway 22. Tashigang acquired the unique distinction of becoming the highest polling station during Himachal Pradesh assembly elections in 2017, when the erstwhile polling station at the highest altitude of 14,400 ft was replaced by Tashigang due to some technical reasons, said HP's Assistant Chief Electoral Officer Harbans Lal Dhiman. Hikkim is located 160 km from Tashigang. The polling at Tashigang began at 7 am when the temperature was below freezing point. Voters came to the polling station wearing their traditional attire to beat the chilly weather. Besides Tashigang, Himachal has another unique polling station, Ka, with lowest number of voters. Located in Sipti valley itself, Ka has only 17 registered voters. The poll officials were yet to release the voter turnout at Ka. Both Tashigang and Ka polling stations fall under the Mandi parliamentary seat where the highest number of 17 candidates among the four Lok Sabha seats in the state are in the fray. Mandi is witnessing a direct contest between the BJP and the Congress. Former Union Minister Sukh Ram's grandson Aashray Sharma is pitted as a Congress candidate here against sitting BJP MP Ram Swaroop Sharma. Aashray's father Anil Sharma, who was a minister in the Jai Ram Thakur-led BJP government in Himachal, had to resign from the Cabinet as he was unwilling to campaign against his son to favour the BJP candidate. Mandi being his home, Himachal Chief Minister Thakur's prestige is at stake here with veteran politician Sukh Ram too leaving no stone unturned to ensure his grandson Aashray's victory. Five MLAs, including a state minister, are among the 45 candidates trying to make it to the Parliament from the state where polling is underway. There are 53,30,154 registered voters for the four constituencies -- Shimla (SC), Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra -- in the state. Picture for representation (Image: Wikimedia) Gucci is facing backlash from netizens once again for cultural appropriation, this time from the members of the Sikh community. The Italian luxury brand known for experimental fashion, which almost always takes the risque factor a notch higher, decided to introduce Indy Full Turbans as their new cool accessory. However, ever since the launch of the turban (head gear) that has a sharp resemblance with the Sikh turbans, it has faced severe flak on Twitter. The turban first infuriated people after a white male model was seen endorsing at the Milan Fashion Week last winter. Some even criticised the brand for not using brown models. Dear @gucci, the Sikh Turban is not a hot new accessory for white models but an article of faith for practising Sikhs. Your models have used Turbans as hats whereas practising Sikhs tie them neatly fold-by-fold. Using fake Sikhs/Turbans is worse than selling fake Gucci products pic.twitter.com/sOaKgNmgwR Harjinder Singh Kukreja (@SinghLions) May 16, 2019 The anger intensified more recently when a Twitter user pointed out that it was being sold on Nordstrom for nearly $800 per piece. The product description read: It is a gorgeously crafted turban that is ready to turn heads while keeping you in comfort as well as trademark style. This is beyond aggravating. Did someone at @gucci even bother to figure out what a dastaar (turban) means to Sikhs? Did it cross your minds to consider the history behind our identity? My people are discriminated against, even killed, for wearing a turban. pic.twitter.com/G62edSmjhf Aasees Kaur (@SouthernSikh) May 14, 2019 Now, the Sikhs consider their dastaar or turban an article of faith, which typically represents honour and courage and is held in very high regard. The controversy comes within just three months of the brand being forced to pull back its blackface turtleneck jumpsuit over accusations of racism. Gucci, however, accepted full accountability for the cultural appropriation. Thank you @Nordstrom for stopping the sale of this turban ! If there is anything I can do for you I will be very happy to do so. Now @gucci needs to stop ripping people off! #OneLove pic.twitter.com/oVpYf6Ch7B ravinder singh (@RaviSinghKA) May 16, 2019 Gucci is yet to address this backlash in public; however, another Twitter user reported that Nordstrom has taken down the turban from its website. Austria's President Alexander Van der Bellen on May 19 called for fresh elections in September after a corruption scandal embroiling the far-right brought down the coalition government in spectacular fashion. Just days before key EU elections, Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache was forced to resign in disgrace May 18 following explosive revelations from a hidden camera sting. Conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz -- whose 18-month coalition with the far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) had been held up as a European model -- reacted by pulling the plug on their union. "My preference is for early elections in September, if possible the beginning of September," Van der Bellen told journalists on Sunday after holding talks with Kurz. The president will hold further talks with other party leaders over the coming weeks in order to fix a date. The dramatic developments followed the publication by two German newspapers on Friday of footage from a sophisticated hidden-camera sting months before Austria's last parliamentary elections in 2017. In the tapes -- of unknown provenance -- Strache is seen openly discussing the possibility of awarding public contracts in return for campaign help for the FPOe from a woman posing as the niece of a Russian oligarch. The woman says she specifically wants to gain control of the country's largest-circulation tabloid, the Kronen Zeitung. Strache is seen suggesting that new owners could make staff changes and use the paper to help his party in its election campaign. Kurz said Saturday the latest revelations were the final straw after a string of FPOe-related scandals dogging the government. "Enough is enough," the chancellor told a press conference in Vienna. Strache for his part insisted in his emotional resignation statement that he had been the victim of a "targeted political attack" but also described his own actions as "stupid" and "irresponsible". The FPOe was also due to meet on Sunday to confirm leadership changes after Strache's exit. Neither Van der Bellen nor Kurz commented on who would replace the vice-chancellor in the run-up to elections and whether top FPOe politicians -- including controversial Interior Minister Herbert Kickl -- would be allowed to stay in post. The damning revelations, which saw protesters take to the streets on Vienna on Saturday, broke as the campaign for European Parliament elections on May 23-26 was nearing its climax. They risk dealing a blow to a far-right populist alliance marshalled by Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini and in which the FPOe plays a key part. The FPOe's lead MEP candidate Harald Vilimsky had been due to attend a rally organised by Salvini in Milan on Saturday, but cancelled the trip because of the scandal. German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted to the news out of Austria by warning of the dangers of far-right politicians "for sale", who wanted to "destroy the Europe of our values". The tapes contained a litany of other embarrassing material for Strache, and analysts predicted setbacks for the FPOe from its current position in the polls. As well as repeating unsubstantiated rumours about Kurz, Strache also hinted at ways political donations could escape legal scrutiny by going to a foundation linked to the FPOe. Elsewhere in the recordings, he discussed the possible part-privatisation of public broadcaster ORF and expressed admiration for the media landscape in neighbouring Hungary, where press plurality has been severely curtailed under nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban. Observers said the dramatic events of the past two days were almost a re-run of the last time that the centre-right People's Party (OeVP) and FPOe went into coalition, in 2000. Then as now, after only two years the OeVP chancellor -- in that case Wolfgang Schuessel -- felt compelled to call snap elections due to strife with his FPOe coalition partner. In 2002, the OeVP emerged strengthened from the elections but it remains to be see if Kurz, like Schuessel before him, can avoid damage from the fallout. US-allied Bahrain warned its citizens on May 18 against travel to Iraq and Iran and asked those already there to return "immediately" for their safety, state news agency BNA said. The Bahrain foreign ministry cited, "unstable regional circumstances, dangerous developments and potential threats," according to BNA. The warning comes amid simmering tensions between the United States and Iran. Washington on May 15 pulled non-emergency staff members from its embassy in the Iraqi capital Baghdad out of apparent concern about perceived threats from neighbouring Iran, to which Iraqi Shi'ite militias are allied. Earlier on May 18, Exxon evacuated its foreign staff from an Iraqi oilfield. Chinese telecom giant Huawei is ready to deal with Washington's crackdown and will reduce its reliance on US components, its founder told Japanese media. President Donald Trump effectively barred Huawei from the US market on Wednesday and added it to a list which would restrict US sales to the firm amid an escalating trade war with Beijing. "We have already been preparing for this," Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei told a group of Japanese journalists Saturday in his first interview since Trump's move. Ren said Huawei would continue to develop its own components to reduce its dependence on outside suppliers. Huawei is a rapidly expanding leader in 5G technology but remains dependent on foreign suppliers. It buys about USD 67 billion worth of components each year, including about USD 11 billion from US suppliers, according to The Nikkei business daily. The usually elusive Ren, 74, has come out of the shadows in recent months in the face of increasing pressure on his company. Ren's army background and Huawei's opaque culture have fuelled suspicions in some countries that the firm has links with the Chinese military and intelligence services. Huawei is also the target of an intense campaign by Washington, which has been trying to persuade allies not to allow China a role in building next-generation 5G mobile networks. US government agencies are already banned from buying equipment from Huawei. "We have not done anything which violates the law," Ren said, adding the US measures would have a limited impact. "It is expected that Huawei's growth may slow, but only slightly," he said, according The Nikkei. A former army technician, Ren founded Huawei in 1987 with only USD 5,000, according to company lore. Huawei now claims to have nearly 190,000 employees, operates in 170 countries, and reported revenue of more than USD 100 billion in 2018. Ren said his company would not yield to pressure from Washington. "We will not change our management at the request of the US or accept monitoring, as ZTE has done," he said, as quoted by The Nikkei, referring to fellow Chinese telecoms giant ZTE which was also targeted by Washington. ZTE came close to collapse last year after US firms were banned from selling it vital components over its continued dealings with Iran and North Korea. Trump later reversed the decision and in return ZTE had to pay a USD 1 billion fine and accept monitoring by the US Commerce Department. By The Globe and Mail, May 17, 2019 The U.S. Border Patrol said Friday that it would fly hundreds of migrant families from south Texas to San Diego for processing and that it was considering flights to Detroit, Miami and Buffalo, New York. The flights are the latest sign of how the Border Patrol is struggling to keep up with large numbers of Central American families that are reaching the U.S. border with Mexico, especially in Texas. Moving migrants to less crowded places is expected to distribute the workload more evenly. Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said on May 18 that the purchase of S-400 defence systems from Russia was a done deal, adding that Ankara would also jointly produce S-500 defence systems with Moscow. US officials have called Turkey's planned purchase of the S-400 missile defense system "deeply problematic," saying it would risk Ankara's partnership in the joint strike fighter F-35 program because it would compromise the jets, made by Lockheed Martin Corp. However, Erdogan told a televised question and answer session with university students in Istanbul that Turkey had carried out technical work and found that such a problem did not exist. "They (the US) are passing the ball around in the midfield now, showing some reluctance. But sooner or later, we will receive the F-35s. (The US) not delivering them is not an option." May 19, 2019 The MoA Week In Review - OT 2019-28 Last week's posts at Moon of Alabama: See also: Rob Slane at The Blogmire - The Sinking Credibility of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons John Bolton created the crisis by claiming that Iran put some imaginary missiles on a boat. When Trump told him to stop the campaign, at least for now, the imaginary missile had to be removed. The NYT willingly stenographed the "news": U.S. Officials Say Iran Has Removed Missile Threat From Some Boats I don't expect that Bolton will let the issue go. He will find or create an incident sufficient to convince Trump to go to war with Iran. May 16 - Trump Administration Withholds Information That Could Debunk Russian Interference Claims May 17 - Propaganda Intensifies Trade War With China My hunch is that China will -in the end- win through the trade war. Others disagree. Christopher Whalen at the American Conservative: China Has Already Lost the Trade War May 19 - Why The Takedown Of Christian Strache Will Strengthen The Right --- Other issues: The movies Hollywood produced are often telling psychological conflicts as the central story. Each character has a certain fixed attitude and the interacting of the characters create the story. It does not matter if the setting is in antic times or in the far future. In the end there are always the bad and the good guy slamming it out in a fistfight. The historic Chinese drama which I currently favor are based on sociological storytelling. As they develop the stories form their characters. Their attitudes change over time because the developing exterior circumstances push them into certain directions. Good becomes bad and again good. The persons change because they must, not because the are genetically defined. I find these kind of movies more interesting. This Scientific American piece about Game of Thrones (of which I have seen only half an episode) touches on the differences. The Real Reason Fans Hate the Last Season of Game of Thrones It's not just bad storytellingits because the storytelling style changed from sociological to psychological Use as open thread ... Posted by b on May 19, 2019 at 18:30 UTC | Permalink Comments next page May 19, 2019 Why The Takedown Of Heinz-Christian Strache Will Strengthen The Right During the last days a right wing politician in Austria was taken down by using an elaborate sting. Until Friday Heinz-Christian Strache was leader of the far right (but not fascist) Freedom Party of Austria (FPOe) and the Vice Chancellor of the country. On Friday morning two German papers, the Sueddeutsche Zeitung and Der Spiegel published (German) reports (English) about an old video that was made to take Strache down. The FPOe has good connections with United Russia, the party of the Russian President Putin, and to other right-wing parties in east Europe. It's pro-Russian position has led to verbal attacks on and defamation of the party from NATO supporting and neoliberal circles. In July 2017 Strache and his right hand man Johann Gudenus, who is also the big number in the FPOe, get invited for dinner to a rented villa on Ibiza, the Spanish tourist island in the Mediterranean. They are told that the daughter of a Russian billionaire plans large investments in Austria. It was said that she would like to help his party. The alleged daughter of the Russian billionaire, who is actually also Austrian, and her "friend" serve an expensive dinner. Alcohol flows freely. The pair offers a large party donation but asks for returns in form of mark ups on public contracts. Unknown to Strache the villa is professionally bugged with many hidden cameras and microphones. A scene from the video. Source: Der Falter (vid, German) During the six hour long party several schemes get proposed by the "Russian" and are discussed. Strache rejects most of them. He insists several times that everything they plan or do must be legal and conform to the law. He says that a large donation could probably be funneled through an endowment that would then support his party. It is a gray area under Austrian party financing laws. They also discuss if the "Russian" could buy the Kronen Zeitung, Austria's powerful tabloid, and use it to prop up his party. The evening goes on with several bottles of vodka on the table. Starche gets a bit drunk and boosts in front of the "oligarch daughter" about all his connections to rich and powerful people. He does not actually have these. Strache says that, in exchange for help for his party, the "Russian" could get public contracts for highway building and repair. Currently most of such contracts in Austria go to the large Austrian company, STRABAG, that is owned by a neoliberal billionaire who opposes the FPOe. At that time Strache was not yet in the government and had no way to decide about such contracts. At one point Strache seems to understand that the whole thing is a setup. But his right hand man calms him down and vouches for the "Russian". The sting ends with Strache and his companion leaving the place. The never again see the "Russian" and her co-plotter. Nothing they talked about will ever come to fruition. Three month later Strache and his party win more than 20% in the Austrian election and form a coalition government with the conservative party OeVP led by Chancellor Sebastian Kurz. Even while the FPOe controls several ministries, it does not achieve much politically. It lacks a real program and the government's policies are mostly run by the conservatives. Nearly two years after the evening on Ibiza, ten days before the European parliament election in which Strache's party is predicted to achieve good results, a video of the evening on Ibiza is handed to two German papers which are known to be have strong transatlanticist leanings and have previously been used for other shady 'leaks'. The papers do not hesitate to take part in the plot and publish extensive reports about the video. After the reports appeared Strache immediately stepped down and the conservatives ended the coalition with his party. Austria will now have new elections. On Bloomberg Leonid Bershidsky opines on the case: Straches discussion with the Russian oligarchs fake niece shows a propensity for dirty dealing that has nothing to do with idealistic nationalism. Nationalist populists often agitate against entrenched, corrupt elites and pledge to drain various swamps. In the videos, however, Strache and Gudenus behave like true swamp creatures, savoring rumors of drug and sex scandals in Austrian politics and discussing how to create an authoritarian media machine like Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbans. I do not believe that the people who voted for the FPOe (and similar parties in other countries) will subscribe to that view. The politics of the main stream parties in Austria have for decades been notoriously corrupt. Compared to them Strache and his party are astonishingly clean. In the video he insists several times that everything must stay within the legal realm. Whenever the "Russian" puts forward a likely illegal scheme, Starche emphatically rejects it. Bershidsky continues: Strache, as one of the few nationalist populists in government in the European Unions wealthier member states, was an important member of the movement Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has been trying to cobble together ahead of the European Parliament election that will take place next week. On Saturday, he was supposed to attend a Salvini-led rally in Milan with other like-minded politicians from across Europe. Instead, he was in Vienna apologizing to his wife and to Kurz and protesting pitifully that hed been the victim of a political assassination a poisonous rain on the Italian right-wingers parade. ... This leaves the European far right in disarray and plays into the hands of centrist and leftist forces ahead of next weeks election. Salvinis unifying effort has been thoroughly undermined, ... This is also a misreading of the case. The right-wing parties will use the case to boost their legitimacy. Strache was obviously set up by some intelligence services, probably a German one with a British assist. The original aim was likely to blackmail him. But during the meeting on Ibiza Strache promised and did nothing illegal. Looking for potential support for his party is not a sin. Neither is discussing investments in Austria with a "daughter of a Russian oligarch." Some boosting while drunk is hardly a reason to go to jail. When the incident provided too little material to claim that Strache is corrupt, the video was held back until the right moment to politically assassinate him with the largest potential damage to his party. That moment was thought to be now. But that Strache stepped down after the sudden media assault only makes him more convincing. The right-wing all over Europe will see him as a martyr who was politically assassinated because he worked for their cause. The issue will increase the right-wingers hate against the 'liberal' establishment. It will further motivate them: "They attack us because we are right and winning." The new far-right block Natteo Salvini will setup in the European Parliament will likely receive a record share of votes. Establishment writers notoriously misinterpret the new right wing parties and their followers. This stand-offish sentence in the Spiegel story about Strache's party demonstrates the problem: In the last election, the party drew significant support from the working class, in part because of his ability to simplify even the most complicated of issues and play the common man, even in his role as vice chancellor. The implicit thesis, that the working class is too dumb to understand the "most complicated of issues", is not only incredibly snobbish but utterly false. The working class understands very well what the establishment parties have done to it and continue to do. The increasing vote share of the far-right is a direct consequence of the behavior of the neoliberal center and of the lack of real left alternatives. Last week, before the Strache video appeared, Craig Murray put his finger on the wound: The massive economic shock following the banking collapse of 20078 is the direct cause of the crisis of confidence which is affecting almost all the institutions of western representative democracy. The banking collapse was not a natural event, like a tsunami. It was a direct result of man-made systems and artifices which permitted wealth to be generated and hoarded primarily through multiple financial transactions rather than by the actual production and sale of concrete goods, and which then disproportionately funnelled wealth to those engaged in the mechanics of the transactions. ... The rejection of the political class manifests itself in different ways and has been diverted down a number of entirely blind alleys giving unfulfilled promise of a fresh start Brexit, Trump, Macron. As the vote share of the established political parties and public engagement with established political institutions falls everywhere, the chattering classes deride the political symptoms of status quo rejection by the people as populism. It is not populism to make sophisticated arguments that undermine the received political wisdom and take on the entire weight of established media opinion. If one wants to take down the far right one has to do so with arguments and good politics for the working class. Most people, especially working class people, have a strong sense for justice. The political assassination of Christian Strache is unjust. What was done during the 2007-8 banking crisis was utterly corrupt and also unjust. Instead of going to jail the bankers were rewarded with extreme amounts of money for their assault on the well being of the people. The public was then told that it must starve through austerity to make up for the loss of money. While I consider myself to be a strong leftist who opposes the right wherever possible, I believe to understand why people vote for Strache's FBOe and similar parties. When one talks to these people issues of injustice and inequality always come up. The new 'populist' parties at least claim to fight against the injustice done to the common men. Unlike most of the establishment parties they seem to be still mostly clean and not yet corrupted. In the early 1990s Strache actually flirted with violent fascists but he rejected their way. While he has far-right opinions, he and his like are no danger to our societies. If we can not accept that Strache and his followers have some legitimate causes, we will soon find us confronted with way more extreme people. The neoliberal establishment seems to do its best to achieve that. Posted by b on May 19, 2019 at 17:10 UTC | Permalink Comments CONCORD -- There was a blue moon over Charlotte Motor Speedway tonight, and for a brief time it was a Petty blue moon. Bubba Wallace didnt win the All-Star Race, but he provided some of the best moments, making himself part of the story and maybe giving the struggling race team some hope. These days, there are only rumors of hope against a backdrop of despair. They say there will be some sort of big announcement this week about the future of Richard Petty Motorsports, but like most things you hear these days about RPM, no one knows whats to come. But for one night, it was a little like old times for the 43. Wallace wasnt in the all-star race when the night began, but when it ended, hed been in two side-by-side battles in the Monster Open qualifying race, banging his way to a win in the second stage to earn a bid to the main event. And then he went out and finished fifth. Honestly, I havent had that much fun in a long, long time, Wallace said. By Sun-Sentinel, May 18, 2019 The prostitution sting that ensnared billionaire Robert Kraft was doomed from the get-go because of a string of law enforcement missteps, according to court observers whove watched the case quickly unravel. What began as authorities mission to bust criminal activity in massage parlors across Florida has turned into a monumental legal victory for Kraft and others charged with soliciting prostitution. The winners of the Fields Edge West Texas Tiny Home Design competition were announced Thursday evening at the Museum of the Southwest. The homes chosen will be built at the Fields Edge future village for the homeless, which will provide 100 tiny houses for Midland Countys chronically homeless population, according to a previous Reporter-Telegram article. The design competition was in partnership with the West Texas chapter of the American Institute of Architects, which hosted a cocktail exhibition to announce the winners. All the designs entered in the competition will be on display at the Museum of the Southwest through August. There were 16 designs submitted in the competition; two winners and two runner-up designs were chosen. We thought it was a perfect opportunity to join together with John-Mark (Echols) and his mission to provide beautiful architecture for those that need it the most, said AIA architect R.J. Lopez. The two winners were the Mirage House, designed by Enrique Ramirez and Jeff Olgin, and the Lite-House, designed by Ilia Reyes and Cale Lancaster. The runner-up designs chosen were the Light + Well by R.J. Lopez and the Morada Verde by Jeff Olgin. Architects Greg Ibanez and Michael Morrow were on the jury that judged the designs. They said at the event they picked the winners based on aesthetics, functionality and constructability. One of the challenges of this kind of house is not to do a mini-me regular house that looks like a doll house, said Ibanez. It shouldnt just be a little house; it should be a unique thing. The Mirage House has a sleek design, porch area and is accessible for wheel chairs, Ibanez said. The Lite-House has features such as pegboard walls that allow inhabitants to customize the space and a skylight. Ten tiny houses will be built in the first phase of the Fields Edge village, as well as a communal bathroom and kitchen, market and clinic, according to a previous Reporter-Telegram article. John-Mark Echols, president of Fields Edge, said they hope to break ground next year. In the year since the arrest of the man believed to be the notorious Golden State Killer, the world of criminal investigation has been radically transformed. Using an unconventional technique that relies on DNA submitted to online genealogy sites, investigators have solved dozens of violent crimes, in many cases decades after they hit dead ends. Experts believe the technique could be used to revive investigations into a vast number of cases that have gone cold across the country, including at least 100,000 unsolved major violent crimes and 40,000 unidentified bodies. Many have called it a revolutionary new technology. But credit for this method largely belongs to a number of mostly female, mostly retired family history lovers who tried for years to persuade law enforcement officials that their techniques could be used for more than locating the biological parents of adoptees. One was Diane Harman Hoog, 78, director of education at DNA Adoption, who realized in 2013 that she could apply the techniques she was using to identify two bodies she had read about in a Seattle newspaper. This is too complicated, she said she was told when she reached out to a detective. Four years later, Margaret Press, 72, a retired computer programmer and skilled family tree builder in California, tried to help her local sheriff with a similar case. No one would return her calls. Fast forward to April 25, 2018, the day that a gaggle of California prosecutors announced that an innovative DNA technology had been used in the Golden State Killer case. The innovator was Barbara Rae-Venter, a genetic genealogist who had uploaded crime scene DNA to GEDMatch.com, a low-key genealogical research site run out of a little yellow house in Florida. Rae-Venter, 70, and her team soon found a suspect by using the genetic and family tree data provided by his cousins. That was how a former police officer, Joseph DeAngelo, came to be charged with 26 counts of murder and kidnapping in connection with scores of rapes and killings that were committed across California in the 1970s and 80s. In interview after interview, Paul Holes, a determined investigator who had spent decades chasing false leads, rejoiced in his decision to involve Rae-Venter. Barbara really braved the pass, said CeCe Moore, a genetic genealogist who also was among the first to see the potential in the technique. Within a few weeks of the announcement, she began working with Parabon, a forensic consulting firm. In rapid succession, Parabons work led to 49 genetic identifications, reopening a number of cold cases: the 1987 double killing of a young Canadian couple, six rapes in North Carolina and the slaying of a Stanford University graduate 46 years ago. The technique resulted in at least 17 arrests, including people who had never been under any suspicion, such as a well-established party DJ and childrens entertainer in Pennsylvania. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is revisiting about 700 cases involving unidentified childrens remains and has identified about 15 in the past year. An additional 300 cases are in the works: old killings, serial sexual assaults, and unidentified bodies, according to estimates by various genealogists and investigators. Some question the ethics and legality of the technique. They point out that customers of genealogy companies did not realize they would be signing up to help criminal investigations, although GEDmatch discloses that profiles could be used to investigate violent crimes. A recent decision by FamilyTreeDNA to pivot from secretly cooperating with the FBI to marketing itself as a means to catch killers also has left many alarmed. Some want to see the same regulations for family genealogy sites that states have imposed on the use of government DNA databases, such as the FBIs Codis system. Charles E. Sydnor III, a state legislator in Maryland, said, When were not going according to the law, I think that makes us no better than lawbreakers. In Maryland, police are banned from identifying suspects through relatives in criminal DNA databases. Despite the law, police departments in two counties have done precisely that with GEDmatch. The law aside, people have little recourse to protect their genetic data. If you are an American, it is likely that your name can be extrapolated even if you have never taken a DNA test. In the hands of an advanced genealogical sleuth, often all that is needed to identify someone from a drop of saliva, blood or semen are the DNA profiles of two third cousins. What is a third cousin? It is someone who shares a set of your 16 great-great-grandparents. We all have at least 800 of them out there somewhere, and there is a good chance that some once were excited enough about genealogy to join GEDmatch or FamilyTreeDNA. Several recent cases show what this technique could mean for the future. A woman in Washington is surprised when her DNA leads to a cousins arrest in Iowa. The Facebook message did not make sense at first. In March, a stranger congratulated Brandy Jennings of Vancouver, Washington, for helping to solve a 1979 killing in a small town in Iowa. Her second cousin once removed, Jerry Lynn Burns, a 64-year-old small business owner and widower, had been charged. They had never met. It teaches me to read what I agree to, Jennings said. She had uploaded her Ancestry.com file to GEDmatch but had never returned to the site, finding it too confusing. The search warrant revealed that investigators had found her profile useful. She said she wished that she had been given a heads up or that she had been eligible for the long-standing $10,000 reward, though she feels positive about her contribution. Any murder deserves to be solved, she said. A young mother was stabbed to death in 2009. Nine years later, a neighbor confessed. On Nov. 1, 2009, Holly Cassano, 22, who lived in a mobile home park in Mahomet, Illinois, failed to pick up her baby girl from her mothers home. The worried grandmother went to check on Holly and found she had been stabbed to death after her evening shift as a supermarket cashier. In May 2018, after the publicity over the Golden State Killer arrest, Parabon began offering its hundreds of clients a $3,500 add-on service in which Moore or another genetic genealogist builds a series of interlocking family trees. The Champaign County Sheriffs Office was a client. Getting from cousin to great-grandmother to suspect can be complicated. The case did not look promising when Moore began working on it last summer. But then, during a root canal, she said, I was lying there in a chair and something popped into my head. Other experts describe similar epiphanies when building family trees. In this case, DNA extracted from a discarded cigarette reinforced her hypothesis. In August, the neighbor who had smoked that cigarette, Michael Henslick, confessed to the killing. It is not just about old cases, as a sexual assault case in Utah shows. A week before the Golden State Killer announcement, a man broke into the house of Carla Brooks, 79, in St. George, Utah, beat her and sexually assaulted her. In July, the Police Department there became one of the first agencies to apply genetic genealogy to a recent case. When theres the potential to stop someone in their tracks, its a different feeling, Moore said. The trail of cousins led across the country to Massachusetts and back to Spencer Glen Monnett, 31, who was arrested in Utah. He pleaded guilty in February. The case raises questions that the police, genealogists and victims families have mentioned in interviews: Why choose one case over others? Should the priority be new cases? Easier cases? Those in the media spotlight? Are older cold cases worth pursuing, even if the people who committed them are likely dead? Yes, says Bill Thomas. His sister Cathy was among eight people who were killed in southeastern Virginia in the late 1980s in a series of slayings that came to be known as the Colonial Parkway murders. For me and for my family its never been about a prosecution, he said. Im not seeking closure. Its not like the sun will come out tomorrow. I dont care if he is dead. I want to know who he is. A Jane Doe, found shot to death on a trail in Nevada, finally has a name. A week before the Golden State Killer arrest, a tiny piece of a bloody shirt was headed to a lab. A month later, Press, the retired computer programmer, and Colleen Fitzpatrick, 64, a retired rocket scientist, uploaded the genetic file to GEDMatch. They were seeking relatives of an unidentified woman whose body was found on a hiking trail outside Reno, Nevada, in 1982. The pair had been using genetic genealogy to identify bodies for nearly a year through their organization DNA Doe Project. Several changes in 2017 and 2018 had led to a boom, Press said. DNA sequencing had gotten better and cheaper. More important, she said, the size of genealogical databases had grown rapidly. In fact, according to a recent study, the DNA of 90% of Americans of European descent soon will be identifiable using genetic genealogy. Americans with that background are overrepresented on sites like GEDmatch. Some believe this levels the playing field. African Americans are overrepresented in the FBIs Codis database. Now, so long as a persons ancestors have been in the United States for a few generations, Press and others estimated that a skilled genetic genealogist has at least a 60% chance of making an identification. In the case of the woman on the trail, Press said she was extremely lucky, spotting a first cousin once removed. Alas, one of the next key matches had been adopted, so they located the cousins biological parents. Within a few months, the woman on the trail had a name. It has not been announced, because investigators now are trying to figure out who killed her. A trial in a 1987 double-murder in the Pacific Northwest could be legally important. A case that could result in legal precedents involves William Earl Talbott II, 55, who is scheduled to go on trial on June 3 in Snohomish County Superior Court in Washington in a double killing committed nearly 32 years ago. He is accused of killing a Canadian couple, Jay Cook, 20, and Tanya Van Cuylenborg, 18, who last were seen alive on the ferry to Seattle from their home on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. Van Cuylenborg was found dead in a ditch in the woods in Skagit County in November 1987. Cooks body and van were found a week later. After tracing DNA evidence to second cousins on GEDmatch, Moore drew a connection to a couple who lived 7 miles from the crime scene. Their son,Talbott, was 23 at the time of the killings. The judge could decide to treat clues from genealogical sites the same way that evidence from Codis or Instagram is handled, said Blaine Bettinger, a genealogist and intellectual property lawyer who works with GEDmatch. Or the judge might find the technique to be a violation of Fourth Amendment protections against unlawful search and seizure. Leah Larkin, who runs a DNA analysis service called The DNAGeek, believes it is. I dont think that the cops should be able to look into any home they want without a warrant, she said. There is much more private information in my DNA than there is in my underwear drawer. The Sacramento district attorney, Anne Marie Schubert, who created a genetic genealogy unit after her departments success in the Golden State Killer case, rejects those concerns. We dont get our hands on peoples DNA in these genealogy databases, she said, just clues to how they are related to the suspect. At stake are thousands of criminal cases and perhaps the future of genetic privacy in general. It could end there, or it could keep on going to the Supreme Court, Bettinger said. I did not authorise payment for ... Bigfoot walks among us here in Texas. Or at least that's what researchers tracking the elusive beast would have us believe. Recently, Travel Channel published a list of the eight best places to catch a glimpse of Bigfoot using "never-before-released data" from the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO). It's been more than 10 years since the Pearls Farmers Market started provided area vendors a hip spot to hawk their best produce, meats and artisan foods. Locals celebrated the market's 10 year anniversary on Saturday with live music, delicious foods and demonstrations. Five servicemen were arrested in San Antonio Friday on warrants for aggravated sexual assault stemming from an incident out of Hays County last May, according to the Bexar County Sheriff's Office and the San Marcos Police Department. On Friday, deputies transported Mauricio Chaparro, 28, Kenneth Johnson, 20, Anthony Cooney, 21, Dominick Burns, 20, and Kyle Tuschman, 19, from Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland to the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, according to BCSO late Saturday. On May 17, 1954, 7-year-old Linda Brown became the successful plaintiff in perhaps the most significant civil rights ruling in Supreme Court history Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka. It was a decision that would desegregate schools. But instead of simply commemorating the 65th anniversary of Brown, we should measure our progress to an equal society today. And the progress is incomplete. There were actually two Brown cases. Brown II (1955) focused on the mechanisms for integration, including the phrase with all deliberate speed. This introduced the imperative of immediacy, but its vagueness and lack of timeline allowed states to resist integration for decades. Public opinion was against integration as well: Two years after Brown, only 49 percent of Americans supported integration 61 percent of Northerners and 15 percent of Southerners. The years that followed presented some of Americas most shameful moments, such as mobs attempting to intimidate black students into abandoning their right to attend an integrated school or college. Despite these disgraceful events, between 1954 and 1988 the percentage of black children attending majority-white schools in the South increased from 0 to 43 percent. If we were to celebrate the high point of integration, it would be 31 years ago, in 1988. Since then, two cases accelerated the decline of school integration. Board of Education of Oklahoma City v. Dowell (1991) and Parents Involved in Community Schools v. Seattle School District No. 1 (2007) weakened district desegregation plans by releasing districts from court orders and declaring some integration plans unconstitutional. Although residential segregation in American cities has been on the decline since 2000, most metro areas with populations of more than 1 million and more than 3 percent black populations have black-white segregation indices over 50, which is considered highly segregated. Without mechanisms to create racially diverse schools, neighborhood schools and districts by default tend to be racially segregated. A 2019 report found that more than half of American schoolchildren attended racially concentrated districts, where 75 percent of students are white or of color and also that nonwhite districts received $2,200 less per student. These data should make us ask, how committed are we to integrated schools? This is an open question that is very relevant today. Ten Trump judicial nominees have refused to endorse the Brown decision, something scholars consider a settled legal question. We know that integrated schools do not reduce achievement. Students in diverse schools benefit with greater empathy, less prejudice and a broader array of abilities for work in an increasingly diverse world. But two-thirds of black and Latino students are in schools where the majority of their classmates are low-income, isolating them from opportunities that wealthier peers can access. Additionally, inaccurate stereotypes about schools with low-income children of color quickly emerge, such as concerns about school safety and drug use. And there is no guarantee that federal policy at this time will reinforce efforts toward integration. Instead, the motivation to meet the promise of Brown will come from white, black and Latino parents alike. We need more parents to hear what writer and speaker Abby Norman says: White people get to be comfortable in most of American society. It took me until I was an adult to be somewhere white feelings were not centered. My kids already know what that is like. The grassroots organization Integrated Schools, with 15 chapters across the nation, offers the following advice: research and reflect, speak up, set foot, step in, step up (not on) and step out. The savior mentality isnt helpful or welcome. Sixty-five years after one of the most important civil rights cases of the past 100 years, we have an opportunity for critical reassessment of our progress toward an integrated, not simply desegregated, society. Instead of a surface analysis, we need to look closely at how we make housing choices, how we fund schools equitably and how we provide resources for low-income communities. May 17, 1954, marked a high mark for American morality, but to realize its potential, we must be committed to individual and collective action to meet the legacy of Brown v. Board of Education. Richard J. Reddick is an associate professor of educational leadership and policy, and an associate dean in the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin. He is co-editor of Legacies of Brown: Multiracial Equity in American Education . Box of Happies 3.5 overall rating 16 Ratings | 4 Reviews Updated 5/20: the Bella Kate Designs Headband description has been updated. Box of Happies is a monthly subscription box for handmade goods. Its a great way to discover new Etsy artisans. This box was sent to us at no cost for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes.) About Box of Happies The Box: Box of Happies The Cost: $29.99/month for a single upcoming month of your choice (when I played with the shopping cart I was also charged tax but I think thats because theyre in the same state I am) or $29.49 for a random box from a past month; save with longer subscriptions ACTIVE DEAL: Get a bonus handmade necklace in your first box! CODE: HAPPIES The Products: 3-5 handmade items such as jewelry, stationery, bath/body items, accessories, and more. Ships to: US for free Box of Happies April 2019 Review If you like jewelry thats generally delicate and handmade items from Etsy and similar artisans, Box of Happies delivers those things every month. The items are also usually packaged nicely for gifting if something isnt to your taste: Youll usually get a little card with basic information about the items as well as a Box of Happies business card. Bath Bomb (Bonus) Listed Value $5 Theres no manufacturer listed, although there *is* an ingredients list, which is wonderful. I havent had time to take an actual bath for a few months (its been showers-only for me) but I have some time off coming up and I cant wait to use this. It smells pretty good through the outer plastic. Bella Kate Designs Headband Retail Value $10 I am pretty sure weve received a headband quite like this in the past, but I think the fabric had a pattern. This is maybe not the best color to go with my hair or clothing, but it is working quite well to keep all my shorter bits of hair out of my face when I work out, so it is useful. (I like to have a lot of headbands so I dont have to wash them very often.) Broken Record Boutique Handmade Necklace Listed Value $10 This exact design is not available in the Broken Record Boutique Etsy shop, although there are many similar styles. This is pretty simple and would look nice with a plain t-shirt on the weekend or with a solid colored dress if you want to keep your accessory game simple on a given day. Box of Happies Keyring Listed Value $7.50 We can always use more of these around the house. We got these new locks on our doors you have to use a key to open and we have random spare keys around the house, but something like this to hang them on would make them much less likely to get lost. Box of Happies Earrings Listed Value $15 This is a jewelry-heavy subscription and the metal tones vary. Antiqued copper doesnt show up too often but it is one of my favorite looks, so these were fun to see. I dont know what the hooks are made of so I will be coating them with clear nail polish (or possibly replacing them with niobium, depending on my mood) before wearing. Document Holder (Bonus) Listed Value $10 This is actually really well-made. It doesnt close quite like a wallet, and its not a clutch exactly, but I can see it being useful for slipping in a travel bag if you dont want to take a huge purse or something because there are pockets for a few cards and a passport would fit inside the inner pocket. Project Lydia Bracelet Listed Value $5.50 Some similar styles are available on the Project Lydia site, but not this exact one. Project Lydia helps women in Uganda earn a little bit of extra money by producing handicrafts including paper bead jewelry like this bracelet, bags and baskets, and some bath/beauty items. This was an organization Id never heard of before; one of the fun parts of Box of Happies is learning about small and independent makers like this. Verdict: There were seven items in the April 2019 Box of Happies. I didnt calculate a total value because I had to rely on the information card for most of the values since very few of the items were available for purchase outside of receiving them in this box. The average cost per item is about $4.28, which seems like a pretty good deal. I would say the types of items received this month are representative of what you would receive in a typical month (i.e., a lot of jewelry, occasional bath/body items, etc.). Also, I loved learning about Project Lydia and that bracelet has me inspired to try to make some paper beads that are as nice as the ones on the bracelet. To Wrap Up: Can you still get this box if you subscribe today? No, your first box would probably be Mays. From Box of Happies: Your box will ship on the 25th of every month. Please order by the 20th to get the current box. For existing subscribers, we ship on the 25th of every month. ACTIVE DEAL: Get a bonus handmade necklace in your first box! CODE: HAPPIES Value Breakdown: This box costs $29.99 + free shipping, which means that each of the 7 items in the box has an average cost of $4.28. Check out our past Box of Happies reviews or find other artisan/handmade items in the artisan subscription box directory! Keep track of your subscriptions: Add this box to your subscription list or wishlist! What did you think of the April Box of Happies? Do you get any artisan or handmade subscriptions? Malawis vice president who is also UTM Party leader Saulos Chilima told the nation on Sunday that a Zimbabwean national Augustine Chihuri who is in the county is helping Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government to rig elections. Addressing the news conference at his residence in the capital Lilongwe, the UTM Leader disclosed that Chihuri, a former commissioner general in Zimbabwe, was allegedly hired by DPP government in order to train parallel police officers who will pose as legitimate officers and do heinous acts in a bit to you the tripartite elections in favor of DPP. Chilima has since ordered that Chihuri must leave Malawi at once. The Vice President said: We are saying that Chihuri must leave our country, dont mess our elections. He also said there are also plans to switch already marked ballot papers with the credible ones . Chilima was saying this in a press briefing at his area 12 house which started at 5:30 in the morning. He further said: We will soon be writing to Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to elaborate these anomalies so that they can fix them urgently. Malawi goes to polls on May 21 as official campaign closes today May 19, 2019 at 6am (CAT) MaraviPost Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News THE prices of coffins has gone up by more than 100 percent in recent months forcing dozens whose relatives are dying without funeral covers to turn to small entrepreneurs whose prices are still affordable and up for negotiation. The move comes as funeral parlours have also indicated that costs for a burial now range between RTGS$3 000 and RTGS$4 000 forcing them to adjust premiums to meet the costs. Small-scale coffin manufacturers said business has gone up in recent weeks as many people were opting for their services. We cannot compete with large funeral assurance companies as they provide exquisite coffins and advantageous packages but our aim will remain as to provide affordable coffins despite the continuous rise of transport and raw materials. We want to help people and that is why we sometimes have to negotiate prices but we charge coffins for as low as $150. We have had people bringing sample pictures or ideas of what they expect and we meet their needs by providing the best we can at an affordable price, said Mr Beaver Mpumelelo Dube, who operates at Mashumba in Bulawayos Mzilikazi suburb. Funeral parlours said they had to adjust prices as cost of business has gone up. Some are now demanding premiums in foreign currency. The cost of living on its own has become unaffordable with the salary people earn, it is hard to make ends meet. Factors of the service like fuel, coffin and groceries prices keep rising on a daily basis and opting for imports becomes costly. A standard coffin increased by 200 percent, from RTGS$100 it now costs RTGS$300. Products are easily obtained in foreign currency that is unattainable hence the idea of pegging our premiums in USD to ensure quality, affordable and effective services to our clients, said Genesis Funeral Parlour manager Miss Chipo Marara. Doves funeral company southern regional manager Mr Kudzai Nyika confirmed that the company has increased premiums by 100 percent to meet the costs. The cost of funeral package products sky-rocketed to more than 100 percent forcing the review of premiums. Flat top coffins that used to cost RTGS$450 are now RTGS$638 and some coffins are imported increasing costs, hence the hike. Funeral costs have increased from an average of RTGS$1 000 to about RTGS$4 000 making it hard for people to bury their loved ones in their desired ways. However, we have introduced the Doves cash funeral bundle that serves the peoples interests rather than letting corpses pile up in mortuaries. This is to ensure that the lower end of the market can afford to give their loved ones a decent send-off, he said. SundayNews Breaking News via Email Loading... Related Zimbabwe Latest News Listen to my full podcast for more details that youre never supposed to know: The Hammer, under the Obama administration, negated every Americans constitutional rights to privacy, turning the United States into a police state where the federal government was weaponized by the Obama administration against its political enemies. The Hammer is the Stasi-like secret surveillance system created by CIA/NSA/FBI contractor-turned-whistleblower Dennis L. Montgomery for Obamas intelligence chiefs, CIA Director John Brennan and Director of National Intelligence James Clapper. FBI Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterintelligence Division Peter Strzok and his supposed paramour, FBI lawyer Lisa Page, exchanged a cryptic, indeed coded, text message on Sunday, March 19, 2017, twenty-six minutes after retired U.S. Air Force Four Star General Thomas McInerney read our exclusive Whistleblower Tapes expose over Americas airwaves, revealing The Hammer. ( Natural News ) Now that the American people are fully aware the FBI is a corrupt, treasonous criminal cabal, its important to revisit the events of 9/11: About the author: Mike Adams (aka the Health Ranger) is a best selling author (#1 best selling science book on Amazon.com called Food Forensics), an environmental scientist, a patent holder for a cesium radioactive isotope elimination invention, a multiple award winner for outstanding journalism, a science news publisher and influential commentator on topics ranging from science and medicine to culture and politics. Follow his videos, podcasts, websites and science projects at the links below. Mike Adams serves as the founding editor of NaturalNews.com and the lab science director of an internationally accredited (ISO 17025) analytical laboratory known as CWC Labs. There, he was awarded a Certificate of Excellence for achieving extremely high accuracy in the analysis of toxic elements in unknown water samples using ICP-MS instrumentation. Adams is also highly proficient in running liquid chromatography, ion chromatography and mass spectrometry time-of-flight analytical instrumentation. He has also achieved numerous laboratory breakthroughs in the programming of automated liquid handling robots for sample preparation and external standards prep. The U.S. patent office has awarded Mike Adams patent NO. US 9526751 B2 for the invention of Cesium Eliminator, a lifesaving invention that removes up to 95% of radioactive cesium from the human digestive tract. Adams has pledged to donate full patent licensing rights to any state or national government that needs to manufacture the product to save human lives in the aftermath of a nuclear accident, disaster, act of war or act of terrorism. He has also stockpiled 10,000 kg of raw material to manufacture Cesium Eliminator in a Texas warehouse, and plans to donate the finished product to help save lives in Texas when the next nuclear event occurs. No independent scientist in the world has done more research on the removal of radioactive elements from the human digestive tract. Adams is a person of color whose ancestors include Africans and American Indians. He is of Native American heritage, which he credits as inspiring his Health Ranger passion for protecting life and nature against the destruction caused by chemicals, heavy metals and other forms of pollution. Adams is the author of the worlds first book that published ICP-MS heavy metals analysis results for foods, dietary supplements, pet food, spices and fast food. The book is entitled Food Forensics and is published by BenBella Books. In his laboratory research, Adams has made numerous food safety breakthroughs such as revealing rice protein products imported from Asia to be contaminated with toxic heavy metals like lead, cadmium and tungsten. Adams was the first food science researcher to document high levels of tungsten in superfoods. He also discovered over 11 ppm lead in imported mangosteen powder, and led an industry-wide voluntary agreement to limit heavy metals in rice protein products. In addition to his lab work, Adams is also the (non-paid) executive director of the non-profit Consumer Wellness Center (CWC), an organization that redirects 100% of its donations receipts to grant programs that teach children and women how to grow their own food or vastly improve their nutrition. Through the non-profit CWC, Adams also launched Nutrition Rescue, a program that donates essential vitamins to people in need. Click here to see some of the CWC success stories. With a background in science and software technology, Adams is the original founder of the email newsletter technology company known as Arial Software. Using his technical experience combined with his love for natural health, Adams developed and deployed the content management system currently driving NaturalNews.com. He also engineered the high-level statistical algorithms that power SCIENCE.naturalnews.com, a massive research resource featuring over 10 million scientific studies. Adams is well known for his incredibly popular consumer activism video blowing the lid on fake blueberries used throughout the food supply. He has also exposed strange fibers found in Chicken McNuggets, fake academic credentials of so-called health gurus, dangerous detox products imported as battery acid and sold for oral consumption, fake acai berry scams, the California raw milk raids, the vaccine research fraud revealed by industry whistleblowers and many other topics. Adams has also helped defend the rights of home gardeners and protect the medical freedom rights of parents. Adams is widely recognized to have made a remarkable global impact on issues like GMOs, vaccines, nutrition therapies, human consciousness. In addition to his activism, Adams is an accomplished musician who has released over fifteen popular songs covering a variety of activism topics. Click here to read a more detailed bio on Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, at HealthRanger.com. Find more science, news, commentary and inventions from the Health Ranger at: Brighteon.com: Brighteon.com/channel/hrreport Diaspora: (uncensored social network) Share.NaturalNews.com GAB: GAB.com/healthranger Podcasts: HealthRangerReport.com Online store: HealthRangerStore.com #1 Bestselling Science Book Food Forensics: FoodForensics.com iTunes: itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-health-ranger-report/id1063165791 SoundCloud: Soundcloud.com/healthranger Health Rangers science lab CWClabs.com Health Ranger bio HealthRanger.com TruthWiki.org Search engine: Webseed.com Mexico's foreign affairs secretary has instructed the country's consulates throughout the world to allow all citizens, regardless of gender, to marry in their offices. Foreign Secretary Marcelo Ebrard says that a democratic country can't be built by excluding part of society. More than a dozen Mexican states and the capital allow same-sex marriage and courts have allowed it in individual cases in other states when petitioned. The Foreign Affairs Ministry said the change was announced in anticipation of Friday's International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia. The move comes a day before Taiwan, in a first for Asia, voted Friday to legalize same-sex marriage. Hours before students in cap and gowns were set to walk across the stage, Cal State East Bay cancelled its graduation ceremony over the unseasonable rain and thunderstorm hitting the area on Saturday, which upset many graduates who paid money to participate in the ceremony. Cal State East Bay class of 2019 graduates and their families were supposed to gather at 6 p.m. in Concord to celebrate the milestone but they received an update from the school around 1 p.m. informing them that the graduation ceremony had been cancelled and it will not be rescheduled. "The university regrets this cancelation, but the weather conditions have created an unsafe environment for graduates and guests," the school said on its website. Ricardo Perez, 28, of Antioch who studied health and science at the university said he had paid around $250 to participate in the ceremony. "We had taken the day off and got ready. [Perez] called and he was so upset. He had been there for three years, worked his butt off and paid them a ton of money to get his degree," said Brandy Stewart, the mother of Perez's girlfriend. Cal State East Bays May 18 Concord commencement ceremony is canceled due to inclement weather. Visit https://t.co/I0RhQmH6mt for more information. #csuebgrad pic.twitter.com/56mMCGOIQE Cal State East Bay (@CalStateEastBay) May 18, 2019 Cal State East Bay has another ceremony set for Sunday for graduates of the College of Business & Economics and the College of Education & Allied Studies. It is expected to continue "unless weather conditions present safety issues," the school said. The school told students in an email that they are invited to join the Sunday ceremony, but "However, we are continuing to watch weather for this ceremony too, for the safety of guests and graduates." One student, Cheri Conet, told NBC Bay Area that she is organizing a mock commencement ceremony at the Oakley Pavilion near city hall on Main Street at 5 p.m. UC Berkeley also held its commencement ceremony on the same day, but the event continued on with around 6,000 students holding umbrellas and wearing rain ponchos. Graduating seniors and families pulled out the umbrellas and ponchos as rain fell during the UC Berkeley Commencement. @nbcbayarea pic.twitter.com/hol3sIjOv1 Christie Smith (@christies_nbc) May 18, 2019 Bay Area can expect widespread light to moderate rain through the weekend with isolated thundstorms, said NBC Bay Area meteorologist Rob Mayeda. The rain may get more intense on Sunday with potential hail or convective windgusts. Other outdoor events in the area like Bay to Breakers and San Jose's VivaCalle will be affected. Download our NBC Bay Area app for the latest forecast videos, hour by hour forecast and alerts on when weather moves into the Bay Area. Police in central California say an anonymous tip has led them to identify and arrest a man wanted on suspicion of killing a homeless woman. Modesto police said officers pulled over 37-year-old Joseph Chapman Friday night and took him into custody. He was booked into jail for investigation of murder. Detectives released surveillance video earlier this week of a shirtless man with tattoos on his chest and arms and described him as a person-of-interest in the death of 47-year-old Christina Hill. The footage was taken at a liquor store Monday afternoon, an hour after Hill's body was found in the driveway of a downtown business. The cause of Hill's death was not released. Police said investigators were still examining and processing medical evidence in the case. Former President Jimmy Carter canceled plans to teach Sunday school just days after undergoing surgery for a broken hip. "Though he is progressing well, he underestimated the amount of time he would need to recover from his recent hip replacement," Carter spokeswoman Deanna Congileo said in a statement Saturday evening. Carter, 94, broke his hip Monday as he was leaving to go turkey hunting. Congileo said Carter apologized for any inconvenience to those who traveled to hear his lesson at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. Congileo said Carter's niece, Kim Fuller, will teach the lesson in his stead and, he says, "No one will be disappointed." A devout Christian, Carter regularly teaches Sunday school in Plains, drawing hundreds of visitors for each session. He and his wife Rosalynn pose for pictures with each attendee. Carter became the longest-lived president in U.S. history in March when his age surpassed that of former President George H.W. Bush, who died Nov. 30 at the age of 94 years, 171 days. Nearly four years have passed since Carter revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer. Carter said in August 2015 he had melanoma that had spread to his liver and brain. He received treatment for seven months until scans showed no sign of the disease. The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office said it "appears" the federal U.S. Border Patrol agency has "backed off" from a plan to send 1,000 undocumented migrants to South Florida. "It appears that Border Patrol has backed off its initial plans to transport 1,000 illegal immigrants to South Florida," PBSO Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said in an audio message posted on Twitter. "Because of everybody's efforts, we were able to stop what will appear to be a crisis for our community." Bradshaw initially said he was notified of plans by U.S. Border Patrol's Miami office that it would transport 1,000 migrants each month from the El Paso, Texas, area to South Florida's counties of Broward and Palm Beach. The migrant families would have been processed, given a notice to appear in court and released into the community, Bradshaw said. The federal government has run out of space to process the thousands of immigrants who have been arriving at the border, forcing them to fly migrants to Border Patrol facilities in other locations that have room. The migrants are typically processed, released and given a court date in a city where they plan to reside, often with family members. Once the immigrants are released, nonprofit organizations in other cities have been stepping in to provide meals and bus tickets to their destinations. Bradshaw thanked elected and governmental officials for their efforts to plan for the influx that he suggested appears to have been canceled. On Friday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state "cannot accommodate" the influx of immigrants. "We cannot accommodate in Florida just dumping unlawful migrants into our state. I think it will tax our resources, the schools, the health care, law enforcement, state agencies," DeSantis said. President Donald Trump has threatened to relocate migrants into so-called sanctuary cities places where law enforcement does not honor federal requests to hold arrested people who are in the country illegally until they can be picked up by Immigrations and Customs Enforcement. Less than 24 hours before she takes the oath of office, Chicagos Mayor-elect Lori Lightfoot has been busy welcoming friends, family, and well-wishers ahead of her big day. Lightfoot, who won Aprils run-off election to become the next mayor of the city, will be joined at Wintrust Arena on Monday by her family, including her mother Ann Lightfoot. Those family members began arriving in town Sunday, and attended a church service at Resurrected Life Church on the citys Northwest Side. The church was, appropriately, celebrating its Womens Ministry Day, and one of the guests of honor was the first African-American woman to ever win the office of mayor in Chicago. I need your prayers. We are going to move forward and transform this city and I appreciate the faith that youve given me, she said. In addition to family, plenty of other well-wishers have arrived in Chicago for Lightfoots inauguration. Students from her hometown of Massillon, Ohio will also be on hand when she takes her oath. If she can become something that big (and important), we can too, student Lauren Turner said. Turner is one of numerous students from the school that are taking a journalism class, and they will be guests at Lightfoots inauguration at Wintrust Arena. Aside from the pomp and circumstance, there is plenty of business that Lightfoot is hoping to get done as she takes office. She has already announced a significant overhaul of leadership positions on the Chicago City Council, including the appointment of Alderman Scott Waguespack to lead the Finance Committee. In addition, Lightfoot plans to sign an executive order abolishing the practice of aldermanic privilege, which allows aldermen to halt projects that impact their respective wards. Change is difficult, and I understand that, she said earlier this week. But I ran on change. People voted for change, and Im going to deliver change. The order will fulfil a campaign promise, but could also set Lightfoot up for her very first battle with the City Council. Some aldermen have indicated that they do not want aldermanic privilege to be abolished, and if 35 of the 50 City Council members vote to block the measure, then it will not take effect. Even with that battle looming, Lightfoot is focused on her big day, and the memories that will be created as she takes over the citys highest-ranking office. I absolutely feel ready. Im anxious to start, she said. The Chicago Department of Public Health confirmed a case of measles in Chicago Saturday, which officials say they identified on Friday. According to the department, exposures may have occurred on May 16 on public transportation from OHare International Airport to University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) campus, and the Chicago Loop, in Millennium Park and in retail establishments on State Street between Monroe and Randolph Streets and on South Canal Street. In addition, the statement released said further exposures may have occurred at UIC Student Center East on Friday morning. The school issued a statement Sunday, saying that while there is "no ongoing risk to individuals on campus," they are still working with the CDPH in the aftermath of the exposure. Officials identified three areas on campus where students or staff may have been exposed: Maria Robinson Hall between 10 a.m. on May 16 and 10 a.m. on May 17 UIC Shuttle Bus from Maria Robinson Hall to Student Center East between 7:45 a.m. and 10 a.m. May 17 Student Center East between 8 a.m. and 12 p.m. May 17 CDPH says health officials are working closely with the highest-risk areas to contact individuals who may have been exposed. "Measles is a serious yet preventable disease through a safe, effective and universally available vaccine said CDPH Commissioner Julie Morita, M.D. Chicagoans should make sure their children and family members are up to date on vaccines now. Vaccination is the best way to protect against measles. Authorities suggest checking immunization records or contacting their healthcare providers to determine if they need to be immunized. Symptoms of measles generally appear seven to 14 days after a person is infected. The disease typically begins with a high fever, cough, runny nose, and red, watery eyes. Three to five days after symptoms emerge, a rash generally breaks out, beginning on the face and spreading downward to the neck, trunk, arms, legs, and feet. The disease can be transmitted up to four days before a rash breaks out and for up to four days afterward, according to health officials. For more information, residents can visit the Department of Public Health website, or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. A Colorado man who survived the 1999 Columbine school shooting and later became an advocate for fighting addiction has died. Routt County Coroner Robert Ryg said Saturday that 37-year-old Austin Eubanks died overnight at his Steamboat Springs home. There were no signs of foul play. A Monday autopsy was planned to determine the cause of death. Eubanks was shot in the hand and knee in the Columbine attack that killed 12 classmates and a teacher, including Eubanks' best friend. He became addicted to drugs after taking prescription pain medication while recovering from his injuries. He later worked at an addiction treatment center and travelled the U.S. telling his story . Eubanks' family says in a statement that he "lost the battle with the very disease he fought so hard to help others face," KMGH-TV reports. The family added: "We thank the recovery community for its support. As you can imagine, we are beyond shocked and saddened and request that our privacy is respected at this time." Saudi Arabia does not want war but will not hesitate to defend itself against Iran, a top Saudi diplomat said Sunday after the kingdom's energy sector was targeted this past week amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. U.S. President Donald Trump, meanwhile, warned Iran that it will face destruction if it seeks a fight, while Iranian officials said their country isn't looking for war. Trump spoke after a rocket hit near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, spoke a week after four oil tankers two of them Saudi were targeted in an alleged act of sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and days after Iran-allied Yemeni rebels claimed a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want war in the region and does not strive for that... but at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this with all force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens and its interests," al-Jubeir told reporters. On Sunday night, the U.S. military command that oversees the Mideast confirmed an explosion outside the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad and said there were no U.S. or coalition casualties. A State Department spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that "a low-grade rocket did land within the International Zone near the U.S. Embassy." The spokesman said that "attacks on U.S. personnel and facilities will not be tolerated and will be responded to in a decisive manner" and added that the U.S. will hold "Iran responsible if any such attacks are conducted by its proxy militia forces or elements of such forces." Earlier, after initial reports of the attack, Trump tweeted a warning to Iranian leaders: "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!" Trump tweeted. A senior Iranian military commander was quoted as saying his country is not looking for war, in comments published in Iranian media on Sunday. Fears of armed conflict were already running high after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region earlier this month to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. The U.S. also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. Trump had appeared to soften his tone in recent days, saying he expected Iran to seek negotiations with his administration. Asked on Thursday if the U.S. might be on a path to war with Iran, the president answered, "I hope not." Sunday night's apparent rocket attack was the first such incident since September, when three mortar shells landed in an abandoned lot inside the Green Zone. Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul told The Associated Press that a Katyusha rocket fell near the statue of the Unknown Soldier, less than a mile from the U.S. Embassy. He said that the military was investigating the cause but that the rocket was believed to have been fired from east Baghdad. The area is home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Iran, there have been concerns that Baghdad could once again get caught in the middle , just as it is on the path to recovery. The country hosts more than 5,000 U.S. troops, and is home to powerful Iranian-backed militias, some of whom want those U.S. forces to leave. The U.S. Navy said Sunday it had conducted exercises in the Arabian Sea with the aircraft carrier strike group ordered to the region to counter the unspecified threat from Iran. The Navy said the exercises and training were conducted Friday and Saturday with the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group in coordination with the U.S. Marine Corps, highlighting U.S. "lethality and agility to respond to threat," as well as to deter conflict and preserve U.S. strategic interests. The current tensions are rooted in Trump's decision last year to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers and impose wide-reaching sanctions, including on Iranian oil exports that are crucial to its economy. Iran has said it would resume enriching uranium at higher levels if a new nuclear deal is not reached by July 7. That would potentially bring it closer to being able to develop a nuclear weapon, something Iran insists it has never sought. Energy ministers from OPEC and its allies, including major producers Saudi Arabia and Russia, are meeting in Saudi Arabia on Sunday to discuss energy prices and production cuts. Iran's oil exports are expected to shrink further in the coming months after the U.S. stopped renewing waivers that allowed it to continue selling to some countries. OPEC and non-OPEC oil producers have production cuts in place, but the group of exporters is not expected to make its decision on output until late June, when they meet again in Vienna. The United Arab Emirates' energy minister Suhail al-Mazrouei told reporters at the meeting he does not think relaxing the oil production cuts in place is the right measure. His comments suggest there's support within OPEC and other oil-producing nations, like Russia, to continue propping up oil prices after a sharp fall last year. Oil is now trading above $70 a barrel and closer to what's needed to balance state budgets among Persian Gulf producers. Saudi Arabia's King Salman, meanwhile, has called for a meeting of Arab heads of state on May 30 in Mecca to discuss the latest developments, including the oil pipeline attack. The kingdom has blamed the pipeline attack on Iran, accusing Tehran of arming the rebel Houthis, which a Saudi-led coalition has been at war with in Yemen since 2015. Iran denies arming or training the rebels, who control much of northern Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. "We want peace and stability in the region, but we won't stand with our hands bound as the Iranians continuously attack. Iran has to understand that," al-Jubeir said. "The ball is in Iran's court." Al-Jubeir also noted that an investigation, led by the UAE, into the tanker incident is underway. The state-run Saudi news agency reported Sunday that U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss regional developments. There was no immediate statement by the State Department about the call. An English-language Saudi newspaper close to the palace recently published an editorial calling for surgical U.S. airstrikes in retaliation for Iran's alleged involvement in targeting Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure. The head of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, Gen. Hossein Salami, was quoted Sunday as saying Iran is not looking for war. But he said the U.S. is going to fail in the near future "because they are frustrated and hopeless" and are looking for a way out of the current escalation. His comments, given to other Guard commanders, were carried by Iran's semi-official Fars news agency. The USS Abraham Lincoln has yet to reach the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a third of all oil traded at sea passes. Associated Press writers Amir Vahdat, Qassim Abdul-Zahra and Bassem Mroue contributed to this report. Its been three days since the United States suspended all flights to Venezuela. The ground stop has left five Venezuelan passengers basically living at Miami International Airport after the U.S. government suspended flights earlier this week. So far, they have no way out. Carmen Suarez says the situation is outrageous. Suarez, along with Maria Paz, could not get on their flights to Venezuela after the U.S. government suspended all commercial and cargo flights between the countries as of Wednesday, citing safety concerns due to the political unrest. The women said they have had to sleep on cots alongside homeless people at the airports auditorium while they wait for a solution. The women told NBC 6 they dont have a place to shower. Their only hope is that the airlines they were originally supposed to fly on, Avior Airlines, reimburse their money or give them a credit to fly back home through a third-world country on another airline. NBC 6 attempted to contact Avior Airlines and did not receive a response. We need them to give us an answer, said Paz. They need to put themselves in our shoes and they need to be more humane. They really need to understand the situation we are living in, said Suarez. The women claim Avior Airlines has given them no answers and have not provided any support. As multiple states pass laws banning many abortions, questions have surfaced about what exactly that means for women who might seek an abortion. The short answer: nothing yet. Governors in Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia have recently approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can happen in the sixth week of pregnancy, before many women know they're pregnant, and Alabama's governor signed a measure making the procedure a felony in nearly all cases. Missouri lawmakers passed an eight-week ban Friday. Other states, including Louisiana, are considering similarly restrictive laws. None of the laws has actually taken effect, and all will almost definitely be blocked while legal challenges play out. The U.S. Supreme Court's landmark decision in Roe v. Wade said a woman has the right to choose whether to have an abortion. Supporters of the the new laws acknowledge that they will initially be blocked, but they welcome the challenges. They've made it clear that their ultimate goal is to get the nation's highest court to reconsider its 1973 ruling now that the balance seems tipped in their favor. CAN WOMEN STILL GET ABORTIONS IN STATES WHERE THESE LAWS HAVE PASSED? Yes. Abortion remains legal nationwide. Abortion providers say that with all the coverage of the new laws, they've been getting calls from patients and potential patients who are confused about whether the procedure is still available. Although abortion is still legal everywhere, lawmakers in some states have passed less-restrictive measures that make accessing the procedure more difficult. That has resulted in six states having only a single abortion provider, while others have only two or three, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights research group. WHO'S CHALLENGING THESE LAWS AND WHERE DO THOSE CHALLENGES STAND? Opponents of the laws are filing lawsuits and fully expect the measures won't be allowed to take effect while the court challenges are pending. A court blocked Kentucky's law from taking effect after the American Civil Liberties Union sued, and that case is ongoing. The ACLU and Planned Parenthood on Wednesday challenged Ohio's law, and they expect a court to keep it from entering effect as scheduled in July. Mississippi's law also is set to take effect in July, but it has been challenged by the Center for Reproductive Rights. Alabama's law would become enforceable in six months and Georgia's would take effect Jan. 1, but the ACLU plans to challenge both of those laws. WHY IS ALABAMA'S LAW GETTING SO MUCH ATTENTION? Alabama's law goes farther than the others. It makes abortion a felony in nearly all cases and includes no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. The only exception is when the pregnant woman's health is at serious risk. Republican state Rep. Terri Collins, who sponsored the bill, said adding any exceptions could harm the goal of creating a legal case that embryos and fetuses are people with rights of personhood. Another GOP lawmaker, Rep. Clyde Chambliss, said the bill was not about privacy, which is the legal foundation for Roe, but rather "the right of an unborn child to live." HOW DOES GEORGIA'S LAW CONFERRING PERSONHOOD ON A FETUS WORK? The law says, "It shall be the policy of the State of Georgia to recognize unborn children as natural persons." That caused some speculation that the law would allow women to be charged with murder if they get an abortion. Although a prosecutor could interpret the law that way, University of Georgia law professor emeritus Ron Carlson said he believes a woman "cannot be successfully prosecuted" under the law, which seems primarily to target abortion providers. Elizabeth Nash with the Guttmacher Institute said some states have tried to enact fetal personhood measures by ballot initiatives in the past, but those have failed. That's partly because it could have such broad implications, including access to fertility treatments, inheritance rights and taxation, she said. "There are a lot of consequences that we don't know yet," she said. Trade talks between the U.S. and China broke up Friday with no agreement, hours after President Donald Trump more than doubled tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese imports. Trump asserted on Twitter that there was "no need to rush" to get a deal between the world's two biggest economies and later added that the tariffs "may or may not be removed depending on what happens with respect to future negotiations." A White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, confirmed that the talks had concluded for the day but could not say when they would resume. Hours earlier, the Trump administration hiked tariffs on $200 billion worth of Chinese imports to 25% from 10%, escalating tensions between Beijing and Washington. China's Commerce Ministry vowed to impose "necessary countermeasures" but gave no details. The tariff increase went ahead even after American and Chinese negotiators briefly met in Washington on Thursday and again on Friday, seeking to end a dispute that has disrupted billions of dollars in trade and shaken global financial markets. After a short session on Friday, the lead Chinese negotiator, Vice Premier Liu He, left the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative about midday. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin shook hands with Liu as he left. In the afternoon, a motorcade of sport-utility vehicles and a police escort, both with lights flashing, carried the Chinese delegation away from their lodgings at the Willard InterContinental Hotel . Hu Xijin, editor-in-chief of the Chinese newspaper Global Times, citing "an authoritative source," tweeted that "talks didn't break down. Both sides think that the talks are constructive and will continue consultations. The two sides agree to meet again in Beijing in the future." In an interview with reporters later in the day, Vice Premier Liu He said: "We will make no concessions on matters of principle." The Trump administration escalated the confrontation again after the Chinese delegation left town. Lighthizer announced Friday evening that he was preparing to impose tariffs on the $300 billion in Chinese imports that haven't already been targeted. The government will have to get public comment before it can target more Chinese goods. On Wall Street, stocks fell initially Friday but turned positive on optimism over future talks. Earlier, Trump asserted in a tweet that his tariffs "will bring in FAR MORE wealth to our Country than even a phenomenal deal of the traditional kind. Also, much easier & quicker to do." In fact, tariffs are taxes paid by U.S. importers and often passed along to consumers and companies that rely on imported components. American officials accuse Beijing of backtracking on commitments made in earlier rounds of negotiations. "China deeply regrets that it will have to take necessary countermeasures," a Commerce Ministry statement said. U.S. business groups appealed for a settlement that will resolve chronic complaints about Chinese market barriers, subsidies to state companies and a regulatory system they say is rigged against foreign companies. The latest increase extends 25% duties to a total of $250 billion of Chinese imports, including $50 billion worth that were already being taxed at 25%. Trump has said he is planning to expand penalties to all Chinese goods shipped to the United States. Beijing retaliated for previous tariff hikes by raising duties on $110 billion of American imports. But regulators are running out of U.S. goods for penalties due to the lopsided trade balance. Ford spokeswoman Rachel McCleery said the carmaker is most concerned about any retaliatory tariffs China might impose. The Dearborn, Michigan-based company says 80% of the vehicles it assembles in the U.S. are sold domestically, but it does export some vehicles to China. "While most of the vehicles we sell in China are built in China, Ford does export a number of vehicles to China from the U.S.," McCleery said. "Our biggest concerns are impacts retaliatory tariffs would have on our exports and our expanding customer base in China." Chinese officials have targeted operations of American companies in China by slowing customs clearance for them and stepping up regulatory scrutiny that can hamper operations. The latest U.S. increase might hit American consumers harder, said Jake Parker, vice president of the U.S.-China Business Council, an industry group. He said the earlier 10% increase was absorbed by companies and offset by a weakening of the Chinese currency's exchange rate. A 25% hike "needs to be passed on to the consumer," Parker said. "It is just too big to dilute with those other factors." Despite the public acrimony, local Chinese officials who want to attract American investment have tried to reassure companies there is "minimal retaliation," he said. "We've actually seen an increased sensitivity to U.S. companies at the local level," he added. The higher U.S. import taxes don't apply to Chinese goods shipped before Friday. Shipments take about three weeks to cross the Pacific Ocean by sea, giving negotiators more time to reach a settlement before importers may have to pay the increased charges. Liu, speaking to Chinese state TV upon his arrival Thursday in Washington, said he "came with sincerity." He appealed to Washington to avoid more tariff hikes, saying they are "not a solution" and would harm the world. "We should not hurt innocent people," Liu told CCTV. Also Thursday, Trump said he received "a beautiful letter" from Chinese President Xi Jinping and would "probably speak to him by phone." The two countries are sparring over U.S. allegations Beijing steals technology and pressures companies to hand over trade secrets in a campaign to turn Chinese companies into world leaders in robotics, electric cars and other advanced industries. This week's setback was unexpected. Through late last week, Trump administration officials were suggesting that negotiators were making steady progress. U.S. officials say they got an inkling of China's second thoughts about prior commitments in talks last week in Beijing but the backsliding became more apparent in exchanges over the weekend. They wouldn't identify the specific issues involved. A sticking point is U.S. insistence on an enforcement mechanism with penalties to ensure Beijing lives up to its commitments. American officials say China has repeatedly broken past promises. China wants tariffs lifted as soon as an agreement is reached, while U.S. officials want to keep them as leverage to ensure compliance. "A real enforcement mechanism is critical," the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai said in a statement. A fare war between Uber and Lyft has led to billions of dollars in losses for both ride-hailing companies as they fight for passengers and drivers. But in one way it has been good for investors who snatched up the newly public companies' stock: The losses have scared off the competition, giving the leaders a duopoly in almost every American city. The two San Francisco companies have already lost a combined $13 billion. And with no clear road to profits ahead, no one else has much of an incentive to mount a challenge using the same model relying on people driving their own cars to pick up passengers that summon them on a smartphone app, said Susan Shaheen, co-director of the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Even if another rival dared enter the market, it would likely be difficult to raise enough money to pose a viable threat after Uber and Lyft spent the past decade pulling in billions of dollars from venture capitalists. And in the past six weeks, they raised an additional $10.4 billion in their recently completed initial public offerings of stock. "There's only a duopoly because both companies have enough capital to compete with each other and no one else does," said Gartner analyst Michael Ramsey. It's likely to remain that way until any of dozens of companies trying to create self-driving cars refines their technology so they can launch a network of robotic taxis that removes human drivers from the equation. That breakthrough could enable them to slash their fares below the prices currently being charged by Uber and Lyft. Google spin-off Waymo has made no secret of its intention to muscle its way into the ride-hailing market with a fleet of self-driving cars built on technology that it has been working on for the past decade. Waymo launched a ride-hailing service with robotic vans in the Phoenix area five months ago, but only 1,000 people are currently allowed to use it. Besides being on the leading edge of bringing robotic vehicles to market, Waymo also is backed by more money than Uber and Lyft have combined. Waymo is owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc., which is sitting on $113 billion in cash. In its IPO document, Uber listed Waymo as a potential threat along with Tesla, General Motors' Cruise Automation and Apple. Lyft also cited Waymo and Apple among the companies that could undercut its position as the second largest ride-hailing service. But most experts believe it will still be many more years before self-driving car technology reaches the point that it can support a large fleet of robotaxis. Until then, the U.S. duopoly is likely to continue, giving Uber and Lyft the luxury of focusing on growth rather than turning a profit, analysts said. That means ride-hailing fares in the U.S. are likely to remain below the actual cost of providing the service, a boon for consumers. "These subsidies will continue as long as each company believes they will be gaining new customers by having a lower price," says Alejandro Ortiz, principal analyst at SharesPost. "The story now is growth, but growth is expensive." Eventually, though, investor pressure will mount on the companies to make money, and doing that almost certainly will require higher prices for their rides. On the floor of the New York Stock Exchange Friday, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi hinted that it will be three to five years before the company pivots to a focus on profit. That timetable hasn't been well received on Wall Street so far. Lyft's stock has fallen 29% below its IPO price of six weeks ago, and Uber flopped in its stock market debut Friday as its shares slipped by almost 8% percent. Markets with only one or two dominant players often create situations for companies to abuse their power or attempt to stifle competition. Regulators and legislators around the world argue that's already happened in many corners of technology, with Facebook having a seemingly impenetrable stronghold in social networking, Google dominating search and Amazon controlling a wide swath of online shopping. That has stirred calls to break up some of the companies, especially Facebook, whose own co-founder, Chris Hughes, recently argued his former company has become too powerful for society's good. For now, Uber and Lyft have been drawing upon all the money that they have raised from investors to keep prices relatively low, creating a barrier for smaller-scale competitors without the capital to sustain massive losses. Take Austin, Texas, for instance. In 2016, Uber and Lyft pulled out of the city after voters approved regulations on ride-hailing companies, including fingerprint background checks for drivers. Four competitors stepped in to give rides in tech-savvy Austin, including two local companies. But the following year, Texas legislators passed a looser state law that superseded Austin's, and Uber and Lyft came back. Shortly after their return, three of the competitors, Boston-based Fasten, locally owned GetMe and Phoenix-based Fare stopped operations, and the remaining one, nonprofit RideAustin, lost thousands of its riders. "It was a matter of a couple months and those three companies were gone," said Chris Simek, an associate research scientist with the Texas A&M University Transportation Institute, who co-authored a study of Uber and Lyft's impact on ride-hailing in Austin. Uber hasn't been as successful thwarting competition outside the U.S. It has waved a white flag during the past three years in Russia , China and parts of Southeast Asia by selling its services in those parts of the world to stronger rivals. Lyft hasn't expanded outside North America yet, so it faces few other competitors besides Uber in the U.S. Via has managed to carve out a niche by running a pooled ride system in New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, and it contracts to provide transit in about 70 cities worldwide. It competes most directly in New York, where Uber and Lyft also offer pooled services that transport multiple riders. Via specializes in carrying up to six passengers at a time, largely in vans, and is growing because it can do a more efficient job carrying more people, said spokeswoman Gabrielle McCaig. Still, the company is losing money as it invests in growing the business, she said. And so it remains, at least for now, that Uber and Lyft will occupy the ride-hailing industry's driver's seat. "It is hard to see a third or fourth player coming in at this point," said D.A. Davidson analyst Tom White. "I think we are looking at a duopoly in North America." Connecticut lawmakers are collecting clothing donations for veterans looking to join the workforce. Democratic state Rep. Dorinda Borer of West Haven and Sen. James Maroney of Milford, the co-chairs of the General Assembly's Veteran Affairs Committee, have joined forces with other state lawmakers, the nonprofit Save-A-Suit organization and the Max Cares Foundation to hold the 4th annual Save-A-Suit Drive at the state Capitol in Hartford. The May 30 event will be held from 9 a.m. to around 5 p.m. Donations of gently used, dry-cleaned or new clothing will be accepted outside the state Capitol building, weather permitting. Organizers say they're looking for men's suits, blazers, pants, shirts, ties, sweaters, coats, belts, shoes and accessories. For women, they're seeking suits, tops, pants, dresses, skirts, bags, shoes and scarves. To help make sure you stay informed on the most shared and talked about stories, each Saturday and Sunday we'll revisit 5 stories from the previous week, including the most recent updates. Dog Attack A Stratford police officer shot and killed a dog that was attacking a girl on Everett Street Tuesday afternoon. The 8-year-old girl was walking the dog with her cousin, when it attacked her. The family had only gotten the dog a few days earlier. The girl was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. See more on the attack here. A Stratford police officer shot and killed a dog that was attacking a girl on Everett Street Tuesday afternoon. CT Prosecutor Appointed Attorney General William Barr tapped John Durham, the U.S. attorney in Connecticut, to oversee the probe into the origins of the Russia investigation. The investigation is examining intelligence and surveillance used during the Russia investigation that shadowed Donald Trump's presidency for nearly two years. For more on Durham, click here. Horrific Crime Security video recorded a woman shoving a 74-year-old man with a walker off a public transit bus in Las Vegas after he asked her to be nice to other passengers, and she's facing a murder charge after the man died, according to court documents. The woman was accused of shoving Fournier out the door "with enough force that he never touched any of the steps" before hitting his head about 8 feet (2.4 meters) from the bus. See more on what led to the incident on the bus here. Up in Smoke? Connecticut may be running out of time to become the latest state to legalize and regulate the recreational use of marijuana. Multiple legislative sources told NBC Connecticut the votes are not there to pass cannabis legislation in either the House or the Senate. Leaders in both chambers acknowledged the possibility of a special session to address the issue. Click here for more on the possible stall of pot legislation in the General Assembly. Legislative sources tell NBC Connecticut that a vote on legalizing marijuana in Connecticut may not happen during the regular session and may get pushed to a special session. Remembering Tim Conway Tim Conway, the impish second banana to Carol Burnett who won four Emmy Awards on her TV variety show, starred aboard "McHale's Navy" and later voiced the role of Barnacle Boy for "Spongebob Squarepants," died Tuesday. He was 85. Conway died in a Los Angeles care facility after a long illness. Conway's wife, Charlene Fusco, and a daughter, Jackie, were at his side. For more on the beloved comedy legend, click here. Veterans and their families and friends put on their helmets for the 10th annual Iwo Jima Memorial Victory Ride in New Britain on Sunday. Gary Roy from East Hartford said he started the Iwo Jima Survivors Victory Ride ten years ago to honor World War II veterans. "Nobody's doing nothing like this to really thank them," said Roy, the chairman of the Iwo Jima Survivors Victory Ride. One of those veterans is 101-year-old Edward Skehan from Newington. "It's very nice. You meet a lot of people. You meet them every year," Skehan said. Skehan served in the Army from 1943 to 1946. He fought with the 280th Engineer Combat Battalion in the famous Battle of the Bulge. "Started off very hard with the Battle of the Bulge. We went through all different countries all the way to the Rhine River, crossed the Rhine River and that was the end of it," he said. On Sunday, Skehan watched as family, friends and other veterans honored him and so many others by riding across New Britain to the Iwo Jima Memorial. Rider Raymond Philippon is a veteran, too. He was riding for his son, Lawrence, who he lost 14 years ago this month, in Iraq. "I ride in this event because of the love everyone shows for our veterans. It's an awesome community, so much support," he said. The proceeds of the Memorial Ride go towards the construction of a proposed Gold Star Families memorial monument in Connecticut. It would be a place for the families of fallen veterans to honor their loved ones. "Having that monument would mean a lot to me, itd be a place for me to go and honor my brother," said Angelina Blankschen of Wolcott. Even though Skehan may not have been able to ride on Sunday, he did give his secret to living a long and happy life. "I have a Dunkin' donut and a Dunkin' coffee every single morning," Skehan added. Sybrina Fulton, the mother of Trayvon Martin, has formally announced her candidacy to run for Miami-Dade County Commission. Fulton launched her campaign on Monday. She's challenging Miami Gardens Mayor Oliver Gilbert for a Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners seat that is up for grabs in 2020 because of term limits. After many years of service and activism, Fulton hopes to bring her experience to the county commission. She spoke to supporters Monday in Miami Gardens. "My time as a public servant began 30 years ago at Miami-Dade County. Since 2012, I have advocated tirelessly to empower our communities and make them safer. But the work is not done," said Fulton in a statement that was released Saturday night. "Our county must continue moving forward so our families are safe from violence, can afford to live in Miami-Dade, and have access to good paying jobs," said Fulton. "I am ready to take on these issues and many others in county government." Fulton's son Trayvon was shot and killed in 2012. The 17-year-old was returning to his father's home after a trip to a convenience store. Martin was shot by George Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer. Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges in 2013. Martin's death sparked national outrage and was the catalyst for the Black Lives Matter movement, fueling the ongoing national conversation on systemic racism. For more than two decades, Nancy Mace did not speak publicly about her rape. In April, when she finally broke her silence, she chose the most public of forums before her colleagues in South Carolina's legislature. A bill was being debated that would ban all abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected; Mace, a Republican lawmaker, wanted to add an exception for rape and incest. When some of her colleagues in the House dismissed her amendment some women invent rapes to justify seeking an abortion, they claimed she could not restrain herself. "For some of us who have been raped, it can take 25 years to get up the courage and talk about being a victim of rape," Mace said, gripping the lectern so hard she thought she might pull it up from the floor. "My mother and my best friend in high school were the only two people who knew." As one Republican legislature after another has pressed ahead with restrictive abortion bills in recent months, they have been confronted with raw and emotional testimony about the consequences of such laws. Female lawmakers and other women have stepped forward to tell searing, personal stories in some cases speaking about attacks for the first time to anyone but a loved one or their closest friend. Mace is against abortion in most cases and supported the fetal heartbeat bill as long as it contained the exception for rape and incest. She said her decision to reveal an attack that has haunted her for so long was intended to help male lawmakers understand the experience of those victims. "It doesn't matter what side of the aisle you are on, there are so many of us who share this trauma and this experience," Mace said in an interview. "Rape and incest are not partisan issues." Personal horror stories have done little to slow passage of bills in Georgia, where a lawmaker told about having an abortion after being raped, or Alabama, where the governor this week signed a law that bans all abortions unless they are necessary to save the life of the mother. In Ohio, a fetal heartbeat bill passed even after three lawmakers spoke out on the floor about their rapes among them State Rep. Lisa Sobecki, who argued for a rape exemption by recounting her own assault and subsequent abortion. It was gut-wrenching, the Navy veteran said, but her decision to speak out was validated the next day when she was approached in the grocery store by a man in his 70s, whose wife of 41 years had read of her account that morning in the local newspaper. The story prompted his wife to tell him for the first time that she also had been raped. "It's not just our stories," Sobecki said. "It's giving voice to the voiceless, those that haven't felt for a very long time that they could tell their stories and be heard." Four years ago, when a previous fetal heartbeat bill was being debated, state Sen. Teresa Fedor, then a state representative, surprised colleagues with her story of being raped while in the military and having an abortion. She felt compelled to share the story again this year when the issue resurfaced. "It's not something you like to focus on," the Toledo Democrat said. "And it didn't seem to have an impact in stopping the effort, so that's the sad part." The governor signed the bill, without exceptions for rape or incest. Ohio state Rep. Erica Crawley, a Democrat representing Columbus, said she didn't intend to share the story of her sexual assault when floor debate on the heartbeat bill began. But she said she was motivated by a Republican colleague who alleged that witnesses at committee hearings on the bill had exaggerated or fabricated their stories. "I wanted them to know that I'm someone you have respect for, and this has happened to me," she said. Crawley felt she had no choice but to speak out: "Because if I stay silent, I feel like I'm complicit." Kelly Dittmar, an expert on women and politics at Rutgers University, said she would not be surprised if even more female lawmakers begin to speak out about their rapes and abortions. More women feel empowered by the #MeToo movement, she said, and the record number of women who won seats in state legislatures last year gives them a greater voice. "For some women who have healed enough in their own personal battles with this type of abuse, they might be comfortable speaking about this publicly because they see a higher purpose for it," she said. One such woman is Gretchen Whitmer. In 2013, she was minority leader in the Michigan state Senate when she spoke against a Republican-backed effort to require separate health insurance to cover abortion. Seven minutes into her floor speech, a visibly upset Whitmer put down her notes and told her colleagues that she had been raped more than 20 years earlier and that the memory of the attack continued to haunt her. She thanked God that she had not become pregnant by her attacker. In an interview this week, the Democrat said her decision to share her story was the right one. After her testimony, her office received thousands of emails from people thanking her. "That was the thing that bolstered me the most and convinced me that I had to continue speaking out and running for office and taking action," she said. "There are a lot of victims and survivors out there who care, who need to be heard, who need to be represented and who need the law to reflect what we want and need to see in our country." Earlier this week, Michigan's Republican-led Legislature passed two bills to restrict abortions and sent them to the governor. That governor is now Whitmer. She said she will veto both of them. . . , , , "" . , , - . ... California Gov. Gavin Newsom discussed Alabamas controversial near-total abortion ban while in San Diego Saturday on his health care tour. Its about control. It's about patriarchy. It's about going back to a time we don't want to go back to, Newsom said. The governor blasted legislatures around the country that have passed forms of abortion restrictions, as well as the Trump administration. Newsom said he supports women being able to choose for themselves. "And we will fight. We will defend women's rights. And defend our families," he said. Alex Presha speaks with attorneys on both sides of the abortion ban to get their point of views. Newsom was introduced by State Assemblymember Lorena Gonzalez at the private event held at in Mission Valley. The governor was met with cheers from supporters, many of who dressed in pink in support of Planned Parenthood and a womans right to choose. On Newsom's California for All tour, the governor discussed his state budget proposal, which sets aside $100 million for reproductive health and education. This includes $10 million for abortion services. His goal is to move toward a single-payer system in California. In the meantime, his budget is proposing subsidies to help families pay for health care coverage. This could make California the first state in the nation to give monthly discount to middle-income families buying insurance. Newsom also wants California to become the first state in history to expand Medi-Cal coverage to all eligible undocumented immigrants ages 19 to 25. To keep costs down, the governor wants to keep an insurance mandate in the state. So, those who live in California who dont have health care coverage would have to pay a penalty. Newsoms stop in San Diego came just days before Alabama signed into the most stringent abortion legislation in the nation. Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio and Georgia recently have approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can occur in about the sixth week of pregnancy. The Alabama bill goes further by seeking to ban abortion outright. Missouri was the latest state to pass new restrictions on abortions, which would ban abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy -- even in cases of rape or incest. Let's just pause. If you have a 12-year-old daughter that's raped by somebody at knifepoint, that may have HIV or AIDS or Hepatitis C. You're telling that 12-year-old, your daughter, you're loved one -- theyve been raped by their uncle, and they have to bring that baby to turn? How dare they, Newsom said. The private event was held at the United Food and Commercial Workers Union office in Mission Valley and began at 9:30 a.m. A Republican congressman from Michigan on Saturday became the first member of President Donald Trump's party on Capitol Hill to accuse him of engaging in "impeachable conduct" stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. But Rep. Justin Amash stopped short of calling on Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump, which many Democrats have been agitating for. Often a lone GOP voice in Congress, Amash sent a series of tweets Saturday faulting both Trump and Attorney General William Barr over Mueller's report. Mueller wrapped the investigation and submitted his report to Barr in late March. Barr then released a summary of Mueller's "principal conclusions" and released a redacted version of the report in April. Mueller found no criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia, but left open the question of whether Trump acted in ways that were meant to obstruct the investigation. Barr later said there was insufficient evidence to bring obstruction charges against Trump. Trump, who has compared the investigation to a "witch hunt," claimed complete exoneration from Mueller's report. Amash said he reached four conclusions after carefully reading the redacted version of Mueller's report, including that "President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct." "Contrary to Barr's portrayal, Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment," the congressman tweeted. He said the report "identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence." The Justice Department, which Barr leads, operates under guidelines that discourage the indictment of a sitting president. A representative for Amash did not immediately respond to an email request to speak with the congressman. Trump and Republican lawmakers generally view the matter as "case closed," as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recently declared on the floor of the Senate. On the other hand, Democrats who control the House are locked in a bitter standoff with the White House as it ignores lawmakers' requests for the more complete version of Mueller's report, the underlying evidence and witness testimony. Some Democrats wants the House to open impeachment hearings, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has resisted, saying impeachment must be bipartisan. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., a freshman who opened her term by profanely calling for Trump to be impeached, applauded Amash. "You are putting country first, and that is to be commended," Tlaib tweeted. Tlaib is seeking support for a resolution she's circulating calling on the House to start impeachment proceedings. French President Emmanuel Macron sees himself as Europe's savior, and this week's European Parliament elections as a make-or-break moment for the beleaguered European Union. But Macron is no longer the fresh-faced force who marched into a surprising presidential victory to the rhythm of the EU anthem two years ago. His pro-Europe vision has collided with national interests across the continent. And at home, his pro-business policies have given rise to France's raucous yellow vest uprising. Macron wanted the May 23-26 European Parliament elections to be his shining moment to push his ambitions for a stronger Europe but instead, nationalists and populists who blame the 28-nation bloc for piles of problems could achieve unprecedented success. They argue that elitist EU leaders have failed to manage migration and remain out of touch with ordinary workers' concerns. "We have a crisis of the European Union. This is a matter of fact. Everywhere in Europe ... all the extremes, extreme-rights, are increasing," Macron said Thursday, making an unexpected appeal for European unity on the sidelines of a technology trade show. "On currency, on digital, on climate action, we need more Europe," he said. "I want the EU to be more protective of our borders regarding migration, terrorism and so on, but I think if you fragment Europe, there is no chance you have a stronger Europe." In person, the 41-year-old Macron comes across as strikingly, sincerely European. A political centrist, he's at ease quoting Greek playwrights, German thinkers or British economists. France's youngest president grew up with the EU and has been using the shared European euro currency his whole adult life, and sees it as Europe's only chance to stay in the global economic game. Macron has already visited 20 of the EU's 28 countries in his two years in office, and while he acknowledges the EU's problems, he says they can only be solved by fixing the bloc not disassembling it. Macron won the 2017 presidential election over France's far-right, anti-immigration leader Marine Le Pen on a pledge to make Europe stronger to face global competition against the U.S. and China. Since then, he's had to make compromises with other EU leaders and clashed with some nations where populist parties govern, from Poland to neighboring Italy. Four months after his election, Macron outlined his vision for Europe in a sweeping speech at Paris' Sorbonne university, calling for a joint EU budget, shared military forces and harmonized taxes. But with Brexit looming and nationalism rising, Macron has had to reconsider his ambitions. He calls his political tactics with other EU leaders a "productive confrontation." That has strained the Franco-German ties that underpin the EU. In March, Macron sought to draw support for Europe with a written call to voters in 28 countries to reject nationalist parties that "offer nothing." And he proposed to a roadmap for the EU by the end of this year based on discussion with a panel of European citizens. "There will be disagreement, but is it better to have a static Europe or a Europe that advances, sometimes at different paces, and that is open to all?" he asked. Macron can count on cooperation from pro-EU governments but has made a point of not yet visiting Hungary or Poland, two nations led by populist leaders whom Macron accused last year of "lying" to their people about the EU. France has also been entangled in a serious diplomatic crisis with Italy a fellow EU founding nation over migration. Italy's anti-migrant Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has repeatedly criticized Macron and is backing his rival Le Pen's National Rally party in the election this week that aims to fill the European parliament's 751 seats. Macron has little chance to repeat Europe-wide what he did in France: rip up the political map by building a powerful centrist movement that weakened the traditional left and right. The campaign for Macron's Republic on the Move party is being led by former European Affairs Minister Nathalie Loiseau under a banner called "Renaissance." The party wants to associate with the pro-market ALDE alliance to create new centrist group at the European Parliament. But across the continent, the centrists are expected to rank third or even lower behind the parliament's traditional two biggest groups, the right-wing European People's Party and the left-wing Socialists and Democrats group. Even at home, Macron is far from certain of being able to claim victory in the European vote. Loiseau's campaign has been lackluster, and polls suggest their party is in a close race with the far-right National Rally in the election, which takes place in France on May 26. Le Pen's National Rally is determined to take revenge after she lost to Macron in 2017, and the European election campaigning has been unusually personal. Le Pen compared Macron this weekend to "a child king" with "a kind of conviction of superpower." Speaking at a meeting of European nationalist leaders in Italy, Le Pen accused Macron of unfairly using his presidential office to campaign against her, and challenged him to step down if his party doesn't come out on top. Le Pen isn't Macron's only problem. His political opponents across the spectrum are calling on French voters to seize the European elections to reject his government's policies. While he won 64% of the presidential vote in 2017, Macron's popularity has been around half that for the past year. It reached record lows when France's yellow vest movement broke out last fall, demanding relief from high taxes and stagnant wages for French workers, then slightly rose as extensive protest violence in Paris and elsewhere dampened support for the movement's cause. At a farmer's market in southern Paris on Sunday, several shoppers said they'd vote for Macron's party, but few exhibited enthusiasm. A few said they voted for Macron in 2017, but plan to choose other parties in the European election if they vote at all. Part-time construction worker Marc Lambert said that despite tax breaks and other gestures by Macron to quell yellow vest anger, the president "still hasn't understood. He is in his bubble" of rich friends and start-up entrepreneurs. Lambert said Macron had failed to convince regular people that "Europe is the solution." Meanwhile, new yellow vest protests are planned against Macron and his government right up to EU election day. Catherine Gaschka contributed to the story. The Trump administration will unveil the first phase of its long-awaited blueprint for Mideast peace next month at a conference in the region designed to highlight economic benefits that could be reaped if the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is resolved, the White House said Sunday. The plan, which has been two years in the making, envisions large-scale investment and infrastructure work in the Palestinian territories. But the central political elements remain mostly unknown. And the economic workshop, June 25-26 in Bahrain, will not address the most contentious parts of the conflict: borders, the status of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees and Israel's security. In a joint statement with Bahrain, the White House said the workshop will give government, civil and business leaders a chance to gather support for economic initiatives that could be possible with a peace agreement. The U.S. wants to ensure security for Israel and economic opportunity to improve the lives of Palestinians. The administration hopes that Arab countries will help bankroll economic incentives, such as infrastructure and industrial projects, to get Palestinians to buy into the plan. But with details of the political aspects of the plan still under wraps, any commitments for economic development won't be easily attained. "The Palestinian people, along with all people in the Middle East, deserve a future with dignity and the opportunity to better their lives," President Donald Trump's senior adviser and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, said in a statement Sunday. "Economic progress can only be achieved with a solid economic vision and if the core political issues are resolved." Kushner and Jason Greenblatt, envoy of international negotiations, have been leading efforts to write the plan, but so far, there's been no participation from the Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority, which has complained that the White House favors Israel, severed ties with the Trump administration following several actions targeting them. Trump closed the Palestinian diplomatic mission in Washington, saying the Palestinians refused to engage in peace talks with Israel. The U.S. stopped funding the U.N. agency that helps Palestinian refugees, slashing hundreds of millions of dollars in aid for projects in the West Bank and Gaza and cutting funding to hospitals in Jerusalem that serve Palestinians. Trump also recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and moved the U.S. Embassy there from Tel Aviv. The Palestinians' demand that Israel fully withdraw from all territories it occupies. Israel captured the West Bank, Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Mideast war. The Palestinians want those territories for a future state. They also seek the right of refugees to return to the lands and the recognition of east Jerusalem as the capital of an independent Palestine. It's an open question as to whether the Palestinians will exchange some or all of their demands for the prospect of economic prosperity. In an interview last month with The Associated Press, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh likened that to "financial blackmail, which we reject." Kushner said it has been disheartening that the Palestinian leadership has attacked the plan before it's unveiled. A senior administration official told reporters that invitations to the workshop are being sent to individuals in the United States, Europe, the Gulf, the wider Arab world and "some" Palestinian business leaders. The Trump administration decided to roll out the economic and political parts of the plan separately, the official said, adding that there will be no discussion about the political aspects of the plan at the upcoming workshop. Earlier this month, Kushner insisted that the plan he's helped craft is a very detailed, fresh approach that he hopes will stimulate discussion and lead to a breakthrough in solving the decades-old conflict. At a think tank in Washington, Kushner described it as an "in-depth operational document" not anchored to previous, failed negotiations, high-level political concepts or stale arguments. Associated Press writer Calvin Woodward contributed to this report. Los Angeles court documents first unearthed by TMZ and confirmed by E! News show that Tyga, Kylie Jenner's ex-boyfriend, was once briefly married to Jordan Craig. She shares a 2-year-old son, Prince, with ex-boyfriend Tristan Thompson...better known as the recent ex of Kylie's sister Khloe Kardashian, with whom he shares 1-year-old daughter True Thompson. According to the documents, Tyga, whose real name is Michael Ray Stevenson, and Craig married on Sept. 6, 2010. He filed for divorce exactly one month later. It was finalized in 2011. Craig, now 27, added his last name to her own after the marriage and dropped it after it ended. In recent weeks, Tyga, 29, began liking Craig's Instagram photos. Tyga Claims He Influenced Kylie Jenner's Lip Line Also in 2011, Tyga met and began dating Blac Chyna, now 31. The two welcomed their first child, son King Cairo, in October 2012. Tyga and Chyna split in 2014. He and Jenner, now 21, sparked romance rumors later that year and went public with their relationship in 2015. They split in 2017 and she went on to date Travis Scott. They welcomed their first child, daughter Stormi Webster, in February 2018. Meanwhile, in 2016, Chyna started dating and got engaged to Jenner's brother Rob Kardashian. They welcomed a daughter, Dream Kardashian, in November 2016. Months later, the two called it quits. Craig and Thompson began dating in 2014. He and Khloe Kardashian began their romance in 2016, while Craig was pregnant with her and Thompson's son, their first child. Prince was born that December. Thompson and Khloe Kardashian welcomed their own child together, daughter True Thompson, in April 2018. They broke up this past February amid cheating allegations involving him and Jordyn Woods, Jenner's BFF. Apple CEO Tim Cook challenged Gen Z to clean up the messes Baby Boomers have left behind. "In some important ways, my generation has failed you," Cook said Saturday in his commencement speech at Tulane University in New Orleans, La., at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. "We have spent too much time debating, we have been too focused on the fight, and not focused enough on progress," Cook, 58 and a member of the Boomer generation, said. Generally, college graduates are part of Generation Z. "You don't need to look far to find an example of that failure," Cook said, referring to New Orleans, where he was speaking, which was devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Cook bore down hard on climate change. "Here today, in this very place, where thousands once found desperate shelter from a hundred-year disaster the kind that seem to be happening more and more frequently I don't think we can talk about who we are as people and what we owe to one another without talking about climate change," Cook said. Fixing climate change should not be a matter for political debate, Cook said. "This problem doesn't get any easier based on whose side wins or loses an election. It's about who has won life's lottery and has the luxury of ignoring this issue and who stands to lose everything," Cook said. "The coastal communities, including some right here in Louisiana, that are also making plans to leave behind the places they have called home for generations and head for higher ground. The fisherman who nets come up empty. The wildlife preserves with less wildlife to preserve, the marginalized, for whom a natural disaster can mean enduring poverty." A call for coming together, ending corrosive discourse More broadly, Cook called on the class of 2019 to focus on helping others, starting with those who need the most. "When we talk about climate change or any issue with human cost and there are many I challenge you to look for those who have the most to lose, and find the real, true empathy that comes from something shared. That is really what we owe one another," Cook said. From the Big Easy, the tech executive seemed to be taking a shot at the divisiveness taking root in Washington D.C. and corrupting the fabric of the country. "When you do [find empathy], the political noise dies down and you can feel your feet firmly planted on solid ground. After all, we don't build monuments to trolls and we are not going to start now," Cook said. To reduce that divisiveness, Cook pleaded with the young graduates to resist entrenched thinking and adopting points of view blindly. "There are some who would like you to believe that the only way you can be strong is by bulldozing those who disagree or never giving them a chance to say their piece in the first place, that the only way you can build your own accomplishments is by tearing down the other side," he said. "We forget sometimes that our preexisting beliefs have their own force of gravity. Today, certain algorithms pull towards you the things you already know, believe or like and they push away everything else. Push back. It shouldn't be this way," Cook said. "But in 2019, opening your eyes and seeing things in a new way can be a revolutionary act." Work to understand the perspectives of those who see an issue differently than you do, Cook said. "Summon the courage not just to hear but to listen. Not just to act but to act together. It can sometimes feel like the odds are stacked against you, that it isn't worth it. That the critics are too persistent and the problems are too great. But the solution to our problems begin on a human scale by building a shared understanding of the work ahead, and with undertaking it together. at the very least we owe it to teach other to try." Above all, Cook called upon the graduating class to take action to improve the world they live in. "Whatever you do, don't make the mistake of being too cautious," said Cook. "Don't assume that by staying put, the ground won't move beneath your feet. The status quo simply won't last. So get to work on building something better." This story first appeared on CNBC.com. More from CNBC: Two Newark police officers were dragged by a car when the driver they were trying to arrest put the car in gear and drove off, officials said Saturday. One officer suffered a hand injury and the other a minor head injury, said Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose. The officers were trying to arrest Jacob Wolski, 30, of Aberdeen, who was in his car and appeared to be using drugs, Ambrose said. As they leaned into the car, he drove off and dragged the officers, he said. One of the officer's body cameras captured the exchange and escape. Wolski was arrested shortly after by police in Edison and transferred to Marlboro police on an outstanding warrant. In Newark, Wolski was charged with aggravated assault, resisting arrest and eluding, unlawful possession of a weapon and possession of heroin. It wasn't immediately clear whether Wolski had an attorney. The Senate's top Democrat is calling on the federal government to step in and investigate whether a plan for new subway cars in New York City designed by a Chinese state-owned company could pose a threat to national security. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York said in a statement to The Associated Press on Sunday that he's asked the Commerce Department to conduct a "top-to-bottom review" after CRRC, one of the world's largest train makers, won a design contest for new subway cars that would include "modern train control technology." The company hasn't won a contract in New York City, which has America's biggest transit system, but it has been awarded contracts in recent years for new subway cars in Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and Philadelphia. In announcing the contest winners last year, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, which operates the subway system, said CRRC had proposed investing $50 million of its own money to develop the new subway cars. The contest was designed to bring out new ideas for future projects but did not lead to any contracts for new subway cars and the MTA is not currently purchasing any new cars. But in the last few years, China has pushed to dominate the U.S. rail car market, a multibillion-dollar industry. CRRC is also believed to be pursuing a $500 million contract with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority in Washington, D.C. Security experts and members of Congress have raised the alarm about CRRC because it is owned by the Chinese government, warning of prior cyberthreats and hacking attacks linked to Chinese intelligence officials. They fear allowing the company to install technology in America's rail system could potentially expose it to cyberespionage and sabotage. Schumer's call for an investigation comes amid rising tensions between the U.S. and China after trade talks between the two nations broke up earlier this month without an agreement. Days ago, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to declare a national economic emergency that empowered the government to ban American telecommunication companies from installing foreign-made equipment and technology that could pose a threat to national security. "The MTA has robust, multilayered and vigorously enforced safety and security standards, but we support efforts of government agencies to bolster that work," spokesman Max Young said. A spokesman for CRRC Sifang America - the company's arm in Chicago - said a majority of the components used in its new rail cars come from U.S. companies and said concerns about spying or malware are misplaced. The rail cars meet specific requirements set by the transit agencies, the manufacturer doesn't control the cyber components it installs and it is "not possible" for the company to implant malware in the system, he said. "There is no evidence of a passenger railcar manufacturer, including CRRC, installing any type of new technology that could intentionally open passenger railcars to cyberthreats or pose a threat to commuters and national security," spokesman Dave Smolensky said. "CRRC is eager to address any concerns Senator Schumer has and we welcome an inquiry regarding our U.S. operations." Legislation has been introduced in both the House and Senate that, if passed, would prevent federal funds from being used for rail projects involving Chinese companies. "Given what we know about how cyberwarfare works, and recent attacks that have hit transportation and infrastructure hubs across the country, the Department of Commerce must give the green light and thoroughly check any proposals or work China's CRRC does on behalf of the New York subway system, including our signals, Wi-Fi and more," Schumer said the statement to AP. In 2017, hackers attacked the Sacramento transit system and demanded a ransom in cryptocurrency. The transit agency said at the time that the hackers erased parts of programs on its servers that affect operations like the ability to use computers to dispatch employees and assign buses. In 2016, a ransomware attack on San Francisco's transit system resulted in officials shutting down ticketing machines, allowing free rides for much of a weekend. And last year, the Colorado Department of Transportation fell victim to a similar attack that essentially froze hundreds of computers. In the last few years, the U.S. Justice Department has brought several cases alleging hacking by Chinese intelligence officials and targeting Chinese cyberespionage. "This kind of national security responsibility is just so big, and so complex, that the MTA and other big-city transit systems should not have to foot the burden of going it alone to assess whether or not CRRC's low bids for work, and current contracts across the country, are part of some larger strategy. We just cannot be too careful here, especially now, amidst these tensions and general cyber threats," Schumer said. The Commerce Department did not immediately comment on Sunday. Most of the committees members agreed with proposals presented by the Political Bureau, he said, adding that all the members consented to adopt the meetings resolution. In his closing speech, Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong said the meeting was a success as it touched upon various topics, focusing on preparations for all-level Party congresses, towards the 13th National Party Congress. The 10th plenum of the 12th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam wrapped up in Hanoi on May 18th after nearly three days of working. (Photo: VNA) The leader highlighted new points of the meeting, from preparations to implementation, and lauded sub-committees for their efforts in collecting opinions of the Party Central Committees members and representatives of localities and agencies. With thorough preparations and high sense of responsibility, the committee reached high consensus on orientations and targets, he said. He stressed the need to promptly draft documents which will be submitted to the 11th meeting of the Party Central Committee slated for latter this year. The leader called for great efforts in implementing the Politburos directive on organising all-level Party congresses, towards the 13th National Party Congress, and realising programmes and plans set for 2019-2020, aiming to materialising the Resolution adopted at the 12th National Party Congress comprehensively. Earlier, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc presented a report acquiring opinions of members of the Party Central Committee on the draft political report, the draft report on the 10-year implementation of the 2011 Platform, one on the implementation of the socio-economic development strategy for 2011-2020 and building the socio-economic development strategy for 2021-2030, a report on socio-economic situation between 2016 and 2020 and the socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025, along with a draft report on Party building and the execution of the Party statutes. Tran Quoc Vuong, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committees Secretariat, presented the draft resolution of the meeting. The committee emphasised that the political, socio-economic reports and other thematic reports must reflect efforts made by the entire Party, people and army in the new development period which offers both opportunities and challenges. Documents to be submitted to the 13th National Party Congress needs to show the attention to building a pure, strong Party and political system, promoting the great national unity and addressing major relations like those between reform, stability and development, and between economic and political reform, the committee said. The committee noted that preparations for all-level Party congresses should go in tandem with the fulfillment of regular tasks, with heed paid to issues of public concern like the management of the use of land, natural resources and public assets, the rich-poor gap, environmental pollution, traffic accident, corruption and wastefulness./. Four demonstrators who staged a weeks-long protest inside the Venezuelan Embassy were formally charged by U.S. authorities and appeared Friday in federal court in Washington. A federal judge issued arrest warrants earlier this week for the four protesters Kevin Bruce Zeese, 64, Margaret Ann Flowers, 57, Adrienne Pine, 49, and David Vernon Paul, 70 and they were arrested Thursday at the embassy by federal agents. They were charged with interfering with the protective functions of the State Department, according to prosecutors. The protesters consider Nicolas Maduro to be the legitimate Venezuelan president. But the United States and more than 50 other countries say Maduro's recent reelection was fraudulent and are backing congressional leader Juan Guaido's claim to the presidency. Guaido's newly named ambassador had requested the help of U.S. authorities in clearing the building. Authorities say agents with the Diplomatic Security Service used a loudspeaker earlier this week to inform the demonstrators that they were trespassing in the embassy and also posted trespassing notices on the doors. Prosecutors said the four refused to vacate the premises, leading to their arrests. In charging papers, officials said the group's "refusal to leave the Venezuelan Embassy interfered with the Department of State's protective service of maintaining the security of the Venezuelan Embassy and the Permanent Mission of Venezuela to the Organization of American States." The protest started more than a month ago with at least 30 activists staying at the embassy, but their numbers gradually dwindled. The building has been without power since last week and a crowd of Guaido supporters had frequently gathered to heckle the protesters from the street. Dozens of graduates and faculty have protested the selection of Vice President Mike Pence as the commencement speaker at Taylor University in Indiana by walking out moments before his introduction. The Indianapolis Star reports the protesters in caps and gowns rose and quietly walked down the aisle and out of the auditorium in the Kesler Student Activities Center at the university in Upland, Indiana. The protest was planned and discussed prior to Saturday's ceremony. Some faculty and students at the nondenominational Christian liberal arts school debated the appropriateness of the former Indiana governor at the commencement ceremony. [NATL] Top News Photos: Pope Visits Japan, and More Most of Taylor's graduating class did not leave. Pence received a standing ovation. Graduate Laura Rathburn said Pence's "presence makes it difficult for everyone at Taylor to feel welcomed." What to Know A vandal or vandals spray-painted pro-abortion rights graffiti on the entrance of the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church. The message, You do not have the right to decide how others live, #prochoice was found on the entrance of the building. A member of the church told NBC10 they believe the vandalism occurred at some point Saturday and they are checking for surveillance video. Police are searching for a man who was caught on surveillance video spray-painting pro-abortion rights graffiti on a Delaware County church. The message, You do not have the right to decide how others live, #prochoice was found on the entrance of the Notre Dame de Lourdes Church on the 900 block of Fairview Road in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, while the message, #Pro Choice was found on the rear of the building. Parishioners cleaned off the graffiti Sunday morning. On Monday, police released surveillance video showing an unidentified man in dark clothing spray-painting the church Sunday at 3:17 a.m. If you have any information on the man's identity, please call Ridley Township detectives at 610-532-4002 or leave a tip on CRIMEWATCH. The incident occurred amid a nationwide debate over abortion rights. On Tuesday the Alabama Senate passed a bill that would outlaw almost all abortions in the state, including those involving pregnancies from rape or incest. Thousands of graduates walked on stage at San Diego State University over the weekend to receive their degrees -- each graduate with a unique story of success, but one student is a special standout because of her criminal past. It feels wonderful. This is 38 years in the making, said SDSU graduate Laura Murray. She earned two bachelors degrees from SDSU at the age of 56. I still feel like Im in my 20s, said Murray. Her unlikely success story started a decade ago during the financial crisis. After losing her home to foreclosure, she resorted to crime. I was under a lot of stress, and I just decided to go and get my money back from the banks. So, I robbed one bank and another bank and another bank, said Murray. Murray admitted she made a poor choice that she is still paying for. During her six years in prison, Murray said she learned about social injustice and gained new motivation. I dreamt about San Diego State when I sat in that hot prison cell, and I made it my destiny to come here, said Murray. She applied to four California state universities and was rejected by all of them. Thats where Project Rebound came in. The program helps students transition out of prison and into higher education. Advisors appealed to SDSU to admit Murray. I checked my web portal one day and when it said denied before, now it said admitted. I just sat there by myself and cried, said Murray. She graduated with a 4.0 GPA and is now working towards her masters degree in criminal justice. During her studies, Murray said she always thinks of the women in prison who dont have the opportunities she had. Its my sisters that I left behind. My women that I left behind that Im thinking of, said Murray. After receiving her degree, her 91-year-old father and 87-year-old mother were there to congratulate Murray a touching reminder that it is never too late to take advantage of a second chance. Project Rebound is funded through donations and grants. For more information on visit its website. What to Know San Diego researchers were the first to participate in the new model of conservation. The giant pandas born at the San Diego Zoo have helped to produce 22 additional giant pandas in China. The giant panda is still on the endangered species list but is less threatened than when the program began. After 23 years away from her home country, San Diego, Californias, beloved former resident giant panda Bai Yun, and her son, Xiao Liwu are now safely back in China. The China Giant Panda Conservation Research Center confirmed Friday that the beloved furry panda pair had landed in China a day earlier, at 7:30 a.m. A staff of veterinarians awaited at the airport to check on the duos health as they arrived. A three-week-long farewell tour began at the San Diego Zoo to say goodbye to the beloved giant pandas. NBC 7s Steven Luke has more. They confirmed that there is no serious stress reaction and both pandas were doing well, the Conservation Research Center said in a press release. Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu were then transported by vehicle to the Qingjiangshan base of Dujiangyan, the site of the China Giant Panda Conservation Research Center. After being unloaded from the vehicle and their cages, the pandas were guided into isolation quarantine areas, per protocol, the center said. Then, came a homecoming party. Panda Portraits: A Look Back at San Diego's Beloved Bears A special welcome ceremony was held for the pandas, which kicked off with singing and dancing by children of Dujiangyan. Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu settled into their new habitat in their homeland. The giant pandas left the San Diego Zoo a few weeks ago after the zoos successful giant panda conservation program with China came to an end. That end meant Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu, the final two Giant Pandas left at the San Diego Zoo, would have to be repatriated to China. The San Diego Zoo was one of only a few zoos in the United States where giant pandas could be seen. The San Diego Zoo announced that its last two remaining giant pandas will head to China. NBC 7's Melissa Adan has more on why they have to go. Although the program is over, San Diego Zoo officials said last month the facility would now begin working on "a new era of panda conservation," speaking with their colleagues in China to determine what those future plans may entail and if, someday, the pandas might return to San Diego. In April, Chinese Ambassador Zhang Ping of the Peoples Republic of China Los Angeles Consulate toured the panda habitat at the San Diego Zoo. He told NBC 7 that, on every level, the agreement between China and the San Diego Zoo has been a model of success. "They've done a very good job in panda research and conservation, so I think this is a very good thing for continuation of the program in the future," Zhang told NBC 7. The China Giant Conservation Research Center echoed this on Friday. "Panda research and breeding, public education, and humanities exchanges have achieved fruitful results, the centers press release read. With the return of the giant pandas, the Chinese Giant Panda Conservation Research Center has increased its population of giant pandas to 17 in the world, forming the largest in the world. San Diego Zoo Global and China have been collaborating on panda research and conservation of the species since 1996, when the species was threated with extinction. Since the conservation agreement began between the San Diego Zoo and China, six cubs have returned to the China Giant Panda Conservation Research Center. The San Diego Zoo's work with Bai Yun and her cubs has helped to boost the wild population of pandas in China to more than 2,000, according to the zoo. In 2016, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species changed pandas from endangered to vulnerable. In October 2018, Bai Yun's longtime mate, Gao Gao, was returned to the Chinese Center for Research and Conservation for the Giant Panda. The father of five cubs born at the San Diego Zoo, Gao Gao had been living at the zoo for 15 years as part of the long-term loan agreement with the Peoples Republic of China. That signaled the beginning of major moves for San Diego's panda family. The zoo said the departure of Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu was not unexpected, as the zoo's long-term conservation agreement with China was due to end. "Although we are sad to see these pandas go, we have great hopes for the future," Shawn Dixon, chief operating officer for San Diego Zoo Global, said to the media in March. With the remaining giant pandas to leave the San Diego Zoo for China, many are wondering how it will impact business. NBC 7's Danny Freeman has more. A South Texas church began a fresh chapter of worship on Sunday as it unveiled a new sanctuary a year and a half after a gunman opened fire and killed more than two dozen congregants in the deadliest mass shooting in state history. Parishioners, elected leaders and relatives of those killed or injured at the First Baptist Church in the tiny town of Sutherland Springs gathered at the new sanctuary for its dedication. Some among the hundreds in attendance wore royal blue shirts with "#evildidnotwin" written across the back. In the large, white sanctuary amid a stained glass panel, Pastor Frank Pomeroy told the crowd they were celebrating God's glory while remembering "those who have paid a price for this incredible facility." The church commemorated the victims by reading their names as the church bell rang, and those connected to them stood up in the crowd. Pomeroy's 14-year-old daughter, Annabelle Pomeroy, was among those killed. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott told the worshipers that despite the trying time since the attack, Sunday marked another giant step forward on a path to healing and recovery. "This is a tangible sign as people drive through Sutherland Springs in the future they will know that this is a place where goodness triumphed over evil," Abbott said to loud applause from the crowd. The new worship center and memorial room honoring the victims were made possible through millions of dollars in donations from around the world. The facility features enhanced security elements, along with a new church bell tower and an additional prayer space. A gunman shot and killed 25 people at the church on Nov. 5, 2017. Authorities put the official death toll at 26 because one of the victims was pregnant. Places of worship have increasingly faced targeted attacks by extremists. A shooting at a California synagogue in April left one worship per dead and injured three others, and a white supremacist killed 51 people at a New Zealand mosque in March. Kevin Smith, the director of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, said the agency is working with houses of worship nationwide to help them take proper steps to secure their facilities and prepare for potential threats. Smith said the recent attacks have awakened many religious leaders around the country to take action and seek more guidance. He said houses of worship need to assess potential threats in their area, work with local law enforcement and empower their worshippers to be part of the planning process. "We want to make sure during this heightened awareness, we're going to take what was meant for harm and make it good by providing the tools that help and empowering the rest of the churches across the nation to be ready," Smith said. Pomeroy declined to comment on the church's own enhanced security, but said it now has a "safety response team" made up of volunteer worshippers that's undergoing extensive monthly and, at times, weekly training. "We don't want to look like a fortress, but also wanted to make sure that everybody could feel safe on the inside," Pomeroy said. Ticks and the diseases they carry are on the move, rapidly expanding into new territories once considered inhospitable. While many factors are to blame, the U.S. government affirmed with "high confidence" in a report that one reason is warmer weather connected to climate change. In the last decade, the number of cases of Lyme disease in the U.S. have tripled, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The risk of this tick-borne disease was historically concentrated in the Northeast and upper Midwest, but a recent study by lab giant Quest Diagnostics found cases of Lyme have been detected in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. no description "Lyme disease is a bigger risk to more people in the United States than ever before," said Harvey W. Kaufman, M.D., senior medical director for Quest Diagnostics. "Our data show that positive results for Lyme are both increasing in number and occurring in geographic areas not historically associated with the disease. We hypothesize that these significant rates of increase may reinforce other research suggesting changing climate conditions that allow ticks to live longer and in more regions may factor into disease risk." Named after the coastal Connecticut town where it was first identified in the mid 70s, Lyme disease emerged from obscurity to become the leading vector-borne disease in the U.S. Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, which typically lives in white-footed mice, chipmunks and birds all animals that ticks feast on. The disease is transmitted to deer and humans through the bite of an infected tick. Lyme can cause fever, skin rashes, fatigue, arthritis-like joint pain and in some cases nervous system complications and brain fog. Lyme isnt the only disease thats spreading. The CDC said state and local health departments reported in 2017 a record number of cases of other tick-borne diseases, including anaplasmosis, spotted fever group rickettsia (Rocky Mountain spotted fever), Babesiosis and Tularemia (rabbit fever). AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais, File The agency has also reported an explosion in the population and geographic range of ticks, particularly the blacklegged tick, the primary transmitter of Lyme disease in the U.S. Also known as the deer tick, these blood-sucking arachnids have extended their reach north, south and west and with it, their illnesses. Tick Migration and Survival The deer tick has a two-year life span that is divided into three main developmental stages: larva, nymph and adult. These tiny arachnids require a bloodmeal in every one of these stages for their development, and each of these bloodmeals provides an opportunity for the tick to contract or spread Lyme disease. A ticks survival is also dependent on climate. "If they dont have a long enough season to find a host, theyll use up their reserves and drop dead, said Rick Ostfeld, an ecologist at the the Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York. Deer ticks can't reproduce or seek out a host to feast on if the temperature drops below 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer seasons, earlier springs and longer summers in broader parts of the country mean more ticks stay alive through the winter, remain active for longer periods of time and travel further and further north to look for their food. Ticks' survival are so dependent on environmental factors that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) uses the number of cases of Lyme disease as an indicator of climate change. Studies provide evidence that climate change has contributed to the expanded range of ticks, increasing the potential risk of Lyme disease, such as in areas of Canada where the ticks were previously unable to survive, the agency reported. The life cycle and prevalence of deer ticks are strongly influenced by temperature Thus, warming temperatures associated with climate change are projected to increase the range of suitable tick habitat and are therefore one of multiple factors driving the observed spread of Lyme disease. Across the Northeast, where, over the last three decades, average winter temperatures have risen by almost 4 degrees Fahrenheit, according to NOAA, the cases of Lyme disease have skyrocketed. States from Pennsylvania and northward to Maine are becoming warmer and more humid, creating a favorable environment for ticks to thrive. In 2017, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire had their warmest autumn since record keeping began, the agency reported. EVENTO DE REGRESO A CLASES EN EL METROPLEX That same year, health officials in Connecticut also discovered that the Lone Star tick, the most common human-biting tick in the southeastern U.S. and Texas, which causes a food allergy to red meat, had reached their shores. In a 2017 press release announcing the findings, Connecticuts Agricultural Experiment Station (CAER) said their northern range may be increasing due, in part, to the milder winters the northeast has been experiencing over the past few years. Mary Beth Pfeiffer, an investigative journalist and author of the book "Lyme: The First Epidemic of Climate Change," said climate change is abetting the spread of ticks to new frontiers, including Canada. "They are climbing mountains. They are also climbing latitudes. They are going up the Scandinavian peninsula. They have even been found in parts of Siberia, Pfeiffer told NBC in a phone interview. "And weve had lots of big changes in the ecosystem that's causing ticks to spread." Lyme Disease Cases Rising One of those changes is the increase in the developmental rate of ticks due to rising temperatures and in turn, an uptick in the number of tick-borne illnesses. A 2015 study found that, as the climate warms, it is pushing the feeding timing of nymphs to earlier in the spring, potentially influencing transmission dynamics. "When nymphs emerge months before larvae, they inoculate the host community with pathogens that the later-emerging larvae can then contract," said Taal Levi, a biologist at Oregon State University and lead author of the study. "The Lyme disease pathogen is long-lived it will remain in the host. So an increasing gap between the nymphs feeding in the spring and the next cohort of larvae feeding in late summer will give the nymphs more time to infect the hosts with bacterium that can then be passed to the next generation of tick larvae." Researchers led by Levi and Ostfeld, the New York ecologist, analyzed nearly two decades worth of data to tie changes in tick emergence directly to climatic changes. "The climate has clearly warmed," said Ostfield. "Thats not even slightly controversial." And in this one location, at least, ticks have shifted their lifecycles accordingly. Since 1995, the number of cases of Lyme disease through tick bites reported to the CDC has tripled from less than 10,000 a year to over 30,000 annually. The CDC estimates that the number of infections is actually closer to 300,000 due to underreporting from state health agencies and doctors. And while the majority of cases of Lyme have historically been concentrated in a cluster of states in the Northeast, the analysis by Quest Diagnostics found that in 2016 and 2017, California and Florida saw the largest absolute increases in positive test results. The New Jersey-based lab testing company found infection in California increased 194% over 2015 levels. In Florida, it rose 77% over the same period. In Connecticut, where a team of scientists around the state are tracking and monitoring the growing tick population, about 50% of the arachnids tested for organisms that cause human diseases have Borrelia burgdorfei, according to Theodore Andreadis, the New Haven-based director of CAER. Andreadis said this year's tick season is expected to be bad because the winter wasn't severe enough to knock down the population. "It's always bad here," Andreadis told NBC. "We have so much habitat in the northeast 60% of the state is forested so it's a prime environment for ticks to thrive." More Research Is Needed The CDC notes that while the exact reason for the geographic spread of ticks and the diseases they carry is unclear, a number of other factors also contribute. One key driver in the Northeast is the reforestation of land that was once used for farming. Another is the proliferation of the deer population in the Northeast, thanks to stricter hunting laws, fewer predators and the deer-friendly landscape of New England. Human encroachment into wildlife zones is also factor. With suburbanization, more people are living near the animals that carry Lyme. The irony is that we have set this epidemic in motion, Pfeiffer said. A warmer world is hospitable to more ticks in more places. Broken bits of forest sustain mice and deer, on which ticks feed and breed. And human development abuts landscapes devoid of predators to curb infection. Weve created the perfect storm of conditions for ticks to move around the planet. An estimated 300,000 people in the United States are infected with Lyme disease each year. Here are some helpful tips that can help your family prevent tick bites which can reduce your risk of Lyme disease. The CDC urges people to protect themselves from getting a tick bite by avoiding areas with high grass and leaf litter, walking in the center of trails when hiking, using EPA-registered insect repellents and by wearing long clothes. Shower as soon as possible after coming indoors to wash off and more easily find crawling ticks before they bite you. The agency said people should do full body checks using a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of the body upon returning from the outdoors. The likelihood of picking up a tick is quite high so people should be checking for ticks when they come outside from any outdoor activity, including your backyard, Andreadis said. During the month of May, we celebrate and recognize the rich heritage of Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders and their many contributions to our nation and communities. Generations of people of Asian descent bring a diverse and lasting legacy that has enriched this country's history and culture. Here we'll share some of their stories and see how they're making a difference here in our community. Tae Strain, Executive Chef of Momofuku D.C. First to a local chef who's working with David Chang, one of the most powerful Asian Americans in the restaurant industry. Chef Tae Strain is making a name for himself in DC with the Momofuku brand. His journey has taken him on a path to self-discovery that goes way beyond the kitchen. Momofuku CCDC executive chef and Maryland native Tae Strain discusses how his effort to connect with his Korean heritage offered inspiration. News4's Eun Yang reports. Chef Strain had a chance to visit Korea for the first time about six years ago. He says it was an incredibly defining and important experience for him and he's looking forward to going back again some day soon. Larry La, Owner of Meiwah Restaurant Even beloved and popular restaurants eventually say goodbye. Meiwah on New Hampshire Avenue has been a staple of the D.C. food scene since 2000. Owner Larry La and his staff have served presidents, ambassadors, senators and more. Rising rent forced Meiwah to shut down this month. But before they closed, News4s Aimee Cho stopped by to give us one last look at a culinary cornerstone of DC. After nearly 20years, Meiwah restaurant on New Hampshire Avenue closed its doors. News4's Aimee Cho looks at the past and to the future with owner Larry La. (And don't worry: Meiwah's Friendship Heights location is still serving up classic Chinese dishes). There's still good news: Meiwah has another location in Friendship Heights that will be staying open so you can still get your fix of Chinese food. Jason Yoo, Team Yoo Taekwondo Taekwondo is a traditional martial art that has become almost as much a part of American culture as Korean culture. A new taekwondo school which just opened in D.C. is offering the best of both worlds by taking the focus back to instruction. For the owner, Jason Yoo, taekwondo is in his blood. And the pride he has for his family and heritage shows up big in his business. For Virginia native Jason Yoo, taekwondo is in his blood. Now, he's sharing it with younger generations. News4's Eun Yang reports. Xuejuan Feng, Founder of the Xuejuan Dance Ensemble The Xuejuan (SHOO-jin) Dance Ensemble in Herndon has been performing Chinese dance for a decade. News4s Aimee Cho went to a rehearsal and has more on how they got to be so good. The Xuejuan Dance Ensemble has performed classic Chinese dances all over Washington, even at the Kennedy Center. News4's Aimee Cho spoke with the ensemble's founder, Xuejuan Feng. Each dancer has a lot of moves to remember: There are 56 ethnic groups in China and each one has their own style of dance. Julia Chon, Artist Julia Chon is a multi-faceted artist who is also known as "kimchi juice." She started painting cute animals with a bit of attitude, and the cheeky images quickly led to a following. Her work has been exhibited around the DC area and several other cities throughout the country. Now she's working on paintings heavily influenced by her Korean heritage. They tell the stories of Korean people, including the ones in her own family. Julia Chon, also known as Kimchi Juice, is well-known around D.C. for her endearing animal portraits, but her images of Korean women capture a hard-to-define emotion. News4's Eun Yang reports. Chon is also working on an archive project where she goes through old photos for families and learns the back story for each image, allowing those stories to be passed down for generations. Sarah Hinesley, Cursive Handwriting Award Winner Who knew: theres a national cursive handwriting contest for kids? One of this years winners is from right here in Frederick, Maryland. Sara Hinesley goes to St. John Regional Catholic School. Her dedication and positive attitude helped her excel despite a unique challenge. Having been born with no hands doesn't stop Sara Hinesley from doing anything Especially perfecting her cursive handwriting. The St. John Regional Catholic School student has won an award for her perfect penmanship. Hinesley beat over 100 people in her category. The win came with a $500 prize. A staff member of a Maryland high school attended a graduation party Thursday where students openly consumed alcohol, the schools principal wrote in a letter to parents. Quince Orchard High School students played drinking games at the private party, according to the principal. I am deeply troubled by the failure of this staff member to exercise appropriate judgment, Quince Orchard Principal Elizabeth Thomas said in the letter. The principal said appropriate actions were taken by the school and Montgomery County police are involved, but she did not share details, calling it a personnel matter. MemorialCare Miller Children's & Women's Hospital, in Long Beach, continued a years-long tradition this week of wrapping infants born on or right before Christmas in red stockings. A 16-year-old unaccompanied migrant boy from Guatemala fell ill after he was transferred to a government shelter in Texas and later died, officials said Wednesday. The boy crossed the border near El Paso, Texas, on April 19, and was taken to a shelter in Brownsville a day later, according to Guatemala's Foreign Ministry. He did not appear ill when he was transferred to the care of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, according to a statement from the Administration for Children and Families, the division within HHS that cares for migrant children who cross the border alone. But the next morning, he had fever, chills and a headache and was taken to a hospital, where he was treated and released that day. When the teen didn't recover, he was taken to a second hospital and transferred to a children's hospital. Guatemalan officials said he had a severe infection in his brain and had emergency surgery, but never stabilized and died Tuesday. The cause of death was under review, as was the incident. His name was not released. The boy's brother and Guatemalan consular officials visited him while he was hospitalized, and hospital staff frequently updated his family in Guatemala, according to Evelyn Stauffer, a spokeswoman for the Administration for Children and Families. It was the third death in government custody since December, as the U.S. deals with a surge of unaccompanied children and Central American families arriving at the southern border. Two other children died while in U.S. Customs and Border Protection custody shortly after they arrived at the border. Trump administration officials have said the surge has strained resources beyond the breaking point, but immigrant advocates and some Democrats say part of the crisis is due to President Donald Trump's own hardline rhetoric and failed border policies. The 16-year-old was from the municipality of Camotan in the eastern area of Chiquimula. The Guatemalan Consulate in McAllen tried to get humanitarian visas so the parents could be with their son, but they were too old to travel, the foreign ministry said. The boy's body will be repatriated, but it's not clear when. In December, 8-year-old Felipe Gomez Alonzo died on Christmas Eve from influenza and a rapid, progressive infection that led to organ failure shortly after crossing the border. His death was two weeks after that of 7-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin, who also had a bacterial infection that quickly led to sepsis and organ failure. Both of those children were also from Guatemala but arrived with a family member and were in Customs and Border Protection custody, not the care of Health and Human Services, which is tasked with dealing with the care of migrant children who arrive at the border alone. The agency also managed the children who were separated from their parents by the Trump administration last summer. The last time a child died in the custody of Health and Human services was 2015. The teen's death comes as the Trump administration asks for $4.5 billion in supplemental funding for the border mostly for humanitarian aid. The official request said Health and Human Services will exhaust its resources by June. The funding request includes $2.8 billion to increase shelter capacity to about 23,600 total beds for unaccompanied children. There were 50,036 unaccompanied children encountered during the last budget year, and so far this budget year there have been 35,898 children. The highest number was in 2014: 57,496. Their average length of stay in a government shelter is 66 days, up from 59 during fiscal year 2018 and 40 in 2016's fiscal year. Associated Press writer Sonny Figueroa in Guatemala City contributed to this report. Following the tragic death of her 18-year-old brother as a result of the Merrimack Valley explosions, one Massachusetts woman is earning her degree in public health with the ambition to help people in her community suffering from tragedies the way she and her family have endured. Lucia Rondon, the older sister of Leonel Rondon, graduated on Saturday from the Northern Essex Community College. Her goal is to become a community health worker to help others in her hometown of Lawrence. Leonel was killed last September when a chimney fell atop his car during a series of explosions that were caused by over-pressurized natural gas lines. The explosions injured at least two others and displaced more than 8,000 residents in Lawrence, Andover and North Andover. With her degree, Lucia plans to continue her education at Regis College. The 29-year-old has eight years of experience as a certified registered nurse. Lucia plans to help others by decreasing language barriers and social disparities around health-related issues. Leonel's family recently reached a settlement with Columbia Gas, the company behind the disaster. They will receive an undisclosed monetary settlement, a motorized wheelchair, a mobility van and modifications to their home. After the movement to legalize marijuana scored several victories in New England, pot proponents have come up against unexpected stumbling blocks in New Hampshire and Vermont. In Vermont the recreational use of marijuana has been legal for almost a year, but the recreational marijuana law that took effect July 1 has no mechanism to sell the substance legally or to regulate the market. The Vermont Senate passed a tax and regulate proposal earlier this session, but it won't be acted upon in the House before January. Meanwhile, a legalization bill in New Hampshire could end up similarly delayed. Vermont Democratic State Sen. Dick Sears, a long-time proponent of marijuana legalization and more recently establishing a tax and regulate system, says he's frustrated by what he sees as a lack of urgency in the House. He says the lack of a tax and regulate system is driving a black market for marijuana and without a regulation there is no way to be sure what is in the marijuana being sold illegally in the state. "We need to get a tax and regulated system as soon as possible, not necessarily for the money, but to at least regulate what people are using for a drug," Sears said Friday. Democratic House Speaker Mitzi Johnson has said the chamber doesn't have time to deal with the issue before adjournment, expected within the next few days. Vermont's Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who supported the legalization proposal last year, has said he's concerned about highway safety, and he'd like to see some effective way to measure impairment of drivers who use marijuana. He hasn't said whether he would sign a bill setting up a tax and regulation system if one reaches his desk. Under the Vermont law that took effect July 1 with little fanfare, adults over age 21 are allowed to possess up to 1 ounce (28 grams) of marijuana, two mature marijuana plants and four immature plants. With no provisions in the law for pot shops, users must grow it themselves or buy it from illicit dealers. In New Hampshire, the House passed a bill to legalize recreational use of marijuana last month, but without enough votes to override Republican Gov. Chris Sununu's promised veto. A Senate committee recently recommended delaying action on the bill until late December or early next year, though the full Senate has yet to vote on the recommendation. "I think there's a lot of work that needs to be done before we even begin to consider legalizing marijuana," Sen. Sharon Carson, a Judiciary Committee member and legalization opponent, told the Concord Monitor. She raised concerns about how to limit advertising to children and testing drivers impaired by smoking marijuana. "I think for me the biggest issue is the federal side," said Carson, R-Londonderry. "New Hampshire is legalizing something that is federally illegal." The House-passed bill would legalize possession up to 1 ounce (28 grams) of marijuana. Adults would be allowed to grow up to six plants, and a commission would be set up to license and regulate an industry supporters said could produce $33 million per year. Ten states have legalized recreational marijuana, Maine and Massachusetts, while New York, New Jersey and others are considering it this year. Last year, California became the largest legal U.S. marketplace, Massachusetts opened the first recreational shops on the East Coast, Canada legalized it in most provinces, and Mexico's Supreme Court recognized the rights of individuals to use marijuana, moving the country closer to broad legalization. Efforts to legalize marijuana in both New Jersey and New York fizzled out this year as well. "It's frustrating that the prohibitionists have succeeded in delaying the inevitable for yet another session, but we will continue working to help the legislatures in both states achieve consensus on a responsible set of cannabis policies," Matt Simon, the regional representative of the Marijuana Policy Project, said in an email. People showed their support Saturday night after a suspcious fire at the Chabad Jewish Center in Needham, Massachusetts. Needham police announced Friday that they reponded to reports of a fire at the Chabad Jewish Center around 10 p.m. Thursday. The fire was reportedly on the outside of the building on the lattice and vinyl siding on the building. It was extinguished by the person who reported it before authorities arrived. Officials say the person who reported the fire believes it was intentionally set. Police are investigating it as a possible hate crime. Also on Thursday, around 9 p.m., firefighters in Arlington also responded to a small fire at a rabbi's home. Firefighters also put out a shingle fire at the home last Saturday night. "The two fires occurred at the home of a local rabbi who runs the Center For Jewish Life of Arlington - Belmont", acting Arlington Police Chief Julie Flaherty said Friday. "The home is also the location where the center runs a Hebrew school, adult learning classes, and religious services. Both fires have been ruled suspicious in nature and as a result of what appears to be a direct assault on our community." Flaherty has placed a full-time detail at the home where the rabbi lives with his wife and children and holds religious education classes. "These are extremely concerning incidents in which a family has lost the all-important sense of safety and security that the home is meant to convey," said Flaherty. Authorities continue to look for a person apparently seen in surveillance video walking away from the rabbi's house at the time of Saturday's fire. Police say they cannot not conclusively say the two incidents are connected. Both incidents are currently being investigated by local, state and federal authorities. "Every arson fire causes fear and anxiety in the community, but one in a house of worship especially so," said State Fire Marshall Peter Ostroskey in a press release. Jeremy Burton, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Greater Boston, said although the physical damage is limited to the two centers, the entire Jewish community is experiencing the pain. "Any attack on the Jewish community is an attack on all of us and we will be united and we will be standing with each other and we will be supporting each other," said Burton. "We will be supporting all of our Jewish communities and all of our Jewish centers as they take the steps that are necessary and appropriate to ensure that they continue to be safe and welcoming places for us to celebrate Jewish life and to be a part of the fabric of this community." According to The Department of Fire Services, 21 arson fires have been set at houses of worship in Massachusetts in the last decade. The Anti-Defamation League has reported that violent attacks against the Jewish community in the United States doubled last year. Sen. Elizabeth Warren received a warm welcome from Democrats Saturday at a New Hampshire clambake. The 2020 presidential candidate was in Portsmouth for the annual Rockingham County Democratic event. She got strtaight to the point, harping on the topics of abortion and student debt. Warren has spoken out after the extreme abortion ban in Alabama made headlines. "Women are not going back," Warren said Saturday. "Not now, not ever." Warren's abortion rights platform, released Friday by her Democratic presidential campaign, centers on the establishment of "affirmative, statutory rights" that would "block states from interfering in the ability of a health care provider to provide medical care, including abortion services," and sets similar restrictions on states' power to block patients from getting medical care, including abortions. Her proposals come as Missouri joins Alabama, Georgia and other states in advancing laws that limit abortion access with Alabama's law drawing skepticism from some anti-abortion Republicans as too draconian, given its lack of an exception for cases of rape or incest. "The overwhelming majority of Americans have no desire to return to the world before Roe v. Wade," Warren said in an online post Friday announcing her ideas. "And so the time to act is now." Warren also told New Hampshire voters she was committed to an issue that's crippling many students before they even get their first jobs. "Over the past 10 years in New Hampshire, student loan debt has more than doubled," she said. The senator says her plan to fix it starts with cancelling student loan debt for anyone who has it and ends with a wealth tax. The Charger Blog At a recent National Model United Nations conference in New York, the University of New Haven took home the top team award, as well as a team record seven best position paper awards. Douglas Gordon 21, an international development and diplomacy major, reflects on the experience. By Douglas Gordon 21 University of New Haven students attended a recent National Model United Nations conference in New York. The University of New Havens Model United Nations (MUN) team recently returned from a successful conference in New York. While earning an unprecedented number of awards signifies our level of achievement, the most important accomplishment was the significant level of personal and professional growth of each of our student delegates. At this conference, the University of New Haven MUN represented the delegations from Mozambique and Saint Kitts and Nevis. The conference included delegates from all around the world, and more than 60 percent of the universities were international institutions. At the conference, we collaborate with other delegates to solve real-world challenges through the creation of a draft resolution. These resolutions are shown to actual United Nations delegates to inspire future activity and to demonstrate the resolve and hard work of future diplomats. The Universitys MUN teams representing St. Kitts and Nevis and Mozambique were recognized at the conference. MUN enables participants to meet students from around the world who are interested in the same topics. Before the conference begins, we spend time meeting students from the other delegations. Many of us have made long-distance friendships and maintain communication with them regularly, despite how far away they may live. The conference consists of various committees that all deal with different topics. At this conference, I was in the General Assembly First Committee. This is the largest committee in the entire conference, so I knew there were going to be challenges throughout the week. When the conference started, I was working with more than 30 delegates, representing delegations from the western hemisphere. This group expanded to become a group of approximately 50 delegates. Leading a large group like this was a challenge. I had to brainstorm a process to combine the ideas of all of the papers in a time-efficient manner, while keeping all of the delegates in the group engaged. Collectively, our efforts resulted in 10 awards the highest number of awards our program has ever received. Each committee gives two awards: the outstanding delegate award and the best position paper award. The outstanding delegate award is given to the delegates identified by their peers as hardworking, knowledgeable, and diplomatic. We had a first-time delegate win this award. "Without MUN, I might still be that student who struggles to speak in front of groups and who second guesses himself when pitching an idea. I look forward to applying this confidence to all of my future endeavors." Douglas Gordon 21 The position paper award is given to the delegations who write the best papers that detail a delegations position on each topic. We won seven position paper awards this year, which is more than we ever have received. At the closing ceremony, the best delegations are recognized for their efforts throughout the conference. Our St. Kitts and Nevis team was awarded the Outstanding Delegation award, the highest honor. Our team representing Mozambique was awarded the second-highest honor, the Distinguished Delegation award. We were pleased because we worked tirelessly to prepare for the conference, and all of the work paid off. After the conference was done, I felt an immense sense of accomplishment. Although I know that much of this growth could never have happened if I did not embrace the challenge and put in the hard work, I credit most of my growth as a person and as a professional to our MUN program. Without MUN, I might still be that student who struggles to speak in front of groups and who second guesses himself when pitching an idea. I look forward to applying this confidence to all of my future endeavors. Contributed Photo / Connecticut State Police STRATFORD Nearly 200 grams of cocaine were seized from a Stratford residents home during the execution of a search and seizure warrant earlier this week, according to Connecticut State Police. Edwin Abrams, 37, of Broadbridge Avenue in Stratford, was taken into custody without incident, state police said. BETHEL At least 100 firefighters battled a fire at the Francis J. Clarke Industrial Park for several hours Sunday, with officials estimating that at one point 3,000 gallons of water per minute were being pumped from hydrants and five portable ponds. Firefighters began efforts to put out the blaze just after 1:30 p.m. and were still unable to get to the buildings core as the afternoon turned into evening. Were still having a hard time getting to the seed of the fire, said Fire Marshal Tom Galliford around 6 p.m. We really havent been inside at all. Nearly two hours later, at about 8:30 p.m., the fire was finally declared under control but crews remained on scene for several hours to do overhaul. Theres still some smoke and some hotspots, but theyve gotten it beaten down pretty good, First Selectman Matt Knickerbocker said from the scene. Mutual aid from Danbury, Brookfield, Weston, Newtown, Trumbull, Shelton, Roxbury, Redding and Monroe were on the scene throughout the day, helping Bethel crews battle the blaze. Crews from still more towns covered fire stations for those who responded to the fire. Many of the firefighters were in the process of getting ready for the Bethel Memorial Day parade when they were called to respond to the industrial park. The fire appeared to be contained to a more than 10,000-square-foot manufacturing building at 21 Francis J. Clarke Circle, which was built in 1987 and is owned by IDI LLC, according to online property records. Galliford said the building housed two companies one that makes tape adhesive and another that makes non-toxic cleaning products. Officials from the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection sampled the air and water in the area and found no hazards, he said. Damage to the building was pretty significant, Galliford added. By 6 p.m. firefighters brought an excavator to the scene to open up the building to help put the fire out. The building is going to be a total loss, theres no question about that, Knickerbocker said. Police said there were no reports of any injuries, though that wouldnt be confirmed until officials could get into the building once the fire is out. The initial assessment is that it appears nobody was in the building, Capt. Stephen Pugner said. The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Bethel fire marshal with assistance from the state fire marshal. Earlier in the day, Bethel crews also put out a fire at the middle school. Knickerbocker said that fire was not as severe as the ongoing one at Clarke Park. The sprinkler system kept the fire contained to the custodian storage area, he said. The school will be closed Monday. Other schools in town will be open, as scheduled, according to a post on the Bethel school districts Facebook page. Clean up operations will begin soon but we are in the process of evaluating the impact of the fire on the electrical panels, the district said in the message. Staff writer Julia Perkins contributed to this report. NEW MILFORD Could the Catherine Lillis Administration Building someday house apartment-dwellers, artists or even emergency responders new headquarters? The 50 East St. site, built as a high school in 1931, is now home to the schools central offices. But the town is looking at other possible uses for the 23,600-square-foot brick building, which is listed on the State and National Registers of Historic Places as part of the New Milford Center Historic District. Consulting firm Pirie Associates was hired earlier this year to complete a community-based adaptive reuse study. Community members are encouraged to attend a meeting from 6 to 9 p.m. on Thursday at the senior center to offer input. The study is funded by a $20,000 grant from the State Historic Preservation Office. This group is very creative and theyre thinking outside of the box, said Kathy Castagnetta, New Milfords community investment officer who has been overseeing the effort. Theyre bringing the community together. The future of the building has been a controversial topic at times due to the need to preserve its historic features, the estimated cost of renovating it and questions about where to relocate the school central offices. Ideas abound Moving the schools central offices has been floated for years, including suggestions of relocating them to the Pettibone building. The idea gained traction under former Mayor David Gronbach, who also proposed selling the East Street building, which was not easily accessible. The school board then changed its mind. A recent report from KG & D Architects showed the upgrades to meet accessibility standards at the Lillis building, which because of its age has not been required to meet current standards, total $1.17 million, including $578,000 for bathroom renovations and $297,000 to install an elevator. Mayor Pete Bass said hes already heard of some suggestions for the buildings future, including turning it into a first responders headquarters that would house the police, fire and emergency medical services departments. The town also received a $1.6 million offer from Dakota Partners to make it into an affordable housing complex and Bass said another company has expressed interest in converting it into an assisted living complex. Liba Furhman, who serves on the riverfront revitalization committee and economic development corporation, said the buildings location downtown and its sewer and water access opens up the possibilities. Thats why its so important for people to come out to this because people have so many great ideas, she said. Its the consultants responsibility to then say whats feasible. She said the building could be turned into housing for young professionals or seniors or serve as an artist incubator with studio and shop space below and lofts for the artists on the upper floors. Another possibility is using the gym in the lower level for a concert and community space and town offices in other parts of the building. When business and offices leave downtown, no one is there to support businesses during the day, she said. You want some kind feature that can bring people into town. Castagnetta said the helipad for the hospital is on the nearly 5 acre East Street site and the parking lot behind the building is shared with Theatreworks, all of which will need to be factored into whatever decision Town Council and residents make. Board of Education Chairman David Lawson said because the town owns the building and the school board just maintains it, they would be open to staying or moving central office staff, depending on the towns needs. It has served us well for close to a century, he said. Whether we keep it or not, I know it will continue to serve the community. Pirie representatives have already held coffee conversations and talked to residents on the street and at Pettibone. Theyve also received a lot of survey results, Castagnetta said. They got some great ideas from the public that theyll share Thursday, she said. Community input is a key part of the process. The more information we can get from the public, the better because at the end of the day it does have to go to a town meeting, Bass said. Castagnetta expects the study will be completed by the end of next month. A historic building A key part of the buildings historic distinction is the stained glass window in the north stairwell and the murals along the hallway. The window is entitled American Literature, and depicts literary and historical touchstones. It was designed by Len Howard as part of the Works Progress Administration Federal Arts Project, which was done as part of the New Deal to employ workers during the Great Depression. The New Milford piece is the only one he did as part of that project. The building also has a series of murals in the hallways showing the progress of American civilization. Its got some history behind it, particularly the stained glass, which is fascinating, Lawson said, adding he hopes the stained glass is able to find a home whatever the decision. The building was renovated as an elementary school in the 1960s. Central offices moved to the main and second floors in the 1980s and the Youth Agency took the third floor. Its a beautiful building, said Lucy Wildrick, a resident who has been helping with the study and has a background in real estate development and consulting. Id personally love to see it saved in some fashion and used to benefit the town. kkoerting@newstimes.com; 203-731-3345 The Bridgewater Grange recently presented its Community Service Award to Carol Wilbur. The annual award recognizes individuals or groups that perform outstanding volunteer work for the community. Nancy Mascio gave Wilbur the award at the granges April 26 meeting held at St Marks Episcopal Church. Wilbur, a leader at St. Marks, was a warden and the treasurer there. She makes flower arrangements and schedules the duties for worship services, as well as organizes and cooks for church dinners and helps with other church events. She has been the membership chairperson, vice president and president for the Bridgewater Auxiliary. She is also active on the scholarship committee. Wilbur also enjoys baking, and donates her time baking for other organizations and events. 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The last phase of Lok Sabha elections, which will decide the fate of 918 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also saw EVM glitches and poll boycott at some booths. Voting is underway in all 13 seats of Punjab and an equal number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat Chandigarh. According to the Election Commission app, in Uttar Pradesh, 48.90% voting was recorded till 5pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats, officials said. The turnout in Varanasi was 46.53%, while in Gorakhpur, it was 48.17%. The highest turnout was 53.30% in Deoria, while Ballia reported the lowest turnout of 42.51%, the Election Commission said. Violence erupted in Chandauli Lok Sabha constituency, where state Bharatiya Janata Party chief Mahendra Nath Pandey is seeking re-election, when supporters of the saffron party and the Samajwadi Party clashed. The situation was later brought under control. A report from Chandauli said the fingers of Dalits had been inked before they could actually cast their vote in Tara Jivanpur village under Alinagar police station. Officials said an FIR was registered in the matter. Incidents of violence were reported in West Bengal where 67.14% of over 1.49 crore electorate exercised their franchise till 5 pm in nine Lok Sabha seats. According to BJP's North Kolkata candidate Rahul Sinha, a crude bomb was hurled near Girish Park in the constituency around noon. Police, however, said crackers were burst in the area, and polling was underway peacefully. In Kolkata South, TMC candidate Mala Roy alleged that she was stopped from entering polling booths. Sporadic clashes were reported in Kolkata and its surrounding areas, with TMC workers claiming that voters were being intimidated by central forces outside booths. BJP candidate Nilanjan Roy in Diamond Harbour constituency alleged that his car was vandalised in the Budge Budge area. Similar reports also came in from Jadavpur constituency, where BJP candidate Anupam Hazra's car came under the attack of unidentified men. "Polling has by and large been peaceful in the nine seats. There have been no complaints of any violence from any of the polling booths," an election official told PTI. "There were also reports of EVM glitches in several polling stations. We have sent reserve EVMs to booths, where the voting process was temporarily hampered due to technical glitches," he added. Punjab saw a polling percentage of 55.44 per cent till 5pm in 13 Lok Sabha seats. More than 50% turnout was registered in lone Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, EC app stated . Maximum polling percentage was witnessed at 62.67 in Sangrur and the lowest was in Hoshiarpur at 49.11. In the morning, there were some reports of technical glitches in EVMs at several places including Ludhiana, Samana and Moga. Punjab's Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju said eight ballot units, 13 control units, and eight voter-verified paper audit trail have been replaced. There were also reports of clashes between Congress and Akali-BJP workers in Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and Gurdaspur. At Talwandi Sabo, Akalis alleged that shots were also fired by ruling party workers. In Himachal Pradesh, 58.10 per cent turnout was recorded till 5 pm in four Lok Sabha seats where five MLAs, including a state minister, are among the 45 candidates in the fray. EVM snags delayed voting at nine polling stations. Voting restarted after the nine faulty EVMs were replaced, a state election officer said. A turnout of 132% has been recorded in the world's highest polling station in Lahaul and Spiti district's Tashigang village, a district official said. In Madhya Pradesh, 62.48 per cent voter turnout was recorded till 5 pm in eight Lok Sabha seats. However, voters listed at a booth in Agar Malwa district falling under the Dewas seat and five booths in Mandsaur seat boycotted the polling over their demands. Efforts were on to persuade voters to exercise their democratic right, an official said. The official said around 12 people cast their votes at the polling booth in Dewas after being persuaded by election officials there. Bihar witnessed 51.48% voting till 5 pm in eight Lok Sabha seats. An election official said, "Going by reports that reached us from district headquarters, we have found out that the voting process was temporarily hampered at few polling stations in Ara, Sasaram, Jehanabad, Pataliputr and Buxar. Officials have attended to the complaints and redressed all grievances," he said. In neighbouring Jharkhand, an estimated 66.85 per cent of the total 45,64,681 voters exercised their franchise in three Lok Sabha seats. In the last phase of Lok Sabha polls, over 10.01 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. The Election Commission has set up more than 1.12 lakh polling stations and has deployed security personnel for smooth conduct of polls. An average of 66.88% voters exercised their franchise in the last six phases. The whole elections were spread over 38 days. Counting of votes will be taken up on May 23. Yei Farmers Demand Stable Security And Farm Inputs We have been in the bushes and now that there is relative peace, we have decided to plan farming for our own good. We want the Government and the opposition fighters not to disappoint us by displacing us again, Maize farm in Mugwo village. [Photo by Daniel Friday | Gurtong] By Daniel Friday Martin YEI (May 19-2019) Gurtong Farmers and internally displaced persons in the conflict affected villages of Yei River State are demanding stable security and distribution of farm inputs to increase at their level of food production this year. The internally displaced persons said with the relative peace, they would engage on farming to also reduce importation of food items that can be produced locally and also reduce over dependence on humanitarian food assistance from aid agencies. John Malsih Rufus, a rural farmer in Morisak village, told Gurtong that he has started digging at least 4 fedans of his farm land to produce subsistence food for his family and also marketing to rebuild his economic livelihood. We suffered and displaced from one village to another by various armed groups including the government forces in the past many years. Now as a family we have decided to go farm for ourselves so that we use the farm produce to buy some households items we lost during the period of the conflict, he said. He continued saying that What we want is peace and security and farm tools and seeds. I am so happy that UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) has distributed for us some hoes and seeds and I am sure, if there will be no fighting again, we will not be begging for food from the UN because we will produce our own food. Amos Joja, another farmer and also an IDP in Mugwo County, is urging the government to ensure that there is total peace and stability this year so that farmers like himself can go to the farm and produce food for his family. We have been in the bushes and now that there is relative peace, we have decided to plan farming for our own good. We want the Government and the opposition fighters not to disappoint us by displacing us again, he added. For his part, Dara Elisa, the program manager for UMCOR in Yei River State, said that at least over 7,500 household farmers in Greater Yei and Morobo counties in Yei River State are benefiting from free crop seeds and farm tools distribution to reduce over dependency on humanitarian assistance. He said the food and agriculture organization (FAO) in collaboration with the United Methodist Committee on Relief is on mass distribution of assorted quick maturing crops and vegetable seeds and other hand held farming inputs to returnees and IDPs in the rural villages badly affected by the 2016 conflict. In Yei County we are targeting 4, 375 households and also in Morobo county we are targeting 3,290 households who will benefit from crop kids, vegetable kids, fishing kids and hoes so that these vulnerable populations can recover from food insecurity and gain their food resilience and production, he said in a statement extended to Gurtong. Meanwhile Evans Kijore, the Yei River State Minister for Agriculture and Forestry in Yei is appealing to farmers to benefit from the rainy season by producing their own local food through agriculture. As a ministry we are working together with our partners to ensure that the farmers are assisted with farm tools so that they produce enough food for themselves, he added. How or when President Trumps trade war will end is anyones guess. Theres no long-term plan or end game in sight. But two things are clear: Youll pay more and Trump will claim he won. Despite what youve heard, China is not paying for the tariffs any more than Mexico is paying for the border wall. We find that the U.S. tariffs were almost completely passed through into U.S. domestic prices, so that the entire incidence of the tariffs fell on domestic consumers and importers, three economists wrote in a report on the impact last year of Trumps tariffs. They are Mary Amiti at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Stephen Redding at Princeton and David Weinstein at Columbia. Trump imposed tariffs on nearly $283 billion in imports last year about 12 percent of total imports and foreign countries retaliated with tariffs of their own on American goods amounting to $121 billion. By the end of the year, tariffs reduced U.S. income by $1.4 billion per month, the economists calculated. Trump says consumers can buy American to avoid tariffs, but thats easier said than done in our global economy. Besides, We also find that U.S. producers responded to reduced import competition by raising their prices, the report said. A tariff is basically a tax at the border thats paid by the importer, usually an American firm. Businesses may try to absorb the costs for a while, but eventually they pass them on to the consumer. Even Trumps top economics adviser, Larry Kudlow, conceded on Fox News Sunday that American consumers and businesses are paying the tariffs. Trump says the world has been ripping off America too long. He insists tariffs bring back industries, like steel, and create jobs but the cost is astounding. The steel tariffs Trump imposed last year created about 8,700 jobs in the U.S steel industry, according to calculations by the Peterson Institute for International Economics. But the price tag for American consumers and businesses for each job created or saved was more than $900,000. Wow! the report said. Trump has told allies and advisers the trade war is very popular with his base and will help him win re-election, The Washington Post reported. You want to know something? We always win, Trump said on the White House lawn last week. Well, lets hope so. The last time the United States fell hard for tariffs was the 1930s, when tariffs likely worsened the Great Depression. But Trump loves tariffs. After trade talks with China fell apart, he hiked tariffs from 10 percent to 25 percent on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods last Friday. China announced retaliatory tariffs of $60 billion on U.S. goods. Trump wants to impose tariffs on another $300 billion of Chinese products, and hes eyeing tariffs on autos from Europe and Japan. Everyone agrees China should stop its aggressively unfair business practices like making American companies share technology and trade secrets. The question is whether tariffs are the right tool. While the economy remains strong, the trade war is hurting the nations farmers who rely on overseas markets for soybeans. Thats opened a rift between the president and some Republicans in Congress. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican and a lifelong farmer, complained he cant get through to Trump on the need to lift tariffs. Trump gave farmers a $12 billion bailout last year and is planning another for $15 billion. Our great Patriot Farmers will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of what is happening now, he tweeted. But Sen. Patrick Toomey, Republican of Pennsylvania, isnt buying. Think about what were doing. Were inviting retaliation that denies our farmers, the most productive farmers on the planet, the opportunity to sell their products overseas and then we say, Dont worry, well have taxpayers send you some checks and make it OK, Toomey said. Consumers can expect to see higher prices of Chinese goods by mid-June, experts say. Items affected include auto parts, bicycles, dog leashes, fish and seafood, furniture and luggage. So grab your wallet. Youre likely to suffer collateral damage in the trade war. Mercer writes from Washington. Email her at marsha.mercer@yahoo.com. 2019 Marsha Mercer. All rights reserved. (Newser) A New York cop is accused of trying to kill two peopleher ex-husband and her boyfriend's daughterin a story that reeks of bitterness and resentment, the New York Post reports. According to court papers, Officer Valerie Cincinelli told her boyfriend to hire a hitman for both jobs, but he ratted to the FBI and let them record his conversations with her. "The evidence in this case is overwhelming," says the Brooklyn US Attorney. Authorities say Cincinelli, 34, withdrew $7,000 in February and gave it to her boyfriend to pay the hitman. She even suggested the hitman kill her boyfriend's teenage daughter first and wait a week or two to kill her ex to make them seem unconnected, per court documents. story continues below It all came apart Friday when a detective visited her and lied, saying that her ex-husband, 32-year-old Isaiah Carvalho Jr., had been murdered. She shed tears, but when the detective left, she allegedly planned her alibi with her boyfriend and told him to remove photos from his phone that might be incriminating, per NBC New York. She was soon arrested and faces up to 10 years for use of interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. Prosecutors haven't divulged a motive for wanting Carvalho dead, but their joint custody of two children was apparently tense. And the lover's 15-year-old daughter? "She was getting in the way," a source says. (A teacher is accused of hiring a hitman to murder a seven-year-old child.) (Newser) White House officials have begun the process for issuing presidential pardons for several members of the military accused or convicted of war crimes. Among them is Edward Gallagher, a Navy SEAL charged with shooting unarmed civilians and killing a captive while deployed in Iraq, the New York Times reports. The White House sent expedited requests for the required paperwork to the Justice Department on Friday so that President Trump could issue the pardons around Memorial Day. Among others on the list: An ex-Blackwater contractor, Nicholas Slatten, who was among those who shot dozens of Iraqis, killing 17, in 2007. An Army Green Beret, Matthew Golsteyn, who allegedly shot and killed an unarmed Afghan in 2010. Several Marine Corps snipers charged with urinating on dead Taliban soldiers. story continues below Trump has praised Gallagher and called Golsteyn a hero; he recently had Gallagher moved to a "less restrictive" prison. Republican members of Congress had called for his release before trial, per the New York Post. Gallagher's lawyer hesitated at that, saying, "We want the opportunity to exonerate my client" at trial, per the Times, but added that Trump's intervention would be welcome. Fellow SEALs say Gallagher indiscriminately shot civilians, including a young woman and an unarmed old man, and bragged in texts about stabbing a teenage captive. "Presidents use pardons to send messages," said a former US pardon attorney under presidents of both parties. "If this president is planning to pardon a bunch of people charged with war crimes, he will use the pardon power to send a far darker message." (Trump pardoned a soldier convicted of killing a terrorist suspect.) (Newser) A Republican congressman from Michigan on Saturday became the first member of President Donald Trump's party on Capitol Hill to accuse him of engaging in "impeachable conduct" stemming from special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, the AP reports. But Rep. Justin Amash stopped short of calling on Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump, which many Democrats have been agitating for. Often a lone GOP voice in Congress, Amash sent a series of tweets Saturday faulting both Trump and Attorney General William Barr over Mueller's report. Amash said he reached four conclusions after carefully reading the redacted version of Mueller's report, including that "President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct." story continues below "Contrary to Barr's portrayal, Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment," the congressman tweeted. He said the report "identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence." While Trump and GOP lawmakers generally consider the case closed, Democrats who control the House are locked in a bitter standoff with the White House as it ignores lawmakers' requests for the more complete version of Mueller's report, the underlying evidence and witness testimony. (Read more Mueller report stories.) (Newser) A boozy Alabama high school graduation party turned tragic early Saturday, with shots fired that left one man dead and eight other people injured, reports WKRG. Authorities say that a fight broke out around 2am between two women at the party that drew hundreds to the old Escambia County Middle School, now a community center, leading to the gunfire. Police are searching for two suspects, but don't believe there is a risk of further danger. The dead man has not been identified, notes the AP. Escambia County High School Principal Dennis Fuqua noted that earlier in the day, "our seniors experienced the high of obtaining 8.6 million dollars in scholarships," yet, "by night we all felt the pangs of tragedy." (Read more shooting stories.) New York Times best-selling author David Platt will release his new book Something Needs to Change: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need on September 17. In this book, Platt takes readers on a heart-wrenching, soul-searching journey through impoverished villages in the Himalayan mountains. With riveting passion and surprising vulnerability, Platt dares readers to make a difference in a world of urgent need, starting right where they live. While leading a team on a week-long trek of the Himalayas, bestselling author and pastor David Platt was stunned by the human needs he encountered, an experience so dramatic that it "changed the trajectory of my life." Meeting a man who'd lost his eye from a simple infection and seeing the faces of girls stolen from their families and trafficked in the cities, along with other unforgettable encounters, opened his eyes to the people behind the statistics and compelled him to wrestle with his assumptions about faith. In Something Needs to Change, Platt invites readers to come along on both the adventure of the trek, as well as the adventure of seeking answers to tough questions like, "Where is God in the middle of suffering?" "What makes my religion any better than someone else's religion?" and "What do I believe about eternal suffering?" Platt has crafted an irresistible message about what it means to give your life for the gospel--to finally stop talking about faith and truly start living it. David Platt serves as pastor at McLean Bible Church in Washington, D.C., and he is the founder and president of Radical Inc., a global ministry that serves churches in accomplishing the mission of Christ. David previously served as the president of the International Mission Board, and he has authored several books, including Radical, Radical Together, Follow Me, and Counter Culture. Along with his wife and kids, he lives in the Washington D.C. metro area. Tags : David Platt david platt new book Something Needs to Change: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need (Newser) Police and Illinois' child welfare agency say staff at a Chicago-area hospital didn't alert them after determining that a bloodied woman who arrived with a gravely ill newborn had not just given birth to the baby boy, as she claimed, the AP reports. The woman, Clarisa Figueroa, was charged more than three weeks later with killing the baby's mother, Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, after police found her body outside Figueoa's home. Chicago police say she cut Ochoa-Lopez's baby out of her womb on April 23, then called 911 to report she had given birth to a baby who wasn't breathing. Paramedics took Figueroa and the baby to Advocate Christ Medical Center in suburban Oak Lawn. Ochoa-Lopez's family spent those weeks searching for her and holding press conferences pleading for help finding her, unaware the child was in a neonatal intensive care unit. The baby remained hospitalized on life support on Saturday, according to authorities. story continues below Prosecutors say that when Figueroa was brought with the baby to the hospital, she had blood on her upper body and her face, which a hospital employee cleaned off. They also say Figueroa, 46, was examined and showed no physical signs of childbirth. Advocate Christ Medical Center has declined to say whether it contacted authorities, citing state and federal regulations. Oak Lawn police said they were not contacted by the medical center or any other agency. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Jassen Strokosch said Saturday the agency was alerted May 9 that there were questions about who had custody of the child in order to make medical decisions. He said he couldn't speculate about why the agency wasn't contacted sooner. "We don't know what was happening at the hospital," he said. (Police described what they found.) (Newser) Sixteen thousand tons of Bethlehem Steel collapsed in a matter of seconds Sunday as a demolition crew imploded Martin Tower, the defunct steelmaker's former headquarters. Crowds gathered to watch the demolition of the Pennsylvania area's tallest building, a 21-story monolith that opened at the height of Bethlehem Steel's power but had stood vacant for a dozen years after America's second-largest steelmaker went out of business. Explosives took out Martin Tower's steel supports and in 16 seconds crumpled the 47-year-old building, which had earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places despite its relatively young age, reports the AP. Tyler Kent, whose father worked at Bethlehem Steel for 46 years, said his "heart stopped" as he watched the building fall. "I didn't think it was going to affect me emotionally like it did, but I just can't imagine it's gone. It's so sad." story continues below Martin Tower's current owners spent years trying to redevelop the 332-foot structure, but concluded it made more sense to knock it down and start over. Bethlehem Steel's product is found in the Empire State Building, the Golden Gate Bridge, and many other landmarks. The company moved into its headquarters in 1972, shortly before the US steel industry plunged into a recession. Bethlehem Steel declared bankruptcy in 2001 and closed for good two years later. To some, the towerbuilt in a cruciform shape to maximize the number of corner officessymbolized corporate excess. "This is where the money went that the workers never got," said Fran Maiatico, whose father worked there. Leonard Gentilcore, 88, a retired draftsman, said he associated the building with out-of-touch executives who drove Bethlehem Steel into the ground. But son Mike Gentilcore, a former researcher, said "it breaks my heart. It's the end of an era and I'm going to miss seeing it there." (Read more Bethlehem, Pa. stories.) (Newser) President Trump appeared to disagree with provisions of the new anti-abortion laws approved in several states recently. "I am strongly Pro-Life," Trump tweeted Saturday night, "with the three exceptions Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother." It was the president's first reference to the new laws, USA Today reports, though he didn't mention any of the states directly. He included anti-abortion laws in his State of the Union address in February. The new Alabama law, for example, makes no exceptions in the case of rape or incest. Televangelist Pat Robertson is among those who have said that legislation goes "too far." story continues below Trump called on supporters to keep a united front in their battle against access to abortion, tweeting, "We must stick together and Win ... for Life in 2020." Democratic candidates have seen opportunity in the new state legislation. Elizabeth Warren called the Alabama law "exceptionally cruel," per the Washington Post, and Beto ORourke said it's "a radical attack on women." During the 2020 campaign, a Democratic pollster says, "Radical laws like the one in Alabama will keep Republicans on the defensive in terms of being outside the mainstream." (Read more anti-abortion laws stories.) (Newser) An explosion injured at least 12 people on a tourist bus in Egypt on Sunday. The bus was taking 25 South Africans from the airport to the Giza pyramids area, Reuters reports; four Egyptians in a car were injured by broken glass. Three of the injured were treated at a hospital, per the BBC. The attack occurred near the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is scheduled to open next year; the museum was not damaged by the explosion. No group claimed responsibility immediately. story continues below "The last time we had an attack on a tourist bus that had been leaving the pyramids in December, no one ended up claiming responsibility," a political analyst at The Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy tells Al Jazeera. "Historically these sorts of attacks have been followed by announcements of raids on different militant groups outposts." Indeed, Egypt's security forces are already battling Islamist militants north of the Sinai Peninsula. Egypt's tourist industry has been struggling to recover after the 2011 Arab Spring and the 2015 bombing of a Russian passenger plane. (Read more terrorism stories.) (Newser) Jimmy Carter carved an unlikely path to the White House in 1976 and endured humbling defeat after one term. Now, six administrations later, the longest-living chief executive in American history is re-emerging from political obscurity at age 94 to win over his fellow Democrats once again, the AP reports. A peanut farmer turned politician then worldwide humanitarian, Carter is taking on a special role as several Democratic candidates look to his family-run campaign after the Watergate scandal as the road map for toppling President Donald Trump in 2020. "Jimmy Carter is a decent, well-meaning person, someone who people are talking about again given the time that we are in," Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar said in an interview. "He won because he worked so hard, and he had a message of truth and honesty. I think about him all the time." story continues below Klobuchar is one of at least three presidential hopefuls who've ventured to the tiny town of Plains, Georgia, to meet with Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, who is 91. New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker and Mayor Pete Buttigieg of South Bend, Indiana, also have visited with the Carters and attended the former president's Sunday School lesson in Plains. It's quite a turnabout for a man who largely receded from party politics after his presidency, often without being missed by his party's leaders in Washington, where he was an outsider even as a White House resident. Carter is also a complex figure who says he voted for Sen. Bernie Sanders in the 2016 primaries but warns Democrats against "too liberal a program." Meanwhile, his allies say they hope the 2020 campaign is part of bolstering his reputation as a president. (Read more Election 2020 stories.) (Newser) A New Jersey millionaire who seemed to have everythinga family, a helicopter, two planes, a brokerage firmis pleading guilty to sex charges after allegedly putting one of his planes on autopilot to have sex with an underage girl, USA Today reports. Stephen Mell, 53, faces up to five years in prison and five more of supervised release when he appears in federal court on Tuesday for sentencing. Otherwise Mell appears to be a respectable community man who started his own charity, earned a master's degree in psychology, and has a wife and three children. But his knack for flying led to trouble when he gave flying lessons to the 15-year-old girl. A federal complaint lists many of the alleged sex acts and sexual texts they shared. story continues below "If you are nervous it will hurt more," he apparently texted her. "When are turned on is when it will feel ok." He also urged her to get birth control and, about six months in, texted her that "the sex is amazing but so is being around you." But according to a brief backing Mell's bail release, there's more: Mell fell "into a spiral of depression" when two close friends perished in a 2011 crash of a helicopter he owned. Mell was supposed to be on board but backed out due to a last-minute conflict; he later had survivor's guilt and took antidepressants. In another underage sex case, 16 menseveral in positions of authoritywere arrested last month in New Jersey for allegedly going to a house to have sex with 14- and 15-year-olds, the New York Times reports. (Read more underage sex stories.) (Newser) Saudi Arabia does not want war but will not hesitate to defend itself against Iran, a top Saudi diplomat said Sunday, after the kingdom's energy sector was targeted this past week amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf, the AP reports. On Sunday night, a rocket was fired into the Iraqi capital's heavily fortified Green Zone, landing less than a mile from the US Embassy, further stoking tensions. No casualties were reported in the apparent attack. Adel al-Jubeir, the minister of state for foreign affairs, spoke a week after four oil tankerstwo of them Saudiwere targeted in an alleged act of sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and days after Iran-allied Yemeni rebels claimed a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. story continues below "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want war in the region and does not strive for that ... but at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this with all force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens and its interests," al-Jubeir told reporters. A senior Iranian military commander was similarly quoted as saying his country is not looking for war. Fears of armed conflict were already running high after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region earlier this month to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. The US also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. But President Donald Trump appears to have softened his tone in recent days, saying he expects Iran to seek negotiations with his administration. (Read more Saudi Arabia stories.) Sorry! This content is not available in your region Millie Chapman, daughter of Amy Grant and Gary Chapman, has married. Millie, was also the inspiration Amy Grant's #1 pop and Christian hit "Baby Baby," married fiance Ben Long on Saturday, April 27 in Nashville. Chapman, 29, and Long, 30, met just over two years ago on a dating app while they were both living in New York. "We were both looking for a special connection we didn't think we could find in a bar," Chapman tells PEOPLE. "Pretty early on in the relationship we each knew that we had found the person we wanted to be with." "We didn't have a specific timeline, we just did what felt natural," she adds. "We also had a longer engagement, 16 months, which felt right for us." The ceremony was held at the Immanuel Baptist Church, while Amy and her husband, country superstar Vince Gill, hosted a reception at their house. Amy also shared a picture on Instagram of herself with Millie in a precious moment before the walk down the aisle. In the caption, she wrote, "When Millie's father, Gary Chapman, responded to the question 'Who presents this bride?' with the words 'We all do!' He captured the joy and healing of our big blended family. As Vince and I welcomed the crowd of family and friends to our backyard reception, Vince said, 'We didn't do things perfectly...or everything just right..but we're all here now to celebrate this beautiful couple.' It is hard to believe that same 6-week old girl who inspired the lyrics to "Baby Baby" is now a beautiful married woman. Her life has given us all a lot of reasons to dance and celebrate!" Tags : Amy Grant Vince Gill gary chapman millie chapman millie chapman married mille chapman wedding New Delhi: Cash-strapped Reliance Capital Saturday said it expects to raise Rs 10,000 crore by selling assets and cut down its debt by about 50 per cent in the current fiscal. The company has been working diligently to ensure timely debt repayments and is regular in all its debt payments, Reliance Capital said in a statement. The companys asset monetisation plan is on track, it said, adding, it is in the process of monetising its entire 42.88 per cent stake in Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management Limited, which at current market price is valued at over Rs 5,000 crore. It has also announced its plans to monetise 49 per cent stake in Reliance General Insurance Company and the DRHP has recently been filed with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). The company is at an advanced stage of monetisation of several of its non-core investments, the statement said. Based on the above, the company expects to realise minimum proceeds of over Rs 10,000 crore, and sharply cut its overall debt by more than 50 per cent within the current financial year, it added. The Anil Ambani-group company also expressed disagreement with ratings agency Care, which downgraded its ratings for long-term debt programme, market linked debentures and subordinated debt. There has not been any adverse change in the companys operational parameters and/or any other circumstances from the time of the last rating action, just 4 weeks ago and hence latest revision is completely unjustified, it said. For all the Latest Business News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Patients at Delhis Hindu Rao Hospital will have tough time on Monday as the protesting doctors have decided to intensify their strike to total shutdown, a TOI report said today. With no word from the officials on any kind of reconciliation, the doctors will go from three-hour pen down to total shutdown starting Monday. They are agitating against delayed salaries. The doctors have not received their salaries for last three months. The Times of India report said that in order to lessen the patients woes, the doctors will hold an open OPD outside hospital compound. The Hindu Rao strike is part of the bigger fund crunch problem that the civic bodies are facing in Delhi. The TOI report says that the North Corporation needs around Rs 600 crore. Around 450 resident doctors and interns of the hospital have repeatedly skipped their duties and are demanding payment of their salaries. "We will go on an indefinite strike from Monday, if the NDMC administration does not release our salaries," said Rahul Chaudhary, the president of Resident Welfare Association at the hospital. The municipal corporation, suffering financial crisis, has been facing hardships in regular payment of salaries to its employees, including sanitation workers and those serving in other departments. "We will pay the salaries as soon the funds are ready," said the NDMC officer. Hindu Rao is the largest hospital operated by the NDMC. A medical college was also opened by the civic body in 2013. New Delhi: The Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan (RBSE) has announced RBSE class 12 arts results today. Around 5.3 lakh candidates appeared in the 12th Arts examination this year. The scorecards will be available on the official website of the board i.e. rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in. The declaration of the results will seal the fate of thousands of students who have appeared for the application. Other than the official website of the board, the candidates can also check their results on this page by clicking on the link given. CLICK HERE FOR RAJASTHAN BOARD ARTS RESULTS 2019 Last year, the results for Arts stream was announced on June 1. BSER Rajastshan Board class 12: Top five subjects in Rajasthan Board Here's the list of top five subjects in Rajasthan Board class 12 commerce - Hindi - 98.85% English - 98.46% Infor Tech - 91.92% Economics - 96.65% Maths - 96.66% For the convenience of the students, we have mentioned the steps through which the candidates can check their results: STEP 1: Visit newsnation.in/board- results and click on Rajasthan 12th Arts Result 2019 STEP 2: Enter your Roll Number STEP 3: Click on submit to view your result STEP 4: Check your Rajasthan 12th Arts 2019 result and download the same in PDF format on your devices. About Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education The Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan established in the year 1957, regulates and supervises the education policies in schools. The Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan (BSER) conducts yearly Secondary School examinations, Senior Secondary School examinations and other associated examinations such as Rajasthan 12th Varishtha Upadhyay and Rajasthan Praveshika at 10th level. The Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan (BSER) under its jurisdiction has more than 6,000 schools covering over 32 districts. More than 15 lakh students register for its annual state-level board examinations. The Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan (BSER) has brought about positive changes in the Rajasthans education policies and has contributed towards the improvement of education standard in the state. New Delhi: In Rajasthan, the BJP is expected to win 22 of the 25 Lok Sabha seats a a loss of three seats in comparison to the 2014 general elections when it made a clean sweep, according to the exit poll conducted by News Nation. According to the data of the exit poll, the BJP will garner 52 per cent votes in the state. On the other hand, despite its victory in the 2018 Assembly polls, the Congress is unlikely to show any considerable improvement in its performance and is expected to win just three seats. In the assembly polls, the Congress won 99 seats, BJP won 73 and BSP won 6 seats out of the 199 seats that went to polls. The Congress, which emerged as the single largest party, got the support of BSP to form the government. A major reason for the BJPas defeat in state elections was dubbed to be the perceived hostility towards Vasundhara Raje. While the state has been voting the BJP and the Congress alternatively to power, the story is totally different when it comes to choosing a government at the Centre. The BJP, which has entered into an alliance with the Rashtriya Loktantrik Party, won all the 25 Lok Sabha seats in the state, with a 55.6 per cent vote share, in 2014. While the News Nation exit poll has predicted 22 seats for the BJP, the India TV-CNX Exit Poll has predicted 21 seats for the saffron party. On the contrary, the India Today-My Axis Exit Poll has predicted a victory on 24 seats for the BJP in Haryana.A A This time, the BJP and the Congress are locked in a direct contest and are trying to retain their traditional vote banks while also attempting to win aswing votesa. Though agrarian distress and unemployment are among the major issues in almost all constituencies of the State, the recent UN action of Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Masood Azhar and the Balakot air strikes are high on the narrative in the districts bordering Pakistan. The News Nation has predicted 286 seats for the BLP-led NDA, which means that Narendra Modi will return as the prime minister. Badrinath: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday paid obeisance and performed puja at Badrinath temple on the second day of his two-day visit to Uttarakhand. He reached Badrinath after spending around 20 hours in the Himalayan shrine of Kedarnath. Modi offered prayers at innermost sanctum in Badrinath, another temple in Uttarakhand's 'char dham' religious circuit, dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Earlier, PM Modi thanked the Election Commission for granting him permission to visit the Kedarnath shrine at a time when the model code of conduct is in force. Modi, who spent around 17 hours at a holy cave near the shrine, offered prayers and performed puja at the temple. He told reporters he did not ask for anything while praying as it is not his nature. "God has given us capacity to give and not demand," he said. He said may the almighty bless not only India but the whole humankind with happiness, prosperity and welfare. "I am fortunate to visit the temple on multiple occasions," he said while thanking the media for taking out time to visit Kedarnath at a time when the poll process is underway. The media's presence, he said, will send a message that the town has been developed well. Referring to the ongoing development works at the temple town, Modi said development should be a mission in which nature, environment and tourism should not be affected. He said he has been reviewing the work through video-conferencing. Modi reached the temple town Saturday. Dressed in a grey traditional pahari attire, he offered prayers for about 30 minutes and undertook a circumambulation of the Kedarnath shrine situated at a height of 11,755 feet near the Mandakini river. The prime minister then went inside a cave near the shrine to meditate. Draped in a saffron shawl, Modi was seen meditating at the holy cave. The prime minister also took stock of development work in the temple town. This is Modi's fourth visit to the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the last two years. The portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines reopened for devotees earlier this month after the winter break. The Election Commission gave its nod to the visit while "reminding" the Prime Minister's Office that the model code of conduct is still in force. New Delhi: After night-long meditation at a holy cave near Kedarnath Temple, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will leave for Badrinath Temple today. PM Modi is on his 2-day visit to the two most important temples according to ancient Hindu scriptures. The pilgrimage of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri and Gangotri located in Uttarakhand are also known as chhota char dham yatra. The Prime Minister had taken special permission from the Election Commission for the trip as it coincides with the final phase voting of the Lok Sabha Elections that will seal the fate of 59 seats across India. This is Modi's fourth visit to the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the last two years. The portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines reopened for devotees earlier this month after the winter break. Located at a height of 11,755 feet near the Mandakini river, Kedarnath shrine witnessed terrible devastation in 2013 cloudbursts and flooding, which is also known as Himalayan Tsunami. It should be noted that rebuilding of Kedarnath complex has been one of most important projects for PM Modi. In 2014, soon after taking over as new PM, Modi had laid the foundation stones of five reconstruction projects and hit out at the Congress, saying he was not allowed to carry out redevelopment work after the 2013 deluge when he was Gujarat chief minister. As chief minister of Gujarat, Modi said he had offered to take the responsibility of reconstructing areas surrounding the temple when the tragedy had struck in 2013, killing thousands of people PM Modi has always spoken about his days spent in Himalayas during his early years. He has often got nostalgic remembering his days in Garurchatti near Kedarnath before he entered politics. "They were important moments of my life, PM Modi was once quoted as saying. New Delhi: With voting for the seven-phase Lok Sabha elections concluding on Sunday, a host of national pollsters started telecasting their exit poll results from 6:30 pm. Going by the News Nation Exit Poll Survey, the YS Jaganmohan Reddy-led YSRCP is predicted to emerge victorious with 42 per cent vote share in the state. Whereas, the TDP, BJP and the Congress are projected to get 35 per cent, 9 per cent and 7 per cent votes respectively. When it comes to the seat sharing deal, the YSRCP, TDP, are likely to bag 15-17, 7-9 seats respectively. On the other hand, both the BJP and Congress may bag 0-2 seats each. Talking about the National Exit Poll Survey, conducted by News Nation, the BJP-led NDA will sail past the magic figure winning 282-290 seats, while UPA may get 118-126 seats. Voting for all the 175 Assembly and 25 Lok Sabha constituencies across Andhra Pradesh were conducted in a single phase on April 11. The high-stakes battle for power in the state Assembly and the Centre unfolded with widespread violence between workers of the regional giants - the Telugu Desam Party and YS Rajashekar Congress Party. Allegations of distribution of money and EVM malfunctions drew considerations from the Election Commission regarding repolling in certain constituencies. The exit polls, conducted by News Nation are based on responses of the people who have cast their votes in their respective constituencies in Andhra Pradesh. Here are the Highlights on Andhra Pradesh Lok Sabha Elections Exit Poll 2019: 08:56 pm: Andhra Pradesh Lok Sabha Seat Projection: TDP 17 3 Seats, YSR Congress 8 3 Seats, Others NIL, according to Chanakya Exit Poll Results 2019. 06:50 pm: When it comes to the seat sharing deal, the YSRCP, TDP, are likely to bag 15-17, 7-9 seats respectively. On the other hand, both the BJP and Congress may bag 0-2 seats each. 06:45 pm: Going by the News Nation Exit Poll Survey, the YS Jaganmohan Reddy-led YSRCP is predicted to emerge victorious with 42 per cent vote share in the state. Whereas, the TDP, BJP and the Congress are projected to get 35 per cent, 9 per cent and 7 per cent votes respectively. 06:30 pm: According to News Nation Exit Poll Survey, the BJP-led NDA will sail past the magic figure winning 282-290 seats, while UPA may get 118-126 seats in Lok Sabha elections 2019. 06:23 pm: In constituencies like Puthalapattu, the inter-party clashes turned so violent that polling came to an end at 3 pm. 06:18 pm: In 2019, A total of 2,395 candidates were in the fray in 2019 Lok Sabha elections in the state. 06:20 pm: In the Andhra Pradesh Assembly Elections 2014, the Telugu Desam Party formed the state government having secured a majority of 102 seats. 06:15 pm: In the 2014 General Elections, out of the total 25 parliamentary constituencies, Telugu Desam Party (TDP) won a majority of 15 seats, while Yuvajana Sramika Rythu Congress Party (YSRCP) and the BJP bagged 8 and 2 seats respectively. New Delhi: News Nation Exit Poll on Sunday predicted that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will decimate the Congress in Assam by winning around 9-11 Lok Sabha seats. The grand old party is expected to win just 2-4 seats out of total 14 seats.A In term of vote share, BJP to get 43 per cent of the vote share this time and Congress to get 36 per cent of the vote share. In 2014, the BJP received 55,07,152 votes with a vote share of 36.86 per cent, while the Congress was able to garner 44,67,295 votes in the state with a vote share of 29.90 per cent.A #ExitPollWithNewsNation | According to News Nation Exit Poll, BJP-led NDA may win 9-11 seats while Congress and its allies may get 2-4 seats in Assam#ElectionsWithNewsNation Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/g2V4JPBaiO LIVE TV: https://t.co/EdP4XDUtTF pic.twitter.com/SgJHBOJCpc a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) May 19, 2019 In terms of seats in 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, the BJP had won 7 and both the Congress and the Badruddin Ajmal-led All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) won 3 each. The Independent candidate was successful from Kokrajhar Lok Sabha seat.A The AIUDF got 22,37,612 votes with 14.98 per cent of the vote share. The AGP that ruled the state twice between 1985 to 1990 and 1996 to 2001 got 5,77,730 votes with a dismal vote share of 3.87 per cent and drew a blank.A The Sarbananda Sonowal-led Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been ruling the state since 2016. This is the first BJP government in the state. The Congress party is on a backfoot in the state after Tarun Gogoi's stint as the state's chief minister from 2001 to 2016.A However, the grand old party expected to revive its fortunes after the Asom Gana Parishad's (AGP) withdrew support from the BJP government over the issue of Citizenship Amendment Bill.A Meanwhile, the BJP defeated the Congress and the AIUDF in panchayat polls concluded earlier this year. The AGP, which was the part of the ruling coalition that time, contested the elections separately and lost. According to the Assam State Election Commission, the ruling party had won 9,025 Gram Panchayat Member (GPM) seats out of 21,990 seats. Apart from that, the BJP had won 991 Gram Panchayat President seats, 1,020 Anchalik Panchayat Member seats, and 212 Zila Parishad Member seats. The Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) had won 1,676 GPM seats, 137 Gram Panchayat President seats, 117 Anchalik Panchayat Member seats and 19 Zila Parishad Member seats.A New Delhi: The final phase of Lok Sabha election 2019 has come to an end and now all eyes are exit poll. News Nation has conducted the biggest exit poll survey to provide you the most accurate data. The polling in the state was held in three phases on April 11, 18 and 23. In 2014 Lok Sabha Elections, the BJP for the first time won 7 seats in Assam. The 2014 polls in Assam were held in three phases on April 7, 12 and 24. The state has 14 Lok Sabha seats and both the Congress and the Badruddin Ajmal-led All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) won 3 seats each. 20:49 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In NDA to get 339-365 and UPA may win 77-108 predicts India Today-My Axis Exit Poll 20:42 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP to get 62-68 seats in Uttar Pradesh: India Today-My Axis Exit Poll 20:32 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In According to India Today-My Axis Exit Poll, the BJP is likely to win 2 seats in Manipur. The Congress may lose both the seats. 20:29 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP clean sweep in Assam, may win 12-14 seats: India Today-My Axis 20:23 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP to get 291 seats, Congress will win 57 seats: Today Chanakya Exit Poll 20:23 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Today Chanakya Exit Poll predicts that NDA will get 340 seats and UPA will 70 seats. 20:16 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In NDA to win 12-14 seats in Jharkhand and Congress alliance to get 02 seats: India Today- My Axis Exit poll 20:13 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is likely to win 33-35 seats while Congress-NCP may get 13-15 seats. 20:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In News Nation Exit Poll predicts 2 seats for BJP, 1 each for National Conference, PDP and Congress in Jammu and Kashmir. 20:09 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In According to News Nation Exit Poll, BJP is likely to sweep all 7 seats in Delhi. 20:09 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In According to News Nation Exit Poll, BJP is likely to win 22-24 seats, while Congress may get 2-4 seats in Gujarat. 20:07 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In NDA to make a clean sweep in Bihar, likely to win all 38-40 seats: India Today - My Axis exit poll 20:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In NDA likely to get 267, UPA and Others may win 127 and 148 respectively: ABP Exit Poll 19:56 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP to get 19-23 seats in West Bengal: India Today 19:48 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP-led NDA may get 6 seats, while Congress and its allies may win 3 seats in the North East. 19:46 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In According to Republic, CVoter projects 18 seats for NDA in Karnataka 19:43 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Congress and its allies may get 2-4 seats in Assam. 19:41 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Congress is likely to win only 1 seat in Himachal Pradesh. 19:34 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP to get 3 seats in Himachal Pradesh. 19:31 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The YSRCP, TDP, are likely to bag 15-17, 7-9 seats respectively in Andhra Pradesh. 19:23 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In BJP may win seven Lok Sabha seats in Chhattisgarh while the Congress party may bag four seats: Times Now-VMR Projection 19:14 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Stalin-led party looks all set to sweep Tamil Nadu with 27-29 seats. 19:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In NDA to retain Maharashtra with 38-42 seats: India Today Axis Poll 19:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Congress may gain 5-7 seats in Chhattisgarh while BJP may get 4-6 seats. 19:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In According to News Nation Exit Poll, BJP may get 21-23 seats while Congress may win 2-4 seats in Rajasthan. New Delhi: In an apparent bid to consolidate the Opposition ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections results, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu on Sunday Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury to discuss post-poll strategy. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister's meeting with Yechury has come in addition to a flurry of meeting with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati. On Saturday, The Telugu Desam Party chief met leaders of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party in Lucknow, continuing his efforts to put together a coalition to form the anti-BJP government at the Centre. He had reached the Uttar Pradesh capital in the evening after meetings in New Delhi with Congress president Rahul Gandhi, CPI leaders G Sudhakar Reddy and D Raja, Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar and Loktantrik Janata Dal leader Sharad Yadav. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister did not speak to the media after any of his meetings. Sources, however, said Naidu and Gandhi discussed the possibility of forming a joint alliance of all opposition parties. He told Gandhi to have a strategy ready, in case the NDA falls short of a majority and still stakes claim to form the government, the sources said. Naidu told all the leaders that we all should come together and put our act together to form the next government by keeping the BJP out, a source said. Later, Gandhi, former prime minister Manmohan Singh and other Congress leaders met at UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhis residence to evolve their partys strategy. The campaigning of this Lok Sabha Election 2019 has ended and as we await the last phase of polling, Andhra Pradesh CM Shri N Chandrababu Naidu paid me a visit to discuss the ongoing and future political scenario of our country, Pawar said in a tweet after the meeting at his residence. (With inputs from PTI) New Delhi: According to the News Nation exit poll, of the six Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP is predicted to win two seats whereas the Congress, PDP, NC and others may get one seat each. It would be a big blow to former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti if the PDP manage a win only a single seat in Kashmir. Mehbooba is herself contesting from South Kashmirs Anantnag constituency. With opinion polls showing the Congress winning one seat, it looks like the strategy to consolidate the secular vote has worked. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had won two seats of Jammu and one seat of Ladakh. The PDP had won all three seats of the Valley. The National Conference was not able to open its account in the state and the Congress had drawn a blank in the state. Jammu and Kashmir has been under Presidents rule since December last year and elections in the restive state have not been held for long now. Governors rule was imposed in Jammu and Kashmir on June 19, 2018, after the state plunged into a political crisis when the Mehbooba Mufti-led PDP-BJP coalition government was reduced to a minority as the 25-member BJP in the state withdrew its support. Here are some of the key points of Jammu and Kashmir polls: Date of voting: April 11, 18, 23, 29, May 6 Date of counting: May 23 Ruling party/coalition in the state: Presidential rule Number of Lok Sabha seats in the state: Six Party wise break-up of Lok Sabha seats: PDP 1, BJP 2, NC 1, Ladakh BJP MP resigned. Ladakh MP Thupsan Chewang resigned from his seat citing personnel reason however, BJP leaders said that he was demanding Union territory status for Ladakh. Number of voters in the state: 78,50,671 Number of assembly seats: 87 Party wise break-up of assembly seats: PDP-28, BJP-25, NC-15, Congress-12, Peoples Conference-2 Key leaders across parties: Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah (NC), Mehbooba Mufti (PDP), Ghulam Nabi Azad (Congress ) Sajjad Lone (Peoples Conference), Jitendra Singh (BJP) Key issues: Article 35A, restoration of autonomy self-rule, rights to west Pakistan Refugees, the return of power projects. Jodhpur: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said Saturday the past practice Jauhar, or self-immolation by women facing capture by invaders, was a matter of pride. "Jauhar has been all about sacrifice and pride in our history," he told reporters in Jodhpur, while lashing out at the BJP for tampering with historical facts. He also called Maharana Pratap an epitome of sacrifice and courage. Gehlot's remarks come amid a controversy over changes in school textbooks after the Congress came to power in Rajasthan. The changes include deletion of content introduced during the previous BJP government. A picture in Class 8 English textbooks, suggesting self-immolation, has been replaced with a picture of a hill fort. State School Education Minister Govind Singh Dotasara has said it was not clear from the picture whether it suggested Jauhar or Sati, under which women committed self-immolation on the death of their husbands. The prefix "Veer" has also been dropped from Vinayak Damodar Savarkar's name in Class 10 social science textbooks. The BJP protested against some changes, like the dropping of prefix "Veer". There was opposition also from within the state's ruling Congress. State Transport Minister Pratap Singh Khachariyawas and state Congress vice-president Gopal Singh Idwa have expressed their disagreement with the government decision. On Saturday, Gehlot accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former Rajasthan chief minister Vasundhara Raje of distorting history. "When you run the government and distort or tamper with historical facts, you would never be able to make history or would be remembered," he said. He alleged wherever the BJP ruled in the country, they attempted to distort the history as they did not make any sacrifice in the Indian freedom struggle. New Delhi: The 20 parliamentary constituencies of Kerala saw a three-way clash between the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party in 2019 Lok Sabha Polls. According to the Exit Poll conducted by the News Nation, there would be a saffron surge in the state of Kerala with 1-3 seats (14 per cent vote share), the Congress/UDF on the other hand is likely to get 11-13 seat with 38 per cent of vote share and the ruling Communist Party Marxist (CPM) may get 5 to 7 seats with 34 per cent.A #ExitPollWithNewsNation | News Nation Exit Poll predicts BJP is likely open its account in Kerala with 1-3 seats, while Congress may win 11-13 seats. Left Front likely to get 5-7 seats. LIVE updates here: https://t.co/g2V4JPBaiO Watch LIVE: https://t.co/EdP4XDUtTF pic.twitter.com/1jOPZ9Dbp9 a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) May 19, 2019 The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has been planning to make its inroad in the state riding high on the Sabarimala protests. While the CPI-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) have footing in the stateas Lok Sabha constituencies, the saffron party had no major presence in the state. According to the 2011 Census, the state had a population of 33,387,677, of which 52.3 percent live in rural areas. Although the state has a Hindu majority, it has a sizeable minorities population. Around 26.56 percent of the population are Muslims and 18.38 percent are Christians, according to the 2011 Census data. The state of Kerala has always been a battleground for the left and the right parties and the pollical murders have always marred the Kerala politics over the years. During the election campaigns the LDF, the UDF as well as the BJP evoked voter sentiments by bringing up the murders. Another campaigning point this election was the visibility of women. Although the number of women electors is more than that of men, there are only two women MPs in the state. Here are the names of the 20 constituencies and their past records: 1. Alappuzha Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 15 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: Congress partyas VM Sudheeran won the constituency in 1999 when it was called Allepey. In 2004, KS Manoj from CPI(M) was elected MP from the constituency. State Congress general secretary KC Venugopal won the election in 2009 and 2014, now called Alappuzha. 2. Alathur Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 9 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: Since the formation of this constituency, the CPM has held sway. PK Biju has been the elected MP since 2009. 3. Attingal Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 19 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: A Sampath of the CPM has been the sitting MP since 2009. 4. Chalakudy Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 11 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: KP Dhanapalam of Congress won the first Lok Sabha election for the constituency in 2009. Thereafter, independent candidate Innocent won the election in 2014. 5. Ernakulam Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 12 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In 1999, Congress candidate George Eden was elected MP. In 2004, independent candidate Sebastian Paul was successful. After that, Congress held sway over this constituency. Both in 2009 and 2014 Congress candidate KV Thomas was elected MP. 6. Idukki Lok Sabha Constituency Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: Leader of the Kerala Congress (KEC) in 1999, F Francis George was elected MP from this constituency in 1999 and 2004 elections. Then Congress party member PT Thomas won the election in 2009. In 2014, independent candidate Joice George won a 46.60 majority and won the election. 7. Kannur Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 2 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In 1999, AP ABdullahkutty of the CPM won the election. He was re-elected in 2004. In 2009, Congress tasted success when candidate K Sudhakaran won the election. But CPM made a comeback in 2014 with the win of PK Sreemathi Teacher. 8. Kasaragod Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 1 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: The CPM holds fort in this constituency since the 1999 Lok Sabha elections. While T Govindan was the MP in 1999, P Karunakaran has been a three-time sitting MP since 2004. 9. Kollam Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 18 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: P Rajendran of the CPM was elected MP from the Quilon constituency in both 1999 and 2004. Congress partyas N Peethambarakurup won the election in 2009. NK Premachandran from the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) defeated CPM heavyweight MA Baby to win the seat in 2014. 10. Kozhikode Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 5 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: While in 1999, Congress candidate M Muralidharan won the election, in 2004 it was MP Veerendra Kumar from the Janata Dal (Secular) who was elected MP. Since 2009, Congress leader MK Raghavan has been the sitting MP here. In 2009, Raghavan beat CPM candidate PA Mohammed Riyas by a mere 838 votes. 11. Malappuram Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 6 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In both 2009 and 2014, E Ahamed from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) won the election. 12. Mavelikkara Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 16 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: Ramesh Chennithara from Congress was elected as MP from here. In 2004, CPM won the seat. Candidate CS Sujatha was the MP. Congress made a comeback when Kodikkunnil Suresh won the election in 2009. He won the seat again in 2014. 13. Palakkad Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 8 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: The CPM has held this constituency since 1999. While NN Krishnadas was two-time MP since 1999, MB Rajesh won the seat in 2009 and 2014 elections. Both belong to CPM. 14. Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 17 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In the 2004 elections, Congress candidate Anto Antony Punnathaniyil was elected MP from this constituency. He won a second time in the 2014 elections. 15. Ponnai Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 7 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: GM Bannatwala won the election in 1999. He was succeeded by E Ahamed. ET Muhammed Basheer has been the sitting MP since 2009. All three candidates belong to IUML. 16. Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 20 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: VS Sivakumar from trhe Congress won the seat in 1999. He was succeeded by PK Vasudevan Nair who was from the CPI. Thereafter, Congress took over the constituency with Shashi Tharooras win in both 2009 and 2014 elections. 17. Thrissur Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 10 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In the 1999 election, Congress candidate AC Jose was elected MP. In 2004 the constituency was taken over by CPI when CK Chandrappan won a majority. He was succeeded by PC Chacko from the Congress in 2009. In 2014, CPI made a comeback when CN Jayadevan won a majority. 18. Vadakara Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 3 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: AK Premajam from the CPM won the 1999 election and P Satheedevi, also from CPM, won the 2004 electionn. In 2009, Congress took over the seat. Party candidate Mullappally Ramachandran won from the constituency in 2009 and 2014. 19. Kottayam Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 14 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In the 1999 and 2004 elections, Suresh Kurup from CPM was elected MP. In 2009, Kerala Congress (M) took over the seat. Jose K Mani, son of party president KM Mani, won the election in both 2009 and 2014. He was, however, nominated to the Rajya Sabha and the seat is currently vacant. 20. Wayanad Lok Sabha Constituency Constituency number: 4 Results in last four Lok Sabha elections: In the 2009 elections, MI Shanavas from the Congress party won the election. Shanavas repeated his feat again in 2014 elections. After Shanavasa death in 2018, the seat is vacant. New Delhi: The BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is likely to suffer a loss in Maharashtra compared to its performance in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. According to News Nation exit poll, it is expected to emerge victorious on 34 seats a a dip of 12 seats from its 2014 tally. Meanwhile, the Congress-NCP bonhomie is likely to win 14 seats with 39 per cent vote share a a massive jump of 12 seats from 2014 when it won only two seats. Take a look: #ExitPollWithNewsNation | According to News Nation Exit Poll, BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is likely to win 33-35 seats while Congress-NCP may get 13-15 seats.#ElectionsWithNewsNation#ExitPoll2019 Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/g2V4JPBaiO LIVE TV: https://t.co/EdP4XDUtTF pic.twitter.com/Ide6KEiF3a a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) May 19, 2019 A In the state, the BJP contested on 25 Lok Sabha seats while Shiv Sena on 23 seats. On the other hand, the Congress and the NCP fought on 25 and 19 seats respectively, leaving two seats each for their allies. Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Hansraj Ahir, Subhash Bhamre and Anant Gite are some of the key contestants of Maharashtra in Lok Sabha 2019 polls. While Congress veteran Ashok Chavan and NCPas Supriya Sule are also in the fray. Out of the six Lok Sabha seats in Mumbai, all eyes will be Congress heavyweights Milind Deora and Priya Dutt, who could not win the 2014 polls. They are contesting elections from their bastions of Mumbai South and Mumbai North Central parliamentary seats respectively. Another interesting contest in this polls would be between actor-turned-politician Urmila Matondkar, who has been fielded by the grand old party, and BJP's Gopal Shetty in Mumbai North. In 2014, Congress'sA Sanjay Nirupam had lost the Lok Sabha seatA by a margin of 4.40 lakh votes. BJP-led NDA is likely to form the government by winning 282 to 290 seats, News Nation exit poll indicates. #ExitPollWithNewsNation | News Nation Exit Poll predicts that the BJP-led NDA will sail past the magic figure winning 282-290 seats, while UPA may get 118-126 seats.#ElectionsWithNewsNation Follow LIVE updates here: https://t.co/g2V4JPBaiO Watch LIVE: https://t.co/EdP4XDUtTF pic.twitter.com/FVZDnxA9fg a News Nation (@NewsNationTV) May 19, 2019 A What other agencies predict? According to India TV-CNX exit poll, the BJP-Shiv Sena combine is likely to win 34 out of 48 Lok Sabha seats in Maharashtra. The Congress-NCP alliance is likely to increase its 2014 tally and may win 14 seats (Congress 8, NCP 6). In Mumbai, Shiv Sena is predicted to win 3 and BJP 2 seats. Similarly, NCP is likely to gain 1 seat but the Congress party failed to open account in India's commercial capital. According to Todayas Chanakya exit poll, the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance is likely to win 33 to 43 seats in Maharashtra. The coalition of Congress-NCP is likely to win 10 to 15 seats. Lok Sabha elections 2019, which were held in 7 phases,A for 542 of 543 constituencies came to an end on Sunday (May 19) evening. Votes will be counted on May 23. While PM Modi-led NDA is seeking second term, the Congress-led UPA is keen to make a comeback. In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, BJP-led NDA won 336 seats while UPA won 59 seats, 44 of which were won by the Congress. Others had bagged 148 seats. In Maharashtra, BJP and its ally Shiv Sena bagged solid 46 seats of 48, while Congress and its ally managed to win only 2 seats.A A New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has often spoken about his days in Himalayas. In a recent interview, he had disclosed about his curious habit of going away to a secluded place during the festival of Diwali. Not many people know this, but I would go away for the 5 days of Diwali. Somewhere in a jungle a place with only clean water and no people. I would pack enough food to last for those 5 days. There would be no radios or newspapers, and during that time, there was no TV or internet anyway, PM Modi had told to Humans of Bombay, a popular Facebook page in January this year. For so many years, he has told his story. But on Saturday, India for the first time saw him meditating. Dressed in saffron robe, PM Modi was seen inside a cave located near Kedarnath Temple. It almost felt like the viral images were the callback to his early years spent in the majestic Himalayas. While the debate over the timing of the trip is raging with the Congress mocking the red carpet welcome given to PM Modi, many are still intrigued by the dhyan gufa. After all, this seems to be reliving the time of yore when sadhus would meditate in numerous caves in the hilly region. In case you also have a spiritual bent of mind and are interested to leave everyday rat-race to meditate in peace, dont worry, you need not be a Prime Minister to pursue your dream of inner tranquillity. Here are 5 interesting facts that you must know about the Kedarnath cave: 1: It is not a natural cave. It has been developed by Garhwal Tourism and is part of rebuilding project focusing the Kedaranath Valley. The cave was construtcted in April at the cost of Rs 8.5 lakh. Named as Rudra Gufa, the cave is five metre long and three metre wide. 2: News Nation checked the official portal of the Garhwal tourism, which has listed the Rudra meditation cave under list of tourist bungalows in the region. Once you click on the link, it shows the details of the cave which has numerous modern facilities. 3: According to a Navbharat Times report published on May 19, the cost of accommodation inside the cave is Rs 990 per night. The booking can be made only via the official site. One person can book the cave for three days. Photo ID is compulsory at the time of check-in, & check-out time is 12 noon 4: Facilities inside the cave includes: electricity, drinking water; morning tea, breakfast, lunch, evening tea and dinner at prescribed timing which can be changed upon request. The cave offers complete isolation but in case of any emergency, Manager GMVN Kedarnath can be contacted any time for any assistance by a SIP phone, the official website says. The staff is deputed 24X7 to attend any requirement from the meditation cave. 5: Five more caves will be constructed in the area that saw widespread devastation in 2013. Thousands of people and lost their lives and PM Modi had said that he would make sure that the rebuilding of Kedarnath Valley. New Delhi: In what seems to be a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Punjab Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh on Sunday apealed people to vote for "peace, progress and stability" which, he said, only Congress party can deliver. In a now deleted tweet, the Punjab chief minister wrote, "It's time to choose between BJP and Congress to preserve the secular fabric of India that is threatened by divisive forces of hatred. Let's vote for peace, progress and stability that only INC (Indian National Congress) can deliver." Upon releastion that his tweet could very well be against the Election Commission's guidlines of poll conduct, the Congress leader deleted the it. Below is the screen shot of now deleted tweet, that was shared 131 times before it was removed. The violation of Model Code of Conduct by politicians has been a raging issue thourghout the campaigning for the Lok Sabha elections 2019. Both, the BJP and the Congress have alleged each other of violating the poll code. This was not the first time the Punjab cheif minister was accused of violating the Model Code of Conduct. Earlier this month, the BJPhad approached the Election Commission (EC), alleging that Singh had violated Model Code Conduct (MCC) during a public rally in Gurdaspur. Singh, while campaigning for the Congress party's Gurdaspur candidate Sunil Kumar Jakhar in Sarna, had announced to enhance the capacity of Gurdaspur sugar mill to 10,000 tones. He also announced to establish an Ethanol Plant for production of electricity and CNG, followed by another announcements of preponing the date of sowing paddy and issuing dogri certificates. According to the BJP's complaint, the act of the Punjab chief minister was a direct violation of Part VII of Model Code of Conduct. As per the Election Commission guidelines, "From the time elections are announced by Commission, Ministers and other authorities shall not announce any financial grants in any form or promises thereof; or (except civil servants) lay foundation stones etc. of projects or schemes of any kind; or make any promise of construction of roads, provision of drinking water facilities etc." New Delhi: The Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), led byA Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, is likely to gain 47 per cent vote share in 2019 Lok Sabha elections across Telanagana, according to News Nation Exit Poll. On the other hand, the Congress and the BJP are projected to bag 29 per cent and 12 per cent of the total votes respectively in the Southern state.A As far as the seat share is concerned, the TRS is likely to win 15-17 seats in Telangana while both the BJP and the Congress will not be able to open their accounts in the state. Talking about the National Exit Poll, conducted by News Nation, the BJP-led NDA will sail past the magic figure winning 282-290 seats, while UPA may get 118-126 seats. The News Nation Exit Poll comes minutes after the conclusion of the seven-phase mammoth Lok Sabha elections at 6 pm on Sunday. Several national pollsters started airing the exit poll results from 6:30 pm as the Election Commission mandated a half-an-hour gap to telecast the data following the end of the election. The survey is based on responses of around 40,000 people who have cast their votes in their respective constituencies in the Southern state. Telangana, which went to polls in the first phase of General Elections on April 11, recorded 62.69 percent turnout across its 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, where former Union minister Renuka Chowdhury and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi are among prominent candidates in the fray. Khammam recorded the highest percentage at 75.28, while Hyderabad, from where Owaisi is seeking re-election, registered 44.75 percent. Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency, where 185 candidates, including more than 170 farmers are in the fray, registered 68.33 percent polling. A total of 443 candidates were in the fray in the state which has over 2.97 crore eligible voters. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the TRS had bagged 11 seats while the Congress won two and the TDP, the YSR Congress, the BJP and the MIM got one each. The seven phase Lok Sabha elections 2019 in 543 parliamentary constituencies has taken place on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. The counting of votes for all phases will be taken up on May 23. New Delhi: As the last and seventh phase of 2019 Lok Sabha polls came to an end on Sunday, voters were eagerly awaiting exit poll results as anxiety grows days ahead of the crucial May 23 verdict. As per the News Nation Exit Poll Survey, Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao-led TRS is likely to gain 47 per cent vote share in Telangana followed by the Congress and the BJP, which are predicted to bag 29 per cent and 12 per cent of the total votes respectively. As far as the seat share is concerned, the TRS is projected to win 15-17 seats in Telangana while both the BJP and Congress will not be able to open their accounts in the Southern state. Talking about the National Exit Poll, conducted by News Nation, the BJP-led NDA will sail past the magic figure winning 282-290 seats, while UPA may get 118-126 seats. TV channels have started airing the exit poll results from 6:30 pm as the Election Commission (EC) has mandated a half an hour gap to telecast the data following the conclusion of the mammoth Lok Sabha polls at 6 pm today. The exit polls, conducted by News Nation are based on responses of around 40,000 people who have cast their votes in their respective constituencies in the Southern state. Telangana, which went to polls in the first phase of General Elections on April 11, recorded 62.69 percent turnout across its 17 Lok Sabha constituencies, where former Union minister Renuka Chowdhury and AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi are among prominent candidates in the fray. The seven phase Lok Sabha elections in 543 parliamentary constituencies has taken place on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. The counting of votes for all phases will be taken up on May 23. Here are the Highlights on Telangana Lok Sabha Elections Exit Poll 2019 LIVE: 8:53 pm: Telangana Lok Sabha Seat Projection: BJP 1 1 Seats, TRS 14 2 Seats, Congress 1 1 Seats, Others 1 1 Seats, according to Chanakya Exit Poll Results 2019. 06:57 pm: News Nation Exit Poll predicts that the BJP-led NDA will sail past the magic figure winning 282-290 seats, while UPA may get 118-126 seats. 06:50 pm: As far as the seat share is concerned, the TRS is projected to get 15-17 seats in Telangana while both the BJP and the Congress will not be able to open their accounts in the state. 06:46 pm: As per the News Nation Exit Poll survey, the BJP will gain 12% vote share in Telangana while the Congress and the TRS are predicted to bag 29% and 47% of the total votes respectively. 06:40 pm: According to News Nation Exit Poll Survey, the BJP-led NDA will sail past the magic figure winning 282-290 seats, while UPA may get 118-126 seats in Lok Sabha elections 2019. 06:34 pm: A total of 443 candidates were in the fray in the state which has over 2.97 crore eligible voters. 06:32 pm: Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency, where 185 candidates, including more than 170 farmers are in the fray, registered 68.33 percent polling. 06:30 pm: In 2019, Khammam recorded the highest percentage at 75.28, while Hyderabad, from where Owaisi is seeking re-election, registered 44.75 percent. 06:20 pm: In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the TRS had bagged 11 seats while the Congress won two and the TDP, the YSR Congress, the BJP and the MIM got one each. New Delhi: With the high-voltage Lok Sabha elections in Uttar Pradesh drawing a close on Sunday, News Nation has come up with its Exit Poll to give viewers an impression of what people in the politically crucial state have decided. The Exit Poll will be telecasted LIVE from 6:30 pm onwards on News Nation. In a state which virtually decides the fate of parties national ambitions, the BJP seeks to repeat its performance of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls and the 2017 Assembly elections, it is facing stiff challenge from the SP-BSP-RLD alliance. In the seventh and final phase of general elections in the state on Sunday, 13 seats went to polls to decide the fate of 167 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The politically crucial state which sends 80 members to the Lok Sabha voted across all the seven phases on April 11, April 18, April 23, April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. In the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP rode the Modi wave to sweep the state winning 73 seats, including victory in two constituencies by its ally Apna Dal. The party continued with its remarkable performance in the state in the 2017 Assembly polls when it came back to power after 15 years. The BJP, along with its allies Apna Dal and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP), won 325 seats, thereby decimating the Congress-Samajwadi Party alliance which could win only 54 seats. With Yogi Adityanath elected as the chief minister, the party made a strong comeback in the state after 15 years. This time, the BJP managed to retain its ally Apna Dal but faced setback with Om Prakash Rajbhars SBSP parting ways and fielding its candidates on 39 seats. However, it wooed the NISHAD Party and inducted 'giant killer' Pravin Nishad into its fold. On the other hand, the once-rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party entered into a historic alliance and also got Chaudhary Ajit Singhs RLD on board, in order to keep BJP out of power in the state. Meanwhile, the Congress revived by the recent victories in Hindi heartland states of Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan is hoping to turn the tide with the entry of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. It is contesting on 67 seats. 21:23 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Acording to News Nation Exit Poll, BJP is expected to win 39 seats and an equal number of seats may go in SP-BSP allaince's acccount. 20:04 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In India TV-CNX exit poll has predicted 50 seats for BJP, SP-BSP-RLD alliance likely to get 28 seats, Congress two seats. 19:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Times Now-VMR has also predicted that the NDA will cross 300. 19:12 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Republic C-Voter has predicted more than 300 of 543 seats for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). 19:10 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In The BJP has claimed that the SP-BSP alliance will failt to leave an impact in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. 18:57 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In ABP-Nelson Exit Poll has predicted 56 seats for the mahagathbandhan, 22 for the BJP and 2 for others. 18:08 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Congress is hoping to create a miracle in the state with the introduction of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra into active politics. 18:05 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In This time, the SP, BSP and RLD have forged an alliance in Uttar Pradesh to challenge the BJP. The once-rivals Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party have contested 37 and 38 seats respectively. 17:47 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In In the 2017 Assembly polls, the BJP along with its allies Apna Dal and Suheldev Bharatiya Samaj Party (SBSP) won 325 seats in the state. 17:35 (IST) Facebook Twitter Whats app Linked In Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to retain Varanasi which went to polls in the seventh and final phase on May 19. He faces challenge from Congress' Ajay Rai and SP's Shalini Yadav. New Delhi: West Bengal continued to witness poll violence in the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha elections with the BJP accusing the TMC workers of attacking its polling agents and stopping people from casting their votes. In Jadavapur, BJP candidate Anupam Hazra alleged that TMC goons attacked their mandal president and were planning to carry out rigging at 52 polling booths of the constituency. TMC goons have beaten up a BJP mandal president, a driver and attacked a car. We also rescued our 3 polling agents. TMC goons were going to carry out rigging at 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP but they are not allowing them to vote Hazra was quoted as saying by ANI news agency. Similar reports came from Basirhat where voters held protest outside a polling booth after TMC workers allegedly stopped them from casting their votes. "100 people were stopped from voting. We will take them to cast their vote," Sayantan Basu, BJP candidate from the constituency, said. According to reports, bombs were hurled near two polling booths in Kolkata's Rabindra Sarani. The bombs were thrown near both number 23 and 41 and the accused fled the scene. After the incident, security forces arrived at the spot. In another violent incident, media was attacked in Madaripur constituency, in which one person sustained injuries. Meanwhile, the TMC has written to the Election Commission and raised its objection against Prime Minister Narendra Modis Kedarnath visit. The ruling party in West Bengal alleged that the prime ministers visit to the holy shrine was unethical and a clear violation of Model Code of Conduct. Even though the Election campaign for the last phase of polling for 2019 Lok Sabha is over as long as back on May 17 at 6 pm, surprisingly Narendra Modis Kedarnath Yatra is being covered and widely televised for the last two days in all national as well as local media. This is a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct, Trinamool Congress spokesperson Derek OBrien said in the letter. Violence has been reported during all the six phases of the Lok Sabha elections in West Bengal, where the BJP is trying to make inroads and fighting an intense battle against Mamata Banerjees TMC. BJP president Amit Shah had alleged that TMC was behind the poll violence in the state, a charge firmly denied by the states ruling party. New Delhi: The first look of Akshay Kumaras upcoming horror flick, Laxmmi Bomb was unveiled yesterday and looks like the look didn't get a nod from the director himself Raghava Lawrence who was roped in to direct the Bollywood version of the Tamil film Kanchana now has decided step out as the director of the film. Lawrence has also directed and starred in the Tamil original. The director through a post on Twitter has claimed that he had no knowledge about the poster that was released on social media and the look was not discussed with him. He also hinted that there are other issues that compelled him to take this decision.A The director and actor seems to be quite hurt with whatever has happened, though he also mentioned that he will not refrain from giving the makers the script of the film, although he can do so provided he has not signed any agreement. He further informed he will meet Akshay Kumar before handing over the project and the script. He wrote, aHi dear friends and fans, there is an old popular saying in Tamil which tells 'Don't step into any house where there is no respect'. In this world, more than money and fame, self-respect is the most important attribute to a person's character. So I have decided to step out of the project, 'Laxmmi Bomb', the Hindi remake of Kanchana. I don't want to mention the reason because there are multiple reasons, but one of them is that the first look poster of the film was released today without my knowledge and even without discussing anything with me. I was informed about this by a third person. It is very painful for a director to know about his movie's first look release from others. I feel very disrespected and disappointed.a He adds, aAs a creator, I'm also not satisfied with the poster design as well. This shouldn't happen to any director. I can hold back my script because I haven't signed any agreement regarding this film, but I won't do it because it is not professional. I'm ready to give my script because I personally respect Akshay Kumar sir a lot. They can replace me with some other director according to their wish. Soon I'm going to meet Akshay Kumar sir to give the script and step out of this project in a good way. All the very best to the entire team. I wish the movie a great success.a Dear Friends and Fans..!I In this world, more than money and fame, self-respect is the most important attribute to a person's character. So I have decided to step out of the project, #Laxmmibomb Hindi remake of Kanchana@akshaykumar @RowdyGabbar @Advani_Kiara pic.twitter.com/MXSmY4uOgR a Raghava Lawrence (@offl_Lawrence) May 18, 2019 A Akshay Kumar revealed the first look of the movie in May. The Khiladi actor is seen in an all new avatar in the poster sporting kohl-lined eyes to reflect the character he is paying, a person possessed by a transgender ghost. The film also stars Kiara Advani in a pivotal role. The movie will open at theatres a year from now on June 05, 2020. For all the Latest Entertainment News, Bollywood News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. New Delhi: Amid mounting tensions between the US and Iran, Saudi Arabia has called for urgent meetings of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League. King Salman has invited Gulf leaders and Arab states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences" in the region. This came after US deployed an aircraft carrier and bombers to the region over alleged threats from Iran. Despite international scepticism, the US government has been pointing to increasing threats from Iran, a long-time enemy and also a rival of US allies Israel and Saudi Arabia. Trump pulled the US out of the Iran nuclear deal last year and reinstated sanctions on Tehran that are crippling its economy. Tensions rose dramatically May 5, when Bolton announced that the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group would be rushed from the Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf ahead of schedule in response to "a number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings," without going into details. Since then, four oil tankers, including two belonging to Saudi Arabia, were targeted in an apparent act of sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, according to officials in the region, and a Saudi pipeline was attacked by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels from Yemen. The US also ordered non-essential staff out of Iraq and has dispatched additional military assets to the region. However, President Donald Trump had said that he hopes the US is not on a path to war with Iran. Asked if the US was going to war with Iran, the president replied, "I hope not" a day after he repeated a desire for dialogue, tweeting, "I'm sure that Iran will want to talk soon." For all the Latest World News, Download News Nation Android and iOS Mobile Apps. Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply Terresa Cristina Correa (centre) speaks at the business seminar in Hanoi on May 17th (Photo: VNA) At a Vietnam-Brazil business seminar in Hanoi on May 17th, he said over the last 30 years, the countries have made important strides in their diplomatic relations. Many legal documents in other fields have been signed and taken effect. Leaders of Brazil and Vietnam have held regular meetings and discussions, helping to strengthen bilateral ties. The diplomat noted in 2018, bilateral trade reached USD4.4 billion, making his country the 21st biggest trade partner of Vietnam. Trade deficit or surplus is not substantial at about USD400 million, showing that their trade is relatively balanced. To expand and diversify trade and capitalise on the huge potential, the two sides can open new markets, he said, adding that Brazils agricultural business has considerable competitiveness and the country is seeking opportunities to explore new markets. The South American nation also has potential for supplying products of the aviation and defence industries, Ambassador Fernando Apparicio da Silva said. At the event, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said bilateral ties date back to a long time before they officially set up the diplomatic relationship on May 8th, 1989. Since this date, Vietnam-Brazil relations have been developing continually. Bilateral trade surged 58-fold from USD75 million in 2004 to USD4.4 billion in 2018, making Brazil the top trade partner of Vietnam in Latin America. The countries businesses have also actively sought and grasped opportunities for investment, business and market expansion in the fields both sides have strength in like agriculture, aquaculture, manufacturing and bio-energy. Particularly, agriculture is an important aspect as it boasts great potential for cooperation and the countries products are complementary, he noted. Son added that Vietnam and Brazil have also coordinated closely and supported each other at international organisations and multilateral forums./. The possibilities of a new government university in association with the private sector are being actively considered by the authorities, Tribune has learned. Talks for exploring the possibility of having such a university is being held, an Education Ministry source said. The new university, if built, will include many new courses and specializations not currently offered at other public universities in the Kingdom. Tribune understands that the government will seek a private sector partnership for the project. The new university, according to officials, is to supplement the efforts of the University of Bahrain. `Talks are ongoing to establish a new university in cooperation with the private sector. It will have new academic courses not available in other Bahrani universities at the moment, an education ministry source said. Dr. Majid bin Ali Al Nuaimi, the Minister of Education and Chairman of the Higher Education Council, while outlining new plans for Bahrains education sector, hinted about private sector participation in the sector during a Parliament session. Russell Peters, renowned global stand-up comedian, and actor will perform in Bahrain at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) at Hall 2 on 8 June as a part of his brand new Deported World Tour. Featuring all-new material, Peters latest world tour Deported kickstarted in Australia and New Zealand back in February 2018. The tour has traveled, ever since, to more than 40 cities across 20 countries and has been seen by over 100,000 fans worldwide. Speaking on the occasion, Wassim Farhoud, Managing Director of Motivate Events & Media, said: We are thrilled to be hosting Russell Peters in Bahrain for all the stand-up comedy lovers. The Emmy-winning comic star has a huge fan following in the Kingdom who are eagerly awaiting his stand-up show. Following the announcement of the Deported world tour on our social media channels, we have generated a lot of attention from people of all ages, who are waiting enthusiastically for the show this Eid. The National Oil and Gas Authoritys (NOGA) Annual Electronic Report for the year 2018 was launched yesterday under the patronage of Oil Minister, Shaikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Khalifa. The authority also held its Ramadan Ghabga on the occasion in which officials and employees from NOFA, CEOs of oil companies and media personnel attended. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister extended deepest congratulations to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Premier, on the holy month of Ramadan. The minister also commended the tremendous efforts exerted by the workers in the oil sector. Six European consumer rights associations said yesterday they have asked national authorities to look into illegal practices by firms using the AliExpress site of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba. Buyers in European countries enjoy the right to return goods within two weeks and get clear warranty information about the minimum 2-year warranty period, rules that platforms that host third-party sellers have sometimes found difficult to enforce. Consumer rights groups in Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain asked their national regulators to look into practices on AliExpress, which mostly hosts Chinese sellers. If Alibaba wants to trade on the European market, it must respect the rules that apply here. That is not negotiable, said Sandra Molenaar, head of the Dutch consumer association Consumentenbond. The Consumentenbond also noted that AliExpress terms and conditions force consumers to go to arbitration in Hong Kong if they have any dispute, while EU laws give them the right to go to courts in their own country. French consumer group UFC-Que Choisir meanwhile said that French clients were not being provided with documentation in French. Frances DGCCRF anti-fraud office said it took the complaint seriously, as did AliExpress. We will look attentively at the complaint which we have received and we are ready to engage in discussions with the European Commission and competent authorities, the company told AFP. We respect the rights of consumers and we are very attentive to their concerns. The complaints came a day after Alibabas founder Jack Ma was in Paris for a tech conference, where he wryly suggested Europe should spend more time fixing problems than creating laws and rules. If you think the tech revolution is a problem, I am sorry to say that it has just started, said Ma. If you think it is an opportunity, it is only beginning. One thing changes: your mentality. On Wednesday, Alibaba announced its net profit more than tripled to $3.8 billion in the first quarter. Western Connecticut State University held its 121st commencement ceremony Sunday at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. About 1,100 students graduated as part of the Danbury-based universitys Class of 2019, with the majority obtaining their degrees in person at Sundays ceremony. BREMEN, Germany - If there was ever a safe haven for Europe's center-left, it was the brawny industrial hub of Bremen. Thick with workers at the region's bountiful factories and pulsating harbor, the city-state voted for the Social Democrats - Germany's oldest party, famed for its Nazi-era resistance - for more than 70 years. But perhaps not this one. In elections May 26, the party that effortlessly dominated is in danger of losing its grip. It's a once-unthinkable indignity that reflects a broader identity crisis for parties across the West - including America's Democrats - that present themselves as champions of workers, unions and social democracy, but have seen support wither in their former heartlands. For Germany's Social Democrats, the outlook is especially dire. "What we're witnessing is a really big moment," said Andreas Klee, director of the politics program at Bremen University. "It's the burial of a party." The party itself is not ready to declare its demise. Even as the Social Democrats careen toward a new nadir - with dismal results expected not only in Bremen but across the country in European parliamentary elections - party leaders and activists are plotting a revival. And as with Democrats in the United States - as well as like-minded parties across Europe - much of the momentum is coming from the left. Just as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has ignited passions among liberal American voters, the leader of the Social Democrats' youth wing, the Adidas-wearing Kevin Kuhnert, is leading an insurgency within his party aimed at a bolder, more radical course. He vigorously defends socialism, and recently dominated German political conversations for days with his suggestion that automaker BMW be collectivized. "Without collectivization," he told the German newspaper Die Zeit, "overcoming capitalism is inconceivable." The comments provoked a furor - including stinging condemnations, many from within the Social Democrats' own ranks - but also emboldened supporters who feel the party's coziness with the ruling conservatives has led it to an electoral dead end. Even without going as far as Kuhnert would like, leaders of the Social Democrats (SPD) have signaled they are prepared to turn left. The party recently disavowed welfare cuts implemented during the SPD's last run atop the federal government, an era when the party saw capturing the center as the surest path to power. Meanwhile, some SPD leaders are mulling whether to break off their long-running role as junior partner in a coalition government with Chancellor Angela Merkel's center-right Christian Democratic Union. That decision would probably come with the choice to draw a more vivid distinction between Germany's two traditionally dominant parties. The left has been invigorated elsewhere in Europe as the center-left declines. In Greece, a radical leftist party won two elections and has driven the old center-left party to the brink of extinction. In Britain, the Labour Party is led by Jeremy Corbyn, a figure once relegated to the far-left fringe. And in Spanish elections last month, the center-left Socialists came out on top with an unapologetic defense of progressive policies, including a 22-percent minimum wage hike. "Among social democrats across Europe right now, it's mainstream to look left," said Joachim Schuster, a member of the European Parliament and longtime Bremen politician. "We've had years of cooperation with the conservatives, and most of us are not too happy about it. We need to establish our differences." The overall picture for both the center-left and center-right in Europe is one of decline. In this month's elections for the European Parliament, both factions are on pace for big losses, with each camp likely to shed about 20 percent of its seats as the continent's politics continue to fragment. But the struggles of social democratic parties have been more existential. The situation in Bremen shows why. For decades, elections here were a foregone conclusion, with powerful unions helping to ensure their members made their way from the factory floor to the voting booth to cast ballots for the SPD. But the workers of old are gone - and so are the party's voters. "Twenty years ago, you took a tour of the Airbus factory here and you saw people with tools actually making the planes. Now you walk in and it looks like a dentist's office. People are working on laptops. It's very sterile," said Klee, the politics professor. "The core problem with the SPD is they don't have a voter base anymore." That reality has brought the party to the brink of an astonishing result: In state elections here May 26, which coincide with the European vote, polls show the SPD may lose to the CDU for the first time in Germany's post-World War II history. Defeat could have national implications, making it more likely that the SPD would pull out of the coalition with Merkel's party and force new federal elections. Although that is considered unlikely until the end of the year, it's the outcome that Kuhnert and his allies are pushing for - a necessary prerequisite, he argues, for the party's revival after years in which it has governed with Merkel while sinking in the polls. "We were always against the grand coalition with the conservatives," said Sebastian Schmugler, who leads the SPD's youth wing in Bremen. "Now we can say, 'We told you so.' " Schmugler, a 24-year-old law student, said the party needs to compromise less and fight for its ideals more or it risks trending toward irrelevance. "The young generation can't understand it. We have our positions, but then we make a deal and we lose too much," he said. "So we're just going down, down, down." But ditching the coalition might not be enough to reverse the party's fortunes. The depth of the problem was on display at a recent debate at a Bremen vocational school. At one time, the SPD would have been the clear crowd favorite. But this time, the room appeared divided among a number of mainstream parties. And the questions from the students - hundreds of whom listened intently for 90 minutes as the candidates spelled out positions - were hardly in the SPD's wheelhouse. None focused on wages, pensions or social welfare. Instead, the students asked about artificial intelligence, immigration and, most of all, climate change. Especially on the latter two issues, the SPD has struggled to form clear positions as it has sought to balance competing interests among supporters whose positions don't fit neatly with any ideology. Other parties have not had the same problem - and have benefited as the SPD has bled. "We have leaks in both directions," said Bjorn Tschope, leader of the SPD in the state parliament. "To the Greens because of climate change and on identity issues to the far right." Tschope, a gray-haired party veteran, cautioned that any lurch to the left will come with costs. And he asserted that Kuhnert, while asking the right questions, is "wrong" to think that collectivization of private companies is the answer. The party's rebuilding, he acknowledged, would need to be a long-term process, with even strongholds like Bremen potentially lost along the way. "If you govern a place for over 70 years, you are responsible for its good points and its bad," he said. "You can't blame anyone else." Two shootings by police in Connecticut in recent weeks, and other questionable actions, have fueled a disquieting distrust between the public and those sworn to uphold its safety. After police officers from the Hamden department and Yale University shot an unarmed 22-year-old woman in New Haven last month, hundreds of people protested in the streets and many called for immediate action. Stephanie Washington was in the car with her boyfriend, Paul Witherspoon, who the police suspected of committing an armed robbery at a gas station. He was not charged. Whether the police overreacted or exercised poor judgment is under investigation, but the public was understandably alarmed that someone could have died for sitting in a car. Four days later, a Wethersfield police officer shot and killed an 18-year-old man at a traffic stop. Again, protests demanding justice followed. In response to these disturbing incidents, state Sen. Gary Winfield of New Haven proposed legislation Thursday that would require greater police transparency and limit the use of force. We endorse Winfields effort as practical remedies that can make police more accountable and address public trust. After consulting with police groups and lobbyists, he drafted the legislation that also would increase the availability of public information after police use force. For example, videos from police body cameras would be made public immediately after the officer and an attorney review them when police force is used or conduct investigated. This is an appropriate response that can go a long way to answering the publics concerns about controversial circumstances instead of making them wait and letting conjecture drive the dialogue. Such disclosure is also in the officers best interest. The legislation also requires public availability of the results of state prosecutor investigations into whether use of deadly force was warranted. Now the information is sent only to state and town officials. Also, when police use of force causes a death the states Criminal Justice division will report to the General Assemblys Judiciary Committee with information including the victims name, race and details of the incident. Such impartial oversight could detect possible patterns. Another important aspect of the legislation would adjust state law regarding when police use of force is justifiable. Presently, police are allowed to use physical force if they have a reasonable belief that someone committed an offense. The change would require the kind of force used to be reasonable for the circumstances. A criticism of Winfields legislation is that it is too late for a public hearing with just two-and-a-half weeks until the end of this General Assembly session. This is a valid point, and we generally prefer full debate in public hearings. But the seriousness of this issue growing distrust of the public in some police actions requires a response now; it cannot wait until the next session opens in February. Greater transparency and accountability are positive steps to repairing public trust in police actions. MIDDLETOWN Columbus House and its many regional and state partners recently announced that 32 newly renovated apartments are complete, and 16 formerly homeless veterans already call Shepherd Home their own home. Full occupancy is expected by the end of May. An open house and ribbon cuting ceremony is set for Tuesday at Shepherd Home, located at 112 Bow Lane in Middletown, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. During the past several months, the vacant building, formerly owned by the state of Connecticut on the Connecticut Valley Hospital campus, underwent a complete restoration led by the new owner, Columbus House. To celebrate, Columbus House is hosting an open house Tuesday, as well as a flag raising ceremony, a ribbon cutting and tours of the building which will showcase the studio and one-bedroom apartments as well as welcoming common areas and a new community room. Honored guests include state Sen. Matt Lesser, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew, Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Veteran Affairs Thomas Saadi, chairman of the Middlesex County Coalition on Housing and Homelessness Howard Reid, and Karl Kilduff, Executive Director of Connecticut Housing Finance Authority. The veteran tenants who are calling Shepherd Home their home were all homeless or were at imminent risk of being homeless. They will be connected to on-site support services provided by St. Vincent de Paul Middletown to help them maintain their housing, increase their independence and reconnect with the community. Columbus House is the developer and worked with multiple partners including Brad Schide, LLC, DeMarco Management, Enterprise Builders, Northeast Collaborative Architects, and St. Vincent de Paul Middletown among others, to create these beautiful, affordable apartments. Financial supporters include CT Housing Finance Authority, CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services, CT Department of Housing, National Equity Fund, US Park Service, CT Department of Economic Development - Historic Preservation, Middletown Housing Authority, Corporation for Supportive Housing, CT Trust for Historic Preservation, Eversource and the Home Depot Foundation. Columbus House opened its doors in 1982 to provide services for women and men at least 18 years of age. Its goals quickly broadened from the mere provision of food and shelter and simple survival, to understanding and working toward overcoming the issues which cause people to become homeless. Columbus House relies on government grants as well as contributions from the private sector including businesses, foundations and individuals to accomplish its mission. With an extensive base of volunteer support and collaborative partnerships with a number of community-based service providers, Columbus House is able to offer a broad continuum of care for those experiencing homelessness. Now in its 37th year, Columbus House, along with its core of loyal supporters, friends and volunteers, remains committed to fulfilling its mission to serve people who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, by providing shelter and housing and by fostering their personal growth and independence. For additional information, visit http://www.columbushouse.orgor contact John Brooks, Chief Development Officer at 203-401-4400 x108 or jbrooks@columbushouse.org A home explosion rocked a neighborhood in Jeffersonville, Indiana, on Sunday. According to police, there were three people in the home at the time of the explosion. One of them was killed. Two victims were transported to a local hospital. The explosion was reported in the Capitol Hill area of Jeffersonville shortly before 5 a.m. Sunday. When firefighters arrived at the scene minutes later, the house was completely burned to the ground. Officials said there was a car nearby that had to be extinguished. "We heard this really big boom, and we thought maybe something had ran into the building or a transformer (had exploded)," said Derek Hughes, who works at Wellstone Regional Hospital, approximately a quarter-mile from the home. "It shook the whole entire building. It even woke a few of our patients up." Fire marshals have ruled out the possibility of a methamphetamine lab as a cause of the explosion. Vectren is also investigating the scene. According to WLKY reporter Deni Kamper, there were at least 15 other homes that sustained damage. Officials said at least five of those homes may not be habitable. "It shook everything. I thought it happened right outside of the house it was so loud," neighbor Joseph Gamez said. Jeffersonville Mayor Mike Moore released the following statement: The City of Jeffersonville is deeply saddened by Sundays home explosion. At this time, we know one life has been lost and others were injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the entire Capitol Hills neighborhood. We greatly appreciate our first responders and depend on them at a time like this. We are a strong community and are lucky to live in an area that cares about its neighbors. This impacts us all." "There are several pieces of debris in elevated positions that pose a safety risk if they were to fall," police said in a statement. The Jeffersonville Building Commission has condemned numerous homes near the explosion due to structural damage. Indiana State Police was brought in to assist in the investigation. The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. The American Red Cross has set up a shelter for displaced residents. Quietly, but surely, lawmakers with good intentions want to strip away your right to know. Lost in the hubbub and extreme partisan bloviating amid the distracting shiny objects (Tolls! Cannabis! Family Medical Leave! $15 an hour!) before the General Assembly this year, are some way-under-the-radar attempts to restrict reporters and therefore, you, from crucial information that has been available for years. Picture this: Last night, on the full moon, a dude assaulted his wife. Its not hard to imagine, since 90 percent of domestic assaults are by men against women. He got arrested, but since they have the same last name, the new law , approved unanimously in the state Senate and now awaiting action in the House of Representatives, would let police withhold the name of the assailant. So, six months later, the thug cons some other woman into dating him. Because shes cautious, she does an Internet search of the Dudes name. Nothing untoward comes up. She gets involved with the Dude and yep, she eventually gets smacked around too. Only this time, she fights back and Dude gets a bloody lip. When the cops show, he claims assault, too. Both of them get arrested (about 7 percent of domestic assaults result in dual arrests) and neither name gets released. Two years later. ... Yeah, theres a pattern here, but because Dude escapes whatever public shaming might be available by printing police stories in the newspaper and online for posterity, he gets to continue his life as an assailant. The domestic abuse bill is aimed at protecting the identity of victims, of course. As someone who needs public information, however, I think its a horrible idea and yet another example of what is often called legislative creep. The road to secret arrests is paved with reduced transparency, and Im hoping this bill disappears without a peep in the House, because the names of domestic abusers should be written in the sky. Fortunately, Colleen Murphy, executive director of the state Freedom of Information Commission, is worried that the way the bill is written, even couples without the same last name could become anonymous, because the legislation includes a line about other identifying information that could lead to more cases of withheld names. We shouldnt allow those arrested to hide, even if the goal is to protect the victim, Murphy said. But this is a legislature that claims its all for transparency. But it votes for the opaque. For years, the state librarian and researchers at Central Connecticut State University have been trying to access the 100-year-old medical records of Connecticuts Civil War veterans. In those records could be the keys to treating post traumatic stress exhibited by long-dead soldiers. But lawyers from the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services do their annual pious song-and-dance to the Government Administration & Elections Committee about the privacy of families and their forbearers from six generations back, and the bill never makes it out of committee. Forget modern science and graduate students who are interested not in names but in reports on mental health from the latter part of the 19th Century. Its the bureaucrats who are important. I have witnessed a DMHAS lawyer cry, on cue, for the GAE Committee, in defense of this fabricated sanctity. Yes, open government can sometimes be a farce. In another area Secretary of the State Denise Merrill wants to strip birth dates from peoples election records. That bills heading to the Appropriations Committee, where I hope it dies without a ripple on the pond. But Murphys concerned that pieces will likely be tacked on to another bill. We are hoping to get some compromise language put in to lessen the amount withheld, Murphy said. Another bill, which according to General Assembly records died on the vine in the Judiciary Committee, could also be revived in the waning days leading to the June 5 adjournment. This one is the sore-loser attempt to close the door after The Hartford Courants successful attempt to obtain the records and other evidence of the twisted Sandy Hook murderer. The bill would keep papers and other documents away from the public, because ... because ... Well, really no reason except the cops and the criminal justice types dont want the public that pays their salaries to have access to evidence they paid for. So yes, we must be vigilant. Ken Dixon, political editor and columnist, can be reached at 203-842-2547 or at kdixon@ctpost.com. Visit him at twitter.com/KenDixonCT and on Facebook at kendixonct.hearst. To the peasants who had no bread during the great famine in France, Queen Marie Antoinette proclaimed, Let Them Eat Cake! And to Connecticuts struggling working middle class, an equally out of touch Gov. Ned. Lamont boldly states, Lets Tax Them Again! After spending a mere 38 days in office surveying Connecticuts crumbling roads and bridges, Gov. Lamont flipped on the single most fundamental promise of his entire campaign and decided to impose tolls on all drivers in Connecticut. With a Democratic governor and overwhelming majorities in the House and Senate, passing a toll bill should have been easy. But thanks to strong resistance from grass roots organizations such as notollsct.org and residents across the state, the votes still arent there. Pro toll legislators have reacted by changing key elements of the bill almost daily, desperate to get anything at all passed to save face. The number of gantries has ranged from 50 to more than 100. One day the Merritt Parkway is tolled, the next day its not. There have even been discussions of having one free gantry, although no one is quite sure what that means. It got so bad last week that Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz finally admitted the obvious. He instructed his own committee to be intentionally vague on a tolling bill that Gov. Lamont now promises will define his entire governorship. But two things have not changed. First, the amount of money Connecticut families are being asked to pay for tolls remains a whopping $800 million, on average $1,000 per person every year. Second, tolls will fall flatly on the back of the people who can least afford to pay them the working middle class of Connecticut To soften the blow, Gov. Lamont has tried to paint tolls as a user fee, only applicable to those who decide to use the roads. Should we really have to pay a user fee for everyday tasks such as commuting to work, going shopping or to church, or attending a childs ballgame? Or should safe roads and bridges be part of basic government services covered by the excessive state taxes we already pay? Just this week, a study by the University of Chicago showed that half of Americans are only one paycheck away from financial hardship. When a struggling family cant pay their utility bill, the heat, electricity, cable TV and phones are turned off. If a family falls behind on mortgage payments or rent, homelessness becomes a real possibility. So what happens to the single working mom in Ansonia who cant afford to pay her monthly toll utility bill? You guessed it, she loses her car registration. This past Monday, I was honored to be joined on the New Haven Green by faith leaders representing cities throughout Connecticut. They increasingly see parishioners leaving their families and the church they love because they simply cant afford to live in Connecticut any longer. Each expressed concern about the impact that yet another tax in the form of tolls will have on their parishioners. One pastor said Poor people in this state will suffer the most. Tolls will represent another months rent. How will they come up with that money? The families that these faith leaders represent are not intentionally vague when it comes to spending their own money. They find a way to live within their means every day. All they are asking is that our government at least try to do the same, before asking for even more from them. Opponents say that it is too hard to cut costs. They claim that Connecticut state government is already as efficient as it can possibly be. But no one really believes this. Just look to this legislative session where government lawyers already making more than $100,000 per year were given 11-percent raises. And we ask the working people of Connecticut to pay another $5 per day in tolls to fund it? Cost cutting is hard. But it is no harder than spending the next six years trying to secure federal approval for tolls, completing study after study, borrowing money to build gantries, negotiating reciprocity agreements with neighboring states, and setting up an independent body at a cost of tens of millions of dollars to administer a new tolling program. And immediate cuts to discretionary spending could be diverted to fix our infrastructure now rather than waiting six years for tolls. The good news for Connecticut residents is that the toll bill is in trouble. And if we continue attending peaceful rallies, calling our state representatives and being vocal, we can finish it off. In yet another astonishing admission this week, Gov. Lamont promised to help raise money for the re-election campaigns of legislators, but only if they are willing to vote for tolls. Is he offering jobs and judgeships as well? This statement alone could doom the toll bill. How does any Democratic legislator who hopes to be re-elected vote for the toll bill now? Unfortunately, money matters in politics. And many voters will certainly accuse pro-toll legislators of being more interested in getting the money to be re-elected than in representing the voters in their districts who overwhelmingly oppose tolls. Perhaps Pastor Jim Townsley from Central Baptist Church in Southington summed it up best, The solution is not to take more of our money, but use better what you already have. Allow us to have the freedom to stay in Connecticut. Democratic legislators should listen to grassroots faith leaders from towns across Connecticut and the hundred thousand residents who signed a petition against tolls, not the advice of Marie Antoinette or Ned Lamont and certainly not the promise of a political payoff for selling out voters. Bob Stefanowski was the Republican candidate for governor of Connecticut in 2018. By Robert Garrett, Brian Gragnolati and Barry Ostrowsky One of the many wonderful advantages we have as residents of New Jersey is access to high quality, advanced health care. In fact, more than half of New Jerseys 67 acute-care hospitals received an "A" rating in the Leapfrog Hospital Safety Report, the highest percentage of "A" ratings in any state across the nation. New Jersey is also home to tremendously skilled physicians and nurses, as well as 13 academic health systems training the next generation of health care professionals and researchers. Clearly, New Jersey residents have access to some of the nations greatest health care resources. Despite these facts, a significant number of patients are referred or transferred to health care providers and hospitals located out of state. Some estimates indicate that New Jersey residents spend more than $2 billion annually on health care services out of state. Often these patients are paying considerably more for their out-of-state health care and receiving care that is equal to or less effective than they could have received at hospitals in New Jersey. With health care consumers paying a larger percentage of their health care costs through higher deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, paying more for the same quality of care further from home makes little sense. New Jersey residents should have the right to obtain health care wherever they believe it is best, but often patients do not have critical information necessary to make an informed decision. Moreover, many New Jersey residents do not understand the strong consumer protections they are forfeiting by seeking care outside of the state. In June of 2018, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a groundbreaking law eliminating surprise bills and instituting significant health care consumer protections. Under that law, a health care professional and hospital must now disclose certain information to patients before scheduling non-emergent or elective services, such as whether or not the provider and facility are in network with a patients health insurance plan. The law also protects patients by limiting health care providers from billing more than the patients deductible, copayment, or coinsurance for any emergency care or inadvertent out-of-network service provided. This is a valuable consumer protection that is lost when receiving care out of state because the law only applies to New Jersey hospitals and providers. A new bill introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, entitled the New Jersey Patient Protection Act (A-5369), will increase consumer protections by requiring important information be disclosed to patients who are being referred or transferred to an out-of-state hospital or provider. Specifically, the bill would require physicians and hospitals seeking to refer or transfer a patient to provide that patient with a document that informs him/her of their right to receive care at the facility or provider of their choosing. Additionally, patients would be informed of the clinical reason for receiving care at the out-of-state hospital or provider, the location of the hospital or provider, and whether there are clinically appropriate services at a closer hospital or provider in New Jersey. In trauma situations, the transferring hospital and physician would be required to explain their reasoning as to why a patient cannot be transferred to a Level I or Level II trauma center in New Jersey. Lastly, under the bill the referring or transferring health care provider would be required to help the patient obtain information about whether the out-of-state facility, provider and needed health care services are covered by the patients insurance plan, as well as whether the referring or transferring hospital is affiliated with the out-of-state hospital. All of this information must be certified by the referring or transferring hospital and become part of the patients permanent medical record. The goal is not to prevent patients from choosing out-of-state providers; instead, the New Jersey Patient Protection Act seeks to ensure patients are making a meaningful choice. The bill would still allow residents to seek care out of state, but would arm patients with critical information to allow them to assess whether medical or business considerations are driving their care options. We believe this legislation is sensible and grants patients significant rights they currently lack. It will help many patients make an informed choice to stay close to home for excellent, affordable health care. Robert Garrett is CEO of Hackensack Meridian Health. Brian Gragnolati, President and CEO of Atlantic Health System. Barry Ostrowsky, President and CEO of RWJBarnabas Health. Eight days this month -- May 6 to 13 -- may turn out to be the most consequential in the state for the next phase of the long-running clerical sex abuse scandal. First, Anderson & Associates released a list of 311 clergy and religious accused of abuse in New Jersey. Then, Pope Francis codified changes for the worldwide church to address sex abuse and hold people accountable. Lastly, Gov. Murphy signed into law legislation that ensures a longer period for victims of sexual abuse to sue and he made it retroactive, as well. NEW LIST RELEASED The Anderson Report on Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese and Dioceses in New Jersey, released May 6, is more than twice as long as the list of 188 names released by the Catholic church earlier this year. Andersons list is longer because it includes religious -- including three nuns, deacons and priests from New Jersey -- who abused elsewhere in the country. The law firms introduction in the report asserts that it relied on publicly available sources, like media reports and court cases. It also claims that these mostly are just allegations and everyone is innocent until proven guilty. I found listed a priest from the Archdiocese of Newark whose allegation was false and a grand jury declined to indict him. Including him with others whose cases are probably credible is a gross injustice. Asked about it, Patrick J. Wall -- an advocate with Andersons L.A. office and former Benedictine priest who was in the order for 12 years -- could not explain why the priest was included. We include all open cases as the litigation moves forward, he said. Yet, in this case, the case was closed. In 2010, a detective from the Bergen County Prosecutors Office along with a town policeman went to the priests rectory to inform him of an allegation. The priest hired his own lawyer and appeared before a grand jury. Months later, an abuse victim advocate showed up in town seeking dirt on the priest so he informed his parishioners and the archdiocese that he was never charged. It made the newspapers and that apparently justified Anderson including his name. It makes me wonder if more innocent names are included in the Anderson report. POPES PERSONAL DECREE Pope Francis moved quickly after the February global summit on clerical abuse at the Vatican. On May 9, he issued a Motu Proprio, a personal decree, Vos estis lux mundi (You are the light of the world), a worldwide order to the church. It establishes easily accessible reporting systems, clear standards for pastoral support of victims, timely investigations, whistleblower protection, and involvement of the laity. It also allows national bishops conferences to account for local circumstances. But the biggest change is to give power to the Metropolitan Archbishop, who loosely oversees a region, to investigate a bishops cover-up. Cardinal Joseph Tobin, archbishop of Newark, is the Metropolitan Archbishop for New Jersey. In less than one year, since the Theodore McCarrick allegations were made public last June, Tobin has moved the dial by getting all the bishops in the state to speak with one voice. They started an independent victim compensation fund for abuse victims and released the names of credibly accused clergy. He also presided over three reconciliation services at Sacred Heart Cathedral where abuse victims spoke. Tobin spent Easter week at the Vatican, reportedly to help shape the Popes plan. Tobin has been more transparent and effective than any U.S. member of the hierarchy. He also admitted that his chancery staff allowed him to be blindsided by the McCarrick saga by not disclosing previous financial settlements given to his victims. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS Finally, on May 13, Murphy signed a law that extends the statute of limitations in civil actions for sexual abuse claims. It poses potential financial hardships for the church, creating a two-year window for parties to bring lawsuits based on sexual abuse previously disqualified by a statute of limitations. The law goes into effect Dec. 1; the churchs compensation fund closing date is Dec. 31. This encourages victims to bypass the fund and hold out for suits, which means more money for law firms and is probably why Anderson published its list: to advertise for potential clients. For 36 years, clerical sex abuse has plagued the U.S. church while bishops engaged in cover-ups and worse to protect the churchs reputation. Billions have been paid in settlements, causing several dioceses to declare bankruptcy. That preventive measures have been securely in place since 2002 has not dissuaded some victims groups, who desire to punish the church at all costs. The Archdiocese of Newark responded to all the events above by stating: We are committed to the comprehensive healing of those harmed and we will continue our policies aimed at protecting children from abuse. Actions back up their words, but some people simply will never trust the church again. The Rev. Alexander Santora is the pastor of Our Lady of Grace and St. Joseph, 400 Willow Ave., Hoboken, 07030, FAX: 201-659-5833; Email: padrealex@yahoo.com; Twitter: @padrehoboken. Yes, Game of Thrones is just a fantasy. White walkers, giants and dragons arent real, at least not in New Jersey. But the storyline in the highly popular series, which ends Sunday on HBO at 9 p.m., begs a comparison to politics. Just about everyone has pondered those political themes, from President Donald Trump to The Washington Post. Since the story began back in 2011 viewers have wondered if one of the elites would successfully marry or slash their way to the Iron Throne, or if a humble bastard from the North would be handed the crown. So who would know better how it would end than a politician, right? So we asked both current and retired local politicians, as well as political scientists how they think this saga will - or should - come to a close. Oh, and since were talking about a fabricated tale, we told them to not take their answers too seriously: Assembly majority leader Lou Greenwald: I assume it will be Jon Snow, but we need to ask the real important questions here: Will he provide tax incentives to developers to help rebuild Kings Landing after Daenerys destroyed it with dragon fire? And how will his allies in the North respond to that? Assemblyman John F. McKeon: The winning ticket is the Stark sisters! Sansa will make the perfect Queen while Arya will be a great Hand of the Queen. Since they saved Westeros from The Long Night, the sisters will enjoy high approval ratings from all the people of Westeros. Michael Melham, mayor of Belleville: Kings Landing (the capital) is destroyed; theres no more Iron Throne, the seat of power. Daenerys, the outsider rebel, who took power by overthrowing the establishment and would have been the heir apparent, has been found to be fatality flawed. Therefore, Im hopeful the next generation, who has been unknowingly training and preparing for this role, will rise up and take power. Therefore, Im all in for team Arya. However, I believe power hungry Sansa will end up with Gendry, who may very well end up becoming the king. Ashley Koning, director of the Center for Public Interest Polling at Rutgers Universitys Eagleton Institute of Politics: Polling in Westeros shows Jon Snow to be the current favorite - his numbers are now north of where they were previously - while Cerseis support has collapsed on top of her. Until recent events, Daenerys was in a surefire lead, but her numbers have now recently gone up in flames; despite her leadership experience, it looks like Dany will fall short of breaking that iron ceiling. Assemblywoman Pam Lampitt: Its no surprise to me that strong, independent women were left in charge of all the major houses at the start of the final season. It will take a powerful and pragmatic leader to rebuild Westeros after a decade of warfare between the Seven Kingdoms. Im rooting for Sansa because, as the Lady of Winterfell, she always considers the welfare of her people when making key decisions. Steve Fulop, mayor of Jersey City: Who knows wholl win the throne but maybe it is similar to New Jersey politics where people dont always move forward because of the good they do, but instead they fail upwards. So, with that said, Daenerys is not a good person BUT she has a dragon. So, despite murdering tons of people I still think she is in a great position to move forward and fail upwards to the Iron Throne. Assemblyman Andrew Zwicker: While I love Daenerys character, shes lost any potential support from Westeros. Im not crazy about Jon Snow but I think hell unify the Seven Kingdoms and Daenerys will be overthrown (and Tyrion will probably be executed) Jean Sinzdak, associate director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers Universitys Eagleton Institute of Politics: Jon Snow may have been born to be in it, but theres the question of perennially underestimated Sansa Stark and whether she should sit on the Iron Throne. Shes best equipped to build consensus across the Seven Kingdoms, better on the day-to-day logistics of ruling, and lets face it, would win the popular vote. Bonus: the realm could save some coin by leaving the Hand position unfilled. Who needs a Hand when youre already the smartest person in the room? Joshua G. Losardo, deputy mayor, Scotch Plains: Sansa wins the throne. Daenerys alienated everyone still standing (except Grey Worm) by setting Kings Landing ablaze. Jon Snow probably dies for good tonight. Arya wants to play Dexter. Tyrion must be burned for releasing Jamie. This leaves the throne to Sansa, unmatched in experience and popular support. Morris County Freeholder John Krickus: Tyrion Lannister should win the Iron Throne. While he doesnt have a dragon, the actor who plays him, Peter Dinklage, is from Morris County, which explains his characters wit and wisdom. Assembly Conference Leader Assembly Conference Leader Shavonda Sumter: Sansas intelligence and resilience will surely garner the support of the people. Her diplomacy skills and wise judgment is unparalleled. She opened her borders, fed the people and two dragons. I wouldnt mind if Arya sat on the Iron Throne either because it is the #YearOfTheWoman! The legalization of recreational marijuana should have been a two-inch putt. It came with everything Trenton could love, including political pragmatism, public approbation, economic incentive, and moral imperatives. Now its political dust, because two powerful Democrats decided it was more important to snarl at each other like a pair of over-caffeinated Rottweilers. So for at least two years, when the voters will presumably take the legalization matter out of their hands via ballot measure, we are left with this: Instead of creating a regulated market for cannabis production and sales, the illegal market will still flourish. Instead of using our law enforcement resources to fight serious crimes, well waste another $127 million next year prosecuting people for pot-related offenses. Instead of banking $60 million in profit, well continue to nickel-and-dime crucial programs and agencies that would have benefitted from the revenue. Instead of allowing our residents to do what is legally done by 81 million Americans, we will arrest 32,000 New Jerseyans a year most of them people of color, derailing their lives and imperiling their futures. Instead of embedding true equity into public policy by ensuring that 25 percent of licenses go to minorities, women, and disabled veterans, we waste a chance to convert urban desolation into centers for economic development. Instead of lifting the scarlet letter off tens of thousands of our neighbors seeking expungement, theyll continue to be stigmatized for engaging in an act that is legal in 10 states. Thats what we are left with, probably for at least two more years. Instead of converting our noblest aspirations into practical realities, Phil Murphy and Steve Sweeney once allies in this pursuit decided to chuck it, because the spitting contest over the states tax incentive program consumed both of them. Take a bow, gents. It sucked all the oxygen out of everything, says Bill Caruso, founder of the New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform. The governor and Senate President and the Legislature worked together like never before seen, and then they decided to weaponize the tax fight. Once Murphys task force began digging into tax breaks that went to companies affiliated with Sweeneys chief benefactor, George Norcross, legal weed was no longer a priority, and it was off to the circus. Caruso insists that the vote was closer than the public knew, and that they can regroup after the budget is settled, perhaps even in November. Actually, its hard to assume that our leaders can keep their eyes on the ball. But there must be good-faith attempts to uphold the original, altruistic aims of legalization. Medical marijuana expansion, no longer tied to the recreational bill, has enough bipartisan momentum to get done on its own. Murphy has instituted good changes via executive order, but there is more to do for the 46,000 patients in the program, and it must be done by statute such as increasing the monthly purchasing amount to 3 ounces, eliminate sales tax, and legalizing edibles. Lets get them what they need. The tougher task is the expungement piece: Nobody knows how to expunge a pot conviction while pot is still illegal. But they better figure it out, because broken promises rank near the top of things New Jerseyans hate most just a rung below social justice being torpedoed by political dysfunction. Bookmark NJ.com/Opinion. Follow on Twitter @NJ_Opinion and find NJ.com Opinion on Facebook. Its comforting to know that the guy whos running this state knows how to get things done. Phil Murphy? Hes only the governor. Steve Sweeney is the guy who really runs things in Trenton. And as of last week the Senate President was well on his way to solving two heretofore intractable problems in New Jersey. One is the cost of public employee pensions and benefits. It has put the state on the path to bankruptcy. But Murphys approach has been to sidle up to the union leaders and whisper sweet nothings. Sweeneys going to do something. On Thursday he held a press conference in which he unveiled a brilliant strategy for getting around the governor. He proposed putting the needed reforms before the voters in a referendum. If three-fifths of the members of both houses approve putting such a question on the ballot, then it will be voted on in the November election. State Sen. Declan OScanlon of Monmouth County said his fellow Republicans are certainly game for supporting Sweeney and the Democratic majority on that. These reforms will save the system for everyone, said OScanlon. Theres no way to balance the books without reforms that save billions of dollars in costs. But what about Murphy? Will he veto that resolution to curry favor with the unions? He cant. Under our state constitution, the governor has the same power regarding referenda as you and me. He gets to vote yes or no on the November ballot. Other than that hes cut out of the process. Then theres that other referendum that Sweeney is supporting. Sweeney has been unable to break the logjam over marijuana legalization. Polls show the voters support it. But many legislators dont, particularly the older ones. Its a generational thing, Sweeney said. Instead of waiting till younger members take office, the Senate President proposes to get around that by putting what you might call a reeferendum on the ballot. This one is unlikely to get the GOP support needed to put it on the ballot this November. But Sweeney needs only a simple majority for two consecutive years to put the question of cannabis legalization on the 2020 ballot. That means most New Jerseyans will have to wait two years to toke up. Or does it? Perhaps not. Sweeney is also pushing a bill that would widen the medicinal marijuana law so that any adult who can cite a medical need to use marijuana can get a card granting access to the existing medicinal-marijuana dispensaries. This bill would solve some of the problems caused by the current system, Sweeney said. At the moment, the police are still arresting pot users at the rate of 88 people a day. Under the current system, Sweeney said, Theyre going to continue to get arrested until we legalize it. But if people can get access to marijuana through their doctors, then much of that street traffic will disappear, he said. We dont want to invite people to keep buying it from the street corner, he said. What hes proposing is essentially the same system I saw at work when I visited Oakland, Calif., 10 years ago. Back then, medicinal marijuana was accessible to just about anyone with the initiative to visit a doctor. It wasnt a bad system. The quality and prices were better than on the black market. Yet the trade was controlled and taxed. California has since gone to full legalization. So has Canada, and I saw that in action when I traveled to Montreal last fall to witness the first day of legalization. The big difference was the lines, which stretched for blocks at the few dispensaries that had opened in time for opening day. Other than that, it was similar to what I saw in Oakland 10 years ago minus the coffee and chocolate cake. In California they take marijuanas role in stimulating appetite seriously. Until recently, Sweeney and his fellow Democratic leaders were determined to hold off on loosening the medicinal-marijuana law until full legalization was achieved. But theres no sense dragging it out, he said. The votes arent going to come. Sweeney said he expects the votes will be there on Thursday for final passage of the bill by both houses and on a bipartisan basis. The prime sponsor of the bill is OScanlon. He said he expects many GOP senators to back him. At that point, its up to the governor. But Murphys options will be limited. He can either veto a very popular bill. Or he can hand yet another victory to Sweeney. The way things are going, he might as well get used to it. ALSO: Sweeneys bill to legalize hemp sailed through committee unanimously last week. Looks like the days of Reefer Madness are over in Trenton. Below: I shot this video in Montreal showing long lines upon the advent of legalized weed: The case of a woman accused of drowning a 10-week-old Golden Retriever will be heard by a grand jury, the Passaic County Prosecutors Office announced Friday. Tonya Fea, 47, of Jefferson Township, opted not to appear for a first court date on the charges of animal cruelty, trespassing and disorderly persons. Instead, the case will progress right to a grand jury, which will decide whether to indict her. Fea told police that the puppy was already dead when she put it in a weighted cage and lowered it into a West Milford pond on April 30. However, autopsy results showed the dog died of asphyxia due to immersion in water, officials said. A rescue officer with The Last Resort, an animal rescue nonprofit, found the body. The organization posted on Facebook offering a reward for information about the crime. Police tracked down Fea through the local animal hospital and arrested her May 7. A press release from Passaic prosecutors did not specify a date for the grand jury proceedings, which are not public. Feas attorney, Richard Baldi, did not immediately return calls requesting comment on the case. Erin Petenko may be reached at epetenko@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @EPetenko. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Erich Kussman strode across a stage in a cap and gown Saturday and became the Rev. Kussman, earning a master of divinity in Lutheran studies from Princeton Theological Seminary. Its been quite a transformation for the 38-year-old, who as recently as 2013 was inmate 380556c in the New Jersey state prison system. Pastors from all over the world come to train here, and here I was this scrappy kid from Plainfield. I felt like a fish out of water, Kussman said recently of his journey from prisoner to the pulpit. Erich Kussman in a prison photo, and standing before a pulpit as a Princeton student in 2018. I dont have it all together and I probably will never have it all together, but I know I have a God who cares and walks with me, and that inspires me and Id like for other people to see that too. The Plainfield native says prison, and a clerical mistake, are the reason hes a practicing preacher today. His criminal conviction stemmed from what he calls a a night of haywire, which started during a bar fight in which he stabbed another man and stole his shoes and threw them in a creek, in 2002. Hed grown up in poverty, dropped out of high school in his freshman year and was constantly getting nabbed for fighting. His mother was a drug addict and Kussman said did not know his father. Childhood memories consisted of breaking into houses for food. Following his arrest, and charged with several felonies - assault, robbery, weapon possession - Kussman rejected plea offers for 16, 18 and even 22 years behind bars, he says However, his criminal path was altered, he says, by 32 hours of mistaken freedom from the Somerset County jail in 2004. (The story generated more headlines than his original arrest.) Everybody in prison prays to get out, but for that to happen to me, I dont believe in coincidences, Kussman said. Ill never forget," Kussman recalls. "It was snowing but I got locked up in some shorts. I walked out the street from jail to the courthouse and saw a man standing at the fountain and he looked lost and I asked him if he needed directions. He turned around and said no son youre lost and you dont know Jesus. Police found Kussman, he was sent back to jail, and eventually sentenced to prison for 12 years, with a 10-year minimum. This time, instead of cursing at his fellow prisoners who hosted Bible study sessions in his cell, he thought about the man he met, and started to listen. Soon, Kussman joined the prison chaplaincy and met Rev. Emmanuel Bourjolly, a chaplain who worked with inmates at Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility in Burlington County. Bourjolly, who also studied at Princeton Theological, in 2005 told a then 25-year-old Kussman, who had 10 years left to serve, that he would one day graduate from the seminary as well. Erich had the ability to understand and listen, and I told him (the seminary) would be more to him than prison, Bourjolly said. The two became more like father and son. Once he was released into a halfway house, Bourjolly helped Kussman apply for his GED and enroll in Pillar College, in Somerset County, formerly known as Somerset Christian College. He was the schools first student whos been incarcerated, and blossomed into being elected student-body president. One of the things that impacted me the most was Erichs testimony. He was always a fighter, fighting for the rights of students from immigration rights to a new sound system," said one of Kussmans classmates, Roberto Tovar, 35, of Lawrence. He was a great leader and a person that as there for us whenever we needed help." After graduating from Pillar, Bourjolly followed through on a promise to help Kussman get into the seminary, and the former prisoner soon got received his acceptance letter. Erich Kussman at the Princeton Theological Seminary 2019 Commencement. (Photo Courtesy of Dave Orantes) For the past few years, hes spent his time preaching at a Paterson church as well as serving as a mentor, like John Byrd, a recovering alcoholic and former convict who says Kussman helped to change his life When you run the streets for so long, youre accustomed to nobody caring", said Byrd who now lives in Pennsylvania and works as a chef. He never once said he couldnt be there. He took me to the (motor vehicle office) to get my license and sat all day with me. He was at my weight lifting competitions too. I mean its just everyday just him being that friend and watching him live his life, I thought maybe I should try that," he said. Kussman had a full plate other than his studies too. He runs Ransom Writers and Speakers, which he co-founded to help previously incarcerated people, and hes also gearing up to transition from preaching in Paterson to a new Lutheran congregation in Trenton. Hes also a father to five children, including a 13-year-old and a 9-year-old with his wife, Ashley Kussman, whom he met while she was volunteering as a psychologist. Their relationship is also somewhat unlikely: shes a former New York City police officer who patrolled the streets of Brooklyn. I guess we make a unlikely pair when you look at it, but when it comes to our hearts we dont, she says. Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.coms newsletters. An amendment that would change Louisianas constitution to say there is no right to an abortion or to public funds allowed for the procedure is set to go before the full state Senate on Monday (May 19). Rep. Katrina Jacksons House Bill 425, or the Love Life Amendment, got overwhelming support from House lawmakers who approved it with an 80 10 vote April 23. If the amendment gets two-thirds of the Senates votes Monday, it will be placed on the Oct. 12 ballot for voters to decide its fate. The proposed amendment would effectively ban abortion in Louisiana only if the U.S. Supreme Court were to overturn Roe v. Wade, its landmark 1973 decision that legalized abortion nationwide. After the amendment was approved by a senate judiciary committee May 7, Benjamin Clapper, the executive director of Louisiana Right to Life said there had been ample discussion about adding exceptions that would still allow abortions for some cases, such as rape and incest. The Love Life Amendment only ensures that the state Supreme Court cannot find a right to abortion in the state constitution, he said in a written statement. HB 425 leaves all consideration of the legality of abortion, and therefore these exceptions to the state legislature and not to judges. By law, public funds for abortion procedures are already not allowed in Louisiana. State lawmakers have also in recent years approved a slew of restrictions that have greatly limited access to abortion across the state. Lawmakers will soon decide if Louisiana will follow in the footsteps of Georgia, Ohio, Mississippi and Alabama with its own version of a ban on abortion once the fetal heartbeat is detectable. Louisiana abortion ban proposal wins support from senators Louisiana is also among six states that have what pro-choice advocates call trigger laws, making abortion immediately illegal if Roe v. Wade is overturned. The 1973 decision declared that a constitutional right to privacy protects a womans right to choose whether or not to terminate a pregnancy. Whats been challenging about this (legislative) session is having to fight for women on all fronts, said Michelle Erenberg, the executive director for LIFT Louisiana, an advocacy organization supporting healthcare access and abortion rights for women. 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 Constitutional amendments are supposed to expand rights not take them away, she added. Its a really inhospitable place for women in the state of Louisiana right now. Although the proposed Louisiana amendment would not ban abortion under the Roe v. Wade decision, abortion-rights advocates fear it would limit the ability for lawmakers to propose measures that could loosen restrictions for abortion access in the future. If a bill were proposed that potentially expands abortion rights the state court could immediately step in because it goes against the constitution, explained Mandie Landry, an attorney for LIFT Louisiana. A handful of other states have passed constitutional amendments outlawing abortion should the Roe v. Wade decision be overturned. Voters in West Virginia and Alabama passed similar amendments last November. On the other hand, Kansas supreme court recently ruled 6-1 that the state constitution will keep a right to abortion, meaning abortion would remain legal in Kansas even if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Although many of the more extreme restrictions, including Mississippis ban on abortions after six weeks, are being challenged in court and have not been implemented, abortion-rights advocates say these laws have already succeeded in fostering an environment where abortion access is incredible difficult in an large portion of the United States. Mississippi, for example, has only one abortion clinic. Louisiana currently has 3 clinics. We are looking at women having to travel hundreds of miles to access this procedure, said Landry. We are going to have entire regions where abortion is illegal or entirely inaccessible for low-income women. The U.S. Coast Guard is searching for a fisherman who went missing Saturday afternoon (May 18) in the surf off a breakwater in Grand Isle. Joey Guidrol, 35, of Cutoff, was fishing with two friends around 4 p.m. when he went behind a breakwater to cast his net, according to the Coast Guard. About 20 minutes later, his friends lost sight of him and called authorities. The Coast Guards 8th District has deployed three water vessels and a helicopter to search for the missing man, spokesperson Lexie Preston said. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office and Grand Isle Police Department are also assisting in the rescue effort. Tracy Hough and her crew were a hit at this years Celebrate CB parade. With her 6-year-old niece Rylan Fouts by her side and her bespectacled maltese dogs J.C., left, and Jaxon hanging from a sling, the local State Farm insurance agent drew all kind of attention while strutting down Pearl and South Main Streets Saturday Morning. People are more excited about the dogs than the candy, she said with a laugh. People keep coming up for pictures or asking of the dogs are real. Hough and her State Farm crew have been walking and floating in the Celebrate CB parade the past few years, and she said that yesterdays weather made for a nearly-perfect parade day. Oh my gosh, its just amazing, she said. Last year it was freezing and rainy, but we saw it through. Its so much nicer this year. There are so many people out here enjoying themselves. Hough is a Council Bluffs native. She graduated from Lewis Central High School in 1987 and later attended the University of Nebraska at Omaha to study accounting, a far cry from what shes doing now. Hough said shes been in the insurance and financial services field since April Fools Day 2001, but her job is no joke. She said shes proud to offer insurance for her hometown and works hard to get people the right coverage to keep themselves protected. We just want to make sure our clients are making the best decisions with their money, she said. Houghs State Farm offices are at 928 Valley View Dr., suite 4, and can be reached at 712-325-1916. The rants of Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, focusing on the topic of waste, fraud and abuse in our government over the past four decades are legendary. Unfortunately, they are, all too often, ineffective. Back in 1985, Grassley, then new to the Senate, was pointing out Pentagon expenditures of $450 for hammers and $640 for toilet seats. Decades later, the problem remains, but the numbers have grown exponentially. In 2015, the issue was $43 million for a gas station in Afghanistan. Last year it was a new $115,000 airborne toilet for the C-5 aircraft. Grassleys latest target certainly a deserving one is the Department of Defense and, more specifically, the relationship of the Department of Defense with the TransDigm Group Inc. Earlier this year, the DoDs Office of Inspector General completed a report, Review of Parts Purchased from TransDigm Group Inc. In Senate floor remarks Wednesday, Grassley noted the IG examined one contractor: The TransDigm Group. In total, it analyzed 113 contracts covering the period from January 2015 to January 2017. It reviewed 47 spare parts the DoD purchased from the contractor. In just two years, the IG found TransDigm overcharged the Pentagon by $16.1 million out of a total of $29.7 million in contracts. The reasonable profit threshold is considered to be 15 percent or below, Grassley said. The IG found that TransDigm earned excess profits on 46 of 47 parts sold to the Pentagon. On 17 of those parts, TransDigm earned more than a 1,000% profit. Remarkably, the highest profit percentage was 4,436%. Thats what I call fleecing the American taxpayer, he said. This report is just one snapshot of a much larger problem. Its a spit in the ocean when you consider the enormous $716 billion defense budget. While Grassley was obviously upset by the waste, he was more upset with the DoDs Office of Inspector General. He said in his view, the IG leadership team showed no urgency whatsoever to fix the problem. He noted that the IG had made a few paltry recommendations. For starters, it directed contracting officers to request voluntary refunds for the excess profits. Drawing on a liberal dose of Midwest common sense, Grassley commented, Let me suggest, I wouldnt advise taxpayers to hold their breath on a voluntary refund. The IG recommendations have no teeth. They are insufficient. And whats worse, the IG leadership team claims no single DoD official is responsible for price gouging. As Grassley noted, its a pattern that has repeated since the Revolutionary War when contractors sold rotten meat to the Continental since the Civil War when profiteers sold ammunition filled with sawdust and shoddy shoes and horses to the Union Army. Grassley has asked acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan to outline the specific steps he is going to take to stop profiteers from pilfering taxpayer-supplied funds. For Iowas senior senator, its the umpteenth verse of the same song. But it remains a question that needs to be answered. Kenneth Mercure and Mark LeBeau are honored with a state Senate citation for their work in organizing the Berkshire Pride Festival. Jesse Cook-Dubin. Mayor Linda Tyer. State Sen. Adam Hinds. Mary McGinnis. PreviousNext Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Celebrates Successes at Annual Meeting Marshall Raser, owner of Carr Hardward, is given the Downtown Person of the Year Award for not only owning a longstanding business but for his volunteer efforts. PITTSFIELD, Mass. Something new, something old, and something colorful. The awards given out at Downtown Pittsfield Inc.'s annual meeting this year represented a range of what has been happening in the downtown, whether that be the efforts of those behind Berkshire Pride Festival to Carr Hardware's 90 years of business to the First Friday Arts Walk that continually drives foot traffic. "Berkshire Pride Festival is more than an event, however, it has become a touchstone of the community that has inspired more connections and ignited a fire of inspiration," said Downtown Pittsfield Executive Director Cheryl Mirer at during the gathering at the Beacon Theater on Thursday morning. "It is not the first time the pride event has been held in the Berkshires but it is the first time it was held on this scale." The festival is entering its third year. It grew from an idea in 2017 and an inaugural event on a shoestring budget to raising some $9,000 to put on the event at the Common that drew nearly a thousand people to the city's downtown. "It was a culmination of 14-year-old queer and trans kid's dream who back in 2001 said, 'I want to organize a pride event in Pittsfield someday.' It took a while but that dream came true on June 24, 2017," Mirer said. Kenneth Mercure and Mark LeBeau were given the Downtown Pittsfield Community Award for their efforts in organizing it. The third one will be held on June 15. That may be a new event to the city's downtown but a stable presence has been Carr Hardware. Marshall Raser, the owner, was presented the Robert T. Quattrochi Downtown Person of the Year Award for his longstanding presence not only in owning the hardware store downtown but his personal involvement a number of volunteer boards. "Every time I go into Carr Hardware, I go in there a little bit nervous but hopeful. And I leave knowing that I have the right tools in my hand and right instructions in my brain and the confidence to tackle what I need to do," said Noel Henebury, Downtown Pittsfield's Foot Traffic Commitment chairman. Carr has had a home in the city for 90 years and the company continues to grow its footprint throughout the Northeast. "You have outlasted and outmaneuvered everything, Home Depot, Walmart, Amazon. Not only have you triumphed, you are now expanding. That is incredible," she told Raser. About a decade ago, Mary McGinnis, owner of Mary's Carrot Cake, noticed there was a high demand for artists wanting to show their work in her shop. So she founded the First Fridays Artswalk. "The concept is pretty simple, the first Friday night of every month a bunch of businesses and other venues in the downtown area, restaurants, cultural organization, stay open and have one, sometimes two artists, per venue that display their works there," Downtown Pittsfield President Jesse Cook-Dubin said. Every month, except January, the first Friday brings foot traffic to the downtown as people visit the various shops to see the artwork on display. Cook-Dubin said while there hasn't been an economic impact study on it, he estimates the sales driven by the event to be in the thousands of dollars. The annual meeting features the election of new and returning board members and leadership but also provides a spotlight on what the organization and others are doing to help drive the downtown economy. Downtown Pittsfield Inc. provides a number of efforts toward that end. Mirer said new to the organization is membership meetings. Each month the organization will meet at a different business or location to discuss relevant topics. That's included getting the business owners together to talk about parking, to tour Hotel on North, to join a 1Berkshire networking event, to discuss marketing, and to visit restaurants and eateries. The organization creates and prints the downtown guide to help market the city's main corridor and creates marketing pieces for magazines and websites. "Distribution of guides will begin next week, downtown and across the county," Mirer said. She said Downtown Pittsfield Inc. continues to grow its social media presence to market the city's downtown as well. "On a weekly basis we have thousands of people visiting our Facebook page, website, and we reach thousands more though our weekly e-newsletter," Mirer said. The organization also heads the downtown ambassador program, which puts people on the street both to welcome visitors and residents and provide an additional measure of public safety. "The ambassadors are walking concierges, a welcoming, information-sharing resource for residents, employees, and visitors. Their services provide access, communication to help visitors find parking, offer directions and wayfinding, provide information on dining, shopping, and cultural activities," Mirer said. Executive Director Cheryl Mirer discusseds the efforts the organization has been undertaking to drive the downtown economy. "Safety: ambassadors are trained by the Pittsfield Police Department in CPR, public safety protocol, and certified in first aid. Ambassadors observe street activities and when needed call for assistance via police radios." At the same time, the organization puts on numerous events throughout the year to drive foot traffic. But their efforts aren't done in a vacuum. The organization has a symbiotic relationship with the city and Mayor Linda Tyer highlighted some of the efforts her administration is doing to also support the downtown economy. "We are happy to be able to infuse additional funds in the Downtown Inc. budget," Tyer said. "All of you may have known that there was a period of time early in my administration when we were experiencing a fiscal crisis and we had to manage that to the best of our ability. We've done that. We have started to recovery. During that time we had to make some really difficult decisions, including reducing our share of funds we give to Downtown Inc. But I am happy to be in a position to tell you that we are in a position to make that up." The city had drastically reduced the amount it was giving Downtown Pittsfield in the past and Tyer said she is hoping to put in another $10,000 toward those efforts. Meanwhile, the city's nearing the end of construction of a new surface lot on Columbus Avenue. The garage there had been in poor shape, the top floor was closed, and had become an eyesore and came with a sense of insecurity for those parking there. The city has contracted to have it demolished and a new lot created. "The Columbus Avenue parking garage: It is demolished and we are in the process of building the surface lot. It should be open for business by June 1," Tyer said. "I think what impresses me most when I drive by there is how it changed the landscape of that central block of our downtown." She highlighted the partnership the city has with Pittsfield Beautiful to clean and spruce up North Street. "We are partnering with them again this year. We have a new landscape contractor who will help us maintain our streetscape. We're looking forward to a very successful partnership to keep our front porch, which I think our downtown is, looking beautiful, lively and vibrant for everyone who visits and shops," Tyer said. She said Berkshire Lightscapes will soon be flipping the switch, improving the looks of downtown, and highlighted the recent business conversation at Framework as helping to network and drive new businesses to the city's downtown. Tyer said there is more to come. Three restaurants -- the Lantern, Methuselah, and District -- are being invested in with the Lantern re-opening recently under new management and the others looking to expand. Plus Wayfair's bringing 300 new jobs to the city that also will bring potential customers to downtown businesses. "This is a sign of a strong economy in our downtown," the mayor said. On the state level, Sen. Adam Hinds is looking at bringing the Berkshire Flyer to fruition. Next June he hopes to have a pilot passenger rail program that will bring visitors from New York City on a train to the downtown on weekends. He's advocating for funds in the state budget to make that happen. "It looks pretty good that we will get the operational money and the marketing money," Hinds said. Hinds also highlighted state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier's budget request for a feasibility study of having the city own and operate a high-speed internet service. He said the 160 people living in Mount Washington have fiber to their homes but downtown Pittsfield does not. He said there are companies like Vidmob that are "hidden gems" and can benefit from a reliable and fast internet system. "It is doing groundbreaking video production for companies around the country, really around the world actually. And they are doing it with a small group of a dozen people using high-end technology," Hinds said. Hinds said there is excitement on the state level for Pittsfield. He recently had a meeting with a local company that is now looking to expand with a second facility in a different district. He said he was impressed thinking that the efforts put in to help the economy in Pittsfield are paying dividends. "You pinch yourself in those moments. Wow, we're kind of where a world-class company is developing and we are on the front end and it is because of investments in the Berkshire Innovation Center, it is because of investments in a whole range of issues in the city that allows someone to say we arew going to start it right here," Hinds said. The future of the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam was one of the repeat topics at last weeks State of Our Community event in North Augusta. Its one voice, everybody is speaking the same tune right now said North Augusta Mayor Bob Pettit during the event. The Lock and Dam has been a hot topic of discussion for the last year in the CSRA. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been tasked with finding a solution for the deauthorized structure that would be cost-effective and allow fish to pass upstream. The Corps proposed alternative includes constructing a rock weir in the place of the Lock and Dam. Local governments have all supported a different alternative that would retain the Lock and Dam. The Corps preferred alternative would lower the river pool near Augusta and North Augustas downtown areas. +3 Hearing offers chance for public to speak about Lock and Dam A dozen-plus citizens from both North Augusta and Augusta had the chance to make public comments about the New Savannah Bluff Lock and Dam out loud during a public meeting held in Augusta on Thursday. Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker said, like North Augusta, Aiken County Council has supported Option 1-1, which would retain the dam. We understand that significantly lowering the pool would create issues for industry and local governments, along with aesthetic and recreational issues, putting millions of dollars in the riverfront investment at risk, Bunker said. Bunker also spoke about the effects to the Horse Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant. He said during a drawdown the Corps held in February, which simulated the conditions of their proposed alternative option 2-6d, there was foaming at the outfall. It didnt inhibit plant operations, but if 2-6d is implemented, the taxpayers of Aiken County will have to foot the bill for a new extended outfall structure. Pettit mentioned a letter, written and signed by U.S. Sens. Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott and Rep. Joe Wilson from South Carolina, along with Sens. Johnny Isakson and David Perdue and Rep. Rick Allen from Georgia. He said the letter was sent to the Undersecretary of the Army, saying the intent of the language in the legislation that guides the Corps was to maintain the current pool elevation. With the letter that the four senators and two representatives signed, I think were on an ascending curve toward a viable solution that would benefit our communities, Pettit said. Samsung Semiconductor held its Foundry Forum this week and announced a breakthrough in its fabrication process for making the Exynos chips that power its Galaxy smartphones. The new technique will give the company at least a 12-month lead on the competition in moving to the 3nm process that will result in a 50 percent boost in battery life just in time for the Galaxy S12. 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 Samsung could be set to dramatically close the performance and efficiency gap between its home grown Exynos chips and Apples market-leading A-series chips thanks to a breakthrough in its fabrication process. While Apple has an architectural lead over the competition, Samsung is set to take what could be at 12-month (or greater) lead by being the first foundry to move to the 3nm process. This will lead to inherent gains in performance and efficiency even without advancements in the underlying chip architecture. Most chips currently being fabricated at 7nm process use the FinFET process; however, it has limitations and only Samsung has managed to transfer this technique down to 5nm we will see the fruits of this labor in the next generation Galaxy S11 next year. However, to get to 3nm, Samsung has developed a new technique called gate-all-around (GAA) Multi-Bridge-Channel FET (MBCFET) that is considered to be a game changer. This will see the die size of a chip fabricated on the 7nm node shrink by 45 percent and also bringing performance gains of at least 35 percent and efficiency gains of up to 50 percent. The two chips currently found in the Galaxy S10, depending on market, are either the Samsung Exynos 9820, which is fabricated on an 8nm FinFET process, or the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855, which is fabricated on the 7nm FinFET process. With its Exynos chips fabricated at 3nm set to roll of the production line in 2021, the Galaxy S12 looks set to be the beneficiary of Samsungs industry-leading advances. Given that Samsung in conjunction with ARM will continue to evolve its RISC architecture, performance gains great the 35 percent and battery life gains greater than 50 percent are very much on the cards. As for Apple, it currently relies entirely on Taiwanese fabricator TSMC for its A-series chips and it looks like TSMC could be left in Samsungs wake -- unless Apple strikes a deal and Samsung has the capacity to fabricate future A-series chips. Leaked information about the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 has offered a surprise in regard to the upcoming devices camera setups. Although the actual details that have been shared are somewhat vague and even ambiguous, it hasnt stopped commentators speculating on what the South Korean manufacturer is preparing for its flagship phablet. 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 Now we know 64 MP is off the table for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, there might not be as much excitement about the devices camera setups now. For those that were feeling somewhat deflated about the news of the phablet possibly only using a 48 MP sensor, the latest leaked information could be even more crushing. Tipster Ice universe has offered these sage words this time around: Da Vincis two biggest changes: 1. Change the front camera position. 2. Change the rear camera position. Da Vinci is of course the codename for the Samsung Galaxy Note 10. Changing the front camera position would likely clarify that the next series of high-end phablets will indeed come with the centered punch-hole selfie camera that is already expected. In contrast, the Note 9 had its front-facing camera hidden in the top bezel just to the right of center. Its the leakers news about the changing of the rear camera position that has the most commentators in a fluster. The Note 9 had a horizontal alignment for its rear camera system and this was expected to continue with the successor series, but Ice universe has seemingly confirmed that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 will have a vertically aligned camera arrangement. This setup could go down one of the sides, or more likely if the phablet wants to maintain its oft-mentioned symmetry then the alignment would have to run down the middle of the rear, akin to the OnePlus 7. Perhaps surprisingly, being the champion of Samsung Galaxy Note 10-related leaks, when asked if he liked the changes being made Ice universe answered with a simple no. He also mentioned that the camera hardware would remain the same, which would mean the 2019 flagship phablet series would feature 12 MP sensors. TOKYO (AP) U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has picked up his barbeque tongs to convey his message to Japan: Buy more American beef. Perdue said Monday that as a top consumer of U.S. beef, Japan should treat the U.S. fairly. He said he hoped President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will strike a trade deal during his bosss visit to Japan later this month, but acknowledged more time might be needed. Were saying treat us as a prime customer the way we treated Japanese products for many years, Perdue told reporters after cooking some beef and pork on a Tokyo shopping mall rooftop, using his familys barbecue sauce recipe. Perdue also expressed impatience with the progress of trade talks that have been going on for more than two years. From my perspective and our farmers in America, Id have preferred it done yesterday, but the reality is these things take time, he said. Nothing has happened, he said. Its time to get going. Japans limits on imports of meat and other farm products have been a recurring issue with the U.S. For example, instead of cowboys rounding up cattle on horseback, Weve had truck drivers go to sale barns and load up cattle that dont belong to them. Brand inspection is important to preventing and solving crimes. Brand inspectors serve roughly the western two-thirds of the state, Horton said, where inspection is mandatory whenever cattle ownership is transferred. The brand committee must approve and record livestock brands. Other counties can also request brand inspection. If they didnt have an inspection record, you dont have something to go on, when cattle disappear, Horton said. Recovering stolen livestock can be difficult, though. Traveling by truck on the highway, they can be far out of our jurisdiction before we even know theres a problem, Fell said. To combat the problem, investigators in different states work together. Recently an investigator from North Dakota came down to my area, working on a case that originated in his state. The suspect had also been charged with violating brand law in Montana, Fell said. Other situations involve people taking advantage of trusting ranchers. LINCOLN The Nebraska Beef Ambassador contest will start at 1 p.m. June 4 at the Rivers Edge Convention Center, 265 33rd Ave., in Columbus. The Nebraska Beef Ambassador Program provides an opportunity for youth, ages 14 to 24, to become spokespersons and future leaders for the beef industry. The two divisions, senior and collegiate, will be judged upon three different areas of the industry consisting of a mock consumer promotional event, mock media interview and an issues response. Place holders will receive a cash prize while the winners, in addition to a cash prize, will take home a custom belt buckle. To sweeten the deal, the Nebraska Cattlemens Foundation will be providing a scholarship to the winner of the collegiate division. CURTIS Two NCTA students entering their sophomore year of college this fall were recognized at the 2019 Awards Night program on May 1 at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture. Randy Castle of Olathe, Colorado, presented Darcy Stewart and Clade Anderson with annual memorial scholarships in honor of his daughter, Chandie, who died in a tragic auto accident in January 2008. Chandie had completed course credits for an associate degree in agribusiness, and was set to earn a second degree in production agriculture. Her family continues to support NCTA students with annual scholarships, which are awarded each year on the eve of NCTA commencement. Darcy Stewart of rural Lexington was a 2018 Overton High School graduate who is studying livestock industry management at NCTA with a 3.7 GPA. She was very active in high school FFA and 4-H programs and in NCTA Collegiate FFA as well. She would like to be part of a family agricultural operation and possibly work with 4-H and Nebraska Extension. Its a hunch that agrees with the data. According to Focus Economics, annualized prices for corn at Chicago Board of Trade dropped from $5.98 in 2013 to $3.98 in 2014, to $3.62 in 2015, $3.44 in 2016, $3.35 in 2017 and $3.38 in 2018. Soybeans and beef have also seen downward trends. At the same time, farmers can rack up huge bills for fertilizer, fuel, seed and other inputs. Property taxes are another huge expense, but Miller said, Im going to not comment on that. It takes $3.50 to $4 (per bushel of corn) to break even, he said, but it takes more than breaking even to run a family and pay for things like day care, clothing, education, food and transportation. Many farm operations nowadays include somebody working off the farm. Chris, Shane and Marks wives all have good jobs in the medical field. My wife says she works to support my farming hobby, Chris said. Its not really a joke. If it wasnt for that theres no way we could survive. The family health insurance benefits provided by their employers help tremendously. Miller said the cost of health insurance is ridiculous, but you have to have that. Eloise Shuck, a resident at North Platte Care Center had one wish: To see her son Josh get married. He and his fiancee, Stephanie Savage, had planned a September wedding, but a terminal diagnosis for Eloise might mean she wouldnt get to see her wish. On Monday, Josh and Stephanie decided to move the wedding to Saturday. They hoped Eloise would be able to go home for the wedding, said Neva Cooper, director of social services for the North Platte Care Center. When Josh and Stephanie found out that would not be possible they called the nursing home on Thursday night, asking if they could hold the wedding there. Cooper told them yes, before even having an opportunity to get approval from Carolyn Riggs, administrator of the center. Of course, Riggs agreed. In a matter of less than 24 hours the staff pulled together to make the arrangements. Many of them donating decorations. The cake, photography and officiation were donated, and Westfield Floral provided flowers. Stephanies parents, Maryanne and Tim Savage, flew in from Boston for the occasion. Eloise said the day was very special and she was thrilled. We are blessed to be a part of this special day, Riggs said. By Glen Ford May 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - US rulers promised that technology would bring the return of the millions of jobs that were outsourced to low-wage countries, but America has lost the hi-tech race and excels only in weapons of war. The early U.S. global hi-tech lead was squandered in the chaotic and criminally wasteful corporate capitalist game of all-or-nothing. If you cant pronounce Huawei (Wah-Way), then you wont be able to explain to your grandchildren how the United States definitively lost the race for planetary technological supremacy, the last non-military contest with China that American capitalism had any chance of winning. The inherent inferiority of the chaotic U.S.-led system is now manifest even to the thick-skulled Donald Trump, who only three months ago held off on banning U.S. companies from doing business with Huawei, the China-based world leader in 5G technology. Back in February Trump tweeted that he wanted American companies to win the ultra-high speed mobile telecommunications race by competition and not by blocking out currently more advanced technologies, meaning Huawei. American companies must step up their efforts, or get left behind. There is no reason that we should be lagging behind. But Trump is expected to sign the Huawei banning order this week , having finally despaired of making U.S. hi-tech great again by peaceful means. The only card the U.S has left to play, is war. The inherent inferiority of the chaotic U.S.-led system is now manifest. The U.S. 5G eclipse by China is permanent, rooted in the systemic mayhem of the imperial economic (dis)order. Although the U.S. virtually invented the Internet as a byproduct of military technology, the early U.S. global hi-tech lead was squandered in the chaotic and criminally wasteful corporate capitalist game of all-or-nothing. As recounted by the South China Morning Post (How US went from telecoms leader to 5G also-ran without challenger to Chinas Huawei) the U.S. refused to set national standards for mobile carriers, allowing tech companies to choose between wireless networks like TDMA, CDMA and GSM. Since 1987 -- the year Huawei was founded -- Europe has mandated that all its wireless systems use the GSM standard. But the Americans allowed U.S. corporations to wager billions of dollars and hundreds of thousands of competing jobs on rival mobile systems. The deregulation of U.S. telecommunications in 1996 further fueled the high-tech capitalist pandemonium. The US was like the Wild West, said Thomas J. Lauria, a former AT&T employee, telecoms analyst and author of the book The Fall of Telecom. Europe managed itself more contiguously than the US, they did not have a lot of disparate networks and picked the [GSM] standard that everyone had to agree to. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter The deregulation of U.S. telecommunications in 1996 further fueled the high-tech capitalist pandemonium. U.S. high-tech firms fought it out among themselves tooth and nail, ignoring the GSM standard and betting that, once one of them won dominant market share and bankrupted or absorbed the others, their corporation would be king of the monopoly capitalist hill, and that U.S. global clout would then propel them to the top of the world. In many aspects, the era from the early 1990s to mid 2000s was lost time for the US mobile industry, said Bengt Nordstrom, chief executive of Northstream, a Stockholm-based consultancy. But in the hi-tech arena, a decade is a lifetime. The rise of China would not allow the U.S. the privilege of imperial technological resurrection. Theres more to this story, but lets stop right here before some of our readers start mourning the loss of jobs and capital that will result from Americas fall from preeminence in technology -- the competitive edge that was supposed to compensate for the systemic outsourcing of the nations manufacturing jobs to the low wage South and East of the planet, including China. Throughout the nineties, Americans were told not to worry, because those gritty industrial jobs would be replaced by clean, well-paid hi-tech employment for everyone willing to learn new skills like computer programming and code-writing. But we soon discovered that most of those jobs would be outsourced, too, or performed by low-paid, hi-tech imported workers from the global South and East. Technology is not the cure for U.S. capitalisms ills. To paraphrase a cliched term, Its the system, stupid. The era from the early 1990s to mid 2000s was lost time for the US mobile industry. Under late stage capitalism, high technology is a tool of accelerated economic consolidation -- monopolization -- and marginalization of workers. Armed with hi-tech tools, Jeff Bezos now wages a war of annihilation against retail commerce, one of the last remaining mass employment sectors in the U.S., while other digital oligarchs publicly proclaim their intention to deploy the internet of things based on 5G technology -- to wipe out much of the rest of existing employment. Silicon Valley plutocrats scheme to create a world with few workers, where trillionaire owners of technology rule. A subsistence wage would be doled out to the masses, so they can pay for hi-tech connectivity to the networks that surveil and disinform them. And thats the least dystopian of our prospects under late stage capitalism. In a racist United States, the worst scenario is always the most likely for the descendants of Africa. As chief executive of the U.S. capitalist (dis)order, Donald Trump will try to make America great again by playing the only cards remaining in the imperial deck: military coercion and the weaponized dollar. The corporate Democrats that hope to succeed Trump will rattle the same missiles and sanctions, blaming Chinas command economy for the contradictions of U.S. capitalism in decline. Both corporate parties are singing the same death dirge for the nation and the world. There is only one escape: overthrow the rule of the rich. Under their reign, the U.S. is no longer the greatest at anything but mass incarceration, the amassing of weapons of destruction, and the maintenance of a worldwide system of surveillance that hears and watches everyone with a telephone or computer. A Russian news analyst had an interesting take on Americas eclipse in the race for 5G: US universal surveillance of everyone outside of America is in serious trouble. BAR executive editor Glen Ford can be contacted at Glen.Ford@BlackAgendaReport.com. BlackAgendaReport - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here Much of what happened in the four months before last weeks unusual removal of a sitting Nebraska county treasurer will become clearer in coming weeks. Regardless of those facts, Lincoln County voters already have been reminded of the need to carefully scrutinize their choices for every elected public office. If nothing else in this situation proves that, consider the rarity of the action our county commissioners took last Monday. County boards in Nebraska hold their respective countys ultimate executive authority but only to a point. Voters are called upon to elect not only their board members but also a set of row officials to lead certain specific departments. In smaller counties, some of those leaders may be chosen by contract rather than elections. In Lincoln County, voters fill the posts of the county clerk, sheriff, attorney, treasurer, assessor, register of deeds, clerk of the district court, public defender and surveyor. Though the county board retains the power of the purse at budget time, it usually cant tell that group of row officials how to spend their money or run their offices. Home Search ICH By James Risen May 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - An American doctor who conducted several medical and mental health evaluations of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange inside Ecuadors Embassy in London over the last two years says that she believes she was spied on and that the confidentiality of her doctor-patient relationship with Assange was violated. Dr. Sondra Crosby, an associate professor of medicine and public health at Boston University and an expert on the physical and psychological impact of torture, has evaluated detainees held by the United States, including at its prison in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. She quietly began meeting with and evaluating Assange in 2017 inside the embassy where he had sought refuge. During her last session with Assange on February 23, Crosby says that her confidential medical notes were removed when she briefly left the embassy to get food to bring back to Assange who, she wrote, had not eaten. The notes were taken from where she had been evaluating Assange and only later discovered in another space used by the embassys surveillance staff. Mr. Assanges right to doctor-patient confidentiality was violated, and his confidential information had been breached, Crosby wrote in a March 1 affidavit she gave to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. In her affidavit, she states that her medical notes were presumably read by embassy personnel. Julian Assange Suffered Severe Psychological and Physical Harm in Ecuadorian Embassy, Doctors Say Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter She also says that her medical visit with Assange in February was monitored by two cameras, and that she had to speak with Assange over the noise of a radio playing to mask their conversations because of what he said were listening devices in the room. In addition, when she returned to the embassy after getting food, she was questioned by embassy security staff and asked for a copy of her medical license, even though she had earlier provided her passport and explained the purpose of her visit. The hostile, nonconfidential, and intimidating environment was palpable, she wrote in her affidavit. In an April 8 letter sent to both U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet and Dunja Mijatovic, the commissioner for human rights for the Council of Europe, Crosby added that during her February visit to the embassy, the conditions of Assanges confinement had significantly worsened since her first visit in 2017. Her letter noted the severe psychological toll Assange suffered in his prolonged and indefinite confinement. Mr. Assanges situation [inside the embassy] differs from a typical prisoner in a conventional prison, she wrote in her letter. In fact, his position is worse than a conventional prison in many respects. His confinement is indefinite and uncertain, which increases chronic stress and its myriad of chronic physical and serious psychological risks, including suicide. During seven years of confinement, Assange had suffered a number of serious deleterious effects of sunlight deprivation, she wrote, including neuropsychological impairment, weakened bones, decreased immune function, and increased risk for cardiovascular disease and cancer. He also displayed physical and psychological symptoms as a result of prolonged social isolation and sensory deprivation. I believe the psychological, physical, and social [aftereffects] will be long-lasting and severe, Crosby wrote. Assange was expelled from the Ecuadorian Embassy and arrested by British authorities on April 11, three days after her letter was sent to the U.N. and the Council of Europe. He is now in prison in Britain on charges of jumping bail, but also faces an indictment in the United States on a hacking charge in connection with the 2010 publication of classified U.S. documents obtained from former Army intelligence analyst Chelsea Manning. Assange has been charged in the U.S. with trying to help Manning crack a government password; he also faces the possibility of a renewed investigation by Sweden into sexual assault charges. His lawyers have vowed to fight his extradition. Assange sought refuge in Ecuadors Embassy in 2012, when Sweden was seeking his extradition in the sexual assault case, and remained in the embassy until his arrest last Thursday. British officials repeatedly vowed to arrest him for jumping bail if he ever set foot outside the embassy. In 2012, when Ecuador agreed to give Assange refuge, the country had a leftist president, Rafael Correa, who was sympathetic to the WikiLeaks founder. But Ecuadors current president, Lenin Moreno, has been far less tolerant of Assange and grew impatient with his presence in the embassy. Both before and since his arrest and expulsion from the embassy, Assange has been criticized and mocked for his erratic behavior. But Crosbys observations and statements make it clear that he has suffered severe psychological harm. Crosby wrote in her letter to the U.N. and the Council of Europe that Assange suffered from multiple medical conditions that had become more complex and urgent over the two years she had evaluated him. He has no ability to access necessary medical care, and he does not have access to the outdoors and sunlight. Even minimum standards for prisoners dictate at least one hour of sunlight daily and access to natural light. While the British government and Assanges many critics say that it was his choice to stay in the embassy, Crosby argues that Assange was denied the fundamental right to health care that should have been afforded to him as a refugee. In her April 8 letter, Crosby wrote that the highest priority for Assanges medical care was his critical need for an oral surgery procedure, adding that the severe daily pain from his dental condition is inhumane. She had consulted with a dentist who had examined Assange, she wrote, and learned that the dental surgery could not be performed in the embassy. In her letter, Crosby says that the British government had repeatedly rejected requests to give Assange safe passage to a hospital for treatment. In addition to Crosby, Dr. Brock Chisholm, a British clinical psychologist who was previously retained as an expert witness in a case involving allegations of torture at CIA black sites, evaluated Assange over the past two years. Dr. Sean Love, now at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, initially met with Assange and arranged for an introduction to Crosby and Chisholm, but did not conduct any of the evaluations. Love said that Assange and WikiLeaks gave the doctors permission to make Crosbys affidavit and letter public. Love criticized the British government for denying Assange medical care while he was in the embassy. Whatever you think of his politics, he is a human being, Love said, and under international law, he deserved to be treated fairly and not in cruel or inhumane ways. This article was originally published by " The Intercept " - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here ==See Also== I visited Julian #Assange in prison. He has been ill, but his courage is astonishing. He is locked up for up to 23 hours. Let no one doubt he is a political prisoner, fraudulent events in Sweden included. His crime is truthful journalism. Shame on those who feign otherwise. John Pilger (@johnpilger) May 18, 2019 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 Search Information Clearing House === Click Here To Support Information Clearing House Your support has kept ICH free on the Web since 2002. Click for Spanish , German , Dutch , Danish , French , translation- Note- Translation may take a moment to load. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, this material is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. Information Clearing House has no affiliation whatsoever with the originator of this article nor is Information ClearingHouse endorsed or sponsored by the originator.) Privacy Statement The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Information Clearing House. Corn prices popped this week as markets grew increasingly concerned about severe planting delays across the Corn Belt. Nationwide, only 30% of the crop had been planted as of last week, compared to a recent average near 60%. Waterlogged fields are preventing farmers from being able to get machinery into their fields, and they are expected to fall further behind as more rain is in the forecast. For many farmers who are behind schedule, federal crop insurance may be their best option, as late-planted crops can suffer from lower yields or be at higher risk of frost damage in the fall. Either way, grain watchers are expecting a smaller corn crop, which helped prices explode over 10% this week, with July corn trading for $3.84 per bushel on Friday. Another option for farmers who cant plant corn during May is to switch fields to plant soybeans, which typically can be planted another two weeks later than corn. This last-minute swap could lead to increasing soybean production this year. Fears of more beans and less corn, along with the ongoing trade disputes with China, have crushed soybean prices, which traded Monday below $8 per bushel for the first time in a decade. Soybean prices plunged to a 10-year low last week after China announced a new round of tariffs in an escalating trade war, and the depressed prices have been taking a toll on Northwest Indiana's farmers. "One area in which Northwest Indiana farmers, and the agricultural sector in general, is being severely affected by the trade war and tariffs is the soybean market," Indiana University Northwest assistant professor of economics Micah Pollak said. "Farmers have chosen to store as much of last year's soybean crop as possible, but this will only buy so much time. With no end to the trade war in immediate sight, farmers will likely be forced to sell much of last years crop at much lower than typical prices." Some farmers could face bankruptcy, and the United States runs the risk of losing the Chinese soybean market to competitors like Brazil, Pollak said. China is by far the biggest importer of U.S. soybeans in the world, and has been since about 2011, Purdue University Agricultural Economic Professor Wallace Tyner said. The United States exports about half its soybeans internationally, such as through the Cargill operations at the Port of Indiana-Burns Harbor, and China consumes about 62% of U.S. soybeans. HAMMOND Even before they received their degrees, Calumet College of St. Joseph graduates received a charge to use their new skills, not just to better themselves, but to improve their world. At Calumet College, youve been formed to be a true human being, said the Rev. Jeffrey Kirch, provincial director of the Missionaries of the Most Precious Blood, the Catholic religious order that sponsors and operates the college. This is the beginning of your journey, not the end. Speaking before commencement Saturday, CCSJ graduates cited their new skills and how they planned to use them. Eric Aidinovich, a digital and studio arts major from Schererville, said he learned how to think for myself, how to innovate and how to be more focused. Meredith Bielak, a mother and banker from Cedar Lake, said, The classes Ive taken relate very well to my work and have expanded my knowledge. With a son in high school, Bielak added, I hope my study habits and dedication have helped him. Also, this shows youre never too old to learn. 61: An Exhibit Celebrating the 61st National Park The Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond will transform on May 23 to help celebrate the 61st National Park - the Indiana Dunes. Visitors can learn more about the activities available within the 15,000 acres and 15 miles of shoreline that make up the Indiana Dunes National Park. The exhibit will be open until Sept. 21; the exhibit is free and open to the public. Learn more at alongthesouthshore.com. Mount Baldy Sunset Hike Take a ranger-led hike to the top of the infamous Mount Baldy from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 24. There is no reservation required for this hike to view the sunset over Lake Michigan; meet at the parking lot off U.S. 12 west of Michigan City. Learn more at nps.gov/indu. Steve Martin & Martin Short Don't miss the comedy of Steve Martin and Martin Short at the Venue at Horseshoe Casino in Hammond. This variety-styled comedy show will take place on May 25; purchase tickets by visiting horseshoehammond.com. Summer Concert Series - Highland "Every day we push back, we lose on the back end," E.J. Hein said. Nikki Witkowski, a Purdue Extension educator based in Porter County, said the weather this spring definitely has not been good for farmers. "Cold and wet are the worst conditions. In general it's too wet to get out to plant and it's been too chilly," Witkowski said. Those farmers lucky enough to have planted early may have had seeds killed out because of the later colder temperatures. "Their seeds won't grow well and the seeds may be killed. If some farmers have planted earlier, they may have to replant some," Witkowski said. The only exceptions are in the areas of Northwest Indiana where the soil is sandy. "Sandy soils are not as bad a problem for planting as are clay-based soil. Near the river and near the lake are sandy areas. It all depends on the lovely glacier that came through our area," Witkowski said. And there is a bright spot to the nasty weather, Witkowski said. DYER Police are investigating an incident Sunday in which a contract worker died while working on an electronic sign at Pop's Italian Sausage and Beef. Terry Mirkov, 62, of Crete, was pronounced dead at noon, according to the Lake County coroner's office. The cause of death was still pending as of Sunday evening. Police scanner reports suggest authorities were responding to a call about a possible electrocution. "We're asking if anyone saw anything to call us," Dyer Police Cmdr. Don Foley said. "It's still an ongoing death investigation. We're trying to figure out whether this was medical or accidental. It doesn't appear there was any foul play." Foley said he should have more details after the coroner's office does an autopsy Monday morning. Crews first received a call about the incident in the 1100 block of Joliet St. at 11:13 a.m., Foley said. Multiple Dyer police and fire, Superior Ambulance and NIPSCO vehicles were at the scene late Sunday morning and early afternoon. The Lake County Coroner was called to the scene at 11:27 a.m. Westbound U.S. 30 traffic was affected with backups during the incident. Check back at nwi.com for updates as they become available. Love 2 Funny 15 Wow 6 Sad 106 Angry 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. Kale Wilk Visuals and Online Interactives Director Kale is a photojournalist and digital producer with the Times. He is a Region native, hailing from Schererville. He shoots photos, writes feature stories and produces Byline, a Times podcast. Email: kale.wilk@nwi.com Phone: 219-933-3393 Follow Kale Wilk 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 Chandra said according to the Indiana Department of Health, 1,852 Hoosiers died from drug overdose in 2017, with about two-thirds of those fatalities due to opioids. Opioids are a class of drugs that include heroin, fentanyl and pain relievers such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and cocaine. Additional statistics reveal that one in four eighth-graders and one in three seventh-graders in Lake County have seriously considered suicide. Dr. Vidhya Kora, a LaPorte County commissioner who practices internal medicine in Michigan City, said that for the first time in a century, American life expectancy rates are dropping. Kora attributed these shorter life spans to opioid abuse, depression and suicide. As a nation, we need to do better, Kora said. Raising awareness is the first step. The medical profession is helping, Kora noted. From 2012 to 2017, opioid prescriptions were down 30%, he said. The program included a panel question-and-answer session, along with personal testimony by three friends and family of suicide victims. The Federal Trade Commission and Facebook are reportedly in the final stages of negotiating a settlement of charges that the company violated its 2011 privacy consent decree. These stem from the Cambridge Analytica debacle in which a voter profiling company working for Donald Trump was able to access Facebook profiles on tens of millions of users without their permission and perhaps as well from a series of data breaches, failures to protect personal data and more. The penalty is on track to look tough but not really hurt the company. Even more important, it is unlikely neither to force the company to better protect and respect users, nor to break up or restrain Facebooks overweening power. Public reports suggest the company will be hit with a fine on the order of $5 billion and perhaps be required to create a privacy oversight board. Its possible that some system will be imposed that aims to hold Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg personally accountable for privacy policy. Unfortunately, while $5 billion is a very substantial penalty, its just not that big a deal for Facebook. When the company announced it expected a fine in that neighborhood, its share price actually went up! Even though Prince doesnt take office until Jan. 1, Garys fate is now in his hands because winning the Democratic primary is tantamount to winning the office. In its 113-year history, Gary has had 18 different mayors, some serving multiple terms. Of the 18, five were Republicans, their names almost lost in the mists of time. The last Republican mayor was Ernst Schnable, who served from 1939 to 1943. The city has not had a Republican mayor for over three-quarters of a century. During its 76 years of Democratic dominance, the city has waxed and waned, but since the latter third of the 20th century, mostly waned. Princes unenviable task is trying to turn that around. But how do you turn around a city with the following abysmal statistics? According to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau, Gary has a population of about 80,000 (it once approached 200,000), median home value of $66,000, and median household income of $29,300. It might be shocking, but even tiny Griffith, with a population of 15,000, has a median home value of $135,600 and median household income of $57,452. Contemplating those figures, is it any wonder Griffith is hell-bent on getting out of Calumet Township, which it shares with Gary? Newly Released FBI Docs Shed Light on Apparent Mossad Foreknowledge of 9/11 Attacks New information released by the FBI has brought fresh scrutiny to the possibility that the Dancing Israelis, at least two of whom were known Mossad operatives, had prior knowledge of the attacks on the World Trade Center. By Whitney Webb May 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - For nearly two decades, one of the most overlooked and little known arrests made in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks was that of the so-called High Fivers, or the Dancing Israelis. However, new information released by the FBI on May 7 has brought fresh scrutiny to the possibility that the Dancing Israelis, at least two of whom were known Mossad operatives, had prior knowledge of the attacks on the World Trade Center. Shortly after 8:46 a.m. on the day of the attacks, just minutes after the first plane struck the World Trade Center, five men later revealed to be Israeli nationals had positioned themselves in the parking lot of the Doric Apartment Complex in Union City, New Jersey, where they were seen taking pictures and filming the attacks while also celebrating the destruction of the towers and high fiving each other. At least one eyewitness interviewed by the FBI had seen the Israelis van in the parking lot as early as 8:00 a.m. that day, more than 40 minutes prior to the attack. The story received coverage in U.S. mainstream media at the time but has since been largely forgotten. The men Sivan Kurzberg, Paul Kurzberg, Oded Ellner, Yaron Shimuel and Omar Marmari were subsequently apprehended by law enforcement and claimed to be Israeli tourists on a working holiday in the United States where they were employed by a moving company, Urban Moving Systems. Upon his arrest, Sivan Kurzberg told the arresting officer, We are Israeli; we are not your problem. Your problems are our problems, The Palestinians are the problem. For years, the official story has been that these individuals, while they had engaged in immature behavior by celebrating and being visibly happy in their documenting of the attacks, had no prior knowledge of the attack. However, newly released FBI copies of the photos taken by the five Israelis strongly suggest that these individuals had prior knowledge of the attacks on the World Trade Center. The copies of the photos were obtained via a FOIA request made by a private citizen. A high-quality photo, top, shows the area the dancing Israelis were staged. Credit | Panamza According to a former high-ranking American intelligence official who spoke to the Jewish Daily Forward in 2002, the FBI concluded in its investigation that the five Israelis arrested were conducting a Mossad surveillance mission and that their employer, Urban Moving Systems of Weehawken, NJ, served as a front. At least two of the men arrested were determined to have direct links to the Mossad after their names appeared in a CIA-FBI database of foreign intelligence operatives. According to one of their lawyers, one of the men, Paul Kurzberg, had previously worked for the Mossad in another country prior to arriving in the United States. Another of those arrested, Oded Ellner, subsequently stated on Israeli TV that the five Israelis had been in New York at the time to document the event, meaning the attack on the World Trade Center. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter The FOIA release of the photos is notable because responses to prior FOIA requests to the Department of Justice, which oversees the FBI, had previously claimed that all of the photos taken by the Israeli nationals had been destroyed in January 2014. The photos themselves are heavily redacted, making it impossible to see the Israelis facial expressions. However, previously declassified yet heavily redacted FBI reports state that the Israelis are visibly happy in nearly every photo, even when the burning towers are in the background. The photos released are also not original copies and instead appear to be photocopies of photocopies of the original pictures. In addition, of the original 76 pictures developed by authorities from the camera in the Israelis possession, only 14 were released. However, three of these photos despite the heavy redaction and poor quality are damning. Since 2001, even though the photos were never released until now, it had been known that one of the Israelis arrested Sivan Kurzberg was seen in a photo holding a lighted lighter in the foreground, with the smoldering wreckage [of the twin towers] in the background, according to Steven Noah Gordon, then-lawyer for the five Israelis, as cited in a New York Times report from November 2001. The picture of Kurzberg with the lit lighter appears to be photo #5 in the new FOIA release. Yet, the picture released includes a visible date of September 10, 2001, the day before the attacks, as do two other photos images #7 and #8 in the collection whereas all other photos with dates show only the month and the year (9 01). The FOIA release did not provide any information as to the apparent discrepancy in dates. While this could be explained away as the camera in question being programmed with a slightly inaccurate date, that doesnt seem to be the case for two reasons. First, only two out of the 14 pictures carry that date and, second, previously declassified FBI reports report an eyewitness adamantly stating that Sivan Kurzberg had visited the Doric Apartments on September 10, 2001 at around 3 p.m. with at least one other man, with whom he was conversing in a foreign language, and had identified himself as a construction worker to a tenant (page 61 of declassified FBI report). Sivan Kurzberg holds a lit lighter with the Manhattan skyline in the background. The date September 10, 2001 visible in the bottom right corner | Photo #5 In addition, the FBI report noted that a van from Urban Moving Systems, the company that employed the five Israelis at the time of their arrest, was present and was involved in moving a tenant out of the complex on September 10 and that the movers all had foreign accents. Thus, images 5, 7 and 8 strongly appear to have been taken at the same complex a day before the attacks. Kurzberg is seen in both images that display the visible date of September 10, 2001. This raises two possibilities. First, that there are two images of Kurzberg with a lit lighter in front of the towers, one taken before the attack and one taken at the time of the attack, and that the FBI released only one of them. Second, that Kurzberg took the picture with the lighter only the day before the attack and his lawyer misrepresented the contents of the photo to the New York Times. Given that the background of the photo particularly the state of the towers is indiscernible in the recently released photo, it is difficult to determine which is the case. One of the Israelis points to what is presumably the World Trade Center, in Manhattan on September 11, 2001 | Photo #2 Yet, in either scenario, Kurzberg had simulated the burning of the World Trade Center the day before the attacks took place. That the FBI concluded that Kurzberg was party to a Mossad surveillance operation at the time of his arrest would then suggest that Israeli intelligence also had foreknowledge of the attacks. Notably, the relevant section of the FBI report that asks 1. Did the Israeli nationals have foreknowledge of the events at WTC and were they filming the events prior to and in anticipation of the explosion? is redacted in its entirety, suggesting that the FBI did not determine the answer to that question to be an emphatic no. One of the 9/11 loose-ends coverups? If images 5 and 7 were indeed taken the day prior to the attack, the question then becomes why the FBI officially concluded that the arrested Israelis had no prior knowledge of the attacks? One report from ABC News dated June 2002 suggests that the Bush administration intervened in the investigation. That report states that Israeli and U.S. government officials worked out a deal and after 71 days, the five Israelis were taken out of jail, put on a plane, and deported back home [to Israel]. If the Bush administration had cut a deal with Israels government to cover up the incident, it certainly would not have been the first time a U.S. presidential administration had done so on Israels behalf. Further evidence that higher-ups in the administration intervened is the fact that then-Attorney General John Ashcroft personally signed off on the detainees release. Upon his entering the private sector as a lobbyist and consultant in 2005, the Israeli government became one of Ashcrofts first clients. A cover-up certainly seems to have happened to some extent, between the destruction of records of the investigation and the fact that official conclusions of the investigation do not add up. In the latter case, the FBI in a file dated September 24, 2001 officially stated that they determined that none of the Israelis were actively engaged in clandestine intelligence activities in the United States. However, that conclusion was directly contradicted by U.S. officials a year later and by the fact that Israels own government subsequently acknowledged that the five Israelis had indeed been involved in clandestine intelligence activities in the United States. In addition, the new FOIA release of the photos suggests that another FBI conclusion that none of the pictures developed from the film found inside the 35-mm camera depicted the twin towers prior to the attack was inaccurate. This may explain why the images released via the recent FOIA request were heavily edited leaving details in the background greatly obscured, making it impossible to determine whether the photos were taken prior to or during the attacks based solely on the state of the towers. Tourists with cash-stuffed socks, box cutters, and explosives? Beyond the photos and observed activities of the so-called Dancing Israelis, it is worth revisiting several other suspicious circumstances linked to their arrest that clearly show that the men in question were hardly the tourists they had claimed to be. One often cited example is the fact that one of the men, Oded Ellner, had a white sock-like sack filled with $4,700 in cash, as well as maps of the city with certain places highlighted, and box cutters. In addition, the van in which the Israelis were arrested was oddly lacking equipment typically used in a moving companys daily duties, according to the FBI, and residue of explosives was found in the van. Of the explosive residue, the declassified FBI report states: A search of the van and individuals was conducted at the time of the vehicle stop. The vehicle was also searched by a trained bomb-sniffing dog which yielded a positive result for the presence of explosive traces. Swabs of the vehicles interior were taken, and those samples were sent to the FBI laboratory for further analysis. Final results are still pending. In total, the FBI reported that four items related to explosives were found in the ban and are labeled in the report as Fabric Sample (Explosive Residue), Control Swabs SA [ ] Gloves, Control Swabs (Bomb Suits), and Blanket Samples For Explosive Residue. In addition, a VHS tape and some still photographs found in the van were sent to Laboratory Examiner [ redacted ] (Explosives Unit). In addition to the strange nature of some of the Israelis possessions in the van and on their person, the company that employed them Urban Moving Systems was of special interest to the FBI, which concluded that the company was likely a fraudulent operation. Upon a search of the companys premises, the FBI noted that little evidence of a legitimate business operation was found. The FBI report also noted that there were an unusually large number of computers relative to the number of employees for such a fairly small business and that further investigation identified several pseudo-names or aliases associated with Urban Moving Systems and its operations. The FBI presence at the Urban Moving Systems search site drew the attention of the local media and was later reported on both television and in the local press. A former Urban Moving Systems employee later contacted the Newark Division with information indicating that he had quit his employment with Urban Moving Systems as a result of the high amount of anti-American sentiment present among Urbans employees. The former employee stated that an Israeli employee of Urban had even once remarked, Give us twenty years and well take over your media and destroy your country (page 37 of the FBI report). The FBI returned to search the premises of Urban Moving Systems a month later, but by that time found: The building and all of its contents had been abandoned bythe owner of Urban Moving Systems. This [was] apparently being done to avoid criminal prosecution after the 09/11/2001 arrest of five of his employees and subsequent seizure of his office computer systems by members of the FBI-NK on or around 09/13/2001. The companys owner Dominik Otto Suter, an Israeli citizen had fled to Israel on September 14, 2001, two days after he had been questioned by the FBI. The FBI told ABC News that Urban Moving may have been providing cover for an Israeli intelligence operation. Surprisingly, since at least 2016, Suter has been living in the San Francisco Bay Area, where he works for a contractor for major tech companies like Google and Microsoft. According to the public records database Intelius, in 2006 and 2007 Suter also worked for a telecommunications company Granite Telecommunications that works for the U.S. military and several other U.S. government agencies. In addition to Urban Moving Systems, another moving company, Classic International Movers, became of interest in connection with the investigation into the Dancing Israelis, which led to the arrest and detention of four Israeli nationals who worked for this separate moving company. The FBIs Miami Division had alerted the Newark Division that Classic International Movers was believed to have been used by one of the 19 alleged 9/11 hijackers before the attack, and one of the Dancing Israelis had the number for Classic International Movers written in a notebook that was seized at the time of his arrest. The report further states that one of the Israelis of Classic International Movers who was arrested was visibly disturbed by the Agents questioning regarding his personal email account. A crowded dance floor While the case of the Dancing Israelis has long been treated as an outlier in the aftermath of September 11, what is often overlooked is the fact that hundreds of Israeli nationals were arrested in the aftermath of the attacks. According to a FOX News report from December 2001, 60 Israelis were apprehended or detained after September 11, with most deported, and a total of 140 Israelis were arrested and detained in all of 2001 by federal authorities. That report claimed that the arrests, ostensibly including the Dancing Israelis, were in relation to an investigation of an organized [Israeli] intelligence gathering operation designed to penetrate government facilities. The report also added that most of those arrested, in addition to having served in the IDF, had intelligence expertise and worked for Israeli companies that specialized in wiretapping. Some of those detained were also active members of the Israeli military; and several detainees, including the Dancing Israelis, had failed polygraph tests when asked if they had been surveilling the U.S. government. Watch | FOX News December 2001 report on Mossad spying prior to 9/11 A key aspect of that report, compiled by journalist Carl Cameron, also states that federal investigators widely suspected that Israeli intelligence had prior knowledge of the September 11 attacks. In the report, Cameron stated: The Israelis may have gathered intelligence about the attacks in advance and not shared it. A highly placed investigator said there are tie-ins but when asked for details he flatly refused to describe them saying: Evidence linking these Israelis to 9-11 is classified. I cannot tell you about the evidence that has been gathered. It is classified information. One exchange between Cameron and host Brit Hume included in the report is particularly telling: HUME: Carl, what about this question of advanced knowledge of what was going to happen on 9/11? How clear are investigators that some Israeli agents may have known something? CAMERON: Well its very explosive information obviously and there is a great deal of evidence that they say they have collected. None of it necessarily conclusive. Its more when they put it all together a big question they say is, How could they have not known? almost a direct quote, Brit. 9/11 as a big and acknowledged Israeli win If the Dancing Israelis, and more broadly the Mossad and the Israeli government, had foreknowledge of September 11, why would they remain silent and not attempt to warn the American government or public of the coming attacks? In the case of the Dancing Israelis, why would Israelis celebrate such an attack? One of the detained Dancing Israelis, Omer Marmari, told police the following about why he viewed the September 11 attacks in a positive light: Israel now has hope that the world will now understand us. Americans are naive and America is easy to get inside. There are not a lot of checks in America. And now America will be tougher about who gets into their country. While Marmaris statement may suggest one reason some of the Dancing Israelis were so visibly happy in their photographs, there are also other statements made by top Israeli politicians that suggest why the Israeli government and its intelligence agency declined to act on apparent foreknowledge of the attack. When asked, on the day of the 9/11 attacks, how the attacks would affect American-Israeli relations, Benjamin Netanyahu the current Israeli prime minister told the New York Times that Its very good, before quickly adding Well, not very good, but it will generate immediate sympathy. He then predicted, much as Marmari had, that the attacks would strengthen the bond between our two peoples, because weve experienced terror over so many decades, but the United States has now experienced a massive hemorrhaging of terror. Netanyahu, in a candid conversation recorded in 2001, also echoed Marmaris claim that Americans are naive. In that recording, Netanyahu said: I know what America is. America is something that can easily be moved. Moved to the right direction. They wont get in our way. They wont get in our way 80 percent of the Americans support us. Its absurd. In addition, also on the day of the September 11 attacks, Netanyahu who at the time was not in political office held a press conference in which he claimed that he had predicted the attacks on the World Trade Center by militant Islam in his 1995 book, Fighting Terrorism: How Democracies Can Defeat Domestic and International Terrorism. In that book, Netanyahu had posited that Iranian-linked militants would set off a nuclear bomb in the basement of the World Trade Center. During his press conference on the day of the attacks, Netanyahu also asserted that the 9/11 attacks would be a turning point for America and compared them to the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. Netanyahus statement echoes the infamous line from the Rebuilding Americas Defenses document authored by the neoconservative think tank, the Project for a New Ameican Century (PNAC). That line reads. Further, the process of transformation [towards a neo-Reaganite foreign policy and hyper-militarism], even if it brings revolutionary change, is likely to be a long one, absent some catastrophic and catalyzing event like a new Pearl Harbor. Then again, years later In 2008, the Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that Netanyahu had stated that the September 11 attacks had greatly benefited Israel. He was quoted as saying: We are benefiting from one thing, and that is the attack on the Twin Towers and Pentagon, and the American struggle in Iraq. Indeed, it goes without saying that the aftermath of 9/11 which involved the U.S. leading a destructive effort throughout the Middle East has indeed benefited Israel. Many of the U.S. post-9/11 nation-building efforts have notably mirrored the policy paper A Clean Break: A New Strategy for Securing the Realm, which was authored by American neoconservatives PNAC members among them for Netanyahus first term as prime minister. That document calls for the creation of a New Middle East by, among other things, weakening, containing, and even rolling back Syria and removing Saddam Hussein from power in Iraq an important Israeli strategic objective in its own right. As is known now, both of those main objectives have since come to pass, each with strong Israeli involvement. - Notes - Feature photo | Four of the Israeli nationals arrested for puzzling behavior during the September 11 attacks are seen casually posing together in front of the Manhattan skyline while the September 11 attacks were in progress | Photo #1 Whitney Webb is a MintPress News journalist based in Chile. She has contributed to several independent media outlets including Global Research, EcoWatch, the Ron Paul Institute and 21st Century Wire, among others. She has made several radio and television appearances and is the 2019 winner of the Serena Shim Award for Uncompromised Integrity in Journalism. This article was originally published by "MintPress" - Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here The Americans, not finding the womans uncle, unloaded laundry detergent and C-ration cans from their helicopter as gifts. The woman remembers the pork in some of the cans was quite delicious. More to the point, the encounter left her with the impression that these Americans, low ranking with little influence, were rather puzzled. They had no understanding of deeper issues and did not comprehend widespread fears of police and soldiers. Beside her, another woman about the same age recalled seeing Americans on the streets outside a small base near the islands southwestern coast. They sometimes handed out chocolate, much to her delight, she said, but thats about all she could remember about them. Above and beyond the village level, it would help to find answers to much broader questions about relations between Americans and Koreans. We know only that the U.S. military government was still in charge when the revolt broke out and that Maj. Gen. William Dean, commander of U.S. forces in Korea, visited Jeju after 4.3. In the absence of any records of what he said, its reasonable to suspect he encouraged the police and armed forces, under Korean command, to suppress signs of unrest. NEW DELHI Ayodhya is a small, placid temple town in northern India, considered holy by Buddhists, Jains and Muslims, and believed by most Hindus to be the birthplace of Ram, one of Hinduisms most revered deities and the protagonist of the epic poem the Ramayana. My family comes from a nearby village. Though my parents lived in Kolkata, we spent our summer and winter vacations in Ayodhya. In the evenings we would walk through the streets of the town, which brimmed with pilgrims of almost every faith. Hindus frequented shrines of local Muslim saints ; Muslims sold Hindu religious artifacts outside temples and revered Ram as a prophet. An unattended young girl, I ran around, bought knickknacks, ate sweets sold as offerings to the gods and swam in the Sarayu River which we hold to be as sacred as Ram, our family deity that flows by the town. In Ayodhya, I was at home. Away from my childish concerns, Ayodhya was caught up in a decades-old bitter legal battle for the ownership of a patch of land, 67.7 acres long, where a medieval mosque stood alongside small temples dedicated to Ram and his consort, Sita. For residents of Ayodhya, Ram was omnipresent, but some Hindu activists claimed that Ram was born within this contested area. In the late 1980s, the Bharatiya Janata Party, then a minor Hindu nationalist party, ran a campaign to build a grand temple for Ram in Ayodhya, contending that a temple to Ram had existed on the disputed site until it was razed in the 16th century and replaced by Babri Masjid, a mosque built by Indias first Mogul emperor. When Sara Mearns and Amar Ramasar took the stage at New York City Ballet on Saturday afternoon, they were greeted by so much applause they had to delay dancing until it died down. Such applause is customary for a dancer returning after an absence, as Mr. Ramasar was, but his return was anything but normal. In September, he was fired for texting explicit photos of a female colleague. Just a month ago, after the firing was challenged by the dancers union, an arbitrator, ruling that the dismissal had been a disciplinary step too far, ordered City Ballet to reinstate him. So when Mr. Ramasar entered at the start of the fourth movement of George Balanchines Brahms-Schoenberg Quartet on Saturday the company having provided no special announcement apart from his appearance on a casting list he was stepping into an extremely fraught situation. Several women in the company have expressed dismay at his return, and a sense of having been betrayed by the union that represents them as well. And yet there was Ms. Mearns, one of City Ballets biggest stars, a woman who once dated Mr. Ramasar , there by his side, seeming, at least implicitly, to endorse him. From a certain angle, Mr. Ramasars role in Brahms-Schoenberg was an odd, tone-deaf casting choice. He plays a Gypsy-like character who imperiously waves away his female partner so that he can show off. LOS ANGELES The Museum of Contemporary Art here is planning to eliminate general ticket charges, aligning it with the Broad and the Hammer Museum, which already offer free admission. The policy is being made possible by a $10 million donation by the board president, Carolyn Clark Powers, which was announced at the museums Saturday night benefit party. The museums director, Klaus Biesenbach, called the decision a step toward being more porous, more welcoming and more open. Asked whether he was inspired by the example of other museums in town, he said he was an advocate of free museum entry long before he moved to Los Angeles last year, noting that he instituted free admission at MoMA PS1 for New Yorkers in 2015 when he ran that museum . I think many of us are at a point where we understand that museums should not be ivory towers, he said. MOCA should feel like a public library where you can go and have access to culture. Mr. Biesenbach noted that Ms. Powerss gift would enable the museum to offset the loss of its $15 general admission fee (there will still be fees for special exhibitions) and to expand its educational programs and visitor services staff. This is not a badge for me, Ms. Powers said in a statement. Rather, its a way for me to support the museum and be of service to the Los Angeles community, she said, describing diversity, inclusiveness and openness of spirit as museum priorities. Charging admission is counterintuitive to arts ability and purpose to connect, inspire, and heal people, she said. Whatever the case, Dany now needs to provide us with an explanation in words, not just unhinged facial expressions. Can she explain why the citys surrender to her wasnt enough to stay her hand? Does she realize that her picture will now be positioned in the Westerosi dictionary next to the word overkill? Is she too far gone to care? Someone (Tyrion? Jon? Grey Worm?) needs to talk to her about this. Who can oppose her? Whos lord of Storms End now? Dany wondered during the post-battle feast at Winterfell, before she bestowed that title upon Gendry. This was a necessary honor: too long had power vacuums kept the various kingdoms in disarray. (We didnt even know there was a new prince in Dorne until the last war-council meeting.) So who is in control of what right now? Sansa Stark rules Winterfell, of course, in the absence of Jon Snow, the Warden of the North, making her the de facto leader of the North. Meanwhile, Sansas cousin, Robin Arryn, is not only Lord of the Eyrie but Defender of the Vale and Warden of the East (although Lord Royce has been the commander of Robins forces and generally acting on his behalf). Theoretically, Sansas uncle Edmure, as Lord Paramount of the Trident, could return the Riverlands to Tully control; his status is unclear, however is he still being held prisoner by House Frey? [Fans are betting on the outcome of the fight for the throne.] A legitimized Gendry Baratheon, now lord of Storms End, would rule the Stormlands, while The Reach would most likely be the preserve of House Tarly. Sams mother, Lady Melessa, might have been acting as Warden of the South after the deaths of Randyll and Dickon; if Sam heads back to Horn Hill, can he finally ascend to the lordship he had been denied? And what about Tyrion Lannister might he not also still want to claim Casterly Rock as his birthright, and with it, the title of Warden of the West? And finally, Yara Greyjoy should have the Iron Islands under her command by now. Before Dany destroyed Kings Landing, she should have been able to count most of these Houses as allies (save the Tarlys). We dont know who Varys wrote to, or how many ravens he was able to send before his death or if his little bird Martha knew to send them after. But if word spreads of Danys genocide and Jon Snows lineage, many of Danys alliances will crumble. The question is, would that make a difference? Even if the other regions are able to assemble fresh forces (and that would be difficult for those who just fought alongside Jon Snow), it might not be enough. One dragon can wipe out an army. Its unlikely you have heard of @ToTheXToTheY. But you may be familiar with its work. This anonymously run Twitter account made a splash in 2016, after a protester rushed Donald J. Trump at a rally in Dayton, Ohio. The Secret Service nabbed the man before he got too close, but not before Mr. Trump flinched. That was an understandable reaction, but it created a potential image problem for the candidate, since he was the No. 1 tough guy in the Republican primary race at the time. Soon after the incident, @ToTheXToTheY posted a doctored video that falsely linked the protester, a college student named Tommy DiMassimo, to ISIS. The bogus message from an account with some 5,000 followers would have gone all but unnoticed, but then Mr. Trump retweeted it. The candidate also added a bit of commentary: USSS did an excellent job stopping the maniac running to the stage. He has ties to ISIS. Should be in Jail! And he stood by the hoax video a few days later on Meet The Press. Robert F. Smith was giving the commencement address to the graduating class of Morehouse College when he made a surprise announcement: He would be paying off the student loans of the roughly 400 graduates. It was just the latest substantial gesture from Mr. Smith, the richest black man in America, who until just a few years ago was practically unknown. Heres what you need to know about him: Mr. Smith has amassed a fortune that Forbes estimates to be worth $5 billion by founding Vista Equity Partners, a private equity firm that focuses on buying and selling software firms. Vista has about $46 billion in assets under management, according to Forbes. The company is privately held and does not publicly report its results, but it is believed to be one of the best-performing firms in the country, with annualized returns of more than 20 percent since its founding. Natalie Avis Pitcher and Samuel Austin Sistare Clark were married May 18 at their home in Annapolis, Md. Judge Janet Bond Arterton of the United States District Court in New Haven officiated. The couple met in 2014 at M.I.T., from which each received an M.B.A. Mrs. Clark, 31, is the director for product marketing at Stardog, a data unification company in Arlington, Va. She graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. She is a daughter of Carol A. Corrado of Washington and Hugh M. Pitcher of Mitchellville, Md. The brides mother retired as the chief of industrial output at the Federal Reserve Boards research and statistics division, and is now a distinguished principal research fellow, in Washington, for the Conference Board, which provides research, policy and business insight to its members. The brides father, who is retired, was a senior climate scientist at the Joint Global Change Research Institute, a laboratory in College Park, Md., and he was also a contributor to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Mr. Clark, 39, is a director for integration in the Washington office of Diligent, a corporate governance technology company. He graduated from Harvard. Olivia Deborah Swider and Michael Patrick Fleming were married May 18 in an outdoor ceremony at Beach 86th Street in Far Rockaway, Queens. Eileen Fleming, a sister of the groom who became a Universal Life minister for the event, officiated. The bride, 31, is the operations manager for Friedman Benda gallery, an art gallery in Manhattan. She received a bachelor of fine arts degree in photography from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is a daughter of Kim L. Swider and Tom J. Swider of Palatine, Ill. The brides father is an account manager at RJW Logistics in Palatine. Her mother was a stay-at-home parent. The groom, 33, is a director of online support at Columbia University School of Professional Studies in Manhattan. He graduated from the University of Illinois, and also received a master of fine arts degree in studio art from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. The groom also holds a business certificate from Columbia. Stephanie Lynn Wu and Vincent Yau Hang Cheung were married May 18 at Cedar Lakes Estate, an events space in Port Jervis, N.Y. J. Yo-Jud Cheng, a friend of the couple who was ordained by the American Marriage Ministries for this event, officiated. Ms. Wu, 31, is the articles director of Conde Nast Traveler magazine in New York. She is also a founder of Mochi Magazine, an online publication for young Asian-Americans, and the author of The Roommates: True Tales of Friendship, Rivalry, Romance and Disturbingly Close Quarters (Picador, 2014). She graduated from N.Y.U. magna cum laude. She is the daughter of Lillian L. Lin and Jesse J. Wu of New Hope, Pa. The brides father is an independent management adviser for private equity companies, and is a member of the board of visitors at Duke Universitys business school in Durham, N.C. Her mother is a volunteer alumni reunion adviser for National Taiwan University in Taipei, and was a stay-at-home parent. Mr. Cheung, 35, is an accountant in the New York office of Egon Zehnder, a Swiss executive search company. He graduated from Penn State. By Tony Cartalucci May 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - Further evidence has emerged indicating that the alleged 2018 Douma, Syria chemical attack was staged by US-backed militants, not the Syrian government. With the US plotting war from South America to the South China Sea, understanding how US-backed militants staged the attack, allowing the Western media to sell US military intervention to the global public based on a lie will help guard against similarly staged attacks in the near future. Recent revelations mean the US not only falsely accused Damascus of having carried out the attack but launched military strikes against Syria based on an entirely false pretext. To date, the US has categorically failed to produce any convincing evidence backing their original claims. Conversely, a subsequent investigation carried out by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) produced damning evidence suggesting a false flag event was carried out by US-backed militants. This included a chlorine gas cylinder found in a militant weapons workshop inspected by OPCW investigators closely matching the two cylinders allegedly used in the 2018 Douma attack itself. While US-backed militants insisted two gas cylinders were dropped on Douma by government helicopters, the OPCW noted that the alleged craters caused by the cylinders impact matched those on nearby buildings clearly caused by high-explosive ordnance. The final OPCW report regarding the Douma incident claimed: The [the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria] team noted that a similar crater was present on a nearby building. The implication is that the cylinders may not have created the craters attributed to them by US-backed militants and the Western media supporting their version of the story. Instead, it implies that the cylinders were manually put into place near preexisting craters created by conventional ordnance. While the final OPCW report included photographs of damage on the adjacent building, it did not elaborate further or explore the obvious implications of similar craters seen nearby explicitly. However, more recently, a previously unpublished report by the OPCW titled, Engineering Assessment of Two Cylinders Obsered at the Douma Incident Executive Summary (PDF), did elaborate (emphasis added): Experts were consulted to assess the appearance of the crater observed at Location 2, particularly the underside. The expert view was that it was more consistent with that expected as a result of blast/energetics (for example from a HE mortar or rocket artillery round) rather than a result of impact from the falling object. This was also borne out by the observation of deformed rebar splayed out at the underside of the crater, which was not explained by the apparent non-penetration and minimal damage of the cylinder. The likelihood of the crater having been created by a mortar/artillery round or similar, was also supported by the presence of more than one crater of very similar appearance in concrete slabs on top of nearby buildings, by an (unusually elevated, but possible) fragmentation pattern on upper walls, by the indications of concrete spalling under the crater, and (whist it was observed that a fire had been created in the corner of the room ) black scorching on the crater underside and ceiling. The engineering assessment would conclude (emphasis added): In summary, observation at the scene of the two locations, together with subsequent analysis, suggest that there is a higher probability that both cylinders were manually placed at those two locations rather than being delivered from aircraft. The assessment further adds weight to what many analysts concluded at the time when the OPCW published its final, official report on the incident that the event was staged. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter At face value Damascus lacked any motivation to carry out the 2018 attack. It occurred on the eve of total victory for Syrian forces over US-backed militants dug in around the Syrian capital. Syria had used extensive conventional force to overcome militant positions and even if Damascus believed the use of chemical weapons would expedite victory, it is unlikely it would drop only 2 gas cylinders containing a negligible amount of chlorine toward that end. Conversely US-backed militants facing inevitable and complete defeat along with a US government in desperate need of a pretext to use military force to slow down or stop the advance of Syrian troops had every motivation to stage the attack, blame it on Damascus, and lie about it ever since. If political analysis of the alleged attack exploring the possible motivations of both sides in carrying out the attack werent conclusive enough, this recently published OPCW engineering assessment further lays the issue to rest. Why Douma Still Matters Washingtons propensity toward staging provocations as a pretext toward wider war is not confined to Douma, Syria alone. The lead up to the 2003 US invasion of Iraq was predicated entirely on a deliberate lie built atop fabricated evidence. And the US still seeks to provoke war in Ukraine, in Venezuela, against Iran, and likely again in Syria itself as government forces begin to retake Idlib. Thinking about the scene, we asked, whats the most vulnerable you can make John Wick? Stahelski said. So we decided well have him in bed. When Stahelski spoke to Reeves about it, he said the actor suggested that John be in his boxers. I said, no one looks cool in boxers. But he insisted. He thought it would be best for the character. We reminded Keanu that if hes going to wear boxer shorts and a T-shirt in this fight scene, theres no elbow pads, no kneepads. Shes going to be in a leather jacket so she can pad up all she wants. We called it the theater of pain. How bad can we beat up the lead character to make you feel empathy for him? 2. The Car Fight [What you need to know to start the day: Get New York Today in your inbox.] OXFORD, Conn. Dave Hamiltons most notable flight was 75 years ago, when he was just 21 years old. It was just after midnight on D-Day, and he was carrying 18 Allied paratroopers to the area behind Omaha Beach. The sky was full of planes that night as the young pilot encountered gunfire and nearly collided with a church before making his way back to England. I didnt know a lot and boy, I learned in a hurry, I can tell you that, said Mr. Hamilton, who grew up in Tuxedo, N.Y. Mr. Hamilton now 96 years old and living in Prescott, Ariz. was back in a World War II troop carrier on Saturday, this time flying as a passenger in a formation flight over New York City with more than a dozen warbirds. The planes roared down the Hudson River and around the Statue of Liberty before returning for the night to Waterbury-Oxford Airport in Connecticut. Over the last two weeks, a Staten Island man named James received an unexpected FedEx delivery. Then a certified letter. His phone rang constantly with calls from people on the 13th floor of Police Headquarters in Lower Manhattan. A taxi was parked outside his home, waiting for him. James did not open the FedEx, the mail or the taxi door. No matter the entreaties, James said, he was not going to testify at the disciplinary trial of Police Officer Daniel Pantaleo, who is accused of recklessly using a chokehold that led to the death of Eric Garner. One of the most important witnesses to Mr. Garners death, James, who had twice given his account under oath in earlier proceedings, said this latest one trivialized the killing of a man. In fear of police retaliation, he said, he does not want his last name published. Im done, he said. The unanswered calls, the unopened letters, might well stand for the dwindling urgency of coming to grips with a police encounter and a death that not long ago had galvanized the country. Mr. Garners final moments, calling out I cant breathe 11 times, were captured on videotape nearly five years ago and helped propel the Black Lives Matter movement. Mr. Garner, who was being arrested on suspicion of selling loosies, or single untaxed cigarettes, had objected to being handcuffed. They were not the only ones worried about taxi medallions. In Albany, state inspectors gave a presentation to top officials showing that medallion owners were not making enough money to support their loans. And in Washington, D.C., federal examiners repeatedly noted that banks were increasing profits by steering cabbies into risky loans. They were all ignored. Medallion prices rose above $1 million before crashing in late 2014, wiping out the futures of thousands of immigrant drivers and creating a crisis that has continued to ravage the industry today. Despite years of warning signs, at least seven government agencies did little to stop the collapse, The New York Times found. Instead, eager to profit off medallions or blinded by the taxi industrys political connections, the agencies that were supposed to police the industry helped a small group of bankers and brokers to reshape it into their own moneymaking machine, according to internal records and interviews with more than 50 former government employees. For more than a decade, the agencies reduced oversight of the taxi trade, exempted it from regulations, subsidized its operations and promoted its practices, records and interviews showed. Hopes for a big-bang Indian reformer revived years later with the rise of Mr. Modi, who in 2002 had been elected as chief minister in the western state of Gujarat. By courting multinational companies, building roads and streamlining the state bureaucracy, Mr. Modi oversaw a stunning boom. The state economy grew at a pace close to 12 percent annually in his first term. In 2014, Mr. Modis record in Gujarat helped lift him into the prime ministers office. Like many India watchers, I heard in Mr. Modis call for minimum government, maximum governance the voice of a red-tape and regulation-busting reformer in the Reagan mold. In retrospect this reading ignored how Mr. Modi had delivered maximum governance in Gujarat: by force of personality, cutting foreign investment deals himself and intimidating bureaucrats into building roads on time without demanding bribes. This was economic development by executive order, not economic reform by systematically expanding freedom. Mr. Modi has tried to govern India the same way, but the top-down commands that rallied tens of millions of his fellow Gujaratis havent worked nearly as well on the sprawling Indian population of 1.4 billion. He centralized power in the prime ministers office, and many private business people now say he treats them much as his socialist predecessors did, often suspicious of their motives and contribution to society. One November evening in 2016, he ordered the withdrawal of large rupee bills 86 percent of the currency in circulation at midnight. The aim was to flush cash out from under the mattresses of rich tax dodgers. One of his cabinet ministers said Mr. Modi was delivering on a Marxist agenda to reduce inequality. Today, however, the aftershocks are still rippling through the economy, and have been especially painful for the poor. In some ways Mr. Modi has proved more statist than the Gandhis. Before he took power he criticized Congress welfare programs as insulting to the poor, who do not want things for free and really want to work and earn a living. As prime minister, Mr. Modi doubled down on the same programs, expanding the landmark 2006 act that guaranteed 100 days of pay to all rural workers, whether they worked or not . On the economic front, then, every Indian party is on the left, by Western standards. The Congress traces its economic ideology to socialist thinkers, but the B.J.P.s thinking is grounded in Swadeshi, a left-wing economic nationalism. Regional parties, an increasingly important third force, are inspired by the same Indian socialist heroes, like Ram Manohar Lohia. It is true that several Indian prime ministers going back to the 1980s pushed free-market reform. But they did so only when forced to by a financial crisis, not out of conviction, and certainly not now, after five years of reasonably strong growth. This year the B.J.P. has been announcing new government programs that would make Mr. Modi feel right at home in a Bernie Sanders town hall meeting, including cash transfers for farmers, wage supports, free health care and a pucca (concrete) home with gas and electricity for every Indian family. This is not the Mr. Modi portrayed by the foreign press, which casts him as an extreme right-wing nationalist. His campaign may well have stirred up Indias Hindu majority against the Muslim minority. But on the economic front, Mr. Modi is as far left as any Indian leader in memory. And if he does win a second term, he is much less likely to govern like a Reagan than a Sanders. Ruchir Sharma, a contributing opinion writer, is chief global strategist at Morgan Stanley Investment Management. The Times is committed to publishing a diversity of letters to the editor. Wed like to hear what you think about this or any of our articles. Here are some tips. And heres our email: letters@nytimes.com. Follow The New York Times Opinion section on Facebook, Twitter (@NYTopinion) and Instagram. To the Editor: Re Tech-Savvy City Bans a Crime-Fighting Tool: Facial Recognition (front page, May 15): San Franciscos decision to ban the use of facial recognition technology, or F.R.T., is a victory for civil rights, privacy and the rule of law. This new ordinance can be a pivot point to reverse the tech industrys relentless drive to reduce our privacy to a pinhead. San Francisco has taken a stand that we all have a basic right to anonymity and privacy while out in public. F.R.T. is a risk to our First Amendment right to assembly because it chills free speech, making citizens wary of demonstrating for fear of being identified and monitored. Even more important, it poses a threat to both our Fourth and Fifth Amendment protections. A warrant is needed for a cellphone to be searched for personal information. Doesnt your face deserve the same protection? What happens when your face in an anonymous crowd can be identified by artificial intelligence and turned into a treasure trove of unreliable personal information for law enforcement? Once again we can only hope that as San Francisco goes, so goes California, and so goes the nation. Just witness what happened when San Francisco legalized same-sex marriage! Activists come in many guises. Trisha Lee, the sole character in the show The Pink Unicorn, certainly never imagined that one day she would be fighting for equal rights, or that she would defy her minister and stand against so many in their small Texas town. A working-class widow, Trisha (Alice Ripley) is content with her life, if missing her husband terribly. She toils as a cleaner at the hospital and entertains herself reading Debbie Macomber novels and watching Rachael Ray on television. Her 14-year-old child, Jolene, is going through pretty standard teenage turmoil that mostly involves wearing black and having a pet tarantula named Beetlejuice. (Elise Forier Edies 2013 earnestly light-minded play is named after Jolenes imaginary friend rather than, say, The Black Spider, which says a lot about the overall tone.) Things are going as well as they can for Trisha, considering, until the day Jolene tells her: Im not a girl. Or anyway, Im not all girl. Im a boy, too. Nothing in my life had prepared me for gender queer, a bewildered Trisha says. The conceit of Amy E. Joness staging for Out of the Box Theatrics is that Trisha is a speaking at a Diocese of Texas discovery retreat. The 40 or so audience members for the immersive show, which takes place at the theater of the Episcopal Actors Guild, can help themselves to cookies and iced tea, but the real treat for fans of Ms. Ripley, a Tony Award-winner for the musical Next to Normal, is seeing her in such intimate confines. And his biggest mistake. As the teachers strike was unfolding in 2012, Mr. Emanuel said, he should not have canceled a pay raise that teachers were expecting without first discussing the issue with the leader of the teachers union: It made me the opponent. I should have given her a shot, even if she said, Its your problem. I didnt give her a chance at the table. That set off a series of dominoes. How was he misunderstood? Mayor 1 Percent, he said, alluding to a nickname some Chicagoans gave him to suggest that he catered to rich downtown interests and not to the ordinary residents or struggling neighborhoods. I know my personal background, and I get it, he continued. But when you look at the battles I took on longer school days, the battles I took to make kindergarten free and full-day, the battles to make pre-K free, the battle for free community college, you name me who in the 1 percent benefited from any of those. How do you rebuild struggling neighborhoods? For a long time our urban policy was housing. If you want to build something in economically challenging neighborhoods, youve got to build neighborhoods. By aggregating the five essential public investments, the private sector will then follow; they wont lead. That is: safety, schools, parks, libraries and transportation. You put those together, and now you have not one, not two, not three, but four to five separate examples that are bucking the trend. So we have a model, and its worked. Would I like to do more? Yeah, Id like to have a federal government that starts funding things. Was there too much attention on downtown? People say, Oh, downtowns doing well. You want it to do well. It becomes the engine for all the other investment strategies and funds the investment strategies. Why walk away now? Mr. Emanuel said that he was concerned that he might not have another four years as mayor in him, not after a run of back-to-back political posts. Heres the thing I know: I know what that job requires, he said. I had a year and a half in me, he guessed; I didnt have four. I had spent two years with Obama on the front end, eight years as mayor. I didnt have four full years. And the city of Chicago deserves a mayor for four years. The partys challenge was crystallized last week in a Quinnipiac survey of voters in Pennsylvania, one of the states that helped Mr. Trump win in 2016. The poll found that 77 percent of voters described their own financial situation as excellent or good but that Mr. Trump would lose there by 11 percentage points against Joseph R. Biden Jr., one of the leading Democratic candidates. Mr. Trumps low approval ratings, which are at odds with normal ratings for a president in a humming economy, also point to the deep divisions in the country. The presidents erratic conduct and his gut instinct for issues of culture and identity, combined with the leftist energy in the Democratic Party and the chance that the Supreme Court could reconsider Roe v. Wade, will most likely further polarize an electorate that already cleaves along racial, gender and class lines when it comes to Mr. Trump. Were pulling further apart, not together, and the traditional issues are being eclipsed because if peace and prosperity worked, there would still be a Republican majority in the House, said Representative Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican, who envisioned an impending clash out there with the two sides mobilized and demonizing the opposite side. It is, Mr. Cole added, a long way from Ronald Reagan and Morning in America. Mr. Trumps re-election campaign and congressional Republicans surely will highlight the countrys economic gains should they continue through 2020, of course, and will target Democrats over issues such as taxes and the size of government particularly if a liberal like Senator Bernie Sanders or Senator Elizabeth Warren emerges as the Democratic nominee. But both parties have overwhelming incentives to push next years election toward issues of the heart, not the head. President Trump has generally bucked the #MeToo movement, siding instead with the men who deny accusations of sexual assault or misconduct. Now, the Republican National Committee appears to be following his lead. Steve Wynn, the billionaire former casino mogul who resigned as chairman of Wynn Resorts and as finance chairman of the R.N.C. last year after The Wall Street Journal revealed allegations of sexual assault and harassment spanning decades, has recently donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to the committee. On Thursday, he was spotted by television cameras arriving at a high-dollar fund-raising dinner for Mr. Trump and the committee, dressed in a red blazer and matching red tie. The event, a 40-person dinner with the president on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, was hosted by Howard Lutnick, the chief executive of the Wall Street firm Cantor Fitzgerald, and raised more $5 million, according to Trump aides. Dinner attendees, in conversations after the event, did not mention that Mr. Wynn, 77, had been there. By Finian Cunningham May 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - - President Trump this week took a surprising turn by emphatically insisting that the US does not want war with Iran, dialing back mounting global fears that the two nations were on the cusp of all-out conflict. Trump also in the same vein called for the Iranian leadership to enter into diplomatic negotiations. The latest move by the US president appears to be a stark rebuke to his national security adviser John Bolton, who only last week had threatened Tehran with unrelenting force over vague intelligence claims that Iran was about to attack American interests in the Middle East. Bolton had announced the dispatch of an aircraft carrier strike group and nuclear-capable B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf in a show of muscle-flexing towards Iran. With subsequent incidents of alleged sabotage against oil tankers in the Gulf as well as Saudi claims of Iran directing drone attacks from Yemen on its petroleum plants, the situation looked like a powder keg ready to explode. In stepped Donald Trump who reportedly admonished Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to tamp down talk of war and regime change in Tehran. Bolton and Pompeo are the most hawkish members of the White House cabinet, who in the recent past have urged air strikes on Iran and vilified the Iranian leadership as a corrupt dictatorship. A prefiguring of Trumps belated softening of White House tone was seen with Pompeos visit to Russia this week. During his meetings with President Vladimir Putin and Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, the American diplomat assured that the US is not fundamentally seeking a war with Iran. That assurance is a bit hard to take from Pompeo given the relentless hostility from the Trump administration over past year from when the White House scrapped its participation in the 2015 internationally agreed nuclear accord with Iran. The administration has since re-imposed harsh economic sanctions on Tehran with the belligerently stated aim to reduce Iranian oil exports to zero. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter Trump himself has personally piled on the invective towards the Islamic Republic in a way that suggests he would like to see the authorities there toppled. Earlier this year, on the 40th anniversary of the Iranian revolution against a US-backed puppet regime, Trump marked the occasion with rhetoric dripping in disdain. 40 years of corruption, repression and terror, said Trump in a Tweet. So whats going on in the latest peace overture from Trump is not so much a desire to avoid conflict in principle, but more a cynical negotiating tactic of soft cop-hard cop routine. After all, the former real estate mogul is all about unsettling counterparts with rock-bottom aggressive bids, with a view to extract a concession on the final price. Trump used this ploy in dealings with North Korea. Recall how he once threatened Pyongyang with nuclear annihilation, then a few months later was shaking hands with North Korean leader Kim Jung-un and swooning over beautiful letters he had received. Admittedly, that Trump gambit has fallen by the wayside somewhat after the US refused to lift sanctions off North Korea and insisted on unilateral nuclear disarmament. Nevertheless, the Trump style of negotiating is apparent. Aggression followed by expected concession. Trump is probably quietly sanguine about Boltons crazed warmongering towards Iran. Hard cop Bolton delivers the aggression in spades and more especially with his psychotic demeanor and Iraq War criminal baggage when he was previously an adviser to President GW Bush. Amid heightened global anxiety over another Bolton-induced war, then Trump appears on the scene as the soft cop proffering to dial back the madness, by talking of no war and peaceful diplomacy. The giveaway is that Trump appended his no war appeal with calls for the Iranians to negotiate. It smacks of a sordid quid quo pro. The implication is the president is calling off the dogs of war if Tehran takes his offer to enter into talks. But hold on a moment. Talks about what? Irans Foreign Minister Mohammed Javad Zarif said this week that Iran will never renegotiate the nuclear accord, or Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. It took years of intense negotiations between the US under the Obama administration and Iran, as well as Russia, China and the European Union, to produce that. The deal signed in July 2015 and later endorsed by the UN Security Council was widely viewed as a high success of international diplomacy. Iran gave major concessions on curbing its nuclear enrichment program in exchange for sanctions relief. But the accord was from the outset undermined by US backsliding and bad faith on conceding sanctions relief, while Iran implemented its commitments scrupulously, as verified by numerous UN inspectors. Finian Cunningham has written extensively on international affairs, with articles published in several languages. He is a Masters graduate in Agricultural Chemistry and worked as a scientific editor for the Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, England, before pursuing a career in newspaper journalism. He is also a musician and songwriter. For nearly 20 years, he worked as an editor and writer in major news media organisations, including The Mirror, Irish Times and Independent. This article was originally published by " Strategic Culture Foundation " - WASHINGTON President Trump attacked Representative Justin Amash as a total lightweight and loser on Sunday, a day after the Michigan Republican said Mr. Trumps behavior as president had reached the threshold for impeachment. The presidents attacks reinforced Mr. Amashs isolation within his party, as even the Republican lawmakers who might be most sympathetic to his position avoided stepping forward to join him. Earlier on Sunday, Senator Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican who has been one of the few members of his party to even mildly chastise Mr. Trump in public after the release of the Mueller report, described Mr. Amashs statement as courageous. But Mr. Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, dismissed the idea of impeachment, saying on CNNs State of the Union that the evidence lacked the full element that you need to prove an obstruction-of-justice case. Mr. Trump who has stonewalled requests by House Democrats for documents and has commanded current and former aides to turn down requests to testify before investigative committees was not so circumspect. Only then would the administration move on to the political elements of its yet-to-be-released plan, developed by Mr. Kushner and Jason Greenblatt, the presidents special representative for negotiations. By most indications, the plan would not involve the creation of a Palestinian state, as the United States has sought for the last quarter-century under presidents of both political parties. But just as they have done in their sometimes highly leveraged real estate businesses, Mr. Trump and Mr. Kushner hope to use other peoples money to achieve their goals. The vast bulk of the funds they hope to generate as part of the plan would come from other nations, not the United States. Indeed, the Trump administration has over the last two years moved in the opposite direction, cutting off aid from the United States to the Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza because, as the president once put it, Americans get no appreciation or respect in response. Administration officials have said that does not mean the United States would not be willing to invest again in the Palestinians, but only after political changes that could foster peace with Israel. The challenges inherent in Mr. Trumps emerging approach were evident even in Sundays announcement of the economic conference. Administration officials would not identify who would attend or even say whether invitations were sent to the Palestinian Authority, which rules the West Bank, or the Israeli government. Moreover, Bahrain, the host of the forum, is at odds with nearby Qatar, which has been one of the main funders of the Palestinians for years. Bahrain, along with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, has severed diplomatic relations with Qatar and imposed a blockade on the small state, leaving unclear whether it would participate in any economic initiative. The treatment centers have saved people, such as Daniella, a baby who arrived at a treatment center with Ebola when she was 12 days old. A month later, she was deemed cured, according to the Congolese health department. Can we stop the epidemic? Certainly we can, said Mike Ryan, who runs the World Health Organizations emergencies program. But to do so, he said, a political solution that reduced the violence was first needed. For now, many of the front-line Ebola workers say they keep their work a secret from neighbors. Perhaps no job is riskier than that of the burial teams, who retrieve the bodies of people suspected of dying from Ebola from grieving families. Mr. Muhindo, the burial team leader in Beni, recounted the funeral last month of the 3-year-old boy who had died of Ebola. The boys father, a soldier, stood in stunned grief. But other mourners crowded the coffin, demanding that the boys body be inspected for signs of organ theft. Mr. Muhindo, who has received the Ebola vaccine, said he unzipped the bag to the boys sternum. They said, Open it up all the way so we can see the entire body, Mr. Muhindo recalled. People shouted that he would be buried next. As he tried to slip away, someone perhaps another soldier brandished a grenade and threatened to blow up the team. KABUL, Afghanistan A group of lawmakers, many of them women, blocked the Afghan Parliaments newly appointed speaker from taking his seat on Sunday, and security forces were dispatched after a scuffle broke out. Members of Parliament on Saturday picked Mir Rahman Rahmani, a businessman and former military officer, for the role of speaker despite his just failing to win the number of votes needed to take the job. The turmoil came just a few days after the newly elected Parliament started its first session on Thursday. The election in October was delayed by more than three years and was plagued by vote-rigging and bribery. The results, finally announced last month, were supposed to have been issued within weeks of the election. But it was only on Tuesday that representatives were confirmed for the last open parliamentary seats for Kabul, the capital. The clash over Mr. Rahmanis legitimacy as speaker was televised and quickly spread to social media. Parliamentary members cursed at one another from across the main hall of the recently completed parliamentary building, a multimillion-dollar structure donated by India. Mr. Rahmanis rival, Kamal Naser Osuli, sat in the speakers chair, saying that he was the rightful holder of the position. One lawmaker, Zal Mohammad Zalmay, rushed at Mr. Osuli while wielding the speakers gavel. After 39 days of polling involving as many as 900 million voters, balloting in Indias vast parliamentary election came to a close on Sunday, starting a countdown to the announcement of final results on Thursday. The first batch of exit polls predicted that Narendra Modi, the prime minister, would return to power. According to five different polls released by Indian media organizations Sunday night, Mr. Modis party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, or B.J.P., and its allies were forecast to win a majority of seats in the lower house of Parliament. The Indian National Congress, the leading opposition party, seemed to have done marginally better than its stunning defeat in the last elections in 2014, but it remained a distant second to Mr. Modis alliance. Most of the exit polls predicted Mr. Modis party and its allies would win about 290 to 300 seats in the 545-seat lower house, which chooses the prime minister. Though many Indians have complained about rising unemployment and despite accusations that the B.J.P.s Hindu-first conservative creed is putting Muslims and other minorities at risk, Mr. Modis popularity remains vast, particularly among Indias Hindu majority. Many Indians credit him with programs that have helped the poor and cut through red tape and corruption. Im trying to get to Sabarimala Temple, one of Indias holiest Hindu shrines. Youre going to Sabarimala? Were going to the top. But its not easy. We go talk to him? That man. O.K. Lets go. There are police everywhere. Hello, sir. They seem to be on high alert. Times? New York Times. American. American. New York Times. The New York Times, over. Thanks for your help, yeah? Thank you, sir. In the end, I get through, and I walk among thousands of pilgrims who are here to worship the god Ayyappa. Oh, cool. There it is. There it is. This is it. Its like a whole little town here. One group I dont see? Women, between the ages of 10 and 50. The devout believe Ayyappa is a celibate god and those women could tempt him. But I do meet the vigilantes who are here to stop any young women from entering. Right here, what are you looking for? Right here, well be asking: How old are you? Traditionally, women of childbearing age have been banned from coming here. But last year, the Indian Supreme Court said it was illegal to block them. The decision erupted into a religious crisis that lasted for months. [chanting] The devout were furious. They said it was an assault on their religion. And the political right wing seized an opportunity. They rushed in, calling themselves the defenders of tradition, and helped fuel violent protests. So, I came here to feel the reverberations. How much can a controversy over one temple shape politics in the worlds largest democracy? Im Jeffrey Gettleman. Its election time, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will likely win another five-year term. [cheering and applause] This is the first time Ive actually seen Modi in person. And wow, to rouse his base, he knows exactly what to say and how to say it. Hes trying to leverage the controversy over Sabarimala Temple into votes for his party, the B.J.P. Reporter: Hello, maam. So, you like Modi? Yeah, definitely. Why? I think Reporter: Some people say B.J.P. divides India between Hindus and Muslims. What do you say? Reporter: Even the Muslims? Yeah. Reporter: So, you think of it as Hindus or Indians? Among many Modi supporters, this is a core belief, that India is a Hindu nation, despite the fact that people of many religions live here. And I wonder what this means for minorities, and for the future of this democracy. See, since Modi came to power five years ago, hate crimes against Muslims have shot up. Lynch mobs have killed dozens of people suspected of slaughtering cows, which are sacred to Hindus. To be clear, Modi doesnt encourage the violence, but critics say he hasnt forcefully condemned it, either. Now, his party is riding this wave of Hindu nationalism into the most secular parts of the country. Thats another reason why I came here, to Kerala. Its a progressive state. Modis party has never won a single Parliament seat from here. This is the party that hold the most seats in Kerala, the Indian National Congress. It stands for a pluralist, secular India. So this is the last place Id expect the Hindu right to succeed. But the state has turned into a real battleground, all because of Sabarimala. Not far from the temple, I meet up with K. Surendran on the campaign trail. Hes a B.J.P. candidate for Parliament, and he was one of the thousands arrested for rioting at Sabarimala and physically blocking women from entering. It made him a hero of the Hindu right. Its impressive to see him work the crowd. He doesnt even have to say much. [singing] People here know exactly where he stands on Sabarimala, and thats what matters. Modis party has another advantage a strong ground game. These men are volunteers with the R.S.S. The hardline Hindu organization known for churning out leaders. Theyre basically Modis foot soldiers. There are thousands of branches like this one. Modi, himself, actually rose up through their ranks. Hari Mohan joined this group when he was 9, and now he helps recruit some of the younger guys. As soon as their workout ends, he and his R.S.S. friends fan out to door-knock for Modi and the B.J.P. Whats interesting is Hari doesnt talk about jobs, farms or the broader economy Modi isnt doing so well on those. Instead, Sabarimala Temple is really the issue. I realize that for most people here, even women, the controversy isnt about gender equality. Its about traditions, and who will protect them at all costs. India is a deeply religious country. India is also a secular democracy. These two things are becoming harder to square as religion, and one religion in particular, comes to dominate politics. This moment feels like a battle over very different visions for Indias future. And what happens here in Kerala could predict the direction of the entire country. BERLIN The Austrian president called on Sunday for new elections in September, a day after the government collapsed over the emergence of a video that showed the countrys far-right vice chancellor promising favors to a woman who claimed to be a Russian investor. The revelations led thousands to take to the streets of Vienna on Saturday to demand new elections. And on Sunday, the president, Alexander Van der Bellen, said the country had exact rules and procedures to handle the crisis that ensued after Chancellor Sebastian Kurz said that he could no longer work with the Freedom Party, led by Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache. Based on these constitutional rules, I will ensure stability, calm and continuity are of the highest priority, Mr. Van der Bellen said in a statement after meeting with Mr. Kurz. Consequently, I urge there to be new elections in September, if possible at the beginning of the month. Mr. Strache resigned after the German newsmagazine Der Spiegel and the newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung on Friday released the video, which was filmed months before the 2017 election, in which Mr. Kurz led his party to victory. Norbert Hofer was chosen to temporarily replaced Mr. Strache as head of the Freedom Party. Hordes of tourists visit the Italian seaside with dreams of dipping into cobalt-blue waters and sunbathing for hours under glorious skies. Only one thing can spoil those idyllic holiday plans: rain. But beginning this month, the Italian island of Elba, off the coast of Tuscany, started offering tourists an unexpected guarantee: Hotels will refund guests if it rains. Elba, the largest island in the Tuscan Archipelago, is perhaps best known as the place where Napoleon spent almost 10 months in exile more than two centuries ago. The island started the good-weather initiative, called Elba No Rain, this year: Guests receive a refund for one night if it rains for more than two hours on any given day during their stay. If it rains every day for more than two hours at a time, then the whole stay will be free. The offer isnt entirely new a few hotels on the island already had similar initiatives in place but encouraging all of the hotels on Elba to make the guarantee is intended to minimize commercial damage due to weather forecasts, Claudio Della Lucia, an associate tourism manager for the island, said in an email on Sunday. The law will also leave untouched weaponry and registration procedures for shooting courses and competitions held in Switzerland. In addition to local festivals, Switzerland hosts the annual Feldschiessen, or field shoot, which organizers say is the largest marksmanship competition in the world, drawing about 127,000 participants last year. After terrorists attacked the Bataclan concert hall and other spots in Paris in November 2015, killing some 130 people, and following deadly attacks on the subway and at the airport in Brussels a few months later, the European Union introduced new gun legislation in 2017 to make it harder to purchase the kind of semiautomatic rifles that were used in those attacks, as well as make it easier for the police to track ownership of such weapons. Switzerland, which is home to 8.4 million people, has a ratio of around 27 firearms per 100 residents, based upon the most recent study from the Small Arms Survey run by the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva. According to the same study, more than a dozen countries have proportionally higher firearm ownership than Switzerland, led by the United States, where there are about 120 firearms for every 100 residents. The European country that ranks highest in the chart is Finland, with about 34 firearms per 100 residents. The Swiss Parliament approved the new rules last September. But firearms and hunting lobbyists and associations, with the support of the right-wing Swiss Peoples Party, campaigned to force a national referendum. One of the arguments made by opponents is that Switzerland has had relatively few mass shootings, compared with the United States and other countries where weapons can also easily be acquired. Last year, 22 homicides were committed with a firearm in Switzerland, down from 43 murders the previous year, according to government statistics. Women harassed at work say they do not trust the authorities to take their side, so few report the episodes. Unfortunately, this is a problem not only of the Ukrainian Army, but of our society, said Alona Kryvuliak of La Strada Ukraine, a group opposing gender discrimination. These cases kill the inner motivation for women to seek help. Ukraine, of course, is hardly the only country with sexual abuse in the military. This year, Senator Martha McSally, an Arizona Republican who was the first American female fighter pilot to fly in combat, told a committee hearing that a superior officer in the Air Force had raped her, and that when she tried to report it to military officials she felt like the system was raping me all over again. For Lieutenant Sikal, the trip to the summerhouse on Jan. 3, 2018, was just the start. There, sitting with the police chief, Lieutenant Sikal said the colonel boasted of the attractive junior officers under his command. He then asked her to kiss the policeman, she said. He bragged that he had two young, new female lieutenants and suggested we all take a sauna together, she said, her voice trembling. For months, she said, daily harassment ensued and she tried a variety of ways to escape him. She tried hiding and directly confronting him with a plea to stop. Nothing worked. His apartment was one floor above mine in the barracks, she said. He was coming drunk, checking my underwear in the drawers of my nightstand. Once, he said my sofa was good and suggested we check it. Every new rejection caused further humiliation, punitive reprimands and senseless orders, she said. I was not a human for him, Lieutenant Sikal said. Kodak Black's legal woes continue to mount, with federal prosecutors in his highly-publicized weapons case asking a judge keep the rapper behind the bars, TMZ reports. According to the outlet, prosecutors have filed documents requesting that Kodak's bail be revoked due to the fact they consider him to be a threat to society. They have cited the Dying to Live artist's criminal history, including his drug and weapons charges, as a reason for concern. Per TMZ, prosecutors believe that since Kodak has a pattern of repetitively violating his probation, he will do so again once released on bail. They also argue that Kodaks crimes have become substantially more violent, pointing to a 2012 case involving carjacking and robbery, as well as a 2016 incident involving weapons possession and evading police. They also claim he is linked to a shooting back in March. However, the "ZEZE" rapper's lawyer Bradford Cohen rejects this notion and questions the prosecutor's true motives. "If they were in such fear for the community, as its being alleged, why didn't they pick him up soon after he filled out the paperwork in January?" Cohen told TMZ. "That's what this charge is about: paperwork, a non-violent crime." As previously reported, Kodak was arrested last weekend in Miami on state and federal firearm charges. He was indicted on two counts of making a false statement on a governmental form in an attempt to purchase a firearm. If convicted, the rapper faces up to 10 years in prison. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) welcomes his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev in Hanoi on November 19th, 2018, during the latter's s official visit to Vietnam (Photo: VNA) In his writing posted on the RusVesna website on the threshold of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucs visit to the European country, Evgeny Kobelev highlighted both countries achievements in economy and trade, with the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, of which Russia is an important member. A series of cooperation deals and projects are expected to be inked during the upcoming visit by PM Phuc to Russia, helping bring practical benefits to the two peoples, he said. Last year, two-way trade reached more than USD6 billion, up 16.35 percent from the previous year. Meanwhile, Russia was the 6th largest source of visitors to Vietnam, with 600,000 arrivals recorded in 2018. Evgeny Kobelev believed that Vietnam is among the fastest growing countries in the world. The nations gross domestic product in 2018 grew more than 7 percent, opening up huge investment opportunities for foreign firms. Besides, with the development of the aviation and marintime transport, Vietnam will be an important link to connect with the Southeast Asian market, which is home to 600 million people. With the increasing prestige in the regional and international arena, Vietnam has been a reliable destination to organise international events such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Meeting in 2017, World Economic Forum on ASEAN in 2018 and the recent DPRK-US Hanoi Summit./. By Anna Tolstoyevskaya May 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - We have come such a long way since time immemorial, since we were hunters and gatherers living in caves and bundled in hides, trying to invent fire. Now we have TV and iPhone, we drive cars and fly planes. We can talk to and see each other from the opposite sides of the world. Our civilization has reached amazing heights of scientific and technical development, but we still have not learnt to see a human being in each other. And a friend. We are still throwing sticks and stones at one another, except they have become so much bigger and heavier. Too heavy even for our planet. And now we are facing the question of whether anyone will be around tomorrow to greet the sunrise. Yet, we still have a chance to save our mother planet from and for ourselves, and continue meeting sunsets and sunrises with her. And with our friend, in humanity and in spirit. Who is he, or her, this friend? Why do we like or hate him? How can we understand and forgive him? Learn to see yourself in her. And your own reflection. After all, we all learn from each other. How can we learn to love truth and peace, and do no harm to each other, and respect others in ourselves? Our time in this Universe is not unlimited, and we still have so much to discover. To help our planet heal from the wounds caused by us and time. To protect and save our disappearing siblings, sharing with us this magnificent ecosphere. To slow down, or at least not exacerbate with emissions and pollution, the ominous warming of our shared environment. It is truly, in the prophetic words of Chris Hedges, The Last Battle. As for the modern sticks and stones, they will be of no use to us. About the only thing we can do to save ourselves from them now is remove all the fast fingers from the proverbial button. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter All nuclear sticks with short fuses on hair trigger alert have long outlived their senselessness. Launch on warning will save no one, but destroy us all. Weve had a number of close calls already. Lieutenant Colonel Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov was one such man who saved the world on the night of September 26, 1983. There were others. Next time, we may not be so lucky. We are playing the Russian roulette as a race, and in the barrel of cosmic odds all it takes is one evil nuclear bullet. We must at least take the finger off the trigger, so we dont do the irreparable by accident. We must heed the call of the courageous Daniel Ellsberg, the author of terrifying but largely overlooked The Doomsday Machine and a nuclear war planner in the early part of his career. And Global Zero, ICAN (winner of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize), and the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists with its Doomsday Clock, moving ever closer to midnight, who have all been working for years to bring this about, to give us all our mind and survival back. Our common most-pressing universal task is to help them bring it about. Every action in this direction counts. As Nikola Tesla, whose genius brought us so many of the comforts of our civilization, put it, The action of even the tiniest creature leads to changes in the entire Universe. We dont have much time left to make it happen in our lifetime, and not pass this problem to our children, if they should have a future at all. Its high time to end all wars. We certainly have no business in Iran or Venezuela after Iraq and Libya. Israel, first and foremost, needs to understand that you cant build your own happiness on other peoples grief and graves. Even if you have suffered much in your own life. The law of karma doesnt change because of it. There will still be heavy consequences, and you still have to pay what you owe, and reap what you sow, even if you conceal it really well. Sooner or later, if not for us, for our children. That was to a large extent the meaning of the Shoah last tragic century. Truth is one and the same for everyone. To love and trust is always better than to fear and hate. Let us all love one another. You never know if you are saying goodbye for the last time. Nobody wants to be ill remembered. Lets stop giving our attention to all the gossips, scandals and squabbles that are broadcast at us from every screen. They might be profitable for someone for some time, but definitely not for us. We need to work and take care of each other, our young and our old, and not get plunged as a whole society into massive karmic debt that no one will be able to repay. We need to learn to listen and understand what we are being told and why. No need to hypnotize us. It wont work anyway when we are all awake and withdraw our consent. There are many spiritual and conscious streams flowing through us. As Rudolph Steiner used to say, we can and should learn to recognize and tell them apart. The success and happiness of our own life depend on it. And we need to pay attention to these streams and not to the venal voices of the mass media. Let them show their true selves for what its worth, but dont be swayed by them. The traits we see most clearly in others exist most strongly in ourselves, according to the ancient wisdom of Vedanta expressed in the words of Deepak Chopra. We have no use for the representatives and leaders who think only of themselves. Lots of money and power doesnt make you either good or happy. They can spew their silliness, court intrigues and lies to themselves for now. When big money is removed from politics through the grassroots efforts of organizations such as RepresentUs, others, like Ilhan Omar and Bernie Sanders, whom we can trust and respect, will come to replace them. And no one will be able to manipulate and scare us any longer. When human beings today speak of God they mean only their angel, the angel who guides them through life, taught Rudolf Steiner in The Karma of Untruthfulness, a series of lectures on the origins of WWI. But they persuade themselves that they are speaking of a being higher At long last, well recognize in Yahweh but one of our jealous tribal angelic reflections from the time of sticks and swords, as explained masterfully in Laurent Guyenots From Yahweh to Zion. And well finally find Christ in each and every one of us. A true son and daughter of our true god, infinitely beautiful universal consciousness in all its manifestations on earth and in heaven. Let there always be the Sun! Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here SALIHORSK, Belarus Yury Lukashenia, a 40-year-old manager in an Austrian company in Belarus, a country often described as Europes last dictatorship, earns enough money to take his family on regular holiday getaways to sunny places like Spain and Greece. But the trip he really looks forward to each spring is a two- or, if he is really lucky, three-week stint in a Belarus salt mine in Salihorsk. Of course, the first time, it was a little scary, he said, recalling his debut journey on a rickety, unlit elevator that rattled 460 yards underground into a dimly lit warren of caves and tunnels gouged from one of the worlds biggest deposits of salt and potassium . But now on his sixth trip to Salihorsk, the jewel of the former Soviet Unions salt mining industry, Mr. Lukashenia, who suffers from allergies that make it difficult to breath, said he wouldnt miss his annual trek for anything. CAIRO An explosion apparently targeting a bus filled with tourists near the pyramids of Giza in Egypt wounded at least 14 people on Sunday, according to security officials and the state-run news media. The attack occurred close to a giant national museum that is under construction near the pyramids and that is scheduled to open next year. It was the second attack on tourists in Giza in six months, and it suggested that armed militants opposed to President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi were seeking to undermine his authority by hitting tourists at a time when he is planning a gala opening for the long-awaited institution. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Sundays attack. Previous violence against tourists has been claimed by the Islamic States Egyptian affiliate and by other armed Islamist factions opposed to Mr. el-Sisi. Four people, including three Vietnamese tourists and an Egyptian guide, died in a bomb attack on a tourist bus in Cairo in December. BAGHDAD A rocket hit the Green Zone in Baghdad on Sunday night, home to Iraqi government offices and those of other foreign governments, where tensions were already high amid a standoff with Iran. No one was hurt, said Gen. Yahya Rasool of the Baghdad Joint Command, which includes American and Iraqi forces. He confirmed that a Katyusha rocket had landed in the heavily fortified zone and said it had been fired from across the Tigris River. The American Embassy said that there was no damage to American facilities and that no one had claimed responsibility. The explosion rattled residents of the Green Zone, who said that the strike set off alarms at the United States Embassy. The heavily guarded compound was already on a heightened state of alert after nonemergency personnel there and at the United States Consulate in the northern city of Erbil were ordered last week to leave. May 19, 2019 " Information Clearing House " - A bill making its way through the Texas legislature would make protesting pipelines a third-degree felony, the same as attempted murder. H.B. 3557, which is under consideration in the state Senate after passing the state House earlier this month, ups penalties for interfering in energy infrastructure construction by making the protests a felony. Sentences would range from two to 10 years. The legislation was authored by Republican state Rep. Chris Paddie. It passed the state House May 7 on a 99 to 45 vote, with two abstentions. The bill is being cosponsored in the state Senate by Republican state Sen. Pat Fallon. In remarks on the state House floor during the bill's passage, Paddie sought to assuage the fears of those who believe the legislation will target non-violent protest. "This bill does not affect those who choose to peacefully protest for any reason," said Paddie. "It attaches liability to those who potentially damage or destroy critical infrastructure facilities." But opponents of the measure don't agree, pointing to the bill's language. Tired Of The Lies And Non-Stop Propaganda? Get our FREE Daily Newsletter "It's an anti-protest bill, favoring the fossil fuel industry, favoring corporations over people," Frankie Orona, executive director of the Society of Native Nations, told The Austin American-Statesman. The legislation is "is criminalizing conscientious, caring people who are the canaries for their communities," activist Lori Glover told The Texas Observer. A hearing on the law in the state Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development on Wednesday drew opponents of the measure to speak out against the law, but it's unclear if their testimony will make a difference. The Texas bill is just the latest piece of legislation at the state level to target pipeline protests. In the wake of a spike in anti-pipeline actions over the past few years, Grist reported Tuesday, a number of states have come down on environmental activists. The effort to punish pipeline protestors has spread across states with ample oil and gas reserves in the last two years and, in some cases, has garnered bipartisan support. Besides Louisiana, four other states Oklahoma, North Dakota, South Dakota and Iowa have enacted similar laws after protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline generated national attention and inspired a wave of civil disobedience. The bill is drawing national attention as well. "Texas aims to make pipeline protest a third-degree felony, same as attempted murder," climate activist Bill McKibben tweeted on Friday. In a tweet, the advocacy group Public Citizen described the legislation as "an oil and gas backed effort to squash environmental protest." "This needs to be a nation-wide story," the group said. Do you agree or disagree? Post your comment here The Lee County Commission has allotted storm survivors about a month to collect their remaining debris to be extracted on county rights of way before the removal service conducts a final pass. In talking with our monitoring group Tetra Tech and debris removing contractor KDF Enterprises, we feel we are nearing the end of the second round, County Engineer Justin Hardee said at last Mondays commission meeting. The final pass Starting Monday, June 17, the monitor and contractor will begin the final sweep to remove debris in Beauregard and Smiths Station, two areas affected by the March 3 tornadoes. That would be the day we would start, Hardee said. The contractor would be notified. They would start work, picking up on county maintained roads June 17. Well have a list devised and a work schedule coordinated with the contractor, and when they finish a road, they will check it off. Our contractor will not go back to that road. According to Hardee, when Tetra Tech and the Lee County Highway Department have verified the contractor's extraction of rubbish on a right-of-way, residents cannot request further debris removal services from the county. TALLASSEE The smell of fried chicken on a Sunday afternoon amid the roar of warm conversation, drenched by gallons of sweet tea and chased with a homemade slice of hot apple pie or bowl of banana pudding, all are long gone from the small downtown corner that once was the social heart of this small town sitting high upon the banks of the Tallapoosa River. The Hotel Talisi, from completion of its years-long construction during the roaring 20s until an arsonist caused it to burn and shutter in 2009, played fancy to visiting overnight guests and cheerful local residents alike; especially so during its later years when the first-floor restaurant became a post-church ritual. Local Baptists, Methodists, and even a sprinkling of Catholics and atheists among others would, judging from the consistent crowds, all agree that this was the place to be for Sunday lunch. Now, however, the hotel itself might soon become nothing more than a leftover memory. Its falling down Maryland state Delegate Heather Bagnall said the state's teaching hospitals have informed consent as a best practice, but she felt it needed to be made explicit in state law to protect women undergoing surgery and as an assurance for medical students. "So we have basically just spelled out in no uncertain terms, if a patient is going under anesthesia, if a patient is unconscious, that they have to have given consent for these exams," Bagnall said. "They need this added level of protection, and they need this added level of peace of mind." During a committee hearing on the bill, Melanie Bell, a board member for the Maryland Nurses Association, said there have been times when patients have awakened during the procedures and felt violated. "Clinical experiences are necessary and are important, and we must learn in a hands-on environment when we're students," she said. "However, we must treat patients with dignity and respect." A pelvic exam is standard practice before gynecologic surgeries to determine the position and mobility of the organs. It involves inserting fingers of a gloved hand in the patient's vagina to feel her uterus and ovaries. Medical students sometimes do the exams as part of their training. I remember when I first tasted freeze-dried fruit. It was sometime in the mid-2000s, I had just graduated from college, moved into my first apartment and was doing all kinds of grown-up things. Like picking out cereal. For one reason or another, I snagged a box of Berry Burst Cheerios. I dug in and popped one of the dehydrated-looking strawberries I dont even think I knew they were called freeze-dried at the time into my mouth. It was still dry and not soggy because Im a freak who refuses to put milk over my cereal . Anyway, mind blown. The fruit basically rehydrated and melted in my mouth and was so concentrated in sweet and tart flavors that I almost didnt know what hit me. From there, my love of freeze-dried fruit grew and took me to new heights . Since those early, heady days, Ive seen its availability and variety skyrocket, from natural foods stores all the way down to supermarkets , smaller grocery stores and even the big-box stops. Lately Ive spied a Carmen Miranda fruit hats worth of options: apples, grapes, bananas, mango, pineapple, blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and cherries. Q: I think I'm mostly looking for reassurance that I'm doing this right. We are moving several states away from the only place my smart, sensitive, insightful, lovely 9-year-old daughter has ever known. She's the perfect storm of her mom smart, defends the underdog, gets her feelings hurt easily and her dad, who is also super smart, a deep thinker, internalizes feelings and has high anxiety. She cried on me for two hours yesterday about everything. We always give her space for her big feelings while providing hugs and love. We talk it out when she wants to. I know this is hard and don't lie about it. I emphasize the good things about the move while not denying the bad. She's talking to the school counselor. She's scared kids and teachers will be mean. What else can we do to help her with this big transition? A: Here is your reassurance: You are doing this right. See? Easy! In all seriousness, there is nothing more painful than watching our children suffer. For an even-tempered child, a move away from friends and everything they know is hard, but this change can be especially difficult for a sensitive child. Just as there is excitement and fear in adults when they move, children feel a similar mix of feelings; 9-year-olds just aren't mature enough to manage all of them constantly. LINCOLN The Nebraska Supreme Court ruled Friday that the excited utterance of an elderly woman was admissible in court, even though she had been diagnosed with dementia. The ruling came in a lawsuit involving a broken hip suffered in 2015 by a 90-year-old woman, Arlene Pantano, who claimed that she tripped and fell on an entryway rug at a Village Inn in Omaha. Pantano died before her lawsuit went to trial, but her three children were allowed to testify about what their mother had told them shortly after the fall: that she had tripped on an entryway rug. A daughter testified that Pantano had used her hands to describe what tripped her an abnormality, or fold, in the rug. Pantanos estate won the lawsuit and was awarded $195,000. But the owner of the restaurant American Blue Ribbon Holdings appealed, claiming, among other things, that the statements made by Pantanos children were hearsay and should not have been allowed at the trial. The Supreme Court, in an 11-page ruling written by Chief Justice Mike Heavican, disagreed. Secondhand statements, or hearsay, are typically not admitted in a trial. The agency has worked cooperatively with the governments of 46 countries to search for American MIAs, including Russia and China. Only one, North Korea, is not cooperating, said the agencys director, Kelly McKeague. About 5,300 service members are missing there. One of them is Earl Stiles of Council Bluffs, who died in a prison camp near the Chinese border after being captured Dec. 1, 1950, during the Chosin Reservoir campaign. His sister, Shirley Smith, also of the Bluffs, wants to make sure that her brother isnt forgotten. This was the latest of many family update meetings she has attended. She was only 8 years old when Pearl Harbor was attacked, she said, and her brother enlisted the next day. He fought to the end of World War II and was called up again to serve in Korea. The family was heartbroken to receive the Missing in Action telegram. After the war, he was declared dead, but the family was left with an empty feeling. He died of malnutrition and the cold. We heard from a man who shared a blanket with him in the camp, Smith said. We are hoping you can find his body. NORTH PLATTE, Neb. Eloise Shuck, a resident of the North Platte Care Center, had one wish: to see her son Josh get married. He and his fiancee, Stephanie Savage, had planned a September wedding, but Eloises terminal illness diagnosis meant she might not get to see her wish fulfilled. Last Monday, Josh and Stephanie decided to move the wedding to Saturday. They hoped Eloise would be able to go home for the wedding, said Neva Cooper, director of social services for the care center. When Josh and Stephanie found out that would not be possible, they called the nursing home on Thursday night, asking if they could hold the wedding there. Cooper told them yes even before getting approval from center administrator Carolyn Riggs. Of course, Riggs agreed. In less than 24 hours, the center staff made the wedding arrangements. Many of them donated decorations. The cake, photography and officiation duties were also donated, and a local florist provided flowers. Stephanies parents, Maryanne and Tim Savage, flew in from Boston for the occasion. Eloise said the day was very special and she was thrilled. We are blessed to be a part of this special day, Riggs said. A crash on Interstate 80 near the Nebraska Crossing Outlets led officials to shut down westbound I-80 at Nebraska Highway 31, the Nebraska State Patrol said about 5:15 p.m. Saturday. It reopened before 8:10 p.m., the patrol reported later. Westbound traffic had to exit I-80 because of the personal injury crash, the patrol said. Troopers were assisting the Sarpy County Sheriff's Office at the crash scene. About 5:30 p.m., a Sarpy County 911 dispatcher said a couple people injured in the crash already had been taken to the hospital. The crash scene was east of the Platte River. More than 30 states offer major incentives for new business investment, and the committee hearing on LB 720 made clear that in todays competitive economy, a state will be passed over for major projects unless it offers incentives. When lawmakers held their first round of debate last week on the measure, some senators said they wouldnt support the bill unless the Legislature approves property tax relief. But its irresponsible for senators to take out their frustrations over the tax-policy impasse by trying to short-circuit this needed incentives overhaul. Losing out on major business opportunities is harmful to the entire state and would increase pressure to raise taxes to pay for needed services. Having a sound incentives policy in place opens up important opportunities. The economic development benefits from major business projects have a multiplier effect that well exceeds the cost of the initial incentive. The gains include more jobs, more consumer demand for local businesses, an expanded state tax base and more tax revenue for local school districts and government services. Despite the fact that GMOs are proven safe, more and more grocery products are carrying labels indicating that foods are GMO free. These labels have a tendency to scare consumers rather than educate them on the importance and safety of this technology. On my familys farm, we grow corn and soybeans using GMO technology. Because of this, we are able to grow more crops with less resources. Our crops are more tolerant to drought and more resistant to harmful insects, reducing water and pesticide use on our fields. We can also better control weeds (which compete for water and nutrients) by making our crops resistant to herbicides. GMOs also greatly help in disease control. All of these things combined help us preserve the land by growing more with less. West Bengal Elections Exit Polls Vs Actual Poll: Who got it right? Exit polls 2019: How parties are faring across states India oi-Deepika S New Delhi, May 19: Most exit polls predicted another term for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with some of them projecting that BJP-led NDA will get more than 300 seats to comfortably cross the majority mark of 272 in the Lok Sabha. The Indian National Congress, the leading opposition party, seemed to have done marginally better than its stunning defeat in the last elections in 2014, but it remained a distant second to Modi's alliance. Most Exit Polls predict majority to BJP-led NDA: Here's who said what Most of the exit polls predicted Mr. Modi's party and its allies would win about 290 to 300 seats in the 545-seat lower house, which chooses the prime minister. However, a number of exit polls predicted big losses for the BJP in Uttar Pradesh, where it had won 71 seats in 2014, but the saffron party appeared to make major gains in other states. Here we take a look at the state wise performance Uttar Pradesh The battle for Uttar Pradesh is important for the BJP since the state will not just elect Prime Minister Narendra Modi, but is also crucial for the party since the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) won 73 seats in the 2014 general elections and was instrumental in helping the BJP form a majority government on its own. Exit polls differ widely on their projections for Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh, aligned only in predicting that the tally of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance's tally will come from the spectacular 73 of 80 seats five years ago. A survey by Times Now-VMR shows the NDA winning 58 seats in the state, with the Congress-led UPA winning two. While SP-BSP will get 20 seats. But the ABP-AC Nielsen exit poll predicts the opposite; 22 for the BJP and allies and 56 for the others, which includes the BSP-SP alliance. This survey too predicts a bleak 2 for the Congress, equal to the party's tally in the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. West Bengal The Trinamool Congress (TMC) will continue its domination of Bengal, many exit polls have predicted. the India Today-Axis My India Exit Poll suggested a neck-and-neck fight between the TMC and BJP with 19-22 seats for Mamata Banerjee's party and 19-23 seats for the saffron side. Exit polls 2019: NewsX-Neta predicts 242 seats for BJP, Congress to get 162 Exit polls by both Times Now-VMR and Republic - CVoter also predicted that the Trinamool Congress will continue its domination, but gave 11 seats to the BJP. The Times Now VMR predicted 28 seats for the TMC, two for the Congress and one for others. Meanwhile, the Republic C-Voter predicted 29 for the TMC and two for the Congress. On the other hand, Republic-Jan Ki Baat Exit Poll predicted the BJP making massive inroads, with 18-26 seats, the Left decimated with zero seats and the Trinamool Congress reduced to 13-21 seats. Karnataka Despite its loss in 2018 assembly polls, the BJP is likely to win about 21 to 25 out of Karnataka's 28 seats, the India Today-Axis My India Exit poll predicted on Sunday, IANS reported. The BJP, which had won 17 seats in Karnataka in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, will improve its tally in the state to 21 to 25. According to the exit poll, the party got a vote share of 49%, six per cent higher as compared to last general elections. On the other hand, the Congress and the Janata-Dal-Secular, which contested the polls in alliance, will get three to six seats . Maharashtra and Gujarat The BJP and Shiv Sena alliance are set to sweep Maharashtra once again, while the BJP will maintain its tight grip over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's home state of Gujarat, according to most exit poll surveys. The News18-IPSOS Exit Poll has forecast that the BJP and Shiv Sena will win 42-45 seats in Maharashtra, while the Congress and NCP combine will only win four to six seats in the state that sends 48 lawmakers to the Lok Sabha. The survey has also predicted a BJP sweep in Gujarat, with the saffron party predicted to win 25 or all 26 seats in the state, with the Congress struggling to open its account. Exit polls 2019: NDA set to return to power with 340 seats, predicts Chanakya-News24 According to News24-Chanakya, the BJP is likely to win all the 26 seats in Gujarat. The Times Now survey has predicted that the BJP and Shiv Sena will win 38 seats in Maharashtra, while Congress and NCP will win 10 seats in the state. The ABP-Nielsen survey, meanwhile has given 34 seats to the NDA and 14 seats to the UPA. Kerala The Congress-led UDF is expected to register a definitive victory in Kerala Lok Sabha elections, the Times Now-VMR exit poll has predicted. The United Democratic Front (Kerala) is likely to post a victory in 15 out of the total 20 seats in Kerala, as per the exit poll. On the other hand, the CPI(M)-led LDF is expected to win four seats in the 2019 general election, four less than what it had won five years ago. Odisha It looks like there will be a tight battle as far as the Lok Sabha polls are concerned in Odisha. The Jan Ki Baat Lok Sabha exit polls for Odisha suggest that the NDA will get between 11 and 13, the BJD 7-9 and the Congress 1 seat. However, the C Voter poll figures for Odisha LS polls suggest 11 for BJD, 10 for BJP and none for the Congress. Exit polls from NDTV project 10 seats each for the BJD and BJP. In stark contrast to the other exit polls, the India TV-CNX one suggests that the BJD will bag 15 and the BJP 6. ABP News also puts BJD ahead at 12, with the BJP at 9 and Congress with no wins. Madhya Pradesh Poll agencies have predicted a landslide win for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh. The News18-IPSOS Exit Poll has predicted 24-27 seats for the BJP and two-four for the Congress. The Aaj Tak Axis poll showed the BJP sweeping Madhya Pradesh with 26-28 of the total 29 seats, while the Congress is predicted to get between one-three seats. The Chanakya-News24 has predicted the saffron party getting 27 seats and Congress bagging only two. Jammu and Kashmir Out of the six Lok Sabha seats in Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP is predicted to win two in Jammu, the Congress one in Ladakh and the National Conference (NC) all the three seats in the Valley. The Times Now-VMR has predicted the BJP will win two seats in the northern-most state of India, while the Congress and the NC are predicted to get four seats in Lakadh and the Valley. On the other hand, Jan Ki Baat has predicted one-two seats for the BJP in the state, while as the NC-Congress is projected to win three-four seats and the PDP is set to win one seat. Most of the exit polls have also predicted that the Mufti-led party is likely to lose from all three seats of Kashmir. The former chief minister is contesting from South Kashmir's Anantnag constituency which has remained in news because of violence over the last five years. Tamil Nadu Pollsters have predicted a big dent in the AIADMK seat share in Tamil Nadu with the DMK-Congress expected to win 22-24 of the 39 Lok Sabha seats. According to News18's IPSOS exit poll, the AIADMK alliance, which includes the BJP, may win 14-16 seats. The ruling-AIADMK, which won 37 seats last time, may end up with only 8-10 seats this time. The BJP and the Congress are likely to win 1-2 and 3-5 seats, respectively. As per the India Today Axis exit poll, DMK-Congress is set for a thumping victory with 34-38 seats and AIADMK-BJP alliance is estimated to win a maximum of four seats. The Chanakya-News24 exit poll has predicted BJP alliance to win 6 seats, Congress alliance 31 seats and others are pegged at one seat. As per Republic C Voter survey, UPA is set to win 27 seats, followed by NDA with 11 seats. New Delhi The BJP is likely to make the most of the triangular contest in Delhi, with most exit polls predicting a clean sweep of all seven Lok Sabha seats for the ruling party at the Centre. The India TV exit poll gives the BJP all the seven seats in the national capital. News 24 Chanakya too gave the BJP all 7 seats in the capital. Times Now-VMR also predicted all comprehensive victory for the BJP. Exit polls often get it wrong and the actual results will only be known on Thursday, May 23 when votes are counted. Haryana and Punjab The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has received a majority in Haryana, the Congress is expected to win in Punjab when the results of this year's polls will be announced on May 23. Today's Chanakya exit poll figures suggested that the BJP-led NDA government would sweep all the ten seats in Haryana, while India TV-CNX predicted nine seats for the saffron party in the state. Aajtak-Axis and Times Now-VMR 2019 said that the BJP is most likely to win a minimum of eight seats in Haryana. Congress is expected to bag a maximum of two seats in the state, the exit poll suggested. In Punjab, the situation is quite opposite in Punjab, with Congress looking in good shape in the state. According to Aajtak-Axis, the Congress is most likely to win eight to nine Lok Sabha seats, while BJP would settle with three to five seats out of a total number of 13 seats in the state. West Bengal Elections Exit Polls Vs Actual Poll: Who got it right? Exit polls 2019: NDA set to return to power with 340 seats, predicts Chanakya-News24 India oi-Madhuri Adnal New Delhi, May 19: As voting in the 2019 Lok Sabha election concludes on Sunday, the Chanakya-News24 exit poll has predicted that the Narendra Modi-led BJP will clean sweep the states of Gujarat, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Delhi - winning all 26, 10, five and seven seats respectively. Meanwhile, in Chhattisgarh, BJP is projected to get nine seats as opposed to Congress' two seats. NDA to return with 306 seats, predicts Times Now survey In Kerala, the Chanakya-News24 exit poll has projected that the Congress-UDF alliance will secure 16 of the 20 seats in Kerala. The BJP will fail to open its account despite of increasing its vote share to 10 percent, the poll predicted. The Left will round up the remaining four seats. In Madhya Pradesh victory in the Assembly polls will have no bearing on the Lok Sabha elections as the BJP is set to win 27 of the 29 seats. The politically charged state of Tamil Nadu will decide to go with the Congress, electing it in 31 of 38 seats. The BJP is projected to win six seats, with others getting one. Janta Ki Baat-Republic Exit poll gives 305 for NDA, 124 for UPA All exit polls in 2014 did predict that the NDA under the leadership of Narendra Modi would become the single-largest coalition. However, they failed to predict the scale and intensity of the victory. Not only did they underestimate the BJP but also overestimate the seat tally for the Congress-led UPA. Results of the staggered and winding elections-spread over seven phases-will be announced on May 23. A party or alliance will need at least 272 seats to form the next government. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 19:19 [IST] Chief Minister Balochistan Helicopter Establishment Jobs Latest Chief Minister Secretariat Management Posts Quetta 2021 Experienced, strong and responsible personnel for the posts of Assistant Computer Operator, Clerk, Driver, Chowkidar, Dispatch Rider, Mali, Mayor required for Chief Minister Balochistan Helicopter Establishment in Quetta. How to Apply on Chief Minister Secretariat Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. West Bengal Elections Exit Polls Vs Actual Poll: Who got it right? Exit polls 2019: Saffron wave to rout Cong-JD (S) alliance in Karnataka India oi-Vikas SV New Delhi, May 19: Out of the 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is likely to win anywhere between 21-25 seats, while the Congress may win just 3-6 seats, as per the India Today-Axis Exit poll. This is a far better performance for the BJP as compared to 2014 when the saffron party won 17 seats. In case the BJP falls short in Uttar Pradesh, where the party won 73 seats in 2014, Karnakata numbers would help them to make up the shortfall. Janta Ki Baat-Republic Exit poll gives 305 for NDA, 124 for UPA In 2014 general elections, the BJP had won 17 seats against Congress' nine and JD(S) two in triangular contests. All 28 Lok Sabha seats in Karnataka went to polls in two phases- April 18 and 23. As per Exit Poll predictions, the Congress-JDS alliance is likely to bite dust in Karnataka. The India Today My Axis India polls predicts a big win for BJP in Karnataka. Times Now-VMR Exit Poll, the BJP is likely to win 20 out of the 28 seats in Karnataka, which is better than 2014 when the saffron party won 17. Congress may win 6 in Karnataka while the JD (S) is likely to bag one seat. Today's Chanakya has also predicted around 23 4 seats for BJP in Karnataka. Congress may win anywhere between 5-8 seats. Exit polls 2019: Modi set to return as PM, NDA to get 290 seats, predicts News Nation Karnataka polled 68% in two phases in which three parties - BJP, Congress and JD(S) - had locked horns. Almost all the major Exit Polls in 2014 had by and large predicted that the NDA would emerge victorious in the elections, it was Today's Chanakya exit poll prediction which was closest to final result. Today's Chanakya had predicted 340 seats for NDA and 291 for the BJP, and in the final result BJP won 282 seats out of 543, and NDA bagged 336 seats. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 19:46 [IST] India among most unequal nations; top 1 pc of population holds 22 pc of national income India reports 7,081 new COVID19 cases in the last 24 hours India offers unconditional support to Sri Lanka in war against terror India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa New Delhi, May 19: India has offered full support to Sri Lanka in dealing with the common threat of "Jihadi terrorism" following the deadly Easter Sunday suicide bombings that killed nearly 260 people, including 11 Indians. Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Taranjit Singh Sandhu on Friday also discussed the prevailing security situation during his recent meeting with two top-ranking Buddhist monks at Sri Dalada Maligawa or the temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Indian Embassy here said in a statement. "High Commissioner....discussed the prevailing security situation with the Most Venerable Mahanayake theros and offered India's full support to Sri Lanka in dealing with the common threat of Jihadi terrorism," the statement said. The High Commissioner also paid respects at Sri Dalada Maligawa and received the blessings of the Most Venerable Thibbotuwawe Sri Sumangala Mahanayake Thera of the Malwatu Chapter and the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayake Thera of the Asgiriya Chapter in Kandy, it said. Both the Mahanayake Theros deeply appreciated India's unconditional and strong support for Sri Lanka, including in the security sphere, the statement said. Curfew continues in Sri Lanka as incidents of communal violence rise Sandhu also conveyed greetings on the auspicious occasion of Vesak to the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theros and recalled the visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Sri Lanka for the International Vesak Day celebration in 2017 and the exposition of the sacred Sarnath Relics in Sri Lanka in 2018. Sri Lanka has declared two days of holidays for nation-wide celebrations of Vesak, or the commemoration of the birth, enlightenment and passing away of the Gautama Buddha. Both the Mahanayake Theras deeply appreciated India's unconditional and strong support for Sri Lanka including in the security sphere, it said. Indian authorities shared intelligence with Sri Lanka before the serial blasts rocked the neighbouring country. However, Sri Lankan authorities failed to act on the intelligence inputs. Nine suicide bombers, including a woman, carried out a series of devastating blasts that tore through three churches and three luxury hotels, killing 258 people and injuring over 500 others. Authorities earlier said they believed a little-known local militant Islamist group known as National Tawheed Jamath (NTJ) was behind the attack. However, the NTJ has not claimed responsibility for the attacks, Sri Lanka's worst. The Islamic State terror group said it had carried out the attacks, and released video of men it says were the bombers. Furthermore, the envoy also reviewed the progress of the Kandyan Dancing School being constructed with India's assistance of some Rs150 million at the Sri Lanka International Buddhist Academy (SIBA) campus in Pallekele, Kandy, according to the statement. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 6:21 [IST] Surgical strikes: Was the hype needed, no says ex-Army officer part of operation Killing of Aurangazeb avenged: Three Hizbul terrorists wiped out India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Srinagar, May 19: Three Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) terrorists, including the one involved in the killing last year of Army jawan Aurangzeb, were Saturday killed in a pre-dawn operation by security forces in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir, police said. Based on a credible input, a cordon and search operation was launched by police and security forces in the early hours in the Panzgam area of Awantipora in south Kashmir's Pulwama district, a police spokesman said. During the search operation, the hiding terrorists fired on the search party, which retaliated, he said. In the ensuing encounter, three terrorists were killed and the bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter, the spokesman said. He said the slain terrorists have been identified as Showkat Dar of Panzgam in Awantipora, Irfan War of Wadoora Payeen in Sopore and Muzaffar Sheikh of Tahab in Pulwama. Three terrorists killed in encounter in J&K's Pulwama The spokesman said that according to police records the three were affiliated to proscribed Hizbul Mujahideen and were wanted for their complicity in a series of terror crimes including attack on security establishments and civilian atrocities, he said. As per police records, Dar was involved in planning and executing series of terror attacks in the area and many other civilian atrocities, he said. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 6:38 [IST] West Bengal Elections Exit Polls Vs Actual Poll: Who got it right? Modi govt will return to power with majority: Sumitra Mahajan India oi-PTI New Delhi, May 19: Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan on May 19 said the Narendra Modi government would return to power with absolute majority for the second time. Mahajan, who represented the Indore Lok Sabha constituency for eight consecutive times since 1989, was talking to reporters after casting her vote at a polling booth in Old Palasia. "There is an encouraging atmosphere for the BJP in the country. I have full faith that the Modi government will once again form the government with full majority," Mahajan (76), popularly known as 'Tai' (elder sister in Marathi), said. Also Read | Exit polls 2019: NewsX-Neta predicts 242 seats for BJP, Congress to get 162 Mahajan, who has the distinction of being one of the longest-serving women members of Parliament (MPs), was not in the fray this time as she crossed her party's 75-year age bar to fight elections. She had last month opted out of contesting the general elections saying she had freed the party to make its choice. She had, however, maintained that she would continue to work for the BJP and campaign for it. Thereafter, the saffron party had pitted Shankar Lalwani (57) against Congress candidate Pankaj Sanghvi (58). Accompanied by Lalwani, Mahajan further told reporters, "My role has changed this time, but I am still in the fray. I am standing beside Lalwani." Exit polls 2019: Narendra Modi gets the thumbs up, predict most pollsters "I am not a candidate this time, but that does not matter. BJP is contesting the election. The question 'who is contesting on the BJP ticket?' is not important. The question is about democracy. I have always voted for my country and democracy," she said. When asked about the results of the Indore seat, she said whoever the voters choose as their representative, will be handed over the "key" of the constituency. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 21:58 [IST] How do naxals procure sophisticated weapons: It was the LTTE which aided them Naxals from Telangana were in the process of making grenade launchers, IEDs: NIA Naxals torch a truck in Gadchiroli India oi-Vikas SV Mumbai, May 19: The Naxals, who had called for a 'bandh today, reportedly torched a truck in Maharashtra's Gadchiroli. They torched a truck at a wood depot, reported ANI. Naxals have called for a 'bandh' in Gadchiroli district of Maharashtra on May 19 to protest the killings of two fellow women in an encounter last month. They have put up banners in some villages in Etapalli tehsil of Gadchiroli informing people about Bandh call. The Naxals have also distributed pamphlets claiming that the May 1 attack on security forces, in which 40 jawans were killed, was carried out to avenge the Boriya-Kasnasur encounter in which the police eliminated 40 Maoists in 2018, said reports. Lack of intel led to Gadchiroli naxal attack In the banners, the Naxals alleged that the killings of the women cadres, Ramco-Durva, by the security forces on April 27 was an infringement of their constitutional rights, reports quoted Gadchiroli superintendent of police (SP) as saying. The two women Naxals were killed in an encounter in the Gunderwahi forest in Gadchiroli, when commandos of the C-60 squad, the police's anti-Naxal unit, were combing the area. Ramco and Durva were carrying rewards of Rs 16 lakh and Rs 4 lakh, respectively, on their heads. Earlier this month, Maoists torched 26 vehicles and machines in Dadapur village of Kurkheda where road construction work was going on. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 10:57 [IST] Plea by Vice-Admiral Verma challenging appointment of next Navy chief rejected India oi-Vicky Nanjappa New Delhi, May 19: The petition filed by vide-admiral Bimal Verma challenging his supersession for the post of Navy chief has been rejected by the Defence Ministry. The matter will now come up before the Armed Forces Tribunal for hearing on Monday. The tribunal had initially allowed the defence ministry to take a call before it would hear the petition. Verma had said that the government had in an arbitrary manner ignored the recommendation of the Chief of Naval Staff and appointed Junior Vice Admiral Karambir Singh as the next Navy chief. Defence Ministry signs contract worth Rs 6,311 cr to build anti-submarine warfare ships The Defence Ministry in its order said that the appointment was made after considering all the norms laid down and asserted that seniority cannot be the only criteria for the selection. A robust selection procedure was followed for selecting the Navy chief and the petitioner was found to be unsuitable for the post. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 6:47 [IST] BJP deploys over 1,500 of its workers on Delhi polling day Purdha clad women should remove veil at polling booth says CPM leader India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Thiruvananthapuram, May 19: CPI-M leader M V Jayarajan kicked up a controversy in Kerala saying 'purdah' clad women should remove their veil in polling booths, drawing sharp reaction from Congress which Saturday termed the demand as unjustified. Jayarajan, the Kannur district secretary of the Marxist party, made the remark Friday while campaigning at Pilathara in Kannur parliamentary constituency, where re-polling is being held in a booth Sunday in the backdrop of allegations of bogus voting during the April 23 Lok Sabha elections. He has said those who come to vote have to remove face veil the moment they stand in the queue. "This is to enable CCTV cameras and web cameras capture the voter's face," Jayarajan had said. Opposition Congress condemned the remark and said none can interfere in the rights of an individual. "The remarks made by the Left leaders are to be condemned. It's one's freedom to chose which dress to wear. No one can interfere in their rights. The CPI(M) leaders have lost their minds with defeat staring in their face in the polls," senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said. Congress could not win Ponnani Lok Sabha seat since 1951 elections Chennithala, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, demanded that Jayarajan withdraw the statement and apologise to the people of the state. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Mullapally Ramachandran said the remark cannot be justified. Meanwhile, state Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena told reporters in the state capital that those who cover their face will have to reveal themselves before the concerned officer. "To identify those wearing Purdah, the returning officer can appoint a woman officer for examining them. Its mandatory to identify whether a voter is genuine or not," Meena said. The Election Commission has ordered re-polling Sunday in seven booths in the state where bogus votes were allegedly cast during the elections to 20 Lok Sabha seats in the state. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 7:01 [IST] West Bengal Elections Exit Polls Vs Actual Poll: Who got it right? Vice-President Venkaiah Naidu mocks exit polls, says most have gone wrong since 1999 India oi-PTI New Delhi, May 19: Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday mocked at the exit polls, saying they were not exact polls. Exit polls do not mean exact polls. We have to understand that. Since 1999, most of the exit polls have gone wrong, the Vice-President pointed out. Naidu addressed an informal meeting of well-wishers, who felicitated him in Guntur. Referring to the ongoing general elections, he said every party exuded confidence (over victory). Everyone exhibits his own confidence till the 23rd (day of counting). There will be no base for it. So we have to wait for 23rd, he remarked. Country and the state need an able leader and stable government, whoever it be. That's what is required. Thats all, Naidu observed. The Vice-President also said change in society should start with political parties. If democracy has to strengthen and something good has to happen to people elections, selections, candidates, parties all should discharge their duties responsibly and properly, he noted. The Vice-President lamented that civility has become a casulaty in the present political discourse. There is a lot of degeneration in the speeches of political leaders. They are resorting to personal abuses. One is not an enemy to the other in politics, they are only rivals... They are forgetting this basic fact, he said. Expressing anguish over the behaviour of elected representatives in Parliament and state legislatures, he said, See how MPs are behaving in Parliament and MLAs in Assembly, irrespective of the parties. Panchayat and civic bodies' members follow them. The Vice-President also found fault with political parties announcing freebies to win over the electorate. The way parties are behaving.. you have been given a mandate for five years. You have to work. Without doing that, you announce freebies at the last minute. I am always opposed to it. Free power means, no power, Naidu observed. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 23:35 [IST] WBJEE 2022 registrations to begin today: Here is how to apply Why didnt Modi take questions at the presser: Shiv Sena has this answer India oi-Oneindia Staff By Anuj Cariappa Mumbai, May 19: The Shiv Sena came out in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not taking questions from the media at a press conference in Delhi. On Friday, Modi showed up on the dais at the BJP headquarters in Delhi for a scheduled press conference by party president Amit Shah, but refused to take any questions, citing party discipline. Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said, "It was Amit Shah's press conference and Modi was present there as a party worker. It is not that he doesn't answer questions. He has given interviews to television and print." Speaking to reporters here, Raut said the prime minister communicates with people through his speeches, adding that it is better to be silent than answer questions. PM Modi draws flak for not taking questions at press conference To a question on Modi's visit to Kedarnath and Badrinath, Raut said, "It is good he is visiting temples. This is Hindu culture and not politics." On a query on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse being called a patriot, Raut said action has been taken against those making such comments and claimed such remarks would not affect the poll outcome. He sidestepped a query on cabinet expansion in the Maharashtra government and said his party was concentrating on the May 23 Lok Sabha results. For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 7:16 [IST] Sri Lankan troops should use their experience to fight challenges of Islamist militants: Sirisena International pti-PTI Colombo, May 19: Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Sunday asked the security forces to use their experience in defeating separatist Tamil guerrillas a decade ago to meet the new challenge from Islamist militants linked to ISIS and responsible for last month's serial bombings that killed 258 people. Addressing the 'National War Heroes Day' to mark the 10th anniversary of the government's victory against the LTTE, Sirisena also said that he has full confidence in their (defence forces') ability to defeat such threat, "which is not only limited to Sri Lanka but has become international". At least 100,000 people were killed in the conflict between Sri Lankan forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). Thousands of people, including security personnel, are still reported to be missing after the war. According to the Army, 27,000 soldiers lost their lives in the war. The 10th anniversary falls nearly a month after Easter Sunday bombings, the worst terror attack in the country that killed 258 people and injured over 500 others. "We were enjoying 10 years of peace when most unexpectedly this terror group launched the attack last month," Sirisena said, referring to the serial suicide attacks on three churches and as many hotels by a local Jihadi group, the National Thowheed Jamaath (NTJ) on the Easter Sunday. "Nearly 300 of our own citizens and foreigners died in the attack. It is now upto our forces to face this threat and eliminate it. I have the fullest confidence in their ability," Sirisena said, adding this is not an issue limited to our country but an international threat. "Sri Lankan troops are enriched with experience in fight against the LTTE to end their 30-year campaign for a separate Tamil state in the north and east," the President said. Remembering the anti-LTTE campaign run by the military Sirisena said that our friendly state, India sent its troops to fight the LTTE, but they met with limited success. Indian troops were deployed in Sri Lanka's north and east from 1987 until early part of 1990 to help Sri Lankan military to end the LTTE's armed campaign. Sirisena remembered the fallen war heroes at the ceremony and awarded the Parama Veera Vibhushana Medals to them and conferred on them the national hero status. The Ministry of Defense also asked the citizens to light a lamp remembering the fallen heroes. On Saturday, thousands of Tamils in Northern Sri Lanka observed the 10th anniversary of the brutal civil war between the government and LTTE by lighting oil lamps and remembering those who lost their lives in the over three-decade-long conflict. PTI Kitchen Worker, Electrician, Salesman, Driver Jobs 2019 Latest Suriya International Company Management Posts Saudi Arabia 2021 Technical and hardworking personnel for the posts of Kitchen Worker, Heavy Auto Electrician, Salesman Cum Driver required for a well known and reputed oversea company in Saudi Arabia. How to Apply on Suriya International Company Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to reach Lucknow on July 16; Key meetings scheduled in Delhi before visit Members of farmers' body detained in Lucknow for trying to burn effigies of PM Modi, Shah Section 144 CrPC invoked in Lucknow in view of Christmas, New Year Uttar Pradesh: Two on-duty poll officials die during final phase of voting Lucknow oi-Vikas SV Gorakhpur, May 19: Two polling officials, one 56-years-old and another 50-years-old, died today in Uttar Pradesh while they were on duty, reports quoting officials as saying. Both the officials were deputed at different polling booths in Uttar Pradesh. Rajaram, 56, was a polling officer of booth number 381 at Prathmik Vidhyalay Madhopur in Pipraich area under the Gorakhpur Lok Sabha seat, assistant election officer J N Maurya said. Grenade attack hits polling in militancy prone Pulwama He was rushed to Pipraich community health centre where he was declared dead. The body has been sent for post-mortem, he said, reported PTI. In the Bansgaon parliamentary constituency, Vinod Srivastav (50), deputed at polling booth number 219, died around 12 midnight due to cardiac attack. He was an employee with the sugarcane department. The bodies have been sent for post-mortem, Maurya said. OneIndia News with PTI inputs For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Sunday, May 19, 2019, 15:28 [IST] Telecom Company Jobs 2019 in Saudi Arabia Latest D ASMACS Overseas Telecom Posts Saudi Arabia 2021 A well known and reputed Telecom Company requires the services of technical and experienced personnel for the posts of Telecom Copper Ground Network Technician & Labor in Saudi Arabia. How to Apply on D ASMACS Overseas Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. Perfectly made toast isnt just an obsession in Japan. Its a business opportunity. Over the past few years, there's been a quiet boom in the pursuit of expertly reheated bread, from high-end toasters and premium loaves, to cafes catering to connoisseurs seeking that satisfying crunch. Joining the fray is the next best thing for sliced bread, a toaster designed for just one task: making a single piece of toast, flawlessly. Made by Mitsubishi Electric Corp., better known for its workaday refrigerators and rice cookers, the Bread Oven hit store shelves last month, retailing for about 29,000 to 30,000 yen ($270). While that might seem expensive, Japanese consumers are already used to paying top price for toasters; the popular Balmuda, which debuted a few years ago, sold for about $230. "We wanted to focus on the single slice, and treat it with respect," said Akihiro Iwahara, who is in charge of technical development at Mitsubishi Electric's home-appliances division. "Our technology and know-how from rice cookers helped us come up with a way to trap and seal moisture." That's crucial. Balmuda's toaster uses a small amount of water to keep bread from drying out. Mitsubishi Electric's Bread Oven uses a different method, sealing a single slice inside a metal box and transferring heat through two plates at temperatures as high as 260 degrees Celcius (500 degrees Fahrenheit). There's nothing more enchanting than the perfect slice of toast, says Kaori Kajita, founder of the Japan Butter Toast Association, which sounds half-baked but actually exists. "You can't help but be elated." It helps that bread in Japan is tailored for toast. Called shoku pan, Japanese-style square bread has been around for years (think of a high-quality version of Wonder Bread). The toaster boom has its origins in the desire to have soft, chewy bread that tastes and feels like it came out of a baker's oven, Kajita says. To satisfy the demand for dough, businesses are coming up with new products and services. Sakimoto, a bakery specializing in shoku pan, takes reservations for their carefully baked loaves that cost $8.20 apiece. Centre the Baker, a cafe in Ginza, lets diners choose a personal toaster to take and use at their tables. Behind the toast boom is a broader shift in eating habits. Although a traditional Japanese breakfast might consist of rice, grilled fish and miso soup, it's becoming less common these days. A slight majority of people -51%- actually prefer bread in the morning, according to data compiled by NRI Group. That includes people like Masahiko Shoji, 42, a university lecturer, who said he eats more bread after buying a Balmuda. He's eager to try out Mitsubishi Electric's new high-end gadget. "You can't go back to a regular toaster," he said. The Bread Oven is shaped more like a waffle maker. As a result, clamshell design isn't exactly forgiving when it comes to rolls or baguettes. It can handle cheese or even an egg on top, though, and the french toast is sublime. Clad in faux-wood veneer, the gadget is meant to be used at the dining table, not the kitchen counter. Given Japanese tastes, there are a lot of people looking for a refined and delicate experience, said Hiroaki Higuchi, general manager for marketing at Mitsubishi Electrics home-appliance unit. Were not asking customers to get rid of their toasters, but to enjoy this as an entirely different category. Telecom Technician & Labor Jobs 2019 in Saudi Arabia Latest D ASMACS Overseas Telecom Posts Saudi Arabia 2021 A well known and reputed oversea company requires the services of technical and hardworking persons for the posts of Telecom Copper Ground Network Technician & Labor in Saudi Arabia. How to Apply on D ASMACS Overseas Job Advertisement Apply as per details in job advertisement. In some cases, you may apply online at vacancies after registering at https://www.jobz.pk online. Note: Beware of Fraudulent Recruiting Activities. If an employer asks to pay money for any purpose, do not pay at all and report us at contact us form. Apply as per instuctions & dates mentioned in official job ad. Govt jobs may not be applied online here. Human typing error is possible. Error & omissions excepted. Oregon Democrats hailed a historic moment Monday when the state Senate voted along party lines to approve billions of dollars in new business taxes, money earmarked for the states struggling education system. The bill became law Thursday with Gov. Kate Browns signature but that doesnt necessarily mean the tax will take effect as scheduled in January. Supporters and opponents of the tax agree its likely to end up before voters in a special election, probably at the beginning of next year. Oregon voters rejected a similar gross receipts tax just three years ago when they voted down Measure 97. Opponents say they expect the same result this time. We strongly believe this tax can be beat at the ballot, said Shaun Jillions, executive director of Oregon Manufacturers and Commerce, which is rallying an effort to put the tax before voters. The question really comes down to whether or not there are enough financial resources available to run the type of campaign we would need to run, Jillions wrote in an email. Weve had some very positive conversations on that front over the last two weeks. While both this springs tax bill and Measure 97 levy taxes on businesses sales within Oregon, there are big differences between the two proposals. And that could produce a different reaction from voters: At $2 billion over each two-year budget cycle, House Bill 3427 is just a third the size of Measure 97. The business community, united in opposition to Measure 97, is split over the new tax. While manufacturers and some other groups are fiercely critical, Nike is strongly in favor of it and the states largest business organization has agreed to remain neutral. Critics of both Measure 97 and the new business tax note it will producing pyramiding effects as the tax piles up as products move through an industrys supply chain. To partially offset that for consumers, lawmakers included a 0.25 percentage point reduction in personal income taxes in three of Oregons four tax brackets. Most significantly, perhaps, lawmakers dedicated the new tax specifically to education instead of the states amorphous general fund. Out of the gate voters are going to think its a tax on businesses and its going to their No. 1 priority, education, said John Horvick, director of political research at the Oregon polling firm DHM Research. His firm has worked with business organizations and education advocates in the past but anticipates supporters of the tax will hire DHM on this issue. Measure 97 lost in a landslide, with nearly 60 percent of Oregon voters opposed. While Horvick declined to handicap the new taxs chances at the ballot box, he said its differences from Measure 97 give it a better chance. Any observer would have to say that, Horvick said. Opponents need to collect nearly 75,000 signatures within 90 days after the end of the legislative session to put the tax to voters. Political observers consider that a relatively low bar and say its all but certain business interests will succeed in their signature gathering. If opponents succeed, existing law would put the issue before voters in November 2020. And the tax wouldnt take effect until voters have their say, instead of kicking in at the start of 2020 as scheduled. However, capitol insiders say Democratic leadership is preparing a bill that would direct any referendum on the tax to a special election next January. Its a similar strategy that Democratic lawmakers used in 2017 to avoid any delays with Ballot Measure 101, which attempted to block parts of another new tax. A different gross receipts tax Measure 97 was among the most heated fights in Oregon political history, with supporters and opponents spending more than $40 million on the campaign. Most of the campaign spending came from opponents, led by supermarket chains. The new tax specifically exempts grocers, though, with additional exemptions that benefit health care providers and sales that take place outside the state. Last-minute negotiations created an allowance for businesses to deduct a portion of their capital spending or labor costs from their taxable sales. Those exemptions took some major potential opponents out of the fight altogether, including Oregon Business & Industry, the states largest business association. Oregons largest company, Nike, has been a vocal advocate for more education spending and has already contributed $100,000 to a political action committee supportive of the tax hike. That strikes opponents as extremely cynical, since Nike which is based in Oregon but does nearly all its business outside the state will be minimally impacted. Of course Nike supports this tax. They are hugely insulated from it, said Julie Parrish, a former Republican state representative who remains among the states most outspoken and politically connected conservatives. Parrish said she is hearing from other Oregon businesses and individuals who are committed to a fight. She said voters will note the legislature hasnt done anything yet to address the states public pension crisis, which could consume most of the new tax in just a few years. And Parrish said voters are frustrated that steady growth in school spending hasnt closed the achievement gap between black and white students or meaningfully improved graduation rates. Youre just raising billions in taxes to preserve a status quo Oregonians arent happy with, Parrish said. But Jim Green, executive director of the Oregon School Boards Association, said the new tax has built-in accountability measures to ensure school districts spend the money effectively. Green said he expects voters will respond to this tax differently than they did to Measure 97, which would have dumped tax money into the states general fund without any strings attached. The difference is this one is dedicated to schools, Green said. Its a lot different than Measure 97 in that respect. -- Mike Rogoway | twitter: @rogoway | 503-294-7699 By JENNIFER GOLLAN of Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting She alights from a black Ferrari convertible, her Christian Louboutin stilettos glinting in the sunlight. The lid of her black lacquer grand piano is propped open in the living room of her plush Beverly Hills home. "I own a chain of elderly care facilities," she says into the camera on Bravo's reality television show "The Millionaire Matchmaker." ''My net worth is $3 to $4 million, probably." Stephanie Costa was 30 and enjoying a lifestyle supported in part by six board-and-care homes she owned in California's Central Valley. But half of that fortune was threatened when she and her company initially were cited for about $1.6 million for labor violations, including wage theft - not paying 11 employees for working much of 24 hours a day, six days a week. Costa, who declined to be interviewed for this story, is a rare public face of a burgeoning multibillion-dollar elder care industry that is enabling operators to become wealthy by treating workers as indentured servants. Across the country, legions of these caregivers earn a pittance to tend to the elderly in residential houses refurbished as care facilities, according to an investigation by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting. (The stress and low pay of Oregon senior care workers was highlighted in an investigation last year by The Oregonian/OregonLive.) The profit margins can be huge and, for violators of labor laws, hinge on the widespread exploitation of thousands of caretakers, many of them poor immigrants effectively earning $2 to $3.50 an hour to work around the clock. The federal hourly minimum wage is $7.25. Reveal interviewed more than 80 workers, care-home operators and government regulators and reviewed hundreds of wage theft cases handled by California and federal labor regulators, workers and local district attorneys. The investigation found rampant wage theft has pushed a vast majority of these caregivers into poverty. Workers are left feeling desperate and trapped. Many caregivers say they rise before daybreak to cook meals, shower residents and scrub toilets. At night, they are deprived of sufficient sleep because they have to wake to change adult diapers, dispense painkillers, return wandering dementia residents to their beds and shift the bedridden every two hours to thwart bedsores. Workers describe sleeping in hallways and garages, on couches and the floor. Some care homes deduct $25 a day from caregivers' paychecks for "lodging." Exploited caregivers rarely are allowed a day off; even then, they often must pay their substitutes. Two caregivers recounted having miscarriages after their bosses refused to allow them time off or to stop lifting heavy residents. Because these workers often live where they work, they are under the watchful eye of their bosses. They are bullied into not cooperating with investigators. In some cases, care-home operators have threatened to report undocumented workers to authorities. Human trafficking - in which workers, particularly Filipinos, are coerced, manipulated and exploited - also is not uncommon, according to prosecutors and attorneys. For example, several family members were charged last year with human trafficking and labor abuse in a case involving caregivers in San Mateo County, California, south of San Francisco. "It's a classic tale of human greed," said Tia Koonse, legal and policy research manager at the UCLA Labor Center. "Their entire business model is predicated on not making payroll. It relies on people being willing to work for 24 hours a day for less than a dollar an hour. Only trafficked people will put up with that." The growth of board-and-care homes in neighborhoods across the United States is tied to medical advances, enabling aging baby boomers to live longer despite debilitating illnesses. This has resulted in an increasing number of gravely ill people or their family members seeking an alternative to costly nursing home care. There were about 29,000 residential care communities nationwide and about 300,000 full-time caregivers in 2016, according to the most recent federal figures available. About two-thirds are smaller facilities with four to 25 residents, many with dementia. California leads the nation with more than 7,300 residential care facilities licensed by the state. Stephanie Costa provides a case study in exploiting workers, getting caught breaking labor laws and circumventing full punishment. In 2013, 11 workers brought wage theft claims after providing around-the-clock care in the care homes Costa owned. They changed adults' diapers, comforted the dying and hoisted infirm residents into bed. They worked six days a week and subsisted on meager wages, according to interviews and court documents. The workers said they risked being fired if they left the facilities and had no off-duty rest breaks during the day. Costa's care homes promoted 24/7 care for frail clients. "We knew we were being underpaid," said Juliet Delos Reyes, 60, a former caregiver employed by Costa. "But we were helpless. We didn't know our rights. How could we leave?" Reyes said she was not allowed to leave the home without permission when clients were present. In many cases, workers in the industry fall into jobs that become increasingly abusive. A substantial number are working in the U.S. without authorization or applying to remain legally in the country. They are paid less than theyre promised, isolated and restricted to the facilities. Residents in these care homes typically are more than 60 years old. The annual national median cost for each resident is about $48,000. Dementia residents often pay more. Some owners tack on extra charges for those who are incontinent or desire more than two showers a week. Over the last decade, care-home operators across the nation broke minimum wage, overtime or record-keeping laws in at least 1,400 cases, federal data shows. About 35 percent of them were in California. Data obtained by Reveal through a California Public Records Act request shows senior care facilities in the state have been ordered to pay back wages and penalties in more than 110 additional cases. Three months after Costa's star turn on Bravo in 2013, the state labor commissioner's office ordered Costa and her company, Bedford Care Group, to pay about $1.6 million for unpaid wages and penalties. That's when she changed tactics. Papers were then filed with the state to create two new residential care-home companies called Clear View Retirement Group LLC and Copper River Retirement Group LLC. Costa's mother, Alice Hayes, is secretary, one of two officers, of these companies, according to licensing records. Hayes declined to comment. These new companies then received licenses from the state to run the six former Bedford care homes. But the structure and administrative staff in the care homes? Hayes assured residents that they would remain the same. In December 2014, following an appeal, the amount owed for the labor violations was reduced to $665,000. But around the same time, Costa's Bedford Care Group filed for bankruptcy, a legal maneuver that allowed her to effectively slash the amount she owed workers by settling the case for about $200,000, which she paid. Three weeks after Costa's care-home business filed for bankruptcy, her father registered a new company with the state called Property Investment Housing LLC. The company then took over as the new owner of Costa's six care homes. Her father did not return a call seeking comment. Stephanie Costa is the company's chief executive, records show. Stephanie Costa represents a rare case in which an operator paid up, if only a partial amount of the original fine. Residential care facilities for the elderly receive among the largest wage theft judgments of any industry. Yet Reveal found that some facility owners caught cheating their workers are able to evade fines and judgments. In this April 16, 2019 photo, Dr. Hina Shah poses at Golden Gate University in San Francisco, where she is a professor and the director of the Women's Employment Rights Clinic, which represents low-wage workers on issues of wage theft, discrimination and harassment. "Many of the cases that are being brought by workers are challenging flat-rate pay for 24 hours of work, conditions that are akin to modern-day slavery," she said. (James Tensuan/Reveal via AP)AP Many companies play shell games by not keeping money or real estate holdings in the name of the company against which judgments or fines are entered. They simply abandon their company names - and the judgments against those named entities - rendering the penalties and wage theft judgments meaningless. Across the country, states are charged with regulating board-and-care facilities. In California, the state labor commissioner's office and U.S. Department of Labor, in addition to some local governments, are charged with investigating wage theft. State and federal regulators say privately that they need many more investigators and lawyers to chase down scofflaws and force them to pay. The Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division declined to make top officials available for an interview. But in a written statement, a Labor Department spokesman said: "Last year the division recovered a record-setting $304 million in back wages for workers and conducted a record-setting 3,600 outreach events to provide information to employers, employees, and other stakeholders about the requirements of the law." The agency noted that in California, it has conducted investigations and "extensive outreach" to care-home operators "ensuring that they pay their workers the wages they have legally earned." At least 20 companies providing care for the elderly, disabled and mentally ill in California continue to operate illegally - many of them under their original names - after ignoring judgments for back wages and penalties totaling more than $1.4 million, Reveal found. A 2016 law barred companies with outstanding wage theft judgments from conducting business in the state. But the state Department of Social Services' Community Care Licensing Division, which is in charge of licensing facilities for the elderly and disabled, has not followed through. Pat Leary, acting director of the Department of Social Services, declined through spokesman Michael Weston to be interviewed. But in an email, Weston wrote that while the law allows his agency to deny a new license or not renew an existing one, the agency can take these steps only if it finds residents' health and safety have been threatened. For her part, Costa's former employee Juliet Delos Reyes desperately needed the total back pay she was owed before the bankruptcy of Costa's company. She now cares for her husband, who is on dialysis. His medical bills are crushing. "We didn't save anything. It affected us badly," Reyes said through tears. "I just hope that someday the government will look at how caregivers are treated." In mid-2016, the California Social Services Department banned Costa from the assisted living business for life after finding multiple health and safety violations. Among the violations: caregivers working without required criminal background checks; caregivers lacking the proper skills to test the glucose of a diabetic resident whose hands had been amputated; taking in hospice patients without the state's permission; and arguing with the friend of a resident who was sent to the hospital, prompting staff there to ask her to leave. Costa ignored the ban and continued to hire and fire workers at the care homes. So state licensing officials in April 2017 had Costa's mother sign a declaration promising Costa would not be involved in "any capacity" with the companies - Copper River Retirement Group and Clear View Retirement Group - that operate the care homes she once ran. But even after that meeting, records show, Costa listed herself as a managing member of Clear View Retirement Group. Costa's name has since been removed from the most recent business filings received by the state. A representative for the care-home industry readily acknowledged wrongdoing but blamed thin profit margins for necessitating the practice of underpaying workers. "Are there problems? There are lots of problems," said Ronald Simpson, a founding director of 6Beds Inc., a lobbying and advocacy organization that represents more than 1,000 operators of small residential care facilities for seniors in California. "Elderly people aren't able to pay what they'd need to pay for these homes to be compliant." Still, for workers earning anemic pay, "it's possible they're happy, too," he added. Simpson then lashed out at Reveal for investigating wage theft in the industry. "What you're doing is not a service to the industry," he said. "It makes the whole industry look like they're getting rich and ripping people off." As he spoke, Simpson was busy organizing one of the group's all-day workshops for care-home operators on labor laws, which the 6Beds website promised would give them a key bit of advice: how to "minimize labor costs." For four years, Sonia Deza rose every morning at 5 a.m. to cook, clean, and wash and medicate her charges at Scienn Hail Home Care IV in Antioch, California, a city of about 100,000 people in the San Francisco Bay Area. She could not sit down again to rest until 10 p.m., after she tucked residents into bed and organized their prescriptions for the next day. In this Friday, March 1, 2019 photo, Sonia Deza at her home in Antioch, Calif. Deza worked for years as a caregiver where she earned $2 an hour from Publico. (James Tensuan/Reveal via AP)AP A long night still lay ahead; some wandering dementia residents needed help back to bed, and others had to be shifted every two hours. Deza rarely took a day off, as she would need to pay her substitute. She earned about $2 an hour. She worried she would be fired if she complained. Then in 2013, federal regulators ordered Deza's bosses, Glenda and Rommel Publico, to pay Deza and 21 other workers more than $133,000 in back wages for violating federal minimum wage and overtime laws. The Publicos wrote Deza two checks totaling more than $17,700 in back wages. But instead of letting her deposit the checks, Rommel Publico demanded the money back, claiming it was his, Deza said in an interview. She said she was frightened he would fire her if she refused. So she served her residents lunch and then took a rare break on two afternoons in July 2013. Rommel Publico picked her up from work and drove her to two different banks. "I took the checks into the banks, then returned to the car and gave him the cash," said Deza, 66. "Oh my goodness, that's my money. I worked so hard for it. I really needed that money. It's big money for me." Publico let her keep $1,000. He called it a bonus, she said. In this Sept. 20, 2018 photo, Rommel and Glenda Publico arrive for a hearing at Contra Costa Superior Court in Pittsburg Calif. (Paul Kuroda/Reveal via AP)AP Three of Deza's co-workers said in interviews that they also were forced to return the back wages. According to federal Labor Department records, the Publicos submitted false documents to labor investigators purporting to show they'd paid the back wages. Still other workers never received a check in the first place. They still are waiting. Prosecutors from the Contra Costa County district attorney's office have charged the Publicos with multiple felonies, including grand theft and tax fraud. The case is pending. In a phone interview, Rommel Publico defended the treatment of his caregivers and said the charges against him "hurt my feelings." "When we ran the business, we were like a family," Publico said through tears. "My caregivers, I treat them like my mom. I've never been like, 'I'm the boss.' "Every time I turn around, I have problems," he said of the pending case against him. "It breaks my heart. I cry." Another Publico employee who was not paid back wages is Normita Lim. She worked around the clock as a caregiver in one of their care homes for nearly a decade, earning about $2 an hour. Rarely allowed a day off, she kept working, afraid she would be fired if she complained. On Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays, her three children visited her in the cramped room she lived in down the hall from the residents. "I'm still struggling," said Lim, 75. "I needed that money for my medications and food, but he got away with murder by not having to pay. I'm angry, but what can we do?" Normita Lim poses at her home in Concord, Calif. Lim did not receive back pay from her former employer, Publico, who paid her $2 an hour. (James Tensuan/Reveal via AP)AP In late 2017, the Publicos sold the care home where Lim worked. She said she stayed on as a caregiver for just a month under the new owner. She earned about $600 that month to work around the clock, seven days a week, for less than a dollar an hour. A man at the care home said the facility is now called Elizabeth Care Homes 2. But the property still is licensed to Glenda Publico, records show. "I thought, 'This is worse,' so I quit," Lim said. Workers often fear reporting their mistreatment to authorities. They routinely are harassed and fired if they report abysmal pay or overtime violations, according to interviews and court documents. Reveal found 90 caregivers in California who said their bosses intimidated them, threatened to report them to immigration authorities or blacklist them in the industry. In 2014, federal investigators caught Lake Alhambra Center in Antioch cheating its workers - for a second time. When an investigator visited, an employee put him on the phone with Mehrangiz Sarkeshik, who owned the home with her husband. She excoriated the investigator for the intrusion: "You didn't tell me you were coming. Leave right now!" Then the investigator overheard Sarkeshik shout at the worker over the phone: "You need to get him out of there or you will be fired!" She called the police and upon arriving at the home, she again threatened to fire any workers who cooperated with the investigator, according to a court document. When the investigator tried to follow up, workers told him that they were too scared to talk. Soon afterward, the facility changed hands and now operates under a different name. No wage theft fines have been issued to this operator to date. Precilla San Miguel, an owner of San Miguel Homes for the Elderly, which operates three facilities in Union City, near Silicon Valley, kept timesheets that showed caregivers worked eight hours a day, even though their employment manual required them to be available 24 hours per day, seven days a week to seniors. She went as far as fabricating evidence to cover up her wage theft, court documents show. Workers said she offered them bribes to falsify timesheets and required them to sign agreements not to sue her. She also installed surveillance cameras in her care homes to monitor caregivers, workers said. The court ordered the defendants to pay $425,000 in back wages and damages. Last year, four members of a family were charged with various felonies, including human trafficking and labor abuse, in San Mateo County, south of San Francisco. State prosecutors say Gamos family members preyed on Filipino immigrants and "enslaved" some in their Rainbow Bright facilities. Family members forced some to work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and some caregivers had their passports withheld, prosecutors say. In court filings, prosecutors allege that some workers slept on mattresses on the floor and in garages and were prohibited from leaving the facilities, where they cared for children, the disabled and some seniors. Some workers who were injured on the job were told to lie to emergency room doctors about how they were maimed. They also were forced to pay their medical bills, according to the court documents. Even as his family cheated workers out of more than $9 million in wages from 2009 through 2018, Joshua Gamos, one of the facilities' owners, collected a fleet of cars, including a Lamborghini and a Ferrari, prosecutors allege in court documents. Gamos also is charged with raping a caregiver. She was 21 when she began working for the facilities shortly after arriving from the Philippines. Joshua, Noel and Carlina Gamos are in jail awaiting trial. A fourth defendant, Gerlen Gamos, pleaded guilty to two felony charges, including wage theft, and is awaiting sentencing. Her attorney declined to comment. Attorneys for Joshua and Carlina Gamos said no workers were forced to work at the facilities. An attorney for Noel Gamos did not return calls seeking comment. "Those allegations are false," said David Cohen, an attorney for Joshua Gamos. "People wanted to work because they wanted the money. It is true that these charges have been brought, but when you actually look at the evidence and the statements that were made, it's a completely different story." Meanwhile, Reveal learned of cases in which workers suffered abuse with devastating consequences. Two caregivers reported having miscarriages after lifting heavy residents and being denied time off. One of them was Julie Riduta, 45, of Concord. More than a decade ago, she arrived from the Philippines to work as a caregiver in a care home in Contra Costa County. She earned $2 an hour to work 24 hours a day. Julie Riduta at the home where she works as a caretaker in Berkeley, Calif. At a previous job, Riduta suffered a miscarriage after lifting a heavy patient into bed. (James Tensuan/Reveal via AP)AP The work was grueling, but she needed the pay to educate her daughter, left behind in the Philippines, from the age of 8. For the first three years, Riduta slept on a thin piece of foam on the floor next to the residents. When they needed help, she said they kicked her awake. "I told my daughter I struggled so much," Riduta recalled. "I feel abused." Then one day in the summer of 2014, she found out she was pregnant. Overjoyed, she and the baby's father, a co-worker with whom she is in a relationship, posted the news on Facebook. She also was overcome with morning sickness and was concerned about having to lift heavy residents. But when she begged her boss for two days off, Riduta said she refused. "Go to the mirror and look at yourself," Riduta recalled her boss saying. "Ask if you're allowed to complain." Riduta had a miscarriage two weeks later. The cause was unknown. The fetus was nine weeks old. "I was crying all night," Riduta said. "I still have this dream that there's a baby crying all the time. They treated us like animals." While some are unsure how to pay their workers properly, care-home owners are certain about one thing: There is money to be made. Entrepreneurs on YouTube urge people to jump into the real estate end of the business by buying single-family homes and converting them into care facilities. One man explains how "to turn a single-family home into a cash flow machine." Another calls care homes "America's untapped business opportunity. . This business is very profitable." Jesse Quezada used to flip houses with his wife. When the market cooled, he said, they looked into opening a care home after a friend told them they could make thousands a month. "Coming from our background, we thought, '$3,500 a month? Wow. Would people actually pay that?' But the demand is there. People are living longer and they're sicker." Quezada and his wife enrolled in a course required by California to run a home. In just two long weekends, they were qualified. They now operate several care homes. "When you have multiple homes, you can literally make $20,000 profit a month," he said. Training requirements for care-home administrators and staff in California are feeble. Administrators must undergo an initial 80-hour program and pass an open-book exam comprising 100 questions. Those overseeing small facilities with 15 or fewer residents must be 21 and have a high school diploma or the equivalent. Staff in assisted living facilities need not be nurses or have any medical expertise. In fact, manicurists in California require more training. Quezada was among more than 200 care-home owners, many of whom arrived in BMWs and Teslas, for a daylong seminar at a Southern California community hall last October. Among the presenters were labor regulators and attorneys who took questions from the crowd. Attendees sought advice on proper pay practices and other labor issues and were advised by the presenters to follow the law. Then George Kutnerian, senior vice president of public policy and legislation for the 6Beds group, took the stage as one of the last speakers. Operators should slash costs by leveraging labor laws to their advantage, Kutnerian urged them. For example, owners do not need to hire two caregivers when they could get away with one, Kutnerian said. "There is no staffing ratio. A lot of people think, 'I can't have one caregiver alone.' That's not true," he advised. "You gotta learn how to use one caregiver," he said. Plus, there's a "nice exception" in state law, Kutnerian continued. Care homes with just one caregiver on duty can require that worker to stay for rest and meal breaks, he noted, adding: "If you have two caregivers there, they have to be able to leave. It's more efficient, OK? "What this is getting you out of is the penalty," Kutnerian boomed over the microphone. "That's the trick. How do you keep them on the premises for rest and meal breaks?" For owners who treat their workers properly, the market pressure is intense. While there are operators who comply with the law and turn a profit, some care homes charge less to attract residents searching for affordable care. "It's frustrating to be undercut," said Jose Umana, who runs Premiere Cottages, which operates several care homes in Long Beach and Huntington Beach. "It's hard to stay in the market when you're competing with other homes that have lower rates. The caregivers are bearing the brunt." William Murphy, a prosecutor with the Alameda County district attorney's office in the San Francisco Bay Area who has handled a dozen wage theft cases involving care homes in the last five years, says the business model depends on squeezing workers. He summed it up in two brief sentences: "It's extreme greed by the owners. The workers are treated horribly." Data reporter Melissa Lewis contributed to this story. Jennifer Gollan can be reached at jgollan@revealnews.org. Follow her on Twitter: @jennifergollan. After epic battles, bloody struggles for power and major dragon action, Game of Thrones will air the final episode of the series Sunday on HBO. Though this eighth and final season consists of only six episodes, some running longer than the usual hour-long time slot, Game of Thrones has inspired more obsession than ever. From the first episode of Season 8, which aired April 14, millions of viewers have watched Game of Thrones, argued about it, and taken to social media to debate the merits of the final season. A record 18.4 million viewers watched the next-to-last episode, The Bells, when it aired on May 12. But those huge viewership numbers have been accompanied by passionate differences of opinion. How series creators and showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss handle the final narrative has left many fans angry, as demonstrated by a recent petition on Change.org, demanding that HBO Remake Game of Thrones Season 8 with competent writers. That petition, of course, prompted a backlash to the backlash, as Twitter lit up with posts criticizing the petition-signers as yet another example of fans who go overboard in their its-about-me tantrums. And so it goes. As we head into the final Game of Thrones episode, reactions are bound to get even more heated. Who will sit on the Iron Throne? Will Jon Snow (Kit Harington) turn on Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) now that shes apparently gone bonkers, and destroyed Kings Landing and its population? Will Arya Stark (Maisie Williams) seek vengeance on Dany? Will Danys last dragon, Drogon, get sick of all this nonsense, breathe deadly flames toward everybody left standing, and plunk itself down on the throne? (Im rooting for that last one, but Im afraid its not too likely.) Love it or hate it, you dont want to miss it. Heres what you need to know about how to watch the Game of Thrones series finale: Game of Thrones What: This is it. The series finale. The last episode. When: 9 p.m.-10:22 p.m. Sunday, May 19 Channel: HBO Streaming: HBO Go (stream with TV package/subscription); HBO Now (no cable package needed) -- Kristi Turnquist kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. NEW YORK Questions about marijuana and social justice have played a prominent role this year in several U.S. states debates about pot legalization. But other states and cities where recreational or medical marijuana already is legal have also endeavored to make up for the consequences and racial disparities of decades of policing pot. Efforts have included clearing convictions; trying to carve out a place in the burgeoning cannabis business for minorities, the poor and people with past pot arrests; and channeling pot tax money to communities where arrests were prevalent. Results have been mixed, fueling arguments from legalization proponents who want new campaigns to do more to combat social inequity and from critics who say legalization only makes it worse. A look at some initiatives around the country: CALIFORNIA When voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2016, they also invited people to petition to have old pot convictions expunged or reduced. But relatively few people went through the expense and time. Some prosecutors tossed out or reduced thousands of convictions en masse, but many others said they didn't have the resources to identify eligible cases. Aiming to galvanize the process, lawmakers last year requiredstate justice officials to identify an estimated 220,000 cases statewide by this July. Meanwhile, some local prosecutors have been using technology to pinpoint and dismiss cases. Some California cities are attempting to promote opportunity for people who were most affected by pot enforcement for example, by setting aside some marijuana licenses for poor residents with pot convictions and pairing them up with other companies for financial help. A 2018 state law provides $10 million for local efforts to help such entrepreneurs. But some activists and applicants say programs have been slow-moving and partnerships problematic. COLORADO Colorado was one of the first two states to legalize recreational marijuana, and advocates say automatic expungements and other social justice provisions seemed like too much to add to the already pioneering 2012 referendum. But equity concerns have simmered since legalization a state report last year found marijuana arrest rates remained higher among blacks than whites, and state and city officials have made some efforts to address the issues. A 2017 state law lets people ask courts to wipe pot offenses off their records, and a new Denver program aims to make that process easier with an online form. A proposal to make it easier for people with drug convictions to get into the cannabis industry passed the state legislature this spring and is awaiting action from Democratic Gov. Jared Polis. MARYLAND Maryland's 2013 medical marijuana law required regulators to seek "racial, ethnic and geographical diversity" in awarding licenses. But no black-owned companies were selected for any of the initial 15 growers' licenses in a state where about one in three residents are black. After lawsuits and a couple of rounds of legislative effort, a 2018 state law added licenses in hopes of diversifying the industry. MASSACHUSETTS Massachusetts' 2016 recreational pot ballot initiative specifically called for policies to get people "disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition and enforcement" involved in the legal cannabis industry. Regulators gave licensing-review priority to black- or Hispanic-owned businesses and aspiring marijuana entrepreneurs from certain areas, among other provisions. Some cities have their own social equity programs. Still, about 2% of approved licensees statewide so far are minority-owned businesses, though minorities make up as many as 27% when prospective staffers, executives and board members are counted, according to state statistics . License applications are pending from several more minority-owned and "economic empowerment" businesses. Meanwhile, a 2018 state law allows for expungement of small-scale marijuana possession convictions and some others. MICHIGAN When voters last year made Michigan the first Midwestern state to legalize recreational marijuana, they told regulators to "positively impact" communities where pot enforcement was intense and encourage their residents to participate in the pot business. Officials are working out the details of what that will mean. OREGON Portland voters who approved a city marijuana sales tax in 2016 aimed to devote proceeds partly to small businesses especially minority- and women-owned businesses and economic and education programs in communities where pot was heavily policed. A city auditor's report this month found 16% of the over $8 million tax haul so far has gone to those purposes. About 80% has gone to traffic safety initiatives, and the rest mainly to services for drug and alcohol users. "The limited money to address the historical effects of cannabis prohibition may not be" what voters who backed the tax expected, the auditors wrote. WASHINGTON More than five years after Washington state legalized marijuana, Seattle officials last year began moving to clear past pot possession misdemeanor convictions automatically, without defendants having to request it. The city estimated up to 600 cases, going back to 1997, would qualify. This week, Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee signed statewide legislation requiring judges to grant requests to erase many misdemeanor marijuana possession cases that predate legalization. Inslee in January announced a streamlined pardon process for small-time pot convictions, but his initiative had stricter eligibility requirements than the new law. -- The Associated Press A shooting early Sunday morning in an event venue in the Buckman neighborhood sent at least five people to the hospital, according to the Portland Police Bureau. All had non-life threatening injuries. In a news release Sunday, police said that officials responded to a report of shooting at an 'all ages type party" in a warehouse type building at 226 SE Madison St. at 12:41 a.m. Two victims were found at the scene and taken by ambulance to a hospital. Three were also taken to the hospital in private vehicles. Portland police said in a news release that there was an argument between at least two people immediately before the shooting, and that when officers arrived, they described a chaotic scene, with people leaving on foot and in vehicles. Officers also said they think several potential witnesses left without giving statements to police. Southeast Madison Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Second Avenue and Southeast Second Avenue between Hawthorne Boulevard and Main Street were closed while the Gun Violence Reduction Team interviewed victims and witnesses and gathered evidence, officials said. That area has since reopened. Police asked anyone with information about gun crimes in Portland to speak with Portland Police Bureaus Tactical Operations Division at 503-823-4106 or GunTaskForce@portlandoregon.gov. -- Lizzy Acker 503-221-8052 lacker@oregonian.com, @lizzzyacker Visit subscription.oregonlive.com/newsletters to get Oregonian/OregonLive journalism delivered to your email inbox. Jayati Ramakrishnan contributed to this report. Heres the lesson that Portland State University students are learning from those at the very top of their institution: Credible allegations of bullying, complaints of unethical behavior and signs of dishonesty will be amply rewarded with a fat check and a promise to help thwart scrutiny. Its difficult to view the generous resignation agreement negotiated between PSUs Board of Trustees and President Rahmat Shoureshi with any less cynicism. Members of PSUs Board of Trustees have known since last fall of complaints against Shoureshi so severe that the chairwoman warned the president he could be fired. Despite putting him on an improvement plan, concerns persisted particularly after The Oregonian/OregonLives Jeff Manning made public the allegations against Shoureshi prompting the board to commission investigations into his financial management and employee relations. By May, the trustees wanted Shoureshi gone, as the terms of the once-confidential resignation agreement make clear. But nevermind the boards authority to fire him. The trustees, a volunteer group of business executives, PSU community members and other gubernatorial appointees, instead put a happy face on Shoureshis departure after only 21 months in the role. Not only did they issue a statement lauding his tenure, but they agreed to pay him a package worth more than $850,000, including health insurance into 2021 and $35,000 to cover his legal fees. And to top it off, the trustees have agreed to mislead the public and future potential employers of Shoureshi by not discussing the circumstances surrounding his resignation. Rather, they promised to stick to the tenor of PSUs public statement and keep confidential the investigative reports and resignation agreement unless legally forced to release them. Its quite the soft landing for a president who was accused by the board chair six months earlier of deceiving trustees with his request for a raise, treating staff unprofessionally and putting his own financial self-interest ahead of the universitys. Gale Castillo, who chairs the board of trustees, defended the agreement in an email to The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board, noting that negotiating a fair settlement is standard. PSUs ethical and legal responsibility is to reach the best terms possible for the university, students and Oregon taxpayers, she wrote. While the generous payout for Shoureshi is not whats driving the 11 percent tuition increase approved by trustees last week, many students bearing the increase may question the trustees definition of fair. It remains to be seen whether the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, which must approve PSUs tuition hike, will also signal any doubts. Arguably, this may ultimately be the best solution to a bad situation. A resignation settlement helps achieve the trustees goal of getting Shoureshi immediately off campus without the costs or uncertainty of a protracted, expensive legal fight. And certainly, theres some value to that. But its important to remember that the trustees are the ones who brought him on campus in the first place and who were responsible for overseeing him. And conveniently, PSUs confidentiality pledge helps shield not only Shoureshi but the trustees themselves. Because while Mannings reporting has described Shoureshis ethically questionable decisions and management deficiencies, questions remain about whether the trustees acted promptly, responsibly and accountably. Unfortunately, the board has said very little about what, if anything, it would do different. Yet theres much they should answer for. How rigorous was the hiring process? Did they overlook any red flags? When did they first hear of concerns regarding his leadership? How closely did they monitor him in the months after putting him on an improvement plan? Why did they wait until after allegations were publicized in The Oregonian/OregonLive to launch investigations? What were the results of those investigations? Why not fire Shoureshi outright? And why promise confidentiality over and over when the trustees duty is to students and the public? Transparency should be a guiding principle from which trustees and other public officials never waver. Instead, they treat it as a bargaining chip to be traded away at the drop of a hat as if the public interest in reports paid for with public dollars is up to them to determine. And while golden parachutes may be common in the corporate world, public institutions must consider more than just legal risk in their calculus of whats best. The Oregon Government Ethics Commission is to decide this month whether to investigate Shoureshis actions as president. It should do so with a wide-ranging look at not only Shoureshi but also at what types of controls did or did not come into play. While the board is not the target of such an inquiry, the ethics commission can help shed light on whether there are gaps or flaws in PSUs processes for preventing, catching and correcting unethical behavior. And to the boards credit, Castillo acknowledged that it may be time for the board to engage in a deep assessment and training process regarding trustees roles and responsibilities. She noted that its been five years since PSU and Oregons other public universities began operating under their own independent boards, which were intended to help provide some business expertise in university administration. The Shoureshi debacle is as good a time as any for them to reacquaint themselves with the basic principles of governance, the transparency and prudence necessary for a public institution and the central mission of a university. To educate ethical and courageous leaders of tomorrow, they need to be ethical and courageous leaders today. -The Oregonian/OregonLive Editorial Board By Brad Witt Witt, D-Clatskanie, represents House District 31 in the Oregon Legislature Throughout my time as the state representative for House District 31, I have worked tirelessly to prioritize working people, promote good jobs and a healthy environment while taking steps to protect our most vulnerable communities. With those values and the concerns of working Oregonians in mind, I recently cast the lone Democratic no vote on House Bill 2509, the proposed statewide plastic bag ban. Let me be clear, I support banning single-use plastic bags. This is an admirable idea that will help us reduce waste and decrease some of the damage being done to our environment, especially marine life. When I learned, however, that the bill contains a mandatory fee on locally produced, recyclable paper bags with funds directly steered to grocers and retailers pockets, I had to stand up in opposition. To my knowledge, the Oregon Legislature has never created a mandatory fee on consumers purely for the benefit of a business interest. We should not start now with this paper bag fee. I have been a sawmill worker, union representative in the seafood, grocery and forest industries, and was secretary-treasurer of the Oregon AFL-CIO for 14 years. If this paper bag fee is imposed, it will impact family-wage jobs and working Oregon families. The majority of bags we use are made right here in Oregon at plants that support good union jobs. The pulp and paper industry alone provides nearly 4,300 jobs and over $370 million in annual payroll income in Oregon. There is no doubt that Oregon workers will be hurt by this paper bag fee. California passed a similar bill two years ago. The result: a 61 percent reduction in paper bag usage six months after the bill went into effect, according to a February 2019 report for the California legislature. Such a drop in paper bag usage would be devastating on unionized manufacturing jobs, forest product jobs and our rural economies. If the idea behind this bill is to ban plastic, that same California report shows that California grocers have continued their reliance on plastic, handing out 1.5 thick plastic reusable bags for every recyclable paper bag. The paper bag fee is extraneous to the bills purpose and we know that this new fee isnt necessary to make a plastic bag ban work. The same grocers demanding a paper bag fee as a prerequisite for this bill offer free paper bags in Portland where plastic bags are already banned. If they wanted to charge for paper, they could and they can. They certainly do not need a government mandate to institute what could be called a grocery tax. I will always fight for the working people of Oregon. While I support the plastic bag ban, I voted no on HB 2509 because the paper bag fee, unnecessary to the ultimate goal of the legislation, would hurt working families and impact Oregon jobs. I hope my colleagues in the Senate will think carefully about these concerns and choose to remove the paper bag fee from HB 2509 before passing it. Caitlin Foord scored in the second half for her third goal this season, but it wasnt enough for the Portland Thorns on Saturday in a 3-1 loss to the Washington Spirit in Boyds, Maryland. Foords goal came in the 67th minute on an assist from Ana Crnogorcevic and made the score 2-1. Jordan DiBiasi followed with a goal four minutes later to quickly restore Washingtons two-goal advantage. Ashley Hatch opened the scoring in the 16th minute, and the Spirit made it 2-0 on an own goal by Thorns midfielder Dagny Brynjarsdottir. Portland (2-1-2, 8 points) will try to bounce back next Saturday at Sky Blue FC. The Thorns came away from their last trip to New Jersey with a 2-2 draw April 28. Washington (3-1-1, 10 points) will travel to Chicago to face the Red Stars next Sunday. Read more about Portlands 3-1 loss to the Spirit here. Unisus School in Summerland is launching a Million Dollar Scholarship Program. Director of recruitment and advancement Blaine Melnyk and associate director of recruitment and admissions Brenda Gallagher are shown at the construction site of the 100-bed dormitory which will house international and Canadian students including scholarship recipients starting in September. Unisuss goal is to educate students with local and global perspectives. New York, US (PANA) - A violent attack against the United Nation's Integrated Stabilization Mission for Mali (MINUSMA) that left one peacekeeper dead on Saturday, has drawn strong condemnation from Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Dar es Salaam, Tanzania (PANA) -Tanzanias Health minister, Ummy Mwalimu, has directed the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) to conduct a study on the extent of the problem of sexual impotence or erectile dysfunction disorder among men in the country Paris, France (PANA) UNESCO will from Monday start celebration of this years edition of the African Week at the organisation's headquarters in Paris with cultural and scientific events on the theme 'Peace, innovation and sustainable development in Africa' PETERSBURG The New Salem State Historic Site will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of the property being deeded to the state with a special program on Wednesday. New Salem is a reconstruction of the former village where Abraham Lincoln lived from 1831 to 1837. The historic site had a Centennial Open House on Saturday. In 1906, William Randolph Hearst bought property that included the land where New Salem once stood. It was deeded to the state of Illinois on May 22, 1919. Optional tours will be given before Wednesday's event, starting at 4 p.m. There will be a reception at 5:30 p.m. in the visitors center, with the program beginning at 6:15 p.m. Guy Fraker of Bloomington, a noted Lincoln historian and co-chair of the Abraham Lincoln Association's New Salem Project said, New Salem is the place which Lincoln went to as a flatboat man and farmhand and left as a lawyer and politician who saved America." His time in New Salem and the people and mentors he met there are what transformed him, said Fraker, adding, It was the most significant single period in his life prior to becoming president." New Salem is significant to Fraker, too. It was on a family trip to the New Salem site in 1948 where I got infected with the Lincoln bug, said Fraker. Among those who will be speaking Wednesday are Michael Burlingame, a historian and author of Abraham Lincoln: A Life, who will talk about New Salem in Lincoln's time, and Mark Pohlad, associate professor of history of art and architecture at DePaul University, who will discuss New Salem's restoration. Also speaking will be Colleen Callahan, the new director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources that oversees the historic site; Kathryn Harris, retired library services director, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum; and Richard Adkins, president, New Salem Lincoln League. Contact Lenore Sobota at (309) 820-3240. Follow her on Twitter: @Pg_Sobota Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Stay up-to-date on what's happening Receive the latest in local entertainment news in 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. It is very seldom that a town of some 350 inhabitants can boast of an up-to-date hospital, declared a spring 1923 advertisement for Dr. L.M. Johnson Hospital in Arrowsmith. The wonderful little home for the sick opened in 1921 and remained a fixture in this eastern McLean County community into the 1940s. The hospital had the appearance of little more than an oversized bungalow (see accompanying image). Initially, the steam-heated facility accommodated five patients and featured a modern operating room, X-ray equipment, offices and a kitchen. By 1928, Johnson Hospital could care for 15 patients, though it rarely had more than a few at any one time. Born and raised in the Henry County town of Annawan, Dr. Lyford McChesney Johnson came to Arrowsmith in 1903 to hang his shingle. As a graduate of the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Chicago, Johnson was no slouch. He has taken postgraduate work in surgery and is among the progressive men of his profession, noted a biographical sketch written a few years after the hospitals opening. His medical library was said to be one of the best in all downstate. While practicing medicine in Arrowsmith, he was also on the staffs of St. Josephs, Brokaw and Mennonite hospitals in the Twin Cities (the latter two have since merged.) In 1921, Dr. Johnson opened his namesake hospital on West Crosson Street in Arrowsmith on the former site of O.T. Mills livery stable. At the hospital, he received occasional assistance from other physicians and surgeons, such as Dr. Rayden Arthur Laing of Ellsworth. Long before small-town America was hollowed out by department store chains, big box stores, online commerce and other vagaries and brute efficiencies of capitalism, communities such as Arrowsmith were vibrant trading centers. In 1928, the small Corn Belt village, with just under 350 residents, was home to Krum and Krum Lumber Co., Frank Virgiels grocery and hardware store, O.T. Mills restaurant, L.E. Daleys dry goods and grocery, L.D. Witts meat market, J.E. Bunns blacksmith shop, Lester Dawsons feed store, Arrowsmith State Bank, and other businesses. At the time, the community was still served by rail passenger service through the Lake Erie & Western Railroad, then a part of the Nickel Plate Road. Two years after settling in Arrowsmith, Johnsons wife Caroline Gless gave birth to their only child, Ethel Melba. Raised in Arrowsmith, Ethel graduated from Arrowsmith High in 1923 before going on to earn a masters degree from Northwestern University and eventually head Illinois Wesleyans drama and theater departments. The Arrowsmith hospital surely saved the lives of more than a few eastern McLean County residents. Johnson performed appendectomies from time to time, including one on April 10, 1934, on the Rev. W.F. Powell of Arrowsmiths Methodist Episcopal Church. The good reverend was serving as an election board clerk when he became ill. He was first taken to his home and then the hospital, where during a thunderstorm and a power outage Dr. Johnson performed a tricky but successful operation. The hospital, by virtue of the business it was in, was naturally a place of death and dying. Thirty-three year old Mattie Bridgewater was brought to the hospital on April 5, 1926, passing away two days later following an emergency appendicitis operation. She left a husband, Ray, and three children, Mabel, age 12, Virginia, 10, and John Thomas, 3. The Bridgewaters farmed southeast of Arrowsmith. If death was an occasional visitor to the small country hospital, it was also a place that welcomed new life, as Dr. Johnson delivered many babies. The first came on Nov. 18, 1921, when Pearl Tanner Kyle gave birth to a daughter, Lucille. When Helen Dorene was born to Dollie and Paul Jenkins on Dec. 31, 1926, she joined three other newborns at the hospital. Farming has always been a dangerous occupation, and the hospital treated those injured on the job. On June 14, 1933, William Gabe Savage, a 50-year-old farmer outside of Arrowsmith, was kicked by a horse he was trying to harness, suffering what were believed at first to be fatal internal injuries. He was taken to Johnson Hospital, and after an operation on a punctured intestine, he remained under the care of staff for another two weeks before being sent home. On Sept. 26, 1940, 61-year-old Sam J. Crago, a stock buyer and farmer southeast of Ellsworth, was thrown under a wagon by a spooked team. He received head and spinal injuries and died at Dr. Johnsons hospital four days later. The Arrowsmith institution treated its share of automobile accident victims, located as it was just 2 miles south of Route 9. On May 8, 1927, members of the Vielhak family of Peoria were traveling on Route 9 when they collided with another auto two miles east of Arrowsmith. Emma Vielhak and her daughter Edna were the only ones to sustain serious injuries. With a broken pelvic bone, Ednas stay at the hospital lasted several weeks. All sorts of mishaps brought folks to the hospital. On July 21, 1930, Leslie Clark, a 23-year-old Stanford man, was struck by lightning while working for a tiling crew. He is under treatment at the Johnson Hospital where attendants have expressed a fear that the partial paralysis of his right side might continue for a year, reported The Pantagraph. The collections of the McLean County Museum of History include an Illinois Department of Public Health license issued to Johnson Hospital. The license, dated May 18, 1940, certified that the institution had qualified staff and adequate facilities to operate a lying-in hospital. Dr. Lyford M. Johnson passed away on May 1, 1948, at St. Josephs Hospital in Bloomington, where he had been a patient for two months. He was 67 years old. The cause of death was listed as diabetes mellitus. The hospital, privately owned and operated, was one of the greatest things that ever happened to Arrowsmith, noted a history of the village published for its centennial (1871-1971). After closing, the former hospital building was transformed into the DeArms Nursing Home, owned and operated by Mary DeArms Murillo. Then, in 1971, it became Russells Manor, housing mentally and physically disabled adults. Owner James P. Russell closed it for good in the summer of 1976 after state inspectors cited the home for a series of health and safety violations. Today, the old hospital is a private, single family residence. Since Dr. Johnsons passing more than seven decades ago Arrowsmith has not had a full-time physician. Bill Kemp is the librarian at the McLean County Museum of History in Bloomington. He can be reached at BKemp@mchistory.org. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Christine Elliott, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, announces the Government of Ontario's plan for long-term health care system at Bridgepoint Active Healthcare in Toronto on February 26, 2019. Public health units across Ontario are raising concerns about a sweeping amalgamation of their services planned by the province, saying the changes could affect the delivery of programs and lead to layoffs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Tijana Martin BLOOMINGTON Women of all ages found new ways to connect with local businesses on Saturday at the What Women Want Expo hosted by Parke Regency Hotel and Conference Center. The whole idea is to promote local businesses, said Uma Balakrishnan, the event organizer. We just wanted women to come, experience, meet with the local business owners. About 80 vendors filled the conference center and spent the daylong event talking to the slate of potential customers about their products and services. Cathy Axline and Mehl Feldkamp, both of Bloomington, said the best part of the expo was Finding out about some new vendors, new places in town, whats available. Axline and Feldkamp chose the expos VIP tickets to get access to free perks including a makeover by Sephora, a psychic reading and eyebrow threading which they highly recommended. Were just looking for fun things to do, Axline said. Its just kind of getting together with women and enjoying the day together. Donnys Popcorn handed out samples of a few nontraditional flavors like candied red apple, and Olivia Teplitz-Crawford at the FruitArt booth gave away a variety of fresh fruits. This event is so important as it pays special attention to women in this community and celebrates their accomplishments, said Teplitz-Crawford, the events youngest entrepreneur, in the days leading up to the expo. Attendees were also treated to wine tastings from Binnys Beverage Depot, beer tasting by Keg Grove Brewery, which brought a special blueberry flavored brew, and free appetizers from Nelsons Catering. Several raffles and giveaways were spread throughout the day as well as stage presentations with self defense groups, leadership panels, beauty demonstrations and fitness clubs. Its just a way to support the community, Balakrishnan said, adding that she hopes this will become an annual event. In the day of shopping, pampering and unwinding, the expo also welcomed six nonprofit organizations: YWCA, Child Protection Network, Num Num Box Care Package, Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington-Normal, NAACP and McLean County Moms Demand Action. From each ticket $1 was donated to the nonprofit voted upon by the attendees. I like it because a certain portion goes to charity thats really the main reason why I did it, Feldkamp said. Contact Kelsey Watznauer at (309) 820-3254. Follow her on Twitter: @kwatznauer. 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. BLOOMINGTON The identity of a man killed in a single-vehicle crash Sunday morning on Interstate 55 near Shirley has not yet been released. McLean County Coroner Kathy Yoder said her office was notified at 2:37 a.m. of the crash, the details of which also have not yet been released. Yoder said the crash happened in the northbound lane near mile marker 149, near the Funks Grove rest area. The victim was the driver and the only person in the vehicle, she said. An autopsy was scheduled for Sunday. More information is expected to be released later on Monday. The McLean Fire Department, Dale Township Fire, McLean County Sheriffs Department and Illinois State Police assisted at the scene. This incident remains under investigation by the McLean County Coroners Office and the Illinois State Police. This story will be updated. Contact Kevin Barlow at (309) 820-3238. Follow him on Twitter: @pg_barlow 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. SPRINGFIELD A push to ban privatized immigration detention centers across Illinois is headed for Gov. J.B. Pritzker's desk. The state Senate approved House Bill 2040 this week, advancing the measure that would prohibit any unit of local government from entering into an agreement with a private company to operate a detention facility. The bill passed the Illinois House in April. The measure was in large part a response to a controversial proposal by private, Virginia-based Immigration Centers of America to construct a detention center in Dwight, Ill., about 80 miles from Chicago, that would house detainees for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Local leaders opened the door for the proposal earlier this year, but the company would have to secure a federal contract before starting construction. A spokesperson for Pritzker did not say if the governor plans to sign or veto the bill. His office issued a statement saying Pritzker believes Illinois "should be a welcoming state for immigrants and looks forward to reviewing the bill." The bill comes as immigration continues to be at the center of a polarizing national debate. President Donald Trump for years has rallied for the construction of a wall along the southern border with Mexico. In recent days, Trump has taken a different approach to immigration by calling for a "merit" system that would give preference to people considered to be high-skilled workers. A spokesman for Immigration Centers of America could not be reached for comment. ICE, which is under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, is currently seeking proposals for a company that would be able to house within 80 miles from Chicago's immigration court up to 1,000 men and women who are facing deportation. The deadline for submissions to obtain the contract was recently extended to June 25. The Illinois bill, if it becomes law, will amend the Private Correctional Facility Moratorium Act. It would prohibit the state or any local government agency from entering into an agreement with a private company over the detention of individuals. The state for decades has already had a law that prohibits local, county and state governments from hiring private companies to incarcerate people in the custody of the Illinois Department of Corrections, the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice or a sheriff. The bill awaiting Pritzker's consideration would expand that to include civil detention, which includes when immigrants are detained while facing deportation proceedings. Fred Tsao, the senior policy counsel with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, said immigration advocates have been talking with representatives from the governor's office to see how quickly the bill could be signed and become law, particularly because of the proposal in Dwight. "We hope this bill sets an example for other states and other communities to say no to for-profit prison and immigration detention," Tsao said. The effort in Dwight is the latest attempt within the last decade to construct a private immigration detention center in the Chicago area. Private companies have tried to build facilities to house detained immigrants in Crete and Hopkins Park in Illinois; and in Elkhart County, Gary and Newtown County in Indiana. Opposition from immigration advocates and the community has followed the failed attempts. Sen. Robert Peters, D-Chicago, was a sponsor of the bill and called private detention centers a "serious problem." "I look forward to Gov. Pritzker signing this into law and putting an end to this inhumane practice once and for all," Peters said in a prepared statement. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 John Adams, our second president and a principal guide in the writing of the U.S. Constitution in addition to his work on the Declaration of Independence, also defended British soldiers who killed American colonists in the Boston Massacre. Dont do this unpopular thing, friends warned him, but he did it anyway because of a belief in justice that may have derived in part from his Harvard education. Sadly, this university is now snubbing justice by going after a faculty member whose central mistake was not planning to defend foreigners in red coats, but the equally despised Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. This African American law professor, Ronald Sullivan, and his wife, a lecturer, have also been faculty deans who have mentored and counseled some 400 students in living quarters and a community center know as Winthrop House. Thats ending, theyve been told. You see, some of the students in that abode said that every time they would see him they would think of Weinstein and his dozens of sexual assaults. They could hardly believe that a dean that close to them would be that close to him. They were horrified, in tears, motivated to write objections in graffiti. And so a higher-ranking dean concluded that the climate at Winthrop House meant the deans must go even as they kept their other positions. The Harvard Crimson sided with the students even though 52 law professors said this was awful, explaining that every criminally accused person was entitled to a defense from the best lawyers available. Sullivan himself tried to explain that he took the case not because he approved of what someone did, only that procedural fairness should be assured. Some of the students said they were thereby traumatized, which is to say, in shock maybe forever, as emotionally damaged as a soldier with part of his body shot off. I wont claim to be traumatized, but I am hugely upset with these super-spoiled, self-absorbed crybabies refusing to deal with realities they will confront for the rest of their lives even in lavish, well-protected, communications-free survival huts in the wilderness. Yes, these angry students are a minority, but we also know what is happening generally, and all right, play with socialist imaginings, dear students. But also try to look around the curves and, at Harvard, understand that guilt should not be determined by popular opinion and stop and read up on Sullivan. Are you aware that he worked with criminal justice agencies throughout the country to help free as many as 6,000 wrongly imprisoned citizens? Do you think wrong convictions are just accidents or that they may also related to the kinds of defense Sullivan understands so well? Will you ever do as much for just a few lives as he did for 6,000? Lets get back to Adams, who was not a loyalist and planned on seeking public office as a patriot. He said to the jurors that he wanted them to forget who was British and who was a colonist and focus on facts. They did. They exonerated six of the British officers accused of murder while finding two guilty of manslaughter. I dont think Weinstein is going to escape prison, but justice deserves a chance, and lets dont blame the Sullivan episode entirely on the students. Jay Ambrose is an op-ed columnist for Tribune News Service. Readers may email him at speaktojay@aol.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Last week, Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden said he doesnt support Medicare for All because it would let employers off the hook for compensating workers. Since then, he unsuccessfully attempted to clarify his position, but instead offered confusing alternatives. However, the majority of Americans support the Medicare for All Act (currently in Congress), in part because of the potential windfall in compensation. Over the last 40 years, employees gross wages decreased or remained flat, but healthcare costs kept rising. Teachers often used as an example for their good insurance and benefits make 18 percent less in real wages then they made in 2000 (Economic Policy Institute, 2018), and as a result there is a national teacher recruitment and retention crisis. With Medicare for All, workers would garnish more direct wages and employers will budget more effectively. Accounting for healthcare in the workplace is a burdensome nightmare for everyone involved. You might be pleased to have some coverage, but only because the alternative no coverage is worse. For workers, employer-based healthcare is riddled with broken promises, and in many cases may be the determining factor in deciding whether someone can afford to work. The insurance free market is broken by design. It amounts to little more than collective begging from insurance companies and Big Pharma. Passing Medicare for All will bring more power to the workforce and less bitterness between bosses and employees. When compensation is transparently on the table, the American workforce can do its job with integrity. Adam Heenan, Bloomington Love 7 Funny 2 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 I dont like writing about abortion. The last thing the world needs is another man talking about what women should or shouldnt do with their bodies. But in the aftermath of laws outlawing abortion after six weeks in Georgia and Ohio, with plans to do the same or worse in other states, I cannot remain silent. These laws have nothing to do with saving babies and everything to do with sacrificing womens lives on the altar of political purity. They are cruel and unjust laws passed by uncaring legislators for the sole purpose of screaming Im 100% pro-life! while standing on the bleeding bodies of women trying to end pregnancies they cannot or should not or do not want to complete, and the bodies of those injured or killed giving birth under impossible circumstances. It has nothing to do with ending abortion you cannot end abortion. Throughout history women in desperate circumstances have risked prosecution, injury, and death to obtain abortions, because their fear of being pregnant was greater than their fear of dying. Think about that for a minute. An abortion is never something done in the heat of the moment. It is always done after careful, painful consideration. Many times a womans mental calculus says that its better to risk dying a painful death than to carry a pregnancy to term. No threats of draconian punishment will change that. It has nothing to do with reducing the number of abortions. If they were concerned about reducing the number of abortions, they would be promoting free birth control to prevent unwanted pregnancies. They would be promoting free pre-natal care, free obstetric care, ample postnatal care, child care, and all the structures that eliminate the fear that having an unplanned child will ruin a womans life. No, they wont do that, because reducing the number of abortions accepts the unchangeable fact that some abortions will still occur. Accepting that fact means they cant cling to their obsession with anti-abortion purity. Actually being pro-life means theyd have to do something themselves, instead of placing all the responsibility on women who are usually young and frequently poor. Sex, punishment, and forcing women into motherhood Its more than trying to be pure on the issue of abortion. its also the idea that sex is sinful, a problem that has plagued Christianity since its earliest days. Of course, men cant help themselves, so it falls on women to insure everyone remains pure. They make it very clear if you dont want to get pregnant dont have sex! Sex is pleasure, pleasure is sinful, and sin must be punished. Of course, they only want to punish women, with pregnancy and years of raising children and if something goes wrong during the pregnancy, death. Theyre willing and eager to sacrifice womens lives on the altar of sexual purity and rejecting pleasure. Or at least, rejecting pleasure for women. Abortion and birth control, which theyre coming after too doesnt just allow women to escape punishment for having sex, it allows them to control their own bodies and their own lives, which allows them to move into roles these Christian Taliban think are the rightful property of men. It allows women to reject motherhood as their primary identity, in violation of what these zealots think is the natural order of things. A man should be free to pursue his dreams, but a womans place is in the home. That ship sailed a long time ago and were not going back. Women and men have equal rights, even if practice hasnt caught up to our ideals yet. That includes the right to decide whether to become a parent or not. If a woman believes motherhood is her greatest calling, fine. If she believes she should have children and a career, thats her choice. If she doesnt want children for whatever reason or no reason at all thats her right too, and no one has the right to force or coerce her to do otherwise. Celibacy or motherhood is not a choice. You dont get to tell other people what they have to do with their lives. Thats called slavery. More of the right kind of children Under the Georgia law, miscarriages a natural occurrence that happens in 10% to 20% of known pregnancies may be investigated as a possible murder. Traveling out of state to obtain an abortion is illegal, as is helping someone obtain an out-of-state abortion. Now, these politicians wives and daughters and mistresses will still be able to fly to New York for an abortion. But poor women? Its the coat hanger for you. And if they die? Well, thats fewer poor women having children they cant afford. Because they dont want more children. They want more of the right kind of children. Lets not kid ourselves theres a strong racist element to these laws. Many of the same people who obsess about purity on abortion are worried about being out-bred by those people. White women arent having enough children to suit them. Outlaw abortion and redefine many forms of birth control as abortion and youll get more white babies, which they hope will maintain a white majority. When does life begin? How can we know? Despite the hypocrisy and disingenuousness of these anti-abortion zealots, there remains a serious ethical question at the center of the abortion debate: when does human life begin? And once again, they are sacrificing womens lives on the altar of purity, this time the purity of a black and white morality. These new laws declare that human life begins with the appearance of a fetal heartbeat, which happens at around six weeks of pregnancy. By what logic? By what science? Yes, traditionally a heartbeat has been the tell-tale sign of life. But we now know that death is not final until brain activity ceases we can artificially keep a heart beating long after brain activity has stopped. Why should we declare a heartbeat is when human life begins? Rev. Albert Mohler, President of the Southern Baptist Seminary, says when does it begin? If you cant answer that question, no one should take your argument with any moral seriousness at all. Mohler is a fundamentalist who believes six impossible things before breakfast, but hes not stupid. His argument here lays a trap for the intellectually unwary. When does human life begin? When does personhood begin? When does individuality begin? Clearly all those things are in place after birth. But before that? When? And how can we know? Mohler declares, with all the confidence of a fundamentalist preacher who will never have to live with the consequences of his sermons, that human life begins at fertilization. This is blatantly false. A hens egg is not a chicken and an acorn is not an oak tree a fertilized egg is not a human being. But making this declaration turns a deeply complicated situation into simple black and white. What the Right to Choose really means When we say women must choose for themselves this is what we mean. Not is it OK to kill another human being? Thats never OK, and everyone especially pregnant women understands that. Rather, the question is when does a clump of cells become a human being? I would argue thats at the point of viability when the fetus can live outside the womb without extraordinary medical intervention. Thats at about 26 weeks of pregnancy in most cases. But thats my subjective opinion, as a man who will never have to bear the consequences of a dangerous or unwanted pregnancy. I cant prove it, so I have no moral grounds for imposing that opinion on anyone else. And the anti-abortion zealots have no moral grounds for sacrificing womens lives on the altar of their simplistic, black and white, moral purity. Unconstitutional, but elections matter These laws are clearly unconstitutional. Theyre being passed knowing they will be challenged, in the hope that the new Supreme Court will overturn Roe v. Wade after 46 years. They have this hope because Donald Trump is President, and we have Neil Gorsuch on the court instead of Merrick Garland, and Brett Kavanaugh instead of a younger version of Elena Kagan or Sonia Sotomayor. Does anyone really believe Kavanaugh will keep his word and respect Roe v. Wade as settled law? John Roberts may respect the right to privacy, or he may not. Ruth Bader Ginsburg will be 87 next year. Stephen Breyer will be 81. Remember that when youre trying to decide if you should support the Democratic nominee for President even though he or she isnt your first choice. Purity is a lie These cruel laws with their harsh punishments are not about reducing the number of abortions. Theyre about allowing politicians to tell themselves and their anti-abortion supporters that their hands are perfectly clean. Theyre not. If these laws go into effect, their hands will be dripping with the blood of women who die during unsafe abortions and while trying to complete pregnancies under dangerous medical conditions. They will be dripping with the blood of women who miscarry and are afraid to seek medical care. If you want to reduce abortion, support policies and programs that reduce unwanted pregnancies and that make it easier for women who want children to have them and raise them without the fear of poverty. But stop sacrificing womens lives on the altar of political purity. Patna: Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) leader Jitan Ram Manjhi, realizing he had absolutely no chance of becoming the Chief Minister of Bihar a second time, threw his weight behind his new hero and Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejaswi Yadav saying he was a national leader and a much bigger leader than himself. Speaking at a press conference in Patna on Wednesday, Manjhi, who was briefly made the Chief Minister of Bihar by his predecessor and former friend Nitish Kumar after the latter resigned on moral grounds following the poor showing of his party in the 2014 Parliamentary elections, said that while he was only a regional leader, Tejaswi Yadav was already a national brand name and deserved to be the next Chief Minister of Bihar. "He is a much bigger leader than me and therefore, I back him as the next Chief Minister of Bihar," Manjhi said. The HAM leader then unloaded on his former idol Nitish Kumar saying the Chief Minister was only interested in building buildings and monuments in Bihar and had zero concerns about the poor, Dalits, and backwards. "I have been a vocal critic of Nitish Kumar's obsession with building a new museum, Gyan Bhawan, Bapu Smarak, and now this 'Sabhyata Dwar' built at the cost of Rs. 5 crores. All this at the cost of education, healthcare, and employment of the poor, needy, backwards, and Dalits of the state. With millions of people without a piece of land and no school for the poor children, Nitish Kumar is showing off new buildings and monuments in Patna and Nalanda to the world. The only thing left now for him is to build another Taj Mahal in Bihar," Manjhi said. Patna: Supporters of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tej Pratap Yadav roughed up a number of press reporters outside Veterinary College polling booth in Patna where the Lalu clan had gone to cast their votes early Sunday. https://www.patnadaily.com/index.php/news/14316-rabri-misa-vote-tej-pratap-claims-assault-on-his-life.html#sigProId3c4d3a3d0f View the embedded image gallery online at: Not ready to answer their questions, Yadav shoved one of the reporters who was immediately roughed up by his armed bodyguards. Yadav then went into his vehicle as the police on duty tried to separate his goons from the reporter. Meanwhile, someone smashed the windshield of Yadav's car. In his FIR, Yadav, Lalu Prasad Yadav and Rabri Devi's elder son said that it was a clear attempt on his life and his bodyguards did everything to protect him from this assault. Earlier, Rabri Devi, along with her daughter and RJD candidate from Pataliputra constituency Misa Bharti, arrived at the same polling booth at around 10:30 pm. After casting her vote, the former Bihar Chief Minister, outside the polling center, declared victory saying the Grand Alliance was going to win at all 40 seats in Bihar and the NDA regime at the center would be over on May 23 when elections results are declared. "Narendra Modi took retirement even before the poll results were announced. I am glad he went to the Kedarnath temple to atone for his sins for the last five years but he should have at least waited for the poll results to come," she quipped. The RJD leader also took shot at Chief Minister Nitish Kumar saying he waited for the polls to end before condemning Sadhvi Pragya Thakur who had earlier said that Gandhi's killer Nathuram Godse was a patriot. "It's a little too late for Nitish Kumar to demand the ouster of Pragya Thakur. He is saying it now because he sees the writing on the wall that the NDA was coming to an end," she said. Meanwhile, her younger son and former Deputy Chief Minister Tejaswi Yadav could not drop his ballot due to some mix-up in the voters' list. Officials said Tejaswi Yadav could not vote because his photo in the voters' list did not match his actual picture. The former Deputy CM who had gone to Delhi on Saturday. He was expected to return to Patna by 2:00 pm Sunday but he was a no show until 6:00 pm. Rabri Devi blamed the Election Commission for the snafu saying after the family learnt about the mix-up, her son chose not to cast his ballot. Last Tuesday, Nvidias Game Ready Driver 430.39 ushered in support for the companys new , , , and Mortal Kombat 11, along with the usual odds and ends. Thats a lot of stuff! Unfortunately, the complex update also introduced gremlins in some systems, leading to higher-than-usual CPU usage. Now for the good news: Nvidias engineers have identified the culprit, the Nvidia Display Container process, and have released a hotfix that alleviates the problem. Nvidia representatives on April 26 after numerous complaints on the companys forums and other social media. In addition to taming the rogue process, the stops 3DMarks Time Spy benchmark from flickering at startup, Shadow of the Tomb Raider from freezing when launched in SLI mode, BeamNG from crashing at launch, and troublesome desktop flickering when youre watching a video on a secondary monitor. If youve fallen prey to the rogue update, you can install the hotfix and curb the rampant CPU usage by downloading it at one of the following links: Windows 10 64-bit Standard Driver Windows 10 64-bit DCH Driver Windows 7 64-bit/Windows 8.1 64-bit Bugs and quirks like these ones are why I typically wait a few days before downloading any driver updates offered by GeForce Experience or AMDs rival Radeon Software unless theres a compelling reason to update your particular system immediately (such as this drivers GTX 1650 and G-Sync Compatible monitor support). Its better to let others be the guinea pigs in todays era of ultra-complex, incredibly large graphics drivers. MONTOURSVILLE - The thousands planning on attending President Trumps campaign rally at the Williamsport Regional Airport in Lycoming County Monday night should be prepared to take a shuttle bus or walk about a mile. There will be no parking on airport property for Trumps visit, said Thomas J. Hart, the airports director. South Loyalsock Avenue is the only access road and it will be monitored all day. Only those with business at the airport will be allowed in, including passengers on the three daily American Airlines flights, Hart said. Tickets are free but required to attend the presidents rally. Those with tickets are encouraged to park at the Lycoming Mall, off Interstate 180, east of the borough. Shuttle bus service will be provided from the mall. The rally location is a hangar just east of the airports new terminal building. Everyone attending must pass through a metal detector. Gates will open at 4 p.m. Monday with the rally scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Those walking to the rally must use South Loyalsock Avenue to access the airport. Those who try to cross the Lycoming Valley Railroad tracks elsewhere will be stopped, police said. Unopened, store-bought clear plastic water bottles will be permitted but nothing else. That includes travel mugs, backpacks, coolers, chairs and bags. Police say they will not store items brought to the event that are not allowed. Montoursville officials say they are honored with the presidential visit but are advising residents that traffic jams are anticipated. The borough says it does not object to residents charging people to park on their properties. A designated protest area will be established on Jordan Avenue just off Loyalsock Avenue, police said. Trump will not see protesters because he is scheduled to fly into the airport. Borough officials ask citizens to be respectful of protesters rights and give them space. Classes in the Montoursville Area School District have been canceled Monday due to the presidents visit. A number of stands selling Trump items already have appeared in the Montoursville area. Trump is coming to campaign for state Rep. Fred Keller, the Republican nominee for the 12th Congressional District. Keller and Democrat Marc Friedenberg are vying to fill the seat vacated by former U.S. Rep. Thomas A. Marino, who resigned in January citing health reasons. Friedenberg describes himself as a Penn State teacher, cybersecurity expert and a healthcare activist. Voters will decide who fills the seat in a special election Tuesday in conjunction with the primary. Photo for illustration (Source: VNA) Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, head of the Vietnamese mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) attended the event. The delegates took note of progress in cooperation between ASEAN and the three partner countries (ASEAN+3) across spheres, ranging from politics-security to economy, culture-society, regional integration and narrowing development gap over the past time. Working plans within ASEAN+3 have brought about pragmatic benefits to people in the ten-member group and regional countries, they said. A total of 21 action plans have been adopted by competent agencies of ASEAN members and the partner countries in order to realise 18 out of 21 recommendations of the East Asia Vision Group II. Besides, 223 cooperation activities within the ASEAN+3 Cooperation Work Plan have been realised, up 60 activities from October 2018, while 16 projects worth about USD1.5 million within the ASEAN+3 Cooperation Fund are being carried out at different levels. The countries stressed the significance of ASEAN+3 cooperation to the development, dynamism and prosperity in East Asia. China, Japan and the RoK committed to continuing to prioritise resources to ASEAN, helping the group build the ASEAN Community, successfully implement the ASEAN Community Vision 2025 and narrow the development gap by materialising the Initiative for ASEAN Integration and the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2015. Priorities will also be given to realising initiatives of infrastructure connectivity, joining the ASEAN Smart Cities Network initiative, completing negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement in 2019, developing micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, enhancing cooperation in finance and sustainable development, and enhancing collaboration in education, health care, environment, food and energy security. ASEAN brings together ten countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam./. Casey Rossum, a York County dance instructor and choreographer, was with a client when her sister called earlier this week. She said, Girl, tell me why I have people freaking out telling me Beyonce is posting you on her Instagram story, Rossum said, remember her sisters words. Minutes later, Rossum checked for herself, looking at pop star Beyonces Instagram feed to find the video. Rossum and her 7-year-old daughter, London Lambert, appeared in a video posted to Beyonces Instagram story. I screamed, Rossum said. I probably embarrassed the whole neighborhood. Then Rossum called her daughter and got a near identical reaction. She screamed and threw the phone, Rossum said. Shes still excited. The video shared by Beyonce was a clip of Rossum and Lambert dancing to one of her songs Before I Let Go. A professional dancer, Rossum, 26, of York teaches hip hop dance to both children and adults through her business Kat Choreography. Rossum got the nickname Kat when she was a child from her grandmother who called her Katy Waty and others who said she had cat-like eyes, she said. As a choreographer, Rossum said shell sometimes participate in online dancing challenges shared through social media. Recently, a challenge encouraged participants to dance to Before I Let Go, and Rossum said many of her friends encouraged her to do it. She thought it was a good idea, too. I was like we got to do this because who is not a Beyonce fan, she said. And Rossum said she knew her daughter, also a talented dancer, would be the perfect partner. So Rossum choreographed the dance, and the duo started practicing. It took us only two nights to practice this, Rossum said. The mother and daughter recorded their dance on Mothers Day in front of a colorful lights display, which Rossum said represents their fun-loving relationship. The next day, the video was posted online, and Rossum said her followers almost immediately started sharing it. WERE SCREAMING RIGHT NOW!! BEYONCE REPOSTED OUR SISTER AND NIECE ON HER INSTAGRAM!! YES YALL, BEYONCE!! WE ARE SO PROUD OF KAT AND LONDON! Beyonce CONGRATS YALL!! HAPPY FRIDAY!!! Go follow our sis!!! @london_salai Kat Choreography #beforeiletgochallenge #beyonce Posted by The Rossums on Friday, May 17, 2019 Then came the ultimate share: Beyonce included the clip on her Instagram page. Rossum said she was grateful for the exposure given by Beyonce, who has 127 million followers on Instagram. But Rossum also cautioned others from seeking validation on social media. She instead encouraged them to work hard to achieve their goals. Success and attention will eventually come, she said. Thats all that matters, she said. Rossum, originally from Harrisburg, is no stranger to attention. She is part of a York-based gospel quartet called the Rossums. The other members are her sisters Ciara Rossum Darr, Carissa Rossum Cheshire and Corrinne Rossum. The group performed and competed on popular television shows, including Americas Got Talent and The X Factor. On The X Factor, the sisters were among the top 160 acts, Rossum said, calling it one of the most memorable experiences. Middletown police are looking for a pair of children, who visited a local grocery store Saturday and told workers they were runaways. Thats according to Dennis Morris, Middletown polices interim chief, who said the children asked workers at the Giant grocery store to give them food and medicine. No parents have contacted police about runaway children, and officers do not know the childrens names, Morris said. Still, Morris said he has officers out patrolling and looking for the children to make sure that they are safe. First, I have to figure out who they are, he said. The children, a boy and a girl, visited the Giant store on the 400 block of East Main Street about 8:30 p.m. Saturday, Morris said. They were last seen riding bikes headed west on Main Street from the store, Morris said. Morris said one of the children is a girl believed to be between 8 and 11 years old. She was wearing a green shirt and blue or black shorts, he said. The second child was a boy believed to be about 8 years old. He also was wearing a green shirt and blue or black shorts. Anyone with information about the children has been asked to call police at 717-558-6900. MIDDLEBURG - The owners of a closed Snyder County factory thanked the employees for their service throughout the years and then told them all their benefits ceased at Friday midnight. Robert and Brooks Gronlund, owners of Wood-Mode Inc., wrote a text to workers Friday, saying they are extremely appreciative of the employees contributions and commitments. The company owners then confirmed all of them were terminated, as were their benefits. It was the final kick in the gut, Michele Sanders, a 22-year employee of the company, said Saturday. The privately-owned company in Kreamer, which produced custom wood cabinets, shut its doors Monday, leaving nearly 1,000 people without jobs. The abrupt closure of the plant stunned workers and community leaders. Sanders called the automated messages employees received late Friday afternoon the nail in the coffin. I dont want to hear it anymore. Dont thank me. You (owners) have money in the bank." This is our thank you. All I get is an automated message, not a personal message," she said. The Gronlunds were seldom seen in the production part of the plant when it was open, she said. The 938 employees affected by the closing are devastated and angry, Sanders said, both by the loss of their jobs and the lack of communication, she explained. Robert Garrett, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce, has commented no one is getting answers. He has said the companys closure is catastrophic. Employees got a letter and were told at 3 p.m. Monday the plant was closing due to financial reasons. The automated messages and texts employees received Friday informed them their health and life insurance plus a 401(k) plan had been terminated. They were told they would be given instructions for withdrawal or rollover of the pension funds. Salaried and office hourly employees were told due to the companys long-standing policy, they will not be paid for unused vacation time. Employees have numerous questions and Sanders said they hope to get answers Tuesday morning when they have the opportunity to meet with members of the Special Response Team from the state Department of Labor and Industry. That session is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Weber Chapel on the campus of Susquehanna University. Wood-Mode said the company was forced to close after a prospective buyer on May 7 backed out and two days later learned a lender was unwilling to provide additional money so the company could stay open to consider another offer. Sanders, who worked in the sanding department, said her area had plenty of work as did other parts of the large plant. She has started looking for a new job but said because she has health insurance not linked to Wood-Mode, her situation is not as dire as others. Three employees have filed separate federal lawsuits accusing Wood-Mode of not providing employees the required 60-day written termination notice as required by the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act. The plaintiffs want class-action certification for their complaints that seek pay and benefits class action for 60 days. If you want to save the world, you dont need to be James Bond, Pierce Brosnan told the 2019 graduating class at Dickinson College in Carlisle on Sunday. As someone who has saved the world a few times, or at least played someone who has, said the former James Bond actor, and environmental activist. Id like to offer you a bit of adviceOur world doesnt need a Bond. Our world doesnt need a lone hero, out to solve things solo. We need people from different disciplines and walks of life who are willing to work together, who can rely on one another, who can push forward, united. Speaking to nearly 600 graduates on the tree-shaded courtyard off West High Street in Carlisle, Brosnan said our planet is facing threats from rising sea levels to ocean acidification and polluted cities to wildlife loss. And our society also is struggling with growing economic inequality, he said, testing our democracy and the notion that through hard work anyone can find fulfillment. The world doesnt need a hero with a license to kill, Brosnan said. We need people who can create, he said. Our world needs you. Brosnan provided the commencement address at the historic private liberal arts college after he was presented with an honorary degree for his work protecting whales and marine life with the National Resources Defense Council, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group. The advocacy group also won the annual Rose-Walters prize at Dickinson, for advancing responsible action on behalf of the planet, which comes with a $100,000 prize. On Saturday, Brosnan was spotted at a coffee shop in Carlisle, where the owner posted a selfie taken with him, saying she was star struck. The two-time Golden Globe nominee was among the latest high-profile guest invited to Carlisle to provide remarks at commencement exercises. Previous speakers include the Avengers star Mark Ruffalo, who is also an environmentalist, Madeline Albright, former secretary of state, and General David Patraeus, former CIA director. In his 20-minute speech, Brosnan made several references to one of his biggest movie-star roles as James Bond. He said he hoped his comments would leave graduates, shaken and stirred. I know that all of you sitting here have faced your own challenges and that you have overcome them, all of you, he said. You would not be here today were it otherwise. I have great confidence that you can tackle these global challenges with equal effectiveness. But wherever the graduates go after Dickinson College, he said, they wont get there alone. Brosnan then shared some rarely-told tales of growing up in Ireland, being separated from his mother at the age of four, living in a room with two other lodgers, and later trying to assimilate in a new school in England where his classmates refused to call him Pierce, instead calling him simply, Irish. I wore it as an emblem of pride, he said, trying to find my footing in this new landscape of prejudice and racismI learned to assimilate. It was, in some ways, my first acting job, to be someone else. Eventually, Brosnan said he found friends who accepted him, Irish brogue and all, who would call him by his first name. Those friends, the generosity of an Irish woman who helped raise him while his single mother pursued a nursing profession in England, and his mothers sacrifice is what got him through his childhood, he said. It can be easy to feel overwhelmed by challenges facing our world, he said, and in those moments, you need people you can count on. James Bond could not take on climate change alone, he said. But scientists and activists, policy makers and business leaders, all working together, they could. They can. If we hope to heal our world, well need to do it together. Dickinson College alum Sam Rose, who graduated in 1958 and went on to start the Rose-Walters annual prize presented at commencement, said the world needs recent graduates to succeed in a big way, to combat climate change and attacks against womens rights. When the last tree is cut and the last fish is caught and the last river is poisoned, he said, Only then will we realize you cant eat money. The bulk of Dickinson graduates this year obtained bachelor of arts degrees (76 percent) while 24-percent obtained bachelor of science degrees. The most popular majors were international business & management, political science, international studies, economics and psychology. Twelve seniors and one alumna have been awarded Fulbright scholarships, an institutional record. Brosnans entire speech was posted on YouTube by Dickinson College. You can view it here. A Pennsylvania State trooper died while on duty Saturday in Bucks County. Trooper Donald C. Brackett, 58, was found unresponsive outside of his patrol vehicle around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Acting Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Lt. Col. Robert Evanchick said Saturday. Troopers rushed to mile marker 351.9 on Interstate 276 when Brackett did not answer radio calls. The troopers who found him immediately began CPR, and he was transported to the Jefferson Torresdale Hospital in Philadelphia, but they were unable to revive him. All personnel of the Pennsylvania State Police are deeply affected by this loss, Evanchick said. Our thoughts are with Trooper Bracketts family and friends as they mourn his sudden passing. Brackett enlisted in the Pennsylvania State Police in October 2001 and was last assigned to the Patrol Section of Troop T in King of Prussia. He previously served in Media and Trevose. He was part of the 110th cadet class and was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Our deepest condolences go out to his family and friends at this difficult time. We will never forget his service, his dedication and his sacrifice. We join with the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association in honoring Trooper Bracketts memory," Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Les Neri said in a statement today. This post has been updated to clarify the Fraternal Order of Police State Lodges statement. Thousands of people across central Pennsylvania lost power as strong thunderstorms pounded the region Sunday. More than 26,000 customers were without power at 10 p.m. Sunday, with outages scattered across scores of communities, according to utility companies. Met-Ed reported that more than 13,900 Pennsylvania customers were without power as of 10 p.m., with many outages in Berks, Cambria and Butler counties. At 10 p.m., PPL Electric reported nearly 13,000 customers were without power in central Pennsylvania, including hundreds in Berks, Dauphin, Lancaster and Lackawanna counties. The National Weather Service issued severe thunderstorm warnings for most of central Pennsylvania Sunday night. Several communities in the region have already seen potent storms, with strong winds and hail. Outage numbers will fluctuate as crews restore some customers and if other outages arise due to weather. Former vice president Joe Biden didnt pull any punches at a campaign rally in Philadelphia on May 18. He didnt openly criticize any of the other Democratic Party presidential candidates, instead he saved his most cutting remarks for President Donald Trump. I know President Trump likes to take credit for the economys growth and low unemployment numbers, but just look at the facts not the alternative facts, Biden told the crowd (estimated to be around 6,000 people). President Trump inherited that economy from the Obama-Biden Administration. It was given to him just like hes inherited everything else in his life. And just like everything else hes been given in life, hes in the process of squandering it as well. As Biden criticized Trump, he made a point to emphasize his admiration of former president Barack Obama. He was a president our children could and did look up to," Biden said. 10 Joe Biden Presidential Campaign Rally in Philadelphia For his part, Trump has tweeted out several criticisms of Biden, nicknaming the candidate Sleepy Creepy Joe. The Republican Party of Pennsylvania has also come out against Biden. We are happy to have the debate over whether or not Americans want a return to the failed Obama-Biden years or feel that they are better off due to the economic achievements seen under President Donald Trumps leadership," said chairman Val DiGiorgio in a statement. Biden, who will be opening campaign headquarters in Philadelphia, is one of several 2020 candidates holding rallies and events in Pennsylvania. Senator Elizabeth Warren, who is vying against Biden for the nomination, spoke at a union hall in Philadelphia a few days prior, while President Trump is expected to campaign in Lycoming County on May 20. While Biden is viewed as the frontrunner for the Democratic nomination, its far from guaranteed. Voters at the rally on May 18 were still skeptical on whether or not he could inspire enough people to go to the polls to defeat the Republican candidate. Central Pennsylvanians looking to spend Memorial Day weekend picnicking outdoors might want to to keep an eye on weather forecasts, according to a National Weather Service meteorologist. This isnt great news, meteorologist John Banghoff said. Early predictions show a rainy Memorial Day weekend, but its a little bit far out to trust those predictions, Banghoff said. I wouldnt change plans for Memorial Day based on my prediction that its going to rain because certainly, a lot of things could change by then," he said. For now, early predictions show that a cold front will move into central Pennsylvania sometime next Saturday or Sunday, he said. The cold front, Banghoff said, could lead to some isolated showers. A second weather system expected to move into the area on Memorial Day has the potential to produce some thunderstorms, Banghoff said. High temperatures for Memorial Day weekend are likely to be in the 70s and 80s, Banghoff said. Banghoff stressed that exact predictions are hard to make more than a week before the holiday. Itll just kind of bear watching, he said. The already crowded field for the Democrat presidential nomination got another entry last week. When Comrade Bill de Blasio, New Yorks controversial mayor threw his large hat into the ring it brought the total at the starting gate to two dozen according to the national media. Actually there are hundreds of Democrats registered as presidential candidates with the Federal Election Commission. The vast majority well never hear of. But theres equally likelihood well never hear much about many declared by the national media to be serious candidates. Ill give a hundred bucks to the first person who can name all of the Democrat contenders without looking. Thats good news for the front runners and very bad news for those jockeying for position at the back of the pack. If your name isnt Biden or Sanders, the entry of every additional candidate makes your path a little tougher. Biden begins the race with household name identification, a political base and some very smart operatives running his show. His poll numbers are dominate and growing right now. Yet Sanders, who only became a Democrat a short time ago, continues to hold a large percentage of the primary electorate in early polling. His far left views are parroted by many of the rest of the pack and hes shown he has staying power. So what the rest of the field to do? Each of them has to find ways to distinguish himself or herself when theres precious little turf left to fight for. Kamala Harris has a built in advantage of coming from a delegate rich state thats moved up its primary so that shell have an early delegate advantage. Yet shes decided that her best path is to abandon policy discussion and focus on personally attacking Donald Trump. That didnt work for a host of Democrats in special elections over the past couple of years. It wont work for her, either. Harris still has a path to the nomination, but her current route isnt it. John Hickenlooper, the former governor of Colorado, is staking out some interesting turf. He wrote in the Wall Street Journal last week that hes running to save capitalism. That tells a lot about the current state of affairs in the Democrat Party. Cory Booker says his key initiative is the national licensing of firearms. Lets see how well that plays in pro gun-rights states like Pennsylvania. The owners of more than 300 million firearms might feel differently. Others have chosen less policy driven lanes. Robert Francis ORourke, who likes to call himself Beto, began his campaign on an ascendant note. Hes been dropping like a rock ever since. Most recently hes treated us to video and commentary of his trip to the dentist and the removal of his ear hair. People everywhere are praying he doesnt have a colonoscopy scheduled before the convention. De Blasios entry fits right into this circus atmosphere. His home town newspaper featured pictures of New Yorkers laughing at his announcement. Before his presidential announcement de Blasio held another presser in The Big Apple. Unfortunately for him, his advance teams choice of venues, Trump Towers, featured an escalator full of folks carrying signs proclaiming de Blasio the worst mayor ever in full view from. Every camera angle. Hardly an auspicious display. Comrade de Blasios tenure as mayor has been marked by passionate rhetoric about closing the gap between the wealthy elites and everybody else. His policies have failed both. A federal judge went so far as to say that his management of the citys housing authority, designed to help the less fortunate, created a situation somewhat reminiscent of the biblical plagues of Egypt, these conditions include toxic lead paint, asthma-inducing mold, lack of heat, frequent elevator outages, and vermin infestations. A recent poll of New Yorkers about which Empire Stater would make the best president found former mayor Michael Bloomberg in the lead with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, who famously doesnt care much for de Blasio, a distant second. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, AOC, a philosophical soulmate of deBlasios garnered 7 percent, even though shes too young to be president. De Blasio managed to poll dead last at 5 percent. Those who know him best have spoken. At least de Blasio has run a major city. Pete Buttigieg has become a media darling despite his lack of experience running anything of much magnitude. Imagine the mayor of Allentown or Erie, both of which are larger than South Bend, waking up one morning and announcing to the world that they think theyd like to be president. Stay tuned, anythings possible. Meanwhile Biden has the staying power to be in the race for the long haul. So does Sanders. With sizable chunks of the electorate, albeit no where near a majority, they can lead the pack as others carve up the slivers that are left. Biden announced last week that hes setting up his national headquarters in the City of Brotherly Love. Thats yet another indication of how pivotal the Keystone State will be next year. President Trump was back in the commonwealth on Monday to campaign for Fred Keller and to tout his record on the economy. One things for sure: Pennsylvania will, once again, be at center stage in next years presidential election. Thats good for all of us. Charlie Gerow is the CEO of Quantum Communications. His column appears weekly in PennLive opposite Mark Singel. Charlie and Mark can be seen each Sunday at 8:30 a.m. on CBS-21s Face the State. Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter said all the right things following the video released last week documenting the behavior of his police officers toward residents of his hometown. They deserve better, Carter said. He is right. Harrisburgs residents deserve a whole lot better. The video of Harrisburgs cursing cops raises some disturbing questions that must be addressed immediately. Why was there such little respect for the good, law-abiding people who live on State Street? Why was there such little respect for people who clearly were trying to help? Why was there such little thought about the children who may be in the area, terrorized not only by the horror that unfolded outside their doors, but by police hurling insults and threatening to arrest mothers and grandmothers? After seeing the video, do we have a little better understanding of why too many black and brown Harrisburg residents try to stay as far away from any police officer as possible? Bridge of Faith International Ministries held a rally for National Day of Prayer at the Pa. State Capitol, Thursday, May 2, 2019. Harrisburg Bureau of Police chaplain prays for the police officers. Vicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLiveVicki Vellios Briner | Special to PennLive We get that policing is a dangerous job, especially in areas known for criminal activity like the area around the 1600 block of State. We get that police officers must move in with authority and with force, especially when responding to shootings and homicides. But the behavior displayed in the State Street video does nothing to make their jobs any easier. It turns good people in the community against them and makes few willing to cooperate with police they consider hostile and abusive. Commissioner Carter clearly understood how the residents felt: "They were shocked that they were being talked to like that, and I didnt like that, when they were trying to help. After our investigation is completed into the shooting, I hope to use this video as a training tool of what not to say and how not to treat citizens. The training also should help police learn how to command and exert authority without directing unrestrained profanity and verbal abuse at good people who, as the Commissioner noted, were just trying to help. One thing must be said: everyone who lives in a crime-ridden area is not a criminal. There are elderly people, tots and teens, and good single moms working three jobs and trying to keep their babies out of the line of fire. Have the Harrisburg police officers who reported to the scene ever met any of these good, hard-working, law-abiding people -- outside of a crime scene? If not, that should be rectified immediately. Theres little doubt scenes of cursing, verbally and physically abusive cops are repeated daily on streets throughout this country and in Harrisburg. They generally involve white police officers confronting black or brown citizens, with enough suspicion and fear on both sides to fuel daily tragedies. As Brandon Flood, chairman of the Greater Harrisburg NAACPs legal redress committee and the states new Secretary of the Board of Pardons, put it, This isnt the first time weve heard of police acting unprofessionally. The thing we thought made Harrisburg different is its black police commissioner -- born and raised in the town hes policing. And Harrisburg is a very small town with big, interrelated families and strong personal connections. A resident with Harrisburg Police Commissioner Thomas Carter. Officers and command staff from the Harrisburg Police Department joined the Camp Curtin MemorialMitchell United Methodist Church for its annual Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 21, 2018 Commissioner Carter knows that. He also knows such behavior from undisciplined and unrestrained police officers threatens his own family, friends, former classmates and the little black kids that giggle with delight every time they see him walking by. They know the Commissioner feels a strong sense of accountability and respect for his community. But Carter must make that sense of personal connection with the people filter down to the young, mostly white police officers hes recruiting from rural and suburban areas, many of whom may not share his sentiments. One final question: do the residents of Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg or Susquehanna Township have to worry about their police officers storming onto their streets, hurling F-bombs around their children and threatening to arrest people without cause inside their own homes? Commissioner Carter said he would get to the bottom of this matter. Mayor Eric Papenfuse and Councilwoman Ausha Green, who chairs the Councils Public Safety Committee, also have expressed concerns. Again, words are good, but they are not enough. We call upon all of them to take this matter seriously, to report as soon as possible to the people of Harrisburg the clear findings of their investigation into the behavior of the officers who reported to the State Street shooting. And more than that, we call upon them to state clearly what will be done to make sure Harrisburg residents of all races, classes and ethnicities are treated with the same civility and respect that people in adjoining townships take for granted. Editors Note: PennLive Opinion Page Editor Joyce M. Davis served for five years as Director of Communications for the City of Harrisburg. DOVER, Del. Democratic lawmakers are again proposing to legalize marijuana in Delaware after a failed effort last year. The bill introduced Thursday is aimed at eliminating the black market for pot by establishing a state-licensed industry that would create jobs while padding state coffers with licensing fees and taxes. We want to create a legal industry thats going to pay good jobs with good wages and benefits, said chief House sponsor Rep. Ed Osienski, D-Newark. The bill would not allow Delawareans to grow their own marijuana for their personal use. It has the potential to actually add to the black market, bill co-sponsor Sen. Trey Paradee, D-Dover, said of homegrown marijuana. The new marijuana industry would be overseen by a state oversight committee and a Delaware marijuana commissioner, who would have the authority to adopt regulations and would submit an annual report to the governor and General Assembly. Democratic Gov. John Carney, meanwhile, remains wary of legalizing marijuana for recreational use. There are still unanswered questions, and he believes we should continue to monitor progress in other states that have legalized, Carneys spokesman, Jon Starkey, said in a statement. Democratic Attorney General Kathy Jennings, however, is supportive of the idea. People shouldnt be punished for smoking marijuana in the privacy of their homes, Jennings said in a statement. While important questions around the specifics of implementation including impaired driving need to be answered, I generally support legalizing marijuana as the logical answer to an outdated policy that has caused more harm than good, particularly in communities of color. Under the legislation, adults over age 21 could buy and possess up to an ounce of marijuana, no more than 5 grams of which could be in a concentrated form such as that used in edibles and vape liquids. The legislation calls for initial authorization of 50 indoor and outdoor cultivation facilities of various sizes, 10 product manufacturing facilities, 15 retail stores and five testing facilities. The state would collect a tax of 15% of the retail sales price of the marijuana products sold, as well as licensing fees for each facility. Licensing fees for stores, manufacturing facilities and testing facilities would be $10,000 every two years. Cultivation facilities would pay two-year licensing fees starting at $2,500 and increasing in $2,500 increments up to $10,000, depending on their size. Retail sale hours would be similar to those allowed for alcohol sales. The bill prohibits the use of marijuana in public and by drivers and passengers in vehicles. It also prohibits smoking pot anywhere where smoking tobacco or e-cigarettes is not permitted. While the bill allows employers and some owners of residential housing including college dorms to prohibit the use of marijuana, Delawares business community remains wary. The employer really isnt protected at all from liability issues related to the use of marijuana in the workplace, said James DeChene, government affairs director for the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, which opposes legalization. DeChene said legalization would have a significant impact on the manufacturing, construction and transportation industries. Were worried about the impact on the tourism industry in this state and keeping our beaches family friendly, he added. Tourism is a billion-dollar-plus industry in this state, and anything thats going to jeopardize that is an unintended consequence of this legislation that I dont think has been taken into consideration yet. A similar bill failed to clear the House by four votes last year, with the chief sponsor blaming opposition from the law enforcement community. Five lawmakers, all members of the Democratic majority, declined to vote on the measure, ensuring its failure. That vote came after the original legislation stalled the previous year amid opposition from the law enforcement, business and medical communities. Bill supporters responded by establishing a task force to study issues surrounding legalization, but the panels final report did little to resolve opponents concerns. Opponents have argued that legalization carries unknown health risks and would lead to more drug addiction and homelessness, affect school and workplace productivity, and lead to more impaired-driving accidents. In a little more than six hours Sunday morning, one person was killed and seven others injured in a series of shootings and stabbings in Philadelphia, police said. The violence began shortly after 1 a.m. when police were called to a home in the 2100 block of Dickinson Street in Point Breeze and found a 43-year-old woman shot in the stomach. She was taken to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in critical condition, police said. A suspect was taken into custody around 20th and Reed Streets, said police, who provided no other information. At 1:20 a.m., in the citys Strawberry Mansion neighborhood, police said they found a 26-year-old man stabbed in the abdomen and back on the 2500 block of North Douglas Street. He was taken in stable condition to Temple University Hospital. Police said no weapon was recovered and no one had been arrested. Ten minutes later, a 45-year-old man was reported stabbed by a woman he knows on the 1800 block of South Hicks Street in Point Breeze, police said. He got himself to Methodist Hospital, where he was in stable condition Sunday afternoon, police said. No arrest had been made. Police responding to a 2:53 a.m. call on the 7300 block of Castor Avenue in the Rhawnhurst section found that a 17-year-old male had been shot in the left hip and taken by private vehicle to Jefferson Frankford Hospital in stable condition. An investigation by the Northeast Detectives Division continues. More than two hours later, police said, they found a woman in her 30s shot in the head, body and buttock on the 3400 block of North 11th Street in Franklinville. She was pronounced dead at 5:33 a.m. at Temple University Hospital. No arrest had been made. At 6:16 a.m., a 27-year-old man was shot in the right shoulder on the 1300 block of South Ringgold Street in Point Breeze. Police took him to Penn Presbyterian Medical Center in stable condition. No arrest had been made. And at 7:25 a.m., a 39-year-old man was stabbed in the abdomen and a 61-year-old woman was cut on the right arm on the 2300 block of College Avenue in Fairmount, police said. He was taken to Hahnemann University Hospital, she to Albert Einstein Medical Center. Their conditions were not available. Police said a suspect was in custody. Breast cancer survivor Marisa Gefen (center) strikes a yoga pose with thousands of other participants in the Living Beyond Breast Cancer's Reach & Raise event on the Art Museum steps on Sunday. Read more Her hands found the corners of her mat, and as she sat back on her heels, stretching her arms out under the hot morning sun, Marisa Gefen exhaled. The 39-year-old physician from Wynnewood had driven to the Philadelphia Museum of Art early Sunday and unrolled her yoga mat on its steps alongside nearly 2,000 other breast cancer survivors and their friends and family members. The goal was to raise $400,000 for Living Beyond Breast Cancer, a Bala Cynwyd-based nonprofit focused on providing information and resources for women battling the disease. The money went to a good cause, and Marisa was happy to help. She and her family had raised thousands themselves. But it wasnt the main reason she came to the steps Sunday morning, wearing a flamingo-pink shirt that said Believe. Five years ago last month, Marisa was sunk in the cushions of her couch doing work when she reached into her shirt and found an unmistakable lump. Either Im crazy, she thought as she sat up, or I have breast cancer. Crazy seemed possible as she looked around her living room, finding little context for the mass in her left breast. Marisa was 34, too young to undergo a routine screening for breast cancer. She had four children under the age of 4, including 10-month-old twins, asleep in side-by-side cribs in the next room. But by the end of the following day, Marisa was diagnosed with Stage 3 cancer, a 10-centimeter tumor intruding on her chest wall. She started chemotherapy on her daughter Violets third birthday. Mommy has a boo-boo on her breast, she and her husband, Jon, tried to explain. Down at the Shore over Memorial Day, Marisas hair started to fall out. She sat with her sisters on the back steps of their Margate beach house as her husband shaved it off. They said every positive thing they could think of This is empowering! and You look beautiful! but her youngest sister, Ashley Nechemia, remembers how all they really thought was, This sucks. It did. Six months of chemotherapy were followed by a double mastectomy, radiation treatments, injections, blockers and finally, the removal of Marisas ovaries. They all tried to keep her spirits up. Marisas kids picked out her wigs, a blond bob, even a purple one. Her grandmother, Leona Lubinietski Kleiner, called her every day to make sure she was eating. Marisa forced herself to find one hopeful thing, one silver lining each day. Sometimes it was: I didnt throw up. Then, in January 2015, after the worst year of her life, the doctors told her she was done. Youre free to be normal, they said. But Marisa didnt feel normal. She had no hair, didnt recognize her own body. I felt like the world didnt understand, she says. One day, her sisters bought her a bracelet that said Believe. And she tried to. A few weeks later, Marisa saw the flyer for Yoga on the Steps. She had done yoga in the past It got me through med school, she says so she went to a kickoff event at Ardmore Toyota with her sister Carly Cohen. Surrounded by other survivors, Marisa thought, These are my people. That year, so many friends had reached out to ask Marisa how they could support her. Now she knew what to say. She tacked up a sign in her exam room. She started a fund-raising team: The Believe Team. Her team raised close to $10,000. Theres something different about this event, because when you do most fund-raisers, youre together in the beginning, but then you all go run or walk," said Jean Sachs, CEO of Living Beyond Breast Cancer. With this, youre together the whole time. Youre connected to everybody. The crowds of mostly women moving up and down the steps Sunday wore shirts that said Treasure the Chests," New Moonies, and Fight Like a Girl. They took selfies with Rocky and scream-hugged the friends they hadnt seen since last years event. They stared at framed photos of those who had died. Now Marisa lifted her hips in the air, coming out of childs pose and into downward dog. Behind her, her son Caleb, now 5, grinned as he slapped his stomach like a bongo drum, his face painted like a shark. Nearby, 8-year-old Violet mimicked her mothers movements. Marisa pulled 5-year-old Estella into her arms, and lifted their arms together toward the sky. A few months ago, Marisas grandmother died at the age of 92. She had survived the Warsaw Ghetto during the Holocaust, had come to the U.S. to start a family. She would always say, Youre my life. She only ever wanted to live to see the next birthday, wedding, or bar mitzvah. Marisa renamed the team Bubbys Believers. There was so much to believe in now, she said. There was no way to feel alone. And so Marisa put her arm on her sister Carlys shoulder, and the other arm around her 9-year-old son, Sam, and they repeated after the instructor: I am courageous! I am stunningly beautiful! I am open to living my dreams! Facing the Philadelphia skyline, they moved into a one-legged stance called tree pose. The move emphasizes balance, and a few in the crowd stumbled; but no one fell, because they all leaned on each other. Archbishop Charles J. Chaput has approved a plan to merge four parishes in lower Northeast Philadelphia. Saint Adalbert Parish, Saint George Parish, and Mother of Divine Grace Parish will combine with Nativity B.V.M. Parish effective July 1. The merger, announced Sunday, was attributed to demographic shifts in the Roman Catholic population and a high density of parishes in a small area. The archdiocese also cited declines in Mass attendance and the availability of priests to staff parishes. Current parishioners will attend daily and Sunday Mass at the church of the newly formed parish at Nativity B.V.M. at 2535 E. Allegheny Ave. in the Port Richmond neighborhood. Services in Polish will continue to be held at Saint Adalbert Parish. All churches will remain open and be maintained as a worship sites. At the discretion of the pastor, those churches can be used for weddings, funerals, and feast days, as well as traditional and ethnic devotions. Sunday Mass may also be celebrated at a worship site at the discretion of the pastor and the newly formed pastoral council, according to the archdiocese announcement. FILE- In this Sept. 12, 2018, file photo former President Jimmy Carter answers questions from students during his annual town hall with Emory University in Atlanta. Carter has been released from a Georgia hospital after hip replacement surgery. The 94-year-old former president injured his hip earlier this week when he fell at his home before a planned turkey hunt. Read more ATLANTA (AP) Former President Jimmy Carter changed plans and will not be teaching Sunday school just days after undergoing surgery for a broken hip. "Though he is progressing well, he underestimated the amount of time he would need to recover from his recent hip replacement," Carter spokeswoman Deanna Congileo said in a statement Saturday evening. Carter, 94, broke his hip Monday as he was leaving to go turkey hunting. Congileo said Carter apologized for any inconvenience to those who traveled to hear his lesson at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains, Georgia. Congileo said Carter's niece, Kim Fuller, will teach the lesson in his stead and, he says, "No one will be disappointed." A devout Christian, Carter regularly teaches Sunday school in Plains, drawing hundreds of visitors for each session. He and his wife Rosalynn pose for pictures with each attendee. Carter became the longest-lived president in U.S. history in March when his age surpassed that of former President George H.W. Bush, who died Nov. 30 at the age of 94 years, 171 days. Nearly four years have passed since Carter revealed he had been diagnosed with cancer. Carter said in August 2015 he had melanoma that had spread to his liver and brain. He received treatment for seven months until scans showed no sign of the disease. President Donald Trump warned Iran not to threaten the U.S. or face ruinous consequences as tensions mount between Washington and Tehran. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS) Read more (Bloomberg) President Donald Trump warned Iran not to threaten the U.S. or face ruinous consequences as tensions mount between Washington and Tehran. If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran, Trump said Sunday in a tweet. Never threaten the United States again! The U.S. hastened the deployment of an aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf and withdrew some diplomatic personnel from Iraq in recent weeks after saying intelligence showed a growing threat toward U.S. forces or commercial shipping by Iran or its proxy forces in the Mideast. Trump has suggested he isnt looking for a military confrontation, even as his advisers warn Iran against any provocation. The commander of Irans powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, General Hossein Salami, said his country isnt looking for war but isnt afraid of a confrontation, either. Recent incidents have made the extent of the enemys strength clear, he said, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. Trump has used tough rhetoric before, including threatening to rain fire and fury on North Korea in 2017 when Pyongyang was pursuing a series of nuclear and missile tests. Tensions eased when Trump and President Kim Jong Un agreed to meet, but after two summits, progress on denuclearizing the regime hasnt materialized. In January, before the recent uptick in tensions, Trump said his own intelligence experts seem to be extremely passive and naive when it comes to the dangers of Iran. They are wrong! Stock image of police lights (not from the scene). (Viorel Margineanu/Dreamstime/TNS) Read more SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. (AP) Authorities say a man believed to have been under the influence of alcohol drove into a crowd in a western Pennsylvania apartment complex parking lot, injuring one person. State police in Butler County say the victim was left with a broken nose, a concussion and other injuries after he was hit shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday in Slippery Rock Township. Police say the 23-year-old driver fled on foot but was arrested a short time later. Police say he will face more than a dozen charges including aggravated assault. Philadelphia mayoral candidate Alan Butkovitz, former city controller, (left) speaks with Joe DeLullo as he passes out political information at The Dining Car Diner on Frankford Avenue in the Northeast on Sunday May 19, 2019. Read more On the Sunday before a primary election, Philadelphia voters can expect to find politicians in the pews at churches and in the booths at diners where they eat after services. So it was Sunday, as Mayor Jim Kenney and one of his Democratic challengers, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, visited Mount Airy Church of God in Christ, a customary stop for candidates. The third Democrat running for mayor this year, former City Controller Alan Butkovitz, barreled through the Dining Car in Northeast Philadelphia, introducing himself and handing out campaign fliers to potential voters eating breakfast and lunch. Joe DeLullo was persuadable, telling Butkovitz he is unhappy with Kenney as mayor. I made a mistake voting for him the last time, DeLullo said. Nobody can get a hold of him. And I heard you did good in the debate. Kenney has limited his interaction with Williams and Butkovitz to just two appearances, a forum last month and an NBC10 televised debate last week. A president not on the ballot but in the conversation Kenney had one other stop on his schedule Sunday, a brief speech at the Anti-Defamation Leagues Walk Against Hate at the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia. There, he complained about leadership in this country that thinks that racism and misogyny and bigotry is OK and tweets about it regularly an apparent reference to President Donald Trump and urged the crowd to stand against that. I think when beautiful people come together in brotherhood and sisterhood, we can overcome this and we can wait this guy out at some point in time, Kenney said. The elections will take care of themselves, but we need to take care of each other." With 28 Democrats and seven Republicans running for seven City Council at-large seats along with races for judge, sheriff, city commissioner, register of wills, and other offices on Tuesdays ballot candidates faced busy schedules Saturday and Sunday, working their get-out-the-vote programs and rallying supporters. Between church at Saint Francis Xavier Parish in Fairmount and a day of canvassing, Eryn Santamoor, a Democrat running at-large, stopped Sunday at Little Petes Restaurant. Before sitting down to eat with her parents, she hit every table in the diner. On the TVs behind her, a steady stream of campaign ads played for other candidates. Folks really are just starting to pay attention, Santamoor said, which is exciting and a little terrifying. But I feel really good." At Sharon Baptist in Wynnefield, at-large Democratic candidate Katherine Gilmore Richardson stood as she was recognized along with several other candidates in attendance, including Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell, running for reelection in West Philadelphias Third District, and Omar Sabir, who is running for city commissioner. Gilmore Richardson said she had volunteers at 20 churches on the sunny May morning. Her next stop was the Church of God Prophecy in North Philadelphia, where her mother was once pastor. Im feeling very good spiritually, she said. Its surreal because you worked so hard for this moment and its right here, you can taste it. You want to leave no stone unturned. Looking forward to Tuesdays finish line Emotions were running high for some Council candidates Saturday, as well, at an SEIU 32BJ union rally. I cant wait until this is over, said Councilwoman Maria Quinones-Sanchez, who is challenged in her bid for a fourth term in the Seventh District by State Rep. Angel Cruz. She wasnt the only candidate looking forward to the finish line. No sleep, a bunch of anxiety, probably grew a few gray hairs, said Isaiah Thomas, a Democratic at-large Council candidate running for the third time. Other than that, things are great. Thomas, who also attended the union rally, said his plan for the next few days was canvassing and making sure people who previously expressed support for him show up to the polls Tuesday. I dont know what else to do differently, he said. Best campaign Ive run, most support Ive ever had. About 150 32BJ members had split up into three groups to go canvassing following the rally -- for Councilman Kenyatta Johnson in the Second District, which includes South Philadelphia; Blackwell, in West Philadelphia; and Quinones-Sanchez, in Mayfair. Kenney, who attended Saturdays rally, said he was feeling good about his chances Tuesday. No incumbent mayor who has sought a second term has been denied since two terms were authorized seven decades ago. Kenney pushed back on complaints from Williams and Butkovitz that he has intentionally run a low-key campaign. Ive been campaigning for months and trying to do my job, he said. When I ran in 2015, I didnt have a job. I was like Butkovitz. I could just do everything every day. Now I have a job; a job and a half. I have to be a candidate, too. Im sorry if my opponents are disappointed. Chicken Scarpariello at Chef Volas in Atlantic City. The restaurant, open since 1921, was a James Beard Award semifinalist this year for outstanding service. Read more Italian roots run deep at the Jersey Shore thanks to immigrants like the Ischian fisherman who, a century ago, transformed the marshy back bay of Sea Isle City into Fish Alley. And the influence has endured, with so many great Italian restaurants at the beach that I sometimes refer to it as the Pasta Coast. Here are six favorites to channel your own Big Night: CHEF VOLAS Google killed the secrecy that once shrouded this unmarked red-gravy haven in an Atlantic City basement in friends-of-friends exclusivity. That and new porch seating (a suggestion of Jay-Z, a regular) hasnt made it easier to get a reservation at this 1921 landmark owned by the Esposito family. But its worth the effort to savor the epic bone-in veal parm, plump flounder francaise, chicken Scarpariello buried in house-made veal sausage and peppers, followed by a dreamy wedge of warm ricotta pie. Just bring a thick wallet its cash only. 111 S. Albion Pl., Atlantic City, 609-345-2022; chefvola.com CAFE 2825 Theres such a unique drama to dinner at the Lautato familys upscale A.C. standby, with tableside hand-pulled burrata and cacio e pepe twirled inside the hollow of a big rolling pecorino cheese wheel, that my family always begs for a revisit. Deft updates to Italian American favorites like Sunday gravy and veal chop Milanese make that proposition impossible to resist. 2825 Atlantic Ave., Atlantic City, 609-344-6913; cafe2825.com GIRASOLE Gino Iovino has catered to locals for a quarter century at this enduring sibling to the now-closed Philly branch, whose elegance inside the Ocean Club belies the seedy stretch that surrounds it. The restaurants lavish gold and Capri-blue decor similarly contrasts with one of the best lunch deals around $15 for two courses including a spot-on Margherita pizza, house-made cervellata sausage, perfect carbonara, and the signature fish carpaccios that remind me of the Amalfi Coast. 3108 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, 609-345-5554; mygirasole.com RED ROOM CAFE This lively Italian BYOB in Ventnor Heights serves an impressive array of house-made pastas, from toothy ricotta cavatelli with broccoli rabe and sausage to silky pappardelle coiled around beef Bolognese. The unexpected star, though, is the pork chop creation of chef Vincent Gatta, a lightly breaded chop over a tangy provolone cream sauce, broccoli rabe and crispy frizzled onions, essentially a South Philly roast pork sandwich reimagined on the bone. 141 N. Dorset Ave, Ventnor City, 609-822-1067; redroomcafeattheshore.com RISTORANTE LUCIANO This popular BYOB came back from a Hurricane Sandy hit better than ever as brothers Joe and Luciano Iacovino remade their space with a distressed city look but kept the homey menu of Italian American favorites. Luciano has a fresh touch with lemony chicken piccata and smoky veal Valdostana. But the pastas made by Mamma Graziella Iacovino are the secret gift. Cavatelli with fresh porcini. Airy ricotta gnocchi with delicate meat sauce. Hand-cranked spaghetti with spicy marinara and crab. Regulars also know: Order chocolate souffle when you reserve. It is as coveted as the tables. 9820 Third Ave., Stone Harbor, 609-967-9115; ristorantelucianostoneharbor.com LA FINESTRA La Finestra means the window, and the view is picture-perfect from this corner dining room overlooking the Sea Isle City beach, which shimmers just beyond your bountiful bowl of zuppa di pesce. This space has had many occupants over the years, but the quality here is one tick higher, with the focus on fresh pastas and seafood that brought rustic satisfaction (pappardelle in short rib ragu), zesty swagger (spicy chicken Scarpariello), and the finesse of homemade spinach gnocchi in Gorgonzola cream that was as satisfying as the view. 25 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Sea Isle City, 609-486-5033; lafinestranj.com Panagiotis Panagiotidis Wins the 2019 PokerNews Cup Main Event May 19, 2019 Jason Glatzer Panagiotis Panagiotidis won the PokerNews Cup Finix Casino 550 Main Event for 18,450 after agreeing to a four-way deal with Rosen Simeonov (second - 14,526), Konstantin Aykov (third - 12,878), and Achilleas Nomidis (fourth - 8,056). The win nearly tripled the almost $7,000 in live tournament cashes Panagiotidis had to start the tournament. 2019 PokerNews Cup Finix Casino Main Event Final Table Results Place Player Country Prize Prize (USD) 1 Panagiotis Panagiotidis Greece 18,450* $20,603* 2 Rosen Simeonov Bulgaria 14,526* $16,221* 3 Konstantin Aykov Bulgaria 12,878* $14,381* 4 Achilleas Nomidis Greece 8,056* $8,996* 5 Dimitrios Michailidis Greece 5,250 $5,863 6 Loukas Kioutsoukis Greece 4,170 $4,657 7 Spyridon Michailidis Greece 3,180 $3,551 8 Marian Ivanov Bulgaria 2,350 $2,624 *Reflects four-way deal. 2019 PokerNews Cup Finix Casino Main Event Final Day Action The final day began with the field already whittled down from 141 entrants to an eight-max final table. Panagiotidis entered the day in the chip lead, although he didn't hold onto it throughout the final day. All four opening day chip leaders parlayed their stacks to the final table after a successful penultimate day including Simeonov, Dimitrios Michailidis, and Marian Ivanov. Michailidis' brother Spyridon Michailidis also was at the final table as the short stack. The brothers Spyridon (left) and Dimitrios Michailidis made the final table together Ivanov was the first player eliminated at the final table. He jammed with queen-eight with an open-ended straight draw on the turn only to be called by Simeonov with second pair holding jack-deuce. Another jack came on the river and Ivanov headed to the cashier to collect the eighth-place prize of 2,350. Soon after, Spyridon Michailidis hit the rail in seventh place for 3,180. He three-bet jammed ace-seven suited and didn't get there against the pocket eights held by Konstantin Aykov. A little time passed before Loukas Kioutsoukis was eliminated in sixth place for 4,170. He three-bet jammed a short-stack with king-queen and ran into Simeonov's kings. At this point, Simeonov was in the lead. This didn't last long as Dimitrios Michailidis took the lead with a full house in a big pot against Simeonov. Michailidis was unable to hold onto the lead when Panagiotidis bet all three streets after first hitting a set of nines on the flop and quads on the river. Michailidis called with pocket queens all the way to surrender the lead to his adversary. A short while later, Michailidis shoved 15 big blinds with ace-ten from the button. Simeonov quickly called from the big blind with kings. The flop gave Simeonov a set and Michailidis was drawing dead on the turn (fifth - 5,250). It was Michailidis' second cash of the week after winning the PokerNews Cup High Roller earlier this week for 23,025. After a short deliberation, the four-way deal was struck and play ended on the spot with Panagiotidis crowned as the official champion. This concludes our coverage of the PokerNews Cup Main Event, and the first-ever to be held in the Finix Casino in Kulata, Bulgaria, just over the greek border. PokerNews Cup in Finix Casino *Images courtesy of Omari Bryan and Katerina Lukina. 3k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) who represents a very conservative district, said that Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. Republican Congressman Says Trump Engaged In Impeachable Conduct Amash laid out his own principal conclusions on Twitter: Here are my principal conclusions: 1. Attorney General Barr has deliberately misrepresented Muellers report. 2. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. 3. Partisanship has eroded our system of checks and balances. 4. Few members of Congress have read the report. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 In comparing Barrs principal conclusions, congressional testimony, and other statements to Muellers report, it is clear that Barr intended to mislead the public about Special Counsel Robert Muellers analysis and findings. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 Barrs misrepresentations are significant but often subtle, frequently taking the form of sleight-of-hand qualifications or logical fallacies, which he hopes people will not notice. Justin Amash (@justinamash) May 18, 2019 The Tide Is Turning Against Trump Amashs conclusion is a sign that the tide is turning against Trump. One Republican congressman is not a tsunami against Trump from within his party, but if there is one House Republican who is willing to speak out, the odds are that there are more who are staying silent because they dont think they can keep their seats in 2020 if Trump turns his wrath toward them If the country ever reaches the point where Trumps is hurting House candidates in Republican districts, then the dam will break. Trump is going to try to make an example out of Rep. Amash. He is likely to fail because Amash has beaten back Republican challenges before, but Amashs tweets could go down in history as the first shots fired in the Republican Trump impeachment civil war. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 6.8k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Joe Biden went after Trumps racism and bigotry in a simple, clear, plainspoken way that nailed the president right between the eyes. Biden Calls Out Trumps Racism Biden said at his campaign kickoff rally in Philadelphia, Let me ask you, are we a nation that believes there is a moral equivalence between white supremacist and neo-nazi and the Ku Klux Klan and those with the courage to stand against them. No, we dont. But Trump does. Trump said there is a moral equivalence. Are we a nation that believes ripping children from the arms of their parents at the border? No, we dont. But Trump does. Are we a nation that embraces dictators and tyrants like Putin and Kim Jong-un? We dont, but trump does. Look, every day were reminded about this in this election about we have to remember who we are and what we stand for and what we believe. And every day were reminded there is nothing guaranteed about our democracy. We have to fight for it. We have to defend it. We have to earn it. We have to earn it. Video: Why Trump Fears Joe Biden Most Trump fears Biden more than any other Democrat because Biden has a plainspoken and easy to understand way of calling out Trumps lack of values and behavior. Biden doesnt get philosophical. He says this is wrong. This isnt America. This isnt who we are. Joe Biden does something that Hillary Clinton and all of the failed 2016 Republican candidates failed to do. Biden puts Trump on the defensive. Joe Biden understands how to run against Trump. Democrats arent going to beat Trump by standing on the debate stage and talking policy. They arent going to beat Trump by trading insults. Democrats will win by making a black and white argument about Trump not being what is America is about, and it is why Republicans are so worried about Joe Biden taking on Donald Trump next fall. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 1.4k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rep. Adam Schiff said that Trump wants to be impeached and he is pushing Democrats in that direction. Adam Schiff says Trump wants immpeachment Transcript via CBSs Face The Nation: MARGARET BRENNAN: You do think there is more of a movement REP. SCHIFF: I- I MARGARET BRENNAN: towards impeachment? REP. SCHIFF: I think that we are seeing more members that recognize that the administration is acting in a lawless fashion, essentially having obstructed justice, is now obstructing Congress and our lawful function. And if we conclude that theres no other way to do our jobs, no other way to do the oversight, no other way to show the American people what this president has done, his- his unethical and illegal acts as outlined in the Mueller Report, then we may get there. MARGARET BRENNAN: Youre- what- what youre suggesting just to clarify, is that by opening up an inquiry into impeachment- proceedings into impeachment, it would allow you to get the information even- and evidence youve been asking for? REP. SCHIFF: It may MARGARET BRENNAN: But it provides a tool even if it fails? REP. SCHIFF: It- it- it does, it provides an additional tool. And what we have been doing is we have been gradually escalating the- the tactics we need to use to get information for the American people. So we began by asking for voluntary cooperation and that was not forthcoming. We followed with subpoenas, we followed with contempt, we may follow with inherent contempt, and we may have to follow with impeachment. There may be an odd confluence of interest here between the Trump Administration and people around the president who want him impeached because they think its politically advantageous. And an increasing number of Democrats and maybe Republicans who feel this presidents conduct is so incompatible with office, incompatible with our system of checks and balances that if the only way that we can do our oversight is through an impeachment proceeding then maybe we have to go down that road. But I think itll be important to show the American people this was a decision made reluctantly. Adam Schiff was right Trump wants to be impeached. He thinks that it will be good for him politically. The president knows that he is not going to be removed from office, but that impeachment would rally Republicans to his side and change the issue from Trumps failed presidency to presidential martyrdom in 2020. Democrats havent taken the bait, and they will not impeach Trump until they absolutely must. Trump is trying to use impeachment to win reelection, which is the biggest reason why Democrats must not give the president what he wants. Video: For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook 1.2k SHARES Facebook Twitter Whatsapp Pinterest Reddit Print Mail Flipboard Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) said that the House Judiciary Committee is moving quickly toward opening an impeachment investigation into Trump. Rep. Pramila Jayapal: House Judiciary Is Moving Toward Trump Impeachment Investigation Transcript via CNNs State Of The Union: TAPPER: Some members of the Democratic caucus want to go forward with impeachment, but Democratic leaders have been saying, slow your roll. Does the fact that Justin Amash, a Republican, is now supporting impeachment, at least theoretically, mean that the people who want to proceed with that now have more wind at their backs? JAYAPAL: Well, I think its a watershed moment. For weeks Speaker Pelosi has saying this needs to be bipartisan if its going to move forward just from the practical perspective of impeachment moving forward. And I think Justin Amash coming on board means that there is now bipartisan support for really understanding the seriousness of what is in the Mueller report. And, you know, he says, and I think hes right we most of us actually swing district Democrats and progressives, most of the caucus agrees with most of those conclusions that Justin Amash has around what is in the report. We have read the report. It very carefully laid out a case that really is pushing for the House to take on these issues. So, I think its not about the impeachment vote. Its about opening an impeachment inquiry and really having the legal the legal remedies that are stronger when you have an impeachment inquiry. And I think were very quickly headed down that path. Video: An Impeachment Investigation Is Not An Impeachment Vote An impeachment investigation is the first step in the process. The Judiciary Committee may need to launch an impeachment investigation because of Trumps refusal to turn over documents, evidence, and make witnesses available to testify. Rep. Justin Amashs tweets over the weekend have opened the door for House Democrats to push more. Speaker Pelosi has stressed that the process of impeachment could be used as an investigative tool. Impeachment is clearly not going to end in Trumps removal from office as long as Republicans control the Senate, but the impeachment mechanism can be used to break Trumps obstruction, and deliver the facts to the American people before they vote in 2020. For more discussion about this story join our Rachel Maddow and MSNBC group. Follow Jason Easley on Facebook Charleston, SC (29403) Today Areas of patchy fog early. Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High 73F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Partly to mostly cloudy. Low near 60F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa Beto ORourke had his. Pete Buttigieg is still having his. So is Joseph R. Biden Jr. But Jay Inslee hasnt had his, nor has John Hickenlooper. And when either Kamala Harris or Amy Klobuchar has hers, watch out. Every four years, a group of presidential candidates have their Moment, a golden intercession when the press and the country discover their virtues, begin to consider them as strong White House contenders, conceive of them as plausible presidents. It happened to Barack Obama in the spring of 2007; he never lost that fairy dust. It happened to Howard Dean of Vermont in late 2003 and early 2004; his magic disappeared by midwinter. It happened to Dick Gephardt of Missouri twice in late 1987 and again in early 2004; he never caught the campaign wind long enough to cruise to the Democratic presidential nomination. These men still live with their Moment, the glory that was in their grasp until it migrated elsewhere, to sturdier, stronger hands able to hold it more firmly, sometimes long enough to propel them to the inaugural platform on the west front of the Capitol. Candidates need to translate their Moments into cash, said Bruce Nesmith, who as a political scientist at Coe College here is a veteran observer of the first caucus state. They then need to translate both cash and fame into building organizations, both here in Iowa and around the country. The Moment was in the youthful hands of Sen. Gary Hart after he stunned the political establishment by upsetting former Vice President Walter F. Mondale in New Hampshire in late February 1984. Hart had the tail winds because he was new and nimble of mind, and was possessed of a sense of destiny that streamed from his intense eyes and from his possession of new ideas. He then streaked through Maine and Vermont, the Mondale mountain wall crumbling like an avalanche in the White and Green Mountains of northern New England. Then Mondales strategists the canny James A. Johnson and the shrewd Michael Berman came up with a gambit for the ages. They looked ahead to Super Tuesday with trepidation, but also with calculation. Hart, they knew, was positioned to win Massachusetts and Rhode Island by prodigious margins, and to capture Florida, the big prize of the day, as well. All that came to pass, to the distress of the Minnesotan and his minions. But the Mondale brain trust began a parallel campaign, not so much for convention delegates as for the conventional wisdom, and they sowed the notion preposterous on its face, and even more so in the rear-view mirror of history that Florida and the New England Democratic strongholds counted for nothing, and that the key to political success was the contest in Georgia. Georgia was, of course, the home state of Jimmy Carter, the former president who had chosen Mondale as his running mate in 1976. Carter was in disrepute pretty much everywhere in Democratic circles with one exception, his home state. Mondale had months earlier gritted his teeth and stopped in Georgia to pay respects to his patron. Political pros at the time wondered of the wisdom of that visit to a onetime president who only later enjoyed his revisionism by virtue of his post-presidential good works. But it paid off. Hart won three of the five states contested that day, losing Georgia by only 3 percentage points but losing the momentum he cultivated on the ground though not in the press. His Moment had vanished, forever. Overall, Hart won six more states than Mondale. On the last day of the primary season, he won the biggest prize, California. A day later Mondale claimed sufficient delegates to win a nomination that eventually proved to be more dross than dream. But he also proved how fleeting can be the Moment. Speed ahead four years and there was, as Barbra Streisand sang in an entirely different context, a Moment to remember. It belonged to former Gov. Bruce Babbitt of Arizona, like Hart a cerebral political figure but lacking the Coloradans dash and glamour. Later Babbitt became secretary of the Interior and would have been on the Supreme Court had Western lawmakers not objected to his determination to keep their states free of pollution, and of miners. The Babbitt Moment crystalized in a late 1987 debate, when he challenged Democrats to confront the budget deficit. Babbitt proposed a tax on consumption (a progressive national consumption tax) and a universal means test no farm subsidies for the rich, new taxes on Social Security for the wealthy. The press, as always guilty of focusing on politics rather than policy, sought to right its great wrongs and decided Babbitt was a truth-teller for the times, deeming him a possible hero for the ages. These campaign Moments are coveted X factors, kind of mysterious, in a way fascinating, but often fleeting, Babbitt said in a conversation the other day, in which he avowed that his Moment came because people were casting around for a candidate they liked and werent finding that in any of us. When Babbitt actually said something sensible, at least to Democratic ears, his name was on everyones lips. But not for long. Babbitt has an unusual sense of self-perception for a politician, and perhaps it is best that he tells of the denouement: I had deficient communication skills and couldnt take advantage of my Moment. I couldnt make my policy proposals morph into a personal connection with voters. And so it disappeared like a midwinter thaw in New Hampshire, where Babbitt finished sixth and departed the race. In years to come, Republicans Ben Carson and Herman Cain would have momentous Moments, with Cain he had a cameo reappearance last month as a failed Fed candidate actually leading the polls in 2011. It was only weeks later that he, too, left the lists. But not all Moments fade forever. Sen. John McCain had a 2007 Moment, then a 2007 collapse, and then mirabile dictum a 2008 revival. He won the GOP nomination, and though he didnt win the presidency, he went to his death respected by nearly everyone in American life the principal exception being the current president, whose Moment, perhaps the unlikeliest of them all, has lasted three years. (David M. Shribman is the former executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Follow him on Twitter at ShribmanPG.) Korean-American chef Christian Morales, better known by his nickname "Chef D," listens to a question during an interview with The Korea Times at his restaurant El Pino 323 in Itaewon, Seoul, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk El Pino 323 attracts Koreans, expats seeking authentic Mexican cuisine By Kang Hyun-kyung Shops in the Gyeongnidan area in Itaewon, Seoul, have been closing down one after another as tenants face tough times. The 55,000 square meter area from the military finance corps to the Grand Hyatt Hotel was once a vibrant, crowded district. Owing to the cosmopolitan nature of the neighborhood, craft beer, interesting stores and foreign eateries popped up and attracted younger people seeking a trendy lifestyle. The booming days for Gyeongnidan, however, later became a curse for tenants. Rents began spiking in the district from 2010 because of the rise in its popularity. Unable to pay soaring rents, tenants left Gyeongnidan one after another, looking for cheaper locations for their businesses. There is, however, one eatery that has defied such trends El Pino 323. The Mexican restaurant is owned by Korean-American adoptee Christian Morales, better known by his nickname "Chef D" among Mexican food lovers. The eatery has continued to thrive since it relocated there two years ago from Seoul's western district of Mapo. Chef D attributed the success to his "ethical food." "In El Pino, we have a lot of rules. I am very strict with my food," he said during a Korea Times interview at the restaurant Wednesday. According to him, some of his customers ask him to change recipes a little bit or remove certain ingredients for them, a request which he said is unacceptable. "For me, it's like this is my menu, not yours," he said. "If you don't like my food, don't come here." The name of the restaurant came from East Los Angeles where he was raised. El Pino is a natural landmark of East L.A. sitting on its border with the Boyle Heights neighborhood on the corner of Folsom and N Indiana. The number 323 is the area code of L.A. Chef D cannot go back to East L.A. In 2002, he was deported to South Korea and his entry to the United States was banned for life after being caught selling drugs. El Pino 323 signifies his cultural roots. He learned how to cook Mexican cuisine from his grandmother Rosa Maria Morales who ran a restaurant in the backyard of her home in Puebla, Mexico. In East L.A., Chef D was raised as a Mexican child. He said his food doesn't represent a certain region or location in Mexico. "If it does, it's actually Puebla, Mexico where my grandma was from," he said. His uncompromising spirit and stubborn policy made him a controversial character there are Chef D fanatics and at the same time haters. Those who respect genuine Mexican food admire him for his authentic recipes and come to the restaurant again, but people who unsuccessfully requested a recipe alteration harbor hard feelings toward Chef D. Carnitas tacos prepared by Chef D / Courtesy of El Pino 323 His food received lots of praise on an episode of Olive TV's food show "Wednesday Food Talk" which aired in July 2017. Celebrities described Chef D's cuisine as "authentic Mexican home meal-style food" giving him a thumbs up. "Some people actually appreciate what we do But some people whose personal request was not accepted give us a lot of bad reviews." He said the past six months or so were particularly tough for him because some expats uploaded negative reviews about his food on social media. Some bashed him on the internet, according to the chef. Such bashing, however, didn't lead him to change his way of making authentic Mexican food. "My wife took the criticism personally and one day she told me I should change my recipes." He refused. Chef D uses locally-grown vegetables but imports key ingredients, such as beans, peppers, and sauces, from the United States or Mexico to give his food an authentic flavor and taste. His hard work and work ethic paid off. "Our popularity is growing. With that, we got some people who hate us, though" he said. "The funny thing is everybody is trying to be like us now. I mean Mexican restaurants in Korea are trying to be authentic." Chicken enchiladas / Courtesy of El Pine 323 The influx of illegal immigrants seeking asylum in the U.S. has overwhelmed facilities along the Texas border with Mexico. Consequently, hundreds of these detainees will be flown to San Diego for processing. The plan calls for three flights a week carrying about 130 people per flight to arrive in the San Diego area from the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. Similarly, the Trump administration is preparing to send a thousand migrants to Southern Florida each month for the same purpose to relieve the overcrowded and unsustainable conditions on the U.S.-Mexico border. And U.S. authorities have been busing illegal immigrants to Colorado from overcrowded shelters along the border in Texas and New Mexico. Residents in the areas receiving the illegal immigrants are not pleased. Florida officials expressed anger after learning of the plan to send illegal immigrants to Broward and Palm Beach counties, both of which are run by Democrats. Broward Mayor Mark Bogen says he expects this move to create a massive homelessness problem. Thats whats happening in South Texas. Once the illegal immigrants are processed, they will be released with a notice telling them to appear for a hearing. Many of them will not appear, choosing instead to go underground and remain in the U.S. illegally. A properly functioning country, if it flew these illegal entrants anywhere, would fly them to Mexico City or San Salvador. In all events, it would expel them immediately and require them to file their claims for asylum in the U.S. elsewhere. The law does not permit this. With the way things are going, however, I wonder whether President Trump might soon declare an emergency at the border (one certainly exists), say to hell with the courts, and refuse to allow illegal immigrants seeking asylum to stay in the U.S. until such time as they are granted asylum. Republican Congressman Justin Amash of Michigan has called for President Trumps impeachment on Twitter. His reasons are idiotic: Impeachment, which is a special form of indictment, does not even require probable cause that a crime (e.g., obstruction of justice) has been committed; it simply requires a finding that an official has engaged in careless, abusive, corrupt, or otherwise dishonorable conduct, Amash wrote. An interesting paraphrase of high crimes and misdemeanors. But naturally Politico cheers Amash on, with this false statement of fact: The [Mueller] report outlined several episodes that meet all the element [sic] of an obstruction of justice offense, most notably former White House Counsel Don McGahns testimony about Trumps persistent efforts to have McGahn fire the special counsel. No, actually, it didnt. The McGhan theory is laughable: if Trump had wanted to fire Mueller so that another special counsel could have been appointed, he would have done it. But he didnt. And replacing a conflicted special counsel with another special counsel could not possibly constitute obstruction of justice, in any event. This morning on CNNs State of the Union, Mitt Romney praised Amash without going so far as to call for impeachment himself: Sunday on CNNs State of the Union, Sen. Mitt Romney (R-UT) said Rep. Justin Amash (R-MI) was courageous for concluding President Donald Trump committed impeachable conduct. Romney said, I think every individual has to make their own judgment. I think it helps to actually have read the entire document. Its a long document. It took me two full days to get through it. The second volume is more difficult to get through than the first. Hopefully more people read it. I think a lot of people want to reserve judgment until this is played out. My own view is that Justin Amash has reached a different conclusion than I have. I respect him. I think its a courageous statement. But I believe to make a case for obstruction of justice, you just dont have the elements that are evidenced in this document. And I also believe that an impeachment call is something that not just relates to the law but considers practicality and politics. I think those considering impeachment have to look at the jury, which is the Senate. The Senate is certainly not there either. Thanks for that ringing endorsement of your president, Mitt. Taking the Democrats absurd grounds for impeachment seriously is a betrayal of your party and, ultimately, of the American people who are benefiting so greatly from the Trump administration. Romney also declined to endorse President Trump for re-election, saying it is way too early. Who knows, Mitt might yet decide Bernie Sanders or Joe Biden is a better choice. This is really neat: Wilfred McClays Land of Hope is today sitting at #9 on the Amazon best-seller list. Not #9 among books on history#9 among all books. Take that, all you Zinnsane people! Land of Hope indeed! (I credit Power Line readers, but if you havent ordered yet, please do and lets see if we can get the book to Number One.) Remember the headline that Glenn Reynolds likes to repost often the WSJ story about how Denver banned people (leftist people that is) from carrying bags of urine and feces in the city during the 2008 Democratic convention? Well, Edinburgh, Scotland, has done NYC one better by banning . . . McDonalds milkshakes? Police asked a McDonalds restaurant near an Edinburgh venue where Nigel Farage was speaking not to sell milkshakes because of concerns protesters might throw them at the Brexit party leader. A sign appeared on Friday in the window of the McDonalds on New Market Road, which is less than 200 metres from the Corn Exchange where the campaign rally was to take place, saying: We will not be selling milkshakes or ice cream tonight. This is due to a police request given recent events. The request follows a series of incidents in which far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson and the Ukip candidate Carl Benjamin have had milkshakes and other food thrown at them by protesters during the European elections campaign. Oh-kaaay. By the way, dont leftist protestors know that milkshakes are made from, you know, milk (okay, maybe not McDonalds shakes. . .), and that milk comes from farting cows, which means, inter alia, that throwing milkshakes at people is destroying the planet! The New Republic is not even a shadow of its former self, but I do like this headline: Joe Biden Is the Democrats Safety School. Actually if you can stand to read the whole piece, you pick up a lot about Bidens problems both with the Democratic primary electorate, and in a potential general election. Speaking of Bidens problems with the progressive base of todays Democratic party (which I think makes him the Ed Muskie and Hubert Humphrey of this election cycleremember that Muskie was the Dem front runner at this point in 1971, and beating Nixon in some head-to-head trial heats), you might want to take in an article from the lefty online journal Counterpunch about Grabby Joe. May favorite highlights: Under the delusion that neoliberal, neoconservative corpse-in-waiting Uncle Joe Biden is what voters want, the Democratic Party has once again substituted marketing logic for a political program. . . With the ascension of Mr. Biden as hair-transplant-apparent of the Democratic Party, the groundwork is being laid to return the nation to the militaristic, oligarchic state where the whims of capital determine the realm of political possibility. . . More popcorn, please. . . I ignored the news some weeks back that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was to have her own superhero comic book (perfect for the comic book mentality of progressives), but this headline is fun: DC Comics Sends Cease & Desist Order Over Superhero Alexandria Ocasio-Cortezs Wonder Woman Comic Book. Its almost as though the progressives behind the comic book dont have any regard for property rights. (I forgot: property is theft.) Or maybe its because of the self-evident truth that AOC is no Wonder Woman? More like Blunder Woman. I want to ask you to stay tuned for our annual Bobfest in honor of Dylans birthday this coming Friday. As long as its not dark yet, we will continue to celebrate him. These notes on David Bromberg are something of a placeholder in advance of May 24. There is of course a Dylan connection. Dylan is one of the many great artists with whom Bromberg has played and recorded over the years. He is 73 years old. He has put on a few pounds, but he remains a master of the blues (and more, as I mention below). I only vaguely remembered Bromberg as the blues virtuoso I used to hear on the cool old KQRS back in the day. As I recall, the cool old KQ had Brombergs I Like to Sleep Late in the Morning (below) in regular rotation. Whatever happened to him? He came through town this past week for two nights at the Dakota in downtown Minneapolis. I hadnt even noticed that he was coming until my old Highland Park friend Tom Edelstein invited me to join him for this past Thursday nights show. We sat off to the side of the stage. I shot the photo at right from our seat. The sound, by the way, was perfect. I was deeply impressed by the show. The place was packed with rabid fans. Unlike me, they hadnt lost track of Bromberg. They were thrilled by the opportunity to see him live at such a first-class venue. The gentleman sitting next to us had seen David in years past at a small town in rural Wisconsin and at the Cedar Cultural Center on the so-called West Bank in Minneapolis, now the heart of Little Mogadishu. I was never a rabid fan. Less than rabid fans might well have lost track of David. Trying to retrace the steps of his career, I discovered that he took a long-term break from his performing career starting in 1980. Mark Demings Allmusic profile notes that in 1980 Bromberg decided he was tired of the rigors of touring and took a sabbatical from the road, occasionally playing sessions for friends and staging occasional live shows but devoting most of his time to studying at the Kenneth Warren School of Violin Making in Chicago. According to the bio he has posted, his sabbatical amounted to a period of self-imposed exile from his passion (1980-2002)[.] Some time in that period he opened David Brombergs Fine Violins in Wilmington, Delaware. Its still going strong, as is his love of the instrument. He sold unsuccessfully sought to sell his lovingly acquired collection of more than 250 violins to the Library of Congress in 2016. Jon Kalish told the story for NPRs All Things Considered here. What else? David has put together a fabulous band. The extended versions of the songs he plays live show off their talents. He opened Thursday night with Robert Johnsons Walkin Blues. The live version below derives from a 2014 eTown episode. One of the highlights of Thursday nights show was Ill Take You Back. The relatively condensed version below also derives from the 2014 eTown episode. He really kept it going Thursday night, both vocally and instrumentally. You can tell he loves singing this song. It was a delight all the way to the end. David has kept the band on display in the eTown episode together for an unusually long time. It was the same one he had with him Thursday night. David plays every form of blues music and makes each one beautiful in its own way. Yet he also adds bluegrass, country, rock and gospel to the mix. His show provides a living lesson in the Cosmic American Music. Hes on tour with the band. If you enjoy this kind of music, you wont want to miss the chance to see him. UPDATE: Lets bring him back for an encore. Reader Geoff Mike recommends Brombergs beautiful live performance of Jerry Jeff Walkers Mr. Bojangles (below). CORRECTION: I rashly assumed that Bromberg had consummated the sale of his violin collection to the Library of Congress. Jon Kalish advises in the comments that agreement was not reached. I thank Mr. Kalish for the correction. You may have read last week about newly unredacted files arising from Michael Flynns cooperation with the Special Counsel under his plea agreement. NBC News, for example, reports that Flynn told investigators that people linked to the Trump administration and Congress reached out to him in an effort to interfere in the Russia probe[.] NBC News quotes from a newly unredacted portion of the governments sentencing memo: The defendant informed the government of multiple instances, both before and after his guilty plea, where either he or his attorneys received communications from persons connected to the Administration or Congress that couldve affected both his willingness to cooperate and the completeness of that cooperation, says the newly revealed section of a sentencing memo originally filed in December. NBC News added that Flynn even provided a voicemail recording of one such communication, the court papers say. This was treated as news. CNN politics guru Chris Cillizza put it somewhat redundantly: While news of the voicemail is new, it very much fits a pattern of clear concern mixed with an attempt at care and feeding from Trumpworld toward Flynn. These stories come from reporters who cover politics for a living, yet they dont seem to know that the voicemail is quoted and discussed in Volume II of the Mueller Report: at page 200 in the executive summary, and then at pages 293-294 and 298-300. The voicemail message from President Trumps (unnamed) personal attorney is quoted at page 294. The Special Counsel himself found the evidence of obstruction as to the president inconclusive, in part because of privilege issues (page 300). You dont have to dig too deeply into the Mueller Report to find this. It is all highlighted by section in the reports table of contents and section headings. Cillizza et al. appear not to be familiar with the Mueller Report. Although they may have missed it, there is real news in the Flynn case. Courtesy of the invaluable Twitter feed of Undercover Huber, we learned that Judge Sullivan has ordered the Special Counsel publicly to file all transcripts of any other audio recordings of Mr. Flynn, including, but not limited to, audio recordings of Mr. Flynns conversations with Russian officials i.e., not just transcripts of conversations with the Russian ambassador, but all transcripts of all audio recordings. Now that should get our attention. The Hill and a few others covered the orders, but it didnt get the attention it deserves. (Did the Times get to it?) I dont recall ever seeing anything like them in a criminal case that simply awaits sentencing. BREAKING: D.C. Judge Sullivan orders DOJ to file on the public docket: Fully unredacted parts of Mueller report that relate to @GenFlynn TRANSCRIPT of @GenFlynn's calls with Russian ambassador KISLYAK Both by May 31 2019 pic.twitter.com/GXvLCMJIEq Undercover Huber (@JohnWHuber) May 16, 2019 UPDATE: Here is Judge Sullivans latest word on the Flynn tapes. Courtesy of our friend Mr. Fog, we learn that the Flynn tapes may or may not be coming soon. We shall see. PR-Inside.com: 2019-05-19 21:12:42 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 600 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 EUREKA SPRINGS, AR / ACCESSWIRE / May 19, 2019 / Plein Air of Eureka Springs presents the first annual Plein Air of Eureka Springs Invitational from Monday, May 20th through Saturday, May 25th, 2019. The event includes painting workshops, a chance for art lovers to see the nation's top plein air painters in action and to buy their work. Twenty-four artists from Northwest Arkansas and across the United States will be showcased as well as student-artists from across the Northwest Arkansas region.Funded by a grant from the Windgate Foundation, the first annual Plein Air of Eureka Springs Invitational 2019, is described by organizer Jom Statton as "an opportunity to increase youth and community engagement with 'plein air painting' and to help establish a stronger tradition of the arts in the area and the state." Although the invitational will be restricted to the 24 artists, there will be plenty of fun and educational events for the local community and those interested in painting.Beginning Tuesday, May 21st, the invitational artists will paint in and around Eureka Springs from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM during which spectators are encouraged to view the works and meet the artists. There will be a 2-Day Plein Air Workshop hosted by International Plein Air award-winner John Cook on Thursday and Friday, May 23rd and 24th from 9AM-4PM. Organizer Kenn Woodard said, "The John Cook workshop is a truly unique and fantastic opportunity for people to learn from a master painter. We are very fortunate to have this synergistic experience available to artists." Mr. Cook will also serve as the judge for the competition. There will also be two Quick Draw events, one held Friday, May 24th at Main Stage from 9AM-12PM, and the second will be Saturday, May 25th at the same time and location (67 N. Main Street, Eureka Springs, AR). The Quick Draw events are open to all. For registration for all workshops or more info: https://www.paofes.com/ The invitational artists will paint with a selection of high school students, whose works will be displayed at the New Orleans Hotel in Eureka Springs on Saturday, May 25th. The invitational as a whole is free and open to the public. The 2-Day Plein Air Outdoor Workshop hosted by John Cook will cost $275 for both days and the two Quick Draw events have a $25 registration fee per event. Live music, drinks, and light appetizers will be available at Mainstage nightly.The winners of the invitational, as well as the two Quick Draw events, will be decided during the final Saturday event. The first-place winner of the invitational will receive a $10,000 prize, second place will receive $5,000, and third place will receive $2,500, with five honorable mentions receiving $500 apiece. The winner of the Quick Draw will receive two-thirds of the registration proceeds.About Plein Art of Eureka Springs: The Plein Air of Eureka Springs (PAOFES) became a non-profit organization in 2019, with a mission to bring quality arts, artists and cultural events to beautiful, historic, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Plein Air of Eureka Springs encourages a return to the practice made famous by French Impressionists by painting out in the open, in plain air ("en plein air"). Plein air painting is about leaving the four walls of the studio behind and the desire to paint light and its changing, ephemeral qualities.For more information and press bookings regarding Plein Air Festival at Eureka Springs please contact Kenn Woodard via email at statton.gallery@gmail.com or by phone at (479)-244-9140. For registration and more info on the event visit: https://www.paofes.com/ SOURCE:The Plein Air of Eureka Springs Saudi Arabia has imposed a special tax on electronic cigarettes and sugary drinks, extending similar taxes introduced in 2017 as it seeks to reduce a budget deficit caused by low oil prices. The General Authority of Zakat and Tax said a 100 per cent tax would be levied on electronic cigarettes and products used in them, and a 50 per cent tax on sugared drinks. Saudi Arabia, the Arab worlds largest economy, already had a 100 per cent tax on cigarettes and tobacco products, a 100 per cent tax on energy drinks and a 50 per cent one on fizzy drinks. The authority took the decision on May 15 and it became effective from Saturday after publication in the official gazette. The taxes fall under the category of selective taxes on products deemed harmful to public health. Saudi Arabia, the worlds top oil exporter, introduced a five per cent value-added tax (VAT) in January 2018 to improve non-oil revenue generation after a plunge in oil prices from mid-2014 bruised its revenues. The IMF on Thursday said the VAT introduction had been successful, but that the Saudi government should consider raising the rate, which is low by global standards. Similarly, Saudi Arabia on Sunday said that it had deposited 250 million dollars in the Central Bank of Sudan, Saudi Press Agency reported. The deposit is part of a joint Saudi-United Arab Emirates 3-billion-dollar aid package to Sudan announced in April. It was agreed that 500 million dollars would be provided by the two countries as a deposit in the Central Bank of Sudan to strengthen its financial position, alleviate pressure on the Sudanese pound and help stabilise the exchange rate. The remaining amount will be allocated to meet the urgent needs of the Sudanese people, including food, medicines and oil derivatives. Saudi Minister of Finance, Mohammed Al-Jadaan also confirmed that the deposit was part of Saudi Arabias support to the Sudanese people. (Reuters/NAN) The Kebbi State Government on Sunday confirmed one death from six cases of Lassa Fever in the state. Assad Hassan, Epidemiologist at the state Ministry of Health, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Birnin Kebbi, that the cases were recorded between February and April. Mr Hassan told NAN that four of the victims were from Birnin Kebbi; while the remaining two were from Bunza Local Government Area (LGA) of the state. The persons confirmed to be infected with the disease are between 23 to 65 years, and they include four males and two females, he said. According to him, one of the female patients was the one that died within hours of arrival at the Federal Medical Centre in Birnin Kebbi. He said the blood sample taken from the deceased tested positive to Lassa fever. The medical doctor that attended to the deceased was also infected with the fever but has been treated and discharged from hospital, he added. Mr Hassan further explained that the last confirmed case was on April 27. He refuted reports that two children had died last week as a result of the fever. In response to the outbreak, there has been continuous sensitisation of health care workers on Lassa Fever detection and infection, prevention and control measures within the hospital setting. Similarly, advocacy, social mobilisation and community engagement have been carried out in all the 21 LGAs of the state, Mr Hassan said. The epidemiologist also advised communities to keep food and drinking water in rodent-proof containers and to also bring sick family members to the hospital early enough for treatment. (NAN) Boko Haram: Nigeria spent N5 billion on humanitarian services in Borno Minister The federal government has spont over N5 billion on health and humanitarian services in Borno State in the last three years, the Minister of Health, Isaac Adewole, has said. Mr Adewole, on Monday in Abuja, said the funds were used to cushion the effects of Boko Haram insurgency in the state. The minister spoke at a conference tagged, Nigeria Humanitarian Response Dialogue, organised by his ministry. DFID spends N4bn to support 52,393 pregnant women in Zamfara The UK Department for International Development (DFID) said it spent N4 billion in supporting 52,393 pregnant women in Zamfara State. The agency said it did this through its Child Development Grand Programme (CDGP) from 2014 to date. The main target of the CDGP programme is to ensure effective child care, growth and development. Tanko Muhammad, the State Team Leader of the CDGP in Zamfara, said that 52,393 pregnant women across 527 communities from the two local government areas of Anka and Tsafe in the state had so far benefited from the programme, which started in 2014. World Bank appoints Nigerias ex-minister as global director for health The World Bank has appointed Muhammad Pate, the minister of state for health under former president Goodluck Jonathan, as global director for health, nutrition, and population. Mr Pate was also appointed as director of Global Financing Facility (GFF) of the World Bank Group, which seeks to raise trillions of dollars to ensure the sustainable development goals (SDGs) are achieved before 2030. Congratulating him on the appointment, the director general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Ghebreyesus, said he looked forward to working closely with Mr Pate. Shortage of health care workers can ignite a crisis The Chairman of the Medical Guild, Lagos chapter, Babajide Saheed, has advised the Lagos State Government to recruit more health workers in order to avert a health crisis in the state. Mr Saheed lamented the shortage of health workers in the state and accused the state government of not replacing practitioners who left the health sector. He said, We will have a crisis in Lagos State if the shortage of health workers is not resolved. We have reached a stage where two doctors will be on call for aesthetic and gynaecology management. This comprises four different units. Quality healthcare: CSOs call for better health system A coalition of civil society groups, Empowerment for Unemployed Youth Initiative, has urged the Nigerian government at all levels to improve facilities at various health institutions in the country. The National Coordinator of the group, Solomon Adodo, urged private individuals and organisations to help in boosting healthcare service delivery in the country. He said equipping the hospitals will discourage Nigerians from getting medical treatment abroad. Mr Adodo said support to the health institution will be beneficial to the entire nation. Gombe: NAFDAC alerts public on circulation of fake cold Caplets The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has alerted the public on the circulation of fake Mixagrip cold Caplets in Gombe State. The Director-General of NAFDAC, Moji Adeyeye, said that the fake drugs were discovered during routine surveillance in Gombe metropolis. Advertisements She added that they were found to be without the name and address of the manufacturer. Mrs Adeyeye said the genuine product was manufactured in Nigeria by Orange Kalbe Limited with address at 66/68 Town Planning Way, Ilupeju, Lagos State Over 20 million babies were born with low weight WHO The World Health Organisation has said that more than 20 million babies were born with a low birth weight (less than 2500g; 5.5 pounds) in 2015. According to a new research paper developed by experts from the WHO, UNICEF and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, published in The Lancet Global Health, around one in seven of all births worldwide were born with this major health challenge. The researchers noted that more than 80 per cent of the worlds 2.5 million newborns die every year are of low birthweight. It also noted that low weight babies who survive have a greater risk of stunting, developmental and physical ill- health later in life. WHO said although close to three-quarters preterm babies were born in Southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, the problem remains substantial in high-income countries in Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand, adding that high-income countries have seen virtually no progress. Cervical cancer kills 311,000 women each year globally WHO The World Health Organization (WHO) says about 311 000 women die of cervical cancer globally each year and Africa has the second highest burden of the disease. WHO Regional Director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, said that cervical cancer is one of the most preventable and curable forms of cancers, through vaccination, early detection and treatment. Cervical cancer is caused by the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV). Risk factors associated with the disease include; early sexual activity, multiple sexual partners, exposure to other sexually transmitted infections such as HIV and smoking, among others. The disease can be prevented through vaccination for girls aged 9 to 14 years. #PHC4IHC: How technology will drive health insurance in Lagos Commissioner Lagos State plans to fully roll out its state-run health insurance scheme in June. Ahead of the launch, the government of the state said it adopted a technology-based application to capture and ensure ease of access to the scheme by residents. Jide Idris, the states commissioner for health, said technology will be vital to the success of the scheme. Mr Idris, a former permanent secretary in the state, said the scheme was made mandatory for all residents and the government is currently creating awareness and capturing people into the scheme. Pope Francis, right, greets President Moon Jae-in for a private audience at the Vatican in this Oct. 18, 2018,photo. Yonhap file By Jung Da-min Pope Francis is unlikely to visit North Korea this year, with the Vatican saying his scheduled overseas trips for the remainder of the year do not include any Asian countries. A possible visit to Japan, which earlier spurred expectations of a landmark visit to North Korea as part of the Pope's tour of Asian countries, is still under review, according to a Vatican official, last Friday, quoted by U.S. media outlet Voice of America. The Vatican had repeatedly said the Pope's visit to North Korea was unlikely in the near future because too many other trips were either scheduled or in the pipelines. Reports of a possible visit to North Korea emerged last October when President Moon Jae-in visited the Vatican to convey North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's wish for a possible papal visit. The Pope said then that he would seriously consider the visit once the invitation was formalized, according to Cheong Wa Dae at the time of President Moon's meeting. Moon was planning to use the visit to the North to win backing for his drive to bring permanent peace to the Korean Peninsula. The two Koreas began a thawing of diplomatic tensions last year, holding three summits, but tensions on the Peninsula have recently risen with the North firing short-range missiles on May 9, following a test-launch of "unidentified projectiles," most likely short-range missiles, May 4. Seoul and Washington have so far said they are closely checking whether the North's weapons tests involved ballistic missiles, which would violate United Nations sanctions. Governor Nyesom Wike has accused the Nigerian Army of running illegal bunkering in Rivers State. The governor accused Jamil Sarham, the general officer commanding the Armys 6 Division in Port Harcourt, of raising a team of soldiers to steal and sell petroleum products in the region. The GOC has his own team now doing oil bunkering for him because he wants to be chief of army staff, Mr Wike said while receiving a team of military personnel from Operation Delta Safe on Wednesday. If you give that kind of person chief of army staff, what kind of security would we have in this country? He cannot be removed here because they know the role he is playing for them: sabotaging our security architecture, the governor added. Mr Wike said Mr Sarham, a major-general, regularly divulges confidential security briefings to criminals, and the military leaderships reluctance in removing him was deliberate. We would have security meeting, he will release it to criminals, Mr Wike said. And chief of army staff will leave the man here because he is playing their role. Mr Wike said he has been leading security efforts to reduce crime to the barest minimum, in Rivers, which ranks amongst Nigerias most volatile states. But the army constitutes an obstacle for success, he alleged. The Operation Delta Safe is a joint-security patrol of the Niger Delta region, where cases of oil theft and disruption of oil installations are regularly reported. The courtesy visit to Mr Wike was led by Akinjide Akinrinade, a naval rear admiral and overall head of the operation. Mr Wike said it would be difficult for Operation Delta Safe to arrest military personnel sent on oil bunkering mission if they encountered one another in the creeks. The governor did not provide any evidence to substantiate his allegations. His media adviser, Oraye Franklin, told PREMIUM TIMES he has nothing to add to the governors comments. Mr Wike, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, has made unsubstantiated allegations in the past against Buhari administration officials and security chiefs. Following the discovery of a cash haul in Ikoyi in April 2017, Mr Wike claimed the money belonged to Rivers State, having allegedly been plundered by his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi. But when asked to provide evidence during forfeiture hearings, the governor failed to make any submission to the court. The money was later claimed by the Nigeria Intelligence Agency and forfeited to the Nigerian government. Mr Wike has also regularly accused the government and security agencies, including the police, of plotting to assassinate him without corroboration. Mr Sarham declined comments to PREMIUM TIMES about the allegations on Sunday morning. He admitted the allegations were grievous, but said he had not received clearance to make a public statement as of 9:20 a.m. on Sunday. The Army spokesperson, Sagir Musa, told PREMIUM TIMES he could not comment on the allegations Sunday morning. He asked that enquiries should be directed to Aminu Ilyasu, a spokesperson for the 6 Division. But Mr Ilyasu, a colonel, also declined comments, saying he was at a function and could not immediately say when it would be a good time for him to speak. Messrs Wike and Sarham have clashed repeatedly since the army chief was appointed as the GOC of 6 Division in August 2018. During the elections, the governor accused the army of undermining democracy in Rivers, after a series of deadly shootings forced the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to suspend results collation. At least two soldiers were killed in the state during the elections between February and March. About a dozen people were killed across the state during the elections. The electoral body, INEC, also criticised the Armys conduct during the elections. Days before the governorship election on March 9, Mr Sarham accused Mr Wike of offering bribes to military officers. The governor denied the allegations, dragging Nigerian Army to the International Criminal Court over the killings, injuries and destruction of properties recorded across the state during the elections. Nigerian senators last week discussed a variety of issues including motions and bills, some initially passed but rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari. During the debates, a senator called for population control while some lawmakers expressed concern about a looming revolution in Nigeria. Below are some of the major events from the upper chamber last week. Tuesday: -The Senate passed a bill to provide for adequate transportation and protection of workers. The bill ensures there are safety measures for workers including the provision of trucks constructed for the purpose of conveying them to and from work. Wednesday: -The Senate advised Nigerians to install carbon monoxide detectors in their vehicles, houses, offices, and factories to avoid inhaling harmful air. This followed a motion sponsored by Gbolahan Dada (Ogun-APC) who bemoaned the growing number of deaths traceable to carbon monoxide. -In his contribution to a motion calling for the creation of jobs to avoid a violent revolution by poor Nigerians, Ben Murray-Bruce called for population control to reduce poverty in Nigeria. According to him, the nation needs to spend more on education apart from population control. -The lawmakers debated ways to prevent a poverty-triggered revolution in the country. The debate followed a motion by Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu-PDP). He traced the issues of kidnapping, armed banditry, insurgency, ritual killings and others bedevilling the country to the menace of poverty ravaging all regions. -The Governor of the Central Bank, Godwin Emefiele, appeared for screening for his reappointment before the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions. His reappointment was later confirmed on Thursday. -The Nigerian Senate re-visited and passed the Nigerian Council for Social Work Bill. The bill had been rejected by President Muhammadu Buhari after it was first passed. The lawmakers rescinded seven clauses of the bill. Thursday: -The Senate passed the Public Holiday (Amendment) Act 2019. The bill seeks to declare June 12 as Democracy Day in Nigeria. -The Senate approved N14.6 billion for the Bauchi State government as refunds for projects it executed on behalf of the federal government. The approval was a sequel to the adoption of the report of the ad-hoc committee which was set up to consider the Promissory Note Programme and a Bond Issuance to Settle Inherited Local Debts and Contractual Obligations. The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) has accused the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, of scheming to proscribe the union. It said the minister had taken the first step in the scheme by asking NUPENG to produce its only outstanding Financial Returns, that of 2018, within 72 hours, when the extant law stipulates 30 days. PREMIUM TIMES had reported the tussle between the Nigeria Labor Congress (NLC) and the labour minister over the inauguration of the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) board. The board was constituted by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in October 2017 in his capacity as Acting President with a former NUPENG leader, Frank Kokori, as chairman. But the government delayed the inauguration of the board and eventually replaced the chairman-nominee. NUPENG and the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) blamed Mr Ngige for the development, saying he was scared of Mr Kokoris integrity. In a statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES Sunday afternoon, the national president of NUPENG, Williams Akporeha, said Mr Ngige wants to proscribe the union despite our strict adherence to statutory mode of operations, laws of the land as well as international conventions since our formal registration as a Trade Union in 15th August 1978. Mr Akporeha said the attack on the union was an escalation of the violent attacks on organised labours peaceful rallies over the ministers failure to inaugurate the Board of the NSITF with Mr Kokori as the chairman. It is shameful that the Minister of Labour had to condescend so low by issuing a directive to NUPENG to produce its only outstanding Financial Returns for 2018 within 72 hours when the extant law stipulates 30 days, and even when such returns are supposed to be due by June 31st, 2019, he said. We have it from good authority that the minister further carried all our files right from the inception of our Union (1978) to date in a bid to fish out phantom reasons he intends to use in proscribing the union. Our fears were however confirmed further when we realised that it was only NUPENG that was instructed to submit its financial returns, he said. He said Mr Ngige has proceeded on a self-destructive mission to proscribe NUPENG because the union dares to speak against what it believes was wrong and injurious to its interest. Ngiges latest machination is purely a personal vendetta, ruthless in execution, sadistic in expectations and not 21st century Industrial Relations practice compliant. It is important to state here that NUPENG or its leadership never had any personal issues with the minister thereby taking a matter which is wholly official to this level, is to us the height of office abuse, he said. Meanwhile we are by this press statement putting all our members in every Oil and Gas installations, including Petroleum Tanker Drivers and all other members in the value chain of the industry, on HIGH RED ALERT while we watch out for any further infantile and ignoble antics from Ngige, he said. When contacted on the date the directive was issued by the minister, the Assistant Director Press, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Rhoda Iliya, said she was not aware of the development. I am not aware but we will get across to the HM to confirm please, she said. Background The union and the labour ministry had backed different people for the chairmanship of the NSITF board. Led by NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, and the presidents of the member labour unions, the unions protested from Labour House in Abuja to the Ministry of Labour and Employment building at the Federal Secretariat on May 13. The unions threatened to expose Mr Ngige to international ridicule. Last week Sunday, the presidency said the decisions of Mr Ngige on the NSITF matter had the approval of President Buhari. It also redeployed the labour campaigner, Mr Kokori, to the labour institute in Kwara State. Mr Kokori was earlier appointed by the president to head the board at NSITF, but the minister opposed his nomination while the NLC supports the nominee. Nigerias 36 governors have risen against new financial regulations which seek to end their control of local government finances. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) announced a ban on transactions on state and local governments joint accounts, arguing that such accounts are only transitional accounts from where funds should go directly o the accounts of local governments. The NFIU also placed a limit on cash withdrawals from local governments accounts to a maximum of N500,000 per day. It warned banks to ensure strict compliance. Governors, under the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), however, said they were angered by the new directive which they described as unconstitutional. In a statement by NGFs head of media, Abdulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, on Sunday, the governors said the agency is going beyond its brief. The statement said the governors have sent a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari, seeking his intervention. The Chairman of the NGF and Governor of Zamfara State, Abdulaziz Yari, signed off the letter in which governors expressed dismay and angst at this brazen attempt by the NFIU to ridicule our collective integrity and show total disregard for the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended. The NFIU, which was excised from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), set June 1, 2019, as the takeoff date of the new order. The order makes it compulsory for local government allocations to go straight to their respective bank accounts. The decision is contained in a guideline released by the NFIU after a lengthy meeting with officials of commercial banks in Abuja. The NGF Letter was titled Re: NFIU Enforcement and Guidelines to Reduce Crime Vulnerabilities Created by Cash Withdrawal from Local Government Funds Throughout Nigeria Effective June 1st, 2019, and dated May 15th, 2019. The governors said they extracted copiously from the constitution to draw the attention of the president to section (6) (a) and (b) which confers on the States and National Assemblies the powers to make provisions for statutory allocation of Public revenue to the Local Councils in the Federation and within the states respectively. Similarly, the governors added, Section 162 (6) expressly provides for the creation of the States Joint Local Government Account (SJLGA) into which shall be paid all allocations to the LGAs of the State from the Federation Account and from the government of the state. The NGF chairman said that nothing in the NFIU Act 2018 gives the body the powers that it seeks to exercise in the guidelines that it released. The governors, therefore, argued that the NFIU was acting in excess of its powers and with complete disregard of the constitution of Nigeria. The governors accused the NFIU of stoking mischief and also deliberately seeking to cause disaffection, chaos and overheat the polity. The NGF contends that local government councils are a creation of the constitution and are not financial institutions. According to the governors, local governments are not reporting entities and are therefore not under the NFIU in the manner contemplated by the NFIU so-called guidelines. In principle, the NFIU should concentrate on its core mandate of Anti-money laundering AML activities and Combatting financing Terrorism CTF as prescribed in the Act establishing it and should desist from encroaching on or even breaching constitutional provisions, the statement quoted the governors as saying. The Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) is the Nigerian arm of the global financial intelligence Units (FIUs) once domiciled within the EFCC but now for the purpose of institutional location domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria. This means the NFIU is only mandated to trace or track laundered money that finds its way into terrorism financing and report such to the nations security agencies. The NFIU should seek to comply with those standards on combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism and its proliferation as stipulated and not dabble into matters that are both constitutional and beyond NFIU purview, the governors said. Nigerias Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Tijani Mohammed-Bande, is set to be the President of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) beginning in September. Mohammed-Bande, a professor of Political Science and former Director-General of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), is the only candidate for the 74th UNGA presidency, which is zoned to Africa. For almost three hours on May 13, the Nigerian envoy sat down with other stakeholders at an informal dialogue to clarify his vision and take questions from them on how he intends to pursue it. The forum, presided over by the outgoing UNGA President, Maria Espinosa, and attended by representatives of many countries, held inside the Trusteeship Council Chamber at the UN headquarters in New York. Here are highlights of Mr Mohammed-Bandes vision: * He described the United Nations as the most important and substantive global governance body. He said the organisation remains the most effective platform to address challenges facing humanity such as terrorism, climate change, pandemics, inequality, gender discrimination, illiteracy, poverty and hunger, among others. * Creation of the UN in 1945 was the most important achievement in global politics in history, indicating that regardless of location and circumstances, human beings are able to solve their problems collectively, according to him. * He reinforced Nigerias stand with multilateralism, that is, partnership among nations, which he said the UN stands for. Therefore, this is not the time for people to be cynical or indifferent to the organisation. *The crises of today are well known to all. Terrorism and climate change alone have brought to the fore the urgency of the problems facing the world. * He said if elected, he would ensure that all the mandates from previous sessions were completed. It is important to do so, according to him, since they are mandates given by all 193 members of the Assembly. * Global peace and security, which are foundational elements of the UN Charter, will receive great attention. Terrorism, nuclear proliferation and occasional challenges concerning the use of other weapons of mass destruction underscore the need for peace and security to be prioritised. * These problems can only be effectively tackled through collaboration or partnership among nations. He said current efforts by the UN Security Council working with regional organisations in this regard should be applauded and sustained. * On climate change, he said the Paris Climate Change Agreement of 2015 was one of the most important achievements of the UN. The impact of climate change on how we live is very clear, he said. The envoy cited the rising threats of cyclones, desertification and other natural disasters arising from climate change. He also linked terrorism and armed attacks especially in communities to shrinkage of natural resources such as rivers and lakes due to climate change. Therefore, climate action is very important to deal with this threat. He added that the commitment of 100 billion dollars to start climate action by 2030 is critical, urging all to do all we can through whatever mechanism or fora to see that this happens. * Mohammed-Bande also explained his vision on how to engender inclusion, gender equality and human rights. He said inclusion is key because exclusion of people or nations in the scheme of things triggers actions that threaten all. Women and youth are key agents of development because they have the creativity and energy to drive the process. Without them, the world has no future. Therefore, action must continue to deal with issues affecting women and youth as a way of inclusion. Noting that the foot soldiers of terrorism are mainly youths, he said we need to engage them real things to do to ensure the safety and sustainability of our societies. *On the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the envoy said: we are not on target. The reasons for that, he noted, are multifaceted and reflect national and other realities. He zeroed in on SDGs 1, 2 and 4 which target poverty, hunger and quality education. He describes illiteracy, poverty and hunger as serious afflictions of humanity. Therefore, he said the 74th UNGA would give adequate attention to them. We have technically come to a point where it is possible to end hunger. So, we must address this as a very serious matter. The approaches to it are well known, including redoubling efforts concerning politics, sharing of information, change of agricultural systems, land reforms and financing. Again, I said the glue is partnership and cooperation. He called for more investments in education. *Reform of the UN: Mohammed-Bande said efforts would be intensified to reduce overlaps in functions of the various organs, and duplications of resolutions, and then focus on issues that really matter in line with the SDGs. On the issue of the reform of the Security Council, the process started about 27 years ago premised on the idea that we cannot have an organisation that should be a model for us all which excludes. We are still discussing, and I believe we should commit to this reform. * There has been cynicism about the UN, but stakeholders should not let that diminish their faith in the organisation. Reforms are important because they help to achieve results. Therefore, efforts must continue to ensure that responsible and fair negotiations take place. Focus should be on action so that it doesnt seem as if it is only talk and no action. I conclude by reiterating that the importance of this organisation is such that we cannot afford to be cynical or indifferent. It is impossible to have national solutions to many things. The notion we have of humanity which includes empathy and partnership must push us to take the problems of others as our own. Cyclones and hurricanes have done a lot of damage in the last two years. A lot of small countries, especially island states, are in extreme difficulties. This is something that we need to really push beyond words. A lot of us cannot relate with the others problems, and I think we need to understand better so that we are able to reach out to them as they reach out to us on so many things. Advertisements He concluded by saying that as a permanent student, he was willing to learn from others when elected. The election is scheduled to hold at the UN headquarters in New York on June 4, after which the next president would be inaugurated on September 17. Mohammed-Bandes emergence as president would make it Nigerias second time to hold the office in 30 years. Late Joseph Garba from Plateau State, served as President of the UNGA between 1989 and 1990. The office is rotated among the five geographical groups: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Caribbean, and Western Europe. Established in 1946, UNGA is one of the six principal organs of the UN, the only one in which member nations have equal representation. All 193 members of the United Nations are members of the General Assembly, with the addition of the Holy See and Palestine as observer states It is the main deliberative, policy-making and representative organ of the UN. Its powers include overseeing the UN budget, the appointment of the non-permanent members to the Security Council, and appointment of the UN Secretary-General. (NAN) Atiku Abubakar has threatened a lawsuit against a media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari, demanding a retraction and compensation over a social media post he considers defamatory. Mr Abubakars lawyers wrote to a letter to Lauretta Onochie on May 14, asking her to retract her post or face legal action. The letter went out a week after Ms Onochie, a social media assistant at the State House, wrote on Twitter that the former vice president and opposition leader had been put on a terrorist watchlist in the United Arab Emirates. Atiku on UAE watchlist- Security sources Security operatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are keeping a close tab on a former Nigerian Vice Pres Atiku Abubakar who has been in the Middle East nation for several weeks now What is he doing there? Me: Shopping for Terrorists? pic.twitter.com/4EBccZadfi Lauretta Onochie (@Laurestar) May 7, 2019 Ms Onochie said Mr Abubakar, who regularly visits Dubai for work and leisure, had been shopping for terrorists since he travelled to the Middle-Eastern nation in May. The comments drew a flurry of social media bickering between supporters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Make a wish Ms Onochie, 66, has made many controversial social media posts since she was appointed in October 2016. She sometimes engages in insults against perceived critics of the Buhari administration. Lauretta Onochie, a former social media aide to President Muhammadu Buhari. [PHOTO CREDIT: Concise News] Mr Abubakars lawyers, Mike Ozekhomes Chambers, said Ms Onochies odious tweet had caused the former vice-president unspeakable odium, obloquy, hatred, ridicule and psychological trauma. The lawyers gave Ms Onochie an ultimatum of 48 hours to retract the tweet, which was still live as of 12:36 p.m. on Sunday. She was also asked to pay N500 million to Mr Abubakar, who was the main challenger to Mr Buhari at the presidential election in February. Failure to comply will result in a lawsuit that will demand N2 billion for aggravated and punitive damages against the presidential aide, the lawyers said. It was not immediately clear whether Ms Onochie had seen the letter or taken any action about it. She did not return requests for comments from PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday afternoon. A former governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has advised a former president, Olusegun Obasanjo, not to allow his disappointment with the current administration to turn him to a religious and ethnic bigot. He called on the former president to withdraw the statement credited to him that Boko Haram has an agenda of Fulanization and Islamization of West Africa. Mr Lamido, a political ally of Mr Obasanjo, stated this in a press statement sent to PREMIUM TIMES on Sunday, through his media aide, Mansur Ahmad. Sahara Reporters reported Mr Obasanjos statement at the Cathedral Church of St. Pauls Anglican Church, Oleh in Isoko South Local Government Area of Delta State. The former president was quoted as saying the twin evils of Boko Haram and marauding cattle herders were initially treated with kid gloves. Its no longer an issue of lack of education and lack of employment for our youth in Nigeria which it began as, it is now West African Fulanization, Islamization and global organised crimes of human trafficking, money laundering, drug trafficking, gun trafficking, illegal mining and regime change. Mr Lamido, however, said he believes Mr Obasanjos statement was improper for a nationalist. He said such statement should not have come from the former president. If it were said at a non religious venue to a non religious audience, may be; it might have been more tolerable. Please sir dont let your disappointment with sitting presidents turn you into a bigot. You must not abandon the national stage. The cracks along the various divides in our National cohesion are already turning into huge gorges, Mr Lamido said. Messrs Lamido and Obasanjo are fierce critics of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. Both men have criticised President Muhammadu Buhari for his handling of the economy and security situation of the country. The Boko Haram terrorism in Northern Nigeria has caused tens of thousands of deaths since 2009. The terror group has since spread its operations to neighburing West African countries including Niger and Cameroon. A faction of the group, known as ISWAP, is also believed to have links with the Islamic State, the global terror group that once controlled a large part of Iraq. A man who allegedly masterminded the kidnap last month of the Chairman of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and his daughter along the Abuja- Kaduna road has been shot dead during a shoot-out with the police. Police spokesperson, Frank Mba, said this on Sunday. The suspect, Sumaila Sule, alias Shaho, estimated to be in his mid-thirties, was a native of Rijana village in Kachia LGA of Kaduna State. The police described him as one of the most vicious and most wanted kidnappers that has been terrorising citizens in Kaduna and its environs. Mr Mba said the suspect died in the early hours of Saturday, following multiple bullet wounds he sustained during the shootout with police operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the UBEC Chairman, Mahmood Abubakar, regained freedom in April alongside his daughter. Both were kidnapped along the Abuja-Kaduna Highway. Mr Abubakars driver was shot dead during the encounter, which left their black Toyota SUV riddled with bullets. The shootout took place in the evening of May 17 at the outskirts of Rijana village. The police operatives, in line with the mandate of Operation Puff Adder, were carrying out routine surveillance and raid of suspected criminal hide-outs, Mr Mba said on Sunday. They suddenly came under gunfire attack from a heavily armed criminal gang. The police team fought back gallantly, repelling the attack and eventually bringing SHAHO down, whilst his gang members fled. Shaho was rushed to a hospital where he eventually died the next day. Meanwhile, acting on information elicited from the suspect before his death, police operatives, between the 18th and 19th of May 2019, carried out sweeping follow-up operations at different target locations. These coordinated operations led to the arrest of four other members of SHAHOs gang and the recovery of three (3) AK 47 rifles. The police named the arrested suspects as Musa Hassan, 26; Yau Umar, 25; Umar MUSA, 22; and Muhammad Sani, 28; all males and natives of Rijiana Village Kachia LGA Kaduna State. Shaho and his gang members have been on the radar of the intelligence community for a while. They have been implicated in several high-level kidnappings and other heinous crimes along Kaduna-Abuja road and beyond. In a similar vein, a combined team of Operation Puff Adder operatives, comprising of the IGP Response Team, the Technical Intelligence Unit, the Police Mobile Force and the Special Anti Robbery Squad have arrested another set of kidnappers. They have been terrorising citizens at Mubi axis of Adamawa State. One AK 47 rifle and twenty-six (26) rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the gang. The police named the suspects as Umaru Ibrahim, a native of Buni Yadi, Yobe State; Abdul Maina, a native of Maiha Adamawa State; and Mohammed Abubakar, also a native of Buni Yadi, Yobe State. The police said the suspects have confessed to participating in numerous kidnapping and armed robbery operations within Adamawa State, including the kidnap and collection of a ransom of N7 million from one Abdullahi Umoru of Hong LGA. Investigations into these cases are on-going, while efforts aimed at arresting other members of the gangs still at large are being intensified. While commending police operatives for their gallantry, as well as selfless service to the nation and humanity, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu has reassured Nigerians that the war against crimes and criminality will soon be won. Advertisements The IGP called for continuous support for the police and other law enforcement agencies, promising that the security agencies will not rest on their oars till normalcy is restored in every part of Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari has again decried the loss of lives and property to banditry in Zamfara State. Mr Buhari spoke on Sunday in Makkah when he had Iftar dinner (a fast-breaking meal) with Zamfara State leaders, including Governor Abdulaziz Yari and the Emir of Maradun, Garba Tambari. The Itfar is a daily ritual for Muslims during the holy month of Ramadan. According to a statement on Sunday by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the president during the event expressed sadness over the violence in the state. Mr Buhari said he would ensure that justice prevails and Nigerians find peace and prosperity wherever they lived. The Emir of Maradun led prayers for the repose of victims of violent attacks in Zamfara State and all over Nigeria and for God to help the country achieve total peace and stability. The president was accompanied to the event by Nigerias Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Isa Dodo, and some personal aides. The holy month of Ramadan is a blessed time for spiritual reflection and commitment; prayers are encouraged to achieve forgiveness, peace and prosperity of nations. The police in Akwa Ibom say they have recorded a breakthrough in finding the suspected killers of Akwa Ibom monarch shot dead eight years ago. The late monarch, Robert Ekpo, was killed on January 30, 2011, in his palace by unknown assailants. He was the paramount ruler of Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, and a supreme traditional leader of the Ibibio, the majority ethnic group in the state. The state government had described the monarchs murder as being alien to Akwa Ibom culture and unprecedented in the history of the state. Odiko MacDon, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, said on Friday that the suspects three of them were gunned down by the police while they were trying to escape. The police did not reveal the identity of the suspects. Mr MacDon, who was briefing journalists in Uyo on the successes recorded by the police in the state, said the suspects were killed during a police operation to rescue a kidnapped foreign national. The slain suspects, according to the police, had kidnapped the foreign national, one Gassan Naser, an official of a construction company in the state, in April. A police sergeant, Mohammed Sarba, who was with Mr Naser, was killed and his AK-47 rifle taken away by the suspects, the police said. The police said the suspects were also involved in the kidnapping of a retired army general in the state, Edet Akpan, and the killing of one Udosen, a medical doctor with St. Lukes Hospital, Anua. They were also allegedly involved in other kidnapping and robbery operations in Akwa Ibom and neighbouring Cross River state. The police also said they have arrested five persons who invaded a church, Full Gospel Church, in Abak, last month, with machetes and axes. The five held members hostage and disposed them of their phones and money, the police said. The police gave the suspects names as Promise Ezekiel, Idongesit Etim, Cosmos Udofia, Moses Etim, and Godwin Essien. Their arrest followed a distress call, the police said. A policewoman, second from right, fails to contain a drunken man in front of a bar in Daelim-dong, western Seoul, in this video footage shot on May 13. / Courtesy of Guro Police Station By Kim Hyun-bin The government's move to increase the number of female police officers has been called into question, after a short video of a female officer struggling to contain a violent drunk went viral. Frustrated by her "inability," a petition was posted on the presidential office's website, calling for an end to the recruitment of female law enforcement officers. The Moon Jae-in administration aims to increase the proportion of women on the police force to 15 percent by 2022. "We don't need a police officer that requests help from citizens when they are making an arrest," the petitioner said. "There should not be sexual discrimination, but there is a physical difference. The female officers should take the same physical tests as men or be placed in a safer and more comfortable position." The video which was posted Friday, shows one policeman and a policewoman confronted by two drunken men, but as the conversation heats up, one of the drunks slaps the male officer. The man was immediately knocked to the ground by the policeman but the female officer failed to restrain the other man, who even tried to push the male officer off his friend. The policewoman radioed for back up as soon as the male officer was assaulted, which raised criticisms that the officer was unable to control the situation. According to police, the male officer restrained the assailant and the female officer was countering the other man with one hand, while trying to hand the handcuffs to her partner with the other. Amid escalating criticism of the female officer, the Guro Police Station released a statement along with a full two-minute video of the arrest, Saturday. "The initial video that went viral was tweaked. The officers carried out a reasonable arrest and their actions were not passive," it said. "In case of an assault, an officer can request for backup when deemed necessary." However, the two minute video also includes audio of the female officer requesting help from a nearby civilian, ordering him to handcuff the suspect. "Any man come out and help me hurry, hurry," the female officer was heard saying in the video. "Should I handcuff him?" a civilian man said. "Yes, hurry and handcuff him," the female officer replied in the video. Many who watched the video said the act could have put the civilian in harm's way and criticized the female officer's inability to contain the situation. "She cannot contain one drunk, in what way could she arrest a physically fit criminal," a person criticized online. Some claimed the female officer shifted her responsibility to the civilian which raises public security concerns. "The policewoman had a difficult time putting on the handcuffs so she did ask for a male citizen's help," the police said. "However, there were two traffic patrol officers from the other side of the street who came to her aid. One of the patrol officers put the handcuffs on." The incident occurred at a bar in Guro district in Seoul, May 13. The two heavily drunk Chinese-Korean suspects, one in his 50s and the other in his 40s, had been arrested for unlawful interference with an officer in the execution of their duty. A relentless police crackdown on students residing in hostels at Umuoma, Umuerim and Umuokomochi communities, near Owerri, is forcing students to flee their hostels, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports. The three communities are in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo, which is home to several tertiary institutions. The police are said to have turned the hostels into goldmines, allegedly extorting money from captured students and owners of students hostels after each raid. The development is said to have been affecting businesses adversely in the communities with many students seeking abode elsewhere to avoid being arrested by the rampaging police operatives, who always come in mufti attires. NAN learnt that students of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, are planning to embark on a peaceful demonstration to get government to rein in on the police authorities in Nekede communities. Speaking in an interview with NAN at Nekede on Sunday, a cross-section of the students said that policemen had made life unbearable for students residing in hostels in the town. A final year student in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Nkem Ubani, lamented incessant harassment of students in the communities. He said that the situation had become increasingly unbearable. We are worried over incessant police arrests at our various hostels without reason. Each time the policemen arrest students, they take money from them and set them free. The police authorities should look into the activities of their men in Nekede to prevent an imminent breakdown of law and order because it has reached crisis point. They are extorting students, hurting them and ruining businesses of innocent people making their living in the communities. I dont want to mention the name of my hostel. I live in Umuoma and I have been a victim of police arrest severally. Each time they arrested me, they demanded money for me to secure my release. Nekede is not the only community having students hostels in Nigeria. Why has the police descended on this community over the years? Are they saying that every student in Nekede is a criminal? How many of such criminals have they tried over the years and for what offences? Let them make their findings public. Mr Ubani affirmed that students in the communities were planning to stage a protest to the office of the rector of the polytechnic and to the Police Divisional Headquarters at Ihiagwa, to voice their frustrations. Another student, Kelvin Osondu, lamented also that policemen in the Ihiagwa division had turned students into their `ATM` with allegations each time that the students were suspected criminals. Yes we have some bad boys around. But our problem is that each time the police want to arrest anyone, they will use the opportunity to raid the area and arrest innocent students. Why I get worried is that for all the arrests they make, they have never prosecuted any student because most of the arrests are unjust and illegal. So we are mobilizing for a peaceful demonstration, he stated. A caretaker at one of the hostels in Umuerim community, Blessing Iweajunwa, confirmed the incessant arrests of students in Nekede communities. She, however, told the police not to victimize innocent students in their bid to arrest suspected criminals. Im the lawyer, managing Fairland Hostel in Umuerim community. Since I took over management of the hostel, policemen have been coming to make unwarranted arrests. Advertisements I think the police authorities should caution their men, she said. Speaking on the development, the Chief Security of Nekede Polytechnic, Kunle Ade, told NAN that the rector and other management staff had earlier met with the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of the area on the issue. He said that authorities of the institution would be on the alert on the planned protest of the students over extortions by the police. But the issue is that we have a lot of bad boys, who claim to be students but they are not. Remember that when police want to arrest such people they will raid the area. But the good thing now is that we have a new DPO who does not detain or collect money from any student proven to be innocent after arrest, Mr Ade said. The Police Public Relations Officer, Orlando Ikeoku, told NAN that students were entitled to peaceful demonstrations. He, however, described the allegations of extortion and incessant harassment by policemen in Nekede communities as baseless. Mr Ikeoku conceded, however, that innocent people could be arrested during police raids, explaining that when such people are identified they will be released unconditionally while offenders will be prosecuted. The spokesman said that the new Commissioner of Police in Imo, Rabiu Ladodo, would never protect erring officers. He advised students to report cases of extortions, harassments and unlawful arrests to the police authorities in the state. (NAN) The police in Ogun have arrested a 52-year-old man, Tayo Ogunmola, for allegedly attempting to dupe the police commissioner in the state, Bashir Makama. The spokesperson of the police in the state, Abimbola Oyeyemi, on Sunday briefed journalists in Abeokuta on the development. He said the arrest of the suspect followed a phone call he made to the commissioner, saying he was an old herbalist and had mistakenly sent a recharge card pin to the telephone number of the police chief. He, therefore, asked Mr Makama to send the pin back to him. Mr Oyeyemi said the commissioner was familiar with the antics of the fraudsters and decided to play along with him. He said the police chief at the same time sent men of Intelligence Response Team to technically track and apprehend the suspect. At a stage, the suspect, who was not aware that he was being trailed, was presenting himself to the CP as a Deputy Inspector-General of Police who is ready to assist the CP only if he can part with a certain amount of money, not knowing that the person he has been discussing with is a serving Commissioner of Police. Mr Oyeyemi said luck ran out on the suspect as he was traced to his hideout in Araromi Phase 2 in Ilogbo area of Ota, in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area, where he was promptly arrested. On interrogation, he confessed to being a fraudster who had defrauded many unsuspecting members of the public of money running into millions of naira, out of which he built the house he was living in , Mr Oyeyemi said. Meanwhile, the state police chief has ordered the monitoring team to properly investigate the suspect with the view of arresting his other accomplices and arraigning them in court. Ondo Specialist Hospital, Akure, when a family discovered that its dead infant deposited at the morgue was no longer available for collection. The mortuary attendants will be questioned by the police in the state to unravel the mystery surrounding the missing body, an official said. PREMIUM TIMES learnt that the baby died along with its mother during delivery at the Police Hospital in Akure. The bodies of the mother and the infant were brought to the mortuary on Wednesday. It was learnt that when the family arrived at the morgue to retrieve the bodies on Saturday, only the body of the woman was provided by the mortuary officials. When the family of the deceased got to the hospital mortuary to collect the remains of the dead, they only saw the body of the mother and the placenta but they could not find the baby, said an eyewitness, who asked not to be named. The mortuary attendants could not explain how it happened. He said that the family members of the deceased created a scene at the hospital premises following the incident. They consequently reported the matter at the police station. The Ondo police spokesperson, Femi Joseph, confirmed the incident. He said the hospital officials would be invited for questioning. We have not made any arrest for now but we have commenced investigation into the matter. We will invite the workers of the hospital, especially those working in the mortuary section, Mr Joseph said. In a reaction, the state Commissioner for Health, Wahab Adegbenro, said the matter had been handed over to the police for investigation. We have handed the mortuary attendants to the police to do the investigation. We will be waiting for their investigation, he said. Joe Miketta, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, has heard the complaints. The weather radar in Fort Dix, known as KDIX Doppler Radar Tower, has been in the dark since May 1, following a string of April days of patchwork fixes and intermittent service. It is the longest shutdown from a mechanical issue since 2007. The issues with the radar have left some in the weather community frustrated. A nearby radar covers South Jersey well, plus there are other observational tools that can be used to detect incoming precipitation. However, those in the northwestern portions of the state have been seeing reduced radar coverage as a result of the downed site. We have a lot of people who depend on that radar to say, Hey is it raining out? so were trying to get it back up and running as fast as we can, Miketta said. The culprit? A bull gear, a vital piece of equipment to the radar. Twelve-foot waves and strong winds were hitting a rowboat named Sleipnir last June during a heavy noreaster about 20 miles off the coast of the Jersey Shore. After navigating the rough seas, a Coast Guard crew out of Barnegat Light saved the 52-year-old man who was attempting to row from New York to Scotland before extreme weather rolled in, the U.S. Coast Guards 5th District previously said. Now, one South Jersey coastguardsman on board is being honored for the rescue. Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Thornton, who led his crew in a 47-foot motor lifeboat to the row boater, was selected for the 2018 Coast Guard Cdr. Ray Evans Outstanding Coxswain Trophy, the U.S. Coast Guards 5th District said in a news release. Thornton and his crew mates fought 21 mph winds and tall breaking waves to reach the man, who was operating a rowboat designed for transatlantic travel that drifted f rom New York City to South Jersey. Thornton then took the man aboard and placed his rowboat in tow, the Coast Guard said. Over the years, Dice decorated her family room with art from the Dominican Republic to accompany the brown couch, TV and books on the shelves in the book case. When Dice travels to the Dominican Republic, her main mission is to build sturdier homes for people who live in shacks. On a wall in Dices family room are planks of wood in the colors the homes were built in. One of the planks in her home commemorates the 100th house that was built. In 2007, Dice was a member of St. Peters United Methodist Church in Ocean City. She asked if they would be interested in starting a mission down there, and they said yes. In 2013, Dice switched over to Fusion Church in Somers Point and Mays Landing, where she now serves as the outreach director to coordinate international and local service opportunities. This month, she will travel to the Dominican Republic to build two homes, which will bring the total to 120, for needy families to do environmental education, conduct a childrens ministry and share the Gospel. Rauh noted that the video of the incident is only 20 seconds long, the disputed contact is only an instant in that video, and its grainy and blurred. Weighing the evidence, he said that Peschis testimony that she was trying to right the chair is plausible. Given the brief period of the time the whole incident took place, I am not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant acted purposely, knowingly or recklessly with regard to the injury to the child, Rauh explained. She certainly intended to put her foot on that chair, but the state of mind has to go to the injury to the child. Rauhs ruling deserves not just acceptance, but confidence that it is just under the law. Superior Court, by virtue of its experience and standards, is the place where cases that may subject defendants to serious punishments should be heard. Losing ones long-established career, reputation and way of life is as serious as punishment gets short of imprisonment. The U.S. legal system is designed to require that evidence is fully convincing of guilt. If its not enough to overcome the reasonable doubts of a Superior Court judge, then there is no guilt. Thats how it must be if society is to avoid convicting innocent people. The days of building public housing in huge towers or villages only for the poor are over, officials say. The Meadows housing development in Atlantic City is what public housing of the future will look like. The Meadows 90 units are a mix of affordable tax credit units, housing choice voucher units (formerly called Section 8), and public housing built by a public-private partnership between the authority and Conifer Realty of Mount Laurel. It looks like any middle class urban community, and is less dense than most subsidized housing. As communities grapple with how to both assist people during difficult economic times in their lives and help them work towards self-sufficiency and independence, the shape and function of public housing needs to change, advocates say. That includes replacement housing for the historic Stanley Holmes Village if it is demolished, said Atlantic City Housing Authority Executive Director Tom Hannon. The old style of concentrated public housing provided homes for people, but also kept them and their children isolated from the wider community, said HUD Region 2 Administrator Lynne Patton while touring the citys public housing last week. Public housing began with good intentions, but ultimately what it did was silo poverty, and silo opportunities from people who truly need it, said Patton. The goal of the new Stanley Holmes will be to make sure each individual unit blends seamlessly it all looks like market-rate housing and you cant differentiate low-income housing. Thats the way it should be. People need to see role models of all kinds around them, said Councilman Jesse Kurtz, who is on the board of the authority. Kids grow up and have never encountered people going to work each day, said Kurtz of people who grow up in segregated public housing. Thats not normal. When public housing is scattered throughout the city, kids will grow up around professionals as well as people struggling, he said. Members of the Collins family have lived in The Meadows almost since it opened about four years ago, and they love it there. They particularly like the mix of people of all economic backgrounds, how rules are enforced and how the kids all play together on lawns and sidewalks around the houses. Weve lived in Back Maryland, and in Carver Hall, said Cecelia Collins, who lives with her husband and children in one unit, while her adult son Daniel, 27, lives in a separate unit with his family. The Meadows is a quiet, peaceful neighborhood. We have minimum to no police action. It was a different story at Carver Hall, an older affordable housing complex on South Carolina Avenue, Daniel Collins said. I felt my children were unsafe there, he said of his four kids ages 3 to 9. The citys housing authority, which is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, has a $16 million annual budget funded by federal dollars and rent money collected, said Hannon. It owns and operates seven housing projects as well as 165 single-family homes spread throughout the city. There are about 800 units for elderly and disabled and 800 for families, he said. His agency alone houses 10 percent of the citys population about 4,000 people. And there are 1,000 families on the waiting list. The waiting list for senior housing recently opened and will stay open for new applications through the end of the month.{/span}{span class=print_trim}(tncms-asset)733bb71c-aaf9-5f59-980c-fc3e79a2d510[0](/tncms-asset) A large percentage of Atlantic City residents qualify for housing subsidies. Thats because the citys median family income is so low about $26,000. And the qualification is based on the median family income of the entire county, which is $76,900. To qualify for housing choice vouchers (formerly called Section 8 vouchers) a family must be very low income, which is defined as making 50% or less of the median family income of the area. A family of four can make up to $38,450 and still qualify for a housing voucher, which pays the remainder of the rent after the recipient pays 30 percent of their income towards it. To qualify for public housing in ACHA buildings, for which tenants pay 30% of income for rent (minimum of $50 a month), a family of four only needs to be low income, meaning having an income of 80% of the median. So a family of four can make $61,500 and still qualify to live in public housing. ACHA contributed $9 million of the total project cost of $40 million for The Meadows, using the last of its Hope 6 grant from HUD, Hannon said. So it retains an ownership share, but Conifer manages the property, he said. Thats unusual for a property with public housing units in it, but it shows that HUD is comfortable with thinking outside the box on projects, he said. But as beautiful as The Meadows is, some residents of the 82-year-old, 420-unit Stanley Holmes Village off Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard are hesitant to embrace the idea of replacing it with similar housing spread around the city. The housing authority recently chose The Michaels Organization, of Camden, to be the private redeveloper partner on the project. Michaels will now begin meeting with residents and make a plan to either renovate the 44 buildings that make up Stanley Holmes or replace it with new housing. As Hannon showed Patton around Stanley Holmes recently, passersby gave their two cents. Dont tear it down. People need that! Please!! hollered one driver as he passed the group of officials and media on the sidewalk near the Stanley Holmes Community Center. 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. Portraits of world leaders are on display as part of "The Art of Leadership: A President's Diplomacy" exhibition at the George W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in Dallas, Texas, in this April 4, 2014 photo. AP-Yonhap file By Jung Da-min Former U.S. President George W. Bush is expected to bring a portrait he painted of former President Roh Moo-hyun with him when he participates in a memorial ceremony marking the 10th anniversary of the president's death, May 23. It has yet to be confirmed whether the former U.S. leader will give the portrait to the family of the late South Korean leader, according to a Yonhap report, Sunday. Bush reportedly plans to deliver a eulogy at the beginning of the memorial service to be hosted by the Roh Moo-hyun foundation at Bongha Village, Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, the late president's hometown. In May 2009, Roh jumped to his death from a cliff near his retirement house in Bongha Village, while under investigation over allegations that his family had accepted illicit funds during his presidency. Serving two terms as U.S. President from 2001-2009, Bush was Roh's counterpart from 2003-2008. Local arms manufacturer Poongsan is said to have arranged Bush's visit to the village. 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. ALMATY, Kazakhstan, May 17, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Steve Bannon, US President Donald Trump's controversial election campaign strategist, will be appearing on a new stage this month: Central Asia. The occasion will be the Eurasian Media Forum (EAMF), an annual East-West conference hosted by Kazakhstan. The three-day event will take place on 22-24 May in Almaty, the country's southern commercial hub. STEVE BANNON GEORGE GALLOWAY Bannon is one of a number of key speakers announced by the organizers. Others include George Galloway (UK) - British politician, broadcaster and writer, and Mark Siegel (USA) - Deputy Assistant to the U.S. President J. Carter, Executive Director of the National Committee of the Democratic Party (1973 - 1977). All three will be taking part in the session CRISIS OF TRUST. GLOBAL POWER BALANCE, debating one of the Forum's critical global issues. The organizers are expecting to welcome more than 500 delegates from 60 countries, a unique mix of politicians, journalists and experts from East and West, including the Eurasian region. Under the overall theme: 'The World Today: Transforming Reality?', the Forum's topical news agenda will cover international relations, economic trends, consumption issues, environmental threats, and the impact of artificial intelligence. Professional media questions for example, 'Bloggers: the new rock stars?' and regional issues will complete the menu. After a first day of expert masterclasses, the 16th Forum will be officially opened at the Ritz-Carlton hotel in Almaty on Thursday 23 May. The series was launched on the initiative of Dr. Dariga Nazarbayeva in 2002 to promote East-West understanding after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on Manhattan and Washington. Registration is open until May 17th on the official website http://eamedia.org/eng/ . Places are limited! The general partner of the Forum "Samruk-Kazyna" JSC. For media contacts: Aida Haidar +7 700 782 0648 [email protected] SOURCE Eurasian Media Forum This achievement under the framework of the International Award 2019 "Innovative Ideas and Technologies in Agribusiness, " identifies businesses and ideas that could lead to social, environmental and economic improvements if implemented in developing countries. It also offers these innovations an opportunity at the international level to highlight and promote new solutions for building and sustaining food security and safety requirements in developing countries. Earlier this month, Farmcrowdy Group was recognised at the "Next Bulls Awards," organized by the Nigerian Stock Exchange and BusinessDay, for its market leadership and potential to list on the Stock Exchange in the future. The company was further recognised for its innovation, growth trajectory, market dominance, and brand authenticity. The awards, presented by President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oscar Onyema and CEO of BusinessDay, Mr. Frank Aigbogun, is organised for public companies on the Nigerian Stock Exchange. It also celebrates private, indigenous companies with the potential of investment once listed publicly. Onyeka Akumah, Group CEO and Founder of Farmcrowdy Group says, "Both of these awards are confirmation of our over two years of consistent hard work, transforming agriculture in Nigeria. We believe this is only the beginning for Farmcrowdy and we are encouraged to do more. Thank you to all the farmers we've worked with, stakeholders and my amazing team." Farmcrowdy Group has achieved major milestones during 2019, from expansion of the Farmcrowdy platform to restructuring as a group, as well as launching a new subsidiary - Farmgate Africa. The company has also gone on to raise equity funding and secured strategic partnerships with major players in the agricultural value chain. In the two and a half years since its official launch, Farmcrowdy has continued to empower tens of thousands of rural farmers in Africa and is constantly impacting on collaborative food production and boosting food security. About Farmcrowdy Group The Farmcrowdy Group is a tech-driven agriculture innovation company, with a unique portfolio that includes some of Africa's leading digital agriculture brands including Farmcrowdy and Farmgate Africa. About Farmcrowdy Farmcrowdy is Nigeria's first digital agriculture platform that connects small scale farmers across Nigeria with access to finance sourced from individuals and corporates, equips the small-scale farmers with know-how of sustainable & highly efficient farming practices and ultimately points their produce at harvest to markets offering superior returns to what these farmers get compared to trading within their locality. Our Vision is to be the foremost digital agriculture platform in Africa admired for its impact on collaborative food production and boosting food security across the continent. Achieving these goals will go a long way in improving the economies of rural farm localities and strengthening food security across Africa. To learn more, please visit https://www.farmcrowdy.com/ or follow Farmcrowdy on Twitter @farmcrowdy and Instagram farmcrowdyng. For additional information on Farmcrowdy or interview requests with Founder and CEO Onyeka Akumah, contact Omotoke Ogunfuye of Farmcrowdy, [email protected], or Blessing Olisa-Akaeze, [email protected], +234-907-490-6390 / +234-907-579-1999. SOURCE Farmcrowdy Related Links https://www.farmcrowdy.com DOVER, Del., May 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Company announced today that Jeffry M. Householder, President & CEO, Beth W. Cooper, Executive Vice President & CFO, and James F. Moriarty, Executive Vice President, General Counsel, Corporate Secretary and Chief Policy & Risk Officer of Chesapeake Utilities Corporation (NYSE: CPK) will be hosting a live webcast at 1:00 pm EST (Eastern Standard Time) on Tuesday, May 21st at the 2019 AGA Financial Forum taking place in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Webcast participants and members of the live audience will learn about the projects the Company currently has underway and other strategic initiatives which position the Company for future growth. To listen to the live webcast, visit Chesapeake's website at www.chpk.com, click on Investors/Events and Webcasts/Other Events then click on the "2019 AGA Financial Forum Presentation" link or just click the following: Listen to Webcast. You will be prompted to register for the webcast that will start promptly at 1:00 pm EST where the live audio and slides of the presentation being given will be available. Chesapeake Utilities Corporation is a diversified energy company engaged in natural gas distribution, transmission and marketing; electricity generation and distribution; propane gas distribution and other businesses. Information about Chesapeake Utilities Corporation and the Chesapeake family of businesses is available at www.chpk.com or through the Company's Investor Relations App. Please note that Chesapeake Utilities Corporation has no affiliation with Chesapeake Energy, an oil and natural gas exploration company headquartered in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. For more information, contact: Heidi W. Watkins Shareholder Services Manager 302.734.6716 SOURCE Chesapeake Utilities Corporation Related Links http://www.chpk.com ANNVILLE, Pa., May 19, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Maj. Gen. Tony Carrelli, Pennsylvania's adjutant general and head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, attended the Pennsylvania National Guard's (PNG) 28th Infantry "Iron" Division (ID) Annual Memorial Service in Boalsburg, Centre County. Carrelli joined several hundred soldiers, veterans, Gold Star families and citizens at the event held to honor the division's heritage and remember the unit's soldiers who died in service to their country. "Today we honor the men and women of the 28th Infantry Division, the oldest division in the United States Army. Since 1879, generations of 28th Division soldiers have fought for America's freedom and that freedom has come at a tremendous price," said Carrelli. "Nicknames like 'Iron Division' and 'Bloody Bucket' were forged in bitter combat across numerous battlefields around the world. This site in Boalsburg is a fitting shrine for the numerous monuments dedicated to 28th Division soldiers who sacrificed all in defense of liberty throughout the world." The annual event is held on the grounds of the Pennsylvania Military Museum at the 28th Infantry Division Shrine, which was built after the conclusion of WWI in 1919. The memorial service arose from the early reunions of Col. Theodore Boal's WWI machine gun troop. Boal, from the town's namesake family, funded and equipped a 90-soldier company that would see action in France alongside other 28th ID units. Local historians consider Boalsburg the birthplace of Memorial Day. Following the ceremony, Carrelli met with members of the PNG to discuss Governor Tom Wolf's proposed PA GI Bill, or Military Family Education Program (MFEP). The proposed MFEP would enable members of the PNG to earn college benefits for their spouse and children by re-enlisting for an additional six-year term of service in the PNG. The program would be the first of its kind in the nation if passed by the PA General Assembly. "The MFEP program would secure the educational future of PNG families, showing them that their personal sacrifice in support of those who serve is appreciated," said Carrelli. "I am thankful for the support of this important initiative to this point and am hopeful that we will have it signed into law soon." MEDIA CONTACT: LTC Keith Hickox, 717-821-7486 SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs Related Links http://www.dmva.state.pa.us Patriots in the hunt for third gold ball Coming off a 2020 season in which they went 1-5, the 2021 Mission Veterans Patriots football team may have caught some people by surprise by winning seven of their eight District 16-5A Div. II games and claiming a share of the district title. But while there is Panaji, May 19 : Voting for the Panaji assembly bypoll got underway at 7 a.m. on Sunday. According to Chief Electoral Officer Kunal, 22,482 voters are eligible to cast ballot, of which 10,697 are male and 11,785 are female. Also, 476 young first time voters are expected to cast ballot for the Panaji assembly election. BJP's Sidharth Kunclaienkar takes on Atanasio Monserrate of the Congress, Valmiki Naik of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Subhash Velingkar of the Goa Suraksha Manch in the contest for the prestigious Panaji assembly seat. The BJP has held the Panaji assembly constituency for a quarter of a century, since 1994, when later former Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar was first elected to the state legislative assembly. In 2014, after Parrikar was elevated to the central cabinet as Defence Minister, his aide Sidharth Kuncalienkar was elected from Panaji twice. After his return to state politics in 2018, Parrikar was once again elected as a Panaji MLA. The bypoll has been necessitated due to the death of Parrikar on March 17. Goa already witnessed by-elections to three other assembly seats and two Lok Sabha constituencies on April 23. Seoul, May 19 : With Microsoft informing users that it would end free technical support for Windows 7 operating system next year, South Korean government has decided to switch from Windows 7 to open source operating system Linux. According to Korea Herald, the decision from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety comes amid "concerns about the cost of continuing to maintain Windows". The ministry would first test-run Linux on its PCs and if no security issues arise, Linux systems will be introduced more widely within the government. "The transition to Linux OS and the purchase of new PCs are expected to cost the government about $655 million," the report said. Windows 7 support will end on January 14 next year, and that is a huge problem for both governments and enterprises as upgrading to Windows 10 would involve a hefty cost. According to Choi Jang-hyuk, Service Bureau Chief of the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, the government is hoping a long-term cost savings by switching its entire workloads to Linux. Microsoft, however, has warned people using older Windows versions to urgently apply for a Windows Update in order to protect their systems and data against a potential widespread attack. The company has already released security patches for Windows 7, XP and Windows Server 2003 despite the fact that XP and Server 2003 are already out of support. Systems running Windows 8 and Windows 10 are not affected by this vulnerability. In March, Microsoft releases a statement: "After 10 years of servicing, January 14, 2020, is the last day Microsoft will offer security updates for computers running Windows 7. This update enables reminders about Windows 7 end of support." Windows 10 is still edging closer to Microsoft's goal of having it installed on 1 billion devices and the end of Windows 7 would help promote Windows 10 further, reports The Verge. Windows 10 is now running on more than 800 million devices. Thiruvananthapuram, May 19 : Re-polling in Kerala's Kannur and Kasargode Lok Sabha seats was underway on Sunday after it was ordered by the state's Chief Electoral Officer following complaints of bogus voting which was later verified. Voting in four polling booths in Kasargode and three in Kannur began at 7 a.m. and will end at 6 p.m. As of 9 a.m., 20 per cent voter turnout was recorded the two constituencies. Kerala had voted on April 23 to elect 20 Lok Sabha candidates. A few days later, there were visuals of people casting votes more than once was identified, prompting CEO Teeka Ram Meena to order the re-polls. This is the first time in the state that a re-poll has been ordered. Cases have been registered against the Communist Party of India-Marxist and Indian Union Muslim League workers, after identifying their members of voting more than once. Thiruvananthapuram, May 19 : In an attempt to step up its efforts to become a major technology provider in the global aviation industry, Technopark-headquartered IBS Software has entered into a multi-million-dollar agreement with Massachusetts-based Kronos Incorporated to acquire AD OPT. AD OPT, founded in 1987 in Montreal by a group of mathematicians and operations research experts, was acquired in 2004 by Kronos, a multinational workforce management software and services company employing nearly 6,000 professionals worldwide. Currently, the IBS staff strength is above 3,000 and are specialists in aviation software, supporting flight operations of large airlines, including British Airways, KLM and Emirates. AD OPT is a market leader in aviation software that provides crew management solutions to some of the biggest airlines across the world. The frontline crew planning and optimization platform of AD OPT currently powers some of the top airlines in the world, including Air Canada, EasyJet, Emirates, FedEx, Garuda, Lion Air, and Qantas. The acquisition is an integral part of IBS' growth strategy to become the leading technology provider to the airline industry worldwide. Prior to this, IBS has made six strategic acquisitions -- three in USA, two in Europe and one in India -- in its 21-year history. V.K. Ma0thews, Executive Chairman, IBS Group said acquisition of world-class travel technology companies has been a deliberate strategy of IBS to fulfil its commitment to the aviation industry. "AD OPT offers a sophisticated suite of airline crew planning and optimization products, a sizeable customer base and a highly experienced team of professionals. The coming together of IBS and AD OPT is, therefore, extremely relevant for the industry as it enables us to create the most advanced digital platform, delivering a holistic solution for flight operations and crew management," said Mathews. The acquisition of AD OPT will add more than 20 airline customers to IBS. "IBS represents a well-established and logical acquirer of AD OPT - a game-changing combination which will bring meaningful expertise and complementary benefits to employees and customers of both organizations," said Bob Hughes, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer, Kronos. Minister for Government Policy Coordination, Noh Hyeong-ouk, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times in his office at the Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul Marking the second anniversary of the Moon Jae-in administration, The Korea Times, in collaboration with the Hankook Ilbo, interviewed Cabinet ministers to review his government's policies on tackling corruption to create a more just society, as well as other pending issues. This is the last of the interviews. ED. By Park Ji-won One of President Moon Jae-in's major election promises was the eradication of corruption from all levels of society. This is being accomplished by first of all eliminating abuses of power in the public sector, according to Noh Hyeong-ouk, head of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. "After the Park Geun-hye administration's corruption scandal, anti-corruption efforts to eliminate existing cheating and abuse of privileges became our mission, as mandated by the people who took to the streets calling for the creation of a just country," Noh said during an interview at his office at the Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday "If you think about corruption, people might recall Park's scandal, but it is something people can face every day. There are a number of continuing unfair practices that the government must eliminate." Noh, who took office in November, is in charge of the government's anti-corruption drive, mapping out its direction and coming up with related policies. Hierarchical abuse of power, called "gapjil" in Korean, has emerged as a key social issue. Suicides by nurses have made headlines for years, with junior staff members taking their own lives to escape bullying by their senior colleagues. This "bullying culture" termed "taeum" (burn to ashes in English), saw senior nurses using their hierarchical leverage to harass juniors and "maintain control" over them. As a result of the deaths, calls have been growing to tighten laws to root out this kind of abuse. Moon pledged to eradicate the practice, and recently Noh's office has been making intergovernmental efforts to achieve this goal. Noh Hyeong-ouk, the minister for government policy coordination, speaks during an interview with The Korea Times in his office at the Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul New York, May 19 : Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani visited veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, who is undergoing a medical treatment here since 2018, to give "assurance and mental peace" to him and his family. Rishi tweeted two photographs on Twitter on Sunday. "Thank you for seeing us Mukesh and Nita. We also love you," the actor captioned one image in which he and his wife Neetu along with the Ambanis are smiling for the camera. The actor posted another image in which Rishi and Mukesh are seen smiling with their hands placed on each other's shoulders. "Thank you for all the love you showered," he captioned it. Neetu also took to her official Instagram account to share their photographs. She captioned them: "Some people just come to give you assurance and mental peace! Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Ambani, for all the support #love #grateful." Bollywood actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone and Anupam Kher had also met Rishi here. Last month, Rishi's brother Randhir Kapoor said the 66-year-old actor will be back in India in a few months, amid reports that he is now "cancer-free". Kolkata, May 19 : The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday lodged a complaint with the Election Commission of India (ECI) against Prime Minister Narendra Modi for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on polling day. "Though the campaign for the last phase of polling for 2019 Lok Sabha elections got over on May 17 at 6 p.m., Narendra Modi's Kedarnath Yatra is being covered and widely reported in local media as well as the national for the last two days. This is a gross violation of the Model Code Of Conduct," said Derek O'Brien, leader of the TMC Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha. Modi announced that the "Master Plan" for the Kedarnath Temple was "ready" and he also addressed the public and the media at Kedarnath, O'Brien alleged. "It is absolutely unethical and morally incorrect," he said in a letter written to the ECI. He sought immediate action to "stop telecast of such surreptitious and unfair campaign". Trinamool's Rajya Sabha member also alleged, "It is unfortunate that the Election Commission, the highest body and the eyes and ears of the democratic process, remains blind and deaf to the gross violation of the MCC." Patna, May 19 : BJP ally and JD-U chief Nitish Kumar on Sunday lashed out at Bharatiya Janta Party candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for her statement in favour of Mahatma Gandhi assassin Nathuram Godse and demanded the party to expel her. Pragya Thakur, who is a Malegaon blast accused, spurred a row and drew flak after she lauded the killer of Mahatma Gandhi and called him a "patriot". "The BJP should take action against her. She should be expelled from the party for what she had stated," Nitish Kumar told media here after casting his vote in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. "The BJP should think about such comments. We condemn such remarks," he said. Thakur is contesting from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. Thakur had earlier too, created controversy after she claimed that 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare, who died fighting against terrorist in Mumbai, lost his life because he tortured the BJP leader in jail. New Delhi, May 19 : Following Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's allegation that his own security detail could assassinate him as in the case of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the Delhi unit of the BJP has written to the Delhi Police demanding withdrawal of the Kejriwal's security cover. The Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor, on Sunday, wrote a letter to the Delhi Commissioner of Police, the Union Home Ministry and the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi demanding withdrawal of the security cover provided to the Chief Minister of national capital. "Delhi Police should seek an apology from Arvind Kejriwal and if he does not apologise, then the Chief Minister's security cover be withdrawn," Kapoor wrote in the letter. Kapoor also raised concerns about the mental condition of the security personnel who are posted for the security of the Delhi Chief Minister following the allegations and demanded psychological counselling for them. "I believe the entire security squad around Arvind Kejriwal must be facing mental depression after hearing their protectee's statement fearing death at their hands. All security staff deployed around Arvind Kejriwal should be given psychological counselling," Kapoor added. Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) convener Arvind Kejriwal alleged on Saturday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) wants to assassinate him for building a political narrative around schools and hospitals. Kejriwal had told a news channel in Punjab that he would be assassinated like former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi by his personal security officers. "The BJP would get me murdered by my own PSO (personal security officer) one day, like Indira Gandhi. My own security officers report to the BJP. The BJP is after my life, they will murder me one day," Kejriwal told a news channel in Punjab. Mumbai, May 19 : Will Smith has loved "Sab sahi hai bro", a song that Indian rapper Badshah has created as a promotional number for the Hollywood star's forthcoming release "Aladdin". Badshah took to his Instagram page to share a video in which Will has shared his appreciation, as well as spoken up about how he wanted a sequence in the movie to be "Bollywood level". Will, who plays Genie in the movie, saw the song in Japan, and said: "Badshah, great work man...that is beautiful...looking at the things that you shot against what is in the movie, that is some good production you got going on there. "It's funny when we were making the sequence, what I kept saying to Guy Ritchie (director), it gotta be Bollywood level man....don't let the sequence not be Bollywood level. You know I always wanted to be in a Bollywood dance sequence, so this is beautiful man. Love the work man, really appreciate it. Thank you." Badshah is thrilled with Will's words. "I guess Will Smith paaji likes the song I did for 'Aladdin'. In theatres May 24! It's high time you do a proper Bollywood film sir," Badshah wrote for the actor, who shook a leg on the set of "Student of the Year 2" here on a visit last year. "Aladdin" is a live-action adaptation of one of the most loved animated classic. Disney India will release it in the country on May 24 in English, Hindi Tamil and Telugu. Jammu, May 19 : Curfew continued for the fourth consecutive day on Sunday in Jammu and Kashmir's Bhaderwah town. Authorities have ordered a magisterial probe into the death of a civilian - Nayeem Shah - whose body was recovered by the police from the outskirts of Bhaderwah town on Thursday. Clashes broke out between two groups following Shah's murder which one group said had been done by cow vigilantes. Police has denied the involvement of any cow vigilantes. Informed sources said Shah died due to a gunshot injury. Army was called out on Thursday to assist the civil administration maintain law and order in the communally sensitive town. Authorities said following improvement in the situation Army has been withdrawn and curfew is being enforced in the town by the police and the Central Reserve Police Force. Police has already constituted a six-member special investigation team (SIT) headed by a Superintendent of Police to investigate the murder. Chennai, May 19 : The four Assembly constituencies in Tamil Nadu - Aravakuruchi, Sulur, Thiruparankundram and Ottapidaram - where by-elections are underway on Sunday have seen brisk and peaceful polling since morning. The ruling AIADMK has lodged a complaint with the Tamil Nadu Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) against the DMK for restraining voters from casting their vote in Aravakuruchi. According to the Election Commission (EC), 48.04 per cent voting was recorded in Sulur, 52.68 per cent in Aravakuruchi, 47.09 per cent in Thiruparankundram and 45.06 per cent in Ottapidaram by 1 p.m. As per the AIADMK complaint to the EC, the DMK's Aravakuruchi candidate Senthil Balaji had wrongfully restrained voters in the constituency from voting, thus, violating poll norms. There were reports of delayed voting in some booths due to technical glitches in the electronic voting machines (EVMs), which were sorted out quickly. Repolling in 13 booths in the Erode, Dharmapuri, Tiruvallur and Cuddalore Lok Sabha constituencies in the state is also proceeding peacefully. Voters in the four Assembly constituencies will decide the electoral fate of 137 candidates in the fray. The main contest in the state is triangular - between the ruling AIADMK, the principal opposition party DMK and the Independent legislator T.T.V. Dhinakaran-led AMMK. Actor-politician Kamal Haasan's Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) candidates are also in the fray. By-elections for 18 Assembly constituencies were held on April 18, along with the second phase of the Lok Sabha polls in the state. According to the Election Commission, about 16,000 police personnel have been deployed in the four Assembly seats for security purposes. New Delhi, May 19 : Kunwar Natwar Singh in many ways is monotypical in that he served so many Congress dispensations in different capacities. Equally, he came into maximum proximity with celebrated Indian and world leaders, acclaimed writers and people in position of pre eminence. Influenced by novelist E.M. Forster during his years in Cambridge, he learnt the value of friendship from him. In the second and concluding part of this IANS interview, I let the raconteur in him take over: Indira Gandhi "For five years I worked in Mrs Gandhi's office between 1966 and 1971, it was a small one where the circle was extremely tight. "There were seven officers -- the fabled P.N. Haksar, S. Banerjee, H.Y. Sharda Prasad, Ramachandran, Monu Malhotra and myself. She became PM very hesitantly after Shashtriji's untimely death. But she took the job like a duck to water, within two years she had destroyed the Syndicate and she had the good fortune to have a man like P.N. Haksar mentoring her at every step of the way as her principal adviser. "For me personally given that I was a Foreign Service Officer, I got to accompany her on every foreign trip and this impacted my personality, for the exposure was stupendous at a young age. My outlook on world affairs changed since I had to handle world leaders personally. "She had a great sense of timing, in March, 1971 she told Haksar that we should walk in tomorrow and replace the repression in Dhaka. Haksar called (Field Marshal Sam) Manekshaw who advised against it saying that India wasn't prepared even as refugees were spilling into India. "He said let us prepare and in any case wait out the monsoon months when such an operation could go awry. Once India was ready, the rains were out of the way, India moved in. Haksar was a first rate mind, he helped her in demolishing the Syndicate and handled the Bangladesh operations as well. "Actually this is the first time that the Principal Secretary to the PM became more important than the Cabinet Secretary in the Indian main frame. I haven't seen anyone close to him, barring Brajesh Mishra, who was equally adept and had a terrific world view. Haksar, a lawyer himself from Allahabad had enormous intellectual heft, he had been recommended by Sir Tej Bahadhur Sapru to Nehru and he played a pivotal role in Mrs Gandhi's rise and rise in Indian polity. "When Mrs Gandhi fought the powerful Congress Syndicate of Kamath, Atulya Ghosh, S.K. Patil, Nijlingappa, those were testing times. By 1970 she was the undisputed boss of the Congress and I saw the power game being played out before me. She was tough as nails, never backed down from a challenge. I remember when she came for a UN Anniversay, L.K. Jha was the Ambassador and Veep Richard Nixon had invited her for a dinner without extending a written invitation. She refused to go without one and when it didn't she asked me to draft a massive regretting. I took it to Jha who said 'Yeh toh bada rukha hai', and I said that is the way she is. Of course she didn't go." Vijaylakshmi Pandit "Immediately before my staying with Mrs Gandhi, I had the singular misfortune of working with Ms Pandit between 1961-66 at the UN Permanent Mission in New York. It was an eye opener for me for just as the Central Hall of Parliament provides you with a view of India, the UN Lounge gave a similar view of the world. This was the time that the UN General Assembly sitting between September and December was crucial, for cataclysmic changes were taking place with regard to decolonization. It was a fascinating time, one travelled to all these countries and interfaced with world leaders. JFK was US President, the world was in his thrall. Krishna Menon was replaced by Vijaylakshmi and she took to me. Kennedy was assassinated and Vijaylakshmi represented India at his Arlington funeral. Thereafter Jackie Kennedy gave a reception for all the world elite which had gathered to pay its tributes. "I was by her side right through and I remember Charles De Gaulle calling out to her and asking: How is your brother? She responded by saying he has his problems; His repartee: Tell him that I have mine. "She had style and she entertained well. It was a fun time, I was Rapporteur of the Decolonization Commission and I was in touch with John Gunther, Dorothy Norman, Pearl Buck, New York was the happening place. I was a bachelor and New York was the ideal place. Of course when I married the Maharaja of Patiala's daughter subsequently, for my civil wedding Mrs Gandhi was Witness number one. Jawaharlal Nehru Between 1960-61, I was P.S. to the Secretary General, Ministry of External Affairs R.K. Nehru and our offices were 20 yards from the PM's office. Panditji used to walk in and out of our rooms such was the informality those days. All papers from the PM went to the Secretary General and then it was my duty to send them off. "I remember the time when late evening a file came in for Nepal where the PM had written a four page letter to the King of Nepal and given him a raspberry. Next morning R.K. Nehru was to leave for China, blissfully forgetting about the letter. I accompanied RK to the airport where his flight was delayed. "Panditji, meanwhile used to walk into his office 9.30 a.m. sharp He asked his office whether the letter had gone. His office said both R.K. Nehru and Natwar were missing. PM went ballistic when he asked Foreign Secretary M.G. Desai whether he had seen the letter and Desai said 'No'. "Panditji said where is the file? As I was also missing in action, so Panditji asked his office to alert the police and find about my whereabouts? "In parallel, he wanted my cupboard broken. By that time someone alerted me at the airport. I ran back to my office avoiding Panditji and gave the file to Desai. Panditji was hopping mad till he was told that the matter had been settled. "For seven days I avoided Panditji fearful of his wrath. On the eighth day, I bumped into the PM and Panditji behaved as if nothing had happened discussing a book called 'Soul of China'. "When Eisenhower visited India, I was made Liaison Officer and was in constant touch with Panditji. Seldom does one get such opportunities. They don't make men like him any more. Litterateur and statesmen all rolled into one." (Concluded) (Sandeep Bamzai can be contacted at sandeep.bamzai@ians.in) New York, May 19 : A team of researchers in the US have used Machine Learning (ML) to rapidly control plasma that fuels fusion reactions, paving the way to help Earth get the clean fusion energy that lights the Sun and stars. Researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) are using ML to create a model for rapid control of plasma -- the state of matter composed of free electrons and atomic nuclei, or ions. The Sun and most stars are giant balls of plasma that undergo constant fusion reactions. Here on Earth, scientists must heat and control the plasma to cause the particles to fuse and release their energy. Researchers now show ML can facilitate such control. The team led by physicist Dan Boyer trained neural networks -- the core of ML software -- on data produced in the first operational campaign of the National Spherical Torus Experiment-Upgrade (NSTX-U), the flagship fusion facility at PPPL. The trained model accurately reproduced predictions of the behaviour of the energetic particles produced by powerful neutral beam injection (NBI) that is used to fuel NSTX-U plasmas and heat them to million-degree, fusion-relevant temperatures. "The new ML software reduces the time needed to accurately predict the behavior of energetic particles to under 150 microseconds -- enabling the calculations to be done online during the experiment," the findings showed. The rapid evaluations will also help operators make better-informed adjustments between experiments that are executed every 15-20 minutes during operations. "Accelerated modeling capabilities could show operators how to adjust NBI settings to improve the next experiment," said Boyer, lead author of a paper in the journal Nuclear Fusion. New Delhi, May 19 : The BJP has expressed apprehensions that there could be a "massacre" in West Bengal after polling for the last phase ends on Sunday evening and demanded deployment of Central Forces till the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) comes to an end. "We fear whether there would be a 'narsanhaar' (massacre) by the TMC (Trinammol Congress) after polling ends (Hamein dar hai ki polling khatm hote hi TMC ka udhar narsanhaar shuru hoga)," Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told reporters here at BJP headquarters. She demanded that Central Armed Forces should stay in West Bengal till the MCC comes to end, and urged the Paramilitary Forces to remain alert till polling ends in its nine constituencies. Her remarks came while polling was underway in the state amid reports of sporadic violence, EVM malfunctioning and allegations of rigging from both the Trinamool and Congress. Sitharaman accused the TMC of threatening voters and spreading violence during the polls. "Violence is taking place in six constituencies of the state and the incidents have been widely reported in the media. The Election Commission (EC) must take cognisance," she said. BJP's Rajya Sabha MP Swapan Dasgupta also slammed the TMC for violence and urged the EC to address the issues on an urgent basis. "One of the most important demand that we make is following the end of polling. The Central Forces in West Bengal should remain there on alert to prevent organised recrimination of voters who went against the wishes of the Trinamool," he said. Over 32 per cent electorate cast their votes till 11 a.m. across nine parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal, where the seventh and final phase of polling is underway. Anupam Hazra, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate from Jadavpur, and a party leader accompanying him, were attacked and the latter's car damaged after the two visited a booth on receiving reports of rigging there. Alleging that he was pushed and shoved, Hazra accused the TMC of rigging all 52 polling booths under the Kolkata Municipal Corporation ward number 109 in Jadavpur. To ensure peaceful polling, 710 companies of Central Paramilitary Forces, 461 Quick Response Teams (QRT) and state police personnel have been deployed in the nine constituencies spread over three districts -- Kolkata, 24 Parganas North and 24 Parganas South. The high-stake constituencies in the final phase of Lok Sabha polls in West Bengal, include those of political heavyweights like Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew and Trinamool Congress MP Abhishek Banerjee (Diamond Harbour), Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose's grand nephew Chandra Kumar Bose (Kolkata South), BJP National Secretary Rahul Sinha (Kolkata North), former Kolkata mayor Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya (Jadavpur), veteran Trinamool Congress MPs Sougata Roy (Dum Dum) and Sudip Bandyopadhyay (Kolkata North). BEIJING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- The world has just witnessed further proof of the United States' nonsensical concerns over the development of China's innovative technologies. The U.S. Department of Commerce on Wednesday announced that it will add Huawei and its affiliates to the Entity List of the department's Bureau of Industry and Security, restricting the sale or transfer of American technology to Huawei. The United States once touted itself as a model of free and fair trade, however, setting up trade barriers based on unfounded "security concerns" does not accord with the lofty ideal. While demanding further market access and enhanced intellectual property rights (IPR) protection from other countries, the United States acted to the contrary, closing its market to stifle emerging innovative companies. Such acts are against the trend of economic globalization. With close cooperation among companies of various countries being an irreversible trend, protectionism can bring nothing but harm to all parties. It is the American companies that could suffer from the restriction on Huawei at the earliest stage. As put by Huawei's statement, restricting Huawei from doing business in the United States will not make it more secure or stronger; instead, this will only serve to limit the United States to inferior yet more expensive alternatives, leaving the country lagging behind in 5G deployment and eventually harming the interests of U.S. companies and consumers. According to media reports, Huawei has already expressed its willingness to sign "no-spy agreements" with foreign governments to make their equipment meet the no-spy, no-backdoors standard. Unfortunately, the United States ignored constructive solutions and stuck to unilateralism against the will of not only China but also American businesses and consumers. It has already been made clear that the United States aims to contain the development of China's innovative technologies by blocking Chinese products and enterprises. Considering that fact that multiple cybersecurity issues have been exposed in the United States, it is particularly ironic and unreasonable for the country to point its finger at China for security concerns. For China, which has successfully lived through constant restrictions, blocks and exclusions from the United States during the past decades, another U.S. sanction will not stop its technological progress and economic development. It makes no sense to refuse to accept the fact that China is catching up with the United States in certain areas. China's progress should not be seen as a threat, but vast opportunities for cooperation. Refusing to accept this reality is not a good move in trying to "make America great again." [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Noh Hyeong-ouk, minister for government policy coordination, speaks with The Korea Times in his office at the Government Complex Seoul, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul This is the transcript of an interview The Korea Times and its sister paper, the Hankook Ilbo, conducted with Minister for Government Policy Coordination Noh Hyeong-ouk. ED. Q. What is the meaning of anti-corruption reform under the Moon Jae-in administration? A. Former administrations had pushed for the eradication of corruption. However, they failed because of the resistance of vested interest groups. As a result, our society ended up having cheating and privilege. In order not to repeat the past, the government is pushing for fundamental reform against corruption, so that, as President Moon Jae-in said, the country will become a just place where people can have equal opportunities in a fair process. The reform is part of an innovation to change the policy, the country's system and practices, which remained corrupt. Q. What differentiates this administration's drive from past anti-corruption measures? A. People may think of the recent corruption scandal in 2016 under the Park Geun-hye administration. However, the Moon Jae-in government has its eye on tackling corruption deeply related to people's livelihoods such as hiring irregularities at public firms, illegally receiving government subsidies, power abuse, or "gapjil" in Korean, in the public sector, expanding the meaning of corruption. In particular, in the last 10 months, the government has set the guidelines in the public sectors to define what the term gapjil means and founded a system to tackle the related problems. Q. What is the role of the Office for Government Policy Coordination when dealing with the anti-corruption drive? A. As you can see in the office's organization, our job is to support the prime minister and coordinate overall tasks between ministries. The office can only evaluate the ministries through an evaluation committee, which is led by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon. Since Moon took office, the Political Council on Anti-Corruption, which is led by Moon, has also resumed its operation and come up with the direction of anti-corruption policy. The Office for Government Policy Coordination is participating in the council. We assist the prime minister in dealing with comprehensive measures in the anti-corruption policy, while pushing for the elimination of power abuse in the public sector and unfair government subsidies. As chief of the office, I chair the meetings with vice ministers. Tehran, May 19 : Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has dismissed the possibility of war breaking out in the region amid rising tensions with the US, saying that Tehran doesn't want a conflict and no country had the "idea or illusion that it can confront Iran". His comments came as Washington tightened sanctions on Iran's crude exports and has also been increasing its military assets in the Middle East in the face of what it regards as new "threats" from Tehran. Tensions have grown between the two countries since last year when US President Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 international deal which aimed to ease sanctions in exchange for an end to Tehran's nuclear programme. Calling the nuclear deal "defective", Trump re-imposed sanctions on Iran. Following that, the latter suspended its commitments earlier this month, threatening to resume production of enriched uranium. But Trump still says that he wants to avoid conflict. Speaking to state news agency IRNA at the end of a visit to China on Saturday, Zarif said Trump "does not want war, but the people around him are pushing him towards war under the pretext of making America stronger against Iran". Washington has also ordered the departure of "non-emergency employees" from Iraq, citing intelligence about a potential threat to American forces by Iran. US investigators have accused Iran or the groups it supports of using explosives to damage four tankers off the United Arab Emirates (UAE) earlier this month. Tehran has denied the allegations. While leaders on both sides have insisted they do not want war, tensions in the Gulf remain high. American diplomats warned on Saturday that commercial airlines flying in the area risk being "misidentified". An order, issued by the Federal Aviation Administration and relayed by diplomats in Kuwait and the UAE, said aircraft operators needed to be aware of "heightened military activities and increased political tension". Insurer Lloyd's of London on Friday also widened its list of areas in and around the Gulf that pose an "enhanced risk for marine insurers". Manchester, May 19 : Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany announced on Sunday that he was leaving the Premier League outfit after 11 years at the club in which the Belgium international won 10 trophies. Kompany's shock declaration came hours after the Premier League champions thrashed Watford 6-0 at the Wembley in the FA Cup final to become the first men's side to complete the domestic treble in England. "It doesn't feel real," Kompany wrote on Facebook. "Countless of times have I imagined this day," he said. "After all, the end has felt nearby for so many years. Man City has given me everything. I've tried to give back as much as I possibly could." Kompany, 33, has won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups during his 11-year stay at the club. The Belgium international has also scored 20 goals in 360 games. "The time has come for me to go now," he said. "As overwhelming as it is, I feel nothing but gratefulness. I am grateful to all those who supported me on a special journey, at a very special club. I remember the first day, as clear as I see the last. I remember the boundless kindness I received from the people of Manchester. "I will never forget how all Man City supporters remained loyal to me in good times and especially bad times. Against the odds, you have always backed me and inspired me to never give up," Kompany said. Canberra, May 19 : Australia's Liberal-National Coalition, led by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, is preparing for its third consecutive term, though it's not known whether it will be able to form the government on its own or will need alliances. While the counting of votes continues, there is no doubt that Morrison will direct the executive, a position he has occupied since August, especially after opposition Labour leader Bill Shorten admitted defeat on Saturday. Morrison, who defied the poll forecasts, went to church with his wife on Sunday like any ordinary "father of the family", the image with which he managed to defeat Labour, who presented an ambitious proposal against climate change, Efe news reported. The conservative politician, a man who always believed in "miracles" as he said in his acceptance speech, and now a hero of the Liberal Party, conducted an effective election campaign on social networks to reach the "silent" citizens, for which he has promised to work. "Voters don't want action against climate change if it is perceived as a cost to the economy," said Adrian Beaumont, a statistics expert at the University of Melbourne, in an article in The Conversation. The coalition would win 77 of the 151 seats in the Lower House, he predicted. The coalition received a majority support in Queensland, which is rich in mining resources and where there is a proposal to develop a coal mine, despite having a regional Labour government. Morrison became Prime Minister in August after snatching the post from Malcolm Turnbull in a leadership struggle within the Liberal Party. Saturday's vote was the third consecutive elections won by the Liberal-National Coalition after victories in 2013 and 2016. Morrison's formation could obtain 76 seats against 69 of the Labour Party, whereas three minority parties and three independent legislators could obtain a deputy each in the House of Representatives, according to the Australian Electoral Commission projections. The Commission has until June 28 to officially present the names of winners to the Governor General, but there are three jurisdictions in which it's not clear who will be the representative. It's unclear whether the coalition will govern in its own right or have to make alliances with two representatives from the three independent formations, which include the Green Party, or the other three independent deputies that are expected to enter Parliament. The coalition technically needs 76 of the 151 seats in the Lower House to govern in a majority. While the coalition is preparing for its third term with a reshuffle of the Cabinet, the Labour is debating a change of leadership after the resignation of Shorten who will remain a legislator. Kochi, May 19 : Cardinal of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church Archbishop George Alencherry on Sunday refused to comment on the alleged conspiracy to defame him, after a person was arrested and remanded to judicial custody for forging bank documents in his name. "Let the police and the court decide, if there was a conspiracy behind the fake documents. I am not going to come to any conclusions now," said the Cardinal. The case relates to alleged forging of documents for bank transactions by a group of priests and the laity to defame Alencherry. The police team investigating the case questioned a few Catholic priests and based on their statements picked one Aditiyan on Saturday and recorded his arrest on Sunday. Aditiyan has been remanded to judicial custody till May 31. According to the probe team, after Aditiyan's questioning it became clear that there was a conspiracy to tarnish the Cardinal's image. Aditiyan is understood to have prepared the fake documents after a group of priests assured him of his safety. The police have recovered from him, the computer used to create fake documents. Two priests, who had earlier given statements, will soon be asked to appear before the probe team. Incidentally, this is not the first time that the Cardinal has got a legal relief. Last year, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court quashed an FIR against him and three others in an alleged land scam case. New Delhi, May 19 : Internet activism or hacktivism -- the subversive use of Internet-connected devices and networks to promote a political or social agenda -- saw a massive drop of nearly 95 per cent from 2015 to 2018, a new report has said. According to the "IBM X-Force Threat Intelligence Index 2019", there were 35 hacktivist attacks in 2015 which came down to just 2 in 2018. "Thus far for 2019, no hacktivist attacks have yet met the criteria to be included in our data set, although we are aware that some hacktivist attacks have occurred," said Camille Singleton, X-Force IRIS Global Security Intelligence Analyst. The report highlighted troubling trends in the cybersecurity landscape, including a rise in vulnerability reporting, cryptojacking attacks and attacks on critical infrastructure organizations. "Yet amid all the concern, there is one threat trend that our data suggests has been on the decline: hacktivism," Singleton noted. The analysis showed that few hacktivist groups aside from Anonymous have notably dominated the attack landscape over the past four years, with most groups carrying out only one or two attacks and then disappearing for a time. "We have some theories about the reasons behind this decline - specifically, a decrease in attacks by one core hacking collective (Anonymous) and law enforcement acting as a deterrent against hacktivism," said the report. Starting around 2010, Anonymous became one of the most prolific hacktivist groups in the world, reaching a peak of activity in early- to mid-2016, according to IBM X-Force data. Since then, attacks by Anonymous have declined significantly, possibly due to an attrition of key leadership, differences of opinion and a struggle to find an ideological focus. In 2016 in particular, hacktivist attacks such as Operation Icarus, which directed distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks at banks worldwide, made headlines several times. Another 2016 attack by the same group was a "declaration of war" on Thai police following the conviction of two Burmese men for the murders of two British backpackers. That operation resulted in the defacement of several Thai police websites. "In 2018, the number of reported attacks was much lower, although various groups used similar tactics, including DDoS attacks and the defacement of several government websites in Spain," the report informed. Vienna, May 19 : Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen on Sunday announced snap elections in September after Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resigned over a corruption scandal. After a meeting with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, the President told the media the beginning of September had been earmarked for the elections, Xinhua news agency reported. The two leaders had met to discuss how to proceed after the video scandal that led to the collapse of the coalition government. The video shows Strache, leader of the right-wing populist Freedom Party, discussing government contracts with an alleged Russian investor. In the footage, the woman says she is the niece of a powerful Russian oligarch. She offers to buy 50 per cent stake in Austria's Kronen-Zeitung newspaper and switch its editorial position to support the Freedom Party. In exchange, Strache said he could award her public contracts, explaining he wanted to "build a media landscape like (Victor) Orban", a reference to Hungary's authoritarian Prime Minister. Strache on Saturday resigned from all political posts, and blamed his actions on alcohol and acting like a "teenager", saying his behaviour had been "stupid" and "irresponsible" and that he was leaving to avoid further damage to the government. The Chancellor told the media there must be "maximum of stability" in the country now, and that the snap elections were "not a wish, but a necessity." "After yesterday's video, I must say quite honestly: Enough is enough," he said. "The serious part of this (video) was the attitude towards abuse of power, towards dealing with taxpayers' money, towards the media in this country," Kurz said, adding he had been personally insulted in the footage. Van der Bellen said going forward there must be a "rebuilding of trust". "This is now solely about the well-being of our country and our reputation in the European Union and in the world," he said. New Delhi, May 19 : The BJP-led NDA may get a clear majority with 306 Lok Sabha seats while their rival UPA could lag behind with only 132 seats, according to an exit poll conducted by TV channel Times Now. The channel predicted that the BJP would emerge as the single largest party winning 262 seats, after the end of mammoth seven-phase polling for the 542 of the 543 parliamentary constituencies. The BJP, on its own, may fall short of majority by nine seats. The Congress can improve its tally from 44 in 2014 to 78 in 2019, it predicted. In Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP is contesting against the Samajawadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance and the Congress, it could win 58 seats along with its alliance partner Apana Dal. According to the prediction, the NDA may lose 15 seats against 73 in the 2014 elections. The SP-BSP-RLD alliance may get 20 seats while Congress could finish with just two seats. In fiercely-fought battle in West Bengal, the BJP is likely to make a gain of nine seats taking its tally to 11 as against two in 2014. The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress may win 28 seats while Congress may finish with two and the Left front one seat. According to the exit polls, the alliance of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Hindustani Awam Morcha, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) and the Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) failed to make any major impact in Bihar. The alliance of opposition parties may get only seats while the NDA comprising of BJP, Janata Dal-United and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) may win 30 out of total 40 seats. In Maharashtra, the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance appears to have failed in front of voters. They may get 10 seats while the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance may get 38 seats. The news channel predicted that among the major regional parties, the AIADK may win 7 seats, the YSR Congress 18, the TRS 13, the DMK 23, the TDP 7, the JD-U 14, the Shiv Sena 16, the Janata Dal-Secular 1, the Shiromani Akali Dal 2 and the Biju Janata Dal 8. Other may get 53 seats. New Delhi, May 19 : The DMK, which suffered a major debacle in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, will make a grand comeback in the 2019 general elections as the party-led alliance will get about 34 to 38 seats in Tamil Nadu, the India Today-Axis My India exit poll predicted on Sunday. The state's ruling AIADMK, which had won 37 out of the state's 39 seats, will get around zero to four seats, it said. According to the exit poll, the AIADMK, which is contesting the polls in alliance with the BJP and other parties, got a vote share of about 35 per cent, 26 percentage points as compared to 2014 general elections. The DMK, which was decimated in 2014, will get around 52 per cent vote share, 18 percentage points higher than 2014. The alliance, which includes the Congress and other smaller parties, will win about 34 to 38 seats. Voting to 38 out of Tamil Nadu's 39 seats took place in the second phase on April 18. The Election Commission rescinded the poll for Vellore Lok Sabha constituency after the Income Tax (IT) department seized unaccounted cash from the cement warehouse of a DMK functionary. New Delhi, May 19 : Despite mega efforts, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is unlikely to open its account in Kerala in the 2019 general elections, according to the IANS-CVOTER exit poll. The poll has predicted 15 seats for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) -- a gain of 3 seats -- and five for the ruling CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) -- a loss of 3 seats. The Congress alone is projected to win 12 seats and its alliance partners 3 seats. In terms of vote share, the UDF is projected to get 42.3 per cent votes and the LDF 35.1 per cent. The NDA is expected to get 14.6 per cent votes. In the outgoing Lok Sabha, the UDF had 12 seats -- the Congress 8, the Indian Union Muslim League 2 and the Kerala Congress-Mani and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) one seat each. The LDF had eight seats. Kerala voted on April 23 to elect 20 Lok Sabha candidates. It recorded 77.68 per cent voter turnout, up from 74.02 per cent in 2014. The Congress President Rahul Gandhi is contesting from the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency of the state, apart from Amethi, his traditional seat, in Uttar Pradesh. Chennai, May 19 : Contrasting views were voiced by political parties in Tamil Nadu on the results of various exit polls for 2019 Lok Sabha elections that predicted the return of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government at the centre. While a BJP leader confidently said that the NDA would win over half the state's seats, a DMK spokesperson said the numbers trotted out by the exit polls are "unbelievable". "The exit polls shows the general trend of people's preference. I am of the view that the NDA will win 326 seats and the BJP, on its own, will cross 280 seats," BJP's National Secretary H. Raja told IANS. "In Tamil Nadu the NDA will cross the half-way mark out of the 38 Lok Sabha seats that went for polls," he added. According to the CVOTER-IANS exit poll, the NDA is expected to win 287 seats while the BJP, on its own, will win 236 seats. On the other hand, DMK spokesperson A.Saravanan said: "These exit polls are unbelievable. The numbers will give fodder to the media for next two days. We will wait for the real poll results that will be out on May 23." According to him, based on the information from the ground level, the DMK will sweep the Lok Sabha and the by-elections in 22 assembly seats. Former state Finance Minister and AIADMK spokesperson C. Ponnaiyan told IANS: "The exit polls favouring NDA shows Prime Minister Narendra Modi's personality scores over Congress President Rahul Gandhi's personality." Im Jong-seok, left, former presidential chief of staff, talks in front of the grave of the late President Roh Moo-hyun, along with his former colleagues in Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province, Saturday. They paid a visit to the late president's grave in a move to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, a pro-democracy movement. From left are Im, former senior presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan, former presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun and former chief of the presidential press center Kwon hyuk-ki. Yonhap By Park Ji-won President Moon Jae-in's "confidants" are engaging in more political activities in an apparent move to win backing from party members in the ruling Democratic Party of Korea ahead next year's general election. Former presidential chief of staff Im Jong-seok visited Bongha Village, Gimhae, where the late President Roh Moo-hyun is buried, Saturday. Visiting the village was interpreted as a symbolic move to show respect for the deceased political heavyweight. Im was accompanied by former senior presidential press secretary Yoon Young-chan, former presidential spokesman Park Soo-hyun, former chief of the presidential press center Kwon hyuk-ki and several former presidential secretaries. Their visit came four days after they went to Gwangju to commemorate the 39th anniversary of the Gwangju Uprising, a pro-democracy movement in 1980 which ended in numerous casualties and deaths at the hands of the military. They also visited the May 18th National Cemetery and paid tribute to the dead. The series of visits by the former Cabinet members are intended to expand their presence in the ruling party as the DPK has recently tightened its nomination rules for the 2020 race. The DPK has set new guidelines giving preference to female and first-time candidates in an internal selection process for party candidates. The general election is considered a political barometer to gauge public opinion of the Moon administration and the ruling DPK. For the ruling circle, the party aims to avoid an early lame-duck status through an election victory. The former aides have also stepped up criticism of against the main opposition camps online. Im criticized his possible rival main opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn, of the, over his past on Facebook saying, "Former politicized prosecutors, who randomly jailed and tortured citizens and called citizens North Korean spies by doctoring documents, have no shame." Rumors have circulated that Im and Hwang would run in the election for the same precinct, the Jongno district, in the upcoming race. Im added "I am surprised to see him live today without having made any progress from when he served as a prosecutor." Kwon, a former head of the Cheong Wa Dae Press Center, also criticized the LKP on Facebook by saying: "I am upset after watching the LKP tarnish the reputation of the democracy built on the blood of citizens in Gwangju." Meanwhile, former press secretary Yoon has been updating details of his political activities on Facebook, which he didn't do while at the presidential office. Adding to Moon's presidential staff, the late President Roh's confidants have also came forward to deliver political messages in front of people to heat up the political atmosphere before the 2020 election. Rhyu Si-min, a former welfare minister under the Roh administration and Yang Jung-chul, a former press secretary for the presidential office, participated in a talk show and talked about their political activities and the upcoming general election. Yang, who recently assumed his post as the head of the DPK's think tank last week, said "I think the general election aims to complete the candlelit revolution and realize the spirit of Roh." When asked whether he would return to the political scene, Rhyu, the head of the Roh Moo-hyun Foundation and one of the prospective presidential candidates in the ruling circle, said "A monk cannot shave his own head," possibly meaning that he will not take the initiative on his own, but wait for a request from his party. New Delhi, May 19 : If exit polls are to be believed, the Narendra Modi government is coming back to power with full majority, but the predictions by poll survey agencies in the past have been found not to be close to the actual results. Barring exit polls of 1998, when some of them were quite close to the actual results, the pollsters went completely wrong in mapping the electorate mood since 1996. Riding on 'Modi wave', National Democratic Alliance (NDA) had won 336 seats in 2014 parliamentary elections. None of the major pollsters except Today's Chanakya had expected the NDA's tally would cross the 300 mark. Chanakya had projected 340 seats for the NDA and 291 for the BJP. The BJP won 282 seat. However, other exit polls failed to assess the voters' mood with accuracy. ABP-Nielsen had given 281 seats to NDA while Times Now foresaw 249 seats. CNN-IBN- CSDS Lokniti showed that the number to be between 272-280 Among others, Headlines Today and India TV- C Voter predicted that the NDA may bag 261-283 and 289 seats, respectively. In 2009, the pollsters' yet failed again, the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) won 262 seats, a figure no pollster could even come close. The UPA managed to remain in the power with Congress increasing its tally to 206 from 145 in 2004. The NDA scored 159 seats as against prediction of 197 by Star News-AC Nielsen and 183 by Times Now. Other polls, NDTV, and Headlines Today had given the NDA 177 and 180, respectively. In 2004, Outlook-MDRA and Star-C-Voter had predicted incumbent Atal Bihari Vajpayee government returning to power again by giving the 290 seats and 275 seats for the NDA, respectively. Other pollsters, Aaj Tak, and NDTV also had expected the NDA to do better than Congress and allies by giving it 248-250 seats. However, all exit polls were wide off the mark as the NDA could bag 159 seats while the Congress and allies, which went on to form government later under UPA banner, won 262 seats. These pollsters, except NDTV, had predicted that Congress and allies would be restricted to 200 seats. Following the early collapse of Atal Bihari Vajpayee government, most exit polls predicted the NDA, which was a coalition of 24 political parties, would win between 329 and 336. It won 296 seats and HT- AC Nielsen was closest to the official results as it had predicted 300 seats. In 1998, the top four election surveys --India Today- CSDS, DRS, Outlook-AC Nielsen and Frontline- CMS predicted the NDA would get between 214 and 249-- less than than the halfway mark of 272. Eventually, the NDA got 252 seats. In 1996, the government-controlled Doordarshan engaged Centre for the Study of Developing Societies (CSDS) to conduct exit polls. It accurately predicted a fractured-mandate -- the BJP fell short of the majority, but emerged as the single largest party. Vajpayee though formed the government, but resigned before the newly installed government could complete two weeks in office. Although, it began on a positive note, but as it evolved, it brought forth in-built inconsistency in the process. From the election results over the years, it is clear that exit polls have already failed to predict the mood of the electorate. But, renowned psephologist, Yogendra Yadav, believes that exit polls, with only an exception in 2004, have not gone wrong all the way on indicating the direction in which electorate has voted. "Except 2004, the exit polls have not gone wrong actually. They have clearly established the direction in which the electorate have voted. It is a myth that exit polls can make accurate predictions. It is not fair either to criticize these polls for lacking accuracy," Yadav told IANS. New Delhi, May 19 : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) may not suffer a major jolt in Uttar Pradesh and is likely to overcome from the setbacks it received in the Assembly polls in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Gujarat while it is all set to lose the Lok Sabha battle in the southern states, according to the exit poll conducted by Times Now news channel. In Uttar Pradesh, where the BJP is contesting against the Samajawadi Party-Bahujan Samaj Party-Rashtriya Lok Dal alliance and the Congress, the BJP could win 58 seats along with its alliance partner Apana Dal. According to the Times Now predictions, the NDA may lose 15 seats against 73 in the 2014 polls. The SP-BSP-RLD alliance may get 20 seats, while the Congress could finish with just 2 seats. The BJP's tally is still seen as a major achievement in the wake of the SP-BSP-RLD upsurge. The caste arithmatic of the alliance seems to have failed while the Congress' hopes of a revival remain a dream for the grand old party despite the efforts put in by Congress Vice President Priyanka Gandhi. The BJP's loss in Uttar Pradesh will be more or less made up by its performance in a few other states such as West Bengal and Odisha, Times Now predicted. In a fiercely-fought battle in West Bengal, the BJP is likely to make a gain of 9 seats, taking its tally to 11 as against 2 in 2014. The Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress may win 28 seats, while the Congress and the Left may finish with 2 and 1 seat, respectively. In the Biju Janata Dal-ruled Odisha, the BJP has been projected to win 12 seats, a big leap from 2014 when it had won just 1 seat. Naveen Patnaik's BJD is likely to win 8 seats while just 1 seat may go the Congress' way. In Bihar, the BJP and its alliance partners Janata Dal-United (JDU) and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) are predicted to retain its 2014 tally of 30 seats. According to the Times Now exit poll, the alliance of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM), Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) and the Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) is likely to win just 10 seats. In Maharashtra, the Congress-Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) alliance appears to have failed in front of the voters. They may get 10 seats while the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance may get 38 seats. In 2014, the BJP and Shiv Sena alliance had bagged 41 seats and the Congress-NCP combine managed six seats. In the Congress-ruled Punjab, the alliance of BJP and Akali Dal may win three seats while the Congress is likely to bag 10 seats. In Haryana, the BJP is projected to win 8 seats and the Congress 2. Out of the seven seats in Delhi, the BJP is expected to win six and the Congress one. In Jammu and Kashmir, the BJP is expected to win 2 seats while the Congress and its allies are likely to pocket 4 seats. Times Now predicted that the BJP and its allies may win 21 seats in Rajasthan while 4 seats may go the Congress' way. In 2014, the BJP had swept all the 25 seats in the state. In Madhya Pradesh, the BJP may win 24 seats while the Congress is likely to win 5. In 2014, the BJP had won 27 seats and the Congress 2. According to the Times Now exit poll, the BJP may win 7 seats in Chhattisgarh while the Congress is likely to bag 4 seats. In 2014, the BJP won 10 seats in the state while 1 went to the Congress. In Tamil Nadu, the Congress-led alliance may win 29 seats. It had failed to win any seat in 2014. The alliance of BJP and the AIADMK may get just nine seats against 38 it had won in 2014. In Puducherry, the AIADMK can win the lone seat, as per the Times Now exit poll. It also predicted that the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) may sweep Andhra Pradesh with 18 seats with the N. Chandrababu Naidu-led Telugu Desam Party (TDP) managing the remaining 7. The exit poll also predicted clean sweep for the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) in Telangana. The TRS and AIMIM together are likely to win 14 of the 17 seats, while the Congress is projected to win two seats and the BJP one. In Karnataka, the BJP is likely to improved it tally from 17 in 2014 to 20 this time. The exit poll results, if they hold, will be seen as a major blow to the ruling JD(S)-Congress combine. The alliance is likely to win only 7 seats compared to the 11 it had won in 2014. In Kerala, the Congress-led UDF can win 15 of the 20 seats, an improvement of three seats when compared to 2014. The news channel also predicted that among the major regional parties, the AIADK may win 7 seats, YSR Congress 18, TRS 13, DMK 23, TDP 7, JD-U 14, Shiv Sena 16, Janata Dal-Secular 1, Shiromani Akali Dal 2 and Biju Janata Dal 8. Others may get 53 seats. Silchar/Agartala, May 19 : Tributes were paid on Sunday to commemorate the death of 11 people who died in police firing on May 19, 1961 in Silchar during the Bengali language agitation. People from all walks of life across all the three districts of Barak Valley -- Cachar, Karimganj, and Hailakandi -- gathered at the Silchar railway station and paid their tributes. On the occasion of 'Bhasa Swahid Diwas' (Language Martyrs Day), a large number of artists from Bangladesh and southern Assam performed a variety of cultural functions in the day-long commemorative celebrations. On May 19, 1961, eleven youths, including a woman, died in police firing in Silchar railway station in southern Assam while demanding recognition of Bengali as their mother tongue and official language in Assam. The Assam government ultimately gave official status to the Bengali language in the three districts of Barak Valley in 1961. Several politicans and Assistant High Commissioner of Bangladesh Shah Mohammad Tanvir Monsur also took part in the ceremony. Similar programmes were also held in Agartala. After the seventh and final phase of the 17th Lok Sabha polls ended on Sunday, the unofficial 'Satta Bazaar' here had bookies and punters in a tizzy with the predictions made in exit polls which were declared tonight largely favouring Prime Minister Image Source: IANS Mumbai, May 19 : After the seventh and final phase of the 17th Lok Sabha polls ended on Sunday, the unofficial 'Satta Bazaar' here had bookies and punters in a tizzy with the predictions made in exit polls which were declared tonight largely favouring Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP's win. The bookies have virtually embraced Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party and rejected outright the Congress and its chief Rahul Gandhi, as per latest trends available late on Sunday. As per the bookies, the BJP-NDA could easily touch and even cross the 300-seat mark, way over the minimum required and magic figure of 272 of the total 543 seats in the Lok Sabha. On the other hand, the Congress-led 'Mahagathbandhan' could lag far behind with around 150 seats, and other regional parties getting the rest. As far as the country's business community is concerned, the odds strongly are in favour of Modi retaining the top job, with the opposition Congress and its allies way behind, marking a significant change in the situation from barely a month ago. Mumbai, May 19 : The Congress and the Samajwadi Party in Maharashtra on Sunday disagreed with the exit polls which predict a clean sweep for the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance in the just-concluded Lok Sabha elections. Congress Vice President Ratnakar Mahajan said some of the exit polls projections giving the NDA over 300 seats "are next to impossible". "These figures are next to impossible. Results of our surveys and ground-level experience just don't match up with the exit poll predictions. We shall wait for the May 23 actual polls results," he said. Shiv Sena spokesperson Neelam Gorhe was guarded in her reaction, saying the party was always positive that it would win the peoples' faith. "The predictions in the exit polls are very encouraging. However, we will still wait for the vote-counting after four days and humbly accept the peoples' verdict," she said. Strongly criticising the exit polls, Samajwadi Party state Vice President Afzal Farooque said that given the mood of the people in Maharashtra and rest of the country, "the exit polls seem to be way off the mark". "The past record is that 99 per cent of such exit polls and opinion polls have misled and tended to misguide the people of the country. We must wait for the results before forming our opinions based on exit polls," Farooque remarked. NCP spokesperson Nawab Malik said that many of the exit polls results are contradicting themselves, so they lack credibility. "Our assessment is the BJP+NDA will be restricted to less than 220-225 seats and there may be a hung parliament. However, this is not reflected in any exit polls which give wide-ranging figures ranging from 225-325 for the BJP+NDA," he said. Specifically on Maharashtra where exit polls predict upto 41-43 out of the 48 seats - the second largest number in the country - to the NDA, Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant dismissed the projections outright. "As a party, we don't believe in any exit polls. In the past, many exit polls and opinion polls have completely failed to reflect the people's mind. The real outcome on May 23 and we are awaiting the public verdict," he said. There were no official or individual reactions from either the ruling BJP and the opposition Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi, on the exit polls till later Sunday night. Bengaluru, May 20 : An average of 75.8 per cent polling was registered in the by-elections for Karnataka's two Assembly segments - Chincholi and Kundgol - after 11 hours of polling at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, a poll official said. "Around 70.30 per cent was recorded in Chincholi and 81.33 per cent in Kundgol after all the voters who were still in queue even after 6:00 p.m. cast their ballots in the EVMs," senior poll official A. Surya Sen told IANS here. The vote count is on May 23. "Though voting was slow in the first four hours, it picked up later despite a hot day in peak summer. Barring a few complaints of glitches in Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), polling was by and large peaceful in both seats," Sen said. Chincholi in the state's northern Kalaburagi (Gulbarga) district is 580 kms from Bengaluru and Kundgol is in the state's northwest Dharwad district, about 410 kms from here. Of the total 3.83 lakh electorate, 1,93,869 are in Chincholi and 1,89,313 in Kundgol. As many as 25 candidates, including four women, contested the twin by-polls with 17 in Chincholi and eight in Kundgol. Prominent candidates in Chincholi are Avinash Umesh Jadhav of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Subhash V. Rathod of the Congress and Gautam Bomnalli of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). Avinash is the son of former Congress MLA Umesh Jadhav whose resignation from the seat necessitated the by-election. Jadhav senior quit the Congress and joined the BJP in early March to contest from the Gulbarga (SC) parliamentary seat against Congress leader in the outgoing Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge on April 23. In Kundgol, Congress candidate Kusumavati Channabasappa is pitted against S.I. Chikkanagoudar of the BJP. The remaining six, including a woman, are independent candidates. The death of Congress Minister for Municipalities C.S. Shivalli on March 22 necessitated the Kundgol by-poll. The Congress has fielded his widow Kusumavati to retain the seat on a sympathy vote. Three-time legislator Chikkanagoudar lost to Shivalli by a narrow margin of 633 votes in the May, 2018 Assembly election. Washington, May 20 : US President Donald Trump on Sunday fired back at Justin Amash, a Republican member of the House of Representatives, for the latter's remarks that the President had reached the "threshold for impeachment". "Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy," Trump said on Twitter, Xinhua news agency reported. Trump added that the Michigan lawmaker would see that he was misguided if he actually read the report submitted by special counsel Robert Mueller, who led the Russia probe, to Attorney General William Barr in March and made public about a month later. "He would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION," Trump wrote. "Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!" A member of the House Freedom Caucus, Amash said on Saturday that the President's conduct was "impeachable." In a series of tweets, Amash argued that Mueller's report identified "multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice". He also accused Barr of "deliberately" misrepresenting the special counsel's finding when he sent a four-page memo about the investigation to Congress following the end of the Russia probe. "Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment," Amash said. The GOP lawmaker also lamented the partisanship in Congress, saying that it has "eroded our system of checks and balances." Amash, a Trump critic, previously said that he would not rule out seeking the Libertarian nomination for president in 2020. The Mueller report stated that there was no evidence that Trump's campaign conspired with the Russian government during the 2016 US presidential election but did not conclude if the president had obstructed justice. The special counsel instead recounted 10 episodes in his report involving Trump and discussed potential legal theories for connecting these actions to elements of an obstruction offence. It is Barr and Rod Rosenstein, who stepped down as deputy attorney general earlier this month, that concluded that the Mueller did not have "sufficient" evidence to support a charge in the obstruction case. New Delhi, May 20 : The efforts of Congress and JD-S alliance in Karnataka seem to be failing as multiple exit polls showed that the Bharatiya Janata Party will secure a maximum of 18 Lok Sabha seats. The survey conducted by IANS-C Voter has predicted 18 seats for National Democratic Alliance (NDA) followed by nine for United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and one seat to independent. The News18 IPSOS exit poll showed that the BJP was set to win 20-23 seats with a vote share of 54.47 per cent and the UPA will wrest five-eight seats with 41.85 per cent of the votes. As per the India Today Axis poll, BJP will win between 21 and 25 seats and Congress alliance between three and five. The poll has predicted 0-1 seats for others. The Chanakya-News24 exit poll has forecast 23 seats for the BJP and the Congress-led alliance five seats. The AP-Nielsen Survey predicts 15 seats for NDA and 13 for UPA. The survey has forecast zero for others. In the 2014 election, the BJP had won 17 seats in the state, while the Congress got nine and the JD-S just two. Prominent figures in this election included former Prime Minister and JD-S supremo H.D. Deve Gowda. Nikhil Kumaraswamy, another grandson of Deve Gowda, contested from Mandya, a seat traditionally held by the Congress but given to the JD-S in the seat-sharing exercise. He faced off against independent candidate Sumalatha, widow of late actor-turned-politician Ambareesh. She had the support of the BJP as this was the only seat the saffron party did not contest. For the Congress, leader in the outgoing Lok Sabha and MP from Gulbarga, Mallikarjun Kharge, and state Agriculture Minister Krishna Byre Gowda, were among the prominent faces this election. Gowda contested from Bangalore North against the BJP's union minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda. Car shopping on a budget can be difficult, but Atlantic Honda is trying to make the process easier with its used car inventory. Not only does Atlantic Honda offer several used vehicles from different model years, makes and colors, but the dealership also has many budget-friendly vehicles to choose from. On the Atlantic Honda website, shoppers can find vehicles that are priced at or below $10,000 under the used vehicles tab. This inventory page separates the other used vehicles from these less expensive models. Not all of the used vehicles under $10,000 are Honda vehicles. Drivers can choose from a variety of used vehicles to find the one that is right for them. There are also many tools that shoppers can use on the web page to learn more about the vehicle they want. The web page houses links to more information about the specific vehicles as well as images of the vehicles for shopper convenience. Prospective buyers can also specify their search for the used vehicle that best fits their needs by using the tool bar to include specific model information, mileage and features among many other options. Visitors to the web page can also schedule a test drive with the click of a button and request more information about the model before visiting the dealership. All of these features on the website are designed for customer satisfaction and convenience. Interested parties who would like to learn more about the used vehicle lineup at Atlantic Honda can visit the dealerships website at atlantichonda.com. Interested parties can also contact sales representatives for more information by calling 631-328-2060 or by visiting the showroom located at 1375 Sunrise Hwy, Bay Shore, NY 11706 to talk with representatives. wholesale ponytail trucker hats Great Cap! I purchased to customize and it came out perfect! Fast shipping and great products!! Wholesale hats company BuckWholesale.com releases the amazing ponytail trucker hats for women who want to look good without having to compromise their long hair. This trucker hat contains a distressed material that gives one the vintage look that is so popular nowadays. It is a low profile hat with made of cotton in the front and with mesh material in the back. 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Customers who have been waiting to see the newest equipment Toyota has to offer can get an early glimpse with a stop at the dealerships Milford-based showroom. The Colonial Toyota team of product experts are excited to show potential customers the 2020 Toyota Corolla while also stoking the fires for the impending arrival of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma. For the upcoming model, both popular models will represent some of the most technologically advanced versions Toyota has ever produced. Since the Toyota Corolla was originally introduced more than 40 years ago, several million units have been sold making it the most successful model in automotive history. The 2020 Corolla has arrived at the Colonial Toyota showroom with an all-new exterior, more standard power and some of the best Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy scores in its class. These improvements become crystal clear when the 2020 Toyota Corolla is compared against one of its chief rivals. Drivers behind the wheel of the 2020 Corolla will be able to use nearly 140 horsepower while getting up to 38 miles per gallon on the highway. Both of these metrics put the 2020 Toyota Corolla well out in front of its competition. Its always an exciting day around the Colonial Toyota showroom when the latest Toyota Tacoma arrives. The 2020 version retains its same powertrain options comprised of a 2.7-liter, four-cylinder engine making 159 horsepower and a 278-horsepower 3.5-liter, V-6 engine. Buyers continue to favor the Tacoma because of its top-end towing scores, which outpace several rivals. In some important comparison between the 2020 Tacoma and its most prevalent rival, the Toyota midsize pickup truck will post a 1,300-pound towing advantage. Both 2020 models will join a growing roster of vehicles that will be equipped with smartphone-compatible infotainment systems. The 2020 Corolla and 2020 Tacoma will be able to offer safe and convenient access to the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto suites of applications. Anyone can view the entire Colonial Toyota inventory by visiting the dealerships website, http://www.colonialtoyotact.com. The showroom is located at 470 Boston Post Rd., Milford, CT. Customers can schedule a test drive or start the pre-ordering process for either the 2020 Toyota Tacoma or the 2020 Toyota Corolla by calling 203-403-6890 and make an appointment with a Colonial Toyota product expert today. An original series produced by Sky Italia and Lux Vide in association with Orange Studio, and co-funded and internationally distributed by Sky Vision, Devils is based on the best-selling novel by Guido Maria Brera, an international conspiracy thriller set in the world of global finance.Ambitious and charismatic trader Massimo Ruggero (Alessandro Borghi) has enjoyed a stellar career run at global investment powerhouse NYL bank, thanks in part to the support of his mentor NYL CEO Dominic Morgan (Patrick Dempsey (Grey's Anatomy).His successes have all but assured him of promotion to the elite echelons of the bank, but when a scandal erupts around his private life, Dominics patronage seems to evaporate, and Massimo finds himself pulled into an escalating and murderous conspiracy. As he fights to clear his name, Massimo discovers hes in the midst of a covert war thats being played out across continents and against the chaos of the financial crash, but which has its roots much closer to home.At LA Screenings Sky Vision also showcased other dramas, including Catherine the Great, Temple and Frayed. President Trump has told his acting defense secretary, Patrick Shanahan, that he does not want to go to war with Iran, according to several administration officials, in a message to his hawkish aides that an intensifying American pressure campaign against the clerical-led government in Tehran must not escalate into open conflict. Mr. Trump's statement, during a Wednesday morning meeting in the Situation Room, came during a briefing on the rising tensions with Iran. American intelligence has indicated that Iran has placed missiles on small boats in the Persian Gulf, prompting fears that Tehran may strike at United States troops and assets or those of its allies. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale Buy real estate. Find a great selection of commercial real estate, manufactured homes, timeshares and more for Sale in US and Canada. Search Real Estate , We're sorry, this article is not currently available President Moon Jae-in consoles the bereaved mother of a victim of the 1980 May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement at the National Cemetery there, Saturday. Moon paid his respects at the cemetery after participating in a memorial ceremony marking the 39th anniversary of the movement. Yonhap The desecration of Vidyasagar's statue during Amit Anilchandra Shah's rally, which the TMC projected to be a 'Bhojpuri' and 'Dhokla' invasion on West Bengal's culture, may help her gain some favour with middle-class and erudite Bengalis in the last phase of the polls. Avishek Rakshit reports from Kolkata. IMAGE: Saffron balloons and BJP flags lined Amit Anilchandra Shah's route in Kolkata, May 14, 2019. Photograph: ANI Photo For the first time in the history of independent India, West Bengal is expected to have voted largely on religious lines in the past six phases of the ongoing general election and may maintain the same stance for the final phase of elections slated on Sunday. The alleged discontent with state Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's appeasement policies towards the minorities, especially Muslims, is believed to have played a part. Runa Sen, a homemaker from one of the older affluent families from Kolkata North notes that even at a time when Kolkata (then Calcutta) witnessed the 'Week of the Long Knives' when the country was partitioned in the name of religion, the city and the state at large didn't vote on religious lines in the election of 1952. "Elections used to be on the lines of development, policies and ideologies between a moderate Congress and the Communist-Socialist Left Front. But times have changed now. It's come to a point when Muslim immigration from Bangladesh has become a core issue and how political leaders are giving ground to Muslims, particularly from Bangladesh, for votes," Sen notes. In its quest to bag seats, the Trinamool Congress roped in popular Bangladeshi actor Ferdous Ahmed, who is popular in rural Muslim dominated belts of West Bengal, to seek votes in Raiganj, a Muslim dominated constituency. Yet again, the party repeated the same instance by bringing in Ghazi Abdul Noor, another Bangladeshi actor, who attended a political rally in Dum Dum. Both were told by the Centre to leave India. Such instances haven't been taken lightly by a majority of traditional Bengali Hindu families of North Kolkata. During a poll campaign in Kalimpong, when BJP President Amit Anilchandra Shah vowed to oust illegal Muslim immigrants from this state while giving citizenship to Hindu and Buddhist migrants, the attendees had cheered with joy and the ripples of appreciation were also felt in the metropolis. Political observers like Biswanath Chakraborty note that the BJP has been successful in this state to polarise the population, and in the last couple of years, there has been quite a few religious riots across the state. He notes that to gain political favour with the Muslims, who account for 28 per cent of the state's population, Mamata, in the past, offered several dollops to the community like setting up Haj houses for pilgrims and a new campus for Aliah University besides sanctioning around 400 madrasa hostels and scholarships for Muslim students. But the most controversial move, which angered a large section of Hindus and projected the BJP as their saviour, was the Imam and Muezzin allowance of Rs 2,500 and Rs 1,500, respectively, which the chief minister proposed in April 2012. Although it was struck down by the Calcutta high court after the then BJP state general secretary Asim Sarkar challenged it, Mamata maintained she will provide all assistance to the Muslims. For a debt-ridden state like West Bengal, this allowance is estimated to have potentially led to an outflow of Rs 126 crore annually. "This hadn't gone well with the Hindus who asked why Hindu priests were denied such allowance and if at all, in a secular country like India, this was feasible. Polarisation actually started gaining momentum since then and not just now as it is being projected. Under all circumstances, polarisation is a reality now in this otherwise pseudo-secular state," Chakraborty said. Moreover, Mamata's recital of Islamic verses and her association with Muslim festivals like Eid were also frowned upon from a section of orthodox Hindus. A Bihari migrant driver, Tarakeshwar Shaw, who is a voter in the Kolkata North constituency asked, "How can the chief minister, herself being a Brahmin, recite Islamic verses or associate herself closely with Muslims?" On the other hand, the TMC as well as Mamata herself have been vehemently projecting the chief minister as a devotee of goddess Kali -- one of the most popular Hindu deities in West Bengal. While a majority of Muslims, via various rights and religious forums, pledged their support for Mamata, Shaw, and many other Bengali and non-Bengali Hindus of limited financial means, openly admit their support for the BJP. Shaw claimed that during the erstwhile Left Front rule, state policies and schemes weren't directed at appeasing any particular religion. Meanwhile, as discontent grew, the BJP gained momentum in the state. During the 2014 general election, the BJP had a 17 per cent vote share which was an 11.86 per cent increase as compared to the 2009 general election, while in the 2016 assembly elections it won three seats with a vote share to 10.16 per cent. Furthermore, in the 2018 panchayat polls, it won 5,779 seats thereby becoming the main Opposition party in West Bengal. BJP state Vice-President Chandra Kumar Bose, who is contesting from the Kolkata South constituency, believes that in this years polls, the party's vote share will increase to 38 to 40 per cent. He is of the opinion that the TMC or other parties like the Left Front and the Congress will get the Muslim votes in the state. But in case the BJP bags at least 65 per cent of the Hindu's votes, it can easily get a satisfactory number of seats. According to Bose, the BJP is growing its presence among the Bengali Hindus, which account for 48 per cent of the total vote base from the state and the party is okay with fighting this election without Muslim support. Bose pointed out how anger and frustration of Hindus prompted Mamata to recite Sanskrit shlokas, Chandi Paath and other Hindu religious verses during her poll campaign. She has also been harping about her government's work done in temple restoration and new projects; which otherwise was previously missing. "In the 2017 Durga Puja, her order of restricting idol immersion during the Muharram celebration was struck down by the Calcutta high court. This was a setback for her," Bose added. State BJP president Dilip Ghosh had then alleged that besides curbing religious rights during Bengali Hindu festivals, Mamata was also attempting introduction of Urdu-Arabic words in the Bengali language. On the other hand, a few years back, she had started the Durga Puja carnival, where idols and other works of art related to that festival were showcased and paraded. Besides, Mamata had given Rs 10,000 to every club last year as monetary support for Durga Puja. Nevertheless, the alleged desecration of Vidyasagar's statue during Amit Anilchandra Shah's rally, which the TMC projected to be a 'Bhojpuri' and 'Dhokla' invasion on West Bengal's culture, may help her gain some favour with the middle-class and erudite Bengalis in the last phase of the polls. But as Chakraborty cautions, it may have been too late for her to appease a section of Bengali Hindus who now view the BJP as their saviour. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday strongly condemned Bharatiya Janata Partys Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur's controversial remark describing assassin of Mahatama Gandhi, Nathuram Godse as "patriot' and said BJP should consider expelling her from the party. IMAGE: Pragya Thakur, a Bharatiya Janata Party candidate, hugs a party supporter during her election campaign meeting in Bhopal. Photograph: Raj Patidar/Reuters Kumar, president of BJP's strong ally Janata Dal-United, made it clear that his party would not tolerate such things. "This is highly condemnable. We will not tolerate all these things (Thakur's statement terming Godse as patriot). Bapu is the father of the nation and people will not like if anyone talks about Godse in this manner, Kumar said. Kumar was talking to reporters after casting his vote at a polling station located at a government school near Raj Bhavan in Patna. It falls under Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat, where Congress candidate Shatrughan Sinha is locked in an intense contest with Union Minister Ravishankar Prasad. In a reply to a query whether the BJP should expel her from the party, Kumar said that "it must be considered. He, however, was quick to add that though "it is an internal matter of the BJP, but so far as country or ideology is concerned, there is no question of tolerating such things." Kumar said that he has categorically stated that it is completely in the domain of party to give reaction or take action against the person who made such remarks. In reply to a query, Kumar said that he has never compromised over 3Cs -- "crime, corruption and communalism". Pragya Thakur kicked a row by describing Godse as 'deshbhakt'. She, however, apologised over the controversial remark after being pulled up by her party. During a roadshow in MP, Thakur had said that "Nathuram Godseji deshbhakt the, hain, air rahenge, unko aatankwadi kahne wale log swayam ki gireban me jhank kar dekhe chunav main aise logon ko jawab de diya jayega (Nathuram Godse was a patriot, is a patriot and will remain a patriot. Those who call him a terrorist should look within they will get a reply in this election) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 17 had said that he will never forgive BJP candidate Pragya Thakur for insulting Mahatma Gandhi by calling his assassin Nathuram Godse a "true patriot". Modi, who had told a TV channel during his last rally at Khargone in Madhya Pradesh on May 17, said that "the remarks made about Gandhiji or Nathuram Godse are very bad and very wrong for society. "She has sought an apology but I would never be able to forgive her fully." BJP president Amit Shah had also condemned the remarks and said that remarks on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin by three leaders -- Thakur, Union minister Anantkumar Hegde and Karnataka MP Nalin Kumar - were not in line with the party's ideology. Shah had said that party's disciplinary committee has sought an explanation from them in 10 days. By Trudy Rubin Steve Bannon, the man who helped President Donald Trump smash the American political establishment, set out early last year to help European far-right parties do the same to theirs. His goal, after being dumped by Trump, was to organize an alliance of Europe's far-right parties, headlined by Italy's Matteo Salvini, France's Marine Le Pen, and Hungary's proudly illiberal autocrat, Viktor Orban. Bannon hasn't done very well. Although those leaders posed with him, they don't seem eager to be linked with an American, even an uber-populist. But the media-smart Salvini, now Italy's deputy prime minister and most powerful politician, is trying to organize that far-right bloc himself, pulling together a host of populist nationalist parties all across Europe that are campaigning in European parliament elections May 23-26. Ordinarily, those elections, held by EU member states every five years, would be a yawn. But this year they will provide a barometer of the strength of Europe's nationalist-populists, several of them praised by Trump. They will pit Salvini against France's Emmanuel Macron, who, while weakened, is the most prominent European champion of liberal values and critic of nativist nationalism. This is why I'm on my way to Italy, France and Britain. As Trump gnaws at the roots of U.S. democracy, I want to see how deeply the anti-democratic rot has penetrated America's democratic allies. The European parliament has grown to 751 seats as Europe expanded, and it decides on the EU's 140-billion-euro ($158 billion) annual budget, designs European laws, and approves leadership of the EU's executive, known as the European Commission. Voters cast ballots in their individual countries, and ordinarily, the bulk of candidates are nominated from existing parties. But nothing is ordinary this year. Across Europe, center-right and center-left parties are being decimated at the polls by voters angry about growing inequality, globalization and migration. Sound familiar? It should, because the populist wave that brought Trump to power has decimated your father's GOP, and created immense strife within the Democratic Party. But in Europe's parliamentary systems, that angst has decimated centrist parties and produced new parties on the far right and far left, some of which are unabashedly illiberal. Italy is the most fascinating political petri dish. Its last election produced a coalition between the populist, internet driven Five Star Movement and Salvini's nationalist, anti-migration Lega party. Now Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Salvini uses language about migrants that makes Trump look like a choirboy. Salvini brags of turning away immigrant boats, and champions draconian laws that have eliminated humanitarian aid to migrants already in Italy. His constant internet presence, denouncing a migrant "invasion," (although numbers are way way down) has won his party more followers. Yet Italy's location, on Europe's southern flank, opposite Africa, puts an unfair burden on the country, and other European nations have so far refused to do their fair share, whether taking in more migrants or contributing to forces that will police Europe's external borders. Italy's migrant problem is much worse than America's, but it will be fascinating to compare their politics with ours: In both, a rational solution is conceivable, but irrational rhetoric stirs up useful fear and anger that can deliver votes. Salvini's efforts to form a new far-right alliance may also undermine the future of democratic Europe. These elections essentially pit Salvini's strongly nationalist vision against that of Macron, who believes that European democracies are stronger when working together to counter Russia's dangerous meddling along with China's aggressive trade and military tactics, and hopes of future dominance. One big caveat: Different nationalist parties in different countries have particular outlooks. Salvini, for example, is pro-Russian, while Poland's governing nationalists are anti-Moscow. And Orban, who so far hasn't joined Salvini's group, has focused on deconstructing democratic institutions, parties, the media and the courts, to an extent beyond any other European country. His is the vision of elected autocracy. Yet the real bulwark against the nationalists is Macron. So, in France, I will be looking at how seriously the Yellow Vest protest movement against growing inequality has weakened Macron. I will also be looking at the French right-wing anti-Semitism that has re-emerged with far right movements. Ironically, Britain's awful experience with implementing Brexit has soured European publics on leaving the European Union. So Salvini and France's Le Pen no longer advocate an Italexit or a Frexit, even though they seek to weaken the EU. However, the putative far-right bloc may be helped by the results of the British vote in European elections. Because the British parliament has failed to approve a Brexit package until now, Britons will unexpectedly be voting. I will be in London to watch whether a new Brexit party, headed by pro-Trump Nigel Farage, gets the largest share of the votes. It's easier to win when your slogan can be summarized in one word: "Leave." This trip to Europe is an exploration of threats to democracy that will seem both familiar and more scary. To paraphrase Ben Franklin, "We (democracies) must all hang together or we shall assuredly hang separately." The results on Europe will be clearer on May 26. Trudy Rubin (trubin@phillynews.com) is a columnist and editorial-board member for the Philadelphia Inquirer. Her commentary was distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. No Democrat, certainly not Sen. Julie Kushner or Rep. Robyn Porter, thinks the job of making economic amends to low-wage earners is done now that Connecticut is on track to see its minimum wage rise steadily to $15 an hour in five years. Kushner, of Danbury, and Porter, of New Haven, barely celebrated the milestone votes before turning toward their next hurdle passing a paid family and medical leave bill. The Senate is set to vote on the bill, with its SB 1 designation, this week. And even though paid leave held the SB 1 honor for two prior years without so much as a floor vote, this time it will happen. Expect a straight party-line vote, as with the minimum wage, and an eager signature from Gov. Ned Lamont. Within two or three years, when the paid leave program is up and running, we will fork over 0.5 percent of our wages toward the newly established insurance fund to pay for those leaves on earnings up to the Social Security tax threshold, which now stands at $128,400. That means $450 a year for a typical family of four pulling in $90,000. Some can afford it easily enough, others, less so. This is good legislation but the timing troubles me for several reasons. I suggest we pass it and Lamont signs it, with a caveat: It takes effect immediately upon passage of a state budget that contains no broad-based tax increases not before. Rising costs Im not in the enough is enough camp, not exactly, anyway, because the economy isnt working for the working poor. Still, color me a nervous enough for now. Heres why: Paid family and medical leave will mean a fee, or a levy, or a charge, or, heavens, can I call it a tax, of roughly $400 million a year. This, at a time when were already famously one of the most expensive states. And we most likely will raise the cost of living in this great state in three other ways before the hydrangeas bloom. The minimum wage hike, to $11 from $10.10 on Oct. 1, is a done deal, fair and right, but not without its costs. It will send Connecticut that much further ahead of the shameful national minimum of $7.25 an hour. It will lift up tens of thousands of wage-earners. But it will also, as Republicans warned, lead to some price hikes and some lost jobs though not as much as the GOP claims. Highway tolls, at an annual cost of about $550 million for Connecticut residents, make sense for the simple reason that we need the money and the choice is clear: Borrow between $375 million and $800 million a year, pay hefty interest and cut spending or raise taxes to pay for it; or toll ourselves and our lovely out-of-state visitors. Tolling will give us $800 million in our pockets for an outlay of $550 million, compared with a cost in the range of $1.2 billion to capture that same $800 million by borrowing. Not a tough call. Speaking of cutting spending, no Republican has proposed a budget that does so, enough to avert a tax increase. That means the state budget of $21 billion for 2019-20 will need a tax increase in the range of $400 million, more or less. Dont even start with take it out of the union benefits because at best, thats a long-term play. Conservatively, thats a tax increase (sorry about the T-word) of $1 billion a year and Im leaving out a few things such as delayed business tax cuts and rising property taxes. Too many smart investments? Is this the precise moment for a household charge of $300 to $600 a year, more or less, for Connecticut families? I like the idea and Connecticut should pass paid leave, but with the nations eyes on this state for its spiraling costs and stagnant job growth, Im afraid the answer is, not quite. Lamont, Kushner, Porter and most other Democrats say Connecticut needs to offer this social insurance option to keep up with other civilized states. A few years ago it was just California, Rhode Island and New Jersey that had it. Now New York, Washington state (and D.C.) and Massachusetts are on board. But Massachusetts, for example, is cutting or holding the line on taxes and already has tolls. Connecticut can wait just a bit longer, especially if we line up a bill on the runway. All it would take is a year without a broad tax increase a hike of $200 million or more in one of the major taxes such as personal income or sales or corporate earnings and were good to go. That gives us a goal to work toward. Tolls, the minimum wage hikes, broader taxes to pay for services and paid family leave, all represent investments in something that could pay off. Whether each is worth the cost is a valid debate, but at least they can support investments in people and infrastructure. I asked my 23-year-old daughter, a music teacher in Boston, if paid family leave would make her more likely to move back to Connecticut. Yes it would, she said, though I know the chance remains low. The point is, we need to turn Connecticut into a place where more young people want to live and paid leave is part of the picture. The question is exactly when. Porter argues vehemently that low-wage workers have waited long enough, and they have, shes right. Rep. Anne Hughes, D-Easton, chair of the House Progressive Caucus, makes the point that all these investments need to work in concert for the best effect. Shes right. The grim growth reaper Paid leave polls well in Connecticut. A survey conducted this year for the Connecticut Campaign for Paid Family Leave showed 82 percent support even when respondents were told This plan would be funded through very small payroll deductions. Its a human right that everyone should have access to, similar to health care, said Madeline Granato, director of the campaign and policy manager for the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund. I dont agree that paid time off from work is a basic right in all circumstances, and details of the bill are still being worked out. Still, Granatos comment shows the moral platform where paid leave resides. Moral issue or not, we should stop whistling past the grim growth reaper at a time when were not performing as well as those other states. Another reason for caution: Tolls, the minimum wage and a tax increase will probably all pass with zero Republican support. Ditto, paid family leave. Thats just not the best way to govern even if all four cost increases make sense. Republicans are saying the 12-week paid leave plan, with weekly compensation of up to $1,000, depending on how the bill shapes up, has too many holes, too many risks of abuse. Theyre wrong about that. Its a good program. We just arent ready to pay for it when were passing big tax increases elsewhere. dhaar@hearstmediact.com Table of Contents 1 Industry Overview of Lithium Battery Separator 1.1 Brief Introduction of Lithium Battery Separator 1.2 Classification of Lithium Battery Separator 1.3 Applications of Lithium Battery Separator 1.4 Market Analysis by Countries of Lithium Battery Separator 1.4.1 United States Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.2 Canada Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.3 Germany Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.4 France Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.5 UK Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.6 Italy Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.7 Russia Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.8 Spain Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.9 China Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.10 Japan Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.11 Korea Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.12 India Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.13 Australia Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.14 New Zealand Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.15 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.16 Middle East Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.17 Africa Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.18 Mexico East Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.19 Brazil Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.20 C. America Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.21 Chile Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.22 Peru Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 1.4.23 Colombia Status and Prospect (2014-2024) 2 Major Manufacturers Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator 2.1 Company 1 2.1.1 Company Profile 2.1.2 Product Picture and Specifications 2.1.3 Capacity, Sales, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2.1.4 Contact Information 2.2 Company 2 2.2.1 Company Profile 2.2.2 Product Picture and Specifications 2.2.3 Capacity, Sales, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2.2.4 Contact Information 2.3 Company 3 2.3.1 Company Profile 2.3.2 Product Picture and Specifications 2.3.3 Capacity, Sales, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2.3.4 Contact Information 2.4 Company 4 2.4.1 Company Profile 2.4.2 Product Picture and Specifications 2.4.3 Capacity, Sales, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2.4.4 Contact Information 2.5 Company 5 2.5.1 Company Profile 2.5.2 Product Picture and Specifications 2.5.3 Capacity, Sales, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2.5.4 Contact Information 2.6 Company 6 2.6.1 Company Profile 2.6.2 Product Picture and Specifications 2.6.3 Capacity, Sales, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2.6.4 Contact Information 2.7 Company 7 2.7.1 Company Profile 2.7.2 Product Picture and Specifications 2.7.3 Capacity, Sales, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2.7.4 Contact Information 2.8 Company 8 2.8.1 Company Profile 2.8.2 Product Picture and Specifications 2.8.3 Capacity, Sales, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2.8.4 Contact Information 2.9 Company 9 2.9.1 Company Profile 2.9.2 Product Picture and Specifications 2.9.3 Capacity, Sales, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2.9.4 Contact Information 2.10 Company 10 2.10.1 Company Profile 2.10.2 Product Picture and Specifications 2.10.3 Capacity, Sales, Price, Cost, Gross and Revenue 2.10.4 Contact Information 3 Global Price, Sales and Revenue Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions, Manufacturers, Types and Applications 3.1 Global Sales and Revenue of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions 2014-2019 3.2 Global Sales and Revenue of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers 2014-2019 3.3 Global Sales and Revenue of Lithium Battery Separator by Types 2014-2019 3.4 Global Sales and Revenue of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications 2014-2019 3.5 Sales Price Analysis of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Regions, Manufacturers, Types and Applications in 2014-2019 4 North America Sales and Revenue Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator by Countries 4.1. North America Lithium Battery Separator Sales and Revenue Analysis by Countries (2014-2019) 4.2 United States Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 4.3 Canada Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 5 Europe Sales and Revenue Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator by Countries 5.1. Europe Lithium Battery Separator Sales and Revenue Analysis by Countries (2014-2019) 5.2 Germany Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 5.3 France Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 5.4 UK Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 5.5 Italy Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 5.6 Russia Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 5.7 Spain Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6 Asia Pacifi Sales and Revenue Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator by Countries 6.1. Asia Pacifi Lithium Battery Separator Sales and Revenue Analysis by Countries (2014-2019) 6.2 China Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6.3 Japan Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6.4 Korea Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6.5 India Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6.6 Australia Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6.7 New Zealand Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 6.8 Southeast Asia Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7 Latin America Sales and Revenue Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator by Countries 7.1. Latin America Lithium Battery Separator Sales and Revenue Analysis by Countries (2014-2019) 7.2 Mexico Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7.3 Brazil Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7.4 C. America Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7.5 Chile Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7.6 Peru Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 7.7 Colombia Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 8 Middle East & Africa Sales and Revenue Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator by Countries 8.1. Middle East & Africa Lithium Battery Separator Sales and Revenue Analysis by Countries (2014-2019) 8.2 Middle East Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 8.3 Africa Lithium Battery Separator Sales, Revenue and Growth Rate (2014-2019) 9 Global Market Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions, Countries, Manufacturers, Types and Applications 9.1 Global Sales and Revenue Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions 2019-2024 9.2 Global Sales and Revenue Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers 2019-2024 9.3 Global Sales and Revenue Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Types 2019-2024 9.4 Global Sales and Revenue Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications 2019-2024 9.5 Global Revenue Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Countries 2019-2024 9.5.1 United States Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.2 Canada Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.3 Germany Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.4 France Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.5 UK Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.6 Italy Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.7 Russia Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.8 Spain Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.9 China Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.10 Japan Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.11 Korea Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.12 India Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.13 Australia Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.14 New Zealand Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.15 Southeast Asia Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.16 Middle East Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.17 Africa Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.18 Mexico East Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.19 Brazil Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.20 C. America Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.21 Chile Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.22 Peru Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 9.5.23 Colombia Revenue Forecast (2019-2024) 10 Industry Chain Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator 10.1 Upstream Major Raw Materials and Equipment Suppliers Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator 10.1.1 Major Raw Materials Suppliers with Contact Information Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator 10.1.2 Major Equipment Suppliers with Contact Information Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator 10.2 Downstream Major Consumers Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator 10.3 Major Suppliers of Lithium Battery Separator with Contact Information 10.4 Supply Chain Relationship Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator 11 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator 11.1 New Project SWOT Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator 11.2 New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator 11.2.1 Project Name 11.2.2 Investment Budget 11.2.3 Project Product Solutions 11.2.4 Project Schedule 12 Conclusion of the Global Lithium Battery Separator Industry Market Research 2019 13 Appendix 13.1 Research Methodology 13.1.1 Methodology/Research Approach 13.1.2 Data Source 13.2 Author Details 13.3 Disclaimer List of Tables and Figures Figure Picture of Lithium Battery Separator Table Classification of Lithium Battery Separator Figure Global Sales Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2018 Figure Picture Table Major Manufacturers Figure Picture Table Major Manufacturers Figure Picture Table Major Manufacturers Table Applications of Lithium Battery Separator Figure Global Sales Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2018 Figure Examples Table Major Consumers Figure Examples Table Major Consumers Figure Examples Table Major Consumers Figure United States Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Canada Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Germany Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure France Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure UK Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Italy Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Russia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Spain Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure China Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Japan Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Korea Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure India Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Australia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure New Zealand Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Southeast Asia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Middle East Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Africa Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Mexico Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Brazil Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure C. America Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Chile Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Peru Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Figure Colombia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2024) Table Company 1 Information List Figure Lithium Battery Separator Picture and Specifications of Company 1 Table Lithium Battery Separator Capacity (Unit), Sales (Unit), Price (USD/Unit), Cost (USD/Unit), Gross (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and Gross Margin of Company 1 2014-2019 Figure Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Global Market Share of Company 1 2014-2019 Table Company 2 Information List Figure Lithium Battery Separator Picture and Specifications of Company 2 Table Lithium Battery Separator Capacity (Unit), Sales (Unit), Price (USD/Unit), Cost (USD/Unit), Gross (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and Gross Margin of Company 2 2014-2019 Figure Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Global Market Share of Company 2 2014-2019 Table Company 3 Information List Figure Lithium Battery Separator Picture and Specifications of Company 3 Table Lithium Battery Separator Capacity (Unit), Sales (Unit), Price (USD/Unit), Cost (USD/Unit), Gross (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and Gross Margin of Company 3 2014-2019 Figure Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Global Market Share of Company 3 2014-2019 Table Company 4 Information List Figure Lithium Battery Separator Picture and Specifications of Company 4 Table Lithium Battery Separator Capacity (Unit), Sales (Unit), Price (USD/Unit), Cost (USD/Unit), Gross (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and Gross Margin of Company 4 2014-2019 Figure Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Global Market Share of Company 4 2014-2019 Table Company 5 Information List Figure Lithium Battery Separator Picture and Specifications of Company 5 Table Lithium Battery Separator Capacity (Unit), Sales (Unit), Price (USD/Unit), Cost (USD/Unit), Gross (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and Gross Margin of Company 5 2014-2019 Figure Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Global Market Share of Company 5 2014-2019 Table Company 6 Information List Figure Lithium Battery Separator Picture and Specifications of Company 6 Table Lithium Battery Separator Capacity (Unit), Sales (Unit), Price (USD/Unit), Cost (USD/Unit), Gross (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and Gross Margin of Company 6 2014-2019 Figure Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Global Market Share of Company 6 2014-2019 Table Company 7 Information List Figure Lithium Battery Separator Picture and Specifications of Company 7 Table Lithium Battery Separator Capacity (Unit), Sales (Unit), Price (USD/Unit), Cost (USD/Unit), Gross (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and Gross Margin of Company 7 2014-2019 Figure Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Global Market Share of Company 7 2014-2019 Table Company 8 Information List Figure Lithium Battery Separator Picture and Specifications of Company 8 Table Lithium Battery Separator Capacity (Unit), Sales (Unit), Price (USD/Unit), Cost (USD/Unit), Gross (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and Gross Margin of Company 8 2014-2019 Figure Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Global Market Share of Company 8 2014-2019 Table Company 9 Information List Figure Lithium Battery Separator Picture and Specifications of Company 9 Table Lithium Battery Separator Capacity (Unit), Sales (Unit), Price (USD/Unit), Cost (USD/Unit), Gross (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and Gross Margin of Company 9 2014-2019 Figure Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Global Market Share of Company 9 2014-2019 Table Company 10 Information List Figure Lithium Battery Separator Picture and Specifications of Company 10 Table Lithium Battery Separator Capacity (Unit), Sales (Unit), Price (USD/Unit), Cost (USD/Unit), Gross (USD/Unit), Revenue (Million USD) and Gross Margin of Company 10 2014-2019 Figure Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Global Market Share of Company 10 2014-2019 Table Global Sales (Unit) of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions 2014-2019 Figure Global Sales Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2014 Figure Global Sales Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2018 Table Global Revenue (Million USD) of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions 2014-2019 Figure Global Revenue Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2014 Figure Global Revenue Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2018 Table Global Sales (Unit) of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers 2014-2019 Figure Global Sales Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2014 Figure Global Sales Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2018 Table Global Revenue (Million USD) of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers 2014-2019 Figure Global Revenue Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2014 Figure Global Revenue Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2018 Table Global Production (Unit) of Lithium Battery Separator by Types 2014-2019 Figure Global Sales Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2014 Figure Global Sales Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2018 Table Global Revenue (Million USD) of Lithium Battery Separator by Types 2014-2019 Figure Global Revenue Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2014 Figure Global Revenue Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2018 Table Global Sales (Unit) of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications 2014-2019 Figure Global Sales Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2014 Figure Global Sales Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2018 Table Global Revenue (Million USD) of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications 2014-2019 Figure Global Revenue Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2014 Figure Global Revenue Market Share of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2018 Table Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2014-2019 (USD/Unit) Figure Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2014 (USD/Unit) Figure Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2018 (USD/Unit) Table Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2014-2019 (USD/Unit) Figure Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2014 (USD/Unit) Figure Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2018 (USD/Unit) Table Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2014-2019 (USD/Unit) Figure Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2014 (USD/Unit) Figure Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2018 (USD/Unit) Table Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2014-2019 (USD/Unit) Figure Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2014 (USD/Unit) Figure Sales Price Comparison of Global Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2018 (USD/Unit) Table North America Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) by Countries (2014-2019) Table North America Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) by Countries (2014-2019) Figure United States Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure United States Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Canada Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Canada Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Table Europe Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) by Countries (2014-2019) Table Europe Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) by Countries (2014-2019) Figure Germany Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Germany Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure France Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure France Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure UK Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure UK Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Italy Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Italy Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Russia Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Russia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Spain Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Spain Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Table Asia Pacifi Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) by Countries (2014-2019) Table Asia Pacifi Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) by Countries (2014-2019) Figure China Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure China Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Japan Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Japan Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Korea Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Korea Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure India Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure India Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Australia Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Australia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure New Zealand Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure New Zealand Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Southeast Asia Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Southeast Asia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Table Latin America Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) by Countries (2014-2019) Table Latin America Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) by Countries (2014-2019) Figure Mexico Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Mexico Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Brazil Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Brazil Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure C. America Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure C. America Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Chile Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Chile Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Peru Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Peru Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Colombia Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Colombia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Table Middle East & Africa Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) by Countries (2014-2019) Table Middle East & Africa Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) by Countries (2014-2019) Figure Middle East Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Middle East Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Africa Lithium Battery Separator Sales (Unit) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Figure Africa Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2014-2019) Table Global Sales (Unit) Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions 2019-2024 Figure Global Sales Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2019 Figure Global Sales Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2024 Table Global Revenue (Million USD) Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions 2019-2024 Figure Global Revenue Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2019 Figure Global Revenue Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Regions in 2024 Table Global Sales (Unit) Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers 2019-2024 Figure Global Sales Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2019 Figure Global Sales Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2024 Table Global Revenue (Million USD) Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers 2019-2024 Figure Global Revenue Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2019 Figure Global Revenue Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Manufacturers in 2024 Table Global Sales (Unit) Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Types 2019-2024 Figure Global Sales Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2019 Figure Global Sales Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2024 Table Global Revenue (Million USD) Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Types 2019-2024 Figure Global Revenue Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2019 Figure Global Revenue Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Types in 2024 Table Global Sales (Unit) Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications 2019-2024 Figure Global Sales Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2019 Figure Global Sales Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2024 Table Global Revenue (Million USD) Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications 2019-2024 Figure Global Revenue Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2019 Figure Global Revenue Market Share Forecast of Lithium Battery Separator by Applications in 2024 Figure United States Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Canada Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Germany Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure France Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure UK Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Italy Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Russia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Spain Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure China Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Japan Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Korea Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure India Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Australia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure New Zealand Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Southeast Asia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Middle East Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Africa Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Mexico Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Brazil Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure C. America Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Chile Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Peru Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Figure Colombia Lithium Battery Separator Revenue (Million USD) and Growth Rate (2019-2024) Table Major Raw Materials Suppliers with Contact Information of Lithium Battery Separator Table Major Equipment Suppliers with Contact Information of Lithium Battery Separator Table Major Consumers with Contact Information of Lithium Battery Separator Table Major Suppliers of Lithium Battery Separator with Contact Information Figure Supply Chain Relationship Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator Table New Project SWOT Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator Table Project Appraisal and Financing Table New Project Construction Period Table New Project Investment Feasibility Analysis of Lithium Battery Separator US Ambassador Terry Edward Branstad (L) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Sept. 30, 2017. UPDATED at 11:00 P.M. EDT on 2019-05-19 U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad will travel to Tibet from Sunday for official meetings and visits to religious and cultural heritage sites, in the first such trip by a U.S. envoy to China since 2015, the State Department said. Branstad will visit the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) and Qinghai Province, a historic region of Tibet known to Tibetans as Amdo, from May 19 to 25, a State Department spokesman told RFAs Tibetan Service. This visit is a chance for the Ambassador to engage with local leaders to raise longstanding concerns about restrictions on religious freedom and the preservation of Tibetan culture and language, the spokesman said. He will also learn first-hand about the regions unique cultural, religious, and ecological significance, said the spokesman. The Ambassador welcomes this opportunity to visit the Tibet Autonomous Region, and encourages authorities to provide access to the region to all American citizens, the spokesman added. Branstads visit is the first by a U.S. official to Tibet since the approval by U.S. lawmakers in December of the Reciprocal Access to Tibet Act, which requires Washington by the end of this year to deny visas to Chinese officials in charge of implementing policies that restrict access for foreigners to Tibet. A report by the State Department in March said that China systematically impedes access to Tibet for U.S. diplomats and officials, journalists, and tourists, and when visits to the region are granted, they are highly restricted. In 2018, the TAR was the only area of China for which the Chinese government required diplomats to request permission to visit, and Beijing denied five of the nine official requests for the U.S. diplomatic mission in China to visit the region, including one from Branstad, said the first annual report on U.S. access. China dismissed the report, which was mandated by the reciprocal access act, as being full of bias and harmful to bilateral relations. Max Baucus,, President Barack Obamas envoy to Beijing, was the last U.S. ambassador to visit Tibet, in May 2015. On Thursday the Dharamsala, India-based Tibetan Centre for Human Rights and Democracy (TCHRD) issued a report that said the human rights situation in Tibet took a sharp downward turn last year with tightened restrictions on travel by Tibetans and a new campaign against organized crime targeting Tibetan civil society and cultural practices. Calling 2018 a pivotal year for human rights in the TAR and other Tibetan areas of China, TCHRD said that new policies and regulations have led to an increased restriction on human rights and lives of the Tibetan people. A nationwide campaign against crime and black and evil forces introduced at the beginning of the year resulted in the detention, arrest, and torture of human rights and environmental activists and of ordinary Tibetans promoting the use of the Tibetan language, the rights group said in its report. Peaceful dissent of any kind and degree was met with harsh penalties, TCHRD said. In December, two young Tibetans set themselves ablaze in Ngaba (in Chinese, Aba) county in Sichuan province in opposition to Chinas rule, as well as political and religious repression in the TAR and other Tibetan areas. They raised to 157 the number of self-immolations by Tibetans since the wave of fiery protests against nearly 70 years of Chinese rule of their homeland began in 2009. China maintains that it peacefully liberated Tibet from feudal rule, and that Tibetans enjoy the economic development it has brought to the region. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported that Gary Locke was the last U.S. ambassador to visit Tibet. Reported by RFAs Tibetan Service. Written in English by Paul Eckert. Thousands of people joined the 24th-straight weekly march against the Serbian government in Belgrade on May 18. The march led participants to a satirical outdoor exhibition highlighting controversial cases in which the ruling Serbian Progressive Party was implicated. The Belgrade marches started in December 2018 in condemnation of an assault on an opposition politician. The protesters' main demand is the resignation of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has again insisted he will go through with the purchase of S-400 defense systems from Russia and will also cooperate with Moscow on producing S-500 systems in the future, despite U.S. pressure against the deals. "There is absolutely no question of [Turkey] taking a step back from the S-400s purchase. That is a done deal," Erdogan said on May 18 in a question-and-answer session with university students in Istanbul. "There will be joint production of the S-500 after the S-400," Erdogan added. He added that he still expected the United States to allow Ankara to participate in production of F-35 fighter jets amid threats from Washington that Turkey could be excluded if it buys the Russian missile system. Turkey has also ordered 100 of the jets for its military. The Americans "are passing the ball around in the midfield now, showing some reluctance. But sooner or later, we will receive the F-35s. [The United States] not delivering them is not an option," he said during the televised session. The administration of President Donald Trump and members of the U.S. Congress have called on Turkey to cancel its planned purchase of the Russian air-defense system, which Western powers say is incompatible with NATO systems and poses a threat to U.S.-made warplanes. Erdogan told the students, however, that Ankara conducted technical studies and had found that no such problems existed. Erdogan said the S-400s were expected to be delivered in July, but he added that "this could be brought forward." In early May, the U.S. defense chief warned that Turkey's participation in F-35 production work could be terminated because of Ankara's actions. Turkey, as a NATO member, is participating in the production of parts for the fighter jet for use by alliance militaries. With reporting by Reuters and AFP Candidates of the ruling Georgian Dream party appeared poised to win local by-elections held in Georgia, according to preliminary results. Voters went to the polls on May 19 to elect a lawmaker, five mayors, and members of eight city councils across the South Caucasus country. The elections came before crucial parliamentary elections in 2020. According to preliminary results announced by the Central Electoral Commission, Georgian Dream candidates managed to get more than 50 percent of the vote in all five mayoral races, defeating opponents from Georgia's opposition United National Movement party. A second round of voting will take place for a parliamentary seat for the Mtatsminda district of the capital, Tbilisi, where Georgian Dream's Lado Kakhadze won the first round with more than 41 percent and in the second round will face Shalva Shavgulidze from the opposition European Georgia, who came in second with almost 37 percent. The most heated race was in the western city of Zugdidi, where former President Mikheil Saakashvili's wife, Sandra Roelofs, ran for mayor but lost to Georgian Dream candidate Gega Shengelia. Supporters of the ruling Georgian Dream party scuffled with Nika Gvaramia, the head of the Rustavi 2 channel and a Saakashvili supporter, in the city. Both sides blamed each other for provoking the incident. The United National Movement party, which Saakashvili founded, has traditionally enjoyed strong support in the country's western regions. Saakashvili lives in the Netherlands, his wife's home country. Georgian Dream has ruled the country since ousting Saakashvili's United National Movement from power in 2012. Last year, Saakashvili was sentenced in absentia to three years in prison after being convicted of trying to cover up evidence about the 2006 killing of a Georgian banker. The former president has rejected all the charges as politically motivated. By Gwynne Dyer "Great nations do not fight endless wars," said Donald Trump in his State of the Union speech last February. But he was wrong. That's exactly what they do. Great powers fight more wars than anybody else, even if, like the United States today, they have no hostile neighbors. The original observations were made half a century ago by Quincy Wright, an American political scientist at the University of Chicago. During the entire history of "modern" Europe from 1480 to 1940, he calculated, there have been about 2,600 important battles. France, a leading military power for the whole period and the greatest power for most of it, participated in 47 percent of those battles more than a thousand major battles. Russia, Britain and Germany (in the form of Prussia), which were all great European powers by 1700, each fought in between 22 and 25 percent of them. And then the rate of participation falls off very steeply. Spain was a great military power until the mid-1700s, but then dropped out of contention and can offer only a 12 percent attendance record for battles over the whole four-and-a-half centuries. The Netherlands and Sweden, which were great military powers only for brief periods, were present at only 8 and 4 percent of Europe's battles, respectively. Indeed, Sweden has not used its army in war for 190 years now. By any other yardstick the amount of time a given European country has spent at war, the number of wars it has taken part in, the proportion of its population that has been killed in wars the result is the same. There is a steep and consistent gradient of suffering, in which the most powerful nations fight most often and lose most heavily in lives and wealth. How can this be? Why doesn't great power deter other countries from fighting you? Well, it actually does, to some extent. However, great power also enables the country possessing it to acquire "interests" everywhere, and tempts it to use its military power to protect or advance those interests. Only great powers fight "wars of choice." North Vietnam did not choose to fight the United States. Neither did Cuba, or Grenada, or Libya, or Panama, or Serbia, or Iraq. Nor, for that matter, did Canada (then British North America) in 1812, or Mexico in 1846, or Spain in 1898. Those were all "wars of choice" for the United States, but not for the other side. This is not to say that they were all wars of aggression. The first Gulf War was not, for example, nor was the Kosovo War. But they were all wars that the United States could have chosen not to fight without suffering grave harm to its own legitimate interests. It chose to fight them, often for relatively minor stakes, because it could. The great-power mania infects everybody. Trump, despite his well-founded conviction that America should bring its troops home from the Middle East, has now vetoed a bipartisan Congressional resolution that tried to force an end to American participation in the war in Yemen. Never mind the lies that are told about the Houthi rebels who control most of Yemen being simply pawns of Iran, and about Iran being the reason the Middle East is so "unstable." Why would Trump, like several generations of American "statesmen" before him, fall for the bizarre notion that deciding who rules in Lebanon, Egypt or Yemen is a "vital national interest" of the United States? The webs of spurious logic that support such nonsense are familiar. "Oil is our vital national interest, so Saudi Arabia is our indispensable ally." Why? Wouldn't Arabia want to sell its oil to the U.S. under any imaginable regime? And hasn't fracking made the U.S. virtually self-sufficient in oil anyway? "Since Saudi Arabia is our ally, we must support its war in Yemen, and support it against Iran too." Why? You managed to be closely allied with both Israel and Saudi Arabia back in the days when the Saudis still saw Israel as a mortal enemy. You don't have to back either of them in everything they do. "Our credibility is at stake." This is the last-resort falsehood that can justify almost any otherwise indefensible military commitment. Don't let them see you back down, no matter how stupid your position is. They won't respect you if you bail out. Or as Trump put it when he was still just a candidate for the Republican nomination: "Our military dominance must be unquestioned, and I mean unquestioned, by anybody and everybody." Power purely for the sake of power. Any country that remains a great power for long enough eventually becomes insane. Gwynne Dyer (gwynne763121476@aol.com) has worked as a freelance journalist, columnist, broadcaster and lecturer on international affairs for more than 20 years. He is the author of "Growing Pains: The Future of Democracy (and Work)." Georgian voters are heading to the polls on May 19 to elect a parliament member and mayors and city councils in some cities. Among early voters in the by-elections in the capital, Tbilisi, was billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, who is a former prime minister and leads the ruling Georgian Dream party. If you write a book in Manx Gaelic, a Celtic language thought dead until recently, you can use Amazon's self-publishing service to get your book to the estimated 1,800 people who can read and speak Manx, most of them on the Isle of Man. If you write in Persian, on the other hand, a language spoken by more than 100 million people around the world, you can't get onto any e-readers through Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Thanks in part to Amazon's decision to merge its Kindle Direct and CreateSpace services last year -- but by some accounts also due to fear of U.S. financial sanctions aimed at punishing Tehran's behavior and its weapons programs -- Amazon's self-publishing services don't currently support Persian, also known as Farsi. The resulting exclusion catches Iranians around the world in the crossfire of a diplomatic dispute, say critics trying to get Persian onto Kindle, and misses a chance to encourage free speech at the same time. Amazon, the world's largest book retailer, allows authors to publish books through Kindle Direct, which boasts "hundreds of thousands of authors" since its launch in 2007, making books accessible within a few days to tens of millions of potential buyers and readers worldwide. A representative for Amazon, which had a market capitalization of around $921 billion on May 15, told RFE/RL via e-mail in response to a question about its Persian policy, "We are actively reviewing author and reader feedback to evaluate which features and services we offer in the future, including expanding KDP's supported languages." For Freedom? Persian is thought to have around 110 million speakers worldwide, including in Iran, Tajikistan, and much of Afghanistan. Its alphabet is a modified form of Arabic script. Amazon lists 40 languages for Kindle books and content and removes content in languages that are not supported. Until about a year ago, people could publish their own Persian-language texts, as a paperback or e-book, through an on-demand service owned by Amazon called CreateSpace. But Amazon merged CreateSpace with Kindle Direct in 2018. An online petition launched in Canada and signed by more than 14,000 people calls on Amazon to once again support Persian. It cites Persian culture and literature's place as "one of the greatest throughout history." Its organizer, Ottawa-based Iranian poet and translator Mahyar Mazloumi, also argues that establishing Kindle Direct in Persian would be a "huge step to fight censorship and promote freedom of speech." He tells RFE/RL he's planning to publish poems on Kindle Direct to evade Iran's tough censors, whose written and unwritten rules are a major hurdle for authors and translators. Iran's Culture Ministry regularly vets books and translations of foreign books before their publication and allows itself considerable discretion. Censors routinely ban books that are deemed immoral, anti-Islamic, or harmful to national security. In some instances, books have been banned weeks or months after their publication. Tiny passages -- a sentence or a paragraph -- are often censored. And the words "Israel," "alcohol," and "dance" are frequently cut. Poet Fatemeh Ekhtesari told RFE/RL in 2016 that in order to get her first book of poetry published, she used dots for words and sentences she thought would not get past Iranian authorities. Petition organizer Mazloumi says that "some of the books published in Iran are so heavily censored that they're not worth reading." "I didn't want a single word to be touched [by censors]," he says. "Those outside the country who want to publish their books independently and escape the censors' razor can't do it [on Amazon] because Persian is not available." Evading The Censors Mazloumi has posted poems that touch on erotic, social, and political themes, including the arrest of labor rights activist Esmail Bakhshi, via the cloud-based messaging app Telegram, which is said to remain popular among Iranians despite a decision by the authorities to block it in 2018. He has also published a selection of English-language poetry on Amazon. The Internet has become a crucial platform for Iranian writers who have little chance of being published inside the country. Some have posted digital books independently, while others have used the services of publishers based outside the country. Millions of Iranians access banned sites and applications through so-called virtual private networks (VPNs) or other antifiltering tools. Malta-based Afghan writer and publisher Aziz Hakimi says his and other publishing houses also sell books that have been written and published outside the countries where Persian is an official language. Hakimi, the founder and editor of online literary magazine Nebesht.com and Nebesht publishing, suggests that Amazon might be concerned that revenues from books sold online could end up in Iran, which could be a violation of recently reinvigorated U.S. financial sanctions. "This could be an issue for Amazon," he says. As part of its high-profile efforts to challenge Tehran over its missile program, its use of armed fighters and other alleged proxies in the region, its rights record, and its disputed nuclear program, the United States has recently doubled down on its punishments for international transactions with banks and other entities in Iran. Asked by RFE/RL about the refusal to offer self-publishing in Persian, the Amazon representative did not mention sanctions. "Amazon has to find a way so that all Persian speakers, even those who are not based in Iran, do not become victims of sanctions," Hakimi says. He also suggests that the U.S. administration make an exception for cultural products, like books, when it comes to sanctions. Despite sanctions, Kindles are sold in Iran, where their pros and cons are debated in online forums. It is unclear how Kindle owners inside the country download books onto their device. Millions of ethnic Iranians and Afghans live abroad, where they can easily purchase books from Amazon's online store. Hakimi says he believes that due to its popularity, Kindle could revolutionize book readership among Persian speakers by making books in Persian easily accessible to a vast audience. "We have to be ready for the future," he says. "We already publish books that can't be published inside the country due to censorship." Several writers, including British author Salman Rushdie, who was forced into hiding following a death sentence proclaimed by Iranian revolutionary and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini in 1989, have agreed to let Nebesht make electronic versions of their books available to readers inside Iran for free. Acclaimed Iranian writer Moniro Ravanipour, a supporter of the campaign for Kindle Direct to support Persian, tells RFE/RL she previously published several of her books through CreateSpace. "It was the only way for us. I would publish my books without censorship and I had readers," Ravanipour, who has faced state censorship in Iran, says. "As a matter of fact, I would celebrate with every book that was published. It made me feel that the Islamic republic [of Iran] has not defeated me." On May 10, Kazakhstan's interim president, Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, announced that 231 Kazakhstan citizens had just been repatriated from Syria. On April 30, a plane arrived in Dushanbe from Iraq carrying 84 children whose parents had joined the so-called Islamic State (IS) militant group. The Central Asian governments were aware more than five years ago that some of their nationals had gone to join extremist groups in Iraq and Syria. As the IS lost ground in those Middle Eastern countries there was the increasingly pressing question of what to do with these nationals should they seek to return to Central Asia. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan have adopted different policies regarding citizens who joined extremist groups in the Middle East and their possible repatriation. RFE/RL's media-relations manager, Muhammad Tahir, moderated a discussion on how the individual Central Asian countries are handling the question of the return of their nationals from conflict zones in Syria and Iraq. From Kyrgyzstan, Asel Murzakulova took part in the talk. Murzakulova is a research fellow at the University of Central Asia in Bishkek, and also was a member of the RFE/RL team that produced the recent Not In Our Name https://pressroom.rferl.org/not-in-our-name counterextremism project. From Kazakhstan, Keneshbek Sainazarov, the Central Asia director for the Search for Common Ground https://www.sfcg.org organization and also a participant in the Not In Our Name project, participated in the Majlis session. Salimjon Aioub, the acting director of RFE/RL's Tajik Service, known locally as Ozodi, joined the discussion. And I had a couple of things to say, as always. Listen to the podcast above or subscribe to the Majlis on iTunes. A fight broke out during the first session of Afghanistan's new parliament after disagreement on the election of a speaker. Online video showed lawmakers fighting on May 19 over the seating of businessman Mir Rahman Rahmani as the speaker of the lower house of parliament, known as the Wolesi Jirga. The body was meeting for the first time since controversial elections held last year. Rahmani received 123 votes the previous day to defeat challenger Kamal Nasir Osuli, who had 55 votes, for the speaker's post. But Rahmani was one vote short of the simple majority of 124 votes in the 247-seat Wolesi Jirga that is needed to secure the speakership. Rahmani's supporters declared him the the new speaker and insisted he take the post. "He has secured a majority of the votes and one vote is not an issue, so he is our new chairman," said Nahid Farid, a lawmaker from the western city of Herat. But opponents of Rahmani -- the father of Ajmal Rahmani, a wealthy businessman known in the Afghan capital for selling bulletproof vehicles to Kabul's elite -- refused to let him sit in the speaker's chair. "We will never accept the new speaker and there must be a reelection with new candidates," said Mariam Sama, a parliament deputy from Kabul. Ramazan Bashardost, a deputy from Kabul, told Tolo News that the controversy over the new speaker could be resolved through legitimate means but lawmakers "are not willing to address the issue through legal channels." The results of the October 20 parliamentary elections were officially finalized this month after months of technical and organizational problems. Based on reporting by Reuters and Tolo News The main Kosovo Serb political party has won early mayoral elections held in four predominantly ethnic Serb municipalities in northern Kosovo, according to partial results cited by a coalition of nongovernmental organizations. The four mayors of the ethnic Serb municipalities of North Mitrovica, Zvecan, Leposavic, and Zubin Potok resigned in November, just days after the Pristina government imposed a 100 percent tax on imports from Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Democracy in Action coalition of NGOs which monitored the election process said that with 85 percent of the vote counted, Serbian List candidates garnered more than 90 percent of the vote in each of the four municipalities. Electoral authorities said turnout was more than 42 percent and that the voting went smoothly and without any problems. The elections in the four municipalities were called by Kosovar President Hashim Thaci last month. Kosovo's government said the tax that triggered the resignations was in retaliation for what it said were Belgrade's attempts to undermine its statehood, such as spearheading a campaign to scupper Pristinas bid to join Interpol and blocking it from UN membership. The move drew angry reactions from Belgrade and Sarajevo and calls from the European Union and the United States to revoke the measure. Serbias former province of Kosovo declared independence in 2008 and is recognized as a sovereign state by well over 100 countries but not by Belgrade. Supporters of the Serb List gathered to celebrate the victory in North Mitrovica. A rocket landed in Baghdad's Green Zone near the huge U.S. Embassy compound amid heightened tensions in the region as Washington withdraws personnel from Iraq and President Donald Trump issued a warning to Iran. Iraq's state-run news agency said there were no casualties as a result of the Katyusha rocket exploding less than 1 kilometer from the U.S. Embassy on May 19. It was the first such rocket attack in the Green Zone -- a high-security area where many foreign and Iraqi officials, including parliament and the prime minister, are based -- since September 2018. An Iraqi military spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Rasul, told AP that the rocket fell near Iraq's statue of the Unknown Soldier, and was being investigated. Rasul said the rocket was believed to have been fired from the eastern part of Baghdad, which is where some Iranian-backed militias are based. But AFP reported that a police source said the rocket was "fired from an open field" in southern Baghdad. The United States accused Iran last year of targeting U.S. installations. After Washington shut down its consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra last year, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo blamed Iranian militants for "indirect fire" on the building. The Katyusha rocket attack came the same day that U.S. oil giant Exxon Mobil evacuated around 60 foreign staff from an oil field in Iraq. Iraqi Oil Minister Thamir Ghadhban said in a May 19 statement that ExxonMobil's decision was "unacceptable and unjustified" and had "nothing to do with the security situation or threats in the oilfields in of southern Iraq," adding that it was "political." Washington has ordered a beefing up of U.S. military assets in the Middle East and Persian Gulf, citing possible threats from Iran, and the State Department also ordered the evacuation of all nonessential personnel from the U.S. Embassy in neighboring Iraq. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on May 16 warned U.S. commercial airliners flying over the waters of the Persian Gulf that they risked being misidentified. The ExxonMobil evacuation started early on May 18 in Iraq's southern province of Basra, with employees flown to the United Arab Emirates. Ihsan Abdul Jabbar, the head of Iraq's state-owned South Oil Company, said operations at the field, run by ExxonMobil, were continuing as normal with the help of Iraqi technicians. In Washington, U.S. President Donald Trump issued a threatening tweet to Iranian officials: "If Iran wants to fight, that will the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again." Iran has dismissed the allegations from Washington that there were "imminent threats" from Tehran and accused the United States of an "unacceptable" escalation of tensions. In May 2018, Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 landmark nuclear deal which curtailed Iran's nuclear ambitions in exchange for relief from crippling sanctions. Since then Washington has steadily stepped up its rhetoric and reimposed sanctions. Earlier this month, Trump dispatched an aircraft carrier and B-52 bombers to the Persian Gulf, as well as an amphibious assault ship and a Patriot missile battery. Both sides have said they do not want a war. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on May 19 that Riyadh also did not want military conflict with Iran but that "if the other side chooses war, the [Saudi] kingdom will fight this with all the force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens, and its interests." Saudi Arabia claims that two of its oil tankers were targeted last week in an act of sabotage of the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Iran-supported Huthi rebels also claimed responsibility for a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. With reporting by Reuters, AP, AFP, and dpa The Taliban has met in Qatar with Germany's special representative for Afghanistan amid international efforts to end the nearly 18-year war. In a statement on May 19, the Taliban said Markus Potzel held talks with Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the Taliban's deputy leader who is leading the militant group's peace efforts. U.S. and Taliban negotiators have met for several rounds of peace talks since last year, and despite progress have been unable to finalize a peace agreement. Sohail Shaheen, the spokesman for the Taliban's political office in Qatar, said in a statement on May 19 that Potzel and Baradar discussed "various aspects" of a possible peace deal, and "efforts of Germany in this regard." Potzel, the ambassador to Afghanistan from 2014 to 2016, also met Baradar for talks on May 1. The latest talks between U.S. and Taliban representatives ended on May 9, with U.S. special envoy to Afghanistan Zalmay Khalilzad saying that "steady but slow progress" was made. U.S. and Taliban negotiators have been trying to find agreement on four interconnected issues, including the Taliban breaking off ties with groups designated as terrorist by Washington, the timetable of a U.S. military withdrawal, a cease-fire in Afghanistan, and an intra-Afghan dialogue that would include the Taliban and government representatives. The Taliban has refused to negotiate with the Western-backed Kabul government, viewing it as illegitimate. With reporting by dpa Time to move forward for harmony, reconciliation Korea marked the 39th anniversary of the May 18 Gwangju Democratization Movement, Saturday. It is meaningful to commemorate the movement that sowed the seeds of freedom and democracy. However, it is regrettable to see politics still divided over the pro-democracy struggle of Gwangju citizens in 1980. As President Moon Jae-in said in his commemoration address, the truth about the May 18 movement cannot differ between conservatives and progressives. He said only the heirs of a dictatorship would see it differently. His remarks were apparently a warning to an unabashed bid by the conservative opposition Liberty Korea Party (LKP) to denigrate the movement and defame the victims of a bloody military crackdown. There is no reason to deny or defile the movement and its victims. A series of investigations has already found that students and other citizens rose up against the Chun Doo-hwan-led military junta. Chun seized power through a military coup after the Oct. 26, 1979, assassination of President Park Chung-hee. Legislative work was also done to define the significance and nature of the movement. The uprising was officially called a democratization movement in 1988 under the government of Chun's successor Roh Tae-woo. A special law was enacted in 1995 under the administration of then President Kim Young-sam to champion the spirit of the movement. In 1997, May 18 was designated as a special national memorial day. It is nonsense to call the movement into question. Yet three LKP lawmakers Lee Jong-myeong, Kim Jin-tae and Kim Soon-rye have tried to undermine the movement's legitimacy. They even made far-fetched allegations that North Korean commandoes were sent to Gwangju in May 1980 to incite the uprising. They also described the uprising as a "riot" and the pro-democracy activists as "monsters." They went too far. That is why the LKP has come under severe criticism. The LKP, formerly the Saenuri Party whose boss was the impeached President Park Geun-hye, has been trying to rally conservatives behind it by damaging the values of May 18. LKP Chairman Hwang Kyo-ahn attended the ceremony at the cemetery of the victims in Gwangju in the face of strong protests from bereaved families. He sang the "March for the Beloved," an iconic song for the nation's democracy movement, along with other participants. It is doubtful, however, whether he really appreciates the uprising. Now it is time to shed more light on the Gwangju movement to lay bare the whole truth. Last year, the National Assembly enacted a law to set up a fact-finding committee. However, the creation of the panel has been delayed due to the LKP's intransigence in appointing committee members. We urge the LKP to cooperate fully with the Moon administration and the ruling Democratic Party of Korea to launch the panel as soon as possible. The rival parties should go beyond partisanship to confirm allegations about secret burials of victims, sexual violence and the firing of weapons from helicopters. The LKP also must make efforts to help President Moon keep his promise to enshrine the May 18 spirit in a new Constitution. Most of all, the entire nation ought to make concerted efforts to move toward harmony and reconciliation. Only then can Koreans give what they owe to more than 200 Gwangju citizens who gave their lives for freedom and democracy 39 years ago. Government hoping to open Xcabal ruins in Bacalar this year Bacalar, Q.R. The Ministry of Tourism says they are hoping that this will be the year in which they can open the archaeological ruins of Xcabal in Bacalar. Head of the Ministry of Tourism Marisol Vanegas Perez says that they hope to open the ruins to the public, which is projected to be a great detonator of tourism in the southern area. Xcabal is a project that interests us a lot because it would detonate the southern part of the state, which includes the Bacalar municipalities and Othon P. Blanco, she said. She said that they recently held a meeting with the director general of the National Institute of Anthropology and History, Diego Prieto Hernandez, to talk about advances that have been made, noting that the state government has already allocated money varying projects that include topographic work and access roads, among others. She says that now they are working on reaching an economic agreement with the ejidatarios to proceed with the public opening of the site. Marisol Vanegas says that the government secretariat, headed by Francisco Lopez Mena, is in charge of negotiating with the ejidatarios for the payment of the hectares that occupy the periphery of that archaeological zone. We are ready to continue with the opening work the moment they indicate we have legal certainty about the land, which we hope is this year since we already have operators and tour groups making reservations, she added. HAYMAN Georgianna Marie May 16, 2019 Georgianna Marie Hayman, of Blacksburg, Va., passed away on Thursday, May 16, 2019, an only child, was born in Detroit, Mich. and spent her early years living in nearby Farmington. During World War II, she was a telephone operator. Georgianna met Ted Hayman, a returning sailor from the Second Marine Division, Pacific War Zone. The meeting occurred on Memorial Day, 1945 and they married on September 1, 1945. The Japanese surrendered on September 2,1945. Seventy- three years of marriage resulted. Georgianna became the housewife, raising five children, Gayle, Ted, Kristy, Peter and Janet. Her life anchored her Christian faith. The family moved eleven times across six states. Georgianna, with her sweet personality, settled in each location quickly, befriending the new neighbors. Finally, settling in Blacksburg, Va., she became long time member of the Blacksburg Methodist Church and a lifetime member of the Tops Program. In her last twenty years, she made Indian Creek Resort, Fort Myers Beach, Florida her winter home and had many friends there. Georgianna's family grew to ten grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren. The overwhelming thrill for her was loving her grandchildren. We know she will be watching them grow up from her heavenly home. A Private Family Service will be held on Sunday, May 26, 2019. By Josiah Bunting III Bunting served as president of Hampden-Sydney College and superintendent of the Virginia Military Institute. He is currently the chairman of the Friends of the National World War II Memorial in Washington. He wrote this for InsideSources.com. With the summer months quickly approaching, many Americans look forward to vacations, time off from school and longer days of sunlight. Additionally, we observe important holidays on the calendar to honor our countrys military heritage and veterans, including Memorial Day and Independence Day. However, there is an important anniversary that is often overlooked in the United States, but should be recognized as a pivotal mark that changed the trajectory of this country. May 8 was the 74th anniversary of the allied forces victory in the Atlantic and the end of World War II in Europe. It is commonly known as Victory in Europe Day, or V-E Day. On this day in 1945, the Allies of World War II accepted Nazi Germanys unconditional surrender. Celebrations erupted throughout the Western world, including many U.S. cities, to mark the end of the European part of World War II. President Harry Truman dedicated the victory to the memory of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who died less than one month earlier. World War II was the deadliest military conflict in human history, with more than 400,000 Americans and 60 million people killed worldwide. The number of living World War II veterans and members of the Greatest Generation, those who grew up during the Great Depression and contributed to the war effort, is unfortunately continuing to dwindle. It is estimated that there are fewer than 400,000 living World War II veterans today. It is important that we preserve the legacy, lessons and sacrifices of these World War II veterans. The everyday men and women of the World War II generations character, courage, creativity, determination and innovation not only led to V-E Day, but also reshaped America. We should continue to look to the Greatest Generation for the spirit, sacrifice and commitment of the American people to the common defense of the nation and to the broader causes of peace and freedom from tyranny throughout the world. Winston Churchill once said succeeding generations must not be allowed to forget their sacrifice and to live by the honor they represented. For those citizen soldiers who left home at 17, 18 and 19 years old for the war, the way we can honor them is through a spirit of evangelism to assure our schools and universities do not forget their obligation to teach the history of our republic, and in particular, what our citizens have done in its wars, especially World War II. Remembering, honoring, recognizing and thanking the World War II generation who through sacrifice, valor, dedication and determination preserved our freedom, saved our nation and literally saved the world should be important reminders for all of us during these summer months and beyond. We remember those lost during the war and we look to the criteria assigned for the design competition for the World War II Memorial by the American Battle Monuments Commission that reads: Above all, the Memorial stands as an important symbol of American national unity, a timeless reminder of the moral strength and awesome power that can flow when a free people are at once united and bonded together in a common and just cause. As the Greatest Generation fades, its members should look back on a grateful and proud country. We can and will continue to honor them at their memorial in Washington, but we should also unite through a shared purpose at the community level. Its the least we could do for all their sacrifice. By Bob Gibson What happens when a city that has lost some ownership and meaning of its own name tries to get it back? Thats what is happening in Charlottesville these days with groups of residents getting together to reclaim the name and better understand generations of racial history that we share and that divide us. Charlottesville, the city that became synonymous with modern American racial strife during a white supremacist rally two summers ago, is slowly peeling away layers of silent baggage that hide a common history. Neighborhood and church groups and small collections of local residents are examining one-sided historical lore to explore social justice and see how well neighbors can listen to each other and build on shared conversations. What does it mean to be white? What does it mean to be black? What is white privilege and how does it affect those of us who do not have to think about how our perceived race defines and divides us? Sometimes tough questions take a while to truthfully answer and require patience and understanding to listen and hear what neighbors are really saying. Small groups of a dozen or more residents are tackling subjects surrounding racial dominance and subordination, and systemic and internalized racism. Black residents know far more about white history than white residents do about black history, thanks to popular culture and what is taught in schools. I dont think the average white person knows a lot of black history apart from the civil rights era, said Toni Barskile, a black woman who moved to Charlottesville from New Jersey in 1979 and runs a local web design/development company. Perhaps if they knew more about the contributions made by blacks since slavery, theyd stop looking at blacks as inferior, said Barskile, one of a dozen members of a citizens group that came out of the citys Dialogue on Race and is studying how media portrays minority communities. Some residents are cautiously optimistic about what can be accomplished through local dialogues about race two years after the city gained its current national reputation. The new meaning of the citys name was accomplished by violent white supremacist torch bearers in the city and at UVA August 2017 when they chanted anti-Semitic slogans, such as Jews will not replace us, terrified black residents and brought death to Heather Heyer and injury to dozens. I think local citizen dialogues can help reduce fear and mistrust of the other as residents gain more insight into the lives and experiences of people of different cultures, nationalities and classes, said Barskile, president of ToniBDesign. I want local white folks to see themselves as white people instead of just the norm, or the baseline, she said. I want them to understand that if everyone else is a color, that white is a color, too, and not just normal. That way if they will associate their lives with their skin color vs. people of color, they might understand why people of color are so pissed off about being treated as less than, different, and/or undeserving. Mixed race dialogues have the potential to build connections between people who might not otherwise talk. These connections can help people of different races see that our history and our current issues can have very different impacts depending on ones race, said Beverly Wann, who facilitates racial dialogues across the city. Race very much still matters, said Charlene Green, Charlottesvilles director of the Office of Human Rights. Thats the part that I think as a society we dont want to come to grips with, because if we have to admit that it still matters, we have to do something about it, and we all want to say to ourselves, Arent we beyond that? And we are not. We are not as post-racial as people would have us believe. Green is from Cincinnati and sees connections to Charlottesville. Freed slaves were better treated in Ohio than in Virginia before and after the Civil War, including families that lived at Thomas Jeffersons Monticello. She thinks Charlottesville will uncover more shared experiences and younger generations can learn to live together with dignity. I just want to be heard and respected, she said. I try very hard to do that for other people, and Im greatly appreciative when people do that for me. And I want that for my son. Hes 13, and hes biracial. Green, who is a black woman, and Wann, who is white, both lead these discussions and see more and more white people taking on the responsibility to educate themselves about the truth of Americas, and Charlottesvilles, history. When it comes to race, this history is tragic and devastating and difficult to fully face, Wann said. I think we as a community and as a nation need to continue to uncover and share about the trauma blacks especially, and natives as well, have experienced over the past 400 years. What happened in 2017 was not new and did not come out of the blue. Pam Perugia Marraccini, who has owned small businesses downtown for 20 years, said the only way to understanding and healing is through inclusivity. Lets begin that process by telling all the stories of all the people. The period right after the Civil War has been glossed over and needs to be clarified from all perspectives, not from just the white perspective, Marraccini said. On a personal note, I was asked several weeks ago to join the city group studying how media portrays minority communities. As a veteran of the news business, I believe that public awareness and discussion of media coverage of communities can help eliminate systemic racism. Gibson is communications director and senior researcher at the University of Virginias Cooper Center for Public Service. The opinions expressed here are his own and not necessarily those of the Cooper Center. North should accept food aid, allow visit to Gaeseong complex The government has decided to donate $8 million to international agencies to provide food aid to North Korea. It has also decided to allow a group of South Korean businesspeople to visit a closed inter-Korean industrial park in Gaeseong. The decisions are aimed at breaking the deadlock in stalled dialogue for inter-Korean cooperation and reconciliation as well as for denuclearization of the North. They are conciliatory gestures by the Moon Jae-in government to encourage Pyongyang to return to negotiations. The donation came after the South floated the idea of offering humanitarian aid to Pyongyang, as the North is expected to suffer a shortage of 1.36 million tons of grain. Such aid should not be affected by the geopolitical situation on the Korean Peninsula; therefore, the Moon administration made the right decision. However, it was, to a certain degree, a difficult one, given the North's repeated test-firing of short-range missiles. These military provocations over the past two months came after its leader Kim Jong-un's second summit with U.S. President Donald Trump broke down in Hanoi in late February. Amid growing skepticism over the true intention of Kim's commitment to denuclearization, providing food aid faces mounting challenges. This is feared to send the wrong signal to Pyongyang because Seoul could give the impression that it has caved in to the North's saber-rattling. Thus, the government should be careful in making sure that the food aid is used purely for humanitarian purposes. It also needs to build a consensus in order to gain support from the people as well as the international community. As for the approval of a visit by businesspeople to the joint industrial park in the North Korean border city, the government stressed the importance of the applicants' right to check their production facilities there. Seoul has also made a hard decision because it had to get support from the U.S. The Moon administration should clarify that the visit is not a prelude to the reopening of the shuttered complex amid international sanctions. Still the problem is whether the Kim regime will accept food aid and allow the businesspeople to visit the Gaeseong complex. If Pyongyang refuses both, it would prolong the impasse in the peace process on the peninsula. In this case, the North could opt out of dialogue not only with Seoul but also Washington. No one knows how to solve this dilemma. Persons had posted photos of casting vote on EVMs Ludhiana, May 19: The Chief Election Officer (CEO) Punjab office had come to know of some media reports where some persons had posted photos of casting vote on EVMs. Taking a serious notice of this matter, the CEO Punjab asked District Election Officer-cum-Deputy Commissioner Mr Pradeep Kumar Agrawal to inquire into the matter. Posting Photograph of Voting For a Particular Candidate Advertisement Acting swiftly over this matter, the District Administration swung into action and checked voter lists as well as the social media account of the person to know his whereabouts/address. The information was then passed on to the Commissioner of Police, and the person was detained. One Person Detained The Police is now investigating whether the photograph posted on social media was clicked by the arrested person or by some other person. The matter is under further investigation. The DEO Ludhiana has warned that if any person posts photographs of casting vote on EVM's, then strict action would be taken against them. Sidhu Damaging Congress: Capt Amarinder Chandigarh/Patiala, May 19: Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday criticised Navjot Singh Sidhu for damaging the Congress with his ill-timed comments against him and the party leadership in the state. If he is was a real Congressmen, he should have chosen a better time to air his grievances instead of just ahead of voting in Punjab, said the Chief Minister in an informal chat with mediapersons before leaving for Patiala to cast his vote, along with other members of his family. His wife and former Union Minister Preneet Kaur is contesting from Patiala Lok Sabha seat on behalf of the Congress, and Captain Amarinder expressed the confidence that the party would sweep not just this seat but all the 13 constituencies in Punjab. On the recent controversial and rebellious remarks of his cabinet colleague, Navjot Sidhu, who had a few days back accused the Chief Minister of being responsible for denial of ticket to his wife, Navjot Kaur, from Chandigarh, Captain Amarinder said he was harming the party with such irresponsible actions. Advertisement Preneet Kaur It was not his election but that of the entire Congress, said the Chief Minister. It was for the high command to decide on any action against Sidhu, but the Congress, as a party, does not tolerate indiscipline, said the Chief Minister. He personally did not have any differences against Sidhu, whom he had known since the latter was a child, he added. Perhaps he is ambitious and wants to be chief minister, Captain Amarinder remarked in response to a question. Such irritants notwithstanding, the Chief Minister exuded confidence of a Congress victory in all the 13 seats, saying he was getting very positive reports from all the constituencies, with Congressmen having already started celebrating with distribution of ladoos, indicating their level of confidence. In contrast, the entire Akali leadership, right up to Harsimrat, was down in the dumps and cried out of sheer frustration at their imminent defeat, he added. Advertisement Navjot Kaur Sidhu As for Patiala, he said he was confident of Preneet sweeping the poll by a margin of over one lakh votes. UPA-3 will form the next government at the Centre, with the Congress doing very well across the country, he added with confidence. To a question on the issues that would be the deciding factor in Punjab in these elections, Captain Amarinder said sacrilege was a big issue, especially in the rural areas, as it had hurt the sentiments of every Sikhs. Procurement was another major issue in the rural belt, he said, adding that in urban areas, national issues such as demonetization and GST were more important Let's travel back in time together (by plane) and discover the incredible history of Luxembourg Airport since its creation in 1930. Many of us only know Luxembourg Airport from the way it looks and is today: a spacious, small yet sweet airport hub with over 4 million annual passengers, close to a million tonnes of cargo, 15 different airlines and 81 direct flights. But did you know Luxembourg Airport has existed for 89 years? And that it played a vital role in WWII for the US Army? Here's a timeline of the airport's history. Let's get started in 1930, the year when it all began. 1930 - A group of aviation pioneers get together to establish an airfield to pursue their passion for flying. The proposal is accepted by parliament, and "Sandweiler Airport" is created. It's small, grass runway is 1000m long, and used by light aircraft. 1940 - WWII breaks out, and neutral Luxembourg is invaded by Germany on 10 May. Several weeks after, the Luftwaffe assigns Jagdgeschwader 53 (JG 53), a Messerschmitt Bf 109 unit, to the airport. JG53 is engaged in combat against the French and British during the Battle of France in the early summer of 1940. The unit remains in Sandweiler until August and takes part in the Battle of Britain. Sandweiler Airport remains unused for several years, and when the US Army clears Luxembourg of the German forces in 1944, it performs minor reconstruction for the upcoming missions. 1944 - The US Army declares the airport as an "Advanced Landing Ground", using the base for the missions of the Ninth Air Force 363rd Tactical Reconnaissance Group. The base is used for military supplies, food and transporting injured soldiers back to England. American Air Museum 1945 - On the 15th of August, Sandweiler Airport is handed back to independent Luxembourg. 1946 - "Findel Airport" opens for business! Its wooden barracks serve as the first terminal and tower, and a reinforced patch of grass acts as the runway. 1948 - The first terminal is constructed, and the home flag carrier "Luxembourg Airlines" begins its operations. 1950 - Luxembourg Airlines is rapidly expanding, and a significant increase in traffic means that two new runways are constructed: one of 2000m x 60m, and one of 1600m x 50m. 1954 - The main runway is equipped with lights, allowing for night flights to be scheduled (in other words, the beginning of night flying complaints...). 1962 - Luxembourg Airlines is renamed to "Luxair". Its first route is Luxembourg-Paris, flown by its Fokker F27 Friendship. Soon after, operations begin to Johannesburg. 1963 - The first jet aircraft lands at Findel Airport. Luxair's first airplane, a Fokker F27 Friendship, flew its Luxembourg-Paris route. 1970 - Cargo company Cargolux starts its operations at the airport. Its first route is between Luxembourg and Hong Kong with its only aircraft, a Canadair CL-44. 1975 - A new and larger terminal was developed, giving the airport a fresh modern look. 1984 - The runway is extended to 4000m, allowing all types of modern aircraft to land in Luxembourg. 2003-2008 - The new Terminal A is constructed. 2009 - The new Cargolux maintenance hanger for Boeing 747s opens. 2016 - A real milestone for the airport: 3 million passengers pass through the airport! The streetcar garage in Seoul, circa 1899. By Robert Neff A streetcar passing through the East Gate, circa 1899. On the morning of May 17, 1899, the streets of Seoul were filled with crowds of people who had gathered not only to celebrate Buddha's birthday but also to witness history being made the introduction of streetcars to Korea. The official inauguration wasn't for another week but out of prudence and possibly the desire to advertise the Seoul Electric Railroad Company (SERC) decided to test one or two of the cars and their crews (Japanese motormen and Korean conductors) to ensure smooth operations. Along the tracks, "thousands upon thousands" of people jostled with one another as they attempted to get the best possible view of these strange mechanical monsters that they had been hearing about for months. The weather was hot in fact, unseasonably hot and rain was badly needed and, as many of the spectators had been waiting for hours, tempers naturally flared. To maintain order, soldiers lined the streets but even they could not keep back the flow of curious and impatient spectators as the first streetcar left the station. At some points, the crowd became too much and the car was forced to stop several times. To alleviate this problem, the company requested the aid of the Korean police. A member of SERC recalled: Korean laborers working on the track for 15 cents a day, circa 1899. "An average speed of 5 miles per hour was maintained, except in one instance, where the track was well guarded, and it was impossible to resist the temptation of discomfiting the police, a number of whom had been instructed to run ahead of the cars; a rate of 12 miles was made for a short distance, quickly leaving the worthy policemen in the rear, to their great consternation and the indignation of their chief, who was riding in the car." It was a complete success The Harper's Weekly, an American magazine, even declared it to be "the first step towards civilization in 'the Hermit Kingdom.'" But Korea's path to Western modernization was fraught with the stumbling blocks of its culture. According to the SERC: "For ages past, men in [Korea] have worn huge straw hats when in mourning for the loss of a relative. These hats are truly of enormous size at least as large as a bushel basket and the [Koreans] have drifted into the custom of wearing them as sunbonnets." A streetcar filled with male passengers wearing hats, circa 1899. This "ancient practice" would not be tolerated on the cars wearers of the hat would be charged triple fares. Depending on the distance, the normal fare was from two to 15 cents and was considerably cheaper than being conveyed in a sedan chair carried on the shoulders of coolies (laborers or bearers). Partially due to the streetcars, other traditions were abandoned. The closing of the city gates at night ceased, as did the curfew banning men from the streets at night. Women were welcomed as customers something that would have been unheard of only a few years earlier. There was also the problem of spatial awareness. One of the first accidents was "breaking the leg of a dog, who was rather indifferent about getting out of the way." It wasn't the last to fall victim to the wheels of modernization as we will see tomorrow. A streetcar on the streets of Seoul, circa 1902. When Ian Carr knocks on doors in neighborhoods like Porter Ranch and West Hills, he is sometimes asked whether his chosen candidate is a Democrat or a Republican. His answer Democrat once got a door slammed in his face. But Carr, an organizer with the progressive group Ground Game L.A., said that his party affiliation has been irrelevant to most voters and a selling point for others in this northwestern stretch of the San Fernando Valley as he stumps for Los Angeles City Council candidate Loraine Lundquist. At another door, Carr said, an elderly man shouted back approvingly, Shes got my vote. This is known as relatively conservative turf in liberal L.A. For decades, the district has been represented by Republicans on the City Council. Advertisement Now, many of the candidates vying to represent Council District 12 are Democrats, including formidable fundraisers such as Scott Abrams, district director to U.S. Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Northridge); nonprofit executive Stella Maloyan; former airport commissioner Jeff Daar; and Jack Kayajian, an administrator in the L.A. city attorneys office. With more than a dozen people competing in the June election and splitting what is expected to be a relatively small number of votes many Democratic candidates are hopeful that they could snag at least a second-place finish and secure a spot in the August runoff. But whether a Democrat could actually win this Valley seat is an open question. Some observers are dubious. It is a remote possibility. Very remote, said Larry Levine, a political consultant who is not representing any candidates in the race. Levine said that, based on who has historically been most likely to turn out to vote in the district, it just doesnt add up for a Democrat. Los Angeles City Council District 12 candidates include, clockwise from top left; Jeff Daar; Frank Ferry; Stella Maloyan; Loraine Lundquist; Carlos Amador and Josh Yeager. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Some issues cut across partisan lines Yet Democratic candidates, their supporters and some experts argue that there is a path to victory for a Democrat here. Donald Trump did better here than in any other council district in L.A. but Hillary Clinton still got twice as many votes as Trump. In November, Democrats Katie Hill and Christy Smith won U.S. House and state Assembly seats, respectively, flipping Republican-held offices to represent areas that overlap with parts of the council district. Both Democrats were backed by roughly 60% of eligible voters there. This whole group of people that volunteered for Katie Hill and were excited about flipping it people are feeling that energy all over, Carr said. The race is officially nonpartisan: No R or D will be listed next to candidates names on the ballot. Many municipal issues, such as real estate development or street repairs, do not break down neatly along partisan lines. And several contenders are running without aligning with a political party. When I say Im independent, they say, Oh, good! said one of those candidates, Jay Beeber, who heads the advocacy group Safer Streets L.A. I dont think its a question of conservative versus liberal. Its really a question of good government that people are looking for. Daar, one of the Democrats in the race, said that with voters focused on quality-of-life issues such as homelessness, it doesnt seem as if what party I am is that important. But candidates have nonetheless been asked at community forums about some politically polarized issues, such as whether they support Medicare for all and recognizing L.A. as a so-called sanctuary city. Some of the residents showing up at those forums fall to the right of any of the Democratic candidates up on stage. The left is trying to ram things down our throat, said Rachael Catran, a North Hills voter who attended a forum at a Porter Ranch school. She complained that California had been choked by high taxes and excessive regulation and become very communist. Los Angeles City Council District 12 candidates clockwise from top left; John Lee, Annie Cho, Scott Abrams, Navraj Singh, Jay Beeber, Brandon Saario and Charles Sean Dinse. (Kent Nishimura / Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times) Democrats hold registration edge Yet, registered Democrats here outnumber Republicans, whose ranks have thinned. Republicans have fallen from 37% of registered voters in the district in 2000 to 24% in 2019, according to figures from the county registrar. Democrats remained roughly 44% of registered voters during that same period, while no party preference voters have risen. People think that District 12 is largely a red district. It is not so. It is a mixed district, said Democratic candidate Raji Rab, an aviator and educator. Others believe that partisanship could actually help Democrats in the campaign. Political consultant Mac Zilber, who was working with Democratic candidate Serena Oberstein before she was disqualified in the council race, argued that as the country has become more politically polarized, Democrats are less likely to vote for a Republican in a local race than in the past. This is a district that is very likely to elect a Democrat if the election becomes a referendum on partisanship, Zilber said. Republican candidate Frank Ferry, who previously held local office in Santa Clarita, said the council district has a number of Democratic voters with conservative viewpoints who became Democrats back with John F. Kennedy and dont want to switch. Voters routinely ask him his political party, often before they ask anything else, he said and sometimes they dont like the answer. Still, I wouldnt be running if the district was not to the right, moderate, Ferry said. Im a realist. Voter turnout is also likely to be low in a special election with no national race on the ballot, which traditionally means that the voters who show up will be more conservative. Democratic candidates have nonetheless argued that, with low turnout and lots of candidates, a Democrat could eke out a spot in the runoff by mobilizing enough supporters. Its about being able to turn people out and also having a lane, said Rob Quan, campaign manager for Carlos Amador, an immigrant rights advocate running for the seat. For instance, Quan argued that the Latino population in the district is something that well be able to tap into better than a lot of other candidates. Latinos make up roughly 20% of citizens of voting age in the district, according to data gathered during the last round of redistricting. Asian Americans also make up a sizable chunk of the vote. There are more than enough Democrats to win there, said political consultant Bill Carrick, who is not representing anyone in the race. Its just a question of whos going to show up. A Republican front-runner The front-runner in the race is widely believed to be John Lee, the former chief of staff to the last councilman, Mitchell Englander. As a former City Council aide, Lee would be taking a well worn path to the seat: Englander was the chief of staff to the previous councilman, Greig Smith, who was the top aide to Councilman Hal Bernson before him. Englander, who stepped down at the end of last year, was the sole remaining Republican on a council that has routinely taken liberal stands on issues such as immigration and gun control. Lee is also a Republican, but he has not campaigned on starkly conservative issues, instead focusing on his experience in the district. He could face competition for Republican voters from Ferry and from Brandon Saario, who works in film production and has pointedly campaigned on his conservative politics. Another Republican candidate, however, businessman Navraj Singh, has done little to emphasize his political party in the race, telling The Times that party affiliation does not matter. Democratic candidate Annie Cho, who owns a public relations company, argued that this office has been held by a Republican so long mainly because it was inherited. This is an opportunity to bring about new leadership, Cho said. emily.alpert@latimes.com Twitter: @AlpertReyes A Republican congressman from Michigan on Saturday became the first member of President Trumps party on Capitol Hill to accuse him of engaging in impeachable conduct stemming from special counsel Robert S. Mueller IIIs investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Rep. Justin Amash stopped short, however, of calling on Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump, which many Democrats have been agitating for. Often a lone GOP voice in Congress, Amash sent a series of Twitter messages Saturday faulting both Trump and Atty. Gen. William Barr on matters related to Muellers report. The special counsel wrapped the investigation and submitted his report to Barr in late March. Barr within days released a summary of what he called Muellers principal conclusions, followed in April by a redacted version of the report. Mueller found no criminal conspiracy between Trumps presidential campaign and Russia, but left open the question of whether Trump acted in ways that were meant to obstruct the investigation. Barr said there was insufficient evidence to bring obstruction charges against Trump. Advertisement Trump, who has frequently called the investigation a witch hunt, has claimed the Mueller reporter exonerated him completely. Amash said he reached four conclusions after carefully reading the redacted version of Muellers report, including that President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct. Contrary to Barrs portrayal, Muellers report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment, the congressman tweeted. He said the report identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence. The Justice Department, which Barr leads, operates under guidelines that advise against the indictment of a sitting president. A representative for Amash did not immediately respond to an email request to speak with the congressman. Democrats who control the House are locked in a bitter standoff with the White House as it ignores lawmakers requests for the full Mueller report and its underlying evidence and witness testimony. Some Democrats want the House to open impeachment hearings immediately, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco) has called for a more gradual and deliberate approach. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), a freshman who opened her term by calling for Trump to be impeached, applauded Amash. You are putting country first, and that is to be commended, Tlaib tweeted. Tlaib is seeking support for a resolution calling on the House to start impeachment proceedings. Trump and other Republican lawmakers who have commented on the Mueller report generally view the matter as case closed, as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) recently declared on the floor of the Senate. Corruption and the need for economic growth are the main campaign issues as Malawi goes to the polls Tuesday for a presidential election that pits the incumbent against his own vice president as well as the countrys main opposition party. The need to protect people with albinism has also emerged as a hot election topic in this southern African country. More than 6 million people are registered to vote in the elections that also will decide 193 parliamentary seats in one of the worlds poorest countries. As in previous elections, the results of the presidential vote likely will be challenged in court. Although seven candidates are running for president, just three are seen as having a chance at winning. As Malawi has no runoff election, whoever receives the most votes wins, even if the share is well below 50%. Advertisement The 78-year-old President Peter Mutharika of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party is up against 46-year-old Vice President Saulos Chilima of the United Transformation Movement and main opposition Malawi Congress Party leader Lazarus Chakwera, 64 Former president Joyce Banda has dropped out of the race and is supporting Chakwera via a coalition with her Peoples Party. While Mutharika pursues a second five-year term, he has been dogged by rivals accusations of corruption, which he has denied. Political analyst Andrew Mpesi said the graft charges could hurt the president in this election. Every Malawian is aware that almost every day the front pages of mainstream papers in this country reported government corruption, theft and abuse of public resources, he said. Despite allegations of election-rigging being exchanged by Mutharika and Chilima, Mpesi said Malawis electoral commission has been transparent during the preparation process, which gives people some confidence that we can have better elections. Opposition parties appear to have improved their ability to monitor the process, he added. The killing and abduction of people with albinism, and the widespread impunity for those who carry it out, also has emerged as an election issue. Twenty-five people have been killed and 10 have gone missing since late 2014, according to the Association of People Living with Albinism. People with albinism are targeted for their body parts, which are sold to be used in potions made by witchdoctors who claim they bring wealth and good luck. Opposition candidate Chakwera has vowed to end the killings of people with albinism within a month of taking office. Mutharika has rebuked him, however, saying that it is immoral for any political leader to sink so low and use the suffering of our brothers and sisters with albinism for political gain. Newcomer Chilima, whose party is only nine months old after breaking with Mutharikas party during a power struggle, is appealing to Malawis younger voters, who make up 54% of those registered in this election. He is promising jobs in a country where unemployment is over 20%. Mutharika, meanwhile, says his government is committed to introducing more infrastructure development projects, pointing to the construction of roads, bridges and hospitals during his time in office. For the first time, the election is being carried out under a new law that regulates funding for political parties, which now must declare all donations exceeding $1,398 from individuals and $2,796 from companies. Campaigning for Tuesdays election ends on Sunday. Voting results are expected to be announced within eight days, though it took 10 days to announce results in the previous election in 2014. Voter Mark Likoswe, who repairs shoes in the city of Blantyre, expressed concern about possible unrest. I feel that violence might break out because there is tension due to the way rival parties have handled themselves, he said. ___ Follow Africa news at https://twitter.com/AP_Africa Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Energy Secretary Rick Perry will lead a delegation to the inauguration of Volodymyr Zelenskiys as Ukraines next president. Zelenskiy is a popular comedian with no political experience. He defeated President Petro Poroshenko in a runoff last month by winning 73 percent of the vote. Ukraines parliament set Zelenskiys inauguration for Monday. President Donald Trump on Saturday announced Perry and delegation members including Kurt Volker, the U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations, and Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union. Advertisement Rudy Giuliani (joo-lee-AH'-nee), one of Trumps personal attorneys, recently scrapped plans to visit Ukraine to push for an investigation he thinks could benefit Trump politically. Democrats had denounced Giulianis trip as an overt attempt to recruit a foreign government to influence a U.S. election. Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. By Jung Min-ho Huawei founder and CEO Ren Zhenghei has claimed that the Chinese company does not need chips from U.S. companies and that the Donald Trump government's restrictions will have little impact on growth. Speaking to at Huawei's headquarters in Shenzhen, Saturday, Ren said his company would be "fine" even if Qualcomm or other U.S. suppliers stopped providing chips. "We have already been preparing for this," Ren was quoted as saying. "Huawei's growth may slow, but only slightly." The statement comes three days after Washington put Huawei on a trade blacklist, which is expected to make it extremely difficult for Huawei to do business in the U.S. The U.S. government said Huawei, one of China's biggest exporters, poses a major spying risk to the country and its allies an accusation the Chinese government has called "groundless." The U.S. government's similar ban on China's ZTE last year pushed the company to the brink of bankruptcy. "We will not change our management at the request of the U.S. or accept monitoring, as ZTE has done," Ren said. "We have not done anything that violates the law." He claimed the U.S. government is damaging its credibility by threatening its partners. Speaking of the prospect of producing 5G equipment in the U.S., Ren added, "Even if the U.S. asks us to manufacture over there, we will not go." Huawei, founded in 1987 by Ren, a former engineer with the People's Liberation Army of China, denies that the company has close ties to the Chinese Communist Party or has any intention of designing equipment to facilitate eavesdropping, as widely suspected. But many experts say no Chinese company is fully independent of its government, which can legally require companies to help gather intelligence. So far, some U.S. allies notably Australia and New Zealand have followed Trump's lead on Huawei. Others in Europe remain split over whether to ban the company's devices from their 5G and other networks. Missouris Republican-led House on Friday passed sweeping legislation designed to survive court challenges, which would ban abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy. If enacted, the ban would be among the most restrictive in the U.S. It includes exceptions for medical emergencies, but not for pregnancies caused by rape or incest. Doctors would face five to 15 years in prison for violating the eight-week cutoff. Women who receive abortions wouldnt be prosecuted. Republican Gov. Mike Parson pledged to sign the bill , but its unclear when hell take action. When pressed on the lack of exceptions, he told reporters that all life has value. The Missouri legislation comes after Alabamas governor signed a bill Wednesday making performing an abortion a felony in nearly all cases. Advertisement Supporters say the Alabama bill is meant to conflict with the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion nationally in hopes of sparking a court case that might prompt the current panel of more conservative justices to revisit abortion rights. Missouri Republicans are taking a different approach. GOP Rep. Nick Schroer said his legislation is made to withstand judicial challenges and not cause them. He cited extensive legislative findings included in the bill about fetal development that are aimed at backing up the states interest in limiting abortion if the measure is challenged, as well as new judges appointed to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals by President Donald Trump. Republican House Speaker Elijah Haahr said the measure was drafted with a legal team and based on previous court rulings across the U.S. We spent hours upon hours researching what courts have said in their decisions and what they believe to be important, Haahr said. If courts dont allow Missouris proposed eight-week ban to take effect, the bill includes a ladder of less-restrictive time limits that would prohibit abortions at 14, 18 or 20 weeks or pregnancy. While others are zeroing in on ways to overturn Roe v. Wade and navigate the courts as quickly as possible, that is not our goal, Schroer said. Kentucky , Mississippi , Ohio and Georgia also have approved bans on abortion once fetal cardiac activity can be detected, which can occur in about the sixth week of pregnancy. Some of those laws already have been challenged in court , and similar restrictions in North Dakota and Iowa previously were struck down by judges. Democratic Sen. Jill Schupp said she believes the eight-week ban goes against Roe v. Wade, under which justices noted that viability typically was 24 to 28 weeks. But she said parts of the wide-ranging bill likely will survive. I do believe that there are probably some provisions that will pass court challenges, Schupp said. Missouris bill also includes an outright ban on abortions except in cases of medical emergencies. But unlike Alabamas, it would kick in only if Roe v. Wade is overturned. Clinicians reacted with disgust to the passage of the bill. Ob-gyns and other womens health care providers should not be threatened with criminal penalties for delivering evidence based, necessary health care, the Missouri Section of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists said in an emailed statement. The Hope Clinic for Women, which performs abortions in Granite City, Illinois, just across the river from St. Louis, noted it already sees Missouri patients on a daily basis. Our doors remain open for any patient who needs abortion care, Executive Director Dr. Erin King said in a statement. Abortion-rights supporters in the House chanted, when you lie, people die and womens rights are human rights during debate on the measure before being escorted from the chamber. Outside, they shouted shame, shame, shame after lawmakers voted 110-44 to pass it. Several women dressed as characters from the The Handmaids Tale watched silently. The Margaret Atwood book and subsequent Hulu TV series depicts a dystopian future where fertile women are forced to breed. Since youre fine with forcing children who have been raped to have their rapists babies, I truly hope when yall go to sleep tonight that you think about that, Democratic Minority Leader Crystal Quade told Republicans on the House floor. A handful of abortion opponents protested outside the Planned Parenthood clinic in St. Louis on Friday. Among them was 21-year-old Teresa Pettis, a Catholic who is five months pregnant with her first child. She said she supports the bill even though it outlaws abortions for women who have been raped. Honestly, I dont think its right to punish the child for something the child cant control, Pettis said. The baby might be born in unfortunate circumstances, but its still a human life. Rep. Shamed Dogan was the only Republican to vote against the bill. He cited the lack of exceptions for pregnancies borne of rape and incest, and said most residents of his suburban St. Louis district think thats going too far. One Democrat voted in favor. A total of 3,903 abortions occurred in Missouri in 2017, the last full year for which the state Department of Health and Senior Services has statistics online. Of those, 1,673 occurred at under nine weeks and 119 occurred at 20 weeks or later in a pregnancy. About 2,900 abortions occurred in 2018, according to the agency. The bill also bans abortions based solely on race, sex or a diagnosis indicating the potential for Down Syndrome. If Parson signs, most provisions of the bill would take effect Aug. 28. Associated Press writers David A. Lieb and Jim Salter in St. Louis contributed to this report. 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. BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the United States not to go too far in its damaging moves against Chinese interests in a phone conversation Saturday with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Noting that the U.S. side has recently made remarks and taken actions that are harmful to Chinese interests in various fields, including cracking down on Chinese enterprises' normal operations through political measures, Wang said China strongly opposes such actions. "We urge the U.S. side not to go too far," Wang told Pompeo, adding that the United States should change its course as soon as possible so as to avoid further damage of bilateral ties. History and reality have shown that as two big countries, China and the United States will both benefit from cooperation and lose from conflicts, Wang said, adding that cooperation is the only right choice for the two countries. The two sides should follow the direction set by the two countries' heads of state, manage their differences on the basis of mutual respect, expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, and work together in pushing forward a China-U.S. relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability, said the Chinese foreign minister. China has always been willing to resolve economic and trade differences through negotiations and consultations, which, however, should be conducted on the basis of equality, said Wang, adding that China, in any negotiations, must safeguard its legitimate interests, answer the calls of its people, and defend the basic norms of international relations. Wang stressed that China has stated its firm opposition to the U.S. recent negative words and acts related to Taiwan, and urged the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and handle Taiwan-related issues carefully and properly. The two sides also exchanged views on relevant international and regional issues. Pompeo briefed Wang on the U.S. views on the latest development of the Iranian issue. Wang emphasized that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is committed to the denuclearization, peace and stability of the Middle East. "We hope that all parties will exercise restraint and act with caution, so as to avoid escalating tensions," he said. Wang also reiterated the principled stand against the "long-arm jurisdiction" imposed by the United States. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] A Hyundai Merchant Marine container ship / Courtesy of Hyundai Merchant Marine Shipper extends losing streak to 16 straight quarters. By Nam Hyun-woo Hyundai Merchant Marine CEO Bae Jae-hoon Damage to the lining of the stomach can occur quickly when children swallow button batteries; therefore, clinicians should consider prompt endoscopic removal, even when the child is symptom free and the battery has passed safely through the narrow esophagus, according to research presented at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) 2019. The recommendations represent a change from current practice of watching and waiting. "We know there can be injury even when there are no symptoms," said Racha Khalaf, MD, lead researcher and pediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition fellow at the Digestive Health Institute at Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora. "Batteries in the stomach cause damage, including perforation of the gastric wall, so physicians should consider removing the batteries as soon as possible and not let them pass through the digestive tract." Researchers from pediatric hospitals in Colorado, Florida, Texas and Ohio collected data regarding 68 button battery ingestions from January 2014 to May 2018. Previous research has been conducted on button batteries lodged in the esophagus, but little is known about the effect in the stomach. "We have been seeing more injuries from button batteries," Dr. Khalaf said. "The batteries come in toys, remote controls, key fobs, singing greeting cards and watches. They are everywhere." Erosive injuries to the mucous lining of the stomach were found in 60 percent of cases reviewed, with no apparent relationship between damage and symptoms, or with the amount of time passed since ingestion. This suggests that clinicians and parents should not wait for symptoms or passage of time to act, Dr. Khalaf said, adding that removing the battery earlier avoids repeated trips to the emergency room or pediatrician's office and reduces repetitive x-rays or other imaging. The authors' recommendations are more aggressive than those of two national organizations that have issued recommendations about button battery ingestion. The North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition recommends observation when it's been less than two hours since ingestion, the battery is 20 mm or smaller, and the child is at least 5 years old. The National Capital Poison Center, which runs the National Battery Ingestion Hotline, currently recommends observation alone for asymptomatic gastric button batteries to allow them to pass through the digestive system. This work is partly supported by a Cystic Fibrosis Foundational Grant Award #Khalaf17B0 to Racha Khalaf, National Institutes of Health Training Grant 5T32-DK067009-12 to Keith Hazleton and Racha Khalaf, and National Institutes of Health Training Grant 5T32-DK7664-28 to Wenly Ruan. "Shilpa Sena", a rolling exposition will be launched island wide in July, geared towards bringing technological skills, knowledge and products to the general public, at a time when the country embraces new and emerging technologies. The aim of the exposition is to bridge the technological divide in the society while ensuring that no one will be left behind, as part of the government's wider policy of achieving 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. Minister of Science, Technology and Research Sujeewa Senasinghe made these remarks addressing the High-Level Round Table on "The impact of rapid technological change on sustainable development" on 14 May 2019 while participating in the 22nd Session of the Commission on Science and Technology for Development (CSTD). The theme of this year's Commission was "The role of science, technology and innovation in empowering people and in ensuring inclusiveness and equality" and saw the participation of developing countries from Asia, Africa and Latin America as well as developed countries. Speaking further, Minister Senasinghe stated that Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Neurotechnology, 5G and Internet of Things, Personalised Medicine, Blue-green Technologies, New Energy, Robotics and Industrial Automation, Mechatronics, Artificial Intelligence and Space Technology have been identified as priority technology themes by the government for action. Highlighting the importance of Blue-Green economy, he stated that the objective of this initiative is to utilize ocean resources through enhanced scientific knowledge while drawing from Sri Lanka's rich heritage of indigenous knowledge. At a bilateral meeting with Director of Division of Technology and Logistics, United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Ms. Shamika Sirimanne on 14 May 2019, Minister of Science, Technology and Research outlined the various initiatives of the Ministry including on diffusion of science literacy among the public. As part of these initiatives, Vidatha Resource Centres - an island wide network of science and technology centres will be converted to technology transfer offices while more school students will be encouraged to follow STEM education. The Ministry of Science, Technology and Research will seek through private and public partnerships to increase value addition of export products such as naturally occurring minerals in Sri Lanka including graphite stated the Minister. Tax rebates will be also provided for private companies and industries to encourage setting up partnerships with universities. Mrs. Sirimanne expressing her views on the programmes of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research, invited Sri Lanka to share these best practices with UNCTAD to disseminate among developing countries. During the visit, Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe held a meeting with Ms. Arancha Gonzalez, Executive Director of International Trade Centre in Geneva on 17 May 2019 at which the parties discussed the progress of ITC's collaboration with Sri Lanka. Minister of Science, Technology and Research sought ITC's assistance on developing Sri Lanka's expertise on quality control. Using technology to improve the processes would empower segments of societies, in particular women empowerment through improved economic conditions, Ms. Gonzalez highlighted. Minister Sujeewa Senasinghe briefed the Executive Director of ITC of the many initiatives undertaken by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Research to link markets and innovation and the proposed projects to connect public institutions and private sector ensuring that both sides benefit. Permanent Representative of Sri Lanka to the United Nations and other International Organizations Ambassador A.L.A. Azeez, Deputy Permanent Representative Mrs. Samantha Jayasuriya, Minister Counsellor Ms. Shashika Somaratne, First Secretary (Commercial) Ms. Tharaka Botheju and Second Secretary Ms. Rajmi Manatunga were associated with Minister Senasinghe at the meetings. Hon. Minister's Full Statement Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka to the United Nations Geneva 17 May 2019 Mayor London Breed said Sunday she was not okay with police raids on reporters, a shift in her stance on the San Francisco Police Departments seizure of computers and other possessions from a journalist who refused to identify the confidential police source who leaked him an internal report on the death of Public Defender Jeff Adachi. However, the mayor stopped short of saying the court-approved raid should not have happened, calling it legal and warranted. Breeds statement on Twitter appeared to be an attempt to express concern about press freedom without undercutting her police chief. It came amid a national outcry that arose following the May 10 raid on the home and office of freelance journalist Bryan Carmody, who sold the report on Adachis Feb. 22 death to three television stations. California journalists cannot be forced to reveal sources under the states shield law. Under pressure to determine who among their own ranks leaked the report, San Francisco police obtained a search warrant and arrived at Carmodys home with a sledgehammer, handcuffing him for six hours. The event sparked a backlash from media organizations nationwide who condemned the raid as a dangerous infringement on press freedom. But city officials, including Breed, have been largely ambivalent or supportive of the raid, while slamming police for the leak a major breach of investigatory protocol apparently intended to tarnish Adachis reputation. In her first statement on the controversy last week, Breed made no mention of the First Amendment issues raised by the raid, saying that police went through the appropriate legal process to request a search warrant, which was approved by two judges. Police Chief Bill Scott stood by his officers actions. On Sunday morning, Breed changed course somewhat, saying that although she wanted a thorough investigation into the leak, I am not okay with police raids on reporters. We need to do better. However, she added, two judges issued the search warrant, and I have to believe that the judges decision was legal and warranted, and therefore so was the search. Whether or not the search was legal, warranted and appropriate, however, is another question. ... And the more we learn, the less appropriate it looks to me. Breed said the city needed a protocol going forward for how to handle investigations that involve members of the media, suggesting she would advocate for new local laws or policies for police probes involving members of the media. She said, A free and independent press plays a crucial role in our society, and we have to work harder to honor not only the letter of Californias Shield Law, but also the spirit of it. Breeds position contrasts with that of supervisors Hillary Ronen, Aaron Peskin and Matt Haney, who have criticized the raid. On Saturday, Haney called the search a direct attack on the ability of the press to operate without the risk of retribution by police. The awful politically motivated leaking of the police report came from inside SFPD. Thats where this investigation should focus internally, Haney tweeted. Knocking down the door of a journalist with a sledgehammer and seizing property is an unacceptable direct attack on freedom of the press. Supervisor Sandra Lee Fewer, who is married to a retired police officer, initially said the raid was justified because Carmody was in possession of an illegal report. She later attempted to walk back her original statement, but said she harbored strong feelings about the morality of Carmodys actions and emphasized that she was not a legal expert. Media outlets routinely publish the contents of leaked documents, a practice that is not illegal. Drought Map Track water shortages and restrictions across Bay Area Check the water shortage status of your area, plus see reservoir levels and a list of restrictions for the Bay Areas largest water districts. The leaked police reports surfaced days after Adachis death from a mixture of cocaine and alcohol that put an immense strain on his already damaged heart. The reports documented some of the lurid-seeming details of his final hours, including photos of an unkempt bed, marijuana edibles and liquor bottles in a Telegraph Hill apartment he was occupying with a woman who was not his wife. Carmody said he obtained the report the day after Adachis death and said he did not pay his source for them. He then sold the report to television news stations, in keeping with standard practices of independent press stringers who report on and sell information to news outlets. The Chronicle obtained the report, but did not pay for it or get it from Carmody. An SFPD spokesman previously said the raid was one step in the process of investigating a potential case of obstruction of justice along with the illegal distribution of a confidential police report. But Carmodys attorney, Thomas Burke, maintains that the polices actions were egregiously overbroad and intrusive, and hes filed a motion seeking to quash the search warrants and force the police to return Carmodys property. Burke has previously represented The Chronicle and its parent company, Hearst Corp., in unrelated legal matters. San Francisco Superior Court Judge Samuel Feng is scheduled to hear the motion Tuesday. Dominic Fracassa is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dfracassa@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dominicfracassa Hometown e-cigarette giant Juul is working behind the scenes to get reluctant San Francisco lawmakers to the table for a set of jointly negotiated controls aimed at curbing the sale of vaping products to teens. The idea is for restrictions instead of the all-out ban on the sale of vaping goods that is being proposed by Supervisor Shamann Walton. Walton, however, has refused to sit down with the nicotine giant. So this week Juul and a coalition of corner grocers and adult smokers took out papers at the San Francisco Department of Elections so they may begin collecting signatures for a ballot initiative that would impose restrictions on online and brick-and-mortar e-cigarette retailers and corner grocers. The motivation for the ballot measure is based in part on a recent poll of 800 city voters, paid for by Juul, that found 51 percent opposed an all out ban on e-cigarette sales, compared to 41 percent who would support a ban. When the same voters were asked if they would support a ban on selling more than two vaping units and five pod packs at a time and the sale or marketing of vaping products to anyone under 21, 71 percent of those polled said yes to the idea, while 20 percent said no. Chances are the poll wont budge Walton, who called the ballot play a smoke screen. 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. They say they are trying to cure people of nicotine addiction when they are just trading one form of addition for another, he said Friday. Other supervisors however, may be looking for a compromise, as small business and grocers say the loss of e-smokes would kill their businesses. And the arguement goes that if the Juul initiative passes it would trump the citys ban. San Francisco Chronicle columnist Phillip Matier appears Sundays and Wednesdays. Matier can be seen on the KPIX-TV morning and evening news. He can also be heard on KCBS radio Monday through Friday at 7:50 a.m. and 5:50 p.m. Got a tip? Call 415-777-8815, or email pmatier@sfchronicle.com. Twitter: @philmatier More startups fail than succeed: Its the nature of a risky business. But how they plan for failure varies enormously, and that can dictate the damage they do as they close their doors. Some close abruptly, leaving customers, suppliers and investors in the lurch. HomeShare, a 3-year-old San Francisco service that matched roommates and placed them in luxury apartments split into smaller units with room dividers, stopped operating in April, citing financial constraints. It has left behind unhappy renters and at least one lawsuit and an object lesson in how not to shut down a startup. They took fees and they did just nothing for us, said Allyson Lambert, who said she lost at least $1,500 to the company. She said management at the building where shed been renting through HomeShare declined to renew her lease, and she now plans to leave San Francisco altogether. The buildings operators did not respond to a request for comment. Another San Francisco HomeShare resident, James Reynolds, sued the company for breach of contract in April. In what may have been a signal of the startups woes, HomeShare told its renters it would no longer collect rent from groups of roommates and forward them to landlords, and that the tenants should pay rent directly starting April 1. You cant just change contract agreements when you want to, Reynolds said. Thats not how it works. Reynolds is suing for $2,459.63, the total cost of the monthly service fee for his 13-month lease plus a deposit HomeShare charged for the room divider. He said he wasnt given the services he was promised and did not agree to pay a deposit for a room divider. Lamberts and Reynolds complaints are emblematic of the disputes that can emerge when a startup closes its doors, especially if it doesnt plan carefully for the shutdown. In a statement, HomeShare CEO Jeff Pang said the company had been unable to secure additional financing and was seeking to cut costs when it made some of the changes that upset customers like Reynolds. In early April, it let go most of its staff, and on April 26, Pang announced HomeShares shutdown. The rapid decline of HomeShares business, from getting out of handling rent payments to laying off staff to shutting its doors, suggests Pang didnt follow the advice many investors offer. Most concur the shutdown process should begin well before such moves become urgent. You have to make the decision early enough so that you have enough cash to successfully wind down the business, Beth Scheer, a partner at San Francisco venture capital firm Homebrew, wrote in a guide to shutting down startups. Whatever financial constraints HomeShare had, it should have put its clients and business partners on notice as early as possible, said Nellie Akalp, CEO of CorpNet, a Westlake Village (Los Angeles County) company that helps entrepreneurs start their businesses. The more proactive you are, the better it will sit with clients, Akalp said. She said HomeShare should have refunded residents for services they did not receive. Pang said in a statement that the company had returned more than $1 million in funds to customers, including prepaid rent. It was not clear how much it owed customers and other creditors. HomeShare had raised $4.7 million from investors, according to CrunchBase. Pang did not respond to further inquiries from The Chronicle. I generally advise companies that you really have to start meeting investors and have a next round in mind when youre down to six months of cash left unless youre already profitable, said Mike Ghaffary, a general partner at Canvas Ventures, a Portola Valley firm. If it then gets down to three months and you dont have an investor whos committed, youre now in a danger zone. When a startup is down to two months of cash, Ghaffary said, the founders should start winding it down. HomeShare may face legal exposure as well, in particular for its role in handling rent payments and roommate disputes. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes HomeShare had been on the San Francisco Tenants Unions radar for a couple years, said Jennifer Fieber, a representative of the nonprofit that advocates for renters. The group heard from tenants who didnt get along with their roommates and then faced eviction by HomeShare. Thats illegal, she said, as HomeShare was not the landlord, a role it made clear in its service agreements. Anytime theres a middle person collecting fees that arent really necessary, we dont approve of that, Fieber said. All of these tenants should be paying directly to their landlord. State and federal rules also govern the act of money transmission, which embraces taking and holding funds meant for a third party, as HomeShare did when it collected rent payments from roommates and then paid landlords. HomeShare had not registered as a money transmitter in California, a requirement other rent-payment firms like Yapstone of Walnut Creek have met. For residents who want their service fees back, going to small claims court may be their best bet, renter advocates said. Tommi Avicolli Mecca of the Housing Rights Committee of San Francisco recommended tenants seek help with claims at the Superior Courts Access Center at 400 McAllister St. For all the disappointment HomeShare has left behind, theres something to its concept, said Zillow economist Jeff Tucker. In San Francisco, the median rent for a two-bedroom is $4,500. City occupancy guidelines allow four people to live in such a unit. I wouldnt take this as evidence as a lack of demand for ... finding ways to share homes and split the rent and cost, Tucker said. Im certain people will find creative ways to do that. Sophia Kunthara is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophia.kunthara@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophiaKunthara To San Franciscan Chris Chin, the owner of a vape shop in the citys Tenderloin neighborhood, the proposed e-cigarette ban being considered by city officials would be tantamount to becoming the ultimate nanny city. Ive renamed it Ban Francisco because you cant do anything in the city, said Chin, whose store, Gone With the Smoke, stands to go out of business if the city enacts the proposed ban. You cant get a plastic straw or bag, or flavored tobacco. Whats next? Chins sentiments capture an undercurrent of frustration that a city once famous for its free-spirited ethos has strayed so far from its roots that many of its policies, framed as progressive, are starting to feel downright oppressive. Were adults. If we want to vape, we can do that, said Chin, who is staunchly opposed to the proposed ban. Freedoms are becoming less and less. In two years alone, San Francisco officials have either banned outright, restricted or considered limits on a grab bag of items many of them created and popularized by local companies that to many seem innocuous. Electric scooters. Sidewalk delivery robots. E-cigarettes. Company cafeterias. Cashless stores. Plastic straws. Fur coats. Facial recognition technology. Not all bans are created equal. Some are ideological, while others have practical intent, seeking to mitigate the ripple effects on traffic, safety and public health of new technology. The citys ban on plastic straws, set to take effect in July, is designed to curtail waste. Proponents of an e-cigarette ban say it will protect the health of children, as youth vaping rises at a rate that alarms medical experts. The cashless ban seeks to ensure that low-income residents will not be excluded from local commerce. The Board of Supervisors in San Francisco has long been an activist board, said Jim Wunderman, CEO of the Bay Area Council, who worked in the administrations of Mayors Frank Jordan and Dianne Feinstein. Lately it seems like theres been a real spate of legislation thats even more than weve seen historically. Some of it may be the response to innovation and change, which may make elected officials and constituencies nervous. Indeed, San Francisco has helped lead the nation in creating many laws, like those banning plastic bags and smoking in restaurants and workplaces, that are later adopted by other cities and states. Norman Yee, president of the Board of Supervisors, said it has long been the governments role to restrict or ban products that may harm residents. Its nothing new, said Yee, who wrote bills regulating robots and scooters. The rate at which new products are being put out there because technology is coming out with new things is growing exponentially. So it seems like were creating a lot of new restrictions, but then again, there are a lot of new products. But some question whether the city is going too far, particularly when cracking down on companies that help San Francisco maintain its reputation as a global center of tech innovation. Ironically, the cities that tech loves the most like San Francisco, Seattle, Austin, New York are the ones that love them back the least, said Bradley Tusk, a political consultant and an early adviser to Uber. Tusk said local lawmakers often tailor their policies to appease a small but vocal group of residents who are the most active in primary elections. If youre a politician, you say, What do I need to do to keep my constituents happy to win the next election? Tusk said. The answer is to side against tech because its what people who do vote want, and because politics of resentment are strong. Many of the same restrictions on businesses also limit access to products that people feel entitled to which some say is government overreach. The citys proposed e-cigarettes ban is one example, Tusk said. San Francisc-no: The city that knows how to ban Here are some things San Francisco has banned or considered banning in recent years. Facial recognition technology: The Board of Supervisors passed legislation last week banning the use of the technology by law enforcement, citing privacy concerns. E-cigarettes: In March, City Attorney Dennis Herrera and Supervisor Shamann Walton introduced legislation that would ban the sale of e-cigarettes in the city, including prohibiting online sellers from delivering e-cigarettes to San Francisco addresses. Company cafeterias: In March, the Planning Commission considered but rejected regulations on in-house cafeterias popular among tech companies that would have required companies to obtain a conditional use authorization before opening a cafeteria for its workers. Cashless stores: The Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance this month prohibiting most brick-and-mortar stores from only taking credit card and mobile payments. Plastic straws: In July 2018, the Board of Supervisors passed an ordinance prohibiting restaurants, bars and retailers from providing customers with plastic straws, stirrers or toothpicks. Flavored tobacco: San Francisco voters approved a June 2018 ballot initiative banning the sale of flavored cigarettes, e-cigarettes, cigars and other tobacco products. Scooters: The city temporarily banned street-rented electric scooters in May2018, but five months later began a one-year pilot program allowing a limited number of scooters on city streets from two scooter-rental companies. Fur: In March 2018, the Board of Supervisors voted to ban the sale of fur coats and stoles in San Francisco stores, becoming the first major U.S. city to do so. Sidewalk delivery robots: While not an outright ban, the Board of Supervisors passed legislation in 2017 restricting robots to industrial areas, where few people live, effectively killing their usefulness to consumers. It also limited robot companies to three robots each, and the number of total robots in the city to nine . - Catherine Ho See More Collapse Theres a lot of experts who have said vaping is much healthier than traditional cigarettes, he said. It doesnt mean its healthy. But to assume everyone whos vaping now whos an adult would suddenly not smoke at all is a pretty dangerous assumption. Business groups have long bemoaned San Franciscos heavy regulations and high rents. Yet the regional economy is booming, with unemployment nearing record lows and marquee San Francisco companies like Lyft, Uber and Pinterest debuting on the public markets. Does it deter businesses from coming here? Probably not, Tusk said. If youre a tech startup, the reason youre in San Francisco is because thats where the talent you need wants to live. ... That means sucking up the cost of doing business in that jurisdiction. But that could quickly change if and when the next recession hits. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes At some point when the economy changes or if actions taken by the city end up discouraging startups from starting up here, eventually that effect will be felt economically, and there will be some painful reflection, Wunderman said. With 11 members, San Franciscos Board of Supervisors is larger than those of many other counties, perhaps leading to more competition among supervisors to find a niche issue, Wunderman said. In San Francisco, theres a tendency to try to take the lead on issues which may not be that important to that many people, or may be reactionist toward different new innovations that threaten the status quo, he said. I dont blame the board for trying to take leadership on protecting the public health and the environment. I think in some ways thats what people elect their leaders to do. So its really more about balance ... making sure youre staying focused on the issues that really matter to the public, which are housing, homelessness, traffic. Those are the things people want to see solved. Ban Francisco is hardly a new complaint. Joe Arellano, a political consultant for Lime and other companies and an aide to then-Mayor Gavin Newsom, heard similar grievances a decade ago, when the city passed mandatory composting rules, banned plastic bags and required businesses to pay for their workers' health care. The health insurance mandate led to many restaurants adding a surcharge onto their receipts to pay for coverage. In 2010, a ban on giving away toys with fast-food meals became known as the Happy Meal ban, making national headlines. The difference now, Arellano said, is that residents and businesses are feeling the consequences of change. At the time, there was an appetite to have San Francisco be the pace car for driving this change across the country, he said. Now, 10 years later, theres still an appetite to move these types of policies forward, but theres definitely much more fatigue thats set in. Still, San Francisco continues to charge ahead. San Francisco is taking as many swings as possible at legislation to address some of the newest and pressing issues in 2019 and beyond, Arellano said. In some cases, those policies will go on to become enacted across the country and the world. And in other cases, they may fall flat. You miss 100% of the shots you dont take. Catherine Ho is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: cho@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @Cat_Ho Correction: An earlier version of the story mischaracterized the charges that appear on restaurant receipts. The city required businesses to pay for their workers' health care, and many restaurants added a surcharge to their receipts as a result. A lot of people think the trade war with China stinks. But one Bay Area business is breathing easier: Christopher Ranch, the nations largest commercial garlic grower, which stands to gain from a 25% tariff the Trump administration imposed on Chinese garlic and other goods this month. This is a unique moment, said Ken Christopher, the executive vice president of the Gilroy company, who said he was elated when the news was announced. A photo on the ranchs Facebook page shows Christopher celebrating by jumping in a bin of garlic skins and throwing them into the air like confetti. Its been a long, hard road for U.S. garlic growers, who have struggled for years against Chinese competition. For Christopher Ranch, a previous heyday came in 1993, when it grew 100 million pounds of garlic. But Chinese garlic soon flooded in, and only now is the company producing 100 million pounds again. In the meantime, the number of American garlic growers has shrunk, from 12 commercial garlic farms in the 1990s to three today, according to Christopher, who estimates that 30% of garlic eaten in the U.S. is produced by China and 30% by his familys company. In September, President Trump slapped a 10% tariff on garlic arriving from China. That helped. But it was the 25% tariff that got Christopher excited. With 1,100 employees, Christopher Ranch is the largest employer in Gilroy, which calls itself the garlic capital of the world. Garlic is the key identity of the city, Christopher said as he showed off his garlic processing center. Its just part of our DNA here. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle Christopher Ranch is heavily focused on the U.S. market, with 90% of its garlic staying in the country. It exports a limited amount to countries including Mexico, Canada and Japan. Despite Gilroys claim to being the garlic capital, Christopher Ranch grows only a few hundred acres in Gilroy. The rest of its approximately 5,900 acres of garlic fields are in the Salinas Valley, in the Modesto area and near Fresno. After harvest, the garlic is trucked to Gilroy, where it is kept in cold storage. It is also cleaned, cracked, peeled and sometimes roasted there, and Christopher Ranch controls everything from the seed selection process to the sale to retailers. At any moment on the continent, this will be the most garlic youll find, Christopher said of his operation. The Stinking Rose, a San Francisco restaurant known for its garlic-centric dishes, buys only California garlic because of its consistency and reliability for the restaurants dishes, according to restaurant co-owner Dante Serafini. The restaurant orders more than 50 tons of garlic per year to supply its San Francisco and Beverly Hills locations with garlic. California garlic is the most consistent, Serafini said. Its got the taste that we could predict the most of any, because when youre cooking and youre using this much garlic ... you want it to taste the same all the time. Jessica Christian / The Chronicle The Stinking Rose buys garlic from suppliers whose garlic originates from Christopher Ranch or the Garlic Co. of Bakersfield, another commercial grower. More Information 3 American garlic growers, down from 12 in the 1990s, according to Ken Christopher of Christopher Ranch in Gilroy. 30% Estimated amount of garlic consumed in U.S. that is produced in China. $15-$20 Cost per box of Chinese garlic before any tariffs. $40-$45 Estimated cost per box of Chinese garlic after 25% tariffs. $50-$60 Cost per box of California garlic. See More Collapse We have to take the best product, California products on the market, thats why we go with the reliable people, Serafini said. Thats why we dont shop for price. Before the 10% tariff enacted in September, Chinese garlic cost $15 to $20 per box, while California garlic was about $50 to $60 per box, according to Christopher. Now, with the 25% tariff Chinese garlic will be $40 to $45 per box, he said. The prices of Chinese garlic will rise more than 25% because some shippers will restrict their exports, Christopher said in an email. The tariff really has a one-two punch in that it raises prices due to lack of supply, he said. We anticipate that even more Chinese shippers will choose not to sell to the U.S., further increasing the likely price of that garlic. Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes Christopher hopes his company can increase its market share while the tariff is in place. In August, he went to Washington to urge the International Trade Commission to introduce a 25% tariff. Christopher and other growers believe Chinas export prices for garlic give its exporters an unfair advantage. Chinese shippers, he told the commission, continually sell their garlic in the U.S. market at prices below their cost of production, thus causing tremendous financial damage to American garlic producers. This underpriced garlic first flooded the market in 1993, Christopher said, and despite duties that were soon slapped on, it has continued to arrive cheaply. In a 2016 report, the Government Accountability Office said that $577 million of imported garlic avoided duties and while it didnt specify which country or countries failed to pay the duties, it did note that China was responsible for 95% of the unpaid duties for a long list of products, including garlic. The Chinese Consulate in San Francisco did not respond to a request for comment. Garlic originated around 3,000 years ago in central Asia and was transported by caravans to other parts of the world, according to Eric Block, an emeritus professor of chemistry at University of Albany, State University of New York and garlic historian. China has extensive experience in growing the crop and is a major exporter. Its enormous, Block said of Chinas market share for garlic. They export 80% of all garlic in the world. Theyre by far the largest exporter of garlic, and the United States is by far, I believe, one of the largest importers of garlic. Christopher expects that his company wont feel the effects of the tariff until late this week and says he anticipates a surge in demand for American garlic. He hopes the trade war may spur people to start asking where their food is coming from. Theres relief for our industry and also an ability to get the message out, he said. Sophia Kunthara is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: sophia.kunthara@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @SophiaKunthara President Trump signed a disaster declaration Saturday for 17 Northern California counties that endured battering rains and landslides this year, making them eligible for federal relief. The move followed three emergency proclamations this year by Gov. Gavin Newsom, who directed Caltrans to seek federal assistance for a string of brutal February storms that doused rural areas across the state, damaging roads and bridges. Newsom described the devastation in a letter to Trump last month in which he asked for the disaster declaration. The storms caused widespread flash flooding, erosion, mud and debris flows, power outages, and damage to roadways and other critical infrastructure, Newsom wrote. In addition to the precipitation, heavy winds uprooted trees, impacting roads and power lines. Newsom noted that the state is struggling to recuperate from one natural disaster after another, from the Thomas Fire, which ravaged parts of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties in 2017, to the mudslides in Montecito, to last years Camp Fire, which destroyed the Butte County town of Paradise, claiming 80 lives. The atmospheric river storms caused $100 million in damage from Feb. 13 to 15, and an additional $57 million from Feb. 24 to March 1, exceeding the financial reserves and capability of the state and local governments, Newsom wrote. Trumps declaration Saturday applies to a large swath of Northern California, including Marin, Mendocino, Napa, Humboldt, Lake and Sonoma counties. It could provide much-needed help for areas that were submerged by brown floodwater when the Russian River swelled, turning whole neighborhoods into swamps. 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. Though the presidents statement signals hope for strapped local governments, it does not guarantee money. In January, Trump lambasted California lawmakers for what he said was improper forest management, hinting on Twitter that he would cut off relief funds until they got their act together. Rachel Swan is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: rswan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @rachelswan In his first State of the State address, Gov. Gavin Newsom shocked observers when he said there simply isnt a path for a long-planned bullet train that would travel all the way from San Francisco to Los Angeles. No one greeted Newsoms statement with more glee than President Trump, who promptly demanded that California return the federal governments investment in the project. On Thursday, Trump made good on his demand. The Federal Railroad Administration terminated its agreement with the California High-Speed Rail Authority. It said it would cancel nearly $1 billion in funding its already promised for the project. In a statement, the railroad agency said it had found Californias rail agency has repeatedly failed to comply with the terms of the (fiscal year 2010) agreement and has failed to make reasonable progress on the project. Additionally, California has abandoned its original vision of a high-speed passenger rail service connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles, which was essential to its applications. It also said it was still considering options to claw back the $2.5 billion in federal funding its already spent for the much-beleaguered rail project. Newsom was rightfully furious in response. The Trump administrations action is illegal and a direct assault on California, our green infrastructure, and the thousands of Central Valley workers who are building this project, he said in his statement. The courts will make the ultimate decision as to the legality of the administrations action. (Newsom has promised to sue, and we urge him to do so.) But theres no doubt that the administrations decision is petty, mean-spirited and wrong. The high-speed rail project was facing major obstacles before the Trump administration even began its threats. The project has blown through its budget projections. There have been lawsuits, geological obstacles, engineering problems and bureaucratic delays. But these problems are par for the course when it comes to ambitious transportation projects. Construction workers have already broken ground on the rail line. Even the eventual completion of the 119-mile Central Valley section will give the state a necessary window to see whether a complete project will provide the economic, social and environmental benefits its backers believe it will. More importantly, the federal government promised California this money years ago, and California is following through on its promise to build it. Newsom did the state no favors when he publicly mused about pulling the plug on high-speed rail. But a responsible administration would use the governors misspoken words as an opportunity to extend assistance and guidance, not the chance to play a childish game of takebacks. This course of action would save both California and the federal government time and money. Instead, the Trump administration is wasting federal taxpayer dollars by incurring an unnecessary legal fight. Talk about a ride to nowhere. This commentary is from The Chronicles editorial board. We invite you to express your views in a letter to the editor. Please submit your letter via our online form: SFChronicle.com/letters. Gerald Herbert / Associated Press It is very hard to argue the greatness of universities. Its sort of like arguing the greatness of religions. I think, though, that on the centenary of UCLA we should consider that the entire UC system and the California State University system could be made greater by opening them up to all Californians. Currently, you can pay taxes your entire life and never qualify to sit in a UC or CSU classroom to take a class for credit. This is because we treat higher education as something for the elite (although if you see how many students live during their student years, and some of the jobs they take, you wouldnt use the term). UCs are doing great work opening up academia, for example, promoting open access publishing of research papers. But until we drop nontrivial admissions requirements thats correct, until we eliminate SATs and the admissions process as we know it we will still be offering Californians segregated education. Our community college system has then taken on the role of truly public education. Eliminating nontrivial admissions requirements will then also lay bare the issue of funding an education at a public institution. Separate but equal does not work in higher education. Go Bears. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > BJPs War against Kashmir and the Kashmiris A casual glance at the reports of human rights organisations testifies gross human rights violations in the Kashmir Valley after the enactment of the Armed Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special Powers Act, 1990. The recent unusual order of the Governor, made effective from April 7, 2019, has banned movement of civilian traffic on the 270 km Jammu-Srinagar-Baramulla highway twice a week from dawn to dusk, in order to facilitate the movement of security personnel. This ban has already had disastrous effects on the economy of Kashmir and everyday life of the people living in the State. The attacks on the Kashmiris in different parts of India in the wake of the Pulwama blast is also fresh in our memory, In its election manifesto, Sankalp Patra: Lok Sabha 2019, the BJP has declared legal war against Kashmir and its people. It is promised in the manifesto that the BJP is committed to the abrogation of Article 370 and annulment of Article 35 A. It should be mentioned in this connection that Article 35A confers upon the Government of Jammu and Kashmir the power to define permanent residents and give them certain special rights and privileges in the State. On the other hand, an overall reading of the Instrument of Accession and Article 370 establishes that the formerly princely state of J&K ceded the power to legislate to the Union of India only in respect of three subjectsdefence, external affairs and communicationsubject to consultation of the State Government. In other matters, however, the concurrence of the State Government is required. (See The Wire, April 13, 2019) The eminent jurist, A.G. Noorani, has recently reminded us of the historical context of Article 370 and Article 35A: Jammu and Kashmirs autonomy is guaranteed by Article 370 of the Indian Constitution. Its peoples ancient rights are guaranteed by Article 35A, which is part of the Delhi Agreement between two governments, of India and of Jammu and Kashmir, concluded 65 years ago...Article 35A is embedded in Kashmirs history and psyche. Talk of repeal poses an existential threat.(Frontline, March 29, 2019) Now let us judge what effect was given to Article 370 in the Kashmir Valley. To put it in the words of a keen observer of developments in Kashmir, Amitabh Mattoo: One of the biggest myths is the belief that the autonomy as envisaged in the Constituent Assembly is intact. A series of Presidential Orders has eroded Article 370 substantially...In fact today the autonomy enjoyed by the State is a shadow of its former self... (See The Hindu, December 6, 2013) The increasing interventions of armed forces in the everyday life of the people, under Governors rule, have put the very existence of Kashmiris at stake. If the BJP comes to power and gives farewell to Article 370 and Article 35A, one can guess what will be the fate of the Kashmiris as a community. The Polestar 2, the first electric car to go straight up against Teslas Model 3, is due to go on sale in the U.S. by summer 2020. But will it? If the trade war between China and the U.S. gets much worse, the car which will be made at a factory in Luqiao, China might not be sold in the U.S. at all, said Thomas Ingenlath, Polestars CEO. Polestar is a new electric car brand from Volvo, which in turn is owned by China automotive giant Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, known as Geely for short. The Polestar 2 is a sporty electric sedan with 275 miles of range, priced between $45,000 and $65,000 before federal and state incentives, which can reduce that by as much as $10,000 for many California buyers. The company plans to build 50,000 of the cars in its first year of production. Up to about 40% will be sold in China, Ingenlath said. Norway, which offers heavy incentives for electric cars, will be its No. 2 market. Right now, Polestar plans to sell about 30% or so of the first years run on the West Coast of the United States and in Canada. We would embrace free trade as in the interests of the consumer, Ingenlath said. While all international companies must operate in a world where trade barriers are common, and Volvos U.S. plans have been made with existing tariffs factored in, Polestar wont export cars to countries where rising tariffs make a products price ridiculous, he said, but will scale up or scale down U.S. plans depending on tariff levels. Tariffs on China-made cars sent to the U.S. are currently set at 25% by the Trump administration. Ingenlath was in the Bay Area for the recent Google I/O developers conference. Polestar (and Volvo) plan to use the Android Automotive Operating System as the base for their infotainment systems. Relaxing with a cappuccino at Four Barrel Coffee in San Franciscos Mission District, the former Volvo head designer said that Androids open development platform, where third-party software writers that meet Polestars requirement can add applications, is one way to differentiate the Polestar 2 from the Tesla Model 3. There are other big differences, he said. One is the design, which he insists pushes the borders more than the Model 3. Customer opinions on car design are mostly subjective, and Ingenlath damned the Model 3 looks with faint praise: The Model 3 feels very fresh. It has a prototype quality to it, its very primitive in some form. Quality will set the Polestar apart from the Tesla, he said. Well aware that the Model 3 currently faces serious issues with misaligned body panels, infotainment screens that go black and batteries that dont work, Ingenlath said, Well be much more professional in doing a complete product. More professional knowledge about processes, materials, long-term quality. Tesla declined to comment. And he insists that the Polestar 2 will handle better. It wont reach the breakneck 3.2 seconds zero-to-60 time of a performance-version Model 3 Polestar will reach that in under five seconds, he said but added: Tesla is so focused on acceleration. Performance (for most consumers) is not about the race track. The big question is, when you approach the next corner, how will you go around it? Whether any of this matters, at least in the United States, remains to be seen. Its unclear whether most Tesla buyers are fans of electric cars, or just fans of Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk. The Model 3 is outselling all other electric cars by a wide margin. But sales of all Tesla models fell 40% in the first three months of this year. If momentum fades, it could be bad news not just for Tesla but for electric cars in general, which in 2018 still represented just 2% of the U.S. auto market, though 7.8% of new cars sold in California. Tesla and Polestar will face an onslaught of competition over the next few years. In the luxury and near-luxury segments, Jaguar and Audi already have electric cars available. Porsche will follow later this year with its first all-electric, the Taycan. Mercedes-Benz will follow. BMW has plans to add bigger models to the subcompact i3 all-electric it has been selling for years. Volkswagen, in the wake of its diesel cheating scandal, is going all out on electric vehicles. Ingenlath is confident that electric vehicle sales growth is set to take off around the world, especially in places such as China and Norway, with laws and financial incentives juicing customer interest. The company will soon begin selling its Polestar 1, a limited edition and expensive ($155,000) plug-in hybrid, and plans to follow up the Polestar 2 with an SUV and other vehicles at more earthbound prices. He credits Musk with jump-starting the electric-car phenomenon. People five years ago were dismissive of a car that made no sound, Ingenlath said. Thats one of the biggest contributions Tesla made to the car industry, to tear down these kind of borders. Polestar wont be following Teslas push for full self-driving cars and robo-taxis, however. Musk recently said Teslas will be ready by the end of the year to drive themselves and announced plans to start a robo-taxi driverless ride-hailing service in 2020. Safety experts and some players in the driverless car industry said that timeline is too aggressive. I dont see that in the near future, Ingenlath said of fully driverless cars. You might technically be able to do it. But to integrate it with everyday traffic in a safe way? Thats a big obstacle. Polestar cars will be equipped with the latest in driver-assistance technologies, he said. The robo-taxi service Musk promised is part of Teslas story, Ingenlath said. Musk can say something like that and get away with it. I couldnt get away with claims about these kind of things. Russ Mitchell is a Los Angeles Times writer. It's much easier to imagine Guy Fieri as always existing with his signature goatee and platinum blond spiky hair since his youth, than without, but his wife Lori Fieri remembers a time before the "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" host ever picked up a bleach bottle. And she sometimes misses it. In a recent interview with People magazine, Lori Fieri reminisced about when the two first met in 1992, discussing the time when Guy was sporting a much different look than the one he now wears today. "When I first met him, he had no goatee," Lori told the magazine. "He had dark hair. He wore a suit to work every day." "Now I look at him, and I'm like, 'Where's that man I married with the whole clean look?'" READ ALSO: Guy Fieri wants his new fried chicken chain to be the next big thing in fast food The celebrity magazine went on to detail how Guy's blond locks were changed on a whim, thanks to a hairdresser friend of his who was given full reign over his hair while he was in "one of those moods." Hairdresser Christina Jones whipped up the blond look, much to Guy's surprise. "I get done and I'm like, 'You gonna wash that out, that shampoo?'" Guy said. "She goes, 'No, that's your hair color.' I'm like, 'My what!'" READ ALSO: All the Bay Area restaurants Guy Fieri has visited on 'Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives' After that run-in with the bleach, Guy was more amenable to playing with his looks, according to Lori. "It used to be seasonal," Lori said. "Because he used to do red-blonde in the summer for fun. He'd cut it and it was like, really fun. And then in the winter time, he'd go back to dark." Now, the blond looks like it's here to stay, and it has since become a large part of the celebrity chef's TV persona, for better or worse. "I always say, 'When are you going to change your haircut?' But it stuck, and it's him," Lori said. "I tease him every once in a while. And I do want a little change sometimes. But that's like me changing my hair to black. I mean, I'm not going to do that for him, so." Perhaps it's for the best. The imagined alternative doesn't quite have the same oomph. Read Dianne de Guzman's latest stories and send her news tips at dianne.deguzman@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. WASHINGTON House Democrats will hear from former CIA Director John Brennan about the situation in Iran, inviting him to speak amid heightened concerns over the Trump administrations sudden moves in the region. Brennan, an outspoken critic of President Trump, is scheduled to talk to House Democrats at a private weekly caucus meeting Tuesday, according to a Democratic aide and another person familiar with the private meeting. Both were granted anonymity to discuss the meeting. Herman Wouk, the prolific and immensely popular writer who explored the moral fallout of World War II in the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Caine Mutiny and other widely read books that gave Americans a raw look at the horrors and consequences of war, has died at his Palm Springs home, where he wrote many of his acclaimed novels. Wouk, who was honored by the Library of Congress in September 2008 with its first lifetime achievement award for fiction writing, died in his sleep Friday at the age of 103, his literary agent Amy Rennert told the Associated Press. Wouk was working on a book at the time of his death, Rennert said. As a writer, Wouk considered his most vaultingly ambitious work the twin novels The Winds of War and War and Remembrance, about the great catastrophe of our time, World War II. Critics, however, considered The Caine Mutiny to be his finest work. Taut and focused, the book is a riveting exploration of power, personal freedom and responsibility. Caine won the 1952 Pulitzer Prize for literature and was on the New York Times best-seller list for more than two years, selling more than 5 million copies in the U.S. and Britain in the first few years after its publication. In the novel, Wouk creates one of American literatures most fascinating characters, Philip Francis Queeg, the captain of the U.S. destroyer-minesweeper Caine, who is removed from his command by a lower-ranking officer during the middle of a typhoon. Wouk came to view Caine, published in 1951, as an anecdote about the war, in which he served as a Navy lieutenant. But it was not, in his view, the great war book that he was determined to write. Twenty years later, he published the first installment of what he thought was that book The Winds of War, which was followed several years later by its sequel, War and Remembrance. The novels, sweeping and epic in their ambition, followed career naval officer Victor Pug Henry and his family in the years building up to and during the war. The Winds of War takes events up to the attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, and Americas entry into the war. War and Remembrance (1978), which includes a harrowing account of the Holocaust, concludes shortly after the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima in 1945, marking the end of the war. Wouk took great pains to recount real events and actual timelines and to incorporate the major figures of the time in their correct historical circumstances. Herman Wouk was born May 27, 1915, in New York City, the child of immigrants from Minsk, Russia. Wouks father, who had arrived in New York City in 1905, began work as a $3-a-week laundry worker and eventually did so well in the laundry business that the family moved from the Bronx to the Upper West Side. Wouk graduated with a degree in comparative literature and philosophy from Columbia University. Wouks wife, Betty Sarah, died in 2011. He is survived by his two sons, Nathaniel and Joseph. Claudia Luther is a Los Angeles Times writer. WASHINGTON The Senates top Democrat is calling on the federal government to step in and investigate whether a plan for new subway cars in New York City designed by a Chinese state-owned company could pose a threat to national security. Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York said Sunday that hes asked the Commerce Department to conduct a top-to-bottom review after CRRC won a design contest for new subway cars that would include modern train control technology. BALTIMORE The actions of students who died tackling gunmen at two U.S. campuses a week apart have been hailed as heroic. At a growing number of schools around the country, they also reflect guidance to students, at least in some situations, to do what they can to disrupt shootings. A majority of school districts have now embraced such an approach, with experts saying educators need to give staff and students as many options as possible in the worst-case scenario. In all honesty, I dont know of another strategy, said teacher Kelly Chavis, whose Rock Hill, S.C., school endorses a strategy known as Avoid, Deny, Defend. What else would you do if you did not try to get away in a situation? Many schools have stuck with the traditional approach of locking down classrooms and letting law enforcement confront the shooter, especially in grade-school settings. Encouraging students or faculty to do otherwise, critics say, could make them more of a target. At the Stem School Highlands Ranch in suburban Denver, where student Kendrick Castillo was killed while confronting a gunman on May 7, the school uses a Locks, Lights, Out of Sight protocol, according to spokesman Gil Rudawsky. He declined to say whether any of the schools training for students addresses whether they should fight an intruder. But Brendan Bialy had thought about it on his own. He lunged with Castillo toward the gunman and wrestled the gun from his hand. I dont like the idea of running and hiding, he said. Riley Howell, 21, died thwarting a shooter April 30 at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Alert messages at that campus advised students to Run, Hide, Fight. There always have been students willing to take action, said Greg Crane, who founded the for-profit Alice Institute, which stands for Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate. He said he created it in 2001 based on what had already been done by students including Jake Ryker, who tackled a shooter at Thurston High School in Oregon in 1998 despite being shot in the chest. Many people have a warrior mind-set, a hero mind-set, Crane said. Its just, have we cultivated them with some information and with some training so that when they are the first one to stand up and start moving to do something, maybe theyre not alone? Educators from more than 5,000 school districts have received the programs training, often from certified law enforcement officers, Crane said. He said the program does not teach fighting strategies. Rather, it encourages people to make noise, create distractions and confuse the attacker. Baltimore County Public Schools adopted Alice this school year. If an assailant gets too close, students are told to grab anything and throw it and scream, with the idea being to create enough chaos to escape. No young students are told to tackle or otherwise try to make physical contact, but staff members and older students have that option, Superintendent George Roberts said. Carolyn Thompson and Michael Melia are Associated Press writers. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > Credibility of Election Commission under Scanner by Mahendra Ved Governing general elections in as vast and diverse a nation as India is never easy; it becomes more difficult when integrity and impartiality of the poll administrator are doubted. Indias polity, despite its robustness and seven decades working, is in turmoil as never before and appears divided. Causing and deepening the crisis, ironically, is an election that is being fought no-holds-barred. Governing this vast and diverse nation is never easy. It is more difficult when integrity and impartiality of its institutions are doubted. And even more so when the political leadership in and outside the legislature that facilitates these institutions and works in tandem with them is in the throes of an election. In India, buck stops at the door of the Supreme Court on every other contentious issue. But the highest Court is itself mired in a controversy involving none less than the Chief Justice of India (CJI). While handling it, it has seemingly divided members of the top judiciary on how to ensure justice and fairness, both real and perceived. In the most piquant situation, a former woman employee last month wrote to all serving judges complaining of being sexually harassed and then victimised, by the CJI, Mr Justice Ranjan Gogoi. The CJI strongly denied the allegations. He said: There are forces that are trying to destabilise the judiciary. There are bigger forces behind these allegations hurled at me. He did not indicate who the forces could be. But he vowed that he would function normally during the six months left of his tenure. The lady in question remains unnamed because Indian law mandates that victims of sexual assault and harassment not be named in the media. After appearing before a Gogoi-appointed panel of three serving judges for two days, she cried out alleging that the committee declined her plea for engaging a lawyer and that she would not get justice. The in-house panel of judges dismissed her plea stating there was no substance in her allegations and thus gave a clean chit to the CJI. Prior to the committees verdict, two serving judges had reportedly asked that the lady be permitted to engage a lawyer or an amicus curiae be associated to ensure the probes fairness. However, the probe is completed ex parte, without her and its report will not be made public. Countering the forces seeking to destabilise the top judiciary seems to have driven the judges committees unanimous decision. However, the woman is demanding a copy of the report. Sections of legal fraternity and womens rights groups staged a protest outside the court demanding natural justice for the complainant. As it seeks to get over its embarrassment, the Apex Court is being asked by many political parties to adjudicate on the fairness of the conduct of the polls by the Election Commission, another august institution on whom India has been taking a bow from other democracies. There is no last word on any issue. After five of the seven phases of this 39-day process were completed, the Supreme Court rejected a review plea filed by 21 Opposition leaders seeking further increase in random matching of the Voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips with electronic voting machine (EVMs). Being directed by the Supreme Court on issues that actually belong to its turf, the EC is facing challenges more daunting than what pre-ceding generations faced. Advances in communications technology have made regulation of campaigning, to ensure that it is consistent with the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), almost impossible. Clearly the existing legal framework is inadequate, unable to keep pace with rich and tech-savvy campaign cells of political parties. Reminded by the Supreme Court that it had teeth and must use them, the EC has done so partially, but is itself divided. One of its three members has dissented on whether campaign speeches, especially those by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Bharatiya Janata Party chief Amit Shah, have violated the MCC. The ECs efforts at curbing spouting of venom in the polls discourse are also being questioned. It is accused on both counts of favouring the ruling dispensation. While complaints against other leaders were promptly dealt with, there was an obvious delay in taking up those against Mr Modi. Few would have failed to notice that he has been running an abrasive campaign. He has stoked fears over Indias security, claimed credit for the performance of the armed forces and implicitly underscored that his party stands for the religious majority, The Hindu newspaper said. Five of the six orders have dissented and the dissenting Election Commissioner has asked why his dissent is not part of the final order. The Supreme Court this week permitted the Opposition Congress Party to place on record all the EC verdicts. The party argued that the ECs silence and delay are akin to tacit endorsement. The Modi/Shah duo is accused of attacking Muslims, directly or subtly, invoking armed forces and of Pakistan-bashingall three falling within the MCC ambitto raise nationalistic fervour, while calling all dissenters traitors. Just how many instances of violence can the ECs State-level offices record, report, issue notices and upon receiving replies, deliver verdicts? It imposes token no-campaign punishment on candidates for two or three days. Even these are being violated. Too many disputes against the EC or its Returning Officers have been taken to the Apex Court. Tej Bahadur Yadav had emerged as the main Opposition candidate against Modi in the Varanasi constituency. A former policeman, sacked for seeking better food while on duty, his papers were rejected on the ground that he had failed to take the ECs permission to contest, which is needed for a government official removed or suspended. That certificate, Yadav complained, was sought at the eleventh hour and he could not comply. He told the Court that he was debarred to allow Modi a walk-over. The EC must also play the policeman. After three of the seven phases were completed, it confiscated cash, gold and silver, liquor, drugs and other items worth Rs 3205 crores, according to its data published on April 27. At this rate, wonders N. Bhaskara Rao, Chairman, Centre for Media Studies, a New Delhi think-tank, we can expect more than twice this amount to be confiscated by the time the election ends. What is confiscated is likely to be less than five per cent of what is being spent by all the candidates and parties. The total expenditure of this election is estimated to be about Rs 50,000 crores, which is the highest amount for any election in the world. As things stand with two weeks to go for the May 23 outcome of these elections, the over-worked Umpire, its credibility questioned, is under stress as never before. Having written on a dozen elections, one is clutching at the comforting but unsure thought that things would become normal once this no-holds-barred dance of democracy is over. But the thought on the low depths that can be touched by people with fellow-citizens as they contest an election and on the performance of institutions with enduring records, formed and functioning under the Constitution, is deeply disconcerting. Mahendra Ved is the President of the Commonwealth Journalists Association (2016-2018). A senior journalist, he can be reached at mahendraved07[at]gmail.com WASHINGTON President Trump called Rep. Justin Amash as a total lightweight and loser on Sunday, a day after the Michigan Republican said Trumps behavior as president had reached the threshold for impeachment. The presidents attacks reinforced Amashs isolation within his party, as even the Republican lawmakers who might be most sympathetic to his position avoided stepping forward to join him. Earlier Sunday, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, who has been one of the few members of his party to even mildly chastise Trump in public after the release of the Mueller report, described Amashs statement as courageous. But Romney, the 2012 Republican presidential nominee, dismissed the idea of impeachment, saying on CNN that the evidence lacked the full element that you need to prove an obstruction-of-justice case. Trump who has stonewalled requests by House Democrats for documents and has commanded current and former aides to turn down requests to testify before investigative committees was not so circumspect. Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy, Trump tweeted. Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! he added. On Saturday, Amash, 39, became the first sitting Republican member of Congress to suggest that Trumps actions, as described in the report of the special counsel, Robert Mueller, met the constitutional threshold of high crimes and misdemeanors. President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct, Amash wrote in a series of Twitter messages after reading the redacted version of the 448-page report. Contrary to the public statements and summaries offered by Attorney General William Barr, Muellers report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment, wrote Amash, a self-described strict constitutionalist who has considered running against Trump in the 2020 Republican primary. Glenn Thrush is a New York Times writer. NEW YORK, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Escalating U.S.-China trade frictions would trigger negative spillover on global trade and the American economy, said two former U.S. officials. The worsening trade row between the world's two largest economies would cause disruptions in global supply chains as well as the two parties' ability to conduct business, according to Jacob Lew, who served as secretary of the Treasury from 2013 to 2017. "And then it spills over into geopolitical risk, which has a life of its own in terms of creating uncertainty. Uncertainty is not a great ingredient in a 10-year old recovery" of the U.S. economy from the 2008 financial crisis, Lew said at a recent discussion event in New York. The United States has greatly benefited from being the issuer of the world's dominant reserve currency and the world's banking center for decades, noted the former secretary, who is currently a partner at Lindsay Goldberg, a U.S. private equity firm. He added that he believes Washington's unilateral tariffs and sanctions have "created kind of blinking yellow lights around the world that is cautioning others from doing business" in the country. The consequence goes beyond how many percent of GDP growth will be lost, said Lew. "I think the long-term risks to the U.S. economy is quite, quite substantial." In this regard, Donald Kohn, a 40-year veteran of the U.S. Federal Reserve System, held that the global stock markets and broader financial market would bear the brunt of any turbulence in U.S.-China trade relations. "We see the stock market go up and down with every rumor about what's happening to the trade deals. ... I think the stock market and financial markets will react to the potential," said Kohn, who is currently a senior fellow of economics at U.S. think tank Brookings Institution. He further elaborated that the United States has a trade deficit because the country is spending more than it produces, and it is importing stuff to satisfy the spending which they do not produce domestically. It is more of "a fundamental macroeconomic fact" than unfair trading practices, Kohn argued. Washington increased additional tariffs on 200 billion U.S. dollars' worth of Chinese imports from 10 percent to 25 percent earlier this month, and has threatened to raise tariffs on more Chinese imports. In response, China has announced that it will raise additional tariffs on a range of U.S. imports from June 1, and "will fight to the end." China has pointed out that it is the United States that started the trade disputes, and what China has done so far is purely self-defense to safeguard its legitimate rights and interests as well as to uphold multilateralism and the free trade system. Beijing has also urged the United States to carefully weigh its gains and losses, get back on the right track as soon as possible, and meet China halfway in achieving a mutually beneficial and win-win agreement on the basis of mutual respect. [ Editor: Zhang Zhou ] Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > The Smothering of Justice Introduction It has been evident for some time that the judicial system in India is in a state of crisis. It is also increasingly obvious that this crisis is interconnected with a crisis in the polity and, in turn, has ramifications for the polity. The starkest illustration of this so far is provided by the chain of events surrounding the complaint by an ex-employee of the Supreme Court of India that became public on April 19-20, 2019. This complaint led to responses from the judicial system that were not only unusual but which have involved the throwing overboard of norms intrinsic to any modern judicial system. It would hardly be an exaggeration to state that, with this matter and all that it implies and entails, the Supreme Court has touched its lowest point ever. Indeed in the absence of drastic correctives, the Court may not be able to live down this shameful phase in its career. Proceedings on and since April 20, 2019 As soon as the matter entered the public domain, a proceeding of unclear category was organised at the Supreme Court on Saturday, April 20, 2019. The proceeding, presided over by the Chief Justice of India, was held at the instance of a law officer of the Union Government but without as such any specific case before it. It was pre-emptive in nature because the complainant ex-employee was clearly the absent elephant in the room and the suggestion made was that there had been, in effect, an assault on the Court itself. As the proceeding on April 20, 2019 was without compliance with the principle of audi alteram partem (hear the other side) it was clearly vitiated. Many persons, including sections of the Bar and the Court employees, have since then taken sides and some have sought to insinuate that the complainant was involved in a kind of conspiracy. It has further been insinuated both in proceedings before yet another Bench and elsewhere that a conspiracy might be afoot at the instance of various forces, including corporate bodies, out to manipulate or intimidate the Court. In this context reference has also been made to two other ex-employees of the Court who were dismissed recently on the charge that they had tampered with Court orders. So far as manipulation by corporate bodies is concerned, this is not a novel issue and as early as in 1957 Mr Justice M.C. Chagla, then of the Bombay High Court, had warned in a judgement of the threat posed to the polity by the misutilisation of money bags. [See Justice Chaglas prescient warning in the Bombay High Court on June 21, 1957: History of democracy has proved that in other countries democracy has been smothered by big business and money bags.... (link: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/256323/ ) Justice Chagla was referring to the polity and not to the judiciary as such. However, in the search for a conspiracy in the wake of the charges made by the complainant ex-employee in April 2019, the Courts gaze has been turned far and wide. This is certainly a matter to be inquired into, but it may not be fair to the complainant ex-employee, who has raised a specific set of grievances, to overwhelm her individual case with the full weight of an inquiry into the role of money bags in the polity and the judiciary. An Error It was clearly an error to link the complainant ex-employee, without hearing her, with a possible conspiracy and that too even before her complaint had been inquired into on merits. Here the Court was clearly placing a Judicial Cart before an Administrative or Quasi-Judicial Horse. Some two decades ago the Supreme Court had itself held in a case that a direction to an investigative agency (in that case the CBI) to make a roving inquiry, that is to investigate the possibility of any other offence having been committed, was wholly erroneous....a direction to the C.B.I. to investigate whether any person has committed an offence or not cannot be legally given. (link: https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1707158/ ) In the circumstances, Mr Justice Patnaik (retired), who was requested by a second Bench of the Supreme Court to look into the conspiracy angle, was reported sagaciously to have said he would go into the conspiracy angle only after the ongoing internal inquiry on the Complaint by the ex-employee in question was complete. It had seemed at the time Mr Justice Patnaik made this statement that a semblance of balance was gradually being restored. But subsequent events have occurred which have led to a lack of clarity on the nature of the internal inquiry. Was it akin to a Departmental Enquiry in which an assistant is permitted? Or was it a proceeding of a statutory Gender Harassment Committee (which has a specified composition and pro-cedure)? Or was it a judicial hearing (in which lawyers are permitted)? And since it was obviously none of these was it in the nature of a mere discussion to which the complainant ex-employee had been invited? There is still insufficient clarity on these and connected matters and we need not, for the present, dwell on them at length except to make one observation. This is that the so-called administrative or quasi-judicial in-house panel set up in the Supreme Court to inquire into the gender harassment complaint against the Chief Justice of India appears to have missed a vital point. This concerns the manner in which the Court Assistant was removed from service. The reason for her removal was reportedly attributed to her raising questions on her transfer from one section of the Supreme Court to another and her absence on a particular Saturday when, by her account, she had gone to attend a function in her daughters school. As these reasons are inadequate for removal from service of an employee who till recently seems to have had a good enough record to qualify for preferment, there appear to be unstated reasons for her removal from service. This circumstance seems largely to shift the onus of explanation from her to the Court Administration at the very least and her charges cannot therefore be lightly dismissed. That should have raised a presumption in her favour in the so-called in-house inquiry and an onus should have been placed on others to rebut her narrative. Unfortunately, the Supreme Courts internal inquiry has failed to allay the fear that the Court is responding to the current crisis by what may seem like smokescreen-creation. The matter reeks of overzealousness on the part of the authorities. Even without commenting on what did or did not transpire at the Chief Justices residence in October 2018, it is obvious that people are not removed from service for the kind of reasons that have reportedly been stated. That suggests that there was an unstated and collateral reason for her removal from service. The unstated element, unless rebutted or otherwise explained, acts as a possible link between her removal from service and the facts constituting her gender harassment complaint; as such the two cannot be seen in isolation of one another. Need for Comprehensive Inquiry and Redress It is important that the complainant ex-employee removed from service and also her relatives who, along with her, have been at the receiving end of action by the Delhi Police should also be able to seek legal redress. Here we must return to the conspiracy angle but perhaps not necessarily confined to the manner that has been suggested so far in proceedings before the couple of Benches of the Supreme Court where this matter has been discussed. The apparently overzealous action reportedly taken by the Delhi Police against the relatives of the Court ex-employee suggests a possible desire on the part of the Union Government to please and that too at a time when vital cases were due to be heard in the Court. A comprehensive inquiry is required to ascertain whether this crisis, on the boil since mid-October 2018, has in any manner been taken advantage of by the other branches of Government or affected the delivery of justice in any cases dealt with by the Supreme Court in the period since then. Many important cases, including those affecting Indias national, defence and social security, have been dealt with during this period. Legal systems break down when the fox comes, directly or indirectly, into a position to control or vitally affect the henhouse. In other jurisdictions, when this phenomenon occurs in relation to the state, it is known as State Capture. In India the Higher Judiciary has, in spite of aberrations, been much respected. One member of the Constituent Assembly of India had said that the seat of Justice was the Seat of God. The last thing the Secular Democratic Republic of India needs is Court Capture. Role of Full Court There is no doubt that Judicial independence can be protected better if the full Court reviews the situation. One of the Honourable Judges of the Supreme Court had reportedly made such a suggestion in the context of the in-house inquiry related to the Court Assistants complaint. It was Lord Coke who had said that once law loses its reason it becomes a nullity. Increasingly, one looks strenuously for reason in the recent Supreme Courts judicial activity. The author is an Advocate of the Supreme Court of India. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > Laffaire Viraat Prime Minister Modis electoral campaign expose of misuse of naval assets by the late ex-PM, Rajiv Gandhi, his wife Sonia Gandhi and a host of others with them in 1987 during a visit to Lakshwadeep Islands aboard INS Viraat, has naval circles buzzing. This is not in defence of what the then PM Rajiv Gandhi did or did not do, but to rue the continuing politicisation of our military, with the Indian Navy also now dragged into the on-going electoral political slugfest. It is also to put a perspective on laffaire Viraat, and think aloud some disturbing thoughts on what Veterans, triggered by electoral campaigns, are speaking. Security Retired Lt Cdr Harinder Sikka is reported as having said: Prime Minister in INS Viraat is ok but his wife was a foreign national and sensitive information was at stake. No one, even Navy officers, was allowed inside but here they were holidaying. [ ] He had voiced his objection to his Commanding Officer, he says, and was asked to shut up. In 1987, Sonia Gandhi was an Indian national, having obtained Indian citizenship in 1983. [ ] The sensitive information bit appears far fetched, because foreign military officers on study courses in India (like at the National Defence College) used to and still do go out to sea on board Indian warships including aircraft carriers. According to security standing orders and normal practice, places which are sensitive or critical from operational and intelligence angles are barred even to serving Indian naval officers who are not immediately concerned with operations or intelligence. The official visit of the then PM Rajiv Gandhi to Lakshadweep Islands was just three years after the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that followed the assassination of PM Indira Gandhi. At that time, even as today, he was remembered for insensitively justifying the riots by reportedly saying: When a big tree falls, the ground is bound to shake. The antipathy to the then PM Rajiv Gandhi of a sailor of INS Viraat who may have been a direct or indirect victim of the 1984 riots, is perhaps understandable, although that may not indicate the accuracy or veracity of his statement. Visitors on board Warships Warships at anchor sometimes invite the public to come on board as a part of public relations and to enthuse youngsters to join the Navy. For example, aircraft carrier INS Vikrant had visited Madras (now Chennai) in 1983. The general public of the city was allowed on board and conducted in orderly batches around the warship. It is highly unlikely that any sailor of the crew would have found such an event objectionable from the security point of view to bring it to the notice of his Commanding Officer. Also, during international joint naval exercises, officers of foreign navies sail on board Indian warships and our naval officers reciprocally sail on board foreign warships, but naturally they do not have access to certain areas of the warship like the operations room. This is rigorously followed especially in present times when almost everybody has a mobile phone with recording devices. Experiencing the Military Important persons are sometimes taken out to sea in warships simply to provide them the experience. This is like flying special persons in fighter aircraft simply for the experiencethe late President, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, flew in an Indian Air Force fighter aircraft and most recently, the Indian Air Force took Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman aloft. There are no information security or intelligence concerns in these outings although the physical security of the VIP passenger is certainly involved. Similarly in 2005, Narendra Modi as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, accompanied by his personal staff members, sailed from Porbandar in an Indian Navy warship for the unforgettable experience of time out at sea. In contrast, according to IAS officer Wajahat Habibullah, Administrator of Lakshadweep Islands in 1987, the then PM Rajiv Gandhis travel to Lakshadweep Islands in INS Viraat was for an official visit. Thirtytwo years ago The newspaper, The Indian Express, published the following on January 24, 1988, in connection with the then PM Rajiv Gandhis visit to Lakshadweep Islands: The Prime Ministers party which holidayed at Lakshadweep consisted of Rajiv Gandhi, his wife Sonia and their two children, Rahul and Priyanka, Ajitabh Bachchans three daughters,... Amitabh Bachchan, his wife Jaya, their children, Sweta and Abhishek,... Mrs Sonia Gandhis mother Mrs P. Maino, her sister, Nadia Valdimero, and her child, G Valdimero, Sonias brother-in-law, Walter Winci..., a German friend of Sonias called Sabina.... This is perhaps the basis for PM Modis taxi service accusation. For information and/or physical security reasons, and as a matter of course, any person, military or civilian, Indian or foreigner, who is not a member of the crew, cannot sail in a warship without official sanction. If, as reported, the then PM Rajiv Gandhi had holidayed in Lakshadweep Islands with a party, there would surely be documents which authorised their boarding INS Viraat or any other accompanying warship. The MoD would surely have access to the relevant documents in this connection. Military Divisions The foregoing is not to claim or to support the view that military resources or military assets are never misused or misappropriated. It is also not to argue that such misuse should not be brought to the notice of the public, because only the public glare provided by the media can be a brake on misuse of public resources. But it is an attempt to undo the damage of dragging Indias armed forces into electoral campaigns, thus politicising and dividing its personnel. Whatsoever be the 32-year-old facts, the present INS Viraat controversy has politicised serving military personnel and Veterans by dividing them into opinion camps. One believes PM Modis taxi service accusation made during his election campaign, with some Veterans viciously attacking their erstwhile comrades. The other believes the senior naval officers who were personally present on INS Viraat along with the then PM Rajiv Gandhi or in the accompanying support warships, and who state unequivocally that the then PM Rajiv Gandhi was on an official visit on board INS Viraat with Sonia Gandhi and their son Rahul Gandhi, and no others were on board. A divided, politicised military is the worst nightmare for any military leader at any level, from the command, control and discipline angles. Today, Indias armed forces could well be at a crossroads, dangerous for national integrity and national security. Laffaire Viraat leaves us with troubling thoughts in these changing times. US-based TIME magazine, which in earlier years declared PM Modi to be among the worlds most influential persons, has caricatured PM Modi on its cover with the caption Indias divider in chief. Is this justified? Major General S.G. Vombatkere was commissioned as an officer into the Corps of Engineers (Madras Sappers) in 1962, and retired in 1996. In 1993, he was awarded the Visishta Seva Medal for distinguished services rendered during military service in the high-altitude region of Ladakh. Home > Archives (2006 on) > 2019 > Unforeseen Event at Last Phase of Polls EDITORIAL As we enter the last phase of the seven-phase polls to elect the 17th Lok Sabha this year, an uncertain future stares us in the face. What happened in the streets of Kolkata in the wake of the roadshow of BJP President Amit Shah on May 14 has forced every conscientious Bengali to hang her/his head in shame. There were pitched battles in College Street when non-Bengali outsiders who accompanied Amit Shah to infiltrate into the city clashed with students owing allegiance to the Trinamul Congress before the Calcutta University. That in itself was an unprecedented development. But what took place thereafter was something not just unexpected, but truly unforeseen. Amit Shahs roadshow went ahead along Bidhan Sarani towards Shyambazar. Once it reached Vidyasagar College some students backing the TMC raised slogans against the BJP President and displayed black flags to him. But in retaliation, the non-Bengali outsiders accompanying Shah scaled the walls to enter the college and create pandemonium. Not only that. Chairs were attacked as also statuettes and busts of eminent personalities on display. These outsiders were identified by the saffron vests and shirts they were wearing. Among the busts was one of the outstanding educationist, Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. His bust was destroyed by the afore-mentioned BJP goonsthe photos captured by several persons, including the TMC students, have brought this out in bold relief. According to reports published in newspapers, a Delhi BJP leader, Tejinder Bagga, was arrested in Kolkata on the same charge. [And yet it was the PM who made a preposterous allegationthat it was Mamatas men who orchestrated attacks on Amit Shahs roadshow and destroyed Vidyasagars bust. That is laughable for the simple reason that even a child in Bengal knows who Vidyasagar is as it was he who brought out the Varnaparichay and every Bengali child has studied it to know the Bengali alphabets.] In the circumstances the BJP stands to lose in most of the seats, including seven in Kolkata, going to the polls next Sunday. The question now is: how will the BJP tackle this problem? One should not, of course, be oblivious of the capacity of the BJP leaders, especially the Modi-Shah duo, to turn day into night in such cases. Now the Election Commission has, under the directive of the BJP leaders, cut short the Bengal campaign by a day. The obvious intention is to give advantage to Narendra Modi so that he gets ample time to score over his political opponents. This is the kind of level playing-field one is witnessing in West Bengal. What a shame! Meanwhile, one point needs to be highlighted here. That relates to the intolerance of TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee: a young Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha activist, Priyanka Sharma, was arrested in West Bengal for the crime of sharing a bizarre meme online, showing the West Bengal CMs face superimposed on the face of actress Priyanka Chopra. She was released only after the Supreme Court, on being moved, granted her bail. As a consequence of this incident Mamata has lost a lot of goodwill while several publications have criticised the Apex Courts insistence on an apology from the BJYM activist. The Indian Express has aptly observed: The meme shared by Sharma was merely bizarre, even if it involved a political personality. If producers of real political satire could be prosecuted until they apologised, it would be the death of free speech. May 16 S.C. PIEDMONT (BCN) The Piedmont City Council is poised to approve a $391,599 state grant to pay for a "juvenile officer" to help fight tobacco use and vaping by local school students. The grant, from the California Department of Justice Tobacco Grant, could be formally accepted at the council's regular meeting Monday night. Piedmont city and schools officials have been talking since February about the grant, and what they and local residents want that money to pay for. Initial talks centered around hiring a school resource officer, whose beat would be the district's middle and high school campuses. Police departments in many East Bay cities have such officers to help prevent crime that starts with students and otherwise serve as a police presence on campuses. But the school resource officer idea generated a lively discussion in this affluent city of 11,000 people. Some students, parents and school officials said a uniformed and armed officer at schools could be threatening. Such an officer, stationed at a school campus, could increase concerns about criminalization of school disciplinary issues, concern over possible targeting of minority students, and the lack of a "health educator" component associated with the anti-smoking mission. A modified proposal discussed by the Piedmont Unified School District board in March, for a schools-focused officer based off-campus, was also not popular with much of the community. The school board on May 8 approved the concept for a "juvenile officer" who would not be based on a school campus and whose mission would be more specific to keeping kids from using tobacco, drugs and alcohol. One part of that officer's mission would be to create a diversion program for young people found to be using tobacco products. The City Council will also on Monday hold a hearing about the city's 2019-2020 budget, proposed at about $27.37 million, a 5 percent increase from the 2018-2019 budget. Monday's Piedmont City Council meeting begins at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall, 120 Vista Ave. 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. John Barnes remembers. He remembers the things that happened: the buckshot ripping through his arm, the "waterhose" of blood. He remembers things that didn't: pausing in the hallway, searching for a second shooter. A year later, the scars are still healing and the former Santa Fe ISD police officer is still trying to pick up the pieces after surviving one of the worst school shootings in the nation. Scott Kingsley/Staff photographer Last week, he sat down with Behind the Walls host Keri Blakinger and her fellow reporter St. John Barned-Smith to talk about the sense of obligation he feels as a survivor, recount the graphic details of that day, offer his thoughts on various gun-related pieces of legislation, and talk about his plans for the road to recovery that still stretches out ahead. Give it a listen in the player on this page, search for "Behind the Walls" on Apple Podcasts or go to your favorite podcast app and click subscribe. Look for new episodes every few weeks and, in between, follow show host Keri Blakinger's prisons coverage in the Chronicle or on Twitter and follow cohost Lance Lowry's news through his nonprofit, the Texas Correctional Institute. US vs. Global Stocks Sector Rotation What Next? Part 1 Our research team, at www.TheTechnicalTraders.com, have been pouring over the charts and data to identify what is likely to happen over the next 60+ days in terms of global stock market volatility vs. the US stock market expectations. Recently, we posted a research article highlighting our Adaptive Dynamic Learning (ADL) predictive modeling system on the Transportation Index (https://www.thetechnicaltraders.com/markets-rally-hard-is-the-volatility-move-over/). This research suggests we are still going to experience increased price volatility over the next 30 to 60+ days and that price rotation may become somewhat of a normal expectation throughout the rest of 2019. We believe the key to understanding price volatility over the next 30+ days lies in understanding the potential causes of uncertainty and capital shifts that are taking place around the globe. Next week, On May 23~26, 2019, the European Elections take place (https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/0/european-elections-2019-uk-vote-date-results/). This voting encompasses all 26 EU nations where all 753 European Parliament seats may come into question. The biggest issues are BREXIT and continue EU leadership and economic opportunities for members. The contentious pre and post-election rancor could drive wild price swings in the global markets over the next 10+ days. A tough stance between both nations, the United States and China, have left trade talks completely unresolved (https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trade-china/chinas-tough-trade-rhetoric-leaves-talks-with-u-s-in-limbo-idUSKCN1SN207). At this point, the currency market is attempting to absorb much of the future expectations while the US/China stock markets react to immediate news events and perceived future economic outcomes. Overall, until this issue is resolved for both nations, the news cycles will likely drive increased price volatility across the global markets. The US 2020 Presidential Elections are ramping up with over 24 Democratic potentials attempting to unseat President Trump. The current new from DC regarding the continued DOJ investigations and political posturing regarding Barr, Nadler and a host of other DC actors is setting up for a cliff hanger outcome over the next 12+ months. This will likely become one of the most hotly contested US Presidential election events in decades. The news of investigations, political corruption, and a potential US political coup attempt is certain to keep everyone guessing over the next 2+ years. The markets are reacting to this volatility by attempting to adjust valuations expectations and future economic outcomes in multiple forms; currency price valuations (attempting to adjust to a shifting future economic landscape as well as to attempt to mitigate risk/capital/credit issues), Stock Market price valuations (attempting to further mitigate risk/capital and credit issues, and debt rates (attempting to effectively price risk and output expectations for the future). Here is a map of the Currency Market over the past 12 months. We can see the dramatic shift that has taken place since the price peak in February 2018. Overall, the US Dollar has continued to strengthen over the past 12+ months and is regaining the King Dollar status as the global uncertainty continue to plague foreign and EU markets. We dont expect this to change in the near future. Our continued research into the current price rotation in the US and global markets suggest that we are going to continue to experience moderately high price volatility across all markets over the next 30 to 60+ days possibly well into the end of 2019. As we suggested, above, the uncertainty relating to the multiple election events and global trade/geopolitical events do not present a foundation of calm and collected future guidance. The only thing we can suggest regarding these future expectations is that the US and more mature global markets should be able to navigate these uncertain times much more effectively than emerging or at risk foreign markets. Below, you will see a global Heat-Map spanning one week. Traders should take special notice that certain EU countries are surviving the recent global price rotation quite well (France, Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Germany, and others). We believe this is the result of the fact that these economies are rather mature and consistent in their output and expectations. Pay attention to the South American, Asian and Caribbean nations. It would appear that a fairly strong price contraction is taking place throughout much of these nations as the focus shifts towards the more mature markets. The following One Month global Heat-Map highlights a slightly different economic picture for some nations, yet confirms the shorter-term (weekly) trends for many others. Bermuda, Cayman, Germany, and Switzerland appear to be the Bullish Leaders over the past 30 days while the rest of the globe appears to be slipping into Bearish price trends. Canada and the UK appear moderately mixed with some green showing on the heat-map which would be expected as both of these nations are considered mature global economies with strong economic ties to the US. We believe the next 10~30+ days are going to be filled with moderate price volatility and we expect a setup in the global markets, near the end of June 2019, where a massive price volatility explosion may take place. This could be correlated with some trade issue, some fallout of the EU elections or some breakdown in credit/debt risks taking place between now and September 2019. Well go into more detail in Part II of this research post. This is proving to be an incredible trading year for traders who follow our trade alerts newsletter. For active swing traders, you are going to love our daily trading analysis. On May 1st we talked about the old saying goes, Sell in May and Go Away! and that is exactly what is happening now right on queue. In fact, we closed out our SDS position on Thursday for a quick 3.9% profit and our other new trade started Thursday is up 18% already. Second, my birthday is only three days away and I think its time I open the doors for a once a year opportunity for everyone to get a gift that could have some considerable value in the future. Right now I am going to give away and shipping out silver rounds to anyone who buys a 1-year, or 2-year subscription to my Wealth Trading Newsletter. I only have 4 left as they are going fast so be sure to upgrade your membership to a longer-term subscription or if you are new, join one of these two plans, and you will receive: 1-Year Subscription Gets One 1oz Silver Round FREE (Could be worth hundreds of dollars) 2-Year Subscription Gets TWO 1oz Silver Rounds FREE (Could be worth a lot in the future) I only have 13 more silver rounds Im giving away so upgrade or join now before its too late! SUBSCRIBE TO MY TRADE ALERTS AND GET YOUR FREE SILVER ROUNDS! Happy May Everyone! Chris Vermeulen www.TheTechnicalTraders.com Chris Vermeulen has been involved in the markets since 1997 and is the founder of Technical Traders Ltd. He is an internationally recognized technical analyst, trader, and is the author of the book: 7 Steps to Win With Logic Through years of research, trading and helping individual traders around the world. He learned that many traders have great trading ideas, but they lack one thing, they struggle to execute trades in a systematic way for consistent results. Chris helps educate traders with a three-hour video course that can change your trading results for the better. His mission is to help his clients boost their trading performance while reducing market exposure and portfolio volatility. He is a regular speaker on HoweStreet.com, and the FinancialSurvivorNetwork radio shows. Chris was also featured on the cover of AmalgaTrader Magazine, and contributes articles to several leading financial hubs like MarketOracle.co.uk Disclaimer: Nothing in this report should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any securities mentioned. Technical Traders Ltd., its owners and the author of this report are not registered broker-dealers or financial advisors. Before investing in any securities, you should consult with your financial advisor and a registered broker-dealer. Never make an investment based solely on what you read in an online or printed report, including this report, especially if the investment involves a small, thinly-traded company that isnt well known. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report has been paid by Cardiff Energy Corp. In addition, the author owns shares of Cardiff Energy Corp. and would also benefit from volume and price appreciation of its stock. The information provided here within should not be construed as a financial analysis but rather as an advertisement. The authors views and opinions regarding the companies featured in reports are his own views and are based on information that he has researched independently and has received, which the author assumes to be reliable. Technical Traders Ltd. and the author of this report do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any content of this report, nor its fitness for any particular purpose. Lastly, the author does not guarantee that any of the companies mentioned in the reports will perform as expected, and any comparisons made to other companies may not be valid or come into effect. Chris Vermeulen Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. What happens when two moms in San Francisco meet when picking up their kids from preschool? In this case, playdates and after-school chats led to the building of a $20 million modern spec house at 2833 Vallejo St. in the city's prestigious Pacific Heights neighborhood. Developer Alicia Fang and architect Vivian Lee discovered they share a love for a modern, clean design aesthetic, and especially the celebrated architecture of Hong Kong, where the most exclusive properties have water views in front and mountain views in back. "View and location of a particular property are a particular obsession for the Chinese," said Lee. "The most ideal position of any home is always with the hillside guarding the back and the water view in the front. This is exactly the setup we found at Vallejo. This is the most ideal siting for any prized home." When the pair stumbled upon a 3,000-square-foot house for sale on the perfect lot, they set out to build their dream home. They doubled the size of the property and fully reimagined its facade with a wall of glass, setting it apart from the more traditional homes on the block. They also set out to maximize the views with floor-to-ceiling windows in the back overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay. For the interior, they pulled inspiration from the minimalism of Scandinavian design, the sophistication of Hong Kong's luxury real estate and the laid-back vibe of Northern California. Lee described the interior as a collection of "richly detailed interior rooms that can feel like quiet gallery spaces." She added: "The project is at once glamorous and relaxed." ALSO: Former Facebook COO's stunning Palo Alto estate listed for $40 million The five-level property features four bedrooms and 6.5 bathrooms, four-car parking and a roof deck, where the views grow even bigger. Outfitted with high-end technology, the home has everything from wall-mounted iPads on every level to motorized shades on windows. "The target buyer would be a sophisticated buyer with an international perspective," said Lee. "Someone who appreciates the finer things in life but is drawn to the casual vibe of the Bay Area lifestyle." KOLKATA, India Voting in Indias mammoth national election ended Sunday with the seventh and final phase of a grueling poll that lasted more than five weeks, as exit polls predicted a victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modis Hindu nationalist party and its allies. Vote counting begins on Thursday, and the election result will likely be known the same day. The election is seen as a referendum on Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party. The BJPs main opposition is the Congress party, led by Rahul Gandhi, the scion of the Nehru-Gandhi dynasty that has produced three prime ministers. Exit polls by four leading television news channels Republic, TimesNow, New Delhi Television and India today projected a victory for the BJP and its allies with 287 to 339 seats out of 543, far ahead of the 272 seats needed to form the next government. The Congress party and its allies are likely to win 122 to 128 seats, the channels said. Gandhi questioned the way the election was conducted by the autonomous Election Commission, saying the election schedule was manipulated to help Modis party. The EC used to be feared & respected. Not anymore, Gandhi tweeted Sunday, without giving any details. Sundays voting covered Modis constituency of Varanasi, a holy Hindu city where he was elected in 2014 with an impressive margin of over 200,000 votes. Modi spent Saturday night at Kedarnath, a temple of the Hindu god Shiva nestled in the Himalayas in northern India. The final election round included 59 constituencies in eight states. Up for grabs were 13 seats in Punjab and an equal number in Uttar Pradesh, eight each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, four in Himachal Pradesh and three in Jharkhand and Chandigarh. In Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal, voters lined up outside polling stations early Sunday to avoid the scorching heat, with temperatures reaching 100 degrees. Armed security officials stood guard in and outside the centers amid fear of violence. While the election, which began April 11, was largely peaceful, West Bengal, located in eastern India, was an exception. Modi is challenged there by the states chief minister, Mamata Banerjee, who heads the more inclusive Trinamool Congress party and is eyeing a chance to go to New Delhi as the oppositions candidate for prime minister. Modi visited West Bengal 17 times in an effort to make inroads with his Hindu nationalist agenda, provoking sporadic violence and prompting the Election Commission to cut off campaigning there. Julhas Alam and Ashok Sharma are Associated Press writers. Tory Leadership Contest - Will Michael Gove Stab Boris Johnson in the Back Again? The days of Britian's worst Prime Minister in history, Theresa Mays are numbered, so there is going to be another Tory leadership contest near 3 years on from the last when David Cameron quit after losing the EU Referendum, and Boris Johnson has been quick off the mark to throw his hat into the ring. Though I hope he has learned his lesson NOT to trust fellow tories such as the likes of Michael Gove who like a character out of Game of Thrones (Little Finger) stabbed Boris in the back on the day he was supposed to announce his candidature with Gove at the helm of his campaign, instead Gove announced a few hours earlier that he, himself would be standing for Tory leader! Here's a reminder of what happened 3 years ago and why Michael Gove CANNOT BE TRUSTED, because his word is worthless! 30 Jun 2016 - Michael 'Little Finger' Gove Slays Boris 'Baratheon' Johnson in Game of Thrones for Next Tory PM David Cameron's announcement to step down as Prime Minister by early September propelled Brexit Leader Boris Johnson to become the favourite to takeover as Britain's next Tory Leader and Prime Minister. However, the great game for the Tory 'iron throne' was on, as Michael Gove today both discredited Boris Johnson whom he was supposed to be the campaign manager for and then went against EVERYTHING he has stated during the EU Referendum Campaign, in fact against everything he has been saying for the past 4 years by declaring that he himself would now stand for the Tory Leadership, so it looks like Gove, just like 'Little Finger' has apparently been manoeuvring towards the Tory 'iron throne' all along! For instance during the referendum campaign when asked in one of the debates - "When Mr Cameron steps down are you considering a leadership bid?" Michael 'Little Finger' Gove replied " I can tell, I am absolutely not. The one thing I can tell you is that there are lots of talented people who could be Prime Minister after David Cameron, but count me out" And earlier still ""The one thing I do know having seen David Cameron up close is it takes extraordinary reserves of patience of judgement of character to lead this country and he has it and I don't and I think it's important to recognise in life youve reached an appropriate point." And one more time - "There are lots of other folk including in the Cabinet who could easily be prime minister, I am not one of them. I could not be prime minister, I am not equipped to be prime minister, I dont want to be prime minister." And then today the stage was set for Boris 'Baratheon' Johnson to declare his intention to stand as next Tory Leader and Prime Minister, only for Michael 'Little Finger' Gove to make his surprise announcement a couple of hours beforehand in what looks like a co-ordinated assault to pull the rug from under Boris Baratheon Johnson by taking a large chunk of the MP's who would have supported Boris Johnson by stating - "I have come, reluctantly, to the conclusion that Boris cannot provide the leadership or build the team for the task ahead. I have therefore decided to put my name forward for the leadership." In response to which Boris Johnson surprised all by stating that he would not be standing - "I must tell you my friends, you who have waited patiently for the punch line of this speech that having consulted colleagues and in view of the circumstances in Parliament I have concluded that person cannot be me, my role will be to give every possible support to the next Conservative administration to properly fulfill the mandate if the British people" So whilst Michael 'Little Finger' Gove may today be the rank outsider amongst the list of declared candidates to sit on the Tory 'iron throne' now that Boris 'Baratheon' Johnson has been slain along with his bullingdon club buddy David 'Lanister' Cameron, which effectively clears the field for previously unthinkable candidates such as Michael 'Little Finger' Gove to continue working his way on the Tory 'iron throne'. Of the list of candidates the following now stand out with Theresa May the clear favourite to seize power and the keys to No 10 - Theresa 'Cersi' May - Favourite Michael 'Little Finger' Gove Andrea 'Martell' Leadsom Stephen 'Greyjoy' Crabb It's too early to see who will win the chaotic great game to become the next Tory Leader and Prime Minister as there is a long way to go and with much more political bloodshed expected along the way, but for now do NOT underestimate Michael 'little finger' Gove. And whilst the Tories sort out their next Leader Britain is effectively being run by Mark Carney at the Bank of England who has been busy pumping hundreds of billions into the markets and banking sector. BrExit Party to Storm EU Elections - Seats Forecast 23rd of May is set to deliver another shock to Britian's politiccal establishment as the BrExit party will likely win more seats than the Tories, Labour and Lib Dems combined! With the latest polls continuing to confirm this forecast. The bottom line is that the Brexit Party's results in the EU elections will just be a precursor to an even bigger political earthquake at the next General Election that if the Tories don't choose their leader wisely could result in the death of the Tory party! My analysis and key forecasts are first made available to Patrons who support my work. So for immediate First Access to ALL of my analysis and trend forecasts then do consider becoming a Patron by supporting my work for just $3 per month. https://www.patreon.com/Nadeem_Walayat. May Analysis Schedule : Stock Market Trend Forecast Update Machine Intelligence Investing stocks sub sector analysis UK Housing market ongoing analysis. Gold / SIlver trend forecast update. China Stock Market SSEC April Analysis: And ensure you are subscribed to my FREE Newsletter to get this analysis in your email in box (only requirement is an email address). Nadeem Walayat http://www.marketoracle.co.uk Copyright 2005-2019 Marketoracle.co.uk (Market Oracle Ltd). All rights reserved. Nadeem Walayat has over 30 years experience of trading derivatives, portfolio management and analysing the financial markets, including one of few who both anticipated and Beat the 1987 Crash. Nadeem's forward looking analysis focuses on UK inflation, economy, interest rates and housing market. He is the author of five ebook's in the The Inflation Mega-Trend and Stocks Stealth Bull Market series that can be downloaded for Free. Nadeem is the Editor of The Market Oracle, a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication that presents in-depth analysis from over 1000 experienced analysts on a range of views of the probable direction of the financial markets, thus enabling our readers to arrive at an informed opinion on future market direction. http://www.marketoracle.co.uk 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 trading losses you may incur as a result of this analysis. Individuals should consult with their personal financial advisors before engaging in any trading activities. Nadeem Walayat Archive 2005-2019 http://www.MarketOracle.co.uk - The Market Oracle is a FREE Daily Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting online publication. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia does not want war but will not hesitate to defend itself against Iran, a top Saudi diplomat said Sunday after the kingdoms energy sector was targeted this past week amid heightened tensions in the Persian Gulf. President Trump, meanwhile, warned Iran that it will face destruction if it seeks a fight, while Iranian officials said their country isnt looking for war. Trump spoke after a rocket hit near the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi minister of state for foreign affairs, spoke a week after four oil tankers two of them Saudi were targeted in an alleged act of sabotage off the coast of the United Arab Emirates and days after Iran-allied Yemeni rebels claimed a drone attack on a Saudi oil pipeline. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want war in the region and does not strive for that. ... But at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this with all force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens and its interests, al-Jubeir said. On Sunday night, the U.S. military command that oversees the Mideast confirmed an explosion outside the U.S. Embassy compound in Baghdad and said there were no U.S. or coalition casualties. After initial reports of the attack, Trump tweeted a warning to Iranian leaders: If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again! Trump tweeted. An Iranian military commander was quoted as saying his country is not looking for war, in comments published in Iranian media on Sunday. Fears of armed conflict were already running high after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region earlier this month to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. The U.S. also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. Trump had appeared to soften his tone in recent days, saying he expected Iran to seek negotiations with his administration. Asked on Thursday if the U.S. might be on a path to war with Iran, the president answered, I hope not. The U.S. Navy said Sunday it had conducted exercises in the Arabian Sea with the aircraft carrier strike group ordered to the region to counter the unspecified threat from Iran. The Navy said the exercises and training were conducted Friday and Saturday with the Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group in coordination with the U.S. Marine Corps, highlighting U.S. lethality and agility to respond to threat, as well as to deter conflict and preserve U.S. strategic interests. The current tensions are rooted in Trumps decision last year to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers and impose wide-reaching sanctions, including on Iranian oil exports that are crucial to its economy. Iran has said it would resume enriching uranium at higher levels if a new nuclear deal is not reached by July 7. That would potentially bring it closer to being able to develop a nuclear weapon, something Iran insists it has never sought. Aya Batrawy and Fay Abuelgasim are Associated Press writers. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- Police responded Sunday to a report of a man stabbed on a residential street in West Brighton. The incident was reported on the 600 block of Delafield Avenue, though it wasnt immediately certain if the incident occurred on the street or inside a residence, according to an NYPD spokesman. The victim was transported to Richmond University Medical Center in West Brighton with a non-life threatening stab wound to the leg, authorities said. The man was uncooperative with investigators in regard to the person who carried out the attack and the circumstances surrounding the incident, according to a police source. Police responded Sunday to Delafield Avenue in West Brighton for a report of a person stabbed. (Google Maps) An unidentified suspect fled the scene, police said. This is a breaking story. More information will be provided as it becomes available on silive.com. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- When Ngozi Avah underwent an emergency C section in September at Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze, her twin daughters entered the world weighing about two pounds each. We were scared," said Avahs husband, Isaiah Avah, who was recognized along with his wife Sunday at the Fourth Annual Northwell Health Walk on Staten Island, held on the Midland Beach boardwalk. The couple said they were proud to show their support based on what they described as a nursing staff and team of doctors who were consistent and caring throughout the ordeal. Whenever we would call them for something they would respond immediately," said Isaiah. Communication is powerful. The family walked alongside hundreds of families and Northwell medical providers in an event fueled by donations from teams and individuals for a new state-of-the-art NICU at the Gruppuso Family Women and Newborn Center in Staten Island University Hospital. The walk on Staten Island was one of three held throughout the New York area, which were attended by thousands. Teams and individual donors joined forces Sunday at the fourth annual Northwell Health Walk on Staten Island. (Staten Island Advance/Kyle Lawson) The walk on Staten Island followed a pre-party that included music, dancing, face painting, a lesson in healthy eating and a women and newborn teaching and research center. Kicking things off at center stage was DJ and Billboard charted artist Vinnie Medugno, a.k.a Mr. Staten Island. I cant count the amount of times that Staten Island University Hospital has touched me and a loved ones life, said Medugno. This (newborn) center is going to provide a seamless experience for mothers, babies and families through the integration of all maternal services on to a single floor. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.-- The tireless, often times, life-saving efforts of emergency medical responders on Staten Island and throughout the city will be recognized Sunday with a light show in Midtown Manhattan. The Empire State Building, in partnership with the FDNY, will feature yellow, white and blue lighting with a red and white halo in celebration of National EMS Week, according to an FDNY press release. The five-minute display will commence at the top of every hour, beginning at sunset. EMS Week is an annual week-long series of events designed to promote public safety among all New Yorkers, attract potential EMS recruits and celebrate the life-saving efforts of more than 4,000 members of FDNYs Emergency Medical Service. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- As the number of incidents regarding residents on the tracks of the Staten Island Railway (SIR) remains high, one local lawmaker is looking to force the Department of Transportation (DOT) to evaluate possible solutions. Earlier this year, Councilman Joe Borelli (R-South Shore) introduced a local law that would require the DOT to study safety measures on the citys outdoor train platforms. There has been a frightening uptick in the number of people being struck by trains on the Staten Island Railroad and other above-ground tracks, and the City ought to take a very serious look at why," said Borelli. The law would require the DOT to conduct a comprehensive study on outdoor train crashes and recommend potential safety solutions that can be implemented on outdoor train platforms. The study would identify and analyze the common contributing factors to outdoor train strikes and study the cost and feasibility of possible safety measures, providing recommendations to the appropriate agencies. The DOT would be given one year from the legislations enactment date to complete the study and report findings and recommendations to Mayor Bill de Blasio and the New York City Council. Last summer was a wake-up call about the security and accessibility of the tracks," Borelli said. "This legislation will mandate that the Department of Transportation provide options for protective measures which can be implemented to reduce these incidents in the future. RECENT STRING OF INCIDENTS In 2018, nine people came into contact with an SIR car, six of which were on the tracks, with the other three on the platform, according to the MTA. Many of the train strikes in 2018 proved fatal, including three fatal strikes in a 44-day span from Sept. 5, 2018, to Oct. 19, 2018. In total, there were 17 incidents of people trespassing on the Staten Island Railway tracks in 2018, according to the MTA. In 2019, only one person has come into contact with an SIR car, according to the MTA. The agency claims that only three incidents involving people trespassing on the Staten Island Railway tracks have occurred in 2019. However, the Advance has reported at least four incidents between Feb. 16 and April 19. On Feb. 16, city firefighters responded to a call about an unconscious man on the train tracks at the SIR station in Princes Bay, an FDNY spokesman told the Advance. On April 8, several SIR trains ran behind schedule during the morning rush hour due to a person walking on the tracks near the Arthur Kill station, MTA sources told the Advance. On April 19, there were two separate rush hour incidents involving residents on the tracks of the SIR, MTA sources told the Advance. MTA RESPONDS In light of the recent string of incidents, the SIR and MTA Police Department are collaborating on a new track safety campaign, which will include advisory signage at stations and a new safety pamphlet that will be distributed to riders, according to the MTA. The MTA advises any riders who drop something onto the tracks not to retrieve the item themselves. Riders are asked to use a nearby Help Point to alert personnel, who will send a staff member to safely retrieve the item. Our customers safety is paramount, and we remind customers not to enter the tracks for any reason. We will be posting signage soon at SIR stations, and we encourage customers to notify police or an MTA employee immediately if they see a person who is or may be in danger and need help," said MTA spokeswoman Amanda Kwan. 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! When it comes to picking up objects humans beat robots hands down, though that could soon change. "People can do amazing things with their hands: picking up objects of different sizes, shapes and weights,"says co-founder of robotics sensor startup Contactile, Heba Khamis. Heba Khamis pitches her research earlier this year. "Robots cant do that. They need to be pre-programmed for what theyre picking up. If you put an apple in [a robot's] way the next time, it doesn't know what to do with that." Researchers are turning their minds to helping robots develop more human characteristics, whether that's senses or skills to help them more easily blend in with the surrounding environment. But while Rhapsody was roundly criticised for glossing and buffing the rough edges of Mercurys life, Rocketman has been given an R rating in the US for language throughout, some drug use and sexual content. The trailers mostly make it look like your standard rise-to-fame story but apparently it isnt: Hollywood Reporter described it as an impressionistic, nonlinear story filled with sequences of substance abuse and frank depictions of gay sex weaving fantasy musical numbers into the alcohol, drug and sex-fuelled rise of John to stardom. Also unlike Rhapsody its lead actually sings the songs. Egerton has a great voice John told one magazine when he listened to the soundtrack I thought it was me, though as one of the films executive producers hes not exactly a disinterested observer. So its quite the risk for Paramount: indeed, there are more than a few hints of a tug of war between the studio, which is relying on this as its big northern summer movie, and the filmmakers defending their works integrity. But for Egerton its an incredible opportunity, and one hes thrown himself at, even before he was given the role. I knew the film was happening and I tried to throw my hat in the ring more than three years ago, Egerton says. Im still a fledgling sort of actor, but then I was really, you know, a real amoeba. But I just felt there was something exciting about it, and I felt I might be suitable, so I asked my agents ... Well do a tape [audition] or something, you know. He got a no, of course. At the time Tom Hardy was linked to the project, though it was yet to get a green light (ie money). The idea it would get off the ground by casting an untested comedy-action star was laughable, even one who got into RADA drama school by singing Your Song at his audition. But Egerton didnt give up on the idea. He just felt the role should be his. Theres the singing, he says. He knew he could do that. And certainly, playing a character thats prone to extremes Elton [has had] some fairly problematic relationships with substances over his life. That kind of extreme of existence is quite appealing to an actor. And I wear my heart on my sleeve, I am quite a sensitive person, I think. And I felt that theres something of me, of who I am, that there might be a bit of a crossover. Egerton doesnt come across as sensitive or emotional. Im not getting Elton John vibes. The main vibe I get from him is exhaustion: this is February and theyre still hard at work putting the finishing touches to the movie. There are lines under his eyes. He doesnt expand on what he meant by recognising the extremes in Elton John. In a recent appearance on Johns Beats One Radio show, Rocket Hour, Egerton said it again: I am someone who is prone to some of the extremes of existence in some respects but the line was quickly laughed off, with a hint about alcohol and drugs. And the gossip magazines have yet to find any skeletons or overdoses in Egertons closet. But whether or not Egerton can genuinely relate to Johns life, there is one obvious difference. And, incredibly, thats the question that caught him by surprise. Recalling the plethora of straight actors playing gay characters recently Rami Malek, Jack Whitehall, Olivia Coleman, Emma Stone, Richard E Grant and Hugh Grant to name just some of the most obvious I ask what he had thought about doing the same, and whether (as some people have argued) gay actors should get, if not all, at least more of these roles. Cue the long pause. All I can speak to is the fact that I didn't become an actor to just play myself, he says, eventually. And I feel there's nothing strange or odd to me about kissing and being physical with another man. It's my job to portray human beings and human beings are very different and they all have different experiences of the world. Its a fine response. But then he gets a little defensive. Taron Egerton as Elton John and Richard Madden as his lover John Reid in Rocketman. If you're going to look at it in the sense I'm taking a gay person's role, [then] Elton John asked me to portray him in his life and I said 'Yes, of course, I'd be honoured to'. I don't really know what more I can say about it. And its at this point I work out and he confirms that Ive caught him early enough in the publicity circuit to be the first person to ask him this question. Which means his answer was not a practised line, workshopped with his publicist. It was, probably, his heartfelt belief. Whilst I understand that someone may feel that it's one less opportunity for a gay actor, which I completely understand, all I can say for my part is that I think there's something to be celebrated about people wanting to portray things that are different from themselves and seeking to understand things that are different from themselves, he goes on. Egerton says he hopes the gay community can feel a sense of ownership and pride in the story and not feel that we have in any way tried to give a false sense of Eltons life. I really dont think Elton and David [Furnish, Johns partner and also a producer on the film] would stand for that. The sex scenes, he says, are beautiful and sensitively done. Which, apparently, caused fingernails to be bitten down at head office. Earlier this year media reports claimed Paramount was pressuring filmmakers to cut or edit a sex sequence between Egertons John and Richard Maddens John Reid. The reports prompted a quick response from the director on Twitter: Its still unfinished so its nothing but rumours. It has and always will be the no holds barred, musical fantasy that Paramount and producers passionately support and believe in. As a denial, it was a less than a denial. And a month earlier, Egerton had all but confessed to me there were problems. I had asked him about his portrayal of John, how close he had been able to make it to the truth of the man. Its no f---ing secret that the guy has his moments, Egerton says of John. I love [him] to bits, but I was never interested in portraying a version of him that was sanitised. Its a movie about someone going to rehab. He pauses. This is a tricky point in my experience of promoting the film, because I dont know what version of the film is going to reach the cinema screen, Egerton says, cagily. He glances to the corner of the hotel room. I'm very aware of my publicist sat over there. I I am going to make a personal decision that I will stand by, to say that the version [of John] that I gave [was] a performance where you see an incredibly brilliant, gifted, kind, loving, generous man. But I also give a performance of someone who went through the darkness of drug addiction and it made them very difficult and it made them hard. How much of that survived in the film is, uh, above my head. I don't know. I don't have power to dictate that. I hope that enough of that survives to give an accurate representation of who Elton is, but it's beyond my control. And inevitably there will be a pull to soften that as there always is, because it's a commercial endeavour as well as a creative one. But I did not compromise that. I've used my best judgment to try and strike a balance between one of the most wonderful people I've ever met who is famously tempestuous. And I hope enough of that survives to give the story some integrity. Egerton got the role, says producer Matthew Vaughn, partly because of the reaction of John and Furnish when they heard him sing. They had met Egerton on the set of the Vaughn-produced Kingsman 2, in which John had a cameo role. Elton and I were like, 'Wow, this guy is really handsome and has a real striking presence, Furnish told Hollywood Reporter. We took a real shine to him. Taron Egerton really sings, but mimes the piano, in Rocketman. But the clincher came in February 2018 when Vaughn, Fletcher, Furnish and a music producer sat in a room as Egerton sang Dont Let the Sun Go Down on Me and Your Song for the cameras. Youd think it would be a terrifying moment. But Egerton claims he just fudged my way through the songs and it was absolutely fine. Really? Although I get very nervous before performing those high-pressure situations, there is a sort of slightly sadistic enjoyment of that, he says. I do get a thrill from it, the pressure of it. I think if I didn't, I probably might not be very good. He was cast and began his research. Egerton says he tried, not to imitate John, but instead find elements of John within himself and bring them out. He spent a lot of time with John, they exchanged personal stories that Egerton says he will never share (both are working class kids made good Egerton says John confided in him about his troubled relationship with his father; Egertons father left when he was young). He practiced enough on the piano to look like he was playing the songs (in real life he can stretch about as far as the intro to Your Song). He spent about 100 hours in costuming, finding the character in the disguise he believed John used his extravagant outfits to empower himself. He had arguments over Johns tooth gap the director hated a set of false teeth that were made, worrying it would overpower Egertons performance, so in the end Egerton asked a designer to paint it in for every scene. He read books on the man some of them Johns own diaries from the '70s. I sat by the lake at his house early last summer with my girlfriend in the sun and I worked my way through '71 to '77. It was like a peek into an iconic time. But the diaries werent actually very useful, he says. It was woke up this morning, did the laundry, wrote a song called Honky Cat. The friendship they forged they now speak several times a week was, says Egerton, the real inspiration for his performance. "It is really, really surreal," she said. "I means a lot to these artists, it means a lot to all of us. It's a supremely vulnerable position to get up there and sing a song and allow yourself to be ranked. It's an experience familiar to anyone who has been on a talent show, but for me, I haven't been in anything like this before." Listening to the slow roll out of the votes, surrounded by countries for whom victory or loss at Eurovision has been a life or death cultural moment for decades, Miller-Heidke said she found a calm headspace as Australia locked into ninth position from a starting field of 41. "It was uncomfortable," she said, laughing. "I joked that it was like an artist's torture device. But that's it, that's the competition. It's funny but I did find myself feeling strangely calm." Eurovision's 2019 winner, Duncan Lawrence from the Netherlands. Credit:Andres Putting/Eurovision Among the highlights of the grand final was a performance by pop icon Madonna; the 60-year-old legend performed her 1989 hit Like A Prayer, accompanied by a 35-voice choir, and the single Future from her new album, which she performed with the American rapper Quavo. "Everybody here is from around the world and the one things that brings all of the people here tonight is music," Madonna told the telecast's estimated 200 million viewers. "Let's never underestimate the power of music to bring people together." The 2019 Eurovision trophy. Credit:Thomas Hanses/Eurovision The grand final caps off a week in which delegations representing 41 competing countries converged on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv-Yafo in pursuit of Eurovision glory. 15 countries - Montenegro, Finland, Poland, Hungary, Belgium, Georgia, Portugal, Armenia, Ireland, Moldova, Latvia, Romania, Austria, Croatia and Lithuania - were culled in two intensely-fought semi-final heats. That left 26 countries, from Albania to the United Kingdom, performing in the grand final, including Australia, the host country, Israel, and the so-called "big five", France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK. The "big five" countries automatically book their berths in the grand final by virtue of being the five biggest contributors to the Eurovision Song Contest's organising body, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The final score is calculated by merging scores from a five-member professional jury and audience "televoting" during the live broadcast; both groups each assign scores of 1-8, 10 and 12 points to any country except their own. Those numbers have given the competition two of its most famous phrases douze points and nul points - pronounced dooze pwa and nul pwa - which translate respecively as 12 points and no points, the best and worst scores possible. Kate Miller-Heidke seated with the Australian Eurovision delegation backstage at the Eurovision Song Contest. Credit:Thomas Hanses/Eurovision Australia's delegation landed in Tel Aviv almost two weeks ago, competing in the first semi-final of the competition to secure our berth in the grand final. Miller-Heidke has now performed Zero Gravity on the Eurovision stage twice in full rehearsal and eight times in competition. The Eurovision machine requires four stagings each of the two semi-finals and the grand final. Australia has a strong track record at Eurovision, ranking fifth, second, ninth and 20th in 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018. This year's result represents a significant lift on last year's, from 20th position back to ninth. Though it is officially discouraged, clusters of European countries often vote in blocs, giving each other their highest scores, such as Cyprus/Greece, Denmark/Finland/Iceland/Norway/Sweden, Estonia/Latvia/Lithuania and so on. Australian fans in the audience at Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv-Yafo. Credit:Andres Putting/Eurovision One key takeout is that Australia, aside from the loyalty of some Scandinavian countries, does have an obstacle in the competition because it does not more formally belong to a voting bloc of countries who consistently score each other highly. "We were hoping that because of the beauty and the magic that we presented that it would attract other voters," Australia's head of delegation Paul Clarke said. Significantly, however, Australia was bolstered a strong vote from the "televoting" audience. "In the previous two years [the audience vote for Australia] has been really low," Clarke said. "I was happy to see that the public vote came back to us this year." Kate Miller-Heidke performs Zero Gravity at the 64th Eurovision Song Contest. Credit:Andres Putting/Eurovision This year's competition has been staged amid the complex political tensions between Israel, the West Bank and Gaza. The activist group Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) led a vocal campaign to boycott the event, while the artists, with the exception of Iceland's Hatari, have largely refrained from making overt political statements. Speaking on the eve of the grand final, Australian entrant Kate Miller-Heidke said all of the artists had "conflicting feelings" about the politics. "Who is it going to serve to deprive people of music, and art, and culture and learning?" she said. Sea of flags ... the view from the audience at the 64th Eurovision Song Contest. Credit:Andres Putting/Eurovision The sentiment was echoed by the pop superstar Madonna, who released a statement to media saying she would "never stop playing music to suit someone's political agenda nor will I stop speaking out against violations of human rights wherever in the world they may be." Despite a number of threats, both implicit and explicit, the two-week Eurovision festival ended without major incident, aside from the hacking of the Israeli broadcaster KAN's webcast of the first semi-final with threatening images. A massive campaign by GetUp and the union movement has failed to dislodge tens of government MPs who had been targeted in a "hit list", raising questions over the future of third party activist groups in election campaigns. Both those inside the third party campaigns and their opponents admit the movement failed to persuade those most concerned about the cost of living and alienated voters in Queensland by prioritising climate change policy. GetUp claimed just one victory from its seven-electorate hit list - independent Zali Steggall defeated former prime minister Tony Abbott in the Sydney seat of Warringah - while the Australian Council of Trade Unions managed only one win from a 16 seat wish list - the NSW seat of Gilmore. The old adage that "victory has a thousand fathers, and defeat is but an orphan" has been turned on its head at the federal election, for there is no doubt that credit for the result on Saturday night rests with Prime Minister Scott Morrison. An analysis of the result must start with his role. Inheriting the leadership in the final stages of the 45th parliament in a year that could be truly described as an "annus horribilus" for the Liberal Party meant that few thought he could do little more than cauterise the scale of an inevitable election loss. Yet today he celebrates the most remarkable of political victories. Scott Morrison with wife Jenny and children Lily and Abbey as he claimed victory. Credit:DEAN LEWINS To deliver Saturdays result he achieved three essential tasks: to start to demonstrate the internal strife of previous years would be a thing of the past; to show he was a leader with authenticity and conviction; and to chart a course for the nation which, while acknowledging our economic success, also addressed the cost-of-living pressures felt by many Australians. The lesson of this election for Labor is that Australians have rejected the notion that you can tax your way to prosperity. They made the fundamental mistake of failing to recognise that aspirational Australia found in the middle-class suburbs of so many marginal seats would not accept what were essentially punitive taxes on success or those who had worked to save for their retirement. Christian leaders believe religious freedom was among "sleeper" issues that influenced votes for the Coalition in marginal seats across the country. Mark Spencer, national executive officer of Christian Schools Australia, said parents in marginal seats had expressed their concerns to his organisation over the protection of religious freedom. Divine intervention: Re-elected Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrives at the Horizon Church in Sutherland on Sunday. Credit:James Alcock "There are mums and dads across Australia who want to choose a school that reflects their values, he said. We know that parents in key marginal seats across Australia were saying to us how important the protection of values, beliefs, and freedom of religion are to them. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says the Morrison government will not toughen the climate policy it took to the election despite Tony Abbott's thrashing in Warringah and demands from key crossbenchers that Australia tackle planetary warming. The Morrison government's unexpected win will also force Labor to rethink its strategy in Queensland where voters resoundingly endorsed the Coalition's support for the controversial Adani coal mine. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg voting at Balwyn North Primary School surrounded by protesters carrying 'Stop Adani' placards Credit:Justin McManus The Coalition's victory on Saturday defied expectation in what had been touted as the climate change election. It returned to office by promising to make electricity more affordable and reliable, and framing action on climate change as an economic rather than a moral issue. Prime Minister Scott Morrison had repeatedly emphasised the potential cost to the economy of Labor's pledge to lower greenhouse gas emissions by 45 percent between 2005 and 2030. Outspoken Tasmanian Jacqui Lambie is set to return to the Senate, but mining magnate Clive Palmer's $80 million political comeback bid appears to have failed. The Morrison government is not expected to form a majority in the next Senate but will likely be dealing with a six-member crossbench smaller and less ideologically disparate than the last. Jacqui Lambie looks set to return to the Senate after being forced to resign from Parliament over dual-citizenship concerns. Credit:AAP With about half the Senate vote counted on Sunday, the Coalition appeared on track for about 34 upper house seats short of the 39 seats it needs to seize outright control. Labor and the Greens look likely to hold about 36 seats between them, meaning if those two parties voted as a bloc, the Coalition would be forced to negotiate with the crossbench to pass measures such as its $158 billion income tax relief plan. Independent MP Kerryn Phelps says Wentworth voters "made a line ball decision to go conservative" as she conceded she had lost the eastern suburbs Sydney seat to her Liberal opponent Dave Sharma. Dr Phelps said she called Mr Sharma on Monday morning to congratulate him on his win. The high profile doctor said she would take some time to consider her future but did not rule out a further career in politics. Several sources said a bid at Lord Mayor of Sydney was on the cards. Kerryn Phelps did not rule out a future in politics on Monday. Credit:ninevms "It came down to the wire but I think voters wanted to return a Liberal government and they were opposed to the taxes that Labor was proposing," Dr Phelps said. The Liberal and National parties could use Queensland as a model to snatch Labor held-seats in other parts of the country such as western Sydney, he said. Senator Canavan, a fierce proponent of the controversial Adani coal mine, said the 4.5 percent swing towards the Coalition mirrored a global trend of working and middle-class voters backing conservative parties. Resources Minister and senior Queenslander Matt Canavan has hailed the Coalition's stunning success in the sunshine state as a "hi-vis workers' revolution" fuelled by anger that "unilateral action on climate change" would harm jobs growth. "This has been hi-vis workers' revolution. They are the most visible Australians in our nation's airports but they are often ignored by our nation's political leaders ... They don't talk much but they do vote and, boy, have they voted on the weekend." The bullish assessment follows a decimation for Labor that will likely leave them with just six seats in Queensland compared with the Liberal National Partys 23 and has consolidated the state as the Coalition's most reliable heartland. Loading The result highlights a growing north-south divide in federal politics that could have long-term ramifications. In Victoria, Labor is on track to hold 22 seats to the Coalitions 14. Labors uncertainty on the proposed Adani coal mine, which would create thousands of jobs but is opposed by environmentalists, as well as outgoing Labor leader Bill Shortens franking credits, superannuation and tax policies, all contributed to Queenslanders' anger. The new Morrison government could boost its female representation in the lower house by as much a third in a result that hinges on final counting in four knife-edge electorates. Former MP Julie Bishop, replaced by fellow Liberal Celia Hammond in the WA electorate of Curtin, welcomed the result as proof the Coalition had "recognised that the community supports greater female representation in the federal Parliament". Julie Bishop has welcomed early indications the new Morrison government may have a higher proportion of women. Credit:Dominic Lorimer Depending on final counting, the Coalition could end up with 20 per cent of its MPs being women, an increase from 15 per cent. Ms Bishop told the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age she was "delighted" by what appeared to be a strong female performance, while vowing to "continue to support the Coalition in its efforts to attract more female candidates". The Andrews government has already warned Victorians to brace for a budget of hard choices, but the equation will be even more difficult without their preferred candidate in The Lodge. Billions in promised spending on infrastructure and schools funding will no longer flow their way. Victorian Labor has taken a bluntly partisan line in its dealings with the Morrison government, hoping and probably expecting that the war of attrition would help get Bill Shorten over the line. A dejected Premier Daniel Andrews, pictured in the ABC Melbourne studios on Sunday. Credit:Luis Ascui It framed its decision to defer the state budget until after the election as one driven by the vastly superior offering Shortens team had made for Victoria compared with what Mr Morrisons administration put on the table. The make-up of the Senate hung in the balance on Saturday night, with neither major party expected to secure an upper house majority. At 9.45pm with 18 per cent of the votes counted, the Coalition had secured 11 seats and appeared set to win another four. Labor had also won 11 Senate spots while the Greens appeared on track for four seats. The final Senate results are not expected to be known for several weeks. As the weekend came to a close, one Queensland seat still hung in the balance as Scott Morrison waited to see whether or not he would lead a majority government. The fate of Lilley, north of Brisbane, was yet to be sealed on Sunday night with almost a quarter of the vote still to be counted. BATTLE FOR LILLEY: Labor's Anika Wells is just ahead of the LNP's Brad Carswell. The Brisbane Times count has called 73 seats for the Coalition, 66 for Labor, one for the Greens and five for other parties and independents. To govern in his own right, Mr Morrison needs 76 seats, or 77 to allow him to appoint a speaker from the Coalition. On Sunday, he still sat three away from that golden number. Tony Abbotts treatment of his seat as a "personal fiefdom" has angered colleagues who say the former Liberal leader could be to blame if the Coalition is forced into minority government because he refused to retire for a fresh candidate. Voters in the blue-ribbon Sydney seat of Warringah delivered a powerful verdict on the former prime minister on Saturday, with a 12.7 per cent fall in the Liberal Party's primary vote ending his 26-year career in Parliament. Tony Abbott's 25-year political career ended on Saturday. Credit:Bianca De Marchi Olympian-turned-barrister Zali Steggall snatched the seat 58 to 42 per cent on a two-party-preferred basis. The Warringah result was in stark contrast to the government's strong performance in NSW overall, where it managed to confine losses to just one other seat Gilmore, on the NSW south coast. Labor did not allow enough time to explain its election policy to voters, one of the party's few remaining Queensland federal MPs says. Queenslands former ALP state organiser Milton Dick who won 44 per cent of the primary vote and went against the statewide trend to significantly increase his margin in the western suburbs seat of Oxley on Saturday night said the big question was whether the policy range was too broad. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten, Chloe Shorten and ALP member for Oxley, Milton Dick. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen I do think our policy agenda was bold. I do think it was big, Mr Dick said. The question is, was it too big? Prime Minister Scott Morrison with wife Jenny and children Lily, left, and Abbey, as he claimed victory. Credit:AAP The surprise victory for Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Coalition has confounded opinion polls and confirmed Australians still trust the conservative side of politics to manage the economy. Mr Morrison has benefited from what he called a miracle and it is true that he has brought his party back from political death since the leadership turmoil last year when the Coalition was almost written off. He has won a place in the hearts of suburban Australians with his slogan if you have a go you get a go and his pledge for large tax cuts in the next few years. Those are major achievements but beyond that it remains unclear what his agenda will be, especially on the issue of climate change which is crucial to many Herald readers. Five men have died during a dreadful 24 hours on Queensland roads. Three were killed during the first half of Sunday and two more lives were lost in the second half of the day. Two men, aged 32 and 23, were killed in a hit-and-run at Windsor, in Brisbane's inner-north, about midnight on Sunday. "This is possibly the worst traffic accident I have seen in more than 30 years of policing," Inspector Daniel Bragg told reporters in the early hours of Sunday morning. A man has fallen into a bonfire in Queensland's Lockyer Valley overnight and has suffered burns to his hands, arms and back. Paramedics were called to a private residence at Churchable, about 60 kilometres north-east of Toowoomba, about 12.30am on Sunday. A man suffered burns to his hands, arms and back after falling into a bonfire. The man was treated by paramedics, including critical care paramedics on scene, before he was taken to Royal Brisbane Womens Hospital in a stable condition. But if he was humbled by his loss, it didnt show. And he did not lose in a whisper. It was a resounding holler of a result against him - Abbott picked up only 42 per cent of votes in his formerly safe, blue-ribbon electorate, compared to the 58 per cent won by his independent opponent Zali Steggall. Tony Abbott, former prime minister, master campaigner, conservative ideologue, monarchist, climate change sceptic, and self-described political "junk yard dog", had just been kicked out of the seat he held for 25 years. The former prime minister started by lauding the "extraordinary" and "stupendous" result of the overall Coalition victory. He treated his own dumping almost as a footnote. "Of course, it's disappointing for us here in Warringah, but what matters is what's best for the country," he told his supporters, who were extreme in their enthusiasm. One 20-something man was overheard lamenting they had lost "the captain of the conservatives". Abbott drew the ire of many in his party when he admitted that following the Wentworth byelection last October - a blue-ribbon seat lost to an independent campaigning on climate change - he knew it would be "tough" in Warringah. He said he had stayed on because he would rather be a "loser than a quitter", which was very possibly a dig at his nemesis Malcolm Turnbull, who was overseas no doubt toasting Abbotts demise with some fine liquor heavily laced with schadenfreude. The election has taken place in a charged atmosphere as Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party seeks a second term by pushing policies that some say have increased religious tensions and undermined multiculturalism. The campaigning has been marred by accusations and insults, as well as the unprecedented use of social media. An Indian displays indelible ink mark on his index finger after casting his vote on the outskirts of Varanasi, India. Credit:AP The first of the election's seven staggered phases was held on April 11. On Sunday, the final phase takes place, with voting for the remaining 60 seats in the 543-member lower house of Parliament. Voting has largely been peaceful but for sporadic violence in the eastern state of West Bengal , where Modi's BJP is trying to wrest seats from Trinamool Congress, a powerful regional party that is currently governing the state. In a drastic and unprecedented action, India's Election Commission cut off campaigning early in West Bengal on Thursday after days of clashes in the final stretch of the election. The election is seen as a referendum on Modi and the BJP. Modi promised big- ticket economic reforms, but with unemployment rising and farmers' distress aggravated by low crop prices, his party has adopted a nationalist pitch in trying to win votes from the country's majority Hindus. In a bid to appear as a strong leader on national security, Modi has used the disputed region of Kashmir to pivot away from his economic record, playing up the threat of archrival Pakistan, especially after the suicide bombing of a paramilitary convoy on Feb. 14 that killed 40 Indian soldiers. Opposition parties have consistently said that Modi and his party leaders are digressing from the main issues such as youth employment and farmers' suicides. The main opposition Congress party has dubbed him a "national disaster." New Delhi: Violent clashes broke out in India's eastern state of West Bengal on Sunday during the final phase of a staggered election that will decide whether Prime Minister Narendra Modi returns for a second term. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Rahul Gandhi, from the opposition Congress party. Credit:AP The police used batons to break up skirmishes between supporters of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the regional Trinamool Congress party in Kankinara, on the outskirts of state capital Kolkata. Several crude bombs were also exploded during the clashes, the police said. The populous state has seen sporadic violence between supporters of the BJP and the Trinamool Congress throughout the election, as Modi's party pushed hard to make inroads and offset likely losses elsewhere. West Bengal elects 42 lawmakers, the third-highest of all Indian states. Modi's ruling alliance was set to win a majority in the next parliament, two exit polls showed, after voting in the general election ended on Sunday. London: British Prime Minister Theresa May says she will make a "new, bold offer" to lawmakers in the coming weeks, when she will try once again to win a majority in Parliament for her Brexit deal. Writing in the Sunday Times newspaper, the Conservative prime minister expressed optimism that members of Parliament will back her deal to leave the European Union at the fourth time of asking. Prime Minster Theresa May remains optimistic about her role in Brexit despite repeated failures to reach a deal. Credit:AP "I still believe there is a majority in Parliament to be won for leaving with a deal," she wrote. The bill "will represent a new, bold offer to MPs across the House of Commons, with an improved package of measures that I believe can win new support," May wrote, promising the deal will honor the decision the British people took in the 2016 referendum to leave the EU. Chinese FM urges U.S. to avoid further damage of ties in phone call with Pompeo Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. [File photo: CGTN] BEIJING, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the United States not to go too far in its damaging moves against Chinese interests in a phone conversation Saturday with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Noting that the U.S. side has recently made remarks and taken actions that are harmful to Chinese interests in various fields, including cracking down on Chinese enterprises' normal operations through political measures, Wang said China strongly opposes such actions. "We urge the U.S. side not to go too far," Wang told Pompeo, adding that the United States should change its course as soon as possible so as to avoid further damage of bilateral ties. History and reality have shown that as two big countries, China and the United States will both benefit from cooperation and lose from conflicts, Wang said, adding that cooperation is the only right choice for the two countries. The two sides should follow the direction set by the two countries' heads of state, manage their differences on the basis of mutual respect, expand cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, and work together in pushing forward a China-U.S. relationship based on coordination, cooperation and stability, said the Chinese foreign minister. China has always been willing to resolve economic and trade differences through negotiations and consultations, which, however, should be conducted on the basis of equality, said Wang, adding that China, in any negotiations, must safeguard its legitimate interests, answer the calls of its people, and defend the basic norms of international relations. Wang stressed that China has stated its firm opposition to the U.S. recent negative words and acts related to Taiwan, and urged the United States to abide by the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, and handle Taiwan-related issues carefully and properly. The two sides also exchanged views on relevant international and regional issues. Pompeo briefed Wang on the U.S. views on the latest development of the Iranian issue. Wang emphasized that China, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is committed to the denuclearization, peace and stability of the Middle East. "We hope that all parties will exercise restraint and act with caution, so as to avoid escalating tensions," he said. Wang also reiterated the principled stand against the "long-arm jurisdiction" imposed by the United States. WASHINGTON The Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center announced May 9 it awarded United Launch Alliance a $149 million contract modification for a Delta IV Heavy launch of the National Reconnaissance Office mission NROL-68, the second of three missions awarded to ULA under the Launch Vehicle Production Services contract. Under the $449.8 million LVPS contract, ULA in October 2018 was awarded three NRO missions NROL-91, NROL-68, and NROL-70 projected to launch in fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024 respectively. The announcement drew some reaction on social media, mostly from space industry watchers who know that Delta IV Heavy launches in recent years have commanded a price tag of about $350 million. To observers, the $149 million price for one mission or $449.8 million for three Delta IV Heavy missions did not make any sense. For perspective, the Air Force in June awarded SpaceX a $130 million contract for a Falcon Heavy launch in 2020 of the Air Force Space Command-52 spacecraft (AFSPC-52). Related: Launch Photos: Spy Satellite NROL-71 Soars on Delta IV Heavy The explanation is that there is more to the story. The Air Force's $449.8 million contract for three Delta IV Heavy launches is one portion of what the government would actually pay to launch the NRO missions launches that are funded through multiple contracting vehicles. Although the Air Force says the cost of Delta 4 Heavy launches has come down, it certainly has not dropped by half. Documents obtained by SpaceNews shed some light on this. For starters, the $449.8 million contract is just for the production of three launch vehicles. This covers hardware and labor costs that are paid in advance to ULA because these are complex missions for which it takes four years to prepare. The NROL-91 contract in 2018 is for a 2022 launch, the NROL-68 award that was announced May 9 is for a 2023 launch. According to the contract justification documents, ULA "requires immediate contractual commitment to begin the production process and procure the necessary subsystems to support the production through launch timeline." The LSVP agreement is one of two contracting vehicles the Air Force is using to pay for the Delta 4 launches. The other is a Launch Operations Support contract to provide mission assurance and integration activities for the three Delta 4 launches. This is in addition to funds that already had been committed to ULA under an Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Phase 1 block buy negotiated in 2013 for 36 cores. The NRO also provides additional funds to ULA for long lead hardware procurement under the "NRO Integration Contract for EELV" to ensure launch capability. According to the documents, the NRO has a "critical requirement to launch the most important assets the United States intelligence community leverages in direct support of the warfigher." As a result, the NRO "must ensure on-time launches." Because these are NRO classified missions, the value of the anticipated contract for launch services and projected dates of awards were redacted from the justification documents. The full contract value for all three missions also was redacted. The documents were submitted to justify the sole-source contract to ULA, as the Delta 4 Heavy launch vehicle is the only rocket that currently meets the mission requirements for NRO assets, including unique handling at the launch site and mission-specific hardware. A sole source request for proposal was issued to ULA in March 2017 for the three NRO missions. Spokespersons for the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center and the NRO did not respond to questions from SpaceNews about this contract. According to an Air Force memo, the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center negotiated with ULA a savings of approximately $27.5 million per launch for the three Delta 4 Heavy missions. These are expected to be the final three Delta 4 Heavy launch vehicles that ULA produces. The prices for these three missions are approximately $27.5 million less per unit when compared to the cost per unit for Delta 4 Heavy launch vehicles under the EELV Phase 1 block buy. An industry source told SpaceNews that ULA has brought down the price of Delta 4 Heavy launches below $300 million, but could not provide a specific number. Because the NRO made a bulk purchase of three launches, the company reduced cost by negotiating better rates with suppliers, the source said, including the lowest price it's ever gotten for Aerojet Rocketdyne's RL-10 upper stage engines. WASHINGTON An incident involving a test of parachutes for one commercial crew vehicle has heightened awareness of the challenges involved in developing those systems, as well as determining what constitutes an anomaly. During a line of questions at May 8 hearing of the House space subcommittee, a top NASA official said that the parachute system developed for SpaceX's Crew Dragon spacecraft failed during a test in April at Delamar Dry Lake in Nevada. One of the four parachutes was set up not to open, but the other three failed to open fully, causing a test sled to hit the ground faster than intended and damaging it. "It failed," Bill Gerstenmaier, NASA associate administrator for human exploration and operations, said about the test when asked about it by Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) at the hearing. "The parachutes did not work as designed." He noted that the investigation into the incident was ongoing, including determining whether the failure was linked to a flaw in the parachute design or some aspect of the test setup itself. SpaceX, in a later statement, said it had performed five such "parachute-out" tests previously, all successfully. On May 10, Boeing tweeted a video of a recent parachute test for its own CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle. The video stated that Boeing had completed four of a planned five tests, "meeting all test objectives with parachutes that continually perform as expected." Check out this behind-the-scenes footage of #Starliners latest parachute test. Its part of our path to qualify the entire landing system to fly @NASA_Astronauts. pic.twitter.com/rO5a6XLiLuMay 10, 2019 See more The video didn't give additional details about this test, but Boeing spokesman Josh Barrett said the test took place Feb. 28 in New Mexico, dropping a Starliner test article from a high-altitude balloon. In that test, one of two drogue parachutes had an "intentional failure," while a previous test deliberately failed one of the three main parachutes. "The objectives of these tests are to demonstrate parachute system performance, loads, deployment sequence and timing and to collect data for model correlation, analysis and certification," he said. "We have successfully completed and met all test objectives for all parachute qualification and reliability tests conducted to date." Boeing's statement that all its parachute tests were successful seemed to be at odds with comments from others. Gerstenmaier, speaking with a couple reporters after the May 8 hearing, was asked if Boeing had also suffered anomalies in its parachute testing program. He said they had, but didn't discuss specific events. Parachutes have been a topic of discussion, and concern, at recent meetings of the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP). "Parachutes, for example, remain a critical item for both providers," said Sandra Magnus, a former astronaut and member of the panel, at its latest public meeting April 25. "Parachute design is difficult to understand technically, it's difficult to measure the effectiveness of the design and difficult to model." At an earlier ASAP meeting in October 2018, panel member Christopher Saindon also discussed parachute issues with Starliner in particular. "The system didn't function quite as expected, so there needs to be some analysis done on that," he said of a recent parachute test. He didn't elaborate on the specific issue, but said further tests were on hold until the "unexpected outcome" was identified. Barrett said the biggest anomaly he was aware of in the Starliner testing program was that, on the third test of the system, pyrotechnic initiators for the parachutes didn't fire properly. However, he said that issue didn't interfere with the test outcome, which was a success. In a May 10 statement to SpaceNews, Gerstenmaier noted that both companies had faced "obstacles" and "challenges" in development of parachutes, including test data "that informs how we move forward in the design of the parachutes and execute each test series." "Boeing and SpaceX are making tremendous progress for their respective parachute design and test campaigns," he said. "Although Boeing and SpaceX have faced obstacles, each company's testing is unique, and each has experienced different challenges and results during their test campaigns." Barrett said the Starliner parachutes are now qualified for the initial, uncrewed flight test of the spacecraft, known as the Orbital Flight Test and currently scheduled for August. One more qualification test is planned, and data from it, as well as the Orbital Flight Test and a separate pad abort test, will be used to certify the parachutes for the Crew Flight Test scheduled for late this year. Tonight, "Game of Thrones" fans will hopefully see all their questions about the epic fantasy series answered. But chances are high that the show's final episode won't tackle our most pressing question: Which would win, one of these fire-breathing dragons or one of SpaceX's Dragon capsules ? For anyone who has managed to avoid the television sensation, here's the deal with " Game of Thrones ," which has riveted fans for eight years now. The show is most known for the twists and turns of the epic plot, as well as the conniving misdeeds and violent deaths that no character can seem to manage to escape. No one has stolen the show quite like the trio of fire-breathing dragons, Drogon, Viserion and Rhaegal, who appear unexpectedly, after dragons had been lost from the world of Westeros for more than a century. Related: The 25 Greatest Spaceships of Science Fiction But how would the show's dragons fare beyond the fantastical world of Westeros, and how would they fare against today's dragons? SpaceX Dragon capsules currently ferry supplies to the astronauts living and working on the International Space Station and, if all goes according to plan, will soon carry humans as well. (The capsules made their first flight before the epic series, which is based on a fantasy series by George R. R. Martin, hit the small screen.) Let's start the showdown! Age and Origin Story: The three "Game of Thrones" dragons hatch at the end of the first season and are tended although not necessarily controlled by Daenerys Targaryen. But while the show lasts just eight years in the real world, it's difficult to tell how quickly time passes in Westeros as the show's drama unfolds. SpaceX began work on the Dragon capsule in 2004, with the first flight launching in 2010. No winner. Names: Daenerys named her hatchlings in honor of her husband and two brothers, all of whom are dead by the time the dragons are born. SpaceX founder Elon Musk named the spacecraft in response to skepticism about his goals, he wrote on Twitter last year : "[It w]as originally called Puff the Magic Dragon, as people said I was high if though it could work, so I named it after their insult." Winner: It's a matter of taste. What Keeps Them Running: The dragons of "Game of Thrones" are enthusiastically carnivorous, but once they get big enough, they hunt for themselves, which is awfully convenient if you have a busy schedule of trying to take over the world. SpaceX's Dragon capsules get most of their zoom from the Falcon 9 rockets they launch on, but they are also equipped with thrusters powered by chemical fuel, which helps them maneuver along their journeys. Winner: "Game of Thrones." Flexibility: Daenerys' trio can launch from essentially anywhere. Every Dragon capsule that has flown to date blasted off from one of two launchpads in Florida, each a massive infrastructure site. Winner: "Game of Thrones." Population size: So far, viewers have seen just three dragons on "Game of Thrones"; SpaceX has launched more than a dozen Dragon capsules. Winner: SpaceX. Related: Take a Walk Through SpaceX's Crew Dragon Spaceship Sound Effects: As our colleagues at Live Science have reported, the dragons of "Game of Thrones" make very terrestrial sounds which happen to be filched from a male giant tortoise mating, the sound designer's pet dog whistling and dragonfly wings rustling. SpaceX hasn't released much information about what it's like inside their capsules, but astronauts have generally said that being inside spacecraft sounds kind of like being inside a jet plane. Winner: "Game of Thrones." Personality: Daenerys is quite affectionate with her dragons, and Drogon seems to enjoy the occasional cuddle with her. On the other hand, the trio is responsible for countless deaths, and not all of those are on Daenerys' orders. SpaceX's capsules are much less problematic. Winner: SpaceX. Carrying Capacity: In "Game of Thrones," we have yet to see a dragon carrying cargo, but Daenerys regularly rides Drogon and once offered other humans a getaway ride. SpaceX has launched 16 cargo missions to the space station; the company has also been developing its Crew Dragon capsule , which is designed to carry astronauts to the space station. Winner: Until Crew Dragon proves itself, we're sticking with "Game of Thrones." How Much Damage They Can Take: The dragons can withstand some violence , but they have their limits. In Season 5, we see Drogon take a few spears and fly away, but in the final season, one of its siblings falls prey to a bolt from a ballista (a large crossbow). Spacecraft are more complicated they are carefully designed to withstand the harsh conditions of launch and re-entry, but plenty can go wrong and often does. (In 2017, Musk famously released a "blooper reel" of Falcon 9 rockets exploding; most recently, the company's first Crew Dragon capsule to fly to the space station was damaged when rockets designed to carry humans to safety in the case of an emergency misfired.) Winner: "Game of Thrones." Grasp on Reality: "Game of Thrones" is entirely fictional; Dragon capsules are real technology flying today. Winner: SpaceX. Sorry, folks, but the verdict is clear: The "Game of Thrones" dragons have SpaceX's Dragon capsules beat. Boujdour (Occupied Territories), May 19, 2019 (SPS) - The Moroccan forces on Friday resorted to violence against Sahrawi demonstrators and stormed others houses in the occupied city of Boujdour, in coincidence with the demonstrations commemoration of the declaration of the armed struggle. The Moroccan forces besieged a group of demonstrators before they intervened violently and broke into many houses, resulting in many casualties, most of them were women and some of them were seriously injured. The Moroccan forces besieged the houses of the victims, preventing the other citizens from visiting them. (SPS) 062/SPS/TRA SHaheed El-Hafeed, May 19, 2019 (SPS) -The Sahrawi people will celebrate Monday the 46th anniversary of the outbreak of the Sahrawi armed struggle, in a context marked by the numerous victories snatched by the Sahrawi people, who are still fighting for their right to self-determination. May 20, 1973 remains a historic event for the Sahrawis who had decided that day, under the leadership of the Polisario Front, the only and legitimate representative of the Sahrawi people, to take arms to wrest their independence from the colonization. On this historical day, a group of Sahrawi fighters decided to attack the Spanish post of El Khanga. This operation announced the outbreak of the armed struggle in Western Sahara. This people exist and will survive the betrayal of colonialism, the assaults of reactionary regimes and their manoeuvres," said late El Ouali Mustafa Sayed, first secretary general of the Polisario Front, who martyred on June 9, 1976. 062/SPS/APS SHELTONA Shelton police officer is credited with saving the lives of a Meadow Street couple whose house suffered extensive damage from an early morning fire Sunday. Shelton Police Officer Michael Kichar was on his way in to work about 6:55 a.m. when he observed smoke coming from a residence at 184 Meadow Street, which is less than a mile of police headquarters. Kichar called 911 and then was able to wake and alert the residents of the home and help them and the family dog escape before firefighters arrived. WATERSIDE Warm weather is coming and SoundWaters is offering free kayak or stand up paddle board rentals on Long Island Sound on Sunday. Single and double kayaks and paddle boards will be available for free one-hour rentals from noon to 6 p.m. The launch site is Boccuzzi Park at 200 Southfield Ave. (formerly known as Southfield Park) on Stamford Harbor. Kayak and paddle board rentals will be available all summer on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Labor Day. Book online in advance to avoid waiting. Single kayaks and paddleboards rent for $30 per hour. Double kayaks rent for $45 an hour. To book a kayak or board in advance, visit SoundWaters.org/rentals. HUBBARD HEIGHTS J.M. Wright Technical School will host its fourth annual car and motorcycle show at Scalzi Park, 120 Bridge St., on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The show serves as a fundraiser with all proceeds going to the Parent Faculty Organization, which offers scholarships, provides students assistance and supports teachers and various program within the school. Pre-registered vehicles cost $15; $20 at the door. General admission is $5; free from children under age 13. All cars, motorcycles and truck are welcome this year. Awards will be given in multiple categories. There will be a 50/50 raffle and drawing prizes. Sound City Music will provide the tines and there will be food options on site. Sarah Edwards, the former driver of Queen of Diamonds II jet dragster, is the guest of honor. She will be available for autographs and photo ops. For more information, visit jmwrighttechpfo.org, email info@jmwrighttechpfo.org or call 203-973-7456. The rain date is June 2. NORTH STAMFORD The Stamford Chorale will present Music for a Sunday Afternoon on Sunday at 4 p.m. at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 2810 Long Ridge Road. The concert will include the works of Brahms and Verdi, selections from the Great American Songbook and traditional spirituals. Eric Trudel is the director of the community chorus, which is celebrating its 70th year. Cihan Yucel is the pianist and Charles Widmer will be the tenor soloist. The nonprofit group receives funding from Stamfords Community Arts Partnership Program. Tickets are $20. A reception will follow the concert. For more information, email thestamfordchorale@gmail.com , call 203-359-0659 , or visit thestamfordchorale.org. COVE Fairfield County residents are expected be out in force in Stamford on Sunday, showing support for epilepsy awareness and the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut (EFCT) by participating in the Walk to End Epilepsy at the Cove Island Park. Registration for the walk begins at 9 a.m. and the event starts at 10. Registration is $35 and includes a t-shirt, lunch and a purple bandana for dogs. Note: dogs are welcome on-leash on the walk path at this family-friendly event. Registration is available at epilepsyct.com/walk or on-site at the event. Stamford Mayor David Martin will be there to kick off the walk and guest speakers include motivational speaker Beth Usher and Emma Borys, teen ambassador for the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut. Usher, a Connecticut resident who lives a full life despite having half her brain removed, was a longtime friend of Mister Rogers and credits his early support as one of the reasons for her choosing happy. Borys, from Westport and a teen ambassador for the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut, will speak about growing up through the school system with uncontrolled seizures and with the help of EFCT, family, friends, teachers and administration became the poised, confident mature student she is today. More than 60,000 children and adults in the state of Connecticut suffer from epilepsy and one out of 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime. For more information, call 860-346-1924. DOWNTOWN The Friends of The Ferguson Library will host a panel of thriller authors on Thursday. The featured authors are Lynne Constantine, co-author of The Last Time I Saw You, Wendy Walker, author of The Night Before, and Kate White, author of Such a Perfect Wife. Doors open at the Ernest A. DiMattia, Jr. building, corner of Bedford and Broad streets, at 6:30 p.m. for a wine and appetizer reception. The program begins at 7 p.m. Book sale and signing to follow. Register at fergusonlibrary.org. Sisters Lynne Constantine and Valerie Constantine collaborate under the pen name Liv Constantine. Separated by three states, the sisters plot via FaceTime and email. They attribute their ability to concoct dark story lines to the hours they spent listening to tales handed down by their Greek grandmother. They are the authors of The Last Mrs. Parrish. Walker is a former family law attorney in Fairfield County who began writing while at home raising her three sons. Her thrillers include All is Not Forgotten and Emma In The Night. White, the former editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan, is the author of The Secrets You Keep, The Wrong Man, Eyes on You, Hush, The Sixes and the Bailey Weggins mystery series. For more information, call 203-351-8275. WASHINGTON - After 37 days inside the Venezuelan Embassy, activists' time had run out Thursday. Federal law enforcement officers entered the embassy Thursday morning at the behest of Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido to remove and arrest the final four demonstrators who remained inside, ending a weekslong standoff between protesters on opposite sides of the South American country's ongoing political crisis. The Venezuelan Embassy in Washington's upscale Georgetown neighborhood has for weeks been the site of dueling protests between backers of embattled President Nicolas Maduro and supporters of Guaido, who has been recognized by the United States and about 50 other nations as the country's interim president. Carlos Vecchio, the Guaido-appointed ambassador who has been recognized by the U.S. government, tweeted that his diplomatic mission would take control of the embassy Thursday evening. "The usurpation has ended," Vecchio said in a statement issued in Spanish. "It has taken time and effort, but we have complied with the Venezuelan people. Infinite thanks to the Venezuelan diaspora for their sacrifice. Next liberation: Venezuela." Earlier this week, Vecchio had requested U.S. assistance in removing the activists living inside the embassy and gave federal law enforcement officers permission to enter the building, a representative for the State Department said. U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Harvey later issued a warrant for the demonstrators' arrests. But Carlos Ron, deputy foreign minister for the Maduro government, tweeted Thursday that U.S. officials entering the building "is an unlawful breach of the Vienna Convention," an international treaty that created a legal framework for diplomacy among countries. Four individuals, "including members of a group called Code Pink, individuals calling themselves the Embassy Protection Collective, and members of a group called the Popular Resistance," were arrested for interfering with the State Department's protective functions, the State Department said. Code Pink organizers identified the four arrested demonstrators as Kevin Zeese, Margaret Flowers, Adrienne Pine and David Paul. They are scheduled to appear in federal court Friday afternoon. The four had been among the occupation's most stalwart participants, organizers said. They had joined in the demonstration in early April and refused to leave the embassy even after an eviction notice was posted to the embassy door on Monday. At its peak, the Code Pink-led occupation of the building brought as many as 50 people into the building. "We are prepared to stay for as long as it takes," Zeese said in late April. Flowers added: "They'll have to carry me out." Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, co-founder of the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund, which has been providing legal assistance to the Code Pink activists, said "federal law enforcement officials broke into the embassy" on Thursday. "Instead of leaving the government of Venezuela up to the people of Venezuela, you now have the U.S. government deciding for the people of Venezuela who their leadership will be, and handing over an embassy compound to their designated representative," Verheyden-Hilliard said after Thursday's arrests. Federal law enforcement officers, including several in fatigues wearing tactical gear, entered the building about 9 a.m. Police entered the embassy through a back door and after more than an hour brought the activists out into a carport hidden from the view of protesters and media who eventually gathered on 29th Street NW. Dustin Sternbeck, the chief spokesman for District of Columbia police, said the department will be asking the federal government to reimburse costs for helping federal authorities at the embassy. That includes overtime and other expenses. Sternbeck said he did not yet have an estimate on the costs. For weeks, Guaido supporters have congregated outside the embassy to demand that demonstrators living there vacate the building. None of the occupiers was Venezuelan, according to organizers - a fact that riled members of the Venezuelan community in Washington. "This is first and foremost a strong rejection of Nicolas Maduro, and to see a group of Americans, an NGO, support him so strongly just got a visceral reaction from us," said pro-Guaido demonstrator Dilianna Bustillos. "We wanted to get out here and say what they were saying out the embassy window, our embassy's window, did not represent the wishes of the Venezuelan people." The ongoing and at times explosive confrontation between activists became a proxy struggle for control over the South American country's diplomatic mission. Protests inside and outside the embassy continued nonstop for nearly three weeks. But leftist demonstrators from groups, including Code Pink, began living inside long before counterdemonstrators began to protest outside. The four of demonstrators arrested Thursday had been living in the building since about April 10, Code Pink national co-director Ariel Gold said. The group had been invited by Maduro government officials to stay in the building and "protect it" from attempts to enter by U.S. forces or Guaido-appointees, Gold has said. Since April 30, anti-Maduro protesters have converged on the building en masse to protest Code Pink's presence inside. They set up camp with tents, canopies and food stations so they, too, could be at the embassy for 24 hours a day. Members of the group patrolled the building's entrances and exits, at times physically blocking Code Pink supporters' efforts to enter the building or deliver supplies like food and water to demonstrators inside. Each side has accused the other of violence and harassment. Police have arrested at least 10 people since May 1, many of whom were charged in connection with "throwing missiles" - in many cases, a reference to food items launched past police barricades and the raised hands of Guaido supporters. Last week, protest organizers said a utility shut off electricity to the building at the direction of Guaido-appointed diplomats recognized by the U.S. government as the rightful emissaries of Venezuela. On Monday, officials posted a notice demanding that the occupiers vacate the embassy. On Tuesday, police issued a warning to the activists via megaphone, saying those inside must leave "immediately" and that "any person who refuses . . . will be trespassing in violation of federal and District of Columbia laws." When she met Jamal Khashoggi, Hatice Cengiz was a Turkish PhD student with little exposure to the United States and no interest in becoming a political activist. Yet last week she found herself in Washington, meeting with senior officials of the Trump administration and testifying to Congress. After Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi government agents last October, Cengiz, who was his fiancee, had hoped to grieve privately and remain out of the limelight. Yet a terrible truth has slowly become clear to her: The U.S. democratic institutions that Khashoggi had often praised to her are failing to hold the Saudi regime accountable. "In the early days, President Trump said it would be solved," Cengiz told a House subcommittee on Thursday. "Ms. Pelosi said how unacceptable it was. Seven or eight months later, we see that nothing has been done." The Trump administration has imposed sanctions on 17 Saudis it says were involved in the murder, and Congress passed legislation - vetoed by Trump - that would have ended U.S. support for the Saudi military intervention in Yemen. But the administration has defied a legallybinding congressional request that it determine whether Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bore responsibility for the murder, and legislation that would punish the crown prince and his regime has stalled. Cengiz pointed out that basic questions about the murder have yet to be answered. "We still do not know why he was killed," she said of Khashoggi, a prominent journalist who contributed columns to The Post. "We don't know where his corpse is." Though Secretary of State Mike Pompeo claims that the administration is still investigating the case, it's obvious that Trump is determined to bury it. The problem with that policy is not just its moral depravity; it is also an invitation to Mohammed bin Salman and other despots to murder more journalists and other opponents. "If Jamal's murder passes with impunity, then me speaking here today puts me in danger," said Cengiz. "It places everyone who shares these universal values in danger." Congress still has an opportunity to act. Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has been working on legislation that he hopes could pass Congress and escape Trump's veto. To do so, it would omit direct sanctions on the crown prince and restrictions on U.S. arms sales. But if it conditions U.S. visas for the Saudi elite and their families on tangible reforms, including the release of political prisoners, it could prove useful. A bill in the House, sponsored by Rep. Tom Malinowski, D-N.J., would require the director of national intelligence to provide Congress with a list of individuals responsible for Khashoggi's death and deny them entry into the United States unless steps on human rights are taken. Nothing Congress can do can erase Cengiz's terrible loss. But it still has the chance to restore the hope that she and many others in the Middle East once had that the United States would not tolerate without consequence the murder and dismemberment of a critical journalist. A suspected knifeman has been arrested after he barricaded himself inside of a north London home he had allegedly broken into, police said. Specialist officers responded to a call in Holloway Road, Islington, at about 12.20pm on Sunday after receiving reports of an armed man. Scotland Yard said a male suspect had locked himself inside of the home in a dramatic stand-off. Images from the scene showed a large police presence while a man was led away by officers. Police in Holloway Road, Islington (NIGEL HOWARD A) / NIGEL HOWARD A A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said: Police were called to Cranworth House, Holloway Road, N7 at 12:23pm on Sunday following reports of a burglary and man armed with a knife. Officers attended and found a male suspect had barricaded himself inside a residential property he had broken into. Specialist officers attended and the man, aged 36, was arrested on suspicion of burglary and affray. A man was arrested at the scene (NIGEL HOWARD ) / NIGEL HOWARD There are no reported injuries. A teenager has been rushed to hospital after being stabbed in broad daylight, police said. Emergency services raced to St Oswalds Road, in Croydon, South London, at about 3.20pm on Sunday. A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police said a 19-year-old man had been stabbed and was taken to a south London hospital after. His condition has been described as critical, but stable. A cordon was set up after the violent attack and road closures were also put in place. Officers confirmed there had been no arrests, and enquiries continue. A Section 60 order was put in place for the whole of Croydon and Sutton following, meaning police have extra powers to stop and search any person or vehicle without need of reasonable suspicion. Sutton Councillor Ryan Stoneman tweeted: Really sad to hear about the gentleman who has been stabbed in Norbury. T he Prime Minister is preparing to make a bold offer in a final attempt to get MPs to get her Brexit deal through Parliament. The offer is going to get Theresa Mays deal over the line and deliver Brexit before the PM leaves office, according to a Government source. Minister will begin discussions on Monday on a package of measures to be included in the forthcoming Withdrawal Agreement Bill (WAB) aimed at securing cross-party support. The weekly meeting of the Cabinet on Tuesday will then consider plans for a series of "indicative votes" in the Commons to establish which proposals could command a majority in the House. The move follows the final collapse on Friday of cross-party talks with Labour aimed at finding an agreed way forward which would allow Britain to leave the EU with a deal. EPA The WAB - which is needed to ratify the deal with Brussels - is expected to include new measures on protecting workers' rights, an issue where agreement with Labour was said to have been close. However, Government sources made clear the package would not just be aimed at Labour MPs but would seek to secure the widest possible support across the Commons. It is expected to include provisions on future customs arrangements with the EU and on Northern Ireland, including the use of technology to avoid the need for border controls with the Republic. It will not, however, seek to re-open the Withdrawal Agreement - which included the controversial Northern Ireland "backstop" - after the EU repeatedly made clear it could not be re-negotiated. "The Government have been negotiating with Labour for an agreement to build the biggest level of support across Parliament for the Withdrawal Agreement Bill," a Government source said. "Labour have been clear that they have not ruled out supporting it if the overall package is acceptable. AFP/Getty Images "We intend to make a bold offer that will allow Parliament to back the Bill, get the deal over the line - and deliver Brexit." Mrs May has said she will bring the WAB before MPs for its second reading vote in the first week of June following the short Whitsun recess. Regardless of how the vote goes, she will then meet the chairman of the Tory backbench 1922 Committee, Sir Graham Brady, to agree a timetable to elect her successor as party leader, paving the way for her departure from No 10. The Prime Minister expected to set out details of her WAB proposals in a major speech before the end of the month. But after three previous attempts to get her deal through the Commons went down to hefty defeats, many Tory MPs are sceptical that her fourth will fare any better. Another defeat would almost certainly see a ratcheting up of demands for her to go immediately, amid intense frustration at her failure to deliver on the 2016 referendum result. Nigel Evans, the executive secretary of the 1922, said: "You can watch the movie Titanic a hundred times, but I'm afraid the ship sinks every time. MP Nigel Evans "An increasing number of Conservative MPs - even those who voted for it a second or third time - are saying enough is enough." Shadow Brexit secretary Sir Keir Starmer, who led Labour's negotiating team, was also doubtful that a fresh attempt would succeed. With Mrs May on her way out, he said that a key reason for the failure of the talks was the fear her successor could simply tear up any agreement they reached. "The Prime Minister said before we started the talks she would be going," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme. "It did mean that during the talks, almost literally as we were sitting in the room talking, cabinet members and wannabe Tory leaders were torpedoing the talks with remarks about not being willing to accept a customs union. Countdown to Brexit: 165 days until Britain leaves the EU "It put the Prime Minister in a position where she was too weak to deliver, in our opinion." Sir Keir was himself blamed by allies of the Prime Minister for scuppering the talks through his support for a second referendum The shadow Brexit secretary said that including a "confirmatory" public vote in the WAB could still end the parliamentary impasse. V eteran Labour MP Geoffrey Robinson has strongly denied claims he was a spy for communist Czechoslovakia during the Cold War, calling the accusations a complete fabrication. The 80-year-old, who served in Tony Blairs government, has denounced any claims and said the allegations were a lie. His comments come after The Mail on Sunday reported that, according to documents from the Czech archives, Mr Robinson passed information to the StB state security service for three years during the 1960s. The material was said to have included highly sensitive details relating to Britain's Polaris nuclear deterrent as well as Nato briefing notes. But in a strongly worded statement, a spokesman for the MP refuted the allegations. "The allegations, which are apparently based on documents put together by Czech authorities in the 1960s, are a complete fabrication," the spokesman said. "At no time did Mr Robinson ever pass confidential government documents or information to any foreign agent and he did not have access to such material." At the time of the alleged contacts, Mr Robinson was said to have been working in the research department at Labour Party headquarters at Transport House. He subsequently went on to work for the newly-formed Industrial Reorganisation Corporation (IRC), Prime Minister Harold Wilson's attempt to restructure British industry. According to the Mail, between 1966 and 1969 he held 51 meetings with a Czech handler, during the course of which he was said to have passed on 87 pieces of intelligence. He was said to have been given the codename Karko and the material he handed over was said to include information relating to plans to upgrade Polaris and the withdrawal of British troops from West Germany. Mr Robinson was said to have attracted the interest of the StB, in part because of the access they believed he had to Foreign Secretary George Brown and Defence Secretary Denis Healey. The spokesman for the MP said that the translation of the only document which he had been shown - a "partial" document dated February 19 1974 - did not support the claims. "It describes him as 'concurrently a Secretary to the Minister of Defence.. Mr Healey'. He was never a secretary to Mr Healey," the spokesman said. "At the end of the document, it states 'these moments were neither proven nor clarified' so even on its face this document is not proof that such activity took place." E ggs and bricks were thrown during clashes at a campaign event for Tommy Robinson. Projectiles were hurled as a counter protest met with supporters of Mr Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, in Oldham. Greater Manchester Police said those responsible, many of who are not thought to be from the town, should expect to be dealt with "robustly". A live video, posted on Facebook by a group calling itself the Muslim Defence League, showed a group of men standing and shouting at the other crowd across a police blockade. Some launched objects while others were heard shouting "racist scum". Chief Superintendent Neil Evans said: "Everyone has the right to free speech and we will always do our best to facilitate this so people can exercise this right in a safe environment. "This evening, people took advantage of this and turned to violence, throwing objects including eggs and bricks. "Whoever is responsible, this behaviour will not be tolerated by GMP, our partners or the people of Oldham. "Those involved can expect to be arrested and dealt with robustly." They said nobody was seriously hurt though vehicles were damaged in the altercation. Mr Robinson, who took to his media platforms to deny his supporters instigated violence, was due to make an appearance in Limeside as he campaigns for the European elections. Voting in the election, in which he is aiming to become an MEP, takes place on Thursday and counting starts on Sunday May 26. His campaign trail has sparked a backlash in areas he has visited and he has twice had milkshake thrown over him. Jim McMahon, Labour MP for Oldham West and Royton, tweeted about seeing the town used for "hate and division". The shadow local government minister wrote: "It's horrible to see our town being used for hate and division when our own future is a shared one, long after the circus has left town." P rince Harry and Meghan have shared beautiful 'behind the scenes photos' of their wedding day at St George's Chapel to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. The proud new parents Harry decided to mark their anniversary online by posting the shots on their millions of followers on their Instagram account 13 days after birth of their baby son Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. The couple, watched by a world audience of millions, exchanged vows at St Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle on May 19 2018 in a joyous public royal occasion. The couple also posted a special message thanking well-wishers for making big day even more meaningful on their Instagram @SussexRoyal, which has now has 8.1 followers. In an online post, accompanying the montage of 14 wedding snaps, the Palace wrote: "Happy one year anniversary to Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex! "Today marks the one year anniversary of the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. "Their Royal Highnesses exchanged vows at St Georges Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 19th, 2018. "The selected song This Little Light of Mine was chosen by the couple for their recessional. "We hope you enjoy reliving this moment, and seeing some behind the scenes photos from this special day. Meghan and Harry's first wedding anniversary 1 /8 Meghan and Harry's first wedding anniversary Meghan Markle and Prince Harry together on their wedding day in new behind-the-scenes pictures SussexRoyal Princes Harry and William prepare for the wedding ceremony SussexRoyal Meghan and her father-in-law Prince Charles on the big day SussexRoyal Meghan shares an intimate moment with her mother Doria Ragland before the wedding SussexRoyal Bride Meghan receives a bouquet of flowers SussexRoyal Meghan's stunning gown is also pictured in the new candid images SussexRoyal "Thank you for all of the love and support from so many of you around the world." The social media post is accompanied by the song This Little Light Of Mine which was chosen by the couple for their recessional on their wedding day. The pictures feature a series of black and white images by Chris Allerton, including one that appears to be Harry thumbing a lift and another where Meghan is holding hands with her mother Doria Ragland. The official Royal Family Twitter account posted a message to the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. Alongside a picture of the couple kissing on the steps of St George's Chapel, the tweet said: "Wishing The Duke and Duchess of Sussex a very happy wedding anniversary. "Today marks one year since Their Royal Highnesses exchanged vows at St George's Chapel in the grounds of Windsor Castle." Harry and Meghan have had a momentous 12 months since they wed on May 19 last year at St George's Chapel in a glittering ceremony attended by royalty, celebrities and the public. Archie's birth came less than a year after the royal wedding in the grounds of Windsor Castle, a wedding attended by A-list stars like Oprah Winfrey and George and Amal Clooney and the British monarchy led by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh. Meghan Markle with her father-in-law Prince Charles on the big day / @sussexroyal Harry, 34, and Meghan, 37, got engaged following a whirlwind 16-month romance after going on a blind date in London. A first wedding anniversary is traditionally celebrated with paper gifts - with couples sometimes exchanging presents featuring a paper ticket. Meghan receives a bouquet in on one of the candid wedding photos / @sussexroyal Meghan's mother Doria Ragland - now a grandmother for the first time - is thought to be staying with the couple and could perform babysitting duties if the duke and duchess choose to have a romantic dinner to mark their anniversary. Archie's birth was registered on Friday, revealing the couple had their baby at London's Portland Hospital, a private hospital favoured by celebrities wanting a money-no-object birthing experience. Groom Prince Harry and his brother William seen in their formal wedding attire before the service / @sussexroyal The baby, who is the seventh in line to the throne and an eighth great-grandchild for the Queen and Philip, arrived at 5.26am on May 6, weighing 7lb 3oz. He is believed to be the first mixed-race child born to a senior member of the royal family in centuries, and is a reflection of modern Britain with its culturally diverse population. The birth certificate also showed Meghan may have been born a commoner but is now a "Princess of the United Kingdom" as far as her occupation was concerned. When Harry announced to the world his wife had given birth to a boy he could not hide his happiness at becoming a father for the first time, to a baby he said was "absolutely to die for". O ne year has passed since Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were married in a fairytale wedding that captivated hundreds of millions of people around the globe. The royal couple became husband and wife in the historic surrounds of St Georges Chapel in Windsor Castle on May 19, 2018. The Queen, Prince Philip, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, Zara Tindall and a host of other royals were in attendance for the glittering ceremony. Windsor was bathed in sunshine as 100,000 people including celebrity guests such as David Beckham, Elton John and Oprah Winfrey gathered in the town to celebrate. In the gallery above, the Standard has compiled some of the more candid shots from the day that you may not have seen to mark the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's first wedding anniversary. Meghan and Harry lead the page boys and flower girls out of the chapel / Owen Humphreys/PA One of the images is an aerial shot of the newly titled Duke and Duchess of Sussex as they rode through the streets of Windsor in a horse-drawn carriage greeting thousands of well-wishers. Another shows the Duchess of Cambridge smiling and laughing in the car with Prince William and her eldest son Prince George as they left St Georges Chapel after the ceremony. Harry and Meghan: Their first year of marriage Pictures shot from above inside the chapel show Meghan and Harry gazing into each others eyes as they lead the procession of page boys and bridesmaids outside following the service. Three-year-old Princess Charlotte, who is known for charming the crowds, was photographed sticking her tongue out as she gazed out of the window of one of the wedding cars. Princess Charlotte sticks her tongue out for the cameras / Andrew Milligan/PA Meghan's youngest bridesmaid Zalie Warren, 2, turned and posed for a photographer as she arrived at Windsor Castle for her flower girl duties. Meghan's youngest bridesmaid Zalie Warren / PA Celebrity guest George Clooney was photographed laughing and joking with a uniformed police officer on his way into the chapel with his wife Amal. The Clooneys share a joke with a police officer / Toby Melville/WPA Pool/EPA And a picture of best man Prince William and Harry shows them laughing together as the brothers share a private joke while they wait for Meghan to arrive at Windsor Castle. William and Harry share a joke as they wait by the altar / Owen Humphreys/WPA Pool/AFP/Getty Images Some 2,640 members of the public were welcomed into the grounds of Windsor Castle to watch events unfold while thousands of well-wishers lined the streets for eagerly-anticipated occasion. Prince Harry and Prince William later took their place in St George's Chapel, sitting on chairs at the top of the altar as the groom looked visibly nervous beside his best man. On her entrance to the chapel, Meghan stunned a global audience in an elegant Givenchy dress designed by Brit Clare Waight Keller. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's royal wedding / REUTERS She walked herself up the steps to the chapel with help from her two pageboys before being greeted by Prince Charles who walked her down the aisle. As they met at the altar, Harry told his wife-to-be You look amazing, just gorgeous, and the couple beamed at one another in front of a 600-strong audience. The couple then shared a kiss on the steps of the chapel before being whisked away in a horse-drawn carriage for a procession in front of adoring fans. A former student who considered dropping out of university while waiting to speak to a mental health professional has said the wait for treatment "felt like an age." Figures released for Mental Health Awareness Week revealed students are waiting almost two months for on-campus support. The survey of more than 2,000 UK-based students by discount platform Student Beans found an average 52 day wait to get help, with a third of people cancelling appointments due to the wait. However, some are facing much longer delays, with former Kingston University student Calvin Prickett telling the Standard that he was first told he would have to wait nine months for an appointment. He said: I was told it could be a nine-month wait. "Blessedly it only turned out to be six months, but even that feels like an age when youre mentally unwell. "It felt like being caught in limbo. My grades, usually excellent, dramatically slipped. I spent weeks not leaving halls, staying inside, seeing no one, speaking to no one, progressively getting worse. When I finally was assigned a single therapist for continual sessions, I felt like I was given the support I required. It just took an age to get there, and for some people that wait can be fatal. A Kingston University spokesman said it provides "a range of support services for students who may be dealing with stress, anxiety or other mental health issues". It added: The Student Wellbeing Service offers appointments for students to discuss their individual situation confidentially with a counsellor or mental health advisor. "These include crisis appointments for those in urgent need of immediate mental health support as well as daily drop-in sessions." He said university counsellors can provide up to six weeks of short term therapy, with those requiring more long-term care being referred to the NHS. "Waiting times in such instances are dependent on the relevant NHS service," he added. The university also works directly with students who declare a mental health diagnosis as part of the application process or at any time during their degree to put in place support packages that run throughout their time at university to minimise the impact on their studies. Mr Prickett, 25, who left university in 2016, said he failed his first year due to mental health. He added: The only reason why I stayed on was that I was too ashamed to explain to my parents what had happened and why. I very nearly dropped out of my fourth year. Universities are cauldrons of stress, anxiety, deadlines, and self-imposed learning that are a genuinely awful experience for students with mental health issues. Until there are stronger support systems in place, with a much faster response time, theyre going to continue to see students dropping off of courses due to entirely preventable issues. Mr Prickett said that he found the on-site medical centre receptive and understanding, but said that it is the waiting list for professional help which made things problematic. The new research found that more than 83 per cent said they had struggled with their own mental health at university. Nearly half of people who said they struggled with mental health said they considered dropping out of university altogether. A spokeswoman for mental health charity Mind said that it is worrying to see that some students are waiting two months for on-campus support. We want to see universities working with students to ensure the right mental health support and services are in place so that students are getting the help they need, wherever they choose to go to university, she said. Its vital that anyone with a mental health problem can access the support they need as quickly as possible. The National Union of Students also acknowledged that students accessing professional support at university face massive variation in the quality and availability of support. They said: Whilst there is no quick fix, NUS believes that universities need to tackle the root causes of poor mental health. Weve advocated for additional support and training for all staff that have contact with students, in particular around mental health, and care must be culturally competent. Weve also argued for affordable, safe and supportive accommodation as a key change, whether privately managed or owned by institutions, including ensuring support within a purpose built student accommodation that can intercede to prevent a crisis." U kip candidate Carl Benjamin has had a milkshake hurled at him for the fourth time this week. Mr Benjamin had the milkshake thrown on him as he was campaigning for the European Elections. While in Salisbury on Sunday afternoon, the 29-year-old was targeted in the street after already having milkshakes thrown on him at previous rallies. An image of Mr Benjamin covered in the milkshake was posted on Twitter by a witness who wrote: Welcome to Salisbury. Far-right figure Tommy Robinson and Mr Benjamin have had food and drinks thrown at them on multiple occasions during their European election campaign. Former English Defence League leader Mr Robinson was drenched by milkshakes twice in two days as he campaigned in the north west of England. Tommy Robinson at a pro-Brexit rally / AFP/Getty Images The targeted drink throwing caused police in Scotland to warn McDonalds not to sell milkshakes or ice creams over fears someone would throw product at Nigel Farage as he delivered a speech in Edinburgh. The fast food restaurant said it received a request from police not to sell the products while the Brexit Party leader spoke at a rally because of recent events. A man who survived the 1999 Columbine school shooting and later became an advocate for fighting addiction has been found dead at his home in Colorado. The coroner said that 37-year-old Austin Eubanks had died overnight at his home in Steamboat Springs. There were no signs of foul play. An autopsy is planned to determine the cause of death. Mr Eubanks was shot in the hand and knee in the Columbine attack that killed 12 classmates and a teacher, including his best friend. He became addicted to drugs after taking prescription pain medication while recovering from his injuries. He later worked at an addiction treatment centre and travelled across the US telling his story. Mr Eubanks' family says in a statement that he "lost the battle with the very disease he fought so hard to help others face", KMGH-TV reported. A tourist bus was targeted in a blast near the Giza pyramids in Egypt on Sunday. At least 17 people have been injured near the new Egyptian museum, according to officials. Most of the injured were foreign tourists and some of these were from South Africa. There were at least 25 people on the bus. The Giza pyramids are a popular destination for tourists / Dario Morandotti/Unsplash Images shared on social media showed windows of a bus had been smashed and tourists fleeing the vehicle. Windows on the bus were smashed / REUTERS Some appeared to be injured and bloodied from the incident. The bus was carrying tourists (REUTERS/Ahmed Fahmy) / REUTERS A witness, Mohamed el-Mandouh, told Reuters he heard a "very loud explosion" while sitting in traffic close to the blast. Images also showed an ambulance at the scene and debris in the road next to a low wall with a hole in it. The Giza pyramid is one of the seven wonders of the world / Ricardo Gomez Angel/Unsplash Security forces cordoned off the site of the explosion and the wounded were taken to a nearby hospital. In a statement issued by the antiquities ministry, Atif Moftah, general supervisor of the Grand Egyptian Museum, said the explosion did not cause damage to the museum. There were a number of tourists injured (REUTERS/Ahmed Fahmy) / REUTERS The area is a popular tourist destination and the pyramid of Giza is the oldest of the seven wonders of the world. The pyramids are in Giza City, which is around eight miles away from the centre of Cairo. It is the second attack to target foreign tourists near the famed pyramids in less than six months. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the latest attack. I celands Eurovision performers could face disciplinary action from the events organisers after holding up Palestinian banners during the final in Israel. The hard rock group, named Hatari, held up the flags which read Palestine as results were called. The band from Reykjavik, who finished 10th, made peace sign gestures as they held the banners before security swiftly took them away. The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has said this "directly contradicts the contest rules. Hatari came 10th in the contest (REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun) / REUTERS It added that the consequences of this action will be discussed and rules do state acts can be disqualified for political statements. Hataris action was not the only political statement of the night, with main performer Madonna also referencing the conflict between Israel and Palestine in her performance from Tel Aviv. Two of her backing dancers displayed flags on the back of their outfits one an Israeli flag and the other Palestinian. Two dancers wore Israeli and Palestinian flags in Madonna's performance (Michael Campanella/Getty Images) / Getty Images They were then seen arm in arm walking from the front to the back of the stage before making their exit. The EBU said this was not planned and had not been part of dress rehearsals. In both instances the EBU reiterated its stance that it as a non-political event. This year's competition was more politically charged due to its location and there was a campaign by the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement that urged artists, fans and broadcasters to shun the event to protest against Israeli policies in the West Bank and Gaza. A stronauts could live inside caves on the moon left behind by lava, a Nasa scientist has claimed. Experts from the space agency discussed the possibility of lunar habitation as part of an "ask me anything" session on Reddit ahead of the next planned US moon mission in 2024. Dr Daniel Moriarty, a post-doctoral lunar scientist, suggested lava tubes on the moon's surface could provide shelter for astronauts. Lava tubes are long tunnel-like caves left by previous molten activity on the moon. It comes after Nasa announced its next mission to the moon will be called Artemis. Parts of the moon's surface could be used to help provide shelter to astronauts / Sadman Sakib/Unsplash Dr Moriarty said that Nasa will likely work around the moon's natural structure when preparing its surface for humans. I don't think we're going to be able to change anything about the surface of the moon much, Dr Moriarty wrote. Instead, I think it makes sense to work within some of the structures and resources that are already there. "For instance, it could be useful to establish a base near a permanently-shadowed polar region in order to take advantage of surface water that's there. US President Donald Trump accelerated the next lunar mission to 2024 / AFP/Getty Images Alternatively, it could be interesting to set up shop within a pre-existing lava tube, which could provide astronauts with some shielding from temperature variations and incoming solar radiation. Nasa boss Jim Bridenstine announced plans to have astronauts return to the moon within 10 years earlier this year. "We will go with innovative new technologies and systems to explore more locations across the surface than was ever thought possible," he 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. In March, US President Donald Trump accelerated the next lunar mission up by for years to 2024. The mission includes plans to visit the moon's south pole for the first time and send the first female astronaut to its surface. Nasa said it was confident of achieving these goals during the Reddit question and answer session. They said the agency was used to big challenges and new budget provision made it doable. Michael Steven Morgan, age 51, 2200 block of Oak Tree Lane, Amissville; two counts of distribution and sale for profit of schedule I and II controlled substance; driving under the influence of alcohol. Timmy E. Roach, age 42, 100 block of Belleview Avenue, Orange; contempt of court; eluding police--endangering persons or police car; driving with a suspended or revoked license. Michelle Lynn Shannon Woolfrey, age 30, 7000 block of Gold Dale Road, Locust Grove; driving with a suspended or revoked license; DWI: second offense within five years. May 12 Michael Dwayne Wharton Jr., age 20, 22000 block of Cedar Tree Lane, Rapidan; driving under the influence of alcohol. Brandi Anne Hart-Donaldson, age 37, 11000 block of Koman Circle, Manassas; issuing bad checks greater than or equal to $500. Kelly Dawn Weakley, age 42, 700 block of Arrington Mountain Highway, Haywood; probation violation on felony charge. Eric Tyrone Reynolds, age 25, 7000 block of Cross Creek Lane, Spotsylvania; two counts of probation violation on felony charge. May 13 Support Local Journalism Your subscription makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}} Yates cap reads, You can change the world, girl! I chose that quote because I was always told that Im doing way too much, that Im too involvedbut I didnt believe that was the case, Yates said. I figured by doing a little bit of everything, I could make small impacts and brighten someones day. CCHS Student Council Association President Maria Lemus decorated her cap with the words, Always stay humble and kind, tucked in the midst of painted sunflowers and lavender, butterflies and birds. All those things give people happiness and hope, and push me to keep trying, Lemus said. Lemus said shes been impressed by how diverse her class is, and how theyve excelled in so many different waysin sports, academics, theater and many other areas. So many, Im sure, will go on to do great things, Lemus said. They all really care and pull together to make a difference. Lemus said as part of her SCA duties, she was in charge of the fall Homecoming dance, but at the same time her family had planned an 18-day trip to visit family in Guatemala. The deadline is Monday, May 20 to register to vote or to update voter registration for participation in the June 11 Primary Election. Voters can register or update their registration information in person at their local voter registration office until 5 p.m. or online at vote.virginia.gov until 11:59 p.m. on Monday, according to the State Board of Elections. On June 11, the polls will be open 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Although Virginia does not require voters to list a party preference when registering, voters can only cast a ballot in one partys primary. Voters in Culpeper County will be asked at the poll which partys ballot they prefer. In the Democratic Party Primary in Culpeper, voters will select candidates in two separate races. Tristan Shields and Laura Galante are both vying for the party nomination for the 18th District House of Delegates seat. In the 17th District State Senate contest, Democrats Amy Laufer and Ben Hixon are seeking the party nomination. I live in an insulated world. I am not military, so my life goes on, yet there are these young people who are losing life and limb on my behalf so that my life can go on, said Mellick, a retired college associate professor. We need to do more for these people when they come home. Beginning in 2015, Mellick worked 14 months to create his Wounded Warrior Dogs Project, which has toured the country and won several prestigious awards. I was just driven to get these things done. Each one probably takes me 160 to 200 hours to create, said Mellick who lives with his wife, Marcia, and two dogs, Heidi, a Weimaraner, and Hillary, a WeimaranerLabrador mix, on his farm in Marysville, Ohio, where he created the sculptures. Mellick said he wanted his work to help wounded warriors. My original intent was to raise money, to raise awareness for wounded veterans, wherever these were showing, to try and engender giving for the wounded warriors causes, Mellick said. After looking around and exhibiting his work, Mellick said he found that raising money wasnt necessarily what was needed. According to Lawrence, the project got its start with a biochemist from The Ohio State University, Katrina Cornish, who made a presentation at a biochemistry conference. Cornish was studying the dandelions, but found that they would not grow well in the heavier soils typical of Ohio, Lawrence said, but that a lighter, sandier soil might work. Cornish is the Endowed Chair and Ohio Research Scholar, Bioemergent Materials, Department of Horticulture and Crop Science, Department of Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering. The suggestion that the Nebraska Panhandle might have suitable soils came from Donald Weeks, an emeritus professor of biochemistry at UNL. Weeks contacted Jack Whittier, Research and Extension Director for the Panhandle, who agreed to pursue the project with Lawrence as the lead for the agronomics section. In addition to the Nebraska Panhandle, agronomic research is also being conducted at Oregon State University and The Ohio State University, Lawrence said. BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) The North Dakota Grain Growers Association is withdrawing from the National Association of Wheat Growers, saying it can find better uses for its money. Considering North Dakota consistently paid some of the highest dues out of all the states represented by NAWG, we believe were no longer seeing an adequate return on investment and have decided not to renew our contract, Grain Growers President Jeff Mertz said. The state group has seen a decline in national group support for issues specifically affecting North Dakota, according to Mertz. Money that had been used for NAWG dues will now be used to fund efforts at the state level, he said. NAWG dues are based on the number of bushels sold in each state. The vote by the state groups board to sever ties with the national group was unanimous, The Bismarck Tribune reported. When the contract expires June 30, it will end a 42-year relationship. NAWG did everything possible to address the state groups concerns, President Ben Scholz said. OMAHA (AP) Nebraskas nearly $200 million decline in agricultural exports in 2017 was driven by President Donald Trumps threats to impose tariffs on U.S. trading partners, according to a new report. The state saw its total farm exports drop to $6.4 billion in 2017, which the Nebraska Farm Bureau attributes to decreases in soybean and corn exports. The bureaus report released Thursday shows that Nebraskas soybean exports declined by $130 million corn exports dropped by $140 million that year. Meanwhile, beef and pork exports both increased in 2017, largely because the products werent affected by Trumps trade talks, said Jay Rempe, the bureaus senior economist. Rempe said Trump began threatening tariffs in January 2017, which caused a decline in soybean and other commodity prices. China didnt respond with retaliatory tariffs until May 2018, after Trump imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum, he noted. The findings come as Trump imposed his latest tariff hike on $200 billion worth of Chinese goods Friday. Beijing vowed retaliatory measures and the escalating trade war put the stock market on track for its worst week of the year. CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) A fifth farmer has pleaded guilty to his role in an organic grain fraud scheme that involved at least $140 million in sales of grain. John Burton, of Clarksdale, Missouri, pleaded guilty Friday to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, as part of a plea agreement with federal prosecutors. Burton, 52, admitted that grain grown on his non-organic fields was marketed and sold as organic and that unapproved substances were used on fields certified as organic. Federal prosecutors are seeking to require that he forfeit $2.2 million that was traced to the scheme. Burtons plea comes months after one of his associates, 61-year-old Randy Constant of Chillicothe, Missouri, pleaded guilty to charges alleging he masterminded the scheme. Constant made many of the fraudulent sales through an Iowa grain brokerage that he owned. Three other Nebraska farmers have also pleaded guilty in the case. SCOTTSBLUFF With a calm wind and clear skies, 172 seniors graduated from Scottsbluff High School on Sunday. Seventy-six seniors received at least one scholarship to continue their education while many received multiple awards. This class has award-winning artists and excel in things out of school like motorcross and trapshooting, SHS Principal Mike Halley said. Of the students who graduated, seven scored 30 or better on their ACT exam. The class of 2019 includes multiple seniors who excel at the state and national level in a variety of areas from academics to sports. Thirty-six of those students received professional certifications before graduating. After seniors received their diplomas, the traveled down the receiving line of teachers for handshakes and hugs, for offers of gratitude and joy. Senior Ian Papenfus is headed to Chadron State College next semester and is looking forward to it. Its (high school) over and a chapter closed, but now is time to open a new one, Papenfus said. Turns out my ant farm wasnt the first. You cant go picnicking without having to contend with some amount of ants. It just wouldnt be a picnic without them. How did they know to make tunnels? How did they get equipped to carry burdens weighing 10 to 50 times their own weight? Thatd be like me carrying 5 tons!!! Really? That was a discovery! My farm was just a small cluster of maybe a hundred honey-hungry little red guys (or gals?) Scientists have described over 12,000 to 22,000 species of ants. Whewnow that's an ant farm. Speaking of weight, the total weight of ants on Earth is estimated to be close to that of humans. Not bad for a collection of little guys weighing one-millionth of the young man who built and showed off his first (and only) ant farm. Despite her size and royal title, the queen (some live 30 years) doesnt boss the workers around. Instead, workers decide which tasks to perform based on personal preferences, interactions with nest mates, and cues from the environment. The colony (another name for an ant farm) exhibits a division of labor where different individuals specialize on different jobs. Younger ants often work inside the nest, taking care of the queen and her brood. Older workers ( lifespan is a few weeks to as much as 3 years) are more likely to go outside to gather food or defend the nest against enemies. I really think that law enforcement in general is under attack in the national media, he said. Release of this particular footage, Wyatt said, is in poor taste, adding the reporter is hiding behind the First Amendment to air a disturbing video. This is to satisfy some peoples weird desire to see how a person died, he said. Ochsner says its a way to answer questions on the incident. Hes been n court five times requesting body cam video, illustrating his journalistic dedication to the concept. He said that people often write in and ask why the only time they see body cam video is when an officer does something wrong. In this case, he sees it as an opportunity to shed light on a tragic situation in which an officer did absolutely nothing wrong and gave his life defending his community, protecting his community. Wyatt said releasing the footage would not only be a disservice to Sheldon and his family but to the family of the man who killed the officer. The family of the suspect, Wyatt said, does not need to see their loved one committing the murder. Wyatt said he hopes the judge heeds the feelings of this community and does not allow the release of the footage. Did you know that Statesville had a song written about it? To be honest, I did not either until recently, which just shows that you never know what youll discover among the thousands of Iredell-related photographs and other memorabilia at Dr. Steve Hills Statesville Historical Museum on North Center Street. The title of his collection is somewhat misleading, as he has objects, photos, etc., from all over the county, although as he grew up in Statesville, our county seat was, understandably, his first interest. While visiting there recently, I spied a badly-wrinkled, though laminated, piece of piano sheet music, with lyrics, titled Statesville, One Step Booster Song by a Capt. C. M. Bower. The sheet music originally cost 25 cents Steve says he doesnt remember where he obtained it or what he paid for it. Besides being the composer and lyricist, the public-spirited Capt. Bower was also the publisher of the piece, his address being 212 Front Street in Statesville. The sheet music was printed by The Publishers Press of New York City; it was copyrighted in 1922, 97 years ago. 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"The threshold is to us a permanent problem, because in Romania only 6.3pct of the population is Hungarian, according to the statistical data. It is about an ethnic vote. We find that too many Hungarian do not vote the Romanian parties, nor the Romanians vote us either. It happened before, it still happens, but not with the hundreds of thousands, unfortunately for us. It would be good to have some votes cast by the Romanians too. It depends on the mobilisation. We are interested in a good mobilisation, to be as good as it is at the Romanians, and then it is no problem at all," Kelemen Hunor told a press conference.He added that the sociological researches on 1,000 persons are not quite exact, as maximum 70 Hungarian ethnics are included there.Eventually, Kelemen Hunor said the goal of the UDMR is to grab at least two mandates in the European Parliament. Apple CEO Tim Cook says his generation failed on climate change. "We spent too much time debating," Cook told Tulane University graduates during a commencement speech in New Orleans on Saturday. "We've been too focused on the fight and not focused enough on progress and you don't need to look far to find an example of that failure." During his 15-minute speech, Cook, 58, called on the students to do better for humanity and to ignore the political noise around the climate change issue in order to make a real difference. "This problem doesn't get any easier based on whose side wins or loses an election," he said, adding that people should stop and think about why some deny climate science. "It's about who has won life's lottery and has the luxury of ignoring this issue and who stands to lose everything." Indeed, Alabama dangled $700 million last year to win a joint Toyota-Mazda plant. Wisconsin offered Foxconn $4.8 billion to lure a giant electronics factory, although the company now seems likely to build something much smaller. Missouri has never played in such a pricey league, and the new economic development bill doesnt change that. In fact, Dixon says, it allocates no more money than the state was spending under existing programs. We think were being somewhat conservative and fiscally responsible with this program, he said. The bill extends a program created in 2010 to encourage a Ford expansion in Kansas City. The GM subsidies could start in 2023, after the old laws funding ends, at up to $10 million a year. GM hasnt said whether it will add jobs in Wentzville, but Dixon argues that keeping the current 3,500 jobs is critical. They have a major impact on our state economy and on the everyday lives of millions of Missourians, he said. GM contributes $2 billion a year to Missouris economy and supports 12,000 jobs at suppliers and other businesses, the state says. Even St. Joseph, one of the areas hardest hit by the opioid epidemic and where Schaaf lives, joined last year. For Nickelson, a pharmacist at Rogers Pharmacy in the city of about 76,000 people, the voluntary database means she no longer has to spend upward of 30 minutes on the phone tracking down whether a patient had prescriptions for drugs elsewhere. Its really helpful to us as it makes it so we can make sure that patients arent taking medications that interact and can increase risk for an overdose, she said. We just want to make sure our patients are safe, and we want to make sure medication thats not necessary doesnt get into the community. Since her citys voluntary PDMP has been in effect, she estimates she sees a handful fewer people each week who were doctor-shopping, a particular risk considering the pharmacy is less than 5 miles from the Kansas border. Missouri was a premier destination for pill-shopping, Page said, but thats changed. ST. LOUIS It passed by a wide margin with little debate or dissent. The moment offered barely a hint of the long, difficult effort to achieve simple fairness at city lunch counters. The occasion was the St. Louis Board of Aldermen's 20-4 vote on May 19, 1961, to ban racial discrimination at restaurants, diners, taverns, theaters and other places of public accommodation. Mayor Raymond R. Tucker praised the vote as a "significant step forward." If the four aldermen who voted against it spoke out, the City Hall reporters didn't consider the quotes worth using. But it had been too long in becoming ordinance. Seven years earlier, the board voted 17-10 to protect the notion that business owners could refuse service for reasons of race or creed. Since World War II, the city's small bloc of black aldermen had been proposing a public-accommodations bill so that blacks could sip coffee and eat hamburgers alongside whites. Every year but 1954, when it was voted down, the idea would "die in committee." JEFFERSON CITY Attorney General Eric Schmitt is closing an investigation into whether former Gov. Eric Greitens improperly used his office staff to work on his campaign's social media accounts. The Kansas City Star reported that Schmitt's announcement concludes what is believed to be the last investigation into alleged wrongdoing during Greitens' administration. Greitens resigned last spring amid allegations of sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations. Former Attorney General Josh Hawley, now a U.S. senator, began an investigation last year into whether taxpayer resources were illegally misused and whether Greitens and his staff violated Missouri's open records laws. Schmitt's office said Thursday that the issue is closed. New Gov. Mike Parson's office has signed agreements essentially promising that he and future governors will use best practices in using social media and email. JEFFERSON CITY JEFFERSON CITY Missouri voters will decide next year whether to impose term limits on all statewide elected officials following action Friday by the Legislature. Lawmakers gave final approval Friday to a proposed constitutional amendment to limit the lieutenant governor, secretary of state, auditor and attorney general to being elected to two four-year terms. That would match term limits already in place for the governor and state treasurer. State legislators already are limited to two four-year terms in the Senate and four two-year terms in the House. The amendment on executive-branch term limits will appear on the November 2020 ballot unless Gov. Mike Parson schedules an earlier vote. ST. LOUIS COUNTY Workers along the banks of the Mississippi River found the remains of an unidentified man Saturday just south of Bee Tree County Park. St. Louis County police were called to the 8200 block of Fine Road just south of the park at about 10:20 a.m. There were no outward signs of injury to the body, according to St. Louis County Police Sgt. Benjamin Granda. An autopsy has been conducted but police were still trying to determine the man's identity. The cause of death will not be determined until toxicology results are completed, which typically takes weeks. Police asked anyone with information to contact the St. Louis County Police Department at 636-529-8210. 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. Long-term care is a multibillion-dollar industry that has enabled some operators to become wealthy -- while exploiting their workers. Across the country, scores of caregiverssome of them on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a weekearn a pittance to tend to the elderly in residential houses refurbished as care facilities, according to an investigation by Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting. The growth of board-and-care homes in neighborhoods across the United States is tied to medical advances enabling aging Baby Boomers to live longer despite debilitating illnesses while requiring the help of caregivers. There were about 29,000 residential care communities in the United States in 2016, according to the most recent federal figures available. About two-thirds are smaller facilities with four to 25 residents. Some caregivers at these facilities often effectively earn $2 to $3.50 per hour. Some say they end up working much longer than they signed up for or because they dont know about minimum wage laws. Many report working from dawn to dusk, and at night they have to wake to change adult diapers, dispense painkillers and shift the bedridden every two hours to thwart bedsores. The search below looks at national wage investigations over the last decade. Search by one or multiple criteria, including employer name, state, repeat or willful violations, amount of back wages paid and number of violations. Click on the 'Details' link for more information about the case. Notes: Data looks at federal data where investigations ended in 2009 or later, and does not include pending cases. Data compiled by The Center for Investigative Reporting and the Associated press. The data does not include the exact date(s) when the wage theft occurred. The findings start date and findings end date represent the investigative period that was examined by the US Department of Labor. When I met Kevin a few years after his jump, I was there to report one of my first stories for CNN. The headline was simple: Man jumps from Golden Gate Bridge and survives. As I soon learned in my career as a journalist, though, the real stories -- the ones that leave a mark -- are usually more nuanced and take time to draw out. They require lots of patience, little talking, mostly listening. I could see the jagged edges that still filled Kevin's mind just like the titanium cages filled his spine. Within minutes, I knew that Kevin's deeper untold story wasn't just about survival, it was about empathy, concern and our basic human obligations to one another. That responsibility is central to Kevin's decision to take his life that day. He walked from his home to the bus stop, rode to the Golden Gate Bridge and then walked to the middle of it. What no one knew was that he had made a silent pact with himself: If anyone offered him a kind word or "friendly eyes" as he made his way to the bridge, he wouldn't jump. He just wanted to see one act of compassion in a city full of people to convince this obviously troubled 19-year-old kid that he should live. But on that day, no one rose to the occasion. Amash's comments on Saturday with regard to impeachment went further than even many members of House Democratic leadership. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said last Thursday that "every day gives grounds for impeachment," while at the same time arguing that she doesn't want to impeach, though she did not rule out the possibility. Amash -- a libertarian conservative elected during the Tea Party wave of 2010 -- was a founding member of the House Freedom Caucus, a key bloc of Republicans who worked to shift the GOP caucus to the right on many issues, but in the Trump era, he has found himself breaking with his conservative allies who have embraced the President. Amash said on Saturday that he made his conclusions "only after having read Mueller's redacted report carefully and completely, having read or watched pertinent statements and testimony, and having discussed this matter with my staff, who thoroughly reviewed materials and provided me with further analysis." Imagine setting up a meeting with your boss and summoning him to your office with no explanation or details. When he arrives perplexed, you inform him youd very much like him to give you a $5,000 raise. In return, you promise to spend $100,000 on a new fishing boat, and as an added bonus, you mention that youll refrain from hitting any of your co-workers in the face with a wrench. Do you think youd get the raise? Just a few short weeks ago, I found myself in a similarly bizarre position. Asked to attend a mysterious meeting in the governors office, I was quickly pitched on what was destined to consume much of the narrative in the following days: a $50 million tax credit and other workforce development measures aimed at appeasing General Motors, which was threatening to close its Wentzville plant if the company wasnt provided with an incentive package to stay. More meetings ensued with various parties. We were told that GM plans to invest $1 billion in expanding their manufacturing plant in Wentzville. No new jobs would be created. No public infrastructure would be expanded. The deal was pitched as a jobs retention package. Translated, that simply means they wouldnt lay off hundreds of workers if we did what they asked. Cutting off access so broadly is dangerous and comes with broader consequences that could revive the so-called religious exception from the 1950s and 60s, when people were allowed to discriminate if they didnt want to serve mixed-race couples. In Texas, the state legislature has weighed a bill that would allow any state-licensed professional, from doctors to plumbers and electricians, to deny service to individuals based on religion. The bills sponsors tout it as promoting religious freedom, but the clear purpose is to permit denial of service to LGBT Texans. Nearly 1,000 businesses have objected, saying the legislation would likely put Texas on a boycott target list. A top leader of VisitDallas, a promotional organization, said the negative impact on tourism alone would be around $100 million. Individuals, especially in rural areas, would be helpless if denied service because of a nurse or physicians personal objection. Alternative service providers arent always close by and often are scarce. Top letters: Reporting of UFOs is serious, Stenger's influence, Better Together and Trump Since the 1990s ancient espionage techniques have become obsolete and 21 st century spies have had to adapt. The old ways have largely been replaced with new methods that take advantage of the new tech; the Internet, cellphones and more powerful and numerous computers along with new software that can do pattern analysis and automatic analysis of photos or video. For spies, the most immediate impact of this was that it suddenly became much more difficult for spies to hide their identities and activities. These new tools were most disruptive in police states where it had long been easy to control mass media, communications and free movement. It has taken several decades but some police states developed and implemented ways to deal with the new tech. China is the best example of this and that was no accident. China had the money, the tech and the trained (and loyal) personnel to tame these new technologies and bend them to serve the state rather than enable people to live more freely. Cellphones and the Internet along with the widespread use of security cameras proved capable of creating a surveillance and monitoring system that made it much more difficult to use traditional spies. On the plus side, the World Wide Web has made OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) more valuable. OSINT means using information that is available to the public. Even during the Cold War, everyone found OSINT useful, if at times tedious to use. With the Internet available, much better OSINT can be collected much more quickly. China led the way by spending billions of dollars to wall off most of its citizens from those many aspects of the World Wide Web that enabled Chinese to find out what was actually happening worldwide and in their own country. China now sells this technology to other nations or provides it at a big discount for allies who want some modern police state tech to control their own populations. Dictators have found that they cannot just cut their country off from the Internet (as Cuba and North Korea did for a while) because of commercial and government need for Internet access. Moreover, the Internet has more ways to leak into a police state than can be blocked. Perhaps the most notable loss has been the use of "Illegals." These are spies who do not have diplomatic immunity (like the "legals" or spies posing as embassy personnel), and can be imprisoned, or even executed, if caught. For over a century, the worldwide acceptance of diplomatic immunity for embassy personnel was a bonanza for espionage. With this diplomatic immunity, you could have some spies in the most restrictive police states. But all that new tech has rendered the legals much less effective because they are easier to detect and monitor. It was much easier and efficient to steal secrets via the Internet or by tapping into enemy communications wirelessly. Illegals are costly and more vulnerable because of the surveillance state and better search tools that make life difficult for "legals" and "illegals.". Most countries used a lot of diplomatic personnel, without diplomatic immunity, as illegals and even this practice has been crippled by the new tech. But the most important illegals were those who were living in a foreign country pretending to be locals or migrants from some friendly nation. The Russians were very good at creating convincing "legends" (fake identities and backstories) for their illegals. During the Cold War, the Russians were so good that they were rumored to have special boarding schools where promising Russian children were sent to learn how to speak and act like an American (or German, or Briton or Brazilian or whatever). This was mostly fantasy, but there were schools that taught the customs of foreign nations, and language institutes where illegals could have their accent tweaked to eliminate all trace of its Russian origin. Russia would also recruit spies in third countries, and train them to be illegals in another nation, like the United States (where there were always a lot of migrants.) All these illegals were employees of the KGB (the Russian CIA/FBI), had KGB ranks, and, if they stayed alive and were successful, would eventually retire to a comfortable life on their KGB pension. Many did so, although dozens were caught and served long jail terms. A few were exchanged for U.S. spies in Russian jails. Some illegals switched sides and had to worry about KGB death squads until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. All those KGB schools and most of the world class KGB expertise disappeared with the Soviet Union after 1991. The ten illegals caught in the United States in 2010 were strictly amateurs, although they had some training and were employees of the FSB (the much smaller Russian successor to the KGB). But their language and cultural training were not up to KGB Cold War standards. Neither were their espionage skills. All ten were quickly detected and put under surveillance by the American FBI for years in the hope that they could learn as much as possible about how the FSB operated, before rounding the illegals up. This crew was arrested when one of them apparently began suspecting that they were being watched and reported this back to Russia. The FBI was indeed watching and managed to arrest ten of the eleven Russian illegals they were monitoring. The eleventh spy may have been a double agent, as the Russians said little about him. The rest returned to Russia and were declared heroes. The FBI, obviously, did not release a lot of details, because there are likely other Russian illegals being watched or sought. Some of these have not been confirmed as illegals or may have been called back to Russia. Details on that sort of thing will be revealed in the future. Needless to say, all this espionage continues, much as it did when the Soviet Union collapsed. During the 1990s, a lot of suddenly (or potentially) unemployed KGB personnel (including legals, and officials back in Russia), offered to sell information to the CIA and FBI. Many of these deals were consummated, and Russia's formidable Cold War espionage network suffered a lot of damage in the 1990s. Since 2000 Russia has been rebuilding, but it won't be the same. Now that we know how extensive the KGB espionage network was (due to all those 1990s turncoats), it's unlikely anyone else will have the resources, or ignorance in the West, to pull it off. Some of the damage Russian espionage suffered in the 1990s was kept secret for a while so it could be fully exploited. One example we know of was revealed in 2014 when Britain gave the public access to most of the secret KGB files obtained in 1992 when Britain smuggled Vasili Mitrokhin, a senior KGB official in charge of the KGB archives, out of Russia along with thousands of KGB documents Mitrokhin had copied and hidden for over a decade. Mitrokhin had offered the files to the U.S. first but was turned away. Then he tried the British, who immediately recognized the opportunity and not only got Mitrokhin out of Russia along with his files, but set him up in comfortable, and anonymous, retirement in Britain until he passed away in 2004 at age 81. The Mitrokhin files were a goldmine of information and a disaster for Russian intelligence. This apparently contributed to the current extreme anti-Western hostility shown by senior Russian officials who used to be KGB officers. This includes Vladimir Putin, who has run Russia since 1999 and brought a lot of his former KGB cronies into the government. The Mitrokhin files and the presence of Mitrokhin in Britain were kept secret for over a decade so that the data in those files could be exploited. In addition to lists of most KGB Cold War operations (including many Western intel agencies were not even aware of) there were also the names of over a thousand active and sleepers (agents that often spend most of their time doing nothing, until activated from time-to-time for some simple, but essential, mission) agents operating in the West and the East European nations that were once referred to (until 1989) as Russian satellites. Before the 1990s were over the Russians figured out what had happened and they were not happy about it. Mitrokhin had spent his career in the KGB archives and eventually became the guy in charge. For an espionage agency, having a leak in the archives is the worst possible nightmare. Mitrokhin had become disenchanted with the Soviet Union in the late 1970s and risked his life for over a decade sneaking out archive documents, copying them by hand and then returning the originals. But he never dared offer them to a foreign government because a man in his position was well guarded and constantly watched. No one ever caught on to the document duplication and to Mitrokhin that in itself was a major achievement. Then the Soviet Union suddenly ceased to exist in 1991. People like Mitrokhin, with access to secret opinion surveys and more accurate data on economic performance and how inept the national leadership had become, saw this coming. Mitrokhin also noticed how morale and performance collapsed after the Soviet Union was gone, and that gave him the opportunity and confidence to make a break for it. His disappearance was not unusual because a lot of KGB officers had been disenchanted with their communist government but did nothing about it until the Soviet Union collapsed. Many left Russia to find their fortune elsewhere. Some were selling KGB secrets and many of these were later hunted down and killed. Others stayed and were running the new Russia by the late 1990s. The KGB had always recruited the best and the brightest and rewarded them well for performance and loyalty. Traitors were executed but these were few because those who applied to join the KGB knew what they were getting into and were content to have interesting work and lots of fringe benefits. This included immunity from arrest except by other KGB officers. In addition to the names of agents and descriptions of operations, the Mitrokhin files also contained lists of secret weapons, explosives and equipment caches hidden in the West. These were to be used by sleepers in emergencies or in the event of war with the Soviet Union. Many of these caches were quietly visited and cleaned out. In some cases the stuff was already gone, indicating that some sleepers saw the end of the Cold War as an emergency and considered the caches they knew about as a form of severance pay. The Mitrokhin files also contained interesting details on the personalities and effectiveness of the foreign agents. This required some existing histories of known Russian spies to be revised. In the West, the roundup of former Soviet spies and sleeper agents quietly began in the early 1990s. Initially, this was done using a convincing legend (reasonable explanations of how the spies were identified without help from the KGB archives) for each arrest. If the Russians had figured out the extent of the Mitrokhin files, or that they even existed, the word would have reached all this Soviet era spies and most would have fled back to Russia or gone dark (cut off communication with the new Russian spy agencies) to assume new identities and backgrounds, then tried to disappear in the West (where life was better). China had observed the collapse of the traditional espionage techniques in the 1990s and the impact of cellphones and the Internet on information, censorship and espionage. The Chinese were quick to exploit the new tech and new opportunities. Worst of all, the generally complacent West, where all this new tech came from, was slow to catch on and is now furiously playing catch up and trying to assess the extent of the damage already done. Russia has not got the resources in manpower, tech and money that China has and can only watch with envy as China takes the place of Russia as the greatest practitioner of espionage. TICKERS: SM Source: Streetwise Reports (5/19/19) The energy company's expectations for the year are addressed in a Raymond James report. In a May 16 research note, analyst John Freeman reported that Raymond James reiterated its Outperform rating on SM Energy Co. (SM:NYSE) after updating its model on the company to incorporate its latest update and management's comments. Freeman highlighted that SM Energy anticipates and remains committed to generating free cash flow in Q2/19. "Overall, our model puts SM in slightly positive free cash flow territory in the back half of 2019, but 2020 should be the real turning point for the company," he added. "Likewise, the balance sheet remains at about 3x leverage through 2019 before meaningfully improving in 2020." About 14 of SM's wells in the Eagle Ford are slated to come online in Q2/19 versus two that started production in Q1/10. As such, Freeman noted, Raymond James estimated SM Energy will attain an approximate 13% growth in 2019 over that of last year with a capex of $1.07 billion, weighted to H1/19. Similarly, SM's budget guidance for the year remains at $11.07 billion. As for pricing in Q2/19, SM Energy expects it to be weaker in Q2/19 and Q3/19 for crude oil and natural gas due to constrained pipeline capacity for both causing Permian price differentials to expand, Freeman pointed out. However, "hedges on 6065% of oil and 7075% of Permian gas should alleviate some of the regional pricing burden." Raymond James has a $26 per share target price on SM Energy, whose current share price is around $15.10. [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. [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. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security. 3) Comments and opinions expressed are those of the specific experts and not of Streetwise Reports or its officers. 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 Raymond James, SM Energy Company, May 16, 2019 ANALYST INFORMATION Analysts Holdings and Compensation: Equity analysts and their staffs at Raymond James are compensated based on a salary and bonus system. Several factors enter into the bonus determination, including quality and performance of research product, the analyst's success in rating stocks versus an industry index, and support effectiveness to trading and the retail and institutional sales forces. Other factors may include but are not limited to: overall ratings from internal (other than investment banking) or external parties and the general productivity and revenue generated in covered stocks. The analyst John Freeman, primarily responsible for the preparation of this research report, attests to the following: (1) that the views and opinions rendered in this research report reflect his or her personal views about the subject companies or issuers and (2) that no part of the research analysts compensation was, is, or will be directly or indirectly related to the specific recommendations or views in this research report. In addition, said analyst(s) has not received compensation from any subject company in the last 12 months. RAYMOND JAMES RELATIONSHIP DISCLOSURES Certain affiliates of the RJ Group expect to receive or intend to seek compensation for investment banking services from all companies under research coverage within the next three months. Raymond James & Associates, Inc. makes a market in the shares of SM Energy Company. Raymond James & Associates received non-investment banking securities-related compensation from SM Energy Company within the past 12 months. Additional Risk and Disclosure information, as well as more information on the Raymond James rating system and suitability categories, is available here. New Zealand will join Chile and Singapore in talks to establish new trade rules and best practice for the digital era. The future of international trade is digital. Our three countries have a strong record of working together on the rules and best practice for international trade policy, says Trade and Export Growth Minister David Parker. David Parker, together with Chiles Minister of Foreign Affairs Roberto Ampuero and Singapores Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing, announced the start of the negotiations on the side lines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade in Vina del Mar, Chile. The three nations were architects of the P4 Agreement, which was the foundation for CPTPP, and are strong supporters of open markets and inclusive trade, David says. The unprecedented growth of digital trade has led to a lag in the development of relevant international trade rules and norms. These talks are an opportunity for New Zealand to help shape the international rules in this area to ensure they make it easier for our businesses and consumers to take advantage of digital trade opportunities, while protecting public and private interests. We will ensure that issues of importance to New Zealanders such as personal privacy, consumer protection, data management, transparency and openness are appropriately protected. To a trade-dependent country distant from key markets, digital trade can help businesses, particularly small and medium sized enterprises, overcome the challenges of scale and distance. Digital technologies can also potentially support the increased participation in trade by women, Maori and rural communities, helping spread the benefits of trade across our communities and regions a key aim of our Trade for All policy. The CPTPP already has modern e-commerce rules, which underlines the importance of that agreement, but as digital trade continues to grow and change, new barriers arise and new international approaches are required, says David. The negotiation with Chile and Singapore on a new digital trade agreement will also complement and support the ongoing WTO negotiations on e-commerce, as well as digital economy work streams within APEC and the OECD. In light of the recent terrorist attack in Christchurch, and the Governments strong concern about the role of internet technologies in enabling and promoting violent extremism, New Zealand will also be looking to explore with Singapore and Chile how the agreement might address digital economy issues relating to a safe, secure and free internet, including the issue of eliminating terrorist and violent extremist content online without compromising human rights and fundamental freedoms so important for the fourth estate. Champion Tauranga budgie breeder Warren Kilmister is elated that his cobalt blue and green big boys won some of the hotly contested sections of the recent Tauranga Bird Show. A budgie breeder since 1958, he joined the Tauranga club in 1979 and started showing his birds. Hes been breeding his birds to such a high level that he won best young budgie in the show, says Tauranga Bird Club president Sheryl Baron. The three champion birds As well as winning Best Champion Current Year, Warren also won Best Champion Pied Variety and Best Champion Dark Factor Current Year. Back home in the aviary, which has many of Warrens medals hanging overhead, the winning current year bird is perched in a cage; fluffy, green and puffing out his chest. To win, they must look bold and show themselves off. The current year bird means theyre about a year old, says Warren. This is one of the most valued prizes to win because it means youve got the best birds coming on for the future. Warren became a champion exhibitor in 1980 and has exhibited budgies continuously since then. A lot of things come in to it. The main thing is the type and style of the bird. Warrens budgerigars have a unique lineage. Their pedigree goes back to 1994 when a group of people in the budgerigar society brought in some new birds, blood stock from England. He breeds between 50-70 birds every year, with stud records going back to 1980. Its pretty involved actually. People dont realise the amount of time it takes. He has also developed his own feed mix for the birds. Every second day they get a soft food mixture which Ive had analysed at 28 per cent protein. The annual Tauranga Bird Show held in May was a huge success, with people queuing at the door before the show opened. Exhibitors came from far and wide, says Sheryl. From Gisborne, Stratford, Hastings and Whangarei. On show were about 650 birds - canaries, budgies, finches, cockatiels and cockatoos. One of New Zealands best breeders was here and was very impressed. He came up to me and said it was a very well-run show, and everyone was so friendly. Connecting Northport to rail and enabling it to service Auckland bound freight can make a major contribution to the development of the region, said Associate Transport Minister Shane Jones when releasing the business case on Northland rail today. The Northland Rail business case, together with the recently released interim report from the Upper North Island Supply Chain Strategy, present a bold vision for investment in how freight moves around the upper North Island, says Shane. The business case shows how Northland could play a role in transforming New Zealands golden triangle Auckland/Hamilton/Tauranga - into a golden diamond if Northland is once again a fully functioning part of the national rail network. At the moment only 1.4% of Northlands freight moves by rail compared with 7% nationally. This is the result of many years of what both the business case and the supply chain study call managed decline, including the failures to connect Northport to the main Northland rail line and upgrade tunnels to accommodate modern containers. Because of these failures, Northland products are often trucked to Auckland then packed into containers which then move by rail to the Port of Tauranga for export. The business case addresses these two problems, beginning with connecting Northport to the rail network. The business case estimates that a modern and reliable rail network in Northland has the potential to move around 2 million tonnes of freight, taking a lot of trucks off the roads and reducing congestion in Auckland. The business case makes a number of recommendations, including seeking more information on freight demand and further engagement with iwi. The most immediately relevant to me as a Minister are their recommendations that: The land acquisition for the rail corridor to Northport be completed and the design for the link to the port be developed in detail, and Ministers seek detailed advice from officials and Kiwirail on how investment in rail could be staged over a four to six year period to facilitate early access to services and to generate revenue from the investment as soon as possible. MetroPort. Photo: KiwiRail KiwiRail applauds recognition in the Northland Rail Business Case, released today, of the strategic value of a viable rail network for the region. "We are pleased that this business case recognises rail's critical role supporting regional economic development and potential to grow Northland's export GDP," says KiwiRail Group Chief Executive Greg Miller. You only need look to the Waikato and the Bay of Plenty where the development of key export industries in the 1950s to 70s - dairy, forestry and horticulture - were matched by Government investment in rail with the Te Rapa yard, Kinleith and Murupara branch lines and the Kaimai tunnel. "Those projects ensured strong connections to Tauranga's port and the rest is history, says Greg. "With those same industries now developing in Northland, the region will need a modern rail network to make sure supply chains are in place. "Northport is, other than Nelson, the only key port that does not have a rail connection and as a result Northland's railway lines are underused. "The newest parts of the North Auckland rail line are almost 100 years old, and the oldest parts up to 140 years old. Without investment, the line will likely need to close within the next three to five years, because of the state of its infrastructure. That would mean even more heavy vehicles on the region's roads, says Greg. "Rail is a driver of economic development and jobs through our freight network, tourism services and the passenger services we enable. "We also deliver the wider benefits rail brings to regions such as taking trucks off the road, reducing road maintenance costs, improving road safety and producing fewer carbon emissions. "We have supported the business case with work to better understand what is needed to bring the existing lines up to a modern standard and advancing design of a rail connection to Northport, says Greg. This business case will play a major role in government decision-making about major investments in Northland rail after the final report from the Upper North Island Supply Chain Study is completed in September, says Shane Jones. On behalf of the National Party I send my heartfelt congratulations across the Tasman to Prime Minister Scott Morrison after his election victory last night, National Party Leader Simon Bridges says. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has claimed victory in a stunning political "miracle" that has devastated the Labor Party, forced Bill Shorten to step down as its leader and reshaped the country's politics. Prime Minister Morrison and the Liberal Party have shown that great campaigns, policies and people matter," says Simon. This is a great victory for quiet Australians, they have been rewarded for their faith and positivity. Australia is our closest friend and our countries coordinate on trade, economic matters and defence and security. We have a close bond with many historical, cultural and sporting connections. Whether it be ANZAC Day or the Bledisloe Cup. When I met Scott and his wife Jen, I was struck by how familiar they were with New Zealand, and knew they were strong friends of ours. My best wishes to Prime Minister Morrison and the Australian Government, I look forward to the continued growth of our countries relationship and am excited to work with you in the future. The final result of the election may not be known for some hours, but with more than 70 per cent of votes counted the Coalition has won, or is ahead in, 74 seats in its quest for a 76-seat majority, with Labor on just 66 seats. At the last election, 95% of Australians voted. Voting in Australia is compulsory, and anyone aged over 18 faces a A$20 fine for not voting. Other parties in the election included the Greens, One Nation and the United Australia Party, as well as independents. The Type 64 was an endurance racing car built from 1939-1940 by Ferdinand Porsche for a 1500-kilometre race between Berlin and Rome. Only three were ever created, one of which has survived to this day, and it is this car that is set to be sold at the prestigious auction.mo The car was based on the KdF Wagen a precursor to the Porsche-designed Volkswagen Beetle and was fitted with streamlined aluminium body panels and lightweight components to aid its performance in endurance races. This particular Type 64 was the only one that survived the war and was retained by the Porsche family to be used as a household car. It was later restored by Pininfarina founder Battista Farina before being sold to Austrian racer Otto Mathe in 1948, who held onto it until his death in 1995. The car is still in its original state, along with its original four-cylinder engine, and even comes with some of its original tools and spare parts that are included in the sale. RM Sothebys claims it to be the most significant surviving piece of Porsche engineering and design history and expects it to fetch somewhere close to $20 million. Monterey Car Week will take place from 9-18 August. This feature is coordinated by The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com and InterFaith Works of CNY. Follow this theme and author posted Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. The last time I wrote columns for CNY Inspirations was shortly after the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh was attacked by hate. Shortly thereafter, I was one of 7,500 participants from across the globe attending the Parliament of the Worlds Religions in Toronto, Canada. We prayed and held sacred space for those attending Sabbath services at the synagogue, their loved ones and the entire Jewish community. Six months later on April 27, another synagogue was attacked. Congregants at the Altman Family Chabad of Poway near San Diego were celebrating the last day of Passover when hate came to visit again. A different synagogue; more loss, more injured. It also happened at two mosques in New Zealand. Its happening in our schools, most recently in Colorado. More hate, more lives lost and injured; physically and mentally. Why is this continuing to happen? I believe each occurrence is giving us a golden opportunity to practice the Golden Rule; which as stated in the Christian Bibles New Testament (Matthew 7:12), In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets. In the Torahs Leviticus 19:17, it states Dont take vengeance on or bear a grudge against any of your people; rather, love your neighbor as yourself; I am Adonai. Every religion has some form of the Golden Rule. When these horrible things occur, they give each of us an opportunity to love. We achieve this in our thinking and in our hearts. We open up to the awareness that everyone and everything is created in the image of God (in whatever name we choose to call God). The challenges are ours; one by one; group by group until we all practice being and experiencing love. Where love exists, there is no room for hate. The Rev. Edith A. Washington-Woods is a pastor ordained by Unity Worldwide Ministries. She served six years as Senior Minister at Unity of Syracuse and on the InterFaith Works Round Table of Faith Leaders. CENTRAL NEW YORK -- A tornado warning is in effect for Oneida, Madison and Onondaga counties, according to the National Weather Service. The warning is in effect until 4:45 p.m. At 4:12 p.m., a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was detected over the New York State fairgrounds, according to the weather service. The storm was moving east at 45 mph. The storm was expected to hit Liverpool and Galeville at 4:15 p.m., Syracuse around 4:20 p.m., Kirkville around 4:30 p.m., Sullivan and Bridgeport around 4:35 p.m., Chittenango around 4:40 p.m. and Canastota around 4:45 p.m. As the storm swept through Onondaga County, several people called 911 to report trees and wires that had fallen onto roads, homes and power lines. One homeowner reported water coming through his windows; another reported knee-high water in his basement. A Van Buren man told dispatchers he ran to his basement after a tree fell on his roof, causing the roof to partially collapse. The public is advised to move to a basement or interior room, avoid the outdoors or find shelter. TAKE COVER NOW! National Weather Service meteorologists wrote in the tornado warning. Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris." SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- Traffic heading to the New York State fairgrounds for the Le Moyne College commencement has choked up I-690 westbound and other nearby streets. Commencement for Le Moyne graduates is being held for the first time at the fairgrounds. The event begins at 10 a.m. Traffic has clogged I-690 westbound and westbound State Fair Boulevard at Bridge Street. Police are being dispatched to the area to try to manage the traffic, according to scanner reports. Westbound State Fair Boulevard at Bridge Street is also backed up. Syracuse.com will be updated if there are any changes. To the Editor: Commencement season is now in full swing and many in Central New York are to thank for the success of our students. At SUNY Upstate Medical University, which led off the Commencement season with its ceremony May 5, 478 students walked across the stage at SRC Arena. The graduating class included newly minted physicians, physical therapists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, public health professionals, technicians, nurses and scientists. For many of these students, their studies required they spend time with voluntary faculty in hospitals and medical offices throughout Central New York. These educational partnerships benefit our students and reinforce the opportunities that exist for employment in Central New York. In addition to Commencement remarks from state Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, our students heard from Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, who while acknowledging that graduating students may leave to further their studies or seek employment, they would always be welcomed to return. In fact, dozens of students are staying for studies and careers. Seventy-two students, or nearly 50 percent of our College of Medicine graduating class, are staying in New York for their residency training, and 22 medical students are staying right here in Syracuse. These health care professionals are our future clinicians, educators and researchers. We are proud of these students and their accomplishments, as each student took an oath to serve their patients and the science of medicine. Thank you, Central New York, for supporting their future. Dr. Jay Brenner Chair, Faculty Council SUNY Upstate Medical University Syracuse Students of Bishop Grimes Jr./Sr. High School attended their junior-senior prom Saturday, May 18, 2019. The event had a Marquerade theme and was held at Traditions at the Links in East Syracuse. Our gallery of photos can be found above. Want to buy a photo? As youre browsing the gallery, look for the BUY IMAGE link to order high-quality reprints and other products. More prom photos See all photo galleries from proms, senior balls, and other formals around Central New York. Students of Mexico High School attended their junior prom Saturday evening, May 18, 2019. The event had a Starry Night theme and was held at Alexandrias in Oswego. Our gallery of photos can be found above. Want to buy a photo? As youre browsing the gallery, look for the BUY IMAGE link to order high-quality reprints and other products. More prom photos See all photo galleries from proms, senior balls, and other formals around Central New York. By Holly South NCSLs Legislative Staff Week wrapped up last Friday after a week of celebrating the staff who keep our state legislatures running smoothly. In addition to highlighting staff members on the NCSL Blog and in State Legislatures magazine, NCSL hosted a webinar and podcast geared specifically toward legislative staff, and a Legislative Staff Shoutout Competition. Legislators and staff from 38 states and territories submitted nearly 200 shoutouts to individual staff members and teams across the country. NCSL Staff Chair Jon Heining drew the names of two staff members who will receive an Amazon Echo Dot: Jennifer Hays of Kentucky and Liz Conroy of Connecticut. Conroy is also a member of the winning state: Staffers in Connecticut received 31 shoutouts, the most of any state, and will receive a special prize this summer. Several other statesDelaware, Georgia, Indiana, Texas and Kentuckykept the competition close, but Connecticut pulled it out on the last day. Jen Carlton, deputy chief of staff for operations of the Indiana Senate, said the competition was a wonderful opportunity to make state recognition even more meaningful by showcasing the comments on the NCSL website. It was also a great way to thank others from different states in a public forum. The very last tribute submitted during the week was from Martha Wigton, director of the House Budget and Research Office in Georgia, and NCSLs staff vice chair: A last and loud shoutout to the staff from all of our states, territories and NCSL! Cheers to providing great public service, quality information, and the heartfelt dedication it takes to always get the job done! Among the celebrations held in honor of Legislative Staff Week, the Indiana Senate expanded its traditional end-of-session celebration for staff into a full week, featuring events such as a doughnut breakfast, Hoosier pride jeans day and an indoor picnic. The Indiana Senate has an incredible staff of professionals who are dedicated to public service. These folks work particularly hard during the legislative session, helping Hoosiers and supporting their legislators. Its important for them to feel positively recognized for their effort by supervisors and coworkers. Employees who feel appreciated are generally more satisfied in their workplace and may be more productive, knowing that their efforts are viewed as valuable contributions, Carlton said. Though they werent technically released during Legislative Staff Week, we think two publications offered excellent bookends to the week: The Denver Post, which advised that Insiders who havent thanked a member of the staffpartisan and nonpartisanthat really keeps the General Assembly moving forward, should be sure to do so during the final hours. They worked like never before to meet the needs of lawmakers and were often caught in nasty partisan fights. A special shout-out goes to Andrew Carpenter, the [Colorado] Senates bill reader, who likely has some very sore vocal cords after the last 118 days. And the Texas Tribunes video, Supporting Roles, which highlights the critical role of legislative staff at the Texas Capitol, is a great way to cap off our week spotlighting staff. Give yourselves a pat on the back. Youve earned it! NCSL serves legislative staff all year-roundnot just during Legislative Staff Week. Learn how and get involved! Holly South is a policy specialist and the NCSL liaison to the American Society of Legislative Clerks and Secretaries (ASLCS). ASLCS is one of nine professional staff associations at NCSL. Email Holly Billionaire Robert F. Smith announced to a class of about 400 graduating seniors that he and his family plan to pay off the entire classs student loans. Smith is the CEO and chairman of Vista Equity Partners, a software and technology investment firm, and a philanthropist who spoke at the class of 2019 commencement Sunday morning. He also received an honorary degree from the school and had committed to a $1.5 million gift to the school that Morehouse College planned to use for scholarships and a new park, the school said in a statement. Wow! Billionaire Robert F. Smith surprises @Morehouse graduates by announcing this morning his family will eliminate the student debt of the entire class of 2019 with a grant. #PayItForward #HBCU pic.twitter.com/BPEDBdqryu Marcus Smith (@MarcusSmithKTLA) May 19, 2019 The fourth-generation Coloradan grew up in a mostly black, middle-class neighborhood, according to his Facebook page, and he attended a school that had been recently integrated. Smith was the commencement speaker at the University of Colorado Denver's graduation in 2017, the university where his father earned his doctorate 45 years prior. He talked about the "profound impact" the university had on his father and his family. He spoke about his neighborhood in northeast Denver, across the street from City Park, and the experience as a child attending a newly desegregated school. He talked about the way the whole neighborhood came together to celebrate his father's achievement during the civil rights movement, and how much upbringing and community support contribute to future successes. They believed that our imperfect nation was becoming more perfect every day. And they believed that by conducting themselves and raising their families with integrity, they were contributing to that process of perfection in a very real way, he said. So we celebrated every sign that the barriers of inequality were collapsing that the doors of opportunity were opening. SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- High winds, scattered thunderstorms and even flooding are possibilities for Central New York and Northern Pennsylvania on Sunday afternoon and evening, according to the National Weather Service in Binghamton. Warm temperatures early today and other conditions will allow the thunderstorms to develop and head south from CNY beginning around 1 p.m. today. The storm conditions are projected to reach the area around Milford, Penn., around 6 p.m., according to the service. Some of the scattered storms could be severe. Meteorologists also warn of the possibility of damaging winds between 60 mph and 70 mph, in addition to large hail. Isolated tornadoes cannot be ruled out, though the risk is limited, meteorologists predicted. Also, wet soil from previous spring rainfall might mean isolated flooding. Residents are advised to carefully monitor weather conditions today, especially if they have outdoor plans. 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. Why it matters: Activist hacking, or hacktivism if you will, has been one of the most bitter epidemics to infest the internet. While heroic when used against ISIS, hacktivism has shifted from clear-cut just causes to attacks with strong political motives to attacks against a Childrens Hospital. But for better or for worse, new data suggests that Anonymous is dead and theyve taken the whole hacktivism community with them -- for the time being. IBMs X-Force threat intelligence platform has revealed part of the data theyve gathered on hacktivism since 2015, and what theyve observed has been no small change: from a peak of 35 attacks in 2015, hacktivist attacks steadily declined to just two last year and none thus far in 2019. The decline is related to the attrition of Anonymous, the hacktivist group behind 45% of attacks in the last four years, whove dropped from eight attacks in 2015 to merely one last year. 2018 saw the lowest rates of hacktivism in a decade, and 2019 might follow the same trend. The X-Force defined a hacktivist attack as any politically motivated, widely reported and damaging attack that can be attributed to a specific group, and in the last four years, they observed a total of 66. Theyve attributed the decline to two main factors; the fracturing of Anonymous and the bad taste it has left in the communitys mouth, and renewed pressure from law enforcement. Anonymous, by design, have no leader, no control over their members, and no way to verify members. While united by various common goals from 2008 to 2015, including fights against pedophilia, censorship, and police brutality, divisive internal political opinions began separating the group during the 2016 election. Some members, its believed, wished to attack Hillary Clinton for her left-wing ideals, while others were distressed by Donald Trumps anti-immigration and perceived racist policies. Several groups claiming to be Anonymous conducted brief attacks on both candidates. Troubles escalated further when other hackers and even government authorized groups began masquerading as Anonymous, either for their own means or to tarnish Anonymous name. Its unclear why, but Anonymous leadership was quite distressed. Attempts to remove fake Anons decreased the number of true Anonymous hackers, the X-Force believes. At the same time, self-proclaimed Anonymous member Martin Gottesfeld was arrested on suspicions he was behind DDoS attacks against childrens hospitals. He was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment last January. The diminishing strength of Anonymous is believed to have caused their failure in various attacks, and the mediocrity behind others. DDoS attacks and hits against public websites were largely looked down upon by the hacktivist community, which is suspected of reducing the desire for further activity. Several data hacks against governments and companies ended up exposing more info on harmless civilians than bad actors, and that line of hacking was abandoned quickly. Independent from Anonymous, many smaller and less professional hacktivist groups have been blocked by new security measures employed by governments and companies in the last two years, while others have lost members to arrests. Across the US, UK and Turkey at least 62 arrests have been made in the past four years, while X-Force suspects that many more have been made on the quiet. In some cases, governments have struck plea deals or convinced hackers to change sides on the quiet. While many are proclaiming the death of hacktivism, X-Force believes that this will be just a brief respite. Scattered activities like attacks on Saudi newspapers and strikes against Ecuadorian government sites following the arrest of Julian Assange suggest renewed interest this year, and no one is letting their guard down. An ocean explorer from Dallas, Texas has set the newest world record for deepest dive ever completed in the Mariana Trench. Setting their sights on the deepest known point on Earth's seabed, Victor Vescovo and his team from the Five Deeps Expedition successfully dived into the Challenger Deep in the Mariana trench at a distance of 32,853 feet on April 28. During the Mariana trench mission, the Five Deeps Expedition claims it has identified at least three new species of marine animals, including a long-appendages amphipod. Because of this, Vescovo said the expedition has created, validated and opened a powerful door to discover and visit any place in the ocean, which remains 90 percent unexplored. "It's almost indescribable how excited all of us are about achieving what we just did," said Vescovo. The Ultimate Challenge Of Diving Into The World's Deepest Trenches The expedition team made use of incredible marine technology inside a submarine to reach an unprecedented level of diving into the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. During the expedition, Vescovo became the first human to pilot multiple solo dives to the depths of the Challenger Deep inside the DSV Limiting Factor, which has been considered as the world's deepest diving and currently operational submarine. Vescovo has also become the first human to have dived into the bottom of the ocean and summited Mount Everest, as well as having skied to the North pole and the South pole. He is the first human to have completed one version of the "Four Corners of the Earth." Additionally, he has also climbed the Seven Summits on every continent and has been on the bottom of four of the world's oceans. Prior to Vescovo's expedition, the last man who set the record for deepest dive in the Mariana trench is Titanic filmmaker James Cameron, at 35,787 feet or about 11 kilometers in 2012 inside the Deepsea Challenger. Meanwhile, the first-ever dive made into the Challenger Deep was made by the US Navy deep submergence bathyscape called Trieste at 35,800 feet in 1916. This expedition had been led by Lieutenant Don Walsh and Swiss scientist Jacques Piccard. What sets apart Vescovo's expedition from the others is that both the Deepsea Challenger and the Trieste submarine have only dived once into Challenger Deep. The DSV Limiting Factor completed four dives to the bottom of the Challenger Deep between April to May 5. The team also went to the Sirena Deep on May 7 for a final dive. Sirena Deep is found approximately 128 miles to the northeast of the Mariana Trench. Two of the dives completed by the DSV Limiting Factor team were solo dives piloted by Vescovo. On May 5, a scientific dive led by sub designer John Ramsay collected video surveys and biological samples of the Central Pool of the Challenger Deep for three hours. Two days later, during the dive on Sirena Deep, explorers found the deepest piece of mantle rock ever recovered from the surface of the western slope of the Mariana Trench. More Diving Expeditions Across The Globe Vescovo and his team's dive into the Pacific Ocean is the fourth one in the Five Deeps Expedition's plan to reach the deepest, harshest areas of the world's oceans. The team has gone on expeditions to the Atlantic Ocean, the Southern Ocean, the Indian Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean. Next stop on the team's mission is a diving expedition in the Tonga trench in the Southwest Pacific Ocean, the second deepest trench on Earth and the deepest in the Southern Hemisphere. The Tonga trench stretches as far as 35,700 feet deep underwater. Lastly, the main feat of the team is to reach the bottom of the ocean at Java, Puerto Rico, which no man has ever gone to before. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Birth rates in the United States have continued to drop for the fourth straight year, even reaching their lowest figures in 32 years in 2018. In a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of new babies born in the country last year was at about 3.7 million. This is 2 percent lower compared to birth rates recorded in 2017. The federal agency said almost all racial and age groups experienced a drop off in birth rates. Women between their late 30s and early 40s are the only who had a slight increase during the period. Population experts say the development comes as a surprise seeing how the U.S. job market and the economy, in general, has considerably grown over the past few years. They expected birth rates in the country to stabilize or even rise as a result. The continued decline in birth rates will inevitably force demographers to make changes in their forecasts on how the United States will look in the future. It is likely that the country will be populated by mostly older people, with only a few young workers to run important social systems. Birth Rate Drop Off The CDC report showed that birth rates among teenagers, women between the ages of 15 and 19, declined by as much as 7 percent from rates in 2017. They are also down by more than half from figures in 2007. Birth rates among women between the ages of 20 and 34 also experienced a drop off compared to numbers in 2017. The researchers only saw a slight increase in rates among older women. Those between the ages of 35 and 39 showed a 1 percent rise, while those between 40 and 44 had a 2 percent increase. Americans Putting Family Plans On Hold Demographers are calling the negative trend in U.S. birth rates as a national problem. Dowell Myers, a population expert from the University of Southern California, said the development in birth numbers is a "barometer of despair." He explained that many young people are putting off their plans to have babies unless they find some optimism about their future. Myers said experts initially thought the recent downturn in birth rates was caused by the recession. There was a slight increase in births in 2012, but it dropped off again soon after. He pointed out that births in the United States should already be increasing by now, based on almost all economic standards, with the exception of high housing costs. Myers also discussed the negative sentiment seemingly prevalent among people of childbearing age, which he believes could be caused by the current political climate and the uncertain future surrounding the country. "Not a whole lot of things are going good, and that's haunting young people in particular, more than old people." the demographer noted. Younger people also seem to be postponing their marriage and family plans to later point in their lives. Prof. Donna Strobino, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, said the country is in the midst of a major social change with regards to women choosing to get married and bear children. Strobino believes this trend stems for economic challenges, seeing that is very expensive to raise a child in the country's current situation. It could also be because of the different social challenges regarding women's roles. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Some dreams feel so real and vivid that it stays in the mind long after one wakes up. Most dreams, however, are immediately forgotten. Scientists have carried out investigations to figure out why some dreams are memorable while others disappear. What Happens When People Dream Dreaming usually takes place during the state of sleep known as the Rapid Eye Movement or REM. This part of the sleep cycle is also sometimes referred to as desynchronized sleep because it mimics signs of being awake. "Everybody dreams every night-but people who tend to remember their dreams more often may be waking up during the REM phase of sleep, which is where dreams with narrative content occur," said Susana Martinez-Conde, a professor at the State University of New York, in a conversation with Gizmodo last year. "If you have dreams in the middle of the night but then go on to have other phases of sleep without waking up, then those dreams are mostly going to be inaccessible to you." Another factor is the content of the dream. Deirdre Barrett, an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School, mentioned in the same Gizmodo story a previous study that found nonsensical narrative and jumbled imagery are a lot harder to grasp and, therefore, more difficult to remember. Dreams that have a clear structure are more likely to be retained in the mind. Barrett also noted that when people wake up, the brain will only begin to turn on some functions. A study in 2011 found that the hippocampus, which is critical for moving information from short-term to long-term memory, is one of the last regions of the brain to go to sleep. It is also one of the last to wake up. "So, you could have this window where you wake up with a dream in your short-term memory, but since the hippocampus is not fully awake yet, your brain is not able to keep that memory," explained Thomas Andrillon, a neuroscientist at Monash University, in a separate story published by Live Science. How To Remember Dreams Robert Stickgold, a sleep researcher from Harvard Medical School, explained to the BBC that morning routines cause dreams to fade away. He shared that after waking up, people who want to retain their dreams should lie still, not open their eyes for a while, and "float" while trying to remember. Another simple but effective way for people to remember their dreams is to tell themselves that they want to remember as they slowly drift to dreamland. 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission. Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen approved on Saturday the proposal of holding snap elections after the far-right vice chancellor resigned over an alleged corruption video and effectively led to the collapse of the coalition government. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced at a press conference Saturday evening that considering both the Social Democratic Party (SPO) and the Freedom Party (FPO) "are not what our country needs", it is necessary to carry out elections "at the earliest opportunity". "In this spirit, I have agreed with Chancellor Kurz about holding an early election," said Van der Bellen at a press conference later this evening. The president said that he would meet with the chancellor on Sunday to discuss about how to conduct such an election. Kurz on Saturday proposed to President Van der Bellen to hold early elections as soon as possible after his vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resigned over an alleged corruption video. It was a secretly recorded video two German news outlets the Spiegel and the Suddeutsche Zeitung published on Friday that broke hell loose. In the video, the FPO boss and vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache and the FPO's group leader in parliament Johann Gudenus had a conversation with an alleged relative of a Russian "oligarch". The woman offers the FPO politicians support, in return Strache and Gudenus promised to award her state orders. "After yesterday's video, I have to say quite honestly, enough is enough," Kurz said. Previously, both Strache and Gudenus had resigned from all political offices. The OVP has been governing together with the FPO since 2017. "The pictures show a disturbing moral picture, we are not like that, that's just not the way Austria is," said Van der Bellen, and the comments made in the video are a "blatant disrespect to the citizens and I do not tolerate this disrespect." Strache had apologized for his behavior documented in the video, but stressed that there had been no illegal and unlawful acts. "Yeah, it was stupid, it was irresponsible and it was a mistake," he admitted. At the same time he spoke of a "deliberate political assassination". By Express News Service NEW DELHI: With the grounding of Jet Airways significantly affecting the number of passengers flying from the country to Dubai, leaving many international slots vacant, national carrier Air India has announced that it will add two more flights to Dubai from June 1. While one flight will be added from Delhi, the other one will operate from Mumbai. The decision by Air India to increase its operations in one of the most lucrative routes comes after the Central government started allocation of Jet Airways international traffic rights to other airlines for a temporary period. The government had earlier said that it will give priority to Air India while allocating such rights. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, earlier this week, decided to allot about 5,700 weekly seats to Air India, out of Jet Airways unused quota on the lucrative India-Dubai route. Besides this, Air India was also promised over 5,000 seats on India-Qatar route, besides about 4,600 additional seats to and from London. Currently, Air India operates two flights to Dubai: a B787 plane from Delhi and an Airbus A320 aircraft from Mumbai. The India-Dubai route, owing to its connection with high business activity as well as popular holiday destinations, always remains high in demand. In recent times, private carrier SpiceJet has increased its operations in a similar sector, while it is learnt that IndiGo has also shown a keen interest in flying more seats on the India-Dubai route. Ville Platte residents awoke Sunday to several emergency alerts as a suspected tornado ripped through the rural Evangeline Parish community. Ashley Godeaux ignored them, but her dog eventually roused her just before a tree crashed through her bedroom and onto the bed where she was sleeping. "You. Are. Lucky," Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards told Godeaux Sunday afternoon in disbelief as he looked onto the destruction. "I mean, you make sure to offer a prayer of thanksgiving tonight." "Yes, sir," Godeaux said. After assessing damages alongside local leaders, Edwards said he will be declaring a state of emergency. Ville Platte Mayor Jennifer Vidrine had issued a local state of emergency earlier in the day, implementing a curfew and advising residents to shelter in place. Three people were treated at a local hospital for weather-related injuries and at least 50 homes were damaged in Ville Platte. No deaths were reported. Can't see video below? Click here. The number of displaced relatively small so there won't be a need to open emergency shelters, Edwards said, He's asking those who were displaced to shelter with family and friends, if possible, or to reach local authorities for assistance. Ville Platte resident Hilda Edwards hopes to stay in her home but might have to stay with family after a tree fell through her home Sunday. Like Godeaux, Hilda Edwards awoke to the sound of emergency alerts early Sunday morning. She decided to leave her bedroom to be sure her brother, who had a stroke and lives with her, was safe. They were hiding in a bathroom when a tree fell through their house and into the bed where she was sleeping earlier. "We'll stay with my daughter if we need to," she said. "We have somewhere to go. We're just grateful it's not worse, and we appreciate the governor came by." Top stories in Acadiana in your inbox Twice daily we'll send you the day's biggest headlines. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up At least 6,600 residents in Ville Platte and more than 22,000 residents across Louisiana were without power Sunday afternoon. Suspected tornadoes also tore through St. Helena and Beauregard parishes Sunday morning, Edwards said. Damage assessments have begun and will continue throughout the week in part to examine whether the storm damage would rise to the level of federal funding assistance, through the governor said it's unlikely that will be the case. Downed utility poles, fallen trees and damaged electrical wires covered many roadways in Ville Platte Sunday afternoon, which was part of the governor's reason for declaring the state of emergency. "We've been experiencing this severe weather for the last several weeks," he said. "We don't know exactly what the forecast is going to bring us over the next few days as people are out trying to clean up and get their lives back to normal but we're asking them to be as safe as they possibly can." Damages to Ville Platte businesses and city structures aren't yet known and will be assessed in the coming days, although Vidrine said city hall didn't have electricity as of Sunday afternoon. Champagne's Quality Foods and Hebert's Boudin and Cracklin sustained damages, according to social media reports. And in nearby Mamou, a house ended up in the middle of the road after the Sunday storms. Report: Possible tornado rips roof off Bear Creek Western Store in St. Helena Parish The roof of Bear Creek Western Store in Montpelier in St. Helena Parish was torn apart by a possible tornado Sunday morning, according to a po In St. Helena Parish, the roof of Bear Creek Western Store in Montpelier was ripped off Sunday morning. A post on the store's social media accounts said major repairs will be needed and some water damage was sustained. The store will remain closed until further notice. In a separate post by the store later Sunday, at least a dozen people could be seen surrounding the store helping to fit tarps over the damaged roof. Evangeline Parish schools will be closed Monday. Edwards said residents should monitor local authorities and media for updates about any closures through the rest of the week. The governor and mayor told Ville Platte residents it might take two or three days before power is restored to everyone. "Get the black pots and burners out," said Vidrine with a laugh. "We're gonna be cooking outside for a couple of days." "Everything in your freezer is thawing out anyway, so you might as well have a feast," Gov. Edwards chimed in. "Go have a feast and enjoy." Purchases made via links on our site may earn us an affiliate commission It wasn't hard for the cops to identify suspects in the murder of New Orleans pizza deliveryman Richard Chris Yeager five years ago. Electronic monitors, which had been attached to the ankles of Rennel Brown and Shane Hughes while they awaited trial on other offenses, put them at the scene. While that did not indicate any great brainpower on the part of Brown and Hughes, both 16 years old, it also raised questions about the competence of the sheriff's office, which was responsible for running the ankle monitoring. Brown had violated his curfew on previous occasions and should not have been free to roam the streets, then-City Council President Stacy Head wrote in a letter to the sheriff's office. And it was Brown who shot Yeager. A jury acquitted Hughes, who claimed to have fled the scene just before. Brown pleaded to manslaughter and is doing 40 years. The sheriff's office had taken over the program in 2010 because the private company hired to run it when Ray Nagin was mayor had proven too slow to report violations. Whether sheriffs deputies were an improvement is an open question. A 14-year old boy arrested for a string of armed robberies in 2012 had been wearing an ankle monitor throughout, but it didn't work. The City's Inspector General meanwhile concluded that the sheriff's office ran a sloppy operation and failed to keep proper records. Sheriff Marlin Gusman, who had long complained that Nagin's successor, Mitch Landrieu, starved him of money, duly threw in the towel. Still, given that ankle monitoring is an important tool in the drive to reduce the enormous financial and social cost of pretrial incarceration, the judiciary was eager to see the program continue, and two private companies stepped into the breach. Although no more major derelictions have been reported, there are calls to go public again. This may seem to be a triumph of hope over experience, but a public operation would no doubt provide more of the transparency and accountability that are universally in demand these days. Among those in favor of a public ankle monitoring program is the Metropolitan Crime Commission, whose opinions always carry considerable weight. Criminal Court Judge Paul Bonin said he would welcome a public program too, which is not surprising, given the embarrassment his involvement in the private one has caused him. Bonin has been round the judicial block a few times he was elected to his current seat after long stints on the Traffic and Appeal courts so he ought to have a keener sense of ethics than he has been displaying lately. Defendants who are spared jail in return for wearing an ankle monitor can get one from either of two companies. Given a choice any suspect would rather incur that cost than rot in jail. And which of the two companies has Bonin consistently urged defendants to do business with? It happens to be the one, co-owned by his former law partner, that has contributed thousands to his election campaign fund. And if any fees are outstanding when the case is closed, Bonin has insisted they be paid before he will order the monitors removed. Given the socio-economic status of most suspects, that is not always easy. Although Bonin said he had violated no ethical provisions, after being quizzed by a reporter, he contacted all his defendants hooked up to his pet firm's monitors to explain they were free to switch to the competition, which rather suggests he knew he'd not been playing fair. And that means that his conduct could be viewed as a violation of the state Code of Judicial Conduct, which requires the avoidance of impropriety or the appearance of impropriety in all activities. +2 James Gill: Why Louisiana's school voucher experiment was a big Bobby Jindal flop Three years after Bobby Jindal left the governor's mansion, his legacy is coming into clearer focus, and he sure was no one-trick pony. Ankle monitoring is an expensive business it used to cost $400,000 a year back when the sheriff's office ran the program, according to its lawyer Blake Arcuri but the taxpayer will presumably figure it will still be cheaper than locking all the suspects up again. There might be a case for making defendants who could afford to do so pay for their ankle monitors even if the program were publicly administered. But the bureaucratic costs of means testing would inevitably exceed the fee revenue, so the taxpayer would be out of pocket. The system would have to be more efficient than its last public incarnation to justify the switch. Email James Gill at Gill1407@bellsouth.net. Commissioner of Higher Education Kim Hunter Reed comments on the announcement that, for the first time, Louisianas public high school graduation rate exceeds 80 percent 81.4 percent. Behind Reed are, left, state Superintendent of Education John White and Iberville Parish Superintendent Arthur Joffrion Jr. . Gurbir Singh By Express News Service India has fallen in line with the Trump administrations diktat of stopping all oil imports from Iran from May 2. Unfortunately, it is an unabashed violation of the countrys sovereignty. It was quite a spectacle. A few days ago, the Iranian foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, came with folded hands imploring Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj to continue oil imports on mutually beneficial terms. The answer he got: a decision will be taken by the new government, post-May 23. The US is currently engaged in a dangerous game of international dominoes and has declared its intent to topple the unfriendly regimes of both Iran and Venezuela. Oil is the strategic weapon in this game of regime-change. With India being a major oil importer over 30 per cent of our imports in value is of oil, and 80 per cent of our oil is imported we are facing the rough end of the stick. Soumyadip Sinha The arm-twisting started last May after Donald Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement with Iran and imposed sanctions against it. This included pressure on third countries like India and China to stop importing Iranian oil. As a compromise, India and others agreed to taper off imports to zero by November 2. There was a further breather that allowed imports to go till May 2 this year. Earlier, the arm-twisting was about Venezuelan oil. In March last, a Venezuelan envoy in the US complained to Reuters that US was forcing India to stop imports. In February this year, India imported 2,97,000 bpd of crude from Venezuela directly. With India being the second largest purchaser of Venezuelan crude after China, it was a vital source of cash for the left-wing Nicholas Maduro government. The pressure worked. By mid-March, Reliance Petroleum, that accounted for 80 per cent of Indias crude imports from Venezuela, saw the writing on the wall and agreed to cap its imports. It also said it had halted selling diluent to Venezuela. CHINA FIGHTS BACK Trumps trade fight with China, however, evoked a different kind of response. For over a year now, the US administration has been putting the screws on China, insisting on raising tariffs from the existing 10 per cent to 25 per cent on Chinese goods worth $300 billion entering the US. Trumps questionable rationale is high tariffs are good since it forces China to pay money to the US government. By May 13, these imposts were put in place on about 3,800 items, including $43.2 billion worth of smartphones and $37.5 billion worth of laptop computers. China was not slow in hitting back. It announced almost immediately on May 13 that it was imposing additional tariffs on $60 billion worth of US goods covering 5,140 items, and coming into effect from June 1. All this has led to pain both for Chinese as well as American businesses and has sent international stock and oil markets on a deep plunge. The Chinese also decided to cock a snook at Trump by ignoring threats to stop oil imports from Iran. Chinese oil tanker Pacific Bravo was the first to break the May 2 embargo. It loaded 2 million barrels of oil from Soroosh and Kharg terminals in the Persian Gulf, and headed for China. The immediate goal of the Trump administration is to see the Chinese economy tanking. By increasing tariffs on Chinese goods, fewer Americans will buy its products, ensuring foreign companies will leave China and set up shop elsewhere. The longer strategic role is to beat back China and Russia as possible market competitors and restore the role of World Policeman to the US. NEO-COLONIALISM From the assassination of Patrice Lumumba, the first President of the independent Democratic Republic of Congo in 1961, to the killing and overthrow of the left-wing Salvador Allende, President of Chile, in 1973, there is a thread of US foreign policy that runs through all these decades. Even the debacle of the US world policing in Vietnam in the 1970s did not serve as a lesson, and now we have Iran and Venezuela as US new staging points. For India, there are lessons to be learnt from China. We should stop Trumps bullying. Iran and Venezuelan oil is cheaper and come on 60 days of credit, which is not offered by the other suppliers Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Nigeria and the US. Unfortunately, thats not how it works. India is trapped in a web of trade deals and is part of an international axis with the US. It does not have the clout to stand up as does China. More immediately, Trump has threatened to end preferential trade treatment for India that allows duty-free entry for up to $5.6 billion worth of exports to the US. Colonialism ended with 1947, but the challenges of neo-colonialism are proving to be more difficult. Political history is replete with rise-and-fall stories, but rarely has someone risen so fast and then fallen so far as former Gov. Bobby Jindal. Starting with an appointment by former Gov. Mike Foster to head the states health and hospitals department at 24, continuing through a rapid-fire series of very big government jobs and culminating in a triumphant run for governor at 36, Jindal actually peaked when he ran for reelection four years later. His victory in 2011 was such a foreordained conclusion that Democrats didnt bother to support a challenger. He won with 66 percent of the vote, with the rest scattered among a spate of protest candidates. Despite 2008 'gold standard' reforms, Louisiana legislators rarely face ethics charges Of the six lawmakers who have been charged by the Ethics Board or entered into consent opinions since the reforms championed by former Gov. Bo By the time his second term ended in the opening days of 2016, though, Jindals approval rating had dipped as low as 20 percent, his presidential hopes had been humiliatingly dashed, and Louisianas Republican-leaning voters had improbably turned to a Democrat, John Bel Edwards, to fix the mess Jindal was preparing to leave behind. It took Edwards and the Legislature 10 sessions over three years to finally put Louisiana back on solid fiscal footing after Jindal cut taxes more than the state could afford, raided trust funds, starved higher education and embraced budgetary gimmicks rather than pursuing sober-minded reforms. The damage was so debilitating that its no wonder Jindals reputation remains firmly anchored to his management of the state budget. But a couple of recent investigative reports looking back at two of his signature initiatives are reminders that theres even more to the Jindal legacy that Louisianans shouldnt love. Jindals first order of business when he took office in 2008 was to enact what he called the gold standard of ethics laws, with the aim of taking Louisiana from the bottom to the top of all those good-place-to-do-business lists. The changes he pushed through did affect some of those rankings, but a new story by The Advocates Andrea Gallo, in partnership with the ProPublica Local Reporting Network, showed that they produced a flawed, glacially paced enforcement system that often focuses on penny-ante alleged offenses rather than potentially serious ethical breaches. Four years later, Jindals big postelection push was a wide-ranging school reform package largely aimed at enhancing accountability in public schools. But it also included an expansion of a pet priority among the religious conservatives that Jindal hoped would rally behind his presidential bid, more private school vouchers. Jindals parents-know-best rhetoric surrounding public dollars spent on private, often religious, schools directly contradicted his results-focused arguments for evaluating public schools, enhancing charters and scaling down teacher tenure. Many eligible students came from schools that were documented as poor-performing or failing, but their new schools would not be required to show that they were succeeding. And indeed, a recent examination of Louisianas voucher system that uses public money to pay private school tuition, conducted by nola.com|The Times-Picayune, WVUE Fox 8 News, WWNO and Reveal from The Center for Investigative Reporting, showed that many schools with large numbers of voucher schools arent any better than the public schools the students would have otherwise attended. The results are more opaque than for public schools, and intentionally so. In fact, despite Jindals parent-centered rhetoric, its harder for families to get information about how a private school is doing than a public school. But based on an analysis of standardized test scores, the reporters on the project found that not one school in the program was the equivalent of an A or B school based on the Louisiana Department of Education rating system. Three were comparable to C schools, 19 lined up with schools that scored Ds and 15 with F schools. And some voucher students, the report found, left better-ranked public schools for lower-performing private schools. Jindal himself has long since graduated from government and is now firmly ensconced in the private sector. He still pops up on cable news and in the op-ed section of The Wall Street Journal every now and then, but his days of making policy rather than commenting on it appear over. Yet somehow, his report card keeps getting worse. If Gov. John Bel Edwards, as expected, signs the 'fetal heartbeat' bill that's moved through the state legislature, it would restrict abortions in Louisiana to about the sixth week of pregnancy before many women know they are pregnant. Much has been written about the effect this would have on Louisiana's women, but The New York Times columnist Ginia Bellafante took a different tack, examining what it would mean for millennials moving here from Brooklyn. Meet Bellafante's cousin "Tess," who moved here two years ago after working as "head of research and development for Christina Tosi and her baking empire, Milk Bar, the great 21st-century dessert disrupter." "This young woman was a citizen of the New South now," Bellafante writes. "Her business, Tess Kitchen, was thriving. Her New Orleans apartment, at $1,900 a month, had three bathrooms." But the multiplicity of toilet space in our charming faubourgs, it seems, comes with a drawback, and that's legislation like the 'fetal heartbeat' bill. "The news was an awakening," Bellafante says. It was? Tess willingly gave up a life as a up-and-coming dessert disrupter to move to a state whose Democratic governor was openly and unapologetically anti-abortion, the state legislature also was filled with anti-abortion Democrats and the 'fetal heartbeat' bill was championed by a Democrat. She chose a state that's near or at the bottom in nearly all women's healthcare outcomes, a state that amended its constitution to specifically prohibit same-sex marriage, a state that still doesn't have a minimum-wage law and prohibits its cities from establishing their own. As Alabama outlaws almost all abortions, Louisiana's 'fetal heartbeat bill' advances quickly On the same day the Alabama legislature passed a restrictive bill that would almost entirely outlaw abortion in that state, a House committee None of this is a secret. But it seems to have come as a shock to Tess and Bellafante. "Under the current conditions," Bellafante writes, "I wondered if women like Tess and her friends, many of whom moved from New York or Los Angeles, would have chosen to relocate to the Deep South. I asked some of them, and they told me that they were not sure." Fair enough. But I'd feel better about this essay if Bellafante mentioned once, just once, the conditions under which Louisiana women live not just the "disrupter" transplants, but those whose families have been here for generations, those who may not have the option to pack up and leave and those who don't want to. I'm not sure they're on Tess' radar, or Bellafante's. "In the last 15 years or so, I have made no fewer than 50 trips to Birmingham, Ala., where my husbands family lives," Bellafante writes, "each time marveling at how much more exquisitely it meets a particular set of consumerist and architectural fantasies the book shops, the midcentury modern furniture stores, the retooled industrial spaces, the gyms that are indistinguishable from the ones in TriBeCa, the soaring leaded windows, the restaurants now nationally known and the new ones always coming up." And that's the crux of it: the "New South" (or "new New Orleans") as a consumerist fantasy, where one can live cheaply without sacrificing swell restaurants or beautiful architecture or "gyms that are indistinguishable from the ones in TriBeCa." But that's not the way most of us live outside a very small pocket of New Orleans. "Living in a very liberal city in a very conservative state is a trick mirror," Bellafante writes. 'You really forget that you are in the Deep South here, [Tess] said.'" If so, it's a willful forgetting or a willful refusal to look at the reality of others less fortunate. When the 'fetal heartbeat' bill becomes law, it won't affect women like Tess in the least; they'll be on the first JetBlue back to New York should they choose an abortion. For most of the rest of the women in Louisiana, who were here long before Bywater became Williamsburg South and will be here when the Tesses of this world move on to Pittsburgh or Lafayette, it's a different story. +4 Louisiana v. Abortion: How the state legislature is tightening the right to legal abortion Its that time of year again when Louisiana state legislators nearly have completed their annual practice of rushing additional abortion res Louisiana Senate overwhelmingly passes two anti-abortion measures The Louisiana Senate passed a bill 31-4 today that would let residents vote on adding language to the state constitution explicitly stating it The much-hyped Opportunity Zone tax break program, offering shelter from capital gains taxes for people who invest in designated struggling areas, saw little activity for more than a year after it was signed into law as part of President Donald Trump $1.5 trillion tax-cut package in 2017. But that is changing fast, as new tax rules have spurred a virtual stampede in Louisiana and across the country of investors scrambling to get in ahead of looming deadlines. Its not only the last-minute rules-setting that has given the Opportunity Zone scheme a sense of anarchy: Literally anyone can set up a qualifying OZ fund, and there is no formal way yet for the government to track them and determine if they're directing investment to truly deprived areas as intended. "Any individual can just self-identify as a QOF," or qualified opportunity fund, as long as they do it via a partnership or limited liability company with another individual, said Anu Varadharajan, an enrolled agent with the Internal Revenue Service and a tax lecturer at Tulane University's Freeman Business School. "How you invest it is up to you." Critics of the OZ scheme argue that investment likely will flow to areas that really don't need the tax incentives. While the designated areas are mostly places that are indeed starved for investment, a few of them are hardly impoverished. Also, there was no accountability built into the program, a topic the government is only now starting to address. "From the beginning, the law was only going to work as intended with robust public-private collaboration, focusing on community impact and economic growth," said Tulane professor Rob Lalka, executive director of the Lepage Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. "That must remain the focus as investments begin to take shape," he added, noting that there have been some academic initiatives to develop a system of accountability. Investors were initially in the dark about how the IRS would operate the scheme, which is designed to delay or eliminate capital gains taxes on investment made in the designated lower-income zones, which were chosen by each state's governor. The first set of rules, which mainly covered property investment, was issued by the IRS in October and helped stir some interest. But last months rules covering how an investment in OZ businesses would qualify including that the business derives at least 50 percent of its income from within an OZ, or has 50 percent of its employees located there have opened the floodgates. 'Like the Wild West' Its like the Wild West out there now, said Dennis Stump, who has been a property investor and developer in Baton Rouge, the north shore and Jefferson Parish for decades. I usually deal with investors who have maybe $40,000, but Ive had three people call me in the last month with $100,000 to $500,000 in capital gains to invest, calling me saying, Hey, you got a place to invest it?' said Stump. This is really something different. The experience appears to be widespread, with conferences devoted to Opportunity Zones and qualified OZ funds sprouting like mushrooms. Cullan Maumus, an executive with the New Orleans Redevelopment Fund, a private-sector property developer in New Orleans, said his firm has been getting 50 to 100 inquiries from potential investors every day since the regulations were clarified. We jumped off the diving board a year ago, before the regulations were in place, not knowing what water was below, said Maumus, whose firm previously has mainly taken advantage of historic building tax breaks to redevelop property in New Orleans. Now, investors are becoming more comfortable, but the timeline is trickier about getting money in and having a place to put it once you get it. The pressure is on us to show we have the qualifying investments. The rules of OZ investment and the time it took for the IRS to clarify the tax situation mean there is now a tight deadline looming. The rules say an investor must put any capital gains he intends to invest in a qualified OZ fund within 180 days of realizing the gain. The fund then has 180 days to invest at least 90 percent of the money in a qualifying investment, or it starts to incur penalties. Dan Walter, a tax attorney at the firm Stone Pigman, said investors who want to get the maximum gain from the scheme would have to get their money invested by the end of this year and hold it until at least the end of 2026. Investors who pull that off would see a 15 percent reduction on the amount they must pay taxes on, while also avoiding capital gains on the appreciation in their OZ investment fund. Still, the biggest target of OZ investment seems likely to remain real estate, rather than riskier business ventures. A lot of the interest in OZ investment is coming from stock-market investors who have enjoyed the longest bull market ride in history over the last decade. They're looking not to put their gains in risky startups, but to park them in safer havens. "All the baby boomers are in the stock market and theyve got significant gains; theyre afraid another 2008 is going to happen again," said Stump. "If you've got like $1 million gain in the stock market, rather than taking a chance of losing it in a day, they're selling and looking for a place to invest that's relatively safe, and where they don't have to pay a $150,000 capital gains tax right away." He said that's why such investors are interested in the type of apartment complexes he specializes in with his construction partners, Monroe-based BPG. Because of the OZ scheme, he is able to offer investors annual returns of 10 to 12 percent with relatively low risk. He has been able to finance projects much more cheaply than he would with the high-interest recourse loans that he normally has to take out from banks, and he has also been able to do more projects, he said. Who will be helped? While the scheme is attracting investors, some observers worry that it won't do much for the really depressed neighborhoods that were supposed to be the focus of the policy. They fear a disproportionate amount of OZ investment will be directed at real estate and not toward higher-risk, job-creating investments in the neediest zones. By the time the Treasury Department identified all the opportunity zones last summer, there were more than 8,700 nationwide, with Louisiana getting 150 much-haggled-over tracts. Developers rushing to Opportunity Zones for tax break, but is it helping Louisiana's low-income areas? A new federal program pitched as a way to aid low-income communities is ramping up across Louisiana, but after a political scramble to make va The zones range widely in terms of their relative distress and potential. Many investment funds have identified their "Top 10," and nationwide they're usually areas that already are prime real estate or adjacent to it. For instance, Long Island City in New York, where Amazon had initially decided to locate a new corporate headquarters, is in a zone, as are parts of San Francisco; San Jose, California; and north Seattle. An Opportunity Zone Index, created by advisory firm Develop LLC and mapping/demographics specialist Esri, measures metrics like income, retail sales and percentage of people with university degrees to determine the most attractive opportunity zones for investment. In New Orleans, unsurprisingly, the areas with the top scores are the zones that cover parts of the Central Business District and the Warehouse District, as well as the quickly gentrifying Freret Street corridor. Most of Baton Rouge's tracts, meanwhile, get low scores, though there are high-rated zones nearby, such as one incorporating the city of Walker in Livingston Parish. Some economic development officials, like Jerry Bologna, executive director of the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission, or JEDCO, still have high hopes that the program can entice investment even into the more blighted areas. Bologna cites the revival of the former Avondale Shipyard site by new owners Avondale Marine, a partnership between Virginia-based T. Parker Host and Illinois-based Hilco Redevelopment Partners. Though the zone that includes Avondale rates near the bottom of the OZ Index, Host has already begun hiring, and a "grand opening" is planned for the summer. The partners have promised to create 2,000 jobs. Bologna said the shipyard's new owners can now also attract OZ investors for their project, as it was bought after 2017. The designation will be important as the facility seeks out manufacturers and logistics companies as tenants. "That's why we lobbied the governor to make that an Opportunity Zone tract," Bologna said. There are several other Jefferson Parish areas that have been hard-pressed to attract investment in the past and rank poorly on the OZ Index, but which JEDCO hopes will benefit from their opportunity designation. They include the area north of the airport in Kenner, where the opening of the new $1 billion terminal this fall is expected to spur interest from businesses. The Shrewsbury area, around the intersection of Airline Highway and Causeway Boulevard, is also high on JEDCO's list. John Henderson, CEO of the nonprofit ENUF Regional Development Corp., is trying to raise funds to help give residents there a stake in any redevelopment of the area. "We need sponsors to educate residents, funding partners and technical assistance," said Henderson. He said ENUF's aim is to get equity stakes for locals so they can participate in the economic rejuvenation of their own neighborhoods, rather than be pushed out while others enjoy the fruits of gentrification. More monitoring needed But it's not clear whether investment that is completely private-sector-driven will flow to such projects. A bill pending in the Legislature would help to sweeten the pot by offering an additional 5 percent tax break to investment that goes to the areas most in need. Cities like Birmingham, Alabama, and Baltimore have already done that, said Zach Butterworth, a lobbyist who works for the law firm Adams and Reese. He expects politicians will push for monitoring and oversight as the OZ program progresses. "Currently, there is not any requirement to do any reporting in terms of jobs or economic development," Butterworth said. "But people should prepare for that and welcome it when it comes." Lalka notes that the White House asked in December for suggestions about how to measure the effectiveness of the OZ program. Various academic efforts, including a recent Columbia University symposium he attended, have focused on that question. "The investors and experts gathered at Columbia all agreed that capital alone won't be sufficient for OZs to have the desired results of driving growth and development," Lalka said. In other words, if the OZ program is not tracked and seen to breathe new life into deprived areas, it could end up being seen as just another giveaway to the rich. As the dust from the 2019 election begins to settle, it seems controversial Queensland senator Fraser Anning has lost his Senate seat. Remembered widely as the victim of an egging by teenager Will Connolly, the right-wing politician has failed to secure enough votes to win himself a place in Parliament. Fraser Anning has lost his seat in parliament in Saturday's election. Credit:AAP ABC Election expert Antony Green made the announcement stating: "Fraser Anning goes back to where he came from ... he won't be in the Parliament". Mr Anning's spot in the upper house has always been tentative, securing his seat last election with just 19 primary votes. He gained office only after One Nation candidate Malcolm Roberts was found to be a dual citizen and was therefore ineligible. Campaigning on the economy and congestion helped Victorian Coalition MPs "hold the line" against the Labor and union campaigns, according to senior Liberal Party officials. Our MPs had strong and credible local plans, driven by their connection with the communities they live in, said acting state director Simon Frost. A Labor push to align conservative MPs such as La Trobe MP Jason Wood to Peter Dutton also failed to have any impact. Mr Wood says his support for the divisive Queensland MP had not hurt him. Not at all, he said. Put it this way. I dont believe I would have won my seat under [Malcolm] Turnbull. Scott Morrison has worked hard over many months to deliver the "miracle" of Saturday night. When he got the job last year he immediately began building his persona as an ordinary, knockabout bloke who can knock back a beer and roll up his shirt sleeves to have a go. He knew the importance of filling in the picture before his opponents defined him to the public. Some commentators may have sneered but Morrison toiled away, got cracking on urgent issues such as the drought and brought energy and enthusiasm to the job. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison gestures to media at Kirribilli House in Sydney on Sunday., Credit:AAP He loves every aspect of being Prime Minister. He is a consummate professional in the Howard mould. Morrison enjoys campaigning and meeting people. That came through on the trail. He mixed easily with all groups and came across as "one of us". Earlier this year he sketched out to me his narrow path to victory. He was sanguine about NSW and surprisingly upbeat about Queensland. He was concerned about Victoria and the impact of the leadership change and the climate issue. But he was convinced that incumbents who delivered strong economic growth and infrastructure would be rewarded. The new independent MP for Warringah, Zali Steggall, says the Coalition has been given a clear mandate to govern and expressed optimism about a shared "starting point" with Prime Minister Scott Morrison on climate change policy. Ms Steggall, who trounced former prime minister Tony Abbott in the historically blue-ribbon seat in Sydney's north, said on Sunday the Coalition would have at best a slim majority in Parliament and would need to keep crossbench MPs onside. Incoming independent MP Zali Steggall has backed the Coalition to form government. Credit:Peter Rae The barrister and Olympian, who campaigned on a small l-liberal platform with a heavy focus on global warming, also endorsed Labor deputy leader Tanya Plibersek as a promising option to take over from Bill Shorten. Ms Steggall said the Coalition had earned the right to govern, whether it secured a majority or not, and she wanted to talk to Mr Morrison about a new start on climate policy without the "handbrake" of Mr Abbott in Parliament. An aspiring rock star who charged people to be in his "entourage" and advertised a "bikini concert" in a Gold Coast stadium without the venue's permission has lost a defamation case over claims he is "creepy" and a "con-man" who tried to encourage young women to engage in group sex. David Ashworth, also known as David Otto, sued Nine, the Daily Mail in Australia and News Corp's Gold Coast Bulletin and Courier Mail in the NSW District Court over an A Current Affair broadcast and online articles that he claimed had ruined his reputation. David Ashworth, also known as David Otto. Credit:A Current Affair On Thursday, Judge Judith Gibson ruled the media outlets had successfully defended their reports on the basis the allegations were substantially true, including that Mr Ashworth was "deluded" and "famous for his sleazy scams". Mr Ashworth, who is bankrupt, describes himself on his website as a "prolific visionary and creator" who has played live events with a "lingerie rock band" under the name "GirlClub". Three men are dead after a tragic 12-hour window on south-east Queensland roads. Two men, aged 32 and 23, were killed in a hit and run at Windsor on election night, police said. Accident at Lutwyche Road, Windsor which killed two men. Credit:Jarrad Aspden "This is possibly the worst traffic accident I have seen in more than 30 years of policing," Inspector Daniel Bragg told reporters in the early hours of Sunday morning. A total of seven cars were caught up in the carnage. Two people died and three others were taken to hospital for treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. By PTI NEW DELHI: India's top refiner Indian Oil Corp (IOC) will evaluate the implications of US sanctions if Iran was to invest in its subsidiary Chennai refinery's Rs 35,700 crore expansion, its Chairman Sanjiv Singh said. IOC plans to pull down the 1 million tonnes per year Nagapattinam refinery of its subsidiary Chennai Petroleum Corp Ltd (CPCL) and build a brand new 9 million tonnes unit in the next five to six years. National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC), which holds 15.4 per cent stake in CPCL, is keen to participate in the expansion project, Singh said. Following US decision to reimpose economic sanctions on Iran, IOC will examine the impact of NIOC investing further in CPCL. "We are evaluating that," he said when asked about the impact of US sanctions on NIOC investing further in CPCL. NIOC's investment in CPCL had been made several years back and that as such will not draw any impact of US sanctions but fresh investments in the company need to be studied. "NIOC is keen to remain committed to investing in CPCL. Now we have to see (the impact of US sanctions on such a move)," he said. "The (expansion) project has not been approved (by the board) yet." After the US reimposed full economic sanctions against Iran beginning November 5, 2018 and ended waivers six months later, India has stopped buying oil from its third-largest crude oil supplier. Prior to the waivers ending on May 2, India paid Iran for oil purchases in rupees. These rupee payments are made into a UCO Bank account of NIOC. The government had allowed NIOC to use the money it got in the UCO Bank account for paying for commodities Iran buys from India as well as for direct investments in Indian projects. Naftiran Intertrade, the Swiss subsidiary of NIOC, holds 15.4 per cent stake in CPCL. Whether the same money can now be invested by NIOC as its share of equity portion of the expansion project is being evaluated by IOC. IOC holds 51.89 per cent stake in CPCL. The expansion was to originally cost to Rs 27,460 crore but is now estimated to cost Rs 35,698 crore. Officials said CPCL plans to achieve financial closure of the refinery expansion in 2019. It also plans to build a petrochemicals plant of about 475,000 tonnes per annum capacity. Detailed feasibility report for the expansion project is expected to be completed by June. CPCL, formerly known as Madras Refineries Ltd, was formed as a joint venture in 1965 between the Government of India, AMOCO and NIOC having a shareholding in the ratio of 74 per cent, 13 per cent and 13 per cent. In 1985, AMOCO disinvested, following which the government held 84.62 per cent and NIOC 15.38 per cent. The government later disinvested 16.92 per cent of the paid-up capital. The company was listed in 1994. IOC acquired the government's holding in 2000-01 and holds 51.89 per cent stake in CPCL while NIOC has 15.40 per cent. CPCL has two refineries with a combined refining capacity of 11.5 million tonnes per annum. The Manali refinery has a capacity of 10.5 million tonnes per annum and is one of the complex refineries in the country. Its second refinery is located in Nagapattinam at Cauvery Basin. This unit has a capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum. CPCL refineries produce LPG, petrol, kerosene, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), diesel, naphtha, bitumen, lube base stocks, paraffin wax, fuel oil, hexane, and petrochemical feedstocks. A fight between two men in Perth on Sunday morning has ended when one of the men was struck in the head with a torch and a woman trying to break them up was knocked to the ground. The man and woman received non-life threatening injuries. Credit:Simon Middleton Police allege the two men who are known to each other started fighting near the Perth Cultural Centre in Northbridge about 1.25am on Sunday when a female tried to intervene and separate the pair. A police spokesman said one of the men was hit to the head with a torch, while the woman was hit to the face causing her to fall to the ground. A 51-year-old man was taken by ambulance to Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital while a 20-year-old woman was taken to Royal Perth Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. New York: Google has suspended some business with Huawei, in a blow to the Chinese technology company that the US government has sought to blacklist around the world. Google has halted the transfer of hardware, software and technical services to Huawei even as holders of current Huawei smartphones will continue to be able to use and download app updates provided by Google. A screen with an image of a Huawei mobile phone. Credit:AP "We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications," the Google spokesperson said. "For users of our services, Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices," the spokesperson said, without giving further details. World premiere: First cab-less and autonomous, fully electric truck in commercial operations on public road A Green-vehicle article for car shoppers concerned with fuel economy, hybrid vehicles, electric vehicles and gasoline and diesel exhaust emissions 15th May was a historic occasion. The first cab-less, electric truck Einrides T-pod drove on a public road. The world premiere and inaugural run took place at DB Schenkers facility in Jonkoping, Sweden. The T-pod will transport goods between a warehouse and terminal at the facility, as part of a commercial flow. Robert Falck, founder and CEO of Einride, Jochen Thewes, CEO of DB Schenker, and Mats Grundius, CEO of DB Schenker Cluster Sweden, Denmark, Iceland hosted the inauguration ceremony. This day represents a major milestone in Einrides history, and for our movement to create a safe, efficient and sustainable transport solution, based on autonomous, electric vehicles, that has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions from road freight transport by up to 90 percent. I cant begin to describe how proud I am of our team that made this happen in collaboration with our great partner and customer DB Schenker, says Robert Falck, CEO and founder of Einride. Autonomous trucks will become increasingly important for the logistics sector. Together with Einride, we have now introduced autonomous, fully electric trucks to a continuous flow on a public road a milestone in the transition to the transport system of tomorrow, said Jochen Thewes, CEO of DB Schenker. In November 2018, the Swedish startup Einride and leading logistics firm DB Schenker initiated the first installation of an autonomous, all-electric truck or T-pod at a DB Schenker facility in Jonkoping, Sweden. It was the first commercial installation of its kind in the world. March 7 the Swedish Transport Agency concluded that the T-pod is able to operate in accordance with Swedish traffic regulations. March 11, the agency approved Einrides application to expand the pilot to a public road. The permit applies to a public road within an industrial area between a warehouse and a terminal. The permit is valid until December 31, 2020. Einride and DB Schenker entered into a commercial agreement in April 2018 that includes the pilot in Jonkoping and an option for additional pilots internationally. By Express News Service BENGALURU: The Central Crime Branch (CCB) police have nabbed an interstate gang involved in the smuggling red sanders after a raid was conducted at a cargo godown of a private transport company in the city. The officials seized 4 tonnes of red sanders worth Rs 3.5 crore. The prime accused was exporting red sanders to China, Vietnam and Bangkok. A special team was formed to crack down on the gang and they were tracking their movements for the past two months, the police said. The accused have been identified as Abdul Rashid, Zubire Khan, Saleem Khan, Tahir Khan, M S Basha, Shafi Mohemmed, Munna, Noushad, Siddiq, Ibrahim, Annu, Mubharak and Ali Khan. They are all between 35 to 48 years of age and reside in Bengaluru and Dakshina Kannada. City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said the prime accused Rashid, who hails from Puttur, had been smuggling red sanders for several years and the police were on the lookout for him for the past two years. However, he always managed to give the cops the slip and he would tip-off other gang members and buyers using the WeChat app in case of a police raid. He knew the police might trace his call records so he was using this app. Special teams conducted raids on several godowns in Electronic City and Vinayakanagar and seized 4 tonnes of red sanders. The team was keeping a close watch on the movements of the gangs vehicle since they had ceased operating during the Lok Sabha elections as cops would run routine checks on all vehicles. The gang was waiting for an opportune time to export red sanders to Chennai from where it would be smuggled further. Police officials got details that the gang was collecting huge amounts of red sanders and conducted the raid. There are some other gangs who are still actively smuggling red sanders. The police officials said the accused were using private buses to export red sanders to Mumbai and Chennai. The gang used to get red sanders from Andhra Pradesh. They would load it into trucks to store in godowns in Bengaluru. The wood is highly valued in China, which is the biggest importer of legal and illegal red sanders. Each year, an estimated 50,000 kg of red sanders is seized in Karnataka. Officials said the wood is hidden in crates of onions or disguised as ready-made furniture and shipped to Kochi, Mangaluru or Mumbai from southern Andhra Pradesh, from where it goes to China. Furniture made from the wood is considered auspicious while smaller pieces are used in traditional medicine. During College Stations event, Superintendent Clark Ealy instructed the students to look at the name at the bottom of the award. The name which is often that of a former or current educator, teacher or board member is on a scholarship because they left a lasting legacy in someones life, he said. If you take anything from this evening, students, I want you to take this: When you grow up and go to college, graduate and become a success, youll go to a community, he said. Maybe some of you will come back here, but many of you will go across America or across the world. Wherever you go, make an impact where you go. Plant yourself in that community; give back in the same way these donors that you see sitting before you have given back to their community. Thats the legacy that they would want you to have, and thats the legacy I challenge you to have as you go forward from this evening and you go forward from College Station ISD. At St. Andrews, a number of years ago, we started [to] look at who our neighbors are, the Rev. Matt Stone said. In scripture there is a lot of language about loving your neighbor, and you need to know who your neighbors are, so we looked at a map and we decided that Neal Elementary School and their attendance zone are going to be our neighborhood. This was a logical place to deepen relationships and just show the love of God to students and teachers and parents. The 2019 Neal Scholars are Mauricio Almaraz, Trashawn Brown, Gisselle Contreras, Dayuneira Diaz, Nayeli Fajardo, Alberto Lopez, Yessenia Salinas, Rosamaria Sierra, Alejandro Tirado, Valeria Gomez Tirado and Alexandra Tirado Vega. Collins, who has worked at Neal in some capacity as an educator for 14 years and as principal for five years, said it is important that they have all of the students apply for the scholarship to introduce them to what the application process can look like. Good grades, behavior and involvement in one of the seven extracurricular activities they school offers are all taken into account when the winners are selected. This day is the most special for me because I see the potential in every one of my students. I see the great things that they can be, Collins said. The possibilities are endless and it means so much to me that [St. Andrews] sees that same potential in my kids. By ANI NEW DELHI: Commenting on Arvind Kejriwal's analysis of AAP's performance in the national capital, Congress leader Sheila Dikshit said votes shifted towards Congress because of Delhi Chief Minister's bad record. This comes after Kejriwal in an interview to a news daily while commenting on the outcome of the Lok Sabha polls, said, "13% of the Muslim votes got shifted to Congress in the state at last moment." Dikshit told ANI, "Nobody asked people to just vote for me. They vote for us because our record is such. So, if people are supporting Congress, then it is a reflection on Kejriwal's record." "I don't know what he is trying to say. Everyone has a right to vote whichever party he/she wants to vote for and the people of Delhi did not understand nor liked his governance model," she added. The Delhi Congress chief also expressed confidence that her party would come back to power in the state with a thumping majority. "We will win and there is no doubt about it. Be it Muslim, Sikh, or anyone for that matter, every voter is important for us. We don't discriminate anyone based on their religion. Everyone including Muslims, Dalits, backward classes, women and all other sections of the society strongly supported us," she added. The polling for 7 Lok Sabha seats in Delhi was held during the sixth phase of the Lok Sabha elections on May 12. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. The outcome of the ongoing Lok Sabha polls is also expected to influence the assembly polls scheduled to take place in the national capital next year. Sometimes the Gods offer human beings a mulligan, a chance to right a past wrong. When a 19-year-old white male shot up a synagogue in Poway, California, the attack got me thinking. Jews have been terrorized for 5,000 years. And, when they've sought refuge, they've been turned away. Just think what Jews experienced as refugees during World War II. You can see that story on display in Yad Vashem, the Holocaust History Museum in Jerusalem. Visitors can see an enormous map of the globe -- plastered on an entire wall -- where, country by country, they can see who took in Jews fleeing Adolf Hitler's reign of terror and who refused to take them in, usually because of fear, prejudice and hatred. The message comes through loud and clear: Jewish people are keeping score. Good for the Jews. We ought to remember who served humanity and who failed it. Americans failed. Ours is a remarkable country, but I'd count at least five great sins: the conquest of Native Americans, the enslavement of African Americans, the invasion of Mexico that created the Southwest, the internment of the Japanese Americans after Pearl Harbor and turning away Jews seeking refuge during World War II. One of the most notorious episodes occurred in June 1939, when the German ocean liner SS St. Louis -- and its 937 passengers, almost all Jewish refugees -- were turned away from a port in Miami, where the ship had tried to dock after being rejected by Cuba. The SS St. Louis was forced to return to Europe. Historians say more than a quarter of the passengers died in the Holocaust. And we can live with that? It's a sad but familiar tale. Regardless of U.S. policy, everyday Americans did not put out welcome mats for Armenians fleeing genocidal Turks, Cubans seeking liberation from Castro, or the Hmong who escaped the North Vietnamese intent on killing them for aiding U.S. troops during the Vietnam War. These are the stories that bring tears to my eyes. That's because I expect more of America. The country I love is better than that. Yet fear, prejudice and hatred are powerful things. Because of anti-Semitism in the U.S., it wasn't until 1945 -- after the war and 10 years after the German Reichstag passed the Nuremberg laws, which restricted the rights of Jews -- that President Harry Truman issued an executive order giving refugee preference to Jews fleeing Europe. Incredibly, even then, some anti-Semites in Congress pushed back. Americans should ask themselves: How many Jews died in the decade that we dithered? One hopes that, the next time we get tested, it doesn't take us 10 years to conquer our demons and listen to our better angels. Guess what? The test is today. The United States now has a whole new crop of refugees to contend with. This time, they're fleeing Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador, which are all hotbeds of violence. There is your border crisis. These days, most of the people crossing are not economic immigrants from Mexico, whose numbers are way down. With more opportunity in Mexico, folks are staying put. Refugees don't have that option. You can't stay home when the house is on fire. You jump out the window -- and pray for mercy. Some people will see the comparison. Others don't want to see it. We don't have to say that brown-skinned Latino refugees coming from Central America in 2019 are exactly the same as light-skinned Jewish refugees who came from Europe in the 1930s and 1940s. And we don't have to argue that ruthless and well-armed drug gangs in Central America are the moral equivalent of the Nazis. That's not the point. This is about the common denominator: Americans, and how they treat the stranger. Despite what it says in the brochure, the answer often depends on just how "strange" the visitor appears to the hosts. I'm sick of duplicity and double-talk. It's time to decide whether or not we're going to live up to our brand. Is America still, as advertised, a nation of immigrants seeking opportunity and a safe haven for refugees "yearning to breathe free"? Or not? If President Trump gets his way, the answer will be "not." In remarks from the White House on Thursday, Trump complained that many of today's asylum claims are "frivolous." How would we ever know if that's true if we don't give people a fair hearing? Americans have a chance to make amends to the annals of history. We can't afford to fail again. A large group of illegal aliens boards a bus bound for the Border Patrol processing facility after being apprehended by Border Patrol near McAllen, Texas, on April 18, 2019. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times) 30 Percent of Illegal Aliens Suspected of Faking Family Ties Were Unrelated, DNA Tests Show A pilot rapid DNA-testing program revealed that approximately 30 percent of illegal alien adults suspected of arriving at the U.S.-Mexico border with children who were not theirs were unrelated to the children accompanying them, according to an anonymous source in the program who spoke to The Washington Examiner. Theres been some concern about, Are they stepfathers or adopted fathers?' the official told the newspaper. Those were not the case. In these cases, they are misrepresented as family members. In some of the cases, when the adults were asked to submit to a cheek swab to prove their relation to the children, they refused to do so and admitted they were not related. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) administered the tests, which are designed by an American company. ICE ran the test for several days earlier this month in El Paso and McAllen in Texas. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will review the results to determine whether to include the program in a comprehensive solution for addressing the border crisis. This is certainly not the panacea. Its one measure, the official said, adding that in addition to exposing fraudulent claims, the DNA tests help prove that some families are related in cases when DHS officials are unsure. On May 1, DHS announced that it intended to run a pilot DNA testing program as an additional investigative tool to combat the increase in fraudulent families trying to enter the United States. The Rapid DNA kits would be provided by ANDE, a contractor. DHS said that one of its personnel and a qualified technician would administer each test. Once a consenting adult and child provide a cheek swab, the results are ready in an average of two hours. As many as 1 million aliens are expected to cross into the United States illegally in 2019. More than half of the illegal aliens who arrived in the country this year claimed to be families. Border security officials said some of the aliens use fraudulent birth certificates to fake family ties. Under current U.S. law, authorities can only hold illegal alien families for 20 days. As a result, those who claim asylum are released into the United States shortly after apprehension. Most of those arriving as families seek to be apprehended by border patrol officials knowing they would soon be released. After their release, aliens who claim asylum are given work permits and allowed to remain in the United States until a scheduled court appearance, which may come years later. Most do not show up for their scheduled court date. The U.S. asylum system is meant for people escaping persecution in their homeland. Most of the migrants currently exploiting the system are coming to the United States for improved economic opportunities, a rationale not covered by the asylum law. As a result of the detention limits for families and children, illegal aliens nevertheless gain access to the United States for years even if their asylum claims are invalid. Republicans view the current asylum system as a loophole. The latest solution, proposed by Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, would mandate that asylum claims are filed in Mexico or a migrants home country, would extend the maximum detention period to 100 days, and would require illegal alien children to be repatriated back to their home countries. Epoch Times reporter Bowen Xiao contributed to this report. A chip-and-PIN card is mixed in with Bank of England notes. (Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Benefits Cheater Gets 958 Years to Pay Back $112,000 She Stole From Taxpayers A British woman who collected $112,000 worth of state benefits illegally has been ordered to repay the sum, but not until the year 2977. Jayne Kitching, 53, admitted to the Grimsby Crown Court that for over three years she unlawfully collected government entitlements that included income support and a disability living allowance, according to The Daily Mail. Benefits cheat is given 958 years to pay back the 88,000 she defrauded from taxpayers while living in Spain https://t.co/0mSEZUohFC Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) May 19, 2019 Kitching has been ordered to repay the ill-gotten money but at a rate of just over $10 per month. This pace of squaring the accounts means the amount she owes is scheduled to be repaid in 958 years. According to the Metro, the surprisingly drawn-out rate of repayment was agreed by the Department of Work and Pensions and Her Majestys Revenue and Customsthe British tax authority. Jayne Kitching is expected to make repayments until 2977. https://t.co/2Co2raAqNp Metro (@MetroUK) May 19, 2019 Prosecutor Nigel Clive was cited by The Daily Mail as saying that the woman claimed the benefits while living in Spain with her children without telling British agencies she had moved abroad. Clive said British authorities launched an investigation into Kitchings fraudulent claims after receiving a tip from someone who noticed the woman had bragged on Facebook about her plans to move to Spain. The womans attorney Craig Lowe said his client is not the most intelligent of individuals and there was no prospect of success. It was only a matter of time before she was caught. The court handed down a suspended prison sentence of 12 months and ordered Kitching to undergo 20 days of rehabilitation. The prosecutor said Kitching has so far paid back just over $500 of what she owes. Judge Abdul Iqbal was cited by The Metro as saying the lenient sentence was an act of mercy toward her children and to avoid them having to be taken into state care. Iqbal said, according to the report, I hope you are thoroughly ashamed of your dishonesty. Police Investigate Fake Psychologist Who Treated Hundreds The incident recalls the case of a Virginia woman arrested after allegedly pretending to be a licensed psychologist in Stafford County and unlawfully treating hundreds of patients. Authorities cited by CBS6 said 42-year-old Sharonda L. Avery posed as a psychologist for over five years. A representative with the Stafford County Sheriffs Office told the news outlet that authorities were alerted to Averys alleged malpractice by patients who felt they or their children had been misdiagnosed. Avery has treated hundreds of children and adults, Amanda Vicinanzo told CBS6. She was fired from the medical practice, which is no longer in business. According to Fredericksburg.com, some of the children Avery treated received medication based on her diagnoses. This was my sons psychologist and counselor for years, wrote Cathy Middlekauff Volz in a post on Facebook. Im sick to my stomach. He will have to be re-evaluated, rediagnosed (she dxd him) and will have to start over. She had us fooled. Dr. Johnson was the medical director and shes no better for not checking up on this fraud. There are no words for how deeply hurt my family is by this woman. Another commenter, Bernita Brown Gilliam, wrote that the clinic where Avery worked continues to operate, saying, They say that the medical practice is no longer in business. Trust me. It is still in businessjust under another name. Avery reportedly claimed she had two doctorates and a masters degree, while investigators said she hadnt even graduated from college. The fake psychologist also reportedly testified in court in a juvenile relations case under the guise of a qualified expert, resulting in a charge of perjury. Avery also faces charges of fraud, forgery, and practicing psychology without a license. She was charged on May 6 and remains at Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. According to the Fredericksburg.com, Avery faces up to 20 years in jail. Massive Marriage Fraud Scheme Nearly 100 people were indicted, including an attorney, for participating in a massive marriage fraud ring in Houston, Texas, according to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The federal agency said the grand jury returned an indictment on April 30 with 206 counts, charging 96 people. So far, 50 people are in custody, according to the agency. Prosecutors said the marriages were shams because the alleged couples did not live together, nor did they have any plan to do so, even though their statements and official documents indicated that they did. Moreover, in some cases, these spouses had only met briefly and usually just before obtaining their marriage license. In other cases, they never met at all. Nearly 100 people indicted, 50 currently in custody in massive Houston-based marriage fraud conspiracy https://t.co/j5uuZwHAOB pic.twitter.com/07k5hjrDEd ICE (@ICEgov) May 13, 2019 One of the middlemen in the scam allegedly received $50,000 to $70,000 from the beneficiary spouse for helping them to obtain full lawful permanent resident status, according to the statement. According to the statement, marriage fraud, or conspiracy to commit marriage fraud, has a maximum sentence of five years. Epoch Times reporter Janita Kan contributed to this report. A cliff at the Fjadrargljufur canyon in southeastern Iceland on May 1, 2019. (Egill Bjarnason/Photo via AP) Blame It on Bieber: Iceland Canyon Closed, Too Popular With Visitors FJADRARGLJUFUR, IcelandA large sign warns motorists that Icelands Fjadrargljufur canyon is closed to visitors but drivers keep on coming down the narrow gravel road. A ranger at a roadblock has to explain why no one can pass: The vulnerable landscape cannot sustain more visitors. Blame Justin Bieber, the Canadian pop star with a worldwide reach. Biebers magical music video Ill Show You was filmed at the canyon and seen by millions, creating overwhelming demand for the once-pristine spot. For a chance to follow in Biebers footsteps, his fans are not letting a few fences, signs or park rangers keep them away. Eager visitors try to sweet-talk ranger Hanna Johannsdottir into opening the gate. Some offer bribes. They should know in advance its not going to work. Food from peoples home country is the most common bribery, said Johannsdottir, who recently turned down a free trip to Dubai in exchange for looking the other way at trespassers. The Bieber-inspired influx is one part of a larger challenge for Icelandthe North Atlantic island nation may be too spectacular and too popular for its own good. Last year 2.3 million tourists visited Iceland, compared with just 600,000 eight years ago. The 20% annual uptick in visitors has been out of proportion with infrastructure that is needed to protect Icelands volcanic landscape, where soil forms slowly and erodes quickly. Environment Minister Gudmundur Ingi Gudbrandsson said it is a bit too simplistic to blame the entire situation on Justin Bieber but urged famous, influential visitors to consider the consequences of their actions. Rash behavior by one famous person can dramatically impact an entire area if the mass follows, he told The Associated Press. Bieber has the third-largest Twitter account at over 105 million followers, after Katy Perry and Barack Obama, according to friendorfollow.comand he has over 112 million followers on Instagram. In the viral videowatched over 440 million times on YouTube since 2015Bieber stomped on mossy vegetation, dangled his feet over a cliff and bathed in the freezing river underneath the sheer walls of the canyon. In Justin Biebers defense, the canyon did not, at the time he visited, have rope fences and designated paths to show what was allowed and what not, Gudbrandsson said. Over 1 million people have visited the area since the release of the video, the Environment Agency of Iceland estimates, leaving deep scars on its vegetation. After remaining closed for all but five weeks this year, it is expected to reopen again this summer only if weather conditions are dry. Icelanders are reluctant to fault the pop star, who enjoys enormous support on the island. About 12% of Icelands entire population38,000 peopleattended his two concerts in Reykjavik, the capital, a year after the video was released. Locals underestimated the canyons potential as a major attraction because its relatively small compared to those formed by the countrys powerful glacier rivers. But unlike others, it is easily accessed and requires less than a mile of trekking. The selfies and drone images have stoppedfor nowbut more exposure is coming. The latest season of the popular HBO drama Game of Thrones features scenes filmed at the canyon. The nearby Skogar waterfall and the Svinafells glacier are also backdrops in the fictional Thrones world of warriors and dragons. Inga Palsdottir, director of the national tourism agency Visit Iceland, said a single film shot or a viral photograph has often put overlooked places on the map. The most extreme example, she said, is the Douglas DC-3 U.S. Navy plane that crashed on the black sand beach at Solheimasandur in 1973. The seven Americans on board all survived but the plane wreck was never removed. Then someone decided to dance on it and now its one of the most popular places in the country, said Palsdottir. On a foggy Wednesday morning, ranger Johannsdottir observed fresh footprints on the muddy pathway to the Fjadrargljufur canyon, indicating that someone had jumped the fence overnight. She predicted that more people would trespass that afternoon when she left the roadblock to give a presentation at a community center. She was right. Less than 30 minutes passed before tourists began ignoring the fences and signs. We came because of Justin Timberlake, said Mikhail Samarin, a tourist from Russia, traveling with Nadia Kazachenok and Elena Malteseva, who were quick to correct the artists last name to Bieber. It was so amazing, said Malteseva about the Bieber video. After that, we decided it was necessary to visit this place. The three took turns posing for a photograph, standing at the edge of an Icelandic cliff. The pyramids on the plateau of Giza, outside of Cairo Egypt, photographed on Oct. 2, 2018. (Joseph Eid/AFP/Getty Images) Blast Hits Tour Bus Near Pyramids in Egypt, Injuries Reported An explosion rocked a tour bus near the pyramids in Cairo, Egypt, on May 18. According to local reports, at least a dozen people have been injured. The tour bus was traveling near the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, The National reported. Egyptian officials say a roadside bomb attack has injured 16 people including tourists near Giza pyramids Sky News Breaking (@SkyNewsBreak) May 19, 2019 Local sources say all the wounded have been taken to a nearby hospital, they are in a stable condition, nothing life-threatening #Egypt #explosion #Pyramids Sally Nabil (@sallynabil) May 19, 2019 The explosion was caused by a device, which was detonated near the bus, the report stated. Explosion hits tourist bus near Grand Egyptian Museum at pyramids, media reports say https://t.co/xEZuX0zheE BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) May 19, 2019 BREAKING At least 14 injured as tourists bus hit by explosion near pyramids https://t.co/s3PCTTfmht pic.twitter.com/IFOBvLEItz Mirror Breaking News (@MirrorBreaking_) May 19, 2019 Two sources told Reuters that many of those injured in the blast were tourists, as reported by The Mirror. #BREAKING: At least 12 people injured in #Egypt blast targeting tourist bus, near the new Egyptian museum close to the Giza Pyramids. pic.twitter.com/D7q9iiIxs6 Saudi Gazette (@Saudi_Gazette) May 19, 2019 Details about the incident are scant. Its not clear if there were any deaths, and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Social media photos showed what appeared to be a damaged bus and what looked like injured tourists. Earlier this year, three Vietnamese tourists and a guide were killed when a bomb went off less than 2.5 miles near the Giza pyramids. Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton speaks to media in the Press Gallery at Parliament House on Feb. 13, 2019 in Canberra, Australia. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) Child Sex Offender Register Could Become Reality After Coalitions Shock Win in Australia Following Coalitions shock election victory, a public sex offender register posited by the political alliance in Australia could soon become reality. Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton suggested in a January news release that information about the crimes of pedophiles be added to a national child sex offender registryincluding the perpetrators names, aliases, and photos. It would have a strong deterrent effect on offenders and ensure that parents are not in the dark about whether a registered sex offender has access to their children, Dutton said at the time. Now that the center-right political alliance that is one of the two major groupings in Australian federal politics has clinched a victory, the prospect of a pedophile register is that much closer. The abuse and exploitation of children is a global epidemic that is becoming more prevalent, more organized, and more extreme, Dutton said in the release, which accompanied the announcement of a period of consultancy regarding the register. Some states and territories in Australia already publicly release information about child sex offenders. Dutton said, A nationally consistent approach would afford nationwide community protection and ensure offenders cannot evade public scrutiny. It will send a clear message that Australia will not tolerate individuals preying on the most vulnerable members of the communityour children, he added. The register was announced as a funding commitment in the second budget paper on April 2. In the budget announcement, the Liberal Party stated, Protection of our most vulnerableour childrenremains one of the highest priorities of the Morrison government. It added that the register would be hosted by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC), a national crime-fighting body. Last years Budget provided funding to initiate the Australian Centre to Combat Child Exploitation (ACCCE) in Brisbane. This Budget provides $7.8 million over four years for the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission to develop and implement a National Public Register of Child Sex Offenders, which will provide information on convicted offenders residing in the community. Questions About Effectiveness Not everyone is convinced the register will work as advertised. Child advocates Bravehearts criticized the move as a political ploy. Founder Hetty Johnston was cited by The Guardian as saying, Elections are going to be run on fear or hope. This is going to be run on fear. It is winning votes on the backs of childrens very lives and I get upset about that, she said. She was also cited by The Daily Mail as saying, The bottom line is that all dangerous and repeat sex offenders should not be on a register, they should be in jail. No offender should be released until the risk they pose is of a level that can be managed in the community. A register will not keep children safe. The Australian Institute of Criminology (AIC) published a paper in May 2018, which analyzed research on public sex offender registers in the United States. The study concluded that while public registers may have a small general deterrent effect on first-time offenders, they do not reduce recidivism. The AIC noted, Nonpublic sex offender registries do appear to reduce reoffending by assisting law enforcement. However, U.S. research cited in the study shows that convicted sex offenders are more likely to reoffend when their personal and offending information is made public due to the psychological and financial costs on offenders. The AIC also wrote, Research has found that being placed on a public sex offender registry can result in exclusion from neighbourhood or residence, job loss, anxiety, and other psychological problems, all of which are counterproductive in terms of reducing reoffending. Australian senator and former broadcaster Derryn Hinch, however, has come out in strong support for a public pedophile register, Australias ABC News reported. I can die happy, this is the only reason I got into politics, Hinch said of Duttons January announcement of the proposal for a public sex offender registry. Hinch called for the new legislation to be known as Daniels Law, in honor of 13-year-old Daniel Morcombe, who was kidnapped and murdered in 2003 by Brett Cowan, a convicted sex offender. If you rape a child, you lose your civil rights, Hinch said, according to ABC. Daniel Morcombes mother, Denise Morcombe, spoke out in support of the public register. Morcombe was cited by ABC as saying the register would empower parents and carers to better protect their children. If they meet someone, theyll be able to put that persons name into the website and see if this person is a serious offender or not, Morcombe said. President of the Law Council of Australia, Arthur Moses, was cited by ABC as saying that while he supported the register, he said he was concerned about potential vigilante attacks on listed offenders. We need to make sure people do not commit offences as they potentially engage in some form of retribution in relation to these offenders, Moses said. A Metro train enters the Farragut North station in Washington, on May 6, 2016. (Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty Images) Chinese Interest in US Rail Threatens National Security, Economy, US Experts Say A new House bill and a recent congressional hearing have highlighted the potential threats that would come with using Chinese-made rail cars and transit buses in U.S. cities and regions. Chinese companies could intercept U.S. rail control systems and compromise the safety of regular Americans, one former U.S. official warned. H.R. 2739, titled the Transportation Infrastructure Vehicle Security Act, would prevent federal transit money from being granted to local transit agencies to procure passenger rail cars or transit buses made by Chinese state-owned, -controlled, or -subsidized enterprises, according to a press release from Rep. Harley Roudas (R-Calif.) office. Chinas Made in China 2025 initiative is an unmistakable effort to harm American manufacturers by subsidizing Chinese rail and bus industries. Chinese companies misrepresent themselves as benevolent actors, but lets be clear: this is an attack on our economy and national security, said Rouda, who was the lead sponsor of the new bill. Beijing rolled out Made in China 2025, an industrial blueprint that outlines how China will develop high-tech sectors such as robotics and advanced information technology, to eventually dominate global supply chains by 2025. The U.S. administration under President Donald Trump has criticized Made in China 2025 for abetting Chinese entities theft of intellectual property, targeting primarily the United States and Europe, in pursuit of Beijings policy goals. The bill was introduced on May 15 by Rouda, along with lawmakers from both sides of the aisleReps. Rick Crawford (R-Ariz.), Scott Perry (R-Pa.), Kay Granger (R-Texas), Tim Ryan (D-Ohio), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Randy Weber (R-Texas), and John Garamendi (D-Calif.). The Senate version of the bill was introduced in March by U.S. Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.). These latest bills were the culmination of concerns that took root around January this year, when media reports emerged that the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) might award a contract to Chinas state-owned rail car manufacturer China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation (CRRC). CRRC has been the beneficiary of many government subsidies in recent years. According to the companys website, it received a total of 1.298 trillion yuan ($193 billion) in subsidies in 2014 and 1.802 trillion yuan ($268 billion) in 2015. On Jan. 20, four U.S. senators wrote a letter to WMATA expressing safety and security concerns about CRRCs bid. Dave Smolensky, a CRRC spokesperson based in Chicago, confirmed to Reuters in early May that CRRC was planning to bid for the D.C. Metro rail car contract this month. Additionally, Reuters, citing an unnamed industrial source, pointed out that CRRC also aims to win another contract to supply 1,500 subway cars to New York Citys metro system. According to a separate Reuters report, May 31 is the due date for the D.C. Metro tender. CRRC has pushed hard into the U.S. market in recent years, winning contracts in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia. When Chinese companies swoop in to undercut contract bids for American rail projects, their only goal is to decimate our manufacturing sector by dumping cheap parts into our economy, while stealing intelligence and threatening our national security, Crawford said. Crawford added that the bill is needed to protect our nation against foreign threats and cybersecurity attacks which have become more prevalent in this digital age. The new House bill, as well as the Senate version, includes provisions to improve cybersecurity within U.S. public transportation systems, such as requiring rail transit operators to develop and execute a plan for identifying and reducing cybersecurity threats. China is not making these rail cars so cheaply out of the goodness of its heart. Until we have irrefutable evidence, we must not turn a blind eye to the clear incentive China has to monitor our capital and undermine our security, Norton said. Chicago Tribune, in a March 2017 article, reported that CRRCs $1.309 billion bid for providing rail cars for the Chicago Transit Authority was $226 million lower than the next-highest bidder, the Canada-based transportation company Bombardier. Philly.com, in a March 2017 article, reported that CRRCs bid of $137.5 million for a rail car contract with the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority was $34 million less than the next highest bid by Bombardier, and $47.2 million less than a bid by South Korean rail manufacturer Hyundai Rotem. CRRC won and signed the contract two months later. Congressional Hearing A day after the House bill was introduced, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a hearing about the impact of state-owned enterpriseswith particular close scrutiny on CRRCon the U.S. public transit and freight rail sectors. One of the hearing witnesses was retired U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John Adams, who is now president of Guardian Six, a defense market researcher and solution provider based in Washington and Florida. Adams pointed out that CRRCs board members previously held high-level positions at several of Chinas state-owned defense companies, including Aviation Industry Corp. of China (AVIC) and China Shipbuilding Industry Corp. (CSIC). Two former board members held positions at AVIC and the Chinese state-run defense manufacturer China North Industries Group Corp. (Norinco). Norinco has been sanctioned multiple times by the U.S. State Department for contributing to Irans development of missile programs, including in 2003 for the sale of missile technology. Meanwhile, CSIC was one of the Chinese companies that benefited from marine technology stolen by two Chinese nationals who were charged in U.S. federal court in 2018. The risks associated with CRRC runs deeper than just the companys ties to the Chinese military. According to Adams, the Chinese-made trains are outfitted with Wi-Fi systems and surveillance cameras that could be exploited by Beijing. Chinese-built-in surveillance cameras could track the movements and routines of passengers, searching for high-value targets that intelligence officials can then identify to vacuum data from using the trains built-in Wi-Fi systems, Adams said. The countrys rails, totaling over 140,000 miles in length, connect to every major American city and every major U.S. military base, which is a huge national security concern, according to Adams. Chinese penetration of the rail systems cyber-structure would provide early and reliable warning of U.S. military mobilization and logistical preparations for conflict, he said. Economically speaking, if Beijing gets access to data about the logistical movement of U.S. rail cargo, that could be a destabilizing economic competitive edge. Whats more, Adams pointed out, freight rail is the main way that U.S. nuclear waste and hazardous material are transported. Chinese access to U.S. freight rail technology could mean the risk of intrusions, such as tampering with rail service valves, which could lead to accidental spillage of toxic chemicals such as nuclear waste carried by freight cars, killing American people. Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaks to media with Federal Member for Boothby Nicolle Flint (R) at a building site in Oaklands Park, the seat of Boothby on May 14, 2019 in Adelaide, Australia. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) Chinese Propaganda Campaign Targets Australian Prime Minister Ahead of Election Ahead of Australias recent federal election, the countrys prime minister and the ruling Liberal Party found itself the target of a propaganda campaign by social media accounts linked to the Chinese communist regime. On May 18, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, head of the ruling center-right Liberal Party, defeated the opposition center-left Labor Party, led by Bill Shorten. Morrisons coalition government is expected to win a majority of seats in parliament to retain power. Cyber propaganda researchers Michael Jensen, Titus Chen, and Tom Sear, in a paper presented at the Safeguarding Australia Summit on May 9, analyzed Australian content on 47 of the most popular WeChat accounts in mainland China, 29 of which were aligned with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported. The researchers monitored 2,057 Australia-related posts in total from November 2018 to March 2019. WeChat is a popular instant messaging and social media platform in China. They found that accounts aligned with the CCP had a clear anti-Liberal bias. They see basically Scott Morrison as a continuation of Malcolm Turnbull, who they were highly critical of, given his role in bringing to passage the foreign influence laws which came into effect last year, said Jensen, a senior researcher at the University of Canberra, The Australian reported. In 2018, the Australian government, then led by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, passed anti-foreign interference laws, in response to growing concerns over CCP influence in the country. The laws, among other things, requires people working for foreign countries to influence the domestic politics to register as foreign agents. After this law came into effect, Australian authorities cancelled the permanent residency of Chinese billionaire Huang Xiangmo, who has been accused of attempting to influence Australian politicians through political donations on behalf of the Chinese regime. The Australian government was also criticized harshly for its involvement in the Five Eyes security group, and for its decision to exclude Huawei from its 5G network. Five Eyes is an intelligence-sharing alliance between the United States, Britain, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia. One post shared by Tiexue Junshi, a commercial media site, criticized Morrison joining WeChat earlier this year. The head of a country [Australian government] has been kicked hard by kangaroos. Now he seeks to befriend us], the post said. In contrast, the researchers did not find many attacks on the Labor party or Shorten across the posts analyzed, the ABC reported. Labor had run on a platform seeking to recast Australias relationship with the regime, saying it would not view China through the strategic prism of worst-case scenario. CCP Infiltration Using WeChat to influence the Australian election is only one component of the CCPs influence campaign, said Chen Yonglin, a former political consul of the Chinese Consulate in Sydney who defected in 2005. The CCP has a plan in Australia, and uses all its resources to achieve it. Basically, it doesnt want the Liberal Party to continue ruling the country. It wants Labor to win. It will make a lot of moves before the election to make sure Labor will win, Chen told the Chinese-language edition of The Epoch Times on April 25. Chen said that the CCP has spent a lot of energy and money on Labor, and thus believes that it can impact Labors policies. He said that many so-called independent Australian scholars are receiving financial supports from the CCP. These scholars emphasize Australias interests, and say that maintaining relations with the CCP is beneficial to Australia. They are also against [Australias] alliance with the United States, Chen said. Columbine School Shooting Survivor Found Dead in Home STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, ColoradoA Colorado man who survived the 1999 Columbine school shooting and later became an advocate for fighting addiction has died. Routt County Coroner Robert Ryg said Saturday that 37-year-old Austin Eubanks died overnight at his Steamboat Springs home. There were no signs of foul play. A Monday autopsy was planned to determine the cause of death. Eubanks was shot in the hand and knee in the Columbine attack that killed 12 classmates and a teacher, including Eubanks best friend. He became addicted to drugs after taking prescription pain medication while recovering from his injuries. He later worked at an addiction treatment center and travelled the U.S. telling his story . Eubanks family says in a statement that he lost the battle with the very disease he fought so hard to help others face, KMGH-TV reports. The family added: We thank the recovery community for its support. As you can imagine, we are beyond shocked and saddened and request that our privacy is respected at this time. Fort Worth 8-year-old Salem Sabatka has been found safe after an Amber Alert was issued for the girl, who was kidnapped while on a walk with her mother in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 18, 2019. (Fort Worth Police) Concerned Citizens Find Missing Texas 8-year-old After Police Issue Amber Alert A kidnapped 8-year-old Texas girl for whom an Amber Alert was issued has been found, a Fort Worth Police Department spokesperson said. As you can see, theres a smile on my face, said police spokesman officer Buddy Calzada during a press conference early Sunday, May 19. Im here to report that Salem has been found safe. Earlier, Fort Worth police announced on Twitter that the child, who was abducted on Saturday evening, had been recovered and that a suspect was in custody. #UPDATE Salem has been found SAFE!!!! Suspect is in custody. https://t.co/uzcybMUNCh Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) May 19, 2019 The spokesperson told reporters assembled outside the hotel where the girl was found that two local church members found the alleged kidnappers vehicle and alerted the police. Calzada said the two tipsters had searched the area looking for the suspects vehicle based on surveillance photos released by the police. The spokesperson said many members of the public came forward to help. We literally told them, just take the pictures we put out and go help us find this vehicle, go help us find Salem, and thats exactly what happened. Two church-members of a local church here went out, saw the vehicle, called it in, called Fort Worth police. He said police arrived on the scene, breached one of the doors here and located the missing girl. The suspect has been identified as a 51-year-old black male and not a relative of the family. No information was provided on the mans criminal history. The Amber Alert issued earlier by police described the kidnapper as an unknown light-skinned black male of skinny build, balding and no facial hair. He faces potential charges of aggravated kidnapping. The spokesman thanked the public for help. This comes from the heart of the Fort Worth Police Department, he said. We want to thank all of our followers. Were a good police department, we work hard, but with you on our side, were able to be more effective, Calzada said. You guys were a huge asset to helping Salem be found safe. Its taken a few hours, but its taken a whole city to get behind us and make this happen. The girl was transported to a local hospital where she is receiving care. Our officers saw that she was in good condition but we do want to make sure that medical professionals will look over her, which is where her family is right now to meet up with her. The Kidnapping Sabatka was snatched off the street at 6:38 p.m. Saturday when she was on a walk with her mother in Fort Worths Ryan Place neighborhood, police said. The little girls mother tried to fight the abductor, but according to police she was shoved out of the car before the kidnapper sped off. A neighbors doorbell camera recorded the moment the girls mother was thrown from the vehicle. A voice can be heard shouting Help me! Help me please! and the figure of the frantic mother is seen in the footage. Thanks to the actions of concerned citizens, the suspects vehicle was found at the Woodspring Suites hotel in Forest Hill. Calzada said, we had citizens that went out of their way and helped not just the police department but a family to put some great closure to what we have going on right now. Missing Children There were 424,066 missing children reported in the FBIs National Crime Information Center in 2018, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Under federal law, when a child is reported missing to law enforcement they must be entered into the database. In 2017, there were 464,324 entries. This number represents reports of missing children. That means if a child runs away multiple times in a year, each instance would be entered into NCIC separately and counted in the yearly total. Likewise, if an entry is withdrawn and amended or updated, that would also be reflected in the total, the center notes on its website. Unfortunately, since many children are never reported missing, there is no reliable way to determine the total number of children who are actually missing in the U.S., NCMEC (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children) added. In 2018, the center said it assisted officers and families with the cases of more than 25,000 missing children. In those cases, 92 percent were endangered runaways, and 4 percent were family abductions. The center said that it participates in the Amber Alert Program, which is a voluntary partnership between numerous entities including broadcasters, transportation agencies, and law enforcement agencies. The Amber Alert Program issues urgent bulletins in the most serious child abduction cases. According to the NCMEC, to date, 941 children have been successfully recovered as a result of the Amber Alert Program. The center notes that of the more than 23,500 runaways reported in 2018, about one in seven were likely victims of child sex trafficking. By PTI NEW DELHI: Two suspected criminals were killed following a shootout between rival gangs near the Dwarka Mor metro station in South West Delhi Sunday, police said. Parveen Gehlot, a resident of Nawada area, and Vikas Dalal had several cases of murders, extortion and robberies registered against them in Delhi and Haryana, they said. The shootout was an outcome of a property dispute, according to police. It began at around 4 pm when occupants of a black car opened fire on a white car. Dwarka shoot out on video. Full Wasseypur style.. pic.twitter.com/V0Yqm7ro8w Raj Shekhar Jha (@rajshekharTOI) 19 May 2019 Fifteen rounds were fired in the busy area, leading to panic among commuters, a senior police officer said. Gehlot was in his car when three men in another car intercepted him and opened fire at him, the officer said. Police officials in a PCR van near the metro station also fired three rounds at the criminals and shot one of them dead, he said. Two people involved in the shootout managed to flee. Police said they have identified them and efforts are on to nab them. The policeman who shot dead one of the criminals will be awarded and his name will be recommended for out-of-turn promotion, the officer said. A case of murder has been registered at Bindapur police station, the officer said. Dalal was on the run after escaping from Haryana police's custody in 2018, he added. Country Star Travis Tritts Tour Bus Sideswiped in Crash That Killed 2 A tour bus carrying country musician Travis Tritt was sideswiped during a crash that left two people dead in South Carolina, he said. In a series of posts on social media, Tritt said the accident occurred Saturday morning in front of his tour bus on Veterans Highway in Myrtle Beach. The bus was sideswiped while trying to avoid the crash after a driver going the wrong way hit another car, he added. The Jeep driver hit a pickup truck head on right in front of us. Thank God we are all okay. I feel so bad for those who died needlessly tonight. Im literally shaken by what I witnessed. God bless those who died and their families, he said. We were just involved in a fatal accident with a driver going the wrong way on Veterans Highway as we were leaving Myrtle Beach. Thank God we are all okay. I feel so bad for those who died needlessly tonight. Im really shaken up by what I witnessed. God bless those who died. pic.twitter.com/zcfRK7XxFc Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) May 18, 2019 The tour bus was slightly damaged as it tried to avoid the crash, he said. Bus damage can be fixed, but lives cannot be replaced, he tweeted. It couldve been so much worse. God was obviously watching over us tonight. He also shared an update about the driver of the Jeep. Im told that two people were killed in tonights accident as the result of someone who was obviously driving drunk or impaired, he wrote. Im told that two people were killed in tonights accident as the the result of someone who was obviously driving drunk or impaired. Just a sober reminder to everyone to never drive if youve been drinking or impaired in any way. Uber or Lyft is just a phone call away. Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) May 18, 2019 He then gave a reminder to his fans and followers: Just a sober reminder to everyone to never drive if youve been drinking or impaired in any way. Uber or Lyft is just a phone call away. He also implored people to be safe. I beg everyone to please, please, please drive sober. Know when to admit that you are too impaired to drive, he wrote. I beg everyone to please, please, please drive sober. Know when to admit that you are too impaired to drive. Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) May 18, 2019 The Grammy-winning musician performed Friday night at North Myrtle Beach. The Horry County Fire and Rescue said two people died during a multi-vehicle crash about 3:30 a.m. Saturday, while a third person suffered minor injuries. It did not identify the victims. The accident involved two vehicles and a tour bus, with no reported injuries on the bus, it said. NTD News reporter Tiffany Meier contributed to this article. Indian villagers look on as a herd of 46 wild Asian elephants walk through the Gangaram Tea Garden on Nov. 29, 2017. Asian elephants are listed as endangered animals. As the human population increases the natural habitat of the elephants get destroyed and they are forced to move in farming areas where causing damage to crops. (DIPTENDU DUTTA/AFP/Getty Images) Elephant Kills Man After People Pelt Stones At Its Just Born Baby An elephant trampled a man to death in a village in India as people pelted it with stones after it gave birth to an ill calf. The incident happened in Ajnashuli village in the eastern state of West Bengal when locals learnt that an elephant was giving birth at a nearby dried lake. Villagers had gathered around the elephant and her newborn only to find the anxious mother nudging the calf to get up. But the little elephant appeared too weak to respond to its mothers prodding, reported the Daily Mail. The mother was likely sensing danger and wanting to move the new calf into the adjacent forest, according to Newsflare. Locals then started pelting stones at the calf, pushing the mother into a rage. She started angrily chasing the crowd and trampled 27-year-old Shailen Mahato to death. Elephant tramples man to death in India after locals pelted it with stones when it gave birth to a calf https://t.co/MJl5m2kdk3 Daily Mail Online (@MailOnline) May 18, 2019 Elephants mothers are considered some of the best mothers in the animal kingdom. They have the longest gestation period among mammals22 months and are very protective of their young ones. Elephants are intensely social and family oriented, and mothers and aunts will go to great lengths to protect and nurture their young, said Jan Vertefeuille, senior director for Advocacy and Wildlife Conservation at the World Wildlife Fund, according to Geek.com. The elephant mother had gestured to the crowd to stay away by marking the ground with its feet before she launched at them, but those gathered did not heed her warning. Who Are the Super Moms of the Animal Kingdom? https://t.co/yldf7MB6lL pic.twitter.com/cF9ZmwhaXt Electro The Engineer (@TheElectroEng) May 11, 2019 Elephants give birth only once in three or four years, and since they mostly give birth to one baby, its a very big prenatal investment in one calf. They make great mothers because female calves live with their mothers for their whole life while the males leave the herd in teenage. Young females play an important role as aunties to help raise the younger members of the herd, so they have had plenty of practice once they have their own young, Vertefeuille said. Soon after the tragic clash, the situation at Ajnashuli village became even more tense when ten other elephants appeared in the area. Angry elephants were seen chasing people out of the forest. The agitated mother is still roaming around in the area and the local authorities have banned people from entering the surrounding forest. The forest officials in the region are closely monitoring the elephant and said they will be able to drive it out only when it calms down, reported the Daily Mail. In India, over 100 people are killed by elephants every year, according to WWF. National Geographys documentary Elephant Rage points out that worldwide, this figure stands at 500. Two more people killed and one seriously injured by a wild loner elephant in Udalguri district today morning. So far 115 people n 53 wild elephants lost lives alone in a district in India during last 6 years. Forest department totally failed to do anything positive pic.twitter.com/qbBj3hqivG Jayanta K Das (@jayantakrdas) May 17, 2019 The confrontation between elephants and humans is increasing because of the degradation of their natural habitats. While many people in the West regard elephants with affection and admiration, the animals often inspire fear and anger in those who share their land, WWF said. As forest lands are being fast converted into agricultural land, elephants also like to eat the crops that farmers are growing. A single elephant makes light work of a hectare of crops in a very short time, WWF explains. This increasing man-elephant confrontation and the depletion of their natural habitat is having a detrimental impact on their population. WWF reports that the population of Asian elephants has decreased from 100,000 to between 35,000 and 50,000. I do think that elephants are becoming more aggressive towards humans in very compressed areas where they are being shot and harassed, Caitlin OConnell-Rodwell, a biologist at Stanford University, told National Geographic. Elephants are the worlds largest vegetarians and OConnell-Rodwell said they dont attack any other animal for food, although food forms the context of most of their conflict with man. Facebook Singled Out Candace Owens for Scrutiny, Potential Ban, Internal Document Indicates Facebook has encouraged some of its employees to probe the background of conservative commentator Candace Owens for anything that could give the social media giant grounds to kick her off its platforms, an internal Facebook document described and partially leaked to Breitbart indicates. The document is a spreadsheet on Policy Review of what the company calls hate agents. It was created in early April and was related to prominent figures recently banned from the platform, a Facebook spokesperson said. Owens was listed on the document under the note, Extra Credit (We should look into these after were done with the above designation analysis). The spokesperson believed Owens hadnt yet been investigated. Owens, who is black, came out as a conservative in a July 2017 YouTube video and has since become one of the most popular conservative speakers in America. Shes argued that liberal policies have hurt black communities, such as by weakening family structure through welfare incentives, undercutting black workers through supporting illegal immigration, and suppressing black birthrates through promoting abortion. Her Facebook account was suspended on May 17 for seven days after she posted a picture of her Twitter post that listed the disparity between poverty rates among blacks and whites in the United States, as well as the high father absence rate in black households. She blamed liberal policies. Black America must wake up to the great liberal hoax, she wrote. White supremacy is not a threat. Liberal supremacy is. Dear @realDonaldTrump, My @facebook page has been suspended for 7 days for posting that white supremacy is not a threat to black America, as much as father absence and & liberal policies that incentivize it, are. I am censored for posting the poverty rates in fatherless homes. pic.twitter.com/Yh9DSW6DPk Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 17, 2019 A Facebook spokesperson said the account was suspended by mistake and restored later that day. The suspension was unrelated to the internal document, the spokesperson said. Ideology, Affiliations The document indicated that Facebook employees were to look into what Owens is known for, including her ideology, actions, major news, etc. They were also supposed to list Affiliated Hate Entities of Owens. The spokesperson didnt respond to questions on what Facebook considers a Hate Entity, what constitutes an affiliation, and how can users avoid such affiliations. The spokesperson also didnt respond to questions on why Owens was singled out for such scrutiny and why was it relevant for Facebook to determine Owenss ideology. To the brave employee who leaked this thank you, Owens responded in a May 18 tweet. To lawyers that follow me is this legal? I am taking this very seriously. An internal memo from @facebook has leaked. They are offering extra credit to employees that can figure out how to segregate me from their platform. To the brave employee who leaked this thank you. To lawyers that follow me is this legal? I am taking this very seriously. https://t.co/0Fbcj8IJAO Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) May 18, 2019 Facebook maintains that it doesnt look at peoples political views when deciding whom to ban, but its Community Standards are, to a degree, a partisan manifesto. The standards heavily focus on suppressing hate speech, even though Americans are divided sharply along political lines on what does and doesnt constitute hateful speech, a 2017 Cato survey (pdf) showed. Hate Speech While in the United States, most of what Facebook labels as hate speech would be lawful to utter publicly because of First Amendment protections, some European countries have laws against hate speech, forcing Facebook to take such content offline. Facebook could theoretically make such content only available to users in locales where its lawful, but the company has apparently subscribed to the hate speech doctrine, tripling its content policing force to some 30,000. The document with Owenss name was posted into an internal discussion group set up by former Facebook senior engineer Brian Amerige, who left the company due to disagreements over content policing. Im glad to see the group continues to be used to raise awareness inside the company about Facebooks slippery slope of a content policy, he said via the Facebook Messenger app. In a very sad way, its comically predictable to see people listed as extra credit to watch and investigate. Evolution into the thought police is the inevitable result of their dangerous and ineffective approach to promoting the truth. The core issue Amerige hit an impasse on with Facebook executives was their insistence on suppressing hate speech, which Amerige deemed misguided. Hate speech cant be defined consistently and it cant be implemented reliably, so it ends up being a series of one-off pragmatic decisions, he previously said. I think its a serious strategic misstep for a company whose products primary value is as a tool for free expression. Facebook not only acknowledged that it cant draw a clear line between what is and isnt hate speech, but that it also keeps a portion of its rules secret. A Facebook spokesperson previously told The Epoch Times that users are partially kept in the dark to prevent them from circumventing the rules, but didnt respond when asked why the company doesnt spell out its policies in full and add a rule against rule circumvention. Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly referenced the U.S. Constitution. The reference was supposed to be to the First Amendment. The Epoch Times regrets the error. A DACA and TPS (Temporary protected status) rally outside the Brooklyn Federal Courthouse in New York on Jan. 7, 2019. (DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty Images) Federal Appeals Court Nixes Trumps Proposed Rollback of DACA A second federal appeals court has blocked the Trump administration from rescinding former President Barack Obamas controversial, unilaterally imposed Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, accepting challengers unusual argument that in this case, a president cannot undo a predecessors executive action. The new decision, and other court rulings on the legality of DACA, are expected to head to the Supreme Court. In January 2018, U.S. District Court Judge William Alsup, appointed by President Bill Clinton in 1999, found the governments belief the program was unlawful seems to be based on a flawed legal premise. In November of that year, a three-judge panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld Alsups ruling. Under political pressure to carry out immigration reforms unilaterally, in October 2010, Obama resisted acting on DACA, saying, I am not king. I cant do these things just by myself. With respect to the notion that I can just suspend deportations through executive order, thats just not the case, he added in March 2011. In May of that year, he said he was unable to just bypass Congress and change the [immigration] law myself. Thats not how a democracy works. But, in 2012, Obama implemented an administrative amnesty by creating the DACA program in defiance of Congress, which had repeatedly refused to vote for the proposal. DACA shields between 700,000 and 800,000 of noncitizenswho were brought to the United States as childrenfrom removal from the country and is deeply unpopular with conservatives and constitutionalists who insist the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to create immigration laws. In January, President Donald Trump said DACA concentrates a scary amount of power in the presidency. If the Supreme Court rules that President Obama was wrong, which they should becauseby the way, if he was right, then Ive been given tremendous power, Trump told reporters. Can you imagine me having that power? Wouldnt that be scary? If President Obama is allowed to do what he did on DACA, then Im allowed to do whatever I want to do on things that, you know, probably a president doesnt have the right to do. On May 17 in a case known as Casa de Maryland v. Department of Homeland Security, a three-judge panel of the Richmond, Virginia-based Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 that the Trump administration failed to abide by the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and didnt adequately explain its rationale for rescission of DACA. Judge Albert Diaz, appointed by President Obama in 2010, wrote the opinion for the panel, and was joined by Judge Robert Bruce King, who was appointed in 1998 by President Clinton. The two Democratic appointees held that DACAs rescission was arbitrary and capricious because the Department of Homeland Security failed to give a reasoned explanation for the change in policy, particularly given the significant reliance interests involved. DACA recipients, in effect, have a right not to be inconvenienced, the two judges found. Hundreds of thousands of people had structured their lives on the availability of deferred action during the over five years between the implementation of DACA and the decision to rescind. Although the government insists that Acting [DHS] Secretary [Elaine] Duke considered these interests in connection with her decision to rescind DACA, her Memo makes no mention of them. Accordingly, we hold that the Departments decision to rescind DACA was arbitrary and capricious and must be set aside. Judge Julius Richardson, appointed by President Trump in 2018, filed a dissenting opinion, writing that his colleagues provided faulty legal reasons for rescinding the discretionary policy. The Administrative Procedure Act does notcontrary to Judges Diaz and Kingallow the rescission of DACA to be reviewed by the courts, Richardson wrote. Enforcement discretion lies at the heart of executive power. The Executive may decide to prosecute, or not prosecute, an individual or a group so long as the reasons for that decision are constitutionally sound and the decision does not violate or abdicate the Executives statutory duties. To hold otherwise permits the Judicial Branch to invade the province of the Executive and impair the carefully constructed separation of powers laid out in our Constitution. Juan Williams poses with his wife on the red carpet upon arrival at a salute to Fox News Channel's Brit Hume on Jan. 8, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images) Fox Should Take Corrective Action Against Juan Williams Commentary On a May 13 episode of Fox Newss The Five, political analyst Juan Williams claimed that Zionists couldnt be trusted to objectively criticize Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) regarding her recent comments about the Holocaust. In the segment, responding to comments by Lisa Boothe about the Zionist Organization of Americas previous criticism of Tlaib, Williams stated, You want to put it in a box and say, Oh, everybody is this way or that way. And you are with the Zionists and the Zionists [interrupted] Im trying to say, you cant trust the Zionists to go after Tlaib. Williams is one of the networks liberal voices. However, his comments regarding Zionists shouldnt go unpunished, in light of the networks recent decision to suspend Judge Jeanine Pirro for her comments regarding Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.). At the very least, Williams should issue an apology for his misguided and offensive remarks. By way of a reminder, during her Opening Statement segment on March 9, Pirro made the following comment about Omar, stating: Omar wears the hijab, which, according to the Quran 33:59, tells women to cover so they wont get molested. Is her adherence to this Islamic doctrine indicative of her adherence to Sharia law, which in itself is antithetical to the United States Constitution? Shortly thereafter, Fox News issued a statement condemning Pirros comment and subsequently suspended her. However, to date, the network has taken no corrective action in light of Williamss recent comments. The networks silence is inexplicable. Williamss comments were inexcusable and implied that Zionists are unable to objectively evaluate Tlaibs comments because they are inherently biased against her, by virtue of being Jewish. In other words, Williams appears to be saying that Zionists shouldnt have a voice with regard to Tlaib because they are all against her by virtue of being Jewish (this is false) and that the Holocaust hits too close to home for Zionists, thereby impacting their ability to be objective. Williamss comments are insulting, misguided, and offensive to all Jews, regardless of political affiliation. Tragically, Jews, among others, are in the unfortunate, yet ideal, position to critique the nature of Tlaibs comments. Six million Jews were slaughtered at the hands of the Nazis in World War II. Further back in history, it was the Jews whom Persian Empire official Haman threatened to annihilatenow remembered with the holiday Purim. It was the Jews who were enslaved by Pharaoh and the Egyptiansnow remembered with the holiday Passover. In recent times, it was innocent Jews who were shot and killed while praying in Pittsburgh and in Poway, California. Given the continued and tragic persecution of Jews, they must continue to critique and analyze comments such as Tlaibs to ensure, to the extent possible, that history doesnt repeat itself. Its for this reason that Jews read the Haggadah every Passover. According to Chabad, there is a deeper meaning to this ritual: On a deeper plane, it also tells the story of the Jewish people throughout the ageshow weve suffered. The Haggadah is our secret to survival again and again, undergoing slavery and mass murder. But the Jewish spark within us has not been extinguished. The Haggadah is our secret to survival, reminding us where we came from and who we are. When Fox suspended Pirro, many people were upset with the decision. However, in doing so, Fox somewhat defined the scope and nature of what is permissible or impermissible to say on air. Williamss comments were offensive, foolish, andarguablyanti-Semitic. As such, the network must take some sort of corrective action against Williams. At the very least, Williams should issue a public apology. Many Jews lost family members or other loved ones as a result of anti-Semitism. Sadly, history has taught many Jews (and non-Jews) how to recognize the warning signs of anti-Semitism. Moreover, many Jews have lived through one or more of these tragic events and are all too familiar with the consequences associated with silence or inaction. They should not, and will not, sit idly by and allow history to repeat itself. Elad Hakim is a writer, commentator, and attorney. His articles have been published in The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, The Western Journal, American Thinker, and other online publications. Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times. High School Cafeteria Worker Fired After Giving Student a Free Meal A New Hampshire school cafeteria worker was reportedly fired after giving food to a child who couldnt pay for it. The New Hampshire Union Leader reported that Bonnie Kimball let a high school boy take $8 worth of food on March 28. She told the unnamed child, who goes to Mascoma Valley Regional High School, that he needed to pay it back. Kimball said she was then fired by vendor Cafe Services after the free lunch was given, the report said. Cafe Services later said that it had offered to re-hire Kimball and give her back pay, Fox News reported. Kimball, however, said she was not interested in returning, saying she believed that she was only offered the job because the company wanted to keep its contract with the school district. According to the Union Leader, the boy who got the free lunch paid the bill the next day. But Kimball was still fired. I was doing what I was told to do, Kimball said, adding that her manager had instructed her to allow students to take food and discreetly tell them that they have to add money later to their account. When I rang him up, the student didnt have any money on their account, Kimball told the Valley News. So, I have a district manager here, my boss has told me Dont cause any scenes with the contract and I quietly said tell (your) mom you need money. Kimball said the manager was concerned about Cafe Services renewing its contract and didnt want to cause an incident. We werent supposed to pull trays, she said. She said that two other employees in the high school lunchroom quit in protest of her treatment. And despite the negative press, the school board voted to keep using Cafe Services as a food vendor for another year, giving it a contract worth $560,000. It was my life for five years. I went and I took care of another family, Kimball was quoted by the Valley News. You dont just lose a family member, be OK and move on. New Hampshire school cafeteria worker fired for giving food to student who couldnt pay WHBQ! The hero is Bonnie Kimball! If she needs a job we have openings at @thinkfoodgroup if you know her, let her know! @NewHampJournal https://t.co/o7JHXgRtn6 Jose Andres (@chefjoseandres) May 17, 2019 After Kimballs story went, celebrity chef Jose Andres went on Twitter to offer Kimball employment at his nonprofit World Central Kitchen. The hero is Bonnie Kimball! If she needs a new job we have openings @thinkfoodgroup, Andres wrote. Woman Claims School Threw Food Away In another incident late last year, an Alabama woman claimed that a student was denied lunch because he couldnt pay. The lunch was then tossed in the trash. The woman, Laurie Brown, said the student was sent to Foley High School in Baldwin County after Hurricane Michael, which slammed Floridas Panhandle region. On Facebook, Brown claimed in a post: The student that was behind her (that got the chicken sandwich, fries an orange and a drink) is trying to charge his lunch to his account. Did I mention that this was this childs first day at Foley High school? Anyway, the cafeteria lady proceeds to tell his child that he cant charge his lunch. Her words were no money, no lunch. And then of all things she takes his tray, the tray complete with a chicken sandwich, fries, an orange, and a drink, AND THROWS IT IN THE TRASH!!!! Superintendent Eddie Tyler issued a statement on the matter, saying no child will go hungry, saying the child got fed. We have investigated the matter reported at our school about a childs lunch being thrown away and fed a sandwich. Out of respect to the familys privacy, all we can say is that the child was fed and the family has no problem with how the matter was handled, he said. This aerial photo shows the scene of a deadly home explosion in Jeffersonville, Ind., on May 19, 2019. (Michael Clevegner/Courier Journal via AP) House Explosion Kills 1, Injures 2 in Southern Indiana City JEFFERSONVILLE, Ind.An explosion leveled a home in southern Indiana early Sunday, May 19, killing one person, injuring two others and leaving several nearby homes uninhabitable, authorities said. Hours after the explosion shattered windows across a Jeffersonville neighborhood and sent debris flying onto roofs, lawns and cars, officials had not said what they believe caused the explosion. Indiana State Police, Jeffersonville police and firefighters were at the scene, along with crews from Vectren, a natural gas provider. Jeffersonville police Lt. Isaac Parker told The Courier-Journal that the house exploded just before 5 a.m. Sunday in the Ohio River city just north of Louisville, Kentucky. He said one person was killed and two others were hospitalized with serious injuries. UPDATE CORRECTION* the incident was in the 900 block of Assembly Rd. In the Capital Hills Neighborhood Jeffersonville Fire (@JFDpio) May 19, 2019 Officials havent said if the victims were inside the house that exploded. Aerial footage showed the homes foundation and what appears to be its basement, covered with debris. The images were reminiscent of photos following a house explosion in an Indianapolis neighborhood in December 2012 that killed two people and damaged or destroyed more than 80 homes. Authorities concluded that Mark Leonard had tampered with a gas line to blow up his girlfriends home so they could claim insurance money. Leonard died in prison last year. Sgt. Jason Ames with the Jeffersonville Fire Department said the explosion Sunday had affected about 20 homes in the Capitol Hills neighborhood. He said it was felt up to 5 miles (8 kilometers) away and that the house where it occurred suffered catastrophic damage. Ames did not immediately return a phone message seeking additional details. Fire Chief Eric Hedrick said the house where the blast occurred was largely destroyed and five to six nearby homes were left uninhabitable due to damage. William Short, who lives across the street from the house that exploded, said he was in bed when he heard the explosion. From @WLKYDeni heres video from the Jeffersonville house explosion. pic.twitter.com/hbt6lcPGBi Susanne Horgan (@WLKYSusanneH) May 19, 2019 He said he looked outside and saw what appeared to be fireworks before a second blast shattered his windows, blew off his front door and cracked his ceilings. Short looked outside again and saw from the light of a burning car that his neighbors home was gone. You dont never think youre going to wake up and see your neighbors house completely gone, he told The Courier-Journal. A Huawei logo is seen at the entrance of the Huawei Cyber Security Lab at a Huawei production base during a media tour in Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China, on March 6, 2019. (WANG ZHAO/AFP/Getty Images) Huawei Starts Backup Mode to Deal With US Export Ban Chinese tech giant faces production concerns as reports emerge that Google will suspend some business Despite the U.S. administration recently enacting an export ban prohibiting U.S. companies from providing technology and equipment to Chinese telecom giant Huawei, company founder Ren Zhengfei boasted that hes confident the company would still thrive. At a press conference held by the company for Japanese media on May 18, Ren said the export ban would only affect Huaweis business slightly because we actually have foreseen this day for many years, and we do have a backup plan. But a day later, Reuters reported that Google has suspended some of its business with Huawei, threatening the companys smartphone businesssince its phones all run on Googles Android operating system. Huawei has tried developing its own chips and operating systems in recent years, but it remains a question whether their attempts to become independent of foreign suppliers will work. Huaweis Backup Mode On May 15, the U.S. Commerce Department added Huawei and its 68 affiliates to its Entity List, meaning the company cant acquire components and technology from U.S. firms unless it receives special U.S. government approval. Earlier that day, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to protect U.S. telecom networks from foreign adversaries. U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said in a statement that Trump backed the decision to prevent American technology from being used by foreign-owned entities in ways that potentially undermine U.S. national security or foreign policy interests. Ren made his first public response to the ban by telling Japanese media that Huawei will be fine without chips from Qualcomm and other U.S. suppliers. We have already been preparing for this, Japanese media Nikkei cited Ren as saying. An open letter from Teresa He Tingbo, the president of Huaweis chipmaking subsidiary, HiSilicon, confirmed the switch to an emergency mode. Today is the day when history would make a choice, that all the spare tires we have prepared will become tires in-use overnight, He said, in a letter sent to all HiSilicon employees on May 17, announcing that Huawei has begun its backup mode. The letter was leaked by many Chinese media outlets. Many years ago, our company had made a hypothesis of an extreme scenario that we wouldnt be able to obtain any advanced chips and technologies from the United States, He said. Foreign Dependence But Reuters reported on May 19 that, according to a source close to the matter, Google responded to the U.S. governments export ban and has suspended the transfer of hardware, software, and technical services except those publicly available via open source licensing. This suspension means Huawei will lose access to updating the Android operating system on its phones soon. New Huawei smartphones also wont be able to install Google-developed popular applications, including Google Play Store, Gmail, and Google Maps. The source told Reuters that Google is still evaluating details of the suspension. Huawei has not commented so far. Huawei also depends heavily on U.S. suppliers. Chinese state-run media Yicai Global reported in November 2018 that Huawei has 92 core suppliers, 36 percent of which are U.S. companies. And even 40 percent of its Chinese suppliers use U.S. technology for their production. Linda Sui, a U.S.-based smartphone strategy analytics analyst from Global Wireless Practice, told Reuters on May 17: I would be surprised if HiSilicon can make it [chips] without any U.S. suppliers. A China-based source told Reuters: [None of Huaweis U.S. suppliers] can be replaced by Chinese ones, not within a few years, at least. The person gave an example that Huawei and its subsidiaries use chip-design software from Cadence Design Systems Inc. and Synopsys Inc., both based in California and leaders in the global market. Its hard to replace [the softwares], Mike Demler, a senior analyst at semiconductors technology analysis and consulting company Linley Group, told Reuters. Cadence and Synopsys pretty much have all the ground covered for anything you would need. Reuters contributed to this report. This article previously misstated the number of Huawei affiliate companies that are under the U.S. export ban. The Epoch Times regrets the error. Louisiana Governor Breaks With Dems on Abortion, Ready to Sign the Heartbeat Legislation Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is ready to sign into law a bill that would ban abortions after just weeks of pregnancy, reported AP. The new legislation is dubbed heartbeat. My position hasnt changed. In eight years in the Legislature, I was a pro-life legislator, he said on May 16. During the time that he was running for governor, he has had the same view. Im as consistent as I can be on that point. Edwards has recurrently opposed the national party leaders on the issue at hand and this time, he has made his stance clear again with the heartbeat legislation. The proposal to outlaw abortion after a heartbeat from the fetus is detected is waiting for one final vote in the state House. Kentucky, Georgia, Ohio, and Mississippi have already passed similar laws, effectively standing against the 1973 U.S Supreme Court Roe v. Wade resolution that made abortions legal. The Governor of Alabama, Kay Ivey (R), also successfully passed a law on May 17 that now makes abortion a felony in almost all cases and at any stage of pregnancy. To the bills many supporters, this legislation stands as a powerful testament to Alabamians deeply held belief that every life is precious and that every life is a sacred gift from God, Ivey said in a statement, according to The Hill. To all Alabamians, I assure you that we will continue to follow the rule of law. Edwards attitude is rare within the Democratic party, and has provoked heated attacks from people who think that abortion should be legal. But his views are not rare in Louisiana and are therefore in accordance with the people of the state he governs, being favorable of religion and conservatism. He described locals as being overwhelmingly pro-life. Thats the way I was raised. Thats what my Catholic Christian faith requires, said Edwards in his radio show. I know that for many in the national party, on the national scene, thats not a good fit. But I will tell you, here in Louisiana, I speak and meet with Democrats who are pro-life every single day. Louisianas 2019 heartbeat bill, sponsored by Democratic state Senator John Milkovich, has had quite a smooth sail in the state. However, the abortion ban will only come into effect after a federal appeal court approves of a similar law in Mississippi. The heartbeat bill includes exceptions to the abortion ban for pregnant woman whose health is at serious risk, but it does not include exceptions for pregnancies from rape or incest, which is the subject of big disagreements. Michelle Erenberg, for the pro-abortion lobby group LIFT Louisiana said, A woman who has been assaulted, been a victim of a crime such as rape or incest, would be forced to carry that pregnancy for nine months and to carry the memory and the burden of the trauma of that experience with her for nine months and I think that is just inconceivable to most people, but apparently its not too far for our legislators, WAFB reported. Ben Clapper for the anti-abortion lobby group Louisiana Right To Life is of a different opinion. Rape and incest are terrible, awful things, but we shouldnt punish the child for the sins of the father in this situation, they need to be given the same protection that other unborn babies and other humans for that matter are given, he said. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is in strong opposition of the heartbeat legislation and says that the bill is inhumane. This is an outrageous attack on women and their doctors. This is an effort to try to take away a womans right to make the best medical decisions for her and her family and to put doctors behind bars for providing care. The courts should strike down this inhumane bill. https://t.co/c8x1YRfgfS Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) May 17, 2019 President Donald Trump hit at the Democrats in January for their position on late term abortions, taking to Twitter to say, Democrats are becoming the Party of late term abortion, high taxes, Open Borders and Crime! Democrats are becoming the Party of late term abortion, high taxes, Open Borders and Crime! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 31, 2019 Almost 30 years ago, the wife of the Democratic Louisiana governor John Bel Edwards was 20 weeks pregnant with their daughter when their doctor found that the baby had a spine problem and recommended aborting the pregnancy. The governor and his wife refused and chose to keep the baby. They gave birth to Samantha not long after. Today, Samantha is married and working as a school counselor. From NTD News Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the Liberal Party Scott Morrison, flanked by his wife Jenny Morrison and daughters Lily Morrison and Abbey Morrison, delivers his victory speech at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth in Sydney, Australia, on May 18, 2019. (Tracey Nearmy/Getty Images) Morrison Gives Thanks, Says Miracle Win Goes to Quiet Australians Re-elected Prime Minister Scott Morrison will get down to business as soon as possiblebut not before going to church and watching his beloved rugby league team the Cronulla Sharks. Scott Morrison has given thanks to Australians after pulling off an extraordinary election win. The prime minister went to church with wife Jenny on Sunday morning after celebrating the miracle victory, and spent the afternoon at the footy. I give thanks to live in the greatest country in all the world, he told reporters outside the Horizon Church. Thanks again to all Australians all across the country. Hugging members of the church congregation, Morrison praised his local community and team of volunteers. They have stayed with me ever since I was first elected to parliament in 2007, he said. You dont get to be prime minister and serve in that capacity unless you are first a member of your local electorate. Pastor Andrew Evans, a former South Australian state politician who founded the Family First party, ministered the service on Sunday morning. World leaders were quick to congratulate Morrison on his re-election. The 51-year-old received a congratulatory phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump earlier on Sunday. Trump called the result a great win! According to the White House, the two leaders reaffirmed the critical importance of the long-standing alliance and friendship between the United States and Australia, and they pledged to continue their close cooperation on shared priorities. French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have also offered their congratulations directly. He is expected to speak to UK Prime Minister Theresa May in coming days. Overnight, the prime minister received a rapturous reception after defying the pundits in a come-from-behind victory. I have always believed in miracles, he told jubilant Liberal supporters in Sydney on Saturday night, with his wife and two daughters by his side. Im standing with the three biggest miracles of my life here tonight and tonight we have been delivered another one. How good is Australia! How good are Australians! Thank you! pic.twitter.com/i41QRz5Roz Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) May 18, 2019 When you meet someone amazing, never let them go. Build a life together and give thanks for every day you share. So thankful to be sharing this one with you Jen, as always. Love Scott pic.twitter.com/nsm2g03r7S Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) May 18, 2019 Hundreds of Liberal diehards who packed into the ballroom of the Sofitel Hotel erupted in deafening delight when Morrison entered the room around midnight. But the prime minister declared the surprise election result a victory for quiet Australians. Its always been about them. Morrison, who became prime minister less than nine months ago after the Liberal Party rolled Malcolm Turnbull, is hungry to get back to work. Weve got a lot of work to do. Were going to get back to work for the Australians that we know go to work every day, who face those struggles and trials every day, he said. Theyre looking for a fair go and theyre having a go and theyre going to get a go from our government. The coalition will be returned to government after winning at least 74 of the 76 seats needed to form a majority in parliament. A number of seats are still in doubt, but Morrison acknowledged those candidates who defied the odds to buck expected defeats. He singled out the Sunshine State, where Labor failed to make an impact. How goods Queensland? he said, to chants of Queensland from the crowd. I never thought Id hear that in this room in NSW this close to Origin. Morrison capped off the fairytale weekend by watching the Cronulla Sharks play at home in the Sutherland Shire. Heading into the ground, the prime minister was hopeful the team drew inspiration from his upset win. I hope sothey sent me some inspiration yesterday before the election, he told reporters. I always fully support them, and its so nice they support me. By Daniel McCulloch. With additional reporting from The Associated Press. By Express News Service THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: B Suresh, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Air Command (SAC), said the vision of Indian Air Force veterans will serve as a beacon and the institution will forever remain indebted to them for their selfless service to the nation. Suresh, who was the chief guest at the annual meet of Air Force Association (AFA) Trivandrum chapter at Tagore theatre here on Sunday, paid rich tributes to the veterans for laying a strong foundation for the IAF. He also informed the veterans and their families that Southern Air Command had initiated several welfare measures in coordination with the Government for their betterment and assured that he would leave no stone unturned in pursuing all outstanding issues concerning them. The Air Force Association was formed on 15 September 1980 for the welfare of retired Air Force personnel, their families and families of deceased air veterans. 1980 The year the Air Force Association was formed Purpose: For the welfare of retired Air Force personnel, their families and families of deceased air veterans. It has more than 60,000 members and has 19 branches in various state capitals and two branches abroad in Australia and UK Fusion GPS contractor Nellie Ohr arrives for a closed-door interview with investigators from the House Judiciary and Oversight committees in the Rayburn House Office Building on Capitol Hill in Washington Oct. 19, 2018. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Nellie Ohr Destroyed Spouses Government Email Records on Russian Influence Operations Nellie Ohr, wife of former U.S. Associate Deputy Attorney General Bruce Ohr and an analyst working for the opposition research firm Fusion GPS, deleted messages about Russian influence operations from her husbands government email account, according to documents obtained by Judicial Watch. Thanks! Im deleting these emails now, Nellie Ohr told her husband in an April 20, 2016, email at the end of a thread of exchanges between the Ohrs, Bruces Department of Justice (DOJ) assistant Lisa Holtyn, and Stefen Bress, a first secretary at the German Embassy in Washington. The subject line of the emails was Analyst Russian Organized Crime April 2016, in which Bress offered to provide two Russia analysts for an analytical exchange discussion with Ohr, Holtyn, and other unnamed DOJ officials of multiple topics, including the Impact of Russian influence operations in Europe (PsyOps/InfoWar). During the email exchange, in addition to the hour-long meeting at DOJ, Holtyn, on behalf of the Ohrs, invited Bress, his wife, and the analysts to the Ohrs home for dinner. Bress responded that his wife was unable to attend the dinner but said he would be happy to eat her portion of food and drink her glass of wine. Nellie Ohr was copied on the exchange from her husbands DOJ email account. This email is disturbing and suggests documents relevant to the improper targeting of President Trump were destroyed, Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in a statement on May 17. The email thread was included in 339 pages of documents released by DOJ as a result of a lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch when the government failed to respond to the non-profits December 2017 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for (1) communications between former Associate Deputy Attorney General Bruce Ohr and named individuals and entities, (2) travel documents pertaining to Mr. Ohr, and (3) all calendar entries of Mr. Ohr, dating since January 1, 2015. Judicial Watch also asked, in a separate FOIA request, for records from the Office of the Deputy Attorney General relating to Fusion GPS, Nellie Ohr, and/or Christopher Steele, dating since January 2016. The 339 pages provided in response to the first FOIA was also in partial response to the second FOIA, according to DOJ Senior Counsel Vanessa R. Brinkmann. The Ohrs were central players in the DOJ/FBI spying operation against former Trump campaign aides Carter Page and George Papadopoulos. Nellie Ohr worked for Fusion GPS, which was paid by the campaign of Trumps opponent in the 2016 presidential campaign, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and the Democratic National Committee, which Clinton controlled at the time. Fusion GPS, in turn, retained former British spy Christopher Steele, who, using his extensive connections with Russian intelligence officials and agents, compiled what came to be known as the Steele dossier. The Steele dossier contained multiple pages of salacious and unverified allegations based in part on Russian sources against Trump. In addition to being paid by Fusion GPS, Steele was personally strongly opposed to Trump becoming president. The FBI used the Steele dossier and news stories based on calculated leaks from the documents to justify approval by the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act court of extensive spying on Trump aides during and after their campaign roles. Bruce Ohr was Steeles contact at DOJ, while Nellie Ohr was a conduit through her husband of anti-Trump materials she generated or obtained during the course of her work for Fusion GPS. Both of the Ohrs had known and worked with Steele for years prior to the 2016 presidential campaign. Bruce Ohr said in congressional testimony that Steeles informationthat the Russians had Trump over a barrel with seriously compromising informationcaused him increasing worry if Trump were elected. Ohr was demoted by DOJ after public revelations of his extensive contacts with Steele and Fusion GPS chief Glenn Simpson, as well as for failing to disclose the potential conflict of interest represented by his wifes employment by Fusion GPS. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) sent DOJ a May 1, 2019, referral for possible prosecution of Nellie Ohr as a result of her denial that she had any knowledge of what was going on in an ongoing [DOJ] investigation, including any investigations on Russia. She also denied providing anything from her Russia research to anybody outside of Fusion GPS. However, documents reviewed by our committees raise concerns Ms. Ohr not only had knowledge of an ongoing DOJ investigation, but that she shared information and research on Russian organized crime to assist DOJ, in direct contradiction with her testimony, said Meadows. The DOJ isnt obligated to prosecute such referrals. Meadows is a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, as well as chairman of the House Freedom Caucus. Contact Mark Tapscott at mark.tapscott@epochtimes.nyc Clarisa Figueroa, who is charged in the death of 19-year-old expectant mother Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, on May 16, 2019. (Chicago Police Department via AP) Police Not Notified of Early Clues in Womb-Cutting Murder Case: Report Illinois authorities said hospital staff did not alert them to early clues in the case of the murder of a 9-month-pregnant woman and the subsequent removal of the baby from her womb. Police and Illinois child welfare agency representatives were cited by The Associated Press as saying that Advocate Christ Medical Center staff did not notify them when medics discovered that a bloodied woman who arrived with a seriously ill newborn had not given birth to the baby boy. Police said the woman, 46-year-old Clarisa Figueroa, murdered 9-month-pregnant Marlen Ochoa-Lopez on April 23 and then cut the baby out of her womb. Figueroa then allegedly phoned 911 to say she had just given birth to a baby who wasnt breathing. Paramedics transported Figueroa to the hospital in Oak Lawn, a suburb of Chicago, where she reportedly underwent a physical exam that determined she had not given birth. The baby was put on life support and he remains in intensive care. Now both police and Illinoiss child welfare agency representatives said the hospital raised no alarm on circumstances that investigators suggested should have raised a red flag. Oak Lawn police said they were not contacted about Figueroa, by the medical center, or any other agency. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said on Saturday, May 18, that authorities had to subpoena medical records from the hospital for Figueroa and the child. He said police didnt learn that Figueroa showed no signs of childbirth until a couple of weeks after she was examined. Illinois Department of Children and Family Services spokesman Jassen Strokosch said Saturday the agency was alerted on May 9 that there were questions about who had custody of the child in order to make medical decisions. He said he couldnt speculate about why the agency wasnt contacted sooner. We dont know what was happening at the hospital, he said. Strokosch said the Department of Children and Family Services was alerted by someone required by law to contact the department about suspected abuse or neglect, but he couldnt say who contacted the agency. A hospital spokesman told The Associated Press in an emailed statement, We have been cooperating with authorities and as this is an ongoing police matter, were referring all inquiries to local law enforcement. Murder Charges Announced Police announced on Thursday that three people had been arrested and charged in connection with Ochoa-Lopezs death. Chicago Police said at a news conference that Figueroa and her 24-year-old daughter, Desiree Figueroa, would face charges of first-degree murder. The mothers boyfriend, 40-year-old Piotr Bobak, is charged with concealment of a homicide. The victim, 19-year-old Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, was found on May 15, strangled to death. Her unborn son had been removed from her womb. People magazine reported that the baby, who Ochoa-Lopez had intended to name Yavani Yadiel Lopez, has no brain function. Fox32 reported that the family doesnt have plans to remove the child from life support. Yavani Yadiel Lopez is Marlen Ochoa-Lopezs son. He is brain dead and on life-support at Christ Hospital where his family has decided to keep him on life-support. Charges against the people responsible expected shortly. You can help the family here: https://t.co/D7PUH1CJgQ pic.twitter.com/6LBjpgZ3Rf Dakarai Turner (@Dakarai_Turner) May 16, 2019 The family said that they are praying for the child. I have a lot of faith that the babys going to live. God is going to give me that miracle. Were anxiously waiting to have him, to love him, Yiovanni Lopez, 20, the husband of Marlen Ochoa-Lopez, reported the Chicago Sun-Times. Clarisa Figueroas adult son died of natural causes two years ago, and police believe the woman was hoping to raise the newborn as her own. However, they said the investigation is continuing. My Other Son Feels Sad Ochoa-Lopez, 19, went missing for three weeks before her body was found. She left behind a 3-year-old son, Joshua, who has reportedly been asking for his mother. My other son feels sad, Lopez told the paper. I cant explain what happened because hes still a kid, but I try to make him happy. There were plenty of clues and in my view this all took way too long. They kept saying how a judge had to OK every requestto check her phone, to check Facebook, Lopez said. I hired a private investigator and he found all of that information, where my daughter was murdered, and he shared that information with police, he added. Arnulfo Ochoa, Ochoa-Lopezs father, meanwhile, also said he is displeased with the Chicago Police Departments response. We just want them to face justice, Arnulfo Ochoa said on May 16. We are not against them but we just want them to understand what they did wrong. Chicago Police tell me 4 people are being questioned, 3 of them are under arrest. A press conference will happen today and charges will be announced in the death of #MarlenOchoa. She was 9 months pregnant when she disappeared, sources say the baby was cut from her womb.@fox32news pic.twitter.com/XAJUFeFmLy Tia A. Ewing (@TIA_EWING) May 16, 2019 Cecilia Garcia, a spokeswoman for the family, said that Ochoa-Lopez was possibly lured on Facebook by a woman who told her she was giving away baby clothes, The Washington Post reported. She was giving clothes away, supposedly under the pretense that her daughters had been given clothes and they had all these extra boy clothes, Garcia told the Post. Thats the false pretenses that we believe led [Ochoa-Lopez] to that house. Epoch Times reported Jack Phillips and The Associated Press contributed to this report. Fort Worth 8-year-old Salem Sabatka has been found safe after an Amber Alert was issued for the girl, who was kidnapped while on a walk with her mother in Fort Worth, Texas, on May 18, 2019. (Fort Worth Police) Suspect in Brazen Kidnapping of Salem Sabatka Had Prior Assault Case Dismissed It has been revealed that the suspect in the recent kidnapping of a girl in Fort Worth, Texas, had been charged with sexual assault last year in Smith County. But according to the Star-Telegram, that case was dismissed. Salem Sabatka, 8, was kidnapped as she was walking with her mother on the night of May 18. She was found about seven hours later in the early morning on Sunday at a hotel miles away, police said. Michael Webb, 51, is in jail on an aggravated kidnapping charge, and 8-year-old Salem Sabatka is at home with her family. https://t.co/Po8kKhW8R0 WFAA (@wfaa) May 19, 2019 Michael Webb, 51, was identified as the suspect in the case, adding that he faces aggravated kidnapping charges. Webb, according to a CBS19 report, was arrested in April 2018 on sexual assault charges and was described in the report as Thin Man. He was also arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Richard Vance, the Smith County prosecutor who handled the case, told the Star-Telegram on May 19 that the witness was uncooperative and left Texas. Our hands were pretty much tied on that one, otherwise we would have prosecuted him, Vance said, adding that the alleged victim was a woman in her 30s or 40s with a history of prostitution. From the get-go, she was filing affidavits of non-prosecution, Vance said. That, in and of itself, doesnt keep us from prosecuting but we made attempts to contact her with no success. Later, she became uncooperative, he said. Details of the Rescue As you can see, theres a smile on my face. Im here to report that Salem has been found safe, Buddy Calzada of the Fort Worth Police said on Sunday morning. Two local church members went out and discovered the suspects vehicle at a motel before officers breached a door of the room, Calzada said. They had spotted the vehicle based on photos that were shared on social media, according to reports. Briefing of arrest of #SalemSabatka kidnapping. Salem is safe. https://t.co/hcinCLeb8k Fort Worth Police (@fortworthpd) May 19, 2019 Praising the two church members who aided in Salems rescue, Calzada said, Theyre our heroes tonight, Ill tell you that. Its a phenomenal feeling, Calzada said in the press briefing. We had citizens that went out of their way and helped not just the police department, but a family put some great closure to what we had going on right now. Detectives are still investigating and analyzing certain parts of two different crime scenes, Calzada told People in the afternoon. We are waiting for an update from them before releasing any additional information. Police charged 51-year-old Michael Webb with aggravated kidnapping. Salem Sabatka was found safe at a hotel, after two local church members went searching for the suspect car and found it in Forest Hill https://t.co/Zozl0EtJ4o with new details from @danabranham LaVendrick Smith (@LaVendrickS) May 19, 2019 Salem had been walking with her mother when a car approached the two. A man emerged, grabbed her and pushed her into the car while pushing her mother away and drove away with the daughter, KTVT reported. Police issued an AMBER Alert and shared photos of Salem and Webbs alleged vehicle on social media. A doorbell video also showed the kidnapping. Other details about the case are not clear. KIDNAPPING: Zoom in on video, police say you can see mom being tossed from car after she tried to jump in to get her 8yo daughter Salem Sabatka. Police working this is a kidnapping started on 6th Ave in Ryan Place area of FW. Please follow @fortworthpd for how to help. @wfaa pic.twitter.com/JX9mtthgyo Bradley Blackburn (@BLBlackburn) May 19, 2019 Prior Arrests Reports said that Webb has arrest records in Bowie County dating back to 1989 that include burglary of a vehicle, burglary of a building, failure to identify as a fugitive, and resisting arrest. In Tyler, he was arrested on charges of terroristic threats, evading arrest, and drug possession. Texas Mom Who Gave Birth to Sextuplets Provides an Update A mother in Texas who gave birth to sextuplets in March 2019 was all smiles in the latest update on the children. I have always looked forward to getting pregnant, so when it came, I embraced it with all the love I have, Themla Chiaka said, ABC13 reported. The odds of having sextuplets are slim: one in 4.7 billion. ABC13 reported that one of her babies is already at home, but the five others need more time in the NICU ward. They will be released over the coming weeks. I feel blessed having such beautiful babies. Mothers Day has been an awesome experience for me, said Chiaka. Chiaka spent just nine minutes delivering all six children. The six babies weighed about two pounds each. The children are named Zuriel, Zina, Kamsi, Kaeto, Kachi, and Kaobi, the report noted. They were two sets of twin boy and a set of twin girls. Baby Boom! Houston Woman Gives Birth to 3 Sets of Twins in 9 Minutes: This Is Miraculous! https://t.co/NgFPZ7k7Vj People (@people) March 25, 2019 Miss Thelma, she was a champion because she kept her smile until the last minute. She had her smile all over the pregnancy and it wasnt an easy pregnancy on her, but she did wonderful, said Dr. Ziad Haidar with the Womens Hospital of Texas. Chiaka delivered the children on March 15 at around 4 a.m. local time. The babies were born at weights ranging from one pound, 12 ounces and two pounds, 14 ounces, hospital officials said, People reported. They are in stable condition and will continue to receive care in the hospitals advanced neonatal intensive care unit. Social media users were quick to congratulate the mother. Woooooow this is miraculous, mama your [sic] are really blessed. congratulations be strong happy always, one person wrote, according to People magazine. Another said, I could not imagine giving birth to 6 babies but at least you can say your [sic] done now and get the baby stages all over at one time! Congrats momma I bet their [sic] all gorgeous. Go get a powerball ticket with that kind of luck you could be the next half a billionaire, another said, referring to the odds of giving birth to sextuplets. More Cases Meanwhile, in 1997, septuplets were born in Iowa to Kenny and Bobbi McCaughey. They were the worlds first surviving septuplets. Briefs: The worlds first surviving septuplets, the McCaughey siblings are heading to college #ChildrensDay pic.twitter.com/fO3dg7Fa5J BusinessDay (@BusinessDayNg) May 27, 2016 It will definitely be different and weird, but I feel that it will be good for us to get out of our comfort zone and meet new people, Kelsey, one of the siblings said after graduating high school several years ago, NBC News reported. I honestly think it will be good for all of us to be on our separate ways, Kenny, another sibling, said at the time. I am not worried about not seeing everyone that much. We have been around each other the past 18 years. I am ready to be on my way, and I think everyone else is, too. 20 Years Later, All Grown Up You Wont Recognize The McCaughey Septuplets | 94.9 THE BULL https://t.co/Hn2k7Vm7hs pic.twitter.com/Qcuv7b3JOL 94.9 THE BULL (@949TheBull) September 19, 2017 Brandon, another one, said at the time hes going to the U.S. Army. It will be a little different being without all my siblings, he told the news outlet. But it wont be bad since Ill have contact with them. I think I will have a good experience being on my own, with my new military family. I have been taught to work for the things I want, and to not expect others to do anything for me. That helps with military life because I will need to do everything on my own, with no help at all from others. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation on April 24, 2019 in Arlington, Virginia. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Treasury Secretary Rejects Democrats Subpoena for Trumps Tax Returns WASHINGTONTreasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin refused to comply with a congressional subpoena for President Donald Trumps tax returns on May 17. Mnuchin rejected the request from House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal, a Democrat, saying that it lacks a legitimate legislative purpose. Neals request is one of a battery of efforts by Democrats targeting Trump that they initiated after gaining control of the House of Representatives in the 2018 midterm election. Trump refers to these efforts as presidential harassment. Mnuchins rejection sets up a potential federal court battle that could drag on for months. We are unable to provide the requested information in response to the committees subpoena, Mnuchin wrote in a letter to Neal ahead of his deadline for handing over the tax returns. Hours prior to the rejection, Neal told reporters he would to turn to the federal courts as a next step, rather than initiating proceedings to find Mnuchin in contempt of Congress. We will likely proceed to court as quickly as next week, Neal said. After Mnuchins formal rejection, Neal issued a statement saying he was consulting with counsel on how best to enforce the subpoenas moving forward. Taxpayers are entitled to keep their tax returns private. Neals committee is empowered to request tax returns, but the law requires the committee to cite a valid legislative purpose. In response to Neals initial request for the presidents tax returns, Trumps personal attorney, William Consovoy, argued against the release, writing that the request fails to provide a legitimate purpose, is motivated by partisan politics, and sets a dangerous precedent for the privacy rights of both politicians and private citizens alike. Ways and Means has no legitimate committee purpose for requesting the presidents tax returns or return information, Consovoy wrote. His request is a transparent effort by one political party to harass an official from the other party because they dislike his politics and speech. Neals preference for court action over contempt proceedings disappointed some Democrats on his committee. This is a way for some congressmen to go south on the issue: leave it to the courts, said Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.). It really absents us from our responsibilities. Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee voted earlier this month to recommend that the full House find Attorney General William Barr in contempt of Congress for refusing to lift redactions from the final report on the Russia investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller. Barr was not required to release the Mueller report but moved quickly to make a largely unredacted version public. The attorney general has also made a minimally redacted version available for review by lawmakers. After Democrats moved to contempt proceedings against Barr, the White House asserted executive privilege over the entire Mueller report. Presidents can assert executive privilege to prevent the disclosure of internal executive branch deliberations. After a 22-month investigation, Mueller concluded there is no evidence to establish that Trump or anyone in his campaign colluded with Russia. Mueller also did not charge the president with obstruction of justice. Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein concluded that the special counsels final report did not present sufficient evidence to merit an obstruction of justice charge. Democrats had sought to have Mueller testify by May 23, but sources familiar with the matter said on May 17 that Mueller was unlikely to appear before the committee. The judiciary committee Chairman, Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), also threatened to hold former White House Counsel Don McGahn in contempt if he fails to appear for testimony on May 21. The White House has also asserted executive privilege to prevent McGahn from testifying. House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) is also planning an enforcement action against the Justice Department over a separate subpoena seeking the full Mueller report and the underlying foreign intelligence and counterintelligence material. Democratic leaders are considering bundling separate contempt citations into a single House of Representatives package to bring to a floor vote later this year. On May 15, White House counsel Pat Cipollone sent a letter to Nadler saying Congress has no right to conduct a do-over of Muellers probe, and that it would not participate in his committees investigation. Reuters contributed to this report. Scott Morrison speaks with comedian Peter Helliar in the budget lockup at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on May 9, 2017. (Stefan Postles/Getty Images) Trump and Australias Scott Morrison Reaffirm Alliance, Friendship After General Election Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been re-elected to continue on with the job in a general election on May 18 that has been described by the press for left-leaning populists as another a shock election victory. The 51-year-old received a congratulatory phone call from U.S. President Donald Trump early on Sunday, May 19. Trump called the result a great win! Congratulations to Scott on a GREAT WIN! https://t.co/IKxDrQmHfV Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 18, 2019 According to the White House, the two leaders reaffirmed the critical importance of the long-standing alliance and friendship between the United States and Australia, and they pledged to continue their close cooperation on shared priorities. Center-left Labor, which has governed Australia for only 38 of its 118 years as a federation, had been rated an overwhelming favorite, both in opinion polls and with odds-makers, to topple the conservative Liberal-National coalition government in an unlosable election after the governments six years in power. Instead, Morrisonwho became prime minister only last August when a contentious internal party vote dumped Malcolm Turnbull as its leaderswept the coalition to victory with what is likely to be an increased representation in Parliament. Related Coverage Party Votes in Scott Morrison as Australias Next Prime Minister The result is much the same as the last election, which delivered the government a single-seat majority in 2016. Since then, public expectations have taken a roller coaster ride based on the medias reporting of polls. Opinion polling has been a factor in Coalition and Labor governments ousting four of their own prime ministers in the past decade. Sydney University political scientist Stewart Jackson said the polls that had put Labor ahead of the government for the past two years were too consistent for too long to be credible. That indicates herding, where the pollsters themselves are getting results that they dont think are right and are adjusting them, Jackson said. Because statistically, polls should never come up like that. Martin OShannessy, who headed the respected Newspoll market research company in Sydney for a decade until 2015, said he was shocked by the governments victory, given the polling. Its not possible to tell exactly how the current polls are being conducted because they dont have the same method statement that polls in the past have had, OShannessy said. Until Saturday, Newspoll had accurately predicted the winner of every Australian state and federal election since its inception in 1985. Australia has made voting compulsory, so pollsters surveys of Australians party preferences usually come close to the election result. Newspolls are published every few weeks and are reported by the Australian media like a game score of the government and oppositions popularity and achievements. Morrisons predecessor, Turnbull, justified overthrowing his predecessor, Tony Abbott, in 2015 on the basis of 30 losing Newspolls. Turnbulls administration had trailed Labor in more than 30 Newspolls before his government replaced him with Morrison as elections loomed. OShannessy said Sunday, You should never sack the prime minister on the basis of a Newspollever. Labor lawmaker Anthony Albanese, who was defeated by Shorten in a ballot of the party leadership in 2013 and will contest for the job again, said he had expected to be in government based on polling. The truth is that clearly there is a major gap between what the polling was showing and what the outcome was, Albanese said. That is something that no doubt will be examined over coming days and weeks. With just over 75 percent of votes counted by Sunday evening, the coalition had won 75 of the 76 seats needed to form a majority government, according to calculations from the Australian Broadcasting Corp. With five seats still undecided, the coalition was expected to make further gains by the end of counting. The government had gone into the election as a minority government, with just 73 seats. Labor was holding 65 seats, with independents and minor parties claiming six. The possibility remains that the coalition will again have to govern in the minority, relying on agreements with independent and minor party lawmakers to transact government business. Still, Shortens move to concede defeat late Saturday night confirmed a resounding victory for the Morrison administration. Speaking before attending church in his electorate in southern Sydney on Sunday morning, Morrison thanked Australians for returning him to office. I give thanks to live in the greatest country in all the world, he said. Thanks again to all Australians all across the country. A key Morrison ally, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, paid tribute to his leaders campaigning for securing the victory. The prime minister led from the front, Frydenberg told ABC TV. From the minute the starters gun was fired in this campaign, we knew we were behind, but we also knew we were in it, and no one knew this better than the prime minister. He crisscrossed the country with great energy, belief, and conviction. He was assured, he was confident, and he was across the detail, and he sold our economic plan to the Australian people, a plan that resonated with them, Frydenberg said. Analysts credited the result also to a simple coalition platform centering on promises of keeping taxes to a minimum. Labor entered the race grappling with a low popularity rating for Shorten, a 52-year-old former union boss widely seen as having a pallid personality. Rather than frame the election as a battle between him and the more outgoing Morrison, Labor strategists instead pushed a broad platform of policies. Shorten campaigned heavily on reducing greenhouse emissions, while promising a range of other reforms, including decriminalizing abortions and increasing taxes for landlords. While senior Labor lawmaker Chris Bowen conceded his party may have suffered for what, for an opposition party, was an unusually detailed campaign, Shorten insisted it had been right to fight the election on issues rather than personalities. Im disappointed for people who depend upon Labor, but Im glad that we argued what was right, not what was easy, Shorten told supporters. Shorten would have been Australias sixth prime minister in six years had he been elected. Many Australians have at least welcomed Morrisons announcement of a change in Liberal policy in that the party can no longer dump a prime minister by internal party vote, meaning they will lead the country for a full three-year term unless an early election is called. So high was public confidence of a Labor victory, Australian online bookmaker Sportsbet paid out A$1.3 million dollars ($900,000) to bettors who backed Labor two days before the vote. Sportsbet said 70 percent of wagers had been placed on Labor at the slender odds of $1.16 to $1.00. As Labor absorbed the defeat, deputy leader Tanya Plibersek and Albanese told reporters they were considering running for the partys leadership. Trump Responds to First Republican to Call for Impeachment President Donald Trump responded to Rep. Justin Amash on May 19, after the congressman from Michigan became the first Republican to call for Trumps impeachment based on the findings of special counsel Robert Mueller. In a pair of Twitter messages, the president pointed to the conclusions of the Mueller report and suggested that Amash is breaking ranks with his party to score political points. Never a fan of [Justin Amash], a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy, Trump wrote. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, composed by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump, he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION, the president continued. Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy. If he actually read the biased Mueller Report, composed by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump,. Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 .he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTIONAnyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side? Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 Justin is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! Trump concluded. Amash stirred up controversy on both sides of the political spectrum on May 18 by accusing Attorney General William Barr of deliberately misrepresenting the special counsels report, accusing Trump of engaging in impeachable conduct, and more or less suggesting that the president should be impeached. In a series of what appear to be pre-written Twitter messages, Amash explained that hes come to his conclusions after reading the Mueller report. While impeachment should be undertaken only in extraordinary circumstances, the risk we face in an environment of extreme partisanship is not that Congress will employ it as a remedy too often but rather that Congress will employ it so rarely that it cannot deter misconduct, Amash wrote. Barr released a redacted version of the Mueller report in April. The report stated there is no evidence to establish that Trump or anyone in his campaign colluded with Russia. Mueller also didnt charge the president with obstruction of justice. Upon reviewing the report, Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein concluded that Mueller didnt present sufficient evidence to bring an obstruction case before a court of law. Kayleigh McEnany, the national press secretary for Trumps re-election campaign, noted that Amash has broken ranks with the Republican Party on several occasions during Trumps presidency, including his votes to oppose legislation to tackle the opioid crisis, against funds to prevent school violence, and rejecting a bill that would make targeted attacks on law enforcement officers a federal crime. Justin Amash belongs to the Justin Amash Party and has been a nominal member of the GOP for years. His latest move is not shocking as it is meant only to get attention, Tim Murtaugh, the communications director for Trumps re-election campaign, wrote on Twitter. Every reporter covering Capitol Hill knows this. Any story not including this is a dishonest representation. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah), arguably the most anti-Trump Republican in Congress, disagreed with Amash. Justin Amash has reached a different conclusion than I have, Romney told CNN in a program aired on May 19. I respect him. I think its a courageous statement, but I believe that to make the case for obstruction of justice, you just dont have the elements. Trump Wants Exceptions for Rape, Incest in Laws Prohibiting Abortion President Donald Trump restated his support for exceptions in laws banning abortion for cases of rape and incest by voicing his stance on Twitter on May 18, just days after Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill prohibiting abortion without exceptions for rape and incest. As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptionsRape, Incest and protecting the Life of the motherthe same position taken by Ronald Reagan, Trump wrote on Twitter on May 18. While Trump has spoken about abortion and his support of the pro-life movement, he has not addressed the specifics of his position on abortion laws since before the 2016 election. Prior to his statement on May 18, the presidents most recent remarks on the rape and incest caveats appear to date back to January 2015. While the pure pro-life position is that human life begins at conception and should be protected, the movement generally supports measures that include exceptions for rape and incest. While advancing the pro-life cause, such partial measures cant be used to legally challenge the core holding of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court ruling which recognized abortion as a womans legal right. The new Alabama law stands out among the recent measures restricting abortion because it doesnt include exceptions for rape and incest, uniquely positioning it for a nuclear challenge to Roe v. Wade. Trump had changed his position from pro-choice to pro-life by 2011, when he revealed his new stance to attendees at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Since becoming president, he has delivered on a promise to appoint conservative justices to the Supreme Court and lower courts. The Senate confirmed two of Trumps nominees for the Supreme Court, Justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, shifting the court to a solid conservative majority. Emboldened by the new conservative majority, Republicans across the nation moved to pass restrictions on abortion, most notably a series of heartbeat bills which ban abortion once the beat of a pre-born childs heart is detected. Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, and Georgia have enacted such laws. A measure in Missouri is expected to follow. In follow-up messages on May 18, Trump suggested that the recent gains may be lost if Democrats take over the White House in 2020. We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new & positive attitude about the Right to Life, the president wrote on Twitter. The Radical Left, with late-term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue, he added. We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear! The presidents mention of practices that are worse than late-term abortion is likely a reference to Virginia Gov. Ralph Northams defense of infanticide as a decision a mother can make in concert with doctors. Earlier this year, Democrats in the Senate blocked a bill that would require doctors to afford the same care to children who survive abortions as they do to children who are born normally. Democrats refused to bring a similar measure up for a vote in the House. ENS Economic Bureau By Flavoured greek yoghurt may seem like the kind of passing fad that disappears as miraculously as they appear, but the success of home-grown greek yoghurt brand Epigamia may well prove sceptics wrong. Powered by a rapid rise in popularity among young customers in the limited urban areas the brand is available in, Drums Food International (DFI) which owns the Epigamia brand has seen a flurry of investments. The most recent was actor Deepika Padukone, who is now also the face of the brand. Flavoured greek yoghurt has not generally been a popular category in the indian market, which is dominated by curd and dahi products. However, DFIs strategy to target a health-conscious, upwardly mobile customer base concentrated in cities seems to be paying off. For instance, launched in 2015 by Rohan Mirchandani, Uday Thakker, Chef Ganesh Krishnamoorthy, and Rahul Jain as a Greek yoghurt brand, it has since been able to expand its portfolio to include artisanal curd, snack packs, mishti doi (an Indian sweet curd), and smoothies. In January this year, it had announced that it has raised $25.58 million (`182 crore) from a Series C funding round led Belgium-based investment firm Verlinvest and US-based investor Danone Manifesto Ventures, the venture investment arm of Danone Manifesto. Danones investment in Epigamia, while not a large one, is telling since the French food major had exited its dairy business in India just a year ago. ALSO READ | Ranveer Singh goes 'nuts' over Deepika Padukone's Cannes look We are convinced of Epigamias great growth potential thanks to its unique positioning on the Indian dairy market. We look forward to putting Danones resources and expertise to use in supporting Epigamia as their business continues to expand across India, Laurent Marcel, MD, of Danone Manifesto Ventures had said. This round had been preceded by a Series B round in July 2017 where DFI had raised $12.63 million (`90 crore) from investors including Verlinvest, InnoVen Capital and DSG Consumer Partners (DSGCP). Epigamia has also said that it is looking at expanding its reach from 10,000 retailing touch points in cities like Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata, alongside its presence in supermarket chains like Reliance Fresh, Big Bazaar, Big Basket and Amazon. Our five-year vision is to expand distribution across 50,000 touch points, Jain has said. According to industry estimates, the Indian yoghurt market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 20 per cent between FY18-23. Deepika to be face of Epigamia Not only is Deepika Padukone an investor in the fast growing brand, she is also set to be its face in marketing campaigns as brand ambassador She was my mothers friend, but she became what I needed: A role model, a confidante and a grownup friend whose wise counsel I could always trust. In the next few years, I spent as much time as I possibly could with May, sometimes overnight at her home, talking, laughing, crying, whatever, just being together. I told her everything, all the things I feared, all the things I hoped for and especially all the things I didnt know. I watched her the way a cat watches a butterfly. How she listened and encouraged and never spoke ill of anyone, even if they had it coming. How she was always compassionate and kind, not just to me, but to everyone, even strangers. She was a woman of faith and grace and integrity, with a quick wit and a grand sense of humor. I wanted to be just like her. After I left home for college, May moved away and I never heard from her again. Years later, when I tried to reconnect, I was shocked to learn that she had died. I had been so sure that she would live forever. I dont know if I told her how much she meant to me. I hope so. How many souls do you think leave this world never knowing what they meant to someone? Sandall encourages people who are interested in finding work, whether it is a retired person who wants to reenter the workforce or someone who has just moved to Grand Island and needs a job, to stop into their Grand Island office or any of their area offices in Hastings, Kearney, Columbus and York. We are here to help anyone who is looking for work, Sandall said, who has been employed with the family business for more than seven years. A lot of people have gotten a great job or a great career coming through us. Also, Sandall said, Advance Services has a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to workers injuries on the job. The employees we turn out to work, we want them to return to their homes the same way they left us, he said. We have a very extensive injury prevention program our company has taken pride in for the course of our 25 years. We are very proud that we have a very low injury rate. It is something we preach to our employees. We have a lot of injury prevention programs that we run with our employees. Holly Hengen is Advance Services regional manager. She is based out of Grand Island and also serves the Hastings and Kearney communities and surrounding area. Since 2015, he has been the chairman and CEO of Amur Equipment Finance, one of the top independent commercial finance companies in the United States. Prior to that, he was a managing director in charge of the Structured Asset Finance Group at UBS, where he focused on transportation, commercial and financial assets and was directly responsible for all structuring, financing, investment, distribution, and risk management activities. Earlier in his career, he worked as a distressed debt trader, an investment banker, and as a structured finance consultant at various financial firms. Changes in automotive manufacturing have changed the life of rescuers. The good old days, where they used to beat the car to death with a set of tools, cant happen today, Pfeifer said. It just doesnt work. Today, theres a little bit more finesse, a little bit more of a technique, in an effort to do it effectively and quickly, Pfeifer said. The key to removing a person quickly is understanding the vehicle itself, he added. One of the students, Kent Hergott, said it was interesting to see all the different tools and how they all operate a little bit differently. He enjoyed learning the different methods and different tricks to get it done quickly and safely. Hergott, whos a member of the Kearney Volunteer Fire Department, is the director of dining services at Central Community College-Grand Island. The No. 1 emphasis is safety to protect both the firefighters and accident victims. Firefighters practice covering the occupants, providing shielding, so that tools cant roll in and get them, Pfeifer said. Residents are encouraged to salute the motorcade along the route which will travel north on Highway 281 to Old Potash, then east to Webb Road, north to Capital Avenue, and then east to the United Veterans Club. On Thursday, May 23, the wall will be set up at the Hall County Veterans Memorial Park and the official opening ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. Families, and friends of veterans and the public are welcome to attend the opening ceremony and view the Wall That Heals any time until the wall is taken down after Memorial Day ceremonies. The 40th annual Memorial Day services will begin at 10 a.m. with patriotic music and then the ceremony begins at 11 a.m. Many area Vietnam veterans have made the Hero Flight trips to Washington, D.C., to see the permanent memorial. The 58,267 names on the replica wall are etched in the surface just like the original memorial and visitors may capture the names of their honored veterans on paper as keepsakes. As noted by Hall County veteran services officer and Hero Flight chairman Don Shuda, By visiting the wall, the story goes, if you touch the wall, it will touch you back ... They can just have that knowing that they served their country and they did what was asked of them. The Grand Island Independent editorial on May 17 asserts the Democrats want higher taxes and more government. Democrats want everyone to pay their fair share in taxes, so do most Republicans. Democrats want efficient government as do most Republicans. The real question should be: Who is not paying their fair share? The great tax giveaway of $1 trillion-plus to corporations and the wealthiest 1%, that adds an annual $1 trillion to the national debt, was not a policy of the Democrats but the Republican Congress. Corporations were making record profits prior to the giveaway. Before the giveaway, 30 of the largest corporations were paying zero taxes, now 60 of the largest corporations pay no taxes. Go figure. The wealth tax of 70% the editorial referred to was not a property tax but an income tax an individual income tax proposed after $100 million in net income. I believe if someone has made $100 million net income they should pay a substantial higher tax after the first $100 million. I hope they are comfortable, warm and have enough to eat. EDWARDSVILLE Members of the District 7 School Lunch Debt Solutions Team presented a $7,000 check to the Edwardsville District 7 Board of Education. The team hosts fundraisers during the school year to help defray annual debt that the school district incurs to provide lunches to students who can not afford to pay. During the board meeting Monday night, Trish Oberweis, who leads the team, brought along a few of the groups members and presented the district with the money they had raised this year. Oberweis introduced Heather Porter, a member of the team, who told more about why the group was formed. According to a survey by the National School Nutrition Association, of the 1,550 school districts nationwide, 75 percent of them carry lunch debt. Our district is one of the 75 percent, Porter noted. From the outside, we may look like a privileged district, and for the most part, we really are. But we have a hidden crisis. We have families residing in our boundaries who are unable to pay for their children to eat lunch every day. Porter pointed out that in many other school districts when a student has a negative account balance for their lunch payment, the child either wont eat or the district gives them an alternate lunch. We live in a district that sets aside funds, about $20,000, to cover this debt every year so that our children dont have to be stigmatized by an alternate lunch, she stressed. When Oberweis and others realized District 7 was absorbing $20,000 every year to provide students with lunch who could not afford them, they began the Lunch Debt Solutions Team to help. Our team is made up of parents who have kids in nearly every school in this district, Porter said. We raise funds to help offset the cost of feeding these students. During the 2018-2019 school year, the School Lunch Debt Solutions Team has hosted fundraisers including partnering with Restore Decor for a furniture sale day and holding a districtwide trivia night. Because of the generosity of the community, we would like to present this check for $7,000 to the school board, Porter said. She also encouraged everyone to like the teams Facebook page and join them in their efforts. This summer were going to be selling T-shirts, and we will be doing a student-run lemonade stand in Holiday Shores on June 1, Porter explained. Join our team because together well continue to do our part to help make sure that no kid has to sit through a class with an empty stomach because their families cant afford to feed them, Porter added. The ongoing trade battle between the U.S. and China has hit Illinois harder than the rest of the nation. President Donald Trump has been engaged in a months-long trade war with China that has included retaliatory tariffs slapped on exports to each country. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Fiachra Gibbons (Agence France-Presse) Cannes, France Sun, May 19, 2019 13:03 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738a7664 2 Entertainment Eva-Longoria,Cannes-Film-Festival,Hollywood-actors,actor,celebrity,film,abortion,Women,abortion-laws Free Actress Eva Longoria said restrictive abortion laws passed in Alabama and Missouri are a threat to women, with stars set to protest against the bans on the Cannes red carpet Saturday. "What's happening in Alabama is so important in the world," the Desperate Housewives star said, referring to the US state which has banned terminations even in the case of rape or incest. "It's going to affect everybody if we don't pay attention," she said. Longoria warned of a "domino effect" with a dozen other Republican-controlled US states seeking to restrict the rights of women to abortion. The Latina actress produced the Netflix documentary Reversing Roe last year which showed how pro-life groups are mounting a major push to overturn the landmark US Supreme Court decision that legalised abortion in 1973. Her comments come as a group of female stars led by Charlotte Gainsbourg, Spanish actress Rossi de Palma and French director Claire Denis are set to stage a protest for abortion rights on the Cannes red carpet. The gathering was originally meant to support the Argentinian documentary, Let It Be Law, which is premiering Saturday in the festival's official selection. It tells the story of the struggle for women's rights in the huge, largely Catholic Latin American country, which has become bitterly divided over abortion. Read also: Eva Longoria gets star on Hollywood Walk of Fame Red carpet protest Months of protests to decriminalise abortion in Pope Francis' homeland culminated in a make-or-break Senate vote in February. But the eighth attempt to pass a freedom-to-choose law failed at the final hurdle when it was voted down by 38 votes to 31 in the Senate. The decision led to thousands demonstrating on the streets of the capital Buenos Aires. "That night (of the vote) I nearly died from the cold, from the rain, I almost broke my camera," the documentary's director Juan Solanas told AFP. "I felt anger and indignation," said the director, son of the celebrated filmmaker Fernando "Pino" Solanas, a winner at Cannes for his 1988 film Sur. "I grew up in an atheist family (and) I respect people's beliefs, but it is medieval and violent to impose them on people who don't think the same," he added. He and pro-choice Argentinian activists plan to recreate a "green wave" of women in green handkerchiefs, the symbol of Argentina's pro-abortion movement on the red carpet. Solanas said restrictions, like those passed in Alabama and Missouri, will lead to women's deaths. "In Argentina, one woman dies every week following an illegal abortion -- more than one a day in Latin America, where 300 million women live without the right to end their pregnancies." Longoria, one of the founders of the Time's Up movement, which is pushing for gender equality and women's rights, told a Kering Women in Motion talk at Cannes Friday that it is likely to get involved in the 2020 US presidential election. "We're trying to figure out what is Time's Up's role in these elections, and how can we have an impact," she added. Despite the momentum that the movement picked up in Hollywood after #MeToo, she said in the workplace generally "the statistics are going the wrong way. We're not improving." By Online Desk Voting has concluded in 542 Lok Sabha constituencies with polling coming to an end in the final round of the General elections that began 38 days ago on April 11. Fifty-nine seats in eight states went to polling in the final round. Incidents of violence were reported across West Bengal, Punjab and Bihar. Bombing incidents allegedly took place outside Basirhat polling booth, in Mathurapur village and in Islampur, where bypolls are underway. A BJP camp was also set to fire in Barasat. Meanwhile, in Basirhat, BJP alleged that 100 voters were barred from casting their votes. EVM malfunction across Punjab and Bihar were reported. Reports of violent clashes between workers of various parties are coming in from Punjab, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh, too. Polling was held in Punjab (all 13 seats) and an equal number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal (9), eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh (4 seats), Jharkhand (3) and the lone seat Chandigarh. Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, contesting from Varanasi, some of the key contestants from among the 918 candidates fighting in this round, are Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, BJP rebel who joined the Congress Shatrughan Sinha, former Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar; Misa Bharti, daughter of former Bihar chief minister Lalu Yadav, Congress leader Manish Tewari, former Punjab chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal and BJP leader Kirron Kher, among others. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sam Nussey (Reuters) Tokyo, Japan Sun, May 19, 2019 09:09 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738a025a 2 Art & Culture Japan,Yusaku-Maezawa,auction,art,Sothebys,fashion,New-York-City,Andy-Warhol,SpaceX Free Japanese fashion tycoon Yusaku Maezawa sold art for more than $8 million at a Sotheby's auction in New York on Thursday night, providing funds to the entrepreneur who previously said he has no money. Maezawa, the founder and CEO of online fashion retailer Zozo , sold an Andy Warhol painting - "Flowers" - for $5.6 million, well above an estimate of $1.5 million-$2 million. Another painting, Ed Ruscha's "Bones In Motion", went for $2.4 million, in line with an estimate of $2 million-$3 million. Read also: Japan fashion tycoon says selling valuable paintings, has no money Maezawa said on Twitter earlier this month he was selling art because he has no money due to his high spending. The entrepreneur has grabbed attention through his flashy lifestyle, including paying $110 million for a Jean-Michel Basquiat painting and signing up as the first private passenger to be taken around the moon by Elon Musk's SpaceX. His wealth took a hit with Zozo's share price having plunged 60% from its peak last July after a series of corporate missteps. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Bali Sun, May 19, 2019 06:17 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa87389e2c7 1 Art & Culture Bali-Arts-Festival,festival,bali,travel,tourism Free Indonesias longest-running art festival Bali Arts Festival will kick off on June 15, featuring the richness of Balinese art and culture until July 13. Tens of thousands of Balinese artists are slated to take part in the 41st festival, which will celebrate wind as a source of life through the theme Bayu Pramana: Memuliakan Sumber Daya Angin (Glorifying Wind Resources). A street parade will mark the opening of the festival on June 15, featuring more than 1,500 performers on Jl. Raya Puputan Renon Denpasar, encircling the Bajrasandhi monument. Other than showcasing art and cultural performances from across Bali, the parade will involve art troupes from other parts of the archipelago and abroad, such as Papua, Sumenep in East Java, India and China. The festival will be officially opened by President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo on the evening of June 15 after the street parade. Read also: 'Tanda Seru!' exhibition in Bali makes bold artistic statement The opening ceremony will be held at the Werddhi Budaya Art Center, a spacious cultural compound in East Denpasar that will host the festival. Besides art performances, visitors can expect to marvel at art and handicraft exhibitions, workshops, seminars, competitions and culinary events of authentic Balinese cuisine. Bali Governor Wayan Koster emphasized that all activities during the festival would uphold the theme of Bayu Pramana. "Hopefully this year's festival will be well organized and much better than the previous year, Governor Wayan Koster said after the festival's preparation meeting in Denpasar on Monday. The Bali Arts Festival was first held in 1979 when then-governor Ida Bagus Mantra decided that the government should provide the space and funding to promote local culture nurture an aesthetic community. (kes) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Sarah White (Reuters) Cannes, France Sun, May 19, 2019 19:02 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738afaf7 2 Entertainment Pedro-Almodovar,film,Cannes-Film-Festival,Pain-and-Glory,antonio-banderas,penelope-cruz Free Pedro Almodovar is used to a good reception from what he called "faithful" audiences in France - so much so, the director joked on Saturday that he was "Franco-Spanish". His latest movie, a loosely autobiographical portrait of a tormented filmmaker, could up the ante for the Oscar winner after an enthusiastic response from critics at the Cannes Film Festival, where it is a contender for the top Palme D'Or award. Pain and Glory reunites Almodovar long-time collaborators Antonio Banderas and Penelope Cruz in a wistful dive into the world of cinema and the highs and lows of creativity. As ageing director Salvador, played by Banderas, looks back on his life, other themes dear to Almodovar take hold too, including the character's relationship with his mother and his explorations of desire and love. "I project myself in this film, but it's not to be taken literally," Almodovar, wearing dark glasses, told a news conference following the movie's Cannes premiere the night before, where it received a standing ovation. From a scene about Salvador's sexual awakening to a tense discussion with his mother, many episodes were invented, he said, adding though his experiences had informed the fiction. "I did live through a love that was broken off at a moment when the flame was very much still alive, because of a set of circumstances," Almodovar said. "That's a very painful thing. It's not natural to have to end it...it's like cutting off your own arm." Read also: Almodovar 'emotionally naked' in new introspective film "Don't ask" Delving into Almodovar's life was also a challenge for a cast deeply connected to the director - starring in his early movies propelled both Banderas and Cruz into international stardom. Cruz, who featured in All About My Mother and Volver among other Almodovar classics, said she had felt unusually shy about grilling the filmmaker in preparation for Pain And Glory, where she plays the protagonist's mother. "It was curious," Cruz said. "I think there was a form of respect towards someone who is laying themselves bare...There was something inside me that made me think 'don't ask'". Banderas said he had tried to wipe the slate clean in his eighth collaboration with Almodovar. "To create this character I had to kill Antonio Banderas," he said. Almodovar, 69, headed the jury at Cannes in 2017, but has never won the Palme D'Or. Pain And Glory, which already premiered in Spain, was one of the filmmaker's "best and most personal movie in years", IndieWire critic Eric Kohn wrote after its Cannes screening. "Driven by Banderas' lovely, nuanced turn and the slow-burn exposition, it's impossible not to feel the emotional turmoil on both sides of the camera," Kohn said. Almodovar's All About My Mother won the best foreign language film Oscar in 2000 while his drama Talk To Her clinched the best original screenplay Academy Award in 2003. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin (Reuters) Cannes, France Sun, May 19, 2019 14:37 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738a8b2d 2 Entertainment Argentina,film,Cannes-Film-Festival,abortion,Let-It-Be-Law Free Waving green scarves and chanting "solidarity for women", an Argentine film crew and several dozen campaigners turned the Cannes red carpet into a protest on Saturday as they showcased a documentary looking at the highly-charged issue of abortion. Unveiled during the cinema festival on the French Riviera, Que Sea Ley, which translates as Let It Be Law, follows the battle to pass a bill legalizing abortion in Argentina, where terminations are currently only permitted in cases of rape, or if the mother's health is at risk. The bill gained widespread support but was rejected by the South American country's Senate last year, and the issue has sparked mass protests by people on both sides of the debate. Pro-choice supporters usually wear green handkerchiefs at demonstrations, while those who are against abortion carry blue ones. After inviting several campaigners for legalized abortion to the premiere, the documentary's director Juan Solanas walked the red carpet alongside women waving scarves, with some even decked out in green gowns and make-up. Read also: Alabama senate passes toughest abortion ban bill in US The film's Cannes screening coincides with a fresh round of debate in the United States, where Alabama's governor this week signed a bill to ban nearly all abortions, even in cases of rape and incest. Solanas, the son of renowned Argentine filmmaker Fernando "Pino" Solanas, told Reuters ahead of Saturday's premiere that he was firmly on one side of the debate. He admitted his biggest challenge was balancing points of view from both sides. "It makes me ashamed that the law does not exist," he said. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, May 19, 2019 22:02 952 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738b3ad6 1 Lifestyle Kris-Van-Assche,Berluti,Italy,luxury-brand,fashion,menswear,leather Free Italian fashion brand Berluti has unveiled its spring-summer capsule collection. Known for its signature of hand-worked patina, Berluti also consistently features Scritto, an 18th century manuscript motif inherent to the brand, on its leather goods. Belgian fashion designer Kris Van Assche joined the brand in April 2018 as artistic director. Known for his long stint at Dior Homme and keen eyes for details, he provided new and distinct touches to the classic shapes of leather shoes, jackets and accessories. Read also: Designer Van Assche to take over as Berluti's creative director The Alessandro Oxford now comes in thicker leather soles, making it slightly edgier along with its delicate, thin shoelaces. It also features a reverse patina method of blue and red colors on the edges. The collection includes Berluti's Alessandro Oxford shoes. (Berluti/Time International/File) The sole on the Andy loafer (named after artist Andy Warhol) features a creeper sole, a modern nod to the classic model. Also in the collection is a leather bag with red and blue tones that pops subtly around the edges, showing an interesting way of how the new approach to patina works, while the Scritto trademark can be seen on casualwear and bags. Chunky trainers, which invaded the fashion world in early 2018, are featured in the new collection as well. Along with leather trainers, Berluti presents bold, classic colors of blue, white and black to the casual shoe line. (wng) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara Sun, May 19, 2019 21:14 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738b2c93 1 Food Starbucks,East-Nusa-Tenggara,labuan-bajo,united-states,New-Bali,coffee-shops,coffee Free As one of the governments designated priority destinations known as the "New Balis", Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara has flourished into a gateway to many exotic destinations in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). It has led to US coffee giant Starbucks opening its store in the west tip of the island of Flores. Situated in the strategic location of Labuan Bajo Marina and Executive Port, Starbucks Labuan Bajo officially opened on Saturday, May 18, one day after the coffee chain celebrated its 17th anniversary. Today marks another milestone for Starbucks as we expand our store portfolio to 403 stores in 32 cities. As part of our 17th anniversary celebration, we are proud to welcome our customers in Labuan Bajo. We hope by being here, in the 10 New Bali destination, tourists now can enjoy their great cups of coffee to begin their adventure trips in Labuan Bajo," said Anthony Cottan, director of Starbucks Indonesia. Located in the eastern part of Indonesia, Labuan Bajo boasts enchanting panoramic views as well as breathtaking beaches and underwater scenes. Labuan Bajo is the entry point to Komodo National Park, the only place in the world where people can see the endangered Komodo dragons in their natural habitat. The Labuan Bajo store design highlights the local communitys heritage, with the store's facade, community table and side partition showing tenun (handwoven fabric) pattern. The facade mimics the weaving patterns of local tenun by combining a variety of wood tones, in the form of coffee farms in Flores with the surrounding mountains. The facade of the Starbucks store in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara. (JP/Ni Komang Erviani) With a capacity of more than 100 seats, the shop's furniture were manufactured and sourced locally. We try to make not only many stores, but something that is personal and unique about this location, Anthony said, adding that Starbucks Indonesia would continue to innovate and create things with a nod to local values, while meeting the evolving needs of customers across Indonesia. Read also: Starbucks Indonesia shines light on diffable creators for 17th anniversary Although the Labuan Bajo store is located in a small city, Anthony emphasized that the store would offer the Starbucks experience found all over the world. Its important to say that this store in Labuan Bajo is gonna serve all the drinks you'd find in Jakarta, Singapore, Hong Kong or New York. We try to bring a world-class experience to Labuan Bajo, he said. Along with the store's grand opening, the Starbucks Indonesia team also visited SDN 02 Labuan Bajo elementary school to donate books and stationery. Led by Anthony, the Starbucks team shared about their works to the children. Komodo Dragon coffee mix by Starbucks. (JP/Ni Komang Erviani) Every store is important, because each store has to mean something to the people who live here. And we have to be a part of that community, Anthony said. He also said the Labuan Bajo store was special as Starbucks had provided its Indonesian coffee mix, the Komodo Dragon, for over 20 years, long before the company decided to open the store in the area. The mix is also sold worldwide. Starbucks Indonesia team visited SDN 02 Labuan Bajo elementary school to donate books and stationery on May 18, 2019. (JP/Ni Komang Erviani) We are very proud that people around the world have seen this, and maybe it's helped to raise the level of awareness about Komodo dragons when they saw this coffee, Anthony said. In the near future, Starbucks has set its eyes on other "New Bali" destinations for its new stores, including Banten's Tanjung Lesung and Mandalika in Lombok. The coffee chain will also expand its business in the eastern part of Indonesia in the next two years. With 403 stores across the archipelago, Starbucks Indonesia has now become the fifth-largest Starbucks by store count in Asia, after China, Japan, Korea and Taiwan. The company has set a target to overtake Taiwan next year, and become the fourth-largest in the region with 500 stores across Indonesia. The company is confident that it could have at least 1,000 stores across Indonesia in 2030. (wng) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, May 19, 2019 Since 1998, the last year of Soehartos administration, Indonesia has remembered May as the month when thousands died and some women were allegedly raped. However, activists are worried that the collective memory is fading and they have lobbied the government and the Jakarta administration for more memorials to remind the nation of the tragedy and that so many people have yet to get justice. Today, the tragedy and riots are memorialized in Jakarta at the Transjakarta bus shelter called 12 Mei Reformasi, which has a statue standing across from it in Grogol, West Jakarta near Trisakti University, a plaque at the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) in Menteng, Central Jakarta, and Pondok Rangon Cemetery in Cipayung, East Jakarta, which dedicated a plot for mass graves and a monument to commemorate the victims of the May 1998 riots. All memorials were inaugurated by former Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama in 2014 and 2015. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung Sun, May 19, 2019 20:04 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738b135c 1 National 1965-tragedy,Dialita Free The Dialita Choir, a group of survivors of the 1965 tragedy in Indonesia, has been honored with the 2019 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights for "showing the path to reconciliation and healing through music". The prize was awarded by the May 18 Memorial Foundation on Saturday in Gwangju, South Korea. "The award is an acknowledgement of the fight for human rights through music and culture. The recognition has motivated us to continue our fight through arts," Dialita Choir head Uchikowati Fauzia said in her speech during the awarding ceremony. Uchikowati recalled in her speech the turns of events involving the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) 53 years ago, which have turned women and children into victims of the tragedy as their families were prosecuted and killed. "Many people lost their civil rights. They were fired from their work, dismissed from their schools and robbed of their properties. We were only children back then. We grew up in fear and pressure. Some of our parents were jailed while some others went missing and were never found again," she added. She said the stigma attached to the PKI had ripped away the social, political and cultural rights of the victims of the 1965 tragedy. "Through singing, children of the 1965 victims can feel peace and strength to achieve their dreams, because the future is owned by everyone, including the 1965 victims," Uchikowati said. She also expressed hope that Indonesia could hear their voices and acknowledge the 1965 human rights violations. National Association of Families of the Disappeared (IKOHI) secretary-general Zaenal Muttaqien said the May 18 Memorial Foundation had asked his organization to recommend groups or figures deserving of the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights. "In the past three years, Dialita has actively performed, arranged songs, created albums and received a warm welcome from the public. The group has helped erode the stigma against the 1965 victims. A documentary on them also received the Piala Citra award," Zaenal explained the reasons behind Dialita's nomination. He added that by taking a cultural approach, Dialita has received relatively no repudiation from the public compared to other activities related to the 1965 tragedy. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Vela Andapita (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, May 19, 2019 For many residents of Central Jakarta, St. Carolus Hospital may be one of the main options for getting health services. The hospital has come a long way since the colonial era to become one of respected hospitals in the city. It has plans to expand its services while maintaining its traditional core values. St. Carolus Hospital celebrates a century of service this year. President director Endrotomo Sumargono said that one thing that distinguishes the hospital among all others is its patient-oriented services, nursing being one of its strengths. He explained that the hospital invested heavily in its nursing department. Of the hospital's approximately 1,400 employees, 498 are nurses. The hospital also aims to increase the number until it makes up 50 percent of the total. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, May 19, 2019 15:56 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738aaac4 1 City driver,jakarta,robbery,employer,police,crime Free The owner of a gas station located on Jl. Hang Tuah Raya, Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, Hartono Sugimin, never thought he would be accusing his personal driver, identified as S, who had been working for him for the past four years, of robbing him on May 16. Hartono lost Rp 84 million (US$5,800) in the incident. The Jakarta Police arrested S after he was questioned as a witness. Police claim he confessed to the crime. The deputy chief of the Jakarta Police's crime unit, Sr. Adj. Comr. Ade Ary, alleged that S had staked out his boss to learn the right time to rob him. Police claim that S told them that he had regularly seen Hartono receive money from his gas station business between 8 and 9 o'clock every night at his house, which is also in Kebayoran Baru. The suspect had known that, Ade said on Saturday as quoted by kompas.com. Police allege that prior to the attack S hid an iron bar near a pole. They claim S disabled some CCTV cameras installed in Hartonos house by cutting the wires. That evening, one of Hartonos staff members, DP, delivered the money they had earned that day. Police are accusing S of entering the house soon after DP left, hitting Hartono on the head, taking the money and fleeing the scene. In a panic, Hartono called DP and told him about the incident. At that moment, Hartono did not suspect the identity of the robber. DP rushed back to Hartonos house to take him to Pertamina Central Hospital (RSPP). One of his ears was bleeding and there was a lump on his head. After receiving a report of the robbery, police questioned some witnesses, including DP and S. S answers and alibi could not be proven, Ade alleged. "We examined him intensively until he confessed." The police raided S boarding room in Mampang, also in South Jakarta, and said they found Rp 84 million in cash. Ade added that S told the police he has a Rp 25 million debt to a bank and a cooperative. Police claim he said he is also in desperate need of money to pay for his childs school tuition. [S] had been working for four years. His relationship with the victim was good. He [allegedly] did it for the money, he said. Ade said S would be charged under the Article 365 of the Criminal Code on theft with abuse. The article carried a maximum punishment of nine years in prison upon conviction. (vla) Topics : driver jakarta robbery employer police crime Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin A. Muh. Ibnu Aqil (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, May 19, 2019 The Depok Council has rejected a proposed bylaw submitted by the city administration to make Depok a religious city, saying that religion is not something to be regulated by regional governments. Depok Council Speaker and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) member Hendrik Angke Tallo said the bylaw aimed to regulate the religious behavior of Depok residents, including how they dress. He said the councils consultative body (Bamus) was opposed to including the bylaw in the citys legislation program (prolegda). to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Made Anthony Iswara (The Jakarta Post) JAKARTA Sun, May 19, 2019 A publicly listed chemical company, PT Lautan Luas Tbk. (LTLS), says it hopes it would be able to take advantage of the escalation of a trade war between the United States and China to boost its exports, especially to the US. The increase of import tariffs imposed by the US on Chinese goods would encourage American companies to source raw materials from other countries. This would offer an opportunity for Lautan Luas and other similar companies from other emerging countries to boost their exports. "With the higher import tariffs on Chinese goods, the United States will look for another sources of goods from other countries, one of which is Southeast Asia and specifically Indonesia, the companys operational director, Herman Santoso, said on Thursday following the companys annual shareholder meeting. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, May 19, 2019 The General Crimes Investigation Directorate of the Jakarta Police is accusing a gamer of having stolen Rp 1.85 billion (US$127,498) from a bank to purchase items on a popular multiplayer online game called Mobile Legends. The woman is one of five suspects officers arrested recently in connection with four different cases related to theft, extortion and blackmail. The 26-year-old jobless woman identified as YS was arrested in her hometown of Pontianak, West Kalimantan on May 1, the deputy chief of the directorate, Adj. Sr. Comr. Ade Ary Syam Indradi, said. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, May 19, 2019 17:31 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738ac8c6 4 Business Trans-Java,bus,operation,transportation-ministry Free Seven bus operators will take part in a trial run of a trans-Java bus service starting on May 27. We guarantee that [the service] will launch on May 27. The tickets can be ordered through the operators, said Transportation Ministry Road Transportation Director General Ahmad Yani recently, as quoted by kontan.co.id. The seven operators, which include Rosalia Indah, Sinar Jaya, Harapan Jaya and Lorena, will operate 34 buses between Jakarta and Surabaya, plus five buses owned by state-owned bus operator Damri. The official said the concept of a trans-Java bus service was that buses would depart from Jakarta to Surabaya or vice versa without leaving the toll roads until reaching their final destination. Ahmad expressed hope that the operators would offer feeder services at rest areas for those who wanted to travel to cities between Jakarta and Surabaya. For example, if there are passengers who stop in Tegal [in Central Java], the feeder service would take them from the rest area to the inner city, he added. The official said the government would not regulate the fares but added that to ensure their competitiveness, the fares should not exceed those of railway services between Jakarta and Surabaya. As long as the bus fares do not exceed the train fares, the trans-Java buses could compete [with the railway services], he added. Ahmad said the number of trans-Java buses would increase in line with demand. The Transportation Ministry would monitor passenger demand for trans-Java buses, he added. (bbn) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, May 19, 2019 21:32 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738b3411 1 City motorcycle,motorcycle-gang,brawl,jakarta,street-crime,street-violence Free A viral video has been making the rounds on social media that shows people who live near the Jatibaru overpass in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, clashing with passing motorcyclists. The caption of the video, uploaded to Instagram account @peduli.jakaarta, reads A clash between residents and gangs occurred at the Jatibaru overpass early in the morning today. The residents joined hands in blocking the gangs that have worried the people lately. Tanah Abang Police chief Sr. Adj. Comr. Lukman Cahyono confirmed that the incident took place, but said that the motorcyclists in the video were not robbery suspects or members of any motorcycle gangs. The residents were hanging around by the side of the road, and then saw motorcyclists traveling in groups, so the residents drove them out, Lukman said on Sunday as reported by kompas.com. He said the residents suspected the motorcyclists were members of a gang because of information about robberies and motorcycle gangs that has been circulated on social media recently. He said the police also detained three people apprehended by the residents. We detained them to avoid a clash, Lukman said. After questioning, the police did not find any weapons or evidence that the three detainees were part of a motorcycle gang. The police released the three motorcyclists after the situation at the overpass had returned to normal. We advised the residents to not take the law into their own hands, Lukman said. (ami) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin News Desk (The Jakarta Post) Jakarta Sun, May 19, 2019 18:06 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738ae0a7 1 City taxi-drivers,died,Tangerang,BSD,dead-body,dead-incident Free Taxi driver Suradi, 45, was found dead in the drivers seat of his car, which was parked on Jl. Raya Boulevard Utama in BSD, Pagedangan, Tangerang, Banten, on Saturday. Suradis body was found by a security officer of a residential area in BSD named Anhar. The 32-year-old said that he saw the taxi parked in front of a bus shelter by the road. Anhar approached Suradi to ask him to move his car. At 6 a.m., the taxi was parked on the side of Jl. Raya Boulevard Utama with its engine and air conditioner on and locked from the inside, Anhar said. As he knocked on the taxis window to wake Suradi up, other taxi drivers passing by stopped to help. When the police arrived and forcibly opened the car door, they found that Suradi had died, with his body slouching toward the wheel and his safety belt attached. South Tangerang Police crime unit chief Adj. Comr. Alexander Yuriko said that, according to Suradis family, he was known to suffer from several illnesses. He had a history of heart disease and acute stomach ulcers. He frequently felt pain in the left part of his chest and often paid a visit to a clinic, Alex said as quoted by wartakota.tribunnews.com on Saturday. He also said the family had signed a letter refusing a post-mortem investigation on Suradis body. (vla) Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Theresia Sufa (The Jakarta Post) Bogor Sun, May 19, 2019 17:12 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738ab774 1 Politics National-Police,security,May-22,May-22-rally,terrorism Free National Police personnel will not be armed with live rounds while on duty during the announcement of the elections results in Jakarta on May 22, despite their warnings about a possible terrorist attack. National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo said on Saturday in Bogor that personnel would be armed with shields, tear gas and water cannons. He spoke to journalists during an inspection of the arrest of an alleged terrorist, identified only as E, in Kampung Nanggewer, Cibinong district, Bogor regency. He said the decision was in line with the regulation on securing public protests or civilian demonstrations. But we are prepared for anything, he said. The National Police arrested 30 terrorism suspects in May alone. They said the suspects were affiliated with Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD), an outlawed organization linked with the Islamic State group. The police claimed they planned an attack on May 22. Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Arya Dipa (The Jakarta Post) Bandung Mon, May 20 2019 The Dialita Choir, a group of survivors of the 1965 tragedy in Indonesia, has been honored with the 2019 Gwangju Prize for Human Rights for showing the path to reconciliation and healing through music. The prize was awarded by the May 18 Memorial Foundation on Saturday in Gwangju, South Korea. The award is an acknowledgement of the fight for human rights through music and culture. The recognition has motivated us to continue our fight through arts, Dialita Choir head Uchikowati Fauzia said in her speech during the awarding ceremony. to Read Full Story SUBSCRIBE NOW Starting from IDR 55,000/month Unlimited access to our web and app content e-Post daily digital newspaper No advertisements, no interruptions Privileged access to our events and programs Subscription to our newsletters We accept Register to read 3 premium articles for free Already subscribed? login Share this article Whatsapp Facebook Twitter Linkedin Ni Komang Erviani (The Jakarta Post) Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Sun, May 19, 2019 12:02 953 db1d47cf6ffbed4060cffaa8738a6839 1 News MotoGP,MotoGP-2021,Lombok,tourism,travel,destination Free Lombok in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is gearing up for the world-class MotoGP motor racing event in 2021, which is expected to boost tourism on the island. We are confident that the MotoGP would be an amazing opportunity to lift up tourism in Lombok and Sumbawa, Awanadhi Aswinabawa, chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Associations (GIPI) NTB chapter, told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday. Lombok and Sumbawa are NTBs two largest islands. The province is also home to 278 small islands known as the Gilis. Although the racing event will take place on Lombok Island, Awanadhi said it would also help boost tourism in other parts of NTB. It would positively impact tourism development in Lombok and Sumbawa, as well as serve as an amazing economic boost for the province. And in the end, it will also help increase the quality of our tourism services, he said. The MotoGP will be held at a new circuit in Lombok's Mandalika Special Economic Zone. It would be the third time for Indonesia to host the international race, after two consecutive MotoGP stints at the Sentul International Circuit in Bogor, West Java, in 1996 and 1997. Read also: Lombok tourism all set to take off Ricky Baheramsjah, head of investment and marketing at the Indonesia Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC), said the MotoGP would be a very powerful marketing tool to promote Lombok as a tourist destination. A race like the MotoGP is watched by over 400 million people worldwide. And that is a very powerful marketing tool for us, Ricky told the Post on the sidelines of the recent Island Tourism Forum in Mataram. The 2021 MotoGP is expected to draw at least 120,000 onsite spectators and be broadcast to 428 million homes across 207 countries, the brand itself currently has at least 23.5 million social media followers and 85 million website visitors. As it reaches many people, Ricky said the MotoGP was a precious opportunity to tell the world about Lombok and its culture and tourist destinations. We should tell them that Lombok is not only about the MotoGP. Lombok is great. Lombok is beautiful. And hopefully, they will come again, either to attend the next race or for a vacation, Ricky added. The ITDC is a state-owned company that sealed the deal with Dorna Sports MotoGP for a slot in the 2021 season. The deal includes hosting the race as well as developing a circuit. A 4.32-kilometer street circuit is set to be built as part of efforts to turn Mandalika into a world-class tourist destination. For the construction, the ITDC is collaborating with Vinci Construction Grand Projects (VCGP), which also acts as the project's investor. A US$1 billion deal with VCGP was signed in August last year, which includes over 15 years of development. Supporting facilities will also be developed within the circuit complex, such as hotels and a hospital. Aside from the MotoGP, the circuit is expected to host other annual races as well. In its first year, it is expected to host at least two races. Meanwhile starting in 2023, it can potentially host around eight races per year. (kes) 7 hours ago 3 Stocks That Are Ready to Rip in 2022 These 3 Stocks Could Outperform in 2022 With the new year right around the corner, investors might want to start thinking about the companies with the strongest prospects for 2022. Theres no better way to start off the year than by adding a few potential winners to your portfolio, but finding those types of stocks is easier said than done. Read Article Services will be provided based on the results of a survey of 81 countries China will offer customized data services for disaster prevention through its Fengyun meteorological satellites for more countries along the Belt and Road, said a senior official of the China Meteorological Administration's National Satellite Meteorological Center. The services will be provided based on the results of a survey of 81 countries. By the end of April, 22 countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, Russia, Libya and Sudan, had responded to the survey. All of the respondents said they wanted to install the application software platforms of the Fengyun satellites for weather forecasting, as well as climate and environment monitoring. They also requested a range of services, especially in monitoring rainfall, droughts, dust storms, heavy fog and lightning, in addition to training courses on Fengyun meteorological satellite data analysis, remote-sensing applications and data collection. Many countries along the Belt and Road have high mountains, deserts, oceans and a lack of accurate meteorological information. The number of meteorological disasters in the regions is more than double the global average, the administration said. Wei Caiying, deputy general-director of the National Satellite Meteorological Center, said that real-time disaster monitoring by meteorological satellites could provide these countries with a scientific basis for disaster prevention and reduction. "Weather-related disasters such as typhoons pose a threat to life and property. Tracking their path could help local authorities decide how to proceed with evacuations," she said. In addition to real-time monitoring, the China Meteorological Administration set up the Emergency Support Mechanism for international users of Fengyun satellites last April, which covers disaster prevention and mitigation. So far, 15 countries including Iran and Mongolia have registered as users of the mechanism. According to the administration, the mechanism can switch the on-duty satellite to a quick-scan mode focusing on areas required by users when they are hit by disasters. "During disasters, Fengyun satellites can scan as often as every five or six minutes. The China Meteorological Administration could send users cloud images and products via satellites and public clouds," Wei said. For example, in March, China provided a remote-sensing monitor report on flooding in Iran via Fengyun. The analysis estimated the coverage and terrain characteristics of the flooded area, which greatly assisted the country's evacuation efforts. China has launched 17 Fengyun series meteorological satellites, of which seven are currently operational. The World Meteorological Organization has included China's Fengyun series of meteorological satellites as a major element of its global Earth observation system. G Parthasarathy By Despite western insensitivity towards the problems Myanmar faces in dealing with well-armed separatist-oriented, ethnic insurgent groups, Aung San Suu Kyi has acted skillfully and carefully in dealing with both India and China, on problems and challenges arising from cross-border insurgencies. There are 25 major, armed insurgent groups in Myanmar, with nine of them refusing to even accept a national cease-fire, as a prelude to talks with the government. A number of these armed groups operate across the China-Myanmar border, while enjoying safe haven in Chinas bordering Yunnan and Shan provinces. Closer to the India-Myanmar border, the Chinese have long-term ties with four insurgent groups in the Kachin State, which borders both India and China. Two of these groups have maintained links with Indian insurgent groups like ULFA and NSCN(K). They arrange to provide assistance to Indian separatist groups, facilitating their stay and activities in both Myanmar and in the Yunnan Province of China. This has, however, not prevented the Myanmar army from acting firmly against Indian separatist groups, in cooperation with Indian security forces. The larger problem that Myanmar faces is that its armed separatist groups located on Chinas borders, whether the Kachin Independence Army or the United Wa State Army, have cosy relationships with the Chinese Government. This enables China to play an intrusive a role in the entire process of a cease-fire and national reconciliation that Suu Kyi is spearheading, with armed separatist groups. Moreover, the Chinese are going about this role in a blatantly crude manner, with scant regard for local sensitivities. Chinese insensitivity in dealing with Myanmar is not confined to border management. Chinese businessmen in Mandalay and elsewhere in Myanmar would certainly not win popularity contests there. But what has really damaged Chinas image is the contemptuous manner in which its Ambassador and media tried to ridicule widespread environmental objections to their proposed $3 billion investment in the massive Myitsone Dam and Hydroelectric Project. Unfortunately, while India and Japan are expanding cooperation with Myanmar, even the reputedly pro-western Suu Kyi has faced virtual US and EU economic indifference and even threats of economic sanctions, because of insensitive western policies on the Rohingya issue. As its largest trading and economic partner and arms supplier, China naturally wields immense influence in Myanmar. India is seen as a friendly neighbour, with whom economic, military and security cooperation is rather slowly, but steadily, expanding. Aung San Suu Kyi recently visited Beijing for the International Review Conference on Chinas One Belt One Road project. President Xi Jinping appeared determined to emphasise that Chinese aid projects were not exploitative to assuage worldwide concerns that their aid was aimed at leading recipient countries into a debt trap. China has taken over the strategic Hambantota Port in Sri Lanka after Colombo could not repay the aid Beijing had extended. Likewise, the Mombasa Port in Kenya and the airport in Zambias capital Lusaka appear set to be taken over by China. Interestingly, Suu Kyi reportedly gave her hosts no assurance on the Myitsone Dam Project, during her discussions. G Parthasarathy dadpartha@gmail.com Former diplomat By PTI MUMBAI: The Shiv Sena Saturday came out in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not taking questions from the media at a press conference in Delhi. On Friday, Modi showed up on the dais at the BJP headquarters in Delhi for a scheduled press conference by party president Amit Shah, but refused to take any questions, citing party discipline. READ | 'Showing up is half the battle': Rahul Gandhi on PM Modi's first press meet Shiv Sena leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut said, "It was Amit Shah's press conference and Modi was present there as a party worker. It is not that he doesn't answer questions. He has given interviews to television and print." Speaking to reporters here, Raut said the prime minister communicates with people through his speeches, adding that it is better to be silent than answer questions. To a question on Modi's visit to Kedarnath and Badrinath, Raut said, "It is good he is visiting temples. This is Hindu culture and not politics." READ | Modi diverts questions to Shah in his first-ever press meet, asserts BJP will return with a bigger majority On a query on Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse being called a patriot, Raut said action has been taken against those making such comments and claimed such remarks would not affect the poll outcome. He sidestepped a query on cabinet expansion in the Maharashtra government and said his party was concentrating on the May 23 Lok Sabha results. The anti-abortion movement in the US has been building momentum for a while, and the past few days have seen various movements towards pro-life law coming to fruition - a four states have passed laws this year that effectively ban abortion after six weeks of pregnancy' s the New York Times writes, 'with others looking to follow. Whilst this isn't surprising for anyone who has been following the issue, the most infuriating thing about all these bills is that they have all been signed by men. Image Credit: Steve Rainwater on Flickr 'the law's provisions establish fetuses as full people under the law - meaning women could be held criminally responsible for seeking an abortion or even for having a miscarriage'. The Georgia law, known as the 'foetal heartbeat bill', rules out the option of abortion for women so soon that many may not even know they are pregnant by the time the procedure is no longer an option. What is even more shocking is that Yes, you read that right. Business Insider, According tothis could mean a 30-year sentence. 4) The Georgia bill states that a woman can be investigated for miscarrying and that women who travel to another state to get an abortion can spend up to ten years in prison. #SexStrike Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 13, 2019 ' The news has been followed by uproar across the globe. Last week, the State of Alabama went even further and passed a law banning abortion. This new legislation makes abortion illegal and unattainable, even in cases of rape and incest' . The news has been followed by uproar across the globe. 'penalty for aborting [a] baby conceived through rape is harsher than [the] rape penalty' One aspect of the new law that is particularly shocking is that the. If this isn't a clear example of an institutionally sexist society, I don't know what is. 'state legislature has passed a controversial bill that would outlaw nearly all abortions at eight weeks of pregnancy'. Alabama's case was soon followed by Missouri on Friday, whose similar bills' are working their way through the legislatures of South Carolina and Louisiana. According to U.S. Today, ' Many who protest against abortion claim to be 'pro-life'. What confuses me the most is that this completely discounts the life that has already been born: the woman's. In effect, they are putting the life of an unborn fetus above that of the life already being led. Some even have the audacity to hold signs claiming they are 'pro-women', 'pro-life', but this cannot be possible when a woman has decided that an abortion is what is best for her. For men to speak and make rulings on pregnancy that has never and will never happen to them is disgusting. Image Credit: Chris Wieland on Flickr Another claim made by those anti-abortion is 'men regret lost fatherhood'. But for once, this isn't about men. This is about women and what they want to do with their bodies. It's 2019. Men need to stop thinking they have the right to tell women what decisions they should make. The tactics employed by anti-abortion protestors are disgusting. They aim to torture women, calling on their conscience and morals, calling them to 'think about what they are doing'. In many cases, they call abortion murder. Many claim to root their anti-abortion ideology in their faith. To them I say: that's fine if that's how you want to treat your body, but don't enforce your religious views on others. We are too far along to start pushing the views of a religion that is hugely biased towards men upon women when they have fought so hard to get the rights they have today. For me, this is yet another example of how fundamentally sexist society still is. According to CBS News, at the Georgia bill signing, Governor Brian Kemp "recognized that the bill will likely be "challenged in the court of law" but said Georgia will "always continue to fight for life." ' At the signing of the bill, Kemp claimed that "Georgia is a state that values life. We protect the innocent, we champion the vulnerable, we stand up and speak for those that are unable to speak for themselves." But the passing of such a bill is not be 'protecting', 'championing', 'standing up' or 'speaking' for women. In fact, it completely overlooks their voices and devalues their lives. The state has faced a major backlash since the announcement of the bill, with actress Alyssa Milano calling for a 'sex strike'. Our reproductive rights are being erased. Until women have legal control over our own bodies we just cannot risk pregnancy. JOIN ME by not having sex until we get bodily autonomy back. Im calling for a #SexStrike. Pass it on. pic.twitter.com/uOgN4FKwpg Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) May 11, 2019 Although many are in uproar about this issue, there are many more states that are putting pressure on women and doing everything they can to make the option of abortion as difficult as possible. Many women already have to travel hundreds of miles to get a safe abortion, with a large percentage not being able to afford the trip. For more information on this see The New York Times' podcast 'The Daily'. Alongside the news breaking in America, we all need to turn our attention to what's happening in our neighbour, Northern Ireland. There, ' women who have an abortion... can face life in jail' . This is one of those moments in history where everyone needs to come together. Men, just as importantly, you need to speak out and say this is not ok. For the people in power who think they can get away with this, the women of the world are coming for you. Lead Image Credit: Chris Wieland on Flickr By PTI JAMMU: A BSF officer was injured in the cross-border shelling by the Pakistan Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district, officials said on Sunday. Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Satyapal Singh suffered splinter injuries when a mortar shell exploded near him while manning a forward post at Baloni in Krishna Ghati sector on Friday night, they said. The officials said the officer was shifted to the military hospital and his condition was "stable". Indian troops guarding the LoC also retaliated to the unprovoked shelling by Pakistan and the border skirmishes between the two sides lasted for a very brief period, they said, adding there was no report of fresh ceasefire violation from anywhere along the LoC since then. There was a school of thought that said former Vice President Joe Biden would begin to sink in the polls the moment he announced his candidacy for the Democratic presidential nomination. Bidens first day in the race, the thinking went, would be his best day. In fact, the opposite has happened. Since formally becoming a candidate on April 25, Biden has shot up in the polls. On announcement day, Biden held a 6.3-point lead over second-place Sen. Bernie Sanders in the RealClearPolitics average of polls. Today, that lead is 23.5 points. That is a big change. Polls do not tell us who will win an election months from now. But they do tell us what is happening at this moment. And at this moment, Democratic voters, who are sometimes said to be moving left and itching to transform the United States with a Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and through-the-roof taxes on the rich, are in fact responding to a decidedly more centrist appeal. That appeal, from Biden, is a promise not to fundamentally remake American society, but to restore things to the way they used to be. And the way they used to be means before Donald Trump. Obviously, Democratic voters want to replace a Republican president with a Democratic president. But they are especially dismayed by Trump and some, driven by increasingly strident news coverage, seem to have gone nearly round the bend about him. But for some center-left Democrats, the solution to the Trump Problem that is, the fact that Trump is president might not be the Green New Deal or Medicare for All. It is to restore the pre-2017 order in American politics. And Biden, Barack Obamas vice president from 2009 to 2017, is the physical embodiment of that old order. That is what Biden promises. Nearly every day, he repeats some version of his core campaign pledge: I want to restore the soul of this country. Bidens unexpected choice of the 2017 events in Charlottesville, Virginia, as the theme of his announcement was a way of saying that something has gone terribly wrong in the United States and that he wants to return to the pre-Trump past. Addressing a real or imagined moral crisis is one way for an opposition candidate to run against an incumbent president whose term has brought solid economic growth, low unemployment and higher wages. How long will Bidens lead last? Who knows? There is simply no telling how the Democratic race will play out. In the last two Republican nomination contests, we saw one race, in 2012, in which several candidates alternated holding the lead before Mitt Romney finally won. In the other, in 2016, we saw Trump lead a big field virtually the entire time. Now, with an even bigger Democratic field, the race dynamics are not yet clear. Plus, for Biden specifically, there will always be the issue of age. Biden will be 78 years old on Inauguration Day 2021. That is the same age Trump would be upon leaving office, should he serve eight years. But Biden would be just beginning his presidency nearing the age of 80. That is totally uncharted territory in United States history. (By the way, one other candidate, Sanders, is even older.) Even if Democrats want to restore the old order, they might decide a younger candidate should do the job. They might also want a candidate without Bidens record of fizzling out in presidential campaigns. In his first run for president, in 1988, Biden withdrew amid a plagiarism scandal before any votes were cast. In his second run, in 2008, he quit after finishing fifth in the Iowa caucuses. So he has run twice and never even made it to the New Hampshire primary. Now, though, Biden stands ahead of the field. Democrats know how old he is, they know he has lost in the past, and they still like him. Theres a truism that elections are always about the future, not the past. Thats often the case. But what if it isnt this time? A lot of political truisms did not hold up in the 2016 election, which was won by a man with another promise of restoration, to Make America Great Again. Now, many Democrats seem happy to support a candidate who pledges to take them back a few years. Again, that could change, but for the moment it shows how many Democrats yearn to return to a time before Trump. Byron York is chief political correspondent for The Washington Examiner. Watertown capital improvement plan includes $49M in projects The Watertown City Council discussed and approved the five-year Capital Improvement Fund during the city council meeting Monday. Governments and companies seeking insight into how to negotiate with U.S. President Donald Trump may want to head to Mexico City. Thats where two of the Mexican government leaders who helped line up the Nafta-successor trade deal with the U.S. are opening a new consulting firm. Ildefonso Guajardo travelled the world as economy minister for six years under President Enrique Pena Nieto, whose term ended in November. Juan Carlos Baker worked as Guajardos deputy in talks with the U.S., the European Union and Asian nations. So what should you anticipate when facing Trump? You need to be prepared, expecting the unexpected, Baker said in an interview. Even when you have gotten to a place where a deal seems likely, expect an extra push. Be prepared for a hostile and extremely unpredictable environment. You need to be aware that the negotiating positions or many of the ideas that are tabled might end up the next day in a tweet. Its not a normal negotiation. Mexico also realized that the auto industry would be the top priority for Trump and the U.S. and negotiated with that in mind, Baker said. USMCA Veterans Baker and Guajardo are founding partners in Consultores Internacionales Ansley, which offers services including negotiating strategies, interpretation and implementation of trade deals. That could be valuable in an era of global trade tensions. Amid U.S. talks with China and the EU, the overhaul of the North American Free Trade Agreement, which also includes Canada, stands as a rare example of a successful negotiation with the White House. Several former members of the Mexican team that negotiated the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, known as USMCA, for the Pena Nieto administration are already working in the private sector. Chief negotiator Kenneth Smith Ramos joined economic and legal consultancy AGON to advise on trade issues. His former deputy, Salvador Behar, is the legal director for Mexicos sugar chamber. Others are in the administration of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, like Jesus Seade, representative of the then president-elect in the final months of talks. Seade has became a deputy foreign minister in Lopez Obradors administration, negotiating the steel tariffs deal announced last week. Much Tougher While running for president, Trump said Mexican leaders and trade negotiators were much tougher and smarter than those of the U.S. And trade is the rare issue where leftist Lopez Obrador approved of the work of his predecessor, saying he wants the USMCA to be implemented without changes. It still needs to be passed by the legislative branch in all three nations. Ansley is ramping up at a time when AMLO, as the president is known, is drawing greater scrutiny to former officials. Going from government to the private sector is a common practice in Mexico, as in most countries, and has been for years. Yet AMLO has criticized officials who use their experience to go work in the private sector, accusing them of conflicts of interest. He proposed that they be prohibited from doing so for 10 years after leaving government. Baker said the firm is careful to avoid potential problems. Trade is a hot topic, and we feel we can be useful from a different perspective after leaving government, he said. There are plenty of things we can do without crossing this line of a conflict of interest. Read more about: EDMONTONEnvironmental groups targeted by Alberta Premier Jason Kenney are shrugging off the new governments promised $30-million war room to fight criticisms of the provinces energy industry. The war room makes for good theatre, but the people who follow this closely are going to look at this as amateur hour, said Keith Stewart of Greenpeace. Chasing environmentalists might play well politically, but its not actually relevant to the discussion that Alberta and Canada need to be having, added Simon Dyer of the clean-energy think tank Pembina Institute. Both groups have been singled out by Kenney as examples of ones distorting the truth about the impact of the oilsands. The premier has said government staff will be tasked with responding quickly to what he calls myths and lies. Kenney has also promised to fund lawsuits against offending environmentalists and to call a public inquiry into the role of money from U.S. foundations. Stay tuned, Energy Minister Sonya Savage said Tuesday. Well have something to talk about next week. Environmental groups have already been discussing informally what the United Conservative government might have in mind and how they should react. Weve been contacted, said Devon Page of Ecojustice, an environmental law firm. Weve been saying to the groups, Were here. Well respond and represent you as we have in the past. What were trying hard not to do is to do what I think the Kenney government wants, which is to get distracted. Dyer and Stewart said their groups are about 85 per cent funded by Canadians. The Pembina Institute was founded in Drayton Valley, Alta., and its headquarters remain in Calgary. Both called the war room political posturing aimed at the partys base. A lot of the rhetoric around our work and our contribution to Alberta has been based on complete misinformation, said Dyer, who pointed out Pembina has worked with virtually every major energy company in the province. Stewart called the threats a rerun of the 2012 campaign against environmental groups fuelled by the right-wing The Rebel media group and led by Stephen Harpers federal Conservatives. We learned to play rope-a-dope, said Stewart. Stephen Harper was our best recruiter. We had people contacting us saying, How do I lie down in front of a bulldozer? We dont usually get a lot of those calls but we were getting a lot of those calls. Each group is confident in the accuracy of the facts it cites. Dyer said Pembina research has been used by investors, academics and governments. Stewart said the issue isnt facts, but how they are understood. Often what it is is a disagreement over which fact is important. Industry will say, Were reducing emissions per barrel. Well say, Emissions are going up. Both statements are true and it depends which you think is more important. Cara Zwibel of the Canadian Civil Liberties Association said the Kenney government must tread carefully. Its OK to defend your position, but not to threaten, she said. If were talking about initiating lawsuits against individuals or organizations on the basis of speaking out on issues of public importance, then that raises serious problems, she said. Then we have a much more obvious impact and potential violation on freedom of expression. The province could possibly expose itself to legal action if its statements harm a group or individual say, by putting them at the centre of a Twitter firestorm, said an Edmonton lawyer. Theres certainly some kind of moral responsibility in terms of understanding that kind of highly charged rhetoric, said Sean Ward, who practises media law. You have to understand the consequences that are likely to follow. Ward said any cases the government funds would also be tough to win. There are a lot of available defences. Its difficult to see that this sort of general debate theyre going to be able to shut down with defamation law. Environmentalists say their response will be to avoid distraction and carry on. The vast majority active in this place dont want to go back to a high conflict, polarizing environment, Dyer said. Were not interested in polarizing this debate. Read more about: Toronto Police are asking for the publics help in locating a man wanted in the United States on fraud charges. Osaruyi Igbinob Enazena, 52, has been charged in Ohio in relation to a complex bank fraud and identity theft investigation, Toronto police said in a statement Sunday. The U.S. is seeking his extradition. Originally from Nigeria, Enazena is a permanent resident in Canada. Toronto police describe him as 5-foot-9 and 210 lbs. Enazena was first arrested in February 2018 to face charges in the U.S. The following month, he was released on bail to live in Brampton. In July, Enazena went to the Superior Court of Justice in Brampton for a hearing regarding his extradition to the U.S., police said. At the end of the morning court session, the judge advised he would make his decision after lunch. Enazena never returned to court after the break and is currently on the run, police said. Security video showed Enazena leaving the courthouse and heading toward Hurontario St. A judge ruled he should be in police custody pending his extradition. Police believe Enazena, who has family and friends in the GTA, is still in Canada. He uses a number of names, including Eric Igbinoba, Osabowven Obika and Igbinoba Osavonwen. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det.-Const. Jesse Dean, at 416-951-6850, or police at 416-808-5930 and Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477). Emma Sandri is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Stars radio room in Toronto. Follow her on Twitter: @emmarosesandri Read more about: By Online Desk Is the Narendra Modi-led NDA coming back to power? Yes, and emphatically at that, if the exit polls are to be believed. Put together, they have given NDA around 300 seats. The Congress and allies, despite all the hopes they have been raising of a good showing, will end up close to the 125-seat mark, they predict. The biggest surprise showing for the BJP will come in Bengal, where they are expected to end up with a double-digit tally, 14 according to NDTV's poll of polls. Odisha is set to witness a close fight with the BJP and Naveen Patnaik's BJD dividing the seats almost equally. ALSO READ| Exit polls gossip, says an angry Mamata after predictions favour NDA When it comes to UP, Akhilesh Yadav and Mayawati coming together will see them winning 29 seats is the prediction of the poll of polls. Congress will retain the two pocket boroughs of Amethi and Rae Bareli is the expectation. BJP stands to lose 22 seats in India's most populous state according to these results when compared to 2014. The biggest dampener for the Congress could be their showing in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh, where they formed governments recently. The picture for Lok Sabha 2019 from these three states is not too rosy for India's grand old party, if the exit poll results hold. The other big state of Maharashtra is expected to head the BJP-Shiv Sena way with the alliance expected to win as many as 36 seats, according to the poll of polls. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE In the south, the BJP is set for a comfortable victory in Karnataka, with the poll of polls projecting it to win 19 of the 28 seats. In Tamil Nadu, however, the UPA is likely to make significant gains and could finish with a tally of 27 seats while the NDA could be down to 11. The BJP is projected to get only one seat in Telangana and none in Andhra Pradesh. In Kerala, it could open its account by winning one seat. Here are the predictions released by news channels: Republic TV-C Voter: NDA 287, UPA 128 and others127 Republic - Jan Ki Baat: NDA 305, UP 124 and others 113 Times Now-VMR: NDA 306, UPA 142 and others 94 News Nation: NDA 282-290, UPA 118-126 and others 130-138 NDTV's poll of exit polls gives NDA 302, UPA 122 and others 119 India News: NDA 298, UPA 118, Others 127 IANS CVOTER: BJP: 236, Congress: 80; NDA: 287 (BJP: 236, BPF: 1, JD(U)+LJP: 20, Shiv Sena: 15, NPP: 1, NDPP: 1, SAD: 1, SPM: 1, AIADMK+: 10, Apna Dal: 1) News 18: NDA 292-312, UPA 62-72 ABP-Nielsen: NDA 267, UPA 127, Others 148 Neta-News X: NDA 242, UPA 164, others 136 According to India Today-Axis, YSR Congress is expected to win anywhere between 18 to 20 seats in Andhra Pradesh while TDP will be down to 4 to 6 seats. Exit polls are here but the wait for real results continue. As we anticipate May 23 results, the exit polls may provide an indicator. @NewIndianXpress takes a look at the numbers & what it means for all parties.@santwana99#ElectionsWithTNIE https://t.co/zDA5WtLJwb TNIE@Bengaluru (@XpressBengaluru) 19 May 2019 An important health warning: In 2014, too, several pollsters had come up with their predictions on the UPA and NDA tallies, but barring one, the rest had all failed to read the public mood. While most exit polls had predicted a victory for the BJP-led NDA, none had predicted the BJP getting a majority on its own then. READ: Exit polls and the X-factor fog The Ford government has axed provincial funding for two institutes credited with positioning Ontario and Canada at the forefront of artificial intelligence research a field the governments own prosperity think tank says must be supported if the province wants to remain competitive and create jobs in a booming technology sector. The Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade cut $20 million from the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence and $4 million annually from the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR), which supports a hub of AI-focused computer scientists. Both draw funding from the federal government and other sources and say they will adjust programming or operations. A prosperity think tank funded by the ministry concluded in a report last year that Ontario has a rich AI ecosystem led by some of the worlds best AI scientists and business thinkers, thanks in part to early investment in basic research. The report cited the Vector Institute as an attractor of high-profile talent to the region. The reports key recommendation: It is imperative that the province stay ahead of the curve and support the research and development of this technology, so that we stay at the leading edge of AI innovation. The think tank that issued the report, the Institute for Competitiveness and Prosperity, was itself axed by the government and closed its doors last week after 18 years. It was the research arm of a task force created by then premier Mike Harris in 2001 and was designed to examine policies that could help Ontario become more competitive. Our government inherited a $15-billion mess from the previous Liberal government, said ministry spokesperson Sarah Letersky. Read more: Stem cell research institute latest victim of Ford government cost cutting Sweeping changes buried in housing bill called doomsday scenario for Ontarios endangered species Ford government under fire for cuts to stem-cell research institute In order to protect what matters most and get Ontario back on track, we need to get our fiscal house in order. Thats exactly what were doing, while continuing to deliver on our promise to make Ontario open for business, and open for jobs. Letersky said the government continues to have a great working relationship with both CIFAR and the Vector Institute, and looks forward to continuing to work with both. CIFAR describes its mission as bringing together extraordinary thinkers to address questions critical to science and humanity. It supports research programs on child brain development, quantum computing, the molecular origins of life, and more. The ministry, under the previous Liberal government, signed an agreement with CIFAR in 2018 to provide $4 million a year for five years; CIFAR received the first $4-million instalment last year but wont receive the rest. CIFAR is also funded by the federal government, universities and the private sector. CIFAR is often heralded for nurturing a handful of Canadian computer scientists who created neural networks, a type of machine learning that now underpins todays successes in artificial intelligence and is responsible for AIs enormous market potential. Without CIFAR, Canada would not be a leader in global AI research and I would never have moved here, said Geoffrey Hinton, one of the godfathers of artificial intelligence. Hinton is a longtime CIFAR fellow and the chief scientific adviser of the Vector Institute. CIFAR played a critical role in supporting my work and deserves credit for funding many of Canadas biggest breakthroughs in artificial intelligence research. Providing adequate resources for basic curiosity-driven research is essential for attracting and retaining leading researchers here in Canada. It was essential in establishing Canadas position as a world leader in AI, and it remains the key to driving Canadas future leadership in this field. Yoshua Bengio, a professor of computer science at the Universite de Montreal and another AI pioneer and CIFAR fellow, said CIFAR has made it possible to have the kind of thriving AI hubs we currently enjoy in Canada, along with the associated industrial ecosystems, which are positioning Canada as an international leader in AI. I am thus truly saddened by the news that the Ontario government is cutting its funding for CIFAR. A spokesperson for CIFAR said we continue to have a positive relationship with the government of Ontario. We had anticipated this possibility and have adjusted our operations accordingly. The Vector Institute was launched in 2017 to capitalize on Ontario and Torontos leadership in AI and stem the brain drain to Silicon Valley and elsewhere in the United States. Its mission is to drive excellence in the knowledge and use of AI and to foster economic growth and improve the lives of Canadians. It is also supported by the federal government and private sector sponsors. The cuts to Vector came from a $30-million program announced by the Liberal government in 2017 that was designed to develop the AI workforce in Toronto by growing the number of graduates with advanced degrees in the field. Vector received $10 million from the program last year but will not receive the remaining $20 million. (The province also provided $50 million to establish the Vector Institute in 2017.) Garth Gibson, Vectors president and CEO, called Ontario an important partner. He added, Weve seen a reduction in line with (the) provinces imperative to eliminate deficits and the resulting year-over-year change for that ministry. This will not affect jobs at Vector, but it has caused us to sharpen the focus of our programming. CIFAR and Vector are the second and third research institutes in the past few days that the Star revealed have lost their provincial funding. The Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine, which supports research dedicated to translating stem cell discoveries into treatments for victims of incurable illnesses, learned its funding would not be renewed after its $5 million in annual provincial support ends next year. OIRM hopes to find other sources of funding to remain open. One OIRM researcher had received a $100,000 grant to pursue treatment for extremely premature babies with lung damage. Critics contrasted the loss of that funding to a program the Ontario government announced last week that will give $100,000 to Hats for Hides, which encourages hunters to trade in unwanted animal pelts for a hat or decorative crest. As a wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, Ashleigh Judge has faced barriers all her life. But the Toronto early childhood educator didnt expect to be turned down for a job in a preschool that serves children with disabilities because the building is inaccessible. Its not the first time I have faced this problem, said Judge, 33. But its the first time it was so blatant. It was really disappointing, especially coming from an agency that should be doing better. Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital has been operating Play and Learn Nursery School in a city of Toronto building on Eglinton Ave. W. for 33 years. Although the Forest Hill-area program is on the main floor, it does not have an accessible washroom, and the classrooms are located off a hallway that is too narrow for an adult wheelchair. Judge says she is happy to use the accessible washroom in the library next door, but wonders why the citys leading agency serving children with disabilities has done so little to make the learning space more accessible. Stewart Wong, a spokesperson for Holland Bloorview, says the hospitals main campus near Bayview and Lawrence Aves. is fully accessible, as is a community-based preschool in Scarborough. But he acknowledges the Play and Learn site is not. We have spoken to the city about accessibility issues, he said. We have worked really hard to be as inclusive as possible in everything that we do. But working in buildings that are decades old presents a challenge. The hospital has not considered moving Play and Learn, Wong said, but would welcome a conversation to explore more accessible options. Judge called the office of area Councillor Mike Colle in early April with her concerns but never heard back. When the Star contacted Colles office last week, the councillor said he sympathizes with Judge. People with disabilities have enough problems without having difficulty getting jobs because buildings are inaccessible, said Colle, who represents Ward 8 (Eglinton-Lawrence). As part of a city audit of the building last year, the Play and Learn site has been targeted for an accessibility upgrade in early 2020, he said. I dont know if Holland Bloorview knew that, but the city is on track to make those upgrades in January or February next year, he said. I will certainly be keeping an eye on it and make sure our facilities manager also knows there is an interest here. Judge is pleased the city is planning to renovate the building, but is frustrated it has taken so long, noting she first raised the issue with Holland Bloorview in 2017 during its Dear Everybody accessibility awarenenss campaign, and that the province introduced accessibility legislation in 2005. This is the first I am hearing about it, she said about the planned retrofit. And youd think Holland Bloorview would have told me, if they knew about it. It makes me wonder if the city is doing this just because (the Star) called. Judge has an honours BA in psychology from York University along with Seneca College certificates in rehabilitation services and life skills coaching. In 2011, she obtained her early childhood education diploma from George Brown College and has just completed certification as an early childhood resource consultant to work with kids who have special needs. Over the years, Judge has worked at March break and summer camps at Holland Bloorview and logged more than 500 volunteer hours at the hospital. I grew up in the system. I know what its like and I think I have a lot to offer, she said. I also think I would be a good role model for the children and their parents. Judge says she is well qualified and physically able to work in a preschool setting. She has worked part-time jobs with the citys EarlyOn child and family centres since 2015. She has no trouble picking up small children and can change diapers using a lower change table. When I saw a chance to work at Holland Bloorview, I jumped at it, she said of the two permanent part-time jobs that were posted at Play and Learn last December. According to a memo, shared with the Star, from the preschool staff, Judge gave an excellent interview for the position, has a lot to offer children and families at Holland Bloorview, and would be well suited for a wide variety of roles working with both children and families. Judge says she told the preschool she could rearrange her school schedule to start when needed. But staff told her the buildings inaccessible hallways were an insurmountable barrier to Judges employment there. Undeterred, Judge asked if the program could accommodate her in its accessible Scarborough location. And if there were no positions there, she asked if the hospital would commit to offering her the next position that became vacant that matched her skill set. I also told them I would be willing to help them advocate to renovate the Eglinton Ave. location, Judge said. Judge says her advocacy offer was ignored and that her request for placement in the next available position was met with a long email from human resources, telling her the hospital follows strict hiring protocols and procedures and that she would have to apply like everyone else. It was pretty frustrating. What happens when the kids theyre serving now get older and they want to come back and get a job with Holland Bloorview? she said. Advocacy and accessibility and the need for inclusiveness doesnt stop when you turn 18. The hospital doesnt comment publicly on personnel matters, Wong said. But he said it has specialized staff teams that work with job applicants and current employees to make the workplace accessible. The hospital is also committed to helping youth find meaningful employment as adults and offers a wide range of services, including volunteer opportunities, employment training programs and supported job placements, he said. We have lots of programming that opens up a world of inclusion for persons with disability. Accessibility advocate David Lepofsky praised Judge for trying to hold Holland Bloorview and the city to account, but said the problem ultimately lies with Queens Park and its lack of action on the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As noted in a government review of the legislation by former lieutenant-governor David Onley, people with disabilities face soul-crushing barriers in their daily lives, particularly when trying to access public and private buildings. And without a renewed commitment and immediate action, Ontario would not meet the laws goal of making the province fully accessible for its 1.9 million residents with disabilities by 2025, he said. Onleys report, released in March, calls for stronger enforcement and repeated earlier calls for the province to develop new accessibility standards for both new construction and building retrofits, Lepofsky noted. The government has announced no plans to implement the reports spectrum of recommendations, even though (Accessibility Minister) Raymond Cho said in the legislature that David Onley did a marvellous job and that Ontario has only progressed 30 per cent towards its target of becoming fully accessible to people with disabilities, Lepofsky said. Although Ontarios April budget earmarked $1.3 million over two years for the Rick Hansen Foundation to help finance a private accessibility certification process, Lepofsky said public money should be spent to fund Onleys recommendations. The Onley report recommended important and much-needed measures to address disability barriers in the built environment that the Ford government has not yet agreed to take, he said. It did not recommend spending scarce public money on a private accessibility certification process. RIO DE JANEIRO - A gang of gunmen reportedly attacked a bar in the capital of Brazils northern Para state Sunday afternoon, and authorities said 11 people were killed. The state security agency confirmed late Sunday only that six women and five men died in the incident in the Guama neighbourhood of the Para state capital, Belem. The G1 news website said police reported that seven gunmen were involved in the attack, which also wounded one person. The news outlet said the attackers arrived at the bar on one motorcycle and in three cars. In late March, the federal government sent National Guard troops to Belem to reinforce security in the city for 90 days. Brazil hit a record high of 64,000 homicides in 2017, 70% of which were due to firearms, according to official statistics. Much of Brazils violence is gang related. In January, gangs attacked across Fortaleza, bringing that city to a standstill with as commerce, buses and taxis shut down. Rio de Janeiro, the countrys second biggest city, experiences daily shootouts between rival gangs and also between police and criminals, battles that often result in the deaths of innocent bystanders. Fogo Cruzado, a group that monitors shootings in the Rio metropolitan area, says there were 2,300 shootings in Rio and its suburbs during the first 100 days of this year. Killings attributed to police gunfire in Rio de Janeiro state have reached a record high, rising 18% in the first three months, in a spike partly attributed to a campaign of a zero tolerance for criminals being pushed by state leaders. One of new President Jair Bolsonaros main campaign promises was that he would loosen Brazils strict gun laws, arguing that because criminals are well-armed with illegally obtained guns, upstanding citizens should have the right to defend themselves with legally bought guns. Bolsonaro has made good on that campaign promise with two presidential decrees that make buying guns easier, though federal prosecutors are seeking to get the courts to block that move. KABUL - An Afghan official says a gun battle between illegal armed groups has killed at least nine people in the northeastern Takhar province. Jawad Hajri, a spokesman for the provincial governor, says seven others from the armed groups were also wounded in Saturday afternoons gun battle in Rustaq district. Hajri added that one of the group leaders, who is on the police wanted list, was killed. Separately, officials say a roadside bombing killed two police officers Saturday in the southern Helmand province. Omar Zwak, the provincial governors spokesman, added that two other policemen were wounded in the attack in the Washer district. No one immediately claimed the bombing. Taliban insurgents are active in Helmand and control several districts in the province. VIENNA - Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called time Monday on his coalition government with the far-right Freedom Party after its leader was shown on video appearing to offer favours to a purported Russian investor. Kurz said he was seeking the removal of the countrys interior minister, Freedom Party politician Herbert Kickl, to ensure an unbiased probe into the video. Im firmly convinced that whats necessary now is total transparency and a completely and unbiased investigation, Kurz told reporters in Vienna. The Freedom Party reacted by withdrawing its ministers from the government. We wont leave anyone out in the rain, said the partys interim leader, Norbert Hofer. Kickls removal, which must still be approved by Austrias president, follows the resignation on Saturday of Freedom Party leader Heinz-Christian Strache, who was also Austrias vice chancellor. That came a day after two German newspapers published a video showing Strache pandering to a woman claiming to be a Russian tycoons niece at a boozy gathering in Ibiza two years ago, shortly before national elections. Strache and party colleague Johann Gudenus are heard telling the woman that she can expect lucrative construction contracts if she buys an Austrian newspaper and supports the Freedom Party. They also discuss ways of secretly funneling money to the party. Gudenus, who was instrumental in arranging the meeting, has quit as leader of the partys parliamentary group and is leaving the party. The Hamburg-based weekly Der Spiegel and Munich daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung said the meeting in Ibiza was likely a trap that Strache and Gudenus had fallen for. The papers refused to reveal the source of the video. Kurz noted that at the time the video was shot, Kickl was general-secretary of the Freedom Party and therefore responsible for its financial conduct. The chancellor added that in his conversations with Kickl and other Freedom Party officials following the videos release, he didnt really have the feeling (they had) an awareness of the dimension of the whole issue. The ouster of the Freedom Party from the government was a setback for populist and nationalist forces as Europe heads into the final days of campaigning for the European Parliament elections, which run Thursday through Sunday. Kurz has endorsed a hard line on migration and public finances, and he chose to ally with the Freedom Party after winning the 2017 election. The chancellor, who is personally popular, had said Saturday that enough is enough a reference to a string of smaller scandals involving the Freedom Party that had plagued his government. In recent months, those have included a poem in a party newsletter comparing migrants to rats and questions over links to extreme-right groups. Kickl, a longtime campaign mastermind of the Freedom Party, had already drawn criticism over matters including a raid last year on Austrias BVT spy agency, which opposition parties claimed was an attempt by the new government to purge domestic political enemies. Kickls party said he had done nothing wrong and sought to portray itself as the victim of a plot. The Russian government, meanwhile, said it couldnt comment on the video because it has nothing to do with the Russian Federation, its president or the government. President Vladimir Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said of the woman in the Strache video that set off the crisis: We dont know who that woman is and whether shes Russian or not. Pledging to ensure stability in Austria over the coming months, Kurz said vacancies in the government left by the Freedom Partys departure would be filled with civil servants and technocrats. His government, meanwhile, may find it difficult to continue as planned until Austria holds early elections, likely in September. Opposition parties plan to call for a vote of no confidence in Kurzs government in the coming days. ___ Associated Press writer Frank Jordans reported this story from Berlin and AP videojournalist Philipp Jenne reported in Vienna. AP writers Geir Moulson in Berlin and Vladimir Isachenkov in Moscow contributed to this report. SOFIA, Bulgaria - A leading conservative candidate in next weeks European Parliament elections has promised Bulgarians tight measures against illegal migration. Manfred Weber said in Sofia that the state must win over the human traffickers in the fight against illegal migration. The centre-right European Peoples Party candidate, who is also running to replace Jean-Claude Juncker as European Commission president, visited Bulgaria on Sunday as part of his campaign and to back the countrys ruling centre-right GERB party in next weekends elections. The Germans words about illegal migration, which is of significant concern for voters in Bulgaria, received frenetic applause by the 14,000 GERB supporters. The Balkan country has taken a tough stance against mass migration to Europe by sealing off its border to Turkey with a barbed-wire fence to prevent migrants from entering. Weber praised the diversity of the European continent but added that there is one thing in common - it is based on Christianity and we are proud of this. Bulgaria, which joined the European Union in 2007, will elect 17 members of the European Parliaments 751 seats on May 26. According to the latest polls, only three parties will pass the 5.8 per cent threshold in the elections - the GERB party, the Socialist party, and the liberal Movement for Rights and Freedoms. The ruling GERB party of Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, which has won almost every national and European election in the last decade, has suffered a setback because of recent scandals over murky real estate deals and the misuse of EU funds by senior officials and is facing now a serious challenge from the opposition Socialists. ___ For more news from The Associated Press on the European Parliament elections, go to https://www.apnews.com/EuropeanParliament JERUSALEM - Eurovision Song Contest organizers say they were taken aback by the display of a Palestinian flag during Madonnas guest appearance, which defied contest rules. While Madonna performed her new single, two of her dancers flashed Israeli and Palestinian flags pinned on their backs. The European Broadcast Union, or EBU, said Sunday that Madonna had not cleared that part of the act with broadcasters and was advised as to the non-political nature of the event. Yet most reactions to Madonnas performance had nothing to do with her political gesture. Many panned her for singing off key. Canadian-Israeli billionaire Sylvan Adams paid over $1 million to bring Madonna in for the event. EBU also said it is considering consequences for Icelands performers, who whipped out a Palestinian flag during the vote tally. TEHRAN, Iran - Across Irans capital, the talk always seems to come back to how things may get worse. Battered by U.S. sanctions and its depreciating rial currency, Irans 80 million people struggle to buy meat, medicine and other staples of daily life. Now they wonder aloud about Americas intentions as it rushes an aircraft carrier and other forces to the region over a still-unexplained threat it perceives from Iran. The Associated Press spoke to a variety of people on Tehrans streets recently, ranging from young and old, women wearing the all-encompassing black chador to those loosely covering their hair. Most say they believe a war will not come to the region, though they remain willing to defend their country. They think Iran should try to talk to the U.S. to help its anemic economy, even as they see President Donald Trump as an erratic and untrustworthy adversary. Trump is not predictable at all and one doesnt know how to react to him and what is the right thing to do against him, said Afra Hamedzadeh, a 20-year-old civil servant and university student. Since he controls the global economy we are somehow left with few options. But opinions vary across Irans capital, Tehran, depending on whether you speak to someone coming out of Friday prayers, in the back of a shared taxi cab, or exiting the coffee shops popular with young people. If America could do anything, it would have done many things by now, said the chador-wearing Zoherh Sadeghi, a 51-year-old housewife coming out of prayers. It cant do anything. It cant do a damn thing. Thats an opinion shared by 35-year-old office worker Massumeh Izadpanah. When someone keeps trying to scare you it means that they think they are not yet ready for war. When someone really wants war it starts the war right away. Like when Iraq attacked us, all of a sudden bombs were dropped, she said. But right now America just says, Im coming, to scare Iran. A young nation, many across Iran were alive for its bloody 1980s war with Iraq, a conflict that began when dictator Saddam Hussein invaded and dragged on for eight years. That war, in which Saddam used chemical weapons and Iran launched human wave attacks, killed 1 million people. Since Trump withdrew the U.S. from Irans nuclear deal with world powers last year, state television increasingly has focused attention on that wars wounded. In Tehrans southern Javadieh neighbourhood, veteran Mohammad Ali Moghaddam said he was ready to fight again. I would encourage my three sons and grandsons to go to defend Iran too, said Moghaddam, a 58-year-old welder. Arezou Mirzaei, a 37-year-old mother of two in central Tehran, is more worried. I think the government should do something to avoid war, Mirzaei said. If war was good, then Afghanistan and Iraq would not be the mess that we see on TV. Taxi driver Jafar Hadavand, 34, agrees. I think both sides will be losers if they fight each other, Hadavand said. I think there are wise people on both sides to advocate peace, not war. Still, many pointed to the economy, not the possible outbreak of war, as Irans major concern. Irans rial currency traded at 32,000 to $1 at the time of the 2015 nuclear deal. Now it is at 148,000, and many have seen their lifes savings wiped out. Nationwide, the unemployment rate is 12 per cent. For youth its even worse, with a quarter of all young people unemployed, according to Irans statistic centre. The economic situation is very bad, very bad. Unemployment is very high, and those who had jobs have lost theirs, said Sadeghi, the housewife. Young people cant find good jobs, or get married, or become independent. Sores Maleki, a 62-year-old retired accountant, said talks with the U.S. to loosen sanctions would help jumpstart Irans economy. We should go and talk to America with courage and strength. We are able to do that, others have done it, Maleki said. We can make concessions and win concessions. We have no other choice. But such negotiations will be difficult, said Reza Forghani, a 51-year-old civil servant. He said Iran needed to get the U.S. to sign a very firm contract that they cant escape and have to honour. Otherwise, Iran should drop out of the nuclear deal. When someone refuses to keep promises and commitments, you can tolerate it a couple of times, but then certainly you cant remain committed forever. You will react, Forghani said. So I dont think we should remain committed to the deal until the end. Yet for Irans youth, many of whom celebrated the signing of the 2015 nuclear deal in the streets, the situation now feels more akin to a funeral. Many openly discuss their options to obtain a visa any visa to get abroad. Young people have a lot of stress and the future is unknown, said Hamedzadeh, the 20-year-old civil servant. The future is so unknown that you cant plan. The only thing they can do is to somehow leave Iran and build a life abroad. CAIRO - Fighters allied with the U.N.-recognized government in Libyas capital said they have received armoured vehicles and quality weapons despite a U.N. arms embargo on the country. A Facebook page linked to the Tripoli government posted photos on Saturday appearing to show more than a dozen armoured vehicles arriving at port, without saying who supplied them. Supporters of the various militias allied with the government said the vehicles, which resemble Turkish-made Kirpi armoured vehicles, were supplied by Turkey. Spokesmen for Turkeys military and foreign ministry did immediately not respond to phone calls seeking comment. Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said last month his government would stand by Tripoli authorities as they repel an offensive launched by Khalifa Hifters self-styled Libyan National Army. The battle for the Libyan capital has threatened to ignite a civil war on the scale of the 2011 uprising that toppled and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi. The U.N. Security Council has imposed an open-ended arms embargo on Libya in February of the same year. Fathi Bashagha, the interior minister for the Tripoli-based government, also visited Turkey late in April to activate security and defence agreements between the two governments. The offensive on Tripoli was launched April 4 by the LNA, which controls the countrys eastern half. Hifter, who in recent years has been battling Islamic extremists and other militias across eastern Libya, says he is determined to restore stability to the North African country. His opponents view him as an aspiring autocrat and fear a return to one-man rule. He has received support from the United Arab Emirates and Egypt. BAGHDAD - A rocket was fired into the Iraqi capitals heavily fortified Green Zone Sunday night, landing less than a mile from the sprawling U.S. Embassy, an Iraqi military spokesman said. The apparent attack, which Iraqs state-run news agency said did not cause any casualties, came amid heightened tensions across the Persian Gulf, after the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region earlier this month to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran. The U.S. also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. It was the first such attack since September, when three mortar shells landed in an abandoned lot inside the Green Zone. No one claimed responsibility for the attack that took place after sunset when many Baghdad residents were indoors breaking their fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. Associated Press reporters on the east side of the Tigris River, opposite the Green Zone, heard an explosion, after which alert sirens sounded briefly in Baghdad. Iraqi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Rasoul told The Associated Press that a Katyusha rocket fell near the statue of the Unknown Soldier, less than a mile from the U.S. Embassy. He said the military was investigating the cause but that the rocket was believed to have been fired from east Baghdad. The area is home to Iran-backed Shiite militias. Shortly afterward the rocket launcher was discovered by security forces in the eastern neighbourhood of Wihda, according to a security official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. The official also said the roads leading to the Green Zone were closed briefly for security reasons before they were reopened as normal. Iraqs state-run news agency said a Katyusha rocket crashed inside the Green Zone without causing any casualties. The U.S. military confirmed an explosion in the zone without saying what caused it, but said there were no American or coalition casualties. As tensions escalate between the U.S. and Iran, there have been concerns that Baghdad could once again get caught in the middle , just as it is on the path to recovery. The country hosts more than 5,000 U.S. troops, and is home to powerful Iranian-backed militias, some of whom want those U.S. forces to leave. American forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011 but returned in 2014 at the invitation of Iraq to help battle the Islamic State group after it seized vast areas in the north and west of the country, including Iraqs second-largest city, Mosul. A U.S.-led coalition provided crucial air support as Iraqi forces regrouped and drove IS out in a costly three-year campaign. Iranian-backed militias fought alongside U.S.-backed Iraqi troops against IS, gaining outsized influence and power. Now, amid an escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran, Iraq is once again vulnerable to becoming caught up in the power play. An attack targeting U.S. interests in Iraq would be detrimental to the countrys recent efforts at recovering and reclaiming its status in the Arab world. On May 8, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a previously unannounced trip to the Iraqi capital following the abrupt cancellation of a visit to Germany, and told Iraqi intelligence that the United States had been picking up intelligence that Iran is threatening American interests in the Middle East, although he offered no details according to two Iraqi officials. A few days later, as U.S.-Iranian tensions continued to rise, the State Department ordered all non-essential, non-emergency government staff to leave the country. Employees of energy giant ExxonMobil have also begun evacuating from an oil field in the southern Iraqi province of Basra. On Sunday, Iraqi Oil Minister Thamer al-Ghadban said in a statement that he sent a letter to ExxonMobil asking for clarifications over the evacuation, saying the evacuation was because of political tensions in the region and not related to security. He added that the evacuation of the oil giants foreign employees was unacceptable and unjustified. Al-Ghadban said he would be holding a meeting with ExxonMobil executives this week over the evacuation, adding that their departure was temporary. Anuraag Thakur By Express News Service VARANASI: Its 1 in the night at the Dashwashamedh Ghat one of the eighty-odd ghats dotting river Ganga in Prime Minister Narendra Modis parliamentary constituency Varanasi, a few hours before the ancient city voted in the last phase of ongoing Lok Sabha elections. While dozens of devotees, including a clutch of kids and youngsters from Barabanki district under the picture-postcard umbrellas on the ghat, before taking the early morning dip in the sacred river, back in the parts of the old city, its normal nightlife at tea, paan and fruit shake shops. At Bhelupur in the Varanasi Cant assembly segment, two Yadavs indulge in a heated war of words over the electoral outcome and what PM has done for his constituency. While 35-year-old Samajwadi Party (SP) supporter Rajesh Yadav agrees that PM could be the actual winner from the seat again, but by a lesser margin than 2014, 50-year-old BJP supporter Ram Kumar Yadav, cycles past his much younger caste-man saying PM will win by a bigger margin than 2014 due to the positive change ushered by him in the oldest living city. FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES OF PHASE 7 VOTING HERE But while minority community dominated Gauriganj resident Ram Kumar Yadav fails to detail about all positives ushered in the city by its MP, the SP supporter younger Yadav claims that the GST of Modi regime has actually hit his Banarasi saree business adversely. Two years back, I gave job to eight people on my two shops in Kunjgali, but the number of employees now has declined to just four, says Rajesh putting a bet on the Mahagathbandhan candidate and ex-Congress worker Shalini Yadav to be the main challenger to Modi. Around three km away, the generations-old Kuber Paan shop is abuzz with political activity at 2 am, with Banarasis from various age groups debating on who will actually fight out the polls against Modi in Varanasi on Sunday. While pressure cooker business owner Shadab Ali and Banarasi saree businessman Sabir Ansari claim it will be Congress candidate (ex-BJP man) Ajay Rai, who will actually be the main challenger to the PM seeking re-election from Varanasi, BHU student Nilesh Verma and 16-year-old Class XI student Aman Jha say it will be Mahagathbandhans Shalini Yadav, who came second as Congress candidate in the mayoral polls. However, not amused by the discussion between the two groups, the second generation of paan shop owner siblings (who are night duty) say no one can even challenge the PM from Banaras. Just a few kilometers away at the Maidagin-Town Hall, crossing the oven is still hot enough where around 20-30 customers, including some people from adjoining Ghazipur district returning home after cremation of a close relative at Manikarnika Ghat debate the tough battle in which Modis close associate and union minister Manoj Sinha is engaged in Ghazipur LS seat. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Suddenly, 55-year-old Pradeep Mehrotra, a manager in a local fan manufacturing company arrives at the shop orders for a crispy toast and chai, adding smilingly to the hot political conversation ahead of the battle of votes. Who says PM hasnt done anything for his constituency, uninterrupted 24 hours electricity, good roads, well lit-up clean city, comparatively cleaner Ganga ghats, a dream highway connecting the city with the Airport and a Cancer Hospital near BHU, he has ushered all, but still I would vote Congress due to affiliations to the party since decades, says Mehrotra. Smiling at Mehrotra is 30-year-old is two decades younger Amit Khanna, who says its time to vote for the Mahagathbandhan candidate, as she is in the fight against Modi and will help my relatives take revenge for the demolition of hundreds of houses near Kashi Vishwanath-Gyanwapi complex, for the ambitious Ganga-Kashi Vishwanath corridor complex. Two friends working at the tea shop, Amit Patel and Ankur Jaiswal, both die-hard Modi supporters ask Khanna and others to leave the shop and debate at home who will be Modis main challenger in Varanasi on Sunday. Jeetihan ta Modiyeji, bas baat hau margin ka, baaki asli ladai ta doo aur teen number ka baa (Its Modi who will be the winner again and its only how big the margin of his triumph will be. The real contest is for the second slot), say the two friends running the tea shop and in agreement with them is young Gokul Jha, a research scholar from Mahatma Gandhi Kashi Vidyapeeth University. Its already 3 am, when the devotees sleeping at Ganga Ghats are about to wake up for the early morning dip in the sacred river, but around 5 km away at Lanka outside BHU Gate is a group young boys and girls (possibly BHU students) who are relishing mango shake and fast food delights without any concern for the poll battle a few hours later. The owner of the shop Ramesh Gupta, however, asks them to slowly leave the shop after making payments, as he along with family has to vote in the morning. And ask Gupta, whom would he be voting for and the quick reply is ohi ke jekar lahar hau (its for the candidate, who still has the wave in his favour). In 2014 Lok Sabha polls, the then BJPs PM candidate Narendra Modi had defeated AAP chief and present Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal by over 3.71 lakh votes, while Congress candidate Ajay Rai had finished a distant third for the second time in a row with 75,000-plus votes. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - A top Saudi diplomat says the kingdom has no information about an Arab activist living in Norway who says the CIA tipped Norwegian security about a threat against him emanating from Saudi Arabia. Responding to a question during a press conference in Saudi Arabia on Sunday, Adel al-Jubeir, the minister of state for foreign affairs, claimed hed never heard of Iyad al-Baghdadi. Al-Jubeir, however, then said el-Baghdadis motivation for speaking out publicly could be that he is seeking permanent residency in some country. The Palestinian-born activist says his work investigating possible Saudi crimes have made him a target. El-Baghdadi responded on Twitter, where he has more than 130,000 followers, saying that for the record, I have no immigration struggles (anymore), I was granted asylum by Norway four years ago. JIDDAH, Saudi Arabia - The United Arab Emirates energy minister said Sunday he does not think oil producing nations should relax the production cuts currently in place. Suhail al-Mazrouei spoke to reporters on the sidelines of a meeting in Saudi Arabia of the worlds major oil producers. His comments suggested theres support within the OPEC oil cartel to extend the 1.2 million barrels a day cut in place since January. I dont think, as the UAE, that today from the market conditions that we are seeing that relaxing the cut is the right measure, he said. He added that there have not been major oil shortages in the market from U.S. sanctions on Iranian and Venezuelan oil exports. As part of the six-month deal reached in December, OPEC countries, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE, were expected to cut production by 800,000 barrels a day while non-OPEC countries, including Russia, trim 400,000. The meeting Sunday in the Saudi Red Sea city of Jiddah was aimed at monitoring and reporting conformity levels of countries to that agreement. The group, known as OPEC+, is expected to decide at a meeting in late June, based on further data points, whether to rollover the current cuts to the second half of the year. The cuts in place were aimed at propping up oil prices after a sharp fall last year. Oil is now trading above $70 a barrel and closer to whats needed to balance state budgets among Gulf Arab producers. President Donald Trump, however, has called on major Mideast oil producers to keep oil prices from rising. EXETER, N.H. - President Donald Trumps only major Republican primary challenger said Saturday that the recent spate of abortion laws being passed in states like Alabama has him feeling terrible, and declared that abortion is a decision the government should not come anywhere near. At a campaign stop in Exeter, New Hampshire, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld told a crowd of voters hes the most pro-choice person youre ever going to meet. The way I look at it, its kind of a power issue, Weld said. And who wants a lot of big, fat, white guys who live in Washington 700 miles away making the decision about whats going to happen about a family pregnancy where the family has basis for some views and maybe wants to terminate the pregnancy. Welds stance places him far to the left of the mainstream Republican Party and Trump, whose base is often dedicated to anti-abortion measures. The new law in Alabama largely restricts abortion, with no exception for cases of rape or incest. Several other states like Georgia and Missouri have also recently passed tougher restrictions in what are seen as being possible test cases in the effort to overturn Roe v. Wade. While several pro-abortion rights Democrats seeking the partys nomination have said they would support enshrining the right to an abortion through federal law, Weld wouldnt go that far. He said he thinks its likely the Supreme Court would uphold Roe v. Wade, a 1973 high court ruling that established the right to abortion. If elected president, Weld said he wasnt sure he would have a litmus test that a possible Supreme Court justice would have to vote to keep Roe v. Wade, but he noted his standard would be pretty close. WASHINGTON - Energy Secretary Rick Perry will lead a delegation to the inauguration of Volodymyr Zelenskiys as Ukraines next president. Zelenskiy is a popular comedian with no political experience. He defeated President Petro Poroshenko in a runoff last month by winning 73 per cent of the vote. Ukraines parliament set Zelenskiys inauguration for Monday. President Donald Trump on Saturday announced Perry and delegation members including Kurt Volker, the U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations, and Gordon Sondland, the U.S. ambassador to the European Union. Rudy Giuliani (joo-lee-AH-nee), one of Trumps personal attorneys, recently scrapped plans to visit Ukraine to push for an investigation he thinks could benefit Trump politically. Democrats had denounced Giulianis trip as an overt attempt to recruit a foreign government to influence a U.S. election. LOS ANGELES - The Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown Los Angeles says admission will soon be free thanks to a $10 million gift by the president of its board of trustees. Carolyn Powers announced her donation Saturday night during an annual benefit dinner. The Los Angeles Times says about 700 guests, many of them artists, leapt to their feet and applauded when Powers broke the news. Powers gift will cover the cost of free admissions for the next five years. But the museum says it intends to make the change permanent. ATLANTA - As multiple states pass laws banning many abortions, questions have surfaced about what exactly that means for women who might seek an abortion. The short answer: nothing yet. Governors in Kentucky , Mississippi , Ohio and Georgia have recently approved bans on abortion once a fetal heartbeat is detected, which can happen in the sixth week of pregnancy, before many women know theyre pregnant, and Alabamas governor signed a measure making the procedure a felony in nearly all cases. Missouri lawmakers passed an eight-week ban Friday. Other states, including Louisiana , are considering similarly restrictive laws. None of the laws has actually taken effect, and all will almost definitely be blocked while legal challenges play out. The U.S. Supreme Courts landmark decision in Roe v. Wade said a woman has the right to choose whether to have an abortion. Supporters of the the new laws acknowledge that that they will initially be blocked, but they welcome the challenges. Theyve made it clear that their ultimate goal is to get the nations highest court to reconsider its 1973 ruling now that the balance seems tipped in their favour. CAN WOMEN STILL GET ABORTIONS IN STATES WHERE THESE LAWS HAVE PASSED? Yes. Abortion remains legal nationwide. Abortion providers say that with all the coverage of the new laws, theyve been getting calls from patients and potential patients who are confused about whether the procedure is still available. Although abortion is still legal everywhere, lawmakers in some states have passed less-restrictive measures that make accessing the procedure more difficult. That has resulted in six states having only a single abortion provider, while others have only two or three, according to the Guttmacher Institute, an abortion rights research group. WHOS CHALLENGING THESE LAWS AND WHERE DO THOSE CHALLENGES STAND? Opponents of the laws are filing lawsuits and fully expect the measures wont be allowed to take effect while the court challenges are pending. A court blocked Kentuckys law from taking effect after the American Civil Liberties Union sued, and that case is ongoing. The ACLU and Planned Parenthood on Wednesday challenged Ohios law, and they expect a court to keep it from entering effect as scheduled in July. Mississippis law also is set to take effect in July, but it has been challenged by the Center for Reproductive Rights. Alabamas law would become enforceable in six months and Georgias would take effect Jan. 1, but the ACLU plans to challenge both of those laws. WHY IS ALABAMAS LAW GETTING SO MUCH ATTENTION? Alabamas law goes farther than the others. It makes abortion a felony in nearly all cases and includes no exceptions for cases of rape or incest. The only exception is when the pregnant womans health is at serious risk. Republican state Rep. Terri Collins, who sponsored the bill, said adding any exceptions could harm the goal of creating a legal case that embryos and fetuses are people with rights of personhood. Another GOP lawmaker, Rep. Clyde Chambliss, said the bill was not about privacy, which is the legal foundation for Roe, but rather the right of an unborn child to live. HOW DOES GEORGIAS LAW CONFERRING PERSONHOOD ON A FETUS WORK? The law says, It shall be the policy of the State of Georgia to recognize unborn children as natural persons. That caused some speculation that the law would allow women to be charged with murder if they get an abortion. Although a prosecutor could interpret the law that way, University of Georgia law professor emeritus Ron Carlson said he believes a woman cannot be successfully prosecuted under the law, which seems primarily to target abortion providers. Elizabeth Nash with the Guttmacher Institute said some states have tried to enact fetal personhood measures by ballot initiatives in the past, but those have failed. Thats partly because it could have such broad implications, including access to fertility treatments, inheritance rights and taxation, she said. There are a lot of consequences that we dont know yet, she said. BEDFORD, Va. - Marguerite Cottrell remembers the summer day 75 years ago when a Western Union telegram was delivered to her family farm as her mother was hanging clothes on the line to dry. Her mother read it, sat down and wept. Cottrells older brother, John Reynolds, had been killed in the D-Day invasion of Normandy on the coast of France. I knew something bad had happened, said Cottrell, who was 4. She remembers her mother telling her: Well, little Jack has gone to heaven. I dont know what were going to do. All over the little town of Bedford, Virginia, nestled next to the Blue Ridge Mountains, similar telegrams were delivered that summer nine of them on one day with the same opening line expressing the secretary of wars deep regret that a loved one was killed or missing. Twenty men from Bedford or the surrounding area were killed on D-Day, June 6, 1944. Nineteen fell while trying to take Omaha Beach as members of Company A of the 116th Infantry Regiment. The 20th man was in a different company. The decisive World War II invasion took a horrific toll on Bedford, a town of about 4,000 at the time. Its D-Day losses were among the steepest, proportionally, of any community in America. The dead were country boys who came of age during the Depression and joined the National Guard before the war for extra income and uniforms that local girls thought looked sharp, according to author Alex Kershaws 2003 bestseller The Bedford Boys. Frank Draper and Elmere Wright were local baseball standouts. Wallace Carter worked at the towns pool hall. Earl Parker left behind a young bride and a daughter he never got to meet. Twins Ray and Roy Stevens hoped to run a farm after the war, but only Roy survived. Their time in combat was short. Among the first waves in the assault on Omaha Beach, Bedfords soldiers were wiped out by Nazi machine-guns and mortars within minutes after their landing craft hit the sand. They were waiting for us, the minute the ramp went down, they opened up, said Elisha Ray Nance, one of the few Bedford Boys who survived that deadly beach landing, in comments recorded in Bedford Goes to War, a book by local historian James Morrison. In 1996, Congress designated a plot of land next to Bedford as the site of the National D-Day Memorial, a monument to the more than 4,000 Allied troops who lost their lives in the battle. When people come here, it is important to see the town as the monument itself, President George W. Bush said at a 2001 ceremony dedicating the memorial. This is the place they left behind. Amateur historian Ken Parker and his wife, Linda, have turned the towns old pharmacy into a coffee shop and tribute centre to the Bedford Boys. Greens Drug Store was where Bedford Boys had hung out as high schoolers and their wives and girlfriends exchanged gossip and news during the war. The centre is now filled with war-era uniforms, pictures and other items, including the teletype machine that Parker says printed out the notices when the boys were killed. On a recent Monday, Bedford resident Maryellen Cunningham came in to take a look around. She said seeing the old teletype gave her chills. I cant even imagine the operator that was getting one telegram after another after another, she said. The Parkers who recently moved to Bedford from Oklahoma said they get similar visits all the time from Bedford residents, who often want to place a war-related family heirloom on display at the new tribute centre. Nance, the last surviving Bedford Boy, died in 2009. Only a few of the fallen soldiers siblings are still alive. But the Parkers said younger generations have held on to many of the boys letters and other keepsakes, handing them down through generations almost like sacred relics. The couple said one of the Bedford Boys nephews recently found a stash of unopened letters his grandmother had sent to her son before she knew he had been killed on D-Day. They just bottled this up for so long, Linda Parker said. They can finally open that box and let the stuff out. Cottrell, who recently dropped in at Greens Drug Store, said her mother used to open up an old trunk with her brothers belongings on Sunday afternoons and read his letters. Cottrell said her mother blamed herself for letting Jack enlist and talked about him often to keep his memory alive. Theres so many people that have passed away, you know, that this would have meant so much to, she said of the drugstore. My mom would have loved coming here. WASHINGTON - A key Democrat said Sunday that Republican Rep. Justin Amashs sharp criticism of what he called President Donald Trumps impeachable conduct in the Russia investigation isnt enough to count as bipartisan support to launch impeachment proceedings. But House Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff nevertheless warned that Democrats were still on that potential path to force White House co-operation with the various congressional investigations into Trumps conduct. It provides an additional tool, the California Democrat said. What we have been doing is we have been gradually escalating the tactics we need to use to get information for the American people. So we began by asking for voluntary co-operation, and that was not forthcoming. We followed with subpoenas, we followed with contempt. We may follow with inherent contempt, and we may have to follow with impeachment. Amash, R-Mich., on Saturday became the first member of Trumps party on Capitol Hill to accuse him of engaging in impeachable conduct stemming from special counsel Robert Muellers lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. Hes often a lone GOP voice in Congress. On Sunday, Trump blasted Amash as a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands! Never a fan of @justinamash, a total lightweight who opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy, Trump tweeted. Still, Schiff said it remained unlikely that an impeachment trial would succeed in the Republican-controlled Senate. We see no signs of that yet, he said. If Democrats are forced to pursue impeachment proceedings, Schiff added, it has less to do with Justin Amash and more to do with the fact that the administration is engaging in a maximum obstructionism campaign against Congress. Democrats who control the House are locked in a bitter standoff with the White House as it ignores lawmakers requests for the more complete version of Muellers report, the underlying evidence and witness testimony. Some Democrats wants the House to open impeachment hearings, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has resisted, saying impeachment must be bipartisan. Schiff has said his panel will be taking an enforcement action against Attorney General William Barr or the Justice Department after they refused to hand over an unredacted version of Muellers report and other documents. Schiff hasnt said what that action would be. Options could include voting to recommend Barr be held in contempt of Congress, as the Judiciary Committee has done, among others. Mueller found no criminal conspiracy between Trumps presidential campaign and Russia, but left open the question of whether Trump acted in ways that were meant to obstruct the investigation. Barr later said there was insufficient evidence to bring obstruction charges against Trump. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, praised Amashs courageous statement but said he didnt believe there was enough evidence in the Mueller report to show that Trump obstructed justice. Justin Amash has reached a different conclusion than I have, Romney said. I dont think impeachment is the right way to go. Schiff spoke on CBS Face the Nation and Romney was on CNNs State of the Union. LOWELL, Vt. - Vermonts largest utility will again offer free tours of a wind farm in the Northeast Kingdom this summer. Green Mountain Power says its a chance for residents and tourists to see a wind farm up close and learn about how wind energy works. Visitors will tour two of the 21 wind turbines at the Lowell Mountain site. The tour runs about 90 minutes and participants must register in advance. The tours are scheduled for June 12 and July 20 at 10 a.m. Participants can register on the GMP website . OGDEN, Utah - Students interested in science and technology will soon be able to attend class in an old military plane in northern Utah. A Vietnam era cargo plane has been converted into a classroom for science, technology, engineering and math students and attached to a museum at the Hill Air Force Base near Ogden, The Standard-Examiner reports. Ogden is about 40 miles (64 kilometres) north of Salt Lake City. Crews renovated a plane that had been stored at The Hill Aerospace Museum and Aerospace Heritage Foundation of Utah for decades and connected it to the building. The classroom was dedicated in a ceremony Tuesday. Once attached to the building, the plane was painted and outfitted with new furnishings. Other than its missing wings, which were cut off to attach the plane to the museum, the plane looks like a working C-130 Hercules. The museums education program will offer aerospace lessons, science experiments, competitions and other activities in the aircraft, said Mark Standing, an education instructor at the museum. He said the classroom provides a unique, interactive learning component that differs from static museum displays. Often times we hear visitors say, We come to the museum but we never get to see the inside of an airplane, said Standing. And now we will be able to say, Come on in! A museum representative said Charlie White and his company, Whites Aircraft, Salvage and Parts, donated to the renovation. The United States military has used C-130 planes since the 1950s. The plane can land and take off in rough conditions and was designed to transport troops, medics and cargo. Officers have also used the plane for search and rescue missions, aerial refuelling , firefighting and more. The plane now serving as a classroom first went into service for the Air Force in 1965. It was last used in 1995. In the past couple weeks weve had the opportunity to let some vets in here who flew C-130s during their career, said Museum Director Aaron Clark. They come in here and they see it and they smell it and it takes them back and you see them get emotional. Its really cool. ___ Information from: Standard-Examiner, http://www.standard.net By Online Desk After Prime Minister Narendra Modi, now you too can visit the Kedarnath caves in Uttarakhand and even meditate comfortably there for just Rs 990. Rudra Meditation caves were built by the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam last year after the PM's suggestion to popularise the holy shrine in order to promote tourism in the area. The caves attracted very few tourists after its inauguration due to skyrocketing prices. The cost of a day's stay even went up to Rs 3000 per day. Also, the caves had to be booked at least three days in advance. The Nigam removed this clause in 2019 and also slashed the prices to attract more tourists, reported the Hindustan Times. Along with the bliss of a solitary experience, the caves also provide emergency services with 24x7 staff on hand. The outer part of these caves is made from stones that have wooden insulation to sustain low temperatures, common in hilly regions. Good bye, Cuba. The Canadian government suspended visa-processing services at its embassy in Havana. No more visiting Cubans to Canada unless they can get themselves to another country with a functioning embassy. No more Cuban musicians, no more visiting professors, no more family visits, and no more Cuban students studying in Canadian universities. I got this news while spending two weeks in Havana with 35 Queens University students. Its part of an exchange program Queens has had for over 10 years with the University of Havana. Our Havana classroom includes the university, as well as the art galleries, music halls and cultural centres of the city. Here our instructors are a cast of thousands: professors, musicians, curators and the opinionated, verbose people of Havana. Our program is an exchange; an unequal one but an exchange. We bring students to Havana, and we invite one Cuban professor, musician or artist back to Canada. In this way, Canadian audiences have been able to hear about the latest Cuban research, hear a concert from a top-notch musician, or learn about art directly from an artist or curator. All this is now suspended. The Canadian government says this is in response to the reduced staff in the embassy as a result of the curious sonic attacks experienced by embassy staff. This whatever this is, no one knows is a serious thing and has resulted in health problems for Canadian embassy staff in Canada. But why choose the draconian path of shuttering the embassy and suspending visa services? With this move, the Canadian government has cancelled decades of Canadian-Cuban people to people exchanges, in art, culture and education especially. Heres what wont be happening as a result of this decision: all of these are stories I learned in Havana the day the embassy suspended visa services. The Cuban agronomist who receives thousands of visitors at an innovative co-operative farm wont be able to accept an invitation shes received to visit Canada to explain their internationally recognized sustainable farming model. The mother of a recent Cuban PhD graduate wont be able to attend her daughters Canadian graduation. Another Cuban student a brilliant pianist cant take up her offer of admission to a Canadian university. A Canadian/Cuban art exhibition in Montreal might have to go ahead without the Cuban artists theyve invited. Meanwhile 1.3 million Canadians visit Cuba annually, enjoying the beaches, culture and music. Doesnt this just seem a little churlish? Canadas Cuba policy has always been independent and measured. Now, at least in the visa department, we are exactly the same as Trump. Dont pack your Canadian flag T-shirt, visitors. Theres little to brag about here. Canada was Trumps dry run for China, Scoffield, May 15 I will leave it to the 27 mental health experts in The Dangerous Case of Donald Trump to determine if this compulsive liar is indeed a sociopath, but the behaviour described by Heather Scoffield is typical of anti-social manipulation. The superpowers and regional superpowers also act like psychopaths, as we saw in Chinas blatantly amoral responses to our questionably legal detention of Meng Wanzhou. We also see criminality writ large in Russias destabilizing of Ukraine and in the Saudis murdering and dismemberment of American journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Canada must look to some of our sister countries in the Commonwealth (Australia, New Zealand) and the Scandinavian countries as our moral compass, and write off the U.S. as long as it is being run into the moral ground by President Donald Trump and his security adviser John Bolton. Ron Charach, Toronto Read more about: Forty years ago this spring, an eloquent, passionate, young American-educated German named Petra Kelly helped to launch the Green movement that swept first West Germany and then much of Western Europe. Kelly was one of those naturally charismatic politicians who drew supporters from a broad sweep of German voters: left and right, young and old. By the mid-80s Die Gruenen were eating into both the German Social Democrats and the Christian Democrats base. A decade later they were sharing power at the provincial level in Germany. Tragically, Kelly was murdered when she was only 44. The Green movement flatlined in the early part of this century, only to regain momentum with the rise of the climate crisis in recent years. Before her death the rapidly growing Green Party was fraught with fierce internal debates between those who wanted to govern, and those who refused to compromise on an agenda that was fiscally and politically impossible. The two camps, one dubbed the fundamentalists and the other the realists broke the momentum of their early years. Petra Kelly was a fundi herself, and became estranged from the party she helped to found, as the realos gradually took over. It is a cautionary tale for todays Canadian Greens. The Trudeau Liberals are seen as climate failures by many younger voters in B.C. and Ontario. The NDP is seen by many of them as less likely to be able to deliver change, even if they are better on climate policy. The Greens may therefore have their best federal election ever. They may even come to hold the balance of power federally, as they do now in B.C. Andrew Weaver, the professor turned B.C. Green leader, and his two caucus colleagues have painfully discovered there is a discipline to power, one that demands painful choices from those comfortably anchored in ideological purity. As George Marchais, the giant of French Communism said about his role in the Mitterand Socialist government, Each day I must eat snakes. It is easy to envision an adroit squeeze play by a shakily re-elected Justin Trudeau, or Andrew Scheer as the prime minister of any minority government, inflicting such snakes on the burgeoning Greens. Set up a vote of confidence early in the new Parliament based on a decades long, sharply rising carbon pricing agenda, locked in combination with setting the first shovels in the ground on TMX. If the Greens vote yes they will enrage their base. Vote no, and they defeat the government, and they are into a snap election which threatens annihilation. The climate crisis is a painful irritation for an already wobbly federal government. But they have a short-term trump: A Green vote means a Scheer government. For the NDP the threat is more existential. Most European social democratic parties, bobbing and weaving, co-operated with or tried to clobber the Greens. Both strategies lead to more fragmentation of political loyalties, and a steady weakening of the traditional parties dominance. B.C. Premier John Horgan and Jagmeet Singh are juggling, positioning themselves as climate campaigners who understand the realities of power and the economy, without being dubbed climate disappointers. Their strategic goal is to unite social justice and climate. Not easy. For Elizabeth May to continue to push herself and her party into ever more dismissive and hard-edged rejection of any compromise with the resource sector may be great politics in the short term. But most Canadians know that theirs is a nation built on those industries. Weaning them off their massive carbon emission loads is a project of decades not days. If the Green base grows, many newcomers will not support increasingly more fierce attacks on mining, forestry, automobiles, and the oil and gas sector as the path to victory and change. A larger Green base, coming off a reasonably successful federal election, will be a difficult beast to manage. Party-building and brokerage politics have never been Mays forte. Hungry new potential leaders will be organizing around her. Helping the party navigate between its fundis and realos, without leading to damaging splits will take political mastery. The woman who invented the German Green movement failed at it, and it broke her heart and nearly broke her party, and Elizabeth May is no Petra Kelly. Robin V. Sears is a principal at Earnscliffe Strategy Group and was an NDP strategist for 20 years. He is a freelance contributor for the Star. Follow him on Twitter: @robinvsears Read more about: The House of Commons standing committee on finance got a passionate earful last week from one of Canadas most knowledgeable refugee experts, who wanted to know precisely why the Trudeau government was suddenly taking a harder line on asylum seekers at the very moment the numbers entering Canada were falling. On paper, the anti-refugee provisions buried in the 392-page omnibus budget bill, C-97, wont impact many of the people still walking to Canada in search of asylum. Even by the governments estimates, fewer than 1,000 refugee claimants this year are likely to be diverted into a new process a significantly less robust one, critics say that will decide their fate without a full and formal hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). But the tweaks nevertheless enabled the prime minister and his cabinet to abruptly signal a very different kind of virtue an unmistakably rightward shift on the fear-fraught question of refugees, targeting what Border Security Minister Bill Blair described as asylum-shoppers. University of Toronto professor Audrey Macklin isnt buying it. In testimony before committee on Tuesday and in a followup interview with the Star she blasted the changes as nothing more than disingenuous pre-election pandering to potential Liberal voters gripped with unwarranted border worries. The proposed tweaks to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act would, among other things, change the eligibility requirements for certain claimants who previously made a claim in another country (i.e., the U.S.), regardless of whether their case had been heard elsewhere. Such claimants would then be diverted to a new process that critics say weakens the basic rights of asylum seekers. This is what centrist governments in Europe have tried, and its a losing game, said Macklin. When they find themselves confronted by xenophobic appeals to anger and the creation of moral panic over refugees, they have a choice. They can respond either by taking the high road insist on evidence, use facts, show some leadership or they can run scared, feeling they have to pander to the fear or they will lose votes. And what weve seen in Europe, she continued, is that centrist governments have run scared. And all that happens are they get pushed further and further and its never enough. The appetite for more xenophobic, more restrictive, more punitive policies is insatiable. And it does them no good electorally. Ultimately it just degrades them. Macklin, the director of U of Ts Centre for Criminology and Sociolegal Studies, has spent decades researching refugee issues, including judging claims cases firsthand as an IRB adjudicator. She readily acknowledges the cross-border surge triggered a messy processing backlog. But that was 2018. One year later, the numbers now have dwindled to half what they were the RCMP confirmed this week it apprehended 3,944 irregular migrants in the first three months of 2019, compared to more than 7,600 between January and April in 2018. Yet paradoxically, as the numbers fall the border anxieties of everyday Canadians appear to have risen, pollsters say, setting up the refugee file as the easiest of political pinatas as the rival parties ramp into election mode. Macklin contends that even as fear-baiting internet memes fly fast and furious, stoking Canadian emotion on the refugee file, the moment calls for serious, fact-based leadership. She notes that the IRB, after being caught flat-footed last year, now has the resources to tackle the backlog and is doing so setting ambitious targets and actually exceeding them, even as the numbers coming to the border are dropping. The Canadian government was unwise to allow itself to be panicked by this. They needed to say, Look folks, the numbers are dropping. There was a problem with processing and now we are meeting that challenge. Everyone calm down. Thats leadership. What isnt leadership is pretending taking as a given that theres some sort of out-of-control border problem and disingenuously pandering to it. The number, even at its peak, was trivial to begin with just a tiny fraction of what other countries have dealt with. It was enough to allow people to say, Oh my God, it doubled! and portray it as a crisis. Thats when you hope people dig into the facts for themselves. Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer, now two deep into a series of major policy speeches, has yet to articulate any election views on the immigration file, leaving punters to ponder over older interviews, such as his encounter with Huffington Post Ottawa bureau chief Althia Raj during his race for the party leadership. At the time, Scheer portrayed himself as a compassionate conservative intent upon reframing the party in a far more positive light after an election loss to Trudeau that he felt turned on issues that we had around tone and perception and image. Because the Liberals are so good at the flip side of that, right? Nobody doubts that they care Im saying, lets flip it around, lets show Canadians what motivates us: genuine concern, real compassion, with policies that get actual results. Its the misplaced compassion we always seem to lose out on. But as Raj pressed for specifics, Scheers messages got a bit mixed. At one point, he suggested that Syrian refugees in Canada want to go back, they want to go home. And although he slammed Justin Trudeau for a heck of a lot of new spending thats not even taking place in Canada spending that would make for low-hanging fruit once his team is elected and launches its drive toward a balanced budget later in the interview Scheer suggested that unlike the Liberals, he would concern himself more about refugees overseas, rather than those entering Canada. The left is very good at showing compassion for those people whove just trudged through the snow, risking life and limb to come to Canada but theres no compassion for the tens of thousands of people waiting in a refugee camp, playing by the rules, facing real prosecution that if they left the camp they very well might be killed. Nobodys coming in over the border because they are persecuted in North Dakota or Maine, said Scheer. So we have to show that side of ourselves, that we have compassion when it comes to refugees but compassion for people who are actually in danger and actually need to be taken care of and are waiting their turn and doing everything properly, he said. It remains unclear how and to what extent Scheers views have evolved. But as of this moment, as far as refugees within Syria and the camps that surround it, Canada is indeed a significant contributor, injecting $53 million into the UN World Food Program this year and last. UN officials told the Star that Canadas 2018 contributions ensured WFP was able to reach 2.9 million and 650,000 beneficiaries for general food assistance and school feeding activities, respectively. In 2019, the food aid for Syrians displaced by war is projected to expand to reach 3.5 million people. The WFPs Marwa Awad, who is based in Damascus, said those needs are now about to increase as the fighting subsides and the UN readies for a shift out of crisis mode and into helping repatriate the displaced. There would have been massive hunger and starvation if not for our interventions. Thats just the fact, said Awad. Even if you dont think flowery thoughts about humanitarian work, the hard logic of supporting this transition is to ensure that there is hope for all Syrians, including the 5.6 million refugees and displaced. Its not how we think about it, of course. But the logic is when there is hope here, people wont want to come to your border. For U of Ts Macklin, the hope is that Scheer follows up with an immigration and refugee platform that lives up to the compassion he proclaimed as a candidate for party leader. But she is troubled by what she sees as a disconnect in the pitting of asylum-seekers here versus refugees there. The idea of providing assistance to people who have not been able to leave Syria should not be in competition with admitting refugees for resettlement or recognizing them through the asylum process, said Macklin. Its not a zero-sum game and to suggest it is, the game really is, We dont want them here so well make a show of helping them there. Couching it in the language of humanitarianism should not disguise what thats really about. How, then, can Canadians be expected to cut through the coming onslaught of fear-based refugee messaging once all the policies pieces are on the table? Macklin has a suggestion and it doesnt involve going out and digging up the facts by hand. I could point everyone to the elaborate facts on educating yourself on immigration because most people just arent going to do that, she said. Instead, what Id say is this: know that you are being told a story about newcomers, and know that this is an old story thats been going on since before Canada was a country. There are three narratives that just keep coming up, for as long as Ive been researching immigration. They are, Immigrants are stealing our jobs; If theyre not stealing our jobs they are sucking the welfare state dry; and, if neither of these things can be proven, The newcomers are unassimilable they will not integrate. And so theyre a threat maybe because they are terrorists, or they are criminals, or their culture is different, their religion is different. These stories are always there, going back 150 years, sometimes under the surface, sometimes on the surface and sometimes they are very prominent. Theres nothing new about this, the only thing that changes is the cast. It used to be the Irish. Then it was the Italians. Then it was the east Europeans. South Asians, Chinese, Jews. And so on and now Muslims up to the present. So in this election, just be aware that these stories are being recycled and manipulated and that it is no truer today than it was 150 years ago, 100 years ago and 50 years ago, when it was told about your parents. It is the same damn story. Dont fall for it. Read more about: VANCOUVERLetters to Scotland sent by a woman from the small settlement of Victoria around 1850 gave Dianne Hinkley more insight into why the bones of her ancestors may be spread around the world. One of the letters says that skulls were all the rage in the new community, Hinkley said. It was all the fashion that you had to have a skull on your mantel piece, Hinkley recalls the letter saying. The womans letter said she found the remains on rock piles that were all over the place and that she would try to get them a couple of skulls, so they can have them in their house for fashion as well, Hinkley said. Those rock piles were actually burial cairns and the pilfering is one of the many reasons why Hinkley has found Cowichan artifacts and remains from Russia to the United Kingdom and from Israel to South Africa. That search has been helped with a repatriation grant from the Royal B.C. Museum, which recently changed its policies to no longer collect or study ancestral remains. The museum has also announced that anything it acquired from Indigenous Peoples during the anti-potlatch years, from 1885 to 1951, will be considered eligible for repatriation because it was obtained at a time of duress. During those years, the federal government banned potlatch ceremonies, which were important social events where valuable gifts were given to show generosity and status over rivals. The government saw the events as anti-Christian and a waste of personal property. Lou-Ann Neel, the repatriation specialists for the Royal B.C. Museum, said by the time the ban was lifted, much Indigenous wealth had been lost. Our regalia was gone, our masks were gone, some of them were burnt by missionaries, some of them were just taken and confiscated. So you cant hold a potlatch without these treasures, said Neel, who is part of the Mamalilikulla and Kwagiulth people in Alert Bay, B.C. Neel said the loss of their belongings started with the colonial belief that Indigenous people were endangered and dying out. That really sparked a collecting frenzy, that sent out people: anthropologists, military, adventurers or self-proclaimed pioneers. (They) just felt like they had permission because the general sense across Canada and the U.S. was that Indians would soon been gone. Hinkley said her research shows that between 1870 and 1930 museums were popping up around the world and they needed something to display. She said collectors from around the world would land in the villages and buy or take anything they could. Their bodies, the skeletal remains and all of that was sold to museums, she said. There must have been essentially very little cultural materials left in those villages. They took everything, they took cedar woven maps that hung on the walls, they took knitting needles, everything, fish hooks, you name it, they collected it. Hinkley said the change in the museums policy is huge because it allows Indigenous people in the province to find more information about their artifacts. She said some museums, especially those in the United Kingdom, refuse to even speak with them about the artifacts. The Royal B.C. Museum distributed more than $580,000 in repatriation grants last year to First Nations, helping them begin the process of finding and acquiring their ancestors remains and artifacts. It has also written the Indigenous Repatriation Handbook to help as a guide. The museum has about 700 ancestral remains. Neel said most of them were handed over to the museum through development when roads or homes were under construction and the bones were unearthed. Because the museum is no longer a repository for remains, she said theyll be searching through the records to determine where the bones were found and will ask First Nations what they want to do with their ancestors remains. Its the right thing to do and the right way to do it. The B.C. museum has about 15,000 Indigenous artifacts, and Neel said a portion of those would have been taken during the potlatch years. They are starting the task of looking at every object to determine how it came to the museum, she said. Neel said Indigenous communities are excited about the prospect of having their ancestors and ancient treasures returned. There are obviously things in the collection that were purchased legitimately, theres a paper trail for them and those things really do legitimately belong to the museum collection. What the committee did was take a close look and said really what were concerned about are the things that were not acquired in the best of times. Some communities were still very much under duress, even after the potlatch ban was dropped. For the Cowichan, Hinkley said the other challenge is they dont have anywhere to bring their treasures home. But she said the repatriation negotiations tend to drag and that will give them time to get their museum ready. Read more about: 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. By Express News Service PATNA: Bihar Chief Minister and JD(U) chief Nitish Kumar along with his son Nishant exercised their franchises at Madhya Vidhyalaya polling booth in the residential premises of Raj Bhawan under the Digha assembly of Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency, on Sunday. This was the first time that Kumar cast his vote with his son in Patna. Till 2014, he had been voting at his birthplace Bakhatiyarpur. They polled at booth number 326 in Madhya Vidhyalaya. Kumar after casting his vote interacted with the media persons outside the limits of polling booths and said that the electorates will wisely decide the nation's fate. He also said that the duration of the election should not be so long. He also talked about shooting off a letter advising all parties to come to a consensus for having not "big gap" between two phases as it is not convenient for the voters. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE "The election should wrap up as much early as it could be possible for the convenient for voters", Kumar said. He also in reply to a media query condemned Pragya Thakur's highly objectionable comment on Nathuram Godse. On the other hand, deputy CM and senior leader of BJP Sushil Kumar Modi also advocated for a shorter gap between one and another phase of the election. He said the fair and peaceful elections can be conducted in four phases in Bihar as the time of poll violence had ended here. "In fact, Bihar BJP had also as a national party demanded 4 phases of elections. But the phases are decided by the election commission of India keeping all official factors and formalities in mind", Modi said. The Bihar CM's son Nishant also spoke briefly to the media and said that the voters should come out of their homes and cast their votes. He also said that people should vote for the NDA while expressing his happiness over casting vote. Sources said that a day before the final phase of polling, Nitish worshipped around the Bodhi tree planted in the premises of his official residence at Patna and relaxed after more than a month long hectic electioneering of attending and addressing 171 rallies for the NDA. RUSHVILLE A Rushville man is facing child pornography charges after images sent over Skype led to an FBI investigation. A criminal complaint filed in federal court Monday by FBI Task Force Officer Aaron French charges Joshua M. Crow, 29, of Rushville with distribution, receipt or possession of child pornography. Crow was arrested Monday and temporarily detained in the custody of the United States Marshals until his hearing Wednesday for an initial appearance, according to United States District Court for the Central District of Illinois records. According to the complaint, agents received a cyber tip line report in June of 2018 from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which had received images forwarded by electronic service provider Microsoft. Microsoft found that a Skype user had sent images of child pornography December 11, 2017, and identified the username and the IP address used to send the images. Microsoft provided investigators with images that the company said were sent by Crows username and that depicted nude, prepubescent children performing sexual acts, according to the complaint. Investigators executed a search warrant on Crows residence May 9 and recovered cell phones and laptops. Crow agreed to be interviewed by agents. According to the complaint, Crow admitted to using the Skype account to send child pornography and to sending child pornography to his ex-boyfriend on at least a half dozen occasions. The complaint also states that Crow told agents about an image of child pornography he said he made of a 10-year-old child. The minor was interviewed by a forensic interviewer and did not disclose any facts about Crow, according to the complaint. The criminal complaint was subscribed and sworn before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tom Schanzle-Haskins. SPRINGFIELD Netflix and chill could soon be more expensive in Illinois under a proposal from the governors office to increase taxes on liquor, wine, beer and streaming media services, among other non-motor fuel tax increases. To help pay for a $41.5 billion, six-year statewide infrastructure plan, the plan Gov. J.B. Pritzkers office put forward would not just double the states gas tax and nearly double vehicle registration fees for newer cars, but also increase the tax on beer, liquor and wine. The proposal quickly drew fire opposition from alcohol industry trade groups and others. Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois President Bob Myers said he was surprised by the proposed increase, which the organization opposes. Everybody just looks at the state tax, but if you take into consideration the city of Chicago tax, and the Cook County tax, those folks in that area are paying 61 cents per gallon for their beer, so you add another 4.6 cents per gallon and obviously everybody is paying more, Myers said. Myers said at 23.1 cents a gallon, Illinois already has the highest beer tax rate in the region. He said Wisconsin is at 6 cents a gallon, Iowa is at 19 cents per gallon, Missouri is at 6 cents, Indiana is at 11.5 cents a gallon and Kentucky is 8 cents a gallon. Were already the highest in the area and all this is going to do is drive [consumers out of the state], Myers said. Illinois is losing bare minimum just for cross border sales $8 million. These are individuals that are going [to neighboring state] and theyre buying the beer, theyre buying their gas, theyre buying their cigarettes, etc. And Illinois is losing all of that tax revenue. He also said it would be a regressive tax, which would affect lower-income people more. Joe Sixpack is obviously going to be paying more than anybody else, Myers said. The Wine and Spirits Distributors of Illinois is also opposed to the plan. Wine and Spirits Distributors of Illinois does not support yet another tax on wine and spirits, Executive Director Karin Lijana Matura said in a statement. Particularly the huge increase on spirits. This tax provides more incentive for illegal sales of alcohol that already exists and creates further burden and cost for enforcement of regulated products. It is not about consumption it is about hurting the local retail businesses and in turn the distributor and its sales and labor in Illinois. The proposed tax increases also include a 7 percent tax on streaming services. The Illinois Chamber of Commerce said, this will be an unreliable foundation for funding because it will be complex, unpopular and possibly unconstitutional. State Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-Chicago, said Wednesday that lawmakers are considering all kinds of revenue to help pay for roads. You know, everything from beer, wine, spirits, video poker, ride-sharing, care sales, I think its all on the table, and these are all ideas that have resurrected from many of my colleagues as possible revenue sources and were looking at all of them to see the viability of it all, Sandoval said. Outside of proposing to increase motor fuel taxes to 19 cents a gallon, and increased vehicle registration fees depending on the age of the vehicle, there would also be an electric vehicle registration fee of $250 per year. The governors proposal includes a $1 per ride tax on ridesharing services like Uber or Lyft and a parking garage tax of 6 percent. Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, said Republicans who were part of the capital working group, received a briefing on the governors proposal. We look forward to these discussions continuing as we work toward a plan that addresses our states critical infrastructure needs and creates jobs, Brady said. Mark Denzler, president and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers Association, called for further talks. Illinois infrastructure is crumbling, and we applaud Gov. JB Pritzker for his desire to invest in our roads and bridges, strengthen career and vocational education opportunities and further develop our rail, air and waterways, he said in a statement. Manufacturers share the goal of creating modern, updated infrastructure to better move people and products around the world. However, this must be achieved through responsible funding solutions. We look forward to working with the governor and lawmakers to help craft a balanced capital bill. Saudi Arabia does not want a war with Iran but will respond "with strength and determination" if Iran decides to start one, a top Saudi official said on Sunday. "We don't want a war in any way, but at the same time we won't allow Iran to continue its hostile policies toward the kingdom," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir told reporters in Riyadh early Sunday morning. "We want peace and stability." The commander of Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, General Hossein Salami, said his country isn't looking for war but isn't afraid of a confrontation, either. Recent incidents have "made the extent of the enemy's strength clear," he said, according to the semi-official Fars news agency. Tensions in the Gulf have escalated significantly over the past two weeks after the U.S. accelerated the dispatch of an aircraft carrier and moved B-52 bombers to the region. It cited intelligence reports of unspecified threats from Iran that have been disputed by some key allies. Last week, several ships, including two Saudi vessels, were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates as they made their way toward the Strait of Hormuz, the world's foremost oil shipping chokepoint. Al-Jubeir began his press conference - called suddenly after midnight - by listing a series of terrorist attacks in which he said Iran had played a role over the past few decades. The Iranian government "is not looking for stability or security in the region," he said, adding that Yemen's Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, had launched more than 200 missiles into Saudi Arabia over the past few years. The Houthis also were behind a drone attack on Saudi oil installations last week, in which the drones were supplied by Iran, he claimed. The assaults on the two Aramco oil-pumping stations forced the temporary closing of an important east-west pipeline in the kingdom and added to growing friction in the Gulf, where the U.S. has tightened sanctions against Iran, demanding it stop supporting militias across the Middle East, including the Houthis. The Saudi pipeline has since reopened, but officials from all sides have warned that recent events have left the region at risk of sliding into a potentially devastating international conflict. "We won't stand with our hands bound," Al-Jubeir said. "The ball is in Iran's court and Iran should determine what the path will be." The United Arab Emirates and other countries are still investigating the attacks on the ships, Al-Jubeir added. "We have some indications and we will make the announcements once the investigations are complete," he said. Several U.S. policy makers have insisted that war with Iran isn't an immediate threat, unless Tehran strikes first. Former CIA Director David Petraeus said during an interview that aired Sunday on ABC's "This Week" that it didn't seem the sabotage actions would provoke the U.S. "to do something very significant." Iran would likely have to seek back-channel diplomacy with President Donald Trump to relieve economic pressure, he said. Trump is wary of drawing the U.S. into a war with Iran, in part out of concern that it would imperil his chances of re-election, even as National Security Adviser John Bolton, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other administration officials have recently warned Iran in increasingly bellicose language. Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, said on CNN's "State of the Union" that he didn't believe Trump, Bolton or "anyone else in a serious senior position of leadership in the White House has any interest in going to the Middle East and going to war" short of an attack by Iran. Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, said there is evidence of an increased threat from Iran. But it's the administration's rhetoric and actions such as withdrawing from the nuclear deal that have increased the chances for confrontation, he said. "This ratcheting up of tensions was all-too predictable, all-too calculated by people like Bolton and Pompeo, and it has led us to the precipice of potential catastrophe," Schiff said on CBS' "Face the Nation" on Sunday. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., told NBC's "Meet the Press" that the U.S. "is not going to take the first strike here." "But if Iran attacks the United States or our allies in the first strike, then it will be up to America in a time and a manner of our choosing to take the last strike because our military will devastate theirs," Cotton said. Saudi King Salman Bin Abdulaziz has called on the Gulf Cooperation Council members and Arab countries to hold emergency meetings on May 30 over the recent attacks, according to the foreign affairs ministry. The attacks have dangerous implications on oil supplies and the stability of global oil markets, and could harm regional and global security, the ministry said. Asked about recent accusations that Norwegian intelligence had warned an Arab activist in Oslo, Iyad Al-Baghdadi, about a potential threat to him from Saudi Arabia, Al-Jubeir said he hadn't heard of Al-Baghdadi. "It might be his goal to get permanent residency in a certain country, but we don't have any information on him," Al-Jubeir said. Job Title: SpotlightProgramme Coordinator Organization: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda Reports to: Gender Advisor About US: 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. About Spotlight Programme: The European Union and the United Nations have launched the Spotlight Initiative, a multi-year programme aimed at addressing all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG), and harmful practices. It will follow a transformative and evidence-based approach, addressing unequal power relations between men and women and focusing on gender equality and womens empowerment, as well as ending impunity for VAWG. In line with the principles of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Initiative will follow a human rights-based approach and take into consideration the specific needs of women and girls who experience multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination and uphold the principle of leaving no one behind. The Spotlight Initiative aims to support transformative change on the ground to end violence against women and girls, in numerous countries globally, including Uganda. The initiative comes with the highest level of commitment globally and will be governed by the UN Deputy Secretary General and the Vice President of the EU Commission. Job Summary: The SpotlightProgramme Coordinator will exercise overall responsibility for planning, implementing, coordinating and reporting on the Spotlight programme in Uganda. The Programme Coordinator will work closely with the Gender Advisor, National Steering Committee, the Core Management Team, and implementing agencies, as well as other stakeholders. The Programme Coordinator will provide overall program management support, technical guidance and oversight, support the Monitoring and Evaluation specialist in reporting and monitoring, and ensure overall coherence in the implementation of the programme. Key Duties and Responsibilities: Guide the implementation and management of the Spotlight programme in Uganda Provide reports to the Gender Advisor and Head of the Resident Coordinators Office (RCO) on programme performance and results; Coordinate the convening of relevant committees, including the National Steering Committee, Core Management Team, and Civil Society Reference Group; Facilitate and contribute to the production of consolidated annual work plans, budgets, and annual reports; Oversee implementation, schedules, deliverables, and budgets as articulate in the country programme document; Provide programme guidance, updates, and information to the Steering Committee, implementing partners, and other stakeholders Liaise with the Spotlight Secretariat; Coordinate technical assistance and capacity development to the Spotlight Initiative in Uganda Provide guidance in the overall technical coherence of the Programme across pillars, Provide technical advice and innovative approaches to facilitating programme interventions and achievement of programme deliverables; Guide the process of delivery of technical assistance and engagement with partners; Build, manage, and expand relationships with partners to support implementation; Provide programme development and/or revision guidance Coordinate the design and formulation of any related programme proposal and initiatives or revisions to approved Spotlight Country Programme Document; Organize any needed consultations with key stakeholders, experts, or UN agencies Support monitoring and oversee reporting of the programme Prepare analytical reviews and systematically capture lessons learnt from implementation; Support RCO monitoring and evaluation team to monitor the programme implementation of activities and outcomes; Support RCO finance team to monitor programme budgets and finalize financial reports; Provide inputs and drafting support to narrative and annual reports; Identify/monitor risks that could interfere with programme delivery; design mitigation measures Build partnerships and support in developing resource mobilization strategies Provide technical and coordination support to the RCO and implementing agencies to develop joint resource mobilization and sustainability strategies; Develop relevant documentation of potential opportunities for resource mobilization Coordinate between the different UN agencies to achieve a coherent and aligned presence of the Spotlight Initiative Provide support to the Gender Advisor on inter-agency coordination-related activities, including by attending or participating in meetings, events, committees or groups; Support the Gender Advisor to coordinate with other UN agencies, government departments, donors and NGOs to ensure Spotlight programme is harmonized and aligned with other in-country efforts. Qualifications, Skills and Experience: The ideal applicant for the United Nations UNDP SpotlightProgramme Coordinator job placement should hold a Masters degree (or equivalent) in social sciences, gender/womens studies, international development, or related field; or A relevant bachelors degree (or equivalent) with two additional years of qualifying experience. Program management degree or certification would be an added advantage. A minimum of five years of progressively responsible professional experience in design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of complex development projects; Technical experience in EVAWG or GBV; Experience coordinating and liaising with government agencies and/or donors is an asset; Experience working in the field of knowledge management is an asset; Experience working in the UN System is an asset; Experience in leading/managing a team is an asset Competencies Innovation: Ability to make new and useful ideas work Level 5: Creates new and relevant ideas and leads others to implement them Leadership: Ability to persuade others to follow Level 5: Plans and acts transparently, actively works to remove barriers People Management: Ability to improve performance and satisfaction Level 5: Models high professional standards and motivates excellence in others Communication: Ability to listen, adapt, persuade and transform Level 5: Gains trust of peers, partners, clients by presenting complex concepts in practical terms to others Delivery: Ability to get things done while exercising good judgement Level 5: Critically assesses value and relevance of existing policy / practice and contributes to enhanced delivery of products, services, and innovative solutions 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: 20th 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 By PTI NEW DELHI: The Congress leadership Saturday got its act together with Sonia Gandhi stepping in and formulating the party's strategy for government formation. Sources said Congress leaders led by Sonia Gandhi, party chief Rahul Gandhi and former prime minister Manmohan Singh, held deliberations with Ahmed Patel, A K Antony and others as they geared up for a possible hung Parliament. The Congress is leaving nothing to chance and is sniffing at government formation, as it has stepped up activity to stake its claim for forming the next government. Congress chief Rahul Gandhi has called for another meeting of senior party leaders on May 22, a day before the counting of votes, the sources said. Top party leaders also started deliberations with other non-NDA parties in a bid to bring them all together as part of a joint alliance, in a bid to form UPA-3. With Sonia Gandhi holding a meeting of top party leaders at her residence on Saturday, the Congress hopes to keep the BJP and Narendra Modi at bay from power in case the NDA fails to get a majority. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Rahul Gandhi has said his party will use the experience of Sonia Gandhi and Manmohan Singh to their advantage. He had told PTI that Sonia Gandhi will play a crucial role in bringing non-NDA parties together and in the formation of the next government. The meeting assumes significance as Sonia Gandhi had so far remained away from political activity due to health reasons. The Congress is in touch with other party leaders in cobbling together an alliance that it could lead and form the next government. Earlier in the day, Rahul Gandhi met TDP leader N Chandrababu Naidu, and other Congress leaders are also holding deliberations with leaders from other parties. He has asked Patel, Antony and others such as Ashok Gehlot, Kamal Nath and P Chidambaram to hold talks with other parties. They have been camping in Delhi and strategizing. There have been so many great minds throughout history that changed the course of mankind with their discoveries and innovations, but none ... Painful: The statistics on dementia are frightening Tomorrow marks the start of Dementia Action Week, six days in which people young and old will be encouraged to talk to someone who is affected by this awful illness. A neighbour perhaps or a friend of a friend. I will be doing my bit to engage and support the initiative which is the idea of the wonderful Alzheimer's Society alzheimers.org.uk. Two years ago to the day, I lost my father (Stan the Man) as he finally succumbed to vascular dementia (among other things). When I'm next up in Birmingham, I will pay the memorial plaque the family bought in his honour a visit, put red roses in the accompanying vase, and smile. He wouldn't want it any other way. I might even have a tipple of his favourite brandy, Remy Martin. Although Stan never lost his humour and mischievous ways, the last few months were painful to observe as he often disappeared into a world of his own. Only the love of a good wife ensured it was as comfortable as it could be. I dread to think how he would have fared if alone. The statistics on dementia are frightening. It's currently the country's number one cause of death and 850,000 people are caught in its trap one in six aged 80 or over. Experts believe one in three people born today will be impacted by the illness. Frightening, especially when we seem no nearer to finding a cure. I trust Dementia Action Week will finally nudge the Government into publishing its long-awaited Green Paper on social care reform. It is scandalous this crucial report has been delayed time and time again, leaving many elderly people (with or without dementia) and their families to fund the cost of long-term care. As for the insurance industry, it is high time it better accommodated the financial needs of those diagnosed with dementia in later life. Some insurers such as VitalityLife are doing their bit by now allowing customers to extend their financial protection cover beyond its normal end date. It will then pay out a lump sum if the policyholder is diagnosed with a later life degenerative illness such as dementia or Parkinson's. A welcome move. Other insurers should follow suit. Tony Hetherington is Financial Mail on Sunday's ace investigator, fighting readers corners, revealing the truth that lies behind closed doors and winning victories for those who have been left out-of-pocket. Find out how to contact him below. A.S. writes: Amazon emailed to say it was putting my account on hold because my card issuer disputed an order for a large number of Amazon gift cards costing 1,000. I told Amazon I did not order the cards, nor had I received them. Amazon confirmed the order was cancelled, but then it collected the 1,000 from my account anyway. Fraud: The cards could be used to buy goods or they could be sold at a discount to give the crook cash Tony Hetherington replies: Neither you nor Amazon need me to tell you that this was a clear cut case of fraud. Someone got hold of your card details and enough information to let them impersonate you and order gift cards. The cards could be used to buy goods or they could be sold at a discount to give the crook cash. The problem for months now has been the knots Amazon has tied itself into whenever you have asked about reclaiming your 1,000. Amazon accepted this was a fraud, it accepted you did not place the order, it agrees you never received the gift cards yet it charged you 1,000. At first, Amazon simply gave me a statement explaining how 'spoofing' can make it appear that a customer is getting genuine emails from Amazon when in fact their reply, giving personal details, would go to crooks who are impersonating Amazon. It is not clear whether this really is how you, or someone close to you, was tricked into revealing your password or other information. Another possibility is that your computer was infected with a rogue program that forwarded your details to fraudsters. Things were not made any easier when Amazon assured you it had resolved the issue with your bank. That was a mistake, the company admitted to me, and nothing had been resolved. You were still 1,000 out of pocket. Then they were made worse when Amazon told me that your bank could reclaim the 1,000, but that Amazon itself had appropriately given you a gift card. When I mentioned this, you were puzzled. You knew nothing about any gift card. Then Amazon admitted that it had told me about the card but had forgotten to give it to you. It has since been credited to your Amazon account. After getting this far, I suggested your bank Lloyds would be knocking at an open door if it asked Amazon to return the 1,000. No such luck. Lloyds replied that it was 'unable to accept emails from third parties'. So I took this up with staff at Lloyds. They quickly realised that your email requesting a chargeback came from an address you do not normally use for contacting the bank. That quite correctly made them suspicious. Then the bigger picture emerged. Lloyds told me you had contacted the bank the day after the 1,000 was taken from your account, so staff immediately put back the missing money. But several weeks later Amazon told Lloyds that you really had bought the gift cards and it collected the 1,000 all over again. Sorting this out has taken so long that the 120-day time limit on chargeback requests has been well and truly breached. Strictly speaking, it is too late to demand that the bank snatch back the cash from Amazon. I am very glad to say that although it is Amazon that collected the cash, it will be Lloyds Bank that generously puts the cash back into your account. Your 1,000 is now there. But I do hope that Amazon does the decent thing and repays Lloyds, rather than let the bank pay the price for a scam in which it should never have been the victim. Windfall: According to Barclays, Mrs S.W. would be getting 445 plus 43 interest 500 refund you weren't even due Mrs S.W writes: Can you help me secure money owed by Barclays Personal Investment Management? Barclays told me in 2017 that the payment is due, but it sent it to an account that had been closed for four years. It confirmed this was its own error and said it would send a fresh cheque, including interest, but despite numerous calls and letters, I have received no acknowledgement and no payment. Tony Hetherington replies: You gave me a copy of the letter you received from Barclays in 2017 and it clearly says that the bank has found an error relating to tax reclaims involving your investment ISA. According to Barclays, you would be getting 445 plus 43 interest. I asked officials at Barclays to look into this and the bad news is that it has now told me the whole letter was a mistake. A spokesperson explained: 'We have investigated Mrs W's complaint and can confirm that the letter she received regarding a tax refund had been sent in error.' But the good news is that the bank feels this should have been sorted out a long time ago. So instead of the 488 that was never due in the first place, Barclays has rounded this up and popped 500 into your account by way of apology. You have confirmed that the cash has arrived safely. Write off: Scottish Power will settle for 1,487 paid over a long period Power firm writes off 2,000 of cost A.B. writes: I have been a customer with ScottishPower since 2014 and pay my electricity bill by monthly direct debit. Last June, I received a letter saying my direct debit would increase from 88 to 98, which seemed reasonable. But a week or so later another letter arrived to say I owed 3,553 and my monthly payments would be 373 until this debt was paid. Tony Hetherington replies: You are yet another victim of the strange billing processes used by utility companies. When you recovered from the shock and rang ScottishPower, you were told there had been a meter reading mistake. Soon after that, a fresh letter said you were actually 3,125 in credit. But when you rang again, you were told this was also a mistake and there would have to be a full investigation. So, with the company's consent, you cancelled your direct debit to avoid huge monthly sums being collected and since then, not much has happened. I have found that ScottishPower did read your meter at least three times, but staff have told me they ignored the readings because they were far higher than expected. They carried on using lower estimates and say that you never contested these or supplied your own readings. The end result is that I can confirm the bill for 3,553 is right, but the good news is that ScottishPower is cancelling more than 2,000. It will settle for 1,487 paid over a long period and you have agreed to this. Sorry, but Green Star is not at fault Ms J.D. writes: I am writing on behalf of my partner, who is registered as blind. He has lived at his current address since 2014 and I have lived there since 2016. When he moved in, Green Star Energy advised him to go on to a plan costing 35 a month, though for the past 20 months we have been paying 65. Suddenly a bill arrived for 4,391 and now we have received another for even more. Tony Hetherington replies: At the root of this problem is the fact that because your partner is blind, he does not read the meter and until you moved in he was reluctant to open the door to anyone he did not know. Also neither of you has accepted that monthly payments to utility companies are just a payment on account and not a flat fee that lets you use as much gas or electricity as you like. One thing you did not tell me was that you and your partner had already appealed to the Ombudsman and been turned down. The Ombudsman asked Green Star to offer you a goodwill gesture of 30, test the meter and offer a long-term payment plan that would be affordable. You rejected this, but frankly, I cannot see that Green Star has done anything wrong. Patience lies at the heart of how investment fund Investec UK Special Situations is managed. It invests in companies when they are doing badly in the expectation that at some stage they will turn themselves around and make serious money for those who have backed them through all the trouble and strife. It's an investment strategy, overseen by Alasdair Mundy, that can take a while to generate results. Indeed, over the past five years, the fund's performance has failed to match the FTSE All Share Index, registering a return of 24 per cent (compared to 33 per cent for the index). But Mundy is convinced that a portfolio that contains leading UK companies such as BP, Barclays, Capita and Tesco will come good at some stage. He says: 'What I am looking to do is invest in out-of-favour companies businesses that at the time are often on the BBC News at Ten for all the wrong reasons. Maybe because of an accounting scandal as happened to Tesco in 2014 or going back as far as 2007 and 2008 as a result of the financial crisis and its impact on the banks. I then hope these businesses will sort themselves out and come good again, even if the transformation takes a while.' For example, at the beginning of last year, Mundy started building a position in outsourcing giant Capita. This is after the company, under new management, had warned profits would plunge as a result of mounting debts and an expansion plan that had backfired, putting pressure on its balance sheet. It resulted in a rights issue Capita raising cash from shareholders through the issue of new shares an axeing of the dividend and the sale of some of its non-mainstream businesses such as parking management business Parking Eye. Although the shares remain depressed trading around 1.15, compared to a 52-week low of just above 1 Mundy is confident that a leaner Capita will generate bigger margins in the future, resulting in a jump in profits and hopefully a rerating of the shares. Mundy has had some noticeable successes along the way, including an investment in Games Workshop, manufacturer of miniature fantasy characters and war game Warhammer. He first bought into the company 12 years ago when the shares were 3.50 and this built a holding at an average price of 2.49. He sold out of the company last year at an average price of 14.05. He says: 'I bought when investors had lost faith in the company. But it has been re-energised and is one of the few retail success stories of recent years.' Mundy has many fans among the adviser community. Scrutineer FundCalibre includes UK Special Situations among its 'elite' rated funds, describing Mundy as one of the most 'disciplined and successful contrarians operating in the UK market today'. Other similar funds to get an elite rank include Liontrust Special Situations and Schroder Recovery. The 967 million fund, invested across 45 companies (primarily UK listed), has an ongoing annual charge of just over 1.5 per cent a little on the high side. It pays an annual dividend in late November although this is minimal and is not an objective of the fund. Mundy's overriding objective is long-term wealth generation. Mundy and his nine-strong team run portfolios totalling 4 billion for Investec. From a personal finance perspective, there is little to admire about Lloyds Banking Group a bank that apart from the black horse embraces high street brands Halifax and Bank of Scotland. Harsh words but it's true. Most of its savings accounts are about as welcoming as the sound of a rattlesnake on a walking tour around the Grand Canyon, especially if you want easy access to your money (0.2 per cent on Easy Saver). And if you want to pop down to your local Lloyds branch to sort out a financial problem or get out some of your own cash, there's a good chance that a) it's already been closed; or b) a sign has gone up in the front window warning customers of imminent closure. Galloping ahead: The adverts are treacly, but Lloyds Group is a robust investment prospect Consumer group Which? calculates that nearly 150 high street branches across the three brands have been eradicated since the start of last year or are on the verge of extinction. I'm not finished. No critique of the financial services group would be complete without reference to rampant mis-selling a speciality in Lloyds' recent past (most notably, payment protection insurance) and, of course, who can forget its role in the near sinking of the UK economy in 2007 and 2008? A calamitous affair that saw the Government (UK taxpayers) come rushing to its rescue before extricating itself in early 2017 after the bank's finances had stabilised. Quite naturally, I cringe whenever I see Lloyds' aesthetically appealing adverts in the cinema. Last year's, featuring people flocking to see horses running across beautiful sands, ruined many a good film and box of salty popcorn. It has now been replaced with the treacle-like 'epic journey' an advert featuring a horse guiding its foal back to the herd. The message? The bank is there, by our side, to guide us through the treacherous personal finance sands. Pull the other one. Yet for all its customer-facing faults or maybe because of them Lloyds Banking Group shares currently represents an excellent opportunity for investors looking for exposure to the UK stock market with the prospect of a dollop of dividend income on top. Of all the banks in the FTSE 100 Barclays, HSBC, Royal Bank of Scotland and Standard Chartered it appears the most robust financially. As a business, it is also pretty vanilla a savings and loans organisation especially when compared to Barclays where an emphasis on risky investment banking has angered some shareholders. When viewed against challenger banks such as Metro, it represents a financial colossus. When it comes to banks, the City will always back a hard-nosed profit-driven institution (Lloyds) over one that has taken its eye off the financial ball (Metro) while gleefully doling out free pens to anyone who cares to come into one of its pristine branches. Lloyds' financial numbers for the first quarter of this year may have disappointed some analysts when they came out earlier this month. But they were pretty rock solid whichever way they were viewed. Pre-tax profits were healthy at 1.603 billion (2018: 1.602 billion) despite the bank putting another 100 million aside to meet PPI misselling costs. The banking net interest margin the difference between what interest the bank pays its savers and charges its borrowers remains resilient at 2.91 per cent and above that of some rivals (Royal Bank of Scotland's margin is lower at 1.89 per cent). The larger the margin, the more profit a bank makes from customers. Lloyds also continues to drive down costs (through branch closures and digitalising anything that moves) while the quality of its loans remains, in its own words, 'strong, with no deterioration in credit risk'. The bank's costs as a proportion of its income continue to fall from 47.8 per cent in the first quarter of 2018 to 44.7 per cent for the quarter ending March 31, 2019. For shareholders, annual dividend growth of 5.25 per cent is healthy with a final dividend payment for the 2018 financial year of 2.14p paid on Tuesday. The annual dividend yield is an attractive 5.2 per cent (26 times what you will get from Easy Saver). Of course, no bank (no FTSE 100 company for that matter) is risk-free. Banks are particularly susceptible to the whims of the economy, a fact acknowledged by chief executive Antonio Horta-Osorio when announcing the first quarter results. So an economic downturn could put pressure on the dividend. And while a new financial advice venture called Schroders Personal Wealth is soon to roll out and could generate a tidy new revenue stream, there is always the worry that there may at some stage be another mis-selling scandal in the making, resulting in huge compensation payments. And as events at the company's annual general meeting on Thursday confirmed, the bank will always attract criticism for boardroom greed (in Horta-Osorio's case, pension greed). Yet the consensus among analysts and many UK fund managers (including Investec's Alasdair Mundy) is that Lloyds' shares are currently under-valued. Six out of nine brokers monitored by Hargreaves classify it as a 'strong buy'. 'Lloyds is a hugely profitable business,' Mundy told Wealth, 'and is underpinned by strong management.' He added: 'In many ways, it's a little dull but it's ideal for dividend hunters.' Mundy holds Lloyds' shares in the portfolio of fund Investec Special Situations although it is not a top 10 holding. Midas verdict: Although the memories of the awful financial crisis of 2007 and 2008 will linger long with many of us, Lloyds Banking Group of today is an altogether different financial beast from the one of 12 years ago. As a business, it's leaner and fitter and whatever you may think of Horta-Osorio's eyebrow-raising 6.3 million remuneration package, he's done a far better job at running the show than Craig Donaldson has at Metro (time to go me thinks). At 60p and with the prospect of more dividend growth in the pipeline (provided the economy does not nosedive), the shares represent good value for money. Traded on: Main market Ticker: LLOY Contact: 0371 384 2990 or lloydsbankinggroup.com The Government's flagship business policy to put workers on company boards has been left in tatters after big firms made a mockery of the idea. A Mail on Sunday survey of the 100 biggest listed companies found none had appointed a worker to its board of directors since the reforms came into force on January 1. Instead, more than a third of companies have taken advantage of watered-down rules to appoint existing directors as 'representatives' of their firm's workers. Existing board members at Royal Bank of Scotland, easyJet, WPP, Morrisons, Legal & General, Diageo and Just Eat have all accepted the newly-created roles, which in some cases come with thousands of pounds of extra pay. Many of the directors who now supposedly represent the interests of ordinary workers are extremely wealthy and highly-paid business titans who hold a string of powerful roles in the City. The list includes Javier Ferran, chairman of FTSE 100 drinks giant Diageo, former Royal Mail boss Dame Moya Greene and City financier Edward Bonham Carter, the brother of Bafta-winning actress and Harry Potter star Helena Bonham Carter. Some 'worker representatives' will receive up to 600,000 a year while carrying out their new duties, The Mail on Sunday probe found. The revelations will be seen as an embarrassment for the Prime Minister as she fights to stay in No 10. Theresa May's promise to put the Conservative Party 'at the service of working people' was part of her pitch to counteract the rising popularity of Jeremy Corbyn when she became Prime Minister in 2016. She pledged to put workers on boards and blasted the 'narrow social and political circles' that controlled the FTSE 100. 'We're going to have not just consumers represented on company boards, but workers as well,' she said. 'We're the Conservative Party, and yes, we're the part of enterprise but that does not mean we should be prepared to accept that 'anything goes'.' However, the Government's updated UK Corporate Governance code, which took effect from January 1, allowed listed companies to invent their own system for 'engaging' with employees. They can even ignore the directive entirely if they explain their decision to investors. In The Mail on Sunday's probe, 34 companies said they had given existing non-executives responsibility for representing workers. That made it the most favoured option among big firms. A further 35 have not declared their response to the new rules. Eleven have formed a workers' advisory panel and nine have adopted alternative arrangements. Ten declined to comment.The final company, Scottish Mortgage, is an investment trust. Luke Hildyard, of campaign group the High Pay Centre, said: 'The failure of companies to appoint workers on boards is a major embarrassment to the Prime Minister and reflects badly on the companies themselves.' One of the most controversial appointments is likely to be Javier Ferran at Diageo. A respected Spanish businessman, he earns 600,000 a year as chairman of the firm. His City portfolio comprises a boardroom role at Coca-Cola European Partners and he was a senior adviser at private equity firm Lion Capital. Ferran was previously chief executive and president of drinks company Bacardi, and has served on the boards of Primark owner Associated British Foods and SAB Miller, the brewing giant behind Peroni and Grolsch. EasyJet has appointed former Royal Mail boss Moya Greene to protect workers' rights Moya Greene outraged workers and unions in 2017 when she sought to close Royal Mail's defined benefit pension scheme while guarding her own generous pension payout of 200,000 a year as chief executive. But now she will collect 60,000 in fees as the non-executive director at easyJet who has been tasked with protecting workers' rights. She also sits on three board committees. Edward Bonham Carter will be the workers' representative at media giant ITV while juggling a number of high-profile City roles, including vice-chair of Jupiter Fund Management and non-executive director of property giant Land Securities. RBS non-executive director Lena Wilson will receive an additional 15,000 in fees to attend meetings with employees and feed back their views to top brass. The Scottish business leader received a total 148,000 in fees in 2018 for her role at RBS, which included 20,000 in benefits. Existing board member Tony van Kralingen will be taking up the baton for workers at Morrisons. He receives 102,000 ten times the average salary of a supermarket cashier. He is also head of the Cabinet Office's procurement arm, the Crown Commercial Service. Former HSBC banker Irene Dorner will receive an extra 15,000 in fees representing employees at Rolls-Royce, which has been slashing thousands of middle-management jobs and back office staff. As a non-executive, Dorner receives 76,000 in total for part-time work almost twice the average full-time salary of Rolls-Royce's employees. By contrast, some FTSE 250 firms have welcomed workers to their boards. Capita appointed Lyndsay Browne and Joseph Murphy to its board last week after a competitive process involving 400 employees. They will each earn 64,500 a year on top of their normal salary to carry out their duties. A spokesman for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said: 'The UK Corporate Governance Code now requires companies to have at least one worker on their board or, if they decide otherwise, explain what alternative arrangements are in place and why it considers that they are effective. 'Any company not complying with this must report to shareholders annually on why they have not done so.' A spokesman for Diageo said: As Chairman, Javier Ferran, will provide effective leadership and engagement with our workforce and will not be paid extra for this work. Marks & Spencer executive Steve Rowe will this week attempt to draw a line under a decade of deteriorating performance at the retailer with the promise of 'accelerating change'. He is expected to use Wednesday's full-year results meeting to demonstrate that the chain has a credible blueprint to battle larger rivals such as Sainsbury's and Tesco on food. M&S, which gets more than half of its 10 billion revenue from selling food, is expected to reveal an 11 per cent dip in profit to 519 million in the year to March. Looking ahead: Steve Rowe is hoping to demonstrate M&S has a credible blueprint to compete Like-for-like food sales for the full year will decline by 2.4 per cent while clothing and home sales are expected to drop by 1.4 per cent. In response, Rowe is expected to give more details of how M&S can capitalise on the momentum in the business after it struck a landmark deal with food delivery firm Ocado in February, as first revealed by The Mail on Sunday. That will include appealing to a wider customer base especially families by having more stores with a bigger range of groceries. He will also outline how far the company has cut back prices in recent months. It is understood Rowe will frame M&S as a company that wants to be 'Britain's fastest changing retailer' in an effort to break with the past.Wednesday will be about reassuring shareholders and staff about the pace of change, not just the bottom line, although that is important too,' said a source. Senior M&S figures are understood to have drawn up confidential plans to double the company's food market share in the next five years. Ocado investors are scheduled to vote on the agreement with M&S at a meeting tomorrow. M&S is also likely to provide more details of its plan to raise 600 million from investors to finance the deal. The company has long been accused of taking decisions too slowly and being risk averse. Adam Cochrane, an analyst at M&S's joint broker Citi, said in a report last week: 'M&S has been on the verge of becoming a 'retail dinosaur' once dominant but in danger of becoming extinct for a number of years. 'But there has been a much more radical change in terms of the operational management teams and an acceptance that change is required. 'With new, external appointments we think this is increasing the willingness, ability and speed of change. This is hard to quantify but reflects an important inflection point in our view.' One M&S source said: 'There are a lot of changes in the ways of working and attitudes. It's beginning. It's happening now in waves rather than a tidal wave but it is beginning to happen.' Chairman Archie Norman said in an interview in 2011, when he was chairman of ITV, that the key to transforming a company was 'fracturing the old culture'. 'You look for those 5,000-volt shocks that send a frisson around the whole company, and you get everybody talking and saying, 'Wow, this leadership really means it...it really is different now.' ' Ocado boss Tim Steiner says his American supermarket partner Kroger has ambitious plans 'to cover the whole country' with the delivery service. Kroger has so far opened just three Ocado distribution centres since launching on the other side of the Atlantic last year. But the company plans to be running 20 depots in the future. Steiner, speaking at the World Retail Congress in Amsterdam last week, said that whether Kroger 'opens 20 or 50' depots in the next three years, the company's team has a clear ambition to 'win in e-commerce in the US' defeating Amazon and other retail giants such as Wal-Mart. Sir Martin Sorrell, the former WPP boss renowned for his big pay packages, is on course for another shareholder revolt this time at the new company he has set up. Influential shareholder advisory groups ISS and Glass Lewis have 'severe reservations' about S4 Capital's long-term pay scheme, which Glass Lewis said appeared 'unlimited'. In a report sent to investors ahead of S4 Capital's first annual meeting on May 29, Glass Lewis has urged voters to reject the firm's pay report and policy. ISS has advised a vote against the pay policy. Hard times: Former WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell was paid 140,000 by S4 Capital last year S4 Capital said directors received lower salaries than rivals and bonuses were tied to creating value. Sorrell, 74, who was paid 140,000 by S4 Capital last year, has previously faced shareholder revolts over his remuneration, which regularly stretched into eight figures thanks to long-term incentive plans. A third of investors voted against WPP's pay plan in 2016 after Sorrell took home 70 million. After building up WPP from scratch, Sorrell left under a cloud in 2018 after the company launched an inquiry into his conduct. The Wall Street Journal said it related to claims he had used company funds to pay for a prostitute which he strenuously denies. WPP said it had found nothing 'material' against Sorrell, who had resigned as a 'good leaver'. Shareholders in BP are expected to back a proposal to spell out how its business strategy is compatible with tackling climate change. In the latest sign that City investors are forcing companies to be more green, the move would force the oil major to explain how its operations are consistent with the Paris Agreement on dealing with harmful emissions. Sign of the times: The move would force the oil major to explain how its operations are consistent with the Paris Agreement But investors at its AGM on Tuesday are expected to reject a more prescriptive motion that the FTSE 100 giant should set itself greenhouse gas reduction targets. The first motion has been backed by the company's board after being moved by campaign group Climate Action 100+, which includes 58 investors holding 10 per cent of shares in BP including Legal & General and HSBC Global Asset Management. But BP's directors say the second resolution moved by Dutch campaign group Follow This would limit BP's flexibility. Stephanie Pfeifer, of Climate Action 100+ and chief executive of the Institutional Investors Group on Climate Change, said: 'This is further evidence that shareholder engagement is driving change.' Rajesh Kumar Thakur By Express News Service PATNA: In an unprecedented act, a lensman was thrashed and other journalists were manhandled by Lalu Prasad Yadav's elder son Tej Pratap Yadav's bodyguards on Sunday. The incident took place when Yadav was returning after casting his vote along with his private security guards. He was intercepted by a battery of lensmen and the reporters who were seeking his comment. After speaking to the media when he boarded his SUV, the leg of a lensman got caught under the wheel of Yadav's vehicle. When the media present at the spot raised an alarm and asked the driver to pull back, the glass of car got damaged in the melee. #WATCH Tej Pratap Yadav's personal security guards in Patna beat a camera person after he allegedly broke the windscreen of Yadav's car. Tej Pratap Yadav was leaving after casting his vote. Yadav has filed an FIR in the incident. #Bihar pic.twitter.com/u1KzKDCGBG ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Immediately, Yadav's bodyguards got infuriated started thrashing the lensman. The commotion continued for a few minutes until the security guards and bouncers of Yadav managed to get safe passage to Yadav's car. Prior to the incident, Tej Pratap Yadav said that PM Narendra Modi imitating him went to Kedarnath for doing a night long meditation in a cave near the Kedarnath temple. Yadav had also gone recently in meditation on a hill in Jharkhand. Embattled British Steel was handed up to 50 million (43 million) in UK state aid subsidies before its emergency cash injection this month. The Government handouts in 2017 and 2018 were followed by a 120 million loan Ministers gave to the firm three weeks ago. The company, which owns Scunthorpe steelworks and employs 4,500 people, is also now seeking a further 75 million of Government support in order to avert a collapse. Worry: British Steel is now seeking a further 75 million of Government support in order to avert a collapse British Steel's owner, private equity firm Greybull Partners, came under fire last week after it was reported that it has been charging 20 million a year in fees and interest on loans since buying the firm for 1 in 2016. The state aid subsidies, totalling 20-50 million according to the European Commission, were paid to British Steel in three tranches between 2017 and 2018. The handouts were compensation for added business costs arising from policies that increase the use of green energy. British Steel, which last week secured funding to keep it afloat for the time being, said: 'British Steel is one of nearly 200 energy intensive UK companies across multiple sectors to receive these grants.' The Bank of Nova Scotia provides various banking products and services in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Colombia, the Caribbean and Central America, and internationally. It operates through Canadian Banking, International Banking, Global Banking and Markets, and Global Wealth Management segments. The company offers financial advice and solutions, and day-to-day banking products, including debit and credit cards, chequing and saving accounts, investments, mortgages, loans, and insurance to individuals; and business banking solutions comprising lending, deposit, cash management, and trade finance solutions to small businesses and commercial customers, including automotive financing solutions to dealers and their customers. It also provides wealth management advice and solutions, including online brokerage, mobile investment, full-service brokerage, trust, private banking, and private investment counsel services; and retail mutual funds, exchange traded funds, liquid alternative funds, and institutional funds. In addition, the company offers international banking services for retail, corporate, and commercial customers; and lending and transaction, investment banking advisory, and capital markets access services to corporate customers. Further, it provides Internet, mobile, and telephone banking services. The company operates a network of 952 branches and approximately 3,540 automated banking machines in Canada; and approximately 1,400 branches, 5,200 ATMs, and 22 contact centers internationally. The Bank of Nova Scotia was founded in 1832 and is headquartered in Halifax, Canada. Read More National Bank of Canada provides various financial products and services to retail, commercial, corporate, and institutional clients in Canada and internationally. It operates through four segments: Personal and Commercial, Wealth Management, Financial Markets, and U.S. Specialty Finance and International. The Personal and Commercial segment offers personal banking services, including transaction solutions, mortgage loans and home equity lines of credit, consumer loans, payment solutions, savings and investment solutions; various insurance products; and commercial banking services, such as credit, and deposit and investment solutions, as well as international trade, foreign exchange transactions, payroll, cash management, insurance, electronic transactions, and complimentary services. The Wealth Management segment provides investment solutions, trust and estate services, banking services, lending services, guaranteed investment certificates, mutual funds, notes, structured products, and other wealth management solutions through internal and third-party distribution networks. The Financial Markets segment offers risk management products and services; and debt and equity underwriting; advisory services in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, and financing. The U.S. Specialty Finance and International segment provides specialty finance expertise; financial products and services to individuals and businesses in Cambodia; and the activities of targeted investments in certain emerging markets. The company also offers credit cards. It provides its services through a network of 483 branches and 1,573 banking machines. The company was founded in 1859 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Read More United Technologies Corporation provides technology products and services to building systems and aerospace industries worldwide. Its Otis segment designs, manufactures, sells, and installs passenger and freight elevators, escalators, and moving walkways; and offers modernization products to upgrade elevators and escalators, as well as maintenance and repair services. The company's Carrier segment provides heating, ventilating, air conditioning, refrigeration, fire, security, and building automation products, solutions, and services for commercial, government, infrastructure, residential, and refrigeration and transportation applications. This segment also offers building services, including audit, design, installation, system integration, repair, maintenance, and monitoring. Its Pratt & Whitney segment supplies aircraft engines for commercial, military, business jet, and general aviation markets; and provides aftermarket maintenance, repair, and overhaul, as well as fleet management services. The company's Collins Aerospace Systems segment provides electric power generation, power management, and distribution systems; air data and aircraft sensing systems; engine control, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems; engine components; environmental control systems; fire and ice detection, and protection systems; propeller systems; engine nacelle systems; aircraft lighting, seating, and cargo systems; actuation and landing systems; space products and subsystems; avionics systems; flight controls, communications, navigation, oxygen, and training systems; food and beverage preparation, and storage and galley systems; and lavatory and wastewater management systems. The company offers its services through manufacturers' representatives, distributors, wholesalers, dealers, retail outlets, and sales representatives, as well as directly to customers. United Technologies Corporation was founded in 1934 and is headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut. 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. 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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. By IANS ALIGARH: The controversy over Nathuram Godse refuses to die down. The All India Hindu Mahasabha on Sunday celebrated the birthday of the assassin of Mahatma Gandhi with a "havan" here. A heavy deployment of police was seen at the Bidas compound under Gandhi Park police station where the "havan" was held. The Hindu Mahasabha had created a controversy on October 2 last year when its members had sought to recreate the Gandhi assassination by shooting at a Gandhi effigy. ALSO READ: 'Nitish should resign if he's hurt over Pragya Thakur's Godse remark', says Rabri Devi A row broke out after Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur, the BJP candidate from Bhopal, termed Godse as a "patriot", leading to criticism from the party and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who said: "I do not think I will be able to forgive her for praising Godse." Her remarks came after actor Kamal Hassan, who has floated his own party, the Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM), had stoked the controversy when he said Godse was the "first terrorist of Independent India" and a Hindu. Grafton Group plc engages in the distribution, retailing, and manufacturing businesses in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Its Distribution segment distributes building and plumbing materials to professional trades people engaged in residential repair, maintenance, and improvement projects, as well as in residential and other new build construction. This segment operates 487 branches primarily under the Selco, Buildbase, and Leyland SDM brands in the South East, Midlands, and North of England; the Chadwicks brand in the Republic of Ireland; and the MacBlair brand in Northern Ireland; and the Isero, Polvo, and Gunters en Meuser brands in the Netherlands. The company's Retailing segment engages in DIY retailing and home improvement business that supplies a range of products, including paints, lighting products, homestyle products, housewares, bathroom products, and kitchens, as well as gardening and Christmas products. This segment operates 35 stores primarily under the Woodie's brand. Its Manufacturing segment manufactures silo-based dry mortar for use in new build residential and commercial construction projects in England and Scotland; plastic pipe systems in Dublin; and wooden staircase in the United Kingdom. Grafton Group plc was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. Read More The first 80-ton liquid-oxygen methane engine in China, named "Tianque" (TQ-12), completed successfully its trial test on Friday, Landspace, an emerging private Chinese rocket company, told the Global Times. This marks the first successful test of a liquid rocket engine in China's private aerospace industry, making "Tianque" the third liquid-oxygen methane engine to finish a full system trial test worldwide, following the SpaceX Raptor engine and the BE-4 engine from Blue Origin in the US. The "Tianque" engine was independently developed by Landspace. The engine was tested four times last week, with the longest test lasting 20 seconds. According to the company, the engine started and shutdown smoothly, keeping within stable parameters and performance of the engine fulfilling design requirements. The "Tianque" engine is the most powerful double-cylinder liquid rocket engine in China. It is non-toxic and environmentally friendly, giving high performance at low cost. It also operates easily and can be reused. The ground-type engine is designed with a sea level thrust power of 67 tons and a vacuum thrust of 76 tons, and the vacuum engine has a vacuum thrust of 80 tons. The engine can be equipped to the full range of rockets from small and medium rockets to the large "Zhuque" series of rockets. "This engine can cover a small rocket with a single engine down, and can cover medium-sized rockets and large rockets," said Ge Minghe, general manager of the R&D Department of Landspace. "The business value is large and the development difficulty is moderate, so the input-output ratio is high." The success of the test demonstrates that private enterprises in China can carry out independent research and design of engines. With Landspace being the first company to complete the test process, Zhang Changwu, CEO of Landspace, said it marks a key technological breakthrough for the company, and also will help promote China's ability to compete in the space industry. China is now the second country in the world to master large-thrust liquid oxygen methane rocket engine technology after the US, Xing Qiang, an expert from the Small Rocket Studio, told the Global Times. After SpaceX and Blue Origin, Landspace is the third private enterprise in the world to successfully develop a large-thrust liquid oxygen methane rocket engine. In the engine field, this marks the momentous moment China entered the top echelon of the world, Xing said. In addition to Landspace, another private rocket company in China, iSpace, has also been making progress. The company's first carrier rocket has completed final assembly and will launch in early June, the company told the Global Times. The carrier rocket has a total length of 21 meters and a take-off mass of 31 tons, carrying seven payloads. It will be a carrier rocket with the biggest capacity ever independently designed by a Chinese private enterprise. A successful launch will mark the first orbital launch by Chinese private enterprises. By IANS DEHRADUN: After spending Saturday night meditating in a cave, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday offered prayers at the Badrinath and Kedarnath shrines in Uttarakhand. His visit to the two shrines, nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas came, on a day when the country was witnessing the last phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against the Prime Minister for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) on polling day. "Though the campaign for the last phase of polling for 2019 Lok Sabha elections got over on May 17 at 6 p.m., Narendra Modi's Kedarnath Yatra is being covered and widely reported in local media as well as the national for the last two days. This is a gross violation of the Model Code Of Conduct," said Derek O'Brien, leader of the TMC Parliamentary Party in the Rajya Sabha. ALSO READ: Congress, TDP write to EC against media coverage of Narendra Modi's Kedarnath trip Earlier at Badrinath, Modi paid obeisances to the Lord Badri (Vishnu) shrine. The priests and purohits chanted Vedic hymns while the Prime Minister offered prayers. The Badrinath Temple Committee Chairman Mohan Prasad Thapliyal also presented him a memento. Before that in the morning, he offered prayers at the Kedarnath temple. He later thanked the Election Commission for permitting him to visit the Himalayan shrine and take a break from the gruelling election campaign. "I got two days rest," he said. In Kedarnath, Modi told the media that he was completely cut off from the world inside the specially-created cave, which was furnished with amenities such as power, an attached toilet, a telephone, a CCTV etc. "There was no communication, only a small window through which I could see the temple," he said. He said blessings of Lor Shiva would continue to bestow on India as well as the whole humanity. "I don't ask for anything from the God. I think, the God has made us to give something to the society," he said. ALSO READ: Like PM Modi, now you too can meditate at these comfy Kedarnath caves Modi also appreciated the redevelopment work at Kedarnath after the 2013 deluge left town battered and said a dedicated team was engaged in the process. "I monitor the work through video conference from time-to-time," he said. Expressing satisfaction with the rebuilding work, Modi said people should visit Kedarnath and other areas of India in addition to visiting places like Singapore and Dubai. The Prime Minister also lauded the work of all those people who are engaged in providing various amenities at the tough terrains of the Himalayan shrine. "Normally people come here only after the portals (of shrine) are opened. But we must not forget that hundreds of people remain engaged in providing various amenities to pilgrims much before the doors are opened," he said. He thanked the media for coming to Kedarnath despite the tough election schedule and said the message through the media about the redevelopment in the area would be positive. NORRISTOWN Here in Norristown there are two very important and celebrated saints prominent in our community: Mother Teresa of Calcutta and Padre Pio. They were contemporaries, but in fact they had never met even though they coincided for many decades as prominent holy persons in the Roman Catholic Church. However, there is evidence that Padre Pio had heard of Mother Teresa and her work in India. In addition, we know for sure that Mother Teresa visited the tomb of St. Pio of Pietrelcina in 1987. To commemorate that visit 25 years later a mosaic depicting Mother Teresa was unveiled in the left of the central nave of the church at St. Giovanni Rotondo. These two saints were both mystics. Padre Pio is the highly celebrated Italian Capuchin who had the extraordinary gift of reading minds and hearts, of bilocating, levitating and bearing the visible stigmata-the five wounds of Christ on the Crossfor more than 50 years. He, like Mother Teresa, went through the dark night of the soul: dark clouds gathering in the heavens of my soul that not even a ray of light can penetrate. Vera Calandra of Norristown had traveled to Rome in the late 1950s and early 1960s to see Padre Pio in person and have him lay his hands on her daughter, Veramarie. This child was a sickly girl born with many urinary tract infections and defects and had lost her bladder in one of the surgeries done by the well-known, future Surgeon General of the United States Dr. C. Everett Coop at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia. Vera Calandra and family traveled to San Giovanni Rotondo to see Padre Pio, bringing the child to him to receive his blessing. When she returned to Norristown, she took her daughter to the doctors who discovered that her daughter had, in fact, a bladder. The doctors were confounded and said that this was a miracle. Since that time there has been a wonderful Padre Pio Prayer Group that was founded in the late 1950s at Holy Saviour Parish in Norristown -my home parish-where it is still going strong. Mother Teresa also went through the dark night of the soul for more than 50 years as she recounted in her letters. She sacrificed dearly in order to serve the poorest of the poor. She wrote: a missionary must die daily and must be ready to pay the price. Jesus paid for souls by his death. However, there was redemption at the end of the darkness for the two saints. Suffering is redemptive. Mother Teresa accepted darkness as part of her spiritual journey and her love of the Cross. She worked endlessly to help those in need with prayers and service. Padre Pio accepted pain even the agony of the stigmata. Asked if his stigmata hurt, he replied: Do you think that the Lord gave me them for a decoration? He later would write that the pains were so strong that they were absolutely indescribable and inconceivable. Both Mother Teresa and Padre Pio accepted a life-long mission of charity to others. Mother Teresa taught her sisters to divide the day into contemplation and active service. They are to make a half an hour of meditation each day, twice a day the examination of conscience and the full rosary and the litanies of Our Lady and the Saints. Then, care for and feed the poor. Padre Pio founded many prayer groups, but he was also well-known as a great confessor. He spent seventeen hours a day hearing confessions. In addition, he also built the Home for the Relief of Suffering in 1956-a hospital for the poor in Sant Giovanni Rotondo. Mother Teresa visited Norristown many times and had often attended Mass at St. Patrick Church where I am the pastor. She first visited this borough in 1984 when she founded the convent of the Missionaries of Charity my convent. From there the many sisters have been a wonderful presence in our community helping all especially the poorest of the poor and the immigrants from Latin America. They still continue to do great and holy work. Both of these saints are great pillars of the Church who intercede for us all. Both have wonderful connections to Norristown and both suffered and taught us to love both God and neighbor. Pray for us Padre Pio and Mother Teresa. WASHINGTON Rep. Elise Stefanik extols the positive trajectory of her effort to recruit more women Republican candidates for House seats, telling a recent TV interviewer that shes been blown away by the response of over 140 women interested in running as Republicans in 2020. And its only May of the off-year, said Stefaniks spokeswoman, Madison Anderson. But events such as Alabamas enactment of what amounts to a near-total ban on abortion may undercut Stefaniks goal of adding female candidates for House races. The Alabama statute, signed into law on Wednesday, bans abortion of all stages except in cases of serious health risk and makes it an felony for doctors to perform them with lengthy prison sentences to match. The law was designed as a test of the willingness of the U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority to overturn Roe v. Wade, the 1973 precedent that legalized abortion nationwide. Republicans already have problems attracting suburban college-educated women, whose votes helped Democrats take back the House after the 2018 election, ending eight years of GOP rule. Although the next national election is 18 months away, the ripples from the Alabama law and less draconian abortion restrictions in other states could overwhelm Republicans in terms of women voters and candidate recruitment. Weve already seen a shift among white-collar educated women moving away from Republicans since (the 2016 election of President Donald J.) Trump, said Kelly Dittmar, a political scientist at Rutgers University and scholar at its Center for American Women in Politics. What it speaks to is the move to the right of the Republican Party on various issues, not just this one. The division on abortion is more about party loyalty than gender, Dittmar added. She pointed to a poll by the non-partisan Public Religion Research Institute showing 60 percent of Republican women believe Roe v. Wade was wrongly decided, while 75 percent of Democratic women said the high court got it right. Thats an importance nuance, she said. Stefanik, 34, easily won re-election to a third term in 2018, which otherwise was strong election for Democrats who swept away vulnerable Republicans in the House including former upstate Representatives John Faso, R-Kinderhook, and Claudia Tenney, R-New Hartford. The number of Republican women in the House dropped from 23 to 13. Chagrined over the dearth of GOP women and the image of the party as the domain of aging white men, Stefanik decided to direct her political action committee, E-PAC (the E stands for Elise), to recruit Republican women candidates and sustain them through the often-bruising primary process. Republican leaders were careful to back Stefanik. If you want to be a representative government that reflects America, you need more women (in office), said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican, at the E-PAC rollout in January. Trumps behavior toward women, including audio that surfaced at the end of the 2016 campaign in which he bragged about groping women, has already been a drag on support for Republicans. The abortion issue threatens to add weight to that burden. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Stefanik herself has staked out what used to be a fairly standard conservative position on abortion: She opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest or when the life of the mother is at risk. And she supports over-the-counter access to birth control covered by insurance. But as in so many issues, the conservatism of the era of President George W. Bush in whose White House Stefanik worked as a staffer has been eclipsed by the ultra-conservatives of the Freedom Caucus in the House and frequently Trump himself. The abortion law in Alabama, a deep-red state for decades, is just one example of a rightward trend within the party. Stefanik declined to be interviewed for this story. But last week she told a reporter for ABC 22, affiliated with MyChamplainValley.com, that it's good for the nation to have more women in elected office and good for both parties, Stefanik said. Women get things done. We bring a unique perspective. But Democrats and left-leaning activists in the North Country district Stefanik represents have attempted to portray Stefanik as a hard-right true believer in sync with Republican conservatives. Rep. Stefanik has voted to defund Planned Parenthood and gut protections for people with pre-existing conditions, said Tedra Cobb, who is running in the Democratic primary to oppose Stefanik in 2020. Stefanik defeated Cobb last year. She voted against the Violence Against Women Act and has voted against equal pay for equal work three times. She is on the record that she does not support womens right to make their own reproductive choices. Stefanik was a protege of former House Speaker Paul Ryan, a Wisconsin Republican, and has generally voted the party line since her arrival on Capitol Hill in 2015. But she has made exceptions, including a vote against the GOP tax bill of 2017 because it reduced the federal deductions for state income and local property taxes. And earlier this month, she was one of three Republicans to side with Democrats on a bill against Trumps taking the U.S. out of the Paris climate accord. And she has proved willing to buck the Republican male establishment. When Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., the new chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, said in an interview that Stefaniks focus on recruiting women was a mistake, she tartly responded on Twitter: NEWSFLASH! I wasnt asking for permission. Economic inequality has continued increasing in the Capital Region and across the United States, fresh data show, and the trend toward a widening gap between the highest and lowest earners that began four decades ago is unlikely to reverse in the foreseeable future. Despite the United States' current record-low unemployment and robust job growth, the lion's share of the benefits have gone to the top earners, while wages for the bottom 50 percent of American workers have lagged behind the pace economists would expect in a healthy, low-unemployment economy. Indicators that suggest a booming economy tell a different story for black, Hispanic and female workers. In the Capital Region, minority groups have actually seen their median household incomes decline since 1990, even as households at the top of the distribution have experienced strong gains. "The middle class share of the overall prosperity of the region is shrinking in a number of ways," said Mark Castiglione, executive director of the Capital District Regional Planning Commission. A report by the Economic Policy Institute shows that U.S. productivity the total output of goods and services grew 103 percent from 1948 to 1979, while worker compensation, which includes wages and benefits, grew by 93 percent in that same time. But since then, while the economy has continued to grow, the workers who power that growth have seen their wages slow significantly. Output grew by 70 percent from 1979 to 2017, but worker compensation grew just 11 percent. "We've been in a period recently with low wage growth, and particularly low wage growth for the least educated workers," said Erica Groshen, former commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and currently a visiting senior scholar at Cornell University. "Maybe this isn't so surprising given that we've been in such a low wage growth regime for quite a while," she said. Between 1979 and 2018, hourly wages for the median U.S. worker grew by 14 percent. Over that same time, wages for workers at the 95th percentile meaning those who earned more than 95 percent of all workers grew 56 percent. "A lot of that is due to the increased concentration of economic clout at the top among large companies and the continued maldistribution of income," said James Parrott, the director of economic and fiscal policies at the Center for New York City Affairs. Education has long been considered the key to unlocking economic opportunity for U.S. citizens, and workers do earn more, the higher their level of educational attainment. But the wage gap between white workers and black and Hispanic workers at any education level has only increased over the last two decades. In 2000, a black worker with a high school diploma earned on average about 85 percent of what a white worker with a high school diploma earned. In 2018, a black high school graduate made just 79 percent what their white counterpart made on average, according to EPI data. That applies to highly educated workers as well. A black worker in 2000 with an advanced college degree a master's or doctorate earned 87.5 percent what a white worker with the same degree earned. In 2018, that black worker made 81.5 percent of what the white worker earned. In 2007, a Hispanic worker with a bachelor's degree would have earned on average 86 percent what a white worker with a bachelor's earned. By 2018, that rate fell to 82 percent, according to the EPI. Amy Jones is a community organizer with the progressive advocacy group Citizen Action of New York, and her story is emblematic of the lack of opportunity many in the region's minority communities face. Jones said she was born addicted to heroin, was put up for adoption, and raised in a sexually abusive foster home. Immediately after graduating from Guilderland High School in 1989, her foster parents dropped her off at Equinox Youth Shelter, which helps homeless or runaway teens. Jones said her finances meant college was never a consideration, and she fell into a cyclical life of crime, drug use and stints in jail and rehab through the 1990s. "I started meeting people and learning survival," Jones said. "It was an underground economy." Jones was arrested a total of 23 times, but after being released from Albany County Correctional Facility in 2002, she used the motivation of her two young children and her experience of abandonment to reform her life and become an advocate for those in her situation. "You still don't have money, and you still have to survive," Jones says of life after release from prison, and the reason many people return to crime. "The world doesn't stop turning...selling drugs is about survival." She credits social service programs that helped her gain employment after her release and ultimately allowed her to become involved in advocacy. But, without social programs that can help lift ex-offenders out of poverty and into the labor force, the cycle is difficult to break, she added. "How could I care about anything outside of eating and not going to jail and not using drugs? I couldn't, I was living in a bubble of chaos," Jones said. "It wasn't until my life got some traction that I could look outside of myself." Economists agree that the racial wage gap is a result of high incarceration rates, particularly among African-American men. When wide swaths of the minority population have a criminal record or have been incarcerated, it's difficult for those men and women to ever find a good-paying job later in life, Groshen said. "We know that African-Americans, particularly men, are disproportionately represented in people who have criminal records and who have been incarcerated, and that employers do a lot of screening on that," she said. "This problem has only been getting worse up until now." Data from the Capital District Regional Planning Commission also show that, since 1990, household incomes in the four Capital Region counties have decreased in black, Asian and Hispanic households, and increased modestly in white households. Outside of Saratoga County, median income in all households has been mostly flat since 1990, and many Capital Region households have even seen declines in median household income, according to the CDRPC. Additionally, 2017 U.S. Census data, the most recent available, showed the black unemployment rate in the Albany metro area was 14.6 percent, while the Hispanic unemployment rate was 11.4 percent. The white unemployment rate was 4.4 percent. Rahleek Coleman, 32, was released last August from state prison after serving 11 months on drug charges. He also holds an associate's and a bachelor's degree he earned from Bryant and Stratton College, and has even interned with the New York State Assembly. Coleman was raised in Hudson, and became homeless his senior year at Hudson High School, when both of his parents went to prison on their own drug-related offenses. Coleman eventually graduated from high school, and earned his bachelor's in 2015 after years spent without a permanent home. Following his release, Coleman worked at a Wendy's and as a security guard, and now has his own apartment in Albany. But because of his felony, Coleman has had difficulty finding gainful employment, and after working for six months, had his security guard license renewal denied by the state of New York because of his conviction. A letter from the state deemed Coleman "an unreasonable risk to property or to safety of the welfare" in denying his security guard license renewal. "I knew I was up against a lot because, without flat-out saying it, I was being judged as a second-class citizen due to the fact that I've been incarcerated, I have a criminal record," Coleman said. "I knew, just because a job doesn't tell me 'we're not hiring you because of your felony,' they are not hiring me because of my felony." He said his decision to sell drugs was a "poor choice," but he was driven to offend by an inability to find a job that could pay him enough, even with a college degree. "I was young and struggling to provide income, to find employment," he said. "During that time, when I started making choices to (sell drugs), I was literally struggling...I was like 'my family's still struggling to pay rent, to bring some food into the house." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. But now, he hopes to break the cycle his own family has experienced, and potentially open a private security firm or another business to provide an avenue of employment for felons in the Capital Region. Coleman hopes to go back to school in 2020 either at University of Albany or the College of St. Rose and ultimately earn his master's degree in business administration, and then a PhD after that, he said. "There's so much more I've discovered I'm capable of doing," Coleman said. Regional inequality Regionally, Albany and most other upstate metro areas are considered relatively equal compared to the majority of U.S. metropolitan areas, New York Federal Reserve data shows. Even so, the gap between what workers in Albany at the 90th percentile made and what workers at the 10th percentile made has grown by 23 percent since 1980. In 1980, a 90th percentile worker earned 3.8 times what a 10th percentile worker made. By 2015, that 90th percentile worker earned 4.7 times what their 10th percentile counterparts earned. How can inequality be addressed? While the data from the EPI, as well as the New York Federal Reserve, show the vast majority of wealth has accumulated among the wealthiest American workers, minimum wage hikes, like the one that New York first implemented in 2016, have helped raise wages among the bottom 10 percent of earners. Within the 26 states that increased minimum wage at some point between 2013 and 2018, like New York, wages among the 10th percentile of earners grew 13 percent. In states that did not increase the minimum wage in that time span, wages among that same group of earners rose 8.4 percent, according to the EPI's report. "Clearly, some part of the wage gains we've seen for lower wage workers are due to increases in the minimum wage," Groshen said. Opponents of a higher minimum wage, like the Empire Center for Public Policy, have argued that a gradual minimum wage increase would increase employer overhead and cost the state up to 200,000 jobs and at least 11,000 in the Capital Region alone. Two polls conducted by the New York Fed earlier this year, though, found that the majority of business leaders and manufacturers in the state say they've not been significantly impacted by the wage hike, which increased in upstate from $10.40 an hour to $11.10 at the start of this year. The gains made from increasing the minimum wage are a positive step towards reducing economic inequality, Parrott said. But he said that an overhaul of U.S. tax policy at the federal level is the key to addressing the vast accumulation of wealth at the very top. "Proponents of (the 2017 tax cut) say 'this is going to be to the benefit of workers, higher wages will come as a result," Parrott said. "We know those things have not happened," he added. "The benefits of the unprecedented tax cut have mainly gone to corporations to use for stock buybacks. That's benefiting the people who own stocks. Very little has gone into new investments in productive equipment or structures. It certainly hasn't gone to increased wages for workers." Other things, like the decline of labor union organizations, have also led to sluggish wage growth among the majority of workers, Groshen said. Locally, Castiglione said things like investment in programs targeting job opportunity expansion in minority communities is part of addressing ethnic inequality. "Perhaps getting people access to programs that teach them a trade, push them on a pathway for a job in the new economy," Castiglione said. "Also, it's re-calibrating educational institutions to producing workers that have the skills needed by those businesses, and in that way we can increase opportunities for workers across the board while helping to serve the business community and satisfying their needs," he said. Criminal justice reform is another avenue that could help reduce inequality, economists and social justice advocates said. But for Coleman, the stigma of his criminal record has felt like discrimination on its own. He hopes to affect change for offenders after their release from prison, and perhaps eventually remove barriers minority communities face in reducing inequality. One day, he said, he may even run for Albany Common Council. "We can't change our past, but we can reshape our future, and that's the road I'm on," he said. "I want progress, I want change." Long Island aviation magnate Adam Katz finalized his divorce in 2006. Yet Katz's relationship with his divorce attorney, Jeffrey Schecter, continued to be close. Close enough that many years later, Schecter would agree to donate $25,000 to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's campaign. Schecter did not give to Cuomo because of any political issue, the divorce lawyer said, but solely because his client had asked. Katz and Schecter are "good friends," explained Greg Zucker, another Katz attorney. "Adam encouraged Jeffrey Schecter to give donations and he was happy to do so." Some version of this scenario has played out over and over: People without apparent personal motivations to give large political donations have been willing to part with five-figure sums simply because Katz asked them to. About the series Friends in High Places is a two-part investigation looking into Gov. Andrew Cuomo's relationship with aviation magnate Adam Katz. Part 1 looks at donations made to Cuomo by Katz and his associates. Part 2 explores Cuomo's free flights on Katz-owned jets and a later series of state bidding decisions that ultimately benefitted Katz's company. Beyond being a prolific campaign fundraiser, Katz has himself been one of Cuomo's largest campaign donors. The 60-year-old has given Cuomo six-figure sums though a wide array of limited liability companies, prompting business rivals to allege that he's had undue influence with administration agencies. Katz is the former owner and founder of Talon Air, the Long Island luxury private jet service known for catering to elite customers ranging from LeBron James to Mick Jagger. State records also indicate a more unusual pattern: Many people with ties to Katz lawyers, business associates, an extended family tree have contributed to Cuomo's campaign in large, often identical amounts and on the same days. Aside from the gifts to Cuomo, many of those people had never contributed similarly large amounts to New York candidates. A housing contractor who did renovation work on Katz's home gave at least $15,000 to the governor. Katz's tax lawyer donated $10,000. Katz and his associates and relatives have also donated in similar fashion on the federal level to another Democrat, U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice of Long Island. Reached by the Times Union, several of the Katz-linked campaign donors declined to answer questions; several others said that Katz had not compensated them in any way for their giving, which would have been illegal. Katz's own campaign giving to Cuomo has sparked controversy, including allegations of pay-to-play following a 2016 decision by the Cuomo administration that gave Katz's company the lucrative development rights to 54 acres surrounding Suffolk County's Republic Airport. Another company had already been awarded the rights to develop the same land a year earlier. But that bidding process was partially scrapped and shifted from the state Department of Transportation to the Empire State Development Corp. A January 2018 review by the state Comptroller's office concluded the issues raised by the rival company, LI Cleantech, were "not of sufficient merit to overturn the contract awards." Katz and LI Cleantech recently agreed to a settlement that bars Cleantech from filing future lawsuits challenging the state award of the parcels to Katz. As these types of government decisions have played out, Cuomo has ridden aboard Katz's fleet of luxury planes at least a dozen times since he took office in 2011 sometimes getting the rides for free as "in-kind" contributions, other times paying for the trips with campaign funds. Since 2011, Katz and his companies, business associates, family members or attorneys have given at least $627,000 to Cuomo or the state Democratic Party, which has served as an arm of Cuomo's own campaign operation. The governor's political opponents have long maintained that his prodigious fundraising is fueled by a pay-to-play culture an allegation that Cuomo denies. In fact, the governor has repeatedly asserted that campaign contributions have never influenced his decision-making on any issue. Generous friends After Katz's 2006 divorce, Schecter continued to do legal work for several years related to the end of the marriage. Schecter made his initial $15,000 donation to Cuomo in 2013. On Jan. 14, 2014, Schecter gave Cuomo $10,000 in back-to-back contributions of $10 and $9,990. (Schecter said the first donation amount was a keystroke error.) In all three donations, Schecter's name was misspelled in Cuomo's campaign filings as "Schechter." In an interview, Schecter could not think of any political issue that had animated his $25,000 in contributions. Instead, Schecter said he had donated at Katz's request. Schecter said that "under no circumstances" had Katz compensated him for the contributions. The donation "was just something I decided to do at the time," he said. Schecter is not the only attorney who has worked for Katz who donated $10,000 to Cuomo on that January day. Another $10,000 came that day from Gerald Modell, the Katz family's Manhattan-based tax lawyer. Like Schecter, Modell is not normally a large donor in New York elections: The $10,000 to Cuomo is by far Modell's largest gift. After initially hanging up when reached by the Times Union, Modell later explained that Katz had asked him donate to Cuomo but insisted Katz had not compensated him for doing so. "He's been a major client of mine over many years," Modell said. Adam Katz's elderly father, Curtis Katz, also gave $10,000 to Cuomo that day. Once a major New York City landlord, the elder Katz has given many campaign donations in the past. He could not be reached for comment. Greg Zucker is yet another outside counsel for Adam Katz who has donated heavily to Cuomo $20,000, which is far more than he has donated to any other New York politician. Zucker has worked extensively for Stratosphere Development, a Katz company that is behind the ongoing development efforts at Republic Airport, where Katz's charter jet business is based. Under state election law, campaign donations must be given in the "true name" of a donor, and cannot be funded by a third party to then be given to a candidate in a different person's name. The law is meant to prevent affluent donors from skirting campaign contribution limits or hiding their identities from the public by using "straw donors." Speaking on Katz's behalf to the Times Union, Zucker said Katz had never compensated anyone not with cash, plane trips, business opportunities or in any other manner for their donations to Cuomo's campaign. "Everybody gave their own money and no one got the money back in any way, shape or form," Zucker said. Jerry Goldfeder, a veteran New York election lawyer who was retained by Katz to respond to the Times Union's questions, said it was common for campaign donors to give money based solely on their relationship with a particular fundraiser. "I've raised a lot of money for candidates. A lot of people have given that had not even heard of the candidate," Goldfeder said. "If I'm supporting a person, then there is a level of trust." Connections matter Katz has maintained a strong connection at the top of the Cuomo campaign fundraising operation: He is a longtime close friend of Jennifer Bayer Michaels, a top fundraiser for the governor. Since 2009, Bayer Michaels' Manhattan-based firm, JB Consulting, has been paid about $2.3 million by Cuomo or the state Democratic Party. Bayer Michaels confirmed she has ridden aboard a number of flights operated by Katz's Talon Air. But she refused to answer questions about whether her flights were discounted or free, like some of Cuomo's own trips. (Zucker said records he'd reviewed showed little indication she'd gotten discounts.) Katz sold Talon Air last summer. Katz has also been generous to charities for whom Bayer Michaels serves as a board member, including Healthy Child Healthy World, a nonprofit based in California. Talon Air has acted as a sponsor at Bayer Michaels' behest. (Katz has given millions overall to various charities.) Bayer Michaels' husband, Howard Michaels, who died in 2018, was a major player in New York City real estate, with a reputation as one of the city's most successful private financiers of projects. It's a world also inhabited by Katz, who owns substantial residential real estate property in the city. "My husband used Talon for flights for years predating any association with Gov. Cuomo," Bayer Michaels said in an email. "We've since continued to use Talon as well as other private aircraft services. Adam Katz is a friend and he along with other friends of mine generously donated his services for various charitable endeavors that I was involved with." Asked about the pattern of Katz family members and associates donating identical amounts, often on the same days, Bayer Michaels declined to say if she had any further insight. But Zucker, Katz's lawyer, acknowledged that given the closeness between Bayer Michaels and Katz, she would have been involved in Katz's fundraising efforts. Katz has held a seat on the Cuomo campaign's finance committee and has attended several high-dollar Cuomo campaign fundraisers. Meanwhile, Katz's array of associates have not usually attended Cuomo fundraisers, Zucker said, despite their own large donations. In response to questions from the Times Union, Cuomo's campaign produced a five-page report detailing campaign donations given by Katz and associates to politicians besides Cuomo. RELATED: View the list of donations Cuomo's campaign sent in response to the Times Union inquiries "You are wrong to say that these contributors don't support other campaigns or committees in large amounts," said Gita Tiku, Cuomo's campaign finance director. Katz has indeed been generous to many politicians, but others including Schecter, Modell and Zucker count the Cuomo donations as by far their largest in New York state elections. Schecter, Katz's divorce lawyer, has given more than $35,000 in donations overall on the same days as Katz or Katz's family members. He said he had "no clue" why his name was misspelled the same way three times over two years in Cuomo's campaign finance reports. Donations from Katz's friends, family and associates The gray blocks denote donations made on the same or consecutive days. Donor Relationship to Katz Date Recipient Amount Serque Leasing LLC Katz company 10/13/2011 Cuomo $50,000 800 XPI Holdings LLC Katz company 11/10/2011 NY Dems (campaign) $47,884 Talon Air Services LLC Katz company 3/5/2012 NY Dems (campaign) $25,000 Jadam Equities LLC Katz company 3/19/2012 Cuomo $25,000 Adam Katz Katz 7/11/2012 Cuomo $20,000 Roxann Management Corp. Katz company 1/9/2013 Cuomo $5,000 118 W 72nd St Retail LLC Katz company 1/9/2013 Cuomo $10,000 1628 2nd Avenue Retail LLC Katz company 1/9/2013 Cuomo $10,000 170 West 75th Street LLC Katz company 1/9/2013 Cuomo $10,000 203 West 90th Street LLC Katz company 1/9/2013 Cuomo $10,000 215 West 90th Street LLC Katz company 1/9/2013 Cuomo $10,000 235 West 102nd Street LLC Katz company 1/9/2013 Cuomo $10,000 687 Amsterdam Ave Retail LLC Katz company 1/9/2013 Cuomo $10,000 Ace Security Services Katz/Rynkiewicz 1/9/2013 Cuomo $5,000 AJ Realty Development Company LLC Katz company 1/9/2013 Cuomo $10,000 Barstow Development Co. Katz company 1/9/2013 Cuomo $5,000 Top Notch Contracting Katz's house contractor 1/9/2013 Cuomo $5,000 Talon Air Inc Katz company 3/19/2013 Cuomo $1,542 Jeffrey Schecter Katz's divorce lawyer 4/2/2013 Cuomo $15,000 Serque Leasing LLC Katz company 4/2/2013 Cuomo $15,000 687 Amsterdam Ave LLC Katz company 4/3/2013 Cuomo $15,000 Manhattan Tower Gym LLC Katz company 4/3/2013 Cuomo $15,000 Talon Air Inc Katz company 4/26/2013 NY Dems (housekeeping) $800 Gregory Zucker Katz's attorney 5/1/2013 Cuomo $10,000 Elana Charters LLC Katz company 5/6/2013 Cuomo $16,125 Stratosphere Development Katz company 6/21/2013 Cuomo $4,200 Jerry Rynkiewicz Katz's house contractor 10/30/2013 Cuomo $10,000 David Katz Cousin 11/7/2013 Cuomo $5,000 Howard Katz Cousin 12/13/2013 Cuomo $30,000 Curtis Katz Father 1/14/2014 Cuomo $10,000 Gerald Modell Katz's tax lawyer 1/14/2014 Cuomo $10,000 Jeffrey Schecter Katz's divorce lawyer 1/14/2014 Cuomo $9,990 Jeffrey Schecter Katz's divorce lawyer 1/14/2014 Cuomo $10 Elana Charters LLC Katz company 5/22/2014 NY Dems (housekeeping) $14,594 215 West 90th Street Retail LLC Katz company 8/29/2014 Cuomo $10,000 Elana Charters LLC Katz company 9/20/2014 Cuomo $10,609 235 West 102nd St LLC Katz company 9/23/2014 Cuomo $10,000 Elana Charters LLC Katz company 10/23/2014 NY Dems (housekeeping) $7,286 170 West 75th Street Katz company 11/3/2014 Cuomo $10,000 Aztec Realty LLC Katz company 01/01/15 NY Dems (housekeeping) $9,480 Philip Katz Cousin 4/6/2015 NY Dems (housekeeping) $10,000 David Katz Cousin 4/6/2015 NY Dems (housekeeping) $10,000 Howard Katz Cousin 4/6/2015 NY Dems (housekeeping) $15,000 Jeffrey Schecter Katz's divorce lawyer 4/6/2015 NY Dems (housekeeping) $5,000 Elana Charters LLC Katz company 6/22/2015 Cuomo $25,000 Gregory Zucker Katz's attorney 7/1/2015 Cuomo $10,000 Diane Katz Wife 7/2/2015 Cuomo $10,000 Curtis Katz Father 7/10/2015 Cuomo $10,000 Howard Katz Cousin 7/13/2015 Cuomo $25,000 TOTAL $627,520 On that same day in 2013 that Schecter gave $15,000, Cuomo's campaign received another $15,000 from Serque Leasing, a limited liability company that is owned by Katz. The next day, Cuomo received two more $15,000 donations from Katz-owned LLCs. Besides Schecter's three donations to Cuomo worth $25,000, Schecter or his law firm have otherwise made 15 donations in New York elections, worth a total of $9,960. For all of those non-Cuomo donations, Schecter's name is spelled correctly in campaign filings. By far the largest of the 15 non-Cuomo donations is the $5,000 Schecter gave to the housekeeping account of the state Democratic Party, which is controlled by the governor. Schecter's $5,000 was given on April 6, 2015. On the same day, the state Democratic Party housekeeping account received three other donations: $10,000 from David Katz, $10,000 from Philip Katz, and $15,000 from Howard Katz. Zucker said the three men who could not be reached for comment are all cousins of Adam Katz, and "successful businesspeople" who funded their own donations. David Katz has also donated $5,000 to Cuomo directly, while Howard has donated $55,000 to the governor's campaign. Besides giving $70,000 to Cuomo or the state Democratic Party, Howard Katz does not appear to have otherwise donated in a New York election. Youth support Schecter and the Katz family have also given in tandem to Kathleen Rice, the Long Island congresswoman. (Like state law, federal election law governing congressional races also prohibits donating to candidates except in one's own true name.) Adam Katz has supported Rice's political campaigns in the past. In 2010, she drew scrutiny for taking several contributions from Splendor Air Charters LLC, which paid for plane rides around New York as Rice ran unsuccessfully for state attorney general. Records show that Katz incorporated Splendor Air as a business entity less than three weeks before Rice's first flight. Filings from Rice's first successful run for Congress, meanwhile, show that on March 31, 2014, Schecter gave the maximum $5,200 in donations to her campaign. On the same date, Rice also received $5,200 from each of Katz's three college-aged children: Samuel, Elana and David. Rice's campaign filings for 2014 record the Katz children's addresses as the Talon Air headquarters on Long Island. Elana Katz, an student at Union College in Schenectady at the time of the donation, declined to answer questions. "Thank you for calling I'm going to hang up," she said. Samuel Katz, a undergraduate at the University of Wisconsin at the time of the donation, said "I have no idea what you're talking about," before hanging up. David Katz, who in a 2016 campaign filing stated that he lived in Jackson Hole, Wyo., working at a ski resort, could not be reached for comment. Zucker who also gave $5,200 to Rice on the same date said that the Katz children gave their own money. "The children were adults. ... They had their own bank accounts," he said. "They made their own donations because they decided to give contributions to these people." By Sept. 30, 2015, the maximum donation limit to congressional races had risen to $5,400. On that day, Rice separately received $5,400 donations from Adam Katz, his wife Diane and each of his three children. All of those donations are attributed in Rice's campaign filings to a single address P.O. Box 560 in Farmingdale that is used by Katz's businesses. Zucker explained that a Katz "family bookkeeper" is responsible for paying expenses, such as rent, incurred by the Katz children. That person was responsible for disbursing the Rice campaign contribution checks, which is why the Rice filings listed the Katz business addresses. The 2014 transactions were done with checks, while the 2015 donations were made with credit cards, Zucker said. A spokesman for Rice said her campaign had inputted the addresses "provided by the individual donors at the time of the contribution," and that the signatures on the checks were those of Katz's children. "Every dollar we accept is subject to the same rigorous process to ensure full FEC compliance, and the contributions in question were no exception," Rice's spokesman said. Rice, a former Nassau County district attorney, declined to provide the Times Union with copies of checks written to her campaign by various Katz family members. 'I like him' A similar pattern of giving was reflected in another set of campaign donations to Cuomo that were given on Jan. 9, 2013, the day of Cuomo's third State of the State address in Albany. On that day, at least 10 different companies associated with Katz many of them Manhattan residential properties gave a total of at least $90,000 to Cuomo, records show. The campaign also received another $5,000 from a company called Top Notch Contracting. Its president, Jerry Rynkiewicz, told the Times Union that another company he runs, Ace Security Services, gave $5,000 more to Cuomo on the same day. Incorporation records for both Ace Security Services and Top Notch Contracting, however, list the same address on Long Island as Talon Air, Katz's former company. Some confusion remains about who gave which donations to Cuomo on that day: Rynkiewicz believed he had donated $5,000 to Cuomo through Ace Security, while Zucker said that donation was actually attributable to Katz. Rynkiewicz also gave $10,000 in his own name to Cuomo in October 2013. In that case, Rynkiewicz listed an address in Manhattan that is a Katz-owned property. Rynkiewicz said that he also had lived in a basement unit of that building, called Manhattan Tower Condo. Top Notch Contracting, his general contracting company, has often done repair work for Katz's properties in Manhattan. Rynkiewicz, who said he is now retired, also confirmed to the Times Union that he has done renovation work on Katz's own home. Asked about the timing of the $5,000 in donations from Top Notch Contracting to Cuomo and why they were cut on the same day Katz's businesses gave at least $90,000 to the governor Rynkiewicz said he did not know. Rynkiewicz, who has rarely otherwise donated in New York elections, said Katz had never asked him to give to Cuomo. But Zucker disagreed, and said Katz solicited the Cuomo contributions from the contractor. The lawyer didn't know why Rynkiewicz would offer a different version of events. But Zucker said it was natural for Rynkiewicz to want to donate $15,000 to Cuomo at Katz's request. "He's been doing business with Adam Katz doing construction for a long time," Zucker said. In addition to denying Katz solicited the donations to Cuomo, Rynkiewicz could not think of any political issue that had motivated him. "Just because," he said, and then paused. "Just because just because I like him." Story by Chris Bragg, cbragg@timesunion.com Graphics by Jeff Boyer & Cathleen F. Crowley Digital presentation by Cathleen F. Crowley By IANS CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday criticized his Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu for damaging the Congress with his ill-timed comments against him and the party leadership in the state. If he was a real Congressmen, he should have chosen a better time to air his grievances instead of just ahead of voting in Punjab, said the Chief Minister in an informal interaction with reporters here before leaving for Patiala to cast his vote, along with other members of his family. His wife and former Union Minister Preneet Kaur is contesting from the Patiala Lok Sabha seat on a Congress ticket, and Amarinder Singh expressed confidence that the party would sweep not just this seat but all the 13 constituencies in the state. ALSO READ: CM Amarinder Singh behind denial of Amritsar Lok Sabha ticket to me, says Navjot Kaur Sidhu On the recent controversial and rebellious remarks of Sidhu, who had accused the Chief Minister of being responsible for the denial of ticket to his wife Navjot Kaur from Chandigarh, Amarinder Singh said he was harming the party with such irresponsible actions. It was not his election but that of the entire Congress, said the Chief Minister. It was for the high command to decide on any action against Sidhu, but the Congress, as a party, does not tolerate indiscipline, Amarinder Singh said. FOLLOW OUR ELECTION COVERAGE HERE He said he personally did not have any differences with Sidhu, whom he had known since the latter was a child. Perhaps he is ambitious and wants to be the Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh said in response to a question. Such irritants notwithstanding, the Chief Minister exuded confidence of a Congress victory in all the 13 seats, saying he was getting very positive reports from all the constituencies, with Congressmen having already started celebrating, indicating their level of confidence. Columbus, Ohio For more than two decades, Nancy Mace did not speak publicly about her rape. In April, when she finally broke her silence, she chose the most public of forums before her colleagues in South Carolina's legislature. A bill was being debated that would ban all abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected; Mace, a Republican lawmaker, wanted to add an exception for rape and incest. When some of her colleagues in the House dismissed her amendment some women invent rapes to justify seeking an abortion, they claimed she could not restrain herself. "For some of us who have been raped, it can take 25 years to get up the courage and talk about being a victim of rape," Mace said, gripping the lectern so hard she thought she might pull it up from the floor. "My mother and my best friend in high school were the only two people who knew." As one Republican legislature after another has pressed ahead with restrictive abortion bills in recent months, they have been confronted with raw and emotional testimony about the consequences of such laws. Female lawmakers and other women have stepped forward to tell searing, personal stories in some cases speaking about attacks for the first time to anyone but a loved one or their closest friend. Mace is against abortion in most cases and supported the fetal heartbeat bill as long as it contained the exception for rape and incest. She said her decision to reveal an attack that has haunted her for so long was intended to help male lawmakers understand the experience of those victims. "It doesn't matter what side of the aisle you are on, there are so many of us who share this trauma and this experience," Mace said in an interview. "Rape and incest are not partisan issues." Personal horror stories have done little to slow passage of bills in Georgia, where a lawmaker told about having an abortion after being raped, or Alabama, where the governor this week signed a law that bans all abortions unless they are necessary to save the life of the mother. In Ohio, a fetal heartbeat bill passed even after three lawmakers spoke out on the floor about their rapes among them State Rep. Lisa Sobecki, who argued for a rape exemption by recounting her own assault and subsequent abortion. It was gut-wrenching, the Navy veteran said, but her decision to speak out was validated the next day when she was approached in the grocery store by a man in his 70s, whose wife of 41 years had read of her account that morning in the local newspaper. The story prompted his wife to tell him for the first time that she also had been raped. "It's not just our stories," Sobecki said. "It's giving voice to the voiceless, those that haven't felt for a very long time that they could tell their stories and be heard." Four years ago, when a previous fetal heartbeat bill was being debated, state Sen. Teresa Fedor, then a state representative, surprised colleagues with her story of being raped while in the military and having an abortion. She felt compelled to share the story again this year when the issue resurfaced. "It's not something you like to focus on," the Toledo Democrat said. "And it didn't seem to have an impact in stopping the effort, so that's the sad part." The governor signed the bill, without exceptions for rape or incest. Ohio state Rep. Erica Crawley, a Democrat representing Columbus, said she didn't intend to share the story of her sexual assault when floor debate on the heartbeat bill began. But she said she was motivated by a Republican colleague who alleged that witnesses at committee hearings on the bill had exaggerated or fabricated their stories. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "I wanted them to know that I'm someone you have respect for, and this has happened to me," she said. Crawley felt she had no choice but to speak out: "Because if I stay silent, I feel like I'm complicit." Kelly Dittmar, an expert on women and politics at Rutgers University, said she would not be surprised if even more female lawmakers begin to speak out about their rapes and abortions. More women feel empowered by the (hash)MeToo movement, she said, and the record number of women who won seats in state legislatures last year gives them a greater voice. "For some women who have healed enough in their own personal battles with this type of abuse, they might be comfortable speaking about this publicly because they see a higher purpose for it," she said. One such woman is Gretchen Whitmer. In 2013, she was minority leader in the Michigan state Senate when she spoke against a Republican-backed effort to require separate health insurance to cover abortion. Seven minutes into her floor speech, a visibly upset Whitmer put down her notes and told her colleagues that she had been raped more than 20 years earlier and that the memory of the attack continued to haunt her. She thanked God that she had not become pregnant by her attacker. In an interview this week, the Democrat said her decision to share her story was the right one. After her testimony, her office received thousands of emails from people thanking her. "That was the thing that bolstered me the most and convinced me that I had to continue speaking out and running for office and taking action," she said. "There are a lot of victims and survivors out there who care, who need to be heard, who need to be represented and who need the law to reflect what we want and need to see in our country." ALBANY - Fire destroyed seven row houses on Bradford Street Sunday morning when fire from the first building to burn spread into the attic above and invaded the crawl spaces over the adjoining houses. At least 40 people, including resettled refugees, immigrants and low-income U.S.-born residents, lived in the buildings that burned. They all got out safely but lost their homes. The Red Cross said it was assisting a total of 48 people from the street. Fire officials said eight buildings were damaged in the blaze. Only one can be rebuilt. Demolition of the other row houses was expected to begin as soon as Sunday afternoon. The fire at 140 Bradford St. was reported at 5 a.m. The flames spread into the building's attic loft and spread into the lofts of the adjoining house on the street. "It just got up into the cockloft and just ran," Fire Chief Joseph Gregory said. By the time firefighters arrived, 136 and 138 Bradford St. were burning too and the flames were still spreading. The buildings were attached and there are no firewalls between the attics, allowing flames to spread without impediment. Once firefighters had the fires under control, damage had been inflicted on every building between 128 and 142 Bradford. It appears the blaze began at 140 Bradford St., before spreading to neighboring structures. The block, tucked between Quail Street and North Lake Avenue, features a wall of adjoining homes. Gregory estimated that about 40 people were left homeless. While the residents were spared from injury, a firefighter suffered minor injuries, he said. The blaze was similar to another row-house fire, a Sept. 30 fire that left 32 adults and 18 children homeless when fire spread through several buildings on a nearby block of Quail Street. That blaze, which destroyed six buildings, was started by a grease fire that began when someone was cooking at 176 Quail St. Many of the residents who lost their homes were students at local colleges. Jill Peckenpaugh, the director of U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI), the main refugee resettlement agency in Albany, said families displaced included former resettled refugees from Afghanistan, Burma and Iraq and immigrants from Bangladesh. "I don't believe there were any very recent refugee arrivals, but certainly people who arrived as refugees in recent years and are now hard-working members of the community, however did not have renter's insurance and find themselves starting completely over once again," Peckenpaugh said. She said one of the homeowners did not have insurance either. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. USCRI is one of multiple organizations, including United Way and the Mayor's Office, supporting the Red Cross to provide services to victims. Families will have temporary shelter for a couple days but need to find alternative housing. Peckenpaugh said some Afghan families already found new apartments in nearby neighborhoods so the kids can go to school without interruption. Mayor Kathy Sheehan announced on Twitter the city will be collecting new in-package socks, undergarments and toiletries at City Hall, 24 Eagle Street, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Paula DeFreest lives at 150 Bradford. She woke up to find police officers evacuating the houses on her street. One officer ran back into her upstairs apartment to get her cat. She said at least one oxygen tank exploded inside one of the homes gutted by the fire. "It just split her apartment in half," she said. "I stood there watching the flames and just said 'Oh God, don't let it come this way,'" said DeFreest, who recently made improvements to her apartment. It was the second fire of the day for the Albany Fire Department. Gregory said 41 Third Ave. also was damaged beyond saving after fire was reported there at around the same time as the other blaze. That structure will also need to be ripped down, he said. Mallory Moench contributed reporting. GUILDERLAND - A family is reeling and a school preparing to provide counseling after a Guilderland mother shot and killed her 5-year-old daughter, then herself, on Friday. Police confirmed the murder-suicide Saturday after finding the bodies of Caitlin Melville, 27, and her daughter, who was a kindergarten student at Westmere Elementary School, at their home on Schoolhouse Road in Guilderland. Police did not release the daughter's name. "The Guilderland Central School District community is stunned and saddened over this news and we are all grieving this loss of life," a message from the superintendent read. The message said a team of counselors, school psychologists, and social workers would provide counseling in the coming days to any student, faculty or staff member who needed it. Caitlin Melville's sister Michelle Melville told Spectrum News that her sister had mental-health issues and was not thinking clearly, her judgment clouded at the time. She also said her sister's long-time boyfriend, who was a father figure to the child, died a week ago. "If she had just said anything, anything at all," Melville told Spectrum News. "I still can't comprehend what was going through her mind that would make her choose this path." Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. Melville remembered her sister as a "good person" who was giving, kind and funny. She recalled her niece, who she called her "little boo" as "incredibly smart and incredibly funny." The kindergartner's teacher hosts a blog where she shared regular pictures of the little girl with her classmates drawing outside, painting in class, singing in assembly and playing with building blocks to learn about 3D shapes. Neither Michelle Melville nor the kindergarten teacher could be reached for comment. Dan Little Severe thunderstorms caused wind damage in parts of the Mohawk Valley, southern Adirondack Mountains and Catskills Sunday evening, according to the National Weather Service in Albany. Warnings were expected to expire at 11 p.m. as the weather calmed down overnight. Meteorologist Mike Evans said the most damage was in the southern Adirondacks and across the Upper Hudson Valley. In Fort Edward, residents reported trees down and a roof taken off a structure, he said. Dubai, United Arab Emirates Commercial airliners flying over the Persian Gulf risk being targeted by "miscalculation or misidentification" from the Iranian military amid heightened tensions between the Islamic Republic and the U.S., American diplomats warned Saturday, even as both Washington and Tehran say they don't seek war. The warning relayed by U.S. diplomatic posts from the Federal Aviation Administration, though dismissed by Iran, underscored the risks the current tensions pose to a region critical to both global air travel and trade. Oil tankers allegedly have faced sabotage and Yemen rebel drones attacked a crucial Saudi oil pipeline over the last week. Meanwhile on Saturday, Iraqi officials said ExxonMobil Corp. began evacuating staff from Basra, and the island nation of Bahrain ordered its citizens out of Iraq and Iran over "the recent escalations and threats." However, U.S. officials have yet to publicly explain the threats they perceive coming from Iran, some two weeks after the White House ordered an aircraft carrier and B-52s bombers into the region. The U.S. also has ordered nonessential staff out of its diplomatic posts in Iraq. President Donald Trump since has sought to soften his tone on Iran. Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif also stressed Saturday that Iran is "not seeking war," comments seemingly contradicted by the head of the Revolutionary Guard, who declared an ongoing "intelligence war" between the nations. This all takes root in Trump's decision last year to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers and impose wide-reaching sanctions. Iran just announced it would begin backing away from terms of the deal, setting a 60-day deadline for Europe to come up with new terms or it would begin enriching uranium closer to weapons-grade levels. Tehran has long insisted it does not seek nuclear weapons, though the West fears its program could allow it to build atomic bombs. The order relayed Saturday by U.S. diplomats in Kuwait and the UAE came from an FAA Notice to Airmen published late Thursday in the U.S. It said that all commercial aircraft flying over the waters of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman needed to be aware of Iran's fighter jets and weaponry. Special Investigation 147 NY dams are 'unsound,' potentially dangerous Thousands of dams have not been inspected in over 20 years. "Although Iran likely has no intention to target civil aircraft, the presence of multiple long-range, advanced anti-aircraft-capable weapons in a tense environment poses a possible risk of miscalculation or misidentification, especially during periods of heightened political tension and rhetoric," the warning said. It also said aircraft could experience interference with its navigation instruments and communications jamming "with little to no warning." The warning comes 30 years after the USS Vincennes mistook an Iran Air commercial jetliner for an Iranian F-14, shooting it down and killing all 290 people onboard. That was not lost on Iran's mission to the United Nations, which dismissed the warning as America's "psychological war against Iran." New York has always been an incubator of new ideas, so it's clear why our state is natural for the booming tech sector, enviably attracting the near limitless opportunities it offers. The challenge now is to create an environment that responsibly fosters innovation, but in a way that respects our quality of life and protects our workers. Enter a bill (A.6392/S.4899) introduced last week that's designed to walk that careful line for one of the most historically contentious but consequential tech issues facing our state to make home sharing work for New York, not the other way around. Nearly 10 years ago, the state's Multiple Dwelling Law was changed to prevent residents from sharing their home. At the time, no one could have ever predicted the phenomenon that home sharing or the gig economy as a whole, really would become, with large number of seniors, families and young wanderlusters using platforms like ours to travel. But our laws have not yet accommodated the shifting tides. Tens of thousands of New Yorkers have opened their homes to visitors on Airbnb, and millions more rely on home sharing to ensure that they can stay in and see our state. Our state should be benefiting from this evolution and the additional tax revenue it can create. We should provide for effective enforcement and safeguards for permanent housing so commercial operations can no longer abuse the system with near impunity while regular New Yorkers are wrongly penalized. And that's what this bill, sponsored by Assemblyman Joseph Lentol, D-Brooklyn, and Sen. James Skoufis, D-Woodbury, would do. First, it would create a framework that would aim to update the Multiple Dwelling Law so that responsible New Yorkers can legally share their homes, and illegal commercial operators can be held accountable. Next, the bill authorizes the collection of state and local taxes. Every time a guest books a trip to New York, we would be able to include the taxes in the checkout process and then remit them to the appropriate tax authorities. To help enforce legal use of the platform, the bill also requires all New York City hosts to register with the state. It's no secret that data sharing has been one of the hot button issues around home sharing, particularly in the five boroughs. Simple registration would solve that by providing the government with the information that it needs to enforce the law while protecting privacy. The bill would also create a 24/7 hotline for neighbors to report any concerns or issues, and require short-term rentals to carry $250,000 in insurance. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. And last but not least, the legislation would protect New York City's affordable housing stock by banning short-term rentals in public and rent-controlled housing. On top of that, as was just announced, Skoufis and Lentol will be amending their legislation to provide further protections, by banning short-term rentals in rent-stabilized housing as well. We have all heard loud and clear the legitimate concerns that many New Yorkers are raising regarding their increasing cost of living, specifically due to the limited supply of affordable housing. And while much more can and should be done to address that crisis, New Yorkers should take comfort in knowing that home sharing is an economic resource for fellow housing crunched families, not a burden. Moreover, this change shows we want to work with everyone to legitimize home sharing in our state. As we have already seen this session, the Legislature is eager to move with the times, and that should be especially true for an issue that millions of New Yorkers have long embraced. THE ISSUE: Alabama and other states pass restrictive abortion laws to directly challenge Roe v. Wade. THE STAKES: Undoing nearly a half-century of precedent has grave consequences for the country. Alabama's new abortion law is an outrage. To provide no exception for rape or incest is cruel beyond measure. To ban a medical procedure at every stage of pregnancy is an affront to the rule of law and the federal protections guaranteed to women. But the new law, and only slightly less onerous ones in other states, are intended to be outrageous, unconstitutional, even unenforceable. Their real goal: to give the conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court a chance to overturn Roe v. Wade, something that's closer to possible than perhaps it's ever been. And that's where we should direct our outrage because if the court does overturn the landmark 1973 ruling, the consequences would reach far into American life. To start with, overturning Roe will only push abortion back underground. The availability of abortion-inducing drugs on the black market or online may make it safer today, but women will unnecessarily risk their health by attempting to DIY something that should be done under a provider's care. In some Latin American countries where abortion is illegal and abortifacient drugs are widely available, women who miscarry have become a target for law enforcement. Since there's no way to distinguish an induced miscarriage from a natural one, some countries have tasked doctors with reporting patients they suspect of aborting their pregnancies. In El Salvador, some women who suffered stillbirths or miscarriages have been sentenced to prison for as long as 30 years. Think the red state-blue state divide is bad now? Imagine it 10 years after a Roe repeal. This push on abortion law comes at a dangerous moment for the country. We have a president eager to divide Americans at every opportunity including, as he turns toward the 2020 election, a ratcheting-up of anti-abortion rhetoric. But us-vs.-them politics comes at a cost: It leaves us unable to find common ground on nearly any issue. Entrenchment paralyzes government. We need a reckoning with this growing divide. Pushing extremes makes it worse. Sign up for The Knick Get the latest news and some area history with our afternoon newsletter. Overturning Roe will damage the court's legitimacy. Even at a time of frequent blows to precedent and democracy, revoking what's been considered a constitutional right for half the population for 46 years would hit hard. The court is designed to be a check on the extremes and winds of the political moment. In a sense, it's the guardian of our nation's Constitution and essential character; it ensures the pendulum doesn't swing too far. But the GOP has worked for years to craft the courts into a tool for political action and, by breaking the judicial confirmation process, they've been perilously successful. Considering that close to 60 percent of Americans say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, there is no sweeping cultural mandate justifying this change. If a majority of justices chooses to dismiss precedent and upend Roe in service of partisan ideology, they risk harming the nation's faith in the integrity of its laws and courts for years to come. The Supreme Court and every court along the way must approach this decision with a sense of restraint and duty. Because if they get this wrong for the sake of political or religious ideology, it will push us closer to a place that doesn't look much like America any more. [May 18, 2019] Dr. Shlee Song, Director of Stroke Center at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Addresses Graduates of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) today celebrated its commencement ceremony at the Watsco Center in Coral Gables, Florida, and recognized nearly 400 graduates, who join AUC alumni practicing medicine in all 50 U.S. states and globally. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190518005029/en/ Shlee Song, M.D., addressing the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine 2019 graduating class. (Photo: Business Wire) Shlee Song, M.D., was the keynote speaker. Dr. Song is a 2003 AUC graduate and, as the Director of Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's Stroke Center in Los Angeles, California, oversees one of the busiest stroke centers in the country. "AUC has a strong tradition of inviting our alumni to speak at commencement to encourage and inspire our newest graduates, and show them just how far their degree can take them. We're honored to have Dr. Song be a part of that tradition today," said Heidi Chumley, M.D., executive dean of AUC. "Dr. Song is a true leader in the neurology field. Her development of a telemedicine program for stroke patients is increasing access to crucial services, and, as an educator, she helps train the next generation of neurologists." Dr. Song has been with Cedars-Sinai for the past seven years and has worked on numerous steering committees. She also serves as the principal investigator on multiple national and international clinical trials, the most recent of which was published in the Annals of Neurology using a protocol she helped develop. As the previous program director for the vascular neurologyfellowship program at Cedars-Sinai, she has trained many stroke neurologists who practice in the southern California. Additionally, she continues her educational role as the associate director of the residency program in the department of neurology. "American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine was pivotal in my medical career and the path I ultimately chose to follow," said Dr. Song. "I'm proud to join AUC as the keynote speaker for this year's commencement." After graduating from AUC, Dr. Song completed her neurology residency at George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C., before conducting a clinical fellowship and stroke research at the National Institute of Health in Maryland, which is the nation's medical research agency, and one of the world's foremost medical research centers. About American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine (AUC) is an institution of Adtalem Global Education (NYSE: ATGE), a global education provider headquartered in the United States. AUC's mission is to train tomorrow's physicians, whose service to their communities and their patients is enhanced by international learning experiences, a diverse learning community, and an emphasis on social accountability and engagement. Founded in 1978, AUC has more than 6,500 graduates, many of whom work in primary care or underserved areas. Dedicated to developing physicians with a lifelong commitment to patient-centered care, AUC embraces collaboration, inclusion and community service. With a campus in Sint Maarten, affiliated teaching hospitals in the United States and the United Kingdom, and internationally recognized faculty, AUC has a diverse medical education program for today's globally minded physician. For more information visit aucmed.edu, follow AUC on Twitter (News - Alert) (@aucmed), Instagram (@aucmed_edu) and Facebook (News - Alert) (@aucmed). 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 (News - Alert). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190518005029/en/ [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ] By AFP NEW DELHI: Rahul Gandhi, vying to become the latest prime minister from India's most famous dynasty, has worked hard to shed his image as an entitled footloose princeling and political lightweight. But the great-grandson, grandson and son of three past premiers of the world's biggest democracy still faces a tough task beating Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the elections. No relation to independence hero Mahatma Gandhi, Rahul was born in 1970 when his grandmother Indira Gandhi -- daughter of India's first prime minister, Jawaharlal Nehru -- was premier. In 1984, Indira was shot dead by her Sikh bodyguards and she was succeeded by her son Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul's father. Rajiv was himself assassinated in 1991 by a Tamil suicide bomber when Rahul was 20. READ MORE | Exclusive Interview | South India felt the country was being run from Nagpur: Rahul Gandhi Rahul was enrolled at Harvard but dropped out after a year, following his father's death. He later graduated from Rollins College, Florida and in 1994 earned a master's degree from Cambridge. While in his 20s, he lived in London, where he worked at a management consultancy for a time. His Italian-born mother Sonia Gandhi, widow of Rajiv, took charge of the Congress party in 1998 before handing over the reins to Rahul, her first-born, in 2017. Empty suit Ten years earlier, in 2007, leaked US diplomatic cables said Rahul was viewed as an "empty suit" and "lightweight", with little known about his political beliefs -- if he had any. But by 2009, the US assessment was now that Gandhi sounded like a "practiced politician who knew how to get his message across and... was comfortable with the nuts and bolts of party organization and vote counting". "He was precise and articulate and demonstrated a mastery that belied the image some have of Gandhi as a dilettante," a leaked cable by senior US diplomat Peter Burleigh said. After Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) crushed Congress at the 2014 election, Gandhi set about reviving and rejuvenating the party, while keeping older hands onside. A speech in the lower house last year drew widespread applause and forced political pundits to take notice. He ended it by giving an uncomfortable-looking Modi a surprise hug. READ MORE | Let's fight hard on ideology, not use hatred and violence: Rahul Gandhi He has also, in contrast to the Hindu nationalist Modi, reached out to Muslim voters and stressed his secular credentials, and also to women, promising to bring legislation setting aside seats in parliament for them. Last December, Congress secured victory in three key state elections, including in Modi's northern Indian "cow belt" heartland, suddenly making Gandhi look like a serious contender. Not foolish During the campaign for the election -- which wraps up on Sunday, with results four days later -- Gandhi has attacked Modi's record on farmers, jobs and his close ties to business. "Across India, people are frustrated and angry. Mr Modi is attempting to use hyper-nationalism to divert the attention of the people," he said in a recent interview to the Kolkata-based Telegraph newspaper. "But the people of India are not foolish. They can see through this game," he said. Election adverts show him hugging an emaciated peasant woman, while Gandhi's leftist manifesto pledges to end abject poverty by 2030 and give cash transfers to 50 million families. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE But tea-seller's son Modi is no pushover, using traditional and social media, as well as tub-thumping speeches, to dominate the headlines. Modi has capitalised on India and Pakistan's tit-for-tat airstrikes in February to appear as the patriotic "chowkidar" (watchman) of India. Gandhi's attempts to score points with allegations of dodgy dealings related to India's purchase of Rafale jets from France have also failed to stick with voters in a big way, opinion polls have suggested. And at the same time, Modi seldom misses an opportunity to contrast his own humble beginnings with his silver-spoon adversary, deriding Gandhi as "shahzada" (crown prince). Gandhi "appears to be clinging to the socialist ideas of his grandmother and doesn't realise that people have changed, that even the poor have changed", Parsa Venkateshwar Rao, a veteran journalist and political commentator, told AFP. Update 7:15 p.m. ET: Added additional details about the government easing some of its restrictions. Huawei may be about to feel the sting from the Trump administration's move to block U.S. companies from doing business with the Chinese electronics giant. Reuters reported Sunday (May 19) that Google is suspending any business with Huawei that involves the transfer of hardware or software not covered by open-source licenses. (Image credit: Huawei's P30 Pro (Credit: Tom's Guide)) That's not going to impact Huawei's ability to use the Android operating system on its phone, as that's part of an open source license. But Reuters reports that Huawei won't be able to access updates to Android for its current phones. Future phones would lose access to the Google Play store as well as apps like Gmail, according to Reuters. "We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications," a Google spokesperson told Tom's Guide. "For users of our services, Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices. MORE: Best Smartphones - Here Are the 10 Best Phones Available Google's move comes in the wake of an executive order from President Donald Trump barring U.S. companies from using telecommunications equipment supplied by any company the government considers a threat to U.S. security. At the same time, the U.S. Commerce Department added Huawei to the Bureau of Industry and Securities Entity List, which requires U.S. companies to get the government's permission to sell or transfer technology to Huawei. On Monday, the government eased some of those restrictions, including allowing Huawei to continue to provide software updates for existing phones that use technology from U.S. companies. That move would seem to mean that anyone with a Huawei phone won't be cut off from software and security updates right away, though the restrictions have only been lifted through August, according to reports. Google has said it will continue to providing software updates and security patches to Huawei while the government's restrictions are lifted. The impact Losing access to Google's products would be a big blow for Huawei, which has passed Apple to become the world's second largest maker of smartphones. Huawei's pulled off that growth despite the fact that it's largely ignored the U.S. market, where carriers have declined to sell its phones, reportedly under pressure from the federal government. The last Huawei phone to officially launch in the U.S. was the Mate 10 Pro in early 2018, though the more recent Huawei P30 Pro is available unlocked from some U.S. retailers if you buy the Latin American version of the phone. "U.S. government pressure has kept Huawei off U.S. carrier shelves, but Huawei and its Honor subsidiary has been the fastest growing brand in Europe, with over 20% market share," said Avi Greengart, lead analyst at Techsponential. "Huawei sells phones across the pricing spectrum, but most of its phones outside China are in the midrange and higher; flagship phones comprise 30% of its European sales." Greengart noted that another Chinese phone maker, ZTE, ran into similar problems last year after it was hit with a ban from using technology made in the U.S. for defying a ban on exporting products to Iran and North Korea. ZTE had to suspend operations for a time, and while it's since resolved the dispute with the U.S. government, it's only released a handful of phones in this country since then. Huawei isn't the only one likely to feel the pinch from the U.S. ban. "U.S. technology companies that count Huawei as a large customer will lose out on revenue and growth," Greengart said. "Huaweis device sales have been rising rapidly, which ripples throughout its supply chain." And U.S. tech companies could find themselves in the crosshairs from China, if the country decides to retaliate against U.S. trade policies. "Huawei is not just a large company, it one of the few Chinese companies with an international brand, and it is a source of national pride for the Chinese," Greengart added. "If the Chinese government wants to retaliate for trade restrictions crippling Huawei, it could target Apple. This would not be without cost Apple is a big employer inside China, and has good relationships with the government. However, Apple is also a big target, as 17% of its revenues come from sales inside greater China." Huawei reacts Huawei provided the following comment: Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Androids key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefited both users and the industry. "Huawei will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally. "We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally. Not just Google While Huawei has enjoyed strong sales in other parts of the world, that's potentially threatened if its phones won't have access to future Android updates or if future devices won't be able to access Google Play. And following word that Google was suspending some of its business dealings with Huawei, Bloomberg reported that several chipmakers including Intel, Qualcomm and Broadcom have told employees that they're not supplying Huawei with components any more. "Huawei can bypass Qualcomm as it makes some of its own processors and modems, but it cannot sell smartphones outside China without Googles Android operating system, Googles Play store, and regular software and security updates," Greengart said. (Image credit: Tom's Hardware) When Google announced its Stadia platform, a cloud-based game streaming service similar to GeForce Now, there was plenty of speculation about the hardware. Google has been somewhat vague on what exactly powers Stadia game streaming, such as the CPU (which we can probably assume is a quad-core Xeon), and the GPU that it just described as a custom AMD GPU armed with 56 compute units and HBM2 memory. The timing of Google's Stadia launch in March left more questions than answers in regard to the graphics behind the service. AMD's first 7nm gaming GPU, the Radeon VII, launched in January, making it possible that AMD already had a large customer for its 7nm products. This, however, doesn't seem to be the case. Khronos, the organization behind the development of the Vulkan API, recently listed Google's Stadia platform under a list of "conformant products" (GPUs that use Vulkan). The description for Google's GPU reads "Google Games Platform Gen 1 (AMD GCN 1.5)", which tells us that Google is using the 1.5 version of AMD's Graphics Core Next (or GCN) family of graphics architectures. Every generation, AMD has bumped up the version of GCN from 1.0, to 1.1, to 1.2., and so on. It currently sits at version 1.5.1, which denotes 7nm Vega. However, Google is using GCN 1.5 for Stadia, not 1.5.1. GCN 1.5 is actually the original Vega architecture that's based on the 14nm process and debuted with the Vega Frontier Edition. In fact, every non-7nm Vega product is GCN 1.5, such as the Vega 56, which many suspected AMD had modified slightly to create Google's custom GPU. Google's GPU has the same 56 compute units as the Vega 56, but it seems AMD bumped up the memory clock speeds to match the Vega 64 (which has 484 GB/s of memory bandwidth). Google's specifications do mention the Stadia GPU has 16GB of RAM, but considering that it says "up to 484 GB/s" of throughput, it's likely Google means there's 8GB of HBM2 VRAM on the GPU and 8GB of standard DRAM on the motherboard. If this were 16GB of HBM2, we'd likely be seeing almost a TB/s in bandwidth instead. It would be really cool if Google were using AMD's 7nm Vega, but it seems like Stadia is a good chance for AMD to leverage its investments in an existing, mature, and proven architecture to generate more revenue. As with any platform, Google's Stadia will evolve, meaning AMD's 7nm Navi architecture, which comes to market in Q3, could make an appearance in the future. (Image credit: Volodymyr Plysiuk / Shutterstock) Android isn't as open a platform as many people think. The heart of the operating system is open source, but manufacturers can only use Google's apps or the Google Play store with the company's permission, and Reuters today reported that Huawei would soon lose access to those aspects of Android. Reuters said that "a source close to the matter" revealed that "Google has suspended business with Huawei that requires the transfer of hardware and software products except those covered by open source licenses." That won't stop Huawei from using Android in future smartphones, but it will mean that the company has to create its own software marketplace and recreate apps for essential tasks like managing email or searching the web. Google's decision followed the U.S. Department of Commerce announcement that Huawei joined the Entity List. That means it's significantly harder for American businesses to work with the company--doing so requires a special license from the Bureau of Industry and Security. (U.S. President Donald Trump also issued an executive order meant to curb the use of technologies created by companies related to "foreign adversaries" that same day.) Huawei's addition to the Entity List practically made Google's decision--provided Reuters was correct--inevitable. Of course, the company's going to stop providing technical support, access to its apps, and other services to Huawei now that the U.S. government has all but forbidden it. But this is another reminder that the perception of Android as a totally open platform isn't accurate. It's far more open than iOS, sure, but Google still has some control. How much this decision will affect Huawei is unclear. Companies have managed to make Android work despite eschewing Google's services, like Amazon has with its Kindle Fire products, but we suspect most people would be confused if they bought an Android phone that didn't feature them. The lack of Google services could eventually outweigh the value offered by Huawei phones--they're cheap but often well-regarded--for many consumers. More information about what aspects of Android will remain available to Huawei is available via the Android Open Source Project website. Reuters said in its report that Google is still discussing which services it will still be able to offer despite Huawei being on the Entity List while Huawei also considers the effects of its addition to that list. Such is the joy of being the unwilling poster child for the brewing trade war between the U.S. and China. KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -- The rain just kept coming down today and the water levels on some Kansas City, Kansas streets went up. KCTV5's Caroline Sweeney spoke to a woman who is taking on the water by herself. Residents in the area say part of Armourdale floods so much because of the sewers. By ANI INDORE: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya accused West Bengal police of working hand in glove with the anti-social elements in spreading violence in the state. Speaking to ANI on Saturday, about an incident in the state's North 24 Paragana district where a vehicle was set on fire, Vijayvargiya said, "Goons came in two vehicles in which police sticker was also posted. They hurled bombs and fired. One of our polling agents Ganesh Singh was also attacked. After people realised that it wasn't police but goons, they cornered the vehicle and goons had to flee, leaving one car behind. It is a very dangerous trend that both police administration and goons are collectively spreading terrorism in the state." Clashes between groups were reported from Bhatpara area of the North 24 Paragana in West Bengal. Locals alleged that some people hurled bombs, fired shots and set a car of fire. Security forces have been deployed in the area. West Bengal went to polls in all phases of the elections, with Seventh phase of polling underway today. Votes are due to be counted on May 23. All six phases of ongoing Polls in West Bengal were marred with violence. Last week, a convoy of West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh and Assam Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma was allegedly attacked by Trinamool Congress (TMC) supporters in Khejuri area of Purba Medinipur district. editorial@tribune.com Sushil Manav & Kaveesha Kohli Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 18 Will Kirron Kher of the BJP get another chance to represent Chandigarh in the Lok Sabha or former minister Pawan Kumar Bansal would wrest the seat from her? Or will the city elect some other leader as its new MP? Over 6.46 lakh voters in the UT will exercise their right to franchise tomorrow to provide answer to this million dollar question. Thirty-six candidates, including nine women, are in the fray for the all-important Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat. The main contenders are Kirron Kher of the BJP, Pawan Kumar Bansal of the Congress and Harmohan Dhawan of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), but political observers believe that the main contest is likely to remain between Kher and Bansal. Kher, who had defeated Bansal as well as Gul Panag of AAP to win this seat in 2014 while riding on a Modi wave, is again banking on the Modi factor. The sitting MPsays, I am confident of my victory as I have received massive support in the run-up to the election. City BJP president Sanjay Tandon says that the country has decided to re-elect PM Narendra Modi and the city would contribute to it by electing Kher. Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Bansal, however, does not see any Modi wave in the UT and does not view this election between him and PM Narendra Modi. We are in a parliamentary democracy. People will vote on local issues and keeping in mind the local candidates, says Bansal. He asks, What message did the PM give when he came to the city and did not even mention the local candidate (Kher) of his party during his speech? Bansal adds that in any case, Modi has done nothing for the city. The budget allocation for the city was Rs 813 crore in 2014-15 and in 2019 -20 it is Rs 401 crore under capital head, which has caused a paucity of funds, says the Congress candidate. Bansal claims that he has received wonderful spontaneous reception wherever he went during campaigning. AAP candidate Harmohan Dhawan says that voters find in him a credible alternative to Bansal and Kher. Dhawan says he is the most accessible candidate and has received a very good response as he campaigned door to door in all markets and the 22 villages in the UT. What voters must have it with them Voters will have to carry voter slip issued by the Election Commission of India, along with the voter ID card to the polling booth. Those who dont have voter ID card can furnish any other photo ID proof, including passport, driving licence, service identity cards issued by government, PSU or company, bank or post office passbook, PAN card, health insurance smart card, pension document, official identity card (issued by MP or councillor) and Aadhaar card. UT poll-ready editorial@tribune.com Sandeep Rana Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 18 The city BJP has formed a flying squad that will keep an eye on untoward incidents and provide required material at polling booths in the city. According to the party, it is a 15-member squad divided into three teams. As and when they will get a call on the hotline number regarding any requirement of material or in case there is a fight or malpractice at any of the polling booths, a vehicle stationed outside the party office, Kamalam, in Sector 33 will rush to take stock of the situation. Besides, BJPs Chunav Sanchalan Samiti will also have a hotline number. If any voter has any issue with voting or is not able to find his/her name in the voters list, our workers at the booth will assist them. In case, workers are not able to assist the voter, they will call the hotline number, said a party leader. BJP media in-charge Ravinder Pathania said: We have set up a control room at the party office. All our workers will work in coordination and there will be a central communication. BJP workers will be deployed at all 597 polling booths. According to their plan, they will first vote themselves early in the morning and then help people at the booths. We will get maximum votes polled in the name of PM Modi. All polling agents have been asked to reach the booths at 6 am. They will vote at 7 am and then they will be on duty to ensure maximum voting to the BJP outside the booths, said a senior party leader. Only 600 cops get polling authorisation slips Though there will be about 3,000 cops on election duty, only 600 have got voting authorisation slips till now. Mandip Singh Brar, Deputy Commissioner-cum-Returning Officer, said: We got request from about 500-600 policemen only. SSP Nilambari Jagdale said: It is up to the individual to apply. A total of 1,020 police personnel had applied for it. Others may be under the process. Meanwhile, sources said this is due to a delay at end of election officials in starting the process of issuing the slips. Several cops are from other states, where voting was held in different phases. So, it created a problem. However, they can vote till May 21. Three groups formed The party has formed three groups comprising Sanjay Tandon, along with actor Anupam Kher, MP Kirron Kher and former MP Satya Pal Jain. The groups will visit different booths to take stock of the proceedings. Their presence will also encourage the workers on the ground, shared a party insider. By IANS KOLKATA: Yesteryears actress and outgoing Trinamool MP from Bankura Moon Moon Sen on Sunday described the recent violent clashes in the city during BJP President Amit Shah's roadshow as "a tiny bit of violence". A bust of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was smashed at the college named after the social reformer after supporters of the BJP and the Trinamool clashed during the BJP President's roadshow in College Street last Tuesday. ALSO READ: As Vidyasagar statue politics peaks, Kolkata Police forms SIT to probe vandalism When asked about the desecration incident, Sen told a news channel after casting her vote: "Things have been polarised for the last six years in Bengal and it wasn't the Bengalis. There may have been a little bit of violence like in other states, but no one talks about the violence in the last five years in Uttar Pradesh...This is a tiny bit of violence." Sen's comments came on a day when widespread violence and political clashes were witnessed during the seventh and final phase of polling in the state spread across nine Lok Sabha constituencies. ALSO READ: Bengal police trying to wipe out evidence of Vidyasagar statue desecration, says Modi Sen, the daughter of legendary actress late Suchitra Sen, also said that no Bengali would have participated in the vandalism "unless he has changed parties from the Trinamool." "We are secular in Kolkata... Non-Bengalis include Sikhs, Jews, Armenians, Gujaratis, Muslims, everyone. There are so many Tagore statues, but no one has broken them. This is vandalism," said Sen, who's the Trinamool candidate from the Asansol Lok Sabha constituency. uttara@tribuneindia.com Ramkrishan Upadhyay Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 19 Voting began sluggishly in Chandigarh on Sunday morning but picked up as the day wore on, recording 63.57 per cent voter turnout until 5 pm. Polling has been largely smooth save for glitches in two polling boothsat Sector 52 and 45. The glitches and subsequent replacement of VVPATs caused at least 45 minutes delay at both booths. Colonies and southern sectors witnessed long queues but voting was sluggish in the citys north sectors. The city has 597 polling booths, and 6,46,084 voters. Some 36 candidates are vying for Chandigarhs lone parliamentary seat. Voters have accused authorities of mismanagement. One woman fainted while waiting in queue at a booth in Dadumajra. Rajinder Jain, a resident of the area, said there was no water at the booth. Some voters claimed voting process was slow at some booths. Voting ends at 6 pm. Votes will be counted on May 23. pardeepdhull@gmail.com Ramkrishan Upadhyay Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 19 Former Union minister and Congress candidate from Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat Pawan Kumar Bansal on Sunday expressed confidence of big victory in the General Election. He was talking to mediapersons after casting his vote at a booth in Sector 28. Bansal along with his wife Madhu Bansal and two sons stood for more than an hour in the queue to cast his vote. He said the overwhelming enthusiasm shown by city residents for polling is a clear indication that they want change and the Congress is going to win Chandigarh with a big margin. The Congress is going to form the next government at the Centre as the people of the country have fed up with the Narendra Modi government, Bansal said. The city residents have already decided to teach a lesson to the BJP. Due to the non-performance of local MP Kirron Kher in the last five years, the people will vote for the Congress, he added. On the question of Modi factor in Chandigarh, Bansal said it is nowhere seen in the city. Also, the election in Chandigarh is fought on local issues, he added. During my visits in the last two months, I found anger within residents after watching the dismal performance of the city in every field. Kher not only avoided the direct debate but also used unparliamentary language against him, which showed her frustration, Bansal said. editorial@tribune.com Chandigarh, May 18 A day before the Lok Sabha elections in Chandigarh, BJP candidate and sitting MP Kirron Kher today visited various religious places in the city and took blessings of God. On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, she visited Buddha Monastery in Khuda Ali Sher. Later, she also went to a gaushala in Sector 45. In the evening, the MP also took blessings at ISCKON Temple in Sector 36. We go to religious place in routine. I went to religious places to seek blessings of the Almighty, she told Chandigarh Tribune on the poll eve. However, sources said: It is also a way to reach out to public indirectly. Wherever a celebrity goes, people do gather there. She has often been visiting temples and gurdwaras earlier as well. Since campaigning has been stopped since Friday evening, candidates cannot address the public. So, a day before the polling, she chose to seek blessings of God, said her aide. All these campaigning days, we have been meeting people. But today was the time to meet God and pray the Almighty to give us good news on May 23, when the results will be announced, said her associate. Anupam Kher also visited Nada Sahib in the evening to take blessings of God. Earlier, the MP along with Anupam met BJP councillors, workers and people at her residence. Sources said: They came themselves to meet her regarding the preparations for the polling day. Tomorrows strategy and duties were discussed with her. Party leaders said it was a bit relaxed day for her, though she visited some places. In the afternoon, the BJP leader also went to Kamalam and discussed about the elections with party president Sanjay Tandon. They held meetings with party leaders and workers. TNS editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 18 The fate of Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Bansal, BJPs Kirron Kher and Harmohan Dhawan of AAP, along with 33 other contenders, will be sealed as Chandigarh votes for its lone parliamentary seat tomorrow. The number of candidates for the seat is the highest this time. Election material was today dispatched to all 597 polling booths amid tight security. Electronic voting machines (EVMs) have been synchronised with voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT). A total of 6,46,084 voters, including 3,41,640 male, 3,04,423 female and 21 others, will cast the ballot in the city. Special arrangements have been made at the model polling booths. Sources said the department had set up 24 model booths this time, which were being aesthetically decorated with flowers, etc. so as to give them a festive look. Voters will be offered red carpet welcome at these booths. They will be served tea and biscuits. A few of them may also be presented gifts. Besides, there are around 230 sensitive booths. App to tell voters length of queue For the first time, the Election Department, UT, has prepared a mobile app, Chandigarh Voter App (CVA), which will help voters get information about the queue at their polling booth. The application can be downloaded from Google Play Store. Voters will be sent a notification on their registered cellphone number about the length of the queue at an interval of 15 minutes. After casting the vote, the user can click the button, I voted - Stop Queue Notification, on the application. Prohibited inside polling booths shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com Singapore, May 19 A 21-year-old Indian has been charged with aggravated rape of an undergraduate girl near a war memorial in Singapore, a media report said. Chinnaiah Karthik was arrested on May 5, a day after he allegedly attacked the 23-year-old girl near the Kranji War Memorial in northern Singapore, The Straits Times reported. If convicted, he faces at least 12 strokes of cane and a jail term of between eight and 20 years. Chinnaiah allegedly approached her in Turf Club Avenue around 1.30 AM, the report said. She tried to defend herself but was overpowered by the man, who dragged her into a forested area between the Singapore Turf Club and Kranji War Memorial and raped her, according to the newspaper. Chinnaiah was identified from the surveillance footage of the area, including from a camera attached to a nearby lamp post. PTI editorial@tribune.com Bijendra Ahlawat Tribune News Service Faridabad, May 18 The district election authorities have deployed additional police force and posted two Duty Magistrates at booth number 88 at Asavati village in Palwal district where re-election is scheduled for tomorrow. It is the only booth in the Faridabad Lok Sabha constituency where re-election was ordered due to an incident of a poll agent influencing voters (his video had gone viral on social media) on May 12, the day of polling. Besides the transfer of the Returning Officer of the constituency, the Presiding Officer of the booth and a poll agent of the BJP were arrested after the registration of a case against them under Section 134 of the Representation of People Act 1951. We have taken all precautionary measures to ensure a free and fair re-election at this booth tomorrow, said Ashok Kumar Garg, new Returning Officer. He added that while no mobile phone or electronic device would be allowed in the booth, and Section 144 would remain imposed during the polling that would be videographed officially. Besides two Duty Magistrates (Naib Tehsildar and BDPO), additional police force, senior officials, including the SDM and the Palwal DSP, have been posted at the booth. I may also visit the booth, if needed, said Garg. Why re-election is being conducted It is the only booth in the Faridabad Lok Sabha constituency where re-election was ordered due to an incident of a poll agent influencing voters (his video had gone viral on social media) on May 12, the day of polling. editorial@tribune.com Ravinder Saini Tribune News Service Rohtak, May 18 Many farmers are compelled to run between the local offices of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Department to get compensation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana for their wheat crop that was damaged due to water-logging around four months ago. Unseasonal rain in January flooded my fields, causing extensive damage to the entire wheat crop over three acres. I immediately lodged a complaint about the loss and a joint team of the Agriculture Department and the Insurance Company conducted a survey within some days, but I am yet to receive compensation, says Sehdev, a farmer from Samar Gopalpur village here. Rajender, a resident of Bharan village, is also facing a similar situation. Our fields are located at the tail-end of the Bharan minor canal. Since there is no drain there, water flowing into it submerged our wheat crop over six acres. The fields were dewatered after two months but till then, the entire crop was destroyed, he said. The insurance company had assured us of releasing the compensation by May but we are still awaiting it, said the distressed farmer. Besides Sehdev and Rajender, 46 other farmers of various villages in the district had also suffered crop loss due to water-logging in January and applied for claims but are yet to get compensation. After January, 363 claim applications were received in February, 44 in March and 38 in April from farmers belonging to different villages of the district but none of them has been awarded compensation for crop loss, sources said. Rohtas Singh, Deputy Director (Agriculture), said that farmers had been visiting the office to get information about the compensation for crop loss as the survey to assess the damage had been carried out. We have asked the insurance company to release the compensation as early as possible, he added. Amrish Singh, Zonal Manager, Universal Sempo General Insurance Company Limited, told The Tribune that the process to calculate the compensation was under way, hence farmers need not worry. editorial@tribune.com Sunit Dhawan Tribune News Service Rohtak, May 18 With the arrest of one person, the police claimed to have unearthed an inter-state racket of fraudsters defrauding people by putting fake advertisements on the OLX app. Police investigation revealed that residents of several villages in Rajasthan were involved in such online frauds. Harish of Rohtak had informed the police that he saw the advertisement of a Bullet motorcycle on OLX, with the seller identifying himself as Manjit Singh, an Army jawan. Harish said he paid Rs 59,200 through Paytm, but the seller neither gave him the motorcycle nor did he get his money back. Several residents lodged similar complaints, in which sellers claiming to be Army, paramilitary or police personnel put advertisements for vehicles or smartphones. Rohtak SP Jashandeep Singh Randhawa constituted an SIT led by ASP Maqsood Ahmed to probe such matters. The team arrested Mubarik of Paharpur village in Palwal district from Faridabad in this connection. He was produced in a local court, which remanded him in police custody for four days. His interrogation revealed that nearly every resident of Paadla village in Bharatpur district of Rajasthan was involved in online frauds. Apart from Paadla village, most residents of Hingota, Gangpuri, Kama and Toda were reportedly involved in online frauds. All identity proofs, SIM cards, accounts and pictures were fake. The fraudsters downloaded the OLX app using forged SIMs and Paytm app was downloaded using separate SIM cards attached to an active KYC account. Modus operandi editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Rohtak, May 18 The police today arrested an Assistant Secretary and a clerk of the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) along with two others on the charge of extorting money from owners or drivers of heavy vehicles carrying construction materials for not issuing them challans for overloading. The police also recovered Rs 50 lakh from a rented house of both officials in Charkhi Dadri district. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the racket was being operated in several districts in connivance with private people who used to give 90 per cent share of the money to the two officials and keep 10 per cent with them, said the sources. They said that those arrested are Assistant Secretary Manish Madan, clerk Amit, Ravinder, aka Kala, a resident of Kharmana village (Jhajjar), and Surender Rathi, a resident of Dairy Mohalla here. The police also recovered Rs 12.5 lakh from Ravinder and Rs 1 lakh from Surender. Manish and Amit are posted at Charkhi Dadri and also have the charge of Mahendragarh. We got a tip-off that RTA employees with the help of private people are extorting money from drivers or owners of heavy vehicles in Dadri, Mahendragarh, Jhajjar, Rewari, Bhiwani and Sonepat districts for not issuing challans to them for overloading. SP Jashandeep Singh Randhava formed a team to unearth the racket, said DSP Narendra Kadian. He said that the police team nabbed Ravinder and Surender from two vehicles near Chhotu Ram Park in Sampla town today. On being interrogated, they disclosed that they gave Rs 12 lakh to Manish and Rs 8 lakh to Amit on Friday. Thereafter, the team nabbed Manish and Amit and raided their house from where Rs 50 lakh was recovered, he added. The preliminary investigation also revealed that the accused had the details of the vehicle owners. They used to contact them and extort money from them. Private people collected the money from the vehicle owners and a major chunk of the extorted amount went to the RTA employees, Kadian said. He added that the accused booked under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act were later produced in a court, which sent them in police custody for two days. uttara@tribuneindia.com Shimla, May 19 The four Lok Sabha seats of Himachal Pradesh witnessed a voter turnout of around 71 per cent on Sunday, higher than the 2014 general elections polling percentage of 64.45, officials said. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur claimed that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) would repeat its 2014 poll show by winning all the four seats with record margins. A state Congress leader claimed that his party would emerge victorious in the state. According to officials, the four parliamentary seats witnessed a voter turnout of around 71 per cent. Interestingly, a turnout of 142.85 per cent was recorded in the worlds highest polling station in Tashigang village of Lahaul and Spiti district, a district official said. There are 49 registered voters in the Tashigang polling station, of which 36 voters -- 73.5 per centcast their votes. Moreover, 34 members of the election staff deployed at the polling station and several nearby booths cast their vote after showing the election duty certificate (EDCs), the official added. The Tashigang polling station is situated at a height of 15,256 feet above the sea level, state Assistant Chief Electoral Officer Harbans Lal Dhiman said. Sirmaur, meanwhile, recorded the highest voter turnout in the state with a polling percentage of 74.72. A bridegroom exercised his right to franchise at the Kothi polling station in Kullu district. Before proceeding to the brides village, Anil, 28, of Kothi village near Manali, led his entire wedding procession to the polling booth number eight in the city and cast his vote, besides making his wedding companions to do the same. Anil cast his vote before proceeding for his marriage, a district election official said, adding that the groom reached the polling booth with many of his wedding procession members. Shyam Saran Negi, the first person to vote in the countrys first general election, cast his vote at the Kalpa polling booth of Kinnaur district in Mandi constituency. The 101-year-old was given a warm welcome by the election staff at the booth. However, the voters of a village near the Sino-India border have boycotted the election as the government allegedly failed to find a permanent solution to frequent floods they face. Located at an altitude of 10,000 feet and around 350 km from Shimla, voters at Geu village in Lahaul and Spiti district said they had been demanding their resettlement, but their demands remained unheard. The chief minister and his family members cast his vote at Bharari in Seraj assembly segment of Mandi district. Voting was delayed at nine polling stations after malfunction of EVMs, but it restarted after the faulty machines were replaced, a state election officer said. In Hatli Jamwal area of Nurpur assembly segment in Kangra district, the polling was stopped in the morning for about an hour due to faulty voter verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) machines. It was immediately reported and the VVPAT was changed. In Khannai area, two visually-impaired votersSaraj Deen, 70, and Shaver Deen, 41 -- were escorted by officials from their house in a government vehicle to the polling station to cast their votes. There are 53,30,154 registered voters in the state, officials said. As many as 45 candidates are in fray for the Shimla, Mandi, Hamirpur and Kangra seats. PTI By IANS KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday accused BJP workers and central forces of "torturing people" during the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha polls on Sunday, saying she has never seen "such a thing before." "See campaigning is over. Now elections are on. So I won't say anything about the campaign. "But today since morning the way BJP workers and CRPF have tortured people, we have never seen any such thing before," Banerjee said after casting her vote at the Mitra Institution booth in south Kolkata's Bhowanipore area. editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Mandi, May 18 Taxi and auto rickshaw operators in Mandi district will provide free transportation facility to voters with disability on May 19. A delegation met Deputy Commissioner Rugved Thakur and apprised him about its decision. Prem Singh, president of the Taxi Operator Union, and Jaswant Singh, president of the Auto Rickshaw Union, said they wanted to contribute on the polling day. Due to lack of transportation facility, many such voters face difficulty to reach the polling station. So we have decided to provide them free transportation from home up to polling booths and back to home, they said. We urged the DC that the administration could avail our service and it was our unanimous decision, said Prem Singh. Rugved Thakur also appreciated their decision. He said it was the responsibility of every citizen to make efforts for 100 per cent voting. pardeepdhull@gmail.com Dipender Manta Tribune News Service Mandi, May 19 The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) restored the 13,050-foot high Rohtang Pass, the gateway to Lahaul on the Manali-Leh highway, for vehicular movement on Sunday morning. Residents of tribal district Lahaul-Spiti heaved a sigh of relief with the opening of the pass. Every year Rohtang receives heavy snowfall, which cuts off the residents from the rest of the state for several months. The closure of the pass leaves them with no road connectivity and telecommunication services. A majority of the residents move to Kullu-Manali during the winter. Today voters will be allowed to move towards Lahaul-Spiti from Kullu-Manali to exercise their franchise in the General Election. Every year in the month of March, the BRO starts snow-clearing operation from the Manali and Lahaul sides towards Rohtang to restore the pass for vehicular activity. Generally, the pass is restored in the end of April or mid-May every year, depending on the quantity of snowfall in the region. The Rohtang Pass is a favourite tourist destination, where tourist can enjoy snow activity even till the end of June. Every year, a large number of tourists visit Rohtang to enjoy snow activities. Till now the tourist were allowed up to Marhi. With the relentless efforts of the BRO team, we have been able to restore the pass in stipulated time. There were lot of challenges to restore the pass in such a short period because as we faced snow avalanche threat, land sliding and bad weather conditions in the region, a BRO official said This year the amount of snowfall was quite heavy in the region, which was a big challenge for us. However, we met the May 19 target and restored the pass successfully, he said. Hoteliers of Kullu and Manali are also elated with the opening of the pass. They are hopeful that the district administration will allow tourists up to Rohtang in coming days. editorial@tribune.com Bhanu P Lohumi Tribune News Service Shimla, May 18 A grim electoral battle is raging in Shimla which is no longer a Congress bastion. There are six candidates in the fray but it is virtually a straight contest between traditional rivals, the BJP and Congress. Old issues like hike in import duty on apple, tribal status for the trans-Giri area in Sirmaur, legalising poppy cultivation and removal of encroachments on the forest land have come alive to haunt the political parties. The Congress is better placed in Shimla while the BJP has an edge in Sirmaur and with Solan district expected to play a decisive role. The BJP is making all-out efforts to score a hat-trick despite the fact that it has denied ticket to two-time MP Varinder Kashyap and fielded Suresh Kashyap, sitting MLA from Pachhad, and the Congress has also fielded Col Dhani Ram Shandil, two-time MP and sitting MLA from Solan. Shandil, banking on his honest image, is claiming that there is no Modi wave this time and ground realities are different as every section of society is unhappy with the government and raking issues of unemployment and development of tourism in the constituency and connecting Paonta-Doon area with rail link. Kashyap is banking on the projects given by the Union government like IIM, medical college, nine national highways and other schemes for the poor and is confident that people will vote for the BJP to make Modi PM again. Modi and BJP president Amit Shah addressed rallies in Solan and Nahan while AICC president wound up the campaign by addressing a rally at Solan. This time, no senior leader of main parties addressed any rally in Shimla while the rally of Priyanka Gandhi at Theog was cancelled due to security reasons. In last-ditched efforts, leaders go door to door Political functionaries of both Congress and BJP today started door-to-door campaigning to woo voters. With campaigning coming to an end last evening, both want to make the most of the leftover time. Major urban areas like Solan, Baddi, Nalagarh, Kasauli and Arki have remained the focus of the campaigning with political functionaries making last-ditch efforts to muster support in their favour. Senior leaders were seen leading it. Since Congress candidate DR Shandil hails from Solan, the party is hopeful of getting a large number of votes from this segment. Their campaign has received a major boost from the rally of their national president Rahul Gandhi held here yesterday though a proposed roadshow of Priyanka Gandhi had failed to take place. BJP candidate Suresh Kashyap is hopeful of obtaining a major lead from Sirmaur district and, apart from the rally of party national president. Ambika Sharma editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Srinagar, May 18 A resident of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) was apprehended by the Army along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmirs frontier Kupwara district on Friday night, the police said. The detained man was identified as Shabir Ahmad, 45, of Bandi, Panjkot in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. The Army has handed him over to the police. He crossed the Line of Control near an Army post in the Tangdhar sector and was apprehended by the Armys 17 Bihar Regiment on Friday evening, a police officer said. The arrested man was not carrying any weapons. Preliminary indications are that he crossed the Line of Control inadvertently. But we are still questioning him to know if he had any other motives, the officer added. rchopra@tribunemail.com Majid Jahangir & Suhail A Shah Tribune News Service Srinagar/Anantnag, May 18 The security forces in Kashmir today killed four militants, including the main suspect in last years killing of Rifleman Aurangzeb. In the past eight days, 12 militants have been killed in encounters across Kashmir. On Saturday, the Valley witnessed three gunfights with four militants being killed in two of them. The first gunfight broke out at Panzgam Awantipora in Pulwama district where three local militants of Hizbul Mujahideen, who were holed up inside a house, were killed. The gunfight broke out around 2 am. The slain militants were identified as Showkat Dar of Panzgam Awantipora, Irfan War of Wadoora Payeen Sopore and Muzaffar Sheikh of Tahab Pulwama. As per police record, Showkat Dar was part of a group involved in the killing of Army jawan Aurangzeb in 2018. He was also involved in the killing of policeman Aqib Ahmad Wagay last year, a police spokesman said. Rifleman Aurangzeb of 44 Rashtriya Rifles, who was off duty, was on way back home to Poonch for Eid when he was abducted by a group of militants on June 14 and later killed in Pulwama. Sources said at least three houses were partially damaged during the Panzgam gunfight. There were also reports of clashes at some places, including near the site of encounter. As the operation was underway at Panzgam, a brief exchange of fire took place in Anantnag district. The shooting took place during a cordon and search operation at Dahrun Dooru Anantnag. Initially, contact was established with the militants, but they managed to sneak out of the cordon, a police official from Anantnag said, adding that the operation was called off after thorough searches in the area yielded nothing. The third gunfight broke out in north Kashmirs Sopore sub-district this afternoon in which a militant was killed. The operation in the Hathlangoo area of Sopore was launched on a credible input about the militant presence in the area. After the conclusion of five-phased polling on May 6, the security forces have apparently stepped up anti-militancy operations. Twelve militants, two Army men and two civilians have been killed in various gunfights in Kashmir after the polling ended. In the entire month of April, when the five-phased elections began, 11 militants were killed. According to official data, 85 militants and 60 security men have been killed this year. Recent encounters editorial@tribune.com Tribune News Service Jammu, May 18 An alleged jilted lover, who is an Army man, reportedly attacked a postgraduate student of the Central University of Jammu with a blade on the Jammu-Lakhanpur national highway on Friday. The student, who is pursuing masters in mathematics from the CUJ, Raya Suchani, was admitted to District Hospital, Kathua, after she received injuries on her arms and body. She was shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital in Jammu on Saturday. The police have appointed an investigating officer to probe the case. The female student, who is a resident of Lachhipur village in Kathua district, alleged that she was thrashed and then kidnapped by the Army man in a Mahindra Bolero from the Raya Suchani area. She alleged that the Army man had also been harassing her and her family. The Army man belongs to the Marheen area, a few kilometres from the victims village. He thrashed me several times before pushing me into his car. He tried to rape me and inflicted grievous injuries on my arms. He inscribed his name on my one arm with a blade. He tortured and threatened me that he will harm my brother and sister if I complained to the police, the victim told reporters at District Hospital, Kathua. As per initial investigation, the Army man had reportedly proposed to the victim, but as she turned down his proposal, he allegedly started harassing her. The victim had complained to his parents but they refused to intervene. On Monday, I was on my way to collect a project report when he came to the Raya Suchani area and forcibly pushed me into his car. On reaching Kootah Morh on the highway, he pushed me out of his car but again pulled me inside and dropped me at Samba, she said, adding, I took a bus and reached the residence of my aunt in Vijaypur (in Samba district). Station House Officer, Vijaypur police station, Inspector Rakesh Bamba said an investigating officer was looking into the case and it would be premature to comment on the issue. Premature to say anything: SHO editorial@tribune.com Ranjit Thakur Doda, May 18 A magisterial inquiry was on Saturday ordered into the killing of a man (50) in Bhaderwah town of Doda district. The incident triggered violent protests in the town, forcing the authorities to impose an indefinite curfew. Sub-District Magistrate (SDM), Thathri, Anwar Bandey has been appointed to probe the killing of Nayeem Shah, who was shot dead by unknown gunmen in the Nalthi area of Bhaderwah on Thursday. The SDM will also carry out an inquiry into stone-throwing, clashes and vandalism that took place in the town after the incident. Deputy Commissioner, Doda, Sagar D Doifode said: A magisterial probe has been ordered into the killing and stone-throwing in Bhaderwah. The Magistrate will submit a detailed report in both incidents within seven days. Meanwhile, curfew remained clamped in Bhaderwah town on the third consecutive day on Saturday. The Internet services are likely to be restored in Doda from Sunday. The situation is completely peaceful. The Army has been called in, but put on standby. The curfew remains enforced in the town. We are considering more strict action against stone throwers and the leaders who instigated them, the DC said. A six-member special investigation team, headed by Additional Superintendent of Police, Bhaderwah, Raj Singh Gouria, has been constituted to probe the murder. The police have detained 12 suspects so far. Of them, four are stone throwers. There is no breakthrough in the case yet. The investigation is on. We rounded up one more stone thrower on Saturday. Three were picked up on Friday, said Shabir Malik, Senior Superintendent of Police, Doda. Meanwhile, the majority community observed a complete shutdown in the Chenab region over the killing of the man. Their shops and business establishment remained closed in Doda and Kishtwar. Thathri SDM to investigate case ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Nonika Singh In a way, he is walking and talking poetry. Award-winning Bollywood lyricist and writer Manoj Muntashir not only remembers most of his own songs/poems by heart but of other legendary writers too. In conversation, at a literary evening in Chandigarh, part of Kalam series organised by Prabha Khaitan Foundation, every question is met with sublime poetic thoughts. But then, the poet who stumbled upon Diwan-e-Ghalib at age seven has been reading ever since. Padte padte...kab likhna seekh gaya, he cant quite pinpoint. Today, as he pens relatable songs such as Kaun tujhe yun pyar karega...., he reasons, There are two ways of writing. One is esoteric; you climb up a pedestal and decide to show off your knowledge. The other is you think and feel like a common man. With lilting songs like Galliyan and Tere Sung Yaara under his belt, you bet he is a die-hard, nay hopeless, romantic. So, who does he have in mind when he writes songs dripping with love and romance? Surely, the wife figures somewhere but more than that he writes for the heroine on which the song is likely to be picturised. I fall in love each day.., he says with a filmi flourish. Women, however, figure very highly on his mindscape and he would never ever write anything that is disparaging to the fair sex. No wonder, he fails to understand blatant objectification of women in songs such as Main tandoori murgi. Those who deem Hindi film music is going downhill, he doesnt really disagree and shoots off, If we dont give space to poetry in songs, the same is bound to happen. But if you think poets are not duly recognised in Hindi film industry, he reminds you of giants like Sahir Ludhianvi, who not only commanded stature but high price too. The problem with writers is they are ready to sell themselves short. I believe I am irreplaceable and demand what I deserve. Even in days when Muntashirs songs were not quite chartbusters, he didnt doubt his ability. So, those who wont grant him his due, he will simply move away. Though he scripted the spontaneity of humongously popular show KBC, he asserts, Television doesnt recognise people behind the scenes. Bollywood is not merely recognising him but applauding too. However, he doesnt take awards (merely a token of acceptance) too seriously and is undaunted by future and what it might entail. For the poet in him knows too well, Aakhir mein toh sab log kahani ho jaayenge. But, for now, his words have the power to move hearts and make eyes moist. If for Kesari he writes heartfelt lyrics, Teri mitti mein mil jaavan, in his book Meri Fitrat Mastana, the poem Mera naam sipahi hai is even more befitting a salute to soldiers. To love your nation, he feels, is as natural as breathing. So, who can ever cast aspersions on the patriotism of any Indian? Where is the doubt.... indeed wherein also in his uncanny prowess to relate and be relatable. The lyricist, who connects and communicates, words for him are a bridge through which he takes us to galliyan, close to our heart. Initiating a dialogue A good poet by default is a prose writer, deems Manoj Muntashir, who wrote the Hindi dialogues and lyrics of magnum opus Baahubali. Penning Hindi dialogues of Hollywood blockbuster Black Panther too came naturally to him for he thinks thematically Black Panther was on the same lines as Baahubali. shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com Patna, May 19 BJP ally and JD-U chief Nitish Kumar on Sunday lashed out at Bharatiya Janta Party candidate Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for her statement in favour of Mahatma Gandhi assassin Nathuram Godse and demanded the party to expel her. Pragya Thakur, who is a Malegaon blast accused, spurred a row and drew flak after she lauded the killer of Mahatma Gandhi and called him a "patriot". "The BJP should take action against her. She should be expelled from the party for what she had stated," Nitish Kumar told media here after casting his vote in the final phase of the Lok Sabha elections. "The BJP should think about such comments. We condemn such remarks," he said. Thakur is contesting from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh against senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh. Thakur had earlier too, created controversy after she claimed that 26/11 martyr Hemant Karkare, who died fighting against terrorist in Mumbai, lost his life because he tortured the BJP leader in jail. IANS rajivbhatia82@gmail.com New Delhi, May 19 Incidents of violence in West Bengal and clashes in Punjab were reported during the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha polls on Sunday, with over 61 per cent turnout being recorded in 59 seats. Over 8,000 candidates were in fray for 542 Lok Sabha seats across the country in the Lok Sabha elections. The last phase, which decided the fate of 918 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also saw EVM glitches and poll boycott at some booths. Voting took place in 13 seats of Punjab and an equal number of seats in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat in Chandigarh. In Uttar Pradesh, 55.52 per cent voting was recorded in 13 Lok Sabha seats, officials said. The turnout in Varanasi was 53.58 per cent, while in Gorakhpur, it was 56.47 per cent, the Election Commission said. Violence erupted in Chandauli Lok Sabha constituency, where state Bharatiya Janata Party chief Mahendra Nath Pandey is seeking re-election, when supporters of the saffron party and the Samajwadi Party clashed. The situation was later brought under control. A report from Chandauli said the fingers of Dalits had been inked before they could actually cast their vote in Tara Jivanpur village under Alinagar police station. Officials said an FIR was registered in the matter. Incidents of violence were reported in West Bengal where 73.40 per cent of over 1.49 crore electorate exercised their franchise in nine Lok Sabha seats. According to BJPs North Kolkata candidate Rahul Sinha, a crude bomb was hurled near Girish Park in the constituency around noon. Police, however, said crackers were burst in the area, and polling was underway peacefully. In Kolkata south, TMC candidate Mala Roy alleged that she was stopped from entering polling booths. Sporadic clashes were reported in Kolkata and its surrounding areas, with TMC workers claiming that voters were being intimidated by central forces outside booths. BJP candidate Nilanjan Roy in Diamond Harbour constituency alleged that his car was vandalised in Budge Budge area. Similar reports also came in from Jadavpur constituency, where BJP candidate Anupam Hazras car came under the attack of unidentified men. Polling has by and large been peaceful in the nine seats. There have been no complaints of any violence from any of the polling booths, an election official told PTI. There were also reports of EVM glitches in several polling stations. We have sent reserve EVMs to booths, where the voting process was temporarily hampered due to technical glitches, he added. Punjab saw a polling percentage of 59 per cent in 13 Lok Sabha seats. In lone Chandigarh Lok Sabha seat, 63.57 per cent turnout was registered. Maximum polling percentage was witnessed at 64.18 in Patiala and the lowest was in Amritsar at 52.47. In the morning, there were some reports of technical glitches in EVMs at several places including Ludhiana, Samana and Moga. Punjabs Chief Electoral Officer S Karuna Raju said eight ballot units, 13 control units, and eight voter-verified paper audit trail have been replaced. There were also reports of clashes between Congress and Akali-BJP workers in Talwandi Sabo in Bathinda and Gurdaspur. At Talwandi Sabo, Akalis alleged that shots were also fired by ruling party workers. In Himachal Pradesh, 66.70 per cent turnout was recorded till 5 pm in four Lok Sabha seats where five MLAs, including a state minister, are among the 45 candidates in the fray. EVM snags delayed voting at nine polling stations. Voting restarted after the nine faulty EVMs were replaced, a state election officer said. A turnout of 132 per cent has been recorded in the worlds highest polling station in Lahaul and Spiti districts Tashigang village, a district official said. In Madhya Pradesh, 69.36 per cent voter turnout was recorded in eight Lok Sabha seats. However, voters listed at a booth in Agar Malwa district falling under the Dewas seat and five booths in Mandsaur seat boycotted the polling over their demands. Efforts were on to persuade voters to exercise their democratic right, an official said. The official said around 12 people cast their votes at the polling booth in Dewas after being persuaded by election officials there. Bihar witnessed 53.36 per cent voting in eight Lok Sabha seats. An election official said, Going by reports that reached us from district headquarters, we have found out that the voting process was temporarily hampered at few polling stations in Ara, Sasaram, Jehanabad, Pataliputr and Buxar. Officials have attended to the complaints and redressed all grievances, he said. In neighbouring Jharkhand, an estimated 70.97 per cent of the total 45,64,681 voters exercised their franchise in three Lok Sabha seats. In the last phase of Lok Sabha polls, over 10.01 crore voters are eligible to exercise their franchise. The Election Commission has set up more than 1.12 lakh polling stations and has deployed security personnel for smooth conduct of polls. An average of 66.88 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the last six phases and the whole elections were spread over 38 days. Counting of votes will be taken up on May 23. PTI By IANS NEW DELHI: Kunwar Natwar Singh in many ways is monotypical in that he served so many Congress dispensations in different capacities. Equally, he came into maximum proximity with celebrated Indian and world leaders, acclaimed writers and people in position of pre-eminence. Influenced by novelist E.M. Forster during his years in Cambridge, he learnt the value of friendship from him. In the second and concluding part of this IANS interview, I let the raconteur in him take over: Indira Gandhi "For five years I worked in Mrs Gandhi's office between 1966 and 1971, it was a small one where the circle was extremely tight. "There were seven officers -- the fabled P.N. Haksar, S. Banerjee, H.Y. Sharda Prasad, Ramachandran, Monu Malhotra and myself. She became PM very hesitantly after Shashtriji's untimely death. But she took the job like a duck to water, within two years she had destroyed the Syndicate and she had the good fortune to have a man like P.N. Haksar mentoring her at every step of the way as her principal adviser. "For me personally given that I was a Foreign Service Officer, I got to accompany her on every foreign trip and this impacted my personality, for the exposure was stupendous at a young age. My outlook on world affairs changed since I had to handle world leaders personally. "She had a great sense of timing, in March, 1971 she told Haksar that we should walk in tomorrow and replace the repression in Dhaka. Haksar called (Field Marshal Sam) Manekshaw who advised against it saying that India wasn't prepared even as refugees were spilling into India. "He said let us prepare and in any case wait out the monsoon months when such an operation could go awry. Once India was ready, the rains were out of the way, India moved in. Haksar was a first-rate mind, he helped her in demolishing the Syndicate and handled the Bangladesh operations as well. "Actually this is the first time that the Principal Secretary to the PM became more important than the Cabinet Secretary in the Indian mainframe. I haven't seen anyone close to him, barring Brajesh Mishra, who was equally adept and had a terrific world view. Haksar, a lawyer himself from Allahabad had enormous intellectual heft, he had been recommended by Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru to Nehru and he played a pivotal role in Mrs Gandhi's rise and rise in Indian polity. "When Mrs Gandhi fought the powerful Congress Syndicate of Kamath, Atulya Ghosh, S.K. Patil, Nijlingappa, those were testing times. By 1970 she was the undisputed boss of the Congress and I saw the power game being played out before me. She was tough as nails, never backed down from a challenge. I remember when she came for a UN Anniversary, L.K. Jha was the Ambassador and Veep Richard Nixon had invited her for a dinner without extending a written invitation. She refused to go without one and when it didn't she asked me to draft a massive regretting. I took it to Jha who said 'Yeh toh bada rukha hai', and I said that is the way she is. Of course she didn't go." Vijaylakshmi Pandit "Immediately before my staying with Mrs Gandhi, I had the singular misfortune of working with Ms Pandit between 1961-66 at the UN Permanent Mission in New York. It was an eye-opener for me for just as the Central Hall of Parliament provides you with a view of India, the UN Lounge gave a similar view of the world. This was the time that the UN General Assembly sitting between September and December was crucial, for cataclysmic changes were taking place with regard to decolonization. It was a fascinating time, one travelled to all these countries and interfaced with world leaders. JFK was US President, the world was in his thrall. Krishna Menon was replaced by Vijaylakshmi and she took to me. Kennedy was assassinated and Vijaylakshmi represented India at his Arlington funeral. Thereafter Jackie Kennedy gave a reception for all the world elite which had gathered to pay its tributes. "I was by her side right through and I remember Charles De Gaulle calling out to her and asking: How is your brother? She responded by saying he has his problems; His repartee: Tell him that I have mine. "She had style and she entertained well. It was a fun time, I was Rapporteur of the Decolonization Commission and I was in touch with John Gunther, Dorothy Norman, Pearl Buck, New York was the happening place. I was a bachelor and New York was the ideal place. Of course when I married the Maharaja of Patiala's daughter subsequently, for my civil wedding Mrs Gandhi was Witness number one. Jawaharlal Nehru Between 1960-61, I was P.S. to the Secretary General, Ministry of External Affairs R.K. Nehru and our offices were 20 yards from the PM's office. Panditji used to walk in and out of our rooms such was the informality those days. All papers from the PM went to the Secretary General and then it was my duty to send them off. "I remember the time when late evening a file came in for Nepal where the PM had written a four-page letter to the King of Nepal and given him a raspberry. Next morning R.K. Nehru was to leave for China, blissfully forgetting about the letter. I accompanied RK to the airport where his flight was delayed. "Panditji, meanwhile used to walk into his office 9.30 a.m. sharp He asked his office whether the letter had gone. His office said both R.K. Nehru and Natwar were missing. PM went ballistic when he asked Foreign Secretary M.G. Desai whether he had seen the letter and Desai said 'No'. "Panditji said where is the file? As I was also missing in action, so Panditji asked his office to alert the police and find about my whereabouts? "In parallel, he wanted my cupboard broken. By that time someone alerted me at the airport. I ran back to my office avoiding Panditji and gave the file to Desai. Panditji was hopping mad till he was told that the matter had been settled. "For seven days I avoided Panditji fearful of his wrath. On the eighth day, I bumped into the PM and Panditji behaved as if nothing had happened to discuss a book called 'Soul of China'. "When Eisenhower visited India, I was made Liaison Officer and was in constant touch with Panditji. Seldom does one get such opportunities. They don't make men like him any more. Litterateur and statesmen all rolled into one." laxmi@tribune.com New Delhi, May 18 In the wake of reports of a rift in the Election Commission, the Opposition Congress today said the EC had been captured by Modi sarkar. Reacting to reports of Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa writing to CEC Sunil Arora that he would not attend meetings on the model code of conduct unless his dissent was formally recorded, Congress media head Randeep Surjewala said the EC had become Election Omission. EC Ashok Lavasa, who dissented on multiple occasions while the EC was busy giving clean chits to Modi and BJP chief Amit Shah, opted out of EC meetings as the ECI even refused to record his dissent notes. This is daylight murder of constitutional norms, Surjewala said. Later, Congress veteran P Chidambaram tweeted, CEC has replied that silence is eloquent. Still trying to find the connection between the complaint and answer! TNS rchopra@tribunemail.com Patna, May 18 A CRPF jawan, deployed at the residence of former Bihar chief minister Rabri Devi here, allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with his service revolver, police said on Saturday. Giriayappa Kirasoor (29), a constable with 122 battalion of the CRPF, shot himself dead at the RJD leaders high-security Circular Road bungalow on Friday, Deputy Superintendent of Police (Secretariat) AK Prabhakar said. The body had been sent to the jawans native village in Bagalkot district of Karnataka, the SP said. The weapon, an Israeli-made rifle, had been seized and investigation was on, he added. According to reports, Kirasoor had a heated argument over phone with his wife the previous day after which he was upset. PTI gspannu7@gmail.com New Delhi, May 19 Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday alleged that the Election Commissions capitulation before Prime Minister Narendra Modi is obvious and the poll watchdog is not feared and respected anymore. Training his guns on the poll body on the last day of polling for the Lok Sabha elections, he listed a host of examples, including Modis visit to Kedarnath in Uttarakhand, to accuse the EC of being biased towards the PM. From Electoral Bonds & EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, Modis Army & now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commissions capitulation before Mr Modi & his gang is obvious to all Indians, Gandhi tweeted. From Electoral Bonds & EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, Modis Army & now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commissions capitulation before Mr Modi & his gang is obvious to all Indians. The EC used to be feared & respected. Not anymore. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 19, 2019 The EC used to be feared and respected. Not anymore, he said. The Congress chiefs tweet came a day after his party hit out at the poll panel after Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa reportedly wrote to the Chief Election Commissioner that he will be recusing himself from EC meetings as his dissent was not being recorded on clearances given by the poll panel to the PM over alleged poll code violations. While the EC had concluded that NaMo TV, sponsored by the BJP, cant display election matter during the poll silence period, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had described the Indian Army as Modiji ke sena (Prime Minister Narendra Modis Army). The Congress party and Gandhi have been accusing the EC of being biased and partial. Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram also hit out at the EC, alleging that the poll panel has surrendered its independence. Our charge had been that the EC was sleeping on the job. Now, we can go further and say that the EC completely surrendered its independence and authority. Shame! he said on Twitter. Polling is over. Now we can say that the pilgrimage of the PM in the last two days is an unacceptable use of religion and religious symbols to influence the voting, he said. Modi was in Uttarakhand for two days and offered prayers at the Kedarnath and Badrinath temples, which opposition parties termed a much-publicised trip and alleged poll code violation. Demanding a probe into charges made by Lavasa, the Congress on Saturday alleged that eroding institutional integrity has been the hallmark of the Modi government and asked whether the poll panel has become Election Omission and a puppet in the PMs hands. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala had asked whether the EC will save itself more embarrassment by recording Lavasas dissent notes, as he accused PM Modi of muzzling democratic institutions. PTI ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Kolkata, May 18 Heavy presence of central forces will mark the last phase of the LS polls in West Bengal where nine constituencies will go to the polls tomorrow. In all, 710 companies of central forces are being deployed to cover 17,042 polling booths to ensure free and fair voting, officials say. There will also be 444 quick-response teams of paramilitary jawans to step in to tackle any serious situation. In the light of West Bengals reputation of electoral violence, the EC has for the first time appointed special police observer and a special observer for supervising the elections. Last six phases of voting in the state have seen sporadic incidents of violence, including one at Murshidabad where a Congress worker was murdered on the polling day. A roadshow in the city on Tuesday by BJP chief Amit Shah was marred by violence, leading to damaging of social reformer Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagars bust at a college in north Kolkata. The violent incidents prompted the EC to advance the expiry of the deadline for campaigning in the state to 10 pm on Thursday, instead of the original 6 pm on Friday. The high-voltage campaign for the final phase saw four meetings by PM Narendra Modi and several meetings and road shows in Kolkata by CM Mamata Banerjee. Star contestants in the last phase fray include Mamatas nephew Abhishek Banerjee, who is seeking re-election from the Diamond Harbour seat. Those in the fray also include Bengali actrors Mimi Chakraborty from Jadavpur and Nusrat Jahan from Basirhat. Both actresses are fighting on the TMC ticket. Chandra Bose, grandnephew of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, is also contesting from Kolkata (South). TNS gspannu7@gmail.com Gwalior, May 19 Hindu Mahasabha activists here celebrated the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhis assassin Nathuram Godse, a functionary of the outfit said on Sunday. Godse was born in Baramati in Pune district, then part of the Bombay Presidency, on May 19 in 1910. Hindu Mahasabha national vice president Jaiveer Bharadwaj said celebrations were held at its office in Daulatganj area. Terming him a deshbhakt (patriot), Bharadwaj said, We paid obeisance to him and performed aarti in front of his photograph and distributed sweets. He claimed that several BJP leaders consider Godse a patriot but there was a section in the ruling party that had been denigrating him. Earlier, on November 15, 2017, the Hindu Mahasabha had installed a 32-inch bust of Godse at its Gwalior office, which the administration then removed. If the bust isnt returned by district administration by November 15 this year, the Mahasabha will install another one at its Gwalior office, Bharadwaj said. Additional Superintendent of Police Satyendra Singh, meanwhile, said the Mahasabhas programme did not disrupt peace, adding that the police was keeping vigil. Asked if the Hindu Mahasabha sought permission, he said since the event was organised behind closed doors on private property, permission was not needed. Godse, who was hanged in Ambala Jail on November 15, 1949, became one of the contentious topics of the current Lok Sabha polls after actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan referred to him as the countrys first Hindu extremist and the BJPs Bhopal Lok Sabha candidate Pragya Singh Thakur termed him a deshbhakt. PTI uttara@tribuneindia.com Aditi Tandon Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 19 Opposition on Sunday intensified its efforts for post result strategy with chief coordinator Telugu Desam Party Chief N Chandrababu Naidu meeting leaders in the capital for a second time in two days. Naidu met Congress president Rahul Gandhi this morning and is currently holding talks with Nationalist Congress Party supremo Sharad Pawar. The fresh round of meetings comes after Naidu held successful talks with BSP Chief Mayawati and SP President Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow on Sunday. Naidu is trying to forge opposition unity ahead of May 23 results so that the anti BJP camp can move quickly to stake claim at government formation should the numbers favour their camp in May 23 trends. ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Vibha Sharma Tribune News Service Varanasi, May 18 Among the changes that Varanasi, Prime Minister Narendra Modis constituency which polls tomorrow, has seen in the past five years include those around the famous Lord Shiva temple Kashi Vishwanath, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas. A Kashi-Vishwanath temple corridor is being built to join the temple earlier hidden behind a maze of narrow congested lanes to the Ahilyabai Ghat on the Ganga. For it, several houses and shops were acquired and razed in the past few months. Some 100 other houses were acquired, but have not yet been demolished. Many consider the multi-crore dream project of Prime Minister Modi as a good and brave step that will give easy access to devotees visiting the important Hindu shrine. But for those who were forced to abandon their homes and shops, it is a different story all together. As per local BJP leaders, owners have been given four times the actual compensation and also alternative sites. No one should really be complaining because it is for the general good. But a civil society group, Sanjha Sanskriti Manch, said the city administration neither has a blueprint, nor did it respond to its request of sharing the plan. We sought information under RTI, but got no response. Even the circle rates were revised to pay compensation, Vallabacharya Panday of the manch told The Tribune. He said dwellers of some 300 houses sheltering five to six families for generations have been relocated. The demolition of these houses has also revealed several ancient temples which, according to the authorities, had all been encroached upon by residents and which would be thrown open to the public. But the clearance of the area has also revealed the Gyanvapi Mosque complex, a centuries-old structure, to the gaze of Hindu devotees. It is now giving rise to apprehensions among the minority community that it could be the beginning of Babri Masjid 2.0. If you stand at the cleared area facing the temple and the mosque, it is easy to hear similar conversations among the devotees any number of times. See that. It is a mosque. It was built after razing the real temple with the Jyotirlinga. The Jyotirlinga is still inside the mosque. All this has got the minority community worried. To add to it, the slogan Ayodhya to ek jhanki hai, Kashi, Mathura baaki hai is alive in the memory of the older generation to pass on to the new generation. Members of the Muslim community also recall how the area surrounding the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya was cleared by the then BJP government led by Kalyan Singh for the beautification of Ayodhya. Officials and local BJP leaders try to negate the fears. No harm will come to it. The times have changed. Besides, what has happened since the demolition of the Babri masjid? Under PM Narendra Modi, no harm can happen to the mosque, they say in response to parallels with the 1992 Ayodhya incident. History of the shrine ROBINSINGH@TRIBUNE.COM Tribune News Service New Delhi, May 18 Curtains draw on the most acrimonious, polarised and bitterly fought Lok Sabha elections with 59 seats, including Prime Minister Narendra Modis constituency Varanasi, going to the polls in seven states and a union territory on Sunday. The states which will go to the polls are Punjab (13), UP (13), West Bengal (9), Bihar (8), Madhya Pradesh (8), Himachal Pradesh (4), Jharkhand (3) and Chandigarh (1). In 2014, the BJP had won 30 of the 59 seats going to the polls in the last and seventh phase. In UP, all eyes will be on Varanasi, where besides Modi, 25 other candidates are in fray. Modis main challengers are Congress Ajay Rai and SP-BSP grand alliances nominee Shalini Yadav. Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and Union Ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri are among the 278 candidates, including 24 women, whose fate will be decided in Punjab on Sunday. Besides Punjab, more than 6 lakh voters in Chandigarh will choose among sitting BJP MP Kirron Kher, former railway minister and Congress candidate Pawan Kumar Bansal and AAPs Harmohan Dhawan. In Bihar, Union Ministers Ravi Shankar Prasad, Ram Kripal Yadav, Ashwani Choubey and RK Singh are engaged in a direct fight with the Congress-RJD-RLSP combine. In Himachal Pradesh, there is a direct battle between the BJP and the Congress. In 2014, the BJP had won all four seats Mandi, Kangra, Shimla and Hamirpur. The fate of 111 candidates in nine seats of West Bengal will be sealed on Sunday. Eight seats, barring Jadavpur, will witness a contest among the TMC, the BJP, the Congress and the Left Front. The Congress has given the Jadavpur seat a miss. The state has witnessed violence in the six phases of the elections this year. Madhya Pradeshs Malwa-Nimar region, where the BJP had won all eight seats in 2014, will vote on Sunday. The BJP lost one seat in the bypolls to the Congress, which is now riding high on the success of the state Assembly elections. An average of 66.88 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the six phases. The whole elections were spread over 38 days. The counting of votes will take place on May 23. (With agency inputs) shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com Chennai, May 19 Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Kamal Haasan, who has found himself in a row over his "India's first extremist was a Hindu" remarks, on Sunday called Mahatma Gandhi a 'superstar'. Pointing out that he has been repeatedly reading about Gandhi and his life, Haasan recalled an anecdote where the latter once lost his slipper while travelling in a train. "...he (Gandhi) is a superstar. While waving at the crowds standing in a train, he once lost his slipper. And he threw away the other one and reasoned that a pair of footwear will be useful for someone," he said at an event of director R Pathiban's movie titled 'Seruppu', meaning chappal. Talking more on Gandhi's footwear, Haasan said following research on the Indian freedom movement's doyen for his film "Hey Ram", he came to know that his spectacles and a slipper "went missing during the melee," apparently referring to his assassination. "So I created a scene where Saketram (the lead played by himself) takes it (slipper) and keeps it till his death," he said. Caught in a row for saying that Nathuram Godse, who shot dead Gandhi, was a Hindu and that he was free India's first extremist, Haasan said he cannot "accept a villain as a hero." On the incident where footwear was hurled during his campaigning at Thirupparankundram near Madurai recently, he said "it is an insult for the one who threw the chappal." Indicating that Gandhi was his "hero", Haasan said "I cannot change my hero." "I cannot change my hero, can't accept the villain as hero," he said, without mentioning who he was referring to. However, the apparent reference seemed to be Godse. Earlier, stoking a controversy, Haasan had said "free India's first extremist was a Hindu," referring to Godse. "I am not saying this because this is a Muslim dominated area, but I am saying this before a statue of Gandhi. Free India's first extremist was a Hindu, his name is Nathuram Godse. There it (extremism) starts," he had said in bypoll bound Aravakurichi. The remarks had resulted in a major row, with the BJP and AIADMK tearing into Haasan, even as cases were filed against him in Tamil Nadu and Delhi. However, the Congress' state unit and rationalist outfit Dravidar Kazhagam backed him. PTI laxmi@tribune.com Sushil Manav Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 18 The Nigerian pirates who have taken hostage five Indian seamen, including Ankit Hooda from Rohtak district of Haryana, have scaled down their demand from one million dollars to half a million and have threatened to physically harm sailors if their demand was not met. Ankit was working as Ordinary Seaman (OS) on Greece motor tanker ship MT Apecus when pirates struck on the outer anchorage of Bonny island of Nigeria on April 19. The captain and six other crew members were taken hostage. Five of them are from India. The pirates made Ankit call his family at Assan village to convey the message and then one of the pirates spoke to the family too. Ankit informed us that in the absence of any communication from the ship owner or the Nigerian authorities, the pirates are getting restive and he and his colleagues are fearing for life, said his cousin Bharat Deshwal. Ankit also informed the family about the illness of two of his colleagues and how the food stocks with the pirates would last for just a week or so. After Ankit, one of the pirates also called from the same satellite phone and told the sailors family members that they had halved their demand and if it was not met even now, it would not be good for the families. The pirate told us that neither was the ship owner from Greece trying to contact them, nor anyone on behalf of the families, Deshwal said. He said though a month had passed since the pirates took Ankit and others hostage, no efforts were being made by the government. We have been trying to meet External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj, but have not been able to get an appointment. The High Commission in Nigeria had assured us that they were in touch with the ship owner and authorities, but the call from the pirates reveals that nothing is happening on the ground, he added. Meanwhile, several friends and relatives of Ankit Hooda have planned to collect funds for his release, but their only concern is how they would be able to deliver the money. Namita Bajpai By Express News Service LUCKNOW: As the activity in the opposition gets heightened and amidst unconfirmed reports of BSP chief Mayawati meeting UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Monday in Delhi, UP CM Yogi Aditynath rejected all the pre-result efforts being made by Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu to cobble up an anti-BJP alliance even when country was still voting for 59 Lok Sabha seats in the last leg of 2019 big battle, calling it an exercise in futility and a mere posturing by the opposition on the eve of results. While interacting with media persons after casting his vote on Sunday in Gorakhpur, the UP CM targeted the Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu, who is leading the alliance talks, saying he should first take care of his own ground which he was losing badly in his state this time. Naidu has stepped up efforts towards unifying the opposition camp to ensure the ouster of Modi-led NDA government. He has been meeting leaders across the political spectrum for the last couple of days. In the same spirit, Naidu had met SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP chief Mayawati here on Saturday evening. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE They all are spent and beaten pawns. The Andhra CM himself is losing badly in his state and is trying to form alliance against NDA. This shows his nervousness and nothing else. All such efforts will subside on May 23, said CM Yogi exuding the confidence that NDA would be voted for a second term. This time people have voted crossing the barriers of caste, class, creed, community, faith and dynasty, he claimed. On Saturday, while being in Lucknow, Naidu first held an hour-long meeting with Akhilesh Yadav before proceeding to Mayawatis residence with a bouquet and a crate of Hyderabadi mangoes. Flanked by Akhilesh and BSP national general secretary SC Mishra, Naidu chose to keep mum on what transpired at the meeting saying everything would come out in open at an appropriate time. As per the insiders, the Andhra CM had come down to state capital to to personally invite Akhilesh and Mayawati to be a part of the opposition meeting he has decided to convene in New Delhi on May 21.Even Akhilesh too remained silent over the issue. According to a SP insider, both Akhilesh and Mayawati had refused to be the part of any opposition meet before the results on May 23. A senior party leader also hinted that the leaders of SP-BSP-RLD alliance would first meet amongst themselves after the poll results on May 23 to decide on their course of action and till then they would not want to be a part of any alliance talks with any party or leaders. In fact, the political horizon of Uttar Pradesh has been witness to an unexpected SP-BSP bonhomie in 2019. Since both the regional satraps had been faced with existential crisis, buried their two and half decade animosity and joined hands to stop the saffron juggernaut in the political hotbed of India. BSP, SP, RLD fielded 38, 37, and three seats of the total 80 UP Lok Sabha seats and did not field any candidate on Rae Bareli and Amethi, the seats of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. This is not the first time that Akhilesh and Mayawati have taking such a stance. They had kept away from all the meetings that Chandrababu Naidu held in the run-up to the 2019 polls for creating a joint opposition front against the BJP. Akhilesh had earlier met Naidu twice individually, and one of those meetings was held at SP patriarch Mulayam Singh Yadav's Delhi residence. But, Maya and Akhilesh did not attend any formal Opposition meeting since the two formed the alliance. In fact, after the oppositions show of strength at HD Kumaraswamy's swearing-in ceremony at Bengaluru in May last year, the two leaders had kept away from all such gatherings including Kamal Naths swearing-in ceremony in Bhopal late last year. The two had also skipped the opposition meet on December 10 in Delhi. Before arriving in Lucknow, Naidu met Congress president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi on Saturday to discuss an anti-BJP front. News agencies reported that in an hour-long meeting with Rahul, Naidu discussed the impending need to bring together all parties which are against the BJP. Earlier Naidu met CPI leaders Sudhakar Reddy and D Raja. He also met NCP chief Sharad Pawar. On Friday, Naidu had met CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal and discussed with them the possible tie-up in the post-election scenario. pardeepdhull@gmail.com New Delhi, May 19 The Trinamool Congress Sunday wrote to the Election Commission complaining that Prime Minister Narendra Modis address to the media at Kedarnath shrine was unethical and that the coverage of his visit was in gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct. The Prime Minister also announced that the master plan of Kedarnath Temple is ready and also addressed the public and media at Kedarnath. It is absolutely unethical and morally incorrect, party spokesperson Derek OBrien said in the letter. Even though the election campaign for the last phase of polling for 2019 Lok Sabha is over on May 17 at 6 pm, surprisingly Narendra Modis Kedarnath Yatra is being covered and widely televised for the last two days in all national as well as local media. This is a gross violation of the Model Code of Conduct, he said. The Prime Minister offered prayers at the Himalayan shrine on Sunday morning. Speaking to reporters at the shrine, Modi thanked the Election Commission for granting him permission to visit the shrine at a time when the Model Code of Conduct is in force. Every minute detail of his activities during the visit is being widely publicised with an ulterior motive to influence voters directly and/or indirectly, the TMC leader charged and added that Modi Modi chants are also being heard from the background. He said all these moves were well calculated with the ill intention to influence voters on polling day. It is unfortunate that the poll body has not taken any action against the PM, he added. The Election Commission, the highest body and the eyes and ears of the democratic process, remains blind and deaf to the gross violation of the MCC. l would request you to take immediate action and stop telecast of such surreptitious and unfair campaign which is also morally wrong, he charged. PTI shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com Tribune Web Desk Chandigarh, May 19 Age is no bar when it comes to gaining knowledge, and a heart-warming advertisement is proving this. With over 21 million views on YouTube alone, an ad by Procter & Gamble India for their flagship CSR programme P&G Shiksha highlights the story of Bittu aka Badrinath, a 75-year-old man realising his dream of attending school. The video is inspired by a true story. The short film shows Bittu enjoying with his much younger classmates and friends. From eating and being punished in class and jumping in joy after the final period, the video captures all the little moments of schooldays. The film depicts the dreams of many of Indias children who wish to study but cannot because of the lack of schools in their villages and towns. The short film has received immense praise for the heart-touching story and beautiful presentation and garnering praises from all including celebrities like Sachin Tendulkar and Farhan Akhtar. gspannu7@gmail.com Patna, May 19 Twenty-three-year-old conjoined twins Sabah and Farah, who have been acknowledged as separate voters, on Sunday urged people to exercise their franchise in large numbers after casting their ballots. The twins, joined at the head, had first voted in the 2015 assembly polls when their names were printed on a single voter ID card and their vote was counted as a single one. This time they have been issued separate voter IDs and permitted to cast their votes separately. We have voted for development and urge people to come out and do likewise in large numbers, the sisters told newspersons outside their booth in Samanpura locality of the city, falling under the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha seat. A poll official, who accompanied the young women, told reporters as per Election Commissions directions transport arrangements were made for Sarah and Farah and we helped them to cast their votes at the booth. District Magistrate Kumar Ravi said the girls have been acknowledged as separate voters since despite nature having made them the way they are, they have their individual opinions and choices. PTI amansharma@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 19 Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Brahm Mohindra on Moday criticised his Cabinet colleague Navjot Singh Sidhu for his out-of-turn and untimely outbursts against the party leadership, the Chief Minister and the government, saying it amounted to sabotage. In a strongly-worded statement, Mohindra said Sidhu has been in the Congress just for about two years and he has been trying to dictate terms and impose his own agenda and the high command must take serious note of it as this is harming the image of the party and the government. He said Sidhu must realise that he is no longer in BJP, but in the Congress and where there are multiple forums where he can raise all the issues he wants to, without damaging and sabotaging the party, as long as his intentions are sincere. The senior minister maintained that both the Chief Minister and ministers were appointed by the party high command. It is the collective responsibility of all the ministers and not exclusively that of the Chief Minister alone, he pointed out, while asking Sidhu as why he never raised such issues at the relevant forum like the Cabinet and instead went public that too at a wrong time. The Health Minister said he along with other cabinet colleagues would be writing to the party high command to restrain Sidhu from damaging the party further. He said it was shocking the way Sidhu spoke at a crucial time, just two days ahead of elections, with an obvious intent of sabotaging the party prospects, when everyone in the party was working hard for Mission 13 in Punjab. editorial@tribune.com Neeraj Bagga & Deepkamal Kaur Tribune News Service Amritsar/Jalandhar, May 18 A day after campaigning came to an end, candidates of all political parties today took some time off, even as some of them went door-to-door to meet voters and interacted with people at public places. Even as 30 candidates are in fray from the Amritsar Lok Sabha constituency, the main contest is between Congress Gurjeet Singh Aujla and SAD-BJPs Hardeep Singh Puri. In the morning, Puri along with his wife Lakshmi Puri and supporters had tea and kachori at a tea stall on the Cooper road. Later, they had breakfast at an eatery in the Ranjit Avenue locality. Congress nominee Aujla went to the residences of party MLAs OP Soni, Raj Kumar Verka, Sunil Dutti, Inderbir Singh Bolaria and other senior leaders. He discussed with them the arrangements made for polling booths and deployment of polling agents. Meanwhile, sources said ward and Mohalla leaders of various political parties were seen distributing liquor in their respective areas. A resident said got two bottles of whisky from leaders of two parties. The sources claimed that this was not an isolated case as such activities were going on in various parts of the district. The nine Assembly segments in the constituency will have 1,601 booths for 15,00,940 voters, comprising 7,94,847 male, 7,06,035 women and 58 third gender. Two assembly segments of the border district, namely Jandiala Guru and Baba Bakala, have been clubbed with the adjoining Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency. In Jalandhar, the aged candidates preferred to take some rest, while their sons took the charge of dispatching the teams of polling agents and booth managers to various locations in the constituency. Shiromani Akali Dal candidate Charanjit Atwal (82) said he came to his office in the evening after taking a nap at home. I have not gone out anywhere. I have not made any calls today. People are themselves coming to meet me and I am attending them all. I have not sent out any teams of workers for setting up booths. My two sons are managing all such affairs. I have just given them one instruction that we will not offer booze to voters, even if our rivals engage in such tactics, he said. As the candidate said this, his younger son Rocky Atwal showed him some appeals being made in his favour on the social media but he did not seem much interested. I am not cyber literate, he laughs. His elder son and former MLA Inder Iqbal Atwal shared plan for the D-Day, We all are voters from Ludhiana as we did not shift them here. So we will be moving homewards tonight, will cast vote in the morning and start for Jalandhar early covering Phillaur, Goraya and Nakodar first. Being a Chandigarh resident and voter, AAP candidate Justice Zora Singh (retd) (69), too, says that he will try visiting most polling booths tomorrow till afternoon and head homewards to cast his vote with his family. He said he took some rest in the day today before joining his son to dispatch teams of polling agents and booth managers. Congress candidate Chaudhary Santokh Singh (72) took out some time to make an appeal to voters on social media. His pre-recorded voice messages were also being sent across on mobile phones to voters of the area to make an appeal. He tells, Despite a hectic schedule, I have gained 2 kg weight as I have not been able to go to gym. I am waiting to resume my schedule. Being a young BSP candidate, Balwinder Kumar (39) says, It is no relaxation day for me. After a hectic campaign, today I remained busy strategising booth management and passing on instructions to the teams. I specifically told them to attend to first-time voters well and ensure a positive atmosphere for them. Meanwhile, I am giving calls to some influential people who can help sway more votes in my favour. All candidates being wary of any last-minute polarisation of votes in the reserved constituency did not even once take the name of the gurdwara or temple they would want to visit before starting their day tomorrow. While Congress, BSP and AAP candidates are Ravidassias, the SAD candidate is a Valmik. vermaajay1968@gmail.com Rajmeet Singh & Preneet Singh Tribune News Service Chandigarh/ Bathinda, May 18 As Punjab goes to the polls on Sunday, an uneasy calm prevails within the Punjab Congress with the simmering tension between CM Capt Amarinder Singh and his minister Navjot Singh Sidhu over alleged ticket denial to the latters wife reaching the party high command. The partys top leadership is upset over Sidhus remarks at a rally in Bathinda on Friday, asking voters to defeat those playing a friendly match, eluding to a secret pact between the CM and Akalis, as also referred to by AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal during his recent Punjab tour. Kejriwal alleged that SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and the Chief Minister had struck a deal to ensure that their wives were victorious. While Preneet Kaur is contesting from Patiala, Harsimrat Kaur is SADs Bathinda candidate. Captains supporters on Saturday shared a video of the CMs statement regarding the sacrilege probe (during a rally at Bathinda), apparently to refute Sidhus charge that the government had failed to arrest the Badals in the case. There is apprehension within the party that the Lok Sabha results on May 23 may lead to an even bigger storm with more Amarinder baiters joining in. Congress Punjab affairs incharge and AICC general secretary Asha Kumari says Congress president Rahul Gandhi has promised stern action against those behind the sacrilege incidents and subsequent police firing, refusing to comment on Sidhus utterances, saying the top leadership is seized of the matter. Sidhus rallies in high-stakes Bathinda on Friday stumped many as he chose to attack the CM, not the Badals. Instead of staging a coup in the Akali bastion, he literally staged a coup in the Congress camp, targeting Capt Amarinder in his 55-minute speech at Badals pocket borough Lambi. He asked as to why no FIR was not lodged against the Badals in the sacrilege case. He also questioned inaction on the drugs issue. Eh kehda friendly match hai ki chitte wale andar nahi ditte? (What sort of friendly match is going on with those indulging in the drug trade not put behind bars?). His outburst against the CM was not restricted to one rally. He reiterated the charges at public meetings in Bathinda, Mansa and Budhlada. Anxious party leaders say the controversy may harm the prospects of the Bathinda nominee. It is a self- goal by the Congress. If the party loses this seat, an ugly blame game could ensue between the two leaders, says a PPCC vice-president. Till May 14, when he showed up with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sidhu stayed away from campaigning in Punjab. The simmering tension between him and the CM reached a flash point with his wife alleging she was refused the ticket from Amritsar at the behest of the CM and Asha Kumari. My wife has courage and moral authority and will never lie, Sidhu rushed to her defence, even as the CM denied the allegation. Coming to Sidhus support, a senior leader said there was anger in the party and among the public over the government going soft on the Badals on sacrilege and drug cases. Sidhu is raising the right issue, but at the wrong forum and wrong time, he said. amansharma@tribunemail.com Tribune News Service Chandigarh, May 19 Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has rejected the various exit polls, saying their accuracy was suspect and he expected the Congress to do much better both at the national level and in the state. Most opinion polls are giving clear or near-clear majority to BJP-led NDA at the Centre, while projecting 9-10 seats out of 13 for the Congress in Punjab. After 50 years in politics, he saw no reason to believe the exit polls, which just could not predict the results with accuracy, said the Chief Minister. With so much experience, even if I go around Punjab to gauge the voter swing, I would not be able to do it with complete accuracy. So how can these exit polls be accurate? he said. Captain Amarinder said he was confident the Congress would do much better in these Lok Sabha elections. Even in Punjab, he said he expected the party to get more than the 9 or 10 seats the exit polls were predicting, he added. vermaajay1968@gmail.com Chandigarh: The SAD has urged the Election Commission to deploy additional paramilitary forces in Ferozepur and Bathinda. In a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner, SADs senior vice-president DS Cheema said additional paramilitary forces were required in these two constituencies to ensure a fair poll. He said there were 1,729 polling booths in Bathinda and central forces were deployed at only 700 booths. Similarly, paramilitary forces are deployed at a few selective booths in the Ferozepur parliamentary constituency while some hyper-sensitive areas, such as Abohar city and Ferozepur city, are left without paramilitary forces, he claimed. Cheema expressed the fear that the Congress might adopt unfair means to intimidate voters in these two constituencies as ruling partys agenda was to defeat the Badal family. Sukhbir Badal is contesting from Ferozepur while his wife and Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal is fighting from Bathinda. Cheema also demanded deployment of central forces at all sensitive polling booths across Punjab. PTI SEATS WON IN 2014 shalender@tribune.com Roopinder Singh A cosmopolitan court with fortune seekers from all over France, Belgium, the UK, and even the United States the splendour of the Lahore Durbar attracted many. Sikh chiefs, Gurkhas, Dogras, Muslims, collaterals and other rivals, ranis and their families their interaction contributed to a rich mosaic that the author has mined for this collection. Josiah Harlan, a Quaker from Philadelphia, wound up in Lahore, and served the Maharaja as a Governor, before leaving in ignominy, largely brought about by his hubris and greed. The chapter, The Camel Merchant of Philadelphia, tells his story and paints a vivid picture of the court. The intertwined lives of the Afghan and Sikh rulers and their vassals, and the dynamics of their relationship with each other, are fascinating, and far more layered than just the famous Kohinoor story, which again is not quite as it is popularly recounted. The author has felicity with the pen. His meanderings into the history of the region evoke nostalgia as these flesh out many narratives that are woven around the narration of Punjabi heritage the plunder by Nadir Shah, Ahmad Shah Durrani's attacks, the Maratha and Sikh attacks on his forces and Durrani's retribution, the inevitable infighting in the Afghan court after Durrani's death, and the rise of the Sukerchakia Misl. The Maharaja often managed to eclipse the Singh in the Emperor, but then there was always Akali Phula Singh to keep him in check. The man who refused to bow before anybody other then the Almighty is often remembered by the Sikhs, and he is brought to life in the story, The Timeless Warrior. Then there is the account of Moran, the dancing girl who became the Majaraja's favourite. He was even ready to pay the price of being chastised by Akali Phula Singh at Akal Takht for his transgression, but his love for the woman who won his heart remained undiminished. Maharajas have their harems, and here, too, Ranjit Singh was not found wanting. Most of the marriages were alliances, and then there were the dancing girls. The Maharaja's mother-in-law, Sada Kaur, helped him consolidate his power, but also fell victim to her own intrigues, and of those inimical to her, to find herself imprisoned, her estates confiscated, near the end of her life. The Maharaja, she found, could be as cruel as he was generous. The unwinding of an empire is never pretty. Murder Most Foul deals with the assassination of Maharaja Sher Singh, and his son Partap Singh exposes the underbelly of the arrangement that had been put into place to create Maharaja Ranjit Singh's empire. The reign of Maharaja Sher Singh had been short, and the most important members of the court had been killed by the time the throne was given to Maharaja Duleep Singh, an infant at the time. In the absence of a sturdy binding force, the empire weakened, and the rapacious British were, naturally, all ready to swallow it, which they did. The book lightly touches on many aspects of the reign of Maharaja Ranjit Singh and his times. It has some tantalising references that leave the reader wanting for more. This would not disappoint the author since his stated intention is to ignite more attention, written or audio-visual, to the topic. The Story of the Sikhs, a podcast by the author, is well regarded. The book adds to the body of work on the Maharaja. Saba Naqvi Saba Naqvi As we come to the end of the road of campaign 2019, we have to note that it is the regional forces that have fought the BJP more robustly than the Congress. Outside of Punjab, the expectation is that in the states ruled by it, the Congress will not be able to match Assembly strength with the Lok Sabha results. The PM, too, has staked all his might in fighting the Mahagathbandhan (MGB) in Uttar Pradesh and Mamata Banerjee in West Bengal. Those are the states where he has addressed maximum rallies. This means fundamentally that the BJP saw its base threatened in UP and the opportunity to create a new base in Bengal. By the BJPs own reckoning, therefore, we can conclude that the Congress-ruled states did not require so much prime ministerial effort. The spectacle of the smash-and-grab assault on Bengal and Mamata Banerjee has sent alarm bells ringing across several regional players. If the numbers do not add up for the BJP and the NDA, the regional players would try to create an alternative government. There are pitfalls in this exercise that were increased by the manner in which the Congress has handled the campaign at the national level. That is why it is very sensible that a line has now been put out that that the Congress will not insist on the PMs post. Till now, the party has not shown the strategic wisdom necessary for a national player. On one hand, Rahul Gandhi has matured as a speaker and carried himself with dignity during the assault on his late father but, on the other, the launch of Priyanka Gandhi on the eve of the General Election with the stated purpose of reviving the party for 2022 Assembly elections in UP was the most confusing move by the Congress. Heres why. The greatest battle against the BJP has been fought by the MGB in Uttar Pradesh, but the Congress has jumped into this campaign saying it is reviving the party for 2022. In the future, therefore, the Congress will be viewed as competition by the MGB which would see a threat in Priyanka stepping on their turf were she to lead an Assembly campaign in 2022. The Congress has every right to fight for its future. But the question remains that why was Priyanka Gandhi launched as general secretary in charge of east UP so late in the day? A fight for 2022 need not have begun in the midst of 2019. Not that there will be any real improvement in seats for the Congress in UP after the Priyanka launch. In 2019, its tally could be between three and five of the 80 seats in the state. The Congress has put out a line that it has chosen candidates designed to cut the votes of the BJP and help the MGB. But on four tours of UP, I found the following. First, the Congress was mostly irrelevant. Second, where it counted, it was actually harming the MGB more than the BJP. SP leader Akhilesh Yadav confirmed this and spoke with bitterness about the Congress when I interviewed him after the fifth phase of voting was over. He said in the Congress, it is managers and not the leaders who speak to allies and only do so when they need something. He was emphatic about pursuing the joint front with the BSP in the future leading to 2022 as that, he said, is what Dr Ambedkar and Ram Manohar Lohia would have wanted. If there were to be such an opportunity it seemed that Akhilesh would back Mayawati for PM. Alternately, a decision to back another figure/party would be taken jointly. Regardless of what happens in 2019 it is in both their interests to stay together. They would fight the BJP and try to prevent any breach in their turf in the 2022 Assembly poll when the Congress would make a serious play for the minority vote. The MGB leaders will also not miss what happened in Delhi where an alliance between the Congress and the AAP failed to materialise. In a scenario where tactical voting seemed pointless, minorities in areas where their numbers are large such as the North-East Delhi seat from where former Congress CM Sheila Dixit is fighting and in the Chandni Chowk seat, flipped overnight from AAP to the Congress. Their vote may help the Congress put up a good show in some seats in Delhi while AAP would be damaged. This is the sort of trend that alarms regional parties. One of the reasons the Vajpayee-led BJP created a template for successful coalitions was that it was not in competition with regional forces. Now, better late than never, Sonia Gandhi has begun making moves to mollify potential allies instead of alienating them. Shankkar Aiyar By Polling public opinion, choices or mood at any time in India is a hazardous business given the inadequacies of the Indian landscape and innumerable variables that must be factored in to arrive at a rationale and result. The risks are higher when it comes to exit polls, given the subjugation of facts by articles of faith. The fact that findings/projections of exit polls in recent years have gone awry has only made it more perilous. It would be fair to say that exit polls are haunted by questions. The commentary on the accuracy and credibility of exit polls depends on the who factorentrenched emotions of identity and ideology rather than the matrix of mathematics. Typically, those winning are happy to accept the findings, and those losing choose to challenge the very concept of exit polls. The favourite illustration critics present for condemnation is the projections of the 2004 General Electionsindeed both opinion polls and exit polls blundered, perhaps blinded by the rhetoric of India Shining. In 2004, the NDA was projected to win between 230 and 275 seats, and the UPA in the range of 176 and 190 seats. Actual results found the pollsters on the wrong side of both trajectory and tallythe NDA won 187 seats and UPA 219. The BJP won 138 seats and the Congress 145 seats and the call from Rashtrapati Bhavan. Five years later, the 2009 exit polls got the trajectory right but missed the tallythe projection for UPA was a low of 185 and a high of 205, and for NDA it was 165 to 195 seats. On results day, UPA won 262 seats and NDA got 159 seats. The performance of pollsters in 2014 was similarthey got the mood of the voters but missed the tally by a wide margin. The exit polls gave the NDA between 183 and 289 seats, while the UPA tally was projected to be between 92 and 120. On May 16, 2014 NDA bagged 336 seats and the UPA tally plummeted to 60, with the BJP at 282 and the Congress at a historic low of 44 seats. The big news about 2014 was the BJP-led NDA sweeping 73 Lok Sabha seats in Uttar Pradesh. What did exit polls predict? Common consensus was between 49 and 54, with one outlier at 67. The SP and BSP were projected to win 11 and 15, whereas the final score read SP 5 and BSP 0. The concept of exit polls used across the world is an innovation of Warren J Mitofsky. While at the US Census Bureau, Mitofsky designed a number of surveys. Along with Joseph Waksberg, Mitofsky devised a random digit dialling system for phone polling voters and went on to create the CBS News / New York Times poll. Success, Mitofsky underlined, required trained interviewers, an established pattern, and preciseness in calculations. Exit polls have had a chequered history in India and elsewhere. Critics believe the underlying construct of exit polls challenges the definition of random sampling, and therefore the polls carry a higher margin of error. Like other polls, exit polls can overstate the case of vocal voters and miss the silent voteand in India, there is an another factor, false responses driven by fear of retribution. Also, a higher turnout can skew assumed weightages, leading to erroneous calls on trajectory and/or tally. In fact, the impact is aggravated when the data is drilled to deliver outcomes at a granular level. Indeed the track record of exit polls in Assembly elections validates what is seen as problematic. Take the 2015 Assembly polls in Delhi and Bihar. In Delhi, the polls sensed the trajectory but none of the pollsters could capture the sweep of 67 seats by AAP versus 3 for BJP and 0 for Congress. In Bihar, the exit polls got both trajectory and tally wrong. The consensus view was that the NDA had the edge and would bag between 111 and 155 seats. When the results came in, RJD-plus had won 155 and NDA 83 seatsthe one poll which got both trajectory and tally withheld its findings. In Tamil Nadu, six of nine pollsters blundered on both trajectory and tally. It is not as if exit polls have not got it rightfor instance in Assam, West Bengal and Kerala. Mostly it has been the direction of the vote and sometimes a tally close enough to the actual results. Exit polls also got the mood of UP right in 2017, but could not capture the spectacular sweep by the BJP-led alliance, which won 325 seats. The pollsters got the trajectory but missed the tallynone predicted a tally of 300-plus. By the nature of their construct, exit polls can get the direction right for instance, in Gujarat, almost all the pollsters got the vote share of both BJP and Congress right. Exit polls also tend to get it right when there is a clear edge for one side at the outset of the election. On the flip side, exit polls can go haywire in close contests and when a thin sample is extrapolated to generate conclusions. The crux of credibility is in what pollsters chose to do or not to do. For instance, the fog of X factor is triggered by the conversion of vote share into seats. Pollsters could enhance credibility by focussing on vote share and trajectory. That may be a tough ask in the TRP era when seat tally is an essential item number. Ergo, on Sunday, it would be a good idea to set the salt and pepper shaker along with the silverware as the projections are unveiled. shankkar.aiyar@gmail.com Dipankar Gupta Dipankar Gupta In Mexico, it is cynically said, there are two ways to solve a problem: one is a technical solution and the other a miraculous one. The technical way is to pray to Mother Mary in Mexicos Basilica of Guadalupe, who then descends from heaven and sorts things out for you. The miraculous route is when people come together, drop their egos and put their best scientific brains to work. But as this option is rarely exercised, it is considered miraculous. There are clearly many in India who have chosen the technical route as outlined above. Substitute Mother Marys blessings for Mother Cows divinity and a technical solution is freely available in India as well. Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, for example, obviously thinks technically, at least in the field of health. In her view, it was cow urine that cured her cancer, not chemotherapy or surgery. Yet, if while campaigning, Pragya Thakurs car fell short of petrol, would she fall back on a litre of cow urine instead? Most certainly, not. Nor would she probably ever advocate Chandrayaan spacecraft coat their heat shields with cow dung. Both are absurd suggestions and can only occur to someone in a parallel universe. However, when Pragya Thakur claimed it was cow urine and not science-based surgery that saved her, why did many in this universe find it credible, not fantastic? This, even after it became public that a regular surgeon removed the malignant tumour in her. Interestingly, only in matters of medicine and health not cars, planes or satellites the choice between a technical solution and a miraculous solution, however defined, becomes active. Why should this be so? Science works best in areas it has created. Satellites, bullet trains and big bombs are made by humans, people of science, which is why they can write unambiguous operating manuals which lose nothing in translation. There are no such standard manufacturers instructions when it comes to health. This is because organic life human, animal, or plant is not a product of science. The living world around us was not crafted by human brains and hands. Consequently, our knowledge of, and control over, such phenomena will always be incomplete and contentious. This is quite unlike our comprehension of a super jet or a nuclear device which are of our making. There are no two schools of thought on how to run a combustion engine. In medicine, on the contrary, the field is open ended. An allopathic doctor will look at microbes and cells while alternative medicine might advocate sensing auras or interpreting dreams. Accordingly, the former may hand out antibiotics and the latter cow urine and mud packs. As neither side has a cent per cent success rate, there is always room for doubt. Even aggressive pharmaceutical companies are quick to caution their customers that if symptoms persist they should see a doctor. Also, as each body is unique, one side can always wag a finger at the other. Second, precisely because the organic world, human body included, is not made in China, the US or even in India, many doctors are reluctant to be dogmatic about their craft. This cautionary note is particularly relevant in the case of life-threatening and chronic ailments. In these instances there is no tell-all manual on any side but just a lot of tall grass with unknown species lurking in them. In many allopathic hospitals in the West there is a designated non-denominational prayer room. Doctors in such institutions will happily cut you up but they know that their knowledge is not certain. This is why it makes good sense that God should be at hand for a second opinion. Is there, then, no way to decide who to go to when sick? In the real world choices are, to a great extent, predetermined by experience, even though outcomes are not always certain. For example, if one were to go to a government health centre, the longest line would be for the allopathic doctor and not for the ayurvedic or unani practitioner. There are good reasons for this. It is popular knowledge that the success rate of allopathy is way higher than any other branches of medicine. For a majority of patients, the allopathic clinic is a one-stop shop. You take some antibiotics, and you are fully recovered. However, when one has something like cancer, the situation is not as straight forward. Patients may want to roll the logs over to see what lies underneath. It is not unlikely then that as a backup, one chooses alternative medicine, from ayurveda to unani to naturopathy, for abundant safety and this makes a lot of sense. However, this option usually follows chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery when treating malignancies. What remains steadfast is that patients go with experience, their own and those of others. You may put your internal organs in expert hands, but the stars will also count. Thus, while allopathy is nearly always the first port of call, it need not be the patients only port of call. The writer is a sociologist and former JNU professor Sanjeev Singh Bariana Sanjeev Singh Bariana in Chandigarh An entire generation has shied away from government schools and for reasons well known. However, this year, these not-so-sought-after schools have outshone private institutes, becoming the first step towards reinstalling the lost faith. At an overall pass percentage of 88.21 against 86 per cent of private schools, Punjabs government schools have made big news, a big statement. This result has meant a 30 per cent jump from last years 58 per cent in 3,607 government high and senior secondary schools of the state. The credit goes to a series of training sessions for the teachers and a series of tests for the students according to their mental capability. Interestingly, Delhis government schools, despite the much-applauded schooling initiatives by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), registered a pass percentage of only 71.97. These results have placed Delhi at the ninth spot in the 10 regions under the Central Board of Secondary Schools (CBSE) across the country. Results reversed Last week, sarpanch Amrik Singh of Basrawan village in Gurdaspur district, organised a special function to felicitate the staff of Government High School in his village. Reason: All Class X children in the government school passed this year. Last year, all students had failed. The abysmal situation in government schools has forced people to send the children to private schools as only they offer disciplined teaching. We know that most teachers in these institutes are not well qualified; however, we still sent our children. The recent results in government schools have given hope to people. After last years poor results, new teachers were brought in and the scenario has now reversed, the sarpanch says. This year, stories of 100 per cent result are repeating across many schools that drew a zero last year. These included Government Senior Secondary School, Khabba Rajputan (Amritsar), GSSS, Khinwa (Jalandhar), Government High School, Azizpur (Pathankot) and GHS Bhura Kohna (Tarn Taran). Last year, as many as 163 schools had less than 10 per cent result. This year, there are only six schools having less than 20 per cent pass percentage. The border districts, which had showed pathetic results last year, have seen a marked improvement. The biggest reason behind this has been teacher recruitment. In routine, teachers have not been interested in posting here. But last June, Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh allowed recruitment of more than 3,000 teachers for border districts with a clear rider that no transfers will be allowed. The availability of teachers has shown results. Pathankot, which recorded pass percentage of only 52 per cent last year, has topped the state with 91 pass percentage. Gurdaspur recorded 89 per cent this year against 60 last year; Amritsar 89 per cent against 55; Tarn Taran 74 per cent against 33; and Ferozepur 80 per cent against 52 per cent last year. Crackdown on cheating Public memory is still replete with the image of Education Department raids, led by Secretary (School Education) Krishan Kumar, in the Tarn Taran area during the annual examination for 2017-2018 session last year. At least 34 schools were found allowing students of Class X and XII to use unfair means during the examination; 4,839 students were caught cheating at different centres. The results were, expectedly, drastic. Officials say that with a clear signal of no tolerance towards cheating, the students prepared well for their exams. This year, student preparation was bolstered with additional teachers. In one of the meetings on boosting classroom teaching for better results, a senior principal remarked, We never thought that cheating could be stopped! Padho Punjab, Padhao Punjab The Padho Punjab programme, which was re-launched after the Congress government took over in 2017, did not have an easy run. Agitation by teachers unions started last October and continued till the commencement of the parliamentary election process this year. The programme faced allegation that the department, because of vested interests, had started a course parallel to the existing one, thereby increasing the workload on students as well as teachers. The results, however, have proved all critics wrong. One of the biggest critics of the programme, Sanjha Morcha convenor Devinder Punia, also appreciated the government for improved results. The result is good. As suggested on earlier occasions, the government went in for teaching students according to their mental abilities instead of generalised teaching for all, he says. We did not introduce any new books in the curriculum, except study material for the newly added pre-school classes. The only additional study material added for other classes was as homework to help students. This was prepared by our block and district monitoring teams with help of the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), says Krishan Kumar. Jarnail Singh, assistant director of SCERT, Punjab, says they conducted a general test to assess the mental capability of each student. This was followed by special classes for students who scored less than 40 per cent marks. Then another test was held and classes were repeated for students who scored less than 40 per cent were repeated, he shares. Continuing efforts Unlike last time, when the Padho Punjab programme was left mid way after the SAD-BJP government was voted out of power, the department has formalised certain important innovations to allow the continuity of reform measures. In one case, the department has changed recruitment rules for headmasters and principals. We have created a special cadre for the border districts so that teachers dont try to seek transfer to other places. Padho Punjab is just a Punjabi christening of the Centres Learning Enhancement Programme and was mentioned as part of the Budget speech of the Finance Minister. This meant the initiative was now a government policy, says Education Minister OP Soni. He says the government is working on creating a special cadre for the SCERT teachers too. We need them for training programmes to suit modern times, he says. Pat on the back Since last March, the Education Department has been honouring deserving teachers with merit certificates. We wish to identify all our star performers in imparting good education and acknowledge their work publically, Education Minister OP Soni says. Plugging the loopholes Need more teachers Shortly after the elections, the government aims at recruiting more than 2,000 principals, headmasters, centre heads and Block Primary Officers through direct recruitment, says education secretary Krishan Kumar. Department officials, however, said that the correct figures for fresh recruitment to different cadres of the teaching staff would be finalised after the understudy rationalisation process was over. Changed admissions will have a bearing on the final recruitment figures. Agitations galore The department has been faced with teachers agitations since October last. While the elections brought in a brief lull, they have once again started demanding DA, revised pensions and regularisation of contractual and ad hoc staff. The department maintains that sufficient classroom teaching has been going on with the available staff. A senior officer, requesting anonymity, says, We first regularised 5,178 teachers and later 8,886 more teachers. The unions have just been disrupting teaching, nothing else. The unions, however, are not satisfied and have raised their banner at different places in the state. shalender@tribune.com CM grounded! Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot pushed all limits in the state elections to ensure he was there for all Congress candidates, and not just for son Vaibhav who was making a political debut from the high-profile Jodhpur seat. While criss-crossing the state during one of his election tours, the CM had to face a piquant situation. One fine day, Gehlots VIP chopper had to be grounded by 4 pm as the pilot in charge had completed his due flying hours for the week and couldnt overdo the hours under the aviation rules. The Chief Minister, who was addressing various public meetings, however, failed to meet his deadline. The VIP chopper waited for its guest until 4 pm and then took off without the CM! Gehlot had to travel by road to finish his pending rallies while the private chopper took its own course! AT Vote stealer Beware! Your vote could be robbed right in front of you. In Faridabads Asavati village, a few women alleged that a BJP poll agent stole their vote when he pressed the button on the EVM on the pretext of helping them. Their allegations might not have attracted much attention had it not been for a video clip, substantiating their allegations, doing the rounds on social media. The Election Commission of India was forced to step in and order a repoll. Later, it ordered the transfer of DC, Faridabad. The accused, Giriraj Singh, was booked and arrested. That was prompt! BST EC silent, SC furious Many complaints were filed from different quarters relating to violation of Model Code of Conduct but the Election Commission remained silent until the Supreme Court set a deadline for it to decide on these. Following the courts directive, the EC became super active. On certain days, between the third and sixth phase of polls, it passed multiple orders. These included debarring candidates from campaigning, issuing warnings and giving clean chits to senior leaders of some parties. Till now, the poll panel has issued nearly a dozen clean chits to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, BJP president Amit Shah and Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on complaints against them for their remarks during the course of campaigning across the country. MR Missing in action At the Ghosi Lok Sabha seat in Mau district, voters could see hordes of people canvassing for the Mahagatbandhan candidate, Atul Rai, but the candidate himself is nowhere to be seen. The Mahagatbandhan leaders BSP national president Mayawati and SP national president Akhilesh Yadav held a massive rally here on May 15, asking voters to cast vote in favour of Rai, the absconding BSP contestant. But why is Rai missing from the scene? Well, a college student has registered a complaint of rape against him, and so hes absconding to evade arrest. His party, though, is claiming that he has been framed. The voters here have a difficult decision to make. SM Candidate report card Most politicians tried to use highly emotive issues of sacrilege and the 1984 Anti-Sikh riots but the voters shunned divisive politics and sought development agenda to the dismay of candidates. Rajinder Kaur Bhattal, a former chief minister, slapped a person who asked her why the Congress government could not develop his village. In a similar situation, SADs Harsimrat Kaur Badal left in a huff saying she could not take questions now as she was busy campaigning. Even AAPs Bhagwant Mann found it tough to answer the questions posed by the voters. In Anandpur Sahib, Punjab, several villagers put up hoardings outside the villages, asking candidates not to lure voters with intoxicants and urging them to answer three questions: why the culprits of sacrilege were not arrested; where were the promised jobs, and, where did the government manage to eradicate drug addiction. RK Techs the way The data provided by the Election Commission proved that apps like cVigil, Suvidha, Samadhan, Voter Helpline and PwD played a positive role. Political parties, candidates as well as voters used these extensively to make the electoral process participative and transparent. On cVigil app, the commission received more than 1,40,000 complaints of violations of Code of Conduct. More than 15 crore people downloaded the Voter Helpline App. The EC got two lakh applications for inclusion in the electoral rolls. Similarly, on the Samadhan app, which assists in addressing grievances, the EC got feedbacks from 12 crore people and through the Suvidha App, the poll panel granted more than 50,000 permissions for conducting meetings, rallies, etc. MR Singh is king The challenge politicians generally throw at their opponents during electioneering is for an open debate. The BJP candidate from Shahbad, Nayab Singh Saini (49) however, was challenged for a wrestling bout by his opponent, Nirmal Singh (66), of the Congress. To be fair, Saini asked for it as he taunted Singh, saying, He is an old man. How much work can he do? Singh immediately hit back, challenging Saini for a wrestling bout. If he defeats me in wrestling, I will accept what he said and there will be no need of contesting the election, he said. Apparently, Saini seems to have no intention of taking on the old man in a mud pit! BST Reward of age Amid the widespread mudslinging, it was heart-warming to see that everyone refrained from making any adverse remarks about octogenarian Virbhadra Singh, considering his age and stature. His criticism and scolding is his way of showering his love on me and I take it as his blessings. It helps me grow in stature, said Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, even though the veteran leader was quite harsh on him. Showing similar grace, CM Jai Ram Thakur also said Virbhadra is an elderly person, and so they do not feel bad about whatever he says. PC My paltu chachu This election missed Lalu Prasad Yadavs rustic wit and sarcasm. However, his younger son Tejashwi Prasad Yadav tried to fill his shoes by taking potshots at his opponents the way Lalu would. Taking a dig at Bihar CM Nitish Kumar, Tejashwi said: My Paltu Chacha once promised he would turn into dust rather the joining hands with the BJP but he aligned with it. There is no person close to my Paltu Chacha whom he hasnt cheated. I had watched a movie called Chachi 420 when I was a child. Now, I am watching live telecast of Chacha 420. JKS Sportingly yours Contesting from the Mumbai North Lok Sabha seat, former actress Urmila Matondkar, who was parachuted into the fray by a desperate Congress, turned the spotlight on herself. No one was turned away neither television reporters looking for sound bytes nor youngsters and housewives seeking selfies with the actress. One of the richest candidates from Maharashtra with Rs 68 crore assets, Matondkar jumped through open gutters in the slums of her constituency and gobbled the spicy vada-pav from a street vendor without breaking into a sweat. At one point, some children from the Kajupada slums in Borivli rushed to shake her hands and even got her to sing Lakdi ki kathi, kathi pe ghoda, from her film Masoom, in which she had starred nearly 40 years back. The video went viral on social media. SK Clan bowled The run-up to the Lok Sabha elections had leaders of the Maharashtra BJP unit rubbing their hands in glee. A bitter family feud in the household of Sharad Pawar was said to be tearing the Nationalist Congress party apart. Pawars nephew Parth, a political greenhorn, was keen on contesting from Maval. Pawars daughter Supriya Sule was already set to defend her Baramati Lok Sabha seat. The Maratha warlord announced that he would not contest from Madha.Sharad Pawar, the BJP leaders crowed, was clan bowled by his own warring clan. Pawar has become too old now and cannot control the ambitions of his relatives, a senior BJP leader said. But as they say, blood is thicker than water. In the end, the entire Pawar clan came together to campaign for Parth, who was making his political debut. RK Give and take One fine day, two strangers turned up at the residence of Dushyant Chautala, Jannayak Janta Partys candidate from the prestigious Hisar seat. It turned out they were close aides of Bhavya Bishnoi, the Congress candidate challenging Chautala, and were out to seek votes for Bishnoi. Now, one would have expected them to beat a hasty retreat on learning where they had landed, but they decided to meet Chautala anyway and, believe it or not, seek his vote for Bishnoi. To his credit, Chautala met them warmly and even agreed to cast his vote for his opponent. But how could a politician allow a vote to slip out of his hands, that too his own? So, he quickly asked for a vote in return and made one of them promise to vote for him, not Bishnoi. Well played, Dushyant Chautala. DD The forgotten slap The Lok Sabha electioneering in Gujarat was, by and large, peaceful and free of unsavoury incidents, except perhaps for the slapping of the young Patel leader and Congress campaigner Hardik Patel at an election meeting in Surendranagar district in the Saurashtra region. The culprit was a die-hard BJP sympathiser but the ruling party quickly distanced itself from the incident. But once the polling was over, the slapping incident seems to have been forgotten. Hardik had filed a police complaint and the man was taken into protective custody, but nothing further happened. The state Congress and Hardik himself do not seem to be taking any more interest since the political fallout of the unfortunate incident has already been sealed in the EVMs and will be known only on May 23. MD Baan vs Khan With the Shiv Senas sitting MP Chandrakant Khaire facing a tough battle at the Aurangabad seat, party chief Uddhav Thackeray could not resist digging up some ghosts of the past. With AIMIM leader Assaduddin Owaisi campaigning aggressively and consolidating the Muslim vote for the partys candidate Imtiaz Jaleel, Thackeray harked back to the days when the constituency was part of the erstwhile Hyderabad state. The Shiv Sena chief spoke about the brutalities on Hindus by the Razakars, a private militia owing allegiance to the Nizam who wanted to stay independent from both India and Pakistan. Shiv Sena workers went around asking voters to choose between Baan (Shiv Senas symbol of bow and arrow) and Khan, a reference to AIMIM candidate Imtiaz Jaleel. SK Minister and a chaiwala Babul Supriyo is popular in his para (neighbourhood) in Asansol (West Bengal). He takes out time to play badminton with the youth of his neighbourhood, and have tea regularly from a ramshackle tea shop run by a youth named Joy Sharma. The minister lives here with his family and has a fully equipped kitchen in his house but his first cup of tea in the morning before he hits the road for campaigning comes from Joys shop. Joy shares an excellent rapport with the minister but he never asks him for any favour. Supriyo respects Joy for this, and maybe having a chai regularly from his shop is his way of showing it. SC Vote for the rich... South India saw quite a few interesting contests with some of the richest candidates in the fray coming from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. With family assets worth Rs 895 crore, Konda Vishweshwer Reddy is the Congress partys richest candidate in Telangana. Contesting from the Chevella segment, Konda has personal assets of Rs 367 crore. One reason why we want to vote for him is that being so rich, he will not indulge in corruption was a common response of the voters in the constituency. Konda, son-in-law of the Apollo Hospitals chairman, Prathap C Reddy, is an engineer and entrepreneur and has several patents and copyrights in India and abroad. One hopes he lives up to the expectations of the people. NG Behind the veil Olympian Krishna Poonia made it her major poll plank that she was the first woman to be contesting from the newly carved out Jaipur rural constituency. Congress candidate Poonia is pitted against another Olympian, shooting gold medalist and sitting Information and Broadcasting Minister Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore. Facing a tough challenge, Poonia decided to play on the female voters of the constituency, who still wear veil when in public. Poonias team came up with this catchy slogan to get the women to come out and vote for her in large numbers. Le ghoonghat ki oat, de Krishna ko vote played on jukeboxes wherever Poonia went to canvas. BJP strategists were quick to pick on the slogans stereotypical nuance. But women of the area were quite happy to be goaded to come out, veiled and vote. AT Robinhood of Rajasthan The Nagaur Lok Sabha segment presented an interesting contest this time. It was the only seat in Rajasthans 25 segments where the BJP did not field its own candidate. Instead, it backed a prominent Jat leader Hanuman Beniwal, who had split from the saffron ranks to form his own party. Facing Beniwal was former Congress MP Jyoti Mirdha. But Beniwals rallies resonated with much more energy than Mirdhas. Reason: Beniwals reputation across the state as the saviour of the poor. Even Beniwals opponents privately said he had a Robinhood-like image and was known to come to peoples rescue in times of crisis. A prominent pro-Beniwal slogan in his rallies summed up the mood of the locals. It went Pehle Bhagwan, uske baad Hanuman. AT Farmers enter the fray Telangana saw a novel protest this elections with over 200 farmers filing nominations from Nizamabad Lok Sabha constituency to contest against Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Raos daughter and sitting MP K Kavitha. They entered the fray to protest the failure of the state and Central governments to ensure better remuneratiion for their produce and for the governments failure to set up a Turmeric Board. About 50 of these farmers from Telangana also filed nominations against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Varanasi. Their common refrain was: The contest is not to win, but to tell the politicians if they do not deliver, next time there can be a commonly supported candidate against the promise breakers. NG Friendly fire Congress star campaigner and former CM Virbhadra Singh (84) went about making adverse comments about his own party candidates. He was supposed to seek votes for them but he ended up criticising many of them, leaving the voters amused. Like always, former state Congress president Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu remained the prime target of his criticism. At a rally in Hamirpur, he said party had been cleansed after the removal of Sukhu as Congress president. Virbhadra ji is campaigning for the BJP by making such negative comments about Congress candidates, so we are obviously happy, remarked former CM Shanta Kumar. PC Mayajaal BSP supremo Mayawati was playing the kingmaker, thundering against the saffron party in the hinterlands of Morena. Amid all this, it was alleged that she had suddenly replaced the partys candidate Ramlakhan Singh, a Thakur who had the potential to spoil the chances of BJP candidate Narendra Singh Tomar, at the behest of the BJP. In these parts of Madhya Pradesh adjoining Uttar Pradesh, her core vote bank, dalits, jatavs, etc. are considered the deciding factor. VS Fear factor The winding road linking Darjeeling with Siliguri is dotted with the posters and cut-outs of TMC candidate Amar Singh Rai. While odd posters of CPM candidate Saman Pathak can be also spotted occasionally, there is no trace of the BJPs Raju Bista. It sends out a message that the BJP is a fringe player here, which isnt true. Apparently, the fear of reprisal from the Mamata Banerjee-led TMC prevents people from openly showing their association with the BJP. The BJP propaganda is similarly non-existent in many of the other constituencies of West Bengal, including Asansol from where Babul Supriyo is the party candidate. SC Hindi or Bengali? Nothing can be funnier than BJP leader Mukul Roys Hindi speech. Roy, who was a Rajya Sabha member from the Trinamool Congress (TMC), has lived in Delhi but his Hindi continues to be atrocious. Based in Kolkata now, Roy does not have to speak Hindi much but sometimes it becomes unavoidable. One such occasion arose when Roy had to address a BJP election rally at Kurseong. Momota ne Gurung ka saath bishwash ghatokota kiya (Mamata has betrayed Bimal Gurung), Roy began, and went on and on. The Gorkhas, an extremely courteous lot, listened to him patiently. When this reporter asked the person sitting next if he could follow what Roy was saying, the BJP supporter answered that he could because he knew Bengali! SC Saintly? Oh no! Believe it or not, when the Election Commission imposed a ban on their controversial candidate Sadhvi Pragya Thakur Singh for her utterances, the BJP and RSS leaders managing her campaign said, they were actually relieved that for three days they will be able to run the campaign the way they want and not just act counter to what their apolitical Bhopal candidate was saying about who and why and what others were saying to her and why. In the end, it took no less than the Prime Minister to do damage control following her latest glorifying views on Mahatmas assassin Nathuram Godse, BJP chief Amit Shah termed her candidature as satyagrah against proponents of Hindu terror theory. And on her emerging as a polarising figure, this is what she had to say When two Hindus are contesting, where is the question of polarising? I am the living example of victimhood of the conspiracy and custodial violence to prove their fake theory of Hindu terror. I assure you that when I speak the truth in public their true faces will be exposed. So wait is on for some more gems from Thakur, the most controversial figure of the most acrimonious elections 2019. VS In good humour Election campaigning was mostly old rhetoric and sometimes acerbic, but humour was not missing altogether. It was bound to be there with satirists like Bhagwant Mann, who is contesting from Sangrur, being in the fray. Though this time his kiklis from the 2017 election were missing, his one-liners jadon jhadu da batan dabonge, jehri cheenh di awaaz ayegi, uh mere virodhiyan di har di cheenh hovegi. The daddy se puchunga answers of BJP star candidate Sunny Deol to each question posed to him, besides his response to Balakot airstrikes, led to many jokes on him. RK Jumbo deflates bicycles tyres The Mahagathbandhan in UP is being touted as a challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modis second term in office. Arithmetically, it appears that the Bicycle-Elephant (poll symbols of the Samajwadi Party and the Bahujan Samaj Party, respectively) combine in the state is posing a tough challenge for Modi. Voters across western UP appear generally enthused about prospects of the Mahagathbandhan candidates. But in Rampur, where SPs senior leader Azam Khan is in a pitched battle against BJPs Jayaprada, several voters hold a different view. Engaged in an animated discussion around poll-related issues at a local transport office, a driver with the company said, Haathi cycle par baith gaya hai aur cycle ka tyre puncture ho gaya hai. MR Priyankas human touch Priyanka Gandhi Vadra attracted huge crowds wherever she went. During her roadshow in Ayodhya on March 29, a party worker, Vishal Sonkar, brought her a portrait of her grandmother, Indira Gandhi. However, in the milling crowd, the glass of the framed portrait shattered, leaving Sonkar with a bleeding hand. On seeing this, Priyanka immediately rushed to him and applied cream and bandage on the wound. She then asked security personnel to take him to the ambulance for further treatment. Priyankas gesture won many hearts. SN Stranded! Time and tide wait for no man. The BJP MP from Etah, Rajveer Singh, learnt it the hard way. On April 28, he was addressing an election meeting in Kisam Khiraj area in Manjhanpur. The meeting, however, dragged on beyond the scheduled time. The pilot sent him several messages to wrap up the meeting and return to the chopper. Engrossed in the meeting, the MP ignored the messages. Seeing his messages falling on deaf ear, the pilot flew away, leaving his VVIP passenger stranded. Later, the MP proceeded to Lucknow by road. SN Bad influence! So acrimonious were elections this time that Himachal Pradesh, too, got sucked into the negativity. State BJP president Satpal Singh Satti took the lead in delivering a nasty, below the belt punch on Rahul Gandhi. He was pulled by the Election Commission of India for his unsavoury remarks but he carried on regardless, forcing ECI to issue three notices against him. The Congress leaders, including CLP leader Mukesh Agnihotri, were not too far behind. Agnihotri made some distasteful remarks against CM Jai Ram Thakur and PM Modi. Interestingly, both Satti and Agnihotri hail from Una district, bordering Punjab, and many, in a lighter vein, are attributing their brashness to Punjabi influence! PC One-way traffic The switching of camps is rampant during major elections. Usually ,it goes both ways. But the Lok Sabha elections in Gujarat brought in good tiding for the ruling BJP. It was almost a one-way traffic with large number of workers, leaders and even elected representatives of the Congress deserting the party and crossing over to the BJP. In the process of poaching, the BJP not only succeeded in reducing the Congress strength in the state Assembly from 77 to the present 71, it also gained control of five district and nearly a dozen taluka panchayats which had gone the Congress way in the wake of the Patidar reservation agitation in 2015 besides swelling its ranks with scores of the supporters of the deserters also crossing over to the party. MD Inputs from Aditi Tandon, Ruchika Khanna, Vibha Sharma, Pratibha Chauhan, Naveen S Garewal, Mukesh Ranjan, Shiv Kumar, Shubhadeep Choudhury, Manas Dasgupta, Shahira Naim, Bhartesh Singh Thakur, Deepender Deswal and Jitendra Kumar Shrivastava. Illustrations by Sandeep Joshi shriaya.dutt@tribuneindia.com Sydney/Melbourne, May 19 Australias Liberal-led conservative government was headed for a remarkable win at the national election early on Sunday after uncovering a narrow path to victory that twisted through urban fringes and rural townships. The results upended pre-election polls which predicted a Labor victory, though it is unclear whether the Scott Morrison-led coalition can govern with an outright majority or will need to negotiate support from independents. The final result may not be known for some time. I have always believed in miracles, Morrison told cheering supporters at Sydneys Wentworth Hotel, where the government holds its official election night function. Tonight is not about me or its not about even the Liberal party. Tonight is about every single Australian who depends on their government to put them first. The conservative government has won or is leading in 72 seats in its quest for a 76-seat majority, according to the Australian Electoral Commission, with just over two-thirds of votes counted. Several seats are still too close to call and the final result is complicated by a large number of early votes that have delayed counting. Morrisons coalition defied expectations by holding onto a string of outer suburban seats in areas where demographics closest resemble Americas Rust Belt, blocking Labors path to victory. This included a devastating result in the coal-rich state of Queensland, which backed the Pentecostal church-going prime minister by defying expectations and delivering several marginal seats to his government. US President Donald Trump spoke with Morrison and congratulated him, the White House said. The two leaders reaffirmed the critical importance of the long-standing alliance and friendship between the United States and Australia, and they pledged to continue their close cooperation on shared priorities, it said. SOMBRE DEFEAT Voters on Saturday cast their ballots for Morrisons message of support to aspirational voters and turned their back on Labor leader Bill Shortens reforms. I know that youre all hurting and I am too, Shorten told supporters at the partys Melbourne election night function. And without wanting to hold out any false hope, while there are still millions of votes to count and important seats yet to be finalised, it is obvious that Labor will not be able to form the next government. Shorten said he would step down as the partys leader. Labor, a party with deep ties to the union movement, had promised to abolish several property and share investment tax concessions primarily aimed at the wealthy. Both major parties suffered a decline in their primary vote, according to AEC data, which was caused in part by a well-funded campaign by Clive Palmers populist United Australia Party. The election sparked several high-profile local battles, including attempts to remove Peter Dutton, a senior lawmaker who has championed Australias controversial policy of detaining asylum seekers in offshore centres. Although Dutton has retained his Queensland seat, former conservative prime minister Tony Abbott lost his Sydney beaches seat of Warringah to high-profile independent Zali Steggall. So, of course, its disappointing for us here in Warringah, but what matters is whats best for the country, Abbott told supporters in a concession speech. And whats best for the country is not so much who wins or loses Warringah, but who forms, or does not form, a government in Canberra. There were also 40 of 76 Senate spots contested in the election, the outcome of which will determine how difficult it will be for the next government to enact policy. Reuters sanjiv@tribunemail.com Coxs Bazar (Bdesh), May 18 Bangladesh authorities prevented 84 Rohingya refugees from Myanmar from attempting a perilous boat journey to Malaysia, officials said Saturday. The police in Pekua said 67 Rohingya Muslims from Kutupalong the largest refugee settlement in the world were stopped as they waited to board a fishing trawler. They included 31 women and 15 children. On Saint Martins, a small Bangladesh island in the Bay of Bengal, the countrys coast guard stopped 17 other Rohingya and five Bangladeshi traffickers before they could board a rickety fishing boat. Fayezul Islam Mondol, the regional coast guard commander, said they were acting on a tip off. About 740,000 Muslim minority Rohingya have fled Myanmar for Bangladesh in August 2017 . AFP pardeepdhull@gmail.com Islamabad, May 19 The Pakistan Army will raise another division-size special force to protect Chinese nationals and projects under the CPEC, military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor has said, days after the brazen terror attack on a luxury hotel in Balochistan. Describing the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a living example of deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China, Major General Ghafoor, Director General of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the Pakistan Army was fully determined to ensure the security of the project. Talking to the Chinese media in Rawalpindi on Saturday, he said the Pakistan military had raised a whole division-size force to protect the project and they were planning to deploy another division for this purpose. Earlier reports said a Special Security Division (SSD) comprising 9,000 Pakistan Army soldiers and 6,000 para-military forces personnel has been set up for the security of the CPEC project and Chinese nationals working on it. Ghafoor said Pakistan faced a very challenging war against terrorism during the last two decades, and now the security situation was under control. Talking about the CPEC role in the country, he said the economic prosperity brought about by the CPEC will fail the motives of terrorists, as with the success of project more employment and business opportunities will be unveiled and with more economic opportunities coming in, peoples lifestyle will improve and inimical elements will fail gradually, Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency reported. He claimed that the security situation in Balochistan had improved since the launch of the CPEC and now there was a better infrastructure, as many Chinese projects were underway, and with every coming day security, development and investment situation will get better. The Pakistan Army spokesmans comments came days after terrorists attacked the Pearl Continental luxury hotel in the port city of Gwadar in the restive Balochistan province, killing at least eight persons, including four civilians and a Pakistan Navy soldier. The attack was claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Armyone of the most-organised terrorist groups of Baloch nationalists fighting against security forces. The group was also involved in the terrorist attack at the Chinese consulate in Karachi last year. Ghafoor said: Todays Gwadar is not what it used to be two years ago and in future it will be on a par with the ports of developed countries. Gwadar port is one of the focal points of the CPEC with many Chinese workers from other provinces of Pakistan working at the port. China is investing heavily in Balochistan under the CPEC. The CPEC, launched in 2015, is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking Chinas resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistans strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. Talking about the investment opportunities in Pakistan, Ghafoor said Pakistan was doing its best to create an environment where investors could come and do their business as the security situation had greatly improved. Though there are a few sporadic terrorist incidents, investors should not be discouraged by them and keep their trust intact in peace, he added. PTI sanjiv@tribunemail.com Colombo, May 18 Sri Lanka, still reeling under the scars of the Easter Sunday bomb blasts, on Saturday marked 10 years of the end of the nearly brutal civil war between the government and the LTTE even as it came under criticism for failing to ensure justice for the victims. The Sri Lankan government on May 18, 2009, killed Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam ( LTTE) chief Velupillai Prabhakaran in the coastal village of in Mullaittivu, bringing to an end the bloody armed conflict fought mainly in the north and east of the island nation. At least 100,000 people were killed in the over three-decade-long conflict. Thousands of people, including security personnel, are still reported to be missing after the war. Hundreds of people gathered in parts of Northern Sri Lanka to remember the victims of the war, the Colombo Gazette reported. The government will commemorate the war heroes during the Victory Day celebrations on Sunday, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement. It asked the public to light a Lamp of Peace in the memory of those who laid down their lives for the country. PTI Observe Vesak amid tight security Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on Saturday granted an amnesty to 762 convicts to mark Vesak, also known as Buddha Jayanti, being celebrated by the Buddhist majority nation amid tight security arrangements in the wake of Easter Sunday bombings. The Sri Lankan government has restricted the five-day national Vesak festival celebrations to just two days citing the prevailing security situation in the country following the massive Easter Sunday bombings on April 21. By Express News Service GUNTUR: The urban police recently conducted a meeting with the management of educational institutions, hospitals, business establishments and theatres at the district police office here and asked them not to entertain unknown persons in view of security risk. SP Ch Vijaya Rao said the respective managements should install closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras, door frame metal detectors and use hand-held metal detectors to restrain unwanted people from entering their premises. The SP said that the police department, in view of recent terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka, had been focusing on increasing security at high-risk areas, such as the seashores and other places frequented by large number of people. He directed the police to inspect security arrangements at business establishments. Vijaya Rao said the management of all establishments should take security measures as per the instructions of police and notices would be issued to those who failed to comply with the police instructions. A fine of up to Rs 5,000 would be imposed for non-compliance, he added. THE Ministry of Health reported that 30 people succumbed to the Covid-19 virus yesterday. The latest deaths took the death toll this month to 610. The ministry identified the deceased as seven elderly men, eight elderly women, eight middle-aged men, six middle-aged woman and one young adult woman. T&Ts overall death toll now stands at 2,768. The Ministry said 16 patients had multiple comorbidities. Nine patients had one comorbidity and five patients had no known medical conditions. Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley has designated January 2022 as the point in time for commencement of a policy that would insist that all Government workplaces would require vaccinated workers. He has seen the reluctance and hesitation of many people both in public and private life who continue to refuse the jabs for several reasons, whether it be scientific or non-scientific, or for religious or personal reasons. NEW YORK The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is asking the public to report spotted lanternfly (SLF), an invasive species which feeds on more than 70 plant species like maple, grapevine and hops. The feeding can stress plants, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. The spotted lanternfly is an invasive pest from Asia that primarily feeds on tree of heaven (Ailanthus altissima) but can also feed on a wide variety of plants such as grapevine, hops, maple, walnut, fruit trees and others. This insect could impact New Yorks forests as well as the agricultural and tourism industries. Nymphs are black with white spots and turn red before transitioning into adults. They can be seen as early as April. Adults begin to appear in July and are approximately 1 inch long and a half inch wide at rest, with eye-catching wings. Their forewings are grayish with black spots. The lower portions of their hindwings are red with black spots and the upper portions are dark with a white stripe. In the fall, adults lay one-inch-long egg masses on nearly anything from tree trunks and rocks to vehicles and firewood. They are smooth and brownish-gray with a shiny, waxy coating when first laid. They were first discovered in Pennsylvania in 2014 and have since been found in New Jersey, Delaware and Virginia. In New York, a dead insect was found in Delaware County in the fall of 2017. In 2018, insects were reported in Albany, Monroe, Yates and Suffolk counties. Following the reports, DEC and Department of Agriculture and Markets (DAM) staff immediately began extensive surveys throughout the area. At this time, no additional insects have been found. They pose a significant threat to New Yorks agricultural and forest health. Adults and nymphs use their sucking mouthparts to feed on the sap of more than 70 plant species. This feeding by sometimes thousands of SLF stresses plants, making them vulnerable to disease and attacks from other insects. SLF also excrete large amounts of sticky honeydew, which attracts sooty molds that interfere with plant photosynthesis, negatively affecting the growth and fruit yield of plants. New Yorks annual yield of apples and grapes, with a combined value of $358.4 million, could be impacted if SLF enters New York. The full extent of economic damage this insect could cause is unknown at this time. Although native insects also secrete honeydew, the size of SLF and the large populations that congregate in an area result in large accumulations of it. The sticky mess and the swarms of insects it attracts can significantly hinder outdoor activities. They can jump and fly short distances, they spread primarily through human activity. They often hitch rides to new areas when they lay their eggs on vehicles, firewood, outdoor furniture, stone, etc. and are inadvertently transported to new areas. Some signs of an infestation are: * Sap oozing or weeping from tiny open wounds on tree trunks, which appears wet and may give off fermented odors. * One-inch-long egg masses that are brownish-gray, waxy and mud-like when new. Old egg masses are brown and scaly. * Massive honeydew build-up under plants, sometimes with black sooty mold. DEC is working with DAM and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address SLF. Since it is less expensive and easier to deal with a pest before it becomes widespread, the goal is to find SLF early or prevent it from entering New York altogether. A plan has been developed that describes how the agencies will prevent and detect SLF in New York. Extensive trapping surveys will be conducted in high-risk areas throughout the state as well as inspections of nursery stock, stone shipments, commercial transports, etc. from Pennsylvania. DEC and partner organizations encourage everyone to be on the lookout for this pest. To slow the spread of SLF, DAM issued a quarantine that restricts the movement of goods brought into New York from quarantined areas in Delaware, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. The quarantine requires regulated articles, such as packing materials, landscaping and construction equipment, and nursery stock to have certificates of inspection issued from the impacted states. Inspections are being conducted across New York by DAM and its partners to check for SLF and compliance with the regulations. In an effort to detect SLF early and respond in a timely manner, DEC has established a Protective Zone encompassing 20 counties located near the PA and NJ infestations. Protective Zones allow DEC and its partners to conduct activities such as surveying, monitoring, and management to find and prevent the spread of SLF. The public is also urged to help by doing the following: * Learn how to identify SLF. * Inspect outdoor items such as firewood, vehicles, and furniture for egg masses. * If you visit states with SLF, be sure to check all equipment and gear before leaving. Scrape off any egg masses. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture webpage (leaves DEC website) for more information on SLF in PA. If you believe youve found spotted lanternfly in New York: * Take pictures of the insect, egg masses and/or infestation signs as described above (include something for scale such as a coin or ruler) and email to spottedlanternfly@dec.ny.gov OR fill out a reporting form. * Note the location (address, intersecting roads, landmarks or GPS coordinates.) - This was after it was alleged the royal family in Dubai wrote a letter to the Kenyan government demanding KSh 4 billion in compensation - The family is said to have connection with businessman Ali Zandi who owns a gold trading company, Zlivia, in Dubai - Zandi had entered into a business deal with Kenyan businessman Zaheer Jhanda who was to facilitate export of gold from DRC to UAE - The gold, however, never reached Zandi despite payments having been made and with reports indicating it was being held at JKIA - Jhanda dismissed reports the gold consignment worth KSh 30 billion was confiscated at JKIA claiming it was still in the DRC The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has dismissed reports it penned a protest letter to the government of Kenya demanding compensation for losses incurred in a fake gold scam involving senior Kenyan politicians and state officials. It was alleged the UAE government had asked for compensation to the Royal family in Dubai, a demand that was feared could trigger a diplomatic row between the two countries. READ ALSO: DPP Haji aamrisha uchunguzi dhidi ya mawasiliano yalioibuka kati ya viongozi wakuu kuhusu sakata ya dhahabu The alleged fake letter was allegedly sent after reports emerged Kenyan custom officials were holding at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) gold consignment belonging to Ali Zandi, owner of Dubai-based gold trading company, Zlivia, which is said ti have connections with the Saudi royal family. According to the Africa Report magazine and other regional news outlets, Zandi had entered into a deal with flamboyant Kenyan businessman and politician Zaheer Jhanda who assured him he could source gold from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and deliver it to him in Dubai. READ ALSO: William Ruto defends Uhuru over gold scam, accuses Opposition of tainting president's name Zandi was then later told his gold had been confiscated by Kenyan authorities at JKIA, after which the Dubai-based businessman allegedly wired KSh 250 million (US$2.5 million) to have his consignment, estimated to be worth KSh 30 billion, released. It is understood the foreign businessman was involved in the deal with a number of Kenyan businessmen besides Jhanda, his main partner in Kenya. Several months later, Zandi had not received his gold, and it was increasingly becoming clear he had been conned by his Kenyan partners amid reports that consignments of fake gold had been seized in Nairobi by detectives from the Doctorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI). Interestingly, Jhanda who is a person of interest in the explosive multi-million gold scam dismissed reports indicating the consignment was being held at the airport. According to him, the gold was yet to leave Congo. "The company contracted me for my consultancy services, which was purely based on advisory on taxation and exportation of the gold that was to come from the Democratic Republic of Congo," he told Citizen TV. READ ALSO: Businessman strongly linked to gold scam allegations says he doesn't know genuine from fake minerals The 40-year-old Jhanda who vied for Nyaribari Chache parliamentary seat in 2013 and tried again in 2017 but lost in both cases, further claimed he had never done gold business in his life before, and that this was the first time he was involved in such a business. He disclosed he actually holds a 12% share in Zlivia, the company that is said to be the complainant in the fake gold scam. His work, Jhanda explained, was to make sure the goods had arrived and that they paid taxes to the government so they could export above board. "You cannot have gold worth KSh 30 billion in Kenya and the government is not aware about it," he said in protest to allegations he was part of the fake gold racket that was defrauding foreign investors millions of shillings. READ ALSO: Uhuru, Raila watajwa kwenye sauti ya simu iliyovuja kuhusu dhahabu feki ya KSh 400M Also implicated in the scam was Senator Moses Wetang'ula whose phone conversation with a man believed to be Zandi was recorded and shared on social media where it attracted massive reaction from Kenyans. Mentioned in the now controversial audio clip were President Uhuru Kenyatta, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i and former prime minister Raila Odinga. The viral clip appeared to suggest the president, the ODM party leader and CS Matiang'i were part of the fake gold racket. The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) Noordin Haji on Saturday, May 18, ordered for speedy investigation into the audio recording and warned against sharing of misleading information. Do you have a life-changing story you would like us to publish? Please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Furious KNUT Secretary General Sossion Lectures Education Cabinet Secretary - On Tuko TV Source: TUKO.co.ke Action film superstar Arnold Schwarzenegger was on Saturday, May 18, attacked by a man in South Africa. TUKO.co.ke has learnt that the incident happened while The Terminator actor was attending the annual Arnold Classic Africa in Johannesburg. READ ALSO: William Ruto defends Uhuru over gold scam, accuses Opposition of tainting president's name READ ALSO: Eric Omondi's video selling Manchester United shirts for free goes viral around the world In a video that has since gone viral on social media, Schwarzenegger is seen recording a snap chat conversation on his phone before a man lands on his back with a powerful kick. The actor then stumbles into the crowd of onlookers as the attacker is sent crashing on floor. READ ALSO: Billionaire Chris Kirubi's dinner meeting with US Ambassador McCarter angers Kenyans His security detail quickly contained the situation as someone is heard shouting "Help me, I need a Lamborghini". Many have, however, been left agape on how he managed to bypass the well-built and hawk eyed guards. The organisers of the event condemned the incident but confirmed that the attacker was in lawful custody. "Security responded swiftly by apprehending the offender and handing him over to the police," read a statement from Arnold Sport Festival Africa. READ ALSO: Kutana na binti wa miaka 27 anayehudumu katika ndege, ni dereva wa teksi na pia mchuuzi wa nguo Schwarzenegger assured his fans that he was fine and there was nothing to worry about following the incident. "Thanks for your concerns, but there is nothing to worry about. I thought I was just jostled by the crowd, which happens a lot. I only realized I was kicked when I saw the video like all of you. Im just glad the idiot didnt interrupt my Snapchat," he tweeted. Do you have a hot story or scandal you would like us to publish, please reach us through news@tuko.co.ke or WhatsApp: 0732482690 and Telegram: Tuko news. Raila Odinga's die hard fan Source: TUKO.co.ke Chinas rapid development carries huge significance in the modern time, and is widely recognized as a miracle by the international community. But such achievements have led to harsh voices of some Americans who said it was their country that had rebuilt China in the past 25 years. Such voices go against common sense and are totally wrong. By claiming such point, some US senior officials exposed only their ignorance. Its understandable if they know little, but its horrible when they pretend to act like that. Some Americans hold that the so-called imbalanced trade between China and the US is a result of the Chinese manipulation of exchange rate, and the US trade deficit with China is wealth sent by the US to China. They attribute Chinas success, to a large extent, to the US investment in China. Such theory, ignoring the struggling and hard work of the Chinese people in the past decades, not only goes against facts, but also is illogic. The theory that the US helped rebuild China revealed the arrogance and distorted mindset of some Americans who believe the US is the savior of the world. Receiving little support in the US, it has been only ridiculed by the international society. The US trade deficit with China is caused by the comparative advantages of the two countries and international labor division, which has long been recognized by US economists. China has always adhered to market rules in foreign trade and worships fair business. It is nothing but nonsense to take the deficit as an argument supporting the US-helps-rebuild-China theory. According to Stephen Roach, Yale University senior fellow and former Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia, the US ran trade deficits with 102 countries in 2018.Based on this figure, was the US rebuilding most of the countries in the world? Any normal people are not likely to have such superiority. The bilateral trade between China and the US is absolutely not a one-way street via which the US is sending money to China. The deficit doesnt mean the US is losing money. On the contrary, the US is gaining tangible profits and cost-efficient products. Is it possible that American businessmen are giving their money to the Chinese? The answer is obviously negative. According to report issued by third party organizations including the Deutsche Bank, the US gained more net profit than China did in bilateral trade. China-US economic and trade cooperation is based on win-win results. Nobody wants to lose in business, especially the Americans who are good at seeking profits and stick to the American first strategy. The contribution made by the US investment to Chinas economic development is undeniable, but it is not correct to say it is the fundamental reason for China to grow into the second largest economy of the world. Since 1987 when China started keeping statistics on foreign investment, the country has accumulatively utilized foreign capital of more than $2 trillion. However, only $80 billion, or 4.06 percent of the total, came from the US. Has the US rebuilt China with $80 billion? That does not exist even in dreams. Its beyond imagination how the Americans reached such conclusion. If such conclusion was true, is it that China is rebuilding the US as the latter is gaining hundreds of billions of US dollars from its investment and service trade in China each year? As a matter of fact, after the US-helps-rebuild-China theory came into being, the US website PolitiFact made a report on it and held that the theory was interpreting the China-US trade relations in an over-simplified way. Scott Lincicome, a scholar at the libertarian Cato Institute, said that the theory is correct in only one tiny sense. Trade with all countries, including the United States, has been part of a major market reform, he said, adding that reforms have been much more fundamental. Any country must depend on itself for development. The Chinese people understand that the development of their country, a huge economy with nearly 1.4 billion people, cannot rely on other countries. Besides, there is no country in the world that is able to rebuild China, which is understandable to anyone sensible. Chinas development derives from the efforts made by the Chinese people to promote reform and opening up under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, as well as their hardworking spirit. It is not righteous for the US to take the credit. China is not developing with its doors shut, but opening its doors for more win-win cooperation with other countries. While making its own development, the country is also opening wider its market and increasing overseas investment, creating opportunities for other countries including the US. Without the Chinese financing of American government debt and corporate investments, the US would not have been able to sustain growth in real estate, defense and business for so many years, said a Yale University economics and finance professor who specializes in the Chinese economy. In an interlinked globalized world, it is really hard to say who is rebuilding whom, the professor added. There is no savior in this world. Most of the want-to-be saviors are doing more bark than bite and will end up failing. However, there are always arrogant people in the world who pose as saviors, and their fabricated stories are nothing but jokes. Instead of making nonsense, the US should respect the facts and stop blaming China irresponsibly. It should perceive Chinas development properly and contribute to the stable development of China-US trade relations. G Janardhan Rao By Express News Service VISAKHAPATNAM: Nine months of the agony of four youths from Rajam in Butchayyapeta Mandal in Visakhapatnam district will come to an end soon. After TNIE carried a report on the plight of the four youths M Venku Naidu, M Mahesh, M Srinu and M Girish languishing in Malaysia without money and food, Telugu Expats Association there has come to their rescue. The youths have been provided accommodation in an apartment at Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur by the association. One of them, Venku Naidu, thanked TNIE for highlighting their story. Speaking from Malaysia over the phone, he said owing to the TNIEs initiative, they will be now coming back to India. The association representatives have been taking good care of us, he said. Venku Naidu said they were cheated by agents in India and Malaysia. The agents promised them employment and collected Rs 60,000 from each of them. They faced many odds as they were not given any work and had to survive on the little money they had, he said. Venku said they were now happy and eagerly waiting for their return to India. He said they were lured by the overseas employment and landed in trouble. He said their case should be an eye-opener for many others. Speaking to TNIE over the phone, media coordinator of Telugu Expats Association of Malaysia B Madan Mohan said in view of holidays till Wednesday it will take one week for the youths to return to India. As they do not have passports and visa, they should take white passports from the India High Commission office. After proper documentation and paying penalties to the government they will be sent back home, he said. It will cost around `1 lakh each, including airfares and penalty, to reach home. Madan said the APNRT Society would be providing assistance to the youths return. He said the association rescued two more people and they would help them return to India. Meanwhile, Nani, cousin of Venku Naidu from Rajam said the family members of the youths were very happy after receiving the news that they would be back home soon. Nani said apart from the TNIE they should thank YSRCP leader Gudivada Amarnath for taking up the cause of the youths. Wagoner Mayor Albert Jones made some good points as the guest speaker during the May 16 luncheon of the Wagoner Area Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Jones gave the history of the town and how two California businessmen came to open a medical cannabis growing and processing center in Wagoner. With all the good things the major shared, his best line came near the end of the 35 minute talk. In five years, this city will be totally different, he said. Its more than just idle talk, too. The medical cannabis facility on South Main, coupled with other business expansion, gives Wagoner a bright future. Mayor Jones and others will attend a national retail business summit in Las Vegas in hopes of attracting a grocery store or hotel chain. There has been some interest on both those fronts, but nothing concrete. City officials say the Las Vegas trip will be an opportunity to reach more candidates all in one venue. The Wagoner group is also better prepared with studies on hotel needs and grocery needs for this part of the county. The May chamber luncheon was held in Schalliols Bar, Grill and Lanes. There will be no June meeting. The next chamber luncheon will be July 18 at the Pizza Hut with Wagoner County Sheriff Chris Elliott as guest speaker. If I didnt think Knox would be able to do those things, I wouldnt have cast him, David Blakely said. Also, I wanted to cast someone close to the characters actual age. Ive seen shows where people in their 20s and 30s have been cast as teenagers, but when a character playing a parent comes on stage who looks to be about the age as the teenagers, it just looks wrong. Knox Blakely said he did a great deal of research in preparation for the role. I do speech and debate, and a lot of times, Ive been in competitions where people will do as a dramatic monologue what I call Oscar bait where they take on the persona of someone with some sort of difficulty, he said. They usually get pretty far because they know the material is going to yank tears out of people. But it always seemed to me as calculated, Knox said. If something isnt honest, thats what makes it offensive. And that was the last thing I wanted to do with Christopher. We do allow students to (attend) because we dont want to not allow students to come to school and then to be behind, Johnson said. So is it possible for a TPS student to attend class for an entire school year without providing the proper vaccination paperwork? Ill just say that we definitely make a very strong effort to get both vaccinations completed and shot records updated as well as for families who choose not to get exemption forms filled out, Johnson said. We are very committed to supporting our families to actually get either the vaccinations done or the exemption filled out without penalization of students not being able to receive their education. Regarding the nearly 14% exemption rate for Eisenhower Elementary kindergarten students, Johnson said: The 13.9% is a reflection of families who are choosing to not vaccinate for whatever those particular family values and beliefs are. Those are things that we typically just respect, the fact that families have chosen that decision, but on the other hand we strongly encourage all of our families to have their students vaccinated. As for the 300 TPS students the survey showed to not have up-to-date vaccination records or an exemption form on file, Johnson suggested that the information may have been updated later in the school year. Curtis Killman 918-581-8471 curtis.killman@tulsaworld.com Twitter: @loucardfan61 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. Every case is a mystery. Its like reading a novel. I just dont get tired of that. None of our cases are really mundane. At Brewster and DeAngelis, his law office home since 1982, most of what walks through the door is complex civil litigation, particularly as it relates to wrongful death or the catastrophically injured. He estimates less than 10% of the workload involves criminal defense, but thats where his marquee burns brightest. Because of that niche, many people in big trouble seek him. If somebody needs representation and I really feel like it wouldnt make a difference if it was me or somebody else, I will talk them out of retaining us, Brewster said. But if I say, if I dont take this case, this guy is going to have a really bad ending or if I dont take this case, Ill be upset with myself in some way and I can make a difference, I will do that. He said hes most proud of the cases that nobody knows about. In most of my higher-profile cases, money is not an issue, he said. In a criminal case, I tell them I have two fees, and the two fees are free or a whole lot. Ill say, in your instance, its a whole lot. At the same time, a warm front is expected to lift north of the Red River, creating wind profiles capable of supporting rotating thunderstorms and tornadoes. Tornadoes will be most likely near the warm front, which will shift north during the day. Thunderstorms are expected to spread through the area Monday afternoon and evening, and a secondary line of strong storms is expected to roll through Tuesday morning. Much of central and eastern Oklahoma, including Tulsa and Oklahoma City, are under a flash flood watch from Monday morning through Tuesday evening because the ground remains saturated from Saturdays storms. Up to 3 inches of rainfall is likely along the Interstate 44 corridor, with higher amounts possibly locally in areas north and west of Tulsa. The weather service in Tulsa took to social media on Saturday, urging residents to be weather-aware. Saturday storms that swept across northeast Oklahoma brought two low-rated tornadoes, the weather service reported Saturday night. By Express News Service BENGALURU: The verbal fusillade between leaders of the coalition partners continues unabated as each party tries to go one up on the other. Sparking off a fresh controversy, senior JDS leader Basavaraj Horatti on Saturday said the Congress was being intolerant and uncooperative. He even called for the dissolution of the Assembly and holding mid-term polls so that JDS can come back to power on its own. None other than Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy himself had to step in to call for a truce. We are on the verge of forming a new government at the Centre. At this juncture, where all efforts are being made to form a non-BJP government, contradictory statements from leaders of the coalition parties may mar such efforts. My humble request to leaders of both parties is to restrain from making contradictory/controversial statements in public and to support the cause (of formation of non-BJP government at the Centre), the CM tweeted as soon as he returned from Tirupati where he had been to celebrate his father H D Deve Gowdas birthday. He headed straight to Mysuru where he checked into a resort and met with some ministers from his party. Hours later, senior Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Siddaramaiah, Deputy Chief Minister G Parameshwara and Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dinesh Gundu Rao were summoned to New Delhi to attend a meeting convened by party president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday. It is believed that the bickering among the coalition partners will come up for discussion. ALSO READ | Dont make conflicting remarks: HD Kumaraswamy to cadre Many JDS leaders, including minister Sa Ra Mahesh said Horattis statement was unwarranted and can send wrong message. Senior Congress leader Mallikarjuna Kharge too expressed his displeasure while KPCC working president Eshwar Khandre felt there was no need for making such statements at this juncture. Earlier in the day, speaking to reporters in Bagalkot, JDS MLC Horatti said Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy is giving good governance but the coalition partner is not allowing him to work properly. Hence, it is better to dissolve the Assembly and face elections again. Gowdas chutzpah surprises many! I prayed for strength to serve the people better, said JDS patriarch H D Deve Gowda after offering prayers at the hill shrine at Tirupati on Saturday. He also reiterated that he will rise from the dust just as he had done when he demitted office as PM in 1997. His statement on seeking strength to serve the people has left many wondering what his next move could be! Chief Minister Kumaraswamy has tolerated a lot in the coalition government. If Congress leaders do not cooperate with him, I wont be surprised if the CM dissolves the Assembly. Apart from this, there are also chances that the governor might intervene and recommend dissolution of the Assembly, said JDS MLC Horatti. Continued bickering among the coalition leaders can threaten the Congresss efforts to bring together non-BJP parties at the national level and this issue is likely to come up for discussion during the Congress leaders meeting in New Delhi on Sunday. Sources hinted that the meeting is likely to discuss the recent statements by Kumaraswamy, his party state president H Vishwanath, Basavaraj Horatti and Siddaramaiah and the repercussions of such statements on the coalition government. When we moved from New Haven, Connecticut, last year, we struggled to leave our family home, attached not only to the relationships we had built but also to the leafy green streets, the exceptional Yale University libraries and the Diyanet Mosque where our son spent much of his early life. Today, the ground is shaking beneath my feet. On Sunday, the very same Diyanet Mosque was purposefully set on fire, according to police. When I see photos of the mosque on fire, it feels like my house is burning. This is an attack not only on a community and the values that I hold dear but on my very own loved ones, so often within its bounds. I think of how such acts devalue the lives of those close to my heart, from our dear family friends to my own husband and son. I think of how my husband could have been there praying, or my now 4-year-old Sami playing, still believing that all is right and good in the world when he is by his fathers side. Rapid DNA technology promises to change that. The device itself may be cutting-edge, but testing immigrants to establish family relationships is not new at all. Immigration authorities have been experimenting with genetic testing since long before DNA. The history of their efforts, however, counsels caution. Immigration officials tout the simplicity and certainty of DNA, yet no matter how simple or certain, genetic tests are indelibly marked by the political context of their use. Too often, that context is characterized by discriminatory, anti-immigrant agendas. U.S. immigration authorities first adopted genetic testing on a mass scale during the Cold War. In the early 1950s, civil war and revolution in China spurred many Chinese to emigrate. Consular officials were convinced that many of these applicants were paper sons, people falsely claiming kinship with a Chinese-American citizen. But paper immigration was a response to racist Chinese exclusion laws first promulgated in the late 19th century. While European immigrants were allowed to enter through Ellis Island in droves, virtually the only way for Chinese to gain entry to the United States was as the children of citizens. Thousands of Oklahomans are sitting in jails convicted of no crimes simply because they dont have enough money to pay bail. It costs taxpayers to house the defendants, and it costs communities in lost wages and family disruption. It turns the U.S. Constitutions promise of innocent until proven guilty on its ear. Reforming cash bail remains a critical part of the overall criminal justice reforms needed to bring down Oklahomas unsustainable incarceration rate. Lets review the basics: The purpose of bail is to make sure a person accused of a crime shows up for subsequent court hearings. Period. Full stop. It isnt meant to be leverage for prosecutors trying to coerce pleas, a mechanism to keep jails full or for a cash cow for the bail bonds industry. If they are not flight risks or dangers to the community, defendants, particularly those facing misdemeanor and nonviolent charges, should be released to return to their jobs, raise their families and resolve their cases. Oklahomas judicial system moves at a deliberate pace, which too often turns poor defendants into hostages of the cash bail system. I worked at the veterans medical center in Wichita, Kansas, for 34 years. Federal employees serve and protect us every day at every level across the country and in our community. At no time was this more evident than during the 35-day partial government shutdown earlier this year. From ensuring safe air travel to regulating new medicines to maintaining a safe food supply to processing Social Security checks, civil servants are everywhere, yet invisibly so. And, contrary to popular belief, 85% of the federal workforce is located outside of Washington, D.C. When natural disasters strike, they provide relief and help us rebuild. When mass shootings take place, they enter harm's way and care for the wounded. And, when once-eradicated viruses reappear, they investigate public health crises. Whether they are in the public eye or active behind the scenes, civil servants take pride in working for something bigger than themselves. The man who helped to end apartheid in South Africa, and saw Trinidad and Tobago as the true rainbow nation, Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu is dead. South Africa's two Nobel Peace laureates former President Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Tutu visited Trinidad in May 2004 Approximately 2.5m tickets for UEFA EURO 2020 are set to be sold to fans, with applications for the first 1.5m taking place on EURO2020.com from 12 June to 12 July 2019 at 14:00CET. REGISTER YOUR INTEREST UEFA EURO 2020 will be staged between 12 June and 12 July 2020 in 12 European cities: Amsterdam, Baku, Bilbao, Bucharest, Budapest, Copenhagen, Dublin, Glasgow, London, Munich, Rome and Saint Petersburg. These host cities include eight national capitals, and 11 venues with a stadium capacity in excess of 50,000. In all, there will be 3m seats at the matches, with 2.5m 82% of the total being sold direct to fans. The first batch of tickets go on sale to the general public from 12 June to 12 July 2019: the 1.5m tickets available at this stage represent a 50% increase on the quantity of neutral tickets that were sold for UEFA EURO 2016. A further 1m tickets (a 20% rise on the UEFA EURO 2016 total) will be on sale to supporters of the participating teams following the finals draw on Saturday 30 November this year. Further tickets will be held back for sale to supporters of the sides that make it through the UEFA EURO 2020 play-offs, scheduled for Thursday 26 March and Tuesday 31 March 2020. A further draw will take place in April 2020 if required. These tickets will be sold in close cooperation with the national associations concerned. UEFA via Getty Images First application window The first tranche of tickets will be put on sale throughout the world via EURO2020.com. For all matches and categories where demand exceeds supply, tickets will be allocated by a fair and transparent lottery. Every applicant will have the same chance of success, irrespective of when their application is made between 12 June and 12 July 2019. In order that more fans than ever can 'LIVE IT. FOR REAL', UEFA has ensured: Tickets will be available at under 100 for all 51 games, a total of 1.25m tickets. 13,000 category 3 'Fans First' tickets for both semi-finals and the final a total of around 40,000 tickets will be available at under 100. These represent 15% of stadium capacity. Fans can apply for 'Fans First' tickets between 12 June and 12 July 2019. Of the 51 matches, 44 will offer tickets for 50 or less, equating to 1 million tickets. To guarantee fans are given every possible chance to secure tickets, those who are unsuccessful in their application in the July 2019 lottery phase will automatically be entered into the 'Fans First' programme. These fans will be the first to be informed about new UEFA EURO 2020 ticket availability (resulting from unsuccessful payments and ticket returns). Supporters in the 'Fans First' group will get an exclusive priority period to purchase such tickets. WIN TICKETS! Any fan who creates a EURO 2020 ticketing account online at EURO2020.com/tickets between 19 May 2019 and 11 June 2019 will be entered into a random draw to win two free category 1 tickets to an opening match at any venue. One lucky fan will also win two free category 1 tickets for the UEFA EURO 2020 final. Winners will be selected at random and all winners will be announced by the end of June 2019. Terms and conditions apply. UEFA via Getty Images Ticketing products To make it easy for everyone to understand the ticketing system, the number of available products has been simplified: Individual ticket: one match in one stadium 'Follow my team' ticket (sold from December 2019): A ticket allowing fans to attend a knockout stage match of their favourite team independently of the location of the match. If the team is eliminated before the knockout stage, 100% of the ticket price will be refunded. UEFA will make a number of tickets available for disabled fans at every match, in the lowest price category, regardless of their location in the stadium. Disabled fans can also request a complimentary seat for an accompanying person. Hospitality packages UEFA will offer official hospitality packages at all stadiums from 12 June 2019. There are a range of options, starting from 780 per person, including private suites, business lounges and a more casual and livelier club. For more information, visit EURO2020.com/hospitality. Ticket categories and prices Tickets will be offered in three price categories for UEFA EURO 2020. The application of such principles outlined below is dependent on the seating configuration of each stadium. UEFA via Getty Images CLUSTER A: AMSTERDAM, BILBAO, COPENHAGEN, DUBLIN, GLASGOW, LONDON, MUNICH, ROME, ST PETERSBURG Group stage and round of 16 Category 3: 50 Category 2: 125 Category 1: 185 Quarter-finals and opening match (Munich, Rome, St Petersburg) Category 3: 75 Category 2: 145 Category 1: 225 CLUSTER B: BAKU, BUCHAREST AND BUDAPEST Group stage, round of 16 and Baku quarter-final Category 3: 30 Category 2: 75 Category 1: 125 SEMI-FINALS AND FINAL (LONDON) Semi-finals 'Fans First': 85 Category 3: 195 Category 2: 345 Category 1: 595 Final 'Fans First': 95 Category 3: 295 Category 2: 595 Category 1: 945 Value-added tax (VAT) applicable in each host country is included within the ticket price and will be covered by UEFA. All prices are in euros. Attribution rules favour access for as many people as possible to 'LIVE IT. FOR REAL' Maximum four tickets per applicant and per match Maximum one match per day per applicant No obligation to buy a certain amount of tickets for group matches in the hope of getting a semi-final or final ticket Why are there different prices for different venues? This decision to have different price clusters was made based on extensive research relating to the purchasing power and average income of residents within the host countries. Research showed that the purchasing power and average incomes of residents in Azerbaijan, Romania and Hungary were lower than in the nine other host countries. The price clusters have been applied throughout the entire tournament. Consequently, tickets for the quarter-final in Azerbaijan are less expensive than tickets for the quarter-finals in Germany, Italy and Russia. An official resale platform to combat black market sales A ticket resale platform will allow fans to offer their tickets for resale at face value via EURO2020.com/tickets. The ticket resale platform will be available in March/April 2020. This platform will enable fans to safely purchase tickets from other fans, through an official UEFA sales channel. This eliminates the risk of acquiring invalid or fraudulent tickets and ensures that sellers receive their money in full. In the afternoon, the new president will be meeting with foreign guests. The press service of Ukraine's President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky has announced the agenda of official events on May 20 on the occasion of his entry into the presidency. According to the agenda, from 10:00 to 11:00 Kyiv time, Zelensky will be taking part in an official meeting of the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, on taking the oath to the Ukrainian people. Read alsoRussia not invited to Zelensky's swearing-in ceremony Ukraine's Foreign Ministry From 11:05 to 11:20, Zelensky will be participating in the introduction of the commanders of the divisions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and in the ceremony of raising the national flag of Ukraine. "From 11:20 to 11:50, Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska will be welcoming heads of foreign delegations in Kyiv's Mariinsky Palace," the agenda says. From 12:00 to 13:30, Zelensky will be receiving heads of foreign delegations on the occasion of his presidency. From 14:30 to 17:00, Zelensky is scheduled to have bilateral meetings with heads of foreign delegations at the Presidential Administration's building. Turchynov on May 17 submitted a letter of resignation as Poroshenko's presidency is expiring. Outgoing Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a letter of resignation submitted by Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov. Corresponding decree No. 297/2019 dated May 19 was posted on the president's website. "Oleksandr Valentynovych Turchynov shall be relieved of his position as Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine," the decree says. Read alsoSecretary of Ukraine's Security and Defense Council Turchynov resigns (Document) As UNIAN reported earlier, NSDC Chief Turchynov on May 17 submitted a letter of resignation as Poroshenko's presidency is expiring. The swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky is scheduled for Monday, May 20. Under Ukrainian legislation, the candidacy of the NSDC Secretary along with those of the foreign and defense ministries, the SBU chief and the chief prosecutor shall be appointed (with the parliament's approval) and dismissed by the president of Ukraine. Manoj Viswanathan By Express News Service KOCHI: The great deluge that devastated the state in August last year and the harsh summer that followed have helped to create a consciousness among the Keralites on the need to plant more trees. With the greens campaigning that rampant destruction of the green belt has aggravated the effects of global warming leading to extreme weather changes, there is a new-found enthusiasm among the public to plant trees. According to sources, the Social Forestry Department has been flooded with phone calls from schools, colleges, government departments, religious organisations, NGOs and corporates booking saplings to be planted on June 5, the World Environment Day. We have raised around six lakh saplings to meet the demand in Ernakulam district, but the demand has been overwhelming. The government and aided schools in the district alone have booked around 3 lakh saplings and there are enquiries from various government departments and local bodies, said Ernakulam Social Forestry Range Officer M K Renjith. Across the state, the Forest Department has kept around 70 lakh saplings ready for distribution on June 5, but it seems the department will not be able to meet the increasing demand this time. In the Central Region, we have raised around 47.64 lakh saplings for distribution. We had limitations in collecting the seeds due to the deluge. But we brought the seeds from Bengaluru and Shivamogga in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University Seed Centre in Coimbatore, Wayanad and other parts of Kerala. The fund is from the Rs 14 crore earmarked for extension activities of the department. We employed contract workers to raise the saplings, Conservator of Forests (Social Forestry) M S Jayaraman told Express. The department will be distributing 30 varieties of saplings including medicinal plants, fruit-bearing trees, flowering trees, timber species and trees that can stop coastal erosion. According to the lawyer, his client should be released next week. Bail worth UAH 4.8 million, $182,510, has been put up for former Commander of the National Guard of Ukraine (NGU), Colonel General Yuriy Allerov, who is suspected of involvement in a corrupt real estate deal at the NGU, however, he is still in custody. "Bail has been put up but he has not been released they've been doing everything to keep him in custody," the lawyer of the suspect, Ihor Moroz, said, according to the Hromadske portal. Read alsoEx-Commander of Ukraine's National Guard detained over possible involvement in flat scam The bail was transferred on Friday, May 17, after 18:00 Kyiv time, therefore, the end of the working day was probably the reason for the delay. According to the lawyer, his client should be released next week. Allerov is charged with possible involvement in fraud schemes of building apartments for National Guardsmen. Sixty-five flats were built in a remote district in Kyiv instead of originally planned 50 flats in the city's central Pechersky district. The probe into the case started in December 2017. As UNIAN reported earlier, President Petro Poroshenko dismissed Allerov from the post of commander of the National Guard of Ukraine on May 7, 2019. He was appointed chief guardsman on December 30, 2015. The National Anti-corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) said on Facebook on May 14 that its detectives were conducting searches in offices and houses of a number of National Guard officials, as well as in offices of certain private companies. "The raid has been authorized and is being held as part of an investigation into a real estate corruption scheme, as a result of which the General Directorate of the National Guard of Ukraine, according to the investigators, has lost assets worth UAH 81.64 million, or US$3.12 million," NABU said. The captain said the vessel went adrift. Egypt's authorities have detained the Sea Shark tanker registered to Panama with 17 Ukrainians who are crewmembers. "According to the Embassy of Ukraine in the Arab Republic of Egypt, a member of the crew of the Sea Shark vessel got into contact with the diplomatic office and reported that the vessel had been detained by the authorities of Egypt for violating the border of Egypt," Director-General for Consular Service at Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Serhiy Pohoreltsev told UNIAN. The captain of the vessel, Vitaliy Nesterenko, told the consul of the Ukrainian embassy that the vessel had gone adrift and accidentally entered into the territorial waters of Egypt. At that time, the ship was in the port of Berenice (subordinate to the Ministry of Defense of Egypt). Read alsoUkrainian sailors to remain in custody in Moscow for another three months "According to information available to the embassy, the Egyptian side fined the shipowner company over the said offense and the crew's passport were seized," Pohoreltsev said. "The requests sent by the company that owns the ship to Egypt's competent authorities to replace the crew (as the contracts of 11 out of 17 Ukrainian sailors expired) were not met with the Egyptian side," he said. "In order to resolve this issue, a consular officer held a meeting at the Foreign Ministry of the Arab Republic of Egypt, during which, in particular, it was noted that the Ukrainian side had not been informed of the incident by local authorities in a proper day. A note verbale was sent with a request to provide official information whey the Ukrainian sailors had been detained and accused; to assist in obtaining permission for the consul to visit the citizens of Ukraine on board the vessel," he said. On March 7, 2019, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry informed the Ukrainian Embassy that the Egyptian side had no claims against the Ukrainian sailors and did not object their possible replacement with other crew members. "Despite the readiness declared by the Egyptian side to assist in resolving the issues raised by the Ukrainian side, the Egyptian agencies delayed the matter, and therefore the Embassy on April 22, 2019, sent another note to get relevant explanations from the Egyptian side," Pohoreltsev said. The embassy's efforts and constant pressure on the Egyptian side almost succeeded: having receiving the relevant permission of the Egyptian naval forces, the Sea Shark vessel was on April 25 removed from the anchor in the port of Berenice and departed to Egypt's Ein El Sokhna Port, located 100 km from Cairo, where the replacement of crew members was to take place. Yet, on April 27, when the ship arrived at the port of Ein El Sokhna, the Egyptian military prosecutor's office demanded that the crew unload the crude oil the ship was carrying over an alleged environmental threat that is possible if it leaked into the water area. "According to ship captain Vitaliy Nesterenko, the crew members consider the decision of the prosecutor's office illegal and refuse to execute it, and representatives of Egypt's Navy, for their part, do not give permission to replace the crew until the oil is unloaded from the ship," Pohoreltsev said. Now the embassy's requests are being considered by the Egyptian side. The enemy used banned weapons in six out of eighteen attacks. Four Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in the past day amid 18 enemy attacks mounted by Russia-led forces. They used proscribed weapons, namely 152mm and 122mm artillery systems and 120mm and 82mm mortars in six instances, the press center of the Joint Forces Operation headquarters said on Facebook in a morning update on May 19. Read alsoVolker accuses Russia of worsening situation in Ukraine's Donbas What is more, the enemy was shelling the Ukrainian positions, using weapons of infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers of various systems, large-caliber machine guns, and small arms. Ukraine's Joint Forces fired back, responding to each of the enemy's attacks. Ukrainian intelligence reports says that two enemy fighters were killed and another three were injured on May 18. Since Sunday midnight, the enemy has opened fire from anti-tank grenade launchers and small arms to attack Ukrainian positions near the village of Vodiane in the Skhid (East) sector. The Joint Forces fired back after every attack. No Ukrainian army casualties have been reported. By Express News Service NAGAPATTINAM: An activist was arrested and seven others were booked for opposing the GAIL work taking place near Tharangambadi. The villagers cried foul over the charges. R Iraniyan (47) of the Thamizhaga Nilam Neer Pathukaapu Iyakkam was arrested allegedly when he went to the Sembanar Kovil Police Station to collect receipts for a complaint he had lodged the previous day. He was produced before a magistrate in Mayiladuthurai, who remanded him in judicial custody. The seven others booked Vishnukumar, Balan, Selvaraj, Sivanantham, Ramasamy, Thennarasu and Mohandas include two farmers who are yet to sign the agreement with GAIL. The eight have been charged for unlawful assembly, rioting, and criminal intimidation. Iraniyan is being targeted for leading our agitation. He is being framed on false charges, said S Jawahar, a farmer from Kalahasthinathapuram. The accusations are false. They are accusing us of trespassing, for which we stepped into our fields. The FIR is an attempt to suppress the remaining opposition from us, said M Vishnukumar, from Sembanar Kovil. The GAIL pipeline work is going on in villages near Tharangambadi amid severe opposition from farmers whose protests were thwarted by the massive police deployment in the villages of Maemathur, Kalahasthinathapuram, and Mudikondanallur near Tharangambadi. Even as talks were going on between police and farmers, GAIL allegedly kept sneaking its machinery into the fields, only to be confronted by the farmers. By Express News Service HYDERABAD: A three-member gang, including the owner of a cold storage plant, was arrested on Saturday by Cyberabad police at Raidurgam, on charges of forging Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Raos signature on a fake letterhead of TRS party. According to police, the accused used the fake TRS party letterhead to write to the Rangareddy District Collector, asking him to take steps for regularisation of a portion of land in Gachibowli. The arrested are identified as Mohammed Osman Qureshi, Syed Rashid Hussain and B Amarendra, while Baba Khan, who arranged the fake letterheads with signatures of the Chief Minister is absconding. Khan had claimed that he was a TRS party leader. Police launched a hunt to nab him. DCP Madhapur A Venkateshwar Rao said that Qureshi wanted to regularise the land portion and issue latest pahani documents for the same, but could not get the work done. He approached his friend Rashid, who in turn contacted his friend Baba Khan. Khan arranged 10 fake letterheads of TRS party with signatures of the CM for Rs 45,000, which Rashid supplied to Qureshi for Rs 60,000. Qureshi drafted a letter addressed to the Rangareddy Collector, with instructions to mutate the ownership of the land to Qureshi. The letter also said that the applicant (Qureshi) has approached him and that he was in distress. Since the records were already verified, the Collector and the Tehsildar concerned should complete the work soon. Copies of the letter were submitted to RDO Rajendranagar and tehsildar Serilingampally. The officials of RDOs office sensed something was fishy and inquired with the CMs Office and found that the letters were fake. They immediately approached the police. Based on the clues, police nabbed three persons. Express News Service By NEW DELHI: Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh and the partys South Delhi nominee Raghav Chadha visited the Election Commission on Saturday over complaints pertaining to the strong room in the constituency where EVMs are kept. Citing CCTV footage, the party claimed that the one of the EVMs arrived 6-7 hours after the strong room was locked on polling day May 12. The visit to the poll panel came a day after the party alleged that the Delhi poll body got presiding officers to manipulate polling diaries in the South Delhi constituency.We doubt if proper arrangements have been made to secure the strong rooms. We have received complaints that after polling closed on May 12, the strong room was locked. It remained locked the morning after, but was opened later to keep another EVM. Such complaints raise questions on the credibility of the EC, Singh said. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE Earlier, Chadha alleged that the poll panel summoned presiding officers and had them re-crete and re-sign documents related to EVMs. However, South Delhis Returning Officer Nidhi Srivastav denied the panel called any polling official from the constituency. Russia's energy giant Gazprom and Turkmenistan are close to finalize talks on a new contract on the purchase of Turkmen gas for the period of up to five years, agreements can be reached in May-June, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Yanovsky said Thursday BERLIN (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th May, 2019) Russia 's energy giant Gazprom and Turkmenistan are close to finalize talks on a new contract on the purchase of Turkmen gas for the period of up to five years, agreements can be reached in May-June, Russian Deputy Energy Minister Anatoly Yanovsky said Thursday. "Negotiations are being completed on a new medium-term contract for a period of up to five years, starting, respectively, from the second half of this year," Yanovsky told reporters. "Various options concerning the volume are being discussed. But it will be larger than now," he said, adding that negotiations are expected to be completed in May-June. Gazprom announced in April that it resumed buying natural gas from Turkmenistan in 2019 after a three-year suspension. A Peruvian Army helicopter crashed on the border with Ecuador, killing two servicemen on board, according to a press release from the Peruvian army MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th May, 2019) A Peruvian Army helicopter crashed on the border with Ecuador, killing two servicemen on board, according to a press release from the Peruvian army. "On May 17, 2019 the Mi-171 SH helicopter number EP-664 crashed in ...Condorcanqui Province of the Amazonas Region during a humanitarian demining operation on the border with Ecuador," the statement said. Peru has launched an investigation into the crash. Father Cecilio Perez Cruz had reportedly refused to pay protection fees to a well-known criminal gang. The Government has announced new measures to fight criminality. By Linda Bordoni 38-year-old father Cecilio Perez was reportedly shot dead by a presumed gang member while he slept on Saturday night in his parish in El Salvador. Father Perez was the parish priest of San Jose la Majada, in Sosonate Diocese near the Guatemala border. His body, with three bullet wounds, was found in his room by a group of faithful who had agreed to meet him at 5am for morning prayers. Besides his body was a hand-written note signed by the Mara Salavatrucha gang saying he did not pay the rent. The Bishop of Sonsonate, Constantino Barrera, who has asked for prayers for Father Perez, expressed his grief and praised the work the priest was doing with his parishioners saying he was close to the people. Government response The Government of El Salvador condemned the murder and expressed its condolences to the priests family and to the Catholic community. In a statement it also said new orders have been issued to security forces to make sure the priests killers are brought to justice. El Salvador is one of the most violent countries in the world. The murder rate last year in the Central American country was 50.3 homicides per 100,000 inhabitants, or 9.2 murders a day. Sumi Sukanya Dutta By Dwarapur, a small hamlet near the Sariska Tiger sanctuary in Alwar, Rajasthan comes across as yet another obscure, sleepy village in the area unless you spot something very unusual: a tent housing four cops outside a quiet house. That calm, however, is, unnerving. None of the 30-odd members of this house are at peace. A 19-year-old beenni (daughter-in-law) of the family was gang-raped by five men on April 26, just about 10 km from this village, in front of her husband. The incident would have remained yet another crime against Dalits belonging to Balai castetraditional weavers who are at a low pedestal in the social hierarchyhad it not caught the attention of the national media over the shocking apathy shown by cops in the case. Police insensitivity The woman, who splits time between her in-laws' house in Dwarapur and her parents home in a neighbouring village Lalwadi, was on the way to shop for a family wedding with her husband, visiting from Jaipur when five men blocked their bike. They were on two bikes and stopped us. They asked for our names and caste and hearing that we are Dalits they took us aside, the FIR that was lodged four days later and undersigned by the survivor reads. They dragged me by the neck and started beating me and my husband with sticks. After that they asked both of us to get intimate. When we refused they tore off our clothes. Then one by one each of them raped me, while my husband was constantly being beaten and tortured. One of them raped me twice, it adds. ALSO READ | Three more cases; charge sheet filed in Alwar gang rape One of them was also shooting the entire act on mobile phone. Later they forced us to copulate too and it was also filmed, the survivor further said in the FIR. Before leaving they took our phone numbers and threatened to kill us if we told anyone. The shaken couple gathered their courage and clothes before pulling their bike from a ditch and moving back. But not long after, the man started receiving calls from the perpetrators asking for money failing which they threatened to circulate the video via WhatsApp. They started calling from different numbers and each time they would threaten to kill us and ask for money, says the survivors husband. The couple, however, kept the matter to themselves and only on April 29 when there was a flood of blackmail callsdid they gather the courage to tell their family about the horrific incident. A rape case was subsequently lodged at Thanagazi police station after the man, accompanied by elders in the family, met the Alwar Superintendent of Police and SHO of the Thanagazi police station under whose jurisdiction the crime occurred. We told them that the crime was committed by five Gurjar men but there was no urgency shown by them in trying to arrest the men. They did not even invoke the sections of the SC/ ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the man, 21, alleges. In the meantime, calls blackmailing and threatening the couple continued and on the morning of May 4, a video of the crime was circulated on WhatsApp. The goons kept saying that the police would do nothing and that is exactly what was happening. My cousin received it (the video) on his phone and we ran to the police where we were told that everyone was busy due to Parliamentary election till May 6 and hence we should come after few days. It was only after we approached the BJP MLA of the area that the matter took a political turn, the survivors father-in-law said. Fault lines in the village Dwarapur village has about 400 housesthe maximum, about 150, belonging to Gurjars, a dominant caste in the area. The village also has about 80 Dalit families belonging to Meena and Balai castes and often fights break out over the lower castes being denied entry to the biggest temple in the village and access to a large borewell when they go to fetch water. Six mena man, Mukesh Gurjar was not part of the gang that raped the woman but was arrested for circulating the video onlineare all from different villages but from the same caste- Gurjar. Survivors husband who is training at the Industrial Training Institute in Jaipur said that before the case snowballed into a political issuehe was approached by Gurjars in the village to settle the matter. Many have come to show their solidarityeven Brahmins but none of the Gurjars came. However, a powerful man from their community called one day asking us to compromise and withdraw the case which we refused. Izzat toh gayi, ab jee-jaan ke saath nyay ke liye ladenge (Our honour is gone but we will fight for justice with all our beings), said survivors mother-in-law. The survivor herself wants nothing but death penalty for her tormentors. We keep hearing that these Gurjars goons have done heinous things to other Dalit girls, which were never reported. Now we wont settle for anything less than the severest punishment under the law, said the 19-year-old. Meanwhile, the cops outside who have been assigned 24x7 to protect the family are on a constant watch. Abhi tak toh sab shanti hai lekin caste equation ko dekhte hue, kabhi bhi kuch ho sakta hai (So far, so good but there is always a chance of an untoward incident due to caste equations, one of them says. Austria's president has proposed early elections at the beginning of September after a recorded corruption scandal sparked the end of the coalition government. By Stefan J. Bos The early elections announced Sunday come after Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache suddenly resigned as secretly recorded video footage emerged showing him talking to an alleged Russian investor in Ibiza. In the video, Strache appears to offer government contracts in exchange for political support and potentially illegal donations for his far-right Freedom Party. After the footage was leaked through media outlets, the vice-chancellor told reporters he had decided to step down. "We want to continue implementing the government program. And we support this government program in our beloved responsibility to Austria and its people," he said. "I do not want to be the reason to make that impossible and also provide a pretext for this government to collapse. That was the goal of this illegal activity that took place. That's why I had a talk with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz where I offered my resignation as vice chancellor of Austria," Strache explained adding: "He accepted this decision." Early elections But Austrian Chancellor Kurz went even further. He quickly called for a new election in an attempt to shore up support for his policies. Kurz made clear that he wants to continue "to serve Austria" in a way he sees fit but "without interruptions and scandals." The chancellor said that is not possible at the moment and that he saw no possibility to work with other parties as they are either too small or don't share his political views. "That's why I proposed to the Austrian president to call for early elections as soon as possible," he added. President Alexander van der Bellen later said in a statement that "a new beginning should take place quickly, as the provisions of the Federal Constitution permit" and that he pleaded to hold the elections in early September. Vice Chancellor Strache's resignation and the collapse of the government comes as a setback for populist and nationalist forces as Europe heads into the final days of campaigning for elections to the 751-seat European Parliament. Anti-migration bloc Hungary's prime minister, for instance, wanted to form an anti-migration block within the European Union with leaders such as Strache. Although the EU legislature has limited powers, the campaign has become a test of strength between populist movements seeking to limit immigration and return more powers to national governments from the EU on the one side, and more mainstream center-right and center-left parties at the other. The scandal also underscored worries about Russian influence in several European countries, especially among European populist movements such as Austria's governing Freedom Party. Critics fear those developments could enable Moscow to influence legislation and policy in the EU. Crazy Horse 3, located at 3525 W. Russell Rd., will offer a selection of dollar tacos every Tuesday from noon to midnight, starting on Tuesday, May 21 (Photo credit: Chris Wessling). The award-winning gentlemens club will offer dollar tacos to guests every Tuesday, with the choice of chicken, pork or carne asada. In addition to taco offerings, guests can also sip from Crazy Horse 3s elevated craft cocktail bar and can enjoy $5 beer bottles and $5 cocktails during the clubs daily happy hour, offered from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Guests are encouraged to take advantage of Crazy Horse 3s complimentary transportation service, pending availability, by calling 702-673-1700 and local guests over the age of 21 arriving in their own transportation will receive complimentary entry. Crazy Horse 3s newly-renovated property includes additional parking areas, a state-of-the-art kitchen with a new menu, a new marquee and interior upgrades making it the ultimate adult destination.14 Vampira was born as Maila Elizabeth Syrjaniemi in 1922 in Petsamo, Finland. She immigrated to the United States with her family in 1924 and eventually made her way to Los Angeles, California by the 1940s. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, she supported herself as a model for various men's magazines and as a burlesque dancer.In 1953, Maila attended a masquerade party dressed as a vampire character that she dubbed "Vampira." This character was loosely based on "Morticia Addams" from Charles Addams' comic strip in. She caught the attention of a television producer who was also attending the party. He offered her the opportunity to appear on television. As a side note, Vampira won first prize for best costume at the party...She received a radio.Vampira made her television debut onwhich aired on KABC-TV in Los Angeles, California from 1954-1955. After the show was canceled, she went to rival station, KHJ-TV, where she continued portraying her Vampira role.In 1955, a man broke into Vampira's Los Angeles apartment and held her hostage for four hours, during which time he tried to kill her. She escaped from the apartment and contacted the police with help from a local business owner.After leaving television, Vampira went on to appear in a string of low budget films, her most famous being the 1959 ultra low budget Ed Wood film,. She made her last film appearance in 1962.By the mid 1960s, Vampira's film and television career dried up. She supported herself by doing light carpentry work, laying linoleum flooring, and selling handmade jewelry.Vampira died in 2008 in Los Angeles, California at the age of 85 and was buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Hollywood. She was married three times but never had any children.These fabulous photos that captured portrait of horror icon Vampira, Maila Nurmi in the 1950s. United States Marine Corps Recruit Training (commonly known as boot camp) is a 13-week program of initial training that each recruit must successfully complete in order to serve in the United States Marine Corps.All enlisted individuals entering the Marine Corps, regardless of eventual active or reserve duty status, will undergo recruit training at one of the two Marine Corps Recruit Depots (MCRD): Parris Island, South Carolina or San Diego, California. The training and standards are identical between the two bases, though the order of some training events differs from east coast to west coast.United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test Physical Fitness Test that includes a run of 3 miles in less than 28 minutes, 70 or more crunches in 2 minutes, at least 7 pull-ups for males and flexed arm hang for more than 30 seconds for females (this is to achieve the minimum score). For a maximum score, male recruits must complete the run in 18 minutes, perform 115 crunches in 2 minutes and do 20 pull ups. All recruits must meet certain height and weight requirements. The Marine Corps utilizes a 500 yard rifle qualification, while the US Army utilizes a 300 yard qualification with a much smaller target.During the Korean War, training was shortened from ten weeks to eight, but returned afterward to ten. The Ribbon Creek incident in 1956 led to considerable scrutiny and reform in recruit training, such as an additional layer of command oversight and the distinctive campaign cover. During the early 1960s, the training period was increased to 13 weeks, including three weeks of marksmanship training at the Rifle Range. The Vietnam War-era syllabus was shortened to nine weeks and again saw infantry recruits attend follow-on training at Lejeune and Pendleton.These amazing photographs were taken by Thomas Hoepker in Parris Island, South Carolina from the series(Photos Thomas Hoepker/Magnum Photos) Australia's Prime Minister Tony Abbott. (Photo: AFP/Saeed Khan) Abbott, who was prime minister from 2013 to 2015, was one of the most vocal climate sceptics in parliament and had held his seat of Warringah in Sydney's northern suburbs for a quarter of a century. But amid a groundswell of activism on climate change among his affluent beachside electorate and a strong challenge from independent candidate and former Olympian Zali Steggall, Abbott was unable to hold on. While the national election remained too close to call - with the conservative coalition government of Prime Minister Scott Morrison doing better than expected - Abbott admitted his defeat, less than three hours after polls closed. "I can't say that it doesn't hurt to lose," he told supporters, but added, "I'd rather be a loser than a quitter". "It's often said that all public lives end badly, but I'm certainly not going to let one bad day spoil 25 great years," he said. The contest in Warringah had become so heated that an Abbott volunteer was stabbed in the stomach with a corkscrew late Friday while putting up campaign posters, with the Liberal candidate saying it reflected the ugliness of the election campaign. Steggall said earlier Saturday she believed she could win and was running in the election to give locals a choice. "After 25 years there are a lot of people that are ready for different representation and a different style of politics," she told reporters after voting. During voting on Saturday near Abbott's surf club, the site of one of the polling stations, anti-fossil fuel campaigners set up a "democracy sausage" stand - a election day tradition - with signs "fry sausages not the climate" and "let's snag some climate action". Voters entering the polling booth were greeted by volunteers wearing bright orange "I'm a climate voter" t-shirts and "25 years of climate denial: Vote Abbott out" signs. Locals emerging from the ocean with their surfboards beside the station said they were voting for a change in direction. "It's time for Tony to go," 32-year-old surfer Aidan Street told AFP. At another polling station, Abbott was surrounded and questioned by students who skipped school early this year to protest against government inaction on climate change. Australia is one of the world's worst per capita greenhouse gas polluters, due to heavy use of coal-fired power and a relatively small population of 25 million. The IDA will provide $125 million to facilitate institutional reforms in Ho Chi Minh City The World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved the $125 million credit on May 16, 2019 to assist Ho Chi Minh City in strengthening institutional foundations for sustainable urban development. This is the World Banks first budget support operation to a sub-national entity in Vietnam, marking a strategic shift in the banks engagement at the subnational level from sector-specific investments to supporting cross-cutting policy and institutional reforms. The policy programme aims to remove institutional bottlenecks to enable Vietnams largest city and economic powerhouse to address some of its most pressing urban governance challenges. As a key growth pole driving economic modernisation and generating 21 per cent of Vietnams GDP, the benefits of reforms in Ho Chi Minh City are expected to go beyond the city to the wider economy. As an emerging global megacity and commercial hub with significant opportunities, Ho Chi Minh City is also facing a host of serious urban challenges, said Ousmane Dione, World Bank country director for Vietnam. The successful management of rapid urban growth requires effective and integrated urban governance, as well as adequate investment in urban infrastructure and service delivery. Such interventions will have to be met within a constrained fiscal environment, reinforcing the urgent need for efficient resource mobilisation and allocation, he added. The policy programme is designed to institute integrated cross-sectoral reforms in areas that are crucial for Ho Chi Minh Citys urban development, including land use planning, fiscal governance, wastewater management, public transport, and economic competitiveness. The programme is structured around the three pillars of integrated and transparent spatial information for urban management; strengthened management of public assets and liabilities; and enhanced delivery of priority municipal services. This is the first time a citywide, integrated policy dialogue has been established to facilitate co-ordination among Ho Chi Minh Citys various departments and contribute to the design and timely implementation of critical institutional reforms. The credit is provided by the International Development Association (IDA). Express News Service By NEW DELHI: Agrarian irony cries out in Punjab, the food bowl of the country, with farmers indebtedness only growing in recent years. The agrarian irony is marked by overproduction in the face of inadequate price, with lopsided institutional credit, leaving farmers at the mercy of money-lenders. Faced with regular droughts in vast swathes of the country in the face of irrigation network catering only to 52 per cent of cultivable land, farmers have seen their income eroding amidst rising input costs. Chhaya Shelke uses an earthen pot for watering a mango plant in Osmanabad district, Maharashtra There is, indeed, a tall order for the new government to radically reform agriculture, source of livelihoods for half the population of the country. The new government could begin by biting the bullet, possibly by bringing agriculture under the Concurrent List of Constitution. Malwa region of Punjab has, incidentally, hundreds of farm widows. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report in 2016 found that the highest rise in India in cases of farmer suicides at 118% was in Punjab. The challenge in agriculture is problem of plenty more production, less price. Price, pricing, procurement and logistic are areas of focus for the government to steer agriculture out of distress. Additionally, scarcity of resources in the face of 70 per cent of over Rs 12 lakh crore of institutional credit flowing into just eight states, leaving farmers in eastern, central and southern states at the mercy of non-institutional creditors, mostly money-lenders, said J P Mishra, former Advisor (Agriculture) Niti Aayog. Vidarbha-Yavatmal regions of Maharashtra and Mandsaur-Indore arc of Madhya Pradesh exemplify the ills of agriculture. In the face of farmers suicides, the region has seen movements to put pressure on state and Central government for remedies. Kalamb taluka of Maharashtras Osmanabad had over 110 farmer suicides over the past five years. Due to drought, the area under crop has come down to almost half of over 73,000 hectares. Around 70% of those who cant afford to continue farming are small and marginal farmers. According to a recent government survey, of the 110 families whose heads committed suicides, 92 were in need of credit, 77 needed wells and 68 wanted skill development. Mishra argued that the government must on priority revive and strengthen district cooperatives to build on institutional credit network in unbanked areas of the country. In the absence of institutional credit networks, farmers are at mercy of money lenders who function as leeches sucking out blood, Mishra stated. In Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh which saw huge farmers protests and killing of five in police firing while demanding a right price for their agricultural produce and farm loan waiver on June 6, 2017, around 70% of the state population is dependent directly or indirectly on agriculture. One of the main demands, has already been cleared by the new Congress government, which waived off crop loans of Rs 2 lakh each of 21 lakh farmers, but droughts, high input costs and climate change besides late payments for produce sold still perpetuates farm distress. A middle-aged farmer from Hatod village of Indore district said, Onion is sold at Rs 8 per kg, the price fixed by the government, while good quality garlic fetches up to Rs 8,000 per quintal. While payment up to Rs 10,000 is made in cash by traders, higher payments get stuck in RTGS formalities. Jhanda Singh, Bharatiya Kisan Union (BKU) leader said 80% farmers have land below five acres and all of them have a huge debt to repay. Labh Singh, 73, cultivates 6.5 acres land in Ditupur Jata village near Nabha in Patiala district and has seven mouths to feed and finds it hard to make ends meet with debts totaling Rs 7.5 lakh. He sold 2.5 acres of his 9-acre land to clear loans. His wheat and paddy crops earned Rs 3.45 lakh but the input cost was over Rs 2.5 lakh. Every six months Labh Singh has to pay instalments for two loans for which the interest alone is Rs 56,000. With cross-section of farmers spoken by this newspaper in Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana and Maharashtra ruing price crash, the unfinished business of the Narendra Modi led NDA dispensation come to fore to free farmers from clutches of Mandis (Agriculture Produces Marketing Cooperatives amendment), compensating against market price crash through paying the differences done in MP with Bhavantar, adopting model land leasing to help small and marginal farmers to pool land to gain remunerative prices and logistics with investment in cold chains to stagger flow of produce in the market. (With Inputs from Harpreet Bajwa in Punjab and Anuraag Singh in Indore) PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc held talks with his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev on May 16, 2016 during the Vietnamese leader's official visit to Russia. (Photo: VNA) The visit takes place in the context that both nations will organise the Vietnam Year in Russia and Russia Year in Vietnam in 2019 and 2020 to mark the 25th anniversary of the treaty on basic principles for the bilateral relations (1994-2019), and 70th anniversary of the diplomatic ties (1950-2020). Russia is one of the first nations to recognise and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam on January 30, 1950, which has laid the foundation for the close friendship and comprehensive ties between the two countries. Following efforts to develop the bilateral relations in the 1990s, the countries set up their strategic partnership in 2001, and upgraded the ties to the comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012. Regarding cooperation policies and mechanisms, they consistently attach importance to and want to bolster bilateral collaboration based on equality and mutual benefits. They have set up and maintained annual high-level meetings as well as close coordination at international forums, especially at the United Nations as well as ASEAN-led cooperation mechanisms. Meanwhile, cooperation through party and parliamentary channels has been promoted, contributing to the sound bilateral ties. A wide range of dialogue and coordination mechanisms have been maintained, including annual deputy ministerial-level strategic dialogue on foreign affairs and defence-security and deputy ministerial-level dialogue on defence strategy. Furthermore, they hold annual political consultations at deputy foreign ministerial level and department level in the cooperation framework of the two foreign ministries. Both countries share the same viewpoint on various regional and international issues, and supported each other at international forums like the UN, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), Asia-Europe Meeting and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). Russia endorses Vietnam's position on settlement of disputes on the East Sea via peaceful measures based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and building the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) soon. Over the past years, Vietnam and Russia have maintained the operation of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Cooperation in Economy-Trade, and Science-Technology, which was set up in 1992 and elevated to the deputy prime ministerial level in 2011. Vietnam and member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, including Russia, officially inked a free trade agreement on May 29, 2015. The pact came into force on October 5, 2016. Progress has been made in two-way trade which increased from 2.7 billion USD in 2016 to 3.55 billion USD in 2017 and 4.5 billion USD last year. In the first two months of 2019, the figure stood at 790 million USD, up 9.4 percent year-on-year. Vietnams major exports to Russia include phones, garments-textiles, and agro-fishery products. Meanwhile, Russia ships petroleum, steel, fertilisers, machines and equipment to the Southeast Asian nation. As of February 2019, Russia ranked 24th among countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 127 projects worth over 950 million USD, mainly focusing on mining, oil and gas, and processing and manufacturing industry. Vietnam has run more than 20 projects in Russia with total capital amounting to nearly 3 billion USD, with the Rusvietpetro joint venture, the Hanoi-Moscow cultural and commercial centre and farms of TH Groups being outstanding examples. Energy has been seen as a traditional, strategic, effective cooperation area between Vietnam and Russia, significantly contributing to the state budget of both countries. Apart from Vietsovpetro joint venture, Russias major oil and gas groups like Gazprom and Rosneft will deploy many projects on Vietnams continental shelf by 2030. Meanwhile, Rusvietpetro is also carrying out another project in a Russian autonomous region. Russia has maintained its support for Vietnam in personnel training, with its scholarships to Vietnamese students increasing from 345 in 2011 to about 1000 in 2018. Currently, more than 5,000 Vietnamese students are studying in the country. Over the past time, the two countries have joined hands in science-technology and established ties between their localities like Hanoi-Moscow and Ho Chi Minh City-St. Petersburg. Humanitarian activities and cultural exchanges continue to be a bridge between Vietnam and Russia, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding and friendship between their people. Russia has become one of Vietnams ten biggest sources of tourists and the largest of its kind in Europe. The number of Russian holiday-makers to Vietnam rose from 176,000 in 2012 to 606,000 last year. Of note, people-to-people exchanges have helped to consolidate and develop the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership. After decades pulling political strings behind the scenes as a cabinet chief and strategist for Argentine presidents, Alberto Fernandez now aims to win the top job himself. But rather than a power grab, the unexpected presidential bid announced on Saturday appears more a strategic maneuver orchestrated by his political patron, former President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, who is running as vice president. Many had thought she would be the main challenger to incumbent President Mauricio Macri in the Oct. 27 election. Putting Alberto Fernandez, a 60-year-old lawyer, at the top of the ticket is aimed at improving chances of victory for the Peronist party and is in keeping with his long service as a mostly loyal party operative, analysts said. Alberto Fernandez, a moderate Peronist seen in political circles as a consensus builder, will now need to unite a fractured opposition to take on center-right Macri, whose popularity in the polls has tumbled amid economic crisis in South America's No. 2 economy. Strategic decision "Alberto Fernandez is a negotiator, pluralist and dialogist," said political analyst Ricardo Rouvier, "It is a strategic decision of Cristina to make a final push to try to build a winning electoral alliance and show herself in a more moderate and softened way." Alberto Fernandez has worked for much of his political career alongside Cristina Fernandez and her late husband, Nestor Kirchner, who also held the presidency. Well-connected in the powerful Peronist movement, Alberto Fernandez helped an almost unknown Kirchner when he was governor of Santa Cruz province to expand his political support and take the presidency in 2003. Kirchner made him chief of staff for his 2003-07 term, and he continued in that role for the first months of Cristina Fernandez's administration, which ran from 2007 to 2015. Alberto Fernandez resigned in 2008 after the government suffered a legislative defeat in a confrontation with the powerful farming sector that kept the country and the markets in suspense for months. He even became a harsh critic of Cristina Fernandez's management and forged ties with other factions of Peronism at the time who were opposed to her ruling party. "Alberto I've known for over 20 years and we've had also our differences," Cristina Fernandez said in a video on social media announcing their joint bid. Role of negotiator However, in recent months Alberto Fernandez again became her main political negotiator, trying to help her generate support from the more moderate wing of the opposition. That fell short with many concerned about Cristina Fernandez's divisive style and the shadow of a corruption trial hanging over her. One trial is due to begin next week, though as a senator she currently has immunity from arrest. "Alberto is not an electoral politician; Alberto is an operator in the shadows," said a Peronist source who knows him. Despite her lower rank on the ticket, Cristina Fernandez is a rock star politician who commands huge crowds. That made it perhaps unsurprising that news broke not from the presidential hopeful but from Cristina Fernandez on social media, where she said she had "asked" him to lead the alliance. Strange turn "In what country or parallel dimension does the vice presidential candidate announce who will be the candidate for president?" asked one local journalist on Twitter. Alberto Fernandez's dialogue style seems, however, to already be bearing fruit. On Saturday, an important leader of another Peronist faction, Sergio Massa, said he was willing to negotiate an agreement with Cristina Fernandez's wing. Alberto Fernandez posted replies on Twitter to well-wishers, saying he would work to pull Argentina out of its crisis. "I'm filled with joy at being able to work together to restore dignity to millions of Argentines that this government has plunged into marginality and poverty," he wrote. In word and deed, the administration of President Donald Trump has been sounding the alarm over Iran and its proxies. If American interests are attacked, we will most certainly respond in an appropriate fashion, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo warned last week. Later this week, U.S. officials are expected to brief lawmakers on what has led the administration to strengthen Americas military posture in the Middle East, while evacuating non-essential personnel from diplomatic facilities in Iraq. Members of Congress of both parties have been demanding the White House share information about perceived threats from Iran. I would urge the State Department and DoD (Department of Defense) to come down here and explain to us what is going on, because I have no idea what the threat stream is beyond what I read in the paper, said Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham. We need clarity, we need answers, and we need them now, said Sen. Robert Menendez, a Democrat. Asked by reporters if war with Iran was on the horizon, Trump would only say I hope not. Some fear a repeat of the build-up that preceded the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. We do not need another Iraq weapons of mass destruction moment that led us to one of the worst disastrous military engagements, when there were no weapons of mass destruction to be found, warned Menendez. Words of advice came from a former commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, Gen. David Petraeus, who subsequently also served as CIA director. America, he said, should seek to change Irans behavior, not regime change in Iran. The idea of invading, I think is something that is not seriously on the table.... We should have learned by now, I think, especially after the Arab Spring, that the regime change aftermath is not always what we have hoped it would be, said Petraeus, speaking Sunday on ABCs This Week program. For now, many Republicans are willing to give the administration the benefit of the doubt, given Irans past actions. I support what the administration is doing with regard to reinforcing our military capabilities in the region. And this is the reason: it sends a message to Iran that if you are going to try to do what you did in 2004, 2005 and 2006, which is kill and wound thousands of our military members (in Iraq), that we are going to have the capability to make you pay, said Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. Sen Marco Rubio, also a Republican put it more bluntly. It is very straightforward. If Iran attacks, there will be a war. If Iran does not attack, there will not be a war. Many Democrats, meanwhile, are reserving judgment. I just want to confirm what the purpose of our pressure campaign (against Iran) is. Many of us feel that it has been ham-handed (clumsy), without a well-defined endgame, said Sen. Chris Murphy, a Democrat. The American people deserve to know what is going on, said Sen. Chuck Schumer, leader of minority Democrats in the Senate. If the president and Republicans in Congress are planning to take the United States to a conflict, even a war in the Middle East, the American people deserve to know that, and they deserve to know why. Congressional leaders received classified briefings late last week. Briefings for rank-and-file lawmakers of both parties reportedly are being planned in the days to come. Australia's prime minister went to his Pentecostal church Sunday after nailing a surprise victory Saturday in the country's general election. Polls had indicated that Scott Morrison and his conservative Liberal-National coalition government were sure to loose. The polls, however, were wrong. Morrison was swept back into office, leaving the pollsters and the opposition Labor Party scratching their heads wondering how they miscalculated the odds. "I have always believed in miracles," Morrison told a cheering crowd Saturday. U.S. President Donald Trump, whose presidential victory was also a shock to pollsters and the U.S. Democratic party, called Morrison to offer his congratulations. The White House said "the two leaders reaffirmed the critical importance of the long-standing alliance and friendship between the United States and Australia." Thousands of people marched through Belfast Saturday to demand the recognition of same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland, the only region of the United Kingdom where it does not have legal status. Attempts to legislate for same-sex marriage have been blocked by the Democratic Unionist Party, a key ally of British Prime Minister Theresa May, despite opinion polls in recent years showing most in the region are in favor. Sara Canning, the partner of journalist and LGBT rights campaigner Lyra McKee who was killed in April, led the march alongside a number of gay and lesbian couples. Canning said that she and McKee had been planning to marry. We pay our taxes, we are governed by the same laws, why should we not be afforded the same rights in marriage as the rest of the United Kingdom, said Canning, who was wearing a Love Equality T-shirt. Protesters waved rainbow flags and placards saying Love is a human right. Protesters called on Mays government to bypass the DUP and introduce legislation in the British parliament in Westminster. The Northern Ireland power-sharing government has been frozen for two years because of disagreement between the DUP and the largest Irish nationalist party Sinn Fein. If Stormont is incapable of delivering equality for people here, then it is the responsibility of the Westminster to end discrimination against the LGBT community, Amnesty International spokesman Patrick Corrigan said. At least 16 people were injured in a blast targeting a bus near Egypt's Giza pyramids Sunday, security sources said. Officials said the bus was carrying 28 people, most of them South African tourists. Videos circulating online show the bus windows blown out or shattered. Egyptian Tourism Minister Rania Al Mashat tweeted: "Of the 28 passengers on the bus we can confirm some minor injuries with three being treated at the hospital as a precaution." There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the blast. South African Ambassador Vusi Mavimbela and his team in Egypt are visiting victims in hospitals, officials said. The explosion took place near the Grand Egyptian Museum, which is undergoing construction, near the Giza pyramids. A statement issued by the antiquities ministry said the explosion caused no damage to the museum. In December, three Vietnamese tourists and one Egyptian guide were killed when a bomb hit their bus near the Giza pyramids. Express News Service By NEW DELHI: Even as the last phase of the polling is yet to conclude on May 19, Telugu Desam Party chief and Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu on Saturday met Congress president Rahul Gandhi and many other Opposition leaders including NCP chief Sharad Pawar, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav and others as part of his efforts to bring together Opposition parties. The meeting with Opposition leaders ahead of the poll results has been seen as Naidus effort to form an anti-BJP coalition front to form the next government at the Centre. On Saturday, the Andhra CM first met Rahul Gandhi and the leaders discussed firming up an anti-BJP front to keep the saffron party out of power after poll results are declared on May 23. Sources claimed that Naidu also told Gandhi to have a strategy ready in case the BJP tries to stake claim to form the government despite falling short of numbers. Naidu also met CPI leaders Sudhakar Reddy and D Raja. Thereafter, he met NCP supremo Sharad Pawar as well. Subsequently, the TDP leader left for Lucknow to meet SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati. Both Akhilesh and Mayawati have so far stayed away from most of the meetings that Chandrababu Naidu held in the run-up to the 2019 polls. FOLLOW OUR FULL ELECTION COVERAGE HERE On Friday, Naidu had met CPI (M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and Aam Aadmi Party national convener Arvind Kejriwal and discussed with them the possible tie-up in the post-election scenario. Naidu is also in touch with Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee over the phone. Naidus efforts come at a time when TRS president and Telangana CM K Chandrashekhar Rao has been trying to revive the Federal Front. Naidu himself is facing a stiff challenge from the YSR Congress whose chief Jaganmohan Reddy is convinced that his party will form the government in Andhra Pradesh. While the country is eagerly awaiting the poll results on May 23, former Congress president Sonia Gandhi has also reached out to opposition leaders with the purpose of putting up a united show if the NDA doesnt get a decisive mandate. Naidu on poll bonds Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu attacked the Modi government, alleging that there has been misuse of electoral bonds and new Rs 500 and Rs 2,000 notes were introduced after demonetisation to buy votes On a meeting spree Naidu held a flurry of meetings with Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, BSPs Mayawati and SPs Akhilesh Yadav. He also met Nationalist Congress Party chief Sharad Pawar, LJD leader Sharad Yadav and CPI leaders House Democrats will hear from former CIA director John Brennan about the situation in Iran, inviting him to speak next week amid heightened concerns over the Trump administrations sudden moves in the region. Brennan, an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump, is scheduled to talk to House Democrats at a private weekly caucus meeting Tuesday, according to a Democratic aide and another person familiar with the private meeting. Both were granted anonymity to discuss the meeting. The invitation to Brennan and Wendy Sherman, the former State Department official and top negotiator of the Iran nuclear deal, offers counterprogramming to the Trump administrations closed-door briefing for lawmakers also planned for Tuesday on Capitol Hill. Democratic lawmakers are likely to attend both sessions. Brennan a Trump critic The Trump administration recently sent an aircraft carrier and other military resources to the Persian Gulf region and withdrew nonessential personnel from Iraq, raising alarm among Democrats and some Republicans on Capitol Hill over the possibility of a confrontation with Iran. Trump in recent days downplayed any potential for conflict. But questions remain about what prompted the actions, and many lawmakers have demanded more information. Trump and Brennan have clashed openly, particularly over the issues surrounding the special counsels probe of Russian interference in the 2016 election. Brennan stepped down from the CIA in 2017. The president last year said he was revoking the former spy chiefs security credentials after Brennan was critical of Trumps interactions with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in Helsinki. Top national security officials often retain their clearance after they have left an agency as a way to provide counsel to their successors. Its unclear if Brennan actually lost his clearance. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had been asking the administration for a briefing for all lawmakers on the situation in Iran, but she said the request was initially rebuffed. The administration provided a classified briefing for top leaders of both parties last week. An Armenian court on Saturday ordered former President Robert Kocharyan freed on bail from pretrial detention, local news agencies reported. Kocharyan, 64, was arrested last July after peaceful protests drove his former ally and successor, Serzh Sarksyan, from power and propelled opposition leader Nikol Pashinyan into the prime minister's job. Kocharyan, who was president from 1998 to 2008, has been charged with acting unlawfully by introducing a state of emergency in March 2008, following a disputed election. At least 10 people were killed in clashes between police and protesters. He was freed on bail of 1 million drams ($2,000). He faces up to 15 years in prison if found guilty. Kocharyan told Reuters earlier this month that powerful opposition forces were coming together to challenge the country's new leadership soon, and that he hoped to be among them. A delegation from the Kenyan military is sharing experience on how the Cameroon military engineering corps has taken over road construction projects in Boko Haram terrorism prone areas to use the example and develop areas of its territory threatened by Al-Shabab which they say is still a threat. The Kenyan delegation has been in Cameroon for several days. A Cameroon military engineering corps compactor is constructing a portion of the road linking its northern border town of Kousseri to the Chadian capital Ndjamena and Borno state in northeastern Nigeria. Colonel Jackson Kamgain, director of Cameroon military engineering corps, says they re-launched the World Bank-sponsored project in March 2018 after it had been abandoned for four years. He said since independence in 1961, the Cameroon military engineering corps has participated actively in the development of all localities and insures that major projects in conflict zones are not abandoned unlike in many other countries where military engineering departments concentrate only on making access easy for troops in areas of war or conflicts. The road project was interrupted in 2014 following an assault on the base camp of the Chinese road contractors in which 10 of their workers were kidnapped by suspected Boko Haram rebels. The kidnappers also stole 10 vehicles and a container of explosives. The workers escaped but road construction companies refused to resume work there for fear of the terrorists, The government of Cameroon convinced project funders that its military engineering corps could construct the road even while the war against Boko Haram was raging. The World Bank provided about $125 million for the project, which is to be completed in 24 months. General Mohamud Muhamed Ali, governor of Kenya's Marsabit region and head of the 17-man Kenyan delegation of military and officials from the ministry of transport, said they came to Cameroon to learn from the Central African state's experience. "The military was challenged with a very very unique situation which is nor very normal in their line of duty. Because of serious level of insecurity where contractors have not been able to show any interest to undertake major construction work in the area infested by Boko Haram, they showed leadership and undertook that serious national project," he said. Ali said the Kenyan government's plan to link the country with Somalia by constructing a link road to increase trade between the two countries has been facing threats from the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab insurgency. In April 2019, the International Crisis Group reported that since 2015, al-Shabab has conducted over one hundred small-scale assaults in the north east of Kenya, killing dozens of soldiers and police, mostly with roadside bombs. Kenyan General James Gitiba, who was also in Cameroon, said African militaries will contribute more to reducing pain and suffering in the continent's several conflict zones if they also embrace development initiatives that go beyond simply fighting enemies. "Most militaries in Africa are known for the various basic function of enhancing mobility which is basically clearing a route for the troops to pass and also survivability. So for Cameroon this is a milestone and I think I could also urge other friendly countries to come here and learn," he said. Soldiers from Cameroon, Nigeria, Chad and Niger, part of the multi-national joint task force of the lake Chad Basin Commission, have been fighting Boko Haram terrorism that began in northeastern Nigeria 9 years ago and has left 25,000 people dead and forced more than 2.6 million others to flee their homes, according to the United Nations. Malawians go to the polls Tuesday in local, parliamentary and presidential elections. Seven candidates are running for president, but the real battle is among incumbent President Peter Mutharika, Vice President Saulos Klaus Chilima and main opposition leader Lazarus Chakwera. With just a few days to go, it remains difficult to predict the winner. The candidates are crisscrossing Malawi to woo voters in what many say are countrys most highly contested elections since the start of multiparty politics in 1993. Nepotism, corruption campaign issues The opposition Malawi Congress Party is determined to return to power since losing the 1994 elections. Some in the party, including its presidential candidate, Lazarus Chakwera, say nepotism is rampant in the current administration, a charge the government denies. Chakwera says if there is a leader in Malawi at the moment who can unite the whole country to stop the tendency toward nepotism and employ people based on ethnicity and regionalism, its me, Chakwera. Vice President Chilima, who leads the United Transformation Movement, or UTM party, says corruption forced him to break away from the ruling party. Multiple times during this campaign, he accused the governing party of planning to rig the polls; but now he says the voting is safe. He says there is no one who will rig this election. Those who registered should go to vote. And you should vote for UTM leaders for the country to develop. Vote wisely and without fear, he said. President pushes development Meanwhile, President Mutharika tells voters he will continue developing the country if he wins a second five-year term. He says his administration has so far constructed 94 bridges in different areas. He says this had never happened before in the countrys history but, We are doing that, he says. He added that the government will continue to do what it has been doing. Rural vote Observers say they are unable to predict who will win Tuesdays vote. Political analyst Sherrif Kaisi says the outcome depends on the rural areas, where more than 80 percent of Malawians live. This is because people in town, you can see even the numbers on those who registered, they are not much convincing numbers like those in the villages, Kaisi said. About 6.7 million Malawians are registered to vote. Results are expected by May 29. Maltese police Saturday said they were questioning two soldiers over a drive-by shooting in April in which an African migrant was killed. Ivorian national Lassana Cisse was killed April 6 when he was shot from a car as he walked down a street in Hal Far, close to an army barracks and a migrants center. Two men, one from Gambia and the other from Guinea, were injured. Police said the attack was racially motivated and a source in the investigation said one of the suspects had admitted to targeting the migrants just because they were black. On Saturday, the police confirmed that two Maltese suspects, both soldiers in the Armed Forces of Malta, were in custody. The weapon and the vehicle used in the crime had been seized, police said. The deceased man used to work in a factory near Hal Far, in the south of Malta. He was known for checking on his fellow countrymen in the migrants center after work, media reported. In a series of tweets, Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said an investigation involving other security services would determine whether the suspects were rogue individuals or part of a wider network. He said hatred and division had no place in Maltas society. There are consequences to spreading such ill-placed sentiments, he said. We remain steadfast in our call for unity among the Maltese and all those who live in Malta. A Republican congressman from Michigan on Saturday became the first member of President Donald Trump's party on Capitol Hill to accuse him of engaging in ``impeachable conduct'' as detailed in special counsel Robert Mueller's lengthy investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election. But Rep. Justin Amash stopped short of calling on Congress to begin impeachment proceedings against Trump, which many Democrats have been agitating for. Often a lone GOP voice in Congress, Amash sent a series of tweets Saturday faulting both Trump and Attorney General William Barr over Mueller's report. Mueller wrapped up the investigation and submitted his report to Barr in late March. Barr then released a summary of Mueller's ``principal conclusions'' and released a redacted version of the report in April. Mueller's findings Mueller found the evidence was insufficient to establish a criminal conspiracy between Trump's presidential campaign and Russia, but he left open the question of whether Trump acted in ways that were meant to obstruct the investigation. Barr later said there was insufficient evidence to bring obstruction charges against Trump. Trump, who has compared the investigation to a ``witch hunt,'' claimed complete exoneration from Mueller's report. Amash said he reached four conclusions after carefully reading the redacted version of Mueller's report, including that ``President Trump has engaged in impeachable conduct.'' ``Contrary to Barr's portrayal, Mueller's report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment,'' the congressman tweeted. He said the report ``identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence.'' The Justice Department, which Barr leads, operates under guidelines that discourage the indictment of a sitting president. A representative for Amash did not immediately respond to an email request to speak with the congressman. 'Case closed' Trump and Republican lawmakers generally view the matter as ``case closed,'' as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., recently declared on the floor of the Senate. On the other hand, Democrats who control the House are locked in a bitter standoff with the White House as it ignores lawmakers' requests for the more complete version of Mueller's report, the underlying evidence and witness testimony. Some Democrats want the House to open impeachment hearings, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has resisted, saying impeachment must be bipartisan. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., a freshman who opened her term by profanely calling for Trump to be impeached, applauded Amash. ``You are putting country first, and that is to be commended,'' Tlaib tweeted. Tlaib is seeking support for a resolution she's circulating calling on the House to start impeachment proceedings. This report originated in VOAs Central Africa Service. KIGALI, RWANDA Safi Mukundwa knows what it means to be young, fearful and desperate. Mukundwa was just 8 years old when she hid among bloodied bodies, emerging as the only one in her family to survive the 1994 genocide that swept through Rwanda, including her Western Province hometown of Kibuye. She remembers the man who killed her mother and brother. He was the one who cut my legs with a machete, says Mukundwa, whose injuries have required six surgeries. She remembers the kind doctor at the local hospital who treated her wounds and concealed her during the ethnic killing spree mostly targeting Tutsis. And she remembers praying throughout that extended ordeal. I told God that if I can get out of this place alive, I will dedicate my life to helping others, she said. Now 33, Mukundwa has made good on that commitment through Safi Life, the nonprofit organization that she inspired. Its mission is to educate, empower and advance young Rwandan women. Friendship first Safi Life was formally launched in 2012, growing out of a friendship between its namesake and Devon Ogden. Both women were college students when Ogden, an American from California, visited Rwanda in the summer of 2007 and heard Mukundwas testimony at the Kigali Genocide Memorial. They met over lunch, and Ogden eventually asked how she might help the young Rwandan. Mukundwa recalls asking her to help me help others by providing college scholarships to genocide survivors. Ogden set up a U.S.-based foundation to support Rwandan girls and women, with Mukundwa as Safi Lifes local director. Its first effort was to provide scholarships for genocide survivors. Weve got two girls in school now and already have put 12 through college, Ogden says in a recent phone call from Los Angeles, where she works as an actress. And theyre all staying in their country to advance Rwanda. The foundations Facebook page brims with photos of college graduates such as Florence, who used a scholarship to study mining engineering. She landed a dream job with a company dealing in minerals, according to a March post. Outreach to young women, mothers In early 2018, Safi Life launched an outreach project to aid young women, especially those who are single and pregnant or with young children. It opened a center in the Kigali suburb of Karembure, welcoming dozens to learn knitting, tailoring and other income-producing skills. The project, called Ndashoboye, a Kinyarwanda word that means I am capable, also provides mentoring on how to run a business. A second center opened in January in Ndera, a few kilometers from the capital citys downtown. We support teen mothers by providing them with basic skills to make them self-reliant and able to take care of their newborns and lead dignified lives, Mukundwa says. We also offer counseling to them. Most of them come to us with significant levels of stress that could, in turn, lead to mental problems. Pregnancy outside marriage is taboo in this central African country of 12.3 million. Poor girls are most vulnerable, with pregnancy and childbirth usually prompting them to drop out of school. Safi had met so many girls who were young, with unplanned pregnancies, and were shunned by their families. A couple of them were on the streets, working as prostitutes, Ogden says. At the Ndera center, Teonilla Mujawamariya says her parents kicked her out when she became pregnant at 17. I almost thought of ending the pregnancy, she said, but I was fearful of losing both my life and the childs. (Until last August, Rwanda permitted abortion only with a courts approval. Now it allows the procedure, with a doctors permission, in cases of rape, incest or health risk to the woman or fetus. In April, President Paul Kagame pardoned 367 people jailed for having or participating in abortion.) Mujawamariya credits the Ndashoboye program with giving her hope and help. Now 20, shes enrolled in a one-year knitting program and anticipates earning enough money to support herself and her toddler son. Trainees make items such as shirts, dresses, hats, bags and childrens clothing, all sold locally. Mothers often bring their youngsters, who rest or play nearby. Mukundwa says she hopes Safi Life one day will be able to provide child care. The program had 50 graduates last year, and a couple of our scholarship recipients are now volunteering to work with Ndashoboye trainees, Ogden says. Safi Life members also volunteer for community projects, such as planting trees, she adds. We have the pay-it-forward motto. We get the girls together to help the community. Giving: Thats what Safis vision always has been, Ogden said. The organizations namesake says her experiences allow her to understand Safi Life participants hardships and potential. An orphan, she worked through college, married, had two children and recently earned a masters degree in business. She wants to start an enterprise that matches college graduates with jobs. One thing that gives me satisfaction is the fact that my life history has enabled me to help change other peoples lives, Mukundwa says. Sometimes, I think there is a reason I didnt die, and that could have been Gods plan to use me. The deputy leader of Sudans military council voiced his enthusiasm for democratic elections in front of an audience of tribal leaders and senior diplomats Saturday, while seeking to deflect blame for violence in Khartoum this week. The clashes threatened to derail the councils talks with an alliance of protest and opposition groups pushing for a swift transition to civilian rule after the fall of former President Omar al-Bashir last month. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, the youthful leader of Sudans paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has emerged as the most prominent member of the Transitional Military Council (TMC) that ousted and arrested Bashir following months of protests. Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, has considerable power. His RSF are deployed across Khartoum, and he is close to the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which between them pledged $3 billion in aid to Sudan late last month. Free and fair elections On Saturday he spoke for nearly 20 minutes after breaking the Ramadan fast to an audience including the top official in the U.S. embassy and the Saudi ambassador, as well as local and international media. Democracy is consultation ... thats it, we want real democracy, he said, in a speech punctuated by applause and laughter. We want a man who comes in through the ballot box. ... We want free and fair elections. Many of those present were from Sudans western Darfur region. Human rights groups accused militias that Hemedti commanded of genocide in the war that began there in 2003, allegations Bashirs government denied. Shooting at barricades On Monday and Wednesday, violence broke out in areas of Khartoum where security forces had been trying to clear barricades erected by protesters, including around a sit-in outside the Defense Ministry that started April 6. Protesters are pushing for civilian rule and for justice in the deaths of dozens of demonstrators since December. Some accused the RSF of shooting at demonstrations last week, and witnesses saw troops in RSF marked vehicles opening fire. Hemedti said those responsible had been found inside Khartoum University and the sit-in. These people have been arrested and confessed on camera, he said, adding that they would be presented to the public later. At least four people were killed Monday and dozens wounded. After at least nine more people were wounded Wednesday, the TMC said it was suspending the talks for 72 hours. Talks are to resume Sunday evening. The two sides have agreed to a transition lasting three years before elections, with a legislative council on which opposition and protest groups would have two-thirds of the seats. However, they have been split over the balance of a mixed military-civilian sovereign council that would hold ultimate power. Bashir along with senior allies is being held in prison in Khartoum. Hemedti said officials from Bashirs regime who had fled abroad would be brought back to face justice. We cannot arrest the entire National Congress Party. There is no prison that would contain it with its 7 million members, he added, referring to Bashirs political party. By all accounts, North Koreas cash-strapped economy is flagging under crippling international sanctions and the slowdown means the traditional elite and a rising merchant class may be feeling pinched, experts say. The elites in Pyongyang are really feeling it, said Joshua Stanton, a Washington attorney who helped draft the North Korean Sanctions Enforcement Act in 2016. Theyre having a very tough time right now. I think theyre losing their wealth rapidly. And theyre concerned about the governments policies and directions, and the failure to get sanctions lifted in Hanoi, he continued. North Korean aristocrats The most privileged government and military officials, considered North Koreas aristocrats, are estimated to number about 2,000 people. Born into families who backed the countrys founder, Kim Il Sung in the 1940s and 1950s, they are fiercely loyal to the Kim dynasty, said William Brown, former CIA analyst and a North Korea economy expert. Despite their fealty to current leader Kim Jong Un, this top echelon of what is supposed to be a classless society is losing money. The state-run enterprises they control in the centrally planned socialist economy heavy industries such as mining and light industries such as textile and clothing factories have been hit hard by the sanctions that President Donald Trump refused to lift at the Hanoi summit earlier this year, demanding that North Korea agree to full denuclearization as a precondition for relief. These families share their profits from state enterprises with a newer privileged class, the merchants called donju, who help the aristocrats by facilitating the export of goods produced from state-run mines, farms and factories or by selling them domestically now that sanctions make overseas trade difficult, Brown, the economy expert, said. Similar to oligarchs or private entrepreneurs and capitalists by the Western standards, the donju emerged from the market economy, which grew out of the countrys worst famine in the 1990s as workers, paid by the state in food rations, started trading whatever they could find for food on black markets. The markets established in a time of shortages were legitimized, then encouraged under Kim. Today, the donju partner with the elite families, providing funds for construction projects such as building apartments in Pyongyang while the families provide labor, usually workers they re-assign from state-owned enterprises. The donju touch on about just everything, everything from construction to manufacturing to things happening in the markets to transportation issues, said Ken Gause, director of the International Affairs Group at the Center for Naval Analyses. Right now, theyre under increasing pressure in terms of getting the hard currency that they need in order to continue to do various projects that they do inside North Korea, which allows them to maintain their influence that they have within the regime and on the society, he added. Limiting luxuries, confiscating wealth Unlike ordinary North Koreans, members of these privileged classes enjoy a luxurious lifestyle. Some drive imported cars. Some occasionally travel abroad. Others send their children to the countrys prestigious Kim Il Sung University, Kim Jong Uns alma mater. But as the government runs ever shorter on hard currency, its confiscating their wealth. [The] North Korean government has always historically used a lot of its money to keep those people happy, said Stanton, listing gifts of luxury goods, apartments and access to material wealth. But thats changing, Stanton said, because the government is running out of money, its doing a lot of anti-corruption investigations and inspections. Its trying to find their money, their savings, any cash that they have stored away, any bank accounts that they have in China, any wealth that theyve accumulated. The overall lack of cash and the governments confiscation of what it finds among the elite are creating discontent but not so much as to trigger organized unrest. They could put pressure on Kim definitely, Brown said. But [as] more of a loyal opposition rather than a radical opposition. I think the most likely unrest would come from workers, state enterprise laborers, miners, people who are working for the state and who are barely being paid at all, and have to go into the marketplace to make a living. A mounting toll In October 2006, the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) imposed sanctions on North Korea in response to Pyongyangs first nuclear weapons test. They were designed to pressure North Korea into ending its nuclear ambitions by banning sales to Pyongyang of heavy weaponry, missile technology and material, and select luxury goods, according to a Council on Foreign Relations backgrounder. In March 2016, the UNSC sanctioned sales of aviation fuel to North Korea after its fourth nuclear test. Since November 2016, after Pyongyangs fifth nuclear test, the UNSC has aimed sanctions at North Koreas economy by banning its export of key commodities such as copper, coal, seafood, textiles and labor. The sanctions were aimed at cutting off foreign currency flowing into the country most of the wages paid to North Korean workers contracted to work overseas ended up in Pyongyang and the UNSC capped North Koreas imports of the crude oil and refined petroleum that the country needs to sustain its economy and run the military. Since Trump took office in 2017, the U.S. has issued its own set of sanctions through the so-called maximum pressure campaign, which blocks from the U.S. financial system any foreign business or individual involved in trade with North Korea, and exposes any assets of the foreign businesses or individual to seizure by the U.S. government. Last week, U.S. officials seized a North Korean ship allegedly used in the illegal coal trade. Im convinced that the international and other sanctions on North Korea are taking a mounting toll on [North Korean] economy, said Evans Revere, former State Department official in the George W. Bush administration. The pressure from sanctions and related measures may not now be enough to destabilize the regime, he added, but if these measures remain in place, and especially if more sanctions and other measures are applied, they have the potential to do so. Economic growth impaired According to a report on 38North, a website devoted to analyzing North Korea, the growth rate of the countrys economy in 2018 was 4.6%, the lowest since 2006, based on the assessment it made from the data on North Koreas 2019 budget reported at its parliamentary session in April. This corresponds with Western reports on sanctions, especially those issued since 2017, having an impact on North Koreas economy, the report said. Troy Stangarone, senior director at the Korean Economic Institute, said, Kim Jong Un does face a dilemma of how long he can continue on the current path without sanctions relief. Many coal mines in North Korea are reportedly closed because of a drop in coal exports, and transportation and military sectors are also struggling because they are running short on raw materials. Scores of government-backed factories closed after the Hanoi summit, and workers were told to find work elsewhere because the factories are unable to keep the lights on, pay their workers or provide food rations. What we have now is a situation where North Koreas heavy industry appears to be collapsing, Stanton said. The effect of this is going to become more noticeable in the coming weeks and months. Rations reduced North Korea is currently facing a food crisis with more than 10 million people estimated to be without enough food to last until next year, according to a U.N. report on the countrys food security issued earlier this month. As the state-enterprises are failing, displaced factory workers are turning to the private markets to make money, much as they did in the 1990s. It allows people to get off the official economy, the economy that is controlled by the state, which has basically dried up early since the 90s, into the 2000s, and the 2010, Gause said. That part of the top-down economy has been weaker and weaker, and the markets have basically filled in the gaps. Stangarone said, As long as North Koreas able to control the flow of information and maintain control of the population, I think this shift towards marketization is probably permanent. Gause said, If [Kim] is not able to show progress on [economy] either one, hes got to re-engage in diplomacy with the United States and see if he can get sanctions relief there or he has to potentially go toward more brinkmanship in order to try to reset the chess board. Saudi Arabia said Sunday that it wants to avert war in the region but stands ready to respond with all strength following last weeks attacks on Saudi oil assets, telling Iran that the ball was now in its court. Riyadh has accused Tehran of ordering Tuesdays drone strikes on two oil pumping stations in the kingdom, claimed by Yemens Iran-aligned Houthi group. Two days earlier, four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Iran has denied involvement in either operation, which come as Washington and the Islamic Republic spar over sanctions and the U.S. military presence in the region, raising concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want a war in the region nor does it seek that, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference. It will do what it can to prevent this war and at the same time it reaffirms that in the event the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with all force and determination, and it will defend itself and its interests. Gulf, Arab summit Saudi Arabias King Salman on Sunday invited Gulf and Arab leaders to convene emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss implications of the attacks. The current critical circumstances entail a unified Arab and Gulf stance toward the besetting challenges and risks, the UAE foreign ministry said in a statement. Saudi Arabias Sunni Muslim ally the UAE has not blamed anyone for the tanker sabotage operation, pending an investigation. No one has claimed responsibility, but two U.S. government sources said last week that U.S. officials believed Iran had encouraged the Houthi group or Iraq-based Shiite militias to carry it out. The drone strike on oil pumping stations, which Riyadh said did not disrupt output or exports, was claimed by the Houthis, who have been battling a Saudi-led military coalition in a war in Yemen since 2015. The head of the Houthis Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, derided Riyadhs call to convene Arab summits, saying in a Twitter post that they only know how to support war and destruction. A Norwegian insurers report seen by Reuters said Irans Revolutionary Guards were highly likely to have facilitated the attack on vessels near the UAEs Fujairah emirate, a main bunkering hub lying just outside the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi prince calls Pompeo Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has dismissed the possibility of war erupting, saying Tehran did not want conflict and no country had the illusion it can confront Iran. This stance was echoed by the head of Irans elite Revolutionary Guards on Sunday. We are not pursuing war but we are also not afraid of war, Major General Hossein Salami was cited as saying by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. Washington has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, trying to cut Tehrans oil exports to zero, and beefed up the U.S. military presence in the Gulf in response to what it said were Iranian threats to United States troops and interests. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed regional developments, including efforts to strengthen security and stability, in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Saudi Media Ministry tweeted Sunday. We want peace and stability in the region but we will not sit on our hands in light of the continuing Iranian attack, Jubeir said. The ball is in Irans court and it is up to Iran to determine what its fate will be. He said the crew of an Iranian oil tanker that had been towed to Saudi Arabia early this month after a request for help because of engine trouble were still in the kingdom receiving the necessary care. The crew are 24 Iranians and two Bangladeshis. Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran are arch-adversaries in the Middle East, backing opposite sides in several regional wars. In a sign of the heightened tension, Exxon Mobil evacuated foreign staff from an oilfield in neighboring Iraq. Bahrain on Saturday warned its citizens against travel to Iraq and Iran and asked those already there to return. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has issued an advisory to U.S. commercial airliners flying over the waters of the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to exercise caution. By Express News Service Amid rising tension in West Asia in the backdrop of worsening US-Iran stand-off, the Federal Aviation Administration has warned that airlines flying over the Gulf region face risk due to heightened military activities. According to the US aviation regulator, aircraft flying in the area could encounter inadvertent GPS interference and communications jamming, which could occur with little to no warning. They also run the risk of being misidentified, it added. The warning comes even as Washington has increased its military presence in the Gulf after Tehran hardened its stance over US sanctions. The US recently ordered an evacuation of its non-essential diplomatic staff in Iraq, fearing attack on US personnel and assets. Bahrain has also ordered its citizens out of Iraq and Iran. The Gulf region is crucial to global air travel and is a major gateway for East-West travel. Dubai International Airport is the worlds busiest for international travel, while long-haul carriers Etihad and Qatar Airways also operate in the region. Oil supplies were sufficient and stockpiles were still rising despite massive output drops from Iran and Venezuela, said OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and key producer UAE on Sunday, as oil exporters met in Jeddah. Producer nations discussed how to stabilize a volatile oil market amid rising U.S.-Iran tensions in the Gulf, which threaten to disrupt global supply. But "we see that (oil) inventories are rising and supplies are plenty," Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters at the start the meeting. "None of us wants to see the (oil) stocks swell again," he added, with reference to a supply surplus that sent prices sharply lower in the second half of last year. "We have to be cautious," Falih said. The UAE's energy minister said there was no need to relax a deal by the OPEC+ group of oil exporting countries to cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day to support prices. "We have seen inventory building. I don't think it makes sense" to alter the existing deal, said Suheil al-Mazrouei. At the end of the meeting, Falih told a news conference the OPEC+ nations were "unanimous in continuing to work to achieve stability between supply and demand". The meeting "affirmed its commitment to achieving a balanced market and working towards oil market stability," said a statement issued at the end of the gathering. The statement said member states' conformity to production cuts hit a record 168 percent in April and an average of 120 percent since the start of the year. The meeting comes days after sabotage attacks against tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and the bombing of a Saudi pipeline -- the latter claimed by Iran-aligned Yemeni rebels. But Falih reiterated Sunday that the kingdom's oil installations were well protected. "We have strong (oil) industry security", he told reporters. "Everybody is vulnerable to extreme acts of sabotage." The meeting also comes as the full impact of re-instated U.S. sanctions against Iran kick in, slashing the Islamic republic's crude exports. Falih however cast doubt on reports that oil exports by Iran -- which did not send a representative to the meeting -- dropped sharply. "Nobody knows... it's highly speculative and uncertain what Iran is exporting... there is a lot of oil leaving Iran shores and waters," he said. Massive drops in exports by Iran and Venezuela come alongside output cuts of 1.2 million barrels per day implemented by the OPEC+ group since January. The International Energy Agency said last week Iranian crude production fell in April to 2.6 million bpd, down from 3.9 million bpd before sanctions were re-instated. Iran's output is already at its lowest level in over five years, but could tumble in May to levels not seen since the devastating 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. Venezuela's output -- also subject to U.S. export sanctions -- is also tumbling, down by over half since the third quarter of last year. But exporters fear a rush to raise production to plug the gap left by Iranian exports could backfire, triggering a new supply glut. The meeting was held amid soaring Gulf tensions after the mysterious sabotage of several tankers off the Emirati coast and drone attacks claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned Huthi rebels, which shut a key Saudi crude pipeline. Both attacks targeted routes built as alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for almost all Gulf exports. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait in case of war with the U.S., which said this month it was sending an aircraft carrier and strike group to the region. Saudi Arabia accused Iran of ordering the pipeline attacks, targeting "the security of oil supplies... and the global economy". Saudi foreign affairs minister Adel al-Jubeir said Sunday his country does not want war with Iran, but was ready to defend its interests. Riyadh "does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it", he told journalists in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia called Saturday for urgent meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions, government news agency SPA said. It also said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had spoken with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about enhancing security in the region. The U.S. Fifth Fleet headquartered in Bahrain said the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council began on Saturday "enhanced security patrols" in international waters in "tight coordination with the U.S. navy." Falih had said last month the kingdom was ready to boost supplies in case of any shortage caused by the Iran embargo. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh has said Washington's stated aim of bringing Iran's oil exports "to zero" amounts to "an illusion." The famous Las Vegas strip lights up the night with neon signs and animated images. The Las Vegas Neon Museum has been lighting up the city since 2012. That's when activists, art lovers and local officials decided that neon signs that have seen better days deserved to be viewed and enjoyed by a new generation of tourists. Roman Mamonov traveled to Las Vegas and visited the unusual museum. A U.N. watchdog group is demanding an end to the widespread practice of torture and other cruel punishments in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The DRC is one of six countries examined by the U.N. Committee Against Torture, which monitors the implementation by States of the Convention Against Torture. At the conclusion of its four-week session, the Committee criticized the DRC for failing to meet this test. Democratic Republic of Congo's Minister for Human Rights Marie-Ange Mushobekwa offered a vigorous defense of her country's efforts to comply with the provisions of the Convention Against Torture. She argued that following the ratification of the treaty in 2010, her country had adopted a law against torture which strengthened and completed the Penal Code. She said measures were being enacted to strengthen the criminalization of torture. But her defense failed to persuade the 18 independent members of the U.N. Committee Against Torture. Human Rights expert, Sebastien Touze said evidence presented to the Committee indicates the prohibitions enshrined in the Convention are being completely ignored by the DRC, legally and in practice. Furthermore, he noted 63 percent of human rights violations were committed by State agents. He said there is a general climate of impunity in DRC. He said no one suspected of human rights violations is prosecuted, allowing torture and other cruel acts to flourish. Victims of abuse are abandoned and have no recourse to justice, he said. In its report, the Committee notes that arbitrary detention is widespread. It finds secret detention centers continue to exist in which the majority of detainees there are victims of torture, and cruel and degrading treatment. Those most at risk of abuse, it says include human rights defenders, journalists and political dissidents. The U.N. Committee reports violence against women is widespread. And while rape and sexual violence, including mass rape are endemic in situations of conflict, it says the 2011 law in DRC does not recognize these atrocities as acts of torture. The experts express great concern about the numerous human rights violations received by the Committee. They have asked the DRC delegation to report back within a year on steps being taken to bring the country into compliance with the Torture Convention. Minister Mushobekwa said her country was not in denial about its checkered human rights record. She said the government is doing all it can to fight impunity against torture, but things take time. U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday assailed Congressman Justin Amash as "a total lightweight" after the Michigan lawmaker became the first Republican to call for Trump's impeachment. The U.S. leader said he was "never a fan" of the five-term member of the House of Representatives, claiming he "opposes me and some of our great Republican ideas and policies just for the sake of getting his name out there through controversy." Trump said Amash "is a loser who sadly plays right into our opponents hands!" Amash, echoing numerous Democratic lawmakers, claimed that Trump "engaged in impeachable conduct" by attempting to obstruct special counsel Robert Mueller's 22-month investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 U.S. presidential election. Some Democratic lawmakers in the House have called for Trump's impeachment, although House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has not given her approval for the start of any impeachment hearings, while leaving open the possibility as several House committees conduct new investigations of Trump's business affairs, taxes and his more than two-year tenure in the White House. Trump has vowed to fight all efforts at subpoenas for information about his conduct and administration policies. Some of the disputes about access to Trump and White House records are already being fought in legal battles, with more likely to come. Mueller concluded that Trump and his campaign did not collude with Russia to help him win the election, but said it could not reach a decision on whether he obstructed justice. Subsequently, Attorney General William Barr and Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein decided obstruction charges were not warranted against Trump. Amash, after reading the Mueller report, contended in a string of Twitter comments on Saturday that Barr "has deliberately misrepresented Mueller's report," saying that Barr "intended to mislead the public" about Mueller's findings. Amash said, "Contrary to Barrs portrayal, Muellers report reveals that President Trump engaged in specific actions and a pattern of behavior that meet the threshold for impeachment. In fact, Muellers report identifies multiple examples of conduct satisfying all the elements of obstruction of justice, and undoubtedly any person who is not the president of the United States would be indicted based on such evidence." A long-standing Justice Department policy says that sitting U.S. presidents cannot be charged with criminal offenses, but can be charged after they leave office. Amash said, "Impeachment, which is a special form of indictment, does not even require probable cause that a crime [e.g., obstruction of justice] has been committed; it simply requires a finding that an official has engaged in careless, abusive, corrupt, or otherwise dishonorable conduct." The congressman said that he thinks "few members of Congress" have read the Mueller report and that "their minds were made up based on partisan affiliation." Senator Mitt Romney, a Utah Republican and sometimes Trump critic, told CNN on Sunday that he thinks Amash's stance was "a courageous statement," but said that while he was "troubled" by Trump's conduct as described in the Mueller report, he does not think it rose to the level of the need for impeachment. Even if the Democratic-controlled House impeached Trump, the Republican-controlled Senate would almost certainly reject removing Trump from office. Romney said, "The Senate is certainly not there yet." Trump said that if Amash "actually read the biased Mueller Report, 'composed' by 18 Angry Dems who hated Trump, he would see that it was nevertheless strong on NO COLLUSION and, ultimately, NO OBSTRUCTION... Anyway, how do you Obstruct when there is no crime and, in fact, the crimes were committed by the other side?" Nike Ching at the State Department and Carla Babb at the Pentagon contributed to this report. President Donald Trump has given a strong warning to Iran, threatening its destruction if it attacks the United States or U.S. interests. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran," Trump tweeted Sunday. "Never threaten the United States again!" Just three days earlier, Trump appeared to be backing away from his apparently hawkish stance against Iran, saying he would be willing to talk with Tehran. When asked by a reporter at the White House if the U.S. was going to war with Iran, Trump replied, "I hope not." But there has been no apparent let up in the tensions between the United States, its regional allies and Iran. The State Department says a "low-grade rocket" fell inside the green zone in Baghdad, close to the U.S. embassy, Sunday. No injuries or damage is reported. U.S. Central Command spokesman Capt. Bill Urban said the Pentagon was aware of an explosion outside the embassy, adding, "There were no U.S. or coalition casualties, and Iraqi Security Forces are investigating the incident." A spokesman says the U.S. will not tolerate such attacks and that it will hold Iran responsible "if any such attacks are conducted by its proxy militia forces." Saudi Arabia is blaming Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen for a drone attack on two Saudi oil-pumping stations last week. The U.S. also suspects Iran was behind the sabotage of four oil tankers off the coast of the United Arab Emirates last week. Two of the damaged tankers were Saudi. The Saudis also say they will not tolerate Iranian aggression. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want war in the region and does not strive for that," Foreign Affairs Minister Adel al-Jubeir said Sunday. "But at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will fight this will all force and determination and it will defend itself, its citizens and its interests." Saudi King Salman has called for emergency summits with Gulf and Arab leaders on May 30 to discuss what the kingdoms official news agency describes as "aggressions and their consequences." An Iranian news agency quotes Iran's Revolutionary Guard head Hossein Salami as saying the country does not want war, but is "not afraid" of it. A statement from the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet Sunday spoke of increased maritime patrols and exercises in the Arabian Sea that highlight the "lethality and agility to respond to threat The Pentagon has already sent bombers to the region. The increased tensions with Iran began brewing a year ago when Trump pulled the United States out of the six-nation nuclear deal with Iran. Under the agreement, Iran would curb its uranium enrichment program in exchange for the end of sanctions and economic relief. The limitations were meant to ensure Iran does not develop nuclear weapons, something Iran denied it had been doing. Trump, in an interview with Fox News recorded last week and broadcast Sunday, said he does not "want to fight" but that when it comes to Iran, "you can't let them have nuclear weapons." The reimposed U.S. sanctions have left the Iranian economy in tatters and Iran complains it has yet to see the promised economic benefit from the countries that are still part of the nuclear deal -- Britain, China, France, Germany, and Russia. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani announced two weeks ago he was pulling out of part of the nuclear deal and would restart some uranium enrichment if there were no economic benefits by early July. U.S. President Donald Trump says he is less restrictive in his anti-abortion views than provisions in a string of pro-life laws being adopted by conservative state legislatures in recent days. Trump, in late Saturday Twitter remarks, described himself as "strongly pro-life," but said abortions were acceptable to him in three instances, when a woman becomes pregnant by rape or incest and when the life of a mother is endangered. His view is not as stringent as the provisions of laws being adopted in Alabama, Georgia and Missouri, although he has no control over what state legislatures approve. Alabama banned virtually all abortions, the strictest such law in the country, making an exception only for the health of the mother and for fetuses deemed to have "fatal anomalies" that make them unlikely to survive outside the womb. Georgia's law bans abortions as soon as physicians can detect a heartbeat, while the Missouri legislation, likely to be signed by the state's governor, bans abortions after eight weeks. Twenty years ago, long before he entered Republican Party politics and adopted its widely held anti-abortion views, Trump described himself as "very pro-choice," leaving the decision of whether to have have an abortion up to a woman. Trump, in his tweets, said his position now is the same as that adopted in the 1980s by a revered conservative Republican president, Ronald Reagan, although Reagan actually only accepted abortions when an unborn child threatened the life of a mother. Many of the anti-abortion state lawmakers voting for the new restrictions and the governors who have signed them into law say they expect legal challenges and that initially federal courts will declare them unconstitutional, in accordance with the landmark 1973 Roe vs. Wade Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion rights across the U.S. But anti-abortion activists are hoping that legal challenges of the state laws will reach the Supreme Court in the coming months and that the nine-member court's five-justice conservative bloc, including Trump-appointed justices Neil Gorsuch and Brett Kavanaugh, will overturn the 46-year-old abortion rights ruling. Such a ruling could possibly leave it up to each of the 50 individual states to decide whether to allow the procedure, leaving it legal in some places and not in others. Trump said his appointment of "two great new Supreme Court Justices" and 105 "wonderful new Federal Judges (many more to come)" supports his "Right to Life" stance. He claimed that "The Radical Left, with late term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear!" Many of the nearly two dozen Democratic presidential contenders seeking their party's nomination to run against Trump in the November 2020 election have assailed the states adopting the anti-abortion laws, affirming their support for the Roe decision. More than 50 million abortions have been performed in the U.S. since 1973, according to government statistics, with the biggest number in 1990, more than 1.4 million, a figure that has generally declined since then to less than a million annually. WATCH: Abortion limitations Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh cast doubt Monday on a U.S.-led conference set to be held in Bahrain next month focusing on what the White House says would be economic benefits for Palestinians if a peace deal can be reached with Israel. Speaking at a Cabinet meeting, Shtayyeh stressed the need for a political deal with Israel that resolves a number of longstanding issues, including borders, none of which are on the agenda for the economic conference in Manama. He said the current financial crisis Palestinians are dealing with is the result of what he called a "financial war" being waged against them, and that they will not give in to blackmail or trade their rights for money. The White House has pledged to unveil a new Mideast peace plan in the coming weeks. A senior White House official said Sunday the plan calls for substantial investments in the Gaza economy, but that investments there will require a "stable" cease-fire agreement to remain in place. "There's a tremendous amount of opportunity, the world is willing to step up and work on this," the official said. "But that only happens if we can resolve some of the political issues. The two things go hand in hand. There is a real future that can be very exciting, but we have to work on these hard issues." Government, civil society and business leaders at the conference are expected to discuss potential economic investments in the region if a peace agreement is achieved. In a statement, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the conference would "offer Palestinians exciting new opportunities to realize their full potential." Bahrain Finance Minister Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa al-Khalifa said the conference underscored close ties with the United States and the two countries' "strong and shared interest in creating thriving economic opportunities that benefit the region." Sudanese citizens are criticizing the American representative to their country for dining with one of Sudan's most notorious warlords. U.S. representative to Sudan, Charge D'Affaires Steven Koutsis, attended an Iftar meal to break the daily Ramadan fast on Saturday with Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, whose troops are accused of committing atrocities in Darfur and other areas, including as recently as this week. Dagolo, known by his nickname "Hemeti," is the commander of the Rapid Support Forces militia. Previously, Hemeti was a commander of the Janjaweed militia, which is accused of committing genocide in Darfur more than a decade ago. At the time, the U.S. led the international community in condemning the killings in Darfur and called for the perpetrators to face justice. Koutsis and Hemeti broke the Ramadan fast together at the same table, with two people sitting between them. The event was organized by Sultan Ahmed Ali Dinar, the great-grandson of a Darfuri king. During the ceremony, guests shouted praise for Hemeti and the RSF. A large banner hung behind a stage with Hemeti's photo on it. Third time invited to Iftar After the event, Koutsis explained to the Voice of America why he attended. "I've come here every year since I've been here [in Khartoum] to support the Darfuri people," Koutsis said. "This is the third time I've come to this Iftar that is hosted by Sultan Ahmed Ali Dinar. So I was pleased to come here for the third time." Hemeti is also deputy chairman of Sudan's ruling military junta, which seized power in an April coup after the ouster of longstanding dictator Omar al-Bashir following months of street protests. Since then, thousands of protesters have camped out at a sit-in outside Khartoum's military headquarters, demanding Hemeti and the other generals hand power to a civilian government. The United States has also repeatedly called for the junta to hand power to civilians. During the past week, soldiers opened fire twice on protesters around the sit-in, causing hundreds of casualties, including several deaths. Protest leaders accused Hemeti's RSF of carrying out the attacks. The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum blamed the junta. VOA asked Koutsis if it was appropriate for a representative of the United States to be at an event with a militia leader implicated in war crimes and the killings of protesters. "I think it's appropriate for a representative of the U.S. to support the people of Darfur by being here," he responded. Koutsis said on Tuesday he visited some Sudanese people at Khartoum's Fedail Hospital who were wounded in a Monday attack on the protest sit-in. A week before the violence began, Koutsis attended an Iftar at the protest sit-in. The incident with Hemeti has created confusion among Sudanese as to whether Washington supports the protesters calling for a civilian government or the military leaders who took power. 'Really angry' Speaking to VOA, Adeeb Yousif a Darfuri academic at Washington's George Mason University, said Koutsis' participation in the dinner has made some Darfuris "really angry." Yousif said it was painful to see Koutsis "sitting together with Hemeti [who is] considered to be the perpetrator of killing those innocent children and wounding many of them [this week]." Yousif said he did not support the U.S. Embassy leader attending the dinner, saying his presence gave legitimacy to Hemeti. Yousif questioned Koutsis' reasoning for attending the event. He said this year is "totally different" from the two years prior, due to Sudan's ongoing political upheaval. He further said the meal cannot be taken as a way of supporting people of Darfur. He said he believes Sultan Ahmed Ali Dinar is a businessman linked to Bashir's old regime and is not a credible representative of Darfuris. "His great grand-grandfather was the king of the area, and there's nobody (who) can deny," Yousif said. "But for him, I don't think he has any supporters in Darfur apart of his family and those who are benefiting from his business." Solidarity questioned Idriss Haroun, a Darfuri who saw family members killed during the alleged genocide in Darfur in 2004 and has lived in a displaced person's camp since, also rejected the Sultan. "We are happy the American ambassador (charge daffaires) is leading pressure against the military council to hand the government to civilians," Haroun said, speaking to VOA from a tent at the protest sit-in in Khartoum. "We thank him for that. But, if he went to the Iftar in solidarity with Hemeti and the Sultan, then he is the same as Hemeti and the Sultan. All of them are killers." Saudi Arabia was the only other country with a representative at Hemeti's event. Hemeti has sent RSF troops to fight with the Saudis in the war in Yemen, a conflict in which all sides are accused of atrocities. Hemeti is also accused of sending child soldiers among his troops in Yemen. At the Iftar, Hemeti's security detail included at least one child soldier. Taliban and American military officials have taken to social media to accuse each other of acting against peace building efforts in conflict-torn Afghanistan. The spar between the two adversaries via Twitter comes as American and representatives of the insurgent group are engaged in a months-long dialogue to try to bring an end to the Afghan war. But the talks have failed to deter the Taliban from ceasing or reducing battlefield hostilities. Deadly battles between Taliban insurgents and U.S.-backed Afghan security forces in recent days have killed and wounded hundreds of people, including civilians. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid tweeted late Saturday that Washington, and not his group, is opposed to peace efforts. He reiterated the Talibans traditional stance that the U.S. military intervention in Afghanistan is to be blamed for the 17-year-old war. So long as you occupy our country through forces & and plots, no true Afghan will seek peace but will want to force you out, the insurgent spokesman tweeted. He was responding to reported remarks by U.S. military spokesman Col. Dave Butler that the Taliban is hurting Afghans who want peace in the country. Mujahid urged Butler to speak only for the Americans and think about ways of ending your occupation rather than trying to represent Afghans. You know this not true. The Afghan people know this is not true. You have the opportunity to reduce violence but you chose not to, Butler responded. The Taliban is choosing to ignore the will of the people and bring harm to this country. Peace is the right way, he added. Butlers comments prompted Mujahid in a subsequent tweet to ask the U.S. military spokesman whether it was not true that American forces were forcefully based in Afghanistan and dropped countless bombs and imprisoned thousands of Afghans. "The people you claim youre fighting for want peace. You know the truth. You are not even in this country but sending Afghan sons to die while you attack the pride of the people the Afghan Security Forces. You claim to fight us but only attack Afghans," Col. Butler responded in a tweet early Sunday. He did not elaborate but Afghan and American officials have long alleged Taliban fighters use sanctuaries in Pakistan to orchestrate cross-border insurgent activities. Officials in the neighboring country reject the charges and blame Afghan refugee populations near the border areas for serving as hideouts for insurgents. The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 to dislodge the Taliban from power for sheltering al-Qaida leaders blamed for plotting the 9/11 attacks on American cities. Que Sea Ley Photo: Pro-choice feminists march in Argentina. The Cannes Film Festival is an innately surreal experience. One moment youre smushed between jet-lagged, irritable journalists in an hourlong line for an obscure foreign film; the next, youre standing on a hotel rooftop, watching two hulking bodyguards smuggle Selena Gomez into a party where actors are dressed as haute-couture zombies. This is my first time here, so I cant speak to whether it feels less wild (or you feel less undeserving) as the years go by, but I do know that Ive never experienced as much cognitive dissonance fever-dream thrills paired with stomach-churning guilt as I have here. Because, while Im in France making jokes about Rocketman, back home, the GOP is waging a calculated war on womens bodies. Every time I exit a screening, or wake up six hours off key and check my phone, theres a frightening new development to consider. Alabamas new law would make performing an abortion at any stage of pregnancy a felony punishable by up to 99 years or life in prison, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Mississippis new law seeks to ban most abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. Louisiana, South Carolina, and Missouri are close to passing similar heartbeat laws. Far away, I feel helpless, terrified for the people with uteruses living in these states, and sick with worry about the targeted national campaign to take down Roe v. Wade. Which is why it was, in a strange way, cathartic to walk into Que Sea Ley, an Argentine documentary about the long, difficult struggle to legalize abortion in the South American country. I dont mean cathartic in the traditional sense Que Sea Ley, which translates to Let It Be Law, is a harrowing watch. But as we entered the theater, the audience was greeted by a sea of green bandannas, each draped over a dark red seat. The color represents a womans right to a free, safe, and legal abortion in Argentina (those in the anti-abortion movement wear blue bandannas). Moments later, a group of Argentine women dressed in bright green, each holding her own bandanna, entered the theater and began chanting jumping up and down and cheering in unison. Que sea ley! Que sea ley! they sang, smiling and laughing, pumping their fists in the air. (Outside the theater, the likes of Penelope Cruz and Pedro Almodovar were sporting their own green bandannas, too.) The women began leading the audience in the chant as the lights flickered on and off, radiating hope and optimism and strength. I burst into tears, and didnt stop for the next 90 minutes. Neither did the women to my left and right. Cannes screening of Que Sea Ley (Let It Be Law), a doc about the difficult fight for safe & legal abortion in Argentina, kicked off with a group of Argentinian women clad in green (green represents pro-choice in Argentina), cheering and singing in unison. Extremely moving. pic.twitter.com/avcz4exapd rachel handler (@rachel_handler) May 18, 2019 The documentary, from Argentine filmmaker Juan Solanas, begins in early 2018, just as the countrys House passed a measure to legalize abortion, which was, for decades, illegal and punishable by prison time for both women and their doctors, except in rare cases. For a bill to become a law in Argentina, the Senate must also approve the bill; Solanoss film follows the months of hearings that preceded the Senate vote, where doctors, officers of the church, rape survivors, and politicians alike take the stand to share their take on the debate. Outside the Senate, the women Solanos speaks to are hopeful they organize in the streets by the millions, with green glitter smeared across their faces, pounding drums, chanting about defeating the patriarchy and gaining autonomy over their own bodies. They call themselves militants and feminists, and they span from childhood to old age. The older women regularly express their delight that the younger generation has taken up the cause that, as one woman puts it, weve been fighting for many years. We are the granddaughters of witches you couldnt burn, sings one group of young women. This is my body; I decide. Interspersed between the hearings and the joyful shots of women protesting, Solanos reminds us why this fight matters so much. He connects larger issues of social and economic inequality with illegal abortion, demonstrating how it unduly affects the poor and the vulnerable, how its part of a larger campaign to control womens bodies and lives. Statistics about women in Argentina flash across the screen in giant white letters: One woman dies owing to a clandestine abortion; 18 percent of pregnancies are child pregnancies; every three hours, a teenager gives birth in Argentina, and 70 percent of these births are unwanted; 33 percent of Argentines live in poverty; 48 percent are minors; every 26 hours, a woman in Argentina is killed. Priests, gynecologists, and senators talk directly to Solanoss camera, express their urgent desire for the law to pass: We cant impose our personal beliefs onto society, says one senator. Jesus would not want women in jail for having an abortion, says one priest. But the most affecting moments come from women whove survived clandestine abortions and tell their horrifying stories and, most devastatingly, from the families of women who havent survived, telling the stories of their lost loved ones. One woman shares how she became an activist after reading about a girl who bled to death in a rented room after trying to give herself an abortion with a knitting needle. Another tells the story of her sister, who called her, bleeding, from the slums, where shed just had a clandestine abortion; when she rushed her sister to the hospital, the doctors found parsley stuffed in her womb. Ana Maria Acevedo, one of the faces of the pro-choice movement, was a 19-year-old woman with three young children who was two weeks pregnant when she was diagnosed with cancer. The doctors refused to treat her, instead waiting for her to carry the baby to term. Acevedo and her family begged the doctors for a therapeutic abortion, but they refused, and though they kept promising to meet with a judge and a priest to discuss the matter, they never did. Acevedo, near death, had a C-section at 22 weeks, and the baby died shortly thereafter. Soon, so did Acevedo. My daughter was killed, Acevedos bereft mother tells Solanos. They destroyed her. How do we explain this to her children? Liliana Herrera, another face of the movement, was a mother of two who had a clandestine abortion because she couldnt afford another child. She quickly developed a horrible infection. Her family had no car, so they asked a friend to take her to the hospital, and met her there. They werent allowed in the room. The doctors left her, screaming in pain, overnight, and didnt operate on her until the next day. She died. Her sister died from a clandestine abortion, too. Now her parents are raising Herreras children. Solanos shows them onscreen: two sweet, adorable young girls wearing leggings and munching on watermelon, smiling at the camera. One wears a shirt that reads Love, Love, Love. As Herreras parents tell the story, her father can barely speak, choking back tears. Theres also Belen, who went to the hospital with a bad stomach ache not knowing she was pregnant, and miscarried. She was charged with homicide and is now in jail. And Lu, who was raped by her mothers boyfriend at age 12. Her mother blamed her, and forced her to keep the baby, causing Lu to seek the dangerous services of an old woman healer who nearly killed her. Lu says she didnt care if I died during the procedure. If I hadnt [had the abortion], says Lu, I would have killed myself. And Florencia, a survivor, who says a clandestine abortionist gave her pills to put inside of her body. When she woke up, she couldnt feel her legs, so she went to the hospital, where doctors mocked and verbally abused her. Cecila, a gynecologist, tells Solanos through tears that she used to be one of those doctors, until she realized what she was doing was wrong. I watched dozens of women die surrounded by policeman asking them who gave them the abortion, so they could arrest them, she says. They took the secrets to their tomb while being judged, stigmatized, and mistreated. Solanos spends some time with the anti-abortion movement, as well at a large rally with a gigantic papier-mache baby floating through the air, a speaker begs for forgiveness for women murdering babies. A man yells at a female newscaster, arguing that a 10-year-old could become pregnant and it wouldnt necessarily be rape. She wanted to sleep with her grandmothers partner? asks the newscaster, incredulous. Maybe, he says. Later, the movement proudly displays a photo of a 12-year-old with a baby during the Senate hearings, supposed proof of triumph. In the films second to last scene, millions of women crowd the streets of Argentina, waiting for the Senates verdict. Its another sea of green, with women dancing and beating drums, waiting to celebrate the monumental moment. It begins to rain, but they dont let up. They gather to watch the verdict projected onto a gigantic screen, gripping each other in excitement. A senator announces that the vote is negative, with 31 senators in favor, and 38 against. In the end, it came down to seven votes. The women begin to sob, turning to hug each other. But one of them hops on the microphone: We made history today, and the Senate didnt listen, she says. We are a wave that cant be stopped. Ana Maria Acevedo? she asks the crowd, who begin to reanimate. Present! they yell. They resume their chanting. The film ends with Solanos revisiting each of his subjects. Que sea ley, they say, one at a time, smiling directly into the camera. Let it be law. In Cannes, as the screening ended, and the lights went up, the Argentine women the militants from the film stood again, many of them crying. They held their green bandannas taut over their heads. The entire theater stood and applauded for several minutes. Then the audience started chanting along with the women: Que sea ley! Que sea ley! Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call(WASHINGTON) -- Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who has made foreign policy a central part of her campaign, said President Donald Trump is "setting the stage for a war in Iran." "He is leading us down this dangerous path towards a war in Iran," Gabbard told ABC News' Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos on This Week Sunday. On Wednesday, Gabbard told ABC News that she believed actions coming from Trump and national security adviser John Bolton, "are dangerously escalating us closer and closer towards a devastating war with Iran." On This Week, Gabbard, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, went further, telling Stephanopoulos, "I think what were seeing, unfortunately, is what looks a lot like people in the Trump administration trying to create a pretext or an excuse for us to go to war against Iran." She warned that a war in Iran "would actually undermine our national security, cost us countless American lives, cost civilian lives across the region, exacerbate the refugee crisis in Europe and it would actually make us less safe by strengthening terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda." Also on Wednesday, as tensions continued to build, the U.S. State Department ordered all non-emergency government employees to leave the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil. "We heard conflicting stories coming from the British commander who is the co-commander of the fight against ISIS and al-Qaeda there in Iraq and Syria saying, hey, he hadnt seen an escalation of tensions or threats coming from these Iraqi -- or these Shia militias serving in Iraq," she said. Stephanopoulos asked Gabbard about the withdrawal from the diplomatic posts, which she responded were not the result of the White House's claims of increased tension in the Middle East. The 2020 candidate, an Iraq war veteran who also serves as a major in the Hawaii National Guard, has made clear her stance against military involvement in foreign nations. Gabbard told Stephanopoulos, "I've also seen and experienced the cost of war firsthand. And I'm committed -- as commander in chief -- to end these wasteful regime change wars." While Gabbard has called the president out for his rhetoric and policies, she has also adopted some of Trumps key phrases such as "fake news." When asked on This Week about a Daily Beast article that claimed her campaign received donations from "Putin Apologists," Gabbard refuted the claim and described the piece to ABC News as a "whole lot of fake news." Stephanopoulos asked Gabbard, "many Democrats have been tougher on Vladimir Putin than President Trump. Do you think Democrats are taking too hard a line?" She responded, "I think that the escalation of tensions that weve seen between the United States and nuclear-armed countries like Russia and China -- and youre right -- it has come from this administration, its also come from some Democrats and Republicans in Congress." It has brought us to this very dangerous point where nuclear strategists point out that we are at a greater risk of nuclear war now than ever before in history and weve got to understand what the consequences of that are, she added. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. In a successful negotiation, everybody wins, said Gerard Irwin Nierenberg, an American negotiation expert. However, the US has run counter to such idea, resulting in serious setbacks in bilateral trade negotiations. The US has not only made a grave miscalculation, but also completely underestimated Chinas determination and will in defending its rights and interests. It is universally recognized that China-US trade talks have focused on trade imbalances from the very beginning. However, the US continued to expand the scope of the talks and frequently raised unreasonable demands during the negotiation process. Even so, China has always responded to the US concerns with utmost sincerity and goodwill, resolved disagreements through seeking common ground while putting aside differences, done its best to advance the negotiation process and achieved a series of important results. By doing so, China has pursued win-win cooperation and been responsible for peoples of the two countries and the world. To reach a good agreement between the two countries, each others core interests and major concerns must be accommodated. The trade talks need to focus on trade issues. If a country continues to make unreasonable demands in the negotiations, or even tries to write terms and conditions harming core interests of the other country into an agreement, it only sets obstacles for the negotiations and shows no sincerity. No country should entertain the fantasy that China will barter away its core national interests, Chinese President Xi Jinping once said. Expecting China to barter away issues of principle and its core interests is doomed to be the biggest strategic misjudgment for the US. For China-US trade negotiations, China shows its sincerity and is reasonable in the process. Whats more, China will defend its dignity and never be afraid of any country making unreasonable requests. If the US regards Chinas sincerity as being weak, and therefore thinks that it can take anything it wants from China, changes the number of its trade volume with China regardless of their agreement and facts, constantly raises unreasonable demands against Chinas core interests, or even acts arrogantly and adopts bullying practices in the wording of an agreement text, it acts will certainly be opposed. China has no intention to change or displace the US, while the US cannot expect to dictate to China or impede the latters development. On issues concerning its core interests, China will not make the slightest concession to the US. The deal-making tactic of extreme pressure is doomed to not work for China that had endured so much in the past. The salami-slice strategy in negotiations is only one-sided wish. And the ulterior motives to contain China are nothing more than wishful thinking for the Chinese nation on a journey toward the great rejuvenation. The unequal treaties that were imposed on China by foreign powers are still fresh in our memory. Since 1840, a series of unequal treaties had inflicted untold sufferings to the Chinese people. This is why the Communist Party of China, since its founding, had given priority to abolishing the unequal treaties, which were completely abolished after the founding of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Today, the Chinese nation has embarked on a journey toward the great rejuvenation. Any attempt to force China to sign an unequal treaty is not only an extreme ignorance of the modern history of China, but also a great provocation against the Chinese people. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of the PRC. Looking back, this momentous journey has given us many valuable inspirations. An important one is that China has followed a right path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and reform and opening up is the only way to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics. China has kept its door open for trade talks and international exchanges, and kept to its principles and bottom line. The Chinese people will not be swayed from the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, nor can anyone stop them from realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. By PTI KARACHI: Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan's dream of the cash-strapped country becoming self-sufficient in oil has been dashed after no reserves were discovered in the Arabian Sea off the Karachi coast, media reports said Sunday. The drilling work at Kekra-1 well in deep sea near Karachi has been stopped after no oil or gas reservoir could be found, according to Special Assistant to Prime Minister Khan on Petroleum Nadeem Babar. Pakistan was hopeful of finding large oil and gas reserves in its territorial waters in the Arabian Sea. US oil giant Exxon Mobil, Italy's ENI and a couple other companies were involved in drilling an ultra-deep oil well. Babar told Geo News that the process of drilling up to more than 5,500 meters was completed on Kekra-1 (Indus G-Block) off Karachi coast. Babar said the office of DG Petroleum Concessions has been apprised of the results of drilling. He said that the cost of drilling project, which has now been abandoned, remained over USD 100 million. In March, Prime Minister Khan had said Pakistan would not need to import oil after reserves were found near Karachi coast. "We are hopeful of finding large reserves of gas and oil in the sea near Karachi. The nation should pray for this and I will soon share good news regarding this," Khan had said. "God willing the reserves will be so large that we will not need to import any oil," he said. Khan said he believes that if big oil reserves are discovered, most of Pakistan's economic problems will be addressed and then there will be no stopping in the country's progress. Around four months ago, Italian firm ENI, the operator of the Kekra-1 offshore block, started drilling in a joint venture with US firm ExxonMobil, one of the world's largest oil and gas firm, and the Pakistan state-owned Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL) and Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL). Each of the four firms has a 25 per cent participating interest in the block. The drilling was carried out in ultra-deep waters some 280 kilometres away from the Karachi coast. The well was spudded on January 13 this year, targeting a carbonate reservoir with a prognosed total depth of 5,660 metres. Some surveyors had found the block Indus-G' similar to the Indian offshore Bombay High oilfield, which produces 350,000 barrels per day of crude oil, while others described it as similar to the ones in the oil- and gas-rich Kuwait, the Express Tribune reported. At the same time, officials say, oil and gas exploration and production is described as a high risk- high reward' business and the failures should not be taken as a loss. "India found offshore reserves from its Bombay High well' after 40 attempts," the officials were quoted as saying by the Dawn News. OGDCL spokesman Ahmed Lak said that Pakistan should continue its efforts to find hydrocarbon reserves because there was a large area where reserves had been predicted by experts. "US firm ExxonMobile has become a working partner in the block only because of encouraging data," he said, adding that international researches had shown that hydrocarbon reserves were found in the sea facing the river basins. "Since Indus is an ancient river with a large basin, experts do not contest the views there is a huge pocket of hydrocarbon reserve in the Arabian Sea off Sindh," Lak said. "Because the well remained dry, now it will be plugged and abandoned, said Lak. Currently, Pakistan meets only 15 per cent of its domestic petroleum needs with crude oil production of around 22 million tonnes; the other 85 per cent is met through imports. Photo: NBC NBCs The West Wing aired its final episode thirteen years ago this week, on May 14, 2006. The series has aged unevenly. Allison Janneys CJ Cregg remains as brilliant as ever, but Joshs neg-heavy courtship of his assistant Donna now seems not only immature but probably unethical. Then theres the political side. Conservatives dismiss the show as a pro-government fantasia where taxation is the panacea for societys every ill, while liberals routinely point out how its rooted in a white, hetero POV thats actually, ultimately, pretty centrist. Both of those takes are probably correct but what if and I know this is radical we looked at The West Wing not as a referendum on the American political system but as a television program. Take a minute to absorb to the idea. Compared to other prestige television of the era, The West Wing stands out for its fundamental optimism. It aired concurrently with The Sopranos, whose anti-hero Tony begat Breaking Bads Walter White and Ray Donovans Ray Donovan. The other big political show of the time was the violent 24. The end of its run coincided with Deadwood, for chrissakes. A highbrow, serialized drama with the central conceit of good man tries to do good instead of bad man tries to figure out why he is sad is relatively rare, which may be why the shows chief strength is also its most oft-cited complaint: the speeches! The Bartlet staffs righteous (and self-righteous) elocution might seem to the cynical sentimental, treacly, smarmy, or just eye-roll-inducingly dumb. And yeah, sometimes it was (looking at you, Crackpots and These Women). And every time they all lined up to say the same thing one after another. But if we set aside these moments, and the fact that its somehow always raining during the most dramatic episodes, even the coolest and most jaded viewer can admit that the West Wing rhetoric was, occasionally, just a bit inspiring, especially when delivered by the (fictional) president. If his speeches are neoliberal drivel then, dammit, they are well written neoliberal drivel. Things can be two things. So take a short break from the endless speech-ifying of the 2020 candidates, wont you, and lets appreciate the speech-ifying of President Bartlet, with his 25 best speeches, moments, and one-liners: 25. Taking Down A Conservative Radio Host I wanted to ask you a couple of questions while I have you here. Im interested in selling my youngest daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. Shes a Georgetown sophomore, speaks fluent Italian, always cleared the table when it was her turn. What would a good price for her be? While thinking about that, can I ask another? [] While you may be mistaking this for your monthly meeting of the Ignorant Tightass Club, in this building when the President stands, nobody sits. I like to imagine two editors cutting this scene together and having the following conversation. Editor 1: Wow, Bartlet is not here for that woman using the Bible to justify her homophobia! Editor 2: Yeah, he sure has a lot of examples of rules in the Bible that we dont follow because thats not the way people live anymore. Editor 1: Which examples are we supposed to leave in the episode? Editor 2: All of them. Were using all the examples. I dont love that this takedown ends with a reprimand about sitting while the POTUS is standing, but its worth noting Bartlets inclusion of the word tightass, because, as we will come to see, asses are a big thing for him. 24. His First Speech in the Pilot You know, my wife Abbey, she never wants me to do anything while Im upset. Thank you, Mr. Lewis. Twenty-eight years ago I came home from a very bad day at the state house, I tell Abby Im going out for a drive. I get in the station wagon, put it in reverse, and pull out of the garage full speed. Except I forgot to open the garage door. Abby told me not to drive while I was upset and she was right. She was right yesterday when she told me not to get on that damn bicycle while I was upset but I did it anyway, and I guess I was just about as angry as Ive ever been in my life. [] Now I love my family, and Ive read my Bible cover to cover so I want you to tell me, from what part of holy scripture do you suppose the Lambs of God drew their divine inspiration when they sent my twelve-year-old granddaughter a Raggedy Ann doll with a knife stuck through its throat? Youll denounce these people, Al. Youll do it publicly. And until you do, you can all get your fat asses out of my White House. CJ, show these people out. Again with the asses! This speech functions like a thesis statement for how the show works: personal beliefs influence political beliefs; political actions influence personal feelings; these people are going to govern based on what kind of day they are having; Abbey Bartlet is always right and is much smarter than her husband. 23. Proving He Loves Ellie The only thing you ever had to do to make me happy was come home at the end of the day. Is this a saccharine line that appears more than once in the hysterical supercut of reused Sorkinisms? Yes. But as the daughter of the father of a daughter, I also feel that its just a really sweet moment. Let Ellie have this. 22. On Gun Control Let [the NRA] stand in this room and say that [I like shooting deaths because they bolster the gun-control agenda]. On this day. Let them stand in this room. I like it? She was nine years old. This entire episode is full of good moments exploring the gun control debate, but ultimately it comes down to Bartlet cutting through the bullshit and the politics to refocus on the victim. Which isnt, you know, such a bad idea in general. 21. On Painkillers Before I go, please let me just say this: Im seriously thinking about getting a dog. Think how much better the rest of the show would have been if hed gotten a dog. 20. The Moment Josh Fell In Love With Him Today for the first time in history, the largest group of Americans living in poverty are children. One in five children live in the most abject, dangerous, hopeless, back-breaking, gut-wrenching poverty any of us could imagine. One in five, and theyre children. If fidelity to freedom and democracy is the code of our civic religion, then surely the code of our humanity is faithful service to that unwritten commandment that says we shall give our children better than we ourselves received. Let me put it this way: I voted against the bill because I didnt want to make it harder for people to buy milk. I stopped some money from flowing into your pocket. If that angers you, if you resent me, I completely respect that. But if you expect anything different from the president of the United States, you should vote for someone else. BRB, convincing my friend to leave his high-paying job at a white-shoe law firm to come work on a presidential campaign with me. 19. Ten-Word Answers Thats the ten-word answer my staffs been looking for for weeks, there it is. Ten-word answers can kill you in political campaigns, theyre the tip of the sword. Heres my question: what are the next ten words of your answer? Your taxes are too high? So are mine. Gimme the next ten words: How are we gonna do it? Gimme ten after that, Ill drop out of the race right now Every once in a while, theres a day with an absolute right and an absolute wrong. But those days almost always include body counts. Other than that, there arent very many un-nuanced moments in leading a country thats way too big for ten words. Im the President of the United States, not the president of the people who agree with me. And by the way, if the left has a problem with that, they should vote for somebody else. Maybe this is a patronizing argument for centrism or maybe its a rousing call for nuance or maybe its a plea for sanity in a political landscape warped by Fox News. Or maybe its about Twitter. 18. Hips Dont Lie And Neither Do Assistants We wont discuss this any more for the time being. Itll be public soon enough. The more conversations you have with me, the more lawyers youll have to talk to. They bill in an hour what you take home in a week so we wont discuss it except to say this: Youre gonna be subpoenad. Im confident in your loyalty to me. Im confident in your love for me. If you lie to protect me, if you lie just once, if you lie just a little, if you lie cause you cant stand whats happening to me and the people making it happen, if you ever, ever lie, youre finished with me. You understand? The characters on this show lie kind of a lot. They manipulate the press, try to bury scandals, and, of course, theres plenty of spin. Much of it is in service of a greater good, but still. However, those who are pure of heart Charlie, Zoey, kidnapped journalists, anti-landmine poets (Laura Dern!) somehow bring out the best in the politicians around them. However corrupt Bartlet may have let himself become, he never wants to corrupt anyone else. 17. Bartlet Calls The Butterball Hotline If I cook it inside the turkey, is there a chance I could kill my guests? I used to think that this scene was another example of Bartlets need to show off his intellect, and that anyone who cared this much about the right way to cook a turkey had completely missed the point of Thanksgiving. Then I worked for a man who was very particular. Things like sticker size, index card color, and push-pin location had to be just right. And I realized that he knew these things were small and insignificant, but he wanted them done correctly anyway because he wanted everything done correctly. His caring about the little details was proof that he cared about the bigger projects. He was putting everything he had into his job, down to the office supplies. So I changed my tune about nitpicky know-it-alls, and Id be happy to try Bartlets turkey brined in herbs and spices. 16. The Shutdown Then shut it down. Forgive the hyper-dramatic music in this scene and instead appreciate that Bartlets got a backbone. (Of course, no one ever shut it down like the cast of 30 Rock.) 15. Good Works Catholics dont believe man is saved through faith alone. Catholics believe faith has to be joined with good works. In a flashback, Young Bartlet stands up to his asshole father and, sure, fails to mention the gendered pay gap he originally wanted to talk to him about, but he also lays out the most compelling case yet for his Catholicism: doing good stuff. Its not enough to have the right beliefs or look to the correct leaders. You have to actually work. A good reminder for everyone who posts petitions online! 14. Liberals What did liberals do that was so offensive to the liberal party? Ill tell you what they did. Liberals got women the right to vote. Liberals got African-Americans the right to vote. Liberals created Social Security and lifted millions of elderly people out of poverty. Liberals ended segregation. Liberals passed the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act. Liberals created Medicare. Liberals passed the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act. What did Conservatives do? They opposed them on every one of those things. Every one. So when you try to hurl that label at my feet, Liberal, as if it were something to be ashamed of, something dirty, something to run away from, it wont work, Senator, because I will pick up that label and I will wear it as a badge of honor. I tricked you! This isnt Bartlet, its Santos! And its basically morphine for liberals! And I love it! Hes making a good point! 13. Just Be Wrong No, no however. Just be wrong. Just stand there in your wrongness and be wrong and get used to it. A useful lesson to us all, and a line my family quotes often. 12. Crime, Boy I Dont Know In the future, if youre wondering, crime, boy I dont know is when I decided to kick your ass. Bartlet and asses! This is kind of a stupid insult, but consider the larger context: Bartlet just ordered the quasi-legal offshore execution of a foreign enemy, forcing him to confront what, exactly, the relationship between the law and morality is. So when his Republican opponent cant muster anything more profound than boy, I dont know on the subject of crime, Bartlet has every right to be dismissive. Government is serious work for serious people. With serious asses. 11 & 10: American Heroes / Joy Cometh In The Morning More than any time in recent history, Americas destiny is not of our own choosing. We did not seek, nor did we provoke an assault on our freedoms and our way of life. We did not expect nor did we invite a confrontation with evil. Yet the true measure of a peoples strength is how they rise to master that moment when it does arrive Joy cometh in the morning, scripture tells us. I hope so. I dont know if life would be worth living if it didnt A bombing at the fictional Kennison State gives Bartlet fodder for two of his best speeches, the kind that out of context seem grandiose but, if they were delivered in the aftermath of actual terror, would reduce an audience to sobs. And maybe the best response to violence is to increase funding for public education. Couldnt hurt, right? 9. On Showing Up I just want to mention that at several points during the evening, I was referred to as both a liberal and a populist. And the fellow fourth from the back called me a socialist. Which was nice, I hadnt heard that for a while. Actually, Im an economics professor. My great-grandfathers great-grandfather was Dr. Josiah Bartlet, who was the New Hampshire delegate to the second Continental Congress, the one that sat in session in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776 and announced to the world that we were no longer subjects of King George III, but rather a self-governing people. We hold these truths to be self-evident, they said. That all men are created equal. Strange as it may seem, that was the first time in history that anyone had ever bothered to write that down. Decisions are made by those who show up. Class dismissed. The logic here is not airtight: A person can be both a socialist and an economics professor, and I highly doubt 1776 was the very first time in history that anyone had written about equality. But the invocation of American history is in the service of encouraging the audience to show up. Specifically, at the polls. If theres ever a time to allow patriotic pablum, its when youre telling people to vote. By the way, please vote! 8. Crabby Abbey Let me tell you something, jackass! Get as chippy as you want if that makes you feel better. I am your wife I love you you have a crisis you have to deal with it. When its done well talk. Abbey Bartlett The better Bartlet: Abigail. This, to me, represents a perfect power couple. Shes furious with her husband (we had a deal, Jed!) and she wont be dismissive of her own feelings, but she recognizes that in the moment, the situation room takes priority. Like the doctor she is, Abbeys doing triage, and so without sacrificing an ounce of her strength or vulnerability or love, she tells the president to get his goddamn head in the game. A powerful man has a wife who is his equal and treats her with respect! On television! What an idea! 7. Admission Of Guilt I was wrong. I was. I was just I was wrong! Come on, we know that. Lots of times, we dont know what right or wrong is, but lots of times we do and come on, this is one. I may not have had sinister intent at the outset. But there were plenty of opportunities for me to make it right. No one in government takes responsibility for anything anymore. We fluster, we obfuscate, rationalize. Everybody does it, thats what we say. So we come to occupy a moral safehouse where everyones to blame so no ones guilty. Im to blame. I was wrong. Can you imagine literally any other lead character of a drama saying this sincerely? No, you cannot, and that is why it is such a powerful moment in how it deals with masculinity, and responsibility, and honesty. Amen. 6. How To Make Decisions You have a lot of help. You listen to everybody. And then you call the play. This could be the title of a book on leadership, and while I myself would not buy that book, I would nod at it approvingly as I browse. 5. The Great Debate Well first of all, lets clear up a couple of things. Unfunded mandate is two words, not one big word. There are times when were fifty states and there are times when were one country and have national needs. And the way I know this is that Florida didnt fight Germany in World War Two, or establish civil rights. You think states should do the governing wall to wall. Thats a perfectly valid opinion. But your state of Florida got twelve point six billion dollars in federal money last year. From Nebraskans and Virginians and New Yorkers and Alaskans with their Eskimo poetry. Twelve point six out of a state budget of fifty billion. Im supposed to be using this time for a question so, here it is: Can we have it back please? Smugly demonstrating your superior intelligence while belittling your debate opponent but not calling anyone else stupid in the process? Plus a subtle call for national unity? The sass! 4. Post Hoc, Ergo, Propter Hoc After, therefore because of it. It means one thing follows the other therefore it was caused by the other. But its not always true. In fact its hardly ever true. Another West Wing-ism I truly use in my day to day life. Just because I went on a date after I got a haircut doesnt mean the haircut got me the date. Just because I said post hoc, ergo, propter hoc on the date and he never texted me back doesnt mean he hates girls who quote Latin aphorisms from old television shows. Sometimes hoc just happens. (Another important lesson I learned during a West Wing episode: Maps are racist.) 3. Two Cathedrals Youre a son of a bitch, you know that? She bought her first new car and you hit her with a drunk driver. What? Is that supposed to be funny? You cant conceive, nor can I, of the appalling strangeness of the mercy of God, says Graham Greene. I dont know whose ass he was kissing there, cause I think youre just vindictive. What was Josh Lyman, a warning shot? That was my son. What did I ever do to yours but praise his glory and praise his name? Theres a tropical storm thats gaining speed and power. They say we havent had a storm this bad since you took out that tender ship of mine in the North Atlantic last year. 68 crew. You know what a tender ship does? Fixes the other ships. Doesnt even carry guns, just goes around, fixes the other ships and delivers the mail, thats all it can do. Gratias tibi ago, domine. Yes, I lied. It was a sin, Ive committed many sins. Have I displeased you, you feckless thug? Three point eight million new jobs, that wasnt good? Bailed out Mexico, increased foreign trade, thirty million new acres of land for conservation. Put Mendoza on the bench. Were not fighting a war. Ive raised three children. Thats not enough to buy me out of the doghouse? Haec credam a deo pio, a deo justo, a deo scito? Cruciatus in crucem. Tuus in terra servus, nuntius fui; officium perfeci. Cruciatus in crucem you get Hoynes! For years I resisted looking up what the Latin translates to, fearing it wouldnt be as cool as just a guy yelling at God in Latin. But as a journalist its my duty to look stuff up, so I did, and it translates to, basically, fuck off. Anyway. This speech is about grief, plain and simple and devastating. Its about the anger phase and the bargaining phase rolled into one, cursing the universe that the deal you made (be a good person and good things will happen to you) didnt work out. We dont need a television show to teach us that life is deeply unfair, but once in a while, a television show sums up that unfairness as well as any piece of writing ever could. You get Hoynes! 2. Bartlet Gives Charlie The Knife Funny you should ask. Charlie, my father gave this to me and his father gave it to him. And now Im giving it to you. Take a look. The fully tapered bolstering allows for sharpening the entire edge of the blade. These were made for my family by a Boston silversmith named Paul Revere. Im proud of you, Charlie. Sorry, cant type, something in my eye. 1. thank u, next Whats next? thank u. With global sales among franchisees doubling to $2 billion over the last five years, Waco-based Neighborly has become a household name, and CEO Mike Bidwell is making the rounds to talk up its success. Bidwell made a guest appearance at the New York Stock Exchange to chat about National Home Improvement Month and traveled to Las Vegas to receive a Dealmakers award from Franchise Times magazine. He also wrote a piece for LinkedIn Pulse, an online source of business and employment information. He talked about National Small Business Week celebrated earlier this month and its application to a multibillion-dollar company like Neighborly whose success, ultimately, lies in the hands of 3,700 franchisees and the 850 staffers employed at Neighborly. Until last year, Neighborly had long operated as The Dwyer Group since it was founded by the late Don Dwyer in 1981. He started with a single concept, a carpet cleaning and coloring business called Rainbow International. Today it oversees 22 brands, many related to home maintenance or repair, hence the name change to Neighborly. The move was meant to create stronger brand identity with target customers, according to a fact sheet by publicist Monica Feid. In 2000, measles was declared eliminated from the U.S., according to the CDC. These diseases on the verge of elimination have a chance of coming back, Craine said. Vaccines are our best protection, and they are the reason rates have gone so low over the past decades. While there are extremely small risks of injury associated with vaccines, those risks are minimal compared to the risk you would have actually getting the disease, Newman said. Measles, for example, starts with flu-like symptoms of fever and aches, redness of the eyes and a lack of appetite. Spots might surface in the mouth before a red body rash appears, usually two to four days after the fever sets in, he said. The rash spreads from the head down to the trunk and then to the extremities. There is no specific antiviral therapy for measles, according to the CDC. Treatment helps relieve symptoms and address associated complications, which can include bacterial infections. Newman said people with compromised immune systems, including those undergoing chemotherapy, can have further complications from measles. By PTI ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army will raise another division-size special force to protect Chinese nationals and projects under the CPEC, military spokesman Major General Asif Ghafoor has said, days after the brazen terror attack on a luxury hotel in Balochistan. Describing the USD 50 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as a living example of deep-rooted friendship between Pakistan and China, Major General Ghafoor, Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the Pakistan Army was fully determined to ensure the security of the project. Talking to the Chinese media in Rawalpindi on Saturday, he said the Pakistan military had raised a whole division-size force to protect the project and they were planning to deploy another division for this purpose. Earlier reports said a Special Security Division (SSD) comprising 9,000 Pakistan Army soldiers and 6,000 para-military forces personnel has been set up for the security of the CPEC project and Chinese nationals working on it. Ghafoor said Pakistan faced a very challenging war against terrorism during the last two decades, and now the security situation was under control. Talking about the CPEC role in the country, he said the economic prosperity brought about by the CPEC will fail the motives of terrorists, as with the success of project more employment and business opportunities will be unveiled and with more economic opportunities coming in, people's lifestyle will improve and inimical elements will fail gradually, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported. He claimed that the security situation in Balochistan had improved since the launch of the CPEC and now there was a better infrastructure, as many Chinese projects were underway, and with every coming day security, development and investment situation will get better. The Pakistan Army spokesman's comments came days after terrorists attacked the Pearl Continental luxury hotel in the port city of Gwadar in the restive Balochistan province, killing at least eight persons, including four civilians and a Pakistan Navy soldier. The attack was claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Army -- one of the most-organised terrorist groups of Baloch nationalists fighting against security forces. The group was also involved in the terrorist attack at the Chinese consulate in Karachi last year. Ghafoor said: "Today's Gwadar is not what it used to be two years ago and in future it will be on a par with the ports of developed countries". Gwadar port is one of the focal points of the CPEC with many Chinese workers from other provinces of Pakistan working at the port. China is investing heavily in Balochistan under the CPEC. The CPEC, launched in 2015, is a planned network of roads, railways and energy projects linking China's resource-rich Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region with Pakistan's strategic Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea. Talking about the investment opportunities in Pakistan, Ghafoor said Pakistan was doing its best to create an environment where investors could come and do their business as the security situation had greatly improved. "Though there are a few sporadic terrorist incidents, investors should not be discouraged by them and keep their trust intact in peace," he added. Until then, McLennan County will have to rely on more conventional methods of controlling mosquitoes. The CDC recorded no mosquito-borne diseases in McLennan County in 2018, but David Litke, Environmental Health Program Administrator for the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District, remembers when West Nile first came to Waco. West Nile first made it to the United States in 1999, and then it started spreading, Litke said. Everybody in public health was watching. Is it isolated? Is it spreading? Can we contain it? Nothing stopped West Nile Virus. Not our geography, not our location on the globe. Nothing. In five years, it made it from east coast to west coast. West Nile first arrived in McLennan County in 2002, though there were no reported human cases of the disease. The city began working with Baylors researchers to monitor the disease shortly after, but when the disease did make the jump to humans it took a dramatic toll. In 2012, McLennan County reported 43 West Nile cases and two deaths. He said until West Nile Virus came to the county, mosquitoes were mostly just considered a nuisance. The area had been fortunate in avoiding mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria or dengue. The first river crossing was the Moselle. We saw the smoke in the distance and first thought we were going to be gassed, but it turned out to be smoke to conceal a German patrol. When they reached our area, they were fired upon by my squad. Two of my men, Disperry and Langston, killed two and wounded the third. Those were the first Germans to be killed. On March 16, there was an assault on Grenerich by two platoons, 2nd and 3rd of our company, followed by the 1st and D companies and Battalion Headquarters Company. This assault has been called the most courageous of any unit in our battalion. I was in the 3rd Platoon. The advance was for a thousand yards across an open plain. On March 26, my company crossed the Rhine near Oberwessel. Patrols were sent over the night before. We suffered several losses. The rest of the company crossed that morning in DUKWs (amphibious transport vehicles). All made it safely across, even though the 88s (German artillery guns) bombarded us with time fire. I can still see the hot lead hitting the water. April 11, we moved to Ohrdruf. After seeing the dead bodies (in Ohrdrufs concentration camp), there was no doubt in anyones mind that the atrocity stories about the Germans were simply very true, despite the propaganda of the Germans. Alvin Hoppe Feb. 12, 1927 - May 17, 2019 Alvin "Ray" Hoppe, 92, of Valley Mills, passed away on Friday, May 17, 2019. Funeral service will be at 3:00 p.m., Sunday, May 19, at the Valley Mills Church of Christ, with Pat Richardson officiating. Interment will follow in the Valley Mills Cemetery under the direction of Foss Funeral Home and Cremation Center. Visitation will be held from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., Sunday, May 19, at the Valley Mills Church of Christ. Ray was born on February 12, 1927, in Crawford, to Alfred and Anna (Sandhoff) Hoppe. He graduate from Crawford High School in 1945 and was Salutation of his class. Ray married Faye Knudson on July 29, 1966. She preceded him in death in 2001. Ray enjoyed farming, bible study, watching the Rangers and Baylor Lady Bears. He retired from General Tire after 35 years of service. Ray worked for Dr. Tommy Davidson until two months prior to his death. Ray married Nancy Cox on November 23, 2007. He was preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Ima Bekkelund, Edna Gauer and Ann Blum; and step-daughter, Janice Knudson; and great-grandson, Hesston Hoffman. Alta Bell worked in the college business office before starting her career as a college professor of business where she taught rigorous courses in accounting and supervised student teachers. In 1969, Alpine ISD recruited her to start a Vocational Office Education program at Alpine High School. As with any task she accepted, the program was exemplary with students going on to be well-trained accountants, business owners, teachers, a university vice president, and a U.S. Representative to name a few. Her students accumulated many awards during her tenure, all the way to national competitions. She truly loved teaching. After her retirement, she and Lamar traveled extensively to many countries, and she enjoyed hosting her grandchildren every summer for well-planned adventures. Although residential segregation in American cities has been on the decline since 2000, most metro areas with populations of more than 1 million and more than 3 percent black populations have black-white segregation indices over 50, which is considered highly segregated. Without mechanisms to create racially diverse schools, neighborhood schools and districts by default tend to be racially segregated. A 2019 report found that more than half of American schoolchildren attended racially concentrated districts, where 75 percent of students are white or of color. It also found that non-white districts received $2,200 less per student. These data should make us ask : How committed are we to integrated schools? This is an open question that is very relevant today: Ten Trump judicial nominees have refused to endorse the Brown decision, something scholars consider a settled legal question. We know that integrated schools do not reduce achievement. Students in diverse schools benefit from greater empathy, less prejudice and a broader array of abilities for work in an increasingly diverse world. But two-thirds of black and Latino students are in schools where the majority of their classmates are low-income, isolating them from opportunities that wealthier peers can access. By PTI ISLAMABAD: The Imran Khan-led Pakistan government is actively considering appointing a National Security Advisor to revive backchannel diplomacy with India to iron out issues hindering the resumption of peace talks between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, official sources said on Sunday. Since assuming the office in August last year, Prime Minister Imran Khan repeatedly reached out to India for the resumption of peace talks on all outstanding issues. But India has made it clear to Pakistan that terrorism and dialogue will not go hand-in-hand. The likely appointment of the NSA is meant for reviving the backchannel diplomacy with India to sort out some of the pressing issues between the two nuclear-armed neighbours, the official sources privy to the development was quoted as saying by the Express Tribune. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the government was likely to appoint a retired military official as the National Security Advisor (NSA). He said certain names were under consideration but no final decision has been taken yet. The relationship between the two neighbouring nations currently is at all-time low after a Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) suicide bomber attacked a CRPF convoy in Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir on February 14 that killed 40 soldiers. Amid mounting outrage, the Indian Air Force (IAF) carried out a counter-terror operation, hitting what it said was a JeM training camp in Balakot, deep inside Pakistan on February 26. The next day, the PAF retaliated and downed a MiG-21 in an aerial combat and captured IAF Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, who was later released and handed over to India on March 1. ALSO READ| Separatist leader Mirwaiz Umar ready to support India-Pakistan talks Now, with the almost two-month long election exercise getting over, the Pakistan government is considering options on how to resume talks with India. Pakistan believes that the new government in India after the general elections would be more receptive to Khan's offer of peace talks. When asked about the prospects of resumption of talks given the current hostilities, the official said Pakistan was optimistic. The reason for this optimism stems from the fact that new government, whether it is formed by the ruling BJP or the Congress, is unlikely to follow the pre-election rhetoric, he said. One of the options include the appointment of the NSA to revive the backchannel with India. In the past, the two countries often used backchannel through the NSAs to prepare ground for any talks. In 2015, Pakistan's NSA Lt General (retd) Naseer Khan Janjua and his Indian counterpart Ajit Doval were instrumental in breaking the ice. The two held meetings in Bangkok leading to the agreement between the two foreign ministers for the resumption of the composite dialogue. The leadership of the two countries used their respective NSAs to communicate on important issues. ALSO READ| Pakistan Army to raise another division to protect CPEC projects & Chinese nationals Talking to foreign journalists last month, Khan had said that there might be a better chance of peace talks with India if Modi returned to power. "If the next Indian government is led by the opposition Congress party, it might be too scared to seek a settlement with Pakistan over Indian-occupied Kashmir (IoK), fearing a backlash from the right. Perhaps if the BJP - a right wing party - wins, some kind of settlement on Kashmir could be reached," the prime minister told a small group of foreign journalists in an interview. Khan's statement stirred a heated debate both in Pakistan as well as in India, where Modi's opponents mocked him as Pakistan's ally. In Pakistan, opposition parties criticised Khan for making an 'undiplomatic statement' and also supporting Modi despite his hostile policies. This past year was not massively better than 2020, but at least it was different. A variant, so to speak. And like any year, it had both highs and lows. No, we take that back. It was pretty much all lows. You should be honest with her now. Tell her, I admit to being very hurt and bewildered by your behavior toward me. Im trying to forgive you for dumping me and I want to move on, but your refusal to communicate about why you have ended the friendship has made moving on even more challenging for me. Licea said she is more interested in using her skills than in talking up every little credential or certificate I receive. Learning about digital technology will pay off in the long run, she said. This is something I can use at any point in my career, not just for my first job after graduation. To participate in whats known as the Community Eligibility Provision, the city had to change the way it calculated poverty. Officials now use direct certification: To be counted as low-income, a family must participate in federal public assistance programs, such as food stamps. Students from immigrant families are less likely to qualify for those programs, or even apply, experts say, given fiery White House rhetoric, President Trumps crackdown on illegal immigration and his administrations threat to hold immigrants use of public assistance against them. And Jeff Noel, whose son will enter the college in the fall, believes the school will offer instruction in the skills he will need as he pursues becoming a writer. His advice to his son was, Dont sweat the future. Opportunities are going to present themselves. You want to have critical thinking. You want to work well with a diverse group of people. You want to follow your passions. The administrators of the hotline are not licensed. Students who elect to take this medication do so at their own risk and/or benefit, Karen T. Williams, the universitys health center director, said in the advisory. Although emergency contraception is considered safe and is available over the counter without a prescription, we encourage students who choose to take the medicine to seek follow up care with a medical provider. They brought T-shirts bearing family pictures, folders stuffed with documents and photographs of their loved ones. They came with new facts, old facts and unending hope which, even for those who had come to terms with the likelihood that their child, niece or brother might never return, means they might at least find certainty someday and a chance to heal. Police said the driver of the Chevrolet Cruze involved in the collision thought he had hit a deer in the road and pulled off a short distance from the crash. The driver reported the collision to an automatic crash response service but declined to have emergency services respond to the scene as he thought it was only a property damage collision with an animal, state police said. By AFP JEDDAH: Oil supplies were sufficient and stockpiles were still rising despite massive output drops from Iran and Venezuela, said OPEC kingpin Saudi Arabia and key producer UAE on Sunday, as oil exporters met in Jeddah. Producer nations gathered to discuss how to stabilise a volatile oil market amid rising US-Iran tensions in the Gulf, which threaten to disrupt global supply. But "we see that (oil) inventories are rising and supplies are plenty," Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih told reporters at the start the meeting. "None of us wants to see the (oil) stocks swell again," he added, with reference to a supply surplus that sent prices sharply lower in the second half of last year. "We have to be cautious," Falih said. The UAE's energy minister said there was no need to relax a deal by the OPEC+ group of oil exporting countries to cut output by 1.2 million barrels per day to support prices. "We have seen inventory building. I don't think it makes sense to alter the existing deal," said Suheil al-Mazrouei, UAE Energy Minister. The meeting comes days after sabotage attacks against tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and the bombing of a Saudi pipeline -- the latter claimed by Iran-aligned Yemeni rebels. But Falih reiterated Sunday that the kingdom's oil installations were well protected. "We have strong (oil) industry security. Everybody is vulnerable to extreme acts of sabotage,", he told reporters. The meeting also comes as the full impact of re-instated US sanctions against Tehran kick in, slashing the Islamic republic's crude exports. But Iran - which did not send a representative to the meeting - was still expected to dominate the one-day meeting of the OPEC+ group of oil producing nations. The meeting is set to conclude by making recommendations for a key summit of oil producers in late June, to be attended by Iran. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said it was "premature" to talk about extending the deal, according to Interfax news agency. Massive drops in exports by Iran and Venezuela come alongside output cuts of 1.2 million barrels per day implemented by the OPEC+ group since January. ALSO READ| Saudi calls for urgent Arab talks over Iran tensions The International Energy Agency said earlier this month that global oil supply fell in April due to the effect of US sanctions on Iran and the OPEC+ production cuts. The IEA said Iranian crude production fell in April to 2.6 million bpd, down from 3.9 in 2018 it would withdraw from the multilateral 2015 Iran nuclear deal and re-impose sanctions. Iran's output is already at its lowest level in over five years, but could tumble in May to levels not seen since the devastating 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war. Energy intelligence firm Kpler sees Iranian exports plunging from 1.4 million bpd in April to around half a million bpd in May - down from 2.5 million in normal circumstances. Venezuela's output - also subject to US export sanctions - is also tumbling, down by over half since the third quarter of last year. Kpler data shows OPEC+ members have kept to agreed production cuts. But exporters fear a rush to raise production to plug the gap left by Iranian exports could backfire, triggering a new supply glut. Sunday's meeting comes amid soaring Gulf tensions after the mysterious sabotage of several tankers off the Emirati coast and drone attacks claimed by Yemen's Huthi rebels, which shut a key Saudi crude pipeline. Both attacks targeted routes built as alternatives to the Strait of Hormuz, the conduit for almost all Gulf exports. Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the Strait in case of war with the US, which said this month it was sending an aircraft carrier and strike group to the region. Saudi Arabia accused Iran - which backs Yemen's Huthi rebels - of ordering the pipeline attacks, targeting "the security of oil supplies and the global economy". Saudi foreign affairs minister Adel al-Jubeir said Sunday his country does not want war with Iran, but was ready to defend its interests. Riyadh "does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it", he told journalists in Riyadh. Saudi Arabia called Saturday for urgent meetings of the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions, government news agency SPA said. It also said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had spoken with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo about enhancing security in the region. Falih had said last month the kingdom was ready to boost supplies in case of any shortage caused by the Iran embargo. Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zanganeh has said Washington's stated aim of bringing Iran's oil exports "to zero" amounts to "an illusion". Mr. Hall, a resident of Falls Church, Va., was born in Philippi, W.Va. He worked for United Press International and Hearst before joining Media General in 1979. In 2006, he was president of the Gridiron Club, a journalism organization. He won awards for a series reporting on the Navys investigation of a 1989 explosion on the battleship Iowa, in which 47 crew members were killed. The Comedy Store was a longtime home for up-and-coming comics, and a favorite of performers including Jay Leno, Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, Roseanne Barr and David Letterman. In the 70s and 80s, this was the place you had to come to if you wanted to be a real comedian, Jerry Seinfeld said in his web series Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. The dead man, Jonathan Hernandez of Southeast, was found in the 100 block of T Street NE, by officers responding to a report of gunshots shortly before 5:30 p.m., police said in a statement. The second victim was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said. Scooters seem to be everywhere in the District, so perhaps it was not so surprising when, according to police, they were used in a robbery Saturday near a major intersection. They will be joined on the campaign trail by Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine as well as Reps. Robert C. Bobby Scott, Gerald E. Connolly, Don Beyer and A. Donald McEachin. Former governor Terry McAuliffe, who decided against a presidential bid, is also working on behalf of Democratic candidates for the legislature. McAuliffe said he made the call in part because Virginia Democrats had asked for his help. In some states especially those newly under Democratic control the federal approach has created a vacuum that other officials have rushed to fill. For example, when New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) replaced a Republican in the governors mansion earlier this year, one of her first acts was to sign an executive order focused on climate change. It instructs regulators to develop statewide limits on greenhouse gas emissions and a more stringent renewable energy requirement for New Mexicos power sector. Trump also referred to the so-called Mexico City policy, a rule he reinstated the week he took office in 2017 that blocks U.S. aid to foreign organizations that use money from other sources to discuss or perform abortions. The rule originated in 1984. Since then, it has been reversed each time a Democrat has come into the White House and restored by every Republican president. A better way forward would start by reducing the incidence of abortion through better family-planning programs. We can also commit our country to giving poor women who bring children into the world the help they need after giving birth. The abortion rate is six times higher among poor women than among affluent women. This is not because the rich have more moral qualms. The poor, unlike the wealthy, live with the fear that they will not be able to give their children the life they deserve. And if we truly honor the responsibilities mothers take on in deeds, not just words we can make the rules surrounding work more family-friendly. After a few months, though, Cengiz decided that, to press for justice for the man she had loved, she would have to adopt a more public role. She moved to London to study English. Finally, she came to meet the officials of the one government that she believes could, if it chose, force the Saudis to reveal more about the crime. While I greatly admire and respect George F. Will, his May 16 op-ed labeling the Export-Import Bank a socialist program was off-base and overlooked the realities of the modern global economy [The Ex-Im Bank and the essence of socialism]. The Ex-Im Bank is a vital tool for ensuring manufacturers competitiveness. An attack on the Ex-Im Bank is an attack on the United States manufacturing workers. The May 15 Metro article Embassys neighbors endure and adjust quoted Elizabeth Pierotti as saying, I personally feel bad for the people of Venezuela. But I was struck by her understanding of what the United States is: Their need is greater than mine. So, if they need to protest the great thing about the United States is they can. They can protest. And if its an inconvenience for me, Im willing to be inconvenienced. I have never heard America described more perfectly. The I or Me generation has a lot to learn from Ms. Pierotti, as we all do. Still, neither the United States nor any of its allies has produced a smoking gun proving that Chinese intelligence uses Huawei technology to penetrate other countries networks. Under the circumstances, it is legitimate for the United States to seek greater transparency from Huawei, both about its ownership and its strategic objectives in the global market. To the extent that the Trump administrations latest step is an attempt to bolster its negotiating position on those issues, it may be justified. If it represents a deliberate attempt to bring down Huawei and provoke a broader economic rupture with China, it may not. In that sense, the administration owes the public more transparency about its intentions, as well. We looked at it from a planning perspective: Whats prudent here? McAleenan said in an interview on CBS Newss Face the Nation. We do have stations in Florida. We have stations on the northern border. Theyre very small stations. They have a few agents that are busy patrolling their areas. There wasnt going to be an effective use of resources. But yeah, we had to look at all options. For Bidens team, the Democrats jockeying for ever more dramatic solutions to the nations problems are missing the point. They think the Democratic Party is already fundamentally different from the GOP, which shifted rapidly to the right on many issues in recent years, and say there's no need to answer that with a lunge to the left. The Palestinian leadership in the West Bank has boycotted President Trumps emissaries since December 2017, when he declared that the United States would recognize Jerusalem as the Israeli capital and move the U.S. Embassy there. They have said they will not entertain the Trump plan under those circumstances, although the administration maintains that the declaration does not preclude Palestinian claims to areas of the city. The left has been invigorated elsewhere in Europe as the center-left declines. In Greece, a radical leftist party won two elections and has driven the old center-left party to the brink of extinction. In Britain, the Labour Party is led by Jeremy Corbyn, a figure once relegated to the far-left fringe. And in Spanish elections last month, the center-left Socialists came out on top with an unapologetic defense of progressive policies, including a 22-percent minimum wage hike. Ratner said he didnt expect the worsening trade relations necessarily to result in more Chinese aggression in Taiwan or the South China Sea. He said the question is more on the U.S. side whether the failure to reach a trade deal will prompt the Trump administration to unleash harsher measures against China that until now it has been holding back in the interest of striking a deal. He said those measures could extend to the national security space for instance, with more a more muscular U.S. military presence in the South China Sea. There was no immediate claim of responsibility, but suspicion among Iraqi officials and Western diplomats fell on one of the Shiite militias that draw their strength from Iranian support. Last week, the State Department took the extraordinary step of ordering all nonessential staff to leave the embassy and consulate in the northern Iraqi city of Irbil, citing an alleged threat from Iranian proxies in the country. Laura Carmichael is ripping off the corset and stepping into a comfortable pair of slacks for her next role, which will also take her half a world away from the stately manor that made her famous. Carmichael shot to fame in 2010 as dowdy middle sister Lady Edith Crawley in the hit period drama Downton Abbey. She stayed with the show through its entire six season run and, just before Christmas, wrapped filming of the Downton Abbey movie. When filming concluded, the show's creator Julian Fellowes advised her to stick with period dramas because she had a good following in the genre. It's advice she seems to have ignored, judging by her next project. The 32-year-old Brit has signed on to star in 10's new screen adaptation of Michael Robotham's best-selling novel The Secrets She Keeps, which begins filming in Sydney on Monday. Tony Moore in Brisbane sends this report. Federal Labors election campaign message was too complex and needed to focus on jobs, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says. I think there has been a very clear message that has been delivered to Labor and that is we have to focus on what is important to Australians and what is important to Queenslanders, she said. Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (right) and Queensland Deputy Premier Jackie Trad speaking to reporters at the Greek Paniyiri Festival in Brisbane on Sunday. Credit:AAP/Glenn Hunt. She rejected suggestions her government was delaying Adanis Carmichael coal mine application along with claims that its handling of the project hurt the partys federal election result. At the end of the day Labor had a very complex message and I think it needed to be a very simple message, she said. And I think everyone will agree with me. Its about jobs. Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington insisted the election outcome did raise questions over the handling of the long-running application to build the mine in the Galilee Basin. This is a project that needs a fair go and its obvious that Queenslanders want the jobs, Ms Frecklington said. She said Queensland voters were fed up and the Palaszczuk government was anti-regions, anti-resources and anti-jobs. Premier Mark McGowan has distanced himself from Labor's failed campaign to win five seats in WA, labelling Opposition Leader Bill Shorten's policies grandiose and saying the party had "painted a huge target" on itself. Labor failed to win even a single seat off Prime Minister Scott Morrison in WA and faces the real prospect of losing the marginal seat of Cowan when counting continues this week. WA Premier Mark McGowan, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and failed Labor candidate for Pearce, Kim Travers. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen Late on Sunday, the count indicated only one in three Western Australians had preferenced Labor first. The party has only managed to win two seats from the Liberals in WA over the past 20 years. Fraser Anning, who left the party and eventually formed his own Conservative National Party, was still well short of winning back his spot. Pauline Hanson's One Nation had neared the quota for Mr Roberts' return early on Saturday night, at one point exceeding it, although its numbers in Queensland pulled back as the count progressed. Prominent One Nation candidate Malcolm Roberts was tantalisingly close to a return to the Senate on Saturday night, while United Australia Party leader Clive Palmer's chances of making good on his high-spending campaign looked slim. Despite his huge spending in the run-up to the election, Mr Palmer was well below where he would have wanted to be, with his hopes pinned on better results out of the regional Queensland booths than from those in Brisbane. His numbers had not improved as of 10pm Saturday night. Ms Hanson secured a six-year term in 2016 and is not up for re-election this year. Mr Roberts won a spot at the 2016 election, but the High Court later declared him invalid because he was a citizen of the United Kingdom by descent at the time of his nomination for Parliament. After a series of blunders and defections, One Nation was left with just two senators, Ms Hanson and West Australian Peter Georgiou, who is up for re-election. In the lower house, One Nation had 2.9 per cent of the national vote as of 10pm, a swing in its favour of 1.5 per cent, and was at 8.5 per cent in Queensland with a swing of 3 per cent. Last week, the nation learned Milat had been diagnosed with terminal cancer of the oesophagus, almost 25 years into serving seven life sentences for the brutal murders of foreign and Australian backpackers between 1989 and 1993. On Tuesday, Milat was transported from his cell to Sydneys Prince of Wales Hospital, where tests confirmed malignant tumours on his throat and stomach. Family members, who still protest his innocence, say the 74-year-olds health has declined since Christmas, when he first reported difficulties swallowing and holding down food. But his deteriorating health did not stop him from putting pen to page. Two weeks ago, one of his most dedicated pen pals of the past 24 years received her latest correspondence from Milat, detailing the symptoms he was suffering and his suspicions about what the cause could be. He said in the letter he believed he probably had cancer. He had lost a lot of weight...he pretty much knew, said the close friend, who has asked not to be named and also maintains Milat is innocent. He hasnt said how he feels yet, hes quite a religious person, a Catholic believer ... he often speaks about religion in his letters. Hes very confident of going to heaven one day. The woman, one of the few people to have visited Milat at Goulburn, said any suggestions he was suffering dementia were absolute rubbish - hes as bright as ever. Milats nephew, Alistair Shipsey, is one of his biggest advocates, dedicating most of his life to campaigning for a retrial. He said the extended Milat family, who are due to visit him at Long Bay hospital next Tuesday, has found it difficult learning the killer may die within weeks. Were pretty upset. We all love Ivan. We know hes been framed, Mr Shipsey, who has written to Milat for 24 years, told The Sun-Herald. Mr Shipsey claims his uncle was unfairly convicted solely on the discovery of the victims belongings being found at his house, and that there was not enough evidence to prove he had murdered anyone. Its hard, that he didnt get a chance to clear his name, [for himself] and for the family. Milats seventh call for an inquiry into his 1996 conviction was rejected in 2017. Mr Shipsey, a former sales manager and mechanic, said he believed the cancer diagnosis would have rocked his uncle psychologically. If I was in his position and I could not get a retrial, battling all that time, I think I would want to die. Howard, the crime author, is writing a book about Milat that incorporates parts of his long, sometimes paranoid, letters. She said he most of all wanted to be left alone in jail, to write, to watch television and to read novels - mainly westerns or Samurai tales. Hes never been Im the backpacker killer. Hes always been the absolute opposite of that. Milat was sentenced to seven life sentences without parole for his crimes, all of which he committed while living in his mothers house. He picked up his young victims when they were hitchhiking south down the Hume Highway. Each was found covered in sticks and leaf litter in the state forest. One was decapitated. Several were shot in the head. When the homes of Milat and family members were searched, police found property belonging to all seven victims, including backpacks, camping gear and clothing. At his house, they discovered firearms as well as rope and cable ties used to tie up the victims. In all cases the members of the family said Ivan gave this to us, Clive Small, the lead investigator of the backpacker murders, said. It seemed he would give it to the family and he would like seeing them use it without knowing it came from a murder victim ... it gave him satisfaction. Since his conviction on July 27, 1996, Milat has been suggested as a suspect in unsolved homicides and missing persons cases. Most notable were the murders of Leanne Goodall, Robyn Hickie and Amanda Robinson, of which Milat was once considered a prime suspect. The three women went missing in the Newcastle area within four months of each other, between 1978 and 1979. In 2002, Milat gave evidence during a coronial inquest into their deaths. John Boersig, the instructing solicitor for the womens families at the inquest, recalled learning that Milat was a suspect. A letter from Milat to lawyer John Boersig. By that stage he had been picked up for the Belanglo murders, and to locate him in Newcastle [when the three women disappeared] was alarming, he said. Coroner John Abernethy found the women had been killed by a person, or persons, unknown. Embattled lawyer John Voitin faces bankruptcy and the loss of his family's property portfolio as a disgruntled client pursues him in the Supreme Court over a $3.2 million debt. The debt allegedly arises from a failed investment in a managed mortgage fund that was arranged at the South Melbourne offices of Mr Voitin's former law firm Stanton Grant Legal. John Voitin. Credit:Jason South Detectives from the Echo Taskforce raided Mr Voitin's former business in March 2018 as part of a major investigation into the laundering and concealment of criminal proceeds on behalf of the Comanchero motorcycle gang. The regulator of Victoria's legal industry seized control of Stanton Grant Legal, which was placed into liquidation in April 2018. His party may be enraged by Donald Trump's presidency, but Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden insisted on Saturday that Democrats will not defeat the Republican president in 2020 if they pick an angry nominee. Facing thousands of voters in his native Pennsylvania for the second time as a 2020 contender, the former vice president offered a call for bipartisan unity that seemed far more aimed at a general election audience than the fiery Democratic activists most active in the presidential primary process. Democratic presidential candidate, former Vice President Joe Biden rallies the crowd at Eakins Oval in Philadelphia. Credit:AP Some believe that the angrier a candidate is the better chance he or she has to beat Trump, Biden told thousands of Democrats who gathered in downtown Philadelphia. "That's what they are saying you have to do to win the Democratic nomination. Well, I don't believe it," he declared. "I believe Democrats want to unify this nation. That's what the party's always been about. That's what it's always been about. Unity." Champaign, IL (61820) Today Partly cloudy skies this morning will become overcast during the afternoon. Morning high of 58F with temps falling to near 45. Winds W at 15 to 25 mph.. Tonight Cloudy. Slight chance of a rain shower. Low near 35F. NNW winds shifting to E at 10 to 15 mph. At the 58th edition of the Venice Biennale, the sprawling exhibition of contemporary art, one of the best attended openings was an off-site show titled Dysfunctional that featured a selection of works produced in collaboration with the Richemont-owned maison, Piaget. The splendid setting of the show was the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca dOro, a museum housed in a Venetian gothic palazzo located in the historic Cannaregio district of Venice, where Piaget exhibited its connection to todays artistic creation while putting forward some of its own ancestral savoir-faire. Piaget It was on that thin frontier between art and design that Piaget positioned itself with the fruit of its collaboration with the designer-duo known as the Verhoeven Twins the brothers Joep and Jeroen - represented by the Carpenters Workshop Gallery, an art and design gallery dedicated since 2006 to presenting functional works of design made with an artistic sensibility. The works presented by the Verhoeven Twins were each made of industrial glass shaped like soap bubbles, for the most part suspended from the ceiling of the enclosed loggia on the third floor of the Palazzo, well-positioned to capture and reflect the warm lights of Venice. The Verhoeven Twins at work Piaget Piaget had given the Twins carte blanche to produce their glass ensemble titled Moments of Happiness, consisting of a dozen pieces whose sole function was to reflect the ambient, natural light. The 24ct yellow gold attachment from which the ceiling pieces were suspended was presented as a tribute to the Maisons own Swiss goldsmithing tradition. Chabi Nouri, chief executive of Piaget, was on hand at the inauguration of Dysfunctional and spoke with WorldTempus about the evolving marriage of luxury with contemporary art. Piaget chose to collaborate with Carpenters Workshop, a gallery well known for its commitment to blurring the boundaries between art and craft. Does that explain your collaboration? That positioning was really what clicked between us. At Carpenters Workshop Gallery, art and craft are on an equal footing. Craft is the foundational element of the art they show. And that is precisely what we do at Piaget, with the fusion between our art and creativity, and the work that our in-house artisans do in handcrafting gold or in working with stones. Historically, our founders referred to our craftsmen as les artistes, and art has always been an important part of our values. We thought this collaboration would be interesting to allow us take inspiration from other arts, and to bring the work of these artists into our own environment. Looking to the outside world is one way for us to push the limits of our craftsmen to reinvent their craft, to show ways to work with different scales, in different ecosystems and with new constraints. Our products - in particular our watches - are functional works of art. The Verhoeven Twins Piaget What is your view of luxurys foray into contemporary art? Speaking for Piaget, the connection to art is very relevant because our own creations are works of art made by highly trained artists. We think of our own pieces as multi-dimensional artworks, often unique, just like art pieces. Our connection to art is also about preserving the arts. Within our Maison, we have know-how that has been passed on for generations. With every new piece, our artisans invent or re-invent a new art in a highly dynamic process. Our in-house craftsmen tell me that even after 40 years with Piaget, they continue to perfect new techniques, in part because we encourage them to push their own boundaries. Has Piaget been involved with the arts in the past? Piaget has often collaborated with living artists, starting in the 1960s with Salvador Dali and in more recent years with Pierre et Gilles, Willy Rizzo or Richard Avedon. Today, we do not limit ourselves to contemporary art. We have worked with Italian artisans specializing in micro-mosaics, an art that has existed since the 15th century. We aim to preserve that art and bring it into our own creations. We stay focused on those arts that are relevant to Piaget, because it is crucial that there be an affinity between our Maison and its artisans, and the specific art or craft in question to respect our own authenticity. We have a real savoir-faire in the art of crafting gold and working with color (mostly with stones), and that serves as a fantastic spectrum on which to engage in outside collaborations. Piaget is a sponsor of this show but its name does not appear anywhere. Why not? This stage has been set for the artists. Our collaboration with the Verhoeven Twins to produce Moments of Happiness echoes our spirit. We dont need to put our name forward because we respect the work of the artists. The gold used to support their pieces is an homage to our gold craftsmanship. We also plan to commission additional works with different gold elements that will be traveling around the world very soon. Specifically, the Verhoeven Twins will be creating five one-of-a-kind art pieces with 24ct gold for some of our key Piaget flagship boutiques which we plan to unveil throughout the year. The Verhoeven Twins and Chabi Nouri, CEO of Piaget Piaget Why did you choose Venice to show the fruit of this collaboration? Venice is today a hub for craftsmanship. It is still and perhaps more than ever relevant to both art and design. That is why it made sense for us to be here. Seeing the lights of Venice reflected in these pieces fits rather well in the ecosystem of Piaget. Beside this collaboration, we have always enjoyed a great relationship with Italy. We have been present in Venice for some 30 years, in particular with our ongoing commitment to restoring and maintaining the working mechanism of the Tower Clock in St Marks Square and the clock in the courtyard of the Doges Palace. We have the necessary know-how, both technical and scientific, to preserve those functional works of art, and that has been very inspirational to us. Also, Venice is a place where magic happens. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media BRIDGEPORT The driver of a vehicle was arrested in the city late Thursday night after opening fire into a small group of people, according to police officials. The incident happened in the area of Taft Avenue around 11 p.m. Thursday, police spokesman Terron Jones said on Saturday. Peggys caring nature shone through in everything she did Mrs Lam (second right) visits Clifford Hospital in Guangzhou. Mrs Lam (front row, second right) tours the Lee Kum Kee Group production base in Jiangmen. Mrs Lam (front row, second left) tours the CRRC Guangdong depot in Jiangmen. Chief Executive Carrie Lam (second left) visits the CIMC Modular Building Systems plant in Jiangmen. Chief Executive Carrie Lam continued her visit to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities today. In the morning, Mrs Lam visited China International Marine Containers (Group) to learn about its subsidiary which supplies construction components for the Construction Industry Councils Modular Integrated Construction Display Centre in Kowloon Bay. Mrs Lam then visited CRRC Guangdong Co to learn about its manufacture and maintenance of rolling stock as well as the services of related industries. She also toured Lee Kum Kee Groups production base in Xinhui, Jiangmen, to find out more about its automated production technique and quality control measures. In the afternoon, Mrs Lam went to Panyu, Guangzhou, where she visited a hospital founded by a Hong Kong merchant. Launched in 2001, Clifford Hospital is Chinas first hospital accredited by Joint Commission International, providing medical services for many Hong Kong people living nearby. In the evening, Mrs Lam attended the welcome dinner of the first bay area media summit in Guangzhou. She will attend the summits opening ceremony tomorrow. Williamson, WV (25661) Today Cloudy with occasional showers this afternoon. Thunder possible. High 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Rain likely. Low around 55F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Williamson, WV (25661) Today Cloudy this morning with showers during the afternoon. Thunder possible. High 69F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.. Tonight Rain likely. Low around 55F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. TORONTO - The role of artificial intelligence in Netflix's movie suggestions and Alexa's voice commands is commonly understood, but less known is the shadowy role AI now plays in law enforcement, immigration assessment, military programs and other areas. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/5/2019 (953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Carolina Bessega, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Stradigi AI, a Montreal-based software development company, is pictured in Montreal on Friday, April 12, 2019. Carolina Bessega, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Stradigi AI, a Montreal-based software company, says fields such as national defence and health care require laws to protect against bias and fatal errors stemming from artificial intelligence. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson TORONTO - The role of artificial intelligence in Netflix's movie suggestions and Alexa's voice commands is commonly understood, but less known is the shadowy role AI now plays in law enforcement, immigration assessment, military programs and other areas. Despite its status as a machine-learning innovation hub, Canada has yet to develop a regulatory regime to deal with issues of discrimination and accountability to which AI systems are prone, prompting calls for regulation including from business leaders. "We need the government, we need the regulation in Canada," said Mahdi Amri, who heads AI services at Deloitte Canada. The absence of an AI-specific legal framework undermines trust in the technology and, potentially, accountability among its providers, according to a report he co-authored. "Basically there's this idea that the machines will make all the decisions and the humans will have nothing to say, and we'll be ruled by some obscure black box somewhere," Amri said. Robot overlords remain firmly in the realm of science fiction, but AI is increasingly involved in decisions that have serious consequences for individuals. Since 2015, police departments in Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon and London, Ont. have implemented or piloted predictive policing automated decision-making based on data that predicts where a crime will occur or who will commit it. The federal immigration and refugee system relies on algorithmically-driven decisions to help determine factors such as whether a marriage is genuine or someone should be designated as a "risk", according to a Citizen Lab study, which found the practice threatens to violate human rights law. AI testing and deployment in Canada's military prompted Canadian AI pioneers Geoffrey Hinton and Yoshua Bengio to warn about the dangers of robotic weapons and outsourcing lethal decisions to machines, and to call for an international agreement on their deployment. "When you're using any type of black box system, you don't even know the standards that are embedded in the system or the types of data that may be used by the system that could be at risk of perpetuating bias," said Rashida Richardson, director of policy research at New York University's AI Now Institute. She pointed to "horror cases," including a predictive policing strategy in Chicago where the majority of people on a list of potential perpetrators were black men who had no arrests or shooting incidents to their name, "the same demographic that was targeted by over-policing and discriminatory police practices." Richardson says it's time to move from lofty guidelines to legal reform. A recent AI Now Institute report states federal governments should "oversee, audit, and monitor" the use of AI in fields like criminal justice, health care and education, as "internal governance structures at most technology companies are failing to ensure accountability for AI systems." Oversight should be divided up among agencies or groups of experts instead of hoisting it all onto a single AI regulatory body, given the unique challenges and regulations specific to each industry, the report says. In health care, AI is poised to upend the way doctors practice medicine as machine-learning systems can now analyze vast sets of anonymized patient data and images to identify health problems ranging from osteoporosis to lesions and signs of blindness. Carolina Bessega, co-founder and chief scientific officer of Montreal-based Stradigi AI, says the regulatory void discourages businesses from using AI, holding back innovation and efficiency particularly in hospitals and clinics, where the implications can be life or death. "Right now it's like a grey area, and everybody's afraid making the decision of, 'Okay, let's use artificial intelligence to improve diagnosis, or let's use artificial intelligence to help recommend a treatment for a patient,'" Bessega said. She is calling for "very strong" regulations around treatment and diagnosis and for a professional to bear responsibility for any final decisions, not a software program. Critics say Canada lags behind the U.S. and the EU on exploring AI regulation. None has implemented a comprehensive legal framework, but Congress and the EU Commission have produced extensive reports on the issue. "Critically, there is no legal framework in Canada to guide the use of these technologies or their intersection with foundational rights related to due process, administrative fairness, human rights, and justice system transparency," states a March briefing by Citizen Lab, the Law Commission of Ontario and other bodies. Divergent international standards, trade secrecy and algorithms' constant "fluidity" pose obstacles to smooth regulation, says Miriam Buiten, junior professor of law and economics at the University of Mannheim. Canada was among the first states to develop an official AI research plan, unveiling a $125-million strategy in 2017. But its focus was largely scientific and commercial. 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. In December, Prime Minister Trudeau and French President Emmanuel Macron announced a joint task force to guide AI policy development with an eye to human rights. Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Navdeep Bains told The Canadian Press in April a report was forthcoming "in the coming months." Asked whether the government is open to legislation around AI transparency and accountability, he said: "I think we need to take a step back to determine what are the core guiding principles. "We'll be coming forward with those principles to establish our ability to move forward with regards to programming, with regards to legislative changes and it's not only going to be simply my department, it's a whole government approach." The Treasury Board of Canada has already laid out a 119-word set of principles on responsible AI use that stress transparency and proper training. The Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development highlighted the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act, privacy legislation that applies broadly to commercial activities and allows a privacy commissioner to probe complaints. "While AI may present some novel elements, it and other disruptive technologies are subject to existing laws and regulations that cover competition, intellectual property, privacy and security," a department spokesperson said in an email. As of April 1, 2020, government departments seeking to deploy an automated decision system must first conduct an "algorithmic impact assessment" and post the results online. TORONTO - Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week: Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/5/2019 (953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A CIBC sign is shown in the financial district in Toronto on August 22, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette TORONTO - Five things to watch for in the Canadian business world in the coming week: CIBC earnings CIBC will releases its results for the quarter ended April 30 on Wednesday. The bank recently shuffled its leadership deck in a series of moves that included appointing Ed Dodig, CEO Victor Dodig's brother, to head retail investment firm CIBC Wood Gundy. Economic data Statistics Canada will release retail trade figures for March on Wednesday, followed by wholesale sales figures for March on Thursday. 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. CMHC report Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation will release its latest national mortgage and consumer credit trends report on Wednesday. Canadian home sales in April posted their first year-over-year increase since December 2017 as markets in Toronto and Montreal made gains. Royal Bank results Royal Bank of Canada will release its second-quarter results on Thursday. In February, the bank hiked its dividend and delivered a five per cent bump in quarterly profits despite "challenging market conditions" that weighed on some divisions and higher loan losses due to a "fallen angel'' in the U.S. utility sector. Pot update Statistics Canada will release its cannabis economic account for the first quarter on Thursday. Figures from the agency's recent national cannabis survey showed that 5.3 million or 18 per cent of Canadians aged 15 years and older said they used pot within the last three months, an increase of 14 per cent who reported using cannabis a year earlier, before legalization in October 2018. Reconciliation and peace are possible and needed, especially among those from a wounded country such as Sri Lanka, Archbishop Richard Gagnon told a gathering of Winnipegs Sri Lanka community members Saturday at an event commemorating the 10th anniversary of peace in that island country. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 18/5/2019 (953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. Reconciliation and peace are possible and needed, especially among those from a wounded country such as Sri Lanka, Archbishop Richard Gagnon told a gathering of Winnipegs Sri Lanka community members Saturday at an event commemorating the 10th anniversary of peace in that island country. That peace, which came after three decades of bloody and deadly conflict, was marred April 21 (Easter Sunday) by acts of terrorism that killed at least 257 people and injured 496 others. The attacks, which authorities said were carried out by Islamic extremists, were a series of co-ordinated bombings targeting Christian worshippers at three churches and hit four hotels in the capital city, Colombo. SASHA SEFTER / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg Roman Catholic Archbishop Richard Gagnon speaks with guest during the event, hosted by the Friends of Sri Lanka-Canada group which was held at the Manitoba Club. The event, hosted by the Friends of Sri Lanka-Canada group and held at the Manitoba Club, also included a lecture by University of Winnipeg Prof. Emma Alexander who has a PhD in South Asian history. Winnipegs Sri Lankan community totals about 2,500. "I think inherently Sri Lanka, composed of the various cultural groups, is a very traditional society in terms of their lifestyle and their faith and I would imagine thats a very, very important factor in their lives and helps them stay the course and to hope for the future," Gagnon, of the Archdiocese of Winnipeg, said in an interview prior to his speech. The crowd included lawyer and human rights expert David Matas, Welcome Place executive director Rita Chahal, immigration lawyer Bashir Khan, MLA Andrew Smith (Southdale) and city Ccoun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) In his address, Gagnon told a story of a grandfather speaking to a grandchild about two fighting wolves, who symbolize the battle within us. One wolf was good, with characteristics of kindness and joy, and the other wolf was evil, filled with hate and anger. The grandchild asks which wolf wins in this battle? SASHA SEFTER / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS President of Friends of Sri Lanka Canada, Hasaka Ratnamalala prepares to give a speech. "The one you feed," Gagnon said. "I think that happens on a personal level as well as on the level of societies. Governments, politicians, their goal is justice and order in society. Faith groups, cultural groups make a contribution in terms of healing to fine-tune justice. The Sri Lankan people are a traditional people. Theres much faith there, different religious groups. So hopefully, what is best in their traditions will also help that engagement and that dialogue lead to the goal of becoming friends again, of being reconciled to each other, in the deepest sense of that term." Hasaka Ratnamalala, a lawyer who is president of the Friends of Sri Lanka, said the organization was honoured to have Gagnon support solidarity among Sri Lankans living in Winnipeg. "The bombings on the same day in Sri Lanka, thats the main reason why we asked the Reverend Father for this event; for his peaceful words to sooth the Sri Lanka community," Ratnamalala said. "Most of the Catholic (Sri Lankans) here in Winnipeg are from the same area when the bombs went off. Some of them lost their friends. "It is an honour to us to have the Archbishop here because it is recognition of us as a community." Want to get a head start on your day? Get the days breaking stories, weather forecast, and more sent straight to your inbox every weekday morning. Sign Up I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. SASHA SEFTER / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Winnipeg Roman Catholic Archbishop Richard Gagnon gives a speech of hope and comments on the Easter Sunday terror attacks to the attendees at the event. Sri Lankas three decades of conflict officially ended on May 18, 2009. "The people of Sri Lanka have a great wish for peace and harmony to be sustainable and everlasting for the benefit of all in that country," the events master of ceremonies, Kusum Weerathunga, told the crowd. "Where there is hatred, peace cannot prosper. In fact, hatred is the driving force for almost every evil human act, such as bloodshed, discrimination and more. Hatred is not an inherent fact in human life. Nobody is born with hatred. "As Nelson Mandela put in his autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, no one is born hating another person because of the colour of the skin or background or religion. People must learn to hate. If they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love. For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite." Weerathunga, who was a radio journalist when she lived in Sri Lanka, travels to Sri Lanka each year to visit her mother, brother and other friends and family. She lost friends in the Easter Sunday attacks a couple with a teenaged daughter. The couple was killed while their daughter survived but lost an ear. ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca TRUJILLO, Honduras - A British Columbia woman says her pilot brother was killed in a plane crash in Honduras on Saturday. Hey there, time traveller! This article was published 19/5/2019 (953 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. In this photo released by the Honduras Fire Department, firefighters and men work at the crash site of a plane that fell into the Atlantic in Roatan, Bay Island, Honduras, Saturday, May 18, 2019. All five people on board were killed after the plane plummeted shortly after takeoff from the popular tourist destination of Roatan en route to the port of Trujillo. (Honduras Fire Department via AP) TRUJILLO, Honduras - A British Columbia woman says her pilot brother was killed in a plane crash in Honduras on Saturday. In a phone interview with The Canadian Press on Sunday, Jenna Forseth confirmed her brother Patrick was killed in the crash in the Roatan area, a popular island destination for tourists to the Central American country. Earlier on Sunday, Global Affairs Canada confirmed a Canadian citizen had died in the crash, but did not identify them due to privacy concerns. Stefano Maron said consular officials in the capital, Tegucigalpa, were in contact with local authorities and providing assistance to the victim's family. The Associated Press reports that the other victims of the crash were the plane's four American passengers, citing an Armed Forces spokesman. 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 Piper Cherokee Six plummeted into the Atlantic shortly after takeoff from Roatan en route to Trujillo, a port city on Honduras's northern coast. Jenna Forseth said her brother was "well-loved" in the area, saying "the whole town is in mourning." Maron added that Global Affairs's thoughts are with the Canadian citizen's friends and family. The Honduran military said in a statement that rescue boats with police divers and firemen recovered four bodies within minutes of the crash, and transported another to a hospital, where he died shortly after of internal injuries. The U.S. State Department also confirmed the deaths of four American citizens. with files from Adam Burns in Toronto and The Associated Press A curious article appeared in the Minneapolis Star Tribune Science and Health section, about a study of bacterial counts done of mens beards and dogs hair. It found that the beards beat Bowsers fur for higher bacterial counts of all kinds, even disease causing breeds. It piqued my twisted interest as to the purpose of the study. In looking it up on Google there at are least two dozen news articles from every source imaginable reporting on this study (which might suggest how twisted folks are?) Published in the February 2019 European Radiology journal, it didnt identify country of origin, but all the authors had Germanic names, making Germany, Austria or Switzerland possible. Apparently in their medical world, dogs are allowed to use the same MRI scanners as humans do. They were trying to assess if the animals had more bacteria of any kind on their fur than men had on their beards, as a model for nesting sites of microscopic critters along with gravy, etc. You sense an inherent bias in the study right away? The tests were done in a European hospital that performs around 8,000 MRI scans of humans per year. Culture swabs were done of 18 men and 30 dogs. Samples from mans best friend were taken from between their shoulder blades, since it is a spot more prone to infections. Both mammals oral cavities were also sampled. The MRI scanning table was cleaned after each dog, and bacterial counts showed significantly lower numbers than a scanner used for just people. The results of each species fur showed all the men, 18/18, had high microbial counts, and 23/30 of the dogs. The mens mouths also had higher counts, which is surprising to me. I used to do ER work, and stereotypically a dog bite was one of the worst for infection with nasty critters. Human bites werent great either. Probably still arent. (Now do we tell the old joke Man Bites Dog?) Disease causing bacteria breeds were found in 7/18 men and 4/30 of dogs. The authors concluded bearded men harbor significantly more microbes than dogs, and dogs are no risk to humans if they use the same MRI (maybe not at the same time). So many of the news reports put their own spin on the results, as you can imagine. One British article quoted the founder of the Beard Liberation Front, which opposes discrimination against the hirsute: I think its possible to find all sorts of unpleasant things if you took swabs from peoples hair and hands (and hes correct, especially noses.) I dont believe that beards in themselves are unhygienic. The constant stream of negative stories about beards suggest its more about pogonophobia(?) than anything else. This was a new word learning opportunity for me. The roots of the word not the beard are pogon, Greek for beard, and phobos, Greek for fear. Should beards cause fear or infatuation, especially medically? That pendulum has swung to both extremes over the centuries. In 2015 one rather lame study fostered by a TV station in Albuquerque, New Mexico, became the story virus du jour for a while. A news crew swabbed a handful of beards randomly and submitted them to a lab company, Quest, a giant national company. The company microbiologist, John Golobic, declared on TV: Im usually not surprised, and I was by this. The station reported the beards contained a lot of normal bacteria, but some were comparable to toilets. Golobic: There would be a degree of uncleanliness that would be somewhat disturbing. The study was not done well on several fronts, but it keeps resurfacing, like a bogus conspiracy theory. Another study was cited to contradict the attitude generated by the TV station findings. It came from Britain, published in 2014, comparing cultures of 408 mens faces, bearded and shaven, finding little difference between the two. No women were included. Some bacteria normally found in bowels were grown from the MRI studys crop, with no hint of poor hygiene. Yet another 2016 study from University College London by a microbiologist, sort of in response to the TV station study, swabbed 20 beards randomly from London streets, and were able to grow over 100 strains of bacteria over a 4-week period. They were mostly ones found on skin normally. They then inoculated them into lab media containing bad bugs to see what bacteria killed off what others, since all organisms compete to survive. Around a quarter of the bacteria from beards were able to kill the resistant bacterial strains in the medium, demonstrating that they actually produce antibiotics themselves. This fostered the idea that beard bugs might be good for you! So go the battles. In 2015 an academic historian of medicine and the body from Exeter University, England, began a project to chart the health and hygiene history of facial hair. You can see it has experienced many forms and attitudes over time. After the TV negative conclusion he wrote, In the 1660s the English churchman and historian Thomas Fuller was referring in print to the beard as that ornamental excrement under the chin. Beards or bugs, you decide. Ill bet you had no idea of the rather lengthy, unsettled history of beards beliefs. I didnt. With the MRI study focus we can at least feel that sharing the exorbitantly expensive machine with mans best friends is medically economical and hygienic. And it is not just a shaggy dog story. Frank A. Bures is a semi-retired dermatologist in Winona. Love 0 Funny 2 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... LA FARGE When building his house in rural Vernon County, Rob Danielson put it close to the road to limit the carbon footprint of plowing a long driveway. He heats the super-insulated home with a masonry furnace that burns just an armload of wood each day. His freezer is on a timer, set to run when the 32 solar panels outside his super-efficient home are generating electricity. Same with his television. His wife, Teresa Agnew, waits for sunny days to run the vacuum cleaner. Make hay while the sun shines, Danielson said. You dont need to do everything all the time. Yet Danielson is not happy about plans to build Wisconsins first large-scale solar farm in Iowa County about 60 miles south of his home. The 300-megawatt project, known as Badger Hollow, is one of two solar farms to be jointly owned by Madison Gas & Electric and Wisconsin Public Service Corp. and is the first of many more such projects to come as utilities ramp up investments in renewable energy. Danielson, who serves as his towns appointed energy planner and has spearheaded fights against two high-voltage power lines, said projects like this will alter the landscape and harm communities while doing little to reduce carbon. Instead, he envisions a carbon-free future where consumers, not utility shareholders, reap the benefits of locally generated clean energy. Youre trying to make a big broken machine work by making it bigger, he said. As utilities pivot from coal to increasingly cheap renewable energy, some of the same corporations that contributed to climate change are among the leading forces to stop it even if they stand to benefit from the new technology while reaping profit from fossil fuel plants. Some, like Danielson, suggest there are more equitable solutions. But with just three decades to cut virtually all carbon emissions before scientists say the damage will be irreversible, there may not be time. About this story This story is part of a multi-newsroom collaborative project called Middle America's Low-Hanging Carbon: The Search for Greenhouse Gas Cuts from the Grid, Agriculture and Transportation. The effort, led by the nonprofit news organization InsideClimate News, includes 14 Midwest newsrooms and aims to give readers local and regional perspectives on climate change. For more, go to the project page. Two paths to carbon reduction Energy experts tend to see two paths to a carbon-free grid. One involves a massive expansion of utility-owned wind and solar generation along with storage and transmission lines to move the electricity to where its needed. Most of these scenarios also involve continued reliance on nuclear power and technology for capturing and storing the carbon dioxide released from burning fossil fuels. The other path, sometimes referred to as distributed energy resources, replaces the central-station model with customer- and community-owned generators tied together in microgrids that function as self-contained power systems and could even allow neighbors to trade energy. And there is vast untapped potential on the demand side to curb electricity use as well as the instantaneous peaks that justify the construction of large generators. Simply put, with these emerging technologies, utilities no longer need to own all of the power plants. We can have a system that not only saves money, but allows for really broad participation and ownership of energy, and dispersal of the profits from energy making, said John Farrell, director of the Energy Democracy Initiative at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance. And it can still be of significant benefit as much a benefit to everybody who cant participate. Tilting at power lines Danielson, 67, said he became interested in energy efficiency in the 1980s when he was teaching film at UW-Milwaukee. When he retired in 2007, he and Agnew began building a home on land outside of La Farge. The walls feature about 6.5 inches of insulation sandwiched between thick concrete and concrete block. The home was built around a masonry fireplace that burns wood at about 1,400 degrees and radiates heat throughout the home. Danielson used some leftover money to buy an 8-kilowatt solar system that offsets almost all of the household needs. In 2010, Danielson got a letter from American Transmission Co. about plans to build a high-voltage power line across his property. The $581 million line, known as Badger Coulee, was promoted as a way to transmit wind energy from Iowa to Madison, enabling clean energy while saving customers money. Danielson wasnt convinced, and he joined the group SOUL of Wisconsin and persuaded his town board to set up its own energy planning committee to explore other options. Over the past decade he has become a thorn in the side of utilities, fighting transmission lines before the Public Service Commission and showing up at meetings for utility investors and stakeholders to question the benefits of large-scale projects, which he said have yet to make a dent in carbon emissions. If we allow top-down solutions were going to crawl our way at 1 percent a year, he said. The potential for decarbonization is not in building. The potential is in not using. Danielson has turned conservation into something of a game, setting a goal of reducing electricity use by 13 percent each year, which for the average household achieves the same carbon reduction as adding a 1-kilowatt solar system. It makes it into an aesthetic, he said, gesturing at the plug-in timer that ensures his electric toothbrush charges for only an hour a day. My father called it conservation. I call it not doing stupid stuff. A need for speed In a report released last fall, a panel of U.N. scientists said greenhouse gas emissions need to drop 45 percent in the next decade and fall to near zero by 2050 in order to minimize the risk of catastrophic climate change. That will require a dramatic shift in the way we generate electricity, which has traditionally accounted for about 28 percent of U.S. carbon emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The problem is more acute in Wisconsin, which generates three-fourths of its electricity from fossil fuels and more than half from coal. Some climate hawks say theres not enough time for a bottom-up solution. We dont have 500 years, said Michael Vickerman, policy director for Renew Wisconsin, which promotes the development of renewable energy. Thats about how long it would take at current rates. Even advocates of distributed resources concede there are limits to the democratic model. I think you can be much more effective at long-term decarbonization through a decentralized approach, said Gary Radloff, the former director of Midwest Energy Policy Analysis for the Wisconsin Energy Institute at UW-Madison. Achieving that may take some time. Conservation alone will not eliminate carbon emissions, and many people are financially unable or simply uninterested in generating their own electricity. Farrell said its unlikely that distributed generation will ever make up more than about a fifth of the total supply. Both models should play a role, said Steve Kihm, principal and chief economist with Slipstream, a Madison-based nonprofit consulting firm. If the pace at which we need to change or reduce carbon is as urgent as it appears, youre going to need every resource you can get, Kihm said. I think theres a great role for distributed resources (but) I dont know why we would necessarily walk away from central-station renewables. Utilities on board In recent years each of the five largest investor-owned utilities has made a voluntary commitment to cut at least 80 percent of carbon emissions by mid-century. Last week, Madison Gas & Electric joined Xcel Energy in committing to fully carbon-neutral electricity by 2050. At the same time, utilities seeking to build massive solar farms have pushed policies that make it harder for customers to add their own solar panels, a trend that threatens the traditional business model. The utilities are circling the wagons and trying to consolidate their power, Radloff said. While the details of the carbon reduction strategies arent entirely clear, the business strategy is. Xcel CEO Ben Fowke has dubbed it steel for fuel. By substituting steel in the form of wind turbines and solar panels for increasingly expensive fossil fuel plants, utilities can save operating costs for customers while generating profits for investors. Thats because in most states, including Wisconsin, utilities are regulated monopolies with rates set by the government. The costs of generating electricity traditionally fuel are typically passed on to consumers. But investments in infrastructure such as plants and power lines generate profit, which for most Wisconsin utilities is around 10 percent. In other words, utilities profit by building stuff. Utilities make more money by spending more, not by providing more value, said Mike OBoyle, director of electricity policy for Energy Innovation, a clean energy think tank. Thats the fundamental problem with the centralized system. Staying within the guardrails Frank Prager, vice president for policy and federal affairs at Xcel, said any transition to clean energy must have two key guardrails: reliability and affordability. If we dont have reliable power our customers arent going to stand for it, he said. If we dont have affordable power our customers arent going to stand for it. Prager said Xcel is willing to support customer-owned resources so long as they dont affect costs or reliability, but he said it will be more expensive than a universal approach. I am convinced that the model we are using is the best, most cost-effective way, he said. I dont think you get there any other way as quickly and effectively. But that utility model, which entails billions of dollars in investments, can lead to a phenomenon known as path dependency: Once its built, you might as well use it. The argument against the centralized system is that it sort of lacks optionality, OBoyle said. The economies of scale can only achieve their full potential if you make large, bulky investment, and it locks you into a certain path. A new model In the age of Amazon, consumers are accustomed to more choices, more information, and prices that change based on real-time supply and demand. Many believe the grid of the future will need to follow that model. The utility business model served us really well when the problem was making sure power was available everywhere, said Doug Scott, a former Illinois utility regulator now with the Great Plains Institute, a Minnesota-based nonprofit working to make the energy sector more economically and environmentally sustainable. Thats changing. +10 Pioneered by UW professor, microgrids enable energy independence, resiliency Microgrids are self-contained electric systems that can seamlessly connect and disconnect from the main power grid. Customers are also in a position to harness one of the most effective and cheapest strategies for reducing carbon emissions in a fossil-fuel dependent system: using less energy. But rewarding that kind of behavior will require new utility rate structures that dont incentivize the construction of more power plants and transmission lines. We reward utilities to build them, Radloff said. Why not reward them not to build them? Public Service Commission chairwoman Rebecca Valcq said the path to a carbon-free grid will require changes in ownership and how customers manage their energy consumption. I think its all going to play a role, she said. I dont think we can get there with just new generation. Valcq said she is open to trying new policies, such as performance-based rates that can be used to reward utilities for hitting conservation or environmental goals. OBoyle said for now utilities may be in the best position to drive change, though whether that is the right path is far from certain. Utility-scale renewable resources are the cheapest sources of clean electricity today, and monopoly utilities provide a key path to scaling investment in these low-cost resources, he said. In many places, utilities are not open to replacing their fossil resources with clean resources, but where they are, Im inclined to find ways for renewables to work with their business models, creating win-win-wins for consumers, the environment, and shareholders. Republican members of Wisconsins congressional delegation warned against what they see as the rising tide of socialism and urged their supporters to take a message of economic opportunity to demographic groups that dont hear it as often, such as those in the African American community. Conservative ideas help all of us, said first-term U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Janesville. Were fighting for people to live out a life of the American dream. U.S. Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wausau, urged Republicans and supporters of Trump to drum up support for the president among their own social circles to combat the threat of socialism, which Duffy said could lead the U.S. down the road of a country like Venezuela, which has suffered economic collapse in recent years. If we go by the way of Venezuela, there is no America to save us, Duffy said. Duffys comments were accompanied by those of Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, who railed against Evers Democratic proposals as wacky ideas pedaled by those in Dane County. Taubman Centers pays an annual dividend of $2.70 per share and currently has a dividend yield of 6.28%. TCO has a dividend yield higher than 75% of all dividend-paying stocks, making it a leading dividend payer. The dividend payout ratio of Taubman Centers is 72.78%. This payout ratio is at a healthy, sustainable level, below 75%. Based on EPS estimates, Taubman Centers will have a dividend payout ratio of 97.12% in the coming year. This indicates that Taubman Centers may not be able to sustain their current dividend. View Taubman Centers' dividend history. Bank of Montreal provides diversified financial services primarily in North America. The company's personal banking products and services include checking and savings accounts, credit cards, mortgages, and financial and investment advice services; and commercial banking products and services comprise business deposit accounts, commercial credit cards, business loans and commercial mortgages, cash management solutions, foreign exchange, specialized banking programs, treasury and payment solutions, and risk management products for small business and commercial banking customers. It also offers investment and wealth advisory services; digital investing services; financial services and solutions; and investment management, and trust and custody services to institutional, retail, and high net worth investors. In addition, the company provides life insurance, accident and sickness insurance, and annuity products; creditor and travel insurance to bank customers; and reinsurance solutions. Further, it offers client's debt and equity capital-raising services, as well as loan origination and syndication, balance sheet management, and treasury management; strategic advice on mergers and acquisitions, restructurings, and recapitalizations, as well as valuation and fairness opinions; and trade finance, risk mitigation, and other operating services. Additionally, the company provides research and access to markets for institutional, corporate, and retail clients; trading solutions that include debt, foreign exchange, interest rate, credit, equity, securitization and commodities; new product development and origination services, as well as risk management advice and services to hedge against fluctuations; and funding and liquidity management services to its clients. It operates through approximately 1,400 bank branches and 4,800 automated banking machines in Canada and the United States. The company was founded in 1817 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. Read More Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a diversified financial institution, provides various financial products and services to personal, business, public sector, and institutional clients in Canada, the United States, and internationally. The company operates through four strategic business units: Canadian Personal and Business Banking; Canadian Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; U.S. Commercial Banking and Wealth Management; and Capital Markets. The company offers chequing, savings, and business accounts; mortgages; loans, lines of credit, student lines of credit, and business and agriculture loans; investment and insurance services; and credit cards, as well as overdraft protection services. It also provides day-to-day banking, borrowing and credit, investing and wealth, specialty, and international services; correspondent banking and online foreign exchange services; and cash management services. The company serves its customers through its banking centers, as well as direct, mobile, and remote channels. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce was founded in 1867 and is headquartered in Toronto, Canada. Read More FedEx Corp. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of a portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. It operates through the following segments: FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, FedEx Freight, FedEx Services, and Corporate, Other & Eliminations. The FedEx Express segment consists of domestic and international shipping services for delivery of packages and freight. The FedEx Ground segment focuses on small-package ground delivery services. The FedEx Freight segment offers less-than-truckload freight services across all lengths of haul. The FedEx Services segment provides sales, marketing, information technology, communications, customer service, technical support, billing and collection services, and certain back-office functions. The Corporate, Other & Eliminations segment includes corporate headquarters costs for executive officers and certain legal and finance functions, as well as certain other costs and credits not attributed to the firm's core business. The company was founded by Frederick Wallace Smith on June 18, 1971 and is headquartered in Memphis, TN. Read More Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Nuveen Investments, Inc. The fund is co-managed by Nuveen Fund Advisors, LLC and Nuveen Asset Management, LLC. It invests in the fixed income markets of the Georgia. The fund invests into undervalued municipal securities and other related investments the income from which is exempt from regular federal and Georgia income taxes. It seeks to invest in investment grade securities with an average maturity of around 17 years. The fund employs fundamental analysis with a focus on bottom-up stock picking approach to create its portfolio. It benchmarks the performance of its portfolio against Standard & Poor's (S&P) Georgia Municipal Bond Index and Standard & Poor's (S&P) National Municipal Bond Index. The fund was formerly known as Nuveen Georgia Dividend Advantage Municipal Fund 2. Nuveen Georgia Quality Municipal Income Fund was formed on October 26, 2001 and is domiciled in the United States. Read More He told Sunday News: In my area of jurisdiction, my people will vote differently. Some will follow this party and some will follow that party but at the end of the day theyre still my people and so I will address my concerns to them. So even though speaking on that particular level, I come back to the essence of why were here. This is about purely the mountain, how the mountain is in danger of being taken away. But to answer directly those that are pushing aspersions directly towards my way, those aspersions only emanate from one photograph which was taken after I had a meeting with Nelson Chamisa in Harare. I went there with Godlwayo (Chief Maduna). It was a fact finding meeting, a fact finding tour. Just like Ive seen so many ministers in the current administration, just because I went to their offices, would people be saying Im affiliated to them? iShares MSCI Japan ETF shares 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. Village Farms International, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, and distributes greenhouse-grown tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers in North America. It operates through three segments: Produce Business, Energy Business, and Cannabis and Hemp Business. The company also owns and operates a 7.0 megawatt power plant that generates and sells electricity to British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority; and produces and supplies cannabis products. It markets and distributes its products under the Village Farms brand name to retail supermarkets and fresh food distribution companies, as well as products produced under exclusive arrangements with other greenhouse producers. The company was formerly known as Village Farms Canada Inc. and changed its name to Village Farms International, Inc. in December 2009. Village Farms International, Inc. was founded in 1989 and is headquartered in Delta, Canada. Read More There is not enough analysis data for PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II. 4.8 Community Rank Outperform Votes PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II has received 105 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II has received 41 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II has received 71.92% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about PIMCO Income Strategy Fund II and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe PFN will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe PFN will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next There is not enough analysis data for POET Technologies. 4.8 Community Rank Outperform Votes POET Technologies has received 184 outperform votes. (Add your outperform vote.) Underperform Votes POET Technologies has received 69 underperform votes. (Add your underperform vote.) Community Sentiment POET Technologies has received 72.73% outperform votes from our community. MarketBeat's community ratings are surveys of what our community members think about POET Technologies and other stocks. Vote Outperform if you believe POETF will outperform the S&P 500 over the long term. Vote Underperform if you believe POETF will underperform the S&P 500 over the long term. You may vote once every thirty days. Previous Next Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. is a holding company, which engages in the provision of traditional and non-traditional life and health reinsurance products. It operates through the following segments: U.S. and Latin America; Canada; Europe, Middle East, and Africa; Asia Pacific; and Corporate and Other. The U.S. and Latin America segment markets individual and group life and health reinsurance to domestic clients for a variety of products through yearly renewable term agreements, coinsurance, and modified coinsurance. The Canada segment offers individual life reinsurance, and to a lesser extent creditor, group life and health, critical illness and disability reinsurance, through yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements. The Europe, Middle East, and Africa segment serves individual and group life and health products through yearly renewable term and coinsurance agreements, reinsurance of critical illness coverage that provides a benefit in the event of the diagnosis of a pre-defined critical illness and underwritten annuities. The Asia Pacific segment comprises individual and group life and health reinsurance, critical illness coverage, disability, and superannuation thr Read More Wells Fargo & Co. is a diversified, community-based financial services company. It is engaged in the provision of banking, insurance, investments, mortgage, and consumer and commercial finance. It firm operates through the following segments: Community Banking, Wholesale Banking, Wealth & Investment Management, and Other. The Community Banking segment offers complete line of diversified financial products and services for consumers and small businesses including checking and savings accounts, credit and debit cards, and automobile, student, and small business lending. The Wholesale Banking segment provides financial solutions to businesses across the United States and globally. The Wealth and Investment Management segment includes personalized wealth management, investment and retirement products and services to clients across U.S. based businesses. The Other segment refers to the products of WIM customers served through community banking distribution channels. The company was founded by Henry Wells and William G. Fargo on March 18, 1852 and is headquartered in San Francisco, CA. Read More Velocys plc operates as a sustainable fuels technology company. It designs, develops, and licenses its Fischer-Tropsch technology for the generation of clean, low carbon, synthetic drop-in aviation and road transport fuel from municipal solid waste and residual woody biomass plants. The company has a collaboration with British Airways and Shell for the development of a waste-to-jet-fuel project in the United Kingdom. It has operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Asia Pacific. The company was formerly known as Oxford Catalysts Group PLC and changed its name to Velocys plc in September 2013. Velocys plc was incorporated in 2006 and is headquartered in Oxford, the United Kingdom. Read More Incumbent president Peter Mutharika will be seeking a second and final term with Dr Chilima, who quit the ruling party in 2018, among his challengers.zbc MOHAWK, NY There was a hoedown at the Mohawk American Legion Saturday to celebrate the life of a local farmer and raise money for a scholarship in his name. Cory Pavlot loved farming since he was a little boy. Pavlot suffered from a heart condition and died from a massive heart attack in 2017. He was just 34 years old. The hoedown featured plenty of music and dancing, baked goods, and raffle baskets. Corys mother, Linda Pavlot, said it was his love of farming that encouraged them to raise money for an agricultural scholarship. His love was really the farm. He loved every bit of it. Hed get out of work at Remington Arms and go right to the farm. CLINTON COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)Forest Volunteer Fire Department in Clinton County is up and running with a new facility. Its something new something nice, new equipment, said Assistant Chief of the Forest Fire Department Mike Tate. The previous building was destroyed by a tornado two years ago. Even after the damage, firefighters were optimistic. I mean it was a good thing and a bad thing, said Tate. You hate to see it happen that way but were glad it kind of happened that we got a new station. In 2017 the department was awarded $500,000 by the Office of Community Rural Affairs. Clinton County matched that with $250,000 to help build the new building, with a few upgrades. The old Forest Volunteer Fire Department was only about 2200 square feet. The department behind me is double that at 4600 square feet and includes things they didnt have before like bathrooms, offices and a bigger bay area for their fire trucks. Things firefighters say they should have had before. This is awesome, said volunteer firefighter Brent Pogue. Volunteer firefighter Brent Pogue has been a volunteer firefighter for fifteen years. He says this is a great step forward for the department. Itll bring the community together more hopefully we can do some more community events and have things like that, said Pogue. Because weve got the facility now we can do things like this which weve really been able to do. Nearly four hundred community members were in attendance to support the opening of the new Forest Volunteer Fire Department. And firefighters want residents to always remember: The volunteers have got them covered if they need us to call us, said Tate. INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WTTV) The Muncie Police Department says seven people were shot at a house party near the Ball State University campus. Around 12:45 a.m. Saturday, police responded to a shooting in the 2400 block of Euclid Avenue, just five blocks west of campus. Muncie Police Chief Joe Winkle said three people were in critical condition after the shooting. At least two people had to be airlifted by EMS helicopter to nearby hospitals for treatment. Ball State says one of the people shot was a student at the university. The student was treated and released from Ball Memorial Hospital, according to the university. Officials say 19-year-old Va Shaun Harnett, of Muncie, has been arrested in connection to the shooting. He is facing two charges of attempted murder and is being held at the Delaware County Jail without bond. Ball State says Harnett is not a student at the university. It was a party with a DJ, Winkle said. Evidently, there was some kind of a confrontation inside the house [and] it turned into a shooting. Weve got seven gunshot victims. I believe one has been life-lined to Indianapolis, two are pretty serious, and several are minor wounds that will actually be released tonight. Winkle said there were somewhere between 50 and 75 people at the house during the time of the shooting. We dont get a lot of calls there, certainly these kind of calls, Winkle said. But I think anytime you have a DJ and you get word out there that theres a party there, you are gonna draw a bunch of different people from all over town, so I think thats probably whats happened. An investigation is currently underway to determine a motive, but police say they dont believe there is a current threat to students on campus. Investigators with the Muncie Police Department quickly began interviewing witnesses and gathering any potential evidence related to the shooting. Ball State University campus police are assisting in the investigation. In a statement, Ball State University President Geoffrey S. Mearns said the following: Keeping all members of our campus community safe is a top priority. This is a very unfortunate event. We wish all the victims a full and prompt recovery. LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) Seven new trees went up in the Maplewood Heights neighborhood in Lafayette Saturday morning. This comes after having to remove a number of dying trees in the area. Project leader Shirley Sterling said it took four months to plan and it was very much a community effort. Tree Lafayette volunteers came out to help neighbors plant trees, Wrede Rocks and Fisher Funeral Chapel worked together to provide a tree dedication rock and Lafayette City Council members attended and listened to community concerns. Maplewood Heights residents say this was a great way to beautify and unify the neighborhood. Somebody had to plant the trees so we had a lot of volunteers out here today and they've done a great job, said neighbor Richard Ketterer. This is just great for your neighborhood to come together and work together, said neighbor Carol Plowmin. We have all the neighbors out here for the first time together and we're talking, fellowshipping, getting to know one another, said neighbor Dewayne Moffitt. They planted four Sugar Maple and three Japanese maple trees. A second Egyptian military plane carrying medical aid arrived in Lilongwe on Saturday to support the health sector of the cyclone-hit Malawi, according to a statement by the foreign ministry. The ministry said that the second shipment comes as a continuation of the Egyptian aid being sent to Malawi to help "relieve the conditions of those affected by the cyclone". Last Wednsday, Egypt sent the first shipment of humanitarian aid, including food and medical supplies, to the southeastern African country. Cyclone Idai battered the southern part of Malawi in late March, killing 60 people and displaced around 20,000 others. Idai killed more than 1,000 people across Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. Search Keywords: Short link: I have been employed as an educator for 18 years, and in that time I have done the following: 1. Earned a master's degree plus 45 credits in education, a National Board Certification, and endorsements in five subjects. 2. Completed training as a certified Apple teacher; a teacher consultant for the National Writing Project; Covey Leadership training; Langford training; technology integration specialist training; mentor training; and more. 3. Served as a member of faculty senates; leadership teams; local school improvement councils; webmaster; yearbook advisor; and other responsibilities outside of the school day. 4. Fed and clothed kids out of my own pocket. 5. Provided my own supplies and resources to the tune of roughly $3,000 over 18 years. 6. Put out a fire in a classroom trash can. 7. Disarmed a 5 year old who had a switchblade to another students throat. 8. Physically broken up over 30 fist fights. 9. Called Child Protective Services over a dozen times. 10. Held a child and let them cry when their father died. 11. Chaperoned more dances, attended more sporting events and concerts than I can count. 12. Held classrooms together when they were reeling from the death of a classmate. 13. Visited students in the hospital. 14. Held back the tears while witnessing a circle of six students comforting their classmate who had just lost their mother to a drug overdose because they had been through it too. 15. Altered my teaching to accommodate a half dozen changes in standards and testing. 16. Coordinated countless fundraisers to secure resources for the classroom. 17. Coordinated Title I family night activities. 18. Coordinated countywide trainings. 19. Worked a second job. 20. Kept abreast of education legislation and contacted my legislators often. 21. Written three editorials that have been published in the last two years. 22. Stood on a picket line twice in the last two years. 23. Spoken at education functions, board meetings and other events about education topics. 24. Lets see, what elseOh, yeah! I actually taught my students. It should be clear that I have committed my life to public education and to honing and improving my craft. I have the education and experience to be considered an expert in my field as do many of my colleagues. And yet, when it comes to drafting education legislation the experts are not consulted. On top of that, we have written letters, made phone calls, attended round table discussions and stood on a picket line, and the message is still not getting through. West Virginia is currently losing some of our best and brightest teachers because of low salaries and stripped benefits. Teachers in charter schools would get far less compensation than public school teachers and would not be required to be certified. Is this really going to improve education in our state? The public is being told that charter schools would not have the same regulations. If the legislators think the regulations in public schools are a problem, why not change the regulations rather than remove funding from public schools for a select few students that would attend charter schools? If you follow the money, its not hard to see who is benefiting from this proposal, and its not the students and teachers in West Virginia. Listen to the experts who have committed their lives to the students of West Virginia - the teachers. 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. LARAMIE During a discussion with the University of Wyomings Board of Trustees on Thursday, Gov. Mark Gordon said the university should tap its research capabilities, especially those at the School of Energy Resources, for carbon sequestration and become a leader in combating climate change. LARAMIE During a discussion with the University of Wyomings Board of Trustees on Thursday, Gov. Mark Gordon said the university should tap its research capabilities, especially those at the School of Energy Resources, for carbon sequestration and become a leader in combating climate change. Wyoming has the solutions for our climate," he said. "We can take our coal products and we can make them part of the solutions. This a point I keep trying to make to my colleagues on the West Coast, colleagues like Gov. Jay Inslee. If you push as hard as you can to put a 100 percent renewable platform on this planet, you have done nothing to eliminate carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. We in Wyoming have the schools, the research and the ability to move a process forward that can keep our coal mines essential to our electric grid, and at the same time solve our climate solution. I would love to see the University of Wyoming take the stage, front and center on that. Gordon discussed ways hes already tapped the School of Energy Resources expertise to improve the states finances and praised the school for the ways its already attracted global eminence. He said the schools faculty, and other UW faculty, played a key role in his restructuring of the states investment program that led to investments in Abu Dhabi, Kuwait and Singapore. The School of Energy Resource is something thats given us the opportunity to have global visitors come here, Gordon said. Early in my career as a treasurer, I was able to bring sovereign funds from the Wyoming world using the School of Energy Resources and the business school and various economists here at the University of Wyoming to put together a comprehensive program on the very thing that were facing now: How to use sovereign funds that are driven by commodities to engage in transitional world and how to invest in countries and states to move our economies forward. Likewise, Gordon said UW needs to transition to create a more nimble workforce that allows Wyomings natural resource economy to diversity beyond just extractive industries and into value-added industries. Now is the time, Gordon said, for Wyoming to build on the legacy of being the first to define carbon sequestration, the first to put the legal framework in place and the first to really look at what kinds of assets do we have that we can retool to not just slow down carbon being released into our atmosphere, but to actually remove it from the atmosphere. I think that with the University of Wyomings School of Energy Resources ability to take the infrastructure that we have in place and the richness of our natural resources, we have the opportunity to guide the world forward, Gordon said. Shortly after taking office, Gordon requested the Legislature appropriate $10 million to the School of Energy Resources for the purpose of constructing a 5-megawatt equivalent pilot project utilizing advanced coal-based generation technology that captures at least 75 percent of carbon emissions. The Legislature reduced the proposed funding to $5 million, with a requirement for matching grant funding to be sought. Gordons carbon-focused comments mirror those being made by Mark Northam, the dean of the School of Energy Resources, who said Monday there are carbon engineering projects the school could take on that would cost $34.8 million. Northam is currently seeking $8.8 million to evaluate and demonstrate UW-proven technologies. The School of Energy Resources is also seeking $26 million to evaluate and demonstrate third-party technologies solutions on Wyoming coal. $18.7 million of that was been discussed with the board of trustees as matching funds for flameless pressurized oxy-combustion technology, a program currently under consideration for approximately $100 million in funding from the Department of Education. That program could also compete for $5 million from the Legislature for the design and construction a pilot plant for the project. The $26 million request also includes $7 million in matching funds for private grants. "Clearly, requesting nearly $35 million from the state budget is going to be a very difficult task," Northam wrote in a report to the board. "We intend to refine the amounts needed in the biennium, to explore other options for funding, and to work closely with the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee over the rest of this year to build a strong justification for this funding." Northam also discussed the need this week for a new focus on renewable energy within the school, noting that enrollment in the Energy Resource Management and Development program has declined by about a third. "We recognize that a drive of that decline is that young people are not nearly as excited about careers in oil and gas industry as they were in the past," he said. "Largely because of the stories they see about the Green New Deal and other climate change legislation that is really putting pressure on the oil and gas industry." At the schools budget hearing on Monday with the trustees, Northam said his school is on the cusp of a major, inevitable evolution. He said the degree programming needs to be rebranded to focus on "the promise of jobs in renewable sectors and a wide variety of other energy scenarios." One of the school's big focuses, he said, now needs to be on "energy transition" so that Wyoming continues to be a leader in the energy industry. "Energy transition is extremely complex," he said. "We're not just going to shut off the fossil energy sector and turn on renewables in the next 10 years. And in fact, it's going to take us at least 30 years to even come close to accomplishing a major change in the use of fossil energy in the United States." In 2018, the Legislature which appropriates funds for the School of Energy Resources separately from the UW block grant gave the school a biennial budget of $18.3 million. Aside from the major projects he's identified, Northam is hoping the Legislature will increase the school's base budget to $20.1 million for the 2021-2022 fiscal year so that the school can address its own challenges and the states economic changes. Northam wants $150,000 annually so that an academic director can be hired to reinvigorate enrollment and to work with academic departments to ensure continued delivery of required course, or substitution of new ones, and to coordinate the efforts of SER faculty in their contributions to SERs mission. Northam also said the schools new Energy Policy Analysis Program, which will seek to inform, educate and develop pragmatic and effective energy solutions for Wyoming policymakers, will be established in the upcoming academic year and will require $250,000-$500,000 in annual increases for the school. The school has trimmed its budget for the 2020 fiscal year to cut out $700,000 in marketing, but Northam has asked for $500,000 more annually to reinvigorate Centers of Excellence to align with the needs of the state in the coming period of energy transition and to rebuild our outreach program. In addition to the School of Energy Resources structural evolution, Northam predicted that the school will be significantly defined by major partnerships with oil and gas companies in coming years. Those projects, however, would require $7 million during the upcoming biennium for matching funds, with another $10 million in matching funds required later on. The school has already secured a $12 million grant from the Hess Corporation. That grant requires a $5 million match from the state. In February, Northam and UW President Laurie Nichols made a trip to Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi to make a pitch for funding. While the funding from the Arab oil companies isnt final, Northam wrote in a memo to the board that the funding is highly likely. The School of Energy Resources has a potential $24 million commitment from Saudi Aramc with a required state match of $10 million. The school has a potential $5 million from the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company with a required state match of $2 million. During the current academic year, the School of Energy Resources has had a number of accomplishments regarding carbon engineering. The school has earned patent awards for research conducted by the school's faculty and staff regarding a coal refinery and coal conversion. "We also had a successful field test of a soil amendment made from coal," Northam said. Clean Coal Technologies has also committed $1 million to the school for commercial coal beneficiation technology. The school has also hired Robert Bradley, a professor from Cambridge University, to lead the carbon engineering research into the future as Richard Horner nears retirement. The school also continue on its major CarbonSAFE program in Gillette. Al Jazeera has suspended two journalists over a video about the Holocaust which violated the networks editorial standards, the company said in a press release Sunday.Al Jazeera stated today, that it has taken disciplinary action and suspended two of its journalists over video content produced on the Holocaust, the company said. The video content and accompanying posts were swiftly deleted by AJ+ senior management from all AJ+ pages and accounts on social media, as it contravened the Networks editorial standards.The decision came after Jenan Moussa, a reporter for the UAE-based Al Aan TV flagged a tweet from Al Jazeera AT+ Arabic network, which featured the video along with the following description:Gas ovens killed millions of Jews, thats how the novel says. What is the truth of the holocaust and how did the Zionist movement benefit from it?, it read according to a Twitter translated version. Al Jazeera first announced it had deleted the video Saturday afternoon.Also Read: Al Jazeera To Slash Another 500 JobsAlthough the video was quickly removed, a recording of the original was posted online by the Middle East Media Research Institute.The victims of the Nazis who were following Hitlers orders, exceeded 20 million people. The Jews were part of them, so why is there a focus only on them? asked host Muna Hawwa, who then suggested the classic anti-Semitic trope that Jews had used undo influence over finance and government to exploit the tragedy as a way to establish the state of Israel.The Jewish groups had financial resources, media institutions, research centers and academic voices that managed to put a special spotlight on the Jewish victims of the Nazis, Hawwa continued, adding that some critics accuse the Zionist movement of blowing it out of proportion in the service of the plan to establish what would later become know as the state of Israel.'Dima Khatib, managing director of AJ+ Channels, said in the release that the original video had been produced without the due oversight and that workflows are being reviewed to make sure all production goes through the proper editorial channels at all times.Also Read: Al Jazeera Host Mehdi Hasan Apologizes for Past Criticisms of Non-BelieversSince its inception, Al Jazeera Media Network never sighed away from acknowledging any mistakes on its editorial content and to rectify them to avoid recurrence of such errors, the network said.Reps for the network did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for comment about how long the suspension will last or the names of the reporters involved.Al Jazeera is a state-funded broadcaster which is owned and headquartered in Qatar. Though it has long claimed editorial independence for the countrys monarchs, many have questioned whether that is actually the case. U.S. State department cables from 2009 and later published by Wikileaks suggests the United States government is among the doubters.What Al Jazeera has resolutely steered away from, however, is reporting on anything politically controversial in Qatar, one reads. Al Jazeera, the most watched satellite television station in the Middle East, is heavily subsidized by the Qatari government and has proved itself a useful tool for the stations political masters, another says.Read original story Al Jazeera Suspends 2 Journalists Over Video Content Produced on the Holocaust At TheWrap Al Jazeera has suspended two journalists over a video about the Holocaust which violated the networks editorial standards, the company said in a press release Sunday. Al Jazeera stated today, that it has taken disciplinary action and suspended two of its journalists over video content produced on the Holocaust, the company said. The video content and accompanying posts were swiftly deleted by AJ+ senior management from all AJ+ pages and accounts on social media, as it contravened the Networks editorial standards. The decision came after Jenan Moussa, a reporter for the UAE-based Al Aan TV flagged a tweet from Al Jazeera AT+ Arabic network, which featured the video along with the following description: Gas ovens killed millions of Jews, thats how the novel says. What is the truth of the #holocaust and how did the Zionist movement benefit from it?, it read according to a Twitter translated version. Al Jazeera first announced it had deleted the video Saturday afternoon. Also Read: Al Jazeera To Slash Another 500 Jobs Although the video was quickly removed, a recording of the original was posted online by the Middle East Media Research Institute. The victims of the Nazis who were following Hitlers orders, exceeded 20 million people. The Jews were part of them, so why is there a focus only on them? asked host Muna Hawwa, who then suggested the classic anti-Semitic trope that Jews had used undo influence over finance and government to exploit the tragedy as a way to establish the state of Israel. The Jewish groups had financial resources, media institutions, research centers and academic voices that managed to put a special spotlight on the Jewish victims of the Nazis, Hawwa continued, adding that some critics accuse the Zionist movement of blowing it out of proportion in the service of the plan to establish what would later become know as the state of Israel.' Dima Khatib, managing director of AJ+ Channels, said in the release that the original video had been produced without the due oversight and that workflows are being reviewed to make sure all production goes through the proper editorial channels at all times. Story continues Also Read: Al Jazeera Host Mehdi Hasan Apologizes for Past Criticisms of Non-Believers Since its inception, Al Jazeera Media Network never sighed away from acknowledging any mistakes on its editorial content and to rectify them to avoid recurrence of such errors, the network said. Reps for the network did not immediately respond to TheWraps request for comment about how long the suspension will last or the names of the reporters involved. Al Jazeera is a state-funded broadcaster which is owned and headquartered in Qatar. Though it has long claimed editorial independence for the countrys monarchs, many have questioned whether that is actually the case. U.S. State department cables from 2009 and later published by Wikileaks suggests the United States government is among the doubters. What Al Jazeera has resolutely steered away from, however, is reporting on anything politically controversial in Qatar, one reads. Al Jazeera, the most watched satellite television station in the Middle East, is heavily subsidized by the Qatari government and has proved itself a useful tool for the stations political masters, another says. Read original story Al Jazeera Suspends 2 Journalists Over Video Content Produced on the Holocaust At TheWrap There are no battlefields in Terrence Malicks A Hidden Life only those of wheat no concentration-camp horrors, no dramatic midnight raids. But make no mistake: This is a war movie; its just that the fight shown raging here is an internal one, between a Christian and his conscience. A refulgent return to form from one of cinemas vital auteurs, A Hidden Life pits the righteous against the Reich, and puts personal integrity over National Socialism, focusing on the true story of Austrian farmer Franz Jagerstatters rejection of Adolf Hitler and his refusal to serve in what he sees as an unjust war. And lest that sound like more flower-power finger-painting from a director whose oeuvre can sometimes feel like a parody of itself, consider this: Without diminishing the millions of lives lost during World War II, Malick makes a case for rethinking the stakes of that conflict echoes of which can hardly be ignored in contemporary politics in more personal terms. Here, it is the fate of one mans soul thats at play, and nearly three hours of screen time doesnt seem the slightest bit excessive when it comes to capturing the sacrifice of Franz (Austrian actor August Diehl), who was ostracized, imprisoned, and ultimately executed for his convictions. Related stories 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood': Quentin Tarantino Begs Cannes Crowds to Avoid Spoilers Playtime Boards Canadian Psychological Thriller 'White Lie' Starring Kacey Rohl (EXCLUSIVE) Over the past decade during which Malick made his Palme dOr-winning magnum opus, The Tree of Life; whispery self-doubt drama To the Wonder; and cost-of-celebrity critique Knight of Cups and its music-world equivalent, Song to Song has any filmmaker delved deeper in exploring, and ultimately exorcizing, his own demons? With the benefit of hindsight, those four features represent a cycle of increasingly avant-garde, if ebbingly effective semi-autibiographical projects. By contrast, A Hidden Life brings Malick back to the realm of more traditional, linear narrative, while extending his impulse to give as much weight to wildlife and the weather as he does to human concerns. Story continues Better suited to the directors adherents than the uninitiated, A Hidden Life could be seen as a continuation of themes raised in 1998s The Thin Red Line, which also took place during WWII, albeit halfway around the world. In that then-radical tone poem, Malick focused on how ill-suited a group of American infantrymen were to the role of combat, melding their interior monologues and interchangeable faces in tragic tribute to the waste of innocence that is war. By contrast, A Hidden Life depicts the proactive decision a single would-be soldier makes not to yield to the boiling bloodlust, but instead to follow what the director has previously dubbed the way of grace. Though it privileges the voices of multiple characters by now, a Malick signature there can be no question that Franz represents the films hero. Delivering his lines in mostly unaccented English rather than his native German, Diehl carries the film despite being largely unknown to American audiences (he played a smug SS officer in Inglourious Basterds, and here represents the opposite), relying more on body language and what goes unspoken behind his eyes than on the films typically sparse dialogue. Still, Franz is not a conventional Western protagonist in the sense that his story is defined not by his actions but by choices and specifically, the things he doesnt do. A Hidden Life introduces this salt-of-the-earth Aryan tending the land with his wife, Fani (Valerie Pachner), high on the slopes of St. Radegund, a bucolic West Austrian town. To the extent that all of Malicks films represent the notion of Eden interrupted, this setting feels particularly primeval. How simple life was then, the couple recall though the sentiment hardly bears articulating when they are shown picking wildflowers and playing games with their three daughters. Then, in 1940, Franz is called to the nearby Ennis Military Base, where he and a fellow trainee (Franz Rogowski) find amusement among the military drills. The point of these exercises is to prepare the young men for combat, although Franz refuses to swear his allegiance to Hitler, or to support the war effort in any way. When he is called to serve, Franz instead goes to the town priest (Tobias Moretti) seeking help, only to discover that the church he respected has become complicit in the crime of killing innocent people. In truth, Father Furthauer had been appointed to his post after an earlier priest was ousted after giving an anti-Nazi sermon, and could hardly be relied upon to oppose the new regime. Appealing to the bishop (Michael Nyqvist, the first of several major Euro stars glimpsed only for a couple minutes), Franz argues, If God gives us free will, we are responsible for what we do and just as importantly, what we dont do. Despite its epic running time, the movie doesnt bog down in the details, or else wed learn that Franz was the only person in St. Radegund to oppose the Anschluss or peaceful annexation of Austria by the Fatherland a vote of daring personal opposition that was never reported. Its worth mentioning here because that early stand already revealed the extent to which his community was allowing fear to poison its judgment, driving the groupthink that made Franz feel like an outcast among his own people. Once Franz makes his oppositional position known, those who might have once been his friends turn on his family. In one scene, a pack of local kids throw mud at his daughters, and later, after Franz is sent away to Berlins Tegel prison, neighbors spit at Fani in the road. Where other storytellers might exaggerate such cruelty, Malick doesnt overplay such slights and even contrasts them at times, as when an elderly woman stops to help Fani collect whats spilled from her broken wagon, a gesture of kindness that outweighs even the sadistic behavior shown by Franzs Nazi guards elsewhere in the film. Till the end, and at great personal cost, Fani supports her husband, while nearly everyone (including Matthias Schoenaerts and Bruno Ganz in brief appearances) seeks to spare his life at the expense of his soul. Working with a mostly new team of artisans, Malick leans on DP Jorg Widmer (who assisted Emmanuel Lubezki on The Tree of Life) to re-create the intense anamorphic widescreen of The New World, which distorts whatever appears anywhere other than dead center in frame. Since the director likes to place his characters off-axis, expecting audiences to reorient themselves with every jump cut, this creates and sustains a surreal, dreamlike feel for his longest film yet (not counting directors cuts). This heightened visual style contrasts the rigorously authentic costumes (by Lisy Christl) and sets (from Sebastian T. Krawinkel, rather than career-long collaborator Jack Fisk), while composer James Newton Howard lends ambience and depth between a mix of heavenly choirs and meditative classical pieces. Dont let the period setting fool you. While The Tree of Life may have felt more grand and how could it not, with that cosmic 16-minute creation sequence parked in the middle of the film A Hidden Life actually grapples with bigger, more pressing universal issues. Between Days of Heaven (Malicks first masterpiece) and The Thin Red Line, the director disappeared from cinema for 20 years. Since his return, his work has been infused with questions of faith, putting him up there with Carl Theodor Dreyer as one of the few film artists to engage seriously with religion, which so often is ignored or dismissed by others despite its prominence in society. In this film, Malick draws a critical distinction between faith and religion, calling out the failing of the latter a human institution thats as fallible and corruptible as any individual. At one point, Franz goes to a local chapel and speaks to the cynical old artisan restoring the damaged paintings on its walls. A darker time is coming, and men will be more clever, the man tells him. They dont confront the truth. They just ignore it. In recent years, Malick may have seemed out of touch, responding to issues that interest him more than the public at large. But whether or not he is specifically referring to the present day, its demagogues, and the way certain evangelicals have once again sold out their core values for political advantage, A Hidden Life feels stunningly relevant as it thrusts this problem into the light. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In any film noir, there is The Moment It All Goes Wrong. But it is unlikely you will soon see that moment, or any of the genres other staple plot points, staged and executed with quite the slick, dark dazzle of Diao Yinans The Wild Goose Lake. At an underworld gathering, held in the dingy amphitheater of a hotel basement, a few dozen grimy gangsters are learning the latest techniques in motorcycle theft. Then comes the parceling out of territories in the unnamed nearby city, and a squabble erupts over a lucrative zone. A shot rings out, a brawl ensues, lit by one swinging light bulb and imagined in a serious of punchy closeups: a grimacing face in a half-nelson; a bloodied, tattooed knuckle; a prosthetic being ripped from its limb. Its a scene weve watched a hundred times before, but here it feels electrifyingly new. With his Berlinale-winning Black Coal, Thin Ice, Diao fused China-noir with arthouse social realism to deliver a strange, potent cocktail that left a lingering, headache-y sustain. This time, the sociopolitical subtext may be absent along with the hangover, but there is something almost profound in how comprehensively The Wild Goose Lake imagines film noir belonging in Chinas seedy, second-tier suburban underbelly. Diaos film is far from the first to find the oily neons of nighttime noodle shops and rain-slicked alleyways the ideal setting for a twisty story of gangsters and cops and beautiful women of unknowable loyalties: Aside from the directors own back catalog, everything from Bi Gans Long Days Journey Into Night to the films of Wong Kar-wai has borrowed at least a few such embellishments. But The Wild Goose Lake may just end up being the last word in Chinese crime noir, because it does not want (or need) to be anything else. Related stories John Hannah Reunites With 'The Mummy' Actors for Horror Pic 'Lair' (EXCLUSIVE) Story continues Adult Audience Animation: Cannes Panel Talks Big-Screen Strategy The Moment It All Went Wrong is recounted in flashback by Zhou Zenong (Chinese TV star Hu Ge), to the mysterious, beautiful Liu Aiai (Gwei Lun Mei, also the star of Black Coal, Thin Ice). They meet in a rainy underpass amid all the films below-the-line excellence, the rain machine guy deserves some sort of award where Liu, who works as a bathing beauty (a fey euphemism for a prostitute who works on lakeside beaches) has come as a favor to her gang-affiliated boss, Huahua (Qi Dao), to deliver a message from Zhous wife. Theres a hefty dead-or-alive price on Zhous head, because in the fallout from the brawl (including an event billed as the Olympics of theft), one of his crew got spectacularly decapitated, and Zhou, fleeing for his own life, accidentally shot and killed a cop. This brings police captain Liu (Liao Fan, another star of Black Coal, Thin Ice) and his plainclothes squad into the chase for Zhou, too. Zhou, as stoic as a stock Robert Mitchum character and just as fatalistically resigned to things not ending well, just wants to ensure the reward goes to his wife if he does get caught or killed. And so he goes to ground in the notoriously crime-ridden environs of the eponymous lake, while trying to make contact with her. But his gang boss does not like the loss of face and control, while Liu Aiai wants out of her dismal life and maybe sees the reward as a means to that end. Populated with interchangeable gangsters and cops each adhering to arcane hierarchies and double-crossing the other and marred by an unnecessary rape scene, the plot is overcrowded, convoluted and really not the point. Instead, this is a film that lives in its vibrant craft and fluid reimagining of scenarios that should be stale cliches by now. Reteaming with cinematographer Dong Jinsong, Diao shows an extraordinarily elastic mastery of form. He can scale his inventiveness down to the intimate, as in a boat-set sex scene that includes Liu daintily spitting a mouthful of semen over the side. And he can scale it up to the massive, with exciting motorcycle chases; a witty wide shot of cops searching a semi-demolished building, its gutted interior open to view like a dolls house; and an incongruously beautiful hillside showdown, in which we can only make out the glint of guns and the stinging white of LED-soled trainers. Elsewhere, Dong soaks whole sequences in neon pinks and garish reflected blues, which throb with particular sleaze under B6s clanging, dramatic score, accented with some offbeat soundtrack choices an impromptu outdoor line dance happens to the strains of of Boney Ms Rasputin, for example. Theres room, too, for semi-surreal interludes, like a wander through a zoo, again under cover of night, where elephants blink in alarm at the intrusion and a tiger gazes impassively at a murder. At one point Zhou, who takes quite a few beatings and bullets over the films runtime, pioneers a self-bandaging technique that makes him look like a Cirque du Soleil aerial artist, wrapping himself in gauze rather than silk. At another, the ubiquitous transparent umbrella is gorily reinvented as a peculiarly cinematic lethal weapon. All this happens under Zhang Yangs sound design, so precise that it often conveys narrative all by itself. An aural bridge of a motorbikes distinctive drone, a sort of sonic fingerprint, lets us know Zhou is about to make a fateful encounter with Liu. Elsewhere, the sound withholds: In what seems a direct reference to the airstrip scene in North by Northwest, a train passing overhead renders Lius murmured plan of action inaudible, placing the audience even further on the back foot. Though the seamy locales give an almost palpable sense of life on the margins of solvency, legality and morality in modern China, it would be overstating to claim any great thematic weight here, and this will perhaps disappoint fans of Diaos earlier, stranger, more hybrid work. In the moment, however, it is exhilarating to witness this symphonic choreography that seems less like it was mapped onto its locations, and more like it came from within. It may refer inescapably to genre classics from elsewhere, but The Wild Goose Lake is like an organic feature of the Chinese cinematic landscape, as though it pooled onto the screen in all its oily, murky glory, having welled up from deep inside the ground. Suddenly, China feels like the noirest place on Earth. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Guido Ruds Buenos Aires-based FilmSharks International has acquired global sales and remake rights to renowned Latin American genre director Fernando Spiners latest feature Immortal, which participated in this years Blood Window Showcase at the Cannes Film Market. Included in the deal, FilmSharks also picked up Spiners sci-fi catalog which includes Sleepwalker and Adios querida luna. Related stories 'Chris the Swiss'' Anja Kofmel, Sereina Gabathuler Re-Team on 'Frozen Soil' (EXCLUSIVE) Cannes: Picture Tree Intl. Inks First Deals on 'Traumfabrik' (EXCLUSIVE) Immortal, currently in post-production, screened first-look footage in Cannes, garnering extensive international attention. Produced by Spiners Boya Films, its scheduled for a second quarter 2020 release. In the film, Ana returns to Buenos Aires to claim her inheritance. While looking through her fathers things, she meets his close friend Dr. Benedetti. A scientist, Benedetti has discovered a doorway to another dimension which allows Ana to reconvene with the dead. Ana predicts a scam, but the proposition quickly shifts to opportunity for the woman to change her life entirely. Fernando is a director that all Ibero-American audiences admire, and became a sci-fi legend in the late 90s, raved Rud. Now he is back in the genre, and after we saw footage (of Immortal) at Blood Window and read the script, we had to bid high against other international players. We knew we couldnt lose this masterpiece. It will fly everywhere when completed. Seen as a pioneer of Latin American science fiction, Spiners first film in the genre, Sleepwalker, premiered at the Toronto Intl. Film Festival in 1998 before selling to most of the world. In 2010 his Gaucho-Western Six Shooters was nominated for three Argentine Academy Awards, and was the countrys submission for Oscar consideration. He also served as artistic director at Argentinas Mar del Plata Festival over 2013-14. Story continues I conceived this story impelled by the commotion that the death of my father caused in me, Spiner explained. He added: The emotion pulsating throughout the film is the trauma caused by the loss of someone dearly beloved. That feeling grows even more when there are unsettled matters, or if it wasnt possible to say goodbye the way youd have wished. The films cast is lead by Argentine Academy Award-nominated actress Belen Blanco (El punter) and twice-nominated actor Daniel Fanego (Everybody Has a Plan). Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Gullane, the Brazilian producer of Marco Bellocchios Cannes competition player The Traitor, has linked with production partners for anticipated projects by two of Brazils highest-profile auteurs: Karim Ainouz and Fernando Coimbra. In further news, Luiz Bolognesi, writer-director of Annecy winner Rio 2096, is leading Senna, Gullanes biggest movie project to date, a live-action biopic of the Formula One legend. Related stories Sequel to Independent Movie Hit 'After' Launches in Cannes 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood': Quentin Tarantino Begs Cannes Crowds to Avoid Spoilers On Neon River, the English-language debut and biggest-scale movie ever of Ainouz, whose Rodrigo Teixeira-produced Invisible Life world premieres in Cannes Un Certain Regard this week, Gullane will co-produce with Germanys Match Factory Prods. and Japans Bitters End. A romantic action-thriller set in Tokyos near-future underworld, Neon River has been adapted by Ainouz and the U.K.s Toby Finlay. Sergio Machado, director of Brazils biggest animated movie Noahs Ark, which Gullane is producing with Walter Salles, is writing the latest screenplay version. Requiring extensive preparation, Neon River, which is Ainouzs next movie, is scheduled to shoot in early 2020, said producer Fabiano Gullane. The Rio-set mobster movie The Hanged, from Coimbra, described by Gullane as a tragic action thriller loosely inspired by Macbeth. It will be co-produced by Luis Galvao Teles and Goncalo Galvao Teles at Portugals Fado Filmes and Daniele Mazzocca, who co-produced Birdwatchers with Gullane. Pic stars Westworlds Rodrigo Santoro and Fernanda Torres, a Cannes best actress prize winner for Love Me Forever or Never, Coimbras feature debut, A Wolf at the Door, a take on the devastating revenge of a spurned lover, made him one of Brazils most -courted young directors, tapped to direct in the U.S. Dand Castle with Nicholas Hoult, plus episodes of Narcos. Story continues Senna will be made with the collaboration of the Instituto Ayrton Senna, run by the Senna family, Gullane said. Bolognesi is leading creativity. Gullane is currently defining partners from around the world for the project, Gullane added. The movie is being prepared to celebrate the 60th anniversary celebrations of Sennas life. International co-production and Gullane is one of Brazil leading movie practitioners is not just about financing, he insisted. For Brazilian companies like mine, when we have a more ambitious project, its fundamental to have co-production, he said. But co-production is not just about financing or the scale of a movie. A movie grows when theres different input on it. On Neon River for example, having the opinions of Michael Weber at Match Factory and and that of Yuji Sadai at Bitters End really enriches the process. Sign up for Varietys Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The keyword in all the advance talk about Terrence Malicks A Hidden Life was linear. The film, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, was supposed to mark the reclusive but prolific directors return to script-based filmmaking after years spent working in an improvisational, ruminative style; it was billed as Malick telling a story again rather than Malick indulging in his occasionally glorious, occasionally perplexing flights of fancy. Of course, linear is a relative term when it comes to Terrence Malick. A Hidden Life is anchored in story in a way the directors last few films have not been, but its storytelling rhythms are quintessentially his, with all the beauty and all the languor that that entails. Based on the true story of an Austrian conscientious objector who refused to fight for Nazi Germany in World War II, A Hidden Life is certainly the directors best movie since his 2011 Palme dOr winner The Tree of Life its his most monumental film since then, and perhaps his most sentimental film ever. And it is also slow and meditative, requiring viewers to sink into and surrender to that particular Malick style that some find maddening. Also Read: 'A Hidden Life' Stars Valerie Pachner and August Diehl on the Full Immersion of a Terrence Malick Film | Video It may well be seen as the movie where Malick gets his mojo back, though that could be an unfair characterization of a man who has remained a fascinating filmmaker over the eight curious years since The Tree of Life. Hes made more movies in that stretch than any similar period of his career, but gotten less acclaim for them. After creating a meditative, rapturous template with Tree of Life improvisation-based, full of whispered asides and fragments of conversation he went all the way down that rabbit hole with To the Wonder and Knight of Cups, with increasingly frustrating results for those who want more than gorgeous images and narrative conundrums. Story continues But Voyage of Time, his 2016 documentary on, essentially, the creation of the universe, was both ravishing and richly ruminative, particularly in the extended, Cate Blanchett-narrated version rather than the shorter, Brad Pitt-narrated Malick for kids IMAX version. The following years Song to Song went back to the earlier template, but the music provided a narrative spine that produced one of his most satisfying recent films, even if it fell well short of the grandeur of Tree of Life. And now comes A Hidden Life, which lets us know were in Terrence Malick territory from the start. Theres a black screen, the sounds of nature wind, running water and a soft voiceover: I thought that we could build our nest high up in the trees, a male voice says. Fly away like birds. We see shots of bucolic vistas high in the Austrian Alps, and then the choral grandeur of Bachs St. Matthew Passion comes in to make it crystal clear whose movie this is. But there is a strong narrative here, and its the true story of Franz Jagerstatter, an Austrian farmer from the small village of Radegund. When Nazi Germany annexed Austria in 1938, Jagerstatter reported for military duty but refused to swear the required oath to Adolf Hitler or to fight in what he considered an unjust war. He was imprisoned, sentenced to death and executed in the summer of 1943; his sentence was nullified by a Berlin court in 1997, and he was declared a martyr and beatified by the Roman Catholic Church in 2007. But those later developments arent covered in the film, and Malick isnt one to use end-credit updates, even in movies based on real events. Instead, A Hidden Life sinks into a few years of Jagerstatters life, from 1938 until his death. The first half of the three-hour film is pastoral and languid, exploring the relationship between Jagerstatter (August Diehl) and his wife Franziska (Valerie Pachner) in a style that will be familiar to Malick aficionados: glances, snippets of conversations, playful moments in the long grass and occasional voiceovers. But the talk is less fragmentary than in the past few Malick films. Seeing the rising influence of the Nazis, including some vitriolic anti-immigrant talk from the towns mayor, Jagerstatter consults a bishop about the idea of refusing to serve, arguing, Were killing innocent people, invading other countries. But the clergyman, mindful of whos in charge and what resistance would bring, is unmoved: You have a duty to the fatherland, he says. The church tells you so. Also Read: 'Hidden Life' Stars on Working on Terrence Malick's Film With 'No Breaks' (Exclusive Video) There is real majesty in Malicks images here, whether theyre images of beauty or of a growing mania and darkness. Is this year the end of the world? an older villager asks at one point. Is it the death of light? Malick drops in flashes of historical footage that suggest things might have been heading for just that, but mostly he sticks to his particular style of cinematic poetry even when the film moves into its darker and grittier second half, when Jagerstatter is imprisoned and we cut between his days in jail and his wifes struggle to survive in a village that has ostracized her. This stretch becomes an extended crisis of conscience, as person after person entreats Jagerstatter to take the loyalty oath and accept a non-combat job. The appeal is the same: How will this change anything, and who are you helping by doing this? The answer for Jagerstatter is clear: Im helping me live with myself. His position never changes, and this section of the film is where the deliberate discursive rhythms of Malicks storytelling can be wearying. This is also where the film becomes most reliant on voiceover, with the story carried along by the reading of letters between Jagerstatter and his wife. In this stretch, Franziska is in many ways as central a character as her husband, with Pachner and Diehl well matched; theyre why the film feels as sentimental as anything Malick has done (which, whatever the implications of the word sentimental, is not a complaint). James Newton Howards score is appropriately grand though as usual for Malick, its abetted by the extensive use of existing classical music, from Bach and Beethoven and Handel to Henry Gorecki, Arvo Part and Alfred Schnittke. As a World War II story, A Hidden Life has none of the visceral nature of Malicks The Thin Red Line, but its not meant to. This is part love story, part tragedy and part meditation on faith and conscience and its wholly Malick in a way that is closer to The New World and The Tree of Life than his films since then. Frustrating at times but beautiful far more often, A Hidden Life is a luminous and substantial addition to a singular filmography. Read original story A Hidden Life Film Review: Terrence Malick Gets His Mojo Back With World War II Drama At TheWrap IWCriticsPick Terrence Malick is back. Back from the present. Back from the twirling. Back from his battle with the boundlessness of digital technology, a neutral force that nevertheless has the power to seduce certain filmmakers away from their convictions. Malick has always been the cinemas most devout searcher, his faith and uncertainty going hand-in-hand. But the work hes made over the last few years hasnt been searching so much as lost. 2011s The Tree of Life found the auteur pivoting away from the past for the first time in his storied career, and that semi-autobiographical masterpiece came to serve as the auteurs bridge from historical frescos to contemporary sketches from profound awe to puzzled wonder. If Badlands and Days of Heaven once proved that Malicks impressionistic film language has the power to make myth feel like memory, the exasperating likes of Knight of Cups and Song to Song suggested that it also lacks the vocabulary to make sense of the 21st century. Unable to find any real measure of grace in a world that seems to have left it behind, Malick resigned himself to manufacturing his own artificial variety. His uncertainty faltered into doubt if not in his Christian God, than in himself. And thats how we got Ben Affleck watching Olga Kurylenko spinning herself stupid in front of a Sonic Burger. Related stories Xavier Dolan Hails 'Magnificent' Cannes Competitor 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire': A 'Powerful Piece of Cinema' 'The Lighthouse' Ignites Cannes, Along With Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe Oscar Talk But now, after seven long years of wandering in the desert at a time when evil has become so rampant that even atheists might tremble at the godlessness thats blowing over the world like a dull breeze Terrence Malick has finally rediscovered his conviction and returned to solid ground. And he hasnt come back empty-handed. Shot on digital (and taking full advantage of the catch-as-catch-can opportunities the format allows), but told with the probing moral urgency that was suffused into The Thin Red Line, A Hidden Life is a lucid and profoundly defiant portrait of faith in crisis. Its an intimate epic about the immense strength required for resistance, and the courage that it takes for one to hold fast to their virtue during a crisis of faith, and in a world that may never reward them for it. It is, without question, the best thing that Malick has made since The Tree of Life. Story continues Providing a soulful and occasionally sublime middle ground between Malicks two eras, A Hidden Life is only a few seconds old before it announces itself as a kind of return to form. An opening title card boasts that The following story is inspired by real events, and just like that, Malick makes his audience a promise that he intends to keep: This movie will have a story. The virtue of a coherent plot may be a bit overstated these days, particularly in an indie community that likes to stress how everyone has a story to tell, but Malick is in dire need of the bumper lanes that a linear narrative provides. And A Hidden Life provides a linear narrative, albeit one thats interrupted like a jammed radio signal, and characteristically assembled from the bits that other period epics might cut. The film begins in the idyllic valleys of Austrias St. Radegund, a postcard-perfect village thats located above the clouds and the storm thats brewing in the world below. The year is 1939, but that information doesnt seem to be especially relevant for Franz Jagerstatter (August Dielh) and his wife Fani (Valerie Pachner), a farming couple whose simple life is limited to their crops, their daughters, and the tight-knit community who gathers in the local pub each Saturday night and the local church each Sunday morning. and eventually their three daughters. We see the representative images of Malicks ideal life, complete with all the usual running and playing and frolicking in the fields. Imagine the childhood sequences from The Tree of Life transposed into pre-war Europe, and youll have a decent idea of how the first hour of Malicks new film unfold. One striking difference here is the absence of Malicks regular cinematographer/enabler, Emmanuel Lubezki, whos been replaced here by Joerg Widmer. Widmer, who worked as a camera operator on five of Malicks previous films, steps into the role without rocking the boat if anything, he steadies it. The natural lighting brings a rustic hue to everything it touches, while the lush camerawork is often as restless and anecdotal as it was in The Tree of Life, running towards the actors like an eager child and looking up at the adults with a sense of worship. Here, however, Malick slows his unmoored style to emphasize serenity, and punctuates the film with an array of static shots that are almost Herzogian in how they capture the indifference of the green mountains and the gentle mist that floats between them. Its all so beautiful that Franz quiet, stoic, more of a vessel than a man, and generally emblematic of how the simplicity of these farmer characters suits Malicks emotional detachment has to alert us to a disturbance in the force. It drifts up the hill like a pestilence that only he can see. News travels about Hitlers advancements, as does the fact that every able-bodied Austrian man will be forced to sign an oath pledging their allegiance to the fuhrer. Franz, whose father died on the losing and less dignified side of World War I, doesnt respond well to that idea. Oh my wife, Franz says via the voiceover track that predictably comprises most of the dialogue in this movie, what has become of our country? Thats only managed to become a more familiar refrain in the years that Malick spent tinkering with this footage in the editing room. Franz is a religious man, but not necessarily any more religious than the rest of the people in his mountain hamlet. Nevertheless, none of the other Christians seem troubled by the idea of swearing fealty to the antichrist (maybe documentary would be Malicks ideal mode?). The argument is that it wouldnt do any good for a few quiet farmers to defy the Third Reich theyd simply be sent to the camps, leaving their families to starve. Much to the hostile chagrin of his friends and neighbors, Franz disagrees. God wont send us more than we can bear, they insist, as they devolve into good Nazis. Of course, theyre unwilling to find out how much that might be. Franz has a far more proactive understanding of the free will that his God has given him. His understanding of divinity isnt driven by results. Franz isnt eager to martyr himself; hes not the Joan of Arc type, as much as Carl Theodor Dreyers influence can be felt throughout the final 90 minutes of this lightning-fast three-hour film, nor does he wish to position himself as the protagonist of Malicks version of Silence, which rebukes all versions of that story by insisting that apostasy in the name of survival can never be as Christ-like as dying on the cross. A Hidden Life is never spiteful towards Fani, or many of the other characters who plead with Franz to sign the oath once hes taken to a Berlin prison and branded as a traitor, but there is little ambiguity to the George Eliot quote that closes the film, and lends it its title: For the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs. A Hidden Life is essentially a pearl string necklace of unhistoric acts, as the banality of the moments that dominate Malicks attention help to reinforce the pointless of Franzs potential martyrdom. He isnt dying for a cause, or leaving behind an empire hes dying for his principles, and leaving behind a loving family and a few pigs. His is a moral narrative, not an emotional one, and Malick characteristically omits the major decisions that lead Franz to his fate, choosing instead to focus on the soul-searching that guides his decisions, and the anguish that they cause. The reward for Franzs nobility is as ambiguous on Earth as it is in heaven, but that is precisely why doing the right thing requires a measure of faith. Despite its repetitive and foraging nature, A Hidden Life flies by, as the film is helped along by gorgeous scenery, a beautiful score, and a handful of supporting performances from actors like Matthias Schoenaerts and Transit star Franz Rogowski (who earns the distinction of appearing in more than one scene). The late Bruno Ganz and Michael Nyqvist respectively make their final appearances as a Nazi judge and an anguished, sympathizing member of the Church. The relentless pace, and the distance that Malick keeps from his characters, only feels problematic after the film is over and youve been released from its grip. The moral velocity of A Hidden Life requires viewers to believe that Franz is doing the right thing, but the film only earns our sympathy and support by suppressing emotion, and limiting its access to how Fani and her children feel about the events that unfold. At times, that tactic feels like a cheap way for Malick to shore up his eclesiastical argument, as the film itself is never as conflicted as Franz appears to be in its first movements. Then again, faith isnt a fight to be won, but rather an ongoing conversation, and one that Malick is contributing to more productively than ever before (it was just recently that Malick wrote Silence filmmaker Martin Scorsese a letter that asked What does Christ want from us?). Early in A Hidden Life, theres a telling conversation between Franz and a man who paints murals of Christ on church ceilings happy paintings of Jesus surrounded by his disciples, so that parishioners might have something nice to see when they lean back and look up at the heavens. The painter laments the cowardice that has kept him from painting Jesus suffering on the cross. How can I know what I havent lived?, he asks Franz. Someday Ill have the courage to venture. Someday Ill show them a true Christ. For Malick, his someday has finally arrived. For the rest of us, this show of faith hasnt come a moment too soon. Grade: A- A Hidden Life premiered in Competition at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival. It is currently seeking U.S. distribution. Launch Gallery: 20 Cinematographers You Should Know at Cannes 2019 Sign up for Indiewire's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Fashion Designer Jean Paul Gaultier poses at the venue of the 2019 Eurovision song contest in Tel Aviv Fashion Designer Jean Paul Gaultier poses at the venue of the 2019 Eurovision song contest in Tel Aviv, Israel May 18, 2019. REUTERS/Amir Cohen By Rami Amichai TEL AVIV (Reuters) - Jean-Paul Gaultier has dressed Madonna as a "futuristic" Joan of Arc for her guest performance at the Eurovision Song Contest final in Israel, the fashion designer told Reuters on Saturday. "It's fantastic to have Madonna, especially for the Eurovision," Gaultier said outside the Tel Aviv venue of the 2019 songfest. The French designer said his inspiration came from one of his own countrywomen. "Kind of Joan of Arc, you know? Because she is like a winner - a winner, kind of. A warrior, let's say," he said, smiling. "Twenty years, thirty years ago (Madonna) didn't know what was Eurovision, and now shes singing there." Madonna was scheduled to perform two songs at the music competition - new number "Future" and her 1989 hit "Like A Prayer". The 60-year-old "Queen of Pop", known for repeatedly reinventing herself, has faced criticism for performing in Israel - pro-Palestinian groups have urged musicians to shun the event to protest Israels policies in the West Bank and in Gaza. Israel says the boycott calls are discriminatory and anti-Semitic, which boycott activists deny. In a statement earlier this week, Madonna explained her decision to attend, saying she would always speak up to defend human rights and that she hoped to see "a new path toward peace". Gaultier has collaborated with the music superstar for decades, from her iconic conical bras to the glitzy Met Gala in New York. His work with Eurovision is also long-standing: he has dressed previous winners Dana International and Conchita Wurst. (Writing by Tara Oakes; Editing by Stephen Farrell and Marie-Louise Gumuchian) Savannah Guthrie traded Rockefeller Center for the National Mall this weekend, delivering the George Washington University commencement speech in Washington, D.C. on Sunday. Speaking with PEOPLE before her big moment, the Today co-anchor previewed the advice she wants to share with students: give the worrying a break. I try to think about what I wish someone had told me when I was their age or at that moment in my life, and my big message is not to worry so much; that they have goals, and they should have goals, but really, the journey is the whole purpose, Guthrie, 47, told PEOPLE. Its a timely message for graduates, as a new study from UC Berkeley suggests the number of 18- to 26-year-old students who report suffering from anxiety disorder has doubled since 2008. What youre doing, the life you live, the company you keep, the friends you have and the things you learn along the way, that is the goal, said Guthrie. At some point, I say, Your path is your purpose. And I really believe that. Im all for setting high goals and just really trying to get after them, but I want them to feel good about whatever their path looks like. The way Guthrie sees it, the college graduates are already on their way, theyre already doing what theyre supposed to do and theyre just where theyre supposed to be. GWU Its a lesson Guthrie has learned through trial and error on her path to Today. After graduating cum laude from the University of Arizona with a degree in journalism in 1993, Guthrie worked very hard sending out tapes to get her first TV news job. I tell the story in the speech its funny now, but it wasnt funny then, said Guthrie. I finally, finally landed a job in TV news in a tiny market in Montana, moved all the way up there, and 10 days after I started, they closed the station. My career was over before it even began. Story continues RELATED VIDEO: Savannah Guthrie on Becoming a Mom Later in Life: I Can Really Take My Time and Enjoy My Kids It was one of those moments where you think, Its over, Im all washed up, Ive got nowhere to go, said Guthrie. Its what you do in those moments that ultimately determine your whole path. After moving back home and feeling embarrassed, I started sending out those tapes again, trying to get a job again and ultimately I did, she said. But Guthrie hit the reset button again about five or six years into it, deciding to quit her job and head to Georgetown Law, where she graduated magna cum laude in 2002. I thought I wanted to be a lawyer, and I practiced law for a while, Guthrie told PEOPLE. And then I had an epiphany that, wait, I really wanted to be in TV news. Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb | Peter Kramer/NBC/NBC NewsWire via Getty Looking back on her own twisty, zigzaggy journey, Guthrie cant help but laugh. If anything, my experience will show that you can get off your path, you can have a course that doesnt look like it was planned at all and you can still end up right where you wanted to go and right where you wanted to be, she said. Getting there is half the interesting part anyway. Guthries advice has been years in the making, but she admitted to working on this speech for months. I feel a lot of pressure because I really want to give them a speech that will inspire them and be memorable, she said. Ive probably written like 10 drafts of it, but at some point, you just have to turn in a final draft and hope its good. Savannah Guthrie and husband Michael Feldman with daughter Vale and son Charley | Savannah Guthrie/Instagram Shes had some help along the way, especially from husband Michael Feldman, 50, with whom she shares daughter Vale, 4, and son Charley, 2. My husband has been my great helper and has read, I think, every draft of the speech, she said. Hes just a great encourager, but also has good ideas. With the preparation behind her, Guthrie said she was excited and honored to be part of the GWU graduates special day: I love the idea of getting to share that moment with people who are just on the verge of really heading out into the world and going after their dreams. Demonstrators fly a blimp portraying U.S. President Donald Trump, in Parliament Square, during the visit by Trump and first lady Melania Trump in London, Britain, July 13, 2018. REUTERS/Peter Nicholls/File Photo By Guy Faulconbridge and Alex Fraser LONDON (Reuters) - A blimp depicting Donald Trump as a snarling, nappy-wearing orange baby will fly outside Britain's parliament when the U.S. president makes a state visit next month if protesters can raise 30,000 pounds ($38,000) for advocacy groups. At the invitation of Queen Elizabeth, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are due in Britain on June 3-5 for a state visit - a pomp-laden affair involving a carriage trip through London and a banquet at Buckingham Palace. Britain's so called special relationship with the United States is one of the enduring alliances of the past century, but some British voters see Trump as crude, volatile and opposed to their values on issues ranging from global warming to his treatment of women. The blimp greeted Trump when he visited Britain in 2018, in what he described as an attempt to make him feel unwelcome, and the man behind the giant inflatable said he would let it fly again if a crowdfunding campaign can raise 30,000 pounds for groups backing causes from climate action to women's rights. "The blimp will get in the air when Donald Trump is on these shores," Matt Bonner, its designer - who casts himself as a "Trump babysitter" - told Reuters. "The point of this is to mock Donald Trump, to give him a taste of his medicine." "What we want to do this time is to use the power, the momentum of Trump baby to help support people on the ground who are fighting against Trump policies and Trumpism more generally," Bonner said. London's mayor Sadiq Khan gave permission for the six-metre (20 foot) tall balloon to fly next to the Palace of Westminster in central London during Trump's previous visit, provoking anger from the U.S. president's supporters who said it was an insult to the leader of Britain's closest ally. A spokeswoman for Khan's Greater London Authority (GLA) said any application to fly the blimp on land that the GLA managed would be judged by the same criteria as last time by GLA officials, the police and the Civil Aviation Authority. Story continues "A state visit legitimises a very controversial figure who is perpetuating divisions in our society and challenging that is much more important than any special relationship we have with the United States," Bonner said. While the British monarch makes the formal invitation for a state visit, the visit was offered by Prime Minister Theresa May when she became the first foreign leader to visit him after his inauguration in January 2017. During his trip last year, Trump shocked Britain's political establishment by giving a withering assessment of May's Brexit strategy. He said she had failed to follow his advice, such as suing the EU, but later said May was doing a fantastic job. Standing to benefit from the crowdfunding campaign are British groups UK Student Climate Network, Jawaab and Sisters Uncut, as well as U.S. organisations Sunrise Movement, United We Dream and Planned Parenthood. "The baby always had an element of fun, but we're deadly serious about standing in solidarity with those affected by Trump and the politics he represents across the world," said Sheila Menon, one of the team behind the blimp. Queen Elizabeth has hosted U.S. leaders including Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton in her 67-year reign. But Trump is only the third U.S. president to be accorded the honour of a state visit, after George W. Bush in 2003 and Barack Obama in 2011. Last year, as hundreds of thousands protested across Britain, Trump was feted with a lavish dinner at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of British World War Two leader Winston Churchill. He and Melania also had tea with the queen at Windsor Castle. The president then breached royal protocol by publicly disclosing details of a conversation he had with the monarch about the complexities of Brexit. This year, the visit will include a meeting with May in Downing Street and also a ceremony in Portsmouth on the south English coast to mark the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy, France during World War Two. ($1 = 0.7863 pounds) (Writing by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Mark Potter) When Corneliu Porumboiu began making films in Romania just after the turn of the century, we knew what Romanian cinema was like or, at least, we knew what the branch that came to be known as the Romanian New Wave was like. The movement, one of the most vital cinematic eruptions of the 2000s, was full of dark, minimalist, realist films that depicted, either overtly or implicitly, a society that was rotten to the core. Theres some of that in Porumboius The Whistlers, which had its world premiere on Saturday at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is dark and its set in a world where you cant trust anyone but its also got John Wayne and Alfred Hitchcock homages and enough twists and turns to require a detailed scorecard. The Whistlers is no minimalist slice of realism, but an oversized, deliciously twisted ride that runs on an endless supply of black humor and a sizeable body count. You wont laugh much while youre watching it, but its a hoot nonetheless. Also Read: Cannes Report, Day 4: Amazon and Paramount Open Their Wallets, Mariah Carey Sings! And while it doesnt feel like a typical entry in the genre that was launched to international attention by Cristi Puius The Death of Mr. Lazarescu and Cristian Mungius 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days, thats to be expected. The movement long ago morphed into a group of creative filmmakers going in whatever direction they wanted, with a jaundiced view of society and a dark humor being the only constants. And a humor thats so black you can barely see it has long been one of Porumboius go-to skills. His brilliantly exasperating drama Police, Adjective, which won the Jury Prize in Un Certain Regard at Cannes in 2009, was a procedural that deliberately bogged down in endless semantic arguments; you either surrendered to its talkiness or you threw up your hands in frustration, and either way the director was probably fine with your reaction. The Whistlers is his first film to make it into Cannes main competition, though the writer-director has had success at the festival through the years not just Police, Adjective, but also his short A Trip to the City (Calatorie la oras), which won second place in the Cinefondation competition in 2004, his debut feature, 12:08 East of Bucharest, which took the Camera dOr as the best first film at Cannes in 2006 and his 2015 film The Treasure, which won the Un Certain Talent award in UCR. Story continues Also Read: 'Pain and Glory' Film Review: Antonio Banderas Plays Pedro Almodovar - Sort Of The new film is about Cristi, a police officer who comes to Gomera, a rocky outcropping described as the jewel of the Canary Islands by a chirpy tour guide. Hes been sent to help free an imprisoned businessman, Zsolt, but first he has to learn a local language that consists entirely of whistling; the idea is that if he knows it, he can communicate without tipping off the various private and governmental forces who are tracking and watching his every move. The whistling language is ridiculous but presented with the utmost earnestness (and conveniently subtitled). Cristis mission, though, is all but doomed from the start. Nobody trusts anybody else, everybody is cutting deals and making double-crosses at every opportunity, and Cristi is under such close scrutiny that the colleague who recruits him has to pose as a high-priced hooker for the surveillance cameras in his house. (She does a thorough and convincing job.) The labyrinthine plot can be hard to follow, but the deadpan humor keeps things moving. Porumboiu is in a playful mood from the moment the film opens with Iggy Pops The Passenger blasting on the soundtrack to the Psycho reference that pops up in violent scene near the end. Nobodys innocent, hardly anybody survives and the ride is stylish fun the whole bloody way. Read original story The Whistlers Film Review: Romanian Wild Ride Runs on Black Humor At TheWrap 2020 candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard presses that US must not go to war with Iran originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, who has made foreign policy a central part of her campaign, said President Donald Trump is "setting the stage for a war in Iran." "He is leading us down this dangerous path towards a war in Iran," Gabbard told ABC News' Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos on This Week Sunday. On Wednesday, Gabbard told ABC News that she believed actions coming from Trump and national security adviser John Bolton, "are dangerously escalating us closer and closer towards a devastating war with Iran." (MORE: State Department orders non-emergency government employees out of Iraq amid tensions with Iran) On This Week, Gabbard, who is a member of the House Armed Services Committee, went further, telling Stephanopoulos, "I think what were seeing, unfortunately, is what looks a lot like people in the Trump administration trying to create a pretext or an excuse for us to go to war against Iran." She warned that a war in Iran "would actually undermine our national security, cost us countless American lives, cost civilian lives across the region, exacerbate the refugee crisis in Europe and it would actually make us less safe by strengthening terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda." PHOTO: Rep. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard speaks on Capitol Hill in Washington, May 15, 2019. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters) Also on Wednesday, as tensions continued to build, the U.S. State Department ordered all non-emergency government employees to leave the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad and the U.S. Consulate in Erbil. "We heard conflicting stories coming from the British commander who is the co-commander of the fight against ISIS and al-Qaeda there in Iraq and Syria saying, hey, he hadnt seen an escalation of tensions or threats coming from these Iraqi -- or these Shia militias serving in Iraq," she said. Stephanopoulos asked Gabbard about the withdrawal from the diplomatic posts, which she responded were not the result of the White House's claims of increased tension in the Middle East. Story continues (MORE: Meet Tulsi Gabbard, the first Hindu member of Congress and a 2020 candidate) The 2020 candidate, an Iraq war veteran who also serves as a major in the Hawaii National Guard, has made clear her stance against military involvement in foreign nations. Gabbard told Stephanopoulos, "I've also seen and experienced the cost of war firsthand. And I'm committed -- as commander in chief -- to end these wasteful regime change wars." While Gabbard has called the president out for his rhetoric and policies, she has also adopted some of Trumps key phrases such as "fake news." When asked on This Week about a Daily Beast article that claimed her campaign received donations from "Putin Apologists," Gabbard refuted the claim and described the piece to ABC News as a "whole lot of fake news." Stephanopoulos asked Gabbard, "many Democrats have been tougher on Vladimir Putin than President Trump. Do you think Democrats are taking too hard a line?" She responded, "I think that the escalation of tensions that weve seen between the United States and nuclear-armed countries like Russia and China -- and youre right -- it has come from this administration, its also come from some Democrats and Republicans in Congress." It has brought us to this very dangerous point where nuclear strategists point out that we are at a greater risk of nuclear war now than ever before in history and weve got to understand what the consequences of that are, she added. Presidential candidate Rep. Seth Moulton unveils national service proposal originally appeared on abcnews.go.com Rep. Seth Moulton, D-Mass., a 2020 presidential candidate and Iraq war veteran, released his "National Service Education Guarantee" plan Sunday to encourage young Americans to serve their country -- in the military, in AmeriCorps, in FEMA Corps or, in what he would create if elected, the "Federal Green Corps tasked with combating climate change and helping the environment. "[This is] the kind of forward-looking policy that I think we need to meet the challenges of a changing world, to address climate change, to bring broadband to rural communities and to say to America we need a common mission," Moulton told ABC News Chief Anchor George Stephanopoulos on ABC's "This Week." The Marine veteran described his plan as an investment in the future, saying "If you invest in America then America will invest in you." he said. Modeled on the G.I. Bill, the plan would establish an education benefit for those who serve and would expand the presidents cabinet by creating a secretary position for the lead administrator of a renamed and restructured National and Community Service Administration. Many of the 2020 presidential candidates have released education policies, with some focusing on free college tuition. But Moulton's pitch emphasizes public service and allocates money for those who serve towards education and job-training benefits, including an option for vocational schools. (MORE: Who is running for president in 2020?) Different than the selective service, Moulton said on This Week that the call to serve would not be mandatory. "Im asking all 33 million young Americans to consider serving their country not to make it a requirement, but an expectation," he said. Moulton said this would be the "largest call to national service since World War II." Story continues The plan comes at a time where public service is not widely popular among Americans. There are 75,000 people currently serve with AmeriCorps and 1.3 million are active duty military personnel, which makes up roughly 0.4% of the entire U.S. population. "Its time for the generation that fought in Iraq and Afghanistan to take over for the generation that sent us there," Moulton told Stephanopoulos. (MORE: Who is Democratic presidential candidate Seth Moulton?) In a field of 23 Democratic candidates, Moulton said he has found a void his campaign could fill by focusing on public service and national security. "I'm the only one who's really been talking about national security and taking on President Donald Trump in his job as commander in chief, and I do that with the experience of having served on the ground in combat," he said Sunday. The three-term congressman serves on the House Armed Services Committee and has long been an advocate for fellow veterans: he created the Serve America PAC to support Democratic veterans running for office.This past year, 40 Republicans lost their seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and, of the 40 newly-elected Democrats, 21 of them were backed by the Serve America PAC. Moulton said he doubts Trumps ability to lead, calling the president a "weak commander in chief" who "dodged his own generations war" by using his fathers connections. He also criticized Trumps national security advisor John Bolton, who served in President George W. Bushs administration, claiming Bolton is "pushing America into Iran" like he "pushed America into Iraq" under Bush. Pointing to his seven years in the U.S. Marine Corps, Moulton said it has "given[him] a firsthand perspective on what it takes to make America safe and strong." Describing his time in combat, Moulton told This Week, "In fact, I fought Iranians on the ground in Iraq in 2004. It was bloody. We won. And if necessary, I will fight Iran again. But right now, war is not necessary." GIVING BACK: I first worked here when I did a Chanel cruise show up on that hill, I remember walking down was weird, walking up was weird, too. I love this location and Ive supported a lot of amfARs here, said Toni Garrn, slipping into her seat at a charity lunch and auction she cohosted with Amend on Friday on the terrace of the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, with views across the Mediterranean. Over 130,000 euros was raised at the event, with event producer Andy Boose auctioning off items including a Terry ONeill photo of David Bowie and Elizabeth Taylor and a Chopard Happy Love watch. Guests included Remo Ruffini, John Nollet, Ellen von Unwerth and Daria Strokous, with the funds raised going to Amends programs for preventing road traffic injuries to children in Africa and the Toni Garrn Foundation, which supports education initiatives for girls in Africa. Related stories Quentin Tarantino, Robert Pattinson Attend Vanity Fair's Cannes Bash 2019 Cannes Film Festival: The Gipsy Kings Entertain Guests at Annual Finch & Partners Filmmakers Dinner 2019 Cannes Film Festival: Vogue Paris and Dior Host Riviera Dinner In business mode, Garrn wore a pink suit by Victoria Hayes. I feel like a Barbie, said the model-turned-actor, whose latest roles include playing a German secret agent in Spider-Man: Far From Home. I have a very strong German accent, its really fun. I get to give Tom [Holland], who plays Spiderman, a new suit because hes traveling through Europe. Im like, You cannot wear a red and blue suit anymore, you need a black suit, she said. Garrn, who once dated Leonardo DiCaprio, said the paparazzi situation in Cannes is way worse here than anywhere else. I remember, one time my friend and I were trying to get back on the tender of a boat we were staying on, but there were so many paparazzi we couldnt find it. So now there are all these pictures of me going, Where are you? and just a billion paparazzi not letting me on, she said. It was one of those moments, I feel like everyone here feels like a Hollywood superstar for a minute. On her charity work, Garrn, who recently returned from a trip to Ghana and has just wrapped a program in Zimbabwe, said, There are 30 million girls [in Africa] who are not going to school, and if you educated those girls they would turn into educated mothers. She added, Theres a saying in Africa: If you educate a woman, you educate a village. If you educate a man, you educate a single person. Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. MONTE CARLO Alberta Ferretti knows her customers, and while she continues to deliver those dreamy and feather-light chiffon gowns that the designer herself admits have forged her identity, she is also seeking to add a touch of eccentricity. Speaking ahead of her resort show here on Saturday evening, Ferretti said her recent increased attention to daywear continues with a more precise image, as she works to offer sophisticated alternatives to the strong women who are her customers. Related stories Massimo Ferretti on Alberta Ferretti's Evolution Moschino, Alberta Ferretti Parent Aeffe Q1 Profit Up 4.3% Kate Hudson Launches New Ready-to-Wear Apparel Line There has been so much talk about streetwear, but I think there is a desire to be more eccentric and unique, to explore a more personal and special language. Women today are no longer afraid to dare, said Ferretti. The designer explained that she wanted to emphasize Italian craftsmanship. In a global world, Italian fashion needs to continue to have its own identity and we need to talk about this. Paraded at the yacht club overlooking the sleek multimillion-dollar boats harbored below, it was inevitable for the collection to be inspired by the sea, or nature in general a staple for Ferretti. Nature is what conveys emotions, a sense of life and beauty, she said. Case in point: the chiffon gowns in the colors of the sea that move with the body as the waves in the ocean, she said, with ruffles or feather inserts alternated with delicate macrame lace, beautifully and intricately sewn with patchwork techniques. The designer hardly goes wrong with these gowns, and, as a testament to this, Eva Longoria flew in, via helicopter, from nearby Cannes, where she had opened the film festival three days ago poured into a pink Ferretti gown. But, in sync with the designers attention to comfort and daywear, at the show Longoria wore what she described as a comfortable and warm white pantsuit, given the unseasonably chilly evening. Story continues It feels amazing on the body, [Ferretti] nails both style and comfort, the actress said. Speaking about the festival, she said this was the first time it was 50-50 womens and mens entries, it makes me happy and its exciting. We are making forward progress. Longoria was sure to find more of Ferrettis red-carpet gowns on the runway, such as a stunning design embellished with a print that reproduced the seabed and its plants. But, as promised, there was plenty of daywear: easy sand-colored polos; suede pants finished with gold metal eyelets and pastel-colored denim; cabans in soft wool; deconstructed, superlight trenches, and fluid pleated dresses with belt buckles resembling nautical knots. The latter pointed to Ferrettis own development of the strong bourgeois streak seen on the fall runways in February, but at the same time, the designer winked to a younger customer, such as Beatrice Borromeo, who attended with her husband Pierre Casiraghi, vice president of the Yacht Club. For example, a blue tailored jacket was offset by a miniskirt, or a bomber jacket was casually thrown over faded denim shorts. Even younger was the collection that closed the show: Ferrettis Love Me fully sustainable capsule of recycled cashmere pulls, T-shirts and denim miniskirts developed with Eco-Age and Livia Firth. To be sure, the designer the evening before had received the Ethical and Sustainable Award from the Chambre Monegasque de la Mode, during Monte-Carlo Fashion Week, which was from May 15 to 19. I cant say that it can all be solved in a few collections, but we have to start somewhere. We also have to make sure we care about the sustainability of the human being, said Ferretti of the living and working conditions of those who make clothes. The designer will bring the capsule to New York in June. We want to engage as many people as possible, she said. Launch Gallery: Alberta Ferretti Cruise 2020 Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [SOUND] It's been a year since Meghan Markle officially became the Duchess of Sussex. The pomp and circumstance surrounding that big royal wedding Givenchy dress and all put Markle's everyday outfits under even more scrutiny, if that was even possible. But instead of bowing under the pressures of royal protocol (nail polish, anyone?) and trying to outshine a certain other duchess, the year since Meghan's big day has let her take a breath, get a little more relaxed with what she wears, and really show off her own personal style. For an outing with the queen for a viewing of the Mersey Gateway Bridge one of her first solo gigs with HRH Meghan chose to wear something pretty and proper. It would be one of the rare post-wedding moments where she looked super-formal. The custom Givenchy look featured a tailored capelet and clean, sleek lines, but when you're sitting by the queen herself, staying a little bit sedate is probably a good idea. She opted for the same designer when she attended the Royal Ascot, which still saw her staying buttoned up in a flowing, white shirtdress. Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images RELATED: Prince Harry Wore an "I Am Daddy" Jacket and We're Screaming Prince Louis's christening saw Meghan loosen up, shifting away, ahem, from shift dresses and more conservative silhouettes. Though she was still very covered-up, the olive green Ralph Lauren dress had flowing sleeves and Meghan's fascinator was sleek and modern, a stark contrast to Kate Middleton's more traditional choices. After seeing Meghan's taupe Roland Mouret dress, which she wore to meet Irish President Michael Higgins, it became clear that she was hitting her stride. Sleek, sculptural, and flowing shapes would become a trademark for her, leading right up to the announcement that she and Prince Harry would be welcoming a new royal baby. Dominic Lipinski/AP RELATED: Meghan Markle Just Dispelled a Huge Myth About Postpartum Bodies Story continues Meghan's tailored pieces show that she's not afraid to buck the royal standbys, too. Instead of ballgowns and traditionally proper, ladylike dresses, she's a fan of pants, blazers, and trench-inspired dresses, a style that would also become a Markle signature. She wore one by House of Nonie at the Nelson Mandela Centenary Exhibition and opted for a sexy tuxedo dress by Judith and Charles to take in a performance of Hamilton. After seeing so much leg on display, it's safe to say that Meghan's one of the only royals that has sex appeal on the mind. She's not afraid to show a little skin if the moment calls for it. Shutterstock Samir Hussein/Getty Images It's not just dresses. Meghan's shown that she's got plenty of personality when it comes to coats, too. Instead of appearing in somber black and blue outerwear, she's not afraid to show some personality. For the launch of her cookbook, Together: Our Community Cookbook, she wore a Smythe coat; and for the wedding of Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank, she chose a Givenchy coat that was sleek and modern. Press Association via AP Images BEN STANSALL/Getty Images Meghan took maternity style to a whole new level, thanks in part to the fact that her pregnancy included an official Tour of Australia, New Zealand, Tonga, and Fiji in addition to all of her usual royal duties. While she was growing, she wore fitted and bump-flattering dresses, including a black and white Safiyaa gown, shimmering Roland Mouret, and the unforgettable Givenchy one-shoulder dress during her surprise appearance at the British Fashion Awards. All the while, she kept the same laid-back luxe feel. She didn't just go down under, either. Meghan and Harry took a second royal tour to Morocco, where she wore looks ranging from a J.Crew army jacket to a flowing Dior dress. She's got the range, because whether she decided to put on a gown by Brandon Maxwell or Erdem or an LBD from Club Monaco, or even a more casual outfit, like her Ralph Lauren blazer at London's WE Day, she was projecting her own tastes, not any royal rules. Mark Cuthbert/Getty Images Pool/Samir Hussein/Getty Images Yui Mok And that streak of self-expression came right up to the birth of her baby. Many applauded Meghan's choice for Archie's official debut, a cream-colored trench dress by Wales Bonner, because it showed off her post-baby bump. WPA Pool/Getty Images It's just one more reason fans see Meghan as one of them. She may be a princess, but she's also herself, whether she's wearing Club Monaco or Dior couture. CANNES, France Rambo is in fighting form. That was the message from Avi Lerner, executive producer of the Rambo franchise, who joined industry movers and shakers at a dinner and party held by Vanity Fair at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on Saturday night, hosted by Vanity Fair editor in chief Radhika Jones and sponsored by Chopard. Sylvester Stallone is due to arrive in Cannes in the coming days for the premiere of Rambo V: Last Blood on May 24. Hes getting old, we have to accept it, but hes doing good. Hes still Rambo, said Lerner, standing on the edge of the venues rain-lashed terrace, raindrops bouncing off his suit. Lerner said the plan is to do another Rambo film. Related stories 2019 Cannes Film Festival: Toni Garrn Cohosts Charity Cannes Lunch With Amend 2019 Cannes Film Festival: The Gipsy Kings Entertain Guests at Annual Finch & Partners Filmmakers Dinner 2019 Cannes Film Festival: Vogue Paris and Dior Host Riviera Dinner Hes in very good shape, Sly is the king. Hes training, hes exercising, he eats well, he looks good. What more do you want? he said, heading off to see Antonio Banderas, who was feeling a little weary after the emotional premiere for Pedro Almodovars Pain and Glory the night before. Banderas character in the film is loosely based on the Spanish director, with the film a popular contender for the Palme dOr. It was so emotional it was almost embarrassing, actually, we didnt know what to do, shrugged Banderas, pounding his heart with his fist. Adding an extra note of glamour to the event the golden-ticket party of the Cannes Film Festival with guests including Charlotte Gainsbourg, Shailene Woodley, Adrien Brody, Liev Schreiber and Charlotte Casiraghi was porcelain-skinned Dita Von Teese, who had poured herself into a glittery Jenny Packham bustier gown for the night. The burlesque star said shes been vacationing in Europe, describing the break as the calm before the storm before her new show, Glamonatrix, will kick off in Australia this year before touring in Europe in 2020. Story continues The whole concept is strength in women, its very womanly, a departure from the typical pin-up things I do, she said. Its a reinvention of the Champagne and martini glass acts, with lots of new things. Having a cigarette on the edge of the terrace, with views over the illuminated pool, meanwhile, Chloe Sevigny, dressed in Miu Miu, said the highlight of Cannes so far since her films premiere at the opening ceremony was escaping to the Colombe dOr hotel in Saint-Paul de Vence for one night. Andre [Saraiva] managed to get me a room. Theres the art museum right there. Ive been to Cannes 10 times but Ive never been there, not even for dinner for one night, she said. It was nice to take a breather as Im here for 12 nights! Greeting guests inside, Chris Tucker said his festival highlight was the after-party for Rocketman, where Elton John performed. To hear his voice live, it was great, he said. Sporting a deep South of France tan, Pamela Anderson was accompanied by her son, Brandon Thomas Lee, who stars in the soon-to-be-released The Hills: New Beginnings. Dressed in a Ermenegildo Zegna suit, the actor chatted about the values his mother instilled in him as a kid. Growing up, no matter what it was, it could have been something small, she always wanted me and my brother to stick up for what we believe in. She has always been strong in her approach to activism. When she really focuses in on something like Julian Assange, the whales or anything that has to do with PETA, shes all about it, he said. She really doesnt work that much anymore, shes all about helping the wounded, anything thats wounded, whether its people or animals. I commend her for that. It doesnt pay her any money most people want to do things for money, but she doesnt care. Shes a great mum. With the party ambience cranking up a notch, on came Stuck in the Middle With You as live-wire Quentin Tarantino in town for the world premiere of his latest movie, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie entered the room, making a beeline for Robert Pattinson, who was hanging in the corner drinking a beer. Standing nearby, full of Woody Allen-style tics, The Social Network star Jesse Eisenberg looked a little awkward. With his play, Happy Talk, under way in New York, starring Susan Sarandon, hes in town to present the Kafkaesque Lorcan Finnegan-directed Vivarium in which he stars opposite Imogen Poots. Im happy they selected it, its unusual for me. Its about this couple who are trying to find the perfect home and end up getting stuck in a kind of fever dream of suburban life, he said, suddenly crisping up. This feels like doing a commercial for myself, stammered the actor, turning the attention on Felix Moati, his costar in the just-wrapped movie Resistance, about a group of Jewish Boy Scouts who worked with the French Resistance to save the lives of 10,000 orphans during World War II. We play French brothers, said Eisenberg, disappearing into the crowd. Launch Gallery: Vanity Fair and Chopard Party at Cannes Film Festival Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. BANDA ACEH, Indonesia (AP) Poor weather conditions have forced seven French navy fighter jets taking part in a training exercise to make emergency landings in northern Indonesia, an Indonesian air force official said Sunday. The crews of the seven Dassault Rafale combat planes landed safely at Sultan Iskandar Muda air force base in Aceh province on Saturday, 90 minutes after taking off from their aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Indian Ocean, said Aceh air force base commander Col. Hendro Arief. "We had to open our base to them to land as they were in an emergency state due to bad weather," Arief said. He said air force radar confirmed that the planes were initially flying out of Indonesian territory when fog and bad weather forced them to land immediately as they were trying to return to their aircraft carrier, located 100 nautical miles west of Sumatra's exclusive economic zone. Arief said Indonesian air force personnel had completed an inspection of the planes. Five of the seven jets were returned to their carrier on Sunday, while the other two were still having technical problems, Arief said. French diplomats in Indonesia were informed of the incident. COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) For more than two decades, Nancy Mace did not speak publicly about her rape. In April, when she finally broke her silence, she chose the most public of forums before her colleagues in South Carolina's legislature. A bill was being debated that would ban all abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected; Mace, a Republican lawmaker, wanted to add an exception for rape and incest. When some of her colleagues in the House dismissed her amendment some women invent rapes to justify seeking an abortion, they claimed she could not restrain herself. "For some of us who have been raped, it can take 25 years to get up the courage and talk about being a victim of rape," Mace said, gripping the lectern so hard she thought she might pull it up from the floor. "My mother and my best friend in high school were the only two people who knew." As one Republican legislature after another has pressed ahead with restrictive abortion bills in recent months, they have been confronted with raw and emotional testimony about the consequences of such laws. Female lawmakers and other women have stepped forward to tell searing, personal stories in some cases speaking about attacks for the first time to anyone but a loved one or their closest friend. Mace is against abortion in most cases and supported the fetal heartbeat bill as long as it contained the exception for rape and incest. She said her decision to reveal an attack that has haunted her for so long was intended to help male lawmakers understand the experience of those victims. "It doesn't matter what side of the aisle you are on, there are so many of us who share this trauma and this experience," Mace said in an interview. "Rape and incest are not partisan issues." Personal horror stories have done little to slow passage of bills in Georgia, where a lawmaker told about having an abortion after being raped, or Alabama, where the governor this week signed a law that bans all abortions unless they are necessary to save the life of the mother. Story continues In Ohio, a fetal heartbeat bill passed even after three lawmakers spoke out on the floor about their rapes among them State Rep. Lisa Sobecki, who argued for a rape exemption by recounting her own assault and subsequent abortion. It was gut-wrenching, the Navy veteran said, but her decision to speak out was validated the next day when she was approached in the grocery store by a man in his 70s, whose wife of 41 years had read of her account that morning in the local newspaper. The story prompted his wife to tell him for the first time that she also had been raped. "It's not just our stories," Sobecki said. "It's giving voice to the voiceless, those that haven't felt for a very long time that they could tell their stories and be heard." Four years ago, when a previous fetal heartbeat bill was being debated, state Sen. Teresa Fedor, then a state representative, surprised colleagues with her story of being raped while in the military and having an abortion. She felt compelled to share the story again this year when the issue resurfaced. "It's not something you like to focus on," the Toledo Democrat said. "And it didn't seem to have an impact in stopping the effort, so that's the sad part." The governor signed the bill, without exceptions for rape or incest. Ohio state Rep. Erica Crawley, a Democrat representing Columbus, said she didn't intend to share the story of her sexual assault when floor debate on the heartbeat bill began. But she said she was motivated by a Republican colleague who alleged that witnesses at committee hearings on the bill had exaggerated or fabricated their stories. "I wanted them to know that I'm someone you have respect for, and this has happened to me," she said. Crawley felt she had no choice but to speak out: "Because if I stay silent, I feel like I'm complicit." Kelly Dittmar, an expert on women and politics at Rutgers University, said she would not be surprised if even more female lawmakers begin to speak out about their rapes and abortions. More women feel empowered by the #MeToo movement, she said, and the record number of women who won seats in state legislatures last year gives them a greater voice. "For some women who have healed enough in their own personal battles with this type of abuse, they might be comfortable speaking about this publicly because they see a higher purpose for it," she said. One such woman is Gretchen Whitmer. In 2013, she was minority leader in the Michigan state Senate when she spoke against a Republican-backed effort to require separate health insurance to cover abortion. Seven minutes into her floor speech, a visibly upset Whitmer put down her notes and told her colleagues that she had been raped more than 20 years earlier and that the memory of the attack continued to haunt her. She thanked God that she had not become pregnant by her attacker. In an interview this week, the Democrat said her decision to share her story was the right one. After her testimony, her office received thousands of emails from people thanking her. "That was the thing that bolstered me the most and convinced me that I had to continue speaking out and running for office and taking action," she said. "There are a lot of victims and survivors out there who care, who need to be heard, who need to be represented and who need the law to reflect what we want and need to see in our country." Earlier this week, Michigan's Republican-led Legislature passed two bills to restrict abortions and sent them to the governor. That governor is now Whitmer. She said she will veto both of them. ___ Cassidy reported from Atlanta. ___ Follow Julie Carr Smyth at http://www.twitter.com/jcarrsmyth and Christina Cassidy at http://twitter.com/AP_Christina Philadelphia (AFP) - Democrat Joe Biden made a passionate appeal for national unity Saturday but also took square political aim at Donald Trump, branding the president a "divider in chief" who must be ousted in 2020. At a boisterous rally in Philadelphia, the former vice president urged voters to end the mean-spirited pettiness and partisan squabbles that have left Americans angry and dispirited in recent years. "This nation needs to come together," the veteran politician told a crowd estimated at 6,000 in Philadelphia, in the largest rally of his nascent campaign. "Our president is the divider in chief," he added, accusing Trump of demonizing opponents and using scapegoats to fuel animosity. "If the American people want a president to add to our division, to lead with a clenched fist, closed hand and a hard heart, to demonize opponents and spew hatred, they don't need me," Biden said in a raised voice. "They've got President Donald Trump." Biden, 76, came to Washington in a less polarized era, and he cited his work across the aisle during his 36 years in the US Senate to assure Democrats that "compromise is not a dirty word" and can lead to successes going forward. "Let's stop fighting and start fixing," he said. The number two to popular president Barack Obama is now making his third White House bid, and relishes his prime position atop the pack of 2020 Democratic contenders. But the party eminence appeared to ignore the primary jockeying with his Democratic rivals and cast his eye directly at the general election battle against Trump. After a month of more modest events, the large-scale rally in Pennsylvania's largest city highlighted the importance Democrats place on winning back the swing state that Trump snatched in 2016. Biden was born and raised in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and the sun-splashed downtown event was a nod to his modest roots. Story continues But far from being the underdog, Biden is looking to cement his status as the man to beat. He is a blue-collar voter whisperer who claims he is best positioned to defeat Trump. But Biden must also balance the concern that while he is the most experienced candidate out there, he embodies the Washington insider cachet that many voters rejected in 2016 when they chose Trump over former secretary of state Hillary Clinton. "Maybe he's a little bit establishment, but he was always Joe from Scranton," Mickey Kirzecky, a health care consultant who attended the rally, told AFP. "He still has that, and I think that's going to be tough for Trump to fight." Polls give Biden a growing lead over the 22 other hopefuls. The latest RealClearPolitics aggregate puts him at 39.1 percent support, more than double the 16.4 percent of his nearest rival, liberal Senator Bernie Sanders. No one else is in double digits. - 'Beat Trump' - As voters start paying more attention, Biden -- who to date has campaigned mostly in broad strokes -- will be under pressure to flesh out policies on everything from health care and wages to immigration. Next month he will be expected to provide details on multiple positions -- and engage his party rivals more directly -- when Democrats gather for their first televised debate of the 2020 season. Biden has already called for a clean energy "revolution," and in his Saturday speech assured that he supports the traditional Democratic goals of protecting voting rights and broadening access to health care. But Biden warned that none of those goals could be achieved should Trump secure another four years in the White House. "If you want to know what the first and most important plan in my climate proposal is: Beat Trump," he said. "Beat Trump. Beat Trump." - Blue-collar appeal - Even as some supporters encourage Biden to take the high road, the Democrat displayed a willingness for confrontation as he said the president "embraces dictators and tyrants like (Vladimir) Putin and Kim Jong Un." Biden has aligned himself closely with Obama, drawing support from African-American voters, and he went out of his way Saturday to praise Obama's "courage," character and vision. In doing so he took another swipe at the current Republican president, who has routinely boasted about the well-performing US economy. "President Trump inherited an economy from the Obama/Biden administration that was given to him, just like he inherited everything else in his life," he said. Biden styles himself, like Trump, as an ardent defender of working class Americans, someone who can win back the Midwestern, white, male blue-collar voters who went for the Republican in 2016. Trump has insisted he does not see Biden "as a threat." But he has bestowed a negative nickname on his rival -- "Sleepy Joe" -- and scheduled a campaign rally for Monday in northern Pennsylvania, near Scranton. By James Oliphant PHILADELPHIA (Reuters) - Seeking to build on early momentum in his 2020 presidential bid, former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden on Saturday condemned "anger" within his own Democratic Party and pledged to work to unify the country in the wake of Donald Trump's presidency. At a rally in downtown Philadelphia, Biden, as he has done throughout the beginning stages of his campaign, made Trump his central target, blasting him as "the divider-in-chief." But he also chided other Democratic presidential candidates in the field, suggesting that anger toward Trump within his party was not enough to win next year's presidential election. His message, Biden said, was expressly aimed at Democratic, Republican and independent voters alike. "Some of the really smart folks say Democrats don't want to hear about unity," he said. "They say Democrats are so angry, and that the angrier your campaign will be, the better chance you have to win the Democratic nomination. Well, I don't believe it." About 6,000 people attended the rally, which had, by design, the feel of a general-election event. With his poll numbers currently swamping the rest of the Democratic field, Biden has often acted as if his current opponent is Trump and not the other 23 Democrats vying for the party's nomination. "If the American people want a president to add to our division, to lead with a clenched fist, closed hand, a hard heart, to demonize the opponents and spew hatred - they don't need me, they've got President Donald Trump," Biden told the crowd, which was bookended by large video monitors. Democratic nominating contests begin next February, giving the dynamics of the race plenty of time to shift. But Biden, 76, has opened up a more than 20-point lead over his nearest rival, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders, in several public opinion polls. Biden, a U.S. senator for 30 years and a two-term vice president under Barack Obama, has argued he is best positioned to take on Trump next year. Attendees at the event said they agreed. "He's going to be the one who takes Trump out of office," said Daril Murard, 27, of Langhorne, Pennsylvania. "That's why I'm here." Tim Reihm, 48, drove to the event from his hometown of York, Pennsylvania. "I think there's been a tendency in the party to drift a little too far left and I think that's going to disenfranchise a large section of the country," Reihm said. "Joe represents a sort of a more middle ground where we can bring people together instead of becoming more and more fractious." Biden also answered critics who have mocked his pledge to work with Republicans as unrealistic should he win the White House. "I'm going to say something outrageous," he said. "I know how to make government work." Biden's remarks drew a swift response from the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, a liberal advocacy group that backs another candidate, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren. A fundraising memo sent to members after the rally accused Biden of trying to splinter the party. "Joe Biden is dividing Americans when, after the historic 2018 election, he tells voters they are wrong to be angry - and wrong if they don't want 'unity' with corrupt Republican politicians," the memo said. "We don't need a Democratic nominee who rejects the fact that people are righteously angry in the Trump era," it said. Biden has established his campaign headquarters in Philadelphia, illustrating the importance of Pennsylvania to Democratic hopes next year. Trump narrowly won the state over Hillary Clinton in 2016. Trump will hold an event of his own on Monday in northeast Pennsylvania. Prior to Biden's speech, the Republican National Committee in a release pointed to statistics showing how Pennsylvania's economy has improved during Trump's presidency. Biden will not have the luxury of shrugging off the rest of the Democratic field much longer. In recent weeks, he has been criticized by Senator Kamala Harris for his past support for the 1994 crime bill that critics say led to mass incarceration of African-Americans, by Sanders for his support of the North American Free Trade Agreement, and by Warren for his ties to the credit-card industry. With Biden the clear front-runner, those attacks are likely to intensify. But Biden on Saturday said he would keep his focus on Trump and not his rivals for the nomination. "You will not hear me speak ill of another Democrat," Biden said. Following the Philadelphia event, Biden is expected to spend the next several weeks focusing on policy announcements and raising money. (GRAPHIC: Who is running in 2020 - https://tmsnrt.rs/2Ff62ZC) (Reporting by James Oliphant; Editing by James Dalgleish, Tom Brown and Daniel Wallis) (Reuters) - Boeing Co has made corrections to simulator software that mimics the flying experience of its 737 MAX jets, which were involved in two fatal crashes, and the company has provided additional information to device operators, a spokesman said on Friday. The spokesman, Gordon Johndroe, said the changes will ensure that the simulator experience is representative across different flight conditions and will improve the simulation of force loads on the manual trim wheel that helps control the airplane. The comments came after the New York Times on Friday reported https://www.nytimes.com/2019/05/17/business/boeing-737-max-simulators.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage that Boeing recently discovered that the flight simulators airlines use to train pilots could not adequately replicate conditions that played a role in the 737 MAX crashes. "Boeing is working closely with the device manufacturers and regulators on these changes and improvements, and to ensure that customer training is not disrupted," Johndroe said. Although the simulators are not built by Boeing, the planemaker does provide the underlying information on which they are designed and built, the New York Times said. The 737 MAX was grounded in March following a fatal Ethiopian Airlines crash that killed all 157 on board just five months after a similar crash of a Lion Air flight of a 737 MAX killed 189 people. On Thursday, Boeing said it had completed a software update for its 737 MAX jets and that is also submitting a plan on pilot training to the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. (Reporting by Tamara Mathias in Bengaluru and Eric M. Johnson in Seattle; Editing by Leslie Adler) CAIRO (AP) A roadside bomb hit a tourist bus on Sunday near the Giza Pyramids, wounding at least 17 people including tourists, Egyptian officials said. The officials said the bus was travelling on a road close to the under-construction Grand Egyptian Museum, which is located adjacent to the Giza Pyramids but is not yet open to tourists. The bus was carrying at least 25 people mostly from South Africa, officials added. The attack comes as Egypt's vital tourism industry is showing signs of recovery after years in the doldrums because of the political turmoil and violence that followed a 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Hosni Mubarak. The officials said security forces cordoned off the site of the explosion and the wounded were taken to a nearby hospital. The explosion damaged a windshield of another car, they said. Footage circulated online shows shattered windows of the bus. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief media. Atif Moftah, general supervisor of the Grand Egyptian Museum, said the explosion did not cause any damage to the museum, in a statement issued by the antiquities ministry. No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. It is the second to target foreign tourists near the famed pyramids in less than six months. In December, a bus carrying 15 Vietnamese tourists was hit by a roadside bomb, killing at least three of them. Egypt has battled Islamic militants for years in the Sinai Peninsula in an insurgency that has occasionally spilled over to the mainland, hitting minority Christians or tourists. The insurgency gained strength after the 2013 military overthrow of the country's first freely elected president, an Islamist whose brief rule sparked mass protests. SHANGHAI (Reuters) - The United States has "fabricated" accusations that China forces firms to hand over technology in exchange for market access, China's top Communist Party newspaper said on Saturday, the latest salvo in a bitter trade war. China announced this week it would retaliate against a move by Washington to raise tariffs on $200 billion of Chinese imports amid complaints Beijing had done little to resolve U.S. concerns about the theft of intellectual property and the forced transfer of technology to Chinese firms. The People's Daily said in an editorial China had never forced U.S. firms to hand over technology and the claim was "an old-fashioned argument used by some people in the United States to suppress China's development". "The U.S. argument about the 'forced transfer of technology' can be described as being fabricated from thin air," it said. The United States had not yet been able to provide any evidence to back up the claims, the editorial said. It said the United States benefited substantially from voluntary technological cooperation, earning $7.96 billion in intellectual property use fees in 2016 alone. Washington's "fragile nerves" were caused by China's own rapidly growing research and development capabilities, the paper said. The increasingly acrimonious dispute between the world's top two economies has rattled investors and roiled global markets. The United States said negotiations were likely to resume soon but China said no fixed date had been set yet and Washington needed to show sincerity in any new round of talks. State news agency Xinhua accused the United States of pursuing global hegemony in a separate editorial published on Saturday and said Washington would suffer more from an all-out trade war than China. "In fact, compared to China, the United States is more reliant on external markets and international economic relations, and is more vulnerable to global economic shocks," Xinhua said. "If the United States persistently stokes up trade disputes, it will certainly affect the global market, and the consequences will inevitably see itself suffering greater losses," it said. (Reporting by David Stanway; Editing by Paul Tait) Paris (AFP) - From economic union via the euro to a migration crisis and Brexit, here is a look at 60 years of ups and downs in the European Union. - Birth of a European bloc - On May 9, 1950 French foreign minister Robert Schuman unveils proposals for an economic union between France and West Germany. A year later six countries -- Belgium, France, West Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and The Netherlands -- establish the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC). - Towards the EU - On March 25, 1957 the same six sign the Treaty of Rome that establishes the European Economic Community, a common market. It takes effect a year later, establishing key European institutions: the Council of Ministers, the executive European Commission and the Parliamentary Assembly, which later becomes the European Parliament. The first parliamentary elections by direct universal suffrage take place in 1979. Britain, Denmark and Ireland join the EEC on January 1, 1973. They are followed by Greece in 1981, Portugal and Spain in 1986, and Austria, Finland and Sweden in 1995. On February 7, 1992 the Maastricht Treaty is signed, laying the foundation for a single European currency. In January 1993 a single market allowing the free movement of goods, services, people and capital becomes reality. The EEC becomes the European Union on November 1, 1993. It is only in March 1995, however, that travellers in some EU member states will be able to travel without showing their passports under the Schengen accord that drops some internal border controls. - Euro and enlargement - Euro banknotes and coins go into circulation in 12 countries on January 1, 2002, replacing national currencies such as the deutschmark, franc, lira and peseta. Britain, Denmark and Sweden, however, decide to keep their national currencies. In the aftermath of the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, the EU on May 1, 2004 swells to 25 members, taking in Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. Story continues Bulgaria and Romania join in 2007, and Croatia becomes the 28th member in 2013. - Crises - Storm clouds gather in 2005 as French voters reject a draft European constitution, as proposed in the Treaty of Lisbon. Three days later, Dutch voters do the same. Shocked European leaders manage to get the treaty ratified in 2009 with provisions designed to improve the functioning of the enlarged EU institutions. In November 2009 Athens reveals a sharp rise in its public deficit, unleashing a financial crisis across the eurozone. First Greece, then Ireland, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus seek aid from the EU and the International Monetary Fund, which demand strict fiscal discipline in return. Several heads of government fall as austerity measures provoke a popular backlash. Just as it begins to emerge from the financial crisis, Europe is hit by its most serious migration crisis since the end of World War II with the arrival of hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers peaking in 2015. EU leaders fail to work out a joint action plan. - Divorce with Britain - In the biggest blow to the union, Britain on June 23, 2016 votes 52 percent in favour of quitting the EU, putting itself on course to become the first country to quit. It comes with the bloc weakened by the rise in populism and euroscepticism. After three years of disagreement and delays over the divorce terms, the deadline for Brexit is pushed back to October 31, 2019. TEHRAN, Iran (AP) Iran's foreign minister traveled Friday to China on his Asian tour aimed at keeping world markets open to Tehran amid an intense sanctions campaign from the U.S. as tensions across the Persian Gulf remain high. Concerns about a possible conflict have flared since the White House ordered warships and bombers to the region to counter an alleged, unexplained threat from Iran that has seen America order nonessential diplomatic staff out of Iraq. Tensions have also ratcheted up in the region after authorities alleged that a sabotage operation targeted four oil tankers on Sunday off the coast of the United Arab Emirates, and Iran-aligned rebels in Yemen claimed responsibility for a drone attack Tuesday on a crucial Saudi oil pipeline. Saudi Arabia directly blamed Iran for the drone assault, and a local newspaper linked to the Al Saud royal family called on Thursday for America to launch "surgical strikes" on Tehran. This all takes root in President Donald Trump's decision last year to withdraw the U.S. from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers and impose wide-reaching sanctions. But Trump took a soft tone Thursday, a day after tweeting that he expected Iran to look for talks. Asked if the U.S. might be on a path to war with the Iranians, the president answered, "I hope not." Iranian officials remain skeptical. Imposing sanctions while seeking talks is like "pointing a gun at someone and demanding friendship," said Iranian Gen. Rasool Sanaeirad, according to the semi-official Mehr news agency. That comment was echoed by Majid Takht-e Ravanchi, Iran's ambassador to the United Nations. "They want to have the stick in their hands, trying to intimidate Iran at the same time calling for a dialogue," Ravanchi told CBS. "What type of dialogue is this?" For his part, Trump criticized the media in a tweet Friday about Iran and added: "At least Iran doesn't know what to think, which at this point may very well be a good thing!" Since the White House's decision May 5 to deploy the bombers and aircraft carrier, the U.S. government has declined repeated requests to publicly explain the new threat they perceive coming from Tehran. Story continues Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif later responded to Trump on Twitter. "We in Iran have actually known what to think for millennia_and about the U.S., since 1953," the diplomat wrote, referring to the CIA's involvement in the overthrow of Iran's prime minister at the time. "At this point, that is certainly 'a good thing!'" Then Trump appeared to minutes later respond to Zarif's tweet. "With all of the Fake and Made Up News out there, Iran can have no idea what is actually going on!" the U.S. president wrote. On Friday, Zarif arrived in Beijing to speak to his Chinese counterpart. China was one of the signatories on Iran's 2015 nuclear deal with world powers, which saw it limit its enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of crushing economic sanctions. "So far, the international community has mainly made statements instead of saving the deal," Zarif said, according to a report by the state-run IRNA news agency. "The practical step is quite clear: economic relations with Iran should be normalized. This is what the deal clearly addresses." Foreign Minister Wang Yi told Zarif that China hopes the Iran nuclear deal can be "fully implemented." "China firmly opposes unilateral sanctions and the so-called 'long arm' jurisdiction imposed by the United States on Iran," Wang said, according to China's Xinhua state news agency. He pledged to maintain the nuclear deal and work with Iran to eliminate "complicated disturbing factors," Xinhua said. Zarif earlier visited Japan, a major importer of crude oil from the Persian Gulf. Iran recently said it would resume enriching uranium at higher levels if a new nuclear deal is not reached with Europe by July 7. That would potentially bring it closer to being able to develop a nuclear weapon, something Iran insists it has never sought. The USS Abraham Lincoln and its carrier strike group have yet to reach the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow mouth of the Persian Gulf through which a third of all oil traded at sea passes. A Revolutionary Guard deputy warned that any armed conflict would affect the global energy market. Iran long has threatened to be able to shut off the strait. "If a war happens, the world will suffer from problem in energy supply," Gen. Saleh Jokar said, according to a report Friday by the semi-official Fars news agency. He also said Iran's short-range missiles "can easily reach present warships in the Persian Gulf," while noting the 2,000-kilometer (1,240-mile) range of the Islamic Republic's ballistic missiles can reach across the wider Persian Gulf. The U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet, which patrols the Persian Gulf from its base in Bahrain, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. However, the USS McFaul and the USS Gonzalez, two Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, transited the strait on Thursday without incident. Also on Friday, Britain's Foreign Office advised against all travel to Iran by British-Iranian dual nationals. The government said the upgraded travel warning is in response to Iran's "continued arbitrary detention and mistreatment" of dual nationals and of Iranian citizens working for institutions linked to Britain. Benchmark Brent crude traded near $73 a barrel on Friday, up around half a percent. ___ Associated Press writer Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, contributed to this report. Philadelphia (AFP) - As the one true known quantity in the Democratic nomination race, former vice president Joe Biden sits atop the pack of 2020 presidential contenders, relishing the prime position as he hosts a kickoff rally Saturday. No one knows whether the man who served as number two to popular Democratic president Barack Obama for eight years will run away with this contest -- his third White House bid in as many decades -- or fade out in the months-long test of political skill and stamina to come. But the former longtime senator and lion of the Democratic Party is gearing up for what is certain to be a titanic battle against President Donald Trump. After a month of modest events at union halls and pizza joints in early-voting states like Iowa, Biden is counting on making a splash at a rally in Philadelphia, the largest city in must-win Pennsylvania, a state Trump snatched from Democrats in 2016. He has made Philadelphia his campaign headquarters, in a further sign of the importance he is placing on winning back the state for his party in 2020. His kickoff will be held near the Philadelphia art museum steps immortalized by the scrappy boxer's run in the movie "Rocky." Biden was born and raised in Pennsylvania, and the rally is a nod to his modest roots. But far from being the underdog, Biden is looking to cement his status as the man to beat, the blue-collar voter whisperer who is best positioned to take on and defeat Trump. And while his delayed entry into the race drew criticism that he might not be ready to mount a thoroughly energized campaign, the slow-and-steady strategy appears to be paying off. By setting his own terms, limiting media engagements and minimizing chances for going off-script, the gaffe-prone Biden is emphasizing his status as preeminent party dignitary. Polls give Biden, 76, a comfortable lead over the 22 other hopefuls. The latest RealClearPolitics aggregate puts him at 39.1 percent support, more than double the 16.4 percent of his nearest rival, liberal Senator Bernie Sanders. Story continues No one else is in double digits. After a deeply divisive 2016 race, Democratic voters may be looking for an antidote to Trump, the brash politically inexperienced billionaire. "What matters to them at the moment is a safe choice, a known entity, and somebody who they believe could beat President Trump at his own game," Lara Brown, director of George Washington University's Graduate School of Political Management, told AFP. Nearly nine months before the first nomination votes are cast, Biden is the lone Democrat, aside from perhaps Sanders, with the celebrity status that comes close to Trump's. But as voters start paying more attention, Biden -- who to date has campaigned mostly in broad strokes -- will be under pressure to flesh out positions on everything from health care and wages to immigration. "Biden is the right man for the moment," Brown said. "Whether he will be the right Democrat eight months from now is still really up in the air." - Blue-collar appeal - Biden's dominance has already changed the race's dynamic, with its early stars like senators Sanders, Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren forced to play catch up, and leveling criticism at the frontrunner. Warren and Sanders, each of whom is highlighting the need to narrow the nation's economic inequalities, are expected to ramp up criticism of Biden as the embodiment of the Washington establishment. Several rivals are from a newer generation, putting them at odds with the old-school Biden, whose major challenge may well be appealing to younger voters. And while candidates like ex-congressman Beto O'Rourke are keeping up relentless schedules, honing their messages at townhalls and meet-and-greets, Biden has opted for more protected environments. "Let's see what happens when he's taking questions that haven't been vetted," Brown said. Doing so will require fleshing out his policies, something that has already sparked controversy. Biden caught flak from liberal groups and candidates for failing to embrace more progressive positions on climate change. He says he will lay out a climate policy in the coming weeks. He has aligned himself closely with Obama, drawing major support from African American voters, a crucial constituency. But he will also need to be prepared to lean leftward to acknowledge the party's more progressive tilt. At the same time, he styles himself, like Trump, as an ardent defender of working class Americans, someone who can win back the Midwestern white, male blue-collar voters who went for the Republican in 2016. "If you're appealing to older, more mainstream voters, I think the story that's emerging from his campaign is not that he's the agent of radical change, but that he's going to be a more stable leader," said political science professor Robert Boatright of Clark University. South Florida Sun Sentinel FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. The Holbrook family of Michigan stepped off Royal Caribbeans Odyssey of the Seas frustrated and angry after the cruise ship they were on returned to Port Everglades from its eight-night voyage. Christopher Holbrook, 49, tested positive for COVID-19 while aboard and spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in his room in isolation. It was the worst Christmas, Holbrook said ... Washington (AFP) - President Donald Trump issued an ominous warning to Iran on Sunday, suggesting that if the Islamic republic attacks American interests, it will be destroyed. "If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again," Trump said in a tweet. Tensions between Washington and Tehran have been on the rise as the United States has deployed a carrier group and B-52 bombers to the Gulf over what it termed Iranian "threats." This account has been met with widespread skepticism outside the United States. The White House has sent mixed signals in recent days, amid multiple US media reports of infighting in Trump's cabinet over how hard to push Washington's arch foe Iran. The Trump administration has ordered non-essential diplomatic staff out of Iraq, citing threats from Iranian-backed Iraqi armed groups, and sent an aircraft carrier and heavy B-52 bombers to the region. On Sunday, a Katyusha rocket was fired into Baghdad's Green Zone housing government offices and embassies including the US mission. It was not immediately clear who was behind the attack. According to US media reports, Trump's long-hawkish national security advisor John Bolton is pushing a hard line on Iran, but others in the administration are resisting. Trump himself said recently that he has to "temper" Bolton. Iran's foreign minister downplayed the prospect of a new war in the region on Saturday, saying Tehran opposed it and no party was under the "illusion" the Islamic republic could be confronted. "We are certain... there will not be a war since neither we want a war nor does anyone have the illusion they can confront Iran in the region," Mohammad Javad Zarif told state-run news agency IRNA at the end of a visit to China. Iran-US relations hit a new low last year as US Trump pulled out of a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed unilateral sanctions that had been lifted in exchange for Tehran scaling back its nuclear program. Story continues Saudi Arabia called Sunday for emergency regional talks to discuss the mounting Gulf tensions, saying that it does not want war with Iran but is ready to defend itself. It comes days after mysterious sabotage attacks on several tankers in highly sensitive Gulf waters and drone strikes on a Saudi crude pipeline by Yemen rebels who Riyadh claimed were acting on Iranian orders. King Salman invited Gulf leaders and Arab League member states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences", the kingdom's official SPA news agency reported late Saturday. Saudi Arabia's minister of state for foreign affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, said Sunday his country does not want to go to war with Iran but would defend itself. Saudi Arabia "does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it," he said. "But at the same time, if the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with strength and determination to defend itself and its interests." The kingdom's regional allies welcomed the Saudi invitation. The United Arab Emirates' foreign ministry said the current "critical circumstances" require a unified Arab and Gulf stance. Oil producing countries met Sunday in Saudi Arabia to discuss how to stabilise a volatile oil market amid the rising US-Iran tensions, which threaten to disrupt global supply. Oil supplies are sufficient and stockpiles still rising despite massive output drops from Iran and Venezuela, said Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates said at the meeting in Jeddah. - 'Childish regimes' - Qatar Sunday weighed in on the escalating tensions, saying it did not believe the US or Iran wanted a war in the region. "US President Donald Trump has said he does not want war, and I do not think Iran wants war or instability in the region," minister of state for foreign affairs Sultan al-Muraikhi told AFP on the sidelines of a Qatar Fund for Development briefing. "I think if we move away from the childish regimes in the region, all troubles will be settled." Muraikhi said Doha -- which remains isolated by neighboring former allies in a long-running diplomatic dispute -- has not yet received a formal invitation to either meeting. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Egypt are among the countries that cut ties with Qatar in June 2017 over accusations it supports terrorism and seeks closer ties with Tehran. Four ships including two Saudi oil tankers were damaged in mysterious sabotage attacks last Sunday off the UAE's Fujairah, near the Strait of Hormuz -- a vital maritime route for oil exports which Iran has threatened to close in the event of a war. That incident was followed by drone strikes Tuesday claimed by Yemen's Iran-aligned rebels on a major Saudi oil pipeline built as an alternative export route if the Strait of Hormuz were to be closed. Saudi Arabia accused Tehran of ordering the pipeline attacks, targeting "the security of oil supplies... and the global economy". Tensions in the Middle East are escalating, driving oil prices higher and sparking concerns about conflict between the U.S. and Iran. The Trump administration took steps this week that appear geared toward finding a diplomatic pathway after a year of ratcheting up pressure on Iran. Analysts say Iran is likely not ready to negotiate and will seek to strengthen its hand before it agrees to talks. President Donald Trump appears to be paving the way for negotiations with Iran as tensions in the Middle East steadily escalate and send oil prices higher this week. However, energy industry watchers and experts in the region believe the Iranian leadership in Tehran is not ready for talks. They say the Islamic Republic will first seek to strengthen its hand after the Trump administration tightened sanctions on the nation's lifeblood, oil exports, and designated the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps a terrorist group . That leaves room for miscalculations that could keep the oil market on edge. Tehran and Washington have already misread one another's actions , leading to a dangerous series of counter measures between the adversaries, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. Trump on Thursday met with Swiss President Ueli Maurer, whose nation has facilitated communication between the U.S. and Iran since they broke diplomatic ties in 1979. A day earlier, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo phoned Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman, another long-time intermediary between the U.S. and Iran. That outreach, along with Trump's recent remarks that he wants Iran to call him, are fueling speculation that Washington is seeking a diplomatic path after a series of troubling escalations in the Middle East. This week alone, four vessels were allegedly sabotaged in a strategic oil port off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Iran-aligned Houthi rebels in Yemen also claimed responsibility for drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure, prompting retaliatory airstrikes by Saudi Arabia on Houthi positions in Yemen. Story continues Meanwhile, Washington has expedited the deployment of warships and bombers to the Middle East and pulled diplomatic staff from Iraq in response to intelligence suggesting Iran is planning attacks on U.S. positions in the region. The posturing has raised concerns that hawks within the White House are setting the stage for military conflict. But a day before his meeting with the Swiss president, Trump reportedly told acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan that he does not want to go to war with Iran. On Friday, Trump took to Twitter to denounce the "Fake News Media" for "fraudulent and highly inaccurate coverage of Iran." Tweet. "I think they're trying to walk it back a bit," said John Kilduff, founding partner at energy hedge fund Again Capital. "I don't think Trump wants a war. I think he thinks it would hurt his reelection efforts." Oil prices have risen about 2% this week on Middle East tensions. If the rhetoric from Washington cools, oil prices could pull back at least $2 a barrel, Kilduff said. Risk consultancy Eurasia Group believes Trump is serious when he says he wants Iran to call him to negotiate. "Trump is supremely confident in his negotiating abilities and believes he can strike deals that no other president can. He wants to repeat with [Iranian President] Hassan Rouhani what he did with Kim Jong Un," Eurasia Group analysts Henry Rome and Jeffrey Wright said in a research note. Rome and Wright say the Iranian foreign minister's offer last month to negotiate a prisoner swap may have opened the door for this week's meeting with the Swiss. But following increased U.S. pressure, Tehran is now likely to focus on building leverage against Washington before agreeing to talks. That includes by continuing to scale up its nuclear program. Iran is restarting some nuclear activity it previously agreed to suspend under a 2015 accord with world powers. Trump pulled the U.S. out of the deal last May and restored wide-ranging economic sanctions on Iran, setting in motion a year of steadily escalating tension with the Islamic Republic. The U.S. sanctions are seen by Tehran as economic warfare aimed at regime change, and that presents an obstacle to coaxing Iran to the negotiating table, says Helima Croft, global head of commodity strategy at RBC Capital Markets. "If we're going to persist down the policy course we're on, which is essentially to eviscerate the Iranian economy, even if we say we want to talk, are they going to listen to us unless we sweeten the offer?" she said. She added, "It doesn't look at this point like we're really incentivizing them to sit down with us." In order to reach a diplomatic breakthrough, Croft believes the Trump administration likely needs to revisit a list of 12 demands it placed on Iran last year. Those include stopping ballistic missile tests, accepting a tougher nuclear deal and ending support for U.S.-designated terror groups. That could mean challenging hardliners, particularly National Security Advisor John Bolton, the official behind many of the recent U.S. escalations in recent weeks. Trump has reportedly grown frustrated with Bolton over his role in increasing tension in the Middle East, but the president also tried to tamp down reports of conflict in the Oval Office. On Twitter, he called reports of "infighting with respect to my strong policy in the Middle East" fake news. Eurasia Group's Rome and Wright say there's merit to those reports. "Trump likely views Bolton as trying to box him in and limit options to avert violent confrontation," they said. "While Bolton's job is not likely in danger, the disagreements between the two men on this issue are significant and real." More From CNBC By Susan Heavey WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump on Friday acknowledged he would need some support from Democrats to support his immigration and border agenda, even as opponents soundly rejected his latest proposals as the immigration issue heats up ahead of the 2020 U.S. elections. A day after unveiling a plan to shift to a "merit-based" immigration system, the Republican president said there was a "good chance" that Democrats would back him and provide funding to manage record migrant flows along the U.S.-Mexico border. "The Democrats now realize that there is a National Emergency at the Border and that, if we work together, it can be immediately fixed. We need Democrat votes and all will be well!" Trump said in a series of early morning tweets on Friday. Such talk of bipartisan cooperation on the explosive immigration issue for years has ended in failure and finger-pointing. Even though the issue is now back on Trump's agenda, Democrats have shown little interest in compromise. On Thursday, the president called for legal immigration changes that would favor young, educated, English-speaking applicants, instead of people with family ties to those already living in the United States. The proposal, drafted by Trump's son-in-law and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, has little chance of being approved by the divided Congress. The proposals do not address one of the Democrats' key issues: protection for "Dreamers," the roughly 11 million people brought to the Unites States illegally as children. At the same time, Trump is pushing ahead with building portions of a U.S.-Mexico border barrier with money he is diverting from other purposes without lawmakers' approval. As a result of these and other shortcomings, the president's latest plan was "dead on arrival," U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday. His proposal also drew concerns from hardline conservatives who want to reduce immigration; Trump's plan keeps overall numbers flat. Moderate Republicans dismissed Kushner's plan, calling it too narrow to pass Congress. "That's going to be difficult to pass in Congress. The far right is upset with it because it doesn't decrease net immigration. The far left is upset with it because it doesn't do these other things," Republican Representative Will Hurd told MSNBC in an interview on Friday. White House senior counselor Kellyanne Conway defended the proposal in a Fox News interview Thursday night, saying it was "not the final word." Trump tied his plan to next year's elections when he unveiled it on Thursday, saying that if Democrats did not support him, Republicans would win back the House in November 2020 and then pass his program -- something they failed to do when they held a majority in the House, as well as the Senate, during the first two years of his presidency. A bipartisan immigration deal hammered out last year failed after Trump refused to back it. Trump has separately requested $4.5 billion from lawmakers to help house, feed, transport and oversee Central American families seeking asylum. Pelosi on Thursday appeared open to approving the emergency funds, saying money to alleviate the humanitarian crisis at the nation's southern border could be included in pending disaster relief legislation. Democrats on Thursday night offered Republicans "several billion" dollars for border relief, a House aide said. (Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh, Jeffrey Benkoe and Leslie Adler) By Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The White House will unveil the first part of President Donald Trump's long-awaited Israeli-Palestinian peace plan when it holds an international conference in Bahrain in late June to encourage investment in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, senior U.S. officials said on Sunday. The "economic workshop" will bring together government officials and business leaders in an effort to jump-start the economic portion of the peace initiative, which is also expected to include proposals for resolving thorny political issues at the heart of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the officials said. Trump has touted the coming plan as the "deal of the century," but Palestinian officials have rebuked the U.S. effort, which they believe will be heavily biased in favor of Israel. Trump's Middle East team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and regional envoy Jason Greenblatt, appears intent on focusing initially on potential economic benefits, despite deep skepticism among experts that they can succeed where decades of U.S.-backed efforts have failed. "We think this is an opportunity to take the economic plan that we've worked on for a long time now and present it in the region," a senior Trump administration official said. The participants in the June 25-26 conference in Manama, the first phase of the peace plan's rollout, are expected to include representatives and business executives from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including some finance ministers, the administration official said. A second U.S. official declined to say whether Israeli and Palestinian officials were likely to take part. "Our position is clear: we will neither participate in the economic segment nor in the political segment of this deal," said PLO senior official Wasel Abu Youssef. The Palestinian Authority has boycotted the U.S. peace effort since late 2017 when Trump decided to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem and recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, reversing decades of U.S. policy. But the senior U.S. official said several Palestinian business leaders "have shown a lot of interest" in the conference. A spokesman for Israeli Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon said: "We have not yet received an invitation." INVESTMENT IN GAZA? U.S. officials had said earlier the peace plan would be rolled out after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in early June. But the announcement of the investors workshop appears to set the stage for a sequenced release of the plan, starting with the economic plan, and later, at some time not yet clear, the political proposals. The senior U.S. official said the conference would show the people of Gaza, which is controlled by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, that "there are donor countries around the world willing to come in and make investments." The Trump administration has sought to enlist support from Arab governments. The plan is likely to call for billions of dollars in financial backing for the Palestinians, mostly from oil-rich Gulf states, according to people informed about the discussions. Saudi Arabia has assured Arab allies it would not endorse any U.S. plan that fails to meet key Palestinian concerns. Though the plan's authors insist the exact contents are known only to a handful of insiders, Trump's aides have disclosed it will address the major political issues such as the status of Jerusalem. They have said they expect Israelis and Palestinians will both be critical of some of the proposals. Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki told a recent meeting at the United Nations attended by Greenblatt that the United States seemed to be crafting a plan for a Palestinian surrender to Israel and insisted "there's no amount of money that can make it acceptable." Chief among the Palestinians' concerns is whether the plan will meet their core demand of calling for them to have an independent state in the West Bank, east Jerusalem and Gaza Strip -- territory Israel captured in the 1967 Arab-Israeli war. Kushner has declined to say whether the plan includes a two-state solution, a central goal of other recent peace efforts that is widely endorsed internationally. (Reporting by Matt Spetalnick and Steve Holland; additional reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza and Dan Williams in Jerusalem; Editing by Chris Reese and Sandra Maler) By David Lawder and Steve Scherer WASHINGTON/OTTAWA (Reuters) - The United States struck deals on Friday to lift tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Canada and Mexico, the three governments said, removing a major obstacle to legislative approval of a new North American trade pact. The separate agreements, which will not impose U.S. quotas on Canadian and Mexican metals shipments, will also eliminate Mexican and Canadian retaliatory tariffs on a broad range of U.S. products, including pork, beef and bourbon. The United States and Canada said their agreement will be implemented by Sunday afternoon, and includes new curbs aimed at preventing dumped steel and aluminum from China and other countries from entering the U.S. market via Canada. President Donald Trump had imposed the global "Section 232" tariffs of 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum in March 2018 on national security grounds, invoking a 1962 Cold War-era trade law. Both Canada and Mexico argued for 14 months that their metals industries posed no security threat as their economies are integrated with the United States, and challenged the tariffs before the World Trade Organization. "This is just pure good news for Canadians," Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters after announcing the deal to workers at Stelco Holdings Inc's steel mill in Hamilton, Ontario. Stelco shares soared 11 percent on the news, while top U.S. steelmaker Nucor fell 3.1 percent and U.S. Steel Corp, which had seen massive profit improvement because of the tariffs, fell 1.2 percent. Spokesmen for U.S. Steel and Nucor, which had advocated for maintaining strong tariff protections, could not be reached for comment. TRADE DEAL VOTE The metals tariffs were a major irritant for Canada and Mexico and had caused them to halt progress toward ratification the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the trilateral trade deal to replace the 25-year-old North American Free Trade Agreement. U.S. lawmakers with constituents suffering from Canadian and Mexican retaliation, including Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley, also said they would not consider a USMCA vote with the tariffs in place. After the deal, Grassley tweeted: "Thank u Mr President for really helping the farmers of Iowa w this important step in USMCA. w lifting metal tariffs @realdonaldtrump just proved he can deliver on negotiations. China ought to take note/start dealing in good faith & take Pres Trump seriously." Trudeau said Canada would now work with the United States on the timing of USMCA ratification and said he was optimistic Canada would be "be able to move forward well in the coming weeks". U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said he would meet with Trudeau in Ottawa on May 30 to discuss "advancing" ratification. Several U.S. Democrats applauded removal of the tariffs, but said USMCA was not yet ready for their support. "When it comes to the new agreement, House Democrats continue to have a number of substantial concerns related to labor, environment, enforcement, and access to affordable medicines provisions. Those issues still need to be remedied," said House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Richard Neal. Neal added that the deal does not address global steel overcapacity and criticized Trump's handling of trade negotiations with China, which deteriorated significantly in the last two weeks. Trump, speaking to realtors in Washington, called the pact "a fantastic deal for our country" and said Congress would hopefully approve the USMCA quickly. "Then the great farmers and manufacturers and steel plants will make our economy even more successful than it already is." Jesus Seade, Mexico's deputy foreign minister for North America, said the deal "measurably increases the probability" the USMCA will be approved before the U.S. Congress' summer break in August. Some U.S. lawmakers say passage would become more difficult after the recess due to budget battles expected in the fall and increased 2020 presidential campaign activity. TRANSSHIPMENTS, SURGES Trump's metals tariffs have been largely aimed at keeping excess production from China out of the U.S. market, and the deal includes a new monitoring mechanism aimed at preventing steel and aluminum from China and other countries from being transshipped through Canada and Mexico to the United States. But the U.S. Trade Representative's office also said the deal allows it to reimpose tariffs in the event of "surges" in imports of specific steel products. If tariffs are reimposed, retaliation would be limited to the steel and aluminum sectors. Carmakers, which have announced hundreds of millions of dollars in higher U.S. costs due to the tariffs, praised the deal and said it brought USMCA passage a big step closer. "While many automakers already source the vast majority of their steel and aluminum domestically, tariffs drive those prices up which decreases investment and harms auto workers and ultimately consumers," said the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, a trade group representing most major brands including General Motors Co, Toyota Motor Corp Volkswagen AG and others. The National Pork Producers Council, which says retaliatory tariffs have cost its members $12 per animal, or a total of $1.5 billion, also expressed relief at the end of "a trade dispute that has placed enormous financial strain on American pork producers." (Additional reporting by David Shepardson, Andrea Shalal and Doina Chiacu in Washington and Anthony Esposito and Stefanie Eschenbacher in Mexico City; Writing by David Lawder; Editing by Susan Thomas and Tom Brown) By Ginger Gibson WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democratic presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders is calling for a sweeping overhaul of charter schools, rolling out a plan on Saturday that will put him at odds with some of his opponents and renew questions about his ability to win black voters. Sanders, a U.S. senator from Vermont, wants to ban for-profit charter schools and halt the creation of new charter schools while imposing new rules on the existing ones, according to a summary of his proposal provided by his campaign on Friday. Charter schools, which enjoyed bipartisan support at their inception in the 1990s, have become the subject of increasing division. Many Democrats have grown critical of them, arguing the schools are used by the wealthy to pad their pockets while still neglecting millions of students in failing schools. But charter schools remain popular in some predominately black communities, where they are seen as the best option where public schools are weak. As a result, Sanders' proposal comes with some political risks for the candidate, who struggled in his last presidential campaign in 2016 to gain support from black voters. Sanders will roll out a comprehensive education platform in a speech in South Carolina on Saturday, his campaign said. Charter schools receive government funding to operate but are more autonomous than traditional public schools. Students do not pay to attend. Most charter schools are operated by nonprofit groups, and many take private donations on top of government funding. However, a pro-charter school group estimates 15 percent of them are operated by for-profit companies. Additionally, some nonprofit charter schools have come under fire for contracting with for-profit companies to operate the schools. Supporters argue charter schools can serve as laboratories for innovation in education that can flourish without the bureaucratic constraints of traditional schools. But critics of charter schools say they have done little to export the innovation they promised to traditional schools, which still educate the vast majority of students. Instead, critics argue, charter schools have taken resources from the rest of the public schools to serve a small, select group. Critics also say the schools are mainly serving middle-class, predominately white populations to the detriment of students, mainly minorities, in traditional public schools. The position taken by Sanders, one of more than 20 Democrats vying for the nomination to challenge Republican President Donald Trump in the November 2020 election, is in stark contrast with some of his opponents. Former Congressman Beto O'Rourke of Texas has previously voiced support for charter schools, and U.S. Senator Cory Booker was a vocal supporter of them as mayor of Newark, New Jersey. Booker's support of charter schools is proving to be a liability with some black voters. Booker is "well liked," said Corey Strong, former chairman of the Shelby County Democratic Party in Memphis, Tennessee, but he "has an issue with charter schools." (Reporting by Ginger Gibson; Additional reporting by Sharon Bernstein; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Jonathan Oatis) A week after some 700 rockets and mortars struck towns and cities in Israel's south - in the deadliest attack by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad since the 2014 war between Israel and Gaza, residents of those communities are trying to deal with the impact. One of the most devastating blows appears to be the anti-tank missile attack that killed 68-year-old Moshe Feder as he drove to work along a road close to the Gaza border. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The residents of the southern city of Kiryat Gat, sympathetic to the Gaza border residents, were sure that they would be spared from the latest round of escalation. To their dismay, a rocket attack critically injured an 80-year-old resident of the city, Alegria Ben-Naqan. Alegria Ben-Naqan, 80, was critically wounded by Gaza rocket fire Her son Arik, who lives close to his mother, says he and his family were left to deal with the harsh reality of the attack when the media spotlight faded. "It was a mad house," he says, recalling the first days at Barzilai Medical Center in Ashkelon, where his mother is still being treated. "Everyone came to visit. Knesset members, Deputy Health Minister Yaakov Litzman, the son of Chief Rabbi David Lau. For two or three days, it was total mayhem in the ICU and then nothing. They all forgot we exist." He added: "Aside when from the hospital itself was hit by rocket fire, we have been taking shifts at our mother's bedside. There is nothing to done - life goes on and so does the country. Our lives on the other hand came to a halt the day the rocket hit. We have to treat the injuries and be with our mother through her recovery." Arik talks of an active woman full of life, who refused to believe that something like this could happen to her. "My mother never thought about it," he says. "Whenever the air raid siren went off she would go into the stairwell and wait for two minutes. Afterwards we would call to make sure she was okay. She would answer, `don't worry, everything is okay I dont need anyone`. But then it caught up with her in a terrible way." He says that physicians in the trauma room call his mother's case "miraculous," for had the shrapnel struck her body a centimeter in any direction she would not have survived. Now she is afraid of being unable to speak, because her jaw and palate are damaged. He says that while there is no use in being angry, he is disappointed that people have so quickly moved on, as if no one was hurt in the violence. Since the attack, Alegria's family members make sure that she is not alone even for one moment. In her home, everything is exactly in place. The fridge is stocked ready for her children and the grandchildren - even the cookies she baked are still on the table. The place where she was hit is roughly a three-minute drive from her home. The site of the rocket strike in Kiryat Gat that wounded Alegria Ben-Naqan (Photo: Reuters) Arik says she had nowhere to hide as she walked in the street when the siren sounded. "She came from there," he says, pointing to his brother's house. The crater made by the impact of the rocket has been covered over, but a nearby building is completely covered by shrapnel marks. A nearby school was also hit, but which was empty as it was a Saturday. "It's difficult," Arik says. "I have been through wars and I have seen things, but when it hits you, that this is my mother, I don't know if that ever passes." Scared children Not far from the site of the rocket strike is Menachem Begin Elementary School. Everything seems to have returned to a normal routine, but the pupils and staff are more than aware of the complex situation they had to deal with, both during and after the latest round of violence. Mori Azoulay, a sixth grader at the school, says that unlike children his age who live near the Gaza border, this situation is new to him. He stayed in the shelter for three days during the latest round of rocket fire. "There were a lot of air raid sirens and I'm not used to that," he says. "This was the only time I was in the shelter for so long. I slept there for three nights." Mori says he feels safe due to the security measures in place, but appreciates that not everyone is the same. "There is a shelter and an army protecting me," he says. "I always felt safe at home, at school and everywhere in the country. Some of my friends kept calm, but everyone takes the situation differently." Despite the violence, the young student refuses to give up hope that peace will come one day. "Violence is not the answer," he says. "Peace will bridge the gap between us all." Mori's school principal, Miriam Kisos, says that they were well-prepared for the deterioration in the security situation, but that they are still dealing with the fallout of the rocket attacks. Miriam Kisos (Photo: Roee Idan) "When returning to school, we first had to take into account the resilience of our teachers and then that of our pupils. Some said that didn't shower for two days, which is something they weren't used to; some had no shelter in their homes and went into the staircase, and noticed that their parents were afraid as well," she says. "Some of the children were referred to the school counselor, who has had her hands full in the past week, after their homeroom teachers noticed their distress." Kisos says that her school has had support from the Education Ministry, but now most efforts are focused on returning to routine. "We got a lot of requests from pupils and their parents," she says. "We saw children staying close to an adult during recess. Will there be another round? I hope not." 'No sense of security' The entrance to Kibbutz Erez was the scene one of the worst incidents in the latest escalation, when an anti-tank missile fired from nearby Gaza killed Moshe Feder, who worked at one of the community's factories. The incident showed the kibbutz residents how vulnerable they are at every moment, and not only to rocket and mortar fire. A week after the latest round, the IDF built a 700-meter tall cement barrier between the main road leading to the Kibbutz and the Gaza border fence. The barrier is meant to absorb any further anti-tank fire, but for the residents it only emphasizes the true danger they face whenever the situation in Gaza escalates. Moshe Feder, center, was killed by anti-tank missile fire (Photo: Courtesy of the Feder family) "We always knew we were vulnerable to rocket fire, but the incident at the entrance to the kibbutz made it a reality," says a kibbutz resident. "The incident only led us to realize we could be targeted in every way," she says. "When I see the barrier being built along the entrance I'm disheartened. If a missile hits the wall how will it help? And if a missile hits the train passing on the bridge above? Our sense of security does not exist." The 700-meter cement barrier along the main road to Kibbutz Erez (Photo: Barel Ephraim) Dean, another kibbutz resident says: "This was a truly frightening incident. This is our reality here. I believe that this wall can stop the next missile, but it's difficult to live like this. The children are not comfortable with the situation. We intend on staying in the kibbutz and raising our children here despite everything. We will overcome it all." This weekend, a senior IDF officer visited the kibbutz, promising the residents that several defensive measures would be taken in the coming days to deter further anti-tank missile fire on the area. "I came out disturbed by the conversation, due to the situation," says one local resident. "While I completely trust that the army is doing everything to protect us, the situation is much more complex. Unfortunately, I see the next escalation round just around the corner." Syrian air defences targeted projectiles fired from the direction of Israel for the second night in a row, Syrian state media said on Saturday. The projectiles came from "occupied territory" into the airspace in southern Syria, state news agency SANA said, referring to territory held by Israel. Israel's military declined to comment on the report. Israel has been more open in recent months about targeting sites inside Syria that it says belong to Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, both of which have forces aiding President Bashar al-Assad. Residents said loud blasts echoed across Damascus late on Friday, as Syrian state media reported "enemy targets" coming from neighbouring Israel. Israel deems Iran its biggest enemy and the heavily armed Shi'ite Hezbollah movement as the main threat on its borders. Israeli officials, alarmed by Tehran's expanding clout next door, have acknowledged carrying out scores of strikes during the eight-year conflict in Syria. Iran and Hezbollah have played a key role in helping Assad's army defeat rebels and militants. Tensions between Tehran and its regional enemies rose this week after attacks on four oil tankers in the Gulf, sparking concerns about a potential conflict between Iran and the United States, Israel's closest ally. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz called for an early election after his vice chancellor resigned Saturday over a covertly shot video that showed him apparently promising government contracts to a purported Russian investor. Kurz said he would ask President Alexander Van der Bellen to set a date for a new election "as soon as possible." Vice Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resigned after two German publications, the daily Sueddeutsche Zeitung and the weekly Der Spiegel, on Friday published extracts of a covert video purportedly showing Strache offering Austrian government contracts to a Russian woman who was allegedly interested in investing large amounts of money in Austria. Strache's far-right, anti-immigrant Freedom Party is the smaller partner in Austria's ruling government coalition with Kurz's People's Party. At a news conference late Saturday, Kurz said talks with remaining officials from the Freedom Party showed they were not willing to make the changes Kurz felt necessary to continue the current coalition. Kurz also said a possible coalition with the center-left Social Democrats would derail the government's program of limiting debt and taxes. Saudi Arabia has called for urgent meetings of the regional Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League to discuss escalating tensions in the region, the kingdom's official news agency said on Saturday. The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said King Salman had invited Gulf leaders and Arab states to two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss recent "aggressions and their consequences" in the region. Tensions have soared in the Gulf, with the United States deploying an aircraft carrier and bombers there over alleged threats from Iran. Saudi foreign affairs minister Adel al-Jubeir said his country does not want to go to war with Iran, but was ready to defend its interests. Riyadh "does not want a war, is not looking for it and will do everything to prevent it". The United Arab Emirates "welcomed" Saudi Arabia's invitation The European Broadcast Union said Sunday that Madonna did not inform them that her dancers will be wearing Palestinian and Israeli flags on their backs during last night's Eurovision song contest. "The Eurovision isn't a political contest and Madonna knew this," said the statement, and added that the Islandic participants, who also waved a Palestinian flag during the show, will be subject to a punishment determined by the competition's managing committee. Sources in the ruling Likud party claim that the question of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's immunity from prosecution, though not officially part of the coalition negotiations, is delaying agreements with potential partners. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter According to these sources, Netanyahu and his close allies are preoccupied with the efforts to ensure legislation of laws meant to protect the prime minister from prosecution in three corruption cases pending against him. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the weekly cabinet meeting (Amil Salman) Likud activists spoke out against any legislative push, on social media while Gideon Saar and his former aid Michal Shir, both Members of Knesset and outspoken foes of Netanyahu, have gone on the record condemning these efforts. Gideon Sa'ar Likud former minister (Photo: Avi Moalem) Netanyahu himself, may now understand the political fallout he may face. Two statements made by his spokesman and by his chief negotiator, Minister Yariv Levin, denied reports that coalition partners will be asked to agree to legislation to protect Netanyahu as part of the coalition deals. The coalition talks, however, have yet to result in a single signed agreement. In an interview for Kan radio, Sunday former MK and son of iconic Likud leader Menachem Begin, Benny Begin, said Netanyahu was corrupt and was trying to escape judgement U.S. President Donald Trump won the White House pledging to wind down the nations many foreign entanglements and put America First. But as his administration in recent days has sent mixed signals on the prospects of a military conflict with Iran, Trumps campaign trail promise is being put to the test. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter With the 2020 election approaching, the political pitfalls ahead for the first-term Republican president could be serious. US President Donald Trump (Photo: Reuters) While Trump enjoys overwhelming support from his party, there is little appetite among his loyalists for a new military conflict in the Middle East. Many are willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now, but a string of recent moves has sparked concerns that the administration was beating the drums toward war. Among the possible precursors to military conflict: new sanctions on Irans Revolutionary Guards, the deployment of a U.S. aircraft carrier to the region and public warnings of unspecified intelligence that Iran might strike at American interests. Asked this week if the U.S. was going to war with Iran, Trump said simply: I hope not. Aware of the potential backlash from within his party, the president is trying to play down the possibility of hostilities. He held the door open for negotiations over Irans nuclear program and malign activities in the region amid reports that he was pushing back against his more hawkish advisers preference for a military solution. Prominent Trump supporters offered a pointed warning on Friday about the prospect of a new war, which they view as a direct violation of his America First pledge. It would be a disaster for him and for the country getting into another military engagement in the Middle East, said Corey Stewart, who led Trumps 2016 campaign in Virginia. It does concern me that the president has (national security adviser John) Bolton and a lot of these neocons advising him. Thats clearly not what he ran on and what most Americans want. Foreign policy threatens to be a significant political liability for Trump heading into his 2020 reelection campaign. Overall, 63 percent of Americans said they disapproved of his job handling foreign policy, according to a January poll conducted by Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Like other issues, the partisan divide was overwhelming: 76 percent of Republicans approved, while just 8 percent of Democrats said the same. U.S. aircraft carrier on its way to the Gulf (Photo: AP) Yet the Republican Party under Trumps leadership has shifted away from wanting the United States to play an aggressive role in world affairs. Foreign policy hawks in the GOP who have long embraced a muscular foreign policy have been marginalized in recent years, dismissed as globalists. By contrast, Democrats are now far more likely than Republicans to say the U.S. should play a more active role in solving the worlds problems. In the AP poll, 43 percent of Democrats said they thought the U.S. should be more active abroad, compared to just 13 percent of Republicans. Trump on Friday sought to blame the media for the sense of mounting unease over Iran. They put out so many false messages that Iran is totally confused, he told a crowd of real estate agents in Washington, complaining about media coverage of his administrations recent moves. I dont know, that might be a good thing. People close to the president acknowledge that an armed conflict in the region is a real possibility. Liberty University President Jerry Falwell Jr., a Trump confidant, signaled support for a military solution if needed to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon so long as the United States wouldnt take the lead role in a prospective war. Whatever needs to be done to keep Iran from becoming a nuclear power needs to happen, Falwell said in an interview. Im not saying the United States needs to do it. Somebody is going to need to do it. He added: The way that it balances out, it might be Saudi Arabia and Israel that go to war with Iran. J.D. Gordon, director of national security for Trumps first campaign, described Iran as a delicate balance for the president, who is surrounded by advisers who generally agree with his worldview. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani (Photo: AP) Preventing an aggressive state sponsor of terrorism from acquiring nuclear weapons through primarily economic and diplomatic pressure isnt as simple as many people would like us to believe, Gordon said. While military conflict would likely be unpopular among Republican voters, the politics on Iran are nuanced. For years, Republicans railed against the multination pact struck under former President Barack Obama to remove economic sanctions on Iran in exchange for the countrys pledge to abandon its nuclear program. Trump last year withdrew from the deal, thrilling Israel and anti-Obama conservatives at home while troubling European allies who insisted it was working. Mark Dubowitz, CEO of the hawkish Foundation for Defense of Democracies, said Iran takes a paramount position in Trumps worldview, with the president believing the country poses a particularly destructive threat. I think one should never discount the political calculation, which is that he knows a significant part of his base, including tens of millions of evangelical Christians, agree with him, Dubowitz said. The passionate opposition to the Iran deal among Trumps core supporters affords him some room to maneuver amid the military buildup, even if America First conservatives oppose an outright war. I havent met anybody who thinks we shouldnt take an incredibly hard line against Iran, said Mark Meckler, an early leader in the tea party movement. At the same time, he said, Nobody believes theres going to be a war. What Trump promised in regards to our foreign policy is America First, Meckler continued. Hes doing that. Exxon Mobil's decision to evacuate its foreign staff from the West Qurna 1 oilfield in southern Iraq on Saturday was "unacceptable and unjustified", Iraq's Oil Minister Thamer Ghadhban said on Sunday. "The withdrawal of multiple employees - despite their small number - temporarily has nothing to do with the security situation or threats in the oilfields in of southern Iraq, but it's for political reasons," Ghadhban said in a statement. Exxon Mobil, which has a long term contract to improve the oilfield on behalf of Iraq's state South Oil Company, withdrew all foreign staff, around 60 people, Iraqi officials have said. The evacuation came just days after the United States withdrew non-essential staff from its embassy in Baghdad, out of apparent concern about perceived threats from Iran, which has close ties to Iraqi Shi'ite militia. A fourth construction worker was killed Sunday after he was caught in midair when a part of a crane collapsed at a building site in Yavneh, south of Tel Aviv. Three workers were killed on the ground when the debris fell on them. Eight people have been detained for interrogation by the Israel Police. When U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo sat down with Iraqi officials in Baghdad last week as tensions mounted between America and Iran, he delivered a nuanced message: If youre not going to stand with us, stand aside. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The message, relayed to The Associated Press by two Iraqi government officials, underscores Iraqs delicate position: Its government is allied with both sides of an increasingly contentious confrontation. Ramadan in Baghdad (Photo: AFP) As tensions escalate, there are concerns that Baghdad could once again get caught in the middle, just as it is on the path to recovery. The country hosts more than 5,000 U.S. troops, and is home to powerful Iranian-backed militias, some of whom want those U.S. forces to leave. The big question is how Iraqi leaders will deal with (their) national interests in a country where loyalty to external powers is widespread at the expense of their own nation, Iraqi political analyst Watheq al-Hashimi said. If the state cannot put these (Iranian-backed militias) under control, Iraq will become an arena for an Iranian-American armed conflict. Despite the escalation of rhetoric by both sides, President Donald Trump has said he doesnt want a war with Iran and has even said he is open to dialogue. But tension remains high, in part given the regions fraught history. For Iraq to be a theater for proxy wars is not new. The Shiite-majority country lies on the fault line between Shiite Iran and the mostly Sunni Arab world, led by powerhouse Saudi Arabia, and has long been a battlefield in which the Saudi-Iran rivalry for regional supremacy played out. During Americas eight-year military presence that began with the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. troops and Iranian-backed militiamen fought pitched battles around the country, and scores of U.S. troops were killed or wounded by the militia forces armed with sophisticated Iranian-made weapons. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Iraq: 'If youre not going to stand with us, stand aside' (Photo: Reuters) American forces withdrew from Iraq in 2011 but returned in 2014 at the invitation of Iraq to help battle the Islamic State group after it seized vast areas in the north and west of the country, including Iraqs second-largest city, Mosul. A U.S.-led coalition provided crucial air support as Iraqi forces regrouped and drove IS out in a costly three-year campaign. Iranian-backed militias fought alongside U.S.-backed Iraqi troops against IS, gaining outsized influence and power. Now, amid an escalating conflict between the U.S. and Iran, Iraq is once again vulnerable to becoming caught up in the power play. An attack targeting U.S. interests in Iraq would be detrimental to the countrys recent efforts at recovering and reclaiming its status in the Arab world. Earlier this year, Trump provoked outrage in Baghdad when he said he wanted U.S. troops to stay in Iraq so they can watch Iran, suggesting a changing mission for American troops there. On May 8, Pompeo made a lightning, previously unannounced trip to the Iraqi capital following the abrupt cancellation of a visit to Germany, and as the United States had been picking up intelligence that Iran is threatening American interests in the Middle East. The two Iraqi officials said Pompeo relayed intelligence information the U.S. had received about a threat to U.S. forces in Iraq but kept it vague. They said he did not specify the nature of the threat. The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to divulge confidential information, said Pompeo told the Iraqis that America did not expect them to side with the U.S. in any confrontation with Iran, but that they should not side against America. In other words, stand aside. A few days later, as U.S.-Iranian tensions continued to rise, the State Department ordered all non-essential, non-emergency government staff to leave the country. Riots outside the Iranian Embassy in Basra, Iraq, in 2018 (Photo: AFP) U.S. officials said Pompeo told the Iraqis the U.S. had an inherent right to self-defense and would use it if U.S. personnel, facilities or interests are attacked by Iran or its proxies in Iraq or anywhere else. The three officials, who were not authorized to publicly discuss the private meetings in Baghdad and spoke on condition of anonymity, said Pompeo was not contemplating any pre-emptive strikes on Iran or the use of Iraqi territory to stage military operations against Iran. Pompeos message, the officials said, was that the U.S. wants to avoid conflict but would respond or defend itself if necessary. The secretary told reporters on the flight that his meetings with Iraqs president and prime minister were intended to demonstrate U.S. support for a sovereign, independent Iraq, free from the influence of neighboring Iran. Pompeo also said he wanted to underscore Iraqs need to protect Americans in their country. A general at Iraqs Defense Ministry said Iraq was taking precautionary security measures in light of the information about threats against U.S. interests, although those measures have not reached the highest levels. Iraqi forces are worried that American forces could be targeted by factions loyal to Iran, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media. He added that any attack on U.S. troops could come as retaliation if the United States were to carry out a military operation against Iran. The heightened tensions between Iran and the U.S. come a year after Trump pulled America out of Tehrans nuclear deal with world powers and as the White House ordered an aircraft carrier and bombers into the region over a still-unexplained threat from Iran. Riots outside the Iranian Embassy in Basra, Iraq, in 2018 (Photo: AP) On Saturday, Iraqi officials said ExxonMobil employees began evacuating an oil field in the southern Iraqi province of Basra while the island nation of Bahrain ordered all it citizens in Iraq and Iran to leave immediately. On Sunday, the United Arab Emirates alleged that four oil tankers off its eastern coast were targeted by sabotage. On Tuesday, Yemens Iran-allied Houthi rebels said they launched seven drones to target Saudi Arabia. The drones stuck pumping stations along the kingdoms crucial East-West Pipeline, causing minor damage, Saudi officials say. On the streets of Baghdad, some shrugged off the rising tensions while others worried their country could be sucked into another war. Aqil Rubaei said he was worried that his country, which has been at war since a year before he was born, will be the place where the U.S. and Iran will settle their accounts. The 38-year-old was born in 1981, a year after Iran and Iraq began their eight-year war and was 9 years old when Saddam Husseins forces invaded Kuwait leading to a destructive war that forced Iraq out of Kuwait and 13 years of crippling sanctions. In 2003, the U.S. invaded and removed Saddam, leading to the rise of extremist groups that culminated in 2014 with the Islamic State group capturing large parts of Iraq and Syria and declaring a so-called caliphate. The war that followed left entire Iraqi cities and towns destroyed until Iraq declared victory in 2017. Iraqi people are fed up with war, said Rubaei inside his cosmetics shop in Baghdads Karrada neighborhood. We dont want Iraq to become an arena for an Iranian-American war. Israel has celebrated its 71st birthday, but in order to prevent the demographic catastrophe predicted for its centennial year, the Negev and Galilee must liberate themselves from their dependent relationship with the center of the country, and become independent centers. Israel 2048 A Shared Future highlights a list of assets that will help the Negev and Galilee realize this vision. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Israel 2019, which celebrated its 71st Independence Day last week, is currently a strong, developed country: Start-up Nation with a flourishing, stable economy, a high per capita product and lower unemployment rate than other countries. However, this abundance is not evenly distributed among the citizens of the state. The economic growth is led by the central region, with an emphasis on Tel Aviv. The periphery the Negev and the Galilee lag behind. Unlimited possibilities in the Negev, Beer Sheva (Photo: Shutterstock) The current efforts, which focus mainly on developing sophisticated transportation infrastructure in order to connect the periphery to the center, are welcome, but have an inherent danger: they actually perpetuate the dependence of the Negev and Galilee on the center, and prevent them from becoming independent regions. Opportunity Map of the Negev. The not-so-distant, foreseeable future is worrisome; Data from Israel 2048 A Shared Future project shows that if current demographic growth trends continue another 29 years, the population of Israel will double and reach approximately 17 million in the countrys centennial year - 2048. The grim aspect of this prediction is that 13 million of these people will live in the center of the country, where they will suffer from unbearable traffic congestion, lost work hours to the point of damaging the Gross Domestic Product, and competition for workplaces that will increase unemployment. Meanwhile, only 4 million people mostly from weaker populations will live in the vast Negev and Galilee regions. Israel does have a long-term plan, known as the Housing Plan 2040, developed by the National Housing Center. However, according to Uri Ilan, chairman of the National Planning and Building Committee in the Northern District, the plan deals with far more than housing. The plan touches on all strata, from employment, infrastructure, reinforcing rural space, energy, water and countless other fields, explains Ilan. Tel Aviv is indeed Israels growth engine, but it's like a jumbo jet without wings. If the north and the south are not equally strong, it cannot exist. Therefore, it is in Tel Avivs interest to have two additional centers. Opportunity Map of the Galilee. This is the starting point for the Israel 2048 A Shared Future vision, led by the OR Movement, in cooperation with a large group of key people and organizations from all sectors. According to this vision, the State of Israel will define the Negev and Galilee as the future growth engines of Israel, and then follow a detailed plan of action to transform them into independent centers that are equal to the center, by 2048. If this is accomplished, the distribution of the population will be more appropriate and balanced, facilitating a higher quality of life for all residents of the country. Pearl of the Desert: Yeruham. A city with potential for tourism, because of its location (Photo: Avishai Efrat) We have the right, which is an obligation, to change the paradigm and create, together with all the residents, the next chapter in the story of establishing the State, and to allow a high quality of life for everyone, everywhere, in every field explains Roni Flamer, CEO of OR Movement . Israels independence will be realized when the Negev and Galilee become independent centers with quality housing, employment, health, education and culture. Centers of life that are inviting and attracting the younger generation that wants to participate in the ongoing creation of the State. The goal according to Flamer, is for the Negev and the Galilee to be new centers, that parallel to the central region, and maintain a reciprocal relationship with it, rather than the dependent relationship to which the current solutions lead. Katzrin (Photo: Shutterstock) The Israel 2048 A Shared Future plan for Israels centennial year aims to have 3.5 million residents in the Negev, and another 4.5 million in the Galilee and Haifa. This distribution will be possible only if the Negev and Galilee are indeed centers in their own right. In order for this forecast to actualize, it is necessary to take full advantage of the existing assets and opportunities in each region. For example, Be'er Sheva has about 200,000 residents, and current forecasts are that some 300,000 people will live there by 2048. The goal of the program is to turn Beer Sheva into a central city with one million residents, based on, among other things, developing and strengthening the cooperation between its three leading institutions: Ben-Gurion University, Soroka Medical Center and the adjacent high-tech park. Independence of the Negev and the Galilee: How to create new centers in five steps (Israel 2048 A Shared Future) The other cities of the Negev, according to the vision, will house an additional 2.5 million residents thanks to construction of an international airport at Nevatim, which will provide many working places and lead to the development of tourism based on the unique character of the Negev, along with expansion of hotels and guest houses. The many land reserves in the Negev will also be used to establish logistical centers for varied companies. The independence of the south will be achieved first and foremost by turning Be'er Sheva into a large, prosperous metropolis that serves as an employment and cultural center for the entire Negev, explains David Leffler, chairman of the Southern District Planning and Building Committee. In recent years, the Negev has developed in extraordinary ways, says Benny Biton, mayor of Dimona, who also serves as chairman of the Development Towns Forum, chairman of the Negev Development Authority, and chairman of the Western Negev cluster. Cities like Dimona received budgets and made comprehensive changes. Young people want to stay, to return and to move there. Nonetheless, the Negev remains dependent on the center of the country. We have the right, which is an obligation, to change the paradigm and create, together with all the residents, the next chapter in the story of establishing the State Roni Flamer. (Photo: Dana Kopel) According to the plan, turning the Galilee region into a center in its own right should also be accomplished by leveraging its enormous potential for tourism. In the Galilee, which even today is called the periphery, there are countless unique assets and opportunities for growth, said Shimon Lankri, mayor of Acre, who also serves as chairman of the Galilee Development Authority and chairman of the Western Galilee cluster. The Western Galilee, for example, Lankri continued is home to more than 600,000 people from different sectors; it is characterized by multiculturalism, and the entire world can come and learn from its model of coexistence, art and tourism, along with dozens of unique assets that can attract hundreds of thousands of residents, visitors and tourists. MItzpe Ramon (Photo: Shutterstock) (: shutterstock) Mitzpe Ramon (Photo: Shutterstock) Shai Hajaj, head of the Center for Regional Councils in Israel and head of the Merchavim Regional Council explains, The Negev and the Galilee are comprised of many regional councils. Within the councils territories are assets that are unparalleled anywhere in the world. Flourishing agriculture that exports know-how around the globe, R&D centers, natural assets, quarries and more. All these constitute the foundation for growth that will enable them to develop as independent centers that drive the Israeli economy. They are strikingly young, but emphatic that they should not be considered newcomers. Rather, they are claiming the mantle of Old Europe at its most traditional. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter Several of this years far-right candidates in Europe are well under the age of 30 just like some of their most ardent supporters. Vlaams Belang party candidate Dries van Langenhove, right, in April 2019 In Belgium, the telegenic Dries Van Langenhove, who is among the top picks on the list for the far-right party Vlaams Belang, is 26. In France, the head of the far-right National Rally slate for the upcoming European Parliament elections is 23 and has been a card-carrying party member since the age of 16. In Denmark, the lead candidate from the Danish Peoples Party is a 29-year-old who is already a veteran campaigner. And in Spain, the chief spokesman for the Vox party is 27 and was elected to parliament last month. These candidates are part of a growing attempt by Europes far-right parties to gear their anti-migration, euroskeptic message to the young, with everything from beer nights for adults and bouncy castles for kids to an outsized presence on social media. Young European voters are responding with a rightward shift sometimes faster and farther than their elders as illustrated by voting results or party rolls from Italy, France, Spain and Austria. Far-right activist gives out flyers in Barcelona, 2019 (Photo: AP) The trend could have major implications for this months elections, which decide the makeup of the European Parliament as well as some national governments, as in Belgium. The far right has made a very explicit effort to pander to younger audiences. Theyve essentially rebranded themselves, said Julia Ebner, a researcher with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a left-leaning think tank. Far-right political parties have been most active in engaging with social media users. The far right has also succeeded at picking up on existing grievances and fears among young people and at using their language and cultural reference points, she said. Its a significant change from where the far right found itself in Europes postwar era: identified with the Nazis and a Holocaust that killed 6 million Jews, marginalized by governments and eclipsed by a unifying Europe. Opponents say todays far-right candidates have given new window-dressing to old racist beliefs and an implicit call for violence, pushing a pro-Christian, anti-Islam ideology that Belgiums security services describe as extreme right in a white collar. Only now theyre appealing to a demographic with no memories of where extremist beliefs once led the continent: to a world war that left almost all of Europe in rubble. Every country defines and measures its young voters slightly differently. But the trend is unmistakable. Supporters of the far-right Spanish party Vox (Photo: AP) Across Europe, the right has gained ground with the electorate in general, but its strength among young voters, who traditionally lean left, has come as a surprise, according to poll estimates. In Italy, 17% of voters aged 18 to 34 voted for the League party in 2018, compared to just 5% in 2013. In Austria , 30% of the youngest voters chose the Freedom Party in 2017, up from 22% in 2013, making it the most popular party among those ages 16 to 29. And in Germany , the AfDs gains were notable while support from the youngest voters for the Green Party barely changed. Frances vote showed similar trends. Belgiums Van Langenhove has 31,000 Instagram followers and a strong presence on social media. Until recently isolated as racist by the rest of the political spectrum, the Flemish independence party Vlaams Belang whose slate he leads in Flemish Brabant has a handful of seats in the parliament and a plan to more than double that. Van Langenhove is also the leader of Schild en Vrienden, a Flemish nationalist movement known for anti-immigration stunts and named in Belgiums annual report last year on extremist groups that are national security concerns. The report did not accuse the group of violence but noted the movement deserves our attention. On a recent spring holiday in a historic park, Van Langenhoves larger-than-life photo was plastered across the Vlaams Belang campaign vans. They were parked alongside the cars of thousands of party supporters and their children, who split their time between anti-immigration speeches inside and an outside festival that included face-painting, bouncy castles and a stand for the book The Kidnapping of Europe. Louis Beernaert, 27, has been coming to Vlaams Belang meetings with his father and sister since he was a child. Now his sisters husband and their toddler have joined also. They were all in favor of the partys new faces, which include its 32-year-old president, Tom Van Grieken. It needed to get younger, Beernaert said. Their ideas are the same, but they say them in a less radical way. French far-right leader Marine Le Pen (Photo: French far-right leader Marine Le Pen) Van Langenhove, who holds his torso like a boxer, posed for selfies and chatted with party leaders sometimes decades his senior without a flicker of deference. He avoids direct discussion of race in favor of what he calls identity. But he routinely posts on social media about replacement, a term used by white supremacists in the U.S. and Europe for the idea that European populations are being culturally and ethnically replaced by minorities. Our People First is the Vlaams Belang slogan. Even though migration to Europe has slowed to a trickle, the continent is still grappling with the after-effects of the hundreds of thousands who arrived in the past few years alone. Belgiums foreign-born population went from just under 12% to nearly 17% between 2006 and 2017, not including people who slipped in illegally. In France, asylum requests last year topped out at 123,625 an increase of 23% from 2017, when they had already risen 17%. In repeated surveys of young Europeans, including one released this month by the TUI Foundation, migration and asylum are described as Europes most pressing issue. The environment comes in a distant second. Vlaams Belangs decision to name Van Langenhove came after the Belgian network VRT linked him to racist and sexist messages in closed chat rooms. He dismissed the show as a smear, but it prompted protests at the Ghent campus where he was studying law and got him banned briefly. Later, he was suspended from Facebook for content that violated the social networks terms of service. He is now more circumspect online and in front of the camera. Everything is on the table right now, its an all-in game. And thats why more young people are taking the risk of associating themselves with right wing nationalist groups and organizations, he told the AP. Young people are right in the middle of the problems. Older people, they move to the countryside, they move to areas where theres not a lot of foreigners. But young people have to move to the cities for their jobs, for their education. Jobs are a sore point, with youth unemployment at around 15% in Belgium, just above the European Union average, and 20% in France. Vlaams Belang is hoping its message of economic protectionism will help the party, which has forged links in France with Marine Le Pens far-right National Rally party as well as the loose far-right alliance that includes Italys League, Austrias Freedom Party, Britains UKIP, the German far-right AfD and the Danish Peoples Party. French National Front leader Marine Le Pen, left, and top candidate of the National Rally party Jordan Bardella in Milan, May 18, 2019 Opponents, exemplified by centrist French President Emmanuel Macron, say the nationalists offer nothing in return for all they reject. In an open letter to Europe in March, Macron called nationalism the trap that threatens the whole of Europe: the anger-mongers, backed by fake news, promise anything and everything. That month, young far-right leaders from all those parties and more gathered in Rome, where a 23-year-old raised by a single mother in a suburban Paris housing project was one of the stars. Jordan Bardellas brief speech to a young audience hit many of the same notes as Jean-Marie Le Pens from decades ago. Another challenge of our generation will be immigration. Confronted with the demographic bomb that is Africa, it is the survival of our peoples, our civilizations, our Christian roots that is at stake today, the National Rally candidate tweeted on March 29 . Marine Le Pen re-branded her fathers National Front party as the National Rally after losing the French presidency to Macron in 2017. Despite the loss, she made important inroads among young French voters, easily outstripping all the traditional parties in polling among the young as well as the far-left candidate. She clearly took something away from the experience. The head of her party list this year is Bardella, who joined the National Front at age 16 and swiftly rose to lead its youth movement and that of its successor. Bardella is nearly as explicit as Van Langenhove about the young leading the way against waves of alleged mass migration and rules from the EU in Brussels. While Van Langenhove used a medieval Flemish castle in an elaborate stunt against pro-migrant activists, Bardella uses Old France as his backdrop casks of Cognac, golden fields, even the classic French comic book characters Asterix and Obelix. He is growing increasingly confident about campaigning on his own, especially with recent stumbles by Macrons party. The generation that is committed to nationalist political movements today is the generation that tomorrow will be called upon to lead Europe, Bardella told the AP. That is exactly what Pawel Zerka fears. A researcher with the left-leaning European Council on Foreign Relations, he said the mainstream parties have barely made an effort to appeal to younger voters, seeing them as a lost cause because so few actually turn out to vote. So many young voters across Europe dont believe the future will be better than today and they believe the past was better than today, he said, citing repeated surveys. The current European Union or the (mainstream) parties dont offer a credible or attractive vision for the future for the young. So the far right is stepping in. In Denmark, Peter Kofod, 29, has risen steadily since his first election in 2014 to city council. The following year, he became chairman of the youth wing of the anti-immigrant, populist Danish Peoples Party, which drew votes from a fifth of young voters. In Spain, Voxs gains have come at the expense of traditional conservatives, who were slow to counter the upstart far-right partys rise among the young. Its events include popular Pints for Spain evenings at bars, nightclubs and cafes, where no one over 25 is allowed in. Under Manuel Mariscal, the 27-year-old Vox spokesman and a newly elected lawmaker, the partys main Instagram channel has more than 300,000 followers, more than half of them younger than 34. A lot of its outreach happens on WhatsApp, where Voxs Madrid youth operation has nearly 1,750 active members. Vox leader Santiago Abascal A young kid who is highly motivated is capable of convincing many others. He talks to friends, he debates constantly with others, with family, that enthusiasm is contagious, said Luis Felipe Ulecia, the 24-year-old vice secretary for youth. A bracelet with the Spanish flag around his left wrist, he spoke to AP at a working-class bar in Madrid about the partys efforts to recruit the young. We are not looking for high-and-mighty young leaders ... they need to be street-smart. They need to know about Spains countryside. And they need to have been to the poligonos, he said, in reference to factory hubs outside the cities. He later led a small outing of well-dressed young supporters in unfriendly territory in Barcelona, handing out pamphlets and at one point carefully confronting leftist activists. Although the party has a small footprint in Spain elections in April made it the No. 5 political party in the parliaments lower house its already influencing political debates on migration and the countrys territorial unity. Still, Voxs vote total was far lower than its social media following would indicate. This shows a possible ceiling for the ability of far-right groups to translate likes into votes, according to Manuel Mostaza Barrios, an analyst at the Madrid-based Atrevia consulting group. As he put it: The candidates most followed on social media arent necessarily those that get the most votes. The Italian interior ministry vowed Sunday to press ahead with a new decree formalizing the closure of Italian ports to aid groups that rescue migrants, even after U.N. human rights investigators said it violated international law. Ministry officials said the security decree was "necessary and urgent" and was expected to be approved at a Cabinet meeting Monday. In a May 15 letter to Italy's government released Saturday, the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights urged Italy to withdraw the decree, calling it "yet another political attempt to criminalize search and rescue operations." The decree "further intensifies the climate of hostility and xenophobia against migrants," said the letter, which was signed by several U.N. human rights rapporteurs. Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, a hard-line populist, proposed the decree before the European Parliament elections this week, where nationalist, anti-migrant parties are hoping to make strong gains. Salvini's League has soared in popularity in part because of his hard-line migration policy, which has involved boosting the Libyan coast guard's ability to rescue migrants and bring them back. Four people died Sunday when a crane collapsed sending the counterweights crashing to the ground in a residential building site in Yavneh, south of Tel Aviv. Three were construction workers from China, who were killed on the ground and the fourth was the crane operator whose body was trapped in mid-air for over an hour while spectators on the ground looked on in horror. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter So far, seven construction workers died in Yavne in the course of one month. The scene of a crane accident that left four dead in Yavneh (Photo: Avi Mualem) Twenty construction workers have been killed on the job in Israel since the beginning of the year. Late in 2018, the government announced steps to promote safety in the construction sector, but most promises were not kept, and the number of fatalities continues to rise. Site of fatal crane collapse (Photo: Avi Mualem) An agreement signed by the government and the Histadrut labor federation last November came after the union announced a general strike in protest of the lack of safety laws. The Finance Ministry agreed to fund 60 additional inspectors, to improve enforcement of regulations but so far, only one third of those positions have been filled. The additional staff was supposed to increase safety in the 13,000 building sites around the country. State Comptroller Yosef Shapira in his last report noted that currently there is one inspection every two years in each site. More inspectors were also supposed to enhance the enforcement of fines for minor regulation violations. The cost is still inconsequential to construction companies, but even those were not being enforced because of a shortage of manpower. The site of the crane collapse in Yavneh An NGO that monitors safety on Israeli construciton sutes reports that not one fine has been imposed since the beginning of the year. Since 2018, there has been no investigation of safety violations. The Housing Ministry revoked the license of only two contractors for safety law violations, and legislation to increase the ministry's scope and enable better regulatory action has been suspended until the new government is sworn in and ready to take up the cause. A special unit set up by Israel Police last December is charged with investigation construction site accidents. So far, only one event has been investigated. In order to stop the increase in fatalities, certain steps must be taken immediately: Construction sites, where accidents occurred or inspectors see safety violations, should be ordered shut for a minimum of 30 days until all deficiencies are put right. Today these sites are ordered shut for a couple of days only. The site of the crane collapse in Yavneh The European standards must be adopted for scaffolding, including an external net to prevent falling from great heights. Officials allow the new standards to be adopted gradually and over a three-year period. Contractors must finance training for safety inspectors. This was agreed to by the government but remains on paper. Local governments must be made responsible for infringements in their jurisdictions. Today they are not being held responsible for any construction sites. Setting a minimum pricing for safety measures included in all public tenders. Today companies are cutting costs to keep their tenders as low as possible Extending legal responsibility to financiers of building projects as well. Today the responsibility is on the contractors and managers on site. In response, the contractors' organization said they are setting up a new task force that will study each accident at building sites and inform contractors. The Labor Ministry said they have closed 300 building sites pending safety measures since the beginning of the year. This is up from 240 in total during 2018. The law requiring a designated safety specialist on each site will be in effect at the end of this month. Israel Police say they are conducting inspections at different sites and have issued 10 injunctions, nine of which were to stop all work on the site until deficiencies were addressed. The police arrested crane operators suspected of carrying forged permits, one of whom has already been indicted. At least 16 people were injured on Sunday in a blast targeting a tourist bust near the new Egyptian museum close to the Giza Pyramids, two security sources said. The sources said that most of the injuries were foreign tourists. The Israeli broadcaster of the Eurovision Song Contest said on Sunday that an unauthorised display of Palestinian flags by Iceland's band could draw "punishment" from the event's organizers. In recent years, Israelis have come to love Asian food, as the proliferation of restaurants serving the cuisines of Japan, Thailand and Vietnam attests. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter One favorite food common to all these cuisines is noodles: this Oriental pasta has become so popular it has even spawned entire chains of restaurants specializing primarily in stir-fried noodles. The menus of most of the places listed have dedicated noodle sections. In general, the portions are quite generous; many also offer whole grain and/or gluten-free options. The restaurants are not ranked, rather listed in alphabetical order; three are certified kosher. All have English-language menus; most offer delivery and/or take-away service. Price refers to noodle dishes only. Giraffe Ambience: Tel Avivs noodle bar pioneer has rapidly grown into a nationwide chain of nine restaurants. Its flagship restaurant near Rabin Square has expanded since it opened, almost doubling both its indoor seating and the al fresco seating area on the sidewalk in front. Giraffe (Photo: Buzzy Gordon) Beverages: Full bar, specialty cocktails, beer, wine, soft drinks and hot drinks Noodles: There are nine dishes in the noodles section, plus one among the starters, and three Pad Thai variations listed separately. Some branches may not offer bacon or pork. There are vegan and vegetarian options, and a separate gluten-free section. Recommended are the Empress (the most popular, according to the manager), the slow-cooked meaty noodles (a new menu item), and the Malaysian. Other menu items: Other menu categories are cold starters, warm starters, dim sum, soups, sushi, and rice main dishes. Desserts: There are six desserts, including a new lemon pie and classic profiteroles. Price: NIS 54-64 (including Pad Thai); 15% off during business lunch hours Giraffe. Not kosher. Ibn Gvirol St. 49, Tel Aviv. Tel.(03) 609-18066 Nagisa Ambience: This chain of kosher Asian restaurants in the center of the country has two branches in Tel Aviv, one in the distinctive round shopping center at the Tzomet HaPil intersection, with both Indoor and al fresco seating. Handicapped accessible. Nagisa (Photo: Buzzy Gordon) Beverages: Wine, bottled beer (including Asian brands), soft drinks Noodles: The Stir-Fried section of the menu comprises 13 noodles dishes 13 (along with a sprinkling of rice dishes), reflecting various Asian cuisines. There are also two noodle variations among the starters: spring roll and wakame salad. Recommended are the Coco Curry Flakes -- sauteed rice noodle rolls with chicken (vegetarian option available), sprouts, carrots, mushrooms, and onion in red curry and coconut milk sauce -- and the Spicy Beef -- rice noodles with beef slices, assorted mushrooms, peanuts and green onion in a piquant house sauce Other menu items and desserts. Menu sections besides stir-fried are starters, sushi, soup, and main courses. There are four desserts, two Western and two Asian. Price: NIS 39-59. Nagisa. Kosher. Bnei Efraim 280, Tel Aviv. Tel. *5255, ext. 8 Okinawa Ambience: The two branches of this small chain of sushi and sake eateries are in Levontin and Neve Tzedek; the latter outlet is tiny, with counter seating either overlooking the sushi chef or the street. There are a few small tables on sidewalk. Okinawa (Photo: Buzzy Gordon) Beverages: Full bar, specialty cocktails, Japanese alcohol, wine, imported and domestic bottled beer, soft drinks, hot drinks Noodles: While there are four noodle dishes in their own section (one of which, surprisingly is Pad Thai), other variations can also be found in the soups, salads and starters sections. Most noodle dishes have vegan options Recommended are the Yaki Udon -- noodles with choice of protein in a slightly spicy sauce of coconut milk and peanut butter -- and the sashimi salad, raw salmon and red tuna with vermicelli noodles. Other menu items. Menu sections include salads, soups, starters, tempura, rice dishes, buns, side dishes and dozens of sushi rolls and combinations, along with many standard Japanese raw fish dishes. A smattering of other Asian cuisines are represented throughout. Desserts: There are six Western desserts, although the creme brulee is flavored with yuzu (Japanese citrus). Price; NIS 36-61. Okinawa. Not kosher. Shabazi St. 46, Tel Aviv. Tel. (03) 510-1099 Oshi Oshi Ambience: This chain of eateries and kiosks has grown to comprise 25 branches throughout the country, most of which are kosher. The branch in Namal Tel Aviv has bright and airy al fresco seating overlooking the sea. Oshi Oshi (Photo: Buzzy Gordon) Beverages: Beer, soft drinks, hot drinks Noodles: While the chain is best known for sushi, its menu has expanded greatly over the 10 years of its existence. There are now seven noodle dishes in the Wok section of its colorful menu. There is also a miso noodle soup. Most noodle dishes have vegetarian/vegan options Recommended are the Shiitake mushroom noodles -- egg noodles with two kinds of mushrooms, chicken, broccoli, and scallion -- and the chili pepper noodles -- egg noodles with chili, corn, carrot, onion, capsicum, beef and chicken (spicy!). Other menu items. Other menu sections include Entrees, Kids meals, and many sushi and maki rolls, cones and combinations. Desserts: There are four desserts, three of which have varying degrees of chocolate. Price: NIS 50-60. Oshi Oshi. Kosher. Hangar 21, Tel Aviv Port, Tel Aviv. Tel. *6054 Sui Sushi Ambience: This small chain is left with two outlets after its central Tel Aviv location closed. The Ramat Aviv branch is a cozy eatery tucked behind a major shopping center, with handsome wood furnishings, bar seating at the sushi counter and al fresco seating fronting a quiet side street. Sui Sushi (Photo: Buzzy Gordon) Beverages: Wine, beer, sake, soft drinks Noodles: There are four noodle dishes listed under their own heading, in the umbrella section of Main Courses, but others pop up elsewhere: one among the cold entrees and another among the hot entrees (the Tom Yam soup). Recommended are the Piquant -- egg noodles with pepper, cauliflower, cabbage, carrot, scallion, onion and cilantro, with seafood as the optional extra -- and the Red -- egg noodles with vegetables, peanuts and cilantro in a red curry and coconut milk sauce, with chicken as the optional extra, Other menu items: Other menu categories are Specials, Rice, Vegetarian, Fish and Seafood and a plethora of sushi dishes. Desserts: There are three Western desserts -- all featuring chocolate -- that are explained by the wait staff. Price: NIS 42, with extra ingredients ranging from NIS 3-15 each. Sui Sushi. Not kosher. Brazil St. 17, Ramat Aviv. Tel. (03) 642-9948. Taya Ambience: A modern, attractive setting in a suburban shopping center, with indoor and al fresco seating. There is lots of free parking. Taya (Photo: Buzzy Gordon) Beverages: Full bar with specialty cocktails, imported and domestic beers (including Israeli craft beers), wine, sake, soft drinks and hot drinks. There are is a warm cocktail list in the winter. Noodles: Noodle dishes are found in two menu categories: no fewer than 11 under Wok (including two vegan options, and gluten-free variations based on rice noodles) plus an additional three under the heading Noodles in Soup. Recommended are the Indonesian Lo Mein, with beef, and the Coconut Dragon noodles, served in a rich coconut milk soup. Other menu items: The menu here is electronic, on an iPad, in three languages: English Hebrew and Russian. The many categories are Starters, Salads, Sushi, Rice plus, Nudles (sic), Specials, and Gyoza (Japanese dumplings). There are also separate headings for Kids and Vegan. Desserts: There are nine desserts, all rather large and extravagant, inspired by both East and West cuisines. Price: NIS 53-67. The business lunch discount of 15% applies every weekday until 17.00. There are also weekly 1+1 and 2+1 deals available to members of the restaurants loyalty club, which is free to join, online or in person (the restaurant prefers you register 24 hours in advance). Taya. Not kosher. Haofeh St 1, Kadima. Tel. (09) 772-8878 Thai on Har Sinai Ambience: Nestled in the corner of the alley behind Tel Avivs Great Synagogue, this signless restaurant with very basic wooden tables and chairs has large seating areas indoors and al fresco in its own patio. It can get a little noisy when crowded, which is most days. Thai on Har Sinai (Photo: Buzzy Gordon) Beverages: Full bar, specialty cocktails, wine, beer, soft drinks. This is one of the few places in town serving Singha beer on tap, Thailands most popular brew. Noodles: Noodle dishes can be found in three different categories on the menu: two in Wok, one in Curry/Soup and one in Deep Fry. Recommended are the Pad Thai, the classic Thai noodle dish, with shrimp (although chicken or tofu are also available as choices), and Kao Soy, yellow curry with chicken that is both chock full of egg noodles and topped with crispy noodles. Other menu items: The dinner menu sections are Salads, Soup/Curry, Grill, Wok (which includes noodles) and Deep Fry. There are also daily specials. Desserts: Four Asian desserts were listed by our waitress. We enjoyed the panna cotta with mango, coconut chips and candied peanuts, as well as the sticky rice cake with jasmine whipped cream. Price: NIS 58-72 Thai on Har Sinai. Not kosher. Har Sinai Alley, Tel Aviv. Tel. (054) 201-7132 Vong Ambience: Located along restaurant row in the Rothschild-Herzl area, Vongs indoor seating and bar surround an open kitchen. The decor is basic wooden furnishings, both indoors and outdoors on the sidewalk. Vong (Photo: Buzzy Gordon) Beverages: Full bar, specialty cocktails, beer, wine, soft drinks. Noodles: Most of the noodle dishes are in the category Wok -- and inversely, most of the dishes in the Wok section are noodles -- although they can also be found under the heading Pho, which is Vietnams national dish. Recommended are the Beef Pho -- a meal of noodles, meat and vegetables in a bowl -- and Dien Dien, spicy noodles with chicken, chili, cilantro and Vietnamese herbs. Other menu items: The menu has undergone a complete overhaul since our visit in April, but rest assured that Vong boasts one of the most comprehensive Vietnamese menus in Israel, with appetizers, soups, stir-fried dishes and curries. Desserts: There are six desserts; the Asian-inspired ones tend to be exceedingly sweet. Price: NIS 45-74. Vong Vietnamese Kitchen. Not kosher. 15 Rothschild Blvd. 15, Tel Aviv. Tel. (03) 633-7171 Wok A Way Ambience: An eight-outlet chain whose Rabin Square branch is basically just a storefront with just a few counter seats indoors. The outdoor seating on the sidewalk is at high tables only, with practically backless metal stools. Note: There is no restroom, although there is a sink for washing hands. Wok A Way (Photo:Ben Yuster) Beverages: Soft drinks and bottled beer, self-serve from the refrigerated case Noodles: As the chains name suggests, the brand is built around take-away business; all dishes, even those eaten on the premises, are served in disposable cardboard containers. There is no wait staff: place an order at the cash register and pick it up, or order and pay using the large electronic terminal at the entrance. There are two categories of noodle dishes: 1) build-your-own by choosing one of five kinds of noodles, then adding veggies from a multitude of choices, and/or a substantial protein: chicken, beef, tofu, or goose breast (there is also salmon, at an extra charge; 2) there are also six ready made noodle dishes. Recommended among the ready-made noodle combinations is the Smoky. Other menu items: Appetizers, Soups, Baguette (sandwiches), Salads, Rice (dishes) and Kids portions. Desserts: No desserts are offered. Price: NIS 36-48. Wok A Way. Kosher. Ibn Gvirol St. 64, Tel Aviv. Tel. *8022 Wok to Walk Ambience: Wok to Walk is actually an international franchise operation, with restaurants on five continents, and four outlets in central Israel. In concept, it is basically a clone of Wok A Way (above) -- although Wok to Walk, founded in 2004, came first. The primary difference between the two chains is that Wok A Way is kosher, while Wok to Walk offers decidedly non-kosher options. Wok to Walk (Photo: Giora Hirsch) Beverages: Soft drinks and bottled beer. Noodles: Entirely build-your-own noodle dish by choosing one of four kinds of noodle -- rice, whole wheat, egg or udon -- to serve as your base, then adding one (or two) of eight kinds of sauce (mild or two levels of spicy), up to three of 12 vegetable choices, one of six proteins -- chicken, bacon, beef, tofu, crispy schnitzel or baby shrimp -- and finally, one or two out of five condiment toppings, such as sesame seeds or chopped peanuts. Alternatively, avoid carbs altogether and substitute a veggie mix for noodles to serve as your base. There are simply too many possible combinations to recommend any particular one or two. Desserts: No desserts are offered. Price: NIS 23.90 for the noodles and sauce, additional ingredients range from NIS 2-12 each. Wok to Walk. Not kosher. Nahalat Binyamin St. 52, Tel Aviv. Tel. (03) 944-1918 Israelis appear to be one of the biggest consumers of addictive painkillers in the developed world, with the latest report from the OECD ranking Israel first in the rise in the use of narcotic pain medication. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The report, which collected data from 2014-2016, puts Israel in 11th place (out of 37 OECD states) in the overall use of narcotic painkillers. This statistic represents a 13% increase from 2013 - the last time OECD conducted a research on this matter - when Israel was ranked 24th. According to the report, some 87,000 people in Israel take addictive painkillers on a daily basis, indicating an above average consumption levels for an OECD state. Painkiller addiction on the rise in Israel (Photo: Shutterstock) Meanwhile, in the United States, France and Belgium the consumption of such drugs has decreased over the same time period. "Pharmacists say they definitely feel the sharp increase in the demand for painkillers," said David Papo, chairman of the Pharmaceutical Association of Israel. "Weve become aware of the issue around two years ago, around the time when the worrisome date on addictive painkillers in the US was revealed. The OECD report also reveals that the number of painkiller-related deaths has increased. In the US at least 74 deaths per million people due to painkiller-overdose were recorded in 2011, while in 2016 that number spiked to 131. Since 1999 to 2017 at least 400,000 people died from addictive painkillers in the United States. Doctors are said to prescribe the medication too easily (Phoot: Shutterstock) This is a large-scale epidemic, the magnitudes of which are not fully understood by the medical authorities in Israel, said Papo. The Ministry of Health has set up a special committee to examine this issue. Papo said the problem stems partly from the easiness with which the doctors prescribe the pain medication at a patients request. "It's an elephant in a room that nobody talks about, but doctors prescribe addictive drugs too easily, he said. The medical bodies dont like confronting drug companies and are reluctant to limit doctors' ability to prescribe painkillers we need to do something before it's too late." "The Ministry of Health must demand severe warnings be placed on the medications packaging and demand the patients sign a form, saying they are aware of the risk of addiction involved with taking the drug." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday called on his potential coalition partners to stop making unrealistic requests, which he blames for the week-long stalemate in negotiations toward forming a government. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter I hope that we will find a way, as soon as possible, to bring them (party leaders) back to reality so that we can form a strong and stable government for the State of Israel that will continue to lead the country to new heights, Netanyahu said during Sundays cabinet meeting. Benjamin Netanyau at the weekly cabinet meeting in Jerusalem on Sunday (Photo: EPA) His statements came after members of the cabinet voted to cancel the maximum number of ministers permitted in a government, a move that theoretically should make it easier for him to forge coalition agreements by offering parties additional prestigious positions. Meanwhile, sources in the ruling Likud party said Sunday that the question of immunity from prosecution for Netanyahu, though not officially part of the coalition negotiations, is delaying agreements with potential partners. The prime minister is facing corruption charges in three separate police investigations. The propsect of immunity being part of a coalition agreement has come under fire from former minister Gideon Sa'ar and his former aide Michal Shir, both Likud MKs and outspoken opponents of Netanyahu. Likud MK Gideon Sa'ar (Photo: Avi Moalem) Both Sa'ar and Shir have gone on the record condemning these efforts. Sa'ar, who placed fifth on the Likud list in party primaries ahead of the elections, is seen as a potential challenger to Netanyahu's position as Likud leader. Netanyahu recently asked for a two-week extension to square the circle, giving him until May 29 to form a government. If he fails to form a government, President Reuven Rivlin could give a different lawmaker the opportunity to create a coalition. In such a situation, which is unlikely, the leading candidate would be former IDF chief Benny Gantz, whose Blue and White party tied Netanyahus Likud with 35 seats in the April 9 elections. Polands prime minister on Sunday said the demand for the Polish government to pay restitution to Jews who survived the Holocaust would equate to Hitlers victory after his death and doesnt comply with the demands of international law. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter "We are told that Poland has to pay restitution, but we will not agree to it as long as we are in power," Marek Magierowski said at a rally held by his party in the city of odz. "We are being unjustly treated. We are the victims and we are the ones who should be compensated. Prime Minister Marek Magierowski (Photo: EPA) The incident comes amid a bitter standoff between Poland and Israel over how to remember the Holocaust and over demands that Poland pay reparations for former Jewish properties that were seized by Nazi Germany and later nationalized by Poland's communist regime. The United States has also recently began applying pressure on the Polish authorities, after President Donald Trump signed Act S.447 a year ago, which demands justice for uncompensated Holocaust survivors. Magierowski said if Washington was to demand restitution payments from Warsaw as part of Act S. 447, the Polish government would redirect that demand to Berlin. Poland was the home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe before World War II. The community was essentially wiped out after the Nazis invaded Poland and established death camps on its territory. Polish demonstrators protest restitution for Jews (Photo: Reuters) Last week, tension between Israel and Poland reached new heights after Polish ambassador to Israel was assaulted by an Israeli man outside the embassy building. Magierowski labeled the attack xenophobic and racist and demanded an apology from the Israeli officials. The 65-year-old man from Herzliya, Eric Lederman, was arrested in connection with the incident shortly after. Lederman said he was walking down the street when the ambassador's vehicle honked at him to get out of the street, which he did not take kindly to. The suspect then approached the car and hit its roof. When the ambassador began filming with his phone, the suspect opened the car door and spat in his face amid shouts. Israeli foreign ministry spokesman, Emmanuel Nahshon, said the assault was being investigated and that "we will update our Polish friends" on what is found. "Israel expresses its full sympathy with the Polish ambassador and shock at the attack," Nahshon said. "This is a top priority to us, as we are fully committed to diplomats' safety and security." The United States to hold international economic workshop in Bahrain in late June to encourage investment in Palestinian areas as first part of Mideast peace plan, the White House said Sunday. The United States will hold an international economic "workshop" in Bahrain in late June to encourage investment in the Palestinian areas as the first part of President Donald Trump's coming Middle East peace plan , the White House said on Sunday. Follow Ynetnews on Facebook STRONG> and Twitter The conference will bring together government and business leaders to help jump-start the economic portion of the broader US peace initiative, which is also expected to include proposals for resolving thorny political issues at the heart of the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump has touted the coming plan as the "deal of the century," but Palestinian officials have rebuked the US effort, which they believe will be heavily biased in favor of Israel. President Donald Trump with White House adviser Jared Kushner, mastermind behind the peace plan (Photo: AFP) Trump's Middle East team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and regional envoy Jason Greenblatt, appears intent on focusing initially on the potential economic benefits, despite deep skepticism among experts that they can succeed where decades of US-backed efforts have failed. This will give hopefully the people in the region the potential to see what the economic opportunities could be if we can work out political issues that have held back the region for a long, long time," a senior Trump administration official said. President Donald Trump and Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa of Bahrain (Photo: Reuters) The participants in the June 25-26 conference in Manama are expected to include representatives and business executives from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the administration official said. However, a second senior US official declined to say whether Israeli and Palestinian officials would take part. US officials had said earlier the peace plan would be rolled out after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in early June. But the announcement of the investors workshop appears to set the stage for a sequenced release of the plan, starting with the economic plan in late June, and later, at some time not yet clear, the political proposals. A blast hit a tourist bus carrying 25 South Africans near the Giza pyramids on Sunday, injuring a number of people, according to the interior ministry. Security sources said earlier that at least 14 people were injured in the explosion near the Ring Road in Giza. A device exploded and shattered the glass of a bus carrying 25 people from South Africa, the ministry said on its official Facebook page. Some people, including four Egyptians in a nearby car, were wounded by broken glass from the two vehicles, state TV said in a video shared by the ministry. The wounded are receiving treatment, it added. No deaths have been reported. The blast took place near the famed Giza pyramids. No damage has been caused to the museum from the explosion, which took place 50 metres from its fence and more than 400 metres from the museum building, the antiquities ministry said in a statement. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The attack comes nearly five months after three Vietnamese tourists and their Egyptian tour guide were killed when a bomb hit their tourist bus as it was travelling on El-Maryoutiya Street in Giza's Haram district. Egypt has responded to terrorist attacks over the past few years with raids on terrorist hideouts nationwide, including a concentrated offensive in North Sinai to combat terrorism. Egypt has been battling an Islamist militancy that spiked following the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi. The violence has mainly been focused in the border North Sinai region, but has occasionally extended to the mainland. In February 2018, the army launched an extensive security operation to crush militants. Search Keywords: Short link: One of the alleged sons of billionaire businessman and rumored husband of actress, Regina Daniels, Ned Nwoko, Emzy, has appealed to Ni... One of the alleged sons of billionaire businessman and rumored husband of actress, Regina Daniels, Ned Nwoko, Emzy, has appealed to Nigerians to desist from referring to him as a 'billionaire son'. According to Emzy who recently graduated from the University of Port Harcourt, Nwoko is a deadbeat dad who has never provided for him. Emzy stated that he was abandoned for his mother who has since been taking care of him. Read his post on Instagram below. I Got To Tell You All This, So You Can Address Me As EMZY, Not As A BILLIONAIRE'S SON My Fathers Wealth Is Not My Wealth. My Mum Has Always Brought Me Up To Be An Independent Gentle Man, I Hustle For My Own Money. Since He Abandoned Us Right From When I Was A Kid, And Only GOD Has Been My Helper, I Have Never Experienced This Fatherly Love Since I Was Born. My Mum Had To Suffer And Grind Just To Make Sure I Go To School And So I Don't Starve. That Was Why I Had To Take A Pause On My Musical Career. And Now Am A Graduate Of The University Of Port Harcourt, I Dedicate My Certificate To My Mum.. Thanks For Always Being There When Everyone Left, Thanks Mum, For You Never Gave up On Me, I Finally Made You Proud, I Can Now Gladly Get Back To My Music And Am Fully Ready To Unleash The Star In Me. My Candid Advice To All Fathers Out There, "Never You Abandon Your Child, Simply Because You Don't Want There Mum Anymore, For You Don't Know What The Future Holds. By Monday 20th May 2019. Will Tell if I will Still Bear Your Name Anymore. GoOD NiGhT.. Our directory features more than 18 million business listings from across the entire US. However, if we're missing your business, add your business by clicking on Add Your Business. Badrinath: Badrinath temple management is all set to welcome Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is scheduled to offer prayers at the ancient shrine dedicated to Lord Vishnu here on Sunday. "Badrinath Kedarnath Temple Committee is gearing up for a special puja by the Prime Minister," Mohan Prasad Thapiyal, chairman of the committee told ANI. Thapiyal said that the people of Uttarakhand are very excited to welcome PM Modi in the temple town. "People of Uttarakhand are very excited to get a glimpse of Modi ji in Badri Dham. Thousands of people are thronging to Badrinath," he said. Live TV He added, "There is a wave of happiness in the area due to his visit." He thanked Modi government for development projects, especially all-weather rail and road connectivity programmes for the temple town. "Modi had launched two projects of all-weather road and rail connectivity. The work is in full swing. I believe the all-weather road will be completed in the next two years. The train line will also be operational by 2022. We thank Modi ji for these two projects," Thapiyal said. Prime Minister Modi embarked on a two-day visit to Uttarakhand`s Kedarnath and Badrinath with a visit to the ancient Kedarnath temple. He offered prayers at the innermost sanctum of the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. PM Modi circumambulated the temple and later interacted with local officials, even taking time out to monitor the progress of ongoing development works in the area. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is currently in Kedarnath, interacted with the media after performing morning prayers at the shrine on Sunday. He began the interaction by thanking the Election Commission and said, "I'm grateful to the EC for giving me two-day time to spend in solitude." "I'm in Kedarnath since Saturday. I got some time for myself after a long period," he added. PM Modi also told reporters that he never asked for anything from god while praying. "I believe god has made us all capable of contributing to the society and not asking," he said. The Prime Minister is on a two-day visit to Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines. He reached Kedarnath on Saturday morning via Dehradun. After offering prayers at the Kedarnath temple, he reviewed the development work of the holy town and later spent his time meditating at a cave. PM Modi's meditation ended this morning after which he enjoyed a walk amidst the mountains before reaching the Kedarnath temple for prayers. At the press interaction outside the temple, he also thanked the media persons for their tireless work. Later, he waved at the locals gathered around the temple and urged them to chant Har Har Mahadev. PM Modi will now visit Badrinath and will fly to Delhi later on Sunday afternoon. This is PM Modi's fourth visit to the temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in the last two years. The portals of Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines reopened for devotees earlier this month after the winter break. Live TV The poll body had given its nod to PM's visit to Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines on a reminder that the "poll code is still in force." The final phase of Lok Sabha election is being held across seven states and 1 union territory on May 19. New Delhi: A political activist in Zangalpora area of Kulgam district in Jammu and Kashmir sustained critical injuries on Sunday after he was shot at allegedly by terrorists. The victim has been identified as Mohammed Jamal, 65. He was shot at by the terrorists near his residence at Zungalpora village of Kulgam district in south Kashmir. Jamal was immediately rushed to a hospital where his condition is said to be critical. A police case has been registered and a hunt has been launched to nab the assailants. The development comes days after suspected militants shot at and injured a National Conference (NC) worker in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district on May 13. Militants fired on Sajad Ahmad Ganaie near his residence at Chitragam Kalan area of south Kashmir's Shopian district. In another incident, on May 8, two Peoples Democratic Party workers were shot by terrorists in Zainapora area of Shopian district. One of the victims later succumbed to his injuries in a hospital on March 16. Workers hoping for the implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage in Lagos State this month will be disappointed as the Lagos Stat... Workers hoping for the implementation of the N30,000 new minimum wage in Lagos State this month will be disappointed as the Lagos State Government is not yet ready for the task ahead. There have been rumours within the Lagos State Government Secretariat, Alausa, Lagos that the government was not ready to pay N30,000 minimum wage, settling for N27,000. It was also rumoured that a meeting between the labour and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode on the new minimum wage was deadlock as the workers rejected governments proposed N27,000. According to rumours within the secretariat, the Lagos State Committee on the new N30,000 minimum wage failed to reach agreement on Thursday 9th May, 2019,. The is said to comprise Ambode, incoming Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and representatives of the states Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and the Trade Union Congress, TUC. It was gathered that the state initially proposed N25,000, which they later jacked up to N27,000, but the organised labour insisted on the amount signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari. After hours of deliberations, it was agreed that the issue be suspended till after the swearing in of the new governor but that the state would pay the leave bonus for all categories of workers this month, with the hope of commencing the new wage in June 2019. However, Chairman, Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, Lagos State Branch, Comrade Olamide Bamidele debunked rumours that the government had settled to pay workers N27,000, saying that no meeting had been held yet. He, however, said the government tried to negotiate with leadership of the workers at a meeting in Abeokuta before Buhari signed the new minimum wage into law, but that the workers rejected such move. He said the labour is awaiting the federal committee set up by Buhari to harmonise the new wage increase, saying that Lagos workers would negotiate with the state government base on the federal benchmark. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday said that Navjot Singh Sidhu wants to replace him as the next CM of the state. He also criticised Sidhu for damaging the Congress with his ill-timed comments against him and the party. Singh made the remarks on Sunday before he went to cast his vote during the seventh and final phase of Lok Sabha election. Sidhu, a few days ago, had accused the Chief Minister of being responsible for denial of ticket to his wife Navjot Kaur from Chandigarh. However, denying the charge, Singh had said that Kaur had been offered Congress ticket from Amritsar or Bathinda seat, but she refused it. "There is no war of words with Sidhu. If he is ambitious, it's fine. People have ambitions. I have known him since childhood and have no difference of opinion with him. He probably wants to become CM and replace me, that is his business," Singh said. Live TV He also added that he was harming the party with such irresponsible actions a day prior to the election. "He was wrong and it would affect the party but not him," Singh said. Meanwhile, Singh exuded confidence on Congress' victory across the country as well as Punjab. "We'll beat both BJP and Akali Dal," he said, adding that "UPA-3 will form the next government at the Centre." Voting for Lok Sabha election for 25 seats in Andhra Pradesh and 17 seats in Telangana was held in a single phase on 11 April. Along with Lok Sabha, voting was also held for 175 Assembly seats in Andhra Pradesh. After the overall voting ends at 6 pm on Sunday, the Election Commission will lift its ban on media from releasing its exit polls for the election. Lok Sabha Exit Poll Results 2019 Once polling concludes at 6 pm on May 19, various pollsters and news channels - Today's Chanakya, Republic-CVoter, ABP-CSDS, News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis, Times Now-CNX, NewsX-Neta - will release their exit poll results on Lok Sabha election 2019 about the number of seats different parties are likely to win on May 23 when the counting of votes takes place and results are declared. Zee News will show the "poll of polls" which will include details of all the exit poll surveys released by different pollsters and TV news channels. The Lok Sabha election was held to elect Members of Parliament for 542 of the 543 parliamentary constituencies. Live TV The poll body had notified that during the period between 7.00 am on the first phase of polling on 11 April to 6:30 pm on the last day of poll on 19 May conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising the result of exit poll by means any media is prohibited. Uttar Pradesh Lok Sabha election exit poll results 2019 Over 3.93 crore voters were eligible to cast their votes in Andhra Pradesh to decide the fortunes of 319 candidates for Lok Sabha seats and 2,118 candidates for Assembly polls. Telangana recorded 62.69 per cent polling across 17 Lok Sabha constituencies. Khammam recorded the highest percentage at 75.28, while Hyderabad had registered 44.75 per cent polling. A total of 443 candidates were in the fray in the state which has over 2.97 crore eligible voters. NEW DELHI: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar was among the early voters as polling began in 59 parliamentary constituencies across seven states and one Union Territory on Sunday.Talking to media after casting his vote in Patna, the Bihar CM said that the Election Commission should not keep huge gap between two phases of Lok Sabha poll. "The elections should wrap up early so that it is convenient for voters. It's very hot. The elections should be held in consultation between parties. The election should not be held over such a long duration. There was a long gap between each phase of voting. I will write to leaders of all parties to build a consensus on this," said the Bihar CM. Chief Minister of Bihar, Nitish Kumar: Elections should not be held over such a long duration, there was a long gap between each phase of voting. I will write to leaders of all parties to build a consensus on this. #LokSabhaElections2019 pic.twitter.com/Qrh2ocDJpo ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 Commenting on Sadhvi Pragya Thakur's comment that Mahatma Gandhi's assassin Nathuram Godse was a 'patriot', the Bihar chief minister said that Sadhvi Pragya's remarks were completely wrong. He added that what action BJP will take against her is the internal matter of the party but his party will not tolerate such statements. Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on BJP Sadhvi Pragya Singh's statement 'Godse is patriot': It is condemnable. What action the party takes is their internal matter. We should not tolerate such a statement. pic.twitter.com/QvCwALtRdT ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 Referring to Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad's statement that the grand old party is ready to forego prime minister's seat in order to keep BJP out of power, Nitish Kumar said that everyone is aware of the position of Congress. The Bihar CM added that he enjoys good relationship with Azad. Live TV Talking about May 23, when the Lok Sabha election results will be declared, Nitish said that he will completely relaxed on May 23. The Bihar CM noted that in democracy voters are everything and they will give the right decision. Nitish also noted that his party fought the election in coalition with BJP and during his 177 public rallies he got the idea that people are in support of BJP-led NDA alliance in Bihar. Nitish also said that his party Janata Dal (United) is against the scrapping of Article 370. The Bihar CM remarked that if JD(U) will be a part of the next government, then there will be a Common Minimum Programme. When asked about JD(U)'s decision to not release the manifesto for Lok Sabha poll, the Bihar chief minister said that this election is not the election for state government and JD(U) will release the manifesto during Assembly election. VARANASI: The Congress Saturday asked the EC not to grant Prime Minister Narendra Modi permission to travel with his motorcade here on polling day as this would amount to a roadshow, a "violation" of the poll code. In a letter to the Election Commission and the local poll authority, the party's district unit said in such a situation its own candidate would also be forced to move about in a cavalcade which could lead to "unnecessary confrontation". Modi, who is seeking reelection from Varanasi constituency, is expected to spend at least a part of the day in Badrinath. The Congress said it had learnt that the prime minister would stay in Varanasi on Sunday and his movement might even affect traffic, which would cause hindrance to voters trying to reach polling booths. It said that even if his cavalcade moved without affecting or halting traffic, it would still seem like he was holding a roadshow and asked the poll body not to grant him permission for it. Congress district unit president Prajanath Sharma said it would create a situation of an undeclared roadshow being held during the period when canvassing by candidates is restricted. Live TV He claimed that in Maninagar, Ahmedabad, Modi he merely gone to vote, but his party had planned a roadshow with a prearranged crowd. Sharma claimed the prime minister had also waved to crowd standing on a moving vehicle. The party claimed that a large number of outsiders were staying in Varanasi's hotels, guesthouses and even in BJP leaders' houses despite the canvassing being over and demanded that a raid be conducted at these places to remove them from the city. MALOT: Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday said that the Congress of 2019 is different from that of 2014, adding that regional leaders are now getting their due importance in the party. Singh added that Congress has also become more aggressive in the last five years. It is to be noted that Singh helped the Congress won 2017 Assembly elections in Punjab after the party was badly defeated in 2014 Lok Sabha poll. "Regional leaders of the party have been given more say in the affairs of the Congress and its policies for states," Singh said. The Punjab CM said that regional leaders have a better understanding of their states and by giving importance to regional leaders Congress has a better insight into the aspirations of millions of people in India. Singh also praised Congress president Rahul Gandhi and said that he is a dynamic leader. He added that under Rahul's leadership, the confidence of Congress has grown and "the defensiveness of the past has given way to new aggression." Live TV "Within the organisation, there is a palpable shift in the way we function. There is more transparency and democracy. Rahul Gandhi, in the past five years, has evolved his style of functioning to connect with the workers at the grassroots," he was quoted as saying by PTI. Singh launched a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said that he is a liar and deceiver, who only cares about staying in power. "I doubt (PM) Modi has any craze or charm left anywhere in India after five years as prime minister. People had lot of expectations, there was hope among the people but they were taken in by his hyped promises of jobs, doubling of farm income, money in every account etc," he said. (with PTI inputs) NEW DELHI: The polling for all the 543 constituencies spread across seven phases of the Lok Sabha election 2019 concluded on Sunday evening. The polling in West Bengal took place in 42 constituencies in seven phases and a total of 466 candidates were in the fray. However, violence and ruckus were witnessed in the state during polling in all the phases. After polling concluded at 6 PM, various pollsters and news channels - Today's Chanakya, Republic-CVoter, ABP-CSDS, News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis, Times Now-CNX, NewsX-Neta are releasing their exit poll results on the election about the number of seats different parties are likely to win on May 23 when the counting of votes takes place and results are declared. Zee News is showing the "poll of polls" Maha Exit Polls which includes details of all the exit poll surveys released by different pollsters and TV news channels. The exit polls prediction for the political parties and their alliances has started pouring in after Election Commission (EC) lifted its embargo on airing exit polls. The EC had earlier notified that the prohibition on exit polls will continue till 6.30 PM on Sunday. The EC had in March issued an advisory to the media saying exit polls can only be telecast after the final phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections ends on May 19. The advisory is also applicable for Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim. According to the major exit poll predictions, the NDA seems to be holding its turf in Bihar where it is expected to win more than 30 Lok Sabha seats with BJP winning 12-14 seats. Other NDA partners, JD-U and Lok Jantantrik Party (LJP) are expected to win around 20 seats. In 2014, the BJP had won 22 with LJP getting 6 and RLSP (then with NDA) getting 3. According to the exit polls, the alliance of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Congress, Hindustani Awam Morcha, Rashtriya Lok Samata Party (RLSP) and the Vikassheel Insan Party (VIP) has failed to make any major impact in Bihar. The alliance of opposition parties may get between -10 seats while the NDA comprising of BJP, Janata Dal-United and Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) may win more than 30 out of total 40 seats. Here are the exit poll predictions for Bihar and Jharkhand:- # India Today-AxisPoll: BJP likely to win all 40 seats in Bihar. # Times Now-VMR: It projects the BJP-JD (U) alliance to bag 27 seats with 48.42 per cent of the vote share as against RJD-Congress tally of 3 with 42.37 per cent of the vote share in Bihar. # Times Now-VMR: In Jharkhand, the survey predicts a negative picture for BJP which it sees losing 4 seats to the grand alliance: BJP is projected to win 8 seats while the grand alliance is seen clawing back to 6 seats in the forthcoming elections. # ABP-CSDS: The Mahagathbandhan is headed for a heavy-drubbing in Bihar with just 5 seats for the main opposition party RJD and 1 for RLSP and zilch for Congress. The NDA is expected to win 34 seats. # The ABP-CSDS survey predicts that the grand alliance will regain the lost ground in neighbouring Jharkhand with 5 seats while NDA will be on the backfoot but still at a comfortable mark of 9 seats. # The India TV-CNX poll predicts good prospects for NDA in Bihar where it is expected to bag 28 seats and the grand alliance with 12. As per the survey, the BJP is expected to win 14, RJD 8, JD (U) 12, three each to Congress and LJP and 1 seat to RLSP. The survey predicts 8 seats for the BJP in Jharkhand, JMM 3, Congress 2 and JVM (P) 1. Though the exit poll predictions may not always be true, pollsters claim they give an idea of the emerging political situation. Usually, private pollsters or agencies working for newspapers and broadcasters ask voters to know who they actually voted for and based on their replies, they predict the trends/results. Election predictions based on exit and opinion polls have gained much traction in the past decade with television's reach increasing in India alongside the mushrooming of news portals. In West Bengal, the campaigning ended on Thursday due to orders of EC, which curtailed the campaign period in the state by a day following violence involving BJP and TMC workers in Kolkata during a roadshow of BJP chief Amit Shah. Parts of Kolkata witnessed widespread violence during Shah's massive roadshow in the city. A bust of 19th century Bengali icon Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was also vandalised during the violence. "This is probably the first time that ECI has invoked Article 324 in this manner but it may not be last in cases of repetition of lawlessness and violence which vitiate the conduct of polls in a peaceful manner. The Commission is deeply anguished at the vandalism done to the statue of Vidyasagar. It is hoped that the vandals are traced by the state administration," the EC had said. The exit poll predictions of 2019 Lok Sabha elections in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan suggested a massive win for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in all the three states. Various pollsters and news channels - Today's Chanakya, Republic-CVoter, ABP-CSDS, News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis, Times Now-CNX, NewsX-Neta - released their exit poll results after the conclusion of the seventh and the final phase of Lok Sabha election 2019 on Sunday at 6 pm. While the results of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections will come out only on May 23, the exit poll results have somewhat given any idea of the number of seats different parties are likely to win when the counting of votes takes place and the results are declared. As per the data released by Today's Chanakya, the BJP is sweeping Madhya Pradesh with 27 of the total 29 seats, while the saffron party is likely to settled between 26 to 28 seats according to Aajtak-Axis exit poll. Congress, on the other hand, might have to settle between one to three seats, the exit poll predicted. The situation is quite similar in Rajasthan, with the BJP expected to win a minimum of 22 seats out of the total 25 Lok Sabha seats. While Aajtak-Axis predicted that the Congress would settle with two states in Rajasthan, India TV-CNX exit poll suggested that the UPA would bag four seats in the state. As far as Chhattisgarh is concerned, the BJP will gain a majority with a minimum of six seats, according to ABP-CSDS and Rebuplic CVoter. Congress might have to settle with three to four seats. Here are the exit poll predictions for Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan : # Today's Chanakya Exit poll said the BJP and its allies are expected to sweep Madhya Pradesh with 27 of the total 29 seats. # According to Republic-CVoter for Chhattisgarh, NDA to get six seats. Jan Ki Baat predicts 5 to 6 seats for the NDA. # Republic-CVoter for Rajasthan predicts 22 seats for NDA and just three seats for UPA. # ABP-CSDS for Chhattisgarh projects BJP will gain a majority with six seats. Congress to settle for with five seats. # IndiaToday-Axis's post-poll survey suggests that the BJP is most likely to gain 26-28 seats in Madhya Pradesh. # According to Republic-Jan ki Baat, NDA to win 24 seats in Madhya Pradesh while Jan ki Baat gives 21 to 24 Lok Sabha seats to NDA. # In Madhya Pradesh, ABP-CSDS predicts BJP will bag 24 out of 29 Lok Sabha seats. Congress may snap the remaining five seats. # ABP-CSDS says BJP is likely to win 19 seats in Rajasthan, while Congress is expected to settle with the remaining six seats. # Todays Chanakya predicts the majority for BJP in Chhattisgarh as well with a total of nine seats. Congress is likely to get just two seats in the state. # News 18-IPSOS is indicating a massive victory for BJP in Rajasthan with 22-23 seats going to the saffron party. Congress will get just two to three seats. # In Rajasthan, India TV-CNX says BJP will come to power with 21 seats. Congress will settle for just four seats. # India TV-CNX predicts the majority for Congress in Chattisgarh with six seats, while BJP will fall short of just one seat to settle for five. # In Rajasthan, Aajtak-Axis says BJP will win with 23 to 25 seats, while just two seats are likely to go to Congress. # Aajtak-Axis predicts BJP will win 7 to 8 seats in Chhattisgarh. Congress will bag three to four seats in the state, while others will have to face disappointment. # According to Aajtak-Axis, BJP will bag 26-28 seats in Madhya Pradesh, while Congress will win 1 to 3 seats in the state. Live TV In Madhya Pradesh, the voting took place for 29 Lok Sabha seats in four phases--April 29, May 6, May 12 and May 19. Madhya Pradesh recorded a total voter's turnout of 74.90 percent when it first went to poll in the fourth phase. While the total number of electors were 10545823, the voter's turnout recorded was 7898351 in five seats-- Balaghat, Chhindwara, Jabalpur, Mandla, Shahdol and Sidhi. In the fifth phase, Madhya Pradesh recorded 69.14 percent voter's turnout, with a total number of electors being 11937625, while the voter's turnout was 8253634. In the sixth phase of election in the state, eight Lok Sabha seats namely Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Guna, Sagar, Vidisha, Bhopal, and Rajgarh went to polls and recorded 65.24 percent voter's turnout. The voting for the remaining eight Lok Sabha seats in the state took place during the seventh and final phase of election on Sunday. Chhattisgarh, meanwhile, went to pole for 11 Lok Sabha seats in three phases on phase one (April 11), phase two (April 18) and phase three (April 23).The state recorded the highest voting per cent during the second phase when it recorded 74.95 per cent voter's turnout. In Rajasthan, the voting took place in two phases on fourth (April 29) and fifth (May 6) phase for 25 Lok Sabha seats. The state recorded the highest voter turnout of 68.17 per cent during the fourth phase. NEW DELHI: The polling for all the 543 constituencies spread across seven phases of the Lok Sabha election 2019 concluded on Sunday evening. The polling in West Bengal took place in 42 constituencies in seven phases and a total of 466 candidates were in the fray. However, violence and ruckus were witnessed in the state during polling in all the phases. After polling concluded at 6 PM, various pollsters and news channels - Today's Chanakya, Republic-CVoter, ABP-CSDS, News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis, Times Now-CNX, NewsX-Neta are releasing their exit poll results on the election about the number of seats different parties are likely to win on May 23 when the counting of votes takes place and results are declared. Zee News is showing the "poll of polls" Maha Exit Poll which includes details of all the exit poll surveys released by different pollsters and TV news channels. The exit polls prediction for the political parties and their alliances has started pouring in after Election Commission (EC) lifted its embargo on airing exit polls. The EC had earlier notified that the prohibition on exit polls will continue till 6.30 PM on Sunday. The EC had in March issued an advisory to the media saying exit polls can only be telecast after the final phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections ends on May 19. The advisory is also applicable for Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and TDP supremo Chandrababu Naidu may get another term in the state, but arch-rival Jagan Mohan Reddy's YSRCP is likely to crush his dream of playing the kingmaker's role at the Centre by making a significant dent in the Lok Sabha elections, according to most exit polls. Here are the exit poll predictions for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana:- # News24-Chanakya Exit poll: N Chandrababu Naidu's ruling Telugu Desam Party likely to win 17 seats. YS Jagan Reddy's YSR Congress Party is set to follow with 8 seats. # News18-IPSOS Exit poll predicts no clear winner in Andhra Pradesh. # Republic-CVoter Exit poll: Predicts that N Chandrababu Naidu's Telugu Desam Party will bag 14 seats. The YSRCP is set to get 11 seats. Neither BJP nor Congress will have an impact, according to prediction. # India Today-Axis Exit Poll: Big win predicted for YSRCP in Assembly Polls With Around 132 Seats. The India Today-Axis survey predicts YSRCP likely to win with 130 - 135 while TDP will get 37-40 seats. It has predicted a maximum of 1 seat for others, including Jana Sena, Congress and the BJP. # The India Today-Axis poll has given TDP Lok Sabha between 4-6 seats and YSRCP 18-20 seats Lok Sabha. # India TV-CNX Exit Poll: TRS may get 14 seats in Telangana, Congress 2, AIMIM 1. # News18-IPSOS exit poll: Having swept the Assembly polls held in December last, the ruling TRS is hoping for an encore in the company of AIMIM while the opposition Congress and BJP appear to be focussed on winning a select number of seats. The regional parties in the state will be playing an important role in a post-poll scenario. Total 17 seats: TRS 12-14, INC 1-2, BJP 1-2, AIMIM 1. # News18-IPSOS exit poll: Anti-incumbency, caste and corruption are the major factors that could determine the outcome of the elections in Andhra Pradesh. CM Chandrababu Naidu is seeking to consolidate his partys position. Leader of opposition and YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy will be a major hurdle for Naidus aspirations. This is the first general election in the state after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, and formation of Telangana, in June 2014. Total 25 seats: YSRCP 13-14, TDP 10-12, BJP 0-1, INC 0. # India Today-Axis Exit Poll: YSRCP's likely to win between 18 to 20 Lok Sabha Seats. Jagan Mohan Reddy's party will sweep the Lok Sabha polls by winning between 18-20 seats. The survey predicts that TDP will win 4-6 seats. Other parties, including the BJP, Congress and the Jana Sena, are predicted to have either drawn nil or won just 1 seat. # Regarding assembly polls in Andhra Pradesh, two major exit polls have predicted that TDP chief will comfortably get another term as CM, while one has predicted a big win for the YSRCP. India Today Axis Poll has forecast 37-40 for TDP, 130-135 for the YSRCP, and a maximum of one seat for others. # According to the India Today Axis poll, TRS is likely to win between 10-12 seats and both the BJP and Congress 1-3 seats each. The AIMIM is predicted to win one seat. # The News24-Chanakya poll has predicted 14 seats for the TRS, one each for the BJP and the Congress. # The survey conducted by Republic-C Voter has predicted 14 seats for the TRS and one each for the AIMIM, NDA and UPA. In Andhra Pradesh, polling in 25 constituencies in the state took place on April 11 in the first phase of 2019 Lok Sabha election. A little over 3.93 crore voters in Andhra Pradesh caste their votes to decide the fortunes of 319 candidates for Lok Sabha seats and 2,118 candidates for Assembly polls. The seats that voted in the first phase on April 11 were Araku, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Kakinada, Amalapuram, Rajahmundry, Narasapuram, Eluru, Machilipatnam, Vijayawada, Guntur, Narasaraopet, Bapatla, Ongole, Nandyal, Kurnool, Anantapur, Hindupur, Kadapa, Nellore, Tirupati, Rajampet, and Chittoor. The schedule for seven-phase Lok Sabha elections in the country, beginning April 11, was announced by the Election Commission in Delhi. The counting of votes will be taken up on May 23. Meanwhile, in the twin state of Telangana, around 62.69% of the electorate exercised their franchise at 17 constituencies on 11 April. BJP and Congress are hoping to make a dent in the fortunes of the ruling TRS led Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao. Khammam recorded the highest percentage at 75.28, while Hyderabad had registered 44.75 per cent polling. A total of 443 candidates were in the fray in the state which has over 2.97 crore eligible voters. NEW DELHI: Sunday marked the last and final phase of Lok Sabha election 2019. Voting is currently underway in 59 constituencies across seven states and one union territory. Polling took place in all 13 seats in Punjab and 13 in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat in Chandigarh (UT). Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a two-day visit to Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines, urged people to vote in large numbers. During his Kedarnath visit, PM Modi meditated at a holy cave. Here are all the updates on Lok Sabha election from May 19: # With most exit polls on Sunday predicting a comfortable victory for the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA), the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) said they were not accurate and did not reflect the true picture. # Omar Abdullah tweets: Every single exit poll cant be wrong! Time to switch off the TV, log out of social media & wait to see if the world is still spinning on its axis on the 23rd. Every single exit poll cant be wrong! Time to switch off the TV, log out of social media & wait to see if the world is still spinning on its axis on the 23rd. Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) May 19, 2019 # Congress leader P Chidambaram hits out at the EC, alleges that the poll panel has surrendered its independence. "Polling is over. Now we can say that the 'pilgrimage' of the PM in the last two days is an unacceptable use of religion and religious symbols to influence the voting," he said. , ! P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) May 19, 2019 # The following are the details of the seizure by the poll panel for the seventh phase of Lok Sabha election : Cash worth Rs 839.03 cr Liquor worth Rs 294.41 cr Drugs/Narcotics worth Rs 1,270.37 cr Precious metals worth Rs 986.76 cr Other items worth Rs 58.56 cr # Himachal Pradesh: Out of 49 registered voters at Tashigang polling station in Lahaul-Spiti, world's highest polling station, 34 voters exercised their franchise. The polling station is located at an altitude of 15, 256 feet above sea level. # Election Commission has announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 15 lakh each to the next of the kin of three polling officials of the state who died on Lok Sabha Elections duty. The deceased officials were Vineet Kumar, Devi Singh, & Lot Ram. # Election Commission seizure report for the 7th phase of general elections: Cash worth - Rs 839.03 crore, liquor worth - Rs 294.41 crore, Drugs/Narcotics worth - Rs 1270.37 crore, precious metals worth - Rs 986.76 crore, other items worth - Rs 58.56 crore. # Bihar CM Nitish Kumar condemns BJP's Bhopal candidate Pragya Singh Thakur that Nathuram Godse was a 'patriot', asserting that his party JD(U), an ally of BJP, will not tolerate such remarks in support of Mahatma Gandhi's assassin. "It is condemnable, we don't agree with such views. Mahatma Gandhi is the father of the nation. Suspending her from the party is their own matter. Giving a reaction or taking action is an internal matter of their party. As much as we are concerned, we will not tolerate this kind of view," he said. # Election Commission's capitulation before PM Narendra Modi and his gang is obvious to all Indians, alleges Rahul Gandhi. He tweeted: From Electoral Bonds & EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, Modis Army & now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commissions capitulation before Mr Modi & his gang is obvious to all Indians. The EC used to be feared & respected. Not anymore. From Electoral Bonds & EVMs to manipulating the election schedule, NaMo TV, Modis Army & now the drama in Kedarnath; the Election Commissions capitulation before Mr Modi & his gang is obvious to all Indians. The EC used to be feared & respected. Not anymore. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 19, 2019 # CPI(M) chief Sitaram Yechury meets Rahul Gandhi, Chandrababu Naidu; discusses post-poll scenario # Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan said the Narendra Modi government would return to power with absolute majority for the second time. "There is an encouraging atmosphere for the BJP in the country. I have full faith that the Modi government will once again form the government with full majority," she said. # Delhi BJP leader Vijender Gupta lodged a police complaint against Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and his deputy Manish Sisodia accusing them of hatching a conspiracy to falsely implicate him in criminal cases. # CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said he had spoken to the chief election commissioner about the violence in West Bengal in the last phase of the Lok Sabha polls. # Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu leaves 10 Janpath after a meeting with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi Delhi: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu leaves 10 Janpath after a meeting with UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi pic.twitter.com/84ydrkvDYL ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 # BJP writes to Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal, alleging violent incidents in 9 parliamentary constituencies of the state. BJP writes to Chief Electoral Officer West Bengal, alleging violent incidents in 9 parliamentary constituencies of the state. Letter states, "We have filed 417 complaints to ECI, out of which 227 were resolved, a whooping number of 190 complaints are unresolved" ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 # TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu arrives to meet Sonia Gandhi to discuss post-poll scenario # "PM has gone to Badrinath and Kedarnath on an official visit, all the private activities done by him during his pilgrimage are being displayed and continuously telecast, which is a clear violation of the MCC," TDP letter states. # TDP writes to EC alleging a violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) by PM Modi. # PM meets Uttarakhand Governor and Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat at the airport. # PM Modi arrives at Jollygrant Airport in Dehradun after paying a visit to Kedarnath and Badrinath temple shrine. # Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav to arrive in New Delhi on Monday, sources say. # Chandrababu Naidu also met CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury. Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu meets CPI (Marxist) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury pic.twitter.com/hg7adxx3Ok ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 # Chandrababu Naidu meets Rahul Gandhi, Sharad Pawar in Delhi. He will is likely to meet Sonia Gandhi today later in the evening. # PM Modi's visit in Kedarnath violates MCC: TMC complains to EC # Prime Minister Narendra Modi after offering prayers at Badrinath Temple in Uttarakhand. pic.twitter.com/DO74PCfW2D # PM Modi arrives in Badrinath. # Elections are a festival in a democracy, the way people have participated in these elections is commendable. Compare UP and West Bengal, violence wasn't reported from UP in the last 6 phases of elections unlike West Bengal: Yogi Adityanath # I have had a special relationship with Kedarnath. After 2013, natural tragedy, we have made a master-plan for the re-development for Kedarnath: PM Modi # I want people of our nation to see the country. While I don't have any objection to them travelling to foreign countries but they should also travel to see the different places in our country: PM Modi # #WATCH Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets devotees at Kedarnath temple. pic.twitter.com/7ExtXokdw4 # Uttarakhand: Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves at devotees at Kedarnath temple. pic.twitter.com/McwljONvMR # Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Kedarnath: Mera saubhagya raha hai ki adhyatmik chetna ki bhoomi pe jaane ka mujhe kai varshon se awsar milta raha hai. Yahan ka mera jo development mission hai usmein prakriti, paryavaran aur paryatan hain. pic.twitter.com/NYLvtKQERU # I express my gratitude to the Election Commission for giving me rest for two days: PM Modi in Kedarnath # Elections should not be held over such a long duration, there was a long gap between each phase of voting. I will write to leaders of all parties to build a consensus on this: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. # Gorakhpur: CM Yogi Adityanath offers prayers at Gorakhnath Temple. pic.twitter.com/jxACCAij5t ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 19, 2019 # Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath offered prayers at Gorakhnath Temple before casting his vote. # "Today is the final phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. I urge all those voting in this phase to vote in record numbers. Your one vote will shape Indias development trajectory in the years to come. I also hope first-time voters vote enthusiastically," PM Modi wrote. # Today is the final phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections. I urge all those voting in this phase to vote in record numbers. Your one vote will shape Indias development trajectory in the years to come. I also hope first-time voters vote enthusiastically. Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 19, 2019 # PM Modi will offer prayers at the Badrinath temple on Sunday. BJP MP candidate from Jadavpur in West Bengal, Anupam Hazra, on Sunday said that women TMC workers with covered faces are casting proxy votes at polling booth numbers 150/137 in Jadavpur. Hazra added that when BJP workers raised an objection to it, the TMC workers created a ruckus at the polling booth. Hazra was allegedly attacked by TMC workers and his car was also vandalised. A CISF DC identified as Pawan Kumar was also heckled by TMC workers. BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra in Jadavpur: TMC goons have beaten up a BJP mandal president, a driver&attacked a car. We also rescued our 3 polling agents.TMC goons were going to carry out rigging at 52 booths. People are eager to vote for BJP but they are not allowing ppl to vote pic.twitter.com/7qlRPg73HA ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 "Women TMC workers with covered faces are casting proxy votes, it is difficult to establish their identity. When we raised an objection to it, they created a ruckus at the polling station," Hazra was quoted as saying by ANI. BJP MP candidate Anupam Hazra at polling booth number 150/137 in Jadavpur: Women TMC workers with covered faces are casting proxy votes, it is difficult to establish their identity. When we raised objection to it, they created a ruckus at the polling station. pic.twitter.com/Grf3rwoVc6 ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2019 In another incident of violence during voting for seventh phase for remaining nine seats in West Bengal, BJP MP candidate from Basirhat, Sayantan Basu, claimed that TMC workers were using to stop the people from casting their vote. Additional forces were rushed into polling station number 189 in Basirhat to maintain law and order. In Diamond Harbour, the car of BJP candidate Nilanjan Roy was vandalised allegedly by TMC supporters. Live TV BJP candidate from South Kolkata Lok Sabha seat CK Bose on Sunday slammed the TMC, saying the supporters of ruling party were behaving like "terrorists" and "jihadis" in West Bengal. "Last night, I was getting calls from my workers from different booths that they have been threatened by TMC`s `jihadi` brigade that if you sit as booth agents for BJP, you`ll be murdered. There`s no difference between a terrorist organisation and TMC," Bose reportedly told news agency ANI. Bose also accused the TMC workers of attacking him on April 24, when he was going to file his nomination papers. It may be recalled that last week a convoy of West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh and Assam Minister Hemanta Biswa Sarma was allegedly attacked by TMC supporters in Khejuri area of Purba Medinipur district. Meanwhile, TMCs candidate in Kolkata South constituency Mala Roy alleged that she was not allowed by central force personnel to enter booth number 72 at a polling station in Mudiali under her constituency. Roy said she went to the booth after learning that polling was stopped for 45 minutes. The TMC leader added that she will file a formal complaint with the EC in this regard. The route to the Speakership of the 9th House of Representatives seems to be getting smoother for Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Surulere... The route to the Speakership of the 9th House of Representatives seems to be getting smoother for Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila (APC, Surulere, Lagos State). the race for him. Four of his co-contestants for the position have pulled out ofthe race for him. But two others are still in the contest with him. Danjuma Goje and a former Senate Leader, Alhaji Ali Ndume. The battle for the Senate Presidency remains a three-way affair for Dr. Ahmad Lawan, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, AlhajiDanjuma Goje and a former Senate Leader, AlhajiAli Ndume. (Borno), and Yusuf Yakubu Buba (Borno) have stood down their ambition for Gbajabiamila who is favoured by the APC hierarchy for the job. Sources said Idris Ahmed Wase (Plateau), Abdulrazak Namdas (Adamawa), Aliyu Betara Mukhtar(Borno), and Yusuf Yakubu Buba (Borno) have stood down their ambition for Gbajabiamila who is favoured by the APC hierarchy for the job. Umar Mohammed Bago (Niger) and John Dyegh (Benue) are yet to withdraw from the race. outgoing Speaker Yakubu Dogara which is demanding the slot for a Christian candidate. Although Wase has been adopted for the office of Deputy Speaker, he faces a fresh hurdle from the camp ofoutgoing Speaker Yakubu Dogara which is demanding the slot for a Christian candidate. But some members-elect are insisting that religion should not be a factor for Wase because, according to them, there had been a Christian-Christian mandate in the House in the past. They said merit and capacity, rather than religion, should be the overriding factor. ongoing negotiation between the Gbajabiamila camp and critical stakeholders in the chambers. Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the withdrawal of the four ranking Reps for Gbajabiamila is a fallout ofongoing negotiation betweentheGbajabiamila camp and critical stakeholders in the chambers. A source called it a major breakthrough in the quest to install Gbajabiamila as the next Speaker. The four have also agreed to join forces to work for Gbajabiamila whose party (APC) has over 226 of the 360 members-elect. Gbajabiamila, who also has associates in PDP, needs about 181 votes (if there is a full house of elected members) to emerge as Speaker. source said: So far, the campaign for the office of the Speaker is taking a good shape for Gbajabiamila with the withdrawal of these four heavyweights from the race. A well-placedsourcesaid: So far, the campaign for the office of the Speaker is takinga good shape for Gbajabiamila with the withdrawal of these four heavyweights from the race. We are however not taking things for granted. There is a little relief in the APC camp because the PDP appears not keen any more for the office of Speaker because of the intense lobbying from Gbajabiamilas friends, associates and strategists. About three weeks to the election of principal officers, most PDP lawmakers-elect are still awaiting directive on who to vote for. Instead of losing out, some of them have decided to align with Gbajabiamila to be in good stead for the House politics. Notwithstanding, the campaign team of Gbajabiamila has sustained its outreach by paying more attention to his sterling legislative qualities than sentiments around his recommendation for the office by the party. We have spent quality time to clarify the godfather allegation being circulated to prove that Gbajabiamila is a cosmopolitan candidate. On Umar Mohammed Bago and John Dyegh who are still in the race, another source a returning Rep said: The APC and its leaders at all levels are trying to prevail on these two candidates to step down. We will still take advantage of the next three weeks to lobby them accordingly. We are hopeful that they will defer to the APC and concede the slot to Gbajabiamila. Alternatively, if all entreaties fail, we will go ahead for outright election between Gbajabiamila and the two candidates. We know their limit but we are only appeasing them to have a united House. Take the case of Bago, he does not enjoy the backing of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello and all members-elect from Niger State. His best bet is to face the reality of the futility of his aspiration. In the case of John Dyegh, he is the only elected member of the House from Benue State. Where does he draw his electoral strength from? We cannot afford to ignore him but he has not come to terms with the pervasiveness of the ongoing intrigues in favour of Gbajabiamila. Responding to a question, the source admitted that although Wase has been adopted for the office of Deputy Speaker, he faces a fresh hurdle from the camp of outgoing Speaker, Yakubu Dogara which wants a Christian for the position. Some forces are trying to give religious colouration to the race for the office of Deputy Speaker to stop Wase but the parliament is not made for such sentiments, he said. Christians and six were Muslims. They all came on merit without religious imputations. We are always broader in our perspectives. Of the 12 Speakers we have had six wereChristians and six were Muslims. They all came on merit without religious imputations. We hope those promoting religious division in the legislature will stop it. The Deputy Speakers so far have been eight with five Muslims and three Christians without animosity. Many political factors, including zoning by parties, interplay more than ethno-religious indices.We hope those promoting religious division in the legislature will stop it. Wase has sacrificed by stepping down for Gbajabiamila despite the fact that he is also a strong candidate for the Speaker slot. We will not allow mischief-makers to whip up religious sentiments. Its still Lawan, Goje, Ndume for Senate Presidency The story is a bit different in the Senate where ex-Governor Danjuma Goje and a former Senate Leader, Senator Ali Ndume have refused to step down for Dr. Ahmed Lawan. Goje and Ndume continue to be adamant, they could split the votes of APC Senators-elect and pave the way for the emergence of a Senate President from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). There are fears that shouldGoje and Ndume continue to beadamant, they could split the votes ofAPC Senators-elect andpave the way for the emergence of a Senate President from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). PDP, which has 46 out of 108 Senators-elect, is waiting in the wings for a major crack in APC to determine the next Senate President. Lawan group on the other hand is making an inroad into the PDP to be able to get a simple majority. While the Senate rules say a Senate President can emerge with a simple majority of the votes cast during the election of principal officers, the House of Representatives Standing Orders require a candidate for Speaker or any office to have half of the votes of the number of members-elect at the inaugural session. A Senator-elect from North-West said: Both Goje and Ndume have continued with their campaign although that of Ndume has been more obvious. So far, Ndume appears determined to see through the election on the floor on the inauguration day. In spite of the fact that Goje has not set up a structure, we know he has a ready-made platform he might use if he eventually makes up his mind to defy APC directive. We are not deterred at all. Where we should accord the ex-governor respect, Lawan has done so. The Senate leader met Goje about two weeks ago at the wedding of his daughter. Some emissaries, including ex-governors, have also had audience with Goje on behalf of Lawan. drawn the battle line from the beginning but even at that some governors have interfaced with him to allow Lawan to be. As for Ndume, he hasdrawn the battle line from the beginning but even at that some governors have interfaced with him to allow Lawan to be. A governor who is involved in some talks with Goje, said: We are still persuading the former governor to allow Lawan to have his way. Typical of lobbying in any legislature, he came up with a few issues which are resolvable. NEW DELHI: With the end of voting in the 59 constituencies across seven states and one Union Territory on May 19, the seven-phased voting process for the Lok Sabha election will come to an end. As the voting ends at 6pm on Sunday, the Election Commission will lift its ban on media from releasing its exit polls for the election. Once polling concludes at 6 pm on May 19, various pollsters and news channels - Today's Chanakya, Republic-CVoter, ABP-CSDS, News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis, Times Now-CNX, NewsX-Neta - will release their exit poll results on Lok Sabha election 2019 about the number of seats different parties are likely to win on May 23 when the counting of votes takes place and results are declared. Zee News will show the "poll of polls" which will include details of all the exit poll surveys released by different pollsters and TV news channels. The Lok Sabha election was held to elect Members of Parliament for 542 of the 543 parliamentary contituencies. The poll body had notified that during the period between 7.00 am on the first phase of polling on 11 April to 6:30 pm on the last day of poll on 19 May conducting any exit poll and publishing or publicising the result of exit poll by means any media is prohibited. The first phase on April 11 saw voting being held in 91 seats across 20 states and union territories. The overall voter turnout in the first phase was 69.57 per cent with the highest 84.96 per cent recorded in Lakshwadeep while lowest 53.38 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir. Among the big states, West Bengal recorded the highest voting percentage of 83.80 in phase one. FIRST PHASE - LOK SABHA ELECTION State Final Turnout Andaman & Nicobar Islands 65.08 % Andhra Pradesh 79.69 % Arunachal Pradesh 78.47 % Assam 78.27 % Bihar 53.44 % Chhattisgarh 66.04 % Jammu & Kashmir 57.38 % Lakshadweep 84.96 % Maharashtra 63.04 % Manipur 84.20 % Meghalaya 71.43 % Mizoram 63.12 % Nagaland 83.09 % Odisha 73.82 % Sikkim 78.81 % Telangana 62.71 % Tripura 83.21 % Uttar Pradesh 63.92 % Uttarakhand 61.48 % West Bengal 83.80 % The election for the second phase took place in 96 constituencies in 12 states and UTs. The election in Vellore in Tamil Nadu which was earlier scheduled to take place in this phase was cancelled over complaints of unaccounted cash being used in the poll. Voting in Tripura was also deferred to the third phase over law and order concerns. The overall turnout in the second phase of poll was 69.44 per cent with highest 81.72 per cent turnout in West Bengal and lowest 45.66 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir. SECOND PHASE VOTER TURNOUT State Final Turnout Assam 81.19 % Bihar 62.92 % Chhattisgarh 74.95 % Jammu & Kashmir 45.66 % Karnataka 68.80 % Maharashtra 62.85 % Manipur 81.24 % Odisha 72.56 % Puducherry 81.21 % Tamil Nadu 72.01 % Uttar Pradesh 62.39 % West Bengal 81.72 % In the third phase, voting took place in 116 seats in 14 states and UTs. Voting in Tripura that was to be held in phase two was held in phase 3. Also, voting in Jammu and Kashmir's Anantnag was held in three phases in third, fourth and fifth phase. The overall turnout in the third phase was 68.40 per cent with highest 85.11 per cent in Assam and lowest 13.68 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir. THIRD PHASE VOTER TURNOUT State Final Turnout Assam 85.11% Bihar 61.21% Chhattisgarh 70.73% Dadra & Nagar Haveli 79.59% Daman & Diu 71.83% Goa 74.94 % Gujarat 64.11% Jammu & Kashmir 13.68 % Karnataka 68.47% Kerala 77.67% Maharashtra 62.36% Odisha 71.62 % Tripura 83.19% Uttar Pradesh 61.42 % West Bengal 81.97 % In phase four, voting was held in 71 seats in 8 states and UTs. The overall turnout in the fourth phase was 65.50 per cent with highest 82.84 per cent in West Bengal and lowest 10.32 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir. FOURTH PHASE VOTER TURNOUT STATE VOTER TURNOUT Bihar 59.18 % Jammu & Kashmir 10.32 % Jharkhand 64.97 % Madhya Pradesh 74.9 % Maharashtra 57.33 % Odisha 74.38 % Rajasthan 68.17 % Uttar Pradesh 59.11 % West Bengal 82.84 % Voting in the fifth phase was held in 51 seats in 7 states and UTs. The overall turnout in the fifth phase was 64.16 per cent with highest 80.09 per cent in West Bengal and lowest 19.92 per cent in Jammu and Kashmir. PHASE 5 VOTER TURNOUT STATE FINAL TURNOUT Bihar 57.08 % Jammu & Kashmir 19.92% Jharkhand 65.99 % Madhya Pradesh 69.14 % Rajasthan 63.71 % Uttar Pradesh 58% West Bengal 80.09 % In the sixth phase 6, voting was held for 59 seats in 7 states and UTs. The overall turnout in the fifth phase was 64.40 per cent with highest 84.50 per cent in West Bengal and lowest 54.44 per cent in Uttar Pradesh. PHASE 6 VOTER TURNOUT STATE FINAL TURNOUT Bihar 58.48 % Haryana 70.34 % Jharkhand 65.42 % Madhya Pradesh 65.24 % NCT OF Delhi 60.51 % Uttar Pradesh 54.44 % West Bengal 84.5 % Voting in the seventh phase is being held on Sunday and will conclude the polling process for the 2019 Lok Sabha election. Polling in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal was held in all seven phases. During all the seven phases, many cases of violence were reported from several parts of West Bengal. Owing to the violence, the Election Commission had in a first curtailed the campaigning for the last phase of elections by 20 hours. Senior Telangana Rashtriya Samiti (TRS) leader Abid Rasool Khan on Sunday said that all reports are predicting that neither BJP nor Congress is going to get the majority in Lok Sabha poll, which means that Federal Front formed up of regional parties will form the new government at the Centre. Khan added that the efforts of TRS chief KC Rao to form a Federal Front of regional parties without the support of BJP and Congress are showing good results. The TRS leader accused Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu of trying to create confusion in the mind of leaders of regional parties. Khan added that Naidu's effort to gather support to form a separate front without TRS will not get the momentum. The TRS leader made the remarks shortly after Naidu met Nationalist Congress Party President Sharad Pawar at his residence in New Delhi to hold talks over post-poll scenaio. Naidu's meeting with the NCP supremo was part of his continued outreach to leaders of anti-BJP parties in order to cobble togther a non-BJP front before the declaration of results of Lok Sabha poll on May 23. The Andhra Pradesh chief minister arrived in New Delhi from Lucknow on Saturday evening after meeting Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav. TDP sources said that Naidu is scheduled to meet UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi at 4:30 pm on Sunday in New Delhi. On Saturday, before leaving for his meeting with Mayawati and Akhilesh, Naidu met Congress president Rahul Gandhi, Pawar and Loktantrik Janata Dal (LJD) leader Sharad Yadav in Delhi. It may be recalled that Naidu had appealed all parties, including K. Chandrashekhar Rao-led TRS, to join the non-BJP alliance. Patna: Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's son, Nishant, who cast his vote for the first time, expressed hope that people of Bihar will vote for Narendra Modi "uncle" and his father this time. Clad in a starched, white kurta-pyjama, the 30-something reticent only child of the JD(U) chief was speaking to reporters outside a government school near the Raj Bhavan here, where he had accompanied his father to cast his vote. This is the first time I have cast my vote, Nishant said, adding shyly that he voted for Ravi Shankar Prasad, the candidate of the BJP, which is an alliance partner of the party headed by his father. Asked why he never cast his vote earlier, he replied 'galti ho gayi' (it was a mistake) and appealed to voters to "come out in large numbers and help formation of a government of your choice". Replying to a query, he said, "there is no possibility of my joining politics. It is a field about which I do not know and understand much." He, however, added I believe my father must have done something for the betterment of the people of Bihar to have been in power for 13 years. I hope people will vote again for him and Narendra Modi uncle." The engineering graduate, who is rarely seen in public, declined to comment on the frequent verbal attacks that his father faces from arch-rival Lalu Prasad's son Tejashwi Yadav saying 'mujhe in baaton ki zyaada jaankari nahin hai' (I do not know much about these matters). Indore: BJP general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya on Sunday claimed his party, on the basis of its "big electoral success" in West Bengal and Odisha, would win around 300 Lok Sabha seats, paving way for Narendra Modi to become prime minister again. He also debunked Chief Minister Kamal Nath's claim that the Congress would win 22 out of the 29 Lok Sabha seats in Madhya Pradesh. "I feel the BJP would win around 300 Lok Sabha seats. We are going to touch this figure as we are going to get big electoral success in West Bengal and Odisha," Vijaywargiya, the party's West Bengal in charge, told reporters here. "The government machinery, police and goons in West Bengal were on the same page and people are fed up of this as well as chief minister Mamata Banerjee's dictatorial attitude and the goondaism of Trinamool Congress workers," he alleged. Live TV He further claimed that after the results on May 23, Banerjee and TDP chief Chandrababu Naidu, who are currently trying to bring about an anti-BJP coalition, would "go into hiding" and the media would have to look for them for comments and quotes. Asked about the claim of MP chief minister Kamal Nath that the Congress would win 22 out of 29 MP LS seats, Vijaywargiya said, "Right now the question is whether Nath would stay put in his post 22 days after Lok Sabha results." He said Congress chief Rahul Gandhi had said the CM would be changed if farm loan waiver was not implemented in 10 days of his party coming to power, adding that the Kamal Nath government had not been able to write off farmers' loans even after 150 days of assuming office. "Due to this, farmers are not allowing Congress legislators to enter their villages. So there is a possibility the Congress chief might change the state CM," he claimed. The Trinamool Congress (TMC) on Sunday wrote to the Election Commission of India stating that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Kedarnath is gross violation of model code of conduct (MCC). The letter, written by TMC leader Derek O'Brien, states that "even though the election campaign for the last phase of polling is over, surprisingly Narendra Modi's Kedarnath yatra is being covered and widely televised for the last two days. This is a gross violation of the model code of conduct." PM Modi is on a two-day visit to Kedarnath and Badrinath shrines in Uttarakhand. He reached Kedarnath on Saturday morning and after offering prayers at the temple, he reviewed the development work of the holy town and later spent his time meditating at a cave. On Sunday, he arrived in Badrinath. "He even announced that the master plan for the Kedarnath temple is ready and also addressed the public and the media. lt is absolutely unethical and morally incorrect. Every minute detail of his activities during the visit is being widely publicised with an ulterior motive to influence voters directly or indirectly," the TMC alleged. Reviewing aspects of the ongoing Kedarnath Development Project. pic.twitter.com/bVOFnCozug Chowkidar Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 18, 2019 On Sunday morning, before leaving for Badrinath, PM Modi interacted with the press and expressed his gratitude to the poll body for giving him two-day time to spend in solitude. He also thanked the media persons for their tireless work. "Modi Modi chants are also being heard from the background. All these moves are well calculated with the ill intention to influence the voters even on the date of poll," the letter added. "It is very unfortunate that the Election Commission remains blind and deaf to the gross violation of the MCC," it said. Terming it morally wrong, TMC has urged the EC to take "immediate action and stop telecast of such surreptitious and unfair campaign." Live TV Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress (TMC) locked horns in an aggressive election campaign in West Bengal. EC had ordered to end the campaign in West Bengal a day earlier than the scheduled time due to violence in Kolkata after BJP president Amit Shah's roadshow. NEW DELHI: Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Saturday raised question over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decision to meditate in Kedarnath, wondering what message does the prime minister wants to give the nation now. It may be recalled that PM Modi on Saturday offered prayers at Kedarnath temple in Uttarakhand and after offering prayers at the temple, he went inside a nearby cave to meditate. Later, his photographs were shown by TV channels in which PM Modi was seen meditating covering himself with a saffron shawl. Today he is sitting in a cave wearing bhagwa (saffron). God knows, what message he wants to deliver. Everybody has been watching him, said Gehlot. The senior Congress leader accused the prime minister of trying to polarise the voters ahead of the seventh and last phase of Lok Sabha poll by such acts. Live TV Congresss chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala also took a potshot at PM Modi, tweeting a picture of him walking on a red carpet in Kedarnath temple. True devotees sacrifice their ego and arrogance before going to the abode of God, not after laying a red carpet. Modi ji, hope you know that much, Surjewala said on Twitter. On Sunday, PM Modi is scheduled to visit Badrinath temple. Gehlot slammed PM Modi for maintaining a stoic silence important issues like unemployment, agrarian crisis, economy and foreign policy and only talking about only issues like nationalism and religion. The Rajasthan CM also took a dig at PM Modi and BJP president Amit Shah for addressing the media on Friday, saying that the prime minister did not care to address the media since 2014 but then decided to come before reporters after the end of his term. See their face and body language during the press conference. The country has seen the message they gave. (Congress president) Rahul Gandhi had challenged them to debate but they backed off. Why they stayed away from talking about issues? What they did in five years? What was their vision? They talked (only) about their campaigning and strategy, Gehlot said. It is to be noted that the prime minister did not take any question during the press conference, saying that he is a 'disciplined soldier' of the party and in BJP no one speaks in front of party president. The polling for all the 543 constituencies spread across seven phases of the Lok Sabha election 2019 will come to an end on Sunday evening. The polling in Tamil Nadu took place in 38 constituencies in the second phase (single phase) out of the total 39 constituencies and a total of 830 candidates were in the fray. The voting in Vellore seat was canceled following allegations of excessive use of money power. Zee News will show the "poll of polls" which will include details of all the exit poll surveys released by different pollsters and TV news channels. Live TV After polling concludes at 6 pm, various pollsters and news channels - Today's Chanakya, Republic-CVoter, ABP-CSDS, News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis, Times Now-CNX, NewsX-Neta - will release their exit poll results on the election about the number of seats different parties are likely to win on May 23 when the counting of votes takes place and results are declared. Lok Sabha election exit poll results 2019 | West Bengal Lok Sabha election exit poll results 2019 | Maharashtra Lok Sabha election exit poll results 2019 The exit polls prediction for the political parties and their alliances will start coming in once the Election Commission (EC) lifts the embargo on airing exit polls. However, the EC has notified that the prohibition on exit polls will continue till 6.30 pm on Sunday. The EC had in March issued an advisory to the media saying exit polls can only be telecast after the final phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections ends on May 19. The advisory is also applicable for Assembly elections in Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Odisha, and Sikkim. Though the exit poll predictions may not always be true, pollsters claim they give an idea of the emerging political situation. Usually, private pollsters or agencies working for newspapers and broadcasters ask voters to know who they actually voted for and based on their replies, they predict the trends/results. Election predictions based on exit and opinion polls have gained much traction in the past decade with television's reach increasing in India alongside the mushrooming of news portals. This was the first major election in Tamil Nadu without the stalwarts and former Chief Ministers late AIADMK leader J Jayalalithaa and late DMK leader M Karunanidhi. In Tamil Nadu, the AIADMK, is contesting as part of the NDA. The alliance comprises among others BJP, PMK, DMDK and Tamil Maanila Congress of former union minister G K Vasan. The state has an electorate of 5.91 crore and nearly 67,700 polling stations were set up with tight security. Bhopal: Voters boycotted polling at six booths in Madhya Pradesh on Sunday over some local issues, a senior election official said. Efforts were on to persuade the voters to exercise their democratic right, MP's Chief Electoral Officer VL Kantha Rao told reporters here. Polling was underway in the eight constituencies of Dewas, Ujjain, Mandsaur, Ratlam, Dhar, Indore, Khargone and Khandwa since 7 am, he said. However, voters listed at a booth in Agar Malwa district falling under the Dewas seat and five booths in Mandsaur seat boycotted the polling over some of their demands, Rao said, without elaborating further. "Our teams are in talks with them and urging them to cast their votes. We are trying hard so that no one refrains from voting over local issues," he said. Rao said around 12 people cast their votes at the polling booth in Dewas after being persuaded by the election officials there. Live TV Meanwhile, long queues were seen at several other booths in the eight constituencies, all currently held by the BJP, he said. Some state leaders from Malwa Nimar region of the Indore constituency were also seen standing in queues to cast their votes in the morning. Prominent candidates in the fray are former Union ministers Kantilal Bhuria and Arun Yadav of the Congress, who are contesting from Ratlam and Khandwa seats, respectively. Altogether 82 candidates, including Bhuria and Yadav, are contesting in the eight constituencies where there are 1.49 crore eligible voters. Total 18,411 polling booths, including 1,157 entirely managed by women, have been set up in these seats, Rao said. An average 69.26 per cent voter turnout was recorded in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha polls in the state, he added. Out of the total 29 Lok Sabha seats in MP, six went to polls on April 29, seven on May 6 and eight on May 12. The counting of votes would be held on May 23. Gorakhpur: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath cast his ballot here on Sunday and said the walls of casteism, regionalism and dynastic politics were now showing cracks. After casting his vote, Adityanath told the media: "If you work in the interest of the country then you can only stay in the public life. In all the seven phases of the Lok Sabha polls, the entire election was fought around Modi due to the works of his government in the last five years." The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader said that a record number of voters participated in the six phases of the elections. "The excitement among voters only showcases the maturity of India's democracy," he said. "And I am happy that the elections so far have been peaceful and the people of the state have respected their democratic right," he added. Live TV Voting began at 7 a.m. across 25,874 polling booths in Uttar Pradesh's Maharajganj, Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Deoria, Bansgaon, Ghosi, Salempur, Ballia, Ghazipur, Chandauli, Varanasi, Mirzapur and Robertsganj constituencies. NEW DELHI: The seventh and final phase of the Lok Sabha Election 2019 will begin at 7 am, Sunday, in 59 constituencies across seven states and one union territory. Over 10.1 crore voters will decide the fate of 918 candidates including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who's contesting from Varanasi. Watch the live streaming of Lok Sabha Election 2019 with Zee News: Live TV Polling will be held in all 13 seats in Punjab and 13 in Uttar Pradesh, nine in West Bengal, eight seats each in Bihar and Madhya Pradesh, four in Himachal Pradesh, three in Jharkhand and the lone seat in Chandigarh (UT). Security has been beefed up in all the states, with 710 companies of security forces being deployed in West Bengal alone which witnessed violence in all the previous six phases of the poll. Counting of votes will be taken up on May 23. An average of 66.88 per cent voters exercised their franchise in the last six phases. Former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to alleged withdrawal of billions of Naira from the Central Bank of Nigeria... Former president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan has reacted to alleged withdrawal of billions of Naira from the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, while he was in office. The former president, who spoke at a meeting organised by the Anglican Community in Abuja on Friday, described the allegation as false and misleading. He expressed sadness and disappointment at those spreading such allegations. Jonathan said: I remember a particular incidence where somebody was talking about billions that were removed from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) when I was in power and I asked them, how many trucks were used to carry all these billions? In Nigeria, we get carried away by figures and its sad that we go too low to tell lies against people. The exit poll predictions for the 2019 Lok Sabha election in Punjab and Haryana were released on Sunday. While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has received a majority in Haryana, the Congress is expected to win in Punjab when the results of this year's polls will be announced on May 23. Various pollsters and news channels - Today's Chanakya, Republic-CVoter, ABP-CSDS, News18-IPSOS, India Today-Axis, Times Now-CNX, NewsX-Neta - released their exit poll results after the conclusion of the seventh and the final phase of Lok Sabha election 2019 on Sunday at 6 pm. Today's Chanakya exit poll figures suggested that the BJP-led NDA government would sweep all the ten seats in Haryana, while India TV-CNX predicted nine seats for the saffron party in the state. Aajtak-Axis and Times Now-VMR 2019 said that the BJP is most likely to win a minimum of eight seats in Haryana. Congress is expected to bag a maximum of two seats in the state, the exit poll suggested. The exit poll also predicted that INLD and the JJP-AAP alliance might not win any seat in Haryana. However, the situation is quite opposite in Punjab, with Congress looking in good shape in the state. According to Aajtak-Axis, the Congress is most likely to win eight to nine Lok Sabha seats, while BJP would settle with three to five seats out of a total number of 13 seats in the state. The Aam Aadmi Party, on the other hand, is expected to bag just one seat this time around in contrast to four Lok Sabha seats in Punjab in 2014. Here are the exit poll predictions for Haryana and Punjab: # According to projections by Republic-CVoter, UPA to get 11 seats. # ABP-CSDS for Haryana says seven seats for BJP, three for Congress and nil for AAP. # In Haryana, Aajtak-Axis projects BJP will win 8 to 10 seats, while Congress might gain between 0 to two seats. # Aajtak-Axis says Congress is expected to win the majority in Punjab with 8 to 9 Lok Sabha seats, while BJP may get 3 to 5 and AAP is not expected to bag any seat out of 13 overall. # Today's Chanakya predicts BJP will gain the majority in Haryana with 10 seats, while Congress may get two seats.- might not win any seat in the state. # NDTV's poll of polls says BJP will win around 8 to 12 seats in Haryana, while Congress and INLD may have to face disappointment. # Times Now-VMR 2019 says BJP will bag eight seats in Haryana. Congress will get just two seats in the seats. # According to Republic-Jan Ki Baat, BJP will form the government once again with more than 300 seats while Congress is likely to fall short of 100. # India TV-CNX predicts BJP will win nine states in Haryana, while Congress is likely to bag just one seat. Live TV In Haryana, the polling took place for 10 Lok Sabha constituencies in the sixth phase on May 12. The total voter turnout registered in the state was 64 per cent. Meanwhile, Punjab and Chandigarh went to poll for 13 and 1 Lok Sabha seats, respectively in the seventh phase on May 19. A total of 36 candidates were in the fray from the Chandigarh constituency, while around 223 candidates were in the fray from Haryana and 278 candidates from Punjab. Indore: A 60-year BJP worker was allegedly shot dead by a Congress leader in Paliya village in Indore district of Madhya Pradesh on Sunday, police said. The incident took place sometime before the polling for the Indore Lok Sabha seat came to an end, police said. Talking to PTI, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ruchivardhan Mishra said Congress leader Arun Sharma allegedly shot dead Nemichand Tanvar outside his house possibly with a country-made gun from close range around 5.30 pm. At the time of the incident, Sharma's two sons were also present there, she said. Tanvar was taken to a nearby hospital, but doctors could not save him, the woman police officer said, adding that the matter was under investigation and a search has been launched to trace the accused. Meanwhile, state BJP president Rakesh Singh said in a statement that the murder was a fallout of a political rivalry. Tanvar is a victim of it and he was an active party worker, Singh said. He also alleged that the main accused in the case, Arun Sharma, is close to state Health Minister Tulsiram Silavat. He said that Tanvar and his sons were threatened on Sunday afternoon for working in favour of the BJP during the Lok Sabha polls. They were told that they will face dire consequences for their act. Singh said the accused should be arrested soon and strong legal action must be initiated against him. Efforts to contact Silavat on the issue proved futile. New Delhi: Bollywood actress Deepika Padukone left us all awe-struck with her splendid outfits during the Cannes Film Festival. The diva has now returned to Mumbai post her Cannes appearance and was seen wearing a black tee paired with latex pants and a denim overcoat. The actress had that million dollar smile on her face as she landed at the Mumbai airport. Check out the pictures here: (Pic Courtesy: Yogen Shah) Dippy walked the red carpet at Cannes 2019 in an elegant creme coloured gown with a large chocolate-brown bow. Her second red carpet look comprised of an eye-catching neon-green gown with a pink headgear. People couldn't contain their excitement the moment Deepika walked the red carpet this year. She remained in the limelight throughout her stay at Cannes. On the film front, she will be seen in Meghna Gulzar's 'Chhapaak'. A couple of days ago, a video from the film sets went viral in which Deepika was seen in the garb of a school girl. 'Chhapaak' is based on the life of acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal and will hit the silver screens on January 10, 2020. New York: Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani and his wife Nita Ambani visited veteran actor Rishi Kapoor, who is undergoing a medical treatment here since 2018, to give "assurance and mental peace" to him and his family. Rishi tweeted two photographs on Twitter on Sunday. "Thank you for seeing us Mukesh and Nita. We also love you," the actor captioned one image in which he and his wife Neetu along with the Ambanis are smiling for the camera. The actor posted another image in which Rishi and Mukesh are seen smiling with their hands placed on each other`s shoulders. "Thank you for all the love you showered," he captioned it. Neetu also took to her official Instagram account to share their photographs. She captioned them: "Some people just come to give you assurance and mental peace! Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Ambani, for all the support #love #grateful." Bollywood actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Deepika Padukone and Anupam Kher had also met Rishi here. Last month, Rishi`s brother Randhir Kapoor said the 66-year-old actor will be back in India in a few months, amid reports that he is now "cancer-free". New Delhi: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have completed one year of togetherness, one year of bliss! The official Instagram handle of the royals congratulated them on their first anniversary with a small clip featuring pictures of the couple. The clip incorporated a beautiful collection of monochrome images of the Royals on their wedding day which was accompanied by a heartfelt message which read, " Happy one year anniversary to Their Royal Highnesses, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex! Today marks the one year anniversary of the wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. "Their Royal Highnesses exchanged vows at St George`s Chapel within the grounds of Windsor Castle on May 19th, 2018," it continued. Mentioning the song that the couple opted for their recessional, the post read, "The selected song "This Little Light of Mine" was chosen by the couple for their recessional. We hope you enjoy reliving this moment and seeing some behind the scenes photos from this special day.""A message from The Duke & Duchess: Thank you for all of the love and support from so many of you around the world. Each of you made this day even more meaningful," the post concluded. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were announced man and wife last year at the Windsor Castle.The royal couple welcomed a baby boy on May 6 ahead of their first anniversary. The baby`s name - Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor- was revealed on the official Instagram account of the UK royals. (ANI) New Delhi: Power couple Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Nick Jonas are at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival that will conclude on May 25th. Actors from all around the globe are attending the event and social media is full of visual treats at this time of the year! Priyanka and Nick walked the Cannes red carpet recently and looked straight out of a fairytale. Pee Cee was dressed in a white gown and accentuated her look with a diamond necklace and earrings while her husband Nick walked by her side in a white suit. Pee Cee took to Twitter to share the pictures from the event. Check them out here: They look adorbs together! Several other pics of the couple have also been going viral and these two are giving out major couple goals at the French Riviera! Priyanka's debut look at Cannes was a glitzy affair as she chose a black, sparkling gown with minimum accessories. The actress had that million dollar smile on her face as she posed for the shutterbugs and shared pics on Instagram. Pee Cee and Nick also attended the Met Gala together this year and grabbed attention in their quirky, super stylish outfits. Here's wishing these two a blessed marital life! New Delhi: Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor celebrates his wedding anniversary with Sunita Kapoor on May 19th. The two got married in the year1984 and are parents to Sonam, Rhea and Harshvardhan Kapoor. The couple's daughter and actress Sonam Kapoor took to Instagram and wished her parents on the occasion. Be it birthdays, anniversaries, trailer launch, or any other special occasion, the fashionista never misses a chance to post on Instagram. On her parents' anniversary, Sonam posted an adorable throwback picture of the two and we can't stop looking at it. Check it out here: The caption is, Mom, you are the yin to Dad's yang. He lights up your eyes like no one else. The two of you are pure magic together. I wish you both a very Happy Anniversary, here's to many more magical Lamhe! Love you. #CoupleGoals #Lamhe # Wasn't that adorbs? Here's wishing Anil Kapoor and his beautiful wife Sunita Kapoor a very happy wedding anniversary! Coming to Sonam, the actress will next be seen in 'The Zoya Factor' starring actor Dulquer Salmaan in the lead. A former Deputy National Publicuty Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has commended a report releas... A former Deputy National Publicuty Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has commended a report released by a U.S.-based firm, Atlantic Councils Digital Forensic Research Lab, for exposing an Isreali-based political consulting and lobbying firm named Archimedes, for allegedly coordinating false reports on social media against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Facebook had on Thursday banned Archimedes from the platform over its coordinated and deceptive behavior as well as conducted a sweeping takedown of dozens of accounts and hundreds of pages primarily aimed at disrupting elections in African countries, with some scattered activity in Southeast Asia and Latin America. Reacting to the development through a statement on Saturday, Frank said that the world will gradually know all the evil secret behind the declaration of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as the winner of the last presidential election. According to Frank, one of the pages that Facebook deleted on Thursday was filled with viral misinformation and direct attacks on Abubakar, the former vice president of Nigeria. The pages banner image showed Abubakar as Darth Vader, the Star Wars villain, holding up a sign reading, Make Nigeria Worse Again. He also quoted the APs report that on the overall, the misleading accounts had reached some 2.8 million users, and the pages had engaged over 5,000 followers, according to Facebooks estimates. While thanking Facebook for bringing down the fake accounts, Frank said that Nigerians ought to be worried about how the APC-led government is spending huge amount of money just to discredit the rightful winner of the 2019 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar. I believe that if a lie goes on for 20 years, truth will definitely catchup with it one day. It will not be long before Nigerians will realise how desperate and fake President Muhammadu Buhari is in his bid to hang onto power. The political activist called on the international community to note the Associated Press report and the extent of damage done to the main opposition party in Nigeria and its Presidential candidate during the last general election. New Delhi: TV actress Hina Khan made a stunning debut at the Cannes film festival 2019. She was hailed by her fans and co-actors for adding yet another feather to her hat. However, a comment made on the actress by a magazine editor did not down well with some of the leading actors of the TV industry. He shared a picture of Hina from Cannes in his Insta story and wrote, "Cannes has suddenly become Chandivali studios kya?" The comment made by the editor invited the ire of many TV actors like Karanvir Bohra, Sumona Chakravarti, Nakul Mehta, who lashed out at editor for mocking Hina. Nakul, who stars in popular show Ishqbaaz, shared an open letter on Twitter. He wrote: "Dear Jitesh, Thank you for representing an elitist, almost archaic thought process which inadvertently, to your credit ended up sparking a dialogue that was held back for far too long within my comuity. No, Chandivali is not the problem. Far from it. If Cannesis the home of movies, then Chandivali Studios is also a home for thousands and thousands of hardworking artists and technicians in Mumbai both from television and the film industry. It's where dreams are sown, baby steps are taken towards greater glory, higher artistic ambitions. For a lot of us Chandivali is still our Cannes and we are absolutely proud of it. The silver lining of that uncalled for remark you made is that for the first time a lot of us collectively stood up and made out voices heard. It hit home. You got a lot of us engaging in a dialogue and coming out in support of a colleague who on her own merit has blazed new trails. Thank you, if for nothing else but for shaking our collective conscience to wake up and stand up for the respect our work demands." Check out the complete letter: The editor, however, issued a public apology and stated that his comment was 'misconstrued'. Hina hogged limelight after essaying the iconic character of Komolika in a popular Balaji Telefilms show Kasautii Zindagii Kay. Her stint in reality show Bigg Boss 11 also became a much-talked abour affair. Gorakhpur: Amid the ongoing voting for the last phase of Lok Sabha polls Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath claimed that the BJP will form the next government at the Centre under Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a "massive mandate" of "300 plus seats" of the BJP and "400 plus" of the NDA allies. "Polling on 67 Lok Sabha seats in UP has already been held, and voting was held on 13 seats today. I can say with confidence that on May 23, when the election results will be declared, the BJP under the leadership of Modiji will accomplish its target of securing 300-plus seats on its own, and 400-plus seats on the strength of its allies," said Adityanath after casting his vote. "In UP, the BJP will be successful in achieving the target of 74-plus seats," said the chief minister, adding "the festival of the democracy should be treated enthusiastically". Asked whether the chief minister's remarks amounted to influencing voters or flouting the model code of conduct after the end of campaign, UP Chief Electoral Officer L Venkateshwarlu told PTI in Lucknow that the Election Commission will look into it if it gets any complaint on the matter. "No complaint has yet been received in this connection. If we get any complaint, we will seek a report from the local administration in this regard and look into it," he said. Adityanath was among the first voters to exercise his franchise here Sunday. He cast his vote at the Prathmik Vidyalaya near Jhoolelal Temple in Gorakhpur at 7 am. Speaking to reporters after casting his vote, the chief minister said, "People are fighting this election for the nation's interest and if someone cannot understand it, his IQ (intelligent quotient) is questionable. The entire election revolved around Modiji. With big achievements of his government during the last five years, the BJP will win the election." "This is the first election which hinged on Modiji. All through the seven phases of the polls, I found it centred around Prime Minister Modi," said the chief minister. "Naturally, there has been an enthusiasm among the common people over the five-year performance of the government," he added. "For the first time after the independence, the barriers of casteism, regionalism, language and dynastic politics can be seen crumbling," said Adityanath. Asked about TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu's meeting with SP chief Akhilesh Yadav and BSP supremo Mayawati in Lucknow on Saturday, the chief minister dubbed the three leaders as "beaten pawns (pitte huye mohare)". "I feel Chandrababu is not able to save Andhra Pradesh and he is losing his ground there. They are defeated people, people who have been rejected by the public. Modiji will be forming the government with a massive mandate," said Adityanath. The UP chief minister also claimed witnessing unprecedented enthusiasm among voters for the prime minister. "The enthusiasm among voters for Modiji has breached the barriers of caste, creed, religion, language and gender. For the first time, it was seen that the people were at leading position with candidates and parties following them. It proves that if you work in the interest of the country, you will get support of the people," he said. "The BJP under the leadership of Modiji will achieve the target of 300-plus seats fort the BJP and the NDA will secure 400-plus seat. In UP, the BJP will achieve the target of 74-plus seats," he claimed. Asked about the situation in West Bengal, Adityanath said, "The people of Bengal, have seen violence, perpetrated during all phases of the elections in the state. The Election Commission was forced to take stringent steps there." "I feel the dictatorial and undemocratic action witnessed in Bengal will be given a befitting reply by people, who voted in large numbers there in the interest of the country, in the interest of the public and for uprooting and exposing the forces which want to disrupt democracy by resorting to violence, which hatch conspiracies to stay in power at any cost," he added. "The enthusiasm shown by the people of Bengal indicate that good results will be coming from Bengal. And there should be no doubt on it," Adityanath asserted. The chief minister termed the "enthusiasm" which, he said, he saw in people for the prime minister's work as an "indication of mature democracy" of the country. "The enthusiasm shown by voters in mega festival of democracy is an indication of mature democracy of India. If you work in the interest of the pubic and interest of the country, you will be able to sustain in public life, or else there will be no place for you," he said. Adityanath also said, "People are fighting this election for nation's interest and if someone cannot understand it, his IQ is questionable. The entire election revolved around Modiji. With big achievements of his government during the last five years, the BJP will win the election." RIYADH: Saudi Arabia said on Sunday that it wants to avert war in the region but stands ready to respond with "all strength" following last week`s attacks on Saudi oil assets, telling Iran that the ball was now in its court. Riyadh has accused Tehran of ordering Tuesday`s drone strikes on two oil pumping stations in the kingdom, claimed by Yemen`s Iran-aligned Houthi group. Two days earlier, four vessels, including two Saudi oil tankers, were sabotaged off the coast of the United Arab Emirates. Iran has denied involvement in either operation, which come as Washington and the Islamic Republic spar over sanctions and the U.S. military presence in the region, raising concerns about a potential U.S.-Iran conflict. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia does not want a war in the region nor does it seek that," Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel al-Jubeir told a news conference. "It will do what it can to prevent this war and at the same time it reaffirms that in the event the other side chooses war, the kingdom will respond with all force and determination, and it will defend itself and its interests." Saudi Arabia`s King Salman on Sunday invited Gulf and Arab leaders to convene emergency summits in Mecca on May 30 to discuss implications of the attacks. "The current critical circumstances entail a unified Arab and Gulf stance toward the besetting challenges and risks," the UAE foreign ministry said in a statement. Saudi Arabia`s Sunni Muslim ally the UAE has not blamed anyone for the tanker sabotage operation, pending an investigation. No-one has claimed responsibility, but two U.S. government sources said last week that U.S. officials believed Iran had encouraged the Houthi group or Iraq-based Shi`ite militias to carry it out. The drone strike on oil pumping stations, which Riyadh said did not disrupt output or exports, was claimed by the Houthis, who have been battling a Saudi-led military coalition in a war in Yemen since 2015. The head of the Houthis` Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, derided Riyadh`s call to convene Arab summits, saying in a Twitter post that they "only know how to support war and destruction". A Norwegian insurers` report seen by Reuters said Iran`s Revolutionary Guards were "highly likely" to have facilitated the attack on vessels near the UAE`s Fujairah emirate, a main bunkering hub lying just outside the Strait of Hormuz. SAUDI PRINCE CALLS POMPEO Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif has dismissed the possibility of war erupting, saying Tehran did not want conflict and no country had the "illusion it can confront Iran". This stance was echoed by the head of Iran`s elite Revolutionary Guards on Sunday. "We are not pursuing war but we are also not afraid of war," Major General Hossein Salami was cited as saying by the semi-official news agency Tasnim. Washington has tightened economic sanctions against Iran, trying to cut Tehran`s oil exports to zero, and beefed up the U.S. military presence in the Gulf in response to what it said were Iranian threats to United States troops and interests. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed regional developments, including efforts to strengthen security and stability, in a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Saudi Media Ministry tweeted on Sunday. "We want peace and stability in the region but we will not sit on our hands in light of the continuing Iranian attack," Jubeir said. "The ball is in Iran`s court and it is up to Iran to determine what its fate will be." He said the crew of an Iranian oil tanker that had been towed to Saudi Arabia early this month after a request for help due to engine trouble were still in the kingdom receiving the "necessary care". The crew are 24 Iranians and two Bangladeshis. Saudi Arabia and Shi`ite Iran are arch-adversaries in the Middle East, backing opposite sides in several regional wars. In a sign of the heightened tension, Exxon Mobil evacuated foreign staff from an oilfield in neighbouring Iraq. Bahrain on Saturday warned its citizens against travel to Iraq and Iran and asked those already there to return. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has issued an advisory to U.S. commercial airliners flying over the waters of the Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to exercise caution. Washington D.C.: Against the backdrop of the US state of Alabama signing the most restrictive abortion law in the recent American history, President Donald Trump on Sunday outlined his "strongly pro-life" views on the subject. In a series of tweets, the US President backed the law, while at the same time appearing to challenge its key provisions."As most people know, and for those who would like to know, I am strongly Pro-Life, with the three exceptions - Rape, Incest and protecting the Life of the mother - the same position taken by Ronald Reagan," Trump wrote on Twitter. "We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new & positive attitude about the Right to Life. The Radical Left, with late-term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020," Trump went on to say. Live TV The bill, passed by the Alabama Senate on Thursday, bans abortion at every stage of pregnancy. It also criminalises the procedure for doctors, who could be charged with felonies and face up to 99 years in prison. The measure includes an exception for cases when the mother's life is at serious risk, but not for cases of rape or incest.Trump asked the Republicans to stay "United" on the issue, otherwise, he added, "all of our hard-fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear." The bill represents the most far-reaching effort in the US this year to curb abortion rights. Democrats have criticised the bill, calling it an outrageous, appalling, and unconstitutional attack on women. Alabama is the latest state to pass an abortion restriction bill. Earlier this month, Georgia passed a law that would ban abortions if a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Ohio and Mississippi too have similar legislation. Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has accused Jamil Sarham, general officer commanding (GOC) 6th division of the Nigerian army, o... Nyesom Wike, governor of Rivers state, has accused Jamil Sarham, general officer commanding (GOC) 6th division of the Nigerian army, of running an oil theft ring in the state. The governor made the accusation when officers of Operation DELTA SAFE, the joint task force (JTF) in the Niger Delta, visited him at the government house in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The governor accused Sarham of asking soldiers to damage oil infrastructure and steal petroleum products in the state to allegedly generate funds to aid his appointment as chief of army staff. The GOC has his own team now doing oil bunkering for him because he wants to be chief of army staff, he said. If you give that kind of person chief of army staff, what kind of security would we have in this country? He cannot be removed here because they know the role he is playing for them: sabotaging our security architecture. Wike also accused the GOC of colluding with criminals and divulging sensitive information that has put the security of the state in jeopardy. We will have a security meeting and he will release the details to criminals, and the chief of army staff will leave the man here because he is playing their role, he said. How will the security of the state be with such a man as the GOC? He will compromise when fighting to reduce crime. They sent us a GOC who destroyed the security architecture of the state. Wike and Sarham have not been in good terms since the major generals appointment as GOC in August. During the 2019 elections, the governor had accused the GOC and his cohorts of interfering in the electoral process with the intention of imposing a governor on Rivers. Laila Marzouk's son, Khaled Said, became the face of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution after he was tortured to death by police in June 2010 The mother of an iconic face that triggered the January 25 Revolution in 2011 died Sunday. Laila Marzouk, the mother of slain Khaled Said, whose murder in June 2010 galvanised the protest movement and led the outbreak of the January 25 Revolution, passed away in the US as her health deteriorated after a battle with cancer. The announcement was made on Facebook on Sunday by Said's sister, Zahraa, who now also lives in the US. Said's murder by policemen who tortured him to death in June 2010 helped stir protests that led to the toppling of President Hosni Mubarak. The case of 28-year-old Said ignited public anger and became a rallying cry against former autocrat Hosni Mubarak, as photographs of his disfigured face after torture circulated online. Said was reportedly targeted after he posted internet video footage ostensibly showing policemen sharing the spoils of a drug bust. A Facebook page set up in his memory "We are all Khaled Said" focused on human rights abuses by police, spearheading calls, along with other groupings, for protests during the 18-day uprising in 2011 that swept Mubarak from power. The government's forensic authority had said that Said died after he choked on a packet of drugs. In 2015, Egypt's Court of Cassation upheld 10-year prison terms against the two policemen involved, concluding the case that changed Egypt's course of history. Search Keywords: Short link: The two decided to form an Egyptian-Canadian parliamentary friendship association The speaker of Canada's Senate George Furey visited Egypt's parliament on Sunday. Furey, heading a Canadian parliamentary delegation, was welcomed by speaker of Egypt's parliament Ali Abdel-Aal. A press statement said that the meeting between Furey and Abdel-Aal focused on reviewing the bilateral relations between Egypt and Canada. "The meeting also made a review of the latest political, economic and social developments in Egypt, with an emphasis on the country's ambitious economic reform programme which is supported by investment friendly legislation," the statement said. It added that the two sides decided that an Egyptian-Canadian parliamentary friendship association be formed to push the relations between the two houses forward. For his part, speaker Furey expressed deep appreciation for the roles Egypt is playing at the regional and international levels. He said that Canada has always been keen to reinforce relations with Egypt. "Egypt is playing an influential role in the Middle East and Africa and this leads to reinforcing stability and peace," said Furey, adding that "for these reasons, I was so keen to come here and I see that both Egypt and Canada can play very constructive roles at all levels." Speaker Furey will meet with Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb; bishop Daniel, secretary of the Coptic Church, on behalf of Pope Tawadros II, who is currently visiting Germany; Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry; and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar. Search Keywords: Short link: Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi received on Sunday a number of Egyptian citizens for an Iftar gathering at his private residence in Cairo, his office said in a statement. El-Sisi had personally invited a number of Egyptians from the governorates of Cairo, Fayoum, Minya, Assiut, South Sinai, Beni Suef and El-Wadi El-Gedid for the gathering. The move comes as part of the presidents efforts to meet in person with citizens to listen to their opinions and concerns, the statement said. El-Sisi said on Twitter he was pleased to meet the group, whose thoughts reflcted "awareness of our reality and hope for our future." "The great [Egyptian] people, with their different sects and groups, are a large Egyptian family seeking a better tomorrow with awareness and effort," he said. Search Keywords: Short link: Toronto - May 15, 2019 - The provincial government is welcoming a commitment by federal Infrastructure Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne to put Ontario's priorities first and ensure 54 key projects - including five historic transit projects in the GTA - are expedited for approvals. The government's call for action comes on the day Monte McNaughton, Ontario's Minister of Infrastructure, formally requested funding for the Yonge North Subway Extension. "For months, we've heard the federal government ask us to be quicker sending them projects for approval," said Minister McNaughton. "Today we have nominated our 54th project to the federal government. The ball is now in their court. We are looking to them to say yes so we can get shovels in the ground and get people moving." In a release May 10, 2019, Minister Champagne made a "commitment to the people of Ontario that I will continue to put your priorities first and will ensure the projects that matter most to your communities ... are expedited for approvals." Minister McNaughton said Wednesday he was "encouraged" by his colleague's commitment. "I have enjoyed a positive and productive relationship with Minister Champagne. He is someone I hold in high regard," said Minister McNaughton. "Our governments need to focus on picking up shovels rather than picking fights." The Yonge North Subway Extension, an estimated $5.6 billion project in the Greater Toronto Area, would stretch the Yonge subway line from Finch station all the way to Richmond Hill Centre. The project would create a truly regional subway transit system that connects people and communities to one of the fastest growing regions in the area. Wednesday's request follows a list of four projects sent for approval May 6, including the Ontario Line, the Bloor-Yonge Capacity Improvement Project, the three-stop Scarborough Subway Extension and the SmartTrack Stations Program. The five nation-building projects will help reduce gridlock in the GTA region, deliver real transit relief to commuters, and boost the local economy by connecting more people to new jobs and opportunities. "People have waited long enough for an integrated regional transit system that extends outside of Toronto's city limits," said Jeff Yurek, Minister of Transportation. "We're building a 21st century transit network that better serves transit riders' needs and extends into the growing communities and new employment centres across the region." Earlier this month the province introduced legislation to give it authority over transit expansion. "Transit in the GTHA is a generation behind where it should be due to years of inaction by government," said McNaughton. "We are taking action because the province has the power to get these projects done. We have a world-class procurement agency to lead development. We have the power to cut red tape that has bogged down the city in the past. And most importantly we are putting up the money to fund these projects. It's time the federal government joined us." In March, Ontario opened the first stream of a 10-year infrastructure program that will unlock up to $30 billion in combined federal, provincial and local investments. A second stream was opened in April. The two streams cover rural and northern transportation projects and non-GTA public transit projects. QUICK FACTS - The five GTA transit projects will require a combined $28.5 billion, of which the province has committed $11.2 billion. - The Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program is a $30 billion, 10-year infrastructure program cost-shared between federal, provincial and municipal governments. Ontarios share per project will be up to 33.33 per cent, or $10.2 billion spread across four streams: 1. Rural and Northern, 2. Public Transit, 3. Green, and 4. Community, Culture and Recreation. Ghana has been participating in the 2019 Tea Expo being held at Hangzhou, China. Ghana was invited by the Chinese Government as Special Guest Country. Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr. Owusu Afriyie Akoto, led a 20-member delegation to promote Ghana's chocolate and other cocoa products to Chinese consumers. The delegation included a strong contingent from Cocoa Processing Company, Ghana Cocobod, Private cocoa processor Plotte Limited from Takoradi, MOFA, Ministry of Trade and others. Ghana's stand became the toast of the Expo with hundreds of Chinese visitors streaming through to taste our cocoa products. On the day set aside to honour Ghana, the Chinese Minister for Agriculture and Rural Affairs Mr. Han Changfu and his deputy Dr Qu Dongyu visited the nation's stand. The huge crowds were entertained by a Ghanaian dancing troupe accompanied by traditional music, much to the appreciation and amusement of the Ministers and the teeming visitors. The organisers of the the Expo confirmed Ghana's stand was by far, the most popular. 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 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. Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi discussed on Sunday boosting mutual cooperation with Canada during talks with visiting Canadian Senate Speaker George Furey. During the meeting, El-Sisi discussed Egypts efforts to counter terrorism and extremism and reform religious discourse, Egyptian presidency spokesman Bassam Rady said. El-Sisi said he is looking for Canadas support for Egypts economic and social reform programme. He also expressed appreciation for what he said is the good treatment Egyptians receive in Canada, saying this has helped them succeed and effectively fit into society there, the spokesman added. He highlighted that his administration gives special focus to womens empowerment, referring to the recent constitution amendments that allocate at least 25 percent of the parliaments seats to women. Earlier in the day, Furey held bilateral talks with Egyptian parliament speaker Aly Abde-Aal to discuss strengthening parliamentary ties between the two nations. Search Keywords: Short link: Organisers of the Ghana Music Awards, Charterhouse Productions has condemned the behaviour of two top artistes that marred the beauty of the 2019 awards. The incident has since been reported to the police to unravel what led to the disturbances, the organisers said. Dancehall artistes Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale were embroiled in a scuffle which saw the former pulling out gun. Stonebwoy who has just been declared winner of the 2019 Reggae and Dancehall Artiste of the Year was on stage for his awards when Shatta Wale decided to share the stage with him in a confrontational manner leading to a commotion. As a law abiding corporate citizen, Charterhouse has reported the incidence to the police and have been cooperating with the police to investigate and to ensure that the true facts of what happened would be known and addressed. Measures will also be taken in consultation and partnership with Security agencies to ensure enhanced security subsequently, Charterhouse said in a statement signed on behalf of its Head of Communications, George Quaye, on Sunday. Find organisers full statement below CHARTERHOUSE CONDEMNS UNRULY BEHAVIOUR AT THE 2019 VODAFONE GHANA MUSIC AWARDS The Management of Charterhouse Productions wishes to apologize unreservedly on its behalf and on behalf of the Board of the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), to the patrons and millions of viewers on television and social media in Ghana and all over the world for the security breach that marred the event in the wee hours of Sunday 19th May, 2019 at the premises of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC). We also would like to apologize to our main sponsor, Vodafone as well as other sponsors and partners, media partners Media General, YFM and Multichoice, and other international representatives from BET International, Afro Zons and MTV Base. Our apologies also go to the Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. George Andah, Deputy Minister for Communications and other very important government officials present at the event. We apologize to our international visitors, including CEO of Mobo Awards UK, Kanya King CBE representatives from Sony Music, Mr. Ben Oldfield from The Orchard, Phil Phillips, Alison Hinds and other representatives of the Barbados Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, who were present to experience the 20th Anniversary edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards. Being a special edition of the annual ceremony, months of planning had gone into giving the world a breath-taking event. Sadly, however, we were unable to give the full experience we had hoped to give as a result of this breach. As a law abiding corporate citizen, Charterhouse has reported the incidence to the police and have been cooperating with the police to investigate and to ensure that the true facts of what happened would be known and addressed. Measures will also be taken in consultation and partnership with Security agencies to ensure enhanced security subsequently. We wish to note that the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards has terms and conditions that guide its conduct and artistes who enter their works for nominations are bound by the terms and conditions. These terms and conditions, which come with punitive measures when flouted, have been designed to protect the scheme and ensure that it is neither impugned nor dragged into any sort of disrepute. Charterhouse and the board have taken serious exception to the incident that happened at the 20th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards and thus would ensure that the needed sanctions are applied. In the coming week, a press conference would be held to address the incidence at the event, including measures agreed to in consultation with the Board and other affiliates of the scheme. We would like to reassure our patrons, partners and the entire music industry of our continuous support and investment in creating platforms for the industry to shine. Our Music Lives SIGNED FOR GEORGE QUAYE HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS, CHARTERHOUSE PRODUCTIONS 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 WTO Lowers Global Trade Growth Forecast WTO experts are reported to have revised their forecast for the pace of global trade growth. The renewed forecast names figures below the previous ones - 2,6% against 3,7%. It's also interesting to note that the previous forecast for 2018 failed to match the actual figures. It's interesting to note that the global trade growth started slowing down in 2018. They had expected a 3,9% gain but the actual figures came in at 3%. The key reason for that is said to be a much worse situation in Q4 2018, when the global trade growth dropped all the way down to just 0.3%. This is actually the time when Washington announced new duties on the products exported from China. Also, the WTO says that amid deep uncertainty seen these days, global trade cannot be seen as something stimulating economic growth. At the same time, the experts name a few reasons for the slowdown: - higher import duties in China and USA - unexpectedly weak global economic growth - unstable financial markets - decreased efficiency of the tax stimuli practiced by the U.S. authorities - the end of the monetary easing cycle in the Eurozone - the transformations going on in the Chinese economy - a switch from production and investments to consumption and services At the same time, the experts are still having a hard time evaluating the possible consequences of the so-called Brexit for the entire global economy. This will depend on the final agreement between the U.K. and the E.U. Most likely, the Brexit will end up with lower investments in Great Britain, which will result in lower productivity. In early 2019, the WTO's leading indicators showed a global trade slowdown. Air shipping dropped by 3%, which was caused by a drop in global export orders amid trade talks between the USA and China. At the same time, Russia has decided to cap the imports of European goods. The Russian representatives have already informed the WTO about this decision. This is Russia's response to the EU's quotes on Russian steel products. 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 Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) -- President Donald Trump broke his silence on the increasing trend of states passing restrictive abortion bans late Saturday, denouncing bills like the one that passed last week in Alabama. Trump said he is "strongly Pro-Life," but said he does favor allowing women to get abortions in the case of rape, incest or the health of the mother. The bill passed by the Alabama legislature and signed by Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday contains no exemption for rape or incest, though it does allow abortions if the mother's life is threatened. ....for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 19, 2019 Trump went on to say his position was the same one taken by former President Ronald Reagan, still a bastion of Republican values 30 years after leaving office. The president pointed to his nomination of pro-life judges -- including Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch -- as a reason to reelect him in 2020. "We have come very far in the last two years with 105 wonderful new Federal Judges (many more to come), two great new Supreme Court Justices, the Mexico City Policy, and a whole new & positive attitude about the Right to Life," he wrote. "The Radical Left, with late term abortion (and worse), is imploding on this issue. We must stick together and Win for Life in 2020. If we are foolish and do not stay UNITED as one, all of our hard fought gains for Life can, and will, rapidly disappear!" Alabama's law is expected to quickly be challenged in court and possibly even appealed all the way to the Supreme Court. That would set up a battle over Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 federal ruling that allowed women to be able to choose to have an abortion. Georgia, Missouri, Mississippi, Ohio and Kentucky have all passed so-called "heartbeat" abortion bills, outlawing the practice after as early as six weeks into pregnancy. The most recent ABC News/Washington Post poll on abortion, released on Aug. 29, 2018, showed that 66% of respondents wanted the Supreme Court to keep access to abortions the same as it is now, or easier. The poll showed 30% wanted to make it harder. Vice President Mike Pence said Saturday he was proud of the Trump administration for standing without apology for the sanctity of human life while speaking to graduating students at Taylor University in his home state of Indiana. "I couldnt be more proud to be part of an administration that stood strong on the timeless values that have made this nation great, stood without apology for the sanctity of human life," Pence said. Trump has made late-term abortions a rallying point -- literally -- as he ramps up for the 2020 campaign. He discussed the issue at his 2019 State of the Union address, criticizing Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, a former pediatric neurologist, for saying a fetus could be aborted late in pregnancy if it was "non-viable." On May 8, at a rally in Panama City Beach, Florida, he again brought up the topic. "Democrats are aggressively pushing late-term abortion, allowing for children to be ripped from their mother's womb right up until the moment of birth," Trump said Most Democratic candidates have come out strongly in favor of a woman's right to choose in recent days. "A woman's right to control her own body is basic constitutional right," Sen. Bernie Sanders said while campaigning in South Carolina on Saturday. "I think it is beyond belief to me that and again in the year 2019. People are trying to take that very basic, right away." Former Rep. Beto O'Rourke called it "literally a life or death issue in the United States of America right now" in an interview Friday on MSNBC, while Sen. Elizabeth Warren released an abortion policy on Friday, writing, "Congress should pass new federal laws that protect access to reproductive care from right-wing ideologues in the states." Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Saudi Energy Minister Khalid al-Falih said on Sunday he recommended "gently" driving oil inventories down at a time of plentiful global supplies and that OPEC would not make hasty decisions about output ahead of a June meeting. "Overall, the market is in a delicate situation," Falih told reporters before a ministerial panel meeting of top OPEC and non-member oil producers, including Saudi Arabia and Russia. While there is concern about supply disruptions, inventories are rising and the market should see a "comfortable supply situation in the weeks and months to come", he said. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, of which Saudi Arabia is de facto leader, would have more data at its next meeting in late June to help it reach the best decision on output, Falih said. "It is critical that we dont make hasty decisions given the conflicting data, the complexity involved, and the evolving situation," he said, describing the outlook as "quite foggy" due in part to a trade dispute between the United States and China. "But I want to assure you that our group has always done the right thing in the interests of both consumers and producers; and we will continue to do so," he added. OPEC, Russia and other non-OPEC producers, an alliance known as OPEC+, agreed to reduce output by 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) from Jan. 1 for six months, a deal designed to stop inventories building up and weakening prices. Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak said the ministerial panel had recommended continued monitoring of the market due to uncertainties and that recommendations would be made in June. He said the option of easing agreed cuts had been discussed and that the supply situation would be clearer in a month, including from countries under sanctions. Two sources earlier said Saudi Arabia and Russia were discussing two main scenarios for the June meeting that proposed higher output from the second half of this year. One scenario was to eliminate over-compliance with agreed cuts, which would increase output by some 0.8 million bpd, while the other option was to ease the agreed cuts to 0.9 million bpd. United Arab Emirates Energy Minister Suhail al-Mazrouei had told reporters that producers were capable of filling any market gap and that relaxing supply cuts was not "the right decision". Mazrouei said the UAE did not want to see a rise in inventories that could lead to a price collapse and that OPEC would act wisely to maintain sustainable market balance. "As UAE we see that the job is not done yet, there is still a period of time to look at the supply and demand and we don't see any need to alter the agreement in the meantime," he said. US crude inventories rose unexpectedly last week to their highest since September 2017, while gasoline stockpiles decreased more than forecast, Energy Information Administration data showed. Delicate Balance Saudi Arabia sees no need to boost production quickly now, with oil at around $70 a barrel, as it fears a price crash and a build-up in inventories, OPEC sources said earlier. The United States, not a member of OPEC+ but a close ally of Riyadh, wants the group to boost output to lower oil prices. Falih has to find a delicate balance between keeping the oil market well supplied and prices high enough for Riyadh's budget needs, while pleasing Moscow to ensure Russia remains in the OPEC+ pact, and being responsive to the concerns of the United States and the rest of OPEC+, sources said. Sunday's meeting comes amid concerns of a tight market. Iran's oil exports are likely to drop further in May and shipments from Venezuela could fall again in coming weeks due to US sanctions. Oil contamination forced Russia to halt flows along the Druzhba pipeline - a key conduit for crude into Eastern Europe and Germany - in April, leaving refiners scrambling for supplies. Novak said Russia would restore its output in May and that contaminated oil would not have an impact on the country's annual output forecast. He earlier told reporters that supplies to Poland via the pipeline would start on Monday. OPEC's agreed share of the cuts is 800,000 bpd, but its actual reduction is far larger due to the production losses in Iran and Venezuela. Both are under US sanctions and exempt from the voluntary reductions under the OPEC-led deal. Regional Tensions Oil prices edged lower on Friday due to demand fears amid a standoff in Sino-US trade talks, but ended the week higher on rising concerns over disruptions in Middle East shipments due to US-Iran political tensions. Tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran are running high after last week's attacks on two Saudi oil tankers off the UAE coast and another on Saudi oil facilities inside the kingdom. Although it has not affected our supplies, such acts of terrorism are deplorable," Falih said. "They threaten uninterrupted supplies of energy to the world and put a global economy that is already facing headwinds at further risk." The attacks come as the United States and Iran spar over Washington's tightening of sanctions aimed at cutting Iranian oil exports to zero, and an increased US military presence in the Gulf over perceived Iranian threats to US interests. Search Keywords: Short link: The United States will hold an international economic "workshop" in Bahrain in late June to encourage investment in the Palestinian areas as the first part of President Donald Trump's coming Middle East peace plan, the White House said on Sunday. The conference will bring together government and business leaders to help jump-start the economic portion of the broader US peace initiative, which is also expected to include proposals for resolving thorny political issues at the heart of the decades-old Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Trump has touted the coming plan as the "deal of the century, but Palestinian officials have rebuked the US effort, which they believe will be heavily biased in favor of Israel. Trump's Middle East team, led by his son-in-law Jared Kushner and regional envoy Jason Greenblatt, appears intent on focusing initially on the potential economic benefits, despite deep skepticism among experts that they can succeed where decades of US-backed efforts have failed. This will give hopefully the people in the region the potential to see what the economic opportunities could be if we can work out political issues that have held back the region for a long, long time," a senior Trump administration official said. The participants in the June 25-26 conference in Manama are expected to include representatives and business executives from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, the administration official said. However, a second senior US official declined to say whether Israeli and Palestinian officials would take part. US officials had said earlier the peace plan would be rolled out after the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which ends in early June. But the announcement of the investors workshop appears to set the stage for a sequenced release of the plan, starting with the economic plan in late June, and later, at some time not yet clear, the political proposals. Search Keywords: Short link: Violence was again reported in several constituencies as voting was held in nine parliamentary constituencies in West Bengal in the seventh and last phase of the 2019 General Elections, along with bypolls in five state Assembly seats. North 24 Pargana district's Bhatpara assembly seat, which fell vacant after Trinamool Congress MLA Arjun Singh's defection to the BJP nearly two months ago, topped the chart of violence as the workers of both the parties frequently clashed with each other with crude bombs. Singh's son Pawan Kumar Singh has been fielded by the BJP while Trinamool has fielded Saradha and Narada scam accused leader Madan Mitra. The constituency's Ghoshpara and Kankinara areas turned into a battleground. The agitators also ransacked several police vehicles and attacked the personnel when they arrived at the spot. The Rapid Action Force rushed to the spot and carried out baton charge to disperse the mob. A crude bomb was hurled in north Kolkata's Posta area at around 12.30 p.m., striking panic among the voters. However, no one was injured in the incident. Earlier in the day, BJP's Kolkata North candidate and former state chief Rahul Sinha was allegedly pelted with stones while coming out of a polling station in Park Circus area. A cameraperson of a local news channel sustained head injury. Sporadic violence was reported in Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat, where West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's nephew and Trinamool MP Abhishek Banerjee is seeking a second term. The vehicle of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) candidate Nilanjan Roy was allegedly vandalised in Budge Budge after he reached a polling booth hearing reports of proxy voting by the state's ruling party. Situation became tense in Diamond Harbour's Minakha after BJP activists were allegedly intimidated and beaten to stop them from casting their votes. Central forces, however, reached the spot and escorted the voters to the polling booth. Another BJP candidate Anupam Hazra (Jadavpur) and a local saffron party leader were attacked and the latter's car was damaged allegedly by Trinamool workers outsde Ward No. 109 of the Kolkata Municipal Corporation. Meanwhile, Trinamool candidate Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar in some booths in Barasat constituency's Rajarhat-Newtown area, accused central forces of attacking their workers, vandalising booth offices and influencing the voters to vote for BJP. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also claimed that the BJP workers and CRPF personnel were "torturing common people" in various parts of the state. Austrias chancellor and president will discuss a date on Sunday for an early parliamentary election and the makeup of a caretaker government, after a video sting brought down the leader of the far-right junior partners in the ruling coalition. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz pulled the plug on his coalition and called for a snap election after his deputy, the leader of the far-right Freedom Party, quit over a video showing him discussing fixing state contracts in return for favors. Heinz-Christian Strache, who was filmed speaking to a woman who posed as the niece of a Russian oligarch, accepted that the video was catastrophic but denied having broken the law and said no money changed hands. The scandal is a blow for one of Europes most successful nationalist parties just a week before an election to the European parliament in which far-right groups anticipate record success across the continent. Kurz, a conservative who has ruled with far-right junior partners for a year and a half, said the video was the last straw after a number of lesser scandals, and it was time for a new vote rather than an attempt to keep the coalition in office. Enough is enough, Kurz said in a statement to the media on Saturday. President Alexander Van der Bellen, who has the authority to dismiss the government, also said he favored a snap election and would discuss details on Sunday. Austria could set an election date as soon as the summer, according to national law, but that could be difficult due to school holidays, said Robert Stein, who heads the election desk at the interior ministry. The first possible Sunday after the school holidays would be September 15, he said. The makeup of any caretaker government until the snap election was also up for discussion. Strache said on Saturday that Transport Minister Norbert Hofer, a former presidential candidate, would replace him as party leader. Kurz has not yet said whether he would accept Hofer as his deputy in government. The Freedom Partys leadership will meet on Saturday afternoon to discuss next steps and nominate Hofer as party chief, news wire APA said. Search Keywords: Short link: New Zealands services sector activity slipped further in April, touching the lowest level in more than six years and adding to concerns about an economic slowdown. The BNZ-BusinessNZ performance of services index fell 0.5 of a point from March to a seasonally adjusted 51.8. That was 3.9 points lower than a year earlier and the lowest reading since September 2012. The index remains below the long-term average of 54.4. A reading above 50 indicates expansion. Services account for about two-thirds of the national economy and the index is "starting to struggle," said BNZ senior economist Craig Ebert. BusinessNZ chief executive Kirk Hope said that the ongoing decline in expansion is a concern, exacerbated by a few factors during April, including extended holidays. "The proportion of positive comments for April (43.9 percent) decreased significantly from March (55.8 percent). The decline was partly due to a number of comments centred on the ANZAC/Easter break disrupting usual business activity. Others noted a general economic downturn and slowing demand". Ebert said unless there is a "sizable bounce" in May's result "we'll be left with the distinct impression of a slowing services sector." Overall, this is starting to "challenge the view that New Zealand's GDP growth will pick up through the course of 2019," he added. "To the extent GDP growth does struggle, it could well encourage the RBNZ to respond with further monetary easing." In terms of the sub-index values for April, activity/sales fell 1.2 points to 51.1, while employment fell 2.1 points to 48.6 and stock/inventories eased 1.4 points to 48.3. In the other direction, new orders and business inched up 0.2 of a point to 55.1 while the supplier deliveries measure rose 0.7 of a point to 51.6. The PSI's sister survey, the performance of manufacturing index, was released on Friday. It showed April's manufacturing activity expanded versus March but was well down from a year earlier as demand growth continues to cool. Combining the two surveys, the composite index fell 0.1 of a point from March to 51.6 on a GDP-weighted basis. It was at 55.7 in April last year. On a free-weighted basis, the measure fell 0.4 of a point to 51.3. It was at 56.6 a year ago. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 24th December 2021 Morning Report 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 Infratil is confident its purchase of Vodafone New Zealand will be approved by regulators and says it has no interest in selling out of Trustpower to help secure a deal. Infratil and Brookfield Asset Management are seeking Commerce Commission approval for their $3.4 billion purchase of Vodafone. Given Infratils controlling stake in Trustpower a small competitor in the fixed broadband market it undertook to either quit the venture with Brookfield or divest its stake in Trustpower if the commission opposed the deal. Infratil chief executive Marko Bogoievski said the two options were required by Vodafones parent company in a mechanism intended to ensure the transaction would close regardless. Both sound quite unattractive, he told investors in Wellington. They dont actually relate at all to our preferences. We actually like Trustpower and would like it to stick around in our portfolio. Bogoievski said the risks, having agreed to the terms, seemed acceptable based on advice the company has taken and its own assessment of the issues the Commerce Commission will address. Structural separation of the market, open-access fixed networks and equivalent wholesale access level the playing for smaller players and new entrants in a market where the barriers to entry are relatively low, he said. Trustpower is currently Infratils biggest asset, at $1.1 billion, followed closely by Canberra Data Centres at $841-$942 million and Wellington International Airport at $770-850 million. Infratils planned purchase of Vodafone will transform its portfolio, with 76 percent of the post-acquisition assets being split equally between renewable energy and data and connectivity. Those two segments account for 48 percent and 22 percent of the portfolio currently. Bogoievski said Wellington Airport and the companys retirement interests remain important investments. But he said the two large buckets of renewables and data and connectivity promise strong growth. The outlook for the major firms in those sectors, Tilt Renewables, Canberra Data Centres and Longroad Energy in the US, is very strong and the company has extraordinary visibility over a string of potential investments they will deliver during the next two to three years. The pipelines there in existing platforms and is ready to be hit. Bogoievski noted that Melbourne-based Tilt is both an operating company and a developer with a strong pipeline of potential projects. Longroad is of another scale again, he said, developing massive utility scale solar and wind projects and with a pipeline of 8 gigawatts of potential capacity. Bogoievski said Canberra Data Centres, which has now expanded into Sydney, is growing rapidly and has probably been a factor in the re-rating of Trustpowers shares. The business, and the trend toward increased government demand for greater and more secure data capacity, is still in its early stages. CDCs earnings in the past year increased 30 percent. There are not many infrastructure assets doing anything like this. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 24th December 2021 Morning Report 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 British Prime Minister Theresa May said she will present a new, bold offer to lawmakers with an improved package of measures in a final attempt to get the Brexit divorce deal through parliament before she leaves office. After failing three times to get parliaments approval for her deal, the government will now put the Withdrawal Agreement Bill, legislation which will enact that deal, before parliament for a vote in early June. Whatever the outcome of any (indicative) votes, I will not be simply asking MPs (lawmakers) to think again. Instead I will ask them to look at a new and improved deal with a fresh pair of eyes - and to give it their support, May wrote in the Sunday Times newspaper. The date of the vote and the substance of what lawmakers will be asked to consider - including whether they will be given chance to indicate what preferences might secure a majority before the vote is binding - have yet to be made public. Brexit talks between Mays Conservatives and the opposition Labour Party collapsed on Friday, hours after May, who sealed the deal with the European Union last year, agreed to set out in early June a timetable for her departure. The winner of a leadership contest to succeed her will automatically become prime minister and will take control of the Brexit process, which has plunged Britain into its worst political crisis since World War Two. Facing her last chance to push through the exit from the bloc, which has defined her time in office since the fallout from the referendum in 2016, May said common ground with Labour had been found in workers rights and protections, the environment and security. When the Withdrawal Agreement Bill comes before MPs, it will represent a new, bold offer to MPs across the House of Commons, with an improved package of measures that I believe can win new support, she said. Workers Rights Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, however, said May had not moved away from any of the red lines that shaped her previous attempt. We havent seen whatever the new bill is going to be yet but nothing Ive heard leads me to believe it is fundamentally any different from the previous bill that has been put forward so as of now we are not supporting it, he said in a pre-recorded interview broadcast on the BBCs Andrew Marr show. International Development Secretary Rory Stewart said on the same program on Sunday the Conservative and Labour positions were close - only about half an inch apart - in areas such as workers rights, the environment and the future trading relationship. He said Corbyns only other demand was the option for a second referendum on any Brexit deal agreed by lawmakers. That is going beyond, said Stewart, who has said he would run for the party leadership. But within the terms of a Brexit deal, I dont believe theres anything that Jeremy Corbyn or we want that is that far apart. Support for the two main parties has collapsed ahead of elections for the European Parliament on Thursday, opinion polls indicate, with voters turning instead to the single-issue Brexit Party and, to a lesser extent, the pro-remain Liberal Democrats. On Saturday Labours Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said the government should put a promise to hold a further public vote on the face of the Withdrawal Agreement Bill to break the Brexit impasse. Corbyn said he would be willing to consider a new offer, including for example new legislation that entrenched workers rights in law. We would obviously look at it very carefully in parliament and we would obviously reserve our right to either amend it or oppose it depending on whats in it, he said. I cant give it a blank cheque. May will consult cabinet colleagues on proposed changes to the withdrawal agreement aimed at securing cross-party support this week, the Sunday Times said. Nearly three years after the United Kingdom voted 52% to 48% in a referendum to leave the EU, it remains unclear how, when or even if the country will leave the European club it joined in 1973. The current deadline to leave is Oct. 31. Search Keywords: Short link: The National Party proposes ambitious new trade targets for New Zealand's relations with both China and the United States in a foreign affairs discussion document released this morning for public consultation. Overseen by foreign affairs spokesman and Trade Minister in the last National-led government, Todd McClay, the paper glosses over the growing tension between the US and China on trade and security issues, suggesting New Zealand should aim to double two-way trade with China to $60 billion by 2030, having reached early the $30 billion-by-2020 target set under former Prime Minister John Key. The swift conclusion of a free-trade agreement with the US is put as a primary goal. New Zealand has long sought an FTA with the US, worth around $18 billion in two-way trade at present. It came close in the negotiation of the trade agreement that was to become the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership - CPTPP - after US President Donald Trump withdrew from the regional trade pact in his first executive act after his inauguration in January 2017. The paper says the US was instrumental in ensuring the deal was achieved, without discussing the fact that was the result of the previous administration under President Barack Obama. National says New Zealand must always press the country's values, including freedom of expression, political affiliation and religion in all its dealings, saying that as the relationship with China has matured, successive governments have been able to raise concerns with "our friends in Beijing". (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 24th December 2021 Morning Report 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 The New Zealand Bankers' Association is calling for a rethink of the Reserve Banks bank capital proposals to avoid hurting the economy. Independent analysis by former Treasury Secretary Dr Graham Scott shows the Reserve Bank should rethink its proposals to avoid putting a handbrake on our economy," says NZBA chief executive Roger Beaumont. The review we commissioned from Sapere and led by Dr Scott expresses a valid concern that the Reserve Bank hasnt yet done a cost-benefit analysis, Beaumont says in a statement. It found that the Reserve Bank proposals are excessive and will cost housholds, businesses and our economy around $1.8 billion a year, he says. Thats a conservative estimate of costs based on the Reserve Banks assumptions. The cost to our economy could be much higher. The Reserve Bank admitted in a paper released in April, the third such document released to back its proposals first announced on Dec. 14, that it hadnt done a cost-benefit analysis yet. Many observers have said a cost-benefit analysis should have been the central banks starting point. The proposals include a near doubling of the minimum common equity each of the four major banks have to hold from 8.5 percent of risk-weighted assets to 16 percent and reducing the advantage those banks receive from using their own internal models for calculating risk to no more than 90 percent of the results from using standardised models. The smaller banks, all of which use standardised models and so are at a competitive disadvantage to the major banks which control 88 percent of the banking system, would be forced to increase their common equity capital to the slightly lower level of 15 percent of risk-weighted assets. The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, which regulates the Australian parent banks of New Zealands four largest banks, regards a common equity level of 10.4 percent of risk-weighted assets as unquestionably strong. On Friday afternoon the deadline for submissions on the bank capital proposals the Reserve Bank announced it had ordered New Zealands largest bank, ANZ, to revert to using the standardised model for calculating operational risk capital. That was because it had been using a model not approved by the central bank since 2014, having decommissioned the model it had been using previously without central bank approval. ANZ said the Reserve Banks order reduced its common equity capital by 0.4 percent and its total capital by 0.6 percent. In 2017, the Reserve Bank forced Westpac to carry about $1 billion in additional capital because it had been using 17 out of 35 capital models that the central bank hadnt approved and that in the past it had used unapproved models going back to 2008 when the major banks first began using internal models. Beaumont says while NZBA absolutely support a strong and stable banking system thats able to withstand significant shocks, that shouldnt be at the expense of everything else. Our banks are already well-captalised and strong by international comparisons and Dr Scotts work suggests that the Reserve Bank has significantly underestimated the negative consequences for our country. Beaumont says the proposals would require New Zealand banks to hold more capital than almost any other bank in the world and that could restrict lending. The Reserve Bank has said that New Zealand banks currently carry about 12 percent common equity. In our view, a smaller increase in the capital required with an extended timeframe for implementation, combined with banks having options other than only shareholder equity to meet capital requirements, would more efficiently meet the Reserve Banks aims, Beaumont says. (BusinessDesk) Comments from our readers No comments yet Add your comment: Your name: Your email: Not displayed to the public Comment: Comments to Sharechat go through an approval process. Comments which are defamatory, abusive or in some way deemed inappropriate will not be approved. It is allowable to use some form of non-de-plume for your name, however we recommend real email addresses are used. Comments from free email addresses such as Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail, etc may not be approved. Anti-spam verification: Type the text you see in the image into the field below. You are asked to do this in order to verify that this enquiry is not being performed by an automated process. Related News: 24th December 2021 Morning Report 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 The anti-evolution project will re-focus on turning cancer into a disease controllable with drugs for many years Cancer scientists in Britain are launching what they call the worlds first Darwinian drug development program in a bid to get ahead of cancers ability to become resistant to even the newest treatments and recur in many patients. While not abandoning the search for an ultimate cure, the anti-evolution project will re-focus on turning cancer into a disease controllable with drugs for many years. This would be a little like HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, the scientists told reporters at a briefing. Cancers ability to adapt, evolve and become drug-resistant is the cause of the vast majority of deaths from the disease and the biggest challenge we face in overcoming it, said Paul Workman, chief executive of Britains Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) - a charity and research institute which will lead the new Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery. The centre, funded with 75 million pounds ($96.5 million) from the ICR, will seek to meet the challenge of cancer evolution head on, Workman said, by blocking its process of evolution. Teams at the new centre will initially focus on two possible paths to doing this. The first, known as evolutionary herding, involves selecting an initial specific treatment that forces cancer cells to adapt in a way that makes them highly susceptible to a second drug, or pushes them into an evolutionary dead end. The second will explore a possible new class of drugs to target cancers ability to evolve and become resistant to treatment. These potential drugs would be designed to block the action of molecules called APOBEC proteins, found in the bodys immune system. Researchers hope a new class of APOBEC inhibitors could be developed and given alongside targeted cancer treatments to try and keep cancer at bay for much longer. Combination therapies using multiple current or new treatments will also be explored, Workman said. Olivia Rossanese, a specialist in cancer drug discovery who will head the new centres biology team, said the idea was to build a global hub of expertise in anti-evolution therapies so scientists could stop playing catch-up with cancer. This Darwinian approach to drug discovery gives us the best chance yet of defeating cancer, she said, because we will be able to predict what cancer is going to do next and get one step ahead. Search Keywords: Short link: A statement issued by the company, however, said: "(There are) no indicators that companies operating the oil fields are facing any security threats." Iraq: American multinational oil and gas corporation ExxonMobil announced on Saturday that 30 of its foreign engineers have been evacuated from the West Qurna 1 oil field in Iraq's Basra. The evacuations began on Friday and continued until Saturday. While some of the engineers were moved to UAE's Dubai, the others were placed in the company's main headquarters in Basra. ExxonMobil has labelled the move as a "temporary precautionary measure", according to CNN. The company's work in the oil field has not been affected in the light of the operation. The evacuation comes when diplomatic tensions are high between neighbouring Iran and the United States. Washington refused to extend sanction waivers to eight countries importing oil from Iran, along with listing Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a Foreign Terrorist Organisation (FTO). In retaliation, Iran designated the US Central Command (CENTCOM) as a terrorist group. The US has since increased its military presence in the region, citing the threat of an attack from Iran. Ahram Online talks with renowned Egyptian chef El-Sherbini about his cooking, ethics in the kitchen, and his delicious, mouth-watering recipes Egyptian chef El-Sherbini (full name Abdel-Samea Mohamed Ali El-Sherbini) is one of the most famous chefs in Egypt and Arab world. El-Sherbini inherited his love of cooking from his father who was executive chef at the Armed Forces Officers Club in Zamalek. He recalled: I was working as assistant chef with my father in the 70s in my school vacation. My father cooked for kings, presidents of states, such as former Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser, and countless dignitaries." I repeated the same pattern with my son Alaa, who is a chef too, and I taught him that the most important part in his cooking routine is honesty and cleanliness, El-Sherbini said. El-Sherbini lived in Europe for 12 years. He started at the bottom of the ladder in his career. He worked on a large boat in the Caribbean Sea as assistant cook for three years where he gained tangible experience and improved his skills. He regards food presentation as pivotal in making dishes look irresistible. El-Sherbini told Ahram Online: Oriental food doesnt have presentation. It is simply slapping food on a plate without any rhyme, but I added a new touch to Egyptian cuisine, making a lovely mix between Eastern and Western food styling. El-Sherbini graduated from Faculty of Tourism and Hotel Management in Italy. He was nominated by the Ministry of Tourism to promote Egyptian tourism in Europe (1986-2002). When he returned to Cairo, he became master chef for the Ramses Hilton Hotel. His first cooking show on Egyptian satellite TV was with presenter Sherif Madkour. The show, called "Men Kol Balad Akla," lasted for seven years. Then, he presented a show on El-Majid Saudi channel for a year, before presenting "Sufra Dayma" on El-Hayah Channel. He then moved to CBC Sofra to present his famous Egyptian cooking show called "El-Chef." For the holy month of Ramadan, El-Sherbini shared with Ahram Online some of his delicious recipes. Cabbage leaves stuffed with rice (Mahshi Kuronb) Ingredients: 1 medium cabbage kilo white rice (washed, drained) kilo fresh tomatoes 1 tbsp tomato puree 1 large punch of each (fresh parsley, dill, coriander finely chopped) 1 cup of chopped onions Cumin, salt and black pepper Pinch of hot (chili) powder (optional, but it brings nice warmth to the dish) cup vegetable oil litre duck stock Method Make the cabbage leaves: Bring a large pot of water to the boil. Cut the cabbage in half vertically and cut out the middle parts. Plunge into the boiling water and cook. The leaves should be tender and not overcooked. Cut out the central vein resulting in making pieces of cabbage leaves about the size of your hand. For the filling: Put in a bowl chopped onions, fresh chopped parsley, dill, coriander, tomatoes, 1 tbsp of tomato puree, season with salt, pepper cumin and a pinch of hot chili and oil. Add rice and mix well. Roll perfect stuffed cabbage leaves: Use a large cooking pan. Add a layer of the thick removed veins at the bottom of the pan. Layer onion slices and then add two chicken stock cubes. Take one by one cabbage leaves in the palm of your hands, place a small amount of the rice mixture in the centre of each leaf and begin rolling to form a finger-like shape. Arrange stuffed cabbage leave rolls inside the cooking pan to form a nice shape. Continue until the quantity is finished. Pour litre of duck stock over stuffed cabbage to cover the top and bring to boil. Leave to simmer on a low heat for 30-35 minutes until cooked and all the stock is absorbed. Duck 2 onions 1 carrot cubed 2 whole tomatoes Chopped celery stalks White radish Bay leaf Cardamom Salt Black pepper Method: Fill a large pot with tap of water and heat on a stove until it boils. Add bouquet garning ingredients (onions, carrot, tomatoes, bundle of celery, white radish, bay leaf, cardamom), slowly bringing ingredients to boil with water. Place the duck and season with salt and pepper. Cover the pot and simmer until the duck is cooked. Remove duck from the stock and let it cool. Rub the duck skin with a mixture of tomato and oil or butter. Place duck in a roasting pan in a pre-heated oven. Roast for five minutes or until nice and golden brown. Then remove from the oven. Place the cabbage rolls on a plate and duck on top. Search Keywords: Short link: The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2018 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. Privacy Statement Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) -- Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris is expected to draw a crowd of thousands on Sunday afternoon in her home state of California at a rally at Los Angeles Southwest College. Its there that Harris hopes to connect with one group in particular: black voters. The school is located in the heart of South Los Angeles, and has one of the highest percentages of black students out of all the city's community colleges. Harris scheduled speech there is part of her broader attempt to appeal to black voters in a state that awards more than 400 Democratic delegates during the presidential primary. African American voters are critical to gaining traction in the presidential primary, and the largely Democratic group is expected to make up 12.5% of the electorate in 2020, according to the Pew Research Center. In South Carolina, the first state to hold a primary in the South, African Americans make up nearly 30 percent of the population. "Black voters will play a disproportionate role with helping select the Democratic Party nominee for president, Andra Gillespie, associate professor of political science at Emory University, told ABC News in April. She added that African Americans are the most loyal Democratic voting bloc in the United States." Part of the voting process for many black voters will be deciding if a candidates policies will benefit the community. Many black progressives have raised concern about Harris previous positions on issues like criminal justice and financial reform. As Californias former attorney general, Harris had a record of backing tough penalties for the parents of truant kids -- a position she later said she regretted -- and opposing federal oversight of California's prisons. Critics of Harris say her decisions as a long-time prosecutor do not align with the progressive values of the party. While Harris personally opposes the death penalty, she defended it as California's attorney general in 2014. She also won a $25 billion settlement for California homeowners hit by the foreclosure crisis, but drew criticism when she did not prosecute Steven Mnuchin's OneWest Bank for foreclosure violations in 2013. To help counter some of these criticisms, Harris has focused on appealing directly to black voters, appearing on "The Breakfast Club," a morning radio show, lunching with Rev. Al Sharpton and speaking to the nation's largest NAACP chapter in Detroit. In South Carolina, the senator spoke to over 3,000 black women at a sorority event for Alpha Kappa Alpha Inc., a historic African American organization which she joined as a college student at Howard University. Historically black colleges and universities, such as Howard, have been at the center of Harris campaign. She chose the campus to host a press conference shortly after announcing her bid for president. "Howard University is one of the most important aspects of my life. And it is where I first ran for my first elected office," Harris told reporters. Aimee Allison, founder of She the People, a political organization for women of color, told ABC News that candidates who can successfully reach out to the black community and black women voters will be much more competitive. "The campaign trail is littered with people who recognize too late who the most valuable voters in the coalition are, Allison said. Copyright 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved. Iraq slams Exxon for evacuating staff amid Gulf tensions Baghdad, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2019 Iraq on Sunday slammed as "political" a decision by US energy giant ExxonMobil to evacuate staff from a southern oil field after Washington ordered personnel to quit its Baghdad embassy. "The temporary withdrawal of employees has nothing to do with security in southern Iraqi oil fields or any threats," Oil Minister Thamer al-Ghadban said. "The reasons are political and probably linked to tensions in the region," he added in a statement released by the oil ministry. Ghadban called the move to pull out staff from the West Qorna oil field west of the southern port city of Basra "unacceptable and unjustified". Exxon did not confirm the withdrawal. "We are closely monitoring. As a matter of practice, we don't share specifics related to operational staffing at our facilities," a spokeswoman said. "ExxonMobil has programmes and measures in place to provide security to protect its people, operations and facilities. We are committed to ensuring the safety of our employees and contractors at all of our facilities around the world," she added. On Wednesday the United States ordered the evacuation of non-emergency staff from its Baghdad embassy and Arbil consulate, citing an "imminent" threat from Iranian-linked armed groups in Iraq. It came 10 days after the Pentagon deployed an aircraft carrier task force and B-52 bombers to the Gulf to fend off an unspecified alleged plot by Tehran to attack US forces or allies. Both the US and Iran are key allies of Shiite-majority Iraq, and Baghdad has been under pressure from Washington to limit ties with its Shiite-ruled neighbour. ac/hj/hkb/dr French fighter jets make emergency landing in Indonesia Banda Aceh, Indonesia, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2019 Seven French navy fighter jets were forced to make an emergency landing in Indonesia's northernmost province due to bad weather, an air force official said Sunday. The Dassault Rafale planes managed to land safely in Aceh province on the tip of the island of Sumatra Saturday after taking part in an exercise. They took off from their aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in the Indian Ocean, 100 nautical miles west of Sumatra's exclusive economic zone, Aceh air force base chief Hendro Arief said. The planes were diverted to the nearest air base, the Sultan Iskandar Muda air base in Aceh Besar. "We did a security and clearance inspection and coordinated with relevant parties. Everything was clear," Arief said. The crews were all cooperative and none of them carried individual weapons, he added. Five of the jets returned to their carrier Sunday, while two others are still at the Indonesian air base. str-rws/mtp NYT reporter leaves Colombia after report on army kill orders Bogota, May 19 (AFP) May 19, 2019 New York Times reporter Nicholas Casey said Sunday he has left Colombia amid controversy over a story of his on its military and what he called false allegations from pro-government parties. The Times Andean bureau chief penned an article entitled "Colombia Army's New Kill Orders Send Chill Down Ranks," putting some in Bogota and among government allies on the defensive. Colombia, currently under a conservative administration, is a close US ally. "The head of Colombia's army, frustrated by the nation's faltering efforts to secure peace, has ordered his troops to double the number of criminals and militants they kill, capture or force to surrender in battle -- and possibly accept higher civilian casualties in the process, according to written orders and interviews with senior officers," Casey's story said. It was enough to alarm lawmaker Maria Fernanda Cabal of the party of Colombian President Ivan Duque. Cabal posted photos of the Times story on Twitter and wrote "This is the 'journalist' Nicholas Casey, who in 2016 toured with the FARC (rebels) in the jungle. How much could they have paid him for this story? And for this one he just wrote against the Colombian army?" The message quickly went viral, with lawmakers and military people joining in. Casey said he would remain outside the country amid the purportedly untrue allegations. The Times has stood by its reporter and said it reports accurately and based on documents as well as information from military staff. Human Rights Watch's director for the Americas, Jose Miguel Vivanco, said "these practices (by the army)suggest that the current Army and the Ministry of Defense have learned nothing from one of the darkest chapters in Colombia's history, that of false positives, which puts the civilian population at serious risk." The reference is to so-called "false positives" -- a practice used by the authorities between 2002 and 2008, under the government of then president Alvaro Uribe, Duque's political cohort. It referred to executing people -- anyone -- and using their bodies to boost the toll of rebels killed in army clashes with rebels. More than 3,000 people are believed to have been killed in this situation, according to Human Rights Watch. So far, 961 military staff have been prosecuted for the offense, official data show. Colombia, the world's leading producer of cocaine, is emerging from a half century of bloodshed, fought by guerrillas, paramilitaries, state agents and drug traffickers, with more than eight million people killed, missing and displaced. lv/mdl/dw THE NEW YORK TIMES COMPANY New York, May 18, 2019 (SPS) Moroccan authorities are using a law designed to keep people from falsely claiming professional credentials to bring criminal charges against people trying to expose abuses, Human Rights Watch said in a statement Thursday. In the latest case, Nezha Khalidi, who is affiliated with the activist group Equipe Media in El-Ayoun, Western Sahara, will go on trial on May 20, 2019, accused of not meeting the requirements to call herself a journalist. Police arrested her on December 4, 2018, as she was livestreaming on Facebook a street scene in Western Sahara and denouncing Moroccan repression. She faces two years in prison if convicted, added the organization which defends human rights worldwide. People who speak out peacefully should never have to fear prison for pretending to be journalists, said Eric Goldstein, deputy Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch. The authorities shouldnt be using a law designed to keep an unqualified person from claiming to be a doctor, for example, to punish people whose commentary displeases them. The police released Khalidi after four hours on December 4, 2018, but confiscated the smartphone she had used to film a street scene, which ended with a policeman chasing her. On May 15, she told Human Rights Watch that she never got her smartphone back. The El-Ayoun Court of First Instance will judge her case. Authorities also arrested Khalidi in 2016, as she covered a womens demonstration in El-Ayoun on behalf of Equipe Media. The authorities held her overnight and confiscated her camera and memory card, then released her without charge, she told Human Rights Watch. Providing information, images, and commentary without official accreditation should not be criminalized the way practicing medicine or driving a truck without a license should be, Goldstein said. (SPS) 062/SPS/HRW The proliferation of madrasas, as well as mosques, was also aided and abetted by President Jayewardenes electorally cynical creation of religious affairs Ministries for Sri Lankas four religions. by Rajan Philips Sri Lanka is the fortuitous recipient, even beneficiary, of two enlightenments. The first is bodhi - the Buddhas awakening, or enlightenment. It is also the much older of the two, divinely pre-ordained to some, and spiritually and ritually cherished by millions of Sri Lankans. The second, European enlightenment, came from the west through colonial conquest and ironically with an admixture of Christianity and secularism. Everything came from elsewhere to paraphrase from Dr. Colvin R de Silvas history lesson to Prime Minister Mrs. Sirimavo Bandaranaike, delivered in parliament in 1975, following the breakup of the United Front government. The Prime Minister had trotted out the trite argument that the Marxist ideology (of the LSSP) was alien to Sri Lankas culture and traditions. As the past master of intellectual rebuttals Dr Colvin could not have had an easier proposition to dispose of: Sri Lanka is an island, small as islands go, intoned the Historian; people and ideas always came from the outside; Hinduism and Buddhism of old came from India; much later came Islam from west Asia, Christianity with western colonial rule and, finally, modern Marxism itself. In the spirit of enlightened synthesis, it is fair to ask how well, or ill, have the two enlightenments intertwined through our modern history to the point where we are today? The results are mixed, at best, or worrisome, at worst, with perhaps greater reason for less pessimism today than there was, say, in 1983. Vesak is the celebration of Sri Lankas first enlightenment. The celebrations might be subdued this year, but the lights of Vesak could not have been timelier than now to soothe the frayed nerves of an agitated people. The country seemed to be on track to normalcy after the Easter tragedies, but the forces of darkness emerged out of nowhere last Sunday and put the country back on edge and under curfew again. Violent mobs targeted and attacked innocent Muslims in the Kurunegala, Chilaw and Gampaha districts, in a pointless retaliation to the perishing of innocent Christians on Easter Sunday. Although order seems to have been restored somewhat, it was frustrating to see the government failing yet again to anticipate and prevent the outbreak of violence, and being slow and tepid in its response once violence broke out. Compounding the governments failure in crisis management is its failure to manage its messaging. In fact, there is no coordinated and credible government messaging at all. The huge void in official information is being filled by others from well-meaning religious leaders to over-zealous media speculators. In a crisis situation, public pronouncements or information sharing by non-officials, however well placed, well-meaning and even ecclesiastical, can do more harm than give help. It is again a sign of the lack of confidence in the government that everyone wants to go public with whatever hearsay information they come across. The social media offers unrestricted space to anyone to pose anything anyone wants. And an inept government trying to control the social media creates more cynicism than confidence among the people. Frustrations with government failures are the lot of Sri Lankas experience with the second enlightenment that arrived with Western colonial rule. While Buddhism and its ethos permeate and inform much of the culture and mores of Sri Lanka, its political society and institutions have been defined and shaped for nearly two hundred years by the enlightenment and institutions from the West. As many of us have been repeatedly writing in recent weeks, the Easter tragedies brutally exposed the fault lines of the political society and the failures of the State institutions. We saw more of the same last week. The President was again missing in action and out of the country. For what earthly purpose no one knows. The Prime Minister took his own time before bestirring himself to show some signs of control. Not only who is to blame, as I asked last week, the question is also: Just who is in charge? Not to be too harsh, it is difficult not to say that it looks as if everyone is in charge except the government. In hindsight, the 19th Amendment should have addressed the intended omission in the 1978 Constitution to provide for an Acting President while the President is away. The President just takes off without asking anyone to act on his behalf during his absence. That leaves the administration paralyzed in two camps under the current divided government. The divisions and paralyses are quite palpable, and it does also seem that the President and the Prime Minister like to keep it that way. And without term limits, if they could. Vesak Intervention Apart from harming innocent people and disrupting the social peace, mob violence diverts the attention and resources of security agencies who are still trying to identify the local actors behind the Easter attacks and their international connects. New information keeps coming out about connections between those arrested in Sri Lanka in connection with Easter bombings and their networking in India. It is one thing to trace and apprehend all the local actors, but quite a different task to trace through all their external connections. Those who are involved in the work of tracing the ISIS network in Sri Lanka would rather be without having to be distracted by outbreak of mob violence. And new recruits to the ISIS network cannot be prevented if mobs are continually organized to attack innocent Muslims, their Mosques and their businesses. Mob attacks are not at all the way to deal with international terrorism. There is no question that without the attacks on Muslims in 2014 (Aluthgama) and in 2018 (Kandy and Ampara), the ISIS would not have been able to get agents in Sri Lanka to the extent it seems to have been able to do. In the current situation, the government cannot afford to allow mob attacks against the Muslims to recur time after time and in different places. Sri Lanka has long experience with communal mob violence. Five of them in the last century and three so far for this century including the one last week. The first was in 1915 and brought to surface the internal conflicts of nascent nationalism in a plural society under colonial rule. All the others came after independence and the first of them, in 1958, became remarkable among its other implications for the clinical manner in which it was brought under control by Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, as Governor General acting on the request of Prime Minister SWRD Bandaranaike. Sir Olivers 1958 example has not been emulated in the containment of the riots that came in quick succession after a lapse of 19 years: in 1977, 1981 and 1983. This was so despite Sri Lankas transition in 1977/78 from the parliamentary of government to the current presidential system. The pattern has continued into this century in 2014, 2018 and 2019. The deterioration in political crisis management has a lot to do with the steep decline in police standards, which were very and were impeccably observed in Sir Olivers time to what they have become now. Since 1977, governments, police and security forces have shown a consistent pattern of being slow to respond to mob violence, responding only half-heatedly, and even acting at the behest of the attackers rather than to protect the attacked. Two other changes since 1977 too have lot to do with two aspects of the current Muslim question. President Jayewardenes idiosyncratic approach to expanding a private education system to undermine the countrys public-school system could be totally blamed for the anarchical proliferation of madrasas among the Muslims and apparently against the warnings of all the moderate Muslims. The proliferation of madrasas, as well as mosques, was also aided and abetted by President Jayewardenes electorally cynical creation of religious affairs Ministries for Sri Lankas four religions. No previous government or Prime Minister had ever done that in Sri Lanka, and President Jayewardene was able to do this because he made himself Executive President, and he chose to do it in order to create secure religious vote banks for himself and his successors in presidential elections. JRJs well laid plan started breaking up in 1994 and is now in total shreds. And there have been more riots, more killings and even wars after 1977 than any time before in Sri Lankas modern history. The Vesak intervention this weekend will hopefully quieten and marginalize the dark forces who mobilized and executed last weeks mob violence. It would be too much to expect a weekend of Vesak lights to clean up all the accumulation of the countrys dark forces after 1977. But they provide a breather after the tumults of the last month. Hopefully too, they would also set the tone for greater respect and tolerance for the many vectors of difference among all Sri Lankans. MBABANE The investments that were entered into by the outgoing Members of Parliament and Designated Officers (MOPADO) Pension Funds board of trustees may still be subjected to an investigation. But this will all be dependent on whether the new board that is yet to be appointed feels the need for such an investigation. This is the view of Minister of Finance Neal Rijkenberg following recent reports by the Times SUNDAY that the outgoing board invested E50 million with Eswatini Mobile despite being advised that the investment was risky. MOPADOs investment managers, Imbewu YeSive Investment PTY LTD, warned that investing this amount of money could result in a significant loss. This was a major difference from an amount of E10 million-worth of shareholding that Eswatini Mobile had offered to the Fund. Instead, Imbewu recommended that at least E15 million should be invested in Eswatini Mobile. Members of the outgoing board were Lobamba Lomdzala MP Marwick Khumalo (chairman), former Senator David Dlamini, former Mkhiweni MP Rodgers Mamba, former MP Thulani Masuku, former Gege MP Mbongiseni Malinga, former Senator Thandi Shongwe, former Ludzidzini Council member Absalom Muntu Dlamini, former Chief Executive Officer in the Kings Office Bheki Dlamini and Ministry of Finance representative Mxolisi Fakudze. E12m land purchase not going down well Besides the Eswatini Mobile investment, another issue that has not sat well with members of the Fund is the decision by the outgoing board to purchase land at Ezulwini for an amount of E12 million. The land was bought from Princess Lungile, the wife of deceased Eswatini Mobile co-founder Victor Gamedze. With the MP Khumalo-led boards term of office having lapsed at the end of April, 2019, Minister Rijkenberg yesterday told this publication that a new team will soon take over. We are in the process of putting the new board in place, he said. Asked if there was any action or recourse that his office may consider to ensure that the MOPADO investments were above board, the minister said these decisions were made before his term of office and they were made following due process. The minister further stated: We will follow the law so it will be up to the politicians and emabandla who they elect onto MOPADO board, it would be wrong for me to interfere in the process. I will work with the new board to decide whether they would like to do any investigations or not. Former Cabinet minister Mfomfo Nkambule implored the minister and the Funds members to ensure that all the outgoing board members are not re-elected. He said upon assuming office, the new board would need to call their predecessors to appear before them and explain how the investments were carried out. He said Minister Rijkenberg, as a beneficiary of the Fund and a representative of government as the guarantor, should ensure that the MP Khumalo-led board is held to account. The minister and his principal secretary should not be seen as complicit to the suspected wrongs that the Funds board did while in office, Nkambule said. He said the decisions of the Khumalo-led Board showed that they did not have the nation and the Funds members best interests at heart. The ex-minister said when people are given a job they have to do it to the best of their abilities, knowing that whatever should go wrong would be blamed on them. To a certain extent, these investments appear to leave a lot to be desired. The outgoing board members need to come forward to the new board and explain what was happening, Nkambule said. He wondered why the investment advisors, who are supposed to be experts and experienced people on investments, were engaged in the first place if their advice is then disregarded. It means hiring these people was a waste of money if their expertise is ignored. Its clear that the interests of the people were not considered here, he added. no investments done without proper advice Following last weeks article on the Eswatini Mobile investment, MP Khumalo, who had refused to comment when this reporter approached him, issued a statement saying no investments were done without sound professional advice. Like in every professional board, sub-committees existed precisely to process all matters, according to their portfolios, he said. He said the advice which the article was based on did not reach his board. Imbewus advice According to the advice, which is dated February 28, 2018, Imbewu Investments PTY LTD raised a few pertinent issues that it said needed to be discussed, debated and agreed when considering the Eswatini Mobile investment The first issue raised by the investment managers was that MOPADOs investment policy statement required any investment into private equity should be done with full trustee approval, especially since the trustees were aware of only E10 million being invested into this project. The second issue was that from an equity perspective, the concentration risk of allocating in excess of 15 per cent of the Funds assets in a single entity is extreme, and there is no underlying security. Thirdly, the investment managers said from a debt perspective, the concentration risk of allocating in excess of 15 per cent of the Funds assets in a single entity is extreme, therefore a thorough analysis of the Swazi Mobile balance sheet is required and the requisite security needs to be pledged by them. Imbewu then raised a fourth concern, which was that the term of office of the then parliament was coming to an end and the distribution of assets after the dissolution of parliament could manifest in one of two possible scenarios. The first scenario was a massive disproportionate holding in Eswatini Mobile shares, where the remaining and new members (politicians) would take on this risk. The second scenario was the forced sale of Eswatini Mobile shares into a possibly illiquid market, which the investment managers said could be at a significant loss. Having outlined these issues, Imbewu then wrote: The initial Swazi Mobile proposal was based on having strategic investors from within Swaziland (now Eswatini) as the key stakeholders. MOPADO had been approached by Swazi Mobile with an offer to take up E10 million shareholding that was available. This level was within the five per cent allocation that was envisaged per deal. Considering therefore, the increased value of MOPADO, this could be increased to E15 million. The investment further advised: Imbewu would therefore recommend that given the negotiated share price of E10 per share, the Fund invest E15 million and acquire the corresponding number of Swazi Mobile shares. We look forward to your further consideration in this regard. We welcome any alternative suggestion though and are available to assess the impact. MALKERNS We eat from the bins as we do not have homes and cannot practice farming. That was how the victims of forced evictions described the situation they were currently facing after being evicted from their places. The over 300 aggrieved emaSwati, who were part of the forced evictions campaign, share the same sentiments on how they were currently getting food for themselves and their families after being evicted from lands they knew to be theirs. What was even more hurting, they said, was that they were not getting support from their community leaders, whom they said told them they should go to court. Mhlatase Dlamini from Embetseni broke down in tears while she was explaining how her home was knocked down and had to leave all her belongings to live on the streets. She stated that what was even sadder was that they were born and raised in the places, only to be told now that they were in a privately owned land. Our houses were brought down and our belongings were taken and dumped. My children are all over and eat from dustbins. Who did we offend? asked Dlamini. FELL TO THE GROUND Dlamini could not hold back her pain as she cried and fell to the ground. Most of the speakers stated that their families and great grandparents graves were in those places they were evicted from to which when they asked what would happen to the graves, they were told to dig them and leave with them if they could. Another speaker, Gavin Khumalo, who said he was from Embetseni, but quickly corrected himself to say he did not even know where he was from because he did not have a home anymore. He said the day he was evicted he was called from work to be told his house was being demolished. He also stated that he was less than five years away from retirement and it was his first time last year to be told that he was in a privately owned land. The affected people were from Dwaleni, Sigombeni, Gege, Madonsa, Nokwane and Malkerns among others. Dominating in number were residents of Sigombeni, whose representative identified himself as Maswazi. He said they received a letter that their homes were going to be demolished in March and since that did not happen on the said date, they are always looking over their shoulders since they did not know when the demolishers were going to come. MBABANE - Will the temporary freezing of hiring in government be detrimental to the quality of education in the country? This is a concern which has been raised by some educators following that there are a number of vacancies in schools and some have not been filled since the first term. The government issued a circular for the temporary suspension of recruitment on account of budgetary constraints. Parents have raised concerns that their children, some of whom will sit for external examinations in a few months, were not learning at their schools. One such school is Swazi National High, which is based in Matsapha. The schools Deputy Head teacher, only identified as PS Dlamini, said they had some departments which did not have teachers since the first term. He said the schools head teacher had been frequenting the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) to find teachers to fill the vacancies in the school. NEW REQUIRED TEACHERS He added that the head teacher also reported during the schools assembly on Thursday that he had not been able to get the new required teachers. The deputy said this was a nationwide concern, as some teachers were retiring; some dying and others were leaving to work in other sectors. He said in his school, they currently did not have two Science, one Mathematics and three English teachers. He said only five teachers in the school were teaching Religious Education, instead of the nine or 10 who are required. He said since some of the teachers were supposed to teach classes which would write external examinations, they had made a contingency plan to co-opt some of those from internal classes to teach the pupils. The deputy stated that this led to the pupils in the internal classes being neglected, and this would cause serious problems in the future. How are we going to close the void that has been created? he wondered. Dlamini further said some of the teachers ended up taking more periods than what they were supposed to take, which would bring more challenges, as it put too much pressure on them. Dlamini stated that the quality of education was being compromised because the teachers would easily get tired, and not do their jobs to their best ability. prepare for classes He said besides teaching, teachers were supposed to mark scripts, and those had also increased, and they also had to prepare for the classes. The workload is too much, we are really concerned as their supervisors, Dlamini said. He said since the teachers had too much on their plates, they would suffer from burnout, leading to them submitting more sick sheets. He added that in coming up with their plan, the government could have identified some sectors where hiring should not be suspended, which would include health and education. Dlamini said government could have also come up with a time frame on when recruitment in government could start again. The ministry of education, on the other hand, has told us not to conduct lessons during weekends and when schools are closed, as the time allocated for learning was adequate, he said. He further said in addition to that, government had not hired any teachers and that some who were working on contract basis did not have their agreements renewed. Dlamini said the internal classes were far behind with their syllabuses, and this would also cause future problems. His stance was supported by the Swaziland National Association of Teachers (SNAT). The unions Secretary General Sikelela Dlamini said this was a serious problem to the quality of education and the welfare of their members. Sikelela said some pupils just wasted their parents money by going to school and not learning, which had been the case since the first term. He said the classes without teachers also affected learning pupils, as they would make noise, and disturb everyone because they did not have anyone supervising them. This will have adverse effects on the pupils future because at the end of the year, they would not have covered everything that they were supposed to learn, he said. He further added that head teachers who were also their members were negatively affected by governments stance because it caused stress and compromised their health and wellbeing. half-cooked pupils Sikelela argued that the shortage of teachers in schools would also compromise the global competitiveness of the local education. He said the pupils would be half cooked, and would not be able to compete with others. He further said the TSC went against the circular and hired some teachers at the beginning of the year, but the commission then stopped. He also added that it was really concerning as not only hiring had been stopped, but contracts for those who had been hired in previous years had not been renewed, bringing strain to the countrys education system. I believe that if government has financial challenges, certain activities that take place in the country could have been stopped, instead of freezing hiring of teachers, he said. raised their concerns Welcome Mhlanga of the Swaziland Principals Association (SWAPA) said their members had also raised their concerns with them. Mhlanga, who is the Head teacher at Hermain Gmeiner High School, said his school was also affected by the shortage of teachers. Mhlanga said they had resolved during a meeting that they would visit the minister of education and training tomorrow to get answers on why hiring of teachers had been stopped. Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Training Dr Sibongile Mtshali confirmed that there were many vacancies in schools, which included head teachers, heads of department and teachers. She said these vacancies were a result of various reasons, including retirement of teachers. She said the ministry was not just folding its arms and not doing anything about the issue. Dr Mtshali said following the circular, a process was spelt out to them. She explained that a ministry should write to the ministry of public service, asking to recruit new staff members. She said the ministry of public Service would then write to Cabinet about the vacancies. Dr Mtshali said Cabinet would then consult with the Ministry of Finance to see if there was any money available to pay the new recruits, and if there were available funds, allow the ministry to recruit. We are doing something about the vacancies in school. This is because of the fiscal challenges government is facing and we are not trying to spite teachers, she said. Dr Mtshali said the government was facing economic challenges, and that was the reason recruitment had been temporarily stopped. She said the ministry had been trying to sort a mess which occurred when 2 196 teachers were recruited in January without the correct processes being followed. We thought that because it was schools and teachers were needed, it was okay to recruit them without following procedure, she said. Dr Mtshali explained that the new teachers had not been paid their salaries until April. She said the government had been working on paying the teachers and they had all been successfully paid. She said the problem was not limited to only their ministry, but all are affected because of the countrys economic challenges. MBABANE If you are above the age of 60 and on pension yet also benefitting from elderly grants, you might have to forego the latter benefit. Government, in the newly-launched National Development Plan 2019-2022, wants to remove anyone from social assistance progammes who are not eligible (e.g. pensioners). This is one of the interventions by government aimed to improve targeting of social assistance programmes. Running parallel to the NDP is the Eswatini Strategic Roadmap 2019-2022 which also contains a policy to improve quality of life for underprivileged Emaswati by streamlining social grants through census, improving access through mobile/EFT payments and increasing the social grants According to the Public Service Pension Fund (PSPF) annual report for the year 2017, there were 26 035 retired pensioners and other dependants as at end March 31 2017. There was no readily available statistic on those pensioners under the Eswatini National Provident Fund, which should have the highest number of pensioners. Retired civil servant Elliot Mkhatshwa, who is deputy chairperson of the Swaziland Pensioners Association Mbabane Branch, is livid at this intervention. He has dared the Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini-headed government to implement this intervention. According to the NDP, there are 69,697 Old Age Grant (OAG) beneficiaries and each one of these elderly persons gets E400 monthly, which is usually paid quarterly at E1200 per beneficiary. The OAG is the biggest social cash transfer programme in the country. wishful thinking There is also the Disability Grant, which reportedly has only 4 744 beneficiaries who are paid a monthly transfer of E180 but it is said to have stopped registering new beneficiaries a few years ago. Reacting to the government intervention, Mkhatshwa this was the wishful thinking of an individual because the decision to remove pensioners from the OAG could only come from His Majesty the King. It is the King who announced that all persons who have reached 60 years shall be paid the grant. The person who has decided against this has failed to apply their minds because firstly they should have consulted us even though they dont qualify to engage us on this issue because it was given to us by the King, he said. Mkhatshwa said this was clearly and extension of what the previous Deputy Prime Minister Paul Dlamini said in parliament when he too mulled such a decision. We will definitely challenge this, he said. He said the money that they received as pension was deservedly theirs because they worked for it and the elderly grant was for the countrys elderly citizens. This is just madness. They should stop it as once. We will challenge them in court if they go ahead with this plan, he said. put the plan on the table Mkhatshwa said government should have called all stakeholders and put the plan on the table where it would have been discussed and an amicable solution reached. Being a pensioner doesnt remove the fact that I am also an elderly citizen; thats simple. So what is the basis of this decision, he said. On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku said not all pensioners would be removed from the list of OAG beneficiaries but only those who are on high pension. When we started this thing there was a cut-off point of E1000, where someone earning pension above this amount would not benefit from the elderly grant. This we did because we saw that there were those teachers of yesteryears who were getting around only E400 pension hence the decision for the cut off. If there was then a change, the roadmap says we should re-adjust because you might find that there are those on high pension and also getting the grant. That will have a negative impact on what we are trying to do particularly because we also provide free health care to those above 60 years, the DPM explained. However, he stated that this issue was still open to further discussions as stated by the prime minister during the launch of the roadmap on Monday. He said some of the things might even go to parliament to be debated because there could be need to amend certain legislation. But you can imagine that you might have someone who is receiving E10 000 in pension going to queue in the same place with an elderly woman who receives E400. So that was the thinking, Masuku said. He said they would definitely engage with the pensioners to discuss the argument that they deserved to benefit from the two schemes because they worked for their pension and are also elderly citizens who qualify for the OAG as announced by the King. Just like Mkhatshwa, Patrick Bhembe, the president of the Swaziland Pensioners Association, said they would not take governments intention lying down. attention it deserved He said as pensioners they were going to give this matter the attention it deserved and engage government on it. As an association we will look at it and definitely engage government, he said while noting that it appeared as though government was targeting pensioners who are former civil servants. He said it was not only retired civil servants who were benefitting from the elderly grants but also those from the private sector. How are they going to track down those who were working in the private sector, he wondered while clarifying that they were not against these pensioners benefitting from the grant. The criterion for benefitting is that anybody who is 60 years and above, because this is a social security, so everyone above this age should benefit, Bhembe said. He said they had previously engaged the former Deputy Prime Minister, Paul Dlamini, on the same issue when there was talk of excluding pensioners from the OAG and that is when a committee was put in place to specifically deal with the matter. He said this committee should be consulted by government in addressing this issue. Cebarco, a leading building and civil engineering company, has emerged as the lowest bidder on a tender to build the new international exhibition and convention centre next to the Bahrain International Circuit on a 308,000-sq-m area in the Sakhir area of the kingdom. The scope of work includes the construction of an exhibitions and convention centre, including all civil and electro-mechanical works, general services and external works in addition to maintenance of electromechanical equipment during the two years defect liability period after issuance of taking over certificate as described in the tender documents. Cebarco submitted the lowest bid of BD79.097 million ($208.5 million) among the eight companies in the race, said a statement from the Tender Board. The others in the race include Al Hafeera Contracting Company; Alghanim General Trading and Contracting; Rizzani De Eccher; Six Construct Company; Shapoorji Pallonji Mideast; Mohammed Abdulmohsen Al Kharafi Sons Company and Nass Contracting Company. With a built-up area of 149,000 sq m, the new exhibition and convention centre will boast 10 exhibition halls with a total area of 95,000 sq m along with all the necessary services in addition to areas dedicated for retail and events. The facility will also include a 4,500-sq-m conference hall which will be divided into three separate hi-tech rooms. It will also include 27 small and medium conference and meeting rooms with a total area of about 1,700 sq m. The Ministry of Works, Municipal Affairs and Urban Planning had in 2017 awarded a contract to Tilke, a global engineering and architecture company based in Germany, to provide consultancy services for the expo centre. -TradeArabia News Service As part of Aluminium Bahrain's (Alba) ongoing Safety in Special Times campaign, the executive and management teams have been conducting its annual after-Iftar visits to various areas of the plant during the holy month of Ramadan. The aim of the after-Iftar visits is to improve safety awareness amongst Alba employees and contractors as well as encourage them to stay healthy during Ramadan. Speaking on this occasion, Albas deputy chief executive officer, Ali Al Baqali, said: We believe in appreciating the efforts of our employees during the holy month of Ramadan, which is a challenging time for all. Through these after-Iftar visits, we look forward to spending quality time with our employees and boost their morale, whilst at the same time help them stay focused on Albas overarching Safety objectives. The after-Iftar visits by the management team will continue throughout the holy month. - TradeArabia News Service Avani Hotels & Resorts has announced that expansion plans are on track for 2019 as it gears up to open seven new Avani properties including in three new countries. In 2019, Avani Hotels & Resorts will welcome Avani Ibn Battuta Dubai in the UAE, Avani Central Busan in South Korea, Avani Sukhumvit Bangkok in Thailand, Avani Seminyak in Bali, an Avani managed hotel in Siem Reap, as well as two Avani Residences in Australia. A significant Avani evolution in 2018 was the introduction of the Avani+ brand extension with Avani+ Luang Prabang, followed by Avani+ Samui. Already focussed on sharing the true personality of each destination with every visitor, every Avani+ property takes that genuine Avani feel and adds its own exclusive signature, elevating experiences to a Plus. Recently joining Avani+ Luang Prabang and Avani+ Samui are: Avani+ Riverside Bangkok Set along the banks of Bangkoks picturesque Chao Phraya River, Avani+ Riverside Bangkok offers a smooth blend of contemporary style, modern warmth, and stunning views of Asias most dynamic city. Each guest room and suite features floor-to-ceiling river views, all the way up to the 26th floors incredible panoramas from the infinity pool and Seen, one of Bangkoks newest rooftop bars and restaurants. Avani+ Hua Hin Avani+ Hua Hin in Thailand boasts a prime beachfront location just north of Klai Kangwon Palace, a 10-minute drive from the town centre. With 196 new contemporary and colourful rooms, suites, and pool villas surrounding a central lagoon pool framed by lush foliage, Avani+ Hua Hin creates a modern beach sanctuary in a historic holiday spot. Opening Avani+ Luang Prabang demonstrated that travellers wanting a modern, laidback experience can also expect premium touches to their stay. And as we grow with our owners, we will ensure that every Avani+ exudes that extra special signature that merges well with the destination, from distinct dining experiences to locally inspired spa treatments and amenities, said Javier Pardo, vice president of operations for Avani Hotels & Resorts. Avani currently operates 24 hotels and resorts in 15 countries. The brand recently debuted in Australia, New Zealand, and Laos. Avani currently has 15 new hotels in the pipeline, including recent signings in Kota Kinabalu, Dubai, and a second Avani in Busan. - TradeArabia News Service Hotels in Oman saw their total revenues rise up in the first three months of the year, with three- to five-star hotels reporting RO71 million ($183.8 million) - up 10.4 per cent compared to RO64.6 million ($167.2 million) registered for the corresponding period in 2018, new data showed. Hotel occupancy rates, however, fell by 2.3 per cent to reach 68.4 per cent at the end of March 2019 against 70.1 per cent for the same period of 2018, according to figures released by Oman's National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI). Meanwhile, the total number of guests in Omani hotels showed a significant increase of 11.3 per cent in the three-month period of 2019, reaching 483,995, from 435,033 guests for the same period of 2018. Among the different nationalities, Europeans topped the list with the maximum number of visitors at 214,457. This was followed by Omani guests, which stood at 118,220, and Asian tourists at 54,266. In the case of American, Arab and African visitors, the numbers went up by 2.3 per cent, 9.9 per cent and 0.4 per cent to reach 17,460; 18,709; and 3,170 guests, respectively. However, there was a drop in the number of GCC and Oceanian guests by 13.5 per cent and 4.2 per cent, reaching 39,547 and 4,685 guests, respectively. Omani hotels received 1.49 million guests and generated a total revenue of RO214.1 million ($554.3 million) in 2018. - TradeArabia News Service Renowned global stand-up comedian and actor Russell Peters will be performing in Bahrain on June 8 as a part of his brand new Deported World Tour. The show will be held at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre (BIECC) in Hall 2. Featuring all-new material, Peters latest world tour Deported kickstarted in Australia and New Zealand back in February 2018. The tour has travelled, ever since, to more than 40 cities across 20 countries and has been seen by over 100,000 fans worldwide. Speaking on the occasion, Wassim Farhoud, managing director of Motivate Events & Media, said: We are thrilled to be hosting Russell Peters in Bahrain for all the stand-up comedy lovers. The Emmy-winning comic star has a huge fan following in the kingdom who are eagerly awaiting his stand-up show. Following the announcement of the Deported world tour on our social media channels, we have generated a lot of attention from people of all ages, who are waiting enthusiastically for the show this Eid. Peters is one of the most sought after comedians in the industry; besides being the first comedian to get a Netflix stand-up special, the comedy legend has received several awards including the Emmy, Gemini and Peabody. Peters has also appeared in multiple movies such as the Clapper with Ed Helms, Amanda Seyfried and Tracy Morgan as well as Adventures in Public School with Judy Greer. Tickets for the performance can be purchased online via http://www.russellpetersbahrain.com or from the tickets sale stands located near Gate 9 at Seef Mall - Seef District. Prices of tickets start at BD20 ($52.7) and range up to BD85 ($224). - TradeArabia News Service Stuart Birkwood has been named general manager of the Radisson RED Dubai Silicon Oasis. Before joining Radisson Hotel Group, Birkwood held numerous positions in the hospitality industry for the last 11 years he has been based in the Middle East. His most recent roles were cluster general manager with Marriott in Dubai and general manager roles with Starwood in Abu Dhabi and Saudi Arabia. This is his first position within Radisson Hotel Group. This is the 10th property that Birkwood has been a part of with regards to either opening, rebranding or reopening. - TradeArabia News Service Computers have had a revolutionary effect on humanity, advancing societies like no other technology has done before. However, all computing technology until now has been dependent on silicon transistors that use electrons for calculations. Scientists are now looking to manipulate photons so that they can build far more powerful processors through quantum computing. Quantum computing and photons Before understanding how photons can be used in quantum processors to manipulate qubits, one needs to know what quantum computing is and how it is different from the traditional computing that we have been using over the past decades. While classical computers store and process information as bits that can have one of two states 0 or 1 a quantum computer exploits the ability of quantum particles to be in superposition of two or more states at the same time. N such qubits could be combined or entangled to represent 2N values at once, which could allow for parallel processing of information on a massive scale. Such a device could, in principle, outperform a classical computer for solving some advanced computational problems, such as factoring large numbers or simulating the interactions between many fundamental particles, according to Physics World. A qubit is basically a quantum bit, the basic unit of quantum information. It is equivalent to the binary bit that we typically use in current computers. Our PCs, laptops, smartphones, and other computing devices all use processors whose speed is measured in bits. These chips use electrons to perform their calculations. When a quantum processor is created, speed will be measured in qubits. Using photons instead of electrons would make the chip faster and more suitable for quantum computing. This is why one of the most researched areas in quantum computing has been the creation of a silicon chip that can manipulate photons so that we can produce quantum photonic processors. Photonic chips Last September, researchers from the National University of Defense Technology in Changsha, China, announced that they had created a photonic quantum processor that can create and manipulate two qubits encoded in photons. They detailed their work in the September issue of the journal Nature Photonics. While enabling faster processing, photonic chips also have short coherence times since the photons do not interact with the environment. Plus, a photonic chip is much better suited to take full advantage of the silicon-based infrastructure that the computing industry has built up till now. However, the achievement of the Chinese scientists is just a small step in this direction. Using their research to create industrial and consumer-level photonic chips will take a long time. To scale up the system to something truly useful, the researchers will have to figure out a way to generate many more identical, entangled photons on the chip. Theres also the engineering challenge of fitting enough phase shifters, beam splitters, and other optical components onto the chip to handle all those photons, according to IEEE Spectrum. On the plus side, silicon photonics has already proved that it can put many devices into a small space and ensure that they all work together with high accuracy. As such, researchers behind the study feel that a silicon-based photonic chip is the right way to move forward with quantum computing. Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our weekly email Falun Gong has reportedly been spreading in the North Korean capital, but Kim Jong Uns regime has been cracking down on the spiritual practice that originated from neighboring China. Sources told RFA that authorities in Pyongyang have begun a clampdown on the practice, which has been spreading in the city after it was introduced by Chinese trade workers. The spread of Falun Gong among the citys citizens surged beyond the expectations of the authorities, a source told RFA on May 11. The states crackdown targeting Falun Gong appears to have boomeranged on the authorities, with the attention attracting even more people to the Buddha-school practice. Falun Gong is known here as a religious practice that combines meditation and physical exercises, so people are now approaching it with curiosity, the source said. The source went on to say that the practice is spreading among high-ranking North Korean government officials and their families. Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, is a spiritual discipline based on meditation and slow-moving exercises, with practitioners following three main principles: Truthfulness, Compassion, Tolerance. It began in northern China during the early 1990s. Easy and free to learn, it quickly spread through China and beyond its borders. RFAs source said that the authorities began their crackdown on Falun Gong in April and police decreed that Falun Gong practitioners needed to report to them. They threatened to impose harsh punishments on those who dont turn themselves in, but are found after the reporting period, the source said. The source said that some 100 Falun Gong practitioners have been arrested and they will be imprisoned. In practice, the North Korean regime does not tolerate its population having spiritual beliefs, making the crackdown no surprise. North Korean citizens caught practicing a religious faith are arrested and face harsh punishments, including imprisonment in labor camps, stated the most recent report on North Korea by U.S.-based Freedom House. Foreigners caught proselytizing also risk arrest and detention. A second source likened the situation to how the North Korean state has persecuted other religious believers in the past. The Central Committee [of the Korean Workers Party] say that Christianity is like opium or drugs and have harshly punished [Christians]. Now that Falun Gong is here, people are watching closely to see how the authorities will respond, the second source said. This source said that he thinks Falun Gong will not be easy for the North Korean authorities to suppress. Even the Chinese government did not win [their battle] against Falun Gong, and now its spreading in Pyongyang, the heart of a historic hereditary dictatorship, the second source said. In 2017, a Freedom House report said that the Chinese states persecution of Falun Gong had failed, and millions of Mainland Chinese still adhere to the meditation practice. While Falun Gong practitioners in China remain under severe persecution and remain at risk of arbitrary detention, torture, organ harvesting, and extrajudicial execution, the report said there has been evidence that there has been a decrease in the trajectory of the persecution. The communist state in China began the persecution of Falun Gong in 1999. Watch this video from Swoop Films for more: Follow us on Twitter or subscribe to our weekly email Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 18, 2019 | PADUCAH By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 18, 2019 | 05:25 PM | PADUCAH Baptist Health Paducah Respiratory Care, EEG and Sleep Center departments want to "Spread the Word" about children who may go hungry this summer without their daily meal at school. The departments are collecting jars of peanut butter and jelly through June 14. A collection basket is located at the main entrance of the hospital. The United Way of Paducah-McCracken County will distribute the collected food. Respiratory Care director Pam Lindemann came up with the "Spread the Word" food drive after attending the annual community prayer breakfast. "My heart started hurting for the children that will go hungry this summer because they are not in school to be fed," she said. "My mind began to think that we could feed so many children over the summer with peanut butter and jelly. I spoke to my staff about it and they were immediately excited. We want to 'Spread the Word' with peanut butter and jelly." Attorney General's Office to help register contractors in Mayfield Advertisement By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 19, 2019 | MAYFIELD By West Kentucky Star Staff May. 19, 2019 | 10:50 AM | MAYFIELD Local residents have once again been targeted by a phone scam where the caller claims to be from a law enforcement agency. The Mayfield Police Department says they got word Tuesday about someone impersonating law enforcement calling local residents and telling them there was a charge or criminal proceeding against them. The scammers said they would "take care of the issue" if the victims bought different cards, such as special Google Play, and brought them to a designated location to turn them over. Investigators called the number given, and a fake answering service picked up claiming to be the Graves County Sheriffs Office. Police said residents should be aware of this scam, and contact local law enforcement if they get a call like this. Advertisement By The Associated Press May. 18, 2019 | FRANKFORT By The Associated Press May. 18, 2019 | 11:22 PM | FRANKFORT A former Miss America is among 19 candidates running in down-ballot races in Kentucky that include secretary of state, agriculture commissioner, treasurer and auditor. In several races where the candidates agree on most issues, biography likely will weigh heavily in voters' minds. Heather French Henry, who was crowned Miss America in 2000, has said her experience running the state Department of Veterans Affairs, with its 900 employees and $100 million budget, has given her the experience she needs to run the secretary of state's office. That open seat drew the most challengers for the May primary, with four Democrats and four Republicans seeking to succeed Democratic incumbent Alison Lundergan Grimes. She can't run again due to term limits. Henry, a Democrat, was veterans affairs commissioner under former Gov. Steve Beshear and served as deputy commissioner under Republican Gov. Matt Bevin until she resigned to run for office. Other Democrats in the race include teacher and business owner Jason Griffith, former Air Force Capt. Jason Belcher and comic book artist Geoff Sebesta. Candidates in the Republican primary include cybersecurity professional Stephen Knipper, who ran against Grimes four years ago; attorney and former Board of Elections member Michael Adams; former general counsel of the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet Andrew English; and former Secret Service agent Carl Nett, who lost a bid to be listed on the ballot with the nickname "Trump." All of the Democratic candidates said during a Kentucky Educational Television forum that they favor making voter registration easier and restoring voting rights automatically for some non-violent felony offenders. They did not support stricter voter identification laws and opposed all or part of a new law that limits the secretary of state's authority. Grimes has filed suit over the law, claiming the action by Republican lawmakers amounts to an unconstitutional infringement on her executive authority. The lawsuit warns "confusion and uncertainty" will surround Kentucky's May 21 primaries unless the law is invalidated. The suit seeks an injunction blocking the law's implementation, but a judge hasn't yet ruled. The Republican candidates' stories could be what distinguish them from one another as well. All four GOP candidates stressed the need to clean up the state's voter rolls and say they support enacting a photo ID law at the polls. A photo ID is not currently required under Kentucky law. Voters will pick party nominees for three other offices currently held by Republicans: agriculture commissioner, treasurer and auditor. The only Republican incumbent to draw a primary challenger is Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles. Hemp farmer Bill Polyniak says he's running in part to champion legislation that will benefit Kentucky farmers in the cannabis markets. Quarles, meanwhile, touts the expansion of industrial hemp production during his four years in office as well as success in connecting famers to new markets and an initiative to feed the hungry. Democrats vying for the nomination are Scott County farmer Robert Conway and Glasgow City Councilman and farmer Joe Trigg. Conway says he's an eighth-generation Kentucky farmer who has managed multimillion dollar budgets and a workforce of hundreds as a transportation executive. Trigg is a Glasgow native and business owner who has farmed for decades. Both men say they want to help farmers diversify, including with the production and cultivation of hemp and medical marijuana. Two Republican incumbents, Auditor Mike Harmon and Treasurer Allison Ball, did not draw opposition for the primary. The auditor's race drew three Democratic candidates: Sheri Donahue, a cybersecurity professional; teacher Kelsey Hayes Coots; and Chris Tobe, who served as a trustee for Kentucky Retirement Systems and wrote "Kentucky Fried Pensions," a book detailing problems with the state's public pension plan. Donahue says she's running to rebuild faith in Kentucky's government and will focus on protecting elections and rooting out "waste, fraud and abuse," especially in the public pension system. Coots says she wants to be "the watchdog that Kentucky taxpayers deserve" and wants to restore trust in the government by increasing transparency and strengthening accountability. Tobe says he's the leading independent expert on Kentucky pensions and says his first action in office would be to do an updated audit of the Kentucky Retirement System "to replace the weak work of Auditor Harmon." Democrats Michael Bowman, a banker and graphic designer, and business owner Josh Mers are running for treasurer. Bowman says he can bring fresh perspective and energy to the office and would ensure the proper management of public money. Mers says he would encourage transparency in the office, call for "true fiscal responsibility" for the governor and advocate for new sources of revenue and fair tax reform. Advertisement By Jim Waters, The Bluegrass Institute May. 18, 2019 | LEXINGTON By Jim Waters, The Bluegrass Institute May. 18, 2019 | 08:13 AM | LEXINGTON Candidate could reap millions in pension windfall - By Jim Waters The primary election is upon us, turnout will be low; For those who vote Democratic, there's something you should know: Much is at stake in your primary, perhaps more than meets the eye; Rocky Adkins really wants to be governor, did you ever wonder why? Adkins, a Democratic representative from Sandy Hook - which got its name from the fishhook-shaped bend in the Little Sandy River where the community settled in the 1820s in what is now Elliott County wants to hook enough voters to escape Tuesday's gubernatorial primary against Attorney General Andy Beshear and former Auditor Adam Edelen, his more-progressive opponents. While Adkins probably has altruistic reasons for wanting Kentucky's top political job, he also has an added incentive not available to his opponents: the ability to spike his legislative pension and become a millionaire twice over, courtesy of the taxpayers. Legislation passed in 2005 allows lawmakers receiving part-time pay while in the General Assembly to be appointed or elected to a full-time position in state government and apply the highest three years of salary to their legislative pension, even though their work was in, say, the executive branch. Lawmakers' pensions are based on the average of their three highest-salary years multiplied by their years of service and a benefit factor, which is 2.75 percent for legislators who became members of the legislative pension system after 1982, including Adkins, who first came to the legislature in 1987. Should Adkins serve four more years in the legislature at which time he will have "maxed out" of the legislators' retirement plan by reaching the point where his pension benefits equal 100 percent of his legislative pay he would retire with an annual legislative pension of less than $32,000, according to an analysis of lawmakers' salaries reported by the Legislative Research Commission. However, Adkins winning the gubernatorial election would be Kentucky's political version of James Holzhauer's performance on Jeopardy, where the contestant-phenom has already pocketed $1.7 million, which is nearly what the longtime lawmaker would receive in additional pension benefits during his expected lifetime were he to become governor. What is pension pork, anyone? Because of House Bill 299 passed in 2005, Adkins would be allowed to use the highest three years of salary he would earn as governor to spike his legislative pension from less than $32,000 to nearly $140,000, based on an average of the governor's salary during the past three years. Adkins' legislative pension, which would spike by nearly $108,000 after his first term as governor, would be even higher should he win reelection. Were this guitar-picking politician from the east to serve two terms as governor, his pension would rival the chief executive's current salary of nearly $149,000. But let's not get too optimistic here about his political chances; voters still must decide. Conservatively, if Adkins were to serve a single term as governor and then retire, he would based on life-expectancy tables for a white male born on Nov. 4, 1959, which this year happens to fall on the day before the General Election reap a lifetime windfall of nearly $2 million in additional pension benefits than had he retired from the legislature. No wonder HB 299 was known as "the greed bill." Ridding Kentucky of this corrupt reciprocity-enabling scourge was part of omnibus pension legislation struck down by the Kentucky Supreme Court in December. That should not prevent legislative leaders from correcting this egregious policy in a separate bill during the first week of the 2020 session of the General Assembly, even if especially if Adkins is governor. Jim Waters is president and CEO of the Bluegrass Institute for Public Policy Solutions, Kentucky's free-market think tank. Read previous columns at www.bipps.org. He can be reached at jwaters@freedomkentucky.com and @bipps on Twitter. Ma Zhaoxu (C, front), China's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), hosts a briefing on the U.S.-China trade relations at the UN headquarters in New York, May 17, 2019. Cooperation is the only right choice for China and the United States, said Ma Zhaoxu on Friday. [Xinhua/Ma Jianguo] Cooperation is the only right choice for China and the United States, said China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ma Zhaoxu on Friday. The economic and trade relations between China and the United States are the "ballast" and "propeller" of this important bilateral relationship, said the Chinese envoy when hosting a briefing on the U.S.-China trade relations at the UN headquarters in New York, adding that it is not only about U.S.-China bilateral relations but also world peace and prosperity. Representatives from more than 100 UN member states and international agencies attended the meeting. Referring to the consultations between the two countries since the United States unilaterally provoked the frictions in March 2018, Ma said that China will resolutely defend its core interests and will never give in on major issues of principle. China strongly opposes the U.S. practice of imposing additional tariffs, said the Chinese envoy, while expressing the hope that the United States and China could work together, meet each other in the halfway, address each other's concern based on mutual respect and equality, and strive for a mutually beneficial agreement. "The agreement between the two sides must be equal-footed and mutually beneficial," he said, noting that China's three core concerns remove all the additional tariffs, work out a realistic amount of purchases, and improve the balance of the wording of the text must be addressed. The Chinese economy has maintained steady growth and has shown positive momentum, Ma told the audience. "The trade protectionist measures of the United States will have an impact on the Chinese economy, but it can be overcome." "The Chinese economy is a sea, not a small pond," he added. "We will continue to promote reform and opening up according to our own pace, and promote high-quality development of the economy according to our own timetable and road map, to realize the long-term stability and growth of the Chinese economy." According to Ma, paying mutual respect to each other's core concerns, and making mutual concessions on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit are the premises of expanding cooperation, and only in such a way, the trade issues between the two sides could be resolved. School students and adult visitors learn about making prints and carving stamp seals and learn about the appreciation of and technological methods being used in the conservation of the age-old buildings at the Palace Museum, May 18, 2019. [For China Daily/ Jiang Dong] In celebration of this year's International Museum Day, the Palace Museum in Beijing turned itself into a dynamic stage on Saturday and offered a variety of activities to echo this year's theme, "Museums as Cultural Hubs: The Future of Tradition". Students and adult visitors were invited to the museum to learn about making prints and carving stamp seals and to learn about the appreciation of and technological methods being used in the conservation of the age-old buildings at the Palace Museum. The Chinese Musicians Association's choir gave an outdoor performance. An exhibition opened showing dozens of lithographs by artists from countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative. Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum, says it's a duty for museums to provide a platform for scholars to exchange their academic findings, for artists from different cultural backgrounds to show their work and boost mutual respect, and for children to pass traditions into the future. The latest figures from the National Cultural Heritage Administration show China had 5,354 museums by the end of 2018, and museums across the country held some 26,000 exhibitions in 2018 and received 1.126 billion people, an increase of 30 percent and 16 percent, respectively. The International Council of Museums organized the annual International Museum Day in 1977 to address the changing roles of museums. Museums across the world are reinventing their roles to become more interactive, audience focused and active in delivering creativity and knowledge to their communities. School students and adult visitors learn about making prints and carving stamp seals and learn about the appreciation of and technological methods being used in the conservation of the age-old buildings at the Palace Museum, May 18, 2019. [For China Daily/ Jiang Dong] Students and adult visitors learn about making prints and carving stamp seals and learn about the appreciation of and technological methods being used in the conservation of the age-old buildings at the Palace Museum, May 18, 2019. [For China Daily/ Jiang Dong] Artworks are displayed at the Palace Museum in Beijing, May 18, 2019. [For China Daily/ Jiang Dong] Artworks are displayed at the Palace Museum in Beijing, May 18, 2019. [For China Daily/ Jiang Dong] Students present a scarf as a gift to Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum, May 18, 2019. [For China Daily/ Jiang Dong] A boy interviews Wang Xudong, director of the Palace Museum, May 18, 2019. [For China Daily/ Jiang Dong] The Chinese Musicians Association's choir performs outdoors at the Palace Museum, May 18, 2019. [For China Daily/ Jiang Dong] (Source: chinadaily.com.cn) Largest games expo in North Wales returns to Wrexham Glyndwr University this month This article is old - Published: Sunday, May 19th, 2019 The largest games expo in North Wales is returning to Wrexham Glyndwr University -and it promises to be bigger and better than ever. The Level Up Wales 2019 expo is a free two-day gaming and tech event suitable for all ages, and is hosted by the award-winning game development team at the campus. We are all excited for this years Level Up Wales event as we have yet another packed line up of indie studios and technologies from across North Wales, said senior lecturer, Rich Hebblewhite. This year has been extremely successful for us, clinching several national awards, and helping to launch yet another group independent game studios, packed with talented students. If youre interested in game development or getting into the industry and Level Up Wales 2019 should be on your list of things to get involved with! Among the events and experiences on the day are a number of game studios from across North Wales all showing exclusive content including recent successful Tranzfuser applicants Samurai Duck Studios and a full programme of talks and demonstrations across the two days. Also on offer are competitions and prizes, a selection of VR games and activities, a demonstration of accessible gaming tech alongside partner charity Everyone Can, a full seminar programme with talks across both days, access to careers advice, retro gaming with original and iconic hardware and games and serious games research projects. For the first time this year, the official Acer Predator van will also be on site for the expo with the latest high-end PC gaming tech and peripherals for gamers to enjoy. The event is organised in conjunction with Games Talent Wales, North Wales Tech, Welsh Gaming Network, Games Wales and partner charity Everyone Can. Rich added: Level Up Wales is great fun for everyone and particularly suitable for those interested in gaming, VR, tech, content creation and networking opportunities. Our developers and exhibitors are very friendly and happy to chat and answer questions. Whether youre interested in studying Computer Games Development with us, are looking to develop a career in the industry, or just want to have two days of fun gaming, there really is something for everyone. Level Up Wales runs from 10am to 5pm on Friday 24 and Saturday 25 May at the Catrin Finch Centre in Wrexham Glyndwr University there is no charge to enter. For more information see https://levelup.wales Villagers water the tobacco seedlings at a planting base of Shitouzhai Village in Mile, southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 17, 2019. A severe drought has affected more than 300,000 people in southwest China's Yunnan Province. As of Thursday, 309,000 people had difficulties accessing drinking water, while 93,000 domestic animals were also facing a water shortage. Government authorities have sent experts to help with drought-relief efforts, with staff sending water to people in dire need. (Xinhua/Qin Qing) KUNMING, May 17 (Xinhua) -- A severe drought has affected more than 300,000 people in southwest China's Yunnan Province. As of Thursday, 309,000 people had difficulties accessing drinking water, while 93,000 domestic animals were also facing a water shortage. Government authorities have sent experts to help with drought-relief efforts, with staff sending water to people in dire need. Bad meteorological conditions have brought much less precipitation in Yunnan. As of Tuesday, 273,280 hectares of crops had been affected, with 91,160 hectares suffering damage. Drought has been reported in 110 monitored sites in Yunnan, meteorological authorities said. The northwest, middle and south of Yunnan are in severe drought. Authorities are ready to begin artificial rain, with 3,642 staff for man-made precipitation on standby. The drought is likely to continue, as the next few days will remain hot and dry, according to the provincial meteorological administration. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-18 17:34:13|Editor: mingmei Video Player Close DAMASCUS, May 18 (Xinhua) -- At least one man was killed and six others wounded on Saturday by Turkish shelling on Kurdish-held areas in northern Syria, a war monitor reported. The heavy shelling by the Turkish forces targeted areas controlled by the Kurdish militia in Tal Rifat city in the northern countryside of Aleppo Province, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The shelling was coupled with battles between the Turkey-backed rebels and the Kurdish militia in areas in northern Aleppo, which led to losses on both sides, the London-based watchdog added. Five rebels were killed in the battles, it noted. Seeing the Kurdish militias in Syria as terrorists, Turkey has repeatedly targeted their areas through shelling and Ankara-backed Syrian rebels. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-18 23:38:15|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Ma Zhaoxu (C, front), China's permanent representative to the United Nations (UN), hosts a briefing on the U.S.-China trade relations at the UN headquarters in New York, May 17, 2019. Cooperation is the only right choice for China and the United States, said Ma Zhaoxu on Friday. (Xinhua/Ma Jianguo) UNITED NATIONS, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Cooperation is the only right choice for China and the United States, said China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN) Ma Zhaoxu on Friday. The economic and trade relations between China and the United States are the "ballast" and "propeller" of this important bilateral relationship, said the Chinese envoy when hosting a briefing on the U.S.-China trade relations at the UN headquarters in New York, adding that it is not only about U.S.-China bilateral relations but also world peace and prosperity. Representatives from more than 100 UN member states and international agencies attended the meeting. Referring to the consultations between the two countries since the United States unilaterally provoked the frictions in March 2018, Ma said that China will resolutely defend its core interests and will never give in on major issues of principle. China strongly opposes the U.S. practice of imposing additional tariffs, said the Chinese envoy, while expressing the hope that the United States and China could work together, meet each other in the halfway, address each other's concern based on mutual respect and equality, and strive for a mutually beneficial agreement. "The agreement between the two sides must be equal-footed and mutually beneficial," he said, noting that China's three core concerns -- remove all the additional tariffs, work out a realistic amount of purchases, and improve the balance of the wording of the text -- must be addressed. The Chinese economy has maintained steady growth and has shown positive momentum, Ma told the audience. "The trade protectionist measures of the United States will have an impact on the Chinese economy, but it can be overcome." "The Chinese economy is a sea, not a small pond," he added. "We will continue to promote reform and opening up according to our own pace, and promote high-quality development of the economy according to our own timetable and road map, to realize the long-term stability and growth of the Chinese economy." According to Ma, paying mutual respect to each other's core concerns, and making mutual concessions on the basis of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit are the premises of expanding cooperation, and only in such a way, the trade issues between the two sides could be resolved. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-18 23:38:17|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BANGKOK, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Four islands away from southern Thailand's Trang Province will be closed to tourists for four months from June 1, an official said on Saturday. The islands are Koh Mook, Koh Kradan, Koh Waen and Koh Chuek. The four islands are in the Haad Chao Mai park. Narong Kong-iad, chief of the Haad Chao Mai park, said that access to tourists are not allowed to enter the park from June 1 to September 30 for the nature to rehabilitate itself. A strong southwest monsoon is coming during the period, which could be dangerous to tourists for sea activities, he said. Southern Thailand is home to popular beach destinations with golden sands and crystal blue water. Many islands have sustained extensive environmental damage caused by millions of tourists in recent years. Pollutions from litters, boats and sun cream have badly destroyed the islands. Many famous islands, including Similan Islands, the Maya Bay, have been closed temporarily or indefinitely to allow the ecosystem to recover to a normal situation. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 00:13:36|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close LANZHOU, May 18 (Xinhua) -- "Mars ain't the kind of place to raise your kids," as an Elton John hit goes. However, a Mars simulation base in the middle of China's Gobi desert might be the perfect place to introduce young, budding astronauts to what life would be like on the red planet. Surrounded by barren hills and red soil in northwest China's Gansu Province, "Mars Base One" allows visitors to explore a variety of space facilities and the rocky, martian-like landscape. The white-colored base covers five sq km and features nine interconnected modules, including a control room, living quarters and a greenhouse where wheat and vegetables grow. The base made international headlines when it started trial operation and welcomed more than 100 local students on a five-hour tour on April 17. Its distinctive landscape was described by Reuters as a close analog of Tatooine, the home planet of the "Star Wars" hero Luke Skywalker. Since then, Mars Base One has received over 500 visitors, mainly teenagers, from across China who yearn to take a peek at the futuristic base before its official opening later this year. "This place is so cool; more than what I've imagined. I hope I can land on Mars someday," middle school student Cai Yajuan said after visiting the base. "Having experienced what life is like on Mars, I'm now more curious about outer space," said another student Li Yaqin, who called herself a big fan of sci-fi hits such as "The Wandering Earth" and "The Martian." Li Tanqiu, deputy chief designer of China's astronaut system department and a consultant of the base, said the base combines science popularization with tourism, which will enable more people to experience the pleasure of space exploration. Liu Chuan, operations manager of the base, said he has been woken up by phone calls about the base almost every morning after its unveiling. But he is more than glad to see that Chinese people have taken so much interest in space exploration. "The base provides teenagers with an opportunity to learn about Mars. We hope to inspire more and more young people to participate in space exploration," Liu said. He added that staff with the base are creating science courses and designing tour routes to better serve visitors in the future. "I don't know who will be the first person to land on Mars, but it could be someone who has visited the base," he said. "SPACE TOURISM" GAINS STEAM Mars Base One is indicative of the growing popularity of space-themed tourism in China. In March, northwest China's Qinghai Province unveiled a Mars-themed educational facility called "Mars Camp," which covers about five hectares of red rock area in Qaidam basin. The area is known as one of the best replicas of Mars on Earth, with its natural features, landscape and climate similar to those on the red planet. Southwest China's Guizhou Province has also witnessed a tourist surge after it launched the world's largest single-dish radio telescope, Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Radio Telescope (FAST), in 2016. Hundreds of thousands of domestic and overseas tourists have flocked to the mega-telescope in the past three years and found themselves in awe of its enormous size and potential for breakthrough discoveries. The local government has to cap the number of visitors to reduce the influence of human activities on the telescope's functions. Lin Ke, a professor with Lanzhou University, said the public enthusiasm in China for the outer space arises from the country's great achievements in space exploration in recent years. In January, China's Chang'e-4 probe touched down on the far side of the moon, becoming the world's first spacecraft soft-landing on the moon's uncharted side never visible from Earth. The country has also mapped out a spate of ambitious space programs including launching a Mars probe around 2020 and having its own space station operational by 2022. "China's achievements in aerospace are made possible by hard-working and dedicated Chinese researchers. But space exploration is more than just hard work. It's a lot of fun," Li Tanqiu said. "Only when space exploration is fun can it appeal to teenagers, who represent the future of China's aerospace industry," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 01:44:05|Editor: ZX Video Player Close Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with Norwegian King Harald V in Oslo, Norway, May 16, 2019. China's top legislator Li Zhanshu paid an official friendly visit to Norway from May 15 to 18, expecting to promote the development of Sino-Norwegian ties to score more progress. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen) OSLO, May 18 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu paid an official friendly visit to Norway from May 15 to 18, expecting to promote the development of Sino-Norwegian ties to score more progress. During the stay in Norway, Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with Norwegian King Harald V, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg and President of the Norwegian parliament Storting Tone Wilhelmsen Troen. When meeting with Norwegian King Harald V, Li conveyed the greetings of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the King, and expressed congratulations on the Norwegian National Day, which falls on May 17. Li said during the King's successful visit to China last year, the two heads of state made strategic plans for the development of bilateral relations in the new era. As this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Norway, the two sides are expected to seize the opportunity to cement friendship and expand cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and treating each other equally, so as to realize better development of bilateral relations. Harald V expressed gratitude to China's friendliness to the Norwegian side, saying Norway admires China's tremendous development achievements. He said Norway is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as winter sports, and will make efforts to help China successfully host the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. When meeting with Solberg, Li said although Sino-Norwegian relations have experienced ups and downs, friendship and cooperation has always been the main theme of the ties. As both countries share common interests on safeguarding current global mechanism, building an open world economy, the two sides should jointly support multilateralism and free trade. Moreover, the two countries have similar development concepts and share strong economic complementarities, so the outlook of bilateral cooperation is very broad. Norway is welcome to actively participate in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. And bilateral cooperation on economy, trade, environmental protection, science and technology, people-to-people exchanges and tourism is expected to be forged ahead, said China's top legislator. "China hopes the Norwegian side provides a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises' investment and operation in Norway," said Li. Solberg said bilateral cooperation has maintained sound momentum since the normalization of bilateral ties, expecting the two sides to push forward talks on inking a free trade deal and deepen cooperation in such areas as maritime affairs, shipping, fishery and environmental protection. She also voiced the will to advance communication and collaboration with China on issues concerning the United Nations, coping with the climate change and Arctic affairs. When respectively meeting with Troen and members of the parliament's standing committee on foreign affairs and defense, Li introduced China's development path and political system. "The reasons why China continues to make new development achievements are that we have embarked on a development path that suits our national conditions. This is the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics," said Li, stressing that the Chinese people will unswervingly follow this path. He said that the NPC of China is willing to work with the Norwegian parliament to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen friendly exchanges at all levels, enhance understanding and trust through frank dialogues, and create a favorable environment for pragmatic cooperation. Troen said that this visit is of great significance as Li's tour marks the first visit of a Chinese leader since the normalization of bilateral relations in 2016. The Norwegian parliament is willing to carry out all-round exchanges and cooperation with the NPC of China, and make positive contributions to the development of state-to-state ties. The two legislators also exchanged views on jointly safeguarding multilateral trade system, sustainable development and other issues of common concerns. On May 16, Li attended the economic and trade conference in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of Norway-China diplomatic relations. He said in a speech that President Xi's proposal of the high-quality development of jointly building the Belt and Road and the policy of China's further expansion of opening up have provided new opportunities for the common development of all countries. The two countries' enterprises are expected to seize the opportunity, tap cooperation potentials, so as to translate the desire for strong cooperation into more practical results. During the tour, Li visited the Chinese skiers who were training in Norway and encouraged them to train hard and carry out bilateral friendship. He also visited a local ecological agriculture project, an oil gas processing plant, and met with local officials in Norway's southwestern county of Rogaland and its southern city of Stavanger. Norway is the first lag of Li's ten-day tour in Europe, which will also take him to Austria and Hungary. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 02:14:14|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic (R) and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel attend a press conference in Zagreb, Croatia, May 18, 2019. Croatia is on the right path to entry into the Schengen area and has the support of Germany, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said here on Saturday after a formal part of the talks with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. (Xinhua/Robert Anic) ZAGREB, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Croatia is on the right path to entry into the Schengen area and has the support of Germany, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said here on Saturday after a formal part of the talks with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic. Merkel came to Zagreb together with Manfred Weber, the candidate of the European People's Party (EPP) for the next European Commission president, and participated in the election campaign of the Croatian Democratic Party (HDZ), which the polls predicts victory in the European elections in Croatia that will take place on May 26. "Berlin basically supports the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries, but all countries have to meet the criteria," Merkel said. Croatia and Germany will be chairing the European Union next year, and the two countries' diplomats will prepare a common strategy for EU enlargement to the countries of South East Europe. "In Zagreb, at the beginning of next year, we will hold the Summit of the Southeast countries, which will discuss possible enlargement," Croatian PM said after bilateral talks with Merkel. The German chancellor stands for a Europe without populism and commended Croatia for sharing the same values. "There are those who despise our values and question the protection of minorities. We must act resolutely in this respect," Merkel said. Economic cooperation between Croatia and Germany is satisfactory, commodity exchange amounts to 5.5 billion euros, and investments of German companies in Croatia are 3.3 billion euros, while 2.9 million German tourists annually visit Croatia. At the EPP Election Congress in Zagreb, Merkel said she believed that this political group would take the European elections and that Manfred Weber would be the new president of the European Commission. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 02:29:22|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close NICOSIA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- A team of international experts are making a review of anti-money laundering practices in Cyprus applied mainly by law firms, banks, accounting and audit firms, financial services firms and offices involved in the investment-for-citizenship scheme, sources with knowledge of the review said on Saturday. The team comes from the Committee of Experts on the Evaluation of Anti-Money Laundering Measures and the Financing of Terrorism, commonly known as Moneyval. This is the fifth time Moneyval conducts a review in Cyprus, the latest having been done at the height of the financial crisis in 2013. Its report expected at the end of the year is of crucial importance for the image of Cyprus in relation to anti-money laundering practices applied both by the state and private firms associated with international transactions. Criticism of Cyprus for inadequate measures to fight money laundering led to the introduction of stricter due diligence check that led to the capital flight, most of which allegedly belonged to Russian so-called oligarchs. The European Commission also warned Cyprus in January that its program for the issue of passports and visas to foreigners in exchange of investment could help organized crime infiltrate the European Union and raised the risk of money laundering, corruption and tax evasion. Finance Ministry sources were quoted as saying that the government is relying on a positive report by Moneyval so as to preserve investor confidence in Cyprus. Cyprus introduced stricter due diligence checks as to the origin of money transferred to or through Cyprus but this has led to delays in concluding transactions, which alarmed businessmen. An official of the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry said on Thursday that he was concerned over the impact of the delays, saying that Cypriot banks lost income as customers turned to other countries. Central Bank's new chief, Constantinos Herodotou, urged the banks to invest in technology and training of staff to do away with due diligence check delays. He also advised them that the country of origin did not matter as the law requires due diligence about the business origin of the money but not the country. He advised banks to be always on the alert as there will always be efforts to beat the system. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 03:04:29|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz delivers a press statement in Vienna, Austria, on May 18, 2019. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Saturday called for a snap election after his vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resigned over an alleged corruption video. (Xinhua/Guo Chen) VIENNA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz on Saturday called for a snap election after his vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resigned over an alleged corruption video. Stepping in front of the press 24 hours after the publication of the "Ibiza video", Kurz started his speech with a list of things that have been "done" in this government. "It was a great success, thank you all members of the government," he said, for this cooperation, however, he added that he had "a lot to accept," from the "Rat Poem" to "recurrent individual cases." It was not always easy to "swallow everything", according to the chancellor, who had to say "Enough is enough" after the video scandal. Strache, the former leader of the far-right Freedom Party (FPO), stepped down as the vice chancellor after media published a secret video of him allegedly offering government contracts in return for political support. The chancellor did not want to make it "easy" and exchange heads or govern with the SPO. "The FPO can not, the Social Democrats do not share my access and the small parties are too small to be supportive," Kurz said. That's why he suggested that the earliest possible new elections be held and asked for voters' support, according to Kurz. "What our country needs" are new elections and he wanted to work without isolated cases, incidents and other scandals, Kurz told the press conference in Wien. The FPO had harmed the reform project and the reputation of Austria with their behavior. "It contradicts the political approach that I have," said Kurz. Kurz has proposed to the Federal President van der Bellen to hold early elections as soon as possible. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 03:29:36|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian air defenses intercepted "strange objects" coming from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Saturday, state news agency SANA reported. The air defenses were triggered in the southern region in the Quneitra province near the Golan Heights, SANA said without further details. The incident came a day after SANA reported that the air defenses on Friday evening intercepted "luminous objects" coming from Israel. The Syrian army said that the air defenses were triggered by "enemy targets" coming from the direction of the southern province of Quneitra. Israel has repeatedly targeted Syrian sites on the pretext that it was targeting sites belonging to Iran-backed militia such as the Lebanese Hezbollah group. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 04:04:41|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close AMMAN, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Saturday stressed the important role of the European Union (EU) in resolving the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on the basis of the two-state solution. Jordan's Minister of Foreign Affairs Ayman Safadi said in an official statement that the solution should guarantee the right of the Palestinians to establish an independent state at the borders of 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital. The remarks were made by Safadi at a meeting with EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process Susanna Terstal where he underlined the need to intensify international efforts to attain such a solution on the basis of the international legitimacy resolutions. He warned that the continuation of the current conditions and the lack of hope in the Palestinian territories will negatively affect the security in the region and the world. The minister highly baked the EU's support to UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees, which he said plays a role in bridging the funding gap. The two sides agreed on continuing coordination to find a political solution to the conflict. The EU official voiced her appreciation for Jordan's efforts in preserving stability and security in the Middle East. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 04:49:59|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close People gather in front of Ballhausplatz to call for a snap election in Vienna, Austria, May 18, 2019. Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen approved on Saturday the proposal of holding snap elections after the far-right vice chancellor resigned over an alleged corruption video and effectively led to the collapse of the coalition government. (Xinhua/Guo Chen) VIENNA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Austrian Federal President Alexander Van der Bellen approved on Saturday the proposal of holding snap elections after the far-right vice chancellor resigned over an alleged corruption video and effectively led to the collapse of the coalition government. Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced at a press conference Saturday evening that considering both the Social Democratic Party (SPO) and the Freedom Party (FPO) "are not what our country needs", it is necessary to carry out elections "at the earliest opportunity". "In this spirit, I have agreed with Chancellor Kurz about holding an early election," said Van der Bellen at a press conference later this evening. The president said that he would meet with the chancellor on Sunday to discuss about how to conduct such an election. Kurz on Saturday proposed to President Van der Bellen to hold early elections as soon as possible after his vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache resigned over an alleged corruption video. It was a secretly recorded video two German news outlets the Spiegel and the Suddeutsche Zeitung published on Friday that broke hell loose. In the video, the FPO boss and vice-chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache and the FPO's group leader in parliament Johann Gudenus had a conversation with an alleged relative of a Russian "oligarch". The woman offers the FPO politicians support, in return Strache and Gudenus promised to award her state orders. "After yesterday's video, I have to say quite honestly, enough is enough," Kurz said. Previously, both Strache and Gudenus had resigned from all political offices. The OVP has been governing together with the FPO since 2017. "The pictures show a disturbing moral picture, we are not like that, that's just not the way Austria is," said Van der Bellen, and the comments made in the video are a "blatant disrespect to the citizens and I do not tolerate this disrespect." Strache had apologized for his behavior documented in the video, but stressed that there had been no illegal and unlawful acts. "Yeah, it was stupid, it was irresponsible and it was a mistake," he admitted. At the same time he spoke of a "deliberate political assassination". Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 05:00:06|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden speaks during a rally in Philadelphia May 18, 2019. Joe Biden on Saturday kicked off his running campaign for the 2020 presidential election in Philadelphia. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) PHILADELPHIA, the United States, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden held a kick-off rally on Saturday for his 2020 presidential campaign in Philadelphia, state of Pennsylvania. Addressing a crowd of supporters at Eakin's Oval near the Philadelphia Art Museum Saturday afternoon, Biden called for unity. "Some of the really smart folks say Democrats don't want to hear about unity," Biden said in his remarks. "They say Democrats are so angry, and that the angrier your campaign will be, the better chance you have to win the Democratic nomination." "Well, I don't believe it. I really don't. I believe Democrats want to unify this nation," he stressed. Biden also took a shot at President Donald Trump. "If the American people want a president to add to our division, to lead with a clenched fist, closed hand and a hard heart, to demonize the opponents and spew hatred - they don't need me. They've got President Donald Trump," the former vice president said. "I am running to offer our country - Democrats, Republicans and independents - a different path." Those remarks came after Biden's campaign announced earlier this week that it will be based in Philadelphia. Democrats and Republicans both view Pennsylvania, which has 20 electoral votes, as one of the most important battlegrounds in the 2020 race. According to a poll released by Quinnipiac University this week, Biden leads Trump by 53 percent to 42 percent in Pennsylvania among registered voters. Biden, 76, formally announced his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. presidency in April. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden was the U.S. vice president from 2009 to 2017. He represented state of Delaware in the Senate from 1973 to 2009, during which he was a longtime member and former chair of the Foreign Relations Committee. After the vice presidency, he launched the Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 05:10:12|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Judges give scores to contestants participating in the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition in Beirut, Lebanon, on May 18, 2019. Around 17 Lebanese students participated on Saturday in "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition organized by the Embassy of China in Lebanon in cooperation with the Confucius Institute at Saint Joseph University (USJ). (Xinhua/Bilal Jawich) by Dana Halawi BEIRUT, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Around 17 Lebanese students participated on Saturday in "Chinese Bridge" Chinese Proficiency Competition organized by the Embassy of China in Lebanon in cooperation with the Confucius Institute at Saint Joseph University (USJ). Students learning Chinese language at the American University of Beirut, the Lebanese University and USJ took part in the competition which was held in Beirut. The "Chinese Bridge" is an annual competition aimed at arousing the enthusiasm of students in various countries to learn Chinese and strengthen the world's understanding of the Chinese language and culture. The contest has become important as it builds a communication bridge between young people in China and other countries. The winners of local contests will travel to China in July 2019 to take part in the worldwide competition there. The contest on Saturday was divided into four parts, including a speech about self-introduction and life goals, questions by the judges about the speeches, questions about China and related topics, and performances by students to show their different talents using Chinese language or arts. Students excitedly showed their talents by singing in Chinese, drawing calligraphy, playing musical instruments, in addition to performing Chinese Kung Fu. "This contest is an encouragement for students to pursue their Chinese education," Antoine Hokayem, president of the Confucius Institute, told Xinhua. Hokayem said that people all over the world are now more aware of the importance of learning Chinese. He noted that Confucius Institute was first opened in Lebanon in 2006 and also the first such institute in the Middle East. "Also, our students in Beirut are increasing by around 10 percent each year which reflects a great interest by the Lebanese to learn Chinese amid the enhancing trade ties between Lebanon and China," he said. Hokayem added that students who are aiming to work with China must learn the language. The contest reflects how Lebanese youths have become more and more aware of the importance of the language. Etienne Debs, winner of the competition, said his aim is to finish his Chinese courses and travel to China to continue his master's degree and then find work there. "I think the Chinese culture is very interesting and China has been developing a lot lately; it is the second economy in the world and I am sure the language will be of benefit for my future," he told Xinhua. Rita Maroun, a 22-year-old participant in the contest, has been learning Chinese for the past five years. She chose to learn Chinese because she believes it is going to be the business language in the future. "China is big and one of the biggest exporters. I believe that the Chinese language will spread more in the future. This is why I learned it. It will be of a great added value for my future work," she said. Chinese Ambassador to Lebanon Wang Kejian reiterated the students' remarks by saying that the Chinese language has become more popular because China has developed rapidly in the past years. "China has more links with the international community and with Lebanon. China and Lebanon are increasingly connected whether in economy, trade or humanitarian exchanges," he said. He added that based on such connections, the Lebanese, especially young people, feel that learning Chinese can help them better communicate with China and the Chinese people, and they can master a new skill which may provide them with new horizons for their personal developments in the future. Wang noted that the Lebanese and Chinese governments are currently holding negotiations to sign an agreement aimed at establishing a Chinese cultural center in Beirut. "If the two governments agree, we will consider setting up a Chinese Cultural Center in Beirut which may be offering more Chinese courses in addition to other projects introducing the Chinese culture. This will provide more opportunities for Lebanese people to learn the Chinese language," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 05:20:16|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CHICAGO, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) agricultural futures closed higher in the trading week which ended May 17, with soybean futures first jumping on big short-covering in three straight sections then plunging over 3 percent on Friday, amid escalating trade frictions and short-covering. The most active contract for July soybeans added 12.5 U.S. cents weekly, or 1.54 percent, to 8.2175 dollars per bushel. July wheat jumped 40.25 cents, or 9.48 percent, to 4.86 dollars per bushel. July corn went up 31.5 cents, or 8.96 percent, to 3.8325 dollars per bushel. CBOT soybean futures dropped over 2 percent on Friday, as traders showed increasing concerns over uncertainty in the trade talks between the United States and China. U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Wednesday that he expected to travel to China to continue talks in the near future after the two countries held constructive talks at the 11th round of high-level economic and trade consultations. In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lu Kang said Thursday "For negotiations and consultations to make sense, there must be sincerity." Lu called on the United States to observe the principle of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefits, keep its promises and make its actions accord with words. As a result, soybean futures plunged on concerns about rising tensions that threatened to prolong U.S.-China trade frictions that have chilled demand for U.S. soybean exports from the world's top buyer China. But in the previous three sections, soybeans marked three straight days of gains, especially on Tuesday with big gain of 29 cents per bushel, or 3.61 percent for most active contract. Short-covering and bargain buying contribute to most rise of the oil seed. Analysts said speculators already hold big short position in the market and they are ready to look for exit doors, which could cause fluctuation in the recent weeks. Corn futures extended their rally, jumping to a four-month high this week, as forecasts of heavy rain sweeping a wide path across the U.S. Midwest next week fueled concerns about worsening planting delays. Corn futures also rose after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) late on Monday reported that the planting pace for corn and soybeans was slower than expected amid widespread weather delays. U.S. farmers had seeded just 30 percent of their corn crop as of May 12, according to the USDA report. The soybean crop was 9 percent planted, behind the five-year average of 29 percent and the average trade estimate of 15 percent. CBOT wheat futures were supported by the strength of corn and soybean futures, and ample supply of wheat crop worldwide also put wheat prices under pressure. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 05:30:23|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close WARSAW, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of thousands of Poles are expected to visit museums and other cultural institutions on Museum Night on Saturday, in an event drawing ever bigger crowds every year. "I'm inviting you to the town hall, where you can see my modest office, and if anyone wants to sit in the mayor's chair, this will be possible," Warsaw mayor Rafal Trzaskowski said at the end of April during a press conference announcing this year's Warsaw Museum Night taking place on Saturday under the patronage of the municipality. Over 260 institutions are scheduled to take part in the Warsaw event and hundreds of others will join across the country. In Warsaw alone, over 200,000 visitors took part in Museum Night in 2018, and organizers expect more to attend this year. Museum Night is a cultural event in which museums and other cultural institutions stay open during the night, inviting visitors to come in free of charge and participate in special activities, with the goal of making culture accessible and attractive to more people. The first such event took place in Berlin, Germany, in 1997, and since then the concept has spread to hundreds of cities in Europe and beyond. The first Warsaw Museum Night took place in 2004, with 11 institutions involved. In the Polish capital, this year's topic is the 30th anniversary of the first free elections in 1989, and many institutions are preparing events related to this topic. "In four places in Warsaw -- at the National Museum, the History Meeting House, the Warsaw Prague Museum and the Warsaw Center of Architecture -- we will bring a movie gift to the visitors which on this night are roaming around the city," Dagmara Goldzinska, from the Andrzej Wajda Center of Cinematographic Culture, one of the institutions participating for the first time this year in the Museum Night, told Xinhua. "We invite people to stop for a second and watch selected archival materials which show the atmosphere of life in Warsaw before the changes in 1989. There was a time when news chronicles were opening every movie showing in Polish cinemas, so in the same way we want to open the Museum Night with such chronicles. While waiting in line to get into the museums, people won't just be sitting around or scrolling on their phones, but they can watch the archival material." With the increasing popularity of the event, a broad array of Warsaw institutions are opening their doors to people on Museum Night, including governmental bodies, science centers, heating plants and even a chocolate factory -- a wildly popular choice for kids. To further attract visitors, the Warsaw municipality this year launched an app and a special transport map for the event, and offered free lemonade made with Warsaw tap water -- whose consumption the municipality has been encouraging for environmental reasons -- to those in need of a break. A parade of old-fashioned buses is also scheduled to take place on Saturday. Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), meets with President of the Norwegian parliament Storting Tone Wilhelmsen Troen, in Oslo, Norway, May 15, 2019. China's top legislator Li Zhanshu paid an official friendly visit to Norway from May 15 to 18, expecting to promote the development of Sino-Norwegian ties to score more progress. (Xinhua/Shen Hong) OSLO, May 18 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Li Zhanshu paid an official friendly visit to Norway from May 15 to 18, expecting to promote the development of Sino-Norwegian ties to score more progress. During the stay in Norway, Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), met with Norwegian King Harald V, Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg and President of the Norwegian parliament Storting Tone Wilhelmsen Troen. When meeting with Norwegian King Harald V, Li conveyed the greetings of Chinese President Xi Jinping to the King, and expressed congratulations on the Norwegian National Day, which falls on May 17. Li said during the King's successful visit to China last year, the two heads of state made strategic plans for the development of bilateral relations in the new era. As this year marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Norway, the two sides are expected to seize the opportunity to cement friendship and expand cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and treating each other equally, so as to realize better development of bilateral relations. Harald V expressed gratitude to China's friendliness to the Norwegian side, saying Norway admires China's tremendous development achievements. He said Norway is ready to strengthen cooperation with China in such fields as winter sports, and will make efforts to help China successfully host the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. When meeting with Solberg, Li said although Sino-Norwegian relations have experienced ups and downs, friendship and cooperation has always been the main theme of the ties. As both countries share common interests on safeguarding current global mechanism, building an open world economy, the two sides should jointly support multilateralism and free trade. Moreover, the two countries have similar development concepts and share strong economic complementarities, so the outlook of bilateral cooperation is very broad. Norway is welcome to actively participate in the construction of the Belt and Road Initiative. And bilateral cooperation on economy, trade, environmental protection, science and technology, people-to-people exchanges and tourism is expected to be forged ahead, said China's top legislator. "China hopes the Norwegian side provides a fair, just and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises' investment and operation in Norway," said Li. Solberg said bilateral cooperation has maintained sound momentum since the normalization of bilateral ties, expecting the two sides to push forward talks on inking a free trade deal and deepen cooperation in such areas as maritime affairs, shipping, fishery and environmental protection. She also voiced the will to advance communication and collaboration with China on issues concerning the United Nations, coping with the climate change and Arctic affairs. When respectively meeting with Troen and members of the parliament's standing committee on foreign affairs and defense, Li introduced China's development path and political system. "The reasons why China continues to make new development achievements are that we have embarked on a development path that suits our national conditions. This is the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics," said Li, stressing that the Chinese people will unswervingly follow this path. He said that the NPC of China is willing to work with the Norwegian parliament to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, strengthen friendly exchanges at all levels, enhance understanding and trust through frank dialogues, and create a favorable environment for pragmatic cooperation. Troen said that this visit is of great significance as Li's tour marks the first visit of a Chinese leader since the normalization of bilateral relations in 2016. The Norwegian parliament is willing to carry out all-round exchanges and cooperation with the NPC of China, and make positive contributions to the development of state-to-state ties. The two legislators also exchanged views on jointly safeguarding multilateral trade system, sustainable development and other issues of common concerns. On May 16, Li attended the economic and trade conference in commemoration of the 65th anniversary of Norway-China diplomatic relations. He said in a speech that President Xi's proposal of the high-quality development of jointly building the Belt and Road and the policy of China's further expansion of opening up have provided new opportunities for the common development of all countries. The two countries' enterprises are expected to seize the opportunity, tap cooperation potentials, so as to translate the desire for strong cooperation into more practical results. During the tour, Li visited the Chinese skiers who were training in Norway and encouraged them to train hard and carry out bilateral friendship. He also visited a local ecological agriculture project, an oil gas processing plant, and met with local officials in Norway's southwestern county of Rogaland and its southern city of Stavanger. Norway is the first lag of Li's ten-day tour in Europe, which will also take him to Austria and Hungary. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 06:00:31|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close SANAA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni government forces have recaptured two strategic villages from Houthi rebels in the northwestern province of Hajjah, a local security official said on Saturday. The fighting has killed at least 15 fighters from both sides since the troops launched the attack on Friday to retake the two villages of al-Hamra and al-Hallah, the pro-government official said on condition of anonymity. The ground offensive was backed by the Saudi-led coalition warplanes, he added. The Saudi-led coalition has been intervening in the civil war in Yemen since 2015 to support the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the Houthi rebels forced him into exile and seized Yemen's northern provinces, including the capital of Sanaa. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 06:05:39|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close BUDAPEST, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Women's Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg guided all-conquering Lyon to their fourth straight Champions League title with a hat-trick in a 4-1 vicotry over Barcelona in the final here on Saturday. It was Lyon's sixth title overall in the tournament, also seeing them achieve a treble of champions following domestic league and cup glories. Dzsenifer Marozsan broke the deadlock for Lyon five minutes after the kick-off as she poked home on a right-flank cross from Shanice van de Sanden. Van de Sanden became the provider again for Hegerberg's 14th-minute low shot. Hegerberg also made no mistake on Amel Majri's pass five minutes later, before harvesting her hat-trick on the half-hour mark by sweeping a cross from Lucy Bronze. Barcelona somewhat improved their performance at both ends of the pitch after the restart. They managed to get one back through Asisat Oshoala's low shot with one minute from time. Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice PresidentJoe Biden speaks during a campaign stop in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 18, 2019. (Xinhua/REUTERS) PHILADELPHIA, the United States, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. Vice President Joe Biden held a kick-off rally on Saturday for his 2020 presidential campaign in Philadelphia, state of Pennsylvania. Addressing a crowd of supporters at Eakin's Oval near the Philadelphia Art Museum Saturday afternoon, Biden called for unity. "Some of the really smart folks say Democrats don't want to hear about unity," Biden said in his remarks. "They say Democrats are so angry, and that the angrier your campaign will be, the better chance you have to win the Democratic nomination." "Well, I don't believe it. I really don't. I believe Democrats want to unify this nation," he stressed. Dr. Jill Biden reacts while taking the stage before Democratic 2020 U.S. presidential candidate and former Vice President Joe Biden held a campaign rally in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., May 18, 2019. (Xinhua/REUTERS) Biden also took a shot at President Donald Trump. "If the American people want a president to add to our division, to lead with a clenched fist, closed hand and a hard heart, to demonize the opponents and spew hatred - they don't need me. They've got President Donald Trump," the former vice president said. "I am running to offer our country - Democrats, Republicans and independents - a different path." Those remarks came after Biden's campaign announced earlier this week that it will be based in Philadelphia. Democrats and Republicans both view Pennsylvania, which has 20 electoral votes, as one of the most important battlegrounds in the 2020 race. According to a poll released by Quinnipiac University this week, Biden leads Trump by 53 percent to 42 percent in Pennsylvania among registered voters. Biden, 76, formally announced his bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. presidency in April. Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Biden was the U.S. vice president from 2009 to 2017. He represented state of Delaware in the Senate from 1973 to 2009, during which he was a longtime member and former chair of the Foreign Relations Committee. After the vice presidency, he launched the Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 07:20:54|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close CHICAGO, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of Chinese cuisine professionals and restaurant owners gathered at a Chinese cuisine forum Saturday to exchange views on the development of Chinese cuisine in the United States and the world at large. The Second U.S. International Chinese Cuisine Forum, jointly hosted by the World Federation of Chinese Catering Industry (WFCCI) and American Chinese Restaurant Institute (ACRI), is aimed at providing a platform for restaurant industry professionals to share experiences related to Chinese cuisine, discuss the challenges Chinese cuisine faces and envision the prospects of Chinese cuisine in the world. Yang Liu, chairperson of the WFCCI, said that thanks to constant innovation, China's restaurant industry has witnessed rapid development during the past years, with the number of overseas restaurants and global influence increasing remarkably. Zhao Jian, Chinese consul general in Chicago, noted that Chinese cuisine embodies traditional Chinese culture and shows Chinese people's pursuit of a good life. "I hope the Chinese restaurant industry can serve as a cultural bond to bridge China and the United States and make people worldwide better understand China," said Zhao. Tony Hu, chairman of the ACRI, said that the purpose of the ACRI is to use food as a medium to prosper Chinese food and to enhance friendship. It is committed to helping the development of the Chinese food industry in the United States and promoting Chinese food to go abroad Chinese cuisine came into the United States with the first group of Chinese railway workers some 150 years ago. There are now nearly 50,000 Chinese restaurants across the United States. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 07:30:57|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The annual Alaska Airlines Bay to Breakers race, which is known for its runners' colorful costumes, is going to be held here on Sunday despite anticipated rain showers, the KPIX5 TV outlet said Saturday. The event, which has been a quintessential San Francisco experience since 1912, is a 12-km long fun-filled footrace in which many participants wear colorful costumes co-playing animals, comic characters and other figures in funny appearance. The race, often held on the third Sunday of May, starts at the northeast end of downtown San Francisco, a few blocks away from the famous Embarcadero tourist destination in the San Francisco Bay, and ends at the Great Highway near the Pacific coast, where breakers crash onto Ocean Beach. The TV report quoted the National Weather Service as saying that the event will have a 70 percent to 80 percent chance of showers on Sunday in San Francisco, but race officials said the event will go on rain or shine. Race participants will run through nine neighborhoods and picturesque parts of the city with distinctive personalities, geography and landmarks, including Golden Gate Park, the Panhandle and the steep Hayes Hill. Many fans said on social media they will be "running in thunderstorm tomorrow." The event has been sponsored by Alaska Airlines since 2017. More than 2 million costumed runners, walkers and centipedes have completed the iconic 12-km journey since 1912, according to the event's website. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 07:46:03|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close HARBIN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Two more people were rescued 48 hours after an iron mine flooding in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, with rescuers saying they are still searching for other victims. The rescued miners have been sent to a local hospital. There were still 6 people trapped underground by 6 a.m. Sunday. The accident occurred at Cuihongshan iron mine in Xunke County at around 3 a.m. Friday, when 43 people were working in the mine, according to the county government. A total of 37 people have been lifted out of the mine. Experts said the rescue work has been complicated by the water seeping into the pit from the Kuerbin River. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 09:35:07|Editor: ZX Video Player Close A visitor takes pictures at an exhibition titled the Great Southwest in Historical Records held at Yunnan Provincial Museum in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province, May 18, 2019. The exhibition, with more than 300 items on display, kicked off here on Saturday. (Xinhua/Qin Qing) Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 08:56:44|Editor: ZX Video Player Close TIANJIN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in north China's Tianjin Municipality plan to include artificial intelligence (AI) as part of an engineering certification, the first of its kind nationwide. The evaluation standards for the newly added professional title have also been unveiled, according to the municipal Human Resources and Social Security Bureau. Those engaged in AI related production, research and development can apply for the certification, regardless of their academic background. AI experts from Tsinghua University, Nankai University and Tianjin University, as well as technical directors from the National Super Computer Center in Tianjin and Huawei's innovation center, have hailed the decision, saying that it will be conducive to attracting talents in the field, and stimulating workers to polish their expertise. China's AI market is expected to reach 96 billion yuan (about 13.9 billion U.S. dollars) this year, according to a report by Economic Information Daily. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 09:06:54|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Asian countries are in an initial stage of mass tourism development and have huge market potential, according to a report released by the China Tourism Academy. Asia received 430 million inbound overnight visits in 2017, said the report released during the week-long Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations that started on May 15 in Beijing. Meanwhile, Asian travelers made 410 million outbound overnight trips and 7.59 billion domestic overnight tours in 2017, it added. Inbound tourism revenues in Asia amounted to 509 billion U.S. dollars in 2017, accounting for 38.4 percent of the global total, said the report. In 2017, outbound tourism consumption by Asian tourists reached 474 billion dollars, while domestic tourism consumption totaled 963 billion dollars. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 09:27:06|Editor: ZX Video Player Close SHENYANG, May 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 300 items of endangered species including ivory and red coral have been seized in Shenyang, capital of northeastern China's Liaoning Province, local authorities said. The municipal government and customs said the city has stepped up efforts to crack down on the smuggling of ivory and other items related to endangered species this year. So far, 104 ivory items, 208 pieces of red coral, and giant clam and hawksbill products have been seized. The raw materials are typically made into craftwork, jewelry, stationery and tableware. One suspect has been detained because of smuggling, customs police said. Postal departments, airports, customs and wild animal protection organizations in Shenyang have collaborated in a special campaign against smuggling of endangered species products, introducing advanced detection facilities and strengthening inspections on inbound and outbound postal parcels and travelers' luggage. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 09:42:18|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China's container transport for export purposes edged up for the week ending Friday, according to the Shanghai Shipping Exchange. The average China Containerized Freight Index (CCFI) stood at 804.46, up 1.6 percent from a week earlier, the exchange said. The sub-index for the U.S. east coast route led the increase by a week-on-week growth of 6.3 percent, while that for the South America route led the fall by dropping 3.6 percent. The CCFI tracks spot and contractual freight rates from Chinese container ports for 12 shipping routes across the globe, based on data from 20 international carriers. The index was set at 1,000 on Jan. 1, 1998. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 10:22:40|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close DHAKA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- In a befitting manner amid tight security, Buddhist community in Bangladesh Saturday peacefully celebrated "Buddha Purnima," one of their major Buddhist festivals that marks Gautama Buddha's birth, enlightenment and death. Daylong programs included peace rally, hoisting of national and religious flags atop all monasteries, lighting of lamps, and recitation from the sacred verses by the monks. Buddhists in Dhaka were seen to throng monasteries since Saturday morning. They brought out a colorful peace rally at the outset of the day and took part in various rituals and offered fruits, flowers and candles to statues of Lord Buddha who was born on a full moon day in 563 BC. Special prayers were offered at all monasteries across the country, seeking peace, progress and prosperity of the nation. On the occasion, Bangladesh President M Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina greeted the Buddhist community. In separate messages on the eve of the day, they wished peace and happiness for all. Inspector General of Bangladesh Police Mohammad Javed Patwary said special security measures have been taken in the Buddhist temples for peaceful celebration. Police are seen Saturday to stand guard outside all the monasteries in Dhaka. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 10:42:53|Editor: ZX Video Player Close YANGON, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar is preparing to organize a grand centenary celebration of its motion picture industry on Oct. 13, according to the Information Ministry. The centenary celebration will be launched with the aim of portraying the significance of Myanmar motion picture, honoring artistes and technicians in the film industry and bringing about the development of the industry in the future through the unity of film community including the old and new generations, Minister of Information Pe Myint told the first preparatory meeting for the upcoming event on Saturday. Yangon Region Chief Minister U Phyo Min Thein voiced support of the celebration, while Chairman of the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization U Zin Wine called on youths of the community to take part in the celebration and suggested the holding of a relevant workshop. Myanmar is striving for its movie development with an aim toward reaching the quality of regional and international movies. In March, the Myanmar Motion Picture Organization presented 12 motion picture academy awards for the year 2018 to winners, most of whom are new-faced artistes, after selecting 83 movies from 159 produced in the year. The awards include that of lifetime achievement, best film, director, screenplay, leading actor and actress, supporting actor and actress, cinematography, music, sound and editing. The film academy award presentations were annually held since 1952 to encourage domestic film production and bring up its quality. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 11:03:03|Editor: ZX Video Player Close CANBERRA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been hailed as a legend of his party after he led it to a surprise election victory on Saturday night. Morrison's conservative Liberal National Party (LNP) Coalition defied opinion polls to win a third term in government in Saturday's general election. Speaking to supporters in Sydney after Bill Shorten, who led the Opposition Australian Labor Party (ALP) to the election, conceded defeat, Morrison declared the result a "miracle." On Sunday, Morrison - a devout evangelical Christian - attended mass at his regular church with his family where he told reporters that he was thankful for Australian's support. "I particularly want to thank my local community here in southern Sydney," he said. "You don't get to be a Prime Minister and serve in that capacity unless you're first a member for your local electorate and I want to thank everybody here in my local electorate." Shortly after polls closed at 6 p.m. local time on Saturday night it became clear that Labor was not receiving the support projected by opinion polls, all of which predicted a Labor victory. By 9:45 p.m. the election had been called for the LNP in one of the biggest upsets in Australian political history. The election was lost in Queensland, Australia's northernmost state, where Labor did not make the major gains it was expected to. Instead, the LNP won in the state either 23 or 24 seats - the most it has ever won in Queensland - compared to the ALP's five. John Howard, who served as the LNP PM of Australia between 1996 and 2007, told reporters that there was "no doubt" that Labor's hesitation in declaring its position on Indina mining giant Adani's proposed coal mine in Queensland had a major effect on the election. "It's a message to the nation, that - yes - sensible action on climate change is desirable," Howard said, referring to Labor's pledge to reduce carbon emissions by 45 percent from 2005 levels and have 50 percent of Australia's electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. "But radical action which destroys jobs, ruins industries and denies the people in less fortunate countries access to energy is something that the Australian people will reject." He said that Labor made a key error in resorting to "class warfare" tactics in its plan to close tax loopholes for the wealthy in order to deliver tax cuts for low-income earners. Josh Frydenberg, the deputy leader of the Liberal Party and Australia's Treasurer, said that Morrison who became PM in August 2018 after Malcolm Turnbull was deposed as leader of the LNP deserved the credit for the victory. "He had great faith in what was going to occur," he said during an appearance on Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). "He spoke to the aspirations of the Australian people. He can take enormous credit for the leadership, for the belief, for the conviction that he has shown." While the LNP celebrated Saturday's victory, the ALP was on Sunday left to contemplate where it went wrong and confront questions about who would be its next leader. Shorten announced in his concession speech on Saturday that he would be stepping down as Labor leader immediately. Anthony Albanese, who was defeated by Shorten the last time the leadership was vacant in 2013, and Tanya Plibersek, Shorten's deputy, are considered the frontrunners while Treasury spokesman Chris Bowen, environment spokesman Tony Burke and finance spokesman Jim Chalmers will also be contenders. Albanese has confirmed his candidacy while Plibersek on Sunday told the ABC she was "certainly considering" running. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 12:23:18|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Chinese Consul General in Chicago Zhao Jian speaks during a healthcare meeting in Chicago, the United States, on May 18, 2018. Institutions from the United States and China co-hosted a healthcare meeting here on Saturday to help technology innovation and push forward cooperation between the two countries. (Xinhua/Wang Ping) CHICAGO, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Institutions from the United States and China co-hosted a healthcare meeting here on Saturday to help technology innovation and push forward cooperation between the two countries. Around 200 participants, including technology experts, representatives of health industry associations, entrepreneurs and investors from both countries, had face-to-face talks during the event, in which telemedicine and medical device cooperation, biotechnology innovation and food safety were the main topics. Chinese Consul General in Chicago Zhao Jian told the opening ceremony that the meeting will promote the coupling of innovation resources, advance management and development models and tap potential for cooperation between the two countries' health industries. John Zhang, secretary general of the organizer, the Beijing-based International Technology Transfer Network, said he hoped closer cooperation and an expanding network with its U.S. partners. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 12:33:20|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Vice Chairman of the Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum Hasanul Haq Inu (1st L), also president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, speaks at the launching ceremony of the forum in Dhaka, Bangladesh on May 18, 2019. Bangladesh and China have launched a new platform, the Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum, in Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, focusing on lasting links under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) between the two countries for mutual benefit. (Xinhua/Stringer) DHAKA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Bangladesh and China have launched a new platform, the Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum, in Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, focusing on lasting links under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) between the two countries for mutual benefit. The event was attended by political leadership, high-ranking officials from the private and public sector, community representatives and the members of the business sector and media. Bangladesh prime minister's foreign affairs adviser Gowher Rizvi and Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Zhang Zuo among others, spoke at the launching ceremony Saturday. "I want truly to felicitate the launch of Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum," said Rizvi. "Congratulate and thank you for initiative to establish the forum." "The BRI is not only one of the important initiatives of our time but it is also very needful in fixing our (Bangladesh development) priorities," he said. According to the advisor, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the last 10 years has been emphasizing the importance of connectivity. She sees connectivity as mechanisms or tools through which Bangladesh's prosperity and stability can be rebuilt, he added. "Not merely the BRI, also we have already joined BCIM EC (Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor). We have no reservation. We absolutely welcome this initiative and congratulate." Proposed by China in 2013, the Silk Road Economic Belt and 21st Century Maritime Silk Road Initiative aims to build a trade and infrastructure network that will link Asia with Europe and Africa along the ancient trade routes of the Silk Road. Ambassador Zhang said, "Our all-round cooperation is booming in all sectors like politics, economy, military, agriculture, law enforcement, science and technology and culture." He said the Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum is being established at the right moment when there's a lot to be achieved. Bangladeshi people's dream of a strong and wealthy nation, manifested in the dream of Sonar (golden) Bangla, and the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation pursued by the Chinese people, are interconnected and share many common merits, said the diplomat. "I hope the Bangladesh-China Silk Road Forum could pay attention to telling good stories about China-Bangladesh friendship, passing on the voices in the communication and exchanges between our two countries, and building this forum into an important bridge for China-Bangladesh connectivity." He further said, "Particularly, as next year will mark the 45th anniversary of China-Bangladesh diplomatic ties, we need to work together to create a congenial atmosphere for cooperation, and deepen our policy connectivity and people-to-people bond, so as to bring more benefits to both our peoples, and push the China-Bangladesh relations into a better new era. " Chairman of the forum Dilip Barua, general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, an ally of Hasina's ruling Grand Alliance, said friendship and cooperation with China are growing rapidly in recent times. Barua said there is sustained need for promoting the concept of the BRI among various segments of the people in Bangladesh. "We have already planned to set up a platform in Bangladesh on this issue." Vice Chairman of the forum Hasanul Haq Inu, also president of the Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal, an ally of Hasina's ruling Grand Alliance, said BRI is very important for grand connectivity. The BRI will be a bridge between developing regional forums and it will help remove infrastructural and institutional barriers to bolster exports and minimize import costs, said the former Bangladeshi information minister. 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. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 13:08:32|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close MEXICO CITY, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Mexican authorities found five bodies Saturday in an abandoned vehicle left outside the police offices in the municipality of San Juan de Sabinas in the northern state of Coahuila, the local government said. In a statement, the Coahuila public security department said local prosecutors had opened an investigation to identify the five victims and recover evidence. The vehicle was abandoned in the early hours of Saturday outside the headquarters of the investigative police, a police arm of the prosecutor's office of the Coahuila state. According to local media reports, the vehicle was left after gunmen fired shots outside of the building. Coahuila is one of the Mexican states with the lowest homicide rates. But between 2011 and 2013, the number of murders climbed due to fights among drug cartels for control of their border with the United States. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 13:08:34|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close KHARTOUM, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Deputy Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC) Mohamed Hamdan Daqlu on Saturday said armed perpetrators that attacked and killed protesters in Khartoum on Monday have been arrested. "The perpetrators who committed Monday's massacre have been arrested, with judicial confession, and they will be shown on TV satellite channels within today or tomorrow," Daqlu told native administration leaders. Anyone who committed a crime in Sudan would be punished, he said, reiterating the importance of continuing the dialogue to reach a final deal that ends the political crisis in the country. Shortly after the ruling TMC and opposition forces reached a breakthrough agreement on Monday on the transitional authority to run the country, several gunmen dressed in uniform attacked protesters at a sit-in area in Khartoum, killing six protesters and an army officer and injuring more than a hundred others. The TMC, chaired by Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, is tasked with running the country following the ouster of former President Omar al-Bashir. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 13:08:37|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close HAVANA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez held a meeting here on Saturday with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, who proposed an official meeting between the two countries' heads of state in Ankara. Cavusoglu is the first Turkish foreign minister to pay an official visit to Cuba in the past 20 years. The two sides discussed bilateral ties during the friendly meeting, the Cuban Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that they "ratified the mutual desire to expand and diversify the existing ties, especially in the area of trade and cooperation." Local media reported that Cavusoglu extended an invitation to Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel for a visit to Turkey and a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Turkey's capital this year. Earlier, the Turkish foreign minister met with Esteban Lazo, president of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba. The two agreed on the need to increase bilateral relations, especially in the area of economy and trade. Turkey will maintain exchanges with Cuba, Cavusoglu said, noting that the two countries share the same position on several global issues, the statement added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 14:13:50|Editor: ZX Video Player Close BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China's imports of solid waste continued to decline in the first four months of the year as the country tightened enforcement of a ban on solid waste imports. Imports of plastic, paper and metal waste totaled 4.74 million tonnes during the January-April period, down 33.1 percent from the same period last year, according to the General Administration of Customs. In April alone, solid waste imports reached 1.3 million tonnes, down from 1.38 million tonnes in March. China began importing solid waste as a source of raw materials in the 1980s and for years has been the world's largest importer, despite its weak capacity in garbage disposal. Some companies have profited by illegally bringing foreign waste into the country, posing a threat to the environment and public health. Given rising public awareness of environmental protection and China's green development drive, the government decided to phase out and halt such imports by the end of 2019, except for those containing resources that are not substitutable. The government banned imports of 24 types of solid waste, including plastics and paper, and has imposed tough quality restrictions on other recyclable materials. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 14:44:06|Editor: Xiaoxia Video Player Close TALUQAN, Afghanistan, May 19 (Xinhua) -- About nine people have been killed and seven others wounded by gunshots in Afghanistan's northern province of Takhar, a local official said Sunday. "A gunfight occurred following an argument between members of two irresponsible armed groups in Rustaq district, north-eastern of provincial capital Taluqan city Saturday night," provincial government spokesman Jawad Hejri told Xinhua. The police recovered nine bodies, suspected to be those of the militia groups' members, he said. An investigation was undertaken into the incident. Local authorities blamed the irresponsible armed groups for the incident, saying loose law as well as carrying arms by irresponsible armed men resulted in the armed clash. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 15:04:14|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close The Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong River connecting Thailand's Nakhon Phanom Province with Laos' Khammouane Province is seen in Nakhon Phanom, Thailand, May 9, 2019. Narongchai, a volunteer tour boat guide on the Mekong River in northeast Thailand's Nakhon Phanom, has been doing this job for 16 years. "The Mekong is our mother river, binding everyone in the basin," said Narongchai, describing the cross-border river part of his life. TO GO WITH Feature: Mekong river binds regional countries, peoples together as lifeblood of Southeast Asia (Xinhua/Guo Xinhui) by Guo Xinhui NAKHON PHANOM, Thailand, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Narongchai, a volunteer tour boat guide on the Mekong river in northeast Thailand's Nakhon Phanom, has been doing this job for 16 years. "The Mekong is our mother river, binding everyone in the basin," said Narongchai, describing the cross-border river part of his life. "The water from the sky separated the land into two sides, but the friendship between the two sides will last forever," said Narongchai, 58, who loves singing a famous Mekong river song on the boat. Nakhon Phanom, a rarely explored but charming place, hugs the Mekong river in the northeast of Thailand with the bordering country of Laos seen from the riverbanks. Here the Mekong river forms the natural boundary between the two countries. Narongchai grew up near the bank of Mekong. When he was young, his family grew vegetables on the bank and went fishing in the river. But in his memory, the Mekong river was an important place for children to play. "In February, March and April, the beach would come out of the water. We would play in the river and pick up shellfish," said Narongchai. He said the Thais and Laotians who share the Mekong river have had similar cultural traditions and maintained close exchanges. According to Narongchai, fishermen on the riverbanks can have a short stay at the opposite shore without a passport or visa. He said the fishermen, no matter from the Thai side or the Lao side, all knew him, as he has been working on the river for so many years. They greet each other warmly every day when the boat passes. The Mekong is the most important trans-boundary river in Southeast Asia. From China's Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the river, the Chinese stretch of which is called the Lancang river, runs through southwest China's Yunnan Province, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. As the lifeblood of Southeast Asia, the Mekong not only carves the natural landscapes along its banks, but also shapes the collective civilization memory of the countries along the river. "Located on the international business route, Southeast Asia became a melting pot of cultures," said Sunait Chutintaranond, a history professor from Chulalongkorn University in Bangkok. "Southeast Asia was mainly influenced by two great civilizations," the professor said. "One is the Indian civilization in the South Asian subcontinent; the other is the Chinese civilization from the upper reach of the Mekong river in East Asia." Dragon boat racing, which originated in China, has also spread to the middle and lower reaches of Mekong. "The river is also a place of festivals," Narongchai said. "Every year, there is a dragon boat race on the Mekong river around the time the rainy season ends." Also in April during the Thai and Lao New Year, people celebrate along the river by building sand towers in the shape of Buddhist stupas. "The Mekong river ties people who live along its banks together, no matter they are Thais or Laotians," Narongchai told Xinhua. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 15:04:15|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close URUMQI, May 19 (Xinhua) -- More than 34 million people have benefited from a program in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, where authorities have offered free iodized salt for local farmers and herdsmen. Since 2007, Xinjiang authorities have pumped more than 300 million yuan (44 million U.S. dollars) in funds to subsidize about 160,000 tonnes of iodized salt, according to the regional health authorities. Xinjiang has long faced a severe lack of iodized salt. Since the 1960s, the locals have used iodized salt to prevent iodine deficiency, in addition to other ways to take in more iodine, said Zhang Ling, with the regional center for disease control and prevention. In recent years, local authorities have stepped up efforts to monitor iodine deficiency and spread knowledge about the importance of iodine intake. No cretinism cases have been reported for nine consecutive years in Xinjiang. Before the campaign against iodine deficiency began in the 1950s and 1960s, Xinjiang reported severe cases of hypertrophied thyroid glands. Iodine deficiency was once a seriously prevalent local disease in China, but it has been controlled or eradicated in most areas. According to the national center for disease control and prevention, 94.2 percent of counties in China have no iodine deficiency. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 15:29:20|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Hangzhou, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Senior officials from China and ASEAN member countries met Saturday in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, to further coordinate on the South China Sea, agreeing to continue efforts for peace, tranquility and common development in the area. At the meeting, all sides made in-depth exchanges of views on comprehensive, effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), further pragmatic maritime cooperation as well as consultation of the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), according to a Foreign Ministry press release. The participants of the 17th Senior Officials' Meeting on the Implementation of the DOC agreed to implement the DOC comprehensively and effectively, speed up the negotiation of the COC and strive for an early result, said the press release. They also reached consensus on some new maritime projects of cooperation. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 15:29:22|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close PHNOM PENH, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A Cambodian court on Sunday charged Yaw Foo Hoe, chief executive officer of GCG ASIA, with "fraud attempt" for falsely claiming that country's Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen supported the company's unlicensed cryptocurrency trading, a spokesman said. After examining the case and questioning Yaw Foo Hoe, the prosecutor decided to charge him with fraud attempt under certain articles of the criminal code, Phnom Penh Municipal Court Spokesman Ly Sophana told reporters. Under the charges, Hoe, who is a Malaysian national, is facing imprisonment between six months and three years. Cambodian authorities, in cooperation with the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), shut down the company and arrested Hoe, along with a woman reported to be his wife, at his office in Phnom Penh's Daun Penh district on Friday. But, later, the woman was released because of her innocence. The arrest came after the company had operated cryptocurrency trading without approval from the NBC, but to cheat the public, it had posted on its website that it had received the license from the NBC, Deputy National Police Commissioner Gen. Chhay Sinarith told Xinhua on Friday. Moreover, he said, the company had posted the photograph of the prime minister on its website with a comment that he supported the company and would be the honorary ambassador for GCG Asia's opening ceremony in Cambodia on May 20. "All activities that the company has done are aimed at cheating the public," Sinarith said. Hun Sen wrote on his Facebook on Thursday that according to the information from the Indonesian embassy to Cambodia, GCG ASIA was an unscrupulous company and it had been blacklisted in Indonesia. "In my status as the prime minister of Cambodia, I deny the information that has been posted on the above-mentioned company's website because it's untrue," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 16:19:35|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close UNITED NATIONS, May 19 (XINHUA) -- A United Nations peacekeeper was killed and several others were wounded in two incidents in Mali on Saturday, the UN said. A UN statement said a Nigerian blue helmet "succumbed to his wounds following the armed attack by unidentified assailants" in Timbuktu. Another Nigerian peacekeeper was also injured in the attack. While expressing his deep sadness over the loss, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the attack could amount to a war crime. In a separate development on the same day, three Chadian peacekeepers were wounded when their vehicle hit an improvised explosive device in Tessalit in the Kidal region. In Mali, more than 190 UN peacekeepers have so far died, some 120 of them killed during hostilities, showed UN data. The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) was deployed in 2013 to support the political processes in the northwestern African country. During a failed coup in 2012, extremist militias took control of Mali's north, and were in the following year mostly forced out due to the French military intervention. A UN-backed peace deal in 2015 between the government and various armed groups has failed to stabilize the situation in the country's central and northern regions. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 17:09:56|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China's central budget has allocated an additional 35.12 billion yuan (about 5.1 billion U.S. dollars) of funds for poverty relief, according to the Ministry of Finance. This has increased the central government-assigned funds to 126.1 billion yuan in total this year, fulfilling the government's allocation target, the ministry said. The figure marked a year-on-year increase of 18.85 percent from 2018 and an annual increase of 20 billion yuan for the fourth year in a row. The poverty relief fund must mainly be used to provide assistance to areas of extreme poverty and support poverty relief work in revolutionary base areas, the ministry said. China has vowed to eradicate absolute poverty by 2020. As the deadline approaches, the country is focusing on the nation's poorest people, who mainly dwell in deep mountains with adverse natural environments and backward infrastructure, or have special needs. The country's central budget also channeled funds to support sectors such as education, health care and social security by prioritizing poverty-stricken areas. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 17:25:08|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close RIYADH, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Minister of the State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir said on Sunday that his country does not want a war in the region, but would defend its interests if it must, Saudi Press Agency reported. He told a press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Riyadh that Saudi Arabia "does not seek to start a war and will do its best to prevent this," adding that if other countries begin a war, the kingdom will respond firmly and defend itself. He warned "Iran and its allies against conducting reckless behaviors, urging Iran to adhere to international laws and stop interference in the internal affairs of regional states." He also called on Iran "to stop financing terrorism and stop developing its missile and nuclear program." With regard to the Houthis' attacks on Saudi oil facilities, the Saudi diplomat accused the Houthis of destabilizing regional security and stability, adding that his country has "punished" the Houthis. He further revealed that the Gulf and Arab summits, to be held in Mecca on May 30, would discuss the issue of Iran. Regarding the Russian stance of the escalation of tension between Saudi and Iran, Jubeir said that Russia calls for restraint and non-escalation. "Russia has interests in the region and does not want instability. It calls for policies in line with international laws and norms, objects to sabotage or aggressive policies, or interference in the affairs of other states," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 17:30:10|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close by Angela Efros LOS ANGELES, May 18 (Xinhua) -- As continuing friction in the U.S.-China trade disputes caused volatility in the U.S. stock market, hundreds of business owners, government representatives and higher education leaders gathered in the U.S. state of California to highlight the importance of peaceful international trade. During the fifth annual Orange County World Trade Week Breakfast and Forum hosted by the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, business owners and executives expressed frustration over the U.S.-China trade relationships and concern about the tariff's impact on profits. Michael Delaney, chief development officer of Worldwide Environmental Products, Inc., told Xinhua that the trade frictions are slowing down potential business deals. "We have partners from countries around the world that have approached us with opportunities in China but the constant theme we hear is that before making a final decision, our partners want to see the results of the trade talks and how they will affect the U.S.-China relationship," said Delaney. Worldwide Environmental Products, Inc. provides automotive emissions testing solutions including inspection equipment design and maintenance, database management, quality control and assurance and personnel training. The company used to export to China, but suspended the export in 2018. Eric Williams, senior manager of international sales for DHL Express, reminded attendees of the incredible e-commerce opportunity in China, comparing China's Singles Day online sales to the Cyber Monday online sales in the United States. "That gives you a comparison of the cross border potentiality," Williams said. "We only have anecdotal evidence that the tariffs are affecting the businesses bottom line right now -- businesses discussing when and how to raise their prices to pass the tariffs through to their customers because they cannot manage to absorb the tariffs in their profits and losses," said Linda DiMario, executive vice president of the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce. "However, it is evident that it is affecting agriculture first and then rippling into other consumer goods," she added. Mei Tsang, an intellectual property partner at the law firm Umberg Zipser LLP, said there will be no winner in a trade war. "This is a volatile time for China-U.S. relationships. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but the people in both countries know that they have to work with each other." "That's our greatest strength -- coming together to share, learn from one another and grow together," said DiMario. "I would hope that the two countries would ultimately respect each other ... resolve any disputes honorably and fairly, so we may co-exist, trade and grow side by side in peace." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 17:35:14|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BERLIN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- An explosion took place Sunday in a three-storey house in Bavaria of Germany, with several people expected to be affected, according to local media report. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 17:50:21|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close MOGADISHU, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A senior leader of militant group al-Shabab surrendered to Somali government forces on Saturday, an official said on Sunday. "I was informed that a member of al-Shabab contacted our forces in the front line of Barsanguni requesting to surrender to the government forces and they cooperated with him," said Mohamed Hassan Badal, commander of Unit 11 Section 43 of Juba land forces. He told journalists that Sidow Abdi Gedi, surrendered in Kismayo, in Somalia's southern region of Lower Juba. The former al-Shabab leader who spoke to the journalists said he joined government forces at his willing. "I have been serving with al-Shabab for seven years but I am now in Kismayo with the government forces," Gedi said. This move came two weeks after five al-Shabab extremists surrendered to government forces in Gedo, in southern Somalia. Meanwhile, two soldiers, including a military commander, were killed and six others injured by a roadside bomb on Saturday evening in Bardale district of Bay region, southwest Somalia. Al-Shabab was ousted from the capital Mogadishu in 2011 but the terror group is still capable of conducting attacks, targeting government installations, hotels, restaurants and public places. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 17:55:23|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close MOGADISHU, May 19 (Xinhua) -- African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM) senior leadership held a meeting with leaders of the Lower Shabelle region to exchange views on how they can strengthen the fight against al-Shabab. The closed-door consultative meeting was held on Saturday followed recent operational successes recorded against al-Shabab, the AU mission said in a statement on Sunday. Francisco Madeira, special representative of the chairperson of the African Union Commission to Somalia, said the meeting also reviewed the situation following the capture of strategic towns of Sabiid and Bariire. "We are happy with the progress and we will continue to work jointly, in coordination with our partners. The governor is in control, and we support him and his administration," Madeira said. Somali Security Forces and AMISOM troops liberated the town of Sabiid on April 2. On May 3, the forces also liberated Bariire town. The agricultural-rich Bariire, which lies about 60 kms west of the Somali capital, Mogadishu, is one of the strategic areas located in Lower Shabelle region along River Shabelle. The meeting also reviewed the progress made in recent operations, the challenges and the way forward, the statement said. The military offensive to liberate Sabiid and Bariire is part of the implementation of the revised AMISOM Concept of Operations (CONOPS) 2018-2021 and the Somalia Transition Plan. The CONOPS, which aims to provide a structure for AMISOM operations from 2018-2021, marks the final phase of the AU mission's transition and its eventual exit from Somalia. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 17:55:25|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close WELLINGTON, May 19 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has congratulated Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison on his election victory, which has taken his Liberal Party for a third term in government. "New Zealand and Australia have the strongest of ties and they will continue. I look forward to continuing to strengthen the relationship between our two countries in the coming years," Ardern said in a statement. "I phoned Prime Minister Morrison this afternoon and offered him and Jenny my congratulation on his election victory in what was a close and hard-fought election," Ardern said. "Prime Minister Morrison has an affinity to New Zealand having lived and worked here. He understands us, which is very helpful to the Trans-Tasman relationship," she said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 18:20:37|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close LONDON, May 19 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Theresa May on Sunday pledged to make a "bold offer" in her final bid to push the Brexit deal through the parliament. In an article published on The Sunday Times, May said a "new and improved" deal on Britain's exit from the European Union (EU) will be presented to the members of the parliament when they vote on the EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill in early June. May said she will "not be simply asking MPs to think again" on the same deal but on "an improved package of measures that I believe can win new support." May's pledge came amid the Brexit impasse after MPs repeatedly rejected her Brexit deal over the past months. The opposition Labour has said it will vote against the bill. The prime minister has promised to set a timetable for her departure from 10 Downing Street following the vote on her deal. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 18:40:45|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close KABUL, May 19 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 militants were killed following airstrikes in southern Afghan province of Helmand on Saturday, the government said Sunday. "Some 15 Taliban militants were killed following air raids in Sangin, Nad Ali and Musa Qala districts, Helmand province," Presidential Information Coordination Center (Tawhid Center) said in a statement. The statement did not detail whether the sorties were launched by Afghan Air Force or NATO-led coalition forces. Helmand province, notorious for poppy growing, is a known Taliban stronghold. The Afghan Air Force and the NATO-led coalition troops have increased ground and air offensives against militants in the past few months as spring and summer known as the fighting season is drawing near in the country. The militant group has not made comments on the report yet. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 18:40:47|Editor: Yamei Video Player Close John Boyd Jr. reacts during an interview in Baskerville, Virginia, the United States, on May 15, 2019. John Boyd Jr., a fourth-generation farmer in the U.S. state of Virginia, has only planted about one fourth of his soybean crop so far this year. "I am part worried and part frustrated and I'm very disappointed," he said. At his family farm in Baskerville, southern Virginia, Boyd told Xinhua earlier this week that the planting window is closing for his soybeans. "If my crop isn't planted one month from right now ... then it's all over for me, and not just for me, (but also) for other American farmers," he said. (Xinhua/Liu Jie) by Xiong Maoling, Sun Ding and Hu Yousong BASKERVILLE, the United States, May 18 (Xinhua) -- John Boyd Jr., a fourth-generation farmer in the U.S. state of Virginia, has only planted about one fourth of his soybean crop so far this year. "I am part worried and part frustrated and I'm very disappointed," he said. At his family farm in Baskerville, southern Virginia, Boyd told Xinhua earlier this week that the planting window is closing for his soybeans. "If my crop isn't planted one month from right now ... then it's all over for me, and not just for me, (but also) for other American farmers," he said. Boyd owns 700 acres of tillable land, with 400 acres of soybeans, and some corn and wheat. He was planning to expand his farm operation last year, but the U.S.-initiated trade frictions with China over the past few months have put the 53-year-old farmer on edge. "The tariffs have been devastating for me," said Boyd, noting that China is the largest purchaser of U.S. soybeans. "When President (Donald) Trump announced ... the tariffs, the price of soybeans plummeted and we really didn't have a market." Last summer, the United States imposed additional tariffs on billions of U.S. dollars of Chinese goods, provoking swift retaliation from China, which impacted the export of U.S. agricultural products, including soybeans. Prior to the trade disputes, the price of soybeans was about 11 U.S. dollars per bushel, Boyd said, but now it's hovering around 8 dollars or less, recently even reaching a 10-year low, which leads to "a 50-percent reduction in income" for him. As a cash and carry farmer, Boyd usually harvests what he grows in his fields, and sells them to the closest grain elevator, Smithfield Foods, a U.S. subsidiary of the Chinese pork producer WH Group Ltd. When the price plunged, Boyd had to sell everything he had at a loss. After a tractor malfunctioned recently, the soybean farmer took effort to repair it by himself, whereas in the past, he would have sent the tractor off to a shop to fix it. Some of the "much-needed" equipment repairs are put on hold "simply" because he doesn't have the cash, Boyd said. "It's been a financial strain on our farming operation," said Boyd, who has six workers to support. With the gloomy outlook, he has yet to receive a farm operating loan. "It all stems from a snowball effect from the president imposing tariffs, which I think was a poor decision," said the soybean grower, adding that the decision has put his business "in turmoil and in question." Boyd, who is also the founder and president of the National Black Farmers Association, said he doesn't think tariffs are the right approach to address any problems between the two countries. Instead, a "more diplomatic approach" should have been taken. "If you have good conversation, anything bad can wind up good," he said. Caught in the U.S.-China trade disputes, Boyd has been anxious. "As soon as I am off the tractor and take a shower and walk to my house, I'm flipping through (the news)," he said. "It's been very depressing for farmers like myself." To mitigate the risks, Boyd even started planting hemp, a crop he barely had any experience for. Besides going through a learning curve in growing, he would need to spend much time and money establishing and expanding sales channels, a challenging task. It took U.S. farmers more than 40 years to build the soybean market in China, President of the American Soybean Association Davie Stephens told Xinhua in a recent interview, warning that it will become "increasingly difficult to recover" as the U.S.-China trade row rumbles on. With depressed prices and unsold stocks expected to double by the 2019 harvest, U.S. soybean farmers are unwilling to be "collateral damage" in the endless trade disputes with China, said Stephens, who is also a soybean grower from the U.S. state of Kentucky. The U.S. government previously offered 12 billion dollars to help farmers weather the fallout, which would mean 1.65 dollars of subsidy per bushel for soybeans. "I haven't received a dime of that," Boyd said, adding that the process has been slow. Boyd's efforts to reach out to federal government officials such as Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue have gone nowhere. "Those requests were fell upon deaf ears," he said. However, government aid is not the way out for Boyd. "I don't want the aid. I want a fair price for my crop," said the farmer. With the announcement of the latest round of tariffs, Boyd's patience is waning. "I was (optimistic) until this week," he said, adding that he thinks the U.S. president's recent decision to further hike tariffs on Chinese goods "hurts the process" that the two sides have been making. "I don't know what I'm going to do now and that's a bad position to be in as a farmer," said Boyd. Farmers plan by year, he said, and several rounds of tariffs have thrown his plan of action "off the highway." "The tariffs need to be removed," Stephens said, adding that U.S. soybean farmers yearn for "trading as normal" with China. "Let's get back to trading in an open market. That's free trade for both sides," he said, calling for negotiations to achieve a win-win outcome as soon as possible. For Boyd and his fellow farmers, the clock is ticking. "There is an urgency of now, right now that this needs to be fixed," Boyd said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 18:55:50|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, speaks at the first media summit of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area held in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, May 19, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling) GUANGZHOU, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A senior official of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on Sunday called for more and better media coverage of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Huang Kunming, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at the first media summit of the greater bay area held in the city of Guangzhou. Huang highlighted the role of media in the development of the greater bay area and called for a favorable media environment to build a first-class international bay area. He stressed strengthening cultural confidence, national identity and patriotism in media coverage to inspire joint efforts for national rejuvenation. More than 300 people attended the summit. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 19:36:05|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close BAGHDAD, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's Oil Minister Thamir al-Ghadhban said Sunday that Exxon Mobil's evacuation of its foreign workers from the West Qurna 1 oilfield in Iraq's southern province of Basra was "unacceptable and unjustified." "The withdrawal of Exxon Mobil workers from West Qurna 1, despite their small number and whether temporarily or precautionary, has nothing to do with the security situation or threats in the oilfields in southern Iraq, but is for political reasons," al-Ghadhban said in a statement. "The withdrawal is unacceptable and unjustified because other international companies are working freely and safely in developing the oilfields," Ghadhban said. "Such withdrawal may send false messages about the situation in Iraq, and this is something that we do not accept at all," Ghadhban warned. He said that he sent a letter to the Exxon Mobil's officials asking for clarification, demanding the return of its staff to work, according to the statement. Ghadhban's comments came a day after the U.S. Exxon Mobil oil company evacuated all its foreign workers out of West Qurna 1 oil field in Iraq's southern province of Basra. The company started the evacuation on Friday and continued until early Saturday, as some of its staff were moved to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, and some to the company's main headquarters in Basra. However, the oil production of West Qurna 1 oil field was not affected by the evacuation as the work was continued by the Iraqi engineers, according to media reports. The evacuation came amid the tense situation in the region after U.S. President Donald Trump decided not to re-issue the sanctions waivers for major importers to continue buying Iran's oil when they expired in early May. The United States has also increased its military activities in the region recently, citing a threat of Iranian "attack." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 19:41:07|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi (Rear) attends a press conference in Kuwait City, Kuwait, on May 19, 2019. Pakistan is ready to facilitate de-escalation of tension in the region and support peace and stability, visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi said here on Sunday. (Xinhua/Asad) KUWAIT CITY, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan is ready to facilitate de-escalation of tension in the region and support peace and stability, visiting Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said here on Sunday. He made the remarks during an interview with the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). "We are concerned about rising tension between the United States and Iran, Pakistan would always be supportive of peace and stability, we would be more than happy to facilitate in de-escalation," he said. On relations between Kuwait and Pakistan, the minister said that relations between the two countries have been historically cordial. "Politically we have had excellent relations, we have been supporting each other at the regional level. On many global issues, our policies are common, and our approach on many regional issues, including on the issue of Palestine, they are close to each other," he said. The visit aimed at building comprehensive economic relations. "I feel that we can facilitate more, by sending skilled and semi-skilled manpower to Kuwait, we can achieve further economic development," said the minister. As of role of Kuwait in the United Nations Security Council, Qureshi said Kuwait plays a very balancing and mature role, especially during the recent standoff between India and Pakistan. "They helped de-escalate and defuse tensions," he added. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 19:56:16|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close ANKARA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey and Russia would discuss the joint production of S-500 defense systems after the S-400 deliveries, local media reported Sunday. "The S-400 deal is completed. The deliveries are to begin in July or maybe earlier. After that, we will talk about the S-500, including joint production," Erdogan said at an event in Istanbul late Saturday. "There is absolutely no question of stepping back on the S-400 issue. It is a done deal," the Turkish president was quoted by Anadolu News Agency as saying. "Sooner or later, we will receive the delivery of the F-35s, and S-400s will come to our country too," he said. Turkey's S-400 deal has further strained its already tense relations with the United States, which has repeatedly warned Ankara of the risks, including sanctions. Washington threatens to suspend the delivery of the F-35 fighter jets to Ankara despite its partnership in the consortium, and slap additional sanctions if Turkey continues ahead with the purchase of the S-400s. In December 2017, Moscow and Ankara signed a loan agreement for the delivery of S-400 systems. NATO and the United States expressed security concerns, saying that S-400s are incompatible with NATO's air defense systems. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 20:06:21|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close RAMALLAH, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian Authority's Wakfs and Religious Affairs Ministry slammed on Sunday an Israeli minister's tour at Al-Aqsa Mosque compound, urging the international community to stop Israel's measures that "harm the sacredness of the Al-Aqsa Mosque" in Jerusalem. Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Minister of Agriculture Uri Ariel was among a group of Israeli settlers who carried out a tour of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied Jerusalem. The Palestinian ministry said in a statement that the Ariel's move "is a clear challenge to Muslims in Palestine and in the Islamic world during the month of Ramadan." Palestinians described the tour as "provocative," complaining of a series of Israeli security measures that limit the access of Palestinian worshippers into the Islamic site, while police troops are seen facilitating the access of settler groups into it. Ariel and dozens of settlers toured the compound yards in groups, only hours after Israeli police forcibly evicted hundreds of Muslim worshippers from the holy site, it said. According to a 1967 agreement between Israel and Jordan that is the custodian of Al-Aqsa Mosque, non-Muslim worshipers can visit the place but are prohibited to pray there. Al-Aqsa Mosque is sacred to both Muslims and Jews. Jewish people refer to it as the Temple Mount, while it is considered the third holiest site for Muslims. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 20:06:22|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close JERUSALEM, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Four workers were killed on Sunday after a crane collapsed at a construction site in the city of Yavne in central Israel. Three of the workers who were on the ground were killed by crane parts falling, and another worker was trapped on the crane at a height of about 30 meters. The collapsed crane was in dismantling process. On the same construction site, where two residential buildings are being built, a 31-year-old truck driver was electrocuted last April. Since the beginning of 2018, 58 workers have been killed in construction sites in Israel, and 20 of which were killed in 2019. Since the beginning of the year, a total of 62 workers have been seriously or moderately injured. The number of fatalities in the Israeli construction sites is on the rise despite an agreement to promote the workers' safety, signed last November by the government and the state's main trade union, "The Histadrut." Israel's Labor Minister Haim Katz said that "these accidents must be stopped. The contractors are not to blame, workers have to follow safety rules". Gilad Erdan, minister of Public Security, said "the number of fatalities on construction sites is inconceivable and the investigation of the accidents must reach the highest levels in the construction companies." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 20:49:10|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close Pupils have lunch at Dingfan Primary School in Gaocun Township of Wanrong County, north China's Shanxi Province, May 16, 2019. Most of the 110 pupils at Dingfan Primary School are left-behind children, whose parents have become migrant workers in towns or cities. Some of the students came from registered poor families in Dingfan and nearby villages. In September of 2015, school master Zhao Yingjie applied to add the school onto the list of Free Lunch for Children (FLC), the public initiative to offer free meals to students in remote, poverty-stricken areas. From then on students in Dingfan began to enjoy their nutritious lunch at school. In order to guarantee the quality of the lunch and the transparency of the fund spending, teachers in the school take photos of the lunch dishes every day and load them onto the microblog account of the school for the public supervision. (Xinhua/Cao Yang) Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 20:51:32|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close VIENNA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Austria is set to hold a snap election in September, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said here on Sunday. The president told journalists after a meeting with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz that the beginning of September has been earmarked for the snap election. The two leaders had met to discuss how to proceed after the video scandal that led to the collapse of the coalition government. The news initially emerged Friday that vice-chancellor and leader of the right-wing populist Freedom Party Heinz-Christian Strache was caught in secret video discussing offering public contracts for political support. Strache on Saturday resigned from all political posts, though this was apparently not enough for Kurz, of the centre-right People's Party, who later announced new elections would be held. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 21:01:35|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close VIENNA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Austria is set to hold a snap election in September, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen said here on Sunday. The president told journalists after a meeting with Chancellor Sebastian Kurz that the beginning of September has been earmarked for the snap election. The two leaders had met to discuss how to proceed after the video scandal that led to the collapse of the coalition government. The news initially emerged Friday that vice-chancellor and leader of the right-wing populist Freedom Party Heinz-Christian Strache was caught in secret video discussing offering public contracts for political support. Strache on Saturday resigned from all political posts, though this was apparently not enough for Kurz, of the centre-right People's Party, who later announced new elections would be held. The chancellor told media there must a "maximum of stability" in the country now, and that the snap elections are "not a wish, but a necessity." In addition, all of the controversial aspects of the video footage would be investigated, he said, and those who were behind the filming also sought out. The two leaders had also discussed plans for how to carry things on until the election, though would not confirm whether the remaining Freedom Party ministers would continue to work as part of the coalition government until then. In his departing address to media Saturday, Strache threw his support behind transport minister and former presidential candidate Norbert Hofer as a replacement, though it is unknown whether Kurz would agree with such an arrangement. He did however say he would be holding talks with numerous officials including Hofer in the coming weeks. He also said that between now and the election he would like a "calm" working environment. Van der Bellen for his part said that going forward there must be a "rebuilding of trust." "This is now solely about the well-being of our country and our reputation in the European Union and in the world," he said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 21:31:57|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China had built a team of nearly 3.61 million medical doctors as of the end of 2018, up 80.4 percent compared with 1998, Health News reported. A total of 8.31 billion medical treatment were made in 2018, an increase of 290.1 percent from 1998, the report said. The infant mortality rate in China dropped to 6.1/1,000 from 33.2/1,000 in 1998, and the maternal mortality rate dropped from 56.2/100,000 in 1998 to 18.3/100,000 as of the end of 2018, according to the report. Over 84 percent of Chinese people live less than 15 minutes away from medical institutions thanks to the rational distribution of the grassroots health institutions. During the past years, the country has been improving medical partnership and telemedicine, and contracted family doctor services to relocate more resources to grassroots health institutions, offering the public more equitable access to basic medical services. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 21:37:01|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China's Ministry of Public Security has made public a list of drivers who are banned from driving for life since the beginning of this year to alert drivers of dangerous driving behavior. Ten provincial regions, including Beijing and its neighboring Hebei Province, unveiled a list of 1,146 newly added drivers banned from driving for life since January, according to the ministry. The ministry's traffic administration bureau launched a campaign to expose major traffic violations to promote rectification of potential risks. Apart from the banned drivers, the exposure mainly targets illegal vehicles, typical accident cases, accident-prone road sections, and high-risk transport enterprises. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 21:42:03|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China's import enterprises saw their tax burden significantly reduced last month as the country lowered value-added tax (VAT) rates to further lighten the financial pressure of enterprises. BP Zhuhai Chemical company in south China's Guangdong Province saw its VAT reduced by 14.02 million yuan (about 2.04 million U.S. dollars) in April thanks to the tax reduction. After reducing VAT rates, the financial burden of the company was reduced and more funds can be invested in research and development, said Yu Guoding, a manager responsible for the company's import and export businesses. Starting April 1, taxpayers previously subject to the 16-percent VAT rate on their imported goods would enjoy a 13-percent VAT rate, while those who were subject to the 10-percent VAT rate would only need to pay 9 percent, according to the General Administration of Customs. Customs data showed more than 1,500 import enterprises in Zhuhai and Zhongshan, Guangdong Province, enjoyed lower VAT rates in April, with their VAT reduction totaling 190 million yuan. In northeast China's Liaoning Province, more than 4,000 enterprises benefited from lower VAT rates, with VAT reduction amounting to 958 million yuan last month. According to customs' earlier estimates, the total VAT reduction in imports is expected to reach around 225 billion yuan (about 33.5 billion U.S. dollars) this year, after the implementation of lower VAT rates on April 1. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 21:47:05|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Photo taken on May 19, 2019 shows the site of an explosion near Cairo, Egypt. An explosion hit on Sunday a tourist bus near the Grand Egyptian Museum near the capital Cairo, injuring 14 people, official Ahram Online news website reported. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa) CAIRO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- An explosion hit on Sunday a tourist bus near the Grand Egyptian Museum near the capital Cairo, injuring 14 people, official Ahram Online news website reported. However, the number of the injured has not been announced by the Egyptian authorities. State-run Nile TV said the blast damaged the glass windows of a civilian car and the bus, which carried 25 tourists from South Africa. Egypt has been fighting against a wave of terror activities that killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers since the military toppled former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013 in response to mass protests against his one-year rule and his currently blacklisted Muslim Brotherhood group. Terror attacks in Egypt had mainly targeted police and military personnel in North Sinai before spreading nationwide and targeting the Coptic Christian minority as well, leaving dozens of them dead. Most of the attacks were claimed by a Sinai-based group loyal to the Islamic State extremist group. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 21:57:10|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close GUANGZHOU, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A new group of 200 Chinese peacekeepers are heading for Lebanon for a UN peace-keeping mission. A send-off ceremony was held on Sunday. Members of the group are mainly from an engineering troop but also include special police, medical staff and translators. Over 12 months, the peacekeepers will be stationed in southern Lebanon and be tasked with repairing roads, project maintenance and humanitarian rescue. China has sent 17 groups of peacekeepers to Lebanon. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 22:16:48|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close A cultural salon themed "BRI & Building a Community of Shared Future for Humankind - Asian Perspective" is held in Tsinghua University in Beijing, capital of China, May 19, 2019. The themed salon is to echo the ongoing Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations (CDAC) in Beijing. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong) Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 22:17:22|Editor: Li Xia Video Player Close BEIJING, May 19 (Xinhua) -- China will launch mass activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC). The activities will take multiple forms across the country with patriotism at the core, according to a circular jointly issued by the General Office of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council. The activities will include touring urban and rural areas to fathom changes in the country, story-telling by citizens about endeavors to realize their dreams, thematic book reading, cherishing the memory of revolutionary martyrs, and national defense education activities, according to the circular. The slogans of the 70th anniversary celebration were also unveiled in the circular. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 22:22:24|Editor: Xiang Bo Video Player Close RIYADH, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Saudi Arabia announced on Sunday that it has deposited 250 million U.S. dollars in the Central Bank of Sudan, Saudi Press Agency reported. The deposit is part of a joint Saudi-United Arab Emirates 3-billion-dollar aid package to Sudan announced last month. It was agreed that 500 million dollars would be provided by the two countries as a deposit in the Central Bank of Sudan to strengthen its financial position, alleviate pressure on the Sudanese pound and help stabilize the exchange rate. The remaining amount will be allocated to meet the urgent needs of the Sudanese people, including food, medicines and oil derivatives. Saudi Minister of Finance Mohammed Abdullah Al-Jadaan also confirmed that the deposit was part of Saudi Arabia's support to the Sudanese people. A missile is launched during the fifth day of the six-day naval drill dubbed Velayat 91 from the coastline of the sea of Oman in southern Iran on Jan. 1, 2013. (Xinhua File photo) TEHRAN, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Iran is ready to fend off the U.S. war threats against the country, the chief commander of Iran's Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) said Sunday. Iran is currently facing threats close to its territory and the IRGC has prepared its resources against the threats, Hossein Salami was quoted as saying by state TV. "Although enemies are near the Iranian borders, they do not have the will to wage war and are afraid of fighting with the Iranians," the IRGC commander said. "We are not after war but we are not afraid of war either," he noted. On Thursday, Salami vowed to resist the U.S. pressures, saying the United States will fail to crush Iranian resistance. The U.S. government aims to drag Iran onto the negotiation table by exerting "maximum pressures," he said. The Iranian government always believes Washington seeks to seal a new nuclear deal with Iran, to further curb Iran's nuclear program, to stop Iran ballistic missile development and to halt Iran's push for influence in the region. Enditem Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 22:32:31|Editor: yan Video Player Close KUWAIT CITY, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Kuwait will launch a campaign to protect premature babies in Yemen on May 21, Kuwait Red Crescent Society (KRCS) said Sunday. In a statement, Anwar Al-Hasawi, KRCS deputy chairman, underlined the importance of increasing efforts to protect Yemeni children by providing medical equipment and medicines, as well as nurses they need most. Yemeni premature babies need special care as they are exposed to difficult conditions that may lead to death or major health problems, he said. The campaign is in coordination with the Avenues Mall, largest shopping mall of Kuwait, Al-Hasawi noted, adding people could easily donate through K-Net services, a Kuwaiti payment system, or the KRCS website. Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) shakes hand with with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Aug. 9, 2016. (Xinhua File photo) ANKARA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey and Russia would discuss the joint production of S-500 defense systems after the S-400 deliveries, local media reported Sunday. "The S-400 deal is completed. The deliveries are to begin in July or maybe earlier. After that, we will talk about the S-500, including joint production," Erdogan said at an event in Istanbul late Saturday. "There is absolutely no question of stepping back on the S-400 issue. It is a done deal," the Turkish president was quoted by Anadolu News Agency as saying. "Sooner or later, we will receive the delivery of the F-35s, and S-400s will come to our country too," he said. Turkey's S-400 deal has further strained its already tense relations with the United States, which has repeatedly warned Ankara of the risks, including sanctions. Washington threatens to suspend the delivery of the F-35 fighter jets to Ankara despite its partnership in the consortium, and slap additional sanctions if Turkey continues ahead with the purchase of the S-400s. In December 2017, Moscow and Ankara signed a loan agreement for the delivery of S-400 systems. NATO and the United States expressed security concerns, saying that S-400s are incompatible with NATO's air defense systems. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 23:08:02|Editor: yan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, May 19 (Xinhua) -- A numismatic exhibition started on Sunday at the Iraqi National Museum in Baghdad to mark the International Museum Day. The 30-day exhibition, held at the Assyrian Hall of the Iraqi museum, was organized by the Iraqi State Board of Antiquities and Heritage. The exhibition includes the display of an ancient numismatic collection from different civilizations, such as the Roman and Greek as well as coins of the Abbasid era. "The numismatic coins are very important records, and our exhibition includes 129 numismatic coins bearing images of prominent female and male figures," Iman al-Azzawi, director of the Numismatic Department in the Iraqi museum, told Xinhua. Al-Azzawi hailed the exhibition a very important opportunity for the visitors to see the numismatic coins and the cultural values they hold. She believes coins are one of the most important sources of information, from which archaeologists and historians can try to interpret the past. China's Ministry of Commerce spokesperson Gao Feng said during a press conference in Beijing on May 16, 2019, that the United States has continuously and unilaterally been escalating trade disputes and caused serious setbacks in China-U.S. trade talks. (Xinhua/Zhang Yuwei) by Angela Efros LOS ANGELES, May 18 (Xinhua) -- As continuing friction in the U.S.-China trade disputes caused volatility in the U.S. stock market, hundreds of business owners, government representatives and higher education leaders gathered in the U.S. state of California to highlight the importance of peaceful international trade. During the fifth annual Orange County World Trade Week Breakfast and Forum hosted by the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce on Thursday, business owners and executives expressed frustration over the U.S.-China trade relationships and concern about the tariff's impact on profits. Michael Delaney, chief development officer of Worldwide Environmental Products, Inc., told Xinhua that the trade frictions are slowing down potential business deals. "We have partners from countries around the world that have approached us with opportunities in China but the constant theme we hear is that before making a final decision, our partners want to see the results of the trade talks and how they will affect the U.S.-China relationship," said Delaney. Worldwide Environmental Products, Inc. provides automotive emissions testing solutions including inspection equipment design and maintenance, database management, quality control and assurance and personnel training. The company used to export to China, but suspended the export in 2018. Eric Williams, senior manager of international sales for DHL Express, reminded attendees of the incredible e-commerce opportunity in China, comparing China's Singles Day online sales to the Cyber Monday online sales in the United States. "That gives you a comparison of the cross border potentiality," Williams said. "We only have anecdotal evidence that the tariffs are affecting the businesses bottom line right now -- businesses discussing when and how to raise their prices to pass the tariffs through to their customers because they cannot manage to absorb the tariffs in their profits and losses," said Linda DiMario, executive vice president of the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce. "However, it is evident that it is affecting agriculture first and then rippling into other consumer goods," she added. Mei Tsang, an intellectual property partner at the law firm Umberg Zipser LLP, said there will be no winner in a trade war. "This is a volatile time for China-U.S. relationships. We have a lot of hard work ahead of us, but the people in both countries know that they have to work with each other." "That's our greatest strength -- coming together to share, learn from one another and grow together," said DiMario. "I would hope that the two countries would ultimately respect each other ... resolve any disputes honorably and fairly, so we may co-exist, trade and grow side by side in peace." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 00:43:38|Editor: yan Video Player Close DAMASCUS, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The Syrian army denied on Sunday the rebels' claims that chemical weapons were used in the countryside of Latakia Province in northwestern Syria, state news agency SANA reported. The army did not use chemical weapons in the town of Kabani in Latakia countryside, the army said in a statement. The rebels were fabricating news after every defeat they suffer, it added. Meanwhile, the army also highlighted its determination to continue to fight terrorism and eradicate the terrorist groups from Syria. The Syrian army and the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the umbrella group of the al-Qaida-linked Nusra Front, are fighting in the countryside of Latakia and the nearby areas in the countryside of the provinces of Hama and Idlib. A day earlier, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said a brief truce went into effect in the aforementioned areas, which are included in a de-escalation zones' deal established in September 2018 by Russia and Turkey. However, the deal didn't materialize and battles have escalated since late last month. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 01:23:56|Editor: yan Video Player Close CHICAGO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Consul-General in Chicago Zhao Jian said there is great potential for China and the United States to cooperate in the innovation and product development of health industry. Zhao made the remarks at a a healthcare meeting called China-U.S. Health Industry Innovation Cooperation Conference on Saturday held by International Technology Transfer Network and related U.S. organizations in Chicago. Both China and the United States have a large-scale health industry, and they have complementary strength in fields like innovation and product manufacturing, said Zhao. Around 200 participants, including technology experts, representatives of health industry associations, entrepreneurs and investors from both countries, had face-to-face discussions during the event. Besides a keynote speech section, the event had well-designed panel discussions featuring four aspects: telemedicine and medical device innovative cooperation, biopharma/biotechnology and health innovation, food safety and health, and networking event. Zhao at the conference that the meeting would promote the coupling of innovation resources, advance management and development models, and tap potential for cooperation between the two countries' health industry. "We hope and truly believe that the conference will become a shining example of China-U.S. technology innovation cooperation in the U.S. Midwest," Zhao said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 01:49:07|Editor: yan Video Player Close KUWAIT CITY, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Ambassador to Kuwait Li Minggang welcomed on Sunday the participation of the Kuwaiti businessmen in the fourth China-Arab States Expo, to be held in Yinchuan, capital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of China, on September 5-8, 2019. The ambassador made the remarks during a meeting with Ali Al-Ghanim, chairman of Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI). The Chinese embassy is keen to develop bilateral relations with Kuwait at all levels and discuss investment opportunities in different sectors, mainly infrastructure, cars and power plants, among others, the ambassador said. The embassy is also keen to overcome obstacles that face investors, increase trade exchange and exchange of delegation visits between the two countries, he said. For his part, Ghanim said that KCCI is working to strengthen economic relations between Kuwait and China and is in constant contact with China Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The chamber is ready to rally all potentials in order to achieve common economic objectives, Ghanim noted. The two sides also discussed ways of establishing more joint investment projects to develop relations between China and Kuwait. NASA,s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) hosts an annual open event over the weekend in Pasadena, California. (Xinhua/Tan Jingjing) LOS ANGELES, May 19 (Xinhua) -- The annual open event of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) took place on Saturday and Sunday in Pasadena, California, attracting about 25,000 visitors from across the country. The two-day event, namely Explore JPL, offers the public unique opportunities to learn more about the solar system and beyond. There are 3-D movies, exhibits and shows, as well as multiple spacecraft on display during the event. Visitors can walk through historical buildings, and chat with scientists and engineers. Visitors also have the chance to visit mission control centers and Spacecraft Assembly Facility, where the Mars 2020 spacecraft components are currently being assembled and tested. "The tour has broadened my eyes and mind. It is amazing to learn so many developments and accomplishments in aerospace engineering," Julia Casas, a high school student in Los Angeles, told Xinhua. Casas, on her first tour to JPL, said the experience deepened her interest in science, and enabled her to interact with science in her pursuit of future career. Brandt Buffington, mission design manager for Europa Clipper at JPL, told Xinhua the annual event provides very good opportunities for the public to get close to space science, and learn about JPL's explorations of space and Earth. JPL kicked off America's space age by designing and building the country's first successful satellite, Explorer 1, launched in January 1958. After that, the U.S. Congress established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and JPL became part of the agency. Through the years, JPL spacecraft have visited every planet in the solar system, and the twin Voyager spacecraft - the farthest human-made objects - have crossed into interstellar space, according to an introduction brochure of JPL. More than two dozen JPL spacecraft and instruments are studying Earth and other planets within and beyond the solar system, plus galaxies, stars, asteroids, black holes and other cosmic objects. There are two active spacecraft of JPL on the Martian surface and two orbiting overhead. The JPL teams are currently building and testing Mars 2020, the next rover mission to the Red Planet. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 03:24:37|Editor: Shi Yinglun Video Player Close Volunteers clean up Palaio Faliro beach in southern Athens, Greece, on May 19, 2019. Chinese in Greece won the warm praise of Athenians on Sunday for taking the initiative to clean up a popular beach on the capital's southern coast. Dozens of members of the Chinese community, of all ages and professions, armed with gloves and litter bags, flooded Palaio Faliro beach to pick up plastic wrappers, bottle caps and cigarette butts left behind by swimmers or carried along by the wind. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos) ATHENS, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Chinese expatriates in Greece won the warm praise of Athenians on Sunday for taking the initiative to clean up a popular beach on the capital's southern coast. Dozens of members of the Chinese community, of all ages and professions, armed with gloves and litter bags, flooded Palaio Faliro beach to pick up plastic wrappers, bottle caps and cigarette butts left behind by swimmers or carried along by the wind. "Be part of something bigger than yourself: volunteerism," was the main slogan printed on t-shirts several participants were wearing. This was one of the key messages the organizers of the event, the Sino-Hellenic Investors' Confederation, wanted to convey, they told Xinhua. Greeks embraced the idea and joined in, when seeing Chinese volunteers in action and thanked them for always offering a helping hand to Greek society. The Confederation has organized similar events lately and plans to do more in the future to contribute to the place they now call second home. "With this kind of events we can make more Greek friends and help the Chinese better enjoy their life here," said Xie Min, member of the Confederation. "I hope the association would unite the Chinese living in Greece to take part in more social services and activities like this. A good bilateral relationship between China and Greece needs everyone to work together," said Ding Yonghua, a counselor from the Chinese embassy in Greece. Raising awareness for environmental protection is a cause that concerns all citizens of the world. Despina Riniou, a local resident, volunteered to join the Chinese on the spot. "It is a marvelous initiative. We always welcome such actions which are meaningful for the area," she said. Guo Yida, 19, is a student living in Athens with his family. Coming from an industrial region of China, "I know the importance of protecting the environment," he said. "We want to make our own efforts to help protect the environment here, and integrate well into the local society," his father, Guo Yang, added. Sunday's event was organized in coordination with the municipality of Palaio Faliro and local SKAI media group's corporate social responsibility program "Oloi Mazi Boroume" (All together we can). Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 03:24:39|Editor: yan Video Player Close ADEN, Yemen, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's internationally-recognized government on Sunday welcomed the call offered by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and other Arab League states for two emergency summits in Mecca on May 30. According to a statement released by the country's Foreign Ministry, Yemen welcomed Saudi Arabia's call for holding emergency summits "to evaluate the challenges the region is going through and their consequences on regional and international security in light of the latest Iranian threats." The Foreign Ministry statement affirmed "Yemen's full and permanent support for all steps taken by Saudi Arabia for the sake of preserving the region's joint security and stability as well as promoting common Arab interests." On Saturday, an official source from the Saudi Foreign Ministry highlighted in a statement that the two summits would be held on May 30 to negotiate and coordinate reinforcement of regional security and stability. The summits would discuss the regional developments, including the recent attacks on commercial ships in the waters near the United Arab Emirates and the attacks on the two oil pump stations, along with the stability of the global oil supply. Last week, Yemen's government strongly condemned the Houthi rebels' drone attack that targeted Saudi Arabia's oil pipeline booster stations. "The attack on Saudi Arabia, which was carried out by the Houthi militia with a direct incitement from Iran, cannot be tolerated or met with silence," read a statement from the Yemeni government released by the state-run Saba News Agency. Saudi Arabia has been leading a Sunni Arab military coalition against Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels since March 2015 to support the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after the rebels forced him into exile and seized much of Yemen's north, including the capital Sanaa. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 04:14:54|Editor: yan Video Player Close BAGHDAD, May 19 (Xinhua) -- An explosion was heard in the heavily fortified Green Zone in central Baghdad in Iraq on Sunday evening, while sirens could be heard following the blast, a security official said. "A Katyusha rocket hit central Baghdad's Green Zone without causing any casualties," Yahya Rasoul, spokesman of the Iraqi Joint Operations Command, said in a statement. Another security official anonymously told Xinhua that a Katyusha rocket struck an empty area near the U.S. embassy in the Green Zone, causing no casualties. He said the security forces found a rocket launcher in Baladiyat neighborhood in eastern Baghdad, which believed to have fired the rocket on the Green Zone. After the blast, sirens could be heard briefly in the Green Zone, which houses the U.S. embassy and some of the Iraqi government offices. The heavily fortified Green Zone has been frequently targeted by insurgents' mortar and rocket attacks. The roughly 10-square-km zone is located on the west bank of the Tigris River, which bisects the Iraqi capital. On May 15, the U.S. State Department ordered the non-emergency U.S. employees working in both the embassy in Baghdad and the consulate in Erbil to leave Iraq, according to a U.S. embassy statement. Earlier, the U.S. military said the U.S. forces were on high alert in Iraq and Syria over fears of "imminent threats" from Iran-backed forces in the region. The U.S. measures came amid the tense situation in the region after U.S. President Donald Trump decided not to re-issue the sanctions waivers for major importers to continue buying Iran's oil when they expired in early May. The United States has also increased its military buildup in the region recently by deploying an aircraft carrier, bombers and anti-missile systems there, citing a threat of Iranian attack. A Yemeni man takes part in a rally staged to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the war erupted on March 26, 2015, in Sanaa, Yemen, on March 26, 2019. (Xinhua/Mohammed Mohammed) SANAA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday said last week's drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities were the beginning of military operations against 300 targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Houthi-controlled Saba news agency reported. "The targets included military headquarters, camps and vital installations inside Saudi Arabia, UAE and their military bases in Yemen," Saba quoted a Houthi military source as saying. "We will halt all our military operations once the aggression (Saudi-led coalition) halts its operations," the source added, cited by Saba. On Tuesday, the Houthi rebels launched armed drone attacks against two Saudi oil pump stations, causing limited fire and damage, according to the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television. The Saudi-led coalition has been intervening in the civil war in Yemen since 2015 to fight the Iran-allied Houthi rebels who seized Yemen's northern provinces, including the capital Sanaa. Visitors try Chinese cuisine at "The Taste of China", which is part of the China Tourism and Culture Week in Los Angeles, the United States, May 18, 2019. Organized by the Los Angeles office of China National Tourist Administration, "The Taste of China" was a delicious buffet featuring many of China's favorite gourmet dishes. (Xinhua/Li Ying) by Julia Pierrepont III LOS ANGELES, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Like any other weekend, Universal Studios' Hollywood CityWalk was bustling with local Angelenos and tourists from all over the world who came to see the sights, take in a movie, or catch a bite to eat at one of the dozens of restaurants that line the pedestrian mall high on a hill overlooking Los Angeles. On this Saturday, however, while musical groups from around the country performed on the CityWalk Stage, just across the square, one of China's most popular gourmet restaurant chains, the Dongpo Kitchen, was co-hosting the "Taste of China" as part of the China Tourism and Culture Week in Los Angeles, a week-long series of special China-oriented events which runs through May 26. "The Taste of China," organized by the Los Angeles office of China National Tourist Administration, was a delicious buffet featuring many of China's favorite gourmet dishes, including Peking Duck, Meizhou Pork Buns, Spicy Chicken, Salt and Pepper Shrimp, Dongpo Fried Noodles and Fried Rice, Pot Stickers, Egg Rolls, and Sesame Rolls. Open to the American press and public, the buffet was designed to introduce more Americans to the delicacies of Chinese cuisine. Many passersby were lured into the event by the fragrance of the dishes on offer. Steve Castro, a big guy and amateur martial artist with a panda tattooed on his arm, came in to sample the cuisine. He told Xinhua, "I've been to Shanghai with my wife and we loved the different styles of Chinese food, from all the different areas and regions in China. Chinese food uses a lot of more interesting ingredients and has more flavor." Michael Tiberi, an avowed foodie from nearby Sunland, had heard about the event and came expressly to sample the gourmet fare. He was not disappointed. "I like the combination of the different ingredients they use and how they're orchestrated to make a wonderful symphony of flavors. The Spicy Chicken in particular is delicious and combining it with the slightly sweet taste of the sesame balls for desert is absolute perfection." Jaime, a CityWalk security guard with a lifelong love of good food, sat down to enjoy a heaping plate of Dongpo's finest offers. "I like the different spices and the different way they cook," Jaime told Xinhua. "Chinese food tastes better, the way they use garlic, soy sauce, and a lot of vegetables and condiments like basil to give it extra flavor." Shanna and Kyle, an American couple in Covina, California, came from a good hour's drive away, saying they are big fans of Dongpo. Kyle happily finished chowing down on all his favorites: the Spring Rolls, the Dongpo Fried Rice and the Peking Duck Sliders. "We really like Chinese food and have been here a lot. I'd definitely recommend people to try it. It's much more gourmet than some other Chinese restaurants," said Kyle. "My favorite's the dumplings," said Shanna. "It's got meat, cabbage, and vegetables in it. I love the diversity of flavors." Wang Gang, chairman of the Meizhou Dongpo Restaurant Management (Beijing) Co. Ltd., which owns the Dongpo restaurant chain, explained his almost poetic relationship with food. "Chinese cuisine is the bridge between the rich soil of China and the diners of the world," he told Xinhua. "People say you must never turn away from two things: good food and love." "A meal or a banquet is a great way to begin a friendship and a good meal can solve a lot of problems," he affirmed. Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles, Zhang Ping, attended the event and sat down with his wife to enjoy an informal meal side-by-side with a few lucky locals and visitors to the event. Zhang plans to make "The Taste of China" into a larger, yearly event as part of the Asian-American Cultural Heritage month in May. In much the same way that American's say the way to a person's heart is through their stomach, so do the Chinese who feel the best way to discern a person's character is to break bread with them. Zhang explained to Xinhua, "Cuisine art is a big part of Chinese culture and by launching this kind of cultural exchange, we bring Chinese culture to ordinary people and that helps bring Chinese and American people closer together." "When you eat Chinese food, it gives you a kind of curiosity to explore the Chinese culture and our country," he added. Wu Ning, director of Chinese tourist office in Los Angeles, was the driving force behind the Taste of China's promotional efforts. She was motivated by how sharing a meal and learning more about another country's culture can open people's minds and broaden their perspective, leading to greater understanding and tolerance. She agreed with the Consul General and said, "Food is a very important part of Chinese culture and only when the people of two countries love each other's culture can they have good communication and understanding." Edwin Marroquin, a young man in his twenties who works at CityWalk, proved her point. "I'm really fascinated with Chinese culture. I hope to visit China in the future, but for now, I just enjoy their food," he told Xinhua when explaining how cool it was that people from a lot of different cultures frequented CityWalk. "They can learn from us and we can learn from them," he affirmed. Wu had the last word, "Everyone loves food and many people love Chinese food. We want the American people to know more about China and come visit our country and see how beautiful it is." Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 05:55:15|Editor: yan Video Player Close CHICAGO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Eight-year-old Freya Dou kept dancing and swirling at an award-giving ceremony on Saturday afternoon in the western suburbs of Chicago, even the speech she was selected to give did not dampened her enthusiasm. She won the First Prize at the 7th Worldwide Chinese Youth Calligraphy and Art Contest, among the 15 prize winners from the U.S. Midwest. Dou's award-winning painting portrayed the image of the Forbidden City after snow. Against the background color of red, the snow on glazed tile roof is eye-catching. Dou spent two months in creating the painting. Born in Beijing, she migrated to the United States with her parents at the age of five. But the Summer Palace, the Forbidden City, and the Beihai Park she had toured as a toddler have deeply printed into her mind. "I liked to draw when I was young. There were always a lot of interesting ideas and patterns in my head, and I want to express them out with brush and color," Dou told Xinhua. Dou said there is an International Day at her school every year, when students of descents of different nationalities take on different national costumes. "I wear Han clothes to display Chinese culture. I like learning Chinese. I love Chinese culture," Dou said. Addressing the ceremony, Zheng Zheng, chairwoman of the Chinese American Association of Greater Chicago (CAAGC), said the contest is an opportunity for students of Chinese origin in the United States to enhance their artistic taste and have a better understanding of Chinese culture. She encouraged young students of Chinese origin to study Chinese, improve Chinese cultural accomplishments and become cultural envoys between China and the United States. "I want to paint the beautiful things in China and the United States and show them to students in both countries, let them be friends," Dou echoed Zheng's words in her speech. This was the seventh year for Beijing Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese to organize the worldwide Chinese youth calligraphy and art contest, and the first year for Chicago to host a regional competition in U.S. Midwest for the contest. According to Sun Yanzhao, president of the Chicago North Shore Chinese Center which organized the art contest in Chicago area, the Chicago division of the contest received paintings and calligraphy works from more than 100 competitors aged from 6 to 17, and 15 competitors won awards at the contest. Worldwide, the organizing committee of the contest received 1,940 paintings and calligraphy works from 20 countries and regions, and selected 22 for Gold Prize, 60 for Silver Prize, 150 for Copper Prize and 157 for Excellence Prize. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 06:30:22|Editor: yan Video Player Close SAN FRANCISCO, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Anchorage, the largest city in the U.S. state of Alaska, will vote on a climate change bill next week to minimize the effects of climate change, the Anchorage Daily News (ADN) reported Sunday. The Anchorage Assembly will convene next week to debate the Climate Action Plan, which urges Anchorage to cut dramatically greenhouse gas emissions in the next few decades and to work out a mechanism to monitor the effects of climate change on local communities. "The plan itself does not change our policies or our codes. It just says, here's the direction we're working toward," Shaina Kilcoyne, energy and sustainability manager of Anchorage, told the newspaper. The plan, which covers a broad sectors such as land use, transportation, energy, consumption and solid waste, lays out a significantly different scenario for the city of Anchorage in 2050, when greenhouse gas emissions are supposed to be reduced 80 percent from 2008 levels. Anchorage has set a temporary goal of cutting the emissions by 40 percent by 2030. A federal report released in 2018 found that Alaska is experiencing warming faster than any other states in the country. The report also outlined challenges facing the state's fishing and subsistence hunting industries, which are threatened by the impacts of climate change, such as thawing permafrost, erosion and diminishing sea ice. The ADN said work on the plan began around August of last year and was funded by a grant from the University of Alaska Anchorage. No details were released about how much would cost if the vision laid out in the plan is carried out. "Many of the actions not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also create benefits which can be difficult to monetize," including improved air quality and transportation options in the city, Kilcoyne said. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 06:30:24|Editor: yan Video Player Close ANKARA, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Growing ties with China have generated a big interest among Turkish people in learning the Chinese language and culture, amid good employment chances after graduation. "Our graduates have no difficulties in finding a job," Tutku Denizci, a 21-year-old student of the Sinology Department of Ankara University, said to Xinhua. "Finding a job becomes very easy after graduation as there is a high demand for people who have mastered the Chinese language, culture, and history, mainly because of the good relations between the two countries and their business opportunities," she said. Denizci wanted to major in both Chinese studies and business administration in order to work for one of the Chinese companies established in Turkey and be able to travel to China to discover with her own eyes what she learns in school. "In Turkey which has traditionally a pro-Western inclined culture, discovering the Asian culture by means of learning Chinese has been an eye opening adventure," she said with a smile. Students of the department celebrated the "China Day" on Friday with the attendance of scholars from different academic fields and Shi Ruilin, cultural counselor at the Chinese Embassy in Turkey. Enthusiastic students presented songs, dances and short stories in Chinese, winning applause from the audience. "I chose Chinese studies because China has become a major player in the world politically, economically and culturally," said Giorgi Gok, a 19-year-old student who got a good reaction from the crowd when he interpreted Chinese songs. Gok, who speaks Turkish and Russian due to a mixed family, said that finding a job with Chinese speaking skill would be easy after graduation. "Later on, I would like to work in public relations, preferably for the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China," which also has several branches in Turkish cities, he said, adding that he would also like to move to China for an exchange year in a university in Beijing or Shanghai. Gurhan Kirilen, an associate professor and head of the Sinology department, contributed to the China Day event by accompanying the songs with his guitar, and he was proud of his students. "They really enjoy the teachings that we are offering," he said, adding that "the interest for the Chinese culture is going hand in hand." Turks now can learn Chinese language in at least 10 universities across the country, mainly in big cities such as Istanbul and Ankara, as well as in private Chinese language teaching programs. Each year, China grants scholarships to Turkish university students who have excelled in their studies of Chinese language. Volkan Guzel, 21, wants to follow in the footsteps of such students and go to China to further his studies. "China is a great civilization with a great culture, and learning about the country should not be limited to its language alone," he said. "I really enjoy my studies here and I believe that more and more young people are interested in Sinology, because China is the fastest growing country in the world and has lots of opportunities to offer," added the sophomore. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-20 06:45:28|Editor: yan Video Player Close by Keren Setton JERUSALEM, May 19 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has less than two weeks to form his new government, but the coalition talks are at an impasse as his partners' demands are currently refused by him. In an attempt to put pressure on his potential partners in the right-wing and the religious parties, Netanyahu opened his weekly cabinet meeting on Sunday by saying he regrets "the parties are still in the treetops." "I hope that a way will be found soon to bring them down to the ground of reality, so that together we can form a strong and stable government for the State of Israel that will continue to lead the country to new heights," he added. In all likelihood, Netanyahu will be successful in forming a new government, and probably use every minute he has until the May 28 deadline. "The talks are stuck because the parties have conflicting interests," said Shmuel Sandler, professor of the Department of Political Studies at Bar Ilan University. "In the end, each one will make concessions because no one wants elections again." Netanyahu leads the Likud party, which won 35 mandates in the April election. Together with Jewish ultra-orthodox parties and other nationalist parties, he leads a majority of 65 parliament members of 120 seats. The talks are expected to be fruitful, because Netanyahu is looking to secure his political future. His recent election victory brought him a fifth term in office and in the summer he will break the record as Israel's longest serving prime minister. The prime minister is facing a hearing with the attorney general in the coming months, which will determine whether he will be indicted on several counts of corruption. Netanyahu denies all the allegations against him, and intends to fight a parliamentary battle and a legal battle that will keep him in politics for as long as possible. His potential partners know about this and their demands are accordingly high. "The parties' demands are disproportionate," said Gayil Talshir, from political science department at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. "It is because they know Netanyahu can be pressured and really doesn't have any other options." While Netanyahu and other members of the Likud have said the contentious laws are not part of the coalition talks, it is believed there is a tacit agreement with the potential partners to vote in favor of the laws once the government is formed. The proposals to reform the supreme court and widen the already existing immunity law have caused political uproar in the country, especially among those who oppose Netanyahu. "The ultra-orthodox and other parties do not really care about these laws," Sandler told Xinhua, indicating they are more concerned with other issues. In an attempt to cater to the engorged demands of the coalition partners, Netanyahu and his interim cabinet passed a decision on Sunday that would allow the expansion of the cabinet from the previous limit of 18 ministerial portfolios to up to 28. While there are core issues that need to be ironed out between the partners of the future coalition, the stalemate in the talks at the moment is largely a result of Netanyahu's precarious legal position which allows the partners to make high demands. Talshir thought Netanyahu is expected to be very generous in granting his partners many of their wishes in the form of numerous ministerial positions even for small parties. Source: Xinhua| 2019-05-19 00:13:34|Editor: Mu Xuequan Video Player Close CANBERRA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Prime Minister Scott Morrison has claimed victory in Australia's general election. Morrison's Liberal National Party (LNP) coalition won a third term in government on Saturday night, defeating the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and its leader Bill Shorten. Addressing supporters in Sydney, Morrison, who was chosen to succeed Malcolm Turnbull as leader of the LNP and PM in August 2018, said, "I have always believed in miracles." "And tonight we've been delivered another one." "Tonight is about every single Australian who depends on their Government to put them first. "And so, friends, that is exactly what we are going to do. Our government will come together after this fight and we will get back to work." Every opinion poll projected that Labor would win the election after six years in opposition on the back of strong swings in support towards the party in Queensland and Victoria. However, the conservative LNP was able to mitigate losses in Victoria, considered the nation's most progressive state, and win Queensland 52-48 on a two-party preferred basis. The LNP has won at least 74 out of 151 seats in the lower house of Australian parliament, the House of Representatives, and could still win a clear majority of 76. If it does not win 76 seats in its own right, the LNP will rely on the support of independent candidates to form a minority government as Labor did in 2010. Speaking in Melbourne, where earlier in the day he said he was "quietly confident" of victory, Shorten conceded defeat and announced he would stand down as leader of the party effective immediately." "A short while ago, I called Scott Morrison to congratulate him," he said. "I wished Scott Morrison good fortune and good courage in the service of our great nation. "We campaigned on a positive vision. "Labor's next victory will belong to our next leader and I'm confident that victory will come at the next election." One of the most ambitious warbird adventures ever undertaken was scheduled to lift off from Oxford, Connecticut, Sunday as 15 Douglas DC-3 variants head to Europe to reenact the D-Day invasion. After 18 months of planning, the aircraft will launch early on Sunday for Goose Bay on Canadas northeast coast. Goose Bay was a vital staging base for the ferrying of aircraft during the Second World War and the stop there is being coordinated with the cooperation of the Royal Canadian Air Force. After Goose the flotilla will head through Greenland, Iceland and Scotland before rejoining at historic Duxford in southern England to prepare for the reenactment. Among the aircraft taking part is Thats All Brother, the aircraft that led the invasion and was rescued from the scrapyard at Basler Aerospace in Oshkosh to be rebuilt for the anniversary. The aircraft will fly over the beaches of Normandy and some will drop skydivers using modern adaptations of the round canopy parachutes that filled the skies on that fateful day. Many of the aircraft will take part in a reenactment of the Berlin Airlift after the D-Day activities and all plan to be back at AirVenture 2019 in Oshkosh in late July. President Poroshenko delivers speech in Ukraine's Parliament Presidential Administration press office The inauguration of the president-elect of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky will take place very soon. His team promises that the procedure will not be limited to an oath in the Verkhovna Rada, but they still do not disclose the details. We decided to recall how the inaugurations of other presidents of Ukraine took place. Spoiler: no ceremony has passed without overlays and misunderstandings. Open source Leonid Kravchuk In 1991, the first president of independent Ukraine took the oath. The inauguration was very modest and was arranged quickly - Kravchuk took the oath three days after the announcement of the results of the CEC. The snag was the fact that there was still nothing to swear on - the Constitution of Ukraine did not exist. Then the MP from the Lviv region Roman Lubkivsky offered to swear on the most ancient shrine of the country - Peresopnytske Gospel. As a result, Kravchuk kept one hand on his heart, and the other on the Constitution of the non-existent Ukrainian Soviet Republic and the Gospel. The problem with the Ukrainian Anthem arised: the words of the text were not approved, only a few people could sing it. After the inauguration there were no banquets and no celebrations. And for some time the president havent had his own office. Leonid Kuchma Kuchmas first inauguration in 1994 was very modest. The president entered through the side doors of the Verkhovna Rada without honors. The anthem was played by a military band, but nobody still sang it. Leonid Kuchma also swore on the Peresopnytske Gospel. After the inauguration, the president hurried to the Mariinsky Palace: a reception was arranged there, and before this Kuchma had to meet with his predecessor for a handshake. But the solemn part in the Parliament passed so quickly that Kravchuk simply did not have time to arrive at the meeting place, and Kuchma had to wait for him on the street. Much more solemnly the second inauguration of Kuchma passed in 1999. First of all, because the celebration was moved from the hall of the Rada to the Ukraine Palace of Culture. It was then that the symbols of power appeared for the first time - the presidential mace, the official seal and the breastplate. They were made urgently, since were approved by Leonid Kuchma at the last moment. Many guests gathered in the palace, not only representatives of regions of Ukraine, but also then-Prime Minister of Russia Vladimir Putin, Head of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, head of Gazprom, and even Russian film director Nikita Mikhalkov. Open source Viktor Yushchenko In 2005, Viktor Yushchenko had two oaths: illegitimate and legitimate. The first occurred even before the official announcement of the results of the CEC against the background of the protests, the participants of which declared election fraud. Then Yushchenkos associate, Igor Yukhnovsky, came to the podium and invited him to take an oath on the Bible and the Constitution, despite the protests of Speaker Lytvyn. Yushchenko read the text of the oath from the rostrum of the parliament with the microphone turned off, and Lytvyn declared the oath illegitimate. The official inauguration of Yushchenko took place on January 23, 2005. After the official part in the Rada, the new president went to Maidan, where the Orange Revolution took place. As a sign of peace, he launched white doves into the sky, but the birds didnt want to take off and simply hid under the rooftops. Viktor Yanukovych The inauguration of Yanukovych in 2010 was perhaps the most scandalous. It passed at the half-empty hall of the Rada, because the opposition ignored the ceremony. When Yanukovych entered the building of the Parliament, the doors practically slammed in front of him. The help came from the soldiers of the guard of honor. And during the oath, he, instead of putting the presidential certificate back on the pillow, as prescribed, hid it in his pocket. Open source Petro Poroshenko In 2014, the inauguration of Petro Poroshenko took place. The ceremony was also held in the Verkhovna Rada. The celebration passed in the Mystetsky Arsenal building. The inauguration itself was calm, but before it, at the parliament building, a surprise nevertheless occurred. When Petro Poroshenko entered the building of the Verkhovna Rada, soldier of the guard of honor fainted at the very moment when a new president passed by. 20 presidents and delegations from 50 countries of the world arrived at this inauguration. The enemy has opened fire twice since the beginning of the day Russia-backed militants violated the ceasefire regime 18 times in Donbas conflict zone using the Minsk-banned weaponry. The press service of the Ministry of Defense reported that. In Luhansk region, the occupants opened fire 8 times at the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They fired grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns, and small arms and 82 mm and 120 mm mortar, and infantry fighting vehicle near Krymske village. They fired with 152 mm and 122 mm artillery systems near Novotoshkivske settlement, with 82 mm mortar and small arms near Pivdenne village, with small arms near Stanytsia Luhanska. In Donetsk region, the enemy opened fire 10 times. They fired four times near Avdiivka, three times near Pisky, besides they used the grenade launchers of various system, heavy machine guns, and small arms. The occupants opened fire with grenade launchers and infantry fighting vehicle near Novoselivka-2, Marinka and Pishchevik villages. Four Ukrainian soldiers were wounded, as a result of the attack. The enemy has opened fire twice near Vodyane and Zolote-4 settlement since the beginning of the day. The Russia-backed militants violated the ceasefire regime 18 times using the Minsk-banned weaponry, as the JFO HQ reported. In Donbas region, the enemy opened fire 10 times. They fired three times with 82 mm mortar, automatic mounted grenade launchers, heavy machine guns at the positions near Pisky; four times with the infantry fighting vehicle, grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns and small arms near Avdiivka settlement; with the mounted anti-tank grenade launchers and heavy machine guns near Novoselivka-2, twice with grenade launchers and small arms near Marinka and Pishchevik village. In Luhansk region, the occupants opened fire 8 times at the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They fire with 152 mm and 122 mm artillery systems near Novotoshkivske settlement, five times with 120 mm and 82 mm mortar, infantry fighting vehicle, grenade launchers of various systems, heavy machine guns and small arms near Pivdenne village, and with small arms near Stanytsia Luhanska. Four servicemen of the Joint Forces operation were wounded as a result of the attack. Yuriy Allerov is still being held in custody The lawyer of ex-Head of the National Guard Yury Allerov had him bailed out. Ihor Moroz, the lawyer stated this himself, as the Hromadske reported. $182,115 bail was posted on Friday, on May 17, but Allerov is still held under custody. According to the lawyer, the bail was posted at 6:00 p.m. when the working day was over. "The bail was posted, but he was not released, they do everything in order to keep him," Ihor Moroz stated. Ihor Moroz believes that Allerov should be set free next week. Earlier, Yuriy Allerov was detained by the detectives of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. He is accused of the case tied with the embezzlement of $5 million during the construction of the houses for the Ukrainian military. On May 14, Allerov and another two detainees, the representatives of Ukrbud, were notified about suspicion. According to the investigation, Allerovs daughter has dual citizenship Ukrainian and Russian and she mostly lives in Moscow. According to the investigation, the daughter of Allerov has residence and family in Moscow. Besides, Allerovs wife visited Moscow repeatedly, the SAPO prosecutor noted. On May 7, Allerov was dismissed from the position of the Commander of the National Guard by the order of President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko. Mykola Balan was appointed as acting commander. Yury Allerov has been heading the National Guard since December 30, 2015, until May 7, 2019. "This is a test for the newly elected president. He has already surrounded himself with some people who are enemies of President Trump. Now this notorious oligarch, as they say, also has his people in his entourage. Kolomoisky must be held accountable for threats," added Giuliani.The fact is that in an interview with the Schemes show, Kolomoisky called businessmen "swindlers." "Do you want details? But only on the condition that you publish it. In Ukraine, there are two swindlers who are under investigation by the U.S. One seems to be Lev Parnas and the other is Igor Fruman. They come here in Ukraine, collect money from people. They say they have links with Mr. Giuliani. And they will solve any question with Mr. Lutsenko. Mr. Lutsenko does not even know about it. And I think Mr. Giuliani also does not know," said Kolomoisky. Earlier Rudolph Giuliani stated that Zelenskys entourage became the reason he canceled his visit to Kyiv, as Giuliani told the Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Anopchenko In particular, the lawyer confirmed that he intended to meet with President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky, but he changed his plans as Zelenskys advisors are hostile to Trump. I was going to visit Ukraine on Monday-Wednesday, but I canceled the trip as I found out that the President-elect is surrounded by the people who treated the U.S. President unfairly. It is about the events of 2016. One of them was caught on having been cooperating and helping the election campaign of Trumps opponent Hillary Clinton. And these people are among his key advisors, Giuliani said. Today on May 19, Ukraine marks the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repressions. This day was set according to the Presidents decree in 2007 and since then it is marked every third Sunday of May. The main idea of the day is a relevant honoring of the remembrance of political repressions victims. This day is marked to attract attention of the community to the tragic events in Ukraines history, caused by the violent imposing of communist ideology, the revival of national remembrance, affirmation of antipathy toward any expressions of violence against humanity and due to the 70th anniversary of the Great Purge mass political repressions of 1937-1938. It should be noted that the exact number of victims of the totalitarian regime is hard to define. Some experts consider that from the beginning of the 1920s to the end of 1980s, the period of communist regime rule in Ukraine, almost 1,5 million people were arrested in Ukraine. Many of them were executed by shooting, others were imprisoned, exiled, sent to tortures, camps, were kept in mental hospitals. Terror and repressions affected all the categories of the population scientists, politicians, military servicemen, priests, culture representatives, peasants. Over decades the Soviet authorities were hiding the traces of its crimes KGB (Committee for State Security un USSR) set restricted access facilities on grave sites, concreted ground, razed locations by bulldozers and planted tress there. Bykivnia graves is the largest burial site for victims of Stalins regime in Ukraine. The number of buried here has not been determined yet, it might be from 20,000 to 100,000 people. Traditionally, memorial events dedicated to this day are being conducted in Ukraine and abroad, yet the main events are to be held in Kyiv, the capital of the country. According to the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine, as of the evening of May 18, five presidents confirmed the intention to attend the inauguration ceremony of the President of Ukraine (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia and Hungary), as well as Turkish Vice President, Prime Minister of Moldova, Deputy Prime Ministers of Belarus, Romania, Slovakia and Bulgaria, the Minister of Defense of Canada, the Minister of European Affairs of France, the head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland and "more than 40 other high representatives".The US will be represented by a delegation of five senior officials led by the Secretary of Energy. The European Union will be represented at the ceremony by the Vice-President of the European Commission, Maros Shevchovich. The Azerbaijani delegation will be headed by the speaker of the parliament, and the Czech Republic will be represented by the chairman of the Senate of this country. Duncan Lawrence, Eurovision 2019 winner eurovision.tv In the extremely tough, close and dramatic struggle between the Eurovision 2019 participants, Duncan Lawrence from the Netherlands triumphed in the contest. His song Arcade brings the next year's European Song Contest from Israel to the Netherlands. This country has not held the Eurovision since 1980. However, it is the fifth victory for the Netherlands in this song contest since it first took place in 1956; previously, the Dutch contestants won the Eurovision in 1957, 1959, 1969 and 1975. Now, Duncan Lawrence joins the row of the Dutch winners of the contest. Eurocvision Song Contest 2019 in Israel is now over. The event took place at Expo Tel Aviv's Pavilion 2, from May 14 through May 18. The Grand Finale included many bright events, such as Madonna's live perormance on stage, and certain surprises, like the appearances of famous and favorite performers from previous editions of Eurovision. Ukraine could not vote during this particular Eurovision; it was not represented at this year's event. In Egypt, the military hold a cargo tanker with oil. 17 Ukrainians are on board of the vessel. This was stated by tanker captain Vitaly Nesterenko, according to Ukrinform. The tanker is loaded of 1.1 million barrels of Sea Shark crude oil, but is now anchored in Ain-Sokhna. It is going to be moved to an unknown terminal. According to the captain, "the situation on board is critical, and the life of the crew is at stake." Tthere are 31 people: 17 Ukrainians, 2 sailors from Crimea, 1 Azerbaijani and 11 members from the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India. The tanker is loaded of 1.1 million barrels of Sea Shark crude oil, but is now anchored in Ain-Sokhna. It is going to be moved to an unknown terminal. According to the captain, "the situation on board is critical, and the life of the crew is at stake." Tthere are 31 people: 17 Ukrainians, 2 sailors from Crimea, 1 Azerbaijani and 11 members from the Philippines, Sri Lanka and India. The crew was divided into two groups and gathered in two smokehouses. Some sailors had increased blood pressure, because of poor health. The captain asked the Egyptian military to provide medical assistance to the sailors, but they refused. Mobile phones were taken away from many crew members, forbidding them to call the embassy or family members.The captain urged to report on what happened in Interpol, UN and other organizations. U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine was distinguished for his ignificant personal 'contribution to the support and development of democracy in Ukraine' President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko awarded U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker with the order of Yaroslav the Wise of the 5th decree. The press service of the head of state reported this. "For a significant personal contribution to the support and development of democracy in Ukraine, the restoration of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ukrainian state, I resolve to award Kurt Volcker, the Special Representative of the United States of America for Ukraine, with the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise of the 5th degree," the decree 284 said. As we reported earlier, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has signed a decree on providing of state grants named after Levko Lukyanenko to unlawfully detained in the Russian Federation political prisoners for the period of detention and for one year. In accordance with the decree, state scholarships named after Levko Lukyanenko would be given for a period of unlawful detention, and within one year after the release of Volodymyr Balukh, Oleg Sentsov, Roman Sushchenko," the decree says. The president-elect himself will not show up President-elect of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Reuters The rehearsal of the inauguration of the newly elected president Volodomyr Zelensky is to take place in the Verkhovna Rada today, May 19, as UNN reported. "The big rehearsal is plannedm more like in the evening. Zelensky will not come. This information we have received for now," the law enforcers said to the publication. Besides, according to the law enforcers, all the participants of the event will take part in the rehearsal. Currently, the mounting elements have been already brought to the parliament building in order to set the stage. Earlier, in connection with the arrival of the numerous international delegations and guests at the inauguration, the traffic would be temporarily restricted in the downtown Kyiv. The State Guard has not refused to fulfill any of the things of Zelenskys headquarters concerning the organization of the inauguration The inauguration of President-elect Volodymyr Zelensky will be held with significant deviations from the traditional scenario. The Head of the State Guard Department of Ukraine Valeriy Geletey stated this on the air of 112.Ukraine TV channel. There are many requirements to the state guard, but we will take into account those requirements and everything that is under our responsibility. I guess that we will do this at the highest level of professionalism possible. However, those changes (in the order of the inauguration, - 112 International) exist, and they are the important ones, Geletey said. Besides, Geletey added that the State Guard has not refused to fulfill any of the things of Zelenskys headquarters concerning the organization of the inauguration. We will not agree if it touches upon the security matters. Here our position is the principled one, but for now everything is being carried out and no unsolved issues have appeared, he added. Earlier, in connection with the arrival of the numerous international delegations and guests at the inauguration, in the center of Kyiv the traffic would be temporarily restricted. Thank's for the fish. -- Douglas Adams Come back again sometime. Thank you for visiting. 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FIESTA SAN YSIDRO IN CORRALES Fiesta San Ysidro is scheduled for May 18-19, 2019. The Fiesta is held annually at San Ysidro Catholic Church, 5015 Corrales Road in Corrales, New Mexico. The Fiesta will be held over a full two-day period starting Saturday, May 18 with a Car and Tractor Show in the church parking lot from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be music, food and lots of old and spiffy cars and tractors to see. At 6 p.m. on Saturday evening there will be BINGO for the whole family in the church hall. Events on Sunday, May 19 start with an outdoor Mass at the Historic San Ysidro Church on Old Church Road. Due to limited parking at the old church, folks can park at the church on Corrales Rd. and hitch a hay ride to the old church or take the handicapped van provided. Join in the traditional walking Procession with San Ysidro back to the new church on Corrales Road led by the Matachines. Fiesta events on Sunday include a cakewalk, great food, games, arts/crafts vendors and a silent auction. There is also a Raffle with 6 opportunities for cash prizes. A listing of the great musical performers throughout the Fiesta are listed below. Saturday, May 18, 2019 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Steve's Crusin to the Oldies - DJ providing music in the parking lot for the car/tractor show, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Vintage Grand Prix - Live music in the church court yard, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Coro de San Ysidro - Live music in the church court yard, Sunday, May 19, 2019 12:00 Noon to 2:00 p.m. Eileen & Cross Country - Live music in the church court yard, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Paul Pino and the Tone Daddies - Live music in the church court yard, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Severo y Grupo Fuego - Live music in the church court yard, Admission is free. Contact the church office for questions at (505) 898-1779. Come join us! " " Googly-eyed Stubby Squid | Nautilus Live EVNautilus/YouTube Take a minute to remind yourself that the internet is an amazing thing, and that among its countless benefits is the ability to watch live streaming video from around the world. The Exploration Vehicle Nautilus is a research vessel currently on a mission to probe the Pacific waters off the United States' West Coast, and armchair expeditionists can watch in real-time as the scientists plumb the oceans' depths. The crew recently spotted this a purple stubby squid at a depth of 2,950 feet (900 meters), and as the video above made its way around the digital realm, the internet fell in love. Here, then because why not? are some verses about the little guy. Let's start with three limericks before moving into haiku territory. There once was a bright purple squid, Advertisement Caught on submarine camera and vid. He charmed a heck of a lot of us, Including the crew of the Nautilus, Although there's not all that much that he did. So purple and with prominent eyes! You're not like the rest of the guys. Perhaps a little odd, Though not for a cephalopod, Especially when considering your size. Stubby, you sure are real cute, Charismatic, and tiny, to boot! So how 'bout we chat? Learn a few facts? When we're done we promise we'll scoot. Hey, what's your name, squid? Rossia pacifica To friends and fam'ly. You live 'neath the sea, Northern Pacific Ocean, Asia to U.S. How do you hunt prey? A sticky mucus jacket helps make dirt camo. Though octopus-esque, closer kin to cuttlefish. (Lil' spawn of Cthulhu?) Known for googly eyes, like a real-life Pokemon. Gotta catch 'em all. More from underseas? Nautilus continues on; you can watch live. Advertisement Advertisement Now That's Interesting Both male and female Rossia pacifica die soon after mating, but the eggs the female lays can take between four to nine months to hatch. Lets talk about Europe. Youd rather not? Youre not against Europe, just tired of it? That doesnt surprise me. Youve developed an acute allergy to political sermons and calls to rally around the European flag? Me too. You dont want to hear anything more about quotas, product bans, and emission thresholds ? I can readily understand. Youve stopped following every minor skirmish in the War of the Roses between the EU and the UK? Who hasnt. And yet: we have to talk about Europe. Because, whether we like it or not, Europe remains our only opportunity to hold our own in the complex and challenging world of the twenty-first century. The desire for a small, manageable, and secure homeland is understandable. Jetzt die besten Jobs finden und per E-Mail benachrichtigt werden. But the truth is: that alone wont ensure us a good future. We have to talk about Europe because Europes future is more uncertain than many think. In losing the UK, Europe is losing on its strongest pillars. In economic terms, its as if the EUs 19 smallest economies left at once. A deep and painful loss. But Eurosceptics are gaining ground not just in the UK but in other member states as well. Nevertheless, Europes biggest problem isnt that it has so many opponents. Rather, its biggest problem is that so few of its supporters are willing to state their allegiance openly and to act accordingly. The European model of a liberal society and free trade is at stake. Only a unified and strong EU can guarantee a safe future for it's economy. Even though they know how much we need the EU today and how much more well need it in the future in order to live the way we Europeans take for granted: in peace and prosperity. For once lets not look west across the Channel but east, across the former boundary between the twentieth centurys two competing systems, to Eastern Europe. Because there well see what great things we in Europe are still capable of. The EUs two waves of eastern expansion in 2004 and 2007 put the countries of Central and Eastern Europe where theyd always been and where they belong: in the heart of Europe. The liberation from dictatorship and dependence on a foreign superpower began a success story that has improved the lives of the people who live there and has also enriched all of Europe. Economic growth in Eastern Europe is consistently stronger than in the West and, increasingly, is benefiting ordinary citizens. Although wages are lower than in the West, theyre rising swiftly across the region. At the same time, unemployment is significantly lower. The unemployment rates in the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary are now among Europes lowest. A shortage of skilled labor is emerging in some job categories, just like in the West. These countries have achieved so much, right in the heart of Europe. At E.ON, were proud to be part of this success story. The roots of our operations in Romania, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, and Hungary extend far into the last century. We supply energy to 7.8 million customers in these countries. Our planned takeover of innogy will significantly enhance our operations in Eastern Europe and extend them to other countries in the region. This article is an extract from the book: Sven Afhuppe, Thomas Sigmund (Hg.): Europa kann es besser Wie unser Kontinent zu neuer Starke findet. Ein Weckruf der Wirtschaft Herder publishing house 2019, 240 pages, 20 euros ISBN 978-3-451-39360-0 Published on 15. April 2019 Order the book on amazon. All of this will benefit our customers there. Weve witnessed these countries impressive progress, economic upswing, and renascent European identity from up close and done our best to support these welcome trends. From our own experience, were just as familiar with the successes this has brought as with the almost unavoidable social tension. My many visits to Eastern Europe have given me a lot of sympathy for this region and its warm-hearted, pragmatic people who are justly proud of their achievements. They provide strong evidence that the European idea is alive and deserves the support of Europeans everywhere. Western Europe perceives some of the EUs Eastern European members as irritating, or, to put it less diplomatically, obdurate. The debate about issues like migration, the rule of law, and relations with Russia is frequently divided along east-west lines. As a result, some people have an image of Eastern Europe characterized by narrow-mindedness, nationalism, and intolerance. This viewpoint ignores not only the considerable differences between the countries of the region but also the enormous achievements of its peoples. They have every reason to be proud of the democratic institutions theyve established after decades of repression. And every right, within the bounds of shared European values, to chart their own course. In view of their historical experience, who can seriously wonder that people in Eastern Europe are hypersensitive to patronization from the West. One doesnt have to defend every political development in Eastern Europe to expect this core region of Europe to be treated respectfully. Western Europe would do well to expend more effort to learn to understand and to respect the specific, historically determined situation of its Eastern neighbors. Finally, the concerns of Eastern Europeans are shared by many in Western Europe. They too wonder how to belong to an open and tolerant Europe but still retain our countries many particularities. The descent of this into chauvinism or narrow-minded nationalism isnt just a peculiarity of a few Eastern European countries. Rene Obermann Europe must assert itself It's important to weigh up pros and cons when it comes to digital innovation. But serious consequences could be ahead of the EU if it doesn't move more quickly to decide on those issues. Bulgarian political scientist Ivan Krastev writes that the divergence between Western and Eastern Europes attitudes toward diversity and migration is very similar to the divergence between urban and rural attitudes in the West (After Europe, 2017). In short, Western Europe has no grounds for self-righteousness. The gilets jaunes arent marching in Prague or Bucharest. Brexit isnt taking place in Poland or Hungary. The sense of alienation and uncertainty extending across Europe is dividing threatens to sunder the European community. A Europe of elites wont work. My interactions in Eastern European countries have shown me again and again that their peoples have retained a strong sense of the plurality of cultural traditions. Of the role plurality plays and the opportunities it creates. That some things should be standardized but not everything. Thats a fundamentally European notion. Plurality is Europes strength, particularly today. Because the world has reentered a phase in which technology will play a decisive role in determining the future global distribution of prosperity and the relative competitiveness of the various regions of the world. In this it resembles the race to industrialization of the nineteenth century. But this time Europe is lagging behind. We need to catch up. It would be naive to think we can simply copy Silicon Valley, which emerged at a certain time under very specific circumstances that cant be replicated. But the preconditions for dynamic innovation arent restricted to Silicon Valley: innovations happen where people with a wide variety of personal, cultural, and professional backgrounds can share ideas freely and openly. We can do that in Europe and perhaps even better than in some other places around the world. A productive plurality is traditionally a European strength that, however, has somewhat fallen from view. Yet as early as 1997 Ernst-Wolfgang Bockenforde, a former judge on Germanys Federal Constitutional Court, said that Europe is in the process of allowing economic forces to homogenize the peculiarities of its peoples. Deutsche-Bank-CEO Christian Sewing A fateful year lies ahead for europe Trade disputes, the upcoming Brexit and economic shocks Europe has to face many sources of uncertainty. But there are even more threats to come. Of course, there are areas in Europe where we need a uniform regulatory environment. Energy, climate protection, and telecommunications, to name just three. Of course, the single European market and a common currency provide big advantages for citizens and companies alike. But those alone cant provide Europe with a good future. Large segments of the population wouldnt accept the unification of Europe for economic reasons alone or out of cold pragmatism. Europe therefore needs to rediscover its plurality. If we cant become like the United States and certainly not like China and dont even want to, then we should become more European again. And that means embracing plurality and utilizing its productivity. In line with its shared values, Europe needs more subsidiarity in decision-making processes, more room for the plurality of regional and cultural identities, more different and attractive ways of living, particularly in rural areas. Europe must once again be a sanctuary for not a threat to the right of its citizens to live as they wish. So lets talk about Europe. About the Europe that needs you and the other skeptics: your constructive criticism, your commitment, and your vote in the European elections. Particularly at a time when, to use Bertrand Russells words, fools and fanatics are so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts. YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. PM Nikol Pashinyan is expected to deliver a statement on May 20th regarding the situation in the judiciary. Dear countrymen, tomorrow I will deliver an important statement regarding the situation in the judiciary and establishing the peoples power in this arena also, Pashinyan said on Facebook. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan YEREVAN, MAY 19, ARMENPRESS. Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan has announced a second phase of the Armenian revolution. Tomorrow at 12:00 I will announce the start of the second, most important phase of the Armenian Revolution, he wrote on Facebook. I expect a nationwide support. Shortly afterwards he added another statement on Facebook, calling on his supporters to block entrances to all courthouses across the country. From 08:30 we are blocking the entrances and exits of without exception all courthouses of the republic, so that no one enters. My speech will be broadcast live at 12:00, he said. Earlier Pashinyan also said he will deliver a statement regarding the situation in the judiciary. The PMs announcements come a day after ex-President Robert Kocharyan was released from jail. Edited and translated by Stepan Kocharyan by Shafique Khokhar The two were sentenced to the death in 2016 for shoving a Christian couple into a brick kiln because of false charges of blasphemy against them. We request the honourable Supreme Court to check the pressures of the extremists in the case of Shama and Shahzad, says activist. Lahore (AsiaNews) The High Lahore Court has acquitted two men accused of lynching and burning alive Shahzad and Shama Masih, a poor Christian couple they believed to be guilty of blasphemy. In 2016, the Lahore Anti-Terrorism Tribunal had sentenced the two to death, along with three other people, in connection with the double murder. The High Court confirmed the death sentence of the other three. "The murder did not take place secretly in some remote area of the country. The whole village was present, says Hamza Arshad, educator and journalist. There were many witnesses. Although someone did not participate, everyone knew, including the police." Those acquitted are Muhammad Hanif and preacher Hafiz Ishtiaq; the other three are Mehdi Khan, Riaz Kambo and Irfan Shakoor. In March 2018 the same court freed another 20 accused, giving them the benefit of the doubt. The religiously-motivated double murder took place in 2014. The couple was stoned and thrown alive into the brick kiln where Shahzad worked. The incident began on 4 November 2014 when a mob of 400 people attacked the two after they were accused of blasphemy. In fact, the charge of insulting Islam was an act of revenge by Christian labourers Muslim employer over an unpaid debt. At the time of the attack, his wife was pregnant with their fifth child. "We live in a country where a High Court judge is forced to flee after sentencing the killer of the governor of Punjab, Salman Taseer, Hamza Arshad explains. Although "The release of Asia Bibi is good news, yet events show the power of extremists, but The state had to show its power. In his view, the outcome of the Masih case may be due to poor prosecution or blindness of justice vis-a-vis marginalised communities. For Naveed Walter, president of Human Rights Focus Pakistan, "it is shocking that five years have passed and justice has not been given to the victims family. Sadly, several cases regarding minorities are still pending from years in courts. "It is well known that in the cases where minorities are victimised the process of justice becomes prolonged due to the influence of religious groups on judges. In the end, delaying of justice is actually an encouragement of culprits. Samson Salamat, president of Rwadari Tehreek, an Interfaith Movement for Tolerance, notes that "The acquittal of two of of five defendants is a disappointment for already terrified religious minorities, and this forces them to believe that justice will not be served in the case of the other three accused. Rwadari Tehreek is concerned that the justice system will fail to provide relief to minorities in cases of attacks against their lives, places of worship and other properties. In light of this, We request the honourable Supreme Court to check the pressures of the extremists in the case of Shama and Shahzad because this kind of pressure has been visible in many similar cases. The Project host Meshel Laurie has taken to Twitter to vent her anger after the Liberals swooped a surprise victory in the election. Photo: Channel 10 One of The Projects hosts, Meshel Laurie, has taken to Twitter to vent her anger after the Liberals swooped a surprise victory in the election. Australians are dumb, mean-spirited and greedy. Accept it, Meshel tweeted out to her 59,000 followers on Saturday night after Scott Morrison claimed victory. The only thing left to look forward to in a AUSTRALIA is Shadenfreude, she continued, referring to the German word which means to take pleasure from other peoples misfortune. But not all of Meshels followers agreed with her sentiments, with one person saying: Labor got greedy with too much tax - be honest with yourself...no one likes Shorten. Australians are dumb, mean-spirited and greedy. Accept it. Meshel Laurie (@Meshel_Laurie) May 18, 2019 The only thing left to look forward to in a AUSTRALIA is Shadenfreude. Meshel Laurie (@Meshel_Laurie) May 18, 2019 Meshel hit back by tweeting: Tax pays for everything outside your house genius. It pays for the hospital youll die in one day. When one follower pointed out that the Buddhist in her should stop her from writing that tweet, she responded saying: The Buddhist in me must accept reality and feel compassion anyway. Its harder some days than others. Just weeks ago, Meshel opened up about her recent year from hell which has so-far been dominated by financial woes and online trolling. The media personality also revealed her reasons for stepping back from both breakfast radio and The Project, amid worsening personal battles. Tax pays for everything outside your house genius. It pays for the hospital youll die in one day. https://t.co/4U9WN9ieHP Meshel Laurie (@Meshel_Laurie) May 18, 2019 (In) early 2019, I was in a situation where I was having a breakdown basically, she told McKnight Tonight. Story continues I was drinking heavily every night (and) tweeting, a hideous combination. The 45-year-old went on to explain how she became manic for a period, a feeling which was spurred on by the baring the responsibility of caring for her dying father. This pressure ultimately led to Meshel quitting her lucrative breakfast radio gig as she couldnt cope. She also decided to take a step back her role as a panellist on The Project. 'I'd worked hard for a long time and I'd always enjoyed [working in the media] but I just hit a wall, you know?' she said. Meshel Laurie wasn't happy with the election results. Photo: Getty Images This worry was compounded by an increasing reliance on alcohol and the questionable online behaviour which it spurred on. I'm laughing because it's so insane [but] I'd literally be in my bath drinking red wine tweeting obscenities at the Prime Minister! she said. 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. A Melbourne engineer, laid off during the demise of the Australian car industry, has turned his skills to creating extraordinary designs for disabled kids in need of a helping hand. When Mat Bowtell was made redundant by Toyota in 2017 he experienced fear and self-doubt, but he found a purpose by pioneering a radical Aussie innovation free prosthetics for people with missing limbs. Engineer Mat Bowtell presents a recipient with a new 3D hand. Source: Free 3D Hands When you chop off a finger, it still hurts, even though its not there, he told Yahoo News Australia. Mr Bowtell was upset that children with missing fingers were going without prosthetics because their parents couldnt afford the $9000 price tag. The 38-year-old full-time volunteer used his redundancy payout from Toyota to create an innovative venture on Phillip Island, 141km outside of Melbourne. Using a single 3D printer, he developed kinetic fingers with a material production cost of less than a dollar. Mat Bowtell's friend, Yusuke trials an early model of the kinetic finger. Source: Free 3D Hands Using a prototype, Mr Bowtell helped a friend in Japan, Yusuke, play piano again, but his next step was more complicated creating fully functioning kinetic hands for less than the price of a lunch. Losing a hand has sent some of his clients into deep depression, but 3D prosthetics have allowed people to once again complete everyday tasks like pick up a can, play a violin and even use a skipping rope. Free 3D Hands changing lives The Free 3D Hands Facebook page has been inundated with support for Mr Bowtells life-changing work. Words cannot describe how extraordinary you are, wrote one user. Another person simply wrote, Amazing. This week, Queen Elizabeth II will recognise Mr Bowtells voluntary work, presenting him with the prestigious Points of Light award. He has used his engineering knowledge to harness new technology to help people and enable them to have a better life, British High Commissioner Vicki Treadell said. Rather than profit from his work, Mr Bowtell has released his designs free on the internet, allowing the prosthetics to reach people around the world that couldnt access them before. Story continues A volunteer helps create life-changing 3D hands. Source: Free 3D Hands Working with Melbourne University on a bionic arm This week, Free 3D Hands has been registered as a charity which he says is really exciting. Using a donation, Mr Bowtell has moved headquarters from a shed at his rented house to a warehouse where he and his team of volunteers are now running 18 3D printers. He has gone from struggling to support himself to receiving worldwide recognition for his work. People are wanting to come on board and start collaborating. Mr Bowtell is now working alongside students from Melbourne University, devising a low-cost bionic arm. He said a multi-function device would usually set a user back $40,000, but he is aiming to make one for $50 to $100 in parts so he can give it away free. Those wishing to donate to Mr Bowtells charity or download a 3D limb can visit http://free3dhands.org.au/ 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. Austria's president on Sunday called for fresh elections in September after a corruption scandal embroiling the far-right brought down the coalition government in spectacular fashion. Just days before key EU elections, Vice-Chancellor Heinz-Christian Strache was forced to resign in disgrace Saturday following explosive revelations from a hidden camera sting. Conservative Chancellor Sebastian Kurz -- whose 18-month coalition with Strache's far-right Freedom Party (FPOe) had been held up as a model by many on the European right -- reacted by pulling the plug on their union. "My preference is for early elections in September, if possible the beginning of September," President Alexander Van der Bellen told journalists on Sunday after meeting Kurz. Van der Bellen will hold further talks with other party leaders to fix a date, setting the scene for months of campaigning. The dramatic developments followed the publication by two German newspapers on Friday of footage from a sophisticated hidden-camera sting months before Austria's last parliamentary elections in 2017. In the recordings -- of unknown provenance -- Strache is seen talking to a woman purporting to be the niece of a Russian oligarch. The pair discuss how she could gain control of the country's largest-circulation tabloid, the Kronen Zeitung, and install editorial staff who would help the FPOe's 2017 election campaign. In return, Strache held out the possibility of awarding public contracts. Elsewhere in the footage, he discusses remodelling Austria's media landscape to more closely resemble that of Viktor Orban's Hungary, and appears to hint at ways political donations could escape legal scrutiny. - 'Enough is enough' - Kurz said Saturday the latest revelations were the final straw after a string of FPOe-related scandals dogging the government. "Enough is enough," he told a press conference in Vienna on Saturday, estimated to have been watched by more than two million people -- nearly a quarter of the country's population. Strache for his part admitted in his emotional resignation statement that he had been "stupid" and "irresponsible", but also sought to portray himself as the victim of a "targeted political attack". Controversial FPOe Interior Minister Herbert Kickl posted a defiant statement on Facebook Sunday blaming Kurz for the coalition's collapse. "We are ready for this confrontation," Kickl said. The opposition has demanded that Kickl and all other FPOe ministers be fired immediately but neither Van der Bellen nor Kurz commented on whether they would be allowed to stay, nor on who would replace the vice-chancellor. Senior FPOe officials met amid high secrecy on Sunday and nominated Infrastructure Minister Norbert Hofer as the party's next leader. On Sunday thousands of demonstrators took to the streets for a planned pro-EU protest in Vienna, a day after the revelations prompted spontaneous protests. Sunday's gathering also had a strong anti-government flavour, with many using anti-Kurz and anti-FPOe slogans. Meanwhile a Russian senator on Sunday rejected any possible implication of Moscow in the affair. "You cannot draw a Russian link to this clearly ugly incident," said ruling party senator Oleg Morozov. - Politicians 'for sale' - The turmoil in Vienna will reignite debate on the European centre-right about the pitfalls of cooperation with the far-right ahead of next week's EU elections, in which populist parties are expected to gain ground. German Chancellor Angela Merkel reacted to the scandal by warning of the dangers of far-right politicians "for sale", who wanted to "destroy the Europe of our values". The possibility of any future coalition between Kurz's People's Party (OeVP) and the FPOe is already stirring controversy in the OeVP leadership. The party's lead candidate for the European elections Othmar Karas has spoken out against the idea. The scandal may also dent the prospects of the far-right populist alliance marshalled by Italy's Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, in which the FPOe plays a key part. Observers said the dramatic events of the past two days were almost a re-run of the last time that the OeVP and FPOe went into coalition, in 2000. Then as now, after only two years the OeVP chancellor -- in that case Wolfgang Schuessel -- felt compelled to call snap elections due to divisions with his FPOe coalition partner. In 2002, the OeVP emerged strengthened from the elections, but it remains to be seen if Kurz can avoid damage from the fallout. Kurz said on Saturday that he had found the string of FPOe-related scandals "difficult to swallow". But Pamela Rendi-Wagner, leader of the opposition Social Democrats (SPOe) said on Sunday Kurz "bears full responsibility for the failure of this... experiment. "He was the one who, out of pure selfishness, made Strache vice-chancellor and plunged the country into this deep crisis," she said. Protesters in Vienna were waving the EU flag and holding up signs calling far-right leader Heinz-Christian Strache a "neo-nazi" on Saturday Austria's far-right leader Heinz-Christian Strache (C) was taped in 2017 discussing awarding public contracts in return for campaign help Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (R), seen here with President Alexander Van der Bellen, said "enough was enough" after the video sting scandal broke Strache insisted he had been the victim of a "targeted political attack" A former school teacher claims shes been fired for taking breaks to pump breast milk and breastfeed her young son. Shana Swenson, 33, from Portland in the US state of Maine, sued last week in federal court, claiming discrimination on the basis of gender and pregnancy. Ms Swenson, who taught at Falmouth Elementary School, was a response to intervention teacher who helped students in the third through fifth grades who struggled with reading and math. The lawsuit says she was subjected to extreme animosity and hostility because of her breaks during the day. The former teacher was taking three breaks each day, The Portland Press Herald reported. According to Australian Breastfeeding Association and Victorias Better Health Channel some babies need to be breastfed eight to 12 times a day. A teacher claims she's been fired from work for taking too many breaks to pump breast milk and breastfeed her son. Source: Getty Images (file pic) Ms Swenson had gone on maternity leave in January 2017 and returned in August. She had been employed by the school for three years. However, she claims she underwent months of discrimination from fellow staff members on returning from maternity leave. It left her stressed and reduced to tears, Ms Swenson claims. But Melissa Hewey, a lawyer for Falmouth schools, told the Bangor Daily News that the claims of discrimination are false. She said the district provides on-site daycare, extended parental leave and paid time for breast pumping or breastfeeding. The woman claims she was fired from Falmouth Elementary School. Source: Google Maps (file pic) The teachers lawyer Adam Lease told The Portland Press Herald his client was surprised and hurt by the treatment that she was subjected to during her employment. The lawsuit alleges the school principal Gloria Neyes asked Ms Swenson to reduce the breaks from three to two and to have those breaks during lunch and class preparation time. However, Ms Neyes claims Ms Swenson wasnt fired. She said the former teachers contract wasnt renewed because her performance wasnt up to standard. Her employment ended at the school in May 2018. Ms Swenson is seeking compensation and for the school to change its policy on breastfeeding. Story continues With Associated Press 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. Fernando Alonso's latest bid for Indianapolis 500 glory ended in failure on Sunday after the two-time Formula One world champion failed to qualify for the US motorsport showpiece. The 37-year-old Spaniard was eliminated by young US driver Kyle Kaiser on the final run of the rain-delayed "Last Row Shootout" qualifying session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. McLaren driver Alonso had been chasing a victory at the Brickyard in a bid to become only the second driver after Britain's Graham Hill to claim the Triple Crown of motorsport, with wins in the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance and Indy 500. But Alonso's attempt to add the last remaining piece of the treble to his trophy cabinet was snuffed out in a dramatic qualifying session. "This type of challenge, they can bring you a lot of success and you can be part of the history of the sport or you can be really disappointed," he said. "Today is one of those, but I prefer to be here than to be like millions and millions of other people, at home watching TV. "I prefer to try," he said. McLaren engineers had worked feverishly on the Spaniard's car in an effort to give him a fighting chance of qualifying for next week's race, overhauling the setup after a troubled week in Indianapolis. The tweaks looked to have given Alonso a shot as he took to the track and posted an average time of 227.353mph for his four laps, putting him second behind Canada's James Hinchcliffe. However Alonso was left sweating after Sage Karam came out next and roared to the top of the six-driver session with an average speed of 227.740mph. Karam's time dropped Alonso down to third fastest, and with only the top three making the cut to complete the 33-car field, the Spanish star was left with a nervous wait to see if either of the two remaining drivers could better his time. - Emotional 48 hours - Alonso watched anxiously on a television monitor in the pits as Mexico's Carlin driver Patricio O'Ward failed to pip him, clocking an average speed of 227.092mph. That left Kaiser with the chance to claim a famous scalp on the final run. The 23-year-old Juncos Racing driver from California didn't disappoint, sweeping around with an average speed of 227.372 to edge out Alonso by the tightest of margins. "I don't think I can wrap my mind around what we just did," Kaiser said afterwards. "All the credit to the team. They've been working non-stop to get this car ready. I'm so proud of them, so proud of everybody that helped make this happen." Kaiser's qualification had looked in doubt earlier this week, when he crashed heavily in Friday's practice. However he insisted he had never lost hope of being able to qualify. "I did imagine it and I'm so happy it came to fruition," he said. "But I knew it was going to be a lot of work and the team put in the work. It's been the most emotional 48 hours of my life." In qualifying to determine the order of the first three rows on the grid, France's Simon Pagenaud swept to pole position in the "Fast Nine" session. Pagenaud, the 2016 IndyCar champion, gave Penske its first Indy 500 pole in seven years after he roared around with an average speed of 229.992mph. Pagenaud claimed pole ahead of three Ed Carpenter Racing drivers, with Ed Carpenter second quickest and Spencer Pigot third fastest. Ed Jones was fourth fastest. Former Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso failed to qualify for the Indy 500 on Sunday Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Get local news delivered to your inbox! Subscribe to our Daily Headlines newsletter. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy AUBURN In a packed, steamy Spartan Hall, the Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band lapped around the room, playing a ceremonial tune. On its second lap, the band led over 500 graduates to their seats. Another semester came and went at Cayuga Community College, and Sunday was time for the school's 65th commencement ceremony. At the top of one of the gym's bleachers, Mary Thompkins patiently waited for her granddaughter's name to be called. She had arrived early, almost a whole hour ahead of schedule, but that was a drop in the bucket for Thompkins, as she had already traveled from New Mexico to see Lindsey Fulton walk in a cap and gown. "I'd do it over again, too," Thompkins said. Cayuga Community College President Brian Durant opened the ceremony by acknowledging the hard work that the graduates invested into their programs. He said that no future can thrive without such dedication. Then, before CCC's graduates lined up to receive their certificates, two members of the Class of 2019 had a few things to say to their classmates. Autumn Brewer, who received her associate's degree in media production, told her peers that challenges lie ahead, but with perseverance, they can be overcome. She said at times her schooling was difficult, as it had its fair share of long nights and take-out pizza. Instead of worrying about the future, or getting hung up on the past, Brewer urged her peers to think about the present. Brewer graduated in December and is now studying communications at Le Moyne College. Following Brewer was David O'Brien, who completed CCC's occupational therapy assistant program. Like Brewer, O'Brien acknowledged the challenges he's encountered so far, but also thanked all the help along the way. "No one here today got here by themselves," said O'Brien, who plans to pursue a career in occupational therapy. 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. AURORA David Turo's health problems didn't stop him from attending his grandson Antonio D'Arpino's graduation from Wells College Saturday. Turo made it a point to take stairs before the commencement despite his two artificial knees to get to the ceremony area at the Aurora-based private college. He said he never went to college and instead pursued a trade, so he was happy he was about to see D'Arpino, from Auburn, reach this point. "I wanted to make it to see this day," Turo said. Before the annual commencement took place, scores of people traded hugs, exclaimed greetings to one another and prepared their cameras and phones at the ceremony area. Near that scene was graduate Bellina Mushala, whose sister, Christa, was adjusting Bellina's mortar board. Christa and Bellina's brother, Yoasi, proudly noted while doing small victory dances that Bellina, a biochemistry and molecular biology major, will go after her doctorate at the University of Pittsburgh, though several universities pursued her. Bellina, who later received Wells' presidential leadership award at the commencement without being told ahead of time, said the college faculty was invested in her success. "It made it easier to work hard," she said. Bentley Gordon Sr. and Lisa Gordon said they prepared for their son Bentley Gordon Jr.'s graduation for four years, but Lisa still cried a bit before the event nevertheless. Lisa said she was proud her son who also received the presidential leadership award followed his dream of a computer science degree. "He said, he believed and he did it," she said. The start of the commencement included a performance by graduate Majesti Grubb and a welcome address from college president Jonathan Gilbralter. Graduate Antonio Oliveri served as the student commencement speaker. He said the people at Wells make the institution "so unique, so warm and so difficult to leave behind." "We are prepared for the future. The bonds we cultivated won't break nor atrophy because of distance or time," Oliveri said. Rebecca Haag, a Wells alumna and social justice advocate, asked students to break boundaries in her commencement address. "Today we send you off with our good wishes for life well lived. We urge to follow your passion and chase your dreams," she said. "And today, as you grasp the possibilities of your future, I also challenge you to contribute to your broader community. To reach beyond yourselves and seek ways to make an impact." Jubilant shouts celebrating different graduates through the air as they received their degrees. While many graduates shook Gilbralter's hand when they received their degrees, David Dames opted to take a selfie with him, gaining laughs from the crowd. Jubilant shouts celebrating different graduates broke through the air after their names were called, one by one. Graduate Mackenzie Porter said she learned "the importance of intentionally trying to build a community around yourself and then contributing to the community" at Wells. "I feel like I have an overwhelming peace now that I'm finally done with school and I feel really grateful to the faculty and staff who mentored me," she said. Staff writer Kelly Rocheleau can be reached at (315) 282-2243 or kelly.rocheleau@lee.net. Follow him on Twitter @KellyRocheleau. 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. Voters will head to polling sites around the state Tuesday to give their thumbs up or down on school district budget proposals. Unlike city, county, town, village or any other type of government budget in New York state, public education budgets require the approval of school district residents. Faced with that requirement, boards of education must be especially tuned in to the community they represent to strike the correct balance of spending that supports a quality education experience but doesn't overburden property taxpayers living in a state with one of the highest overall burdens in the nation. So how did the Auburn Enlarged City School District Board of Education do in that endeavor this year? Here are some of the key numbers and facts for the Auburn school budget proposal: Overall expenses would increase 3.3% in a district that spends $18,273 per pupil, a total that's $6,439 below the state average and $3,594 under similar school districts. The proposed tax levy to support that budget proposal would increase 2.23%, which complies with the state's cap on tax levy growth. As a result, Auburn needs a simple majority for this budget's approval, instead of a larger 60% threshold for budget proposals that exceed the caps. Unlike the situation the district faced last year, this year's budget avoids direct layoffs of staff, although it does eliminate some positions via attrition. Also unlike last year, educational programming wouldn't be cut under this proposal. The ultimate figure, though, for many voters is the bottom line impact on their bank accounts. To that end, we believe Auburn residents will still be getting a good value out of their investment in the education of this community's children. A $100,000 assessed value home's school tax bill in 2019-20 would go up by about $51 annually for those with a Basic STAR exemption or $41 for those with Enhanced STAR (the exemption typically in place for senior citizen property owners). Break that down and you're talking about an extra $4.25 per month, or 98 cents per week. That seems like a good deal for residents and their children and grandchildren. We urge Auburn voters to approve the proposed school district budget on Tuesday. The Citizen editorial board includes interim publisher Thomas Salvo, executive editor Jeremy Boyer and managing editor Mike Dowd. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 2 Mark and Mary Schroeder met in high school, he was a junior at Flagstaff High School, she, a sophomore at Coconino. Thirty years later theyre married, have two kids and, as of April 1, run their own business. Java Juice Cafe is the newest addition to the Flagstaff shopping plaza that also houses Bookmans and Sprouts. The shop specializes in all things sweet but healthy. Its also vegan. Schroeder and his wife have chosen to avoid meat and dairy products for 20 years, he said, and everything they sell keeps to that standard; Juices, smoothies, ice cream, crepes, even coffee. Organic food and drink is prominent at Java. We had been looking to do something healthy like this, something that is vegan and designed to keep people on the healthier side of life, Mark Schroeder said. The shops soft-serve ice cream is coconut based, instead of milk or cream, and whipped creams and coffee additives use almond or coconut milk. The juices are made using fresh ingredients, the ice cream is fruit-based. And, nearly everything is made in house, Mary Schroeder said. This includes vegan baked goods, ice cream cones, waffles and the crepes. Plus, I think our Boba tea is the best in Arizona, Mark Schroeder said. In opening the business, the couple has made sure to test all the recipes they develop before they hit the mouths of customers. Even their kids, 13-year-old Eric and 11-year-old Jonathan have helped to create and perfect several of the recipes, fine-tuning them to perfection. I give all the credit to my beautiful wife and kids, Mark Schroeder said. Currently, apart from the Schroeder's children, Java Juice Cafe has six employees. That, and business has been good and steady according to the Schroeders. The positive feedback from customers is that they can enjoy and feel great about themselves. I think we're offering something that can bring joy to somebody, Mark Schroeder said. The crepes are the most popular menu item, he said, especially with kids both his own and those of customers. Second-most popular is the soft-serve, according to Mark. The family is doing its best to make the menu affordable, something that can be a challenge for vegan restaurants, which often require a higher overhead than their meat and dairy alternatives. A lot of times youll go and get vegan things and itll cost you 25-30 dollars just for two desserts, Schroeder said. Were slightly above other dessert places, but are trying to keep it affordable while providing the highest quality product we can. People have been grateful, happy and supportive overall. And, in an homage to Peak Sweets and Popcorn, whose former space Java Juice Cafe is now leasing the couple has kept the puffy, crunchy treat on the menu. There are 20 flavors of popcorn to choose from, and while most of the popcorn toppings are vegan, there are one or two that are not. That's the only item that isn't, however. "But we make sure to mark everything so people know what is and isn't vegan," Schroeder said. The vegan dessert spot is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Starting on Memorial Day, Java Juice Cafe will shift to its summer hours, which will be 9 a.m.-9 p.m. every day. Love 3 Funny 0 Wow 1 Sad 0 Angry 1 Remember when you would call your favorite massage therapist to make an appointment and the only questions asked and answered were about day and time? These days, scheduling an appointment is the easy part. The challenging part is understanding and determining the myriad of options available, from type and length of massage to add-ons such as hot stones and essential oils. Mark Love, owner of Massage Envy in Flagstaff and Prescott, said that one of the best things about massage is that every session can be customized. Massage therapy encompasses many different techniques, styles and personalized options, which can vary from appointment to appointment. Few things allow us to individualize an experience for the moment like massage therapy does. To help ease the stress surrounding the massage experience and therapy options, here is a breakdown of some of the more common massage techniques and optional therapies and their possible benefits. Massage styles: Swedish or relaxation: A gentle technique that uses long strokes, kneading and deep circular movements to target the upper layers of the muscles to relax. A gentle technique that uses long strokes, kneading and deep circular movements to target the upper layers of the muscles to relax. Deep massage: Targets the deep layers of the muscle by using deep, slow and smooth strokes to ease the tension beyond the reach of a relaxation massage. Targets the deep layers of the muscle by using deep, slow and smooth strokes to ease the tension beyond the reach of a relaxation massage. Sports massage: Designed specifically to concentrate on the body areas related to a specific sport. Designed specifically to concentrate on the body areas related to a specific sport. Trigger-point or neuromuscular: Targets areas of tender muscle points and tight muscle fibers that can form in the muscles after injuries or overuse. Targets areas of tender muscle points and tight muscle fibers that can form in the muscles after injuries or overuse. Myofascial Release: Involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the connective tissue that covers the muscles and is present throughout the body (much like a spider web) to ease painful restrictions and restore range of motion. Involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the connective tissue that covers the muscles and is present throughout the body (much like a spider web) to ease painful restrictions and restore range of motion. Craniosacral: Extremely light pressure is used to help stimulate the muscles and fluids within the cranium (head) and around the spinal cord to help relieve stress and headaches. Extremely light pressure is used to help stimulate the muscles and fluids within the cranium (head) and around the spinal cord to help relieve stress and headaches. Reflexology: Uses pressure on the feet and hands with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques, based on a system of zones and reflex areas that mirrors an image of the body. Uses pressure on the feet and hands with specific thumb, finger and hand techniques, based on a system of zones and reflex areas that mirrors an image of the body. Acupressure: Involves applying pressure to certain points on the body to relieve pain and promote health. Involves applying pressure to certain points on the body to relieve pain and promote health. Shiatsu: Combines gentle stretches with finger pressure on specific points to fix imbalances in the bodys energy flow. Combines gentle stretches with finger pressure on specific points to fix imbalances in the bodys energy flow. Thai: Perhaps the most invigorating type of massage as the therapist uses his or her own body to move your body into yoga-like stretches; usually done on the floor on a mat. Everyone is at a different place in their health journey and have different needs and goals. Massage is an amazing way to unwind from daily stress. Is there a health topic you would like to know more about? Contact Starla S. Collins, health writer, life & success coach and public relations expert, at StarlaSCollins@gmail.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Harvey Mickelson was visibly moved when he received the Jack Denton Memorial Award from the Arizona Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (Arizona ARVC). I consider Jack Denton to be a towering figure in the RV industry, and I never considered myself to be on his level, said Mickelson, who co-owns and operates J & H RV Park with his wife, Jo Ann. He was such a prince of a man. He was so helpful to others. I never thought I would get this award in my lifetime. It gives me a huge sense of pride. Thats why this award was so surprising and so humbling. Surprising, too, because Jo Ann Mickelson is co-executive director of Arizona ARVC and managed to keep the award a secret right up until the moment Arizona ARVC President Sheedy presented Mickelson the award April 17th during the associations annual convention. Jo Ann Mickelson herself received the Jack Denton Memorial Award in 2015. Denton, who died in 2012, was a campground and RV park industry pioneer who founded the Flagstaff KOA and helped establish the precursor of Arizona ARVC, the Arizona Travel Parks Association (ATPA), as well as the National Campground Owners Association (NCOA), which later became the National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds (ARVC). While Harvey Mickelson never held an ARVC board position at the national level, he has regularly donated his time to support Arizona ARVC and its members for more than a dozen years, personally distributing hundreds of thousands of Arizona ARVCs campground directories at the nine-day Quartzsite Sports, Vacation & RV Show. Hed also fill up a trailer with boxes of Arizona RV and Camping Guides and deliver them to visitors centers, chambers of commerce, convenience stores and truck stops all over the Grand Canyon State. I would visit anyplace where they would give information out to newcomers on what there is in the area to see, Mickelson said, adding, It helps to get them out in the far reaches of Arizona. The newcomers come in from out of state and they want to know where to go and where to find campgrounds. Its one of the services we offer to our members. But while the Mickelsons have built J & H RV Park into a successful business and have won Arizona ARVCs Park of the Year awards many times, as well as the national ARVC Park of the Year award three times, Harvey Mickelson said their park had to have been one of the worst in the state when they acquired it in 1982. When we closed it down to renovate, we hauled out 11 abandoned vehicles, four engine blocks and two abandoned travel trailers before we could start digging and upgrading the utilities, Mickelson recalled. It had become a real junkyard besides being a disastrous RV park. The reputation of the park was so bad that Flagstaffs planning and zoning department did not intend to renew the conditional use permit for the park. The Mickelsons were new to the private park business in 1982 and had to learn how to do everything through the school of hard knocks. But they persevered. I was a truck driver before we got the park, Mickelson said. But I was raised on a ranch where we pretty much did everything on our own. So by the time we got the park, it was a perfect fit for me being a handyman as well as a truck driver. We couldnt afford to hire anybody at the beginning. My wife and I had to do it all. The Mickelsons survived their early years in the RV park business by operating a wholesale window and door supply company inside the building that now serves as their park office and store. The (window and door) business helped us rebuild the park, Mickelson said. We were not able to take a penny out of the park the first five years. But they eventually rebuilt the park into an exemplary business. Planning and zoning are so proud of our park, they now send people to us to tell them how to (build a park), Mickelson said. The Mickelsons also learned about the best practices in the private park business by attending Arizona ARVC and national ARVC workshops and by networking with other park operators, including Jack Denton, who regularly demonstrated how park operators can help one another, particularly when they are in close proximity. Some parks think the other parks are the enemy. It took me a while to learn that theres a place for everybody. Once a park owner learns that, they dont have to act like that, and we become more supportive of each other, Mickelson said, adding, (Jack) would send people to us who needed a pull through site, and wed send him people who wanted to tent camp. In recent years, the Mickelsons have launched some of the more innovative initiatives in the RV park business. In 2013, J & H RV Park became one of the first RV parks in the nation to ban smoking. The Mickelsons did this after one of their campers had to be rushed to the hospital because of health problems caused by second hand smoke. But while the Mickelsons braced themselves for a negative reaction from the RVing public when they imposed the smoking ban, the response has been overwhelmingly positive. People love our smoking ban, Jo Ann Mickelson said. They come stay with us specifically because we do not allow smoking. Smoking is not allowed inside or outside RVs at J & H RV Park. The rule applies to any kind of tobacco product as well as e-cigarettes. The sole exception is a small patio area where smokers are allowed to have a puff if they must. But its far enough away from the other RVs so as not to be nuisance for non-smokers, as Harvey says, We are not heartless. Harvey Mickelson also launched a special RV parking service, drawing from his years of truck driving experience. He calls it is His marriage saving RV parking service, which became increasingly necessary over the years as RV manufacturers built larger and larger towable and motorized units. You could tell in their eyes they were scared if they had to back into a site. So I would go out and show them how to get in or I would back it in myself. Many asked if I would go on the rest of their trip with them, he said with a laugh. Mickelson added that he has become so committed to the RV industry that he even spells his first name as HaRVey now as a tribute to the industry. Arizona ARVC returned the favor and presented him the Jack Denton Memorial Award with the same spelling. The Arizona Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds is the trade association for campgrounds, RV parks and resorts in Arizona. Arizona ARVC hosts a travel planning website at www.GoCampingInArizona.com and publishes the Arizona RV and Camping Guide, which won the State Directory of the Year Award from the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (ARVC). The 32-page color guide features more than 90 campgrounds, RV parks and resorts across the Grand Canyon State. Consumers can request the guide by emailing arizonaarvc@aol.com. More information on J & H RV Park is available at:www.flagstaffrvparks.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 A participant in the March for Students and Rally for Respect last year in downtown Raleigh. (Photo by Don Carrington) Lawmakers, union representatives, and government officials are calling for repeal of North Carolina's prohibition on public-sector employee collective bargaining.Sen. Wiley Nickel, D-Wake, led a news conference Wednesday, April 24, calling for passage of Senate Bill 575 . He's a sponsor of the legislation, which would revoke what speakers referred to as an archaic, Jim Crow-era law denying more than 600,000 government employees' self-determination in the workplace. The bill was referred to the Senate Rules Committee.North Carolina is one of only three states with a blanket prohibition on public-sector union collective bargaining. This bill doesn't require local governments to enter collective bargaining or allow public employees to strike.said Mark Jewell, president of the N.C. Association of Educators, which acts as a de facto teachers union.The teachers association has been increasingly politically active, encouraging a teacher walkout May 16, 2018, and another scheduled for May 1.The N.C. School Boards Association took a dim view of S.B. 575.spokeswoman Leanne Winner told Carolina Journal in a written statement.Winner noted that local boards of education aren't authorized to raise revenue like school districts in other states. Most of their money comes from the state and county commissioners.MaryBe McMillan, AFL-CIO state president for North Carolina, said the bill is about fairness, freedom, and respect. It would give government workers the same right to unionized negotiations that private workers possess, the freedom to sit down with employers to develop collective solutions to workplace issues, and respect for their experience to collaborate on issues.Kinston Mayor Don Hardy and Winston-Salem City Council members were among elected officials at the news conference in support of the bill.Durham City Council member Vernetta Alston, accompanied by fellow council members and Rep. Zach Hawkins, D-Durham, said S.B. 575 corrects a historic wrong by giving public employees, especially women and people of color, a powerful voice to speak for their families and communities.Hawkins said North Carolina should emulate California and New York, heavily unionized states that he said are thriving.Steven Greenhut was surprised someone California as a model to emulate. He's a senior fellow at the nonpartisan R Street public policy research organization and author of the book "Plunder! How Public Employee Unions are Raiding Treasuries, Controlling Our Lives and Bankrupting the Nation."he said.Union protections make it nearly impossible to fire bad teachers, and binding contracts impose enormous challenges to reforms. Compliance officers are hired to meet contract terms as bureaucracy and administrative costs grow. Across-the-board pay makes it impossible to reward the best teachers with merit pay and disallows financial incentives to recruit top educators to teach specialty subjects, or to teach in poor performing schools.Greenhut links unionization to California's decline of traditional public schools, and steady rise in charter school openings. Teacher unions grow stronger and richer under collective bargaining, get more involved in the political process, and more resources flow to schools, but not to areas that help students learn.Greenhut said.Collective bargaining has driven up pay and benefit packages to unsustainable levels, resulting in massive unfunded liabilities. That can lead to employee cutbacks.Greenhut said.According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2018 report , 33.9% of public-sector workers are unionized, compared to 6.4% of private-sector workers. Black workers are more likely to be union members than white, Asian, or Hispanic workers. There are 7.2 million public-sector employees in a union, and 7.6 million private-sector employees are unionized.North Carolina and South Carolina had the lowest union membership rates at 2.7% each, and were among eight states below 5%. More than half of the 14.7 million union members nationally lived in just seven states: California, New York, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, and Washington. Have Sheriff Offices in North Carolina, possibly even Beaufort County's Sheriff Office, become too political in the discharging of their sworn constitutional duties? No, the sheriff is a constitutional officer. Yes, the Sheriff Office, on strong occasion, often reverts back to political patronage in the dispensation of their sworn constitutional duties. One in three internet users worldwide is a child under 18, estimates show. Expect that figure to rise as smart toys and all sorts of smart devices fuel constant connection. How will personal data, collected today, be used tomorrow? Answers are evolving. In a marketplace where information is money, privacy should be protected at every turn.Invasive or unlawful practices by tech companies heighten privacy concerns. According to a recent investigation by TechCrunch, Facebook recruited teens for a so-called "research" study. Along with adults, teens as young as 13 were paid to install a Virtual Private Network app and give Facebook extensive visibility into personal and behavioral data.Facebook's practices were dubious (research,?). Others clearly violate law. In 2018 the Federal Trade Commission announced fines against smart toy manufacturer VTech for collecting personal information fromwithout parental consent and failing to secure data.In February the FTC announced a $5.7 million civil penalty against video-sharing app Musical.ly (now TikTok). According to a statement from two FTC commissioners, Musical.ly collected and exposed sensitive data, including location, of young children.commissioners wrote,VTech and Musical.ly violated the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act , federal law requiring operators of commercial websites or services to obtainbefore collecting personal information from kids under 13. COPPA covers platforms targeting children and those withof child users.COPPA provides important protections but should be updated and strengthened. Consider that COPPA was enacted two decades ago. In 2012 the FTC updated the COPPA Rule, broadening personal information to includesuch as cookies tracking online activities, along with location data, videos, and more. Good - but COPPA still treats teens like adults. Bad idea.Enter new bipartisan "COPPA 2.0" legislation , introduced by U.S. Senators Markey and Hawley. If passed, COPPA 2.0 would expand protections, requiring companies to obtain consent from teens under 16 before collecting personal information.That's a major improvement, says Ariel Fox Johnson, senior counsel for Policy and Privacy at Common Sense Media, which supports COPPA 2.0.COPPA 2.0 strengthens corporate accountability, setting a more stringentstandard for companies regarding young users. That makes it harder to feign ignorance.says Johnson.What else? The legislation requires manufacturers of kids' connected devices to disclose data practices on packaging. It bans behaviorally targeted marketing to children.What about school impacts? Currently, schools consent on behalf of parents if children's personal information is used exclusively within the educational context. How teen consent would work under COPPA 2.0 would need to be determined.More broadly, other federal laws address student privacy. Most states, including North Carolina, have laws safeguarding student privacy; these increasingly cover education technology companies and not just schools, says Johnson, but the burden often rests on schools to monitor providers or have contracts with providers. Gaps remain.says Johnson.What's the coin of the digital realm? Data. When it's personal - and especially when it belongs to kids or teens - it should be protected. A bill expanding where automatic license plate readers can be deployed has passed the N.C. House Transportation Committee, despite objections from several members over privacy concerns. House Bill 87 would allow the Department of Transportation to approve requests from municipalities, counties, and other government agencies to install automatic license plate readers within state rights-of-way.Automatic license plate readers are small, high-speed cameras capable of reading thousands of license plates per minute and comparing them to crime or missing persons databases. The devices can be mounted on police cars or innocuously placed on road signs, bridges, or other roadside objects to track drivers.The technology is already allowed in North Carolina, but H.B. 87 would expand where the devices can be deployed.Rep. John Faircloth, R-Guilford, one of the bill's primary sponsors, told committee members.Faircloth said the bill has a long history. It passed in the House in 2013 but died in the Senate rules committee. The bill was reintroduced, but again has died in the Senate.Faircloth said.Proponents of the technology say it gives law enforcement a powerful tool to track criminals and keep the streets safe, but critics argue it's a method of mass surveillance with few protections to protect people's privacy. Civil liberty organizations, such as the American Civil Liberties Union have repeatedly criticized the use of the devices.Several Republican and Democratic lawmakers urged their committee members to vote no on the bill.Rep. Michael Speciale, R-Craven, said.While he said he supports law enforcement, Speciale said he doesn't want to give up his liberties by allowing more of the devices in the state.Rep. Dana Bumgardner, R-Gaston, echoed Speciale's concerns.Bumgardner warned.H.B. 87 also has its defenders.Rep. Allen McNeill, R-Randolph, said law enforcement would still need a search warrant or a preservation request to access captured data.McNeill said.Rep. Frank Iler, R-Brunswick, told a story about a man who killed his wife in North Carolina and tried to flee to Mexico. He was caught 17 minutes after a license plate reader flagged his tag in Arizona.Fred Baggett, the legislative counsel for the N.C. Association of Chiefs of Police , said he understands the privacy concerns, yet throughout the years no one has suggested people are misusing the data.Baggett said.H.B. 87 passed the Transportation Committee and was referred to the N.C. House Rules Committee. Tom Campbell Any well-run company listens closely to their customers and Mooresville based Lowe's is a good example of a home-grown business that listens. While many of us do-it-yourselfers frequent their stores, their largest customer base is professional contractors. Mike Mitchell, Lowe's skilled trade director, says "When we start talking to (pro customers) about how we can help them run their small business, labor shortage comes up almost every time."Simply put, contractors are turning away business, taking too long to complete existing jobs or even losing money on jobs because they can't find enough skilled workers. The skills gap is real. Nationally, three million jobs could go unfilled by 2028 because of labor shortages.Lowe's wanted to know why young people aren't choosing trade professions as a career choice, so they formed a consortium of about 60 organizations to examine the problem and come up with solutions toward filling job shortages. This unique undertaking, dubbed Generation T, includes a diverse range of groups from appliance manufacturers, like Bosch, to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools.One big stumbling block is that many young people lack awareness about what kind of future they might have working in trade professions and how much they might earn, so this consortium is going into schools to inform students about career pathways. Skilled carpenters, plumbers, HVAC technicians and other tradesmen can earn six figure salaries. The project is also providing tools, appliances and equipment for experiential study in high schools.But to fill the skills gap additional training or certification beyond high school is required. A recent report from The John Belk Foundation and Carolina Demography talks about our "leaky" pipeline in providing skilled workers. It says that 67 percent of all jobs in our state next year will require some level of training or certification beyond high school. Currently, only 47 percent of our 5.3 million working adults meet those requirements.The skills gap is further complicated when you understand that our working age population is shrinking, due to the retirements of baby boomers. Older workers remaining in the workplace need new training if they are to continue to earn living wages.Gen T has great potential. Not only can it be expanded laterally, meaning across the state, but can be replicated vertically into other sectors where there are rapidly expanding job needs. The 10 fastest growing jobs in North Carolina right now are statistician, credit counselor, nurse practitioner, operations analyst, occupational therapy assistant, physician assistant, home health aide, diagnostic medical sonographer and physical therapy aide.Lowe's Generation T was designed specifically for the construction industry, but it is the model or template that demonstrates how the skills gap can be addressed in other job sectors. It clearly points out the importance of bringing together all stakeholders, from trade and professional groups, equipment and other manufacturers, educators, employers and even end users to find solutions.Continued economic growth and prosperity demands we meet these needs. Our employers need workers if they are to remain vibrant and our people need jobs. North Carolina has the expertise and resources to meet this great challenge. Let's close the gap. Political science is the study of, what Plato considered the most quintessential of human behaviors. Over the centuries, it has generated a library of observations, theories, and findings about the way we think and act. The work has forged a broad consensus in many of the discipline's realms of inquiry.Yet, although academic political scientists consider themselves experts who have built robust models validated by all sorts of empirical studies, they seem to believe the kinds of misinformed and prejudicial attitudes and anti-social and harmful behavior they attribute to just about everyone else have somehow evaded them.That is odd. The last time I checked, political science professors were human beings. They are surely not immune from theories of human behavior they hold and have validated under scientific conditions.One such in-vogue theory is unconscious or implicit bias . This is the idea that individuals are inherently prejudiced against others from certain groups. Social scientists use the theory to explain pervasive racism and prejudice against out or minority groups in all walks of life. The idea is that although a person may feel they judge others neutrally or on merits unrelated to group membership, they hold biases, admittedly often small, that they are incapable of correcting.These attitudes adversely affect the individuals who constitute their object. Compounded, they can have material effects on public policy and social outcomes.Although the theory has vocal critics and some proponents recognize its limited capacity to predict the behavior of individuals, the academy has produced a great deal of confirmatory published experimental and survey research.Academics consider bias particularly pervasive in homogenous populations. Political science is certainly homogenous. A number of studies show the discipline's professors are overwhelmingly liberal and largely identify as Democrats-by about 10 to 1 according to a study of North Carolina and Florida faculty I recently co-authored and that is forthcoming in a flagship journal of the American Political Science Association Research suggests the ratio of Democrats to Republicans in the social sciences broadly is about 8-10 to 1. If you include the humanities and the law, fields that often include political scientists among their number, it increases to above 12 to 1.Political scientists have also developed theories of persuasion. They argue individuals can influence others profoundly, even with nominal intervention. Exposure to campaign advertising, for example , shapes subjects' attitudes and voting. Even minimal and seemingly innocuous alterations to narratives and images-a practice known as framing- seems to have an appreciable impact on behavior.If fleeting experiences or subtle alterations in the presentation of information affect an individual's attitudes and behavior, then imagine how impactfulcan be for a student.Theories of bias and persuasion in political science, therefore, point to significant prejudice against and manipulation of minority ideological groups in the discipline. This is obviously troubling. The words and deeds of political science professors have consequences. Academics decide what to teach their impressionable students and have discretion over how they grade them. Political scientists' positions as editors, editorial board members, and reviewers permit them to determine what research and scholarship get published.In turn, they shape the academic debate about politics and policy. Its own research, therefore, suggests the discipline of political science is pushing its associates in a leftward direction. A few have studied the connection. Their findings are consistent with this assessment.Political scientists also talk a lot about sorting and groupthink. Sorting is a recently observed phenomenon whereby individuals flock together in physical or virtual places with others holding similar political views. There is evidence that politics is influencing where people choose to live and is creating red and blue enclaves in different parts of the country.People's views also drive them to monolithic clusters of users on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter or to particular traditional media outlets-Fox News viewers are overwhelmingly conservative, MSNBC's liberal, for instance . We see this in occupations as well.A principal effect of this homophily is groupthink, a dynamic by which a series of feedback loops reinforce and entrench collective attitudes. A pervasive desire for harmony silences dissenting voices and, as a direct result, leads to dysfunctional decision-making and undesirable outcomes.Political science's increasing demographic heterogeneity comforts those concerned about sorting and groupthink. Their assumption is that racial, gender, and cultural diversity in the profession are synonymous with a greater variety of political views. In broader society, after all, race and gender correlate strongly with ideology and partisanship.As I have noted, however, that does not seem to be true for political science. Black and white professors have similar opinions, as do males and females in the field.With near full control of personnel processes within their departments, professors exacerbate the problem by hiring, promoting, and tenuring colleagues who think just like themselves. They produce graduate students who share their attitudes and the cycle repeats. According to Daniel B. Klein and Chalotta Stern, academic fields are organized as pyramids , with lesser departments at the bottom capturing the small number of non-conformists before they can rise to the top and exert real influence.Many believe there is little need for viewpoint diversity in the discipline. The field should be some kind of counter-weight to conservative and libertarian ideas that are either unfairly privileged in broader American society or just plain bad for it.According to political scientist Richard Falk, his colleagues should engage inOthers in the field argue that while the biases of fellow elites like elected officials, judges, and corporate executives do immense harm to the country's social fabric and public policies, theirs do not, perhaps because social scientists are professional enough to nullify personal prejudice.So today, political science is predominantly leftwing. It comes down nearly unanimously on one side of many of the most important questions of our time-asserting, for example, that racial and gender disparities are the product of social and institutional forces instead of individual human agency, technocratic governance is desirable, states are superior to markets as mechanisms to allocate resources, and social problems are better solved by governments than social capital and philanthropy.In this climate, dissenting views are marginalized and their owners subject to re-education. Contrarians frequently go unpublished and therefore unhired and untenured. Critics attack them on campus or in social media posts. The leftist hegemony is thus extended.Political scientists lament they do not influence broader public debate sufficiently in the age of Trump. With other academics, they have formed groups like the Scholars' Strategy Network and vehicles such as The Conversation to transform their work into political action.Their intent may be admirable, but you can hardly blame politicians and American citizens for ignoring them. Unlike the political scientists themselves, they recognize that academics in the humanities and social sciences are a monolithically liberal bunch. They are also astute enough to understand that professors in these fields are as desirous of influence and afflicted with bias, sorting, and groupthink as the rest of us.To recapture its credibility and influence, political science must look inward and acknowledge its limitations. It needs to realize it is very much part of the world it studies. Understanding that a truly diverse discipline is one that values and cultivates many viewpoints is a good way to attend to its innately human deficiencies and rebuild its reputation. The Senate Finance Committee unanimously passed Senate Bill 622 , the Tax Reduction Act of 2019, on Tuesday, May 14, and sent it to the Senate Rules Committee.Sen. Bill Rabon, R-Brunswick, Rules Committee chairman, toldthe bill would be brought up for a committee vote on Wednesday, and sent to the floor Thursday.said Finance Committee Chairman Jerry Tillman, R-Randolph.Tillman credited GOP tax reforms with stimulating the economy and producing unexpected budget surpluses . Republicans have a goal of eventually eliminating franchise taxes and corporate income taxes, he said.Personal income tax filers would get a break under the bill because it raises the standard deduction. That is the portion of income the government does not tax. The deduction would rise from $20,000 to $20,750 for married couples filing jointly; from $15,000 to $15,563 for head of household; and from $10,000 to $10,375 for single filers, and married people filing separately.Tillman said the franchise tax has been a staple of the state tax code for many years. But it's roundly disliked because entrepreneurs must pay a tax for the privilege of operating a business in the state.S.B. 622 cuts the franchise tax over two years. Now it's $1.50 for every $1,000 of a company's worth. Under the bill, the rate would drop to $1.30 per $1,000 for 2019 returns, and $1.00 per $1,000 for 2020 returns. The minimum $200 assessment and $150,000 cap on the tax are unchanged.Two sections of S.B. 622 would enable North Carolina to collect more taxes from companies in other states.The bill enacts a market-based sourcing of sales model for corporate income tax beginning in the 2020 tax year. The new policy allows the state to collect taxes on services purchased from out-of-state companies if the benefit of the purchase is used in North Carolina. Under the existing system, companies with multistate sales don't share tax revenue with North Carolina if most of their business is done in another state.Sen. Paul Newton, R-Cabarrus, said shifting the tax burden to out-of-state companies is an incentive to build businesses in North Carolina. But the National Taxpayers Union has argued some aspects of market-based sourcing make the law more complex.The bill also affects out-of-state online "facilitators" such as Etsy, eBay, and Amazon Marketplace. These portals provide a platform for third-party sellers to market goods and services. Now the seller is liable for paying the sales tax. S.B. 622 shifts the tax collection burden to the marketplace facilitator.Newton compared the tax change in the electronic marketplace to brick-and-mortar consignment stores. Third parties provide items to thrift shops, and the thrift shops pay the sales tax.The bill extends the sunset date for existing sales tax exemptions to Jan. 1, 2024, for the state's historic rehabilitation tax credit, jet fuel purchases for qualifying airlines, and racing fuel for the motorsports industry. I do not believe, I have ever seen a more beautiful spring, for this one lingers. Mostly, a southern spring is a few weeks of pleasant weather and then it is hot and full of humidity. Not so, this year. The whole week has hosted days filled with sunshine and nights just cool enough for a light blanket. The mornings warrant a light sweater. Birds sing day and night. . .and now the magnolia blooms, lending a sweet fragrance to the air. Rain has tapered to an occasional shower, making each day, the perfect day for a picnic.It remains busier than usual at school. The grand event, of the dances from around the world, is tomorrow and so that will lighten my duties, considerably. There are mere weeks left in the school year anyway. I tell myself, that someday soon, I will read books again and think about things like geraniums and curtains. , ,and on some morning, maybe a Tuesday, I will stroll with my grandchildren. by the laughing river. These are the kind of things, I hope for.The contents of a life have great variation. What satisfies one person, seems dull to another and unfulfilling. Even a single lifetime varies from one season to another. What was once necessary, no longer is. What was once sought, is no longer desired. Our needs change and our values may as well. Sometimes, we must broaden our former thoughts and sometimes, we may need to use greater precision. Hopefully, we refine our lives as we go along and discard accordingly, else our own authenticity may be hidden from plain sight. I have often wondered if finding our own truth, and daring to live it, may be the quest of mankind. What if it really were as simple as that?On Friday, the day dawned bright. The forecast promised ideal weather for the open air program. Since, one of the dances, featured a may pole, this was especially good news. I spent the whole day consumed in details and answering questions. It was more exhausting, than dancing with the children. . .and a lot less fun.The program was held in the evening, just as the sun hung low on the horizon. Every class performed exceptionally well and so I went home "as happy as a lark".Daybreak on Saturday, was a far cry from the cool dawns of the past week days. All of my bragging about the spectacular weather, must cease now, as the temperatures have risen to "about hot" and is expected to remain so, from here on. In this case, I packed the rest of the blankets away, today. The prospective buyer, who has seen the house before, is coming this week-maybe tomorrow. I have been in a state of limbo, for such a long while, that I am used to it. Of course, it would be wonderful if the thing works out, but if it doesn't . . .well there are worse things, than living on this rabbitpatch. Up until a few short years ago, you couldn't "have moved me with a shovel"! When ever, the affair, is over, I will write about the "accident" that landed me here, in the first place. . . (and by "accident" I mean, "Divine Intervention").Will and Jenny came in town for a birthday celebration. They met me at my parents' house, to drop the little girls off. Brant and Sydney were with them, and so there was a "short, but sweet" reunion for me. Sydney is "fairly glowing" these days. Being "with child" agrees with her. It has been several long weeks, since I have seen Lyla and Brynn, which is way too long for any of us. It nearly melted my heart, to hear Lyla call out "Honeybee!" and dive in to my arms. Brynn, was a bit unsure, but managed to smile, when I started to sing, "You are my Sunshine".Mama showed Lyla a bird nest, full of baby robins. What a pretty picture, they made, walking "hand -in hand" in the long slanted rays of late day sunshine. Later, there was "hide and seek" and then supper. Brynn was growing less tolerant and finally, she cried. No amount of swinging or singing consoled her. Brynn wanted her mama, and no one else would do. Mama built a tower of wooden blocks, and Brynn did hush and watch intently. In moments, Jenny walked in and all was well with Brynn, again, at that moment.I drove home under the "Flower Moon", - whose name has a lovely ring to it. There it was, above the fields like a golden lantern, shining its' light on all peoples, animal wild and tame, wildflowers and fancy roses . . .old trees and saplings, alike. Oh, if we were all as generous as that dear "Flower Moon"!Dear Rabbitpatch Diary - I am grateful for nests of baby birds and magnolias . . and days fit for picnics. and . . . the light of a blue moon. Montana WWAMI recognized Dr. Roxanne Fahrenwald for her mentoring and teaching of WWAMI medical students along with her excellence in leadership and patient care. WWAMI is the University of Washingtons School of Medicines medical education program which serves the states of Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. Fahrenwald has been the Billings Track Director, overseeing the local WWAMI program, staff and students since October of 2015. A judge has sentenced a Mexican citizen to almost 5 years in federal prison after prosecutors say he brought 34 pounds (15.4 kilograms) of methamphetamine into Montana. U.S. District Judge Susan Watters sentenced 35-year-old Jorge Luis Mendez-Sanchez to 57 months during a recent court appearance in Billings. He pleaded guilty in January to possession of meth with intent to distribute the drug. A conspiracy charge against Mendez-Sanchez was dismissed under a deal with government attorneys. Upon completion of his sentence, he will be turned over to immigration officials for likely deportation proceedings. Prosecutors say Mendez-Sanchez and co-defedant Aldo Pardini drove the drugs from Arizona to Montana to sell to a customer at a Billings hotel. Pardini and a third defendant, Jose Jesus Islava-Lopez, are awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to related charges. Love 2 Funny 3 Wow 8 Sad 4 Angry 15 Mangans explanation of how the case played out was more nuanced. Political Practices determined that Montana Family Foundation registered last as an incidental political action committee, after which it failed to disclose in several political races which campaigns it was targeting and which it supported. The commissioners office, then under the control of Jonathan Motl, took two years to act on the 2014 complaint. Motl was on the way out in 2016 and running out of time to deal with several cases. To buy time and pass the cases on to his predecessor, he filed civil lawsuits. In Montana Family Foundations case, that lawsuit was never acted upon. However, that shortage of action in civil court doesnt mean Political Practices wasnt working on the case, Mangan said. Laszloffy had told The Billings Gazette in 2016 that he intended to settle the case. Mangan took the Foundation CEO at his word. A major hang up in the settlement discussions was that the Foundation didnt want the settlement to state that it violated Montana law, Mangan wrote. CHEYENNE, Wyo. In March, the Wyoming Arts Council, in partnership with the Levitt Pavilion Denver, issued a statewide call to independent musicians of all genres throughout Wyoming for performance opportunities opening for national touring acts during the Levitt Pavilion Denver summer concert series. The WAC recently announced the four Wyoming bands and musicians who were selected. They are: The Woodpile, of Laramie, opening for Dustbowl Revival on July 6 The Canyon Kids, of Jackson, opening for Eileen Jewell on Aug. 15 Jalan Crossland, of Ten Sleep, opening for The Brothers Comatose on Aug. 18 Freda Felcher, of Jackson, opening for Face Vocal Band on Sept. 8 Levitt Pavilion Denver is a nonprofit venue established with the purpose of building community through music. They are the first and only free cultural venue in Denver, according to a press release from the WAC. For more information, including this years complete lineup, go to the pavilions website at levittdenver.org. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 As the nations governors, we see firsthand the challenges of our future workforce. Our national unemployment rate is at near-historic lows and in Montana at the lowest in over a decade, yet we know that workers are worried about their futures in a changing labor market. Business owners, too, are concerned about finding employees close to home with the skills to compete globally. We also see opportunity and we put partisanship aside to realize economic opportunities for all Americans. Over the past year as chair of the National Governors Association, through my chairs initiative Good Jobs for All Americans, I have heard about the challenges and opportunities in places as diverse as the former steel town of Pittsburgh, the desert metropolis of Las Vegas, and the rural plains around Des Moines, and learned valuable lessons about how states are innovating and looking to the future. This week, nearly 30 states, industry representatives and partners are gathering in Whitefish for a Solutions Summit to talk about what we have learned over the past year. We will begin the process of turning a new set of tools governors across the nation can use as they set the course for opportunities for their citizens now and into the future. As I visit each of Montanas 56 counties every Congress, I have the privilege of meeting with Montanans from all walks of life. Most importantly, I get to listen to veterans, small business owners, seniors, farmers, ranchers, and even newly sworn in U.S. citizens. And no matter where I am in Montana, they are proud to be Americans. Perhaps none more so than newly sworn in citizens. When Ive asked folks whether or not we should know how many citizens and non-citizens live in our country, its been an easy yes. When they learn we dont ask such a basic question on the U.S. census form today, folks are surprised. Thats why I introduced a bill to include the citizenship question on the census because Montanans want to know. Despite what some would like you to think, the citizenship question for Montana isnt a Republican or a Democrat question its a commonsense question. The fact is, this isnt a new phenomenon nor a radical proposal. The citizenship question has been included on our census in many years past. But most importantly, for Montana, the question could lead to a major win. Logically, our term-limited governor should be considering a challenge to Sen. Steve Daines whose first six-year U.S. Senate term ends in January 2021. So far only first-term Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins has announced a bid for the Democratic nomination to run against Daines next year. Montanans have already elected Bullock to statewide office three times in 12 years. His chances on a Senate bid look a lot better than on a White House run. Bullock said his first priority as president would be "to break the leash that dark money and corporate money has on the political system. Everything else can't be addressed until we can do that," he said in an interview with Lee Montana Newspapers. "When we start to curb the incidence of outside money in campaigns, it will make everything easier." As attorney general, Bullock defended Montana's century-old corrupt practices act that was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court under the Citizens United decision, flooding elections with third-party spending. As governor, Bullock championed campaign finance disclosure and got bipartisan support for a tougher law that now allows the public to search online to find out who is spending what to influence Montana elections. I grew up in the USSR, a country where freedom of speech was guaranteed by the Constitution well, all speech except hateful speech. Political satire was considered hateful speech, identifying with the ideas of capitalism was hateful speech, sympathizing with the state of Israel was also hateful speech. In fact, any questioning of the ideology of political leaders or history and economics taught to us by the administration was considered hateful speech. Spreading this so-called hateful speech would cause people to be expelled from universities, be fired from their jobs, and be sent to prisons. Fast forward to the 21st century in the USA, where freedom of speech is also guaranteed by the Constitution. Yet, public colleges limit this freedom to designated free speech zones and prohibit it in every other areas of campuses. College students are being arrested for passing out copies of our Constitution. UM prohibit opinions that individuals may find offending. On Tuesday, May 7, Gov. Steve Bullock vetoed a bill which would protect the First Amendment rights of Montanas public college students, and make it easier for students whose rights have been violated to seek justice. I am outraged by the decision Gov. Bullock made to veto HB735. What I wont give them is the Russian interference. All the security agencies said it happened, as they know. I am sure the oath that they took to serve in the Senate or Congress included, defend against foreign and domestic enemies, as I did 51 years ago when I joined the U.S. Marine Corps. I have looked on their .gov websites and could not find any reference to the interference. Are Daines and Gianforte OK with it? Are they hoping for the Russians help in the next election? I hear they may have a close re-election. Have they even got the nerve to speak out against it, let alone sponsor a bill or something? Scared of a tweet? Cant they look voters in the eye and say Americas security is that important? Is this those Montana values they campaign on? At the listening session May 6 on the NorthWestern Energy rate case, Public Service Commissioner Tony O'Donnell clarified that the PSC does not make policy, but only sets the rates a regulated monopoly may charge its customers. With its new rate case before the PSC, NWE is asking PSC to destroy net metered rooftop solar in Montana and to make policy. The Legislature created net metering to encourage the businesses and jobs it brings, to allow households and small businesses to lower their energy costs, and to give customers the freedom to choose renewable energy. NWE proposes to remove the economic incentives to install solar. Installers will be forced to lay off workers or close altogether. Homeowners would lose the choices they have now by legislative policy, and would be forced to buy energy only from NWE. If the PSC allows NWE to wipe out the rooftop solar industry, it would be making de facto policy, undoing the work of the Legislature. No future Legislature could undo the years of lost jobs and businesses, lost energy savings and lost freedom of choice. Montana will be swirling in a backwater of wasteful centralized power distribution, while the world moves on. Long haul The conservancy has been working on the route for 30 years, so completion is not likely to come any time soon. Still, the groups officials remain upbeat even comparing creation of the trail to the preservation of Yellowstone National Park in the 1800s and are striving to engage more people in the push for trails. RTC is providing the national vision, leadership and expertise to ensure connectivity across state lines and to bring the resources necessary to close approximately 1,700 miles of gaps in the trail, the group says on its website. In Montana, McNamee said the trails communities in Bozeman and Missoula have already taken big steps forward to spearhead the states effort. Anything of this caliber is going to take a lot of work, she said. The Montana Legislature took a small step forward this past session by passing Senate Bill 24, which increases the opt-out fee added to a vehicles licensing from $6 to $9. The largest portion of that increase will go to state parks, but trails funding will also get a small bite, estimated to bring in about $800,000 a year. So were starting to build more momentum, McNamee said. A lot of folks are joining forces and getting behind recreation. Love 5 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Fischer with NDSC Valerie Fischer has been hired as a part-time business development manager at the North Dakota Safety Council. Fischer started with NDSC in March in a temporary capacity to assist with the Alive at 25 program. Previously, Fischer worked for the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, including 16 years as the director of Safe & Healthy Schools and seven years as director of adult education. Clouston gets award Kenny Clouston, board member of Railway Credit Union in Mandan, was recently named the Volunteer of the Year by the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas. The award was presented during the CUAD Summit in Fargo. Nelson included Troy Nelson, an Edward Jones financial adviser in Bismarck, has been named to the Barron's magazine "Consistently Tops" list for ranking No. 1 in North Dakota on the annual list of "America's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors, State by State" in 2012-18. Scherr recertified Darin M. Scherr, Bismarck Public School District business manager, has completed coursework and earned recertification in the North Dakota School Business Manager Certification Program. Monthly awards Judy Maslowski, Darcy Fettig, Phyllis Rittenbach, Missy Moritz, Tori Mathern, Shirley Thomas and Amber Sandness, Bianco Realty Realtors of the month for April based on closed sales. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Dear Annie: I'm having a hard time trying to keep in touch with my boarding school friends. We went our separate ways after graduating high school and were adamant about keeping in touch. Lately, I feel like we are drifting apart because I'm always the one having to reach out. And whenever I try to see if we can FaceTime or talk, they come up with excuses. I guess I'm frustrated because I'm always making the effort -- from reaching out to being the one to fly up and visit. I miss back in high school when we'd always hang out. -- Boarding School Friendships Dear Boarding School Friendships: You're a good friend, putting in extra effort to keep in touch. But all that extra effort is making you sore. Give yourself a rest. Go out and meet some new people: Strangers are just friends waiting to happen, after all, and late adolescence and early adulthood -- the period you're in now -- is one of the absolute best times for forming lifelong friendships. As for your boarding school pals: You might find that you eventually fall back into a rhythm with them and pick up like no time has passed. Some friendships are like that. Or you might continue to grow in different directions. That's OK, too. It doesn't change the fact that at one point your roots were intertwined and you did some serious growing together. You'll always be a part of one another's stories. Socially adrift Dear Annie: My family just recently moved from our home of 16 years. Our former home was on a flag lot, on a cul-de-sac mostly filled with retirees. It was very quiet and not a little isolated, since you couldn't see our house from the street. Now we live right on a street, as you commonly picture a house. (Our 5-year-old dog is going crazy because he's not used to seeing anyone else other than us, and now he sees every dog and/or person that walks by.) We also now live a few blocks away from a middle school, so it is much more lively and full of possible friends for our kids and us than the old neighborhood was. I'd desperately love to make friends, but I don't know how. What should I do, and what are the signs indicating the other person is politely done? -- Sheepish in Vancouver Dear Sheepish: It sounds as though your pup isn't the only one having trouble adjusting. We humans are creatures of habit. It takes time to adapt to new routines. While there are a few different threads in your letter, it seems the underlying fabric is social anxiety. Know that 1) many people around you are as eager to find friends as you are, and 2) no one is as at ease as he or she seems. Taking up group-oriented hobbies is one way to make friends in adulthood. Meetup.com is a great way to network with people in your town and meet up with them for shared activities. As for your question of how to know when someone is done with a conversation, the following list from SocialPro.com covers a lot of the bases. If someone is doing any of these, it's a signal they're ready to wrap things up: Checking their phone. Looking at their watch. Acting distracted. Packing up their things/preparing to leave. Standing up when they were previously sitting. Focusing on other people/things in the room (instead of you). Fiddling (shifting weight from one foot to the other, messing with their hair, etc.). Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Crew given pens The crew of the USS North Dakota recently received pens made by Dakota Woodturners. Commander Mark Robinson and the Chief of the Boat Master Chief Petty Officer Kellen Voland were presented the 145 individually made pens while on a visit to the state that included a report to the Legislature. Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance better known as Social Security is the largest and most popular government program aimed at reducing poverty. At about $1.047 trillion for Fiscal Year 2019, it makes up 23% of all federal outlays and would equal 5.26% of the total value of goods and services produced in the nation in a year. Yet because it is a transfer payment to individuals, its outlays are not part of Gross Domestic Product in the way that federal spending on highways, the National Weather Service or the U.S. Navy are. The program has reduced poverty and increased economic efficiency. But despite its size and popularity, it is very poorly understood by the American people and even by many members of Congress. Social Securitys formula provides higher benefits relative to taxes paid for low-income people and tapers to lower benefits relative to taxes paid for higher-income people. Thus, there is no single return to taxes paid and there is income redistribution from higher-income to low-income people. The idea that we are just getting back in retirement what we paid during our working years is a myth that many have come to believe. But its not true. However, the tax structure itself, both in rate and in the level of income subject to tax, has changed repeatedly and irregularly within the lifetime of people now in the system. Consider someone now 96 years old, born in 1923 and working from age 18 in 1941 to age 65 in 1988. A second person, now 66, was born in 1953 and worked from age 18 in 1971 until retirement this year. A third person, right in the middle at age 81 was born in 1938 and worked from age 18 in 1956 until retirement at age 65 in 2003. The first 20 years the oldest person worked had an average FICA rate of 1.56% with an equal sum from her employer. The average limit subject to tax was $3,600. The most that could have been paid to the Treasury per year, employee and employer combined was $60 in 1941 growing to $264 in 1961. The first 20 years the youngest person worked had an average FICA rate of 4.77% with an equal sum from her employer. The average limit subject to tax was $29,138. The highest amount possibly paid in per year was $5,981. For the first two decades of the middle worker, the average FICA rate was 3.33%, average maximum subject to tax $7,286 and maximum annual tax ever payable of $1,339. One can see that even if all three current beneficiaries had the same earnings, adjusted by either a consumer price or the average earnings index used by Social Security, they would have faced very different levels of taxation because they were born in different years. The low FICA rates and low covered earnings caps faced by pre-baby boomers meant that total amounts paid in were very small compared to eventual benefits received. If one looks at the last decades of these same peoples lives instead of the first, the differences are less stark, but remain substantial. Rates essentially have been the same since 1984, while covered earnings have ratcheted up with the earnings index. So people age 52 and younger have faced pretty much the same tax parameters over their whole post-secondary lives. But those who are older, including me, born in 1950, had lower levels of tax over part of our work life. And the very old paid in very little. The upshot is that over the whole life of Social Security, the majority of recipients got substantially more than they paid in. This was especially true for those retiring in the mid-1970s who had faced very low tax rates, but benefited from the higher benefits formulas. It is a tragedy of U.S. public policy that no overall strategy or philosophy for long-term funding of Social Security was written into the 1935 act. But the clear intent was that each age cohort should roughly pay for its own benefits. It was an insurance plan and there would be differences in returns to different individuals. All the taxes paid by a someone who died at age 60 would go to others. Someone who lived to 95 would get paid much by others. But, overall, any birth group of people would pay taxes to generate an equivalent actuarial amount of lifetime benefits. This general understanding was not written into the law. Conservative critics charge that the old-age component of Social Security is a Ponzi scheme based on many new entrants paying in so that a smaller number of people going out can get unsustainably high benefits. This is incorrect as to the intent of the framers, but has an element of truth in terms of effects. The trust funds, earmarked accounts in the U.S. Treasury, into which FICA nominally flowed, acted as simple checking accounts for decades. The system was on a pay-as-you-go basis. Current taxes went out to current beneficiaries. Giving increases in the 1950s into the 1970s was fine as long as there was cash in the account. Only a handful of economists, actuaries and members of Congress worried then about the longer term. The rush of baby boomers entering the work force and paying FICA from the mid-1960s to the mid-1980s made cash flow easier. But there was enough concern that President Ronald Reagan appointed a high-level commission, headed by Alan Greenspan, to recommend measures to put funding on a sound basis over the long term. The commission made a good faith effort that depended on responsible action by Congress over decades. It also assumed that any increases in national income would be divided between economic classes. Neither assumption proved true, so it failed. As a result, while working people now pay higher FICA, the system still depends on transfers of money from younger people. The inequities in the system could be lessened if we addressed the problem. Amid population-trend changes, tax-rate changes, employment-trend changes and a burgeoning retirement class, it gets progressively harder. So generational unfairness accumulates. St. Paul economist and writer Edward Lotterman can be reached at bismarck@edlotterman.com. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 0 While the head of the North Dakota University System and the leader of the State Board of Higher Education map out the search process to replace outgoing UND President Mark Kennedy, at least one member would like the board to try a slightly different route. In an email addressed to NDUS Chancellor Mark Hagerott on May 7, SBHE member Dan Traynor said he had read news reports regarding the procedure for selecting a new UND president. Traynor said he was not entirely comfortable with the idea of hiring an interim for a year and proceeding with yet another search. The emails were obtained by the Grand Forks Herald through an open-records request. Hagerott previously told the Herald an interim president could be in place for at least a year as the board and eventual search committee work to find the right person for the job. After appointing an interim president, the chancellor and the board will form a search committee that includes members of the UND and Grand Forks community, as well as other higher education leaders, Hagerott said. SBHE chair Don Morton also has been on the record expressing a similar sentiment. Traynor suggested a much quicker timetable and would like to see the board appoint a new president quickly. In the email, he requested the board consider conducting its own search of available talent within North Dakota or with some connection to the state. He proposed that the board allow some period of time for nominations and then the board can narrow the pool to two or three suitable finalists. Traynor suggested that after the proposed candidates make presentations to the board, the SBHE can then make a decision at the end of June for a standard two-year contract. Reached by phone Friday, Traynor told the Herald he would like to see the board name a president and then take time to evaluate the person and the search process. Im hoping the person we would select would be a good fit for the job and will want to continue, he said. I think its unhelpful to ask UND to tread water for six months or a year. Search process Traynor, who has been on the board for about a year and was not part of the 2016 presidential search, said in emails that he understands several of the identified locally-connected candidates did not pursue the position because of the rigmarole associated with the whole search process in 2016. He also was told the 2016 search cost around $100,000. Traynors email goes on to state he is concerned that the nationwide search firms with whom the NDUS has arrangements have little or no connection to the state of North Dakota. He notes that there are at least two firms located in Bismarck that perform executive searches and wondered if there are other firms elsewhere in the state. Traynor said those firms need to be considered for any and all searches for NDUS institutions. Traynor said the repeated process of short-term presidents followed by another search is harmful to the states flagship institution. After years of short-term presidents, I think UND needs some stability, he wrote. Keep in mind that the campus mood has been on edge for several years as the current president was known as a looker and has been using UND as a stepping stone. I believe a more North Dakota-centric search will result in a pool of finalists that have a connection to the state or the university and will be much more likely to stay on the job. Traynor said two of whom he considered UNDs best presidents, Tom Clifford and John West, did not result from a nationwide search. They were home-grown talent and guided the university well during their administrations, he said. Hagerott sticks by proposal Speaking by telephone to the Herald Friday, Hagerott stood by his proposal. Hagerott said while the top candidate for the job could be willing to leave a current position now, its more likely that person would want to finish out the year at their current job and then come to UND later. Its still most likely that we do the search and allow the person to transition, he said. Hagerott said it is also likely a search firm will be used in the process. The board has utilized Washington, D.C.-based AGB Search for previous presidential searches, including most recently at Mayville State University and Valley City State. We want to be open to North Dakota firms that have done searches before, he said. I dont know if we want to start with someone for the first time ever with the UND search due to the complexity there. Hagerott has a running list of potential interim or permanent candidates in his head, but does not have a formal, written list. He wouldnt divulge those potential candidates. Kennedys replacement in the interim will have to keep the ship on a steady course, Hagerott said, noting he has heard a lot of positive comments about UNDs strategic plan, which was formed under Kennedys leadership. Hagerott said the university also has been named one of the most innovative schools in the nation in the last 18 months, along with a variety of other accolades. An interim leader will need to keep that momentum going, he said. People should be proud of the school and what its doing, Hagerott said. We dont want to cause undue disruption. The interim ... needs to keep the ship moving and keep the process going. For the permanent position, Hagerott said the next president needs to understand the changing world, as well as the thoughts and needs of North Dakota. While having ties to North Dakota would not be a requirement, Hagerott said it would definitely be desirable. Our state is less than a million people and this is the flagship (university), he said, which means UND has ties to the state, region and entire country. The next permanent president needs to be able to work with leaders in the state and federal government to position UND as a partner on a variety of projects, he said. The person needs to put UND and the state first over any career or personal interests, Hagerott said. (They should) be a servant leader, he said. Servant leadership is really important. Youre there to serve something bigger than yourself. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 It isnt always easy to be transformative in state government due to the confines of certain laws, policies or financial structures. Change certainly happens, but often slowly. Yet, I am happy to report that with the close of the 66th Legislative Session, the North Dakota Legislature made significant progress in moving the state forward. Particularly, I want to share some big policy changes that will take place within the insurance industry. This session, the North Dakota Insurance Department proposed some significant changes including providing a reinsurance program to reduce premiums for the more than 42,000 North Dakotans who purchase their own health insurance, a restructuring of the insurance department and measures ensuring we fully support North Dakotas fire districts. These changes approved by the Legislature will benefit every North Dakotan in some way. The insurance department proposed the creation of a reinsurance program that will reduce health insurance premiums for the approximately 42,000 North Dakotans who purchase their own health insurance. Though we await federal approval, we expect our farmers, ranchers and small business owners to receive some much-needed relief when selecting their 2020 health insurance plans. The insurance department estimates premium reductions of up to 20% on the individual market, along with the stabilization of that market. The insurance department also will study our health care marketplace to get a better understanding of the costs we are paying in the system; the ultimate goal being a more transparent and more affordable health care system. Through the insurance departments budget, we proposed giving the insurance premium taxes North Dakotans pay for fire protection rightfully back to our local fire departments. Working in concert with state fire chiefs and our legislators, I am happy to say we were able to allocate 100% of the taxes consumers pay for fire protection back to North Dakota fire departments. This change will result in an additional $4 million going out to our local fire districts. Firefighters deserve our respect, our thanks and with this budget, they will also receive our full financial support. As industry regulators, the insurance department should not be in the business of selling insurance. Therefore, we also proposed a budget change that would allow us to partner with the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund to administer some of the insurance funds that cover public property in the state. The insurance department and the state of North Dakota will no longer compete with the private market by providing property coverage to our public entities. That duty will be turned over to NDIRF, which will leverage its network of private agents to provide enhanced service to our governmental entities. The budget also would propose a restructure of our agency. The primary mission of the insurance department is consumer protection and regulation of the insurance industry. The budget the Legislature approved allows us to focus on that mission. Moving forward, we will no longer oversee boiler inspections, nor will we operate a fund for underground petroleum storage tanks. These functions are moving to the Department of Environmental Quality, a more natural home for these important functions With these changes to the insurance department, we can better focus on helping move the insurance industry in North Dakota forward. The budget the Legislature approved gives the insurance department the resources needed to enhance our mission, while still reducing our overall budget by approximately 7.5%. We have trimmed our budget, focused our scope of work, protected the taxpayers, supported our local fire departments and advocated for North Dakota consumers. While the insurance department is not an agency that generally makes headlines, this session was transformative for us and for the citizens of our great state. I want to applaud the Legislature and Gov. Doug Burgum for being bold on behalf of North Dakotans. Jon Godfread is commissioner of the North Dakota Insurance Department. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation and North Dakota recently finalized a historic oil and gas tax agreement, thanks to ongoing productive dialogue. I believe tribal and state governments work better in partnership, with respect for each others rights, both committed to create solutions. I hope North Dakota will continue to be a partner as the MHA Nation urges the Department of the Interior to reaffirm the MHA Nations mineral rights under the Missouri River on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Since our first treaties were signed in 1825, our rights to the Missouri River and the minerals below it have been affirmed by the federal government numerous times. But under the current administration, these mineral rights have been called into question. When tribal leaders met with President Donald Trump, we were given assurances that we would have the administrations support in developing our natural resources to grow our economy. But instead, officials in the administration suspended a 2017 Department of Interior decision that reaffirmed that MHA Nations ownership of the Missouri riverbed minerals on our reservation. This decision by the department was the most recent of many federal acknowledgements of our property rights to the Missouri. Any attempt to interfere with our rights to these minerals is an unlawful violation that ignores longstanding precedent. The MHA Nation can continue its path to self-sufficiency if this administration follows the law by affirming our rights to the Missouri riverbed minerals. These resources remain critical to our continued growth, prosperity, and independence. The Missouri River always has been the heart of our culture and livelihood. Before settlers arrived, we had a thriving, aboriginal economy fueled by the river. For centuries though, our lands and waters have been under constant threat. The construction of the Garrison Dam flooded our lands and created what is now known as Lake Sakakawea. With the flooding came economic collapse. We lost 25% of our most valuable reservation land. Ninety percent of our people lost their homes and were forced to relocate. But even as our aboriginal territory has been degraded and destroyed, our tribe has always maintained its rights to the river and riverbed. We lost our economic hub with the flooding of our lands but we maintained our access to the river resources and minerals of the reservation. The U.S. government has stated on record for decades that the mineral resources of the riverbed on the reservation belong to the MHA Nation. For the past 80 years, the Department of the Interior has maintained this position, which is also supported by Supreme Court precedent. Our rights to the minerals of the Missouri have been upheld time and time again. And yet, some officials in the Trump administration have clouded this long-standing property right by suspending the most recent DOI opinion that reaffirms our rights. So now we are forced to again defend that which has always rightfully belonged to us. Like North Dakota, the MHA Nation is a government responsible for the needs of its citizens in the areas of education, healthcare, law enforcement, social services and more. We are a government striving to provide for the increasingly complex needs of our community. Truck traffic on reservation roads has increased 600% in the last decade; our roads need constant repair and our people deserve safe infrastructure. The growth in our population means an increased need for law enforcement to protect everyone. The future of our tribal nation depends on establishing and maintaining a healthy economy. This requires the ability to rely on the resources within our reservation and a focus on strong relationships between tribal and state governments. We all have a stake in growing North Dakotas economy and ensuring a healthy and prosperous future for everyone. The MHA Nation and North Dakota have proven ourselves able partners and allies in the future of our state. I hope our elected officials will join us once again in supporting our lawful property rights to the minerals under the Missouri River on the Fort Berthold Reservation. Mark Fox is the chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation. He is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and earned his law degree in 1993 from the University of North Dakota. First elected chairman in 2014, Fox is serving his second term. Love 1 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 The Senate Armed Services Committee recently held a hearing on President Donald Trumps proposal to establish the Space Force, and at the hearing our nations military leadership agreed unanimously that this new branch of the military should be created. For years, Washington has debated the idea of a Space Force both how it would work and whether it was necessary. It is clear now that we must move forward on turning the Space Force from an idea into a reality. The United States has enjoyed a dominant presence in space for decades. As Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson told me, We are the best in the world at space. While space is not at the forefront of most Americans minds, it is integral to everything we do. From using GPS to changing the channel, space is literally at our fingertips. The same applies to our military. In virtually every aspect, mission success is dependent on our space infrastructure. The American way of life and the men and women who defend it across the globe depend on our ability to operate in space, and our adversaries know it. China and Russia recently reorganized their militaries to counter our space superiority. In an effort to degrade our land, air, and sea capabilities, these countries are rapidly developing anti-satellite weapons. What good are our precision bombs if they cannot hit their targets? How could we conduct meaningful reconnaissance without satellite imagery? Despite numerous warnings and recommendations, the United States has been slow to react. Because we lack a clear vision, foreign countries have reduced our dominance in space and developed systems that threaten our national security. That is why we need to stand up a modernized Space Force. Currently, over 60 organizations are responsible for various aspects of our space presence. A Space Force would reduce redundancy and ensure our efforts are properly accountable. The Space Force should be led by a uniformed four-star chief of staff who serves as the sixth member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It should follow the Marine Corps model, falling within the Department of the Air Force just as the Marines fall within the Department of the Navy. Next months markup on the National Defense Authorization Act presents an opportunity for Congress to consider creating the Space Force. A streamlined Space Force with clear leadership and consistent vision would afford space the attention it deserves. And we must act quickly. Because we lack a clear vision, foreign countries have reduced our dominance in space and developed systems that threaten our national security. As the commander of the U.S. Strategic Command, Air Force Gen. John Hyten, said during the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing: Every physical domain we have, when it becomes contested, we create a military service to deal with that. So we are going to have a Space Force. The committee has to decide when is that going to happen. And I think now is the time. Almost a century ago, Army Brig. Gen. Billy Mitchell commander of all Army air combat units in France in World War I and considered the father of the United States Air Force was demoted and court-martialed because of his advocacy for air power as a war fighting domain. It took painful lessons during World War II to demonstrate how right Mitchell was. If a United States Space Force is inevitable, why would we wait until we are behind? As the Bible says in Proverbs, Without vision the people perish. We have the opportunity to move beyond governing by crisis, to heed the warnings of our military community, and to think aspirationally about what our armed forces can achieve. This starts with coming to a budget agreement that funds our national security needs. Without it, our dominance in space and all of our national security priorities are at risk. I am thankful both to Trump for introducing the bold proposal for a Space Force and to Armed Service Committee Chairman Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., for elevating this discussion in Congress. Because of their work, and the overwhelming support from the military community, the conversation about space has been elevated from backroom Beltway dialogue to a kitchen table discussion. This issue is now before the American people where it belongs. It is time for the United States to recognize the growing threat in space and to develop a dedicated and well-equipped Space Force. History shows it, our military leaders prove it, and the American way of life demands it. Kevin Cramer is the junior U.S. senator from North Dakota. Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 1 Angry 2 This story has been edited to remove a reference to a charity group. -- Editor Recently, Minnesota's freshman Democrat, Ilhan Omar, a member of the House Foreign Relations Committee, told PBS that "policies that we have put in place has kind of helped lead the devastation in Venezuela and we have sort of set the stage for where we are arriving today." In other words, it's America's fault that the nation of Venezuela is in serious trouble. Mass starvation in that once prosperous country is very near. Most people realize that the disaster in Venezuela was caused by the actions of Hugo Chavez and his successor, Nicolas Maduro, both of whom are socialist tyrants whose policies destroyed their country. Omar has repeatedly spewed anti-Semitic statements that in normal times would have warranted a sharp rebuke from her party. Instead, the Democrats could only muster a watered-down resolution that rejected anti-Semitism, but failed to even mention her by name, which will no doubt lead to more of the same from Omar. Anti-Semitic rhetoric appears to be the Democrats' new normal. Another bigoted offense that Omar has committed in her short congressional career is her casual dismissal of the 9/11 terrorist attack as "some people did something." Every American knows what "some people" did and who did it. Al-Qaida killed 3,000 Americans in the most heinous act of this century. Perhaps the most egregious of all is her participation in clandestine fundraisers with groups that have been tied to the support of terrorism. One must wonder whose side is Ilhan Omar on: America's or al-Qaida's. Tom Hammerel, Bismarck Love 0 Funny 1 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 1 Computer Weekly 21 May 2019: Managing software updates in Windows 10 In this weeks Computer Weekly, we talk to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to find out how technology is fighting poverty by increasing financial inclusion. We examine how best to manage the challenges of Microsofts new plan for ongoing Windows 10 updates. And we find out how data innovation at Lloyds of London is supporting a wider digital modernisation at the 330-year-old insurance market. Also featured: How Manchester City Council has made considerable savings since beginning to migrate from a traditional IT architecture in favour of a hyper-converged infrastructure from Nutanix. Public sector IT buyers may soon be spoilt for choice when it comes to cloud services, but where does that leave G-Cloud? Sports sponsorship remains a focus for B2B software companies and retail tech firms looking to impress the boardroom. Since I won my Emmy Award from CBS Sports NFL Today that helped carve out the most amazing career I could possibly ask for this story caug... Understanding data perturbations is essential in Supply Chain Analysis. Of course, that assumes that those performing the data analysis understand data analysis and the underlying functional and operational relationships. Unfortunately, that isnt always the case. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) just published its intent to award a sole source contract to Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Specifically, Florida Atlantic University will perform genetic sampling of harbor seal scat samples. NOAA has published a finding that Florida Atlantic University is uniquely qualified to perform this work. Thats right. Florida Atlantic University is uniquely qualified to gather and test seal scat. That by itself is amusing, certainly, but it gets better. NOAA attempts to justify the sole source award, which by statute must be justified. A statistical analysis of population structure using microsatellite data from multiple laboratories would require a model with additional parameters to explain any variability due to data collection, which in turn, increases the risks of inflating or masking any differences between populations. Notice there is no assertion that Florida Atlantic is better at collecting or analyzing scat than anybody else. That would be a valid sole source justification. Instead, NOAA asserts that Florida Atlantics results cannot be replicated by anybody else. In other words, their scat apparently doesnt stink. Put it all together, and what we have is sole source justification to analyze scat based on the assertion that other scientists are unable to replicate the results. If a finding can't be replicated, it suggests that our current understanding of the study system or our methods of testing are insufficient. Numbers matter, and so does scat in the real world. When measuring your no-scat operations, make sure the measurements are repeatable and can pass the smell test. If it smells like scat, it probably is scat. Bernie Sanders has released A Thurgood Marshall Plan for Public Education, a detailed and bold suite of public education reforms reminiscent of the kinds of policy planks being laid down regularly by rival candidate Elizabeth Warren (I'm a donor to both Sanders' and Warren's campaigns). The plan a pun on the Marshall Plan for rebuilding Europe after WWII is also a tribute to Thurgood Marshall, the attorney who successfully argued for school desegregation in the landmark Brown v Board of Ed Supreme Court case. Given the name, it's no surprise that the centerpiece of the plan is a group of measures designed to increase racial integration in US schools, including funding for bussing, "community-driven" desegregation strategies, Title I grants, ESL instruction, improved outcomes for tribal schools, etc, as well as non-financial measures like appointing judges to issue desegregation orders, ending the disciplinary strategies that create the school-to-prison pipeline, etc. Closely related is a commitment to curb public funding for Charter Schools, whose origins are in a backlash to Brown v Board of Ed, as a means of securing continued funding for racially segregated schools, by providing vouchers to parents to use to pay for tuition at private schools that practiced the discrimination that was banned in public schools by Brown. Beyond tackling racial discrimination, Sanders' plan adds teeth and resources to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); increase teacher pay and autonomy, with more money for classroom supplies and more flexibility to adapt or ignore standardized curriculum; and increase access to school lunches, after-school care and summer care. Finally, Sanders proposes a long-overdue cash infusion into school infrastructure, with money to rebuild and retrofit schools with energy efficiency measures; and he closes with a promise to restore and expand protections for LGBTQ kids. Instead of pursuing their dreams of being an environmentalist, a teacher, a social worker, or an artist, too many Americans end up taking higher-paying jobs on Wall Street or as accountants or as corporate managers simply to pay back their student loans. We need environmentalists. We need people to take care of the poor. We need health care providers to choose to work in community health centers. We need good teachers. Each and every American must be able to get the education they need to match their skills and fulfill their dreams. In fulfilling those dreams, we must make teaching a highly attractive profession again. Teachers have one of the toughest and most demanding jobs in America. Teachers have been the leaders in the fight to improve public schools, reduce class sizes, and provide every student with books, computers and safe, high quality schools. What encourages me and gives me so much hope about the future is that teachers across the country are standing up and saying enough is enough! The wealthiest people in America cannot have it all, while public schools all over America are falling apart. Over the past year, tens of thousands of teachers across the country have gone on strike to demand greater investment in public education. The wave of teacher strikes throughout the country provides an historic opportunity to make the investments we desperately need to make our public education system the best in the industrialized world, not one of the poorest. A Thurgood Marshall Plan for Public Education [Bernie Sanders] Bernie Sanders Unveils 'A Thurgood Marshall Plan for Public Education' [Jessica Corbett/Common Dreams] The Lifetime Income Security Solution This book provides a straightforward methodology to achieve and protect your financial goals. It not only explains why an income-based investment strategy is superior to active management but also how to utilize certain deferred compensation strategies to better time income recognition. Finally, there is an overview of a simple and realistic asset protection methodology that relies less on hype and more on an honest appraisal of asset protections true capabilities. Concise and conversationally written, this book is a must for high net worth individuals and investment advisers. News / National by Staff reporter TAPERA SENGWENI, the attorney for an MDC activist who launched a court process that nullified Nelson Chamisa's status as the Movement for Democratic Change president, has challenged the 41-year-old politician to continue with his planned congress, against a court ruling which declared otherwise.He was speaking to NewZimbabwe.com as the opposition MDC maintains it was going ahead with the elective congress even though the High Court ordered the party to revert to its 2014 structures and call for an extra-ordinary congress to choose a new leadership.Sengweni told NewZimbabwe.com that, "The court has the final say. Whether you are the president, first lady, whether you were chosen, appointed yourself or chosen by a standing committee or standing council, when the judgment comes, the law of the land expects you to respect it."MDC has been thrust into a predicament by the court judgment amid doubt on whether it was certainly moving ahead with its Gweru congress.Sangweni, who is also an MDC activist, insisted that Chamisa was an advocate who should understand better about the dangers of flouting court judgments. He said if Chamisa was an indispensable party leader as suggested by those against the court decision, he must simply comply with the court's decision and prove himself in a proper election. News / National by Staff reporter State power utility, Zesa, has ring fenced wheat farmers and key players in productive sectors such as coal miners to cushion them from power cuts to avoid crippling critical sectors of the economy.Zimbabwe Power Company (ZPC managing director Robson Chikuri said on Thursday last week that winter wheat farmers and coal miners will not be cut from the grid despite ongoing power outages.The country has resorted to regular power rationing in order to balance the mismatch between demand and supply, which was occasioned by reduced generation at anchor power station, Kariba South.Kariba South, a 1050 megawatt power station and Zimbabwe's largest power plant, is now restricted to maximum generation of 358MW for the rest of 2019 due to low water levels following the drought experienced last year in its catchment area.The Zambezi River Authority, which regulates use of water in the Zambezi River on behalf of Zambia and Zimbabwe warned that if power generation at Kariba continued at levels above 1000MW, generators would have to be shut down by September.Kariba Dam is designed to operate at levels between 485 metres and 474.5 metres, below which the dam faces the danger of depletion, which has serious implications on equipment and future sustainability.At a time Kariba's generation capacity is limited, just like 920MW Hwange can only do a maximum 700MWat best due to advanced age, Zesa has to ration power to balance demand and supply." There are some wheat farmers who are irrigating 24/7; we have assigned our directors to identify those farmers, who irrigate more than 100 hectares, so that they are accommodated for purposes of not hindering wheat production," Mr Chikuri said.He said Zesa was accommodating winter wheat farmers and encouraging them to irrigate either at night or in the day when demand is lower. There are however some farmers who irrigate all day using centre pivots."So we have discussed with our general managers to identify such farmers so that they are accommodatedfor the purpose of not hindering wheat production in the country," he said.Zimbabwe, which requires upwards of 400 000 tonnes of wheat a year, is currently dependent on imports, which have been difficult to bring on the back of acute shortage of foreign currency.Mr Chikuri also said coal miners, who include the two largest producers, Hwange Colliery Company and Makomo Resources will not be cut off the grid to maintain supplies of coal used in generation of electricity.Secretary for Energy and Power Development Engineer Gloria Magombo said it was Government policy that key sectors of the economy, including agriculture and mining, will not cut off the grid to avoid disrupting production.She however said major power consumers in the country should take advantage of off peak periods when the prescribed power tariff threshold is low to irrigate and to drive industrial production.Eng. Magombo said while the country was experiencing critical power shortages, it was not every sector of the economy being cut off the supply line to balance the demand and supply mismatch.Zimbabwe's internal generation capacity stands at an average of plus or minus 1000 megawatts while demand at peak periods, which stands at an average 1700MW, outstrips domestic supply.It is against this background that Zesa is weighing an offer from Mozambique's state power utility EDM to import power generated at Hydro Cahora Bassa Dam, which is experiencing overflows.Hydro Cahora Bassa sits on the Zambezi River, just like Kariba Dam, but is experiencing overflows due to recent Cyclone Idai floods and so has excess water it can use for power generation.Mozambique has already requested Zimbabwe and Zambia, through the Zambezi River Authority, to reduce the amount of water they release from the Kariba Dam to avoid dam overflow while it will supply the two countries with power at a minimal cost. News / National by Staff reporter Former Midlands province leader of a Zanu-PF-aligned music group - Chimurenga IV - John Mutemeri, has released a single praising MDC leader Nelson Chamisa and urging unity in the opposition party.Mutemeri defected from Zanu-PF to join MDC Alliance at the beginning of this year.His previous band was prominent during former president Robert Mugabe's era where it headlined performances at major party events like inter-face rallies, annual conferences and congresses.Under Mutemeri, the band had albums, Go Goi Zimbabwe released in 2011 and Zimbabwe Yangu, which was unleashed two years later.The group went on to produce a DVD, which merged hits from the two projects whose tracks praised the ruling party and its fallen leader Mugabe.However, Mutemeri has now jumped ship and says he is now a strong member of the opposition due to the "citadel of hope" in Chamisa's vision."I have just released my single called Canaan. This song talks of the need for unity and spirit of oneness in the party as it prepares for its fifth congress.In the song I urge supporters not to be distracted by the enemy, but rally behind president Chamisa," said Mutemeri in an interview with this publication.He said the new single had already been accepted with great critical acclaim by MDC sympathisers."In the song I say Ngatisvikei Canaan Takakwana [Let's reach Canaan together] meaning before Chamisa rules, some of the MDC supporterscould have been snatched by the enemy so supporters must not be lost that way," said Mutemeri. News / National by Staff reporter OUTSPOKEN Matabeleland traditional leader, Chief Nhlanhlayamangwe Ndiweni, has vowed to forge ahead with the "Save Ntabazinduna Mountain" campaign despite threats from government and Zanu-PF.Ndiweni has received widespread support from a cross-section of Zimbabweans, with the militant Mthwakazi Republic Party (MRP) going a step further promising security support for the chief.Ndiweni angered government and the ruling party-PF after he resisted the eviction of the Parsons/Davies family from Chiefs Lodge atop Ntabazinduna Mountain which is under his jurisdiction.On Wednesday, Zanu-PF youths attempted to seize the traditional leader's government-issued vehicle in Bulawayo's central business district.The mountain is a famous historical site that is important in the Ndebele culture, which Ndiweni and the College of Amakhosi - the highest traditional court in Matabeleland - consider sacred."The notion that such an important historic site can be tampered with in any manner whatsoever, most importantly portioned off to individuals we do not know, to individuals we have not sanctioned to get that place is totally and completely unacceptable," Chief Ndiweni said."So, for us, we have no option, but to continue the Save Ntabazinduna Mountain' campaign."The people of Ntabazinduna and Matabeleland as a whole are expected to just sit and watch as their sacred historical mountain is broken up and given to individuals coming all the way from Harare. No."The chief also courted government's ire after he called for the tightening of sanctions against government officials in response to the Ntabazinduna Mountain land grab.Ndiweni said Matabeleland traditional leaders would not back down on the sanctions mantra until government reversed a decision to remove the Parsons/Davies family."In a bid to stop this madness, we have chosen to use the issue of sanctions as a means of stopping this unacceptable act by the administration. For us, this whole issue begins and ends because of Ntabazinduna Mountain," he said."We in Matabeleland are still grappling with the issues of the 1980s genocide. The issue of using sanctions in a bid to keep control of our Ntabazinduna Mountain is acceptable, when one looks at the dangerous issues within this matter."MRP president Mqondisi Moyo said the militant party was going a step further to provide security to the chief after suspected Zanu-PF youths threatened to seize his vehicle."As MRP, we will leave no stone unturned and we will match Zanu-PF man-for-man. We are yet another generation and we are the survivors of the 1982-1987 genocide. As such, we are not going to fold our hands as our oppressors and tormentors devour us," Moyo said.South Africa-based Ndebele King Bulelani Collin Khumalo also condemned the attack on Ndiweni, describing it as an attack on the institution of traditional leaders as guaranteed in the constitution."This attack constitutes a serious attack on the institution of traditional leaders as a whole and on the rule of law and constitutional democratic order which anchors our governance institutions," the Royal Crown Council, which represents Khumalo, said yesterday.The opposition Zapu, led by former Home Affairs minister Dumiso Dabengwa, and the United Movement for Devolution, led by former MDC chairperson and Speaker of Parliament Lovemore Moyo, also echoed the same sentiments. News / National by Mandla Ndlovu ZANU PF Secretary for Youth Affairs Pupurai Togarepi has fired salvo at the United States of America government for allegedly funding opposition party members and civic society activists to unleash a wave of illegal protests too cause civil unrest in June.Said Togarepi, "Americans sponsor merchants of violence then ask their citizens to avoid Zimbabwe. Some gullible Zimbabweans don't see. Hypocrisy."Togarepi's statements come at a time when the state controlled Herald newspaper reported that some civic society activists working in together with MDC are undergoing training in civil disobedience so that they can come back and unleash a fresh wave of violent protests worse than the January 14 one.Citing unnamed sources Herald also reported that a USA diplomat smuggled 5 guns into the country and those guns might have been used in the August 2018 and January 2019 disturbances.Sources in the Central Committee of ZANU PF revealed to this publication that the statements uttered by ZANU PF members and the stories planted at the Herald are a project done to create a conducive move to crush on any demonstrations that might be held by MDC or any institution in the country.Turning to the economy Togarepi said, "Few people are benefiting whilst the majority are suffering and President ED Mnangagwa is absorbing all the blame. Where are those who are supposed to enforce laws?"Money changers in town are openly advertising on social media, propelling exchange rates without remorse or fear or because they are paying protection fees to some elements. It's now time this come to an end." News / National by Mandla Ndlovu MDC leader Nelson Chamisa on Sunday addressed the MDC supporters on Sunday during a Thank you rally.He addressed issues relating to the congress, the High Court judgement and issues relating to service delivery.Chamisa assured his supporters that he will deliver a new Zimbabwe.Watch the video below: News / National by Staff reporter Beaver Immigration Consulting is warning Zimbabwean national to be aware of an online hoax that claims Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is "begging" African leaders, from Nigeria, Kenya and Zimbabwe for one million new immigrants from each of these countries. The hoax is part of an elaborate scam that is defrauding thousands of dollars (USD) from some of the most vulnerable people on the continent.Fake news stories continue to appear online and are being shared on Facebook and Twitter that Canada has created "a new Employment and Migration Programme designed for immigrants" from Nigeria, Kenya and Zimbabwe.The posts, which have been shared over 3,000 times on Facebook and Twitter have been declared as fraudulent by several Canadian High Commissions in Africa. The "one million" figure had been drawn from the announcement by the Government of Canada that is will add one million new permanent residents by the end of 2021."We continue to receive message from victims of this elaborate scam," said Nicholas Avramis, a licensed Canadian immigration consultant based out of Cape Town, South Africa."This is a serious problem on the continent. Fraudsters either use fake news stories or contact victims directly offering to secure both employment and work visa permits for Canada. People are being scammed out of thousands in dollars."Mr. Avramis states that the Canadian government only allows licensed consultants, known as Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC's), who are in good standing with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC), which is the government's regulatory body, to advise and complete visa application on behalf of clients for a fee."If an individual or some group offers you immigration services to Canada for a fee it is important that they have a license and can be found on the ICCRC's website. They also must be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada." News / National by Staff reporter The country's vice president who is also UTM Party leader Saulos Chilima told the nation on Sunday that a Zimbabwean national Augustine Chihuri who is in the county to help Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government rig elections.Addressing the news conference at his resident in the capital Lilongwe, the UTM Leader disclosed that Chihuri, a former commissioner general in Zimbabwe, was allegedly hired by DPP government in order to train parallel police officers who will pose as legitimate officers and do heinous acts in a bit to you the tripartite elections in favor of DPP.Chilima has since ordered that Chihuri must leave Malawi at once.The Vice President said : "We are saying that Chihuri must leave our country, don't mess our elections."He also said there are also plans to switch already marked ballot papers with the credible ones .Chilima was saying this in a press briefing at his area 12 house which started at 5:30 in the morning.He further said: "We will soon be writing Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) to elaborate these anomalies so that they can fix them urgently."Malawi goes to polls on May 21 as official campaign closes today May 19, 2019 at 6am (CAT) News / National by Staff reporter No mirrors and no parking assist cameras - just pure skill. That is what a donkey cart driver demonstrated in a video that has gone viral on social media.The video surfaced online on Thursday and has had South Africans in stitches since.The driver is seen confidently reversing out of a parking bay in Mahikeng, North West.A car guard then enthusiastically assists the two donkeys leading the cart. News / National by Staff reporter Higherlife Foundation has released a list of 100 'Joshualites' who were offered the Joshua Nkomo Scholarships for 2019, ZimTechReview reported.Econet funds the scholarship in honour of the late Father Zimbabwe's influence in them being awarded a licence to operate a mobile company.In 1997, Joice Mujuru, then the Information, Posts and Telecommunications Minister, committed a grave political sin - defying instructions from the late Vice President Joshua Nkomo before questioning his sanity.Nkomo, idolised countrywide for his leadership of the Independence war effort, and especially in Matabeleland his home, had directed Mujuru to issue Econet Wireless with a cellular network licence but instead she awarded it to Telecel.In her defence Mujuru said she had defied the iconic former PF-Zapu leader, who was 80 then, after being "advised that the Vice President wasn't at his best.""Dr Nkomo is ageing and doesn't always understand or remember things as well as he used to," Mujuru was quoted saying.President Mugabe, who was out of the country, slammed Mujuru and ordered her to apologise to Dr Nkomo leading to Telecel's licence being withdrawn.The licence was given to Econet. Opinion / Columnist Grace Mugabe is like a civet cat's stench. It's so strong it will burn your nostrils. And it doesn't go away in a hurry. Now, that disgraceful smell is hanging around President Emmerson Mnangagwa's self-christened "new dispensation" and teaching us just how old things always stubbornly stick around in Zimbabwe.The nosy media recently told on how Grace, the former first lady remembered more for her fiery temper and fake doctorate than anything else, in 2017 beat up a government employee working at her Blue Roof residence and subsequently fired her. She was miffed by the fact that the employee, Shupikai Chiroodza, had received a cash gift from ex-president Robert Mugabe for her wedding. So she beat the lights out of the poor employee with a Gucci shoe and fists.It's not clear why the ex-president decided to dole out the gift without informing his wife. In a normal marriage, you expect the husband and wife to make collective decisions. Since there was no such collectivity, it's highly likely that the first marriage was going through a stormy patch, but that's besides the matter. Either Grace was supposed to take her anger to the high seas, vent it against bitter foes Mnangagwa and the army at a rally, or, most ideally, fume it out in her Blue-roofed bedroom.It was always going to be unfair to take her frustrations to Shupikai and start accusing her of milking her husband. You can only know the path that passes over the rock if you use it, so the local adage says. That means Grace didn't have any business teaching other people things on milking old people like Mugabe. But that, again, is besides the point.2017 was the year when Grace's madness reached its zenith. The assault on Shupikai took place in March. Five months after, the demon of anger in her was swelling again. That's when she assaulted a young South African model, Gabriella Engels, in Sandton for merely finding her in the company of her two sons, Robert Jnr and Chatunga. She left the young lady's face in serious need of repair after using an electric cord to beat the hell out of her. Needless to mention, the problem was not with her sons - who certainly needed a week or two in manners school - but the model, just as her husband was not the problem in the wedding gift scandal.Even though word out there says there is a warrant of arrest for Grace in some office in Johannesburg, the former first lady has escaped prosecution over the Engels assault. And it's so unsettling that the Mnangagwa "new dispensation" is also letting her go scot free this side of the Limpopo. If there was ever any benefit of doubt that the administration enjoyed, the fresh revelation that Grace beat up a government employee and then fired her has removed all the dregs and left the jar bottom clear.When Mnangagwa replaced Mugabe after a smart military coup, his caretaker government started telling people that it was going to do things differently. It promised the rule of law and justice, good governance and respect for humanity. It said it would fight corruption and bring all criminals, starting with those it purported were surrounding Mugabe, to book. That, in essence, is what it meant when it rebranded itself the "new dispensation".Lots of people, despite the frenzy of seeing Mugabe's back, doubted the post-Mugabe's administration lofty tale of having turned into new wine - never mind the type of bottle. That was predictable, of course, seeing as it is that, here, the word "new" is often abused. For instance, we are still talking of "new farmers" almost two decades after they were given farms under the fast track land reform programme. But then, what sense was going to come out of the post-Mugabe leadership considering that it was there with Mugabe right from the start, literally? Pretty the same as that mad man who brings down a ramshackle hovel, uses the same material to build another house and goes about celebrating having built a new one.Two basic things betray the post-Mugabe administration's lie about being a new dispensation, in the context of Grace's ill-treatment of Shupikai. After the coup, the establishment chased away Innocent Tizora from his post as the senior principal director in charge of State residences and put Douglas Tapfuma in his stead. Shupikai informed Tapfuma about her irregular dismissal by Grace and Tizora who didn't even bother to take the matter to the Civil Service Commission (CSC) as required. Tapfuma, whose office is under the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), didn't do anything about it either.Secondly, Shupikai took her matter to the CSC - then under Mariyawanda Nzuwa - but no action was taken to redress her unprocedural expulsion. In the post-coup period, the CSC still looked away despite pleas from Shupikai. Now, out of desperation, she has taken her case to the High Court so that she may be reinstated. She was left with no-one to turn to even under the so-called new dispensation. It's not clear if she is going to press assault charges against Grace, but there is no reason to believe that the National Prosecuting Authority or the police will act if we judge things on the basis of CSC's non-action.There is no prize for saying this, but Grace never had the official authority to fire a civil servant like Shupikai. Yes, as Chris Mutsvangwa once said, she was conflating government business and her bedroom. But that doesn't make what she was doing right. Nor does it mean that the post-Mugabe administration must turn a blind eye. Tapfuma was supposed to heed Shupikai's pleas for justice and ensure due procedure to address her plight. He is a senior employee working right under the nose of the president. That proximity, naturally, condemns Mnangagwa. There is no basis to assume that Tapfuma kept the matter away from him. Mnangagwa knew about Grace's excesses and, as the president, must have made sure that corrective action was taken. But he didn't.Similarly, he must have reined in the CSC. The commission is rattling ahead with impunity. You can't spot the difference between the CSC of Mugabe's time and the current one, despite the fact that, during his first 100 days in office, Mnangagwa promised a new work ethic within the civil service. As it stands, its failure to deal with Shupikai's case is just but one in many other cases whereby it submits itself to political manipulation and violates its own covenant,A recent report by the Zimbabwe Gender Commission (ZGC) on sexual harassment in the Immigration Department casts telling light on this. It boggles the mind that the ZGC has not yet made public such a useful report, but more is coming on this soon. The point here is, the gender commission found out during its own investigations that several Immigration employees were molested by senior department staff. Despite the victims taking their issues to the CSC, nothing has been done to date.As the clock hand ticks round, the clearer it becomes that the Mnangagwa administration lacks the capacity for newness. In fact, it has already done things that are older than the Mugabe dispensation, so to speak. Mugabe never shut down the internet, just used the spooks for sporadic and largely harmless jamming.Mugabe used soldiers to persecute protesting citizens, but he never ordered them to fire live ammunition at innocent civilians at point-blank range.Tawanda Majoni is the national coordinator at Information for Development Trust (IDT) and can be contacted on tmajoni@idt.org.zw Opinion / Columnist Amhlophe to the African National Congress for resoundingly winning another term under President Cyril Ramaphosa. There is an obligation for South Africa to avoid the tribal and racist path of other African countries that has impoverished fellow blacks and glorified colonialism. Indeed the failed African states represent the greatest and longest praise poem for colonialism. It is the foulest indictment on the heroic exploits of the freedom fighters that corruption and tribalism are now the hallmark of the failed African states.The ANC owes a great debt to the victims of Gukurahundi in Zimbabwe. From 30 July-3 August 1967, The "Luthuli Detachment", comprising ANC and Zimbabwe African People's Union (ZAPU guerrillas), crossed the Zambezi river into Southern Rhodesia (the present Zimbabwe) and engaged joint Rhodesian and South African troops at the start of the Wankie and Sipolio battles, which raged until late 1968. The two sister liberation organisations put up a heroic fight that turned the tide of the war of liberation. The bond between the ANC and ZAPU was sealed with blood as Umkhonto weSizwe under the excellent leadership of the late selfless Chris Hani combined with ZPRA and dealt a mortal blow to the enemy in the Sipolio campaign. These were true Pan-African liberation movements that were driven by a genuine desire to uplift the standards of living of African compatriots.After independence apartheid South Africa conspired with ZANU -PF to embark on a genocidal campaign against ZAPU supporters. Had Zimbabwe gained independence under ZAPU, the ANC was guaranteed unlimited support as ZAPU and ANC were comrades in arms. The apartheid regime trembled at the prospects of a free Zimbabwe providing military bases for Umkhonto wesizwe. In fact there is strong evidence that the so-called arms caches which were used as a pretext for the annihilation of Matabeleland through a tribal genocide belonged to Umkhonto wesizwe. It is therefore important for the ANC to stand with the genocide survivors for sacrificing their blood for the liberation of South Africa. The people of Matabeleland suffered ostracization and genocide partly due to the hatred that ZANU-PF had for the ANC. This hatred can be seen in the derogatory insults that President Nelson Mandela suffered under the regime of Mugabe. Mugabe is the God father of Gukurahundi which was a ruthless tribal campaign against an unarmed civilian whose devilish climax was the ripping open of pregnant women to remove dissidents.The ANC cannot remain silent. It cannot pretend that the 20000 ZAPU supporters who were slaughtered in cold blood have no meaning to the independence of South Africa. This is were Julius Malema beats the ANC as forthright and fearless leader. While political correctness demands silence, the righteousness indignation of the ANC demands that it makes a stand for all those who supported it and paid the ultimate price. It is therefore important for the ANC to make an official pronouncement on Gukurahundi partly as it was also a victim. By dismantling ZAPU structures and collaborating with apartheid South Africa, ZANU-PF was attacking the liberation agenda fronted by the ANC.The victims of Gukurahundi look up to the independent South Africa to remember their travails and pain as they endured the killing fields of Matabeleland. Botswana offered refuge to the former ZPRA guerrillas who were being hunted down like dogs with rabies. Botswana was the sanctuary for the tortured souls of the freedom fighters who were demobilised and then slaughtered as It is likely that some ANC members were killed during Gukurahunudi as most of them were in Matabeleland. This not even the point. The point is that ANC and ZAPU alliance was part of the bitterness that suffocated ZANU-PF into genocidal jealousy. The former ZPRA combatants had their properties and farms confiscated by the greedy and cruel ZANU-PF. The fact that ZANLA combatants were in hiding during the better part of the war enraged the cowardly ZANU-PF Government into destroying all records that prices that ZPRA had single handedly delivered independence. Maybe the ANC Government may consider a special dispensation for the people of Matabeleland. The ANC Government can also contribute to the funding of the Matabeleland Zambezi Water project. Such a gesture in memory of Chris Hani would be greatly appreciated. In fact it would be symbolic as the pipeline passes through most of the areas were ZPRA and Umkhonto wesizwe fought pitched battles against fascists and racists. As we say "Isongo elilodwa kalikhencizi.". May the ANC Government consider this humble request from the Gukurahundi survivors.Yours faithfullySihle Ndlovu Opinion / Columnist "It is my singular honour and privilege to welcome you all to this wonderful occasion, as we witness the historic launch of our Political Actors Dialogue. This marks a significant landmark in the history of our great nation under the Second Republic and is unique in many ways, being the first of its kind for Zimbabwe," said Emmerson Mnangagwa."The Dialogue we are launching today will undoubtedly leave a lasting imprint on our country's political landscape and help contribute to the turnaround of our socio-economic fortunes. This platform is designed to be a vibrant forum through which we proffer solutions to the challenges that confront us as a nation, through peaceful, open and transparent discourse."This is infuriating to say the least!1) It is your singular honour and privilege to launch POLAD, to launch the "Second Republic" following the 15 November 2017 military coup and, no doubt, it was your singular honour to have been a senior leading member of the "First Republic". The last lasted 37 years, thanks to your contribution in looting funds to finance the regime, rigging elections and use of brute force, and it was a total disaster for the nation.The Second Republic is different in name only as it has employed the same dirty tactic to impose the Zanu-PF dictatorship on the nation desperate for meaningful democratic change, free and fair elections and an end to the economic meltdown. It is a singular honour to you to impose the First Republic, the Second and now this national dialogue; we the people of Zimbabwe have been denied a meaningful say is all these matters and it is no honour but an insult to be treated as idiots with no say.2) Only an idiot would believe that POLAD will deliver "a vibrant forum for peaceful open and transparent discourse" because the dialogue has no legal or constitutional basis and it is nothing more than your word. You promised to hold free, fair and credible elections, and not just you but ZEC, judiciary and all the other state institutions were under legal obligation to implement the democratic reforms necessary for free, fair and credible elections. You made it clear that you were not going to do this."Zanu-PF ichatonga! Igotonga! Imi muchingo hukura! Nokuhukura!" (Zanu-PF will rule! And rule! Whilst you (calling for reforms) bark! And bark!) Mnangagwa assured his Zanu-PF hardliners publicly on his return from exile following the November 2017 military coup.Mnangagwa has made it clear that the regime will accept political dialogue talking about the economy, lifting of the sanctions against the regime and anything else Zanu-PF approves of. There will be no discussion of implementing the democratic reforms necessary for free, fair and credible elections. Meaningful political reforms are taboo!Zimbabwe is in this economic and political mess precisely because the country has been stuck with this incompetent, corrupt and tyrannical Zanu-PF dictatorship that has stayed in power for 39 years because it rigged elections. The prospect of Zanu-PF staying in power until the next elections in 2023 is simply unthinkable because the party will rig those elections too.The only "significant landmark" Mnangagwa wants to see is Zanu-PF extending its corrupt and tyrannical rule regardless of the democratic wishes of the people of Zimbabwe. It will be unforgivable for those of us with eyes to see and the intellect to comprehend what Mnangagwa is up to. The political dialogue is nothing but a smokescreen to hide the illusion that Zimbabwe's economy and politics are been transformed for the better when in reality economic chaos and the political repression are getting worse! little girl in pilot costume playing and dreaming of flying over the sky After four years of weakness, Colombias economy appears poised to soar with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicting that gross domestic product (GDP) will expand by 3.5% in 2019 and then by 3.4% in 2020. That rate of growth is one of the highest in Latin America and more than double the 1.5% forecast for Canada, highlighting the considerable opportunities in the Andean nation. Such a solid spike in GDP will spark greater demand for energy, particularly electricity as well as natural gas in a country facing an emerging energy crisis. A shortage of investment in aging infrastructure and dearth of major natural gas discoveries in recent years coupled with a rapidly growing population and strong economic growth have triggered this crisis. Those conditions have created opportunities for Canadian companies which are seeking to boost earnings growth and deliver value for investors. Colombias largest independent natural gas producer Driller Canacol Energy (TSX:CNE) has successfully pivoted its operations from oil to what is considered the cleanest fossil fuel available, natural gas. It has amassed hydrocarbon reserves of 559 billion cubic feet (Bcf) and is focused on expanding its access to pipeline, storage and processing infrastructure in Northeastern Colombia, where there is a substantial supply shortage. For 2019, Canacol anticipates that natural gas sales will reach 215 million cubic feet (Mcf) by June which is almost double the 113 Mcf reported for 2018. That, along with growing demand, declining output from Colombias aging offshore gas fields and a dearth of major discoveries has allowed Canacol to lock-in favourable pricing for the gas it sells domestically. Canacol has contracted take or pay wellhead pricing of US$4.97 per Mcf, which is almost double the Henry Hub benchmark and more than double the Canadian AECO price. That will give its profitability and earnings a healthy boost while endowing it with a significant financial advantage over its peers operating solely in North America. Story continues With an exploration success rate of 83%, Canacols reserves will continue growing at a solid clip, supporting higher production and boosting its market value. Diversified global infrastructure giant Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (TSX:BIP.UN)(NYSE:BIP) is one of the largest publicly listed plays on infrastructure available to investors. It owns a globally diversified portfolio of energy, transport and telecommunication infrastructure spanning North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia. In late 2017, Brookfield Infrastructure agreed to acquire a 53% stake in Gas Natural S.A. ESP in a US$560 million deal, giving it and its institutional partners a controlling interest in Colombias second largest regulated gas distribution utility. As at the end of that year, the partnership owned 11% of the utility and has continued to acquire further holdings as part of is staged approach to completing the deal. That has in turn boosted Brookfield Infrastructures income and growth prospects while giving it exposure to one of South Americas fastest growing economies. Its stablemate, Brookfield Renewable Partners acquired Colombias third-largest electric utility Isagen in a US$2.2 billion deal in 2016. The Colombian government utilized those proceeds to fund its 4G roads infrastructure program. Brookfield Infrastructures move into digital data infrastructure through the acquisition of leading Brazilian hyperscale data centre provider Ascenty, through a partnership with Digital Realty. It has stated that it is looking for tuck-in additions to that deal, which leaves it nicely positioned to make further data centre acquisitions in other South American nations like Colombia, where demand for internet and reliable data hosting is growing at an exponential clip. A combination of severe fiscal pressures, aging infrastructure and a lack of investment in public services makes Brookfield Infrastructure a partner of choice for the Colombian government to close the Andean nations widening infrastructure gap. That will serve as a powerful tailwind for Brookfield Infrastructure. While investors wait for the market to recognize Brookfield Infrastructures true value, they will be rewarded by Brookfield Infrastructures regular sustainable distribution yielding almost 5%. More reading Fool contributor Matt Smith has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada. Brookfield Renewable Partners is a recommendation of Dividend Investor Canada. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2019 Pipeline Im convinced that the pipeline sector will continue to make Canadian investors rich over the next few decades. The latest pipeline drama confirms this. We desperately need more pipelines, yet it seems that every major project grinds to a halt early in the approval process. Thats even if these new projects get approved in the first place. This strikes me as a fantastic investment opportunity. If building new pipelines is virtually impossible, then the existing ones end up being more valuable. We all talk about investing in assets that cant be disrupted by competition; a pipeline would certainly fall into that category. The only question investors must ask themselves is which pipeline to choose. Lets take a closer look at three of the largest, Enbridge Inc. (TSX:ENB)(NYSE:ENB), TC Energy (TSX:TRP)(NYSE:TRP) and Inter Pipeline Ltd. (TSX:IPL). Asset mix If an investor is looking for a pure play on growth in the oil sands, their best bet would be to load up on Inter Pipeline shares. Approximately 50% of its revenue comes from three pipelines that transport bitumen from the region to refineries, with plenty of excess capacity when oil sands production expands. Inter Pipeline also owns various conventional oil and natural gas pipelines, as well as energy storage assets. Both Enbridge and TC Energy offer much more diverse portfolios. Enbridge is weighted more toward oil pipelines, but it still has a large natural gas component. Enbridge also owns Ontarios largest natural gas utility, which provides predictable income and a wind power generation subsidiary. TC Energy is more weighted toward natural gas pipelines, and it has further diversified into power generation. Its Bruce Energy subsidiary provides some 6,600 mw of nuclear energy annually. All three of these companies have great assets, but I have to rank Enbridge and TC Energy as the winners in this category. You have to like the stability of owning utility assets. Growth potential Story continues Despite getting largely shut out of large national pipeline projects, the two largest pipeline companies in Canada still have plenty of expansion potential. Enbridge is currently spending $5.9 billion to replace the Canadian part of its Line 3 pipeline, one of the main pipelines transporting crude from Canada into the U.S. It is also spending US$2.9 billion to replace the American side of the pipeline. TC Energy has some $30 billion worth of growth projects planned over the next five years. The largest is the Coastal Gas Link, a $6.2 billion natural gas pipeline to the planned LNG terminal in Kitimat, B.C. Inter Pipeline has gone a different direction, though. It is spending $3.5 billion on the Heartland Petrochemical Complex, a propane dehydrogenation and a polypropylene facility. This unique growth path is projected to add some $500 million to the companys EBITDA when completed in 2021. Valuation Each company uses slightly different metrics for earnings, but they are close enough for approximate analysis. Enbridge reported distributable cash flow of $4.42 per share in 2018, putting shares at approximately 11 times that figure today. TC Energy reported distributable cash flow of $6.52 per share, putting shares at just under 10 times trailing cash flow. Inter Pipeline prefers to report funds from operations, which checked in at $2.80 per share. This makes Inter Pipeline the cheapest pipeline company featured today, with shares trading at 7.5 times funds from operations at writing. Dividends Inter Pipeline gives investors an 8.1% yield today with dividend growth annually since 2009. Investors should also note the companys low payout ratio, which is approximately 60% of funds from operations. But I dont expect Inter Pipeline to grow the dividend by more than 3-5% annually in the short-term. It will need capital to pay for Heartland. Both Enbridge and TC Energy offer consistent histories of dividend growth, attractive payout ratios, and perhaps most importantly, easy potential to grow their payouts by 8-10% annually going forward. Enbridge offers the higher current yield today, with a payout of 5.9%. TCs dividend is still an attractive 4.6%. Still, I have to give the dividend crown to Enbridge. Which should you choose? I dont think investors should settle for just one. I personally own all three of these companies in my portfolio and will continue to hold for a very long time. But if you forced me to choose a winner today, Id choose Enbridge. I like the companys growth potential, its large size, and its attractive payout. More reading Fool contributor Nelson Smith owns shares of ENBRIDGE INC, INTER PIPELINE LTD, and TRANSCANADA CORP. The Motley Fool owns shares of Enbridge. Enbridge is a recommendation of Stock Advisor Canada. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2019 Oil pipes in an oil field It doesnt make sense to include highly cyclical commodity stocks in your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) when your investment objective is to grow your savings and protect your capital. But one top oil stock from Canada that defies this logic is Suncor Energy (TSX:SU)(NYSE:TU). There are many reasons that make Suncor attractive for any TFSA, but the most compelling one is that this company has proven many times that it can weather an oil market downturn much better than other cyclical players. That strength coupled with Suncors leadership position in Canada and its growing dividend make it a perfect candidate for the buy-and-hold TFSA investors. But when you plan to buy any stock, the factor that will decide the rate of your future return is whether this is the right time to enter the trade. After rallying to $55.35 a share in the past summer, Suncor stock plunged below $37 in December, followed by a slow and gradual recovery to $42 a share. Improving cash flows There are many reasons, both short-term and long-term, that support a bullish case for Suncor stock. First, oil producers in Canada are raking in the highest revenues in five years thanks to strong global oil prices and Albertas production cuts. Alberta effectively became Canadas OPEC this year after the provincial government restricted oil production to relieve pressure on the nations pipeline system and ease the congestion. The move boosted prices dramatically, making larger producers, such Suncor, cash rich. Suncor generated $5.2 billion in free cash flows in 2018 after the capital spending and $2.8 billion if we subtract dividend payments. Thats massive cash in an industry that experienced great pain and is still in the middle of a crisis created by pipeline shortages in Canada. In the final quarter of 2018, Suncor hiked its payout by 17% to $0.42 a share quarterly and also increased its share-buyback program from $2.15 billion to $3 billion. Over the long run, Suncor is a much better bet in the Canadian oil patch than many other producers due to the companys integrated business model: it digs for oil, refines it, and sells it through its 1,500 gas stations. Story continues Rival oil sands companies are more exposed to volatile commodity prices and pipeline constraints, but Suncor presence in almost every stage of energy supply-chain makes it somewhat insulated. Bottom line Trading at $42.98 at writing with an annual dividend yield of 3.8%, Suncor has many catalysts that could move its stock higher from these levels. By buying Suncor, youre making a long-term bet on Canadas energy sector. You will also earn regular dividends that the company has been growing consistently. More reading Fool contributor Haris Anwar has no position in the stocks mentioned in this article. The Motley Fools purpose is to help the world invest, better. Click here now for your free subscription to Take Stock, The Motley Fool Canadas free investing newsletter. Packed with stock ideas and investing advice, it is essential reading for anyone looking to build and grow their wealth in the years ahead. Motley Fool Canada 2019 A former research farm in Ottawa's Greenbelt is being turned into a hub for testing the algorithms, sensors and other technology that will allow vehicles to drive themselves. Invest Ottawa, the city's economic development agency, launched the Ottawa L5 test track on Friday. The track will provide a closed, controlled area for companies to use. The "L5" stands for "level 5," the highest level of vehicle intelligence and automation a goal those companies aspire to hit. "We need an area to test our advanced software, advanced technologies, new sensors in the vehicle," said Grant Courville, vice-president at QNX, a subsidiary of Blackberry and already the anchor for Ottawa's autonomous vehicle industry in Kanata. "So this facility here at Ottawa L5 is perfect." British company Aurrigo set up shop in Ottawa a year ago for reasons that include Canada's enthusiasm for the technology, the technical expertise available in the city, and its weather. "To make these vehicles global, they need to be tested in every environment known to man," said Chris Keefe, Aurrigo's vice-president of autonomous programs. "And Ottawa offers a special, unique look at weather from hot to cold, so it's really working out in terms of a one-stop shop when it comes to vehicles." Bike lanes, pedestrian crossings Invest Ottawa already has intersections set up at a testing area in Kanata North, but the new 16 kilometres of paved roads in the Greenbelt will give companies a private area to further test their technologies, away from the traffic of public streets. The City of Ottawa helped set up the special street grid, which includes one-way roads, pedestrian crossings, and bike lanes so as to better mimic real-world situations. "It's essentially a mini-city where we can test ... some of our more advanced software in that controlled environment," Courville said. "It's great to have it right in our backyard." Story continues Kate Porter/CBC In the future, the large property will also include a high-speed track and an area to test drones. Provincial MPPs also attended Friday's test track launch, as the Ontario Centres of Excellence contributed $5 million in May 2018 to the project through its Autonomous Vehicle Innovation Network. The Progressive Conservative government then gave the network a further boost recently so it could focus on winter technologies. The emphasis on these technology and automotive jobs contrasts with the criticism the PCs have faced for cutting funding to Ottawa Tourism, another key industry in the city. "We believe that this is a great investment in the auto sector and jobs of the future," said Todd Smith, Ontario's minister of economic development, job creation and trade. "Certainly we believe in tourism, and we're funding tourism and all kinds of different ways. We're just making sure that we're far more strategic about how we're investing the people's money." "What we're seeing today is a great deal of self-sufficiency and self-reliance," added Nepean MPP Lisa MacLeod. When will driverless cars be ready? Despite the optimism on display Friday, QNX's Courville said it may still be another 20 years before driverless cars are fully road-ready and safe for the general population on public streets. But Aurrigo, which focuses on developing shuttles used in places like theme parks and airports, sees widespread use sooner rather than later. "Autonomy in the next few years is not going to be that unique, strange thing," said Keefe. The Greenbelt property across from the Nepean Sportsplex will not just become a focal point for vehicle technology, however. The Ottawa Film Office and TriBro Studios are about to begin construction on sound stages for television production and animation nearby, while a testbed for smart farming is also in the works. From acting, to mountain-climbing, arctic sports, and cold water diving, it seems like there's nothing Johnny Issaluk can't do. The motivational speaker's stage and screen credits include appearances at Stratford and in Clint Eastwood's Indian Horse. He already has a Queen's Jubilee medal. Kids on one arctic expedition nicknamed him "Mr. Awesome." Now he's been named as one of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society's explorers-in-residence. "I'm still blown away by the idea that they think I am an explorer," he told the CBC. "I don't have any words." The residency is a volunteer position that will give Issaluk the chance to do more of what he loves as a motivational speaker. "Basically showcasing who we are as Inuit. You know, we're explorers, we're scientists, we live in a world that's extreme,' he said. And we've survived in it for thousands of years with only essential things that they had back in the day." Ben Powless/Canadian Geographic Issaluk was inducted at the official opening of the Canada's Centre for Geography and Exploration on May 13th by the society's first explorer-in-residence, Jill Heinerth, who is also the world's first female cave diver. Heinerth says her work with the society has given her the chance to speak to children in schools across Canada, and she's looking forward to working with Issaluk. "Certainly as our first Indigenous member of the team it's fantastic," Heinerth said. "Johnny has a focus on educating kids like I do as well. We both talk to kids about what scares them and help them to embrace things that are outside their comfort zone." Issaluk's latest explorations have been underwater, diving near the shores of Greeland and Baffin Island. Hannah Yoon/CP "I thought, you know, I'm terrified of water but I'm very interested in scuba diving, so maybe I'll try it at least once to see what it's like," he said. "I tried to float, but I sink like a rock. I can't stay up ... So I'm always scared going in. But you know, after a while underwater, I calm down and I see amazing things, wildlife that I didn't know existed in our oceans you know, it's beautiful." Issaluk says he's honoured to be recognized as a conservationist of Inuit culture and tradition. Five foreigners, including a Canadian pilot from B.C., died on Saturday when their private plane crashed into the sea shortly after taking off from Roatan island, a tourist destination on the Caribbean Sea coast of Honduras. Patrick Forseth, who also went by the name "Danny," is from B.C. but had been living in Honduras. Forseth was flying the plane when he died in the crash, his family confirmed on Sunday. He was well known in the aviation community in Honduras and in B.C., according to his sister Jenna Forseth. Local authorities did not immediately offer a cause for the accident. An investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing. "Canadian consular officials in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, are in contact with local authorities and are providing consular assistance to the family of the victim," Global Affairs Canada said in a statement on Sunday. A written statement from Forseth's family read in part that they "have suffered a tremendous personal loss and out of respect for the families, [they] ask that the sufficient time be given to the professionals investigating the accident to find the actual cause of the accident without speculation on the cause." Submitted by Daniel Miller Armed forces spokesman Jose Domingo Meza said four of the victims were from the United States. Civil aviation authorities from Juan Manuel Galvez International Airport confirmed the victims' nationalities by reviewing their passports. The Piper PA-32-260 plane was headed to the tourist port city of Trujillo, about 80 kilometres from Roatan, a picturesque island frequented by tourists from the United States, Canada and Europe, authorities said. 'Rocks you to the core' Torontonian John Enman was one of the last people to see Forseth. Enman was travelling in Honduras with his wife when he caught a short flight with Forseth from Trujillo on mainland Honduras to Roatan island. Honduras Fire Department via Reuters Enman said that during the flight, Forseth explained he had been delayed because of mechanical issues a broken wire from the ignition to the battery, which a mechanic had fixed. Story continues "It was unsettling to say the least," he said. "We just were happy to be on the ground and didn't even fathom that anything was going to happen after that." After they landed, Enman said goodbye to Forseth before catching a flight to Houston en route to Toronto. Forseth was about to fly back to mainland Honduras. When Enman landed in Houston, he started getting WhatsApp messages from friends about the crash. "It just rocks you to the core," he said. "You know, just shocks you just to think that 10 minutes later, he's in the water dead." Ryan Van Haren, a career pilot and president of the B.C. General Aviation Association, said it was unlikely that a single faulty wire would affect a plane's ability to fly safely. He explained that plane engines are designed to keep running once they're in the air, and don't require a connection to a battery to stay functional "I can't think of any one wire that would cause an engine to fail once it has already been started," he said. 'A very special person' Edil Mendez, a close friend of Forseth's, said in an interview from Roatan that he was "a good friend, good teacher, a very special person." Mendez said Forseth was well regarded in the local Honduran community where he had been living, and described him as an experienced pilot who had previously dealt with emergency situations. Mendez described a March 2018 flight from San Pedro Sula to Roatan, when Forseth's plane's landing gear failed, forcing him to pull off a high-risk emergency landing. "I'm crying, I can't believe [this]," he said. By Kanishka Singh (Reuters) - Huawei Technologies' founder and chief executive Ren Zhengfei said on Saturday the growth of the Chinese tech giant "may slow, but only slightly" due to recent U.S. restrictions. In remarks to the Japanese press and reported https://s.nikkei.com/2VMJSaT by Nikkei Asian Review, Ren reiterated that the Chinese telecom equipment maker has not violated any law. "It is expected that Huawei's growth may slow, but only slightly," Ren told Japanese media in his first official comments after the U.S. restrictions, adding that the company's annual revenue growth may undershoot 20%. On Thursday, Washington put Huawei, one of China's biggest and most successful companies, on a trade blacklist that could make it extremely difficult for Huawei to do business with U.S. companies, a decision slammed by China, which said it will take steps to protect its companies. The developments surrounding Huawei come at a time of trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and amid concerns from the United States that Huawei's smartphones and network equipment could be used by China to spy on Americans, allegations the company has repeatedly denied. A similar U.S. ban on China's ZTE Corp had almost crippled business for the smaller Huawei rival early last year before the curb was lifted. The U.S. Commerce Department said on Friday it may soon scale back restrictions on Huawei. Ren said the company was prepared for such a step and that Huawei would be "fine" even if U.S. smartphone chipmaker Qualcomm Inc and other American suppliers would not sell chips to the company. Huawei's chip arm HiSilicon said on Friday it has long been prepared for the scenario that it could be banned from purchasing U.S. chips and technology, and is able to ensure steady supply of most products. The Huawei founder said that the company will not be taking instructions from the U.S. government. "We will not change our management at the request of the U.S. or accept monitoring, as ZTE has done," he said. In January, U.S. prosecutors unsealed an indictment accusing the Chinese company of engaging in bank fraud to obtain embargoed U.S. goods and services in Iran and to move money out of the country via the international banking system. Ren's daughter, Huawei Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhou, was arrested in Canada in December in connection with the indictment. Meng, who was released on bail, remains in Vancouver, and is fighting extradition. She has maintained her innocence. Ren has previously said his daughter's arrest was politically motivated. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by James Dalgleish) While abortion remains legal in Canada, some abortion rights advocates say women continue to face hurdles in accessing the procedure. Funding, distance to medical facilities and a patchwork of provincial laws all mean an abortion is not as easy to obtain in Canada as some may think. "People often conflate the two, thinking that because it's decriminalized, it's very easy to access in our country and it's not the case," said Frederique Chabot, director of health promotion at Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights. "There's been very little progress done to make sure that abortion is actually, in fact, accessible to everyone in Canada equally." The controversial issue has gained renewed focus following the passage of abortion bans in the U.S. Several states have in the last year passed so-called heartbeat bills, which ban abortion as soon as a heartbeat can be detected which could be as early as six weeks into pregnancy. Just this week, Alabama made it illegal for doctors to perform abortions. None have taken effect yet, and they're expected to be tied up in legal wrangling for a while. But they could make their way to the U.S. Supreme Court, where anti-abortion activists hope the new conservative majority might be inclined to overturn or drastically diminish the court's landmark abortion-rights precedent set in the Roe vs. Wade case in 1973. Meanwhile in Canada, federal Liberals have accused the Conservatives of wanting to reopen the abortion debate something party leader Andrew Scheer has insisted he will not do. 'Becomes really tricky' Abortion has been legal in Canada since 1988 when the Supreme Court of Canada struck down laws against it. But for women living outside of big urban centres like Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, accessing the procedure "becomes really tricky," Chabot said. Some of those barriers include funding. Under the Canada Health Act, abortion services are insured in all provinces and territories. But some provinces have placed limits on funding for the procedure. Story continues Ontario does not fund abortions at every clinic, while New Brunswick does not fund abortions at clinics at all, only in hospitals. In its 2016-2017 annual report, Health Canada said New Brunswick's lack of coverage "remains a concern." The Abortion Rights Coalition of Canada (ARCC) says that's not good enough. In its interpretation of the Canada Health Act, abortion services across the country must be fully funded. David Smith/Canadian Press And in the case of New Brunswick, the "federal government has failed to penalize the province by withholding transfer payments." Distance to abortion services can also be a barrier. In many remote communities, specifically northern communities, there are no abortion clinics in town and no hospitals that perform the procedure. "So that imposes significant travel costs, you know, loss of work time, for women to get to a place where they can actually access it," said Karen Segal, staff lawyer for the the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF). In some regions, she said, there are only a couple of points of access. For example, in Alberta there are only two clinics: one in Edmonton and one in Calgary. Requirements for a hospital abortion also differ across jurisdictions; provinces enforce their own health care legislation, which could include requiring a doctor's referral or gestational limits. Hospitals also often have long waiting lists. Prince Edward Island was the last holdout, refusing to provide any abortion service on the island until, following a long legal battle, the province agreed in 2016 to open an abortion clinic. Before that, women had to travel to Halifax or Moncton, N.B., with the province paying medical costs, but not travel expenses. P.E.I. restricts medical abortions to the first nine weeks of pregnancy and surgical abortions to 12 weeks and six days, though women still have the option of a later abortion by travelling to another province. Long wait lists "What we've heard anecdotally is that their wait lists are so long," Segal said. "Women face wait lists of five, six weeks which, if you don't know you're pregnant right away, can mean that by the time you have your appointment, you're ineligible for abortion in the province." Segal acknowledged that access to medical care in general can be a challenge for those living in rural and northern communities. But she believes the lack of access to abortion reflects, at least in part, an ideological opposition. If a medical practitioner has a religious objection to providing abortion, they don't have to carry it out. So, for example, a doctor may be willing and capable of providing an abortion at a local hospital, but an anaesthetist may have a conscientious objection and refuse to assist. Mickey Welsh/Montgomery Advertiser/AP "So, practically speaking, it's very hard to actually do it, because the staff don't agree and won't participate in providing the service," Segal said. Other anti-abortion doctors have refused to make referrals for a doctor who will provide an abortion. But the Ontario Court of Appeal ruled just this week that doctors in the province must give referrals for medical services that clash with their religious beliefs, including abortion. Nova Scotia has found its own way around reluctant doctors. Instead of a referral, women can call an access-to-abortion helpline that's run by the provincial health-care system. Sarah Baddeley, chair of the Halifax chapter of LEAF, told CBC Radio's Information Morning that there has been some improvement in the region when it comes to access, thanks to the helpline and other changes, like better access to ultrasounds and dropping the mandatory requirement to have an ultrasound. Meanwhile, the availability of Mifegymiso the so-called abortion pill that was first made commercially available in Canada in 2017 has also helped with access issues, Chabot said. The drug can be taken up to nine weeks into a pregnancy, and Health Canada recently dropped a requirement that women undergo an ultrasound before being prescribed Mifegymiso. "That means that people might not have to leave their communities to get an abortion and it's starting to be realized," Chabot said. But Chabot said that Saskatchewan and Manitoba remain the only two provinces that do not provide universal coverage for the pill. As well, many pharmacies across Saskatchewan do not stock the drug. In Manitoba, women can get the abortion pill for free at three health centres, otherwise they must cover the cost around $350 themselves. Tiny barn swallows weigh about the same as around eight pennies or 17 to 20 grams. While building their nests, these small birds make about 1,000 trips to the ground to add layer after layer. The birds try to use their nests for more than just one year, and this is why Parks Canada wants people to help them out by leaving the nests where they are. "They are a species at risk," resource conservation manager Norm Stolle told CBC's Saskatchewan Weekend. "We need to protect these birds for the long term," he said. "The population has dropped about 46 per cent since 1966. We've seen this constant decline within Canada." The Migratory Birds Convention Act makes removing active nests illegal, Stolle said. "So we're trying to prevent the birds building their nests in locations where they become in conflict with people," he said. "And let them build in places where they can continue to live and utilize those nests year after year so the population could rebound." Varying factors led to barn swallows landing on the species at risk list, he said. "Change in habitat, loss of habitat. You know we're developing areas," Stolle said. "And they do make a mess, of course, because they do have their eggs and their young in the nest so you get the droppings." Parks Canada When people do remove the nests, the barn swallows prefer to come back, he said. The best thing to do is to deter them from building in the first place. This could be done by netting, bird deterrent spikes, or something as simple as streamers, Stolle said. The small birds are drawn to man-made structures for reasons he doesn't fully know, Stolle said. "I think it provides protection. You got the overhang, you've got the ledge, it's easy to build," he said. "And also with people around you get fewer other predators there." Nathan Denette/Canadian Press Barn swallows can have benefits if kept around, he said, including eating up to 600 bugs a day. Story continues "The birds play a key role within the ecosystem," he said. "They like to eat insects whether it's mosquitoes, flies, other flying insects and it's really also interesting just to watch them." "They're aerial acrobats," Stolle said. "You see them go darting in the air. They move quite fast, about 70 kilometres an hour." Getty Images/Minden Pictures RM Stolle enjoys watching the birds on his own acreage, he said. They can be identified by a deep fork in their tail and by their bright colours. "It's just an enjoyment to see them feeding." Talk of a war between the U.S. and Iran has intensified after U.S. President Donald Trump's National Security Adviser John Bolton announced this week the deployment of war planes to the region. The move is a response to reported signals that Iran has been loading missiles onto ships in the Persian Gulf. Bolton has been calling for the U.S. to bomb Iran for years. Critics fear that his recent rhetoric will intensify an already fragile situation. David Frum is one of those critics. Currently a staff writer at The Atlantic magazine, Frum was a vocal supporter of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq. As President George W. Bush's speech writer, he helped pen the famous "Axis of Evil" speech, which excoriated Iraq and North Korea, but also Iran. U.S. Navy/Associated Press But he has since expressed regret for supporting that invasion. He also says that any war with Iran will be an even bigger, more destructive mistake than the Iraq debacle. He sat down with Wendy Mesley, the host of CBC's The Weekly with Wendy Mesley, to explain why invading Iran would be a bad idea. You supported at the time the invasion of Iraq, but now you're writing that if the Iraq war is repeated in Iran, that it would terrify you. What's so terrifying? DF: Well let's look at the difference in the process. With the Iraq war, George W. Bush put in place a lot of important pieces. He had an operating war plan. And with all that, it was still less than a complete success, to put it mildly. Now what if you don't do any of those things? You're going to try to change the regime there with no plan to do it. So you have said that this is so crazy, that you can't figure out what is going on in the Trump administration if it is considering this. What is going on? DF: Well it looks a lot like a bluff. No one has seen the evidence for what they are warning about, but they are huffing and puffing. So there is a real possibility here that they're just making threats without any plan to follow up. Story continues But the problem is sometimes if you play cards and you make a bluff, the bluff gets called. Are we on a path for war? I mean Donald Trump was asked, "Is there a war coming?" And he says, "I hope not." What's your sense? Trump likes this idea of himself as an unpredictable figure, but it's very important for superpowers to be very predictable. Because Trump doesn't give the Iranians a path away from conflict, he's in danger of walking himself down a path to conflict without ever knowing where he's going. It's hard to read the tea leaves here, but it sounds like the military, the White House, and everybody else is divided over this. What's your sense? DF: Well a lot of the people in the military are trying to alert friendly reporters this is all vaporware. No one's told us that we're supposed to be doing anything. No one's giving us any instructions. So there's a discrepancy between the highly aggressive rhetoric that comes from the administration and some of its supporters in Congress, versus the actual work that is being done to be prepared for the worst to happen. But that's the kind of gap into which trouble can step. Where should Canada be now? What should it do? DF: Well, one thing I think that any self-respecting Canadian government is going to want to do is to say to the Americans, "If you want our support, you have to ask for it." You can't just demand it. You can't just threaten. And that has been a real problem with the Trump administration. They don't ask allies to obtain that freely given buy-in that's been so crucial to American success. (Answers have been edited for length and clarity.) Italian-born Montreal theatre artist Arianna Bardesono felt that there was "an invisible wall" between herself, as a Mile End resident, and the Hasidic community that shares her neighbourhood. This negotiation of co-existence sparked the inspiration for her new project, put on in association with the feminist Montreal theatre company, Imago. Ryan Remiorz/THE CANADIAN PRESS The performance takes the shape of an audio walking tour, which sends out people to wander, one at a time, through Mile End and Outremont, listening to an a recording of Bardesono's voice as she weaves a story about her own exploration of this shared space. "The thread is really my own experience in trying to get in touch with one of the Hasidic mothers who live in Outremont," she said. The "story," if it can be called that, follows Bardesono's journey to connect with one of these women in particular and her realization that some of the barriers that made up that "invisible wall" were in fact "manifestations of [her own] fears and prejudices." Bardesono's tour is called Les Voisines, which translates to The Neighbours, and it's intended as an exploration of the relationship between space, difference, culture and, of course, people who live in close proximity. Unlike a traditional walking tour, the activity isn't intended to be educational, says Bardesono. Instead, she hopes to guide people through an intimate, contemplative experience. 'An encounter with myself' At the start of the walk, Bardesono greets people at the corner of Mont-Royal and Esplanade avenues and passes out maps and MP3 players with headphones. The player is loaded with nine tracks in French and nine in English, and once turned on, the playlist is meant to be played continuously throughout the 45-minute walk. Bardesono sends the visitors on their audio tour one by one, asking them to experience the performance alone. She said she made an effort to keep the groups small 10 people maximum in order to be respectful of people who actually live in the neighbourhoods. Story continues "At some point, you really are getting more into the more residential area where the Hasidic community lives," she said. "I really didn't want 10 people to storm into their neighbourhood all together." Bardesono said it was important to her to collaborate with members of the Hasidic community, and she worked closely with Mindy Pollak, a borough councillor in Outremont, and the first Hasidic woman to be elected to any level of government in Canada. Photo by Stephanie Chriqui In exploring this topic, Bardesono said she wanted to play with themes of otherness. She said her work asks people to examine their own biases about what constitutes difference and how they view communities that don't mirror their own experiences. "I realize that this journey, that was really a journey to kind of meet someone who is my perceived other someone that I perceive that is different from me it really became, actually, an encounter with myself." She said that it can be a challenging moment to confront one's own reactions and perceptions, including "the fears that come up when you feel you are going toward someone who is different from you." For her, it's a moment that offers the potential for self-exploration and examination. "You have to come to terms with a lot of things that are happening within you," she said. Ahead of the event's actual launch on May 24, Bardesono has staged two "guinea pig" dry runs and says it's been interesting to see how people react. "I realized that everyone, in a miniature way, goes through the same feelings or faces the same journey that I faced the past year," she said. Les Voisines runs May 24 to June 1, several times a day. The tour lasts 45 minutes and is offered in English and French. Admission is $15 or whatever you decide to contribute. Tickets must be purchased online, in advance. One of the more popular events on the Yukon's summer music calendar is taking the year off. Organizers of the Yukon Girls Rock Camp say camps will not be offered in Dawson City or in Whitehorse in 2019, while organizers and volunteers plan for the future. That includes forming a non-profit organization. "Nothing really will change in the front end," said Lana Welchman, the founder of Yukon Girls Rock Camp. "It's just making sure the society and the organization and the people kind of behind the scenes are, that we have a good foundation to keep this thing going for the years and years to come," she said. Dave White/CBC The rock camps have been part of the Dawson City Music Festival since 2015. Welchman is also behind Whitehorse's first girls rock camp in 2018. Participants aged eight to 18 are given an instrument and form bands on the Monday. By Saturday they are ready to play their original song at a concert. During the week they discuss topics like consent and how to deal with the male-dominated music industry. Welchman said one goal is to look at encouraging similar camps across the North. "One of the directions we envision ourselves moving is helping to bring this programming all across northern Canada," she said. Yukon Girls Rock Camp One of the mandates for the coming years to focus on social justice, said Welchman. That includes, "empowerment and amplifying the voices of marginalized people," she said. Welchman said the rock camp will return to the Dawson City Music Festival after the hiatus. It gives the participants the chance to play to a crowd of several hundred people. She said typically the rock camp audiences are made up mostly of family members. Welchman said there are about 150 girls rock camps worldwide. The changing demographics of regular church attendance in Australia is no secret to long-time Christians, with declining numbers of Anglo-Australians. This, however, does not signify the end of Christianity in the country, with an increasing number of church attendees coming from an immigrant and especially a second-generation Asian background. Both traditional Australian and single-ethnic oriented churches have struggled in recent decades to address the newest generation of young Christians. This rising generation is known as third-culture kids given their Westernised yet traditional immigrant upbringing in Australia. Many of these young people may look like immigrants to the untrained eye but would be treated as foreigners in the countries of their parents. With a growing number of Australians having at least one parent born overseas, the meaning of ABC as an acronym has come to be understood as Australian born Chinese in recent decades. Such has largely been overlooked by mainstream media and most institutions until recently, which has allowed for the flourishing of such third-culture to go unnoticed. On Facebook, several Melbourne high school students created the semi-satirical group Subtle Asian Traits in 2018, highlighting the experiences of third-culture Asian-Australian young people. This has led to many spins offs including Subtle Asian Christian Traits, which inspired the following list: You know youre an Asian-Australian Christian when RICE Movement is an evangelistic youth rally and not just something that gets spun around on a Lazy Susan in a Chinese restaurant You probably have attended or know a church that has at least 2 Cs in its name. e.g. Chinese Christian Church, West Sydney Chinese Christian Church, Northern District Chinese Christian Church, Western District Chinese Christian Church Growing up youre likely to have calculated the answer to Matthew chapter 18 verse 21 to 22 (seven times seventy) before understanding what Jesus taught in the passage about forgiveness Single Christian males are attracted to ABGs, but not your typical Asian Baby Girl who likes tight clothing, drinking and raving. Rather, B is for Bible, so a wholesome girl who loves Jesus! Similarly, BOBA isnt just an acronym for bubble tea, but for Asian Bible Girls (ABGs) it stands for Bible Over Boys, Amen! The idea of getting baptised in BOBA (actual bubble tea) has been floated to you Youve probably been afraid to speak with someone in the church because they are older than you or an adult, because growing up your traditional upbringing says youre unworthy of their time and to know your place as a child (and that youll always be a child as long as your parents are alive) Likewise giving the Bible study leader a hard time, by being too shy and introverted to any answer questions because youre not supposed to be speaking up to an authority figure Not knowing how to start a critical review essay question in Bible college because criticising established authors or persons of authority are seen as taboo (growing up with principles of respect your elders and honour your parents being taken out of context) Wanting to practice speaking your parents Asian language with other Asians in church but dropping in half-English words because you dont want to appear to be gossiping about non-Asians even though youre not When you realise your Asian auntie is your sister and uncle is your brother in Christ Being spoken to by an Asian auntie or uncle (adult) in English but surprising them by responding in your Asian language. (Being an egg white on the outside but yellow on the inside, when everyone thinks youre a banana yellow on the outside but white on the inside) Able to hold a decent conversation in an Asian language until you hit the Biblical jargon or deep Christian terminology Hoping the PowerPoint slides are multilingual or being used to hearing the sermon twice because you understand both languages Feeling left out of mainstream sermon analogies (in a multicultural church) because youre unable to relate to a non-Asian upbringing Not being able to abbreviate Pastors Kid because you go to a Cantonese church With a Pastors Kid, theres usually the goody-two-shoes or the badass child. Likewise, theres the Asian-Australian Christian who cares too much about their studies or too little Realising that at one stage you went to school every day because of Chinese or language school on Saturday and then Sunday school Watching Christian anime aka. Veggie Tales Struggling to convince your parents that a post-high school Gap Year at Bible college and training for mission is worthwhile Having aunties, uncles and parents of youth look down upon you as a Youth Group leader because you didnt get 99.95 ATAR (highest available score in the High School Certificate) Probably having a Christian (or church attending) mother before a Christian father Your parents attending an English church to learn the language or your parents pull you out of an Asian churchs Sunday School (run by first generation immigrant Christians) to go to an English Sunday School because the fluent English speaker teaches better. Not sure whether your parents wanting you to take piano or instrument lessons is because they want you to serve in the music team at church or just because youre Asian Not sure whether youre joining the youth group or the youth orchestra Being great at karaoke but refusing to sing (or being terrible) as a vocalist in the music team Being seen as a weirdo if you raise your hands during worship, not just because youre the odd one out but because youve dared to question the church Discovering that your parents Asian language Bible isnt actually the Asian translation of the NIV At church camp, being the child of parents who had stocked up on cup noodles or being the child of parents who despised cup noodles because they are Yeet Hay (a form of unhealthy in Cantonese) and loaded with MSG flavouring Turning the outside of your Bible study leaders house into the front of a mosque (with rows of shoes everywhere) Literally united in prayer (through collectively praying out loud) Thinking Jesus was Asian because Israel is technically in Asia Seeing an Asian church leader voluntarily being dominated by a fluent English speaker because of the traditional cultural power dynamics Not speaking up about being wronged or hurt, because it is Asian to sweep disputes under the carpet instead of resolving them (having any interactions with conflict is taboo) Wondering if your Asian church is inadvertently racist because it (generally unintentionally) excludes people who cant speak or read the language Being demonised in conservative gatherings for struggling with mental health issues, abuse, or same-sex attraction (yet abortion is silently tolerated given the history of Chinas One Child Policy) Being invited at least once to join FOCUS International Church at Sydney Universitys Evangelical Union or the University of New South Wales Campus Bible Study (campus Christian groups) Having a dinner feast at morning tea after the Sunday service because theres some sort of celebration Congratulations on making it to the end of this article! Remember that the things on this earth are temporary and that we are all called to be the united body of Christ. The church regardless of language or culture ought to stand as the incarnational representation of Christ in the world. So as Christians let our lights shine brightly, for we ought to be a nation under God. Roydon Ng is a Christian writer from Western Sydney. Get in touch with Roydon via email: roydon@roydonng.com.au Roydon Ngs previous articles may be viewed at: https://www.pressserviceinternational.org/roydon-ng.html It was a brief video screening regularly in a national park centre. The video was encouraging young people to consider a career as a park ranger. Attractive young people in park ranger uniforms were shown in stunning natural environments doing a variety of activities. When they were interviewed, what came through was what being a park ranger could do for them expand their horizons, challenge their limits, develop their personalities, and so on. The emphasis was on what someone could gain from being a park ranger, not on what he or she could give. Ive just finished a stunning book called, Alone in Antarctica, by Felicity Aston who tells of her journey traversing the continent of Antarctica all on her own, via the South Pole, from one side to the other. She skied all of 1,744 kms in 59 days, pulling her sleds in tandem behind her. Its an amazing achievement. Yet its intriguing that she writes, we are always looking for a way to learn more about who we are. We are drawn to the promise of discovering something new about ourselves. She then adds, It was this desire for self-understanding that had led me to adventures in Antarctica as a graduate (p.123). In other words, her primary motivation is self-discovery. Service is not about discovering ourselves The same approach can be found in the church. One young woman who went to a Christian conference said of the others she met there, They didnt seem to know anything about being disciples of Jesus. Often the attitude towards church is, whats in it for me? Or, Ill go somewhere else cos Im not getting anything out of it. Compare that attitude with the approach of an active widow I know, whoalthough much younger than most of the residents in her retirement village, felt called to move there by God, so that she could serve. Whats in it for me however it is expressed is not the way of a Jesus follower. If we are serious about following Jesus, then we are called to take up our cross and deny ourselves Being challenged to be disciples I was struck by the contrasting viewpoint in a Christian publication from Tertiary Students Christian Fellowship in New Zealand. In commemorating 80 years of the movements work in tertiary institutions it quoted from one of the key figures involved in establishing TSCF. Howard Guinness, who visited NZ in the 1930s, laid down a challenge to students when he said: Where are the young men and women of this generation who will be faithful even unto death? Where are those who will live dangerously, and be reckless in Gods service? Where are those who say no to self, who take up Christs cross to bear it after him, who are willing to be nailed to it in college or office, home or mission field?..... Where are the men and women of vision today? Where are the men and women of prayer? As Christians, we are not here on earth for our own self-fulfilment. We are not here to prosper ourselves, make sure we get ahead, or become successful. We are not even here to make a difference. No, we are here to be faithful, to follow in Gods ways, to join with others to serve our God. The way of Jesus leads to the cross, and not to self-satisfaction. If we are a Jesus follower, then we follow his example This Easter we remembered again Jesuss sacrifice and then the wonder of the resurrection, soon to be followed by our celebration of the coming of the Holy Spirit, to enable us to carry out Gods work in the world. To fully celebrate means to commit and recommit. As Liz Hay contemplates the stunning autumn colours in her South Island NZ mountain village, she is aware of the changing seasons of life, yet the call to be a Jesus-follower always remains the same. Concerto Cigars has announced it will be partnering with Tabacalera G. Kafie y Cia to produce the RTB Cigar line a brand named company owner Ronald Thomas Brown. Concerto Cigars launched in 2015. The cigar landed a footprint in the Southeast U.S. in the Charlotte, North Carolina region where Brown is based. The line was produced in the U.S., but after hitting limitations with tobacco availability and production efficiencies, Brown moved production to Tabacalera G. Kafie y Cia. Were honored to have Ron Brown join our factory, we feel that his special gifts and qualities really marry well with our family owned approach to making boutique cigars. At Tabacalera G. Kafie y Cia, we treat everyone like family. We all help each other to ensure each others success. states Dr. Gaby Kafie in a press release. Given Browns background as a composer, arranger, and percussionist, the brands two blend names will have a musical inspirations Aria and Finale. Aria (which is a musical term to refer to the beginning) features a cloud-grown Ecuadorian Connecticut wrapper while Finale (which is a musical term to deceive the climax) features a Cuban Seed Maduro wrapper. Both cigars come in one size a 6 x 52 Toro with each presented in 10-count boxes. Pricing is set at $10.00 MSRP. At a glance, here is a look at the RTB Cigar line: Aria Wrapper: Ecuadorian Connecticut Binder: Honduran Filler: Dominican, Honduran, Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Honduras Factory: Tabacalera G. Kafie y Cia Toro: 6 x 52 Finale Wrapper: Nicaraguan Cuban Seed Binder: Honduran Filler: Honduran, Nicaraguan Country of Origin: Honduras Factory: Tabacalera G.Kafie y Cia Toro: 6 x 52 Photo Credits: Supplied by Tabacalera G. Kafie y Cia A comprehensive study of the states health care workforce in 2009 showed more than half of Nebraskas 93 counties were without primary care physicians. The disparity between urban and rural areas, according to the Nebraska Center for Rural Health Research study, was further threatened by an aging workforce of nurses, dental providers and mental health specialists. The center recommended Nebraska act quickly to address the needs of the state in 2020 through ongoing data collection, expanded rural health pipeline programs and the establishment of new community partnerships to further workforce development. A recent University of Nebraska Medical Center study found "modest improvements" in the number of physicians working in the state a total of 4,827, up from 4,056 in the 2009 report while the Nebraska Center for Nursing projects an 18 percent increase in the nursing workforce by 2025 from a decade ago. But along with the good news is the bad. The UNMC Center for Health Policy study said rural communities will continue to experience a substantial deficit when it comes to its health care workforce. Specialty providers such as internal medicine doctors, OB-GYNs and pediatricians are in the highest demand, while many reaches of western and central Nebraska are seeing a lack of RNs, LPNs and APRNs. With the size of our state, that creates an issue, because you cant expect people to drive seven or eight hours to get specialized care, said Fernando Wilson, an associate professor who was part of the UNMC team that conducted the 2018 study update. Looking to the next decade, Wilson said the effects of those shortages may become more critical, particularly after Nebraska voters approved Medicaid expansion, which will increase demand for primary care. Conversely, increased diffusion of technology such as wearable health monitors, artificial intelligence, simulation and telehealth services will also change who is providing the care, said Dr. Rowen Zetterman, associate vice chancellor for academic affairs at UNMC. Well still have the same base physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and dentists, everything like that but were going to have new health professions that will be out there for the very first time, Zetterman said. Devices capable of routinely scanning blood sugars, heart rates and other conditions mean patients dont need to be in constant contact with a specialist or nurse practitioner, Zetterman added, but could instead be looked after by a clinical tech specializing in data science or a community health professional. Driverless vehicles may even be capable of transporting patients to clinics miles away in the future, he added, where their health data has already been uploaded. Even as Nebraskas rural counties become sparser, the result of a population shift eastward toward large urban centers, the state has to think about how it will meet increased demand in an increasingly advanced health care delivery system. Zetterman told a summit of higher education and rural health experts Thursday the answer was simple. Rural and urban Nebraskans, like all Americans, will still want health care as close to their home as they can possibly get, which reiterates the need for pipeline programs that meet demand for primary care and specialty physicians, nurses, dentists, as well as health care professions not yet created. Scholarship program has success Since the early 1990s, when the Nebraska Legislature created the Rural Health Education Network, UNMC and the Nebraska State College System have trained health care professionals to work in high-need areas outside the urban counties in the state. The Rural Health Opportunities Program provides full-tuition scholarships to a limited number of qualifying students to attend one of Nebraskas three state colleges. Upon graduation, program students are guaranteed admission into UNMC to pursue their health education before they return to practice in a rural area. Two other programs were added later, the Kearney Health Opportunities Program, which provides a similar pathway to students attending the University of Nebraska at Kearney, and the Public Health Early Admission Student Track. Nearly 600 students have graduated from all three programs since 1992, and 44 percent are now working in rural areas of Nebraska. Another 18 percent are employed in urban hospitals or health clinics in the state, according to UNMCs Health Professions Tracking Service. While the programs have been successful in getting more health care providers into shortage areas for a quarter-century, Bob Bartee, vice chancellor for external affairs at UNMC, said the trends described by Wilson and Zetterman have spurred the university to think about how the programs could be expanded or improved. There is urgency in thinking about how we collaborate with the state and community colleges to produce health care workers and if theres a whole different way to think about who the health care workers of the future are," he said. 'Futurizing' pipeline programs During Thursdays summit, hosted at UNMCs new College of Nursing building on the UNL campus, nearly 40 leaders from the university and state college systems, as well as rural health care experts, discussed how to "futurize" the pipeline programs to reflect a changing Nebraska. Several initial strategies emerged in the daylong event: * Standardizing applications between campuses and conducting regional interviews of candidates could help expand the pool of applicants. * Increased promotion and outreach to younger students about health careers available in rural Nebraska. * Allowing unfilled slots at one state college campus to transfer to a different campus in order to ensure each cohort is full. * Developing a collection system about undergraduate students and student outcomes in a single depository. * Improving the connection undergraduate students feel to UNMC through tours, distance-learning sessions or teleconferencing opportunities. Rural Health Opportunities Program graduate Dr. Jennifer Harney developed a lifelong desire to become a doctor after she was born with phenylketonuria, or PKU, a metabolic disorder that required weekly visits to a pediatrician for blood tests. My experience just gave me a passion about science and learning the pathophysiology, she said. At the recommendation of a high school guidance counselor, Harney applied for and was accepted into the Rural Health Opportunities Program. She attended Wayne State College and UNMC before returning to her hometown of Aurora to practice family medicine. While she said her experience was excellent, she agreed the rural pipeline could benefit from building stronger connections to rural communities. High school students from urban areas regularly visit the campus for tours, programs or even hold internships in the cadaver lab or simulation labs, she said, while rural students often miss out on those opportunities. During my undergrad experience, we got to go for a tour every so often, but it would have been good to get ingrained with what med school looks like, Harney said. Bartee said UNMC and its partner institutions will move quickly in transforming the themes that emerged from last weeks summit into "bite-sized" action items as the university and its partners continue assessing Nebraska's 2030 health care workforce needs. The 2018 workforce study done by UNMC found that many of the same 2009 recommendations made to address health care shortages apply today in expanded pipeline programs, better data collection and stronger community partnerships. Building RHOP 2.0" is the first step, he said. We need to think what we would want that to look like, how we get there in this environment, and how we strengthen and define collaborations to do it." Reach the writer at 402-473-7120 or cdunker@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ChrisDunkerLJS. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 SUNDAY, May 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) -- Breastfeeding's benefits seem to stretch well beyond motherhood: New research suggests it may reduce a woman's risk of heart disease when she's older. And the longer a woman breastfeeds, the lower the risk. In the study, researchers assessed heart and blood vessel health in postmenopausal women, along with their breastfeeding history. After adjusting for other factors that affect heart health such as body weight, age, cholesterol levels and smoking habits, the researchers concluded that women who had breastfed had significantly lower levels of heart disease and heart disease risk factors. This reduction was greatest in women who had breastfed for longer periods of time, according to the study presented Friday at the European Society of Endocrinology annual meeting, in Lyon, France. Such research is considered preliminary until published in a peer-reviewed journal. "These findings indicate that breastfeeding lowers the risk of heart disease in women. However, this is an association study only; we are now interested in looking at establishing the underlying causes of this protective effect," said study author Irene Lambrinoudaki, a professor at the University of Athens in Greece. "If we can show causality for the protective effect, women will have one more reason to nurse their infants beyond the already documented benefits of breastfeeding for short- and long-term health of both them and their children," Lambrinoudaki said in a meeting news release. Previous research has shown that breastfeeding reduces the risk of postpartum depression and the risk of certain cancers in women, and can help mothers maintain a healthy body weight and regulate their blood sugar. These health benefits are likely to be related to the higher levels of the hormone prolactin in breastfeeding mothers, according to the researchers. Recent studies suggest that prolactin reduces the risk of diabetes, which is a major risk factor for heart disease, a leading cause of death among women worldwide. The researchers are now investigating the molecular mechanisms of how prolactin affects blood sugar. That research could reveal new targets in the prevention of heart disease for everyone, not just breastfeeding women. More information The U.S. Office on Women's Health has more on heart disease. The mid-Atlantic regional office of the AME Zion Church is investigating the ownership of the long-abandoned Mount Tabor church in the borough of Mount Holly Springs. An office employee Thursday said the results of the investigation would be reported to the local Mount Tabor Preservation Project, the grassroots organization working to preserve the church and the adjoining cemetery located along Cedar Avenue in Mount Holly Springs. Mount Holly Springs Borough Council Monday authorized solicitor Mark Allshouse to petition Cumberland County court to grant the borough ownership of what was the spiritual hub of a once-thriving African American community. The quiet title action is seen as a necessary step for Mount Tabor Preservation Project volunteers to seek grant funding. Old Church, New Salvation: Community works to preserve memories of faith community They could have been grim witnesses to a funeral service, but were instead the guardians of a spiritual revival taking flight in Mount Holly Springs. An online story on Cumberlink last week about the councils decision triggered a phone call that questioned the ownership of the site, noting that it could belong to a sister congregation the Mount Tabor AME Zion Church of Avondale, Chester County in Pennsylvania. An employee for the W. Darin Moore, the regional bishop of AME Zion Church, who declined to give her name, said Moore was at conference and was unavailable for comment. She would only say that an investigation has been launched into the ownership question. No records ... no recall The Mount Tabor Preservation Project was formed after the Mount Holly church was added to a list of endangered historical resources compiled by Preservation Pennsylvania. The project consists of about 10 core members including congregants or descendants of congregants from the church. In recent years, volunteers have conducted multiple deed searches of Cumberland County records in an attempt to identify an owner of the Mount Holly church, said Lindsay Varner, director of community outreach for the Cumberland County Historical Society. Mission of Faith: An African-American community once thrived in Mount Holly Springs They lived in a neighborhood without an official name built around a church missing from the maps. That effort included having a volunteer contact both the regional office in Maryland and the national headquarters of the AME Zion Church in North Carolina, Varner said. In both cases, the volunteer was seeking information not only on the ownership of the Mount Holly church but also on the names of pastors who may have been assigned to the Mount Holly Springs congregation. At the time, neither the regional office nor the national headquarters had any information on the Mount Holly church, Varner said. She added the research was able to connect the church to a trusteeship that included as its last member the father of Harriet Gumby of Mount Holly Springs. Records list the cemetery as being the property of the Mount Holly Cemetery Association, which claims no ownership, borough manager Tom Day said Monday. The effort to preserve the Mount Holly church goes back to 2016 and a project by Pam Still to interview local residents of their memories growing up in town. At that time, Varner was director of the Heart & Soul initiative to gather stories of the greater Carlisle area. Dickinson College slavery project could lead to renaming buildings One man owned slaves but freed them before standing against slavery at the Constitutional Convention. Another man didnt own slaves, but suppo Still and Varner interviewed sisters Harriet and Edna Gumby who were the grandchildren of Elias Parker. A former slave from Hagerstown, Maryland, Parker arrived in Mount Holly Springs in 1865 after serving with the U.S. Colored Troops during the Civil War. A Baptist minister, Parker was also a mason and carpenter who built the church on Cedar Avenue. The congregation was active until about 1970 when many of the worshipers moved away to follow work. A review of the research connected with the Mount Holly church turned up no references to the Mount Tabor AME Zion Church in Avondale, Varner said Thursday. None of the congregants or descendants of congregants recall any mention of a sister congregation in Avondale, she said. There is no mention of Mount Holly Springs or Elias Parker in the official history of the Avondale church as posted on its website at www.mttaboramezchurch.org. Calls to the Avondale church have not been returned as of Thursday, Varner said. We have not been contacted at all. They have not reached out to us. We are waiting to see. Quiet title The council based its decision Monday on research that found no owner for the Mount Holly church or its cemetery. The claim made Tuesday is new information that may put a temporary halt to the civil action to grant the borough ownership of church property. Mount Holly Springs to seek ownership of Mount Tabor AME Church The Mount Holly Springs Borough Council on Monday night authorized borough solicitor Mark Allshouse to petition Cumberland County court to gra The rationale behind the decision was so that the Mount Tabor Preservation Project could apply for grant funding, Council President James Collins II said Thursday. It (the church) has to be owned by a municipality or a 501c3 to be eligible to apply for funds. The first thing I want to do is not start the quiet title yet, Collins said. We need to stop right now and see where this goes. If they (the Avondale church) indeed own it, I dont know what happens then. During the council meeting Monday, solicitor Allshouse estimated the cost of the quiet title at $14,000 in legal and advertising fees. He based his figures on a similar case he finished recently in Dauphin County. For that case, Allshouse charged his client about $7,000 in fees for the disposition of a single lot. The Mount Tabor church and cemetery in Mount Holly Springs involves two lots and legal actions each involving multiple steps in a process where the borough would have to notify the public through legal ads placed in two publications of general circulation. Its just as if you were an opponent and I would have to send you a notice through the mail, Allshouse said Monday. He was not sure how much of a turnaround this process could involve. At the meeting Monday, borough manager Day said the $14,000 could be drawn out of reserves. He called the allocation an investment for the borough and the Mount Tabor Preservation Project. The work so far The goal for project volunteers is to develop a long-range plan for the Cedar Avenue church, its cemetery and the salvaged contents from the building, Varner said. She welcomed the news last week that the borough will seek ownership. Im beyond thrilled. This is what we have been waiting for, Varner said. The number one issue we have had with Mount Tabor is we dont have an owner for the site. It has prevented us from doing a lot of work on the property itself. Carmen James was shocked to learn that someone had come forward with a claim that the Avondale church had ownership of the Mount Holly church. A project volunteer, she attended the Mount Holly church from age 6 to 20 and remembers how Gumby family members taught Sunday school. On learning the news, James called and left a message with the regional office. Her call was returned within an hour by a female reverend acting on behalf of the bishop. She listened and asked questions, James said. She was advised by the reverend that the regional office will investigate the ownership of the Mount Holly church and report back on the findings. Im not disrespecting the Avondale church, James said. Im just a confused person who cares about Mount Tabor. She said the Mount Holly church has sat vacant since 1970 and no one from Avondale had previously come forward to care about it. James was disappointed to learn the borough may halt the quiet title civil action. Its heartbreaking, she said. Were back to square one but we will survive. Collins was only speaking as one member of borough council. The next council meeting is a workshop session scheduled for May 30 during which a new mayor may be appointed. Were a hardworking group, James said of the Mount Tabor Preservation Project. Were trying to do the right thing. She said the project has limited resources. Because there are documents linking the Gumby family to the church board of trustees, Gumby family descendants are regarded as the caretakers, not the owners, of the Cedar Avenue church and cemetery. In that role, the descendants have put locks on the door and have posted no trespassing signs on the property, Varner said. She said they have allowed a group of community members to take action to protect the church site and cemetery. The community has held clean-ups, put the contents in safe keeping, started creating awareness with bus groups and with videos that went nationwide, Pam Still said. Since 2016, there have been a 3D scan of the church and a ground penetrating radar survey of the cemetery grounds, Still said. For Still, her first encounter with the Mount Tabor church in Mount Holly was prying open the door to the long-abandoned sanctuary after first being hoisted through one of its broken windows. I look at this falling down structure and I see beauty, Still said. I feel the energy that once was. Email Joseph Cress at jcress@cumberlink.com. 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. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Sign up for our Crime & Courts newsletter Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy Carlisle police are looking for a person they say took more than $300 in retail items from the Walmart on Noble Boulevard without paying for t Army Heritage Days celebrated nearly 250 years of American history over the weekend, but the spotlight was shining on just one day. Granted, it wasnt just any day. According to lecturer John Kennard, whose father participated in the D-Day landing at Normandy, France during World War II, June 6, 1944 might have been the most pivotal day of the 20th Century. On that day D-Day they carried the hope of the free world on their shoulders, Kennard said. Kennard recently released a book based on the unpublished letters of his father, Frank L. Kennard, who learned the terror of war first-hand when his platoon in the 2nd Ranger Battalion lost half its men in a successful effort to seize German artillery guns on the high ground of Pointe du Hoc, overlooking the Normandy beaches. Because of exemplary Ranger training, Frank Kennard felt confident going into the battle, his son said. Then, the reality of war hit. When we got close, I got really scared, Frank Kennard admitted in a letter. Quote On that day D-Day they carried the hope of the free world on their shoulders." - John Kennard John Kennards harrowing description of the fight from the beaches of Normandy to Pointe du Hoc was just one of the U.S. Army Heritage Education Centers no-holds-barred effort to remember D-Day shortly before its 75th Anniversary. Army Heritage Days will focus on 75th anniversary of D-Day this weekend Army Heritage Days this weekend will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the D-Day invasion with several World War II-themed displays and lectures. The event also featured a flyover by World War II aircraft and a demonstration of equipment and uniforms used by D-Day soldiers during a program narrated by World War II historians. There was an extensive display of equipment and memorabilia from World War II airborne and paratrooper units. Were just happy to be here to tell a story that needs to be told, said Jared Frederick, a history instructor at Penn State Altoona and reenactor with the 4th Infantry Division. Army Heritage Days is a popular and free annual event at the Army Heritage Education Center off Soldiers Drive in Middlesex Township that draws thousands for reenactments, presentations, exhibits and displays from various periods of American military history, including the Revolutionary, Civil and Vietnam wars. Emmaus, Pennsylvania resident Chris Weiss, who served in the Pennsylvania National Guard from 1980 to 2001 and was deployed in Operation Desert Storm during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, said hes glad people are taking the opportunity to learn about military culture and American history. Army Heritage Days also featured a display of paper models of airplanes and other military equipment. Trudy and Jon Seip of Schaefferstown, Pennsylvania organized an effort to send letters to soldiers for the tenth consecutive year. They always are very appreciative (of the letters), Trudy Seip said. On that day D-Day they carried the hope of the free world on their shoulders.John Kennard 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. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Faced with the Trump administrations 25% tariff on imports from China, Ruth Rau is looking to other countries to manufacture baby and toddler toys. No one domestically can produce the quality we want, and with the cost of shipping and the proposed new regulations, its not going to be cost-effective to produce them in China either, says Rau, owner of Mouse Loves Pig. The 25% tariffs President Donald Trump has imposed on thousands of Chinese-made products have small business owners trying to determine how or whether they can limit the damage to profits from import duties. Many owners will see if they can pass on the added expense to customers. Some, like Rau, are considering getting products manufactured in countries where the U.S. isnt waging a trade war, but thats an expensive alternative that takes time to work out. Others want to find U.S. suppliers, but depending on the product it may be impossible or not much of a money-saver. Trump raised the tariffs to 25% from a previously imposed 10% last Friday after China refused to meet U.S. demands; trade talks between the countries broke up soon after. Rau wants to shift production from Nicaragua but manufacturers have told her the prices shed pay them could go up 30%. Rau, who lives in Winchester, Virginia, is looking at factories elsewhere in Central America as well as South America, hoping theyll be able to produce toys in time for the holiday season. Companies of all sizes contend with the Trump tariffs, which are a U.S. tax on goods, and with retaliatory tariffs on U.S. exports that countries impose. Small businesses have a tougher time because they lack the revenue streams larger companies use to absorb costs. Big players also have more negotiating power to get better prices from manufacturers, blunting the tariffs effect. If theyre already multinational companies, they can shift manufacturing from one country to another with relative ease. Peter Horwitz expected the higher tariffs. Horwitz had already absorbed a 10% tariff on the paper and plastic products his company, Tiger Packaging, imports from China. He has already taken steps toward moving some manufacturing to countries including Taiwan and Malaysia. Its not just added costs that worry Horwitz; fallout from higher tariffs drain his time and focus. Besides having to negotiate deals with new manufacturers, he must reassure customers who dont want to pay more for his products. Suddenly, those customers are questioning whether to give you the business, says Horwitz, whose company is located in Boca Raton, Florida. Moving manufacturing can cost a small business tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, an enormous amount for many firms. Its a complicated decision, whether the cost of new supplies is going to be lower than just enduring the tariffs. Theres no simple answer, says Peter Cohan, who teaches entrepreneurship at Babson College. Alder Riley may have to reduce staffers hours and scale back plans to expand his 3D manufacturing company, ideastostuff. In 3D printing, machines driven by computers use ultra-thin strands of plastic or metal called filament to create objects; the filament is imported from China. The timing couldnt be worse for Riley, who recently opened a shop in San Francisco to complement his online business. Were a relatively new concept, and were trying to make it as affordable as possible. Were going to have to eat the cost (of tariffs) as much as possible, Riley says. He would like to find U.S. sources, but those companies also buy from China. Clifton Broumand may have to raise prices on his computer keyboards and mice manufactured in China. His company, Man & Machine, will shift production to Taiwan to avoid the extra tariff. But Broumand, whose company is based in Landover, Maryland, cant unilaterally charge more he needs to see what his competitors are doing. If he raises prices and they dont, he could lose business to them. If everyone is eating this, then therell be a price increase, Broumand says. Its going to hit bottom line profits for everyone. That is a bad omen for some companies. Some may not be able to absorb 25% tariffs and other costs that keep going up. As the pressure builds, youre going to have small firms scale back, lay off workers or go out of business, says Lee Branstetter, an economics professor at Carnegie Mellon Universitys Heinz College. In some ways, tariffs are like product shortages and severe weather small businesses can suddenly contend with. As Phillip Kim, an entrepreneurship professor at Babson, puts it, theyre one of the unexpected things that might happen in the course of doing business that owners cant predict. Owners should set aside money for such contingencies, Kim says. Moreover, he says, they should try to lessen the chances of being surprised. Given the age in which we live, it will be much more important for small business owners and entrepreneurs to be mindful of the broader geopolitical environment in which they operate, he says. While the administration contends the tariffs will help U.S. manufacturers, buying domestically isnt necessarily an antidote. Todd Millers metal roofing company purchases steel and aluminum from U.S. producers, but theyve also raised prices, reasoning they could charge more and still be competitive with tariff-burdened imports. Miller, president of Piqua, Ohio-based Isaiah Industries, also hasnt escaped the tariffs on Chinese goods. He imports the waterproofing materials commonly known as tar paper and used under the metal roofing from China. Homeowners have already been seeing the higher costs on their roofing bills from the 10% tariffs, and they can expect to see the latest increase. Ultimately, the consumer pays for it, Miller says. Love 0 Funny 0 Wow 0 Sad 0 Angry 0 Buddha Purnima also known as Vaishak Purnima is the birth anniversary of Gautama Buddha (or Lord Buddha). 18 May 2019 witnessed the 2,563rd birth anniversary of the Buddha and is being celebrated across the world. About Buddha Purnima Background: Buddha Purnima festival is traditionally celebrated to commemorate birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. People celebrate Siddharthas (a king by birth) choice to embrace a spiritual quest when he witnessed the suffering of common people which inspired him to let go of his royal life. He then renounced all worldly pleasures and became a holy man. Buddha Purnima festival is traditionally celebrated to commemorate birth of Siddhartha Gautama, who later became Gautama Buddha and founded Buddhism. People celebrate Siddharthas (a king by birth) choice to embrace a spiritual quest when he witnessed the suffering of common people which inspired him to let go of his royal life. He then renounced all worldly pleasures and became a holy man. It is celebrated every year on the full moon day (known as Purnima), in month of Vaishakha, according to Hindu Lunar calendar. Reason: It is also celebrated as Vesak in South and Southeast Asia. The day commemorates birth, death as well as enlightenment of Lord Buddha, all of which is said to have taken place on same day. It is after this enlightenment that later Siddhartha earned the title Buddha which means The Enlightened One. It is also celebrated as in South and Southeast Asia. The day commemorates birth, death as well as enlightenment of Lord Buddha, all of which is said to have taken place on same day. It is after this enlightenment that later Siddhartha earned the title Buddha which means The Enlightened One. Significance: Celebrating Buddha Purnima is all about praying with purest of feelings, and adopting what Buddhism stand for which is peace, harmony and non-violence. Celebrations Worldwide Nepal: is considered as Buddhas birth country. He was born in Lumbini (now in modern-day Nepal). There Buddha Purnima day is celebrated on full moon day of Vaisakha month in accordance to Buddhist calendar. is considered as Buddhas birth country. He was born in Lumbini (now in modern-day Nepal). There Buddha Purnima day is celebrated on full moon day of Vaisakha month in accordance to Buddhist calendar. Southeast Asian Nations: celebrate day during Vaisakha month of Buddhist and Hindu calendar, which is generally the month of April or May according to Gregorian calendar. celebrate day during Vaisakha month of Buddhist and Hindu calendar, which is generally the month of April or May according to Gregorian calendar. Others: On this day, Countries all over world such as Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, South Vietnam, Myanmar, China, Cambodia, Singapore, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, Canada, United States (US) celebrate the essence of Buddhism. It is public holiday in many countries, and is celebrated by commemorating different ethnicities and cultures. Celebrations India It is celebrated by paying a visit to common Viharas (monastery for Buddhists), where Buddhists observe a longer than usual and full-length Buddhist sutra (or suttas), which is similar to a service. 17 May: Vesak Day The joint meetings of three conventions on chemicals and waste namely Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam conventions was held in Geneva, Switzerland. Key Highlights About: The 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to Basel Convention (COP 14) was held along with the 9th meeting of the COP to Rotterdam Convention and the 9th meeting of the COP to Stockholm Convention in Geneva, Switzerland, from 29 April to 10 May 2019. The 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to Basel Convention (COP 14) was held along with the 9th meeting of the COP to Rotterdam Convention and the 9th meeting of the COP to Stockholm Convention in Geneva, Switzerland, from 29 April to 10 May 2019. Theme of 2019 meetings was- Clean Planet, Healthy People: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste. of 2019 meetings was- Clean Planet, Healthy People: Sound Management of Chemicals and Waste. India and COP: An Indian delegation of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and along with other ministries namely Agriculture Ministry, Chemicals and Fertilizer Ministry, and Electronics and Information Technology Ministry (MeitY) participated in the joint meetings and set a tone at COP. An Indian delegation of Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and along with other ministries namely Agriculture Ministry, Chemicals and Fertilizer Ministry, and Electronics and Information Technology Ministry (MeitY) participated in the joint meetings and set a tone at COP. In Basel Convention on Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, two important issues were mainly discussed and decided i.e. technical guidelines on e-waste and inclusion of plastic waste in Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure. on Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, two important issues were mainly discussed and decided i.e. technical guidelines on e-waste and inclusion of plastic waste in Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure. Indias Stand: In view of growing consumption of electronic equipment and waste across world, India highlighted that technical guidelines provision in name of re-use, repair, refurbishment and failure leads to possibility of e-waste dumping from developed world to the developing countries. So, Indian delegation strongly objected the proposed decision on these guidelines during plenary and did not allow it to be passed by conference of parties (COP). In view of growing consumption of electronic equipment and waste across world, India highlighted that technical guidelines provision in name of re-use, repair, refurbishment and failure leads to possibility of e-waste dumping from developed world to the developing countries. So, Indian delegation strongly objected the proposed decision on these guidelines during plenary and did not allow it to be passed by conference of parties (COP). Outcome: On final day of COP, a modified decision was adopted in which all concerns raised by India were incorporated. This thereby opened a window for further negotiations and corrections in draft technical guidelines on e-waste. On final day of COP, a modified decision was adopted in which all concerns raised by India were incorporated. This thereby opened a window for further negotiations and corrections in draft technical guidelines on e-waste. In Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP), COP decided to list Dicofol in Annex A (Elimination) without any exemption. The PFOA, (Perfluorooctanoic acid) was also listed with some exemptions in Annex A of Stockholm Convention. on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP), COP decided to list Dicofol in Annex A (Elimination) without any exemption. The PFOA, (Perfluorooctanoic acid) was also listed with some exemptions in Annex A of Stockholm Convention. In Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, two new chemicals named Phorate and HBCD (hexabromocyclododecane) were added in list for mandatory Prior Informed Consent (PIC) procedure in international trade. Key Facts The Basel, Stockholm and Rotterdam conventions are multilateral environmental agreements, which share common objective of protecting human health and environment from hazardous chemicals and wastes.