A fundamental American freedom is the right to vote. In contrast to earlier periods in our history that excluded groups from voting based on race, sex or age, today in America any U.S. citizen 18 years and older can vote. Overall, the arc of the history of voting is to enlarge the voting population. Unfortunately, voting rights are now under attack. In response, the La Crosse County Democratic Party is sponsoring a Voting Rights Rally at 1:30 p.m. Saturday in Cameron Park. From the start of our constitutional order, many states had property requirements to vote. Such restrictions contradicted the emerging American democratic ideals. By 1840, all white males had gained the right to vote. In 1848, womens rights advocates challenged the male-dominated political system. The Seneca Falls Declaration urged the women of this nation to secure their sacred right to the elective franchise. After a persistent struggle, women gained the right to vote with the 19th Amendment in 1920. After the Civil War, the 15th Amendment granted former male slaves the right to vote. By 1900, Jim Crow legislation teaches us an unfortunate lesson from historyconstitutional freedoms gained can be taken away. Southern states devised a variety of discriminatory voting qualifications and imposed this system with violence and terror. After 1900, The Progressive Movement led the fight to end state legislatures selecting U.S. senators. The 17th Amendment, in 1913, provided for direct popular vote. Initiative, referendum and recall elections increased democratic participation. The modern Civil Rights Movement produced another important expansion of voting rights with the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It required any state with a history of voting discrimination seek federal approval before changing state election laws. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court invalidated this provision in 2013. Since then, court battles emerged over gerrymandering and restrictive voter ID laws. In the 2010s, state governments have attacked voting rights. Hyper partisan gerrymandering created safe districts and silenced moderate voices. Strict voter ID laws, reductions in the number of polling places, and limits on early voting hours disproportionately affect the working class, minorities and young people. The Presidential Advisory Commission on Election Integrity is in service to his fake news charge of voter fraud. Its purpose is to create the impression that fraud is widespread, thus requiring more stringent voting restrictions. The Washington Post has characterized voter suppression as the civil rights issue of this era. Rather than restricting voting rights, we should follow the example of our neighbor to the south, Illinois. Gov. Bruce Rauner, a Republican, recently signed into law voter registration through the Department of Motor Vehicles or other state agencies. He stated, The right to vote is foundational for the rights of Americans in our democracy. We as a people need to do everything we can to knock down barriers, remove hurdles for all those who are eligible to vote, to be able to vote. Concerned citizens, please join us at Cameron Park at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. Voice your opposition to voter disenfranchisement. A friend of mine remarked that if we were asked to advise a developing nation on how to create a legitimate and functioning democracy, would we teach them how to gerrymander, make voter registration and voting more difficult, and engage in the fake news of voter fraud to undermine the integrity of the electoral process? I think not. A La Crosse County judge has dismissed a three-year-old lawsuit brought against Trempealeau County by an Iowa sand mining company denied a permit for a frac sand operation. The case was brought by AllEnergy Corp. of Des Moines, which sought to operate a 265-acre frac sand mine along with a processing plant and rail loading terminal in the town of Arcadia. In 2013, the Trempealeau County Environment and Land Use Committee voted 5-3 to deny the permit, saying AllEnergys application was rushed and incomplete; that the proposed mine raised environmental concerns and would have adverse effects on the landscape, wildlife, and recreation; and that it posed risks to health, culture, and social conditions. AllEnergy sued the county in 2014, claiming the denial was arbitrary and singled out the company in violation of its constitutional rights. The company claimed it lost $3.5 million per month in revenue because of the denial and is seeking unspecified damages. The county asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that applying for a conditional use permit does not create a constitutionally protected property right. Meanwhile the case lingered as AllEnergy sought to overturn the permit denial in a separate court case that ultimately went to the state Supreme Court, which in May issued a split decision upholding the lower courts ruling in favor of the county. AllEnergy argued the Supreme Court decision should have no bearing on the companys due process suit. In a ruling issued Friday, Judge Scott Horne noted that both the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court concluded the county was within its authority to deny the permit application and that AllEnergy did not show a basis for any violation of its rights. Gary Van Cleve, the attorney representing AllEnergy, said the decision was not surprising, but still disappointing. He said the company has not decided whether to appeal. AllEnergy is also seeking to open a 750-acre mine and processing facility in Jackson County, where a group of neighbors sued to block the $130 million project on the grounds that the dust, noise, lights and blasting will create a nuisance. That case is now headed to the Court of Appeals after Horne dismissed it in July. Wisconsin transportation officials have once again shelved a controversial study of La Crosses need for an additional north-south corridor. The Department of Transportation has indefinitely halted work on the Coulee Region Transportation Study, which was scheduled to be completed last year and is part of a two-decade effort to connect Hwy. 53 and the northern suburbs to downtown La Crosse. The project is one of 15 so-called major projects undergoing a reevaluation of cost, scope and priority, according to a DOT memo, which did not specify the reason for the work stoppage. Asked about the reason for the decision, southwest region planning chief Steve Flottmeyer said questions regarding the budget would have to be answered by the office of public affairs, which did not respond Friday. The department has spent about $1.3 million on the study, the latest of several attempts to revisit the north-south corridor since it was rejected by La Crosse voters in a 1998 referendum. Altogether, the DOT has spent $6.7 million on the project, including a $4.5 million interchange at Hwy. 16 and Holiday Heights. The total estimated price tag to build a new road has grown to more than $143 million, and while the project is enumerated in the state budget, the money is not there. Its about time, said Charley Weeth, president of Livable Neighborhoods, a group that formed in opposition to the original north-south corridor proposal. Financially it made no sense. Environmentally it made no sense. Socially it made no sense. Any way you looked at it. The La Crosse Area Chamber of Commerce has pushed for a construction-based solution to what it considers a problem that threatens to drive businesses out of the city. While its a setback, its not surprising, said Executive Director Vicki Markussen. Im just glad that it is still enumerated. La Crosse Mayor Tim Kabat, who along with the city council has opposed any new highways through the city, said he was not surprised and that the city will continue working to get the project off the DOTs list. According to the DOT memo, the department will continue to address critical pavement, operational and safety needs and will continue to provide municipalities with funding to support maintenance of connecting highways within their borders. That would include La Crosse Street, which is one of the potential routes being considered for expansion as part of the north-south project. Because the street carries Hwy. 16, the city is responsible for maintenance, while the DOT is on the hook for substantial repairs. According to the city, the road is in need of work beyond what it can afford, but the DOT has put off reconstruction until 2025, when the north-south project was to be built. The DOT are the ones who keep pushing it back because they want to look at expanding it, Kabat said. The local community is not interested in expanding it. Were not interested in a four or five-lane road there. Flottmeyer said the DOT would continue working with the city and move the construction date up if possible. Kabat said the road is in such bad condition the city may go ahead with repairs, even if that takes money away from other local street projects. The bottom line is the road is in terrible shape so weve got to try to get it fixed, he said. Continuing the conversation Transportation officials have been planning since the late 1980s for a new north-south corridor to connect downtown La Crosse and its northern suburbs. In 1997 the DOT proposed an option dubbed 5B-1, which would have put a new highway through the La Crosse River marsh and the Indian Hill neighborhood connecting to one-way thoroughfares on Sixth and Seventh streets. It was shelved after La Crosse voters rejected local funding in a city referendum, though it remained on the list of major projects authorized by the Legislature. Through its latest study, initiated in 2015, the DOT identified six alternatives meant to improve safety and relieve congestion on the areas three north-south corridors. All include significant new pavement, which has drawn stiff opposition from neighborhood organizations and environmental groups as well as the La Crosse city council, which have asked for more consideration of transit and other alternatives. The study was originally scheduled to be completed in 2016, but the DOT delayed releasing a final report. The next step would be an environmental review of the six alternatives, which would take about two years and provide more accurate cost estimates. Now the agency says it is re-evaluating the cost, scope and priority of all its major projects. Funding for the project known as the Coulee Region Transportation Study has also been removed from the regions four-year Transportation Improvement Plan, approved this week by the La Crosse Area Planning Committee, although that document could be amended if funding become available. Despite the delay, Weeth is concerned that the project remains on the states list of approved projects. As far as were concerned were not out of the woods, he said. Its still in the budget. Markussen fears that with the project on hold again, the conversation about how to improve traffic conditions will die, even though there are solutions such as traffic signal timing that can be done locally at little cost. The community can still have these conversations, she said. Its clear we cant rely on the DOT, so how do we keep having those conversations. Most crash-prone state highway intersections in La Crosse County The public will have a chance to weigh in next month on the companys proposal to raise energy prices for some 257,000 Wisconsin ratepayers. The Minnesota-based utility has asked Wisconsin regulators to approve a 3.6 percent increase in electricity revenues for 2018 and a 10 percent hike for natural gas. If approved, that would translate into about $6 more per month on the average residential electric bill and $5.31 more for gas. Wisconsins Public Service Commission, which sets rates for investor-owned utilities, will hold a public hearing on the request Oct. 25 in La Crosse. Public comments can also be submitted online. PSC staff have recommended more modest increases of 1.6 percent for electricity and 8.2 percent for gas, but it will be up to the three-member commission to determine the rates, which are structured to give the company a return on its investments. Xcel has requested to maintain its current 10 percent profit margin. The Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit organization representing the interests of residential and business ratepayers, has argued that 9 percent would be more fair and in line with national trends. Minnesotas regulators capped Xcels rate at 9.2 percent. CUB executive director Thomas Content noted the PSC earlier this year set Madison Gas & Electrics return rate at 9.8 percent, the first time in more than 40 years any Wisconsin utility has been held below 10 percent. Included in the electric request is a 21 percent increase to the $14 fixed monthly fee charged to all residential customers, which the CUB opposes on the grounds that its unfair customers who use the least energy and that it discourages energy savings. We want to hold the line to prevent low-use customers from seeing a big increase, particularly given that the increase being sought on the gas side this year is so substantial, Content said. Xcel proposed increasing the flat fee from $8 to $18 in 2016. The PSC ultimately raised the monthly charge to $14 over opposition from clean energy and consumer advocates and hundreds of customers. Content notes that Wisconsin regulators have generally granted much larger fixed-rate increases than other states. Xcel said the electric rate increase is necessary to support its infrastructure investments as well as lower than expected demand. According to the companys filing, 2016 electricity sales were about 6 percent below forecast, a trend Xcel expects to continue through next year. Xcel cites a continued decline in residential use as well as recent dips in the commercial and industrial customers especially in the industrial sand and oil sectors. More efficient appliances and lighting as well as slowing population growth have slowed the residential sector growth. Among the primary cost drivers are a new natural gas peaking plant in the Twin Cities and upgrades to its Prairie Island nuclear plant and two aging hydroelectric plants. The natural gas rate increase is driven by investments in the distribution system as well as ongoing cleanup costs of the companys former gas plant in Ashland, Wis. Since 2006, Xcel has sought to increase electricity revenues by an average of 6.4 percent each year. The PSC granted all but one, allowing an average hike of about 3.7 percent. In the same time frame, the company sought to increase natural gas revenue seven times by an average of 4.5 percent. The PSC approved six, granting the company on average about 60 percent of what it asked for. The average Xcel residential electric bill in 2017 was just over $100, according to data from the PSC. Thats lower than all but one of the states largest investor-owned utilities. Have your say WHAT: Public hearing on Xcel Energys proposed gas and electric rate increases for 2018 WHEN: 3 p.m., Oct. 25 WHERE: La Crosse Public Library, 800 Main St., La Crosse ETC: Public comments can be submitted online through Oct. 26 No sympathy will be shown to perpetrators of violence: Jaitley on lynchings Jaitley hints at no cut in excise on oil, asks citizens to pay taxes honestly Sena,Cong target PM for ridiculing oppn's show of unity; Jaitley asks "Is it Modi vs Chaos? 18 fascinating facts about the Union Budget Business oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley is all set to present the first budget post demonetisation on February 1. The advance budget date has been marred with controversies ever since it was announced. However, after clearing legal hurdles, the Union government is all set to present its budget for 2017-18. The 2017-18 budget will be inclusive of all sectors including railways. This time around, no separate budget for railways will be presented. A demonetised India is looking for tax respite out of this budget. Here we give you some interesting budget facts apart from the ones you may or may not know. The President of India fixes the date for presentation of budget. The Union budget for India has two parts. Part A deals with general economic survey, and taxation policies are presented in part B. Employees printing the Budget papers are kept in complete isolation in the finance ministry for one week before the Budget. The Budget was first introduced in India on April, 7, 1860 from the East-India Company to the British Crown by Finance Member James Wilson of the Indian Council. C D Deshmukh, the first Indian governor of the Reserve Bank of India as well as the finance minister, presented an interim budget for 1951-52. Jawaharlal Lal Nehru was the first prime minister to present the Budget when he held the Union finance minister portfolio in 1958-59. Morarji Desai has presented the maximum number of budgets so far --10. Desai was also the only finance minister to present two budgets on his birthday -- in 1964 and 1968 on February 29. Indira Gandhi was the only woman finance minister who took over the portfolio from 1970 to 1971. 1947 is not only the year of India's Independence but was also the year when the first Union budget was presented. Independent India's first budget was presented by R K Shanmukham Chetty on November 26, 1947, while first budget for the Republic of India was presented by John Mathai on February 28, 1950. Budget papers that were first prepared in English started being prepared in Hindi from 1955-56. The first disclosure scheme for black money was introduced in the 1965-66 budgets. This becomes more relevant given that 2017-18 budget would be the first post the 2016 demonetisation move. Thanks to the budget deficit of Rs 550 crore, the budget of 1973-74 is known as the 'Black Budget' in India. Former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh introduced 5 per cent service tax in the 1994-95 budget after declaring that the sector was contributing 40 per cent of India's GDP. Current President of India Pranab Mukherjee presented the 1982 budget as the then finance minister. His budget presentation lasted 95 minutes. This prompted former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to say 'the shortest finance minister has delivered the longest budget speech'. Former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi presented the budget for 1987-88 after V P Singh quit his government. Introduction of corporate tax to the Indian disapora is credited to him. For the first time, two ministers of two different parties presented interim and final budgets in 1991-92. Yashwant Sinha (BJP) presented the interim budget while Manmohan Singh presented the final budget. Did you know that Yashwanth Sinha has the distinction of maximum rollbacks in the Union Budget that was presented in 2002? His 1991 Budget was in the backdrop of the forex crisis while his 1999 Budget was in backdrop of Pokhran blasts. The 2000 Budget was presented by Sinha in the backdrop of the Kargil war, while the 2001 Budget was presented in the backdrop of the devastating Gujarat earthquake. Following The colonial era, Budget was earlier presented at 5 pm on the last working day. While the British Parliament would pass the budget at noon, India would follow suit in the evening but Sinha put an end to this practice. The Union Budget is presented at 11 am since then. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, January 27, 2017, 18:23 [IST] Flipkart gets 'monumental' investment from SoftBank Vision Fund Business oi-Anusha Indian e-commerce giant Flipkart on Thursday announced investments from Japnese giant SoftBank Vision Fund. While the numbers have not been revealed, the deal is touted to be the largest ever private investment in an Indian technology company. SoftBank Vision Fund, the world's largest technology-focused investment fund has now become Flipkart's largest shareholder with the investment which is a mix of primary and secondary capital. "The investment is part of the previously announced financing round, where Flipkart had raised capital from three of the world's premier technology companies, Tencent, eBay and Microsoft. After this financing round, Flipkart will have in excess of $4 billion of cash on its balance sheet," said a statement from Flipkart. Flipkart's co-founders called it a monumental deal for the e-commerce company in India. "Very few economies globally attract such overwhelming interest from top-tier investors. It is recognition of India's unparalleled potential to become a leader in technology and e-commerce on a massive scale," said a statement from Binny Bansal and Sachin Bansal, Co-Founders of Flipkart. Speaking about the deal, Founder Chairman and CEO of SoftBank, Masayoshi Son said that India is a land of vast opportunity. "We want to support innovative companies that are clear winners in India because they are best positioned to leverage technology and help people lead better lives. As the pioneers in Indian e-commerce, Flipkart is doing that every day," he said. SoftBank has a proven track record of partnering with transformative technology leaders has earned it the reputation of being a visionary investor. Flipkart said that it was excited to welcome the Vision Fund as a long-term partner. "We will continue to build our business with a focus on serving the needs of all Indians, and driving the next phase of technology adoption in India," said Flipkart. OneIndia News Flipkart, Microsoft forge cloud partnership Business oi-Anusha In his maiden visit to Bengaluru after becoming the Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella announced his company's strategic partnership with Flipkart. The Indian-origin tech visionary said on Monday that Flipkart had chosen Microsoft Azure as their exclusive public cloud provider. The announcement was made in Bengaluru where Nadella along with Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani were present to speak of digital transformation, intelligence cloud and artificial intelligence and their role in the technology driven the world we live in. "The three platforms that I am really excited about right now is cloud and AI, Cortana and augmented reality. The storage network is fuelling Artificial Intelligence revolution. We are excited about Microsoft Cortana's AI offering, it has the capability to do human-level speech recognition," Nadella said while in conversation with Nilekani ahead of the big announcement. He also added that the possibility of going to AI winter was very little unless it is over hyped. Explaining Flipkart's intention of partnering with Microsoft Azure exclusively, Binny Bansal, Flipkart's co-founder said, "AI will empower us to reach a global audience." India's Aadhar Man Nilekani pushed the idea of digital transformation in India and the need for intelligent cloud for the enormous data the nation is slated to put together. Data, if used for individual development, can lead to the empowerment of every citizen of India. After government laid down the digital highways, new avenues for digital entrepreneurs opened up. Aadhar recorded a billion users in five years and the data is now being used by the government as well as private companies to roll out services," he said. Nilekani added that the same technology has saved the government close to $5 million. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, February 20, 2017, 13:25 [IST] At UNSC, US calls on world to tell Russia to stop its nuclear threats GODAVARI Celebrates Ugadi with Expansion Business oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer USA, Mar 31st 2017: Godavari Group - A Fastest Growing Indian Restaurant in USA wishes all the Telugu, Kannadiga and Marathi friends on the planet a Prosperous New Year and a new Beginning on the occasion of Ugadi/Gudi Padva. On this New Year, Godavari is expanding its Head Quarters in Woburn, MA making it one of the largest Indian restaurant in the entire New England Area joining Godavari Hartford. Godavari Woburn expanded with a Banquet Hall called "Pushkara". It's Authentic Village Ambience will make the food lovers Spell Bound while giving the feel of having food at your Grand Parent's Village. "Pushkara" will sure be the ideal place to celebrate your special event while satisfying your Taste-Buds. Celebrating both the occasions of Ugadi and Grand Expansion, Godavari is serving a Grandeur Buffet this Weekend in Woburn and all Other Locations across the Country with some tongue popping recipes like "Avakai Dosa", "Simbu Sambar Biryani", "Ratthalu Royyala Pulusu", "Pakodi Pulao", "Telugu Kodi kabab" and a lot more to excite the Godavari food lovers. We Sincerely Thank, "All our Food Lovers across the country for supporting us in more than 15 locations within just 2 years of our inception. We could only reciprocate them, Serving Authentic Food with different recipes every day." Says Teja Chekuri, Co-Founder of Godavari. "We are soon starting Dinner Specials like "Vetagadu Combo", "4G Annam" & More.... with Every Month Special Menu across all our locations that will sure satisfy your Appetite" Says Jaswanth Reddy, Chief of Operations. Godavari Group is all set to cook in Kansas City, Detroit, Columbus, Houston, Nashville, Harrisburg, Houston, Atlanta in next few months while Pursuing many potential locations across the World. Team Godavari is also venturing into "Food Trucks" in Boston this April with a brand named as "Spicy Salaa". They will soon be driving to our other locations & other potential places across the country. This Ugadi, Come and Enjoy our Grandeur Buffet across all our Kitchens of "Godavari". www.GodavariUS.com Press note released by: Indian Clicks, LLC For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, March 31, 2017, 17:15 [IST] Infosys buyback brings no cheer, Sensex and Nifty open slightly high Business oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Markets opened flat on Monday on fixed global cues. The Infosys buyback announcement that was expected to cheer investors backfired with stocks falling over 3 per cent to Rs 893. On Friday, the stock closed at Rs 923 and the buyback price is a 24.5 per cent premium at Friday's closing. At 9:20 am, the Sensex was trading at 31,590, up 66 points, while the broader Nifty was ruling at 9,867, up 29 points. The BSE Midcap and the BSE Smallcap indices outperformed the benchmarks by rising 0.5 per cent each. In the opening session, however, Sensex was up over 100 points, Nifty above 9,900 points. ICICI bank became the major contributor to index gains after it cut savings interest deposit rates for below Rs 50 lakh, to 3.5 per cent. HDFC, Vedanta, ITC all traded in the green. While Infosys dragged the IT pack, HCL Tech, Tech Mahindra performed well. The Rupee opened at 64.06 against the US dollar. Asian Paints fell 1 percent while Hindalco rose 2 per cent. Nifty 50, Nifty bank, Nifty MID100, all opened in the green. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Monday, August 21, 2017, 9:49 [IST] Unicorn India Ventures invests in micro lending platform SmartCoin Business oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Mumbai, April 3: Unicorn India Ventures, a Mumbai-based VC firm, has announced its investment in Bangalore-based startup SmartCoin. Unicorn has led the round with participation from a clutch of angel investors. This is Unicorn's seventh investment from its maiden fund. The Fund has already announced investments in six startups - Roder, Grab on Rent, VanityCube, Pharmarack, Inc42 and NeuroEquilibrium. SmartCoin, a Bangalore-based data-driven micro lending startup, was started by IIT/IIM alumni Rohit Garg, Amit Chandel, Vinay Kumar Singh and Jayant Upadhyay last year, who come with around a decade of work experience across finance and technology domain before joining hands to start this venture. SmartCoin is a mobile app based lending platform, capable of assessing the risk profile of a prospective borrower in real time, using data science and machine learning algorithms. Their proprietary credit underwriting engine aggregates thousands of data points on a customer's smartphone, including financial transactions, device usage and app behavior, to build a customized credit score. A customer is instantly offered personalized loan products on the basis of his risk and capacity, and the money is transferred digitally to the bank account. All that a customer needs is a bank account, Aadhaar card and social media presence. The entire process, from app download to loan approval, takes less than five minutes providing an unprecedented customer experience. "The idea behind SmartCoin is new age. The technology has been designed keeping the end customer at the heart of it, thus ensuring convenience in filling in their information and offering them a loan product suited to their needs. The concept of app based micro lending has proven successful in several other emerging markets and we see a huge potential in such a business model for India," says Archana Priyadarshini, Venture Partner with Unicorn India Ventures, who has recently joined Unicorn to head their Bangalore office. She will also be joining the board of SmartCoin and will be working closely with the team to scale up their business. Since its' launch last quarter, SmartCoin has disbursed more than 3,000 loans and is growing over 50% MoM. SmartCoin plans to disburse 50,000 loans by the end of next financial year. The company is partnering with leading NBFCs and microfinance companies, who are looking to leverage their technology to expand customer base. Rohit Garg, Co-founder and CEO, SmartCoin, says, "Traditional underwriting methods are largely reliant on credit histories, and thus unable to serve people with limited credit data. As a result, there is a huge underserved segment spanning not just the corporate workforce, but also the emerging aspirational class working in semi-white collar and blue-collar jobs. We believe credit should be accessible to everyone, and the process should be as simple as online shopping or cab booking." He adds, "Long term partnerships with NBFCs are beneficial to everyone in the ecosystem. These borrowers, traditionally underserved by the financial institutions owing to thin-file or no-file data, are generating a lot of digital data as a result of deepening smartphone penetration. Our data-driven technology can score them more accurately reducing the risk of underwriting and opening newer growth avenues for NBFCs." The funding round raised will be used for upgrading technology platform and to scale up operations. OneIndia News Vishal Sikka calls Narayana Murthy an 'incredible man' Business oi-PTI New Delhi, Feb 13: Vishal Sikka, the embattled chief of Infosys, on Monday said he has always shared a "heartfelt, warm relationship" with the company's co-founder N R Narayana Murthy. The comments come at a time when there has been a lot of buzz around some of the founders flagging concerns about governance lapses at Infosys and issues like hike in Sikka's compensation to USD 11 million and huge severance pay doled out to former executives, Rajiv Bansal and David Kennedy. Asked about his relationship with the founders, Sikka said: "My relationship with the founders? It is wonderful. I meet Mr Murthy quite frequently...I have always had a heartfelt warm relationship with Mr Murthy, probably meet him 4-5-6 times a year." He added that he, however, hasn't met the other founders off late. Describing Murthy as an "incredible man", Sikka said the two usually discussed topics like quantum physics and technology whenever they met. "The other day he was telling me about the Paris Metro and how he worked on the Paris Metro in the 1970s before he started Infosys, and it had this whole ideas about automation and autonomous driving and all," he reminisced. Sikka, speaking at Kotak's Chasing Growth Conference in Mumbai, said the "drama" going on in the media is very "distracting". "It takes away our attention but underneath that, there is a very strong fabric that this company is based on. And it is a real privilege for me to be its leader," he added. Sikka is scheduled to meet media representatives on Monday evening along with some of the Board members. Infosys, on its part, has denied any governance lapses and said it has made "full disclosures" on all developments. Another issue that some of the former senior executives have raised is the huge cash pile of USD 5.25 billion that Infosys has. Asked about his views on the matter, Sikka said his "official" answer is that the Board, from time to time, will consider capital allocation policies and when there is something to report, the company will do so. "The unofficial answer is, you look at the circumstances over the next 4-5 years, what you need the capital for and then decide. In our case, it is the strategic growth initiatives, capital for building infrastructure and then acquisitions," he said. Based on how that mix changes over the next 5 years, one takes a decision on how the cash is utilised, he added. PTI A day at a Rohingya Muslim camp: The fear is back on their faces India oi-Vicky By Vicky Recommended Video Rohingya crisis: With Indian govt. adamant to deport, fear is back in their lives | Oneindia News Tufail had a stone business in Myanmar. He was forced out of the country and had to bear the agony of seeing his wife being killed in front of his eyes. This is the tale of one of the many Rohingya Muslims living in the camps in the outskirts of Hyderabad. He makes two ends meet with great difficulty and has a daughter to raise. He fled along with his 3 year old daughter few years back and found shelter in Hyderabad. Hyderabad is home to an estimated 3,500-4,000 Rohingyas staying in camps in different parts of the Old City. About 3,500 people are registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Some of them came in 2012 when violence broke out in their homeland. Having lost his business, he now works for a paltry Rs 100 a day. The locals are not ready to give jobs easily and he finds work at construction sites. Sometimes he gets work daily and at times it is only for 15 days a month. The pay for the Rohingyas and the locals vary. The Rohingya Muslims are paid lesser. Probably they are taking advantage Tufail says. There is no choice, I have to buy food for my daughter, he points out. The refugee settlement is on the outskirts of the city. Five camps are at Balapur. There are two rent free camps set up by the locals, while the rest are paid slums. In the paid slums, the Rohingyas pay Rs 100 a month. One shed hosts at least three families who share the rent among themselves. Noor Mohammad dealt in textiles before he landed in Hyderabad. He too bore the brunt of the conflict at Myanmar and had no choice but to flee. He is part of a camp in Hyderabad which houses 45 Rohingya Muslims. Everything is difficult for them around here. Their living standards have dropped and getting used to the local food has been equally tough. There are huge cultural differences, but do we have a choice? It is a big thing that we are even getting food to eat, says Noor. We have coped with everything. We have run for lives, come here and are living in sheds without proper electricity and water, Noor also adds. Syedullah Bashar is hopeful that one day justice will be his -- and his community of Rohingya Muslims. "We have not come here to create any problems. Please don't treat us as terrorists," he says. "Nobody wants to be a refugee. We had to flee Myanmar as the government committed genocide. Once normalcy returns, we want to go back to our country," said the 27-year-old father of two. "We also wish to go back to our motherland. If the world supports us, we are hopeful of going back. Won't you be heartbroken and cry if you are forced to leave your country," said Abdul Karim. "We are poor people. Whatever work we are offered, we do it. Due to violence in Myanmar, some of our own family members and relatives are not with us. Some fled to Bangladesh, some to Indonesia, some others to Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia and some also to Dubai," said the 20- year-old who works in a local hotel. 65 year old Sultan Mohammad says, "We have no links to terrorists. We have come here because we feared for our lives...we are not a threat to anyone. The government here has helped us a lot. We have got shelter and doing whatever work we get. Police regularly come to our camps for checking. We got refugee cards due to the government's help. We want the Indian government's support." Three years back when they fled Myanmar, they thought their worst fears had come to an end. We were not allowed to live in peace, not allowed to pray. After we landed here, we were free to eat, live and pray says Noor. However the insecurity is back now. With the government saying that it would deport the Rohingya Muslims, their fate rests in the Supreme Court which is hearing a plea against the deportation. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 6:53 [IST] Banihal attack: J&K Police arrests 2 terrorists, recover arms India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested two terrorists from Banihal involved in recent attack on Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawans at Banihal camp and snatching their rifles on September 20. Two service rifles, including an AK assault rifle and an Insas rifle, which were snatched during the attack, recovered from their possession. The two apprehended terrorists have been identified as Arif and Ghazanfar. The arrests came less than 48 hours after the terror attack. The militants had attacked the SSB camp at Thathar, about 10 kilometers from Banihal on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and gunned down a SSB Head Constable and injured an Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) before decamping with their two weapons. Head Constable Ram Pravesh was martyred in the attack and ASI Shyam Sood was seriously injured.Gazanfar and Arif were recruited to foment terror in the Chenab Valley region, officials said. The hunt for the third suspect Wahid is on, Police said. 21-year-old Gazanfar Ahmed and 22-year-old Aquib Wahid are BSc students at the Degree College in Anantnag. 25-year-old Arif is working with a private company. Families of Gaznafar and Aquib were allegedly associated with the Hizbul Mujahidebn in the past, they said. OneIndia News Bengaluru police recovers body of I-T officer's son; six arrested India oi-Madhuri The Bengaluru police on Friday recovered body of Sharath, son of an Income Tax officer, who was kidnapped on September 12. Around 6 people including victim's friend Vishal have been arrested in the case. The body was found near Ramohalli lake on the outskirts of the city. The police have recovered a car used by the kidnappers and added that investigation is under way. Sharath N, resident of Ullala in Kengeri and son of ITO V Niranjan Kumar, had left home around 6.30pm on his new bike, saying he wanted to show to his friends. Kumar in his complaint said that Sharath did not return home even after 8 pm, prompting his mother to try calling him on his mobile phone which went unattended. The mother sent him an SMS, saying they would complain to police. The mother immediately received a video from Sharath's WhatsApp account, where he says that he was kidnapped and asked his father to arrange for Rs 50 lakh in ransom demanded by his abductors of his safe release. Police had said Sharath's mobile was switched off after the message was sent and was last active near Rajarajeshwari Nagar. Sharath was pursuing a diploma course in automobile engineering at Acharya Institute of Engineering in the city. OneIndia News Despite loan waiver schemes, farmer suicides continue- What really is the problem? India oi-Anusha Data from the Maharashtra revenue department says that 260 farmers committed suicide only in the month of August. 722 is the number of farmers who killed themselves after Devendra Fadnavis government's massive Rs 34,000 crore loan waiver announcement. Farmers are dying and loan waiver schemes are doing little to change that reality. What really ails the Indian farmer? Lack of long-term initiatives to sustain farmer income, experts believe. The numbers paint a grim picture not just in Maharashtra but across the country. 169 farmers have committed suicide in Punjab, another state where Congress' Captain Amarinder has announced a loan waiver scheme, from April 1 to September 9. News of farmer suicides, experts say, has become a daily affair in Punjab, one of the largest contributors of agricultural produce in India. "The understanding that farm loan waiver is supposed to take care of all problems is incorrect. This is just a short-term measure to bring the farmers into the mainstream but after that, we need to follow it up with long-term measures. The crisis if fundamentally of income. We have deprived the farmers of their income," said agricultural activists and researcher Devindra Sharma. He added that long-term efforts need to be aimed at ensuring continuous and sustainable income for the farmer. "The effort has to be on ensuring how to give farmers incentives and unfortunately, no government wants to do this," he added. The Telangana government submitted a report on farmer suicides to the Rajya Sabha where it claimed that 1,990 farmers had killed themselves in 2015 and 2016. The National Crime Records Bureau data from 2015 backs the claim. According to the NCRB data from 2015, the highest number of farmer suicides occurred in Maharashtra with 3,030 farmers killing themselves followed by Telangana with 1,358 farmer suicides. 1,197 farmers killed themselves in Karnataka while Chhattisgarh saw 854 suicides. Madhya Pradesh stood next with 516 farmer suicides. In the last ten days alone, reports state that 34 farmers committed suicide in Marathwada. One of the farmers blamed Narendra Modi government for his death. 45-year-old Prakash Mangaonkar at Titwi village some 160 km from Nagpur was found hanging dead from a tree on Saturday. The teak tree that he chose to kill himself from bore witness to the plight of the farmer. On two leaves of the tree, he had scribbled the reason for his decision. On one he wrote "Modi Sarkar" and on another "Karzmafi". The redtapism that delayed loan waiver scheme took this farmer's life away, the family alleges. "Income of farmers have been the same for decades now. The government has increased salaries for legislators, teachers, daily wage workers by hundreds of times but when it comes to supporting price for farmers, the numbers are laughable. We do not want a loan waiver, just give our produce their worth. Give us the assurance of minimum support price so we can grow in peace," said Ayyakannu who is leading a farmers' agitation in New Delhi. A group of farmers from Tamil Nadu has been protesting for 100 days but no political party has batted an eyelid over their plight. The Uttar Pradesh government's enthusiasm over loan waiver has led to gaffes with farmers receiving a certificate of waiver for amounts as low as 9 paise or Rs 1.50. The Maharashtra government's steps to ensure only genuine farmers get benefits and online screening process has only delayed the waiver from being disbursed. In Punjab, farmers are still fighting for complete loan waiver. While the state government faces an uncertain future, Tamil Nadu farmers are protesting for relief in Delhi. The plight of the Indian farmer is going unnoticed and more the urban citizenry turns a blind eye towards it, the most will the farmers be pushed to distraught. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 16:37 [IST] Gorkhaland agitation: Gurung says he is ready for dialogue with Mamata Banerjee Front rung GJM leaders arrested from Gurugram, Haryana India oi-Amitava By Amitava Darjeeling, September 22: The West Bengal CID on Friday arrested three front rung Gorkha Janmukti Morcha central committee leaders from Gurugram, Haryana. GJM General Secretary Roshan Giri, however, managed to give the CID the slip. Based on source information, a CID team from West Bengal raided Sector 56 of Gurugram. GJM leaders DK Pradhan, PT Ola and Trilak Chand Roka were arrested. Giri, however, was not present at the location. They will be brought to Siliguri from Delhi via Kolkata and will be produced at the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Siliguri on Saturday. Pradhan and Ola are former Chairmen of the Darjeeling Municipality. All three are lawyers by profession are members of the Legal Cell of the GJM. Confirming the arrest, Amarnath K, Additional Superintendent of Police, Darjeeling stated, "Yes the three have been arrested. The police were in search of these persons in connection with cases under the Darjeeling Sadar Police Station." All three are implicated in the June 8 case of the Darjeeling Sadar police station. While there is a Lookout notice for Roshan Giri, arrest warrants are there in the name of DK Pradhan and Trilak Chand Roka in connection with the June 8 case. The Lookout notice is in connection with Improvised Explosive Devise (IED) blasts in different parts of the Hills along with operating IED manufacturing units. On June 8, Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) supporters had clashed with the security forces in Darjeeling town. Police reports claim that more than 45 security force personnel were injured in the clash. A police booth was set on fire. 15 police vehicles were torched along with a State Government Bus. The Army was deployed in Darjeeling, Ghoom and Kurseong to control the situation. On that day GJM had taken out rallies and staged a sit-in demonstration a short distance away from the Raj Bhawan where the State Cabinet meeting was taking place. Later the demonstration turned violent and clashes had ensued. Recently a CID team had entered Sikkim in search of Gurung and the others. Gurung, however, managed to slip out. Interestingly all the three persons including Giri had met Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on September 19 in New Delhi. A peeved West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had later commented, "I fail to understand how the Union Home Minister is holding meetings with Roshan Giri who has a Look out notice against his name. The Union Home Minister is a constitutional post and that too a front rung post. I would have never done so." The day marked the 100 days of the indefinite bandh in the Hills. Banks opened up in Darjeeling on Friday. Though ATMs did not function owing to disruption of internet, manual transactions like cash deposits and cheque withdrawals took place. Taxis from Siliguri to Darjeeling plied. Some shops remained partially open. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 20:06 [IST] Rahul appears before ED: 'Bulldozers missing', says Karti as he takes dig over heavy deployment near Cong HQ INX media case: Why doesn't CBI name 'undisclosed assets', asks Chidambaram India oi-Vikas By Vikas Former finance minister P Chidambaram on Friday rubbished media reports of the CBI telling the Supreme Court that Karti Chidambaram had multiple foreign accounts. He dared the CBI to name the alleged 'undisclosed assets'. The Central Bureau of Investigation had told the Supreme Court that Karti Chidambaram has closed several foreign accounts and transferred money deposited in them when he was abroad. News agency ANI quoted the former finance minister as saying, "An absolute lie,by quoting CBI, lie doesn't become truth...Why doesn't CBI take my open offer and name the alleged 'undisclosed assets'?" "I have already made a public statement that my family and I will execute any document necessary to transfer the alleged 'undisclosed asset' to the government so that government can become the owner," he added. The court is hearing a plea challenging the lookout circular issued by the Central Bureau of Investigation which barred Karti, son of former union minister P Chidambaram from traveling abroad. The Central Bureau of Investigation has alleged that Karti Chidambaram took service charges for getting FIPB clearance when his father P Chidambaram was the union finance minister. The CBI while defending the circular said that it has ample evidence to show the properties and accounts that Karti Chidambaram holds abroad. It also accused him of charging service while getting FIPB clearance when his father Chidambaram was the finance minister of India. [Karti closed foreign accounts, transferred money abroad, CBI in SC] The submissions were made by the CBI which probed Karti in the INX media case. Karti Chidambaram arguing through his counsel said that the CBI has claimed that he had properties all across the world. They also said I have bank accounts abroad. However during the questioning the CBI did not ask me one question about it, he also submitted. OneIndia News LVM3 exemplifies Atmanirbharta, says PM Modi as he congratulates ISRO on successful launch of OneWeb ISRO preparing for next PSLV launch in November-December India oi-PTI Thiruvananthapuram, September 22: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for its next PSLV mission in November-December after its unsuccessful attempt at placing a navigation satellite into space. "We are planning the next PSLV launch in November- December," ISRO chairman A S Kiran Kumar told reporters on the sidelines of the 68th National Conference of Aeronautical Society of India here today. On the failed PSLV-C39 mission in August, he said a committee was looking into it and "it is in the final stages of their findings". "It will also stipulate the exact problem. We are waiting for it," the ISRO chief said. Kumar asserted there was no problem with the launch vehicle. "Only that particular separation of the heat shield was the problem," he said. The ISRO chairman also maintained that there would not be any change in the control system of the launch vehicle. The launch of ISRO's navigation satellite onboard its polar rocket had failed on August 31 following a technical glitch, just prior to its scheduled orbiting in space. Earlier, at the conference titled 'Emerging Trends in Aerospace Technology', Kumar focused on the need to develop indigenous cost-effective aircraft as "major development is expected in regional transport aircraft sector". Stating that the technology required for the same already exists, the ISRO chariman said the question was whether the country could built aircraft here itself and make them operational at an affordable cost. "Though the nation has made great strides in aerospace, launch vehicle and missile technologies, it has mot made much progress in passenger aircraft sector," he pointed out. Reasons could be manifold and it is a complex issue, he said. Obtaining certification of the system for usage is also a problem, Kumar said, adding "we need to take up this issue and resolve it." President of Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) and member of NITI Aayog, V K Saraswat, in his address said, "Growth in aerospace technology in the country has been rapid, but the same was changing at a fast pace". However, he said the weaknesses lay in system design and wanted the scientists to harness the design capability. The two-day ASET 2017 focuses on a broad spectrum of knowledge areas, including future of Indian planetary exploration, Indian space transportation systems, space applications, advances in materials and manufacturing, manned missions and aerospace medicines, future of combat air vehicles, advanced weapons, small satellite launch vehicles, energy systems, space law, maritime safety and project management. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 15:44 [IST] Before the ceasefire on Feb 24, Pakistan resorted to over 4,000 border violations Amidst ceasefire claims, Pakistan continues to keep J&K on the boil 664 ceasefire violations this year in Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistan: MHA No ceasefire violation along LoC in Kashmir since February agreement J&K: 727 border residents evacuated after Pakistani firing India oi-PTI Hundreds of frightened villagers along the International Border in Jammu have fled to safer places in the last 24-hours. Six civilians were injured on Thursday as Pakistani troops targeted Indian border outposts and villages along the International Border (IB) in Jammu and Samba districts. "As many as 727 civilians (living along the borderline with Pakistan) were evacuated to safer places from these areas (Arnia, R S Pura and Ramgarh sectors)", a police spokesman said on Friday. Of these, 78 Gujjars living in Jorafarm village were caught in shelling and evacuated by the police.Similarly, others were evacuated from other villages located along the IB in Arnia border. There has been continuous firing and shelling by Pakistani troops along the IB and the Line of Control (LoC) this week. Pakistani troops targeted more than 15 BoPs on Thursday. Indian troops retaliated effectively. The exchange of fire went on intermittently till late last night. Pakistani troops had also shelled Jerdha hamlet in Ramgarh sector of Samba district. Earlier this week, J&K Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti had appealed for peace on borders and sought end to hostilities between India and Pakistan saying it is the people of the State who suffer the brunt of these skirmishes. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 15:10 [IST] Kamal Haasan wants to be Chief Minister for people of Tamil Nadu India oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Recommended Video Kamal Haasan expresses desire to be Tamil Nadu CM after meeting Kejriwal | Oneindia News Chennai, Sep 22: Noted actor-director Kamal Haasan is all set to don the role of Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (no, not in a film, as the veteran is known for experimenting with a wide-range of characters, but in real), provided he is voted to power. On a day when Haasan met Delhi CM and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal in Chennai on Thursday, the national award-winning actor in an interview to television news channel, India Today, said, "I want to be the CM for the people of TN." But before taking the all-important political plunge officially, the actor added he would prepare a road map for it. "Entering politics would be like donning crown of thorns," Haasan told the TV channel. The meeting between Kejriwal and Haasan led to a lot of speculations if the former asked the actor-director to join the AAP. Although no official statements were made by either Haasan or Kejriwal whether the actor would join the AAP or nor, but the Delhi CM asked Haasan to join politics. Talking to reporters after the meeting in Chennai, Haasan and Kejriwal said they both are against corruption and communalism and that is why they are together. Like Kejriwal who entered politics after a massive anti-corruption movement across the country in 2012, Haasan too have been attacking politicians in TN for their alleged corrupt practices. "Kamal has some great ideas. He is a person who is ready to stick his neck out. I have been a fan of Kamal, and I am happy to join hands with him against corruption and communalism," said Kejriwal after holding talks with the actor. He stressed Haasan should enter politics. "Today's meeting is a foundation for a movement of anti-corruption and anti-communalism. This discussion will continue," Kejriwal said. "Kamal is known for his integrity and courage. We exchanged views on the issues faced by Tamil Nadu and India as a whole and our exchanges will continue," he added. Regarding his future plans, Haasan said, "I must prepare before I take a plunge. I am meeting people and will give them a roadmap soon." Recently, Haasan met Kerala CM and Communist Party leader Pinarayi Vijayan in the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. "People concerned are not interested in left or right or any isms. I think if you look at people and their concerns, the isms will find its way," Haasan said. The actor-director after meeting the Kerala CM had said that his colour was definitely not saffron, indicating that he was not joining the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). On Thursday, during the TV interview, the actor sported a black shirt and said that it was his political colour as it contained all the colours, including saffron. During the interview, Haasan said that he has always been political. "I became political the first time I voted in an election." As a politician, Haasan promised that he would initiate the process of change. He, however, added that the public should have patience, as there are no swift remedies, only the long haul. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 7:19 [IST] Kerala youth who went missing may have joined ISIS India oi-Vicky By Vicky The Kerala police who are investigating a missing complaint have learnt that the man in questioning may have joined the Islamic State. 23 year old Najeeb, an MTech student at VIT Vellore went missing on August 15. The parents who filed a missing complaint have now told the police that they got a text message from stating that he had joined the ISIS. He sent a message to his mother saying that he had reached his destination. I have made hijra he said in the message. His mother made several pleas to him to return. She even said that the entire family would commit suicide, if he did not return. However her words had no impact on him. We will all die soon. Why do you live with non-believers, you too make hijra and only this land is worth it, he replied to his mother. The probe revealed that he had left from Hyderabad and then went to Dubai. The probe further revealed that he then left for Iran and he had a one month tourist visa. The consulate has been informed about the same. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 5:59 [IST] Maharashtra: Fire breaks out at residential building in Thane's Bhiwandi India oi-Deepika By Deepika Fire broke out at a residential building at the powerloom town of Bhiwandi in Thane district on Friday. The blaze has been reported at the residential building in Bhiwandi, and fire engines have been rushed to the spot. At least 10 people have been rescued. Two petrol pumps near the building have been shut for safety reasons. #Visuals Fire that broke out at a residential building in Thane's Bhiwandi is now under control. pic.twitter.com/kmt0ZF8vLv ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2017 The situation is said to be under control now. However, the reason for the blaze is not known yet. OneIndia News Pradyuman Thakur murder case: Accused will be tried as an adult Pradyuman murder: Why is the juvenile being tried as an adult accused Pradyuman murder case: If CBI doesn't begin probe, we'll go to SC, says lawyer India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has not started investigation into the murder of 7-year-old Pradyuman Thakur a week after Haryana Chief Minister Manoharlal Khattar ordered for the probe. Sushil Tekriwal, lawyer of the victim's father Varun Thakur, said they will take the matter to Supreme Court next Monday. He said, "If CBI does not start probe in Pradyuman Murder Case within today or tomorrow, will go to SC on Monday" If CBI does not start probe in #PradyumanMurderCase within today or tomorrow, will go to SC on Monday: Sushil Tekriwal, family's lawyer pic.twitter.com/JzUpjUr5qi ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2017 The Haryana government on September 20 wrote a letter to the Centre seeking that a CBI inquiry be ordered into the murder case of seven-year-old Pradyuman at Ryan International School in Gurgaon. Haryana Additional Chief Secretary (Home) SS Prasad said the written communication had been received by the Centre. "It is our endeavour to get the CBI inquiry into this case started at the earliest. The department is maintaining constant communication with the Centre," he added. Pradyuman's body was found with his throat slit at the school premises on September 8. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 15:30 [IST] Reserve right to hit back if our soldiers are in danger: India to Pak at DGMO meet India oi-Vicky By Vicky India has said that all cease fire violations in the Jammu sector were initiated by the Pakistan rangers. The same was conveyed at the DGMO level meet between India and Pakistan. The DGMO level talks were held at the behest of the Pakistan DGMO. The Pakistan DGMO raised the issue of civilians being targeted. India said that the cease fire violations were initiated by Pakistan and the BSF had only responded appropriately. It was also said that no targeted firing on civilians were carried out by India. India also said that firing by BSF troops was initiated on armed intruders attempting to infiltrate from close proximity of Pakistan posts along the Amritsar border. The Indian DGMO also pointed out that the trend of infiltration alone the LoC continued with the active support of Pakistan forward posts which impacted peace. This was evident from the continued attempts of sniping and targeting of Indian troops. We are a professional Army and reserve the right to retaliate appropriately to any incident leading to loss of life of our troops, the Indian DGMO also said. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 16:35 [IST] Prosecutions story may be attractive but should be backed by evidence 32,000 girls converted to Islam and sold as ISIS slaves: This is The Kerala Story Reveal evidences of links of Rohingya with ISIS: Congress India oi-PTI New Delhi, September 22: Amid Centre's plan to deport Rohingyas, the opposition party Congress said that the Centre should make public "whatever evidences" it has about any links of some of the Rohingyas with the ISIS and take action as per Indian law against those found having any such connection. The party, however, said that "false allegations" should not be levelled against any person. Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala made the statement after Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said Rohingyas are illegal immigrants and not refugees who have applied for asylum in India. Singh also asked why some people were objecting to the deportation of Rohingyas when Myanmar was ready to accept them. The government, three days ago, told the Supreme Court that some of the Rohingyas were part of a "sinister" design of Pakistan's ISI and terror groups such as the ISIS, whose presence in the country will pose a "serious" security threat to India. "Whatever evidences the government has on any community's or a person's link to ISIS, they should be made public. If any individual has links to ISIS, action should be taken against him or her as per our laws. Deportation is not enough," Surjewala told reporters here. He said the government should do what is right when it comes to national security. Noting the issue is pending before the Supreme Court, Surjewala exuded confidence that the apex court will take a "right decision" in this connection. Recommended Video Rohingya crisis: With Indian govt. adamant to deport, fear is back in their lives | Oneindia News Meanwhile, on the Calcutta High Court's decision to allow immersion of Durga idols on all immersion days from Vijayadashami on September 30, including Muharram, Surjewala said no one should be allowed to polarise either Navratri or religious festival of any other community. The state government had imposed restrictions on Durga idol immersions on September 30, the Vijayadashami day, after 10 PM, saying no immersion would be allowed on October 1, the day Muharram is scheduled to be observed. "The entire idea of India believes in co-habitation and celebrate our culture and diverse cultures," he said. On the meeting between Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and actor Kamal Haasan in Chennai today, Surjewala said the AAP leader was looking for new grounds in the country "leaving Delhi", but added he has all the democratic rights to meet whoever he wants. Surjewala, however, said Kejriwal's performance in other states will be judged based on how his government has functioned in the national capital. "And in Delhi, people are talking about their sufferings," Surjewala said. On Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Kharqan Abbasi reportedly calling India an "existential threat", the Congress spokesperson said the heads of the countries are expected to make statements with "some gravitas and maturity and not casual comments". Surjewala said "He needs to first understand democracy. He needs to understand what terrorism is, he needs to understand the role of his country in exporting terror and he needs to take effective steps to check if he has even an inch of sincerity." The world knows India has bore the brunt of terrorism that emanates from Pakistan and that it was time for Abbasi to "introspect", Surjewala said. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 8:47 [IST] Ryan International School murder case: Gurugram police summons Pintos India oi-Madhuri The Gurugram Police on Friday summoned owners of Ryan International School for interrogation on 26th September in connection with murder of seven-year-old Pradyuman Thakur on school campus on September 8. Earlier on Thursday, the Pintos, failed to get protection from arrest as the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued notice to Haryana on their request for bail and posted the case to Monday. Ryan Pinto, the CEO of Ryan International, and his parents Augustine and Grace Pinto, the founders, had gone to the High Court last week requesting anticipatory bail. On September 8, Pradyuman Thakur, a Class 2 student was found dead inside a toilet of Ryan International School with his throat slit after he visited a toilet near his classroom. A school bus conductor believed to be present in the toilet when the boy entered and caught in security footage leaving it, has been arrested. The school has been accused of serious lapses in security. The schoolboy's murder jolted the nation and has led to a series of security measures recommended for schools across the country. The killing is being investigated by the CBI after Pradyuman's parents alleged that the police investigation was not up to the mark. OneIndia News Security beefed up at Bagdogra Airport after duo carrying explosive like substance arrested India oi-Amitava Darjeeling, September 22: Within 24 hours of the bomb scare at the Delhi and Mangaluru Airports, security at Bagdogra Airport in North Bengal was beefed up after two passengers were apprehended with explosive like substances kept in their baggage. Bagdogra is an International Airport. Located 9km from Siliguri, the airport operates from a civil enclave located in the Bagdogra Air Force Station. The Airbase is responsible for combat air operations over North Bengal and Sikkim. The base also caters to all military air traffic for the Indian Army's 33 Corps based in Sukna. The duo were to board an Indigo flight to Kolkata on Friday afternoon. During baggage check, the Central Industrial Security Force personnel, in charge of security at the airport noticed white substances in medicine vials, in their baggage. A sniffer dog was pressed into service following which there were indications of the substance likely being explosive in nature. Abhay Prasad and Anup Singh, both residents of Bihar were apprehended. The Bagdogra police station was intimated. The duo was then handed over to the police. "They claim to be residents of Patna, Bihar. They have further claimed that they work in a pharmaceutical company (manufacturing unit) in Gurugram, Haryana. We are cross-checking and verifying their claims. The two have been arrested and the ampoules seized. We will send the samples to the forensic labs for test. We have also sought the help of the CID" stated a police official. The duo were interrogated by different security agencies. Incidentally, six dummy Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) were discovered at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi and the Mangalore airport. Five of these fake IEDs were detected during scanning of cargo shipments at Delhi airport on Thursday. A suspected IED was detected at Mangaluru airport recently which later turned out to be a self-made power bank. OneIndia News Why were orders on cow vigilantism not followed, SC asks three BJP-ruled states Gau rakshaks hit again: UP Muslim man lynched over cow slaughter rumour, video goes viral Cow vigilantism: Every state needs to be responsible says SC MP govt to ammend law, cow vigilantes can get up to 5-yr jail for violence Cows in this Indian province get geo-tagged as civic body to tackle stray menace States must compensate victims of cow vigilantism: Supreme Court India oi-Deepika By Deepika The Supreme Court on Friday said all states are under an obligation to compensate victims of Cow vigilantism violence cases. The next date of hearing has been set for 31st October. Hearing the matter of murdered dairy farmer Pehlu Khan, the apex court also said victims in such cases need to be compensated. Meanwhile, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Karnataka and UP states have filed their compliance reports today. The apex court has asked others to file soon. Pehlu Khan was lynched by alleged cow vigilantes in April this year when he was transporting cattle with his sons from Nuh in Haryana to Jaipur in Rajasthan. A few days back, the Rajasthan police gave a clean chit to six accused who were named and identified by Khan before he died. In the last hearing, the apex court had directed all state governments to appoint a senior police officer as a nodal officer in each district to ensure that incidents of cow vigilantism are prevented and dealt with effectively. The central government had said that it does not support cow vigilantism and it was for the states to crack down on such self-styled groups. Also, Prime Minister Narendra Modi condemned a spate of violence across India linked to the cow, saying killing in the name of cow worship was not acceptable. OneIndia News UP govt rubbishes reports of suspicious powder not being PETN UP: FSL director suspended after terming harmless powder as plastic explosive Pulwama: Explosive had a shaped charge design to penetrate into armour Two people trying to carry TNT on board flight nabbed at Bagdogra Airport India oi-Vikas By Vikas Two persons were on Friday trying to carry explosive chemical Trinitrotoluene (TNT) onboard an Indigo Airlines flight at Bagdogra Airport, said reports. TNT is one of the most commonly used explosives for military, industrial, and mining applications. The CISF, responsible for airport security, handed them over to local police. They were trying to carry TNT on the pretext of carrying medicines. "IndiGo security screener at Bagdogra intercepted pax with suspected material on pretext of medicines. Matter reported to authorities," ANI quoted Indigo Airlines as saying. On Tuesday, a suspicious object, which appeared like a cellphone bomb initially, was found in a baggage at Mangaluru Airport. The object was detected during the X-ray scanning of the baggage belonging to a Dubai bound passenger. Mangaluru-Dubai flight was delayed after the detection of the suspicious object which was later found to be a self made power bank. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 21:26 [IST] Ukraine ambassadors phone snatched at Red Fort India oi-Chennabasaveshwar By Chennabasaveshwar Ukrainian ambassador to India Igor Polikha wrote to Ministry of Home Affairs and Delhi Commissioner of Police after his phone was snatched while clicking photos near Red Fort. According to ANI report, the theft took place on September 20, when Polikha was clicking images of the monument from Anguri Bagh Temple. As per reports, a young man snatched the phone and fled from the scene, the report adds. The Ambassador was alone at the time of the incident. The report adds that Polikha tried to run after the snatcher but was unable to catch him. A case was registered by Delhi Police at the Lal Quila Police station. The police are trying to identify the culprit based on CCTV footage from the area. At least 100 youths have been questioned by the police over the incident, the report further adds. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 16:25 [IST] What is Dovals offensive defense and double squeeze policy for Pakistan India oi-Vicky By Vicky Pakistan today said that Doval's offensive defense and double squeeze policy to make India a regional hegemon will never succeed. The offense defence and double squeeze policy of Doval's was visible during the surgical strikes that India carried out across the Line of Control following the Uri attack. In a nutshell if one were to describe this policy, it would mean that India was no longer going to play the chowkidar. Doval had a few years back said you do one more Mumbai and you may lose Balochistan. The NSA had set out a detailed plan on dealing with Pakistan. In 2014 he had explained in detail what the 'defensive offense,' startegy was. For far too long, India's response to Pakistani terror has been defensive, "like chowkidars", just preventive, he had said. Unlike a purely chowkidar-like response to engaging with the enemy, and even unlike an all-out offensive response - where nuclear war becomes a possibility - defensive offence is when you go and attack the place where the offense is coming from. He had also told Pakistan," they know the tricks, we know the tricks better." He felt that India had been defensive in its response to Pakistan and this strategy had failed to bring about peace despite India's restraint. The defensive strategy involved beefing up internal security in a bid to prevent terror attacks. This, Doval felt, was ineffective because terrorists could always find a way of breaching defences and sneaking in. Doval also ruled out an offensive strategy because an all-out war could lead to the nuclear threshold being crossed. He also suggested that Pakistan's vulnerabilities should be exploited to India's advantage through the defensive-offense mode. His game plan was deny Pakistan sponsored terrorists weapons, funds and manpower. He recommended outspending insurgent groups in a bid to contain terrorism. Doval said most terrorists are driven by money and they can be contained by showering them with more money than what has been given to them by their handlers in Pakistan. Another method Doval suggests is for the Indian government to work with the Muslim community through Islamic organisations to prevent the radicalisation of Indian youth. Externally, Doval recommends that India give a hard-hitting response to terrorists and their masters. Doval recommends that India make Pakistan bear the cost of terrorist acts sponsored by its deep state. This should be done through the use of the same kind of fourth-generation covert warfare weapons that Pakistan has been using to bleed us as part of its strategy of bleeding India through a thousand cuts. The response should send a message through use of massive disproportional force that causes huge damage. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 13:31 [IST] This cop from Pakistan became a millionaire overnight: Here is how With the number of anonymous rogues from Pak rising, here's how BSF is beating down the drones Afghanistan calls Pakistan hub of terror in furious response at UN International oi-PTI Exercising its right to reply Afghanistan on Friday accused Pakistan of diverting the attention of the international community from its "longstanding failure" to take effective action against various terrorist groups. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said in his address at the UN General Assembly that safe havens of the Taliban does not exist in Pakistan, but in Afghanistan. It is evident that the propagation of terror activities in neighbouring Pakistan constitutes the main source of insecurity in the country and the region, Afghanistan said. Afghanistan's representative on the floor of the General Assembly said that one member state's claims regarding the presence of safe havens and sanctuaries in Afghanistan was erroneous. Recommended Video UN General Assembly: Pak denies being safe haven for anti-social elements | Oneindia News "Such a difference is a deliberate attempt by the government of Pakistan to divert international attention over Pakistan's longstanding failure to take effective action against various terrorist groups and sanctuaries on its territory," an Afghan diplomat representing the country said. "It remains evidently clear to the global community that the propagation of terrorist activities by state and non-state actors in neighbouring Pakistan constitutes the main source of insecurity in Afghanistan and the region," he said. Afghanistan has persistently and consistently sought to address this outstanding issue through various channels including bilateral and other mechanisms, he said. Nevertheless, efforts to this end have yielded no results whatsoever, he said. "At this juncture Pakistan has another opportunity to engage in a comprehensive dialogue to resolve outstanding issues that have prevented it from adopting a clear and decisive stance in combating terrorism and constructive approach for peace and security in Afghanistan and the wider region," he said. Long before any international intervention of the so-called civil war in Afghanistan, it was the adoption of a policy of use of violent proxies in the pursuit of political objectives by Pakistan, he said. "Even though not necessary we wish to categorically reject any claim of any support provided to terrorist groups in Afghanistan, the facts speak for themselves," the Afghan diplomat asserted and said that now it's time for Pakistan to opt for a constructive approach in combating terrorism and promoting peace in the region. Moving forward, Afghanistan will use any means possible including negotiation and dialogue to ensure security and stability for its people, he said. "In this context our resolve and commitment to defeat terrorism is unwavering. And this is shown in action by the sacrifice of our brave our national defense and security forces every day," the Afghan diplomat said. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 15:59 [IST] Bangladesh PM Sheikh Hasina at UN proposes 'safe zones' for Myanmar's Rohingya International pti-PTI United Nations, Sep 22: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday proposed creating "safe zones" inside Myanmar, supervised by the United Nations to protect the Rohingya Muslims who are fleeing violence in Rakhine state. "These people must be able to return to their homeland in safety, security and dignity," Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina told the UN General Assembly yesterday. The United Nations says more than 420,000 Rohingya have fled for safety to Bangladesh in the face of an army campaign in northern Rakhine state that includes rape and the burning of villages. The military operation was sparked by attacks carried out by Rohingya militants on police posts on August 25. Hasina accused Myanmar authorities of laying landmines on the border to prevent the Rohingyas from returning and said the United Nations must take immediate measures to find a solution to the crisis. The prime minister laid out a five-point plan that called for the protection of the Rohingyas in "safe zones that could be created inside Myanmar under UN supervision." Recommended Video Rohingya crisis: With Indian govt. adamant to deport, fear is back in their lives | Oneindia News The United Nations has described the military operation as "ethnic cleansing" and French President Emmanuel Macron went further, describing it as a "genocide." Myanmar must stop the violence and "the practice of ethnic cleansing", agree to allow a UN fact-finding mission, ensure the return of refugees and abide by a report that recommends citizenship for the Rohingya, said Hasina. They currently lack it. There has been mounting international outrage over the plight of the Rohingya, prompting the UN Security Council this month to call for an end to the violence. The creation of such "safe areas" would require the approval of the Security Council where China, a strong supporter of Myanmar's former junta, has veto power. The 1.1-million strong Rohingya people have suffered years of discrimination in Myanmar, where they are denied citizenship even though many have longstanding roots in the country. The recent exodus of Rohingya has brought the number of refugees from Rakhine living in Bangladesh to over 800,000, said the prime minister. PTI Expo 2020 to create multiple temporary jobs for housewives and students International oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer DUBAI: Temporary hiring is gaining momentum in the UAE, thanks to businesses' need of scaling-up to meet peak season demand without adding long-term fixed costs. With more retailers in Dubai willing to take on temporary staffers, it is opening up a world of openings for job seekers, who look forward to expanding their work experiences. Temporary staffing has become an important part of the UAE workforce, compared to the conventional recruitment practice. The demand for temporary manpower is prevalent in multinational companies and local conglomerates. In the UAE, temporary hiring is gaining momentum with the need of businesses to scale-up their human resources to meet peak season demand without adding long-term fixed costs. "As Dubai is preparing to host the World Expo 2020, it is expected to create tens of thousands of temporary jobs with multiple opportunities for the untapped workforce of housewives, mothers and students, who want to do part-time employment," says Mr. Mahesh Shahdadpuri, CEO of TASC Outsourcing. "It is predicted that an increasing number of companies will rely on temporary employees to meet the demand of the workload in the run-up to the Expo 2020. The demand is high as so many parents in the UAE wanted to work shorter or flexible hours in positions like retail, marketing and administration. Also, employing women, who need part-time work, would lessen the need to bring in overseas workers. This is utilising the people already available in the market and maximising this underutilised workforce," he added. TASC launched the region's first online temporary outsourcing portal TascTemp.com, where potential employers can select from multiple pre-screened candidates with their CVs and videos to match their immediate requirements for sales, promotion, front-office, date entry and accounting roles. "Over the last few years, we have seen a steady increase in the demand for temporary or short-duration staff. Unlike even five years ago, there is a much wider base of the young who have passed out of local colleges and taking their first tentative steps into the world of job options. Local laws are also turning more favourable in allowing businesses to take on interns," said Mr. Shahdadpuri. The Dubai Creative Clusters Authority introduced a regulation in October last year, allowing 4,500 business tenants to offer part-time employment to 26,000 university students. As per the new local regulation, anyone who is above 18 years and on family sponsorship can work part-time with permits and an NoC from the sponsor. The UAE's Labour Law has also provisions since 2010 that allow employees to opt for part-time jobs along with a full-time one. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 15:55 [IST] Gandhi, Nehru, Ambedkar were NRIs who changed India: Rahul Gandhi International oi-Deepika By Deepika In a bid to find connect with the NRI community which has traditionally been supportive of the BJP, Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi has said the original Congress movement was an NRI movement because all its important leaders were educated abroad and worked overseas. Speaking at Times Square in the US, Rahul went on to add, "Mahatma Gandhi was an NRI. Jawaharlal Nehru came back from England. Ambedkar, Patel, Maulana Azad, everyone of them went to the outside world, saw the outside world, returned to India and used some of the ideas that they had got and transformed India," Rahul said. Gandhi, who is on a two-week visit to the US, termed the Non-Resident Indians "as the backbone of the country" and said he was keen to involve them in the work of the party to discuss its vision forward. "You have tremendous knowledge and understanding so you need to involve. I want to invite you to work with Congress to discuss vision for going forward. We want to take your help." Appealling to the NRIs to support the grand old party, Rahul Gandhi said Congress Party represented a philosophy that is thousands and thousands of years old. OneIndia For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 16:41 [IST] Godavari Flows to Atlanta with Authentic Recipes!! International oi-Oneindia By Oneindia Staff Writer Godavari Flowing in Atlanta Now with "Village" ambience and authentic recipes to Atlanta!! World's fastest growing South Indian restaurant chain famed for versatile South Indian tastes, now is all set to tickle the taste buds of foodies in the Greater Atlanta area. Being launched in the town of Alpharetta, Godavari restaurant reverberates with the Telugu & Tamil touch, thanks to recreation of unique "Palletooru" ambience that will bring nostalgic feel to the Indian diaspora. Godavari Atlanta is strategically located to cater to the burgeoning Indian population, in high proximity to the corporate hub with giants like AT&T and hundreds of Corporate Offices. "We had many people longing to associate with thousands of inquiries for "Atlanta". The mercurial growth of Brand Godavari is clearly visible, and is only further strengthened with the prestigious location that was frozen selectively by us. We are pleased to have made a right choice associating with Prathivind, a very young and energetic entrepreneur. We hope to rock the entire Atlanta with our authentic recipes," said Varun Madisetty from Godavari Corporate. Coming back to the signature and timeless offerings, the foremost attraction to mention is the "Dhamaka" lunch buffet that is going to set the dining tables on fire with items such as "Panasaaku Idly", "KCR" Kodi Roast, "Hamsanandini" Halwa, "Kathi Mahesh" Kamju Vepudu, "Pineapple Rasam", Kunda Meedi Perugu and a lot of other South Indian delicacies!! "Godavari Team is irresistible owing to its fast growth, pan American presence and quality and taste. I had no second thought to be associated and I can say proudly the brand instantly attracted me and the style of management, support and deliverance strengths, all amazing anyone". "Every member is dynamic and energetic and this pushed me to do things faster and open up the location. I am glad they picked me for this location." said Prathivind from Godavari Atlanta adding, "I really admire Koushik Koganti & Teja Chekuri for leading this amazing crew and a brand like Godavari." A grand gala opening is awaited with some famous Tollywood celebrities attending the Red-Carpet Lunch on the opening day. Godavari Kansas which opened two weeks ago was just like "Bahubali of Indian Restaurants" with people waiting in lines even before an hour on the Opening Day. It resembled a huge Godavari Convention in the States, said Teja Chekuri. "Team" Godavari said their responsibility has now gone up with every phenomenal success and expansion. "We are geared up to larger crowds and newer geographies going forward and also working on getting more authentic recipes from various parts of South India," the team added. Come and Enjoy the Godavari's Delicacy...... Location: GODAVARI ATLANTA 865 N MAIN STREET, SUITE # 108, ALPHARETTA, GA 30004. Ph: 678-579-5985 For more details, Contact: Prathivind Cell: 731-324-0037 Email: ATLANTA@GODAVARIUS.COM Thanks again.... Hope you all enjoy our cooking.... www.GodavariUS.com Press Note released by: Indian Clicks, LLC For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 12:25 [IST] Mexico earthquake: Hope fading for survivors as death toll rises to 272 International pti-PTI Mexico City, Sep 22: As painstaking attempts to reach survivors in quake-ravaged buildings across Mexico stretched into a third day, desperation mounted among loved ones. Authorities put the death toll from Tuesday's 7.1 magnitude quake at 272 people, with the number expected to rise. Volunteer rescue workers who have been seeking survivors since Tuesday fought off growing fatigue to continue removing tons of rubble at dozens of flattened buildings in the capital and across several central states yesterday. But time is running out. Experts say the average survival time in such conditions and depending on injuries is 72 hours. Some 200 people were still reported missing in Mexico City and feared trapped in the rubble. In the central neighborhood of Roma, rescue workers scrambled to locate 23 people believed to be in the wreckage of a collapsed seven-storey office building. They have already pulled 28 survivors from the mountain of rubble. No deaths have been reported at the site so far. Relatives of the missing waited in anguish for news. Aaron Flores's sister Karen and friend Paulino Estrada were both trapped inside. Estrada has managed to contact his family by cell phone, even making a video call. But there has been no news from Karen Flores. "We're feeling disoriented and desperate because we haven't heard anything from her," said her brother, 30. Authorities put the overall death toll at 137 people in Mexico City, 73 in Morelos state, 43 in Puebla, 13 in Mexico state, five in Guerrero and one in Oaxaca. However, the situation on the ground was chaotic, and the figures were rising -- and sometimes falling. Highlighting the confusion that still reigned two days after the quake, one story that gripped the world's attention turned out to be false: that of a girl supposedly trapped alive beneath the rubble of a school that collapsed in Mexico City. Authorities denied yesterday that the girl existed. "We have carried out a full count with the directors of the school and we are sure that all the children are either safe at home, in the hospital or unfortunately died," Angel Sarmiento, a top officer in the Mexican marines, told journalists at the ruins of the Enrique Rebsamen school on the capital's south side. "There are indications there may be an (adult) still alive in the rubble. There are traces of blood in the photographs, as if the person had dragged him or herself and may still be alive." Rescue workers had told journalists they were certain a girl was trapped beneath the rubble, but the different versions of the story varied widely. The story had made headlines around the world after the quake, injecting a ray of hope into a tragedy that killed 19 children and six adults at the school. But real stories of hope continued to emerge from ruined buildings across the city, where more than 10,000 people lost their lives in a devastating earthquake in 1985. In the north of the city, a man who had been trapped for 26 hours and a 90-year-old woman were pulled alive from the rubble. President Enrique Pena Nieto said authorities were not giving up the search. "The rescue and support effort in the buildings that collapsed is still on. We are not suspending it. We have to keep up the rescue effort to keep finding survivors in the rubble," he said during a visit to the state of Puebla, where the epicenter was. More than 50 people had been rescued from collapsed buildings in the capital as of late Wednesday, he said. US President Donald Trump called Pena Nieto and offered assistance. A US search-and-rescue team was deployed to Mexico, the American embassy said. Rescue teams have also flown in from Israel, El Salvador and Panama and more were expected from Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Colombia and Spain. Rescuers said the Israeli teams came with equipment enabling them to detect cell phone signals in the rubble. Tuesday's tragedy struck just two hours after Mexico held a national earthquake drill, as it does every year on the 1985 anniversary. A system of quake sensors was set up in 1993 along the Pacific coast, where tremors are more common. People in Mexico City were not warned by the system on Tuesday because the epicenter was only 120 kilometers (75 miles) outside the capital and thus outside the main area of sensor coverage, said Carlos Valdes of the National Center for Disaster Prevention. Adding to the national sense of vulnerability, the earthquake struck just 12 days after another quake that killed nearly 100 people in southern Mexico. PTI NSA Ajit Doval's 'double squeeze' strategy will never succeed, says Pakistan International oi-PTI Pakistan on Friday said that national security advisor Ajit Doval's "offensive defense and double squeeze" strategy to make India a regional hegemon will never succeed. Exercising its right to reply in the United Nations General Assembly, Pakistan said it is "unfortunate" that India has chosen to criticise the statement of Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on Kashmir "which reflects the sentiments and aspirations of the oppressed and suffering people" of the Valley. "The strategy offensive defense and double squeeze floated blatantly by NSA Doval which India believes can make it a regional hegemon can never succeed," Tipu Usman, counsellor at the Permanent Mission of Pakistan to the United Nations, said. "Indian operators of mayhem and terror such as commander Jadav caught red-handed in Pakistan while spreading sabotage, terrorism and espionage can never fulfill Indian dreams, which will remain just that dreams," Pakistan said. The diplomat said the "plight" of Kashmiri people at the hands of the Indian security forces is being documented by the international community and rights organisations. He said the people of Kashmir look towards the international community, especially members of the UN Security Council, to deliver on their pledge to hold a free, fair and impartial plebiscite under the UN's auspices, to enable them to decide their future. "Let me reemphasise and reject any misconceptions that India may have wished to create. India is responsible for undermining regional peace and stability," he said. The Pakistani diplomat alleged that due to unprovoked firing and mortar shelling by Indian forces on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir at least 10 civilians, including women, have lost their lives on the Pakistan side. "The shelling continues unabated, a sad reminder of Indian intransigence and stubbornness. This too shall fail," said the Pakistani diplomat. Exercising its right to reply after Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi raked up the Kashmir issue at the UN General Assembly, India called Pakistan a "terroristan" and said it has become "a geography synonymous with terror" with a flourishing "industry" producing and exporting global terrorism. Abbasi accused India of indulging in terror activities against his country and warned of a "matching response" if it "ventures across the LoC" or acts upon its "doctrine of limited war against Pakistan". He urged the United Nations to appoint a special envoy to Kashmir, as he claimed that the struggle of the people in the region is being "brutally suppressed" by India. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 13:17 [IST] Pak at UN calls for international probe on use of pellet guns by India International oi-Vicky By Vicky Pakistan raised the issue of pellet guns in the United Nations. Prime Minister of Pakistan Shahid Khaqan Abbasi in his address at the UN General Assembly in New York said that the use of pellet guns by India constitutes war crimes and violate the Geneva Convention. We demand an international investigation on this, Abbasi also said. India refuses to implement the unanimous resolution of the UNSC which enables plebiscite in Kashmir. Pakistan remains open to resuming dialogue with India on all issues including Kashmir, he also said. He further demanded that a special envoy be appointed for Jammu and Kashmir. On Afghanistan, Abbasi said that Pakistan would not be anyone's scapegoat. It is not right to blame Pakistan for the stalemate in Afghanistan both on the military and political front, he said. The Taliban safe havens are not located in Pakistan, but in large tracts of territory controlled by the Taliban, he also said. OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 6:37 [IST] This cop from Pakistan became a millionaire overnight: Here is how With the number of anonymous rogues from Pak rising, here's how BSF is beating down the drones Pakistan's approach towards jihadi terrorists has been selective: former Pak envoy to US International oi-Vikas By Vikas Asserting that jihadi terrorists are as much a threat to Pakistan as to the world, former Pakistan envoy to the US Hussain Haqqani on Friday rued the fact the Islamabad's action towards them has been "very selective". Haqqani expressed concern that Pakistan was heading towards International isolation, adding that their leaders were not acknowledging this. "Pakistan needs better relations with entire world including its neighbours Afghanistan and India...Jihadi terrorists in Pakistan are not only a threat to the world but also to Pakistan. Unfortunately, Pak's approach to them has been very selective," he told news agency ANI. "Some have been dealt but some brought into the political mainstream like Hafeez Saeed's LeT. International opinion on this subject is very strong," he added. He said that not heeding to international opinion would hurt Pakistan. India on Friday gave a fitting response to Pakistan in theUnited Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and said that the neighbouring country has now become synonymous with terrorism. Making use of its right-to-reply, India's First Secterary to the UN, Eenam Gambhir said, ''In its short history, Pakistan has become a geography synonymous with terror. Pakistan is now 'Terroristan', with a flourishing industry producing and exporting global terrorism.'' Gambhir's statement came as India exercised its right to reply to Pakistan Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's speech at the UN General Assembly, where he raked up the Kashmir issue and accused India of "terrorism against Pakistan". OneIndia News For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 19:54 [IST] 180 Hindu organisations write to UK PM, say they are living in a state of fear 'Want to fix economy, unite country': Rishi Sunak to run for Britain's PM again Two arrested over London tube bombing released International oi-PTI London, September 22: The Scotland Yard has said two of the six men arrested in connection with last week's bombing in the London subway have been released without charge. Four other men, arrested in connection of the bombing, remain to be in the police custody. One of those released is a 21-year-old, who was arrested on Saturday from Hounslow in West London. The second man, 45 years of age, was held from Newport in south Wales on Wednesday. "We anticipate that the searches will take some days to complete and may cause further disruption. However, it is important that we continue with these searches and I'd like to thank all those affected for their support, patience and cooperation," Dean Haydon, head of the Metropolitan Police's counter-terrorism command said. He also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report anything suspicious to the police. Thirty people were injured last Friday when a bomb partially exploded on a rush-hour tube train in south west London. The 21-year-old man who was released has not been officially named but is believed to be Yahyah Farroukh, a Syrian refugee. Besides questioning those in custody, the police are searching properties in Newport in Wales, Thornton Heath in south London, and Surrey areas. The police has the permission of Westminster Magistrates' Court to continue questioning the remaining men until next week. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 11:52 [IST] Zardari responsible for Benazir's killing, claims Musharraf International oi-PTI Islamabad, September 22: Pakistan's former military ruler Pervez Musharraf claimed that Asif Ali Zardari was responsible for the killing of his wife Benazir Bhutto. He said the former president, Zardari , gained the most from the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, media reports said. The 54-year-old Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chief and a two-time prime minister was killed along with more than 20 people in a gun and bomb attack in Rawalpindi's Liaquat Bagh during an election campaign rally on December 27, 2007. Former president and army chief Gen Musharraf, who was last month declared a fugitive by an anti-terrorism court which ordered seizure of his property in the Bhutto murder case, accused PPP co-chairman Zardari of "having the most to gain from Benazir Bhutto's murder" in a video posted on his official Facebook page. "Asif Ali Zardari is responsible for the Bhutto family's demise and is involved in the deaths of Benazir and Murtaza Bhutto," he said in an address to the three Bhutto-Zardari children, the Bhutto family and the people of Sindh, Dawn news reported. "Every time there is a murder, the first thing that needs to be seen is who has the most to gain from the death. In this case, I had everything to lose as I was in power and the murder put my government in a difficult situation," he said. "There was just one person that had everything to gain from Benazir's assassination and that was Asif Ali Zardari," Musharraf said, adding that it was his analysis of the case. Zardari was in power for five years, why did he not look into the case, why was the investigation not active because he was involved in Benazir's murder, Musharraf alleged. "The evidence is clear that Baitullah Mehsud and his people were involved in the murder, but who had asked them to target Benazir Bhutto it could not have been me, the group hated me and the feeling was mutual. "It is a known fact that I wanted Mehsud dead and so did the government of Pakistan, after his group had attempted to kill me," Musharraf said. Zardari, on the other hand, had a great relationship with then Afghan president Hamid Karzai, a link he could have used to influence Mehsud and his people, he claimed. "The charge they are levying against me is that I did not provide Benazir adequate security something I was not responsible for the only question I have is, who took the decision to create a hatch in the roof of a bullet and bomb proof car?, he said. He said Benazir had a heavy security detail and had got into her car unharmed, before someone called her incessantly and got her to wave to the people out of the hatch. There was no immediate reaction in the Pakistani media from the Bhutto family. Musharraf, 74, who came to power in a bloodless coup in 1999, has been living in Dubai since last year when he was allowed to leave Pakistan on the pretext of medical treatment. The ex-army chief is facing a slew of court cases after returning from five years of self-exile in Dubai to contest the general elections in 2013 which he lost. Musharraf is also facing trial in high treason case for illegal detention of judges and abrogating the constitution in 2007. PTI For Breaking News and Instant Updates Allow Notifications Story first published: Friday, September 22, 2017, 9:29 [IST] From Our Future Hillary Clinton's book-length reflection on the 2016 presidential race, What Happened, struggles to answer the haunting question of how a highly experienced candidate with a massive political machine lost to Donald Trump and his vile clown campaign. The book is less interesting when it talks about the campaign, and much more so when Clinton is assessing the future. Clinton accepts responsibility for her loss, and allows that she might have "missed a lot of chances." Most of the book, however, is about casting blame and settling scores: Putin did it, Comey did it, and so did Bernie, the media, Fox News, sexism, Clinton fatigue, Electoral College, partisan loyalty, voter suppression, and many other factors. With Trump losing the popular vote and drawing a political inside straight to win three critical states by 77,000 total votes, thus winning the Electoral College, any of these plausibly might have made the difference. But as Hillary admits, none helps explain how the contest with Trump's bizarre candidacy was close in the first place. Many chapters have a title describing a human trait or state of being: "Perseverance" and "Resilience" and "Frustration." Missing is the trait that most bedeviled Clinton: credibility. Clinton acknowledges the criticism that she didn't have an economic message, but claims she talked about the economy in every speech. Her problem, however, was that many voters wouldn't believe a word she said. Part of this stems from her own admitted inadequacies as a candidate. Her "message" -- poll-driven and focus-grouped to death -- lacked authenticity. The book is full of 20/20 hindsight concerning what she woulda, shoulda, coulda done or said but didn't. She wrote that she constantly suppressed her own instincts because of focus-group findings or staff cautions. Most revealing was the scene her publisher released as part of promo for the book: the debate where Trump acted like a "creep" stalking her across the stage. It was "one of those moments," she wrote, "where you wish you could hit pause and ask everyone watching, 'Well, what would you do?' Do you stay calm or turn as say 'Back up you creep.'" Hit pause and poll the audience? Why not just react humanly? She was too disciplined, packaged, and cautious for that. Much to Hillary's frustration, this contributed to the absurdity that, as Allen and Parnes put it in Shattered, Inside Hillary Clinton's Doomed Campaign, their own reported version of last year's campaign, "[Trump] could be genuine while lying; she came across as inauthentic even when she was telling the truth." Of far greater importance is the credibility problem that establishment Democrats suffer generally. Clinton's loss can be treated as idiosyncratic, but under Obama Democrats lost over 1,000 state legislative seats and control of both the House and the Senate. Putin, Comey, and Bernie didn't do that. Hillary isn't to blame for that. For Hillary, this deep-rooted credibility problem was far more debilitating than the effects of aggressive Republican attacks. She had been on the political scene for 25 years, and a central player in two Democratic administrations. She was the candidate of the Democratic establishment, and presented herself as an experienced and practical politician "seeking to build on eight years of progress." Voters have, sensibly, grown skeptical of politicians. They believe that elected officials are bought and sold and that they tell voters what they want to hear but act as their donors and powerful interests demand. After two "recoveries" that did not lift most Americans, many were looking for someone to shake things up. As a result, she couldn't escape "being pigeonholed as the candidate of continuity rather than change." She attributed this to people's widespread anger. She writes that "her instinctive response" when she meets people who are "frustrated and angry" is to talk about how we can fix things. "But in 2016 a lot of people didn't really want to hear about plans and policies. They wanted a candidate to be as angry as they were, and they wanted someone to blame." But voters are looking for more than someone to blame. They want to know if a candidate sees them, understands their struggles, and is prepared to call out and take on those who rigged the rules against them. Detailed policy promises -- think-tanked, poll-driven -- don't mean anything, unless the candidate can be believed. Given Hillary's history, overcoming their skepticism was virtually impossible. Trump made trade -- and the shipping of good jobs abroad -- a centerpiece of his appeal. Bill Clinton campaigned against NAFTA, but pushed to pass it in office and went on to pass most-favored-nation treatment of China and the World Trade Organization. Barack Obama claimed to be against those deals, but reverted to peddling more corporate trade deals, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership, right in the middle of the campaign. Hillary claimed to be against the TPP, but had celebrated it as the "gold standard" while secretary of state. Even if she were serious about getting tough on trade, who could believe her? Trump railed against Wall Street, Goldman Sachs, and corrupt politicians. Hillary claimed she had a strong agenda for reforming Wall Street. But Bill Clinton had championed the disastrous deregulation of Wall Street. Obama had continued Bush's policy of bailing out the big banks, while not prosecuting the banksters for what the FBI called an epidemic of fraud that led to the financial collapse. Hillary not only pocketed big bucks from speeches to Goldman Sachs and others; she also opposed Elizabeth Warren's call for a new Glass-Steagall act and Sanders's call to break up the big banks. Her insistence that she had a better plan to reform Wall Street fell on deaf ears. Throughout the Midwest, communities were devastated from plant closures and job flight. Hillary promised a plan to get them back to work. But neither her husband nor Obama had done much for these communities. Voters had every reason to be skeptical. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source. ISIS HORUS Y PTOLOMEO (Image by viajesyturismoaldia) Details DMCA One year ago I was in Syria and for my birthday on September 17, I learned that Western "Coalition" forces, who had been bombing illegally in Syria for years, had just murdered about 100 Syrian Army soldiers who were stationed in the Jabal Thardeh area, where they were protecting the lives of their fellow Syrians from ISIS/Daesh terrorists. The attack was no doubt executed in collaboration with ISIS, because immediately after the massacre, ISIS was able to occupy the strategically important position. In terms of Western military strategy, little has changed except that now Syria and its allies are very close to restoring Syria's sovereignty and its territorial integrity, as they crush the opposition, all of whom are supported by the West and its allies. The West still wants to partition Syria, and for this they are using both Kurdish "assets" and ISIS terrorists. US Coalition forces previously bombed bridges spanning the Euphrates. It is no coincidence that ISIS did the same so that ISIS could occupy and terrorize the oil-rich region. Meanwhile, US supported Kurdish forces will be used to re-occupy and try to "legitimize" that which is not legitimate. The Kurds, ISIS, and the Coalition are all committing war crimes in their failing efforts to destroy and plunder Syria. Dr Bouthain Shaaban, political and media advisor to President Assad, recently remarked that US-backed Special Forces "captured" areas in northeastern Syria from Daesh without any resistance, thus demonstrating yet again, the strategic collusion between US-backed special forces and Daesh to occupy and plunder the oil-rich areas, for the benefit of their imperial masters, the US coalition. Every day, the West's criminality becomes more transparent. Investigative reporter Dilyana Gaytandzhieva, for example, recently uncovered primary-source documentation, which demonstrates that the Pentagon falsified paperwork to covertly ship as much as $2.2 billion in weapons to terrorists in Syria. The West's double-game of pretending to fight terrorism as it supports terrorists may soon be over in Syria. This will be a cause for celebration in Syria, and it should be a cause for celebration amongst Western populations as well. Notes 1 Leith Fadel, "US Coalition knew they were bombing the Syrian Army in Deir Ezzor." AMN September 27, 2016. (click here) Accessed September 18, 2017 2 " 'Syria will be Freed Completely from any Aggressor' " -- Dr Shaaban Challenges US Proxies." 21st Century Wire, Setember 16, 2017. (click here) Accessed September 18, 2017. 3 Dilyana Gaytandzhieva, "350 diplomatic flights carry weapons for terrorists| Azerbaijan's Silk Way Airlines transports weapons with diplomatic clearance for Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Congo." July 2, 2017. (click here) Accessed September 18, 2017. 4 Tyler Durden, "Bombshell Report Catches Pentagon Falsifying Paperwork For Weapons Transfers To Syrian Rebels." September 13, 2017.( click here) Accessed September 18, 2017. Global Research announces the forthcoming release of the print edition of Mark Taliano's Book, "Voices from Syria" which includes two additional chapters. Taliano talks and listens to the people of Syria. He reveals the courage and resilience of a Nation and its people in their day to day lives, after more than six years of US-NATO sponsored terrorism and three years of US "peacemaking" airstrikes. Mark Taliano combines years of research with on-the-ground observations to present an informed and well-documented analysis that refutes the mainstream media narratives on Syria. **Pre-Order Special Offer: Voices from Syria (Ships mid-September) ISBN: 978-0-9879389-1-6 Author: Mark Taliano Year: 2017 Pages: 128 (Expanded edition: 1 new chapter) List Price: $17.95 Special Price: $9.95 The original source of this article is Global Research Copyright Mark Taliano, Global Research, 2017 (Article changed on September 22, 2017 at 16:19) (Article changed on September 22, 2017 at 17:30) From Consortium News The core absurdity of the Russia-gate frenzy is its complete lack of proportionality. Indeed, the hysteria is reminiscent of Sen. Joe McCarthy warning that "one communist in the faculty of one university is one communist too many" or Donald Trump's highlighting a few "bad hombres" raping white American women. It's not that there were no Americans who espoused communist views at universities and elsewhere or that there are no "bad hombre" rapists; it's that these rare exceptions were used to generate a dangerous over-reaction in service of a propagandistic agenda. Historically, we have seen this technique used often when demagogues seize on an isolated event and exploit it emotionally to mislead populations to war. Today, we have The New York Times and The Washington Post repeatedly publishing front-page articles about allegations that some Russians with "links" to the Kremlin bought $100,000 in Facebook ads to promote some issues deemed hurtful to Hillary Clinton's campaign although some of the ads ran after the election. Initially, Facebook could find no evidence of even that small effort but was pressured in May by Sen. Mark Warner, D-Virginia. The Washington Post reported that Warner, who is spearheading the Russia-gate investigation in the Senate Intelligence Committee, flew to Silicon Valley and urged Facebook executives to take another look at possible ad buys. Facebook responded to this congressional pressure by scouring its billions of monthly users and announced that it had located 470 suspect accounts associated with ads totaling $100,000 -- out of Facebook's $27 billion in annual revenue. Here is how the Times described those findings: "Facebook officials disclosed that they had shut down several hundred accounts that they believe were created by a Russian company linked to the Kremlin and used to buy $100,000 in ads pushing divisive issues during and after the American election campaign." (It sometimes appears that every Russian -- all 144 million of them -- is somehow "linked" to the Kremlin.) Last week, congressional investigators urged Facebook to expand its review into "troll farms" supposedly based in Belarus, Macedonia and Estonia -- although Estonia is by no means a Russian ally; it joined NATO in 2004. "Warner and his Democratic counterpart on the House Intelligence Committee, Rep. Adam B. Schiff of California, have been increasingly vocal in recent days about their frustrations with Facebook," the Post reported. Facebook Complies So, on Thursday, Facebook succumbed to demands that it turn over to Congress copies of the ads, a move that has only justified more alarmist front-page stories about Russia! Russia! Russia! In response to this political pressure -- at a time when Facebook is fending off possible anti-trust legislation -- its chief executive Mark Zuckerberg added that he is expanding the investigation to include "additional Russian groups and other former Soviet states." So, it appears that not only are all Russians "linked" to the Kremlin, but all former Soviet states as well. But why stop there? If the concern is that American political campaigns are being influenced by foreign governments whose interests may diverge from what's best for America, why not look at countries that have caused the United States far more harm recently than Russia? After all, Saudi Arabia and its Sunni Wahabbi leaders have been pulling the U.S. government into their sectarian wars with the Shiites, including conflicts in Yemen and Syria that have contributed to anti-Americanism in the region, to the growth of Al Qaeda, and to a disruptive flow of refugees into Europe. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). From The National A recent social media incident involving Benjamin Netanyahu's eldest son shows the obvious paradoxes at play in such a love affair. The eldest son of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has found himself an unlikely poster boy for David Duke, a former Ku Klux Klan leader, and neo-Nazi website Daily Stormer. Last week, these cheerleaders for Jewish hatred described 27-year-old Yair Netanyahu as "awesome" and "a total bro" for posting a grossly anti-Semitic image on social media. It depicts an Illuminati-like figure and a reptilian creature controlling the world through money and dark arts. Alongside them are a cabal of conspirators, their faces altered to include Mr Netanyahu's main opponents. They include George Soros, a Holocaust survivor who has invested billions in pro-democracy movements, and Ehud Barak, a former Israeli prime minister-turned-government critic. This is not Yair's first troubling outburst. Last month, he decried demonstrators who opposed a rally by white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia, that left a woman dead. These might be dismissed as the immature rantings of a wayward son had Yair not been groomed by his father as Israel's "crown prince." Netanyahu Jr was supposedly behind an online media strategy that steered Mr Netanyahu to electoral victory in 2015. He can be seen at his father's side at meetings with world leaders. The Israeli media were shocked not only by the post but also by Mr Netanyahu's refusal to criticise his son. An editorial in Haaretz concluded that the prime minister's silence signalled his "consent to the ongoing demonization of anyone who doesn't get in line with the Israeli right." Yair's choice of targets was revealing, particularly Mr Soros. In July, Mr Netanyahu met his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orban, an ultra-nationalist who has led a xenophobic campaign against immigrants. In a bid to crush opposition, the Orban government has vilified Mr Soros, an American-Hungarian who promotes progressive causes. A billboard campaign against the billionaire unleashed a wave of anti-Semitism across the country. Mr Netanyahu ought to have rushed to Mr Soros's defence. Instead, he echoed Mr Orban's incitement. Mr Soros, he said, had "undermined" and "defamed" Israel too -- by funding human rights groups opposed to the occupation. Sympathy with the European and US far-right is not restricted to the Netanyahu camp. It is moving into the Israeli mainstream. Last week, the Herzliya Conference -- an annual jamboree for Israel's security establishment -- invited Sebastian Gorka as a keynote speaker. Mr Gorka, another American-Hungarian and Mr Trump's former terrorism adviser, is a figurehead of the alt-right, a term for US white supremacist groups. Mr Gorka told the conference that Israel and the US were "founding members of the Judeo-Christian civilization" and would defeat their "common enemies." Meanwhile, another US alt-right leader, Richard Spencer, appeared on Israeli TV last month to call himself a "white Zionist." The affinity between Netanyahu's Israel and the West's far-right is understandable. Both detest a human rights discourse they have yet to crush. Both mobilize their supporters with dog-whistle Islamophobia. Both prefer militarized, fear-based societies and both share an obsession with Jew hatred. Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). From Strategic Culture The United Nations General Assembly's annual plenary session has heard a fair share of bizarre speeches by world leaders in the 72-year history of the world organization. U.S. President Donald Trump's speech on September 19, while intemperate and undiplomatic, was not the only rancorous diatribe or the most peculiar oration ever heard within the hall of nations. Trump referred to Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) head of state Kim Jong Un as "rocket man" and a person on a "suicide mission" who, along with his nation, would be "totally destroyed" by the United States if the North attacked the United States or its allies. Trump's comments resulted in stone-faced silence from the other world leaders and diplomats gathered inside the General Assembly. At one point in time during Trump's speech, his White House chief of staff, retired General John Kelly, was seen burying his face into his hand. Although most of Trump's venom was directed against North Korea, he also castigated Iran, Cuba, Syria, and Venezuela. The baring of Trump's fangs toward the five countries is in keeping with the neoconservative foreign policy drift of his administration. Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, in New York for the General Assembly session, succinctly characterized Trump's speech as "ignorant, absurd and hateful rhetoric." The only world leader who beamed during Trump's speech was Trump's ideological doppelganger, Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu. The scandal-plagued Israeli leader is no stranger to berating other countries before the General Assembly. In 2012, Netanyahu displayed before the General Assembly a cartoonish bomb with a lit fuse. The "Bibi Bomb," which was meant to convey false intelligence on Iran's alleged 90 percent nuclear weapons uranium enrichment, became the target of jokes and derision. Undeterred by his past use of the General Assembly's podium for cheap publicity stunts, in 2016, Netanyahu publicly berated Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who had spoken just before him. Trump and Netanyahu have made no secret of their disdain for the UN. In Trump, Netanyahu has found a boorish comrade-in-arms. It was also no coincidence that Trumps' speech was largely the product of his pro-Likud speechwriter, the Jewish white supremacist Stephen Miller. Trump, who has made no secret of his racial preference for white Europeans, received no applause from an overwhelming majority of the General Assembly delegates, most of whom were from the non-white countries of Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific. The day following Trump's UN speech, he embarrassingly told a luncheon of African leaders, "I have so many friends going to your countries trying to get rich." Those Trump "friends" include expatriate billionaire oligarchs living in Israel, Britain, and other countries who are viciously exploiting Africa's natural resources, including diamonds, gold, platinum, oil, and rare earth minerals. Some of these brigands who are robbing Africa blind are business associates of Trump son-in-law Kushner and his family. Trump also showed his total ignorance of Africa when referring to a health crisis in the non-existent country of "Nambia." It was never made clear by Trump's unimpressive foreign policy team whether he meant Zambia or Namibia, or possibly, Gambia. In 2006, Venezuela's President Hugo Chavez had many of the General Assembly delegates laughing and applauding as he referred to the speech that U.S. President George W. Bush gave the day before. Chavez said, "The devil came here yesterday, and it smells of sulfur still today, this table that I am now standing in front of." Chavez continued, "Yesterday, ladies and gentlemen, from this rostrum, the President of the United States, the gentleman to whom I refer as the devil, came here, talking as if he owned the world... the American empire is doing all it can to consolidate its system of domination. And we cannot allow them to do that. We cannot allow world dictatorship to be consolidated." Chavez's speech was immensely popular among many of the General Assembly delegates from nations that had suffered from dictates from Washington over the years. Trump's speech made many Americans feel ashamed of his administration. On the other hand, Chavez's speech was met with overwhelming support at home in Venezuela, with many of Chavez's fellow citizens saying he made them proud to be Venezuelan. In 2009, Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi gave a 100-minute speech to the General Assembly, the Libyan head of state's only address before the UN. Qaddafi's speech was called "rambling" by the corporate media. However, Qaddafi hit on many salient and historical points, including the UN Security Council's authorization of 65 wars since its creation, whether swine flu had been created in a biological warfare laboratory and if President John F. Kennedy had been assassinated in a wide-ranging conspiracy, and the illegality of the 1983 U.S. invasion of Grenada. Qaddafi's speech, although long, was met with applause from the delegates from the developing world, diplomats who longed to hear a world leader come down hard on the imperialist and colonialist countries of Europe and North America. Qaddafi, who wanted to stay in his Bedouin tent while in New York, was forced to take it down from the only property that would allow it -- the lawn of the Westchester, New York estate of Donald Trump. County zoning officials eventually forced Qaddafi to remove his tent from Trump's property because "temporary strictures" were banned by county ordinance. When a leader like Chavez or Qaddafi or Cuban leader Fidel Castro, who spoke in 1960 for four-and-a-half hours, had something truthful and hard-hitting to tell the General Assembly, most of the delegates listened attentively. Trump, who had nothing meaningful to say, was received more like a circus act by the General Assembly than a serious world leader. Even Indian diplomat V.K. Krishna Menon, who spoke to the General Assembly in 1957 for almost eight hours on the subject of Kashmir, had more important things to say than did Trump for 41 minutes. The UN asks world leaders to speak for no longer than 15 minutes, however, few adhere to that rule. In 1975, Ugandan "President-for-Life" and Field Marshal Idi Amin Dada spoke to the General Assembly in the Ugandan tribal language of Luganda and not in English, a language in which he was fluent. Since the UN had no Luganda interpreter, Amin ordered his UN ambassador to translate his speech into English, from which the UN French, Russian, and Chinese interpreters had to hastily provide instantaneous translation. At a side interview at the UN, Amin likened British Prime Minister Edward Heath to Adolf Hitler. In 1970, the dictator of the Central African Republic, General Jean-Bedel Bokassa, who later proclaimed himself emperor and was accused of practicing cannibalism, told the General Assembly that there was a "gap between a super-industrialized world, 'well fed' and satisfied, and a world where 'hunger,' sickness, ignorance, deprivation, and wretchedness are the daily lot of hundreds of millions of human beings." While some political analysts have likened Trump to the bombastic former Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi, there is no comparison between Berlusconi's UN speech in 2009 and Trump's speech this year. Berlusconi sounded like a seasoned statesman, compared to Trump. Berlusconi, whose mad-cap public comments and unconventional lifestyle fueled many jokes, urged the UN to respect the roles of the G8 (which then included Russia), the G20, and a reformed UN Security Council. Trump's odd speech will likely go down in history with other weird moments in the history of the UN General Assembly's plenary session. They would include the October 12, 1978 speech by Grenada's Prime Minister Eric Gairy, in which he spoke about the UN investigating areas "sufficiently important and significant to merit our constant articulation and review of them . . . the Bermuda Triangle, unidentified flying objects, and extraterrestrial phenomena." The General Assembly would not be hearing about extraterrestrials again until 1987, when none other than President Ronald Reagan told the assembled delegates: "Perhaps we need some outside universal threat to make us recognize this common bond. I occasionally think how quickly our differences worldwide would vanish if we were facing an alien threat from outside this world." Keeping in mind that terrorists, cannibals, UFO enthusiasts, and various ne'er-do-wells have addressed the General Assembly, Trump was not the worst leader to stand at the rostrum of the assembly hall. However, he does hold a high rank among them. Mutually Assured Madness (Image by fgfathome) Details DMCA ["if you have nukes, never give them up--if you don't have them, get them". ---Dan Coats, Director of National Intelligence.] Those were the words of President Trump's Director of National Intelligence, about the lessons taught from the U.S. destruction of Libya and the assassination of Muammar Gaddafi. That is why North Korea is a nuclear power. Period. That is the reality and eventually the U.S. will have to accept "Mutually Assured Madness". The U.S. has nobody to blame for its self-inflected wounds. It is called Blowback. If there is any comfort in living with a nuclear armed North Korea, then be thankful that it is not even close to the dangers of the Cold War. The propaganda mill and the mainstream media greatly exaggerate the US national security risk to the American people, and it is for their own greedy self-interests to spread panic and paranoia among the American people. If Kim Jong-un wanted to kill Americans out of insane hatred, he has that capability now with conventional weapons. There are over a quarter of a million American citizens living in Seoul, 100 miles from Pyongyang. Kim Jong-un has not attacked Seoul to kill Americans because he is not insane or suicidal, and that is according to experts on North Korea such as Dan Coats and Donald Gregg, and others. Forget the propaganda, it is nonsense aimed at selling extremely expensive Thermal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missiles and further encircle and threaten China and Russia . THAAD's installed in South Korea at a cost of $1 billion are ineffective and useless against North Korean missiles in the early stage of launching. It is the U.S. that is the most dangerous country and threat to the world, not North Korea. The U.S. has beaten its own world record as a serial mass murderer of the 21stcentury. That does not go unnoticed by small vulnerable countries, which is the kind that the U.S. likes to destroy for its own sick reasons. For North Korea to fear the U.S. is reality. To want a nuclear deterrent is sanity. President Trump's Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats spoke truth publicly. Speaking at the Aspen Institute on July 21, 2017 , Coats said he does not think that Kim Jong-un is insane, and that he would have to be insane to surrender his nuclear weapons. He told his audience that the lesson of Libya is that: "if you have nukes, never give them up--if you don't have them, get them". This week's performance at the United Nations by Trump raises more questions of his sanity. We won't know until he is kept under further observation. It is not looking good. Without knowing it, Trump gave the same message that Coat's did. His raving has sent any vulnerable country back to the nuclear weapons-planning drawing board, if they know what is good for them. Trump's speech has done more for nuclear proliferation than Iran and North Korea combined could ever do. Trump should have listened to Steve Bannon when he said: "There's no military solution, forget it. Until somebody solves the part of the equation that shows me that ten million people in Seoul don't die in the first 30 minutes from conventional weapons, I don't know what you're talking about, there's no military solution here, and they got us." North Korea is not playing "gotcha". For them it is not a game, like it is to the US planners. North Korea rightly fears for its life and its existence. We may not like the way they live, but that is not for us. It is for the North Koreans to determine. This is the 21st century not the 19th century of Kipling's "white man's burden"(which Theodore Roosevelt said "made good sense, from the expansionists point of view"). If the U.S. wants to do something good (instead of expansionism) for human rights it should start with its own cabal of right-wing dictators and their death squads. Trump says he is going to succeed where Obama and Bush failed. He should take a page from President Bill Clinton who successfully negotiated with North Korea, until Bush destroyed the agreement. Trump talks big and the mainstream media and Trump backers love it. It is the cowboy image that so many Americans think they are in their own mind. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Quicklink Not Found Sometimes, authors delete their quicklinks after publishing them. To see if the quicklink was renamed or re-published, please click here. From Consortium News On Thursday, rescuers in Mexico City continued to dig through the rubble of many downed buildings, attempting to pull survivors out of the wreckage from the deadly 7.1 magnitude earthquake that rocked the city on two days earlier. Scores of survivors have already been pulled out of the rubble of various disaster sites all over the sprawling city. The quake has taken the lives of over 230 people with thousands more injured. First responders and volunteers dug through the rubble of a collapsed school in the southern part of the city for children buried in the fallen books and bricks. Reuters reported early Thursday that "eleven other children were rescued from the Enrique Rebsamen School, where students are aged roughly six to 15. Twenty-one children and four adults there were killed." I spoke to Flashpoints Special Correspondent Molly Goss in Mexico City about the impact of the quake and the special role civil society has played and is playing in the rescue and recovery efforts. Goss herself was trapped in a building after the quake but managed to escape with co-workers. I spoke to Goss on September 20. Dennis Bernstein: Molly, you yourself were trapped in a building after the quake. Essentially you were stuck inside a building and couldn't get out. We are glad you are safe now. You were saying earlier that the quake came only hours after the whole city had done drills and a remembrance of the massive 1985 earthquake that killed thousands of Mexicans. Molly Goss: It was incredible, because two hours earlier we had done the drills that are performed every September 19, here in Mexico City, to commemorate what happened in 1985. We were able to get out of the building fine during the drill but later the door jammed and prevented us from getting out. DB: We know now that over 225 people have been killed, including at least 21 children and five adults who died when a primary school collapsed in Mexico City. The collapse of buildings has become essentially a pandemic in the city. Talk a little bit about what is going on in the streets. MG: I live in an area that was pretty badly affected by the quake. The southern part of the city was probably worst affected but some of the central parts were also hard hit. One of my neighbors was outside his house trying to call attention to the fact that the structure was actually swaying a little bit. He said he had called the emergency number, he had called the police, but no one was paying attention to his pleas for help. Especially in the older parts of the city, there are buildings which were built long before the new regulations passed in 1985. You can see cracks in many of the buildings. A couple blocks from where I live you can see where the pavement has been lifted about six inches off the ground. The thing that has really struck me is that the authorities are out in the streets but civil society is the main contingent helping people, getting people out of the rubble. There are still children in that school you mentioned. There are buildings all over the city that are in danger of collapsing. Some are camping out in the streets but others have no choice but to go back into their homes. It is a really precarious situation for tens of thousands of people here in the city. DB: When you talk about civil society stepping up, who are you talking about and what has the response been like? MG: What you mostly see are young men and young women. Many are not associated with any particular group. They put on yellow and orange vests, take their shovels and anything else that can help them get people out of the rubble, and go to these sites. Social media has helped a lot by sending people to where they are most needed. There is one organized group that are experts at getting people out of the rubble. There have been a lot of comments about how their protocols and procedures are much better than the army and police. We are seeing an incredible amount of solidarity. Destruction of the Pino Suarez Apartment Complex in Mexico City after the earthquake on September 19, 1985. (Image by (US Geological Survey)) Details DMCA Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). From Gush Shalom Recently Smotrich gave a speech to his followers, which he intended to be a national event, the turning of a page in Jewish history. He was gracious enough to mention me in this monumental message. He said that after the 1948 war, in which the State of Israel was founded, Uri Avnery and a small band of followers created the ideology of "two states for two peoples," and by patient work over many years succeeded in turning this idea into a national consensus, indeed into an axiom. Smotrich told his devotees that they, too, had to formulate their ideology, work patiently for many years until it became the national consensus instead of Avnery's. A compliment from an enemy is always sweeter than one from a friend. The more so as I never received many compliments from friends. Indeed, the many politicians who profess now to fight for "two states for two peoples" try to obliterate the fact that I was the first to proclaim this idea, long before they themselves were converted to it. So thank you, Smotrich. Coupled with my thanks, may I express the wish that you adopt a Hebrew name, as befits a man who aspires to become the Hebrew Duce? AFTER THE compliment, Smotrich set out his plan for the future of Israel. It is based on the demand that Arabs living between the Jordan River and the Mediterranean Sea choose between three alternatives: First, they can accept a monetary payment and leave the country. Second, they can become subjects of the Jewish State without becoming citizens and without attaining the right to vote. Third, they can make war and be defeated. THIS IS Fascism, pure and simple. Except that Benito Mussolini, who invented the term (from fasces fasces, a bundle of rods, the old Roman symbol of authority) did not preach mass emigration of anyone. Not even of the Italian Jews, many of whom were ardent Fascists. Let's look into the plan itself. Can an entire people be induced peacefully to leave their motherland for money? I don't think that it has ever happened. Indeed, the very idea shows an abysmal contempt for the Palestinians. Individuals can leave their homes in times of stress and emigrate to greener pastures. During the great famine, masses of Irishmen and Irishwomen emigrated from their emerald isle to America. In today's Israel, quite a number of Israelis are emigrating to Berlin or Los Angeles. But can millions do so? Voluntarily? For gain? Quite apart from the fact that the price would invariably rise from emigrant to emigrant. There would not be enough money in the world. Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Register for more free articles. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! Already a Subscriber? Already a Subscriber? Sign in Terms of Service Privacy Policy What? Did this president actually tweet that such a single payer-system that could provide medical coverage for every American was a curse? Believe it or not he certainly did and here's what he said: "Bernie Sanders is pushing hard for a single-payer healthcare plan - a curse on the U.S. & its people." In a follow-up tweet he added, "I told Republicans to approve healthcare fast or this would happen. But don't worry, I will veto it because I love our country & its people ." Yes, he loves the people so much he wants to push through Congress a disastrous GOP healthcare plan that would jeopardize the healthcare coverage of 23 million or more Americans. Those tweets, those statements are mindless, make no sense whatsoever and should be totally ignored. No rational-minded U.S. president would condemn such an attempt by a U.S. senator to create a healthcare system designed to cover all Americans. Mr. Trump should be asked to explain, in explicit terms, why a single-payer or Medicare for all healthcare system should, in any way, be considered a curse; a common definition of which is, ""evil or misfortune that comes as if in response to imprecation or as retribution, often said to involve a supernatural power." He and his fellow shallow-minded GOP politicians should take some time and read what the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution states relative to the functions of this government; and, in particular, its reference to the government providing for the "general welfare of the people." If one were able to ask the Founders if that term, general welfare, would include the creation of such a universal-type healthcare system, the answer would be a resounding YES! It is a part of what is often referred to as the government's "promoting of the health, safety, morals, and well-being of the people governed thereunder." Here's what Senator Sanders said in response to Trump's pathetic tweets. ""Mr. President, let me tell you what a curse on the American people is; that is your support for legislation that would throw 23 million people off the health care they currently have, and then provide huge tax breaks for the rich and large corporations." He continued; "Providing health care to every man, woman, and child in this country " that's not a curse. That is what every other major country on earth does and that is exactly what we should be doing," he added. Yes, what Sanders say is true; every one of the other 31 developed nations in the world has some form of universal healthcare covering everyone in the country from birth to death. These countries are distinctly different from America in that their people share the same belief; that healthcare is a right for every citizen. They make it clear that they feel this way because they care for their fellow citizens, something that is hardly the case in this greatly divided America. Countries in Europe have had such healthcare systems in place for decades; some are better than others, some have problems that need to be addressed but, for the most part, they are quite effective and the people of these countries are quite satisfied with them. The costs per capita of most of these systems are about half of the cost of America's. Check out this article that shows the 16 countries that have the best life expectancy in the world. See the United States anywhere on the list? So, Mr. Trump, let's talk about this curse; Is having a healthcare system that covers every American from birth to death some kind of curse? Is a system in which profits of insurance companies no longer represent a huge part of the overall costs a curse in your mind? Suppose that all Americans had the opportunity to take preventative tests that identify serious problems in their early stages; that then provided the necessary treatment leading to a satisfactory outcome. Is that a curse? And, if as a result of large scale preventative testing, Americans' life expectancy would rise is that a curse? If the five separate healthcare systems we now have in place, private medical insurance, Medicare, Obamacare, Medicaid and the VA, Veterans Administration system, are consolidated into one and the current massive paperwork and clerical functions are dramatically reduced, is that also a curse? Next Page 1 | 2 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). World: Electric Filament, Discharge Lamps And Arc Lamps - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025 http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-electric-filament-discharge-lamps-and-arc-lamps-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020?utm_source=opr http://www.indexbox.co.uk/store/world-electric-filament-discharge-lamps-and-arc-lamps-market-report-analysis-and-forecast-to-2020?utm_source=opr IndexBox has just published a new report "World: Electric Filament, Discharge Lamps And Arc Lamps - Market Report. Analysis and Forecast to 2025" ().This report has been designed to provide a comprehensive of the global lamp market. It covers the most recent data sets of quantitative medium-term prospects, as well as developments in production, trade, consumption and prices. The report also reveals a comparative analysis of the biggest consuming countries, revealing opportunities opened for producers and exporters across the globe. The forecast outlines market perspectives to 2025.Countries coverage: Worldwide - the report contains statistical data for 200 countries and includes detailed profiles of the 50 largest consuming countries (United States, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Brazil, Italy, Russian Federation, India, Canada, Australia, Republic of Korea, Spain, Mexico, Indonesia, Netherlands, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Sweden, Nigeria, Poland, Belgium, Argentina, Norway, Austria, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Colombia, Denmark, South Africa, Malaysia, Israel, Singapore, Egypt, Philippines, Finland, Chile, Ireland, Pakistan, Greece, Portugal, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Czech Republic, Qatar, Peru, Romania, Vietnam) + the largest producing countries.Product coverage: Electric filament or discharge lamps, including sealed beam lamp units and ultra-violet or infra-red lamps; arc-lamps.Data coverage: Lamp market size and volume; Lamp market trends and prospects; Global lamp production and its dynamics; Per capita consumption; Breakdown of production by region and country; Medium term outlook; Lamp trade (exports/imports); Prices for lamp; Profiles of the main manufacturers.The report will help you: Get a bigger picture of the market; Rewire your business around market trends; Devise your marketing strategy; Operate with increased effectiveness.Source:IndexBox is a leading market research publisher in the world. You can find more than 25,000 research reports in our web store, which cover global industries and regional markets. All the worldwide marketing data you need is at your fingertips.Company Name: IndexBoxContact Person: Kirill BezverhiEmail: kirill.bezverhi@indexbox.co.ukPhone: +44 20 3239 3063Adress: United Kingdom, 44 Main Street, Douglas, South Lanarkshire, Scotland, ML11 0QW Dogs secure livelihoods Check-up visit at Lottery Uncle's The animal welfare organsation Dog Care Clinic celebrates the success of its ground-breaking support scheme, but financial challenges endanger its futureAnimal welfare organisation Dog Care Clinic e.V. looks to find loving homes with poor elderly people for former street dogs. Through the DCC 50+ adoption scheme the retirees receive a monthly pension for taking care of the dog. This means there is a mutual benefit for each party involved, the DCC, the foster family as well as the dog, and up until today 135 dogs are being taken care of through the programme. However, costs are staggering and the future of programme is at stake.Almost daily puppies get dumped in front of the gates of the Dog Care Clinic in Sri Lanka. The organization nurses them up and finds homes with local families. Unfortunately there are more puppies than takers and especially the brown dogs, females or those with disabilities tend to be left over and remain in the clinic. So the question is pressing what to do with those unwanted dogs?In September 2014 founder and director of the clinic, Marina Mobius, had a ground-breaking idea how to bring together animal welfare and the help for older people in need in a sustainable and mutually beneficial way: Sri Lanka has no proper pension scheme and especially in the rural areas retirees heavily rely on support from their families. We give dogs to those who have no or a very low income and pay them a monthly pension of 35 US Dollars per dog. Like this we enable the foster seniors to care for their new furry friends.The DCC 50+ - a big success with staggering costsWord of the DCC 50+ progam spread quickly in the area and the waiting list is ever growing. All those interested are visited at home before a decision is made whether or not their place fulfills the requirements. Even after a family has taken in a dog the Dog Care Clinic continues to look after it . All DCC 50+ dogs are visited monthly and living conditions are checked thoroughly.Through the DCC 50+ the local people understand the value of a dog as a mans best friend and unlike many others in Sri Lanka treat them as family member. Every dog in the DCC 50+ program is not only a pension provider but an ambassador for the connection between humans and animals, explains Marina Mobius.Up to date 135 dogs are regularly visited through the DCC 50+ scheme. Their medical care is provided by the clinic free of charge. Every dog in the programme, however, costs the clinic about 70 USD per month. Funding these costs long-term is the biggest challenge the clinic is facing. As yet, Marina Mobius covers over 80 per cent of the needed funds out of her own pocket. The remaining just under 20 per cent are made up by donations.The elderlys livelihoods are secured on a long-term basisIn 2015 the national average income in Sri Lanka was 300 USD per month. In rural areas it is a lot lower. For the elderly participants the DCC 50+ program is a true blessing. With 35 to 105 Dollars per month, not only the dogs are well taken care of but the foster families receive a substantial additional income: We are very happy for the support we receive a member of the program tells. The 78 year-old, widely known as Lottery Uncle, used to sell lottery tickets with his bicycle. Now he is too old to continue his job and his wife has no income either. They both take care of their grown-up son who is severly disabled after a bomb blast during the civil war. Lottery Uncle took in three dogs of the DCC and has become a true animal lover: I love my dogs. It is great to have such loyal company.Local government and German Embassy are deeply impressedThe Dog Care Clinic is open for interested visitors on all 365 days of the year. Sri Lankan member of Parliament, Chandima Weerakody, as well as former German Ambassador Dr. Jurgen Morhard and current Ambassador Jorn Rohde visited the clinic, too: The German Embassy will give its utmost support for this inspiring project.ABOUT DOG CARE CLINIC E.V.Dog Care Clinic was founded by German entrepreneur Marina Mobius in the south of Sri Lanka in 2007. During a vacation earlier she was confronted with the miserable situation of street dogs: I had only two options. Either I never return to this county or I do something about it. I chose the latter and have been fighting for Sri Lanka's dogs ever since. The Dog Care Clinic is open on all 365 days of the year and employs 45 local staff.Aims of the clinic:- consistent neutering programs to reduce the number of stray dogs- mass vaccinations to reduce diseases and to minimise the risk of rabies to both humans and animals- treatment and care of injured and sick animals- increase the understanding between dogs and humans- help Sri Lankans by our sustainable social projectsNumbers of success:- more than 54,000 neuterings since 2007- more than 525,000 vaccinations since 2007- almost 280 surgeries, e.g. amputations including after-care in the first half of 2017- 260 new puppies and grown-up dogs were taken into the clinic in the first half of 2017. They were dumped in front of our clinic or were found by our team.DOG CARE CLINIC e.V.Kronenstr. 3478054 Villingen-SchwenningenGermanyMs Bettina SchluterTel.: +49 (0)176 / 234 636 13Mr Ingbert KrullTel.: +49 (0)7720 / 99 76 726E-Mail: info@dogcare-clinic.com Potentially Valuable Excelsior Hotel Property in Hong Kong is Receiving Bids www.tophotel.news Mandarin Oriental International Ltd., the owners of the Excelsior Hotel in Hong Kong, have received interest from possible buyers for the valuable piece of waterfront property that overlooks Victoria Harbor in the citys Causeway Bay, in what some experts and analysts are calling a test of the demand for Hong Kongs commercial real estate in the face of soaring prices.Mandarin Oriental International Ltd. first announced in June that it would be testing the market for potentially selling the Excelsior Hotel, a four-star hotel that also serves as the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Groups headquarters. The government has approved redevelopment of this site for a commercial building with gross floor space that totals 684,000 square feet.The location of the hotel, which sits at 281 Gloucester Road in Hong Kong, is significant because it was the first plot of land sold at auction after Hong Kong became a British Colony in 1841. The hotel first opened in that space in 1973, a time in which it ranked as the first hospitality property in Hong Kong that featured more than 1,000 rooms.Hong Kong business publications have reported that there were at least five bids for the Excelsior Hotel property, which is valued at $3.8 billion, with one of those bids coming from a Chinese-backed consortium Sun Hung Kai Properties Ltd. and Hysan Development Co. Mandarin Oriental has acknowledge that it has received offers while also saying that no decision has as of yet been made on whether the property will be sold.In all likelihood, the strength of the proposals will determine whether the company moves forward with plans to sell. At this time, theres no way to tell what will become of it.If the company does indeed to decide to sell the hotel, it could be a lesson in the immediate future of the hospitality industry in Hong Kong. A Bloomberg Intelligence analyst has found that Hong Kong will struggle to capture high end, transient Chinese tourists over the next 20 years because there has been such recent growth in the number of available rooms and accommodations in the city. Hotel rooms in Hong Kong will also likely fall due to Chinese travelers looking at other Asian or further flung destinations for their vacations.Mandarin Oriental operates a total of 30 hotels and eight residential properties in 20 countries and territories spread throughout the world. The Excelsior Hotel has the distinction of being a four-star hotel, which makes it the lone Mandarin Oriental holding that is not classified as a five star property.TOPHOTELNEWS is a multi-platform online news portal dedicated exclusively to the global hospitality industry. Our focus is in Hotel Development, Architecture, Design, Construction, Brands and Operations.We deliver high-quality and relevant content with no distraction and no wastage of attention. Articles are time saving summarized in Article Essence, key-data is summarized in Data Essence, directly linked with LinkedIn and TOPHOTELPROJECTS databases.Jeersdorfer Weg 20 27356 Rotenburg Germany Phone +49(0)4261 4140-0< Fax +49(0)4261 4140 400 E-Mail:info@tophotelmedia.com Waterproof Sealants Research Report 2017 Bostik, 3M, Henkel, Dow Corning, Avery Dennison Waterproof Sealants Market http://bit.ly/2flhVD7 http://bit.ly/2wJmiKY http://www.spiremarketresearch.com/ Waterproof Sealants Market Research 2017A market study Global Waterproof Sealants Market will help you understand, formulate and implement strategic decisions by offering critical data, insights and analysis from technology as well as commercial perspective on the Waterproof Sealants market. It encloses an in-depth Research of the Waterproof Sealants market state and the competitive landscape globally. This report consist of comprehensive market data, on a granular level, providing a holistic picture of the Waterproof Sealants market for maximum clarity and understanding.The Global Waterproof Sealants Market 2017 report includes Waterproof Sealants market Revenue, market Share, Waterproof Sealants industry volume, market Trends, Waterproof Sealants Growth aspects. A wide range of applications, Utilization ratio, Supply and demand analysis are also consist in the report.It shows manufacturing capacity, Waterproof Sealants Price during the Forecast period from 2017 to 2022.Sample Report Of Waterproof Sealants Market:Manufacturers Analysis and Top Players of Global Waterproof Sealants Market 2017 :Bostik3MHenkelDow CorningAvery DennisonH.B.FullerHuntsmanSikaFosrocMapeiCyberbondAlcolinPermabondLoctiteEverbuildGorilla GlueFirstly, the report covers the top Waterproof Sealants manufacturing industry players worldwide. It also characterizes the market based on geological regions like United States, Europe, Japan, China, Southeast Asia and Middle East and Africa. Furthermore the report covers Waterproof Sealants market on the basis of product types and its applications.The Waterproof Sealants report gives information on the top company profiles, market share, contact details and manufacturing cost analysis along with value chain analysis of Waterproof Sealants industry, Waterproof Sealants industry rules and policies, circumstances driving the growth of the market and compulsion blocking the growth. Waterproof Sealants Market development scope and various business strategies are also mentioned in this report.Enquiry for More Info@The Waterproof Sealants research report splits on the basis product types that are currently in demand and available in the market along with their cost breakup, manufacturing volume, import/export scheme, production and contribution to the Waterproof Sealants market revenue worldwide.Finally, Waterproof Sealants market report gives you details about the market research findings and conclusion which helps you to develop profitable market strategies to gain competitive advantage.About Us:"Spire Market Research" is a single destination for all the industry, company and country reports. We have a leading market intelligence team which accredits and provides the reports of some of the top publishers in the field of the technology industry. We are as a firm expertise in making extensive reports that cover all the necessary details about the market assessments such as major technological improvement in the industry.Contact Us5001 Spring Valley Road,Suite 400 East,Dallas, TX 75244, USAContact: +1-214-661-1669Web: Global Oats Market 2017 - Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Strategies and Forecast to 2022 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/sample-request/1150737-global-oats-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/reports/1150737-global-oats-market-research-report-2017 https://www.wiseguyreports.com/enquiry/1150737-global-oats-market-research-report-2017 https://www.linkedin.com/company/wise-guy-research-consultants-pvt-ltd-?trk=biz-companies-cym https://www.wiseguyreports.com Global Oats IndustryGlobal Oats market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players includingThe Quaker Oats CompanyGrain MillersBlue Lake MillingAvena FoodRichardson InternationalMorning FoodsGuilin Simieon Food GroupViz BranzErnsts Foods (Shenzhen)AHDB Cereals & OilseedsJordans, Dorset & RyvitaTry Sample Report @Geographically, this report is segmented into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue (million USD), market share and growth rate of Oats in these regions, from 2012 to 2022 (forecast), coveringNorth AmericaEuropeChinaJapanSoutheast AsiaIndiaOn the basis of product, this report displays the production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, primarily split intoSteel-Cut OatsRolled OatsInstant OatsOn the basis on the end users/applications, this report focuses on the status and outlook for major applications/end users, consumption (sales), market share and growth rate of Oats for each application, includingAnimal FeedConsumer FoodCosmeticsOthersFor Detailed Reading Please visit WiseGuy Reports @Some Major Points from Table of content:Global Oats Market Research Report 20171 Oats Market Overview1.1 Product Overview and Scope of Oats1.2 Oats Segment by Type (Product Category)1.2.1 Global Oats Production and CAGR (%) Comparison by Type (Product Category) (2012-2022)1.2.2 Global Oats Production Market Share by Type (Product Category) in 20161.2.3 Steel-Cut Oats1.2.4 Rolled Oats1.2.5 Instant Oats1.3 Global Oats Segment by Application1.3.1 Oats Consumption (Sales) Comparison by Application (2012-2022)1.3.2 Animal Feed1.3.3 Consumer Food1.3.4 Cosmetics1.3.5 Others1.4 Global Oats Market by Region (2012-2022)1.4.1 Global Oats Market Size (Value) and CAGR (%) Comparison by Region (2012-2022)1.4.2 North America Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.3 Europe Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.4 China Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.5 Japan Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.6 Southeast Asia Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.4.7 India Status and Prospect (2012-2022)1.5 Global Market Size (Value) of Oats (2012-2022)1.5.1 Global Oats Revenue Status and Outlook (2012-2022)1.5.2 Global Oats Capacity, Production Status and Outlook (2012-2022)2 Global Oats Market Competition by Manufacturers2.1 Global Oats Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.1 Global Oats Capacity and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.1.2 Global Oats Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.2 Global Oats Revenue and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.3 Global Oats Average Price by Manufacturers (2012-2017)2.4 Manufacturers Oats Manufacturing Base Distribution, Sales Area and Product Type2.5 Oats Market Competitive Situation and Trends2.5.1 Oats Market Concentration Rate2.5.2 Oats Market Share of Top 3 and Top 5 Manufacturers2.5.3 Mergers & Acquisitions, ExpansionIf you have any enquiry before buying a copy of this report @3 Global Oats Capacity, Production, Revenue (Value) by Region (2012-2017)3.1 Global Oats Capacity and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.2 Global Oats Production and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.3 Global Oats Revenue (Value) and Market Share by Region (2012-2017)3.4 Global Oats Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.5 North America Oats Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.6 Europe Oats Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.7 China Oats Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.8 Japan Oats Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.9 Southeast Asia Oats Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)3.10 India Oats Capacity, Production, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin (2012-2017)4 Global Oats Supply (Production), Consumption, Export, Import by Region (2012-2017)4.1 Global Oats Consumption by Region (2012-2017)4.2 North America Oats Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.3 Europe Oats Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.4 China Oats Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.5 Japan Oats Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.6 Southeast Asia Oats Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)4.7 India Oats Production, Consumption, Export, Import (2012-2017)Continued..For more information or any query mail at sales@wiseguyreports.comAbout UsWise Guy Reports is part of the Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. and offers premium progressive statistical surveying, market research reports, analysis & forecast data for industries and governments around the globe. Wise Guy Reports understand how essential statistical surveying information is for your organization or association. Therefore, we have associated with the top publishers and research firms all specialized in specific domains, ensuring you will receive the most reliable and up to date research data available.Contact Us:Norah Trent+1 646 845 9349 / +44 208 133 9349Follow on LinkedIn:Wise Guy Reports Is Part Of The Wise Guy Consultants Pvt. Ltd. And Offers Premium Progressive Statistical Surveying, Market Research Reports, Analysis & Forecast Data For Industries And Governments Around The Globe. Wise Guy Reports Features An Exhaustive List Of Market Research Reports From Hundreds Of Publishers Worldwide. We Boast A Database Spanning Virtually Every Market Category And An Even More Comprehensive Collection Of Market Research Reports Under These Categories And Sub-Categories.Wise Guy Research Consultants Pvt LtdPune 411028Maharashtra, GlobalPh: +91 841 198 5042 Global Magnetic Stripe Market 2017 by Key Players: PYRAL, Greencorp, TSSI and KURZ Global Magnetic Stripe Market https://goo.gl/HhXN1g https://goo.gl/xUaBN4 https://market.biz/ http://emarkets.eu/ This report on global Magnetic Stripe market precisely studies the various aspects of Magnetic Stripe industry.At Forefront the report proffers prudent insights into the trends in Magnetic Stripe market along with the market dimensions and forecast for the duration 2016 to 2022.Along with this,research study on Magnetic Stripe market also integrates detailed analysis of various market segments on the basis of product type, applications and geography.Further this report incorporates both quantitative as well as qualitative data sets which include market framework, executive summary for the global Magnetic Stripe market.The report also includes key players profile description, details on fiscal & accounting , business tactics and fresh developments in global Magnetic Stripe Market.Tools for competition mapping are also inculcated in the report as an assitance to the end users.Do Inquiry Before Purchasing Report at :Illustratation of each segment is precisely done in further section of research study.Global Magnetic Stripe Market report is primarily segmentized into three major segments i.e product type, applications and geographical/region.Key Players/Manufacturers in the Magnetic Stripe Market are also enlisted in report.Key Dominant players enlisted in Magnetic Stripe market:KURZPYRALGreencorpTSSICTLAYAlchemyITWLuckyMarket SegmentationRequest for Sample Pages Of Report at :Geographical distribution of Magnetic Stripe MarketThe global Magnetic Stripe Market is studied for five major geographic regions namely: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa.Market dimensions and prognosis for each regional and country-level market are added in the report for the examined periods.1.North America*United States*Canada*Mexico2.Asia-Pacific*China*Japan*Southeast Asia*India*Korea3.Europe*Germany*UK*France*Italy*Russia etc.4.South America*Brazil*Chile*Peru*Argentina5.Middle East and Africa*Egypt*South Africa*Saudi ArabiaFurther the global Magnetic Stripe Market is segmented into Product Types, applicationsSplit by Product TypesExfoliatedAdhesiveSplit by applicationsPVC substrateBank book substratePaper substrateOthersOverall, this report will guide Magnetic Stripe manufacturers, system integrators and related business partners to identify key investment regions and define their strategies.About Us:Market.Biz is designed to provide the best and most penetrating research required to all commercial, industrial and profit-making ventures in any sector of online business. We take pride in our ability to satisfy the market research needs of both domestic and international businesses.Market.Biz has access to the worlds most comprehensive and up-to-date databases in your business sector, including countless market reports that can provide you with valuable data relating to your business. We understand the needs of our clients, and keep our reports updated as market requirement changes.Contact US:James JohnsonS no. 51/14 First Floor, Office Number 4,Vishwa Arcade, Near Navale Lawns,Pune, Maharashtra, India 411041.Tel: +1(857)2390696Email: inquiry@market.bizWebsite:Blog: Germany Outbound Tourism Market: Outbound Tourists Visit, Tourists Spending & Forecast to 2020 http://www.dpiresearch.com/report-details.php?P_ID=48 www.dpiresearch.com Germany presents an attractive set of conditions making investment possible. The number of Germany outbound tourists is forecasted to reach nearly 5 Million by 2020. Additionally, Germany outbound tourists spending was nearly 11 Billion in 2015.Germany Outbound Tourists Visit Analysis: United States has emerged as the most popular tourist destination for German travelers. In 2015, XXXX% of the total Germany outbound tourists visited United States. It is predicted that United States will be leading destination for the German travelers by the year 2020. China and Singapore were at the 2nd and 3rd popular destination for German travelers with XXX% and XXX% share respectively in 2015.Germany Outbound Tourism Spending Analysis: United States is the leader with XXX% of spending in 2015 by the German Tourists. German tourists spending share in United States is higher than the combined share of the top 9 tourism destination. United States is likely to maintain dominance in Germany outbound tourism spending but its share is expected to tumble down to XXX% by the year 2020, as German tourists are now exploring various other destinations. China and Australia accounted for XXX% and XXX% share of total outbound spending by Germany in 2015. It is projected that China and Australia will have spending share of XXX% and XXX% respectively in 2020. In the year 2015, India was standing at fourth spot in terms of spending by German tourists being followed by New Zealand in 2015.Complete Report @This report entitled Germany Outbound Tourism Market: Outbound Tourists Visit, Tourists Spending & Forecastprovides a comprehensive assessment of the fast-evolving, high-growth Germany outbound travel industry. This report provides a complete analysis of top 10 countries worldwide for German tourists. All the country in the report has been studied from three view points1) Germany outbound tourists to top 10 countries2) Germany outbound tourists market (spending) in top 10 countries3) Germany outbound tourists purpose of visit (Business, Holiday/Leisure, VFR & Others)Countries AnalysedTop 10 Countries:Singapore, United States, Australia, China, Japan, South Africa, Korea, New Zealand, Cambodia and IndiaData SourcesThe information contained in this report is based on both primary and secondary sources.Primary Sources:Questionnaires, Surveys, telephonic interviews with industry experts and ObservationsSecondary Sources:Secondary data analysis and review involves collecting and analysing a vast array of information. DPI Research seeks information from different sources such as published articles, company websites, magazine articles, associations, trade journals, annual reports, Newspapers, Books, Government official websites and other paid database sources.DPI Research is a business solutions firm which offer bespoke market research reports, custom research solutions and consulting across multi geographies and industry verticals. We deliver wide range of cutting-edge research solutions that helps organizations in making better decisions of the business to business needs.DPI Research provides high standard of business research reports to the clients across industry verticals comprising Life Sciences, Information Technology, Telecom & Internet, Food Beverages & Agriculture, Travel & Tourism, Consumer Goods & Retail, Education and Social Sciences. We are committed to use advanced analytical tools and methodologies to help clients with crucial industry information for decision making.DPI Research approaches for the business research led by a team of dynamic industry experts. DPI Research provides a real insight for effective decisions to help business with the help of current source and accurate data available in the market. DPI Research reach across the globe with global standards from established markets in the North America and Europe to emerging markets in South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa to provide the best business solutions.Contact Us:Maria RaiTel :+91 -7289949987Email: sales@dpiresearch.comWebsite: Bio-plastics Market to Witness a Stunning 28.8% CAGR through 2020 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/global-bio-plastics-market/toc https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/sample/rep-gb--69 https://www.futuremarketinsights.com/checkout/69 www.futuremarketinsights.com Future Market Insights (FMI), in its latest report titled, Bio-plastics Market: Global Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2014 to 2020, estimates that the global bio-plastics market is expected to account for US$ 43.8 Bn by 2020, registering a CAGR of 28.8% during the forecast period. A growing beverage packaging industry, government support for adopting bio-based materials, and rising consumer acceptance for bio-plastics are expected to contribute to the growth of the global bio-plastic market over the forecast period.In terms of materials, the global bio-plastics market is segmented as bio-PET, bio-PE, bio-PA, bio-degradable polyesters, PLA & PLA blends, starch blends, PHA and others. Currently, the bio-PET material segment dominates the bio-plastics market, and was estimated to be US$ 5.6 Bn in 2014. This segment is expected to reach US$ 29.1 Bn by 2020, with a momentous CAGR of 31.4% for the forecast period. Moreover, an increasing demand for bio-plastics from the beverage packaging industry and effectiveness of bio-plastics in one-time use application has driven the demand for the bio-PET in the last few years.View and Download TOC of Bio-plastics Market Research Report@On the basis of application type, the bio-plastics market is segmented as bottlers, other packaging, food-services, agriculture/horticulture, consumer products, automotive and others. Among all the afore mentioned applications, bottles segment is expected to dominate the market with 34.4% of the total revenue share by 2020. However, automotive segment is anticipated to exhibit the second highest CAGR of 27.5% as compared to other applications during the forecast period. Additionally, influx of new entrants is predicted to fuel the growth of others application segment, thereby accounting for 5.0% market share by 2020.Key regions considered for this market study include North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and RoW (Rest of the World). Asia Pacific represents the most lucrative market, followed by North America. Asia Pacific is expected to contribute 33.7% market share to the overall bio-plastics market by 2020. The growth of Europe is supported by the strong influence of regulatory framework and awareness regarding greener products through various media among the consumers.Request and Download Sample Report@Assessing the various factors driving this market, a FMI lead analyst, said, Increasing consumer awareness regarding benefits of greener products, strict regulations to incorporate bio-based products in automotive & packaging, and increasing investments by local companies are expected to fuel the demand for global bio-plastics market.Key players in the global bio-plastics market are BASF SE, Arkema, DSM NV, E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Evonik Industries, NaturePlast, NatureWorks LLC, RTP Company, Techno polymer Co. Ltd. and Toray Industries Inc.Buy Full Bio-plastics Market Report@ABOUT US:Future Market Insights (FMI) is a leading market intelligence and consulting firm. We deliver syndicated research reports, custom research reports and consulting services, which are personalized in nature. FMI delivers a complete packaged solution, which combines current market intelligence, statistical anecdotes, technology inputs, valuable growth insights, an aerial view of the competitive framework, and future market trends.CONTACT:Future Market Insights616 Corporate Way, Suite 2-9018,Valley Cottage, NY 10989,United StatesT: +1-347-918-3531F: +1-845-579-5705Email: sales@futuremarketinsights.comWebsite : Floating Production Systems Market : Global Forecast over 2019 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/floating-production-system-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=1982 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/1982 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=1982 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com A new market research report published by Transparency Market Research, titled Floating Production Systems Market - Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2013 - 2019, presents a detailed overview of the floating production systems market, its growth drivers and restraints, as well as its segmentation. Analyzing the market for developmental trends of the past, the report also presents a forecast of the markets state over the years between 2013 and 2019. As per the report, the global floating production systems market, which was valued in 2012 at US$12.6 bn, is expected to expand and reach a value of US$38.7 bn by 2019.View Full Report:As per the report, deep water discoveries and increase in subsea drilling activities in the oil and gas industry in the Asia Pacific and Rest of the World have boosted the market for floating production systems. As per the statistics mentioned in the report, the Rest of the World market led the global floating production systems market in 2012, with the highest contribution in revenue. Additionally, Rest of the World has the highest demand for floating production systems, and will continue to dominate the market in the forecast period. However, factors such as tedious maintenance of these systems and the high installation costs of the systems could curb the growth of the floating production systems market.Request to view Sample Report:There are primarily four types of products marketed under floating production systems: FSO, SPAR, TLP, and FPSO, out of which FPSO is expected to rule the market for floating production systems, since several companies use FPSO to extract crude oil or for offshore drilling activities. Since multiple tasks can be performed by FPSOs, it is the most preferred choice for the offshore drilling sector. Both FSO and FPSO help in reducing the operational costs by eliminating the need for pipeline infrastructure to transport the crude oil from one place to another.TLP and SPAR are used in case the drilling site experiences high waves, causing huge vibrations, thus proving to be a hindrance in drilling operations. The use of SPAR and TLP helps eliminate these kind of vibrations, making the drilling operation smoother and efficient for a long time. Major utilization of TLP and SPAR is done in Africa and Brazil, due to the large number of drilling activities carried out in these regions. Moreover, the report forecasts that over 80 offshore drilling projects will be carried out in these regions in the coming years, thus propelling the market for SPAR and TLP.Since a large number of oil reserves in Europe are located in offshore regions such as the Norwegian Sea and the Barents Sea, steady growth of the floating production systems market is expected in these regions. Due to the growing population and heavy industrialization, Asia Pacific and North America are anticipated to witness growth of the market for floating production systems.Request to download and view full ToC -Some of the major companies listed in the report are Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd, Bumi Armada Berhad, Malaysia Marine and Heavy Engineering Berhad, Keppel Offshore & Marine Ltd, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd, SBM Offshore N.V., Samsung Heavy Industries Co. Ltd, Teekay Corporation, Technip S.A., and Worley Parsons Limited.Global Floating Production Systems Market Report is available at US$ 5795 -About UsTransparency Market Research (TMR) is a global market intelligence company providing business information reports and services. The companys exclusive blend of quantitative forecasting and trend analysis provides forward-looking insight for thousands of decision makers. TMRs experienced team of analysts, researchers, and consultants use proprietary data sources and various tools and techniques to gather and analyze information.TMRs data repository is continuously updated and revised by a team of research experts so that it always reflects the latest trends and information. With extensive research and analysis capabilities, Transparency Market Research employs rigorous primary and secondary research techniques to develop distinctive data sets and research material for business reports.ContactTransparency Market ResearchState Tower,90 State Street,Suite 700,Albany NY - 12207United StatesTel: +1-518-618-1030USA - Canada Toll Free: 866-552-3453Email: sales@transparencymarketresearch.comWebsite: New report shares details about the Aerostat Systems Market Research Report - Forecast to 2021 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/1302 https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/aerostat-systems-market Exclusive Summery About Report:The Global Aerostat Systems Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of around 13% during 2016-2021. The factors behind such significant growth are growing demand of surveillance and intelligence from military and homeland security agencies. This system provides round the clock surveillance and is quite effective during extreme whether condition.High acquisition risk (overweight components, and difficulties with integration and software development) and operational hazards such as wind speed, and lightning are some external factors posing threat to the market.In 2015, Americas account around 50% of the market share and is likely to dominate the market in the forecast period. In 2012, US DOD has spent $1.3 billion to develop and acquire numerous aerostats and airships.Request a Sample Report @Aerostat Systems Market competition by top manufacturers, with production, price, revenue (value) and market share for each manufacturer; the top players including AUGUR-RosAeroSystems, Raven Industries Inc., Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Exelis Inc., Allsopp Helikites Ltd., ILC Dover, L.P., Israel Aerospace Industries, Lindstrand Technologies Limited, Drone AviationStudy Objectives of Aerostat Systems Market To provide detailed analysis of the market structure along with forecast for the next 5 years of the various segments and sub-segments of the global Aerostat Systems Market To provide insights about factors affecting the market growth To Analyze the Aerostat Systems Market based on various factors- price analysis, supply chain analysis, Porters five force analysis. To provide historical and forecast revenue of the market segments and sub-segments with respect to six main geographies and their countries- North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East, and Africa To provide country level analysis of the market with respect to the current market size and future prospective To provide country level analysis of the market for segment by product type, class, and by region as well as its sub segments To provide strategic profiling of key players in the market, comprehensively analyzing their core competencies, and drawing a competitive landscape for the market To track and analyze competitive developments such as joint ventures, strategic alliances, mergers and acquisitions, and new product developments in the global Aerostat Systems MarketIf you have any special requirements, please let us know and we will offer you the report as you want.For further information on this report, visit @The reports also cover country level analysis:Americas (North & Latin) US Canada Brazil OthersEurope Germany France Italy Spain U.K Rest of EuropeAsia Pacific China India Japan Australia/New Zealand Rest of Asia-PacificMiddle East & Africa UAE, Kuwait Israel Rest of Middle East & AfricaThe market report for Aerostat Systems Market of Market Research Future comprises of extensive primary research along with the detailed analysis of qualitative as well as quantitative aspects by various industry experts, key opinion leaders to gain the deeper insight of the market and industry performance.About Market Research Future:At Market Research Future (MRFR), we enable our customers to unravel the complexity of various industries through our Cooked Research Report (CRR), Half-Cooked Research Reports (HCRR), Raw Research Reports (3R), Continuous-Feed Research (CFR), and Market Research & Consulting Services.MRFR team have supreme objective to provide the optimum quality market research and intelligence services to our clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help to answer all their most important questions.Contact:Akash Anand,Market Research Future+1 646 845 9312Email: akash.anand@marketresearchfuture.com Synthetic Sapphire Market to Reflect a Significant CAGR of 8.4% Between 2016 and 2024 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/market-research/synthetic-sapphire-market/toc https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/samples/12217 https://www.persistencemarketresearch.com/checkout/12217 www.persistencemarketresearch.com According to the latest market report published by Persistence Market Research titled Synthetic Sapphire Market: Global Industry Analysis and Forecast 20162024, the revenue generated from global sales of synthetic sapphire has been estimated to be valued at US$ 4,864.3 Mn by 2016 end and is expected to increase at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period of 20162024. By 2024, the global synthetic sapphire market is projected to be valued at US$ 9,255.7 Mn.Synthetic Sapphire is aluminum oxide and is also known as Corundum or - alumina. It is chemically inert, hard, thermally stable till 1600 C and has a melting temperature of 2050 C. Manufactured from high purity alumina (>99.99% purity) by one of the five methods namely Verneuil, Czochralski (CZ), Heat Exchanger Method (HEM), Edge-Defined Film-Fed Growth (EFG) and Kyropoulos, where EFG and Kyropoulos methods are most popular and are mostly modified in-house to increase the yield. Synthetic sapphire on hardness scale (Mohs) stands on 9 which is the next hardest material after diamond and possesses excellent physical and chemical properties. The wear and scratch resistance of synthetic sapphire is considered to be unique. The sapphire crystal boule undergoes series of processing steps such as drilling, slicing, grinding, polishing and cleaning to get the final synthetic sapphire in required form.View and Download TOC of Synthetic Sapphire Market Research Report @Demand of sapphire products is expected to grow beyond LED as its primary application since sapphire growers are researching new applications which are under developing phase. This is because sapphire being an anisotropic material, which makes its mechanical and thermal properties to depend on the direction of crystal growth and its subsequent processing. Thus, the exceptional mix of properties makes sapphire an ideal material for LED manufacturing and as a semiconductor. Also, when compared to other optical materials, sapphire has superior level of radiation stability and thus a demand from various industrial sectors is strong. Attributes such as government policies and regulations for preferring LED lighting over incandescent and CFL, and a high demand from semiconductor industries are the factors responsible for growing demand of synthetic sapphires globally.Request and Download Sample Report @Display application segment is anticipated to register the fastest growth due to growing market for smart watches, premium watches, smart phone covers, and camera lenses. The sapphire substrates in LED is a matured market, wherein substrates of 6 and more diameter are at a growth phase. Moreover, favourable taxation policies of governments across the world are also anticipated to support the growth of overall synthetic sapphire demand during the forecast period. The display segment is slated to register a CAGR of around 10.5% in terms of value over the forecast period.Asia Pacific accounted for the largest value share of the global synthetic sapphire market in 2016, and is anticipated to increase at a CAGR of 8.6% over the forecast period in value terms. Sales of synthetic sapphires in China is projected to increase by 1.8X between 2016 and 2024. In terms of value and volume, Asia Pacific is anticipated to register highest growth followed by Europe over the forecast period.Rubicon Technology Inc., KYOCERA Corporation, Saint-Gobain, SCHOTT AG, Monocrystal, Rayotek Scientific Inc., CRYSTALWISE TECHNOLOGY INC., ILJIN Display CO., Ltd, Namiki Precision Jewel Co., Ltd. and Juropol Sp. z o.o. are some of the leading players in the global synthetic sapphire market.Buy Full Synthetic Sapphire Market Report @About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a U.S.-based full-service market intelligence firm specializing in syndicated research, custom research, and consulting services. PMR boasts market research expertise across the Healthcare, Chemicals and Materials, Technology and Media, Energy and Mining, Food and Beverages, Semiconductor and Electronics, Consumer Goods, and Shipping and Transportation industries. The company draws from its multi-disciplinary capabilities and high-pedigree team of analysts to share data that precisely corresponds to clients business needs.PMR stands committed to bringing more accuracy and speed to clients business decisions. From ready-to-purchase market research reports to customized research solutions, PMRs engagement models are highly flexible without compromising on its deep-seated research values.ContactPersistence Market Research Pvt. Ltd305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.commedia@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Global Talc Industry 2017 Elite Applications, Top Brands, Key Products and Demands http://www.qyresearchreports.com/sample/sample.php?rep_id=1315422&type=E http://www.qyresearchreports.com Qyresearchreports include new market research report Global Talc Industry 2017 Market Research Report to its huge collection of research reports.This given report on the global Talc market, is a result of a research conducted by a group of market research analysis experts with an aim to act as a reliable business material for stake holders. The report offers information on the current market scenario and the prospects that may arise in future as well. Use of well proven research methodologies is done in generating this report which offers both qualitative and quantitative analysis of all the aspects that may influence the growth of the global Talc market. The potential of lesser factors of the Talc market can be evaluated by analysing its multiple segments such as products, end users, types, application, services, and others, whichever are applicable. The report also inspects the future scenarios of Talc market in all the important regions across the world, such as North America, Latin America, Middle East and Africa (MEA), Asia Pacific, and Europe. The market potential of the Talc of each region is provided by examining their related policies government, growth prospects, and demand percentage.To Get Free Sample Copy of Report visit @Table of Contents2 Global Talc Market Competition by Manufacturers162.1 Global Talc Capacity, Production and Share by Manufacturers (2012-2017)162.1.1 Global Talc Capacity (K MT) and Share (%) by Manufacturers (2012-2017)162.1.2 Global Talc Production (K MT) and Share (%) by Manufacturers (2012-2017)193 Global Talc Production by Regions (2012-2017)343.1 Global Talc Capacity (K MT) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)343.2 Global Talc Production (K MT) and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)363.3 Global Talc Revenue and Market Share (%) by Regions (2012-2017)383.4 Global Talc Capacity, Production (K MT), Revenue (Million USD), Price (USD/MT) and Gross Margin (%) (2012-2017)404 Global Talc Consumption (K MT) by Regions (2012-2017)504.1 Global Talc Consumption (K MT) by Regions (2012-2017)504.2 United States Talc Consumption (K MT) (2012-2017)524.3 Europe Talc Consumption (K MT) (2012-2017)534.4 China Talc Consumption (K MT) (2012-2017)534.5 Japan Talc Consumption (K MT) (2012-2017)54About UsQYReseachReports.com delivers the latest strategic market intelligence to build a successful business footprint in China. Our syndicated and customized research reports provide companies with vital background information of the market and in-depth analysis on the Chinese trade and investment framework, which directly affects their business operations. Reports from QYReseachReports.com feature valuable recommendations on how to navigate in the extremely unpredictable yet highly attractive Chinese market.Contact usBrooklyn, NY 11230United StatesToll Free: 866-997-4948 (USA-CANADA)Tel: +1-518-621-2074Web:Email: sales@qyresearchreports.com Smart Grid Market Estimated to Expand at a Robust CAGR over 2019 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/smart-grid-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=137 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/137 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=137 1500 cfm segment with an estimated 4.4% CAGR over 2016-2024.Request and Download Sample Report@Considering material type, cast iron segment will continue dominance with over 60% value share, reaching a value of US$ 1,718.2 Mn in 2024. This segment will also demonstrate the fastest CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period. Stainless steel segment will also grow moderately at 5%, attaining a value worth US$ 876 Mn in 2024.Based on the end-use industry, oil and gas sector will retain dominance over others, with over US$ 931 Mn by the end of 2024 in terms of revenues. Chemical processing and general process industries will continue to maintain the second and third largest segments respectively. Among these, general process industries will display a higher CAGR of 5.8% over 2016-2024, bagging the revenues of over US$ 511 Mn. Paper and pulp, and power segments are expected to grow steadily throughout the assessment period.Dekker Vacuum Technologies Inc., Busch Vacuum Technics Inc., Flowserve Corporation, Tsurumi Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Atlas Copco Airpower N.V., Gardner Denver Nash LLC, Tuthill Vacuum & Blower Systems, and Graham Corp. are some of the key players that constitute the competitive landscape of the global liquid ring vacuum pumps marketplace. Persistence Market Researchs report includes in-depth profiling of key companies.Buy Full Liquid Ring Vacuum Pumps Market ReportAbout UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.About UsPersistence Market Research (PMR) is a third-platform research firm. Our research model is a unique collaboration of data analytics and market research methodology to help businesses achieve optimal performance.To support companies in overcoming complex business challenges, we follow a multi-disciplinary approach. At PMR, we unite various data streams from multi-dimensional sources. By deploying real-time data collection, big data, and customer experience analytics, we deliver business intelligence for organizations of all sizes.Contact UsPersistence Market Research305 Broadway7th Floor, New York City,NY 10007, United States,USA Canada Toll Free: 800-961-0353Email: sales@persistencemarketresearch.comWeb: Non-vascular Stents Market is Forecasted to Reach US$730.5 mn by 2025 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/non-vascular-stents-market.html http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/sample/sample.php?flag=S&rep_id=27980 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/report-toc/27980 http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/checkout.php?rep_id=27980