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Trump Condemns the KKK, Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists, and Other Hate Groups
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Photo Credit: WhiteHouse.gov
U.S. President Donald Trump doubled down Monday on the hate groups that turned the town of Charlottesville, Virginia into a symbol of fear and violence over the weekend.
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The move followed two days of outrage expressed by politicians and supporters alike who believed the president had not gone far enough in a statement Saturday from his club in New Jersey, in which he condemned the violence “on all sides.” National Security Adviser General H.R. McMaster labeled a ramming attack at a rally the same day to be “an act of terrorism.”
An unidentified driver drove his car directly into a crowd of counter-protesters who were demonstrating against neo-Nazis and white supremacists in downtown Charlottesville. One woman died as a result of the attack and 19 others were injured. Two Virginia state troopers also died when the police helicopter in which they were riding in response to the attack, crashed and burned instead.
In response to escalating tensions, upon his return to the White House, the president held a news conference on Monday, speaking first for a few minutes about economic issues but then getting down to his real agenda: “the events that took place over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia.”
Following is a partial transcript of President Trump’s remarks that followed on from that point:
“I would like to provide the nation with an update on the ongoing federal response to the horrific attack and violence that was witnessed by everyone.
“I just met with FBI Director Christopher Wray and Attorney General Jeff Sessions. The Department of Justice has opened a civil rights investigation into the deadly car attack that killed one innocent American and wounded 20 others. To anyone who acted criminally in this weekend’s racist violence, you will be held fully accountable. Justice will be delivered.
“As I said on Saturday, we condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry, and violence. It has no place in America.
“And as I have said many times before: No matter the color of our skin, we all live under the same laws, we all salute the same great flag, and we are all made by the same almighty God. We must love each other, show affection for each other, and unite together in condemnation of hatred, bigotry, and violence. We must rediscover the bonds of love and loyalty that bring us together as Americans.
“Racism is evil. And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups that are repugnant to everything we hold dear as Americans.
“We are a nation founded on the truth that all of us are created equal. We are equal in the eyes of our Creator. We are equal under the law. And we are equal under our Constitution. Those who spread violence in the name of bigotry strike at the very core of America.
“Two days ago, a young American woman, Heather Heyer, was tragically killed. Her death fills us with grief, and we send her family our thoughts, our prayers, and our love.
“We also mourn the two Virginia state troopers who died in service to their community, their commonwealth, and their country. Troopers Jay Cullen and Burke Bates exemplify the very best of America, and our hearts go out to their families, their friends, and every member of American law enforcement.
“These three fallen Americans embody the goodness and decency of our nation. In times such as these, America has always shown its true character: responding to hate with love, division with unity, and violence with an unwavering resolve for justice.
“As a candidate, I promised to restore law and order to our country, and our federal law enforcement agencies are following through on that pledge. We will spare no resource in fighting so that every American child can grow up free from violence and fear. We will defend and protect the sacred rights of all Americans, and we will work together so that every citizen in this blessed land is free to follow their dreams in their hearts, and to express the love and joy in their souls.
“Thank you. God bless you. And God bless America. Thank you very much.”
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Taylor Swift groping case: Live updates from day 6
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DENVER – Closing statements from both attorneys in the trial involving a former Denver radio DJ accused of groping Taylor Swift before a 2013 concert are expected to get underway Monday morning on Day 6 of the trial.
Live updates from U.S. District Court of Colorado in Denver can be found below. Refresh page for the latest updates. (All times Mountain):
8:30 a.m.
The day will get underway Monday with a “charging conference” involving Judge William J. Martinez and attorneys from both Swift’s side and the side of David Mueller, the former DJ.
At the conference, the attorneys will review and finalize the instructions that will be given to the jury to decide the remainder of the trial.
After the conference is over, the jury will return to the courtroom and hear closing statements from both sides, then will start deliberating.
But after Judge Martinez ruled Friday that Swift would no longer be party to the lawsuit filed against her and her team and tossed out four of the five claims against the defendants, there will only be one claim moving forward originally filed by Mueller.
That claim—tortious interference with contract claims—is only moving forward against Swift’s mother, Andrea Swift, and her manager, Frank Bell.
Taylor Swift’s counterclaim against Mueller will also be moving ahead. It involves claims of assault and battery.
As in all cases, the jury will have to reach a unanimous verdict to find any of the parties guilty of something.
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Industrial output growth slows down in October
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Greek industrial output rose 0.5 percent in October compared to the same month a year earlier, after an upwardly revised 3.2 percent increase in September, statistics service ELSTAT said on Monday.
Looking at index components, manufacturing production fell 0.3 percent from the same month last year, while mining output increased 12.1 percent. Electricity production increased 1 percent. [Reuters]
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'You guys deserve it': Reward in Jasmine Block disappearance returned to her family
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It was that decision that would change the course of numerous lives — especially the life of a 15-year-old girl named Jasmine Block. Police say she had been had been abducted and held against her will by three men for nearly one month before escaping the afternoon of Sept. 5.
"I would have been there (at home) about a minute," Melchert said. "But I happened to look out and I saw a speck. Eventually she got close to me and I said, 'Oh my gosh, it's a woman.' Then pretty soon I said, 'No, it's a young girl.' I knew it was her as soon as I saw her face."
Melchert got Block into his truck and immediately called 911. Jasmine had fled from a foreclosed home on Thompson Lake, swimming part of the lake to escape and find Melchert.
"I was in the right place at the right time," he said. "I did what I had to do."
It was for this reason that Melchert was chosen as the recipient of a $7,000 reward for Jasmine's safe return after she disappeared from her Alexandria home on Aug. 8. Jasmine's family offered $2,000 of the reward money while $5,000 came from an anonymous donor.
However, at a gathering at the Alexandria Police Department on Friday, Oct. 6, Melchert turned down the reward and instead gave the money to Jasmine.
"The reward money means absolutely nothing to me," said Melchert as he addressed Jasmine and her mother, Sarah. "I want to present this money to you and Jasmine. You guys deserve it."
Alexandria Police Chief Rick Wyffels also spoke, praising the community for spreading Jasmine's story quickly and widely. She was found about 20 miles from her home.
"You ran into one awesome individual in Earl Melchert," Wyffels said to Jasmine. "His heart and compassion were instantly in your world. Because of the promotion of your story, your mother's efforts, your family's efforts, the community's efforts, that story was out there, Jasmine. It was out there so much that when Earl saw you, he knew who you were."
For Sarah, it was the first time she had met Melchert. She thanked him and the Alexandria Police Department.
"You guys will forever hold a place in our hearts," she said.
Of Melchert, she added that she and her family view him as a hero.
"I've been waiting to meet him," she said. "He's really a hero for us. We wanted to thank him ... He didn't have to help her and he did. He risked a lot of things and put himself in danger."
While Jasmine was with Melchert, she spotted a car driven by one of the three men now charged in the case, leading to their arrests the same day she was found.
Sarah says Jasmine's life is slowly returning to normal, though the effects of the ordeal will always be with her.
"Jasmine is in school and they're adding more classes," Sarah said. "She has her therapy dog and is playing with her friends again. Things are looking up."
Wyffels says that the sense of community in this area played a large role in the ultimately happy ending to this story.
"In our community, the lines don't stop at city limits and county lines," Wyffels said. "If we all treat each other like what happened in this room, I think we're going to have a better place."
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Karni vs Karni on 'Padmaavat': 'Fake’ group gave up protests, says chief
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Shree Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi said the letter is being circulated on social media and is misleading the public. The letter is not authentic. (Photo: File | PTI)
Jaipur: Shree Rajput Karni Sena chief Lokendra Singh Kalvi, who spearheaded the protest against 'Padmaavat', on Saturday dismissed reports that his outfit has withdrawn protests against the Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film and said it must be some "fake news" circulated by a "fake Karni Sena".
Reports quoted Lokendra Singh saying, “There are many fake Karni Senas emerging in India.”
Lokendra Singh Kalvi and Sukhdev Singh Gogamedi added that their objection to the controversial film still stands and the protest will continue.
The clarification from the two leaders came a day after news reports said the Mumbai branch of 'Shree Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena' had withdrawn their protest against the film.
Kalvi heads Shree Rajput Karni Sena and Gogamedi is the chief of the other group with similar name - Shree Rashtriya Rajput Karni Sena.
The Mumbai branch of Gogamedi's group had issued a letter to the production house behind the film, stating their protest is withdrawn after its members found that the movie glorified Rajputs.
The letter, signed by Mumbai leader Yogendra Singh, stated that the group's members watched the film and decided to withdraw the protest unconditionally.
However, Gogamedi on Saturday said no such direction was issued to the Mumbai branch. "I have issued no such direction and our protest is continuing. I have expelled all of them whose names and signatures are on the letter," he told reporters at Jaipur in Rajasthan.
"The letter is being circulated on social media and misleading the public. The letter is not authentic," he said.
The protest against the film - based on the saga of the historic battle of 13th century between Maharaja Ratan Singh and his army of Mewar and Sultan Alauddin Khilji of Delhi – is spearheaded by Shree Rajput Karni Sena chief patron Kalvi.
The other group has also protested against the film over similar grounds, that the movie allegedly distorted history.
Kalvi said his group is still opposed to the film and the "janta curfew" it has imposed at movie theatres will continue.
"There were two issues: one related with faith and the other with history. The filmmaker has made changes to the film to respect the faith of the Rajput community but distortion of historic facts is still there in the film," he told reporters at a separate press conference.
He said the protest has not been withdrawn.
However, Kalvi clarified the group will not oppose the special screening of the film at a theatre in Jodhpur, where a high court judge is scheduled to watch it on Monday in connection with a case against director Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
The controversial film had faced resistance from various Rajput groups, who accused the filmmakers of "distorting history" and showing Rani Padmini in poor light.
Historians, however, are divided whether the queen actually existed.
The film missed its December 1 release as it was stuck with the CBFC over certificate clearance issues. It finally released on January 25, with five modifications, including change in the title from ‘Padmavati’ to ‘Padmaavat’, and multiple disclaimers.
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Turner’s double-double leads Pacers over Magic, 117-104
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INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Myles Turner had 23 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Indiana Pacers to a 117-104 victory over the Orlando Magic on Sunday.
Paul George added 19 points for the Pacers (17-18), who have won two straight after a season-worst four-game losing streak last month.
Nikola Vucevic had 18 points and 11 rebounds while Jeff Green and Serge Ibaka each scored 17 points for the Magic (15-20).
Indiana went on a 6-0 spurt midway through the fourth quarter to pull away. Monta Ellis scored back-to-back baskets to put the Pacers ahead 101-82. Later, George made a 3-pointer to give Indiana a 108-88 lead with 4:48 to go.
Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Steelseries Siberia 800 review
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For a wireless gaming headset, the Steelseries Siberia 800 sure does come with a lot of cables. Open up the box and you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve bought the wrong headphones, as there’s a whole other mini box crammed inside it with more cables than you know what to do with. This is mostly because, unlike a lot of wireless headsets, the Siberia 800 uses a dedicated transmitter box that can be connected to a variety of different devices instead of a traditional USB dongle. Don’t get me wrong, it still feels like a slap in the face when the whole point of wireless headphones is to get rid of said wires, but there is method to this cable-hogging madness.
You see, the Siberia 800 (and its nigh-on identical, Bluetooth-enabled sibling, the Siberia 840) has been designed for use across as many platforms as possible, including consoles, PC and mobile, with the transmitter acting as a sort of AV receiver for all your different audio sources. To be fair, it’s nice that Steelseries has been so accommodating here, as there are plenty of other headsets out there that make you pay extra for additional cables.
Its bundled ‘chat’ cables for Xbox 360 and Xbox One may date it somewhat, but there’s plenty of more modern bits and bobs in here, too, including an optical S/PDIF cable for your TV and PC, a regular 3.5mm analogue cable for wired use, another 3.5mm analogue cable with a flat, right angle jack that’s supposedly for mobile devices but is actually no different to any other 3.5mm cable, and a mini-USB to regular USB for PC and consoles.
You’ll also see Steelseries raving about how it supports Dolby’s 7.1 surround sound, either in Dolby Digital or Dolby Pro Logic IIx form via its optical and USB connections. But let’s face it, when any given pair of headphones only comes with a maximum of two speakers, you’re not really getting proper 7.1 surround sound. It’s physically impossible. Instead, it’s all done at a software level, where your audio drivers do a little bit of jiggery-pokery and add extra virtual audio channels to best represent what it thinks 7.1 surround sound should, well, sound like. It doesn’t do a bad job, actually, at least over USB, but don’t be fooled into thinking it’s going to completely transform your listening experience.
Admittedly, the flexibility provided by the transmitter box will likely be lost on most PC owners, as I’d guess a fair number of you don’t have your main gaming rigs set up politely next to your living room TV. As a result, you may want to consider a slightly less convoluted headset if you’re largely going to be using this for PC gaming and nothing else. For all the hassle involved in setting it up, however, the Siberia 800 certainly doesn’t disappoint when it comes to overall audio quality.
Regardless of whether I was using them wirelessly or tethered via its 3.5mm analogue cable sans transmitter, the resulting audio was clear, crisp and wonderfully balanced. I certainly didn’t feel like I was missing out on its virtual surround sound when using its wired connection, and the bass was kept in check at all times. Whether it was listening to the gentle guitar strumming of Final Fantasy XV’s overworld them or hearing the huff and puff of Tacoma’s ever-present sanitation drone accurately whistle and wheeze round my head as I floated through the space station, the Siberia 800 delivered on all fronts irrespective of volume level, creating an immersive soundscape I’d happily listen to for hours.
I say hours – I still had to shuffle the memory-foam padded headband around every half hour or so, but on the whole they were more comfortable than other headphones I’ve used recently. That’s largely down to the Siberia 800’s large, circular ear cups, which practically melted away against my face. These have also got memory foam padding, but it’s the faux leather finish that really makes them feel soft against your cheeks. Most of the time, I barely even registered they were there.
The Siberia 800 is attractive enough to wear on the move, too, and its closed-back design means you can happily wear them without disturbing others. That said, I was disappointed to see numerous scuff marks appear on its plastic frame after just a ten-minute journey at the very top of my backpack on the way to the station one day. The glossy ear cup covers also attracted no end of fingerprints – which is a shame considering you’ll regularly need to remove them in order to replace its rechargeable lithium battery. Thankfully, you shouldn’t have to do this too often as the battery is rated for 20 hours use, but simply putting them on will still leave the odd imprint as you adjust the fit.
Still, any extra hassle that comes with keeping the Siberia 800 clean is far outweighed by its disappointing retractable microphone. This slots into the left ear cup, and can be roughly adjusted to your liking, but the quality of any resulting chat wasn’t great, to say the least. It will just about get the job done when playing together with your mates online, but using it for calls was a bit of a muffly mess. For my money, the Sennheiser GSP 350 is still king in the headset microphone arena, but then I found those weren’t nearly as good in terms of overall audio quality.
Other little extras you get with the Siberia 800 is a microphone mute button next to the main power button, and an adjustable volume ring on the top of the right ear cup. The latter doesn’t control your PC’s master volume, but it’s still quite handy to have for making those slightly finer adjustments in-game when there are no other volume controls to hand. Annoyingly, the slider just carries on turning regardless of how much volume’s actually available, but at least it makes a small beeping sound when you’ve hit max volume.
Alternatively, you can always cast your eye over to the transmitter’s smart OLED display for a real-time gauge of where your volume levels currently sit. The transmitter also shows your headphone’s current battery level, and if you pop the second bundled battery inside its little charging nook, you’ll see how much charge that one’s got, too – another generous addition that goes a long way to justify its £210/$260 price.
As much as I like the Siberia 800, though, I’d still expect a better microphone at this kind of price. Again, if you’re not the type of person who plays a lot of online games, then this won’t be much of a problem, as the quality of its overall audio is superb. As long as you’re down with the extra hassle of setting it up and adding each individual audio source one by one on the transmitter menu (yes, really), then I say go for it. For those after a great pair of headphones and a great microphone, however, the Siberia 800 probably isn’t the gaming headset for you.
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Border Wall Could Leave Some Americans on ‘Mexican Side’
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The proposed border wall has the potential to leave some US citizens on the ‘Mexico Side’
The last time U.S. officials built a barrier along the border with Mexico, they left an opening at the small road leading south to Pamela Taylor’s home on the banks of the Rio Grande.
Taylor hadn’t been told where the fence would be built, and she doesn’t know now whether officials are coming back to complete it.
“How would we get out?” asked Taylor, 88, sitting in the living room of the home she built with her husband half a century ago. “Do they realize that they’re penalizing people that live along this river on the American side?”
Taylor’s experience illustrates some of the effects that the border wall President Donald Trump has imagined could have on residents in the Rio Grande Valley, the sunny expanse of bilingual towns and farmland that form the southernmost point of the U.S.-Mexico border. The wall could seal some Americans on the “Mexican side” — technically on U.S. soil, but outside of a barrier built north of the river separating the two countries. Landowners could lose property, and those that already lost some for the existing fence are already preparing for a new battle.
Even if they don’t win, lawyers hope to tie up the wall in court long enough that politics could effectively stop it, either in Congress or after another election.
“That’s a fight that we’ve been ready to fight,” said Efren Olivares, a lawyer with the Texas Civil Rights Project.
The U.S. government will select finalists to build pieces of wall in San Diego, then choose a company to complete the rest. Ron Vitiello, chief of the U.S. Border Patrol, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that a new barrier will eventually be built in the Rio Grande Valley, where sections of rust-colored poles 18 feet (5.5 meters) high already run through neighborhoods in Brownsville and nearby towns. Vitiello told an audience in San Antonio that the government plans to complete a wall or fence in towns that have long been under consideration.
“There will likely be (barriers) there if all of the plans come together, but I can’t tell you where,” he said.
Trump said he would build the wall to stop migrants entering illegally and what he described as a flow of drugs and crime. The Border Patrol makes more apprehensions along the more than 300 miles (483 kilometers) of border in the Rio Grande Valley than anywhere else.
In and around Brownsville, people have lived next to the river for generations, and residents of both sides cross bridges to work or shop daily. Taylor and others who live closest to the river routinely see border crossers walking up to their homes.
Many people living in the valley say the fence doesn’t work, and there’s widespread opposition there to a bigger wall. While the region is one of the Texas Democratic Party’s few strongholds in a deeply conservative state, many people here resent outsiders and politicians of both parties for using the border as a talking point. The 2006 law authorizing a fence passed with support from many Democrats, including then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, who lost to Trump in November.
When the U.S. government built the fence, it had to take hundreds of landowners to court to use its power of eminent domain. That’s because unlike in other southern border states, most Texas border land is privately owned, and tough terrain and water use agreements with Mexico meant some fence was built a mile or more north of the river.
With court fights also expected over Trump’s wall, the Texas Civil Rights Project has begun signing up landowners and identifying people who might be affected.
Under the U.S. Constitution, the government must prove it wants to seize land for public use and must offer a landowner “just compensation.” While challenging the wall’s “public use” would be difficult, those who believe they’re not getting the full value of their land could take the case to court, setting up trials that could take years.
Antonio Reyes said he’s seen people scale the border fence that bisects his backyard and jump down in seconds. Sometimes they carry bales of what appear to be drugs.
A higher wall is “still not going to stop them,” he said. “They’ll shotput it or whatever they have to do.”
In Roma, a town of 10,000 people, a visitor standing on the bluffs overlooking the Rio Grande can see traffic moving across a tiny bridge and hear chickens clucking on the Mexican side. The Border Patrol occasionally uses blimps to monitor traffic, with agents stationed nearby.
Juan Moreno, a 64-year-old retiree, recalls surveyors measuring his neighborhood several years ago for a fence, although it was never built in Roma.
He credits Border Patrol agents for monitoring the border and providing much-needed business for stores in Roma. But he chuckled when asked about the wall.
“I don’t know if I’m going to be in the U.S. or Mexico,” he said. “It’s up to Trump.”
In San Benito, Eloisa Tamez spent seven years trying to stop the government from running the fence through her property, which had been in her family since the 1700s. The government eventually won, but only after agreeing to pay about $56,000, many times what it initially offered.
She uses a gate to access the part of her property that’s on the other side of the fence.
Now, she’s preparing for the possibility of another court battle.
“I probably have one more decade to live, and I had one decade of torture,” said Tamez, 82. “I think if they start that business again, I don’t know how much fight I’ll have left in me, but I’m going to fight it until the end.”
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Associated Press writer Alicia A. Caldwell contributed to this report.
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The Latest: Trump signs executive action on trade with China
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WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on President Donald Trump and U.S. relations with China (all times local):
3:30 p.m.
President Donald Trump has signed an executive action that asks his trade office to explore a possible investigation into China for the alleged theft of American technology and intellectual property.
Trump suggested at the Monday afternoon signing that additional steps would be taken against China on trade issues.
The president said as he signed the memo at the White House, “This is just the beginning.”
The action comes as the United States has been seeking help from China to curb North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons.
Trump wants government officials to dig into Chinese practices that force American companies to share their intellectual property in order to gain access to the world’s second-largest economy.
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5:45 a.m.
China has announced that it will cut off imports of North Korean coal, iron ore and other goods in three weeks under U.N. sanctions imposed over the North’s nuclear and missile programs.
China, the isolated North’s main trading partner, has been reluctant to push leader Kim Jong Un’s regime too hard for fear it might collapse. But Beijing is increasingly frustrated with Pyongyang and supported a U.N. Security Council ban on Aug. 5 on coal and other key goods.
The Chinese customs agency said Monday that it will stop processing imports of North Korean coal, iron and lead ores and fish at midnight on Sept. 5.
The announcement follows an escalating exchange of angry words between Kim’s government and the Trump administration in Washington. The latest U.N. sanctions are intended to block North Korean exports worth $1 billion — a significant share of total exports valued at $3 billion last year.
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3:30 a.m.
Even as he seeks Beijing’s help on North Korea, President Donald Trump is poised to seek a trade investigation of China for the alleged theft of American technology and intellectual property.
Trump is expected to sign an executive order Monday asking his trade office to consider the probe. In the midst of a 17-day vacation, Trump plans to leave his New Jersey golf club and return to Washington to sign the order.
There is no deadline for deciding if any investigation is necessary. Such an investigation easily could last a year.
In a phone call Friday, Trump praised Chinese President Xi Jinping for backing the recent U.N. vote to impose tougher sanctions on North Korea, and the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. But Trump also told Xi about the move toward a possible inquiry into China’s trade practices, according to two U.S. officials familiar with that conversation. They were not authorized to publicly discuss the private call and spoke on condition of anonymity.
(Copyright (c) 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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K.C. 8-year-old stands in front of mom as estranged husband knifes family
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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City police are looking for a man they say broke into his estranged wife’s home early Friday morning and seriously injured her and her young daughter with a knife.
KCTV reports that officers around 1:45 a.m. responded to Scarritt Avenue and Lawndale Avenue in response to a break-in and cutting.
The woman at the home had serious lacerations to her hands and arms, along with a cut on the left side. Her 8-year-old daughter — who stood between her mother and the assailant during the assault — received minor injuries, police said.
The mother’s injuries are considered non-life-threatening. Shortly after the cutting, police described both the mother’s and her daughter’s conditions as serious but stable. The estranged husband is not in custody, and police have not released his name or a description of him.
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Man Dies Of Natural Causes While Getting A Lap Dance In A Texas Strip Club
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Well, this is one way to go out.
Robert Gene White took a trip to El Paso to visit the Red Parrot, a full service gentlemen’s club. While Mr. White was enjoying a lap dance from one of the lovely ladies, he passed away.
It wasn’t until the dance was over that they noticed Mr. White wasn’t moving. Initially, the club thought Mr. White was “playing dead” just trying to get out of paying his bill. Quickly they realized he wasn’t faking and began CPR, then called 911. Unfortunately paramedics were unable to revive him.
Is anyone else completely encapsulated at the idea that this clearly isn’t the first time someone has tried to “play dead” to get out of the bill?
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Serious crash on Portage sends one to hospital
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CTV Winnipeg
At least one person was injured after a serious collision Friday evening.
The crash occurred on Portage Avenue at Overdale Street.
The intersection was closed for several hours while Winnipeg police investigated.
WPS said three vehicles were involved. One woman was taken to hospital. Her condition is unknown at this time.
Police haven’t yet confirmed if anyone else was injured in the crash.
Police confirmed shortly after 3 a.m. the intersection had been reopened.
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Sanders: Sickened at shooting attack by possible supporter
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In this image from Senate Television video, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., pauses as he speaks Wednesday, June 14, 2017, on the Senate floor at the Capitol in Washington, about the shooting at the Republican congressional baseball practice. Sanders says the man authorities identified as opening fire on the practice had apparently volunteered on his presidential campaign. Sanders says in a statement: "I am sickened by this despicable act." Senate Television via AP)
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Student With Special Needs Joins South Jersey Basketball Team's Starting Lineup
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A South Jersey high school student had a night to remember Tuesday. Kyle Cross, a special needs student, got the chance to be in the starting lineup for the last game of Haddon Heights High School's season.
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West Columbia man falls to his death while doing construction wo - wistv.com - Columbia, South Carolina
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A West Columbia man fell to his death in Kershaw County while doing construction work on a building in the Lugoff area.
The Kershaw County Coroner identified the man as 45-year-old Larry Durney.
The coroner said Durney was wearing his safety lines but he had taken it loose to move down some. When he did that, the wind the tin he was putting on the roof flew up and knocked Durney off the roof. He fell about 30 feet to the ground.
Durney was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Copyright 2018 WIS. All rights reserved.
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Search underway for missing senior hiker in Joshua Tree National Park
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Search efforts were underway Monday to locate a legally blind senior citizen who went missing this weekend while hiking in Joshua Tree National Park.
David Sewell, 76, of Joshua Tree left a note in his car indicating that he was departing “for an unspecified location in Johnny Long Canyon” and that if he did not return the following day, “he would need assistance,” according to a statement from park officials.
Park rangers found Sewell’s vehicle abandoned at around 8 p.m. Saturday at the Quail Springs Day Use Area, which is near the San Bernardino County-Riverside County border within the park.
Around 50 searchers have been looking for Sewell since 6:45 a.m. Monday, with two K-9 teams and helicopters dispatched.
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Park officials said they have spoken with Sewell’s daughter, who told them that in addition to Sewell being legally blind, he also suffers from “numerous health issues.”
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts was urged to call the tip line at (888) 294-3666.
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Pompeo meets North Korean official in push to rescue nuclear summit
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Pak said she expects the summit to go forward because Trump is so invested, and the North Koreans are so determined that it happen. "Kim Yong Chol will dangle just enough in front of Pompeo [so] that he can go back to Trump and say, without lying, they're sincere," Pak said.
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Towie's Gemma Collins releases plus-size swimwear collection with Boohoo.com
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Towie's Gemma Collins releases swimwear collection with Boohoo.com
Ladies of all sizes can now feel their absolute best on the beach thanks to the GC's new range of swimming costumes and kaftans.
Away from the agg of the ITV Be show, Gemma, 37, is a successful plus-size fashion designer, and her new capsule collection with Boohoo showcases her eye for patterns and cuts.
There are 90s-inspired chain prints lashing of leopard, and of course, lots of hot block colours to make an impact on the beach or at the pool party.
Best of all, nothing is more than £20!
Gemma's collection come up to size 22, and some items are also available in standard sizing, including the chain print tie front top, £18, she's wearing in the picture above.
With holiday season about to kick off - and the summer about to hot up (hopefully) - they won't be in stock for long.
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The best rain boots for men
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The best men's rain boots overall Why you'll love them: These classic Hunter Original Short Rain Boots boast a 100% rubber upper exterior that's impervious to water. British boot, umbrella, and outerwear brand Hunter has been making rain-resistant gear and apparel since 1856, and during those many decades, the company has mastered rain boot design. The rain boots have an exterior that's fabricated entirely out of natural latex rubber, sturdy treads, and a comfortable footbed. That's why our favorite men's rain boots are the Hunter's Original Short Rain Boots. These classic rain boots are simple, stylish, and built to last for years of regular use. Whether you wear them strolling across the misty moors of England, the sodden sidewalks of Seattle, or anywhere else you want dry feet; these boots are the best you can buy. Yes, these are rather expensive rain boots, but you get what you pay for in terms of quality and comfort. Their warm lining and supportive footbed keep your feet comfortable during hours of use and are made with quick-drying materials that absorb and sweat or other moisture that manages to get into these boots. Also note that the word "short" in the boot's name is a bit of a misnomer, as they rise well to mid calf, offering plenty of protection against puddles and splashes. One buyer who reviewed his Hunters on Nordstrom's website called them "comfortable and stylish" and praised their performance during "heavy rainy days," while another buyer called them "classic, stylish, and high quality." A writer from Outdoor Gear Lab said the Hunter Original Short Rain Boots have a "sleek, classic look" that makes them an "attractive around-town rain boot." Pros: 100% waterproof, classic styling, tall upper, trusted brand name Cons: Expensive Buy a pair of Hunter Original Short Rain Boots from Nordstrom for $145
The best rain boots for extreme conditions Why you'll love them: The Columbia Bugaboot Neo Tall Omni-Heat Boots combine the performance of a hiking boot with the waterproofing of a rain boot. I own a lot of Columbia gear and apparel, from jackets to base layers to packs. If there's one thing I know I can always count on when it comes to Columbia, it's that their products will keep you warm and dry. When you're miles away from home in a downpour, knowing you can rely on your gear is priceless. Fortunately, the Columbia Bugaboot Neo Tall Omni-Heat Boots aren't all that pricey, because these boots definitely belong in the closet of anyone who does long distance walks in wet, rainy environments. Whether you take a morning stroll through the neighborhood or down a country lane, a backwoods hike, or anything in between in these boots, they will keep your feet dry and steady on uneven ground. The tread pattern on these boots is similar to what you'd find on a pair of hiking boots, but the tall rubber upper part is rain boot through and through. Inside the Columbia Bugaboot Neo Tall Omni-Heat Boots, you'll find a lightweight, cushioned midsole that absorbs plenty of impact and a warm liner rated for use in temperatures well below freezing. These boots might not have any place on a fashion show's runway, but out on wet fields, muddy trails, or very wet sidewalks, they'll be right at home. One buyer called his Columbia Bugaboot Neo Tall Omni-Heat Boots "very comfortable and warm," while another reports that his family "bought three pairs," resulting in "three very happy customers." And on Amazon, the boots have a commendable 4.7-star average rating. Pros: Excellent traction, tall waterproof upper, well-insulated and warm Cons: Not fashionable Buy a pair or Columbia Bugaboot Neo Tall Omni-Heat Boots from Columbia for $89 (originally $140)
The best rain boots for work Why you'll love them: The Wolverine Darco Waterproof Metatarsal Guard Work Boots will keep your feet dry even when it pours on your job site. The Wolverine Darco Waterproof Metatarsal Guard Work Boots will keep your feet nice and dry when you're on the job. The full-grain leather upper is reliably waterproof and it rises high enough to protect against rain as well as several inches of standing water. These are pricey boots, to be sure, but they look great and perform even better, and they keep your feet warm, dry, and safe even in challenging conditions. The boots have a steel toe box that keeps your toes and upper foot protected, a sweat-wicking mesh lining, a supportive and cushioned insole, and a durable outsole that gives you decent traction and offers plenty of protection against loose nails, shards of glass, broken concrete, and much more. I own several pairs of Wolverine boots, so you can take it from me: You get what you pay for with this footwear. And I don't just mean that in terms of performance, but also in terms of style. If you chose to never wear these boots during a single day of work, instead reserving them for casual wear about town, you'd be readily forgiven. But truth be told, you'd be doing it wrong, because these boots were made for work. One repeat Wolverine customer called these boots "so worth" the price, noting their "durable, comfortable design" and cool style. Another gentleman calls them some "of the most comfortable lace-ups [he has] ever owned." A video reviewer with Everyday Footwear called the Wolverine Darco Waterproof Metatarsal Guard Work Boot "a fantastic boot for any factory worker, foundry worker, brick layer," and so on, thanks to the excellent protection they offer. Pros: Excellent protection against injury, great ankle support, rather stylish design Cons: Quite expensive Buy a pair of Wolverine Darco Waterproof Metatarsal Guard Work Boots from Wolverine for $160
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Chelsea plan fresh attempt to pursue Premier League midfielder
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Premier League holders Chelsea will reportedly make a fresh attempt to sign Everton's Ross Barkley during the January transfer window.
The England international has made good progress on his hamstring issue, and he is likely to retain full fitness before the turn of the year.
According to The Mail, the Blues are prepared to return for Barkley despite the Englishman turning down their advances last summer. The Toffees had finalised a £35m for the attacker's switch to Stamford Bridge, but the 24-year-old snubbed the move on deadline day to focus on his recovery from a muscular problem.
Barkley, who has less than seven months on his Toffees contract, is expected to return to first-team action in a fornight's time, and it is suggested that the Blues could potentially face competition from Tottenham Hotspur with Mauricio Pochettino keen to integrate more English talent in his highly-talented squad.
Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has indirectly hit out at the club's hierarchy on several occasions this term, and last weekend's defeat to West Ham United triggered a similar complaint after he stressed that the he cannot feature the same players in every game during the festive period.
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Apple smartphones outsold Samsung's in Q4
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Apple outsold Samsung by the narrowest of margins in Q4, but both are pursued by a pack of determined Chinese manufacturers
Apple has overtaken Samsung Electronics in smartphone sales for the first time in two years -- but don't count on it staying ahead for long.
Samsung sold 76.8 million smartphones in the fourth quarter, giving it a market share of 17.8 percent, but it was just beaten by Apple, which sold 77 million iPhones for a 17.9 percent share, according to figures from Gartner.
The fourth quarter is usually a strong one for Apple, boosted by holiday sales of the new generation of iPhones it releases each September, said Anshul Gupta, a research director at Gartner.
For Samsung, though, 2016 ended particularly badly, dominated by the fiasco around the recall of its incendiary Galaxy Note7.
Super-phones like the Note7 could have accounted for 10 to 15 percent of Samsung's smartphone sales in the period before its recall, said Gupta, but Samsung lost more than that: There was also the damage to its brand.
It could bounce back sooner rather than later, though, as it has a new flagship phone coming out at the end of March.
Apple, meanwhile, is expected to wait until September before unveiling new iPhones. This year will mark the iPhone's 10th anniversary, and the next model is widely expected to be something special, so Apple fans may delay replacing phones until then, said Gupta. That would leave the way clear for Samsung to move back into the lead from this quarter.
That pattern showed up last year too: Although it dominated the fourth quarter, Apple was a distant second over the full year, with market share of just 14.4 percent over the year, far behind Samsung's 20.5 percent, and the situation was similar the previous year.
While the giants slug it out, a more interesting battle is going on just beneath them, as the next three companies in the fourth-quarter smartphone rankings are all Chinese.
Huawei Technologies is in third place with a worldwide smartphone market share of 9.5 percent, with fourth and fifth taken by Oppo (6.2 percent) and BBK Communication Equipment (5.6 percent), two companies that many consider to be part of the same conglomerate.
Gartner treats them separately because, whatever their shareholding structure, they operate independently, each with their own product team, Gupta said.
BBK, almost unknown in the West, is now the number one smartphone brand in China, he said. A year ago, though, that honor went to Oppo, and the year before that, Huawei. Previous years saw the Chinese market topped by Xiaomi and Samsung.
These Chinese companies have pushed Apple and Samsung aside in their home market, and are expanding across South Asia.
"Even in their current expansion, Oppo is not focusing just on emerging markets, but also on developed markets like Australia," said Gupta, so we may soon see them climbing up the rankings in Europe and the U.S too.
The key ingredients for that are already in their products, he said. "Oppo and BBK make great phones in terms of feature set. They have integrated high-end features like dual cameras and fast charge."
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Nikkei edges up but upbeat tankan fails to brighten exporters' sentiment
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TOKYO, April 3 Japanese stocks edged up on Monday though were some distance from recouping sharp losses suffered last week, with an upbeat Bank Of Japan survey failing to overcome lingering worries about the outlook for exporters.
The Nikkei's gained 0.4 percent to 18,983.23, not so far from a seven-week closing low of 18,909.26 hit last Friday.
A closely watched central bank survey showed that Japanese big manufacturers' business sentiment improved for a second straight quarter to a 1-1/2-year high in March, and was slightly lower than market expectations.
Market participants say that although the overall result was positive, worries about the outlook for sectors such as automakers tempered the enthusiasm.
Indeed, U.S. President Donald Trump's protectionist stance appeared to weigh on big automakers' outlook, the BOJ survey showed, with the sub-index at plus 9, down 9 points from three months ago.
Trading in Toshiba Corp also tempered the mood. The stock stumbled 5.5 percent and was the most traded by turnover after sources told Reuters that the troubled Japanese conglomerate would likely miss a third deadline to report its quarterly business result.
The broader Topix added 0.3 percent to 1,517.03 and the JPX-Nikkei Index 400 rose 0.3 percent to 13,564.68.
(Reporting by Ayai Tomisawa; Editing by Shri Navaratnam)
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Mayweather and McGregor agree to August 26 fight in Las Vegas
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Undefeated boxer Floyd Mayweather and mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor, two of the most popular athletes in their respective sport, have agreed to a crossover fight in the ring on August 26 in Las Vegas, Mayweather said in a tweet on Wednesday.
Mayweather, 40, retired in 2015 with an unblemished 49-0 professional boxing record while boastful Irishman McGregor, 28, is the UFC’s lightweight champion.
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Review: Through the Wormhole: Are Their More Than Two Sexes?
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I have always respected Morgan Freeman both as an actor and as a show maker. His Through the Wormhole Series has always been a source of accurate science and entertainment. I have even enjoyed parts of his series exploring God. From astronomy to human and animal behavior, his shows have generally hit the mark.
But in this show Are Their More Than Two Sexes his producers have let him down, just as Diane Sawyer’s producers let her down when she did the Bruce Jenner coming-out interview. They neglected to review the science available. The producers randomly found some interesting scientists, some more interesting than other, but their work was framed in a totally unscientific and inaccurate manner.
The major flaw in their presentation was the confounding of sex and gender as though the words did not refer to different things and their interchangeable use of male and masculine, and female and feminine. I have a friend who tells me that I should not be concerned with this but without precision of language, there can be no science or effective communication of science. This is particularly true in the case of behavioral phenomena.
Morgan starts out by following the script that says that it is genetic for fathers to have dark hair and for moms to have curly hair. The producers obviously have not visited their local beauty salon to know that male hair is often curly and female hair is often straight. There is a huge diversity in these traits. But predispositions to gender behavior categories can totally reverse things. I could have curly black hair in a couple of hours.
Then they say that transgender people believe that there is something in between male and female. Transgender people are usually aware of the existence of intersex people and sex because they know more about biological diversity than most people. But most transgender people pay attention to gender behavior rather than biological sex. They change sex organs in order to better fit into their predisposed genetic gender behavior category. We soon see, in this program, that the producers and most of the guest scientists belief that sex should be assigned according to the pattern of X and Y chromosomes and genes rather than the configuration of sex organs.
The first segment with endocrinologist Richard Holt, inventor of a grown hormone test for athletes, comes to the conclusion that sex cannot be determined by body inspection or testosterone levels but by “self-identification.” The segment does not tell us that chromosome and genetic testing for sex were discarded long before body inspection or testosterone measurement procedures by the Olympics. They may have omitted this because this would undercut some of the later scientists in the episode who still define sex in those terms. Maybe I am giving them too much credit for knowing this but it is a key scientific omission. Certainly Richard Holt knows the history of sex determination and could have been asked on camera. They depict the use of body inspection in the Olympics through a somewhat prurient scene.
The Holt segment does provide some important insights about testosterone blood levels. There is a considerable overlap between males and females and testosterone levels do not predict athletic performance. They provide an example of Dutee Chan whose testosterone levels were higher than the assumed female range and was banned from competition but had this ban reversed before the 2016 Olympics using scientific evidence. Otherwise the only way she could have competed was to take testosterone suppressing drugs. Imagine athletes having to take spironolactone or other drug to get their testosterone levels down. It is not clear what Holt is referring to as “self-identified,” whether self-identified sex or gender but the producers do not press the issue, which leaves me at a loss.
The next scientist is Daphna Joel, a psychologist from Israel, who ostensibly tested whether the supposed anatomical brain differences between males in females could be detected. So she looked at lots of MRIs of male and female brains and concluded that an individual brain could not be correctly classified as male or female. The problem with this conclusion is that there are parts of the brain that have been shown to differ between males and females but most of them cannot easily be seen on MRI scans. They are at the internal base of the brain and are relatively small. These “dimorphic” structures are closely hooked up to the genitals. There are only one or two neuron “relay” cells between them. Transgender people are particularly concerned about these structures because transsexuals have similar size and cell count structures to the opposite natal sex. I wonder if they asked her about these. And I wonder if she had any transsexual or transgender brains in her collection. We are at least 1% of the population.
The third scientist was Eric Vilain at UCLA who is famous for his search for genes that cause homosexuality. He presented a case in which a young female did not go into puberty and could not produce eggs. Her genitalia were female and gender presentation was feminine. She had X, Y chromosome configuration which usually results in male genitalia. He found a slight mutation of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome that runs in her family and produces these effects. All good science. But Villain kept insisting that she was male because of her X, Y chromosomes, even though all of her sex organs were anatomically female. The absurdity of this is that the very case he cited disproved the assertion that X, Y chromosome configuration and SRY gene always or usually results in male organs. Could he just not have said that she was female from the anatomy of her organs but there was a genetic defect that kept her from producing female hormones or eggs? Insisting that the patient was male, just heightened her shame and anxiety. Villain actually pointed this out. Wonder about his bedside manner. Also wonder why the producers did not question whether a body with female organs should not be considered female. We trans women believe this to be true although we cannot produce female hormones or eggs. And I know that there are many X, X females out there who for various reasons (like hysterectomy) do not have those capabilities. We would not consider them to be male.
The fourth scientist was Chris Hauk, a pediatric endocrinologist, who they said was from South Carolina although I think he actually works in Augusta University in Georgia. He has studied the Guevadoces phenomena and came the closest to actually use sex and gender appropriately. The Guevadoces are people with X, Y chromosomes and normal SRY genes that are born with female genitalia. This is so because their genes (on non-sex chromosomes) lack a particular enzyme that catalyzes testosterone into dihyrotestosterone (DHT), the more potent form of testosterone. DHT is gangbusters in changing sex organs (it is also responsible for male pattern baldness, but I digress). In the womb, there is not enough DHT to form male sex organs, so the person is born with female sex organs. At puberty, there is so much testosterone created that the enzyme is not needed to form DHT, so the persons female genitalia become male genitalia.
The program alludes to gender issues about this phenomena but none of which get answered. What is the person’s original gender behavior predisposition and did it change during transition? The endocrinologists and the writers who report on this phenomenon don’t ever seem to ask or get an answer to this question. The most important thing about the Guevadoces is that they are accepted within their own subcultures and the changes at puberty are totally anticipated. Whether from family trees or from some other indicators, they seem to know who will become a Guevadoce. The producers never brought these important facts to light. Holt says that sex and gender are not the same thing. He almost gets it right when he says that we have a mental sense which is internal and almost ethereal (his word) but then he says it is a sense of sex, not gender. Again confounding the two.
So we are back to the mind-body problem again with this “mental state” business. The scientific killer question is that if the mind is not part of the body, then how does it exist and where is the anatomical interface to it? So transgender people want to change their bodies (not once was the word transsexual uttered in this show as if the producers did not know how to use it). We are then treated to watch the obligatory scenes in which trans woman pick out their slinkiest dress from the closet and put on makeup. The question is then asked as to where does the urge to change ones body come from and we are introduced to Ivanka Savik at the Karolina Institute in Sweden. She purports to have found a brain center wherein lies the “self” and believes that transgender people change their bodies because they have “weak communication” between this center and parts of the brain involved in body image.
The scientific problem is defining a “self center” so that we can validate her theory. We can’t really define “self” in any biological way and just because the prefrontal cortex is active during certain experimental manipulations does not mean that there is a center or that the self, if it exists, resides there. The self center could very easily be theorized as being less active when needed in order to disinhibit and therefore activate other parts of the brain. You see, many of the neuron (nerve) cells in the body inhibit the activity of other neurons and release them to become active when appropriate. The workings of the brain are complicated. And I am reminded of a joke: What is a drug? Answer: A drug is a substance which injected into a rat, produces a research publication. Same goes for fMRI brain scans. At $900 an hour to use an fMRI (my last quote) researchers can’t have experiments that flop. They have to publish.
The next segment was to appeal to sci-fi interest. They showed and described research on two ant species that are dependent on one another for mating. In order for a queen to produce workers, she has to be fertilized by a male of the other species. However, similar subjects in sci-fi have included requiring 3 sexes for fertilization and birth. Most have all been imagined and explored, although I am sure there is room for one more. But this is hardly new and imaginative.
The final segment showed that after the SRY gene (see above) is done forming a male, the DMRT1 gene is involved in maintaining the testes. If you knock this gene out using chemicals and radiation (they do not actually explain this), the FOXL2 gene will be expressed to turn male testes cells into female cells that will secret female hormones. The producers depict this as a literal tug-of-war with blue shirted DMRT1-labeled males and pink shirted FOXL2-labeled females pulling on a rope. This depiction is juvenile and unnecessary but all they have to show otherwise are cells that stain different colors for these genes. They have used more accurate animations in the past and this was the time for one. Maybe it was cheaper to hire extras. They advance the idea that we can knockout genes as a potential treatment for transgender people who want to change their bodies is interesting but far from feasible. It takes many tries to actually get the right knockout using chemicals and radiation which is dangerous and may have unintended consequences. Not ready for use on humans. The caveat is advanced that this also could be used to force people to change their sex through genetic manipulation and therefore society should be on guard. That is true for all forms of genetic manipulation, so we have not learned anything. Besides, it also makes possible knocking out the genes that cause being transgender through their effects on gender behavior predisposition. That would be a more interesting topic.
The show ends with Morgan telling us that the science they showed indicate new potential sexual arrangements, most of which sci-fi disciples and writers already have imagined. The example he cites is that it could be possible to turn a sperm into an egg so that a gay couple can mate or turning eggs into sperm for a lesbian couple. In 2009 it was demonstrated that skin cells could be induced to become either egg or sperm cells. Not a word on that scientific research line which is further ahead than the one they suggested. The show concludes that there may be more sex configurations “than we can ever imagine.” Knowledge of the human genome and gene manipulation has become commonplace; there is nothing new here either in the imagination or in the technology.
Seems like I am being forced to be a critic of both inadequate articles and TV shows, and in the New Year, it may get more frequent as anti-transgender policies and attitudes are introduced without adequate review of the science. But that is my duty as your personal biopsychologist.
Category: Body & Soul, Opinion, Product Review
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Bearish MA cross, US-UK yield spread rises ahead of UK CPI
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GBP/USD short-term technicals favor the downside. 10Y US-UK yield spread rises in the GBP-negative manner. All eyes on the CPI. The GBP/USD fell for the second day yesterday and closed at 1.3337, leading to a bearish 5-day MA and 10-day MA cross.
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Sinn Fein will NOT go back into power sharing with DUP
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Sinn Fein's new leader in Northern Ireland has insisted that the party will not immediately enter into power sharing with Arlene Foster after the March election.
Michelle O'Neill said the party will not support the DUP leader in an executive office until an inquiry into the botched renewable energy scheme is carried out.
Mrs Foster refused to order an investigation into the scandal before the snap elections and blamed Sinn Fein for using the issue to force new polls.
If no power sharing executive of the largest republican and unionist parties cannot be formed, elections will have to be ordered again or direct rule reimposed from London.
Speaking at Sinn Fein's campaign launch today (pictured) Michelle O'Neill said the party will not support the DUP leader in an executive office until an inquiry into the botched renewable energy scheme is complete
Ms O'Neill said there was still a 'cloud over Arlene Foster' as voters in Northern Ireland prepare to go to the polls on March 2
Launching Sinn Fein's manifesto in Armagh, Ms O'Neill said while there is a 'cloud over Arlene Foster' in relation to the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scandal the party 'will not be supporting her position of first minister or deputy first minister in an executive office'.
'We have to have a full investigation. We have public concern and outrage and demands for answers. The RHI scheme has been all of the DUP's making,' Mrs O'Neill said.
She also said that an Irish Language Act will be a very important issue in any post-election talks, but refused to say if it could be a deal breaker.
Recently Mrs Foster said she would not be supporting the introduction of an Irish Language Act.
Speaking at the launch of her party's election campaign in Lurgan, she said: 'If we have an Irish language act, maybe we should have a Polish language act as well because there are more people in Northern Ireland who speak Polish, compared to Irish.'
Referring to Sinn Fein demands, she said: 'If you feed a crocodile, it will keep coming back for more.'
However, Mrs O'Neill said: 'The Irish Language Act is an important issue for Sinn Fein. Look at Scotland and Wales. They still have a health service and education service alongside a language act. So we will not be detracted.
'We know what the DUP are trying to do, to take away from the fact this election is about arrogance, disrespect and contempt for the public.'
Ms O'Neill took over at the helm of Sinn Fein following the retirement of Martin McGuiness from front line politics
Northern Ireland will go to the polls on March 2 to elect a new Assembly after the executive collapsed over the botched RHI scheme.
Stormont was plunged into crisis after the resignation of Martin McGuinness as deputy first minister. The catalyst was the RHI programme which is likely to cost taxpayers £490 million.
The row over the scheme has revived a range of other issues, including the Irish language and gay rights, which divided the DUP-Sinn Fein powersharing executive.
A period of negotiation between political parties is likely after the elections before devolved government is reinstated.
Sinn Fein has said the Secretary of State cannot chair any talks, accusing him of being 'partisan'.
'James Brokenshire has shown himself to be partisan with his comments in relation to legacy. His refusal to accept the wishes of the majority of people here in relation to Brexit have shown he is not an honest broker,' said Mrs O'Neill.
Mr Brokenshire faced criticism after he wrote in a newspaper column that investigations into killings during the Troubles are 'disproportionately' focusing on members of the police and Army.
DUP leader Arlene Foster refused to order an investigation into the RHI scandal before the snap elections and blamed Sinn Fein for using the issue to force new polls
Mrs O'Neill said: 'His crass comments on the anniversary of Bloody Sunday in relation to soldiers receiving immunity are totally not befitting his role, so he can't be an honest broker in these negotiations. We would prefer to have an external chair.'
She laughed off comments by Mrs Foster that she was just a puppet for party president Gerry Adams.
'I know what my job is as a leader. I intend to lead this party into the election and into the future on the basis of equality, on the basis of delivering in terms of integrity and respect. People can try to sidestep and bring this into different areas.
'This election is clearly a must and necessary election because of the actions of the DUP, so any attempt to try and bring us into different territory, I'm not interested.'
During the manifesto launch, chaired by Sinn Fein deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald, Mrs O'Neill said a key issue for the party is an all-Ireland referendum as soon as possible.
'We want to see a border poll as soon as absolutely possible. We want to see a new and agreed Ireland and nobody has anything to fear from Irish republicanism,' she added.
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Short-term weight loss before bariatric surgery leads to better outcomes
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For patients undergoing weight loss (bariatric) surgery, losing at least 8 percent of excess weight just one month before the procedure directly impacts their ability to shed even more pounds in the year following surgery, according to new study findings published as an "article in press" on the website of the Journal of the American College of Surgeons ahead of print.
Apart from the weight-loss procedure itself, diet and weight loss before the operation may also determine how successful a person is in losing pounds during the first year after the procedure.
"Our ultimate goal was to see what makes postoperative outcomes better for our patients undergoing this lifesaving procedure," Dr. Scott said.
The study patients were asked to lose at least 8 percent of their excess weight by following a 1200 calorie diet for four weeks immediately preceding their operations. For the analysis, the patients were divided into two groups based on whether they actually achieved that weight loss goal (224 patients achieved that goal, and 131 did not).
Patients who lost at least 8 percent of their excess weight achieved a 7.5 percent greater weight loss at the 12-month post-surgery mark, compared with those who did not achieve that weight loss goal. This finding held true even when other factors such as age, gender, ethnicity, and health problems including high blood pressure and diabetes were considered.
Dr. Hutcheon explained that there is this key window of opportunity after bariatric surgery, up to 18 months, when many physical and metabolic changes occur that help facilitate weight loss. "After that time point, patients will have to rely on diet and exercise and lifestyle management to maintain that weight loss," she said.
"We call it the honeymoon period of bariatric surgery," Dr. Scott added. "After a year or year and a half, your body starts to figure out what it can and can't do, and your behaviors may change a little bit, so the odds that you are going to lose a significant amount of weight after that time period are definitely decreased. Therefore, the more weight you can lose during that honeymoon period, the better, because that effort will help establish a set point, in terms of where your steady weight is going to be further down the road."
The analysis also showed a reduction in hospital length of stay (1.8 days vs. 2.1 days) for patients who achieved that target weight loss (8 percent or greater), and the average operative time was shorter (117 minutes vs. 125 minutes) for that group as well.
"Ultimately, we believe that preoperative preparation for bariatric surgery should be mediated by individual surgeons taking care of their patients," Dr. Scott said. "And this 8 percent target should not be used as a hard set point to qualify patients for bariatric surgery. Because patients with obesity who weren't able to achieve that 8 percent goal still had dramatic effects in terms of how much weight they lost and comorbidity resolutions."
The most important aspect of this study is that it adds to the body of research data showing that it is beneficial for bariatric surgery programs to encourage and counsel patients to follow a short-term diet or aim to achieve weight loss prior to bariatric surgery.
"One of the things we often say is bariatric surgery is a tool; it's not the end-all-be-all for weight loss. So it's really about making sure this tool is used wisely and proactively by our patients and having it work most effectively in the long run," Dr. Hutcheon said.
For future investigations, the researchers hope to explore the impact that presurgery weight-loss programs have on longer term (more than one year) surgical outcomes.
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Louisville parts ways with Mark Jurich in athletics shakeup
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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) -- Louisville has parted ways with senior associate athletic director Mark Jurich, a son of former Cardinals AD Tom Jurich, and two officials in a departmental restructuring.
Associate AD for marketing Julianne Waldron and associate AD for human resources Kim Maffet are also out.
Interim AD Vince Tyra said Friday in a statement that all three made ''productive contributions'' and wished them well but added that the department is restructuring leadership and ''creating efficiencies'' among senior staff.
Mark Jurich led fundraising for several capital projects including the $63 million enclosure of the football team's Papa John's Cardinal Stadium field. He remained on staff following his father's Oct. 18 firing after 20 years in the wake of the school's acknowledgement it was being investigated in a federal bribery probe of college basketball.
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Think Green: Ecofriendly Organizing
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I regularly hear, “I don’t want to keep it, but I don’t know what to do with it.” Beneath this is a whole lot of guilt in letting go of unnecessary and dated items for fear of ending up in a landfill. I love that my clients care – and get excited when I can reassure them that I can find an outlet for their clutter. Below are tips to make your items valuable again and get you thinking green!
Tattered Clothing
The average American throws away approximately 80 pounds of used clothing per person. Guess what? Someone wants it – and you’ve got options! H&M and The North Face both collect clothing at their retail stores. From there, they decide if it can be reworn, reused or recycled. Their initiatives benefit people in need and promote sustainability. Check out their websites or contact your nearest retailer for more info.
Not one to go the mall? Not a problem. Many of GR’s local Goodwill and World Mission Thrift stores also recycle textiles. Donate off-season, stained, heavily worn, and even torn clothing free of guilt. Make sure to contact your local thrift center to see if they participate.
Paper
It is estimated that over 40 percent of landfill space is made up of paper products. Paper can easily be recycled – but did you know it can also be used for fundraising?
PaperGator has become my primary outlet for unwanted papers, newsprint, catalogs, magazines, junk mail, phone books, and even hard and soft cover books. Using PaperGator not only helps the earth – it also benefits local nonprofits, including churches and schools. Visit the website to find a bin near you or to start raising money for your charity.
Food
As much as 40 percent of the food produced in the United States goes to waste every year. As consumers, we have to take some responsibility! This starts with making sound decisions in the grocery store and being more conscious of our buying practices. When grocery shopping – be true to yourself. Are you really going to enjoy eating it? Will you really get around to consuming it in a reasonable amount of time? Or is it slowly going to age in your cupboards until expiration?
That brings me to my next point – expiration dates are for the weak! Up to 90 percent of Americans waste safe, edible food due to confusing date labeling regulations. Expiration dates are driven by marketing and are used to ensure freshness. Think twice before throwing away expired goods and contact your local food pantry to see if they will accept them before throwing away. Find local pantries, soup kitchens, food banks and other food help on this great website.
Can’t quite bring yourself to eat expired goods? It’s ok, not everyone likes living on the edge. But what about composting? Check out Kent County Department of Public Works‘ free composting classes to get you started. It’s simple and will save you money!
Don’t want to commit to composting? Consider outsourcing through Organicycle. It provides curbside pick-up of organics for Grand Rapids residents, local schools and area businesses – including food, yard/plant, and paper waste. Urban Roots also offers weekly compost pick-up for minimal fees. Check out their website to see if you live in their service area.
Chemicals, Meds and Other Hazardous Materials
Hazardous waste can cause substantial threats to our health and the environment. And we produce a lot of it – more than 400 million tons each year! Kent County Department of Public Works Safe Chem Progam will take your oil paint, auto fluids, aerosol cans, fluorescent bulbs and more. Visit the website for a full list of accepted items, as well as drop-off scheduling and locations. Be sure to pull your latex paint – they don’t want it. But RepcoLite Paints Inc will take it off your hands for a minimal fee.
Have you decluttered your medicine cabinet lately? Keep meds out of the water supply and get them properly disposed of through the Safe Med Program. Participating pharmacies will accept most of your expired prescriptions and some over the counter medicines. Note that they do not accept controlled substances – these can be dropped off at your local law enforcement.
What about sharps? Kent County Health Department will issue a sterile approved container that users may take home and return full, in exchange for another. Unused syringes that have not expired and are fully sealed can be donated to the GR Red Project to reduce risk and promote health.
Technology
Technology is advancing faster than our landfills can keep up. Did you know e-waste also contains hazardous chemicals including mercury, lead and arsenic? Comprenew follows a strict zero-landfill policy for all electronic waste and does not export hazardous materials to other countries.
What it is unable to resell is recycled. Its claim to fame is “anything with a cord.” Most items are free, but some incur minor fees – including box televisions. But don’t worry, Advanced Technology Recycling will gladly take your televisions for FREE, no matter how large or small. Rest assured, both follow strict guidelines as it relates to data protection, so your personal information won’t be compromised.
There’s a Place for That
Still don’t know what to do with it? Consider posting the item on The FreeCycle Network – it’s likely someone will find a use for it. If that doesn’t work, check out Earth 911, which has one of North America’s most extensive recycling databases and will point you in the right direction.
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GM should spin off Cadillac because it has the chance to perform like Maserati and Ferrari, analyst says (GM)
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news
General Motors should spin off Cadillac much like Fiat Chrysler did with Ferrari, Morgan Stanley says.
The bank estimates Cadillac could be worth $15 billion as an independent business.
Follow GM's stock price in real-time here.
General Motors’ wildly successful Cadillac brand could be worth $15 billion, Morgan Stanley estimates, and deserves an existence outside of GM’s usual structure in order to flourish.
"We continue to see Cadillac as a distinct and highly valuable business that can increasingly justify and independent existence potentially outside of the GM parent/group structure," analyst Adam Jonas told clients Tuesday. "We believe that Cadillac is in a position to potentially report results as an independent business not unlike Maserati at FCA or Ferrari before that."
Essentially, Jonas is advocating that GM follow Fiat Chrysler’s lead to spin-off it’s more successful brands, much like it did with Ferrari, which has seen much success since its initial public offering in 2015. It’s a wild plan he’s been theorizing on for months now.
Even in its current rank as a GM brand, where General Motors is essentially the holding company for Cadillac and its other portfolio brands, Cadillac looks primed to perform well going forward.
Earlier this month, GM abruptly ousted Cadillac head Johan de Nysschen, replacing him with Steve Carlisle, who was previously head of GM Canada. The former "pushed things a step too far," Jessica Caldwell, an analyst for Edmunds, told Autoweek. “It feels like Johan spent too much time chasing the German brands instead of embracing Cadillac's unique heritage."
Morgan Stanley remains confident in Carlisle’s ability to continue Cadillac’s transformation, which fuels its $48 price target for shares of GM, 26% above the stock’s price Tuesday.
"We are encouraged by this move, as we see it as a sign that GM senior management is not satisfied that Cadillac is living up to its full potential in the market," said Jonas. “It is also our understanding that Steve Carlisle was closely involved with the development of GM's digital strategy (4G, connected car). We expect that his leadership can accelerate Cadillac's potential in the Auto 2.0 ecosystem, potentially delivering unique connected experiences to drivers and passengers."
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Afghan official says Taliban attacks have killed 3 soldiers
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An Afghan official says Taliban insurgents have targeted military checkpoints in eastern Ghazni province in two separate attacks, killing three Afghan soldiers.
Arif Noori, spokesman for the provincial governor in Ghazni, says that five other soldiers were wounded in the attacks, which took place early on Tuesday
He also says the two districts were the attacks took place — Andar and Muqar — are now under the control of the Afghan security forces.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attacks in Ghazni, saying the insurgents were able to overrun the checkpoints and seize weapons and ammunition.
The Taliban have stepped up attacks on Afghan security forces in recent years, capturing several districts across the country.
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There's more icy conditions on the way in Hull this week
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Hull is bracing itself for some more chilly weather this week after the weekend saw temperatures plummet to below freezing.
Residents woke up to icy conditions on Monday morning, and those out and about today can only expect to see highs of three degrees Celsius this afternoon.
Temperatures on Monday night are forecast to drop as low as freezing again, with more frosty conditions looking likely on Tuesday night and into Wednesday morning.
Hull and East Yorkshire did, however, miss much of the snow which caused widespread disruption to large parts of the country over the weekend.
A statement on the Met Office website said for today: “A mainly dry but very cold day.
"Periods of winter sunshine in the west, although some wintry showers may affect the east.
“A widespread frost at first, with temperatures struggling to climb above freezing during the day. Maximum temperature 2 °C.
"A widespread frost again developing across the region through the evening.
“Some wintry showers persisting along the coast through much of the night, but easing by dawn. Minimum temperature -4 °C.”
Tuesday’s forecast says: “A frosty start, then a largely dry, fine, but cold day with bright or sunny spells.
“Turning cloudier from the west later, with overnight rain. Maximum temperature 2 °C.”
Are you looking for a job? Click here to see our Hull listings
The Met Office also provided an outlook for the rest of this week, as the clock continues to countdown to Christmas .
They said: “Less cold Wednesday, but windy with some rain. Mainly dry but breezy on Thursday. Sunshine and showers for Friday, with brisk northerly winds.”
Motorists in Hull have not however had to face the treacherous conditions which have greeted many across the country.
Hundreds of schools across England are closed today, and there is the risk of further snow in counties including Kent, Sussex, Surrey and Hampshire.
No weather warnings are in place for Hull this week, according to the Met Office.
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Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma marriage: Virushka wedding now official; couple to host reception in Delhi, Mumbai on Dec 21, 26
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Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma got married in Italy. (Twitter)
Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma marriage: Indian captain Virat Kohli and Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma promised each other to be bound in love forever. Yes, that is what the power couple, known as Virushka, revealed after they were married today in Italy. Virat, Anushka wedding was held today in Italy in a private ceremony. The wedding took place at a countryside resort named Borgo Finocchieto, Tuscany one of the most expensive holiday properties in the world. The property is located in a small village called Bibbiano – having a population of less than 100 people. It is in the Tuscany region of Italy. Virushka took to Twitter to officially announce their marriage and said,”Today we promised each other to be bound in love forever. We’re truly blessed to share the news with you.This beautiful day will be made more special with love & support of our family of fans & well wishers. Thanks for being an important part of our journey,” tweeted Virat Kohli. Following this, Virushka’s spokesperson told reporters that the couple will be hosting a reception in New Delhi for their relatives on 21st December which will be followed by a reception for industry friends and cricketers in Mumbai on 26th December.
The spokesperson added, “The newlywed couple will travel to South Africa where Kohli will start prepping for upcoming series and Anushka will spend New Year’s Eve with him and return in first week of January to begin next schedule of a film with Shah Rukh Khan in Mumbai. She will also start prepping for Sui Dhaaga as the shooting for the same starts in February 2018 with Varun Dhawan. Anushka will also be busy with the marketing and promotions of Pari which is releasing on 9th February.” The spokesperson also told the reporters that the couple will shift to their new residence in December. “They will be shifting to their new residence in Worli in December. We’re extremely grateful to media for their support & understanding in making this special occasion a memorable one and thank them for their continued love and support.”
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Wisconsin property owners appeal ruling in Foxconn lawsuit
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MOUNT PLEASANT, Wis. (AP) - Property owners in southeastern Wisconsin who believe they won’t be fully compensated for land Foxconn Technology Group needs to build a $10 billion plant are appealing a ruling dismissing their case.
A dozen property owners filed a federal lawsuit in January alleging the village of Mount Pleasant’s use of eminent domain is unconstitutional because it is for private rather than public benefit. They say the offers for their properties are too low.
A federal judge dismissed the suit this month, calling it “not cognizable.”
The Journal Times reports that the property owners’ attorney filed the appeal Tuesday.
An attorney for the village says the legal appeal won’t stop the project.
The Taiwanese company’s plant will manufacture advanced liquid crystal display panels.
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Information from: The Journal Times, http://www.journaltimes.com
Copyright © 2018 The Washington Times, LLC.
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Minor killed, over dozen injured due to aerial firing
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KARACHI - A seven-year-old boy was killed while over a dozen others were wounded due to stray bullets fired in the city to celebrate the arrival of New Year.
Despite the ban imposed by the Sindh government on aerial firing in the metropolis on the eve of New Year, Karachiites still managed to rejoice by resorting by firing gunshots in the air to celebrate the arrival of 2017.
Thousands of gunshots were fired along with the fireworks.
Police claimed to have arrested over two dozen youths for violating Section 144 imposed in the city.
A seven-year-old Subhan Irfan, resident of Block 14, Azizabad, was standing outside his residence when a stray bullet hit him. He was rushed to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where doctors pronounced him dead.
Police is still clueless about the culprits, while, later, it handed over the child’s body to his family after autopsy.
Similar incidents were reported from other parts of the city, including Gulberg, Liaquatabad, Defence, Keamari, Lyari, PIB Colony, Baldia Town, New Karachi, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Shah Faisal, Korangi, Orangi, Garden and Malir.
A seven-year-old girl, namely Afta, daughter of Shaukat, was also among the injured. She sustained injuries when a stray bullet hit her in Liaquatabad No 2. Besides Afta, nearly a dozen others, including a 30-year-old woman, namely Afshan, were wounded in various parts of the city, including Brigade, Landhi, Jamshed Quarters, Baldia Town, Shah Faisal Colony, Pak Colony, Madina Colony, Ferozabad, Soldier Bazaar, Garden, PIB Colony and Kharadar.
The injured were later shifted to government hospitals, including Civil Hospital, Karachi, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre and Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment.
Clifton police said it had arrested two cops who resorted to aerial firing and registered cases against them.
Similarly, nearly two dozen youngsters were arrested for violation of Section 144 in Clifton and Gulberg.
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BRIEF-Abadon Real Estate FY 2016 prelim. net result turns to profit of 9.9 mln zlotys yoy
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Canada's Home Capital agrees settlement with regulator
TORONTO, June 14 Home Capital Group Inc said on Wednesday it had agreed on a settlement with the Ontario Securities Commission and accepted responsibiity for misleading investors about problems with its mortgage underwriting procedures.
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Lots of questions still hang over Trump's tax plan
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By Josh Boak
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump wants to close a frustrating 2017 with the first overhaul of the tax code in more than three decades.
Yet after seven months of work, Trump’s plan remains little more than a rough sketch. Despite the haziness of the blueprint, administration officials have held to their pledges that lowering tax rates would spur the creation of millions of jobs and faster economic growth.
The White House maintains that the House and Senate will begin considering a detailed tax overhaul after the August recess with final passage scheduled for November. But after the Republican drive to repeal the 2010 health care law collapsed this summer, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell declared that the president had “excessive expectations about how quickly things happen in the democratic process.”
The president told reporters last week, “I’m very disappointed in Mitch.”
Here are the open questions about taxes that will be decided in the coming months:
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TAX CUTS OR TAX REFORM?
They’re not the same thing, though Trump seems to use the terms interchangeably.
Taxe cuts mean that people simply pay less money to the government. Reform is more complex and more difficult to achieve. It generally involves simplifying the tax code by erasing breaks. With tax reform, the government can, in theory, collect taxes from a broader base of incomes and that enables lower rates.
Tax reform is difficult because the deductions and tax breaks generally have vocal and well-financed supporters who will fight to preserve those benefits.
“From a political standpoint, the perceived losers are more vocal and louder than the perceived winners,” said Mark Mazur, director of the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center and a former Treasury Department official in the Obama administration.
This is why the administration might ultimately decide to cut taxes in hopes of boosting the economy, rather than wading through an overhaul.
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WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE MIDDLE CLASS?
Trump has said he wants tax relief for the middle class.
He has supported doubling the “standard deduction.” This essentially means that a greater amount of income would be treated as tax-free and that would help the middle class.
But many elements of the outline the White House submitted in April, like eliminating the estate tax, favour the wealthiest 1 per cent of earners. This group would see their after-tax incomes shoot up on average 17.8 per cent under the plan, while the middle fifth of taxpayers would get a boost of only 3.3 per cent, according to an analysis by the Tax Policy Center.
Some people who perceive of themselves as middle class could be surprised by tax hikes. This is because the White House wants to shrink the number of personal tax brackets to three from seven, but it hasn’t set the income levels for the new brackets.
Marc Short, the White House director of legislative affairs, said the income levels will be set by the House Ways and Means Committee, which will draft and hold hearings on the bill.
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SO WILL THE DEFICIT RISE?
Trump and congressional leaders have kept quiet about just how much a tax overhaul could increase the budget deficit. Outside analysts have estimated that the known changes could cause the debt to climb by several trillions of dollars over the next decade. A joint White House and congressional statement released in July says their priority is keeping the deficit at its current projections.
Congress could use accounting gimmicks in the budget process to create space for large tax cuts before the new fiscal year starts in October. However, the gimmicks aren’t a long-term solution to a revenue shortfall.
Lawmakers could change how the deficit gets calculated in future years by treating tax breaks that are set to expire this year as permanent. This could add $450 billion to the baseline over 10 years, said Marc Goldwein, senior policy director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.
The budget instructions could also allow lawmakers to make both permanent and temporary changes to the tax code.
“This is one way that they get some of their priorities” without having to eliminate popular tax breaks, said Kyle Pomerleau, director of federal projects at the right-leaning Tax Foundation.
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WILL THE PLAN MOSTLY BENEFIT THE RICH?
One way White House aides say that growth will be improved is by reducing taxes for smaller firms in which a company’s profits double as the owner’s personal income. These are commonly known as “pass-through” businesses — and they’re linked with rising income inequality.
Trump’s April guidelines would have this income taxed at a rate as low as 15 per cent, the same as its intended rate for all corporate income. The top corporate tax rate is now 35 per cent, relatively high compared with similar nations. The administration has also said it would create rules to keep the wealthy from exploiting the lower pass-through rate as a way to reduce their tax rates.
Pass-throughs play a key role in widening income inequality. Research by economists Thomas Piketty and Emmanuel Saez found that the top 1 per cent of earners accounted for more than 20 per cent of total U.S. income in 2013, up from 10 per cent in 1980. Of that increase in share of income, 41 per cent was due to wealthier people earning money via pass-through firms.
But so far, Trump aides say they have yet to finalize a plan that would support small businesses instead of the rich.
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5 junior collegians earn spots on football team
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The University of Louisiana at Lafayette announced five junior college players will sign with the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns football team this upcoming season.
Brayden Bailey, Ferrod Gardner, Kordell Brewster, Mustafa Mitchell and DJ Miller will all move to Cajun Country this fall to begin their tenure as Ragin’ Cajuns.
Brayden Bailey, a 6-foot-2-inch, 215-pound junior linebacker from College of the Desert in St. George, Utah, comes to the Cajuns with 57 tackles, four sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery as a sophomore last year. Bailey’s defensive abilities, like his glorious mane of hair, will be a household name this upcoming year.
Sharing Bailey’s size, Ferrod Gardner, a Dayton, Ohio, native who spent his freshman season in 2016 at Coffeyville Community College, had an impressive season in his own right. He recorded 67 tackles with a pair of sacks, as well as three fumble recoveries and an interception and fumble returned for a touchdown.
Both players finished fourth in points allowed last year on defense with 25.3 points.
Kordell Brewster, a towering 6-foot-3-inch junior offensive lineman weighing in at 300 pounds, is from Chaffey College in San Bernardino, California.
Mustafa Mitchell, a 6-foot-2-inch, 221-pound lineman, is a Lackawanna College transfer from Newark, New Jersey. As a sophomore last year, he totaled 61 tackles, 19 for losses, and 11.5 sacks.
DJ Miller, a defensive back from Navarro College in Cedar Hill, Texas, recorded 29 tackles with seven pass breakups as a sophomore last year.
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Kellyanne Conway Blasted for Bizarre Claim Microwaves Can Be Use - CBS News 8 - San Diego, CA News Station - KFMB Channel 8
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Another former Bachelor in Paradise contestant has come forward with shocking claims about the show and ripping its producers for encouraging cast members to drink alcohol behind the scenes.
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Market Memo for March 27-April 3, 2017
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This is the update for Wasilla and Palmer Real Estate for March 27-April 3, 2017. This includes the whole Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
Start the conversation, or Read more at Wasilla Real Estate News.
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Flipkart building app to offer more online services
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is planning to shift its business strategy from running an portal to creating an ecosystem of services.
Sources said investor Softbank wanted to increase its customer base to take on the 7 million members of They added Softbank wanted the online marketplace to create an app ecosystem that would have millions of active subscribers.
“Other than providing with additional revenue, it will increase the use of the app. A team is involved in building this app and it is taking help from new investor Tencent,” a source said.
Amazon’s Prime membership programme and the assortment of services such as Amazon Now and Amazon Pantry provide a one-stop solution for online shopping and entertainment.
A year ago, rival Snapdeal, which is in talks for a merger with Flipkart, had tied up with Freecharge, Uber, Zomato, Redbus and Cleartrip to create a one-stop app solution to take on The app ecosystem hinges on its mobile wallet, which allows money transfer, online shopping, travel bookings and movie ticket sales.
“We have seen earlier that such plans have failed to find takers. There is also a question of revenue share between and the apps it brings on board. This is an experiment for to increase its revenue,” said Arvind Singhal, chairman and managing director of Technopak.
secured $1.4 billion funding recently and is expecting another $1 billion after it buys Snapdeal. The company is planning to re-enter the grocery segment and intends to make its mobile payment app PhonePe an open wallet.
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Sousa's budgeting smoke and mirrors
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Ontario Finance Minister Charles Sousa seems like a pleasant person, but he reminds us of a used car salesman whenever he's selling his upcoming budget.
One who doesn't want you looking under the hood too closely while he's making his sales pitch.
On Thursday, Sousa boasted to The Empire Club in Toronto that his fifth budget on April 27 will demonstrate that, "Ontario is the leanest government with the lowest per-capita spending of any province."
Um, that's been true for Ontario governments going back decades.
Since Ontario has the largest population of any province, it also has the advantage of economies of scale when delivering public services.
The Bill Davis Progressive Conservative government, for example, made exactly the same boast in 1981-82 that Sousa made Thursday.
When the Liberals are in power, they always boast about delivering services at the lowest per-capita cost of any province.
When they're out of power, they always blame the party in power for not spending enough on government services. (In fairness, all parties do it.)
What Sousa didn't say is that the Liberals have more than doubled Ontario's debt to more than $300 billion since coming to power in 2003, which has made Ontario the most indebted sub-sovereign (non-national) borrower in the world.
He didn't say the auditor general and Ontario's Financial Accountability Office have warned the Liberals that they have plunged the province into precarious levels of debt.
Sousa claimed the Liberal scheme to borrow even more money from Ontario taxpayers to subsidize the electricity bills of hydro ratepayers -- even though they're the same people -- is "fairer because it doesn't ask today's generation alone to pay the entire freight."
That argument turns generations of fiscally prudent thinking -- that you don't stick future generations with huge bills to pay for today's services -- on its head.
Finally, Sousa repeated, for the umpteenth time, that this year's budget will be balanced, later adding along with "next year and the year after that."
Two problems. First, Sousa's promising to balance a budget that won't come down until after the next Ontario election in 2018.
Second, in 2003, then Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty promised before the election not to raise our taxes.
And we all remember what happened after he won.
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Buffon denies Juvenus dressing room bust up, confirms confrontation
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Juventus captain Gianluigi Buffon has dismissed the recent reports of his involvement in the dressing room bust-up following his side’s 1-0 defeat to Napoli at the Allianz Stadium on 22 April.Kalidou Koulibaly’s 90the minute winner helped Maurizio Sarri’s side walk away from Turin with three Points. Calciomercato earlier reported the 40-year-old was unhappy with his side’s defeat and lashed out his teammates in the dressing room right after the loss to Napoli.The World Cup winner with Italy has now denied these suggestions and stressed the players are united, despite the latest defeat in the Serie A at the hands of Napoli during the last weekend.“It is that kind of clearly false gossip, which follows the defeats of teams that do not seem to have an Achilles heels: teams like Juventus,” Buffon told Juventus’ official website “It attempts to destabilize an environment and undermine the confidence and togetherness of a group. As normal as this is and as something that has always happened since I've been at Juventus, I find it both logical and correct to speak up and that is what I’ve done."Nobody, at least in my 17 years at Juventus, has taken it upon themselves to point the finger at another team-mate, blaming them for a defeat, and this will never happen while I am captain of this team."I would like to add that Medhi is an extremely respectful, polite person, who is contributing to the cause and forms a part of this exceptional group."I'm sorry that I’m forced to point this out, but I have to do it, because in the light of certain news stories, if not slanderous, at least false, I believe that a clarification is due to protect the group and Medhi, who is a fantastic guy.”
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BRIEF-William Vanarsdale elected to Nci Building System's board
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Mattel plays with digital toys to triple China business
June 14 Mattel Inc expects to grow three to four times in the more than $31 billion toys and games market in China by 2020 through digitally connected toys, as it intensifies its efforts to take on LEGO Group and Hasbro Inc in the country.
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Paul Hurst backs Aristote Nsiala to bridge the gap at Shrewsbury
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Paul Hurst has backed Aristote Nsiala to be a success in League One after making the defender his first signing at Shrewsbury Town.
In what is expected to be a busy month at Greenhous Meadow, Town made their first move within hours of the transfer window opening as Nsiala joined from League Two Hartlepool for an undisclosed fee.
The 24-year-old, who has signed a two-and-a-half year deal, was part of Hurst’s Grimsby Town team which won promotion from the National League Premier last season.
And though the former Everton trainee has spent the vast majority of his senior career in non-league, Hurst is confident he has what it takes.
“I wouldn’t bring him here if I didn’t believe he was good enough to bridge that jump up,” said Hurst.
“He’s a good athlete and for me he did extremely well and hopefully he can do that again.
Handle
“He’s played right-back the odd time, but he is a centre-back and that’s why he’s been brought in. That is where he can use his attributes.
“He’s a strong boy, he’s quick, he leaps well, he’s competitive and I think he’s also the right character.
“He can handle himself and I just want to get him integrated into the group now as quickly as possible.”
Kinshasa-born Nsiala, a DR Congo international, had loan spells at Macclesfield and Accrington before joining the latter on a permanent deal in May 2012. He then moved to Southport before spending two years with Hurst at Grimsby, only leaving the Mariners for Hartlepool last summer.
Hurst continued: “I didn’t want to lose him when I was at my previous club but he went elsewhere.
“He’s certainly someone I think very highly of. He’s got a lot of good attributes, he’s a good person and I think he’s someone who can step up the levels.
“He started out at Everton as a kid and it went a different route for him. He’s ended up at Southport and then we signed him at Grimsby. He got his move to Hartlepool and he’s working his way back up.”
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North Korea missile re-entry technology not perfected yet: South Korea
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By Christine Kim and Ben Blanchard
SEOUL/BEIJING (Reuters) - North Korea still does not appear to have mastered missile re-entry technology and will take at least one or two more years to do so, although its ability to miniaturize a nuclear warhead is advancing quickly, South Korea's vice defense minister said.
Concern that North Korea is close to achieving its goal of putting the mainland United States within range of a nuclear weapon has underpinned a spike in tensions in recent months.
U.S. President Donald Trump warned at the weekend that the U.S. military was "locked and loaded" if North Korea acted unwisely, although top U.S. officials said there was no imminent risk of a nuclear war.
"Both the United States and South Korea do not believe North Korea has yet completely gained re-entry technology in material engineering terms," Vice Defence Minister Suh Choo-suk said in remarks televised on Sunday for a Korea Broadcasting System show.
"We don't feel they've reached that point yet but it's true they are approaching it. We can't pinpoint the exact timing, but it will take at least one to two more years," he said.
Suh said North Korea was likely to continue provocations, including nuclear tests, but he did not see a big risk of the North engaging in actual military conflict.
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director Mike Pompeo agreed that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was likely to continue to test his weapons.
"I am quite confident that he will continue to try to develop his missile program, so it wouldn't surprise me if there was another missile test," Pompeo told "Fox News Sunday".
"I've heard folks talking about that we're on the cusp of a nuclear war. I've seen no intelligence that would indicate that we're in that place today," he said.
North Korea has been testing missiles at an unprecedented pace since last year and said last week it was developing a plan to land missiles near the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam.
PRESSURE ON CHINA
Trump has urged China, the North's main ally and trading partner, to do more to rein in its neighbor, often linking Beijing's efforts to comments around U.S.-China trade.
Trump will issue an order later on Monday to determine whether to investigate Chinese trade practices that force U.S. firms operating in China to turn over intellectual property, senior administration officials said on Saturday.
China's official China Daily said such an investigation would poison the relationship between the two countries.
"By trying to incriminate Beijing as an accomplice in (North Korea's) nuclear adventure and blame it for a failure that is essentially a failure of all stakeholders, Trump risks making the serious mistake of splitting up the international coalition that is the means to resolve the issue peacefully," it said.
"Hopefully Trump will find another path. Things will become even more difficult if Beijing and Washington are pitted against each other."
Asian stocks bounced back on Monday after three losing sessions, but gains were capped by worries about escalating tensions on the Korean peninsula that sent investors fleeing from riskier assets last week.
Financial markets regard tensions between Pyongyang and Washington as more serious than in the past, South Korea's finance minister said.
"The effect from North Korea-related jitters on financial and foreign exchange markets has been causing some global anxiety and we cannot rule out market volatility can widen from the smallest shock," Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon said.
U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Joseph Dunford is visiting Seoul to discuss the rise in tensions ahead of major U.S.-South Korean joint military drills scheduled for later this month.
South Korean Defence Ministry spokesman Lee Jin-woo said the drills, long a source of aggravation for Pyongyang, would go ahead as planned.
"They are just, legal and annual drills that are focused on defense and to curb North Korea's provocations," he told a regular briefing in Seoul.
Any new military conflict with North Korea would likely escalate quickly to the use of nuclear weapons, bringing catastrophic casualties and an untold economic impact worldwide, former U.S. defense officials and experts believe.
(Writing by Lincoln Feast; Editing by Paul Tait)
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Auckland woman leaves her $2 million home to charity and changes the lives of thousands in Africa
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In a rural area of Ethiopia there are stories being told about a great Kiwi woman called Jennifer who changed the lives of thousands.
She's brought water to areas that have never had it before and given hope to young women in more than five villages.
All they know about her is that her name is Jennifer and she is from a place called New Zealand and that's the way she wanted it.
So, the question remains who is Jennifer?
Jennifer is an Auckland woman who adventured around the horn of Africa in her younger days.
Before her death two-years-ago, she made a plan with UNICEF to use the profits from the sale of her estate to help fund infrastructure in poor villages in Ethiopia.
Her property sold for $2 million, a lot more than the $400,000 Jennifer originally thought the sale would raise.
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D&D Advice Every Dungeon Master Needs From Critical Role's Mathew Mercer
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Being a Dungeon Master means being a storyteller, orchestrating chaos and making sure everyone is having a great time. Mathew Mercer has had a long and successful career as a voice actor for animated shows and video games, he is the voice of McCree in Overwatch as just one example and consequently performs one of the most dreaded lines in the game "It's high noon." It is his acting and world building on Critical Role however that has helped bring and teach Dungeon & Dragons to hundreds of thousands of viewers every Thursday on Twitch and YouTube. In the video above I speak to Matt about what are the lessons he has learned from being a Dungeon Master all these years and how to embrace the improvisational nature of shared storytelling. You can watch Critical Role live on Geek & Sundry on their Twitch channel every Thursday 7pm Pacific.
Geek & Sundry
Watch my Dungeons & Dragons show Dungeon Life on YouTube and Facebook.
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GM, Toyota And Lyft Urge Congress To Set Nationwide Self-Driving Car Standards
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With billions of dollars committed to research and testing of vehicles driven by artificial intelligence rather than humans, the last thing automakers and tech firms want is balkanized regulations that vary from state to state or out-of-date federal rules for this fast-developing technology.
So General Motors, Toyota, Volvo and ride-hailing service Lyft had a unified message for members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday: Set a national framework for testing and deploying autonomous vehicles -- and do it soon.
“One of the most significant challenges that we face today with respect to the testing of autonomous vehicle technology is the patchwork of policy initiatives at the state level,” Gill Pratt, CEO of the Silicon Valley-based Toyota Research Institute, said in testimony to the House Subcommittee on Digital Commerce and Consumer Protection. “More and more states are developing legislation and regulations that are unfortunately creating impediments to the development of autonomous vehicle technology.”
Although the Department of Transportation released a set of general national guidelines for self-driving vehicles last September, language within the Federal Automated Vehicle Policy “provides unclear or even conflicting direction” to states’ on their role in regulating this next-generation technology, Pratt said.
For example, Toyota tests its automated vehicles in the U.S. in Michigan, but not in California or Massachusetts where the company has research facilities because those two states have more restrictive rules.
"A number of proposed state regulatory frameworks veer into territory that has traditionally been the purview of the federal government – namely, vehicle safety performance standards."
The benefits of AI-enabled cars range from convenience and reduced congestion to fuel-efficiency gains, but tech and auto companies tout the long-term promise of dramatic reductions in traffic accidents and road fatalities, which topped 35,000 in 2015.
Mike Ableson, GM’s vice president for global strategy, noted that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that govern what carmakers must do for conventional autos have to be updated to cover vehicles without human drivers. Since large-scale testing of automated vehicle fleets will speed up the pace of technological development, Ableson asked that the Secretary of Transportation be allowed to “grant specific exemptions” for that testing in advance of formal changes to FMVSS.
Lyft, like bigger rival Uber, has a long-term goal of transitioning to fleets of automated vehicles that provide low-cost transportation across the U.S. To speed that up, Congress should direct the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to start the rulemaking needed to update “FMVSS standards to accommodate the development, deployment and introduction into commerce of AVs at commercial scale,” Joseph Okpaku, Lyft’s vice president of government relations, told the House committee.
Along with unified rules, federal lawmakers should also address the absence of clear testing standards for self-driving cars, RAND Corp. senior research scientist Nidhi Kalra told the House subcommittee on Tuesday.
“There is currently no proven, practical way to test autonomous vehicle safety prior to widespread use,” said Kalra.
She argued for “concerted and immediate effort” to address that, and “develop those methods into a regulatory framework that balances the need for development and deployment of the technology with appropriate levels of safety at each stage of exposure.”
That’s a particularly important point, given that Elon Musk has said he’ll begin introducing ever-greater levels of automated driving capability in Tesla electric vehicles, beyond the company’s current semi-automated driving system, within months.
Tesla's maverick CEO has also said he’s willing to push ahead with this plan, via wireless software updates, in advance of new established guidelines, as he believes overall vehicle safety will improve as a result.
While the Obama Administration got the ball rolling on federal policy for autonomous vehicles, the Trump Administration will have a much bigger role in managing the technology, as it becomes market ready. Tuesday’s hearing underscored the need for both Congress and the president to get moving.
Alan Ohnsman covers the intersection of technology, autos and mobility. Follow him on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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Armenia to Send 40 Tons of Humanitarian Aid to Syria
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YEREVAN—In a collaborative initiative by the Armenian and Russian governments, 40 tons of humanitarian aid will be delivered to Syria. The first batch of 18 tons was delivered on February 14, according to a press statement by the Defense Ministry of Armenia.
Armenian Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan and Russian Ambassador Ivan Volynkin saw off the shipment–which consisted of mostly food–at Erebuni Airport in Yerevan.
“This is important to us, as Armenia has felt the significance of international humanitarian aid on many occasions. This is especially important in case of the friendly people of Syria, considering that Syria opened its doors to Armenians, who fled the genocide in the Ottoman Empire a century ago,” Sargsyan said, reminded that it is the second time Armenia has sent aid to Syria.
He said the aid would be equally distributed among all in need irrespective of nationality.
“There was an offer from our Russian partners to combine efforts within the framework of the CSTO. Armenia responded to the proposal and initiated the delivery of this humanitarian aid,” Sargsyan said, thanking Russia for providing cargo planes to transport the aid.
He voiced hope that peace would be reestablished in Syria as soon as possible. “Before that, we will try to support the people of Syria to the best of our abilities,” the Minister said.
Representatives of Armenian Ministries of Defense, Emergency Situations and Diaspora were present during the shipment of aid.
Another shipment of aid will be delivered to Syria in the coming days.
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How Justin Theroux is dealing with Jennifer Aniston split
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How Justin Theroux is handling his split
Life goes on. In the wake of his split from Jennifer Aniston, Justin Theroux is reportedly focused on his health, both mental and physical. "Justin has been hitting the gym hard since the split. He's been working out for over an hour every day at Gotham Gym. Boxing is a big part of his workout routine," a source tells ET, adding that he "loves working out" for the mind-clearing effects exercise has on him. The insider says Justin is "more committed to a consistent regime" these days -- and that includes walking and biking in New York City, as opposed to the four-wheeled travel required by his life with Jen in Los Angeles. "When he was with Jen they took cars everywhere, which he hated. Even in the cold weather, Justin's been biking everywhere. He's totally back in his element now," says the source. When he's not working out, Justin's reportedly been "dining with friends regularly" so he doesn't end up cooped up at home. Despite "going through a lot," the source says Justin is "trying to move on, [and] he's dealing with this breakup in a really healthy way."
RELATED: Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux's romance retrospective
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Attorney charged after he ‘forgot’ girlfriend’s 9-year-old son in hot car
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CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio – An attorney who told officers he forgot his girlfriend's "quiet" son was in the car with him, has his own court date after a good Samaritan rescued the child from a car left under the blazing sun with the windows rolled up.
Police released the urgent 911 call made from a Home Depot parking lot in Cleveland Heights:
911 dispatcher: "What's going on at the Home Depot?" Caller: "There's a kid in the car, all of the windows are up. I got the alarm going 'cuz I opened the door." 911 dispatcher: "So were you able to get the kid out of the car?" Caller: "Yes, but I don't want to be standing here when the parents come out and I got his kid."
It was just after 2 p.m. Monday when a passerby spotted the 9-year-old boy inside a 2017 black Nissan Altima with the windows closed, as the heat index outside reached 94 degrees.
911 dispatcher: "How is the child doing, does the child need any medical attention?" Caller: "Yeah he's slobbering at the mouth." 911 dispatcher: "He's what?" Caller: "He's slobbering at the mouth."
The good Samaritan opened an unlocked car door then waited for police and paramedics.
Police body camera footage showed officers arriving on scene as the young boy sat in the back seat.
Minutes later, the owner of the vehicle, Paul Bayer, 65, appears after running out of the Home Depot apologizing, “I'm here! Oh my God I'm so sorry." He tells the officers that he had forgotten the boy was inside the car.
"Why did you leave him in the car again?" an officer asks.
"He got real quiet, I forgot he was with me, I came here for a quick drum and I forgot I had him," Bayer says.
"Forgot you had your kid in the car?" the officer asks.
"It's my girlfriend's kid," Bayers says. "But yeah, when he gets quiet."
Police say the child, who has autism, was inside the hot car for 20 minutes.
EMS gave him cold water, checked his vitals and determined he was okay.
Bayer, a bankruptcy attorney in Woodmere, told police that the boy is his 36-year-old girlfriend’s son.
He was arrested and charged with endangering a child and is now free on bond.
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Katy Perry wins $4.5m legal case against nuns
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Katy Perry has just scooped a whopping $4.5 million after winning a legal case against two nuns.
The Roar singer has been embroiled in a two-year battle over the purchase of The Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
Her plans to turn the religious building in swanky Central LA into her home fell through, when two nuns from the convent reportedly sold it to a restaurant owner named Dana Hollister.
Katy Perry has just scooped $4.5 million in a legal battle against nuns. Source: Getty More
However, the archdiocese argued the nuns had no right to sell the property and now after a lengthy battle, a judge has ruled in their favour and awarded them and Katy punitive damages.
The LA Times has reported that The Los Angeles Superior Court jury awarded $8.7 million AUD to the archdiocese and $4.5 million to the Firework singer through her company, the Bird Nest LLC.
Tickets to her Witness tour have been struggling to sell. Pictured, Katy Perry performing at New York date. Source: Getty More
"We're obviously very pleased," said attorney Eric Rowen, on behalf of Katy Perry.
Katy originally bought the historic pad for $19 million AUD back in 2015.
There was a dispute over who could legally sell the convent, seen here. Source: Google Maps More
Katy is said to be 'very pleased' with her win. Source: Getty More
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Sofia Goggia takes downhill gold; Lindsey Vonn earns bronze
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JEONGSEON, South Korea (AP) Lindsey Vonn cast a quick glance toward the sky after finishing what was likely her final Olympic downhill run, shrugged her shoulders at seeing her time and shook a friendly index finger at her good friend.
No one could catch Sofia Goggia of Italy.
Goggia won the women’s downhill Wednesday at Jeongseon Alpine Center as Vonn earned bronze. The American was looking at a higher finish, before Ragnhild Mowinckel of Norway turned in a surprise silver-medal performance as the 19th racer on the course.
Then again, shocking finishes seem to be the norm on this hill. Ester Ledecka of Czech Republic made a late charge last week from back in the pack to take the super-G title. She skipped the downhill to step back into the snowboarding realm and will go through qualifying Thursday in the parallel giant slalom.
Goggia finished in a time of 1 minute, 39.22 seconds to hold off Mowinckel by 0.09 seconds. Vonn was 0.47 seconds behind Goggia.
At 33, Vonn becomes the oldest female medalist in Alpine skiing at the Winter Games. The record was held by Austria’s Michaela Dorfmeister, who was just shy of her 33rd birthday when she won the downhill and the super-G at the 2006 Turin Olympics.
This particular track just seems to suit Goggia’s aggressive skiing. She also edged Vonn in March to win the only World Cup downhill contested on the hill.
Maybe mind games. Maybe a ploy. But each pointed to the other as the one to watch in the days leading up to the race. Goggia referred to Vonn as ”definitely the favorite.”
Goggia was behind at the top, but found another speed near the bottom. Vonn couldn’t match it when she skied off two spots later.
This was Goggia’s first gold at an Olympics or a world championships. She has four World Cup wins.
Vonn has dedicated these Olympics to her grandfather, Don Kildow, who died in November. She wears his initials ”DK” on the side of her helmet as a tribute.
The night before the race, she said on her Twitter account: ”Tomorrow I will push out of the starting gate in what will most likely be my last Olympic Downhill race. I’m trying to enjoy the moment as much as I can and I am thankful to share this race with such amazing teammates. I know everyone expects a lot from me, and I expect even … more of myself … however there’s only one thing I can guarantee; I will give everything I have tomorrow. Count on it.”
Mikaela Shiffrin didn’t race downhill because of the altered Olympic program. When the Alpine combined was moved a day forward to Thursday, Shiffrin elected to skip the downhill race rather than compete in back-to-back days. The combined adds the times of a downhill and one run of slalom, her specialist discipline.
On social media, she said: ”This. Track. Is. So. Fun! Only slightly bummed I’m not skiing it today cause we have 4 girls who are ready to hammer down and I can’t wait to watch!”
American Alice McKennis finished fifth.
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More AP Olympic coverage: https://wintergames.ap.org
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'The Bachelorette' Season 13 Spoilers: Corinne Olympios Makes Appearance in Season 13
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"The Bachelorette" season 13 will return to the small screen in just a month. But before it comes back for another season, Corinne Olympios revealed that she will make an appearance on the show.
(Photo: Facebook/TheBachelor)"The Bachelorette" 2017 is Rachel Lindsay.
"The Bachelor" favorite sat with hosts Michael Yo, Tony Fly and Symon on "Hits 1 in Hollywood" for an interview on Tuesday. According to E! Online, Olympios said that fans will get to see her on the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette."
The previous "The Bachelor" contestant shared that she finished filming and episode with the forthcoming "The Bachelorette" star, Rachel Lindsay. Olympios also mentioned that aside from Lindsay, she got a chance to meet Lindsay's suitors as well.
Olympios also commented on what she thinks about the reality show's contestants. "[The suitors are] cute," she teases. She also thinks that things are looking good for her former rival and her suitors in the upcoming season of "The Bachelorette."
Moreover, Lindsay is the first black woman ever to be picked up by the show as its headliner. With that in mind, Olympios said she and Lindsay are "nervous." Even so, she shared, she is hoping that the series will do well in its ratings.
"It would be such a shame if people didn't watch because of her race," she added. In addition, she applauded her former competitor during her interview. Olympios said Lindsay's attitude is always sunny and delightful. Because of that, the ex "The Bachelor" candidate believes that viewers will not notice her race.
Furthermore, apart from the revelation on Olympios' comeback, four "The Bachelorette" contestants have been unveiled ahead of others. DeMario, Blake, Dean, and Eric are the first four competitors who will be vying for Lindsay's heart on the coming season.
Fans can catch Olympios, Lindsay and her suitors once "The Bachelorette" debuts its 13th season on May 22, 9 p.m. EDT on ABC.
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How to watch the 2018 Super Bowl on iPhone and iPad
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Super Bowl LII is coming up quickly and if you can't be around a giant TV for the big game to watch it on NBC, you can still watch on your iPhone or iPad. Here's how!
In the U.S.
NBC Sports
This year, NBC will be broadcasting the Super Bowl, and its actually offering 11 hours of free streaming on Super Bowl Sunday, so you'll be able to watch for free — no need to authenticate a paid TV subscription. You can even watch it on Apple TV.
Free (subscription required) - Download now
NFL app
Just download the NFL mobile app and you're in like flint. Free streaming of the Super Bowl for all. You just won't be able to AirPlay or cast it due to licensing rights.
Free - Download now
Yahoo Sports
Yahoo Sports is also getting in on the free streaming action. You'll be able to stream the Super Bowl 100% free on your iPhone or iPad, but like the NFL app, you won't be able to AirPlay.
Free - Download now
Outside the U.S.
If you're outside the U.S., you kind of get the short end of the stick with this one, since there aren't really any free ways to watch on iPhone and iPad without doing something illegal. And I could not condone that in good conscience.
A good VPN
If you use a VPN on a U.S. server, then you can download an American app (like NBC Sports) and use it as though you're in the states. You will, however, have to create an American App Store account. I recommend ExpressVPN or IPVanish.
In Europe: NFL Game Pass
This is the official way to watch the Super Bowl if you're in Europe. It's €19.99 just to watch the Super Bowl live. The app has awful review in the app store, but this is really your only legal option if you don't have a cable subscription.
Free, in-app purchase required - Download now
In Canada: DAZN
"Da Zone" has exclusive streaming rights to the Super Bowl in Canada, so if you're looking for an online option, this is really it (legally speaking). It costs $20/month and has taken over from the NFL app as the Canadian source for NFL Game Pass. If you haven't been paying for it already, it's probably not really worth it to shell out $20 when the NFL season is about to come to an end, but if you really wanna see the Super Bowl and don't have a TV subscription, it's really your only legal option.
Free, subscription required - Download now
In Canada: CTV GO app
If you live in Canada and you have a TV subscription package that includes CTV, you can stream the Super Bowl on your iPhone or iPad via the CTV Go app. It's free (aside from your cable subscription).
Free, with subscription - Download now
That's pretty much it
If any other ways to watch on your iPhone or iPad pop up between now and the Super Bowl, we'll let you know!
How do you watch?
Are you tuning in to the Super Bowl this year? How will you watch? Let us know in the comments below!
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Michelle Heaton breaks down in TEARS as she reveals her daughter Faith may need to have womb removed
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She's spoken openly about her struggles with menopause after undergoing a double mastectomy and hysterectomy.
And Michelle Heaton broke down in tears on Wednesday as she admitted her daughter Faith, 6, may need to have her womb and breasts removed should she inherit the faulty BRCA2 gene, which can lead to breast and ovarian cancer.
Speaking to The Sun, Michelle struggled to hold back her tears as she spoke about the fear she has every time she thinks about her daughter possibly having the gene, adding that she will take the test to find out when she turns 18.
Heartbreaking: Michelle Heaton broke down in tears on Wednesday after admitting her daughter Faith may need to have her breasts and womb removed
In the candid chat Michelle struggled to hold back her tears as she spoke about her daughter, admitting sometimes she struggles to even look at her given what could happen in her future.
She said: 'I actually get a lump in my throat . . . I mean it's horrible to look at her... in my head, the best way to look at it is when she is 18, and she gets offered the test, I hope that science evolves, and there is another option, than what I've had to choose.'
The Liberty X singer also confessed that suffering her menopause so young wasn't easy, and was convinced at one point her husband Hugh Hanley would leave her.
Emotional: In an interview with The Sun, the 38-year-old revealed her daughter will need to have a test when she's 18 to see if she's inherited the faulty BRAC2 gene
Michelle - who is also mum to four-year-old Aaron with husband Hugh - added that her daughter was the primary reason behind her decision to write a book about her battles with the menopause, which was brought on early following her hysterectomy and double mastectomy.
On the book - titled Hot Flush: Motherhood, the Menopause and Me - she added: 'So when she is of an age where she can understand I will just give her the book, and wait and see if she has any questions.
'As nothing has been forgotten, and it has all been explained. Maybe then she will realise why mummy has been a bit upset.'
Tough time: Michelle also said she decided to write a book about her struggles with the early menopause, so her daughter will understand when she's older
Michelle has spoken openly about her struggles after making the brave decision to undergo the procedures in 2015, to severely reduce the risk of cancer which had been heightened by the mutated BRCA2 gene.
And despite battling with self confidence, the star recently said she's now learning to embrace her body hang-ups, in an interview with Fit & Well magazine.
‘I just remember that everybody is different,' she said. 'We all have different bodies, different situations and even different experiences of the menopause. You have to find your positives and make them the best they can be.'
She added: 'I want to educate my daughter Faith to focus on what she loves about herself rather than dwelling on other things – we’ve all got our hang-ups.'
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BRIEF-Austock Group Appoints Terence Wong As Chief Financial Officer
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March 19 (Reuters) - Austock Group Ltd:
* APPOINTS TERENCE WONG AS ITS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY Source text for Eikon: Further company coverage:
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Willian to Barcelona: How the Chelsea star could fit in at the Nou Camp if he signs
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BARCELONA are reportedly interested in signing Chelsea star Willian - but how could the Brazilian fit in at the Nou Camp?
“Willian could be on his way out of Chelsea this summer”
Willian, 29, joined Chelsea back in 2013.
He has since gone onto enjoy great success at Stamford Bridge, scoring 44 times in 236 games.
Those strikes have often been crucial in the club’s two Premier League title wins over the past five years.
However, the Brazil international could be on his way out of west London this summer.
Willian is believed to be on Barcelona’s wish list, and the player is said to be desperate to get out of Stamford Bridge.
He wishes to fulfil a lifelong dream of playing alongside Lionel Messi and feels this could represent his last chance to do so.
So, how could Willian fit in at the Nou Camp if he does end up making the switch?
We’ve tailored a potential starting XI Barca fans could see next term with the Blues winger in their ranks.
CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY ABOVE TO SEE HOW CHELSEA STAR WILLIAN COULD SLOT INTO BARCELONA’S SIDE IF HE MAKES THE MOVE THIS SUMMER.
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SA teams will boost PRO 14‚ says Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Davies
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Wales and British & Irish Lions centre Jonathan Davies believes that the addition of two South African teams to the PRO 14 will be a boost for the tournament and an inspiration for northern hemisphere sides with the prospect of a new challenge.
The Southern Kings and Cheetahs have been included in the expanded tournament‚ which features top clubs from Wales‚ Ireland‚ Italy and Scotland. It starts on September 1.
Davies‚ who was named as the Lions’ player of the New Zealand tour after their recent drawn series against the All Blacks‚ also represents defending PRO 14 champions the Scarlets.
The Scarlets host the Kings in their opening fixture in Parc Y Scarlets in Llanelli on September 2.
“I don’t know a lot about the Southern Kings but I do know they had some good results in Super Rugby‚” Davies admitted.
“Going to Sydney and beating the Waratahs was a great result.
"They play a counter-attacking style and I’m sure our analysts back home will be doing a lot of work right now‚ to make sure we have a good look at them.
“You want to test yourself‚ so the way the likes of the Southern Kings and Cheetahs play in Super rugby might be different to how we have played in the PRO 14 previously.
"There is an element of the unknown and first up they might shock us.
“But it’s something that excites you as a player and makes sure you prepare well and give them the right respect without doubting yourself.
“Playing against an SA team that wants to prove itself is a great way for the Scarlets to start the new season because as defending champions we also have a point to prove.”
On the recent Lions tour‚ Davies had a first-hand look at NZ Super Rugby teams and was impressed.
Obviously the Cheetahs and the Kings are not at the same level as the Crusaders and Hurricanes‚ but Davies doesn’t expect it will be easy.
“Having played against New Zealand provincial sides on the recent Lions tour my impression that every game was almost at Test match intensity‚” Davies said.
“That’s what you want as a player – to test yourself at the highest level – and to have two SA teams in PRO 14‚ who have been exposed to New Zealand’s level of rugby for a number of years‚ can only be a positive in my opinion.
“I do consider playing against SA teams at provincial as a good measure of our standards because internationally any Test against the Springboks is tough.
“After a Test you feel that you’ve had a game and to have that kind of physical confrontation in a league structure will be great for us. SA players are very proud of their rugby and so are we in the northern hemisphere‚ so it will be a good challenge.
“I had a tour of the Springbok Experience Museum and it gave me another reminder of how much rugby means to South Africans. It’s just like in Wales.
“Hopefully we can show a new audience the strength of our rugby through this competition.
“If you look at recent results in terms of Test matches the gap between north and south has closed‚ which is good for the game and its future.
“South African teams are always very strong and these two teams will want to prove themselves in those opening matches.” - TimesLIVE
Source: TMG Digital.
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No one hurt in plane mishap at Southern California airport
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SANTA PAULA, Calif. (AP) A small plane crash-landed near a Southern California airfield but its occupants were unscathed.
The single-engine American Champion 7GCBC ended up upside-down in a riverbed south of Santa Paula Airport on Friday.
Local Fire Department spokesman Andy VanSciver tells the Ventura County Star the two occupants were uninjured.
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NCAA Sexual Violence Policy Criticized as Weak
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The National Collegiate Athletic Association adopted rules last week that require key administrators to complete annual training on sexual violence prevention, and to certify annually that the institution's teams and programs are familiar with policies and processes to prevent sexual violence or to deal with incidents that take place. Further, the rules require institutions to provide information to athletes on institutional policies and procedures.
A column in The Huffington Post noted that the NCAA rules are largely similar to what federal law requires of colleges, and that they don't address issues related to athletes found to have assaulted others. What the rules lack, the column said, "is enforcement or accountability that approaches penalties reaching the [same] level as the purchase of a hamburger for a student athlete."
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Equal justice for rich and poor crooks and criminals
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Douglas Gibson says the short arm of the law in SA does not reach the politically connected
Parties must pledge equal justice after 2019
South Africa does not have equal justice for rich and poor.
A year ago, South Africa’s total prison population, including pre-trial and remand prisoners, was 161,984. It seems odd, therefore to question the operation of justice and the Rule of Law. All these prisoners were arrested and brought before the courts by the South African Police Services (SAPS) and the prosecuting authority. So then, is our system of Justice working satisfactorily? The answer, when one looks closely at the situation is, “No, it is not.”
At the level of the poor, the deprived, the un- or under-educated, which describes most of those involved in crime, the system operates more or less properly. Of course, thousands of criminals are never caught and punished because of inadequacies in crime detection and prosecution. The crime rate is escalating and pathetic leadership at national level is partly to blame.
But there is an important class of criminal that does not fear being held to account, detected, tried and if found guilty, punished. These people are the politically connected, the educated, and the friends of those in power. Perhaps this has always been the case but the Travelgate revelations first signalled the post 1994 rot. Crooks escaped real punishment because they were politically powerful.
Eighty members of parliament, not all from the ANC, but by far the majority from that party, were implicated in defrauding the public by abusing travel vouchers and claims for travel. Many of them were asked to repay monies deemed to have been misused. Thirty were charged criminally and many agreed to a plea bargain with the state, signed admissions of guilt and were fined.
The saga went on for four years until the last ANC MP pleaded guilty. Gareth van Onselen wrote that Travelgate was a huge scandal that would become defined by cover-ups, political protection and ultimately, reward for those found guilty. Travelgate crooks became ministers, deputy ministers, mayors and chairpersons of parliamentary portfolio committees at inflated salaries. In the ANC the old saying, “Who says crime doesn’t pay?” became the signal to many others, with Travelgate setting the scene for corruption in public life. It stretched the envelope so that it soon extended to the public service, to state entities and right into the cabinet.
The ANC, committed to acting against corruption, failed consistently to take any action. The only real fear of miscreants was that the media or the opposition would discover the facts and that public embarrassment would follow. Few had any fear that they would be jailed or punished, or even fired, if caught. They could often expect the protection of the presidency and promotion to higher office.
While South Africans suspected the rot, it was only with the publication of the Public Protector’s report on state capture that the extent of the lawlessness, the greed and the exploitation of public office for personal gain started to glimmer through. This has now been vastly expanded by the revelation two or three weeks ago of the existence of more than 100,000 emails implicating the Gupta family interests and their beneficiaries in the presidency, the cabinet, in parliament, in state owned enterprises and in public life generally.
The enormity of the cache of emails and the damning evidence they provide has not elicited meaningful and determined action on the part of our justice system. The head of the National Prosecuting Authority who was so voluble and anxious to institute a cooked-up prosecution against the former minister of finance has been strangely silent about the Gupta emails. Does he not think there should be an investigation?
The minister of justice has not concerned himself about the matter. The Hawks seem not to be doing anything much. The SAPS have done nothing. The minister of finance has queried how the emails were obtained and has denied that he has done anything wrong. This despite compelling evidence that he appointed to the boards of state owned enterprises many nominees of the Gupta family enabling them to capture these entities with the aim of improperly gaining enormous financial advantage at the expense of the people of South Africa.
This minister is certainly not the only one. Several members of the cabinet were quite definitely in the pay of the Guptas or indebted to them. None of them is suspended or fired or charged with offences. Nothing happens. Nothing will happen because the president and some of his family have been captured by the same people. It is now left to the DA and the EFF to take action against the accused. Perhaps Gerrie Nel and Afriforum will help do the job the state should be doing.
It is time that our people realised that justice and the Rule of Law cannot and should not only be used to hold poor and disadvantaged criminals to account; they must also apply to the rich and the powerful. If justice continues to provide a special deal for the politically connected, the justice system and the Rule of Law will be fatally compromised.
Project 2019 is the combined effort by opposition parties to rid South Africa of the ANC government. I want each of the opposition parties to make a pledge now to restore and strengthen the Rule of Law under the coalition government that will succeed the ANC. This should be one of the main policy issues of Project 2019.
It should pledge equal justice for all. It should promise to ensure the justice system will investigate criminal conduct by all politicians and civil servants, ANC and others, as well as by directors of state owned enterprises. Where there is a decent case, prosecution must follow so that the guilty are held fully to account and punished for the millions, or billions, they have stolen from ordinary South Africans.
Douglas Gibson is a former opposition chief whip and a former ambassador to Thailand
This article first appeared in The Star.
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Tail movements can reveal a cat's mood
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Keeping tabs on a tabby's tail can help pet owners understand their cat's behaviour much better.
But you also must take into account the cat's body language to fully understand what they are thinking about, University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine's Carlos Siracusa tells National Geographic.
A tapping tail while a cat is napping is "relaxed overall but paying attention to something happening around him, a sound or movement," said Siracusa. If the cat is actually sleeping, it could mean the cat is dreaming.
However, an alert cat that is whipping its tail could suggest nervousness and potential aggression. You would be wise to not touch the cat, Siracusa said.
A tail that is straight up with a curved tip means a cat is being friendly, while an aggressive cat may have its tale straight up.
A relaxed cat will "carry his tail in a neutral or low position," adds Siracusa, while a downward curve can mean defensiveness.
Although figuring out tail movements and what they mean can be a bit tricky, cat's legs tell owners what is really going on.
When a cat darts from one room to another for no apparent reason, sometimes called "the zoomies," it may be due to accumulated arousal, frustration, fear, or pent-up energy, said Siracusa.
In their natural habitat, cats would be climbing trees and chasing prey if they weren't cooped up inside a home, which is low on stimulation.
And cats are more active at dawn and dusk, while the rest of the day they are storing up energy, usually by sleeping or dozing off.
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KEYC - Charges: Man Lived With Dead Bodies of His Mother, Brother
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Prosecutors say a Minnesota man lived in his house with the decomposing bodies of his mother and twin brother for about a year.
Sixty-year-old Robert James Kuefler of White Bear Lake is charged with interference with a dead body or scene of death because he neglected to tell authorities they died of natural causes, according to the St. Paul Pioneer Press .
The bodies were found last year. Kuefler was charged this week. He allegedly told police his mother, 94-year-old Evelyn Kuefler, died in August 2015 and his brother, Richard Kuefler, died before that and he couldn't bring himself to bury them.
The complaint says his mother's body was decayed and skeletal and his brother's body was "mummified."
Robert Kuefler didn't return a message left by The Associated Press.
-KEYC News 12
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Heavy rain on the way for the upper North Is
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It's going to be wet and wild for parts of the upper North Island today.
And there's already one casualty - Woof! The Auckland Pride Dog Show. The annual doggie-dress up and cat walk was due to take place at Western Park, in Ponsonby, at 1pm today, but has been postponed until the same time next Saturday.
Metservice this morning posted a severe weather watch for heavy rain in Auckland, Great Barrier Island, the Coromandel Peninsula and parts of Northland south of Whangarei.
The watch begins at 10am and continues until midnight.
There was also a moderate risk of thunderstorms from late morning through into the evening for Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula and southern Northland.
That included the risk of localised rainfall rates of 10 to 25mm a hour. There was a low risk of severe thunderstorms producing downpours of 25 to 40mm a hour.
A lesser risk of thunderstorms extended over the remainder of Northland and also northern Waikato, Metservice said on its website.
The wild weather was the result of a small but intense low set to move across the upper North Island today, it said.
There was a possibility rainfall accumulations in the areas under a heavy rain watch could reach short duration warning criteria, such as 70mm in 12 hours.
Metservice meteorologist Tui McInnes said the effects of the low would linger through tomorrow and into Monday, with widespread wet weather, but there would be a big improvement by Waitangi Day.
While there would be some isolated showers in inland areas of the country, most would enjoy a dry day.
"It will feel a lot nicer to a lot of people."
Waitangi itself would be partly cloudy with the possibility of the odd shower. A temperature of 26C is expected.
The weather will be similar in our biggest city, with only a 1C drop in temperature, with a high of 25C expected in Auckland on Waitangi Day.
The highs reflected a country-wide dip in temperatures to the early to mid-20s this week, after a hot January.
The cool change may feel autumnal to some, but settled and warm weather looks to be making a return next week, McInnes said.
"It looks like we enter a period of warmer than average temperatures."
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Rash of vehicle thefts in Dutton
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Three vehicles were stolen from the Dutton area within a 48 hour span. On Aug. 3 a 2009 Ford F250 was stolen from the area of Celtic Line and Largie Road. On the same day a 2000 GMC Sierra pickup truck was stolen from the area of Currie Road, just north of the 401. The GMC Sierra was found by police later that day with all the aftermarket property stolen.
In addition to the two pickup trucks, a 2011 Kioti tractor and trailer were also stolen sometime between Aug. 3 and Aug. 4.
Constable Adam Crewdson, media relations officer with the Elgin OPP, said the police don’t have any reason to believe the thefts are connected.
Crewdson said thieves usually get caught after a tip from the public comes in to police because they recognize the vehicle that was stolen. Other individuals are caught because they are known to police already. Informant information is also key in some situations to getting culprits caught.
This type of theft isn’t new to the Elgin OPP.
“(In) Elgin as a whole property crime tends to be our main concern here as police. We live in a relatively safe community,” Crewdson said. ”We are a place that doesn’t see those very violent crimes and because of that property crimes are more of an issue.”
Crewdson said it’s hard to say there’s a trend, but he said the police tend to see a lot of pickup trucks stolen compared to other types of vehicles.
“If they have aftermarket rims, aftermarket features they tend to get targeted a little bit more,” Crewdson said.
When tractors and other construction vehicles are stolen they tend to be crimes of opportunity, Crewdson added.
Each of the vehicles that were stolen in Dutton had their keys left inside. If people aren’t creating those extra barriers to theft then people are making it easier for thieves.
“If you do take your keys out, if you do lock your doors … that’s just going to give us that much more evidence to when we do recover these vehicles or when people come across them that we can place people in these situations,” Crewdson said.
Crewdson said it’s the wrong mentality of some property owners that says they won’t lock their doors because someone will just break it if they do.
“In actuality if you’re going to put up some barriers or put up some hardening or strengthening like locking your doors, keeping your keys out of your car, things like that, then you are going to make it harder on people that are going to want to take your car. If they do succeed then they’re going to leave an evidence trail because of what you did,” Crewdson said.
The timeframe of the recent thefts was out of the ordinary because they all happened so closely together. Crewdson said the police want to make the public aware that thefts of this nature are going on in their community.
If someone is caught with a stolen vehicle they will most likely be charged with possession of stolen property over or under $5,000 depending on the value of the vehicle.
“That’s the main thing that we lay as police because (to be able to) get the theft part of it you have to be able to prove that they’re the one that caused the vehicle to be (stolen), which is why we go straight to the possession of stolen property obtained by crime,” Crewdson said.
Crewdson said it’s hard to say whether the victims will get their vehicles back.
“I have seen the return of vehicles then I’ve also seen the opposite. I’ve seen them where they’ve been burned, I’ve seen them when they’ve been used in other crimes,” Crewdson.
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US topping polls of ‘greatest threat to world peace’ to continue
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Last week Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro described the United States as, “the most criminal empire in the history of mankind”. Whether such a statement is true, one cannot deny the US has repeatedly topped polls of international opinion on the subject: Which country do you think is the greatest threat to peace in the world today?
Time and again the global community have overwhelmingly voted the US as “the greatest threat” to their existence. In one such WIN/Gallup poll from less than four years ago, the US garnered three times the votes of second-place Pakistan.
Such decisive results are hardly reported in the Western mainstream, it would be ill-advised to inform unsuspecting Westerners of useless facts – instead they are disappeared down George Orwell’s memory hole.
As a consequence of the predictable survey results, perhaps the question should be framed rather differently – “How can nations be secured in the face of the US threat?” Seeing as how pollsters such as the Gallup company and Pew Research Centre are headquartered in Washington, that seems unlikely.
The investigative journalist John Pilger wrote of American aggression, “The trail of blood is endless: from the subjugation of the Philippines and Central America, to the greatest terrorist attacks of all, the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki; from the devastation of Indochina, such as the murder of 600,000 peasants in neutral Cambodia, and the use of chemicals and starvation against civilian populations, to the shooting down of an Iranian passenger plane, and the bombing of prisoners of war in a mud fort in Afghanistan. The documentation of American terror is voluminous”.
The US is the only nation to have ever been convicted by the World Court for international terrorism (in 1986), against Nicaragua during the Ronald Reagan era, under the old “war on terror” pretext. The destruction wrought against Nicaragua by US-backed contras – terrorists – was so severe that the World Court had no other option. These unwelcome facts have again been consigned to historical oblivion.
Backing up the claims Noam Chomsky, Emeritus Professor at MIT, said, “There are many terrorist states in the world but the United States is unusual in that it is officially committed to international terrorism, and on a scale that puts its rivals to shame”.
In the Middle East, the perception of America is even worse – with about two-thirds of respondents saying they hold a “very unfavourable” view of the US. Israel, the US’s right arm in the region, has also long been viewed negatively in the Middle East. Examining the respective grisly records, this is hardly a revelation, while Iran barely features on its neighbours’ threat scope.
The US has repeatedly invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, while Israel has attacked Lebanon, Egypt and Syria, all with US support – not to mention Israel’s occupation of much of the Golan Heights (Syrian land) and Palestinian territories, and their treatment of the inhabitants there.
Pilger again reveals that, “Palestinians have been denied a right to return to their homes, in breach of numerous UN resolutions and international law… The BBC refers to Israel’s policy of assassination as ‘targeted killing’, the euphemism used by Israeli spokesmen. It is rarely reported that of the hundreds killed and thousands wounded in the Second Intifada [Palestinian uprising], 90% have been Palestinian civilians, 45% have been under 18, and 60% were shot in their homes, schools and workplaces”.
In November 2003, before the Iraq war’s implications became clear, Europeans viewed Israel as “the No. 1 threat to world peace”. Such were the results of a survey conducted by the European Commission, which prompted “outrage” from the Israeli embassy in Brussels, and much apologising from squeamish European politicians. It is unwise to upset the master across the Atlantic.
In the time since, citizens in the US, Britain and Canada often claim Iran to be the biggest threat to peace on earth – a rare insight into how successful Western propaganda has been. Across centuries Iran have no record of having outright invaded another country, nor do they possess weapons of mass destruction like nuclear warheads. Within the past century the US has attacked numerous sovereign nations, breaching international law with little respite.
North Korea is another bogeyman of the West, but as with Iran, these views have little basis in reality. In the last 60 years and more North Korea have no record of having invaded another country – during the Korean War more of the North’s towns were destroyed (by the US) than either those of Germany or Japan during World War II. Despite this, most Americans currently regard the DPRK as “a very serious threat” to their country.
Yet who is being threatened? There are thousands of American troops situated in South Korea, perilously close to the North’s border – along with aircraft, artillery and ships. Considering America’s foreign policy record, and past destruction of North Korea, Kim Jong-un and colleagues have every right to be agitated. They continue to act out of fear.
As does Maduro, with the Venezuelan leader demanding last week that his army “have the rifles, the missiles, and the well-oiled tanks at the ready”. Maduro expressed humanity’s future “cannot lie in the threats of nuclear strikes or military invasions”. The US possesses thousands of nuclear weapons and are the only state to have used them, on Japan.
In 2016, the US military expenditure was 50 times bigger than Iran’s, for example, a statistic that goes without mention. The US is away into the distance when it comes to military outlay, almost three times that of second-place China – and about nine times that of Russia. The disparity is set to widen further.
Not satisfied with last year’s arms budget of $611 billion, the US Senate recently passed a $700 billion “defence policy bill” – which in turn “back[s] President Donald Trump’s call for a bigger, stronger military”. The proposed $90 billion enlargement is greater than Russia’s entire military expense for 2016 ($69.2 billion).
Possessing by far the largest military machine on earth is still not deemed substantial enough. This sends a signal and the message could hardly be clearer: the US is set to increase its military operations. The world has been warned.
The first major steps can be witnessed in the growing presence of American soldiers in Afghanistan under President Trump. Bob Corker, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Sunday, “But are we likely to have troops in Afghanistan for the next decade? Sure.”
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Anthem fires back at Cigna
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2:52 What you need to know about the massive Oroville dam emergency in California Pause
3:02 Look at the massive water flow of Feather River, Sacramento River and Lake Oroville
0:24 From the air, ruined landscape clearly shows effect of Oroville Dam spillway problem
0:22 Massive rock comes down hill as work on Highway 50 mudslides continues
0:10 Water continues to surge on American River
3:05 National Weather Service update on next round of rain and wind moving in to Sacramento area
1:05 Point Pleasant residents urged to evacuate as flood waters consume south Sacramento County
1:35 Crews working to patch a leaky levee at Tyler Island
0:46 Dozens rally at Tacoma's Northwest Detention Center after Seattle arrest
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Jeremy Hunt will face no further action over property complaint
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Image copyright Getty Images
Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt will not face any sanctions after apologising twice for the late reporting of his interest in a property company.
Parliamentary standards commissioner Kathryn Stone ruled that although Mr Hunt had breached the MP's code of conduct, his offence was "at the less serious end of the spectrum".
The MP took "full responsibility" for his misinterpretation of the rules.
She decided against referring him to the Commons Committee on Standards.
Her inquiry followed a complaint by Labour MP John Trickett.
Mr Hunt was criticised in April for failing to record his involvement in Mare Pond Properties in the MPs' register of interests within a 28-day time limit.
The Conservative cabinet minister apologised at the time and then did so again in person after admitting to Ms Stone he was a day late in registering the company's purchase of seven luxury flats in Southampton.
According to her report, Mr Hunt said Mare Pond was initially "a shell company with no assets or value".
While declaring his involvement to his department and the Cabinet Office, he wrongly believed it was not necessary to register his interest until it became operational with the purchase of the flats.
In a letter to Mr Trickett, Ms Stone said: "I consider Mr Hunt's acknowledgement of his breach of paragraph 13 of the code and his apology to be an appropriate outcome. This matter is now closed."
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Former officials slam reported White House non-disclosure agreements
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President Donald Trump had senior administration officials sign agreements muzzling them from discussing confidential information even after leaving the White House, the Washington Post reported Sunday.
Transparency watchdogs and civil liberties groups are criticizing the reported NDAs as unconstitutional.
"Public employees can't be gagged by private agreements," said Ben Wizner, director of the American Civil Liberties Union's Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, in a statement on Monday.
"These so-called NDAs are unconstitutional and unenforceable."
Wizner did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for further comment.
The Washington post reportedly viewed a draft version of the non-disclosure agreements. The draft would impose crippling $10 million penalties against a signee for each public statement of confidential information uttered, according to the Post.
The draft reportedly defined "confidential" information as being "all nonpublic information I learn of or gain access to in the course of my official duties in the service of the United States Government on White House staff," including "communications ... with members of the press" and "with employees of federal, state, and local governments."
A person who signed the final version of the agreement told the Post that Trump himself, with support from then-Chief of Staff Reince Priebus and the White House Counsel's Office, had senior White House staff sign the agreements.
And the non-disclosure agreements reportedly stayed in effect even after these officials left the White House. The newspaper wrote that the agreement would restrict the ability for Trump aides to discuss certain information beyond their White House service "at all times thereafter."
Neither the White House nor the White House Counsel's Office immediately responded to CNBC's requests for comment.
The Sunlight Foundation, a nonprofit that advocates for government transparency, condemned the reported use of hush agreements in the White House.
Ian Bassin, founder of the democratic and constitutional advocacy group Protect Democracy and a former member of the White House Counsel's Office under President Barack Obama, claimed that requests to form non-disclosure pacts would have been turned down during his tenure.
Walter Shaub, Obama's director of the Office of Government Ethics, questioned the legality and enforceability of the reported agreements.
Such gag orders are not unheard of in government. In 2013, for instance, multiple outlets reported that some CIA employees had been pressured to sign non-disclosure agreements in the wake of the attacks on U.S. buildings in Benghazi, Libya that ended in deaths of four Americans.
But in the White House itself, the Post reported, such agreements have little precedent in practice.
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COLUMN-Forties pipeline outage is a gift to U.S. oil exporters, others: Russell
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(The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters.)
* GRAPHIC: Oman premium over WTI widens: reut.rs/2BbGXxo
By Clyde Russell
LAUNCESTON, Australia, Dec 12 (Reuters) - The shutdown of Britain’s largest crude oil pipeline is an early Christmas gift to U.S. exporters shipping to Asia, and a complication for Middle Eastern and African producers seeking to maintain market share in the world’s top importing region.
The Forties Pipeline System, which carries about 450,000 barrels per day (bpd) from the North Sea to Scotland, may be closed for several weeks for unscheduled repair work, operator Ineos said on Monday.
Forties crude is the largest of the five North Sea crudes that make up the dated Brent price benchmark.
Brent crude futures jumped 2 percent on Monday to settle at $64.69 a barrel, their highest in 2-1/2 years.
But given the price spike is related to an actual physical supply issue, the price of competing U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude wasn’t as affected. It rose by only 1 percent to end at $57.99 a barrel on Monday.
This widened the premium of front-month Brent over WTI CL-LCO1=R to $6.74 a barrel, up from $4.76 as recently as Nov. 24. The spread is closing in on the $7.07 touched in September when Hurricane Harvey knocked out U.S. Gulf Coast refineries, temporarily cutting crude demand.
The blowout of the Brent-WTI spread in September saw a flood of U.S. crude head toward Asia, with vessel-tracking data showing that top global crude buyer China imported a record 293,000 bpd in November.
This pace is likely to be maintained in December, with data from Thomson Reuters Oil Research and Forecasts showing China is set to import 281,000 bpd from the United States this month.
The flows may ease in January and February in line with the lower Brent premium over WTI that prevailed when cargoes would have been booked in November.
They are likely to pick up again, though, as the economics move in favour of WTI-priced oil over Brent-priced equivalents.
MIDDLE EAST CRUDE IMPACT
While it’s true that the higher Brent price is mainly an issue for African exporters such as Angola and Libya, the flow-on effect on other crude benchmarks is likely to hit major Middle East exporters as well.
This is because Middle Eastern crudes are becoming more expensive vis-a-vis WTI as well.
The main regional futures contract, Dubai Mercantile Exchange’s Oman, has been following Brent more closely than WTI.
The contract closed on Monday at $62.20 a barrel, matching the 2-1/2-year high reached on Nov. 6.
This put Oman at a premium of $4.21 a barrel to WTI, well above the 52 U.S. cents that prevailed at the end of last year and the 42 cents on June 30.
Oman is more of a benchmark for Middle East heavy crude grades, as opposed to WTI being a light, sweet crude.
The wider the premium of Oman over WTI, however, the more likely refiners in Asia that can be flexible with their crude slates will seek to switch to oil priced against WTI.
This will especially hurt the top exporters in the region restricting output as part of the agreement by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies to cut production by a combined 1.8 million bpd.
So while the Forties pipeline outage has given an immediate lift to U.S. crude exporters, it will also likely prove helpful to other producers who didn’t sign on to the OPEC and allies agreement, such as Brazil and Canada.
Saudi Arabia has also recently been raising its official selling price (OSP) to customers in Asia, which account for about two-thirds of the kingdom’s exports.
The OSP for its benchmark Arab Light grade (which is actually a medium-heavy crude), was increased for January-loading cargoes by 40 cents a barrel to a premium of $1.65 a barrel over the average of Oman-Dubai prices.
While Saudi pricing generally reflects prevailing market conditions, the rising premium will effectively make the kingdom’s oil even more expensive relative to competing grades in Asia.
The Saudis could not have predicted the Forties outage when they released their January prices on Dec. 5, but the event has most likely made their crude less competitive in Asia.
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2018 Bentley Continental GT To Be Launched This Month
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The third generation Bentley Continental GT at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year and the model is all set to make its way to India on March 24, 2018. The 2018 Bentley Continental GT is the automaker's flagship grand tourer and represents "a paradigm shift in driving performance" over its predecessor, as per the company. With the all-new model, the Continental GT is aimed at those who are looking for a sporty drive without compromising on absolute luxury. The Continental GT will lock horns against the Aston Martin DB11 and Rolls Royce Wraith.
(The new Bentley Continental GT shares design cues from the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept)
Compared to the predecessor, the 2018 Bentley Continental GT offers more space for its four passengers and their opulent luggage. The design language comes from Bentley's EXP 10 Speed 6 concept shown in 2015, which the company says is "clearly Bentley and Continental". You can expect the best of luxury and motoring on the Bentley and the car offers LED Matrix technology borrowed from the Audis along with 21-inch or 22-inch lightweight, forged wheels. Attention to detail makes the Bentley one of the sought after auto brands, and the company offers over 17 colour options to choose from for the new Continental GT.
The new GT also now longer than the older model with the front wheels pushed further by 135 mm that make way for a longer bonnet and a lowered nose. The wheelbase has increased too by 110 mm, while the Continental GT is now wider by 25 mm. The car is also now lighter by 80 kg over the previous version.
(The opulent interior gets diamond-in-diamond stitching and the Bentley Rotating Display)
Inside, the 2018 Bentley Continental GT adopts the best in luxury with diamond-in-diamond' leather upholstery with 15 colour options for the hides and carpets, driver-focused instrument panel along with 'Bentley Rotating Display' (12.3-inch infotainment system), and a premium 2200 watt Naim audio system with 18 speakers.
Furthermore, the third-gen Bentley Continental GT now gets an adaptive chassis that uses Bentley's Dynamic Ride System which ensures stability in all conditions. The engine has also been positioned further back for improved weight distribution. As a result, the new Continental GT now boasts of a weight distribution of 53:47 (front to rear), as opposed to the earlier 56:44.
(The 2018 Bentley Continental GT will compete with the Aston Martin DB11 & Rolls Royce Wraith)
Coming to the matters of the heart, the 12-cylinder symphony continues to power the 2018 Bentley Continental GT. The grand tourer uses a 6.0-litre W12 TSI motor tuned to produce 626 bhp and 900 Nm of peak torque. The motor is paired with an ECU that is capable of making 300 million software calculations in one second. The W12 engine is paired to an 8-speed DSG transmission that helps the car sprint from 0-100 kmph in just 3.7 seconds, all the way till a top speed of 333 kmph.
(Prices for the 2018 Bentley Continental GT are expected to be around ₹ 4.5 crore)
Power is sent to all four wheels via the new Active All-Wheel Drive system, which is rear-biased for the most part but will send power to the front wheels depending on the terrain and traction required.
All that power and luxury doesn't come cheap and the 2018 Bentley Continental GT will be nowhere close to affordable. Expect the grand tourer to carry a sticker price of around ₹ 4.5 crore (ex-showroom) before you dig into the options list. The model will make its way to India a Completely Built Unit (CBU) from the car maker's facility in Crewe, England.
For the latest auto news and reviews, follow CarAndBike on Twitter, Facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
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Former Tennessee corrections guard indicted for jail assault - WRCBtv.com | Chattanooga News, Weather & Sports
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CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (AP) - A former corrections officer in Tennessee faces an indictment connected to an assault on an inmate.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says Sullivan County Jail Corrections Officer Edward Smith, Jr. faces two charges of assault.
TBI says inmate Hunter Gragg was being disruptive when Smith approached him on Jan. 16.
TBI says surveillance video shows Smith forced Gragg to the ground on two different occasions.
The bureau says Smith, 38, turned himself into authorities Friday and was booked into the jail where he worked.
Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Taxpayers overpaid for Ottawa's green bin program again last year
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Municipal taxpayers overpaid for the green bin program again last year, with the city missing a “put-or-pay” threshold by 9,000 tonnes.
Orgaworld receives $8 million annually from the city to process a minimum of 80,000 tonnes of green bin waste. The city must pay the money, even if the volume is less than 80,000 tonnes.
The city sent 71,000 tonnes of organic waste to the processing plant in 2016, according to a recycling analysis provided to council’s environment and climate change committee.
A damning audit released in 2014 revealed a lack of evidence that supported the 80,000-tonne threshold. In fact, the auditor discovered the put-or-pay threshold was increased from 70,000 tonnes before the city signed the contract.
On top of that, the auditor said the city can’t meet the 80,000-tonne mark without including leaf and yard waste, even though it’s cheaper to send leaf and yard waste to the municipal dump.
The city collected 5,400 tonnes of leaf and yard waste in 2016. Those bags were sent to the city’s dump on Trail Road.
The city and Orgaworld have a 20-year processing deal that started in 2008, but they have a longstanding contract dispute over the leaf and yard waste. The city says the material should be part of its organic load sent to Orgaworld, but Orgaworld disagrees.
The auditor has estimated that without the leaf and yard waste, the 80,000-tonne threshold won’t be achieved until 2024.
However, there’s better news for the city in the black and blue box program.
The material in the recycling boxes generated $9.7 million for the city in 2016, compared to $7.2 million in 2015.
The city pays Cascades Recovery to process and market the material in black and blue boxes. All revenues go directly to city hall.
The revenue increase is largely thanks to a hot market for thrown-away paper. The city raked in $6.1 million on those products last year, even though the total weight of the goods was lower than the weight recorded in 2015.
The city made about $144 per tonne for paper products in 2016, which was much better than the $93 per tonne it made in 2015.
The amount of paper products collected in the black boxes has decreased over the past three years as the demand for printed material drops, but the market value of recycled newspapers, books, cardboard and other fibres is strong.
Blue box material generated $3.6 million for the city in 2016, compared to $3.1 million in 2015. There was also an increase in the money the city received per tonne of blue box material, such as cans, bottles and plastic containers.
There has been a 32-per-cent increase in the weight of blue box material since 2012. In their analysis, city staff say cans and bottles have become lighter in weight, but the quantity of the material grows.
Favourable U.S. exchange rates have also helped the financial performance of the recycling program, staff say.
Revenue generated from recycled material offsets the expense of running the blue and black box program, but staff don’t include the costs in the analysis. The city also receives between $4.5 million and $5.5 million annually through a provincial stewardship program.
The city doesn’t receive any money from the sale of compost generated by the Orgaworld plant.
[email protected]
twitter.com/JonathanWilling
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Drug-user ordered to pay £195 after he is caught with cannabis worth £1
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A cannabis user who was caught with the drug revealed how he has been smoking cannabis as an alternative medication for anxiety and depression.
Chesterfield magistrates’ court heard on Thursday, October 5, how Joseph Mellor, 23, of Derby Road, Matlock Bath, was stopped by police due to an unrelated matter when officers had grown concerned about a group acting suspiciously.
Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said: “Mellor was seen by police and stopped due to an unrelated matter because they believed a group had been acting suspiciously.
“He smelled of cannabis and he said he had been smoking a joint and he had a grinder in a rucksack and it had 0.1grammes of cannabis in it.”
Mellor admitted the item found was cannabis and it had been the remnants from an earlier joint.
He told police he has been smoking cannabis for about seven or eight years.
Mellor pleaded guilty to possessing the class B drug after the incident on April 5 and it was accepted that this was for personal use only.
Defence solicitor Bertie Mather said the street value of the amount of cannabis recovered was £1.
He added that Mellor has not been working due to anxiety and depression and the overwhelming effects of his medication had become so stupefying that he had been using cannabis instead.
Magistrates fined Mellor £80 and ordered him to pay a £30 victim surcharge and £85 costs.
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12/10-12/24: PSVR GT Bundle $200 Skyrim Bundle $350 Doom Bundle $300
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Posted 08 December 2017 - 08:17 AM
when you look up the stand alone bundle on amazon, shows discontinued, points to GT Sport bundle as the base now. All other headsets are marked discontinued except Gt Sport, Doom, Skyrim.
Seems to be an exclusive with Bethesda in NA for the V2 and Skyrim/Doom. Which is probably just timed and in a few months you will find V2 in a different bundle or the Gt Sport. Which would be a bad move for Sony to update the GT Sport bundle, better to make the GT Sport bundle a timed one, and create a whole new base bundle.
Japan is a whole different argument, Sony has many different bundles/consoles/whatever in Japan, and not anywhere else. (just look at the Vita)
You could be right, but why produce two different versions for the same bundle with new hardware, a month after the release (GT Sport)
I just don't see Sony thinking it wise to release a bundle, and a month later toss new hardware, new box art etc and re release it with zero press release. "Hey new PSVR owner, We just put new hardware in the very bundle *you* just purchased!"
That would be some bad press for Sony...
Has to be a Bethesda deal imo.
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Meet Michel Rubini —the Pianist Behind Hundreds of Your Favorite Songs
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Michel Rubini, is a member of L.A.’s famous “Wrecking Crew”, he joined the Gary Rivers Show Wednesday to tell stories from his new book, “Life in the Key of Rubini”, He talks about playing music with Sinatra, Sonny & Cher , Johnny Mathews and hundreds of other well-known artists
MICHEL RUBINI (pronounced Michelle), is an acclaimed pianist/composer and one of the keyboardists for The Wrecking Crew – the loose collection of studio musicians who performed on thousands of recordings in the 60’s and 70’s including several hundred Top-40 hits.
“Life in the Key of Rubini” is Michel’s high-flying, heartfelt and often downright gripping memoir about his days of hit-making, hell-raising, and skirt-chasing in a Hollywood sadly long gone. From playing on classic songs such as Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night,” Sonny & Cher’s “I Got You Babe,” and The Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody” to his friendship with client Harry Nilsson to his involvements with gorgeous film and TV actresses such as Raquel Welch, Joanna Moore, and Lynda Carter (i.e. Wonder Woman), Rubini has led a life that will astound. The book also includes more than two dozen RARE photographs taken fro Michel’s personal collection
The classically-trained son of a world-famous violinist and a Hollywood actress, the free-spirited Rubini became the very personification of the Swinging Sixties.
In addition to his work with The Wrecking Crew, Michel served as Nancy Wilson, Johnny Mathis and Sonny & Cher’s longtime musical director. He also composed the soundtracks for dozens of films and TV series, including Manhunter, Tales from the Crypt, and the long-running Hitchhiker mystery anthology (HBO), among many others.
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Drake Blasts Coachella’s ‘Madison’ Country Club for Racial Profiling
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By Annie Reuter
Update: Drake has deleted his Instagram post.
Drake surprised the crowd at Coachella this past weekend when he joined Future for a three-song performance of “Jumpman,” “Gyalchester” and “Fake Love” and while he looked like he had a blast on stage, the rapper revealed that he had a much less enjoyable experience when he was racially profiled during his stay at the Madison Club.
Related: Drake, Migos Joins Future on Stage at Coachella
While the club is described as “the most exclusive private residential community in La Quinta, California offering the finest golf and club facilities in an intimate and sophisticated setting,” it seems that Drizzy didn’t enjoy all of the amenities the joint has to offer. After his visit to the establishment, Drake slammed the Madison Club on social media.
“The most offensive place I have ever stayed at in my life with staff who pick and choose who they are going to accommodate based on racial profiling,” he captions an image of the club.
Drake’s fans had his back and quickly began posting one-star ratings to the Madison Club on Yelp. If the country club didn’t know who Drake was while he was staying there, they do now.
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Dreaming of a White Easter? Three more days of snow heading to Gloucestershire from Good Friday
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This is the winter that can't let go.
Even though the first day of Spring is on Wednesday, we may not have seen the last of snow in Gloucestershire.
After the Beast from the East 2 blanketed Gloucestershire in the white stuff on Sunday, there is more forecast at the end of the month - right over the Easter weekend.
The first flurries could appear actually appear late on Thursday, March 29 and then continue from Good Friday into Saturday morning.
Easter Sunday itself seems, at the moment, to escape fresh snow fall, but it's a brief respite as more snow is expected on the Bank Holiday Monday.
It is, however, unlikely this third batch of March snowfall will be as bad as what fell on Sunday which caused widespread disruption in a sequel to the original Beast from the East at the start of the month.
Before Easter, more cold weather is expected although daytime temperatures should rise into double digits.
However, according to The Weather Channel, some forecasters are suggesting a bitter blast of Arctic air could hit Britain in the build up to Easter.
This could allow icy, cold winds to plunge across the UK with the chance of further snow falls bringing a White Easter in some areas.
Before then, there is another Met Office warning for ice in Gloucestershire tomorrow (Tuesday) morning until 9am.
(Image: Met Office)
The warning reads: "Ice is likely to form on some untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths.
Met Office's chief forecaster on the ice warning After a clear start in many areas with the temperature falling below freezing through Monday evening, it will turn cloudier from the north, with the possibility of some wintry showers in places.
The temperature may come back above freezing in some places for a time, but will fall below again where the cloud breaks.
Therefore, ice is likely to form where untreated roads, pavements and cycle paths are left wet after snow melts during the day, or partly melted snow refreezes, and where wintry showers occur overnight.
This increases the risk of accidents, as well as injuries from slips and falls."
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Chris Harris hopes Broncos don’t draft a QB at No. 5
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Getty Images
The Broncos are seen as one of the teams that could select a quarterback in the first round of this year’s draft, but one of the team’s current stars hopes they move in a different direction.
Cornerback Chris Harris spoke to reporters on Tuesday and made his case for the team to look elsewhere when they are on the clock with the fifth overall pick on Thursday. With Case Keenum on board at quarterback, Harris wants someone who can play right away.
“Somebody who can come in and make an impact now … not a quarterback. We’re trying to win now,” Harris said, via Mike Klis of KUSA.
One spot that the Broncos could address with an eye on immediate returns is cornerback. They traded Harris’ former partner in the starting lineup Aqib Talib to the Rams this offseason, leaving an opening in what’s been known as the No-Fly Zone in recent years. Harris said he still views the group that way, but more help there might ensure others feel that way as well.
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Rich Thomas weather forecast for April 18
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Our early summer preview continues today. Today will be at least 10 degrees warmer than normal for Mid April. In fact, we could be at or close to 90 by late week. Spotty pop up showers will be rather scarce. Our attention turns to an important cold front over the weekend which could bring a line of some strong/severe storms, followed by sharply cooler air. I have the latest on timing, strength, and the cool down that follows the front. Wochit
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Is there a 'secret' behind Mohamed Salah's amazing debut season for Liverpool FC?
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Former Liverpool defender Mark Lawrenson says Reds star Mohamed Salah is having the best-ever debut season in the Premier League and believes he knows the secret behind the Egyptian ace’s success.
Salah’s fantastic four-goal salvo in the 5-0 thrashing of Watford on Saturday took his scoring total for the seaoson to an incredible 36 in 41 games – 28 of which have come in league matches.
He now needs just four more goals to break the all-time Premier League scoring record for a 38-game season which is currently held by Alan Shearer ( Blackburn Rovers ) 1995-96; Cristiano Ronaldo ( Manchester United ) 2007-08 and Liverpool’s own Luis Suarez in 2013-14.
Salah previously played in England with Chelsea between 2013-15, but Lawrenson believes he is a different proposition now and believes much of that is down to what he believes is an often overlooked element of the 25-year-old’s game report the Liverpool Echo .
Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “Do we know anybody who has come to play in the Premier League and had such a fantastic first season as Mohamed Salah? Or as good?
“I’ll tell you something about him, people don’t realise how strong he is. For a small-ish guy, upper body and his balance is sensational.
“We’ve had (Ruud) van Nistelrooy, (Fernando) Torres, etc, other strikers, (Dimitar) Berbatov. But this fella plays on the right of a three. It’s unbelievable. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
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Renowned Birmingham hotel appoints new general manager
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One of Birmingham's most well-known hotels has appointed a new general manager.
Barry Sherwin has taken over the reins at Hotel du Vin in Church Street, replacing long-serving manager Tony Elvin who has left to run Touchwood shopping centre in Solihull.
Mr Sherwin has 25 years of management experience in the hospitality industry, including stints running operations for restaurant brand Gusto and as managing director of hospitality management consultancy Thomas Crown Affairs.
He said: "I am looking forward to taking the baton from my good friend Tony Elvin who has done a fantastic job over the last five and a half years.
"I'll bring my experience of fast, quality guest service from Gusto and further enhance the great experience at Hotel du Vin.
"It's always been my favourite bar and restaurant in town, now I'm looking to speed up the service to those who want it."
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Trump Lashes Out at Chicago Authorities Over City’s Growing Homicide Rate
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© Flickr/ Michael Linden Chicago Record: Four Days Without Deadly Shooting
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Chicago is one of the most violent cities in the United States, and the homicide rate in the city has significantly increased in 2016.
The number of people killed in 2016 exceeds the one reported in 2015 by 262, according to a report by the Brennan Center for Justice.
“Chicago murder rate is record setting — 4,331 shooting victims with 762 murders in 2016. If Mayor can't do it he must ask for Federal help,” Trump said on Twitter.
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Why has Everton fan Joe Anderson been spotted with a Liverpool FC Banner?
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Mayor of Liverpool and lifelong Everton fan Joe Anderson has been spotted posing with a Liverpool FC banner - but don’t worry Blues fans, he hasn’t given up his Goodison season ticket just yet.
The city leader was pictured with a group of Liverpool fans in Indonesia, where he is currently on a visit to.
Mayor Anderson and council colleague Gary Millar are in the port city of Surabaya on the island of Java, where they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the city’s leaders.
According to tweets from the British Embassy in Indonesia, the MoU means that Liverpool and Surabaya are now ‘sister cities.’
The embassy said that the partnership will see the two cities work together on areas including football, creative industries and how best to utilise each city’s water fronts.
The embassy also confirmed that Mayor Anderson has invited his counterparts from Surabaya to attend the International Business Festival, which is being held in Liverpool on June 2018.
A tweet from the embassy read: “Sister City cooperation between #SurabayaLiverpool connects the two cities for a better future. We look forward to working together & create a stronger foundation in port management, creative economy, smart cities & capacity building on human resources.”
Following the trip,Cllr Millar thanked ambassador Moazzam Malik for hosting the Liverpool delegation.
He said: “Thank you so much to His Excellency Moazzam Malik and his hardworking team at the British Embassy in Indonesia for their work in helping grow Liverpool’s relationship with Surabaya.”
Last month, the ECHO reported how Ambassador Malik - a Liverpool fan - believes that the Reds’ massive Indonesian fan base can help to bring investment to our city.
Asked what Liverpool meant to Indonesians, he said: “They know about Liverpool football, music and its port. They’re the three things that make Liverpool stand out for Indonesians.”
And he added: “There’s so much potential in this market through football, not only to push football but to push a wider range of business partnerships and relationships.”
Liverpool FC has an estimated 66.1 million followers in Indonesia according to research by SportsDNA in 2014.
The club last visited the country on tour in 2013 when 90,000 people watched the Reds beat the Indonesia XI.
It has one central Official Supporters Club in Indonesia, with 24 sub branches, which is one of the largest in Asia.
The club’s Indonesian language website was launched in May 2013. Its Indonesian Facebook page launched in June 2013 and now has nearly 3 million likes.
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Virat Kohli Just Confessed His Love For Anushka Sharma In The Cutest Possible Way!
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They have often been spotted together at airports and restaurants. She has been clicked in the gallery watching his match a number of times. Their love story is known to all but they never spoke about it. He had dropped major hints in the past but never opened up directly about his relationship with his alleged ladylove.
Much to their fans’ excitement, Virat Kohli has just expressed his love for Anushka Sharma publicly on Instagram! That too in a way, which is bound to give you major relationship goals.
On Wednesday, a day after Valentine’s Day, the Indian cricket skipper posted a selfie (seen above) with his actress girlfriend and captioned it, ‘Everyday is a valentine day if you want it to be. You make everyday seem like one for me ❤❤ @anushkasharma’.
It is an adorable pic where the celeb couple is seen sitting in the sun in a lawn. The handsome Virat and beautiful Anushka make a cute pair! Isn’t it?
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Հեքիմյանի երգերը հնչել են նոր գործիքավորմամբ
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THIS is Smyths Toys biggest selling toy for Christmas 2017
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A miniature droid that resembles a Jedi training device from the Star Wars film franchise has been hailed as the Star Wars toy of the season.
Smyths Toys have released the must-have toy ahead of the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi film on December 14.
The Jedi Training Remote, made by the award-winning British inventors at Wow! Stuff, encourages fans to use the ‘power of the Force’ to control the propeller-powered droid and train for combat.
Laura Molloy, Buyer at Smyths Toys Superstores said: “The flying toy that’s flying off the shelves is the Star Wars Jedi Training Remote from toy inventors Wow! Stuff.
"It has proven to be a really fantastic way for fans of all ages to recreate iconic scenes from the films.
"It uses simulated sting beams and ‘Force' control to operate and sales are tremendous.
"We have stock for now but we know that hot lines have a habit of selling out quickly before Christmas, so we will do everything we can to ensure we don’t disappoint anyone coming through our door in finding one!”
Since its launch last month, Jedi Training Remote sales have been off to a flying start.
The droid has even been listed by The Independent as a ‘top Star Wars: The Last Jedi product.
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Based on the original device seen in Star Wars: A New Hope, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, the Jedi Training Remote is suitable for all Star Wars fans.
The device darts up and down whilst firing simulated ‘sting beams’ at its opponent, making it a great combat training aid.
Suitable for adults and children aged 8 years and over, the Jedi Training Remote has an RRP of £29.99 and is available from Smyths Toys and all good retailers.
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Trump, Macron To Hold Joint Press Conference During State Visit
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Updated at 10:58 a.m. ET
President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron will field questions from reporters on Tuesday, in between talks on the Iran nuclear deal and a lavish state dinner.
Macron is the first of two European leaders Trump is hosting this week. German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be in Washington, D.C., on Friday. Both France and Germany joined the U.S. in a six-nation pact with Iran to halt its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Trump has threatened to pull the U.S. out of that deal. Macron and Merkel want him to stay in.
Trump's former advisers struggled to make the case for the nuclear deal, and the newest members of Trump's national security team are as skeptical of the agreement as he is.
"People know my views on the Iran deal. It was a terrible deal. It should have never, ever been made," Trump said Tuesday during an Oval Office photo opportunity with Macron. "It's insane. It's ridiculous. It should have never been made, but we will be talking about it."
Macron argues the nuclear agreement is worth preserving.
"We have a common objective, we want to make sure there's no escalation and no nuclear proliferation in the region. We now need to find the right path forward," Macron said, through an interpreter.
Macron has skillfully courted Trump, inviting the U.S. president to be his guest last year at an elaborate military parade marking Bastille Day in Paris. Trump was so impressed, he ordered his own military parade this November, marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
The two presidents and their wives celebrated the wartime alliance between the U.S. and France on Monday by planting an oak tree on the South Lawn of the White House. The sapling comes from Belleau Wood, where more than 9,000 Marines died in the final months of the first world war, according to a White House statement.
Later, the two couples took a sightseeing helicopter tour of Washington, then held a private dinner at George Washington's historic Mt. Vernon estate.
Despite their evident personal chemistry, Trump and Macron have significant policy differences to discuss. In addition to the Iran nuclear deal, Macron wants a permanent exemption from the president's new steel and aluminum tariffs. And he'd like to see a more lasting commitment from the U.S. to stabilization efforts in Syria. Military forces from France and the U.K. joined the U.S. in launching air strikes on Syria earlier this month in retaliation for a suspected chemical weapons attack. But Trump is impatient to withdraw U.S. troops from that country as quickly as possible.
"What you do have are two leaders who have a great deal of respect for one another, who have a great friendship," said White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders. She added that friendship allows the two men to have "very open and candid conversations."
Sanders said she expects "a very productive and very positive state visit for both countries."
The visit will be marked by the first state dinner of the Trump administration. The White House has been decorated for the event with cherry blossoms, sweet peas and white lilacs. The menu is American with French influences: spring lamb and jambalaya.
On Wednesday, Macron is set to address a joint session of Congress.
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Mother of late Upshaw sues NBA, Pistons
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DETROIT — The mother of a G League basketball player who died in March after collapsing on the court during a game has filed a lawsuit accusing the NBA and the Detroit Pistons of negligence.
Zeke Upshaw played for the Grand Rapids Drive, a G League affiliate of the Pistons. He collapsed during a game at Grand Rapids on March 24 and died two days later .
The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. The NBA and Pistons are named as defendants, along with SSJ Group and The DeltaPlex Arena.
The lawsuit alleges that medical personnel at the game failed to attempt lifesaving measures in a timely fashion.
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More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/tag/NBAbasketball
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Whale freed from entanglement in Cape Cod Bay
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Courtesy of Chessie Crowe Courtesy of Chessie Crowe
The Associated Press • April 24, 2018 5:31 pm
Updated: April 24, 2018 5:32 pm
PROVINCETOWN, Massachusetts — Animal welfare officials in Massachusetts say a humpback whale previously entangled in Cape Cod Bay is now swimming free.
A Hyannis Whale Watcher Cruises vessel reported the entangled whale Sunday about six miles off Provincetown, prompting a response from a Center for Coastal Studies’ Marine Animal Entanglement Response crew. The Cape Cod Times reports the crew worked to remove a line that went from the whale’s mouth to the tail stock.
They removed the line and the whale swam away and disappeared.
Humpback whales, frequent visitors to the waters of Cape Cod, are part of a federal inquiry called an “unusual mortality event” along the Atlantic coast.
Follow the Bangor Daily News on Facebook for the latest Maine news.
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North Salem man arrested for DUI and speeding
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North Salem resident Joselito Quinones, 41, was stopped for driving 58 m.p.h. in a 45 m.p.h. zone on New Norwalk Road, on Sunday, April 16 at 1:14 a.m., according to police. The officer smelled alcohol on Quinones breath and administered a Standardized Field Sobriety Test, which Quinones failed, according to police. Subsequently, he was transported to New Canaan Police Headquarters, where he provided a Blood Alcohol Concentration /BAC/ sample of .18. (A BAC of .08 or above is legally intoxicated for an adult in Connecticut.) He posted a $42.00 bond and was given a court date of April 28. Quinones was turned over to the Norwalk Police Department in response to an active arrest warrant for him.
[w/wide]
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Penn State Hoops Starts Slow, Can't Catch Up To Cornhuskers In Lincoln
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Penn State (14-13, 6-8 Big Ten) struggled to get it going early on the court in Lincoln on Tuesday night and weren’t able to recover as it was handled easily by Nebraska 82-66. This was Penn State’s sixth conference road loss out of the eight that they’ve played on the 2016-17 slate.
Nebraska (11-14, 5-8 Big Ten) never trailed the Nittany Lions as sophomores Jack McVeigh and Glynn Watson Jr. led the Cornhuskers with 15 points each in the win.
How It Happened
Nebraska managed to end its three-game losing skid that they brought into the Valentine’s Day matchup behind what may have been the Huskers’ best shooting night since their 93-90 win in double overtime on Jan. 5 against Iowa.
After a difficult start to the first half, the Nittany Lions went on a 7-2 run to trim the deficit to five with eight seconds left. A phenomenal half-court shot by Nebraska’s Jack McVeigh found nylon at the buzzer and the Cornhuskers took an eight-point lead into the break, never looking back.
Nebraska, who have been just 1-5 in games decided by single digits since that Iowa game, have been much better than its record depicts, and is one of the farthest trips that the Nittany Lions have to make over the course of the B1G grind.
The hot shooting night for the Huskers saw them make an astonishing 55.4% of their shots, while also knocking down 15 of their 20 free throw attempts.
Forwards Ed Morrow and Isaiah Roby recorded two highlight-level dunks to officially bang the nails into the coffin, as Penn State struggled to contain the size and scoring ability of Nebraska’s big men. McVeigh, Morrow, and Ruby, all 6’7 or taller, combined for 27 points off the bench for head coach Tim Miles’ team.
Meanwhile, Penn State saw many of their most vital contributors struggle from the field. Veteran forward Payton Banks went a subpar 2-10 from the field, and star guard Shep Garner and freshman wingman Lamar Stevens combined to make only eight of their 26 attempts from the field.
Despite 15 points and seven rebounds for point guard Tony Carr, the Nittany Lions were battered on the boards with the Huskers recording a 40-29 rebounding advantage. The lead maxed out at 23 at the four-minute mark media timeout with Nebraska taking a 82-66 win.
Player Of The Game
Tony Carr | Freshman | Point Guard
The young floor general racked up 15 points on 7-for-11 shooting — which isn’t bad considering most of his teammates were struggling to hit anything from the field. The game marked Carr’s seventh straight double-digit performance.
What’s Next
The Nittany Lions’ loss is certainly disappointing following back-to-back impressive wins over No. 21 Maryland at home and on the road at Illinois. However, Pat Chambers’ crew has seven days to recuperate before their next game: a matchup in the Bryce Jordan Center against No. 15 Purdue at 6 p.m.
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Visitors bureau offers #MiamiCountyandMe
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Staff report
TROY — Join in on the summer fun by participating in a hashtag project designed by the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau. For the next 16 weeks, the MCVCB will choose great Instagram post/photos to repost on their social media promoting Miami County. Every two weeks, a different category will be featured that will get folks out and about the Miami County area.
Participants will first need a public Instagram profile and must use the following hashtags — #MiamiCountyandMe, #HomeGrownGreat, and one of the category hashtags that will change every two weeks. Category hashtags include:
#MiamiCountyFood (June 1-14) — You could win a cooking class for four at Troy’s new bed and breakfast, the Charlotte.
#MiamiCountyFamilies (June 15-28) — Win a canoe trip for a family of four at Adventures on the Great Miami and Barefoot Canoes.
#MiamiCountyCoffee (June 29- July 12) — Win a great coffee experience for six people with Joe Reiser, owner of Winans.
#MiamiCountyHistory (July 13-26) — Winning this category will get your family 2019 family memberships at Brukner Nature Center, WACO Air Museum and Johnston Farm & Indian Agency.
#MiamiCountyOutdoors (July 27 to Aug. 9) — A brand new kayak from SmithFly.
#MiamiCountyArt (Aug. 10-23) — Paint class for four with Wine & Design by Mary Frances Rodriguez.
#MiamiCountyShopping (Aug. 24 to Sept. 6) — Gift cards from local shops in Covington, Piqua, Tipp City, Troy and West Milton.
#MiamiCountyBestOf (Sept. 7-20) — Staley Farm & Indian Creek Distillery tour with tasting for six people.
The idea is to capture the best of Miami County that fits into one of these categories and post it to Instagram with the appropriate hashtags.
“And a great place to capture Miami County food would be at the upcoming Troy Strawberry Festival,” said Miami County Visitors Bureau Executive Director Diana Thompson.
After the end of each two-week hashtag category, a panel of judges will select the winning image and award the winner a unique prize related to that category.
“We hope folks will want to come out and capture the best Miami County has to offer by participating in this Instagram Hashtag Project that’s not just good, but Home Grown Great!” Thompson said.
Contact the Miami County Visitors & Convention Bureau a 339-1044 with any questions.
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Comcast Launches Voice-Activated Movie Ticketing on TV
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PHILADELPHIA, PA and LOS ANGELES, CA Comcasts Xfinity and Fandango businesses today announced a unique integration that gives movie fans the ability to find local showtimes and movie tickets right on their television. Starting today with Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainments Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Xfinity X1 customers can say Get tickets into their X1 voice remote while watching the movie trailer to search more than 30,000 theatrical screens in the U.S., marking the first time this capability is available on a set top box. The companies expect to extend this feature to additional new releases throughout the year.
Fandango is the perfect partner to help us give customers a fun, easy way to go right from watching TV at home to enjoying the newest releases in the movie theater, said Nancy Spears, Vice President, Strategy and Execution, Comcast Cable. Xfinity X1 enables us to continually explore one-of-a-kind experiences that complement the TV viewing experience, allowing viewers to interact with content where and when it is convenient for them. Were launching this experience starting with Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in conjunction with the films trailer and look forward to further enhancing additional movie titles with this functionality throughout the year.
X1 customers who watch the latest Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom trailer on Xfinity On Demand will receive an on-screen notification prompting them to say Get tickets into their voice remote (or press the info button on the remote) to initiate the online ticket-buying process. From there, theyll be able to review a list of showtimes at nearby theaters. Customers can opt to send the local showtimes to their mobile phone to complete the purchase via Fandangos mobile app or website.
At Fandango, we are always looking for innovative ways to super serve movie fans, when they are engaging with movie content so that they can easily act on their interest and purchase a ticket to the theater on the platforms and devices they use, said Mark Young, SVP, Head of Business Development and Strategy, Fandango. Were thrilled to team up with Xfinity to offer millions of X1 customers across the country a convenient new way to use their TV set and voice-activated remote to buy movie tickets right from their living rooms.
Prior to the June 22 launch of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the groundbreaking Jurassic Park, Xfinity TV customers can catch up on the entire Jurassic journey through a new curated destination on X1 accessible via the movies section on Xfinity On Demand or by saying Jurassic Park into the voice remote. Here, they can easily rent or purchase any of the previous films, pre-order Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and access clips, trailers and other special content related to the film franchise.
Fandango is part of the Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, which is a unit of NBCUniversal, a Comcast company.
Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainments Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom hits theaters on June 22.
Comcast Corp. (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK)
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North Korean minister: Trump building ‘vicious cycle’ of tensions
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The rhetoric coming out of North Korea continues to heat up as tensions between that Far East nation and the United States rise.
>> Read more trending news
A North Korean foreign minister on Friday accused President Donald Trump of building up a "vicious cycle" of tensions, saying that his “aggressive” tweets were “making trouble.”
In an interview through an interpreter with The Associated Press in Pyongyang, Vice Minister Han Song Ryol also warned the United States that his country would “go to war if they choose.”
"If the U.S. comes with reckless military maneuvers then we will confront it with … the pre-emptive strike," Han said. "We've got a powerful nuclear deterrent already in our hands, and we certainly will not keep our arms crossed in the face of a U.S. pre-emptive strike."
The United States has sent an aircraft carrier to the waters off the Korean peninsula and is conducting its largest-ever joint military exercises with South Korea, the AP reported. North Korea recently launched a ballistic missile and could conduct another test soon.
Han did not dispel that notion. .
"That is something that our headquarters decides," Han said. "At a time and at a place where the headquarters deems necessary, it will take place."
During his 40-minute interview with the AP, Han placed the blame for tensions on Trump. He mentioned a tweet Trump posted Tuesday, in which he said North Korea is “looking for trouble.”
"Trump is always making provocations with his aggressive words," Han said. "So that's why. It's not the (North Korea) but the U.S. and Trump that makes trouble."
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Nevada State Athletic Commission approves request by Mayweather Promotions for boxing event on Aug. 26
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The long-anticipated boxing match between Floyd Mayweather and Conor McGregor is now closer than ever. We chronicle their larger-than-life personalities through the years. (0:55)
The Nevada State Athletic Commission has approved a request submitted by Mayweather Promotions to host a boxing event on Aug. 26 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
NSAC chairman Anthony Marnell told ESPN the commission approved the request as an item on its consent agenda on Wednesday.
A proposed megafight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Conor McGregor is one step closer to reality after the Nevada State Athletic Commission approved the date requested by Mayweather Promotions to host a boxing match on August 26 in Las Vegas. Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Earlier this week, multiple sources told ESPN that Mayweather Promotions planned to retract its request for the Aug. 26 date, but the promotion informed NSAC officials late Tuesday evening it would not do so.
"I got a call (Tuesday) night from Mayweather Promotions that they wanted to be put back on the agenda, so I put them back on the agenda," Bob Bennett, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission, told ESPN. "They pulled the request but then decided to put it back on."
According to multiple sources, Mayweather Promotions secured the date for a potential boxing match between Floyd Mayweather, the former pound-for-pound king, and UFC star Conor McGregor. The two sides have not announced a finalized deal, however, and Mayweather Promotion's request was for an unspecified event.
The approved request is for an event to be televised on Showtime, Mayweather's broadcast partner. It is also for MGM Grand Garden Arena, which shares the same parent company as Las Vegas's T-Mobile Arena.
McGregor and UFC president Dana White have previously announced they've come to terms on their side of what would be a blockbuster summer event. The UFC is owned by entertainment agency WME-IMG. Earlier this month, the Los Angeles Times reported negotiations were underway between the entertainment powerhouse and Al Haymon, Mayweather's longtime advisor.
Showtime executive Stephen Espinoza also confirmed negotiations are taking place to ESPN.
Editor's Picks Vegas taking big Mayweather-McGregor bets Las Vegas sportsbooks already are taking thousands of dollars in bets on a Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight even though the blockbuster bout has not been finalized.
Mayweather (49-0, 26 KOs) retired from professional boxing after defeating Andre Berto in September 2015. Many observers expected him to return at some point to chase a record of 50-0. Based out of Las Vegas, he has stated publicly a bout against McGregor is the only fight that would currently bring him out of retirement.
McGregor (21-3) is a two-weight UFC champion, having own belts at 145 and 155 pounds. The Irish star hasn't fought since he defeated Eddie Alvarez at UFC 205 in November. He has never boxed professionally.
The Mayweather-McGregor card is expected to be a boxing-only card, and Mayweather has said he wants two of his company's top fighters to appear on it, Badou Jack (21-1-2, 12 KOs), a former super middleweight world titleholder who vacated his belt in January to move up to light heavyweight, and junior lightweight world titlist Gervonta Davis (18-0, 17 KOs).
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